Contact system

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact system comprising a first contact part (3) having a first contact surface and a second contact part (5) having a second contact surface, wherein a first contact surface region (7) of the first contact surface is in in particular surface-to-surface press-fit connection with a second contact surface region (9) of the second contact surface, and wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are designed, preferably geometrically, in such a way that the surface area of the first contact surface region (7) has a preferably geometrically predefined amount, which amount is substantially independent of whether a first longitudinal axis (L1) of the first contact part (3) aligns with a second longitudinal axis (L2) of the second contact part (5), or whether there is an angle deviation between the first longitudinal axis (L1) and the second longitudinal axis (L2), and preferably, if there is an angle deviation, the amount is independent of a value and / or a magnitude of the angle deviation.

Description

[0001] CONTACT SYSTEM

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a contact system.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] It is generally known to electrically connect two electrically conductive contact parts to form a contact system. For example, by means of a screw arrangement consisting of a screw and a screw nut threadedly engaged with the screw, the two electrically conductive contact parts are clamped against one another by tightening the screw arrangement, forming a press connection between a screw head of the screw and the screw nut. The press connection ensures that each of the contact parts has the largest possible electrically effective contact surface area with the other contact part, so that the electrical contact resistance from one contact part to the other contact part is as low as possible, the power loss is minimal, and the current carrying capacity of the contact system is consequently as high as possible.

[0006] Due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, for example, it may happen that the two contact parts are not aligned, resulting in an angular misalignment between the contact parts. When the screw arrangement is tightened, each contact part then has an electrically effective contact surface area that is considerably smaller than would be the case if both contact parts were aligned. The current-carrying capacity of the contact system is therefore sometimes considerably lower for non-aligned contact parts than it would be for aligned contact parts.

[0007] Contact systems are known, for example, from WO 2024 / 260962 A1, from EP 4 418 437 A1, from DE 102021 113 768 A1, from DD 249 129 A1 or from DE 468 948 C.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a contact system in which a deviation between two contact parts of the contact system results in no or only a very slight reduction in the current carrying capacity of the contact system.

[0010] These objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims, the following description, and the figures.

[0011] In particular, a contact system is proposed having a first contact part with a first contact surface and a second contact part with a second contact surface, wherein a first contact surface region of the first contact surface is in a preferably flat press connection with a second contact surface region of the second contact surface, and wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are designed, preferably geometrically, such that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region has a preferably geometrically predefined amount which is substantially independent of whether a first longitudinal axis of the first contact part is aligned with a second longitudinal axis of the second contact part or whether there is an angular deviation between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, and preferably, if there is an angular deviation, the amount is substantially independent of a value and / or a size of the angular deviation.In this way, during assembly and thus the electrical contacting of the second contact part with the first contact part, angular deviations between the first contact part and the second contact part, for example due to manufacturing, assembly or tolerances, can be compensated for, while maintaining a consistently low electrical contact resistance and thus a high current carrying capacity of the contact system.

[0012] Also proposed is a contact system comprising a first contact part with a first contact surface and a second contact part with a second contact surface, wherein a first contact surface region of the first contact surface is in press connection with a second contact surface region of the second contact surface and wherein the contact system is formed by an insertion cone on the side of the first contact part and by an insertion funnel on the side of the second

[0013] contact part.

[0014] The invention is based on the common fundamental insight that assembly of the contact system, which ultimately provides the press connection between the contact parts and their contact surfaces or contact surface areas, can be facilitated by good positioning options of the contact parts relative to one another. These good positioning options can be achieved, on the one hand, by flexibility of the longitudinal axes relative to one another and, on the other hand, by suitable guidance using the insertion cone and the complementary insertion funnel.

[0015] In this context, it should be emphasized that the term "essentially" refers to the fact that tolerances naturally occur within the process that creates the press fit, as well as within the manufacturing process of the contact surfaces, which, for example, can lead to out-of-roundness when forming drill holes, cylindrical surfaces, or discs, if measurements are taken with sufficient precision. Therefore, such deviations that lie within the tolerances of the process that creates the press fit, or the manufacturing process, are considered insignificant, so that any deviations from the specifications described here can be disregarded as long as they lie within these tolerances. Accordingly, the term "essentially" implies that such deviations within these tolerances should be disregarded.

[0016] Compared to the contact systems known from WO 2024 / 260962 A1, EP 4 418 437 A1, DE 10 2021 113 768 A1, DD 249 129 A1 or DE 468 948 C, in this way it is possible to ensure, in particular, a consistently low electrical contact resistance and thus a high current-carrying capacity of the contact system, since there either self-centering mechanisms prevent angular deviations or parallel misalignment or the systems carry endangered mechanical loads or, alternatively, constant or essentially constant surface areas of the contacting and possibly also current-carrying areas cannot be guaranteed.

