Clamping device for connectors

Abstract

A clamping device for plug connectors for the temporary, force-fitting clamping of contact pins of a plug in a corresponding contact socket of a socket by using shape memory materials as adjusting elements for generating the clamping and contact force, in which contact pins (2) of a plug (1) or contact sockets (14) of a plug socket (13) have clamping elements (5, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24) which, coupled with adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4), are prevented from clamping in the non-operating state and can be brought into the clamped position in the operating state, and wherein the clamping and contact force of the contact pins (2) of the plug (1) in the contact sockets (14) of the plug socket (13) is provided in a switchable manner by the adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clamping device for plug connectors for the temporary non-positive clamping of contact pins of a plug in a corresponding plug socket of a socket by using adjusting elements made of a shape memory material for generating the clamping and contact force.

[0002] Connectors are used to connect and disconnect electrical cables. The connecting parts are releasably fixed in place by a spring force and, if necessary, are additionally secured against accidental release by a positive mechanical connection. If heavy cables are to be connected to a socket, the holding force of the inserted electrical contact pins can no longer guarantee the mechanical stability of the connector, so an additional positive mechanical connection must be created. For connections within housings, a simple snap-in technology is often used, which can be released manually, while external connections are locked using a screw connection. Depending on the application of the connector, special requirements must be placed on the electrical contact resistance, for example, the stability of the contact resistance over long periods of time or over a high number of mating operations.At low usable voltages, frit voltage must also be avoided as much as possible. The contact force and the contact area are important factors for the contact resistance. A large contact area is not always ideal because the contact pressure per unit area would then be too low, resulting in only point-like or linear contact. Examples of connector designs include spring-loaded connectors and multi-lam connectors. These connectors have a bending spring element that holds the connector firmly in the socket but can be removed without tools. The spring element makes the plug diameter variable. Multi-lam connectors are multi-lam connectors that, instead of a bent leaf spring, have a number of resilient, current-conducting spring wires that are preferably held together by a cap at the tip. Multi-lam connectors are cheaper to manufacture and easier to plug in, but they have higher contact resistance.Furthermore, plugs are known that have a ring-shaped, electrically conductive basket spring element that is movably mounted on the contact pin, or plugs that provide a spring element between the contact pin of the plug and the contact socket of the socket to secure the plug against loosening and reduce contact resistance, with the spring elements simultaneously conducting the electrical current. DE 10 2009 001 573 B3 describes a spring element, a plug connection, and a contact element with an electrically conductive spring element that is in contact with the contact element to establish electrical contact with a mating contact element, the spring element having the shape of an open band that is at least partially rolled along a longitudinal axis.DE 10 2004 040 118 A1 describes a pressure contact with an electrically conductive contact pin, an electrically conductive guide for receiving the contact pin, and an elastic, electrically conductive contact device between the contact pin and the guide. The contact device is attached to the side of the contact pin and presses elastically against the guide to establish an electrical connection between them. It is also known to insert a spring element between the contact pin of the plug and the contact socket to secure the plug against loosening and reduce contact resistance, but this spring element does not conduct electrical current. German Patent No.328908 discloses an electrical plug with compression springs attached to the pins. The ends of a bow-shaped spring are connected to the contact pins in such a way that the spring is held in place by its own tension on the contact pin, and one leg of the spring can move freely in the longitudinal direction of the contact pin when the contact pin is inserted into the contact sleeve, in accordance with the resulting compression of the bow. German Patent Specification 704450 A discloses a plug pin for electrical plugs. A contact compression spring is formed in a recess in the plug pin from a wide groove running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pin. On the two side flanks of the groove are arranged oppositely extending bores into which the two ends of an exposed, curved flat spring engage.It is also known to arrange a spring element between the contact pin of the plug and the contact socket, which is guided in a movable sleeve and does not conduct electrical current. German patent specification 851217 B discloses a plug with spring-loaded clamping, with a spring with any desired preload and low specific surface pressure due to the almost full surface area of ​​the plug pin being in contact with the socket. The cylindrical plug pin and the parts generating the spring action are arranged inside the plug. The springs press at least one ring eccentrically beyond the cross-section of the plug pin. The plug pin and the ring have approximately the same dimensions. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the ring is pressed out of its eccentricity as far as necessary against the spring pressure. It is also known that the contact pin itself represents a spring element.Patent specification DD 16631 A1 discloses a connector whose contact-making parts consist of several curved wire springs without a supporting center pin. The contact springs are hairpin-shaped and interwoven into a closed bundle at their insertion or bent ends. They are held together by a cap. In contrast to the technical solution of the clamping device for connectors for temporarily clamping the contact pins of a plug into a socket of a power outlet, the aforementioned plug finders only have a constant, unchanging contact force and represent a compromise between electrical properties and ease of use. A control unit connector with an anti-theft device is known from DE 102 43 900 B3.In addition to the electrical connection contacts, the plug connection has a plug connection whose sockets or plug pins are made of a shape memory alloy. The pairs of plug sockets and corresponding plug pins comprise at least two shape memory alloys with two different transformation temperatures. In contrast to the present invention, shape memory alloys are used here only to mechanically secure the electrical connection contacts and have no influence on the contact force or the electrical contact resistance of the plug connection. DE 22 31 922 C3 discloses a plug connection in which the plug socket has a spring clamping element, and the clamping force for establishing the electrical connection with the plug socket is applied by a metal ring made of a shape memory alloy.US 4 487 465 A discloses an electrical plug connection in which the metal sleeve of the plug socket is made of a shape memory alloy, and US 4 720 270 A discloses an electrical plug connection in which at least either the plug socket or the plug pin is made of a shape memory alloy. In contrast to the present invention, the thermal energy is supplied once from an external source. The clamping connection is in the austenite state at room temperature and thus generates clamping force. This means that the plug connection cannot be released at room temperature. If the connection had to be released mechanically, a martensite transformation of the shape memory components would have to occur. This can be initiated by external cooling. In contrast to the present invention, a clamping process that can be repeated multiple times is not provided.DE 10 2014 114 416 A1 discloses a contacting device and method for producing an electrical contact, in which the contact element has or is formed by at least one shape memory element, which, by means of a larger outer contour, exerts a contact force on a wall of the contact element adjacent to the receiving bore. JP S63-184 275 A discloses an electrical contact connection with a wire-shaped, elastic clamping element made of shape memory material. DE 10 2018 202 206 A1 discloses a method and a contacting device for electrically contacting a pin, wherein the input region of the receptacle is slotted and a mesh made of a shape memory alloy encloses the input region of the receptacle, such that the inner diameter corresponds to the starting diameter at a first temperature and to the contact diameter at a second temperature.DE 10 2020 003 938 A1 describes an electrical contact connection with a contact socket and a plug contact, in which the contact socket comprises at least one wire made of a shape memory alloy that contracts upon heating such that a normal contact force acting between the contact socket and the plug contact is increased. Patent specification DE 11 87 289 B also discloses a plug socket in which the sleeve is made of an elastic material with thermal expansion properties that are related to the thermal expansion properties of a bimetallic spring in such a way that the engagement force is kept within limits within a predetermined temperature range.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for plug connectors for the temporary non-positive clamping of contact pins of a plug in a corresponding contact socket of a socket by using adjusting elements made of shape memory material, which is of simple construction, ensures the necessary clamping force during the transmission of electrical power and at the same time reduces the force required for insertion and the electrical contact resistance, with the aim of preventing undue heating of the plug connection and increasing the electrical power transmission.

