Protective contact plug, system for providing electrical energy and method for providing electrical energy

Abstract

Protective contact plug (1) for realizing an electrical plug connection, comprising at least one protective contact (26) and two elongated plug contacts (20), each having a shaft (22) for electrical contact, a fastening end region (23) and a free end region (24), and comprising at least one protective device (30) with which at least the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) are protected or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact, wherein relative movement is possible between at least one region of the protective device (30) and the plug contacts (20) so that the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) can be exposed and electrically contacted at least partially, wherein the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) are or can be electrically insulated by means of a protective element (31) of the protective device (30).wherein the protective device (30) for covering the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) comprises a spring-mounted protective cover device (40) which has, for each plug contact (20), a protective cover (41) that is at least partially hollow cylindrical in shape as a protective element (31), wherein the protective cover device (40) further comprises a base element (42), and the protective covers (41) that are at least partially hollow cylindrical in shape are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element (42) so that they are together displaceable on the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20), wherein the protective contact plug (1) has a guide device for guiding the protective device (30) along a longitudinal direction (21) of the plug contacts (20), wherein by means of the guide device an uneven displacement of the protective elements (31) on the plug contacts (20) can be counteracted by means of the guide device by tilting the base element (42) on a guide element of the guide device. is,characterized in that the guide device is arranged between the plug contacts (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective contact plug, as well as a system and a method for providing electrical energy.

[0002] Due to the need to reduce environmentally harmful emissions and lower energy costs, decentralized energy sources in the form of energy converters are increasingly required.

[0003] Especially for individual households or smaller consumers, these can also be systems with a relatively low power output. Such systems should be inexpensive and flexible to install and operate.

[0004] This also requires a simple, user-friendly and safe electrical connection option.

[0005] To reduce costs, it is also desirable that the components used are largely standardized.

[0006] Furthermore, it is necessary to feed generated electrical energy into an existing grid in a simple and cost-effective manner or to make it available to a consumer.

[0007] Energy transmission equipment must be provided for this.

[0008] There are various energy transmission devices in the form of plugs and complementary sockets.

[0009] For example, EP3309917 A1 discloses a device with a touch-protected arrangement of electrical connection elements, in which it is impossible for a user to touch a live component of one of several connection elements, wherein the device is provided to have a housing divided into several compartments and open on at least one side, several electrical connection elements arranged in each of the compartments, and a sliding cover for all compartments from the second compartment onwards, wherein the at least one, preferably several, sliding covers are slidably fixed to the housing in such a way that if one of the compartments or connection elements is accessible, all other compartments or connection elements are covered by a sliding cover.

[0010] DE 2 112 899 A1 discloses an electrical contactor with plugs having an ejector comprising a body made of electrically insulating material, which is provided with at least one pair of contact pins or plug elements. Furthermore, at least one ejector lever with two arms is provided, which are arranged at an intermediate point of a fixed or fixedly connected part of the body of the plug contact itself, wherein one arm of the lever can act against a contact surface and the other arm of the lever can be manually operated to rotate the lever about its pivot axis in order to eject it or push out the plug contact of a socket.

[0011] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a protective contact plug as well as a system and a method for providing electrical energy, with which the transmission of electrical energy is enabled in a simple, safe and customer-friendly manner.

[0012] This problem is solved by the protective contact plug according to claim 1, by the system for providing electrical energy according to claim 14, and by the method for providing electrical energy according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the protective contact plug are specified in dependent claims 2-13.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a protective contact plug for realizing an electrical plug connection, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts, each having a shaft for electrical contact, a fastening end region, and a free end region, and comprising at least one protective device with which at least the shafts of the plug contacts are protected or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact. Relative movement is possible between at least one region of the protective device and the plug contacts, so that the shafts of the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least partially.

[0014] The protective contact plug is designed to create an electrical connection in a socket. The plug contacts serve this purpose, being inserted into or arranged in the corresponding sockets of the socket. The pin head or free end can be made of insulating material to prevent direct electrical contact.

