Electrical contact assembly, electric plug connector assembly, and method

Abstract

The invention describes an electrical contact assembly for connecting two elements. It features an inserting section and a receiving space, defined by a double-sleeve with coaxial inner and outer sleeves. The inserting section includes an inserting sleeve that fits into the receiving space, making contact with the sleeves. This section has multiple fingers arranged in inner and outer rings around a central axis, with an insulation sleeve between them. The fingers are designed to flex and ensure reliable electrical contact.

Description

[0001] Electrical contact assembly, electric plug connector assembly, and method

[0002] The invention relates to an electrical contact assembly for electrically contacting two elements as well as an electric plug connector assembly comprising a socket or receiving member and a complementary plug or insertable member connectable with one another at respective connection ends oriented to or towards one another during connection and a fastener to releasably fasten the male member to the female member in a connected position to ensure the electric connection of the members of the connector assembly with one another. The invention also relates to an electric plug connector assembly, and a method of manufacturing an electrical contact assembly and / or electric plug connector assembly.

[0003] Electrical contact assemblies and electric plug connector assemblies of this kind are generally known in the prior art. These are usually relatively spacious, meaning they are rather large and, therefore, require larger volumes. In addition, correct alignment of the male and female members with respect to one another is usually necessary for connecting the two members to one another in the connected position. This is often cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when the area in which the members are mounted is not always visible to a user, namely when the connection of the two members has to be carried out without visual access for the user.

[0004] Prior art in this field includes various approaches to addressing these challenges. For example, U.S. Patent No. 11 ,901 ,587 discloses a battery pack with a connector design featuring hollow conductive members and elastic connection elements. This design aims to provide improved electrical contact and easier alignment during connection.

[0005] Starting from the prior art mentioned above and the disadvantages associated therewith, it is therefore the task or technical problem of the present invention to at least partially avoid the disadvantages stated above and to, more specifically, provide an electrical contact assembly that is easy to manufacture and especially easy to use. This technical problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further features are disclosed in the dependent claims to better put the invention into practice.

[0006] The technical problem is solved by an electrical contact assembly comprising the following features:

[0007] A, preferably annular, receiving space is defined by a double-sleeve comprising at least two sleeves, preferably with different radii, coaxially arranged with respect to a central axis, preferably a central axis of rotation, namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance to the inner sleeve so that the, preferably annular, receiving space is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer sleeve and open at a receiving space inserting opening.

[0008] The electrical contact assembly further comprises a, preferably annular, inserting section insertable into the, preferably annular, receiving space. This, preferably annular, inserting section comprises an inserting sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space. This is achieved by a dimension, preferably a radius, of the, preferably annular, inserting section being such that the, preferably annular, inserting section rests against the outer sleeve and / or the inner sleeve in the connected position. Due to the fitting between the receiving space, i.e. the inner sleeve and outer sleeve, and the inserting sleeve no separate fastener is required. The fastening can be achieved by the appropriate design of the mating sleeves, namely the receiving double-sleeve and the at least one inserting sleeve.

[0009] A, preferably annular, inserting section comprises a plurality of fingers extending around the central axis, preferably a central axis of rotation, with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers, each finger at a proximal end being connected to a base and extending in a distal direction from the base to a distal free end. The fingers can be elastic by their mere design, but it is especially preferable if these fingers are furthermore biased to press against the receiving sleeves in the connected position to obtain an even better electric connection.

[0010] An even more reliable electrical and mechanical connection is achieved if the fingers comprise an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis, preferably the central axis of rotation, than the outer finger ring.

[0011] An insulation, preferably an insulation coating, an insulation layer, insulation fingers or an insulation sleeve, extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring. This insulation, preferably this insulation sleeve, can be arranged in a space between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring in order to enable the finger rings to be connected to a power supply with different polarities.

[0012] The technical problem is solved by an electric plug connector assembly comprising the following features:

[0013] The socket comprises a, preferably annular, receiving space for receiving the plug.

