DE20018583U1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

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PATENT AND LAW FIRM Patent Attorney Dipl.-Ing. H. Schmitt

SCHMITT, MAUCHER & BORJES pSS Attorney at Law H. Börjel-Pestalozza

Anton Hummel Dreikönigstrasse 13

VerwaltungS GmbH D-79102 Freiburg i. Br.

Mozartstrasse 2

7Q1O1 X.T-.1 ^ &ngr;&eeacgr;-»-“&ngr;. Telephone (07 61) 79 174 0

7 9183 Waldkirch _Te]efax J ₀₇ ^ _{jg m 3Q}

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Electrical connector

With positive fixing of the assembled usage position.

The invention relates to an electrical connector with a plug and with a socket, in which, after plugging together, electrical contact exists in particular between at least one contact pin and at least one contact socket, wherein the plugged-together position of use can be fixed in a form-fitting manner by means of an overlapping sleeve.

Such electrical connectors are known, whereby a union nut is usually provided as an overlapping sleeve for the form-fitting connection, which contains the plug, for example, and whose internal thread overlaps an external thread on the socket. This means relatively complex and careful assembly, because the form-fitting connection is only really sufficient when the union nut is fully tightened.

The task is therefore to create an electrical connector 0 of the type mentioned above, in which the positive locking of the plug connection can be carried out more quickly and under

F:\TEXTS\REGISTER\SB000063

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Avoiding a threaded connection is possible.

To achieve this object, the plug connector defined at the outset is characterized in that at least one threadless coupling element is provided on the outside of the part of the plug connector over which the sleeve engages, and a matching counter-coupling is provided on the inside of the sleeve itself, and that the coupling element can be deactivated by means of the sleeve during the process of mutually connecting the plug and socket, and can be connected or is connected to their counter-coupling after they have been plugged together.

W This makes it possible to plug the plug and the socket together with the correct mutual orientation and thereby also to create a positive connection by means of the sleeve, which means that the axial connection of the two parts simultaneously creates a quick-release fastener that makes a thread and corresponding screw movements superfluous.

An expedient embodiment of the invention may consist in that the coupling element is an annular spring which is arranged in a first annular groove and in the relaxed state has a larger outer diameter and a smaller circumferential length than the first annular groove, that the annular spring during the coupling process in the first

^ ring groove is countersunk and that the counter-coupling is a second ring groove located on the inside of the sleeve, which in the coupling position is arranged concentrically to the first ring groove and into which the ring spring springs when it is relaxed after being plugged together.

0 A very simple part, namely an annular spring, can serve as a coupling element. When relaxed, it slightly protrudes beyond the annular groove that accommodates it in the radial direction, but can be retracted into this annular groove by tightening it in the circumferential direction so that the sleeve can be slipped over it. When the annular spring is then relaxed again, it also engages the counter-coupling, namely

the second annular groove on the inside of the sleeve, which creates the positive connection.

In a practical manner, the coupling element or the annular spring can therefore engage partly in the first annular groove of one part and partly in the inner annular groove of the sleeve in the initial position and in the position of use. During the coupling process, i.e. during plugging together on the one hand or when releasing the plug connection, this annular spring only needs to be deformed radially inwards, which can be done in a practical manner with the sleeve itself.

The cross-section of the first annular groove that accommodates the annular spring can be equal to or larger than the cross-section of the annular spring and the annular spring can, in the coupling position, engage with part of its cross-section in the first annular groove and with a part of its cross-section that protrudes on the outside in the second annular groove of the sleeve. This results in a positive connection in the axial direction over a large part of the circumference of the electrical connector, which can prevent the plug from being accidentally separated from the socket.

The ring spring serving as a coupling element can be held in the first ring groove of the part to be gripped in the circumferential direction

5 can be tensioned and thus its diameter can be reduced and it can be sunk into the ring groove. It is known that an annular spring reduces its diameter when it is tensioned in its circumferential direction, which can be used to release the sliding path when plugging together and also when releasing the plug connection between 0 plug and socket.