[0015] One embodiment provides that the shafts of the plug contacts are electrically insulated or can be covered by means of a protective element of the protective device.

[0016] The protective device for covering the shafts of the plug contacts can comprise a spring-mounted protective sleeve assembly, which has a protective sleeve, at least partially hollow cylindrical, for each plug contact. The protective sleeve assembly further comprises a base element, and the protective sleeves are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element, so that they are slidable together on the shafts of the plug contacts. Each protective sleeve can be essentially hollow cylindrical. The respective protective sleeve is essentially non-compressible along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts.

[0017] An alternative embodiment provides that the protective device comprises compressible protective bodies as protective elements for covering the shafts of the plug contacts along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts. These protective bodies are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of a base element, wherein an end region of each protective body is displaceable by compressing the protective body in order to expose the shaft of the plug contact. To expose the shafts, it is provided that only one end region of each protective body is displaced, while the opposite end region of the protective body remains supported against a base element. Each protective body has a through-opening in which the respective plug contact is arranged.

[0018] Each compressible protective body can be elastically compressible, so that it can develop an elastic restoring force in its compressed state. Such a protective body can, for example, be a foam body. If necessary, a single foam body can form both protective elements. That is, the foam body can be implemented as a single membrane / foam body or as two separate cylindrical membrane / foam bodies.

[0019] The protective contact plug can have a guide device for guiding the protective element along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, whereby the guide device counteracts uneven displacement of the protective elements on the plug contacts caused by tilting the base element on a guide element of the guide device. Uneven movement would occur if one protective element moves further than the other protective element in a given unit of time.

[0020] The tilting leads to self-locking if one of the protective covers is pushed further than the other. In this case, the guide element is no longer perpendicular to the base element, so that the base element exerts two opposing forces on the guide element, spaced apart along their lines of action. The magnitude of these forces increases with increasing angle of the guide element, starting from a right-angled position of the base element with respect to the guide track. These forces acting perpendicularly on the guide element cause corresponding frictional forces on the guide element, leading to self-locking of the protective cover assembly.

[0021] If the protective elements are designed as at least partially hollow cylindrical protective covers, the guide device can be arranged between the plug contacts. If the protective elements are designed as compressible protective bodies, the guide device can have guide elements in the base element of the protective contact plug, which are arranged on the side of a plug contact facing away from the respective other plug contact.

[0022] An alternative arrangement when the protective elements are designed as at least partially hollow cylindrical protective covers consists in the guide device being formed by the plug contacts themselves, which in this embodiment accordingly form the guide elements.

[0023] In the alternative embodiment with compressible protective bodies, the guide elements on the side of the compressible protective bodies facing away from the base element can be rigidly connected to each other by means of a pressure plate.

[0024] When the protective contact plug is inserted into a socket, a corresponding force can be applied to this pressure plate by the socket, which leads to a displacement of the end areas of the compressible protective bodies on the plug contacts and thus to an exposure of a part of the respective shaft of a plug contact.

[0025] The pressure plate or the end areas of the compressible protective bodies are guided by means of the guide device.

[0026] The materials used for the protective elements can be mechanically and thermally resistant plastics, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and the synthetic resin SG95.

[0027] The compressible protective elements can be made of foam.

[0028] Furthermore, the materials used for the protective elements may have water-repellent properties, flame retardancy, possibly halogen-free, class B1 / B2, and a density in the range of RG>15 kg / m³. 3 exhibit, and / or a compression hardness in the range of SH < 20 g / cm² 2 .

[0029] Another embodiment of the protective contact plug provides that the plug has a housing as a protective device, whereby relative movement is possible between the housing and the plug contacts, so that the plug contacts can be moved in and out of the housing. This allows the plug contacts to be at least partially exposed and electrically connected when moved out of the housing. When moved back into the housing, the plug contacts are protected against unintentional electrical contact. The housing can be made of flame-retardant material.

[0030] In this embodiment, the protective contact plug can have a drive element which, when a manual actuating force is applied, causes the plug contacts to move out of the housing. The drive element can be mechanically fixed to the plug contacts and protrude from the housing, so that a manual force on the drive element causes the plug contacts to move, allowing at least their free ends and, in some areas, the shafts of the plug contacts to protrude from the housing and be inserted into the sockets of a wall outlet.

