Connector device for a plug-in coupling system between the first vehicle and the 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 coupling system according to the features of the premise of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, plug-type coupling systems are installed between towing vehicles such as tractor units and towed vehicles such as semi-trailers to establish a largely automated or fully automated connection of the supply line during the mechanical coupling process between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle.

[0003] Reference DE 10 2004 024 333 B4 describes a typical plug coupling system in which, as the towing vehicle approaches the towed vehicle from the rear, a first plug half positioned on the towing vehicle captures a second plug half mounted 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] Reference DE 10 2018 117 584 A1 describes a widely used plug-in device, but it has been found that this device is no longer sufficient in terms of the shape, number, and arrangement of contact elements in the first and second plug halves, due to the increasing demands for energy transfer and data transfer between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. In particular, a plug device formed from the first and second plug halves is needed for future applications that are suitable for transmitting signals from the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle with higher transmission speed and transmission quality.

[0005] However, this creates compatibility issues between different generations of plug devices. Since not all towing and towed vehicles will be equipped with the latest generation of plug devices simultaneously, for example, if the first plug half of the latest generation comes into contact with the 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 objective of further developing a plug device that can be used to connect first and second plug halves of the same or different generations without damage or malfunction. [Overview of the project]

[0007] This objective is solved according to the present invention having the features of claim 1. Older commercially available plug devices having first and second plug halves of the same generation are interchangeable with respect to their functional and morphological characteristics. The same is true for the latest generation of first and second plug halves that are also interchangeable with respect to each other. However, problems may arise, for example, when a first vehicle is equipped with a latest generation first plug half and a second vehicle to be coupled to it is equipped with an older generation second plug half. In this case, it would be acceptable if the range of function is limited to 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 morphological incompatibility must be avoided.

[0008] Breakage during connection of geometrically incompatible first and second plug halves is avoided by mounting at least one contact element in a plug element that is movably mounted on the plug axis relative to the associated first or second housing. If the first or second plug half collides with another geometrically incompatible component of the second or first plug half, the plug element is positioned on the plug axis such that it can yield relative to the plug direction, freeing up assembly space into which another incompatible portion of the second or first plug half can enter. The plug element is designed to reversibly align to a yield position where it is pushed back without the connection of the contact element when the first or second plug half contacts the geometrically incompatible second or first plug half. The plug element yields only when in contact with the geometrically incompatible first or second plug half. When the first or second plug half is brought into contact with the geometrically compatible second or first plug half, a conductive or transmittance connection, provided by the contact element in question, is established at the initial position of the plug element.

[0009] A contact element is understood to be a removable point of transmission for electrical and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic energy, and it is typically designed as a traditional plug / socket. This can then have contact plates positioned radially or along the plug-in axis on forward tongues or contact tongues that are in contact with each other when connected. A plug / socket is also a coaxial plug that interacts with a coaxial plug socket, in particular.

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

[0011] According to a first advantageous embodiment, the plug element is a section of a first or second housing. This section of the first or second housing is mounted to be movable relative to the rest of the housing, which is relatively stationary. This embodiment offers the advantage that several contact elements can be housed within a section of the first or second housing and moved synchronously with one another.

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

[0013] The contact elements are, for convenience, positioned to be fixed relative to the relevant first or second housing section. This can be achieved, in particular, by mounting each contact element to the first or second housing section. It is reasonable that one of several plug sockets is mounted to the relevant first housing section.

[0014] According to a 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 mounted on the plug-in shaft so as to be movable relative to the first housing. The wall sections of the first housing, on the other hand, are positioned in fixed positions relative to each other. Reducing the movable mounting to the plug sockets allows for a particularly compact design, as there is no need to consider free mounting space for the movable part of the first or second housing.

[0015] Preferably, one of the plug sockets of the plug element is positioned to face the contact pin that protrudes furthest in the plug-in shaft. This area is where the collision between the first plug half and the second plug half will first occur.

[0016] One of the multiple contact pins is advantageously fastened to a corresponding section of the second housing. In this embodiment, as an alternative to a plug socket, one or more of the contact pins are movably mounted on the plug-in shaft and can exit the collision area as a section of the second housing when the first and second plug halves are incompatible.

