Housing assembly for an electrical connector, electrical connector, electrical connector assembly, and method for assembling an electrical connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing assembly (100) for an electrical connector (10), comprising an electrical connector housing (110), which has a first insertion opening (111) and a first cable opening (112), the first insertion opening (111) delimiting an insertion channel (113), the first cable opening (112) delimiting a cable channel (114), and the insertion channel (113) and the cable channel (114) enclosing an angle of 45° to 135°, and the housing assembly (100) also comprising a first shielding component (120) which is inserted into the first cable opening (112) along an insertion direction (E1), the first shielding component (120) having a contact tongue (121) which can be moved from a disengagement position (AL) into an engagement position (EL), the contact tongue (121) lying, when in the disengagement position (AL), within a projection of the first cable opening (112) along the insertion direction (E1) and protruding, when in the engagement position (EL), beyond the projection of the first cable opening (112) such that a contact end of the contact tongue (121) extends into the insertion channel (113), and the contact tongue (121) being designed to be moved into the engagement position (EL) by a connector inner element (200) of the electrical connector (10) which is inserted into the first shielding component (120). The invention also relates to an electrical connector (10), to an electrical connector assembly (300), and to a method for assembling an electrical connector (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Housing assembly for a connector, connector, connector assembly and method for assembling a connector

[0004] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for a connector, a connector with such a housing assembly, a connector arrangement with the connector and a mating connector, and a method for assembling such a connector.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to electrically shielded connectors with angled cable outlets, whereby good electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with other electrical and electronic elements in the environment must be ensured. For effective shielding, it is important that the shielding is as continuous as possible and that individual shielding components are conductively connected on all sides, if possible.

[0007] A connector with shielding is known from DE 102019200 713 B3.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a housing assembly for a connector with an inner connector element, a connector with such a housing assembly, a connector arrangement with the connector and a mating connector, and a method for assembling such a connector are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] The housing assembly and / or the connector and / or the mating connector can be configured, for example, for high-current applications (e.g., more than 10A, preferably more than 25A, particularly preferably more than 50A and particularly preferably more than 100A) and / or for high-voltage applications (e.g., more than 40V, preferably more than 100V, particularly preferably more than 220V and very particularly preferably more than 380V).

[0011] The invention provides a solution for a plug connector with an inner plug element which enables good electrical shielding even with an angled cable outlet. Furthermore, this provides a housing assembly that is easy to manufacture and can be used in a modular manner. Such an inner plug element can, for example, be an inner housing in which one or more contact elements, cables, etc. can be accommodated. Such an inner plug housing can, for example, consist of an electrically insulating material, e.g. a plastic, or comprise or have such a material, in particular predominantly. In principle, the inner plug element can also be designed as a contact element or as part of a contact element.

[0012] In detail, the housing assembly has a connector housing with a first insertion opening and a first cable opening, wherein the first insertion opening delimits an insertion channel and the first cable opening delimits a cable channel. The insertion opening serves in particular to "plug in" the connector, i.e. to connect it to a mating connector, and the cable opening serves to feed the cable or a contact or contact element connected, for example, to a cable into the connector or into the connector housing, or the cable opening serves to feed the inner connector element. In particular, a contact element that can be arranged in the connector housing or contacts that can be arranged in the connector housing are accessible from outside the connector housing through the insertion opening, e.g. for contacting a mating contact element of a mating connector.The invention is particularly suitable for connectors with an angled cable outlet, i.e. the insertion channel and the cable channel are not aligned but enclose an angle of 45° to 135°, i.e. an angle in the range between 45° and 135°, whereby the lower limit and the upper limit of the angular range can be selected independently of one another over the entire range. In particular, they enclose an angle of approximately 90°, i.e. the insertion channel and cable channel run (essentially) perpendicular to one another. It can be provided, for example, that the cable channel merges into the insertion channel in the region of the angle. In other words: the angle is formed in particular where the cable channel and insertion channel merge into one another.

[0013] One challenge with connectors with angled cable outlets is achieving good electrical shielding within the connector housing despite the angle. For effective shielding, it is important that the shielding is as continuous as possible and that individual shield components are conductively connected on all sides, if possible. However, inserting a one-piece angled shield component into an angled housing is not straightforward or requires increased assembly effort. However, inserting shield components into the housing offers the advantage of greater flexibility, lower costs, and easier assembly than overmolding shield components or pre-assembled connectors.

[0014] The housing assembly therefore has a first electrically conductive shielding component, which is inserted along a (first) insertion direction into the first cable opening until a first end position is reached. The first shielding component is configured to contact a second electrically conductive shielding component, which is inserted into the first insertion opening of the connector housing until a second end position is reached. The second shielding component can, for example, be part of the connector, or can also belong to a mating connector or be arranged on a mating connector.

