Electrical connector assembly, mating electrical connector, locking element and set consisting of a connector, a mating connector and a locking element

Abstract

Electrical connector arrangement (1) with a connector (2) and a mating connector (3), each having corresponding electrical plug-in contact elements (4a, 4b), and with a locking element (5) arranged on the connector (2) for mechanically locking the connector (2) to the mating connector (3), wherein the locking element (5) is designed for a releasable attachment to the mating connector (3), characterized in that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a positive locking profile (7) and that the mating connector (3) has a guide receptacle (8) with a positive locking contour (9) for positively locking reception and guidance of the locking element (5) on the mating connector (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector, each having mutually associated electrical plug contact elements, and comprising a locking element arranged on the connector for mechanically locking the connector to the mating connector, wherein the locking element is designed for releasable attachment to the mating connector.

[0002] The invention further relates to an electrical mating connector and a locking element for such a connector assembly. The invention also relates to a set comprising a connector, a mating connector, and a locking element for such a connector assembly.

[0003] In general, the invention relates to the field of electrical connection technology. An electrical connector assembly serves to easily and quickly establish a detachable electrical connection between an electrical connector and a mating electrical connector. To establish the electrical connection, the connector and the mating connector each have mutually associated electrical plug contact elements.

[0004] To mechanically secure the connection between the connector and the mating connector, it is known to lock them together with a locking element. The locking element can, for example, be permanently attached to the connector or be a detachable, separate accessory element.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a connector assembly of the aforementioned type with an easy-to-use and reliably effective mechanical locking mechanism. In particular, the risk of unintentional release of the locking mechanism when tensile forces act on the locking element is to be reduced.

[0006] The object is achieved with a connector assembly according to claim 1, a mating connector according to claim 15, a locking element according to claim 16, and a set according to claim 17. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] According to the features of independent claim 1, a connector assembly is proposed comprising a connector and a mating connector, each having mutually associated electrical plug contact elements, and comprising a locking element arranged on the connector for mechanically locking the connector to the mating connector, wherein the locking element is configured for releasable attachment to the mating connector, wherein the locking element has a guide portion with a positive-locking profile, and wherein the mating connector has a guide receptacle with a positive-locking contour for positively receiving and guiding the locking element on the mating connector. In other words, a connector assembly is created in which the locking element can be inserted into a provided receptacle of the mating connector and can be held and guided therein in a positive-locking manner.

[0008] The proposed connector assembly increases the connection security (hereinafter also referred to as locking security) and the locking forces between the connector and the mating connector, and reliably secures the locking mechanism against accidental release under the influence of tensile forces. By supporting the locking element on the guide recess of the mating connector and providing a positive fit between the positive locking profile of the locking element and the positive locking contour of the mating connector, the locking element is stabilized and the fastening of the locking element to the mating connector is secured. The increased locking security makes it possible to reliably lock even small and compact connector assemblies.In addition, due to the increased locking security, a fastening structure of the locking element for attachment to the connector can be made smaller. Furthermore, due to the improved locking security, the locking element can be designed with greater elasticity or lower flexural rigidity, thereby achieving improved handling of the locking element.

[0009] The plug connector and the mating connector have mutually associated plug contact elements. In this case, an association can mean that the plug contact element of the plug connector is configured for connection to a corresponding plug contact element of the mating connector, for example, that mutually associated plug contact elements have matching plug contours. For example, the plug connector can have a contact pin as the plug contact element, and the mating connector can have a contact pin socket matching the contact pin as the plug contact element, or vice versa. The plug connector and the mating connector can each also have multiple plug contact elements, so that the plug contact elements of the aforementioned connectors can be designed, for example, as a pin strip and a corresponding socket strip.A surface of the connector or mating connector on which at least one of the plug contact elements is arranged can be referred to as a mating face. The mating face can additionally have at least one coding element, which requires the connector and mating connector to be mated in a predetermined orientation relative to each other, thus reliably preventing mismating.