[0017] The compensation of the angular deviation works particularly reliably with small angular deviations. Therefore, it is preferably provided that the angular deviation has a value of up to 15°, preferably up to 10°, particularly preferably up to 5°.

[0018] Preferably, the material of the first contact part and / or the second contact part is based on copper or a copper alloy. Additionally, the first contact part and / or the second contact part can be coated with a surface coating, for example, a silver coating with a nickel plating. Alternatives such as a coating with tin or other alloys are appropriate depending on the application.

[0019] By way of example, it is provided that the predefined amount of the surface area of ​​the first contact surface results from the shape and dimensions of the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region is equal to the surface area of ​​the second contact surface region. In particular, it has proven advantageous if one of the two contact surfaces projects beyond the other of the two contact surfaces on all sides, which can be provided radially inward and / or radially outward, in particular with regard to the respective longitudinal axes. Within this projection, a displacement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can then take place without the respective contact surface regions varying in size or having to vary.If one of the contact surfaces protrudes both radially inward and radially outward, the respective contact surface areas can preferably be derived from the radially smaller contact surface of the other contact part. If one of the contact surfaces protrudes radially inward and the other contact surface protrudes radially outward, a parallel offset or angular deviation results in a reduction in the contact surface areas on one radial side, while a corresponding increase occurs on the opposite radial side, so that the contact surface areas remain sufficiently uniform.

[0020] In the present context, the longitudinal axes can be defined, in particular, from the essential orientation of the respective contact surfaces. Thus, the longitudinal axes can each be determined from the average direction of the normal vectors on the contact surfaces. If the contact surfaces or contact parts have a rotation axis or an axis of symmetry, the rotation or symmetry axis, in particular an axis of symmetry that defines a rotational symmetry of the respective contact surface or contact part, can also be defined as the longitudinal axis. If the contact parts have bores or other passages, it is also conceivable to define a central axis along which a corresponding passage takes place as the longitudinal axis.

[0021] Preferably, it can be provided that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region is, preferably tendentially, substantially inversely proportional to the electrical contact resistance between the first contact part and the second contact part. An increase in the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region can thus, at least tendentially, lead to a reduction in the electrical contact resistance between the first contact part and the second contact part.

[0022] In order to always obtain a sufficiently large and, above all, predictable current-carrying capacity for the contact system under different application and installation conditions, it is provided in an exemplary embodiment that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region has, preferably always, substantially the same predefined amount in the case of no or different angular deviations.

[0023] By way of example, it is provided that the first contact part is assigned a first central opening which extends along a first opening axis and is delimited radially outwards by an inner circumferential surface of the first contact part with respect to the first opening axis of the first central opening, wherein it is preferably provided that the first opening axis extends coaxially to the longitudinal axis, preferably the rotational symmetry axis, particularly preferably the rotational symmetry axis, of the first contact part.

[0024] It is preferably provided that the second contact part is assigned a second central opening which extends along a second opening axis and is delimited radially outwards by an inner circumferential surface of the second contact part with respect to the second opening axis of the second central opening, wherein it is preferably provided that the second opening axis extends coaxially to the longitudinal axis, preferably the rotational symmetry axis, particularly preferably the rotational symmetry axis, of the second contact part.

[0025] By way of example, it is provided that the first central opening has the shape and / or geometry of a three-dimensional body, preferably essentially a truncated cone or essentially a circular cylinder or essentially an elliptical cylinder or essentially a prism, preferably a quadrangular or hexagonal or polygonal one. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the second central opening has the shape of a three-dimensional body, preferably essentially a circular cylinder.

[0026] By way of example, it is provided that, if the first central opening essentially has the shape and / or geometry of a truncated cone, the base area of ​​the truncated cone with a larger diameter faces the second contact part, and / or that the base area with a larger diameter is curved in the direction of the second contact part, and / or that, if the first central opening essentially has the shape and / or geometry of a truncated cone, the base area of ​​the truncated cone with a smaller diameter faces away from the second contact part, and / or that the base area with a smaller diameter is curved in the direction of the second contact part.

[0027] It is preferably provided that the first central opening, viewed along the first opening axis, essentially has the shape of an elongated hole.

[0028] In order for the first contact part to be able to contribute to angle compensation in a structurally simple manner, an exemplary embodiment provides that the first contact surface has the shape of a spherical zone of a spherical layer of a first sphere, preferably a first solid sphere, and / or that the first contact surface is curved in the direction of the second contact part.

[0029] In order that the second contact part can contribute to the angle compensation in a structurally simple manner, it is provided in an exemplary embodiment that the second contact surface has the shape of a spherical zone of a spherical layer of a second sphere, preferably a second solid sphere, and / or that the second contact surface is curved opposite to the direction of the first contact part.

