CONTACT DEVICE

The invention relates to an electrical contact dev ice, in particular a socket contact device, for an electrical and or electronic interface in the automotive sector, preferably in the passenger vehicle sector. Furthermore, the invention relates to an installation, a device, a connector, a plug type connector, a module or an apparatus for electrical, electronic or optoeiectricai applications, particularly in the automotive sector.

In electronics and electrical engineering, there are known a large number of electrical contact devices, for example, socket contact devices or flat insertion sleeves, which serve to transmit electrical currents, electrical voltages and/or electrical signals with the greatest possible range of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In particular in the automotive sector, such contact devices must briefly or permanently ensure correct transmission of electrical power, electrical signals and or data under dirty, damp and/or chemically aggressive conditions. Owing to a large range of applications for contact devices, a large number of specially constructed contact devices are know n.

Such contact devices or the contact housings thereof may be assembled on an electrical line, a cable, a cable harness or on/in an electrical installation of an electrical, electronic or electro-optical apparatus. If the contact dev ice is located on a line or a cable, it is usually referred to as a (floating) plug type and/or socket connector, or a connector or a coupling; i f the contact device is located on/in an electrical or electronic installation, it is usually referred to as a flush type contact installation or a flush type socket.

When an electrical and mechanical contact cage of a contact dev ice is provided w ith an electrical counter-contact device, an introduction opening of the contact device is often not located with the result that the counter-contact device can be moved forwards into a receiving space of the contact cage without comparatively great resistance. In the ideal reverse case, the counter-contact device must be moved forwards into the contact cage only counter to a force of the electrically contacting contact blades or contact springs. In the case of insertion of the counter-contact device into the contact cage in a manner angled with respect to the insertion direction, this may lead to plastic deformation of a contact blade which may result in the electrical and mechanical failure of the contact dev ice, where applicable also only with subsequent use of the contact device.

An object of the inv ention is to provide an improved electrical contact device, in particular an improved socket contact dev ice. In this instance, the contact dev ice and/or the contact blades thereof, ev en in the event of introduction of a counter-contact dev ice into the contact device in a manner which is comparativ ely highly angled with respect to an insertion direction and/or when comparativ ely high or inadmissibly high insertion forces are used, are not plastically deformed or only slightly plastically deformed in order to provide a permanently durable contact device which can also be contacted many times. Another object of the inv ention is to prov ide a device, an installation, a connector, a plug type connector, a module or an apparatus for electrical, electronic or optoelectrical applications, in particular in the automotiv e sector.

The object of the inv ention is achieved by means of an electrical contact device, in particular a socket contact device, for an electrical and or electronic interface in the automotive sector, preferably in the passenger v ehicle sector, according to claim 1 ; and by means of an installation, a device, a connector, a plug type connector, a module or an apparatus for electrical, electronic or optoelectrical applications, particularly in the automotive sector according to claim 1 2. Advantageous developments, additional features and/or adv antages of the inv ention w ill be appreciated from the dependent claims and the following description.

The contact dev ice comprises an electrical contact installation and a mechanical overextension protection dev ice for prev enting plastic deformation and or damage to the contact installation when the contact dev ice is connected to an electrical counter-contact device, or mechanical loads produced as a result of a static/dynamic influence, such as v ibrations or mechanical shocks, in the state already connected. In this instance, the contact installation and the overextension protection dev ice associated therewith are provided in a state offset relative to each other and/or beside each other with respect to a wall of the contact dev ice. The contact installation which is associated w ith the overextension protection device is preferably prov ided directly adjacent to the relev ant wall, with an adequate resilient path being provided, and the overextension protection device is preferably formed on this wall. In this instance, the contact installation and the associated overextension protection dev ice are provided at/on an inner side of an individual wall.

The contact device is constructed in such a manner that, when the counter-contact device is inserted into the contact dev ice, the overextension protection dev ice shields the contact installation with respect to excessive deformations, for which purpose the overextension protection dev ice is "in the way" of the counter-contact dev ice. When the counter-contact dev ice is inserted further, the overextension protection dev ice guides the counter-contact dev ice in the desired insertion direction, that is to say, it orientates the counter-contact device with respect to the contact device. This is also effective w ith static/dynamic influences, such as, for example, mechanical loads caused by v ibrations or mechanical shocks in the state already inserted.

In preferred embodiments of the inv ention, the contact installation has one or more electrical contact blades and/or one or more electrical contact springs. Furthermore, the overextension protection device has at least one or a plurality of material portions or material regions which protrude from the wall and which are preferably constructed as ramps, projections, blocks or beads. The overextension protection device or a material portion at the front in the insertion direction preferably has an inclined centering member for the counter-contact device, as is the case, for example, with ramps. In this instance, the contact installation and the associated ov erextension protection device may be provided directly adjacent to each other and or so as to engage one inside the other.

