CN107069349B

CN107069349B - Electrical plug-in connection and release element therefor

Info

Publication number: CN107069349B
Application number: CN201710063607.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁道夫·马斯泰尔
Original assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Current assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Priority date: 2016-02-05
Filing date: 2017-02-03
Publication date: 2020-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-03
Also published as: CN107069349A; DE102016102071B3

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug-in connection, comprising: a patch connector and a mating patch connector; a resiliently deflectable locking tab having a first locking element; a second locking element which is designed with the first locking element for fixing the plug connector to the mating connector and on which an actuating mechanism is provided which is designed for releasing the locking, which actuating mechanism has a first actuating section and a second actuating section, which second actuating section has a free end, a second locking element which is provided on the mating connector or on a component connected to the mating connector, a locking tab being provided on the plug connector, which locking tab is fixed in a fixed position on the plug connector and has an actuating opening, the free end of the second actuating section engaging in the actuating opening in order to release the locking, and the first actuating section being supported on the plug connector when the locking is released. The invention also relates to a release element for a plug-in connection.

Description

Electrical plug-in connection and release element therefor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical plug-in connector. The invention also relates to a release element for such a plug-in connection.

Background

In order to reliably hold the plug-in connection devices, also referred to as plug-in connection devices, formed by the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector to one another in the plugged-together state, a locking mechanism is required. There have been a number of proposals in the prior art for this purpose. See for example DE 102014107950 a 1. This already shows a plug-in connection with a locking device and an advantageous release mechanism to release the locking by means of a knee lever mechanism.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of further developing such an electrical plug-in connection.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical plug-in connection having a plug-in connector and a mating plug-in connector, each having electrical plug-in contact elements associated with one another and being designed for plugging together and for electrically contacting the associated plug-in contact elements in the plugged-together state; at least one resiliently deflectable locking tab having at least one first locking element; at least one second locking element, which is designed to interact with the first locking element in the plugged-together state in order to fix the plug connector to a mating plug connector, in such a way that: the first locking element is locked with the second locking element in the plugged-together state, and at least one actuating mechanism provided for releasing the locking by elastic deformation of a locking tab is provided on the plug connector, the actuating mechanism having a first actuating section and a second actuating section which is held movably relative to the first actuating section and has a free end, wherein the second locking element is provided on the mating plug connector or on a component connected to the mating plug connector, and the locking tab is provided on the plug connector, wherein the locking tab is fixed in a fixed position on the plug connector at least in the plugging direction and has an actuating opening into which the free end of the second actuating section engages for releasing the locking, wherein at least when the locking is released, the first operating section is supported on the plug-in connector.

In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the outset, in the plug-in connection according to the invention both the locking tabs and the actuating means are arranged on the plug-in connector and are associated with the plug-in connector accordingly. A second locking element is provided on the mating connector or on a component connected to the mating connector. In order to be able to actuate the locking tab associated with the plug-in connector in an advantageous manner, the locking tab has an actuating opening into which the free end of the second actuating section engages in order to release the locking. The actuating mechanism can have a first actuating section and a second actuating section which is held so as to be movable relative to the first actuating section and is therefore also permanently supported.

In this way, the elements required for locking and releasing the locking can be concentrated on a part of the electrical plug-type connection, i.e. the plug-type connector. This simplifies the production of the components of the electrical plug-in connection and the practical use thereof. With the device according to the invention, locking between the patch connector and the mating patch connector is thus possible, as in the prior art, in the first place. However, the invention allows other fields of application to be opened up, in particular the described locking and release mechanisms also being used in conjunction with mating plug connectors different from those in the prior art, for example circuit board plug connectors or other plug connectors without their own housing. Since the resilient locking tab does not have to be provided on the mating connector, but only a second locking element which interacts with the first locking element in order to form a locking, a plurality of possibilities for achieving this locking have been developed by the invention. Thus, for example, the second locking element can be realized on a housing of the mating connector as a simple recess or on a component connected to the mating connector, for example, if the mating connector does not have a housing. The locking opening thus allows locking with the first locking element in the form of a locking projection due to the locking edge formed thereby. In the case of a circuit board connector as mating connector, the second locking mechanism is formed, for example, as a recess in the circuit board on which the mating connector is fixed. This is simple to produce and does not require special mating of mating plug connectors.

