DE102023120872A1 - Connecting a connector element with a connector counter element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for connecting a plug connection element (10) to a plug connection counter element (11), in which the plug connection element (10) is plugged together with the plug connection counter element (11) until at least one locking lug (13) of the plug connection element (10) is opposite a locking recess (15) of the plug connection counter element (11); and by causing a phase transformation, at least one shape memory region (8; 9) of the plug connection element (10) is deformed such that its at least one locking lug (13) dips into the respective opposite locking recess (15). The invention also relates to a plug connection element (10) with an insertion section for insertion into a plug connection counter element (11), wherein the insertion section (12) has at least one locking lug (13), the plug connection element (10), in particular on its insertion section, has at least one shape memory region (8), and the shape memory region (8), when a phase transformation is brought about in it, deforms the insertion section (12) in such a way that the at least one locking lug (13) is displaced laterally outwards. The invention also relates to a corresponding plug connection and a vehicle (F) with at least one such plug connection.

Description

The invention relates to a method for connecting a plug connection element to a plug connection counter element, in which the plug connection element is plugged together with a plug connection counter element. The invention also relates to a plug connection element with an insertion section for insertion into a plug connection counter element, wherein the insertion section has at least one locking lug. The invention further relates to a plug connection with a plug connection element and a plug connection counter element plugged together with it, wherein the plug connection has been produced by means of the method. The invention also relates to a vehicle that has at least one such plug connection. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to on-board power networks of vehicles, in particular fully electrically powered vehicles.

US 6 907 652 B1 discloses a method of connecting a first pipe to a second pipe having an end portion that fits into an end portion of the first pipe, the method comprising arranging the end portion of the second pipe within the end portion of the first pipe and arranging a sleeve made of a deformable material between the end portions and radially expanding the end portion of the second pipe toward the end portion of the first pipe so as to prestress the sleeve between the end portions.

US 9 991 617 B2 discloses embodiments related to electrical connectors that include superelastic components. The high elastic limit of superelastic materials compared to conventional interconnect materials can enable designs that enable reliable connections and high frequency operation. Superelastic components can also enable connector designs with higher interconnect density. In some embodiments, a connector includes one or more superelastic elongated members that form the mating contacts of the connector. The superelastic elongated members deform within one or more conductive sockets to generate an appropriate contact force. The conductive sockets can include a plurality of protrusions arranged to deflect the superelastic elongated members during mating. A superelastic component can also be provided within a receptacle portion of a connector and form a portion of a conductive socket.

DE 10 2008 013 751 B4 discloses a hose clamp for securing a hose to a hose connection, the hose clamp comprising: an elongated band having a first end and a second end configured to form a circular clamping element defining a hose receiving opening, the elongated band comprising a plurality of engageable portions spaced about an outer surface of the band; an adjustment mechanism attached to an end of the elongated band and configured to engage the engageable portions and adjust a diameter of the hose receiving opening; and a shape memory alloy material in operative communication with the elongated band configured to impart tangential forces to the circular clamping element.

GB 2 203 791 A discloses a shape memory metal coil having unconnected free ends. The metal coil is used to secure two coaxial cylindrical objects together by applying a radial force between them. The coil is expanded or contracted by a temperature change to apply the force. To prevent subsequent temperature fluctuations from reversing the securing action, the free ends may be fixed after the first expansion or contraction transition, e.g. by a block of solder which melts and flows when the coil is heated to effect a clamping. In another arrangement, a pawl and ratchet arrangement between the ends of the coil prevents backward movement.

US 5 002 716 discloses a joining of insulated elongate conduit elements, for example thermally insulated pipes. A pipe is provided with thermal insulation in which an annular recess is provided at one end of the pipe so that an end portion of the pipe is exposed to allow access for connection thereto. To make a connection, a recoverable connection sleeve is positioned at least partially within the recess and can be returned into clamping engagement with the exposed portion of the pipe. This eliminates the need to re-insulate the connection area of an insulated pipe.

