WO2024149883A1

WO2024149883A1 - Mains-connection circuit, mains plug, in particular safety plug, device for supplying electrical energy, and method for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an ac mains

Info

Publication number: WO2024149883A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/050708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Blum
Original assignee: onSEP Consulting UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Priority date: 2023-01-13
Filing date: 2024-01-12
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

The invention relates to a mains connection circuit for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an AC mains comprising a protective conductor, a neutral conductor and an outer conductor. The invention also relates to a mains plug. In order to recognise correct polarity when connecting the device to the AC mains and thus avoid unwanted contact, the mains connection circuit has reverse polarity protection and the mains plug has a displaceable protective device.

Description

Mains connection circuit, mains plug, in particular protective contact plug, device for providing electrical energy and method for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an alternating voltage network

The present invention relates to a network connection circuit with reverse polarity protection. The network connection circuit is designed to connect a device for generating electrical energy to an electrical network, e.g. an AC network, which can be a low-voltage network. The device can be a fuel-powered power generator or an inverter for a direct current source, such as a solar system, a battery or a fuel cell. The network connection circuit has a first and a second connection line. The AC network has a protective conductor, a neutral conductor and an outer conductor. The first connection line is provided for connection to the neutral conductor and the second connection line is provided for connection to the outer conductor.

The invention further relates to a power plug for implementing an electrical plug connection. The power plug has plug contacts for establishing a plug connection with a complementary mating plug, for example a socket, and a protective contact. The power plug has three connection contacts for connecting conductors of a connecting cable to one of the plug contacts.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for generating electrical energy, with an energy output having at least three electrical contacts for providing the generated electrical energy.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an alternating voltage network having a protective conductor, a neutral conductor and an outer conductor.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a power plug for realizing an electrical plug contact, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts, each of which has a shaft for electrical contact, a fastening end region and a free end region. Devices for generating electrical energy are increasingly being connected to the household network by laypeople, for example with a plug-in solar device.

The purpose of the balcony power plant is to make electrical energy generated by the device and converted by the device usable by electrical consumers in the house network. However, it can happen that an external conductor that conducts current when the device is in operation contacts the neutral conductor of the house network, for example because a plug of the device that is not polarity-protected has been plugged into a socket in the house network with the wrong polarity, which can lead to safety problems or technical problems with connected devices. Furthermore, exposed plug contacts that are live can endanger laypeople.

The invention is therefore based on the object of making the use of devices for generating electrical energy safer.

This object is achieved for the network connection circuit mentioned at the outset in that it has a phase position detection device. The phase position detection device is electrically connected to the first and second connecting lines and is designed to determine a phase position between the second connecting line and the first connecting line. The phase position can in particular be the position relative to the network-side phase. The phase position detection device is designed to provide an operating signal when the phase position corresponds to a predetermined phase position and to output an error signal when the phase position deviates from the predetermined phase position.

For the power plug mentioned at the beginning, the problem is solved in that the plug contacts and the protective contact are connected to the connection contacts by means of a reverse polarity protection circuit according to the invention.

Furthermore, the object of the device for generating electrical energy mentioned at the outset is achieved in that a reverse polarity protection circuit according to the invention is connected upstream of the energy output and is, for example, galvanically connected to the energy output.

Furthermore, the task for the method mentioned at the beginning is solved by the fact that after a mechanical contact of an energy output of the Device with the electrical network, for example an alternating current network, by means of a mains plug first the polarity of power lines leading to the power output of the device is compared with the polarity of the lines of the alternating current network and the device is connected to the alternating current network depending on the result of the comparison.

Furthermore, the object for the power plug mentioned at the outset is achieved in that the power plug comprises at least one protective device with which at least the shafts of the plug contacts are protected or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact, wherein a relative movement can be carried out between at least one region of the protective device and the plug contacts, so that the shafts of the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in some regions.

Only by detecting the correct or incorrect phase position and subsequently providing the operating and error signals representing the correct or incorrect phase position is it possible to connect the device safely electrically to the low-voltage network after the mechanical coupling.

According to the invention, among other things, a contact protection device is provided, which only releases the plug contacts for electrical contact after the plugging process has been completed, as well as a downstream method for protective circuitry (reverse polarity protection and/or electrical circuit breakers such as Fl or AFDD). The contact protection is also provided by the power plug, which mechanically secures the plug contacts against contact.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the network connection circuit, the network connection circuit has a switching element which, in the closed state, connects two sections of the second connecting line to one another when the phase position detection device provides the operating signal.

An advantage of this design can be that the electrical connection is established automatically when the phase position is correct, but only when the polarity is correct.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the network connection circuit, the network connection circuit has a switching element which is designed to have two to connect sections of the first connecting line to one another and to connect two sections of the second connecting line to one another when the phase position detection device provides the operating signal, and which is designed to connect a section of the first connecting line to a section of the second connecting line and to connect a further section of the first connecting line to a further section of the second connecting line when the phase position detection device does not provide the operating signal.

An advantage of this embodiment may be that the electrical connection is automatically established with the correct polarity.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a connection between an outer conductor during operation of the device and an outer conductor of the AC voltage network is only made if the comparison shows that the power lines are connected to the lines of the AC voltage network with the same polarity through the mains plug.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, a connection between an outer conductor during operation of the device and an outer conductor of the AC voltage network is first switched crosswise and then closed if the comparison shows that the power lines are connected to the lines of the AC voltage network through the mains plug with unequal polarity.

The mains plug can be a safety plug, a two-pin mains plug, a three-pin mains plug or a three-phase plug. Three-phase current is a multi-phase alternating current. If the plug has several contacts for connecting to external conductors, the mains connection circuit can be designed to control the phase position for a majority or for all of these contacts and optionally to close or keep open switching elements depending on the phase positions for a majority or for all of these contacts. If the plug has several contacts for connecting to external conductors, the mains connection circuit can be designed to switch the phase position to the correct phase position for a majority or for all of these contacts.

The disclosures having protective conductors can be related, for example, to the plug type F (CEE 7/4), whereby an application to other CEE plug types, for example CEE system with CEE 7/4 alias Schuko plug, CEE 7/5 France and CEE 7/7 German/French hybrid plug, or CEE 7/15 Euro plug, can also be included. Other plug types that are used worldwide (e.g. NEMA plug) can also be implemented with the present invention.

The electrical phase position can be determined in relation to the protective conductor before the energy feed-in device is connected. An electronic or electrical circuit, such as the phase position detection device, can process the phase position. The decision as to whether the phase position is correct can be made purely logically as true or false. Depending on the decision, operating or error signals can be output. Depending on the decision and/or the operating or error signal, the circuit can be blocked or the phase position corrected.

In addition, unintentional release, i.e. energization of the contacts by the device, outside the plug-in device provided for this purpose can be prevented. The invention can also provide protection against mixing up the connection conditions and corresponding signaling.

The present disclosure further relates to a power plug, in particular a safety plug, as well as to aspects relating to a system and a method for providing electrical energy. The power plug disclosed below as well as the system and/or the method can be advantageous independently of the invention disclosed so far. Due to the need to reduce environmentally harmful emissions and to reduce energy costs, decentralized energy sources in the form of energy converters are increasingly required.

Particularly for individual households or smaller consumers, these can also be systems with a relatively low power range. Such systems should be cost-effective and flexible to set up and operate.

This also requires a simple, user-friendly and safe electrical connection of the system to the alternating current network, for example a low-voltage network.

In order to reduce costs, it is also important to ensure that the components used are largely standardized components.

In addition, it is necessary to feed the generated electrical energy into an existing grid or to make it available to a consumer in a simple and cost-effective manner.

For this purpose, energy transmission means must be made available.

There are various energy transmission means in the form of plugs and complementary sockets.

For example, EP 3 309 917 A1 discloses a device with a touch-protected arrangement of electrical connection elements, in which it is impossible for a user to touch a current-carrying component of one of several connection elements, wherein it is provided that the device has a housing divided into several compartments and open on at least one side, several electrical connection elements arranged in each of the compartments, and a sliding cover for all compartments from the second compartment onwards, wherein the at least one, preferably several sliding covers are movably attached to the housing in such a way that when one of the compartments or connection elements is accessible, all other compartments or connection elements are covered by a sliding cover. DE 2 112 899 A1 discloses an electrical contactor with plugs that have an ejector that includes a body made of electrically insulating material that is provided with at least one pair of contact pins or plug elements. Furthermore, there is at least one ejector lever with two arms that are arranged at an intermediate point of a fixed or firmly connected part of the body of the plug contact itself, wherein one arm of the lever can act against a contact surface and the other arm of the lever can be operated by hand to rotate the lever about its pivot axis in order to eject it or to push out the plug contact of a socket.