However, the invention is not limited to the first locking element being provided with or formed as a locking projection. The second locking element can also have a locking projection or be designed as such a locking projection, for example. In this case, the first locking element can be configured as an opening in the locking web, which opening forms the locking edge, for example as a through-opening or as a blind hole. As mentioned, at least one first locking element can be present. For example, a plurality of spaced-apart latching hooks arranged next to one another can also be present.

By assigning both the locking tab and the actuating element to the plug-in connector, the following possibilities are also possible: the locking tab and the actuating mechanism are formed, for example, as part of a release element which is formed as a separate component and is connected to the plug connector, for example, to its insulating material housing. The connection can be made, for example, by a material-fit connection, for example by adhesive bonding, and/or by a form-fit connection, for example by a self-fastening element provided on the release element, in particular in the form of a push button and/or a locking projection.

By the actuating mechanism being formed with the first and second actuating sections, as was separately implemented above, simple and ergonomic actuation can be achieved, in particular when releasing the locking. Thus, a two-finger manipulation for releasing the locking is possible without the need for a second hand for gripping the patch connector.

A further advantage is that, with the plug-in connector arrangement according to the invention, a locking in the form of a lock between the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector can be achieved in as little construction space as possible. Although the locking force is high, the operating force required to release the locking is relatively small.

The invention also allows the first and second locking elements to be arranged substantially in the same plane, so that, in the event of tensile loading, substantially no release moment is generated and thus unintentional automatic release of the locking can be avoided. In particular, the locking plane and the unlocking manoeuvre can be brought close to each other.

Any change in the relationship between the first and second locking elements which are locked to one another can be understood here as a release of the locking, which change reduces the retaining force of the locking only in the plugging direction until the patch connector can be pulled out of the mating patch connector manually with a certain expenditure of force, or the retaining force is completely removed by the change, for example by: the first locking element is no longer engaged with the second locking element.

The first and second locking elements can connect the patch connector and the mating patch connector, for example, to one another in the plugged-together state, so that they cannot be separated from one another without unlocking the locking tab. The term "locking and unlocking" is therefore to be understood in the broadest sense as the connection of a patch connector and a mating patch connector to one another. The first and second locking elements can here form stops which prevent the plug connector from being pulled out of the mating plug connector.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element is part of a release element which is designed to release the locking and is provided on the plug-type connector. In this way, the actuating means can be formed, for example, as a common structural unit with the locking tab, the actuating means and the locking tab being two parts of the release element.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section is supported on an insulating material housing of the plug connector at least when the locking is released. Accordingly, the first actuating section can be fixedly mounted on the plug connector or can be movable in a certain range at least in the plug direction. A spatial axis in which the patch connector and the mating patch connector are patched together and these parts are released from each other is indicated as the patching direction. In order to support the first actuating section on the plug connector, a stop can be provided on the plug connector or on a component connected thereto.

The support on the insulating material housing can thus be realized, for example, in such a way that the first actuating section is fixed on the insulating material housing or the above-mentioned stop is arranged on the insulating material housing in such a way that the first actuating section can be supported on the insulating material housing at the latest when the stop is reached.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating mechanism has a toggle lever mechanism or is designed as such, which is used to move the second actuating section relative to the first actuating section when an actuating force acts on the actuating mechanism perpendicular to the plug-in direction. The knee lever mechanism in the context of the present invention therefore has two levers which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which are formed by the first and second actuating sections. By means of the force acting on the articulated connection between the first and second actuating sections, the actuating mechanism, i.e. the knee lever, is extended and displaced when the increasing force increases. Thereby, the second actuating section is caused to move towards the mating connector and thus towards the edge of the actuating opening.

By means of the actuating mechanism forming the toggle lever mechanism, a very compact and force-consuming actuation of the release element can be achieved, which exerts sufficient force on the locking web under the pressure acting on the actuating mechanism in order to unlock the locking web.

