Patent Publication Number: US-2022231470-A1

Title: Contact Device, in Particular a Coaxial Contact Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) of German Patent Application No. 102021100807.7, filed on Jan. 15, 2021. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a contact device and, more particularly, to a coaxial contact device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A coaxial contact device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 8,647,128 B2. The coaxial contact device has a first contact element and a second contact element. The second contact element has a recess in which a pin-shaped portion of a first contact element engages in order to form an electrical contact between the first contact element and the second contact element. 
     SUMMARY 
     A contact device includes a first contact element extending along a straight line and a second contact element inclined with respect to the first contact element. The first contact element has a connecting body extending along the straight line, a first contact portion, and a flap. The first contact portion has a first contact socket. The flap is connected to a first fixed end at a first side of the connecting body. The first contact portion is connected to the connecting body. The flap extends along the first straight line to the first contact portion and a free end of the flap is arranged at a distance from the first contact portion. The second contact element has a second contact portion engaging the first contact socket and electrically contacting the first contact portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional side view of a contact system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first contact element of a first contact device of the contact system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the first contact element of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detail view A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the first contact device taken along a plane B-B of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view C of the first contact element of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another sectional view of the first contact element; 
         FIG. 8  is a graph of a dispersion parameter plotted against a frequency of a data signal transmitted via the first contact device; and 
         FIG. 9  is a graph of a time domain reflectometry measurement plotted against a time pulse of a data signal transmitted via the first contact device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Reference is made below in  FIGS. 1 to 7  to a system of coordinates. The system of coordinates has an x-axis (longitudinal direction), a y-axis (transverse direction) and a z-axis (height). The system of coordinates is formed by way of example as a right-handed trihedron. 
       FIG. 1  shows a semi-longitudinal section through a contact system  10 . The contact system  10  has a first contact device  15  and a second contact device  20 . The first contact device  15  is designed as an angled plug connector in the embodiment. The second contact device  20  is designed so that it runs in a straight line relative to the x-axis. The second contact device  20  can also be designed as a second angled plug connector. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first contact device  15  has a first insert part  25 , a second insert part  26 , a first contact element  30 , a second contact element  35 , a first shielding contact  40 , and a second shielding contact  45 . The second contact device  20  has a mating contact  50 , a shielding mating contact  55 , and a third insert part  60 . 
     The first contact element  30  extends in its main direction of extent along a first straight line  65  which runs parallel to the z-axis. The second contact element  35  extends in its main direction of extent along a second straight line  70 . The second straight line  70  is oriented inclined with respect to the first straight line  65 . The second straight line  70  is arranged in FIG.  1  by way of example at a 90° angle to the first straight line  65 . The second straight line  70  extends by way of example in a longitudinal direction parallel to the x-axis. 
     The first insert part  25  has a first insert socket  75  and the second insert part  26  has a second insert socket  80 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first insert socket  75  extends along the first straight line  65 . The first insert socket  75  is open via an opening  85  on a side remote from the second contact socket  80 . The first insert socket  75  and the second insert socket  80  open into each other on a side remote from the opening  85 . The first straight line  65  and the second straight line  70  intersect in a joining region of the first insert socket  75  and the second insert socket  80 . 
     The first insert part  25  engages through the first shielding contact  40  which extends along the first straight line  65 . The first shielding contact  40  is here electrically insulated relative to the first contact element  30  by the first insert part  25 . The first contact element  30  is arranged in the first insert socket  75  of the first insert part  25 . The second contact element  35  is arranged in the second insert socket  80  of the second insert part  26 . The second contact element  35  here engages through the second shielding contact  45 . 
     The second shielding contact  45  extends in the same way as the second contact element  35  along the second straight line  70 , wherein the second shielding contact  45  engages around the periphery of the second insert part  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The second shielding contact  45  is electrically insulated relative to the second contact element  35  by the second insert part  26 . The second contact element  35  is arranged in the second insert part  26 . The first shielding contact  40  and the second shielding contact  45  are connected to each other. The first shielding contact  40  and the second shielding contact  45  can form a housing of the first contact device  15 . 
     In the assembled state of the contact system  10 , the mating contact  50  is also oriented so that it runs in its main direction of extent along the second straight line  70 . The mating contact  50  here mechanically and electrically contacts the second contact element  35  on a side remote from the first contact element  30 . The shielding mating contact  55  also mechanically and electrically contacts the second shielding contact  45 . In the assembled state, the second contact element  35  is thus connected electrically to the mating contact  50  and the second shielding contact  45  is connected electrically to the shielding mating contact  55 . 