[0031] Furthermore, the protective contact plug can have a locking device with at least one movable actuating element to prevent relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts. This actuating element is movable by a protective contact of the socket when the protective contact plug is inserted into a socket, thus releasing the blockage and preventing relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts. This means that the protective contact plug can be designed such that—as long as the protective contact plug is not inserted into a socket—relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts is prevented by means of the locking device, so that the plug contacts cannot move out of the housing and, consequently, no unintentional electrical contact between the plug contacts can occur.

[0032] In this situation, the plug contacts are electrically protected inside the housing.

[0033] When the operating element of a Schuko socket is moved, for example by being pressed in, the blocking effect is lifted and the plug contacts can be moved out of the housing and thus into the sockets of the power outlet.

[0034] Furthermore, the protective contact plug may have a spring device which, when the spring device is tensioned, indirectly or directly exerts a spring force on the plug contacts and / or on the housing, so that the plug contacts are automatically moved into the housing, unless they are fixed by sockets of a wall socket.

[0035] Depending on the strength of the spring mechanism and the assumed clamping forces acting on the plug contacts from the socket's receptacles, the protective contact plug may have a locking device that secures the plug contacts in a position extended from the housing. This prevents the plug contacts from automatically retracting into the housing and consequently extending out of the receptacles when inserted into the socket, even under potentially slight clamping forces from the socket's receptacles.

[0036] All described embodiments may have in common that they incorporate an arc fault protection device, also known as an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). Such an arc fault protection device can be, for example, an AFDD (Arc Fault Detection Device) or an AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter).

[0037] Furthermore, each of the described embodiments can have a protective circuit with a first relay and a second relay, wherein, when the first relay is energized - if a correct connection exists - this first relay closes a current path to the second relay via a first relay switch, so that the latter is energized, and thereby the second relay opens the current path to the first relay via a second relay switch, thereby closing a circuit.

[0038] Accordingly, if the contacts of the protective earth plug are correctly aligned in a socket, current flows from a live phase to the first relay. This activates the first relay, closing a current path to the second relay. The second relay then also switches on, de-energizing the first relay and simultaneously closing a current path to an external contact, such as a socket. In this way, current can flow from the protective earth plug to a socket via its contacts.

[0039] If the contacts of the protective earth plug in a socket are not correctly aligned in phase, there is no current flow from a live phase to the first relay. Consequently, this relay is not activated and therefore does not close a current path to the second relay.

[0040] The second relay also does not switch, so it does not close a current path to an external contact, such as a power outlet.

[0041] If the plug is inserted the wrong way round, the circuit will not be closed. This ensures reverse polarity protection.

[0042] In a first current path between a live phase of the protective contact plug and a neutral conductor of the protective contact plug, a first contact of the second relay switch and a first signaling device can be connected in series. The first signaling device can be a red lamp. Accordingly, if proper contact is not established, a signal is output by the first signaling device, indicating that proper contact has not been established.

[0043] In a second current path between the live phase and the neutral conductor, a second contact of the second relay switch and a second signaling device can be connected in series. The second signaling device can be a green lamp. If correct contact is made, the second signaling device will output a corresponding signal.

[0044] In addition, a hand switch can be arranged in series with the second signaling device, which is designed, for example, as a normally closed switch, so that the signal output via the second signaling device only occurs when the hand switch has been closed.

[0045] The first relay can be arranged in a third current path between the live phase and a protective conductor. The protective conductor serves as the reference point for the alternating voltage.

[0046] The described protective contact plug can also be designed with plug contacts on its side opposite the plug contacts and therefore as an adapter.

[0047] When the safety plug is not inserted into a socket, the described design features ensure protection against electric shock. This allows for user-friendly use of the safety plug with a power source.

