Connecting element, plug connector housing system, plug connector, and plug connector system

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element which is to facilitate the process of assembling and / or installing plug connectors and / or make said process more flexible for customers. The connecting element (1, 1') is used to releasably secure a plug insert (2, 2') in the plug connector housing (3, 3') and is designed to latch a plug insert (2, 2') inserted into the plug connector housing (3, 3') to the connecting element (1, 1'). In the process, the connecting element (1, 1') allows a latching process both while the plug insert (2, 2') is being inserted in a first insert direction (E1) and while the plug insert (2, 2') is being inserted in a second insert direction (E2), wherein the second insert direction (E2) is opposite the first insert direction (E1).

Description

[0001] Title: Connecting element, connector housing system, connector and connector system

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention is based on a connecting element according to the preamble of independent claim 1

[0004] Furthermore, the invention is based on a connector housing system comprising a connector housing and the connecting element according to claim 1.

[0005] The invention further relates to a connector comprising the connector housing system according to claim 13 and a connector insert.

[0006] In addition, the invention is based on a connector system comprising the connector according to claim 18 and at least one further connector housing.

[0007] Such connecting elements are required to secure plug inserts in connector housings.

[0008] State of the art

[0009] In the state of the art, there are efforts to replace the complex screw fastening of plug inserts in connector housings with a much more convenient snap-in fastening.

[0010] The publication DE 20 2013 012 812 U1 discloses a connector for mechanically and electrically connecting to a corresponding mating connector. The connector has a housing, two individual protective conductor bridges, and a plug insert. The protective conductor bridges are held on the housing and each have two connection areas for connecting to the plug insert. The plug insert is held on the connection areas of the protective conductor bridges, with the two connection areas of the protective conductor bridge being formed at the axial end regions of the protective conductor bridge.

[0011] Each protective earth bridge has an elongated bridge main body with the connecting areas formed on the sides. The housing has a plug opening with two opposite sides. One of the protective earth bridges is attached to each of the two opposite sides, with the plug insert being held jointly by both protective earth bridges.

[0012] This document further discloses designing the connector such that the at least one connection area has fastening means for connecting the protective conductor bridge to the housing. It is also disclosed that the fastening means are designed as locking means for locking onto corresponding locking means of the housing. The locking means of the protective conductor bridges can be designed, for example, as locking lugs or tongues. For this purpose, the housing has a guide groove with a locking lug as a counter-corrosion means, into which the locking tongue can be inserted and locked.

[0013] Document DE 10 2014 109 351 B3 discloses a connector for mechanical and electrical connection to a corresponding mating connector, comprising a housing, a protective conductor bridge, a holding ohm, and a plug insert. The holding ohm can be screwed to the plug insert and sealed together with it in the housing.

[0014] The disadvantage of these variants is that the connecting elements - i.e. protective conductor bridges or holding resistors - must first be screwed onto the plug inserts in order to then be able to be locked into the connector housing together with them.

[0015] The publication DE 10 2015 017 352 B3 discloses an assembly of a connector part, comprising a retaining frame for accommodating at least one modular contact insert and a housing part into which the retaining frame can be latched. This technical teaching has the disadvantage that it cannot be used with conventional connector inserts available on the market, which are usually screwed into commercially available, usually metallic, connector housings with a PE (Protective Earth) connection.

[0016] However, in the area of ​​connector manufacturing, a very advantageous basic concept to strive for is the so-called “modularity”, i.e. as many connector components as possible should be usable in combination with one another.

[0017] Accordingly, components newly introduced onto the market should be as “backward compatible” as possible with as many other components already existing on the market as possible.

[0018] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2014 109 351 B3, DE 102015 017 352 B3,

[0019] DE 10 2016 121 966 A1, DE 202013 012 812 U1, US 4,659,162 A and EP 2 510 589 B1.

[0020] Task

[0021] The object of the invention is to provide a connecting element which facilitates and / or makes more flexible the assembly and / or installation of connectors by the customer.