[0014] The, preferably annular, receiving space is defined by a double-sleeve comprising at least two sleeves, preferably with different radii, coaxially arranged with respect to a central axis, preferably a central axis of rotation, namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance to the inner sleeve so that the, preferably annular, receiving space is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer sleeve and open at a receiving space inserting opening.

[0015] The plug also comprises a, preferably annular, inserting section insertable into the, preferably annular, receiving space of the socket. This, preferably annular, inserting section comprises an inserting sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space of the socket. This is achieved by a dimension, preferably a radius, of the, preferably annular, inserting section being such that the, preferably annular, inserting section rests against the outer sleeve and / or the inner sleeve in the connected position. Due to the fitting system between the female and male members, i.e. the socket and the plug, no separate fastener is required. The fastening can be achieved by the appropriate design of the mating sleeves, namely the receiving double-sleeve and the at least one inserting sleeve.

[0016] An insulation, preferably an insulation sleeve, extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring. This insulation, preferably this insulation sleeve, can be arranged in a space between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring in order to enable the finger rings to be connected to a power supply with different polarities.

[0017] In other words, the socket and the plug can both be designed to coaxially extending sleeves or rings which can be pushed into one another in any orientation with their connection ends oriented towards one another; these connection ends also being the ends with the inserting openings, or simply spoken the electrical contact assembly can generally consists of two double-sleeves or rings which can be pushed into one another at their connection ends and then connected to one another to transmit the current.

[0018] The receiving section consists of two sleeves, also called a “double-sleeve”, and comprising an opening at the connection end. The inserting section on the male member comprises at least one sleeve insertable into the inserting opening of the annular receiving section to ensure a reliable electric connection for the current to flow.

[0019] One main advantage of the invention is the large contact surface provided for the current to flow, due to which the electrical contact assembly is especially suitable for high-current and low-voltage applications in which easy mounting of the members to one another to achieve electric connection is required. This is typically useful in the field of “low-voltage, high-power”, sometimes also called “Safety-voltage”, mostly for voltages below 48V, but strong currents, e.g. 325A.

[0020] Since the two connectable sleeves can be pushed into one another in any orientation, it does not matter how the two members are oriented with respect to one another around the central axis of rotation. Once the male member is pushed into the female member or the two members are connected to one another, a safe and reliable electric connection between the two members of the electrical contact assembly is achieved. The electrical contact assembly and the electric plug connector assembly is, therefore “rotationally invariant”, meaning that the members can be connected to one another in any orientation with respect to one another. This makes the invention especially suitable for demanding situations requiring mating connectors with heavy cables at odd angles and / or automated connections. The sleeves or the structure of the sleeves are easy and cost-efficient to manufacture since the bases can simply be stamped, laser- or plasma-cut from sheet metal parts, bent into the sleeves with their circular or annular form.

[0021] In summary, the invention provides a low-voltage, high-current plug connector assembly that is especially cost efficient to produce and on which the members are especially easy to assemble.

[0022] Alternatively, or in addition, the electrical contact assembly and the electric plug connector assembly can provide the advantage of a bi-directional current flow, meaning, that each contact, i.e. each fingers and sleeve pairs, of the assembly can be connected to a different electrical potential. This design can allow for versatile electrical connections and enhanced functionality in various applications.

[0023] The electrical contact assembly, when used in an electric plug connector, can enable a stable electrical connection that is not affected by rotation, thereby being rotational invariant.

[0024] Preferably, at least the socket can comprise an insulation on the outer surface of the outer sleeve and on the inner surface of the inner sleeve. Preferably, this insulation comprises a layer of plastic, such as polycarbonate or nylon.

[0025] The plug assembly is especially suitable for use in high-voltage DC or AC applications, preferably up to 48 Volts in a lower frequency range up to 100 Hz and AC up to 250 Amps.

[0026] To even more securely fasten the plug and socket or two members to one another in the connected position the, preferably annular, inserting section comprises a plurality of fingers extending around the central axis, preferably a central axis of rotation, with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers, each finger at a proximal end being connected to a base and extending in a distal direction from the base to a distal free end. The fingers can be elastic by their mere design, but it is especially preferable if these fingers are furthermore biased to press against the receiving sleeves in the connected position to obtain an even better electric connection.

