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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug device for a plug-type connection system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The plug device is paired with the first vehicle and includes a first plug half having a first housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged in the first housing, and is paired with the second vehicle and has a second plug half having a second housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged in the second housing. The contact elements of the first plug half are plug sockets, and the contact elements of the second plug half are contact pins that contact the plug sockets when the first and second plug halves are brought together on the plug-in axis. According to the present invention, at least one contact element is fitted into a plug element that is mounted movably on the plug-in axis with respect to the corresponding first or second housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug device for a plug-type connection system according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, between a towing vehicle such as a tractor unit and a towed vehicle such as a semi-trailer, in order to establish an automated connection or a fully automated connection for most of the supply lines during the mechanical connection process between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle, a plug-type connection system is installed.

[0003] Document DE 10 2004 024 333 B4 describes a typical plug-type connection system, in which when a towing vehicle approaches a towed vehicle from behind, a first plug half arranged on the towing vehicle captures a second plug half installed on the towed vehicle so that it can pivot around a kingpin, and as the towing vehicle approaches the towed vehicle further, both plug halves are pushed into contact with each other.

[0004] Document DE 10 2018 117 584 A1 shows a currently widely used plug-in device, but it has been found that the device is no longer sufficient with respect to the shape, number, and assignment of the contact elements in the first and second plug halves due to the increasing requirements for energy transmission and data transfer between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. In particular, it is necessary for future applications in which a plug device formed from the first and second plug halves is suitable for transmitting signals at a higher transmission speed and transmission quality from the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle.

[0005] However, this causes compatibility problems between different generations of plug devices. Since not all towing vehicles and towed vehicles are equipped with the latest generation of plug devices at the same time, for example, when the latest generation of a first plug half contacts a second plug half of an older generation, or vice versa, it must be ensured that the design and positioning of future plug halves do not cause any mechanical or electrical damage or malfunction.

[0006] As a result, the present invention was based on the aim of further developing the plug device so that it can be used to connect first and second plug halves of the same or different generations without damage or malfunction.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] This object is solved according to the invention having the features of claim 1. Commercially available older plug devices having first and second plug halves of the same generation are compatible with each other with respect to their functional and geometric characteristics. The same also applies to the latest generation of first and second plug halves which are also compatible with each other. However, problems can arise, for example, when a first vehicle is equipped with a first plug half of the latest generation and the second vehicle to be connected thereto is equipped with a second plug half of an older generation. In this case, this would be acceptable if the range of functions were limited by the functionality of the second plug half. However, when such first and second plug halves from different generations are used together, mechanical damage to one or both of the first and second plug halves due to geometric incompatibility must be avoided.

[0008] During the connection of the first and second plug halves that are not shape - compatible, breakage is avoided by being installed in a plug element that is movably mounted on the plug - in axis relative to the first or second housing to which at least one contact element is associated. When the first or second plug half collides with a component of the other, non - shape - compatible second or first plug half, the plug element can yield in the plug - in direction and is arranged on the plug - in axis so as to free up an assembly space into which a part of the other non - compatible second or first plug half can enter. The plug element is designed to be reversibly aligned to a yield position where the plug element is pushed back without connection of the contact elements when the first or second plug half comes into contact with a non - shape - compatible second or first plug half. The plug element yields only when it comes into contact with a non - shape - compatible first or second plug half. When the first or second plug half is brought into contact with a shape - compatible second or first plug half, an electrically conductive or transmissive connection provided by the relevant contact element is established at the initial position of the plug element.

[0009] The contact element is understood to be a removable transfer point for electrical and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic energy and is typically designed as an old - fashioned plug / socket. This can then have contact plates arranged radially or on the plug - in axis on front tongues or contact tongues that contact each other in the connected state. The plug / socket is also, in particular, a coaxial plug that interacts with a coaxial socket.

[0010] The plug element is preferably linearly guided relative to the associated first or second housing. Such a linear guidance can be achieved by inserting the plug element into a recess of complementary shape in the first or second housing.

[0011] According to the first advantageous embodiment, the plug element is a section of the first or second housing. This section of the first or second housing is installed so as to be able to move relative to the rest of the relatively stationary part of the housing. This embodiment provides the advantage of accommodating several contact elements in the section of the first or second housing and being able to move them synchronously with each other.

