Connector device for a plug-in coupling system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector device for a quick-connect coupling system according to the features set forth in the preamble of claim 1. Quick-connect coupling systems are now being installed between a towing vehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck, and a trailer, such as a semi-trailer, in order to establish a largely or fully automated connection of the supply lines during the mechanical coupling process of the towing vehicle and trailer. US 4,284,311 A discloses a known quick-connect coupling system.

[0002] DE 10 2004 024 333 B4 describes a typical plug-in coupling system in which, during a reverse approach of the towing vehicle to the trailer vehicle, a first plug half arranged on the towing vehicle catches a second plug half mounted pivotably on the trailer vehicle about a kingpin, and both plug halves are pushed into each other by a further approach of the towing vehicle to the trailer vehicle.

[0003] A now widely used connector is shown in DE 10 2018 117 584 A1, but its geometry, number, and configuration of contact elements in the first and second connector halves have proven inadequate due to increasing demands on energy and data transfer between the towing vehicle and the trailer. In particular, future applications require connectors formed from the first and second halves to be capable of transmitting signals from the towing vehicle to the trailer with even higher transmission rates and quality.

[0004] However, this creates compatibility problems between the different generations of connectors. Since not all towing vehicles and trailers will be equipped with the latest generation connectors at the same time, it must be ensured that the design and positioning of future connector halves does not lead to any mechanical or electrical damage or malfunctions, for example, if a first connector half of the latest generation meets a second connector half of an older generation, or vice versa.

[0005] Consequently, the invention was based on the objective of further developing a connector device in such a way that a connection between the first and second connector halves of the same or different generations is possible without damage or malfunctions.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. The older connector devices available on the market with first and second connector halves of the same generation are compatible with each other with regard to their functional and geometric design. The same applies to the latest generation of first and second connector halves, which are also compatible with each other. However, problems can arise if, for example, a first vehicle is equipped with a first connector half of the latest generation and a second vehicle to be connected to it is equipped with a second connector half of an older generation. In this case, it would be acceptable if the functionality were limited to that of the second connector half.However, it must be avoided that, in the case of mixed operation of such first and second connector halves from different generations, mechanical damage to one or both of the first and second connector halves occurs due to a geometric incompatibility.

[0007] Damage during the coupling of geometrically incompatible first and second connector halves is prevented by the fact that at least one contact element is mounted in a connector segment that is movably mounted along the mating axis relative to the associated first or second housing. In the event of a collision between the first or second connector half and components of another geometrically incompatible second or first connector half, the connector segment is arranged in a way that allows it to move away from the mating axis in the opposite direction, thus creating a space into which a section of the other incompatible second or first connector half can be inserted. The connector segment is designed such that, when the first or second connector half contacts a geometrically incompatible second or first connector half, the connector segment can be reversibly aligned in a retracted, evasive position without any contact between the contact elements.The connector segment only deflects when it comes into contact with a geometrically incompatible first or second connector half. When the first or second connector half comes into contact with a geometrically compatible second or first connector half, a conductive or transmitting connection between the contact elements involved is established in the connector segment's initial position.

[0008] A contact element is understood to be a detachable transmission point for electrical and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic energy, typically designed as a classic plug / socket connection. This connection can have contact plates arranged radially or in the mating direction, or contact tongues that engage when connected. The plug / socket connection also includes, in particular, a coaxial plug that interacts with a coaxial socket.

[0009] Preferably, the connector segment is guided linearly with respect to the associated first or second housing. Such linear guidance can be achieved by inserting the connector segment into a complementarily shaped recess in the first or second housing.

[0010] According to a first advantageous embodiment, the connector segment is a section of the first or second housing. This section of the first or second housing is movably mounted relative to the remaining, relatively stationary part of the housing. This embodiment offers the advantage that several contact elements can be accommodated in the section of the first or second housing and can move synchronously with one another.

[0011] The section of the first or second housing can be formed, in particular, from a portion of the front wall facing the other second or first housing. The front wall typically carries the contact elements of the first or second housing. If the respective connector segment shifts along its axis, this portion of the front wall also moves into the interior of the contour originally defined by the first or second housing.

