High-voltage connector with movable contact protection

Abstract

In various embodiments, a high-voltage connector (1) is comprising: a connector housing (11); at least one first contact pin (121) and a second contact pin (122); a touch guard (13) which is movably mounted in the connector housing (11) and surrounds the first contact pin (121) and the second contact pin (122); wherein, in the unplugged state, the touch guard (13) protrudes from the connector housing (11) over the two contact pins (121, 122).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-voltage connector with a movable touch guard.

[0002] When charging electric vehicles, a charging cable with its high-voltage connector (plug) must be inserted into the corresponding charging socket. Since the charging plug is handled by the user, it must meet a minimum requirement for protection against direct contact. The degree to which a device is protected against contact, water, etc., is indicated by its IP protection class (IP, International Protection). For example, protection class IPXXB refers to finger protection for objects with predetermined dimensions.

[0003] Document DE 20 321586 U1 describes a plug connection in which protective sleeves and covers serve as contact protection for the operator. This design makes it possible to securely connect even very long plug pins with deep contact sockets. The operator is thus protected from potential hazards during assembly.

[0004] Document DE 1020 20107295 A1 describes a touch protection solution for a connector system, both in the mated and unmated states. The solution comprises a protective device for a lamellar contact socket. The touch protection is designed in the form of a pin that serves as an integral part of the connector cover or the connector housing. A locking mechanism is also part of the solution. The touch protection is integrated into the connector housing and / or the connector housing cover.

[0005] The object of the present invention can therefore be seen as providing touch protection according to IPXXB(+) in the unmounted state for an HV connector which fits into the available installation space.

[0006] This problem is solved by means of the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Further preferred embodiments are found in the dependent patent claims.

[0007] According to the invention, a high-voltage connector is provided which has a connector housing, at least one first contact pin and a second contact pin and a touch guard which is movably mounted in the connector housing and surrounds the first contact pin and the second contact pin; wherein, in the unplugged state, i.e., in a state not plugged into a corresponding high-voltage socket, the touch guard protrudes from the connector housing over the two contact pins.

[0008] The HV connector according to the invention can be a male connector. The connector housing can be made of a non-conductive material, for example, plastic.

[0009] The high-voltage connector according to the invention is designed such that the touch guard, which is movably mounted inside the connector housing, is extended beyond the contact pins when the high-voltage connector is unplugged, i.e., without force being applied, thereby providing touch protection. In other words, when the high-voltage connector according to the invention is unplugged, the touch guard projects from the connector housing far enough beyond the contact pins of the connector to cover them in a way that prevents contact.

[0010] When the HV plug according to the invention is inserted into the corresponding female HV component, the contact protection of the HV plug comes into contact with the contact protection component(s) of the female plug. This pushes the contact protection back into the plug housing and exposes the electrical contact pins.

[0011] According to further embodiments of the high-voltage connector, applying force to the protective cover allows it to be moved into the housing, thus exposing the contact pins. In other words, the contact pins can be released by a relative movement between the protective cover and the connector housing.

[0012] According to further embodiments of the high-voltage connector, it can also have a screw which is movably mounted in the connector housing, with the screw shaft being located between the two contact pins. When force is applied to the screw head, the screw shaft can be pushed out of the connector housing into a threaded socket in the female mating connector. When the connector is plugged in, the end of the screw shaft protruding from the HV connector can correspond to the portion furthest from the connector housing.

[0013] According to further embodiments of the high-voltage connector, the screw can be spring-mounted by means of a second spring element. The spring can, for example, be arranged around the screw shaft and supported at one end against the screw head. The other end can be supported on an internal part of the HV connector, which represents a fixed point with respect to the connector housing, i.e., a point that is not movable within the HV connector regardless of its state (i.e., whether the HV connector is plugged in or unplugged).

[0014] According to further embodiments of the high-voltage connector, the touch guard can be spring-mounted by means of a first spring element. The first spring element can be arranged around the contact pins and be mounted on one side to a stationary inner part of the HV connector and on the other side to the touch guard.

[0015] The first spring element can be arranged concentrically around the second spring element.

