Plug connection part, plug connector, latching means and method for constructing the latching means

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical and / or optical plug connection, comprising a first plug connector (1) and a second plug connector (2) mated with the first plug connector (1) and corresponding to the first plug connector (1), wherein the first plug connector and the second plug connector (1, 2) each have a plug surface, the plug surface having a first metal sheet contact portion (101) and a second metal sheet contact portion (201) mated together to be in electrical contact with the first metal sheet contact portion (101), and further having first and second electrical and / or optical plug contact portions ( 102, 202), and in the assembled state, there is at least one latch connection (3) between the first and second plug connectors (1, 2), the latch connection (3) having a first latch means on the first plug connector (1) and a corresponding second latch means on the second plug connector (2), the first latch means in the form of a latch hook (106) and the second latch means in the form of a corresponding latch recess (206) having, in particular, a latch edge, the latch hook (106) latching into the latch recess (206) when the two plug connectors (1, 2) are mated together, the latch hook (106) having a latch arm (107) and a hook portion (108). The hook portion (108) is connected to the metal sheet surrounding the hook portion (108), in particular the latch arm (107), via a bend line (108c), which deviates from a straight line in any portion thereof, and the hook portion (108) is a raised 3D-shaped surface area having at least one open side (108b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connection part according to claim 1, and to a first plug connector, a latching means, and a method of constructing the latching means on a metal sheet.

Background Art

[0002] In order to latch a first plug connector and a second plug connector together and connect optical and / or electrical plug contacts, it is necessary to configure first latching means on the first plug connector and second latching means corresponding to the first latching means on the second plug connector. Generally, the first latching means of the first plug connector is a latching hook, and the second latching means of the second plug connector is a latching recess or a latching opening having a latching edge. When the two plug connectors are pressed or fitted, the latching hook elastically latches within or behind the latching recess or the latching opening.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to develop a common type of plug connection in such a way that a latching connection that is very small and yet relatively stable is produced.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention achieves this object by the subject matter of claim 1 and provides inventions and aspects of the subject matter of claims 6, 14, 15, and 16. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are obtained from the dependent claims.

[0005] According to claim 1, there is provided an electrical and / or optical plug connection having a first plug connector and a second plug connector that can be fitted to the first plug connector corresponding to the first plug connector. The first plug connector and the second plug connector each have a plug surface having a first contact portion and a corresponding second metal sheet contact portion. The first contact portion is formed from a metal sheet, that is, the first metal sheet contact portion, and the second metal sheet contact portion fits together with the first metal sheet contact portion so as to be in electrical contact and further fits together, and a first optical and / or electrical plug contact portion and a second optical and / or electrical plug contact portion are arranged at intervals from each metal sheet contact portion. In the assembled state, a latch connection portion is formed between the first plug connector and the second plug connector. The latch connection portion has a first latch means on the first plug connector and a corresponding second latch means on the second plug connector. The first latch means is in the shape of a latch hook, and the second latch means is in the shape of a corresponding latch recess having a latch edge portion in particular. When the two plug connectors are fitted together, the latch hook latches into the latch recess. The latch hook has a latch arm and a hook portion. The hook portion is connected to a metal sheet surrounding the hook portion, in particular, via a bending line on the latch arm. The bending line is displaced from a straight line in any part and is in the shape of a raised 3D-shaped surface area having at least one opening side.

[0006] A plug connection in such a form is a very compact latch connection, and its latch hook can be configured in a very small way and nevertheless has a hook portion with high durability.

[0007] It is advantageous and simple if the first metal sheet contact portion of the first plug connector and the corresponding second metal sheet contact portion of the second plug connector can be fitted in a corresponding color shape and each plug contact portion is arranged inside each color-shaped region.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the raised 3D-shaped surface area of the hook portion may be configured to form a part of a pyramid having an opening side. The pyramid has a kind of inclined introduction member and an opening side that can be easily fixed to the latch recess.

[0009] The opening side is configured to be inclined at an angle not equal to 90° with respect to the peripheral surface of the latch arm, and the opening side at its edge is formed by the edge of the raised 3D-shaped surface area, but is advantageously latched in a self-locking manner behind the latch edge of the latch recess. A configuration with an inclination of 90 degrees is also conceivable, but a configuration with an acute angle less than 90° is desirable for self-locking. The bending line is set to be configured in a U-shape, V-shape, or semi-circular shape.