     A data line, in particular a coaxial cable, leads into the first contact device  15  on a side remote from the second contact element  35  via the opening  85 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The data cable  90  is designed to transmit data signals with a frequency of up to 10 GHz, for example within a range of 2 GHz to 10 GHz. The data cable  90  has a data conductor  95  and a shield  100 , wherein the data signal is transmitted via the data conductor  95 . The shield  100  is arranged coaxially around the data conductor  95  in order to shield the data conductor  95  relative to the environment. The data conductor  95  is electrically insulated relative to the shield  100 . 
     The data conductor  95  is connected electrically to the first contact element  30  on a side remote from the second contact element  35 . The shield  100  is connected electrically to the first shielding contact  40  on a side remote from the second contact element  35 . The first shielding contact  40  contacts the second shielding contact  45 . The first shielding contact  45  and the second shielding contact  45  shield the first contact element  30  and the second contact element  35  relative to the environment. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the first contact element  30  of the first contact device  15 . The first contact element  30  has a connection portion  105 , an intermediate portion  110 , a flap  130 , and a first contact portion  115 . The first contact portion  115  adjoins a first axial end  120  of the first contact element  30  relative to the first straight line  65 . The connection portion  105  is arranged opposite the first contact portion  115  relative to the first straight line  65  and adjoins a second axial end  125  of the first contact element  30 . 
     The intermediate portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , extends essentially in the z direction between the first contact portion  115  and the connection portion  105 . The intermediate portion  110  mechanically and electrically connects the connection portion  105  to the first contact portion  115 . The connection portion  105  can be crimped electrically and mechanically, for example by a crimped connection  134 , to the data conductor  95  of the data cable  90 . A different connection, in particular a welded connection or a soldered connection, between the connection portion  105  and the data conductor  95  could also be possible. 
     The intermediate portion  110  has a connecting body  135 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The connecting body  135  is designed in the embodiment in the manner of a hollow body, for example a hollow cylindrical one, running around the first straight line  65  in the peripheral direction. The first straight line  65  is here arranged so that it runs centrally relative to the connecting body  135 . In particular, the first straight line  65  is hereby an axis of rotation about which the connecting body  135  extends. The connecting body  135  is connected on a first side  140  to the first contact portion  115  and to a first fixed end  145  of the flap  130 . On the opposite side relative to the first straight line  65 , the connecting body  135  is connected mechanically and electrically to the connection portion  105 . 
     The first contact portion  115  extends in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65  next to the flap  130 , between the first side  140  of the connecting body  135  which is arranged at the top of the connecting body  135  in  FIG. 2  and the first axial end  120 . The first contact portion  115  has a first contact tongue  155  and a second contact tongue  160 . The first contact tongue  155  has a first spring portion  165  and a first contact region  170  connected to the first spring portion  165 , wherein the first contact region  170  substantially adjoins the first axial end  120  of the first contact portion  115 . The flap  130  at least partially fills a region between the first contact tongue  155  and the second contact tongue  160  such that the first contact element  30  has a particularly good high-frequency behavior. 
     The first spring portion  165  is designed as a beam spring and the first contact tongue  155  is connected to the first side  140  of the connecting body  135  by a second fixed end  175 . The second contact tongue  160  is arranged transversely opposite relative to the first contact tongue  155 . 
     The second contact tongue  160  is designed, by way of example, mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry within which the first straight line  65  runs. The second contact tongue  160  has a second spring portion  185  and a second contact region  180  connected to the second contact tongue  160 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The second spring portion  185  is connected to the first side  140  of the connecting body  135  by a third fixed end  190 . The second contact region  180  is arranged so that it adjoins the first axial end  120 . The second spring portion  185 , which is designed as a beam spring, here connects the second contact region  180  to the third fixed end  190  and the first side  140  of the connecting body  135 . 
     In the peripheral direction, the first fixed end  145  of the flap  130 , the second fixed end  175  of the first contact tongue  155 , and the third fixed end  190  of the second contact tongue  160  run on a common circular path  195  about the first straight line  65 . The first fixed end  145  of the flap  130  is here arranged between the second fixed end  175  and the third fixed end  190  in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65 . 
