Plug with temperature sensor as means of securing the plug contact

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug for connection to a counterpart, the plug having a plug contact, a housing component and a temperature sensor, wherein in an end position of the plug contact, the plug contact is arranged in the housing component and the temperature sensor is arranged with respect to the housing component in such a way that the temperature sensor bears against the plug contact and measures the temperature of the plug contact, and that the temperature sensor secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component. The invention additionally relates to a method for producing such a plug and of a plug connector system consisting of such a plug and a counterpart.

Description

[0001] Plug with temperature sensor as a safety device for the plug contact

[0002] The present invention relates to a plug for connection with a counterpart.

[0003] A plug of this type comprises a plug contact, a housing component and a temperature sensor, wherein the plug contact is arranged in an end position of the plug contact in the housing component and the temperature sensor is arranged in the plug such that the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the plug contact.

[0004] These types of connectors often suffer from the problem that the temperature sensor is awkwardly integrated into the connector housing and only makes contact with the plug contact itself via intermediate thermal interface materials. This leads to problems with temperature monitoring and increases the overall size of the connector with the temperature sensor.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved plug of the generic type which enables improved temperature monitoring of the plug contact and more efficient use of the installation space of the plug.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, in the case of a plug for connection with a counterpart, a solution to the problem according to the invention exists if the plug has at least one plug contact, a housing component and at least one temperature sensor, wherein the plug contact is arranged in an end position of the plug contact in the housing component and the temperature sensor is arranged to the housing component such that the temperature sensor is in contact with the plug contact and measures the temperature of the plug contact and that the temperature sensor secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component.

[0007] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage that the connector can be designed to be particularly compact, since the temperature sensor at least partially forms the contact seal against the housing component. At the same time, direct and precise temperature monitoring is possible, as the temperature sensor is in direct contact with the plug contact.

[0008] According to the invention, the temperature sensor comprises a temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may include temperature sensor connections that connect the temperature sensor to the associated electronics of the connector, and / or a temperature sensor housing directly surrounding the temperature sensor. Further elements directly surrounding the temperature sensor or the temperature sensor housing, such as thermal interface materials, are not part of the temperature sensor. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor has a housing made of metal or hard plastic. This gives the temperature sensor greater stability and secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component, even under greater forces acting on it.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector is designed such that the plug contact is inserted into the housing component in an insertion direction to its end position, and subsequently the temperature sensor is inserted into the housing component into a measuring position such that the temperature sensor rests against the plug contact in the measuring position and secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component in the opposite direction of insertion. This enables a compact design of the connector.

[0011] Preferably, the housing component has a retaining arm under which the temperature sensor can be slid into the measuring position and which limits movement of the temperature sensor against the insertion direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the retaining arm is designed to be resilient such that the temperature sensor is pressed onto the plug contact in the insertion direction. This ensures that the temperature sensor is pressed onto the plug contact with a predetermined contact pressure in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, thereby improving the reliability of the temperature monitoring. The retaining arm can be designed to be resilient by means of material cutouts.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment, the connector has a temperature sensor locking element arranged on the housing component such that it partially surrounds the temperature sensor, preventing the sensor from slipping out of the measuring position at least in a first direction, preferably perpendicular to the insertion direction. This ensures that the temperature sensor remains in the measuring position, thereby improving the reliability of the temperature monitoring and simultaneously securing the contact of the plug connector in the end position. Preferably, the temperature sensor locking element has a spring-loaded section designed such that the spring-loaded section bears against the temperature sensor and presses the temperature sensor against the plug connector in the first direction.This ensures that the temperature sensor is pressed onto the plug contact with a predetermined contact pressure in the first direction, thereby improving the reliability of the temperature monitoring.

