Housing assemblies, connectors and connecting devices

Abstract

To provide a connection device having a small number of components, a small size and high reliability.SOLUTION: A contact housing 4 includes: a contact chamber 24 for receiving the contact unit of a connector 2; a latch part 52 capable of moving between a latch position and a release position; a block part 66 connected so as to transfer motion to the latch part 52; and a shield receptacle constituted so as to at least partially receive a shield element 6. The block part 66 at least partially projects to the shield receptacle when arranging the latch part 52 at the release position; unless the latch part 52 causes latch connection 58 at the latch position, the block part 66 blocks the shield receptacle; as the result, a TPA function is achieved without inserting the shield element 6 into the shield receptacle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for a connector for signal, high frequency, and / or data lines. The present invention also relates to a connector and a connection device having the connector and a mating connector. [Background technology]

[0002] In many technical fields, shielded connection devices are used which have a connector housing in which contact units are arranged in a latching manner, which may be individual contact elements (for example so-called crimp terminals) or contact mounts with multiple contact elements.

[0003] The constant effort to miniaturize connecting devices requires the use of as few and space-saving components as possible. In addition, alignment errors often occur with respect to the contact units in the respective connector housings. These alignment errors, if left undetected, can result in transmission problems or even complete failure of the respective lines. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to make a connection device that has a small number of components, is small, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by a housing assembly of the type mentioned at the beginning, which comprises a contact housing and a shield element, the contact housing comprising a contact chamber for receiving a contact unit of the connector, a latching section movable between a latching position and a release position and configured to establish a latching connection with the received contact unit in the latched position, a blocking section connected to the latching section in a movement-transmitting manner, and a shield receptacle configured to at least partially receive the shield element. Additionally, the blocking portion at least partially projects into the shield receptacle when the latching portion is disposed in its release position or at least away from its latching position.

[0006] For ease of reading this specification, some features of the housing assembly are referred to in the singular, but these features may be present in plural. For example, the contact housing comprises at least one contact chamber, at least one latch portion, and at least one block portion.

[0007] The advantages of the present invention arise when the housing assembly is installed in the connector. During installation, it may be intended to first insert the contact unit into the contact chamber (without the shield element present). Typically, the contact unit and the latch portion create the latched connection, with the latch portion alternating at least once between its released position and its latched position. Then, the shield element is inserted into the shield receptacle.

[0008] As long as the latch portion remains in its release position, the blocking portion blocks the shielding receptacle by protruding into the shielding receptacle. As a result, in this state, a shielding element cannot be inserted into the shielding receptacle. At the same time, this state indicates that the latch portion is naturally in its release position, and in particular is not in its latched position, so the latch portion does not make the latched connection with the inserted contact unit.

[0009] In other words, if the contact unit is not properly "seated" in the contact chamber, the latching portion will not reach the latched position and will remain in the released position. As a result, the blocking portion will then prevent the shield element from being inserted into the shielding receptacle, which will be recognized by the assembler and used as an incentive to inspect the contact unit for alignment errors.

[0010] The shielding element therefore performs the so-called TPA function (Terminal Position Assurance) in addition to the actual shielding function. By integrating this function into the existing shielding element, an additional TPA element is no longer required as a separate component.

[0011] The contact housing and shield element may each be considered separate inventions, which do not necessarily exist as part of a housing assembly, but are instead separate and independent from one another.

[0012] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by further developments which are advantageous on their own and can be combined in any way.

[0013] According to a possible embodiment, the contact housing may be made of an electrically insulating material to prevent short circuits and increase electrical safety, and the shielding element may be made of a conductive material to improve the shielding effect.

[0014] The contact chamber preferably passes through the contact housing so that the contact chamber is accessible from one side to the mating contact and a wire or cable can be led to the contact unit on the other side.

