Connector, connector assembly, and tool and method for assembling the connector assembly

Abstract

The plug connector comprises a first housing part (30) having at least one plug contact element (31) to which a plurality of blades (33, 34) are electrically conductively connected, and a second housing part (40) having a receiving area (41) for a conductor foil (20). The housing parts (30, 40) are fitted together. The second housing part (40) has at least one first ridge (42) configured to press the conductor foil (20) located in the receiving area (41) towards the blades (33, 34) during fitting of the housing parts (30, 40) and to be tightly engaged with the first blade (33) when a first area (331) of the first blade (33) is bent towards the first ridge (42).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector for a flexible conductor foil. Additionally, the present invention relates to a plug connector assembly having the plug connector, as well as a tool and a method for assembling the plug connector assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Flexible conductor foils with foil-insulated conductors are used today in various areas of entertainment and consumer electronics, as well as in vehicle manufacturing. Conductor foils are used particularly when highly flexible conductor structures are required with the lowest possible weight and limited space requirements. Flexible conductor foils allow for the sequential routing of multiple separate conductor paths in parallel and allow for greater bending, thereby enabling conductive connections between components located in extremely limited installation spaces. Particularly in vehicle manufacturing, this type of conductor foil must also be able to withstand large mechanical forces, such as vibrations.

[0003] The contact of the individual foil-insulated conductors in particular is therefore of particular importance, and in particular in vehicle construction this contact must be designed to be stable and resistant to external mechanical influences as well as various types of temperature and environmental influences.

[0004] DE 10 2015 100 401 B4 describes a plug connector for a flexible conductor foil with foil-insulated conductors, having a plug connector housing in which at least one plug contact element is arranged. In one connection region, a blade electrically conductively connected to at least one plug contact element can penetrate and be fixed through the at least one foil-insulated conductor during the manufacture of the electrical contact. The plug connector housing has two pluggable housing parts. The first housing part houses the blade and at least one plug contact element electrically conductively connected thereto. The second housing part receives and houses the flexible conductor foil. Additionally, the second housing section has at least one blade-receiving section that accommodates the blade, and the interface between the two housing sections is configured so that at least some of the blade bends toward the foil-insulated conductor when the two housing sections are pushed together. Bending the blade exerts pressure on the contact area between the blade and the conductor foil, thereby increasing the electrical contact area. At the same time, the blade is kept under constant tension within the plug connector housing. This ensures good electrical and gas-tight contact in the plug connector.

[0005] However, when the blade is bent at the point where it protrudes from the male connector and is therefore bent towards the male connector along its entire length, a certain mechanical load is exerted on the conductor foil at the contact point between the conductor foil and the blade. This can lead to damage to the conductor foil, especially if the plug connector is continuously exposed to vibrations when used in automotive engineering. The pressure exerted on the interface of the second housing part via the bent blade can also cause the first housing part to detach from the second housing part under the influence of vibrations. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plug connector and a plug connector assembly which form an electrically excellent and gas-tight contact of the plug contacts and which are thereby also able to withstand high mechanical loads.It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool and a method for assembling the plug connector assembly in one work step so that the assembly can be carried out automatically. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] These objects are achieved in a first aspect of the present invention by a plug connector for a flexible conductor foil having foil-insulated conductors. The plug connector has a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part has at least one plug contact element to which a plurality of blades are electrically conductively connected. The second housing part has a receiving area for the conductor foil. The two housing parts are pressed together.

[0008] At least one first protrusion of the second housing part is configured to press the conductor foil arranged in the receiving area toward the blade during insertion of the housing part. This first protrusion may be referred to as a first rib. The first protrusion is configured to tightly engage with the blade when the first region of the first blade is bent in the direction of the first protrusion. In particular, the first protrusion has a surface curvature. While the first region is intended to bend, the first blade further has a second region intended not to bend. The first blade can cross the conductor of the flexible conductor foil so that the conductor rests in the second region of the first blade. As a result, the conductor is fixed in this position by the first protrusion and cannot retract in the direction of the first region of the first blade. The first region of the first blade bends to fit closely to the first raised portion, preventing the first raised portion from moving away from the conductive foil and moving out of position. Even when the plug connector is subjected to a large mechanical load, the bent region of the first blade stably holds the first raised portion in its position, and the first raised portion fixes the position of the conductive foil. This reliably prevents leakage from occurring in the plug connector. The second region of the first blade does not bend, so no force is applied to the contact area between the second region of the first blade and the conductive foil when stationary. This allows the first blade to withstand vibration without unnecessarily digging too deeply into the flexible conductive foil, which could result in deterioration of the electrical contact by the end of the vibration.

