Electrical connector comprising an electrical contact element

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical connector comprising an electrical contact element (21) for establishing an electrical connection between first portion (22) and second portions (24) of an electrical connector (20) with the electrical connector having a longitudinal extension having first longitudinal region (11), a second longitudinal region (12) and third longitudinal region (38), the third longitudinal region (38) being disposed between the first longitudinal region (11) and second longitudinal region (12), the first longitudinal region (11) having a first electrical conductance and, the second longitudinal region (12) having a second electrical conductance with, the first electrical conductance being lower than the second electrical conductance, and with the third longitudinal region (38) having a plurality of electrical conductances distributed along the longitudinal extension and which lie between the first and second electrical conductances, and wherein the first and second electrical conductances differ by at least a factor of ten, and methods for connecting and decoupling the electrical connector (20).

Description

[0001] Electrical connector comprising an electrical contact element

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention concerns an electrical connector comprising an electrical contact element for establishing an electrical connection between a first and a second portion of the electrical connector, as well as a method for connecting and decoupling an electrical connector.

[0004] Background

[0005] Undesired or unintended electric arcing can have detrimental effects on electric power transmission, distribution systems and electronic equipment. Devices which may cause arcing include switches, circuit breakers, relay contacts and DC connectors. When an inductive circuit is switched off, the current cannot instantaneously jump to zero: a transient arc will be formed across the separating contacts. If a circuit has enough current and voltage to sustain an arc formed outside of a switching device, the arc can cause damage to equipment such as melting of conductors, destruction of insulation, and fire. An arc flash describes an explosive electrical event that presents a hazard to people and equipment. In particular DC connectors when disconnected under load can produce a dangerous electric arc. Active DC connectors for so-called hot-plug applications are usually equipped with a semiconductor switch connected in parallel and directly built into the connector, actively quenching the electric arc. However, DC Connectors with active arc quenching have a complex design and generate high production costs. Such DC connectors are larger than conventional connectors without active arc quenching and therefore impose special requirements with regard to installation space. Active DC connectors also require more maintenance. US 6 102 742 A and US 2019 / 245298 A1 disclose electrical contact elements for establishing an electrical connection between a first and second portion of an electrical connector.

[0006] Against this background, the invention to be solved by the invention is to further develop an electrical connector with an electrical contact element in a way that a safe connection and decoupling is ensured to avoid and reliably extinguishing a lightning arc and having minimum manufacturing complexity.

[0007] Summary

[0008] The problem is solved by an electrical connector according to claim 1 , a method of coupling an electrical connector according to claim 15 and a method of decoupling an electrical connector according to claim 18.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] The problem is solved in particular by an electrical connector. This electrical connector can be configured as a DC or AC connector. The electrical connector comprises an electrical contact element for establishing an electrical connection between first portion and second portion of an electrical connector, wherein the longitudinal extension has a first longitudinal region, a second longitudinal region and third longitudinal region, the third longitudinal region being disposed between the first longitudinal region and second longitudinal region, the first longitudinal region having a first electrical conductance and the second longitudinal region having a second electrical conductance, with the first electrical conductance being lower than the second electrical conductance, and with the third longitudinal region having a plurality of electrical conductances distributed along the longitudinal extension and which lie between the first and second electrical conductances, and wherein the first and second electrical conductances differ by at least a factor of ten wherein the electrical connector comprises a first portion comprising an insulating body structure and a second portion connectable to the first portion for establishing an electric connection, with the electrical contact element being configured as a male contact element with the first longitudinal region, the second longitudinal region and the third longitudinal region provided on an outer surface of the male contact element and with the male contact element being provided in the first portion projecting through the insulating body structure in a longitudinal direction of the first portion, with the insulating body structure of the first portion having a first body part and a second body part slidable over the first body part, with the insulating body structure being arranged movable relative to the male contact element and comprising a releasable actuating spring supported with a first end in the second body part and with a second end opposite of the first end on the male contact element, wherein the actuating spring can be compressed when the second body part is moved in a first direction to connect the first portion with the second portion and tensioned when the second body part is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction to release the first portion from the second portion, wherein the male contact element can be moved in the first direction from a first position within the first body part to a second position within the first body part and be pushed into the second portion when the actuating spring is released after a defined compression is exceeded and be moved in the second direction from the second position within the first body part to the first position within the first body part to be extracted from the second portion, when the actuating spring is released after a defined tension is exceeded.

