Plug connector housing and injection molding method and injection molding device therefor

Abstract

A plug connector housing for a plug connector, having a main body, a latching device, a first protective element and a second protective element; wherein the latching device has a first connection part, by which the latching device is integrally connected to the main body, and wherein a gap extending along a longitudinal axis on the main body is formed at least partially between the latching device and the main body; the first protective element and the second protective element integrally extend from the main body in each case. The latching device is arranged between the protective elements, wherein each of the protective elements covers the gap arranged between the latching device and the main body in a lateral direction in at least one covered region, the main body being transverse to the longitudinal axis. It is provided that each of the protective elements is furthermore arranged with at least one access region, by which the gap is accessible in the lateral direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connector housing for a plug connector having a main body made of a plastic material, a latching device for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, and a first protection element and a second protection element for the latching device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention furthermore relates to a plug connector housing for a plug connector having a main body made of a plastic material, a latching device for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, and a protection bracket for the latching device according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0003] The invention also relates to an injection molding method and an injection molding device for producing a plug connector housing for a plug connector. BACKGROUND

[0004] Various optical and electrical plug connectors are known in the field of electrical engineering. As is known, plug connectors serve for transmitting electrical supply signals and / or data signals to a corresponding mating plug connector. The plug connector or the mating plug connector can be a plug, a printed circuit board plug, a panel plug, a socket, a coupler or an adapter, respectively. The term "plug connector" or "mating plug connector" used in the context of the invention denotes all variants, respectively.

[0005] The plug connection between the plug connector and the mating plug connector can in principle be held together by different mechanical connection technologies. A connection technology that is often used is a latching mechanism between the plug connector and the mating plug connector. For this purpose, for example, a resilient latching element can be configured on the outside of the plug connector housing and a corresponding mating latching element can be configured on the outside of the mating plug connector housing.

[0006] Sometimes very high requirements are placed on the robustness and reliability of the plug connector. There is no doubt that the plug connection must therefore withstand high mechanical loads and remain closed in a defined manner, so that the electrical connection is not unintentionally cut off. In this context, it must also be ensured in particular that the participating latching devices of the plug connector are protected from damage, in particular during production, transport, assembly and / or after use of the plug connector or the plug connector housing.

[0007] Mechanical protection elements, for example in the manner of protection walls or protection brackets, are arranged in the vicinity of and / or above the latching device on the plug connector housing, which are referred to as protection of the latching device. These protection elements are able to limit or prevent access to the latching device in a defined manner, which reduces the likelihood of mechanical damage. At the same time, however, the accessibility of the latching device and the corresponding mating latching device for a technician must be maintained.

[0008] In the production of plug connectors, it is generally necessary to take into account that particularly economical manufacturing processes are used in order to be able to produce the plug connector in a cost-effective manner in the context of series production. For this purpose, injection molding methods are particularly advantageously suitable for producing the plastic components of the plug connector housing.

[0009] However, if injection molding methods are to be used for producing the plug connector housing, the design freedom of the plug connector housing is limited, since undercuts can arise in the plug connector housing due to the protection elements arranged laterally on and / or above the latching device and also due to the latching device itself. As a result, the injection molding method can sometimes not be used for all variants of the design and combinations of latching devices and protection elements, or can only be implemented by means of complex injection molding tools and ejection procedures. As a result, compromises must generally be made in terms of the design of the latching device and / or in terms of the protection elements in order to be able to achieve cost-effective production by means of injection molding first of all. SUMMARY

[0010] In view of the known prior art, it is an object of the present application to provide a plug connector housing for a plug connector, which has a particularly well-protected and preferably robust latching device and which, despite this, can preferably be produced in a cost-effective manner in the context of an injection molding method.

[0011] The present application is also based on the object of providing an injection molding method and an injection molding device for producing a plug connector housing, which has a particularly well-protected and preferably robust latching device.

[0012] This object is achieved with regard to the plug connector housing by the features claimed in claim 1 or 11. With regard to the injection molding method, this object is achieved by the features of claim 12, and with regard to the injection molding device, which is achieved by claim 15.

[0013] The dependent claims and the features described hereinafter relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the application.

[0014] A plug connector housing for a plug connector is provided, which has a main body made of or configured from a plastic material.

[0015] In the context of the present application, the plug connector can preferably be an electrical plug connector, but can also be an optical plug connector. For the purpose of simplification, the present application will be described hereinafter essentially by using a plug connector housing for an electrical plug connector. This, however, is not to be understood as being limiting.

[0016] The body is preferably configured in one piece from a plastic material, in particular by means of an injection molding method. Thermoplastic plastics, thermosetting plastics and / or elastomers can preferably be used as the plastic material.

[0017] The body can have one or more receptacles for other plug connector components of the plug connector, which receptacles extend through the body along the longitudinal axis in order to receive, for example, contact elements, shielding components, support sleeves and / or dielectrics.

[0018] Furthermore, the body can also have one or more fastening portions for fastening plug connector components, which fastening portions are provided on the housing and / or on the end side in order to fasten further housing components of the plug connector to the body, for example in order to provide a plug connector housing which is overall multipartite. Thus, the plug connector housing can exclusively comprise the body and the components described hereinafter which are integrally connected to the body, but optionally also further housing components of the plug connector, for example further plastic components or metal components, such as shielding elements, etc.

[0019] The body is preferably configured as an elongate component. However, the body can also be configured to be angled, for example for an angle plug connector.

[0020] The body preferably has a plug proximal end which is provided for connection to a mating plug connector and can thus have a plug interface, for example a mechanically and / or magnetically coded plug interface, in order to ensure that the connection to the mating plug connector can only take place in the envisaged orientation, alignment and / or only by means of the envisaged mating plug connector.

[0021] Furthermore, the body preferably has an output proximal end which faces away from the plug proximal end and can be provided for connection to a cable or optical cable (in this context thus a cable proximal end), but also optionally to any other electrical or optical supply line, such as a conductive body path of a printed circuit board (in this context thus a printed circuit board proximal end).

[0022] According to the application, the plug connector housing has a latching device for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, in particular to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector housing of the mating plug connector. The latching device extends at least partially, preferably correspondingly, along the longitudinal axis, or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. The latching device has a first connection portion by which the latching device is integrally connected to the main body. At least a gap is formed between the latching device and the main body, which gap extends along the longitudinal axis on the main body.

[0023] Thus, a latching connection between the plug connector and the mating plug connector for securing a closed plug connection can be established by means of the latching device and the corresponding mating latching device. The latching connection between the latching device and the mating latching device is preferably releasable if required. The latching connection can also optionally be configured to be non-releasable, so that the plug connection, once closed, can no longer be correspondingly severed or opened in a non-destructive manner.

[0024] The latching device and / or the mating latching device is preferably at least partially elastically configured in order to achieve a latching action or a snap-action, respectively. In principle, corresponding latching devices and mating latching devices are known.

[0025] The latching device is preferably a substantially elongate component which is connected to the main body at least by means of a first connection portion, wherein the first connection portion is preferably provided on one of the two end portions of the latching device, for example on the end portion of the latching device which faces the plug proximal end of the plug connector housing. However, the first connection portion can also be provided on this end of the latching device which faces the output side end of the plug connector, or in a central portion of the latching device, i.e. between the two end portions of the latching device.

[0026] The first connection portion (and optionally also the second connection portion to be mentioned hereinafter) is preferably raised from the main body in the manner of a web and is configured, preferably at an angle, in particular orthogonally, with respect to the remainder of the elongate latching device. The latching device is preferably configured on the outer surface of the main body. The latching device, starting from the first connection portion and / or from the second connection portion, extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, preferably parallel to the outer surface of the main body which faces the latching device.

