DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISCONNECTING A PLUG CONNECTION WITHOUT LOAD

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for disconnecting a plug connection without load according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for disconnecting a plug connection without load according to the preamble of independent method claim 5.

[0003] Such devices and methods are needed for disconnecting a plug connection without load, i.e., they are needed to reliably prevent the plug connection from disconnecting under load.

[0004] The term "disconnect under load" means the following: Until the point of disconnection, a load current flows through at least one contact pair. This contact pair consists of two contacts: one contact, typically belonging to a plug connector, and a mating contact, typically belonging to a mating connector. These two contacts are mechanically and electrically connected until the point of disconnection, allowing the load current to flow through the contact pair. The plug connector and mating connector are typically mated, meaning the connection is closed.

[0005] From the moment of separation, a load voltage in the form of a corresponding electrical potential difference exists between the contact and the mating contact. As a result, arcing and / or sparking can occur during the separation process, which can damage the contact material on the surface of the contacts or at least impair its conductivity.

[0006] Therefore, the phrase "...load-free disconnection..." means that disconnection under load is avoided; that is, the disconnection process takes place without any load current flowing through the respective contact pair up to the point of disconnection. This ultimately prevents subsequent arcing, sparking, damage, etc., during disconnection.

[0007] The load voltage present between the contact and the mating contact in the disconnected state typically corresponds to a so-called "supply voltage," which is usually applied to at least one contact of the mating connector. The term "supply voltage" refers here and in the following to an electrical voltage that, together with a corresponding supply current, is provided for the transmission of electrical energy during operation. In contrast to a comparatively lower signal voltage, the supply voltage is at least 60 V ("volts"), in particular at least 100 V, preferably at least 120 V, for example at least 200 V, e.g. at least 220 V, for example at least 230 V, in particular at least 350 V, e.g. 380 V, but can also be in the high-voltage range and then, for example, for the operation of electrical industrial plants, railways, or power plants, etc.at least 1000 V (1 kV), in particular at least 2 kV, for example at least 4 kV, i.e. at least 6 kV and preferably 8 kV or even 10 kV and more. State of the art

[0008] In the prior art, for example, a connection box and a network for power distribution are known from publication DE 10 2015 105 370 A1. In this system, an electronic switch is connected upstream of a galvanic isolator, such as a relay, to prevent the galvanic isolator from being disconnected under load. In the event of an emergency disconnection, which occurs even when the electronic switch is closed due to its assigned higher priority, a counter in the connection box is incremented. This allows the disconnections under load—which should generally be avoided—to be counted, if necessary. The galvanic isolator, which wears out due to such disconnections, can then be replaced after a certain number of these disconnections.

[0009] One disadvantage of this state of the art is the need for complex electronics and data processing, which is generally too expensive for simple plug connections. Furthermore, while this technology enables safe shutdown, it doesn't reveal how the shutdown process is initiated. Additionally, disconnection under load is not always avoided; instead, depending on the priority, it may occur and be recorded despite the load.

[0010] German patent application DE 10 2006 016 137 A1 discloses a connector for contacting the high-voltage assembly of a hybrid vehicle. The connector has a housing, a control contact located within the housing, and a high-voltage contact located within the housing, which is longer than the control contact. Furthermore, the patent discloses a control device that, when the connector is disconnected, detects a separation of the control contact from its corresponding mating contact and, upon detection of such a separation, initiates a shutdown of the high voltage at the high-voltage connection point.

[0011] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that the system requires a control voltage at a specific contact on the connector side. This limits compatibility with other connector systems, at least in terms of contact configuration. In particular, the contact that transmits the control voltage is permanently assigned within the connector system and is therefore not available for other uses.

[0012] German patent application DE 10 2009 042 568 A1 discloses a plug-in coupling system for transmitting high-power electrical energy and for transmitting a pressurized fluid. The plug-in coupling system consists of at least one plug and at least one socket, each with at least one electrical conductor. The plug can be inserted into the socket to create a coupled state and can be removed from the socket to create a decoupled state. The plug-in coupling system has at least one electromechanical protection system, consisting of at least one electronic switching device and at least one mechanical switching device arranged within the socket and / or the plug for establishing or disconnecting the electrically conductive connection. The electronic and mechanical switching devices can be controlled independently of each other.It is further disclosed that the at least one electronic switching element can be formed by a relay or by an electronic circuit comprising a high-performance electronic component, preferably a high-performance transistor. In another aspect, the locking lever can be locked by a locking bolt of a solenoid. In a further embodiment, the at least one mechanical switching element for establishing or disconnecting the electrically conductive connection can be activated by inserting the coupling plug into the coupling socket or by removing the coupling plug from the coupling socket.

