High-current plug-in connector system and method for setting its total disconnection force

Abstract

The problem addressed by the invention is to allow adjustment of the total disconnection force for a high-current plug-in connector system to a predefined value using simple means and to make corresponding upgrading of existing high-current plug-in connector systems as straightforward as possible. For this purpose, the invention proposes equipping a plug-in connector (1) and a mating plug-in connector (2) of the plug-in connector system with at least one further plug-in contact (100) and, respectively, at least one further mating plug-in contact (200). The at least one further plug-in contact (100) and the at least one further mating plug-in contact (200) can be plug-connected to each other and, in the plug-connected state, disconnected from each other again with the application of an individual disconnection force and are thus jointly designed for generating a predefined amount of said total disconnection force for the plug-in connector system. As a result, the desired total disconnection force can be set by selecting the suitable further plug-in contacts and mating plug-in contacts and, for example, the current intensity actually used can be adapted individually, for example by the end user, with only a small amount of effort, such that connections that transmit particularly high electric current are also particularly difficult to disconnect, in particular for safety reasons.

Description

[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0002] Title: High current connector system and method for adjusting its

[0003] Total separation force

[0004] Description

[0005] The invention is based on a high-current connector system according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for adjusting a total separation force of a high-current connector system according to claim 14.

[0007] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for adjusting the total separation force of a high-current connector system according to claim 15.

[0008] The term “total separation force” here and in the following refers to the force required to separate a connector and a mating connector mated to it, both of which are part of the high-current connector system.

[0009] Such high-current connector systems can be used, for example, to transmit electrical energy. In particular, a total electrical current with high total current intensities of at least up to 16 A ("amperes"), e.g., at least up to 20 A, preferably at least up to 35 A, particularly preferably at least up to 70 A, in particular at least up to 125 A, for example at least up to 300 A, and in particular even at least 900 A, can be transmitted via the high-current connector system, and thus both via the connector and the mating connector.

[0010] State of the Art: Connector systems consisting of a connector and a mating connector are known in the prior art. The connector can be mated with the mating connectors and then separated from the mating connector using a total separation force. In the prior art, the total separation force is generally determined randomly from frictional forces, such as the sum of the friction-related insertion and removal forces of the electrical contacts, the friction of a seal on the connector housing, etc.

[0011] In practical use, requirements have arisen that require certain connector systems to have a defined total separation force depending on their function. In particular, high-current connector systems designed to transmit particularly high currents must also have a particularly high total separation force for safety reasons.

[0012] A disadvantage of the state of the art is that the strength of the total separation force cannot be easily adjusted in existing high-current connector systems.

[0013] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2019 111 847 A1 , DE 102019 121 975 A1 , DE 11 2018 006 768 T5, DE 14 65 689 A and US 2021 / 0194167 A1.

[0014] Task

[0015] The object of the invention is to specify a high-current connector system and a method by means of which the total separation force of the high-current connector system can be adjusted - in particular individually - to a predetermined value using the simplest means possible. Preferably, retrofitting of existing high-current connector systems should be possible. Particularly preferably, as few new components as possible should be added or modified compared to already existing high-current connector systems. In particular, the so-called "modularity" of the high-current connector system should be retained as far as possible, i.e. its components should already exist on the market to the greatest possible extent and be usable with as many other commercially available components as possible, i.e. they should at least be pluggable and preferably also able to be assembled together to form a connector system, in particular a high-current connector system.

[0016] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0017] A high-current connector system consists of a connector and a mating connector. The connector and mating connector can be both mated together and separated using a combined separation force. The connector has several identical high-current plug contacts. The mating connector has several high-current mating contacts that can be mated with the high-current plug contacts. When mated, each of the high-current plug contacts is mechanically and electrically connected to one of the mating high-current plug contacts for transmitting electrical energy, forming a high-current plug contact pair.

[0018] In addition, the connector has at least one further plug contact, and the mating connector has at least one further mating contact. Each of the further plug contacts forms a further plug contact pair with one of the further mating contacts. The further plug contact and the further mating contact of each plug contact pair can be mated together by applying an individual mating force, and can be separated from each other again in the mated state by applying an individual separation force. As a result, they are jointly configured to generate a predetermined amount of the said total separation force, with the individual separation force of each further plug contact pair being at least 1.5 times its said individual mating force.