[0022] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. A connecting element serves for the releasable fastening of a plug insert in the connector housing and is designed to latch a plug insert inserted into the connector housing onto the connecting element.

[0023] A connector housing system has a connector housing, in particular a sleeve or bulkhead housing, and a connecting element of the aforementioned type inserted therein and fastened thereto.

[0024] A connector comprises a connector housing system of the aforementioned type and a plug insert secured or at least rust-proof to it. The plug insert comprises a contact carrier made of an electrically insulating material, a plurality of plug contacts arranged therein or at least to be arranged therein, and two PE (Protective Earth) elements attached to the contact carrier opposite one another. Each of these two PE elements has at least one mounting flange. The plug insert is secured or at least rust-proof to the mounting flanges on the connecting element.

[0025] A connector system comprises a connector of the aforementioned type and at least one additional connector housing, which has screw openings for securing the connector insert to the connecting flanges of its PE elements using several screws. The connector insert can be either screwed into the connector housing or screwed to the additional connector housing, i.e., inserted into the additional connector housing and, when inserted, screwed to it using the screws.

[0026] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description. A significant advantage of the invention is its user-friendliness. The customer no longer needs to laboriously screw the plug insert into the connector housing, but simply needs to insert it into the connector housing, so that the plug insert automatically locks onto the connecting element.

[0027] Another significant advantage of the invention is that the connector housing system is backward compatible with existing connector inserts. A connector insert typically designed for screwing onto another connector housing can easily rust within the connector housing system along with its mounting flanges. In particular, it is not necessary for the customer to make any modifications to the existing connector insert. In particular, it is not necessary to screw a frame or similar component onto the connector insert, which would otherwise result in undesirable, inconvenient screwing.

[0028] Alternatively, the connector insert with its mounting flanges can also be screwed into the additional (“conventional”) connector housing. This fulfills the desired backward compatibility criterion.

[0029] A further advantage of the invention is that already market-tested and series-produced connector housings can also be used, possibly with minor modifications. For example, it may be sufficient to completely or partially, perhaps even only slightly, mill off the internal screw formations of one of the additional connector housings in order to create a connector housing according to the invention and at the same time ensure that the overall mating height of the connector insert is maintained. The usability of existing, i.e. the additional ("conventional") connector housings, in any case reduces manufacturing costs and preserves the other advantages of these connector housings gained through experience. Such modifications, such as the aforementioned milling, are of course carried out by the connector manufacturer in the factory. The customer benefit of convenient operation is unaffected.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element can be designed to enable said locking of the plug insert both when the plug insert is inserted in a first insertion direction and when the plug insert is inserted in a second insertion direction, wherein the second insertion direction is opposite to the first insertion direction.

[0031] This is particularly advantageous when the connector housing is designed as a so-called bulkhead housing. Such a bulkhead housing is intended for installation in wall openings and essentially has a frame shape with an outer flange usually molded onto it.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element can have multiple locking areas, each locking area having at least two locking tabs. In particular, the locking area can have exactly two locking tabs. The plurality of locking areas has the advantage that the holding force exerted by the connecting element on the plug insert is distributed as evenly as possible across the connecting element. The at least two locking tabs per locking area advantageously enable the locking / holding of the plug insert inserted in the two aforementioned insertion directions.

[0033] For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if each locking tab has a locking means on which the plug insert rusts or is at least potentially capable of rusting. The locking means can be designed, for example, in the form of a locking edge or a locking embossing. In other designs, the locking means can also be designed as a locking nose, locking bend, locking window and / or locking formation. In an advantageous design, one locking tab can point substantially in the first insertion direction and another locking tab substantially in the second insertion direction for each locking area. Both locking tabs can then have locking edges. This opposite orientation is advantageous because it is easy to manufacture, while at the same time ensuring that the insertion of the contact carrier in the first or second insertion direction enables elastic deformation with subsequent locking on the respective locking edge.

