Connector system and electrical power distribution system

Abstract

To allow a DC power supply connector – e.g., for an electric agricultural machine – to rotate freely around its axis while simultaneously providing reverse polarity protection and preventing unplugging and plugging under load, an electrical coding system is proposed. This system is designed to signal, unambiguously and independently of its rotational position, whether each connector (1) is correctly plugged into its corresponding panel-mount connector (2). For this purpose, the connector (1) can have a circumferential shorting bridge (115), and the panel-mount connector can have two signal contacts (223, 224). When correctly plugged in, these signal contacts are short-circuited by the shorting bridge (115) relative to the panel-mount connector (2), regardless of the orientation of the connector (1).The coding can be done via the position and shape of the signal contacts (223, 224) and the short-circuit bridge (115).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector system according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical energy distribution system comprising a connector system according to claim 1.

[0003] Such connector and power distribution systems are needed, among other things, to operate a flexible and potentially mobile power supply, e.g., a mobile power supply system for electric agricultural machinery, for example, using a rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, batteries arranged in battery racks can also be operated together as battery packs. State of the art

[0004] In the prior art, battery columns, battery cabinets, and battery racks are known in which several batteries are connected in parallel and / or in series using multiple patch cables to adapt their current and output voltage to specific requirements. Furthermore, electric agricultural machinery is known that typically requires a mobile electrical power supply.

[0005] Documents DE 10 2015 105 482 B4 and US 2018 / 0358789 A1 describe the basic structure of a control cabinet or battery rack.

[0006] The publication EP 2 176 901 B1 shows an accumulator for hand-held electromechanical tools, with a plurality of battery cells which are electrically connected to each other by means of several electrical cell connectors.

[0007] The publication DE 10 2016 124 501 A1 discloses a battery management system for a configurable battery pack.

[0008] Based on this, the German patent application DE 10 2020 132 965 A1 proposes a high-current connector with an intuitive and backward-compatible coding system for indicating its current-carrying capacity. The solution involves a high-current connector whose coding is determined by the depth of the contact bore. This prevents patch cables with insufficient current-carrying capacity from being overloaded due to incorrect mating.

[0009] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that, due to the particular stiffness of the electrical power transmission cables used, a sufficiently user-friendly reverse polarity protection system for the connectors, especially the single-pole ones, does not yet exist in this area. The power transmission cables can, for example, have a solid conductor or be stranded, which affects their stiffness. Furthermore, they can have thicknesses of at least 10 mm. 2, in particular at least 20 mm 2 , preferably at least 40 mm 2 , especially preferably 80 mm 2 , especially 100 mm 2 , for example at least 150 mm 2 and - e.g. in the railway sector - even more so.

[0010] Due to the high stiffness of the power cables, the orientation of the connector is usually predetermined. A disadvantage of the current technology is that conventional coding often makes insertion impossible, as it already dictates a connector orientation that does not correspond to the actual wiring configuration.

[0011] Without coding, however, there is no reverse polarity protection. If, due to a lack of reverse polarity protection, two connectors intended for connection to the positive and negative terminals of a battery / battery system are accidentally swapped, significant damage can occur to connected electrical machines, such as the aforementioned electric agricultural machinery, especially at sufficiently high currents. This can also pose a risk to life and limb. For this reason, automatic reverse polarity protection is of paramount importance.

[0012] To prevent so-called "pulling under load," i.e., disconnection of plug contacts during electrical power transmission, the so-called HV ("high-voltage") interlock is known in the prior art. The HV interlock monitors the correct connection of plugs in the high-voltage circuit with the aim of preventing electrical hazards caused by unintentional, improper, or otherwise unintended disconnection of an HV plug while the HV system is active. To achieve this, the HV system has a so-called pilot or safety line. This is a series circuit supplied with 12 V on-board voltage, running from HV plug to HV plug. If the pilot line circuit is interrupted by unplugging one of the plugs and the resulting disconnection of the pilot contacts in the plug, this is detected by an HV control unit.As a result, the control unit immediately opens the main HV relays and de-energizes the system.

[0013] However, the aforementioned problem exists that the connectors, when plugged into compatible panel-mount plugs, must be in a specific rotational position for the corresponding signal contacts of the pilot line to make electrical contact with each other. Typically, these connectors are attached to the aforementioned heavy-duty electrical power transmission cables, which are characterized by their exceptionally high mechanical rigidity and therefore allow little to no torsion. In practice, this significantly impairs the use of conventional electrical and / or mechanical coding, especially high-voltage interlocks, or in many cases even renders their use impossible.

[0014] German patent application DE 10 2018 127 720 B3 discloses a high-current connector that, as a panel-mount connector for use with a specific mating connector, is mechanically coded and flexibly and conveniently adaptable to the confined installation space in which it is used. For this purpose, its insulating body is rotatably mounted on the pin contact around the pin axis. This allows a plugged-in, coded, and aligned angled connector to be rotatably mounted, so that its angled cable exit can be flexibly aligned within the installation space as needed.