[0048] When the protective earth plug is inserted into a socket, electrical energy can be supplied to a power grid or a consumer via the protective earth plug. The integrated reverse polarity protection ensures correct phase connection. If the protective earth plug is connected to the wrong phase of the power grid, it interrupts the current flow. This ensures safe operation with regard to electrical grid feedback from connected devices or power sources, especially power sources with inverters.

[0049] Another aspect of the present invention is a system for providing electrical energy, which comprises a device for generating electrical energy and a described protective contact plug, wherein the plug contacts of the protective contact plug are electrically conductively connected to phases of the device for generating electrical energy or can be connected by means of a switching device.

[0050] The present invention further comprises a method for providing electrical energy, in which a system for providing electrical energy is provided, electrical energy is generated by means of the electrical energy generation device, and the electrical energy is fed into a power grid or supplied to an electrical consumer by means of the protective contact plug. When the electrical energy is supplied to an electrical consumer, the generated electrical energy is thus used directly.

[0051] The invention will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0052] They show Fig. 1: a protective contact plug with housing of a first embodiment in side view, Fig. 2: the protective contact plug with housing of the first embodiment in top view, Fig. 3: the protective contact plug without housing of the first embodiment in side view, Fig. 4: the protective contact plug without housing of the first embodiment in top view, Fig. 5: a protective housing device for the protective contact plug of the first embodiment in side view, Fig. 6: the protective cover assembly in frontal view, Fig. 7: a base body for the protective contact plug of the first embodiment with protective cover device included therein in a frontal view, Fig. 8: the base body for the protective contact plug of the first embodiment in perspective view, Fig. 9: the protective contact plug without housing of the first embodiment in side view, Fig. 10: a protective contact plug with housing of a second embodiment in perspective view, Fig. 11: the protective contact plug without housing of the second embodiment in side view, Fig. 12: a protective device with protective bodies for the protective contact plug of the second embodiment in perspective view, Fig. 13: the protective device without protective body for the protective contact plug of the second embodiment in perspective view, Fig. 14: a protective contact plug with housing of a third embodiment with extended plug contacts in side view, Fig. 15: the protective contact plug with housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in a top view, Fig. 16: the protective contact plug with housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in side view, Fig. 17: the protective contact plug with housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in a top view, Fig. 18: the protective contact plug without housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in side view, Fig. 19: the protective contact plug without housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in a top view, Fig. 20: the protective contact plug without housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in side view, Fig. 21: the protective contact plug without housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in a top view, and Fig. 22: a circuit diagram for the protective contact plug.

[0053] All the illustrated protective contact plugs 1 have in common that they have several plug contacts 20 which are held in a base body 11 or extend through a base body 11. Furthermore, they each have a housing 10 for covering.

[0054] The plug contacts 20 extend parallel to each other along their respective longitudinal directions 21 and accordingly each form a shaft 22. This shaft 22 is fixed on one side by a fastening end area in or on the base body 11, so that each shaft 22 has a free end area 24 for insertion into a socket of a power outlet.

[0055] The protective contact plug 1 shown in the figures has 30 different embodiments with regard to its protective device.

[0056] The one in the Fig. The protective contact plug 1 shown in Figures 1-4 comprises a protective device 30, which is designed as a spring-loaded protective sleeve 40. This protective sleeve 40 comprises each plug contact 20, which is in Fig. 1 are merely indicated, as protective element 31 essentially hollow cylindrical protective covers 41.

[0057] It is evident that in the normal state the protective sleeves 41 cover the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20. In this way, the protective sleeves insulate the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20.

[0058] Out of Fig. 3 shows that on the side of the base body 11 facing away from the protective shells 41 there is a base element 42 which connects the protective shells penetrating the base body 11.

[0059] Fig. Figure 5 shows the protective cover assembly 40 in its entirety in a side view. Here it is clearly visible that the individual protective covers 41 are firmly connected to each other by means of the base element 42. Fig. Figure 6 shows this in a frontal view.

[0060] Fig. Figure 7 shows in a frontal view that the protective shells 41 penetrate the base body 11 through corresponding bores or openings formed there.