[0010] Also, according to an embodiment of a modification considered to be an independent invention, the latch arm is supported between its ends and is pre-tensioned to abut against another element of the first plug connector. This is particularly advantageous for pressing the latch arm to be able to release the latch connection again.

[0011] For this purpose, for example, it is advantageous to arrange the plug contact portion of the first plug connector on the contact carrier and support the latch arm in a pre-tensioned state so as to abut between the ends of the contact carrier. For this purpose, more advantageously, in particular, the free end of the pre-tensioned latch arm is provided to be internally supported on the edge region of the metal sheet contact portion of the first plug connector having a gap, and the latch arm is configured to partially overlap in this edge region.

[0012] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the latch arm itself has a graduation, and the contact carrier and the metal sheet contact portion itself also have graduations.

[0013] According to another modification for releasing the latch connection, the actuating means constructed on the first plug connector is very advantageous.

[0014] In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the actuating means may be defined in the form of a lever-shaped actuating pressing member, which is configured to push down the latch hook by moving the hook portion from the latch recess to the inner region of the circumference of the metal sheet contact portion of the second plug connector, and thus the latch connection can be easily released to easily pull apart the plug connector.

[0015] In this case, according to a first variant, the metal sheet contact portion of the first plug connector has a substantially polygonal cross-section, the latch hook is located on one of the sides of this polygon, and the actuating pressing member acts on the latch hook portion so as to be located on the same side as the latch hook outside the latch hook and to be able to be pushed inward in an advantageous and compact manner.

[0016] According to a development example, further, the cross-section of the metal sheet contact portion of the first plug connector has a substantially polygonal shape, the latch hook is located on one of the sides of this polygon, and the actuating pressing member is located on a different polygonal side from the latch hook and may act on the hook portion to push it inward by means of a fixture. According to the invention of this development example and the dependent claims, the moving direction for pushing down the latch hook is separate from the moving direction of the latch hook, which can be particularly advantageous in order to be able to configure the actuating direction at an angle with respect to the arrangement direction when a plurality of second plug connectors are arranged very close to each other adjacent to each other.

[0017] The present invention also provides a first plug connector for a plug connection according to one of the claims relating to plug connections, advantageously having one or more features associated with the first plug connector of these claims.

[0018] The present invention further provides an advantageous latch means having one or more features associated with the latch means of the first plug connector of the preceding claims.

[0019] Next, the present invention further provides a simple and cost-effective method for constructing a hook portion for a latch hook on a metal sheet, and is characterized by the following steps. a) providing a metal sheet; b) providing a tool having in particular two tool halves and arranging the metal sheet on the tool, in particular between the tool halves; c) introducing embossing into the metal sheet using an embossing stamp, wherein, before or during the embossing, the metal sheet is further partially cut, and during the embossing, on the side of the cut, a raised 3D-shaped surface area is embossed from the metal sheet as a hook portion having an opening on one side, i.e., formed as a connection portion to the metal sheet surrounding the hook portion on only one side or on a plurality of sides, and embossing with a bending line offset from a straight line in any part.

[0020] Instead of a tool having two tool halves, a tool provided with a holding member can be combined to hold the metal sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings based on exemplary embodiments. They show particularly advantageous embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention and the claims is not limited. In the context and protection scope of the present invention, alternatives and equivalents of the illustrated embodiments can be produced.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a first plug connector 1. Fig. 1 further shows a second plug connector 2. These two plug connectors 1 and 2 can be fitted together, thereby constituting a plug connection part (also called a plug configuration part). In this way, for example, electrical sub-assemblies are connected to each other.

[0023] Each plug connector 1 and plug connector 2 has a plug surface. This surface is composed of corresponding first and second metal sheet contact parts 101 and 201, and each of the metal sheet contact parts is produced from a metal sheet. In this case, a shield is continued using the first and second metal sheet contact parts. In particular, the corresponding metal sheet contact parts may be configured in a colored manner. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

[0024] The corresponding first electrical and / or optical plug contacts and second electrical and / or optical plug contacts 102, 202 (i.e., electrical plug contacts, optical plug contacts or plug contacts of both types) are preferably provided on the metal sheet contacts 101, 201.