[0027] According to the application, the plug connector housing also has a first protection element and a second protection element. The first protection element is preferably, but not necessarily, provided on a first side of the main body, and the second protection element is preferably, but not necessarily, provided on a second side of the main body which is opposite the first side.

[0028] The two protective elements are preferably arranged on a longitudinal face of the main body, on which the latching device is also arranged (hereinafter also referred to as "base region"). It is also conceivable, however, that the two protective elements are arranged on one of two mutually opposite longitudinal faces of the main body, which each adjoin the longitudinal face, or the base region, on which the latching device is arranged. It is also possible that one of the protective elements is arranged on the base region and the other protective element is arranged on a longitudinal face of the main body.

[0029] According to the application, the protective elements each integrally extend from the main body and such that the latching device is disposed between the protective elements, wherein each of the protective elements covers a gap arranged in a transverse direction between the latching device and the main body in at least one covered region, the transverse direction being transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0030] The covered region preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular preferably in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0031] The transverse direction is preferably aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the gap, but can alternatively also comprise an angle of deviation of 90° in combination with the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0032] The protective elements are preferably protruding as elevations from the main body, for example as protective walls, protective webs and / or protective pins, as will also be described below. The protective elements can be configured, for example, as elongate, rib-shaped elevations or protective walls which have a longitudinal extent in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0033] The two protective elements are able to cover the intervening latching device in the mentioned transverse direction. The coverage of the gap and the latching device in the axial direction and in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction can each be produced completely by the two protective elements. For different technical reasons, the latching device in the axial direction and / or in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is preferably only partially covered in each case.

[0034] The two protective elements are preferably each arranged on two longitudinal edges or two longitudinal perimeters of the longitudinal face or base region of the main body, on which the latching device is also arranged. The two protective elements on the longitudinal face of the main body can also be disposed closer together or more widely spaced apart than the lateral extent of the main body.

[0035] In order to optimize the mobility of the latch device, a gap is preferably provided between the latch device and the two protective elements in each case. It is pointed out here that the term "covering" is preferably not to be understood as meaning coverage in the context of the present application.

[0036] The protective elements are configured to provide mechanical protection for the latch device arranged between them at least in a plurality of regions, which mechanical protection is in particular from the respective side on which the protective element is located on the main body and optionally also from above the latch device by means of the protective bracket to be mentioned hereinafter. To this end, the protective elements preferably cover at least the gap, however preferably also at least partially or completely the latch device itself and as a result at least in the covered portions prevent unwanted mechanical access to the latch device. Any mechanical influences which can lead to damage or even destruction of the latch device starting from one of the two sides of the main body can thus be ruled out or at least substantially reduced.

[0037] The protective elements are preferably arranged parallel to or along the longitudinal axis of the gap, so that the latch device is mechanically protected at least in regions which are particularly vulnerable and / or sensitive, for example in the region of the freely hanging end of the latch device and / or in the central region between the two attachment ends of the latch device.

[0038] According to the application, each protective element is furthermore configured with at least one access region, through which the gap is accessible in a transverse direction, wherein each of the covered regions faces the corresponding access region of the corresponding other protective element in the transverse direction.

[0039] The access region preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0040] The access region located opposite the respective covered region preferably extends at least along the entire axial extent of the assigned covered region and / or transversely to the axial extent of the covered region.

[0041] It can be provided that the protective elements are configured and positioned on the main body such that the covered region of the gap covered by one of the protective elements is accessible when starting from the opposite side on which the corresponding other protective element is positioned.

[0042] It can be provided that the covered region of the gap covered by one of the protective elements is accessible starting from the corresponding other protective element.

[0043] These protective elements can be arranged on the main body in such a way that each covered region covered by the first protective element is respectively different or inconsistent compared to each covered region covered by the second protective element.

[0044] It can be ensured in accordance with the application that the gap is always accessible from at least one of the two sides of the main body, or from the first side of the main body and / or from the second side of the main body, respectively. Thus, when starting from the second side of the main body, on which the second protective element is arranged, the portion of the first protective element which is not accessible from the first side of the main body is accessible, and vice versa.

[0045] The gap between the latching device and the main body is thus preferably not covered by both sides in the same way in any portion along the longitudinal axis of the gap; this means that the covered regions of the protective elements preferably do not overlap along the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0046] In this way, the production of the plug connector housing can be significantly simplified while maintaining the overall high protective effect of the protective elements.

[0047] For example, in the context of the manufacturing method of the plug connector housing, the gap can be produced by subtraction or subtractively machining, respectively, while being carried out from the side only. However, it can be particularly preferred that, in the context of an injection molding method, the plug connector housing is produced by an injection molding tool, wherein the lateral ejection of the gap is preferably produced by passing through the access regions.

[0048] Compared to the prior art, the degree of freedom for the design of the plug connector housing, in particular for the advantageous combination of the latching device and the protective elements, can be significantly improved.

[0049] It is mentioned at this point that a plurality of first protective elements and a plurality of second protective elements can also optionally be provided, wherein it would have to be considered in this case that the covered region of the gap which is jointly covered by all of the first protective elements is accessible starting from the opposite side on which the second protective elements are positioned, and vice versa.

[0050] In an advantageous refinement of the application, it can be provided that the latching device has an elastic spring arm which extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, and the latching element is arranged on the elastic spring arm. Thus, the latching device can be arranged in the manner of a "latching rocker".

[0051] The latching element is preferably a latching hook. The latching hook can be configured for establishing a latching connection with a corresponding latching element of a mating latching device of a mating plug connector, for example in order to latch behind an edge in a recess or a gap of the mating latching device. However, the latching element can also be an edge, a recess or a gap in a spring arm, wherein a corresponding latching hook of a mating latching device of a mating plug connector can latch. In principle, any arbitrary type of latching element can be provided, which enables a releasable or non-releasable latching connection to a latching element of a mating plug connector.

[0052] The gap is preferably provided at least between the latching element of the latching device and the main body in order to enable a deflection of the latching element in a direction towards the main body starting from a ground state of the spring arm (against the restoring force of the spring arm).

[0053] The latching element provided on the spring arm can guide the latching device, which can be operated by a technician in a particularly simple manner. Due to the axial extent of the spring arm, even when the plug connector housing has a relatively small configuration, sufficient elasticity and sufficient lift for providing a latching connection can also be provided.

[0054] The invention is particularly advantageously suitable for use with a latching device having an elastic spring arm with a latching element, because on the one hand, this type of "latching rocker arm" can be particularly sensitive with respect to mechanical damage, in particular with respect to mechanical damage starting from the side of the main body, and because the latching rocker arm furthermore generally has a relatively complex configuration with additional undercuts.

[0055] The spring arm can have an activation face, which can be activated by a technician for a target deflection of the latching element in order to deflect the latching element in the direction of the main body against the restoring force of the spring arm in order to establish or interrupt a latching connection with the mating plug connector.

[0056] It can be provided according to an improvement of the invention that the spring arm is integrally connected to the main body on a first end by the first connection and furthermore on a second end by a second connection, the second end facing away from the first end.

[0057] The gap along the longitudinal axis preferably extends across the entire length or extent of the spring arm between the two connections, respectively.

[0058] The latching device can thus be molded into the shape of the spring arm and attached to the plug connector housing or the main body by one end or by two ends, respectively. However, as already mentioned above, a central attachment of the latching device or a central attachment of the spring arm can also be provided, respectively.

