PLUG HOUSING FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector housing for an electrical connector having electrical contact units, preferably for a plug connector or mating connector in particular for the automotive industry. The invention further relates to a ready-made electrical cable or an electrical entity, in particular for a motor vehicle. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of establishing and locking electrical contact units in a connector housing for obtaining an electrical connector, and a method of unlocking and / or removing at least one electrical contact unit from an electrical connector, preferably a plug connector or mating connector in particular for the automotive industry.

[0002] In the electrical industry (electronics, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, electrical power engineering, etc.), a large number of electrical connector devices or connector units, socket and / or peg connectors, etc., - designated below as (electrical) (mating) connectors, - are known, which serve to transmit electrical currents, voltages, signals and / or data with a large range of currents, voltages, frequencies and / or data rates. In the low, middle or high voltage and / or current ranges, and in particular in the automotive industry, such connectors must ensure permanently, repeatedly and / or after a comparatively long service life without delay, a transmission of electrical power, signals and / or data in warm, possibly hot, polluted, humid and / or chemically aggressive environments. Due to a wide range of applications, a large number of specially configured connectors are known.

[0003] Such connectors or rather their housings can be installed on an electrical wire, a cable, a cable harness, etc. (ready-made electrical cable) and / or an electrical unit or device (entity) such as for example at / in a housing, at / on a leadframe, at / on a printed circuit board etc., of a (power-) electrical, electro-optical or electronic component or such equipment etc.; in the latter case, this is often known as a (mating) connector unit. If a connector is only located on a wire, a cable or a cable harness, this is also referred to as a (flying) (plug) connector or a plug or a coupling, and if it is located on / in an electrical, electronic or electro-optical component, then this is also referred to as a (built-in) connector, a (built-in) plug or a (built-in) socket. Furthermore, a connector to such a unit is often also identified as a (plug) receptacle or header.

[0004] Electrical connectors must ensure perfect transmission of electrical signals (voltage) and / or electrical power, wherein connectors corresponding to one another (connectors and mating connectors) usually have fastening or locking arrangements for long-term, but usually releasable fastening or locking of the connector at / in the mating connector. Furthermore, corresponding electrical contact units (terminals), such as, for example, an actual electrical contact element (often integrally formed) and / or an actual electrical contact device (formed from multiple parts, one-part, materially in one piece or integrally) must be securely received in them. Since the housings of the connectors are usually subject to a certain standardisation, such as, for example, the FAKRA standard or a different standard, the most important dimensions of the housings have the same dimensions across different manufacturers.

[0005] Constant efforts are being made to improve electrical contact devices, electrical contact units, electrical connectors and / or ready-made electrical cables or cable harnesses, to form them in a more cost-effective manner and / or to produce them in a more cost-effective manner. It is therefore necessary, for example in the automotive industry, to be able to test a locking position of the contact units of a connector, for example an MCON connector, in order to identify in good time a contact unit that is not positioned correctly. Furthermore, it is possibly necessary to have to remove a contact unit from the connector. This is problematic in particular in the case of comparatively narrow connectors, i.e. connectors with rows of contact units which are close together. It is thus a problem of the invention to specify an improved electrical connector and / or an improved ready-made electrical cable.

[0006] DE 197 12 831 A1 discloses a modular plug connector made of a housing, housing modules and plug-in modules. GB 2 518 777 A teaches a coupling with two jack terminals sealed therein. And EP 1 315 246 A2 discloses a plug connector having a base body which has at least one opening for receiving a conductor, at least one locking flap being arranged on the base body for fixing the position of the at least one conductor in the base body and latching means being provided for fixing the position of the plug connector in the inserted state. The latching means are arranged on the base body in a region facing away from the openings.

[0007] The problem of the invention is solved according to the independent claims by means of a connector housing for an electrical connector with electrical contact units, preferably for a plug connector or mating connector in particular for the automotive industry; by way of a method of establishing and locking electrical contact units in a connector housing for obtaining an electrical connector; by means of a ready-made electrical cable or an electrical entity, in particular for a motor vehicle; and by way of a method of unlocking and / or removing at least one electrical contact unit from an electrical connector. Advantageous further developments, additional features and / or advantages of the invention will be evident from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] The connector housing comprises a contact housing which can be or is established at / in a contact housing receptacle, wherein the contact housing has at least one movable, in particular pivotable contact securing flap, by means of which the contact units can be locked in the contact housing or in the connector housing, and the contact securing flap inside the contact housing receptacle can be brought from its open position into its locking position, wherein the contact units in the connector housing can be locked, and / or the contact securing flap inside the contact housing receptacle can be brought from its locking position into its open position, wherein the contact units in the connector housing can be unlocked.

