Plug connection

Abstract

Plug connection with a first connector (10) having a first locking element, with a second connector (12) having a second locking element, wherein the locking elements are designed such that the first locking element is elastically deformed at least partially temporarily radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis (28) of the first connector (10) when the connectors are plugged together until they reach an end position, and forms a locking connection as a result of the elastic restoring effect when the end position is reached, and with a locking element (38) which is movable relative to the first connector (10) between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the locking element (38) from the first position to the second position is blocked by the temporarily deformed first locking connection element and is possible when the locking connection is formed, where the locking element (38) has an indicator section (46) which is invisibly covered by another component of the connector when the locking element (38) is in the second position, wherein the first locking connection element comprises an annular locking connection section (22) which has a locking projection (30) on at least one circumferential section of its inner side, wherein the locking connection section (22) is arranged in the longitudinal section having the locking projection (30) or locking projections (30) spaced completely apart from a plugging section (18) of the first connector (10), wherein the locking connection section (22) is connected to the plug section (18) by means of several connecting webs (36) extending along the plug longitudinal axis (28), wherein the locking element (38) is slidably guided on the connecting webs (36), wherein the safety element (38) comprises the indicator section (46) and wherein the indicator section (46) is arranged in the second position of the locking element (38) adjacent to the inside of the latching section (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connection and in particular a plug connection intended for connecting safety-relevant components of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In motor vehicles, numerous functional components are interconnected via plug connectors to enable interaction between them. Besides electrical components, these can also include hydraulic or pneumatic components, such as those used to connect a brake booster to a vacuum source.

[0003] Many of these functional components, or rather many of the functionalities that can be realized through the interaction of the functional components connected via the plug connectors, are highly safety-relevant, making permanently secure and fully mated plug connections of great importance. Therefore, plug connections whose connectors are positively locked together in the intended end position are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0004] Connecting and disconnecting connectors to create plug connections in motor vehicles often requires working in very confined spaces and sometimes even without visual contact. Consequently, consistently perceptible feedback indicating that the connection has been successfully made until the final position is reached and a positive-locking connection is established is of paramount importance. The perceptibility of such feedback is frequently hampered by the fact that plugging in connectors often occurs amidst high levels of ambient noise, whether during vehicle manufacturing in a factory or during maintenance in a workshop. Another requirement for many plug connections used in motor vehicles is that they must be designed to be non-destructively disconnected and reusable.

[0005] DE 695 14 018 T2 discloses a plug connection for hydraulic or pneumatic applications with a first tubular connector that can be plugged into a second tubular connector, wherein, in the intended end position, a locking connection is formed between a circumferential locking groove of the first connector and several circumferentially extending locking arms of the second connector. The locking arms are part of a locking sleeve that is rotatably mounted on a base body of the second connector, the locking arms being able to engage through through-holes in the base body into the locking groove of the first connector. By rotating the locking sleeve relative to the base body, the locking arms can be disengaged from the locking groove, and the plug connection can thus be reused and disconnected.The second connector also includes an indicator element, which is in a color contrasting with the colors of the other components of the connector and protrudes slightly from the end face of the second connector's body before the connectors are mated. The indicator element is pushed into the body by contact with the first connector, so that it is no longer visible once the connectors have been mated to their intended final position. This provides a visual indication that the connectors are fully mated.

[0006] A connector comparable to the connector according to DE 695 14 018 T2 is also known from US 4 948 176 A.

[0007] US 4,913,467 A discloses a connector with a first connector having a first locking element and with a second connector having a second locking element, wherein the locking elements are designed such that, when the connectors are plugged together, the first locking element is at least partially temporarily elastically deformed radially outwards with respect to the plugging longitudinal axis of the first connector 2 and forms a locking connection when the end position is reached as a result of the elastic restoring effect.Furthermore, a locking element is provided which is movable relative to the first connector between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the locking element from the first position to the second position is blocked by the temporarily deformed first locking element and is possible when the locking connection is formed.

[0008] US 5 507 733 A discloses a connector with a first connector having a first locking element, with a second connector having a second locking element, and with a locking element that is movable relative to the first connector between a first position and a second position.

[0009] The invention was based on the objective of developing a structurally simple and therefore cost-effective connector that provides advantageous feedback regarding the formation of a locking connection when a predetermined end position is reached for the connectors to be mated. This feedback should be haptic and preferably also visual. Furthermore, the connector to be developed should preferably be reusable multiple times.

