Plug connector for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections, comprising a locking device for locking the plug connector plug to a plug connector mating plug in the plugged-together state, and a plug connector position securing means for detachably fixing the locking device in the locking position by means of at least one latch, wherein the plug connector position securing means is movably arranged in a linear guide of the locking device and the plug connector position securing means releasably fixes the locking device when the plug connector position securing means is displaced into the end position of the linear guide, wherein the at least one latch is arranged in a recess of the locking device such that the at least one latch inaccessible to the human hand and can only be opened by a tool, wherein the plug connector position securing means together with the linear guide supports an intermediate position of the plug connector position securing means in which the latch is not latched or is loaded by deflection when the locking device is in the closed position when the plug connector plug is not plugged together with a plug connector mating plug.

Description

[0001] March 5, 2026

[0002] -1-

[0003] Description

[0004] Connectors for detachable, electrically conductive connections

[0005] The invention relates to a connector for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections, comprising a locking device for locking the connector plug with a mating connector plug in the connected state, and a connector position lock for releasably fixing the locking device in the locking position by at least one detent, wherein the connector position lock is movably arranged in a linear guide of the locking device and the connector position lock releasably fixes the locking device when the connector position lock is moved into the end position of the linear guide.

[0006] For contacting or creating detachable, electrically conductive connections, plug connectors, contact elements, pole connectors, sockets, etc., are used in a wide variety of designs and variants. In particular, but not exclusively, for electrical contacting tasks in the higher power range, contact systems have been developed that are based on prismatic geometries for accommodating one or more contact pins.

[0007] Connector systems, connectors, and detachable connectors are often implemented with one or more contact pins and, in addition to reliable, detachable, and durable electrically conductive contact, must also be secured against unintentional disconnection or disconnection caused by axial tensile stress. To achieve this objective, connector systems, connectors, and detachable connectors are equipped with locking mechanisms to prevent (unintentional, unwanted) unlocking and disconnection of the contact. These locking mechanisms can be functionally divided into primary and secondary locking mechanisms. The primary locking mechanism secures the contact partners in the contact position, while the secondary locking mechanism prevents (unintentional) opening of the connector.

[0008] Primary locking. March 5, 2026

[0009] -2-

[0010] Locking solutions, and especially primary locking mechanisms for connector systems, connectors, and detachable connectors, can in principle be implemented directly within the contact partners, connector contacts, or connector pins, or they can be integrated into the respective connector housings. In the latter case, this is referred to as housing locking or CPA (Connector Position Assurance). Generally, CPA is understood to be a connector position locking mechanism that ensures a mated connector pair remains connected after mating.

[0011] In the prior art, screw locks are frequently used as primary locking devices in circular connectors. These locking devices are typically permanently attached to the respective connectors and are supplemented by secondary locking devices to prevent unintentional disconnection. In the prior art, locking devices are usually spring-like arrangements that engage with corresponding openings or detents, thereby locking two parts of a circular connector.

[0012] Circular connectors are also known, in which the connection is made via so-called bayonet locks. An alternative type of lock is a rotary lock, which, similar to a bayonet lock, is attached to the connectors in such a way that the connector pair is secured to a locking thread by means of a locking screw.

[0013] Interlocks are particularly problematic when they are intended to prevent the lock from being unintentionally or improperly released and / or the live connector from being pulled out. In the latter case, especially in high-voltage applications, arcs can ignite, posing a safety hazard and potentially causing death.

[0014] Locking mechanisms are often based on the detent principle. Following the functional principle of a snap-action latch, locking hook, or engagement with an undercut, the often elastically designed locking elements interlock detachably. March 5, 2026

[0015] German patent DE 101 10092 C1 presents a housing locking mechanism for a connector in which two locking elements interact elastically. The mechanism includes a first locking element on a first connector housing part, a second locking element on a second connector housing part, and a locking slide. The end face of the locking slide, held by spring force, resists the insertion of the first locking element into the second locking element. Once the locking position is reached, the locking slide blocks both the first and second locking elements, thus providing a secondary locking mechanism and a primary locking mechanism provided by the locking elements. After reaching the locking position, the first locking element releases the spring-loaded locking slide, allowing it to spring back to its initial position.In this position, the locking slide presses the first locking element into the second locking element with its end face, bearing against an inner wall of the first housing part, and pulling the locking slide in the opposite direction against the spring force brings its end face into a recess in the inner wall of the housing, into which it moves and releases the locking with the second locking element.

