CONNECTION DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE OR ENERGY STORAGE UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a first component with a first connection device, wherein the first connection device is connectable to a second connection device of a second component, wherein the first component is an energy storage device and the second component is an electrical device having an electric drive motor, in particular a machine tool or a vacuum cleaner, or wherein the first component is an electrical device having an electric drive motor, in particular a machine tool or a vacuum cleaner, and the second component is an energy storage device, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A first component with a first connection device of this type is described, for example, in US 2016 / 0293909 A1 and in DE 200 23 631 U1.

[0003] It is common practice for energy storage devices, such as battery packs, to be connected to machine tools, for example handheld power tools, or vacuum cleaners via electrical connection contacts. Supply currents flow from the energy storage device to the electrical device through these contacts, thus enabling the operation of its drive motor. The electrical contacts are dimensioned appropriately for the required currents.

[0004] However, the power consumption of electrical appliances with drive motors is increasing steadily. For higher power outputs from electrical appliances and correspondingly high current storage devices, the requirements for the connection contact arrangements are high.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a connection device for an electrical appliance or an energy storage device or both of the type mentioned above, which has improved electrical properties.

[0006] To solve the problem, a first component with a first connection device according to the technical teaching of claim 1 is provided.

[0007] A fundamental concept of the invention is therefore that the connection device represents a new type of connection device, a so-called first type, which, when combined with a similar connection device of this first type, enables at least one additional electrical contact connection between the connection devices via the additional contact element and the complementary additional counter-contact element. Of course, several additional contact elements and additional counter-contact elements can be provided for each electrical potential, which increases the effective contact area between the connection devices with respect to the respective potential. Thus, larger currents can be transmitted between the energy storage device and the electrical appliance.The base contact element and / or the base counter-contact element can also be a single component or comprise several contact elements or contact element sections. In principle, it is therefore possible for a connection device of the invention to have at least one base contact element per potential, or two or more base contact elements per potential. The counterpart to this, the other connection device of the first or second type, then advantageously also has at least one base counter-contact element, preferably further base counter-contact elements.

[0008] The connection device according to the invention is also compatible with older or conventional connection devices, namely connection devices of a second type. In these, only the basic counter-contact element is present, meaning that the at least one additional contact element is essentially inactive, for example, standing freely in a receiving cavity of the other connection device (of the second type), thus unable to transmit any electrical current or in contact with an insulating surface of this other connection device of the second type, and therefore not fulfilling any electrical function.

[0009] The additional contact element and counter-contact element provide extra contact surfaces, which, for example, reduce the contact resistance between the energy storage device and the electrical appliance. These additional contact surfaces also improve the electrical connection, even in the case of vibrations. Higher continuous currents can be transmitted. Furthermore, the number of mating cycles—that is, the number of times the devices can be connected—can be increased.

[0010] An electric tool is, for example, a machine tool, particularly a handheld machine tool. Examples include a screwdriver, a saw, a cutting tool, a milling cutter, a gluing machine, or similar devices. The electric motor drives, for example, a tool holder, either directly or via a gearbox. The electric motor can also be used to propel the machine tool relative to a workpiece and / or to supply material for processing, such as edge banding, especially in the case of a gluing machine. In a vacuum device, the electric motor drives, for example, a vacuum turbine or forms part of a vacuum turbine or vacuum unit. An electric tool can also be a semi-stationary machine tool, i.e., one that can be transported to a construction site, such as a table saw, miter saw, pull saw, compound miter saw, or similar devices.

[0011] For example, an energy storage interface, in particular a battery interface, is provided for the energy storage device at a foot or other location on the housing of the electrical device.

[0012] The energy storage device is, for example, a so-called battery pack. The energy storage device is preferably rechargeable. However, it is also possible that the energy storage device includes or incorporates a fuel cell or similar other source of electrical energy.

[0013] Preferably, the invention comprises or relates to a system having at least two connection devices, one of which is a connection device of the first type and the other of which is either a connection device of the first type or of the second type. One connection device forms part of the electrical device, and the other connection device forms part of the energy storage device. The system may also include further connection devices, i.e., two connection devices are provided to complement the connection device of the first type, one of which is a connection device of the first type and the other of which is a connection device of the second type.

[0014] According to the invention, the base contact element and the auxiliary contact element, which are assigned the same electrical potential, are electrically connected to each other. According to the invention, the auxiliary counter-contact element and the base counter-contact element, which belong to the same electrical potential, are electrically connected to each other.

[0015] A basic contact element and at least one additional contact element expediently form a group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential, for example, ground potential or a supply potential, in particular 12 V or 18 V DC. Further basic contact elements and / or additional contact elements may belong to this group. Furthermore, it is possible that in a connection device of one type, for example, the first, two or more basic contact elements form a group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential and no additional contact element is present, while in a connection device of another type, for example, the second, the group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential comprises at least one basic contact element and at least one additional contact element.

[0016] A basic contact element and at least one additional contact element advantageously form a group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential, for example, ground potential or a supply potential, in particular 12 V or 18 V DC or even 48 V DC. Further basic contact elements and / or additional contact elements may belong to this group. It is also possible that, in a connection device of one type, for example, the first, two or more basic contact elements form a group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential and no additional contact element is present, while in a connection device of another type, for example, the second, the group of contact elements assigned to the same electrical potential comprises at least one basic contact element and at least one additional contact element.

[0017] According to the invention, it is provided that the base contact elements or base counter-contact elements, each assigned the same potential, are received in an electrically insulating receptacle, for example a plug receptacle or a plug-in projection, on which a plug receptacle may also be provided, relative to the respective other electrical potential.

[0018] According to the invention, each electrically insulating receptacle contains not only the respective base contact element or base counter-contact element, but also the respective associated auxiliary contact element or auxiliary counter-contact element. Thus, it is provided that, for example, a base contact element and an auxiliary contact element, or a base counter-contact element and an auxiliary counter-contact element, are arranged in a receptacle. The base contact element and auxiliary contact element, or the base counter-contact element and auxiliary counter-contact element, are therefore electrically insulated from other contact elements.

[0019] According to the invention, when the connection devices are plugged together, the base contact element and a base counter-contact element associated with an electrical potential, for example a ground potential or supply potential, are arranged in their respective electrically insulating receptacles, isolated from contact elements of other electrical potentials. Thus, if, for example, further base contact elements and base counter-contact elements for other potentials are present, these are not arranged in the same receptacle as the aforementioned base contact elements, namely the base contact element and the base counter-contact element.

[0020] According to the invention, when the connecting devices are plugged together, not only the base contact element and the base counter-contact element are arranged in this electrically insulating receptacle and expediently in contact with each other, but also one or more of the additional contact elements and / or additional counter-contact elements. Thus, contact elements assigned to a single potential are isolated from other contact elements assigned to other potentials in the electrically insulating receptacle, for example, a plug-in receptacle.

