Electrical connector arrangement, opposing electrical connector, locking element, and assembly consisting of a connector, an opposing connector, and a locking element

Abstract

An electrical connector arrangement (1) comprising a connector (2) and an opposing connector (3), which respectively have electrical plugging contact elements (4a, 4b) assigned to each other, and comprising a locking element (5) arranged against the connector (2) for mechanically locking the connector (2) against the opposing connector (3), wherein the locking element (5) is arranged for removable attachment against the opposing connector (3), characterized in that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a complementary shape profile (7) and in that the opposing connector (3) has against the opposing connector (3) a guide housing (8) with a complementary shape contour (9) for housing and guiding the locking element (5). (in connection with Fig. 5c)

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical connector arrangement, electrical opposing connector, locking element and assembly consisting of a connector, an opposing connector and a locking element

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector arrangement comprising a connector and a mating connector, which each have electrical plug-in contact elements assigned to each other, and comprising a locking element arranged against the connector for mechanically locking the connector against the mating connector, the locking element being arranged for removable fastening against the mating connector.

[0002] The invention further relates to an electrical mating connector and to a locking element for such a connector arrangement. The invention further relates to an assembly consisting of a connector, a mating connector and a locking element for such a connector arrangement.

[0003] In general, the invention relates to the field of electrical connection technology. An electrical connector arrangement serves for the simple and rapid establishment of a removable electrical connection between an electrical connector and an electrical mating connector. For establishing the electrical connection, the connector and the mating connector each have electrical plug-in contact elements assigned to each other.

[0004] For the mechanical protection of the connection between the connector and the mating connector, it is known to lock them together with a locking element. The locking element may, for example, be permanently fixed against the connector or be a separate and removable accessory element.

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a connector arrangement of the mentioned type with mechanical protection that is easy to handle and reliably effective. In particular, the risk of unintentional unlocking of the lock in the event of tensile forces acting on the locking element must be reduced.

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

[0007] According to the features of independent claim 1, a connector arrangement is provided comprising a connector and a counter connector, which respectively have assigned electrical plug-in contact elements to each other, and comprising a locking element arranged against the connector for mechanically locking the connector against the counter connector, the locking element being arranged against the counter connector for removable fastening, the locking element having a guide section with a form-fitting profile and the counter connector having against the counter connector a guide receptacle with a form-fitting contour for receiving and form-fitting guidance of the locking element. In other words, a connector arrangement is created where the locking element can be inserted into a provided receptacle of the counter connector and held and guided there by form-fitting.

[0008] The proposed connector arrangement makes it possible to increase the connection security, also referred to hereinafter as locking security, and the locking forces between the connector and the counter connector, and to reliably secure the locking against unintentional unlocking under the action of tensile forces. By pressing the locking element against the guide housing of the counter connector and by a form fit between the form-fitting profile of the locking element and the form-fitting contour of the counter connector, the locking element is stabilized and the fixing of the locking element against the counter connector is secured. Due to the increased locking security, it is also possible to reliably lock compact and small connector arrangements.Due to the increased locking security, a fastening structure of the locking element, for example, can also have reduced dimensions for fastening against the connector. Due to the improved locking security, the locking element can also be designed with greater elasticity or lower bending rigidity, thus achieving better handling of the locking element.

[0009] The connector and the mating connector have plug-in contact elements assigned to each other. In this case, an assignment to each other can mean that the plug-in contact element of the connector is arranged for connection with a corresponding plug-in contact element of the mating connector, for example that plug-in contact elements assigned to each other have plug-in contours adjusted to each other. For example, the connector can have a contact pin as a plug-in contact element and the mating connector can have a contact pin socket adjusted to the contact pin as a plug-in contact element, or vice versa. The connector and the mating connector can also have several plug-in contact elements in each case, so that the elements of the plug-in contact elements of said connectors can, for example, be designed as a pin strip and a corresponding socket strip. A surface of the connector or the mating connector against which at least one of the plug-in contact elements is arranged can be referred to as the plug-in face. The plug-in face can additionally have at least one coding element by means of which the connector and the mating connector are to be plugged together relative to each other in a predefined orientation, so that incorrect plugging can be reliably avoided.