[0010] This problem is solved by means of a plug connection according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the plug connection according to the invention are the subject of further claims and / or will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

[0011] According to the invention, a plug connection is provided which comprises a first connector having a first locking element and a second connector having a second locking element, wherein the locking elements are designed such that the first locking element is at least partially temporarily elastically deformed radially outwards with respect to a plugging longitudinal axis when the connectors are plugged together until they reach an end position and, upon reaching the end position, forms a locking connection caused by the interaction of the locking elements due to the elastic restoring effect.Furthermore, a locking element is provided which is movable relative to the first connector between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the locking element from the first to the second position is blocked by the temporarily deformed first locking element and is possible when the locking connection is formed.

[0012] The locking element can therefore only be moved into its second position if the connectors have been inserted far enough to form a locking connection. If, on the other hand, the connectors have only been inserted to the point where they are close to reaching their intended final position, the locking element cannot be moved into its second position. This provides haptic feedback indicating that the locking connection has not yet formed and, consequently, a permanently secure connection between the connectors has not been established.

[0013] The term "mating axis" refers to the longitudinal axis of both the first and second connectors along which the aligned connectors must be moved to be mated or unmated. The mating axes of the two connectors can, in particular, be coaxially aligned.

[0014] A "locking connection" is understood to be a positive-locking interaction of at least two "locking connection elements" that is effective in at least one direction. This interaction occurs automatically upon appropriate positioning of the locking connection elements as a result of an elastic load on at least one of the locking connection elements. It may be designed so that the positive-locking interaction, and thus the locking connection, can only be released without active, and in particular manual, intervention of at least one of the locking elements by means of a non-functionally intended deformation and, in particular, by the destruction of one of the locking elements. Alternatively, it is also possible to design the positive-locking locking connection such that, upon exceeding a limiting release force, the locking connection is released in a defined manner, without requiring direct active, and in particular manual, intervention of at least one of the locking connection elements.For example, it can be provided that a locking projection is elastically acted upon in a locking recess to form a locking connection, the depth of which decreases continuously in at least one release direction, so that through a relative movement of the locking connection elements the locking projection is completely moved out of the locking recess under increasing elastic prestress when the force causing the relative movement exceeds a limiting release force.

[0015] Preferably, the locking element can be configured so that in the first position it allows the deformation of the first locking element necessary for forming the latching connection, while preventing such deformation in the second position. This ensures that the connectors are blocked from being plugged together well before the latching connection is formed, and in particular before any noticeable elastic deformation of the first locking element begins, when the locking element is in the second position, which is not intended for plugging.

[0016] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the locking element in the second position prevents deformation of the first locking element that would lead to the locking connection loosening. Unintentional loosening of a fully formed plug connection can thus be avoided because this requires actively moving the locking element from the second position to the first position.

[0017] Preferably, the locking element can be secured in both the first and second positions. This allows the connectors to be plugged together until they reach their intended final position without requiring any handling or movement of the locking element. However, this design may also necessitate that the locking element be actively moved into its second position after the connectors have reached their intended final position and the locking connection has been formed. Such an active movement of the locking element into its second position after the connectors have been plugged together can be a mandatory step in manual connection assembly, as it can only be performed once the connectors have been fully plugged in.

[0018] To secure the locking element in the first position and / or the second position, a detent connection can be provided, in particular (in each case), which engages the locking element with, in particular, the element of the plug connection that guides its relative movement. Consequently, only an actuating force exceeding a limit value needs to be applied to move the locking element between the first and second positions (i.e., from the first position to the second position and / or from the second position to the first position). However, it is also possible, in principle, to secure the locking element in the first and / or second position in another way, for example, purely by friction or by a form-fit connection that would require actively releasing a locking element.

[0019] It is also possible that the locking element is only secured in the second position. For this purpose, a spring-loaded action of the locking element against a stop that limits the second position can be provided.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the locking element can be displaced between the first and second positions along the longitudinal axis of the connector (at least of the first connector). This allows for a structurally simple design of the connector. Furthermore, it enables relatively easy handling of the connector when plugging and unplugging the connectors.