[0013] However, with regard to the latter design, it has generally been shown that mechanical switching of the electrical and / or mechanical switching device by disconnecting the connector and mating connector does not always effectively protect against electrical flashovers and similar effects due to the mechanical inertia of the mechanical components involved, e.g., in the case of a very rapid disconnection of the plug connection, i.e., a sudden pulling of the connector under load.

[0014] German patent application DE 295 13 997 U1 discloses an electrical monitoring device for the locking position of at least one locking bar, comprising a sensor element and an excitation element, which close a switching element when they come close to each other in the locking position of the locking bar.In particular, it is provided that in one of the two housings the sensor element for controlling an electrical switching element is arranged, that in the at least one locking bracket an excitation element for the sensor element is arranged, that the sensor element and the excitation element are arranged spatially relative to each other and sensuously coordinated in such a way that, in the locking position of the respective locking bracket, the encoder element acts on the sensor element in such a way that the sensor element generates a control signal for the electrical switching element, and that outside the locking position of the respective locking bracket the encoder element has no effect on the sensor element, so that the sensor element does not generate a control signal for the electrical switching element.

[0015] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that the locking lever can trigger the sensor even when not plugged in, switching the load current onto the plug contacts. This causes premature wear of the switches and can also potentially lead to the risk of accidentally touching live contacts.

[0016] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 20 2016 106 664 U1 and DE 295 13 997 U1.

[0017] Document US 2005 / 0098419 A1 describes an electrical connector coupling with a switching function. It discloses a first connector housing comprising a lever designed to move between an operating start position and an operating end position, and a second connector housing that is adaptable to the first connector housing. Both the first and second connector housings provide individual power terminals that together form a power switch. Task

[0018] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method which ensure a load-free disconnection and a load-free connection of a plug connection with particular reliability.

[0019] This task is solved by the characteristics of independent claims.

[0020] A device for disconnecting a plug connection without load comprises at least one electrical disconnecting device and one locking device. The locking device can assume both a locking and an unlocking position for the plug connection. Furthermore, the device has a sensor, particularly as part of a sensor system, which interacts with the locking device to control the electrical disconnecting device.

[0021] The locking device is a locking bar that can pivot into both the said locking and the said unlocked position.

[0022] In other words, the device for disconnecting a plug connection without load comprises at least the electrical disconnecting device and the locking lever, wherein the locking lever is pivotable into both a locking (i.e., closed) position and an unlocking (i.e., open) position. The device further comprises the sensor, in particular the sensor system, which interacts with the locking lever, especially in its locking position, to detect the locked state of the plug connection in order to control the electrical disconnecting device.

[0023] Furthermore, the device features a plug detector for determining the plugged-in status of the connector. The plug detector and the locking sensor are configured to jointly control the electrical disconnect device.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0025] This device is particularly advantageous because, firstly, it prevents electrical voltage from being present at the connector when it is not plugged in, thus providing, for example, touch protection. Secondly, it also prevents an arc flash or similar incident caused by disconnecting the plug from the mating connector too quickly, even after the power has been switched off. A single plug detector or a single locking sensor could not solve these two aspects of the problem. However, the locking sensor effectively ensures that a sufficiently long period elapses between the power being switched off and the plug being removed, since a certain amount of time naturally passes between unlocking and the plug being pulled out.The plug detector prevents the locking lever from unintentionally activating the locking sensor when the connector is unplugged, thus preventing an electrical voltage from being applied to the open connector. Furthermore, it provides double protection against the unwanted application of an electrical load / supply voltage to the plug contacts when unplugged.

[0026] In this and the following text, the locking sensor will also be referred to simply as the sensor, and the plug detector will sometimes be referred to simply as the detector. The connector will sometimes also be referred to as the plug.

[0027] The connector has several contact pairs, which consist of connector-side contacts and mating connector-side contacts inserted to transmit a supply current / load current.

[0028] The electrical disconnect device has a control unit and an actuator unit. Both the plug detector and the locking sensor are connected to the control unit's output. The control unit has a logic evaluation unit, specifically with a Boolean, i.e., propositional logic "AND" gate for the detector and sensor signals, which serves to... either to link the plug-in signal of the plug detector when the connector is plugged in and the locking signal of the locking detector when the locking lever is locked, in order to cause the actuator unit to transmit a load current, or, if the connector is not plugged in and / or the locking lever is not closed, to cause the actuator unit to block the load current.