[0030] In order to always achieve maximum contact saturation and thus a high current carrying capacity through a sufficient pressing force, it is preferably provided that the amount of the radius of the first ball, preferably the first solid ball, is smaller than or equal to the amount of the radius of the second ball, preferably the second solid ball.

[0031] Depending on the specific implementation, the contact surfaces can also be flat. This can, in particular, enable a parallel offset between the contact parts or between their longitudinal axes. Depending on the specific implementation, it seems conceivable to realize both a parallel offset and an angular deviation of the longitudinal axes of two contact parts that are in contact via a pair of contact surfaces. However, this generally seems to result in the angular deviation and the parallel offset being correlated in their magnitudes or orientation, which can be undesirable, especially if the greatest possible freedom in the assembly and alignment of the components involved is desired.In such cases, it may prove advantageous to provide third or even fourth contact parts, with one pair of contact parts, with their contacting contact surfaces and associated contact surface areas, being responsible for the parallel offset, and another pair of contact parts, with their contacting contact surfaces and associated contact surface areas, being responsible for the angular deviation. Depending on the specific implementation, one of the contact parts can have two contact surfaces, each of which interacts with the contact surfaces of a second and a third contact part, so that a total of three contact parts are sufficient. This also minimizes the number of contact surfaces, which naturally increases the overall electrical contact resistance.

[0032] Depending on the specific implementation, the first contact part can be in contact with a conductor rail facing away from the second contact part and / or the second contact part can be in contact with a conductor rail facing away from the first contact part, so that any incorrect positioning of the respective conductor rail, or even any incorrect positioning of two conductor rails relative to one another, can be compensated for via the contact system. In particular, the press connection can then comprise a tension element that transmits a pressing force. In this way, similar to a tension tanker, pressing forces can be applied in a sufficiently reliable and, if necessary, sufficiently metered manner, thus creating the press connection between the contact surface areas or between the contact parts. Ultimately, any assemblies that are suitable and intended for transmitting tensile forces can be considered as tension elements.In particular, these can be bolts, screws, pins or similar assemblies which, for example, engage in suitable yoke bodies which, for example, can also be designed as washers or nuts or the like, whereby corresponding yoke bodies can also be arranged directly on the tension elements, for example in the form of screw heads or suitable projections.

[0033] Preferably, the tension element only plays a supplementary role in the current flow between the two contact parts. In this way, any deformations or displacements affecting the tension element do not significantly influence the current flowing through the contact system. If necessary, insulating materials such as insulating washers or tension elements made of material with poor electrical conductivity, such as certain stainless steels, can be used to apply the pressing forces without significantly impairing the current flow through the contact system. In particular, if the current flow through the respective tension element is less than 30% of the total current flow through the contact system, corresponding adverse influences can be minimized. This applies in particular if the corresponding proportion is less than 25%, especially less than 20%.Any interference can be minimized the smaller this proportion is, whereby it can be driven down to 0% or very close to 0%, particularly when using insulating materials. Depending on the specific implementation, however, it is also conceivable for an assembly of the tension element or an assembly that transmits pressing forces from the tension element to the contact parts to be designed similarly to a contact part and to allow a parallel offset or angular deviation between the tension element and the associated contact part without the pressing forces, in particular without the surface pressing forces, being changed in the event of an angular deviation or parallel offset.This can be achieved, for example, by designing corresponding regions in which the pressing forces are transmitted, corresponding to the contact surfaces, such that the surface area of ​​at least one of these regions has a predefined value, which is independent of whether the longitudinal axes are aligned, whether there is a parallel offset between them, and / or whether there is an angular deviation between them. With the latter design, it is then possible to allow even significant portions of the current flow to flow through the respective tension element.

[0034] In order to reliably and releasably press-connect the first contact part to the second contact part, one exemplary embodiment provides for the contact system to have a screw arrangement with a screw as a tension element and a screw nut threadedly engaged with the screw, and for the first contact part and the second contact part to be clamped between a screw head of the screw and the screw nut, preferably in such a way that the first contact surface area is pressed against the second contact surface area, forming the press connection and under the action of a clamping force FS applied by the screw arrangement. Alternatively, the press connection can also be provided by clamping elements, eccentric clamps, bayonet locks, or the like.

[0035] In order to introduce the clamping force as evenly as possible into the contact surface areas and / or into the first contact part and / or into the second contact part, a preferred embodiment provides for a screw shaft of the screw or an alternative tension element, such as a pin or bolt, to be guided through a first central opening assigned to the first contact part and through a second central opening assigned to the second contact part. Depending on the specific implementation, the tension element can transmit pressing forces to the side of the corresponding contact part facing away from the contact surface of one of the contact parts by means of an abutment, as is known in other contexts, for example in the form of washers, yokes, locking pins, spring washers and the like. In this way, the pressing forces can be evened out, in particular.Any suitable component can be used as a contact element, through which pressure forces are transmitted directly or indirectly between a tension element and one of the contact parts, possibly via other components such as a similarly clamped conductor rail or similar, and which can be in contact with the contact parts or the components provided between them. Washers appear particularly advantageous in this regard.