[0015] In order to connect these two electrically conductive shielding components as continuously as possible, the first shielding component has an electrically conductive contact tongue that can be moved, in particular elastically reversibly, from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The two shielding components can, for example, be connected continuously or without gaps (with respect to the electrical shielding) in a state in which the second shielding component is inserted into the first insertion opening and the connector is fully assembled – preferably, the connector is then also electrically conductively connected to a mating connector.

[0016] When the second shielding component is inserted into the first insertion opening, the contact tongue electrically contacts the second shielding component in the engaged position and electrically connects the second shielding component to the first shielding component. This is the case, for example, when the connector is connected to the mating connector to form the connector assembly.

[0017] In the disengaged position, the contact tongue lies within a projection of the first cable opening along the insertion direction (as described above, this is the insertion direction of the first shielding component into the first cable opening). In other words, the contact tongue does not protrude radially or perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the shielding component into the first cable opening, in particular, when the contact tongue is in the disengaged position, beyond the first cable opening. In other words again: in the disengaged position, the contact tongue lies within the footprint of the first cable opening (when projected along the insertion direction). This results in particular in the first shielding component being able to be inserted into the first cable opening when the contact tongue is in the disengaged position without the contact tongue hindering this, in particular without the contact tongue hitting anything when the first shielding plate is inserted.

[0018] When, however, the contact tongue is in the engaged position, it projects beyond the projection of the first cable opening along the insertion direction, so that a contact end, in particular a cantilevered one, of the contact tongue, which serves to contact the second shielding component, protrudes into the insertion channel of the connector housing. The contact tongue can have or comprise a fixed end, with which it is attached to the first shielding component, and a free or cantilevered end (contact end), which is displaced (e.g., elastically reversibly) to contact the second electrical shielding component.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "have", "have" and "comprise" are used synonymously.

[0020] It should be noted that the housing assembly can each have one or more first electrically conductive shielding components, and a corresponding mating connector can have one or more second electrically conductive shielding components; for example, a first and a second shielding component can be provided for each contact of a plug connector or mating connector, i.e. each contact is shielded separately. However, several contacts of the plug connector or mating connector can also be shielded by one and the same first and one and the same second shielding component. In principle, a second shielding component can also be provided which is not connected to a mating connector but belongs to the housing assembly: in this case, the housing assembly comprises or has the second shielding component.

[0021] The contact tongue is designed to be moved into the engagement position by an inner plug element of the connector, which is inserted into the first shielding component (in particular during or after assembly of the connector).

[0022] This advantageously makes it easy to establish an electrically conductive connection between the two shielding components. The invention advantageously provides a way to electrically connect the first and second shielding components to each other at the joint or transition point, or inside the angle, and to complete the shielding there. At the same time, the housing assembly can be easily manufactured without overmolding the first shielding component.

[0023] The first shielding component can advantageously be made of an electrically conductive

[0024] Material, e.g., a metal, or comprise a metal. It can, for example, comprise copper, a copper alloy, silver, a silver alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like, in particular predominantly comprise it. The material can also be coated, e.g., with silver, in particular only at the contact points with the other shielding component or the contact tongue. It can have a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 to 1 mm, e.g., approximately 0.5 mm.

[0025] The second shielding component can advantageously be made of an electrically conductive material, e.g., a metal, or comprise a metal. It can comprise, in particular predominantly, copper, a copper alloy, silver, a silver alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like. The material can also be coated, e.g., with silver, in particular only at the contact points with the other shielding component or the contact tongue. It can have a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 to 1 mm, e.g., approximately 0.5 mm.

[0026] A plug connector according to the invention has the housing assembly according to the invention and (at least) one inner plug element which is inserted into the first shielding component, wherein the contact tongue is displaced from the disengaged position into the engaged position by the inner plug element. The inner plug element can in particular have one or more contact elements, cables, etc. Such a contact element can be connected to a cable or a line of a cable. The contact element can, for example, be designed as a female contact element, e.g. as a socket contact element with a contact body and at least one contact blade arranged therein or thereon. Alternatively, the contact element can be designed as a male contact element, e.g. as a contact blade, round contact, contact pin, etc. In principle, the inner plug element can also be designed as a contact element or be part of a contact element.