     The first contact region  170  has a first contact surface  200  transversely on a side facing the second contact region  180 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first contact surface  200  can be designed, in an embodiment, so that it runs substantially flat. The second contact region  180  has a second contact surface  205  opposite it transversely. The second contact surface  205  faces the first contact surface  200  and can also be designed to be flat like the first contact surface  200 . The first contact surface  200  and the second contact surface  205  here transversely delimit a first contact socket  210 . The first contact socket  210  can widen the greater the distance from the first side  140  of the connecting body  135  towards the first axial end  120 . The first contact socket  210  is designed so that it is open in the longitudinal direction. 
     In the assembled state of the first contact device  15 , the second contact element  35  shown in  FIG. 2  engages in the first contact socket  210  with a pin-shaped second contact portion  215 . The second contact portion  215  extends, for example, substantially along the second straight line  70 . In the assembled state, the first spring portion  165  and the second spring portion  185  are pre-tensioned and press the respective associated first and second contact surface  200 ,  205  against the second contact portion  215  at the periphery such that a reliable electrical contact between the first contact element  30  and the second contact element  35  is ensured. 
     In the assembled state, the first contact tongue  155  and the second contact tongue  160  are pivoted outwards, relative to a rest position, about the y-axis. Because the first spring portion  165  and the second spring portion  185  are formed so that they run semi-annularly on the common circular path  195 , the first spring portion  165  and the second spring portion  185  can provide a particularly high pressing force for pressing the respective associated first and second contact surface  200 ,  205  against the second contact portion  215 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view of the first contact element  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . In the direction of the first straight line  65 , the extent of the first spring portion  165  and/or the second spring portion  185  decreases in the peripheral direction the greater the distance from the first side  140 , such that the spring portion  165 ,  185  tapers the greater the distance from the first side  140 . The first spring portion  165  forms, together with the second spring portion  185 , a first socket  220  in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65 , wherein the flap  130  is arranged in the first socket  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the flap  130  widens in the peripheral direction the greater the distance from the first side  140  of the connecting body  135  in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65 . The flap  130  has an outer contour  225  which, in a side view, is designed to be V-shaped or trapezoidal. The first socket  220  is designed to be larger than the outer contour  225  of the flap  130 . As a result, a first gap  230  extends between the flap  130  and the first spring portion  165 , and the flap  130  and second spring portion  185 . 
     The flap  130  extends along the first straight line  65  from the first fixed end  145  to a free end  235 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The flap  130  extends semi-annularly around the first straight line  65 . The flap  130  could also be designed as a plate. The free end  235  is arranged height-wise between the first contact socket  210  and the first fixed end  140 . At the free end  235 , the flap  130  is essentially widest in the peripheral direction. The first gap  230  leads around the flap  130  with essentially the same width in such a way that the first and second contact region  170 ,  180  are also arranged at a distance from the free end  235 . The first gap  230  opens into the first contact socket  210 . When the contact tongue  155  is pivoted, in particular in the spring region, the first contact tongue  155  does not rub against the flap  130  and consequently a reliable mounting of the second contact portion  215  in the first contact socket  210  is ensured. 
     In an embodiment shown by way of example in  FIG. 3 , the flap  130  is configured in two parts. The flap  130  here has a first flap part  240  and a second flap part  245 , arranged next to the first flap part  240  in the peripheral direction. In the embodiment, the first flap part  240  and the second flap part  245  are arranged, by way of example, mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. The first flap part  240  here has a first abutment surface  250  on a side facing the second flap part  245 , and the second flap part  245  has a second abutment surface  255  on a side facing the first flap part  240 . In the assembled state of the first contact device  15 , the first abutment surface  250 , in an embodiment, bears against the second abutment surface  255 . A second gap  260  can also (as indicated in  FIG. 3  by a dashed line) be arranged between the first abutment surface  250  and the second abutment surface  255 , wherein the second gap  260  essentially has a constant width in the z direction. 
