Plug connection device, plug connector, locking mechanism and method for constructing a locking mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical and / or optical plug connection device, which has: a first plug connector (1) and a corresponding second plug connector (2) that can be plugged together with the first plug connector (1). The first plug connector (1) and the second plug connector (2) each have a plug face, and the plug face has a first board contact (101) or a corresponding second board contact (201) that can be plugged together in electrical contact with the first board contact, and an electrical and / or optical first plug contact (102) or second plug contact (202) that is arranged at a distance from the first board contact or the second board contact and can be plugged together. When the first plug connector (1) and the second plug connector (2) are plugged together, at least one locking connection (3) is formed therebetween. The locking connection has a first locking mechanism on the first plug connector (1) and a corresponding second locking mechanism on the second plug connector (2). The first locking mechanism is configured as a locking hook (106) and the second locking mechanism is configured as a corresponding locking notch (206). The locking notch particularly has a locking edge. When the two plug connectors (1, 2) are plugged together, the locking hook (106) snaps into the locking notch (206). The locking hook (106) has a locking arm (107) and a hook section (108). It is characterized in that the hook section (108) is connected to the board around the hook section, particularly the locking arm (107), via a bending line (108c) that is at least partially deviated from a straight line, and the hook section is configured as a protruding 3D surface area (108a), and the 3D surface area has at least one open side (108b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connection device, a first plug connector, a locking mechanism, and a method for constructing the locking mechanism on a metal plate. Background Art

[0002] In order to lock a corresponding first plug connector and a second plug connector to each other for connecting optical and / or electrical plug contacts, it is necessary that a first locking mechanism is constructed on the first plug connector and a second locking mechanism corresponding to the first locking mechanism is constructed on the second plug connector. Usually, the first locking mechanism of the first plug connector is a locking hook and the second locking mechanism of the second plug connector is a locking notch or a locking opening having a locking edge, and the locking hook can be elastically locked into or behind the locking edge when the two plug connectors are pushed or plugged together. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve a plug connection device of the above type such that a locking connection is achieved, which can be designed very compactly and is nevertheless relatively stable.

[0004] To this end, the invention provides an electrical and / or optical plug connection device having: a first plug connector and a second plug connector corresponding to the first plug connector and capable of being plugged together with the first plug connector, the first plug connector and the second plug connector each having a plug face, the plug face having a first contact made of a metal plate, i.e., a sheet contact, or a corresponding second sheet contact of metal that can be plugged together in electrical contact therewith, and an electrical and / or optical first plug contact or second plug contact that can be plugged together and is arranged at a distance from the corresponding metal sheet contact, a locking connection portion is constructed between the first plug connector and the second plug connector in the plugged-together state, the locking connection portion having a first locking mechanism on the first plug connector and a corresponding second locking mechanism on the second plug connector, the first locking mechanism being constructed as a locking hook and the second locking mechanism being constructed as a corresponding locking notch, the locking notch particularly having a locking edge, the locking hook being latched into the locking notch when the two plug connectors are plugged together, the locking hook having a locking arm and a hook section, and the hook section being connected to the sheet around the hook section, particularly the locking arm, via a bending line that is at least partially deviated from a straight line, and the hook section being constructed as a protruding 3D surface area having at least one open side.

[0005] The plug connection device constructed in this way is a locking connection portion that is very compactly constructed. The locking hooks of the locking connection portion have hook sections that can be designed very small and yet can be highly loaded.

[0006] Advantageously and simply, the first sheet contact of the first plug connector and the corresponding second sheet contact of the second plug connector are designed to be flange-shaped and pluggable together respectively, and the corresponding plug contacts are arranged within the corresponding flange-shaped regions.

[0007] According to a preferred design, it can be specified that the protruding 3D surface region of the hook section forms part of a pyramid, and the pyramid has an open side. The pyramid has a type of guiding inclined surface and an open side, and the open side can be well anchored in the locking recess.

[0008] It can be specified that the open side is constructed at an angle other than 90° with respect to the surrounding surface of the locking arm, so that the open side is advantageously self-locked and locked behind the locking edge of the locking recess at its edge formed by the edge of the protruding 3D surface region. A 90° construction is also conceivable, but a construction with an acute angle less than 90° is preferred for self-locking.

[0009] It can be specified that the bending line is designed in a U-shape, V-shape, or semi-circular shape.

