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Title:
ELECTRICAL PLUG WITH A PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR CONTACT AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR CONNECTOR ELEMENT FORMED INTEGRALLY THEREWITH FOR GROUNDING EXTERIOR PARTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/234043
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electrical plug (1) with a plug housing (2), which comprises a first housing exterior part (3) metallic at least in certain areas and a separate second housing exterior part (4) metallic at least in certain areas, wherein the electrical plug (1) comprises a protective conductor contact (28), which is arranged in the plug housing (2), and comprises a protective conductor connector element (34), which is arranged in the plug housing (2) and is connected to the protective conductor contact (28) and at least one housing exterior part (3, 4) for establishing an electrically conducting connection, wherein the protective conductor connector element (34) is formed integrally with the protective conductor contact (28).

Inventors:
EDENHOFER HERBERT (DE)
ACHATZ JOSEF (DE)
MONCHER PHILIPP (DE)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2018/064926
Publication Date:
December 27, 2018
Filing Date:
June 06, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
TE CONNECTIVITY IND GMBH (DE)
International Classes:
H01R13/652; H01R13/508; H01R13/6597; H01R24/54
Foreign References:
EP0924808A11999-06-23
EP0475414A11992-03-18
DE202015102170U12015-05-13
DE202015102170U12015-05-13
DE202005000229U12005-03-31
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HOFSTETTER SCHURACK & PARTNER (DE)
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Claims:
CLAIMS:

1 . Electrical plug (1 ) with a plug housing (2), which comprises a first hous- ing exterior part (3) metallic at least in certain areas and a separate second housing exterior part (4) metallic at least in certain areas,

characterized in that

the electrical plug (1 ) comprises a protective conductor contact (28), which is arranged in the plug housing (2), and comprises a protective conductor con- nector element (34), which is arranged in the plug housing (2) and is connected to the protective conductor contact (28) and at least one housing exterior part (3, 4) for establishing an electrically conducting connection, wherein the protective conductor connector element (34) is formed integrally with the protective conductor contact (28).

2. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 1 ,

characterized in that

the protective conductor contact (28) is pin-like formed. 3. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the protective conductor connector element (34) joins to a rear end (36) of the protective conductor contact (28). 4. Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the protective conductor connector element (34) is arranged radially protruding to a longitudinal axis (D) of the protective conductor contact (28) with a contact part (38).

5. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the contact part (38) is formed as a hollow body, in particular as a duct or ring. 6. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5,

characterized in that

the contact part (38) is formed to an axially oriented, in particular gorge- shaped, support part (37) of the protective conductor connector element (34), in particular on the end side.

7. Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the protective conductor contact (28) comprises a ring web (52), which is elec- trically connected to an inner side (49), in particular a ground spring (53) arranged thereon, of the first housing exterior part (3).

8. Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the contact part (38) extends through a recess (44, 45) in the second housing exterior part (4) viewed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A) of the first housing exterior part (3) and is directly contacted with the second housing exterior part (4) in the area of the recess (44, 45). 9. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the contact part (38) abuts on at least two bounding edges (50) of the recess (44, 45), in particular is inserted therein in accurately fitting manner. 10. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 8 or 9,

characterized in that

the recess (44, 45) is formed as a slit open at an edge of a gorge area (41 ) of the second housing exterior part (4). 1 1 . Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the protective conductor contact (28) is retained in a radially open receptacle (33) in a separate insulating body (25) of the electrical plug (1 ), in particular retained therein in locked manner.

12. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 1 1 ,

characterized in that

the insulating body (25) comprises a protruding coupling stud (40) on its outer side, which protrudes into the hollow contact part (38) in the direction perpen- dicular to the longitudinal axis of the insulating body (25).

13. Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical plug (1 ) comprises a tubular connection flange (10) metallic at least in certain areas separate to the housing exterior parts (3, 4) as an exterior part, which is connected to the second housing exterior part (4), wherein at least one separate, metallic contact element (16, 19), in particular at least one contact ring, is arranged between the second housing exterior part (4) and the connection flange (10), by which an electrically conducting connection is established between the second housing exterior part (4) and the connection flange (10). 14. Electrical plug (1 ) according to claim 13,

characterized in that

a ground connection chain has a transition resistance of less than 100 ητιΩ, in particular less than 20 ητιΩ, between the first housing exterior part (3), the second housing exterior part (4) and the connection flange (10) at all of the ground junctions of the ground connection chain.

15. Electrical plug (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the electrical plug (1 ) is an angle plug and the longitudinal axes (A, B) of the connection areas (5, 6) of the two housing exterior parts (3, 4) are oriented at an angle between 60° and 120°, in particular between 80° and 100°, to each other.

Description:
Electrical plug with a protective conductor contact and protective conductor connector element formed integrally therewith for grounding exterior parts

DESCRIPTION:

The invention relates to an electrical plug with a plug housing, which comprises a first housing exterior part metallic at least in certain areas and thereto a separate second housing exterior part metallic at least in certain areas. Such electrical plugs, which are respectively formed for connection to further components on their at least two end sides, are sufficiently known. Such electrical plugs, which are also referred to as plug connectors, can be connected to a separate aggregate such as a motor housing. Electrical plugs are also known as angle plugs, as it is for example disclosed from DE 20 2015 102 170 U1 and DE 20 2005 000 229 U1 .