[0034] A particularly advantageous alternative embodiment provides that one locking tab has a locking means in the form of a locking edge and another locking tab has a locking embossing as a locking means for fixing the inserted plug insert. This has the advantage, on the one hand, that production is simplified for at least one of the locking tabs, because an edge that can be used as a locking edge is naturally present. The locking embossing of the other locking tab has the advantage that this locking tab can point in the same direction as the aforementioned locking tab, because the locking embossing is fundamentally capable of having a locking effect in both insertion directions. The two locking tabs can therefore point in a common direction, e.g. opposite to the first insertion direction, i.e. in the direction of the second insertion direction.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the plug insert can be rusted with at least one of its fastening flanges on the connecting element, in particular on at least one of the locking means of a locking tab of the connecting element. This is particularly advantageous because the fastening flanges are already present in many plug inserts already on the market, have at least one screw hole, and are usually intended for screwing onto, for example, the aforementioned additional connector housing.

[0036] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if at least one locking tab has an end-side actuating section extending beyond the locking means. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the plug insert to be removed from the sleeve housing.

[0037] Particularly preferably, the connecting element can comprise a continuous connecting tube. This connecting tube can have a rectangular cross-section and thus have two parallel, opposite longitudinal side walls and two narrow side walls at right angles thereto.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element has at least four, in particular exactly four, locking areas. This has the advantage that the holding force is distributed very evenly across the connecting element and thus across the connector housing on the one hand and the contact carrier on the other.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment, each of the two longitudinal side walls and each of the two narrow side walls can each have two end sections, wherein each of the end sections of the longitudinal side walls adjoins an end section of a narrow side wall. In particular, these two end sections can each together form an angled locking region. This locking region then has a rectangular shape due to the rectangular cross-section of the connecting tube. In particular, the locking tabs pointing in the first insertion direction can then be arranged in the end sections of the longitudinal side walls, and the locking tabs pointing in the second insertion direction can then be arranged in the end sections of the narrow side walls.

[0040] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a single piece. This facilitates production, particularly when the connecting element is made of sheet metal and is particularly preferably designed as a stamped and bent part. In a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting element can have at least one pair of fastening tabs. “At least one pair of fastening tabs” means that two corresponding fastening tabs are provided. These can run at right angles to the two insertion openings, with at least one through-opening being arranged in each fastening tab as a fastening opening. Furthermore, the connector housing can have at least two fastening surfaces which are in a fasteningly operative connection with the fastening tabs. For example, the connecting element can be screwed to the connector housing at its fastening tabs.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment, the connector housing is a bulkhead housing, and the fastening tabs are directed outward. In particular, the fastening tabs can point away from each other.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment, the connector housing is a sleeve housing, and the fastening tabs are directed inward. In particular, the fastening tabs can point toward each other.

[0043] A particularly great advantage of the connecting element is that it can be used in both bulkhead housings and sleeve housings with only very minor changes, namely the aforementioned change to the aforementioned type of its fastening lugs.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment, the connector housing can be made of plastic or of a zinc and / or aluminum alloy.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment, the

[0046] Connecting element for each of the two PE elements of the

[0047] The plug insert has at least one PE connecting tab, which electrically contacts the respective PE element to establish an electrical connection between the PE elements and the connecting element and, via this, the connector housing and / or to each other, i.e., to the respective other PE element. This is advantageous in two respects: If the connector housing is metallic, the connecting element enables proper grounding.

[0048] If, however, the connector housing is made of plastic, the connecting element serves to electrically connect the two PE elements. After all, a protective conductor is usually only connected to one of the two PE elements. The other PE element should also be earthed for safety reasons, either to compensate for a faulty connection or simply because the other PE element is a metal part that must be earthed according to regulations. The primary issue, however, is the earthing transfer to a mating connector, in case the other PE element is connected to the protective conductor.