[0021] According to the invention, the base contact element or the base counter-contact element, or both, are arranged at a distance from an inner circumference of the electrically insulating receptacle. The inner circumference extends, for example, as a lateral surface around a plug-in axis along which the contact elements can be plugged into one another. The additional contact element and / or the additional counter-contact element, on the other hand, are preferably arranged on the inner circumference of the electrically insulating receptacle. For example, the additional contact element or the additional counter-contact element forms part of the inner circumferential wall or an inner circumferential wall of the electrically insulating receptacle. The other additional contact element or additional counter-contact element, however, is preferably designed as a spring contact, which can then slide along the circumferential wall that the additional contact element or additional counter-contact element forms or comprises.

[0022] According to the invention, a plug receptacle is provided, for example, in the connection device of the energy storage device, in which at least one basic contact element and at least one additional contact element are arranged. A gap, for example transverse to a plug axis along which the connection devices can be plugged into one another, is provided between the at least one basic contact element and the at least one additional contact element for receiving at least one section of an electrically insulating plug projection of the respective other connection device. The plug projection includes, for example, a basic contact element and / or an additional contact element. In particular, the plug projection has a receptacle in which the basic contact element of the other connection device is received.

[0023] Advantageously, each base contact element or base mating contact element is centrally located in a plug receptacle or plug projection of the respective connection device. "Central" in this case means, for example, centrally located perpendicular to a plug axis. Therefore, preferably, approximately equal distances exist between the respective base contact element or base mating contact element and an outer circumference of the respective plug receptacle or plug projection, perpendicular to the plug axis.

[0024] The connecting devices are advantageously pluggable to one another along a connecting axis or track. The connecting axis or track is preferably straight, although a curved connecting track is also conceivable in principle.

[0025] Preferably, the connection devices can be fixed to one another by means of a latching device and / or a clamping device and / or a locking device. For example, the latching device can block the removal of the connection devices and thus the removal of the energy storage device from the electrical appliance along the plug-in axis or track. A locking device can be provided, for example, by a latch acting transversely to the plug-in track or axis. The clamping device, latching device, or locking device is advantageously actuated by an actuating element in the direction of a release position in which the electrical appliance and the energy storage device can be separated from each other and / or the connection devices are movable relative to each other.

[0026] Many variations are possible in the design of the contact elements or their contact surfaces.

[0027] For example, the following can be provided for the basic contact element, the basic counter-contact element, the additional contact element or the additional counter-contact element: The respective contact element can, for example, comprise or be formed by a spring contact and / or a spring contact element and / or a contact tongue and / or opposing contact elements, in particular knife contacts, for gripping a stationary knife contact surface in a pincer-like manner.

[0028] Preferably, the respective contact element can also comprise or be formed by a fixed contact surface and / or a contact surface that can be grasped like a pair of pliers from opposing counter-contacts, in particular a knife-shaped contact surface or a knife-shaped contact tongue.

[0029] The knife contact surface engages, for example, between the opposing contact elements when the connecting devices are plugged together.

[0030] It is preferred that one of the base contact element and base counter-contact element, or of the additional contact element and additional counter-contact element, comprises a fixed contact surface, while the other comprises or is formed by a resilient contact element. In principle, it is therefore possible, for example, that the base contact element is or comprises a fixed contact surface, while the base counter-contact element is a resilient component or a resilient contact element. The other variant is also possible, in which the base contact element is a spring contact that resiliently rests against its counterpart, namely the base counter-contact element, in the fixed position.

[0031] It is further advantageous if the resilient contact element is resiliently flexible transversely to the plug axis or plug track. It is particularly advantageous if the resilient contact element has a contact projection that extends transversely to the plug axis or plug track.

[0032] If several contact elements, for example basic contact elements and additional contact elements, have or form a contact projection, it is advantageous if at least two contact projections, preferably all contact projections, have approximately the same longitudinal positions with respect to the plug axis or plug track.

[0033] The fixed contact surface preferably extends parallel or substantially parallel to the plug-in axis or track. Thus, for example, it is possible for the spring-loaded contact element to rub against the fixed contact surface along the plug-in track or axis when the connection devices, and therefore the energy storage device, are plugged into the electrical appliance.

[0034] It should be noted at this point that a springy contact element can not only come into contact with a fixed contact surface, but that the complementary contact element, so to speak the counter-contact element, can also be a springy contact element.

[0035] It is advantageously provided that all contact elements, in particular all fixed and / or all spring-loaded contact elements, have approximately the same longitudinal extent with respect to the plug-in axis or plug-in track along which the connecting devices can be plugged into one another, so that they come into engagement and / or contact with the complementary or counterpart fixed contact surfaces or spring-loaded contact elements essentially simultaneously or at the same time.

[0036] Advantageously, the contact elements of at least one connection device have at least one pair of opposing contact elements which are spring-loaded or spring-loaded in a direction towards each other or in a direction away from each other, transverse to a plugging direction along which the contact elements can be plugged or inserted into the respective other contact elements of the other connection device.A pair of opposing contact elements can be provided, for example, a pair of two basic contact elements or two auxiliary contact elements, or a pair of one basic contact element and one auxiliary contact element, which are spring-loaded or resilient in a pincer-like manner facing each other, wherein at least one contact element of the other, for example, second, connection device, for example, a basic counter-contact element and / or an auxiliary counter-contact element, can be inserted between the resilient or spring-loaded contact elements of this, for example, first connection device. However, it is also possible that the contact elements of one, for example, first, connection device are resiliently facing away from each other transversely to the insertion direction or insertion axis, so that they can be inserted, for example, between opposing surfaces, e.g.,Insulating surfaces and / or contact elements of the other, for example second, connection device are pluggable and, for example from the inside and / or in a spreading-foot manner, bear resiliently against the surfaces, i.e. the insulating surfaces or contact elements, of the second connection device.

[0037] It is advantageous if the connection device, located inside a plug receptacle or plug projection of the plug contours or mating contours, has mutually facing, spring-loaded or resilient contact elements as basic contact elements or basic counter-contact elements, and additionally, as an auxiliary contact element or auxiliary counter-contact element, at least one spring-loaded or resilient contact element which is spring-loaded or resilient in one direction away from these two contact elements. Naturally, two or more such auxiliary contact elements or auxiliary counter-contact elements can be provided.The two opposing, spring-loaded contact elements are designed, for example, for pincer-like contact with a mating contact element of the other connection device, while in the connected state of the connection devices, the at least one opposing, spring-loaded or resiliently loaded additional contact element or additional mating contact element rests, for example, against an inner wall of a plug receptacle of the other connection device or engages in the receiving cavity. The inner wall can be the insulating surface or be designed as an additional contact element or additional mating contact element.