Electrical plugs usually comprise multiple electrical contacts, which are preferably formed as contact pins, by which signals, in particular data signals and signals for energy transfer, can be transferred. Moreover, such electrical plugs also comprise a ground contact or a protective conductor contact. Since housing exterior parts are metallically formed in known electrical plugs, they have to be grounded. Thereto, individual strands are crimped to a ground contact or a protective conductor contact in known implementations. Especially in configurations of electrical plugs, which comprise multiple separate housing exterior parts and optionally moreover also additional exterior parts, here, a more extensive configuration of the protective conductor connections is required. This is very ex- pensive with the already above explained configurations, whereby high assembly effort is required and higher costs are also associated thereby. Moreover, in configurations of electrical plugs with multiple housing exterior parts, it is known that grounding is effected or is arranged in one of the housing exterior parts and the remaining parts are then grounded by respectively me- tallic connections. In this context, it can be provided that corresponding electrical connections for this ground are formed by screw connections.

However, especially such screws are also critical components since they have relatively poor electrical conductances and can also corrode over time on the other hand. Especially in configurations of electrical plugs with multiple separate housing exterior parts, which are preferably formed of zinc die cast, the pressing force of the housing exterior parts connected to each other falls due to the flow behavior of the zinc. Thereby too, the electrical transition resistance then increases over time such that the requirements to the ground connections are optionally no longer achieved and the electrical plug has to be exchanged. Thereby, the longevity of the electrical plug can also be impaired.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an electrical plug and a plug connector, respectively, which is formed with at least two exterior parts and in which the ground connection is improved.

This object is solved by an electrical plug having the features according to claim 1 . An aspect of the invention relates to an electrical plug with a plug housing. The plug housing comprises a first housing exterior part, which is formed metallic at least in certain areas. The plug housing comprises a second housing exterior part separate thereto, which is metallic in certain areas. The housing exterior parts thus represent components of the electrical plug, which are exposed towards the outside and thus can also be touched in the assembled state of the electrical plug. The electrical plug comprises a protective conductor contact (PE contact), which thus also represents a ground contact. This protective conductor contact is arranged in the plug housing. The electrical plug moreover comprises a protective conductor connector element. The protective conductor connector element is arranged in the plug housing. The protective conductor connector element is formed integrally with the protective conductor contact. In particular, the protective conductor connector element is electrically connected to, in particular directly abutting on, a metallic area of at least one of the housing exterior parts.

In particular, an electrical overall contact element or an overall ground contact element is formed by the protective conductor and the protective conductor connector element, which is electrically connected to the first housing exterior part and the second housing exterior part.

It can be provided that a component of the overall contact element, in particular a contact part of the protective conductor connector element, is directly electrically connected to both housing exterior parts. However, it can in particular also be provided that a component of the protective conductor connector element is directly electrically connected to a housing exterior part, in particular the second housing exterior part, and a component of the protective conductor contact, in particular an annular web, is directly electrically connected to the first housing exterior part.

By such a configuration, a component-reduced, simple and yet permanent secure electrically conducting connection or protective conductor connection or ground connection between the housing exterior parts and the protective conductor contact is achieved. The protective conductor connector is an integral component part already finished in shape in itself, which is integrated in the protective conductor contact as a whole and thus is in particular produced integrally with the protective conductor contact. Thereby, a positional change between the protective conductor contact and the protective conductor connector is also avoided. Thus, mechanic interfaces between these two parts are in particular also avoided, which can be permanently disadvantageous with respect to the required electrical contact for example by oxidation.

By such a configuration of an integrated protective conductor connector, the assembly effort is also considerably reduced. The initially mentioned effects, as they occur in known electrical plugs at the ground connections there, are here at least considerably reduced. Here, unplaiting and individually contacting strands of a ground braiding are in particular also no longer required. Thus, separate delicate strand elements are either no longer present in the protective conductor connector in this context, but a shape body formed in itself and thus installed is provided.

In particular, the protective conductor connector element is directly electrically connected to the second housing exterior part.

In particular, it is provided that the protective conductor connector element with the protective conductor contact is formed as a bending component. This means that this overall component, which can be referred to as electrical overall contact element, is brought into its desired final shape from an integral me- tallic element also by reshaping before installation in the plug housing. Optionally, additional punching operations or the like can also be provided to be able to produce specifications of this overall component.

Thus, the electrical plug comprises an electrically effective overall component, which comprises the protective conductor contact and the protective conductor connector element. This overall contact element is formed as one piece.