[0015] The latching portion in the latched position may optionally protrude at least partially into the contact chamber, which means that no latch arms are required on the outside of the contact unit (so-called clean body terminals), which could potentially break off during transportation of the contact unit.

[0016] As already mentioned, the blocking portion protrudes into the shielding receptacle when the latching portion is disposed in the released position, and to this end, the shielding receptacle may form an evasion recess configured to at least partially receive the blocking portion (in the absence of the shielding element) when the at least one latching portion is disposed in its released position.

[0017] Furthermore, the shielding receptacle may extend at least partially along the contact chamber, in particular parallel to the contact chamber. Furthermore, the shielding receptacle may surround the contact chamber from at least three, in particular four, adjacent sides that are perpendicular to each other in pairs. If the contact housing includes multiple contact chambers, each contact chamber may be surrounded by the shielding receptacle from three or four sides that are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the shielding element in the shielding receptacle surrounds the contact chamber and the contact unit received therein from a corresponding number of sides.

[0018] Of course, the shielding element may surround the received contact unit from multiple sides that are not perpendicular to each other, as long as the shielding element's surrounding angle with respect to each contact unit is at least 270°. In other words, the shielding element surrounds at least 75% of the circumference of the contact unit received in the contact chamber. The shielding element may be, for example, a punched and bent member having a U-shaped profile, a hollow profile, a circular profile, a polygonal profile, an H-shaped profile, a double U-shaped profile, or a double T-shaped profile.

[0019] To facilitate reception of the shield element, the shield receptacle may be open on one side in the shield insertion direction. In particular, the shield receptacle may be accessible from the shield insertion direction. For better attachment to the contact housing after reception in the shield receptacle, the shield element may include mounting portions that enable the shield element to be attached to the contact housing. For example, the shield element may include one or more latch tabs that latch into a corresponding number of latch recesses or latch edges in the shield receptacle.

[0020] To ensure the TPA function described above, the shield element may preferably have a detection portion that protrudes from the other portion of the shield element in the shield insertion direction. In this case, the shield element may be inserted into the shield receptacle with the detection portion first, and the detection portion abuts against the blocking portion as long as the blocking portion blocks the shield receptacle.

[0021] According to a further possible embodiment, the shield element in the shield receptacle may resist movement of the latch portion towards its release position. In particular, the shield element may comprise a lock section that can be received in the relief recess already mentioned. The lock section may be configured to abut against the blocking section. Preferably, the detection section and the lock section may coincide, match or correspond to each other.

[0022] This means that the latch portion can be moved to the release position at any time when the shield element is not in the shield receptacle, and in particular when the lock portion is not in the relief recess, and as a result the contact unit can be installed in the contact chamber. If the latch portion has been moved to the release position for this purpose, the contact unit may also be able to (intentionally or unintentionally) leave the contact chamber again in some cases. However, when the shield element is in the shield receptacle, and in particular when the lock portion is in the relief recess, the shield element performs a secondary fixation function by blocking, preventing or overriding this movement of the latch portion, so that the contact unit cannot be removed from the contact chamber. In particular, a shield element received in the shield receptacle in the latched position blocks the latch portion.

[0023] The latching portion may be movable in response to temporary or permanent elastic deformation, pivoting, or bending. For example, according to an easy-to-manufacture embodiment, the latching portion may be formed by a self-supporting latching lance, which may be formed integrally with the contact housing. Alternatively, the latching portion may be arranged on a separate slide or tilt mechanism that is movably held in the contact housing and optionally preloaded by a tension spring towards the latched or released position.

[0024] In order to ensure that the latch part is permanently unloaded in the latched position, the aforementioned locking part may abut without force against the blocking part, which means that the locking part preferably does not press on the blocking part and the latch part connected thereto in a movement-transmitting manner, but rather limits their mobility.