[0010] A guide section of the locking element can be a region of the locking element that is suitable for guidance in a suitable receptacle of a mating connector. The guide section can be provided in particular on an outer contour of the locking element, for example on a component edge of the locking element. The guide section can be arranged on an end section of the locking element facing the mating connector. The guide section can be arranged adjacent to a mating face of the connector when the locking element is arranged on the connector. The guide section can have a positive-locking profile that is formed by a specific geometric shape of the locking element in the guide section. For example, the positive-locking profile can be formed by a contour part that protrudes relative to a basic shape of the locking element.The form-locking profile can, in particular, be a lateral form-locking profile formed on a lateral component edge of the locking element. A lateral component edge of the locking element can, for example, extend parallel to a plug-in direction of the connector when the locking element is arranged on the connector and the connector is moved in the plug-in direction toward the mating connector. The locking element can be designed to be predominantly flat in its guide section, wherein the form-locking profile can be formed on its lateral edge surfaces. In the proposed connector arrangement, the locking element is arranged on the connector, for example, detachably or permanently attached to it.The locking element may extend predominantly along the connector, for example, more than 70% or more than 80% of a surface of the locking element facing the connector may extend along a surface of the connector.

[0011] A guide receptacle of the mating connector can be a region of the mating connector in which the guide section of the locking element can be guided. The guide receptacle can, for example, form a linear guide for the locking element, in which the guide section of the locking element can be translationally displaced. The guide receptacle can, for example, have one or more grooves with a shape matching the positive locking profile of the locking element, which forms or form a positive locking contour for the positive locking profile. The positive locking contour can, for example, represent a negative form of the positive locking profile of the locking element. For example, the positive locking contour can be formed by a contour part that recesses relative to a basic shape of the mating connector. The guide receptacle can be formed on a mating connector housing of the mating connector.

[0012] The dimensions of the guide receptacle of the mating connector and the guide portion of the locking element can be designed such that they are provided with a clearance fit to enable easy insertion and displacement of the locking element in the mating connector.

[0013] A form-locking or form-fitting guide can be understood as a technical connection or guide in which the connection or guide partners, here the guide section of the locking element and the guide receptacle of the mating connector, are geometrically contoured to match each other and engage with each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the positive locking profile of the locking element can be configured to undercut the positive locking contour of the mating connector. A reliable positive locking can be achieved through an undercut. With an undercut, an active surface of the positive locking profile and an active surface of the positive locking contour can be arranged to overlap one another in such a way that at least one degree of freedom of the positive locking profile guided in the positive locking contour is blocked. In other words, the positive locking profile is configured to engage behind the positive locking contour.