[0012] The section of the first or second housing can be formed, in particular, from a part of the front wall facing the other second or first housing. The front wall usually supports the contact elements of the first or second housing. When each plug element yields at the plug-in axis, a part of the front wall also moves into the interior of the contour that originally spanned the first or second housing.

[0013] The contact elements are advantageously arranged to be in a fixed position relative to the section of the associated first or second housing. This can be achieved, in particular, by attaching each contact element to the section of the first or second housing. It stands to reason that one of several plug sockets is attached to the section of the associated first housing.

[0014] According to the second advantageous embodiment, the plug element is one of a plurality of plug sockets. In this embodiment, only at least one of the plug sockets is installed on the plug-in axis so as to be able to move relative to the first housing. The wall sections of the first housing, on the other hand, are arranged in fixed positions relative to each other. Reducing the movable installation of the plug socket enables a particularly compact design since there is no need to consider free installation space for the moving parts of the first or second housing.

[0015] Preferably, one of the plug sockets of the plug element is arranged to face the contact pin that protrudes farthest along the plug-in axis. In this area, the first plug half and the second plug half will first collide with each other.

[0016] One of the plurality of contact pins is preferably fastened to the relevant section of the second housing. In this embodiment, as an alternative to the plug socket, one or more of the contact pins are movably mounted along the plug-in axis and can exit the collision area as a section of the second housing when the first and second plug halves are incompatible with each other.

[0017] According to a third advantageous embodiment, the plug element is one of the plurality of contact pins. This embodiment also reduces the movably mounted part of the plug element to the smallest structural unit, namely the contact pin. Due to the omission of the movable mounting of the section of the second housing, a particularly compact installation space dimension can be achieved.

[0018] Advantageously, one of the contact pins of the plug element is dimensioned along the plug-in axis so as to protrude farthest from the second plug half. This results in the first contact being made at the contact pin that protrudes farthest, which then provides the first radial guidance for the first and second plug halves and is protected from damage due to its axially movable bearing.

[0019] It has been found to be particularly useful when the plug element is held in an initial position expanded by a spring element or an actuator. This means that the plug element always assumes a defined expanded initial position without the presence of another first or second plug half.

[0020] It can be particularly useful when a spring element or actuator transmits a preloading force greater than the plug resistance of the compatible contact element of the other first or second plug half to the plug element. The plug resistance is understood to be the force that occurs axially to connect the compatible first and second plug halves. Such a connection is ensured by a suitably rigid spring element or actuator so that the plug element does not return unintentionally. Even during operation, the plug element and the contact element of the other first or second plug half should be pressed against each other with a certain preloading force so that the vibrations during operation do not interrupt the contact between the plug element and the contact element.

[0021] Preferably, the plug element is arranged in the first plug half and is pushed into the yielding position pushed back by the second plug half when contacting the incompatible second plug half. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the plug element is arranged in the second plug half and is pushed into the yielding position pushed back by the first plug half when contacting the incompatible first plug half.

[0022] According to a special embodiment, the plug element of the first plug half can have a travel path between the extended initial position and the pushed-back yielding position that corresponds to at least the difference between the length of the associated contact pin of the second plug half protruding from the second housing and the length of the associated plug socket of the plug element of the first plug half protruding into the first housing in its extended initial position. This has the advantage that the travel distance is large enough to avoid a destructive collision of the contact pin in the plug socket.

[0023] Alternatively, the plug element of the second plug half may also have a travel path between the extended initial position and the pushed-back yield position that corresponds to at least the difference between the length of the associated plug socket of the first plug half protruding into the first housing and the length of the associated contact pin of the plug element of the second plug half protruding from the second housing in its extended initial position. This also ensures that a sufficiently dimensioned travel path is always available and that a destructive collision of the contact pin with the plug socket is precluded.

[0024] The plug socket or the contact pin of the plug element preferably has transmission means arranged on and transverse to the plug-in axis outside the joining zone with the contact element of the other second or first housing. The joining zone is understood to be the area where the plug socket and the contact pin first come into contact. Each transmission means is always present on the contact elements of both the first and second plug halves and is spatially arranged so as to be able to effect contact between the contact pin and the plug socket.

[0025] For better understanding, the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the 13 drawings shown hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first plug half 100 according to the first embodiment. The first plug half 100 has a box-shaped first housing 110, by which the first plug half 100 is attached to a vehicle, particularly a towing vehicle not shown here.