The contact installation may be constructed substantially as a comb which is bent into the contact device, the inner longitudinal end portions of the contact blades being constructed so as to be open and or connected to each other. Furthermore, the overextension protection device may be constructed as a register or parallel arrangement of the material portions, the material portions preferably being spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal and or transverse direction of the contact device. In this instance, from a free longitudinal end of the contact dev ice, a contact installation may be arranged and or partially arranged upstream of an associated overextension protection device. According to the invention, the contact installation and the overextension protection device associated therewith or the common arrangement thereof may be provided on an upper, side or lower wall of the contact device, it naturally also being possible to provide more than one such arrangement. Preferably, two such arrangements are located on/ in an indiv idual contact installation, the two arrangements preferably being opposite each other on an upper and lower wail in particular inside the contact installation. The respective contact installation and/or the respective overextension protection device or the respective longitudinal extent thereof is preferably provided substantially parallel with respect to the relevant wall. In this instance, an internal outer side of the overextension protection device is preferably constructed substantially parallel with respect to the relevant wall.

A contact installation or an individual contact blade has at least partially, in particular with at least one electrical contact projection, a greater spacing from an inner side of the associated wall than a relevant region of the associated overextension protection device or the entire overextension protection device. Other regions of the contact installation or the contact blade may be located therebeiow. It is naturally also possible to provide substantially the entire contact installation or the entire contact blade above the overextension protection device or a relevant material portion.

A height of the overextension protection device or the relevant material portion above the associated wail is selected in such a manner that the contact installation or the relevant contact blade thereof cannot be plastically deformed by the counter-contact dev ice. In this instance, the contact device is preferably configured in such a manner that the overextension protection device is plastically deformed rather than the associated contact installation or the relev ant contact blade thereof, in this instance, the contact blades of the contact installation are accordingly "concealed" in front of, behind or between the material portions of the overextension protection device.

In preferred embodiments of the inv ention, the contact dev ice has two or a plurality of contact installations and, in a manner associated therewith, in a corresponding and/or complementary manner, two or a corresponding plural ity of ov erextension protection devices. In this instance, the contact device may be constructed in such a manner that, when it is connected to the counter-contact device, the contact installation which is associated with a wall can cooperate with an overextension protection device provided on this wall. Furthermore, the contact installation which is associated with a wall may be able to cooperate with an overextension protection dev ice which is opposite and or adjacent thereto in a corresponding and/or complementary manner. Furthermore, the contact installations or overextension protection dev ices of two walls which are prov ided opposite and or adjacent to each other may be able to cooperate.

The term "complementary" in this context is intended to be understood to mean that a material portion of a wall interacts with a contact blade of the wall which is preferably directly opposite or adjacent thereto when the counter-contact device is inserted into the contact dev ice via the counter-contact dev ice. Accordingly, the term "corresponding" in this context is intended to mean that a contact blade of a wall thereby interacts with a contact blade of the wall which is preferably directly opposite or adjacent thereto when the counter-contact device is inserted; this can naturally also be applied to overextension protection devices which are constructed on opposing or adjacent walls.

The contact installation may hav e a plurality of contact blades which are arranged substantially parallel with each other and/or which extend in a parallel manner, the contact blades or a plurality of contact blades being arranged relative to each other preferably with substantially the same spacing. Furthermore, the contact blades or the plurality of contact blades may be constructed to be the same length and or of different lengths, contact blades which have the same lengths preferably being configured in a substantially identical manner.

The overextension protection device may have a plurality of material portions which are arranged substantially parallel with each other and or which extend in a parallel manner, the material portions or a plurality of material portions being arranged relative to each other preferably with substantially the same spacing. Furthermore, the material portions or the plurality of material portions are constructed to be of the same length and or of different lengths, material portions which hav e the same length preferably being configured in a substantially identical manner. In preferred embodiments of the inv ention, the contact dev ice comprises a mechanoelectrical first contact means and an electromechanical second contact means. That is to say, the tasks of electrical contacting and mechanical accommodation of the counter-contact device are carried out partially separately from each other in the contact device. In this instance, the contact installation is provided and/or constructed on/in the electromechanical contact means, and the overextension protection device is constructed and or provided on/in the mechanoelectrical contact means. Furthermore, the el e c t ro m ec h a n i c a 1 contact means can be prov ided and or is provided, in particular can be secured and/or is secured, preferably separately from the mechanoelectrical contact means.