[0017] According to a third advantageous embodiment, the plug element is one of several contact pins. This embodiment also reduces the movably mounted portion of the plug element to a minimum structural unit, namely the contact pin. Particularly compact installation space dimensions can be achieved by omitting the movably mounted section of the second housing.

[0018] Advantageously, one of the contact pins of the plug element is dimensioned on the plug shaft such that it protrudes furthest from the second plug half. This results in the initial contact occurring at the furthest protruding contact pin, which then first provides radial guidance for the first and second plug halves and is protected from damage due to its axially movable support.

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

[0020] This 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, when contacting the incompatible second plug half, is pushed into a yield position where it is pushed back by the second plug half. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the plug element is arranged in the second plug half and, when contacting the incompatible first plug half, is pushed into a yield position where it is pushed back by the first plug half.

[0022] According to a special embodiment, the plug element of the first plug half can have a movement 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 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 movement 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 can also 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 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 that are arranged on the plug-in axis and transversely 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 make 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 below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the first plug half with a plug element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the second plug half with a plug element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the first plug half with a plug element according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the second plug half with a plug element according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic cross-sectional view of the plug device before contacting the latest-generation second plug half with the latest-generation first plug half and plug element. [Figure 6]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an older generation connected plug device having first and second plug halves. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plug device before contact with the latest generation first plug half and an older generation second plug half, which do not have plug elements. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view with damage to the plug device during a collision while approaching it further. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plug device after contact between a latest-generation first plug half and an older-generation second plug half having plug elements according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plug device after contact between a latest-generation first plug half and an older-generation second plug half having plug elements according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug device before contact with an older generation first plug half and a newer generation second plug half having a plug element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug device after contact. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug device after contact with an older generation first plug half and a latest generation second plug half having a plug element according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the first plug half 100 according to the first embodiment. The first plug half 100 has a box-shaped first housing 110, through which the first plug half 100 is attached to a vehicle, in particular a towing vehicle not shown herein.

[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, accommodating a plug socket 121 located behind them. The front wall 111 of the first housing 110 faces the corresponding front wall 211 of the second housing 210 while in contact with the second plug half 200 (see Figure 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 between the first and second plug halves 100, 200.

[0030] In the example shown in Figure 1, the intermediate plug socket 121 is movably mounted on the plug shaft x as a plug element 122 relative to the first housing 110. The plug element 122 is formed by the plug socket 123. Unlike 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 an incompatible contact pin 221, for example, an older generation second plug half 202 (see Figures 9 and 10), approaches and contacts the latest generation first plug half 101 in Figure 1.

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

[0032] When the first plug half 100 is brought into contact with the contact element 220 of a compatible second plug half 200, particularly the latest generation second plug half 201, the contact element 220, in the form of a fixed contact pin 221 molded complementary to the plug socket 123, is pushed into the plug socket 123, thereby establishing a connection between the first plug half 100, 101 and the second plug half 200, 201, bringing them 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 the compatible second plug half 200, the plug socket 123 does not deviate on the plug shaft x and the contact pin 221 is connected to the plug socket 123 located in the plug element 122.

[0034] In the movably mounted plug socket 123 of the first plug half 100, the transmission means 124 is positioned retracted, particularly on the periphery of the plug socket 123, so that when connected to an incompatible second plug half 200, especially an older generation second plug half 202, the transmission means 124 is outside the collision zone that would be captured and destroyed by the contact pins 221 of the second plug half 202 as it approaches.

[0035] As an alternative to the plug socket 123 which is movably mounted on the plug-in axis x, as shown in Figure 2, it is also possible to design a plug element 222 that is movable relative to the second housing 210, with a contact pin 223 that protrudes further than the contact pin 221 on the second plug half 200 relative to the front wall 211. The front wall 211 is the wall of the second housing 210 opposite the front wall 111 of the first housing 110. In this case, the contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 retracts on the plug-in axis x when approaching the incompatible first plug half 100 after making contact in the associated plug socket 121. Without contacting the incompatible plug socket 121, the contact pin 223 is held in its maximum extended initial position X1 relative to the front wall 211 by a spring element or actuator 300 (see Figure 11). The spring element or actuator 300 engages with the contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 at one end and with the second housing 210 at the other end.