[0059] A particularly large lifting for the latching connection can generally be implemented by a spring arm attached to the body unidirectionally. However, this type of latching connection is also more sensitive with respect to external influences, such as, for example, vibrations or other forces. In order to further increase the robustness and reliability of the plug connection, it can thus be preferable to provide spring arms attached to the body on both sides. While the insertion force required for inserting the plug connector into the mating plug connector can increase as a result thereof, the holding force can likewise be significantly increased. Whether the attachment of the spring arms or the latching device is provided on one of the two sides respectively is a decision that can be made by the person skilled in the art on the basis of the specific application.

[0060] The invention is very particularly preferably suitable for use with latching devices attached on both sides, or with spring arms attached on both sides respectively, since a further undercut is thereby created and accessibility of the interspace between the two connection portions is only possible from these sides, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the interspace (in the transverse direction). Thus, overall production, in particular in the context of an injection molding process, is only possible with the proposed arrangement and design embodiments of the protection elements, unless the protection elements are omitted or their protective effect is reduced.

[0061] According to one design embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the body has an (outer) base region connecting the first side and the second side.

[0062] It can be provided that the protection elements and / or the connection portions extend so as to rise perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly from the base region and in particular from the base region.

[0063] The protection elements on the respective side of the body can each be directly adjacent to the circumference or edge of the base region and thus configure an extension of the side face of the respective side. However, an offset with respect to the circumference or with respect to the side face on the base region can also be provided respectively. By having the connection portions on the plug proximal side of the body or the connection portions on the output proximal side of the body directly adjacent to the circumference or edge of the base region, an extension of the corresponding end face of the body is thus configured. However, an offset with respect to the circumference or with respect to the end face on the base region can also be provided respectively.

[0064] It can also be provided that the protection elements are directly connected to the corresponding side face of the designated side of the body and / or the connection portions are connected to the corresponding end face of the body.

[0065] The interspace is preferably located between the latching device and the base region of the body. The latching device extends by way of a face facing the base region, preferably parallel to the base region.

[0066] According to a particularly preferred development of the application, it can be provided that at least one covered region of one of the protection elements, preferably all covered regions of all protection elements, cover the latch device in the lateral direction, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap, in addition to the gap, in at least regions. In this way, particularly good protection of the latch device can be provided. However, in principle, it is also sufficient to protect or cover the gap below the latch device laterally only.

[0067] In principle, it can be provided that the protection elements completely cover the latch device in the lateral direction along the longitudinal axis in an alternating manner. However, in a preferred development of the application, it can be provided that the protection elements do not correspondingly or at least laterally cover the latch device in the front axial end portion extending from the plug proximal end and / or in the rear axial end portion extending from the outlet proximal end.

[0068] In particular, the protection elements are not arranged in the region of the plug proximal end or the front axial end portion, respectively, or are arranged in the region of the front axial end portion with a corresponding access region in order to provide optimum accessibility for connecting to the plug interface of a mating plug connector or to increase the degree of freedom of the plug interface design.

[0069] In a development of the application, it can be provided that the protection elements have corresponding elevations for configuring corresponding covered regions extending along the longitudinal axis of the gap, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap and / or parallel to the opposite elevation of a corresponding further protection element.

[0070] Thus, a first protection element along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap can have one or more elevations, preferably exactly one elevation, and a second protection element along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap can have one or more elevations, preferably exactly one elevation.

[0071] It can furthermore be preferably provided that the protection elements have elevation-free regions, thus axial portions without any elevation, for configuring corresponding access regions extending along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular elevation-free regions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0072] It is thus possible, for example, for the first protective element to have a bulge (or a plurality of bulges) along the longitudinal axis of the recess, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the recess, which is positioned offset with respect to the bulge (or the bulges) of the second protective element, such that the covered area of the recess covered by the bulge (or the bulges) of one of the protective elements is accessible (in each case in the transverse direction) when viewed from the opposite side on which the respective other protective element is positioned.

[0073] In this way, for example, the rear end portion (in particular the abutment portion) of the latching device facing the output proximal end can be laterally protected by the first protective element, and the portion of the latching device located further toward the front in the direction of the plug proximal end (in particular the abutment portion directly adjacent to the rear end portion) can be laterally protected by the second protective element, or vice versa.

[0074] As already mentioned, each protective element can provide a plurality of bulges, for example two, three, four, five or even more bulges, wherein the protective elements also do not necessarily have the same number of bulges.

[0075] In an advantageous development of the application, it can furthermore be provided that at least one of the bulges has at least one gap (in particular a gap extending along the longitudinal axis of the recess) in order to configure one of the access regions.

[0076] In principle, a gap configured in a bulge for providing an access region to the recess can provide better protection for the latching device compared to a completely recessed region, since the access can also preferably be uniquely limited to the recess in this way. In this case, the latching device can continue to be completely protected or covered, respectively. However, it is emphasized that the gaps can in principle be provided as an alternative or optionally in addition to the mentioned recessed regions.

[0077] Each bulge can also optionally have a plurality of gaps, for example two, three, four or even more gaps.

[0078] The gaps on the protective elements opposite one another can also optionally overlap along the longitudinal axis of the recess. In this way, a portion of the recess can even be presented as accessible from both sides.

[0079] According to an improvement of the application, it can be provided that at least one of the bulges is configured as a protective wall or a protective web.

[0080] It is preferred to provide a protection wall, in particular exactly one protection wall per protection element. However, the use of a protection web can likewise result in an advantageous lateral protection of the latching device. For example, a protection web can be distributed in a slot-toothed or toothed manner on the main body along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0081] As an alternative to a protection wall or a protection web, it is also possible to provide protection ribs, protection bars or protection pins which laterally rise alongside the latching device from the main body and are correspondingly distributed along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap, such that the gap in each section along the longitudinal axis of the gap is accessible from at least one side of the main body.

[0082] In a preferred development of the application, it can be provided that at least one of the gaps is configured as a window, a recess or a slot.

[0083] A design embodiment of a protection element with a protection wall with corresponding mutual positioning of windows for configuring a coverage / access area combination can provide a particularly high protection effect for the latching device, while maintaining good accessibility of the gap and thus providing the possibility of a cost-effective production of the plug connector housing, in particular in the context of an injection molding method.

[0084] In a development of the application, it can be provided that the plug connector housing has a protection bracket which has a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg is integrally connected to the first protection element and the second leg is integrally connected to the second protection element. The protection elements can also configure the legs of the protection bracket; the legs of the protection bracket and the protection elements can thus also be the same functional components.

[0085] The protection bracket preferably bridges the latching device in order to mechanically protect the latching device. To this end, the protection bracket can in particular extend from the first protection element to the second protection element.

[0086] The protection bracket can advantageously prevent mechanical damage to the latching device from above, thus in the direction of the base region of the main body. A corresponding protection bracket is also referred to as the term "rocker bracket". The protection bracket preferably bridges the latching device in the region of the greatest elevation of the protection bracket along the longitudinal axis.

[0087] Exactly one protection bracket is preferably provided. However, a plurality of protection brackets, for example two, three, four, five or even more protection brackets, can also be provided, which are arranged distributed along the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0088] The protection bracket can provide a closed connection between the two protection elements; this is however not mandatory. For example, it is also possible to provide only a half-bracket starting from the respective leg or the corresponding protection element, respectively, and to form the protection bracket in combination without interconnection. It is also possible to provide a protection bracket which is connected to the main body in one direction only; one of the legs of the protection bracket can thus also be spaced apart from the main body, for example in order to configure the access region.