[0010] A guide section of the locking element may be an area of ​​the locking element which is suitable for guiding into a suitable receptacle of a mating connector. The guide section may in particular be provided against an outer contour of the locking element, for example against a component edge of the locking element. The guide section may be arranged against an end section of the locking element facing the mating connector. The guide section may be arranged adjacent to a plug-in face of the connector when the locking element is arranged against the connector. The guide section may have a form-fitting profile which is designed by a specific geometric shaping of the locking element in the guide section.The form-fitting profile can, for example, be formed by a contour portion projecting from a basic shape of the locking element. The form-fitting profile can, in particular, be a lateral form-fitting profile that is designed against a lateral component edge of the locking element. A lateral component edge of the locking element can, for example, extend parallel to a plug-in direction of the connector when the locking element is arranged against the connector and the connector is moved in the plug-in direction toward the counter connector. The locking element can be designed predominantly flat in its guide section, whereby the form-fitting profile can be designed against the lateral edge or border surfaces thereof.In the proposed connector arrangement, the locking element is arranged against the connector, e.g., removably or permanently secured thereto. The locking element may predominantly extend along the connector, e.g., more than 70% or more than 80% of a surface of the locking element facing the connector may extend along a surface of the connector.

[0011] A guide housing of the counter connector may be an area of ​​the counter connector in which the guide section of the locking element can be guided. The guide housing may, for example, form a linear guide for the locking element, in which the guide section of the locking element locking element can be moved in translation. The guide housing may, for example, have one or more grooves with a shaping adjusted to the form-fitting profile of the locking element, which form or form a form-fitting contour for the form-fitting profile. The form-fitting contour may, for example, represent a negative shape of the form-fitting profile of the locking element. The form-fitting contour may, for example, be formed by a contour portion recessed relative to a basic shape of the counter connector. The guide housing may be designed against a counter connector housing of the counter connector.

[0012] The dimensions of the guide housing of the counter connector and the guide section of the locking element may be configured so that they include a clearance fit to allow easy insertion and movement of the locking element into the counter connector.

[0013] Form-fitting or form-fitting guidance can be understood to mean a technical connection or guidance where the connection or guidance partners, here the guide section of the locking element and the guide housing of the opposing connector, have contours that are geometrically adjusted to one another and engage with one another.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile of the locking element can be arranged for undercutting the form-fitting contour of the counter connector. Reliable form fit can be achieved by an undercut. In the case of an undercut, an active surface of the form-fitting profile and an active surface of the form-fitting contour can be arranged to overlap one another so that at least one degree of freedom of the form-fitting profile guided in the form-fitting contour is locked. In other words, the form-fitting profile is arranged to engage behind the form-fitting contour.

