Hair cutting appliance, receptacle and connector plug

Abstract

A hair cutting appliance includes a receiving receptacle for receiving a connector plug to detachably connect a cutting unit to a housing of the hair cutting appliance. The receiving receptacle includes a receiving socket having a receiving recess adapted to receive an engagement element of the connector plug, and a biasing unit arranged in the receiving socket underneath the receiving recess. The biasing unit includes first and second biasing elements laterally spaced with respect to each other and arranged to receive the engagement element of the connector plug. The first biasing element includes a retaining contact portion configured to define the receiving position of the engagement element in an insertion direction (Z). The second biasing element includes an alignment contact portion configured to define the receiving position of the engagement element in a longitudinal direction (X) and in a lateral direction (Y).

Claims

1. A receiving receptacle for a connector plug for connecting a detachable cutting unit of a hair cutting appliance, the receiving receptacle comprising at least one receiving socket having a receiving recess that is adapted to receive a respective engagement element of the connector plug, at least one biasing unit arranged in the at least one receiving socket underneath the receiving recess, wherein the at least one biasing unit comprises a first biasing element and a second biasing element opposing the first biasing element, the first biasing element and the second biasing element being laterally spaced with respect to each other, the first biasing element and the second biasing element being arranged on opposite sides of the engagement element of the connector plug for receiving the engagement element at a receiving position in a biasing manner, wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element have different shapes along a lateral direction (Y), wherein the first biasing element comprises a retaining contact portion that is configured to define the receiving position of the engagement element in an insertion direction (Z), and wherein the second biasing element comprises an alignment contact portion that is configured to define the receiving position of the engagement element in a longitudinal direction (X) and in the lateral direction (Y).

2. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing unit comprises at least one flat spring element.

3. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing unit comprises at least one wire spring element.

4. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining contact portion of the first biasing element comprises a bent section that is adapted to engage the engagement element, thereby defining the receiving position of the engagement element in the insertion direction (Z).

5. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment contact portion of the second biasing element comprises opposite contact sections arranged at longitudinal ends thereof that define the receiving position of the engagement element in the longitudinal direction (X).

6. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first biasing element is arranged to urge the engagement element in the lateral direction (Y), wherein the second biasing element is arranged to urge the engagement element in the lateral direction (Y), wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element are urging towards each other, thereby defining the receiving position of the engagement element in the lateral direction (Y).

7. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first receiving recess and a second receiving recess that are adapted to receive a first engagement element and a second engagement element, the first receiving recess and the second receiving recess being laterally spaced with respect to each other, and a first biasing unit and a second biasing unit respectively arranged in a first receiving socket and a second receiving socket underneath the first receiving recess and the second receiving recess.

8. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the respective first biasing elements of the first biasing unit and the second biasing unit are integrally formed.

9. The receiving receptacle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the respective second biasing elements of the first biasing unit and the second biasing unit are integrally formed.

10. A connector plug for a receiving receptacle for connecting a detachable cutting unit of a hair cutting appliance, the connector plug comprising at least one engagement element extending from a base in an insertion direction (Z), wherein the at least one engagement element comprises, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction (Z), a cross-sectional profile being adapted to fit through a receiving recess of a respective receiving receptacle, wherein the at least one engagement element comprises a contact indentation extending substantially parallel to the insertion direction (Z), wherein the contact indentation is adapted to contact a biasing unit of the receiving receptacle to define the receiving position of the engagement element in a longitudinal direction (X), wherein the at least one engagement element comprises an engagement recess portion that is adapted to contact the biasing unit of the receiving receptacle to define the receiving position of the engagement element in the insertion direction (Z), and wherein the contact indentation and the engagement recess portion are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one engagement element.

11. The connector plug as claimed in claim 10, wherein the contact indentation defines a concave surface at the at least one engagement element, and wherein the contact indentation is arranged to embrace the second biasing element in the longitudinal direction (X) when being mounted to the receiving receptacle.