[0036] It is preferably provided that the screw head is tensioned and / or braced against the first contact part, preferably exclusively with the interposition of a screw head washer, preferably curved in the direction of the first contact part, and wherein the screw nut is preferably tensioned and / or braced directly against the second contact part. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably provided that the screw head is tensioned and / or braced against the second contact part, preferably exclusively with the interposition of a preferably flat screw head washer, and wherein the screw nut is tensioned and / or braced against the first contact part, preferably exclusively and / or indirectly with the interposition of a screw nut washer curved in the direction of the first contact part.

[0037] In particular, the contact element, including the corresponding washer, can be positioned against the contact element on a side facing away from the contact surface of the corresponding contact element. This, as can be seen, allows for the most uniform force flow possible.

[0038] Accordingly, the contact element can have a contact surface which corresponds to a complementary contact surface of another assembly, in particular a contact part, so that these surfaces can contact one another in accordance with the contact surfaces or in accordance with the contact surface areas or can contact one another via contact surface areas which can possibly be designed to be complementary.

[0039] Preferably, a contact surface of one of the contact parts is complementary to the contact surface of the corresponding contact part, so that the contact part can be displaced within itself following the contact surface or the contact surface. This enables a corresponding displacement of a respective contact part in its contact with the other contact part and its contact surface on the one hand, and with the contactor abutting the respective contact part and its contact surface on the other hand, so that both the contact forces and electrical currents can be transmitted reliably and as independently as possible of any parallel offset or angular deviation.In particular, a curvature can follow the curvature of the contact surface, so that preferably the contact surface of the contact part can be oriented opposite to the contact surface, i.e. concave if the contact surface is convex, and vice versa, while the contact surface of the associated abutment is oriented in the same direction as the contact surface, which enables a particularly uniform displacement.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, the contact element, for example the screw nut washer, can be a uniform material and / or integral part of the tension element, such as the screw nut or a screw.

[0041] For particularly cost-effective manufacture of the contact system, it is provided, for example, that the tension element, such as the screw head, and the abutment, such as the screw head washer, and the first contact part are connected as a single material and / or in one piece, and / or it is provided, for example, that the screw head and the screw head washer or the arrangement of abutment and tension element are connected as a single material and / or in one piece, and / or it is provided, for example, that the screw head washer or the abutment and the first contact part are connected as a single material and / or in one piece. However, this may then result in limitations in flexibility, which are then accepted.

[0042] Depending on the specific implementation, the entire berm can follow the shape of its adjacent surface and, for example, be curved accordingly.

[0043] Although work on the contact system is only carried out when, in particular, the contact parts are not live, in order to further increase work safety, an exemplary embodiment provides that the contact system has at least one contact protection element to protect against contact with electrically conductive parts of the contact system.

[0044] Depending on the specific implementation, the touch protection element can carry the insertion funnel or the insertion cone, thus enabling a dual function and thus proving to be correspondingly cost-effective. In particular, touch protection assemblies or corresponding touch protection elements often project outwards to fulfill their protective function particularly well, making such assemblies particularly suitable and advantageous as insertion aids.

[0045] Cumulatively or alternatively, at least one of the contact parts can carry the insertion cone or the insertion funnel, since the contact parts or at least one of them are often designed to protrude and can thus be designed accordingly as insertion aids.

[0046] In particular, the contact protection element can be plugged or glued onto the tension element or components thereof, such as the screw nut, or the tension element or assemblies thereof, the screw nut is coated with the contact protection element and / or the contact protection element can be plugged or glued onto the screw head, the tension element or assemblies thereof, or the screw head, the tension element or assemblies thereof is coated with the contact protection element, wherein it is preferably provided that the contact protection element is a plastic component or is formed from a plastic casting compound.

[0047] In order to reliably and easily prevent unwanted co-rotation of the screw nut or the screws when establishing the press connection between the first contact part and the second contact part, a preferred embodiment provides that the contact system has a torque support element or torque absorption, and that the torque support element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the screw head or the screw nut at a first end of the torque support element, preferably facing the screw arrangement, and / or that the torque support element is supported and / or fastened to a housing of the contact system or to a housing of a charging socket of the vehicle at a second end of the torque support element, preferably facing away from the screw arrangement.

[0048] In order to protect in particular the first contact part and / or the second contact part from environmental influences, such as moisture and / or dust, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the contact system has a cover cap assigned to the second contact part, and that the cover cap has a flange part and a plug part and a mechanically elastic part arranged between the flange part and the plug part and connected to both the flange part and the plug part, wherein it is preferably provided that the elastic part is preferably formed by a bellows and / or is designed and / or suitable for enabling and / or compensating for a relative movement between the flange part and the plug part in the event of an angular deviation between the first contact part and the second contact part.