[0089] In particular, the protection bracket can extend in order to start from a protection element configured as a side wall or a rib, or else from a protection element configured as a web or a pin. The leg of the protection bracket can itself already configure the respective protection element (for example, a protection web), wherein in this case no additional protection web or protection wall is required any more.

[0090] In an advantageous development, it can be provided that the legs of the protection bracket are positioned offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular in order to ensure that the legs do not cover the gap on both sides.

[0091] It is however also possible to provide that the legs are positioned not offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular when the legs extend starting from a protection element, or the legs are placed on a protection element (in particular a protection wall) having a gap (for example, a window) in order to guarantee the accessibility of the gap.

[0092] When the legs of the protection bracket are provided offset from one another, the protection bracket between the two legs preferably follows a curved profile (for example in the manner of an S-curve). This is however not absolutely necessary; it is also possible to provide a linear or stepped profile.

[0093] In the context of the overall concept of the application, the application also relates to a plug connector housing for a plug connector, the plug connector housing having:

[0094] a main body, which is made of a plastic material or is configured;

[0095] a latching device for mechanical connection to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, wherein the latching device has a first connection portion, by which the latching device is integrally connected to the main body, wherein a gap is formed at least partially between the latching device and the main body, which extends along a longitudinal axis on the main body; and

[0096] A protection bracket having a first leg and a second leg, wherein at least one of the legs integrally extends so as to extend from the main body, and wherein the latching device is arranged between the legs and is bridged by the protection bracket so as to mechanically protect said latching device, and wherein the leg integrally connected to the main body in at least one covered region covers the gap in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the gap being configured between the latching device and the main body.

[0097] The covered region preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular preferably in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0098] For reasons of distinguishability from the plug connector housing of claim 1 below, the plug connector housing described above (and thus according to claim 11) is sometimes also referred to as "alternative plug connector housing". However, it is emphasized that the above and below statements in the specification, claims and drawings can equally refer to the plug connector housing of claim 1 as well as to the "alternative plug connector housing" of claim 11, unless otherwise stated; this applies in particular (but not exclusively) to the features and advantages of the main body, the latching device, the gap and the protection bracket.

[0099] In terms of the alternative plug connector housing, it is provided that:

[0100] At least one leg configures at least one access region, through which the gap is accessible in the transverse direction, wherein one of the access regions of the respective other leg is positioned opposite each covered region in the transverse direction; and / or

[0101] The legs are arranged offset to each other, preferably axially offset along the longitudinal axis of the gap, so that the gap covered by one of the legs in the transverse direction from the other leg is accessible in the transverse direction.

[0102] The access region preferably extends along the longitudinal axis of the gap, in particular preferably in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

[0103] The alternative plug connector housing represents an alternative solution for a single object according to the invention, which is now conveniently presented separately. The two plug connector housings are related to each other in such a way that the clearance between the latching device and the main body, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body, is always accessible at least from one side in the transverse direction, since the structurally configured covered area and the access area provided for protecting the latching device are adapted to each other in a corresponding manner. This method and the device can thus also be used to advantageously produce the two plug connector housings by means of the mentioned injection molding process, which is also mentioned below.

[0104] The invention also relates to an injection molding method for producing a plug connector housing for a plug connector, comprising at least the following method steps:

[0105] A multi-component injection molding tool is provided, which in its assembled state is configured for the cavity mold of one of the plug connector housings described above and below;

[0106] The first casting mold of the injection molding tool is moved relative to the plug connector housing along the longitudinal axis of the clearance in order to release the axial area between the latching device and the protection element; and

[0107] The second casting mold of the injection molding tool and the third casting mold opposite the second casting mold are moved in each case relative to the plug connector housing in the transverse direction in order to release the clearance between the latching device and the main body by passing through the access area.

[0108] The substantial release of the plug connector housing, in particular the release of the latching device, can thus advantageously take place here in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clearance, i.e. in the transverse direction. The release tool of the corresponding casting mold or the corresponding release area can be guided through, for example, the above-mentioned window, or through any other gap in the protection wall, or past the protection wall.

[0109] As is known, the term "release" in the context of injection molding means the corresponding release of the at least partially solidified product from the casting mold or from the injection molding tool. To this end, the casting mold can be moved away from the product, or from the plug connector housing, and the plug connector housing can be ejected from the casting mold by means of an ejection device. This process can be very complex in the case of correspondingly complex shapes.

[0110] In contrast, the plug connector housing can be ejected in a particularly simple manner in the transverse direction or respectively from the first and second side of the main body, as a result of the proposed method, wherein at the same time a high degree of freedom in terms of design of the plug connector housing is maintained and for example a plug connector housing can be provided which has spring arms attached to both sides and at the same time has a particularly good lateral and upper mechanical protection. As a result of the possibility of ejection in the transverse direction or respectively from the side, a particularly simple casting mold or respectively a particularly simple injection molding tool can be provided correspondingly.

[0111] Furthermore, the area above the latching device and if applicable the clearance for the plug-in part optionally configured in the main body can be ejected by means of the first casting mold.

[0112] Furthermore, the plug proximal end of the main body, or respectively the corresponding front end portion, or respectively the corresponding output proximal end, or respectively the corresponding rear end portion, can optionally be ejected only in the transverse direction, or respectively from the side, and the parts of the protection elements (for example windows, clearances, voids, etc. between individual webs of the protection wall, or respectively protection webs) are ejected by means of the second and / or third casting mold. In particular, the front end portion of the latching device can be ejected by means of the first and / or second casting mold.

[0113] In an advantageous development of the application, it can be provided that the first casting mold is used (preferably exclusively) for ejecting the axial area between the latching device and the protection elements in a front axial end portion extending from the plug proximal end in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the void.

[0114] The ejection of the proximal plug or front end portion of the plug connector in the transverse direction or respectively from the side (as opposed to the ejection in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the void) can be advantageous, since in this case the plug connector housing can also have further undercuts on its proximal plug, for example as a result of latching hooks and / or mechanical coding means. The front end portion of the main body extending from the plug proximal end is therefore preferably not ejected from the first casting mold. The front axial end portion is preferably ejected from the side of the second casting mold and / or the third casting mold.

[0115] It can furthermore be proposed that the first casting mold is used (preferably exclusively) for ejecting the axial area between the latching device and the protection elements in a front axial end portion extending from the plug proximal end in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the void. It can therefore also be provided that, when the second casting mold and / or the third casting mold is used instead of the first casting mold, the proximal output end or rear end portion of the plug connector is ejected in the transverse direction or respectively from the side.

[0116] In one refinement of the application, it can be provided that the second and third casting mold are moved in time synchronously in order to simultaneously release the gap by passing through the access regions of all protection elements, thus simultaneously releasing from both sides.

[0117] Furthermore, the first casting mold is preferably moved in time synchronously with the second casting mold and with the third casting mold.

[0118] Due to the time-synchronous movement of the multiple casting molds, the processing time can be reduced. The time-synchronous or simultaneous movement of the casting molds, respectively, is possible in particular because the proposed design embodiments of the plug connector housing reduce the requirements set for the injection molding tool and thus simplify the release process.

[0119] The application also relates to an injection molding device for producing a plug connector housing for a plug connector, having a multi-component injection molding tool which, in its assembled state, is configured for the cavity mold of the plug connector housing described above and below, wherein a first casting mold of the injection molding tool for releasing the plug connector housing is movable relative to the plug connector housing along the longitudinal axis of the gap in order to release the axial region between the latching device and the protection elements, and wherein a second and a third casting mold of the injection molding tool are movable relative to the plug connector housing along the transverse direction in each case and are arranged opposite one another in order to release the gap between the latching device and the main body and by passing through the access regions.