[0011] The electrical connector ensures a full and reliable connection of the two portions and that the process of connecting and decoupling can be effected in a constant manner independent of the time used for connecting and decoupling the portions thereby ensuring that the current in the connector is reduced slowly and in a way that lightning arcs can be prevented.

[0012] In the electrical connector the configuration of the electrical contact element allows for equipping the electrical contact element with a conductance which changes during the connecting or decoupling process of an electrical connector. The change in conductance results from a change of resistance over the longitudinal extension of the contact element that is very high in the unplugged state (kOhm...MOhm) and zero Ohm when plugged in. This allows the current to be "slowly" reduced when the connector is decoupled or unbranched. The remaining energy is not sufficient to maintain an arc. The arc hence extinguishes very quickly without damaging the male contact element or connector. As the energy of the resistance leads to a strong heating of the contact, it must be ensured that in an electrical connector a male contact element is always completely removed / inserted which is in particular provided by an electrical connector as outlined below. In a particular configuration the male contact element can be designed as a contact pin or pin like structure provided within the electrical connector and extending in an axial direction of the first portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, wherein the electrical contact element is configured as a male contact element, the first longitudinal region, the second longitudinal region and the third longitudinal region are provided on an outer surface of the male contact element. This facilitates manufacture and adaptation of the contact element to the requirements set out bey the electrical connector and the use thereof.

[0014] In some embodiments the first and second electrical conductance differs by at least a factor of thousand. This allows for the use of the contact element with high electrical currents in a variety of environments. In some embodiments the electrical conductance of first longitudinal region is less than 100 mS and the electrical conductance of second longitudinal region is higher than 100 S. This allows for the use of the contact element in a variety of configurations and use cases.

[0015] In some embodiments the regions have surface modifications increasing the conductance and decreasing electrical resistance, wherein in some embodiments the surface modification is preferably one of a graphite coating and a wrapping with a resistance wire. In some further, alternative embodiments the first region consists of or comprises graphite.

[0016] In some embodiments the distribution of conductance along the longitudinal extension follows a linear or logarithmic function.

[0017] In some embodiments the male contact element forms a contact tip in the first region. This allows for guidance of the male contact element during insertion in the second portion of an electrical connector until a stable connection is achieved.

[0018] In some embodiments the electrical contact element is configured as a sleeve, also referred to as female part of the electrical connector, with the first region, the third and the second region provided on an inner surface of the sleeve. The invention advantages are thereby achieved when a pin is inserted in or extracted from the sleeve thereby moving along the first and third region to arrive at the second region, respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments the electrical contact element is provided in the first portion or in the second portion of the electrical connector and provides the advantages of the invention according to and in alignment with the intended use requirements and respective configuration of the electrical connector.

[0020] In some embodiments the second portion is configured slidable over the first body part of the first portion projecting through the insulating body structure of the first portion in a longitudinal direction. This ensures a stable connection between the first body part and the second body part and allows for an alternative configuration of the electrical connector to adapted to various use cases and design requirements.

[0021] In some embodiments the first body part has retaining means which releasably lock the male contact element in the first and the second position and hence ensures a stable connection between the first body part and the male contact element during connecting and decoupling.

[0022] In some embodiments the retaining means are formed as radial projections on an inner wall of the first body part. This ensures a clear determination of the positions of the male contact element within the first body part and supports the positioning of the male contact element with high determination and improves the positioning of the male contact element within the structure.

[0023] In some embodiments the male contact element has a radially projecting area that engages with the retaining means to further improve the interlocking between the pin and the retaining means.

[0024] In some embodiments the spring is supported on the radially protruding area. This enables a better transmission of spring loads on the male contact element and improves the pushing of the pin into the second portion of the DC connector during connecting.

[0025] In some embodiments the electrical contact element is configured as a sleeve, also referred to as female part of an electrical connector, provided in the second portion for receiving the male contact element having a standard configuration with no surface modifications, thereby also achieving the advantageous features of the invention. In some embodiments the electrical contact element is configured as the male contact element, also referred to as male part of the electrical connector provided in the first portion for being inserted into the second portion, thereby also achieving the advantageous features of the invention.

[0026] In some embodiments the second portion comprises means for electrically contacting the male contact element, the means having contact surfaces protruding radially in the direction of the male contact element. This ensures a stable and reliable connection between the male contact element and the second portion of the DC connector and improves the electrical connection between the elements.