[0025] In this case, the first metal sheet contact and the second metal sheet contacts 101, 201 and the first plug contact and the second plug contacts 102, 202 can be fitted to each other at their free ends. For this purpose, the first metal sheet contact 101 and the second metal sheet contact 201 have corresponding circumferential shapes that can be fitted or pushed into each other, for example, in a collar-like circumferential shape.

[0026] In this case, the first metal sheet contact 101 has a smaller circumference than the second metal sheet contact 201 having a corresponding geometric shape. In this way, the first metal sheet contact 101 can be pushed into the second metal sheet contact 201 (Figs. 1d, 1e, 1f). Then, the first metal sheet contact 101 is located inside the second metal sheet contact (Fig. 1f).

[0027] The two metal sheet contacts 101 and 201 are preferably composed of metal sheets. For this purpose, the metal sheet contacts are punched out from a prepared metal sheet, where the metal sheet pieces produced in this case are referred to below as metal sheet blanks BZ before the bending operation. This is illustrated in particular in Figs. 14 and 15 for the second plug connector, where Fig. 15 shows a single metal sheet blank for two second plug connectors.

[0028] These metal sheet blanks BZ, where applicable, are bent into the shape of the metal sheet contact part via steps of further methods not yet described, bent in this example into a kind of collar shape, and, where they can be connected to each other in a region of a kind of lock shape 110 (for which, see, for example, FIGS. 3b, 14, and 15), metal sheet contacts 101, 201 with peripheries closed in the collar shape of this example are manufactured at respective parts.

[0029] When viewed from above in the region of the plug surface, each of the metal sheet contacts 101, 201 can form, for example, a round shape, a polygonal shape, particularly a substantially rectangular shape (for example, having chamfered corner regions). In this case, the produced collar can be constructed so that its periphery is closed, but this is not necessary.

[0030] Two metal sheet contacts 101, 201 pressed against each other can come into contact with each other, where the electrical contact between the two metal sheet contacts 101, 201 is supported at applicable locations via elastic contacts in the manner of contact arms 103. These contact arms 103 are such that a certain kind of arm is punched out of metal, and this contact arm 103, however, on one side, remains connected to each metal sheet contact, and then is bent slightly obliquely with respect to the metal sheet contact, for example, with respect to the first metal sheet contact 101, in the direction of the other plug connector 1 and contacts the second metal sheet contact 201 of the other plug connector 2 (see particularly FIGS. 1c, 3b, and 3c).

[0031] In this way, a potential can be distributed on the plug connection, for example, a shield potential can be distributed, and / or a shield can be generated for the plug contacts 102, 202 inside the metal sheet contacts 101, 201.

[0032] Each of the metal sheet contact portions 101, 201 desirably has substantially constant geometric dimensions in the region of the portions that are fitted together. Also, each portion is adjacent to a region of larger dimensions adjacent to a kind of step portion, and receives the plug housing 111a and, optionally, the cable manager 111 made of a plastic material or the like that is inserted into the plug housing. A cable 114 having a conductor is fastened to the first plug connector 1 whose end faces away from the plug surface.

[0033] The second plug connector 2 is also configured for connection to a cable. However, the second plug connector 2 may be in the form of a printed circuit board plug connector, and its plug contact portion 202 is connected to the printed circuit board 205 at the other end. Further, the metal sheet contact portion 201 is connected to the printed circuit board 205 in a conductive manner, for example, via a solder connection portion 204 (Figs. 14a, 15a).

[0034] In this case, it is also possible to construct a plurality of second plug connectors 2 on the printed circuit board 205, or to construct them such that several second plug connectors 2 can share the printed circuit board 205.

[0035] The two metal sheet contact portions 201 of the second plug connector 2 are connected to each other in a conductive manner. Also, the metal sheet contact portions can be integrally manufactured from a common or single metal sheet blank BZ (see Figs. 14d and 15), and these metal sheet blanks BZ then have portions for specifically forming the two metal sheet contact portions 202 in a collar shape.