The improvement of the known aspects is based on the task of providing a plug, such as a safety plug, as well as a system and a method for providing electrical energy, with which the transmission of electrical energy is made possible in a simple, safe and customer-friendly manner. This improvement can be advantageous regardless of a mating plug designed to complement the plug, such as a socket.

The following is further disclosed:

A) Power plug for realizing an electrical plug contact, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts, each of which has a shaft for electrical contact, a fastening end region and a free end region, and comprising at least one protective device with which at least the shafts of the plug contacts are or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact, wherein a relative movement can be carried out between at least one region of the protective device and the plug contacts, so that the shafts of the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in some regions.

B) Mains plug according to aspect A), wherein the shafts of the plug contacts can be covered or can be covered in an electrically insulating manner by means of a protective element of the protective device.

C) Mains plug according to one of the aspects A) and B), wherein the protective device for covering the shafts of the plug contacts comprises a spring-mounted Protective cover device which has an at least partially hollow-cylindrical protective cover as a protective element for each plug contact, wherein the protective cover device can further comprise a base element, and the protective covers can be rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element, so that they can be displaced together on the shafts of the plug contacts.

D) Mains plug according to one of aspects A) and B), wherein the protective device can have compressible protective bodies as protective elements for covering the shafts of the plug contacts along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, which are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of a base element, wherein an end region of a respective protective body can be displaced by compressing the protective body in order to expose the shaft of the plug contact. This can prevent the contact protection from possibly being accidentally released on one side. Only a defined pushing back on both sides is possible. One advantage of the compressible protective body can be that a volume into which the protective device can be pushed in order to release the plug contacts can be made shorter than when using non-compressible protective bodies.

E) Mains plug according to one of aspects C) and D), wherein the mains plug can have a guide device for guiding the protective device along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, wherein by means of the guide device an uneven displacement of the protective elements on the plug contacts due to tilting of the base element on a guide element of the guide device can be counteracted.

F) Mains plug according to aspect E), wherein when the protective elements are designed as protective covers that are at least partially hollow-cylindrical, the guide device can be arranged between the plug contacts; and that when the protective elements are designed as compressible protective bodies, the guide device in the base element of the mains plug can have guide elements that can be arranged on the side of a plug contact facing away from the respective other plug contact. G) Mains plug according to aspect A), wherein the mains plug can have a housing as a protective device, wherein a relative movement can be carried out between the housing and the plug contacts, so that the plug contacts can be moved into and out of the housing.

H) Mains plug according to aspect G), wherein the mains plug can have a drive element with which a movement of the plug contacts out of the housing can be effected when a manual actuating force is introduced, in particular when the plug is located in or on the complementary mating socket.

I) Mains plug according to one of aspects G) and H), wherein the mains plug can have a blocking device with at least one movable actuating element to prevent a relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts, which can be moved by a protective contact of the socket when the mains plug is inserted into a socket and can thus remove a blockage of a relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts.

J) Mains plug according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the mains plug can have a protective circuit. The protective circuit can be the mains connection circuit mentioned at the beginning. The protective circuit can have a first switching element, such as a first relay, and a second switching element, such as a second relay. When the first switching element is energized, it can close a current path to the second switching element via a first switch, such as a first relay switch, so that the second switching element is energized and the second switching element thereby opens the current path to the first switching element via a second switch, such as a second relay switch, and in doing so closes an electrical circuit. The protective circuit can be part of the mains connection circuit or correspond to it. The protective circuit can be the phase position detection device or have it.

Furthermore, an arc fault protection device (AFDD, AFCI) and/or a residual current device (RCD) can be provided. The arc fault protection device and/or the residual current device can be installed separately or as part of the protective circuit and/or the Mains connection circuit and/or plug and/or device.

The electrical phase position can be determined in relation to the protective conductor before the energy feed-in device is connected. An electronic or electrical circuit, such as the phase position detection device, can process the phase position. The decision as to whether the phase position is correct can be made purely logically as true or false. Depending on the decision, an operating or error signal can be output. Depending on the decision and/or the operating or error signal, the circuit can be blocked or the phase position corrected.

The switching elements and their interconnection disclosed in aspect J) can form the phase position detection device into which the switching element mentioned above is integrated.

K) Mains plug according to aspect J, wherein a first contact of the second switch and a first signaling device can be arranged in a first current path between a current-carrying phase of the mains plug and a neutral conductor of the mains plug, connected in series.

L) Mains plug according to one of aspects J) and K), wherein a second contact of the second switch and a second signaling device can be arranged in series in a second current path between the live phase and the neutral conductor.

M) Mains plug according to one of the aspects J) to L), wherein the first switching element can be arranged in a third current path between the current-carrying phase and a protective conductor of the mains plug designed as a protective contact plug. N) System for providing electrical energy, comprising a device for generating electrical energy and a power plug according to one of the aspects A) to M), wherein the plug contacts of the power plug are electrically conductively connected to phases of the device for generating electrical energy or can be connected by means of a switching device.

O) Method for providing electrical energy, in which a system for providing electrical energy according to aspect N) is provided, electrical energy is generated by means of the device for generating electrical energy and the electrical energy is fed into a power grid or supplied to an electrical consumer by means of the power plug.

In other words, one aspect of the present disclosure is a power plug for implementing an electrical plug contact, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts, each of which has a shaft for electrical contact, a fastening end region and a free end region, and comprising at least one protective device with which at least the shafts of the plug contacts are or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact. A relative movement can be carried out between at least one region of the protective device and the plug contacts, so that the shafts of the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in some regions.

The power plug is designed to create an electrical plug connection in a socket. The socket can be a power socket for connection to the public or private power grid. The plug contacts are used for this purpose, for insertion or arrangement in complementary sockets of the socket. The pin head or free end area can be made of insulating material to avoid frontal electrical contact.

One embodiment provides that the shafts of the plug contacts are covered or can be covered in an electrically insulating manner by means of a protective element of the protective device.

The protective device for covering the shafts of the plug contacts can comprise a spring-mounted protective cover device, which has a protective cover designed at least partially as a hollow cylinder for each plug contact as a protective element. wherein the protective cover device further comprises a base element, and the protective covers are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element, so that they can be moved together on the shafts of the plug contacts. A respective protective cover can be designed essentially as a hollow cylinder. The respective protective cover is essentially incompressible along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts.

An alternative embodiment provides that the protective device has compressible protective bodies as protective elements for covering the shafts of the plug contacts along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, which are rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of a base element, wherein an end region of a respective protective body can be displaced while compressing the protective body in order to expose the shaft of the plug contact. In order to expose the shafts, it is provided here that only one end region of the respective protective body is displaced, whereas the opposite end region of the protective body remains supported on a base element. Each respective protective body has a through opening in which the respective plug contact is arranged.

A respective compressible protective body can be elastically compressible so that it can develop an elastic restoring force in the compressed state. Such a protective body can be a foam body, for example. If necessary, a common foam body can form both protective elements. This means that the foam body can be implemented as a common membrane/foam body or two individual cylinder membrane/foam bodies.

The power plug can have a guide device for guiding the protective device along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, whereby an uneven displacement of the protective elements on the plug contacts can be counteracted by means of the guide device due to the base element tilting on a guide element of the guide device. An uneven movement would occur if one protective element is moved further in a unit of time than the other protective element.

The base element can have a canting element. The housing of the

The power plug may have a counter-tilting element. The canting element can be designed to complement the counter canting element. For example, the canting element is a recess in the base element or a groove that extends completely through the base element in the plug-in direction of the plug. The canting element can have an open end that points transversely to the plug-in direction. The canting element can be arranged on an edge of the base element. The edge can run around the base element transversely to the plug-in direction, i.e. extend around the base element in a circumferential direction pointing around the extension direction. The plug-in direction can be a direction in which the power plug can be plugged into a counter plug and/or correspond to the longitudinal direction of the protective cover and/or the plug contacts. The counter plug can be a coupling or a socket or a power outlet.

