Electrical insert connector assembly, electrical mating connector, lock element, set consisting of insert connector, mating connector and lock element

Abstract

To provide an insert connector assembly which is easy to be handled and surely has effective mechanical maintenance.SOLUTION: An electrical insert connector assembly (1) comprises an insert connector (2) and a mating connector (3) including electrical insert contact elements (4a and 4b), which are allocated mutually to each other, and comprises a lock element (5) which is adapted to be removably fixed to the mating connector (3) and disposed in the insert connector (2) for mechanically locking the insert connector (2) to the mating connector (3). In the insert connector assembly (1), the lock element (5) includes a guide zone (6) including a shape fitting profile (7), and the mating connector (3) includes a guide storage part (8) having a shape fitting contour (9) for storing and guiding the lock element (5) in a shape fitting manner in the mating connector (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5c

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical plug connector assembly comprising a plug connector and a mating connector each having electrical plug contact elements assigned to one another, and a locking element arranged on the plug connector so as to be removably fixed to the mating connector and mechanically locking the plug connector to the mating connector.

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

Background Art

[0003] Generally speaking, the present invention relates to the field of electrical coupling technology. Electrical plug connector assemblies are used to easily and quickly establish a removable electrical coupling between an electrical plug connector and an electrical mating connector. To establish the electrical coupling, the plug connector and the mating connector each have electrical plug contact elements assigned to one another.

[0004] To mechanically secure the plug connection between the plug connector and the mating connector, it is known to lock the plug connector and the mating connector to one another by means of a locking element. The locking element can be, for example, permanently fixed to the plug connector or a removable separate accessory.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The underlying problem of the present invention is to provide a plug connector assembly of the above kind which is easily manageable and has a reliable and effective mechanical safeguard. In particular, the risk that the lock is unintentionally released when a tensile force acts on the locking element should be reduced.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] This problem is solved by a plug connector assembly according to claim 1, a mating connector according to claim 15, a locking element according to claim 16, and a set according to claim 17. Advantageous embodiments can be inferred from the dependent claims, the description of the invention, and the drawings.

[0007] Based on the features of independent claim 1, a plug connector assembly comprising a plug connector and a mating connector each having electrically assigned plug contact elements, and a locking element adapted to be removably fixed to the mating connector and arranged on the plug connector for mechanically locking (in other words, fixing) the plug connector to the mating connector, wherein the locking element includes a guide area having a form-fitting profile (in other words, a contour), and the mating connector includes a guide receiving portion having a form-fitting contour for form-fittingly receiving and guiding the locking element in the mating connector. In other words, a plug connector assembly is provided in which the locking element can enter into a receiving portion provided in the mating connector and be form-fittingly held and guided therein.

[0008] The proposed plug connector assembly increases the coupling reliability, also referred to as locking reliability below, and the locking force between the plug connector and the mating connector, and this locking is securely fixed against unintentional release when a tensile force acts. The support of the locking element in the guide receptacle of the mating connector and the form fit between the form fit profile of the locking element and the form fit contour of the mating connector stabilize the locking element and ensure the fixation of the locking element in the mating connector. Due to the increased locking reliability, even a small and compact plug connector assembly can be securely locked. In addition, based on the increased locking reliability, for example, the fixation structure of the locking element for fixation to the plug connector can be dimensioned relatively small. Furthermore, based on the improved locking reliability, the locking element can be formed with a higher elasticity or a lower bending stiffness, thereby achieving an improvement in the handling of the locking element.

[0009] The plug connector and the mating connector have plug contact elements assigned to each other. Being assigned to each other in this regard can mean that the plug contact elements of the plug connector are adapted to the coupling with the corresponding plug contact elements of the mating connector. For example, the plug contact elements assigned to each other can have plug profiles that match each other (in other words, fit together). For example, the plug connector can have contact pins as plug contact elements, and the mating connector can have contact pin sockets that match the contact pins as plug contact elements, or vice versa. The plug connector and the mating connector can each have a plurality of plug contact elements, and thus the plug contact elements of these connectors mentioned above can be formed, for example, as pin headers and corresponding board sockets. The surface on which at least one of the plug contact elements of the plug connector or the mating connector is arranged can be referred to as the plug surface. The plug surface can additionally have at least one coding element (in other words, a coding element), by which the plug connector and the mating connector must be plugged together in a predetermined orientation relative to each other, thereby reliably preventing incorrect plugging.