[0004] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a device for plug connectors for the temporary force-fitting clamping of contact pins of a plug in a corresponding contact socket of a socket, in which the contact pins of a plug or contact sockets of a plug socket have clamping elements which, coupled with adjusting elements made of shape memory material, are prevented from clamping in the non-operating state and can be brought into the clamping position in the operating state, and the clamping contact force of the contact pins of the plug in the contact sockets of the plug socket is provided in a switchable manner by the adjusting elements made of shape memory material.

[0005] When utilizing the thermal effect, the shape memory component is in martensite at room temperature. Activation occurs through the self-heating of the connectors during high electrical power transmissions and is thus provided internally and independently. Thus, the actuating force of the shape memory component is only generated temporarily during high electrical power transmissions. At low power levels and in the inactive state, the clamping force is provided by the conventional spring force of the connector.

[0006] The novel clamping device for connectors according to the invention for temporarily clamping a contact pin of a plug into a corresponding contact socket of a socket has the advantage that the required thermal energy is provided internally and independently by adjusting elements made of shape memory material for temporarily changing the clamping force. This results in a combination of easy insertion of the contact pin into a contact socket of a socket and high clamping and contact force during operation, with resulting low contact resistance. This ensures optimal electrical power transmission.

[0007] In contrast to conventional clamping mechanisms, the use of clamping and adjusting elements made of shape memory material offers the possibility of temporarily varying the clamping force using simply constructed, thermally activated actuators or pseudo-elastic elements. Furthermore, the shape memory material is characterized by a high power density. This means that high forces can be achieved with small material cross-sections and compact components. Furthermore, the shape memory materials have the ability to perform various types of movement and are characterized by considerable freedom in the design of components. They have the great advantage that, in principle, any component shape can be manufactured by forming a semi-finished product made of a shape memory material into the desired shape. This shape then represents the high-temperature shape and is imprinted on the material through a tempering process.

[0008] The basis for the use of the shape memory effect in a plug-in contact with repeatable mating is, on the one hand, the recovery to the original shape against an external force at a specific phase transition temperature for the thermal effect, and, on the other hand, a temperature-dependent pseudoelastic behavior with variable stiffness for the mechanical effect. Due to their temperature sensitivity and freely selectable shape, shape memory components can be used as multifunctional components. Wires, springs, or sheets are preferably used as components.

[0009] It is advantageously provided that the contact pins arranged on the plug are designed as slotted sleeves in which conical clamping elements which are radially displaceable on one side or on both sides and are coupled to adjusting elements made of shape memory material are arranged, wherein the adjusting elements made of shape memory material change their shape or rigidity when heated in such a way that the conical clamping element can be retracted into the contact pin and thereby, by exerting pressure against the contact socket, an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved, and wherein a return spring and the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling are provided for the return of the clamping device.

[0010] It is further advantageous that the contact pins arranged on the plug have a recess in which a wire-shaped, elastic clamping element and an axially expanding or axially contracting adjusting element made of shape memory material are arranged. When heated, the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or rigidity in such a way that the deformation of the clamping element causes the clamping element and the contact pin to press against the contact socket, thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection. The clamping is reset by the spring force of the clamping element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material upon cooling.

[0011] It is further preferably provided that the contact pins arranged on the plug have a pocket-shaped recess in which a radially displaceable clamping element and an adjusting element made of shape memory material are arranged, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such that the radial movement of the clamping element presses the clamping element against the contact socket and thereby an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0012] A further advantageous embodiment of the device for plug connectors is seen in that a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element and a wedge-shaped adjusting element are arranged in the pocket-shaped recess of the contact pin of the plug, wherein the wedge-shaped adjusting element is axially displaceable by an adjusting element made of shape memory material and wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such thatthat by the displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element and the associated radial movement of the wedge-shaped clamping element, the clamping element presses against the contact socket and thereby an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved, and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by a return spring acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0013] A further preferred embodiment consists in that an axially displaceable elastic clamping element is arranged in the contact socket of the plug socket, which is coupled to at least one axially contracting or expanding actuating element made of shape memory material, wherein the actuating element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such that the clamping element is compressed and the wire-shaped elements or regions of the clamping element press against the contact pin provided in the contact socket, thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the spring force of the elastic wire-shaped clamping element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the actuating element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0014] A further advantageous variant is seen in that the contact socket of the plug socket has a pocket-shaped recess in which a radially displaceable clamping element and an adjusting element made of shape memory material are arranged, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such that the clamping element is moved radially and presses against the contact pin arranged in the contact socket and thereby an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0015] It is further preferably provided that the contact socket of the plug socket has a pocket-shaped recess in which a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element, an axially displaceable wedge-shaped adjusting element and an adjusting element made of shape memory material are arranged, wherein the wedge-shaped adjusting element is coupled to the adjusting element made of shape memory material, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such thatthat the axial displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element causes the wedge-shaped clamping element to press radially against the contact pin arranged in the contact socket, thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the return spring acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0016] A particularly preferred variant of a device for clamping plug connectors is seen in that the contact socket of the plug socket is designed as a slotted conical sleeve, wherein on the outside of the conical sleeve there is provided an axially displaceable annular clamping element with an equivalently arranged conical surface, which is coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such that by the displacement of the annular clamping element the conical sleeve presses against the contact pin and thereby an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by the return spring acting against the annular clamping element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material during cooling.