The counter-tilting element can be designed as a web or as a projection that engages in the groove or the recess. The counter-tilting element can extend along the plug-in direction and have a free end pointing transversely to the plug-in direction, for example into the interior of the plug. The entire counter-tilting element can run parallel to the plug-in direction.

A clear width of the canting element and a width of the counter canting element parallel to the clear width can be dimensioned such that the base element with the canting element can slide on the counter canting element when the base element is pushed further into the connector housing along the plugging direction. For example, the clear width and the width are the same size.

If the base element is pushed further into the plug housing along the plugging direction, the tilting element can slide on the counter tilting element. However, if a force acts on the base element, whereby the force acts at an angle to the plugging direction that is not equal to 0° or not equal to 180°, this force can tilt the base element. This tilting can cause the tilting element and the counter tilting element to tilt with each other, so that the force does not cause the base element to move further into the plug housing along the plugging direction and the plug contacts remain in the remain in the protective device and cannot protrude from it in a contactless manner.

The tilting leads to self-locking if one of the protective covers is pushed further than the other protective cover. In this case, the guide element no longer runs perpendicular to the base element, so that the base element causes two opposing forces on the guide element, their lines of action spaced apart from one another, the magnitude of which increases with increasing angle of the guide element, starting from a right-angled position of the base element in relation to the guide track.

Even before the front part of the protective cover reaches the insulated area of the contact pin tips, the inner guide element (protective cover carrier plate, base element, referred to below as 42) can be moved radially onto the spring guide and further advancement can be prevented. An additional ripple or blockage tilt protection can provide a subsequent second or additional level of protection (back-up protection).

These forces acting perpendicularly on the guide element cause corresponding frictional forces on the guide element, which lead to the self-locking of the movement of the protective cover device.

If the protective elements are designed as protective covers that are at least partially hollow-cylindrical, the guide device can be arranged between the plug contacts. If the protective elements are designed as compressible protective bodies, the guide device in the base element of the protective contact plug can have guide elements that are arranged on the side of a plug contact facing away from the other plug contact.

An alternative arrangement when the protective elements are designed as protective covers that are at least partially hollow-cylindrical in shape consists in that the guide device is formed by the plug contacts themselves, which in this embodiment accordingly form the guide elements.

As an alternative to designing the protective elements as hollow cylinders, at least one of the protective elements can have a receiving volume for one of the plug contacts, the diameter of which runs transversely to the plugging direction in the direction of the free ends of the protective elements can be removed. The receiving volume can be conical, for example. A minimum diameter of the receiving volume can essentially correspond to an external diameter of one of the plug contacts. Tilting the protective device can also cause at least one of the protective elements to jam with one of the plug contacts and thus create a self-locking effect.

The inner diameter of at least one of the protective elements can be minimal at its free end and essentially correspond to the outer diameter of one of the plug contacts. This can prevent small or thin conductors, such as a wire, from being easily inserted into one of the protective elements at the insulated end area of one of the plug contacts. In this way, an appropriate degree of protection, for example IP2x or comparable, can be achieved.

In the alternative embodiment with compressible protective bodies, the guide elements on the side of the compressible protective bodies facing away from the base element can be rigidly connected to one another by means of a pressure plate.

When the power plug is inserted into a socket, a corresponding force can be applied to this pressure plate by the socket, which leads to a displacement of the end regions of the compressible protective bodies on the plug contacts and thus to an exposure of a partial region of the respective shaft of a plug contact.

The pressure plate or the end areas of the compressible protective bodies are guided by means of the guide device.

The compressible protective elements can be made of foam. Furthermore, the materials used for the protective elements can have water-repellent material properties, flame retardancy, halogen-free if necessary, class B1/B2, and a density in the range RG>15 kg/m3, and/or a compression hardness in the range SH < 20 g/cm2.

A further embodiment of the power plug provides that the power plug has a housing as a protective device, with a protective cover between the housing and the A relative movement can be carried out between the plug contacts so that the plug contacts can be moved into and out of the housing. This means that the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in sections or regions when they are moved out of the housing. When they have been moved into the housing, the plug contacts are protected against unintentional electrical contact. The housing can be made of flame-retardant material.

In this embodiment, the power plug can have a drive element with which a movement of the plug contacts out of the housing can be effected when a manual actuating force is introduced. The drive element can be mechanically firmly connected to the plug contacts and protrude from the housing so that a manual force on the drive element causes a displacement of the plug contacts so that at least their free end areas and in some areas the shafts of the plug contacts protrude from the housing and can be inserted into the sockets of a power outlet.

Furthermore, to prevent relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts, the power plug can have a blocking device with at least one movable actuating element which can be moved by an optional protective contact of the socket when the power plug is inserted into a socket and can thus remove a blockage of a relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts. This means that the power plug can be set up in such a way that - as long as the power plug is not plugged into a socket - a relative movement between the housing and the plug contacts is prevented by means of the blocking device, so that the plug contacts cannot move out of the housing and accordingly no unintentional electrical contact can be made with the plug contacts.

In this situation, the plug contacts are housed in the housing so that they are electrically protected. If the protective contact of the socket moves the operating element, for example if it is pressed in, the blocking effect is removed and the plug contacts can be moved out of the housing and into the socket's socket sockets. Furthermore, the power plug can have a spring device which, when the spring device is tensioned, directly or indirectly causes a spring force on the plug contacts and/or on the housing, so that the plug contacts are automatically moved into the housing, provided they are not fixed by sockets of a mating plug, for example a socket or a coupling. Alternatively or additionally, the power plug can have a protruding protective contact pin (e.g. CEE 7/5) which, when inserted, releases the electrical connection of the plug contacts to the device.

Depending on the strength of the spring device and the assumed fixing forces acting on the plug contacts from the socket's plug sockets, the power plug can have a fixing device with which the plug contacts can be fixed in a position moved out of the housing. This prevents the plug contacts from automatically moving into the housing and consequently moving out of the plug sockets when plugged into the socket and possibly with low clamping forces of the socket's plug sockets due to the spring force of the spring device.

The base element can have at least one receiving opening and, for example, two receiving openings for receiving the spring guide. The at least one receiving opening can extend completely through the base element in the plug-in direction. The at least one receiving opening can be completely surrounded by the material of the base element transversely to the plug-in direction. The at least one receiving opening can be arranged between the protective elements. If several, for example two, receiving openings are provided, these can be arranged one behind the other in a direction transversely to the plug-in direction in which the protective elements are spaced apart from one another.

The spring guide of the plug can be designed as a pin extending in the plugging direction, onto which the spring device, for example a spiral spring, can be inserted. In this case, it can be sufficient if the base element has only one receiving opening. The diameter of the receiving opening can be smaller than the diameter of the spring device, so that the material of the base element that at least partially surrounds the receiving opening can serve as a support or stop for the spring device. The diameter of the The receiving opening can essentially correspond to the diameter of the pin, so that the base element with the receiving opening can slide and tilt on the pin.

The spring guide of the plug can have at least two guide bars running parallel to the plugging direction, the sides of which facing each other can be designed to be essentially complementary to the spring device, for example a spiral spring. The guide bars can be arranged transversely to the plugging direction opposite each other and/or spaced apart from each other.

The base element can have one of the receiving openings for each of the guide beams. At least one of the receiving openings can be designed to be complementary to the guide beam that it receives, so that the base element with the receiving opening can slide and tilt on the guide beam.

The base element can have a support bridge remaining between the receiving openings, which can rest against the spring device. The support bridge can have a larger contact surface with the spring device than the material of the base element that at least partially surrounds the receiving opening.

All of the embodiments described may have in common that they have an arc fault protection device, which is also referred to as a fire protection switch. Such an arc fault protection device may be, for example, an AFDD (“Arc Fault Detection Device”) or an AFCI (“Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter”). Alternatively, the power plug may be designed to be electrically or galvanically connected to an arc fault protection device and/or to a residual current circuit breaker.

Furthermore, the power plug can be a protective contact plug.

In addition, each of the described embodiments can comprise a protective circuit with a first switching element, for example a relay or a semiconductor switch such as a triac, and a second switching element, for example a relay or a semiconductor switch such as a triac, wherein when the first switching element is energized - if a correct connection exists - this first switching element forms a current path to the second Switching element closes so that it is energized, and the second switching element thereby opens the current path via a second switch to the first switching element and in doing so closes an electrical circuit. The protective circuit can be part of the mains connection circuit or correspond to it. The protective circuit can be the phase position detection device or have it.

