Plug-in connector, plug-in connector arrangement and cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in connector (1) designed for being plug-connected to a mating plug-in connector (2) along a plug-in direction (z), the plug-in connector (1) comprising: -- a housing (40) having --- a main body (3) with a wall (4), ---- a cover (5) with a cover wall (6), in particular the cover (5) being mountable on the main body (3) detachably and / or rotatably through 180°, the cover (5) in particular being mountable on the main body (3) fixed in position relative to the main body (3), the cover wall (6), in a support region (7), running on an outer side (8) of the wall (4) of the main body (3), in particular overlapping with the wall (4), in particular the cover wall (6), in the support region (7), running outside a main body outer contour line (9) of the main body (3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Connectors, connector arrangement and cover

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a connector, a connector assembly and a cover.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Connector assemblies that comprise a connector and a mating connector have, depending on the application, a large number of contact partners and mating contact partners that can be connected (e.g., several dozen contact partners or even more than one hundred contact partners), e.g., in the form of electrical or optical contact elements or mating contact elements. This can be observed, for example, in connector assemblies for vehicles or in the automotive sector. In other applications, e.g., high-voltage connectors for electrically powered vehicles, comparatively few contact partners are provided, but these often have a large cross-section, e.g., more than 10mm 2This means that the connectors and the corresponding mating connectors are becoming increasingly larger in their spatial geometric design, particularly in their length and / or width perpendicular to a plug-in direction, but the height can also increase. For example, the length and / or width can be more than 3 cm or even more than 8 cm, with comparatively low wall thicknesses. Connectors in such connector arrangements often have a housing which has a base body and a cover. The cover is often mounted on the base body and has an interior cover space for the lines or cables protruding from the base body of the contact partners or contact elements arranged in the base body. These lines or cables can be brought together in the interior of the cover.The cover often has an opening above the base body that runs perpendicular to the plug-in direction, allowing for a defined cable exit along a defined cable exit direction. This protects the cables and the base body from mechanical influences and the ingress of dirt, grime, etc., preventing a messy cable exit.

[0008] From EP 2 885 844 B1, such a connector arrangement with a connector and a mating connector is known, wherein the connector has a housing with a base body and a cover.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The invention is based on the realization that the pursuit of low manufacturing costs and also the customer desire for small external dimensions of the connectors, despite the increasing dimensions of the lengths and / or widths and / or heights of the connector housings, in particular of the base body, leads to the housing wall thicknesses being designed as small as possible. It has been shown that with the small wall thicknesses, a deformation or bulging of the wall of the housing, in particular of a wall of the base body, from the inside to the outside can occur, in particular in a self-supporting section of the wall, especially in cup-shaped and / or sleeve-shaped base bodies. Such deformation of the wall is undesirable and can be prevented, for example, by thickening the wall thickness or by stabilizing structures such as ribs or the like, which, however, makes the design of tools for production more complex and, for example,In injection molding processes, this can lead to faster tool wear and uneven flow fronts. Deformation from the outside in is also possible in principle, but is often blocked or supported by additional elements, such as a contact carrier (as described above) arranged in the interior of the base body, in which the contact partners or contact elements are located, or by a part of the mating connector that is accommodated by the connector, e.g., a collar of the mating connector.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention is based on the knowledge that the insertion forces when plugging together the plug connector and the mating connector increase so sharply depending on the number of contact partners and / or the diameter of the contact partners that plugging together the plug connector and the mating connector requires the use of a connecting device that enables a reduction in operating force. Such a connecting device can, for example, have at least one element (such as a pin, at least one link, at least one gear, at least one toothed structure, etc.) that interacts with a corresponding mating element of the mating connector, so that a displacement of the element of the plug connector leads to a relative movement between the plug connector and the mating connector. This is particularly true for so-called external connectors, in which a part of the mating connector, e.g. a collar, is accommodated in the base body of the plug connector (e.g.to enable a tight connector arrangement), the connecting device may require a perforation in the wall of the base body (e.g., to guide a wave from the outside to the inside). Such a perforation further weakens the base body and increases the risk of deformation of the wall from the inside to the outside. This applies in particular during the mating process (mating or unmating), during which large forces are transmitted to the base body via the connecting device, e.g., by a wave passing through the above-described perforation and resting on the edges of the perforation.Such an outward deformation of the wall can cause the interacting elements of the connecting device of the plug connector and the mating connector to no longer be in a defined position relative to each other, which can lead to jamming of the mechanism or to force being applied only to individual sections of the interacting elements (e.g. teeth of a gear arrangement) or even to damage.

[0012] In order to prevent the connector from tilting relative to the mating connector when operating the connecting device in the case of large dimensions, a connecting device can be provided which has several elements on the connector which interact with corresponding counter-elements on the mating connector in order to better distribute the effective mating forces during the mating process (plugging together or unplugging) over the base body and to prevent tilting. The arrangement of such a connecting device with several elements can result in a further weakening of an already long base body and promote an undesirable bulging or deformation of the walls of the base body from the inside to the outside. This applies in particular if openings (e.g. bearing openings and / or assembly slots) are provided in the wall, for example in order toto simplify the assembly of elements of the connecting device and to enable defined storage of elements of the connecting device. There may therefore be a need to provide a plug connector which is material-saving, cost-effective and easy to manufacture, in particular with a low wall thickness of a base body and in which the risk of deformation of the walls of the plug connector, in particular of the base body, during the plugging process (plugging together and / or unplugging) and also during operation (e.g. due to temperature fluctuations, vibrations, impacts, etc.) is minimized. Furthermore, there may be a need to prevent such deformation of the wall even in a plug connector which has a high number of contact elements (e.g. more than 20 contact elements ormore than 50 contact elements or even more than 100 contact elements) and / or the contact elements with a large diameter (e.g. in high-voltage applications with cable cross-sections of at least 10 mm. 2 ) and / or which has large dimensions (e.g., a length and / or width of at least 3 cm, or of at least 8 cm, or of at least 10 cm). Furthermore, there may be a need to minimize the risk of such deformation for connectors subject to high insertion forces, particularly for connectors having a connecting device.

[0013] Advantages of the invention

[0014] This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, a connector designed to be plugged together with a mating connector along a plugging direction is proposed.

[0016] The connector has or includes a housing. The housing has a base body with a wall and a cover with a cover wall, wherein the cover wall extends in a support area on an outer side of the wall of the base body.

[0017] This advantageously stabilizes the wall of the base body in the support area by the cover against deformation of the wall from the inside to the outside using simple means. This applies in particular to large dimensions of the base body. Increasing the wall thickness of the base body and / or providing reinforcing structures on the base body can be avoided in this way, or the extent of such reinforcement can be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, an existing wall thickness can be reduced, which results in less material being used and / or creates more space in the interior or exterior of the connector. Furthermore, the at least one support area on the cover can advantageously be formed specifically at a defined location where, for example, there is a particularly high risk of deformation - even if reinforcement of the wall of the base body is not possible or not desired at these locations, e.g.for manufacturing reasons or for operating reasons, etc. In other words: a functional separation is advantageously achieved, in which the cover takes over part of the task of the wall of the base body with regard to transverse or lateral stability.

[0018] The base body can, for example, have at least one contact carrier in a base body interior, in which the plurality of contact partners are arranged. The base body interior can be surrounded by a wall.

[0019] For example, it can be provided that the base body is designed in the manner of a frame, which is primarily intended for receiving, holding, or fastening at least one contact carrier. For example, it can be provided that no or only very few (e.g., at most two or at most four) contact chambers are formed in the base body, in particular exclusively one or more contact chamber(s) for Ethernet contact elements, configured for data transmission with data transmission rates of at least 100 Mbit / s, preferably of at least 200 Mbit / s. The majority or all of the contact elements can, for example, be accommodated in the at least one contact carrier.

[0020] The cover wall can, for example, overlap the wall of the base body in the support area on an outer side of the wall of the base body. This provides particularly good protection against deformation of the base body.

[0021] The cover can, for example, be detachably mounted or mounted or coupled to the base body, in particular detachably and non-destructively. It can, for example, be particularly advantageously mounted or mounted directly or, in other embodiments, indirectly (e.g., by means of an intermediate element) on the base body, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. It can, for example, be latched, clipped, screwed, etc., to the base body or an intermediate element. This advantageously enables particularly simple assembly of the connector and also enables simple maintenance of the connector, so that the connector is advantageously particularly durable.

[0022] The lid, for example, can be an element that is initially separate from the base body and / or manufactured separately. This advantageously allows for simple production, whereby, for example, the materials can be specifically adapted to the respective functions of the base body and lid.

[0023] The cover can, for example, have an interior space. An uppermost wall of the cover can be spaced from the base body, e.g., at least 0.5 cm or at least 1 cm. This spacing can be designed such that cables or lines protruding from the base body can be routed from the connector relatively loosely through the interior space of the cover (not tightly enclosed or molded into the cover).

[0024] The cover can, for example, have an opening, in particular a lateral opening perpendicular to the plug-in direction. Such an opening can, for example, allow for a cable outlet. It or its orientation can, for example, define a cable outlet direction. A lateral opening advantageously results in particularly small space requirements along the plug-in direction.

[0025] The cover can be mounted on the base body in a rotatable manner, particularly by a defined number of degrees, e.g., by 60°, 90°, 120°, 180°, 210°, 240°, or 270°. This advantageously provides a particularly flexible connector in which, for example, the cable outlet direction can be specifically adapted to a spatial requirement at the installation location.