Preferably, the protective conductor contact of this overall contact element is pin-like formed. The introduction of such a rectilinear pin into a mating contact element of a component capable of being coupled to the electrical plug is thereby particularly simply possible. This exposed pin can then simply be introduced into a for example channel-like receptacle in this element to be coupled and a secure electrical connection is thereby allowed. Preferably, it is provided that the protective conductor connector element joins to a rear end of the protective conductor contact. The rear end is that one, which faces the interior of the electrical plug, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the protective conductor contact. By such a configuration, the protective conductor connector element is arranged protected in the housing of the electrical plug and moreover is not in the way of the protective conductor contact upon electrically contacting thereof with a component to be coupled to the electrical plug. In particular, the pin-like configuration of the protec- tive conductor contact is not impaired by such a positional integration of the protective conductor connector element.

Preferably, it is provided that the protective conductor connector element is arranged radially protruding from the protective conductor contact to a longitu- dinal axis of the protective conductor contact with a contact part, which it comprises. By this configuration, a particularly advantageous electrical connection to the first housing exterior part and the second housing exterior part is achieved. This lateral protrusion of the contact part from the otherwise elongated shaping of this overall component also allows particularly simply electri- cally contacting viewed in radial direction to a longitudinal axis of a housing exterior part without the protective conductor contact then also being in contact on this wall of the housing exterior part, with which the contact part is contacted, in this respect. Thus, this contact part is further outwards projecting or further outwards protruding viewed in radial direction to the longitudinal axis of the overall contact element than are the dimensions of the protective conductor contact in this radial direction.

Preferably, the overall contact element has a rod-like or rectilinear shape, at the one end of which a hook-shaped bending is formed.

Advantageously, the contact part is formed as a hollow body. Thereby, it is formed reduced in weight. Further, the simple production from a single piece blank is also simplified by this configuration, since this structure of the contact part can then be achieved by simply bending. Moreover, a certain deformation elasticity is also given by this configuration of the contact part as a hollow body such that this contact part can then still be installed in corresponding positions, in particular be installed therein in accurately fitting manner, with manufacturing tolerances of the individual components of the electrical plug. Preferably, the contact part is formed as a duct or ring in this context. In this respect, the ring can in particular be asymmetrically shaped and for example be formed oval or flattened. In a further implementation, this shaping of the hollow body can also be rectangularly configured. The hollow body can be formed circumferentially closed. However, it can also be formed open, for example U-shaped.

In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the contact part is formed at a support part oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the protective conductor contact and thus also in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the overall contact element. Thus, this support part extends from the free end of the protective conductor contact in this axial direction, at which the protective conductor connector element is integrally formed, to the rear and is thus facing away from a coupling area of the electrical plug, to which a com- ponent separate thereto can be coupled for electrically contacting.

Preferably, this support part is formed fluting-shaped, in particular half fluting- shaped. Thereby too, a very advantageous implementation is realized. Because here too, a material saving and thus weight-reduced configuration is then formed on the one hand. Furthermore, by such a geometric configuration of the support part, high stability is formed, in particular a high kinking stiffness is achieved. Moreover, a further advantage in this configuration is to be regarded in that other components, for example for contacting with this overall contact element and thus also the protective conductor contact, provided con- nection strands of a cable can be laid in this gorge shape. Thus, a very compact construction is then also realized and this gorge shape of the support part is thus also multi-functional.

Advantageously, a fluting opening of this fluting shape of the support part is oriented facing the contact part. This in particular means that the contact part forms to or is formed joining to the free edges of the legs of this fluting shape. Preferably, the protective conductor comprises an annular web, which is electrically connected to an inner side, in particular a preferably pressed-in ground spring arranged thereon, of the first housing exterior part. Preferably, it is provided that the contact part extends radially through a recess in the second housing exterior part viewed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first housing exterior part. In the area of the recess, the contact part is electrically contacted with the second housing exterior part. Thereby, a direct electrical connection is provided, which thus has a low transition resistance.

It can be provided that the protective conductor contact comprises an electrical contacting element, which is formed for electrically contacting the first housing exterior part. The contacting element is preferably an annular web or a radial web. Preferably, this contacting element is electrically connected to an inner side of the first housing exterior part, in particular directly abutting thereon. This junction is in particular formed spaced from the recess in the first housing exterior part. It can be provided that the first housing exterior part comprises a ground spring. It can be pressed into the first housing exterior part. In particular, the contacting element directly abuts on this ground spring to form the electrical connection between the protective conductor contact and the first housing exterior part.

In an alternative implementation, it is provided that the contact part extends radially through a recess in the second housing exterior part viewed perpen- dicular to a longitudinal axis of the first housing exterior part. The first housing exterior part is electrically contacted on an inner side or inside by the contact part. In particular, the contact part then directly abuts on this inner side of the first housing exterior part. Preferably, it is provided that such a direct abutment is effected by an end-side or front-side edge of the contact part formed as a hollow body.

In particular, it is provided that an edge of this contact part facing away from the support part and defining the hollow body geometry does not extend in a plane, but is curved or cambered in this respect. This is in particular advanta- geous if the inner side of the first housing exterior part provided for abutment is also unevenly formed. Preferably, the shaping and thus the curvature of the edge of the contact part, which is provided for direct abutment on the inner side of the first housing exterior part, is adapted to the curvature of this inner side. Thereby, a direct abutment of the line-shaped edge of the contact part on this inner side as extensive as possible is achieved and moreover a very advantageous position fixing in this abutment is then also achieved in this respect.