US 5 120 488 discloses a sealing sleeve for sealing a leak, for example on a pipe, a pipe socket or the like in a nuclear reactor. The sleeve consists of a bellows-like middle part with ring-shaped ends, at least these or a part of them consisting of a memory metal with a suitable transition temperature. At a temperature above the transition temperature, the part of this ring-shaped shaped ends, made of memory metal, have an internal diameter suitable for achieving a seal around the relevant section of pipe on both sides of the leak. Said part of the ends was then deformed at a temperature below the transition temperature to a diameter that allows the sleeve to be freely placed on the pipe. Once fitted, the sleeve is then heated to above the transition temperature, the memory metal then tends to restore its previous shape and the sleeve shrinks to achieve a seal.

US 5,662,362 discloses a threadless self-pressing coupling for connecting or covering pipes. The coupling comprises a coupling element and an actuator made of a heat-shrinkable polymer material or a shape memory alloy material that undergoes a change in shape when heated from a martensitic state to an austenitic state. The coupling comprises an inner sleeve and an outer ring surrounding the inner sleeve. The outer ring is movable with respect to the inner sleeve such that the inner surface of the inner sleeve is deformed radially inwardly and compressed against a pipe fitted therein as the outer ring is moved with respect to the inner sleeve. The outer ring engages the actuator such that the outer ring can be rotated with respect to the inner sleeve as the actuator is heated to the austenitic state. The actuator can be left in place or removed from the coupling.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide an improved possibility of providing reliable plug connections in a vehicle.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

• - das Steckverbindungselement mit dem Steckverbindungsgegenelement zusammengesteckt wird, bis mindestens eine Rastnase des Steckverbindungselements einer Rastaussparung des Steckverbindungsgegenelements gegenüberliegt (aber insbesondere noch nicht darin eintaucht); und
• - durch Bewirken bzw. Aktivieren einer Phasenumwandlung mindestens ein Formgedächtnisbereich des Steckverbindungselements so verformt wird, dass dessen mindestens eine Rastnase in die gegenüberliegende Rastaussparung des Steckverbindungsgegenelements eintaucht.

The object is achieved by a method for connecting a plug connection element with a plug connection counter element, in which

• - the plug-in connection element is plugged together with the plug-in connection counter-element until at least one locking lug of the plug-in connection element is opposite a locking recess of the plug-in connection counter-element (but in particular does not yet dip into it); and
• - by causing or activating a phase transformation, at least one shape memory region of the plug connection element is deformed such that its at least one locking lug dips into the opposite locking recess of the plug connection counter element.

This method has the advantage of providing a highly reliable plug connection at low cost and with little assembly effort. This in turn makes it possible to dispense with complex and costly safety systems, and redundant cable structures can be supported or even replaced by a single fail-safe cable path. In particular, the method can also be used to easily meet and even exceed requirements for permissible plugging forces.

The first plug connection element (“plug connection element”) is connected to a matching second plug connection element (“plug connection counter element”) by relative movement of both elements towards each other in the insertion direction. To do this, the plug connection element and/or the plug connection counter element can be moved. Similar to a cylinder coordinate system, the insertion direction corresponds in particular to a longitudinal direction, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in particular to the radial or lateral direction and a direction around the longitudinal direction in particular to the circumferential direction. The plug connection element and the plug connection counter element can also be referred to together as “plug elements”.

The fact that the plug connection element is plugged together with the plug connection counter element (by moving one or both elements) can, in a further development, include the plug connection element being plugged into the plug connection counter element. The fact that the plug connection element is plugged together with the plug connection counter element until at least one projection (hereinafter referred to as a "latching lug" without restriction of generality) of the plug connection element is opposite a recess (hereinafter referred to as a "latching recess" without restriction of generality) of the plug connection counter element, in a further development includes the plug connection element having at least one latching lug, in particular on its lateral outside, and the plug connection counter element having at least one latching recess matching at least one latching lug, in particular on its lateral inside. The latching recess can be a blind hole or an annular groove, for example. For example, the annular groove can serve as a locking recess for several locking lugs.