[0009] Preferably, the first housing part has at least one first blade and at least one second blade. The first blade is longer than the second blade. The first blade is intended to bend in its first region to tightly engage with the first ridge, while the second blade functions solely to cross and electrically contact the conductor foil. By arranging multiple first and second blades in line with each other, multiple crossings with the conductor of the conductor foil can be achieved to ensure multiple electrical contacts between the conductor and the plug contact element.

[0010] Therefore, more preferably, the blades are arranged in a row such that the row includes two first blades and at least two second blades. Most preferably, a plurality of second blades are arranged between two first blades. By arranging the first blades at both ends of the row, they can achieve a particularly stable mechanical connection between the first and second housing parts. In this case, it is even more preferable that the first region of each first blade bends toward the second blade. This allows the first blades to bend without creating the need for additional space along the first row. Therefore, since the first blades are longer than the second blades, it is advantageous that the first blades can bend above the second blades.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, there are two first blades and two second blades in each row. In another embodiment of the invention, there are two first blades and three second blades in each row.

[0012] Therefore, each first protrusion is preferably arranged between the first blade and the second blade, so that when the first region of the first blade is bent toward the second blade, it rests on the first protrusion and tightly engages with it, thereby pressing the first region of the first blade from the side of the first protrusion facing the second housing part, thereby reliably preventing the first protrusion from separating from the first housing part and, with it, from the conductor foil.

[0013] It is further preferred that the second housing part has at least one second ridge, which may be referred to as a second rib. The second ridge is arranged between the two blades. In particular, the second ridge is arranged between the two second blades. This is configured to press the conductor foil arranged in the receiving area toward the blade during pushing of the housing part. Thus, each second ridge supports the first ridge to fix the conductor foil in its position.

[0014] Preferably, all of the first ridges and all of the potentially available second ridges are configured as sliding surfaces for the blades.

[0015] The first region of the first blade preferably has a smaller width than its second region. The change in width of the first blade and the pre-centering of the first region connected thereto ensure a stable and consistent contact of the conductor in the second region. This also provides strain relief through the geometry of the contact, thereby clamping the foil conductor in the installed state of the plug connector. At the same time, the very small width simplifies bending of the first blade in the first region. In principle, geometries with two different widths may be provided for the two blades to improve contact in the larger width region. However, bending of the two blades in the narrower width region is not provided. The transition from one width to the next may be either a step or a continuous transition. In principle, further regions with even greater widths may be provided in addition to the first two regions. Thus, the width of the regions gradually increases from the first region facing the second housing part to the further region.

[0016] Preferably, the second housing part has an opening on its face opposite the first housing part above each first ridge, which may in particular be formed as an opening extending across multiple ridges, allowing a force to be applied to the first blades of the first housing part with a tool from the face of the second housing part opposite the first housing part in order to bend the blades.

[0017] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plug connector assembly comprising the plug connector according to the first aspect of the present invention and a flexible conductor foil having foil-insulated conductors. The width of the conductor foil in particular substantially corresponds to the width of the receiving area. The conductor foil is arranged in the receiving area of ​​the plug connector so that at least one blade intersects with the conductor foil. In this case, this is at least one first blade. However, if the plug connector also has a second blade, this also intersects with the conductor foil. The conductor foil is pressed toward the plug connector assembly in the direction of the first housing part by at least one first ridge. If the plug connector has second ridges, the conductor foil is also pressed toward the first housing part by these. The first blades come into close contact with each first ridge and press it toward the conductor foil.

[0018] Preferably, the first blade is bent at least 80° in its first region, particularly preferably it is bent 90° and thus extends substantially parallel to one side of the second housing part facing the first housing part.

[0019] If the plug connector has at least one first blade and at least one second blade, the end of the bent first blade is located in particular above the end of the second blade.

[0020] It is further preferred that the first blade bends substantially in an arc at its first region. This embodiment of the plug connector assembly can be realized by gently bending the first blade with a suitable tool without the risk of the first blade breaking. In a third aspect of the present invention, a tool for assembling a plug connector assembly is provided. The tool has at least one concave bending region configured to engage with an opening of the plug connector. The bending region, in particular, protrudes from the body of the tool. Through the opening, the bending region can contact the first blade of the plug connector. The bending region has a surface curvature corresponding to the surface curvature of the first ridge of the plug connector. Pressure on the first blade in the first region causes the bending region to bend so that it takes on the surface curvature of the bending region, resulting in intimate contact between the first blade and the first ridge of the plug connector.

