Housing assemblies, plug connectors, and connection devices

Abstract

To provide a connection device having higher reliability and capable of preventing incorrect positioning from occurring.SOLUTION: A housing assembly for a plug connector 8 includes a contact housing 2 and a fixing element 4. The contact housing can move with at least one contact chamber 22 for receiving the contact unit 12 of the plug connector between a latch position and a release position; when the fixing element is completely received in a fixed receptacle 34, the movement of at least one latch element in a direction separated from the at least one contact chamber from the latch position is stopped by at least one chock part; and at least one lock part 52 at least partially projects into the at least one contact chamber from the fixed receptacle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for a plug connector of a high-frequency signal line and / or a data line. Further, the present invention relates to a plug connector and a connection device having the plug connector and a mating plug.

Background Art

[0002] In many technical fields, connection devices are used that comprise a connector housing in which contact units are positioned in a latched manner. The contact unit may be an individual contact element (e.g., a so-called crimp terminal) or a contact holder that includes several contact elements.

[0003] It is not only in the case of high-load connection devices that the contact unit may loosen or get into an incorrect position during mounting or operation. This can subsequently lead to problems with transmission or even a complete failure of the corresponding line.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide means for making the connection device more reliable and less prone to such incorrect positioning.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This problem is solved by a housing assembly for the type of plug connector described first, the housing assembly comprising a contact housing and a fixed element, the contact housing comprising a contact chamber for receiving the contact unit of the plug connector, a latch element movable between a latched position and an open position and at least partially protruding into the contact chamber in the latched position, and a fixed receptacle at least partially passing through the contact chamber and configured to at least partially receive the fixed element, the fixed element comprising a chock section and a locking section, the chock section preventing the latch element from moving away from the contact chamber from the latched position when the fixed element is fully received by the fixed receptacle, and the locking section at least partially protruding into the contact chamber from the fixed receptacle.

[0006] To make the description easier to read, only singular forms are used for some features of the housing assembly, although multiple features may be present. For example, the contact housing includes at least one contact chamber and at least one latching element. Thus, the fixing element includes at least one chock and at least one locking part.

[0007] The advantage of the present invention is obtained by the fact that, once the fixing element is fully accepted into the fixing receptacle, the fixing element can perform both a primary and secondary fixing function for receiving the contact unit. This will be explained in detail below.

[0008] The primary fixing function is achieved by the chock portion of the fixing element preventing the movement of the latch element. In particular, the latch element used to latch onto the receiving contact unit cannot move out of the latched position, and the receiving contact unit remains latched in the contact chamber. In other words, the chock portion is suitable for fixing the latch connection, and therefore for indirectly fixing the contact unit.

[0009] The secondary fixing function is achieved by the locking portion protruding or projecting into the contact chamber and engaging with the contact unit received in the contact chamber via a shape-fit connection. Therefore, the locking portion is suitable for directly fixing the contact unit.

[0010] A fixed element fully accepted into a fixed receptacle is in a fixed position. In other words, a fixed element is in a fixed position when it is fully positioned in the fixed receptacle. In this case, integrity is achieved only by positioning both the chock and the locking portion in their respective intended locations in the contact housing as described above. Other parts or portions of the fixed element may protrude from the contact housing in the fixed position, if necessary.

[0011] Generally, a fixing element provides double fixing of one identical contact unit. This is particularly preferable when the latching element must have a certain degree of flexibility for the latch, which certainly involves a reduction in the bending stiffness of the latching element. The fixing element can contribute to its bending stiffness.

[0012] The contact housing and the fixing elements can also be considered as separate, independent inventions, not necessarily part of the housing assembly, but rather independently of each other.

[0013] The solutions according to the present invention can be further improved by the following embodiments, each of which is individually preferred and can be combined with one another as desired.

[0014] According to one possible embodiment, in order to avoid short circuits and enhance electrical safety, the contact housing and / or fixing elements may be formed from an electrically insulating material. For example, the contact housing and / or fixing elements may be injection-molded parts formed from plastic.

[0015] Preferably, the contact chamber penetrates the contact housing, so that the mating contact can access the contact chamber from one side, and a wire or cable can pass through to the contact unit on the other side. Thus, a fixed receptacle leading to the contact chamber is connected to or in communication with the contact chamber.