A particularly practical design of the invention in terms of construction and handling can consist in the ring spring, which is anchored at one end in the first annular groove or an extension of this annular groove, having a

opposite the first annular groove has a raised bend as an engagement point for gripping, tensioning and sinking the annular spring in the first annular groove and that the diameter of the annular spring can be reduced by moving the bend in the circumferential direction towards the anchoring point of the annular spring, the circumference of the first annular groove being larger than the circumference of the annular spring by at least the amount of the deformation path of the annular spring during tensioning and sinking. The annular spring therefore has a bend at its free end opposite its anchoring, at which it can be gripped when it is tensioned in the circumferential direction for sinking, which simultaneously reduces its diameter, this movement in the circumferential direction

P direction is possible because the annular groove is longer in the circumferential direction than the annular spring.

It is particularly useful if the first ring groove and the second ring groove each extend over the entire circumference. The coupling surface is correspondingly large.

Above all, for easy operation and in particular for easy tensioning of the ring spring when it is lowered during the coupling process, it is expedient if the sleeve can be rotated relative to the connector by at least the amount that corresponds to the tensioning path of the ring spring in the circumferential direction, and if the

^ Sleeve has on its free edge a deformation or a slot for gripping the outwardly projecting free end of the annular spring, the axial dimension of the deformation or the slot corresponding at least to the distance between the edge of the sleeve and the inner second annular groove and thus to the sliding path of the sleeve - into its coupling position - by which it can be displaced from 0 reaching the coupling element until it engages over this coupling element with its annular groove.

In this way, the bend to be grasped in order to actuate the ring spring when it is tensioned can be grasped by the free end of the sleeve 5 itself and actuated by turning the sleeve so that

This means that the sleeve can be pushed over this free end so that the deformation or slot engages the annular spring, after which the rotation of the sleeve in the corresponding direction tensions this annular spring and sinks it into its first annular groove. This allows the sleeve to be moved further into the coupling position, after which it is rotated back and thereby coupled with the annular spring, which expands radially again and engages the second annular groove.

The outwardly projecting free end of the ring spring can be positioned at right angles to the circumference of the first ring groove or the

ψ ring spring and the sleeve, i.e. approximately radially. Such a radially protruding end of the ring spring can be particularly easily grasped and gripped with the aid of an open-edged slot on the sleeve and then moved in the circumferential direction by rotating the sleeve.

The ring spring can be a wire spring with a round or square cross-section. A round cross-section results in a relatively inexpensive ring spring, while a square cross-section means the use of a special wire, but on the other hand improves the coupling surfaces within the ring grooves.

™ The sleeve 5 which can be pushed over the coupling element or the ring spring can have an insertion funnel or an inner inclined surface tapering towards the inside on its free edge, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the relaxed ring spring or preferably exceeds it in the immediate vicinity of the edge and the smaller, axially recessed 0 diameter of which corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the tensioned ring spring or exceeds it and the inner second ring groove can be arranged within the sleeve with the axial distance from this insertion funnel which corresponds approximately to the sliding path when grasping the outwardly protruding free end of the ring spring 5 with the axial deformation or the slot.

the coupling element with its insertion funnel is already pushed slightly over the annular spring and its free, outwardly protruding end is thereby caught by the deformation or the slot on the sleeve. If the sleeve is then turned, the outer circumference of the annular spring is reduced in the manner already mentioned, so that the sliding movement can be continued, during which the free, protruding end of the annular spring then also reaches deeper into the slot in the sleeve. This can be continued until the sleeve with its inner annular groove comes to lie concentrically with the first annular groove and the annular spring, after which it is relaxed by turning the sleeve back and then also inserted into the second annular groove.

W partially engages. This end position can be determined by a stop if necessary. This can either consist of the protruding end of the annular spring reaching the end of the slot, or a corresponding stop can be provided between the sleeve and the counterpart or the plug and socket.

The rotatable sleeve can be conveniently arranged on the plug and the coupling element or annular spring on the outside of the socket 20. Thus, in the position of use, the sleeve can simultaneously engage over the outside of the electrical connector and secure and protect it, as can also be achieved with the aid of a known union nut.

The electrical connector according to the invention allows for different embodiments. For example, the plug and the socket can each be arranged on a cable. However, it is also possible for the plug or the socket to be attached to the housing of a device to be supplied with power and the respective counterpart to be attached to a cable.