The hinge provided in the knee lever mechanism can be realized in the plug-in connection according to the invention, for example, by: the actuating element is made of a flexible, elastic material, so that the joint is formed by the elasticity of the actuating element.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section and the second actuating section of the actuating mechanism are formed as sections of an elastic spring arm in one piece. This allows a simple and cost-effective production of the actuating mechanism and a simple mounting of the actuating mechanism on the plug-in connector.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element is designed as an annular release web which can be elastically deflected. This allows for an advantageous design of the steering mechanism in terms of manufacturing and ergonomic use.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the free end of the second actuating section engages below the edge of the actuating opening when the locking is released, as a result of which the locking tab is elastically deformed. In this way, the locking tab can be said to be lifted and the first locking element moved away from the second locking element until it is no longer engaged with the second locking element and the locking is released.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the locking lug is formed as a structural unit which is produced in one piece with the actuating element and/or the release element. In this way, the locking tab and the actuating element or the release element can be produced particularly cost-effectively, for example as a plastic injection-molded part. Furthermore, such a structural unit can be fixed with little effort on a separately produced plug connector, for example on its insulating material housing.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the locking tab is connected to the plug-in connector via the connecting section and/or the base plate, wherein the locking tab has a free end at the other end (andecends), on which free end a first locking element is arranged. The free end of the locking tab or the region on which the first locking element is arranged can be arranged behind the actuating opening, as seen from the actuating mechanism. In this way, the locking tab, as seen from the actuating device by means of the first locking element, can be said to extend beyond the region at which the actuating device interacts with the actuating opening for releasing the locking.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section is connected to the plug connector in a non-movable manner or is fixed to the plug connector in a movable manner relative to the plug connector, wherein the movability is limited by a stop present on the plug connector, on which stop the first actuating section is supported on the plug connector at least when the locking is released. In this way, the actuating mechanism is reliably fixed to the plug connector so that it cannot be lost.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the second actuating section has, on its side facing the edge of the actuating opening of the locking tab, an unlocking contour which tapers towards the free end and which is guided into the actuating opening between the locking tab and the insulating material housing of the plug-and-socket connector when the locking is released. This simplifies the introduction of the second actuating section and the lifting of the locking tab to release the locking.

The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a release element for a plug connector device of the type set forth above, wherein the release element has an actuating mechanism with a first actuating section and a second actuating section which is held movably relative to the first actuating section and has a free end. The release element furthermore has a resiliently deflectable locking tab with a first locking element and an actuating opening. These mentioned elements of the release element can be separate components which are connected to one another, for example, by a material-fit and/or form-fit connection. The release element can also be designed as a one-piece component with the actuating mechanism and the locking tab. In any case, a unit separate from the patch connector is realized, namely a release element which can be coupled with the patch connector when required. In this way, the patch connector can be configured with or without locking as desired.

For this purpose, the release element can have a form-fitting fastening means for form-fitting fastening of the release element on the plug connector, for example in the form of a push button and/or a locking cam.

The above-mentioned features of the actuating element and of the locking tab are likewise advantageous refinements of the corresponding elements of the release element.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the release element has a fastening section for fastening a cable connected to the plug connector to the release element. The fastening section can be designed, for example, as an elongated section which, when the release element is mounted on the plug-type connector, projects from a connection side of the plug-type connector, on which connection side the cable is connected to the plug-type connector. In this way, via the fixing section, stress relief of the connected cable can be achieved in that: the cable is mechanically fixed to the fastening portion, for example, via a cable connector, other fastening means, in particular fastening means integrated into the release element.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of embodiments with the aid of the figures.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical plug-in connection, and

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a patch connector, an

Fig. 3 shows a side view and a part area shown in section of the electrical plug-in connection with the plug-in connector according to fig. 1, and

FIG. 4 shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 3, and

fig. 5 shows the plug-in connection according to the illustration of fig. 3 and the actuating mechanism actuated for releasing the locking, and

FIG. 6 shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 shows a first view of a perspective view of a first embodiment of a release member, and

fig. 8 shows a second view of a perspective view of the release element according to fig. 7, and

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the fastening side of the lower part of the release element according to FIG. 7, and

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the release element according to FIG. 7, and

FIG. 11 shows a view similar to FIG. 3 of a second embodiment of an electrical plug-in connection, and

FIG. 12 shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 11, and

fig. 13 shows an electrical plug-in connection with a plug-in connector fixed in a housing wall, and

fig. 14 shows a partial view of a third embodiment of a patch connection device with a release element, and

fig. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of a patch connection device with a release element.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for elements corresponding to each other.

Detailed Description

The electrical plug-type connection 9 shown in fig. 1 has a plug-type connector 7 and a mating plug-type connector 8 plugged together therewith. The patch connector 7 is connected with the mating patch connector 8 in the patch direction S and is released again from the mating patch connector in the same axial direction and in the opposite direction of movement. The patch connector 7 and the mating patch connector 8 each have associated electrical plug contact elements which are arranged within the respective insulating material housings of the patch connector 7 and of the mating patch connector 8 and are therefore not visible in the drawing. Such electrical plug-in connection devices are known, however, so that further discussion of these details is not necessary here. In any case, the mutually associated electrical plug contact elements bring about an electrical contact in the plugged-together state of the plug-in connection, so that electrical signals can be transmitted from the plug-in connector to the mating plug-in connector and vice versa.

