EP1280242B1 - Plug for connecting to a socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug device (13) has a plug housing (14) with a release surface (27) close to the end of a locking arm (22) remote from a latching arrangement (23), a sliding element (30) that prevents deflection of the locking arm in the locked position and releases it in a different position and a flat spring-like holder element made of steel.

Description

• ein Steckergehäuse,
  das eine zweite Längsachse aufweist,
  das einen bei zueinander parallel ausgerichteten Längsachsen in den Aufnahmeraum einführbaren einführbaren ersten Gehäuseabschnitt mit einer Endfläche aufweist, von der aus zu den ersten Kontakten passende zweite Kontakte zum elektrischen Verbinden mit diesen zugänglich sind,
  das einen elastisch auslenkbaren Riegelarm mit Rastmitteln aufweist, wobei der Riegelarm mit seinem den Rastmitteln entfernten Ende mit dem ersten Gehäuseabschnitt oder mit einem damit einstückig ausgebildeten Gehäuseabschnitt einstückig verbunden ist und sich im entspannten Zustand parallel zur zweiten Längsachse erstreckt und zum ersten Gehäuseabschnitt in Querrichtung bezüglich der Längsachse mit Abstand angeordnet ist und dessen Rastmittel beim Verbinden mit dem Steckbuchsengehäuse der Rastnase gegenüberstehen,
• einen Schieber,
  der außen am Steckergehäuse entlang der zweiten Längsachse begrenzt verstellbar gehalten ist, und
• mindestens eine Druckfeder,
  die einerseits am Steckergehäuse und andererseits am Schieber parallel zur zweiten Längsachse abgestützt ist und den Schieber zur Einnahme seiner Riegelstellung hin beaufschlagt,

umfasst,
wobei der Schieber in Riegelstellung eine Auslenkung des Riegelarms aus dem entspannten Zustand verhindert und in einer davon abweichenden Stellung diesen freigibt.The invention relates to a plug for connection to a socket, which is a socket housing with a first longitudinal axis and with a wall enclosed by a receiving space, which is open to an end face of the socket housing and closed at the end remote thereto by a bottom, the first contacts are, projecting into the receiving space from the bottom parallel to the first longitudinal axis, wherein on an outer surface of the receiving space enclosing wall, a detent protruding, which has a in the direction of the end face to the bottom of the outer surface removing increasing starting surface and the is provided in the direction of the ground with a locking surface directed towards the outer surface,
the plug

• a connector housing,
  which has a second longitudinal axis,
  which has an insertable first housing section with an end face which can be introduced into the receiving space in parallel with aligned longitudinal axes, from which second contacts for electrical connection to the first contacts are provided Connecting with these are accessible
  which has an elastically deflectable locking arm with latching means, wherein the locking arm is integrally connected with its end remote from the locking means integral with the housing portion and extending in the relaxed state parallel to the second longitudinal axis and the first housing portion in the transverse direction with respect Longitudinal axis is arranged at a distance and the locking means face when connecting to the socket housing of the locking lug,
• a slider,
  the outside of the plug housing along the second longitudinal axis limited adjustable, and
• at least one compression spring,
  which is supported on the one hand on the plug housing and on the other hand on the slide parallel to the second longitudinal axis and the slider is acted upon to take its locking position,

includes,
wherein the slide prevents a deflection of the locking arm from the relaxed state in the locked position and releases it in a position deviating therefrom.