[0021] The first connector and / or the second connector and / or the locking element of a connector according to the invention has an indicator section which, at least when the connectors have been fully mated, is invisibly concealed by another component of the connector when the locking element is in the second position. "Invisible" is understood to mean that the indicator section is not (to a relevant extent) detectable by visual inspection of the connector from the outside. In such a connector, the fact that the indicator section is no longer visible visually signals that the connector has been handled as intended, and in particular that the connectors have been fully mated and the locking connection has been formed.

[0022] Such a visual signaling effect can be further improved if, as is preferably provided, the indicator section has a color and / or structure that contrasts at least with the other colors and / or structures in which the sections of the connector components are visible in their end position and in the second position of the locking element; that is, the color and / or structure of the indicator section stands out clearly from the other colors and / or structures. In particular, it may be provided that the indicator section has a bright color, for example, light green, yellow, orange, or light to medium red. A red color may be particularly preferred because of the generally associated warning effect.The indicator section may also be luminescent or highly reflective to improve visibility, especially in relatively dark environments.

[0023] The first locking connection element of a connector according to the invention further comprises an annular locking connection section which has a locking projection on at least one circumferential section of its inner surface. It is preferably provided that the annular locking connection section has a locking projection on two circumferential sections opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first connector, whereby a sufficiently stable locking connection can be formed with relatively simple means, which can also withstand a bending load exerted on the mated connectors.

[0024] Furthermore, it is provided that the annular locking connection section is arranged radially spaced around its entire circumference relative to a mating section of the first connector in the longitudinal section (i.e., a section extending along the mating axis) that has the locking projection(s). This makes it possible, in particular, to release the locking connection by applying a pressure force to the locking connection section, especially in two sections opposite each other with respect to the mating axis, by deforming the annular locking connection section radially inwards in these sections, which simultaneously leads to a radial deformation outwards of the circumferential section(s) having a locking projection. This allows, in particular, for the simple manual release of the locking connection and thus of the connectors from one another.

[0025] Furthermore, it is provided that the annular locking section is connected to the plug section by means of several connecting webs extending along the longitudinal axis of the first connector, with the locking element being slidably guided on the webs. This allows for a connector design that is advantageous both structurally and functionally. In particular, it also enables the locking element to encompass the indicator section, with the indicator section being arranged adjacent to the inside of the annular locking section in the second position of the locking element. This means that the indicator section of the locking element is concealed by the locking section in its second position, thus enabling the signaling effect provided by the locking element to be easily achieved.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of a plug connection according to the invention, it can also be provided that the indicator section in the second position of the locking element is arranged at such a small distance adjacent to the inside of the annular locking connection section that a deformation of the locking connection section causing the locking connection to release, namely in particular a radial compression of the annular locking connection section in the corresponding circumferential sections in the direction of the plug longitudinal axis, is blocked.

[0027] A connector according to the invention that is relatively simple in terms of construction and simultaneously advantageous in terms of function can be characterized in that the second connector has a tubular plug section which has the locking element on its outer surface. The tubular plug section of the second connector preferably has an annular cross-sectional area. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the locking element of the second connector is formed circumferentially, and in particular completely circumferentially, on the outer surface of its plug section.

[0028] Such a connector, in which the annular locking section of the first connector is arranged at least in the longitudinal section having the locking projection or projections fully spaced away from a plug section of the first connector, can in a particularly preferred embodiment be further developed in such a way that the plug section of the first connector and / or the plug section of the second connector includes a sealing element for sealing the gap formed between these plug sections in the end position of the connector, thereby achieving a good seal of the connector in a relatively simple manner.

[0029] A particularly preferred embodiment of such a connector can then be further characterized in that the sealing element (if several sealing elements are provided, preferably all of these sealing elements) is (are) arranged such that the locking connection element of the second connector, which is designed in the form of a locking projection, is already arranged within the locking connection section of the first connector when the connectors are plugged together, as soon as the sealing element is deformed to seal the gap between the plug sections.This ensures that a sufficient seal of the connector is only achieved when the connectors are either fully plugged in, as is generally intended, or when the locking element, which is then no longer possible according to the invention, signals that the connectors are not yet fully plugged in, despite potentially already being adequately sealed, and therefore the locking connection between them is not yet formed. In this way, it can be avoided, in particular, that a successful pressure test (of a connector intended for conveying a fluid) could lead to the erroneous conclusion that the connector is fully connected.