[0012] Advantageously, the contact element is fixed to the section of the associated first or second housing. This can be achieved, in particular, by attaching the respective contact element to the section of the first or second housing. It is also advantageous to attach one of the several connector sockets to the section of the associated first housing.

[0013] According to a second advantageous embodiment, the plug segment is formed from one of the several plug sockets. In this embodiment, only at least one of the plug sockets is movably mounted relative to the first housing in the plugging axis. The wall sections of the first housing, on the other hand, are fixedly arranged relative to each other. Reducing the movable mounting to the plug socket enables a particularly compact design, since no free installation space needs to be considered for moving parts of the first or second housing.

[0014] Preferably, one socket of the connector segment is arranged such that it faces the contact pin that projects furthest along the plug axis. In this area, a collision between the first and second halves of the connector would occur first.

[0015] Advantageously, one of the several contact pins is attached to the section of the associated second housing. In this embodiment, as an alternative to the connector socket, one or more of the contact pins are movably mounted in the plug axis and, in the event of an incompatibility between the first and second plug halves, can move out of the collision area as a section of the second housing.

[0016] According to a third advantageous embodiment, the connector segment is formed from one of the several contact pins. This embodiment also reduces the movable part of the connector segment to the smallest component, namely the contact pin. By eliminating the need for a movable bearing in a section of the second housing, particularly compact dimensions can be achieved.

[0017] Advantageously, one contact pin of the connector segment is dimensioned in the insertion axis such that it protrudes furthest relative to the second connector half. This ensures initial contact at the furthest protruding contact pin, which then provides radial guidance for the first and second connector halves and, due to its movable bearing, is protected against damage in the axial direction.

[0018] It has proven particularly useful to hold the connector segment in a forward-extended starting position by means of a spring element or actuator. This ensures that the connector segment always assumes a defined, forward-extended starting position, even without the presence of another first or second connector half.

[0019] It can be particularly advantageous if the spring element or actuator transmits a preload force to the connector segment that is greater than the insertion resistance of a compatible contact element of the other first or second connector half. Insertion resistance refers to the axial force required to connect compatible first and second connector halves. Such a connection is ensured by a suitably stiff spring element or actuator, preventing unintentional retraction of the connector segment. Even during operation, the connector segment and contact element of the other first or second connector half should be pressed against each other with a constant preload force to prevent vibrations during operation from interrupting the contact between the connector segment and the contact element.

[0020] Preferably, the connector segment is arranged in the first connector half and, upon contact with an incompatible second connector half, is pressed by it into a retracted, escape position. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the connector segment is arranged in the second connector half and, upon contact with an incompatible first connector half, is pressed by it into a retracted, escape position.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the connector segment of the first connector half can have a travel distance between a forward-extended starting position and a retracted escape position, which corresponds at least to the difference between the length of the associated contact pin of the second connector half protruding from the second housing and the length of the associated socket of the connector segment of the first connector half projecting into the first housing in its forward-extended starting position. This has the advantage that the travel distance is sufficiently large to prevent a destructive collision of the contact pin in the socket.

[0022] Alternatively, the connector segment of the second connector half can also have a travel distance between a forward-extended starting position and a retracted escape position, which corresponds at least to the difference between the length of the associated socket of the first connector half projecting into the first housing and the length of the associated contact pin of the connector segment of the second connector half protruding from the second housing in its forward-extended starting position. This also ensures that a sufficiently dimensioned travel distance is always available and that a destructive collision of the contact pin with the socket is prevented.

[0023] Preferably, the connector socket or the contact pin of the connector segment has transmission means that are arranged in and transversely to the plugging axis outside a collision zone with the contact elements of the other, second, or first housing. A collision zone is understood to be the area of ​​initial contact between the connector socket and the contact pin. The respective transmission means is always present on both contact elements of the first and second connector halves and is spatially arranged such that contact can occur between the contact pin and the connector socket.