[0010] According to an improvement or also as a variant of the present invention that can be regarded as independent, it can be further specified that the locking arm is supported in a seat-like and pre-tensioned manner between its ends on another element of the first plug connector. This is particularly advantageous in order to be able to release the locking connection portion by pressing on the locking arm.

[0011] For this purpose, it can be advantageously specified by way of example that the plug contacts of the first plug connector are arranged on a contact bracket, and the locking arm is supported in a seat-like and pre-tensioned manner between its ends on the contact bracket. For this purpose, it can be further advantageously specified that the free end of the pre-tensioned locking arm is supported inside the edge region of the sheet contact with a gap of the first plug connector, and the locking arm is constructed to partially overlap with the edge region.

[0012] According to a supplementary and advantageous embodiment, it is also specified that the locking arm itself has a step, and the contact bracket and the sheet contact itself also have steps.

[0013] Very advantageously, according to another variant, an operating mechanism is constructed on the first plug connector for releasing the locking connection portion.

[0014] Here, according to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that: the actuating mechanism is configured as a lever-shaped actuating pressing member, and the actuating pressing member is configured to press down the locking hook, by moving the hook section from the locking notch into the region within the periphery of the sheet contact of the second plug connector, so that the locking connection can be released in a simple manner and the plug connectors can be pulled apart from each other.

[0015] Here, according to a first variant, it can be advantageously and compactly provided that: the sheet contact of the first plug connector is substantially polygonal in cross-section, and the locking hook is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating pressing member is located on the same side of the polygon as the locking hook outside the locking hook, so that the actuating pressing member can act on the hook section in a manner of squeezing the hook section inward.

[0016] According to an improved embodiment, it can also be advantageously provided that: the sheet contact of the first plug connector is substantially polygonal in cross-section, and the locking hook is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating pressing member is located on a different side of the polygon from the locking hook, and the actuating pressing member can act on the hook section in a manner of squeezing the hook section inward by means of a shoulder. According to this improved embodiment and also according to the parallel invention, the movement direction for pressing down the locking hook and the movement direction of the locking hook are separated, which can be particularly advantageous in a very compact arrangement structure where a plurality of second plug connectors are arranged side by side, in order to be able to configure the actuating direction at an angle to the arrangement direction.

[0017] The present invention also provides a first plug connector for a plug connection device according to any one of the related claims, and the first plug connector advantageously has one or more features related to the first plug connector in these claims.

[0018] The present invention also provides an advantageous locking mechanism, which has one or more features related to the locking mechanism of the first plug connector of the above claims.

[0019] The present invention then also provides a simple and cost-effective method for constructing a hook section for a locking hook on a metal plate, characterized by the following steps:

[0020] a) Providing a metal plate;

[0021] b) Providing a mold, in particular having two mold halves, and arranging the metal plate on the mold, in particular between the mold halves,

[0022] c) The embossing part is introduced into the metal sheet by means of an embossing die, and the metal sheet is also locally cut off before or during the embossing, and during the embossing, a protruding 3D surface area is embossed out of the metal sheet as a hook section on the side of the incision, and the 3D surface area is open on one side, i.e., only on one side or on more than one side, so as to construct a bending line that is at least locally deviated from a straight line as a connection to the metal sheet around the hook section.

[0023] Instead of a die having two die halves, a die can also be combined with a pressing device to hold the metal sheet. Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of examples. The examples show particularly advantageous design solutions of the present invention, but the present invention and the scope of protection of the claims are not limited thereto. Specifically, alternative and equivalent solutions of the shown examples can also be implemented within the framework of the present invention and the scope of protection. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 In a), a side view of a plug connection device having a first plug connector and a corresponding second plug connector in a non-plugged-together state is shown; in b), a cross-sectional view of the plug connection device in a) is shown; in c), a partial spatial perspective view of the plug connection device in a) and b) is shown; and in d), e) and f), partial enlarged views of the area F in b) before, during and after the two plug connectors are plugged together are shown, and in g), a perspective view of the first plug connector is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 In a), it is shown Figure 1 a spatial view of the front area of a plug connector having a plug face with a plug connector and an area connected to the plug face; in b), the area of the partially recessed area having a plate contact in a) is shown, and in c) and d), partial cross-sectional views and cross-sectional views of the area of the first plug connector are shown;