[0036] In the folded or bent state, the metal sheet blank BZ can also form a kind of plug housing that can be fixed to the printed circuit board 205 via the solder connection part 204. The plug housing can then receive a contact carrier 207 having plug contact parts 202. In this case, the contact carrier 207 can advantageously and simply be integrally configured with respect to the two plug connectors 201. In this case, it can have twice the number of plug contact parts 201 (with respect to the two plug connectors) so that two second plug connectors share one contact carrier (Figure 15).

[0037] Therefore, a kind of partially integrated double connection is provided, which can generally also be called a second plug connector and has two plug surfaces. In this case, the latching recesses 206 of the two metal sheet contact parts 201 are configured on a single metal sheet blank so as to be angularly displaced by 180° in the circumferential direction from each other. When the angles of the corresponding first plug connectors 1 are displaced by 180°, the operating pressing members 112 of the two corresponding first plug connectors 1 are also angularly displaced and do not (negatively) affect each other during operation.

[0038] The plug contact parts of the first plug connector and the plug contact parts 102, 202 of the second plug connector can each be in the form of either pin contact parts or bush contact parts in corresponding ways. In this case, the plug contact part 101 of the first plug connector 1 is in the form of a bush contact part, and in this case, the other end thereof is also in the form of a crimp contact part. The plug contact part 102 of the second plug connector is in the form of a pin contact part. This arrangement can also be transposed.

[0039] The plug contact parts 102 and 202 are fitted together inside the assembled metal sheet contact parts 101 and 201, or are fitted together in the assembled state of the metal sheet contact parts 101 and 201. The other end of the plug contact part can be connected to the connection means, and thus to the connection contact parts 104 and 204, directly or via a conductor piece, in order to make contact with the printed circuit board 205 (in this case, the plug contact part 202 is a pin contact), or in order to make contact with the conductor of the cable 114.

[0040] The plug contact part 102 of the first plug connector 1 is arranged within the contact holder 105. The contact holder 105 consists of a non-conductive material, in particular a non-conductive plastic material. The contact holder can also be integrally constructed with the cable manager 111, in which case, for example, it can have different ranges of regions with a kind of step being constructed therebetween. The contact holder holds the plug contact parts 102 of the first plug connector within the metal sheet contact part 101 in a defined position and spaced apart from each other.

[0041] The plug housing 111a is configured inside the metal sheet contact part 101, where it is intended to be configured such that the assembly of the first plug connector and the second plug connectors 1 and 2 is not impeded.

[0042] The corresponding metal sheet contact parts 101 and 201, the corresponding plug contact parts 102 and 202, and in this case the contact holder 105 as well, face each other and are formed on their sides which fit their corresponding plug faces together. Each plug face has a relatively small dimension of only a few millimeters. The first plug connector and the second plug connectors 1 and 2 can thereby be fitted together with each other.

[0043] A latching connection part 3 is constructed (at least) between the first plug connector and the second plug connectors 1 and 2 so that the first plug connector and the second plug connectors 1 and 2 cannot be unintentionally disengaged from the assembled state again. This latching connection part 3 is provided with first latching means 106 on the first plug connector 1 and corresponding second latching means 206 on the second plug connector 2 (see, for example, FIGS. 1b and 1c).

[0044] In this case, the first latching means may be in the form of a latching hook 106, and the second latching means may be in the form of a corresponding latching recess 206 that forms a latching edge on one side. This latching hook 108 latches when the two plug connectors 1 and 2 are fitted together. Although a transposed configuration in the sense of a kinematic inversion is also conceivable, it is not shown in this example. Also, the latching recess 206 for receiving the latching hook 108 can be formed by a step. The important aspect is that it has a latching edge.

[0045] The latching recess 206 is, in this case, in the form of a latching hole. The latching recess can be easily formed in that an opening such as a through-opening is separated from the metal sheet, and a second metal sheet contact part 201 is made therefrom.

[0046] However, the first latching means is in the form of a latching hook 106 that can elastically engage with this latching recess 206. The latching hook has a leaf spring-like latching arm 107 and a hook part 108.

[0047] For example, in the case of a high-pole individual connector having two or more rows of plug contact parts 102 and 202, it is also possible to construct one, two, or more hook parts 108 on the latching arm 107 and two or more corresponding latching recesses 206 on at least one metal sheet contact part 201 to increase the pulling force.