[0009] A locking of the contact units by means of the contact securing flap is preferably secondary locking (secondary contact securing), but can take the form of single or a primary locking (primary contact securing). In embodiments, the contact housing can be or is established in the contact housing receptacle in an open position of the contact securing flap. The contact housing receptacle, for example having a collar, and the contact housing, for example formed as an insert, are provided spatially separated from one other temporally before an assembly of the contact housing at / in the contact housing receptacle. It is preferable that the contact housing receptacle and the contact housing can be fixed or are fixed to one another in a releasable manner, for example by means of a latching.

[0010] In embodiments, testing a correct and / or an incorrect locking position of the contact securing flap can take place relative to the contact units inside the contact housing receptacle. Furthermore, in embodiments, a removal of the contact housing out of the contact housing receptacle can take place, with the contact securing flap in its locking position and / or in its open position. The contact securing flap preferably has an unlocking compartment, the contact securing flap being able to be brought from its open position into its locking position by means of a flap wall of the contact securing flap, and / or the contact securing flap being able to be brought from its locking position into its open position by means of the unlocking compartment of the contact securing flap.

[0011] In embodiments, a / the unlocking compartment of the contact securing flap can be formed from the contact securing flap, or a / the unlocking compartment of the contact securing flap protrudes from the contact securing flap. Furthermore, the unlocking compartment can be formed at least partially, on the one hand, at least in places by a / the flap wall of the contact securing flap and, on the other hand, at least in places by a compartment wall of the unlocking compartment away from the flap wall.

[0012] In embodiments, the contact housing receptacle and the contact housing can be formed and coordinated in their respective formation such that, by means of a tool, the locking position of the contact securing flap can be established, a / the correct and a / the incorrect locking position of the contact securing flap can be tested, and / or the open position of the contact securing flap can be established. In this case, in particular from a side of a plug face of the connector housing, the tool can be respectively introduced from the outside into the connector housing (can be advanced and / or is preferably pivotable), by means of which the locking position can be established, the correct and incorrect locking position can be tested, and / or the open position can be established.

[0013] In embodiments, at the flap wall of the contact securing flap, a locking tool can be moved along, by means of which movement the contact securing flap can be pivoted and / or pushed shut from its open position into its locking position. Furthermore, at least the compartment wall and preferably also the flap wall have a testing recess into which a testing tool can be plugged, by means of which a / the correct and / or a / the incorrect locking position can be tested. Moreover, an unlocking tool can be movable into the or in the unlocking compartment, by means of which tool the contact securing flap is pivotable and / or pressable from its locking position into its open position.

[0014] In the open position of the contact securing flap, the flap wall can have an orientation in which a plane of the flap wall is arranged obliquely, i.e. with an angle other than 0° or 180°, relative to a longitudinal direction of the connector housing. Furthermore, in the open position of the contact securing flap, the compartment wall of the unlocking compartment away from the flap wall can have an orientation in which a plane of this compartment wall is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. The term, 'orientation' is explained and defined in greater detail further below.

[0015] In the locking position of the contact securing flap, the flap wall can have an orientation in which a plane of the flap wall is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, in the locking position of the contact securing flap, the compartment wall of the unlocking compartment away from the flap wall can have an orientation in which a plane of this compartment wall is arranged obliquely, i.e. again with an angle other than 0° or 180°, relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In embodiments, the respective tool can be advanced through a slot between the contact housing receptacle and the contact housing to the contact securing flap. In this case, the slot can, on the one hand, provide for the respective tool and at the same time, on the other hand, provide for the contact securing flap and / or the unlocking compartment with necessary space to lock, test and / or unlock the contact securing flap.

[0017] In embodiments, the contact units can be assembled in the contact housing counter to an assembly direction or movement direction of the contact housing in the contact housing receptacle or can be advanced therein. The contact securing flap can be preferably integrally connected to the contact housing via a hinge, preferably a film hinge. Furthermore, it is preferable that the contact housing receptacle and / or the contact housing is or are formed materially in one piece or integrally, preferably in an injection moulding method for plastics material.