[0026] The cover can, for example, be designed to be mounted on the base body in a fixed position relative to the base body, or to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the base body, or to be coupled to the base body. This advantageously ensures that the support area is always located at a defined location on the base body when mounted.

[0027] It can be provided, for example, that the base body and / or the cover has or have a substantially rectangular cross-section or footprint. It can be provided, for example, that the cover wall runs outside a base body outer contour line of the base body in the support area. An outer contour line can be regarded, for example, as the outermost contour line of the corresponding element - in the manner of a shadow. In particular, it can be a shadow when projected parallel to the plug-in direction. It is to be understood that the base body outer contour line can, in particular, be the outer contour line of the outer contour of the base body in the area where the base body and cover meet. In other words: in particular, a seam or base at the end of the base body facing away from the cover can be left out of the determination of the base body outer contour line.

[0028] For example, it can be provided that the cover wall protrudes beyond the outer contour line of the base body by a maximum of 3 mm, preferably by a maximum of 2 mm, and particularly preferably by a maximum of 1 mm. This advantageously ensures that the outer contour line of the cover does not come into spatial conflict with other elements, e.g., with operating elements, other connectors, cables, lines, etc., and thus reduces the risk of entanglement and / or damage.

[0029] For example, it can be provided that the support area makes up at least 5% or at least 10% of a contact line between the base body and the lid and / or that the support area makes up at least 5% or at least 10% of an outer contour line of the lid.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided, for example, that the cover wall runs along at least 5% or along at least 10% of a contact line between the base body and the cover on an outer side of the housing wall and / or that the cover wall runs along at least 5% or at least 10% of a cover outer contour line on an outer side of the housing wall. In particular, it can be provided that the cover wall does not run on or along an inner side of the base body wall defining the base body interior, or along the base body inner wall.

[0031] The cover wall can, for example, be understood to mean primarily the side walls of the cover, in particular those areas in which the cover wall and the wall of the housing are in contact with one another or meet one another, whereby an uppermost wall of the cover can also be part of the cover wall. It can, for example, be provided that the cover wall does not have any projections along the plug-in direction. The cover wall preferably runs in one plane on its end face facing the base body. In particular, the cover wall does not have any locking tabs or locking hooks projecting towards the base body which lock with a locking hook or an opening in the housing, in particular in the base body. In other words: the cover wall running outside the wall in the support area is preferably not a locking element.

[0032] The housing, in particular the base body or at least one contact carrier arranged in the base body, can be designed, for example, to accommodate at least one contact element, preferably to accommodate or arrange a plurality of contact elements (e.g., electrical, optical, etc. contact elements). Furthermore, at least one Ethernet contact element can be provided (which differs in type from the previously described contact elements). This can, for example, be configured for data transmission at data transmission rates of at least 100 Mbit / s.

[0033] The at least one contact element can be designed, for example, to contact or couple with a corresponding mating contact element of the mating connector. The at least one Ethernet contact element can be designed to contact or couple with a corresponding Ethernet mating contact element of the mating connector.

[0034] For example, it can be provided that a line or cable is arranged or attached to the at least one contact element. For example only, the line or cable can be crimped, welded, or soldered to the contact element. For example, an Ethernet cable can be arranged on the at least one Ethernet contact element.

[0035] The housing can, for example, further comprise at least one intermediate body and / or at least one contact carrier (as described above). Such an intermediate body and / or contact carrier can, for example, be arranged, in particular detachably, in an interior space of the base body. The intermediate body can, for example, be designed as a mat seal or as a holding plate or as a locking element, etc. The contact carrier can, for example, be designed to accommodate at least one contact element. It can, for example, have at least one contact chamber in which a contact element can be or is received and / or in which a contact element can be or can be primarily locked. The optionally present at least one Ethernet contact element can also be arranged in the contact carrier.

[0036] The base body and / or the lid can be manufactured as an injection-molded part, for example. This advantageously enables particularly simple and cost-effective production. 3D printing is also conceivable.

[0037] The base body and / or the lid can, for example, be made of a plastic, in particular an electrically insulating one, or can comprise plastic to a predominant extent. For example, it can be provided that the base body and lid are made of different materials, whereby the materials can advantageously be adapted to the various mechanical requirements. It can of course be provided, for example, that the base body and lid are made of the same material. For example, polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene (PE), or liquid crystal polymer (LCP) or the like can be selected as the plastic, in each case with or without glass fiber filling.

[0038] In a further development, it is provided that the support area is designed in such a way that the support area and / or the cover wall in the support area blocks outward deformation of the wall of the base body.

[0039] This advantageously enables the use of thin wall thicknesses of the base body and / or large dimensions (e.g. length and / or width of at least 3 cm or of at least 8 cm and / or a height of at least 3 cm) of the base body without stability problems.

[0040] The overlap height (in particular along the insertion direction) between the cover wall and the wall of the base body can be, for example, at least 8 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, in particular in the support area. The blockage can occur, for example, when (part of) the wall of the housing comes into contact with the cover wall running outside the wall. The cover wall, in particular the lateral cover wall, can act or be designed like a (stable) guardrail in the support area. In this area, the cover wall specifically fulfils a supporting function which can also absorb larger forces acting radially outwards or from the inside outwards, e.g. forces greater than 5 N. It is not merely designed as a thin, flexible cover wall, e.g. in the manner of a locking tab, which is intended to absorb forces primarily parallel to the insertion direction.

[0041] It is preferably provided that the support region and / or the cover wall in the support region blocks a deformation away from an interior of the base body outwards or in the direction of an external environment of the base body or of the connector or of the housing (e.g. radially outwards with respect to the plug-in direction as an axial direction).

[0042] It can be provided, for example, that the cover wall in the support area runs at a defined small distance (e.g. less than 2 mm or less than 1 mm or less than 0.5 mm) from the wall of the housing or even (approximately) touches it. A minimal distance is preferably given, e.g. at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm, so that the cover can be installed without friction and the cover does not have to be made unnecessarily flexible in order to be able to be arranged on the base body. The small distance advantageously has the effect that when a force acts on the wall of the housing with a portion of the force direction from the inside to the outside, the wall abuts the cover wall after an outward deformation after an already short, acceptable deformation distance and further, undesired deformation is thus prevented.By selecting the distance between the cover wall and the wall in the force-free state, manufacturing and assembly tolerances can be absorbed and a maximum tolerated deformation of the wall can be set.

[0043] In a further development, the cover wall in the support area projects outwards transversely to the insertion direction (e.g. like a type of hood), wherein a support wall section of the cover wall running essentially parallel to the, in particular adjacent, wall of the base body in the support area is connected on at least two sides to the cover wall outside the support area by connecting wall sections of the cover wall. This advantageously and particularly effectively prevents deformation of the wall of the base body. The support wall section is not, for example, merely a clip element for locking the cover to the base body. Nor is the support wall section merely an extension of the cover wall parallel to the insertion direction in the manner of a tab. The support wall section is connected to the rest of the cover in a particularly rigid or stiff or flexurally stiff manner and can thus absorb greater forces and bring about an improved support function.The two sides to which the retaining wall section is connected to the cover wall can, for example, preferably be two sides that do not run parallel to each other.

[0044] It can, for example, be provided that at least one of the connecting wall sections runs at an angle. This can mean, in particular, that the connecting wall section does not run at a 90° angle to the supporting wall section and / or to the wall outside the support area and does not run parallel to it. This can advantageously result in a better and more even introduction of forces or radial forces (from the inside to the outside) acting on the supporting wall section into the remaining cover wall, in particular outside the support area. This advantageously increases the service life of the cover and reduces the risk of damage. Furthermore, the risk of injury to people and material can be advantageously reduced because sharp edges and discontinuous or abrupt protrusions on the outside of the cover are avoided.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the cover wall in the support area is rigidly or rigidly connected to the cover wall outside the support area.

[0046] This advantageously provides particularly effective support for the wall of the housing or the base body (on the cover or on the support wall section) or particularly effectively prevents or blocks or limits or minimizes deformation of the housing or base body, in particular from the inside to the outside (in particular radially outwards, transversely to the plug-in direction).

[0047] In a further development, it is provided that a cover outer contour line of the cover wall runs at least in sections within the base body outer contour line of the base body.

[0048] This has the advantage that the connector has a particularly space-saving

[0049] Outer contour line with maximum internal space for accommodating contact elements In other words: the outer contour line of the connector is essentially or predominantly defined by the base body. Another advantage is that the cover is therefore particularly well protected from mechanical damage, particularly on its sides, e.g. during assembly or when plugging together. The risk of injury to people or material at the transition from the base body to the cover is also advantageously reduced - the (height) area of ​​the transition from the cover to the base body is usually where the cables run and operating steps take place, such as touching when plugging together or disconnecting the connector and mating connector. Another advantage is that the lateral or radial stability of the cover relative to the base body is improved if the cover is not exclusively outside orruns exclusively within the outer contour line of the base body.

[0050] It can be provided, for example, that the lid outer contour line runs along at least 20% or at least 30% of the extension length of the lid outer contour line within the base body outer contour line.

[0051] In a further development, it is provided that the plug connector has a connecting device coupled to the housing, which is designed to connect and / or lock the plug connector and the mating connector, wherein the connecting device is adjustable or displaceable between a first position and a second position. The connecting device has a first engagement element, wherein the first engagement element is designed to couple to a counter-engagement element of the mating connector, in particular to engage therein, in order to displace the plug connector towards the mating connector, in particular parallel to the plugging direction, upon a displacement or adjustment of the connecting device from the first position to the second position.