[0049] According to the invention, a vehicle with a contact system as described above is further proposed, wherein it is preferably provided that the first contact part, preferably made of the same material and / or in one piece, is preferably directly, mechanically and / or electrically connected to a charging pin conductor rail that is electrically conductively connected to a charging pin of a charging socket of the vehicle, and / or wherein it is preferably provided that the second contact part, preferably made of the same material and / or in one piece, is preferably directly, electrically and / or mechanically connected to a traction battery conductor rail that is electrically conductively connected to the traction battery and its controlling subcomponents, such as a switch box. The advantages mentioned in connection with the contact system apply accordingly to the vehicle.At this point, it is expressly pointed out that the first contact part and the second contact part can be electrically connected to a wide variety of components and / or assemblies. The charging pin, the traction battery, and the conductor rails are merely examples of such components and / or assemblies.

[0050] Character description

[0051] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of a contact system with a first contact part and a second contact part, wherein the first contact part is aligned with the second contact part;

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of the contact system according to Fig. 1, wherein the first contact part is not aligned with the second contact part and therefore there is an angular deviation between the first contact part and the second contact part;

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of a section of a vehicle in which the contact system according to Figs. 1 and 2 is installed; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side sectional view of the section of the vehicle according to Fig. 3, wherein the first contact part is not aligned with the second contact part;

[0055] Fig. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of the section of the vehicle according to Figs. 3 and 4 in which the contact system is installed;

[0056] Fig. 6 shows a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment of the contact system;

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment of the contact system; and

[0058] Fig. 8 shows a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment of the contact system;.

[0059] Figure 1 shows a contact system 1. The contact system 1 comprises a first contact part 3, preferably produced by a turning process or a cold-flowing process, having a first contact surface, and a second contact part 5, preferably produced by a turning process or a cold-flowing process, having a second contact surface. In order to establish an electrically conductive connection between the first contact part 3 and the second contact part 5, a first contact surface region 7 of the first contact surface is in a flat press connection with a second contact surface region 9 of the second contact surface. The press connection is provided by a tension element 11.

[0060] In order for the contact elements 3, 5 to fulfill their actual contacting function, i.e., providing an electrical contact, they are electrically connected to conductor rails 19. To establish the press connection, the contact system 1 has a screw arrangement with a screw 21 and a screw nut 23 threadedly engaged with the screw 21 as components of the tension element 11.

[0061] The screw nut 23 can have a chamfer on the side facing the second contact part 5. The first contact part 3 and the second contact part 5 are clamped and / or tensioned between a screw head 25 of the screw 21 and the screw nut 23 and thus by means of the tension element 11 under tensile stress, in such a way that the first contact surface region 7 is pressed against the second contact surface region 9, forming the press connection and under the action of a clamping force FS applied by the screw arrangement.

[0062] As shown, for example, in Figure 1, a screw shaft 27 of the screw 21 is guided through a first central opening 31 assigned to the first contact part 3, as well as through a second central opening assigned to the second contact part 5. The screw head 25 is, here merely by way of example, clamped against the first contact part 3 exclusively with the interposition of a screw head washer 33 which is curved in the direction of the first contact part 3 and separate from the screw 21 and which in this case serves as an abutment 17. The screw head washer 33 or the abutment 17 can act as a loss protection for the screw 21. For this purpose, the screw 21 can already be partially inserted in the first contact part 3 and held in the area of ​​a thread of the screw 21 by the screw head washer 33 or the abutment 17.In the contact system 1, the screw nut 23 is clamped directly against the second contact part 5, here only as an example.

[0063] The screw head 25 and / or the screw head washer 33 or the abutment 17 can, if necessary, be engaged via an engagement structure in order to generate an early holding torque when tightening the screw nut 23. In this exemplary embodiment, the shape of the abutment 17 or the screw head washer 33 follows the shape of the first contact surface of the first contact part 3 or its contact surface region 7. In this way, a contact surface 53 of the abutment 17 or the screw head washer 33 can be provided, which accordingly follows the course of the first contact surface of the first contact part 3, or alternatively, the contact surface region 7. A contact surface 55 of the contact part 3 can then be designed to complement the contact surface 53 of the abutment 17.In this way, the contact part 3 can be displaced into a gap existing between the second contact surface of the second contact part 5 and the abutment surface 53 by a displacement within itself.