[0019] In this and the following, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the term “individual separation force” refers to exactly one pair of plug contacts.

[0020] Preferably, the individual separation force can be at least 1.75 times the individual insertion force.

[0021] In particular, the individual separation force can be at least twice as large as the individual insertion force.

[0022] For example, the individual separation force can be at least 2.5 times the individual insertion force

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the individual separation force can even be at least three times, in particular even at least four times and particularly preferably even at least five times the individual insertion force.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0025] One advantage of the invention is that it makes retrofitting existing high-current connector systems particularly straightforward. Compared to existing high-current connector systems, only one or, if necessary, several pairs of high-current connector contacts need to be replaced with one or more additional pairs of connector contacts.

[0026] A particular advantage is that the so-called "modularity" of the high-current connector system is retained as far as possible. This means that all of its components may have previously existed on the market and may also be usable with other commercially available components. Thus, they are not only compatible with commercially available connectors, but preferably also compatible with other commercially available components to form another connector system / high-current connector system. In this respect, the aforementioned solution differs significantly from other conceivable, even inferior, approaches, in which, for example, one or more connector housings, a locking system, or other components would have to be modified to modify the overall separation force.

[0027] One advantage of the invention is that it allows for individual adjustment of the total separation force of a high-current connector system to a predetermined value using very inexpensive means. Ultimately, at least one of the high-current plug contacts of a commercially available high-current connector system needs to be replaced with another plug contact, and one of the high-current mating contacts of the commercially available high-current connector system needs to be replaced with another mating contact. Replacing a plug contact is a common procedure, frequently performed by end customers, and therefore requires very little effort.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the additional plug contact and the additional mating plug contact can be configured accordingly at the factory to generate a specific individual separation force, so that the total separation force at least corresponds to the load capacity of the high-current connector system. This has the advantage that the adjustment can be made at the factory, and the high-current connector system can be delivered to the end user with this adjustment pre-adjusted. In a further advantageous embodiment, the high-current connector system can additionally have a complete set of various additional plug contacts and various additional mating plug contacts, which, in conjunction with one another, generate different total separation forces.One or more suitable additional plug contacts and mating contacts can be selected from this set and inserted into the plug connector and mating connector, particularly in combination, to set the desired / specified total separation force. This has the advantage that the end user can individually adjust the total separation force to their specific application, e.g., the range of the actual current transmitted.

[0029] A method for adjusting the total separation force of a high-current connector system therefore provides that the predetermined total separation force is adjusted by selecting one or more suitable plug contacts and one or more suitable mating plug contacts from the said set of various other plug contacts and various other mating plug contacts.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the additional plug contact and the additional mating plug contact can be secured to one another in the mated state, so that the individual separation force generated during their derusting generates the total separation force, or at least part of it. Alternatively or additionally, frictional forces can also play a role.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment, each high-current plug-in contact pair, when plugged in, can be designed to transmit currents of at least 10 A (“amperes”), preferably at least 20 A, particularly preferably at least 40 A, in particular at least 60 A, for example at least 70 A and in particular even at least 80 A. The term “designed” means that the respective high-current plug-in contact pair can be permanently loaded with currents “up to” the respective specified maximum value, i.e. with currents that correspond to the respective specified maximum value or are lower than the respective specified maximum value.

[0032] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the high current carrying capacity, particularly at a given electrical voltage, is advantageous for the transmission of the highest possible electrical energy.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment, the said individual separation force is at least 15 N ("Newton"), preferably at least 20 N, particularly preferably at least 25 N, in particular at least 60 N, for example at least 75 N, for example at least 85 N and preferably even 97 N and more, e.g. at least 100 N, and possibly even more than 110 N and more, e.g. 120 N and even more.

[0034] Specified separation forces can be, for example: 18 N; 22 N; 27 N; 67 N; 89 N; 111 N, 127 N.

[0035] While a connector manufacturer provides its specifications and assignments regarding the maximum current carrying capacity, in a fixed installation by the end user, the total breaking force can be adjusted to the actual current transmitted by the entire high-current connector system. This total current is the sum of the currents of the individual currents flowing through the individual high-current connector contact pairs.

[0036] For example, for total currents of 15 A actually used, the specified total separation force can be 18 N.

[0037] For example, for a total current actually used of 16 A to 20 A, the specified total breaking force may be 22 N. For example, for a total current actually used of 21 A to 35 A, the specified total breaking force may be 27 N.

