Plug connector device

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector arrangement, comprising: a plug connector housing which can be connected to a mating plug connector on the plug side; a cable having an optical waveguide surrounded by a cable jacket; a fixing unit; the invention relates to a plug connector, in particular a plug connector, comprising a cable jacket having a cable end, a contact unit having a contact side, an optical waveguide protruding from the cable jacket at the cable end, the contact unit being arranged in a plug connector housing, the optical waveguide extending through the contact unit to the contact side and being connectable on the contact side to a mating plug connector in a signal-conducting manner, and a fastening unit surrounding the cable jacket at the cable end, the fastening unit is connected to the cable jacket in a material-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, and the fastening unit has a first latching element which is connected to a first mating latching element on the plug connector housing in order to fasten the cable to the plug connector housing, and a second latching element which is connected to a second mating latching element on the plug connector housing in order to fasten the cable to the plug connector housing, an elastic element is arranged between the contact unit and the fixing unit, wherein the elastic element is used for pre-biasing the contact unit towards the direction of the plug side against a joint surface of the plug connector shell. The plug connector device ensures a reliable signal connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a plug-in connector device for optical signal lines. Background Technology

[0002] In practical applications, optical signal lines (such as fiber optic cables) have been used for decades to transmit large amounts of signals and data. With the development of digitization and automation, and the resulting increase in data volume, optical signal lines are increasingly being used in fields that have long been dominated by electrical signal lines. This is primarily because the required transmission volumes are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve using electrical signal lines. However, as optical signal lines enter new application areas, the required characteristics of the signal lines and the connector systems that can be used to connect them are also changing. Therefore, there is a growing demand for economical connection systems for optical signal lines that are not only resistant to environmental influences but also to the mechanical stresses exerted on the connector assembly during or while it is in the mating state.

[0003] For cable-side plug connectors, it is especially important to ensure that a reliable optical signal connection is maintained between the plug connector and its mating plug connector even when tension is applied to the plug connector or cable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector device that can resist external mechanical stress and ensure reliable signal connection.

[0005] The objective of the invention is achieved by a plug connector device having the features of the independent claims, and other advantageous embodiments of the invention can be obtained from the dependent claims, the specification and the drawings.

[0006] The plug connector device according to the invention includes a plug connector housing, a cable, a fixing unit, and a contact unit. The plug connector housing has a plug side, on which it can connect with a mating plug connector. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, which is surrounded by a cable sheath. However, the cable may also have multiple optical waveguides. In this example, multiple optical waveguides are collectively covered by the cable sheath. The optical waveguides extend from the cable sheath at the cable ends. In other words, the optical waveguides are exposed. The contact unit has at least one contact side. The contact side is preferably arranged parallel to the plug side. The contact unit is arranged within the plug connector housing. The optical waveguides extend through the contact unit to the contact side. Preferably, the optical waveguides are partially covered by the contact unit. The optical waveguides can be connected to the mating plug connector on the contact side in a signal-conducting manner. Therefore, the optical waveguides are preferably accessible through the contact side. If the cable contains multiple optical waveguides, these optical waveguides can be collectively arranged on the contact side. Alternatively, the contact unit can have multiple contact sides, such that multiple optical waveguides extend to different contact sides respectively. Particularly preferred is that each optical waveguide of the cable is assigned a contact side. Furthermore, the contact sides can be arranged in the same plane. The optical waveguide can have a coating, which has one or more layers. For example, the optical waveguide can have a coating layer. Preferably, in the portion of the optical waveguide surrounded by the contact unit, the coating is partially or completely removed.

[0007] A retaining unit surrounds the cable sheath at the cable end. The retaining unit is connected to the cable sheath in a material- and / or shape-fitting manner. Preferably, the retaining unit is arranged within the connector housing. Furthermore, the retaining unit has at least one first locking element that connects to at least one first mating locking element at the connector housing. In this way, the cable is secured to the connector housing. At least one elastic element is provided between the contact unit and the retaining unit. The elastic element pre-biases the contact unit against the mating surface of the connector housing towards the mating side. Preferably, the elastic element operates parallel to the mating axis.