[0027] A plug connector assembly according to the invention comprises the plug connector according to the invention and a mating plug connector, wherein the mating plug connector or the plug connector itself has a second electrically conductive shielding component, wherein the mating plug connector has (at least) one mating contact element which is preferably arranged within the second electrically conductive shielding component (at least in the mated state of the plug connector and mating plug connector). The second electrically conductive shielding component is inserted into or through the first insertion opening of the plug connector housing until a second end position is reached (along a (second) insertion direction), wherein the contact tongue electrically contacts the second shielding component and electrically connects it to the first shielding component. The (at least) one mating contact element is preferably inserted into or through the first insertion opening in the plug connector housing.The (at least one) mating contact element is electrically connected to (at least) one contact element of the connector.

[0028] In a method according to the invention for assembling a plug connector, in particular as described above, the first electrically conductive shielding component is inserted along a (first) insertion direction into the first cable opening until the first end position is reached, with the contact tongue in the disengaged position. In a further step, the plug inner element is inserted into the first shielding component, thereby displacing the contact tongue from the disengaged position into the engaged position. This can occur, for example, when or after the first shielding component has been inserted into the plug connector housing up to the first end position.

[0029] In particular, in one embodiment of the method, the contact tongue is subjected to force by the plug inner element when the plug inner element is inserted into the first shielding component.

[0030] The features and advantages described below are intended to apply equally to all subject matters of the invention or to develop them further.

[0031] In a further development it is provided that the first shielding component can be inserted into the first cable opening (i.e. it fits in, in particular without the use of force) when the contact tongue is in the disengaged position. A contour or a cross-section of the shielding component does not protrude beyond the first cable opening or its footprint, in particular before the insertion process, but can be completely taken up by it. Preferably the contact tongue, in particular a free end of the contact tongue, does not come into mechanical contact with the cable duct before and during the insertion process. In the disengaged position the contact tongue therefore does not hinder the insertion of the first shielding component into the cable duct, i.e. the first shielding component can be inserted into the cable duct without any problem as long as the contact tongue is in the disengaged position.This advantageously enables particularly simple, quick, and damage-free installation of the first shielding component into the cable duct. Injection molding of the first shielding component is advantageously not necessary.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first shielding component cannot be inserted into the first cable opening (or, depending on the embodiment, cannot be removed from it) when the contact tongue is in the engaged position. In other words, the contour or cross-section of the shielding component (in the form of the contact tongue) protrudes beyond the first cable opening or its footprint when the contact tongue is in the engaged position. Since this state (the engaged position) only occurs as intended when the connector or the (at least one) inner connector element is mounted in the connector housing or when the first electrically conductive shielding component is inserted into the first cable opening until it reaches the first end position, the contact tongue can then be displaced to contact the second shielding part.For example, the cantilevered end of the contact tongue can be directed forward (along the insertion direction) so that, in the engaged position, the free end would abut the contour of the first cable opening and would not be displaced into the interior of the first shielding component by a ramp. This advantageously enables particularly secure and simple installation.

[0033] In one embodiment, the contact tongue is fastened or attached to the first shielding component. The contact tongue can be fastened to the first shielding component, for example, in a materially bonded and / or force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, in particular with its fixed end or with a contact tongue root. The contact tongue can be fastened to the first shielding component, for example, detachably or non-detachably (i.e., not detachable without destruction), in particular welded or soldered, screwed or riveted. In this way, a simple, yet both electrically and mechanically reliable and robust fastening option is advantageously created. In principle, it is also conceivable for the first shielding component to be designed as a stamped and bent part and for the contact tongue to be integrally formed with the first

[0034] Shield component is bent out of a punched board.

[0035] The contact tongue can, for example, be attached to an inner surface of the first shielding component, so as to minimize the increase in cross-section of the first shielding component in the disengaged position. In particular, the contact tongue can then be located entirely within the cross-section or entirely within an interior space of the first shielding component.