[0049] It is particularly advantageous if the PE connecting tab has a contact edge and an outwardly curved sliding section that extends beyond the contact edge. This provides a particularly large contact surface with the PE element and, at the same time, allows for sliding in both opposing insertion directions. In particular, this sliding section allows the PE connecting tab to slide onto the respective PE element even if the PE connecting tab faces opposite the respective insertion direction of the plug insert.

[0050] Example

[0051] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1a a first connecting element comprising a connecting frame and outwardly directed fastening tabs;

[0052] Fig. 1 b a second connecting element, comprising a connecting frame and inwardly directed fastening tabs;

[0053] Fig. 2a, b a plug insert without and with screws;

[0054] Fig. 2c the second connecting element from a slightly different perspective;

[0055] Fig. 2d the second connecting element with the plug insert inserted therein;

[0056] Fig. 3a - c the second connecting element with the plug insert inserted therein in various sectional views;

[0057] Fig. 4a an attachment housing with the first connecting element;

[0058] Fig. 4b a grommet housing with the second connecting element.

[0059] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0060] Fig. 1a and 1b show a first 1 and a second 1 '

[0061] Connecting element, whereby these two connecting elements 1, 1' differ only in the type of their fastening tabs 126, 128. Therefore, in the following, both connecting elements 1, 1' are meant when referring to the connecting element 1, 1'. The first 1 and the second 1' connecting elements are shown here rotated 180° vertically relative to each other.

[0062] The connecting element 1 , 1 ' consists of sheet metal and is designed as a stamped and bent part.

[0063] The connecting element 1, 1' is basically designed to enable a locking of a plug insert 2, 2' shown below both when inserting the plug insert 2, 2' in a first insertion direction E1 and when inserting the plug insert 2, 2' in a second insertion direction E2, wherein the second insertion direction E2 is opposite to the first insertion direction E1.

[0064] The connecting element 1, 1' has a circumferential connecting frame 14, which, viewed parallel to the first insertion direction E1, has a rectangular cross-section. The connecting frame 14 thus has two longitudinal side walls 11 lying parallel to each other and two narrow side walls 12 at right angles thereto.

[0065] The first connecting element 1 has two outwardly directed fastening tabs 126 which are bent at right angles away from each other from the narrow side walls 12, whereby in this illustration only one fastening tab 126 is completely visible because the other is almost completely covered by the rear narrow side wall 12.

[0066] As a result, the first connecting element 1, which is intended for installation in a panel-mounted housing 3 (see Fig. 4a), is also ideally suited for inserting the plug insert 2, 2' in the second insertion direction E2, i.e., from below in the drawing. The second connecting element 1' has two inwardly directed fastening tabs 128, which are aligned at right angles to each other from the narrow side walls 12. In this illustration, only one fastening tab 128 is fully visible because the other is concealed by the front narrow side wall 12.

[0067] As a result, the second connecting element 1', which is intended for installation in a sleeve housing 3' (cf. Fig. 4b), is at least less suitable for inserting the plug insert 2, 2' in the second insertion direction E2, i.e., coming from below in the drawing. Depending on the design, the inwardly directed fastening tabs 128 can make inserting the plug insert 2, 2' in the second insertion direction E2 difficult or even impossible. However, with some skill - depending on the design - it may also be possible to insert the plug insert 2, 2' in the second insertion direction E2. As will be explained below, this insertion in the second insertion direction E2 is generally not advisable, at least in the sleeve housing 3'.

[0068] Each fastening tab 126, 128 has at least one through-opening as fastening opening 120. This allows the connecting element 1, 1' to be fastened, e.g. screwed or riveted, in the respective connector housing 3, 3'.

[0069] The connecting element 1 has a locking area 13 at each of the four corner regions of its connecting frame 14, thus a total of four locking areas 13, wherein each locking area 13 has at least two locking tabs 131, 132, namely a locking tab 131 arranged on the wide side and a locking tab 132 arranged on the narrow side. The locking tab 131 arranged on the wide side has a locking edge 137 (cf. Fig. 2c) and the locking tab 132 arranged on the narrow side has a locking impression 133 for locking or holding the inserted plug insert 2, 2'. Two of the locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side each have an actuating section 134 extending beyond their respective locking impression 133. These actuating sections 134 serve to derust the plug insert 2, 2' in the installed state.