[0015] The overlapping arrangement of the form-fitting profiles of the locking element and the mating connector, as well as the undercut, prevents the flat guide section from deflecting perpendicular to the guide section's surface under tensile loads. This effectively prevents unintentional release of the locking mechanism in a simple design.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a profile element of the positive-locking profile can be formed on a side contour of the locking element. The side contour can, for example, extend substantially parallel to a plug-in direction of the plug connector when the locking element is arranged on the plug connector and the plug connector is moved in the plug-in direction toward the mating connector. The side contour can, for example, extend substantially orthogonally to an end edge of the locking element facing the mating connector. The side contour can, for example, extend substantially orthogonally to a fastening edge of the locking element, which is provided for fastening to the mating connector. A plug-in direction of the plug connector can be a direction of displacement of the plug connector toward the mating connector toward mutually facing plug contact elements for establishing an electrical connection.When the connector is moved in the plugging direction toward the mating connector, the locking element, for example, attached to the connector, can be inserted into the guide receptacle of the mating connector. A profile element can be a component of the form-locking profile, for example, a contour section of the form-locking profile that can be positively received in the form-locking contour, such as a projection. If a profile element of the form-locking profile is formed on a side contour of the locking element, lateral guidance of the locking element in the guide receptacle is enabled. This allows the locking element to be easily inserted into the guide receptacle. Furthermore, a compact guidance option is provided without significantly increasing the installation space.Furthermore, this advantageously stabilizes the locking element laterally, preventing tensile forces from causing the locking element to be accidentally released. Depending on the design, the profile element can extend over the entire side contour of the locking element, which can simplify the manufacturing of the locking element, or only over part of the side contour, for example, to limit the insertion depth of the locking element into the guide receptacle or to provide a visual inspection option for the locking state.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a profile element of the form-fitting profile can be formed on each of two opposing side contours of the locking element. This allows the locking element to be guided in the guide receptacle on both sides, further increasing locking security and enabling bilateral or symmetrical support and force introduction of the locking element to the guide receptacle. In other words, the locking element has profile elements on both sides, which together form the form-fitting profile of the locking element. The profile elements can be geometrically essentially identical on both side contours, whereby a laterally inverted or mirrored design of the profile elements can be considered an essentially identical design.In principle, it is also conceivable to design the profile elements on both side contours geometrically differently, for example by providing different basic geometric shapes.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the positive-locking profile of the locking element and the positive-locking contour of the mating connector can be designed as inclined surfaces that correspond to one another. This makes it easy to achieve a positive lock between the guide section of the locking element and the guide receptacle of the mating connector. For example, opposing inclined surfaces of the positive-locking profile and the positive-locking contour can have a substantially identical inclination, so that the inclined surfaces run parallel to one another and can slide off one another during guidance of the guide section of the locking element in the guide receptacle of the mating connector. The inclined inclined surface of the positive-locking contour can form a cross-sectional widening in the guide receptacle, which enables an undercut with the inclined surface of the positive-locking profile and positive-locking guidance.According to a further development of the embodiment, two spaced-apart inclined surfaces with opposing angles of inclination can be provided on the form-locking contour and on the form-locking profile. This allows, for example, the form-locking contour to have a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide receptacle, starting from a component contour adjacent to the form-locking contour, and the form-locking profile to have a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide section, starting from a component contour adjacent to the form-locking profile. The conical cross-sectional widenings of the locking element and the mating connector are designed to match each other, thus enabling secure form-locking guidance.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile can be designed as a symmetrical form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour as a symmetrical form-fitting contour. This can provide a symmetrical form-fitting fit, which enables uniform force introduction from the guide section of the locking element into the guide receptacle of the mating connector. To form a symmetrical form-fitting profile, for example, a profile element of the same geometric configuration can be formed on two opposite side contours of the locking element. To form a symmetrical form-fitting contour, for example, a groove corresponding to the profile elements can be formed on two opposite inner contours of the guide receptacle.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile can be designed as an asymmetric form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour as an asymmetric form-fitting contour. This makes it possible to provide an asymmetric form-fitting fit, with which, for example, an additional coding function can be achieved. To form an asymmetric form-fitting profile, for example, different profile elements can be formed on two opposite side contours of the locking element, or just one profile element can be formed on only one side contour. To form an asymmetric form-fitting contour, for example, a groove corresponding to the different profile elements can be formed on two opposite inner contours of the guide receptacle, or just one groove can be formed on one inner contour of the guide receptacle.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the form-locking profile can be designed as a dovetail profile and the form-locking contour as a dovetail contour. This allows a reliable form-lock to be easily established. The dovetail profile can be shaped and dimensioned to match the dovetail contour, with a clearance fit advantageously being present to facilitate the insertion and guidance of the guide section of the locking element in the guide receptacle. The dovetail profile and the dovetail contour can have a cross-sectional reduction transverse to the plug-in direction of the connector, so that the dovetail profile can engage behind the dovetail contour in a form-locking manner and the guide section is secured against falling out of the guide receptacle.