[0008] The plug connector device according to the invention enables a secure and reliable connection between an optical waveguide and a mating plug connector, which is mating compatible with the plug connector device according to the invention. Since the fixing unit is connected to the cable sheath and the plug connector, the tensile force acting on the cable sheath can be transmitted through the plug connector housing. The pre-biasing of the contact unit against the mating surface by the elastic element ensures that the optical waveguide, along with the contact unit, remains in a defined position. Furthermore, after the plug connector device is connected to the mating plug connector, the elastic element presses the contact unit and the optical waveguide against the mating plug connector. Therefore, even when the plug connector device is subjected to large loads, such as vibration or shock, reliable signal transmission and optical connection are ensured.

[0009] The fixing unit can be designed as a jet-molded component. The cable sheath can be connected to and / or embedded in the plastic substrate of the fixing unit. The plastic substrate can achieve material bonding with the cable sheath. Alternatively, a form-fit connection can be formed between the cable sheath and the fixing unit by at least partially embedding the cable sheath into the plastic substrate. For example, a form-fit connection can be formed by arranging the plastic substrate in the undercut or groove of the cable sheath.

[0010] The cable may have reinforcing fibers embedded in the plastic matrix of the fixing unit. The reinforcing fibers may be, for example, aramid or polyester fibers. The reinforcing fibers preferably extend along the cable and may surround the optical waveguide. The reinforcing fibers may be made into a fabric or braid, for example. The reinforcing fibers are preferably surrounded by the cable sheath. However, in order to be embedded in the plastic matrix, it is preferable that the reinforcing fibers are exposed at the cable ends.

[0011] The contact unit may have a second locking element, which can be connected to a second mating locking element at the connector housing. The second locking element can be integrally formed with the contact unit. Therefore, the contact unit can be easily installed in the connector housing and held in a designated position. Simultaneously, the contact unit is mechanically decoupled from the fixing unit to a maximum extent, as the contact unit is connected to the fixing unit only through an elastic element.

[0012] The elastic element can be constructed as a single unit with the contact unit. In this case, the elastic effect of the elastic element is preferably achieved through the elastic properties of the material constituting the contact unit or the first elastic element. For example, the contact unit can be made of thermoplastic. Therefore, the elastic force of the elastic element depends mainly on the elastic properties of the selected thermoplastic, in addition to being determined by its molding process.

[0013] The contact unit may include a collar housing. The collar housing may consist of two housing components, particularly those detachably connectable to each other. The housing components may be connected to each other, for example, by simple snap-fit ​​or plug-in connections. Furthermore, the contact unit may have at least one contact collar with a contact side. An optical waveguide may extend through the contact collar to the contact side. Preferably, the contact collar is supported within the collar housing. The optical waveguide may be surrounded by the contact collar, wherein, preferably, the coating of the optical waveguide is partially or completely removed in the area surrounded by the contact collar. The optical waveguide may be connected in a way that mates with the contact collar material. More preferably, the contact collar extends from the collar housing in the direction of the plug-in side parallel to the plug-in side. Particularly preferably, the contact side is arranged outside the collar housing. If the cable has multiple optical waveguides, each optical waveguide may be equipped with one contact collar. If the contact unit has multiple contact collars, these contact collars may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0014] The optical waveguide can move relative to the cable sheath along its longitudinal direction. In other words, the optical waveguide can be supported relative to the cable sheath in a floating manner. In this context, the longitudinal direction can be understood as the longest extension direction of the optical waveguide. Due to the floating support of the optical waveguide relative to the cable sheath, the tensile force acting on the cable sheath is not transmitted to the optical waveguide.