       FIG. 4  shows a detail A, marked in  FIG. 1 , of the view in section shown in  FIG. 1 . The flap  130  is, in the shown embodiment, oriented so that it runs parallel to the first straight line  65 . The flap  130  can also, as indicated by a dashed line in  FIG. 4 , be arranged inclined inwards towards the first straight line  65 . A distance a between the flap  130  and the first straight line  65  here decreases the greater the axial distance of the flap  130  from the first fixed end  145  of the flap  130 . Alternatively, the flap  130  could also be formed so that it is inclined outwards. The distance a between the flap  130  and the first straight line  65  here decreases the greater the axial distance of the flap  130  from the first fixed end  145  relative to the first straight line  65  (shown in dot and dash line in  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows a view in section along a plane of section B-B, shown in  FIG. 3 , through the first contact device  15  shown in  FIG. 3 . The first contact region  170  and the second contact region  180  are each designed with multiple layers. The first contact region  170  here has, by way of example, a first layer  275 , a second layer  280  and a first curved portion  285 . The first layer  275  is arranged on a side remote from the first contact socket  210  and hence on the outside of the first contact socket  210 . The second layer  280  is arranged on the inside and hence on a side facing the first contact socket  210 . The second layer  280  has the first contact surface  200  delimiting the first contact socket  210  in the y direction. 
     The first layer  275  is connected to the second layer  280  by the first curved portion  285 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second layer  280  is designed essentially as a plate. The first layer  275  is formed so that it is curved in an arched shape. The first layer  275  and the second layer  280  are arranged so that they are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. The first layer  275  can also be formed as a plate. The second layer  280  can also be formed so that it is curved, in particular in an arched shape. The first contact region  170  is here connected to the first spring portion  165  on a side facing away from the viewer in  FIG. 5  of the first contact region  170  on the first layer  275 . The first curved portion  285  and the second layer  280  are connected to the first spring portion  165  only via the first layer  275  and have no direct connection to the first spring portion  165 . 
     The first curved portion  285  is designed so that it is curved, for example in an arched shape, so that it runs in particular semi-annularly, essentially 180° around a first bending axis  295 . The first bending axis  295  can be configured so that it runs essentially parallel to the first straight line  65 . As part of the production, the second layer  280  and the first curved portion  285  are formed from a plate-like material by bending the first curved portion  285  about the first bending axis  295  such that, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the first contact region  170  has a U-shaped configuration essentially in the plane of section B-B. 
     In an embodiment, the first curved portion  185  is arranged on a side facing the second insert socket  80  and the second contact element  35  arranged therein. In other words, a space between the first layer  275  and the second layer  280  is accessible and open only from a longitudinal side (in the x direction) remote from the second contact element  35 . 
     The second contact region  180  is designed essentially identically to the first contact region  170 . The second contact region  180  here, as shown in  FIG. 5 , has a third layer  300 , a fourth layer  305  and a second curved portion  310 , wherein the second curved portion  310  connects the third layer  300  to the fourth layer  305 . The fourth layer  305  is also designed as a plate, whilst in contrast the second curved portion  310  is formed, in an embodiment, in an arched shape, in particular semi-annularly, so that it runs essentially 180° around a second bending axis  315 . The third layer  300  can be formed so that it is curved, in particular curved in an arched shape. The fourth layer  305  could also likewise be formed so that it is curved, in particular in an arched shape. The third layer  300  could moreover be configured as a plate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second curved portion  310  is arranged on that side of the third layer  300  and the fourth layer  305  which faces the second insert socket  80  and the second contact element  35  arranged therein in the longitudinal direction. The third and fourth layer  300 ,  305  are arranged spaced apart in the transverse direction. In the z direction, only the third layer  300  is connected to the second spring portion  185  on a side facing away from the viewer in  FIG. 5 . The second curved portion  310  and the fourth layer  305  are mechanically connected to the second spring portion  185  only indirectly via the third layer  300 . The fourth layer  305  has the second contact surface  205  on the side facing the first contact socket  210 , wherein the second contact surface  205 , situated opposite the first contact surface  200  in the y direction, delimits the first contact socket  210 . 
     The second contact portion  215  has a third contact surface  330  arranged on the periphery, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The third contact surface  330  can be designed, for example, cylindrically. The third contact surface  330  is contacted on both sides by the first contact portion  115 . The first and second contact surface  200 ,  205 , situated opposite the second contact surface  205  in the y direction, here bear against the third contact surface  330 . A particularly good electrical contact is consequently ensured between the first contact element  30  and the second contact element  35  for the purpose of transmitting signals with data information. 