[0036] In one embodiment, the contact tongue is a sheet metal strip, e.g. in the form of a sheet metal spring or sheet metal lamella; in particular, the sheet metal strip can be made of or comprise metal. This advantageously enables simple and cost-effective production, e.g. as a stamped and bent part. Furthermore, electrical shielding can be reliably ensured. The contact tongue can in particular be made of steel or copper-beryllium in order to have sufficient elasticity (spring effect for displacement into the engaged position or into the disengaged position) and also sufficient stability when contacting the second shielding component. A free or self-supporting end of the contact tongue can have a bent shape or claw shape or have a run-on slope in the direction of the second shielding component in order to enable sliding contact, in particular with the second shielding component, without snagging.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first shielding component is a hollow profile with a second cable opening and a second insertion opening, wherein in the first end position, the second cable opening of the first shielding component is aligned in the direction of the first cable opening of the connector housing, and the second insertion opening of the first shielding component is aligned in the direction of the first insertion opening of the connector housing. In other words, the cable openings of the first shielding component and connector housing, and the insertion opening of the first shielding component and connector housing are parallel and / or overlap (each viewed from the direction of the insertion path or the corresponding insertion direction) when the first shielding component is in the first end position. In other words, in particular, the surface normals of the insertion opening of the first shielding component and connector housing are substantially parallel.In particular, the second cable opening can be arranged at the same end of the cable duct as the first cable opening. In particular, the second insertion opening can delimit the insertion duct at an end facing away from the first insertion opening. In this way, on the one hand, a cable or an inner plug element can be guided through the cable openings of the first shielding component and connector housing. On the other hand, the first shielding component can open towards the insertion duct of the connector housing in order to create a passage or an opening for the electrical components (e.g. a contact element) of the connector, which can in this way be contacted through the insertion duct with a mating contact element of a mating connector. At the same time, this can ensure that an intermediate region between the cable duct and the insertion duct is shielded.

[0038] The second shield component can also be a hollow profile or be designed as a hollow profile. The hollow profile of the first and / or second shield component can have a tubular shape with a lateral surface extending around an axis. It can have a rectangular, oval, or other cross-section. Such profiles are easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0039] The first shielding component and / or the second shielding component can be manufactured, for example, as a stamped and bent part.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the contact tongue can be displaced in the engaged position, in particular in the direction of the first insertion opening of the connector housing. This advantageously closes any possible gap in the shielding in the connector housing in a particularly simple and reliable manner. A second shielding component inserted along the insertion channel can be electrically contacted in this way even if, in the second end position, it is not in direct mechanical and electrical contact with the first shielding component everywhere and, for example, a gap is formed between the first and second shielding components. If the first shielding component is inserted, for example, from right to left into the first cable duct and the first insertion channel extends, for example, from bottom to top, the contact tongue can, for example, be displaced from the disengaged position to the engaged position by displacing it downwards, tilting it, turning it, pivoting it or bending it.

[0041] In one embodiment, the contact tongue bridges a spacing of the first shielding component from the second shielding component at a transition point from the cable duct to the insertion channel, in particular when the contact tongue is in the engaged position. This allows the shielding to be closed at the transition point. Without the contact tongue, the first shielding component and the second shielding component are spaced apart from one another at the transition point from the cable duct to the insertion channel. In other words, there is a gap or a spacing between the first shielding component and the second shielding component at the transition point from the cable duct to the insertion channel. In one embodiment, the spacing can be at least 0.5 mm or at least 1 mm or at least 2 mm, and / or a cross-sectional area or a contour area of ​​the (shielding) gap (ieof the unshielded area at the joint between the first shielding component and the second shielding component) can be at least 3 mm. 2 or at least 10 mm 2 or at least 30mm 2 or at least 50mm 2Such a spacing or gap or shielding recess between the shielding components (in their respective end position) can be necessary or desirable, for example, for manufacturing or assembly reasons. Such a spacing can, for example, facilitate the insertion of the shielding components into the connector housing or the assembly of the connector, also taking into account all tolerances during assembly or during the manufacture of the first and / or second shielding component. In addition, this can create a sufficient distance between the shielding components and current-carrying parts within the connector to prevent possible undesired current flashovers. The interrupted shielding caused by this is advantageously closed by the contact tongue when it is in the engaged position.

[0042] In one embodiment, the contact tongue contacts the second shielding component on an outer surface. This advantageously allows an interior space of the second shielding component to be used entirely for other purposes, in particular for accommodating the mating contact element. This also advantageously reduces the risk of electrical flashover between live parts and the shielding.

[0043] In particular, the contact tongue contacts the second shielding component on an outer surface facing the cable opening of the connector housing. This is the outer surface closest to the cable duct, so that the shielding can be closed at this point, advantageously avoiding or closing a gap in the shielding.

[0044] In one embodiment, the housing assembly has a sealing element which is arranged in the insertion channel and which runs in particular along a circumferential direction surrounding the second insertion direction. The sealing element forms a radial seal with respect to the second insertion direction, in particular between the connector housing and a mating connector housing of the mating connector. This advantageously prevents the penetration of dirt and fluid media (such as liquids or water vapor) into the interior of the housing assembly (in particular into an interior of the connector housing and / or the mating connector housing). This advantageously allows the invention to be used particularly well in the automotive environment with the harsh conditions prevailing there. The sealing element can, for example, be made of plastic; it can, for example, comprise a rubber or silicone rubber, in particular predominantly.