[0027] Figure 3 In a), a perspective view of the first plug connector is shown; in b), a partial enlarged view in a) is shown, and in c), another partial enlarged view in a slightly changed perspective relative to a) is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 In a), b) and c), different views of the hook section on the locking arm of the first plug connector are shown;

[0029] Figure 5 In a) to f), different views of another embodiment of the first plug connector together with a cable resting thereon are shown;

[0030] Figure 6 Shows another plug connection device having a first plug connector and a second plug connector;

[0031] Figure 7 Shows yet another plug connection device having two first plug connectors and two second plug connectors, the latter being structurally arranged on a common circuit board;

[0032] Figure 8 Views showing another embodiment of the first plug connector in a) to f);

[0033] Figure 9 Shows in a) and b) the first plug connector at the start of manipulation with a screwdriver Figure 8 two views of the first plug connector in, and shows in c) and d) the views in a) and b) in a later state of manipulation with a screwdriver;

[0034] Figures 10 to 12 Shows in a) to c) three views of different steps during the construction of a locking hook on the first plug connector by means of an embossing die;

[0035] Figure 13 Shows views of the embossing die in a) to c);

[0036] Figure 14 Shows in a) an exploded view of the elements of the second plug connector, in b) the elements in a) in the assembled state, in c) the arrangement in b) with the sheet metal clamp turned up, and in d) a cutout for forming a flange-shaped shielding contact; and

[0037] Figure 15 Shows in a) an exploded view of the elements of another second plug connector, the other second plug connector being constructed as a type of double plug connector, in b) the elements in a) in the assembled state, in c) the arrangement in b) with the sheet metal clamp turned up, and in d) a cutout for forming the flange-shaped shielding contact in a).

[0038] Figure 16 Shows in a) and b) a side view of another first plug connector and in c) to f) perspective views of another second plug connector (without a circuit board) or the elements of the plug connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 Shows the first plug connector 1. Figure 1Also shown is a second plug connector 2. The two plug connectors 1, 2 can be plugged together and thus jointly form a plug connection device (also referred to as a plug arrangement). In this way, for example, electrical structural components can be interconnected with each other.

[0040] Each of the plug connectors 1 and 2 has a plug face. The plug face respectively has corresponding first board contacts 101 and second board contacts 201, and the first board contacts and the second board contacts are respectively made of metal plates. These first board contacts and second board contacts are used here for shielding transmission. The corresponding board contacts can in particular be designed in a flange shape. However, this is not compulsorily necessary.

[0041] Preferably, corresponding electrical and / or optical first plug contacts 102 and second plug contacts 202 (i.e., electrical plug contacts, optical plug contacts or plug contacts of both types) are provided on or in the board contacts 101, 201.

[0042] Here, the first board contacts 101 and the second board contacts 201 and the first plug contacts 101 and the second plug contacts can be plugged together at the free ends. For this purpose, the first board contacts 101 and the second board contacts 201 respectively have corresponding circumferential geometries that can be plugged together or pushed together, for example, in a flange shape.

[0043] Here, the first board contact 101 has a smaller circumference than the second board contact 201 in the corresponding geometry. In this way, the first board contact 101 can be pushed into the second board contact 201 ( Figure 1 d), Figure 1 e), Figure 1 f)). The first board contact 101 is then within the second board contact ( Figure 1 f)).

[0044] Preferably, the two board contacts 101 and 201 are each composed of a metal plate. The two board contacts are respectively punched out from the provided metal plate, and the formed board parts are also called board cuttings BZ below before bending. This is also shown for the second plug connector in particular in Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, Figure 15 showing only one board cutting for two second plug connectors.

[0045] This board cutting BZ (if necessary according to other method steps to be further explained) is bent into the shape of a board contact, here bent into a type of flange shape, and if necessary in the region of a type of locking geometry 110 (for this, see by way of example Figure 3 b and Figure 14 and Figure 15) are interconnected such that flange-shaped sheet contacts 101, 201 are formed, which preferably enclose at least locally circumferentially here.

[0046] The corresponding sheet contacts 101, 201 can be configured, for example, in a circular shape in a top view and in the region of the plug face, or however also in a polygonal shape, in particular substantially in a rectangular shape (for example with inclined corner regions). The flange formed here can be configured to enclose circumferentially, but this is not mandatory.