[0024] For better understanding, the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to 13 figures. These show the FIG. 1: a perspective view of a first plug half with a plug segment according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2: a perspective view of a second plug half with a plug segment according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3: a perspective view of a first plug half with a plug segment according to a second embodiment; FIG. 4: a perspective view of a second plug half with a plug segment according to a second embodiment; FIG. 5: a schematic cross-section of a connector device before contacting with the first connector half of the latest generation and the second connector half of the latest generation, showing a connector element; FIG. 6: a schematic cross-section of a connected plug device with first and second plug halves of an older generation; FIG. 7: a schematic cross-section of a connector device before contact with the first connector half of the latest generation without a connector segment and the second connector half of an older generation; FIG. 8: a schematic cross-section according to FIG. 7 with damaging collision of the plug device during further approach; FIG. 9: a schematic cross-section of a connector device after contacting with a first connector half of the latest generation, a connector segment according to the first embodiment and a second connector half of an older generation; FIG. 10: a schematic cross-section of a connector device after contacting with a first connector half of the latest generation, a connector segment according to the second embodiment and a second connector half of an older generation; FIG. 11: a schematic cross-section of a connector device before contacting with the first connector half of an older generation and the second connector half of the latest generation, a connector segment according to the first embodiment; FIG. 12: a schematic cross-section of a plug device according to FIG. 11 after contact; FIG. 13: a schematic cross-section of a plug device after contacting with a first plug half of older generation and a second plug half of latest generation, comprising a plug segment according to the second embodiment;

[0025] The FIG. 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first connector half 100 according to a first embodiment. The first connector half 100 has a box-shaped housing 110, with which the first connector half 100 is attached to a vehicle, in particular to a towing vehicle (not shown here).

[0026] In a front wall 111 of the first housing 110, a plurality of contact elements 120 in the form of openings are incorporated into the front wall 111, which accommodate plug sockets 121 located behind them. In the contacted state, the front wall 111 of the first housing 110 is opposite a corresponding front wall 211 of its second housing 210 with a second plug half 200 (see FIG. 7 ).

[0027] The connector sockets 121 serve to transmit electrical and pneumatic energy from the first vehicle (not shown) to a second vehicle coupled to it, the electrical transmission including not only the actual power supply but also the transmission of electrical control signals. In accordance with their intended use, the connector sockets 121 have different diameters, installation depths, and transmission means 224 arranged therein for the electrical and / or pneumatic contacting of the first and second connector halves 100, 200.

[0028] In the presentation of the FIG. 1 For example, the middle connector socket 121 is movably mounted as connector segment 122 relative to the first housing 110 in a plug axis x. The connector segment 122 is formed from the connector socket 123. Unlike the other connector sockets 121 of the first housing 110, the connector socket 123 can move backwards from the front wall 111 of the first housing 110 if an incompatible contact pin 221, for example, of a second connector half 202 from an older generation (see FIG. 9, FIG. 10 ) of a first plug half 101 latest generation according to FIG. 1 is approached and contacted.

[0029] A spring element or actuator 300 is fixed at its first end to the connector socket 123 and at its second end to the first housing 110, so that the connector socket 123 is pressed towards the front wall 111 and held there without the presence of the second connector half 200. The connector socket 123 of the connector segment 122 is in a maximally extended initial position X 1 (see FIG. 9 )

[0030] When the first plug half 100 is contacted with the contact element 220 of a compatible second plug half 200, in particular a second plug half 201 of the latest generation, its contact element 220, in the form of a fixed contact pin 221 shaped complementarily to the plug socket 123, pushes into the plug socket 123, whereby, upon further approach to its end position, a connection is established between the first plug half 100, 101 and the second plug half 200, 201.

[0031] The spring element or actuator 300 is designed with regard to its spring force or restoring force such that when the first plug half 100 is connected to a compatible second plug half 200, the plug socket 123 does not deflect in the plug axis x and a connection of a contact pin 221 is made with the plug socket 123 arranged in the plug segment 122.

[0032] In the movable socket 123 of the first plug half 100, transmission means 124 are set back, in particular in the circumferential wall of the socket 123, such that, in the event of a connection with a non-compatible second plug half 200, in particular a second plug half 202 of an older generation, they lie outside a shock zone in which the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 approaches and the transmission means 124 are caught and destroyed.