[0052] This can advantageously reduce the operating force during the plugging process. At the same time, the connecting device can cause a high force to occur on the housing, in particular on the base body, in the area of ​​the connecting device, which also has force components that act perpendicular to the plugging direction (e.g. due to assembly tolerances or twisting or torsion of individual components during the plugging process, etc.). This can advantageously reduce the operating forces, with forces that occur from the inside outwards being absorbed or supported by the support area or the cover wall in the support area in such a way that deformation of the wall from the inside outwards is reduced or prevented. It can be provided, for example, that the connecting device is attached to the housing. The connecting device can, for example, be particularly advantageously arranged or attached to the base body; in principle, an arrangement on the cover is also possible.

[0053] The first engagement element can be arranged rotatably on the housing, for example. It can be designed as a gear element, for example.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition to the effect upon displacement or adjustment of the connecting device from the first position into the second position, it can be provided that the first engagement element is designed to couple to a counter-engagement element of the mating connector in order to effect a relative movement of the connector and the mating connector, in particular parallel to the plug-in direction, upon a rotational movement of the first engagement element.

[0055] The connecting device fundamentally makes it possible to simplify the mating and / or unmating of the plug connector and mating connector. This can be achieved, for example, by reducing the operating forces when mating the plug connector and mating connector (e.g. by using leverage and / or transmission). A locking process can also be made easier, for example a locking process at the end of the mating path. In particular, the connecting device enables a smooth connecting process with little operating force, but with a longer path. The connecting device is thus particularly designed to support and / or facilitate a connecting process and / or locking process when connecting the plug and mating connector" - this can be understood by the expression that the connecting device is designed for connecting and / or locking.

[0056] By coupling the first engagement element with the counter-engagement element, a relative movement of the connector and mating connector parallel to the plug-in direction is achieved, for example, during a rotational movement of the first engagement element and the second engagement element. For example, when plugging together, the connector and mating connector move toward each other, and when unplugging, they move away from each other. This relative movement allows the connector and mating connector to be plugged together and unplugged easily and with minimal force.

[0057] In particular, connectors with a large number of contacts can be plugged together, unplugged or disconnected with little force.

[0058] In principle, it is also possible for the first engagement element to be designed as a slotted guide (or projection) that interacts with a counter-engagement element designed as a projection (or slotted guide). Other force transmission arrangements are also conceivable.

[0059] For example, it can be provided that the first engagement element engages with the counter-engagement element. This can be achieved, for example, by a pairing of gear element and rack element, or by a pairing as a projection or pin or bolt and guide.

[0060] In a further development, it is provided that the plug connector has a connecting device coupled to the housing, in particular attached to the housing, which is designed to connect and / or lock the plug connector and the mating plug connector, wherein the connecting device is adjustable or displaceable between a first position and a second position. The connecting device has a first engagement element and a second engagement element. The first engagement element and the second engagement element are rotatably coupled to the housing, in particular rotatably arranged on the housing. The first engagement element and the second engagement element are coupled to one another in such a way that rotation of the first engagement element causes rotation of the second engagement element.

[0061] By providing two engagement elements (particularly on each side), the risk of tilting or jamming of the connector against the mating connector during the mating process is advantageously reduced. Furthermore, this advantageously allows for a particularly positive engagement or fixation to multiple mechanical elements. This can, for example, reduce the forces acting on the individual engagement elements or counter-engagement elements in connectors with a high number of pins.

[0062] Advantageously, the risk of tilting during the plugging process (even with long and / or wide housings) can thus be reduced, the operating forces can be reduced and a thin wall thickness of the base body can still be used, since forces of the engagement elements acting from the inside outwards are supported by means of the support region or the cover wall running outside the wall in the support region. Advantageously, for example, it can be provided that the (at least one) support region is arranged in a region in which the first and / or the second engagement element is / are arranged. Several support regions can also be provided, so that one support region is each assigned to several engagement elements or their arrangement regions.

[0063] It can be provided, for example, that the two engagement elements are designed to couple with respective counter-engagement elements of the mating connector, in particular to engage in them, in order to displace the connector towards the mating connector, in particular parallel to the plug-in direction, when the connecting device is displaced or adjusted from the first position to the second position.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally or in other words: It can be provided, for example, that the first engagement element and the second engagement element are designed to couple with respective counter-engagement elements of the mating connector, in particular to engage in them, in order to bring about a relative movement of the connector and the mating connector, in particular parallel to the plug-in direction, during a rotational movement of the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

[0065] For example, it can be provided that the first engagement element and the second engagement element are designed as gears or gear elements and mesh (directly) with each other. The two engagement elements thus rotate in opposite directions to each other.

[0066] In a further development, it is provided that the connecting device further comprises (at least) one intermediate element which is designed to transmit a rotational movement of the first engagement element to the second engagement element.

[0067] The support region of the cover advantageously makes it possible to prevent or minimize deformation of the wall, in particular of a thin wall, even when using connecting devices with (at least) one intermediate element. For example, it can advantageously be provided that the support region is arranged in the region of the intermediate element. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the support region is arranged in the region of the first engagement element and / or the second engagement element. For example, it can be provided that the intermediate element is arranged between the first and second engagement elements and coupled to each of them.

[0068] The intermediate element can be arranged, for example, in a displaceable manner, in particular linearly displaceable, on the housing, in particular on the base body.

[0069] It can be provided, for example, that the intermediate element is arranged displaceably on the housing, in particular on the base body, such that a direction of rotation of the first engagement element is always opposite to a direction of rotation of the second engagement element.

[0070] In other cases, the intermediate element can be arranged rotatably on the housing, for example as a gear.

[0071] The intermediate element advantageously enables the transfer of the movement of one engagement element to the other engagement element while keeping the dimensions (especially the diameter) of both engagement elements small. This can be advantageous, for example, for long and / or wide housings or base bodies, or for modular concepts in which the same engagement elements are to be used for housings or base bodies of different lengths and / or widths, but different distances between the engagement elements must be bridged.

[0072] The intermediate element can be arranged, for example, on the housing, in particular on the base body. This means, in particular, that the intermediate element is in contact with the housing, in particular with the base body, and is coupled thereto, in particular is fastened thereto, in particular is fastened displaceably. As a result, the intermediate element can be moved, in particular relative to the housing, in particular to the base body, of the connector, wherein the intermediate element preferably always remains connected to or coupled to the housing, in particular to the base body, throughout its entire movement.

[0073] The at least one intermediate element can be designed, for example, as a rigid element. In other words, it can be designed to be inherently inflexible. This advantageously allows it to transmit forces particularly well without losses due to bending, etc. The intermediate element can, for example, be a single element. The intermediate element can, for example, be formed in one piece.

[0074] It is particularly preferably provided that the intermediate element is arranged between the first engagement element and the second engagement element (e.g. viewed along a direction transverse to the plug-in direction, e.g. viewed along the x-direction). In particular, the intermediate element can, for example, be arranged completely between the two engagement elements or between the two axes of the two engagement elements. This applies in particular when viewed along an x-direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction or to the z-direction. The “intermediate element” is thus in particular a “transmission element” and is preferably aligned or configured to transmit a movement, in particular a rotation, from the first engagement element to the second engagement element.

[0075] The intermediate element creates a gap between the first engagement element and the second engagement element, allowing for a smooth and tilt-free mating movement. The intermediate element can be easily adjusted in size to compensate for any gap between the engagement elements. This allows even large connectors with numerous electrical contacts to be reliably mated with a matching mating connector without the risk of, for example, the connector and mating connector becoming jammed.

[0076] In a further development, it is provided that the support region is arranged on the same side of the connector as the first engagement element and / or the second engagement element.

[0077] This advantageously and effectively prevents or minimizes deformation of the wall. During the insertion process, significant forces occur on the first and / or second engagement element, which can also be transmitted to the wall.

[0078] In a further development, a first bearing opening is provided in the base body, wherein a first shaft of the first engagement element extends through the first bearing opening from an outer space of the base body inwards. This advantageously allows the first engagement element to be mounted particularly securely and stably in or on the base body. This particularly advantageously allows the realization of an external plug or a sealed plug. At the same time, the support area can compensate for a weakening of the base body due to the first bearing opening, so that outward deformation of the wall is minimized or even prevented even with a thin wall thickness.

[0079] It goes without saying that the first engagement element can also be mounted in the wall of the base body through a non-penetrating recess or through a shaft projecting inward from the wall. Even in these cases, the support area minimizes outward deformation of the wall.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that a second bearing opening is provided in the base body, wherein a second shaft of the second engagement element passes through the second bearing opening from an outer space of the base body inwards.

[0081] This advantageously allows the second engagement element to be mounted particularly securely and stably in or on the base body. This makes it particularly advantageous to create an external connector or a sealed connector. At the same time, the support area can compensate for any weakening of the base body caused by the second bearing opening, thus minimizing or even preventing outward deformation of the wall, even with thin walls.

[0082] It goes without saying that the second engagement element can also be mounted in the wall of the base body through a non-penetrating recess or through a shaft projecting inward from the wall. Even in these cases, the support area minimizes outward deformation of the wall.

[0083] In a further development, it is provided that the wall of the base body has a slot, wherein the support area covers the slot.