[0038] For example, for a total current actually used of 36 A to 70 A, the specified total separation force can be 67 N.

[0039] For example, for a total current actually used of 71 A to 125 A, the specified total separation force can be 89 N.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the connector has at least one contact carrier made of an electrically insulating material. The contact carrier can be designed as a single piece as part of a one-piece connector insert ("monoblock"). However, the connector can also have multiple connector modules installed in a connector modular frame to form a modular connector insert. In the latter case, each connector module has a contact carrier, so that the connector then has multiple contact carriers.

[0041] The connector has a contact chamber for each of the high-current plug contacts and also for each of the additional plug contacts. The contact chambers are distributed within the contact carrier or among the multiple contact carriers and arranged within the multiple contact carriers.

[0042] Furthermore, the mating connector has at least one mating contact carrier made of an electrically insulating material. The mating contact carrier can be designed as a single piece as part of a mating connector insert ("monoblock"). However, the mating connector can also have several additional mating connector modules installed in a mating connector modular frame to form a modular mating connector insert. In the latter case, each module has a mating contact carrier, so that the mating connector then has several mating contact carriers.

[0043] The counter high-current connector has a counter contact chamber for each of the said high-current mating contacts and also for each of the said additional mating contacts. These counter contact chambers are arranged in the mating contact carrier—or distributed among the multiple mating contact carriers and in the mating contact carriers.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the contact chambers of the connector are designed to be uniform relative to one another. In a further advantageous embodiment, the mating contact chambers of the mating connector are designed to be uniform relative to one another.

[0045] This benefits the aforementioned modularity in terms of compatibility with other possible product components, as the respective contact carrier / mating contact carrier can be optionally equipped with both high-current contacts / high-current counter contacts and with additional plug contacts / mating plug contacts, particularly in all contact receptacles.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one contact carrier has a cable connection side and a plug-in side opposite the cable connection side. The contact chambers are designed as through-openings that connect the cable connection side to the plug-in side.

[0047] Furthermore, the at least one mating contact carrier can have a mating cable connection side and a mating plug-in side opposite the mating cable connection side. The mating contact chambers can also be designed as through-openings that connect the mating cable connection side to the mating plug-in side.

[0048] In this context, it should be noted that the terms "mating side" and "cable connection side", as well as "mating side" and "cable connection side", and "mating direction" always refer to the corresponding connector or mating connector. The mating direction, in the sense of a vectorial direction, actually refers to the mating axis, which is identical for the connector and the mating connector. The orientation always refers to the direction of mating, i.e. towards the other connector / mating connector. When mated, the contact carrier and the mating contact carrier are directed towards each other with their mating side and mating side, and away from each other with their respective cable connection sides.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment, said high-current plug contacts and said further plug contact(s) are each arranged and held in one of the contact chambers of the connector. Said high-current mating plug contacts and said further mating contact(s) are each arranged and held in one of the mating contact chambers of the mating connector.

[0050] This has the advantage that the additional plug contacts - even though they are different from the high-current plug contacts - can be accommodated in uniform contact receptacles, which benefits the aforementioned modularity. For example, a conventional contact carrier can be used. All that is needed is to insert another plug contact - or the desired number of additional plug contacts - into the contact chamber that was originally intended to accommodate the high-current plug contacts. The same naturally applies analogously to the mating contact carrier and the other mating contacts. Both the high-current plug contacts and the high-current counter-plug contacts can be made of one or more electrically conductive materials, in particular metal, i.e. if necessary.consist of one or more metals and each have a cable connection area on the cable connection side and a plug-in side high-current plug-in area for mutual mechanical and electrically conductive connection.

[0051] The further plug contacts and / or the further mating plug contacts can also consist of one or more electrically conductive material(s), in particular metal(s), but alternatively - depending on the shape and required elasticity - also of one or more electrically non-conductive material(s), for example of plastic and possibly of several different plastic(s).

