# US 10,122,126 B2 · Modular system having a plurality of modules that can be electrically connected to one another > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,126 B2 - Document ID: US10122126B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/688,390 - Filed: 2017-08-28 - Published: 2018-03-01 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-30 - Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Stefan Götz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122126B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/71: Contact members of coupling parts operating as switch {, e.g. linear or rotational movement required after mechanical engagement of coupling part to establish electrical connection} - H01R 9/2408: {Modular blocks (H01R9/26 takes precedence)} - H01R 13/04: Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets - H01R 13/112: {forked sockets having two legs} - H05K 5/0247: {Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring} - H05K 5/30: Side-by-side or stacked arrangements - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A modular system, including a plurality of modules that can be electrically connected to one another, wherein at least two first modules from amongst the modules can be connected to one another in series, wherein, in the connected state of the first modules, a first contact-making means is arranged between the first modules, wherein a second of the modules has a second contact-making means, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured to make electrical contact with one another, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured, when making electrical contact with one another, firstly to connect the first modules to the second module and then to isolate the connection of the first modules to one another. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular system, comprising: a plurality of modules that can be electrically connected to one another; a first contact-making means; and a second contact-making means; wherein at least two first modules from amongst the modules can be connected to one another in series, wherein, in a connected state of the first modules, the first contact-making means is arranged between the first modules, wherein a second module from amongst the modules has the second contact-making means, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured to make electrical contact with one another, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured, when making electrical contact with one another, firstly to connect the first modules to the second module and then to isolate the connection of the first modules from one another. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first contact-making means comprises at least two first conductors, wherein a spring force acts on at least one of the two first conductors and pushes said at least one of the two first conductors in the direction of the other of the at least two first conductors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The modular system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second contact-making means can be pushed between the two first conductors in order to produce the contact connection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second contact-making means comprises an isolating means and at least two second conductors that are isolated from one another by the isolating means, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured such that, when producing the contact connection between the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means, in each case one of the first conductors comes into contact with one of the second conductors before the connection of the two first conductors to one another is released. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second contact-making means is rounded off at an end that is configured to produce the contact connection to the first contact-making means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second contact-making means has a tapered portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The modular system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first conductors have a curvature that is adapted to the shape of the tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is arranged between the first conductors in the connected state to the first contact-making means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The modular system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second module can be switched to a state in which the second conductors are at the same electrical potential. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second module comprises a further first contact-making means for making contact with a second contact-making means of a further second module of the modules. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a third contact-making means and a fourth contact-making means, wherein, in a connected state of the first modules, the third contact-making means is arranged between the first modules, wherein the second module from amongst the modules has the fourth contact-making means, wherein the third contact-making means and the fourth contact-making means are configured to make electrical contact with one another, wherein the third contact-making means and the fourth contact-making means are configured, when making electrical contact with one another, firstly to connect the first modules to the second module and then to isolate the connection of the first modules from one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a first state of the second contact-making means, the first modules are in a connected state and the first modules are disconnected from the second module, in a second state of the second contact-making means, the first modules are in a connected state and the first modules are connected to the second module, and in a third state of the second contact-making means, the first modules are in a disconnected state and the first modules are connected to the second module. ### Claim 12 A method for extending an electrical circuit having a plurality of first modules having a direct electrical connection to one another by at least one second module, wherein at least one first contact-making means is arranged between the first modules, and wherein the second module has a second contact-making means, wherein the method comprises the following steps: making electrical contact between the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means such that the second module is electrically connected to the first modules; and then isolating the direct electrical connection of the first modules from one another.