In particular, it is provided that the contact part abuts on at least two bounding edges of this recess in the second housing exterior part with exterior surface. In particular, this contact part is inserted into this recess in accurately fitting manner in this respect. A positionally fixed arrangement of the contact part in this recess of the second housing exterior part is then achieved in particular in axial direction of the first housing exterior part. In particular, the recess is slit- shaped formed and the contact part is elongated shaped in this respect and correspondingly inserted into this slit-like recess.

Preferably, it is provided that this recess in the second housing exterior part is formed as a slit open at an edge of a fluting area of the second housing exterior part. Thus, it is in particular provided that the second housing exterior part comprises such a fluting area, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the first housing exterior part. This fluting area is open towards the top viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the second housing exterior part and thus open towards the first housing exterior part arranged thereon. This fluting shape is then in particular also provided to receive an insulating body of the electrical plug separate to the housing exterior parts.

By this specific position, in which the at least one recess is formed, the simple insertion of the contact part is then also allowed in assembly. This contact part can then be inserted from above through this slit open towards the top.

Preferably, it is provided that the protective conductor contact is arranged, in particular retained, in a radially open receptacle in a separate insulating body of the electrical plug. Preferably, it is provided that the protective conductor contact is arranged locked in this receptacle. Thereto, it can in particular be provided that the protective conductor contact comprises a radial groove. The protective conductor contact then plunges into this receptacle of the insulating body with this radial groove or this locking groove.

By such a configuration, a simple and fast assembly of the overall contact element comprising the protective conductor contact and the protective conductor connector element to the insulating body is achieved. Preferably, the insulating body is integrally formed. The insulating body is in particular formed of plastic.

In an advantageous implementation, the insulating body comprises a projecting retaining stud on its outer side, which protrudes into the hollow contact part in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insulating body. By such a configuration, a further encouragement of the positional fixing of this electrical overall contact element to the insulating body is achieved.

Preferably, it is provided that the electrical plug comprises an in particular cy- lindrical insulating body, in which electrical contacts are received, which are in particular pin-like contacts. The cylindrical insulating body is arranged in the plug housing. The insulating body is preferably formed of plastic.

In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the electrical plug com- prises a tubular connection flange metallic at least in certain areas separate to the housing exterior parts, which is mechanically connected to the second housing exterior part. Between the second housing exterior part and the connection flange, at least one contact element of the electrical plug separate thereto is arranged. The electrical contact element is preferably at least one contact ring. By this configuration, a further electrically conducting connection or a ground connection is also provided between the second housing exterior part and the connection flange such that the connection flange also formed as an exterior part is grounded. In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that a protective conductor connection chain or a ground connection chain has a transition resistance of less than 100 ητιΩ, in particular less than 20 ητιΩ, between the first housing exterior part, the second housing exterior part and the connection flange at all of the ground junctions. By such a configuration, high safety requirements are satisfied to particular extent, in particular in electrical plugs, which comprise more than two exterior parts, and thus at least at two locations between these metallic components are formed, which have to be contacted by a defined concrete ground connection.

In an advantageous implementation, it is provided that the first housing exterior part comprises an integrated lug, which engages with a lug receptacle in the second housing exterior part. By such a configuration, an additional mechanic anchorage between these two housing exterior parts is achieved. Therein, the lug and the lug receptacle are formed such that this lug connection device also presses the two housing exterior parts against each other upon attaching the housing exterior parts to each other such that a particularly firm fit of these two housing exterior parts pressed to each other is achieved. Thereby, undesired relative movement of these housing exterior parts is also permanently pre- vented to particular extent to the effect that ground junctions could be weakened.

In particular, it is additionally also provided that the housing exterior parts are positively connected exactly at this location, which means that the lug posi- tively engages with the lug receptacle. The mentioned advantages are thereby again improved. In particular, a positive connection in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the second housing exterior part is formed by this lug connection device. This implementation is also particularly advantageous if the housing exterior parts are connected by a further mechanical connection separate thereto, in particular a screw connection. Because then, for example upon at least weakening of the screw connection, the still secure positional fit of the housing exterior parts to each other can be maintained by this then in particular also redundant lug connection device, whereby the secure ground connection chain is then also maintained. In particular, it is provided that the housing exterior parts are screwed to each other by a screw connection, preferably in addition to this lug connection device. Thereto, a separate screw is provided, which is metallic and also addi- tionally contributes to the ground connection between the housing exterior parts.

In a further advantageous implementation, it is provided that the two housing exterior parts are formed of zinc die cast. Especially in such configurations, the above mentioned implementations are particularly advantageous. Because, as already initially explained, the pressing force of the separate housing exterior parts can reduce over time, in particular due to the flow behavior of zinc. Especially in such configurations, a permanent and reliable protective conductor connection chain between the individual metallic exterior parts is still main- tained.