[0018] The connector housing is further suitable for a method of establishing and / or locking electrical contact units for obtaining an electrical connector (see below). Moreover, the connector housing is suitable for a method of unlocking and / or removing at least one electrical contact unit from an electrical connector (see below).

[0019] In the method of establishing and locking electrical contact units in a connector housing for obtaining an electrical connector, the connector housing is initially fitted with the contact units. Following on chronologically, from a side of a plug face of the connector, a locking tool is preferably substantially linearly advanced so far into the connector housing that a contact securing flap of the connector housing which locks the contact units is actuated by the locking tool, the contact securing flap being brought into engagement with the contact units (locking position).

[0020] In this case, not only a connector but also a ready-made electrical cable (connector and electrical wires) are preferably obtained, since the mechanically and electrically connected wires are already located at the contact units. When fitting the connector housing with the contact units, primary locking is preferably established between the contact units and the connector housing. This also means that a locking of the contact units, by virtue of the contact securing flap, is preferably secondary locking. In this case, it is possible to dispense with the primary locking; i.e. the secondary locking becomes the single (primary) locking. It is of course also possible to exchange the primary locking with the secondary locking.

[0021] In embodiments, when advancing the locking tool, the locking tool is moved along substantially exclusively in the longitudinal direction at the outside of the contact securing flap and as a result, the contact securing flap is brought into its locking position in which it locks the contact units. The locking tool can thus be moved into the connector housing up to a mechanical stop.

[0022] Furthermore, by advancing the locking tool along the contact securing flap, a substantial orientation of a flap wall of the contact securing flap can be converted substantially into a longitudinal orientation of the flap wall. This means that substantially the original orientation (see definition below) of the (single) flap wall (per contact securing flap) is lost, said orientation now being substantially longitudinal (for example Fig. 2 to Fig. 3). In this case, temporally before, the contact securing flap had a substantial orientation dissimilar to the longitudinal direction.

[0023] Following on chronologically from the locking of the contact units, a locking position of the contact securing flap can be tested relative to the contact units, a testing tool being advanced into the connector housing from the side of the plug face. For testing the locking position, the testing tool should be able to be moved into the connector housing at the outside of the contact securing flap along and / or through an unlocking compartment of the contact securing flap, up to a / the mechanical stop. In this case, the mechanical stop can be a section of a contact housing and / or of a contact housing receptacle of the connector housing.

[0024] If this movement is not possible, i.e. the testing tool cannot be moved so far into the connector housing that the testing tool rests against this mechanical stop, the contact units or at least one of them are thus not correctly locked. This means that the contact securing flap is at least not completely in its locking position. This can be determined, for example, by a displacement measurement or displacement test of the testing tool. When an incorrect locking position is determined, the testing tool can rest against / on a mechanical stop of the contact securing flap or the unlocking compartment.

[0025] The connector housing is preferably formed as an inventive connector housing. An electrical connector, in particular for the automotive industry, comprises electrical contact units locked in a connector housing, the connector housing being formed as an inventive connector housing, and / or the connector being obtained by an inventive method of establishing and locking contact units.

[0026] The ready-made electrical cable or the electrical entity can have a connector housing, the connector housing being formed as an inventive connector housing. Furthermore, the ready-made electrical cable or the electrical entity can have an electrical connector, which is obtained by an inventive method of establishing and locking electrical contact units.

[0027] In this case, a cable or a ready-made cable is intended to be understood also to mean a cable harness or a ready-made cable harness. Furthermore, the electrical entity can be understood to mean, for example, an electrical unit, an electrical device, an electrical subassembly, an electrical module, an electrical appliance, for example a controller, an electrical installation, etc., which (also) operate electrically or electro-optically.

[0028] In the method of unlocking and / or removing at least one electrical contact unit from an electrical connector, from the side of a plug face of the connector, an unlocking tool is preferably substantially linearly advanced so far into a connector housing of the connector and, following on chronologically, is preferably pivoted, such that an unlocking compartment of a contact securing flap, which locks the at least one contact unit, is actuated, in particular pivoted, by the unlocking tool, the contact securing flap being brought out of engagement with the at least one contact unit.

[0029] This means that a releasing movement consists of at least advancing the unlocking tool into the connector housing. In this case, the unlocking tool and the unlocking compartment can be geometrically coordinated such that the releasing movement can forgo the pivoting movement. Furthermore, following on chronologically, the releasing movement can preferably comprise the pivoting movement. - A locking of the at least one contact unit, by virtue of the contact securing flap, can be primary or secondary locking; secondary locking is preferable here (see above).