[0064] The first central opening 31 extends along a first opening axis (not shown) and is delimited radially outwards by an inner circumferential surface of the first contact part 3 with respect to the first opening axis. By way of example only, the first opening axis extends coaxially to the rotational symmetry axis of the first contact part 3. The first contact part 3 is at least substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotational symmetry axis. The second central opening extends along a second opening axis (not shown) and is delimited radially outwards by an inner circumferential surface of the second contact part 5 with respect to the second opening axis. By way of example only, the second opening axis extends coaxially to the rotational symmetry axis of the second contact part 5. The second contact part 5 is at least substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotational symmetry axis.By way of example only, the first central opening 31 essentially has the shape and / or geometry of a truncated cone, wherein the larger-diameter base surface of the truncated cone faces the second contact part 5 and is curved in the direction of the second contact part 5. The second central opening, by way of example only, essentially has the shape and / or geometry of a right circular cylinder. In the present exemplary embodiment, the opening axis and the rotational symmetry axis are defined, by way of example, as the longitudinal axis L1 and L2, respectively.

[0065] In general, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are geometrically designed such that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region 7 has a geometrically predefined amount, which predefined amount is essentially independent of whether the first longitudinal axis L1 of the first contact part 3 is aligned with the second longitudinal axis L2 of the second contact part 5, or whether there is an angular deviation between the first longitudinal axis L1 and the second longitudinal axis L2, and, if an angular deviation exists, independent of a value and / or magnitude of the angular deviation. This applies in particular to angular deviations with a value of up to approximately 15° and thus also for, for example, an angular deviation with a value of 5°, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The surface area of ​​the second contact surface region 9 is always equal to the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region 7.

[0066] In order to enable the described angle compensation, the first contact surface has the shape of a spherical zone of a, preferably fictitious, spherical layer of a first sphere, preferably a first solid sphere. The first contact surface is thus curved in the direction of the second contact part 5. Furthermore, the second contact surface also has the shape of a spherical zone of a, preferably fictitious, spherical layer of a second sphere, preferably a second solid sphere. The second contact surface is curved opposite to the direction of the first contact part 3. The absolute value of the radius of the first sphere, preferably the first solid sphere, can be smaller than or equal to the absolute value of the radius of the second sphere, preferably the second solid sphere.

[0067] Preferably, the contact surfaces 53, 55 are designed such that the surface area of ​​corresponding contact surface regions has a predefined amount which is independent of whether the first longitudinal axis L1 is aligned with the second longitudinal axis L2 or whether there is a parallel offset and / or an angular deviation between them.

[0068] Figures 3 and 4 show the contact system 1 in a specific installation situation, namely in a vehicle. In Figure 3, the contact system 1 is in the same state as in Figure 1. In Figure 4, the contact system 1 is in the same state as in Figure 2, i.e., there is an angular deviation of 5°. Specifically, the contact system 1 in Figures 3 and 4 is installed in the vehicle in such a way that the first contact part 3 is mechanically and electrically connected in an electrically conductive manner to a charging pin conductor rail 35 as conductor rail 19. The first contact part 3 is, for example, pressed into an opening in the charging pin conductor rail 35 or welded to the charging pin conductor rail 35 by means of a friction welding process. The charging pin conductor rail 35 is in turn electrically and mechanically connected to a charging pin 37 of a charging socket of the vehicle.The second contact part 5 is electrically and mechanically connected to a traction battery conductor rail or charging path rail 39 as conductor rail 19. The second contact part 5 is, for example, pressed into an opening in the traction battery conductor rail 39 or welded to the traction battery conductor rail 39 using a friction welding process. The traction battery conductor rail 39 is, in turn, electrically and mechanically connected to a traction battery of the vehicle. To ensure continuous contact protection when opening the plug part 45, the conductor rail 39 itself has a current-isolating insulation or a cover cap, as shown here, placed on top.

[0069] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the contact system 1 has a cover cap 41 associated with the second contact part 5. The cover cap 41 is constructed in three parts, purely by way of example. The cover cap 41 has a flange part 43 and a plug part 45, and a mechanically elastic part 47 arranged between the flange part 43 and the plug part 45 and connected to both the flange part 43 and the plug part 45. The flange part 43 bears flat against a rear wall 49 of the vehicle's charging socket. Here, purely by way of example, the elastic part 47 is formed by a bellows.As a result, the elastic part 47 is designed and suitable for enabling relative movement between the flange part 43 and the plug part 45 and for compensating for the angular deviation illustrated in Figure 4 with a value of 5°, so that the cover cap 41, like the contact system 1, can adapt to existing angular deviations. This ensures that the flange part 43 always maintains the correct position and ensures the sealing function by means of one or more sealing lips against the rear of the charging socket, which is shown here only as an example.