The fact that at least one shape memory region of the plug connection element is deformed by causing a phase transformation includes in particular that the plug connection element has at least one shape memory region, i.e. at least one region that has a shape memory alloy that can change its shape reversibly or irreversibly by means of a phase transformation, for example when changing from a martensitic state to an austenitic state. The phase transformation can be brought about, for example, by increasing the temperature and/or by generating a mechanical stress on the shape memory alloy and/or by magnetic excitation. A shape memory region can be created, for example, by embedding or otherwise connecting a shape memory element to the rest of the plug connection element in a way that is as inseparable as possible.

The fact that at least one shape memory region of the plug connection element is deformed by causing a phase transformation also includes the fact that the at least one locking lug is also moved by deformation of the at least one shape memory region, in particular by deformation of the force-transmitted regions of the plug connection element between the shape memory region(s) and the locking lug(s). For example, if at least one shape memory element is embedded in a plastic section of the plug connection element and the plastic section has at least one locking lug on its outside, the plastic is also deformed sufficiently by deforming the shape memory region in order to move the locking lug(s) into the associated locking recess. For this purpose, the plastic region, e.g. its modulus of elasticity and/or its thickness, shape, etc., can be selected to be sufficiently deformable. Additionally or alternatively, the plastic around the shape memory area can have one or more material weakenings such as tapers, recesses (e.g. slots, holes or similar) to facilitate local deformation. The shape memory areas can also be embedded in tabs that attach to the outside of the plastic area, or the tabs can be the shape memory areas themselves, etc.

Because the at least one locking lug only enters the opposite locking recess of the plug connection counter element after the phase transformation has taken place, the effect is achieved that these locking lugs have no effect on plugging in or unplugging without the phase transformation. Only after the phase transformation is an at least positive connection (hereinafter referred to as a "locking connection" without restricting generality) created between the plug connection element and the plug connection counter element, which can no longer be separated or can no longer be separated without specific treatment. In particular, the two plug elements can be plugged together before the phase transformation without being hindered by the locking lug(s). This does not exclude the possibility that the two plug elements also have other connection options, for example purely mechanical locking connections, screw connections, adhesive connections, etc.

It is a further development that the shape memory area or the associated shape memory element shows a one-way effect, i.e. after the phase transformation it can no longer be brought back to its initial state before the phase transformation. This has the advantage that the connection between the plug connection element and the plug connection counter element is practically inseparable.

It is a further development that the shape memory area or the associated shape memory element shows a two-way effect, which would not normally reset the locking lug(s) because work would have to be done in the process. Resetting would only be possible if the locking lug - which is basically possible - is placed directly on a freely movable shape memory area. This can be implemented, for example, by the plug connection element having a freely movable tab on which the locking lug is arranged.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element has several locking lugs distributed in a circumferential direction and the at least one shape memory area shifts the plug connection element laterally outwards in the area of the locking lugs during phase conversion. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve a particularly robust form fit. The locking lugs can be arranged irregularly or equidistantly in the circumferential direction (when looking along the longitudinal direction or axis of the plug connection element), in the latter case e.g. two locking lugs rotated relative to one another by an angle of 180°, three locking lugs rotated relative to one another by an angle of 60° each, etc. During phase conversion, all locking lugs are pushed outwards, i.e., shifted at least approximately radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction. The locking lugs can, for example, be present in a somewhat identical position along the longitudinal axis of the plug connection element and/or can be offset from one another along the longitudinal axis. The locking lugs can, for example, be inserted into respective locking recesses or, for example, into a common locking recess, e.g. in an internal ring groove of the plug connection counter element. In principle, this design can also be used if there is only one locking lug.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element has a circumferentially oriented ring-shaped shape memory region in the region of the locking lug(s), the circumference of which expands during phase transformation. This advantageously allows all locking lugs in the same region to be moved outwards by means of a single shape memory region or shape memory element.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element has a plurality of elongated shape memory regions which are aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction before phase transformation and which are bent during phase transformation such that the region of the locking lugs is displaced laterally outwards. The elongated shape memory regions therefore bend in particular away from the longitudinal direction. The elongated shape memory regions can, for example, be shaped like a wire, strip, bar, etc. The elongated shape memory regions can be straight (e.g. have the shape of a straight wire or flat strip), in particular before phase transformation, but are not limited to this. The fact that the plug connection element has a plurality of elongated shape memory regions which are aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction can in particular mean that the plug connection element has a plurality of shape memory regions which deviate from the longitudinal direction or by no more than 20°, in particular by no more than 10°.