[0027] The modification of the first region of the electrical contact element provides for the change of conductance during connecting and decoupling of the electrical connector of the invention with the electrical contact element having the above embodiments being configured to allow for the conductance to increase or decrease linear or to increase or decrease in a logarithmic function in order to achieve a respective, in particular linear change in the current during the connection process. The invention electrical connector prevents the male contact element from getting stuck during the connecting / decoupling process since the male contact element is fitted with a spring that is tensioned during the insertion process and released when a certain force is reached. This ensures that the male contact element is pressed fully into the counterpart via the spring force. When pulled, i.e. during decoupling of the electrical connector, the spring is stretched. When a certain force is reached, the spring is released and extracts the male contact element completely from the counterpart via the reverse spring force. The connecting / decoupling process can therefore be kept constant over time and is independent of insertion / extraction speed applied by the user. The invention further provides a method of coupling the electrical connector as described above, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the first body part and the and the second portion, b) sliding the second body part in the first direction over the first body part towards the second portion and compressing the actuating spring, c) releasing the actuating spring when a defined spring compression is exceeded, d) moving the male contact element from a first position to a second position in the first body part thereby pushing the male contact element into the second portion by a spring-loaded movement, e) establishing an electrical contact in the electrical connector.

[0028] The invention method when applied with the electrical connector prevents the contact from getting stuck during the connecting process since the male contact element is fitted with a spring that is compressed during the insertion process and released when a certain force is reached. This ensures that the male contact element is pressed fully into the counterpart via the spring force. The insertion process can therefore be kept constant over time and is independent of insertion speed applied by the user.

[0029] In some embodiments of the method during step d) a contact between the first region of the electrical contact element is established and while moving along the electrical contact element to arrive at the second region the electric conductance is increased. In some embodiments of the method the first region of the electrical male contact element is configured to induce a linear or logarithmic increase of the electrical conductance and a linear increase of the electric current while moving.

[0030] With the modification of the first region of the electrical male contact element that provides for the change of conductance during connecting of the electrical connector elements, the electrical contact element allows for the resistance to decrease linearly or to decrease in a logarithmic function in order to achieve a linear change in the current during the connection process. The resistance is very high (k0hm...M0hm) when the first, modified region of the electrical contact element is contacted and approaching zero Ohm when the connection is completed.

[0031] The invention further provides a method of decoupling an electrical DC connector as described above, comprising the steps of: a) sliding the first body part in the second direction over the first body part and tensioning the actuating spring, b) releasing the actuating spring when a defined spring tension is exceeded, c) moving the male contact element from the second position to the first position in the first body part thereby extracting the pin from the second portion by a spring-loaded movement, d) interrupting the electrical contact in the electrical connector.

[0032] The invention method when applied with the electrical connector prevents the pin from getting stuck during the decoupling process since the male contact element is fitted with a spring that is tensioned during the extraction or decoupling process and released when a certain force is reached. This ensures that the male contact element is extracted fully from the counterpart via the spring force. The decoupling process can therefore be kept constant over time and is independent of insertion speed applied by the user.

[0033] In some embodiments of the invention during step c) a contact between with the second region of the electrical contact element is released and while moving along the electrical contact element to arrive at the first region the electric resistance is increased, and the electric current is reduced. In some embodiments of the method the first region of the electrical contact element is configured to induce a linear or logarithmic increase of the electrical resistance thereby inducing a linear reduction of the electric conductance while moving.

[0034] With the modification of the first region of the electrical contact element that provides for the change of resistance during decoupling of the electrical connector the modified electrical contact element allows for the resistance to increase linearly or to increase in a logarithmic function in order to achieve a linear change in the current during the decoupling process. The resistance is approaching zero Ohm while the electrical contact element is connected and very high (k0hm...M0hm) when the electrical contact element is unplugged and until the decoupling is completed. This allows the current to be "slowly" reduced. The energy is not sufficient to maintain an arc. The arc extinguishes very quickly without damaging the male contact element or electrical connector.

[0035] Brief description of the drawings

[0036] Examples of embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. It shows:

[0037] Fig. 1 a schematic view of an electrical contact element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 2 a schematic view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 3 schematic views of the electrical during connecting according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] Fig. 4 schematic views of the electrical connector during decoupling according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference numerals are used for identical, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left", "right", "top" and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual representations with respect to the object shown.