[0015] However, such a connector is mechanically complex and therefore not suitable for every situation. In particular, its use with the aforementioned HV interlock system is limited, for example, to prevent pulling under load, because the wiring of the HV interlock system restricts its rotational ability. Task

[0016] The object of the invention is to provide a connector system for an electrical power distribution system that offers the most user-friendly reverse polarity protection possible, even when using the aforementioned rigid power transmission cables. In particular, the invention aims to avoid or at least minimize the additional manufacturing effort required for the connector system compared to existing systems. A further object is to provide a power distribution system that is easy to install and handle and provides reliable protection against incorrect mating, especially reverse polarity.

[0017] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0018] A connector system is specifically designed for an electrical power distribution system.

[0019] The connector system has two connectors, a first and a second connector, each with a mating area and a cable exit. For example, these two connectors can each be connected to an electrical power transmission cable to supply electrical power to an electrical device, such as an electric agricultural machine.

[0020] Furthermore, the connector system has two panel-mount connectors, namely a first panel-mount connector and a second panel-mount connector, which serve in particular to be connected on the connection side to one pole of a battery or battery system - or alternatively to two poles of any other DC power source.

[0021] The first panel-mount connector is designed for electrical connection to the aforementioned first connector; that is, the first panel-mount connector corresponds to the first connector. This insertion process may take place in a first insertion direction.

[0022] The second panel-mount connector is designed for plug-in electrical connection with the aforementioned second connector; that is, the second panel-mount connector corresponds to the second connector. This plug-in process may take place in a second direction.

[0023] In particular, depending on the installation situation of the plug connectors, the first and second plug directions can run parallel to each other.

[0024] However, each of the aforementioned connectors is mechanically pluggable with each of the aforementioned panel-mount connectors and, when plugged in, electrically conductive. Therefore, incorrect mating is also possible; that is, the first panel-mount connector can be plugged into the second connector, and vice versa, both in an incorrect configuration and electrically conductive when plugged in.

[0025] In this case, the respective connector can be rotated into different positions about an axis of rotation running in the respective insertion direction when plugged in, and / or the respective connector can be plugged into the respective panel-mount connector in any position rotated about the insertion axis.

[0026] The connector system has an electrical coding system.

[0027] This coding system is designed to clearly signal, for each connector and regardless of its rotational position, whether the respective connector is correctly plugged into its corresponding panel-mount connector.

[0028] In the following, the term "correctly inserted" is understood by those skilled in the art to mean that the respective connector is mechanically and electrically conductively connected to its corresponding panel-mount connector for the intended electrical power transmission. In particular, the connector may be latched and / or locked in its final insertion position on the panel-mount connector.

[0029] An electrical power distribution system has such a connector system, as well as a battery or battery system with two poles, namely a positive pole and a negative pole, between which, for example, an electrical supply voltage is applied, furthermore at least two electrical power transmission cables, as well as at least one electrically switchable electrical switch, e.g., a relay, wherein the electrical switch has an input, an output, and a control input.

[0030] The switch is designed to electrically connect or disconnect its output from its input according to an electrical signal applied to its control input.

[0031] The control input can have two electrical control terminals, and the control signal can be, in particular, a short circuit. This short circuit of the two control terminals of the control input can be created, in particular, by correctly inserting the respective connector(s) into the corresponding panel-mount connector(s). Specifically, the signal contacts of several panel-mount connectors can be connected electrically in series or in parallel, depending on the desired function. However, connecting the signal contacts of both panel-mount connectors in series is preferable, ensuring that they must be correctly inserted into both connectors for the electrical switch, in particular the relay, to close.

[0032] The input of the electrical switch is electrically connected to one of the battery's poles, namely a positive or a negative pole.

[0033] At least one of the built-in connectors is connected to the output of the electrical switch on the connection side.

[0034] Each of the connectors is connected to one of the power transmission cables on the cable connection side.

[0035] The power distribution system is designed to close at least one electrical switch when the coding system signals that each panel-mount connector is correctly plugged into its corresponding connector.

[0036] This has the advantage that the electrical power supply is automatically "switched on" only when the connectors are correctly plugged into the built-in plug connectors. "Switched on" in this context means that both electrical power supply cables are connected to the electrical power supply, i.e., that one of the two power supply cables is electrically connected to the positive terminal and the other to the negative terminal, e.g., of the battery, in order to electrically operate the connected electrical device, e.g., the agricultural machine.

[0037] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0038] A particular advantage is that the power supply is not switched on in the event of a "polarity reversal." Such a polarity reversal could occur, for example, if the first connector were plugged into the second panel-mount connector and vice versa. In that case, at least one electrical switch would not close, the circuit would not be closed, and the power supply would not be activated.