[0021] When two first blades are aligned one behind the other, in one embodiment of the invention, the tips of the first blades face each other. In another embodiment of the invention, the tips face opposite each other. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the tips face the same direction.

[0022] Preferably, the tip of each bent first blade is positioned above the tip of the second blade.

[0023] In principle, all first ridges that are reachable through a common opening in the second housing part of the plug connector could provide a single collective concave bending area, however, in order to allow particularly precise bending of the first blades, it is preferred that a separate concave bending area of ​​the tool is provided for each first ridge of the plug connector.

[0024] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for assembling a plug connector assembly. First, a first housing part and a second housing part of the plug connector are prepared. Therefore, they are not yet pressed together so deeply that the blades of the first housing part protrude into the receiving area of ​​the second housing part. Furthermore, a flexible conductor foil having foil-insulated conductors is inserted into the receiving area of ​​the second housing part. Therefore, the conductor foil and the plug connector should be selected so that each conductor of the conductor foil rests only above the blades that are electrically connected to exactly one plug contact element. Following this, the housing parts are pressed together. The at least one first ridge and optionally two further ridges of the plug connector thereby press the conductor foil towards the at least one blade until the blade eventually intersects with the conductor foil, and to secure the two housing parts and the conductor foil in this position, a first region of the first blade bends towards the first ridge until the first blade tightly engages with the first ridge.

[0025] This bending of the first blade can in particular be performed using a tool according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0026] Although the first regions of all first blades can be bent only after the housing parts are first pressed together, it is preferable for the pressing and bending to occur simultaneously. This reduces the number of method steps, thereby simplifying automation of the method. Simultaneous pressing and bending can be achieved, in particular, by engaging the tool according to the third aspect of the present invention with the plug connector before the housing parts are pressed together. During the pressing, the first blade first intersects with the conductor foil and then strikes the bending region of the tool, bending until the bending process is stopped by tight contact between the first blade and the first ridge. During the bending process, both housing parts continue to move toward each other, allowing a potentially available second blade, shorter than the first blade, to intersect with the conductor foil during the bending process.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1a] 1 is an isometric view illustrating components of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first assembly step. [Figure 1b] 1 is a cutaway isometric view showing components of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first assembly step. [Figure 1c] 1 is a cutaway side view showing components of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first assembly step. [Figure 2a] 10 is an isometric view of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 2b] 1 is a cutaway isometric view of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 2c]10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 3a] 10 is an isometric view of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 3b] FIG. 10 is a cutaway isometric view of a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 3c] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 4] 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a tool according to the present invention; [Figure 5] 10 shows another exemplary embodiment of a tool according to the present invention; [Figure 6a] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 6b] FIG. 10 is a cutaway isometric view showing a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 6c] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view showing a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 7a] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 7b] FIG. 10 is a cutaway isometric view of a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 7c] FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of a tool and plug connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 10] 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 12] 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 14] 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. [Figure 16] 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second assembly step. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view illustrating a plug connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a third assembly step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1a-1c illustrate a first assembly step of a plug connector assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A plug connector 10 and a flat flexible conductor foil 20 having foil-insulated conductors are provided. The plug connector 10 includes a first housing portion 30 and a second housing portion 40. A plurality of plug contact elements 31 configured as spring elements are disposed in the first housing portion 30. Each plug contact element 31 is conductively connected to two first blades 33 and three second blades 34 disposed between the two first blades 33 across a blade row 32 configured as cutting blades. The first blades 33 are longer than the second blades 34. Each of the blades 33 and 34 has a first region 331, 341 opposite the row 32 and a second region 332, 342 on the row 32 side. Each first region 331, 341 is narrower than the respective second region 332, 342. The second housing part 40 has a receiving region 41 for the conductor foil 20. This receiving region widens in a funnel-like shape toward the outside of the plug connector 10 to facilitate insertion of the conductor foil 20. Two first protrusions 42 are arranged to rest between the first blade 33 and the second blade 34 when the two housing parts 30, 40 are pushed together. They are located on opposite sides of the first housing part 30, and each has a surface whose outer shape curves in an arc from the first blade 33 to the second blade 34. Furthermore, the second housing part 40 has two second protrusions 43. These are arranged to rest between the two second blades 34 when the housing parts 30, 40 are pushed together. Two openings 44 in the top of the second housing part 40 each allow access to a row of first ridges 42 that extend perpendicular to the row 32 of blades 33, 34. Thus, each opening 44 also allows access to a first blade 32 that extends along the first ridge 42 during squeezing of the two housing parts 30, 40, respectively.