[0016] A similar solution for the primary and secondary locking of a connector by means of a housing lock is described in DE 197 14459 A1. This connector provides that the two connector parts to be connected are driven away from each other by spring force if they do not securely lock in the end position (plug end position) by means of the housing lock. This is achieved by a locking slide whose end face, due to spring force, resists the insertion of a first locking element on a first housing part into a second locking element on a second housing part until these elements are locked together. The slide then acts as a secondary lock, securing the locking elements in the locked position.

[0017] German patent DE 102013205447 A1 discloses a connector with a connector housing that has a main body made of plastic with an internal contact chamber for receiving an electrical plug contact. The connector housing also features a housing locking mechanism, for example in the form of a locking element, which is slidable relative to the main body along one of the connector's mating directions. The housing locking mechanism ensures that the connector housing and a mating plug housing are correctly locked together. The housing locking mechanism secures the correctly locked connection and prevents unintentional disconnection of the connection or the locking mechanism. March 5, 2026

[0018] DE 69907832 T2 describes a position locking system for an electrical connector, comprising a housing with a guide and at least one stop surface near the guide. A primary flexible locking arm is pivotably mounted on the housing and includes a locking mechanism for mechanical locking with a cooperating locking mechanism of the mating connector. A CPA device is slidably mounted on the housing for movement along the guide between a first position, which allows movement of the locking arm and mating of the connector plug with the mating connector, and a second position, which prevents movement of the locking arm away from a locked position.The CPA (Closing Position Attachment) incorporates a flexible stop arm that engages with the stop surface on the housing to prevent the CPA from moving from its first position to the second position. The connector includes an actuating device to automatically disengage the CPA's flexible stop arm from the stop surface when the plug is fully mated with the mating connector. This allows the CPA to move from its first position to its second position, indicating complete mating of the connector.

[0019] Several existing connectors require an additional step for locking and unlocking. Such a step could involve lifting or pressing down a locking latch or performing an additional rotation of the outer sleeve, as is common with bayonet connectors. A disadvantage is that the connector can potentially be accidentally disconnected due to the simple unlocking process of pulling on the outer sleeve. Another disadvantage of these known connectors is that anyone with access to them can disconnect them without any tools. Accidental, deliberate, or unauthorized disconnection cannot always be prevented with these known connectors.

[0020] The previously described and other available state-of-the-art technologies may not always be convincing, depending on the operating conditions of the connectors, the assembly requirements, or economic considerations. In particular, accidental, deliberate, or unauthorized disconnection of the connector is not always reliably prevented. In other words, the tamper resistance of CPAs for connectors is often not guaranteed. March 5, 2026

[0021] -5-

[0022] Another frequently unresolved problem associated with secondary locking mechanisms using CPA devices with a snap-hook operating principle in conjunction with plug-in locking mechanisms in the form of pivot levers arises from the requirement that the pivot lever requires considerable space in the open position. This is particularly undesirable when the corresponding connector plug, to which the locking pivot lever is mounted, is stored, transported, and handled as a separate component.

[0023] If the locking lever of the connector plug is pivoted into the closed position when "empty," meaning outside the state of mating with the mating connector, the CPA locking hooks deflect, resulting in tension and thus stress. To exacerbate the problem, in this deflection state, the CPA locking hooks lack the contact shoulders of the mating connector, so the bending stress becomes maximum, similar to a beam clamped at only one end.

[0024] Stresses, and especially continuous stresses, can cause the CPA and / or the CPA locking hooks to be damaged or plastically deformed, thus causing the locking function to fail.

[0025] The object of the invention is to further develop detachable, electrically conductive plug connections with a locking device and a connector position assurance (CPA), so that the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially reduced and the tamper resistance and / or damage risks of the connector position assurance are improved.