[0022] In principle, other form-fitting geometries are also conceivable as an alternative or in addition to a dovetail geometry, which can be based, for example, on a T-profile, a mushroom profile or a round head profile.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the locking element can have a first fastening structure for fastening the locking element to the plug connector. The first fastening structure can be designed, in particular, for releasably fastening the locking element to the plug connector. The first fastening structure can be designed, in particular, for tool-free fastening of the locking element to the plug connector. The first fastening structure can be formed integrally with the locking element. Examples of such fastening structures can be a plug-in contour or a clamping structure. The plug connector can have a receiving structure for receiving the first fastening structure of the locking element, for example a plug-in opening. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the plug connector to have a first fastening structure for fastening the locking element to the plug connector.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the locking element can have a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element to the mating connector. The second fastening structure can be designed, in particular, for releasably fastening the locking element to the mating connector. The second fastening structure can be formed integrally with the locking element. The second fastening structure can be designed, in particular, for tool-free fastening of the locking element to the mating connector. This allows the connector to be locked to the mating connector by means of the locking element. The mating connector can have a receiving structure for receiving the second fastening structure of the locking element, which is designed for a positive connection.For this purpose, a form-locking profile of the locking element can be designed to undercut a form-locking contour of a guide receptacle of the mating connector, so that a reliable form-locking is achieved by the associated overlap of active surfaces of the form-locking profile and the form-locking contour.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the mating connector to have a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element to the mating connector. The second fastening structure of the locking element can be arranged at a distance from any first fastening structure of the locking element that may be present, in particular at a distance that corresponds to a distance between a receiving structure of the mating connector and a receiving structure of the plug connector in their mated state. The second fastening structure can be arranged closer to a free end section of the locking element facing the mating connector than the first fastening structure. The fastening structure can be designed as a latching structure, for example by a latching edge on the receiving structure forming a latching stop for a latching tab on the locking element.This allows the locking element to be attached to the mating connector in a detachable, tool-free manner.

[0026] According to an advantageous development of the above-described embodiments relating to fastening structures of the locking element, the first fastening structure and / or the second fastening structure can be designed as a latching structure. A latching structure can be, for example, a latching nose, a latching tab, a latching hook, or a latching knob. A latching structure can be elastically deformable and releasably latched to a receiving structure of the plug connector or mating connector, which can be designed, for example, as a latching edge or latching opening. By means of a latching structure, a very simple, tool-free, and releasable fastening of the locking element to the plug connector and / or the mating connector is possible. Furthermore, the latching structure(s) can be formed integrally with the locking element.The entire locking element can be formed from a predominantly elastic material, which, depending on its shape, imparts elastic deformability at least in sections, so that a locking process and a release from the locking process can be easily carried out. With a locking element that is elastically deformable at least in sections, the above-described advantages of a stabilizing guide of the guide section of the locking element in the guide receptacle of the mating connector develop an enhanced effect, since easy handling of a locking element that is elastically deformable at least in sections is combined with increased locking security against unintentional release of the locking element from the mating connector.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the locking element can have an unlocking element. The unlocking element can be a mechanical element that can enable or facilitate an intentional release of the locking element from the mating connector. The unlocking element can be configured, for example, to release the second fastening structure of the locking element from the mating connector. The unlocking element can be, for example, an elastically deformable tab that can be configured, for example, to displace a latching structure of the locking element from a latching position in which the latching structure engages with a receiving structure of the mating connector. The unlocking element can be, for example, a lever for prying off a latching hook.The unlocking element can, for example, be arranged between two side contours of the locking element, on which at least one profile element can be formed, and can partially span the locking element in a bridge-like manner as an elastically deformable tab.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the locking element can be designed as a locking latch. In the field of electrical connection technology, locking latches are predominantly flat accessory elements for connector assemblies for locking the connector to the mating connector. They can be configured as individually available accessories to be arranged selectively on a connector and a mating connector and to secure them to one another.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the connector assembly can have a connecting component that extends adjacent to the guide receptacle of the mating connector. A guide portion of the locking element guided in the guide receptacle can thus additionally be supported on the connecting component, further increasing locking security. The connecting component can delimit the guide receptacle at an open side of the guide receptacle. The connecting component can be, for example, a flat circuit carrier such as a printed circuit board.

[0030] The invention also relates to an electrical mating connector for a connector assembly according to one of the aforementioned features, wherein the mating connector has a guide receptacle with a positive-locking contour for the positive reception and guidance of a locking element. Such a mating connector advantageously increases the locking reliability of the connector assembly formed with the mating connector, and reliably secures the locking of the connector assembly against unintentional release due to tensile forces acting on the locking element.