Accordingly, if the plug contacts of the power plug in a socket are in the correct phase, a current flows from a live phase to the first switching element. This is then activated so that it closes a current path to the second switching element. The second switching element also switches so that it in turn de-energizes the first switching element, but in doing so closes a current path to an external contact, such as a socket. In this way, a current flow can be realized from the power plug via the plug contacts into a socket.

If the plug contacts of the power plug in a socket are not connected in the correct phase, there is no current flow from a live phase to the first switching element. This is therefore not activated, so that it does not close a current path to the second switching element.

The second switching element does not switch either, so that it does not close a current path to an external contact, such as a socket.

If the power plug is inserted the wrong way round, the circuit will not be closed. This ensures protection against reverse polarity.

A first contact of the second switching element and a first signaling device can be arranged in series in a first current path between a live phase of the power plug and a neutral conductor of the power plug. The first signaling device can be a light element, such as a red lamp. Accordingly, if there is no correct contact, a signal is output by the first signaling device, which signals that no correct contact has been made. Appropriate electrical dimensioning can ensure that no upstream protective devices (e.g. residual current circuit breakers) are triggered. A second contact of the second switching element and a second signaling device can be arranged in series in a second current path between the live phase and the neutral conductor. The second signaling device can be a green lamp. If the contact is made correctly, the second signaling device will emit a corresponding signal. The reverse polarity protection can also be implemented without a signaling device in the correct direction of contact.

In addition, a hand switch can be arranged in series with the second signaling device, which is designed, for example, as a normally closed contact, so that the signal is output by means of the second signaling device only when the hand switch has been closed.

The first switching element can be arranged in a third current path between the current-carrying phase and a reference potential conductor or protective conductor. The reference potential conductor or protective conductor is the reference point of the alternating voltage. If the power plug has a protective conductor, the power plug can be a protective contact plug. The reference potential conductor or protective conductor is galvanically isolated from the outer conductor or conductors during normal operation of the mains connection circuit, i.e. when the plug is plugged in with the correct polarity or the reverse polarity protection circuit has switched the polarity. The galvanic isolation takes place through the switches, for example relays.

The power plug described can also be designed with plug contacts on the side opposite the plug contacts and can therefore be used as an adapter.

When the power plug is not plugged into a socket, the design embodiments described ensure that there is protection against electric shock. This enables user-friendly use of the power plug on a power source.

When the power plug is plugged into a socket, electrical energy can be supplied to a network or a consumer via the power plug. The integrated reverse polarity protection ensures that a correct phase connection is implemented. If the power plug is connected to the wrong phase of the power grid, it interrupts the flow of current. This enables safe operation with regard to electrical grid interference from connected devices or energy sources, especially energy sources with converters.

A further aspect of the present invention is a system for providing electrical energy, which comprises a device for generating electrical energy and a described power plug, wherein the plug contacts of the power plug are electrically conductively connected to phases of the device for generating electrical energy or can be connected by means of a switching device.

The present invention also includes a method for providing electrical energy, in which a system for providing electrical energy is provided, electrical energy is generated by means of the device for generating electrical energy, and the electrical energy is fed into a power grid or supplied to an electrical consumer by means of the power plug. When the electrical energy is supplied to an electrical consumer, the generated electrical energy is thus used directly. The invention is explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Show it

Figure 1: a power plug with housing of a first embodiment in side view,

Figure 2: the power plug with housing of the first embodiment in top view,

Figure 3: the power plug without housing of the first embodiment in side view,

Figure 4: the power plug without housing of the first embodiment in top view,

Figure 5: a protective cover device for the power plug of the first embodiment in side view, Figure 6: the protective cover device in frontal view,

Figure 7: a base body for the power plug of the first embodiment with a protective cover device accommodated therein in a frontal view,

Figure 8: the base body for the power plug of the first embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 9: the power plug without housing of the first embodiment in side view,

Figure 10: a power plug with housing of a second embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 11 : the power plug without housing of the second embodiment in side view,

Figure 12: a protective device with protective bodies for the mains plug of the second embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 13: the protective device without protective body for the mains plug of the second embodiment in perspective view,

Figure 14: a power plug with housing of a third embodiment with extended plug contacts in side view,

Figure 15: the power plug with housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in top view,

Figure 16: the power plug with housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in side view,

Figure 17: the power plug with housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in top view,

Figure 18: the power plug without housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in side view,

Figure 19: the power plug without housing of the third embodiment with extended plug contacts in top view, Figure 20: the power plug without housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in side view,

Figure 21: the mains plug without housing of the third embodiment with retracted plug contacts in top view,

Figure 22: a first embodiment of the network connection circuit,

Figure 23: a second embodiment of the network connection circuit,

Figure 24: a third embodiment of the network connection circuit,

Figure 25: a fourth embodiment of the network connection circuit,

Figure 26: a first embodiment of a network connection device,

Figure 27: a second embodiment of a network connection device,

Figure 28: an embodiment of a network connection module,

Figure 29: another embodiment of a protective cover device in a perspective view,

Figure 30: the embodiment of Figure 29 in a side view,

Figure 31: the embodiment of Figure 29 in a view opposite to a plug-in direction,

Figure 32: another embodiment of a partial housing of the power plug in a schematic perspective view,

Figure 33: the embodiment of Figure 32 with the protective cover device shown in Figures 29 to 31 in a front view,

Figure 34: an embodiment of a pin head for a free end of a plug contact of the power plug in a side view,

Figure 35: the embodiment of Figure 34 in a perspective view,

Figure 36: the embodiment of Figure 34 in a view in a plugging direction, Figure 37: an embodiment of a plug contact of the power plug, the free end of which is designed for connection to the pin head, in a first side view,

Figure 38: the embodiment of Figure 37 in another side view,

Figure 39: a perspective view of the embodiment of the plug contact of Figure 37, which is provided with the pin head of Figure 34,

Figure 40: another embodiment of the network connection circuit, and

Figure 41: yet another embodiment of the network connection circuit.

What all of the power plugs 1 shown have in common is that they have several and in particular at least two plug contacts 20, which are held in a base body 11 or lead through a base body 11. Furthermore, they each have a housing 10 for covering.

The plug contacts 20 extend parallel to one another along their respective longitudinal directions 21 and accordingly each form a shaft 22. This shaft 22 is fixed on one side with a fastening end region in or on the base body 11, so that a respective shaft 22 has a free end region 24 for insertion into a socket of a power outlet.

The power plug 1 shown in the figures has 30 different embodiments with regard to its protective device.

The power plug 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a protective device 30 which is designed as a spring-mounted protective cover device 40. This protective cover device 40 comprises protective covers 41 which are essentially designed in the shape of a hollow cylinder as a protective element 31 for each plug contact 20, which are only indicated in Figure 1.

It can be seen that in the normal state the protective covers 41 cover the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20. In this way, the protective covers insulate the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20. From Figure 3 it can be seen that on the side of the base body 11 facing away from the protective covers 41 there is a base element 42 which connects the protective covers penetrating the base body 11 to one another.

Figure 5 shows the protective cover device 40 in its entirety in a side view. Here it is clearly visible that the individual protective covers 41 are firmly connected to one another by means of the base element 42. Figure 6 shows this in a frontal view.

Figure 7 shows in frontal view that the protective covers 41 penetrate the base body 11 through corresponding holes or openings formed there.

Figure 8 shows the base body 11 in a perspective view, wherein a receiving space 12 for receiving the protective covering device 40 which can be moved in the base body 11 can be seen.

Figure 9 shows the power plug without housing from the side. The protective contacts 26 of the power plug are clearly visible here. A spring device 90 in the form of a compression spring can also be seen here, which in the embodiment shown here sits on the shaft 24 of a plug contact 20. The protective cover device 40 shown in Figure 5 can be moved in the direction of the fastening end region 23 of the plug contact 20 against a spring force of this spring device 90. The plug contact 20 or its shaft 22 is thereby exposed and can be electrically contacted.

The force required for this can, for example, be applied by a socket of a power outlet when inserting the power plug 1 into the socket.

If this force no longer exists, the spring device 90 causes an opposite displacement of the protective cover device 40 so that it again covers the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20, as shown in Figure 1.