[0016] According to further possible embodiments, the chock and lock portions can be positioned on opposite sides of the contact chamber when the fixing element is fully accepted into the fixing receptacle. For this purpose, it is preferable that the chock and lock portions are spaced apart from each other. This increases stability due to the resulting fixing of the contact unit on both sides. In other words, this embodiment allows the contact unit to be fixed from both sides by the fixing element.

[0017] Furthermore, the chock and locking parts can extend at least partially parallel to each other, greatly simplifying the structure of the fixing element. Alternatively, the chock and locking parts may meet at an angle. In particular, the chock and locking parts can extend perpendicular to each other.

[0018] According to further possible embodiments, the latch element, as it exits the latch position, can form a stopper for the chock portion of the fixed element. In particular, the stopper can be positioned in a region or portion of the fixed receptacle where the chock portion is located when the fixed element is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle. Optionally, the stopper sweeps over the aforementioned region of the fixed receptacle as the latch element moves from the latch position to the release position.

[0019] The advantage of this embodiment arises when the housing assembly is mounted to the plug connector. Therefore, during mounting, it is intended that the contact unit is first inserted into the contact chamber (if there is no fixing element). Typically, the contact unit and the latch element enter the latch connection, and the latch element switches between the open position and the latched position at least once. Subsequently, the fixing element is inserted into the fixing receptacle.

[0020] Unless the latch element is still in the released position, or at least in the latched position, the stopper blocks the fixed receptacle by positioning itself against it. Therefore, in this state, the fixed element cannot be fully inserted into the fixed receptacle because it collides with the stopper. At the same time, this state clearly indicates that the latch element is not in the latched position and therefore does not have the latched connection with the inserted contact unit.

[0021] In other words, if the contact unit is not properly "mounted" in the contact chamber, the latch element will not be able to move to the latched position and will remain in the released position or at least outside the latched position. Thus, the stopper of the latch element will then prevent the locking element from being inserted into the locking receptacle, which is considered an opportunity for the assembly worker to notice and check the contact unit for a positioning error. Therefore, in addition to its actual locking function, the locking element performs a so-called TPA (Terminal Position Assurance) function and serves as an indicator of a mispositioned contact unit.

[0022] The latch element may be movable by temporary or permanent elastic deformation, pivoting, or bending. For example, the latch element may include a cantilever latch arm or latch lance according to an easily manufacturable embodiment. The latch arm is preferably based on the contact housing and integrally connected to the rest of the contact housing. Furthermore, the latch arm may extend at least partially between the contact chamber and the fixed receptacle.

[0023] To ensure that the latch element is not permanently loaded in the latch position, the choke portion can abut against the latch element without any force acting thereon. This means that it is preferable for the choke portion not to press the latch element but to limit the mobility of the latch element.

[0024] Alternatively, the latch element can include a separate slider or tilting mechanism that is movably held in the contact housing instead of an integral latch arm. Optionally, the slider or tilting mechanism is pre-loaded in the direction of the latch position by a tension spring.

[0025] According to another possible embodiment, the fixed receptacle can extend at least partially transversely, particularly vertically, with respect to the contact chamber. Furthermore, the fixed receptacle can be open on one side in the fixed insertion direction. In this case, the fixed insertion direction correspondingly extends transversely, particularly vertically, with respect to the contact insertion direction in which the contact unit is inserted into the contact chamber. This embodiment is preferable because the fixed element can be inserted into the contact housing even when the plug connector is plugged in.

[0026] To realize the bilateral fixation of the above contact unit as easily as possible, it is desirable for the fixed receptacle to surround the contact chamber in pairs from at least three adjacent sides perpendicular to each other. If the contact housing has several contact chambers, each contact chamber can be surrounded in pairs by the fixed receptacle from three sides perpendicular to each other. Thus, the fixed element in the fixed receptacle surrounds the contact chamber and the contact unit received in the contact chamber from the corresponding number of sides. Depending on the number of contact chambers, the fixed element can have a U-shaped outer shape, two U-shaped outer shapes, or a plurality of U-shaped outer shapes.

[0027] As long as the surrounding angle of the fixing element for each contact unit is at least 180°, the fixing element can, of course, also surround the received contact units from several sides that are not perpendicular to each other. In other words, the fixing element surrounds at least 50% of the circumference of the contact unit received in the contact chamber. Thereby, the fixing element can have, for example, a circular outer shape or a polygonal outer shape.