In the EP 0 896 396 A2 a connector is described which comprises a socket and a plug. The socket has a female connector housing and a receiving space enclosed by a wall. This is open to an end face of the socket housing and closed at its end remote from it by a bottom. The socket has a first longitudinal axis which defines a connection direction. The socket housing first contacts are assigned. These are aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis and project from the ground into the receiving space. On the outer surface of the receiving space enclosing wall a locking lug is arranged projecting. The plug is associated with an elastically deflectable locking arm, which locks via a slide can be when it is in the locking position, thereby preventing a deflection of the locking arm from the relaxed position. The slide are associated with compression springs, which are connected at their not supported on the slider end together via a crossbar. The locking arm has an inclined surface which runs when inserting the plug into the socket against the locking lug. The slider is in a position in which its locking surface is not in contact with the locking arm. For this purpose, the locking arm is held over retaining means in a temporary position. If the plug is inserted into the socket, then not only the locking arm with its hook-like projection against the locking lug, but also the traverse, which connects the two compression springs together, comes to rest against the end face of the socket. If the plug continues to be inserted, the springs are pretensioned. The hook-shaped locking element of the locking arm slides over the latching lug. Here, the locking arm has reached a position in which its locking surface can engage behind the locking lug. In this case, the compression springs are released in their effect, ie, the holding means release the slider so that it is moved away from the detent due to the action of the springs, whereby the locking surface of the slide over the locking arm and secure this in its engaged position against deflection , The retaining means are also returned to their original position, so that the springs are relieved again. To release, the slide must be moved in the opposite direction to the release direction of the plug on the socket, so that the locking arm is released. So that a sufficiently large contact surface for the support of the compression springs is provided, ribs are provided on the socket housing, which are arranged in extension of the course of the compression springs, ie extending parallel to each other in the connecting direction and starting from the end face of the socket and reach to the latch.

For release, the slider is first moved so far in the direction of the socket, that the locking arm is released. The compression springs are partially biased and the holding means set the slide in this position. In this position, an unlocking portion of the slider can be acted upon, i. pressed on this, this section acts on an underlying projection of the locking arm. Since the locking arm is hung rocker-like, so that the hook-like projection is moved out of engagement with the latch on the socket. If now pulled on the plug, it can be separated from the socket. The handling is cumbersome and requires, in particular, when safe operation is required, additional measures in the form of the ribs on the socket to achieve a secure support for the compression springs that act on the slide. Furthermore, the handling is unfavorable in that when releasing the connector, i. the plug from the socket of the slide initially against the release direction must be moved to transfer the lock into a position in which the associated actuating portion a force on the locking arm in the sense of releasing the same from the locking lug of the socket is possible. At the same time then must be pulled on the plug to release it from the socket.

The DE 198 28 968 A1 relates to a connector with a socket and a plug, wherein the socket is associated with a leaf spring-like retaining element, which also serves as a shorting bridge for the contacts of the socket. The holding element has two locking legs, which each come into contact with a projection of the plug and experienced a deformation during connection, so that the projections can each run over a kink in the locking leg and then allow re-rebound, so that the plug is secured in the socket. Furthermore, two in the unconnected state of the plug and socket with the contacts of the socket in contact passing leg contact are present, which are part of the holding element, which is made of metal and thus is electrically conductive. In the unconnected state, therefore, a short-circuit contact is established between the contacts via the contact legs. These are brought when inserting the plug out of contact with the contacts of the socket.

In the DE 100 52 970 A1 is a connector comprising a socket and a plug, described, wherein the plug is associated with a slider which is integrally formed with a compression spring and is initially biased during connection and generates a Ausschiebekraft, as long as the final connection state is not reached. This slider also serves as a holding element in the connected state. The designed as a compression spring resilient portion comprises a serpentine curved leaf spring-like portion.

The EP 1 089 393 A1 comprises a socket with a wall space enclosed by a receiving space into which a plug can be inserted. In order to achieve a watertight arrangement, the plug on the entering into the receiving space of the socket has a seal which comes into contact with the inner surface of the receiving space. The portion of the plug, which enters the receiving space of the socket, is formed with respect to the recessed portion of the plug tapered cross-sectionally.

The invention has for its object to provide a plug for a conventional socket, i. such, in which only one locking lug is provided to propose, which is easy to handle and as long as no final connection has been achieved, causes a force that dissolves the plug from the socket.