[0026] To solve this problem, the invention proposes a locking device with connector position locking for detachable, electrically conductive connectors, in which the locking device interacts with the connector position locking in such a way that the connector position locking can only be opened in a tamper-proof manner using a tool, and the locking device can only be opened, i.e., unlocked. Additionally, the locking device and the connector position locking are designed such that the at least one CPA detent hook for locking the locking device in the locked position is not deflected when the locking device is "empty" in the closed position. March 5, 2026

[0027] -6-

[0028] The locking device is preferably designed as a pivot lever and works together with the connector position locking device, preferably in a design as a sliding element with CPA locking hook and lever locking rail.

[0029] The invention achieves tamper protection (i.e., accidental, arbitrary, or unauthorized disconnection of the connector by unlocking the locking device) by ensuring that opening the connector position lock, and thus releasing the locking device, is only possible with a tool and not by hand. This is achieved by a recessed access point for the at least one CPA locking hook within the pivot lever housing and the linear guide of the connector position lock, and optionally supplemented by a housing thickening adjacent to the recessed access point.

[0030] According to the invention, the risk of damage to the connector position locking mechanism is reduced by preventing the at least one CPA locking hook from being deflected when the locking mechanism is "empty" in the closed position. This is achieved by at least one lever locking rail of the connector position locking mechanism, which interacts with a housing stop lug in the linear guide for the connector position locking mechanism in the locking device and with a housing bolt in the connector housing, thus holding the connector position locking mechanism in a position where the at least one CPA locking hook is not deflected and therefore largely unloaded when the pivot lever is closed.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures. These show:

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a connector plug with locking device and connector position lock;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the side view of the connector plug with the opening open.

[0034] Locking device; March 5, 2026

[0035] -7-

[0036] Fig. 3a shows a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in a first linear position, the pre-lock position within the linear guide of the swivel lever housing;

[0037] Fig. 3b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in the first linear position, the pre-lock position and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 3a;

[0038] Fig. 3c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane, this again in the first linear position, the pre-lock position and thus in a positioning state as before Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b;

[0039] Fig. 3d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane as previously shown in Fig. 3c;

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a connector plug with locking device and connector position lock from Fig. 1 plugged together with a mating connector plug;

[0041] Fig. 5a shows a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in a second linear position, the intermediate position within the linear guide of the pivot lever housing;

[0042] Fig. 5b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in the second linear position, the intermediate position, and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 5a; March 5, 2026

[0043] Fig. 5c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane, this again in the second linear position, the intermediate position and thus in a positioning state as before Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b;

[0044] Fig. 5d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane as previously shown in Fig. 5c;

[0045] Fig. 6a shows the perspective detail view of the lever locking hook in the intermediate position of the connector position lock and the situation where the locking device is “empty” in the closed position;

[0046] Fig. 6b shows a perspective detail view of the lever locking hook in the intermediate position of the connector position lock and the situation where the connector plug is plugged into the mating connector plug;

[0047] Fig. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of a connector plug with locking device and connector position lock from Fig. 1, plugged together with a mating connector plug;

[0048] Fig. 8a shows a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in a third linear position, the end position within the linear guide of the swivel lever housing;

[0049] Fig. 8b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in the third linear position, the end position and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 8a; March 5, 2026

[0050] -9-

[0051] Fig. 8c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane, this again in the third linear position, the end position and thus in a positioning state as before Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b;

[0052] Fig. 8d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane as previously shown in Fig. 8c;

[0053] Fig. 9 shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock in its central section plane;

[0054] Fig. 10 shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug with locking device and connector position lock, with the recess inside the pivot lever housing of the locking device and a dimensional comparison with a link in its central section plane.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30. The exemplary connector 1 is shown as an angled connector plug; other connector plugs 1 are also included in the invention. At least one cable cover 4 can be provided as an integral part of the connector housing 2.

[0056] The connector plug 1 has a connector plug housing 2 to which a locking device 10 is movably attached on the outside. In this exemplary embodiment, the locking device 10 is designed as a pivot lever 11 with a pivot lever housing 12, which is pivotably coupled to the connector housing 2 on the outside. March 5, 2026

[0057] -10-

[0058] At least in some areas within the pivot lever housing 12, a linear guide 13 is formed which can slidably accommodate a connector position lock 30 and guides it linearly.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows the side view of the connector plug 1 with the locking device 10, 11 open, i.e. unlocked. The connector position lock 30 is arranged in a first linear position, the pre-lock position, within the linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12.