[0052] Preferably, the additional plug contacts and additional mating plug contacts are each designed as a single piece, in particular as a single piece. However, multi-piece, in particular multi-piece, designs are also conceivable.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the additional plug contacts and / or the additional mating plug contacts each have a plug-side plug-in area for mutual mechanical connection, but no cable connection area on the cable connection side. This has the advantage that they are less complex to manufacture. Furthermore, this has the advantage that they are particularly robust relative to their size.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the plug-in area of ​​the additional plug contacts can be designed as a contact pin, and the plug-in area of ​​the additional mating plug contacts can be designed as a contact socket. In particular, the respective contact socket of the at least one additional mating plug contact can have a plurality of slots, thereby forming lamellae in its plug-in area that point in the plug-in direction.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment, the contact pin of the plug contact can have a circumferential groove.

[0056] The circumferential groove of the contact pin can further have a retaining surface on the plug-in side. This retaining surface can preferably be oriented essentially vertically, i.e., at an angle of between 80° and 120°, in particular at an angle of between 85° and 95° or between 95° and 105°, and ideally at a right angle of 90° or at an angle of 100° to the plug-in direction, in which the contact pin naturally points. These values ​​have proven particularly suitable in experiments, but of course, other angles may also be appropriate under different conditions.

[0057] Furthermore, the said lamellae of the mating plug contact pointing in the plug-in direction can have radially inward-directed locking hooks at their plug-side ends, which engage in the circumferential groove of the plug contact when plugged in.

[0058] The locking hooks can each have a sliding bevel and a locking surface, wherein the locking surface is at an angular relationship of between 30° and 90°, preferably between 40° and 50° or between 55° and 65°, particularly preferably between 42.5° and 47.5° or 57.5° and 62.5°, i.e. for example at an angle of approximately 45° or 60° to the plug-in direction.

[0059] A method is used to adjust the total separation force of a high-current connector system. The specified total separation force is adjusted at least by dimensioning the following parameters:

[0060] The number of additional plug contacts / additional mating contacts; the material of the slats; the thickness of the slats; the length of the slats; the angle of the locking surface of the locking hook of the slats to the plug-in direction; the angle of the plug-side retaining surface of the circumferential groove of the contact pin to the plug-in direction.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the setting of the specified total separation force can also be carried out by selecting one or more suitable additional plug contacts and one or more suitable additional mating plug contacts from the said set of various additional plug contacts and various additional mating plug contacts.

[0062] Example

[0063] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0064] Fig. 1a a connector housing;

[0065] Fig. 1 b shows a populated module frame;

[0066] Fig. 1c, d another plug contact;

[0067] Fig. 2a a mating connector housing;

[0068] Fig. 2b shows a fitted counter module frame;

[0069] Fig. 2c another mating contact;

[0070] Fig. 3a shows the further plug contact in an enlargement;

[0071] Fig. 3b the further mating contact in an enlargement;

[0072] Fig. 4 the further plug contact and the further

[0073] Mating contact in the plugged state in a sectional view; Fig. 5a, b a plugged high-current connector system without and with a high-current plug contact pair in a first sectional view;

[0074] Fig. 6a, b the plugged high-current connector system with and without high-current plug contact pair in a second sectional view.

[0075] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0076] Fig. 1a shows a connector housing 10 of a connector 1, which in turn is a component of a high-current connector system shown below (see Fig. 5a, b and Fig. 6a, b). The connector housing 10, which is a sleeve housing, is not absolutely necessary for the function of the high-current connector system, but in the design shown here is a useful safety-related and protective optional component of the connector 1 and thus also of the high-current connector system. The connector housing 10 is made of plastic and has, on the one hand, a cable outlet with a cable outlet 11 and, on the other hand, a rectangular plug-in opening 18 into which a plug insert 12, shown below, can be inserted and locked.In addition, the connector housing 10 has a locking bracket 14 on each of its opposite narrow sides for locking with a mating connector housing 20 shown later. Fig. 1 b shows the aforementioned connector insert 12. This connector insert 12 is designed as a modular frame 120 equipped with connector modules 123. This is thus a modular connector insert 12. In the present embodiment, three connector modules 123 are provided, but any other number of connector modules 123 could of course also be provided in another embodiment.

[0077] Each of the connector modules 123 has a contact carrier 122, each with two contact chambers 128. However, only one of these contact chambers 128 is visible in the drawing because the others are equipped with high-current plug contacts 121. Finally, the two outer contact carriers 122 are fully equipped, i.e., in this case, with two high-current plug contacts 121. The middle contact carrier 122 is partially equipped, namely with a high-current mating plug contact 221, while the last contact chamber 128 has initially remained free to accommodate another plug contact 100. Of course, each of the contact carriers 122 could also have a different number of contact chambers 128. The contact chambers 128 of the contact carriers 122 are designed to be uniform.