[0041] Detailed description of embodiments

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a total of two embodiments of an electrical contact element 21 configured as a male contact element 10 that can be used in the electrical connector 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The male contact element 10 can for example have a pin or pin-shaped design or be configured as a contact pin. The upper male contact element 10 of Fig. 1 has a first region 11 shown on the right in Fig 1 and an adjacent second area 12. The first region 11 has a modified surface 13 that serves to increase the resistance or decrease conductance in the first region 11 of the male contact element 10. In the second region 12 of the male contact element 10, the resistance is reduced or approaches zero while conductance is increased to the maximum value allowed. Between the first region 11 extending in a longitudinal direction of the male contact element

[0043] 10 towards the second region 12 a third region 38 is disposed having a plurality of electrical conductances distributed along the longitudinal extension which lie between the electrical conductances of the first region

[0044] 11 and the second region 12. The second region 12 is provided with a radial elevation 14 that is shaped like a collar or flange. The spring 30 in the insulating body structure 23 of the electrical connector 20 as described in connection with Fig. 2 is supported on this elevation 14. The remaining region 15 of the male contact element 10 is intended to bring the male contact element 10 in contact with an electrical cable (not shown). The male contact element 10 as shown in Figure 1 forms part of an electrical connector 20 described in more detail in connection with Fig. 2. The first contact region 11 , the third contact region 38 and the second contact region 12 are provided along a longitudinal extension of the male contact element 10, wherein the first contact region 11 is provided with a high electrical resistance or low conductance and the second contact region 12 is provided with a low or no electrical resistance and high conductance, respectively, and wherein the electric resistance / conductance changes over the longitudinal extension of the male contact element 10. Due to this configuration the male contact element 10 provides a resistance / conductance which is changed during the connecting process of the electrical connector 20. The resistance is very high in the first region 11 and zero in the second region 12. When connecting or decoupling the electrical connector 20 this configuration allows the current to be "slowly" reduced when the electrical connector 20 is decoupled or unbranched. The remaining energy is not sufficient to maintain an arc. The arc extinguishes very quickly without damaging the male contact element 10.

[0045] By modifying the surface 16 of the first region 11 the electrical resistance, is increased and the electrical conductance decreased, respectively. The surface 16 modification is as shown in the upper embodiment shown in Fig. 1 established by applying a graphite coating 17 to the surface 16. In the lower embodiment of Fig. 1 the first region 11 is wrapped with a resistance wire 18. As shown in the upper embodiment the graphite coating 17 induces a change of resistance with a linear gradient 19a whereas the resistance wire 18 as used in the lower embodiment of Fig 1 induces a change of resistance with a logarithmic gradient 19b.

[0046] The modification of the first region 11 of the male contact element 10 provides for the change of resistance / conductance during connecting and decoupling of the electrical connector 20 in order to achieve a linear change in the current during the connection process. Fig. 2 shows an electrical connector 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrical connector comprises a first portion 22 comprising an insulating body structure 23 with the electrical contact element 21 being provided as a male contact element 10 and a second portion 24 connectable to the first portion 22 for receiving the male contact element 10 to establish an electric connection. The electrical connector 20 is shown in the connected state in Fig. 2. The male contact element 10 projects through the insulating body structure 23 in the longitudinal direction of the first portion 22 and the insulating body structure 23 has first body part 25 and a second body part 26 placed slidable over the first body part 25. The entire insulating body structure 23 is arranged movable relative to the male contact element 10 and comprises a releasable actuating spring 30 supported with a first end 28a on a base surface 27 of the second body part 26. On the opposite second end 28b the spring 30 is supported on the radial elevation 14 provided on the male contact element 10. The actuating spring 30 can be compressed when the second body part 26 is moved in a first direction D1 to connect the first portion 22 of the electrical connector to the second portion 24. Contrary thereto, the spring 30 is tensioned when the second body part 26 is moved in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1 to release the first portion 22 from the second portion 24. The male contact element 10 can be moved in the first direction D1 from a first position 29 within the first body part 25 to a second position 31 within the first body part 25. By this movement, the male contact element 10 is pushed into the second portion 24 after the actuating spring 30 is released when a defined compression is exceeded. When decoupling the electrical connector 20, the male contact element is moved in the second direction D2 from the second position 31 within the first body part 25 to the first position 29 within the first body part 25 and is thereby extracted from the second portion 24, when the actuating spring 30 is released after a defined tension is exceeded. In the embodiment of the electrical connector 20 as shown in Fig. 2 a full and reliable connection of the two portions 22, 24 is ensured. The process of connecting and decoupling can be effected in a constant manner independent of the time used for connecting and decoupling the portions 22, 24 thereby ensuring that the current in the electrical connector 20 is reduced slowly and in a way that a lightning arc can be prevented.