[0048] This is shown, for example, in FIG. 16, where the latch hook 106 shown in FIG. 16b has two hook portions 108 on a common comprehensive latch arm 107, and the hook portions 108 can engage with relatively large or a plurality of relatively small latch recesses 106. In this way, substantially more latch hooks 106 can be further arranged on the latch arm. However, FIG. 16b shows a latch arm 107 having only one hook portion 106.

[0049] The latch arm 107 is punched out from a metal sheet blank for manufacturing the metal sheet contact portion 101. There is a hook portion 108 at the free end facing the plug surface. It is connected to the blank at the opposite end. This connection portion can be arranged in the region of the metal sheet contact portion 101 having a larger diameter. In this case, in that case, the latch arm 107 itself has a kind of step portion.

[0050] The latch arm 107 itself can be formed from the blank by introducing a cut / punched portion in the shape of a "U". The hook portion 108 can be formed, for example, in the initially manufactured latch arm 107 by combining punching and embossing. This will be described in more detail below.

[0051] It is advantageous for the hook portion 108 to have a non-linear connection line such as a non-linear bending line 108c with respect to the surrounding metal sheet, in this case with respect to the latch arm 107. Instead of this, for example, it can be provided with a semi-circular or U-shaped or V-shaped bending line 108c and a connection line to the surrounding metal sheet.

[0052] To form a geometric shape closed in the circumferential direction, only the connecting lines that supplement the non-linear bending lines are in the form of cut 108d or are cut, and the inner region of the non-linear connecting lines is formed in an embossed form so as to form the surface region of the raised 3D shape or the form of region 108a, and actually forms the hook portion 108. Therefore, the hook portion 108 is very stable.

[0053] As a result of the cut 108d formed in the metal sheet during its construction, preferably, especially by the edge of the surface region 108a of the raised 3D shape, it has an opening side 108b (see FIGS. 4a to 4c) configured to be securely held in the latch recess 206, and these edges together define the opening side with the cut 108d and form a kind of diagonal undercut side that is securely latched to the latch recess 206, especially latched in a self-locking manner.

[0054] In the region of the latch hook 108, only one single short linear cut 108d is formed in the latch arm 107 (FIG. 4). Subsequently, the protruding raised 3D surface region 108a is pressed to one side of this cut as the hook portion 108 in a way that forms it from the region of the latch arm 107 (or another metal sheet).

[0055] According to an exemplary configuration type that is preferably but not necessarily intended to be implemented exactly like this, the hook portion 108 can have three bending lines 108c oriented perpendicular to each other in the direction towards the latch arm 107 (FIGS. 4a to 4c). In this case, the material inside this U-shaped bending line arrangement (see FIGS. 4a to 4c and incidentally FIGS. 10 to 12) is pushed forward in a way that is embossed towards one side, and a kind of domed region that opens towards one side is punched out from the hook portion, especially a kind of pyramid that has one side open and protrudes from the hook portion is punched out, and when two plug connectors are pushed together, it is locked in a fixed way.

[0056] The opening side 108b of the hook part 108 is preferably dome-shaped, open on one side, preferably pyramid-shaped, and open on one side. The opening side 108b of the hook part 108 forms a relatively sharp latch edge of the type that is firmly latched within the latch recess 206, resulting in a further pyramid-shaped geometry and, thereby, preferably having closed walls or sides oriented at an angle of less than 90° relative to each other. As a result, the hook part 108 has relatively good static properties and is particularly well protected against bending by the application of a tensile force to the latch connection. Further, a kind of inclined introduction member is formed on the hook part 108.

[0057] Also, the opening side 108b is constructed at an angle not equal to 90° with respect to the actual peripheral wall material of the latch arm 107, and in this way, an undercut of the type that can particularly securely latch within the latch recess 206 can be formed. In this way, in particular, the self-locking latch connection 3 is constructed. The opening side faces a direction opposite to the pushing direction X (for example, with respect to the first plug connector 1 when being pushed into the fixed second plug connector 2).

[0058] To latch, the two plug connectors 1, 2 are pushed together. In this case, the closed side of the hook part 108 of the latch hook 106 is located in the pushing direction or the insertion direction. The side surface of the hook part 108 located in the introduction direction X (Figs. 1d to 1f) is, in this case, in the form of a partial pyramid and functions as an inclined introduction member.