[0030] 2a-2c, the conductor foil 20 is attached to the plug connector 10 by being pushed into the receiving area 41, so that each conductor of the conductor foil 20 rests above the row 32 of blades 33, 34.

[0031] 3a-3c show how the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step. The first and second ridges 42, 43 press the conductor foil 20 against the blades 33, 34, which intersect with the conductor foil first in the first regions 331, 341 and then in the second regions 332, 342. Finally, the ridges 42, 43 secure the conductor foil 20 in its intended final position. The first region 331 of the first blade 33 bends in a 90° arc toward the respective first ridges 42 until it rests against the curved surface of the first ridges 42. The tips of both bent first blades 33 face each other. This makes it impossible to remove the two housing parts 30, 40 from each other. This prevents the ridges 42, 43 from coming loose from the conductor foil 20, thereby ensuring that the plug connector 10 engages with the conductor foil 20 in a permanent, gas-tight connection.

[0032] A first exemplary embodiment of a tool 50 for bending the first region 331 of the first blade 33 is shown in FIG. 4 . It has two concave bending regions 51 with arcuate profiles protruding from the body of the tool 50. These correspond to the shape to which the first region 331 of the first blade 33 should be bent and match the surface curvature of the first ridge 42. The tool 50 is designed to be attachable to the second housing part 40. Thus, each bending region 51 engages with one of the openings 44. This allows the tool to exert a force on the first region 331 of the first blade 33 that protrudes above the first ridge 42, bending them in the direction of the first ridge 42.

[0033] A second exemplary embodiment of a tool 50 according to the invention is shown in Figure 5. It has a separate bending region 51 for each first blade 33 of the plug connector 10. All bending regions 51 intended to engage in one of the two openings 44 of the second housing part 40 are designed as concave recesses in a common support part 52 protruding from the body of the tool 50. During placement of the tool 50 in the second housing part 40, each support part 52 engages in one of these openings 44.

[0034] In one exemplary embodiment of the assembly method, the assembly steps shown in Figures 1a to 3c are performed first, and then one of the tools of the present invention is placed on the second housing part 40 to bend the first region 331 of the first blade 33 to assume the shape shown in Figures 3b and 3c.

[0035] In a second exemplary embodiment of the assembly method, the tool 50 is already placed on the second housing part 40 in the first or second assembly step. Figures 6a to 6c show how the second assembly step proceeds in this case, and Figures 7a to 7c show how the third assembly step proceeds in this case. As a result, in the third assembly step, the first region 331 of the first blade 33 first intersects with the conductor foil 20. They then come into contact with the bending region 51 of the tool 50. As the conductor foil 20 is further moved in the direction of the row 32 so that two regions 332 of the first blade 33 intersect with the conductor foil 20, and then the first region 341 and then the second region 342 of the second blade 34 subsequently intersect with the conductor foil 20, the pressure of the tool 50 exerted on the first region 331 of the first blade 33 deforms it in the direction of each first ridge 42, thereby resulting in intimate contact between the first region 331 of each first blade 33 and each first ridge 42. As shown in Figure 7b, this causes the first region 331 of each first blade 33 to be clamped between its first ridge 42 and the bent region 51 of the tool 50. When the tool 50 is finally removed, the assembled state of the plug connector assembly shown in Figures 3a to 3c results.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the plug connector first housing part 30 may comprise different rows 32 of blades 33, 34 configured as cutting edges. When using another row 32 of blades, the two first ridges 42 and the optional second ridge 43 are arranged according to the arrangement of the first blades 33 and second blades 34.

[0037] The second embodiment of the plug connector assembly in the second assembly step is shown in Figure 8. It differs from the plug connector assembly according to the first embodiment in that it has only two second blades 34 in each row 32. The middle second blade 34 adjacent to the two additional second blades 34 in the first embodiment has been removed. Instead of the two second ridges 43 adjacent to each of the two second blades 34 in each row 32, this embodiment has a single second ridge 43 that is wider to fill the space occupied by the two omitted second ridges 43 and the omitted second blade 34 in the first embodiment when the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step. This is shown in Figure 9. As with the first embodiment of the plug connector assembly, the first regions 331 of the first blades 33 are bent in a 90° arc toward their respective first ridges 42 until they rest in close contact with the curved surfaces of the first ridges 42 and the tips of both first blades 33 face each other.