[0017] A preferred embodiment is also seen in that the contact socket of the plug socket is designed as a slotted sleeve which has a bead or a shoulder and on the outside of which an axially displaceable annular clamping element is provided which is coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the displacement of the annular clamping element over the bead presses the sleeve against the contact pin and thereby an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by the return spring acting against the clamping element and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the clamping element made of shape memory material when cooling.

[0018] An advantage of all designs of the device for clamping connectors is that the clamping or actuating force provided by the adjusting elements made of shape memory material can be generated either by thermal activation or by means of the temperature-dependent change in the pseudoelastic behavior.

[0019] Furthermore, in all embodiments of the device for clamping connectors, it is advantageous that the adjusting elements provided for current conduction are preferably made of a copper-based shape memory alloy, such as CuAINi or CuAIMn, to improve electrical conductivity.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawings.

[0021] They show: Fig. 1 contact pin in the form of a slotted spring-loaded sleeve with a conical clamping element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 2 contact pin in the form of a slotted spring sleeve with two conical clamping elements, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 3 contact pin with wire-shaped spring elements made of shape memory material; Fig. 4 contact pin with wire-shaped spring elements, coupled with an actuating element made of shape memory material; Fig. 5 Contact pin with a radially displaceable clamping element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 6 contact pin with a radially movable clamping element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 7 Contact pin with a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element and an axially displaceable wedge-shaped adjusting element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 8 contact socket with radially deformable wire-shaped clamping elements, coupled with wire-shaped adjusting elements made of shape memory material; Fig. 9 Contact socket with radially deformable wire-shaped clamping elements, coupled with a spring-shaped adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 10 contact socket with a radially movable clamping element and an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 11 Contact socket with a radially displaceable clamping element and an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 12 Contact socket with a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element and an axially displaceable wedge-shaped adjusting element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 13 Contact socket with a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element and an axially displaceable wedge-shaped adjusting element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 14 Contact socket in the form of a slotted conical sleeve with an axially displaceable clamping element, coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material; Fig. 15 Contact socket in the form of a slotted sleeve with a bead with an axially displaceable clamping element, coupled with an adjusting element made of shape memory material.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 to 15 show various embodiments of clamping devices for connectors with adjusting elements made of shape memory material.

[0023] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show exemplary embodiments of a plug 1 with a clamping device, in which the contact pins 2 arranged on the plug 1 are designed as sleeves with slot-shaped recesses 3, in which conical clamping elements 5 in the form of a cone, axially displaceable on one or both sides, are arranged, coupled with adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4. When heated, the adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 draw the conical clamping elements 5 into the sleeve-shaped contact pin 2, which is pressed against the contact socket 14. The clamping connection is reset by a return spring 6 acting against the conical clamping elements 5.

[0024] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show embodiments of the plug 1 with a clamping device, in which the cylindrical contact pins 2 arranged on the plug 1 have recesses 8 in which wire-shaped adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 or elastic wire-shaped clamping elements 7 are arranged, which are coupled to axially contracting or axially expanding adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4, so that when heated, the wire-shaped adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 or wire-shaped clamping elements 7 press against the contact socket 14.

[0025] The Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show embodiments of the plug 1 with a clamping device, in which radially displaceable clamping elements 9 and adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 are arranged in pocket-shaped recesses 8 of the contact pins 2. When heated, the adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 radially displace the clamping elements 9 and press against the contact socket 14.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a variant of the clamping device in which a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element 10 and a wedge-shaped adjusting element 11 are arranged in the pocket-shaped recess 8 of the contact pin 2 of the plug 1. The wedge-shaped adjusting element 11 is axially displaceable by adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4, so that upon heating, an axial displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element 11 and a concomitant radial movement of the wedge-shaped clamping element 10 occur, which presses the contact pin 2 against the contact socket 14. The clamping is reset by a return spring 12 acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element 11.

[0027] The Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show embodiments of the plug socket 13 with clamping device in which an axially displaceable elastic clamping element 17 is arranged in the contact socket 14 of the plug socket 13, which is coupled to at least one axially contracting or expanding adjusting element made of shape memory material 4. Upon heating, the axially displaceable clamping element 17 is compressed by the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4 and its wire-shaped elements or sections 16 press against the contact pin 2 inserted into the contact socket 14. In Fig. 8, the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4 is designed as a pull wire. In Fig. 9, the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4 has a compression spring shape.