[0028] In an embodiment where the choke portion and the lock portion have an angle and in particular merge perpendicular to each other, it is also sufficient for the fixed receptacle to surround the contact chamber from two sides. Thus, the fixing element in the fixed receptacle surrounds the contact chamber and the contact unit received in the contact chamber from the corresponding number of sides. Thereby, the fixing element can have an L-shaped outer shape, a V-shaped outer shape, or, in the case of several contact chambers, a W-shaped outer shape.

[0029] So that the fixing element can be better attached by the contact housing after being received in the fixed receptacle, the fixing element can include an attachment portion by which the fixing element can be attached to the contact housing. For example, the fixing element can have one or more latching lugs that latch into corresponding numbers of latching recesses and latching edges in the fixed receptacle. The latching action enables confirmation of assembly by sound, which is advantageous.

[0030] As described above, the contact housing can have several contact chambers, for example two contact chambers, that extend at least partially parallel to each other. Thereby, the application range of the housing assembly can be extended to a plug connector that includes two contact units.

[0031] The fixed receptacle and / or latch element can extend at least partially between the two contact chambers. Therefore, the fixed element in the fixed receptacle can secure two contact units simultaneously. For this purpose, the chock and / or locking portion can also extend at least partially between the two contact chambers when the fixed element is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle. This space-saving positioning of the chock and / or locking portion results in a compact housing assembly.

[0032] Optionally, the contact housing may include two latching elements configured to move toward or away from each other in their respective latched or released positions. In an alternative embodiment of the two latching elements, the directions of movement between their respective released and latched positions may extend parallel to each other.

[0033] Depending on the specific application, three or more contact units, especially an even number, can be mounted on the plug connector. For this purpose, the contact housing may have two rows of contact chambers. In particular, a separate latch element can be provided for each contact chamber. This allows contact units to be mounted individually and independently of each other in each contact chamber. Furthermore, the latch elements can be aligned in pairs perpendicular to the fixed insertion direction. Alternatively, the latch elements can be offset from each other in the fixed insertion direction. This has the advantage of allowing a clear assignment between the insertion depth of the fixed element and the latch element, which causes a collision if the fixed element and the stopper collide. This clear assignment is particularly important for fully automated assembly processes.

[0034] The problem described above can also be solved by a plug connector comprising a housing assembly according to one of the above embodiments and a contact unit that contacts the mating contact of a mating plug, wherein the contact unit is received in the contact chamber of the contact housing and latches to a latching element, and the fixing element is fully received in the fixing receptacle, the latching connection is secured by a chock portion and shape-fits to the contact unit via a locking portion.

[0035] To make the explanation easier to read, only singular nouns are used for some features of the plug connector, although multiple features may be present. For example, the plug connector has at least one contact unit. Thus, each contact unit can be received into one contact chamber of the contact housing.

[0036] The plug connector benefits from the advantages of the housing assembly according to the present invention described above. In particular, the primary and secondary locking functions provide a double guarantee that positioning errors will not occur due to displacement of the contact unit.

[0037] According to one possible embodiment of the plug connector, the locking portion can abut against the contact housing on the side away from the shape-mating connection, i.e., the side opposite the shape-mating connection. This increases the bending rigidity of the locking portion and prevents it from being pushed apart when the cable or wire connected to the contact unit is subjected to a tensile load.

[0038] According to further possible embodiments of the plug connector, the fixing element may include at least one support portion that abuts against the contact unit. Preferably, the at least one support portion abuts against the contact unit without any force acting upon it. Furthermore, the at least one support portion may be spaced apart from the latching element and the locking portion in the direction of extension of the contact chamber. This results in three-point support, which limits the movement of the contact unit and, for example, prevents the contact unit from tilting, thereby facilitating insertion of the contact unit into the mating contact of the mating plug.

[0039] Optionally, the plug connector can be configured as a module that can be attached to the main connector along with other modules. This makes the plug connector suitable for retrofitting, expanding, or adding to the main connector.

