Test device for a plug-in connection, control unit, control system

A control unit, comprising:

• at least one first plug connector part configured for a plug-in connection that includes the first plug connector part and a second connector part, the first and second plug connector parts each having multiple electrically-conductive contact elements and are configured to be plugged together such that at least some of the contact elements of the first plug connector part come into electrical physical contact with at least some of the contact elements of the second plug connector part, the first and second plug connector parts in the plugged-together state defining at least one protective chamber configured for the contact elements;
• and
• a test device allocated to the first plug connector part, the test device including:
• a device configured to detect one or more of moisture and fluid in the protective chamber, the device having an electrically-conductive test contact element that protrudes into the protective chamber and that is configured to be contacted in an electrical manner, and
• an evaluation circuit connected to the test contact element and having a controllable signal generating device and a signal detecting device, the evaluation circuit configured to detect with the signal detecting device a signal that is generated by the signal generating device,
• wherein
• the test contact element is connected to the evaluation circuit such that the generated signal is configured to be influenced in a recognizable manner by the signal detecting device in the presence of the one or more of moisture and fluid in the protective chamber, and
• the test contact element is arranged between a voltage supply contact element and a ground contact element of the at least one of the first and second plug connector parts in the protective chamber.

A control system, comprising:

• at least one control unit;
• at least one first device configured to be operated in an electrical manner and connected to the control unit via a plug-in connection, the plug-in connection having a first plug connector part and a second plug connector part that each have multiple electrically-conductive contact elements and that are configured to be plugged together such that at least some of the contact elements of the first plug connector part come into electrical physical contact with at least some of the contact elements of the second plug connector part, the first and second plug connector parts in the plugged-together state defining at least one protective chamber configured for the contact elements;
• and
• a test device associated with at least one of the first and second plug connector parts, the test device including:
• a second device configured to detect one or more of moisture and fluid in the at least one protective chamber, the second device having an electrically-conductive test contact element that protrudes into the protective chamber and that is configured to be contacted in an electrical manner, and
• an evaluation circuit connected to the test contact element and having a controllable signal generating device and a signal detecting device, the evaluation circuit configured to detect with the signal detecting device a signal that is generated by the signal generating device,
• wherein
• the test contact element is connected to the evaluation circuit such that the generated signal is configured to be influenced in a recognizable manner by the signal detecting device in the presence of one or more of moisture and fluid in the protective chamber, and
• the test contact element is arranged between a voltage supply contact element and a ground contact element of the at least one of the first and second plug connector parts in the protective chamber.