[0039] A further advantage is that automating the power-on process also prevents both plugging and unplugging connectors under load. The power supply is interrupted if a connector is not yet or no longer correctly plugged in. The corresponding signaling can precede the plug-in removal from the panel-mount connector and lag behind the plug-in removal, thus preventing plugging or unplugging under load. This allows the power-on process to lag behind when plugging in and the power-off process to precede it when unplugging. This prevents arcing, sparking, and similar issues, which has a positive effect on the lifespan of the contacts.

[0040] The coding device therefore has a particularly advantageous dual function. On the one hand, it prevents the aforementioned pulling and / or plugging in under load, and on the other hand, it provides effective protection against the aforementioned incorrect plugging in by means of electrical coding.

[0041] In an advantageous further development, the two electrical power transmission cables can belong to an electrical device, e.g. an electric agricultural machine, to whose electric motor they are permanently connected, e.g. screwed firmly to its terminals.

[0042] In another advantageous embodiment, in addition to the connector attached to one end of each power transmission cable, a further device-side connector can be attached to a second end of the power transmission cable. This device-side connector is designed to be plugged into a further device-side connector of the electrical device, in particular the agricultural machine. In this case, the power distribution system on the device side can, in particular, have a complete additional connector system, which is constructed analogously to the aforementioned connector system. This also advantageously prevents incorrect connection on the device side, or, in the event of incorrect connection, interrupts the electrical power transmission to the electrical device.Only when the battery and device connections are correctly plugged in will all electrical switches, especially the relays, close, both on the battery and device sides, and the circuit will be completely closed. This means that the electrical energy transfer from the battery / battery system to the electrical device, especially the agricultural machine, will only take place when both connections are correctly plugged in.

[0043] In another configuration, the connector system can be used within a battery pack to connect multiple batteries / accumulators in parallel or in series, depending on requirements, while preventing incorrect connections. For example, if a battery pack is designed for parallel connection of its batteries, series connection can be prevented.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the connectors can be angled connectors.

[0045] The term "angled connectors" refers to connectors whose cable connection area is angled relative to the mating axis by an exit angle greater than 0°. Ideally, this angle is 90°, but in many cases it is, for example, between 85° and 95°. In principle, this exit angle can also be a value between 0° and 95°, preferably between 5° and 95°, and particularly between 5° and 90°, for example, between 40° and 50°, or between 25° and 40°, or between 40° and 50°.

[0046] A particular advantage is that the electrical coding allows the connector to rotate around its axis when plugged in, without impairing its function.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment, each connector can therefore be rotated endlessly, i.e., through 360°, into any desired position when plugged in. This significantly simplifies handling. Furthermore, it is advantageous that no consideration needs to be given to any existing control lines.

[0048] A further advantage is that the connectors can be inserted in the direction dictated by their respective power transmission cable. The power transmission cables can, for example, have a solid conductor or at least be multi-stranded, which affects their stiffness. They can also have thicknesses of at least 10 mm. 2 , in particular at least 20 mm 2 , preferably at least 40 mm 2 , especially preferably 80 mm 2 , especially 100 mm 2 , for example at least 150 mm 2and – for example in the railway sector – even more so. It is easy to imagine that the cable thickness impairs the flexibility of alignment, for example, already when wiring a battery pack, and in particular does not allow any significant torsion, so that it is particularly advantageous if the connector is rotatable relative to its corresponding panel-mount connector and / or can be plugged into its corresponding panel-mount connector in the rotated state.

[0049] The invention is particularly advantageous for such angled connectors because their rotatability when plugged in ensures that the respective cable exit can be easily and intuitively rotated manually with minimal effort in a direction where the power cables exiting from it do not interfere with each other. This can be especially beneficial, for example, when using patch cables, such as in the aforementioned wiring of battery racks.

[0050] However, even if the connectors are non-angled, characterized by their cable connection area forming a 0° angle with the connector's mating axis within manufacturing tolerances, the aforementioned rotatability and / or the ability to plug them in any position rotated around the mating axis is particularly advantageous. After all, the cable routing is usually largely predetermined by external conditions. The considerable thickness of electrical power transmission cables—as already mentioned in detail—does not allow for any significant torsion, so the rotational position is largely determined by the cable's arrangement and other factors, especially the cabling. For example, in the aforementioned battery rack, i.e., a rack containing several batteries / accumulators, e.g.,The connectors are arranged one above the other and electrically connected in series and / or parallel by means of several patch cables, the direction of rotation of each connector is largely predetermined by the course of the respective patch cable.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the connectors and panel-mount connectors are designed to transmit electrical energy with an electrical current of more than 20 A (“amperes”) and / or an applied electrical voltage of more than 50 V.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, each connector is single-pole and has exactly one electrically conductive power transfer contact. The respective panel-mount connector is also single-pole, i.e., it has exactly one mating contact for electrical connection with the corresponding power transfer contact of the corresponding connector for the purpose of electrical power transfer to the respective connector.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment, each of the connectors can have an insulating body with a mating opening that is at least partially cylindrical. Thus, the first connector has a first mating opening and the second connector has a second mating opening. The coding system can then have a circumferential, electrically conductive short-circuit bridge on the inside of each mating opening, namely a first short-circuit bridge in the first mating opening of the first connector and a second short-circuit bridge in the second mating opening of the second connector. In particular, each insulating body can be essentially hollow and cylindrical, i.e., it can also have a cylindrical outer contour to enable or facilitate the aforementioned rotation.