[0047] Two sheet contacts 101, 201 pushed into each other can be in contact with each other. The electrical contact between the two sheet contacts 101, 201 can be assisted, if necessary, via spring contacts in the form of contact arms 103. These contact arms 103 can be configured in such a way that an arm of a certain type is punched out of metal, but the arm is also connected to the corresponding sheet contact on one side and then bends slightly inclined relative to the sheet contact (for example relative to the first sheet contact 101) in the direction of the other plug connector 1 and makes contact with the second sheet contact 201 of the other plug connector 2 (in particular see Figure 1 c, Figure 3 b and Figure 3 c).

[0048] In this way, a potential, such as a shielding potential, can be distributed on the plug connection device and / or shielding for the plug contacts 102, 202 within the sheet contacts 101, 201 can be achieved.

[0049] The corresponding sheet contacts 101, 201 preferably have substantially constant geometric dimensions in the region of the pluggable sections. Connected to a certain type of step, a region of larger dimensions can also be connected to the corresponding section in such a way as to accommodate the plug housing 111a and, if necessary, a cable manager 111 or the like made of plastic pushed into it. At its end facing away from the plug face, the cable 114 can rest its conductor against the first plug connector 1.

[0050] The second plug connector 2 can likewise be designed for connection to a cable. However, the second plug connector can also be configured as a circuit board plug connector, and the connection contacts 202 of the circuit board plug connector are connected to a circuit board 205 at the other ends of the connection contacts. In addition, the sheet contact 201 can be conductively connected to the circuit board 205, for example via a soldering terminal 204 ( Figure 14 a, Figure 15 a).

[0051] Here, a plurality of the second plug connectors 2 can also be configured on the circuit board 205, or a plurality of the second plug connectors 201 can share a circuit board 205.

[0052] The two board contacts 201 of the second plug connector 2 can be conductively connected to each other. The board contacts can also be integrally formed from a common or single board cut-out BZ (cf. Figure 14 d) and Figure 15 ), and the board cut-out then has sections for forming two board contacts 202, in particular in the shape of flanges.

[0053] The board cut-out BZ can also be configured in a folded or bent state as a type of plug housing that can be fixed to the circuit board 205 via soldering terminals 204. The plug housing can accommodate a contact carrier 207, which in turn has plug contacts 202. Here, the contact carrier 207 can advantageously and simply also be configured integrally for the two plug connectors 201. The contact carrier can then have a double number of plug contacts 201 (for two plug connectors), such that the two second plug connectors share a single contact carrier ( Figure 15 ). Thereby, a type of partially integrated double connector is provided, which can generally also be referred to as a second plug connector and has two plug faces. Here, the locking notches 206 of the two board contacts 201 can be configured at an angular offset in the circumferential direction, for example, twisted 180° relative to each other, on a single board cut-out, such that the actuating presses 112 of the two corresponding first plug connectors 1 are similarly angularly offset when the corresponding first plug connectors 1 are placed at an angular offset of 180°, such that they do not affect each other (negatively) during actuation.

[0054] The plug contacts 102 of the first plug connector and the plug contacts 202 of the second plug connector can be correspondingly configured as pin contacts or bush contacts. Here, the plug contacts 101 of the first plug connector 1 are configured as bush contacts and are also supplemented here as crimp contacts at the other ends of the plug contacts of the first plug connector, and the plug contacts 102 of the second plug connector are configured as pin contacts. The arrangement can also be reversed.

[0055] The plug contacts 102, 202 can be plugged together within the plugged-together board contacts 101, 201 or in the plugged-together state of the board contacts 101, 201. Their other ends can be directly or via conductor elements respectively connected to the connection mechanism, and thus connected to the connection contacts 104, 204 for contacting the circuit board 205 (the plug contacts 202 are pin contacts here) or for contacting the conductors of the cable 114.

[0056] The plug contacts 102 of the first plug connector 1 can be arranged in a contact carrier 105. The contact carrier 105 can be made of a non-conductive material, in particular a non-conductive plastic. The contact carrier can also be integrally formed with the cable manager 111 and thus has regions with different circumferences, between which, for example, a type of step can be formed. The contact carrier holds the plug contacts 102 of the first plug connector in the board contacts 101 in defined positions and at a distance from each other.

[0057] The plug housing 111a can be constructed within the board contact 101, and the board contact is designed such that it does not prevent the plugging together of the first plug connector 1 and the second plug connector 2.