In order to protect the patch connector 7 from accidental release in the plugged-together state on the mating patch connector 8, there is a locking which is effected by means of a release element 1 which in the embodiment of fig. 1 is laterally fixed on the patch connector 7, in particular on its insulating material housing 75. The release element 1 can be present only singly and be arranged only on one side of the insulating material housing 75, or on both sides, i.e. the second release element 1 can be arranged on the opposite side which is not visible in the view of fig. 1.

The release element 1 has a base plate 10, on which an actuating element 2 for releasing the locking is fastened via a connecting section 20. The actuating element 2 has a first actuating section 21 which is coupled to the base plate 10 via the connecting section 20 and is connected to the base plate 10 at least in a plugging direction S of the plug-in connection 9 in a non-movable manner. The actuating element 2 also has a second actuating section 22 in the region facing away from the connecting section 20, which second actuating section terminates at a free end 23 (see fig. 4).

The release element 1 has a locking tab 3 which is connected to the base plate 10 and which is resiliently deflectable relative to the base plate 10 and the patch connector 7 from the locking position shown in fig. 1 in order to cause the locking to be released.

The free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 engages into the actuating opening 30 of the locking tab 3. When the actuating element 2 is actuated by a laterally acting actuating force, for example in the transition region between the first actuating section 21 and the second actuating section 22, the actuating element 2 is resilient in the direction of the plug connector 7. Thereby, the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 executes a movement within the actuating opening 30 towards the mating plug connector 8. Thereby, the free end of the second operating section 22 slightly lifts the locking tab 3, thereby releasing the locking. This is described in more detail later according to other embodiments.

The patch connector 7 has a wire insertion opening 70 on a connection side 71 on the rear side of an insulating material housing 75, via which an electrical wire or cable can be connected to the patch connector 7.

As can be seen from fig. 1, the release element 1 can be arranged laterally on the plug connector 7, for example. The release element 1 can be universal and can, for example, also be fixed on the underside of the plug connector 2, as can be seen in fig. 2.

Fig. 2 furthermore shows the same design of the release element 1, wherein, due to a mating plug-in connector which is not shown here, a first locking element 31 in the form of a locking projection is visible in particular on the free end of the locking tab 3.

The plug-in side 72 (front face) of the plug-in connector 7 is also visible. For additional mechanical fastening to the mating connector, the plug connector 7 can also have a clamping projection 73, which additionally clamps the mating connector 8 securely to the plug connector 7.

The working principle of the release element 1 when locking and when releasing the locking will now be explained in detail with reference to fig. 3 to 6. Starting from the plug-in connector 7 with the release element 10 fixed on its underside, as shown in fig. 2. Furthermore, in each case one mating connector 8 is plugged onto the plug connector 7 in order to form an electrical plug connection 9. The locking of the plug-in connector 7 to the mating plug-in connector 8 is achieved by a simple plugging of the plug-in connector 7 to the mating plug-in connector 8. The locking element 31, which is designed as a locking projection, slides on the second locking element 81 by means of an inclined surface inclined with respect to the plug-in direction and is elastically deflected. As soon as the locking projection slides past the locking edge of the second locking element 81, the locking web 3 with the locking projection springs back, so that the locking projection locks onto the locking edge.

Fig. 3 and 4 show the locked state, and fig. 5 and 6 show the lock released by the actuation of the actuating element 2. Fig. 3 and 5 show a section through a specific region of the electrical plug-in connection 9 with a latching connection. The region with its surroundings is additionally depicted in fig. 4 and 6 as a partially enlarged view.

As can be seen from fig. 3 and 4, the first locking element 31 and the second locking element 81 provided on the mating connector 8 are designed such that they are successively locked in the locked state, so that the mating connector 7 cannot be released from the mating connector 8 in the plugging direction S or in the reverse release direction. For this, the locking first needs to be released. This is achieved, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, by loading the actuating element 2 with a force F which should have at least one main component transverse to the longitudinal direction of the release element 1. The actuating means 2, which is designed as a resilient tab, is thereby pressed in the direction of the plug connector 7, so that the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 is moved in the direction of the mating plug connector 8, wherein the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 slides over the surface of the insulating material housing 75 and then engages behind the edge 35 of the actuating opening 30 of the locking tab 3, and the locking tab 3 is lifted at least at its free end, so that the first locking element 31 is moved away from the second locking element 81 and no longer engages with it. In this state, the mating plug connector 8 is separated from the plug connector 7 without further effort. The edge 35 can have an inclined actuating contour in order to facilitate the lifting process of the locking tab 3. In this case, the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 has an abutment surface 24 which, in the non-actuated state, abuts flat against a surface of the insulating material housing 75, so that the free end 23 has a contour which tapers at an acute angle, in particular at least less than 90 °, by means of which the inclined edge 35 of the actuating opening 30 can be engaged in a simplified manner at the rear. In this position, the end-side tip of the free end 23 of the actuating section 22 is arranged below the inclined edge 35. In other words, the covering is provided by the edge 35 and the free end 23, so that the free end 23 of the actuating section 22 cannot leave the actuating opening 30 or be blocked there.