• das Steckergehäuse eine Lösefläche nahe dem den Rastmitteln entfernten Ende des Riegelarmes aufweist, welche sich von den Rastmitteln weg von der zweiten Längsachse entfernt, und
• ein blattfederartiges Halteelement aus Stahl vorgesehen ist,
  das am Schieber mit einem Befestigungsabschnitt festgelegt ist und davon ausgehend mindestens einen quer zur zweiten Längsachse ausfedernden Federschenkel besitzt, der eine daran anschließende Haltefläche und eine Stellfläche an seinem dem Befestigungsabschnitt entfernten Ende aufweist, wobei die Haltefläche dazu bestimmt ist, im entspannten Zustand des Federschenkels mit der Stirnfläche des Steckbuchsengehäuses in Kontakt zu treten, und die durch Auflaufen der Stellfläche auf die Lösefläche des Steckergehäuses außer Kontakt zur Stirnfläche bringbar ist.

This object is achieved by a plug of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that

• the connector housing has a release surface near the end remote from the locking means of the locking arm, which is away from the locking means away from the second longitudinal axis, and
• a leaf-spring-like holding element made of steel is provided,
  which is fixed to the slider with a mounting portion and starting therefrom has at least one spring leg which deflects transversely to the second longitudinal axis, which has a subsequent holding surface and a footprint at its end remote from the fastening portion, wherein the retaining surface is intended, in the relaxed state of the spring leg the contact surface of the socket housing in contact, and which can be brought by running the footprint on the release surface of the plug housing out of contact with the end face.

An advantage of this design is that the plug can be used in conjunction with conventional sockets, which have only one locking lug, so that is guaranteed without change to the same that the plug from the socket is disconnected, as long as no final locking position has been reached. Furthermore, the handling is simplified by the fact that when connecting is acted only on the connector housing by this relative to the socket housing, that is moved to the bottom. The release of the slide for the final securing of the locking arm is done automatically depending on the position of the plug housing to the socket housing by the leaf spring-like retaining element out of operative engagement with the end face of the socket housing and thus the force of effective between the plug housing and the slide springs is released. The slider is moved relative to the receptacle housing and the connector housing so that the locking arm is secured against displacement into the unlocked position. This position can be reversed simply by acting in the release direction for releasing the plug from the socket to the slider.

In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the locking arm is designed like a frame and the holding element between the two longitudinal struts of the locking arm is arranged, and that the locking means is part of a transverse and the free ends of the longitudinal struts connecting locking strut.

In order to achieve that the locking arm is actively released from engagement with the latch, it is provided that the slide has at least one release projection which acts in the sense of releasing the locking means of the locking lug on the locking arm when releasing the plug from the plug by adjusting the slide ,

Since the holding element made of steel in the final locked state of the plug with the socket elastic out of his Normal position is deflected, ie, as long as the socket and the plug are connected together, is taut, it is advantageous if it is made of a stainless steel.

Preferably, the attachment portion of the holding element is bent to the spring leg, in particular U-shaped, and has a locking leg. The retaining element can be inserted with the attachment portion and the associated locking leg in a retaining recess of the slider and is guided in this laterally and secured by the locking leg, which is supported with its end face against a support surface in the recess of the slider against pulling. In this case, the free end of the spring leg forms a holding surface and a footprint. For this purpose, it is provided that the free end of the spring leg by multiple angulation forms the support surface and the footprint. Alternatively, it is provided for this purpose that the free end of the spring leg by a rolled-up portion forms the support surface and the footprint.

It is further provided that the first housing portion to the intermediate portion, with which the locking arm is integrally connected, is provided with a reduced cross section seat portion for receiving a seal.

A preferred embodiment is shown schematically in the drawing.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Steckbuchse,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Steckers mit Sicht auf den Riegelarm und der Druckfedern sowie eines Sperrelementes,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Steckbuchse mit Sicht auf die dem Riegelarm abgewandte Seite des Steckers,

Figur 4

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Schiebers,

Figur 5

eine zweite perspektivische Ansicht des Schiebers,

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung des blattfederartigen Halteelementes,

Figur 7

die gegenseitige Positionierung des Stecker im Verhältnis zur Steckbuchse bei einem anfänglichen Verbindungszustand,

Figur 8

ein im Verhältnis zu Figur 7 fortgeschrittener Verbindungszustand, bei dem die Rastmittel des Riegelarms des Steckers in Anlage zur Rastnase der Steckbuchse gelangt sind,