[0027] These fingers constitute an especially preferable design for the fastener. Since the interacting sleeves, preferably the inserting sleeve, comprising fingers perform the connection function.

[0028] An even more reliable electrical and mechanical connection between the plug member and the socket is achieved if the plug also comprises a double-sleeve with fingers, namely comprises two rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis of rotation than the outer finger ring.

[0029] Furthermore, the rings of fingers of the electrical contact assembly and / or the electric plug connector assembly can be arranged so that the finger of the inner finger row is located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger row, thereby creating two rings of interchanging outer and inner fingers.

[0030] To further improve conductivity in the connected state of the electrical contact assembly and / or the electric plug connector assembly, the outer fingers can be designed to rest against an inner surface oriented to the central axis of rotation of the outer sleeve, and the inner fingers can be designed to rest against an outer surface oriented away from the axis of rotation of the inner sleeve. By this design, two connectable double-sleeves can be created, namely one continuous double-sleeve, preferably the receiving double-sleeve or socket, comprising two continuous sleeves, and one finger-double-sleeve or the plug, having fingers at the connection end and also being continuous, namely with the base, at the opposite end.

[0031] Preferably, the outer fingers are biased radially outward with respect to the central axis, i.e. inner axis, preferably an inner axis of rotation, and wherein the inner fingers are biased radially inward with respect to the central axis.

[0032] Preferably, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are electrically insulated from one another by means of an insulating element arranged in a, preferably radial, space between the two sleeves in order to enable the sleeves to be connected to a power supply with different polarities.

[0033] To facilitate attachment to supply lines, the members, i.e. the plug and the socket, may comprise connection latches, which are preferably located opposite of the connection ends, meaning away from the connection ends. Most preferably, the latches are made of a one-piece design with the sheet materials used to produce the conductive sleeves.

[0034] If these connection latches are not provided the plug and / or socket can be designed for crimping, soldering or screwing-on the supply lines.

[0035] The insulation can be part of an insulation body.

[0036] To further improve insulation, the insulation may not only comprise insulation surfaces but also be designed as an insulation body that encompasses or partially encompasses the members. Most preferably, the insulation body can be designed as an insulation sleeve that encloses the socket on the outside and inside, namely on the surfaces a user touches during handling.

[0037] The insulation body can be designed to insulate the plug and the socket with respect to one another.

[0038] Furthermore, again, to simplify handling and improve the electric connection of the members to one another further, the insulation body can be designed to bias the fingers radially outward and / or radially inwards.

[0039] Most preferably, the insulation, preferably the insulation surface, comprises plastic, preferably created by injection molding. The members are preferably made of metal, most preferably stamped or cut sheet-metal parts, which are then bent into the respective double-sleeve or double-finger shape.

[0040] Due to the round nature of the electrical contact assembly, designing the electrical contact assembly as a push-pull connector is especially preferable.

[0041] Preferably, the electric plug connector assembly comprises a cover and an encasing housing closable by the cover, wherein one element of the group plug or socket, i.e. of group consisting the plug and the socket, is arranged in the housing and the other element of the group is arranged in the cover.

[0042] Preferably the electric plug connector assembly is arranged in a surrounding or encasing housing, preferably made of metal. This housing preferably comprises a tubular housing body, preferably a housing sleeve surrounding the plug on one side and a cover in which the socket is located on the other side. The housing may comprise a push-pull connector which can be activated by pulling an outer activation ring in order to connect and disconnect the electric push-pull connector. In addition, sealing means like an O-Ring can be provided between the housing and the cover.

[0043] The invention also provides a manufacturing method of an electrical contact assembly or an electric plug connector assembly according to one of the aspects discussed above, comprising the steps of the cutting first and second sheet members from an electrically conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheets, wherein a first shape of the first sheet member and the second shape of the second sheet member are essentially the same, however, have a different surface area, then shaping the first and second sheet members into generally annular members, each annular member comprises an inner annular section and an outer annular section, the outer annular section is located at a larger radial distance with respect to a central axis of rotation than the inner annular section to define a respective annular receiving space between the inner annular section and the outer annular section. The annular members are designed such that these can be inserted into one another at connection ends oriented towards one another when connected to one another into the connected position.