[0030] A connector according to the invention can be used in particular for connecting components that are integrated into a fluid-conducting system, especially a fluid-conducting system of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, it can be provided that the connectors each form a fluid channel which, in the end position of the connector, is in a sealed, fluid-conducting connection.

[0031] A connector according to the invention can further serve to connect electrical components, for example, to connect a sensor to a control and / or evaluation unit, in particular electrical components of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, it can be provided that the connectors each have at least one electrical conductor, wherein the conductors of the connectors make current- and / or signal-conducting contact in the end position of the connector.

[0032] The indefinite articles (“a”, “an”, “one”, and “ones”), particularly in the patent claims and in the description generally explaining the patent claims, are to be understood as such and not as numerals. Accordingly, components specified by these articles are to be understood as existing at least once and potentially existing multiple times.

[0033] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: a first connector of a plug connection according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 2: a longitudinal section through a section of the first connector according to the Fig. 1 and by a part of a matching second connector in a position of the connectors separated from each other and Fig. 3: the connectors according to the Fig. 2 in a fully assembled position.

[0034] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a first connector 10 and a second connector 12 of a plug connection according to the invention.

[0035] The first connector 10 is according to the Fig. 1 designed as an angled connector. This comprises a base body 14 which, at one end, the plug end, is designed for mating with the second connector 12 (see below). Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) is provided and forms a fluid channel 48 on its inner side. At the other end, the base body 14 forms a push-fit section 16 onto which a hose (not shown) can be pushed under elastic deformation and held in place. To fix the hose to the push-fit section 16 of the first connector 10, the connector 10 forms a plurality of circumferential projections in the push-fit section 16. These projections are pressed into the inner surface of the hose as a result of its elastic radial expansion, thereby making it more difficult and thus preventing the hose from unintentionally detaching from the first connector 10. Optionally, the connection between the hose and the first connector 10 can be reinforced in a known manner, for example, by one or more hose clamps (not shown).

[0036] In the region of the plug end, the base body 14 of the first connector 10 forms a tubular plug section 18 with a substantially cylindrical outer shell. Two circumferential recesses are provided in this outer shell, each containing a sealing element 20 in the form of a conventional O-ring. The plug section 18 is surrounded in a portion directly adjacent to the plug end by an annular locking section 22, which is spaced completely, i.e., over its entire inner circumference, from the adjacent portion of the plug section 18. This forms an annular receiving opening 24 into which a tubular plug section 26 of the second connector can be inserted. The annular shape of the locking section 22 can be, for example, substantially circular, oval, or elliptical.

[0037] On two circumferential sections radially opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 28 of the first connector, the locking connection section 22 forms two locking projections 30 on its inner side. These projections are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 28 in a partial area adjacent to the connector end, resulting in a radial height of the locking projections 30 that increases from the connector end. The two locking projections 30 of the first connector 10 are designed to interact with a locking element of the second connector 12 in order to form a locking connection in a predetermined end position of the mated connectors 10 and 12.The locking element of the second connector 12 is designed in the form of a locking projection 32, which completely surrounds the outer surface of the tubular plug section 26 of the second connector 12, which forms a fluid channel 50 on the inside, and which, like the locking projections 30 of the first connector 10, is formed in a partial area located proximal to a plug end of the second connector 12 at an angle to the plug longitudinal axis 28 of the second connector 12 (which, in an orientation intended for plugging together, is approximately coaxial to the plug longitudinal axis 28 of the first connector 10).

[0038] When the connectors 10, 12 are plugged together, the annular locking section 22 of the first connector 10 is temporarily elastically deformed radially outwards with respect to the plugging longitudinal axes 28 in the circumferential sections encompassing these, due to contact of the locking projection 32 of the second connector 12 with the locking projections 30 of the first connector 10, until the two connectors 10, 12 reach the point where the locking projection 32 of the second connector 12 contacts the first connector 10. Fig. The connectors 10 and 12 are plugged together in the end position shown in Figure 3, in which the locking projections 30, 32 engage behind each other, thereby forming a locking connection that positively secures the connectors 10 and 12 against being pulled apart and thus against the connection becoming loose. The deformed sealing elements 20 arranged between the plug sections 18, 26 of the two connectors 10 and 12 then ensure sufficient sealing of the connection.