[0031] The mating connector can advantageously be designed according to one of the features described in connection with the proposed connector arrangement, for example - have a form-fitting contour which is designed to undercut with a form-fitting profile of the locking element; - have a form-fitting contour with an inclined bevel; - have a symmetrical form-fitting contour; - have an asymmetrical form-fitting contour; - have a dovetail contour as a form-fitting contour; - have a receiving structure for a second fastening structure of the locking element, for example a locking edge or locking opening; and / or - have a connecting component that extends adjacent to the guide holder.

[0032] The invention also relates to a locking element for a connector assembly according to one of the above-described features, wherein the locking element has a guide section with a positive-locking profile. Such a locking element can advantageously increase the locking security of the connector assembly formed with the locking element, and a locking of the connector assembly is reliably secured against unintentional release due to tensile forces acting on the locking element.

[0033] The locking element can advantageously be designed according to one of the features described in connection with the proposed connector arrangement, for example - have a form-fitting profile which is designed to undercut with a form-fitting contour of a mating connector of the connector arrangement; - have a profile element of the form-fitting profile formed on a side contour of the locking element; - each have a profile element of the form-fitting profile on two opposite side contours of the locking element; - have a form-fitting profile with an inclined bevel; - have a symmetrical form-fitting profile; - have an asymmetrical form-fitting profile; - have a dovetail profile as a form-fitting profile; - have a first fastening structure for fastening the locking element to a connector of the connector arrangement, wherein the first fastening structure can be designed, for example, as a latching structure; - have a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element to the mating connector, wherein the second fastening structure can be designed, for example, as a latching structure; - have a release element; and / or - be designed as a locking latch.

[0034] The invention also relates to a set comprising a connector, a mating connector, and a locking element for forming a connector assembly according to one of the aforementioned features. The proposed set also allows the aforementioned advantages of increased locking security to be achieved.

[0035] In general, in the context of this application, the words “a / an”, unless expressly defined otherwise, are not to be understood as a number, but as an indefinite article with the literal meaning of “at least one”.

[0036] The invention permits various embodiments and is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the accompanying drawings. They show schematically: Fig. 1a-1b - a connector for a connector assembly in a perspective bottom view and a front view; Fig. 2a-2d - a mating connector for a connector assembly in a perspective top view, a front view, a sectioned side view and a perspective bottom view; Fig. 3a-3c - a locking element for a connector assembly in a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view and a side view; Fig. 4a-4d - a connector according to Fig. 1a-1b with a locking element arranged thereon according to the Fig. 3a-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view, a sectioned side view and a partially sectioned rear view; Fig. 5a-5c - a connector assembly with a connector according to Fig. 1a-1b, a mating connector according to Fig. 2a-2d and a locking element according to the Fig. 3a-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view and a partially sectioned side view.

[0037] The Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show a connector 2 according to an embodiment for a Fig. 5a to 5c. The connector assembly 1 has plug contact elements 4a, which according to the embodiment shown are designed as a plurality of contact pin sockets arranged in a row, forming a socket strip. The plug contact elements 4a are designed to establish an electrical plug connection with plug contact elements 4b of a Fig. 2a-2d. The surface of the connector 2 with the plug contact elements 4a forms a mating face 19, which is additionally provided with coding elements 20 to prevent incorrect mating. The connector 2 has a receiving structure in the form of locking openings 18 for the releasable fastening of a Fig. 3a to 3c shown locking element 5.