[0030] By advancing and / or pivoting the unlocking tool in the unlocking compartment, a substantial orientation of a compartment wall of the unlocking compartment away from a flap wall of the contact securing flap can be converted into a temporally preceding substantial orientation of the flap wall. This means that substantially the original orientation of the (single) flap wall (per contact securing flap) is lost, said orientation now being substantially assumed by the (outer) compartment wall (for example Fig. 12 to Fig. 13). Temporally before, the contact securing flap preferably had an orientation substantially in the longitudinal direction which is now assumed by the compartment wall.

[0031] By advancing and / or pivoting the unlocking tool in the unlocking compartment, the contact securing flap can be pivoted about that angular amount about which the compartment wall of the unlocking compartment away from the flap wall is pivoted into its open position. This means that, similarly to above, substantially the original orientation of the compartment wall is lost, said orientation now, mirrored relative to the former extension of the flap wall, being approximated or assumed primarily by the flap wall (for example Fig 12 to Fig. 13).

[0032] In this case, an orientation is intended to be understood to mean substantially that angle which occurs between a first plane, in which the substantial flap wall or the substantial compartment wall is arranged, relative to a second plane, which extends between the longitudinal direction and a width direction of the connector housing.

[0033] In the method, initially or following on chronologically, a primary locking of the at least one contact unit can be brought out of engagement with the connector housing. In a last step of this method of unlocking and removing, the at least one contact unit preferably including an electrical wire electrically and mechanically connected thereto can be withdrawn from the connector housing. The connector housing is again preferably formed as a connector housing according to the invention.

[0034] The invention is explained in greater detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings, which are not true to scale. Sections, elements, structural parts, units, diagrams and / or components which have an identical, univocal or similar design and / or function are identified by the same reference numbers in the description of the figures (see below), the list of reference numbers, the claims and in the figures (Figs.) of the drawings.

[0035] In the figures, which are merely exemplary: Fig. 1shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector housing temporally before assembly of a contact housing for the connector housing in a contact housing receptacle for the connector housing, Fig. 2shows an illustration of the connector housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction, wherein the contact housing is illustrated in its open position, Fig. 3shows an illustration of the connector housing, likewise centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction, wherein the contact housing is or has been brought into its locking position, Fig. 4shows a perspective view obliquely from above which is broken away on three sides and in which the consequently exposed contact housing is illustrated with its contact securing flap in its locking position (Fig. 3), Fig. 5shows an illustration of the connector housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction, wherein a locking position of the contact securing flap is tested as correct (positive) by means of a testing tool, Fig. 6shows a perspective view obliquely from above which is broken away on three sides and in which a locking position of the contact securing flap is being tested by means of the testing tool, Fig. 7again shows an illustration of the connector housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction, wherein a locking position of the contact securing flap is tested as incorrect (negative) by means of a testing tool, Fig. 8shows a three-dimensional illustration of the contact housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction on investigation of a correct locking position of the contact securing flap, Fig. 9shows a three-dimensional illustration of the contact housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction on investigation of an incorrect locking position of the contact securing flap, Fig. 10shows an illustration of the connector housing, centrally sectioned in the vertical direction and longitudinal direction, wherein the contact housing has been brought from its locking position into its open position, Fig. 11shows a perspective view obliquely from above which is broken away on three sides and in which, in the case of the consequently exposed contact housing, the contact securing flap thereof being brought from its locking position into its open position (Fig. 2), Fig. 12shows a perspective view of the contact housing from Fig. 11, wherein the open position of the contact securing flap is established by means of an unlocking tool and an unlocking compartment of the contact securing flap, Fig. 13shows the contact housing from Fig. 12 with the contact securing flap thereof in the open position, wherein the contact housing shows a first exemplary embodiment of the unlocking compartment at its contact securing flap, Fig. 14shows a perspective view of the contact housing with a second exemplary embodiment of the unlocking compartment at its contact securing flap, Fig. 15shows a perspective view of the contact housing with a third exemplary embodiment of the unlocking compartment at its contact securing flap, and Fig. 16shows a perspective view of the contact housing with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the unlocking compartment at its contact securing flap.