[0059] As a result, when the hook portion 108 hits the metal sheet contact portion 201, the elastic arm 107 is redirected inward toward the inside of the metal sheet contact portion. The latch arm 107 and the hook portion 108 advance inward until the hook portion 108 can elastically move outward again within the region of the latch recess 206 of the second plug connector. The hook portion 108 pivots outward within the latch recess 206 until the first plug connector and the second plug connector are latched together or are latched to be latched. Latching this latch connection is very easily possible. The latch connection is sufficiently fixed in a simple manner against a relatively high pulling force. Furthermore, the latch connection only occupies a very small structural space.

[0060] A simple method for manufacturing the hook portion 108 from a metal sheet, particularly from a latch arm, will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Also, in order to configure the latch connection portion 3 in an optimal form and increase the latching force, the latch arm 107 is arranged in a state where it is pre-tensioned on the first plug connector by an abutting support. The arrangement by this abutting support can be configured in different ways.

[0061] According to a variant - see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 - the latch arm 107 is bent in the region between its ends, i.e., preferably in a substantially central region, particularly via the abutting region 109 of the contact carrier, in front of the step along the insertion direction X and is internally supported thereon, whereby the elastic arm 107 itself is pre-tensioned. The latch arm 107 has an embossing for support defined in the abutting region 109 (FIG. 1d).

[0062] Furthermore, in particular, the free end of the latch arm 107 is internally supported at the edge region of the metal sheet contact portion 101 of the first plug connector 1, and the edge regions are configured to partially overlap (FIGS. 2a, 2b).

[0063] As a result, a latch arm 107 such as a leaf spring is connected at a first end opposite to the plug surface of the first plug connector to the material of the metal sheet from which it is punched out, and is then bent via the abutment regions of the internal plastic elements ((carriers) 105, 111), and at its free end is elastically supported internally in the region of the metal sheet contact portion 101 which overlaps internally at one or two edges. In this case, the metal sheet contact portion 101 is not closed in the circumferential direction, but instead has a gap, under which the latch arm 107 is located and from which the hook portion 108 projects outward. In this way, the latch hook is arranged in a pre-tensioned manner on the first plug connector (Figs. 2a to 2d).

[0064] Actuating means are configured on the first plug connector 1 to release the latch connection 3. This actuating means may be in the form of an actuating pressing member 112. The actuating pressing member 112 may be in the form of a movable element on the gripping region 113 of the first plug connector 1. The gripping region 113 can in turn be constructed on the first plug connector 1 in a region adjacent to the plug surface of the first plug connector 1. The gripping region 113 is composed of a plastic material. The actuating pressing member 112 can be configured integrally with the gripping region 113. The gripping region 113 is injection-molded by a plastic injection molding method around the internal plug housing 111a.

[0065] The actuating pressing member 112 is in the form of a kind of elastic arm or rocker bar, is connected to the gripping region 113 at one end 112a of the actuating pressing member 112, or is connected to the gripping region 113 with a gap in the region of the connecting portion 112b, and has a pressing region 112c located on the latch hook 106 at the other end of the actuating pressing member 112. When the actuating pressing member 112 is pressed down, the latch hook 106 is pressed inward, and the hook portion 108 is released from the latch recess 206, so that the two plug connectors 1, 2 are pulled apart again.

[0066] In this case, the actuating pressing member 112 can be formed by the metal sheet contact portion 101 in a substantially polygonal shape, particularly a rectangular shape, and can be formed by the metal sheet contact portion 101 of the first plug connector on the same side as the latch hook 106. Next, the actuating pressing member 112 is preferably arranged at an interval from the latch hook 106 and substantially parallel to the latch hook 106.

[0067] Such an embodiment is shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. However, the actuating pressing member 112 may also be configured with a substantially polygonal, particularly rectangular, metal sheet contact portion 101, and may be constructed on a different side of the metal sheet contact portion 101 outside the metal sheet contact portion 101 with respect to the latch hook 106 instead of on the same side, for example, on the side arranged or oriented in a state rotated 90° with respect to the latch hook. Next, it is arranged substantially parallel to this opposite side. The actuating pressing member 112 can be provided, for example, with an actuating fixture 112d (FIG. 7) at the end of the actuating pressing member 112 as a pressing region that acts obliquely on the latch hook 106 during the pressing operation, pressing the latch hook 106 inwardly against the latch arm 107 again to release the latch hook 106 from its latched position.