[0038] The Fig. 2a to 2d show a mating connector 3 according to an embodiment in different views, wherein the Fig. 2c a sectional view according to the Fig. 2b. The mating connector 3 has plug contact elements 4b, which according to the embodiment shown are designed as several contact pins arranged in a row, forming a pin strip. The plug contact elements 4b are designed to establish an electrical plug connection with plug contact elements 4a of the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown connector 2. In other words, the plug contact elements 4a of the connector 2 are assigned to the plug contact elements 4b of the mating connector 3. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2b, the surface of the mating connector 3 with the plug contact elements 4b forms a mating face 19, which is additionally provided with coding elements 20 matching the coding elements 20 of the connector 2 to prevent incorrect mating. The mating connector 3 has a guide receptacle 8 with a form-fitting contour 9, which is used for the form-fitting reception and guidance of a guide section 6 of the Fig. 3a to 3c. The guide receptacle 8 is formed on a mating connector housing of the mating connector 3. The guide section 6 of the locking element 5 can be inserted into the guide receptacle 8 and held and guided therein in a form-fitting manner. The form-fitting reception and guidance of the guide section 6 of the locking element 5 allows for increased locking security with increased locking forces, which reliably protects the lock against accidental release when tensile forces are applied. The support of the locking element 5 on the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3 stabilizes the locking element 5. The additional securing means makes it possible to design the locking element 5 to be more elastic, which can make handling of the locking element 5 easier.The guide receptacle 8 forms a linear guide for the guide section 6 of the locking element 5, in which the latter can be moved in translation. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the form-fitting contour 9 of the mating connector 3 has two inclined surfaces 11b on opposite inner contours of the guide receptacle 8, which run at an incline corresponding to the inclined surfaces 11a of the guide section 6 of the locking element 5, which are explained below. The inclined inclined surfaces 11b of the form-fitting contour 9 can form a conical cross-sectional widening in the guide receptacle 8, which enables an undercut with the inclined surfaces 11a of the form-fitting profile 7 of the locking element 5 and thus a form-fitting guide. As can be seen, for example, from FIG. Fig. 2b, the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide receptacle 8 is designed as a symmetrical form-fitting contour 9 according to the illustrated embodiment.

[0039] As can be seen, for example, from the Fig. 2b, the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide receptacle 8 is designed as a dovetail contour 13 according to the illustrated embodiment. A correspondingly designed dovetail profile 12 of the locking element 5, which matches the dovetail contour 13, as shown for example in Fig. 4b, can thus be guided in a form-fitting manner in the dovetail contour 13 and secured against falling out of the guide receptacle 8. The dovetail contour 13 and the dovetail profile 12 can be designed in terms of their dimensions such that they are provided with a clearance fit in order to enable easier insertion and displacement of the guide section 6 in the guide receptacle 8. The dovetail contour 13 essentially represents a negative form of the dovetail profile 12, wherein the dovetail profile 12 can be regarded as the projecting contour part of the locking element 5 and the dovetail contour 13 of the mating connector 3 can be regarded as the recessed contour part.

[0040] The Fig. 3a to 3c show a locking element 5 according to an embodiment in different views. The locking element 5 is designed for arrangement on the connector 2, as shown in the Fig. 4a to 4d, and is designed as a separate locking latch from the connector 2. The locking element 5 serves in a connector assembly 1 as shown in the Fig. 5a to 5c according to an embodiment, the mechanical locking of the plug connector 2 on the mating connector 3 in order to achieve a mechanical securing of the plug connection. Here, the locking element 5 is designed for a detachable attachment to the mating connector 3. The locking element 5 is provided according to the embodiment shown as a separate accessory element that can be detachably attached to the plug connector 2. The locking element 5 has a guide section 6 with a lateral form-fitting profile 7, which is designed for form-fitting reception and guidance in the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3. The guide section 6 is predominantly flat, provided on an outer contour of the locking element 5 and arranged with respect to a plug connector arrangement 1 on an end section of the locking element 5 facing the mating connector 3, such as the Fig. 5a. The form-locking profile 7 of the locking element 5 is designed to undercut the form-locking contour 9 of the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3, so that a reliable form-locking connection is achieved through the associated overlap of the active surfaces of the form-locking profile 7 and the form-locking contour 9.