[0036] The invention is explained in greater detail using exemplary embodiments of an embodiment of a variant of an connector housing 1 for an electrical connector 0, having electrical contact units 10, preferably for a plug connector 0 or mating connector 0, in particular a flat plug 0 and / or a socket connector 0, for example an MCON connector 0, for example a (ready-made) electrical cable (also: cable harness) for the automotive industry. Only those spatial sections of a subject-matter of the invention which are necessary for understanding the invention are illustrated in the drawings.

[0037] Although the invention is more closely described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Other variations can be derived herefrom and / or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The electrical connector can thus also be used, for example, outside the automotive industry, for example in the computer and (consumer) electronics industry. With reference to the drawings, the explanation of the invention hereinafter relates to a width direction B or a width axis B, a height direction H or a height axis H and a longitudinal direction L or a longitudinal axis L of the connector 0, of the connector housing 1, of a contact housing 2, of a contact housing receptacle 6, of the contact unit(s) 10, etc. (only shown in Fig. 1).

[0038] In this case, the connector housing 1 is formed as a housing 1 for a mounting connector 0 or a plug receptacle 0. It is of course possible to apply the invention more generally to plug connectors or mating connectors, a (flying) plug, a (flying) socket, a (flying) coupling, etc. Furthermore, in this case, the connector housing 1 is formed as a housing 1 for a pin connector 0 or peg connector 0; it is of course also possible to form the connector as a socket connector, tab connector or hybrid connector.

[0039] In the connector 0, one single shape and / or one single type of electrical contact units 10 is preferably used. For example, this is an "MCON" (Multiple Contact) system. It is of course possible to combine other or different contact systems in the connector 0. For example: exclusively NanoMQS (MQS: Micro Quadlock System, which has a square contact cross-section in a region of a mechanical and electrical contact between two electrical contact units), MCON and NanoMQS, exclusively MQS, MCON and MQS, others optionally in combination, etc.

[0040] The present connector housing 1 comprises at least or precisely two units 2, 6 separated from one another (Fig. 1, separated position G of the contact housing 2 from the contact housing receptacle 6), a "contact housing receptacle" 6 and a "contact housing 2", which, connected to one another, in particular plugged together, form the connector housing 1 which is complete and ready for use (Figs. 2 to 7, 10 and 11 assembly position M or latching position M of the contact housing 2 at / in the connector housing receptacle 6). In this case, the contact housing 2 preferably latches at / in contact housing receptacle 6, such locking being effected in a releasable manner. The contact housing 2 can be fitted with the contact units 10 in at least one row, but preferably two rows. The contact housing receptacle 6 can also be identified as a surrounding housing 6, and the contact housing 2 can also be identified as an insert 2 or a contact receptacle 2.

[0041] The invention is not restricted to two such units 2, 6, but rather a plurality of units of a connector housing 1 can be mechanically coupled to one another. This means that the connector housing 1 is formed at least in two parts, but can also be formed in three parts or multiple parts. In this case, the connector housing 1 can be formed in a single row, in two rows or in multiple rows for the contact units 10. Furthermore, the contact housing receptacle 6 can also be identified as a surrounding housing 6, and the contact housing 2 can also be identified as an insert 2 or a contact receptacle 2.

[0042] The contact housing receptacle 6 and the contact housing 2, which together form the connector housing 1, will first of all be cursorily described. The electrical connector 0 differs from the connector housing 1 in that it further comprises the electrical contact units 10. The connector 0 and the wires mechanically and electrically connected to the contact units 10 of the connector 0 produce an at least partially ready-made electrical cable (wire, cable harness, etc.) or at least one prefabricated cable.

[0043] The contact housing receptacle 6 (cf. in particular Figs. 1 to 7, 10, 11) is in a first approximation of trough-shaped configuration in an embodiment of the connector housing 1 with a surrounding (outer) wall 630. The contact housing 2 can be locked or is locked inside the surrounding wall 630, through-recesses for electrical wires 20 (cable 20, line 20, etc.) and / or electrical contact units 10 being in alignment in the contact housing receptacle 6 with recesses for the contact units 10 in the contact housing 2.

[0044] Inside the contact housing receptacle 6, a mechanical stop 607 is provided for a locking tool 7 (see below) of the contact housing 2 and a testing tool 8 (see below) is provided for testing a correct locking position V of the contact units 10 in the connector housing 1. The mechanical stop 607 is located in the longitudinal direction L, the direction of a plug face 101 (free longitudinal end 101) of the connector 0, of the connector housing 1 or the contact housing receptacle 6, preferably behind a latching means of the contact housing 2 with the contact housing receptacle 6.

