Plug and socket device

Abstract

A plug and socket device includes a plug, which can be inserted in a socket. The plug or the socket has a detection unit designed to detect the correct positioning of the plug in the socket. The detection unit has a switching element designed to be mechanically activated when the plug is correctly positioned.

Claims

1. A plug and socket device, comprising: a socket; a plug that is insertable into the socket, wherein the plug or the socket has a detection unit that is designed to detect correct positioning of the plug in the socket, the detection unit comprises a switching element that is designed to be mechanically activated in an event of correct positioning, the detection unit further comprises an electrical circuit, the switching element is a crimping contact, the switching element is configured so as to close the electrical circuit when activated, the switching element is configured to be closed by mechanical pressure which acts on the switching element as a result of a plug connection between the plug and the socket, and the detection unit is configured to detect whether the plug is inserted completely into the socket.

2. The plug and socket device according to claim 1, wherein the switching element is designed to connect two lines of the electrical circuit.

3. The plug and socket device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is designed as a film.

4. The plug for insertion into the socket in the plug and socket device according to claim 1.

5. The socket for receiving the plug in the plug and socket device according to claim 1.

6. The plug and socket device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is an RFID transponder.

7. The plug and socket device according to claim 6, wherein the RFID transponder has an antenna, and the switching element is designed to supply the antenna with power in an activated state.

8. The plug and socket device according to claim 7, wherein the RFID transponder is designed to transmit a signal to a reader via the antenna in an electrically closed state.

9. The plug and socket device according to claim 8, wherein the signal contains information about a positioning of the plug in the socket and/or further information about the plug and/or the socket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a plug and socket device.

(2) FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic view of a detection unit of the plug and socket device of FIG. 1.

(3) Identical or functionally identical elements are identified below using the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(4) FIG. 1 shows a plug and socket device 1 having a plug 2 and a socket 4. The plug 2 has for example contacts 6 that are able to be inserted into the socket 4 into corresponding receptacles 8. If the contacts 6 are connected to the receptacles 8, current flows via the plug connection. If however such a plug connection 1 is not joined together until the components abut, although there is electrical contact between the contacts 6 and the receptacles 8, the tightness of the connection and also resistance to vibrations may decrease over time. This may lead to the plug connection completely detaching.

(5) In order to detect whether the plug 2 is positioned correctly, that is to say until it abuts, in the socket 4, a detection unit 10 is therefore used in the plug and socket device 1 proposed here, as is described in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(6) The detection unit 10 may be provided either on the plug 2 or on the socket 4. The detection unit 10 has a switching element 12 that is activated, that is to say closed, when the plug 2 is positioned correctly in the socket 4.

(7) The switching element 12 is first of all open, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. If the plug 2 is inserted into the socket 4, the switching element 12 is mechanically activated, that is to say closed, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. This may be brought about for example through crimped contact, that is to say through mechanical pressure that acts on the switching element 12 as a result of the plug connection between the plug 2 and the socket 4.

(8) If the switching element 12 is activated, a circuit of the detection unit 10, which is formed in the case shown here by a microchip 14 and an antenna 16, is thereby closed. In this case the switching element 12 connects line 18 and line 20 of the circuit. By closing the circuit, the antenna 16 may be supplied with current, and is then able to emit a signal to a reader (not shown). Transmitting the signal may indicate correct positioning of the plug 2 in the socket 4, since the antenna 16 is not supplied with current when the plug 2 is not correctly positioned in the socket 4, and is therefore not able to transmit a signal.

(9) The antenna 16 may additionally transmit further information via the plug connection. This includes for example an identification number of the plug 2 and/or of the socket 4.

(10) By virtue of the proposed plug and socket device, it is easily possible to detect whether a plug is positioned correctly in a socket. Since a detection unit used for this purpose is attached only to the plug or only to the socket, it is not necessary to exactly position the detection unit on both elements.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(11) 1 plug and socket device 2 plug 4 socket 6 contacts 8 receptacles 10 detection unit 12 switching element 14 microchip 16 antenna