[0025] To further simplify the housing structure, the latch portion and the block portion may be integrally connected. For example, the block portion may also be formed by the latch lance described above, with the latch portion and the block portion both being located at the free or distal end of the latch lance. Preferably, the latch portion and the block portion are located on opposite sides of the free or distal end of the latch lance. Similarly, in the case of the slide or tilt mechanism described above, the latch portion and the block portion may each be located on opposite sides.

[0026] The latch lance may optionally extend at least partially between the contact chamber and the relief recess, with the latch portion facing the contact chamber and the blocking portion facing the relief recess, thereby allowing the latch lance to be pivoted from the contact chamber to the relief recess and vice versa, resulting in a simple sequence of operation.

[0027] Furthermore, the free or distal end of the latch lance may face the shield insertion direction. In other words, the proximal end of the latch lance is disposed in front of the free or distal end of the latch lance in the shield insertion direction. This prevents the shield element from catching on the latch lance when pushed into the shield receptacle, potentially bending or even breaking the latch lance.

[0028] Furthermore, the free or distal end of the latch lance may be oriented in the opposite direction to the shield insertion direction. In this case, the free or distal end of the latch lance is disposed forward of the proximal end of the latch lance in the shield insertion direction. In this embodiment, the previously described TPA function of the shield element takes effect relatively quickly without the need to press the shield element excessively deep into the shield receptacle. This can result in time savings.

[0029] As already indicated above, the contact housing may comprise two contact chambers which extend at least partly parallel to one another, which means that the field of application of the housing assembly can be broadened to include connectors with two contact units.

[0030] The shielding receptacle may extend at least partially between the two contact chambers, so that a shielding element in the shielding receptacle can shield the two contact units from each other.

[0031] The latching portion, the blocking portion and / or the locking portion may likewise extend at least partially between the two contact chambers. This space-saving arrangement of the latching portion, the blocking portion and / or the locking portion results in a compact housing assembly.

[0032] The contact housing may optionally comprise two latching portions configured to be movable towards or away from each other in the respective latched or released positions. In particular, a separate latching portion may be provided for each contact chamber, which allows the contact units to be installed individually and independently of each other in the respective contact chambers.

[0033] There may be a separate relief recess for each latch part, and a separate blocking part and / or a separate locking part for each relief recess. Alternatively, a common relief recess may be provided for all latch parts, in which case a common blocking part and / or a common locking part is sufficient.

[0034] The underlying object set forth at the outset can also be achieved by a connector having a housing assembly according to one of the above-described embodiments and a contact unit for contacting a mating contact of a mating connector, wherein the contact unit is received in a contact chamber of the contact housing and forms a latching connection with the latch portion, and the shield element is received in a shield receptacle and secures the latching connection.

[0035] For the purpose of making this specification easier to read, some features of the housing assembly are referred to in the singular, but these features may also be present in plural, e.g., a connector comprises at least one contact unit.

[0036] The connector benefits from the previously described advantages of the housing assembly according to the invention, in particular that the reception of the shielding element in the shielding receptacle itself indicates the correct positioning of the contact unit in the contact chamber (i.e., the TPA function) and also ensures that future movement of the contact unit does not result in possible positioning errors (secondary fixation function).

[0037] A connection device having the above-mentioned connector and a mating connector configured to be complementary to the connector also achieves the object stated at the beginning, wherein the connector and the mating connector are configured to be plugged into each other, and a shield element of the connector in the plugged-in state at least partially projects into the mating connector. The mating connector may have a connector housing configured similarly to the contact housing of the connector. Mating contacts of the mating connector may be received in the connector housing in a latching manner, and the mating contacts are complementary to the contact units and configured to be plugged into the contact units.

[0038] For the purpose of making this specification easier to read, some features of the housing assembly are referred to in the singular, but these features may also be present in plural. For example, the connection device comprises at least one mating contact.

[0039] The connection device benefits from the already described advantages of the housing assembly according to the invention and the connector according to the invention, and it is particularly advantageous to enable the connection device to require a single shielding element for both connectors, since the shielding element also extends to the mating connector.

