PLUG FOR AN ON-BOARD VOLTAGE SOCKET

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug for an on-board voltage socket, in particular for an on-board voltage socket of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Such plugs and on-board power sockets are also known as "cigarette lighters" in a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such an on-board voltage socket usually has a contact arranged on a base of the on-board voltage socket, connected to a pole of a first polarity of an electrical energy source, in particular a vehicle battery, and a socket connected to a pole of a second polarity of the electrical energy source.

[0004] The plug comprises a front plug section positioned at the front when inserted into the vehicle power socket, a rear plug section positioned opposite the front plug section, and a central plug section positioned between the front plug section and the rear plug section. A first contact element for contacting the contact of the vehicle power socket is arranged in the front plug section in the region of a central plug axis. Furthermore, at least one second contact element for contacting an inner side of the socket of the vehicle power socket is arranged in a central plug section of the plug.

[0005] A plug for a vehicle socket is known from US Pat. No. 4,988,315. The plug has a pair of circumferentially spaced, retractable contacts that extend beyond the periphery of the plug body to provide improved retention and electrical contact between the adapter plug and the socket. To improve retention, the two contacts are arranged at an angle of approximately 20° to 150° around the periphery of the plug.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of developing and improving a plug for an on-board voltage socket.

[0007] According to the invention, it is proposed that the middle plug section comprises at least one first contact region, comprising the second contact element, at least one further second contact region (24), and at least one first and one second ventilation region, wherein a curvature of a surface of the first and second contact regions is designed to be complementary to a curvature of the inside of the plug socket such that, when the plug is arranged as intended in the vehicle voltage socket, no distance or a first distance is formed between the inside of the plug socket and the surface of the first contact region and between the inside (6) of the plug socket (4) and the surface of the second contact region (24), and wherein a curvature of a surface of the first and second ventilation regions deviates from the curvature of the inside of the plug socket such thatthat, in the state of the plug in which it is intended to be arranged in the vehicle voltage socket, a second distance is formed between the surface of the first ventilation area and the inside of the socket and between the surface of the second ventilation area (26) and the inside (6) of the socket (4), wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance between the inside of the socket and the surface of the first contact area, so that the first and second contact areas (24) and the first and second ventilation areas (26) are each arranged opposite one another with respect to the plug axis (18), and in the state of the plug in which it is intended to be arranged in the vehicle voltage socket, at least two ventilation channels are formed between the front and rear plug sections.

[0008] The on-board voltage socket and thus the socket of the on-board voltage socket is designed, for example, according to the SAE J563 specification or the DIN ISO 4165 specification or the SAE / USCAR-4-1 specification.

[0009] According to the SAE J563 standard, the contact located at the bottom of the vehicle power socket is connected to the positive pole of the electrical energy source, in particular the vehicle battery, and the socket itself is connected to the negative pole.

[0010] In the plugs known from the prior art for such on-board voltage sockets, the plug, at least the part of the plug to be arranged in the socket, is essentially cylindrical in shape with a diameter that is only slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the socket, so that the plug can be arranged in the on-board voltage socket and, when arranged as intended, makes almost circumferential contact with the inside of the socket, or there is only a very slight distance of approximately 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, and at most up to 0.6 mm, between the plug and the inside of the socket. The at least one second contact element of the plug is usually a spring-loaded contact that is pressed against the inside of the socket when the plug is arranged as intended. The distance is therefore bridged by the second contact element of the plug.

[0011] Example dimensions of an on-board power socket according to the SAE J563 standard include an inner diameter of the socket of approximately 21 mm, in particular 20.9 mm to 21.1 mm, and according to DIN ISO 4165 an inner diameter of approximately 12 mm. The diameter of the plugs known from the prior art is approximately 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the corresponding socket.

[0012] According to the invention, the central plug section comprises at least one first contact area and at least one first ventilation area. The first contact area comprises at least one second contact element. When the plug is arranged as intended in the vehicle power socket, there is no gap or a first gap between the inside of the socket and the surface of the first contact area. This gap is bridged by the second contact element of the plug, which contacts the inside of the socket.