[0070] As shown, for example, in Figure 3, the contact system 1 can have a torque support element 51 to prevent the screw 21 from accidentally turning during assembly of the contact system 1. The torque support element 51 can be formed by a spring plate or by molded plastic ribs. For this purpose, a first end of the torque support element 51, facing the screw arrangement, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the screw head 25. With a second end of the torque support element 51, facing away from the screw arrangement, the torque support element 51 is supported and / or fastened to a housing of the contact system 1. In alternative embodiments, such a torque support can be dispensed with. Alternatively, other suitable measures can also be taken in this regard.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a contact system 101. Unless otherwise described below, contact system 101 is structurally and functionally identical to contact system 1. Unlike contact system 1, contact system 101 features a screw arrangement comprising screw 21 and a screw nut 103 as tension element 11. Screw head 25 is assigned to second contact part 5. Screw head 25 is clamped against second contact part 5 with the interposition of a flat screw head washer 105. Nut 103 has a screw nut washer 107, which is a uniform, one-piece component of nut 103. Nut 103 is clamped against first contact part 3 with screw nut washer 107.Furthermore, the contact system 101 also includes a torque support element 51, wherein the first end of the torque support element 51, facing the screw arrangement, is rotationally connected to the screw nut 103. The second end of the torque support element 51, facing away from the screw arrangement, supports and / or fastens the torque support element 51 to the housing of the contact system 1.

[0072] In this embodiment, the screw nut 103 serves as abutment 17 and accordingly has a contact surface 53 which is complementary to a corresponding contact surface 55 of the first contact part 3.

[0073] Due to the self-interesting effect between the two contact surfaces or contact surface areas 7,9 of the contact parts 3,5 shown in Figures 1 to 6, these embodiments appear particularly advantageous for an angular deviation between the contact parts, while a

[0074] Parallel offset of the corresponding longitudinal axes L1,L2 will be rather difficult to implement.

[0075] The embodiment shown in Figure 7 provides a remedy in this regard in that, compared to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6, the contact part 5 shown there is divided into two parts, so that between a second contact part 5, which is arranged, for example, in the immediate vicinity of the screw head 25, and the first contact part 3, which is arranged, for example, in the vicinity of the screw nut 103, a further middle contact part 3, 5 is arranged, which in turn can interact with the two aforementioned contact parts 3 and 5 and thus serves both as the first contact part 3 and as the second contact 5. In this case, the contact part 3, 5 has three and five contact surfaces that are complementary to the other two contact parts, and thus also corresponding contact surface regions 7, 9, the contours of these contact surface regions 7, 9 corresponding to the respective complementary contact surface regions.In this way, the contact part 3.5 can on the one hand.

[0076] Parallel offset in interaction with the second contact part 5 and on the other hand an angular deviation interaction with the first contact part 3 follow.

[0077] In order to be able to easily follow a parallel offset in particular, the second contact part 5 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 has a second central opening 32 which is widened compared to a screw shaft 21.

[0078] Both the contact system 1 and the contact system 101 can have at least one contact protection element 109.

[0079] As shown by way of example in Figures 6 and 7, the contact protection element 109 can be formed, for example, by a plastic cap that is placed on the screw head 25. Although work on the contact systems 1 and 101 is generally only carried out when, in particular, the contact parts 3, 5 are not live, the contact protection element 109 is additionally provided to further increase work safety.

[0080] Depending on the specific implementation, the contact protection element 109 can also be designed in multiple parts, as explained by way of example using the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 8. This exemplary embodiment thus has a contact protection element 109 for the screw head of the screw 21 and two contact protection elements 109 for a second contact part 5, which can be connected to one another so as to encompass a housing wall 111. Furthermore, the second contact part 5 is secured by means of a contact protection element 109, which is arranged so closely to the two contact protection elements 109 encompassing the housing wall 111 that a human finger cannot reach the second contact part 5.

[0081] In the second contact part 5, an internal thread 113 is provided below its contact protection element 109, into which the screw 21 can be screwed.

[0082] A central contact part 3,5 is captively attached to the screw 21 of this embodiment by means of a thickening of the screw shaft 27, which can interact in an electrically conductive manner both with the second contact part 5, then as the first contact part, and with a first contact part 3 designed as a conductor rail 19, then as the second contact part.

[0083] In particular to facilitate assembly, the middle contact part 3,5 is designed as an insertion cone 13 by providing a corresponding chamfer so that it can be easily inserted into an insertion funnel 15 which is provided by the contact protection element 109 which surrounds the housing wall 111 on the screw head side.

[0084] A contact element 17 with a corresponding contact surface 53 and an associated contact surface area as well as a first central opening 31 of the first contact part 3 designed as a conductor rail 19 and a contact surface 53 complementary to the contact surface 53 of this contact part 3 enable a

[0085] Parallel offset with a correspondingly uniform pressing force by the tension element 1 1 or the screw 21 , while between this contact part 3 and the middle contact part 3,5 corresponding contact surface areas 7,9 despite a

[0086] Parallel offset ensures an electrical contact resistance that is independent of the parallel offset or a constant surface area of ​​the contacting contact surface areas 7,9.