If the application of force F to actuating element 2 is terminated, actuating element 2 springs back again into the shape shown in fig. 4 due to its elastic design. Due to its elastic design, the locking tab 3 also springs back to the shape shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 7 to 10 show different views of the release element 1. Fig. 7 shows a view of the release element 1 on the loading side, on which the actuating element 2 projects, and fig. 8 shows it from the opposite side, which is the fastening side of the release element 1 for fastening to the plug-type connector 7. In addition to the components of the release element 1 already explained above, a positive-locking fastening element 11 is visible, which projects from the fastening side and is designed for being pressed into a corresponding recess on the insulating material housing 75 of the plug connector 7 in order to positively fasten the release element 1 on the insulating material housing 75 in this way.

Fig. 9 shows a plan view of the release element 1 on the fastening side. Fig. 10 shows a side view of the release element 1. The release element 1 can be realized as a one-piece structural unit, as can be seen in the figures. For example, two separate structural units can also form the release element 1, which is achieved in the following manner: for example, a separation between the partial component containing the actuating element 2 and the partial component containing the locking tab 3 is achieved, for example, by a separation of the assembly according to fig. 10 along the separation line T, i.e., the base plate 10 is thus divided into a partial region connected to the actuating element 2 and a partial region connected to the locking tab 3.

As is also clearly visible in fig. 10, the free end 23 of the actuating element 22 passes through or protrudes through the actuating opening 30 in the uninstalled state of the release element 1. This means that the actuating element 2 is displaced forward in the mounted and non-actuated state of the release element 1 according to fig. 3 and 4, so that the actuating element 2 is pretensioned in this state. The pretensioning causes the support actuator 2 to return to the non-actuated state, in which the locking tab is not deflected as long as the force F no longer acts on the actuator 2.

Fig. 11 and 12 show an embodiment of an electrical plug-in connection 9, in which the release element 1 has an actuating mechanism 2 which is designed as a separate component from the base plate 10. The actuating element 2 is inserted via its connecting section 20 into a recess of the base plate 10 and held therein, for example by clamping and/or by form-fitting, for example undercut. Such an at least two-part design of the release element 1 can be realized, for example, by using different materials for the base plate 10 and the actuating element 2, for example, in order to form electrical lines or to better functionally match the individual elements to one another.

The electrical plug-in connection 9 according to the invention with the described locking device can also be used advantageously in other applications. Fig. 13 shows an application in which the plug-in connector 7 is arranged in a wall opening, for example, in a wall opening of a housing wall 6 of an electrical device. As long as in this case direct manual actuation of the actuating element 2 is not possible or not ergonomic, it is possible, for example, to actuate via a tool 5, for example a screwdriver, which is pushed into the corresponding intermediate space between the edge of the wall opening and the plug-in connector 7. The screwdriver can be supported relative to the edge of the wall penetration.

Fig. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the release element 1, starting from the plug-in connection 9 according to fig. 3, except for the differences explained in the following. In this case, the release element 1 has a section of the base plate 10 which faces backwards, i.e. projects beyond the connection side 71, and is designed as a securing section 12 for securing a cable 74 which is connected to the plug connector 7. The fastening section 12 can have, for example, a fastening means 13 in order to fasten the cable 74 to the fastening section 12. This enables stress relief of the cable 74.

The release element 1 according to the invention or the locking device realized therewith do not necessarily require, in the case of a mating plug-in connector 8: the release element has the second locking element directly. As shown in fig. 15, the second locking element 81 is also provided on a component 82 connected to the mating connector 8, for example on a circuit board 82, to which the mating connector 8, which is designed as a circuit-board plug connector, is connected via connection contacts 83. The second locking element 81 can thus be realized, for example, as a locking edge of a recess 84 provided in the component 82, i.e. in the printed circuit board. In this connection, as can be seen, the shape of the locking tab 3 can be slightly modified in relation to the previously described embodiments, so that the circuit board 82 can be engaged by the locking tab 3 underneath. Alternatively, the insulating material housing of the patch connector 7 can also be slightly elongated downwards so that it ends at the same height as the bottom side of the circuit board 82. In this case, the release element according to fig. 7 to 10 can also be used without modification, so that the release element 1 can in this case be used as a uniform standard component.