In one embodiment of the invention, a single contact installation has a plurality of comparatively short contact blades, which are arranged upstream of the associated overextension protection dev ice in the insertion direction of the counter-contact device. In this instance, the contact blades may substantially be in alignment with the material portions of the associated overextension protection dev ice, in particular two mutually opposing arrangements of a contact installation being provided or configured with an associated overextension protection device. A mutual position of the arrangements is preferably central relative to each other, in particular with an identical number of contact blades and material portions being provided in each case.

In one embodiment of the invention, an indiv idual contact installation has two or a plurality of contact blades of different lengths, which are arranged upstream of and/or beside the associated material portions of the overextension protection device in the insertion direction of the counter-contact device. In this instance, in particular two mutually opposing arrangements of a contact installation are provided or configured with an associated overextension protection device. In the case of two arrangements, the first arrangement is preferably constructed to be di fferent with respect to the second arrangement and in particular constructed in a partially complementary and/or partially corresponding manner and in particular orientated in a central manner.

In one embodiment of the invention, an individual contact installation has a plurality of comparatively long contact blades which are arranged beside the associated material portions of the ov erextension protection dev ice. In this instance, in particular two mutually opposing arrangements of a contact installation are provided or configured with an associated overextension protection device. In the case of two arrangements, the first arrangement is preferably constructed to be different with respect to the second arrangement and in particular constructed in a partially complementary and or partially corresponding manner and in particular orientated in a central manner.

In embodiments of the inv ention, the contact device may be constructed in two pieces (for example, contact installation provided in a housing), so as to be closed in several pieces, integrally, in one piece, in a materially integral manner or integrally. In particular, it is possible to have an integral v ariant with respect to one with two contact means which are separate but secured to each other. In the case of a multi-component construction of the contact means, the mcchanoelcctrical contact means is welded to the electromechancial contact means, in particular by means of a laser welding point, to form an integral contact device. For engagement in a contact chamber of a contact housing, the contact dev ice may have at least one catch dev ice. For this purpose, the electromechanical contact means preferably has, at each of the two mutually opposing sides, a catch device, which are preferably constructed as catch projections or catch flaps.

According to the invention, an installation, a dev ice, a connector, a plug type connector, a module or an apparatus for electrical, electronic or optoelectrical applications may hav e an electrical contact dev ice according to the inv ention. In this instance, a contact housing of the contact dev ice for insertion of a counter-contact dev ice, in particular a flat insertion dev ice, in an insertion direction, may hav e an insertion portion having a particularly completely peripheral inclined insertion member.

According to the invention, a plastic deformation and/or damage of a contact blade or a contact spring is effectively prevented since the relev ant contact blades are provided in a state protected in front of or beside the material portions of the overextension protection device according to the inv ention. Since the material portions can be constructed in a substantially more robust manner than the contact blades, a plastic deformation of a contact blade is prevented in an effective manner. Consequently, ev en in the event of comparativ ely highly angled insertion of the counter-contact device into the contact device with respect to the insertion direction and/or when great insertion forces are applied, plastic deformation of the contact blades is reliably prevented in an effective manner in all possible insertion directions.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments and the appended drawings. In the detailed Figures:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of an electrical contact device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a laterally sectioned electrical contact cage of the contact device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective front view of a mechanoelectrical contact means of the contact dev ice of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective front and side view of a laterally sectioned electromechanical contact means of the contact device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of the contact device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective side view of a laterally sectioned contact cage of the contact dev ice of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a perspective front view of a mechanolectrical contact means of the contact device of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective front and side view of a laterally sectioned electromechanical contact means of the contact dev ice of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a perspective front view of a third embodiment of the contact device according to the invention,

Figure 10 is a perspective side view of a laterally sectioned contact cage of the contact device of Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective front view of a mechanolectrical contact means of the contact dev ice of Figure 9;

Figure 1 2 is a perspective front and side view of a laterally sectioned electromechanical contact means of the contact device of Figure 9; and Figure 13 is a perspective side and laterally sectioned perspective view of a contact dev ice mounted in a contact housing according to Figure 5, after a counter-contact device has been inserted into the contact device.

The inv ention is explained in greater detail below with reference to three embodiments of electrical socket contact devices according to the invention. The invention can be used in all small, medium and large socket contact devices which are intended in particular for medium and low-current or medium and low-voltage applications. In particular, the inv ention can be used in the field of electromobility. preferably in the automotive sector and in particular in the passenger vehicle sector. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated and the applications described, but instead can be used in the form of a general electrical contact device, in particular a crimp contact device, wherever electrical contacting is intended to be produced between a contact device and an electrical counter-contact device.