[0047] The first body part 25 has retaining means 32 which are provided at the inner circumference 33 of the first body part 25. The retaining means 32 protrude radially from the circumference 33 and releasably lock the male contact element 10 in the first position 29 or the second position 31 . To engage with the retaining means 32, the male contact element 10 is provided with a radially projecting elevation 14 that further improves the interlocking engagement between the male contact element 10 and the retaining means 32. The actuating spring 30 is supported on the radially projecting elevation 14 to transmit spring loads on the male contact element 10 and improve the pushing of the male contact element 10 into the second portion 24 of the electrical connector 20 during connecting.

[0048] Within the second portion 24 contacting means 35 for electrically contacting the male contact element 10 are provided. Said contacting means 35 are provided with contact surfaces 36 protruding radially in the direction of the male contact element 10 to establish an electrical connection between the male contact element 10 and the second portion 24. As described in connection with Fig. 1 the male contact element 10 has a longitudinal extension, with a first contact region 11 and a second contact region 12, wherein the first contact region 11 is provided with a high electrical resistance and the second contact region 12 is provided with a low or no electrical resistance. The regions 11 , 12 are configured to allow the electric resistance and hence electrical conductance to change over the longitudinal extension of the male contact element 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the first region 11 of the male contact element 10 is equipped with a tip 37 formed of graphite that ensures a high resistance. The tip 37 extends into the second region 12 that has little or no resistance and allows to establish an electrical connection when the contacting means 35 come into contact with the second region 12 by moving the male contact element 10 during the connection of the first and second portion 22, 24 of the electrical connector 20.

[0049] Fig. 3 schematically depicts the process of connection a first and second portion 22, 24 of an embodiment of the electrical connector 20 according to the invention. The first, upper illustration I shows the portions 22, 24 in the released state prior to connection. The elements of the electrical connector 20 are described in connection with Fig. 2 and will not be described anew.

[0050] After the insulation body structure 23, being the first portion 22 of the electrical connector 20 and comprising the male contact element 10 is approached to the second portion 24, the protruding part of the first body part 25 mates with a circular receptable 34 formed in an edge region 35 of the second portion 24 facing the first portion 22, as depicted by illustration II. By sliding the second body part 26 towards the second portion 24 in a first direction D1 the actuating spring 30 supported on the base surface 27 of the second body part 26 is compressed. The male contact element 10 is retained in the first position 29 by the retaining means 32a adjacent to the first position 29 provided along an inner circumference 33 of the first body part 25 as depicted by illustration III.

[0051] The spring 30 is configured to be released when the protruding part of the second body part 26 abuts the circular receptable 34 formed in an edge region 35 of the second portion 24 with at the same time exceeding a defined spring tension. Once the spring 30 is released, the male contact element 10 is shifted from the first position 29 in the first body part 25 to the second position 31 and pushed into the second portion 24 thereby establishing an electrical connection as depicted by illustration IV.

[0052] While introducing the male contact element 10 in the second portion 24, the first region 11 providing a high electrical resistance contacts the electrical contacting means 35. With the male contact element 10 moving further into the second portion 24 the contacting means 35 contact the second region 12 of the male contact element 10 and electric current is linearly increased as the resistance decreases and conductance increases over the longitudinal extension of the male contact element 10. Having reached the final position in the second portion 24, the male contact element 10 is retained in the second position 31 within the first body part 25 by the retaining means 32b protruding adjacent to the second position 31.

[0053] When connecting the portions 22, 24 of the electrical connector 20 the male contact element 10 is prevented from getting stuck during the connecting process since the male contact element 10 is fitted with a spring 30 that is compressed during the insertion process and released when a certain force is reached. This ensures that the male contact element 10 is pressed fully into the second portion 24 via the spring force. The insertion process can therefore be kept constant over time and is independent of insertion speed applied by the user.

[0054] Fig. 4 schematically depicts the process of decoupling a first and second portion 22, 24 of an embodiment of the electrical connector 20 according to the invention. The first illustration I of the embodiment shows the portions 22, 24 in the connected state prior to decoupling. The elements of the electrical connector 20 are described in connection with Fig. 2 and will not be described anew.