[0040] When plugged together, the shielding element preferably at least partially surrounds the mating contacts of the mating connector from at least three, in particular four, adjacent sides extending perpendicularly or obliquely to each other in pairs. The shielding element surrounds the mating contacts at an angle of at least 270°. In other words, the shielding element surrounds at least 75% of the circumference of the mating contacts.

[0041] The shielding element may optionally secure an additional latching connection between the mating contact and the mating connector, in other words, the shielding element can perform the same TPA function and secondary securement function for the mating contact.

[0042] To simplify the pre- and / or final assembly of the shielding element, the shielding element having the mounting portion already described may alternatively or additionally be configured to be attachable to a mating connector, meaning that in addition to or instead of the latch tabs already described that latch into latch recesses or latch edges of the shielding receptacle, the shielding element may comprise latch tabs that latch into latch recesses or latch edges of the mating connector.

[0043] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on several exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Various features of these embodiments may be combined with each other as needed in accordance with the above findings. In particular, if the effects of individual features are necessary for a specific application, these features may be added to the described embodiments in accordance with the above explanation. Conversely, if the technical effects of individual features are not important in a specific application, these features may be omitted from the existing embodiments. Similar, identical, and functionally identical elements in the drawings are, where appropriate, designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connector according to a first exemplary embodiment in an exploded view; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a connector according to a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a connection device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a further schematic cross-sectional view of the connection device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a stamped profile of a shield element according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8]8A and 8B are schematic perspective views of subsequent steps in the further processing of the shield element of FIG. 7; [Figure 9] 9A-9C are schematic cross-sectional views of subsequent steps in the further processing of the shielding element of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10A-B are schematic cross-sectional views of subsequent steps in the further processing of the shield element of FIG. 9; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] 1-3 and 6 show a housing assembly 1 as part of a connector 2 in various views and embodiments. The housing assembly 1 comprises a contact housing 4 made from an electrically insulating material (e.g., a plastic material) and a shielding element 6 made from an electrically conductive material (e.g., a metal). FIGS. 7-10 show exemplary processing steps of the shielding element 6 during manufacturing, which will be described in more detail below. In particular, the shielding element 6 may be a stamped and formed part 8. The contact housing 4 may be an injection-molded part 10.

[0046] Apart from the housing assembly 1, the connector 2 comprises at least one contact unit 12. The contact unit 12 may comprise a contact mount 14 having a plurality of contact elements 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 2 comprises two such contact units 12. Alternatively, the contact units may be individual contact elements (e.g., so-called crimp terminals). The contact units 12 are each used to contact a mating contact 18 of a mating connector 20 of a connecting device 22. The connecting device 22 is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0047] 1 , the contact housing 4 comprises respective contact chambers 24, each for receiving one contact unit 12 of the connector 2. Each contact chamber 24 preferably passes through the contact housing 4 so that it is accessible from one side 26 to the corresponding mating contact 18 and so that a wire 30 or cable 32 can be connected to the contact unit 12 on the opposite side 28. According to the illustrated embodiment, the contact housing 4 may comprise two contact chambers 24 for two contact units 12 that extend at least partially parallel to one another.

[0048] 1 that the contact housing 4 comprises a shielding receptacle 34 configured to at least partially receive the shielding element 6. The shielding receptacle 34 may extend at least partially along, and in particular parallel to, the contact chamber 24. In particular, the shielding receptacle 34 extends to the point in the contact housing where the shielding braid 36 or shielding film 38 of the wire 30 or cable 32 leading to the respective contact unit 12 extends.

[0049] Furthermore, the shielding receptacle 34 may extend at least partially between the two contact chambers 24. Thus, the shielding element 6 in the shielding receptacle 34 can shield the two contact units 12 in the two contact chambers 24 from each other.