With reference to Figures 1 to 12, the common features of the three embodiments illustrated will first be explained in greater detail and subsequently the three embodiments w ill be described in greater detail. According to the inv ention, a contact device 1 comprises two components which are secured to each other, a mechanoelectrical first contact means

10 (see in particular Figure 3) and an electromechanical second contact means 20. The term mechanoelectrical is intended in this context to be understood to mean that the first contact means, when electrically contacting the contact device 1 with a counter-contact device 2 (see Figure 13), firstly has mechanical purposes and secondly has electrical purposes. The same applies to the second contact means 20 (see in particular Figure 4) which firstly has electrical purposes and only secondly has mechanical purposes.

It is naturally also possible to construct this in a transposed manner so that the first contact means 10, which enables further electrical contacting of the contact device 1 , is constructed as an electromechanical contact means 10 and the second contact means 20 is constructed as a mechanoelectrical contact means 20. In both cases, the contact device 1 is constructed in two pieces or with two members, the second contact means 20 being secured to the first contact means 10. It is further possible to produce both contact means 10, 20 in a materially integral or integral component (not illustrated in the drawings). When viewed from the front, that is to say, in an insertion direction S of the counter- contact device 2, the first contact means 10 has a mechanical and electrical contact region 1 1, adjacent thereto a transition portion 12 and in turn adjacent thereto an electrical and mechanical connection region 13 for an electrical cable or an electrical line (both not illustrated in the drawings). The connection region 13 may be constructed as a crimp region 1 3 hav ing an electrical crimp portion 14 and an insulation crimp portion 15. Furthermore, it is naturally possible to construct the connection region 13 in such a manner that a strand of a cable can be soldered or welded thereto. The counter-contact device 2 is preferably constructed as a flat insertion device, a flat connector, a tab, a faston tab, etcetera.

The contact region 1 1 of the first contact means 10 and an electrical and mechanical contact region 21 of the second contact means 20 form in the contact device 1 an electrical and mechanical contact cage 30 or contact casing 30 which internally has a receiving space 32 for the counter-contact device 2. The contact casing 30 can be divided internally into a front contact portion 100 and a rear contact portion 104, a completely front contact portion of the contact dev ice 1 being formed by the first contact means 1 0 which is constructed in a substantially nozzle-like manner in this instance and the second contact means 20 which is in this instance substantially closed in a peripheral direction about a longitudinal axis L of the contact device 1 .

The nozzle-like front contact portion 100 is formed in this instance by two walls 1 10, 130 which are constructed separately from each other, a substantially tongue-like upper wall 1 10 and a substantially similarly tongue-like lower wall 1 20 which are both preferably constructed so as to protrude forwards on the first contact means 10. This arrangement is adjoined in the insertion direction S in the peripheral direction with respect to the longitudinal axis L by the substantially closed rear contact portion 104. In this instance, the first contact means 10 has four walls 1 10, 120, 130, 140, the upper wall 1 10, a side wall 120, the lower wall 130 and a side wall 140. In a lower region (with reference to Figures 1 to 3), the rear contact portion 104 merges into the transition portion 1 2 of the contact dev ice 1 . In a state connected to the front of the upper wall 1 10 and lower wall 130 of the rear contact portion 104, the upper wall 1 10 and lower wail 130 of the front contact portion 100 are provided. Via these two front walls 1 10, 130, the second contact means 20 is pushed on the first contact means 10 in an assembly state. The lateral walls 120, 140 of the first contact means 10 are constructed so as to be comparatively short with respect to the upper wail 1 10 and lower wail 130. The second contact means 20 is preferably constructed so as to be closed in a front region in the peripheral direction about the longitudinal axis L and open at a free longitudinal end 201 so that the counter-contact device 2 can be moved forwards into the contact device 1.

The front region of the second contact means 20 has four walls 210, 220, 230 240. an upper wall 210, a side w all 220, a lower wall 230 and a side wall 240 which are preferably all constructed so as to have substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction L. In particular the upper wall 2 10 and the lower wall 230 are preferably each adjoined at the rear in the insertion direction S by an assembly portion 215, 235 of the second contact means 20, by means of which the second contact means 20 can be secured to the first contact means 10. For this purpose, each assembly portion 215, 235 has at least one assembly flap 216, 236, preferably at the side. In particular at both transverse end portions of the relevant assembly portion 2 15. 235, extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective assembly portion 2 1 5, 235. an assembly flap 2 16, 236 is formed.