[0045] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0046] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using an embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0047] Short description of the drawings

[0048] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector with an angled cable outlet connected to a mating connector to form a connector assembly. Figure 2 shows a cutaway side view of housing parts of the connector assembly from Figure 1 with shielding components arranged therein.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a first shielding component with contact tongue according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a cutaway side view of the principle of the interaction of the shield components.

[0051] Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0052] An embodiment of a connector 10 according to the invention, which in turn comprises an embodiment of a housing assembly 100 according to the invention, as well as a connector assembly 300 according to the invention, is described below in a coherent and comprehensive manner with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector 10 that is plugged together or connected (mechanically and electrically) to a mating connector 20. The connector 10 and the mating connector 20 form a connector assembly 300.

[0053] A plugging direction in which the connector 10 can be plugged onto the mating connector 20 or plugged together with it is designated by A. In Fig. 1, the plugging direction A runs, for example, from top to bottom.

[0054] The plug connector 10 has a housing assembly 100 and an inner plug element 200. The inner plug element 200 can be designed as an inner housing and is accommodated in the housing assembly 100. A cable 210 and an electrical contact element 220 are accommodated by the inner plug element 200, or a cable 210 and an electrical contact element 220 are arranged or fastened to the inner plug element 200 or mechanically connected to the inner plug element 200. In principle, the inner plug element 200 can also be designed as a contact element 220 or be part of the contact element 220 (e.g., a contact element housing surrounding the contact element 220). The cable 210 and the contact element 220 are fastened to one another, wherein, in particular, individual wires of the cable 210 can contact individual contacts of the contact element 220. The mating connector 20 has a mating connector housing 21 and a mating contact element 23.Contact element 220 and counter contact element 23 can be mechanically connected to one another, e.g. plugged together to establish an electrical connection.

[0055] The mating contact element 23 can be designed as a flat contact merely by way of example. It can, for example, have a fork-shaped end with two spaced-apart surfaces, between which the contact element 220 is inserted. Contact element 220 and mating contact element 23 or plug connector 10 and mating plug connector 20 can, for example, be configured to transmit high currents (e.g., more than 10A, preferably more than 25A, particularly preferably more than 50A, and most preferably more than 100A). Alternatively or additionally, they can be configured to be operated with high voltages, e.g., more than 40V, preferably more than 100V, particularly preferably more than 220V, and most preferably more than 380V. They can, for example, have conductor cross-sections of more than 1mm2 , preferably more than 5mm 2 and especially preferably more than 10mm 2 have.

[0056] The housing assembly 100 has a connector housing 110 with a first insertion opening 111 and a first cable opening 112. The first insertion opening 111 defines an insertion channel 113, and the first cable opening 112 defines a cable channel 114. In the example shown, the insertion channel 113 and the cable channel 114 enclose an angle a of (approximately) 90°. However, the angle can also be slightly larger or smaller than 90°. It can generally be in the range from 45° to 135°. The cable channel 114 merges into the insertion channel 113 at a transition point 115 or in the region of the angle a. An intermediate region 116 is located, for example, between the insertion channel 113 and the cable channel 114. The intermediate region 116 is given here, for example, as an intersection or intersection surface of an extension of the insertion channel 113 and the cable channel 114. Figure 2 shows a cutaway side view of housing parts of the connector assembly 300 from Figure 1.As can be seen by way of example in Fig. 2, the housing assembly 100 further comprises a first electrically conductive shielding component 120, which is inserted into the first cable opening 112 until it reaches a first end position shown in Fig. 2. A (first) insertion direction of the first shielding component 120 into the connector housing 110 is designated E1. The first insertion direction E1 runs, for example, (approximately) perpendicular to the plugging direction A, from right to left in Fig. 2.

[0057] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the mating connector 20 has a second electrically conductive shielding component 130, which is inserted into the first insertion opening 111 until a second end position shown in Fig. 2 is reached when the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 form a connector arrangement 300, i.e. are plugged together. A (second) insertion direction of the second shielding component 130 into the connector housing 110 is designated E2 in Fig. 2. The second insertion direction E2 of the second shielding component 130 runs (approximately) perpendicular to the first insertion direction E1 of the first shielding component 120, here for example from bottom to top. The two insertion directions E1, E2 are rotated relative to one another by the angle α, for example.

[0058] In principle, the second shielding component 130 can also be provided on or in the connector 10. In such a case, it is preferably also inserted along the second insertion direction E2 through or into the first insertion opening 111 until the second end position is reached.