[0013] When the plug is properly arranged in the vehicle power socket, a second gap is formed between the inside of the socket and the surface of the first ventilation area. The second gap is greater than the first gap between the inside of the socket and the surface of the first contact area, so that when the plug is properly arranged in the vehicle power socket, at least one ventilation channel is formed between the front and rear plug sections. The ventilation channel is formed between the front and rear plug sections over an extension of the middle plug section between the front and rear plug sections.

[0014] A ratio of external dimensions, for example a diameter, of the connector in the contact area to external dimensions, for example a diameter, of the connector in the ventilation area is, for example, 5:4. The diameter of the connector in the contact area is, for example, between 20 mm and 22 mm, in accordance with the dimensions according to specification SAE J563. The diameter of the connector in the ventilation area is then, for example, between 15 mm and 20 mm, in particular between 16 mm and 18 mm. Other ratios of the diameter of the connector in the contact area to the diameter of the connector in the ventilation area are also conceivable, for example between 5:1 and 5:4.

[0015] The plug according to the invention can provide both ventilation and thus better cooling. The plug can therefore be used for electrical devices with higher power consumption.

[0016] Furthermore, the connector uses less material and requires less installation space than connectors known from the state of the art.

[0017] It may prove advantageous if the first distance is at most 0.01 mm to 0.6 mm and / or the second distance is at least 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm or more.

[0018] It proves advantageous that the connector is at least partially designed according to the SAE J563 specification or the DIN ISO 4165 specification. For example, the geometry of the connector according to the invention may result in a deviation from the dimensions of the connector specified in the SAE J563 or DIN ISO 4165 specifications. Additional requirements, for example, with regard to the connector contacts, are advantageously met.

[0019] The surface of the central plug section comprises at least two contact areas for contacting the inside of the socket and at least two ventilation areas. Additional contact areas and / or additional ventilation areas may also be provided.

[0020] The first and second contact areas and the first and second ventilation areas are arranged opposite one another with respect to the plug axis.

[0021] Furthermore, it may prove advantageous if the surface of the at least first ventilation area is at least partially formed as a flat surface. In this case, the curvature of the surface of the at least first ventilation area is zero.

[0022] It may also be advantageous for the surface of the at least first ventilation region to be at least partially concavely curved.

[0023] It may also be advantageous for the surface of the at least first ventilation region to be at least partially convexly curved.

[0024] In a further development of the present invention, it is provided that the first contact element of the plug formed in the region of the central plug axis comprises a contact pin with an elastomer sleeve encompassing the contact pin, in particular comprising rubber, in particular silicone.

[0025] To ensure good electrical contact, the contact pin must be pressed with a certain amount of force onto the contact located at the bottom of the vehicle's power socket. The elastomer sleeve acts as a spring element. The use of steel springs is known from the prior art. The use of an elastomer sleeve can be advantageous in automated assembly. Conventional steel springs can become entangled with other springs.

[0026] Further embodiments relate to an electrical device which is designed to be operated with electrical energy, comprising a connecting element for connecting the electrical device to an electrical energy source, characterized in that the connecting element is designed as a plug according to the embodiments described above.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a receptacle for the plug, in which the plug can be arranged when the electrical device is not connected to the electrical power source via the plug. The receptacle for the plug is advantageously designed to complement the shape of the plug. The receptacle for a plug according to the invention advantageously requires less installation space than a receptacle for a plug known from the prior art.

[0028] The electrical device is, for example, a compressed air supply system with a compressor. Such systems typically have a power consumption of approximately 80 W to 240 W. The connector according to the invention ensures the necessary heat dissipation via the ventilation duct.

[0029] Further features, possible applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures of the drawing. All described or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the patent claims or their references, as well as regardless of their wording or representation in the description or in the drawing.

[0030] The drawing shows: Fig. 1a to 1c show various views of a plug known from the prior art in various application situations with respect to a schematically illustrated socket of an on-board power socket; Fig. 2a to 2c show various views of a plug according to the invention in various application situations with respect to a schematically illustrated socket of an on-board power socket; Fig. 3 shows a sectional side view of a plug according to the invention; Fig. 4a to 4c show schematic views of a plug according to the invention according to further embodiments, and Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of an electrical device with a plug according to the invention.

[0031] Figures 1a to 1c show various views of a plug 2 known from the prior art in different application situations in relation to a schematically illustrated socket 4 of an on-board voltage socket.