[0010] The guide area of the locking element can be an area suitable for guiding within a proper receiving portion of the mating connector in the locking element. The guide area can be provided, inter alia, on the outer contour of the locking element, for example on the component edge of the locking element. The guide area can be arranged in an end area of the locking element facing the mating connector. When the locking element is arranged in the plug connector, the guide area can be arranged adjacent to the insertion surface of the plug connector. The guide area can have a shape mating profile formed by the guide area due to a special geometry of the locking element. The shape mating profile can be caused, for example, by a contour portion protruding from the basic shape of the locking element. The shape mating profile can, in particular, be a lateral shape mating profile formed on the lateral component edge of the locking element. The lateral component edge of the locking element can extend parallel to the insertion direction of the plug connector, for example when the locking element is arranged in the plug connector and the plug connector moves in the insertion direction towards the mating connector. The locking element can form its guide area mainly flat, in which case a shape mating profile can be formed on the lateral edge or edge surface of the locking element. The locking element is arranged in the plug connector in the case of the proposed plug connector assembly, for example removably or permanently fixed to the plug connector. The locking element can mainly extend along the plug connector, for example more than 70% or more than 80% of the surface of the locking element facing the plug connector can extend along the surface of the plug connector.

[0011] The guide receiving portion of the mating connector can be an area that can guide the guide area of the locking element in the mating connector. The guide receiving portion can be, for example, a linear guide for the locking element, and within this linear guide, the guide area of the locking element can move translationally. The guide receiving portion may have, for example, one or more grooves shaped to match the shape-fitting profile of the locking element, and these one or more grooves form a shape-fitting contour for the shape-fitting profile. The shape-fitting contour can be, for example, the negative shape of the shape-fitting profile of the locking element. The shape-fitting contour can be caused by, for example, a contour portion that is recessed from the basic shape of the mating connector. The guide receiving portion can be formed in the mating connector housing of the mating connector.

[0012] To enable easy insertion and displacement of the locking element into the mating connector, the dimensions of the guide receiving portion of the mating connector and the guide area of the locking element can be designed such that they are a clearance fit.

[0013] A shape fit or shape-fitting guide refers to a technical connection or guide when the mating partner or guide partner, here the guide area of the locking element and the guide receiving portion of the mating connector, are contoured so as to geometrically match each other and engage with each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the shape-fitting profile of the locking element can be adapted to the undercut (in other words, lower cut) of the shape-fitting contour of the mating connector. The undercut can achieve a reliable shape fit. In the case of the undercut, the working surfaces of the shape-fitting profile and the shape-fitting contour can be arranged to overlap each other so as to seal at least one degree of freedom of the shape-fitting profile guided within the shape-fitting contour. In other words, the shape-fitting profile is adapted to engage with the shape-fitting contour.

[0015] By the overlapping arrangement of the shape mating profile of the locking element and the mating connector, or by undercutting, a flat guide area is prevented from deflecting perpendicular to the spread of the surface of the guide area during tensile loading. This effectively prevents unintentional unlocking of the lock in a structurally simple manner.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the profile element of the shape - mating profile may be formed on the side profile of the locking element. The side profile may extend substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the plug connector, for example when the locking element is arranged in the plug connector and the plug connector moves in the insertion direction towards the mating connector. The side profile may extend substantially orthogonally to the edge portion facing the mating connector in the locking element, for example. The side profile may extend substantially orthogonally to the fixed edge portion provided to be fixed to the mating connector in the locking element, for example. The insertion direction of the plug connector may be the direction in which the plug connector moves towards the mating connector with the plug - contact elements facing each other in order to establish an electrical connection. When the plug connector moves in the insertion direction towards the mating connector, for example, the locking element fixed to the plug connector may be inserted into the guide receiving portion of the mating connector. The profile element may be a component of the shape - mating profile, for example, a contour area that can be shape - fittedly received within the shape - mating contour in the shape - mating profile, such as a protrusion. When the profile element of the shape - mating profile is formed on the side profile of the locking element, guiding of the side of the locking element within the guide receiving portion is enabled. Thereby, the locking element can be easily inserted into the guide receiving portion. In addition, a compact guiding possibility is provided without a significant increase in the structural space. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the locking element can be laterally stabilized thereby, so that the tensile force cannot cause an unintentional release of the locking element. Depending on the embodiment, the profile element can extend over the entire side profile of the locking element, with which the manufacturing of the locking element can be simplified. Or the profile element may extend only over a part of the side profile, for example, to limit the insertion depth of the locking element into the guide receiving portion or to provide the possibility of visual inspection regarding the locked state.