[0033] As an alternative to a plug socket 123 that is movably mounted in the plug axis x, it is also possible to FIG: 2 The contact pin 223, which projects further from the front wall 211 on the second connector half 200 than the contact pins 221, is designed as a connector segment 222 movable relative to the second housing 210. The front wall 211 is the wall of the second housing 210 that faces the front wall 111 of the first housing 110. In this case, when approaching an incompatible first connector half 100, the contact pin 223 of the connector segment 222 moves back along the insertion axis x after making contact within the corresponding connector socket 121. Without contact with an incompatible connector socket 121, the contact pin 223 is held in a starting position X 1, maximally extended relative to the front wall 211, by means of the spring element or actuator 300 (see FIG. 11 ). The spring element or actuator 300 engages with one end the contact pin 223 of the plug segment 222 and with its other end the second housing 210.

[0034] In this embodiment as well, the spring force or restoring force of the spring element or actuator 300 is designed such that a reliable connection between compatible first and second connector halves 100, 200 is possible without the movable contact pin 223 of the connector segment 222 migrating backwards. Only with an even higher compressive force, such as occurs when the contact pin 223 of the connector segment 222 is joined to a socket 121 of an incompatible, older-generation first connector half 102, does this cause the movable contact pin 223 of the connector segment 222 to migrate into the second housing 210 along the insertion axis x. The section of the contact pin 223 projecting towards the first connector half 100 relative to the front wall 211 of the second housing 210 is shortened accordingly.

[0035] The FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the first connector half 100, in which, unlike according to the embodiment of FIG: 1 , as a slidably mounted plug segment 122 in the plug axis x, not only is the plug socket 123 movably mounted, but together with the plug socket 123, a section 130 of the first housing 110 is also mounted. This section 130 of the first housing 110 also includes a part 131 of the front wall 111 of the first housing 110.

[0036] Section 130, which is movably mounted in the plug axis x relative to the first housing 110, is held in a forward position relative to the stationary first housing 110 by means of the spring element or actuator 300. For this purpose, the spring element or actuator 300 engages section 130 at one end and the stationary first housing 110 at the other. When the first plug half 100 is connected to an incompatible second plug half 200, its contact pin 221 pushes the plug segment 122, formed from section 130 and plug socket 123, into the first housing 110 in the plug axis x, thereby preventing damage to the plug socket 121 and the contact pin 223.

[0037] FIG. 4 Figure 1 shows a further, alternative embodiment in which the connector segment 222 of the second housing 210 comprises not only a contact pin 223, but also a section 230 of the second housing 210 to which the contact pin 223 is attached. Section 230 of the second housing 210 also includes a part 231 of the front wall 211. The spring element or actuator 300 is in an extended functional position without the presence of a second connector half 200, in which part 231 is flush with the remaining front wall 211.

[0038] The further FIG. 5 bis FIG. 13 The figures show different scenarios in which the first and second halves of connectors (100, 200) of the same and different generations meet. For illustrative purposes, only one contact element (120) of the first housing (110) and one contact element (220) of the second housing (210) are shown, although in practice several contact elements (120, 220) are always present. FIG. 1 bis FIG. 4 are available.

[0039] The FIG. 5 This represents the meeting of a first connector half 100, in the form of a connector half 101 of the latest generation, with a second connector half 200, in the form of a second connector half 201 of the also latest generation. The first and second connector halves 101, 201 slide into each other as they approach, thereby establishing contact. The first and second connector halves 101, 201 provide the full range of functions.

[0040] The second connector half 201 has a connector segment 222 movably mounted in the plug axis x, the associated contact pin 223 of which is pushed in an extended position towards the first connector half 101 by the spring element or actuator 300. The movably mounted connector segment 222 would be superfluous in this combination of the latest generation second connector half 201 with a first connector half 101 of the likewise latest generation.

[0041] The FIG. 6 This illustrates a situation in which a first connector half 100, in the form of a first connector half 102 of an older generation, meets a second connector half 200, in the form of a second connector half 202 of a similarly older generation. The first and second connector halves 102, 202 correspond to the prior art and offer the previous, limited functionality of known connector devices. Naturally, neither the first connector half 100 nor the second connector half 200 has a contact element 120, 220, which is mounted in the connector segment 122, 222, which is movably mounted relative to the first or second housing 110, 210 in the insertion axis x.