[0061] Fig. Figure 8 shows the basic body 11 in perspective view, where a receiving space 12 for receiving the protective cover device 40 which can be moved in the basic body 11 is visible.

[0062] Fig. Figure 9 shows the protective contact plug without its housing from the side. The protective contacts 26 of the protective contact plug are clearly visible here. Furthermore, a spring device 90 in the form of a compression spring is visible, which in the embodiment shown here sits on the shaft 24 of a plug contact 20. The spring force of this spring device 90 prevents the Fig. The protective cover assembly 40 shown in Figure 5 is moved towards the mounting end area 23 of the plug contact 20. This exposes the plug contact 20 or its shaft 22, allowing it to be electrically connected.

[0063] The force required for this can be applied, for example, by a socket of a wall outlet when inserting the protective contact plug 1 into the wall outlet.

[0064] If this force no longer exists, the spring device 90 causes a opposite displacement of the protective cover device 40, so that it is again, as in Fig. 1 shown, the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 covered.

[0065] This is the one in the Fig. The first embodiment of the protective contact plug 1 shown in Figures 1-9 is not limited to guiding the spring device 90 on a plug contact 20, but the spring device 90 can also be arranged and guided on an extra guide element instead of being guided on a plug contact 20.

[0066] A second embodiment of the protective contact plug and its individual parts is described in the Fig. Figures 10-13 show protective elements 31 of the protective device 30. Here, compressible protective bodies 50 surround a respective plug contact 20 or its shaft and thus electrically insulate it.

[0067] Such a protective body 50 can, for example, be made of a foam material. An end region 51 of each protective body 50, spaced apart from the base body 11, rests against a pressure plate 53. This pressure plate 53 is held by a guide device 60 and guided in a base element 42. For this purpose, guide elements 61 run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the protective bodies 50 and also of the plug contacts 20, and are slidably mounted in the base element 42.

[0068] When the protective contact plug 1 is inserted into a socket, a force from the socket acts on the pressure plate 53, causing the pressure plate 53, together with the guide elements 61 arranged on it, to move towards the base body 11. The protective bodies 50 are compressed along this direction. During compression, at least some of the volume of the protective bodies 50 can be accommodated in the receiving space 12 of the base body 11. The elastic restoring forces of the protective bodies 50 are as low as possible, preferably less than 150 N and advantageously less than 80 N, so that these elastic restoring forces are insufficient to eject the protective contact plug from the socket automatically.

[0069] By inserting the protective contact plug 1 into a socket, the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 can be exposed and electrically contacted by a respective socket boxer.

[0070] When the protective contact plug 1 is pulled out of the socket, an elastic restoring force 52 of the respective protective body 50 along the longitudinal direction 21 causes a decompression of the protective body 50 and consequently the displacement of the end areas 51 of the protective bodies 50 and consequently also of the pressure plate 53, so that the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 are again electrically insulating covered.

[0071] The Fig. References 14-21 refer to a third embodiment of the protective contact plug 1. In this protective contact plug 1, the plug contacts 20 are movable relative to the housing 10 along the longitudinal direction 21 of the plug contacts 20. Fig. 14 and Fig. Figure 15 shows a situation in which the plug contacts 20 protrude from the housing 10, and the Fig. 16 and Fig. Figure 17 shows a situation in which the plug contacts 20 are enclosed in the housing 10 and therefore do not protrude.

[0072] If the protective contact plug 1 is not plugged into a socket, it lies with the plug contacts retracted, as shown in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 is shown.

[0073] The protective contact plug 1 comprises a locking device 80 with a movable actuating element 81, which is movable by a protective contact 26 of the socket when the protective contact plug 1 is inserted into a socket. The mechanical connection between the protective contact 26 and the actuating element 81 is not shown here for the sake of clarity.

[0074] When the protective contact plug 1 is inserted into a socket, the protective contact 26 is subjected to a radial force and moved slightly radially inwards. This movement of the protective contact 26 is transmitted to the movable actuating element 81. This releases any blocking effect of the blocking device 80, allowing relative movement 110 between the housing and the plug contacts 20. Accordingly, the plug contacts 20 can now be extended, as shown in Fig. Figure 18 shows that the plug contacts 20 extend from a front panel 82. After this movement, the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 are no longer covered by the housing 10 and can be electrically contacted by sockets of a power outlet.