[0059] A sealing element 170 is arranged in the insertion channel 113 and extends along a circumferential direction U surrounding the second insertion direction E2. The sealing element 170 forms a radial seal with respect to the second insertion direction E2, in particular between the connector housing 110 and the mating connector housing 21. This prevents the penetration of dirt and fluid media (e.g., liquids, etc.) into the housing. This advantageously also enables use in an automotive environment with the harsh conditions prevailing there, for example. The sealing element 170 can be made of plastic, for example. Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a first shield component 120 with a contact tongue 121.

[0060] As can be seen in particular from Figs. 2 or 3, the first shielding component 120 here is a substantially cuboid-shaped hollow profile with a second cable opening 122 and a second insertion opening 123. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, the second cable opening 122 of the first shielding component 120 is oriented toward the first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110, and the second insertion opening 123 of the first shielding component 120 is oriented toward the first insertion opening 111 of the connector housing 110 when the first shielding component 120 is in the first end position shown in Fig. 2. The second cable opening 122 of the first shielding component 120 is arranged at the same end of the cable duct 114 as the first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110.The first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110 and the second cable opening 122 of the first shielding component 120 overlap (in particular when viewed along the first insertion direction E1), and their surface normals are (substantially) parallel in the present example.

[0061] In contrast, the second insertion opening 123 of the first shielding component 120 is arranged at an end of the insertion channel 113 facing away from the first insertion opening 111 of the connector housing 110. The intermediate region 116 is essentially shielded by the first shielding component 120. The first insertion opening 111 of the connector housing 110 and the second insertion opening 123 of the first shielding component 120 also overlap (particularly when viewed along the second insertion direction E2), and their surface normals are (essentially) parallel in the present example.

[0062] The second shielding component 130 is here, for example, also a hollow profile, here essentially cuboid-shaped, with a transition region 134. The transition region 134 of the second shielding component 130 is inserted or inserted into the first shielding component 120 or into its interior through its second insertion opening 123 or is arranged in the interior of the first shielding component 120. The second shielding component 130 has contacts or contact points or

[0063] Contact blades 131 in order to establish a (particularly defined) electrical contact with the first shielding component 120.

[0064] As can be seen in particular in Fig. 3, the first shielding component 120 has an electrically conductive contact tongue 121, which can be displaced, in particular elastically reversibly, from a disengaged position AL (see Figs. 2 and 3) into an engaged position EL (see Fig. 4). In the disengaged position AL, for example, it protrudes obliquely inward into the interior of the first shielding component 120. The contact tongue 121 can be made, for example, of steel (spring steel) and / or copper-beryllium or comprise these materials, in particular predominantly, in order to provide suitable elasticity or rigidity and electrical conductivity. The contact tongue 121 is designed to be displaced from the disengaged position AL into the engaged position EL by the inner plug element 200 of the plug connector 10 when the latter is inserted into the first shielding component 120 (see Fig. 4).

[0065] The contact tongue 121 has a fixed end 121a, with which it is fastened to an inner surface of the first shielding component 120 - this end can also be referred to, for example, as the root of the contact tongue 121. The fastening can be effected, for example, by a material fit and / or a force fit and / or a form fit; for example, the fixed end 121a can be welded or soldered, screwed or riveted to the shielding component. In principle, it is also conceivable for the contact tongue 121 to be manufactured in one piece together with the first shielding component 120 as a stamped and bent part. Furthermore, the contact tongue 121 has a free or self-supporting end 121b, which serves to contact the second shielding component 130. The free end 121b is rounded here, for example, or designed with a run-up slope.As a result, the free end 121b can slide easily and without damage along an outer surface, in particular an outer surface 132 of the second shielding component 130 facing the first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110, when the mating connector 20 is plugged together with the connector 10 or when, in the plugged-together state of the connector 10 and the mating connector 20, the plug inner element 200 is inserted into the connector housing 110 and the contact tongue 121 is displaced or moved from the disengaged position AL into the engaged position EL. In particular, the contact tongue 121 consists of an elongated sheet metal lamella with the fixed end 121a, a longitudinal region 121c extending therefrom, here for example plate-shaped and / or thin and / or elongated, and the adjoining free end 121b, which protrudes from the longitudinal region 121c at an angle (downward in Fig. 3). The contact tongue 121 can, for example,be designed to be elastically reversible in such a way that it is in the disengaged position AL or moves back there without the application of force.

[0066] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the first shielding component 120 can be inserted into the first cable opening 112 (along the (first) insertion direction E1) when the contact tongue 121 is in the disengaged position AL. In particular, the contact tongue 121 in the disengaged position AL is thus located within a projection of the first cable opening 112, viewed along the insertion direction E1, and in particular (completely) within the first shielding component 120 or in its interior. In other words, a contour of the first shielding component 120 does not protrude beyond a contour of the first cable opening 120. The first shielding component 120 can be inserted into the cable duct 114 along the insertion direction E1 without damaging the contact tongue 121.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a cutaway side view of the connector assembly 300 showing a principle of the interaction of the two shield components 120, 130.