[0015] The cable may have a support sleeve at its end, which can be positioned between the optical waveguide and the cable sheath. The support sleeve can be inserted into the cable sheath at the cable end, wherein the support sleeve surrounds the optical waveguide. The support sleeve is preferably made of metal. The support sleeve can be segmentally surrounded by a fixing unit. Particularly preferred is that the support sleeve is fixed to the cable end by the fixing unit. The support sleeve, for example, ensures that the optical waveguide is not damaged when the fixing unit is connected to the cable sheath. If the fixing unit is made of injection-molded components, the support sleeve also ensures that the plastic substrate does not come into contact with the optical waveguide.

[0016] The support sleeve may have a flange, particularly a flared shape, at its end away from the cable sheath. The flange preferably extends away from the optical waveguide. This flange ensures that the optical waveguide is not damaged in the edge region of the support sleeve.

[0017] The support sleeve can extend into the receiving space of the contact unit through the access opening. A flange can be arranged within the receiving space. The access opening can have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange. Therefore, the contact unit can be clearly and precisely fixed to the fixing unit. This allows the contact unit to be mounted together with the fixing unit within the connector housing.

[0018] The flange can move within the receiving space along, and especially parallel to, the mating axis. If the contact unit is pre-biased against the mating surface, the flange or support sleeve is preferably movable away from the mating side. This movement can be achieved, for example, by designing the receiving space to allow the flange sufficient degrees of freedom of movement along the mating axis. Therefore, it is ensured that the contact unit is mechanically decoupled from the cable sheath and the fixing unit. In particular, it is possible to prevent the tensile force acting on the cable sheath from being transmitted to the contact unit through the support sleeve.

[0019] The plug connector device according to the invention may have a secondary locking element. The secondary locking element is movable between a pre-locked position and a terminated locking position. In the terminated locking position, the secondary locking element can connect the fixing unit to the plug connector housing. In this context, it is understood that the secondary locking element fixes the fixing unit to the plug connector housing in the terminated locking position. This fixation is independent of fixation achieved by the first locking element and the first mating locking element. Alternatively, as an alternative or supplement, the secondary locking element can lock the first mating locking element, thereby preventing the connection between the first locking element and the first mating locking element from being released. In the pre-locked position, the secondary locking element can release the fixing unit relative to the plug connector housing. Alternatively, as an alternative or supplement, in the pre-locked position, the secondary locking element can release the connection between the first locking element and the first mating locking element. Preferably, the secondary locking element is movable between the pre-locked position and the terminated locking position along a movement axis perpendicular to the plug axis.

[0020] The connector housing can have at least one connection channel between the mating side and the mating surface, and the contact side can be arranged in the connection channel. For this purpose, the contact unit can be arranged, for example, in a segmental manner within the connection channel. If the contact unit has a contact ring, the contact ring can also be arranged at least partially within the connection channel. The connection channel preferably extends parallel to the mating axis. Furthermore, it is preferable that the mating connector can be inserted into the connection channel via the mating side, and the optical waveguide can be connected to the mating connector on the contact side in a signal-conducting manner. This has the advantage of enabling the connector device according to the invention to be implemented as a female connector and thus facilitating the fixing of mating connectors designed as male connectors.

[0021] A guide tube can be provided within the connection channel, which segmentally surrounds the contact unit. If the contact unit has a contact ring, the contact ring can be at least partially arranged within the guide tube. The guide tube is preferably made of metal or ceramic. The guide tube allows for more precise positioning of the contact unit with the mating connector.