[0017] According to one embodiment, one profile element of the shape - mating profile can be formed on each of two opposite side profiles of the locking element. Thereby, the locking element can be guided on both sides within the guide receptacle, whereby the locking reliability is further increased and symmetric support and force introduction on both sides of the locking element in the guide receptacle are possible. In other words, the locking element has profile elements on both sides, and these profile elements together constitute the shape - mating profile of the locking element. In this case, the profile elements can be formed geometrically substantially identically on both side profiles, and in this regard, a left - right reversed or mirror - symmetric configuration of the profile elements can be considered substantially the same formation. Basically, it is also conceivable to shape the profile elements on both side profiles geometrically differently, for example, to define different geometric basic shapes.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the shape mating profile of the locking element and the shape mating contour of the mating connector may be formed as inclined surfaces inclined to correspond to each other. Thereby, the shape mating between the guide area of the locking element and the guide receiving part of the mating connector can be easily achieved. For example, the inclined surfaces facing each other of the shape mating profile and the shape mating contour may have substantially the same inclination, whereby the inclined surfaces can extend parallel to each other and can overlap and slide within the guide receiving part of the mating connector during the guiding of the guide area of the locking element. The inclined inclined surface of the shape mating contour can cause a cross-sectional expansion within the guide receiving part, and this cross-sectional expansion enables an undercut with the inclined surface of the shape mating profile and a shape mating type of guide. According to a variant of this embodiment, the shape mating contour and the shape mating profile may each be provided with two inclined surfaces spaced apart from each other and having opposite inclination angles. Thereby, for example, the shape mating contour derived from the part contour adjacent to the shape mating contour may have a conical cross-sectional expansion of the guide receiving part, and the shape mating profile derived from the part contour adjacent to the shape mating profile may have a conical cross-sectional expansion of the guide area. In this case, the conical cross-sectional expansions of the locking element and the mating connector are designed to match each other, thereby enabling a reliable shape mating type of guide.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the shape mating profile may be formed as a symmetric shape mating profile and the shape mating contour may be formed as a symmetric shape mating contour. Thereby, a symmetric shape mating can be provided that enables a uniform force introduction of the guide area of the locking element into the guide receiving part of the mating connector. To form a symmetric shape mating profile, for example, one profile element of the same geometric form may be formed on each of the two opposite side contours of the locking element. To form a symmetric shape mating contour, for example, one groove corresponding to the profile element may be formed on each of the two opposite inner contours of the guide receiving part.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the shape mating profile may be formed as an asymmetric shape mating profile and the shape mating contour may be formed as an asymmetric shape mating contour. Thereby, for example, an asymmetric shape mating can be provided that can achieve additional encoding functions. To form an asymmetric shape mating profile, for example, different profile elements can be formed on two opposite side profiles of the locking element, or only one profile element can be formed on only one side profile. To form an asymmetric shape mating contour, for example, one groove corresponding to each different profile element can be formed on two opposing inner contours of the guide receptacle, or only one groove can be formed on one inner contour of the guide receptacle.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the shape mating profile may be formed as a dovetail (in other words, a mortise and tenon) profile and the shape mating contour may be formed as a dovetail contour. Thereby, a reliable shape mating can be easily established. The dovetail profile can be shaped and dimensioned to match the dovetail contour, and in this regard, it is advantageous to have a clearance fit to facilitate the insertion and guiding of the guide area of the locking element into the guide receptacle. The dovetail profile and the dovetail contour may have a cross-sectional reduction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug connector, whereby the dovetail profile can engage with the dovetail contour in a shape-fitting manner and the guide area is fixed against falling out of the guide receptacle.