[0084] It can be provided, for example, that the slot is covered by the support area or that the slot lies in the support area. It can be provided, for example, that the cover wall in the support area at least partially overlaps the slot, in particular the cover wall running outside the wall. By (at least partially), in particular laterally, covering the slot by the support area, in particular by the cover wall running outside the wall, deformation of the wall in a weakened area of ​​the wall is advantageously prevented or minimized with a simple measure. Wall reinforcement in the area of ​​the slot can therefore be reduced or even eliminated. The slot can advantageously enable easier production of the base body (e.g. easier demolding from an (injection molding) tool) and / or it can enable easier assembly of components of the connector, e.g.an engagement element, an intermediate element, an operating element, etc. Overall, the support area of ​​the cover can compensate for a housing weakening by means of a slot which is advantageous for manufacturing and / or assembly reasons with regard to a wall deformation, in particular with regard to a wall deformation from the inside to the outside.

[0085] For example, the slot can be provided with an open end or side facing the cover. This makes it particularly easy to assemble and disassemble components of the connector, particularly components that can be removed non-destructively and are arranged on the base body.

[0086] For example, the slot can be designed to extend from its open end into the first or second bearing opening. This advantageously enables simple, quick, and safe assembly and disassembly of engagement elements and / or operating elements on the base body.

[0087] In a further development, the connector further comprises an operating element, in particular a lever, that can be moved from a first position to a second position, in particular relative to the base body and / or the cover. The operating element is operatively connected to the connecting device such that moving the operating element from the first position to the second position causes the connecting device to be adjusted from the first position to the second position.

[0088] This advantageously enables the plugging process to be carried out particularly easily. At the same time, the support area can advantageously minimize or prevent deformation of the wall, in particular from the inside out, which can be caused by carrying out the plugging process using the operating element. The operating element can, for example, be designed to reduce the operating force when connecting the plug connector and mating connector. This can, for example, convert low operating forces into high plugging forces using a force transmission. An operator therefore does not necessarily notice haptically which forces act in or on the housing. The support area can advantageously effectively prevent or minimize deformation of the wall (e.g. due to the high forces acting during the plugging process).

[0089] The operating element can, for example, be firmly connected to the first engagement element or to the second engagement element.

[0090] The operating element can, for example, be mounted or mounted on the base body. This results in a particularly simple and compact design of the connector. The base body can, for example, serve as a frame element, both as a support for additional elements within it (e.g., at least one contact carrier) and simultaneously as a fastening or mounting point for the operating element. This advantageously enables optimization of the base body for such functions and a modular design. If, for example, the cover (with its supporting function) is mounted on the base body, this simple and compact design can be further optimized.

[0091] In a further development, it is provided that the operating element can be mounted or is mounted on the housing, in particular on the base body, so as to be rotatable by 180° and that a displacement of the operating element from the first position to the second position in both mounting directions causes an adjustment of the connecting device from the first position to the second position.

[0092] In other words: depending on the customer's requirements (e.g. regarding the direction of the cable outlet), the operating element can be mounted on the housing rotated by 180° without any structural changes having to be made to an engagement element, an intermediate element, a mating connector housing, a counter-engagement element, etc. in order to enable the mating process.

[0093] The support area advantageously enables minimization of wall deformation regardless of the mounting direction of the control element.

[0094] In a further development, it is provided that the housing, in particular the base body, is designed to receive a collar of the mating connector. This advantageously makes it possible to realize an external connector. Furthermore, this advantageously makes it possible to realize a connector that is designed for a sealed connector arrangement. For this purpose, a circumferential seal, e.g., a radial seal, can be arranged, for example, in a shaft or pocket in which the collar of the mating connector is received. This seal seals an interior of the connector together with the collar.

[0095] Advantageously, the support area can support a wall of the base body or protect it from deformation, which has only a slight connection to an inner wall of the base body due to the pocket or shaft.

[0096] According to a second aspect of the invention, a connector assembly is proposed.

[0097] The connector assembly includes a connector as described above. It also includes a mating connector with a mating connector housing.

[0098] The same advantages arise as already described above. In particular, it becomes possible to provide a stable and durable, resource-efficient, and space-saving connector assembly that, with a thin wall thickness of the base body, is well protected against wall deformation, especially outward.

[0099] For example, it can be provided that the mating connector housing has at least one mating engagement element. This at least one mating engagement element can be arranged, for example, on an outer side of the mating connector housing. This can facilitate the formation of a sealed connector arrangement or facilitates or enables the use of a connector designed as an external connector.

[0100] In other cases, the counter-engagement element can be arranged on an inner side of the mating connector housing, in particular when using a connector designed as an inner plug which is received in the mating connector housing.

[0101] The mating connector housing can, for example, have a collar designed to be received in the housing, in particular the base body, of the connector. This allows the use of a connector designed as an external connector. A sealed connector arrangement can thus be easily created.

[0102] The at least one counter-engagement element can be arranged, for example, on a collar outer side of the collar.

[0103] According to a third aspect of the invention, a cover adapted for mounting on a base body of a connector is proposed.

[0104] The lid has a lid wall, wherein the lid wall is formed in a support region such that, in the support region when mounted on the base body, it runs on an outer side of the wall of the base body, in particular overlapping with the wall.

[0105] The cover wall in the support area can, for example, run outside of the base body's outer contour line.

[0106] The cover can be designed, for example, to be detachable, in particular non-destructively detachable, and to be mountable on the base body.

[0107] The cover can be designed to be rotatable, in particular by a defined number of degrees, e.g., rotatable by 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 180°, 210°, 225°, 240°, 270°, 300°, or 330°, and mountable on the base body. This advantageously provides a particularly flexible cover in which, for example, the cable outlet direction can be specifically adapted to a spatial requirement at the installation site.

[0108] Drawings

[0109] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0110] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a connector arrangement;

[0111] Fig. 2a: a spatial representation of a detailed view of a connector;

[0112] Fig. 2b: a schematic spatial representation of a side wall of a base body of a connector viewed from an inside;

[0113] Figs. 2c, 2d: a schematic view of a connector in two different states during mating with a mating connector of the connector assembly;

[0114] Figs. 3a, 3b: a schematic spatial representation of a second engagement element (Fig. 3a) and an operating element of a connector (Fig. 3b);

[0115] Fig. 4: a representation of exemplary alternative connector principles with different connector widths;

[0116] Fig. 5a: a schematic perspective view of a base body of a connector;

[0117] Fig. 5b: a schematic perspective view of a connector with the base body from Fig. 5a;

[0118] Fig. 5c: a schematic perspective view of the connector from Fig. 5b with mounted control element;

[0119] Fig. 5d, 5e: two schematic views of a connector arrangement with the connector from Fig.

[0120] 5c; Fig. 6a: a schematic plan view of a base body of a

[0121] connector;

[0122] Fig. 6b: a schematic plan view of a connector with the base body from Fig. 6a;

[0123] Figs. 7a, 7b: two different schematic perspective

[0124] Views of a connector cover;

[0125] Figs. 7c, 7d: a schematic view from below into a lid-

[0126] Interior of the lid from Fig. 7a and a schematic rear view of the lid from Fig. 7a.

[0127] Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a connector assembly 100. The connector assembly 100 comprises a connector 1 and a mating connector 2. The connector 1 is designed to be mated with the mating connector 2 along a mating direction z. The mating direction z, together with an X direction x and a Y direction y, forms a Cartesian coordinate system. It is understood that, depending on the application, the X direction X can also be referred to as a longitudinal direction or a width direction, and the Y direction y can also be referred to as a width direction, a longitudinal direction, or a transverse direction.

[0128] The housing 40, in particular the base body 3, is designed here, for example, to accommodate a collar 28 (see, for example, Figs. 2c, 2d with cut-off elements of the collar 28, and Fig. 5d) of the mating connector 2. The connector 1 is thus designed here, for example, as an external connector.

[0129] The mating connector 2 has a mating connector housing 27. As will be explained further below in connection with Figs. 2c and 2d, the mating connector housing 27 has, here by way of example, at least one mating engagement element 2a, 2b. The mating connector housing 27 further has the collar 28 just described (see, for example, Figs. 2c, 2d with cut-away elements of the collar 28, and Fig. 5d). This collar 28 is designed, by way of example, to be received in the housing 40, in particular the base body 3, of the connector 1. The at least one mating engagement element 2a, 2b is arranged, by way of example, on a collar outer side 29 of the collar 28. Sealing can be effected on a collar inner side (here without reference symbol) opposite the collar outer side 29, wherein for this purpose a circumferential seal, in particular a radial seal, can be arranged on the base body 3 of the connector 1.

[0130] The plug connector 1 has a housing 40. In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 40 has a base body 3 for receiving at least one contact element 50, which here is designed merely as a female contact element, e.g. in the form of a socket contact element, and which is connected to a cable 73 or a line. The housing 3 has a wall 4. The mating plug connector 2 can be mounted, for example, on a device, e.g. a control unit. It has a mating plug connector housing 27 with at least one mating contact element 51, which here is designed, for example, as a male contact element, e.g. as a pin or as a contact blade. The mating contact element 51 is electrically connected to the at least one contact element 50 of the plug connector 1, in particular when the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2 are plugged together.The electrical connection of contact element 50 and mating contact element 51 is achieved, in particular, by plugging them into one another. Predefined insertion forces must be overcome in the process. The connector 1 has, in particular, a plurality of contact elements 50, which are to be connected to corresponding mating contact elements 51. The housing 40, in particular the base body 3, is designed to be correspondingly long, in particular along the X-direction x, in order to accommodate the plurality of contact elements 50. The resulting insertion forces then make it difficult to plug together the connector 1 and the mating connector 2, or make it impossible using forces normally exerted by humans, or can lead to tilting when the insertion force is applied.