[0040] A connecting device comprising the above-described plug connector and a mating plug configured complementary to the plug connector also solves the problem described earlier, wherein the plug connector and the mating plug are configured to be plug-connectable to each other, and the mating plug is also configured according to one of the above embodiments of the plug connector. The mating plug may include a connector housing configured complementary to the contact housing of the plug connector. The mating contacts of the mating plug can be latched into the connector housing, and the mating contacts are configured complementary to the contact unit and can therefore be plug-connected to the contact unit. Optionally, the mating plug may include a fixing element configured similarly to the fixing element of the plug connector.

[0041] To make the explanation easier to read, we will use only the singular form for some of the characteristics of the connecting device, although these characteristics may be multiple. For example, the connecting device has at least one peer contact.

[0042] The connecting device benefits from the advantages of the housing assembly and plug connector according to the present invention described above. In particular, the connecting device preferably utilizes the primary and secondary fixing functions of the respective fixing elements in both the plug connector and the mating plug.

[0043] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, using several exemplary embodiments. Different features of the exemplary embodiments can be combined with each other as desired, in accordance with the above description. In particular, if the effect of individual features is necessary for a particular application, those features can be added to the described embodiments in accordance with the above description. Conversely, if the technical effect of individual features is not important for a particular application, those features can be omitted from the described embodiments. In the drawings, similar, identical, and functionally identical elements are indicated by the same reference numerals, to the extent that it is useful. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view, as an exploded view, of a housing assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing assembly. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a further schematic cross-sectional view of the housing assembly. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plug connector according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the plug connector. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view, as an exploded view, of a connecting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows another schematic perspective view of the connection assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Figures 1 to 3 are various diagrams of the housing assembly 1, including perspective views and different cross-sections. The housing assembly 1 comprises a contact housing 2 and a fixing element 4. Both the contact housing 2 and the fixing element 4 can be formed from an electrically insulating material, such as an injection-molded plastic part 6.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the housing assembly 1 can be used in the electrical plug connector 8. The plug connector can be used for high-frequency signal lines and / or data lines 10.

[0047] In addition to the housing assembly 1, the plug connector 8 includes at least one contact unit 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug connector 8 includes four contact units 12. The contact units may be individual contact elements 14 (e.g., so-called crimp terminals), either shielded or unshielded. Alternatively, each contact unit 12 may comprise a contact holder (not shown) containing some of such contact elements. Each contact unit 12 functions to contact one mating contact 16 of the mating plug 18 of the electrical connection device 20. The connection device 20 is shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0048] From Figure 3, it can be seen that each contact housing 2 includes a contact chamber 22 for receiving each contact unit 12 of the plug connector 8. Preferably, each contact chamber 22 penetrates the contact housing 2, so that the associated mating contact 16 can access each contact chamber 22 from one side 24 and a wire 28 or cable 30 can pass through to the contact unit 12 on the opposite side 26. Accordingly, according to the illustrated embodiment, the contact housing 2 may have four contact chambers 22 for four contact units 12 that extend at least partially parallel to each other. The contact chambers 22 may be arranged in two rows 32 in the contact housing 2.

[0049] In Figure 1, it can be seen that the contact housing 2 includes a fixed receptacle 34 configured to at least partially receive the fixed element 4. The fixed element 4, fully received by the fixed receptacle 34, is in the fixed position 36 (see Figure 4). In other words, the fixed element 4 is in the fixed position 36 when it is fully positioned in the fixed receptacle 34. Completeness is achieved only by the precise positioning of the fixed element 4 in the contact housing 2 at the fixed position 36. Nevertheless, a portion or part of the fixed element 4 may protrude from the contact housing 2 at the fixed position 36. For example, even when the fixed element 4 is in the fixed position 36, the gripping surface 38 or handle (not shown) of the fixed element 4 may protrude from the contact housing 2 and not be received by the fixed receptacle 34.

[0050] The fixed receptacle 34 can extend at least partially laterally, and particularly perpendicularly, to the contact chamber 22. Furthermore, the fixed receptacle 34 may be open on one side of the fixed insertion direction 40. Thereafter, the fixed insertion direction 40 extends laterally, and particularly perpendicularly, to the contact insertion direction 42 into which the contact units 12 are inserted into their respective contact chambers 22.

[0051] To ensure that the fixing element 4 is properly attached by the contact housing 2 after it has been accepted into the fixing receptacle 34, the fixing element 4 may include a mounting portion 44 to which it can be attached to the contact housing 2. For example, the fixing element 4 may include one or more latch lugs 46 that latch onto a corresponding number of latch edges 48 in the fixing receptacle 34 (see Figure 4).