[0038] In general, it is advantageous if at least one contact element, for example the base contact element or base counter-contact element, or the auxiliary contact element or the auxiliary counter-contact element, has an insertion ramp for sliding onto the other contact element. The insertion ramp expediently runs obliquely with respect to the insertion axis or path. The insertion ramp is preferably provided on a resilient contact element. However, the insertion ramp can also be provided on a fixed contact surface of a respective contact element.

[0039] Furthermore, preferably at least one contact element has a contact projection that extends transversely to the insertion axis or insertion path towards the other contact element. The contact projection is advantageously V-shaped, U-shaped, or the like. In particular, the contact projection is advantageously rounded or has a curved profile.

[0040] Advantageously, a plug-in projection or receptacle of a connection device of the first type, comprising at least one basic contact element and one additional contact element, preferably at least two additional contact elements, is contourally identical to a plug-in projection or receptacle of a connection device of the second type, which does not have an additional contact element (or additional mating contact element), transversely to the plug-in axis or plug-in path. This ensures a high degree of compatibility.

[0041] Furthermore, it is advantageous if one of the base contact elements and base counter-contact elements, or of the auxiliary contact element and auxiliary counter-contact element, has contact sections arranged side by side transversely to the plug-in axis or plug-in track and / or extending along the plug-in axis, for example, spring contact tongues. Preferably, the contact sections are movable relative to each other so that each contact section can maintain electrical contact with its complementary contact surface independently of the other contact section. Thus, for example, two or more contact sections belonging to the same potential can be arranged side by side along the plug-in track or plug-in axis.

[0042] It should be mentioned at this point that the above and following statements can of course refer to one or more pairings of basic contact elements and basic counter-contact element or additional contact element and additional counter-contact element.

[0043] An advantageous embodiment provides that the base contact element or base counter-contact element and the at least one additional contact element or additional counter-contact element are arranged in a plug-in receptacle, wherein one of the contact elements is freely arranged in the plug-in receptacle and the other contact element is arranged on a side wall of the plug-in receptacle and / or forms the side wall. The plug-in receptacle is, for example, designed as a plug-in recess or as a blind hole. The plug-in receptacle has, for example, a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section.

[0044] For example, it is advantageous if the basic contact element or basic counter-contact element is freely arranged in the plug receptacle and the at least one additional contact element or additional counter-contact element is arranged on or forms a side wall of the plug receptacle.

[0045] A particularly preferred embodiment is one in which one of the contact elements is freely positioned within the plug receptacle, and an additional contact element or an additional counter-contact element is arranged on opposite sides or sides of the plug receptacle that are at an angle to each other. In this way, one or more side walls can be used for the additional contacts or additional contact elements. This also highlights the compatibility with the connection devices of the second type. In this second type, for example, plug receptacles can be provided in which one or more side walls offer insulating surfaces, so that the respective additional contact element (several may be provided) of the connection device of the second type rests against these insulating surfaces in the fixed position.

[0046] A complementary situation is advantageously defined as follows. It is expediently provided that the base contact element and the at least one additional contact element, or the base counter-contact element and the additional counter-contact element, are designed as plug-in contacts projecting from a fixed contour of the respective connection device, or have such plug-in contacts. The plug-in contacts engage, for example, in the previously described plug receptacle. For example, the base contact elements or base counter-contact elements with which the plug-in contacts engage can be blade contacts, i.e., provide a fixed contact surface. A base contact element or base counter-contact element designed as a blade contact can, for example, engage between spring-loaded plug-in contacts, which are accordingly in contact with the blade contact from opposite sides.

[0047] Preferably, a blade contact interface is provided by the at least one base contact element and the at least one base counter contact element to form the basic contacts (base contact element and / or base counter contact element). This interface is present in both the first and second type of connection devices. Additionally, besides the measuring contacts, at least one combination or pair consisting of an auxiliary contact element and an auxiliary counter contact element is located on at least one side, expediently on opposite sides of the blade contact interface or the base contact elements and base counter contact elements.

[0048] For example, the basic contact element or basic counter-contact element projects into the plug receptacle in the form of a contact tongue and / or is arranged in the plug receptacle at a distance from the side surfaces of the plug receptacle, particularly centrally. In this case, at least one additional contact element or additional counter-contact element is arranged parallel to the contact tongue, for example on a side wall next to the contact tongue.

[0049] It is preferred if the basic contact element or the basic counter-contact element is arranged inside a plug receptacle and an additional contact element or additional counter-contact element, in particular designed as a fixed contact surface, is arranged on at least two side walls of the plug receptacle. In a connection device of the second type, an insulating surface or a receiving cavity is advantageously provided instead of at least one of these additional contact elements or additional counter-contact elements.

[0050] It is also advantageous if only fixed contact elements are provided in each plug receptacle, while the plug contact elements engaging in the receptacle are resiliently flexible. However, a fixed contact element can also be resilient to a predetermined degree, for example, if it is made of metal, especially copper, aluminum, or the like. The resilient plug contact elements, however, are already designed to be resiliently flexible, for example, through a corresponding cross-sectional shape or the like.

[0051] An advantageous concept provides that one of the connection devices has exclusively fixed contact elements, while the other connection device has exclusively spring-loaded contact elements. Preferably, fixed contact elements or contact surfaces are provided for the basic contacts (basic contact element and / or basic counter-contact element) and the auxiliary contacts (auxiliary contact element and / or auxiliary counter-contact element) in the energy storage device, while spring-loaded contact elements are preferred in the electrical device. However, connection devices that have both—spring-loaded and non-spring-loaded or fixed contact elements—are also possible. It is preferred, however, if only spring-loaded or only fixed contact elements are assigned to each potential in a connection device.For example, it may be provided that, for one potential, such as a ground potential, fixed contact elements are provided for one connection device and spring-loaded contact elements for the other connection device, while with respect to the other potential, such as a supply potential, the first connection device has spring-loaded contact elements, while the second connection device has fixed contact elements.

[0052] Advantageously, the connection device not only provides electrical energy for powering the electrical device or supplying it with energy from the energy storage device, but also features a data interface. In particular, the connection device expediently includes at least one data contact arrangement for establishing a data connection between the electrical device and the energy storage device. The contacts of the data contact arrangement are therefore separate from the contacts for supplying electrical power to the electrical device from the energy storage device. It should be noted, however, that data can also be transmitted via a power supply interface, namely the basic contact elements and the secondary contact elements, for example, in the form of signals modulated onto the supply current.