[0131] The connector 1 therefore has a connecting device 14 coupled to the housing 40, here, for example, to the base body 3 of the housing 40, and in particular attached to the base body 3. The connecting device 14 is designed to connect and / or lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2. This is to be understood in particular that the connecting device 14 facilitates, enables, or simplifies the mating and / or locking of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2. The disassembly of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 is also facilitated by the connecting device 14. In addition, the connector 1 or the housing 40 here has a cover element.

[0132] 5 or a cover 5, which covers the contact elements 50 and electrical lines 73. The cover 5 has a cover wall 6.

[0133] The housing 40, in particular the base body 3, has, for example, an approximately rectangular cross-section or footprint in the xy plane. The cover 5 also has this cross-sectional shape or footprint.

[0134] In this exemplary embodiment, the cover element or the cover 5 is designed to enable a defined cable outlet (here to the left) along a cable outlet direction C, whereby it can also be arranged offset by 180° on the base body 3 in order to enable a cable outlet in the other direction. Here, a cable outlet to the left is shown, parallel to the X-direction x and thus perpendicular to the plug-in direction z. If the cover 5 is rotated by 180°, the cable outlet direction C would thus point to the right. In principle, it is also conceivable that the cover 5 (e.g. in the case of round, oval, or polygonal cross-sections or footprints of the housing 40) can also be placed on the base body 3 rotated by other angles, e.g. rotated by 90°, 45°, or 60°, etc. The cover 5 can, for example, be clipped to the base body 3 or arranged or fastened in some other way. The lid 5 orThe cover element 5 can further provide a locking structure for an operating element 25, provided here as an example, in its end position. For reasons of clarity, the cover 5 or the cover element 5 is not shown in all of the following figures.

[0135] For example, as will be described further below, the housing 40 may comprise, in addition to the base body 3 and the cover 5, further elements, e.g., at least one intermediate body (an intermediate body may be configured, for example, as a contact carrier, a mat seal, a retaining plate, etc.). The base body may serve, for example, as a type of frame for fastening these intermediate elements in or on the base body 3.

[0136] The at least one contact element 50 is arranged here, for example, in an interior space 70 of the base body 3 (e.g., in a contact carrier arranged there), wherein the connector 1 is surrounded by an external environment 72. The cover 5 has a cover interior space 71 through which the cable 73 leading from the contact element 50 runs (above the base body 3) until it exits the cover 5 through a cover opening 74 along the cable exit direction C.

[0137] It is understood that the connecting device 14 or individual components thereof can also be arranged on the cover 5 or cover element 5 or coupled thereto in other embodiments or with further housing parts (e.g. an intermediate body not shown here).

[0138] As already described above, the connector has a connecting device 14 coupled to the housing 40, in particular attached to the housing 40, which is designed to connect and / or lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the connecting device 14 is attached or arranged on the base body 3, for example.

[0139] The connecting device 14 is adjustable or displaceable between a first position K1 (see Figs. 2a, 2c) and a second position K2 (see Fig. 2d). The connecting device 14 here has, for example, a first engagement element 15 and a second engagement element 16, wherein the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are rotatably coupled to the housing 40, in particular are rotatably arranged on the housing 40, wherein the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are coupled to one another in such a way that a rotation of the first engagement element 15 causes a rotation of the second engagement element 16, wherein in particular the two engagement elements 15, 16 are designed to couple to respective counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b of the mating connector 2 (see Figs. 2c and 2d), in particular to engage therein, in order toAdjustment of the connecting device 14 from the first position K1 to the second position K2 to displace the connector 1 towards the mating connector 2, in particular parallel to the plug-in direction z.

[0140] Here, the connecting device 14 further comprises, by way of example, an intermediate element 17 which is designed to transmit a rotational movement of the first engagement element 15 to the second engagement element 16, wherein the intermediate element 17 is arranged, in particular linearly, displaceably on the housing 40 (here, by way of example, on the base body 3), in particular such that a direction of rotation of the first engagement element 15 is always opposite to a direction of rotation of the second engagement element 16.

[0141] Fig. 2a shows a leg 41 or a part of a wall 4 (here a side wall) of the base body 3 from a view from inside the plug-in connector 1 (from the interior 70), i.e. from a position at or in which the contact elements 50 are provided, thus from the inside out. The first engagement element 15 is here merely rotatably coupled to the base body 3 of the housing 40, for example, by being arranged or mounted rotatably on the base body 3. The intermediate element 17 is designed to transmit a rotational movement of the first engagement element 15 to the second engagement element 16. The intermediate element 17 is arranged, here for example: linearly, displaceably on the base body 3. In particular, the intermediate element 17 does not perform any rotational movement.A rotational direction of the first engagement element 15 is always converted into an opposite rotational direction of the second engagement element 16 by means of the intermediate element 17. For example, if the first engagement element 15 rotates clockwise, the second engagement element 16 rotates counterclockwise (when viewed from the same direction).

[0142] In particular, the intermediate element 17 is designed here, for example, as a toothed rack. It has - purely by way of example - a first, here by way of example straight, tooth arrangement 17a, which engages or meshes with (first) drive teeth 15a of the first engagement element 15. In addition, the intermediate element 17 also has, by way of example, a second, here also by way of example straight, tooth arrangement 17b, which engages or meshes with (second or further) drive teeth 16a of the second engagement element 16. If the first engagement element 16 rotates (e.g. from the first position K1, see Figs. 2a and 2c), the interaction of the (first) drive teeth 15a of the first engagement element 15 and the first tooth arrangement 17a displaces the intermediate element 17 linearly, whereby the interaction of the second tooth arrangement 17b and (second or further) drive teeth 16a of the second engagement element 16further) drive teeth 16a of the second engagement element 16 leads to a rotation of the second engagement element 16 (e.g., into the second position K2, see Fig. 2d). This ensures that the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 always rotate in opposite directions, particularly since the intermediate element 17 does not rotate about an axis, but is displaced along a trajectory T (at least the displacement component outweighs the rotational component).

[0143] The first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 also each have, by way of example, (first and second) engagement teeth 15b, 16b, at least one (first and second) blocking tooth 15c, 16c, and at least one (first and second) support tooth 15d, 16d. The functionality of these teeth is described further below in connection with Figs. 2c and 2d. It is understood that not all of these tooth types need to be present simultaneously on the first and / or second engagement element 15, 16.

[0144] The plug connector 1 here further comprises, for example, an operating element 25 which can be moved from a first position P1 to a second position P2, in particular relative to the base body 3 and / or the cover 4, and which is designed here, for example, as a lever 26. The operating element 25 is designed, in particular, to reduce the operating force when connecting or disconnecting the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2. The operating element 25 is operatively connected to the connecting device 14 in such a way that moving the operating element 25 from the first position P1 (see Figs. 2a and 2c) to the second position P2 (see Fig. 2d) causes the connecting device 14 to be adjusted from the first position K1 to the second position K2. The operating element 25 is, for example, firmly connected to the first engagement element 15. The operating element 25 can be mounted or is mounted on the base body 3.

[0145] The operating element 25 can be mounted on the housing 40, in particular on the base body 3, in a manner that can be rotated by 180°, for example. Moving the operating element 25 from the first position P1 (see Figs. 2a and 2c), here approximately horizontal, to the second position P2 (see Fig. 2d), here approximately vertical, causes the connecting device 14 to be adjusted from the first position K1 to the second position K2 in both mounting directions. This causes a relative movement of the connector 1 toward the mating connector 2.

[0146] Figure 2b shows a schematic spatial representation of a side wall or an exemplary leg 41 of a base body 3 of a connector 1, viewed from an inner side. The base body 3 here has, for example, a first (bearing) opening 18 and a second (bearing) opening 21. The first engagement element 15 can be rotatably received in the first (bearing) opening 18. The second engagement element 16 can be rotatably received in the second (bearing) opening 21. In principle, if the operating element 25 is mounted rotated, the second engagement element 16 can also be (rotatably) received in the first (bearing) opening 18 and the first engagement element 15 in the second (bearing) opening 21.

[0147] In other words: In the base body 3, a first (bearing) opening 18 is provided, for example, wherein a first shaft 19 of the first engagement element 15 extends inwardly through the first (bearing) opening 18 from an outer space 20 of the base body 3. Furthermore, a second (bearing) opening 21 is provided in the base body 3, wherein a second shaft 22 of the second engagement element 16 extends inwardly through the second bearing opening 21 from an outer space 20 of the base body 3.

[0148] It is understood that in the case of a different cable outlet and / or a mounting of the connector 1 on the mating connector 2 rotated by 180° (with respect to the z-axis), the first engagement element 15 can also be mounted in the second (bearing) opening 21 and the second engagement element 16 in the first (bearing) opening 18.

[0149] The first (bearing) opening 18, for example, has a first bearing area 18a for supporting the first engagement element 15. The second (bearing) opening 21 has a second bearing area 21a for supporting the second engagement element 16. This enables simple and cost-effective storage and assembly of the engagement elements 15, 16. Furthermore, simple manufacture of the wall 4 of the base body 3 is enabled, since no shaft for one or more of the engagement elements 15, 16 needs to be molded onto the wall 4.