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment, the connectors can be essentially identical to each other and differ from each other essentially only in the shape and position of the respective short-circuit bridges, which are arranged in their respective plug-in openings.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, each short-circuit bridge is hollow cylindrical and thus has a cylinder axis. Each short-circuit bridge has a height measured along the cylinder axis. Furthermore, each short-circuit bridge has a plug-side end and a cable-connection-side end. At its plug-side end, each short-circuit bridge has a plug-side edge. At its cable-connection-side end, the short-circuit bridge has a cable-connection-side edge. The cable-connection-side edge is spaced from the plug-side edge of this short-circuit bridge by the respective height.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the first short-circuit bridge is less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge. Preferably, the height of the first short-circuit bridge can be at least 1.5 mm (millimeters) less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge. Particularly preferably, the height of the first short-circuit bridge can be at least 2.5 mm less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge. In particular, the height of the first short-circuit bridge can be at least 5 mm less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge. For example, the height of the first short-circuit bridge can be at least 7.5 mm less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge. For example, the height of the first short-circuit bridge can even be at least 10 mm (millimeters) less than the height of the second short-circuit bridge.

[0057] In a further preferred embodiment, the plug-side edge of the second short-circuit bridge is arranged deeper in the plug-in opening of the second connector than the plug-side edge of the first short-circuit bridge in the plug-in opening of the first connector.

[0058] Both of the aforementioned sets of features advantageously serve to clearly identify the connectors based on their short-circuit bridges compared to the panel-mount connectors.

[0059] In a further advantageous embodiment, the coding system can have two signal contacts for each panel-mount connector in order to clearly signal to a connected power distribution system, by means of a short circuit between these two signal contacts via the respective short-circuit bridge, whether the panel-mount connector is correctly plugged into its corresponding connector. Advantageously, the signal contacts can slide along the inside of the respective short-circuit bridge during rotation, thus enabling the aforementioned rotation, in particular by 360°.

[0060] The two signal contacts can, for example, be located on two different sides – especially on two opposite sides – of the respective plug area of ​​the respective panel-mount connector.

[0061] In an advantageous embodiment, the two signal contacts can be spring-loaded and, in particular, made of spring-elastic sheet metal.

[0062] In one embodiment, the two signal contacts of each panel-mount connector can each be connected to the control input of an electrical switch, in particular a relay, wherein the electrical switch, in the closed state, electrically connects the respective panel-mount connector to the respective terminal of the battery. However, this requires a total of two electrical switches just for the two panel-mount connectors.

[0063] To achieve economic efficiency by using only one electrical switch for both panel-mount connectors, in a preferred embodiment the two signal contacts of both connectors can be connected in series with each other and with the control input of only one electrical switch, in particular a relay. Then, both signal contact pairs must be short-circuited so that a short circuit occurs at the control input of the single electrical switch, causing it to close. This electrical switch can optionally be located at either of the two panel-mount connectors. It simply needs to interrupt the circuit at one point if one of the two connectors is not correctly inserted into its respective panel-mount connector.

[0064] Such a series circuit can be implemented, for example, as follows: The first control terminal of the control input of the electrical switch is electrically connected to the first signal contact of the first panel-mount connector. The second signal contact of the first panel-mount connector is electrically connected to the first signal contact of the second panel-mount connector. The second signal contact of the second panel-mount connector is electrically connected to the second control terminal of the control input of the electrical switch.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the signal contacts of the second panel-mount connector can be arranged offset from each other in the second insertion direction on the insertion area of ​​the second panel-mount connector. In particular, the two signal contacts of the second panel-mount connector can be arranged offset from each other in the second insertion direction by more than the height of the first short-circuit bridge on the insertion area of ​​the second panel-mount connector. To ensure particularly good operational reliability, the two signal contacts of the second panel-mount connector can be arranged offset from each other in the second insertion direction by at least the height of the first short-circuit bridge plus a value "delta" on the insertion area of ​​the second panel-mount connector. Preferably, this delta can be at least 1 mm ("millimeter"), more preferably at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, and more preferably at least 6 mm, i.e., e.g., 8 mm or even more.even 10 mm or more.