[0068] In this case, a recess can be provided in the gripping region 113 under the actuating pressing member, and the actuating pressing member can act directly on the latch arm 106 or the latch hook 108 during the pressing operation. Such an embodiment is shown, for example, in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

[0069] This last modification can be advantageously used when a plurality of second plug connectors 2 are formed in a close row on the device or on the printed circuit board 205 etc., and the plug connections are arranged without gaps so that there is no space for the actuating pressing member 112 between them. Next, the actuating pressing member 112 is preferably configured such that the latch hook 106 operates at 90°, that is, the actuating direction of the actuating pressing member 112 and the actuating direction for releasing the latch hook 106 are oriented obliquely to each other or at right angles to each other.

[0070] Figures 10 to 12 show a method in which, in a tool 4 having two halves 401, 402 in which a metal sheet blank is arranged (for example, in the form of a latch arm 107), the hook portion 108 of the latch hook 106 can be constructed on the latch arm 107 having a single embossing stamp 403 (Figure 13). The embossing stamp is a kind of sliding member having a relatively sharp pyramidal tip on one side (Figure 13). In this case, the lower tool 401 has a sliding guide 404 for the embossing stamp 403. The upper tool 402 in this case has a recess 405 for the hook portion 108 that is intended to be formed. Instead of, or on top of, the recess, a corresponding contour can be provided.

[0071] The metal sheet blank is placed between the halves 401 of the tool, and the tool 4 is closed (Figure 10). Subsequently, the embossing stamp 403 is pressed laterally into the metal sheet blank. A raised 3D-shaped surface area 108a is formed together with a bending line 108c (Figure 11), where a cut 108d is also generated or formed (here, together with the same embossing stamp 403), and the raised 3D-shaped surface area 108a is non-linear, but instead is generated together with a U-shaped bending line 108c and an open side 108b. This method is simple, reliable, and cost-effective. The latch arm can be cut before or after the hook portion is formed from the prepared metal sheet (as shown).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] List of Symbols Plug connector 1 Metal sheet contact portion 101 Plug contact portion 102 Contact arm 103 Connection contact portion 104 Contact carrier 105 Latch hook 106 Latch arm 107 Hook portion 108 Surface area 108a of the 3D shape Opening side 108b Bending line 108c Cut 108d Contact area 109 Lock shape 110 Cable manager 111 Plug housing 111a Actuating pressing member 112 End 112a Connection part 112b Pressing area 112c Fixture 112d Gripping area 113 Cable 114 Plug connector 2 Metal sheet contact part 201 Plug contact part 202 Soldering joint 204 Printed circuit board 205 Latch recess 206 Contact carrier 207 Latch connection part 3 Tool 4 Half bodies 401, 402 Embossing stamp 403 Sliding guide 404 Recess 405 Metal sheet blank BZ

Claims

1. An electrical and / or optical plug connection, comprising: a. a first plug connector (1) and a second plug connector (2) that is fitted to the first plug connector (1) and corresponds to the first plug connector (1); b. the first plug connector and the second plug connector (1, 2) each have a plug surface, and the plug surface:[[]] i. has a first metal sheet contact portion (101) and a second metal sheet contact portion (201) that fits together to be in electrical contact with the first metal sheet contact portion (101); ii. has a first electrical and / or optical plug contact portion and a second electrical and / or optical plug contact portion (102, 202) that fit together and are arranged away from the first metal sheet contact portion and the second metal sheet contact portion; c. in the assembled state, there is at least one latch connection portion (3) between the first plug connector and the second plug connector (1, 2), and the latch connection portion (3) has a first latch means on the first plug connector (1) and a corresponding second latch means on the second plug connector (2); d. the first latch means is in the form of a latch hook (106), the second latch means is in the form of a corresponding latch recess (206) having a latch edge, and when the two plug connectors (1, 2) are fitted together, the latch hook (106) latches into the latch recess (206); e. the latch hook (106) is in a plug connection having a latch arm (107) and a hook portion (108); f. the hook portion (108) is connected to the latch arm (107), which is a metal sheet surrounding the hook portion (108), via a bending line (108c), the bending line (108c) is offset from a straight line at some portion, and the hook portion (108) is a raised 3D-shaped surface region having at least one opening side (108b); the opening side (108b) is inclined at an angle not equal to 90° with respect to the peripheral surface of the latch arm (107), and the edge of the opening side (108b) is formed by the edge of a dome-shaped region, and the plug connection is characterized in that the opening side (108b) is latched in a self-locking manner behind the latch edge of the latch recess (206).