[0022] The guide tube engages the contact unit with its side facing the contact unit. Preferably, the guide tube has a length that corresponds at most to the sum of the length of the portion of the contact unit and the length of the portion of the mating connector, with these two portions arranged within the guide tube when the connector assembly is connected to the mating connector. Particularly preferred is that the length of the guide tube is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the contact unit portion and the mating connector portion, with these two portions arranged within the guide tube when the connector assembly is connected to the mating connector. By fitting the guide tube against the contact unit, the guide tube can serve as a reference for positioning the contact unit and the mating connector at a desired distance. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Furthermore, other advantages and features of the present invention can be appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described above and below can be implemented individually or in combination, provided that there is no contradiction between these features. The following description of preferred embodiments is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the plug-in connector device according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A perspective view of a cable end according to an embodiment of the plug-in connector device according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 A perspective view of the contact unit of the plug connector device according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug connector device according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug connector device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view shows one embodiment of the plug connector device 1 according to the present invention. The plug connector device 1 has a plug connector housing 2. The plug connector housing 2 is capable of being connected to a mating plug connector (not shown) on the plug side 3 in a signal conduction manner. The plug connector device 1 also has a cable 4. The cable 4 includes two optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2, which are surrounded by a cable sheath 6. The optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 have multilayer coatings 29.1; 29.2, which are partially removed. The cable 4 also has reinforcing fibers 16, which are aramid fibers. The reinforcing fibers 16 also surround the optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2. The optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 extend from the cable sheath 6 at the cable end 11. In this embodiment, the extension is achieved by removing the cable sheath 6. A support sleeve 21 is inserted into the cable sheath 6 at the cable end 11, and the optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 are guided through the support sleeve 21. The support sleeve 21 is also arranged between the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 and the reinforcing fiber 16.

[0030] The plug connector device 1 according to the invention has a fixing unit 7. The fixing unit 7 is formed of thermoplastic and surrounds the cable jacket 6 at the cable end 11. The fixing unit 7 is connected to the cable jacket 6 in a material-fitting and shape-fitting manner. In addition, reinforcing fibers 16 are embedded in the plastic matrix of the fixing unit 7. The fixing unit 7 also surrounds the support sleeve 21. Thus, the fixing unit 7 positions the support sleeve 21 relative to the cable jacket 6. The fixing unit 7 is arranged inside the plug connector housing 2. The fixing unit 7 has a first locking element 12.2, which is connected to a first mating locking element 13.2 of the plug connector housing. In this way, the fixing unit 7 is fixed at the plug connector housing 2. The support sleeve 21 and the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 extend through the fixing unit 7. The optical waveguides 5.1 are movably supported relative to the cable jacket 6 and relative to the support sleeve 21 in their longitudinal extension direction.

[0031] The plug connector device 1 according to the invention also has a contact unit 8. In this embodiment, the contact unit 8 has a collar housing 19, which is composed of two housing halves. The housing halves are detachably connected to each other. The collar housing 19 has two elastic elements 14.1; 14.2, which are integrally formed with the collar housing 19. The elastic elements 14.1; 14.2 extend along the direction of the fixing unit 7. The contact unit 8 also has two contact collars 9.1; 9.2. The contact collars 9.1; 9.2 are partially mounted within the collar housing 19. Optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 pass through the contact unit 8 and are guided to the contact collars 9.1; 9.2 respectively. In the region for removing the coating 29.1; 29.2, the optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 are surrounded by the contact collars 9.1; 9.2. Furthermore, the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 are inextricably connected to the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2. The contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 partially extend from the contact unit 8 and are respectively partially arranged within the guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2. The guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2 are respectively arranged within the connection channels 26.1 and 26.2 of the connector housing 2. Furthermore, the sides 28.1 and 28.2 of the guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2 face and engage with their respective contact rings 9.1 and 9.2. The connector assembly 1 has a secondary locking element 25, which is movable between a pre-locked position and a final locked position.

[0032] Figure 2A perspective view of one embodiment of the cable 4 in the cable end 11 region of the plug connector device 1 according to the present invention is shown. A retaining unit 7 surrounds the cable sheath 6 and is connected to it in a material- and shape-fitting manner. Furthermore, the retaining unit 7 partially surrounds a support sleeve 21. The support sleeve 21 is made of metal. To prevent damage to the optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 or coatings 29.1; 29.2 by the support sleeve 21, the support sleeve 21 has a flared flange 22 extending from the optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2.