[0050] Additionally, the shielding receptacle 34 may surround the contact chamber 24 from at least three adjacent sides, and the shielding element 6 in the shielding receptacle 34 similarly surrounds the contact chamber 24 and the contact unit 12 received therein from three sides. However, if 360° shielding is required, the shielding receptacle 34 and the shielding element 6 may each surround the contact chamber 24 from four sides.

[0051] The shielding element 6 may be a stamped and bent part having the stamped profile 40 shown in FIG. 7. Subsequent bending (see FIGS. 8 to 10) may give the shielding element 6 a double U-, H- or double T-profile, as shown in FIG. 1. A double T-profile is particularly suitable for enclosing two contact chambers 24 on three sides each. If the contact housing 4 only has one contact chamber, a simple U-profile (not shown) is sufficient. For the 360° shielding already mentioned, it is preferable to configure the shielding element 6 as a hollow profile (not shown).

[0052] To facilitate reception of the shield element 6, the shield receptacle 34 may be open on one side in the shield insertion direction 42. For better attachment to the contact housing 4 after reception in the shield receptacle 34, the shield element 6 may include mounting portions 44 that allow the shield element 6 to be attached to the contact housing 4. For example, the shield element may include one or more latch tabs 46 that latch into a corresponding number of latch recesses 48 or latch edges 50 in the shield receptacle 34.

[0053] As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, the contact housing 4 includes a latch portion 52 in each contact chamber 24. Preferably, a separate latch portion 52 is provided for each contact chamber 24. Each latch portion 52 is movable between a latched position 54 (see Figures 2 and 3) and a released position 56 (see Figure 6). The two latch portions 52 shown in Figure 2 are configured to be movable towards or away from each other in their respective latched positions 54 or their respective released positions 56.

[0054] Furthermore, each latch portion 52 is configured to form a latching connection 58 with a received contact unit 12 in the latched position 54. For this purpose, each latch portion 52 in the latched position 54 may protrude at least partially into the corresponding contact chamber 24. Here, the latch portion 52 may engage behind a latch edge 60 of the contact unit 12, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the latch portion 52 may engage in a latch recess 62 of the contact unit 12 (see FIG. 3).

[0055] Each latch portion 52 may be movable in response to temporary or permanent elastic deformation, pivoting, or bending. For example, each latch portion 52 may be formed by a self-supporting latch lance 64, which may be integrally formed with the contact housing 4. Alternatively, the latch portions may be arranged on a separate slide (not shown) or tilt mechanism (not shown) that is movably held in the contact housing and optionally preloaded by a tension spring (not shown) toward the latched or released position.

[0056] In order to detect misalignment of the contact unit 12, the contact housing 4 is provided with a blocking portion 66 for each latch portion 52, the function of which will be explained below.

[0057] Each block portion 66 is movably connected to its corresponding latch portion 52. In particular, the latch portion 52 and the block portion 66 may be integrally connected. For example, the block portion 66 and the corresponding latch portion 52 are formed by the previously mentioned latch lance 64, with the latch portion 52 and the block portion 66 both being located at the free or distal end 68 of the latch lance. Preferably, the latch portion 52 and the block portion 66 are located on opposite sides of the free or distal end 68 of the latch lance 64.

[0058] Furthermore, each blocking portion 66 at least partially projects into the shield receptacle 34 when the corresponding latching portion 52 is disposed in its release position 56 (see FIG. 6 ). To this end, the shielding receptacle 34 may form a relief recess 70 configured to at least partially receive the blocking portion 66 (in the absence of a shielding element) when at least one latching portion 52 is disposed in its release position 56 or at least away from its latching position 54.

[0059] If, when assembling the connector, it is intended that the shielding element 6 is inserted into the shielding receptacle 34 only after the contact unit 12 has first been inserted into the contact chamber 24, the shielding element 6 may have, in addition to its actual shielding function, a so-called TPA function (Terminal Position Assurance) which can be used to identify positioning errors of the contact unit 12.