[0075] The extension of the plug contacts 20 can be achieved by applying a manual actuating force to a drive element not shown here.

[0076] When the plug contacts 20 are inserted into sockets of the socket, the frictional forces occurring between the socket and a respective plug contact 20 can hold the plug contact 20 in the extended position.

[0077] When the protective contact plug 1 is pulled out of the socket, these frictional forces no longer exist. A spring device 90, supported on one side by the front plate 82 and on the other side by the base body 11, exerts a spring force 91 directly or indirectly on the plug contacts 20, so that in the relative movement 110 these are retracted back into the housing, so that the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 no longer protrude from the housing or from the front plate 82.

[0078] This ensures that no unintentional electrical contact can occur between the plug contacts 20 when the protective contact plug 1 is not in use.

[0079] Fig.Figure 22 shows a circuit diagram of an electrical circuit for a protective contact plug. This electrical circuit includes a first relay K1, which is assigned a first relay switch KS1. Furthermore, the circuit includes a second relay K2, which is assigned a second relay switch KS2.

[0080] The first relay K1 is located in a third current path 140 between a live phase 150 and a protective conductor 170. The second relay K2 is located between the live phase 150 and a neutral conductor 160.

[0081] If the current path between the live phase 150 and the first relay K1 is closed, the first relay K1 is energized and closes the current path to the second relay K2 via the first relay switch KS1, thus energizing the second relay K2. This opens the current path to the first relay K1 via the second relay switch KS2, thereby closing a circuit.

[0082] If the current path between the live phase 150 and the first relay K1 is not closed, there is no current flow from the live phase 150 to the first relay K1. Consequently, this relay is not activated, so it does not close the current path to the second relay K2, and the second relay is not energized. Therefore, the second relay K2 does not open the current path via the second relay switch KS2 to the first relay K1 and thus does not close a circuit.

[0083] In a first current path 120 between the live phase 150 of the protective contact plug and the neutral conductor 160 of the protective contact plug, a first contact KS21 of the second relay switch KS2 and a first signaling device 180 are arranged in series.

[0084] This first signaling device 180 can be a red lamp. If proper contact with the live phase 150 is not established, a signal is output by means of the first signaling device, indicating that proper contact has not been established.

[0085] In a second current path 130 between the live phase 150 and the neutral conductor 160, a second contact KS22 of the second relay switch KS2 and a second signaling device 190 are connected in series. The second signaling device 190 can be a green lamp.

[0086] If a correct connection is established, the second signaling device will output a corresponding signal.

[0087] In addition, a hand switch 200 is arranged in series with the second signaling device 190, which is designed, for example, as a normally closed contact, so that the signal output by means of the second signaling device 190 only takes place when the hand switch 200 has been closed. Reference symbol list 1 safety plug 10 cases 11 Basic shapes 12 Recording room 20 plug contacts 21 Longitudinal direction 22 shaft 23 Mounting end area 24 free end area 26 Protective contact 30 Protective device 31 Protective element 40 Protective cover unit 41 Protective cover 42 Basic element 50 protective bodies 51 End range 52 elastic restoring force 53 Printing plate 60 Guide system 61 Guide element 80 Blocking device 81 movable actuating element 82 Front panel 90 spring assembly 91 spring force 110 Relative motion K1 first relay KS1 first relay switch K2 second relay KS2 second relay switch KS21 first contact of the second relay switch KS22 second contact of the second relay switch 120 First current path 130 second current path 140 third current path 150 live phase 160 neutral conductor 170 protective conductor 180 first signaling device 190 second signaling device 200 manual switches QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3309917 A1