[0150] The first (bearing) opening 18 and the second (bearing) opening 21 each comprise, for example, a (first or second)

[0151] Insertion recess 18b, 21b for inserting the engagement elements 15, 16 into the bearing area 18a, 21a or have these. The (first or second) insertion recess 18b, 21b can, for example, be slot-shaped or designed as a slot 23 in the leg 41 or the side wall or the wall 4. The slot 23 can have an open end 24 (here: arranged at the top, for example facing the cover 5). The insertion recess 18b, 21b or the slot 23 can, in particular, have a smaller width than the associated (bearing) opening 18, 21. Thus, the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 can be attached to the base body 3 and also removed again easily and reliably. At the same time, an unintentional falling out of the engagement elements 15, 16 is made more difficult. Furthermore, the weakening of the wall 4 against deformation is reduced.

[0152] The mounting of the intermediate element 17 on the base body 3 is also shown in Fig. 2b. The base body 3 (or here, for example, the leg 41 or the wall 4) has, for example, a guide element 43, 44, wherein the intermediate element 17 has a counter-guide element complementary to the guide element 43, 44 (not shown in Figs. 2a to 2d), which is coupled or can be coupled to the guide element 43, 44. The intermediate element 17 can be displaced along a defined trajectory T relative to the base body 3 by means of the interaction of the guide element 43, 44 and the counter-guide element.

[0153] The base body 3 here has, for example, as a guide element 43, 44, a slot-shaped recess 43 (open at the upper end or open towards the upper edge 42), in which a projection (see, for example, Figs. 1, 5a to 5d, without reference number) is guided or can be guided or moved as a counter-guide element of the intermediate element 17. In addition, the base body 3 has (in Fig. 2b, for example further down, i.e. below the slot-shaped recess 43) as a guide element 43, 44, a guide rail 44 (here for example with a T-shaped cross-section or profile), which engages in a guide groove (not shown) of the intermediate element 17 as a counter-guide element. The guide groove, not shown here, has, for example, a profile that is complementary to the profile of the guide rail 44. The projection is arranged at a first end of the intermediate element 17.The guide rail 44 rests against the guide groove at least at a second end opposite to the plug-in direction z; it can also interact with the guide groove over a larger area during the plug-in process or the displacement of the intermediate element 17. As a result of these measures, the intermediate element 17 is reliably mounted on the base body 3 and can be displaced linearly. By guiding the intermediate element 17, tilting or jamming of the intermediate element 17 during displacement is prevented or at least made more difficult. The design with a projection at the first end and a guide groove in the further course enables reliable guidance of the intermediate element 17 along the entire path and also allows the wall thickness of the intermediate element 17 to be kept low while maintaining high dimensional stability. This is because the guide groove does not run along the entire height of the intermediate element 17. It is understood that other designs (e.g.with a continuous guide groove or with two or more projections) are conceivable.

[0154] Figures 2c and 2d show the operating mechanism of the connecting device 14 when plugging together the connector 1 and the mating connector 2.

[0155] The operating element 25 provided here by way of example can be moved from a first position P1 shown in Figure 2c to a second position P2 shown in Figure 2d. It is provided here by way of example that the operating element 25 is designed to reduce the operating force when connecting or disconnecting the connector 1 and the mating connector 2. It is designed here merely by way of example as a rotatable lever element or as a lever 26. In other embodiments, it can alternatively or additionally be designed as a (e.g., linearly) displaceable slide element.

[0156] The first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are designed to couple with respective (first and second) counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b of the mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 has a first counter-engagement element 2a, which is designed to couple with the first engagement element 15. In addition, the mating connector 2 has a second counter-engagement element 2b, which is designed to couple with the second engagement element 16, in particular to engage therein, in order to bring about a relative movement of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 parallel to the plugging direction z upon a rotational movement of the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16. Here, by way of example, the first and second counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b are arranged on the collar 28 of the mating connector housing 27 or they are part of the collar 28. They are arranged on a collar outer side 29 orthey are part of the collar outer side 29.

[0157] The (first and second) engagement teeth 15b, 16b of the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are designed here, for example, for engagement with the respective (first and second) counter-engagement element 2a, 2b. In this way, a rotational movement of the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 brings about a relative movement of the plug connector 1 and the mating connector 2, in particular a movement that is uniform on both sides, in particular parallel to the plug-in direction z (e.g., displacement of the connecting device 14 from the first position K1 (Fig. 2c) to the second position K2 (Fig. 2d)). It is understood that other coupling elements can also be provided, e.g., gate-pin structures or the like.

[0158] The first engagement element 15 is here, for example, formed in one piece or integrally with the operating element 25. The operating element 25 and the first engagement element 15 are operatively connected in such a way that a displacement of the operating element 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 leads to a rotation of the first engagement element 15. A connection process of the plug connector 1 with the mating connector 2 begins here, for example, in the first position P1. It ends here, for example, in the second position P2. The first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are also limited in their rotation path or in their rotation angle range by the respective at least one (first or second) blocking tooth 15c, 16c by bearing against the intermediate element 17 and / or the mating connector 2. Furthermore, the correct assembly of the intermediate element 17 can be ensured by the respective (first or second) blocking tooth 15c, 16c.second) blocking tooth 15c, 16c can be ensured simply and reliably. In a position of the operating element 25 that is even more horizontal than shown in Fig. 2c, the intermediate element 17 can be mounted, e.g., inserted, between the two engagement elements 15, 16. The respective blocking tooth 15c, 16c prevents the intermediate element 17 from slipping downward. The intermediate element 17 rests on the respective (first or second) blocking tooth 15c, 16c.

[0159] The at least one (first or second) support tooth 15d, 16d of the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 is designed to mechanically couple to a stop structure 45 of the corresponding mating engagement element 2a, 2b when the plug connector 1 is placed onto the mating connector 2, as shown in Fig. 2c. In this way, further displacement of the plug connector 1 toward the mating connector 2 along the insertion direction z is prevented without rotation of the first engagement element 15 and / or the second engagement element 16. Starting from the initial situation according to Fig. 2c, the operating element 25 can be actuated or operated, whereby the first engagement element 15 and the second engagement element 16 are rotated. The (first and second) engagement teeth 15b, 16b and the (first and second) counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b cause a relative movement of the connector 1 and the connector 2.Mating connector 2 along the plug-in direction z. This results in plug-in connector 1 and mating connector 2 being plugged together, as shown in Fig. 2d. It is understood that when the direction of rotation of the engagement elements 15, 16 is reversed, plug-in connector 1 and mating connector 2 are unplugged (this corresponds to a displacement or adjustment of the connecting device from the second position K2 to the first position K1).

[0160] Figure 3a shows schematically the second engagement element 16. It can be seen that, viewed in the Y direction y, it has, for example, two planes or even three planes.

[0161] In a first plane (facing the viewer) the different tooth types 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d are arranged as examples.

[0162] In a second plane (shown here only in dashed lines), a second shaft 22 or 16e is formed, which can be mounted in the second bearing (opening) 21. This second shaft 22 or 16e can be inserted through the insertion recess 21b by means of its slender part 16f and, after assembly, rotate with its exemplary rounded ends in the (second) (bearing) opening 21. By means of the second shaft 22 or 16e, the second engagement element 16 is mounted or can be mounted in the (second) (bearing) opening 21.

[0163] In a third plane, a holding element or a counter-structure 46 is formed. This holding element or this counter-structure 46 is formed by an oval or circular structure or plane, which covers the second shaft 22 or 16e or, in the assembled state, covers (at least partially) the edge of the (second) (bearing) opening 21 or has a larger diameter than the latter. This prevents the second engagement element 16 from falling out of the (second) (bearing) opening 21 along its axis of rotation or from being removed (here along the Y-direction y). It is understood that the first engagement element 15 can be designed analogously or essentially identically or essentially mirror-inverted to the second engagement element 16. A difference can be an operating element 25 arranged on the first engagement element 15 or integrally connected thereto, or an engagement structure, for example for (detachable) attachment, for examplea motor or the like. The operating element 25 or the engagement structure can assume the function of the counterstructure 46 or the holding element.

[0164] Figure 3b shows the first engagement element 15, which is formed integrally with the actuating element or operating element 25, by way of example. In both cases (first engagement element 15 here and second engagement element 16 in Fig. 3a), it is shown by way of example that two drive teeth 15a, 16a, one engagement tooth 15b, 16b, one blocking tooth 15c, 16c, and one support tooth 15d, 16d are present. In addition, in both cases a shaft 19, 22 or 16e is provided: a first shaft 19 between the operating element 25 and the first engagement element 15, and the second shaft 22 or 16e of the second engagement element 16, already described above. The actuating element or operating element 25 is U-shaped here and has a first engagement element 15 on each of its two long legs. The first two engagement elements 15 are of identical design. This also allows for the assembly of the actuating element orof the operating element 25 rotated by 180° on the connector 1 or on its housing 40.

[0165] Figure 4 shows two further possible embodiments of the connecting device 14. In both cases, only two engagement elements 15, 16 are provided, which are designed here as gears, for example, which would engage directly with each other, without an intermediate element 17.

[0166] On the left side of Fig. 4, a case is shown with a small distance b' between the first counter-engagement element 2a and the second counter-engagement element 2b.

[0167] On the right side of Fig. 4, a case is shown in which the distance b between the first and second counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b is significantly greater than the distance b' from the left side of Fig. 4. The first and second engagement elements 15, 16 are designed as meshing gears, as on the left side. In this case, however, the first and second engagement elements 15, 16 have a significantly elongated or oval shape in order to continue to be in direct engagement with the first and second counter-engagement elements 2a, 2b and at the same time do not protrude beyond the base body 3 along the plug-in direction z. As the distance b increases, this makes rotation more difficult or at least makes it impossible for the angle of rotation required for plugging together. Alternatively, the diameter of approximately round alternative comparison engagement elements could also be increased (not shown here). However, in this case, for example,From a distance b that exceeds the height of the base body 3 or the housing 40, there is a risk that the alternative comparison engagement elements protrude beyond the base body 3 (or the housing 40) in the insertion direction z in a disruptive manner. Furthermore, different comparison engagement elements would have to be manufactured for each distance b, which would result in higher costs.