[0055] As depicted in the second illustration II the second body part 26 is slid in the second direction D2 over the first body part 25 thereby tensioning the actuating spring 30. When a defined spring tension is exceeded, the spring 30 is released and the male contact element 10 is shifted from the second position 31 into the first position 29 within the first body part 25, thereby extracting the male contact element 10 from the second portion 24 by a spring-loaded movement, as depicted in illustration III. Once the spring 30 has been fully released, the decoupling process is complete and the male contact element 10 is fully engaged in the first portion 22, as depicted by illustration IV. The electric contact between the portions 22, 24 is interrupting.

[0056] Since the first region 11 of the male contact element 10 is configured to induce a linear or logarithmic increase of the electrical resistance and decrease in conductance, respectively, thereby inducing a linear reduction of the electric current while moving the male contact element 10 along the contacting means 35. Therefore, a modification of the first region 11 of the male contact element 10 is provides to establish the change of resistance during decoupling of the electrical connector 20. The modification of the male contact element 10 allows for the resistance increasing linear or in a logarithmic function in order to achieve a linear change in the current during the decoupling process. The resistance is approaching zero Ohm while the male contact element 10 is connected and very high (k0hm...M0hm) when the male contact element 10 is extracted and until the decoupling is completed. This allows the current to be "slowly" reduced when the male contact element 10 is extracted. The energy is not sufficient to maintain an arc. The arc extinguishes very quickly without damaging the male contact element 10 or electrical connector 20.

[0057] In all embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the female electrical contact element is depicted on the left side, while the male electrical contact element 10 is shown on the right side. It is understood that the female electrical contact element may alternatively be configured to be slidably mounted within the right-hand portion of the electrical connector, with the male electrical contact element 10 positioned in the left-hand stationary portion. Furthermore, the electrical contact element shown in Figures 1 to 4, featuring a resistive path may also be a female electrical contact element instead of the male electrical contact 10, which incorporates materials within its receiving region, particularly along the inner walls, that create a corresponding resistive path, for example similar to the previously described resistance wire or graphite coating.

[0058] Applicant: HARTING International Innovation AG

[0059] Title: Electrical contact element and electrical connector comprising an electrical contact element

[0060] Reference numerals

[0061] 10 male contact element

[0062] 11 first region

[0063] 12 second region

[0064] 13 surface

[0065] 14 elevation

[0066] 15 region

[0067] 16 surface

[0068] 17 coating

[0069] 18 wire

[0070] 19a gradient

[0071] 20 electrical connector

[0072] 21 electrical contact element

[0073] 22 first portion

[0074] 23 insulation body structure

[0075] 24 second portion

[0076] 25 first body part

[0077] 26 second body part

[0078] 27 base surface

[0079] 28a, b end

[0080] 29 first position

[0081] 30 spring

[0082] 31 second position

[0083] 32 retaining means 33 circumference

[0084] 34 receptable

[0085] 35 contacting means

[0086] 36 contact surface

[0087] 37 tip

[0088] 38 third region

[0089] D1 first direction

[0090] D2 second direction

Claims

Claims1 . Electrical connector (20) comprising an electrical contact element(21 ) for establishing an electrical connection between first portion(22) and second portion (24) of the electrical connector (20), with the electrical contact element (21) having a longitudinal extension with a first longitudinal region (11 ), a second longitudinal region (12) and third longitudinal region (38), the third longitudinal region (38) being disposed between the first longitudinal region (11 ) and second longitudinal region (12), with the first longitudinal region(11 ) having a first electrical conductance and the second longitudinal region (12) having a second electrical conductance wherein the first electrical conductance is lower than the second electrical conductance, and with the third longitudinal region (38) having a plurality of electrical conductances distributed along the longitudinal extension and which lie between the first and second electrical conductances, and wherein the first and second electrical conductances differ by at least a factor of ten, wherein the electrical connector (20) comprises a first portion (22) comprising an insulating body structure (23) and a second portion (24) connectable to the first portion (22) for establishing an electric connection, with the electrical contact element (21 ) being provided in the first portion (22) projecting through the insulating body structure (23) in a longitudinal direction of the first portion (22), wherein the insulating body structure (23) of the first portion (22) has a first body part (25) and a second body part (26) slidable over the first body part (25), with the insulating body structure (23) being arranged movable relative to the electrical contact element (21 ) and comprising a releasable actuating spring (30) supported with a first end (28a) in the second body part (26) and with a second end (28b) opposite of the first end (28a) on the electricalcontact element (21 ), wherein the actuating spring (30) can be compressed when the second body part (26) is moved in a first direction (D1 ) to connect the first portion (22) with the second portion (24) and tensioned when the second body part (26) is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction (D1 ) to release the first portion (22) from the second portion (24), wherein the electrical contact element (21 ) can be moved in the first direction (D1 ) from a first position (29) within the first body part (25) to a second position (31 ) within the first body part (25) and be pushed into the second portion (24) when the actuating spring (30) is released after a defined compression is exceeded and be moved in the second direction (D2) from the second position (31 ) within the first body part (25) to the first position (29) within the first body part (25) to be extracted from the second portion (24), when the actuating spring (30) is released after a defined tension is exceeded.

