Electric contact coupling

US6935881B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• era-contact GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Kainz · Heilbronn, DE
• Dominik Neuberger · Karlsruhe, DE
• Uwe Ziegler · Eppingen, DE
• Gregor Nowak · Eppingen, DE
• Frank Moskob · Laufenburg (Baden), DE
• Robert Dost · Maulbronn, DE
• Jürgen Veit · Bretten, DE
• Bernd Schumann · Rutesheim, DE
• Robert Austen · Gondelsheim, DE
• Egbert Kurz · Mannheim, DE
• Othmar von Berg · Bretten, DE
• Monika Bauer · Bruchsal, DE
• Klaus Hiller · Mühlacker, DE
• Bernd Nussbaumer · Bretten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 3, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 3, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R2107/00
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An electric contact coupling for connection of a first group of electric conductors to a second group of electric conductors, and especially for use in the coupling of rail and other vehicles with one another, comprises a first plug contact carrier and a second socket contact carrier which are movable into assembly with one another to bring the plug contact elements of the first contact carrier into electric contact with the socket contact elements of the second contact carrier. The two contact carriers are arranged in respectively associated contact carrier housings. The first contact carrier is movable by a positioning mechanism axially relative to its housing to bring its contacts into engagement with the contacts of the second carrier after the two carrier housings have been brought into engagement with one another. Transversely movable closure members seal the carrier housings against the penetration of dirt and moisture when the carrier housings are uncoupled from one another. The support for the two contact carriers in a coupled condition of the coupling is such that reasonable movement of one carrier housing relative to the other is accommodated without substantial loading …