[0028] The Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shows exemplary embodiments of the plug socket 13 with a clamping device, in which radially displaceable clamping elements 19 are arranged in pocket-shaped recesses 18 of the contact sockets 14 of the plug socket 13, which clamping elements can be adjusted by means of adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4. Upon heating, the radially displaceable clamping elements 19 are moved radially by the adjusting elements made of shape memory material 4 and pressed against the contact pin 2 inserted into the contact socket 14.

[0029] The Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show exemplary embodiments of the plug socket 13 with a clamping device, in which a wedge-shaped adjusting element 20 and a wedge-shaped clamping element 21 are arranged in the pocket-shaped recesses 18 of the contact sockets 14 of the plug socket 13. The wedge-shaped adjusting element 20 is axially displaceable and coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material 4, so that when heated by the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4, an axial displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element 20 occurs, thereby radially displacing the wedge-shaped clamping element 21 and pressing against the contact pin 2 inserted into the contact socket 14. The clamping is reset by the return spring 22 acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element 20.

[0030] The Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of the plug socket 13 with a clamping device, in which the contact socket 14 of the plug socket 13 is designed as a slotted, conical sleeve 23, which has an annular clamping element 24 on the outside with a conical surface arranged equivalent to the conical sleeve 23. The annular clamping element 24 is axially displaceable and coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material 4. Upon heating, the annular clamping element 24 is displaced by means of the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4, thereby compressing the conical sleeve 23 and clamping the contact pin 2 inserted into the contact socket 14. The clamping is reset by means of the return spring 22 acting against the annular clamping element 24.

[0031] The Fig.15 shows a further embodiment of the plug socket 13 with a clamping device, in which the contact socket 14 of the plug socket 13 is designed as a slotted sleeve 25 having a bead or a shoulder and on the outside of which an annular clamping element 24 is arranged. The annular clamping element 24 is axially displaceable and coupled to the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4. Upon heating, the annular clamping element 24 is pushed over the bead by means of the adjusting element made of shape memory material 4, whereby the sleeve 25 is compressed and clamps the contact pin 2 inserted into the contact socket 14. The clamping is also reset by means of the return spring 22 acting against the annular clamping element 24.

[0032] The clamping or adjusting force provided by the clamping elements and the adjusting elements made of shape memory material can be generated either by activating the thermal effect through heating or by the temperature-dependent change in stiffness during the mechanical effect. The clamping is generally reset by the spring force of the elastic clamping elements or by additional return springs and by the change in shape or stiffness of the adjusting elements made of shape memory material upon cooling. In all embodiments of the present invention, the adjusting elements made of shape memory material are particularly made of round or flat material. To improve the electrical conductivity of the adjusting elements located in the current flow, a copper-based shape memory alloy, such as CuAlNi or CuAlMn, is preferably used. List of reference symbols 1 plug 2 contact pins 3 slot-shaped recess in the contact pin 4 Adjusting element made of shape memory material 5 conical clamping element 6 Return spring 7 wire-shaped clamping element 8 pocket-shaped recess in the contact pin 9 radially movable clamping element in the contact pin 10 wedge-shaped clamping element 11 wedge-shaped adjusting element 12 Return spring 13 socket 14 contact socket 15 Contact sleeve 16 wire-shaped clamping element in contact socket 17 axially movable clamping element in contact socket 18 pocket-shaped recess in contact socket 19 radially movable clamping element in contact socket 20 wedge-shaped adjusting element in contact socket 21 wedge-shaped clamping element in contact socket 22 Return spring 23 conical sleeve 24 ring-shaped clamping element in contact socket 25 sleeve with bead