[0052] Figure 2 shows that the fixed receptacle 34 extends at least partially between the rows 32 of the contact chambers 22. Furthermore, the fixed receptacle 34 opens into each of the contact chambers 22. In other words, the fixed receptacle 34 is connected to or communicates with each of the contact chambers 22. For this purpose, each contact housing 2 may have an access slot 50, which connects each contact chamber 22 to the fixed receptacle 34. The access slots 50 can be located between the rows 32 of the contact chambers 22. Alternatively, the rows 32 of the contact chambers 22 may extend between the access slots 50 (see Figure 2).

[0053] The fixing element 4 includes at least one locking portion 52. As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the fixing element 4 has a locking portion 52 for each row 32 of the contact chamber 22. When the fixing element 4 is fully accepted into the fixing receptacle 34 (i.e., the fixing position 36), the locking portion 52 protrudes at least partially from the fixing receptacle 34 into the contact chamber 22 of the corresponding row 32 of the contact chamber 22. In other words, the locking portion 52 extends through each access slot 50 and protrudes into the corresponding contact chamber 22. As will be described in more detail below, the locking portion 52 is configured to form a shape-fit connection 54 with each of the contact units 12 in the contact chamber 22.

[0054] The fixing element 4 also includes at least one chock section 56 (fixing section 56, block section 56, chock section 56). As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the fixing element 4 includes a chock section 56 for each row 32 of the contact chamber 22. It is preferable that the chock section 56 and the lock section 52 are paired and spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, the chock section 56 and the lock section 52 can extend at least partially parallel to each other. At the fixing position 36 of the fixing element 4, the chock section 56 and the lock section 52 can be positioned in pairs on opposite sides of the row 32 of the contact chamber 22 (see Figure 4).

[0055] As will be described in more detail below, the chock portion 56 functions to secure the latch element 58 of the contact housing 2. In the contact housing 2, it is preferable that a separate latch element 58 is provided for each contact chamber 22. The latch element 58 is movable between a latched position 60 (see Figure 5) and an open position 62 (see Figure 7). In the latched position 60, each latch element 58 protrudes into one of the contact chambers 22. Thereafter, the latch element 58 can engage with the latch recess 64 of the respective contact unit 12 (see Figure 5). Thus, each latch element 58 is configured to latch 66 to the contact unit 12 located in the corresponding contact chamber 22 in the latched position 60.

[0056] The latch elements 58 are configured in pairs to move toward or away from each other, or parallel to each other, in their respective latch positions 60 or their respective release positions 62.

[0057] Each latch element 58 may be movable by temporary or continuous elastic deformation, pivoting, or bending. For example, each latch element 58 may include a cantilever latch arm 68 or a latch lance 70. The latch arm 68 may be formed integrally with the contact housing 2. Preferably, the latch arm 68 is based on the contact housing 2 and integrally connected to the rest of the contact housing 2. Furthermore, the latch arm 68 may extend at least partially between the contact chamber 22 and the fixed receptacle 34.

[0058] Each latch element 58 may include a latch portion 72, which protrudes from the latch arm 68 and extends into the associated contact chamber 22. The latch arm 68 and the latch portion 72 together can form a latch hook 74.

[0059] In the release position 62, each latch element 58, particularly its latch portion 72, moves away from the contact chamber 22. This means that the latch elements 58 can be moved to the release position 62 while the fixed element 4 is not in the fixed position 36, and therefore the contact unit 12 can be mounted in the contact chamber 22. In some cases, moving the latch elements 58 to the release position 62 for this purpose may also cause the contact unit 12 to move away from the contact chamber 22 again (intentionally or unintentionally).

[0060] To facilitate the intentional movement of the latch element 58 to the released position 62 during repair, the latch element 58 may include an engaging portion 76 (see Figure 5) that can engage with a tool tip (not shown), such as the tip of a screwdriver. To prevent excessive elongation, buckling, or breakage of the latch arm 68, the contact housing 2 may have a support rib 78 that extends between the rows 32 of the contact chamber 22 and is spaced apart from the latch element 58, so that the latch element 58 abuts against the support rib 78 and undergoes plastic deformation.