[0078] Figs. 1c and 1d show the aforementioned additional plug contact 100, which is intended for insertion into the last, still unpopulated contact chamber 128. This plug contact can be received in the contact chamber 128 and is held therein by the contact carrier 122, but differs from the aforementioned high-current plug contacts 121 in particular in that, although it has a holding area 108, this is of solid construction, so that the additional plug contact 100 does not have a cable connection area.

[0079] The additional plug contact 100 also has a plug-in area designed as a contact pin 101. The contact pin 101 has a circumferential groove 106 with a mating-side retaining surface 107, which is particularly clearly visible and labeled in the enlarged view in Fig. 1d. Fig. 2a shows a mating connector housing 20 of a mating connector 2, which, together with the aforementioned plug connector 1, is a component of the aforementioned high-current connector system. While the mating connector housing 20, which is a sleeve housing, is not absolutely necessary for the function of the high-current connector system, in the design shown here it is a useful optional safety-related and protective component of the mating connector 2 and thus of the high-current connector system.The mating connector housing 20 is made of plastic and has, on the one hand, a cable outlet with a cable outlet 21 and, on the other hand, a rectangular plug-in opening 28 into which a mating connector insert 22 shown below can be inserted and locked. In addition, the mating connector housing 20 has two locking pins 24 on each of its two long sides for locking with the two locking brackets 14 of the connector housing 10.

[0080] Fig. 2b shows the aforementioned mating connector insert 22. This mating connector insert 22 is designed as a modular tube 220 equipped with mating connector modules 223. Thus, it is a modular mating connector insert 22. In the present embodiment, three mating connector modules 223 are provided, but any other number of mating connector modules 223 could, of course, be provided in another embodiment.

[0081] Each of the mating connector modules 223 has a mating contact carrier 222, each with two mating contact chambers 228. However, only one of these mating contact chambers 228 is visible in the drawing because the others are equipped with high-current mating contacts 221. Finally, the two outer mating contact carriers 222 are fully equipped, i.e., in this case, with two high-current mating contacts 221. The middle mating contact carrier 222 is only partially equipped, namely with one high-current mating contact 221, while the last mating contact chamber 228 has initially remained free to accommodate another mating contact 200. Of course, each of the mating contact carriers 222 could also have a different number of mating contact chambers 228. The mating contact chambers 228 of the mating contact carriers 222 are designed to be uniform.

[0082] Fig. 2c shows the aforementioned additional mating contact 200, which is intended for insertion into the still unpopulated mating contact chamber 228. This can be accommodated in the mating contact chamber 228 and secured therein by the mating contact carrier 222, but differs from the aforementioned high-current mating contacts 221 in particular in that, although it has a holding area 208, this area is solid, so that the additional mating contact 200 does not have a cable connection area.

[0083] The additional mating contact 200 also has a plug-in area designed as a contact socket 201. The contact socket 201 has several slots 206 through which lamellae 209 are provided with inwardly directed locking hooks 207 at the ends (visible in Fig. 3b).

[0084] Fig. 3a shows the additional plug contact 100 in an enlarged view. The retaining surface 107 of the circumferential groove 106 is concealed.

[0085] Fig. 3b shows the additional mating contact 200 in an enlarged view. A segmental section at the top right of the drawing clearly shows the locking hook 207 with a sliding bevel 2072 and a locking surface 2071 inclined toward the plugging direction.

[0086] From Figs. 3a and 3b, it is thus clear to the person skilled in the art that the individual separation force is significantly higher than the individual insertion force. Finally, during insertion, the sliding curve (not labeled) of the additional plug contact shown on the right in Fig. 3a slides along the sliding bevel 2072 of the additional mating plug contact 200 and bends its lamellae 209 apart over a portion of the insertion path corresponding to the shape of the curves.

[0087] In contrast, the portion of the pulling path during which the retaining surface 107 of the additional plug contact 100 pushes the lamellae 209 of the additional mating contact 200 apart via their respective locking surfaces 2071 when pulled from the additional mating contact 200 is significantly shorter. However, according to the law of conservation of energy, the additional plug contact must apply at least the same mechanical energy over this short path. This alone – apart from frictional forces that further reinforce this effect – makes the individual separation force significantly higher than the aforementioned individual insertion force, because the individual insertion force ultimately has a significantly larger path section available to apply the same mechanical tensioning energy to the lamellae.

