Contact element

A contact arrangement, comprising:

• a contact element for inserting a mating contact element along an insertion direction, the contact element including:
• an insertion opening for inserting the mating contact element;
• at least one contact lamella configured to electrically contact the mating contact element;
• and
• a clamping sleeve that is displaceable, along the insertion direction, relative to the at least one contact lamella, between a first position and a second position, the clamping sleeve and the at least one contact lamella being in an operational relationship with one another in such a way that when the clamping sleeve moves from the first position into the second position, the at least one contact lamella is moved radially inwardly, perpendicular to the insertion direction, the clamping sleeve including a run-up element, which in a projection along the insertion direction through the insertion opening, at least partially covers the insertion opening, so that upon insertion of the mating contact element into the contact element, the mating contact element strikes the run-up element, and upon further insertion of the mating contact element, the clamping sleeve is moved in the direction of the second position with the aid of the run-up element;
• the mating contact element inserted into the contact element along the insertion direction;
• wherein:
• the contact element includes, at the clamping sleeve, a first retaining element that prevents a displacement of the clamping sleeve from the first position in the direction of the second position when no mating contact element is inserted into the contact element;
• and
• the first retaining element is in operative connection with the run-up element such that, due to the operative connection, a deformation of the run-up element occurs with a deflection of the first retaining element.

A plug connector, comprising:

• a housing with a contact chamber;
• a contact element situated in the contact chamber, the contact element being locked in the contact chamber, the contact element configured for inserting a mating contact element along an insertion direction, the contact element including:
• an insertion opening for inserting the mating contact element;
• at least one contact lamella configured to electrically contact the mating contact element;
• and
• a clamping sleeve that is displaceable, along the insertion direction, relative to the at least one contact lamella, between a first position and a second position, the clamping sleeve and the at least one contact lamella being in an operational relationship with one another in such a way that when the clamping sleeve moves from the first position into the second position, the at least one contact lamella is moved radially inwardly, perpendicular to the insertion direction, the clamping sleeve including a run-up element, which in a projection along the insertion direction through the insertion opening, at least partially covers the insertion opening, so that upon insertion of the mating contact element into the contact element, the mating contact element strikes the run-up element, and upon further insertion of the mating contact element, the clamping sleeve is moved in the direction of the second position with the aid of the run-up element;
• wherein:
• the contact element includes, at the clamping sleeve, a first retaining element that prevents a displacement of the clamping sleeve from the first position in the direction of the second position when no mating contact element is inserted into the contact element;
• and
• the first retaining element is in operative connection with the run-up element such that, due to the operative connection, a deformation of the run-up element occurs with a deflection of the first retaining element.

A plug connector arrangement, comprising:

• a plug connector including:
• a housing with a contact chamber;
• a contact element situated in the contact chamber, the contact element being locked in the contact chamber, the contact element configured for inserting a mating contact element along an insertion direction, the contact element including:
• an insertion opening for inserting the mating contact element;
• at least one contact lamella configured to electrically contact the mating contact element;
• and
• a clamping sleeve that is displaceable, along the insertion direction, relative to the at least one contact lamella, between a first position and a second position, the clamping sleeve and the at least one contact lamella being in an operational relationship with one another in such a way that when the clamping sleeve moves from the first position into the second position, the at least one contact lamella is moved radially inwardly, perpendicular to the insertion direction, the clamping sleeve including a run-up element, which in a projection along the insertion direction through the insertion opening, at least partially covers the insertion opening, so that upon insertion of the mating contact element into the contact element, the mating contact element strikes the run-up element, and upon further insertion of the mating contact element, the clamping sleeve is moved in the direction of the second position with the aid of the run-up element;
• and
• a mating plug connector including:
• a mating plug connector housing;
• and
• the mating contact element;
• wherein:
• in a completely plugged-together state of the plug connector and the mating plug connector, the clamping sleeve is moved into the second position with the aid of the mating contact element, the at least one contact lamella resting against the mating contact element with a defined force transverse to the insertion direction;
• the contact element includes, at the clamping sleeve, a first retaining element that prevents a displacement of the clamping sleeve from the first position in the direction of the second position when no mating contact element is inserted into the contact element;
• and
• the first retaining element is in operative connection with the run-up element such that, due to the operative connection, a deformation of the run-up element occurs with a deflection of the first retaining element.