Figur 9

eine fortgeschrittene Position, bei der die Rastmittel des Riegelarms die Rastnase der Steckbuchse passiert haben,

Figur 10

eine weitere Verbindungsposition zu Beginn der Freigabe der Haltemittel durch die Lösefläche am Steckergehäuse,

Figur 11

die endgültige Riegelposition, in welcher der Riegelarm durch den Schieber in der Riegelstellung gegen Auslenkung gesichert ist,

Figur 12

eine alternative Ausführungsform des Halteelementes in perspektivischer Darstellung und

Figur 13

eine Seitenansicht des Halteelementes gemäß Figur 12.

It shows

FIG. 1

a perspective view of the socket,

FIG. 2

a perspective view of the plug with View of the latch arm and the compression springs and a blocking element,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the socket with a view of the latch arm facing away from the side of the plug,

FIG. 4

a first perspective view of the slider,

FIG. 5

a second perspective view of the slider,

FIG. 6

a perspective view of the leaf spring-like retaining element,

FIG. 7

the mutual positioning of the plug relative to the socket in an initial connection state,

FIG. 8

a relative to FIG. 7 advanced connection state in which the locking means of the locking arm of the plug have come into contact with the detent of the socket,

FIG. 9

an advanced position in which the locking means of the locking arm have passed the locking lug of the socket,

FIG. 10

another connection position at the beginning of Release of the holding means by the release surface on the connector housing,

FIG. 11

the final locking position, in which the locking arm is secured against deflection by the slider in the locked position,

FIG. 12

an alternative embodiment of the holding element in a perspective view and

FIG. 13

a side view of the retaining element according to FIG. 12 ,

A standard socket is in FIG. 1 shown. The socket 1 comprises a socket housing 2, which has a first longitudinal axis 3. It also has a wall 4 which encloses an approximately rectangular receiving space 5 in the opening cross-section. This is open to the end face 6 and closed at the opposite end by the bottom 8. From the bottom 8 are first terminal contacts 7 in the form of pins. They are aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis 3. On the outer surface 9 of the wall 4, a latching lug 10 is arranged, which has an oblique contact surface 11 in the direction of the end face 6, the end of the end face 6 towards the bottom 8, from the outer surface 9 removing, ie rising, runs. This contact surface 11 is adjoined by a latching surface 12, which extends in the direction of the outer surface 9, ie, preferably perpendicular to this extends or optionally even has an undercut.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 is the plug housing 14 of the plug 13 (see also FIGS. 7 ff.). This owns the second longitudinal axis 15. It has a first housing portion 16 which, when connected to the socket 1 in the receiving space 5 according to FIG. 1 entry. In this case, the first longitudinal axis 3 and the second longitudinal axis 15 are aligned with each other. The first housing portion 16 extends from an end face 17 in which there are openings communicating with contact receiving chambers in which second contacts 18 are received in the form of female terminals and secured by a locking member 29.

To the first housing portion 16 closes with the interposition of a reduced cross section seat portion for a seal 20 (see FIG. 7 ) an intermediate portion 19 at. The cross section of the first housing portion 16 is substantially adapted to that of the receiving space of the female connector housing of the socket, that is, it approaches a rounded rectangle. On a wide surface of this body, a locking arm 22 is arranged, which is designed like a frame and comprises two longitudinal struts 24, which are arranged at a parallel distance from one another and with an end at the intermediate portion 19, away from the end face 17, integral with the plug housing 14th are formed. The end surface 17 near the ends of the two longitudinal struts 24 are connected by a transverse locking strut 23 with each other, which serves as a latching means for latching with the locking lug 10 socket 1.