[0044] The first and second sheet members can be shaped in such a way that they form an annular socket and / or a plug, preferably an inserting sleeve, as generally annular members.

[0045] Preferably, the shaping involves bending or sheet-metal forming.

[0046] To further improve the members' connection characteristics, the manufacturing method can additionally include the step of galvanizing either the sheet members or the annular members.

[0047] To simplify handling for a user insulation can be provided on or applied to the annular members. The insulation need not only be a surface but can also include providing an insulation body that encompasses the metal conductive parts of the members for the most part so that a user cannot be in contact with the metal components when connecting the members to one another.

[0048] In the following detailed figure description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form part of this description of the invention and are shown to illustrate specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," etc., is used in reference to the orientations of the figure(s) described. Since components of embodiments may be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is for illustrative purposes and is not limiting in any way. It is understood that other embodiments may be used, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The following detailed description is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

[0049] In the context of this description, the terms "connected", "connected" as well as "integrated" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, as well as a direct or indirect integration.

[0050] Unless otherwise indicated, the indefinite and definite articles refer not only to a single component but are to be understood as "at least one". The terminology includes the previously mentioned words, variations thereof, and similar meanings. Further, it should be understood that the terms "about," "substantially," and similar terms in connection with the dimensions and property of a component of the invention do not describe the described dimension and property as a strict limit or parameter and do not exclude minor variations thereof which are functionally similar. At a minimum, description parts with numerical parameters also include variations of these parameters according to mathematical and manufacturing principles in the prior art, e.g., rounding, deviations and other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0051] In the figures, identical or similar elements are given identical reference numbers where appropriate, and identical reference numerals in the figures refer to identical components or features.

[0052] Reference mark lines are lines connecting the reference mark to the part in question. An arrow, on the other hand, that does not touch a part refers to an entire unit to which it is directed.

[0053] Incidentally, the representations in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain areas may be shown exaggeratedly large to illustrate details. Furthermore, the drawings may be strikingly simplified and do not include every detail that may be present in the practical embodiment.

[0054] The electrical contact assembly and electric plug connector assembly, according to the invention, is described below by way of example with reference to the figures. All features of the respective embodiment are disclosed independently of other features of the respective embodiment example. Likewise, the above-mentioned features and the features described in further detail can each be used individually in accordance with the invention or in any combination of several features. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as a conclusive list but rather have an exemplary character for the description of the invention.

[0055] The Figures show

[0056] Figure 1 an isometric front view of the annular plug with fingers without insulation;

[0057] Figure 2 an isometric front view of the annular socket without insulation;

[0058] Figure 3 an isometric rear view of the annular socket according to figure 2 without insulation;

[0059] Figure 4 an isometric rear view of the annular plug according to figure 1 without insulation;

[0060] Figure 5 a top view of the unenrolled sheet member used for creating either the inner or outer annular plug shown in figures 1 and 4;

[0061] Figure 6 an isometric front view of the annular plug according to figure 1 with plastic insulation;

[0062] Figure 7 an isometric front view of the annular socket according to figure 2 with plastic insulation;

[0063] Figure 8 the annular socket according to figure 3 with plastic insulation;

[0064] Figure 9 the annular socket according to figure 4 with plastic insulation;

[0065] Figure 10 an enlarged cross-section of the electric plug connector assembly in the assembled position along line X - X in Figure 12; Figure 11 an enlarged cross-section of the assembled electric plug connector along line XI - XI in Figure 12;

[0066] Figure 12 a front view of the enlarged cross-section of the assembled electric plug connector along line XII - XII in Figure 10; and

[0067] Figure 13 an isometric view of the electric plug connector assembly arranged in this encasing metal housing in the unconnected position.