[0016] According to further embodiments of the high-voltage connector, the touch guard can have an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder surrounding it, the inner cylinder being attached to the outer cylinder by means of two radially extending walls. The two cylinders can be made of a plastic, for example polyamide 66 or polyketone. The two cylinders, connected to each other by the two walls, form two cavities, each containing a contact pin.

[0017] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0018] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings. In Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the HV connector in the unplugged state. In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the HV connector in the plugged-in state.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the HV connector 1 according to the invention. For better explanation, the corresponding female HV connector 2 is shown below the male HV connector 1. Fig. The two identical plugs are shown in a connected state. Additionally, the upper part of Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the HV connector according to the invention.

[0020] The HV connector 1 has a connector housing 11 in which a first contact pin 121 and a second contact pin 122 are arranged. Furthermore, a touch guard 13 is provided, which has a first, inner cylinder 13a, and a second, outer cylinder 13b. As shown in the vertical cross-sectional view above. Fig. Figure 2 shows the two cylinders 13a, 13b connected to each other by radially extending walls (with respect to the center point of the touch guard 13). The touch guard 13 is arranged around the first contact pin 121 and around the second contact pin 122 and is movably mounted in the connector housing 11. The movable mounting is achieved by means of the first spring 14, which is arranged around the contact pins 121, 122 and is attached at one end to the touch guard 13. This allows the touch guard 13 to move along the longitudinal axis L within the connector housing 11. Fig. Figure 1 shows the HV connector 1 in the unplugged state, in which the touch guard 13 protrudes from the connector housing 11 beyond the two contact pins 121, 122. This protects the contact pins 121, 122 from being touched.

[0021] A screw 15 is also arranged within the connector housing 11, which is likewise movably mounted along the longitudinal axis L in the connector housing 11. The screw shaft is mounted between the two contact pins 121, 122.

[0022] The screw head has a sheath made of an electrically insulating material. In the unplugged state, the screw shank does not protrude from the connector housing 11. In particular, in the unplugged state, the touch guard 13 is the part of the HV connector 1 that protrudes furthest from the connector housing 11. The movable bearing of the screw 15 is achieved by means of a second spring 16. This spring is tensioned between the screw head and an inner part (here simplified to an upper notched area of ​​the contact pins 121, 122) of the HV connector 1. In the unplugged state of the HV connector 1, the second spring 16 holds the screw 15 in a retracted position. The second spring 16 is located at least partially inside the first spring 14.

[0023] Under the HV connector 1 according to the invention is in Fig.Figure 1 shows the corresponding female connector 2, which has electrical contacts 21 that are also surrounded by a touch guard 22. A threaded socket 23 is arranged in the center of the connector 2, into which the screw shaft penetrates when the HV connector 1 according to the invention is inserted and locks it in the connector 2.

[0024] When the HV plug 1 is inserted into the corresponding plug 2, the touch guard 13 of the HV plug 1 according to the invention comes into contact with the touch guard 22 of the female plug 2. This causes the touch guard 13 to be pushed back and exposes the electrical contact pins 121, 122. 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] DE 20 321586 U1

[0003] DE 1020 20107295 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] High-voltage connector (1), comprising: a connector housing (11); at least one first contact pin (121) and one second contact pin (122); a touch guard (13) which is movably mounted in the connector housing (11) and surrounds the first contact pin (121) and the second contact pin (122); in the unplugged state the touch protection (13) protrudes from the plug housing (11) over the two contact pins (121, 122). [2] High-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact guard (13) can be moved into the housing (11) by applying force to it, so that the contact pins (121, 122) are exposed. [3] High-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a screw (15) which is movably mounted in the connector housing (11), the screw shaft is mounted between the two contact pins (121, 122). [4] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw (15) is spring-mounted by means of a second spring element (16). [5] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the touch protection (13) is spring-mounted by means of a first spring element (14). [6] High-voltage connector (1) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the first spring element (14) is arranged concentrically around the second spring element (16). [7] High-voltage connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the touch guard (13) has an inner cylinder (13b) and an outer cylinder (13a) surrounding it, wherein the inner cylinder (13b) is attached to the outer cylinder (13a) by means of two radially extending walls.

Images