[0009] DE 2112899 A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Protective contact plug (1) for realizing an electrical plug contact, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts (20), each having a shaft (22) for electrical contact, a fastening end region (23) and a free end region (24), and comprising at least one protective device (30) with which at least the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) are or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact, wherein a relative movement (110) can be carried out between at least one region of the protective device (30) and the plug contacts (20), so that the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in some regions. [2] Protective contact plug according to claim 1, characterized by that the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) are or can be covered in an electrically insulating manner by means of a protective element (31) of the protective device (30). [3] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by in that the protective device (30) for covering the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) comprises a spring-mounted protective sheath device (40), which has, for each plug contact (20), as a protective element (31), an at least partially hollow-cylindrical protective sheath (41), wherein the protective sheath device (40) further comprises a base element (42), and the protective sheaths (41) are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element (42), so that they can be moved together on the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20). [4] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized bythat the protective device (30) has, as protective elements (31) for covering the shafts (22) of the plug contacts (20) along the longitudinal direction (21) of the plug contacts (20), compressible protective bodies (50) which are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of a base element (42), wherein an end region (51) of a respective protective body (50) is displaceable under compression of the protective body (50) for the purpose of exposing the shaft (22) of the plug contact (20). [5] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by that the protective contact plug (1) has a guide device (60) for guiding the protective device (30) along the longitudinal direction 21 of the plug contacts (20), wherein by means of the guide device (60) an uneven displacement of the protective elements (31) on the plug contacts (20) can be counteracted by tilting of the base element (42) on a guide element (61) of the guide device (60). [6] Protective contact plug according to claim 5, characterized by that when the protective elements (31) are designed as at least partially hollow-cylindrical protective covers (41), the guide device (60) is arranged between the plug contacts (20); and that when the protective elements (31) are designed as compressible protective bodies (50), the guide device (60) in the base element (42) of the protective contact plug (1) has guide elements (61) which are arranged on the side of a plug contact (20) facing away from the respective other plug contact (20). [7] Protective contact plug according to claim 1, characterized by that the protective contact plug (1) has a housing (10) as a protective device (30), wherein a relative movement (110) can be carried out between the housing (10) and the plug contacts (20), so that the plug contacts (20) can be moved into the housing (10) and out of the housing (10). [8] Protective contact plug according to claim 7, characterized bythat the protective contact plug (1) has a drive element with which a movement of the plug contacts (20) out of the housing (10) can be effected when a manual actuating force is introduced. [9] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized by in that the protective contact plug (1) has a blocking device (80) with at least one movable actuating element (81) for preventing a relative movement (110) between the housing (10) and the plug contacts (20), which can be moved by a protective contact of the socket when the protective contact plug (1) is inserted into a socket and can thus remove a blockage of a relative movement (110) between the housing (10) and the plug contacts (20). [10] Protective contact plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the protective contact plug (1) has a protective circuit with a first relay (K1) and a second relay (K2), wherein when the first relay (K1) is energized, it closes a current path to the second relay (K2) via a first relay switch (KS1), so that the second relay (K2) is energized, and as a result the second relay (K2) opens the current path via a second relay switch (KS2) to the first relay (K1) and in the process closes an electrical circuit. [11] Protective contact plug according to claim 10, characterized by that a first contact (KS21) of the second relay switch (KS2) and a first signaling device (180) are arranged in series in a first current path (120) between a current-carrying phase (150) of the protective contact plug and a neutral conductor (160) of the protective contact plug. [12] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized bythat a second contact (KS22) of the second relay switch (KS2) and a second signaling device (190) are arranged in series in a second current path (130) between the current-carrying phase (150) and the neutral conductor (160). [13] Protective contact plug according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the first relay (K1) is arranged in a third current path (140) between the current-carrying phase (150) and a protective conductor (170). [14] System for providing electrical energy, comprising a device for generating electrical energy and a protective contact plug (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the plug contacts (20) of the protective contact plug (1) are electrically conductively connected to phases of the device for generating electrical energy or can be connected by means of a switching device. [15] Method for providing electrical energy, in which a system for providing electrical energy according to claim 14 is provided, electrical energy is generated by means of the device for generating electrical energy and the electrical energy is fed into a power grid or supplied to an electrical consumer by means of the protective contact plug (1).

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