[0045] The contact housing 2 (cf. in particular Figs. 1, 8, 9, 12, 13) is in this case formed in a first approximation with a square base body 200. At both sides extending in the width direction B and longitudinal direction L, the base body 200 respectively has a contact securing flap 300, the respective contact securing flap 300 serving to lock the contact units 10 in the contact housing 2. The contact securing flap 300 is in this case formed as a secondary contact securing flap 300. The contact units 10 preferably primarily latch with locking lances, which are formed thereon, in the contact housing 2 (cf. Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 10).

[0046] The respective contact securing flap 300 has a locking unit 314, in particular a latching hook 314 or a latching shoulder 314, for a locking of the contact units 10. For locking the contact units 10 in the contact housing 2, the contact housing 2 must be brought from the contact securing flap 300 thereof or the contact securing flap 300 from its open position O (cf. Figs. 1, 2 and 13 to 16) into the locking position V thereof or its locking position V (cf. Figs. 5 and 6) (cf. Figs. 3, 4 and 8). Similar applies to an unlocking compartment 400 (see below). In the locking position V, the locking unit 314 engages through a through-recess in the base body 200, the locking unit 314 locking the contact units 10 in the contact housing 2.

[0047] For unlocking the contact units 10 in the contact housing 2, the contact housing 2 must be brought from the contact securing flap 300 thereof or the contact securing flap 300 from its locking position V (cf. Figs. 5 and 6) into the open position O thereof or its open position O (cf. Figs. 1, 2 and 13 to 16) (cf. Figs. 10, 11 and 12). Similar applies again to the unlocking compartment 400 (see below). In this case, the locking unit 314 is brought out of engagement with the contact units 10 and the locking unit 314 moves out of the through-recess in the base body 200.

[0048] The contact securing flap 300 is preferably pivotably connected to the base body 200 in an integral manner via a material layer, for example a film hinge, of the contact housing 1, a flap wall 310 of the contact securing flap 300 extending substantially in the width direction B and longitudinal direction L. The locking unit 314 is provided at a free end of the flap wall 310, which locking unit 314, for example, protrudes therefrom at an angle of approximately 70° to 110°, preferably 85° to 95°. Inside the flap wall 310, a testing recess 312 can be provided into which a testing tool 8 or testing adaptor 8 for testing a correct (Figs. 6 and 8) or incorrect (Figs. 7 and 9) locking position V of the contact securing flap 300 can be introduced.

[0049] The testing recess 312, if present, is aligned in the height direction H with a testing recess 412 of an unlocking compartment 400 of the contact securing flap 300. The unlocking compartment 400 is formed from the contact securing flap 300 or protrudes therefrom. A wall of the unlocking compartment 400 which is substantially v-shaped in a cross-section in the width direction B and height direction H is formed by the flap wall 310, it being possible to provide the testing recess 312 of the flap wall 310 in this section of the flap wall 310. Cross-sectional shapes other than v-shaped can of course be used for the unlocking compartment 400.

[0050] A compartment wall 410 which is located opposite this wall of the unlocking compartment 400 in the height direction H protrudes obliquely from the flap wall 310. Laterally, i.e. in the width direction B, the unlocking compartment 400 can be closed in each case by means of a wall (respective connection between flap wall 310 and compartment wall 410). The testing recess 412 of the compartment wall 410 preferably extends to the flap wall 310, the flap wall 310 forming a mechanical stop 408 for the testing tool 8 in the case of an incorrect locking position (Figs. 7 and 9).

[0051] Both in the open position O and in the locking position V of the contact housing 2 or the contact securing flap 300, a slot 500 is established between the contact housing 2 and the contact housing receptacle 6 (wall 630). In this slot 500, the locking tool 7 for establishing the locking position V, the testing tool 8 for testing the position of the contact securing flap 300, and an unlocking tool 9 for restoring the open position O can be advanced and is optionally pivotable. Depending on whether the contact housing 2 is in its open position O or its locking position V, either the unlocking compartment 400 or a section of the contact securing flap 300 and the unlocking compartment 400 is located in the slot 500.