12. The connector plug as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the at least one engagement element is substantially C-shaped or U-shaped.

13. The connector plug as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engagement recess portion comprises a laterally extending recess portion at the at least one engagement element.

14. The connector plug as claimed in claim 10, comprising a first engagement element and a second engagement element, the first engagement element and the second engagement element being laterally spaced with respect to each other, the first engagement element and the second engagement element being respectively adapted to fit through a first receiving recess and a second receiving recess of the receiving receptacle, and to contact a first biasing unit and a second biasing unit when being mounted to the receiving receptacle.

15. A hair cutting appliance comprising a housing accommodating a motor, and a detachable cutting unit, wherein the detachable cutting unit comprises a connector plug, the connector plug comprising at least one engagement element extending from a base in an insertion direction (Z), wherein the at least one engagement element comprises, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction (Z), a cross-sectional profile being adapted to fit through a receiving recess of a respective receiving receptacle, wherein the at least one engagement element comprises a contact indentation extending substantially parallel to the insertion direction (Z), wherein the contact indention is adapted to contact a biasing unit of the receiving receptacle to define the receiving position of the engagement element in a longitudinal direction (X), wherein the at least one engagement element comprises an engagement recess portion that is adapted to contact the biasing unit of the receiving receptacle to define the receiving position of the engagement element in the insertion direction (Z), and wherein the contact indentation and the engagement recess portion are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one engagement element.

16. The receiving receptacle of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing unit has a u-shape, and wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element are legs of the u-shape and are connected at a base to form the u-shape.

17. The receiving receptacle of claim 1, wherein the alignment contact portion has contact sections at longitudinal ends of the alignment contact portion, wherein the contact sections are configured to contact a portion of a surface of the engagement element, and wherein the contact sections are connected by an intermediate portion that is configured to be spaced away from the engagement element.

18. The receiving receptacle of claim 1, wherein the alignment contact portion has contact sections at longitudinal ends of the alignment contact portion, and wherein the contact sections are configured to contact a portion of a concave surface of the engagement element.

19. The receiving receptacle of claim 1, wherein the first biasing element has a portion curved towards the engagement element for engaging a recess portion of the engagement element, and wherein the second biasing element has contact sections at longitudinal ends of the alignment contact portion, the contact sections being configured to contact a portion of a surface of the engagement element leaving other portions of the surface of the engagement element free from contact.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Several aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the following drawings

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary electric hair cutting appliance fitted with an exemplary embodiment of a cutting unit that is releasably attachable to the hair cutting appliance for hair cutting operations;

(3) FIG. 1a is a partial perspective bottom view of a blade set of a cutting unit of a hair cutting appliance in accordance with FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 1b is a further partial perspective top view corresponding to the view of FIG. 1a, a wall portion of the blade set being omitted primarily for illustrative purposes;

(5) FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of a hair cutting appliance comprising a receiving receptacle and a cutting unit comprising a connector plug, shown in exploded view;

(6) FIG. 3 shows a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the connector plug and receiving receptacle arrangement shown in FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 4 shows a further, differently oriented, partial perspective cross-sectional view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a hair cutting appliance having a receiving receptacle and a connector plug, the connector plug shown in a released state;

(9) FIG. 6 shows another perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 7 shows a detailed perspective view of the connector plug shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector plug cooperating with a first biasing unit and a second biasing unit;

(11) FIG. 8 shows a further detailed perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7 in an exploded state;

(12) FIG. 9 shows a simplified schematic bottom view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 7, the connector plug cooperating with respective second biasing elements;

(13) FIG. 10 illustrates another detailed perspective view of yet another embodiment comprising the connector plug shown in FIG. 7 and an alternative spring unit arrangement; and