[0120] According to the application, the injection molding tool of the proposed injection molding device is particularly efficient and productive in terms of production, since the release is facilitated. In this way, fewer tool slides can be required, and the design freedom in terms of production of the plug connector housing can be further higher.

[0121] The second and third casting molds are preferably configured for engaging with the corresponding release regions for the gap between the latching device and the main body when the casting molds are aggregated or when the injection molding tool is closed, respectively. For example, the second casting mold can have two release regions spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis, and the third casting mold can have a release region between the release regions of the second casting mold.

[0122] Furthermore, the second and third casting molds can be configured for laterally releasing regions outside the gap, for example, the legs of the protection bracket and / or the protection bracket.

[0123] In principle, even more casting molds can be provided in addition to the first, second and third casting molds, for example a fourth casting mold for demolding a gap of a plug connector component extending longitudinally through the main body or for demolding a further portion or region of the main body, respectively. Preferably, however, a three-component injection molding tool as described above is provided.

[0124] For the movement of the casting mold, a corresponding tool slide can be provided, which is coupled to a corresponding actuator device, for example an electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically driven linear actuator.

[0125] The movement between the corresponding casting mold and the plug connector housing can be performed by a movement of the casting mold and / or by a movement of the plug connector housing. In principle, only the relative movement between the corresponding casting mold and the plug connector housing is relevant. Preferably, however, the corresponding casting mold is moved and the plug connector housing is optionally ensured to be essentially ejected from the injection molding tool by one or more ejection means as a result of the removal of the casting mold.

[0126] The application also relates to a plug connector, in particular an electrical plug connector, having one of the plug connector housings according to the above and below described embodiments.

[0127] The application furthermore relates to a plug connector and a mating plug connector having the above described plug connector.

[0128] The plug connector or the plug connector can be used particularly advantageously in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. Potential fields of application are autonomous driving, driver assistance systems, navigation systems, infotainment systems, rear seat entertainment systems, internet connectivity and wireless gigabit (IEEE 802.11ad standard). Potential applications relate to high-resolution cameras, for example 4K and 8K cameras, sensors, on-board computers, high-resolution displays, high-resolution instrument clusters, 3D navigation devices and mobile transceivers. The term "vehicle" describes here any vehicle, in particular a land vehicle, a watercraft or an aircraft, including aerospace vehicles. The plug connector according to the application is essentially suitable for any arbitrary application in the entire field of electrical engineering and should not be understood as being limited to applications in automotive engineering.

[0129] The plug connector is not limited to a specific type of plug connector, wherein the application is particularly suitable for plug connectors and plug connections in the high-frequency sector. In particular, these can be plug connectors or plug connections of the type PL, BNC, TNC, SMBA (FAKRA), SMA, SMB, SMS, SMC, SMP, BMS, HFM (FAKRA-Mini), H-MTD, BMK, Mini-Coax or MATE-AX, respectively.

[0130] The features which have been described in the context of one subject-matter of the present application, in particular represented by one of the plug connector housing, the plug connector, the plug connection, the injection molding method and the injection molding device according to the present application, can also advantageously implement another subject-matter of the present application. Likewise, the advantages which have been mentioned in the context of one subject-matter of the present application can also be understood in relation to another subject-matter of the present application.

[0131] It is furthermore pointed out that terms such as "comprising", "having" or "with" do not exclude any other features or steps. Also, means for performing a step or a feature of a device does not exclude several means for performing the same step or feature, and vice versa.

[0132] However, in the overall embodiment of the present application, it can also be provided that the features of the present application introduced by the terms "comprising", "having" or "with" constitute an exhaustive list. Thus, in the context of the present application, one or more enumerations of features can be considered in a self-contained manner, for example, with respect to each claim separately. For example, the present application can consist only of the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0133] It is noted that terms such as "first" or "second" are mainly used for distinguishability between the respective device or method features and are not necessarily intended to indicate a mutual dependency or a correlation to each other.

[0134] It is furthermore emphasized that the values and parameters described in the present case also encompass a deviation or fluctuation of ± 10% or less, preferably ± 5% or less, more preferably ± 1% or less, and very particularly preferably ± 0.1% or less of the values or parameters stated correspondingly, if such a deviation is not actually excluded in the implementation of the present application. The range specification by a starting value and an end value also encompasses all values and fractions encompassed by the range stated correspondingly, in particular the starting value and the end value and the corresponding mean value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0135] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail by means of the attached drawings.

[0136] The figures show in each case preferred exemplary embodiments, in which individual features of the present application are exhibited in combination with one another. A feature of one exemplary embodiment can also be implemented independently of the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can thus be combined with features of other exemplary embodiments by the person skilled in the art in order to form further expedient combinations and subcombinations.

[0137] In the figures, functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0138] in a perspective view;

[0139] Figure 1 in a perspective view a plug connector housing with a protective wall according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0140] Figure 2 in another perspective view a plug connector housing Figure 1 according to the present application is shown;

[0141] Figure 3 in a perspective view a plug connector housing with a protective web according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0142] Figure 4 in a perspective view a plug connector housing with two exemplary protective brackets according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0143] Figure 5 in a perspective view a plug connector housing with a protective wall and protective brackets according to a preferred fourth exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0144] Figure 6 in another perspective view a plug connector housing Figure 5 according to the present application is shown;

[0145] Figure 7 in a perspective view an alternative plug connector housing with a single-sided attached protective bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0146] Figure 8 in a perspective view an injection molding device according to the present application with a multi-part injection molding tool in a closed state for producing a plug connector housing is shown; and

[0147] Figure 9 in a perspective view the injection molding device Figure 8 according to the present application with an injection molding tool that is opened for ejection of the plug connector housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0148] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A plug connector housing 1 for a plug connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. In the context of the present application, the plug connector can be an electrical plug connector or alternatively an optical plug connector.

[0149] Shown in the exemplary embodiment is an integrally configured plug connector housing 1 which can optionally also have further components, for example a metal shield or additional plastic components.

[0150] The plug connector housing 1 has a body 2 made of plastic material that extends along a longitudinal axis L. In these exemplary embodiments, the body 2 is configured as a predominantly elongated component. However, in principle, the body 2 or the angled plug connector may also be provided.

[0151] The body 2 has a plug proximal end 3, from which the front end 4 of the plug connector housing 1 extends along the longitudinal axis L. This front end 4 primarily provides a mating plug connector housing for contacting a mating plug connector (not shown), thereby configuring the plug interface. The output proximal end 5 or rear end 6 of the body 2 is currently provided for connection to an optical fiber or electrical cable (not shown). Alternatively, connections to other lines (also not shown) such as conductor paths or circuits may also be provided.

[0152] For example, the body 2 has a gap 7 for receiving plug connector components (not shown), such as contact elements or dielectrics.

[0153] The plug connector housing 1, specifically the body 2 and the components integrally connected to the body 2 and still described below, is preferably manufactured by the injection molding method described below.

[0154] For mechanical latching to the mating plug connector, the plug connector housing 1 has a latching device 8 that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the body 2 and has a first connecting portion 9, through which the latching device 8 is integrally connected to the body 2. Along the longitudinal axis L F An extended gap 10 is configured between the latching device 8 and the main body 2.