[0038] A third embodiment of the plug connector assembly in the second assembly step is shown in Figure 10. In each row 32, there are two first blades 33 and three second blades 34. Each first blade 33 is disposed between two second blades 34, such that one second blade 34 is disposed between two first blades 34. When the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step, each of the two first ridges 42 rests between a first blade 33 and one of the outer second blades 34. During pressing of the housing parts 30, 40, each of the two second ridges 43 rests between a first blade 33 and a middle second blade 34. This is shown in Figure 11. The first regions 331 of the first blades 33 are bent in a 90° arc toward the respective first ridges 42 until they come to rest in close contact with the curved surfaces of the first ridges 42, with the tips of both first blades 33 facing away from each other.

[0039] 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the plug connector assembly in the second assembly step. This differs from the plug connector assembly according to the third embodiment in that it has only two second blades 34 in each row 32. The intermediate second blades 34 disposed between the first blades 33 in the third embodiment have been removed. Instead of the two second ridges 43 adjacent to each of the first and second blades 33 and 34 in each row 32, this embodiment has a single second ridge 43 that is wider to fill the space occupied by the two omitted second ridges 43 and the omitted second blade 34 in the third embodiment when the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step. It therefore rests between the two first blades 33. This is shown in Figure 13. As with the third embodiment of the plug connector assembly, the first regions 331 of the first blades 33 are bent in a 90° arc toward their respective first ridges 42 until they rest against the curved surfaces of the first ridges 42, with the tips of both first blades 33 facing away from each other.

[0040] FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the plug connector assembly in a second assembly step. In each row 32, a first blade 33 is followed in succession by two second blades 34, one additional first blade 33, and one additional second blade 34. As shown in FIG. 15, when the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step, a first ridge 42 rests between the first first blade 33 and the consecutive second blade 34 of the row 32. One second ridge 42 is located between two adjacent second blades 34, and a further second ridge is located between the further first blade 33 and the second blade ahead of it. A further first ridge rests between the further first blade 33 and the second blade 34 at the end of the row 32. In each of the four embodiments described above, the first protrusions 41 are curved in different directions so that the tip ends of both first blades 33 face each other or face opposite each other. In contrast, the first protrusions 41 of the second housing part 40 of the plug connector assembly according to the fifth embodiment are curved in the same direction so that the tip ends of both first blades 33 face the same direction after bending in a 90° arc toward their respective first protrusions 42.

[0041] A sixth embodiment of the plug connector assembly in the second assembly step is shown in Figure 16. It differs from the plug connector assembly according to the fifth embodiment in that it has only one second blade 34 between the first blades 33 in each row 32. Instead of two second ridges 43, this embodiment has only one second ridge 43 that is wider so as to fill the space occupied by the two omitted second ridges 43 and the omitted second blade 34 of the fourth embodiment when the two housing parts 30, 40 are pressed together in the third assembly step. It therefore rests between the first blade 33 and the second blade 34. This is shown in Figure 17. As with the fifth embodiment of the plug connector assembly, the first regions 331 of the first blades 33 are bent in a 90° arc toward their respective first ridges 42 until they rest against the curved surfaces of the first ridges 42 and the tips of both first blades 33 face in the same direction.

Claims

1. A plug connector (10) for a flexible conductor foil (20) having foil-insulated conductors, comprising: a first housing part (30) having at least one plug contact element (31) to which a plurality of blades (33, 34) are electrically conductively connected; a second housing part (40) having a receiving area (41) for said flexible conductor foil (20); and In a plug connector (10), the first housing part (30) and the second housing part (40) are pushed into each other, The second housing portion (40) has at least one first ridge (42); the first protrusion (42) is configured to press the flexible conductor foil (20) arranged in the receiving area (41) toward the blades (33, 34) during pushing-in of the first housing part (30) and the second housing part (40), and to tightly engage with the first blade (33) when a first area (331) of the first blade (33) is bent toward the first protrusion (42); The first protrusion (42) is covered on the side opposite to the direction in which the second housing part (40) is pushed into the first housing part (30) by the bent first blade (33). A plug connector (10) characterized in that

2. The first housing portion (30) has at least one first blade (33) and at least one second blade (34), the first blade (33) being longer than the second blade (34). A plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

3. The first housing part (30) has at least one row (32) of blades (33, 34), the row (32) comprising two first blades (33) and at least two second blades (34). A plug connector (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is

4. The first housing part (30) has at least one row (32) of blades (33, 34) with a plurality of second blades (34) disposed between two first blades (33). A plug connector (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is