[0033] Figure 3 A perspective view of one embodiment of the contact unit 8 of the plug connector device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The contact unit 8 has an access opening 23 through which an optical waveguide can be guided to the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2. Furthermore, a second locking element 17 is arranged at the ring housing 19. The ring housing 19 has two elastic elements 14.1 and 14.2 on the side where the access opening 23 is arranged. The two contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 form contact sides 30.1 and 30.2 at their ends located outside the ring housing 19.

[0034] Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug connector device 1 according to the present invention. The cutting plane is along the plug axis 20 and passes through the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2. Both the retaining unit 7 and the contact unit 8 are inserted into the plug connector housing 2 via their back surfaces (which are arranged opposite to the plug side 3). Elastic elements 14.1 and 14.2 engage the retaining unit 7 and pre-bias the contact unit 8 against the mating surface 15. In this embodiment, the mating surface 15 is arranged parallel to the plug side 3. Therefore, the contact unit 8 and the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 connected to the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 are held in a defined position. Guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2 are arranged within connection channels 26.1 and 26.2. Connection channels 26.1 and 26.2 extend from the mating surface 15 to the plug side 3. Contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 are partially disposed within the guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2, respectively. Therefore, the contact sides 30.1 and 30.2 of the two contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 are also arranged within their respective guide tubes 27.1 and 27.2. Optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 pass through the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2 and extend to the contact sides 30.1 and 30.2. The tensile force acting on the cable sheath 6 is transmitted to the connector housing 2 via the fastening unit 7 connected to the first locking element 12.1 and 12.2 and the first mating locking element 13.1 and 13.2. Since the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 are movably supported relative to the support sleeve 21 and the cable sheath 6 along its longitudinal extension direction 10, the risk of tensile force being transmitted from the cable sheath 6 to the optical waveguides 5.1 and 5.2 is particularly low.

[0035] The contact unit 8 has a receiving space 24 in which the flange 22 of the support sleeve 21 is arranged. The support sleeve 21 is guided through the access opening 23. The inner diameter of the access opening 23 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 22. The receiving space 24 is designed such that the flange 22 can move along the insertion axis 20 and away from the insertion side 3 without colliding with the wall of the contact unit 8. Therefore, even when the pulling force on the cable sheath 6 is large enough to remove the support sleeve 21 and its flange 22 from the insertion side 3, the contact unit 8 and the fixing element 7 remain mechanically decoupled. Thus, mechanical coupling between the contact unit 8 and the fixing element 7 only occurs when the flange 22 reaches the access opening 23.

[0036] Figure 5 It shows that according to Figure 1 This is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug connector device 1 according to the present invention. The cutting plane extends parallel to the plug axis 20 and perpendicular to the plane defined by the contact rings 9.1 and 9.2. The ring housing 19 has a second locking element 17. The plug connector housing 2 has a second mating locking element 18, which is connected to the second locking element 17. Therefore, the contact unit 8 is connected to the plug connector housing 2 independently of the fixing unit 7. The secondary locking element 25 is in the final locked position in this figure. In this embodiment, the secondary locking element 25 connects the fixing unit 7 to the plug connector housing 2 by preventing the fixing unit 7 from being removed from the plug side 3. Furthermore, the secondary locking element 25 also prevents the disengagement of the connection between the first locking element 12 and the first mating locking element 13.

[0037] Reference number list

[0038] 1. Connector assembly

[0039] 2. Connector housing

[0040] 3-plug side

[0041] 4 cables

[0042] 5 Optical waveguides

[0043] 6 Cable Jackets

[0044] 7 fixed units

[0045] 8 contact units

[0046] 9 contact rings

[0047] 10. Longitudinal extension direction (optical waveguide)

[0048] 11 cable terminals

[0049] 12 First locking element

[0050] 13 First mating locking element

[0051] 14 elastic elements

[0052] 15 mating surfaces

[0053] 16-reinforced fiber

[0054] 17 Second locking element

[0055] 18 Second mating locking element

[0056] 19 ring housing

[0057] 20mm plug-in axis

[0058] 21 Support Sleeve

[0059] 22 flanges

[0060] 23 Access Openings

[0061] 24-seat capacity

[0062] 25 secondary locking elements

[0063] 26 connection channels

[0064] 27 guide tube

[0065] 28. The side of the guide tube facing the contact unit.