[0022] Basically, instead of or in addition to the dovetail geometry, other shape mating geometries based on, for example, a T-shaped cross-section, a mushroom-shaped cross-section, or a circular head cross-section are also conceivable.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a first fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the plug connector. The first fixing structure may be adapted, inter alia, to removably fix the locking element to the plug connector. The first fixing structure may be adapted, inter alia, to fix the locking element to the plug connector without tools. The first fixing structure may be integrally formed with the locking element. An example of such a fixing structure may be a plug profile or a clamping structure. The plug connector may have a receiving structure, such as a plug opening, for receiving the first fixing structure of the locking element. Instead or in addition thereto, it is conceivable that the plug connector has a first fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the plug connector.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a second fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the mating connector. The second fixing structure may be adapted, inter alia, to removably fix the locking element to the mating connector. The second fixing structure may be integrally formed with the locking element. The second fixing structure may be adapted, inter alia, to fix the locking element to the mating connector without tools. Thereby, the plug connector can be locked to the mating connector by the locking element. The mating connector may have a receiving structure for receiving the second fixing structure of the locking element, and this receiving structure is formed for a form-fitting connection. In addition, a reliable form fit is achieved by the overlap of the form-fitting profile of the locking element with the undercut of the form-fitting contour of the guide receiving part of the mating connector, which results in the working surfaces of the form-fitting profile and the form-fitting contour.

[0025] Alternatively or in addition thereto, it is conceivable that the mating connector has a second fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the mating connector. The second fixing structure of the locking element may be arranged at a distance from the first fixing structure that is present as required for the locking element, and in particular at an interval corresponding to the distance between the receiving structure of the mating connector and the receiving structure of the plug connector in the mated state. The second fixing structure may be arranged closer to the free end region of the locking element facing the mating connector than the first fixing structure. This fixing structure can be formed as an engaging structure, for example, by an engaging edge in the receiving structure serving as a stopper for the engaging overhang in the locking element. Thereby, the locking element can be removably fixed to the mating connector without tools.

[0026] According to an advantageous variant of the foregoing embodiment regarding the fixing structure of the locking element, the first fixing structure and / or the second fixing structure may be formed as an engaging structure. The engaging structure can be, for example, an engaging projection, an engaging overhang, an engaging hook, or an engaging knob. The engaging structure can be elastically deformable and removably engageable with a receiving structure of the plug connector or the mating connector, which can be formed, for example, as a snap-type engaging edge or an engaging opening. Using the engaging structure, the locking element can be very easily and removably fixed to the plug connector and / or the mating connector without tools. In addition to this, the one or more engaging structures can be integrally formed with the locking element. In this regard, the entire locking element can be mainly composed of an elastic material, and this elastic material imparts elastic deformability to the locking element in at least some regions according to the molding, whereby the engaging process and the removal process from the engagement can be easily carried out. The above-mentioned advantage of stable guiding of the guiding region of the locking element in the guiding receiving portion of the mating connector is more strongly exerted by the locking element that is elastically deformable in at least some regions. This is because the easy handling of the locking element that is elastically deformable in at least some regions is combined with an increased locking reliability against unintentional release of the locking element from the mating connector.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have an unlocking element. The unlocking element can be a mechanical element that enables or facilitates the intentional release of the locking element from the mating connector. The unlocking element can be adapted, for example, to release a second fixing structure of the locking element from the mating connector. The unlocking element can be, for example, an elastically deformable overhang, and this elastically deformable overhang can be adapted, for example, to move the engagement structure of the locking element from an engagement position where this engagement structure meshes with the receiving structure of the mating connector. The unlocking element can be, for example, an engagement hook and a lever for lifting and removing it. The unlocking element is arranged, for example, between two side profiles in which at least one profile element of the locking element can be formed, and can span the locking element partially in a bridge-like manner as an elastically deformable overhang.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the locking element may be formed as a locking claw. In the field of electrical connection technology, the locking claw is a mainly flat accessory element for the plug connector assembly to lock the plug connector to the mating connector. As an accessory element that can be obtained separately, the locking claw can be selectively arranged on the plug connector and the mating connector, and can be adapted to install the plug connector and the mating connector against each other.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the plug connector assembly may have a connecting component that extends adjacent to the guide receiving portion of the mating connector. Therefore, the guide area of the locking element guided in the guide receiving portion can be additionally supported by the connecting component, thereby further increasing the locking reliability. The connecting component can limit the guide receiving portion on the open side of the guide receiving portion. The connecting component can be, for example, a flat circuit board, such as a printed circuit board.

[0030] The present invention also relates to an electrical mating connector for a plug connector assembly based on one of the aforementioned features, the mating connector including a guide receiving portion having a form-fitting contour for receiving and guiding a locking element in a form-fitting manner. Such a mating connector advantageously enables an increase in the locking reliability of a plug connector assembly configured with this mating connector, and the locking of this plug connector assembly is reliably ensured against unintentional release when a tensile force acts on the locking element.