In the area of the locking strut 23 near the end of the longitudinal struts 24 bolt lugs 26 are attached. In the region opposite thereto, detaching surfaces 27 are arranged adjacent to the longitudinal struts 24 and move away from the end surface 17 away from the second longitudinal axis 15. Furthermore, 22 first two spring support bearings 28 are arranged in this area laterally to the longitudinal struts 24 of the locking arm, which support the Pressure springs 37 serve at one end. The locking strut 23 has on its underside away from the first spring support bearings 28 away from the second longitudinal axis 15 footprint 25 (see FIG. 7 ). This in FIG. 2 additionally illustrated blocking element 29, which is transversely in the housing portion, away from the end face 17 can be inserted (see also FIG. 7 ), serves to secure the second contacts 18 received in this first housing section 16 against being pulled out. How out FIG. 3 can be seen, on the side facing away from the locking arm 22 surface of the plug housing 14, an arm with a movement stop 21, the hook shape is provided.

The design of the slider 30 results from the FIGS. 4 and 5 , It can be seen that the slider 30 is tubular and has in its interior to an end face toward two second spring support bearing 31, against which the compression springs 37 are supported with its other end. In the second spring support bearings 31 opposite surface a Stellausnehmung 32 is present, which cooperates in the mounted state of the slider 30 on the connector housing 14 with the movement stop 21. Furthermore, in FIG. 7 Bolt stops 33 can be seen that secure in the final connected state of the socket 1 with the plug 13 the locking arm 22 on the socket housing 2 against displacement, ie cooperate with the bolt lugs 26.

The slider 30 are assigned to the second spring support bearing 31 end having two release projections 34, which serve to release the locking arm 22 when releasing the plug 13 from the socket 1. This is moved when pulling action on the slide in the release direction out of operative connection to the locking projection of the socket before the connector housing can be pulled out of the socket housing.

Further, it has a holding recess 35 with a support surface 36 (see FIG. 7 ) on.

Out FIG. 6 is a holding member 38 made of stainless steel, which is designed like a leaf spring and has a multi-angled shape, so that the or the two spring legs 40 forms a U-shape with the mounting portion 39, wherein the fastening portion 39 is associated with a locking leg 42, the this is punched out and serves to secure against extraction in a holding recess 35 of the slider 30 according to Figures 4 and 5. On the spring legs 40 an angled portion is connected, which forms the holding surface 41. These in turn are followed by two substantially oblique or curved sections, each with a footprint 43 at.

From the FIG. 7 the initial connection state between the socket 1 and the plug 13 can be seen. It can be seen that the slider 30 is mounted on the connector housing 14. The slider 30 encloses the connector housing 14. A movement parallel to the second longitudinal axis 15 is limited by engagement of the movement stop 21 in the adjusting recess 32. The springs 37 pressurize him to take the in FIG. 7 drawn position to the connector housing 14, wherein one of the end surface 17 of the first housing portion 16 close to the end face approximately with the end face 17. It can be seen that the first housing portion 16 is already partially inserted into the receiving space 5 of the female housing 2. However, the end surface 17 is still clearly in front of the end of the first plug-shaped contacts 7. However, the first longitudinal axis 3 and the second longitudinal axis 15 are aligned with each other. Furthermore, the assembled seal 20 can be seen. Furthermore, the arrangement of the holding element 38 is also recognizable with the mounting portion 39 in the retaining recess 35 of the slider 30, wherein the locking leg 42 is supported with its end face against the support surface 36 of the holding recess 35. The holding element 38 rests with its holding surface 41 against the end face 6 of the socket 1. The spring legs 40 are in the relaxed state. The locking arm 22 is still with the locking strut 23 close to the outer surface 9 of the receiving space 5 bounding wall 4 of the socket 1 and is secured against deflection from this position transverse to the second longitudinal axis 15 by the bolt lugs 26 opposing bolt stops 33. If the plug housing 14 is then acted upon in the insertion direction, ie in the connecting direction, so that the first housing section 16 dips deeper into the receiving space 5, ie with its end face 17 approaches the bottom 8 further, the slide 30 remains due to the contact surface 41 of the retaining element 40 on the end face 6 of the socket 1 at rest to the socket 1, ie it remains relative to the connector housing 14 back. In FIG. 8 It can be seen that the plug housing 14 has more closely approximated with its end face 17 the bottom 8 of the socket 1, so that the locking strut 23 of the locking arm 22 is already in contact with the contact surface 11 of the locking lug 10 with its footprint 25. The plug socket 1 facing end face of the slider 30 is no longer in a plane with the end face 17 of the housing portion 16 but already close to the locking strut 23rd