2. Electrical connector (20) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical contact element (21 ) being configured as a male contact element (10) has the first longitudinal region (11 ), the second longitudinal region (12) and the third longitudinal region (38) provided on an outer surface of the male contact element (10).

3. Electrical connector (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second electrical conductance differ by at least a factor of thousand.

4. Electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical conductance of first longitudinal region (11 ) is less than 100 mS and the electrical conductance of second longitudinal region (12) is higher than 100 S.

5. Electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a distribution of conductance along the longitudinal extension follows a linear or logarithmic function.

6. Electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact element (10) comprises a surface modification, with the surface modification being one of a graphite coating (17) and a wrapping of the contact element (10) with a resistance wire (18).

7. Electrical connector (20) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first longitudinal region (11 ) consists of or comprises graphite.

8. Electrical connector (20) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the male contact element (10) has a contact tip (37) in the first region (11 ).

9. Electrical connector (20) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical contact element (21 ) is provided in the first portion (22) or in the second portion (24).

10. Electrical connector (20) according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the first body part (25) has retaining means (32) which releasably lock the electrical contact element (21 ) in the first position (29) and the second position (31 ), respectively.11 . Electrical connector (20) according to claim 10, wherein the retaining means (32) are formed as radial projections on an inner circumference (33) of the first body part (25).

12. Electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the electrical contact element (21 ) has a radially projecting area that engages with the retaining means (32).

13. Electrical connector (20) according to claim 12, wherein the spring (30) is supported on the radially projecting area.

14. Electrical connector (20) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second portion (24) is configured slidable over the first body part (25) of the first portion (22) projecting through the insulating body structure (23) of the first portion (22) in a longitudinal direction.

15. Electrical connector (20) according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second portion (24) comprises contacting means (35) for electrically contacting the male contact element (10), the contacting means (35) having contact surfaces (36) protruding radially in the direction of the male contact element (10).

16. Method of coupling an electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the first body part (25) and the second portion (24), b) sliding the second body part (26) in the first direction (D1 ) over the first body part (25) towards the second portion (24) and compressing the actuating spring (30), c) releasing the actuating spring (30) when a defined spring compression is exceeded, d) moving the electrical contact element (21 ) from a first position (29) to a second position (31 ) in the first body part(25) thereby pushing the electrical contact element (21 ) into the second portion (24) by a spring-loaded movement, e) establishing an electrical contact in the electrical connector (20).

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein during step d) a contact with the first region (11 ) of the electrical contact element (21 ) is established and while moving along the electrical contact element (21 ) over the third region (38) to arrive at the second region (12) the electric conductance is increased.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first region (11 ), the second region (12) and the third region (38) of the electrical contact element (10) is configured to increase the electrical conductance following a linear or logarithmic function while moving.

19. Method of decoupling an electrical connector (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the steps of: a) sliding the first body part (25) in the second direction (D2) over the second body part (26) and tensioning the actuating spring (30), b) releasing the actuating spring (30) when a defined spring tension is exceeded, c) moving the electrical contact element (21 ) from the second position (31) to the first position (29) in the first body part (25) thereby extracting the electrical contact element (21 ) from the second portion (24) by a spring-loaded movement, d) interrupting the electrical contact in the electrical connector (20).

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein during step c) a contact between with the second region (11 ) of the electrical contact element (21 ) is released and while moving along the electrical contact element (21 ) along the third region (38) to arrive at the first region (12) the electric conductance is decreased.21 . Method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the electrical contact element (10) is configured to decrease of the electrical conductance while moving, with the decrease following a linear or logarithmic function.

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