[0014] Preferably, the connector has a spring lock that is arranged on the retaining arm and blocks the spring action of the retaining arm, wherein the spring lock is further preferably designed as part of the temperature sensor locking element. For example, the spring lock can engage in material recesses in the retaining arm and thereby block the spring action. The spring lock can limit the position of the temperature sensor in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, which in turn also limits the position of the plug contact in the opposite direction. This increases the holding force of the temperature sensor on the plug contact in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, in combination with the housing component.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the connector has a contact-locking element arranged on the housing component in a contact-locking position such that at least one locking section of the contact-locking element rests against the plug contact and, in addition to the temperature sensor, secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component in the opposite direction of insertion. This further improves the contact locking of the plug contact against the housing component. Furthermore, the required holding force on the plug contact in the opposite direction of insertion can be distributed across several components.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact blocking element and the temperature sensor locking element are integrally formed together. This simplifies the design of the connector.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the connector has an outer housing that secures the contact locking element and / or the temperature sensor locking element relative to the housing component. This provides additional positional security for the connector components. Preferably, the outer housing supports the spring-loaded section of the temperature sensor locking element. This ensures that the spring-loaded section of the temperature sensor locking element does not relax and, despite any system tolerances, generates sufficient contact pressure on the temperature sensor in the first direction.According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug connector has an undercut opposite to the insertion direction, which has a surface with a normal that forms an angle of less than 90°, preferably 0°, to a direction opposite to the insertion direction, wherein the temperature sensor rests against the surface in the measuring position, and preferably the at least one locking section of the contact blocking element also rests against the surface. This allows the contact locking of the plug connector to be easily achieved by the temperature sensor and preferably additionally by the contact blocking element relative to the housing component.

[0018] Preferably, the undercut is formed by a circumferential collar, and the surface is designed as an annular surface. This results in an undercut geometry that is easy to manufacture. Preferably, the temperature sensor and one of the at least one locking section of the contact blocking element are positioned at opposite ends of the annular surface along an outer diameter of the annular surface. This results in an advantageous distribution of the holding forces on the plug contact.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug contact is a pin, a tab, or a socket contact.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector has a second plug contact and a second temperature sensor. The second plug contact can be arranged in a second end position within the housing component, and the second temperature sensor can be positioned relative to the housing component such that it is in contact with the second plug contact and measures its temperature, and that it secures the second plug contact against slipping out of the housing component.Furthermore, the second plug contact can be inserted into the housing component in a second insertion direction, preferably parallel to the insertion direction, to its second end position. Subsequently, the second temperature sensor can be inserted into the housing component in such a way that, in this second position, it rests against the second plug contact, securing it against slipping out of the housing component in the opposite direction. The housing component can have a second retaining arm under which the second temperature sensor can be slid into the second measuring position, and which limits movement of the second temperature sensor in the opposite direction. This second retaining arm can be spring-loaded to press the second temperature sensor onto the second plug contact in the second insertion direction.The connector can also have a second temperature sensor locking element, which is arranged on the housing component in such a way that it partially surrounds the second temperature sensor, preventing the second temperature sensor from slipping out of the second measuring position at least in a second first direction, obliquely, preferably perpendicular, to the second insertion direction. The second temperature sensor locking element preferably has a second resilient section designed such that the second resilient section bears against the second temperature sensor and presses the second temperature sensor against the second plug contact in the second first direction. Preferably, the second temperature sensor locking element is integrally formed with the temperature sensor locking element.Furthermore, the connector can have a second spring lock, which is arranged on the second retaining arm and blocks the spring action of the second retaining arm, wherein the second spring lock is preferably designed as part of the second temperature sensor locking element. In addition, the connector can have a second contact locking element, which is arranged on the housing component in a second contact locking position such that at least one locking section of the second contact locking element rests against the second plug contact and, in addition to the second temperature sensor, secures the second plug contact against slipping out of the housing component in the opposite direction of insertion. Preferably, the second contact locking element and the second temperature sensor locking element are integrally formed together.Furthermore, the outer housing preferably fixes the second contact locking element and / or the second temperature sensor locking element relative to the housing component, wherein the outer housing preferably supports the second resilient section of the second temperature sensor locking element. The second plug contact can further have a second undercut opposite the second insertion direction, which has a second surface with a normal forming an angle of less than 90°, preferably 0°, to a direction opposite the second insertion direction, wherein the second temperature sensor rests against the second surface in the second measuring position, and preferably the at least one locking section of the second contact locking element also rests against the second surface.The second undercut can be formed by a circumferential collar and the second surface as an annular surface, wherein preferably the second temperature sensor and one of the at least one locking section of the second contact blocking element bear against the annular surface at opposite ends along an outer diameter of the annular surface. Furthermore, the second plug contact can be a pin, a tab, or a socket contact. The invention further presents a method for manufacturing a plug according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. Inserting the plug contact into the housing component in the insertion direction into the final position, b.a. Inserting the temperature sensor into the housing component in the measuring position, so that the temperature sensor rests against the plug contact in the measuring position and secures the plug contact against slipping out of the housing component in the opposite direction of insertion, c. preferably arranging the temperature sensor locking element on the housing component, d. preferably arranging the contact blocking element in the contact blocking position, e. further preferably arranging the outer housing of the plug to fix the contact blocking element in the contact blocking position relative to the housing component.