[0015] The overlapping arrangement of the form-fitting profiles of the locking element and the counter-connector or the undercut prevents the flat guide section from deflecting perpendicular to the surface extension of the guide section in the event of tensile stresses. In this way, unintentional unlocking of the lock is effectively prevented in a structurally simple manner.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a profiled element of the form-fitting profile can be designed against a lateral contour of the locking element. The lateral contour can, for example, extend essentially in parallel by relative to a plug-in direction of the connector when the locking element is arranged against the connector and the connector is moved in the plug-in direction towards the counter connector. The lateral contour may, for example, extend substantially orthogonally to an end edge of the locking element facing the counter connector. The lateral contour may, for example, extend substantially orthogonally to a fixing edge of the locking element provided for fixing against the counter connector. A plug-in direction of the connector may be a direction of movement of the connector towards the counter connector with plug-in contact elements facing each other for establishing an electrical connection.When moving the connector in the insertion direction towards the counter connector, the locking element, which is fixed, for example, against the connector, can be inserted into the guide recess of the counter connector. A profile element can be part of the form-fitting profile, for example a contour section of the form-fitting profile, which can be received in a form-fitting manner in the form-fitting contour, for example a projection. If a profile element of the form-fitting profile is designed against a lateral contour of the locking element, lateral guidance of the locking element in the guide recess is possible. The locking element can therefore be easily inserted into the guide recess. A compact guiding option is also provided without a significant increase in the space requirement.Furthermore, the locking element can thus be advantageously stabilized laterally, so that tensile forces cannot cause unintentional unlocking of the locking element. Depending on the embodiment, the profile element can extend over the entire lateral contour of the locking element, whereby simplified production of the locking element is possible, or only over a part of the lateral contour, for example to limit a plugging depth of the locking element in the guide housing or to provide a possibility of optical inspection of the locking state.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a profile element of the form-fitting profile can be designed against two opposite lateral contours of the locking element. The locking element can therefore be guided bilaterally in the guide housing, so that the locking security is further increased and a bilateral or symmetrical support and force transmission of the locking element against the guide housing is possible. In other words, the locking element has bilaterally profiled elements which together form the form-fitting profile. of the locking element. In doing so, the profile elements can here be designed geometrically essentially identically against both side contours, whereby a laterally inverted or mirrored design of the profile elements can be regarded as an essentially identical design. In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange the profile elements geometrically differently against the two side contours, for example to provide different geometric basic shapes.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile of the locking element and the form-fitting contour of the counter connector can be designed as inclined oblique surfaces so as to correspond to one another. A form fit between the guide section of the locking element and the guide housing of the counter connector can thus be easily achieved. Opposite oblique surfaces of the form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour can, for example, have a substantially identical inclination, so that the oblique surfaces run parallel to one another and can slide over one another during guidance of the guide section of the locking element in the guide housing of the counter connector.By means of the inclined oblique surface of the form-fitting contour, a cross-sectional widening can be formed in the guide housing, which enables an undercut with the oblique surface of the form-fitting profile and a form-fitting guidance. According to a further development of the embodiment, two oblique surfaces spaced apart from each other with opposite angles of inclination can be provided against the form-fitting contour and against the form-fitting profile.In doing so, the form-fitting contour can, for example, have, from a component contour adjacent to the form-fitting contour, a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide housing and the form-fitting profile can, for example, have, from a component contour adjacent to the form-fitting profile, a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide section, the conical cross-sectional widenings of the locking element and the counter connector being configured to fit together, which enables secure form-fitting guidance.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile can be designed as a symmetrical form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour can be designed as a symmetrical form-fitting contour. A symmetrical form-fitting fit can thus be provided with which a uniform force transmission of the guide section of the locking element is possible into the guide recess of the counter connector. For the design of a profile with symmetrical form fit, a profile element of the same geometric arrangement can, for example, be designed against two mutually opposite lateral contours of the locking element. For the design of a contour with symmetrical form fit, a groove corresponding to the profile elements can, for example, be designed against two mutually opposite inner contours of the guide recess.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile can be designed as an asymmetrical form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour can be designed as an asymmetrical form-fitting contour. An asymmetrical form-fitting adjustment can thus be provided with which an additional coding function can, for example, be achieved. For the design of an asymmetrical form-fitting profile, different profile elements can, for example, be designed against two mutually opposite side contours of the locking element or only one profile element can be designed against only one side contour.For the design of an asymmetrically shaped complementary contour, a groove corresponding to the different profile elements can, for example, be designed against two inner contours of the guide housing opposite each other or only one groove can be designed against one inner contour of the guide housing.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the form-fitting profile can be designed as a dovetail profile and the form-fitting contour can be designed as a dovetail contour. A reliable form fit can thus be easily achieved. The dovetail profile can be shaped and dimensioned so as to fit the dovetail contour, a clearance fit being advantageously present to facilitate the insertion and guiding of the guide section of the locking element into the guide housing. The dovetail profile and the dovetail contour can have a cross-sectional narrowing transversely to the plug-in direction of the connector, so that the dovetail profile can engage from the rear and form-fittingly with the dovetail contour and the guide section is secured against falling out of the guide housing.

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

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

[0024] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element against the counter connector. The second fastening structure may in particular be arranged for the removable fastening of the locking element against the counter connector. The second fastening structure may be designed in one piece with the locking element. The second fastening structure may in particular be arranged for the tool-free fastening of the locking element against the counter connector. In doing so, the connector may be locked against the counter connector by means of the locking element. The counter connector may have a receiving structure for the receiving of the second fastening structure of the locking element, which is designed for the form-fitting connection.For this purpose, a form-fitting profile of the locking element can be arranged for undercutting a form-fitting contour of a guide housing of the counter connector, so that a reliable form fit is achieved by the active surface overlap, connected thereto, of the form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the opposing connector has a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element against the opposing connector. The second fastening structure of the locking element may be arranged spaced apart from a first fastening structure of the locking element that may be present, in particular at a spacing that corresponds to a distance between a housing structure of the opposing connector and a housing structure of the connector in their plugged-together state. The second fastening structure may be arranged closer to an end section of the locking element that is free and faces the antagonist connector, than the first fastening structure. The fastening structure can be designed as a snap-in structure, in that for example a snap-in edge against the housing structure forms a snap-in stop for a snap-in tab against the locking element. A removable and tool-free fastening of the locking element against the antagonist connector is thus possible.