[0087] The situation is different with the contact between the middle contact part 3.5 and the second contact part 5, since the middle contact part 3.5 and in particular also the screw 21 are positioned relatively precisely in relation to the second contact part 5 via the insertion funnel 15, so that in this way a constant contact resistance can be ensured.

[0088] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0089] I Contact system

[0090] 3 first contact part

[0091] 5 second contact part

[0092] 7 first contact surface area

[0093] 9 second contact surface area

[0094] II Tension element

[0095] 13 Insertion cone

[0096] 15 insertion funnels

[0097] 17 residents

[0098] 19 Ladder rail

[0099] 21 Screw

[0100] 23 Screw nut

[0101] 25 screw head

[0102] 27 Screw shaft

[0103] 31 first central breakthrough

[0104] 32 second central breakthrough

[0105] 33 Screw head washer

[0106] 35 charging pin conductor rail

[0107] 37 Charging pin

[0108] 39 Traction battery conductor rail

[0109] 41 Cover cap

[0110] 43 Flange part

[0111] 45 plug part

[0112] 47 Elastic part

[0113] 49 Rear wall

[0114] 51 Torque support element

[0115] 53 Resident's abutment area 17

[0116] 55 Contact surface of the contact part 3, 5

[0117] 101 Contact system 103 Screw nut

[0118] 105 Screw head washer

[0119] 107 Screw nut washer

[0120] 109 Contact protection element 111 Housing wall

[0121] 113 internal thread

[0122] L1 first longitudinal axis

[0123] L2 second longitudinal axis

[0124] FS clamping force

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Contact system comprising: a first contact part (3) having a first contact surface, and a second contact part (5) having a second contact surface, wherein a first contact surface region (7) of the first contact surface is in press connection with a second contact surface region (9) of the second contact surface, characterized in that the first contact part (3) has a first longitudinal axis (L1) and the second contact part (5) has a second longitudinal axis (L2), wherein the two longitudinal axes (L1) are aligned with one another or have a parallel offset and / or an angular deviation, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are designed such that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region (7) has a predefined amount, which is independent of whether the first longitudinal axis (L1) is aligned with the second longitudinal axis (L2),whether there is a parallel offset between the first longitudinal axis (L1) and the second longitudinal axis (L2) and / or whether there is an angular deviation between the first longitudinal axis (L1) and the second longitudinal axis (L2); and / or that the contact system has an insertion cone (13) on the side of the first contact part (3) and an insertion funnel (15) on the side of the second contact part (5).

2. Contact system according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface area of ​​the first contact surface region (7) has the same predefined amount with no or different angular deviations and / or with no or different parallel offset.

3. Contact system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the first contact surface has the shape of a spherical zone of a spherical layer of a first sphere, and / or that the first contact surface is curved in the direction of the second contact part (5).

4. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second contact surface has the shape of a spherical zone of a spherical layer of a second sphere, and / or that the second contact surface is curved opposite to the direction of the first contact part (3).

5. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second contact surfaces are flat.

6. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first contact part (3) is contacted with a conductor rail (19, 35) facing away from the second contact part (5) and / or that the second contact part (5) is contacted with a conductor rail (19, 39) facing away from the first contact part (3).

7. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press connection comprises a tension element (11) transmitting a pressing force. 8 Contact system according to claim 7, characterized in that the pulling element is involved at most in a complementary manner in a current flow between the two contact parts.

9. Contact system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that that the contact system (1; 101) has a screw arrangement with a screw (21) as a tension element (11) and a screw nut (23; 103) in threaded engagement with the screw (21), and that the first contact part (3) and the second contact part (5) are clamped between a screw head (25) of the screw (21) and the screw nut (23; 103).

10. Contact system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the tension element (11) transmits pressing forces to the side of the corresponding contact part (3, 5) facing away from the contact surface of one of the contact parts (3, 5) by means of a contact element (17).

11. Contact system according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact element (17) bears against the contact element (3, 5) on a side of one of the contact elements (3, 5) which is remote from the contact surface of the corresponding contact element (3, 5).

12. Contact system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the contact element (17) has a contact surface (53) which bears with a contact surface region against a contact surface region of a complementary contact surface (55) of one of the contact elements (3, 5).

13. Contact system according to claim 12, characterized in that the contact surfaces (53, 55) are designed to be complementary to the contact surface of the corresponding contact element (3, 5).

14. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact system (1; 101) has at least one contact protection element (109) for protection against contact with electrically conductive parts of the contact system (1; 101).

15. Contact system according to claim 14, characterized in that that the contact protection element (109) carries the insertion funnel (15) and / or the insertion cone.

16. Contact system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the contact protection element (109) is a plastic component or consists of a plastic casting compound is formed.

17. Contact system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the contact parts (3, 5) carries the insertion funnel and / or the insertion cone (13).

18. Vehicle with a contact system according to one of the preceding claims.

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