[0061] When mounting the contact units 12 into the contact housing 2, it may be intended to first insert each contact unit 12 into its associated contact chamber 22 (if there is no fixing element). Typically, the contact unit 12 and the latch element 58 enter the latch connection 66, and the latch element 58 switches at least once between the open position 62 and the latched position 60. Subsequently, the fixing element 4 is inserted into the fixing receptacle 34.

[0062] Once the fixed element 4 is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle 34, the movement of the latch element 58 away from the contact chamber 22 is blocked, obstructed, or prevented by the associated chock portion 56 (see Figure 5). For example, the chock portion 56 of the fixed element 4 can be pressed into the space 80 between the latch element 58 and the support rib 78, thereby preventing or opposing the movement of the latch element 58 from the latched position 60 to the released position 62.

[0063] The chock portion 56 can contact the latch element 58 without applying force, so as not to permanently lock the latch element 58 into the latch position 60. This means that it is preferable that the chock portion 56 does not press against the latch element 58, but still restricts the mobility of the latch element 58 to such an extent that the latch connection 66 remains in the predetermined position. In this state, the contact unit 12 cannot be removed from the contact chamber 22 (at least not non-destructively).

[0064] Each contact unit 12 may include, for example, a cylindrical shield 82 surrounding the contact element 14. On the outer surface of the contact unit 12, particularly the outer surface of the shield 82, a circumferential shoulder 84 or groove 86 may form the aforementioned latch recess 64, into which the latch element 58 engages. In other words, the contact unit 12, particularly the shield 82, may have an axial taper 88 90 and a subsequent expansion 92. The latch element 58, particularly its latch portion 72, engages between the taper 88 and the expansion 92 for the latch connection 66. In addition, the lock portion 52 engages between the taper 88 and the expansion 92 to form the shape-fit connection 54.

[0065] Therefore, in the plug connector 8, the contact unit 12 received in the contact chamber 22 of the contact housing 2 latches 66 to the associated latch element 58 and forms a morph-fit connection 54 to the associated locking portion 52. Here, each latch connection 66 is secured by the associated chock portion 56.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the latch connection 66 and the shape-fitting connection 54 can be positioned opposite each other with respect to their respective contact units 12. This means that the contact unit 12 can also be fixed on both sides by the fixing element 4.

[0067] As is clear from Figure 5, the locking portion 52 can abut against the contact housing 2 on the side away from the shape-fitting connection 54, that is, on the side opposite to the shape-fitting connection 54. This increases the bending rigidity of each locking portion 52 and prevents the locking portion 52 from being pushed apart when the cable 30 or wire 28 connected to the contact unit 12 is subjected to a tensile load.

[0068] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows that the fixing element 4 includes a support portion 94 that abuts against the contact unit 12. Preferably, the support portion 94 abuts against the contact unit 12 without any force acting on it. In addition, the support portion 94 may be spaced apart from the latch element 58 and the locking portion 52 in the extensional direction 96 of the contact chamber 22. This results in three-point support, which limits the vibration of the contact unit 12.

[0069] To detect positioning errors in the contact unit 12, the contact housing 2 may include a block section 98 for each latch element 58, the function of which is described below.

[0070] Each latch element 58 emerging from the latch position 60 can form a stopper portion 100 for the chock portion 56 of the fixed element 4. In particular, the stopper portion 100 can be positioned in a region 102 of the fixed receptacle 34 where the chock portion 56 is located when the fixed element 4 is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle 34. Optionally, the stopper portion 100 slides along the region 102 of the fixed receptacle 34 while each latch element 58 moves from the latch position 60 to the release position 62.

[0071] The retaining portion 100 can be formed in particular by a block portion 98. For this purpose, the block portion 98 protrudes into the fixed receptacle 34 when the latch element 58 is in the released position 62. For this purpose, the fixed receptacle 34 can form an evasive recess 104, which is configured to at least partially receive the block portion 98 when at least one latch element 58 is in the released position 62 and there is no fixed element 4.

[0072] Each block section 98 is connected to an associated latch section 72 to transmit motion. To simplify the housing structure, the latch section 72 and the block section 98 can be connected integrally. For example, the block section 98 is also formed on the latch arm 68. Preferably, the latch section 72 and the block section 98 are positioned on opposite sides of the latch arm 68. Here, the latch section 72 can face the contact chamber 22 and the block section 98 can face the avoidance recess 104. This simplifies the sequence of movement, as the latch arm 68 can be rotated from the contact chamber 22 to the avoidance recess 104 and vice versa.