[0041] Like the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the form-fitting profile 7 has two profile elements 7a formed on opposite side contours 10 of the locking element 5, which together form the form-fitting profile 7. The side contours 10 of the locking element 5 extend essentially parallel to a Fig. 4a, the plug-in direction S of the connector 2 with the locking element 5 arranged thereon and orthogonal to an end edge 21 facing the mating connector 3. Due to the formation of the profile elements 7a on the side contours 10, the form-locking profile 7 can be referred to as a lateral form-locking profile 7. With such a lateral form-locking profile 7, easy insertion and displacement of the locking element 5 in the guide receptacle 8 is possible. In addition, the locking element 5 is laterally stabilized by the profile elements 7a and secured against unintentional detachment from the mating connector 3. According to the embodiment shown, the profile elements 7a extend over the entire side contours 10 of the locking element 5.

[0042] According to the embodiment shown in the Fig. 3a to 3c, the form-fitting profile 7 has two essentially identical, but oppositely inclined inclined surfaces 11a as profile elements 7a. The inclined surfaces 11a correspond to the Fig. 2a to 2d, so that the inclined surfaces 11a of the locking element 5 engage behind the inclined surfaces 11b of the guide receptacle 6 of the mating connector 3 in a form-fitting manner and can slide thereon in a guide direction along the guide receptacle 8. The inclined inclined surfaces 11a of the form-fitting profile 7 can form a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide section 6, which enables an undercut with the inclined surfaces 11b of the form-fitting contour 9 of the mating connector 3 and thus a form-fitting guidance. As can be seen, for example, from the Fig. 4b, the form-locking profile 7 of the guide section 6 according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a symmetrical form-locking profile 7, so that a uniform force introduction of the guide section 6 into the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3 is possible. As further shown, for example, by reference to the Fig. 4b, the form-fitting profile 7 of the guide section 6 is designed as a dovetail profile 12 according to the illustrated embodiment and can therefore be guided in a form-fitting manner in a corresponding dovetail contour 13 of the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3, as already described.

[0043] For example, in Fig. 3b, the locking element 5 has a first fastening structure 14 for fastening the locking element 5 to the connector 2. The first fastening structure 14 is designed as a latching structure, here in the form of latching lugs, and serves for the detachable, tool-free fastening of the locking element 5 to the connector 2, which for this purpose has the Fig. 1a as a receiving structure. The first fastening structure 14 is formed integrally with the locking element 5. Furthermore, the locking element 5 has a second fastening structure 15, which is formed integrally with the locking element 5, for fastening the locking element 5 to the mating connector 3. The second fastening structure 15 is designed as a locking structure, here as a locking tab, and serves for the detachable, tool-free fastening of the locking element 5 to the mating connector 3, which for this purpose has a Fig. 5c has the locking edge 22 shown as a receiving structure. The fastening structures 14, 15 designed as locking structures allow the locking element 5 to be easily fastened. Due to the positive reception and guidance of the locking element 5 in the guide receptacle 8, the locking element 5 can be made more elastic, thus simplifying handling and the locking or unlocking process, while reliably preventing unintentional release of the locking element 5.

[0044] To perform an unlocking operation, the locking element 5 has an unlocking element 16, which is designed as an elastically deformable tab and can lever the second fastening structure 15, designed as a locking tab, out of its engagement with the locking edge 22 upon actuation of the unlocking element 16. The unlocking element 16 is arranged between the side contours 10 of the locking element 5 and partially spans it in a bridge-like manner.

[0045] The Fig. 4a to 4d show a connector 2 according to the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b with a locking element 5 arranged thereon according to the Fig. 3a to 3c in different views, where Fig. 4c a sectional view according to the Fig. 4b shown section line CC and Fig. 4d a sectional view according to the Fig. 4c shows the section line DD. For example, the Fig. 4a and Fig. 4c as well as the Fig. 5a, the locking element 5 extends predominantly along the plug connector 2. In other words, a comparatively smaller portion of the locking element 5 extends along the mating connector 3. The plug connector 2, with the locking element 5 arranged thereon, can be guided in a plugging direction S toward a mating connector 3 in order to establish an electrical connection with the mating connector 3. In this case, the locking element 5 can, as it approaches the mating connector 3, increasingly plunge with its form-fitting profile 7 into its guide receptacle 8. The guide section 6 extends adjacent to the plug face 19 of the plug connector 2. As in Fig. 4c, the second fastening structure 15 is prepared for establishing a snap-in connection with the mating connector 3 and automatically establishes a mechanical snap-in connection to the mating connector 3 by engaging behind the snap-in edge 22.