The first embodiment of the power plug 1 shown in Figures 1 to 9 is not limited to the guidance of the spring device 90 on a plug contact 20, but the spring device 90 can also be arranged and guided on an extra guide element instead of being guided on a plug contact 20. A second embodiment of the power plug and its individual parts is shown in Figures 10 to 13. Protective elements 31 of the protective device 30 are here compressible protective bodies 50 which surround a respective plug contact 20 or its shaft and thus electrically insulate it.

Such a protective body 50 can be made from a foam material, for example. An end region 51 of each protective body 50, which is spaced apart from the base body 11, rests against a pressure plate 53. This pressure plate 53 is held by means of a guide device 60 and guided in a base element 42. For this purpose, guide elements 61 run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the protective bodies 50 or also of the plug contacts 20 and are slidably mounted in the base element 42.

If the power plug 1 is plugged into a socket, a force from the socket acts on the pressure plate 53, which causes the pressure plate 53 to move together with the guide elements 61 arranged on it in the direction of the base body 11. The protective bodies 50 are compressed along this direction. During compression, the volume of the protective bodies 50 can be accommodated at least partially in the receiving space 12 of the base body 11. The elastic restoring forces of the protective bodies 50 are so low, preferably less than 150 N and advantageously less than 80 N, that these elastic restoring forces are not sufficient to automatically release the power plug from the socket and/or to prevent it from being pushed out on its own.

By inserting the power plug 1 into a socket, the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 can be exposed and electrically contacted with a respective socket.

If the power plug 1 is pulled out of the socket, an elastic restoring force 52 of the respective protective body 50 along the longitudinal direction 21 causes a decompression of the protective body 50 and consequently the displacement of the end regions 51 of the protective bodies 50 and consequently also of the pressure plate 53, so that the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 are again covered with electrical insulation. Figures 14 to 21 relate to a third embodiment of the power plug 1. In this power plug 1, the plug contacts 20 are movable in relation to the housing 10 along the longitudinal direction 21 of the plug contacts 20. Figures 14 and 15 show a situation in which the plug contacts 20 protrude from the housing 10, and Figures 16 and 17 show a situation in which the plug contacts 20 are accommodated in the housing 10 and accordingly do not protrude.

When the power plug 1 is not plugged into a socket, it is present with retracted plug contacts, as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

The power plug 1 can comprise a blocking device 80 with a movable actuating element 81, which can be moved by a protective contact 26 of the socket when the power plug 1 is inserted into a socket. The mechanical connection between the protective contact 26 and the actuating element 81 is not shown here for reasons of clarity.

If the power plug 1 is inserted into a socket, the protective contact 26 is subjected to a radial force and moved slightly radially inwards. This movement of the protective contact 26 is transferred to the movable actuating element 81. This removes a blocking effect on the part of the blocking device 80, so that a relative movement 110 can take place between the housing and the plug contacts 20. Accordingly, the plug contacts 20 can now be extended, as shown in Figure 18. The plug contacts 20 extend out of a front plate 82. After this movement has been carried out, the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 are therefore no longer covered by the housing 10 and can be electrically contacted by sockets of a socket.

The plug contacts 20 can be extended by introducing a manual actuating force into a drive element not shown here.

When the plug contacts 20 are inserted into sockets of the socket, the frictional forces occurring between the socket and a respective plug contact 20 can hold the plug contact 20 in the extended position.

If the power plug 1 is pulled out of the socket again, these friction forces no longer exist. A friction force on the one hand on the front panel 82 and on the other hand on the The spring device 90 supporting the base body 11 thereby exerts a spring force 91 directly or indirectly on the plug contacts 20, so that they are again retracted into the housing in the relative movement 110, so that the shafts 22 of the plug contacts 20 no longer protrude from the housing and also no longer from the front plate 82.

This ensures that when the power plug 1 is not in use, no unintentional electrical contact can be made with the plug contacts 20.

Figure 22 shows an example circuit diagram of an electrical mains connection circuit for the power plug or the device. This electrical mains connection circuit comprises a first switching element, shown for example as relay K1, to which a first switch, for example a relay switch KS1, is assigned. As an alternative to designing the first switching element as a relay with a relay switch, the first switching element can also be designed, for example, as a semiconductor switching element, for example a triac, with a semiconductor switch. The circuit also comprises a second switching element, shown for example as relay K2, to which a second switch, for example a relay switch KS2, is assigned. As an alternative to designing the second switching element as a relay with a relay switch, the second switching element can also be designed, for example, as a semiconductor switching element, for example a triac, with a semiconductor switch.

The first switching element is located in a third current path 140 between a live phase 150 and an optional protective conductor 170. The second switching element is located between the live phase 150 and a neutral conductor 160. If the power plug 1 has a protective conductor 170, the power plug 1 can be a protective contact plug.

The current-carrying phase 150 can also be referred to as the outer conductor.

If the current path between the current-carrying phase 150 and the first switching element is closed, the first switching element is energized and closes the current path to the second switching element via the first switch, so that the latter is energized. As a result, the second switching element opens the current path via the second switch to the first switching element, thereby closing an electrical circuit. If the current path between the current-carrying phase 150 and the first switching element is not closed, there is also no current flow from the current-carrying phase 150 to the first switching element. This is accordingly not actuated, so that it does not close a current path to the second switching element and the second switching element is not energized. Accordingly, the second switching element does not open the current path via the second switch to the first switching element and does not close a circuit.

A first contact KS21 of the second switch and a first signaling device 180 are arranged in series in a first current path 120 between the live phase 150 of the power plug and the neutral conductor 160 of the power plug.

This first signaling device 180 can be a light element, such as a red lamp. If the current-carrying phase 150 is not properly contacted, a signal is output by means of the first signaling device, which indicates that the contact is not properly contacted.

A second contact KS22 of the second switch and a second signaling device 190 are arranged in series in a second current path 130 between the current-carrying phase 150 and the neutral conductor 160. The second signaling device 190 can be a light element, such as a green lamp.

If the correct contact is made, a corresponding signal is emitted by the second signaling device.

In addition, a manual switch 200 is arranged in series with the second signaling device 190, which is designed as a normally closed contact, for example, so that the signal is only output by means of the second signaling device 190 when the manual switch 200 has been closed. The manual switch 200 can be a mechanically actuated switch or a capacitively actuated switch or a switch that can be actuated in another way.

Figure 23 shows a further embodiment of the network connection circuit. For elements that correspond in function and/or design to elements of the embodiment shown in Figure 22, the same reference numerals are used for the sake of brevity. used. In the following, only the differences to the embodiment shown in Figure 23 will be discussed.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, the relay K1 with the relay switch KS1 is replaced by a triac. Optionally, an RC element, which can also be referred to as a snubber, is connected in parallel to the triac.

Figure 24 shows a further embodiment of the network connection circuit. For the sake of brevity, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond in function and/or design to elements of the embodiment shown in Figure 23. In the following, only the differences from the embodiment shown in Figure 24 are discussed.

The mains connection circuit of Figure 24 additionally has an ohmic resistor R1 connected directly upstream of the triac on the input side.

Figure 25 shows a further embodiment of the network connection circuit. For the sake of brevity, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond in function and/or design to elements of the embodiment shown in Figure 24. In the following, only the differences from the embodiment shown in Figure 25 are discussed.

The mains connection circuit of Figure 25 is designed not only to detect incorrect polarity, but also to correct it. For this purpose, the mains connection circuit also has another switch KS3 with a triac and an optional RC element, which can be referred to as a snubber. A resistor R3 is connected directly upstream of the triac on the input side. The mains connection circuit also has another switch in the form of a triac, which is connected in parallel to the triac of the switch KS1 and which is connected directly upstream of a resistor R2 on the input side.

Figure 26 shows an embodiment of a grid connection device. A converter Q is connected downstream of a source G, for example a direct current source, such as a photovoltaic system or a wind turbine. The converter Q can be connected or can be connected to a battery storage device or another energy storage device with which direct current can be stored. Furthermore, in Figure 26, an arc fault protection device 300 and one of the arc fault The reverse polarity protection circuit 400 connected downstream of the protective device 300 is shown, which can optionally both be accommodated in a common housing of the network connection device. The reverse polarity protection circuit 400 can be an integral part of the power plug 1. The reverse polarity protection circuit 400 can have or be one of the circuits of the embodiments of Figures 22 to 25. The housing with the arc fault protection device 300 and the power plug 1 can be designed and/or provided separately from the converter Q and can optionally be electrically connected to it by a plug connection. Furthermore, the protective devices 400 and 300 could also be designed in one housing.