[0032] The on-board voltage socket comprises a contact arranged on a base of the on-board voltage socket, connected to a pole of a first polarity of an electrical energy source, and the socket 4 connected to a pole of a second polarity of the electrical energy source.

[0033] In the plug 2 known from the prior art, it is provided that external dimensions, namely the diameter d of the plug 2, are only insignificantly smaller than the internal diameter d1 of the socket 4, so that the plug can be arranged in the on-board voltage socket and, in the intended state, the inside 6 of the socket 4 is contacted almost circumferentially or there is only a very slight distance a of approximately 0.01 mm to 0.6 mm between the plug and the inside of the socket, cf. Fig. 1c .

[0034] In the following, with reference to the Figures 2 to 5 a plug 10 according to the invention is explained.

[0035] The Figures 2a to 2c show different views of the plug 10 according to the invention in different application situations with respect to the schematically illustrated socket 4 of an on-board power socket. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the plug 10 according to the invention from the side.

[0036] The connector 10 comprises a front connector section 12, a rear connector section 14 arranged opposite the front connector section 12 and a middle connector section 16 arranged between the front connector section 12 and the rear connector section 14.

[0037] The front plug section 12 is to be positioned at the front when inserted into the socket 4. A first contact element 20 is arranged on the front plug section 12 in the area of ​​a central plug axis 18 for contacting a corresponding contact of the vehicle's electrical outlet.

[0038] In the middle plug section 16, a second contact element 22 is arranged for contacting the inner side 6 of the socket 4 of the on-board voltage socket.

[0039] The middle plug section 16 comprises at least one first contact area 24, which comprises the second contact element 22, and at least one first ventilation area 26.

[0040] When the plug is arranged as intended in the vehicle voltage socket, no distance or a first distance a1 is formed between the inner side 6 of the socket 4 and a surface of the first contact area 24, cf. Fig. 2c . A curvature of the surface of the first contact area 24 is complementary to a curvature of the inner side 6 of the socket 4.

[0041] In the state in which the plug is arranged as intended in the vehicle voltage socket, a second distance a2 is formed between a surface of the first ventilation area 26 and the inner side 6 of the socket 4.

[0042] The second distance a2 is greater than the first distance a1 between the inner side 6 of the socket 4 and the surface of the first contact area 24. In this way, when the plug 10 is arranged as intended in the vehicle voltage socket, at least one ventilation channel 28 is formed between the front and rear plug sections 12, 14 in the ventilation area 26. The ventilation channel 28 is formed between the front and rear plug sections 12, 14 over an extension of the central plug section 16 between the front and rear plug sections 12, 14.

[0043] The first distance a1, for example, is a maximum of 0.01 mm to 0.6 mm. The second distance a2, for example, is a minimum of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm or more.

[0044] The plug 10 includes external dimensions, in particular a diameter dk in the contact area 24 and a diameter db in the ventilation area 26. One diameter runs through the plug axis 18. The diameter db is smaller than the diameter dk. A ratio of the two diameters of the plug dk to db is, for example, between 5:1 and 5:4.

[0045] According to the Figures 2a to 2c , 3 In the embodiment shown, two contact areas 24 and two ventilation areas 26 are provided, wherein the contact areas 24 and the ventilation areas 26 are arranged opposite one another with respect to the plug axis 18.

[0046] According to the Figures 2a to 2cIn the illustrated embodiment, the surface of the at least first ventilation region 26 is formed as a flat surface. In this case, the curvature of the surface of the at least first ventilation region 26 is zero.

[0047] In the Figures 4a to 4c Further exemplary design options for the connector 10 are shown. According to Figures 4a and 4b the surface in the ventilation areas 24 is concavely curved, i.e. curved inwards compared to the outwards curved surface in the contact areas.

[0048] According to Figure 4c The surface in the ventilation areas is convexly curved, see 4c. However, the radius of curvature of the surface in the ventilation areas differs from the radius of curvature of the surface in the contact areas.

[0049] According to the Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the first contact element 20 of the plug 10, formed in the region of the central plug axis 18, comprises a contact pin 30 with an elastomer sleeve 32, in particular made of rubber, in particular of silicone, surrounding the contact pin 30.

[0050] The elastomer sleeve 32 acts as a spring element and presses the contact pin 30 with a certain force onto the contact arranged at the bottom of the vehicle voltage socket.