[0031] It is advantageous that this mating connector can be formed based on one of the features described in connection with the proposed plug connector assembly, for example, - It may have a form-fitting contour adapted for an undercut with a form-fitting profile of the locking element, - It may have a form-fitting contour with an inclined inclined surface, - It may have a symmetric form-fitting contour, - It may have an asymmetric form-fitting contour, - It may have a dovetail contour as the form-fitting contour, - It may have a receiving structure for a second fixing structure of the locking element, such as an engaging edge or an engaging opening, and / or - It may have a connecting component extending adjacent to the guide receiving portion.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a locking element for a plug connector assembly based on one of the aforementioned features, the locking element including a guide area having a form-fitting profile. Such a locking element advantageously enables an increase in the locking reliability of a plug connector assembly configured with this locking element, and the locking of this plug connector assembly is reliably ensured against unintentional release when a tensile force acts on the locking element.

[0033] It is advantageous that this locking element can be formed based on one of the features described in connection with the proposed plug connector assembly, for example, - It may have a shape - mating profile adapted for an undercut in the form of the shape - mating contour of the mating connector of the plug - in connector assembly. - It may have profile elements of the shape - mating profile formed on the side contour of the locking element. - It may have one profile element of the shape - mating profile on each of two opposite side contours of the locking element. - It may have a shape - mating profile with an inclined inclined surface. - It may have a symmetric shape - mating profile. - It may have an asymmetric shape - mating profile. - It may have a dovetail - shaped profile as the shape - mating profile. - It may have a first fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the plug - in connector of the plug - in connector assembly, and this first fixing structure may be formed, for example, as a snap - type engagement structure. - It may have a second fixing structure for fixing the locking element to the mating connector, and this second fixing structure may be formed, for example, as an engagement structure. - It may have a unlocking element and / or - It may be formed as a locking claw.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a set consisting of a plug - in connector, a mating connector, and a locking element for constructing a plug - in connector assembly based on one of the aforementioned features. The proposed set can also achieve the aforementioned advantages of increased locking reliability.

[0035] As a general rule, in the context of this application, the word "ein / eine (one)" should be understood as an indefinite article with the semantic meaning of "at least one" rather than as a numeral, unless clearly defined otherwise.

[0036] The present invention permits various embodiments. Hereinafter, based on one exemplary embodiment, it will be explained in more detail using the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 2c

Figure 2d

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 4c

Figure 4d

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 5c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a plug connector 2 based on an embodiment for the plug connector assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 5a - 5c. The plug connector 2, based on the illustrated exemplary embodiment, has plug - in contact elements 4a formed as a plurality of contact pin sockets arranged in a row forming a board socket. The plug - in contact elements 4a are adapted to establish an electrical plug - in connection with the plug - in contact elements 4b of the mating connector 3 shown in FIGS. 2a - 2d. The surface of the plug connector 2 with the plug - in contact elements 4a is the plug - in surface 19, and the plug - in surface 19 additionally comprises coding elements 20 for avoiding incorrect plug - in. The plug connector 2 has a receiving structure in the form of an engagement opening 18 for removably fixing the locking element 5 shown in FIGS. 3a - 3c.