Figure 27 shows a further embodiment of the network connection device of Figure 26, in which the protective devices for the mains plug are implemented in different housings. For the sake of brevity, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond in function and/or design to elements of the embodiment shown in Figure 26. In the following, only the differences from the embodiment shown in Figure 26 are discussed.

In the embodiment of Figure 27, the arc fault protection device 300 and the reverse polarity protection circuit 400 are formed integrally with each other and are arranged, for example, in a common lower housing, which can optionally be accommodated in the housing of the network connection device, which also has the mains plug 1.

Figure 28 shows an embodiment of a grid connection module which has a housing in which the converter Q and the arc fault protection device 300 are integrated.

Figure 29 shows a further embodiment of the protective device 30 schematically with the base element 42, from which two protective covers 41 protrude in a plug-in direction.

The base element 42 can have a canting element 92. For example, the canting element 92 is a recess in the base element 42 or a groove that extends completely through the base element 42 in the plug-in direction of the plug. The canting element 92 can have an open end that is transverse to the plug-in direction The canting element 92 can be arranged on an edge of the base element 42. The edge can run around the base element 42 transversely to the insertion direction, i.e. extend around the base element 42 in a circumferential direction pointing around the extension direction.

The base element 42 can have at least one receiving opening 93 and, for example, two receiving openings 93 for receiving a spring guide. The at least one receiving opening 93 can extend completely through the base element 42 in the plug-in direction. The at least one receiving opening 93 can be completely surrounded by the material of the base element 42 transversely to the plug-in direction. The at least one receiving opening 93 can be arranged between the protective elements 41. If several, for example two, receiving openings 93 are provided, these can be arranged one behind the other in a direction transverse to the plug-in direction in which the protective elements 41 are spaced apart from one another.

Figure 30 shows the embodiment of Figure 29 schematically in a side view in which the plugging direction can run parallel to the plane of the drawing.

As an alternative to designing the protective elements 41 as a hollow cylinder, at least one of the protective elements 41, as already shown in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1 to 6, can have a receiving volume V for one of the plug contacts, the diameter D of which, which runs transversely to the plug-in direction, can decrease in the direction of the free ends of the protective elements 41. The receiving volume V can, for example, be conical in shape. A minimum diameter of the receiving volume V can essentially correspond to an outer diameter of one of the plug contacts. Tilting the protective device 30 can thus also cause at least one of the protective elements 41 to jam with one of the plug contacts and consequently create a self-locking effect.

The inner diameter of at least one of the protective elements 41, which can correspond to the diameter D, can be minimal at the free end of the protective elements 41 and essentially correspond to the outer diameter of one of the plug contacts. This can prevent even small or thin conductors, such as a wire, from being easily inserted into one of the protective elements at the insulated end region of one of the plug contacts. The receiving volume V can be limited by an inner side 94 of the at least one protective element 41, so that the inner side 94 can be formed complementarily to the possibly conical receiving volume V.

An angle W between the inner side 94 and the base element 42 and in particular between the inner side 94 and a front side of the base element 42 from which the at least one protective element 41 protrudes can be less than 90°. For example, the angle W can be up to 80°, 85° or 89°. The inner side 94 of the protective element 41 can be aligned at an angle to the plugging direction that can be non-zero and can be up to 10°, 5° or 1°, for example.

The at least one protective element 41 can have a constant wall thickness, so that an outer side 95 of the at least one protective element 41 can run parallel to the inner side 94. Alternatively, the wind strength of the at least one protective element 41 can change in the plugging direction, i.e. away from the base element 42, and for example increase. For example, the at least one protective element 41 can have a cylindrical outer shape instead of a conical outer shape.

Figure 31 shows the embodiment of Figures 29 and 30 in a frontal view, in which the protective elements 41 point out of the plane of the drawing parallel to the plugging direction.

In addition to the tilting element 92, the base element 42 can have an optional tilting element 92a. The tilting element 92 and the optional tilting element 92a can be arranged symmetrically to one another and, for example, on opposite sides of the base element 42. The tilting element 92 and the optional tilting element 92a can be designed identically. Alternatively, the optional tilting element 92a can be shaped differently and, for example, wider and/or deeper than the tilting element 92. Anti-twisting protection that can be provided by the different design of the tilting element 92 and the optional tilting element 92 can also be provided by only providing one tilting element 92. The base element 42 can have a support bridge 95 remaining between the receiving openings 93, which can serve as an abutment for a spring device.

Figure 32 schematically shows an embodiment of the housing 10 of the power plug in a perspective view. In the embodiment shown, the housing 10 has a contact receiving volume U, which is designed to accommodate the plug contacts 20 and the protective device 30.

The housing 10 of the power plug can have at least one counter-tilting element 96 which is designed to interact with the tilting element 92 of the protective device. The tilting element 92 can be designed to complement the counter-tilting element 96.

The counter-tilting element 96 can be designed as a web or as a projection that can engage in the tilting element 92, for example as a groove or recess. The counter-tilting element 96 can extend along the plug-in direction and have a free end pointing transversely to the plug-in direction, for example into the interior of the plug housing 10. The entire counter-tilting element 96 can run parallel to the plug-in direction.

A clear width of the at least one tilting element 92 and a width of the counter tilting element 96 parallel to the clear width can be dimensioned such that the base element 42 with the tilting element 92 can slide on the counter tilting element 96 when the base element 42 is pushed further into the connector housing 10 against the plugging direction. For example, the clear width and the width are the same size.

If the base element 42 is pushed further into the connector housing 10 against the plugging direction, the tilting element 92 can slide on the counter tilting element 96. However, if a force acts on the base element 42, whereby the force acts at an angle to the plugging direction that is not equal to 0° or not equal to 180°, this force can tilt the base element 42. Due to this tilting, the tilting element 92 and the counter tilting element 96 can tilt with each other, so that the force does not cause any movement of the base element 42. against the plugging direction further into the plug housing 10 and the plug contacts 20 remain in the protective device 40 and cannot protrude from it in a contact-proof manner.

The housing 10 of the power plug can have a spring guide arranged in the contact receiving volume U. The spring guide of the housing 10 can be designed as a pin extending in the plugging direction, onto which a spring device 90, for example a spiral spring, can be plugged. In this case, it can be sufficient if the base element 42 has only one receiving opening 93. The diameter of the receiving opening 93 can be smaller than the diameter of the spring device 90, so that the material of the base element 42 that at least partially surrounds the receiving opening 93 can serve as a support or stop or abutment for the spring device 90. The diameter of the receiving opening 93 can essentially correspond to the diameter of the pin, so that the base element 42 with the receiving opening 93 can slide on the pin and possibly even tilt if a force tries to move the base element 42 non-parallel to the plugging direction.

The spring guide of the housing 10 can have at least two guide bars 97, 98 running parallel to the plug-in direction, the sides of which facing each other can be designed to be essentially complementary to the spring device 90, for example a spiral spring. The guide bars 97, 98 can be arranged transversely to the plug-in direction opposite each other and/or spaced apart from each other.

For each of the guide bars 97, 98, the base element 42 can have one of the receiving openings 93. At least one of the receiving openings 93 can be designed to be complementary to the guide bar 97, 98 that it receives, so that the base element 42 with the receiving opening 93 can slide on the guide bar 97, 97 and possibly even tilt if a force tries to move the base element 42 non-parallel to the plug-in direction.

Figure 33 shows the embodiment of Figure 32 schematically in a front view, in which a plug face of the housing 10, which is not yet provided with the plug contacts 20 and the base element 42, points out of the plane of the drawing in the plugging direction. In addition to the counter-tilt element 96, the base element 42 can have an optional counter-tilt element 96a. The counter-tilt element 96 and the optional counter-tilt element 96a can be arranged symmetrically to one another and, for example, on inner sides of the housing 10 facing one another. The counter-tilt element 96 and the optional counter-tilt element 96a can be designed identically. Alternatively, the optional counter-tilt element 96a can be shaped differently and, for example, wider and/or deeper than the counter-tilt element 96. Anti-twisting protection that can be provided by the different design of the counter-tilt element 96 and the optional counter-tilt element 9a can also be provided by only providing one counter-tilt element 96.