In particular, combinations of one or more of the features and measures described above result in an electrical connector in which frictional engagement between plug 5 and socket and the electrical contacts involved also

A positive locking mechanism is provided in the position of use, whereby this positive locking mechanism is not achieved via a thread but via a quick-release fastener.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig. 1 shows an electrical connector according to the invention with a plug and a socket, wherein the

contained electrical contacts - as well as in the

&psgr; other figures - are omitted for the sake of clarity and the plug and socket are separated, i.e. they are in a position before plugging or after disconnecting,

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the socket, which is attached to a housing of a device to be supplied with power, with a coupling element on this

0 Bushing in an annular groove arranged ring spring relaxed

and extends beyond the outer circumference of this socket,

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, wherein the

™ Ring spring tensioned in the circumferential direction and thus in the

the ring groove holding them is sunk so far that their

outside is flush with the outside of the socket or no longer protrudes above it,

Fig. 4 in a further enlarged scale and in a longitudinal

0 direction cut diagrammatic representation according to

the section line A-A in Fig. 5 the socket with the ring spring and a sleeve arranged on the plug, rotatably mounted there - for the sake of simplicity without the plug - which partially overlaps the socket, the

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final clutch position but has not yet been reached,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bushing and sleeve assembly shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, in which

the sleeve in axial direction over the bushing

is shifted so that an inner second annular groove on the sleeve overlaps the annular spring, whereby this annular spring

again according to Fig. 1 and 2 is relaxed and over

&psgr; the surface of the bushing into this second annular groove

the sleeve and fixes the sleeve to the bushing in an axial direction, and
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Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment in a representation corresponding to Fig. 1, wherein both the plug and the socket are each arranged on a cable and the socket in turn has the

0 Fixing the plug connection serving ring spring on

whereby the plug and socket of this connector are separated as shown in Fig. 1.

&PSgr; In the following description of different embodiments, parts that have the same function are given the same reference numbers even if they have different external designs.

A connector, designated as a whole with 1 and shown in Fig. 1 and 7 in a separate arrangement, essentially has a plug 2 and a socket 3, in which, after plugging together, there is electrical contact between at least one or more contact pins on the one hand and contact sockets that match them on the other hand, but 5 these parts to be electrically contacted are not shown in the drawings of the

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are not shown for better clarity.

In Fig. 1 and 7, which each show embodiments of the electrical connector 1, the plug 2 and socket 3 are not plugged together, but are still or again separated. However, Fig. 6 shows the plugged-together position of use with regard to important parts. This plugged-together position of use is fixed or can be fixed in a form-fitting manner by means of an overlapping sleeve 4 in a manner to be described below.

ψ In Figs. 1 to 4 and 6 and 7 it can be seen that on the part of the connector 1 which is covered by the sleeve 4 in the position of use, in the embodiment of the socket 2, a threadless coupling element in the form of an annular spring 5 is provided on the outside, while according to Figs. 4 and 6 a matching counter-coupling is arranged on the inside of the sleeve 4. In a manner to be described later, this coupling element designed as an annular spring 5 can be temporarily deactivated by means of the sleeve 4 during the process of mutually connecting the plug 0 2 and the socket 3, while

After being plugged together, it is then connected to the mating coupling, so that the sleeve 4 is positively connected to the part having the annular spring 5 in the axial direction according to Fig. 6. ^ Accordingly, the plug 2 is then also positively connected to the socket 3 in the axial direction, because the sleeve 4 - in the exemplary embodiment - is also positively connected to the plug 2 in the axial direction.

As already mentioned, the coupling element is an annular spring 5, which is arranged in a first annular groove 6 and, according to Fig. 2 and 4, has a larger outer diameter and a smaller circumferential length than this first annular groove 6 in the relaxed state. At the same time, the largest outer diameter of this relaxed annular spring 5 is also larger than the outer diameter of the bushing 3 having this annular groove 6. In Fig. 3 it is indicated that the annular spring 5 in the

The coupling process can be sunk into the first annular groove 6 so that its outside is flush with the outside of the socket 3 or, if necessary, even sunk in relation to it. The counter-coupling is a second annular groove 7 located on the inside of the sleeve 4, which, according to Fig. 6, is arranged concentrically to the first annular groove 6 and thus also to the annular spring 5 in the coupling position and into which the annular spring 5 springs when it is relaxed after being plugged together. When plugging together the plug 2 and socket 3 of the electrical connector, the sleeve 4 is pushed - in the embodiment - over the socket 3, whereby the annular spring 5 is initially sunk until the second annular groove 7 of the