[0155] In an exemplary embodiment, the latching device 8 is configured as a spring arm 11, which is parallel to either the longitudinal axis L of the main body 2 or the longitudinal axis L of the gap 10. F An extension, and a latching element configured as a latch hook 12, is disposed on the resilient spring arm 11. A gap 10 between the latch hook 12 and the body 2 provides the possibility of deflecting the latching element or latch hook 12 from the ground state of the spring arm 11 along the direction of the body 2, thereby enabling latching and unlocking / unlocking with / from the mating plug connector. A grooved actuation surface 13 is generally provided for corresponding actuation of the latching device 8 or the spring arm 11 by a technician.

[0156] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6In the exemplary embodiment of the plug connector housing 1 shown in Fig. 1, the spring arms 11 have, in addition to the first connection portion 9, a second connection portion 14 in order to likewise connect the spring arms 11 to the main body 2 on a second end facing away from the first end. Here, the gap 10 extends along the longitudinal axis L F over the entire length between the two connection portions 9, 14. In this way, the latch device 8 attached on both sides, or the spring arms 11 attached on both sides, is correspondingly provided, which potentially increases the robustness of the latch connection. However, it is also possible to provide spring arms 11 attached on only one side, as is shown in Figs. Figure 3 , 4 and 7.

[0157] The plug connector housing 1 for the mechanical protection of the latch device 8 has a first protection element 16 arranged on the first side 15 of the main body 2 and a second protection element 18 arranged on the second side 17 of the main body 2, wherein the protection elements 16, 18 in each case extend integrally starting from the main body 2. The latch device 8 or the spring arms 11 are arranged between the protection elements 16, 18, respectively, such that each of the protection elements 16, 18 covers the gap 10 in at least one covered region V (see the hatched area in Figure 1 and 2 , which is arranged between the latch device 8 and the main body 2 starting from the respective side 15, 17 or in the transverse direction Q, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis L F of the gap 10.

[0158] The protection elements 16, 18 now extend starting from a base region 19 of the main body 2, which connects the first side 15 and the second side 17, and through which the connection portions 9, 14 are also connected. The gap 10 is located between the latch device 8 and the base region 19. The protection elements 16, 18 rise orthogonally mainly from the base region 19 and extend over the periphery of the main body 2 or the base region 19, respectively, such that the protection elements 16, 18 extend as side edges of the respective side 15, 17. However, it is also possible that these protection elements 16, 18 and / or these connection portions 9, 14 are spaced apart from the corresponding periphery of the main body 2, as is highlighted purely by way of example by the protection elements 16, 18 in Figure 3 .

[0159] In order to ideally comprehensively protect the latch device 8, the covered region V of the protection elements 16, 18 is configured at least in the transverse direction Q in addition to covering the gap 10 in a region of the latch device 8.

[0160] It is possible that the protection elements 16, 18 extending from the plug proximal end 3 in the front end portion 4 are not aligned along the longitudinal axis L of the main body 2 or the longitudinal axis L of the gap 10.F The latching device 8 is laterally covered, as shown in all exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the accessibility of the plug connector housing 1 to mating plug connector housings is improved.

[0161] Provided in the context of this invention, these protective elements 16, 18 are further configured with at least one access area Z in each case, through which the gap 10 is accessible in the lateral direction Q. This ensures that the gap 10 is accessible along the longitudinal axis L at least when starting from the side 15, 17 or from one of the protective elements 16, 18. F Accessible in their respective cases, protective elements 16 and 18 are disposed and configured on the main body 2 such that one access area Z of the corresponding access area Z of the other protective element 18 and 16 is opposite to each covered area V in the lateral direction Q. In this way, starting from the first side 15 and / or the second side 17, the gap 10 is therefore always along the longitudinal axis L. F It is fully accessible. If accessibility from one side 15, 17 is blocked, accessibility from the other side 17, 15 is still ensured. To make this possible, the protection elements 16, 18 can be configured in various ways. Some possibilities are explained in the context of this exemplary embodiment—occasionally combining with each other, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0162] exist Figure 1 , 2 In the exemplary embodiments shown in 5 and 6, the protective elements 16 and 18 each have a protective wall 20. The protective wall 20 of the second protective element 18 is along the longitudinal axis L of the gap 10. F The space is shortened or correspondingly positioned at an offset relative to the protective wall 20 of the first protective element 16, such that the covered area V of this gap 10 (which is covered by the protective wall 20 of the first protective element 16) is accessible from the second side 17 (on which the second protective element 18 is positioned). Therefore, the second protective element 18 has a raised area or a protected wall-free area in its forward axial portion facing the plug proximal end 3 of the body 2, which is along the longitudinal axis L of the gap 10. F Extend to configure one of the access zones Z.

[0163] Furthermore, the protective wall 20 has a corresponding gap, which is configured as a window 21 to allow for the configuration of additional access areas Z in their respective cases, so that the gap 10 between the latching device 8 and the body 2 is accessible in the lateral direction Q. The first protective element 16 has its longitudinal axis L along the gap 10. FThe window 21 of the second protective element 18 is here positioned offset from the window 21 of the first protective element 16, such that the covered area V of the gap 10 is again kept selectively accessible from at least one of the two sides 15, 17.

[0164] Figure 3 An alternative or additional additional solution of the protective elements 16, 18 with protective walls 20 is shown. It is provided here that the protective elements 16, 18 have corresponding protective webs 22, which are preferably distributed in the form of a crenellation on the main body 2, wherein the protective webs 22 of the first protective elements 16 are aligned along the longitudinal axis L of the gap F are positioned so as to be offset from the protective webs 22 of the second protective elements 18, such that the covered area V of the gap 10, which is covered by the protective web 22 of one of the protective elements 16, 18, is accessible starting from the other side 17, 15 on which the corresponding other protective element 18, 16 is located. The individual access areas Z are thus realized by the individual non- raised areas between the protective webs 22. In this way, a good protection for the latching device 8 can also be provided.

[0165] A further or alternative possibility for protecting the latching device 8 is the use of protective brackets 23, as Figures 4 to 7 is shown in Figure 4 is shown by way of example is an exemplary embodiment of a plug connector housing 1 with two protective brackets 23 for highlighting the design with different degrees of freedom of design. It is also possible to use only a single protective bracket (see Figure 7 ) or to provide more than two protective brackets 23 in the same design embodiment or in different design embodiments.

[0166] The protective brackets 23 preferably have a first leg 24 and a second leg 25, wherein the first leg 24 is integrally connected to the first protective element 16 and the second leg 25 is integrally connected to the second protective element 18. The protective elements 16, 18 can thus also directly configure the legs 23, 24.

[0167] The legs 24, 25 can extend so as to start from one of the protective walls 20 shown above (see, for example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 ) or from the protective webs 22 as shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 . The protective brackets 23 ultimately extend from the first protective element 16 to the second protective element 18 or from the respective first leg 24 to the respective second leg 25 and bridge the latching device 8 in order to mechanically protect the latching device. As follows from Figure 4derived from the front protection bracket 23, for which it is not required that the protection bracket 23 has a closed contour. The protection bracket 23 can also be configured by two half brackets 26, which extend towards each other starting from the respective legs 24, 25. As Figure 7 indicated, it is also possible to provide a protection bracket 23 which is connected to the main body 2 only on one side.

[0168] If desired, the legs 24, 25 of the protection bracket 23 can be positioned along the longitudinal axis L F of the gap 10 offset from each other, as Figures 4 to 6 indicated in the middle. However, if the protection bracket 23 is provided only on one of the protection walls 20 or on one of the protection webs 22, it is also possible to optionally provide a non-offset arrangement of the legs 24, 25, in particular when the respective protection wall 20 and / or the respective protection web 23 has a window 21 or any other gap, in order to guarantee access to the gap 10.