[0029] For example, the plug detector can include a switch, a magnetic field sensor, a radio frequency identification device (RFID), or a contact bridge within the connector's insulating body. The locking sensor can include a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, and / or a push button or switch.

[0030] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device, in its locking position, prevents both disconnection and connection of the plug connection, i.e., the plugging together of the connector and its mating connector. This is especially advantageous because the locking detector prevents not only disconnection under load but also connection under load. This is further advantageously prevented by the plug-in detector, thus providing a dual safeguard, which is required in certain safety levels (e.g., SIL 3). This increased safety through multiple measures naturally applies to both the plugging and unplugging processes, as well as to the disconnected state.

[0031] For example, when the locking lever is pivoted into its locking position, i.e., closed, it can lock the connector in the plugged-in state. However, when not plugged in, the closed locking lever can also prevent insertion; that is, the connector cannot be plugged into the mating connector when the locking lever is closed. In this closed state, the locking lever can simultaneously interact with the sensor in such a way that a load (load current / load voltage) can be released, i.e., switched on at least one contact of the mating connector. Thus, a load current can flow when the connector is closed. With the connector open, no corresponding load voltage can be applied to the contact, as this is prevented by the insertion detector.Furthermore, the closed locking lever of the connector prevents it from being plugged into the mating connector, thus preventing the connection from being closed. Under load (load current / load voltage), therefore, disconnection and insertion are impossible for several reasons, thereby increasing safety.

[0032] The invention is therefore particularly advantageous because it reliably prevents disconnection and, if necessary, insertion of the connector under load. In particular, the invention is especially advantageous for a particularly fast or abrupt disconnection of the connector, consisting of the plug connector and the mating connector, e.g., the abrupt pulling of the plug connector from a mating connector socket, which forms the mating connector or at least belongs to the mating connector. It is particularly advantageous that a sufficiently long period of time always elapses between unlocking and pulling, as well as between insertion and locking.

[0033] In particular, it is especially advantageous to locate the sensor system, i.e., the sensor and especially the detector, spatially within the locking area, whereby the sensor, and especially the sensor system comprising the sensor, interacts with the locking lever, for example on the mating connector housing, particularly on the mounting housing, to control the electrical disconnection device. This ensures a sufficient time interval between the electrical disconnection (switch-off) and the final disconnection of the plug connection, e.g., pulling the connector, because the locking mechanism of the plug connection must be released before the disconnection process—e.g., pulling the connector. This allows sufficient time before the actual disconnection process to compensate for any mechanical inertia in the transmission path, especially the inertia of mechanical switches.

[0034] Another advantage of the invention compared to the prior art is that the plug-in system is compatible with conventional plug-in systems in that the contact assignment of the connector (and thus also of the mating connector) can be freely selected by the user, since as a rule no contact is required for the transmission of a control voltage.

[0035] Only when the plug detector interacts with the contact bridge in the insulating body of the mating plug are contact positions in the insulating body occupied. In all other disclosed embodiments of the plug detector, despite the aforementioned increased safety, all contacts remain free and available for normal plugging applications.

[0036] In particular, the mating connector can have a mating connector housing, especially an attachment housing, on which the locking lever is pivotably mounted, e.g., on bearing pins provided for this purpose. The connector can have a connector housing with locking pins. Then, when the locking lever is pivoted into its locking position, i.e., in its closed state, it can engage the locking pins of the mating connector housing, locking the connector housing to the mating connector housing and ideally pressing them together in a sealing manner. In this case, a pressure detector can also be provided as a mechanical contact detector on the housing edges.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the device can have an attachment housing on which the locking lever is pivotably mounted. This is particularly advantageous because the attachment housing can be mounted on a wall penetration and / or a control cabinet and / or a device housing. This generally makes it clear during installation which side of the connector supplies the voltage, thus simplifying the installation process. Finally, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the at least one electrical disconnect device on the side of the connector where the supply voltage is connected, for example, by means of one or more supply lines of a first cable. In particular, it can be advantageous to arrange the disconnect device in the attachment housing because this enables the connector to independently disconnect the load from the contact. Specifically, the attachment housing can be part of a mating connector.The connector can then have a plug connector and the mating plug connector, with a further cable preferably being connected to the plug connector in order to carry the electrical power towards its destination via the plugged, locked and unlocked state.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment, the electrical disconnecting device can be arranged in the device housing or, preferably, in the control cabinet to which the mating connector, particularly with its mounting housing, is attached. This is particularly advantageous if the electrical line to be interrupted by the electrical disconnecting device, which supplies the mating connector with the supply voltage, is located in the device housing or, preferably, in the control cabinet.