[0060] Essentially, each contact unit 12 and latch portion 52 forms the latched connection 58 during assembly, with each latch portion 52 alternating at least once between its released position 56 and its latched position 54. This change in position produces an audible click that may be easily missed, especially in a noisy factory hall.

[0061] For this reason, it often happens that the contact unit 12 does not properly "seat" in the contact chamber and does not establish the latching connection 58 with the latching portion 52. In this state, the blocking portion 66 blocks the shielding receptacle 34 by protruding into it, particularly because the latching portion 52 remains in its release position 56, or at least is not disposed in its latched position 54. As a result, in this state, the shielding element 6 cannot be inserted into the shielding receptacle 34. This is recognized by the assembler and is used as an opportunity to inspect the contact unit 12 for alignment errors.

[0062] The blocking portion 66 may also cooperate with the shielding element 6 to ensure that alignment errors caused by unintentional displacement of the contact unit 12 are prevented, as will be explained below.

[0063] For this purpose, the shield element 6 in the shield receptacle 34 may resist movement of the latch portion 52 toward its release position 56. In particular, the shield element 6 may include a locking portion 72 that can be received in the already-mentioned relief recess 70 and that is configured to abut against the blocking portion 66 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). For example, the locking portion 72 may preferably protrude from the rest of the shield element 6 in the shield insertion direction 42. The locking portion 72 may also function as a detector and abut against the blocking portion 66 when the blocking portion 66 is blocking the shield receptacle 34.

[0064] This means that when the shield element 6 is placed in the shield receptacle 34, and in particular when the locking portion 72 is placed in the relief recess 70, the shield element blocks, prevents, or disables movement of the latching portion 52 to its release position 56. Only when the shield element 6 is not in the shield receptacle 34, and in particular when the locking portion 72 is not in the relief recess 70, can the latching portion 52 be moved to the release position 56 and the contact unit 12 be non-destructively removed from the contact chamber 24. Similarly, only when the shield element 6 is not present can the contact unit 12 be installed in the contact chamber 24. The shield element 6 therefore performs a secondary fixation function, securing the latch connection 58.

[0065] A common relief recess 70 may be provided for all latch portions 52. A common locking portion 72 is therefore sufficient. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), a separate relief recess may be present for each latch portion. A separate locking portion 72 may then be provided for each relief recess.

[0066] In order to prevent the latch part 52 from being permanently loaded in the latched position 54, the lock part 72 already mentioned may abut against the block part 66 without applying any force. This means that the lock part 72 preferably does not press against the block part 66 and the latch part 52 which is connected thereto in a motion-transmitting manner, but simply limits their mobility.

[0067] The latch portion 52, the block portion 66, and / or the lock portion 72 may extend at least partially between the two contact chambers 24. Furthermore, the latch lance 64 may extend at least partially between the corresponding contact chamber 24 and the relief recess 70. Here, the latch portion 52 may face the contact chamber 24, and the block portion 66 may face the relief recess 70. Furthermore, the free end or distal end 68 of the latch lance 64 may face the shield insertion direction 42, as shown in FIG. 2 . In other words, the proximal end 74 of the latch lance 64 is disposed forward of the free end or distal end 68 of the latch lance 64 in the shield insertion direction 42. This prevents the shield element 6 from catching on the latch lance 64 and possibly bending or even breaking the latch lance 64 when the shield element 6 is pushed into the shield receptacle 34.

[0068] According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, the free or distal end 68 of the latch lance 64 may face in the opposite direction to the shield insertion direction 42. In this case, the free or distal end 68 of the block portion 66 is disposed in front of the proximal end 74 of the latch lance 64 in the shield insertion direction 42. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the TPA function of the shield element 6 described above is already in effect in this embodiment without the need to press the shield element 6 deeply into the shield receptacle 34.