[0070] In the first connecting element 1 shown in Fig. 1a, the two locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side, each having an actuating section 134, are shown at the rear, ie they belong together to the narrow side wall 12 shown at the rear in the drawing.

[0071] In the second connecting element 1 ' shown in Fig. 1 b, the two locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side, each having an actuating section 134, are shown at the front, ie they belong to the narrow side wall 12 shown at the front.

[0072] In addition, the connecting element 1, 1' has at least one PE ("Protective Earth") connecting tab 15 in each locking area 13 for mechanically and electrically contacting at least one PE fastening flange 253 of a PE element 25 shown below.

[0073] The PE connecting tab 15 has a contact edge 156, which is not clearly visible from this perspective and is therefore not explicitly labeled here, but is explicitly shown in Fig. 2b. Furthermore, the PE connecting tab 15 has an outwardly curved sliding section 151 that projects beyond the contact edge 156. This provides a sliding option for the two opposing insertion directions E1, E2. In particular, the sliding section 151 enables the PE connecting tab 15 to slide onto the respective PE element 25 even when the plug insert 2, 2' is inserted from below in the drawing, i.e., in the second insertion direction E2 and thus opposite to the direction in which the PE connecting tab 15 points. Figs. 2a and 2b each show a female plug insert 2 with and without screws 27.

[0074] The female plug insert 2, as well as the male plug insert 2' shown below, has a contact carrier 24 made of an electrically insulating material. The contact carrier 24 of the respective plug insert 2 has through holes as

[0075] Contact chambers 240, 240' and a plurality of female or male plug contacts arranged therein or at least to be arranged therein, which are not shown in the drawing.

[0076] Furthermore, the respective plug insert 2, 2' has two PE elements 25 fastened opposite one another on the narrow sides of the contact carrier 24, which each have at least one fastening flange 253.

[0077] Fig. 2c shows the second connecting element 1 ', into which the plug insert 2, 2' can be inserted in the first insertion direction E1.

[0078] Fig. 2d shows the second connecting element 1 ' together with the female plug insert 2 inserted in the first insertion direction E1. In the same way, the male

[0079] Plug insert 2' can be used. During insertion, the respective plug insert 2, 2', as explained in more detail below, rests with its fastening flanges 253 on the locking impressions 133 of the locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side, which temporarily bend elastically outwards during this process due to the mechanical contact of the locking impressions 133 with the fastening flanges 253 of the plug insert 2, 2'. In the drawing, the plug insert 2 is held downwards by the locking edges 137 of the locking tabs 131 arranged on the wide side. The vector arrows V1, V2, V3 show the movements required for manual removal of the plug insert 2 from the second connecting element 1'.

[0080] First, the two front locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side are pulled outwards at their actuating sections 134, i.e. in the direction of the vector arrows V1. Then - or even simultaneously - the plug insert 2, 2' is pushed in the opposite direction, i.e. in the direction of the arrow V2, so that the locking tabs 132 of the opposite narrow side wall 12 also bend elastically outwards. The mechanical play thus created is sufficient to pivot the plug insert 2 out of the connecting tube 14 at its front end and out of the connecting element, as indicated by the vector arrow V3. In particular, the movements V1 and V2 can be carried out very easily with two hands, which apply force and counterforce. The unlocking process is therefore extremely convenient.

[0081] Conversely, the plug insert 2, 2' can also be inserted in its first insertion direction E1 to a comparable extent, ie first pivoted in largely against the direction of the arrow V3 and thereby pressed in the direction of the arrow against the rear locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side and pivoted in completely while the front locking tabs 132 are pulled in the direction V1.