[0026] According to an advantageous improvement of the previously described embodiments relating to fastening structures of the locking element, the first fastening structure and / or the second fastening structure can be designed as a latching structure. A latching structure can, for example, be a latching nose, a latching tab, a latching hook or a latching pin. A latching structure can be elastically deformable and can be releasably latched against a receiving structure of the connector or the counter connector, which can, for example, be designed as a latching edge or a latching opening. A very simple, tool-free and releasable fastening of the locking element against the connector and / or the counter connector is possible by means of a latching structure.Furthermore, the latching structure or the latching structures can be designed in one piece with the locking element. In this case, the entire locking element can be formed from a predominantly elastic material which, depending on the shaping, gives it elastic deformability at least in sections, so that a latching process as well as a latching release process can be easily carried out.With an elastically deformable locking element at least in sections, the previously described advantages of a stabilizing guide of the guide section of the locking element in the guide receptacle of the counter connector produce an enhanced effect because easy handling of an elastically deformable locking element at least in sections is combined with increased locking security against unintentional release of the locking element from the counter connector.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a release element. The release element may be a mechanical element that may allow or facilitate intentional release of the locking element from the opposing connector. The release element may for example be arranged for the release of the second fixing structure of the locking element from the opposing connector. The release element may for example be an elastically deformable tab that may for example be arranged for the movement of a latching structure of the locking element from a latching position in which the latching structure is engaged with a housing structure of the opposing connector. The unlocking element can, for example, be a lever for lifting a latch hook. The unlocking element can, for example, be arranged between two lateral contours of the locking element, against which at least one profiled element can be designed, and partially span the locking element like a bridge as an elastically deformable tab.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the locking element can be designed as a locking pawl. In the field of electrical connection technology, locking pawls are predominantly flat accessory elements for connector arrangements for locking the connector against the counter connector. As individually available accessory elements, they can be arranged to be arranged optionally against a connector and a counter connector and to fix these against each other.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the connector arrangement may have a connection component that extends adjacent to the guide housing of the mating connector. Therefore, a guide section of the locking element guided in the guide housing may additionally bear against the connection component, so that the locking security is further increased. The connection component may delimit the guide housing on an open side of the guide housing. The connection component may, for example, be a flat circuit carrier, such as, for example, a printed circuit board.

[0030] The invention also relates to an electrical counter connector for a connector arrangement according to one of the features described above, the counter connector having a guide housing with a form-fitting contour for receiving and form-fitting guidance of a locking element. Such a counter connector advantageously makes it possible to increase the locking security of the connector arrangement formed with the counter connector, and a lock of the connector arrangement is reliably secured against unintentional unlocking in the event of tensile forces acting on the locking element.

[0031] The antagonistic connector may advantageously be designed according to one of the characteristics described in connection with the proposed connector arrangement, for example - have a form-fitting contour which is arranged for undercutting with a form-fitting profile of the locking element; - present a contour with complementary shape with an inclined oblique surface; - present a contour with complementary symmetrical shape; - present a contour with a complementary asymmetrical shape; - present a dovetail contour as a shape-complementing contour; - have a housing structure for a second fastening structure of the locking element, for example a snap-in edge or a snap-in opening; and / or - have a connecting component that extends adjacent to the guide housing.

[0032] The invention also relates to a locking element for a connector arrangement according to one of the features described above, the locking element having a guide section with a form-fitting profile. The locking security of the connector arrangement formed with the locking element can be advantageously increased by means of such a locking element, and a lock of the connector arrangement is reliably secured against unintentional unlocking in the event of tensile forces acting on the locking element.