This takes place until the position according to FIG. 9 is achieved, in which the locking strut 23 has passed the locking lug 10 and is supported away from the bottom 8 on the surface 12 of the locking lug 10, so that the locking strut 23 is located in front of the adjacent end face of the slider 30. With this movement, the first contact 7 deeper into the housing portion 16th of the plug housing 14 introduced. The seal 20 is also already partially in the receiving space 5 of the female connector housing 2 to achieve a seal. Furthermore, the release surface 27 of the plug housing 14 of the footprint 43 of the support member 38 has approximated, so that this further insertion of the connector housing 14 in the receiving space 5 and approaching the end face 17 to the bottom 8 of the socket 1 in FIG. 10 shown position of the contact is achieved, with further insertion, the holding element 38 is deflected so that its holding surface 41 out of contact with the end face 6 of the socket 1, so that the biased upon insertion of the plug housing 14 in the socket 1 compression springs 37 are effective and the slider 30 is displaced relative to the connector housing 14 in the direction of the bottom 8, wherein the retaining element 38 slides on the outer surface 9 of the socket 1. In this position, the compression springs 37 are relaxed and the slider 30 takes in relation to the connector housing 14 in FIG. 7 drawn position again, in which the locking arm 22 is secured against displacement from the second longitudinal axis 15 away.

For the release of the plug 13, which comprises the plug housing 14 and the slider 30 and the holding member 38 and the seal 20, from the socket 1 is in the release direction, ie against the direction of connection acted on the slider 30, so that this away from the bottom 8 is moved. On the way back to the position according to FIG. 9 the release projections 34 act on the longitudinal struts 24 and lift the locking arm 22, so that the locking strut 23 is disengaged from the locking lug 10. By further pulling against the direction of connection, ie away from the bottom 8 on the slide 30, the connector housing 14 is released from the socket 1.

The FIGS. 12 and 13 show in perspective view and side view of an alternative design of a holding element 138 in relation to the holding element 38 according to FIG. 6 , It is also made of stainless steel. It also has a mounting portion 139 with a punched and angled locking leg 142 for fixing in the recess 35 of the slider 30. However, it has only a single continuous and thus in relation to the holding element 38 stiffer spring leg 140. At the free end of the spring leg 140 is a rolled-up portion of the holding surface 141 and at the same time at this umfangsver sets the footprint 143 forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

receptacle

2

Jack housing

3

first longitudinal axis

4

wall

5

accommodation space

6

face

7

first contact

8th

ground

9

outer surface

10

locking lug

11

approach surface

12

Rest area

13

plug

14

plug housing

15

second longitudinal axis

16

first housing section

17

end face

18

second contact

19

intermediate section

20

poetry

21

travel stop

22

locking arm

23

Locking strut / locking means

24

longitudinal strut

25

footprint

26

tie neck

27

release sheet

28

first spring support bearing

29

blocking element

30

pusher

31

second spring support bearing

32

Stellausnehmung

33

latch stop

34

release projection

35

holding recess

36

support surface

37

compression spring

38, 138

holding member

39, 139

attachment section

40, 140

spring leg

41, 141

holding surface

42, 142

latching leg

43, 143

footprint

Claims (9)

