EP1465297B1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1 as known for example from DE-A-19 828 968.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved electrical connector of the type mentioned, which is particularly easier to handle. Especially with a blind plug should be taken for defined conditions.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of independent claim 1.

This is achieved, for example, in a blind insertion that the connector part is automatically pulled into the receiving part. For this purpose, a built-up during assembly force can be used by this relaxes after exceeding the dead center in the other direction.

The snap connection can also be used accordingly when disconnecting the connector part from the receiving part. Thus, an expedient practical embodiment is characterized in that the snap connection when moving out of the connector part of the Recording part after exceeding the dead center by the immanent spring force imminent pulls the connector part of the receiving part.

The snap connection preferably comprises at least one film hinge in combination with a kinematic over-center beam system.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the receiving part for releasing the latching connection is provided with a release button. In this case, this release button can be designed in particular slider-like. It is preferably displaceable transversely to the insertion direction with respect to the housing of the receiving part.

By means of such a release button, the latching of the connector part can optionally be solved in a simple manner again.

Of particular advantage is also such an embodiment in which at the same time the connector part is urged out of the receiving part with the actuation of the release button. For this purpose, the release button, for example, have at least one inclined surface which cooperates with a corresponding counterpart surface of the connector part. Conveniently, the latching connection is first released with the actuation of the release button, and then the connector part is forced out of the receiving part.

Conveniently, the snap connection is at its locking position einnehmendem connector part in a tension-free state. Even when pulled out of the receiving part and according to its starting position einnehmendem connector part, the snap connection is preferably again in a tension-free state.

The release button can be pushed back in the simplest case with the insertion of the connector part back to its original position. In principle, however, for example, such a design is conceivable in which the release button is resiliently loaded in the starting position. In the latter case, the release button must therefore be moved counter to a spring force in their locking connection releasing position.

The receiving part can be provided, for example, as a header or device connector or as an inline connector into which a second connector part can be inserted from the opposite side.

The first connector part can be latched to the receiving part or, for example, with a second connector part.

In an expedient practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the first connector part for latching with the receiving part or the second connector part has a resilient latching arm, which is engageable with a receiving part or the second connector part associated latching surface. In this case, the latching surface may be provided, for example, on a latching lug of the receiving part or of the second connector part.

In an expedient practical embodiment of the resilient latching arm is made in two parts and provided with a web connecting the free ends of the two arms, which engages behind the counter-locking surface for the preparation of the latching connection.

Conveniently, the resilient latching arm is correspondingly deflected to release the latching connection.

The first connector part coupled to the receiving part may comprise, for example, a receptacle housing, in particular a receptacle housing. According to a preferred embodiment, this first connector part coupled to the receiving part comprises a multi-pole socket housing. Basically, however, a single-pole socket housing is conceivable.

The second connector part may comprise, for example, a plug housing, in particular flat plug housing. In this case, in particular, a multi-pole plug housing can again be provided. Basically, however, a single-pole connector housing is conceivable.

Advantageously, a respective connector part is provided with a secondary lock for the respective electrical contacts.

Fig. 1

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines elektrischen Steckverbinders mit zwei beispielsweise zweipoligen Verbinderteilen, die von einander gegenüberliegenden Seiten her in ein als Inline-Verbinder dienendes Aufnahmeteil einsteckbar sind,

Fig. 2

eine mit der Fig. 1 vergleichbare Darstellung, wobei der elektrische Steckverbinder jedoch um 180° um seine Längsachse gedreht ist,

Fig. 3

eine mit der Fig. 1 vergleichbare Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders, wobei das zweite Verbinderteil jedoch von dem Aufnahmeteil mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil getrennt ist,

Fig. 4

eine schematische, auseinander gezogene Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung des auf das zweite Verbindertcil aufgesteckten Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil, wobei das erste Verbinderteil seine äußere Ausgangsposition einnimmt, in der es sich zumindest teilweise außerhalb des Aufnahmeteils befindet,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil, wobei das erste Verbinderteil bereits so weit in das Aufnahmeteil eingesteckt ist, dass der Totpunkt der Schnappverbindung erreicht ist,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil, wobei das erste Verbinderteil vollständig in das Aufnahmeteil eingezogen und verrastet ist,

Fig. 8

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des mit dem Zustand gemäß Fig. 5 vergleichbaren Ausgangszustandes unmittelbar vor dem Schließen des Steckverbinders,

Fig. 9

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des mit dem Zustand gemäß Fig. 6 vergleichbaren Zwischenzustandes des Schließvorgangs,