In the assembly position of the second contact means 20 on the first contact means 10, the respective assembly flap 216, 236 engages in recesses 106 provided in the rear contact portion 104 of the first contact means 10, in particular through-recesses 106. Furthermore, in particular the assembly portion 2 1 5 associated with the upper wall 2 10 has a recess 2 14 for welding the second contact means 20 to the first contact means 10. In this instance, there is used in particular a laser welding method which connects an inner surface of the recess 214 of the second contact means 20 to an outer surface of the upper wail 1 10 of the first contact means 10 in a materially integral manner. It is naturally possible to provide the recess 214 for the welding at any other suitable location, for example, on the assembly portion 235 formed on the lower wall 230. Furthermore, the second contact means 20 preferably has on the upper wall 2 10 and lower wall 230 a catch dev ice 2 12, 242 by means of which the second contact means 20 and consequently also the contact device 1 can be engaged in a contact chamber 40 of a contact housing 4 (see Figure 1 3 ). The contact chamber 40 has catch devices 44 which are suitable for this, in particular catch shoulders 44, catch projections 44 or catch recesses, whereas the catch device 2 1 2, 242 is constructed in a complementary manner thereto. The catch devices 212, 242 of the second contact means 20 are preferably constructed as catch projections 2 12, 242, catch shoulders 2 12, 242, catch springs, locking lances, etc. It is further preferable for all the relevant external outer sides of the walls 1 10. 2 10; 1 20, 220; 130, 230; 140, 240 of the first contact means 10 and second contact means 20 to be located substantially in one plane.

Furthermore, the second contact means 20 preferably has a polarising or encoding dev ice 238, in particular a polarising flap 238 or an encoding flap 238. This device 238 is used for correctly orientated assembly of the contact device 1 in a contact chamber 40 which is preferably suitable only for such contact devices 1 and which has a device (not illustrated in the drawings) which complements the device 238. The polarising or encoding dev ice 238 can naturally also be provided or constructed at any other location of the contact dev ice 1 . Furthermore, the second contact means 20 may preferably be closed at a side wall 140 by means of complementary dovetail regions which can be secured to each other, for example, in a materially integral manner by means of a welding point, in particular a laser welding point (not illustrated in the drawings).

Within the contact cage 30 of the contact dev ice 1 , according to the invention at least one arrangement 150, 250 of an electrical contact installation 250 of the second contact means 20 is provided with a mechanical overextension protection dev ice 1 50 of the first contact means 20 associated therewith. In this instance, the contact installation 250 and the overextension protection device 1 50 only secondly perform a mechanical or electrical function. In the case of an integral contact device 1 , the contact installation 250 and the overextension protection device 150 are constructed together on the same component in a materially integral manner. According to the invention, on an individual inner wall or inner side of the contact device 1 or the contact cage 30, the contact installation 250 and the overextension protection dev ice 150 associated therewith are preferably provided directly adjacent to each other with respect to an extent H, L, S of this inner wall.

According to the invention, the contact installation 250 and the associated overextension protection system 1 50 are constructed in such a manner and or arranged in such a manner with respect to each other that the overextension protection device 150 protects the contact installation 250 from excessive mechanical loading when the counter-contact device 2 is inserted into the contact device 1 , that is to say, protects it from plastic deformation or damage. To this end, the overextension protection device 150 is constructed so as to be more rigid than the contact installation 250 at least in a relevant region. The overextension protection device 150 in this instance is provided with respect to the contact installation 250 in such a manner that the ov erextension protection device 1 50 stands in the way of the counter-contact dev ice 2 to be inserted as soon as it excessively mechanically loads the contact installation 250.

A corresponding stop of the overextension protection device 1 50 is arranged in the contact cage 30 in such a manner that it prev ents the counter-contact device 2 from penetrating into the contact cage 30 in such a manner that the counter-contact dev ice 2 plastically deforms the contact installation 250. That is to say, the overextension protection device 150 is constructed in such a manner that it is at least provided where the counter-contact device 30 could penetrate into a region of the contact cage 30, in which the contact installation 250 would no longer only resiliently bend but would also become plastically deformed. The stops of the overextension protection device 150 are provided in such a manner that a distance between the stops inside the contact cage 30 is adapted to a resilient characteristic of the contact installation 250 and or to a size and or shape of the counter- contact dev ice 2.

To this end, the contact installation 250 and the associated overextension protection device 1 50 are provided with respect to the relev ant inner wall so as to be adjacent to each other, in close mutual abutment, adjoining each other, opposite each other, located next to each other and or one behind the other. That is to say, with respect to an indiv idual wall 1 1 0,

120, 130, 140; 210, 220, 230, 240, the contact installation 250 is arranged at least partially beside, between and/or opposite the overextension protection device 150, the contact installation 250 being able to be partially embedded in the overextension protection dev ice 1 50 and/or arranged with respect to this individual wall 1 10, 120, 130, 140; 210, 220, 230, 240 in a complementary manner (Figures 5 and 9) and/or corresponding manner ( Figures 2,

5).