5. Each first ridge (42) is disposed between a first blade (33) and a second blade (34). A plug connector (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that it is

6. The second housing portion (40) has at least one second ridge (43); The second ridge (43) is disposed between the two blades (33, 34); The second protuberance (43) is formed between the first housing part (30) and the second housing part (31). During the pushing of the jing part (40), the flexible conductor foil (20) arranged in the receiving area (41) is pressed toward the first blade (33) and the second blade (34). A plug connector (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that it is

7. The second housing portion (40) has at least one second ridge (43); the second ridge (43) is disposed between two second blades (34); The second protrusion (43) is configured to press the flexible conductor foil (20) arranged in the receiving area (41) toward the first blade (33) and the second blade (34) during pushing of the first housing part (30) and the second housing part (40). A plug connector (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that

8. The first region (331) of the first blade (33) has a width smaller than the second region (332) of the first blade (33). A plug connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises:

9. The first protrusion (42) has a first curved surface connecting a first surface on the side of the first blade (33) and a second surface on the opposite side in the direction in which the second housing part (40) is pushed into the first housing part (30). A plug connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises:

10. The second housing portion (40) has an opening (44) on the surface opposite the first housing portion (30) above each first ridge (42). A plug connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises:

11. A plug connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a flexible conductor foil (20) having a foil-insulated conductor, the foil-insulated conductor being arranged in the receiving area (41) so as to be crossed by at least one blade (33, 34) and pressed toward the first housing part (30) by at least one first protrusion (42); and a first blade (33) that is in close contact with the first protrusion (42) and presses it toward the flexible conductor foil (20); Plug connector assembly.

12. The first blade (33) is bent at least 80° in its first region (331).

12. A plug connector assembly according to claim 11.

13. The first blade (33) is bent in a substantially arc shape in its first region (331).

12. A plug connector assembly according to claim 11.

14. The tip of each bent first blade (33) is disposed above the tip of the second blade (34).

13. A plug connector assembly according to claim 12.

15. The second housing portion (40) of the plug connector (10) has an opening (44) on a surface opposite the first housing portion (30) above each first protrusion (42), The tool (50) is configured to engage with the opening (44) of the plug connector (10), and the first protrusion (42) of the plug connector (10) is covered on a side opposite to a direction in which the second housing portion (40) is pushed into the first housing portion (30) by the bent first blade (33), and the tool (50) has at least one concavely curved region (51) having a second curved surface corresponding to the curvature of a first curved surface connecting a first surface of the first protrusion (42) on the side of the first blade (33) and a second surface on the side opposite to a direction in which the second housing portion (40) is pushed into the first housing portion (30).

12. The tool (50) for assembling a plug connector assembly according to claim 11, comprising:

16. Each of the first protrusions (42) of the plug connector (10) has a separate concave bending region (51).

16. A tool (50) according to claim 15, characterized in that

17. 12. A method for assembling a plug connector assembly according to claim 11, comprising: a) providing the first housing part (30) and the second housing part (40) of the plug connector; b) inserting a flexible conductor foil (20) having foil-insulated conductors into the receiving area (41) of the second housing part (40); c) pushing the housing parts (30, 40) so that the at least one first ridge (42) presses the flexible conductor foil (20) towards the at least one blade (33, 34), the blade (33, 34) intersecting the flexible conductor foil (20); d) bending the first region (331) of the first blade (33) towards the first ridge (42) until it tightly engages with the first ridge (42), causing the first blade (33) to cover the first ridge (42) on the side opposite to the direction in which the second housing part (40) is pressed into the first housing part (30); A method having the following.

18. The second housing portion (40) of the plug connector (10) has an opening (44) on a surface opposite to the first housing portion (30) above each first protrusion (42), a tool (50) for assembling the plug connector assembly configured to engage with the opening (44) of the plug connector (10), the first protrusion (42) of the plug connector (10) being covered by the bent first blade (33) on a side opposite to a direction in which the second housing portion (40) is pushed into the first housing portion (30), and the tool (50) has at least one concavely curved region (51) having a second curved surface corresponding to the curvature of a first curved surface connecting a surface of the first protrusion (42) on the side of the first blade (33) and a surface opposite to a direction in which the second housing portion (40) is pushed into the first housing portion (30); The bending occurs when the tool (50) is inserted into at least one opening (44) of the second housing part (40) such that the concave bending region (51) causes the first blade (33) to bend.

18. The method of claim 17.

19. The pushing and bending are performed simultaneously.

18. The method of claim 17.

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