[0036] In this embodiment as well, the spring force or restoring force of the spring element or actuator 300 is designed to ensure a secure connection of the compatible first and second plug halves 100, 200 without the movably mounted contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 moving backward. Only by a much higher pressure, such as that generated when the contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 is coupled to the plug socket 121 of an older generation incompatible first plug half 102, does this force allow the movably mounted contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 to move into the second housing 210 along the plug axis x. The section of the contact pin 223 protruding from the front wall 211 of the second housing 210 toward the first plug half 100 is shortened accordingly.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the first plug half 100, in which, unlike the embodiment of Figure 1, the plug socket 123 is not only movably mounted to the plug shaft x as a displaceable plug element 122, but the section 130 of the first housing 110 is also movably mounted together with the plug socket 123.

[0038] This section 130 of the first housing 110 also includes a portion 131 of the front wall 111 of the first housing 110. The section 130, which is movably mounted relative to the first housing 110 on the plug-in axis x, is held by a spring element or actuator 300 in a position pushed forward relative to the stationary first housing 110. 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 pin 221 pushes the plug element 122, formed from 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 pin 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 pin 223 but also a section 230 of the second housing 210 to which the contact pin 223 is mounted. The section 230 of the second housing 210 also includes a portion 231 of the front wall 211. The spring element or actuator 300 is in an extended functional position without the presence of the second plug half 200, in which the portion 231 is aligned with the rest of the front wall 211.

[0040] Figures 5-13 show different scenarios in which the same and different generations of first and second plug halves 100 and 200 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 examples, but in reality, as shown in Figures 1-4, there are always several contact elements 120 and 220.

[0041] Figure 5 shows how a first plug half 100, in the form of a state-of-the-art plug half 101, and a second plug half 200, in the form of a state-of-the-art second plug half 201, come into contact. The first and second plug halves 101 and 201 slide against each other as they approach, thereby establishing contact. The first and second plug halves 101 and 201 provide a full range of functionality.

[0042] The second plug half 201 has a plug element 222 that is movably mounted on the plug-in axis x, and its associated contact pin 223 is pushed by a spring element or actuator 300 in an extended position toward the first plug half 101. In this combination of the latest generation second plug half 201 and the same latest generation first plug half 101, the movably mounted plug element 222 would be unnecessary.

[0043] Figure 6 illustrates a situation in which a first plug half 100, in the form of an older generation first plug half 102, is in contact with a second plug half 200, in the form of an equally older generation second plug half 202. The first and second plug halves 102 and 202 correspond to the prior art and provide the previously limited range of functionality of known plug devices.

[0044] Naturally, 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 axis x relative to the first or second housing 110, 210.

[0045] However, problems can arise when the first and second plug halves 101, 102, 201, and 202 from the prior art are mixed from different generations. Figure 7 illustrates such a case.

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 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 does not yet make operable contact with it. Neither the first plug half 101 nor the second plug half 202 has plug elements 122,222 that are movably mounted on the plug axis x. The contact pin 221 of the second plug half 202 is located along the axial length x of the plug socket 121 of the first plug half 101. B Larger axial length x K They are designed to have such that when the first plug half 101 approaches the second plug half 202, they collide with each other as shown in Figure 8 and are thereby damaged.

[0047] A 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 Figure 9, which allows its plug socket 123 to deviate along the plug axis x. Before contacting the contact pin 221, the plug socket 123, shown by the dashed line, is in an expanded initial position X1.

[0048] After contact with the contact pin 221, the contact pin 221 pushes the plug socket 123 of the plug element 122 back to a yield position X2. Thus, the plug socket 123 moves along the path x of the plug element 122. S It covers the spring element or actuator 300, which is in a reversibly compressed position.

[0049] In 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, although this would not be possible in any case due to the technically limited range of functionality of the second plug half 202 by older generations.