[0042] However, problems can arise when mixing the first and second halves of connectors 101, 102, 201, 202 of the state of the art from different generations. In such a case, the FIG. 7 on.

[0043] According to the representation in FIG. 7 A first connector half 100, in the form of a connector half 101 of the latest generation, approaches a second connector half 200, in the form of a connector half 202 of an older generation, but is not yet in operative contact with it. Neither the first nor the second connector half 101, 202 has a connector segment 122, 222 movably mounted in the plug axis x. The contact pin 221 of the second connector half 202 has a greater axial length x K than the axial length x B of the plug socket 121 of the first connector half 101, so that as the first connector half 101 approaches the second connector half 202 further, the latter, according to the situation in FIG. 8 collide with each other and are damaged as a result.

[0044] A destructive collision between the socket 121 of the first plug half 101 and the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 is avoided by the following embodiment in FIG. 9 The first housing 101 is provided with a connector segment 122, which allows its socket 123 to move along the insertion axis x. Before contact with the contact pin 221, the socket 123, shown with a dashed line, is in the extended initial position X1. After contact with the contact pin 221, the socket 123 of the connector segment 122 has moved into a retracted, retracted position X2. The socket 123, as connector segment 122, has thus traveled a distance xS. The spring element or actuator 300 is in a reversibly compressed position.

[0045] In the retracted escape position X 2, there is still no functional connection between the socket 123 of the plug segment 122 and the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202; however, this would not be possible anyway due to the technically limited functionality of the second plug half 202 of the older generation.

[0046] The FIG. 10 Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of a first plug half 101 of the latest generation with a plug segment 122 that is displaceable in the plug axis x, in which, together with the plug socket 123, a section 130 of the first housing 110 is also movably mounted and is pressed into the retracted position X 2 by the travel distance x S by the contact pin 221, which is partially inserted into the plug socket 123. The part 131 of the section 130 of the housing 110 is also set back in a stepped manner from the front wall 111.

[0047] The FIG. 11 Figure 1 shows the reverse case with a first connector half 100 in the form of a first connector half 102 according to an older generation, which meets a second connector half 200 in the form of a second connector half 201 according to the latest generation. In this embodiment, the second connector half 201 has a connector segment 222 that is movably mounted in the plug axis x. The connector segment 222 here consists exclusively of the contact pin 223.

[0048] The contact pin 223 protrudes from the second housing 210 with an axial length x K and already makes contact with the connector socket 121 at its distal end, which has a shorter axial length x B. At the distal end of the contact pin 223, one or more transmission elements 224 are arranged offset axially and thus protected from damage by contact with the connector socket 121. The second housing 210 of the second connector half 201 is aligned with a distance along the insertion axis x from the first housing 110 of the first connector half 102.

[0049] Upon further approach of the first and second plug halves 102, 201 according to the in FIG. 12 In the situation shown, the contact pin 223 of the plug segment 222 moves against the feed of the spring element or actuator 300 by the amount of the travel distance x S further into the second housing 210, until the first and second plug halves 102, 201 have reached their end position and any further contact elements 120, 220 not visible here are functionally connected.

[0050] The FIG. 13 Figure 222 illustrates, using a further embodiment, a connector segment which, in addition to the contact pin 223, also includes a section 230 of the second housing 210, which is also pushed into the housing 210 after contacting the contact pin 223 against the pressure of the spring element or actuator 300. This section 230 also includes a part 231 of the front wall 211. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

[0051] 100th first half of plug 101st first half of plug latest generation 102nd first half of plug older generation 110 first housing 111 front panel first housing 120 Contact elements first housing 121 Plug sockets 122 Plug segment first housing 123 Plug socket plug segment 124 Transmission means plug socket 130 Section first housing 131 Part front wall first housing 200 second half of plug 201 second half of plug latest generation 202 second half of plug older generation 210 second housing 211 front panel second housing 220 Contact elements second housing 221 Contact pins 222 Plug segment second housing 223 Contact pin plug segment 224 Transmission means contact pin 230 Section second housing 231 Part front wall second housing 300 spring element / actuator x Plug-in axis X 1 advanced starting position plug segment X 2 retracted escape position plug segment x B length socket x K length contact pin x S travel distance plug segment