[0058] The corresponding board contacts 101, 201 and the corresponding plug contacts 102, 202, and here also the contact carrier 105 form corresponding plug faces on their mutually facing and pluggable sides. The corresponding plug faces can have a relatively small size of only a few millimeters.

[0059] In this way, the first plug connector 1 and the second plug connector 2 can be plugged together.

[0060] In order to prevent the first plug connector 1 and the second plug connector 2 from accidentally becoming loose again from the plugged-together state, there is a (at least one) locking connection 3 constructed between the first plug connector 1 and the second plug connector 2.

[0061] The locking connection 3 has a first locking mechanism 106 on the first plug connector 1 and a corresponding second locking mechanism 206 on the second plug connector 2 (see, for example Figure 1 b) and Figure 1 c)). Here, the first locking mechanism can be constructed as a locking hook 106 and the second locking mechanism can be constructed as a corresponding locking notch 206, which forms a locking edge on one side, and the locking hook section 108 locks into the locking edge when the two plug connectors 1, 2 are plugged together. A reverse design in the sense of kinematic inversion is also conceivable but is not shown here. The locking notch 206 for receiving the locking hook section 108 can also be formed by a step. Importantly: the locking notch has a locking edge.

[0062] The locking notch 206 is constructed here as a type of locking hole. The locking hole can be simply formed by separating a window in the sense of a through-hole from the board for manufacturing the second board contact 201.

[0063] Conversely, the first locking mechanism is constructed as a locking hook 106, which can be elastically snapped into the locking notch 106.

[0064] The locking hook has a leaf spring-shaped locking arm 107 and a hook section 108.

[0065] For example, in a single-plug connector with a high magnetic pole having two or more rows of plug contacts 102, 202, it can also be provided that one, two or more hook sections 108 are formed on one locking arm 107 and one, two or more corresponding locking notches 206 are formed on at least one sheet contact 201, so as to increase the pulling force.

[0066] This is shown, for example, in Figure 16 wherein the locking hook 103 shown in Figure 16 b has two said hook sections 108 on a common overlapping locking arm 107, and the hook sections can be engaged into one larger or a plurality of smaller locking notches 106. In this way, many more locking hooks 106 can also be provided on the locking arm. Figure 16 Conversely, b shows a locking arm 107 having only one hook section 106.

[0067] The locking arm 107 is punched out from the sheet metal cutout for manufacturing the sheet contact 101. The locking arm has a hook section 108 at its free end facing the plug surface. The locking arm is connected to the cutout at its other end. This connection can be in the region of the sheet contact 101 with a larger diameter. Then, the locking arm 107 itself can also have a type of stepped portion.

[0068] The locking arm 107 itself can be formed from the cutout by introducing a cut / stamping in the form of a "U".

[0069] The hook section 108 can be formed (for example, in the initially manufactured locking arm 107) by a combined stamping and embossing process. This will be further explained in more detail below.

[0070] Advantageously, the hook section 108 has a non-linear connection line with the sheet metal surrounded by the locking arm 107 here in the form of a non-linear bending line 108c. Specifically, the hook section can, for example, have a semi-circular or U-shaped or V-shaped bending line 108c and a connection line with the surrounded sheet metal. Only the connection line of the non-linear bending line of the circumferentially closed geometric structure is formed as a cut 108d or cut open, and the region within the non-linear connection line is formed by embossing into a protruding 3D surface region or also formed into a region 108a to be called a dome-shaped region, and the region is formed into the actual hook section 108. Therefore, the hook section 108 itself is very stable. The hook section preferably has an open side 108b due to the cut 108d formed in the sheet metal during its construction (see Figure 4 a) to Figure 4c)), the open side is designed to ensure reliable retention in the locking notch 206, in particular in such a way that the edge of the protruding 3D surface area 108a that delimits the open side together with the notch 108d is configured as a type of inclined back-cut side that can be reliably locked in the locking notch 206, in particular self-locking.

[0071] In the region of the locking hook 108, only a single short straight notch 108d is introduced into the locking arm 107 ( Figure 4 ). Then, on one side of this notch, the protruding 3D surface area 108a of the protrusion is pressed out from the region of the locking arm 107 (or another sheet material) in the form of a hook section 108.