[0039] It goes without saying that the installation should preferably be carried out by appropriately qualified personnel. When installing an electrical system, the electrical disconnect device can therefore generally be positioned on the live side of the connector to prevent disconnection and / or plugging in under load particularly easily and effectively.

[0040] The electrical isolation device can be coupled with the sensor and the detector. In particular, a sensor signal in conjunction with the detector signal can cause the electrical isolation device to perform electrical isolation.

[0041] The electrical disconnect device can have a control unit and an actuator unit. If the actuator unit is located in the connector housing, it can, for example, be arranged on a circuit board, e.g., in the form of a semiconductor relay, such as a transistor, or an electromechanical relay.

[0042] The control unit can receive a corresponding signal from the sensor and the detector, e.g., when the locking lever is closed, i.e., in its state intended for locking the connector, and at the same time the connector is plugged into the mating connector.

[0043] The control unit can then send a corresponding control signal to the actuator unit, which causes the actuator unit to close at least one associated electrical isolator, such as at least one switch and / or at least one relay and / or at least one contactor, so that the load current can flow through at least one contact pair.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking lever, in its locking position, not only prevents the connected plug from being disconnected, but conversely, it also prevents the disconnected plug from being connected. This is especially advantageous because it effectively and simply prevents both disconnection and connection of the plug under load. Specifically, it prevents the connector from being disconnected ("unplugged") from its mating connector while the load current flows through the corresponding contact pair. It also prevents a connection from being made ("inserted") while the load voltage is present between the contact and the mating contact. An additional safeguard is provided by the plug-in detector.

[0045] Examples of sensors / sensor systems that can be used include magnetic sensors, such as reed sensors; pressure sensors, such as strain gauges or piezoelectric pressure sensors; optical sensors; or pushbuttons / limit switches. Of course, the range of suitable sensors is not limited to this list.

[0046] Preferably, a sensor system can be used to determine the locking state. The sensor system can include a magnetic field sensor and a magnet. The magnet can be arranged on the locking lever, particularly on an actuating area of ​​the locking lever. The magnetic field sensor can be arranged on the mating connector housing. As soon as the locking lever with the attached magnet, i.e., for example, with its actuating area, comes close to the magnetic field sensor, thus closing the locking lever, the magnetic field sensor generates a sensor signal that disconnects the load (load voltage / load current). Conversely, the load can be disconnected by unlocking the connector as follows.

[0047] A method for disconnecting a plug connection without load, using the aforementioned device, comprises the following steps: A.) Moving a locking element into its closed position to lock a closed plug connection, wherein the locking element is a locking lever (3); B.) Interaction of the locking element (3) with a locking sensor (42) and simultaneous interaction of the closed plug connection with a plug detector (6), wherein the plug detector (6) comprises a switch or a magnetic field sensor or a so-called radio frequency identification device ("RFID") or a contact bridge in the insulating body of the connector or is designed as a pressure detector; C.) Signaling the plugged-in state of the plug connection and the closed position of the locking element by the locking sensor (42) and the plug detector (6) to a control unit (51) and logically combining this information by the control unit (51); D.) Disconnecting a load (load current / load voltage) via multiple contact pairs, consisting of connector-side contacts and mating connector-side contacts, by an actuator unit controlled by the control unit; E.) Unlocking the connector by moving the locking lever from its locking to its unlocking position; thereby automatically F.) Blocking the load by the actuator unit; G.) Disconnecting the connector without load.

[0048] As already mentioned, the locking element can be the locking bolt. The locking sensor can be the magnetic field sensor, which is particularly a component of a sensor system, especially a magnetic sensor system. Alternatively or additionally, the locking sensor can include a pressure sensor, e.g., a strain gauge, an optical sensor, and / or a push button or switch.

[0049] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a closed plug connection with a device for load-free disconnection; Fig. 2 a a closed plug connection in the locked state; Fig. 2 b the closed plug connection in the unlocked state.

[0050] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently.

[0051] The Fig. 1 and the Figs. 2a and 2b show a plug connection comprising a connector housing 1 and a mating connector housing 2, which is designed as a mounting housing.