[0068] Figures 1 and 4 show an isometric perspective front and back view the annular plug 2 without insulation. The annular plug 2 defines an annular inserting section with a plurality of fingers 2.1 (only one indicated with a reference number for clarity) with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers.

[0069] The inserting section of the plug member 2 comprises two rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, which is arranged closer to the central axis of rotation R than the outer finger ring. The rings of fingers are furthermore arranged in such a manner that the finger of the inner finger ring is located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger ring, but still including a space between two juxtaposed fingers. In this manner, two finger rings of interchanging fingers are created, defining the inserting section of the annular plug 2.

[0070] Figures 2 and 4 show isometric perspective front and back views of the annular socket 4, again only stamped and bent from conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheet material, without insulation. The annular socket 4 comprises an inner sleeve 4.2 and an outer sleeve 4.1 with a larger radius than the inner sleeve 4.2 and surrounding the inner sleeve 4.2 at a radial distance created by bending appropriately shaped sheet metals, namely sheet metals with a consistent rectangular surfaces not interrupted by fingers and connection latches 4.3 at one side of the base to create the inner sleeve 4.2 and the outer sleeve 4.1 with different radii in such a manner that the annular receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve 4.2 and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 4.1 . The distance between the outer wall of the smaller inner sleeve 4.2 and the larger outer sleeve 4.1 defines that annular receiving space for receiving the annular male member 2, specifically the finger 2.1 rings. To connect the plug 2 and socket 4 in the connected position and for the current to flow, the inserting section of the annular plug 2 merely has to be inserted into the annular receiving space in any orientation of the socket 4 and plug 2 in respect to one another.

[0071] The fingers 2.1 of the outer finger row on the annular male member 2 are designed, presently biased, to rest against an inner surface of the outer sleeve 4.1 of the correspondingly designed annular female member 4, and the inner fingers 2.1 are designed to rest against an outer surface of the inner sleeve 4.2 of the annular female member in the connected position. The terms inner and outer of the surfaces of the sleeves relate to the orientation with respect to the central axis of rotation R. On the rear end oriented away from the connection ends, oriented towards one another during connection, the plug 2 and socket 4 comprise connection latches 2.3 and 4.3 for connecting the annular conductive members to corresponding cables or wires.

[0072] Figure 5 shows a top view of a sheet member. The sheet member is stamped or cut from an electrically conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheets material, before bending is used to create the annular plug 2 with the annular base 2.2 when bent and the fingers 2.1 extending in a distal direction from the base 2.2 to a respective distal free end. Each finger 2.1 is at proximal end connected to the annular base 2.2 and extends in a distal direction from the base 2.2 to a distal free end of each finger 2.1 . Opposite the fingers in the middle of the base 2.2 is the connection latch 2.3, presently in the preferred form as a one-piece design with the male member 2.

[0073] This sheet metal, shown in figure 5, is used twice to create the inner finger row and the outer finger ring by using two different lengths of sheet metals and bending the sheet-metal into annular rings with two different radial diameters, shown in figures 1 and 4, however with varying arrangements of fingers 2.1 , the fingers of the inner ring are located in the space between to juxtaposed fingers of the outer fingers, the fingers never touching each other in the assembled position.

[0074] Thus, the first shape of the first sheet member and the second shape of the second sheet member are essentially the same, however, they have different surface areas.

[0075] Each annular member in the form of a finger ring comprises an inner annular section and an outer annular section, wherein the outer annular section is located at a larger radial distance with respect to a central axis of rotation R than the inner annular section to define a respective annular receiving space between the inner annular section and the outer annular section. The annular members being designed such that these can be inserted into one another at connection ends oriented towards one another when connected to one another into a connected position.

[0076] Sheet metal material similar to the one shown in figure 5 is used to create the annular socket 4, namely the outer sleeve 4.1 and the inner sleeve 4.2. These sheet members are also shaped into generally annular members, namely the outer sleeve 4.1 and the inner sleeve 4.2. The only difference is that the sheet metal members include no fingers 2.1 shown in figure 5. Hence, the sheet metal members are of the same type shown in figure 5 but without fingers, namely made of a continuous base to create the continuous inner sleeve 4.2 and the outer sleeve 4.1 without cutouts to create the fingers 2.1 . Alternatively, the socket can be made of differently sized metal tubes.