[0066] In contrast, the two signal contacts of the first panel-mount connector in the first insertion direction can either not be positioned at all or can be offset by a maximum of the height of the first short-circuit bridge - i.e., only by the height of the first short-circuit bridge or by less than the height of the first short-circuit bridge - on the insertion area of ​​the first connector.

[0067] In an advantageous embodiment, if the first connector is incorrectly inserted into the second panel-mount connector, none – or at most only one – of the signal contacts in the first panel-mount connector extends deep enough into the insertion opening of the second connector to make electrical contact with the second short-circuit bridge. Thus, no short circuit can occur between the signal contacts.

[0068] The two signal contacts arranged in the first panel-mount connector can therefore only be short-circuited by the first short-circuit bridge of the first connector, since the second short-circuit bridge is located too deep in the plug opening of the second connector to electrically connect these two signal contacts.

[0069] It is particularly advantageous if the two signal contacts in the second connector are only short-circuited by the second short-circuit bridge, since the first short-circuit bridge is too short – even in the case of incorrect insertion. This prevents these two signal contacts from being electrically connected during the insertion process – even temporarily – and thus from being short-circuited, at least briefly.

[0070] In contrast, the two signal contacts arranged in the first panel-mount connector can advantageously be short-circuited by the first short-circuit bridge when correctly plugged into the first connector, since they are close enough together – viewed in the first plug-in direction – to simultaneously make electrical contact with the first short-circuit bridge when plugged in.

[0071] The two signal contacts arranged in the second panel-mount connector can be short-circuited by the second short-circuit bridge when correctly inserted into the second connector, because - viewed in the second insertion direction - they extend deep enough into the insertion opening of the second connector to simultaneously make electrical contact with the first short-circuit bridge when inserted.

[0072] In an advantageous embodiment, the power distribution system closes the respective electrical switch, in particular the respective relay, precisely when the two signal contacts of the relevant plug connector are short-circuited. For this purpose, the power distribution system can, for example, apply a preferably low measuring voltage of, for example, only a few volts, i.e., 1 to 20 V ("volts"), e.g., 12 V ("vehicle voltage"), to the two signal contacts and then measure whether a current flows through the signal contacts in order to detect the short circuit.

[0073] If a short circuit is present, the respective connector is correctly plugged into the corresponding panel-mount connector.

[0074] For example, the first connector can be connected to the positive terminal of the battery via the first panel-mount connector. Once a correct connection is established between the first connector and the first panel-mount connector, the signal contacts of the first panel-mount connector are short-circuited.

[0075] Furthermore, the second connector can be connected to the negative terminal of the battery via the second panel-mount connector. Once a correct connection is established between the second connector and the second panel-mount connector, the signal contacts of the second panel-mount connector are short-circuited.

[0076] If the first and second connectors are correctly inserted, the series connection of the signal contacts of both connectors also produces a short circuit. In this way, a single electrical switch, such as a single relay, can close a circuit depending on the correct insertion state of both connectors. This circuit can include not only the battery and the connector system, but also a device connected via cable, such as the aforementioned electric agricultural machine. Example

[0077] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a state-of-the-art built-in connector with an HV interlock connection; Fig. 2a a first connector with a power transfer contact and a circumferential short-circuit bridge; Fig. 2b a first panel-mount connector with one mating contact and two signal contacts; Fig. 3. Show the first connector with the first panel-mount connector in a correctly inserted state in a sectional view; Fig. 4a the first connector with the first built-in connector in a correctly inserted state in a further sectional view; Fig. 4b the second connector with the second panel-mount connector in a correctly inserted state in a sectional view; Fig. 5a the second connector with the first panel connector in a misaligned state in a further sectional view; Fig. 5b the first connector with the second panel connector in a misaligned state in a further sectional view; Fig. 6a the first connector with the second panel connector in the incorrect insertion process in a further sectional view; Fig. 6b again connect the first connector to the second panel connector in the incorrectly inserted state.

[0078] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0079] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art panel-mount connector 3. This panel-mount connector 3 has a mounting housing 300 with a substantially hollow cylindrical plug section 31 and a mounting flange 34. The mounting flange 34 has four screw holes 340 for screwing onto, for example, a battery or the housing of a battery pack or the like.

[0080] The hollow cylindrical plug section 31 has several coding recesses 313, 314, 315 arranged on its inner side. Their arrangement forms a coding system. This coding prevents an incompatible plug (not shown) from being inserted incorrectly into the plug. Furthermore, it ensures a predetermined rotational position of a state-of-the-art plug (not shown) both during insertion and in the inserted state.

[0081] This determination of the rotational position of the plug not shown relative to the panel connector 3 is particularly important because the panel connector 3 has a panel-side HV interlock connection 35 at a designated location in or on its plug section 31.