It is a further development that the plug connection can have at least one seal or sealing plane. This advantageously further increases the tightness of the plug connection, which is particularly advantageous for fluid connections. For example, a seal can be present between the insertion area of the plug connection element and the receiving area of the plug connection counter element. Such a seal - for example tubular - can have recesses for the locking lugs. An additional or alternative possibility is to arrange a seal - for example O-ring-shaped - between the end faces of the plug connection elements.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element has one - in particular exactly one - locking lug and at least one elongated shape memory region which is aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction before phase conversion and which, during phase conversion, displaces the plug connection element laterally outwards in the region of the locking lug. This advantageously enables a particularly simple construction. In particular, a single locking lug can be displaced by means of a particularly simply shaped and arrangeable shape memory region. In particular, the plug connection element can be curved in one direction in sections.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element has a plurality of elongated shape memory regions which are distributed along a circumferential direction before the phase transformation and are aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction and which are bent in the same direction during the phase transformation. This has the advantage that the plug connection element is bent in the same direction in a longitudinal section which includes the locking lug. Very little force is required for this, and the plug connection element is also subjected to less stress than with radial spreading.

One embodiment provides that the plug connection counter element has at least one tab that protrudes against the direction of insertion and has at least one locking recess. This provides the advantage that at least one locking recess can be provided on the plug connection counter element in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner.

One embodiment is that the plug connection element and the plug connection counter element are tubular fluid line elements. The plug connection element can then be inserted into the plug connection counter element in a fluid-tight manner. The plug connection element and the plug connection counter element then form a fluidic plug connection, which can also be referred to as a fluid coupling. The fluid can be or comprise liquid and/or gas.

One embodiment provides that the plug connection element and the plug connection counter element are electrical plug connection elements. The plug connection element and the plug connection counter element then form an electrical plug connection, which can be designed in particular to conduct electrical supply currents, e.g. in an on-board power network of a vehicle.

• - das Steckverbindungselement an seinem Endabschnitt ein Gehäuse aufweist, das mindestens eine Klemmbuchse oder mindestens ein Schwert umgibt, und an dessen Außenseite sich die mindestens eine Rastnase befindet,
• - und das Steckverbindungsgegenelement an seinem Endabschnitt ein Gehäuse aufweist, das mindestens ein Schwert bzw. mindestens eine einer Klemmbuchse umgibt, und an dessen Innenseite die mindestens eine Rastaussparung vorhanden ist.

It is a design that

• - the plug connection element has a housing at its end section which has at least one clamping socket or at least one sword, and on the outside of which there is at least one locking lug,
• - and the plug connection counter element has a housing at its end section which surrounds at least one blade or at least one clamping bush, and on the inside of which at least one locking recess is provided.

Such an electrical plug connection is advantageously designed in particular to conduct electrical supply currents, e.g. in an on-board power system of a vehicle.

The object is also achieved by a plug connection element with an insertion section for insertion into a plug connection counter element, wherein the insertion section has at least one locking lug, the plug connection element, in particular on its insertion section, has at least one shape memory region, and the shape memory region, when a phase transformation is brought about in it, deforms the insertion section in such a way that the at least one locking lug is displaced laterally outwards. The plug connection element can be designed analogously to the method, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

The object is further achieved by a plug connection with a plug connection element and a plug connection counter element plugged together therewith, wherein the plug connection has been produced by means of the method as described above, in particular using a plug connection element as described above. The plug connection can be designed analogously to the method and/or the plug connection element, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

The object is also achieved by a vehicle which has at least one plug connection as described above. The vehicle can be designed analogously to the method, the plug connection element and/or the plug connection, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

The vehicle can be a motor vehicle (e.g. a motor vehicle such as a passenger car, truck, bus, etc. or a motorcycle), a railway, a watercraft (e.g. a boat or a ship) or an aircraft (e.g. an airplane or a helicopter). The vehicle can be a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and/or an electric vehicle, for example a plug-in hybrid vehicle, PHEV, or a fully electrically powered vehicle, e.g. a battery-powered vehicle, BEV. The plug connection can in particular be an electrical plug connection that is installed in an on-board power system of the vehicle. In particular, one of the plug elements can be part of a vehicle component, for example a power distributor.