(14) FIG. 11 shows another perspective view of the connector plug and the biasing unit shown in FIG. 10 in an exploded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a simplified perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a hair cutting appliance 10, particularly an electric hair cutting appliance 10. The cutting appliance 10 may include a housing 12, a motor indicated by a dashed block 14 in the housing 12, and a drive mechanism indicated by a dashed block 16 in the housing 12. For powering the motor 14, at least in some embodiments of the cutting appliance 10, an electrical battery, indicated by a dashed block 17 in the housing 12, may be provided, such as, for instance, a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, etc. However, in some embodiments, the cutting appliance 10 may be provided with a power cable for connecting a power supply. A power supply connector may be provided in addition or in the alternative to the (internal) electric battery 17.

(16) The cutting appliance 10 may further comprise a cutting head or cutting unit 18. At the cutting unit 18, a blade set 20 may be attached to the hair cutting appliance 10. The blade set 20 of the cutting unit 18 may be driven by the motor 14 via the drive mechanism 16 to enable a cutting motion.

(17) The cutting motion may be generally regarded as relative motion between a stationary blade 22 and a movable blade 24 of the blade set 20, see also FIGS. 1a and 1b. Generally, a user may grasp and guide the cutting appliance 10 through hair in a moving direction 28 to cut hair. Furthermore, the blade set 20 can be arranged at the cutting unit 18 in a pivoting manner, refer to the curved double-arrow indicated by reference numeral 26. In some embodiments, the cutting appliance 10, or, more specifically, the cutting unit 18 including the blade set 20, can be passed along skin to cut hair growing at the skin. When cutting hair closely to the skin, basically a shaving operation can be performed aiming at cutting (or chopping) at the level of the skin. However, also clipping (or trimming) operations may be envisaged, wherein the cutting unit 18 comprising a blade set blade set 20 is passed along a path at a desired distance relative to the skin.

(18) When being guided or led through hair, the cutting appliance 10 including the blade set 20 is typically moved along a common moving direction which is indicated by the reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1. It is worth mentioning in this connection that, given that the hair cutting appliance 10 is typically manually guided and moved, the moving direction 28 thus not necessarily has to be construed as a precise geometric reference and having a fixed definition and relation with respect to the orientation of the cutting appliance 10 and its cutting unit 18 fitted with the blade set 20. That is, an overall orientation of the cutting appliance 10 with respect to the to-be-cut hair at the skin may be construed as somewhat unsteady. However, for illustrative purposes, it can be fairly assumed that the (imaginary) moving direction 28 is parallel (or generally parallel) to a main central plane of a coordinate system which may serve in the following as a means for describing structural features of the hair cutting appliance 10.

(19) For ease of reference, coordinate systems are indicated in several of FIGS. 1 to 11. By way of example, a Cartesian coordinate system X-Y-Z is indicated in FIG. 1. An X axis of the respective coordinate system extends in a generally longitudinal direction that is generally associated with length, for the purpose of this disclosure. A Y axis of the coordinate system extends in a lateral (or transverse) direction associated with width, for the purpose of this disclosure. A Z axis of the coordinate system extends in a height or insertion direction which may be referred to for illustrative purposes, at least in some embodiments, as a generally vertical direction. It goes without saying that an association of the coordinate system to characteristic features and/or embodiments of the hair cutting appliance 10 is primarily provided for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed in a limiting way. It should be understood that those skilled in the art may readily convert and/or transfer the coordinate system provided herein when being confronted with alternative embodiments, respective figures and illustrations including different orientations.