[0077] Either the sheet members or the annular members can be galvanized.

[0078] Figures 6 to 9 show isometric perspective front and rear views of the members 2, 4 with insulation 6, 7. In the case of the female member 4, an outer insulation, here in the form of an insulation sleeve 6.1 , is created on the outer side of the outer sleeve 4.1 and an inner insulation, here in the form of an insulation sleeve 6.2, on the inner side of the inner sleeve 4.2. Also, as is shown in figure 8, the rear side of the outer insulation sleeve 6.1 and the inner insulation sleeve 6.2 are connected to one another at the rear, only letting the connection latches 4.3 stick out.

[0079] As shown in figure 6 and 9, the insulation 7 on the annular male member comprises an insulation ring 7.1 located in front of the distal ends of the fingers 2.1 . Therewith at the connection end of the annular male member 2 and insulation fingers 7.2 extending from this insulation ring 7.1 to the base 2.2 of the annular male member 2. These insulation fingers 7.2 are arranged on the outer side to press the fingers of the inner finger ring radially inwards and on the inner side to press the fingers of the outer finger ring radially outwards. The insulation ring 7.1 , therefore comprises insulation fingers 7.2 adapted to the spaces between the fingers 2.1 of the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring of the annular male member 2 to bias the fingers 2.1 radially inwards or radially outwards and, therewith further improve conductivity and mechanical connection in the connected position inserted into the annular receiving space of the female member 4. As can be seen in Figure 9, an insulation sleeve 7.3 also extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring to firmly secure the two finger rings of the annular male member 2 inside the sleeve and avoid displacement.

[0080] Even if the insulations 6, 7 are shown as insulation sleeves 6.1 , 6.2, 7.3 in figures 6 to 9, the insulation can take forms other than a sleeve, for example an insulation coating or an insulation layer. The insulation 6, 7 can comprise plastic, preferably created by injection molding.

[0081] Figures 10 and 11 show enlarged longitudinal sections of the members 2, 4 in the connected position along the lines X - X and XI - XI in figure 12. As can be best seen in figure 10, the inner fingers of the inner finger ring of the annular male member 2 rest against the outer side of the inner sleeve 4.2 in the connected position in a biased manner, meaning that these inner fingers are pressed radially outwards when inserted into the annular receiving space to ensure electric and mechanical connection between the members 2 and 4. Correspondingly, the outer fingers of the outer finger ring are pressed against the inner side of the outer sleeve 4.1 in the connected position to achieve the same effects.

[0082] Figure 13 shows an isometric view of the electric plug connector assembly with its electrical contact assembly located in a encasing housing, said housing comprising a tubular body 8 in which the plug 2 is located, i.e. arranged, and a cover 10 in which the socket 4 is located, i.e. arranged. Hence, when the cover 10 is attached to the body 8, the plug 2 is electrically connected to the socket 4 and the cover 10 is in the mechanically connected to the body 8. The body 8 is then closed by the cover 10, On the outside of the body 8 is a relatively movable activation ring 12 as part of a balllock mechanism to releasably connect the cover 10 to the body 8. On an outer peripheral surface of an inserting sleeve 10a provided on the plate-like cover 10 the ball lock can grip into the groove 10b provided on the outer side of the sleeve 10a that is insertable into the tubular body 8. Thus, the electric plug connector assembly is designed as a push-pull connector. Preferably the housing consists of metal.