[0082] Furthermore, a mating contact 333 with a touch guard 326 is arranged centrally in the plug section 31 of the panel-mount connector 3. This mating contact 333 serves for plugging into a plug contact of the connector to be plugged in (not shown).

[0083] This connector, not shown in the drawing, has a plug-side HV interlock connection which, when plugged in, makes electrical contact with the panel-side HV interlock connection 35 of the panel-mount connector 3. The plug-side HV interlock connection is positioned on the connector to ensure that, when correctly plugged in, it makes electrical contact with the panel-mount connector-side HV interlock connection 35 of the panel-mount connector 3. This allows the correct mating state between the plug and the panel-mount connector 3 to be automatically detected via a signal line 36 connected to the panel-mount connector-side interlock connection. This enables, for example, a delayed, automatic switch-on of an electrical power supply; that is, the power supply is only switched on when the correct mating state and thus the electrical connection are established as intended.

[0084] When the plug is pulled, the plug-side HV interlock connection can be disconnected "preemptively" from the mounting-side HV interlock connection 35, meaning the interlock connection is disconnected before the plug contact is disconnected from the mating contact 333. This allows the electrical power supply to be switched off from the mating contact 333, for example, via an electrical switch / relay (not shown), even before the plug contact is disconnected from the mating contact 333. This prevents the formation of an arc, thus protecting both the plug contact and the mating contact 333.

[0085] The Fig. Figure 2a shows a first connector 1. The first connector 1 has a connector housing 100 with a mating area 11 and a cable connection area 12, as well as a hollow cylindrical insulating body 120 in which an electrical power transmission contact 111 is arranged. The hollow cylindrical shape of the insulating body 120 forms a first cylindrical mating opening 10 inside it.

[0086] In this plug-in opening 10 of the insulating body 110 a circumferential first short-circuit bridge 115 is arranged.

[0087] The Fig. Figure 2b shows a first built-in connector 2 in the insertion direction with a view of its insertion area 21.

[0088] The first panel-mount connector 2 has a mounting housing 200, comprising the plug-in area 21 in which a plug contact carrier 210 with a first mating contact 222 is arranged. Furthermore, two signal contacts 223, 224, namely a first 223 and a second 224 signal contact, are arranged on the plug contact carrier 210. The mounting housing 200 also has a mounting flange 24.

[0089] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the first connector 1 and the panel-mount connector 2 in a correctly connected state in a perspective sectional view.

[0090] In addition to a push-pull locking mechanism, familiar to those skilled in the art, which ensures a correct mating state between the corresponding connectors 1, 1' and panel-mount connectors 2, 2', and simultaneous internal and external contacting of the electrical power transmission contact 111 by the mating contact 222, the electrical short circuit of the two signal contacts 223, 224 by the first short-circuit bridge 115 is of particular importance in this case. This indicates the correctly mated state in which the two connectors are located. When the first connector 1 is rotated relative to the panel-mount connector 2, these signal contacts 223, 224 slide along the inside of the short-circuit bridge without ever losing their mutual electrically conductive connection.

[0091] This short circuit can be detected by an electrical power distribution system. For example, it can trigger the activation of an electrical switch / relay (not shown) connected to signal contacts 223 and 224. The switch / relay can, for example, electrically connect the mating contact 222 of the panel-mount connector 2 to the terminal of a battery (not shown).

[0092] The Fig. Figure 4a shows the same arrangement in a slightly different representation. It is particularly evident in this representation that the two signal contacts 223, 224 are at the same height and are therefore, in the correctly inserted state shown, short-circuited by the first circumferential, hollow cylindrical short-circuit bridge 115, even though it has a comparatively low height H1, shown vertically in the drawing.

[0093] In the Fig. Figure 4b shows the second connector 1' and the second panel-mount connector 2' also in their correctly connected state. The second connector 1' differs from the first connector 1 only in the shape and position of the two signal contacts 223', 224', which are arranged with their unspecified contact areas offset from each other by an offset D on the connector carrier 210. The second panel-mount connector 2' differs from the first panel-mount connector 2 in its height H2 and the position of its short-circuit bridge 115. Although the two contact areas are offset from each other by the offset D, the two signal contacts 223', 224' contact the second circumferential short-circuit bridge 115' in a second plug-in opening 10' at these respective contact areas and are thus short-circuited, i.e., a short-circuit signal is generated.The second connector 1' can also be rotated around the plug-in axis relative to the second panel-mount connector, whereby the associated signal contacts 223', 224' slide along the inside of the second short-circuit bridge 115 without losing electrical contact with each other, thus generating a short-circuit signal.