• 1 zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine elektrische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das mit einem Steckverbindungsgegenelement zusammengesteckt ist;
• 2A und 2B zeigen in Seitenansicht ein längliches Formgedächtniselement vor bzw. nach seiner Phasenumwandlung;
• 3A und 3B zeigen in Frontalansicht ein ringförmiges Formgedächtniselement vor bzw. nach seiner Phasenumwandlung;
• 4A und 4B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine elektrische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das mehrere längliche Formgedächtniselemente aufweist, vor bzw. nach deren Phasenumwandlung;
• 5A und 5B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine fluidische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das mehrere längliche Formgedächtniselemente aufweist, vor bzw. nach deren Phasenumwandlung;
• 6A und 6B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine elektrische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das ein längliches Formgedächtniselemente aufweist, vor bzw. nach dessen Phasenumwandlung;
• 7A und 7B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine fluidische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das ein längliches Formgedächtniselemente aufweist, vor bzw. nach dessen Phasenumwandlung;
• 8A und 8B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine elektrische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das ein ringförmiges Formgedächtniselement aufweist, vor bzw. nach dessen Phasenumwandlung und
• 9A und 9B zeigen als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine fluidische Steckverbindung mit einem Steckverbindungselement, das ein ringförmiges Formgedächtniselement aufweist, vor bzw. nach dessen Phasenumwandlung.

The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

• 1 shows a sectional side view of an electrical plug connection with a plug connection element which is plugged together with a plug connection counter element;
• 2A and 2B show a side view of an elongated shape memory element before and after its phase transformation;
• 3A and 3B show a frontal view of a ring-shaped shape memory element before and after its phase transformation;
• 4A and 4B show a sectional side view of an electrical plug connection with a plug connection element having a plurality of elongated shape memory elements, before and after their phase transformation;
• 5A and 5B show a sectional side view of a fluidic plug connection with a plug connection element having several elongated shape memory elements, before and after their phase transformation;
• 6A and 6B show a sectional side view of an electrical plug connection with a plug connection element having an elongated shape memory element, before and after its phase transformation;
• 7A and 7B show a sectional side view of a fluidic plug connection with a plug connection element having an elongated shape memory element, before and after its phase transformation;
• 8A and 8B show a sectional side view of an electrical plug connection with a plug connection element that has a ring-shaped shape memory element, before and after its phase transformation and
• 9A and 9B show a sectional side view of a fluidic plug connection with a plug connection element having an annular shape memory element, before and after its phase transformation.

1 shows a sectional side view of an electrical plug connection 1, 2 with a plug connection element 1 that is plugged together with a plug connection counter element 2. For this purpose, the plug connection element 1 has a frontally open housing 3 that is plugged into a frontally open housing 4 of the plug connection counter element 2. The housing 3 surrounds at least one electrical contact element in the form of a blade 5, at least in sections, which is led out of the housing 3 to the rear and is connected, for example, to an electrical line (not shown). In general, several blades 5 can be surrounded by the housing 3, for example arranged next to one another (here: perpendicular to the image plane) at a distance.

The housing 4 of the plug connection counter element 2 surrounds one or more clamping bushes 6, into which a respective blade 5 can be inserted, which is contacted by a flat clamping when inserted. In particular, there can be as many clamping bushes 6 as blades 5, which can then be arranged next to one another at a distance, for example. Each of the clamping bushes is led out of the housing 5 to the rear and can then be connected, for example, to an electrical line (not shown). The clamping bushes 6 can be surrounded by a cage 7, in particular a common cage.