[0039] Figures 2a - 2d show the mating connector 3 according to one embodiment in various views, and Figure 2c shows a cross - sectional view based on the cutting line B - B shown in Figure 2b. The mating connector 3 is formed, based on the illustrated exemplary embodiment, with insertion contact elements 4b formed as a plurality of contact pins arranged in a row forming a pin header. The insertion contact elements 4b are adapted to establish an electrical insertion connection with the insertion contact elements 4a of the insertion connector 2 shown in Figures 1a and 1b. In other words, the insertion contact elements 4a of the insertion connector 2 are assigned to the insertion contact elements 4b of the mating connector 3. As shown in Figure 2b, the surface of the mating connector 3 with the insertion contact elements 4b is the insertion surface 19, and the insertion surface 19 additionally comprises an encoding element 20 that matches the encoding element 20 of the insertion connector 2 for avoiding mis - insertion. The mating connector 3 has a guide receiving portion 8 with a form - fitting contour 9 adapted to form - fit (in other words, accommodate) and guide the guide area 6 of the locking element 5 shown in Figures 3a - 3c. The guide receiving portion 8 is formed in the mating connector housing of the mating connector 3. The guide area 6 of the locking element 5 can enter the guide receiving portion 8 and be form - fit held and guided therein. By the form - fit accommodation and guidance of the guide area 6 of the locking element 5, an enhanced locking reliability with increased locking force can be achieved, whereby this lock is securely fixed against unintentional release (in other words, detachment) when a tensile force acts. The locking element 5 is stabilized by being supported in the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3. Due to this additional fixation, the locking element 5 can be made more elastic, and thus the handling of the locking element 5 can be facilitated. The guide receiving portion 8 is a linear guide for the guide area 6 of the locking element 5, within which the guide area 6 is translatable. Based on the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the form - fitting contour 9 of the mating connector 3 has two inclined surfaces 11b on the opposing inner contours of the guide receiving portion 8, and these inclined surfaces 11b extend at an angle corresponding to the inclined surfaces 11a, which will be further described below, of the guide area 6 of the locking element 5.The inclined inclined surface 11b of the shape-fitting contour 9 can cause a conical cross-sectional expansion in the guide receiving portion 8, and this cross-sectional expansion enables an undercut with the inclined surface 11a of the shape-fitting profile 7 of the locking element 5, and thus enables a shape-fitting guide. As can be clearly seen, for example, based on FIG. 2b, the shape-fitting contour 9 of the guide receiving portion 8 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a symmetric shape-fitting contour 9.

[0040] Furthermore, as can be clearly seen, for example, based on FIG. 2b, the shape-fitting contour 9 of the guide receiving portion 8 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a dovetail contour 13. Thereby, a corresponding dovetail profile 12 of the locking element 5 that matches the dovetail contour 13, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4b, can be guided in a shape-fitting manner within the dovetail contour 13 and can be guaranteed against falling out of the guide receiving portion 8. The dovetail contour 13 and the dovetail profile 12 can be designed to have a clearance fit in terms of their dimensions in order to facilitate the insertion and displacement of the guide region 6 into the guide receiving portion 8. The dovetail contour 13 is substantially the negative shape of the dovetail profile 12, with respect to which the dovetail profile 12 can be regarded as the protruding contour portion of the locking element 5, and the dovetail contour 13 of the mating connector 3 can be regarded as the recessed contour portion.

[0041] Figures 3a to 3c show the locking element 5 according to an embodiment in various views. The locking element 5 is adapted to be arranged in the plug connector 2 and is formed as a locking claw (in other words, a latching claw) independent of the plug connector 2, as shown in more detail in Figures 4a to 4d. In the plug connector assembly 1 as shown in Figures 5a to 5c based on one exemplary embodiment, the locking element 5 is used to mechanically lock the plug connector 2 to the mating connector 3 in order to achieve a mechanical guarantee of the plug connection. In this regard, the locking element 5 is adapted to be removably fixed to the mating connector 3. The locking element 5 is provided as an independent accessory element that can be removably fixed to the plug connector 2 based on the exemplary embodiment shown. The locking element 5 includes a guide area 6 having a lateral form-fitting profile 7 adapted for form-fitting accommodation and guidance within the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3. The guide area 6 is mainly made flat, is provided on the outer contour of the locking element 5, and is arranged in the end area of the locking element 5 facing the mating connector 3 with respect to the plug connector assembly 1, as can be inferred, for example, from Figure 5a. A reliable form fit is achieved by the form-fitting profile 7 of the locking element 5 being adapted to the undercut of the form-fitting contour 9 of the guide receptacle 8 of the mating connector 3 and the associated overlap of the working surfaces of the form-fitting profile 7 and the form-fitting contour 9.

[0042] As can be inferred from FIGS. 3a and 3b, the shape - mating profile 7 has two profile elements 7a formed on the side - surface contours 10 on opposite sides of the locking element 5, and these profile elements 7a together form the shape - mating profile 7. The side - surface contour 10 of the locking element 5 extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction S shown in FIG. 4a of the plug connector 2 in which the locking element 5 is arranged, and orthogonally to the edge portion 21 facing the mating connector 3. By forming the profile element 7a on the side - surface contour 10, the shape - mating profile 7 can be called a lateral shape - mating profile 7. Such a lateral shape - mating profile 7 enables easy insertion and displacement of the locking element 5 into the guide receiving portion 8. In addition to this, the locking element 5 is stable in the profile element 7a on the side and is fixed against unintentional release from the mating connector 3. Based on the illustrated embodiment, the profile element 7a extends over the entire side - surface contour 10 of the locking element 5.