[0068] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the contact tongue 121, in particular its free end 121b, protrudes or stands beyond the projection of the first cable opening 112 along the insertion direction E1 or beyond the footprint of the first cable opening 112, so that the contact end or the cantilevered or free end 121b of the contact tongue 121 protrudes into the insertion channel 113 of the connector housing 110 when the contact tongue 121 is in the engagement position EL. In particular, the contact tongue 121 protrudes from the first shielding component 120 in the direction of the first insertion opening 111 of the connector housing 110 when the contact tongue 121 is in the engagement position EL. In this case, in the example shown, the contact tongue 121, in particular its free end 121b, would enable the first shielding component 120 to be inserted into or out of the cable duct 114 without any problems.prevent removal from it, since the first shielding component 120 with protruding contact tongue 121 does not fit through the cable duct 114 (without bending or damaging the contact tongue 121).

[0069] As can be seen in Fig. 4, the contact tongue 121 electrically contacts the second shielding component 130 and thereby electrically connects it to the first shielding component 120 when the contact tongue 121 is in the engagement position EL and the connector assembly 300 is manufactured.

[0070] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, when the contact tongue is in the disengaged position, there is or would be a gap or spacing 140 between the first shielding component 120 and the second shielding component 130 at the transition point 115 from the cable duct 114 to the insertion duct 113. This gap is disadvantageous with regard to electromagnetic compatibility, since electromagnetic radiation from the interior of the connector housing 110 can penetrate into the outside environment or electromagnetic radiation from the outside environment can penetrate into the interior. However, within the scope of embodiments of the invention, this spacing or gap is electrically conductively closed by the contact tongue 121 when or because it is in the engaged position EL, as can be seen in Fig. 4. The shielding is thereby ensured. The gap makes it impossible to insert the first shielding component 120 into the connector housing 110 orThis facilitates the assembly of the connector 10. Furthermore, sufficient spacing can be created between the two shielding components 120, 130 and current-carrying parts within the connector 10 to prevent electrical arcing. This allows the connector 10 to be easily assembled, can be constructed particularly compactly and with small external dimensions, and provides good electrical shielding after the connector assembly has been manufactured.

[0071] To mount the connector 10 according to the illustrated

[0072] In this embodiment, the first electrically conductive shielding component 120 is first inserted into the first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110 along the insertion direction E1 until the first end position is reached. The contact tongue 121 is in the disengaged position AL.

[0073] The inner plug element 200 is then inserted into the first shielding component 120 or into the first cable opening 112 and the second cable opening 122 along the insertion direction E1. As a result, the contact tongue 121 is subjected to force by the inner plug element 200, as a result of which the contact tongue 121 is displaced from the disengaged position AL into the engaged position EL. The inner plug element 200 can preferably be designed such that the first shielding component 120 has only a slight oversize (e.g. less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, particularly preferably less than 0.5 mm) compared to the outer contour of the inner plug element 200, in particular at least in a direction that corresponds to the direction of displacement of the contact tongue 121 from the disengaged position AL into the engaged position EL, in Fig. 4 therefore, for example, the direction running from top to bottom.As a result, the displacement of the contact tongue 121 from the disengaged position AL into the engaged position EL can be effected particularly easily, simply by inserting the plug inner element 200 into the cable duct 114.

[0074] To produce the connector assembly 300, the connector 10 is plugged together with the mating connector 20, e.g., plugged onto the mating connector 20. For this purpose, the first insertion opening 111 is guided over the mating contact element 23 and the second shielding component 130, and the connector 10 is plugged onto the mating connector 20 in plugging direction A (or the connector 10 and mating connector 20 are plugged together parallel to plugging direction A). As a result, the second electrically conductive shielding component 130 is inserted into the first insertion opening 111 of the connector housing 110 along the (second) insertion direction E2 until the second end position is reached.

[0075] The first shielding component 120 receives the second shielding component 130 with its second insertion opening 123. Subsequently, the contact blades 131 in the transition region 134 of the second shielding component 130 contact an inner surface of the first shielding component 120, and the free end 121b of the contact tongue 121 slides along the outer surface 132 of the second shielding component 130 facing the first cable opening 112 of the connector housing 110 and contacts the second shielding component 130 there.