A further advantageous idea of the invention is to be regarded in that the electrical plug is formed as an angle plug and the longitudinal axes of the connection areas of the two housing exterior parts are oriented at an angle between 60° and 120°, in particular between 80° and 100°, to each other. The connection areas are arranged at the ends of the housing exterior parts respectively facing away from each other and respectively formed for connection to further components external to plug. Here, different aggregates can then be connected to this electrical plug on both sides, for example a motor housing and an additional further unit.

In such a configuration, the housing exterior parts are abutting on each other at abutment edges at the ends facing each other. The abutment edges are respectively formed substantially in planes, which are not oriented perpendic- ular to the longitudinal axes of the respective housing exterior parts. In particular, the planes, in which these abutment edges extend, are oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° to at least one longitudinal axis of a housing exterior part. In further advantageous implementation, it is provided that a coupling gearing is formed between the second housing exterior part and the connection flange. By the coupling gearing, very different rotational positions can be adjusted between the second housing exterior part and the connection flange to each other in the direction around the longitudinal axis of the connection flange and in the direction around the longitudinal axis of the second housing exterior part oriented coaxially in this respect. By the coupling gearing, angular positions or rotational positions discrete in this respect are preset, which are then also respectively securely maintained.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to an electrical plug comprising a plug housing. The plug housing comprises a first housing exterior part metallic at least in certain areas and a thereto separate second housing exterior part also metallic at least in certain areas. Moreover, the electrical plug preferably comprises a connection flange, which represents an exterior part of the electrical plug and which represents a further separate component to the two housing exterior parts. Between the housing exterior parts on the one hand and a housing exterior part and the connection flange, a protective conductor connection or a ground connection is respectively formed such that a ground connection chain with at least two separate ground junctions is formed between respectively different exterior parts of the electrical plug. The entire ground connection chain has a transition resistance, which is less than 20 ιτιΩ. Thus, at least each ground junction in particular also has a transition resistance of less than 20 ιτιΩ.

The indicated orientations and directional specifications, as far as they were explained for the above mentioned features, also apply to the following further explanations to the effect that the electrical plug is set on a plane and then is set thereon with the connection flange in this context. Additionally or instead, this specification of spatial orientations and directions applies with respect to the fact that the second housing exterior part comprises a connection area, which is downwards oriented viewed in vertical direction, in particular a longitudinal axis of this connection area is oriented in height direction and thus in vertical direction. Advantageous implementations of the first aspect are to be regarded as advantageous implementations of the further aspect. With the indications of "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", the positions and orientations given in intended use and intended arrangement of the apparatus and with an observer standing in front of the apparatus and looking towards the apparatus are specified.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

Below, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail based on schematic drawings. There show:

Fig. 1 an exploded representation of an embodiment of an electrical plug; Fig. 2 a perspective representation of a protective conductor contact with an integrated protective conductor connector element;

Fig. 3 a perspective representation of an insulating body of the electrical plug with the inserted protective conductor contact; Fig. 4 a perspective representation of a second housing exterior part of the electrical plug with insulating body inserted therein according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a top view to the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state; a first sectional representation of the plug according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 5; a front view to the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state;

Fig. 8 a second sectional representation of the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 a top view to the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state; a third sectional representation of the plug according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 9; a side view to the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 in the assembled state; and a fourth sectional representation of the electrical plug according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 1 1 .

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

In Fig. 1 , an embodiment of an electrical plug 1 or a plug connector is shown in an exploded representation, which is here formed as an angle plug connector. The electrical plug 1 comprises a plug housing 2. In the present embodiment, the plug housing 2 comprises a housing front part. It is formed by a first housing exterior part 3. The first housing exterior part 3 is made of metal, in particular zinc die cast. Moreover, the plug housing 2 comprises a second housing exterior part 4, which is separate to the first housing exterior part 3. The second housing exterior part 4 is also made of metal, in particular zinc die cast. The first housing exterior part 3 has a longitudinal axis A, wherein a connection area 5 for connecting to a further component, for example to an aggregate or an electrical line, is formed at and end facing away from the second housing exterior part 4.

The second housing exterior part 4 also has a longitudinal axis B, wherein a connection area 6 is formed at an end facing away from the first housing exterior part 3. In particular, the two longitudinal axes A and B are oriented at an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably between 80° and 100°, in particular of 90°, to each other. In the assembled state, the two housing exterior parts 3 and 4 are connected to each other and abut on each other with abutment edges 7 and 8 in this context, wherein a seal 9 is here preferably also intermediately ar- ranged. The abutment edges 7 and 8 are each formed in oblique sectional planes to the longitudinal axes A and B and thus formed in planes, which are not oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axes A and B.

In the shown embodiment, the plug housing 2 additionally comprises a con- nection flange 10, which is also formed of metal and represents an exterior part of the electrical plug 1 . The connection flange 10 is separate to the two housing exterior parts 3 and 4 and connected to the second housing exterior part 4 in the assembled state. The connection flange 10 has a longitudinal axis C, which is in particular oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis B.