[0073] Unless the latch element 58 is still in the released position 62, or at least in the latched position 60, the stopper 100 blocks the fixed receptacle 34 by being positioned in the avoidance recess 104. Therefore, in this state, the fixed element 4 cannot be fully inserted into the fixed receptacle 34 because it collides with the stopper 100. At the same time, this state clearly indicates that at least one latch element 58 is not making the latch connection 66 with the inserted contact unit 12, since the latch element 58 is not in the latched position 60.

[0074] In other words, if the contact unit 12 is not precisely "mounted" in the contact chamber 22, the latch element 58 cannot move to the latch position 60 and remains in the release position 62 or at least outside the latch position 60. Consequently, the stopper 100 of the latch element 58 prevents the fixing element 4 from being inserted into the fixing receptacle 34. This condition is shown in Figure 7 for the contact unit 12 in the lower left. Thus, in addition to its actual fixing function, the fixing element 4 performs a so-called TPA (Terminal Position Assurance) function and acts as an indicator of a mispositioned contact unit 12.

[0075] This TPA function can be fully performed when the fixed element 4 has a detection unit 106, which preferably protrudes in the fixed insertion direction 40 from the rest of the fixed element 4. The fixed element 4 can then be inserted into the fixed receptacle 34 together with the detection unit 106, and if the blocking unit 98 blocks the fixed receptacle, particularly the avoidance recess 104, the detection unit 106 will strike the blocking unit 98. The detection unit 106 and the locking unit 52 or the detection unit 106 and the chock unit 56 may be coincident, fitted, or corresponding.

[0076] Therefore, a separate avoidance recess 104 can be provided for each latch element. Then, a separate block section 98 and / or a separate detection section 106 can be provided for each avoidance recess 104. Alternatively, a common avoidance recess 104 can be provided for all latch elements 58. In this case, a common block section 98 and / or a common detection section 106 is sufficient.

[0077] As can be seen in Figure 4, the fixed receptacle 34 can surround the contact chamber 22 in pairs from at least three adjacent sides perpendicular to each other. Thus, the fixed elements 4 in the fixed receptacle 34 can surround the contact chamber 22 and the contact unit 12 received into the contact chamber 22 from a number of corresponding sides. Depending on the number of contact chambers 22, the fixed elements 4 can have a U-shaped outline, two U-shaped outlines, or multiple U-shaped outlines.

[0078] The chock portion 56 and / or lock portion 52 may be configured to be received in the avoidance recess 104 and to abut against the block portion 98 at the fixing position 36 of the fixing element 4 (see Figure 4). For example, it is preferable that the chock portion 56 can protrude from the rest of the fixing element 4 in the fixing insertion direction 40. The chock portion 56 also functions as a detection portion 106 and can abut against the block portion 98 when the block portion 98 blocks the fixing receptacle 34.

[0079] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a connection device 20 having the plug connector 8 and a mating plug 18 configured to complement the plug connector 8. The plug connector 8 and the mating plug 18 are configured to be plug-connected to each other.

[0080] The mating plug 18 may have a connector housing 108 configured complementary to the contact housing 2 of the plug connector 8. In the connector housing 108, the mating contacts 16 of the mating plug 18 can be latched into each contact unit 12. In this case, each mating contact 16 is configured complementary to its associated contact unit 12 and is pluggable to the associated contact unit 12.

[0081] The mating plug 18 may also have a fixing element 4' configured similarly to the fixing element 4 of the plug connector 8. Thus, the connecting device 20 can benefit from the functionality of the respective fixing elements 4, 4' in both the plug connector 8 and the mating plug 18. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1 Housing Assembly 2 Contact Housing 4, 4' Fixed elements 6. Injection molded parts 8 Plug Connectors 10 data lines 12 Contact Units 14 Contact Elements 16. Contact with the other party 18. The other side plug 20 connected devices 22 Contact Chamber 24 side 26 side 28 wires 30 Cables 32 columns 34 Fixed receptacles 36 Fixed position 38 Gripping surface 40 Fixed insertion direction 42 Contact insertion direction 44 Mounting part 46 Latch lugs 48 Latch edge 50 access slots 52 Lock section 54 connections 56 Chock part 58 Latch elements 60 Latch position 62 Release position 64 Latch recess 66 connections 68 Latch Arm 70 Latch Lance 72 Latch section 74 Latch Hook 76 Engaging part 78 Support Ribs 80 space 82 Shields 84 Shoulder 86 Groove 88 Taper 90 directions 92 Enlarged section 94 Support part 96 Extension direction 98 Block Section 100 Stopper 102 areas 104 Avoidance recess 106 Detection unit 108 Connector Housing