In this instance, it is preferable for the contact installation 250 to at least partially have, in particular with an electrical contact projection 254, from an inner side of the associated wall 1 10, 1 20, 130, 140; 2 10, 220, 230, 240, a greater spacing than a relevant region 154 of the associated overextension protection device 1 50. Such a region 154 is in particular an outer side 154 of the overextension protection device 150 that is located inside the contact device 1. If the counter-contact device 2 is now inserted (correctly) into the contact device 1 , the counter-contact device 2 compresses the contact projections 254 and also the corresponding portions of the contact installation 250 further in the direction towards the associated wall 1 10, 120, 130, 140; 210, 220, 230, 240, portions of the contact installation 250 being arranged further inwards between the overextension protection device 15.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, an individual contact installation 250 has at least one contact blade 252 and or at least one contact spring 252. there being provided in particular a number or plurality of contact blades 252 and or contact springs 252. The contact blades 252 are preferably arranged in a parallel manner beside each other and extend from a free front longitudinal end portion of the second contact means 20 in particular over a mainly 180° curve into the receiving space 32 of the contact cage 30. Inside the contact cage 30, all the contact blades 252 preferably initially have a substantially identical path. In this instance, all the contact blades 252 may be constructed so as to have the same length, or one or a plurality of contact blades 252 may also be constructed so as to be shorter. The comparatively long contact blades 252 may be connected to each other at the inner longitudinal end portions thereof, in particular constructed so as to be integral with each other. Furthermore, both the comparatively short and the comparatively long contact blades 252 preferably have an identical path partially and/or with respect to each other.

The contact blades 252 of the contact installation 250 are preferably provided beside each other with the same spacing. However, the contact installation 250 may further be constructed in such a manner that a plurality of contact blades 252 are arranged parallel with respect to a plurality of other contact blades 252. In such a case, at least two contact blades 252 of an individual contact installation 250 have a different spacing with respect to each other from that of two other contact blades 252 of the same contact installation 250. A generally or partially different spacing can naturally also be used (not illustrated in the drawings). Furthermore, the front insertion zone of the contact installation 250 is chamfered or preferably constructed so as to be rounded by means of the curves of the contact blades 252, which enables simple insertion of the counter-contact device 2 with little force whilst preventing damage to the contact blades 252 and. or the counter-contact device 2.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a single overextension protection device 150 has at least one material portion 152 and/or at least one material region 152 of the first contact means 1 , in particular a number or a plural ity of material portions 1 52 and/or material regions 1 52 being provided. The material portions 1 52 are constructed in particular as ramps 1 52, projections 152, blocks 1 52, beads 1 52, etcetera, which preferably hav e an inclined centering member 156 for the counter-contact dev ice 2 at the front in the insertion direction S. When the counter-contact device 2 is moved forwards into the receiv ing space 32, initially the inclined centering members 156 and subsequently the internal outer sides 1 54 of the material portions 1 52 guide the counter-contact dev ice 2. Furthermore, the counter-contact dev ice 2 can be guided by the inner sides of the side walls 220, 240 of the second contact means 20.

A single overextension protection dev ice 1 50 or the material portions 1 52 of a wall 1 1 0, 1 20, 130, 140 is/are preferably constructed completely inside the contact cage 30 on the associated w all 1 10, 120. 1 30. 140, in particular in an integral manner. An individual material portion 1 52 is preferably constructed in the longitudinal direction I. as a bead 1 52 or ramp 1 52 which extends linearly inside the receiving space 32, the internal outer side 1 54 preferably being located parallel with the associated wall 1 1 0, 1 20, 1 30, 140; 2 10. 220, 230, 240. The material portions 1 52. depending on an embodiment of the contact blades 252 of the associated contact installation 250, are preferably prov ided parallel and preferably with the same spacing with respect to each other. It is naturally possible to vary the spacing* between the material portions 152 and optionally even to provide no parallel material portions 152. Depending on an application of comparatively long contact blades 252 and short contact blades 252 of the associated contact installation 250. the material portions 1 52 which protrude from the associated wall 1 10, 120, 130, 140; 2 10, 220, 230, 240 may be arranged so as to be offset in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the internal outer sides 1 54 of the material portions 152, optionally with the inner sides of the side wails 220, 240 of the second contact means 20, define a substantially parallelepipedal space in which the counter-contact dev ice 2 can be placed. In this instance, the defined space is approximately as large as or slightly larger in terms of its relevant dimensions than the relevant dimensions of the counter-contact device 2.