Claims

[1] Device for clamping connectors for the temporary force-locking clamping of contact pins of a plug in a corresponding contact socket of a socket by using shape memory materials as adjusting elements for generating the clamping and contact force, characterized by , that contact pins (2) of a plug (1) or contact sockets (14) of a plug socket (13) have clamping elements (5, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24) which, coupled with adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4), are prevented from clamping in the non-operating state and can be brought into the clamping position in the operating state and wherein the clamping and contact force of the contact pins (2) of the plug (1) in the contact sockets (14) of the plug socket (13) are provided so as to be switchable by the adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4). [2] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized byin that the contact pins (2) arranged on the plug (1) are designed as slotted sleeves in which conical clamping elements (5) which are radially displaceable on one side or on both sides and are coupled to adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4) are arranged, wherein the adjusting elements made of shape memory material (4) change their shape or rigidity when heated in such a way that the conical clamping element (5) can be retracted into the contact pin (2) and, by exerting pressure against the contact socket (14), an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved, and wherein a return spring (6) and the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) during cooling are provided for the return of the clamping device. [3] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized byin that the contact pins (2) arranged on the plug (1) have a recess (8) in which an elastic clamping element (7) and an axially expanding or axially contracting adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) are arranged, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the deformation of the clamping element (7) causes the clamping element (7) and the contact pin (2) to press against the contact socket (14) and an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the spring force of the clamping element (7) and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) when cooling. [4] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized byin that the contact pins (2) arranged on the plug (1) have a pocket-shaped recess (8) in which a radially displaceable clamping element (9) and an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) are arranged, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the radial movement of the clamping element (9) presses the clamping element (9) against the contact socket (14) and an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) when cooling. [5] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized bythat a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element (10) and a wedge-shaped adjusting element (11) are arranged in the pocket-shaped recess (8) of the contact pin (2) of the plug (1), wherein the wedge-shaped adjusting element (11) is axially displaceable by an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4), and wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or rigidity when heated, such that the displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element (11) and the associated radial movement of the wedge-shaped clamping element (10) presses the clamping element (10) against the contact socket (14), thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is achieved by a return spring (12) acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element (11) and by changing the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) is intended for cooling. [6] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized by in that an axially displaceable elastic clamping element (17) is arranged in the contact socket (14) of the plug socket (13), which is coupled to at least one axially contracting or expanding actuating element made of shape memory material (4), wherein the actuating element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the clamping element (17) is compressed and the wire-shaped clamping elements (16) of the clamping element (17) press against the contact pin (2) provided in the contact socket (14), thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the spring force of the elastic wire-shaped clamping elements (16) and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the actuating element made of shape memory material (4) when cooling. [7] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized by in that the contact socket (14) of the plug socket (13) has a pocket-shaped recess (18) in which a radially displaceable clamping element (19) and an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) are arranged, wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the clamping element (19) is moved radially and presses against the contact pin (2) arranged in the contact socket (14) and an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) during cooling. [8] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized bythat the contact socket (14) of the plug socket (13) has a pocket-shaped recess (18) in which a radially displaceable wedge-shaped clamping element (21), an axially displaceable wedge-shaped adjusting element (20) and an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) are arranged, wherein the wedge-shaped adjusting element (20) is coupled to the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4), wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated, such thatthat by the axial displacement of the wedge-shaped adjusting element (20), the wedge-shaped clamping element (21) presses radially against the contact pin (2) arranged in the contact socket (14), thereby increasing the clamping and contact force of the plug connection, and wherein a resetting of the clamping is provided by the return spring (22) acting against the wedge-shaped adjusting element (20) and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) during cooling. [9] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized byin that the contact socket (14) of the plug socket (13) is designed as a slotted conical sleeve (23), wherein on the outside of the conical sleeve (23) there is provided an axially displaceable annular clamping element (24) with a conical surface arranged equivalently thereto, which is coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4), wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the displacement of the annular clamping element (24) presses the conical sleeve (23) against the contact pin (2) and an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by the return spring (22) acting against the annular clamping element (24) and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) when cooling. [10] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized by in that the contact socket (14) of the plug socket (13) is designed as a slotted sleeve (25) which has a bead or a shoulder and on the outside of which an axially displaceable annular clamping element (24) is provided which is coupled to an adjusting element made of shape memory material (4), wherein the adjusting element made of shape memory material (4) changes its shape or its rigidity when heated in such a way that the displacement of the annular clamping element (24) over the bead presses the sleeve (25) against the contact pin (2) and an increase in the clamping and contact force of the plug connection can be achieved and wherein a reset of the clamping is provided by the return spring (22) acting against the clamping element (24) and by the change in the shape or rigidity of the clamping element made of shape memory material (4) during cooling. [11] Device for clamping connectors according to claim 1, characterized by that the clamping or actuating force provided by the actuating elements made of shape memory material (4) can be generated either by thermal activation or by means of the temperature-dependent change in the pseudoelastic behavior.

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