Claims

1. A housing assembly (1) for a plug connector (8), The housing assembly (1) is Contact housing (2), Fixed element (4) and Equipped with, The aforementioned contact housing (2) is - At least one contact chamber (22) for receiving the contact unit (12) of the plug connector (8), - The latch element (58) is movable between a latched position (60) and a released position (62), and in the latched position (60), at least one latch element (58) protrudes at least partially into the at least one contact chamber (22), - A fixed receptacle (34) that is at least partially connected to at least one contact chamber (22), wherein the fixed receptacle is configured to receive the fixed element (4) from a direction intersecting the direction in which the contact unit (12) is received, and to at least partially receive the fixed receptacle and Includes, The aforementioned fixed element (4) is - At least one chock portion (56) and - At least one locking part (52) and Includes, When the fixed element (4) is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle (34), the movement of the at least one latch element (58) away from the latch position (60) from the at least one contact chamber (22) is prevented by the at least one chock portion (56), and the at least one lock portion (52) protrudes at least partially from the fixed receptacle (34) into the at least one contact chamber (22). A housing assembly (1) in which the contact unit (12) is sandwiched between the at least one locking portion (52) and the at least one chock portion (56), and the at least one locking portion (52) and the contact unit (12) are connected by a shape-fit connection (54).

2. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the fixing element (4) is fully accepted into the fixing receptacle (34), the at least one chock portion (56) and the at least one lock portion (52) are positioned on opposite sides to each other with respect to the at least one contact chamber (22).

3. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one chock portion (56) and the at least one lock portion (52) extend at least partially parallel to each other.

4. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the latch element (58) extending from the latch position (60) forms a stopper (100) for the at least one chock portion (56) of the fixing element (4).

5. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stopper (100) is located in a region (102) of the fixing receptacle (34) where the at least one chock (56) is positioned when the fixing element (4) is fully accepted into the fixing receptacle (34).

6. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the stopper (100) slides over the region (102) of the fixed receptacle (34) while the at least one latch element (58) moves from the latch position (60) to the release position (62).

7. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element (58) includes a cantilever latching arm (68).

8. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed receptacle (34) extends at least partially laterally with respect to the at least one contact chamber (22).

9. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact housing (2) includes two contact chambers (22) extending at least partially parallel to each other, and the fixed receptacle (34) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (22).

10. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one latching element (58) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (22).

11. When the fixed element (4) is fully accepted into the fixed receptacle (34), the at least one chock portion (56) or the at least one lock portion (52) extends at least partially between the two contact chambers (22), claim 9. Housing assembly (1) as described above.

12. A plug connector (8), A housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, At least one contact unit (12) for contacting the mating contact (16) of the mating plug (18) and Equipped with, Each contact unit (12) is received in each contact chamber (22) of the contact housing (2) and latched (66) to at least one latch element (58), The fixed element (4) is fully received by the fixed receptacle (34), the portion to be latched (66) is fixed by the at least one chock portion (56), and the plug connector (8) is morph-fitted (54) to the at least one contact unit (12) via the at least one lock portion (52).

13. The plug connector (8) according to claim 12, wherein the at least one locking portion (52) abuts against the contact housing (2) on the side away from the portion that makes the shape-fit connection (54).

14. The plug connector (8) according to claim 12, wherein the fixing element (4) has at least one support portion (94) that abuts against the at least one contact unit (12), and the at least one support portion (94) is spaced apart from the at least one latch element (58) and the at least one locking portion (52) in the direction of extension (96) of the at least one contact chamber (22).

15. A connecting device (20), The plug connector (8) according to claim 12, The plug connector (8) has a mating plug (18) configured to complement it, The plug connector (8) and the mating plug (18) are configured to be plug-connectable to each other. The mating plug (18) is a connecting device (20) configured according to claim 12.

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