[0066] 29 coatings

[0067] 30 Contact side.

Claims

1. A plug-in connector device (1), comprising: The connector housing (2) is capable of connecting to the mating connector on the plugging side (3). The cable (4) has at least one optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) surrounded by a cable jacket (6). Fixed unit (7), and Contact unit (8), the contact unit having at least one contact side (30.1; 30.2). in, The optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) extends from the cable sheath (6) at the cable end (11) of the cable (4). The contact unit (8) is arranged inside the plug connector housing (2). The optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) extends through the contact unit (8) to the contact side (30), and the optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) on the contact side can be connected to the mating connector in a signal conduction manner. The fixing unit (7) surrounds the cable jacket (6) at the cable end (11). The fixing unit (7) is connected to the cable jacket (6) in a material and / or shape-fitting manner. The fixing unit (7) has at least one first locking element (12.1; 12.2), which is connected to at least one first mating locking element (13.1; 13.2) at the plug connector housing (2), thereby fixing the cable (4) at the plug connector housing (2), and At least one elastic element (14.1; 14.2) is provided between the contact unit (8) and the fixing unit (7), the elastic element pre-biases the contact unit (8) against the mating surface (15) of the plug connector housing (2) in the direction of the plugging side (3).

2. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The fixing unit (7) is designed as a jet injection molded part, and the cable jacket (6) is connected to and / or embedded in the plastic matrix of the fixing unit (7).

3. The plug-in connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cable (4) has reinforcing fibers (16) embedded in the plastic matrix of the fixing unit (7).

4. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The contact unit (8) has a second locking element (17), which is connected to a second mating locking element (18) at the plug connector housing (2).

5. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The elastic element (14.1; 14.2) and the contact unit (8) are constructed as a single unit.

6. The plug-in connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The contact unit (8) has a collar housing (19) and at least one contact collar (9.1; 9.2), wherein the contact collar (9.1; 9.2) is disposed in the collar housing (19), and the contact side (30) is disposed on the contact collar (9.1; 9.2).

7. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) is movable relative to the cable jacket (6) along the longitudinal extension direction (10) of the optical waveguide.

8. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cable (4) has a support sleeve (21) at the cable end (11), the support sleeve being arranged between the optical waveguide (5.1; 5.2) and the cable jacket (6).

9. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The support sleeve (21) has a particularly flared flange (22) at the end opposite to the cable jacket (6).

10. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The support sleeve (21) extends into the receiving space (24) of the contact unit (8) through the access opening (23), the flange (22) is arranged in the receiving space (24), and the access opening (23) has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange (22).

11. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The flange (22) is movable within the receiving space (24) along the insertion axis (20).

12. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a secondary locking element (25) movable between a terminated locking position and a pre-locked position, wherein, The secondary locking element (25) fixes the fixing unit (7) to the plug connector housing (2) in the final locking position and / or prevents the connection between the first locking element and the first mating locking element from being released, and the secondary locking element (25) releases the fixing unit (7) relative to the plug connector housing (2) and / or opens the connection between the first locking element and the first mating locking element in the pre-locking position.

13. The plug connector device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The connector housing (2) has at least one connection channel (26.1; 26.2) between the plug-in side (3) and the mating surface (15), and the contact surface (30.1; 30.2) is arranged in the connection channel.

14. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, A guide tube (27.1; 27.2) is provided in the connection channel (26.1; 26.2), and the guide tube partially surrounds the contact unit (8).

15. The plug connector device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The guide tubes (27.1; 27.2) engage the contact unit (8) with their sides (28.1; 28.2) facing the contact unit (8).

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