[0033] The locking element may advantageously be designed according to one of the characteristics described in connection with the proposed connector arrangement, for example - present a form-fitting profile which is arranged for undercutting with a form-fitting contour of a connector opposing the connector arrangement; - present a profiled element of the form-fitting profile designed against a lateral contour of the locking element; - respectively present a profiled element of the shape-matching profile against two lateral contours opposite each other of the locking element; - present a profile with complementary shape with an inclined oblique surface; - present a profile with complementary shape of symmetrical shape; - present a profile with a complementary asymmetrical shape; - present a dovetail profile as a shape-matching profile; - having a first fastening structure for fastening the locking element against a connector of the connector arrangement, the first fastening structure being able, for example, to be designed as a snap-in structure; - having a second fastening structure for fastening the locking element against the opposing connector, the second fastening structure being able, for example, to be designed as a snap-in structure; - have an unlocking element; and / or - be designed as a locking pawl.

[0034] The invention also relates to an assembly consisting of a connector, a counter connector and a locking element for forming a connector arrangement according to one of the features described above. The advantages described above of increased locking security can also be obtained with the proposed assembly.

[0035] Generally speaking in connection with this application, the words "a / an", unless expressly defined otherwise, must be considered not as a numeral but as indefinite articles with the meaning of the word "at least a / an".

[0036] The invention admits different embodiments and is explained in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment with the attached drawings. They show schematically:

[0037] [Fig. 1a] a connector for a connector arrangement in a perspective bottom view and a front view;

[0038] [Fig. 1b] a connector for a connector arrangement in a perspective bottom view and a front view;

[0039] [Fig.2a] an antagonistic connector for an arrangement of connectors in a perspective top view, a front view, a sectional side view and a perspective bottom view;

[0040] [Fig.2b] an antagonistic connector for an arrangement of connectors in a perspective top view, a front view, a sectional side view and a perspective bottom view;

[0041] [Fig.2c] an antagonistic connector for an arrangement of connectors in a perspective top view, a front view, a sectional side view and a perspective bottom view;

[0042] [Fig.2d] an antagonistic connector for a connector arrangement in a perspective top view, a front view, a sectional side view and a perspective bottom view;

[0043] [Fig.3a] a locking element for a connector arrangement in a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view and a side view;

[0044] [Fig.3b] a locking element for a connector arrangement in a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view and a side view;

[0045] [Fig.3c] a locking element for a connector arrangement in a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view and a side view;

[0046] [Fig.4a] a connector according to [Fig.la]-lb with a locking element arranged against it according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view, a sectional side view and a partially sectioned rear view;

[0047] [Fig.4b] a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b with a locking element arranged against it according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view, a sectional side view and a partially sectioned rear view;

[0048] [Fig.4c] a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b with a locking element arranged against it according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view, a sectional side view and a partially sectioned rear view;

[0049] [Fig.4d] a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b with a locking element arranged against it according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view, a sectional side view and a partially sectioned rear view;

[0050] [Fig.5a] a connector arrangement with a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b an opposing connector according to [Fig.2a]-2d and a locking element according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view and a partially cut-away side view.

[0051] [Fig.5b] a connector arrangement with a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b an opposing connector according to [Fig.2a]-2d and a locking element according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view and a partially cut-away side view.

[0052] [Fig.5c] a connector arrangement with a connector according to [Fig.1a]-1b an opposing connector according to [Fig.2a]-2d and a locking element according to [Fig.3a]-3c in a perspective bottom view, a front view and a partially cut-away side view.

[0053] [Fig.1a] and 1b show a connector 2 according to an embodiment for a connector arrangement 1 shown in [Fig.5a] to 5c. The connector 2 has plug-in contact elements 4a which, according to the embodiment shown, are designed as several contact pin sockets arranged in a row, which form a socket strip. The plug-in contact elements 4a are arranged for establishing an electrical connection with plug-in contact elements 4b of a counter connector 3 shown in [Fig.2a]-2d. The surface of the connector 2 forms, together with the plug-in contact elements 4a, a plug-in face 19 which is additionally provided with coding elements 20 to prevent incorrect plugging. The connector 2 has a housing structure in the form of snap-in openings 18 for the removable attachment of a locking element 5 shown in [Fig.3a] to 3c.