[0072] The hook section 108 can have three bend lines 108c oriented at right angles to the locking arm 107 according to a preferred (but not necessarily exactly implemented in this way) exemplary configuration ( Figure 4 a to Figure 4 c). Here, the material is pushed forward in the form of an embossing to one side within this U-shaped bend line arrangement (see Figure 4 a to Figure 4 c and optionally see Figures 10 to 12 ), such that a type of dome-shaped region open to one side, in particular a type of pyramid open to one side, protrudes from the hook section and is fixedly locked when the two plug connectors are pushed together.

[0073] The open side 108b of the preferably dome-shaped and open to one side and preferably even pyramid-shaped and open to one side hook section 108 is configured as a type of relatively sharp locking edge that is reliably locked in the locking notch 206. The hook section 108 has relatively good static due to its pyramid-shaped geometry and the closed walls or sides that are preferably oriented at an angle of less than 90° to each other, and this static is particularly well protected against bending by applying a tensile force to the locking connection. In addition, a type of lead-in bevel is configured on the hook-shaped section 108.

[0074] The open side 108b can also be configured at an angle other than 90° to the actual surrounding wall material of the locking arm 107 and thus configured as a type of back-cut that can be particularly reliably locked in the locking notch 206. In this way, a self-locking locking connection 3 can be configured in particular. The open side is oriented against the insertion direction X (with respect to the first plug connector 1 if the first plug connector is (exemplarily) inserted into the stationary second plug connector 2).

[0075] For locking, the two plug connectors 1, 2 are pushed together. Here, the closing side of the hook section 108 of the locking hook 106 is in the sliding or plugging direction. Here, the side of the partially pyramidal hook section 108 in the insertion direction X ( Figure 1 d) to Figure 1 f)) serves as an insertion ramp.

[0076] Thereby, when the hook section 108 impacts on the board contact 201, the spring arm 107 deflects towards the inside of the board contact and the locking arm 107 as well as the hook section 108 are offset inwards until the hook section 108 can spring outwards again in the region of the locking notch 206 of the second plug connector. The hook section 108 deflects outwards into the locking notch 206 until, or such that, the first plug connector and the second plug connector are locked to each other. This locking connection can be locked very simply. The locking connection is well fixed in a simple manner against relatively high pulling forces. In addition, the locking connection requires only little structural space.

[0077] A simple method for manufacturing the hook section 108 in a board, in particular in a locking arm, is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 10 to 12 Detailed explanation.

[0078] In order to further optimize the locking connection 3 and to increase the locking force, it can be provided that the locking arm 107 is arranged on the first plug connector in a pre-tensioned manner by means of a support.

[0079] This support arrangement can be designed in different ways.

[0080] According to a variant (see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), the locking arm 107 is bent in the region between its ends, i.e. preferably in the approximately middle region, in particular in front of its step in the insertion direction X (on the support region 109 of the contact carrier) and is supported on the inside of the support region such that the spring arm 107 itself is pre-tensioned. In the support region 109, the locking arm 107 can have a press-in part for defined support ( Figure 1 d)).

[0081] Supplemented, it can be provided that in particular the free end of the locking arm 107 is supported on the inside of the edge region of the board contact 101 of the first plug connector 1, and the locking wall is constructed to partially overlap with the edge region ( Figure 2 a)、 Figure 2 b)).

[0082] Thus, the leaf spring-shaped locking arm 107 is connected to the material of the sheet at the first end of the first plug connector facing away from the plug face. The locking arm has been punched out of the sheet, and the locking arm is then bent via the support regions ((brackets) 105, 111) of the internal plastic element and resiliently supported on the inside of the region of the sheet contact 101 at its free end. The locking arm overlaps the region on the inside of one or both edges. The sheet contact is not circumferentially closed here but has a gap, and the locking arm 107 is located below the gap and the hook section 108 projects outwards from the gap. In this way, the locking hook is provided on the first plug connector in a pre-tensioned manner (reference Figure 2 a) to Figure 2 d)).

[0083] In order to release the locking connection 3, the actuating mechanism can be constructed on the first plug connector.

[0084] This actuating mechanism can be constructed as an actuating pressing element 112. The actuating pressing element 112 can be constructed as a movable element on the handle region 113 of the first plug connector 1. The handle region 113 can in turn be constructed on the first plug connector 1 in the region of the first plug connector 1 connected to the plug face. The handle region 113 can be made of plastic. The actuating pressing element 112 can be constructed integrally with the handle region 113. The handle region 113 can be injection-molded by plastic injection around the internal plug housing 111a.