     Moreover, catching of the second contact portion  215  when it is pushed in the x direction into the first contact portion  115  is prevented by the first and second curved portion  285 ,  310  arranged on a side facing the second insert socket  80  and the second contact element  35 . The first and second curved portion  285 ,  310  thus serve, by virtue of their curved design, as a guide for pushing the second contact portion  215  into the first contact socket  210 . 
     Moreover, by virtue of the two-layer design, shown by way of example in the embodiment, of the first and second contact region  170 ,  180 , an electrical capacity of the first contact element  30  is increased compared with an electrical capacity of the first contact element  30  without a multi-layer design of the contact region  170 ,  180 . The two-layer design, shown in  FIG. 5 , of the contact region  170 ,  180  is of course not limited to precisely two layers  275 ,  280 ,  300 ,  305  respectively and instead it is also possible for there to be a different number of layers  275 ,  280 ,  300 ,  305 , in particular more than two, per contact region  170 ,  180 . The capacity of the first contact element  30  can be structurally adjusted to a desired value by the number of layers  275 ,  280 ,  300 ,  305 . The first contact element  30  is moreover designed particularly favorably from a mechanical point of view. Burr-free pushing of the second contact portion  215  into the first contact socket  210  can furthermore be ensured. 
       FIG. 6  shows an enlarged detail C of the first contact element  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . The first fixed end  145  of the flap  130  and the second fixed end  175  of the first contact tongue  155  and the third fixed end  190  of the second contact tongue  160  can be arranged by way of example in a common plane  334  which is formed by way of example as an xy plane. The plane  334  is arranged by way of example perpendicular to the first straight line  65 . As a result, it is ensured that the contact tongues  155 ,  160 , in particular the first and second spring portion  165 ,  185 , press against the first and second contact surface  200 ,  205  on the second contact portion  215  with essentially the same pressing force. Tilting of the second contact element  35  in the contact socket  210  is consequently prevented. In the embodiment, the flap  130  and the first and second curved portion  285 ,  310  are arranged on a common side facing the second contact element  35 . 
     The intermediate portion  110  can moreover have a latching device  335 , for example a latching lug  340  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The latching lug  340  is arranged so that it is offset with respect to the flap  130  in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65 . The latching device  335  can, for example, have two latching lugs  340  arranged opposite each other in the y direction, wherein, by way of example, each of the two latching lugs  340  is arranged offset by in each case, for example, 90° to the abutment surface  250 ,  255 . In the assembled state of the first contact element  30  in the first insert part  25 , the latching lug  340  is designed by way of example to engage behind a projection  345  of the first insert part  25  (the projection  345  is indicated schematically in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 ) in the first insert socket  75  in such a way that an axial position of the first contact element  30  is secured in the first insert part  25  in the z direction/along the first straight line  65 , and undesired disengagement and removal of the first contact element  30  from the first insert part  25  via the opening  85  is prevented. This arrangement, offset in the peripheral direction, of the flap  130  with respect to the latching device  335  has the advantage that catching of the flap  130  on the projection  345  of the first insert part  25  is prevented when the first contact element  30  is pushed in. 
     The intermediate portion  110  can moreover have a guide element  350 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The guide element  350  is designed as a plate and extends in its main direction of extent essentially within a yz plane in which the first straight line  65  is arranged. The guide element  350  is here oriented parallel to the first straight line  65 . The guide element  350  can, for example, have a two-layer design and extends radially outwards in a radial direction relative to the first straight line  65  from the connecting body  135 . The guide element  350  here protrudes beyond an outer peripheral side of the connecting body  135 . In the assembled state of the first contact element  30  in the first insert socket  75 , the guide element  350  engages into a second socket  355  designed as a slot which corresponds to the guide element  350  (indicated in dashed lines in  FIG. 6 ). 
     Orientation of the first contact element  30  in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65  is fixed in a defined fashion with respect to the first insert part  25  by the guide element  350 . In the embodiment, the guide element  350  and the flap  130  are oriented essentially identically. As a result, the guide element  350  and the abutment surface  250 ,  255  are arranged in a common yz plane. The guide element  350  can also have a two-layer design as shown in  FIG. 6  in order to produce the guide element  350  particularly simply and such that the guide element  350  is particularly robust from a mechanical point of view. 