1. A plug connector (13) for being connected to
   a socket connector (1)
   which comprises a socket connector housing (2) with a first longitudinal axis (3) and with a receiving chamber (5) which is enclosed by a wall (4), which is open towards an end face (6) of the socket connector housing (2) and which, at its end removed therefrom, is closed by a base (8) in which there are arranged contacts (7) which project into the receiving chamber (5) from the base (8) so as to extend parallel to the first longitudinal axis (3), wherein, on an outer face (9) of the wall (4) enclosing the receiving chamber(5) there is projectingly arranged an engaging lug (10) which comprises an abutment face (11) which rises from the end face (6) towards the base (8) while moving away from the outer face (9) and which, towards the base (8), is provided with an engaging face (12) directed towards the outer face (9),
   wherein the plug connector (13) comprises
   a plug connector housing (14)
   which comprises a second longitudinal axis (15);
   which, with the longitudinal axes (3, 15) extending parallel relative to one another, comprises a first housing portion (16) which can be introduced into the receiving chamber (5), which comprises an end face (17) from which there are accessible second contacts (18) matching the first contacts (17) for the purpose of being electrically connected thereto;
   which comprises an elastically deflectable locking arm (22) with engagement means (23), wherein the locking arm (22), at its end removed from the engagement means (23), is integrally connected to the first housing portion (16) or to a housing portion (19) integrally formed therewith and, in the untensioned condition, extends parallel to the second longitudinal axis (15) and, relative to the first housing portion (16), is arranged in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis (15) at a distance therefrom and whose engagement means (23) when being connected to the socket connector housing (2), are positioned opposite the engaging lug (10);
   a slide (30)
   which is held on the outside of the plug connector housing (14) so as to be adjustable along the second longitudinal axis (15) to a limited extent, and
   at least one pressure spring (37)
   which is supported on the plug connector housing (14) on the one hand and on the slide (30) on the other hand so as to extend parallel to the second longitudinal axis (15) and which loads the slide (30) towards assuming its locking position,
   wherein the slide (30), in the locking position, prevents the locking arm (22) from being deflected from the untensioned condition and, in a position deviating therefrom, releases the locking arm (22),
   characterised in that
   the plug connector housing (14) comprises a releasing face (27) which is located near the end of the locking arm (22) which is removed from the engagement means (23) and which moves away from the engagement means (23) and from the second longitudinal axis (15); and
   there is provided a leaf-spring-like holding element (38) out of steel
   which is secured to the slide (30) by a fixing portion (39) and which, starting therefrom, comprises at least one a spring leg (40) which rebounds transversely to the second longitudinal axis (15) and which, at its end removed from the fixing portion (39), comprises an adjoining holding face (41) and a setting face (43), wherein the holding face (41) is intended, in the untensioned condition of the spring leg (40), to establish contact with the end face (6) of the socket connector housing (2), which holding face (41), as a result of the setting face (43) abutting the releasing face (27) of the plug connector housing (14), can be moved out of contact with the end face (6).
2. A plug connector according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the locking arm (22) has a frame-like shape and that the holding element (38) is arranged between the two longitudinal struts (24) of the locking arm (22) and that the engagement means form part of the transversely extending engagement strut (23) connecting the free ends of the longitudinal struts (24).
3. A plug connector according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the slide (30) comprises at least one releasing projection (34) which, in the sense of releasing the engagement means (23) from the engaging lug (10), acts on the locking arm (22) by adjusting the slide (30) when the socket connector (13) is released from the plug connector (1).
4. A plug connector according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the holding element (38) consists of high-grade steel.
5. A plug connector according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that the fixing portion (39, 139) of the holding elements (38, 138) is bent towards the spring leg (40, 140) and comprises an engagement leg (42, 142); that the fixing portion (39, 139) is received in a holding recess (35) of the slide (30) and, by means of the end face of the engagement leg (42, 142), is supported against a supporting face (36) of the slide (30).
6. A plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in
   that the housing portion (16), towards the intermediate portion (19) to which the locking arm (22) is integrally connected, is provided with a seat portion for receiving a seal (20), which seat portion comprises a reduced cross-section.
7. A plug connector according to claim 5,
   characterised in
   that the free end of the spring leg (40, 140) forms a holding face (41, 141) and a setting face (43, 143).
8. A plug connector according to claim 7,
   characterised in
   that the free end of the spring leg (40), by being angled several times, forms the holding face (41) and the setting face (43).
9. A plug connector according to claim 7,
   characterised in
   that, by means of a rolled-in portion, the free end of the spring leg (140) forms the holding face (141) and the setting face (143).

Images