[0053] The data contact arrangement and the contact elements provided for power supply, namely the basic contact elements and the at least one additional contact element, preferably have a longitudinal distance and / or a transverse distance with respect to a plug-in axis along which the connection devices can be plugged into each other and / or are arranged in different planes.

[0054] Advantageously, no contact element of the data contact arrangement is arranged in a plane oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to a plug-in axis along which the connection devices can be plugged into one another, in which the basic contact element provided for the power supply and the at least one additional contact element are arranged.

[0055] The basic contact elements assigned to the different potentials, and optionally the additional contact elements assigned to each basic contact element, are advantageously arranged side by side in a series direction, particularly along a straight line, transversely, particularly at right angles, to a plug-in axis along which the connection devices can be plugged into one another. The basic counter-contact elements and the respective additional counter-contact elements are also advantageously arranged side by side in a series direction, transversely, particularly at right angles, to the plug-in axis, particularly along a straight line.

[0056] An advantageous concept provides for the possibility of retrofitting or optionally equipping a connection device with additional contact elements or additional counter-contact elements. Preferably, at least one of these contact elements—that is, at least one of the basic contact element or basic counter-contact element, or of the additional contact element and additional counter-contact element—forms a component that is inserted into a base body of the respective connection device, particularly in a releasable manner. Thus, the respective contact element forms a plug-in contact element. A corresponding plug-in receptacle or holder for the contact element is provided on the base body. Advantageously, the holder has an electrical plug-in contact or receiving contact for the respective contact element, so that the contact element can be connected to the electrical potential to which it is assigned, for example, by locking it in place.It may be designed so that the retrofitted contact element can be removed, for example by releasing the aforementioned locking mechanism. However, it is also possible that the retrofitted contact element cannot be removed from the base body of the connection device, for example because the locking mechanism cannot be released, because the contact element is welded or glued in place, or for similar reasons.

[0057] A principle of identical parts is preferred. For example, it is provided that at least one pairing of base contact element and additional contact element comprises identical contact elements, such as spring tongues. However, a pairing of base counter-contact element and additional counter-contact element can also advantageously comprise identical contact elements. It is also possible that the base contact element and the base counter-contact elements and / or the additional contact elements and the additional counter-contact elements comprise identical contact elements.

[0058] It is preferred if the contact elements are arranged in a stacked fashion, one above the other, transversely to a plug-in axis along which the connecting devices can be plugged into each other.

[0059] A suitable concept provides that at least one pairing of base contact element and auxiliary contact element and / or one pairing of base counter-contact element and auxiliary counter-contact element has no or only a small distance or longitudinal distance from each other with respect to a plug-in axis along which the connection devices can be plugged into one another, so that they come into electrical contact with the associated contact elements of the respective other connection device simultaneously or at least substantially simultaneously. For example, the base contact element and the auxiliary contact element are arranged substantially without distance or offset with respect to the plug-in axis, so that they come into electrical contact with the associated base counter-contact element and the associated auxiliary counter-contact element substantially simultaneously when the connection devices are plugged into one another.

[0060] It is also advantageous if the plug-in contours and mating plug-in contours of the connection devices of the first type and the second type are essentially identical in contour and / or plug-compatible.

[0061] Advantageously, it is provided that a plug-in receptacle or plug-in projection of a respective connection device of the first type is essentially identical in contour or completely identical in contour to a plug-in receptacle or plug-in projection of a connection device of the second type.

[0062] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connection device has, with respect to at least two potentials—a ground potential and a different supply potential, in particular a DC voltage potential—a pairing of a basic contact element and an additional contact element, or a pairing of a base-opposite contact element and an additional-opposite contact element. When two such connection devices are plugged together, at least one basic contact element and one base-opposite contact element, as well as one additional contact element and one additional-opposite contact element, come into electrical contact with each other for the ground potential, and likewise at least one basic contact element and one base-opposite contact element, as well as one additional contact element and one additional-opposite contact element, come into electrical contact with each other for the supply potential.

[0063] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a perspective oblique view of an electrical appliance with a connection device of a first type, which is shown in Figure 2 as an enlarged detail view, Figure 3 is an energy storage device with a connection device of a first type suitable for the electrical appliance according to Figures 1, 2 In a perspective view from a slightly oblique angle, Figure 4 shows another electrical device depicted approximately in the corresponding section. Figure 2 , however, with a connection device of a second type, Figure 5, to the electrical appliance according to Figure 4 suitable energy storage device with a connection device of a second type, Figure 6 shows a section through a detail of the connected connection devices of the first type of electrical device according to Figures 1 and 2 and of the energy storage device according to Figure 1 and 2. Figure 3 approximately along a section line AA in Figure 3 , Figure 7 a detail D1 from Figure 6 Figure 8, a detail view corresponding to detail D1 in Figure 6, wherein the electrical appliance is connected to the first type of connection device according to Figures 1, 2 the energy storage according to Figure 5 with its connection device of the second type, Figure 9 shows a section through a detail of the connected connection devices of the second type of the electrical appliance according to Figure 4 and the energy storage according to Figure 5 approximately along a section line BB in Figure 5 , Figure 10 a detail D2 from Figure 9 , and Figure 11, a detail view corresponding to detail D2 from Figure 9 , whereby the electrical appliance according to Figure 4 with the connection device of the second type of energy storage device according to Figure 3 is connected with its first-type connection device.

[0064] In the Figures 1, 2 An electrical appliance 10 is shown in the form of a hand-held power tool, which has essentially the same basic components as an electrical appliance 110 according to Figure 4, namely also a hand-held power tool, whereby the electrical appliances have 10, 110 different energy storage interfaces 20, 120 for use in the Figures 3 and 5 The energy storage capacity shown is 50, 150.

[0065] An electric drive motor 12 is located in a housing 11 of the electrical device 10. This motor drives a tool holder 13 directly or via a gearbox. A working tool, such as a screwdriver bit, a drill bit, or the like, can be attached to the tool holder 13. It should be noted that the configuration of the electrical device 10 as a screwdriver and / or drill is merely an example. The electrical device 10, 110 could also be a saw, a cutting machine, a gluing machine, a router, or even a semi-stationary device, such as a table saw or a miter saw. Furthermore, the concept of the electrical devices 10, 110, in conjunction with the energy storage devices 50, 150, can also be readily implemented in vacuum cleaners or similar devices containing an electric motor.

[0066] The drive motor 12 is arranged in a motor section 14 of the housing 11. A handle section 15 projects from the motor section 14, which can be gripped or grasped by an operator. A switch 16 for switching the electrical device 10, 110 on and / or off is provided in the transition area between the handle section 15 and the motor section 14, preferably for controlling the speed of the drive motor 12. The drive motor 12 has a high power consumption, for example, during screwdriving operation. Accordingly, large currents flow from the energy storage device 50 or 150 to the electrical device 10, 110, which can be implemented with high reliability and low effort, especially when the electrical device 10 is combined with the energy storage device 50.