By means of the connection flange 10, the electrical plug 1 can be arranged on a separate aggregate, for example a motor housing.

As is apparent in the representation of Fig. 1 , the second housing exterior part 4 comprises a spur gearing 1 1 oriented axially and thus oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis B. Moreover, the connection flange 10 also has a spur gearing 12, which is axially oriented and thus formed interiorly in the connection flange 10. In the assembled state, the spur gearings 1 1 and 12 engage with each other such that a position of the connection flange 10 to the second housing exterior part 4 is secured in circumferential direction around the axis B and thus azimuthal around the axis B. Thus, a rotation protection is also formed by the spur gearings 1 1 and 12, which engage with each other.

Moreover, the electrical plug 1 comprises a retaining device or an axial retaining device, by which the connection flange 10 is axially retained in defined position to the second housing exterior part 4 and thereby is also connected to the second housing exterior part 4. Thus, the connection flange 10 is fixed to the second housing exterior part 4 by means of the axial retaining device.

The axial retaining device comprises a radial stop 13 (Fig. 6), which is integrally formed on an inner side 14 of the connection flange 10 and is oriented radially inwards protruding. In the assembled state of the plug 1 , the radial stop 13 is therefore oriented in the direction of an outer side 23 of the second housing exterior part 4 as it is also shown in Fig. 6.

Moreover, the axial retaining device comprises a counter bearing 15 (Fig. 6), which is in operative connection with the second housing exterior part 4 for setting the axial position between the second housing exterior part 4 and the connection flange 10.

This counter bearing 15 comprises a locking ring 16, which is circumferentially closed. The locking ring 16 comprises a base ring 17, at which a plurality of separate locking flaps 18, only some of which are provided with the corresponding reference character in Fig. 1 for the sake of clarity, are formed here oriented to the bottom. The locking flaps 18 are constituents of a locking device, which is formed at the locking ring 16. The locking ring 16 is integrally formed such that the locking flaps 18 are formed joining to the base ring 17 and integrated thereon.

Moreover, the counter bearing 15 includes a support ring 19, which is formed as a separate component to the locking ring 16. The support ring 19 is also formed circumferentially closed. The support ring 19 is formed cornered, in particular quadrangular, in particular rectangular, in cross-section.

Moreover, the axial retaining device comprises a spring element 20, which is preferably a wave spring. It is formed as a here not closed ring, but only as a ring section, which extends over an angular length between preferably 320° and 350° in azimuthal direction. The undulation of this spring element 20 viewed in this azimuthal direction is apparent.

Moreover, the electrical plug 1 comprises multiple seals 21 and 22, which are in particular sealing rings, preferably O-rings.

As is apparent in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, in that threads and thus a radial material constriction are in particular not formed on the inner side 14 and the outer side 23, the mechanical strength of the connection flange 10 and the second housing exterior part 4 is increased in this connection area. Therefore, a relatively large thickness or non-constricted wall thickness remains at the locking shoulder of the locking element and thus of the locking ring 16. It is apparent that only by a locking groove 24 (also Fig. 6) a slight wall thickness reduction occurs on the outer side 23 and also only at the second housing exterior part 4 in this context. The internal diameter of the socket and thus also of the connection flange 10 remains unchanged and thus consistent in this context, which favors the mechanical loading capacity and thus the increase of the strength. An electrical connection between the metallic connection flange 10 and the second housing exterior part 4 is formed by the support ring 19 and/or the locking ring 16 such that grounding is allowed via this electrical connection in this respect. Moreover, the electrical plug 1 comprises an in particular cylindrical insulating body 25, which is also a separate component and which is preferably formed of plastic. In the insulating body 25, which comprises a contact support 26 for receiving electrical contacts 27, a plurality of pin-like contacts 27 is here arranged. These electrical contacts 27 are formed for transferring signals, in par- ticular data signals and/or energy signals.

Moreover, the electrical plug 1 comprises at least one preferably pin-like protective conductor contact 28. The protective conductor contact 28 is arranged outside of that volume area of the tubular insulating body 25, in which the elec- trical contacts 27 are arranged.

As is apparent in Fig. 1 , the protective conductor contact 28 comprises a pinlike front part 29 and moreover comprises bead areas 30 and 31 , which are radially thicker than the front part 29. Thereby, a locking groove 32 is formed between the bead areas 30, 31 . The protective conductor contact 28 is receivable in locking manner in a radially open receptacle 33 of the insulating body 25 by this locking groove 32. The protective conductor contact 28 is formed for connecting to a corresponding line strand of an electrical cable to provide a ground connection or a protective conductor connection.

The electrical contacts 27 as well as the protective conductor contact 28 are arranged in the plug housing 2 in assembled state. Moreover, the electrical plug 1 comprises a protective conductor connector element 34. The protective conductor connector element 34 is formed of metal and a shape body prefabricated in itself, which is arranged in the plug housing 2 without shape change also in the installed state. The protective conductor connector element 34 is formed for establishing a direct electrical ground con- nection between the protective conductor contact 28 and the first housing exterior part 3 as well as the second housing exterior part 4.