Since the first contact means 1 0 and the second contact means 20 are preferably punched from a metal sheet with constant thickness and bent straight, the contact blades 252 hav e, in the region of their contact projections 254, curv es which could be bent when the counter-contact device 2 is inserted into the contact device 1 . In order to prevent this, the first contact means 10 preferably has, at a corresponding location, a suitable support 1 14. 1 34. whose inwardly facing contour is adapted substantially to the opposite, outwardly facing contour of the contact projections 254. Preferably, such a support 1 14, 1 34 is a bead 1 14, 134, in particular a transverse bead 1 14, 1 34, in the corresponding wall 1 1 0, 120. 1 30. 140 of the first contact means 10. In an intermediate region between the contact projections 254 and a rear central portion, the contact blades 252 are preferably constructed so as to extend in a linear manner.

The first embodiment of the inv ention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 will be described in greater detail below. The first embodiment of the contact dev ice 1 has two mutually opposing congruent or identical arrangements 1 50, 250 of a contact installation 250 with an associated ov erextension protection dev ice 1 50. one arrangement 1 50, 250 being provided on the upper wall 1 10. 2 10 and the other arrangement 1 50. 250 being prov ided on the lower wall 130, 230. In this instance, both arrangements 1 50, 250 are provided directly opposite each other, the individual elements opposite each other on the upper wall 1 10, 2 1 0 and lower wall 1 30, 230, that is to say, the material portions 1 52, on the one hand, and the contact blades 252, on the other hand, being in alignment in a vertical direction H of the contact device 1.

For each arrangement there are provided preferably five comparatively short contact blades 252 which extend ov er a curv e in a parallel manner and with the same spacing with respect to each other and so as to extend in an identical manner from the free end portion 201 of the second contact means 20 in an inward direction into the contact cage 30. A different number of contact blades 252 and consequently associated material portions 152 can naturally be used. Inside the contact cage 30, the contact blades 252 preferably each have a contact projection 254 in a central region. An internal free end of the respectiv e contact blades 252 of a contact installation 250 is adjoined in a directly adjacent manner by the associated material portions 152 of the associated overextension protection device 150. In this instance, the contact blades 252 are in alignment with the material portions 1 52 in the longitudinal direction L of the contact device 1.

The material portions 152 of an individual overextension protection device 150 may also be assembled to form a single material portion 1 52. Furthermore, the contact blades 252 and/or material portions 152 which are associated with each other (with respect to a single wall 1 10, 1 20, 1 30, 140, 2 10, 220, 230, 240) or which correspond (with respect to opposing or adjacent walls 1 10, 120, 130, 140, 210, 220, 230, 240) may be provided so as to be offset from each other. Different lengths and/or widths of the contact blades 252 and/or material portions 1 52 can also naturally be used, an arrangement of the contact blades 252 and/or the material portions 1 52 which is offset in a longitudinal direction L being able to be produced (see Figures 5 to 8). Furthermore, a contact blade 252 may naturally hav e more than only one contact projection 254 (all of which is not illustrated in the drawings).

The second embodiment of the inv ention illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 w ill be explained in greater detail below . The second embodiment of the contact dev ice 1 has two mutually opposing different or dissimilar arrangements 150, 250 of a contact installation 250 having an associated overextension protection dev ice 1 50, one arrangement 1 50, 250 being prov ided on the upper wall 1 10. 2 10 and the other arrangement 1 50, 250 being provided on the lower wall 1 30, 230. In this instance, the two arrangements 1 50, 250 are provided directly opposite each other, the individual elements which are located opposite each other on the upper wall 1 10, 2 10 and the lower wall 130, 230 being in alignment in a vertical direction H of the contact dev ice 1 , that is to say, material portions 152 w ith contact blades 252 and contact blades 252 w ith contact blades 252, and optionally material portions 1 52 w ith material portions 1 52. However, an optionally partially offset arrangement of the elements is naturally also possible (not illustrated in the drawings).

The arrangement 150, 250 of the contact installation 250 which is associated with the lower wall 1 30, 230 and which has the associated overextension protection device 1 50 has. laterally from the outer side: first, a comparatively long material portion 1 52. beside this a comparativ ely long contact blade 252. in turn beside this in a front region a comparatively short contact blade 252 and in a rear region a comparativ ely short material portion 1 52. in turn beside this a comparativ ely long contact blade 252 and again in turn beside this a comparativ ely long material portion 1 52.