[0083] Reference numbers

[0084] R Central axis of rotation

[0085] 2 plug

[0086] 2.1 finger

[0087] 2.2 base

[0088] 2.3 connection latch

[0089] 4 socket

[0090] 4.1 outer sleeve

[0091] 4.2 inner sleeve

[0092] 4.3 connection latch

[0093] 6 insulation

[0094] 6.1 outer insulation sleeve

[0095] 6.2 inner insulation sleeve

[0096] 7 insulation

[0097] 7.1 insulation ring

[0098] 7.2 insulation finger

[0099] 7.3 insulation sleeve

[0100] 8 Housing body

[0101] 10 Cover

[0102] 10a Sleeve

[0103] 10b groove

[0104] 12 Pulling ring

Claims

Claims1 . An electrical contact assembly for electrically contacting two elements, comprising an inserting section and a receiving space for receiving the inserting section, wherein the receiving space is defined by a double-sleeve comprising at least two sleeves (4.1 , 4.2) coaxially arranged with respect to a central axis (R), namely an inner sleeve (4.2) and an outer sleeve (4.1 ) surrounding the inner sleeve (4.2) at a radial distance to the inner sleeve (4.1 ) so that the receiving space is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve (4.2) and an inner wall of the outer sleeve (4.1 ) and open at a receiving space inserting opening, wherein the inserting section comprises an inserting sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space, wherein a dimension of the inserting section is such that the inserting section rests against the outer sleeve (4.1 ) and / or the inner sleeve (4.2) in a connected position, and wherein the inserting section comprises a plurality of fingers (2.1 ) extending around the central axis (R) with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers(2.1 ), each finger (2.1 ) at a proximal end being connected to a base(2.2) and extending in a distal direction from the base (2.2) to a distal free end, wherein the fingers (2.1 ) comprise an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis (R) than the outer finger ring, and wherein an insulation, preferably an insulation sleeve (7.3), extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring.

2. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the rings of fingers are arranged such that a finger (2.1 ) of the inner finger ring is located between two adjacent fingers (2.1 ) of the outer finger ring, thereby creating two rings of interchanging outer and inner fingers (2.1), wherein the outer fingers (2.1 ) are designed to rest against an inner surface of the outer sleeve (4.1 ) of a female member (4), and whereinthe inner fingers (2.1 ) are designed to rest against an outer surface of the inner sleeve (4.2) of the female member (4).

3. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer fingers (2.1 ) are biased radially outward with respect to the central axis (R), and the inner fingers (2.1 ) are biased radially inward with respect to the central axis (R).

4. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulation is part of an insulation body (6, 7).

5. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 4, wherein the insulation body (6, 7) is designed to bias the fingers (2.1 ) radially outward and / or radially inward.

6. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insulation comprises plastic, preferably created by injection molding.

7. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said assembly is designed as a push-pull connector.

8. An electric plug connector assembly comprising a conductive plug (2) and a complementary conductive socket (4) connectable with one another at respective connection ends oriented to one another during connection with an electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the socket (4) comprises the receiving space for receiving the plug (2), wherein the plug (2) comprises the inserting section insertable into the receiving space.

9. The electric plug connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least the socket (4) comprises an insulation on an outer surface of the outer sleeve (4.1 ) and on an inner surface of the inner sleeve (4.2).

10. The electric plug connector assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the plug (2) and the socket (4) comprise connection latches (2.3, 4.3), preferably located opposite of the connection ends.11 . The electric plug connector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a cover (10) and an encasing housing (8) closable by the cover (10), wherein one element of the group consisting of the plug (2) and the socket (4) is arranged in the housing (8) and the other element of the group is arranged in the cover (10).

12. A method of manufacturing an electrical contact assembly according to one of the claims 1 to 7 or an electric plug connector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , the method comprising the steps of cutting a first and second sheet member from an electrically conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheets, wherein a first shape of the first sheet member and a second shape of the second sheet member are essentially the same, however, have different surface areas, shaping the first and second sheet members into generally annular members, wherein each annular member comprises an inner annular section and an outer annular section, wherein the outer annular section is located at a larger radial distance with respect to a central axis of rotation (R) than the inner annular section to define a respective annular receiving space between the inner annular section and the outer annular section, the annular members being designed such that these can be inserted into one another at connection ends oriented towards one another when connected to one another into a connected position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the shaping involves bending or sheet metal forming.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, further involving the step of galvanizing of either the sheet members or the annular members.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further involving the step of providing an insulation on the annular members.

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