[0039] Such a complete connection between the two connectors 10, 12 can be released by compressing the annular locking section 22 in two circumferential sections. These sections are arranged rotationally offset by approximately 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis 28 of the first connector 10 relative to the circumferential sections encompassing the locking projections 30. This compression simultaneously causes the circumferential sections encompassing the locking projections 30 to expand radially. As a result, these projections can be disengaged from the locking projection 32 of the second connector 12. To visually and tactilely identify those circumferential sections of the locking section 22 that are to be compressed to release the connection, they have a textured surface 34 on their outer side.

[0040] The annular locking connection section 22 is connected to the base body 14 of the first connector 10 by means of two connecting webs 36, which extend along the longitudinal axis 28 of the connector and are arranged radially opposite to it. The connecting webs 36 extend from those circumferential sections in which the locking projections 30 of the locking connection section 22 are located. A locking element 38, comprising an annular base body 40, is slidably mounted (along the longitudinal axis 28) on the connecting webs 36, with two positions provided for the locking element 38 in which it is secured. A locking connection serves to secure the position in each of these positions.are formed by projections 42 on the outer sides of the connecting webs 36, the tips of which are spaced apart slightly larger than the inner distance of the base body 40 of the locking element 38 in the sections guided on the connecting webs 36. For displacement of the locking element 38, for example starting from the [missing information] in the [missing information]. Fig. 2 shown first position in the Fig. In the second position shown in Figure 3, an actuating force exceeding a limit value must therefore be exerted on the locking element 38 in order to push it over the projections 42 under an elastic deformation of the locking element 38 and / or the connecting webs 36, whereby after reaching one of the two positions, the desired detent connection, which secures against unintentional displacement into the other position, is formed as a result of the elastic return.

[0041] To enable the locking element 38 to be moved manually as easily as possible, it forms structured grip surfaces 44 on the outside in the sections guided on the connecting webs 36.

[0042] The locking element 38 has, in addition to the ring-shaped base body 40, two indicator sections 46 (see figure). Fig. 1) which are arranged in two circumferential sections, each offset by approximately 90° with respect to the sections of the base body 40 of the locking element 38 guided on the connecting webs 36. The indicator sections 46 are thus arranged in the area of ​​those circumferential sections of the latching connection section 22 where it would have to be compressed to release the fully connected connectors 10, 12 from each other.

[0043] The indicator sections 46 are arranged on the side of the base body 40 adjacent to the locking section 22. The outer surfaces of the indicator sections 46 are offset radially inwards relative to the outer surface of the base body 40 in the adjacent areas. This allows the indicator sections 46 to move radially behind the adjacent sections of the locking section 22 when the locking element 38 is moved from the first position to the second position. Simultaneously, the base body 40 acts as a stop and thus also secures the locking element 38 in the second position.As a result, the indicator sections 46, whose outer surfaces are colored in a signal color, for example red, are covered by the locking connection section 22 in the second position of the locking element 38 and consequently, unlike in the first position of the locking element 38, are no longer visible to a relevant extent.

[0044] Due to the elastic expansion of the locking connection section 22 in the areas encompassing the locking projections 30 when the connectors 10, 12 are only almost fully connected, which also leads to a radial expansion of the connecting webs 36 in the sections adjacent to the locking connection element 22, the locking element 38 cannot be moved from the first position to the second position in this state of the first connector 10. Consequently, the two connectors 10, 12 must be fully connected until the locking connection formed between them is established before it is possible to move the locking element 38 from the first position to the second position. Such a blockage of the locking element 38 is both perceptible by touch and visually detectable because the indicator sections remain at least partially visible.

[0045] In its second position, the locking element 38 prevents the fully connected connectors 10, 12 from unintentionally coming loose due to the arrangement of the indicator sections 46 on the inside of the adjacent areas of the locking section 22, wherein the distance between the outer sides of the indicator sections 46 and the inside of the locking section 22, if such a distance is provided at all, is dimensioned so small that the locking section 22 in the corresponding circumferential sections can no longer be compressed so far that the resulting elastic expansion of the locking section 22 in the circumferential sections encompassing the locking projections 30 would lead to a loosening of the locking connection formed by them.At the same time (alternatively, it would also be possible) the base body 40 of the locking element 38, due to its external contact with the connecting webs 36 in the second position, in which it is located closer to the annular locking connection section 22 compared to the first position, prevents the locking connection section 22 from expanding so far in the area of ​​the locking projections 30 that a release of the locking connection would be possible.