[0021] In addition, the invention provides a connector system consisting of a plug according to one of the previously described embodiments and a counterpart.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] They show:

[0024] Figure 1 Oblique view of a first embodiment of a plug according to the invention

[0025] Figure 2 Oblique view of a housing component of the first embodiment of a connector according to the invention with the xyz coordinate system shown,

[0026] Figure 3 Oblique view of a plug contact of the first embodiment of a plug according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 4 Oblique view of a temperature sensor of the first embodiment of a connector according to the invention, Figure 5a, b Oblique view and view against the z-direction of a temperature sensor locking element and a contact blocking element, which are integrally formed together, of the first embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0028] Figure 6a, b, oblique view, view in y-direction and view in x-direction of an assembly of the first embodiment of a connector according to the invention consisting of the housing component, two plug contacts, the temperature sensor and the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element, with xyz coordinate system shown,

[0029] Figure 7a Detailed oblique view of the assembly without the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element and the temperature sensor,

[0030] Figure 7b Detailed oblique view of the assembly without the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element, but with the temperature sensor,

[0031] Figure 7c Detail oblique view of the assembly,

[0032] Figures 8a, b, d are sectional views along the C-plane, as shown in Fig. 6b, of different assembly stages of the assembly.

[0033] Figure 9a Sectional views along the B-plane, shown in Fig. 6b, of the first embodiment of the connector according to the invention,

[0034] Figure 9b Sectional view along the A-plane, shown in Fig. 6c, of the first embodiment of a plug according to the invention without an outer housing, connections to the plug contacts and the temperature sensor fuse element / contact blocking element,

[0035] Figure 9c Sectional view along the B-plane, shown in Fig. 6b, of the first embodiment of a plug according to the invention without an outer housing, connections to the plug contacts and the temperature sensor fuse element / contact blocking element,

[0036] Figure 10 sectional view in x-direction of a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention, Figure 11 oblique view of a temperature sensor locking element and a contact blocking element, which are integrally formed, of the second embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

[0037] For the following explanations, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals. If a figure contains reference numerals that are not further explained in the corresponding figure description, reference is made to preceding or subsequent figure descriptions.

[0038] Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a first embodiment of a connector 1 according to the invention for connection with a mating part. According to the first embodiment, the connector 1 has two plug contacts 2 that can be connected to the mating part, of which only tips are visible in Figure 1. The connector 1 also has a housing component 3 and an outer housing 4. The inventive structure of the first embodiment of the connector 1 is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

[0039] According to the invention, the connector 1 comprises the housing component 3, a plug contact 2, and a temperature sensor 5. The housing component 3 according to the first embodiment of the connector 1 is shown in Figure 2. A plug contact 2 according to the first embodiment of the connector 1 is shown in Figure 3. The plug contact 2 has a contact section 6, which comes into contact with the mating part and is designed as a pin contact in the first embodiment, an internal connection section 7, which forms the internal connection within the connector 1, and a region 8 in which contact locking of the plug contact 2 relative to the housing component 3 and temperature measurement by the temperature sensor 5 takes place. A temperature sensor 5 according to the first embodiment of the connector 1 is shown in Figure 3. The temperature sensor 5 has a temperature sensor housing 9 in which the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor 5 is arranged.Furthermore, the temperature sensor has 5 temperature sensor terminals 10, which are connected to the temperature sensor. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the connector 1 has a temperature sensor locking element and a contact blocking element, which, according to the first embodiment, are integrally designed as a temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11. Such a temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 is shown in two views in Figures 5a and 5b. The temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 has two spring sections 12 and four locking sections 13.Figures 6a, b and c each show views of an assembly of the first embodiment of the connector according to the invention, consisting of the housing component 3, two plug contacts 2, two temperature sensors 5 and the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11, when assembled, with an xyz coordinate system shown.