[0069] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a connection device 22 having the above-described connector 2 and a mating connector 20 configured to be complementary to the connector 2. The connector 2 and the mating connector 20 are configured to be plugged into each other, and in the plugged state 76 the shielding element 6 of the connector 2 at least partially protrudes into the mating connector 20.

[0070] The mating connector 20 may include a connector housing 78 configured similarly to the contact housing 4 of the connector 2. The connector housing 78 may latchably receive the mating contacts 18 of the mating connector 20 for each contact unit 12. Here, each mating contact 18 is complementary to a corresponding contact unit 12 and configured for plug-in connection with the corresponding contact unit 12. In the plugged-in state 76, the shielding element 6 protrudes into the mating connector 20 up to the point where the shielding braid 36 or shielding film 38 of the wire 30 or cable 32 leading to each mating contact 18 extends. Preferably, the shielding element 6 at least partially surrounds each mating contact 18 from at least three, and in particular four, adjacent sides.

[0071] 4, the shield element 6 can secure a further latching connection 58 between the mating contact 18 and the mating connector 20, in which the shield element 6 in the mating connector 20 also abuts one or more latching lances 64. In other words, the shield element 6 can also perform a similar TPA function and secondary securement function for the mating contact 18.

[0072] 7 by dashed lines 90, the shielding element 6 may be configured to be attached to the mating connector 20 by means of the mounting portions 44. In particular, the shielding element 6 may include further latching tabs 46 that are capable of latching into latching recesses (not shown) or latching edges (not shown) of the mating connector 20. This simplifies the pre- and / or final assembly of the shielding element 6.

[0073] Finally, the manufacturing process of the shielding element 6 will be described by way of example with reference to Figures 7 to 10. After the stamping process, the shielding element 6 may exist as a blank 80 having the stamped profile 40 shown in Figure 7. In particular, the rear latch tab 46 and the rear locking portion 72 are already visible. In addition, the shielding element 6 comprises two catch portions 82, e.g., tines 84 and a pocket 86, at positions arranged symmetrically opposite the rear locking portion 72.

[0074] First, the latch tabs 46 are bent at an angle, and the tines 84 are bent to the same side, perpendicular to the plane of the blank 80. The blank 80 is then bent at the long bent edge 88 into the shape shown in FIG. 8 with a U-shaped channel, where the latch tabs 46 and tines 84 face away from the channel. The blank 80 is then bent at the locking portions 72 so that the tines 84 enter the pockets 86 (see FIG. 9). Finally, the tines 84 are bent back to form catches (see FIG. 10). The resulting shield element 6 is shown in perspective in FIG. 1.

[0075] As an alternative to the described punching and bending process, the shielding elements 6 may also be manufactured by welding and / or inserting sheet metal pieces together. In particular, a modular approach may be used here. The shielding elements 6 may also be sintered, cast or thermally sprayed. 3D printing processes are also suitable for manufacturing the shielding elements 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Housing Assembly 2 connectors 4 Contact housing 6 Shield Elements 8 Punching and bending processed parts 10 Injection molded parts 12 Contact Unit 14 Contact Mount 16 Contact Elements 18 Counterpart Contact 20 Mating connector 22 Connected Devices 24 Contact Chamber 26 Side 28 Side 30 wire 32 Cable 34 Shielded Receptacle 36 Shield braid 38 Shielding film 40 punched outline 42 Shield insertion direction 44 Mounting part 46 Latch tab 48 Latch recess 50 Latch edge 52 Latch section 54 Latch position 56 Release position 58 Latch Connection 60 Latch edge 62 Latch recess 64 Latch Lance 66 Block section 68 End 70 Relief recess 72 Rock Club 74 End 76 Plugged into each other 78 Connector housing 80 Blank 82 Catch part 84 Tyne 86 pockets 88 Bent Edge 90 lines