[0046] The Fig. 5a to 5c show a connector assembly 1 with the above-described components in an assembled state. Here, the guide portion 6 of the locking element 5 is positively received in the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3. The connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are effectively connected to one another and locked to one another by the locking element 5. By actuating the unlocking element 16, the locking element 5 can release the second fastening structure 15 from the locking connection with the locking edge 22 and release the locking.

[0047] As in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 5c, the mating connector 3 has a form-fitting contour 9 with a guide receptacle 8, which is designed to receive and form-fittingly connect the guide section 6 of the locking element 5.

[0048] With the described connector assembly 1 and the associated described components in the form of the connector 2, mating connector 3, and locking element 5 of the connector assembly 1, an easy-to-use and reliably effective mechanical securing of a connector assembly 1 can be enabled. In particular, the risk of unintentional release of the locking mechanism due to tensile forces acting on the locking element 5 is reduced. List of reference symbols 1 Connector arrangement 2 connectors 3 mating connectors 4a Plug contact element of the connector 4b Plug contact element of the mating connector 5 Locking element 6 Guide section 7 Form-fitting profile 7a Profile element 8 Guide shot 9 Form-fitting contour 10 Side contour 11a Inclined surface of the form-fitting profile on the locking element 11b Inclined surface of the form-fitting contour on the mating connector 12 dovetail profile 13 Dovetail contour 14 first fastening structure 15 second fastening structure 16 Release element 18 locking opening 19 Plug-in face 20 coding element 21 End edge 22 locking edge S Plug direction

Claims

[1] Electrical connector arrangement (1) with a connector (2) and a mating connector (3), each having mutually associated electrical plug contact elements (4a, 4b), and with a locking element (5) arranged on the connector (2) for mechanically locking the connector (2) to the mating connector (3), wherein the locking element (5) is designed for releasable fastening to the mating connector (3), characterized by that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a positive-locking profile (7) and that the mating connector (3) has a guide receptacle (8) with a positive-locking contour (9) for the positive reception and guidance of the locking element (5) on the mating connector (3). [2] Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) is designed to undercut the form-fitting contour (9) of the mating connector (3). [3] Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a profile element (7a) of the form-fitting profile (7) is formed on a side contour (10) of the locking element (5). [4] Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that a profile element (7a) of the form-fitting profile (7) is formed on two opposite side contours (10) of the locking element (5). [5] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) and the form-fitting contour (9) of the mating connector (3) are designed as inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) corresponding to one another. [6] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as a symmetrical form-fitting profile (7) and the form-fitting contour (9) is designed as a symmetrical form-fitting contour (9). [7] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as an asymmetric form-fitting profile (7) and the form-fitting contour (9) is designed as an asymmetric form-fitting contour (9). [8] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as a dovetail profile (12) and the form-fitting contour (9) is designed as a dovetail contour (13). [9] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (5) has a first fastening structure (14) for fastening the locking element (5) to the connector (2). [10] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (5) has a second fastening structure (15) for fastening the locking element (5) to the mating connector (3). [11] Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the first fastening structure (14) and / or the second fastening structure (15) are designed as a locking structure. [12] Connector arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (5) has an unlocking element (16). [13] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (5) is designed as a locking pawl. [14] Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connector arrangement (1) has a connection component (17) which extends adjacent to the guide receptacle (8) of the mating connector (3). [15] Electrical mating connector (3) for a connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mating connector (3) has a guide receptacle (8) with a positive-locking contour (9) for the positive reception and guidance of a locking element (5). [16] Locking element (5) for a connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a form-fitting profile (7). [17] Set comprising a connector (2), a mating connector (3) according to claim 15 and a locking element (5) according to claim 16 for forming an electrical connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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