(20) FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a partial detailed view of the blade set 20 of the cutting unit 18 exemplarily shown in FIG. 1. The blade set 20 comprises a stationary blade 22 and a movable blade 24. By way of example, the blade set 20 may comprise at least one basically laterally extending edge or cutting edge. It is preferred that the blade set 20 comprises two cutting edges 29a, 29b are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. The stationary blade 22 and the movable blade 24 may comprise a basically flat shape. It is particularly preferred that the stationary blade 22 is arranged to house and to guide the movable blade 24. In other words, the stationary blade 22 may be regarded as a shell or a cage for the movable blade 24. The stationary blade 22 may comprise a cross-section, viewed in the plane perpendicular to the lateral direction Y, that is, at the at least one cutting edge, basically U-shaped. The U shaped form may comprise a first leg and a second leg. Between the first leg and the second leg a guiding slot for the movable blade 24 may be defined. The movable blade 24 can be housed and guided in the stationary blade 22 for lateral movement with respect to the stationary blade 22. The movable blade 24 and the stationary blade 22 may comprise respective teeth at their cutting edges that allow to cut hairs in a scissor-like action. The stationary blade 22 basically encloses the movable blade 24 at the side thereof facing the skin when cutting hair and, at least partially, at the side thereof facing away from the skin when cutting hair. The blade set 20, or, more specifically, the stationary blade 22 and the movable blade 24 thereof, may comprise a first toothed cutting edge and a second toothed cutting edge. The cutting edges are spaced from each other in the moving direction 28 that is basically parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

(21) So as to suitably adapt the blade set 20 to shaving operations, it is preferred that a general height (or thickness) of the blade set 20, at least at the at least one cutting edge, is relatively small. Particularly, it is preferred that a skin-sided portion of the stationary blade 22 has a thickness that is relatively small. Even more preferably, the thickness of the stationary blade portion facing the skin is significantly smaller than the thickness of the stationary blade portion facing away from the skin, at least at the cutting edge. An exemplary blade set 20 for the hair cutting appliance 10 may comprise an overall height or thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.75 mm. The height or thickness of the skin-facing portion of the stationary blade, at least at the at least one leading edge, may be in the range of about 0.04 mm to about 0.25 mm. The height or thickness of the stationary blade portion facing away from the skin may be in the range of about 0.08 mm to about 0.4 mm. The height thickness of the movable blade 24, at least at the least one leading edge, may be in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm. The height of the movable blade 24 may basically correspond to a height of the guiding slot defined by the stationary blade 22 for the movable blade 24.

(22) With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, an exemplary embodiment of a hair cutting appliance 10 including a releasable interface for the cutting unit 18 is illustrated and further detailed. The cutting unit 18 may be attached to and detached from the housing 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10 in an insertion direction that is basically parallel to the Z axis. The releasable interface may basically involve a receiving receptacle 30 and a corresponding connector plug 32. By way of example, with particular reference to FIG. 2, the receiving receptacle 30 may be arranged at the housing 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10. Consequently, the connector plug 32 may be provided at the cutting unit 18. It goes without saying that the respective mating components may be interchanged in some embodiments.

(23) The receiving receptacle 30 includes at least one receiving socket 34a, 34b. For instance, the receiving receptacle 30 may include a first receiving socket 34a at a first lateral end thereof and a second receiving socket 34b at a second lateral end thereof. The at least one receiving socket 34a, 34b may comprise a respective receiving recess 36a, 36b. The receiving recess 36a, 36b may also be regarded as receiving opening, receiving aperture, etc. It is particularly preferred that the at least one receiving recess 36a, 36b defines an opening that basically corresponds to a cross-section of at least one corresponding engagement element 38a, 38b of the connector plug 32, when viewed in a plane that is basically parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. The connector plug 32 may comprise at least one engagement element 38a, 38b that may basically extend in the insertion direction Z from a base plate or base 40 thereof. In other words, the receiving receptacle 30 may comprise a hole pattern that is adapted to a pin or plug pattern at the connector plug 32. However, as will be further explained and illustrated below, it is not necessarily required to adapt the at least one receiving recess 36 and the at least one engagement element 38 in such a way that a tight fit therebetween is ensured. Accurate and free-of-play alignment of the connector plug 32 and the receiving receptacle is ensured by an interaction of the least one engagement element 38 and a biasing arrangement, as will be discussed further below.