[0046] The dimensioning of the connectors 10, 12, in particular with regard to the integration of the first sealing element 20, which is closer to the plug end, into the first connector 10 and with regard to the arrangement of the locking projection 32 on the outer surface of the second connector 12, is chosen such that an effective seal due to a sufficiently deformed arrangement of this first sealing element 20 between the connectors 10, 12 is only achieved when a relevant radial expansion of the locking connection section 22 has already occurred in the circumferential sections encompassing its locking projections 30, so that a displacement of the locking element 38 from the first position to the second position is already blocked.On the other hand, if the connectors 10 and 12 are only partially inserted, such that the locking element 38 can still be pushed into the second position due to the incomplete radial expansion of the locking section 22, this leads to an insufficient seal of the connector, which can be determined by means of a corresponding pressure test. The haptic and optical feedback regarding the complete insertion of the connectors 10 and 12, provided by the connector design according to the invention, can therefore, in conjunction with such a pressure test, lead to a particularly high-quality connection test. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 first connector 12 second connector 14 Base body of the first connector 16 Attachment section 18 Plug section of the first connector 20 sealing elements 22 Rest connection section 24 Inlet opening 26 Plug section of the second connector 28 Longitudinal axis of the first and second connectors 30 Locking projection of the first connector 32 Locking projection of the second connector 34 Structuring of the rest connection section 36 Connecting bridge 38 locking element 40 Base body of the locking element 42 Projection of the connecting bridge 44 Grip surface of the locking element 46 Indicator section of the safety element 48 Fluid channel of the first connector 50 Fluid channel of the second connector

Claims

A connector with a first connector (10) having a first locking element, with a second connector (12) having a second locking element, wherein the locking elements are designed such that, when the connectors are plugged together, the first locking element is at least partially temporarily elastically deformed radially outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis (28) of the first connector (10) until it reaches an end position, and forms a locking connection upon reaching the end position due to the elastic restoring effect, and with a locking element (38) that is movable relative to the first connector (10) between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the locking element (38) from the first position to the second position is blocked by the temporarily deformed first locking element and is possible when the locking connection is formed.wherein the locking element (38) has an indicator section (46) which is invisibly covered by another component of the connector when the locking element (38) is in the second position, wherein the first locking element comprises an annular locking section (22) which has a locking projection (30) on at least one circumferential section of its inner side, wherein the locking section (22) is arranged in the longitudinal section having the locking projection (30) fully spaced apart from a plug section (18) of the first connector (10), wherein the locking section (22) is connected to the plug section (18) by means of several connecting webs (36) extending along the plug longitudinal axis (28), wherein the locking element (38) is slidably guided on the connecting webs (36),wherein the locking element (38) comprises the indicator section (46) and wherein the indicator section (46) is arranged in the second position of the locking element (38) adjacent to the inside of the latching section (22). Plug connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (38) is secured in the first position and in the second position. Plug connection according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking element (38) is secured in the first position and / or in the second position by means of a snap connection. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (38) is displaceable for movement between the first and the second position along the plug longitudinal axis (28). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indicator section (46) has a color and / or structure that contrasts with the other colors and / or structures in which the components of the connector are visible in their end position and in the second position of the locking element (38). Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking connection section (22) has a locking projection (30) on each of two circumferential sections opposite each other with respect to the plug longitudinal axis (28). Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indicator section (46) in the second position of the locking element (38) is arranged at such a small distance adjacent to the inside of the latching section (22) that a deformation of the latching section (22) causing the latching connection to loosen is blocked. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connector (12) has a tubular plug section (26) which has the associated locking connection element on its outer shell. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug section (18) of the first connector (10) and / or the plug section (26) of the second connector (12) has a sealing element (20) for sealing the gap formed between these plug sections (18, 26) in the end position of the connector. Connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing element (20) is arranged such that a locking projection (32) of the second connector (12) is already arranged within the locking connection section (22) of the first connector (10) when the connectors (10, 12) are plugged together, as soon as the sealing element (20) is deformed to seal the gap between the plug sections (18, 26). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connectors (10, 12) each form a fluid channel (48, 50) which are in sealed fluid-conducting connection in the end position of the connector.

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