2A shows a side view of an elongated shape memory element 8 before its phase transformation. 2B shows a side view of the elongated shape memory element 8 after its phase transformation. The elongated shape memory element 8 can be, for example, a strip of shape memory alloy shown with a view to its flat side. Before its phase transformation, which can be brought about, for example, by increasing the temperature above a phase transformation temperature, the shape memory element 8 is flat or unbent, as in 2A After its phase transformation, the shape memory element 8 is bent around its flat side (not shown), as shown in 2B shown.

3A shows a front view of a ring-shaped shape memory element 9 before its phase transformation. 3B shows a frontal view of the ring-shaped shape memory element 9 before its phase transformation. The ring-shaped shape memory element 9 has a closed ring shape with a wave-like course along the circumferential direction. Before its phase transformation, the ring-shaped shape memory element 9 has a pronounced wave shape with a peak-to-peak diameter D1, as in 3A After its phase transformation, the shape memory element 9 is expanded with a less pronounced waveform, as shown in 2B In particular, the peak-to-peak diameter D2 after the phase transformation is larger than the peak-to-peak diameter D1.

4A shows a sectional side view of a detail of an electrical plug connection 10, 11 with a plug connection element 10 that is plugged into a plug connection counter element 11. In contrast to the plug connection 1, 2, the plug connection element 10 here has, purely as an example, the clamping socket(s) 6 into which a respective blade 5 of the plug connection counter element 11 is plugged, but this could also be the other way around, as with the plug connection 1, 2. The plug connection element 10 has a housing 12, e.g. made of plastic, which is designed similarly to the housing 3, but with a plurality of elongated shape memory elements 8 distributed in the circumferential direction embedded in the housing 12, here for example two shape memory elements 8 offset by 180° in the circumferential direction, which lie opposite one another in a side view. In the area of the shape memory elements 8, a projection (“latching lug”) 13 is present on the outside of the housing 12. In the plugged-in state, the locking lugs 13 are opposed by a recess (“locking recess”) 15 in a housing 14 of the plug connection counter element 11, for example a respective blind hole or a single annular groove. Before phase conversion, the plug connection element 10 and the plug connection counter element 11 can be plugged together with little effort, since the locking lugs 13 are not in the insertion path.

The plug connection 10, 11 can be part of a vehicle F, in particular a fully electrically powered vehicle, in particular an on-board energy network EBN thereof.

4B shows a sectional view in side view of the electrical connector 10, 11 after e.g. thermally induced phase transformation of the shape memory elements 8, as already in 2B explained. The shape memory elements 8 bend outwards due to the phase transformation, so that the housing 12 is deformed at least locally in such a way that the respective associated locking lug 13 is displaced laterally outwards into the locking recess(es) 15. This creates a secure positive connection ("locking connection") which can reliably prevent the plug connection 10, 11 from coming loose.

The shape memory elements 8 can, as shown, be embedded in the housing 12, wherein the housing 12 consists of a material suitable for deformation. It is a further development that the housing 12 is wrapped around the shape memory elements 8 has one or more slots or the like around it to facilitate local deformation in the area of the shape memory elements 8. The shape memory elements 8 can also be embedded in tabs that attach to the outside of the housing 12, or the tabs can be the shape memory elements 8 themselves, etc.

5A shows a sectional side view of the fluidic plug connection 16, 17, which can also be referred to as a fluid coupling, for transporting liquid and/or gas. Here, a plug connection element 16 is plugged into a plug connection counter element 17. The plug or front section 18 of the plug connection element 16 shown has, similar to the housing 10, shape memory elements 8 and locking lugs 13, the plug or front section 18 of the plug connection counter element 17 shown has at least one locking recess 15. Analogous to the electrical plug connection 10, 11, the shape memory elements 8 deform during e.g. thermally induced phase transformation in such a way that the locking lugs 13 dip into the at least one locking recess 15, as in 5B indicated.