(24) The least one engagement element 38a, 38b may be provided with a tapered insertion portion 42 at a front end thereof. This may facilitate the insertion of the connector plug 32. The at least one engagement element 38a, 38b may be further provided with a contact indentation 44. As can be best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the contact indentation 44 may be formed as a concave or semicircular indentation 44 at a lateral side of the at least one engagement element 38a, 38b. Furthermore, the at least one engagement element 38a, 38b may be provided with a recess portion 46 at a lateral side thereof that is opposite to the lateral side where the contact indentation 44 is provided. The recess portion 46 primarily defines a contact surface that may be engaged for defining a vertical position of the connector plug 32. As already indicated above, the vertical position may basically correspond to the position in the insertion direction Z. The contact indentation 44 is primarily provided for aligning the connector plug 32 with respect to the receiving receptacle 30 in the longitudinal direction X. The receiving receptacle 30 and the connector plug 32 are shown in FIG. 2 in a detached state. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate the receiving receptacle 30 and the connector plug 32 in an attached or mounted state. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view wherein a cross-sectional plane is a central plane that is parallel to the insertion direction Z and the lateral direction Y. By contrast, FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view, wherein a cross-sectional plane is basically perpendicular to the insertion direction Z and parallel to the lateral direction Y.

(25) As can be best seen in FIG. 3, the receiving receptacle 30 may further comprise a biasing arrangement 50 that includes at least one biasing unit 52a, 52b. Given the exemplary embodiment of the connector plug 32 introduced in FIG. 2, the biasing arrangement 50 comprises a first biasing unit 52a, that cooperates with the first engagement element 38a, and a second biasing unit 52b that cooperates with a second engagement element 38b. The biasing arrangement 50 is adapted to engage the at least one engagement element 38a, 38b of the connector plug 32. As used herein, engagement may particularly involve the exertion of biasing forces to the contact indentation 44 and the recess portion 46 of the least one engagement element 38. The biasing arrangement 50 may be arranged to define a receiving position for the connector plug 32 in the receiving direction Z, the lateral direction Y, and the longitudinal direction X.

(26) The at least one biasing unit 52a, 52b may comprise a first biasing element 54a, 54b. The at least one first biasing element 54a, 54b may be configured to engage the respective recess portion 46 of the engagement element 38a, 38b. In this way a retaining force may be exerted to the engagement element 38a, 38b that has to be surmounted for releasing the cutting unit 18. It may be particularly preferred in some embodiments that the first biasing element 54 is provided with a respective projecting contact portion or bent contact portion 58a, 58b. It is further preferred that the first biasing element 54a, 54b and the respective contact portion 58 is configured to pull the engagement element 38a, 38b and, consequently, the base 40 of the connector plug 32 into a defined end position along the insertion direction Z, wherein an abutment surface 48 of the connector plug 32 contacts a corresponding abutment end 49 at the receiving receptacle 30. It is further preferred that the first biasing element 54a, 54b still exerts a pull force to the connector plug 32 in the end position. In this way, a basically free-of-play vertical alignment of the connector plug 32 and the receiving receptacle 30 may be achieved.

(27) The at least one biasing unit 52a, 52b may further comprise a respective second biasing element 56a, 56b that is adapted to engage the contact indentation 44 at the engagement element 38a, 38b. As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the second biasing element 56a, 56b may be provided with an alignment contact portion 60a, 60b that may enter the respective contact indentation 44a, 44b. Particularly, the alignment contact portion 60a, 60b may be provided with opposing contact sections 62a, 62b that are provided at longitudinal ends of the alignment contact portions 60a, 60b. The opposing contact sections 62a, 62b may be arranged opposite to each other. The opposing contact sections 62 may engage an (inner) concave surface of the contact indentation 44. In this way, the longitudinal position of the engagement element 38a, 38b and, consequently, the connector plug 32, can be defined and aligned.