[0085] The actuating pressing element 112 can be constructed as a type of spring arm or equal-arm lever, which is connected to the handle region 113 at one end 112a or at a distance therefrom in the region of the connection 112b and has a pressing region 112c at its other end, and the pressing region is located above the locking hook 106. If the actuating pressing element 112 is pressed down, the locking hook 106 is pressed inwards, so that the hook section 108 is released from the locking notch 206, and the two plug connectors 1, 2 can be pulled apart from each other again.

[0086] Here, the actuating pressing element 112 can be constructed on the same side of the sheet contact 101 of the first plug connector as the locking hook 106 in a substantially polygonal, especially rectangular design of the sheet contact. The actuating pressing element then preferably is spaced apart from this locking hook 106 substantially parallel to the locking hook 106.

[0087] For example Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 5 show such a design.

[0088] However, the actuating pressure piece 112 can also be constructed on the other side rather than on the same side of the sheet contact 101 outside the sheet contact 101, for example on the side rotated or oriented 90° relative thereto, in a substantially polygonal, in particular rectangular, design of the sheet contact 101 compared to the locking hook 106. The actuating pressure piece is then substantially parallel to this other side. The actuating pressure piece 112 can then have, for example, a shoulder 112d ( Figure 7 ) at its end provided for actuation as a pressing area, which acts obliquely on the locking hook 106 during downward pressing in order to press the locking hook inwards on the locking arm 107 in order to release the hook section 106 from its locking.

[0089] Here, a notch can be provided in the handle area 113 below the actuating pressure piece, so that the actuating pressure piece can act directly on the locking arm 106 or the locking hook 108 during downward pressing.

[0090] For example Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 show such a design.

[0091] This latter variant can advantageously be used in the case where a plurality of second plug connectors 2 are constructed in a row closely on an instrument or a circuit board 205 or the like and the plug connection means are thus arranged so closely that there is no space for the movable actuating pressure piece 112 between the plug connection means. The actuating pressure piece 112 is then preferably constructed for a 90° actuation of the locking hook 106, i.e. the actuation direction of the actuating pressure piece 112 and the actuation direction for releasing the locking hook 106 are oriented obliquely to each other or perpendicular to each other.

[0092] Figures 10 to 12 shows how a hook section 108 of the locking hook 106 can be constructed on the locking arm 107 in a mold 4 having two halves 401, 402 by means of a single stamping die 403 ( Figure 13 ), and a sheet cutout (for example in the form of the locking arm 107) is placed into the mold. The stamping die is a type of slide having a pyramidal, relatively sharp tip on one side ( Figure 13 ). Here, the lower mold 401 has a sliding guide 404 for the stamping die 403. Here, the upper mold 402 has a notch 405 for the hook section 108 to be formed. A mating profile can be provided instead of or on the notch.

[0093] The sheet cutout is placed between the mold halves 401 and the mold is closed ( Figure 10)。Then, the embossing die 403 is pressed into the sheet cutting section from the side. A 3D surface area 108a is formed that constitutes a protrusion with a bending line 108c( Figure 11 ), and a cut 108d is also formed or introduced (using the same embossing die 403 here), and a 3D surface area 108a of a protrusion with a generally non-linear but U-shaped bending line 108c and an open side 108d is formed. This method is simple, reliable, and cost-effective. The locking arm can be cut out or already cut out from the provided sheet before the construction hook section (as shown) or cut out thereafter.

[0094] List of reference numerals

[0095] 1 Plug connector

[0096] 101 Sheet contact

[0097] 102 Plug contact

[0098] 103 Contact arm

[0099] 104 Connection contact

[0100] 105 Contact bracket

[0101] 106 Locking hook

[0102] 107 Locking arm

[0103] 108 Hook section

[0104] 108a 3D surface area

[0105] 108b Open side

[0106] 108c Bending line

[0107] 108d Cut

[0108] 109 Support area

[0109] 110 Lock geometry

[0110] 111 Cable manager

[0111] 111a Plug housing

[0112] 112 Manipulating press piece

[0113] 112a End

[0114] 112b Connection part

[0115] 112c Extrusion area

[0116] 112d Shoulder

[0117] 113 Handle area

[0118] 114 Cable

[0119] 2 Plug connector

[0120] 201 Plate contact

[0121] 202 Plug contact

[0122] 204 Brazed joint

[0123] 205 Circuit board

[0124] 206 Lock notch

[0125] 207 Contact support

[0126] 3 Locking connection

[0127] 4 Mold

[0128] 401, 402 Halves

[0129] 403 Embossing die

[0130] 404 Slide guide

[0131] 405 Notch

[0132] BZ Plate cutting part.