The protective conductor connector element 34 is formed as one piece with the protective conductor contact 28. Thereby, an electrical overall contact ele- ment 35 is formed. The protective conductor connector element 34 is formed to a rear end 36 of the protective conductor contact 28 in the direction of a longitudinal axis D of the protective conductor contact 28. The protective conductor connector element 34 extends the protective conductor contact 28 to the rear and thus in the direction of the interior of the plug 1 .

The protective conductor connector element 34 comprises a support part 37. The support part 37 joins to this rear end 36 and extends axially of the longitudinal axis D. The support part 27 is formed as a half gorge. The protective conductor connector element 34 furthermore comprises a contact part 38. The contact part 38 is arranged laterally protruding to the longitudinal axis D. It protrudes further outwards in this radial direction than the protective conductor contact 28. In the embodiment, the contact part 38 is a hollow body, in particular formed annular or duct-like. The hollow body is circumferentially closed. A free circumferential edge 39 facing away from the support part 37, which bounds the shape of the hollow body, in particular does not extend in a plane, but is curved. This edge 39 is a one-sided or front-side edge. The overall contact element 35 can be formed as a bending part, in particular as a metal sheet bending part. This means that a provided blank or a corresponding blank cut is correspondingly formed by multiple bending processes such that the integral shape body according to Fig. 1 is readily manufactured before it is installed in the plug housing 2 as this overall contact element 35.

As is shown in a preferred embodiment in Fig. 1 , the overall contact element 35 comprises a contacting element 52. The contacting element 52 is formed integrally with the overall contact element 35. Here, it is integrated in the pro- tective conductor contact 28. The contacting element 52 is formed as a radial web or ring web. In the embodiment, it is in particular integrated in the bead 30 and extends radially further outwards than the remaining area of the bead 30. Moreover, this contacting element 52 here directly bounds the locking groove 32. The contacting element 52 is provided in a preferred embodiment to generate an electrical connection between the protective conductor contact 28 and the first housing exterior part 3.

Furthermore, it is apparent in Fig. 1 that the insulating body 25 preferably comprises a radially protruding coupling stud 40 on an outer side. In the assembled final state of the plug 1 , the coupling stud 40 protrudes into the hollow body of the contact part 38 such that an axial positional retention of the contact part 38 is here supported.

As is moreover apparent in Fig. 1 , the second housing exterior part 4 com- prises a gorge-like section or a fluting area 41 , to which the first housing exterior part 3 is fitted from above. At a front end of this fluting area 41 facing the first housing exterior part 3, protrusions are formed at opposing fluting edges, wherein a first protrusion 42 and a second protrusion 43 in this respect are here formed at a front edge. The protrusions 42, 43 are respectively formed by recesses 44, 45 or slits in the fluting walls. At least one recess, here the recess 45, is formed as a receptacle for the contact part 38. The recess 44 is formed as a receptacle open towards the upper free fluting edge of the fluting area 41 .

Moreover, it can be provided, which is not formed in the implementation in Fig. 1 , that the first housing exterior part 3 comprises a lug, in particular protruding from the abutment edge 7, in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis A to the rear, which is formed at the end facing the second housing exterior part 4. In the assembled state, this lug, in particular positively, engages with a lug receptacle, wherein the lug receptacle is formed at the second housing exterior part 4. This lug receptacle is in particular fornned in an upper area of the second housing exterior part 4 and joins to the abutment edge 8 with its lug receptacle inlet. By this lug connection device, the first housing exterior part 3 is pressed to the second housing exterior part and this pressing is then also permanently maintained.

In a rear upper end of the second housing exterior part 4 facing away from the first housing exterior part 3 and facing away from the connection flange 10, a screw hole 46 is moreover also formed. A separate screw 47 can be rotated into this screw hole 46, which is moreover also passed through a screw hole 48 in the first housing exterior part 3. By this configuration, a screw connection between the two housing exterior parts 3 and 4 is additionally also formed. The screw 47 is in particular made of metal such that a further protective conductor connection between the housing exterior parts 3 and 4 is additionally provided thereby too.

In Fig. 2, an embodiment of the electrical overall contact element 35 with the protective conductor contact 28 and the protective conductor connector element 34 integrated therein is shown in a perspective representation. Here, it is apparent that a gorge opening of the gorge-shaped support part 37 faces the contact part 38. The radial orientation of the contact part 38 to the longitudinal axis D is also apparent. In particular, it can be provided that the contact part 38 is oriented at an angle between 70° and 1 10°, in particular between 85° and 95°, in particular of 90°, to the longitudinal axis D. The contact part 38 is formed at an end of the support part 37 arranged at the protective conductor contact 28. The overall contact element 35 has a rod-like shape with an end-side, hook-shaped bending.