[0082] This method, in which an elastic deformation of the locking tabs 132 of both narrow side walls 12 is necessary for derusting the plug insert 2, 2' from the second connecting element 1', ensures significantly increased security against accidental derusting of the plug insert 2, 2' from the connecting element 1, 1'.

[0083] Fig. 3a - c illustrate, in sectional views, using a male plug insert 2', which is intended to receive male plug contacts, the PE contacting of the fastening flanges 253 of the PE element 25 by means of the contact edges 156 of the PE connecting tabs 15 of the second connecting element 1. The female plug insert 2 could also be used in the same way. Furthermore, these illustrations illustrate the locking of this and the aforementioned plug insert 2, 2' by means of the fastening flanges 253 of its PE elements 25 to the locking impressions 133 of the locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side or to the locking edges 137 of the locking tabs 131 arranged on the wide side. It therefore makes no difference whether the plug insert 2, 2' is male or female.

[0084] If the plug insert 2, 2' is inserted from below, i.e., in the second insertion direction E2, into the second connecting element 1', the fastening flanges 253 initially push the locking tabs 131 arranged on the wide side outwards, whereupon they rust at their locking edge 137. At the same time, the locking impressions 133 prevent them from moving further in the second insertion direction E2.

[0085] If the plug insert 2, 2' is instead inserted from above, i.e. in the first insertion direction E1, into the second connecting element 1', the fastening flanges 253 rust behind the locking impressions 133 of the locking tabs 132 arranged on the narrow side and are simultaneously prevented from further movement in the first insertion direction E1 by the locking edges 137 of the locking tabs 131 arranged on the wide side.

[0086] The introduction and rusting of the respective plug insert 2, 2' into the second connecting element 1 ' can therefore be carried out without any problems in both insertion directions E1, E2.

[0087] Finally, connector housing systems are shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. These connector housing systems each have a connector housing 3, 3' and a connecting element 1, 1' installed therein.

[0088] The connector housing shown in Fig. 1a with a view of the plug-in opening 30 is designed as a bulkhead housing 3 and has a mounting flange 36, e.g., for fastening to a wall opening in a housing wall. The bulkhead housing 3 is equipped with the first connecting element 1, so that insertion of the plug insert 2, 2' in both insertion directions E1, E2, i.e., if necessary, from both sides of the housing wall or similar, is advantageously possible without any problems.

[0089] The connector housing shown in Fig. 1 b with a view of the plug-in opening 30 is designed as a sleeve housing 3', thus having a cable outlet opposite its plug-in opening 30 (not shown here), and is equipped with the second connecting element 1'. It is readily apparent that, due to the housing shape, only insertion of the plug insert 2, 2' in the first insertion direction E1 is appropriate.

[0090] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged.

[0091] 1 , r connecting element

[0092] 11 Longitudinal side wall

[0093] 12 Narrow side wall

[0094] 120 mounting hole

[0095] 126 outward-facing fastening tabs

[0096] 128 inward-facing fastening tabs

[0097] 13 Rest area

[0098] 131 locking tab arranged on the broad side

[0099] 132 locking tab arranged on the narrow side

[0100] 133 locking embossing

[0101] 134 Operating section

[0102] 137 locking edge

[0103] 14 connecting frames

[0104] 15 PE connecting strap

[0105] 151 slip-on section

[0106] 156 Contact edge

[0107] 2, 2' female / male plug insert

[0108] 24 contact carriers

[0109] 240, 240' contact chambers for female, male plug contacts

[0110] 25 PE element

[0111] 253 Mounting flange

[0112] 27 screws

[0113] 3, 3' bulkhead housing, sleeve housing

[0114] 36 Mounting flange

[0115] E1 , E2 first, second insertion direction

[0116] V1, V2, V3 vector arrows

Claims

Claims 1. Connecting element (1, 1') for the releasable fastening of a plug insert (2, 2') in a plug connector housing (3, 3'), characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') is designed to lock the plug insert (2, 2') inserted into the plug connector housing (3, 3') to the connecting element (1, 1').

2. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') is designed to enable said locking both when inserting the plug insert (2, 2') in a first insertion direction (E1) and when inserting the plug insert (2, 2') in a second insertion direction (E2), the second insertion direction (E2) being opposite to the first insertion direction (E1).

3. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') has a plurality of locking regions (13), each locking region (13) having at least two locking tabs (131, 132).

4. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the locking tabs (131, 132) has a locking means in the form of a locking edge (137) or a locking embossing (133) for locking the inserted plug insert (2, 2').

5. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 4, characterized in that for each latching region (13), at least one of the latching tabs (131, 132) has a latching edge (137) and at least one other of the latching tabs (132) has a latching embossing (133).

6. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the locking tabs (132) of the connecting element (1, 1') has an actuating section (134) extending beyond its locking means (133).

7. Connecting element (1, 1') according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') has a circumferential connecting frame (14).

8. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting frame (14) has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has two longitudinal side walls (11) lying parallel to one another and two narrow side walls (12) at right angles thereto.

9. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') has at least four locking areas (13).

10. Connecting element (1, 1') according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the two longitudinal side walls (11) and each of the two narrow side walls (12) each has two end sections, wherein each of the end sections of the longitudinal side walls (11) adjoins a respective end section of a narrow side wall (12), wherein these end sections together form the locking regions (13), whereby the locking regions (13) are angled.

11. Connecting element (1, 1') according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') is designed in one piece.

12. Connecting element (1, 1') according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the connecting element (1, 1') consists of sheet metal and is designed as a stamped and bent part.

13. Connector housing system comprising a connector housing (3, 3') and a connecting element (1, 1') inserted therein and fastened thereto according to one of claims 2 to 12.

14. Connector housing system according to claim 13, characterized in that the connecting element (1 , 1 ) has at least one pair of fastening tabs (126, 128) which run at right angles to the two said insertion directions (E1, E2), wherein in each fastening tab (126, 128) at least one through-opening is arranged as a fastening opening (120), and wherein the connector housing (3, 3') has at least two fastening surfaces which are in fastening operative connection with the fastening tabs (126, 128).

15. Connector housing system according to claim 14, wherein the connector housing is a bulkhead housing (3) and wherein the fastening tabs (126) are directed outwards.

16. Connector housing system according to claim 14, wherein the connector housing is a sleeve housing (3') and wherein the fastening tabs (128) of the connecting element (1') are directed inwards.

17. Connector housing system according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the connector housing (3, 3') is formed from plastic or a zinc and / or aluminum alloy.

18. A plug connector, comprising a plug connector housing system according to one of claims 13 to 17, and a plug insert (2, 2') fastened thereto or at least rust-proof, comprising a contact carrier (24) made of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of plug contacts arranged therein or at least to be arranged therein and two PE (Protective Earth) elements (25) fastened opposite one another to the contact carrier (24), each having at least one fastening flange (253), wherein the plug insert (2, 2') is rust-proof or at least rust-proof by means of at least one of its fastening flanges (253) to the connecting element (1, 1').

19. Connector according to claim 18, wherein the connecting element (1, 1') has at least one PE connecting tab (15) for each PE ("Protective Earth") element (25), which electrically contacts the respective PE element (25) in order to establish an electrical connection of the PE elements (25) to the connector housing (3, 3') and / or to one another.

20. Connector according to claim 19, characterized in that the PE connecting tab (15) has a contact edge (156) and an outwardly curved sliding section (151) projecting beyond the contact edge (156).

21. Connector system comprising a connector according to one of claims 18 to 20 and at least one further connector housing which has screw openings for fastening screw connection of the plug insert (2, 2') to the connecting flanges (253) of its PE elements (25) by means of several screws (27), wherein the plug insert (2, 2') can be selectively locked in the plug connector housing (3, 3') by means of the connecting element (1, 1') and can also be screwed onto the further plug connector housing.

Images