[0060] Fig. 3a includes a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in a first linear position, the pre-lock position within the linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12.

[0061] The connector position lock 30 is locked in the pre-lock position by at least one linear guide locking hook 35, which corresponds to a first linear guide locking mechanism 14 and engages in the first linear guide locking mechanism 14 in the pre-lock position.

[0062] Fig. 3b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in the first linear position, the pre-lock position and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 3a.

[0063] The connector position locking device 30 has at least one locking rail 32, which is received, at least partially and linearly displaceably, in a linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12 of the locking device 10, designed as a pivot lever 11. The at least one locking rail 32 guides the connector position locking device 30 linearly displaceably in the linear guide 13.

[0064] Fig. 3c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane, again in the first linear position, the pre-lock position, and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. The connector position lock 30 has a lever locking hook 33 which, in the pre-lock position, lies in front of a lever locking rail tunnel 5 in the axial linear insertion direction. March 5, 2026

[0065] -11-

[0066] Fig. 3d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane as shown in Fig. 3c above. The CPA locking hook 34 is not engaged with a locking device of the pivot lever housing 12 in the pre-locked position shown and is therefore not in a deflected, loaded position.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows the three-dimensional view of the connector plug 1 from Fig. 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 connected to a mating connector plug 6. The connector position lock 30 is in the intermediate position.

[0068] Fig. 5a includes a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in a second linear position, the intermediate position within the linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12.

[0069] The connector position lock 30 is locked in the intermediate position by at least one linear guide locking hook 35, which corresponds to a second linear guide locking mechanism 15 and engages in the second linear guide locking mechanism 15 in the intermediate position.

[0070] The intermediate position shown is achieved by the linear displacement of the connector position lock 30, starting from the pre-locking position in which the at least one linear guide locking hook 35 is engaged in the first linear guide detent 14, in the insertion direction E of the linear guide 13.

[0071] Fig. 5b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in the second linear position, the intermediate position, and thus in a positioning state as previously depicted in Fig. 5a. In this context, intermediate position means that the linear positioning of the connector position lock 30 in the linear guide 13 is between the pre-detent position (the at least one linear guide detent hook 35 is engaged in the first linear guide detent 14 of the pivot lever housing 12) and the end position. ATE24023-PGT

[0072] March 5, 2026

[0073] -12-

[0074] Fig. 5c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane, again in the second linear position, the intermediate position and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b. The connector position lock 30 has a lever locking hook 33 which, in the intermediate position, lies at the end of a lever locking rail tunnel 5 in the axial linear insertion direction.

[0075] A housing bolt 3 is movably guided in the lever locking rail tunnel 5 of the connector housing 2, which interacts with the lever locking hook 33. The nature of the interaction is explained in the description of Figs. 6a and 6b.

[0076] Fig. 5d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane as shown in Fig. 5c above. In the intermediate position shown, the CPA locking hook 34 is indeed engaged in the beginning of the linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12, but, as in the pre-locking position, it is not engaged with a locking device of the pivot lever housing 12 and therefore not in a deflected, loaded position.

[0077] Fig. 6a shows the perspective detail view of the lever locking hook 33 in the intermediate position of the connector position lock 30 and the situation that the locking device 10, 11 is “empty” (i.e. the connector plug 1 is not plugged together with the connector mating plug 6) in the closed position.

[0078] The lever locking hook 33 has at least one stop surface 33' at its end face, which interacts with a housing stop lug 20 of the locking device 10. The stop surface 33' and the housing stop lug 20 form a mechanical stop for the lever locking hook 33 as long as no deflection occurs in the deflection direction AR, so that the mechanical stop blocks displacement of the connector position lock 30 in the insertion direction E into the end position. March 5, 2026

[0079] -13-

[0080] Fig. 6b shows a perspective detail view of the lever locking hook 33 in the intermediate position of the connector position lock 30 and the situation where the connector plug 1 is connected to the mating connector plug 6. In this "non-empty" connection situation, the housing pin 3 is deflected in the deflection direction AR and moves the lever locking hook 33 at least far enough in the deflection direction AR that the mechanical stop is released and the connector position lock 30 can be moved along the insertion direction E within the linear guide 13 into its end position. The deflection direction AR is preferably largely orthogonal to the insertion direction E.