The arrangement 1 50, 250 of the contact installation 250 which is associated with the upper wall 1 10. 2 10 and which has the associated overextension protection dev ice 1 50 has, laterally from the outer side: first, a comparativ ely long contact blade 252. in turn beside this in a front region a comparatively short contact blade 252 and in a rear region a comparativ ely short material portion 1 52, in turn beside this a comparativ ely long contact blade 252 and again in turn beside this in a front region a comparatively short contact blade 252 and in a rear region a comparativ ely short material portion 1 52 and in turn again beside this a comparativ ely long contact blade 252.

The associated elements are in turn preferably arranged parallel and substantially w ith the same spacing relativ e to each other. Furthermore, it is naturally also possible to use a different number of contact blades 252 and/or material portions 1 52 than that illustrated. Within the contact cage 30. the comparativ ely short contact blades 252 preferably each have a contact projection 254 in a central region. The comparativ ely long contact blades 252 preferably hav e in a front central portion two contact projections 254. the front one of the contact projections 254 being able to be opposite a contact projection 254 of a comparativ ely short contact blade 252. Other combinations of alternating short and/or long contact blades 252, short and/or long material portions 152 and/or short contact blades 252 material portions 152, with contact blades 252, material portions 152 and short contact blades 252/material portions 152 may naturally be used. Furthermore, the mutually associated, corresponding or complementary contact blades 252 and/or material portions 152 may be provided in a state offset relative to each other. Different widths of the contact blades 252 and/or the material portions 152 can also naturally be used again (all of which is not illustrated in the drawings).

The third embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 to 12 will be explained in greater detail below. The third embodiment of the contact device 1 has two mutually opposing different or dissimilar but preferably complementary arrangements 150, 250 of a contact installation 250 with an associated overextension protection device 150, one arrangement 150, 250 being provided on the upper wall 1 10, 210 and the other arrangement 150, 250 being provided on the lower wail 130, 230. In this instance, the two arrangements 150, 250 are provided directly opposite each other, the individual opposing elements being in alignment with each other in the vertical direction H of the contact device 1 on the upper wall 1 10, 210 and lower wall 130, 230, that is to say, material portions 152 with contact blades 252 and contact blades 252 with material portions 152. However, an optionally partially offset arrangement of the elements is naturally also possible (not illustrated in the drawings).

The arrangement 150, 250 of the contact installation 250 which is associated with the lower wail 130, 230 and which has the associated overextension protection device 150 has, laterally from the outer side: first, a comparatively long material portion 152, beside this a comparatively long contact blade 252, in turn beside this a comparatively long material portion 152, in turn beside this a comparatively long contact blade 252 and again in turn beside this a comparatively long material portion 152.

The arrangement 150, 250 of the contact installation 250 which is associated with the lower wall 1 10, 210 and which has the associated overextension protection device 150 is constructed in a complementary manner and has, laterally from the outer side: first, a comparatively long contact blade 252, beside this a comparatively long material portion 152, in turn beside this a comparatively long contact blade 252, again in turn beside this a comparatively long material portion 152 and again in turn beside this a comparatively long contact blade 252.

The associated elements are in turn preferably arranged parallel and substantially with the same spacing relative to each other. Furthermore, it is naturally possible to use a different number of contact blades 252 and/or material portions 152 from that illustrated. Within the contact cage 30, comparatively long contact blades 252 hav e two contact projections 254 in a front central portion. Other combinations of alternating contact blades 252 and or material portions 1 52 can naturally be used. Furthermore, the mutually associated or complementary contact blades 252 and/or material portions 1 52 may be provided in a state offset relative to each other. Different widths of the contact blades 252 and/or the material portions 1 52 can also naturally be used again (not illustrated in the draw ings).

The contact dev ice 1 according to the invention may be prov ided in a contact chamber 40 of a contact housing 2, see Figure 13. The contact chamber 40 and consequently the contact dev ice 1 and the contact cage 30 thereof is accessible v ia an introduction opening 42 for the counter-contact dev ice 2. The contact housing 2 may in this instance, in a region of the insertion opening 42, have an introduction portion 400 with a particularly completely peripheral inclined insertion member 402, which centres the counter-contact device 2 during insertion and. ow ing to its extent in the longitudinal direction L, prevents excessively angled insertion of the counter-contact dev ice 2 into the contact device 1 .

In a rear region, a contact blade 252 may hav e a curve or a projection which extends in the direction of the relevant wall 1 10, 1 20, 1 30, 140. This curve serves to support the contact blade 252 with the curve on the relevant wall 1 10, 1 20, 130, 140 when the counter-contact device 2 is inserted into the contact dev ice 1 , a contact normal force increasing in an insertion position.