The guide bars 97, 98 together flank a spring holder F into which the spring device 90, for example a spiral spring or at least a disc spring, can be inserted. The guide bars 97, 98 can guide the spring device 90 along the plug-in direction such that unwanted movements of the spring device 90 transverse to the plug-in direction are prevented by the guide bars 97, 98. Contact bushings 99 of the housing 10 for the plug contacts 20 can flank the spring holder F and/or the guide bars 97, 98. The contact bushings 99, the spring holder F and/or the guide bars 97, 98 can be arranged one behind the other along a direction transverse to the plug-in direction.

Figures 34 to 36 show schematic views of an electrically insulating pin head 100, which can be made, for example, from an electrically insulating plastic and/or rubber. The pin head 100 can have a mounting opening 101 with an open end. Opposite the open end, the pin head 100 can have a closed end. An outer side of the pin head 100, which has the closed end and points away from the mounting opening 101, can be at least partially curved and, for example, hemispherical or angled or conical or tapered. Between the open end and the closed end of the mounting opening 101, the mounting opening 101 can have a locking element, for example a taper running parallel to the open end.

The pin head 100 can also be called a plug contact cap.

Figures 37 and 38 show an embodiment of a contact pin 102 which can provide one of the plug contacts 20 with the pin head 100. A free end of the contact pin 102 can have a mounting element 103 for mounting the pin head. The mounting element 103 can be designed to be complementary to the mounting opening 101 at least in sections and can have a counter-locking element for the locking element, for example a projection which runs around the mounting element 1030 at least in sections transversely to the longitudinal direction of the contact pin 102.

Figure 39 shows the plug contact 20 with the pin head 100 of Figures 34 to 36 in a state mounted on the contact pin 102, in which the mounting element 103 is inserted into the mounting opening 101. A diameter S of the essentially cylindrical contact pin 102 corresponds to the diameter of the pin head on its side facing the contact pin 102. The open end of the mounting opening 101 can be arranged in the side facing the contact pin 102. The side facing the contact pin 102 can be referred to as the base side of the pin head 100. The diameter of the pin head 100 can decrease away from the side facing the contact pin 102.

Figure 40 shows a further embodiment of the network connection circuit. For the sake of brevity, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond in function and/or design to elements of the embodiment shown in Figure 23. In the following, only the differences from the embodiment shown in Figure 24 are discussed.

Figure 40 shows an example of a further circuit diagram of an electrical reverse polarity protection circuit 400 according to the invention, for example for a power plug 1. The reverse polarity protection circuit 400, which can also be referred to as a power connection circuit, has three contacts L, N, PE for the input and three contacts L', N', PE' for the output. The power plug 1 is correctly plugged in, when the live phase of a mating plug, such as a mains socket, is connected to conductor 150 of reverse polarity protection circuit 400. The respective phases at the input and output are then the same. A signaling device 190, such as an array of photodiodes, lights up and shows the correct contact state. If the mains plug is incorrectly inserted into the mating plug, the signaling device 190 may not light up or light up differently and no live phase is transferred from the input contact conductor L to the output contact L', the current flow is interrupted. For example, an inverter of a direct current source, such as a photovoltaic system or another energy supply system, can be or will be connected to the L', N', PE' contact of the output. The nest plug can be connected to the L, N, PE contacts of the input.

Specifically, the circuit diagram shown as an example in Figure 40 has three circuits 410, 420, 430. Two of the circuits 410, 420 connect the current-carrying conductor 150 and the neutral conductor 160 to one another. A third circuit 430 connects the current-carrying conductor 150 to the protective conductor 170.

The second circuit 420 can comprise a two-way switch, such as the relay KS2, several resistors, the signaling device 190 and a diode connected in series with the signaling device 190, wherein the signaling device 190 can have photodiodes connected in series with one another. As soon as the live phase of the mains voltage is correctly applied, the signaling device 190 can signal that the mains plug 1 is correctly plugged in.

The first circuit 410 can connect the current-carrying conductor 150 to the neutral conductor 160 via a diac of an optocoupler and via a switch, such as an electronic switch or a switch with an electromechanical drive, such as the relay K2. The electromechanical drive can be protected from voltage pulses or short-term voltage pulses in a parallel circuit by a suppressor diode and a resistor.

The third circuit 430 can connect the current-carrying conductor 150 to the protective conductor

170 via the two-way switch, via a photodiode of the optocoupler, via several resistors and suppressor diodes. If the mains plug 1 is correctly inserted so that it connects the live phase of the schematically shown device for generating electrical energy with the live phase of the network, the third circuit 430 and the second circuit 420 can be switched to live. In addition to the LEDs of the signaling device 190, the photodiode in the optocoupler can then also light up. The light emitted by the photodiode is received in the optocoupler by the diac of the optocoupler. The diac of the optocoupler can then switch the first circuit 410 to live.

When the diac of the optocoupler receives a signal, current can flow through the electromechanical drive that controls the two-way switch. When current flows through the electromechanical drive, the two-way switch can be switched such that the input L is coupled to the output L' and the input L and the output L' have the same phase. As soon as the electromechanical drive switches the two-way switch, the flow of current through the second circuit 420 and through the third circuit 430 can be stopped. Thus, the signaling device 190 can go out.

Figure 41 shows, by way of example, yet another circuit diagram of an electrical reverse polarity protection circuit 400 according to the invention, for example for a power plug 1. The circuit in Figure 41 is designed to adapt the phase position of the voltage applied to the power plug 1 to the phase position of the power socket and to switch over if necessary.

The reverse polarity protection circuit 400 shown in Figure 41 has three contacts L, N, PE for the input and three contacts L', N', PE' for the output. In contrast to the circuit diagram in Figure 40, the circuit diagram in Figure 41 does not have an array of photodiodes. In the circuit diagram shown in Figure 41, instead of signaling incorrect insertion, the phases incorrectly applied to the input contacts L, N are swapped. The correct phases are then applied to the output contacts L', N', thus correcting incorrect insertion of the mains plug 1.

Specifically, the circuit diagram shown in Figure 41 has five circuits 410, 420, 430, 440, 450. Three of the circuits 410, 420, 430 can connect the conductor for the live phase 150 to the neutral conductor 160. A fourth Circuit 440 may connect conductor 150 to protective conductor 170. A fifth

Circuit 450 may connect conductor 160 to protective conductor 170.

The first circuit 410 can connect the conductor 150 to the conductor 160 via a first diac of a first optocoupler and via a switch, such as an electronic switch or a switch with an electromechanical drive, such as the relay K2. The switch can be protected from voltage pulses or short-term voltage pulses in a parallel circuit by a first suppressor diode and a resistor.

The second circuit 420 can connect the conductor 150 to the conductor 160 via a diac of a second optocoupler and via another switch, such as an electronic switch or a switch with an electromechanical drive, such as another relay K3. The second switch can be protected from voltage pulses or short-term voltage pulses in a parallel circuit by a second suppressor diode and a second resistor.

The third circuit 430 can connect the conductor 150 to the neutral conductor 160 via a switch KS3, several resistors and an initial unit 460 for checking whether a mains voltage is present, wherein the initial unit 460 is coupled to yet another switch, such as an electronic switch or a switch with an electromechanical drive, such as another relay K4.

The fourth circuit 440 can connect the conductor 150 to the protective conductor 170 via a first photodiode of the first optocoupler, via several suppressor diodes, resistors and a diode as well as via further coupled switches 470. The further coupled switches 470 can be switched by the further switch, for example an electronic switch or a switch with an electromechanical drive, such as another relay K4, which in turn is part of the third circuit 430.

The fifth circuit 450 can connect the conductor 160 to the protective conductor 170 via a photodiode of the second optocoupler, several suppressor diodes, resistors and a diode as well as via the coupled switches 470. The coupled switches 470 can thus switch the fourth circuit 440 and the fifth circuit 450 to be current-carrying. If the power plug 1 is inserted into the mains socket, the third circuit 430 can be switched to be live, regardless of which input L or N the live phase 150 of the mains voltage is applied to. As soon as a mains voltage is applied to the input, the third electromechanical drive can be switched, for example. The third electromechanical drive can switch the coupled switches 470, which switch the fourth circuit 440 and the fifth circuit 450 to be live. As soon as the third electromechanical drive switches, the fourth circuit 440 and the fifth circuit 450 can thus be switched to be live, so that either the photodiode of the first optocoupler or the photodiode of the second optocoupler is switched to be live or activated. Which photodiode is activated depends on which conductor is the live phase.