Claims

1. A housing assembly (1) for a connector (2), said housing assembly (1) comprising a contact housing (4) and a shielding element (6), The contact housing (4) - at least one contact chamber (24) for receiving a contact unit (12) of said connector (2); - at least one latching portion (52) movable between a latched position (54) and a released position (56), and configured to effect a latched connection (58) with the contact unit (12) received in said latched position (54); - at least one block portion (66) movably connected to said at least one latch portion (52); a shielding receptacle (34) configured to at least partially receive said shielding element (6); Equipped with the at least one block portion (66) at least partially projects into the shield receptacle (34) when the at least one latch portion (52) is disposed in its release position (56); the shield receptacle (34) defines a relief recess (70) configured to at least partially receive the at least one block portion (66) when the at least one latch portion (52) is disposed in its released position (56); The shield element (6) comprises a locking portion (72) receivable in the relief recess (70). Housing assembly (1).

2. the at least one latching portion (52) in the latched position (54) at least partially projects into the at least one contact chamber (24); A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

3. The shield element (6) received in the shield receptacle (34) in the latched position (54) blocks the at least one latch portion (52). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

4. the at least one latch portion (52) and the at least one block portion (66) are connected together; A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

5. The shield receptacle (34) extends at least partially along the at least one contact chamber (24) and surrounds the at least one contact chamber (24) on at least three sides. A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

6. the at least one latch portion (52) being defined at least in part by a self-supporting latch lance (64) extending between the at least one contact chamber (24) and the relief recess (70); A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

7. the shield receptacle (34) is open on one side from a shield insertion direction (42) and / or is accessible from the shield insertion direction; a free end (68) of the self-supporting latch lance (64) facing in the shield insertion direction (42) or facing in the opposite direction to the shield insertion direction (42); A housing assembly (1) according to claim 6.

8. The contact housing (4) comprises two contact chambers (24) extending at least partially parallel to each other, and the shield receptacle (34) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (24). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

9. A housing assembly (1) for a connector (2), the housing assembly (1) comprising a contact housing (4) and a shielding element (6), The contact housing (4) - at least one contact chamber (24) for receiving a contact unit (12) of said connector (2); - at least one latching portion (52) movable between a latched position (54) and a released position (56), and configured to effect a latched connection (58) with the contact unit (12) received in said latched position (54); - at least one block portion (66) movably connected to said at least one latch portion (52); a shielding receptacle (34) configured to at least partially receive said shielding element (6); Equipped with the at least one block portion (66) at least partially projects into the shield receptacle (34) when the at least one latch portion (52) is disposed in its release position (56); The contact housing (4) comprises two contact chambers (24) extending at least partially parallel to each other, and the shield receptacle (34) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (24). Housing assembly (1).

10. the at least one latch portion (52) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (24); A housing assembly (1) according to claim 9.

11. The contact housing (4) comprises two latch portions (52) configured to be movable toward or away from each other in a latched position (54) or a released position (56). A housing assembly (1) according to claim 1.

12. A connector (2) comprising a housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and at least one contact unit (12) for contacting a mating contact (18) of a mating connector (20), the at least one contact unit (12) is received in the at least one contact chamber (24) of the contact housing (4) and forms the latch connection (58) with the at least one latch portion (52); The shield element (6) is received in the shield receptacle (34) and secures the latch connection (58). Connector (2).

13. A connection device (22) comprising the connector (2) of claim 12 and a mating connector (20) configured to be complementary to the connector (2), The connector (2) and the mating connector (20) are configured to be plugged into each other and connected to each other; The shield element (6) of the connector (2) in the plugged state (76) at least partially protrudes into the mating connector (20). A connection device (22).

14. The shielding element (6) in the plugged state (76) at least partially surrounds the mating contacts (18) of the mating connector (20) from at least three sides. A connection device (22) according to claim 13.

15. The shielding element (6) comprises at least one mounting portion (44) that allows the shielding element (6) to be mounted to the contact housing (4) and / or the mating connector (20). The connection device of claim 13.

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