2. The raised 3D-shaped surface area of the hook part (108) forms part of a pyramid as a raised 3D-shaped surface area (108a) having at least one open side, the plug connection part according to claim 1.

3. The first metal sheet contact part (101) of the first plug connector (1) and the second metal sheet contact part (201) of the corresponding second plug connector (2) are configured to be mutually fitted in a corresponding color form in each case, and the first electrical and / or optical plug contact part and the second electrical and / or optical plug contact part (102, 202) are arranged inside the color-shaped first metal sheet contact part and second metal sheet contact part (101, 201), the plug connection part according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The plug connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bending line (108c) is configured to be U-shaped or V-shaped or semi-circular.

5. The plug connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the latch arm (107) is supported between both ends and is pre-tensioned in such a way as to contact another element of the first plug connector (1).

6. The electrical and / or optical plug contact part (102) of the first plug connector is arranged on the contact carrier (105), and the latch arm (107) abuts between both ends of the contact carrier (105) on the contact carrier (105) and is supported in a pre-tensioned form, the plug connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The free end of the pre-tensioned latch arm (107) is supported inside on the edge area of the metal sheet contact part (101) of the first plug connector (1) having a gap, and the edge area is configured such that the latch arm (107) partially overlaps, the plug connection part according to claim 6.

8. The plug connection part according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the latch arm (107) itself has a step part, and the contact carrier (105) and the metal sheet contact part (101) themselves also have a step part.

9. The plug connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an actuating means (112) is constructed on the first plug connector (1) to release the latch connection.

10. The actuating means is in the form of a lever-shaped actuating pressing member (112), which is configured to push down the latch hook (106) and move the hook portion (108) from the latch recess (206) to the inner region of the periphery of the metal sheet contact portion (201) of the second plug connector (2), thereby releasing the latch connection (3) and enabling the plug connectors (1, 2) to be separated. The plug connection portion according to claim 9.

11. The cross-section of the metal sheet contact portion (101) of the first plug connector (1) has a substantially polygonal shape, the latch hook (106) is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating pressing member (112) is arranged on the same side of the polygon and acts on the hook portion (108) to press the hook portion (108) inward. The plug connection portion according to claim 10.

12. The cross-section of the metal sheet contact portion (101) of the first plug connector (1) has a substantially polygonal shape, the latch hook (106) is located on one side of the polygon, and the actuating pressing member (112) is arranged on a side of the polygon different from that of the latch hook (106). The actuating pressing member (112) acts on the hook portion (108) using a fixture (112d) to press the hook portion (108) inward. The plug connection portion according to claim 10.

13. A first plug connector (1) for plug connection, characterized by having one or more of the features related to the first plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Latch means having one or more features related to the latch means of the first plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A method for constructing a hook portion for a latch hook on a metal sheet, comprising: a providing a metal sheet (107); b providing a tool having two tool halves (401, 402) and arranging the metal sheet (107) between the tool halves (401, 402); A process of introducing embossing into the metal sheet (107) using an embossing stamp (403), wherein before or during the embossing, the metal sheet (107) is further partially cut, and during the embossing, on the side of the cut (108d), a raised 3D-shaped surface area (108a) is embossed together with a bending line (108c) as a hook part (108) with one side being an opening (108b), and the bending line (108c) deviates from a straight line at some part as a connection part to the metal sheet (107) surrounding the hook part (108), and the opening side (108b) is inclined at an angle not equal to 90° with respect to the peripheral surface of the metal sheet (107), and the opening side (108b) at its edge is formed by the edge of a dome-shaped area.

16. The tool for embossing has a pyramidal tip with a sharp edge on one side, and the surface area (108a) forming the 3D is formed in a pyramidal shape, and the pyramidal shape has at least one open side (108b). The method according to claim 15.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the bending line (108c) is configured in a U-shape or a V-shape or a semi-circular shape.

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