[0028] In the front wall 111 of the first housing 110, a plurality of contact elements 120 are provided in the form of openings in the front wall 111 and accommodate plug sockets 121 located behind them. The front wall 111 of the first housing 110 faces the corresponding front wall 211 of the second housing 210 in a state of being in contact with the second plug half 200 (see FIG. 7).

[0029] The plug socket 121 serves to transmit electrical and pneumatic energy from a first vehicle (not shown) to a second vehicle connected thereto, and the electrical transmission includes the transmission of electrical control signals in addition to the actual energy supply. Depending on the intended use, the plug socket 121 has transmission means 224 arranged therein for different diameters, installation depths, and electrical and / or pneumatic contact of the first and second plug halves 100, 200.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the middle plug socket 121 is movably installed as a plug element 122 with respect to the first housing 110 on the plug-in axis x. The plug element 122 is formed by the plug socket 123. Different from the other plug sockets 121 of the first housing 110, the plug socket 123 can move backward from the front wall 111 of the first housing 110 when non-compatible contact pins 221, for example, a second plug half 202 of an older generation (see FIGS. 9 and 10), approach and contact the first plug half 101 of the latest generation according to FIG. 1.

[0031] The spring element or actuator 300 is fixed to the plug socket 123 at its first end and fixed to the first housing 110 at its second end. Therefore, the plug socket 123 is pressed toward the front wall 111 and held there in the absence of the second plug half 200. The plug socket 123 of the plug element 122 is in the maximum extended initial position X1 (see FIG. 9).

[0032] When the first plug half 100 is brought into contact 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, which is shaped complementarily to the plug socket 123, is pushed into the plug socket 123, thereby establishing a connection between the first plug halves 100, 101 and the second plug halves 200, 201 that is closer to their end positions.

[0033] The spring element or actuator 300 is designed such that, with respect to its spring force or restoring force, when the first plug half 100 is connected to a compatible second plug half 200, the plug socket 123 does not deviate along the plug-in axis x and the contact pin 221 is connected to the plug socket 123 arranged in the plug element 122.

[0034] In the movably mounted plug socket 123 of the first plug half 100, the transmission means 124 is arranged to retreat, in particular on the peripheral wall of the plug socket 123, such that when connected to an incompatible second plug half 200, in particular an older generation second plug half 202, the transmission means 124 is outside the collision zone that is captured and destroyed by the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 as it approaches.

[0035] As an alternative to the plug socket 123 movably mounted on the plug-in shaft x, according to FIG. 2, it is also possible to design a contact pin 223 on the second plug half 200 that protrudes further from the contact pin 221 on the front wall 211 as a plug element 222 movable relative to the second housing 210. The front wall 211 is the wall of the second housing 210 facing the front wall 111 of the first housing 110. In this case, after the contact pins 223 of the plug element 222 come into contact within the associated plug socket 121, when approaching the incompatible first plug half 100, they return along the plug-in axis x. Without contacting the incompatible plug socket 121, the contact pins 223 are held in the maximum extended initial position X1 relative to the front wall 211 by a spring element or actuator 300 (see FIG. 11). The spring element or actuator 300 engages at one end on the contact pins 223 of the plug element 222 and at the other end on the second housing 210.

[0036] Also in this embodiment, the spring force or restoring force of the spring element or actuator 300 is designed such that a reliable connection of the compatible first and second plug halves 100, 200 is possible without the contact pins 223 of the movably mounted plug element 222 moving backward. This force allows the contact pins 223 of the movably mounted plug element 222 to move into the second housing 210 along the plug-in axis x only by a higher pressure such as occurs when the contact pins 223 of the plug element 222 are joined to the plug socket 121 of the older generation of incompatible first plug half 102. The section of the contact pin 223 protruding from the front wall 211 of the second housing 210 in the direction of the first plug half 100 is accordingly shortened.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the first plug half 100, in which, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the plug element 122 with the plug socket 123 mounted displaceably is not only mounted movably along the plug-in axis x, but also the section 130 of the first housing 110 is mounted movably together with the plug socket 123.