[0054] [Fig. 2a] to 2d show an opposing connector 3 according to one embodiment in different views, [Fig. 2c] showing a sectional representation along the section line BB shown in [Fig. 2b]. The opposing connector 3 has plug-in contact elements 4b which, according to the embodiment shown, are designed as several contact pins arranged in a row, which form a pin strip. The plug-in contact elements 4b are arranged for establishing an electrical connection with plug-in contact elements 4a of the connector 2 shown in [Fig.1a] and 1b. In other words, the plug-in contact elements 4a of the connector 2 are assigned to the plug-in contact elements 4b of the counter connector 3. [Fig.2b] shows that the surface of the counter connector 3 forms, together with the plug-in contact elements 4b, a plug-in face 19 which is additionally provided with coding elements 20 adjusted to the coding elements 20 of the connector 2 to prevent incorrect plugging. The counter connector 3 has a guide housing 8 with a form-fitting contour 9 which is arranged for the form-fitting housing and guiding of a guide section 6 of the locking element 5 shown in [Fig. 3a] to 3c.The guide housing 8 is designed against a counter connector housing of the counter connector 3. The guide section 6 of the locking element 5 can be inserted into the guide housing 8 and held and guided there by positive engagement. The housing and the positive engagement guidance of the guide section 6 of the locking element 5 enable increased locking security with increased locking forces, whereby the locking is reliably secured against unintentional unlocking under the action of tensile forces. The locking element 5 is stabilized by the locking element 5 pressing against the guide housing 8 of the counter connector 3. The additional protection makes it possible to make the locking element 5 more elastic, which can facilitate handling of the locking element 5.The guide housing 8 forms a linear guide for the guide section 6 of the locking element 5, in which the latter can be moved in translation. According to the embodiment shown, the form-fitting contour 9 of the counter connector 3 has two oblique surfaces 11b against mutually opposing inner contours of the guide housing 8, which run at an angle so as to correspond to oblique surfaces 11a, explained later, of the guide section 6 of the locking element 5. The inclined oblique surfaces 11b of the form-fitting contour 9 make it possible to form a conical cross-sectional widening in the guide housing 8, which allows an undercut with the oblique surfaces 11a of the form-fitting profile 7 of the locking element 5 and thus a form-fitting guidance. As is clearly shown, for example, in [Fig.2b], the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide housing 8 according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a symmetrical form-fitting contour 9.

[0055] As is further clearly shown, for example, in [Fig. 2b], the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide housing 8 according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a dovetail contour 13. A correspondingly designed dovetail profile 12 of the locking element 5, as shown, for example, in [Fig. 4b], which is adjusted to the dovetail contour 13, can thus be guided form-fittingly in the dovetail contour 13 and secured against falling out of the guide housing 8. The dovetail contour 13 and the dovetail profile 12 can be configured in terms of their dimensions in such a way that they are provided with a clearance fit to enable easy insertion and movement of the guide section 6 in the guide housing 8.The dovetail contour 13 essentially represents a negative shape of the dovetail profile 12, the dovetail profile 12 being able to be considered as a protruding contour part of the locking element 5 and the dovetail contour 13 of the counter connector 3 as a recessed contour part.

[0056] [Fig. 3a] to 3c show a locking element 5 according to one embodiment in different views. The locking element 5 is arranged for arrangement against the connector 2, as shown in more detail in [Fig. 4a] to 4d, and designed as a separate locking pawl with respect to the connector 2. In the case of a connector arrangement 1 as shown in [Fig. 5a] to 5c according to an exemplary embodiment, the locking element 5 serves for mechanical locking of the connector 2 against the opposing connector 3 to achieve mechanical protection of the connector. In this case, the locking element 5 is arranged for releasable fastening against the opposing connector 3. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the locking element 5 is provided as a separate accessory element that can be releasably fastened against the connector 2.The locking element 5 has a guide section 6 with a lateral form-fitting profile 7 which is arranged for form-fitting reception and guidance in the guide receptacle 8 of the counter connector 3. The guide section 6 is designed predominantly flat, provided against an outer contour of the locking element 5 and, with respect to a connector arrangement 1, arranged against an end section of the locking element 5 facing the counter connector 3, as can be seen for example in [Fig. 5a].The form-fitting profile 7 of the locking element 5 is arranged for the undercutting of the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide housing 8 of the counter connector 3, so that a reliable form fit is achieved by the active surface overlap, connected thereto, of the form-fitting profile 7 and the form-fitting contour 9.