[0094] This short-circuit signal can, for example, control the aforementioned electrical switch / relay (not shown), which then closes and electrically connects the opposite contact 222 on the cable connection side (shown here in the drawing below) to a terminal of a battery (not shown), thus automatically activating the electrical energy transfer in the correctly plugged-in state.

[0095] In an embodiment expressly disclosed herein in connection with the invention, the two signal contacts 223, 224 of the first panel-mount connector 2 can be electrically connected in series with the two signal contacts 223', 224' of the second panel-mount connector 2' to control the electrical switch / relay (not shown). The switch / relay then closes only when both signal contact pairs 223, 224 / 223', 224' are short-circuited, i.e., when the first signal contact 223 of the first panel-mount connector 2 is short-circuited with the second signal contact 224 of the first panel-mount connector 2, and also when the first signal contact 223' of the second panel-mount connector 2' is short-circuited with the second signal contact 224' of the second panel-mount connector 2'.

[0096] Such a series circuit can be implemented, for example, as follows: A first control terminal of the control input of the electrical switch / relay (not shown) is electrically connected to the first signal contact 223 of the first panel-mount connector 2. The second signal contact 224 of the first panel-mount connector 2 is electrically connected to the first signal contact 223' of the second panel-mount connector 2'. The second signal contact 224' of the second panel-mount connector 2' is electrically connected to a second control terminal of the control input of the electrical switch / relay (not shown).

[0097] Only when both connectors 1, 1' are correctly plugged into their respective corresponding panel-mount connectors 2, 2' is the first control terminal 223, 223' electrically connected to the second control terminal 224, 224', thus forming a short circuit. The electrical switch / relay (not shown) then closes and electrically connects its input to its output. This allows it to close a circuit for electrical power supply, e.g., via an electrical load (not shown), which is thereby supplied with electrical energy, e.g., from a battery / accumulator / battery pack (not shown).

[0098] The Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b each show a misplacement.

[0099] In the Fig. In 5a, the second connector 1' is incorrectly plugged into the first panel-mount connector 2, which is not intended for this purpose. The two signal contacts 223, 224 of the first panel-mount connector 2 do not extend far enough into the second insertion opening 10' of the second connector 1' to be short-circuited. The incorrect connection is therefore detected, and the aforementioned power transfer would not be activated.

[0100] In the Fig. In 5b, the first connector 1 is incorrectly plugged into the second panel-mount connector 2', which is not intended for this purpose. Firstly, the two signal contacts 223', 224' of the second panel-mount connector 2' extend too far into the insertion opening 10 of the first connector 1 to be short-circuited. Secondly, their offset D (cf. Fig. 6b) are also too large to simultaneously contact the first short-circuit bridge 115.

[0101] Finally, there is a fundamental risk that a short circuit could occur between the signal contacts 223', 224' during the plugging process.

[0102] In the Fig. Figure 6a shows the insertion process, i.e., the first connector 1 is being inserted into the second panel-mount connector 2'. It is clearly visible that the two signal contacts 223', 224' of the second panel-mount connector 2' cannot be short-circuited via the first short-circuit bridge 115. Therefore, even during the insertion process, there is no insertion position in which such a short circuit would be possible.

[0103] In the Fig. 6b is shown as a justification in the inserted state that the offset D is greater than a height H1 of the first short-circuit bridge 115.

[0104] The aforementioned energy transfer would therefore never be activated in the event of this incorrect connection – even temporarily.

[0105] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged. List of reference symbols 1, 1' first, second connector 10, 10' first, second opening 100 connector housings 11 Plug area of ​​the connector housing 110 insulating bodies 111 Energy transfer contact 115, 115' first, second short-circuit bridge 12 Cable connection area 2, 2' Panel Mount Connectors 200 mounting housings 21 Plug-in area of ​​the add-on housing 210 Plug contact carrier 222 Mutual contact 223, 223' first signal contact 224, 224' second signal contact 24 Mounting flange 3 built-in connectors 300 installation housings 31 Plug section 313, 314, 315 Coding Exclusions 326 Touch protection 333 Mating contact 34 Mounting flange 340 screw throughs 35 HV interlock connection 36 Signal line H1, H2 Height of the first, second short-circuit bridge QUOTES CONTAINED 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] DE 10 2015 105 482 B4

[0005] US 2018 / 0358789 A1

[0005] EP 2 176 901 B1

[0006] DE 10 2016 124 501 A1

[0007] DE 10 2020 132 965 A1

[0008] DE 10 2018 127 720 B3

[0014]