The plug connection 16, 17 can be part of a vehicle F, in particular a fully electrically powered vehicle, in particular an on-board energy network EBN thereof.

6A shows a sectional side view of a detail of an electrical plug connection 20, 21 with a plug connection element 20 that is plugged into a plug connection counter element 21. In contrast to the plug connection 10, 11, the plug connection element 20 has a housing 22 that, similar to the housing 12, has several elongated shape memory elements 8 distributed in the circumferential direction, but only exactly one locking lug 13. In the plugged state, the locking lug 13 lies opposite a locking recess 15 made in the housing 23 of the plug connection counter element 21. The locking recess 15 can, as shown, be formed in a further development in a tab 32 protruding from the front side of the housing 23.

6B shows a sectional side view of the electrical plug connection 20, 21 after, for example, thermally induced phase transformation of the shape memory elements 8. The shape memory elements 8 bend in a common direction due to the phase transformation. As a result, the housing 22 is curved in sections in such a way that the locking lug 13 dips into the locking recess 15. The curvature in sections is designed so that the fit of the plug connection 18, 21 and the electrical contact 5, 6 is not impaired.

7A shows a sectional side view of a fluidic plug connection 24, 25 with a plug connection element 24 which is inserted into a plug connection counter element 25. In contrast to the plug connection 16, 17, the plug connection element 24 has a front section 26 which, similar to the section 18, has several elongated shape memory elements 8 distributed in the circumferential direction, but analogous to 6A only exactly one locking lug 13. In the plugged-in state, the locking lug 13 is opposite a locking recess 15 introduced into the front section 27 of the plug connection counter element 25.

7B shows a sectional view in side view of the fluidic plug connection 24, 25 after phase transformation of the shape memory elements 8. The shape memory elements 8 bend analogously to 6B through the phase transformation in a common direction. As a result, the plug connection element 24 is curved in sections such that the locking lug 13 dips into the locking recess 15. The curvature in sections is designed so that the tightness of the plug connection 24, 25 is not impaired.

8A and 8B show a side view of an electrical plug connection 28, 11 with a plug connection element 28 and a plug connection counter element 1. The plug connection 28, 1 is constructed similarly to the plug connection 10, 11, except that instead of several elongated shape memory elements 8 in the area of the locking lugs 13, an annular shape memory element 9 is present. The annular shape memory element 9 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection 28, 11, and is accordingly perpendicular to the image plane. In the 8A In the state shown before phase transformation, the ring-shaped shape memory element 9 has the diameter D1, in which 8B shown state after phase transformation the enlarged diameter D2. Due to the phase transformation, the housing 29 is expanded in sections so that the locking lugs 13 analogously to 4B laterally outwards into the locking recess(es) 15.

9A and 9B show a side view of a fluidic plug connection 30, 17 similar to the plug connection 16, 17, but now the front section 31 of the plug connection element 30 in the area of the locking lugs 13 is analogous to 8A and 8B a ring-shaped shape memory element 9 instead of the elongated shape memory elements 8. Analogous to the electrical plug connection 28, 11, the ring-shaped shape memory element 9 increases its diameter during phase transformation in such a way that the locking lugs 13 dip into the at least one locking recess 15, as in 9B indicated.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

The plug connections shown can have one or more sealing elements.

In general, “a”, “an”, etc. can be understood to mean a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of “at least one” or “one or more”, etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression “exactly one”, etc.

A numerical value may also include the exact number stated as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

list of reference symbols

1

connector element

2

connector counter element

3

housing of the connector element

4

housing of the connector counter element

5

sword

6

clamping bushing

7

cage

8

Elongated shape memory element

9

Ring-shaped shape memory element

10

connector element

11

connector counter element

12

housing of the connector element

13

locking lug

14

housing of the connector counter element

15

locking recess

16

connector element

17

plug connection counter element

18

section of the connector element

19

section of the connector counter element

20

connector element

21

connector counter element

22

housing of the connector element

23

housing of the connector counter element

24

connector element

25

connector counter element

26

section of the connector element

27

section of the connector counter element

28

connector element

29

housing of the connector element

30

connector element

31

section of the connector element

32

tab

D1

peak-to-peak diameter before phase transition

D2

peak-to-peak diameter after phase transformation

F

vehicle

EBN

on-board power grid

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6 907 652 B1 [0002]
• US 9 991 617 B2 [0003]
• DE 10 2008 013 751 B4 [0004]
• GB 2 203 791 A [0005]
• US 5 002 716 [0006]
• US 5 120 488 [0007]
• US 5 662 362 [0008]