In Fig. 3, the insulating body 25 with the electrical overall contact element 35 disposed therein in locking manner is shown in a perspective representation. Here, it is apparent that the locking groove 32 is locked in the receptacle 33. Here, the configuration in Fig. 3 is alternative to the representation in Fig. 1 with respect to the insulating body 25. Here, it can in particular be provided that the coupling stud 40 is not present.

In Fig. 4, the inserted state of the component compound according to Fig. 3 in the second housing exterior part 4 is shown in a perspective representation. Here, it is in particular apparent that the insulating body 25 is inserted into the gorge area 41 from above and therein the contact part 38 is then inserted into the recess 45 formed as a receptacle in accurately fitting manner. Here, outer sides of bounding walls of the contact part 38 thus in particular abut on bounding edges of this recess 45. Preferably, the height of this recess 45 is dimensioned such that the contact part 38 is completely received therein. Moreover, the connected state of the connection flange 10 with the second housing part 4 is shown in Fig. 4. The contact part 38 extends into the recess 45 in radial direction to the longitudinal axis A. It directly contacts at least one bounding wall 50, by which the recess 45 is bounded in its contour. In particular, in a preferred implementation, the contact part 38 extends in radial direction not as far as it contacts an inner side 49 (Fig. 8) of the second housing exterior part 4. In particular, it is provided in this implementation that an electrical connection between the overall contact element 35 and the first housing exterior part 3 is effected by the contacting element 52. In an alternative implementation, it can be provided that the contact part 38 extends in radial direction to the longitudinal axis A with such dimensions that it protrudes outwards beyond the gorge area 41 and thus beyond the thickness of the recess 45 measured in radial direction such that the free outer edge 39 can directly contact an inner side 49 of the first housing part 3 not yet recog- nizable here.

In Fig. 5, a top view to the assembled electrical plug 1 according to Fig. 1 is shown. Here, a sectional line VI-VI is illustrated, along which the electrical plug 1 in Fig. 6 is shown. The axial retaining device, by which the connection flange 10 is connected to the second housing part 4, is here shown in the sectional representation in Fig. 6.

Moreover, the sectioned shaping of the electrical overall contact element 35 in the installed state is here also apparent.

In Fig. 7, a front view to the assembled electrical plug 1 is shown, wherein the pole image, which is only to be exemplarily understood, is then apparent here too. The pole image can for example be six-pole, eight-pole or nine-pole. In Fig. 8, a sectional representation of the electrical plug 1 along the sectional line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 is shown. In this sectional view from above, the shaping of the electrical overall contact element 35 is again apparent. Here, it is shown that the edge 39 of the contact part 38 does not directly radially abut on the inner side 49 of the first housing part 3. In this implementation, an electrical connection between the overall contact element 35 and the first housing exterior part 3 is formed spaced from the recess 45. It is shown that the contacting element 52 directly abuts on a preferably present ground spring 53. The ground spring is in particular a separate component, which is preferably pressed into the first housing exterior part 3. Moreover, a further direct contact of outer sides of the contact part 38 formed as a hollow body with the second housing exterior part 4 is also apparent. In particular, these outer sides of the hollow body 38 directly abut on at least two bounding edges 50, in particular a front bounding edge 50 and a rear bounding edge 50, of the recess 45 viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. Moreover, it is apparent that an outwards protruding further coupling stud 51 at the insulating body 25 radially plunges into the recess 44.

In Fig. 8, it is also apparent that the protective conductor contact 28 is arranged leading with respect to the electrical contacts 27 and thus further protruding to the front viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A in an embodiment.

In Fig. 9, the electrical plug 1 is shown in the top view representation according to Fig. 5. In contrast to the representation according to Fig. 5, here, a further sectional line X-X located radially further outwards is drawn. In this sectional representation in Fig. 10, it is apparent that the outer surfaces of the contact part 38 abut on these bounding edges 50 of the recess 45.

In Fig. 1 1 , the electrical plug 1 is shown in a side view and assembled. More- over, a sectional line XII-XII is here drawn. The electrical plug 1 is shown along this sectional line XII-XII in Fig. 12. The radial abutment of the edge 39 on the inner side 49 is here apparent. In particular, the circumferential edge 39 has an uneven shaping, in particular a convexly curved camber, which in particular corresponds to the concave curvature of the inner side 49. Moreover, the gorge-shaped configuration of the support part 37 is here apparent. In particular, the coupling stud 40 extends completely through the contact part 38 in radial direction to the longitudinal axis A such that in particular a mechanic abutment of the coupling stud 40 on the inner side 49 is formed here too. The section in Fig. 12 is here taken through the center of the contact part 38. In particular, it is provided that in the configuration of the electrical plug 1 with the at least three separate exterior parts, namely the first housing exterior part 3, the second housing exterior part 4 and the connection flange 10, individual ground junctions are respectively formed such that a ground connection chain is formed with respect to these ground junctions. The entire ground connection chain is formed such that a transition resistance of less than 20 ιτιΩ is formed at all locations.

In particular, the first housing exterior part 3 and/or the second housing exterior part 4 and/or the connection flange 10 are formed as a zinc die cast component.