[0057] As can be seen in [Fig. 3a] and 3b, the form-fitting profile 7 has two profile elements 7a designed against opposite lateral contours 10 of the locking element 5, which together form the form-fitting profile 7. The lateral contours 10 of the locking element 5 extend essentially parallel to a plugging direction S of the connector 2 shown in [Fig. 4a], with the locking element 5 arranged against these and orthogonally to an end edge 21 facing the opposing connector 3. The form-fitting profile 7 can be referred to as a lateral form-fitting profile 7 due to the design of the profile elements 7a against the lateral contours 10. Such a lateral form-fitting profile 7 allows easy insertion and displacement of the locking element 5 in the guide housing 8.The locking element 5 is furthermore laterally stabilized against the profile elements 7a and secured against unintentional unlocking from the counter connector 3. According to the embodiment shown, the profile elements 7a extend over the entire lateral contours 10 of the locking element 5.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3a] to 3c, the form-fitting profile 7 has two essentially identical oblique surfaces 11a, however inclined opposite to each other, as profile elements 7a. The oblique surfaces 11a are inclined so as to correspond to the oblique surfaces 11b shown in [Fig. 2a] to 2d, so that the oblique surfaces 11a of the locking element 5 engage in form-fitting manner behind the oblique surfaces 11b of the guide housing 6 of the counter connector 3 and can slide on them in a guiding direction along the guide housing 8.By means of the inclined oblique surfaces 11a of the form-fitting profile 7, a conical cross-sectional widening of the guide section 6 can be formed, which enables an undercut with the oblique surfaces 11b of the form-fitting contour 9 of the counter connector 3 and thus a form-fitting guidance. As is clearly shown, for example, in [Fig. 4b], the form-fitting profile 7 of the guide section 6 according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a symmetrical form-fitting profile 7, so that a uniform force transmission from the guide section 6 into the guide receptacle 8 of the counter connector 3 is possible. As is further clearly shown, for example, in [Fig.4b], the form-fitting profile 7 of the guide section 6 according to the illustrated embodiment is designed as a dovetail profile 12 and can thus, as already described, be guided form-fittingly in a corresponding dovetail contour 13 of the guide housing 8 of the counter connector 3.

[0059] As can be seen for example in [Fig. 3b], the locking element 5 has a first fastening structure 14 for fastening the locking element 5 against the connector 2. The first fastening structure 14 is designed as a latching structure, here in the form of a latching nose, and serves for the removable and tool-free fastening of the locking element 5 against the connector 2, which in this regard has the latching openings 18 shown for example in [Fig. 1a] as a receiving structure. The first fastening structure 14 is designed integrally with the locking element 5. Furthermore, the locking element 5 has a second fastening structure 15 made integrally with the locking element 5 for fastening the locking element 5 against the counter connector 3.The second fastening structure 15 is designed as a latching structure, here as a latching lug, and serves for the removable and tool-free fastening of the locking element 5 against the counter connector 3, which in this regard has a latching edge 22 shown in [Fig. 5c] as a receiving structure. The fastening structures 14, 15 designed as latching structures enable the locking element 5 to be easily fastened. The fact that the locking element 5 is received and guided in the guide receiving 8 by means of a form-fitting manner makes it possible to make the locking element 5 more elastic, so that handling and a locking or unlocking process are facilitated while at the same time it is possible to reliably prevent unintentional unlocking of the locking element 5.

[0060] To carry out an unlocking, the locking element 5 has an unlocking element 16 which is designed as an elastically deformable tab and can, by actuating the unlocking element 16, lever the second fastening structure 15 designed as a latching tab out of its engagement with the latching edge 22. The unlocking element 16 is arranged between the lateral contours 10 of the locking element 5 and partially spans it like a bridge.

[0061] [Fig. 4a] to 4d show a connector 2 according to [Fig. 1a] and 1b with a locking element 5 arranged against it according to [Fig. 3a] to 3c in different views, [Fig. 4c] showing a sectional representation along the section line CC shown in [Fig. 4b] and [Fig. 4d] showing a sectional representation along the section line DD shown in [Fig. 4c]. As can be seen for example in [Fig. 4a] and 4c as well as in [Fig. 5a], the locking element 5 extends predominantly along the connector 2. In other words, a comparatively smaller part of the locking element 5 extends along the counter connector 3. The connector 2, with the locking element 5 arranged against it, can be guided in a plug-in direction S towards a connector antagonist 3 to establish an electrical connection with the antagonist connector 3. In this case, when approaching the antagonist connector 3, the locking element 5 can, with its form-fitting profile 7, gradually plunge into the guide housing 8 thereof. The guide section 6 extends adjacent to the plug-in face 19 of the connector 2. As can be seen in [Fig. 4c], the second fastening structure 15 is prepared for establishing a snap-in connection with the antagonist connector 3 and, by engaging behind the snap-in edge 22, automatically establishes a mechanical snap-in connection with the antagonist connector 3.