(28) It is particularly preferred that the first biasing element 54 and the second biasing element 56 of a respective biasing unit 52a, 52b are adapted to bias the respective engagement element 38a, 38b in opposite directions. Consequently, also the lateral position of the engagement element 38a, 38b and the connector plug 32 can be defined.

(29) As can be best seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the biasing arrangement 50 may comprise an integrated single-piece structure including the first biasing unit 52a and the second biasing unit 52b, each of which including a respective first biasing element 54a, 54b and a respective second biasing element 56a, 56b. Consequently, the connector plug 32 comprising two engagement elements 38a, 38b can be centered and reliably secured at the receiving receptacle 30. The biasing arrangement 50 may be formed as an integral flat spring arrangement. As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the biasing arrangement 50 is, in a preferred embodiment, shaped such that a space or clearance is provided at a center portion of the housing 12. Consequently, the biasing arrangement 50 does not obstruct the space required for the drive mechanism 16 (refer also to FIG. 1).

(30) The detachable interface illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 is a basically self-locking interface. When inserting the cutting unit 18 comprising the connector plug 32 into the receiving receptacle 30, the user may exert an insertion force to the cutting unit 18 for engaging the contact indentations 44 and, primarily, the recess portions 46 at the engagement elements 38a, 38b. At a certain position along the insertion direction Z, the first biasing elements 54a, 54b may snap in and engage the recess portions 46 with their bent contact portions 58a, 58b. The user is not necessarily required to align the cutting unit 18 at the receiving receptacle 30. The detachable interface can be formed in a self-aligning manner.

(31) For releasing the cutting unit 18 from the receiving receptacle 30, the user basically has to exert a release force that is sufficiently high to disengage the contact portions 58a, 58b from the recess portions 46 at the engagement elements 38a, 38b. It is not required to release an additional lock element.

(32) With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of a hair cutting appliance 10 will be described and further detailed. The hair cutting appliance 10a comprises a detachable interface including a receiving receptacle 30a and a corresponding connector plug 32a. The connector plug 32a is integrally formed as an injection molded part. The connector plug 32a includes a base portion 40a comprising a first engagement element 38c and a second engagement element 38d extending in the insertion direction Z therefrom. At the receiving receptacle 30a, two respective receiving recesses 36c, 36d are provided, that are adapted to a cross-sectional shape of the engagement elements 38c, 38d. As can be best seen in FIG. 5, the receiving recesses 36c, 36d and, correspondingly, the engagement elements 38c, 38d, may comprise a shape that is not mirror-symmetric with respect to the central plane defined by the insertion direction Z and the lateral direction Y. However, the receiving recesses 36c, 36d and the engagement elements 38c, 38d can be mirror-symmetric with respect to a transverse plane that is defined by the insertion direction Z and the longitudinal direction X. This embodiment may prevent assembly failures. FIG. 5 further illustrates a slide element 64 that may facilitate disengaging the connector plug 32a through a pushing action. The slide element 64 may be pushed against the base portion 40a in the Z direction and, consequently, release the first engagement element 38c and the second engagement element 38d from the receiving biasing element 50, refer also to FIG. 3 in this regard.

(33) The connector plug 32a and its respective engagement elements 38c, 38d are further described and illustrated in connection with respective biasing arrangements 50a, 50b in FIGS. 7 to 11. An exemplary flat spring biasing arrangement 50a is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. An exemplary biasing arrangement 50b including a flat spring and a wire spring is illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