[0052] Hereinafter, a cursory description is provided of how the contact housing 2 cooperates with the tools 7, 8, 9 or the contact housing receptacle 6 in the event of locking, testing the position of the contact securing flap 300 and unlocking the contact unit 10. In this case, a / the connector housing 1 comprises a / the contact housing receptacle 6 in which a / the contact housing 2 can be established or is established, it being possible to establish and lock at least one electrical contact unit 10 in the contact housing 2 by means of at least one / the contact securing flap 300 of the contact housing 2.

[0053] In a / the open position O of the contact securing flap 300, a / the slot 500 is preferably established between the contact securing flap 300 and a / the wall 630 of the contact housing receptacle 6, in which slot 500 a / the locking tool 7 for locking the contact securing flap 300 can be introduced (advanced and optionally pivoted) into a / the locking position V, it being possible to bring the contact securing flap 300 into engagement with the contact units 10. In this case, the locking tool 7 preferably slides past in the width direction B away from a / the unlocking compartment 400 (see below) of the contact securing flap 300.

[0054] In the locking position V of the contact securing flap 300, the slot 500 is established between the contact securing flap 300 and the wall 630. A / the testing tool 8 for testing a correct V or incorrect locking position of the contact securing flap 300 relative to the contact units 10 can be introduced (advanced) into this slot 500. In this case, the testing tool 8 is preferably moved into the testing recess 312, 412.

[0055] If the contact securing flap 300 is located in its correct locking position V, the testing tool 8 preferably rests against the mechanical stop 607 of the contact housing receptacle 6 or the wall 630 thereof (cf. Figs. 5, 6 and 8). If the contact securing flap 300 is not located in its correct locking position V (incorrect locking position), the testing tool 8 preferably rests against the mechanical stop 408 in the contact securing flap 300 or the flap wall 310 thereof, or at the unlocking compartment 400 (cf. Figs. 7 and 9).

[0056] Furthermore, a / the unlocking tool 9 can be introduced (advanced and optionally pivoted) through the slot 500 into the unlocking compartment 400 for unlocking the contact securing flap 300 into the open position O, it being possible to bring the contact securing flap 300 out of engagement with the contact units 10.

[0057] When the contact securing flap 300 is brought from its open position O into its locking position V, the contact securing flap 300 projects into the slot 500 such that the contact securing flap 300 is displaceable by means of the locking tool 7. Furthermore, when the contact securing flap 300 is brought from its locking position V into its open position O, the contact securing flap 300 projects into the slot 500 such that the contact securing flap 300 is displaceable by means of the unlocking tool 9.

Claims

1. Connector housing (1) for an electrical connector (0) having electrical contact units (10) in particular for the automotive industry, having a contact housing receptacle (6) and a contact housing (2) which can be or is established in the contact housing receptacle (6), wherein the contact housing (2) has at least one movable contact securing flap (300) by means of which the contact units (10) can be locked, characterised in that the contact securing flap (300) inside the contact housing receptacle (6) can be brought from its open position (O) into its locking position (V), wherein the contact units (10) can be locked in the connector housing (1), and / or the contact securing flap (300) inside the contact housing receptacle (6) can be brought from its locking position (V) into its open position (O), wherein the contact units (10) in the connector housing (1) can be unlocked.

2. Connector housing (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the contact housing (2) can be or is established in an open position (O) of the contact securing flap (300) in the contact housing receptacle (6), wherein testing of a correct and an incorrect locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300) relative to the contact units (10) can take place inside the contact housing receptacle (6), and / or removal of the contact housing (2) from the contact housing receptacle (6) can take place with the contact securing flap (300) in its locking position (V) or in its open position (O).

3. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact securing flap (300) has an unlocking compartment (400), wherein the contact securing flap (300) can be brought from its open position (O) into its locking position (V) by means of a flap wall (310) of the contact securing flap (300), and / or the contact securing flap (300) can be brought from its locking position (V) into its open position (O) by means of the unlocking compartment (400) of the contact securing flap (300).

4. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an / the unlocking compartment (400) of the contact securing flap (300) is formed from the contact securing flap (300) or protrudes from the contact securing flap (300), and / or an / the unlocking compartment (400) is formed at least partially, on the one hand, at least in places by a / the flap wall (310) of the contact securing flap (300) and, on the other hand, at least in places by a compartment wall (410) of the unlocking compartment (400) away from the flap wall (310).

5. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact housing receptacle (6) and the contact housing (2) are formed and coordinated in their respective formation such that, by means of a tool (7, 8, 9), the locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300) can be established, a / the correct and an / the incorrect locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300) can be tested, or the open position (O) of the contact securing flap (300) can be established.

6. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that: • at the flap wall (310) of the contact securing flap (300), a locking tool (7) can be moved along, by means of which movement the contact securing flap (300) can be pivoted or pushed shut from its open position (O) into its locking position (V), • at least the compartment wall (410) and preferably also the flap wall (310) have a testing recess (412, 312) into which a testing tool (8) can be plugged, by means of which a / the correct and an / the incorrect locking position (V) can be tested, or • an unlocking tool is movable into or in the unlocking compartment (400), by means of which tool the contact securing flap (300) is pivotable or pressable from its locking position (V) into its open position (O).

7. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the open position (O) of the contact securing flap (300), the flap wall (310) has an orientation in which a plane of the flap wall (310) is arranged obliquely relative to a longitudinal direction (L) of the connector housing (1), and / or in the open position (O) of the contact securing flap (300), the compartment wall (410) of the unlocking compartment (400) away from the flap wall (310) has an orientation in which a plane of this compartment wall (410) is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L).

8. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300), the flap wall (310) has an orientation in which a plane of the flap wall (310) is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), and / or in the locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300), the compartment wall (410) of the unlocking compartment (400) away from the flap wall (310) has an orientation in which a plane of this compartment wall (410) is arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction (L).

9. Connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tool (7, 8, 9) can be advanced through a slot (500) between the contact housing receptacle (6) and the contact housing (2) to the contact securing flap (300), wherein the slot (500), on the one hand, provides for the respective tool (7, 8, 9) and at the same time, on the other hand, provides for the contact securing flap (300) and the unlocking compartment (400) with necessary space to lock, test and unlock the contact securing flap (300).

10. Method of establishing and locking electrical contact units (10) in a connector housing (1) for obtaining an electrical connector (0), wherein the connector housing (1) is initially fitted with contact units (10), characterised in that following on chronologically, from a side of a plug face (101) of the connector (0), a locking tool (7) is substantially linearly advanced so far into the connector housing (1) that a contact securing flap (300) of the connector housing (1) which locks the contact units (10) is actuated by the locking tool (7), wherein a contact securing flap (300) is brought into engagement with the contact units (10).

11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that when the locking tool (7) is advanced, said locking tool (7) is moved along substantially exclusively in longitudinal direction (L) at an outside of the contact securing flap (300) and as a result, the contact securing flap (300) is brought into its locking position (V) in which it locks the contact units (10), and the locking tool (7) is moved into the connector housing (1) up to a mechanical stop (607).

12. Method according to claims 10 or 11, characterised in that: • following on chronologically from the locking of the contact units (10), a locking position (V) of the contact securing flap (300) can be tested relative to the contact units (10), wherein a testing tool (8) is advanced into the connector housing (1) from the sides of the plug face (101), • for testing the locking position (V), it must be possible to move the testing tool (8) into the connector housing (1) at the outside of the contact securing flap (300) along and through an unlocking compartment (400) of the contact securing flap (300), up to a / the mechanical stop (607), and / or • the connector housing (1) is formed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

13. Ready-made electrical cable or electrical entity, characterised in that the ready-made cable or the entity: has a connector housing (1), wherein the connector housing (1) is formed according to one of claims 1 to 9, and / or has an electrical connector (0), which is obtained by a method of establishing and locking electrical contact units (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12.

14. Method of unlocking and / or removing at least one electrical contact unit (10) from an electrical connector (0) obtained by a method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that from a side of a plug face (101) of the connector (0), a locking tool (9) is preferably substantially linearly advanced so far into a connector housing (1) of the connector (0) and, following on chronologically, is preferably pivoted, such that an unlocking compartment (400) of a contact securing flap (300), which locks the at least one contact unit (10), is actuated by the unlocking tool (9), wherein the contact securing flap (300) is brought out of engagement with the at least one contact unit (10).

15. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that: • by advancing the unlocking tool (9) in the unlocking compartment (400), a substantial orientation (¬L) of a compartment wall (410) of the unlocking compartment (400) away from a flap wall (310) of the contact securing flap (300) is converted into a temporally preceding substantial orientation of the flap wall (310), • initially or following on chronologically, primary locking of the at least one contact unit (10) can be brought out of engagement with the connector housing (1) and / or • the connector housing (1) is formed according to one of claims 1 to 9.