[0062] [Fig. 5a] to 5c show a connector arrangement 1 with the previously described components in an assembled state. In this case, the guide section 6 of the locking element 5 is housed in a form-fitting manner in the guide housing 8 of the counter connector 3. The connector 2 and the counter connector 3 are effectively connected to each other and locked to each other by the locking element 5. By actuating the unlocking element 16, the locking element 5 can unlock the second fastening structure 15 from the snap-in connection with the snap-in edge 22 and release the locking.

[0063] As can be seen in [Fig.5c], the antagonistic connector 3 has a form-fitting contour 9 with a guide housing 8 which is designed for the form-fitting housing and connection of the guide section 6 of the locking element 5.

[0064] The described connector arrangement 1 and the corresponding components described in the form of the connector 2, the counter connector 3 and the locking element 5 of the connector arrangement 1 enable easy-to-handle and reliably effective mechanical protection of a connector arrangement 1. In this case, the risk of unintentional unlocking of the lock in the event of tensile forces acting on the locking element 5 is reduced in particular.

[0065] List of reference signs 1 connector arrangement 2 connector 3 antagonistic connector 4a plug-in contact element of the connector 4b plug-in contact element of the opposing connector 5 locking element 6 guide section 7 profile with complementary shape 7 a profiled element 8 guide housing 9 contour with complementary shape 10 side contour the oblique surface of the form-fitting profile against the locking element 11b oblique surface of the contour with shape complementarity against the antagonistic connector 12 dovetail profile 13 dovetail contour 14 first fixing structure 15 second fixing structure 16 unlocking element 18 snap opening 19 plug-in face 20 coding element 21 end border 22 snap-on border S plug-in direction

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical connector arrangement (1) comprising a connector (2) and a counter connector (3), which each have electrical plug-in contact elements (4a, 4b) assigned to each other, and comprising a locking element (5) arranged against the connector (2) for mechanically locking the connector (2) against the counter connector (3), in which the locking element (5) is arranged for removable fastening against the counter connector (3), characterized in that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a form-fitting profile (7) and in that the counter connector (3) has against the counter connector (3) a guide receptacle (8) with a form-fitting contour (9) for receiving and form-fitting guidance of the locking element (5).

2. Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) is arranged for undercutting the form-fitting contour (9) of the opposing connector (3).

3. Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a profile element (7a) of the form-fitting profile (7) is designed against a lateral contour (10) of the locking element (5).

4. Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a profile element (7a) of the form-fitting profile (7) is respectively designed against two side contours (10) opposite each other of the locking element (5).

5. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) and the form-fitting contour (9) of the counter connector (3) are designed as oblique surfaces (11a, 11b) inclined so as to correspond to each other.

6. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as a form-fitting profile symmetrical shape (7) and the shape-complementary contour (9) is designed as a symmetrical shape-complementary contour (9).

7. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as an asymmetrical form-fitting profile (7) and the form-fitting contour (9) is designed as an asymmetrical form-fitting contour (9).

8. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is designed as a dovetail profile (12) and the form-fitting contour (9) is designed as a dovetail contour (13).

9. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) has a first fastening structure (14) for fastening the locking element (5) against the connector (2).

10. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) has a second fastening structure (15) for fastening the locking element (5) against the counter connector (3).

11. Connector arrangement (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first fastening structure (14) and / or the second fastening structure (15) are designed as a snap-in structure.

12. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) has an unlocking element (16).

13. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) is designed as a locking pawl.

14. Connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector arrangement (1) has a connection component (17) which extends adjacent to the guide housing (8) of the counter connector (3).

15. Electrical antagonist connector (3) for a connector arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antagonist connector (3) has a

16.

17. guide housing (8) with a form-fitting contour (9) for receiving and form-fitting guidance of a locking element (5). Locking element (5) for a connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the locking element (5) has a guide section (6) with a form-fitting profile (7). Assembly consisting of a connector (2), an opposing connector (3) according to claim 15 and a locking element (5) according to claim 16 for forming an electrical connector arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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