[0067] The electrical device 10 and the energy storage device 50 represent components according to the invention, which are, however, compatible with the so-called conventional or previously known components, the device 110 and the energy storage device 150. Insofar as the electrical devices 10, 110 and the energy storage devices 50, 150 contain identical or similar components, in particular mechanical components, these are provided with the same reference numerals and are described only once. Different, but functionally similar components are indicated, where possible, by reference numerals differing by 100.

[0068] A base body 21 of the energy storage interface 20, 120 provides an energy storage receptacle 22 for the energy storage device 50, 150. The energy storage receptacle 22 is laterally bounded by guide projections 23, each defining a groove 24. Guide projections 63, arranged on a retaining section 62 of a housing 51 of the energy storage device 50, 150, which can engage in the energy storage receptacle 22, can engage in the grooves 24. The grooves 64 are defined between a top wall 54 of the housing 51 and the guide projections 63.

[0069] The guide projections 63 extend outwards perpendicular to the insertion axis S, so that they can engage in the grooves 24. The guide projections 23 of the energy storage interfaces 20, 120 engage in grooves 64 of the retaining section 62.

[0070] The grooves 24, 64 and the guide projections 23, 63 extend along a plug-in axis S, along which the energy storage device 50, 150 can be plugged into the energy storage receptacle 22.

[0071] The energy storage devices 50, 150 can thus be inserted into the energy storage receptacle 22 along a straight insertion path, which in this case defines the insertion axis S, with the guide projections 23, 63 engaging in the grooves 24, 64. At the end of this insertion movement, a raised section 53 of the base body 61 abuts a recess 24B of the base body 21 or the energy storage receptacle 22, thus ending the insertion movement. Simultaneously, latches or catches 57, which are arranged in the grooves 64, engage in corresponding latch receptacles or catch receptacles 17 on the base body 21 or the energy storage interface 20, 120, so that the energy storage device 50, 150 is locked with respect to the housing 11 of the electrical device 10, 110. It is then immovable with respect to the axis S. The energy storage devices 50, 150 then assume a fixed position F relative to the electrical device 10, 110. In the Figures 2 and 3However, in figures 4 and 5, a solution position L is shown.

[0072] The locking device 55, which can also be described as a detent device, can be released by at least one actuating element 56 (preferably two actuating elements 56 are provided), whereby, for example, the bolts or detents 57 can be disengaged from the bolt receptacles or detent receptacles 17. The bolts 57 are preferably spring-loaded so that they move in the direction of the Figures 3 , 5 The locking position shown, i.e., the engagement position with the locking receptacles / latching receptacles 17, is spring-loaded. When the locking device 55 is in the locking position, the energy storage devices 50, 150 can be removed from the housing 11 of the electrical device 10, 110 by a sliding movement along the plug-in axis S.

[0073] Additional guidance or support of the housing 51 on the base body 21 is preferably achieved by providing guide projections 67 on an upper surface wall 54 of the housing 51, which engage in a form-fitting manner in complementary guide recesses of the energy storage receptacle 22. The guide projections 67 are, for example, ribs.

[0074] The retaining section 52 has a stepped design, with a level 68 and subsequently a level 69 defined starting from a higher level at the projection 53. Guide projections 67 are provided in the area of ​​level 68. Correspondingly, the energy storage receptacle 22 also has different levels, namely a level 28 associated with level 68 and a level 29 associated with level 69. A step is provided between levels 28, 29 and 68, 69, on which plug receptacles 65, 165 are arranged for receiving plug projections 25, 125 of the energy storage interfaces 20, 120. On the higher level, or level 69, further plug receptacles 66 are provided in the area of ​​the projection 53, which can engage with the plug projections 26 of the energy storage interfaces 20, 120.The plug-in projections 25, 125, 26, for example, form plug-in contours 46 for engagement with mating plug-in contours 86, which are provided by the plug-in receptacles 65, 165, 66. The grooves 24 and the guide projections 23 can also form plug-in contours 46 for engagement with the mating plug-in contours 86 in the form of the grooves 64 and the guide projections 63.

[0075] The plug receptacles 66 contain contact elements 77, 78, 79 for establishing electrical connections with contact elements 37, 38, 39 of the energy storage interfaces 20, 120. The contact elements 77-79 include, for example, knife contacts that engage between pairs of contact elements 37-37, 38-38, 39-39 of the energy storage interface 20, 120. It is understood that, however, only a single contact element 37-39 can be provided, which can make contact with the other contact element 77-79 on one side.

[0076] The contact elements 37-39 and 77-79 form components of a data contact arrangement 70 via which electrical control data, for example within the framework of an I²C bus, can be transmitted. The data contact arrangement 70 also provides, for example, a logic supply potential for a controller 58 of the energy storage device 50, 150 (not shown in the drawing). The controller 58 can communicate via the data contact arrangement 70, for example, with a controller 18 of the electrical device 10, 110, in particular for charging and discharging management of battery cells 52 of the energy storage device 50, 150.

[0077] The plug receptacles 65, 66 are each electrically insulating, meaning that the electrical contacts arranged in one plug receptacle 65, 66, for example, the base contact elements 31, 32 arranged in different plug receptacles 65, are each electrically isolated from one another by virtue of being arranged in different plug receptacles 65 or 165. The same applies analogously to the auxiliary contact elements 73, 74, which are electrically isolated from one another by virtue of their arrangement in a respective plug receptacle 65, i.e., an electrically insulating receptacle 265, together with the respective base contact elements 31 or 32. Thus, contact elements assigned to each potential P1 or P2 are each isolated from one another in a receptacle 265, in particular a plug receptacle 65.

[0078] The plug-in projections 125 also provide electrical insulation for the mating contact elements arranged therein. For example, electrically insulating receptacles 266 are also provided in the plug-in projections 125, in which, for example, at least one base contact element 131A, 131B can be arranged.

[0079] The energy storage device 50, 150 can supply the electrical device 10, 110 with an electrical supply voltage via the battery cells 52 (there are several battery cells 52 connected electrically), for example with potentials P1 and P2. Potential P1 is, for example, a ground potential, and potential P2 is a supply potential with, for example, 15V or 18V or another DC voltage potential. The polarity of potentials P1 and P2 is not important in the following discussion, as it could also be different or even reversed. What is essential, however, is the possibility of a high current flow from the energy storage device 50 to the electrical device 10.