[0169] If the two legs 24, 25 of the protection bracket 23 are offset from each other along the longitudinal axis L F , it is preferably possible to provide a curved contour of the protection bracket 23 between the two legs 24, 25, as indicated in the upper left and right Figure 5 and Figure 6 of the preferred exemplary embodiments. However, in principle, it is also possible to provide alternative contours such as a linear contour (cf. the front protection bracket 23 in Figure 4 ) or a stepped contour (cf. the rear protection bracket 23 in Figure 4 ).

[0170] Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows a plug connector housing 1 according to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the present application. The plug connector housing 1 has spring arms 11 which are attached on both sides and are laterally protected by the respective protection wall 20, wherein the second protection element 18 for configuring one of the access regions Z likewise has a front relief-free region and is therefore shortened with respect to the first protection element 16 along the longitudinal axis L F of the gap 10 and is offset in the direction towards the output proximal end 5 of the main body 2. Furthermore, the protection elements 16, 18 have respective gaps in the manner of windows 21 in order to provide further access regions Z corresponding to the respective opposite covered regions V. Furthermore, Figure 5 and Figure 6 indicated, the latching device 8 is also protected due to the protection bracket 23 being arranged above the protection wall 20. As Figure 5 and Figure 6 indicated, the plug connector housing 1 is able to provide particularly advantageous protection for the latching device 8 and at the same time is able to be produced in a cost-effective manner by means of an injection molding method in the case of mass production.

[0171] For emphasis, within the context of the overall concept of the present invention, an alternative plug connector housing 1 having only one or more protective supports 23 can also be provided. Figure 7 Such an alternative plug connector housing 1 is illustrated by way of example. It should be emphasized here that other features and advantages of the corresponding plug connector housing 1 shown in the exemplary embodiments and figures can also be applied in principle to the alternative plug connector housing 1, and vice versa.

[0172] Figure 7 The plug connector housing 1 shown also has a body 2 made of plastic material and a locking device 8 for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of the mating plug connector, which can be configured as described above. An alternative plug connector housing 1 also has a protective bracket 23, which can also be configured as described above. The protective bracket 23 may specifically have a first leg 24 and a second leg 25, wherein at least one of the legs 24 and 25 (but preferably both as described in the exemplary embodiments above) extends integrally from the body 2, and wherein the latching device 8 is disposed between the legs 24 and 25 and bridged by the protective bracket 23 to mechanically protect the latching device 8. For example, Figure 7 The second leg 25 is not connected to the main body 2.

[0173] At least one integrally connected to the main body 2, the support leg 24 is configured to be transverse to the longitudinal axis L F A gap 10 is covered in at least one covered area V in the lateral direction Q, the gap 10 being configured between the latching device 8 and the body 2. Furthermore, at least one of the legs 24 and 25 is configured with at least one access area Z (in... Figure 7 In an exemplary embodiment, the second leg 25 is used, through which the gap 10 is accessible in the lateral direction Q. This ensures that one of the access areas Z of the second leg 25 is positioned relative to the coverage area V of the first leg 24 in the lateral direction Q. For this purpose, the second leg 25 is sufficiently spaced from the body 2, for example, such that the gap 10 is accessible in the lateral direction.

[0174] It is worth mentioning in this regard that Figure 7 The outriggers 24 and 25 are configured along the longitudinal axis L of the gap 10. F They are offset axially from each other. However, such axial offset is not absolutely necessary, especially when one of the legs 24 and 25 is spaced apart from the main body 2 in any way, such as Figure 7the case in the situation shown in F are arranged in the same axial position.

[0175] In particular, a plurality of protective brackets 23 can also be provided, which are attached on one side and axially offset along the longitudinal axis L F offset, and wherein the first leg 24 and the second leg 25 are connected to the body 2 F alternately.

[0176] In Figure 8 and Figure 9 an injection molding device 27 for producing a plug connector housing 1 is shown by way of example. By way of example, the plug connector housing 1 is Figure 5 and 6 an exemplary embodiment of the plug connector housing 1.

[0177] The injection molding device 27 has a multi-component injection molding tool 28, which in its assembled state (cf. Figure 8 ) is configured as a recess mold for the plug connector housing 1, so that, for example, the plug connector housing 1 shown in Figure 5 and 6 or the alternative plug connector housing 1 shown in Figure 7 is obtained after curing of the injected liquid plastic material. In Figure 9 the multi-component injection molding tool 28 is shown in the open state and thus the plug connector housing 1 has been demolded.

[0178] It should be noted in this connection that the interspace 7 configured in the body 2 for a further plug connector component can in principle be produced in any manner, for example by a further casting mold (not shown in Figure 8 and 9 ) or by post-processing, for example by incorporating a bore in the body 2.

[0179] In principle, the first casting mold 29 of the injection molding tool 28 for demolding the plug connector housing 1 can be moved relative to the plug connector housing 1 along the longitudinal axis L of the body 2 or along the longitudinal axis L of the interspace 10, respectively, F in order to demold the axial region between the latching device 8 and the protective element 16, 18. This demolding can preferably be limited to the axial region in the rear end portion 6 of the body 2 along the longitudinal axis L of the body 2 between the latching device 8 and the protective element 16, 18, since a further undercut can be configured in the region of the interface or in the front end portion 4 of the plug connector housing 1 by the latching hooks 12 and optionally present mechanical coding means (not shown), which needs to be demolded from the side 15, 17.

[0180] Furthermore, the injection molding tool has a second casting mold 30 and a third casting mold 31 for demolding the plug connector housing 1, which second casting mold 30 and third casting mold 31 in each case are movable in the transverse direction Q relative to the plug connector housing 1 and are arranged opposite one another. The second casting mold 30 and the third casting mold 31 starting from the respective side face 15, 17 enable the portions of the gap 10 between the latching device 8 and the main body 2 that in each case are not covered by the protective element 16, 18 to be demolded by passing through the respective access region Z. The second casting mold 30 and the third casting mold 31, and in particular preferably also the first casting mold 29, are preferably moved in a temporally synchronized manner.

[0181] The second casting mold 30 and the third casting mold 31 can have a demolding region 32 for the gap 10 below the latching device 8, which demolding regions 32 in the connected state of the injection molding tool 28 engage into one another.

[0182] It is mentioned in this connection that the illustrated injection molding device 27 can of course also have even further conventional components, for example a device for injecting the liquid plastic material, and a device, a tool slide and an actuator device for ejecting the plug connector housing 1. Since the injection molding device 27 is in principle known, these components are not illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9 for reasons of simplification.

Claims

1. Plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector, having: a main body (2) made of a plastic material; characterized in that each of the protective elements (16, 18) is further configured with at least one access region (Z) through which the interspace (10) is accessible in the transverse direction (Q), wherein each of the covered regions (V) faces a respective access region (Z) of a respective other protective element (16, 18) in the transverse direction. At least one covered region (V) of one of the protective elements (16, 18) covers the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10). a latching device (8) for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, wherein The latching device (8) has a first connection portion (9) by which the latching device (8) is integrally connected to the main body (2), wherein a gap (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (L F ) on the main body (2) is formed at least partially between the latching device (8) and the main body (2); a first protective element (16) and a second protective element (18), which extend integrally from the main body (2) in each case, such that the latching device (8) is arranged between the protective elements (16, 18), wherein each of the protective elements (16, 18) in at least one covered region (V) covers the gap (10) in a transverse direction (Q) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis (L F ) between the latching device (8) and the main body (2) The protective elements (16, 18) do not cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) in a front axial end portion (4) starting from a plug-near end (3).

2. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The latching device (8) has a resilient spring arm (11) which extends along the longitudinal axis (L F ) and a latching element (12) is arranged on the spring arm (11), wherein the gap (10) is at least located between the latching element (12) and the main body (2) in order to enable the latching element (12) to be deflected in a direction towards the main body (2) starting from a ground state of the spring arm (11), and wherein the spring arm (11) is integrally connected to the main body (2) on a first end by the first connection (9) and furthermore on a second end facing away from the first end by a second connection (14), wherein the gap (10) extends along the longitudinal axis (L F ) across the entire length between the two connections (9, 14).

3. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that At least one of the elevations is configured as a protective wall (20) or a protective web (22).

4. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one of the gaps is configured as a window (21), a recess or a slot.

5. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that Said protective elements (16, 18) have corresponding raised portions (20, 22) for configuring corresponding covered areas (V) extending along said longitudinal axis (L F ); and have non-raised areas for configuring corresponding access areas (Z) extending along said longitudinal axis (L F ).

6. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The protective elements (16, 18) have corresponding elevations (20, 22) for configuring corresponding covered areas (V) extending along the longitudinal axis (L F ) wherein at least one of the elevations (20, 22) has at least one gap (21) so as to configure one of the access areas (Z).

7. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that A protective bracket (23) having a first leg (24) and a second leg (25), wherein the first leg (24) is integrally connected to the first protective element (16) and the second leg (25) is integrally connected to the second protective element (18), and wherein the protective bracket (23) extends from the first protective element (16) to the second protective element (18) and bridges the latching device (8) in order to mechanically protect the latching device (8).

8. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The latching element (12) is a latching hook.

9. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that All covered regions (V) of each of the protective elements (16, 18) cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10).

10. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The legs (24, 25) of the protective bracket (23) are positioned mutually offset along the longitudinal axis (L F ) wherein the protective bracket (23) between the two legs (24, 25) follows a curved profile.

11. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that 13. Plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector, having: a main body (2) made of a plastic material; characterized in that each of the protective elements (16, 18) is further configured with at least one access region (Z) through which the interspace (10) is accessible in the transverse direction (Q), wherein each of the covered regions (V) faces a respective access region (Z) of a respective other protective element (16, 18) in the transverse direction.

12. The plug connector housing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one covered region (V) of one of the protective elements (16, 18) covers the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10). The protective elements (16, 18) do not cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) in a front axial end portion (4) starting from a plug-near end (3). At least one of the elevations is configured as a protective wall (20) or a protective web (22). a latching device (8) for mechanically connecting to a corresponding mating latching device of a mating plug connector, wherein The latching device (8) has a first connection portion (9) by which the latching device (8) is integrally connected to the main body (2), wherein a gap (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (L F ) on the main body (2) is formed at least partially between the latching device (8) and the main body (2); and A protective bracket (23) having a first leg (24) and a second leg (25), wherein at least one of the legs (24, 25) extends integrally so as to extend from the main body (2), and wherein the latching device (8) is arranged between the legs (24, 25) and is bridged by the protective bracket (23) so as to mechanically protect the latching device (8), and wherein the leg (24, 25) integrally connected to the main body (2) at least in at least one covered region (V) covers the gap (10) in a transverse direction (Q) transverse to the longitudinal axis (L F ) configured between the latching device (8) and the main body (2), characterized in that the legs (24, 25) are arranged axially offset from one another along a longitudinal axis (L F ) of the gap (10) such that the gap (10) starting from one of the legs (24, 25) is accessible in the transverse direction (Q) covered by the other of the legs (24, 25) in the transverse direction (Q). At least one of the gaps is configured as a window (21), a recess or a slot. A protective bracket (23) having a first leg (24) and a second leg (25), wherein the first leg (24) is integrally connected to the first protective element (16) and the second leg (25) is integrally connected to the second protective element (18), and wherein the protective bracket (23) extends from the first protective element (16) to the second protective element (18) and bridges the latching device (8) in order to mechanically protect the latching device (8). moving a first casting mold (29) of the injection molding tool (28) relative to the plug connector (1) along the longitudinal axis (L F ) in order to release an axial region between the latching device (8) and the protection element (16, 18); The latching element (12) is a latching hook. All covered regions (V) of each of the protective elements (16, 18) cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10).

13. Plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector, having: a main body (2) made of a plastic material; characterized in that each of the protective elements (16, 18) is further configured with at least one access region (Z) through which the interspace (10) is accessible in the transverse direction (Q), wherein each of the covered regions (V) faces a respective access region (Z) of a respective other protective element (16, 18) in the transverse direction. At least one covered region (V) of one of the protective elements (16, 18) covers the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10). The protective elements (16, 18) do not cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) in a front axial end portion (4) starting from a plug-near end (3). At least one of the elevations is configured as a protective wall (20) or a protective web (22). At least one of the gaps is configured as a window (21), a recess or a slot. A protective bracket (23) having a first leg (24) and a second leg (25), wherein the first leg (24) is integrally connected to the first protective element (16) and the second leg (25) is integrally connected to the second protective element (18), and wherein the protective bracket (23) extends from the first protective element (16) to the second protective element (18) and bridges the latching device (8) in order to mechanically protect the latching device (8). The latching element (12) is a latching hook. All covered regions (V) of each of the protective elements (16, 18) cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10).

13. Plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector, having: a main body (2) made of a plastic material; characterized in that each of the protective elements (16, 18) is further configured with at least one access region (Z) through which the interspace (10) is accessible in the transverse direction (Q), wherein each of the covered regions (V) faces a respective access region (Z) of a respective other protective element (16, 18) in the transverse direction. At least one covered region (V) of one of the protective elements (16, 18) covers the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10). The protective elements (16, 18) do not cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) in a front axial end portion (4) starting from a plug-near end (3). At least one of the elevations is configured as a protective wall (20) or a protective web (22). At least one of the gaps is configured as a window (21), a recess or a slot. A protective bracket (23) having a first leg (24) and a second leg (25), wherein the first leg (24) is integrally connected to the first protective element (16) and the second leg (25) is integrally connected to the second protective element (18), and wherein the protective bracket (23) extends from the first protective element (16) to the second protective element (18) and bridges the latching device (8) in order to mechanically protect the latching device (8). The latching element (12) is a latching hook. All covered regions (V) of each of the protective elements (16, 18) cover the latching device (8) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in some regions in addition to the interspace (10).

15. The injection molding method according to claim 14, characterized in that Said first casting mould (29) is exclusively used for the production of the rear axial end portion (6) along said longitudinal axis (L F ) demoulding the axial area between said latching device (8) and said protection element (16, 18).

16. The injection molding method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that Said second casting mould (30) and said third casting mould (31) are moved in a time-synchronous manner so as to simultaneously demould said void (10) through said access zones (Z) passing through all the protective elements (16, 18).

17. An injection molding device (27) for producing a plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector, the injection molding device (27) having a multi-component injection molding tool (28) which, in its assembled state, configures a cavity mold of a plug connector housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein The first casting mold (29) of the injection molding tool (28) for demolding the plug connector housing (1) is movable with respect to the plug connector housing (1) along the longitudinal axis (L F ) in order to demold the axial region between the latching device (8) and the protection element (16, 18), and wherein the second casting mold (30) and the third casting mold (31) of the injection molding tool (28) for demolding the plug connector housing (1) are in each case movable with respect to the plug connector housing (1) along the transverse direction (Q) and are arranged opposite one another in order to demold the interspace (10) between the latching device (8) and the main body (2) by passing through the access region (Z).

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