If the current-carrying phase of the mains voltage is on the conductor 150, the fourth circuit 440 can be or become current-carrying in addition to the third circuit 430. The current flow in the fourth circuit 440 emits light from the photodiode of the first optocoupler, which is received by the diac of the first optocoupler. The diac of the first optocoupler can thus switch the first circuit 410 to current-carrying so that, for example, the first electromechanical drive switches. The first electromechanical drive can in turn actuate two first two-way switches 480 in such a way that the current-carrying phase is transferred from the input conductor L to the output conductor L'. Furthermore, the connection between the conductor 150 and the conductor 160 via the third circuit 430 can be interrupted by the first electromechanical drive. The phases of the input contacts and the output contacts are therefore the same.

If the current-carrying phase of the mains voltage is now connected to the conductor 160, the fourth circuit 440 can be switched to conduct current, but there is no significant current flow between the normal conductor 150 and the protective conductor 170. The photodiode of the first optocoupler therefore does not emit any light, so that no light is received by the diac in the first optocoupler, which in turn means that the first circuit 410 is not switched to conduct current. The first electromechanical drive therefore does not switch the two first two-way switches 480 mentioned above. If the live phase of the mains voltage is applied to the conductor 160, then the fifth circuit 450 can be switched to live. In this case, light is emitted by the photodiode of the second optocoupler and received by the diac of the second optocoupler. As a result, the diac of the second optocoupler switches the second circuit 420 to live. As soon as the second circuit 420 is switched to live, the exemplary second electromechanical drive also switches. This in turn results in the second coupled two-way switches 490 being switched. When the second coupled two-way switches 490 switch, the live phase of the mains voltage of the input contact N is transferred to the output contact L'. In addition, the input contact L is connected to the output contact N' by switching the second coupled two-way switches 490. The phases present at the input are thus swapped at the output. An advantage of this design in Figure 41 can be that during operation the reference contact, here 170, is galvanically separated from the rest of the electronics via an isolating point (normally open contacts of K4).

List of reference symbols

I Power plug

10 Housing

I I Basic body

12 Recording room

20 plug contact

21 Longitudinal direction

22 shaft

23 Fastening end area

24 free end area

26 Protective contact

30 Protective device

31 Protective element

40 Protective cover device

41 Protective cover

42 Base element

50 protective bodies

51 End area elastic restoring force pressure plate

Guide device Guide element Blocking device Movable actuating element Front plate

Spring device spring force

Tilting element a optional tilting element receiving opening

Inside support bridge counter-tilting element guide bar guide bar contact bushings 0 pin head 1 mounting opening 2 contact pin 3 mounting element 0 relative movement 0 first current path 0 second current path 0 third current path 0 live phase 0 neutral conductor 0 protective conductor 0 first signaling device 0 second signaling device 0 manual switch 0 arc fault protection device 0 reverse polarity protection circuit 410 Circuit

420 Circuit

430 Circuit

440 Circuit

450 Circuit

460 Initial unit

470 coupled switches

480 first coupled two-way switches

490 second coupled two-way switches

D diameter d minimum diameter

F Spring retainer

G Source

K1 first relay

KS1 first relay switch

K2 second relay

KS2 second relay switch

KS21 first contact of the second relay switch

KS22 second contact of the second relay switch

K3 additional relay

KS3 switch

K4 additional relay

L Input contact

L' Output contact

N Input contact

N' output contact

PE input contact

PE' output contact

Q converter

R1 resistance

R2 resistance

R3 resistance

S Diameter contact pin

U Contact volume V Recording volume

W angle

Claims

Patent claims

1. Network connection circuit with reverse polarity protection, for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an AC network having a protective conductor, a neutral conductor and an outer conductor during operation, with a first connecting line and a second connecting line, wherein the first connecting line is provided for connection to the neutral conductor and the second connecting line is provided for connection to outer conductors, and wherein the network connection circuit has a phase position detection device which is electrically connected to the first and the second connecting line and is designed to determine a phase position between the second connecting line and the first connecting line, and which is designed to provide an operating signal when the phase position corresponds to a predetermined phase position and to output an error signal when the phase position deviates from the predetermined phase position.

2. Network connection circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the network connection circuit has a switching element which, in the closed state, connects two sections of the second connecting line to one another when the phase position detection device provides the operating signal.

3. Network connection circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the network connection circuit has a switching element which is designed to connect two sections of the first connection line to one another and to connect two sections of the second connection line to one another when the phase position detection device provides the operating signal, and which is designed to connect a section of the first connection line to a section of the second connection line. and to connect a further section of the first connecting line to a further section of the second connecting line if the phase position detection device does not provide the operating signal.

4. Mains plug (1) for realizing an electrical plug contact, with two plug contacts (20) for establishing a plug connection with a mating plug and with a protective contact, and with at least three connection contacts for connecting conductors of a connecting cable to one of the plug contacts each, characterized in that the plug contacts and the protective contact are connected to the connection contacts with a reverse polarity protection circuit according to one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Device for generating electrical energy, with an energy output having at least three electrical contacts for providing the generated electrical energy, characterized in that a reverse polarity protection circuit according to one of claims 1 to 3 is connected upstream of the energy output.

6. Method for connecting a device for generating electrical energy to an alternating voltage network (low-voltage network) having a protective conductor, a neutral conductor and an outer conductor, in which, after mechanical contact of an energy output of the device with the alternating voltage network by means of a mains plug, the polarity of energy lines of the device leading to the energy output is first compared with the polarity of the lines of the alternating voltage network and the device is connected to the alternating voltage network depending on the result of the comparison.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a connection between an outer conductor of the device and an outer conductor of the AC voltage network is only closed if the comparison shows that the power lines are connected to the lines of the AC voltage network with the same polarity through the mains plug.

8. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a connection between one of the device's outer conductors and an outer conductor of the alternating voltage network is first switched crosswise and then closed if the comparison shows that the power lines are connected to the lines of the alternating voltage network with unequal polarity through the mains plug.

9. Power plug for implementing an electrical plug contact, comprising at least two elongated plug contacts, each having a shaft for electrical contact, a fastening end region and a free end region, and comprising at least one protective device with which at least the shafts of the plug contacts are or can be protected against unintentional electrical contact, wherein a relative movement can be carried out between at least one region of the protective device and the plug contacts, so that the shafts of the plug contacts can be exposed and electrically contacted at least in some regions.

10. Mains plug according to claim 9, characterized in that the protective device for covering the shafts of the plug contacts comprises a spring-mounted protective cover device which has a protective cover for each plug contact as a protective element, wherein the protective cover device can furthermore have a base element, and the protective covers can be rigidly mechanically coupled to one another by means of the base element, so that they can be displaced together on the shafts of the plug contacts.

11. Mains plug according to claim 10, characterized in that the mains plug can have a guide device for guiding the protective device along the longitudinal direction of the plug contacts, wherein by means of the guide device an uneven displacement of the protective elements on the plug contacts due to tilting of the base element on a guide element of the guide device can be counteracted.

12. Power plug according to claim 11, characterized in that the guide device is arranged between the plug contacts.

13. Mains plug according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the base element has a canting element and a housing of the mains plug has a counter-canting element designed to be complementary to the canting element and designed to interact with the canting element.

14. Power plug according to claim 13, characterized in that the tilting element and the counter-tilting element are designed such that the tilting element slides on the counter-tilting element when the base element is pushed further into a housing of the power plug along a plug-in direction of the power plug, wherein the tilting element and the counter-tilting element tilt with one another when a force acting on the base element, which acts at an angle to the plug-in direction that is not equal to 0° or not equal to 180°, tries to press the base element into the housing.

15. Power plug according to claim 9, characterized in that the protective device for covering the shafts of the plug contacts comprises a spring-mounted protective cover device which has a protective element for each plug contact, wherein at least one of the protective elements has a receiving volume for one of the plug contacts, the diameter of which runs transversely to the plugging direction and decreases in the direction of the free ends of the protective elements, and wherein the minimum diameter of the receiving volume essentially corresponds to an outer diameter of one of the plug contacts.