[0168] Figure 5a shows a schematic perspective view of a base body 3 of a connector 1, wherein the base body 3 has a wall 4. This wall is designed similarly to the connector 1 from Figs. 1 to 4. For reasons of clarity, only the second engagement element 16 and the intermediate element 17 are shown in the connecting device 14. The operating element 25 with the first engagement element 15 is not shown (also in Figs. 5b, 6a, and 6b).

[0169] The base body 3 of the connector 1 is frame-shaped with a plurality of legs 41, 75, 76, 77, which are part of the wall 4. On opposite legs 41, 75, which here extend, for example, along the X-direction x, an arrangement of a first engagement element 15 (not shown here), a second engagement element 16, and an intermediate element 17 is attached. The legs 41, 75 along the X-direction x are connected by transverse legs 76, 77, which extend along the Y-direction y. In this way, the frame-shaped base body 3 is formed with a quadrangular contour.

[0170] In Fig. 5a, it can also be seen that a mat seal 62 is arranged in the interior space 70 of the base body 3. This mat seal is arranged above a contact carrier with contact chambers 63, wherein contact elements 50 can be arranged in the contact chambers 63. The mat seal 62 and the contact carrier can also be referred to as intermediate bodies, which are parts of the housing 40. Here, the contact carrier and mat seal 62 are detachably attached or mounted to the base body 3, for example.

[0171] Furthermore, in Fig. 5a (as well as in Fig. 6a), a base body outer contour line 9 is drawn, which represents the outer contour of the base body 3, in particular in that region of the base body 3 facing the cover 5 (see Figs. 5b to 5e). The base body outer contour line 9 corresponds here, for example, to a contour line of a shadow that is generated by the base body 3 when light is incident on the base body 3 along the insertion direction z, in particular a shadow cast by the region of the base body 3 facing the cover 5 and on which the cover 5 rests.

[0172] At the corners of the base body 3, fastening structures 64 are provided, here, for example, in the form of a recess with a cross strut, which serve to fasten or support the cover 5. The cover 5 can be coupled to these fastening structures 64 by means of counter-fastening structures 65 arranged on the cover 5 (see, for example, Figs. 5b, 5c, 5d, 7a, 7b). These counter-fastening structures 65 are designed, for example, as projections on a lower end of the cover 5 and can be inserted into the recess beneath the cross strut. Furthermore, locking elements 47 (here, for example, as outwardly projecting locking lugs) for coupling with counter-locking elements 48 (see Fig. 5b) of the cover 5 are arranged on the base body 3, here, for example, on the opposite (longitudinal) legs 41, 75, wherein the counter-locking elements 48 are designed, for example, as recesses in the cover wall 6 of the cover 5.

[0173] The fastening structures 64 and the locking elements 47 are formed mirror-symmetrically to a center plane of the base body 3.

[0174] This allows the cable outlet direction C to be adjusted by optionally mounting the cover 5 in two different directions (here: along or against the X direction x).

[0175] Figure 5b shows a schematic perspective view of a connector 1 with the base body 3 from Fig. 5a. Figure 5c shows a schematic perspective view of the connector 1 from Fig. 5b with mounted operating element 25. Figures 5d and 5e show two schematic perspective views of the connector 1 from Fig. 5c with the

[0176] Operating element 25 in different positions P1, P2. Figure 6a shows a schematic top view of a base body 3 of a connector 1, and Figure 6b shows a schematic top view of a connector 1 with the base body 3 from Figure 6a. Figures 5b to 6b are described together below.

[0177] Figure 5b shows a plug connector 1, designed for mating with a mating connector 2 along a mating direction z. The plug connector 1 has a housing 40 with a base body 3 with a wall 4, a cover 5 with a cover wall 6, wherein the cover 5 can be mounted on the base body 3 in a way that is exemplary both detachable (non-destructively detachable) and rotatable by 180° (in Fig. 5b it is mounted with a cable outlet direction along the X direction x). The cover 5 is mounted here merely as an example in a stationary manner relative to the base body 3, ie: in the mounted state it cannot be displaced relative to the base body 3, e.g. moved or rotated. The cover wall 6 runs in a support region 7 on an outer side 8 of the wall 4 of the base body 3. It overlaps with the wall 4. In Fig.5b also shows by way of example that the cover wall 6 in the support area 7 runs outside the base body outer contour line 9 of the base body 3.

[0178] Here, for example, two support areas 7 are provided on the cover 5. For example, one support area 7 is provided on each side of the cover 5 (see also Figs. 6b, 7c, 7d). In other embodiments, it may also be provided that only a single support wall area 7 is present on the cover 5, or that more than two support areas 7 are provided on the cover 5.

[0179] The support wall region or support region 7 runs (or both support wall regions 7 run) here, for example, along the X-direction x and also extends / extends, for example, parallel to the insertion direction z, wherein it can take up approximately 10% to 50% of the height of the cover 5, preferably between 15% and 30%, for example parallel to the insertion direction z. In other embodiments, it can also be provided that if there is more than one support region 7, these do not all run parallel to one another. For example, a support wall region or support region 7 can also be provided in the yz-plane. In the case of round or oval cover cross-sections / base body cross-sections, a support wall region or support region 7 can also run in the circumferential direction around the insertion direction. This can prevent or reduce deformation of the wall 4 of the base body 3.This makes it possible to keep the wall thickness of the wall 4 of the base body 3 low without compromising the stability of the housing 40.

[0180] In Fig. 5b (as in Fig. 6b), a cover outer contour line 13 is also shown, which outlines an outer contour of the cover 5, particularly in the area of ​​the cover 5 that faces the base body 3 or comes into contact with it. It can be seen that in the support area 7, the cover outer contour line 13 runs outside the housing outer contour line 9.

[0181] The support region 7 is designed here, for example, such that the support region 7 and / or the cover wall 6 in the support region 7 blocks a deformation of the wall 4 of the base body 3 outwards, in particular away from the interior space 70 of the base body 3 (radially outwards).

[0182] The cover wall 6 in the support region 7 projects outwards transversely to the insertion direction z, wherein a support wall section 10 of the cover wall 6 running essentially parallel to the (here: adjacent) wall 4 of the base body 3 in the support region 7 is connected on at least two sides 11 to the cover wall 6 outside the support region 7 by connecting wall sections 12 of the cover wall 6 (see also Figs. 5d, 7b, 7d). The support region 7 projects laterally from the cover 5 or the normal course of the cover wall 6 like a type of hood or scoop. In Fig. 5d it can be clearly seen that the support wall section 10 is connected to the cover wall 6 outside the support region 7 on the side facing the cover opening 74 by a, for example, closed, wall piece.Furthermore, the supporting wall section 10 is connected to the cover wall 6 outside the support area 7 on the (upper) side facing away from the base body 3 by a further wall section, which is also closed here, for example. The upper connecting wall section 12 runs obliquely here, in particular obliquely to the supporting wall section 10 and obliquely to the cover wall 6.

[0183] The two-sided connection with different directions or surface orientations of the connecting wall sections 12 advantageously increases the support function of the support area 7 or the support wall section 10. The cover wall 6 is rigidly connected in the support area 7 to the cover wall 6 outside the support area 7. This improves the support function and counteracts deformation of the wall 4 of the base body 3.

[0184] In Figs. 5b and 6b, it is clearly visible that the cover outer contour line 13 of the cover wall 6 runs, at least in sections, within the base body outer contour line 9 of the base body 3. In Figs. 5b and 6b, the cover outer contour line 13 runs, for example, along at least 20% of the extension length of the cover outer contour line 13 within the base body outer contour line 9, here even more than 50%. However, no part of the (lateral) cover wall 6 runs along the inner wall of the base body or in the interior space 70 (of the base body) in which the contact carrier and the mat seal 62 are arranged.

[0185] It should be noted that in the area of ​​the lid opening 74 no lid outer contour line 13 is drawn, since the lid 5 does not rest on the base body 3 or is in contact with it in this area.

[0186] The two support areas 7 are arranged here, for example, on the same side of the connector 1 as the first engagement element 15 and / or the second engagement element 16. Here, the two support areas 7 are arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the second engagement element 16.

[0187] The wall 4 of the base body 3 here has, for example, a plurality of slots 23, which serve, for example, as insertion recesses 18b, 21b or as a guide element 43 (slot-shaped recess). The slots 23, which serve as insertion recesses 18b, 21b, have an open end 24 facing the cover 5 and extend from the open end 24 into the first or second (bearing) opening 18, 21. The two support areas 7 here, for example, each cover the slot 23 or the insertion recess 21b of the second engagement element 16 (in particular laterally in the X direction X, but also along the insertion direction z).

[0188] Figures 5c and 5d show the plug connector 1 with the operating element 25, which is designed here, for example, as a U-shaped lever 26 with two lever arms and a connecting element, the operating element 25 being shown in the first position P1 in Fig. 5c and in the second position P2 in Fig. 5d. The operating element 25 can here, for example, due to the U-shaped design and the close mounting on the wall 4 of the base body 3, also counteract an outward deformation of the wall 4, e.g. during the plugging process or during operation. However, in other embodiments, it can be provided that the cover 5 alternatively or additionally has a support region 7 in the region of the first engagement element 15 (here, therefore, in the region in which the operating element 25 is mounted or arranged on the base body 3). If the operating element 25 were designed as a rotatable lever 26 and arranged on the base body 3, it would then have to be spread out somewhat further orhave a recess that can rotate around the support area 7.