[0038] This section 130 of the first housing 110 also includes a part 131 of the front wall 111 of the first housing 110. The section 130 mounted movably along the plug-in axis x with respect to the first housing 110 is held in a position pushed forward with respect to the stationary first housing 110 by a spring element or actuator 300. For this purpose, the spring element or actuator 300 engages on the section 130 at one end and on the stationary first housing 110 at the other end. When the first plug half 100 is brought into contact with the incompatible second plug half 200, its contact pins 221 push the plug element 122 formed by the section 130 and the plug socket 123 into the first housing 110 along the plug-in axis x, thereby preventing damage to the plug socket 121 and the contact pins 223.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment in which the plug element 222 of the second housing 210 comprises not only the contact pins 223, but also the section 230 of the second housing 210 to which the contact pins 223 are attached. The 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 in the absence of the second plug half 200, in which the part 231 is aligned with the remaining front wall 211.

[0040] Figures 5 - 13 show different scenarios where first and second plug halves 100, 200 of the same and different generations are in contact. 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 as an example, but in reality, according to FIGS. 1 - 4, there are always several contact elements 120, 220 present.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows how a first plug half 100 in the form of a plug half 101 of the latest generation contacts a second plug half 200 in the form of a second plug half 201 of the same latest generation. The first and second plug halves 101, 201 slide relative to each other as they approach, thereby establishing contact. The first and second plug halves 101, 201 provide a full range of functions.

[0042] The second plug half 201 has a plug element 222 mounted movably on the plug - in axis x, and its associated contact pin 223 is pushed in the direction of the first plug half 101 by a spring element or actuator 300 in an extended position. In this combination of a second plug half 201 of the latest generation and a first plug half 101 of the same latest generation, the movably mounted plug element 222 may not be necessary.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a situation where a first plug half 100 in the form of a first plug half 102 of an older generation contacts a second plug half 200 in the form of a second plug half 202 of the same older generation. The first and second plug halves 102, 202 correspond to the prior art and provide a previously limited range of functions of known plug devices.

[0044] Of course, neither the first plug half 100 nor the second plug half 200 has contact elements 120, 220 that are movably mounted in the plug elements 122, 222 on the plug - in axis x with respect to the first or second housing 110, 210.

[0045] However, problems may occur when the first and second plug halves 101, 102, 201, 202 according to the prior art are mixed from different generations. FIG. 7 addresses such a case.

[0046] According to the illustration of FIG. 7, the first plug half 100 in the form of the latest generation plug half 101 approaches the second plug half 200 in the form of the older generation plug half 202, but has not yet made operable contact therewith. Neither the first plug half 101 nor the second plug half 202 has plug elements 122, 222 movably mounted on the plug-in axis x. The contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 has an axial length x B greater than the axial length x K of the plug socket 121 of the first plug half 101. Therefore, when the first plug half 101 approaches the second plug half 202, they collide with each other and are damaged as shown in FIG. 8.

[0047] The destructive collision between the plug socket 121 of the first plug half 101 and the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 is avoided by providing a plug element 122 on the first housing 110 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, which allows its plug socket 123 to deviate on the plug-in axis x. Before contacting the contact pin 221, the plug socket 123 shown by the dashed line is in the extended initial position X1.

[0048] After contact with the contact pin 221, the contact pin 221 moves the plug socket 123 of the plug element 122 to the yielded position X2 where it has been pushed back. The plug socket 123 thus covers the movement path x S as the plug element 122. The spring element or actuator 300 is in a reversibly compressed position.

[0049] At the pushed-back yield position X2, there is still no functional connection between the plug socket 123 of the plug element 122 and the contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202, which would not be possible anyway due to the technically limited functionality of the second plug half 202 of an older generation.

[0050] Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a first plug half 101 of the latest generation having a plug element 122 movable along the plug-in axis x, on which plug element 122 a section 130 of the first housing 110 is also movably mounted together with the plug socket 123, the section 130 being S pushed into the pushed-back yield position X2 only by the contact pin 221 partially penetrating into the plug socket 123. A part 131 of the section 130 of the first housing 110 is also stepped back relative to the front wall 111.

[0051] Figure 11 shows the reverse case of the first plug half 100 in the form of a first plug half 102 of an older generation, which is in contact with a second plug half 200 in the form of a second plug half 201 of the latest generation. In this embodiment, the second plug half 201 has a plug element 222 movably mounted along the plug-in axis x. Here, the plug element 222 is formed only by the contact pin 223.

[0052] The contact pin 223 projects axially by a length x K from the second housing 210 and is already in contact with the plug socket 121 at its distal end, the plug socket 121 having a shorter axial length x B and.

