Patent ID: 6863538

Claim:
A plug-in connection device for self-actuating electric connection of a motor vehicle trailer to a towing motor vehicle, the plug-in connection device comprising: a socket member which can be disposed on one of the motor vehicle trailer or the towing motor vehicle, said socket member comprising a contact insert bearing a plurality of contact sleeves, and a cover that can be opened by displacing the contact insert from a rest position in the direction of a connection position; and a plug member which can be disposed on the other of the motor vehicle trailer or the towing motor vehicle, wherein said plug member is supported such that it can resiliently yield laterally against the action of a retaining spring; and a drive device for effecting relative movement of the socket member and the plug member between the rest position and the connection position, wherein the drive device comprises a piston-cylinder arrangement; wherein, during the coupling of the motor vehicle trailer to the towing motor vehicle, the socket member and the plug member can be aligned with respect to one another and moved relatively by operation of the drive device.