[0052] The connector housing 1 has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners and features a cylindrical locking pin 13 on each of two opposite narrow sides, only one of which is shown in the drawing. Furthermore, the connector housing has a cable outlet 15.

[0053] The mating connector housing 2 also has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners and has a cylindrical bearing pin 23 on each of two opposite narrow sides, on which a locking bracket 3 is pivotably held. A sensor system 4 is arranged between the locking bracket 3 and an unspecified area of ​​the mating connector 2.

[0054] Sensor system 4 has one in the Fig. 2bThe magnetic field sensor 42 and a magnet 43 are designated. When the locking lever is closed and thus in its position locking the plug connection, as shown in the Fig. 1 and in the Fig. 2aAs shown, this is detected by the sensor system 4. In this case, this occurs because the magnet 43 is located near the magnetic field sensor 42. Simultaneously, the locking lever 3, with its free-standing end sections (only one of which is visible in the drawing), engages the locking pins 13 of the connector housing 1. This not only locks the closed connector but also presses the connector housing 1 and the mating connector housing 2 (hereinafter also referred to as the mounting housing 2) against each other in a sealing manner. This automatically actuates a plug detector 6, which is designed as an electromechanical pressure detector. Both the output of the pressure detector 6 and the output of the locking sensor 4 are fed to a logic evaluation unit 510, a control unit 51, and a disconnecting device 5.Only when the locking sensor 4 is activated and the pressure detector 6 is activated simultaneously are switches of an actuator unit 52 closed and a load current is released from the actuator unit 51 via the contacts of the mating connector 2 to the contacts of the connector 1.

[0055] The locking lever 3 is advantageously pivotably mounted on the bearing pins 23 of the mounting housing 2 in the form of a rocker. This has the advantage that the sensor 4 is actuated when the locking lever 3 is closed, i.e., the magnet 43 is positioned against the magnetic field sensor 42. Finally, in this design, the locking lever 3 can be pivoted into its locking position by pivoting its actuation area, shown on the right in the drawing, towards the mounting housing 2, i.e., downwards in the drawing. Simultaneously, its free ends are pivoted upwards over the locking pins 13 of the connector housing 1.

[0056] In the Fig. 2b The locking lever 3 is shown in its open position. It is clearly visible that the magnet 43 is disconnected from the magnetic field sensor 42. In this state, the magnetic field sensor 42 does not generate a sensor signal. At the same time, the aforementioned pressure detector 6, which is not visible in this illustration, is still being actuated. However, the logic evaluation unit 510 disconnects the electrical load voltage from the contacts of the mating connector via the actuator unit 52.

[0057] In contrast, with a closed locking bar 3, as shown in the Fig. 1 and in the Fig. 2aAs shown, the connector locks and simultaneously the sensor system 4 is actuated. Thus, a sensor signal is generated by the sensor system 4 and transmitted via a signal line (not labeled for clarity) from the magnetic field sensor 42 to the disconnecting device 5, specifically to the control unit 51 of the disconnecting device 5. Simultaneously, a detector signal is transmitted from the pressure detector 6 to the control unit via a detector line (shown with a dashed line). In the logic evaluation unit 510, both signals are evaluated using a logical "AND" operation. The control unit 51 then transmits a control signal to the actuator unit 52. The actuator unit 52, configured according to requirements, then switches the supply lines L1-L3 of a first cable, which are led into a connection opening 25 of the connection housing, and thus the load, i.e.,the load voltage / supply voltage and thus the load current / supply current during operation.

[0058] Thus, the supply current can be transmitted via corresponding contact pairs, not shown in the drawing. These contact pairs belong to the connector and consist of connector-side contacts and mating contacts on the other side of the connector, which are mechanically and electrically connected. A further cable with corresponding additional conductors can be connected to the connector-side contacts on the cable connection side to transmit the electrical power to its destination when the connector is plugged in, locked, and disconnected. The connector housing 1 has a cable outlet for routing the cable out of the connector housing 1.

[0059] Since the connector housing 1 cannot be separated from the mating connector housing / mounting housing 2 when the locking lever 3 is closed, the connection cannot be disconnected under load. In particular, it cannot be disconnected quickly enough to cause an arc. Furthermore, when the connection is disconnected, no voltage can be applied to the contacts of the mating connector 2 because the pressure detector 6 is not activated in the disconnected state, even if the locking lever (3) is closed and the locking sensor 4 is thereby activated.