Claims

[1] Connector system, comprising two connectors (1, 1'), - namely a first (1) and a second (1') connector, ◯ each having a plug-in area (11) and a cable outlet, wherein the connector system further comprises two built-in connectors (2), - namely a first built-in connector (2), ◯ which is provided for plugging electrical connection with said first connector (1) in a first plugging direction and thus corresponds to the first connector (1), and ◯ a second built-in connector (2') which is provided for electrical connection to said second connector (1') in a second plug-in direction and thus corresponds to the second connector (1'), wherein each of said connectors (1, 1') is mechanically pluggable with each of said built-in connectors (2, 2') and electrically conductively connectable in the plugged-in state, - wherein the respective plug connector (1, 1') can be rotated in the plugged-in state about a rotational axis running in the respective plug-in direction in different rotational positions and / or can be plugged into the respective built-in plug connector (2, 2') in a state rotated as desired about the plug-in axis, where - the connector system has an electrical coding system, ◯ which is designed to signal clearly and independently of its respective rotational position for each of the connectors (1, 1') whether the respective connector (1, 1') is correctly plugged into its corresponding built-in connector (2, 2'). [2] Connector system according to claim 1, wherein each of the connectors (1, 1') is rotatable through 360° in any desired rotational position when plugged in. [3] Connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connectors (1, 1') are angled so that the cable connection area (12) has an outlet angle to a plug-in axis of the plug-in area (11) which is between 5° and 95°. [4] Connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the connectors (1, 1') has an insulating body (110) each with a plug-in opening (10, 10') which is at least partially cylindrical, so that the first connector (1) has a first cylindrical plug-in opening (10) and the second connector (1') has a second cylindrical plug-in opening (10'), and wherein the coding system has a circumferential electrically conductive short-circuit bridge (115, 115') arranged on the inside of each plug-in opening (10, 10'), namely a first short-circuit bridge (15) in the first plug-in opening (10) and a second short-circuit bridge (115') in the second plug-in opening (10'). [5] Connector system according to claim 4, wherein the connectors differ from one another essentially only in the shape and position of the respective short-circuit bridges (115, 115') in the respective plug-in openings (10, 10'). [6] Connector system according to one of claims 4 to 5, wherein each of the short-circuit bridges (115, 115') is designed as a hollow cylinder and thus has a cylinder axis, wherein each short-circuit bridge (115, 115') has a height (H1, H2) to be measured in the direction of the cylinder axis and a plug-side edge at a plug-side end and a cable connection-side edge at a cable connection-side end spaced from the plug-side edge by the height (H1, H2). [7] Connector system according to claim 6, wherein the height (H1) of the first short-circuit bridge is less than the height (H2) of the second short-circuit bridge. [8] Connector system according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the plug-side edge of the second short-circuit bridge (115') is arranged deeper in the plug-in opening (10') of the second connector (1') than the plug-side edge of the first short-circuit bridge (115) in the plug-in opening (10) of the first connector (1). [9] Connector system according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the coding system has two signal contacts (223, 224, 223', 224') for each built-in connector (1, 1') in order to clearly signal to a connected energy distribution system by means of a short circuit of these two signal contacts (223, 224, 223', 224') via the respective short-circuit bridge (115, 115') whether the built-in connector (2, 2') is correctly plugged into its respective corresponding connector (1, 1'). [10] Connector system according to claim 9, wherein the two signal contacts (223', 224') of the second built-in connector (2') are arranged offset from one another in the second plug-in direction on the plug-in area (21) of the second built-in connector (2'). [11] Connector system according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the two signal contacts (223', 224') of the second built-in connector (2') are arranged offset in the second plug-in direction by more than the height (H1) of the first short-circuit bridge (115) on the plug-in area (21) of the second built-in connector (2'). [12] Connector system according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the two signal contacts (223, 224) of the first built-in connector (2) are not arranged at all in the first plug-in direction or are arranged offset from one another at most by the height (H1) of the first short-circuit bridge (115) on the plug-in area (21) of the first built-in connector (2). [13] Connector system according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein in the possibly mismated state none - or at most only one - of the signal contacts (223, 224) arranged in the first built-in connector (2) extends deep enough into the second connector (1') mismated with the first built-in connector (2) to make electrical contact with the second short-circuit bridge (115'). [14] Connector system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each connector (1, 1') is single-pole and has exactly one electrical energy transmission contact (111). [15] Energy distribution system, comprising - a connector system according to one of the preceding claims, - a battery or a battery system with two poles, namely a positive pole and a negative pole, - two electrical energy transmission cables, as well as - at least one electrically switchable electrical switch having an input, an output and a control input, - wherein the electrical switch is configured to electrically connect or disconnect its output from its input in accordance with an electrical signal applied to its control input; - the input of the electrical switch being electrically connected to one of the poles of the battery, - wherein at least one of the built-in connectors (1, 1') is connected on the connection side to the output of the at least one electrical switch, and - wherein each of the connectors (1, 1') is connected to one of the power transmission cables on the cable connection side and - wherein the power distribution system is configured to close the at least one electrical switch when the coding system signals that each built-in connector (2, 2') is correctly plugged into its respective corresponding connector (1, 1').

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