Claims (13)

Method for connecting a plug connection element (10; 16; 20; 24; 28; 30) to a plug connection counter element (11; 17; 21; 25), in which - the plug connection element (10; 16; 20; 24; 28; 30) is plugged together with the plug connection counter element (11; 17; 21; 25) until at least one locking lug (13) of the plug connection element (10; 16; 20; 24; 28; 30) is opposite a locking recess (15) of the plug connection counter element (11; 17; 21; 25); and - by causing a phase transformation, at least one shape memory region (8; 9) of the plug connection element (10; 16; 20; 24; 28; 30) is deformed such that its at least one locking lug (13) dips into the respective opposite locking recess (15). procedure according to claim 1 , in which the plug connection element (10; 16; 28; 30) - has a plurality of locking lugs (13) distributed in a circumferential direction and - the at least one shape memory region (8; 9) displaces the plug connection element (10; 16; 28; 30) laterally outwards in the region of the locking lugs (13) during phase conversion. procedure according to claim 2 , in which the plug connection element (28; 30) has, in the region of the locking lugs (13), an annular shape memory region (9) aligned in the circumferential direction, the circumference of which expands during phase transformation. Method according to one of the Claims 2 until 3 , in which the plug connection element (10; 16) has a plurality of elongated shape memory regions (8) which are aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction before phase transformation and which are bent during phase transformation such that the region of the locking lugs (13) is displaced laterally outwards. procedure according to claim 1 , in which the plug connection element (20; 24) - has a locking lug (13) and - has at least one elongated shape memory region (8) which is aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction before phase conversion and - the at least one shape memory region (8) displaces the plug connection element (20; 24) laterally outwards in the region of the locking lug (13) during phase conversion. procedure according to claim 5 , in which the plug connection element (20; 24) has a plurality of elongate shape memory regions (8) which are arranged distributed along a circumferential direction before phase transformation and are aligned at least approximately in the longitudinal direction and which are bent in the same direction during phase transformation. Method according to one of the Claims 5 until 6 , in which the plug connection counter element (20; 24) has a tab which projects against the insertion direction and which has the locking recess (15). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug connection element (16; 24; 30) and the plug connection counter element (17; 25) are tubular fluid line elements. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug connection element (10; 20; 28) and the plug connection counter element (11; 21) are electrical plug connection elements. procedure according to claim 9 , in which - the plug connection element (10; 20; 28) has a housing (12; 22; 29) at its end section, which surrounds at least one clamping bush (6) or at least one blade (5), and on the outside of which the at least one locking lug (13) is located, - and the plug connection counter element (11; 21) has a housing (14; 23) at its end section, which surrounds at least one blade (5) or at least one clamping bush (6), and on the inside of which the at least one locking recess (15) is present. Plug connection element (10; 20; 28) with an insertion section (12; 18; 22; 26; 29; 31) for insertion into a plug connection counter element (11; 21), wherein - the insertion section (12; 18; 22; 26; 29; 31) has at least one locking lug (13), - the plug connection element (10; 20; 28), in particular on its insertion section, has at least one shape memory region (8; 9), - and the shape memory region (8; 9), when a phase transformation is brought about in it, deforms the insertion section (12; 18; 22; 26; 29; 31) in such a way that the at least one locking lug (13) is displaced laterally outwards. Plug connection with a plug connection element (10; 16; 20; 24; 28; 30) and a plug connection counter element (11; 17; 21; 25) plugged together therewith, wherein the plug connection is produced by means of the method according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 has been manufactured. Vehicle (F), having at least one plug connection according to claim 12 .

Images