[0043] Based on the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c, the shape - mating profile 7 has, as profile elements 7a, two substantially identical but mutually oppositely inclined inclined surfaces 11a. The inclined surfaces 11a are inclined so as to correspond to the inclined surfaces 11b shown in FIGS. 2a to 2d. Thereby, the inclined surfaces 11a of the locking element 5 can be shape - matingly engaged with the inclined surfaces 11b of the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3 and can slide in the guide direction along the guide receiving portion 8 on the inclined surfaces 11b. The inclined inclined surfaces 11a of the shape - mating profile 7 can cause a conical cross - sectional expansion of the guide region 6, and this cross - sectional expansion enables an undercut in the form of the inclined surfaces 11b of the shape - mating contour 9 of the mating connector 3, and thus enables a shape - mating guide. As can be clearly seen, for example, based on FIG. 4b, the shape - mating profile 7 of the guide region 6 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a symmetric shape - mating profile 7, whereby a uniform force introduction of the guide region 6 into the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3 is possible. Further, as can be clearly seen, for example, based on FIG. 4b, the shape - mating profile 7 of the guide region 6 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed as a dovetail profile 12 and can thus be shape - matingly guided within the corresponding dovetail contour 13 of the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3, as already explained.

[0044] As is apparent for example in FIG. 3b, the locking element 5 has a first fixing structure 14 for fixing the locking element 5 to the plug connector 2. The first fixing structure 14 is formed here as an engaging structure, in the form of an engaging projection in this case, and is used to removably fix the locking element 5 to the plug connector 2 without tools. For this purpose, the plug connector 2 has, for example, the engaging opening 18 shown in FIG. 1a as a receiving structure. The first fixing structure 14 is integrally formed with the locking element 5. Furthermore, the locking element 5 has a second fixing structure 15, which is produced integrally with the locking element 5, for fixing the locking element 5 to the mating connector 3. The second fixing structure 15 is formed here as an engaging structure, in the form of an engaging overhang in this case, and is used to removably fix the locking element 5 to the mating connector 3 without tools. For this purpose, the mating connector 3 has the engaging edge 22 shown in FIG. 5c as a receiving structure. Due to the fixing structures 14, 15 formed as engaging structures, the locking element 5 can be easily fixed. The shape-fit accommodation and guiding of the locking element 5 within the guide receiving part 8 enables the locking element 5 to be formed more elastically, whereby the handling and the locking or unlocking process are simplified, but nevertheless an unintentional release of the locking element 5 can be reliably prevented.

[0045] To carry out the unlocking, the locking element 5 has an unlocking element 16, which is produced as an elastically deformable overhang. When the unlocking element 16 is operated, the second fixing structure 15, which is produced as an engaging overhang, can be lifted out of engagement with the engaging edge 22. The unlocking element 16 is arranged between the side contours 10 of the locking element 5 and partially bridges (in other words, straddles) the locking element 5.

[0046] Figs. 4a to 4d show the plug connector 2 based on FIGS. 1a and 1b with the locking element 5 arranged thereon based on FIGS. 3a to 3c in various views. FIG. 4c shows a cross-sectional view based on the cutting line C-C shown in FIG. 4b, and FIG. 4d shows a cross-sectional view based on the cutting line D-D shown in FIG. 4c. As can be inferred from, for example, FIGS. 4a and 4c as well as FIG. 5a, the locking element 5 mainly extends along the plug connector 2. In other words, a relatively small portion of the locking element 5 extends along the mating connector 3. In order to establish an electrical coupling with the mating connector 3, the plug connector 2 can be guided by the locking element 5 arranged thereon in the insertion direction S towards the mating connector 3. In this regard, when approaching the mating connector 3, the locking element 5 can gradually enter the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3 with the shape mating profile 7 of the locking element 5. The guide area 6 extends adjacent to the insertion surface 19 of the plug connector 2. As is apparent from FIG. 4c, the second fixing structure 15 is provided to establish a snap-fit engagement connection with the mating connector 3, and by engaging with the engagement edge 22, automatically establishes a mechanical snap-fit engagement connection with the mating connector 3.