[0088] Figure 4 shows the additional plug contact 100 and the additional mating plug contact 200 in the plugged-in state in a sectional view. It is easily visible that the locking hooks 207, with their locking surfaces 2071 inclined against the plugging direction, engage behind the retaining surface 107 of the groove 106 (not labeled here). Therefore, a corresponding individual separation force would be required for separation.

[0089] Fig. 5a and 5b as well as 6a and 6b show a plugged high-current connector system, comprising the plug connector 1 and the mating connector 2 in two different sectional views, each with and without a high-current plug contact pair, consisting of the high-current plug contact 121 and the high-current mating plug contact 221.

[0090] In Figs. 5a and 5b, it is particularly clearly visible how the lamellae 209 of the additional mating plug contact 200 engage the contact pin 101 of the additional plug contact 100 on all sides in the region of its groove 106. Figs. 6a and 6b clearly show how the locking hooks 207 of the lamellae 209 engage in the groove 106.

[0091] Furthermore, it is clearly visible that the contact chambers 128 are designed identically to one another, regardless of whether a high-current plug contact 121 or another plug contact 100 is inserted therein. Likewise, it is clear that the mating contact chambers 228 are designed identically to one another, regardless of whether a high-current mating plug contact 221 or another mating plug contact 200 is inserted therein.

[0092] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0093] Title: High-current connector system

[0094] List of reference symbols

[0095] 1 connector

[0096] 10 connector housings

[0097] 11 Cable outlet

[0098] 12 plug insert

[0099] 18 plug-in opening

[0100] 121 high-current plug contacts

[0101] 122 contact carriers

[0102] 123 connector modules

[0103] 128 contact chambers

[0104] 100 additional plug contacts

[0105] 101 Plug-in area, contact pin

[0106] 106 groove

[0107] 107 Holding surface

[0108] 108 holding area

[0109] 2 mating connectors

[0110] 20 mating connector housings

[0111] 21 Cable outlet

[0112] 22 Mating connector insert

[0113] 28 plug-in opening

[0114] 221 high-current mating contacts

[0115] 222 Counter contact carrier

[0116] 223 mating connector modules

[0117] 228 counter contact chambers

[0118] 200 additional mating contacts

[0119] 201 Plug-in area, contact socket

[0120] 206 Slots 207 Snap hooks

[0121] 2071 Rest area

[0122] 2072 Sliding slope

[0123] 208 Holding area 209 Slats

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: High current connector system and method for adjusting its Total separation force Claims 1. A high-current connector system comprising a connector (1) and a mating connector (2), which can be both plugged into one another and separated from one another under a total separation force, wherein the connector (1) has a plurality of high-current plug contacts (121) of the same type, and wherein the mating connector (2) has a plurality of high-current mating contacts (221) that can be plugged into the high-current plug contacts (121), wherein, in the plugged-in state, each of the high-current plug contacts (121) is mechanically and electrically conductively connected to one of the high-current mating contacts (221) for transmitting electrical energy, to form a high-current plug contact pair, characterized in that the connector (1) has at least one further plug contact (100) and that the mating connector (2) has at least one further mating contact (200),wherein the at least one further plug contact (100) and the at least one further mating plug contact (200) can be plugged together by applying an individual plugging force and can be separated from each other again in the plugged state by applying an individual separating force and are thus jointly designed to generate a predetermined amount of said total separating force, wherein said individual separating force is at least 1.5 times said individual plugging force.

2. High-current connector system according to claim 1, characterized in that the further plug contact (100) and the further Mating plug contact (200) are locked together when plugged in.

3. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each high-current plug contact pair in the plugged state is designed to transmit currents of at least 10 A (“amperes”), preferably at least up to 20 A, particularly preferably at least up to 40 A, in particular at least up to 60 A, for example at least up to 80 A and in particular even at least up to 100 A or even more.

4. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said individual separation force is at least 75 N ("Newton"), for example at least 85 N and preferably even 97 N and in particular even more, e.g. more than 100 N and possibly also 110 N and more, for example 120 N and more.

5. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) has at least one contact carrier (122) which is made of an electrically insulating material and in which - or in which in total - a contact chamber (128) is arranged for each of said high-current plug contacts (121) and also for each of said further plug contacts (100), and in that the mating connector (2) further has at least one mating contact carrier (222) made of an electrically insulating material, in which - or in which in total - a mating contact chamber (228) is arranged for each of said high-current mating contacts (221) and also for each of said further mating contacts (200), and that the contact chambers (128) of the plug connector (1) are designed to be uniform to one another, and that furthermore the mating contact chambers (228) of the mating plug connector (2) are designed to be uniform to one another.

6. High-current connector system according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one contact carrier (122) has a cable connection side and a plug-in side opposite the cable connection side, and in that the contact chambers (128) are designed as through-openings which connect the cable connection side to the plug-in side, and in that the at least one mating contact carrier (222) has a mating cable connection side and a mating plug-in side opposite the mating cable connection side, and in that the mating contact chambers (228) are also designed as through-openings which connect the mating cable connection side to the mating plug-in side.

7. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said high-current plug contacts (121) and the said further plug contact(s) (100) are each arranged in and held in one of the contact chambers (128) of the plug connector (1), and in that said high-current mating plug contacts (221) and the said further mating contact(s) (200) are each arranged in and held in one of the mating contact chambers (228) of the mating connector (2).

8. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the high-current plug contacts (121) and the high-current mating contacts (221) consist of one or more electrically conductive material(s), in particular one or more metal(s), and each have a cable connection-side cable connection area and a plug-side high-current plug-in area for mutual plug-in mechanical and electrically conductive connection, and furthermore that the further plug contacts (100) and / or the further mating plug contacts (200) are made of one or more electrically conductive material(s), in particular metal(s), or of one or more electrically non-conductive material(s), for example plastic(s), and each have a plug-side plug-in area (101, 201) for mutual mechanical plug-in connection, but no cable connection-side cable connection area.

9. High-current connector system according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug-in area of ​​the further plug-in contacts (100) is designed as a contact pin (101) and the plug-in area of ​​the further mating plug-in contacts (200) is designed as a contact socket (201).

10. High-current connector system according to claim 9, characterized in that the contact socket (201) of the at least one further mating contact (200) has a plurality of slots (206), whereby lamellae (209) pointing in the plugging direction are formed.

11. High-current connector system according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact pin (101) of the further plug contact (100) has a circumferential groove (106).

12. High-current connector system according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact pin (101) points in the plug-in direction and the circumferential groove (106) has a plug-side holding surface (107) which is substantially perpendicular, i.e. in an angular relationship of between 80° and 100°, in particular at an angular relationship of between 85° and 95° or between 95° and 105° and ideally at a right angle of 90° to the plug-in direction.

13. High-current connector system according to claim 12, characterized in that the lamellae (209) of the further mating plug contact (200) have, at their plug-side ends, radially inwardly directed locking hooks (207) which, in the plugged-in state, engage in the circumferential groove (106) of the further plug contact (100).

14. High-current connector system according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking hooks (207) each have a sliding bevel (2072) and a locking surface (2071), wherein the locking surface (2071) is in an angular relationship of between 30° and 90°, preferably between 40° and 50° or between 55° and 65°, particularly preferably between 42.5° and 47.5° or 57.5° and 62.5°, for example at an angle of 45° or at an angle of 60° to the plug-in direction.

15. High-current connector system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high-current connector system additionally has a set of various further plug contacts (100) and various further mating plug contacts (200), which in conjunction with one another generate different individual separation forces and can be optionally inserted into the contact carrier (122) of the plug connector (1) or the mating contact carrier (222) of the mating connector (2) in order to generate the predetermined total separation force.

16. Method for adjusting the total separation force of a high-current connector system according to one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the setting of the predetermined total separation force is carried out at least by dimensioning the following parameters: number of additional plug contacts (100) / additional mating plug contacts (200); - material of the slats (209); thickness of the slats (209); Length of the slats (209); Angle of the locking surface (2071) of the locking hook (207) of the slats (209) to the plug-in direction; - Angle of the plug-side retaining surface (107) of the circumferential groove (106) of the contact pin (101) to the plug-in direction.

17. A method for adjusting the total separation force of a high-current connector system according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined total separation force is adjusted by selecting one or more suitable further plug contacts (100) and one or more suitable further mating plug contacts (200) from said set of various further plug contacts (100) and various further mating plug contacts (200).

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