[0051] Figure 5 finally shows an electrical device 34 which is designed to be operated with electrical energy, comprising a plug 10 for connecting the electrical device to an electrical energy source.

[0052] The device 34 comprises a receptacle (not shown in detail) for the plug 10, in which the plug 10 can be arranged when the electrical device 34 is not connected to the electrical energy source via the plug 10. The receptacle for the plug is advantageously designed to complement the shape of the plug 10. The receptacle for a plug according to the invention advantageously requires less installation space than a receptacle for a plug known from the prior art.

[0053] For example, a company that meets the Figures 2 and 3 designed plug takes up about 28% less space than a conventional plug, cf. Figure 1 Furthermore, the material costs for manufacturing the connector are reduced by approximately 23%.

[0054] The electrical device 34 is, for example, a compressed air supply system with a compressor. According to the illustrated embodiment, the compressed air supply system is connected to a pneumatic tire 38 to be sealed or inflated via a sealing fluid container 36. The electrical device is, for example, a compressed air supply system with a compressor. Such systems typically have a power consumption of approximately 80 W to 240 W. The plug 10 according to the invention ensures the necessary heat dissipation via the ventilation duct.

Claims

1. A plug (10) for a vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle, in particular for a vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle of a motor vehicle, the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle having a contact arranged on a base of the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle and being connected to a pole of a first polarity of an electrical power source, and a socket (4) connected to a pole of a second polarity of the electrical power source, wherein an interior (6) of the socket (4) comprises a constant curvature, the plug (10) comprising a front plug portion (12) which is to be arranged at the front as the plug is inserted into the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle and on which, in the region of a central plug axis (18), a first contact element (20) for contacting the contact of the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle is arranged, a rear plug portion (14) which is located opposite the front plug portion (12), and a middle plug portion (16) which is located between the front plug portion (12) and the rear plug portion (14), wherein a second contact element (22) for contacting the interior (6) of the socket (4) of the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle is disposed in the middle plug portion (16), wherein the middle plug portion (16) comprises at least one first contact region (24), comprising the second contact element (22), at least one further second contact region (24) and at least one first and one second ventilation region (26), wherein a curvature of a surface of the first and the second contact region (24) is designed to be complementary to a curvature of the interior (6) of the socket (4) such that, in a state of the plug (10) disposed in the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle as intended, no distance or a first distance (a1) is established between the interior (6) of the socket (4) and the surface of the first contact region (24) and between the interior (6) of the pocket and the surface of the second contact region (24), and wherein a curvature of a surface of the first ventilation region (26) deviates from the curvature of the interior (6) of the socket (4) such that, in the state of the plug (10) disposed in the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle as intended, a second distance (a2) is established between the surface of the first ventilation region (26) and the interior (6) of the socket (4), the second distance (a2) being greater than the first distance (a1) between the interior (6) of the socket (4) and the surface of the first contact region (24), characterized in that the first and the second contact region (24) and the first and the second ventilation region (26) are arranged opposite each other with respect to the plug axis (18) and in the state of the plug (10) disposed in the vehicle-electrical-system-voltage receptacle as intended, at least one ventilation channel (28) is formed between the front plug portion (12) and the rear plug portion (14).

2. The plug (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that an inner diameter of the socket (4) is 21 mm or 12 mm and the first distance (a1) is 0.01 mm to 0.6 mm, and / or in that the second distance (a2) is at least 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm or more.

3. The plug (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the at least first ventilation region (26) is at least partially designed as a flat surface.

4. The plug (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the at least first ventilation region (26) is at least partially concavely curved.

5. The plug (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the at least first ventilation region (26) is at least partially convexly curved.

6. The plug according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first contact element (20) of plug (10) formed in the region of the central plug axis (18) comprises a contact pin (30) with an elastomer sleeve (32), in particular comprising rubber, in particular silicone, surrounding the contact pin (30).

7. An electrical device (34) which is designed to be operated with electrical power, comprising a connection element for connecting the electrical device to an electrical power source, characterized in that the connection element is designed as a plug (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6.

8. The electrical device (34) according to claim 7, characterized in that device (34) comprises a receptacle for plug (10), in which plug (10) can be disposed when the electrical device (34) is not connected to the electrical power source via the plug (10).

9. The electrical device (34) according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the electrical device (34) is a compressed air supply system with a compressor.