[0080] The connection devices 30, 130 of the electrical devices 10, 110 have basic contact elements 31, 32 and 131, 132, respectively, which are assigned to potentials P1 and P2 and come into electrical contact with the basic mating contact elements 71, 72 of the energy storage devices 50, 150 when the energy storage device 50, 150 is connected to the electrical device 10, 110. The connection devices 30, 60 are connection devices of a first, novel type, while the connection devices 130, 160 are, so to speak, conventional connection devices, namely connection devices of a second type. The basic contact elements 31, 32 and 131, 132, respectively, form components of a connection contact arrangement 47. The associated mating contacts, the basic mating contact elements 71, 72, are components of a connection contact arrangement 87.

[0081] The base counter-contact elements 71, 72 are identically designed in the connection devices 60, 160 and form knife contacts or contact elements that engage between a pair of spring-loaded base contact elements 31A, 31B or 131A, 131B respectively, as can be seen in the Figures 7, 8 as well as 10, 11. The basic contact elements 32, 132 are constructed in a similar way, i.e. they each comprise a pair of opposing contact elements, which are not shown individually in the drawing, between which the basic counter-contact element 72 can engage.

[0082] The base contact elements 31, 32 each comprise several spring tongues 40 arranged side by side, which can come into contact with the respective base mating contact element 71, 72. There are gaps between the spring tongues 40, which extend along the connecting axis S. The spring tongues 40 are movable relative to each other, so that optimal contact between the base contact elements 31, 32 and the base mating contact elements 71, 72 is established in this way. In particular, this configuration is significantly less sensitive to vibrations that occur during the operation of the electrical device 10, 110 than the configuration with a single spring tongue 140, as is the case with the base contact elements 131A, 131B. While the spring tongues 140 can clamp the base mating contact element 71 or 72 from opposite sides, this does not negate the impact of vibrations on the base contact elements 131A, 131B.However, it is possible that during operation of the electrical device 10, 110, one of the spring tongues 140 may lift off, thus reducing the effective, current-conducting cross-section from the energy storage device 150 to the electrical device 10 or 110. In contrast, the multi-part arrangement of the energy storage device 50 and its connection device 60, comprising several spring tongues 40, is considerably less sensitive. For example, one spring tongue 40 may lift off one side of the base contact element 71, 72, while the adjacent spring tongues 40 contacting the same side remain in contact.

[0083] Additional contact elements 33, 34 of the connection device 30 provide an extra measure for effectively conducting or carrying the current, or for increasing the contact area. In the fixed position F, where the energy storage device 50 is attached to the electrical device 10, these additional contact elements are in contact with additional mating contact elements 73, 74 of the connection device 60. The additional mating contact elements 73, 74 are located on the side walls of the plug receptacles 65. The basic mating contact elements 71 or 72 are located between the additional mating contact elements 73, 74. The additional contact elements 33, 34 are also designed as spring tongues 40, thus ensuring a common-parts principle.

[0084] At the same time, these spring tongues 40 can flexibly slide along insulating surfaces 173, 174 or 175, 176 in the plug receptacles 165 of the connection device 160, which are provided there in place of the additional counter-contact elements 73, 74, 75, 76. Thus, the additional contact elements 73, 74 can be plugged into the connection device 160 without establishing an electrical connection, but also without interfering with its operation. In this case, no current flows through the additional contact elements 33, 34, but only through the basic contact elements 31, 32. This compatibility can be seen, for example, in Figure 8. The new connection device 30 of the electrical device 10 can therefore be coupled with a conventional energy storage device 150 without any functional limitations being expected. At most, the current flow from the energy storage device 150 to the electrical device 10 is smaller due to the smaller electrical transmission cross-sections.

[0085] Instead of the insulating surfaces 173, 174, a recess or other receiving cavity could readily be provided, for example a receiving cavity 273, 274. The spring tongues 40 would then be freely and thus electrically insulated in the receiving cavity 273, 274 when the connecting devices 30, 160 are plugged into each other.

[0086] Various configurations are readily possible. For example, connection devices 30 and 60 are designed to provide additional contacts for each of the potentials P1 and P2. Thus, for potential P2, an arrangement with two additional contact elements 35 and 36 can be provided, which can come into contact with additional mating contact elements 75 and 76 of the connection device 60. The additional mating contact elements 75 and 76 are, for example, arranged on opposite sides of the base mating contact element 72 in the respective receptacle 65. It would also be readily possible to provide only one pairing of additional contact element and additional mating contact element, or further such pairings, for example, on other inner walls of the receptacles 65.For example, only one pairing of additional contact element 33 and additional counter-contact element 73 may be provided, while the other pairing of additional contact element 34 and additional counter-contact element 74 is not necessarily required to improve the current transfer capability between energy storage device and electrical device.

[0087] However, the energy storage device 150 is also compatible with both connection devices 30 and 130: The plug-in projections 125 of the connection device 120, which can engage in the plug-in receptacles 165 of the connection device 60 or in the plug-in receptacles 65 of the connection device 60, are designed so that they can be slid past the additional mating contact elements 73-76 along the plug-in axis S in order to bring the base contact elements 131A and 131B into electrical contact with the base mating contact element 71 or 72, respectively. For example, plug-in sections 133, 134, 135, and 136 of the plug-in projections 125 are provided in place of the additional contact elements 33-36 in the connection contact arrangement 47.

[0088] The plug sections 133, 134 fit into a distance D2 between the additional counter-contact elements 73, 74 and the counter-contact elements 71 or 72.

[0089] For the sake of compatibility between the individual components 10, 110, 50, 150, the additional contact elements 33-36 of the connection contact arrangement 47 must define the same outer contour with respect to the cross-section of the plug-in projections 25 perpendicular to the plug-in axis S as the plug-in sections 133-136 of the plug-in projections 125. Therefore, the plug-in projections 25, 125 are essentially identical in contour or exactly identical in contour perpendicular to the plug-in axis S.

[0090] The basic contact elements 131 of the connection device 130 are protected between the plug-in projections 133, 134. In the connection device 30, however, the basic contact elements 31, 32 project in front of a base body 21 to form the plug-in projections 25. Furthermore, the additional contact elements 33, 34 (or 35, 36) of the plug-in projections 25 are also freely arranged.

[0091] It is advantageous if protective side walls 48 are provided at the plug projections 25, perpendicular to the plug axis S, to accommodate the respective contact elements. The side walls 48 can be inserted into the plug receptacles 65. It should be noted that additional contact elements, i.e., supplementary contact elements, may also be provided. In this case, further contact surfaces are provided on the plug receptacles 65, which can come into contact with the electrically conductive side walls 48. In this configuration, the side walls 48 would preferably be designed as spring contacts or be resilient. Alternatively, the inner walls of the plug receptacles 65 could also be designed as spring contacts for resilient contact with the electrically conductive side walls 48.

[0092] The insertion movement along the insertion axis S is also facilitated by the shape of the contact elements 41, which are formed by the spring tongues 40.