(34) With reference to FIG. 7, the biasing arrangement 50a is described. By way of example, the biasing arrangement 50a can be composed of two flat springs. The two flat springs may be basically U-shaped or V-shaped. As can be best seen with further reference to FIG. 8, the two flat springs may be combined such that they commonly form a first biasing unit 52c composed of a first biasing element 54c and a second biasing element 56c, and a second biasing unit 52d composed of a first biasing unit 54d and a second biasing element 56d. The second biasing elements 56c, 56d may be configured to engage the basically vertically extending contact indentations 44 at the engagement elements 38c, 38d. Further reference in this regard is made to FIG. 9. For engaging the contact indentations 44, the second biasing elements 56c, 56d may be provided with respective contact portions 60c, 60d. Each of the contact portions 60c, 60d may be further provided with opposing contact sections 62c, 62d. It can be further seen from FIG. 9 that the opposing contact sections 62c, 62d may be formed by longitudinal edges of the contact portions 60c, 60d. The second biasing elements 56c, 56d can be further configured to act towards each other, thereby defining the lateral position and the longitudinal position of the connector plug 32a. This can be achieved since the opposing contact sections 62c, 62d may cooperate with inclined or curved surfaces of the contact indentations 44 of the engagement elements 38c, 38d that are basically oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction X and to the lateral direction Y. By way of example, the inclined contact surfaces at the engagement elements 38c, 38d may be arranged at an angle of about 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. Consequently, a biasing force generated by the biasing elements 56c, 56d that is basically perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X can be “decomposed”. Consequently, resulting longitudinal components and lateral components may be generated that may contribute to aligning and positioning the connector plug 32a in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y.

(35) With particular reference to FIG. 8, a further embodiment of the recess portion 46 at the engagement elements 38c, 38d is described. The recess portion 46 may involve a tapered surface 66 that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction Z. Furthermore, the recess portion 46 may comprise a lateral aperture 68 in the engagement element 38c, 38d.

(36) FIGS. 10 and 11 further illustrate an alternative embodiment of the biasing arrangement 50. The biasing arrangement 50b shown in FIG. 10 is composed of a flat spring and a wire spring. The wire spring may be formed as an integral wire spring comprising the first biasing element 54e of the first biasing unit 52e and the first biasing element 54f of the second biasing unit 52f. The first biasing elements 54e, 54f may be integrally formed, refer to FIG. 10. However, alternatively, the first biasing elements 54e, 54f may also be formed as separate biasing elements, refer to FIG. 11. Each of the first biasing elements 54e, 54f may comprise two substantially vertically extending arms, wherein the arms are respectively connected by a contact portion 58e, 58f that is configured to contact the recess portion 46 of the engagement element 38c, 38d. The wire-spring-based first biasing elements 54e, 54f may cooperate with flat-spring-based second biasing elements 56e, 56f. The biasing elements 54e, 56e may form a first biasing unit 52e. The biasing elements 54f, 56f may form the second biasing unit 52f. The biasing elements 56e, 56f may be provided with respective contact portions 60e, 60f for engaging the contact indentations 44 at the engagement elements 38c, 38d.

(37) It is again emphasized in this connection that the biasing arrangements 50, 50a, 50b in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be differently shaped and structured. For instance, each biasing unit 52 may be formed as a separate biasing unit. Consequently, the first biasing element 54 and the second biasing element 56 of a respective biasing unit may be integrally formed. Furthermore, each of the first and second biasing elements 54, 56 may be formed as a separate part. The biasing elements 54, 56 may be formed as metal biasing elements but also as plastic biasing elements. The biasing elements 54, 56 may be shaped as leaf springs or flat springs, but also as wire springs or coil springs. It is further envisaged that at least one of the biasing elements 54, 56, preferably, the biasing arrangement 50 is provided at the receiving receptacle 30 as a snap-in or an insert-molding part.

(38) In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, biasing forces of the biasing elements 54, 56 that are basically exerted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and, more preferably, also at least substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction Z can be suitably decomposed such that resulting force components align the connector plug 32, 32a spatially, i.e. in the longitudinal direction X, in the lateral direction Y and in the insertion direction Z.

(39) Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described above, in part with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the stationary blade, the blade set, etc. according to the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, it is noted that particular features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner to form new, not explicitly described embodiments.

(40) In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(41) Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.