Claims

1. A plug device for a plug-type coupling system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, wherein the plug device has a first plug half (100) which is paired with the first vehicle and which comprises a first housing (110) and a plurality of contact elements (120) arranged in the first housing (110), and a second plug half (200) which is paired with the second vehicle and which comprises a second housing (210) and a plurality of contact elements (220) arranged in the second housing (210), wherein the contact elements (220) on the first plug half (100) are plug sockets (121) and the contact elements (220) of the second plug half (200) are contact pins (221) which contact the plug sockets (121) when the first and second plug halves (100, 200) are brought together in a plug-in axis (x), wherein at least one contact element (120, 220) is fitted in a plug element (122, 222) which is movably mounted in the plug-in axis (x) with respect to the corresponding first or second housing (110, 210), characterized in that the plug element (122, 222) is provided in such a way that, in the case of a collision of the first or second plug half (100, 200) with components of another, geometrically incompatible second or first plug half (200, 100), the plug element (122, 222) is arranged such that it can yield in the plug-in axis (x) counter to the plug-in direction and releases an assembly space, into which a portion of the other, incompatible second or first plug half (200, 100) can enter, wherein the plug element (122, 222) is oriented reversibly in a pushed-back yielding position (X2) without a connection of the contact elements (120, 220).

2. The plug device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug element (122, 222) is guided linearly with respect to the associated first or second housing (110, 210).

3. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug element (122, 222) is a section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210).

4. The plug device according to claim 3, characterized in that the section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210) is formed from a part (131, 231) of the front wall (131, 231) facing the other second or first housing (210, 110).

5. The plug device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contact element (120, 220) is arranged in a fixed position relative to the section (130, 230) of the associated first or second housing (110, 210).

6. The plug device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that one plug socket (123) of the plurality of plug sockets (121) is fastened to the section (130) of the associated first housing (110).

7. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug element (122) is one plug socket (123) of the plurality of plug sockets (121).

8. The plug device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the one plug socket (123) of the plug element (122) is arranged such that it is opposite the contact pin (221) that protrudes furthest in the plug-in axis (x).

9. The plug device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that one contact pin (223) of the plurality of contact pins (221) is fastened to the section (230) of the associated second housing (210).

10. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug element (222) is one contact pin (223) of the plurality of contact pins (221).

11. The plug device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the one contact pin (223) of the plug segment (222) is dimensioned in the plug-in axis (x) such that it protrudes the furthest from the second plug half (200).

12. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the plug element (122, 222) is held in an extended initial position (X1) by means of a spring element or actuator (300).

13. The plug device according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring element or actuator (300) transmits a preload force to the plug element (122, 222) that is greater than a plug resistance of a compatible contact element (120, 220) of the other first or second plug half (100, 200).

14. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the plug element (122) is arranged in the first plug half (100) and is pressed into a pushed-back yielding position (X2) by an incompatible second plug half (200) upon contact with the latter.

15. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the plug element (222) is arranged in the second plug half (200) and is pressed into a pushed-back yielding position (X2) by an incompatible first plug half (100) upon contact with the latter.

16. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) has a travel path (xS) between an extended initial position (X1) and a pushed-back yielding position (X2) which corresponds to at least a difference between a length (xK) of the associated contact pin (221) of the second plug half (200) protruding from the second housing (210) and a length (xB) of the associated plug socket (123) of the plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) protruding into the first housing (110) in its extended initial position (X2).

17. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) has a travel path (xS) between an extended initial position (X1) and a pushed-back yielding position (X2) which corresponds to at least a difference between the length (xB) of the associated plug socket (121) of the first plug half (100) projecting into the first housing (110) and a length (xK) of the associated contact pin (223) of the plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) projecting from the second housing (201) in its extended initial position (X1).

18. The plug device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the plug socket (123) or the contact pin (223) of the plug element (122, 222) have transmission means (124, 224) which are arranged in and transversely to the plug-in axis (x) outside a joint zone with the contact elements (220, 120) of the other, second or first housing (210, 110).