[0060] Conversely, it is also easy to understand that a disconnected plug connection cannot be plugged in when the locking lever 3 is closed. This also prevents plugging in under load.

[0061] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to the person skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Reference symbol list

[0062] 1 Connector housing 13 Locking pins 15 Cable outlet 2 mating connector housing / mounting housing 23 bearing pin 25 connection opening 3 locking bars 4Sensor system 42Sensor, locking sensor, magnetic field sensor 43Magnet 5 Separating device 51 Control unit 510 Logical evaluation unit 52 Actuator unit 6-pin detector, pressure detector L1-L3 supply lines

Claims

1. Device for the load-free disconnection of a plug-in connection, wherein the device has at least one electrical disconnection device (5) and a locking device (3), wherein the locking device (3) can assume a position locking the plug-in connection and also in a position unlocking the plug-in connection, wherein the device further possesses a sensor (42) which cooperates with the locking device (3), in order to control the electrical disconnection device (5), whereby the sensor is a locking sensor (42), wherein the locking mechanism (3) in its locked position prevents a disconnection and also a connection of the plug-in connection, wherein the locking device is a locking clip (3) which can be pivoted into said locked, i.e. closed, position and also into said unlocked, i.e. open, position, wherein the device includes the plug-in connection and that the plug-in connection includes a plug connector and a mating plug connector, wherein the plug connector has a plug connector housing (1) with latching pins (13) and wherein the mating plug connector has a mating plug connector housing (2) with bearing pins (23) on which the locking clip (3) is pivotally held, in order to engage around the latching pins (13) of the plug connector housing (1) in its position locking the plug-in connection, wherein the device further includes a plug-in detector (6) for determining a plug-in state of the plug-in connection, wherein the plug-in detector (6) and the locking sensor (42) are configured to control the electrical disconnection device (5) together, wherein the plug-in detector (6) has a switch or a magnetic field sensor or a so-called radio frequency identification device ("RFID") or a contact bridge in the insulating body of the plug connector or is designed as a pressure detector, characterized in that the plug-in connection has a plurality of contact pairs which consist of contacts on the plug connector side and mating contacts on the mating plug connector side which are plugged therewith for transmitting a supply current / load current, that the electrical disconnection device (5) possesses a control unit (51) and an actuator unit (52), and that the plug-in detector (6) and also the locking sensor (42) are connected to the outside of the control unit (51), and that the control unit (51) possesses a logical evaluation unit (510) which is used - to either link together a plug-in signal of the plug-in detector (6) when the plug connector is plugged in and a locking signal of the locking detector (42) when the locking clip (3) is locked, in order to thus cause the actuator unit (52) to transmit a load current via the contact pairs, - or to cause the actuator unit (52) to block the load current via the contact pairs when the plug connector is not plugged in and / or the locking clip (3) is not closed.

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the locking sensor (42) possesses a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor and / or a button or switch.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the mating plug connector housing (2) is designed as an attachment housing.

4. Device according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the electrical disconnection device (5) is arranged in the mating plug connector housing (2).

5. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the attachment housing (2) is arranged at a switch cabinet or a housing of an electrical apparatus, and that the electrical disconnection device (5) is arranged in the switch cabinet or in the housing of the electrical apparatus.

6. Method for the load-free disconnection of a plug-in connection, by means of a device according to Claim 1, having the following steps: A.) transferring a locking element (3) into its closed position for locking a closed plug-in connection, wherein the locking element is a locking clip (3), B.) the locking element (3) cooperating with a locking sensor (42) and the closed plug-in connection simultaneously cooperating with a plug-in detector (6), wherein the plug-in detector (6) has a switch or a magnetic field sensor or a so-called radio frequency identification device ("RFID") or a contact bridge in the insulating body of the plug connector or is designed as a pressure detector; C.) signalling the plugged state of the plug-in connection and the closed position of the locking element to a control unit (51) by way of the locking sensor (42) and the plug-in detector (6) as well as logically linking this information by way of the control unit (51); D.) releasing a load (load current / load voltage) by way of an actuator unit (52) which is controlled by the control unit (51) via a plurality of contact pairs, which consist of contacts on the plug connector side and mating contacts on the mating plug connector side; E.) unlocking the plug-in connection by transferring the locking element (3) from its locked position into its unlocked position; therefore automatically F.) blocking the load by way of the actuator unit (52); G.) disconnecting the plug-in connection in a load-free manner.

7. Method according to Claim 6, wherein the locking sensor (42) possesses a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor and / or a button or switch.