     The first contact element  30  can be produced as a single piece and from the same material by a stamping and bending process. A blank of the first contact element  30  can here be stamped from a flat piece of sheet metal. In at least one bending step, the first contact element  30  is formed from the blank in such a way that, on the one hand, the guide element  350  and the contact regions  170 ,  180  have a multi-layer design and, on the other hand, are arranged at least opposite the abutment surface  250 ,  255  of the flap  130  in the transverse direction with an essentially constant gap width of the second gap  260  and/or preferably bear against the abutment surfaces  250 ,  255 . 
     Alternatively, the flap  130  can also be arranged and designed such that it is designed as a single piece and continuously. The second gap  260  can be avoided as a result. Moreover, the abutment surfaces  250 ,  255  can be dispensed with. 
       FIG. 7  shows a further side view of the first contact element  30 , shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6 , of the first contact device  15 . The first spring portion  165  and the second spring portion  185  here have a width in the peripheral direction relative to the first straight line  65  such that, at the second fixed end  175  of the first contact tongue  155  and the third fixed end  190  of the second contact tongue  160  on that side of the flap  130  which is remote in the peripheral direction, they are arranged on the first side  140  with a small spacing and so that they abut each other. A third gap  360  here extends in an axial direction between the first axial end  120  and the first side  140  of the connecting body  135 . The third gap  360  is designed so that it tapers in the peripheral direction from the first axial end  120  towards the first side  140  of the connecting body  135 . In the embodiment, the arrangement of a further flap  365  is dispensed with. 
     A further flap  365  could of course also be arranged in the third flap  360  in order to increase the electrical capacity of the first contact element  30  (indicated in dashed lines in  FIG. 7 ). In an embodiment, if the first spring portion  165  and/or the second spring portion  185  is designed so that it is narrower in the peripheral direction than shown in  FIG. 7 , there is hereby sufficient structural space in the third gap  360  to arrange the further flap  365  in the third gap  360 . It would of course also be possible to dispense with the flap  130  if the further flap  365  is provided. The further flap  365  can be fastened at a fourth fixed end  369  on the first side  140  of the connecting body  135 . The further flap  365  can be designed so that it corresponds to the flap  130  such that what has been explained for the flap  130  also applies for the further flap  365 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a diagram of a dispersion parameter S in dB plotted against a frequency f of the data signal transmitted via the first contact device  15 . As already explained, when the contact system  10  is operating, a data signal is transmitted with a frequency f of 2 GHz to 10 GHz. 
     A first graph  370  and a second graph  375  are illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The first graph  370  corresponds to a plot of the dispersion parameter S against the frequency f for the first contact element  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  but without the flap  130 . The second graph  375  shows a plot of the dispersion parameter S against the frequency f for the first contact element  30  (with the flap  130 ) shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7 . It can be seen here that the second graph  375  runs below the first graph  370  over large parts of the frequency spectrum of the frequency f, for example from 2 GHz to 10 GHz, and therefore has a better dispersion parameter S in dB over the frequency f than the first contact element  30  without a flap  130 . Only at low frequencies f (for example, less than 1.5 GHz) does the first contact element  30  without the flap  130  (cf the first graph  370 ) have a better behavior of the dispersion parameter S than the first contact element  30  with the flap  130 , shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7 . However, the deterioration at low frequencies fin the range from 0 GHz to 1.5 GHz should be viewed positively and the slight deterioration at low frequencies of a very good value accepted in order to increase the overall performance of the first contact device  15  and in order to obtain an overall balanced performance. 
       FIG. 9  shows a diagram of a time domain reflectometry (TDR) measurement. In  FIG. 9 , the reflection of the first contact element  30  and a subsequent mating plug connector is plotted against time t as impedance. A third graph  380  and a fourth graph  385  are illustrated here in  FIG. 9 . The third graph  380  corresponds to a time domain reflectometry of the first contact element  30  without a flap  130  and the fourth graph  385  shows the plot of the time domain reflectometry of the contact element  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7 . It can also be seen in  FIG. 9  that the first contact element  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  also has an improved behavior in the time domain reflectometry compared with the first contact element  30  without a flap  130  (cf third graph  380 ). 
     In the present invention, no changes in the capacity occur when the second contact element  35  is inserted into the first contact socket  210 . In particular, owing to the arrangement of the flap  130  on the connecting body  135 , the geometry of the flap  130  is not changed, for example widened, when the second contact portion  215  is inserted into the first contact portion  115 . As a result, stable and reliable high-frequency behavior, in particular in a frequency range of 2 GHz to 10 GHz, is ensured for signal transmission.