Claims

1. An electrical plug-in connection (9) having: a plug-in connector (7) and a mating plug-in connector (8) each having electrical plug-in contact elements associated with one another for plugging together and electrically contacting the associated plug-in contact elements in the plugged-together state; at least one elastically deflectable locking tab (3) having at least one first locking element (31); at least one second locking element (81) which, in the plugged-together state, is designed to cooperate with the first locking element (31) for fastening the plug connector (7) to the mating plug connector (8), said second locking element being realized in that: the first locking element (31) and the second locking element (81) are locked in the plugged-together state, and at least one actuating mechanism (2) provided for releasing the locking by elastic deformation of the locking tab (3) is provided on the plug-in connector (7), said actuating mechanism having a first actuating section (21) and a second actuating section (22) which is held movably relative to the first actuating section (21) and has a free end (23),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second locking element (81) is arranged on the mating connector (8) or on a component (82) connected to the mating connector (8), and the locking tab (3) is arranged on the mating connector (7), wherein the locking tab (3) is fixed in a fixed position on the mating connector (7) at least in a plugging direction (S) and has an actuating opening (30) into which the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) engages in order to release the locking, wherein at least when the locking is released, the first actuating section (21) is supported on the mating connector (7), wherein when the actuating mechanism (2) is elastic in the direction of the mating connector (7) by a laterally acting actuating force, the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) executes a movement within the actuating opening (30) toward the mating plug connector (8).

2. The electrical connector as set forth in claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating element (2) is part of a release element (1) which is designed to release the locking and is arranged on the plug connector (7).

3. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) is supported on an insulating material housing (75) of the plug connector (7) at least when the locking is released.

4. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating element (2) has a crank mechanism or is designed as such, which serves to move the second actuating section (22) relative to the first actuating section (21) when an actuating force (F) acts on the actuating element (2) perpendicular to the plug-in direction (S).

5. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) and the second actuating section (22) of the actuating mechanism (2) are formed in one piece as sections of elastic spring arms.

6. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating element (2) is designed as an annular release web which is elastically deflectable.

7. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) engages below an edge (35) of the actuating opening (30) when the locking is released, whereby the locking tab (3) is elastically deformed.

8. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the locking lug (3) is formed as a one-piece structural unit with the actuating element (2) and/or the release element (1).

9. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the locking tab (3) is connected to the plug-in connector via a connecting section and/or a base plate (10), wherein the locking tab (3) has a free end at the other end, on which free end the first locking element (31) is arranged.

10. An electrical plug-in connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) is connected to the plug connector (7) in a non-movable manner or is fixed to the plug connector (7) in a movable manner, wherein the mobility is limited by a stop present on the plug connector, and the first actuating section (21) is supported on the stop on the plug connector (7) at least when the locking is released.

11. An electrical plug-type connector device according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second actuating section (22) has, on its side facing the edge (35) of the actuating opening (30) of the locking tab (3), an unlocking contour which tapers towards the free end (23) and which, when the locking is released, is guided into the actuating opening (30) between the locking tab (3) and an insulating material housing (75) of the plug connector (7).

12. Release element (1) for an electrical plug-in connection (9) according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the release element (1) has the actuating mechanism (2) with the first actuating section (21) and a second actuating section (22) which is held so as to be movable relative to the first actuating section (21) and has a free end (23), and the release element (1) has a resiliently deflectable locking tab (3) with the first locking element (1) and the actuating opening (30), wherein the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) executes a movement within the actuating opening (30) in the direction of the mating connector (8) when the actuating mechanism (2) is resilient in the direction of the actuating force acting laterally toward the mating connector (7).

13. The release member according to claim 12,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the release element (1) is designed as a one-piece component having the actuating element (2) and the locking tab (3).

14. The release element according to claim 12 or 13,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the release element (1) has a form-fitting fastening means (11) for the form-fitting fastening of the release element (1) to the plug-in connector (7).

15. The release element according to claim 12 or 13,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the release element (1) has a fastening section (12) for fastening a cable (74) connected to the plug connector (7) to the release element (1).