[0040] Figures 7a, b, and c and 8a, b, c, and d illustrate the assembly of the connector 1, as well as a method for manufacturing a connector 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 7a and 8a, the plug contacts 2 are arranged in an end position in the housing component 3. For this purpose, the plug contacts are inserted into the housing component 3 to the end position in an insertion direction 14, which is characterized in Figure 7a and points in the negative z-direction. In the first embodiment, the contact section 6 of the plug contacts 2 extends through an opening in the housing component 3, and a collar 15 in the region 8 of the plug contact 2 rests against a stop around the opening on the housing component 3.

[0041] Each temperature sensor 5, assigned to a specific plug contact 2, is then arranged on the housing component 3 such that the temperature sensor 5 measures the temperature of the plug contact 2 and secures the respective plug contact 2 against slipping out of the housing component 3 in the opposite direction of insertion 14, as shown in Figures 7b and 8b. In the first embodiment, the housing component 3 has a retaining arm 16 under which the respective temperature sensor 5 can be slid into the measuring position, and which limits movement of the respective temperature sensor 5 in the opposite direction of insertion 14. In the measuring position, the temperature sensor 5 rests, among other things, against an undercut 17 of the respective plug contact 2 formed by the collar 15 in the opposite direction of insertion 14.The undercut 17 has a surface that has a normal at an angle of 0° to a direction opposite to the insertion direction 14 and against which the temperature sensor 5 rests in the measuring position. In the first embodiment, the respective retaining arm 16 is resiliently designed so that the respective temperature sensor s is pressed onto the respective undercut 17 of the plug contact 2 in the insertion direction 14.

[0042] Figures 7c and 8c show how the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 is arranged on the housing component 3 and the temperature sensors 5. Among other things, it is arranged on the housing component 3 such that it partially surrounds each temperature sensor 5, thus preventing it from slipping out of the measuring position, at least in the first few directions perpendicular to the insertion direction 14. For this purpose, the spring sections 12 are designed to bear against each temperature sensor 5 and press it against the respective plug contact 2 in the first few directions.In addition, the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 is arranged on the housing component 3 such that two locking sections 13 bear against each of the plug contacts 2 and, in addition to the respective temperature sensor 5, secure the respective plug contact 2 against slipping out of the housing component 3 in the opposite direction of insertion 14. The locking sections 13 also bear against the surfaces of the respective undercuts 17 of the respective plug contact 2.

[0043] Figure 8d shows how the outer housing 4 is arranged around the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 and the housing component 3. The outer housing 4 secures the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 against the housing component 3 and supports the spring-loaded section 12.

[0044] Figures 9a, 9b and 9c show sectional views through the first embodiment of the plug 1 and thus again its structure.

[0045] Figure 10 shows a sectional view in the x-direction of a second embodiment of a connector 1 according to the invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 has two spring locks 18 that block the spring action of the respective retaining arm 16. Figure 11 shows the temperature sensor locking element / contact blocking element 11 of the second embodiment with the two spring locks 18.