W sleeve 4 according to Fig. 6 is arranged concentrically to the first annular groove 6 and the annular spring 5, after which the annular spring 5 can be relaxed again because it can enter the second annular groove 7, the dimensions of which in terms of width and cross section correspond to or exceed that of this annular spring 5, in order to have sufficient space for this partial entry of the annular spring 5 into the second annular groove 7. The annular spring 5 thus engages partially in the first annular groove 6 in the initial position and in the use or coupling position and also partially in the inner second annular groove 7 of the sleeve 4 in the coupling position, so that in this constellation an axial movement of the sleeve 4 relative to the overlapped part is no longer possible. Thus, the plug connection between

^ Plug 2 and socket 3 are thereby positively secured in the axial direction.

The cross-section of the annular grooves 6 and 7 receiving the annular spring 5 is therefore equal to or larger than the cross-section of the annular spring 5 and the annular spring 5 engages in the coupling position with a part 0 of its cross-section in the first annular groove 6 and with a part of its cross-section protruding on the outside in the second annular groove 7 of the sleeve 4, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6.

5 In order to hold the ring spring 5, which serves as a coupling element, in the

first annular groove 6 of the part to be covered by the sleeve 4, it can be tensioned in the circumferential direction, which is particularly clear when comparing Fig. 2 and 3. By tensioning the annular spring 5 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, the distance between the two ends of this annular spring and thus its diameter is reduced, which simultaneously leads to the annular spring 5 being sunk into the first annular groove 6. The countersinking only needs to go so far that the sleeve 4 can be pushed over it on the outside until the second annular groove 7 arranged on the inside of this sleeve 4 overlaps the annular spring on the outside, so that the annular spring can then be

W Relaxation can also occur in this second annular groove 7.

In order to be able to carry out this tensioning movement of the ring spring 5 to reduce its circumference and to sink it into the first ring groove 6, it is provided in the two embodiments that the ring spring 5, which is anchored with one end 5a in the first ring groove 6, namely an extension 6a of this ring groove 6, has at its free end 5b a bend 8 which stands up relative to the first ring groove 6 and thus in the embodiment of the bushing 3 as an engagement point for gripping, tensioning and sinking into its ring groove 6. If this bend 8 is gripped and adjusted from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3,

^ this leads to a corresponding tensioning of the ring spring and to a reduction in its circumference, since the other end 5a of the ring spring

5 maintains its position. The diameter of the annular spring 5 can therefore be reduced by moving the bend 8 in the circumferential direction towards the anchoring point 6a of the annular spring 5, whereby the circumference of the first annular groove 6 is also correspondingly larger than the circumference 0 of the annular spring 5 in order to enable this displacement of the end 5b of the bend 8 within the annular groove 6. For the sake of simplicity, in both embodiments, both the first annular groove

6 as well as the second annular groove 7 each over the entire circumference, so that correspondingly large coupling surfaces are created.

The sleeve 4 can be rotated relative to the connector, in the embodiment relative to the plug 2 connected to it in the axial direction, by at least the amount that corresponds to the tensioning path of the ring spring

5 in the circumferential direction. It can be seen in Fig. 1 and 6 that the sleeve 4 has a deformation on its free edge 4a in the form of an open-edged slot 9 for gripping the outwardly projecting free end or the bend 8 of the annular spring 5. The axial dimension of this open-edged slot 9 from the inlet to the rear end corresponds at least to the distance between the edge 4a of the sleeve 4 and the second annular groove 7 on the inside, i.e. the sliding path

P ■ of the sleeve 4 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig.

6 recognizable clutch position.

It should also be mentioned that the outwardly projecting free end 5a or the bend 8 of the annular spring 5 in the embodiment is arranged at right angles to the circumference of the first annular groove 6 or the annular spring 5 and the sleeve 4, i.e. approximately radially.