[0076] Thus, the gap or spacing 140 between the first and second shielding components 120, 130 in the bending region of the connector housing 110 is electrically closed by the contact tongue 121. In this way, a shielding gap or shielding leak that might exist without the contact tongue 121 is also closed in a simple and cost-effective manner by means of the contact tongue 121.

[0077] When plugging together the connector 10 and the mating connector 20, the mating contact element 23 is also electrically connected to the contact element 220.

Claims

Claims 1. Housing assembly (100) for a connector (10) with a Connector inner element (200) comprising the housing assembly (100) -- a connector housing (110) with a first insertion opening (111) and a first cable opening (112), wherein the first insertion opening (111) delimits a plug-in channel (113), wherein the first cable opening (112) delimits a cable channel (114), wherein the plug-in channel (113) and the cable channel (114) enclose an angle (a) of 45° to 135°, wherein in particular the cable channel (114) merges into the plug-in channel (113) in the region of the angle, -- a first electrically conductive shielding component (120) which is inserted along an insertion direction (E1) into the first cable opening (112) until a first end position is reached, wherein the first shielding component (120) has an electrically conductive contact tongue (121) which is displaceable, in particular elastically reversibly, from a disengaged position (AL) into an engaged position (EL), wherein the contact tongue (121) in the disengaged position (AL) lies within a projection of the first cable opening (112) along the insertion direction (E1), wherein the contact tongue (121) in the engaged position (EL) projects beyond the projection of the first cable opening (112) along the insertion direction (E1), so that a contact end of the contact tongue (121) projects into the insertion channel (113) of the connector housing (110), wherein the contact tongue (121) is designed to be connected to the inner plug element (200) of the plug connector (10) which is inserted into the first shielding component (120),to be shifted into the intervention position (EL).

2. Housing assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first shielding component (120) is inserted into the first cable opening (112) can be inserted when the contact tongue (121) is in the disengaged position (AL).

3. Housing assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first shielding component (120) cannot be inserted into the first cable opening (112) when the contact tongue (121) is in the engaged position (EL).

4. Housing assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact tongue (121) is fastened to the first shielding component (120), in particular in a materially bonded and / or force-fitted and / or form-fitted manner, in particular welded or soldered or screwed or riveted.

5. Housing assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact tongue (121) is a sheet metal strip.

6. Housing assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shielding component (120) is a hollow profile with a second cable opening (122) and a second insertion opening (123), wherein in the first end position the second cable opening (122) of the first shielding component (120) is aligned in the direction of the first cable opening (112) of the connector housing (110), and the second insertion opening (123) of the first shielding component (120) is aligned in the direction of the first insertion opening (111) of the connector housing (110).

7. Connector (10), the connector (10) comprising -- a housing assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, -- a plug inner element (200) which is inserted into the first shielding component (120), in particular along the insertion direction (E1) through the second cable opening (122) wherein the contact tongue (121) is displaced from the disengaged position (AL) into the engaged position (EL) by the plug inner element (200).

8. Connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein the contact tongue (121) is displaced in the engagement position (EL) in the direction of the first insertion opening (111) of the connector housing (110).

9. Plug connector arrangement (300) with a plug connector (10) according to claim 7 or 8 and a mating plug connector (20), the mating plug connector (20) having -- a mating contact element (23), wherein the plug connector (10) or the mating plug connector (20) has a second electrically conductive shielding component (130), wherein the mating contact element (23) is arranged within the second electrically conductive shielding component (130), wherein the second electrically conductive shielding component (130) is inserted into the first insertion opening (111) until a second end position is reached, wherein the contact tongue (121) electrically contacts the second shielding component (130) and electrically connects it to the first shielding component (120), wherein the mating contact element (23) is electrically connected to a contact element (220) of the plug connector (10).

10. Connector assembly (300) according to claim 9, wherein the contact tongue (121) bridges a spacing of the first shielding component (120) from the second shielding component (120) at a transition point (115) from the cable duct (114) to the insertion duct (113).

11. Connector assembly (300) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the contact tongue (121) contacts the second shielding component (120) on an outer surface (132), in particular on an outer surface facing the first cable opening (112) of the connector housing (110).

12. Method for assembling a connector (10) according to claim 7 or 8, comprehensive the steps: -- Inserting the first electrically conductive shielding component (120) along an insertion direction (E1) into the first cable opening (112) until reaching the first end position, wherein the contact tongue (121) is in the disengaged position (AL), -- Inserting the inner plug element (200) into the first shielding component (120), whereby the contact tongue (121) is displaced from the disengaged position (AL) into the engaged position (EL).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the insertion of the inner plug element (200) into the first shielding component (120) forces the contact tongue (121) to be subjected to force by the inner plug element (200).

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