Safety element and plug connector
A safety element for an electrical connector is designed such that it is electrically insulating below a limit temperature (T Limit ) and such that it is electrically conductive above the limit temperature (T Limit ).
1 . A safety element for an electrical connector, the safety element being designed in such a way that it is electrically insulating below a limit temperature and electrically conductive above the limit temperature, wherein the safety element is configured, when above the limit temperature, to establish a direct electrical connection between first and second power contacts of the electrical connector by exposure of at least one electrically conductive element positioned to bridge the first and second power contacts.
2 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element is a secondary interlock for locking together a first connector element and a second connector element of the connector.
3 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the limit temperature lies in a range from 220° C. to 230° C.
4 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element is formed from a polymer that is electrically conductive above the limit temperature.
5 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element comprises an element made of a bimetallic material designed to change electrical resistance and shape depending on temperature in such a way that it is electrically insulating below the limit temperature and is electrically conductive above the limit temperature.
6 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element comprises a shape-memory alloy element that changes shape above the limit temperature so that the safety element becomes electrically conductive when the limit temperature is exceeded.
7 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element is a 3D-printed element that is designed in such a way that it changes its shape above the limit temperature, so that the safety element is electrically conductive when the limit temperature is exceeded.
8 . A safety connector comprising a safety element according to claim 1 .
9 . The safety connector according to claim 8 , wherein the connector is a high voltage connector.
10 . The safety connector according to claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a first plug-in connection element and a second plug-in connection element, and the safety element is designed as a secondary interlock for locking together the first plug-in connection element and the second plug-in connection element.
11 . The safety connector according to claim 10 , wherein in a secondary locked position of the safety connector, the safety element is in the hottest zone of the safety connector and is electrically conductive above the limit temperature, so that a planned malfunction of the safety connector occurs above the limit temperature.
12 . The safety connector according to claim 8 , wherein the connector is a high voltage connector, and wherein the high voltage refers to alternating voltages (AC) of 30 volts (V) to 1 kilovolt (kV) to 1 kV or to direct voltages (DC) of 60 V to 1.5 kV.
13 . The safety connector of claim 8 , wherein the design of the safety element being electrically insulating below the limit temperature and electrically conductive above the limit temperature ensures that the safety connector has its intended functionality providing an electrical connection below the limit temperature but the safety connector has an intentional malfunction when the safety element becomes electrically conductive above the limit temperature.
14 . The safety connector of claim 8 , wherein the limit temperature lies in a range from 220° C. to 230° C. to ensure that:
the limit temperature is present in only the hottest zone of the safety connector and is in a temperature range at which damage to the safety connector is prevented; and
the safety element is in the hottest zone of the safety connector and is electrically conductive above the limit temperature, so that an intended malfunction of the safety connector occurs above the limit temperature.
15 . The safety element of claim 1 , wherein:
the safety element has an insulation resistance that is temperature dependent such that the insulation resistance changes with the temperature of the safety element; and
a threshold value of the insulation resistance at which the safety element is considered electrically conductive is 100 kilo ohms to 500 kilo ohms.
16 . The safety element of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one bore of the base body comprises two bores formed in the base body and each of the two bores holds an electrically conductive element and
the at least one electrically conductive element is a pin.
17 . The safety element according to claim 1 , wherein the safety element comprises a reusable safety element that is reversible, becoming electrically conductive when the limit temperature is exceeded and returning to an electrically insulating state when the temperature falls below the limit several times.