0 Due to the features and measures described above, it is therefore possible, when plugging the connector 1 together from the position shown in Fig. 1 and 7 into the position of use, which is partially visible in Fig. 6, to guide the open-edged slot 9 of the sleeve 4 over the bend 8, then to rotate the sleeve 4 relative to the connector 1 in such a way that the bend 8 is brought closer to the fixed end 5a of the annular spring 5, as a result of which the circumference of the annular spring 5 is reduced and the annular spring 5 is sunk into the first annular groove 6 containing it. A subsequent continuation of the process of plugging the plug 2 and the socket 3 together leads to the slot 9 being moved further relative to the bend 8, as a result of which the inner second annular groove 7 of the sleeve 4 simultaneously comes into the coupling position concentric with the first annular groove 6 and the annular spring 5. If the sleeve 4 is now released or turned back, the ring spring 5 relaxes and partially emerges from the first ring groove 6 and

at the same time into the second annular groove 7 on the sleeve 4, whereby the positive connection in the axial direction is achieved. To release this connection, the sleeve 4 can be rotated again, whereby the slot 9 on it, which is open at the edge, grips the bend 8 of the annular spring, so that the annular spring is again reduced in its diameter and circumference, so that the sleeve 4 can be retracted and the electrical connector 1 can be opened or released again.

In the case of the ring spring can be a wire spring with a round cross-section, whereas in the embodiment it has a square cross-section ), which leads to a better coupling in the axial direction.

For the coupling or axial fixing of the connector 1 described above, it is also helpful according to Fig. 4 and 6 that the sleeve 4, which can be pushed over the coupling element or the annular spring 5, has an insertion funnel 10 on its free edge 4a on the inside or an inner inclined surface tapering towards the inside, the outer diameter 0 of which, immediately near the edge 4a, corresponds to the outer diameter of the relaxed annular spring 5 or slightly exceeds it, and the smaller, axially recessed diameter of which corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the tensioned annular spring 5 or

™ slightly exceeds. Thus, the edge 4a of the sleeve 4 can be axially displaced slightly over the annular spring 5 due to this 5 insertion funnel 10.

before it is sunk into the first annular groove 6, so that the end 5b or the bend 8 of the annular spring 5 can also be grasped with sufficient security by the open-edged slot 9 of the sleeve 4.
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The inner second annular groove 7 within the sleeve 4 is arranged at an axial distance from this insertion funnel 10, which corresponds approximately to the sliding path when grasping the outwardly projecting free end 8 of the annular spring 5 with the slot 9. Thus, 5 are the dimensions of the insertion funnel 10, the slot 9 and the

axial distance of the second annular groove 7 are coordinated so that the sleeve 4 is axially pushed onto the counterpart, for example the bushing 3, in such a way that the protruding end 5b or the bend 8 of the annular spring 5 is grasped and then the connector can be pushed together after the sleeve 4 has been rotated to sink the annular spring 5 into its position, in which the annular spring 5 can then be relaxed again and inserted into the second annular groove 7 on the inside of the sleeve. The connector 1 can be released in the same way and vice versa.

In the embodiment, the rotatable sleeve 4 is attached to the plug 1

ψ and the annular spring 5 are arranged on the outside of the socket 3. However, it would also be possible that the part designated as the socket 3 in Figs. 1 and 6 is the plug 2 and accordingly the sleeve 4 is rotatably connected to the socket.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the socket 3 is attached to a wall 11 of a housing of a device to be supplied with power, while the plug 2 is connected to a cable 12, although this can also be the other way round.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 7, however, the plug 2 and the socket 3 are each attached to a cable 12.

Expectations

Claims (13)