[0081] Fig. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the connector plug 1 from Fig. 4 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30, connected to a mating connector plug 6. The connector position lock 30 is in its end position, the position in which it secures the connected state of the connector plug 1 with the mating connector plug 6 by preventing the locking device 10, in the form of a pivot lever 11, from pivoting out of its closed position. This is achieved by at least one locking rail 32, which, in the end position of the connector position lock 30, engages in an associated linear engagement 7 when the pivot lever 11 is in its closed position.

[0082] Fig. 8a includes a section of a sectional top view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in a third linear position, the end position within the linear guide 13 of the pivot lever housing 12.

[0083] The connector position lock 30 is locked in the end position by at least one linear guide locking hook 35, which corresponds to a third linear guide locking mechanism 16 and engages in the third linear guide locking mechanism 16 in the end position.

[0084] The end position shown is achieved by the linear displacement of the connector position lock 30, starting from the intermediate position in which at least one linear guide locking hook 35 is engaged in the second linear guide detent 15, in the insertion direction E of the linear guide 13. March 5, 2026

[0085] -14-

[0086] Fig. 8b shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in the third linear position, the end position, and thus in a positioning state as previously depicted in Fig. 8a. End position in this context means that the connector position lock 30 is fully inserted into the linear guide 13 and the crossbar 31 of the connector position lock 30 serves simultaneously as an end stop and as a gripping surface for a user.

[0087] Fig. 8c shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane, again in the third linear position, the end position and thus in a positioning state as previously shown in Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b. The lever locking hook 33 of the connector position lock 30 is in the end position in the axial linear insertion direction.

[0088] Fig. 8d shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane as shown in Fig. 8c above. The CPA locking hook 34 is engaged in the end position shown with a corresponding CPA detent 21 of the pivot lever housing 13 and holds the connector position lock 30 in the position in which the at least one locking rail 32 engages in an associated linear engagement 7 when the pivot lever 11 is in its closed position.

[0089] Fig. 9 illustrates a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30 in its central section plane. The connector position lock 30 is in the third linear position, the end position.

[0090] The lever locking hook 33 of the connector position lock 30 is in its end position in the axial linear insertion direction, the insertion direction E. The CPA detent hook 34 engages with a corresponding CPA detent 21 of the pivot lever housing 12 and holds the connector position lock 30 in its end position, so that at least one locking rail 32 engages in an associated linear engagement 7 of the connector plug housing 2 when the pivot lever 11 is in its closed position and blocks the pivoting movement of the locking device 10 out of the closed position. March 5, 2026

[0091] -15-

[0092] In order to open the locking device 10 from its end position by linearly displacing the connector position lock 30 and to separate the connector plug 1 from the mating connector plug 6, the detent of the CPA locking hook 34 with the CPA detent 21 must be released. This is achieved by deflecting the CPA locking hook 34 in the opposite direction of deflection AR. The invention provides conditions so that this can be accomplished not with the limbs G of a user, but only with a tool W. For this purpose, the CPA locking hook 34 is recessed within a recess 17 in a recess opening 18, so that it cannot be reached with a limb G, for example, a finger.In this way, the design necessitates the use of an auxiliary tool, for example a screwdriver, to deflect the CPA locking hook 34 and thus enable the degree of freedom of movement of the connector position lock 30 in the linear guide 13 opposite to the insertion direction E. The inaccessibility of the CPA locking hook 34 due to the recess 17 can be further increased by the housing design adjacent to the recess opening 18 by means of at least one housing thickening 19.

[0093] In order to be able to deflect the CPA locking hook 34 against the deflection direction AR, a lever locking hook recess 37 is provided in the lever locking hook 33 below, into which the CPA locking hook 34 can be deflected in the end position of the connector position lock 30.