[0189] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5c and 5d, the support area further advantageously ensures, through the outwardly displaced cover wall 6, that the lever 26 cannot be moved too far (beyond the second position P2). The support area 7 or the support wall section 10 represents a stop for the operating element 25 and can thus provide a technician with haptic feedback in difficult visibility conditions regarding the reaching of the end position or the second position P2.

[0190] Figures 7a and 7b show two different schematic perspective views of a cover 5 configured for mounting on a base body 3 of a connector 1. Figures 7c and 7d show a schematic view from below into a cover interior 71 of the cover 5 from Fig. 7a and a schematic rear view of the cover 5 from Fig. 7a. Figures 7a to 7d are described together below.

[0191] The cover 5 has - as already described above - a cover wall 6, wherein in particular the cover 5 can be mounted on the base body 3 detachably and / or rotatably by 180°, wherein the cover wall 6 is designed in a support region 7 such that in the support region 7, when mounted on the base body 3, it runs on an outer side 8 of the wall 4 of the base body 3, in particular overlapping with the wall 4, in particular wherein the cover wall 6 runs outside a base body outer contour line 9 of the base body 3 in the support region 7.

[0192] In Figs. 7a to 7c, the outer contour line 13 of the cover is clearly shown, whereby the outer contour line 13 of the cover is to be understood here, by way of example, as the outer contour line in the area of ​​the contact point between the cover 5 and the base body. In Fig. 7a, it is clearly visible that the supporting wall section 10 is open at its end facing away from the cover opening 74, through which the cables can exit the connector 1 into the external environment 72. This advantageously enables simple assembly of the cover 5 on the base body 3. For this purpose, the cover 5 can, for example, first be pushed parallel to the X-direction x with its counter-fastening structures 65 (projections or lugs) into the fastening structures 64 (recesses with upper cross strut) and, at the end of the assembly process, can be locked with the counter-locking element 48 (recess in the cover wall 6) with the locking elements 47 (locking hooks) of the base body 3.

[0193] It is understood that a connector 1 with a housing 40 having a cover 5 with a support region 7 can also be designed, for example, without a connecting device 14.

[0194] For example, a plug connector 1 can also be provided which has a connecting device 14 which is coupled to the housing 40, in particular attached to the housing 40, and is designed to connect and / or lock the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2, the connecting device 14 being adjustable or displaceable between a first position K1 and a second position K2, the connecting device 14 having (only) a first engagement element 15 which is arranged in particular rotatably on the housing 40, the first engagement element 15 being designed to couple to a mating engagement element 2a, 2b of the mating plug connector 2, in particular to engage therein, in order to displace the plug connector 1 towards the mating plug connector 2, in particular parallel to the plugging direction, e.g.

Claims

1 . Connector (1) designed to be mated with a mating connector (2) along a mating direction (z), the connector (1) comprising: - a housing (40) with — - a base body (3) with a wall (4), — - a lid (5) with a lid wall (6), wherein in particular the lid (5) is detachably mountable and / or rotatable by 180° on the base body (3), wherein the lid (5) is in particular fixedly mountable on the base body (3) relative to the base body (3), wherein the lid wall (6) runs in a support region (7) on an outer side (8) of the wall (4) of the base body (3), in particular overlapping with the wall (4), in particular wherein the lid wall (6) runs in the support region (7) outside a base body outer contour line (9) of the base body (3).

2. Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support region (7) is designed such that the support region (7) and / or the cover wall (6) in the support region (7) blocks a deformation of the wall (4) of the base body (3) outwards, in particular away from an interior space (70) of the base body (3).

3. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the cover wall (6) in the support region (7) projects outwards transversely to the insertion direction (z), wherein a support wall section (10) of the cover wall (6) running essentially parallel to, in particular adjacent, the wall (4) of the base body (3) in the support region (7) is connected on at least two sides (11) to the cover wall (6) outside the support region (7) by connecting wall sections (12) of the cover wall (6), wherein in particular at least one of the connecting wall sections (12) runs obliquely, and / or - wherein the cover wall (6) in the support area (7) is rigidly or rigidly connected to the cover wall (6) outside the support area (7).

4. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cover outer contour line (13) of the cover wall (6) runs at least partially within the base body outer contour line (9) of the base body (3), in particular along at least 20% or at least 30% of the extension length of the cover outer contour line (13).

5. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the connector (1) further comprising: - a connecting device (14) coupled to the housing (40), in particular attached to the housing (40), designed to connect and / or lock the plug connector (1) and the mating plug connector (2), wherein the connecting device (14) is adjustable or displaceable between a first position (K1) and a second position (K2), wherein the connecting device (14) has a first engagement element (15) which is arranged in particular rotatably on the housing (40), wherein the first engagement element (15) is designed to couple to a counter-engagement element (2a, 2b) of the mating plug connector (2), in particular to engage therein, in order to displace the plug connector (1) towards the mating plug connector (2), in particular parallel to the plugging direction (z), when the connecting device (14) is displaced or adjusted from the first position (K1) to the second position (K2).

6. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, the connector further comprising: - a connecting device (14) coupled to the housing (40), in particular attached to the housing (40), designed to connect and / or lock the plug connector (1) and the mating plug connector (2), wherein the connecting device (14) is adjustable or displaceable between a first position (K1) and a second position (K2), wherein the connecting device (14) comprises: — - a first engagement element (15), — - a second engagement element (16); - wherein the first engagement element (15) and the second engagement element (16) are rotatably coupled to the housing (40), in particular are rotatably arranged on the housing (40), - wherein the first engagement element (15) and the second engagement element (16) are coupled to one another in such a way that a rotation of the first engagement element (15) causes a rotation of the second engagement element (16), wherein in particular the two engagement elements (15, 16) are designed to couple to respective counter-engagement elements (2a, 2b) of the mating connector (2), in particular to engage therein, in order to displace the connector (1) towards the mating connector (2), in particular parallel to the plug-in direction (z), when the connecting device (14) is displaced or adjusted from the first position (K1) to the second position (K2).

7. Plug connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting device (14) further comprises an intermediate element (17) which is designed to transmit a rotational movement of the first engagement element (15) to the second engagement element (16), wherein the intermediate element (17) is displaceable, in particular linearly, on the Housing (40) is arranged, in particular such that a direction of rotation of the first engagement element (15) is always opposite to a direction of rotation of the second engagement element (16).

8. Connector (1) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the support region (7) is arranged on the same side of the connector (1) as the first engagement element (15) and / or the second engagement element (16).

9. Connector (1) according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein a first bearing opening (18) is provided in the base body (3), wherein a first shaft (19) of the first engagement element (15) defines the first bearing opening (18) extends from an outer space (20) of the base body (3) inwards, and / or wherein a second bearing opening (21) is provided in the base body (3), wherein a second shaft (22) of the second engagement element (16) forms the second Bearing opening (21) extends from an outer space (20) of the base body (3) to the inside.

10. Plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (4) of the base body (3) has a slot (23), wherein the support region (7) covers the slot (23), wherein in particular the slot (23) has an open end (24) which faces the cover (5), in particular wherein the slot (23) extends from its open end (24) into the first or into the second bearing opening (18, 21). 11 . Connector according to one of the preceding claims and according to claim 5 or 6, the connector further comprising: an operating element (25), in particular a lever (26), which can be displaced from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2), in particular relative to the base body (3) and / or to the cover (4), wherein the operating element (25) is designed in particular to reduce the operating force when connecting the connector (1) and the mating connector (2), wherein the operating element (25) is operatively connected to the connecting device (14) in such a way that a displacement of the operating element (25) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) causes an adjustment of the connecting device (14) from the first position (K1) to the second position (K2), in particular wherein the operating element (25) is fixedly connected to the first engagement element (15) or is connected to the second engagement element (16), in particular wherein the operating element (25) can be mounted on the base body (3).

12. Connector according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the operating element (25) can be mounted on the housing (40), in particular on the base body (3), so as to be rotatable by 180°, and a displacement of the operating element (25) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in both mounting directions causes an adjustment of the connecting device (14) from the first position (K1) to the second position (K2).

13. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (40), in particular the base body (3), is designed to receive a collar (28) of the mating connector (2).

14. Connector assembly (100), the connector assembly (100) comprising: - a connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims; - a mating connector (2) with a mating connector housing (27), in particular, wherein the mating connector housing (27) has at least one mating engagement element (2a, 2b), in particular wherein the mating connector housing (27) has a collar (28) which is designed to be received in the housing (40), in particular the base body (3), of the plug connector (1), in particular wherein the at least one mating engagement element (2a, 2b) is arranged on a collar outer side (29) of the collar (28).

15. Cover (5) designed for mounting on a base body (3) of a plug-in connector (1), wherein the cover (5) has a cover wall (6), wherein in particular the cover (5) can be mounted on the base body (3) detachably and / or rotatably by 180°, wherein the cover wall (6) is designed in a support region (7) such that in the support region (7) when mounted on the base body (3) it runs on an outer side (8) of the wall (4) of the base body (3), in particular overlapping with the wall (4), in particular wherein the cover wall (6) runs outside a base body outer contour line (9) of the base body (3) in the support region (7).

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