[0093] The contact elements 41 have contact projections 42 that extend transversely to the insertion axis S and come into contact with the respective electrical mating contact element, for example, the base contact element 71, 72, or one of the additional mating contact elements 73-76. Thus, sufficiently large contact surfaces are provided. The contact projections 42 also reduce the frictional resistance during sliding movement along the insertion axis S.

[0094] The contact projections 72 are arranged behind insertion ramps 43 along the insertion axis S with respect to the insertion direction. The insertion ramps 43 have an inclined profile at an angle to the insertion axis S, so that they can slide onto the respective opposite surface, for example, of the base mating contact element 71 or the additional mating contact element 73 or also the insulating surface 173, in a sled-like manner.

[0095] The contact elements 41 are fixed to the base body 21 by retaining sections 44. The retaining sections 44 can, for example, also serve as plug-in projections that are inserted into corresponding plug-in receptacles of the base body 21 and are expediently locked, glued, or otherwise secured there. Spring sections 45 are provided between the retaining sections 44 and the contact projections 42, which allow resilient lateral movement of the contact projections 42 transversely to the plug-in axis S.

[0096] The plug receptacles 65, 165 also advantageously feature insertion ramps 90, 190, which particularly facilitate the sliding on or in of the additional contact elements 33-36. While the insertion ramps 190 of the plug receptacles 165 are formed directly by the base material of the base body or housing 51, the insertion ramps 90 are provided on the end faces of the additional mating contact elements 73-76.

[0097] Naturally, the respective contact elements of each potential are advantageously electrically connected to one another. An example is shown in... Figure 6 for example, a connecting line 91 is shown, which belongs, for example, to the potential P1 and electrically connects the additional counter-contact elements 74, 75 and the basic counter-contact element 71 to the battery cells 51.

[0098] In the present description, the contact elements belonging to the electrical device have been referred to simply as "contact elements," while the complementary, matching contact elements of the energy storage device 50, 150 have been referred to as mating contact elements. This designation, which has also been used in the general part of the description, is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention. However, a connection device according to the invention can contain both, namely contact elements or mating contact elements. The embodiment shown in the drawing must therefore be understood to mean that the mating contact elements of the energy storage device 50 or the connection device 60 can also form "contact elements" in the sense of a connection device according to the invention. This is particularly evident from the design of the connection device 60 of the energy storage device 50.

[0099] The invention relates, in summary, to a connection device for the electrical connection of an energy storage device to an electrical device having an electric drive motor, wherein the connection device is a component of the energy storage device or the electrical device and can be connected to a connection device of the electrical device or the energy storage device, wherein the connection devices have plug-in contours and mating contours by means of which the energy storage device is positively fixed to the electrical device in a fixing position, in which at least two electrical connections between the electrical device and the energy storage device with different potentials, in particular a ground potential and a supply voltage, are established for the electrical energy supply of the electrical device by means of a pair of mutually contacting base contact elements and base counter-contact elements of the connection devices.In addition to at least one basic contact element assigned to one of the potentials, the connection device has at least one additional contact element arranged next to the basic contact element and advantageously assigned to the same potential as the at least one basic contact element, which, when the connection device is plugged into another connection device of a first type, rests against an additional counter-contact element of the other connection device and, when the connection device is plugged into another connection device of a second type, stands freely in a receiving cavity of the other connection device or rests against an insulating surface of the other connection device.

Claims

1. A first component comprising a first connection apparatus (30, 60), wherein the first connection apparatus (30, 60) is connectable to a second connection apparatus (160, 60, 130, 160) of a second component, wherein the first component comprises a stored energy source (50, 150) and the second component is an electrical device (10, 110) comprising an electric drive motor (12), in particular a machine tool or a vacuum cleaner, or wherein the first component is an electrical device (10, 110) comprising an electric drive motor (12), in particular a machine tool or a vacuum device, and the second component is a stored energy source (50, 150), wherein the first connection apparatus (30, 60) and the second connection apparatus (160, 60, 130, 30) comprise plug contours (46) and counter plug contours (86) interlockingly fitting one another, by means of which the stored energy source (50, 150) can be interlockingly fastened to the electrical device (10, 110) in a fastening position (F), wherein in the fastening position (F) for the electrical power supply of the electrical device (10, 110) by the stored energy source (50, 150), at least two electrical connections are established between the electrical device (10, 110) and the stored energy source (50, 150) with different potentials (P1, P2), in particular a ground potential and a supply voltage, are established by means of a respective pair of base contact elements (31, 32) of a connection contact assembly (47) of the first connection apparatus (30) and base counter contact elements (71, 72) of a connection contact assembly (87) of the second connection apparatus (60) or by means of a respective pair of base counter contact elements (71, 72) in contact with one another of a connection contact assembly (87) of the first connection apparatus (60) and base contact elements (31, 32) of a connection contact assembly (47) of the second connection apparatus (30), wherein the first connection apparatus (30, 60) forms a connection apparatus (30, 60) of a first type and, in addition to at least one base contact element (31, 32) or base counter contact element (71, 72) assigned to one of the potentials (P1, P2), comprises at least one additional contact element (33, 34) arranged adjacent to the base contact element (31, 32), assigned to the potential (P1, P2) of the base contact element (31, 32), and electrically connected to the base contact element (31, 32) or at least one additional counter contact element (73, 74) arranged adjacent to the base counter contact element (71, 72), assigned to the potential (P1, P2) of the base counter contact element (71, 72), and electrically connected to the base counter contact element (71, 72), wherein the additional contact element (33, 34) or additional counter contact element (73, 74) can rest against an additional counter contact element (73, 74) separate from the base counter contact elements (71, 72) or against an additional contact element (33, 34) of the second connection apparatus (60, 30) and, when the connection apparatus (30, 60) is plugged into a second connection apparatus (130, 160) of a second type, no electrical connection is established between the connection apparatuses (30, 60, 130, 160) and can stand freely in a receiving cavity (273, 274) of the other connection apparatus (130, 160) or can abut against an insulating surface (173, 174) of the second connection apparatus (130, 160), characterized in that base contact elements (31, 32) respectively associated with the same electric potential (P1, P2) or base counter contact elements (71,72) of the first connection apparatus (30) are received in an electrically insulating receptacle (265, 266) opposite to the respective other electric potential (P2, P1), in particular a plug receptacle (65) or a plug projection (125) and in the respective electrically insulating receptacle (265, 266), the respective base contact element (31, 32) and the additional contact element (33, 34), which are each assigned to the same electrical potential (P1, P2), or the base counter contact element (71, 72) and the auxiliary counter contact element (73, 74) are received, which are each assigned to the same electrical potential (P1, P2), and that the base contact element (31, 32) and / or the base counter contact element (71, 72) are arranged at a distance from an inner circumference of the electrically insulating receptacle (265, 266) and the additional contact element (33, 34) and / or the additional counter contact element (73, 74) are arranged on the inner circumference of the electrically insulating receptacle (265, 266).

2. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the connection apparatuses (30, 60) are connected, a base contact element (31, 32) associated with an electric potential (P1, P2) and a base counter contact element (71, 72) are arranged in a respective electrically insulating receptacle (265, 266) insulated from contact elements of other electric potentials.

3. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30) is configured such that, in particular in the connection apparatus (30) of the stored energy source (50), a plug receptacle (65) is arranged, in particular in the connection apparatus (30) of the stored energy source (50), in which at least one base counter contact element (71, 72) and at least one additional counter contact element (73, 74) are arranged, wherein there is a distance between the at least one base contact element (71, 72) and the at least one additional counter contact element (73, 74) for receiving at least a section of an electrically insulating plug projection (125) of the respective other connection apparatus (30, 60), and / or in that a respective base contact element (31, 32) or a respective base counter contact element (71, 72) is received centrally in a plug receptacle (65) or a plug projection (125) of the respective connection apparatus (30, 60), and / or in that the at least one base contact element (31, 32) and / or the at least one base counter contact element (71, 72) and / or the at least one additional contact element (33, 34) and / or at least one additional counter contact element (73, 74) comprises or is formed by a spring contact and / or a spring contact element and / or a contact strip and / or opposing contact elements, in particular blade contacts, for pincer-like gripping of a fixed blade contact surface.

4. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30, 60) can be connected to the respective other connection apparatus (30, 60) along a plug axis (S) or plug path, and / or in that the first connection apparatus (30, 60) comprises at least two contact elements facing each other and / or resilient or spring-loaded transverse to a plug axis, along which the connection apparatus can be connected to the respective other connection apparatus.

5. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30, 60) comprises two contact elements facing each other and / or resilient or spring-loaded transverse to the plug axis for pincer-like gripping of a contact element of the other connection apparatus, and it comprises at least one further contact element which is arranged in an interval transverse to the plug axis adjacent to the contact elements, wherein it is advantageously provided that the at least one further contact element is fixed or is transverse to the plug axis, resiliently or spring-loaded averted away from both of the other contact elements.

6. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection apparatuses (30, 60) can be fixed to each other by means of a detent device and / or a clamping device and / or a locking device (55), and / or in that the at least one base contact element (31, 32) and / or the at least one base counter contact element (71, 72) and / or the at least one additional contact element (33, 34) and or the at least one additional counter contact element (73, 74) comprises or is formed by a fixed contact surface and / or a contact surface which can be grasped pincer-like by opposing counter contacts, wherein it is advantageously provided fixed contact surface forms a wall surface, in particular an inner wall surface, a plug receptacle or a plug projection of the connection apparatus, wherein the connection apparatus is a connection apparatus of the first type.

7. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one base contact element (31, 32) and base counter contact element (71, 72) or one additional contact element (33, 34) and additional counter contact element (73, 74) comprises a fixed contact surface while the other one comprises or is formed by a resilient contact element, wherein it is advantageously provided that the resilient contact element is resiliently transverse to the plug axis (S) or plug path and / or the fixed contact surface extends parallel or substantially parallel to the plug axis (S) or plug path.

8. A first component comprising a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the first connection apparatus (30, 60), at least one contact element, in particular the base contact element (31, 32) or base counter contact element (71, 72) and / or the additional contact element (33, 34) or the additional counter contact element (73, 74) has an insertion slope (43) for sliding onto the respective other contact element and / or a contact projection (42) which projects transverse to the plug path or plug axis (S) to the respective other contact element, and / or that in the first connection apparatus (30, 60), one of the base contact element (31, 32) and base counter contact element (71, 72) and / or one of the additional contact element (33, 34) and additional counter contact element (73, 74) has contact sections arranged transverse to the plug axis (S) or plug path adjacent to each other and / or movable relative to each other, in particular spring contact tongues.

9. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30) is configured such that one of the contact elements is arranged free-standing in the plug receptacle (65) and the other contact element is arranged on a side wall of the plug receptacle (65) and / or that an interval is provided between a base counter contact element (71, 72) and an additional counter contact element (73, 74) for receiving a plug projection (125) or a section of a plug projection (125), wherein at least one base contact element (131A, 131B) is arranged in the plug projection (125) for establishing electrical contact with the base counter contact element (71, 72), wherein it is advantageously provided that the plug projection (105 20) is electrically insulating at least in the region of a base contact element (131A, 131B).

10. A first component comprising a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30) is configured such that the base contact element (31, 32) and the at least one additional contact element (33, 34) or the base counter contact element (71, 72) and the additional counter contact element (73, 74) are configured as plug contacts protruding in front of a fixed contour of the respective connection apparatus (30, 60) and / or that the base contact element (31, 32) and the at least one additional contact element (33, 34) or the base counter contact element (71, 72) and the additional counter contact element (73, 74) is arranged adjacent to at least one side wall (48), in particular protecting the respective contact element, projecting in front of the fixed contour, and / or it comprises at least one data contact assembly (70) for establishing a data connection between the electrical device (10, 110) and the stored energy source (50, 150), wherein contacts (37, 77) of the data contact assembly (70) are separate from the contacts for supplying electrical energy to the electrical device (10, 110) by the stored energy source (50, 150).

11. A first component with a first connection apparatus (30, 60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection apparatus (30) is designed such that the connection apparatus (30) has exclusively fixed contact elements or exclusively resilient contact elements and / or exclusively plug receptacles (65) for the contact elements of the respective other connection apparatus (30, 60), wherein non yielding and / or fixed contact surfaces are expediently provided in the plug receptacles (65), and / or that at least one of a base contact element (31, 32) or a base counter contact element (71, 72) or an additional contact element (33, 34) or an additional counter contact element (73, 74) forms a component releasably connected to a main body of the respective connection apparatus (30, 60), and / or that at least one pairing of base contact element (31, 32) and additional contact element (33, 34) and / or at least one pairing of base counter contact element (71, 72) and additional counter contact element (73, 74) comprises structurally identical contact elements, and / or that at least one pairing of base contact element (31, 32) and additional contact element (33, 34) and / or at least one pairing of base counter contact element (71, 72) and additional counter contact element (73, 74) have no longitudinal distance from each other with respect to a plug axis (S), along which the connection apparatuses (30, 60) are connected to each other, or only such a small longitudinal distance from each other that they are in electrical contact with the associated contact elements of the respective other connection apparatus essentially simultaneously when the connection apparatuses (30, 60) are connected together.