Claims

1. An electrical and / or optical plug connection device, the plug connection device having: a. A first plug connector (1) and a second plug connector (2) corresponding to the first plug connector and capable of being plugged together with the first plug connector (1), b. The first plug connector (1) and the second plug connector (2) each have a plug face, the plug face i. Having a first board contact (101) or a corresponding second board contact (201) capable of being plugged together in electrical contact with the first board contact, ii. And electrical and / or optical first plug contacts (102) or second plug contacts (202) capable of being plugged together and arranged at a distance from the first board contact or the second board contact, c. At least one locking connection (3) is formed between the first plug connector (1) and the second plug connector (2) in the plugged-together state, the locking connection having a first locking mechanism on the first plug connector (1) and a corresponding second locking mechanism on the second plug connector (2), d. The first locking mechanism is configured as a locking hook (106) and the second locking mechanism is configured as a corresponding locking notch (206), and the locking hook (106) snaps into the locking notch (206) when the two plug connectors (1, 2) are plugged together, e. The locking hook (106) has a locking arm (107) and a hook section (108), f. The hook section (108) is connected to the board surrounding the hook section via a bending line (108c) that is at least partially deviated from a straight line, and the hook section is configured as a protruding 3D surface area (108a), and the 3D surface area has at least one open side (108b), characterized in that g. The protruding 3D surface area of the hook section (108) forms part of a pyramid as the protruding 3D surface area (108a), and the pyramid has at least one open side, h. The open side (108b) is configured at an angle other than 90° with respect to the surface surrounded by the locking arm (107), such that the open side (108b) self-locks and locks behind the locking edge of the locking notch (206) at its edge formed by the edge of the dome area.

2. The plug connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking notch (206) has a locking edge.

3. The plug connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The board surrounding the hook section is the board of the locking arm (107) surrounding the hook section.

4. The plug connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first board contact (101) of the first plug connector (1) and the corresponding second board contact (201) of the second plug connector (2) are respectively designed to be flange-shaped and capable of being plugged together, and the first plug contact (102) or the second plug contact (202) is respectively arranged within the flange-shaped first board contact (101) and second board contact (201).

5. The plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The bending line (108c) is designed in a U shape or a V shape or a semicircular shape.

6. The plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The locking arm (107) is supported in a prestressed manner between its ends in a bearing-like manner on another element of the first plug connector (1).

7. The plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The plug contacts (102) of the first plug connector are arranged on a contact carrier (105), and the locking arm (107) is supported in a prestressed manner between its ends in a bearing-like manner on the contact carrier (105).

8. The plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The free end of the prestressed locking arm (107) is supported on the inside of the edge region of the plate contact (101) with a gap of the first plug connector (1), and the locking arm (107) is configured to partially overlap with the edge region.

9. The plug connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The locking arm (107) itself has a stepped portion, and the contact carrier (105) and the plate contact (101) itself also have stepped portions.

10. The plug connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, An actuating mechanism (112) is constructed on the first plug connector (1) for releasing the locking connection.

11. The plug connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The actuating mechanism is configured as a lever-shaped actuating presser (112), and the actuating presser is configured to press down the locking hook (106) so that the hook section (108) moves from the locking notch (206) into the region within the periphery of the plate contact (201) of the second plug connector (2), so that the locking connection (3) can be released and the first plug connector (1) and the second plug connector (2) can be pulled apart from each other.

12. The plug connection device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The plate contact (101) of the first plug connector (1) is substantially polygonal in cross section, and the locking hook (106) is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating presser (112) is located on the same side of the polygon, so that the actuating presser can act on the hook section (108) in a manner of pressing the hook section inward.

13. The plug connection device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The plate contact (101) of the first plug connector is substantially polygonal in cross section, and the locking hook (106) is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating presser (112) is located on a side of the polygon different from the locking hook (106), and the actuating presser can act on the hook section (108) in a manner of pressing the hook section inward by means of a shoulder (112d).

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