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

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

[0052] The contact pin 223 extends axially from the second housing 210 x K It protrudes only, and its distal end is already in contact with the plug socket 121, and the plug socket 121 has a shorter axial length x B It holds.

[0053] At the distal end of the contact pin 223, one or more transmission means 224 are positioned axially retracted, thereby protecting them from damage due to contact with the plug socket 121. The second housing 210 of the second plug half 201 is still aligned at a certain distance from the first housing 110 of the first plug half 102 on the plug-in axis x.

[0054] As the first and second plug halves 102 and 201 move closer together according to the situation shown in Figure 12, the contact pin 223 of the plug element 222 moves along the path x against the pressure of the spring element or actuator 300 until the first and second plug halves 102 and 201 reach their end positions and any further contact elements 120 and 220, which are not shown here, are functionally connected. S Move that amount further into the second housing 210.

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

[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 elements, first housing 121 Plug Socket 122 Plug element, first housing 123 Plug socket, plug element 124 Transmission means, plug socket Section 130, First Housing 131 One part, front wall, the first housing 200 The second plug half-body 201 The second plug half-body, latest generation 202 The second plug half-body, 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 Socket length x K Contact pin length x S Movement path of the plug element The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [1] A plug device for a plug-type coupling system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the plug device comprising: a first plug half (100) paired with the first vehicle and comprising a first housing (110) and a plurality of contact elements (120) disposed within the first housing (110); and a second plug half (200) paired with the second vehicle and comprising a second housing (210) and a plurality of contact elements (220) disposed within the second housing (210), wherein the contact elements (220) on the first plug half (100) are plug sockets (121), and the contact elements (220) on 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 joined together on a plug-in shaft (x), A plug device characterized in that at least one contact element (120, 220) is fitted into a plug element (122, 222) which is mounted movably on the plug-in axis (x) relative to the corresponding first or second housing (110, 210). [2] The plug device according to [1], characterized in that the plug elements (122, 222) are linearly guided with respect to the associated first or second housing (110, 210). [3] The plug device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the plug element (122, 222) is a section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210). [4] The plug device according to [3], characterized in that the section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210) is formed from a portion (131, 231) of the front wall (111, 211) facing the other second or first housing (210, 110). [5] The plug device according to [3] or [4], characterized in that the contact elements (120, 220) are positioned in a fixed position relative to the section (130, 230) of the associated first or second housing (110, 210). [6] The plug device according to any one of the plurality of plug sockets (121) (123) is fastened to the section (130) of the associated first housing (110), as described in any one of [3] to [5]. [7] The plug device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the plug element (122) is one of the plug sockets (123) among the plurality of plug sockets (121). [8] The plug device according to [6] or [7], characterized in that one of the plug sockets (123) of the plug element (122) is positioned to face the contact pin (221) that protrudes furthest in the plug shaft (x). [9] The plug device according to any one of the plurality of contact pins (221) (223) is fastened to the section (230) of the associated second housing (210), as described in any one of [3] to [5].

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

[11] The plug device according to [9] or

[10] , characterized in that one of the contact pins (223) of the plug element (222) is dimensioned on the plug axis (x) such that it protrudes furthest from the second plug half (200).

[12] The plug elements (122, 222) are extended to an initial position (X) by a spring element or actuator (300). 1 A plug device according to any one of [1] to

[11] , characterized in that it is held in a )

[13] The plug device according to

[12] , characterized in that the spring element or actuator (300) transmits a preload force to the plug element (122, 222) that is greater than the plug resistance of the interchangeable contact elements (120, 220) of the other first or second plug half (100, 200).

[14] The plug element (122) is positioned within the first plug half (100) and, upon contact with the incompatible second plug half (200), is pushed back to a yield position (X) by the incompatible second plug half (200).2 A plug device according to any one of [1] to

[13] , characterized by being pressed toward ).

[15] The plug element (222) is positioned within the second plug half (200) and, upon contact with the incompatible first plug half (100), is pushed back to a yield position (X) by the incompatible first plug half (100). 2 A plug device according to any one of [1] to

[13] , characterized by being pressed toward ).