[0047] Figs. 5a to 5c show the plug connector assembly 1 with the aforementioned components in the assembled state. In this case, the guide area 6 of the locking element 5 is received in a shape-fitting manner within the guide receiving portion 8 of the mating connector 3. The plug connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are effectively coupled to each other and locked to each other by the locking element 5. By actuating the unlocking element 16, the locking element 5 can be released from the snap-fit engagement connection with the engagement edge 22 of the second fixing structure 15 to unlock the lock.

[0048] As is apparent from FIG. 5c, the mating connector 3 has a shape mating contour 9 formed by the guide receiving portion 8 for receiving and shape-fitting connection of the guide area 6 of the locking element 5.

[0049] The described plug connector assembly 1, as well as the components described in terms of their attribution in the form of the plug connector 2, mating connector 3, and locking element 5 of this plug connector assembly 1, enables easy handling and reliable mechanical fixation of the plug connector assembly 1. In particular in this regard, the risk of the lock being unintentionally released when a tensile force acts on the locking element 5 is reduced.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1 Plug connector assembly 2 Plug connector 3 Mating connector 4a Plug contact element of the plug connector 4b Plug contact element of the mating connector 5 Locking element 6 Guide area 7 Shape mating profile 7a Profile element 8 Guide receptacle 9 Shape mating contour 10 Side contour 11a Inclined surface of the shape mating profile of the locking element 11b Inclined surface of the shape mating contour of the mating connector 12 Dovetail profile 13 Dovetail contour 14 First fixing structure 15 Second fixing structure 16 Unlocking element 18 Engagement opening 19 Plug-in surface 20 Encoding element 21 Edge part 22 Engagement edge S Plug-in direction

Claims

1. 1. An electrical plug-in connector assembly (1) comprising a plug-in connector (2) and a counter connector (3) having mutually assigned electrical plug-in contact elements (4a, 4b), and a locking element (5) arranged on the plug-in connector (2) for mechanically locking the plug-in connector (2) to the counter connector (3), the locking element being adapted to be removably fixed to the counter connector (3), 1. A plug-in connector assembly (1), characterized in that the locking element (5) includes a guide section (6) having a form-fitting profile (7), and the mating connector (3) includes a guide receiving portion (8) having a form-fitting contour (9) for receiving and guiding the locking element (5) in the mating connector (3) in a form-fitting manner.

2. 2. The plug connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) is adapted to an undercut of the form-fitting contour (9) of the counter connector (3).

3. 3. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the profile element (7a) of the form-fitting profile (7) is formed in a side contour (10) of the locking element (5).

4. 4. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that two opposite side contours (10) of the locking element (5) are each formed with a profile element (7a) of one of the form-fitting profiles (7).

5. 5. The plug connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the form-fitting profile (7) of the locking element (5) and the form-fitting contour (9) of the counter connector (3) are formed as inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) that are inclined to correspond to each other.

6. 6. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is formed as a symmetrical form-fitting profile (7) and the form-fitting contour (9) is formed as a symmetrical form-fitting contour (9).

7. 6. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is formed as an asymmetric form-fitting profile (7) and the form-fitting contour (9) is formed as an asymmetric form-fitting contour (9).

8. 8. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the form-fitting profile (7) is formed as a dovetail profile (12) and the form-fitting contour (9) is formed as a dovetail contour (13).

9. 9. The plug connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) comprises a first fixing structure (14) for fixing the locking element (5) to the plug connector (2).

10. 10. The plug connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking element (5) has a second fixing structure (15) for fixing the locking element (5) to the mating connector (3).

11. 11. Plug-in connector assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one of the first fastening structure (14) and the second fastening structure (15) is formed as a snap-fit ​​structure.

12. 12. A plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) comprises an unlocking element (16).

13. 13. A plug connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (5) is formed as a locking pawl.

14. 14. A plug-in connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a connection part (17) extending adjacent to the guide receiving part (8) of the counter connector (3).

15. 15. An electrical mating connector (3) for the plug connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the mating connector (3) comprises a guide receiving portion (8) having a form-fitting contour (9) for receiving and guiding the locking element (5) in a form-fitting manner.

16. A locking element (5) for a plug-in connector assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a guide section (6) having a form-fitting profile (7).

17. A set comprising a plug connector (2), a mating connector (3) as claimed in claim 15 and a locking element (5) as claimed in claim 16 to constitute an electrical plug connector assembly (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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