1. Electrical plug connector ( 1 ) with a plug ( 2 ) and with a socket ( 3 ), in which, after plugging together, electrical contact exists in particular between at least one contact pin and at least one contact socket, wherein the plugged-together position of use can be fixed in a form-fitting manner by means of an overlapping sleeve ( 4 ), characterized in that at least one threadless coupling element is provided on the outside of the part of the plug connector ( 1 ) over which the sleeve ( 4 ) engages , and a matching counter-coupling is provided on the inside of the sleeve (4) itself, and that the coupling element can be deactivated by means of the sleeve ( 4 ) during the process of mutually connecting the plug ( 2 ) and socket ( 3 ) and can be connected or is connected to their counter-coupling after plugging together. 2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element is an annular spring ( 5 ) which is arranged in a first annular groove ( 6 ) and in the relaxed state has a larger outer diameter and a smaller circumferential length than the first annular groove ( 6 ), that the annular spring ( 5 ) can be sunk into the first annular groove ( 6 ) during the coupling process and that the counter-coupling is a second annular groove ( 7 ) located on the inside of the sleeve ( 4 ), which in the coupling position is arranged essentially concentrically to the first annular groove ( 6 ) and into which the annular spring ( 5 ) springs when it is relaxed after being plugged together. 3. Electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element or the annular spring ( 5 ) in the initial position and in the use position partially engages in the first annular groove ( 6 ) of one part and partially in the inner second annular groove ( 7 ) of the sleeve ( 4 ). 4. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cross section of the annular grooves ( 6 , 7 ) receiving the annular spring ( 5 ) is equal to or larger than the cross section of the annular spring ( 5 ) and that the annular spring ( 5 ) in the coupling position engages with a part of its cross section in the first annular groove ( 6 ) and with a part of its cross section projecting on the outside in the second annular groove ( 7 ) of the sleeve ( 4 ). 5. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular spring ( 5 ) serving as a coupling element can be tensioned in the circumferential direction in the first annular groove ( 6 ) of the part to be overlapped, which holds it, and can thereby be reduced in diameter and sunk into the annular groove. 6. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the annular spring (5) anchored with one end ( 5a ) in the first annular groove ( 6 ) or an extension ( 6a ) of this annular groove ( 6 ) has at its free end ( 5b ) a bend ( 8 ) which stands up relative to the first annular groove ( 6 ) as an engagement point for gripping, tensioning and countersinking the annular spring ( 5 ) in the first annular groove ( 6 ) and that the diameter of the annular spring ( 5 ) can be reduced by moving the bend ( 8 ) in the circumferential direction towards the anchoring point ( 6a ) of the annular spring ( 5 ), the circumference of the first annular groove ( 6 ) being larger than the circumference of the annular spring ( 5 ) by at least the deformation path of the annular spring during tensioning and countersinking. 7. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first annular groove ( 6 ) and/or the second annular groove ( 7 ) extend over the entire circumference. 8. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sleeve ( 4 ) can be rotated relative to the connector by at least the amount that corresponds to the tensioning path of the annular spring ( 5 ) in the circumferential direction, and that the sleeve ( 4 ) has a deformation or a slot ( 9 ) on its free edge ( 4a ) for gripping the outwardly projecting free end ( 8 ) of the annular spring ( 5 ), the axial dimension of the deformation or the slot ( 9 ) corresponding at least to the distance between the edge ( 4a ) of the sleeve ( 4 ) and the inner second annular groove ( 7 ) and thus to the sliding path of the sleeve by which it can be displaced from reaching the coupling element to engaging over this coupling element with its annular groove. 9. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outwardly projecting free end ( 5b ) of the annular spring ( 5 ) is arranged at right angles to the circumference of the first annular groove ( 6 ) or of the annular spring ( 5 ) and the sleeve ( 4 ), i.e. approximately radially. 10. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the annular spring ( 5 ) is a wire spring with a round or square cross-section. 11. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sleeve ( 4 ) which can be pushed over the coupling element or the annular spring ( 5 ) has on its free edge ( 4a ) an insertion funnel ( 10 ) or an inner inclined surface which tapers towards the inside, the outer diameter of which corresponds to or exceeds the outer diameter of the relaxed annular spring ( 5 ) immediately near the edge and the smaller, axially recessed diameter of which corresponds approximately to or exceeds the outer diameter of the tensioned annular spring ( 5 ), and that the inner second annular groove ( 7 ) is arranged within the sleeve ( 4 ) at an axial distance from this insertion funnel ( 10 ) which corresponds approximately to the sliding path when grasping the outwardly projecting free end ( 8 ) of the annular spring ( 5 ) with the axial deformation or the slot ( 9 ). 12. Electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rotatable sleeve ( 4 ) is arranged on the plug ( 2 ) and the coupling element or the annular spring ( 5 ) is arranged on the outside of the socket ( 3 ). 13. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug ( 2 ) and the socket ( 3 ) are each attached to a cable ( 12 ) or the plug ( 2 ) or the socket ( 3 ) are attached to the housing of a device to be supplied with power and the respective counterpart is attached to a cable ( 12 ).