[0094] Fig. 10 shows a section of a sectional side view of the connector plug 1 with locking device 10 and connector position lock 30, with the recess 17 within the pivot lever housing 12 of the locking device 10 and a dimensional comparison with a link G in the central section plane of the connector position lock 30. Due to the selected dimensions of the design, a link G is unable to reach the CPA locking hook 34 in the recess 17. The use of a tool W, thus necessitated, provides tamper protection, i.e., preventing accidental, arbitrary, or unauthorized disconnection of the plug connection by manually unlocking the locking device 10 with a link G. March 5, 2026

[0095] -16-

[0096] Reference symbol list

[0097] 1 connector plug

[0098] 2 connector plug housings

[0099] 3 housing bolts

[0100] 4 Cable cover

[0101] 5 lever locking rail tunnels

[0102] 6 mating connectors

[0103] 7 Linear intervention

[0104] 10 Locking device

[0105] 11 swivel levers

[0106] 12 Swivel lever housings

[0107] 13 Linear guide

[0108] 14 first linear guide detent

[0109] 15 second linear guide detent

[0110] 16 third linear guide detent

[0111] 17 Jump back

[0112] 18 Return opening

[0113] 19 Housing thickening

[0114] 20 Housing stop nose

[0115] 21 CPA rest stop

[0116] 30 connector position lock

[0117] 31 Traverse

[0118] 32 locking rail

[0119] 33 Lever locking hooks

[0120] 33' stop surface

[0121] 34 CPA locking hooks

[0122] 35 linear guide locking hooks

[0123] 36 Locking hook stop

[0124] 37 Lever lock hook recess

[0125] AR deflection direction

[0126] E Insertion direction

[0127] G limb

[0128] W tool

Claims

March 5, 2026 -1- Claims 1. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections, comprising a locking device (10) for locking the connector plug (1) with a mating connector plug (6) in the connected state, and a connector position lock (30) for releasably fixing the locking device (10) in the locking position by means of at least one detent (21, 34), wherein the connector position lock (30) is movably arranged in a linear guide (13) of the locking device (10) and the connector position lock (30) releasably fixes the locking device (10) when the connector position lock (30) is moved into the end position of the linear guide, characterized in that the at least one detent (21, 34) is arranged in a recess (17) of the locking device (10), such that the at least one detent (21,34) is not accessible to limb G and can only be opened by a tool W, wherein the connector position lock (30) together with the linear guide (13) supports an intermediate position of the connector position lock (30) in which the latch (21, 34) is not latched or loaded by deflection when the locking device (10) is in the closed position with a connector plug (1) not connected to a mating connector plug (6).

2. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 1, characterized in that the return (17) is formed by a return opening (18) in the locking device (10).

3. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess (17) is supplemented by at least one housing thickening (19).

4. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector position locking device (30) has at least one lever locking hook (33). March 5, 2026 -2- 5. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector position locking device (30) has at least one locking rail (32).

6. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (10) is formed by a pivot lever (11) with a pivot lever housing (12).

7. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 6, characterized in that the linear guide (13) is arranged in the pivot lever housing (12) of the locking device (10).

8. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivot lever (11) is pivotable between an open position in which the connector plug (1) and the mating connector plug (6) can be plugged together or unplugged and a closed position in which the connector plug (1) and the mating connector plug (6) cannot be unplugged.

9. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one locking mechanism (21, 34) is formed by a CPA locking mechanism (21) of the locking device (10) and a CPA locking hook (34) of the connector position locking device (30).

10. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 9, characterized in that the linear guide (13) has a first linear guide detent (14) into which a linear guide detent hook (35) of the connector position lock (30) can be engaged, so that the connector position lock (30) is held in a pre-locked position in the linear guide (13). March 5, 2026 -3- 11. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 9, characterized in that the linear guide (13) has a second linear guide detent (15) into which a linear guide detent hook (35) of the connector position lock (30) can be engaged, so that the connector position lock (30) is held in an intermediate position in the linear guide (13).

12. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claim 9, characterized in that the linear guide (13) has a third linear guide detent (16) into which a linear guide detent hook (35) of the connector position lock (30) can be engaged, so that the connector position lock (30) is held in an end position in the linear guide (13).

13. Connector (1) for detachable, electrically conductive plug connections according to claims 5 and 12, characterized in that the at least one locking rail (32) in the end position of the connector position locking device (30) is partially retracted into a lever locking rail tunnel (5) of the connector plug housing (2), so that the locking device (10) cannot be moved out of the closed position.

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