[0046] Reference symbol list

[0047] 1 plug

[0048] 2 plug contacts

[0049] 3 Housing component 4 Outer housing

[0050] 5 temperature sensors

[0051] 6 Contact section

[0052] 7 Internal connection section

[0053] Area 8 Temperature sensor housing

[0054] 10 temperature sensor connections

[0055] 11 Temperature sensor safety element / contact blocking element

[0056] 12 spring sections

[0057] 13 safety sections 14 insertion direction

[0058] 15 collars

[0059] 16 Support arm

[0060] 17 Undercut

[0061] 18 Spring blockage

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 20 January 2026 (20.01.2026) Claims 1. Plug (1) for connection with a counterpart, wherein the plug (1) has a plug contact (2), a housing component (3) and a temperature sensor (5), wherein the plug contact (2) in an end position of the plug contact (2) in the housing component (3) and the temperature sensor (5) are arranged to the housing component (3) such that the temperature sensor (5) is connected to the plug contact (2) and measures the temperature of the plug contact (2) and that the The temperature sensor (5) secures the plug contact (2) against slipping out of the housing component (3), wherein the plug (1) is designed such that the plug contact (2) is in a The temperature sensor (5) is inserted into the housing component (3) in the insertion direction (14) to the end position and is subsequently inserted into the housing component (3) in such a way that the temperature sensor (5) is in contact with the plug contact (2) in the measuring position and secures the plug contact (2) against slipping out of the housing component (3) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (14), characterized in that the housing component (3) has a retaining arm (16) under which the temperature sensor (5) can be slid into the measuring position and which limits movement of the temperature sensor (5) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (14), wherein the retaining arm (16) is designed to be resilient such that the temperature sensor (5) is pressed onto the plug contact (2) in the insertion direction (14).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (1) has a temperature sensor locking element (11) arranged on the housing component (3) such that it partially surrounds the temperature sensor (5) in such a way that the temperature sensor (5) is secured against slipping out of the measuring position at least in a first direction obliquely, preferably perpendicularly, to the insertion direction (14) by the temperature sensor locking element (11), wherein the temperature sensor locking element (11) preferably has a resilient section (12) designed such that the resilient section (12) bears against the temperature sensor (5) and presses the temperature sensor (5) against the plug contact (2) in the first direction.

3. Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (1) has a spring lock (18) which is attached to the to arrange the retaining arm (16) and block the spring action of the retaining arm (16), wherein the The spring blocking device (18) is preferably formed as part of the temperature sensor safety element (11).

4. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the connector (1) has a contact-blocking element (11) is arranged on the housing component (3) in a contact-blocking position such that at least one locking section (13) of the contact-blocking element (11) rests against the plug contact (2) and secures the plug contact (2) against slipping out of the housing component (3) in the opposite direction of insertion (14), in addition to the temperature sensor (5).

5. Connector (1) according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the contact blocking element (11) and the temperature sensor safety element (11) are integrally formed together.

6. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the connector (1) has an outer housing (4) which fixes the contact locking element (11) and / or the temperature sensor locking element (11) relative to the housing component (3), wherein the outer housing (4) preferably supports the resilient section (12) of the temperature sensor locking element (11).

7. Plug (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plug contact (2) has an undercut (17) opposite to the insertion direction (14) which has a surface with a normal forming an angle of less than 90°, preferably equal to 0°, to a direction opposite to the insertion direction. (14) having the temperature sensor (5) in the measuring position resting against the surface, preferably the at least one locking section (13) of the contact blocking element (11) also resting against the surface.

8. Connector (1) according to claim 7, wherein the undercut (17) is formed by a circumferential collar (15) and the surface is configured as an annular surface, wherein preferably the temperature sensor (5) and one of the at least one locking section (13) of the contact blocking element (11) are located at opposite ends of the annular surface along an outer diameter of the annular surface. Ring surface.

9. Plug (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug contact (2) is a pin, a It is a tab contact or a socket contact.

10. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) has a second has a plug contact (2) and a second temperature sensor (5).

11. Method for manufacturing a plug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. Inserting the plug contact (2) in the insertion direction (14) into the housing component (3) into the end position, b. Inserting the temperature sensor (5) into the housing component (3) into the measuring position, so that the temperature sensor (5) is in contact with the plug contact (2) in the measuring position and the plug contact (2) is secured against slipping out in the direction of insertion (14) from the housing component (3), c. preferably arranging the temperature sensor locking element (11) on the housing component (3), d. preferably arranging the contact locking element (11) in the contact locking position, e. further preferably arranging the outer housing (4) of the connector (1) to fix the contact locking element (11) in the contact locking position relative to the housing component (3).

12. Connector system comprising a plug (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a mating part.

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