[16] The plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) is the length (x) of the associated contact pin (221) of the second plug half (200) that protrudes from the second housing (210) K ) and its extended initial position (X 1 ) in which the length (x B ) and the corresponding travel path (x S ) to the extended initial position (X 1 ) and the pushed-back surrender position (X 2 A plug device according to any one of [1] to

[15] , characterized by having between ) and ).

[17] The plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) extends in the length (x) of the associated plug socket (121) of the first plug half (100) that protrudes into the first housing (110). B ) and its extended initial position (X 1 ) the length (x K ) and the corresponding travel path (x S ) to the extended initial position (X 1 ) and the pushed-back surrender position (X 2 A plug device according to any one of [1] to

[16] , characterized by having between )

[18] The plug device according to any one of [1] to

[17] , characterized in that the plug socket (123) or contact pin (223) of the plug element (122, 222) has a transmission means (124, 224) positioned on and laterally with respect to the plug axis (x) outside the bonding zone with the contact element (220, 120) of the other second or first housing (210, 110).

Claims

1. A plug device for a plug-type coupling system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the plug device comprising: a first plug half (100) paired with the first vehicle and comprising a first housing (110) and a plurality of contact elements (120) disposed within the first housing (110); and a second plug half (200) paired with the second vehicle and comprising a second housing (210) and a plurality of contact elements (220) disposed within the second housing (210), wherein the contact elements (120) on the first plug half (100) are plug sockets (121); and the contact elements (220) on 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 joined together on a plug-in shaft (x). In a plug device, at least one contact element (120, 220) is fitted into a plug element (122, 222) which is movably mounted on the plug-in axis (x) relative to the corresponding first or second housing (110, 210), A plug device characterized in that, if the first or second plug half (100, 200) collides with a component of another morphologically incompatible second or first plug half (200, 100), the plug element (122, 222) yields on the plug axis (x) opposite to the plug direction, releasing space into which a portion of another incompatible second or first plug half (200, 100) can enter, and the plug element (122, 222) is reversibly directed back to a yield position (x2) without electrical connection of the contact elements (120, 220).

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

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

4. The plug device according to claim 3, characterized in that the section (130, 230) of the first or second housing (110, 210) is formed from a portion (131, 231) of the front wall (111, 211) facing the other second or first housing (210, 110).

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

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

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

8. The plug device according to claim 6, characterized in that one of the plug sockets (123) of the plug element (122) is positioned to face the contact pin (221) that protrudes furthest in the plug shaft (x).

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

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

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

12. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug elements (122, 222) are held in an expanded initial position (X1) by a spring element or actuator (300).

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

14. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug element (122) is positioned within the first plug half (100) and, upon contact with the incompatible second plug half (200), is pressed to a yield position (X2) pushed back by the incompatible second plug half (200).

15. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug element (222) is positioned within the second plug half (200) and, upon contact with the incompatible first plug half (100), is pressed to a yield position (X2) pushed back by the incompatible first plug half (100).

16. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) has a travel path (xS) between an extended initial position (X1) and a retracted yield position (X2) that corresponds to at least the difference between the length (xK) of the associated contact pin (221) of the second plug half (200) protruding from the second housing (210) and the length (xB) of the associated plug socket (123) of the plug element (122) of the first plug half (100) protruding into the first housing (110) in its extended initial position (X1).

17. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) has a travel path (xS) between the extended initial position (X1) and the pushed-back yield position (X2) that corresponds to at least the difference between the length (xB) of the associated plug socket (121) of the first plug half (100) protruding into the first housing (110) and the length (xK) of the associated contact pin (223) of the plug element (222) of the second plug half (200) protruding from the second housing (210) in its extended initial position (X1).

18. The plug device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug socket (123) or contact pin (223) of the plug element (122, 222) has a transmission means (124, 224) that is positioned on the plug shaft (x) and laterally with respect to the plug shaft (x) outside the bonding zone with the contact element (220, 120) of the other second or first housing (210, 110).

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