[0053] At the distal end of the contact pin 223, one or more transmission means 224 are arranged to retract axially, whereby they are protected from breakage due to contact with the plug socket 121. The second housing 210 of the second plug half 201 is still aligned at a distance from the first housing 110 of the first plug half 102 along the plug-in axis x.

[0054] As the first and second plug halves 102, 201 approach further according to the situation shown in FIG. 12, the contact pins 223 of the plug element 222 move along the movement path x against the pressure of the spring element or actuator 300 until the first and second plug halves 102, 201 reach their end positions, where any further contact elements 120, 220 that are not visible here are functionally connected. S and further move into the second housing 210 by an amount of.

[0055] FIG. 13 illustrates, according to a further embodiment, a plug element 222 which, in addition to the contact pins 223, also comprises a section 230 of the second housing 210, which section 230 is also pushed into the housing 210 after contacting the contact pins 223 against the pressure of the spring element or actuator 300. This section 230 also includes a part 231 of the front wall 211. [List of reference numerals]

[0056] 100 First plug half 101 First plug half, latest generation 102 First plug half, older generation 110 First housing 111 Front wall, first housing 120 Contact element, first housing 121 Plug socket 122 Plug element, first housing 123 Plug socket, plug element 124 Transmission means, plug socket 130 Section, first housing 131 One part, front wall, the first housing 200 The second plug half 201 The second plug half, latest generation 202 The second plug half, older generation 210 The second housing 211 Front wall, the second housing 220 Contact element, the second housing 221 Contact pin 222 Plug element, the second housing 223 Contact pin, plug element 224 Transmission means, contact pin 230 Section, the second housing 231 One part, front wall, the second housing 300 Spring element / Actuator x Plug-in axis X1 Extended initial position of the plug element X2 Pushed-back yield position of the plug element x B Length of the socket x K Length of the contact pin x S Movement path of the plug element

Claims

1. A plug device for a plug-type connection system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the plug device being paired with the first vehicle and comprising a first plug half (100) having a first housing (110) and a plurality of contact elements (120) arranged in the first housing (110), and a second plug half (200) being paired with the second vehicle and having 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) that contact the plug sockets (121) when the first and second plug halves (100, 200) are brought together on a plug-in axis (x). In the plug device, at least one of the contact elements (120, 220) is fitted into a plug element (122, 222) that is movably mounted on the plug-in axis (x) with respect to the corresponding first or second housing (110, 210), characterized by the plug device.

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

3. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 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, wherein the section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210) is formed from a part (131, 231) of a front wall (111, 211) facing the other second or first housing (210, 110).

5. The plug device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the contact elements (120, 220) are arranged in a fixed position with respect to the section (130, 230) of the associated first or second housing (110, 210).

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

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

8. One of the plug sockets (123) of the plug element (122) is arranged so as to face the contact pin (221) that protrudes farthest in the plug-in axis (x), characterized in that the plug device according to claim 6 or 7.

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

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

11. One of the contact pins (223) of the plug element (222) is dimensioned on the plug-in axis (x) so as to protrude farthest from the second plug half (200), characterized in that the plug device according to claim 9 or 10.

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

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

14. The plug element (122) is disposed in the first plug half (100) and is pushed back to a yield position (X 2 ) when contacted by the incompatible second plug half (200) and is pressed by the incompatible second plug half (200) that has been pushed back. The plug device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that.

15. The plug element (222) is disposed in the second plug half (200) and is pressed to a yield position (X 2 ) pushed back by the incompatible first plug half (100) when contacting the incompatible first plug half (100). The plug device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that

16. The plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) corresponds to at least the difference between the length (x K ) of the associated contact pin (221) of the second plug half (200) protruding from the second housing (210) and the length (x 1 ) 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 (X B ), and has a movement path (x S ) between the extended initial position (X 1 ) and the pushed-back yield position (X 2 ). The plug device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is characterized by this.

17. The plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) corresponds to at least the difference between the length (x B ) of the associated plug socket (121) of the first plug half (100) protruding into the first housing (110) and the length (x 1 ) of the associated contact pin (223) of the plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) protruding from the second housing (201) at its extended initial position (X K ), and has a movement path (x S ) between the extended initial position (X 1 ) and the pushed-back yield position (X 2 ). The plug device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it has such a movement path.

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

Images