Fig. 10

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des mit dem Zustand gemäß Fig. 7 vergleichbaren Endzustandes des Schließvorgangs,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil unmittelbar vor dem Öffnen des Steckverbinders, wobei das erste Verbinderteil noch vollständig in das Aufnahmeteil eingezogen und verrastet ist,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil in einer weiteren Phase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der durch eine entsprechende Betätigung der Lösetaste die Rastverbindung gelöst wird,

Fig. 13

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil in einer weiteren Phase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der durch eine weitere Betätigung der Lösetaste das erste Verbinderteil durch die Lösetaste aus dem Aufnahmeteil gedrängt wird,

Fig. 14

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil in einer weiteren Phase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der das erste Verbinderteil durch eine weitere Betätigung der Lösetaste bereits so weit aus dem Aufnahmeteil gedrängt ist, dass der Totpunkt der Schnappverbindung bereits erreicht ist,

Fig. 15

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil in einer weiteren Phase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der das erste Verbinderteil durch die der Schnappverbindung immanente Federkraft aus dem Aufnahmeteil gezogen wird,

Fig. 16

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufnahmeteils mit zugeordnetem ersten Verbinderteil in der Endphase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der das erste Verbinderteil wieder seine äußere Ausgangsposition einnimmt,

Fig. 17

einen vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des mit der Phase gemäß Fig. 11 vergleichbaren Ausgangszustandes unmittelbar vor dem Öffnen des Steckverbinders, wobei der Steckverbinder in einer Draufsicht wiedergegeben ist,

Fig. 18

eine schematische Seitenansicht des in der Fig. 17 gezeigten Steckverbinders,

Fig. 19

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung einer mit der Phase gemäß Fig. 14 vergleichbaren weiteren Phase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der das erste Verbinderteil durch eine weitere Betätigung der Lösetaste bereits so weit aus dem Aufnahmeteil gedrängt ist, dass der Todpunkt der Schnappverbindung bereits erreicht ist, wobei der Steckverbinder in einer Draufsicht wiedergegeben ist,

Fig. 20

eine schematische Seitenansicht des in der Fig. 19 gezeigten Steckverbinders,

Fig. 21

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung der mit der Phase gemäß Fig. 16 vergleichbaren Endphase des Öffnungsvorgangs, in der das erste Verbinderteil bedingt durch die der Schnappverbindung immanente Federkraft wieder seine äußere Ausgangsposition einnimmt, wobei der Steckverbinder in einer Draufsicht wiedergegeben ist,

Fig. 22

eine schematische Seitenansicht des in der Fig. 21 gezeigten Steckverbinders,

Fig. 23

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines elektrischen Steckverbinders mit einem in ein als Header vorgesehenes Aufnahmeteil einsteckbaren Verbinderteil,

Fig. 24

eine schematische Darstellung einer mit der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 1 vergleichbaren weiteren Ausführungsform mit zwei dreipoligen Verbinderteilen,

Fig. 25

eine schematische Darstellung einer mit der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 1 vergleichbaren weiteren Ausführungsform mit zwei vierpoligen Verbinderteilen und

Fig. 26

eine schematische Darstellung einer mit der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 1 vergleichbaren weiteren Ausführungsform mit zwei sechspoligen Verbinderteilen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing; in this show:

Fig. 1

a schematic, perspective view of an electrical connector with two, for example, two-pin connector parts, which are insertable from opposite sides in a serving as an inline connector receiving part,

Fig. 2

1 comparable representation, wherein the electrical connector is rotated by 180 ° about its longitudinal axis,

Fig. 3

a comparable with the Fig. 1 representation of the electrical connector, wherein the second connector part, however is separated from the receiving part with associated first connector part,

Fig. 4

a schematic, exploded view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the attached to the second Verbindertcil receiving part with associated first connector part, wherein the first connector part assumes its outer starting position in which it is at least partially outside of the receiving part,

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part, wherein the first connector part is already inserted so far into the receiving part, that the dead center of the snap connection is reached,

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part, wherein the first connector part is fully retracted and locked in the receiving part,

Fig. 8

a simplified schematic representation of the state of FIG. 5 comparable initial state immediately before the closing of the connector,

Fig. 9

2 is a simplified schematic representation of the intermediate state of the closing process that is comparable to the state according to FIG. 6;

Fig. 10

a simplified schematic representation of the state of FIG. 7 comparable final state of the closing operation,

Fig. 11

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part immediately before the opening of the connector, wherein the first connector part is still fully retracted and locked in the receiving part,

Fig. 12

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part in a further phase of the opening process, in which by a corresponding actuation of the release button, the latching connection is achieved,

Fig. 13

a schematic representation of the receiving part with an associated first connector part in a further phase of the opening process, in which by a further actuation of the release button, the first connector part is urged by the release button from the receiving part,

Fig. 14

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part in a further phase of the opening process in which the first connector part is already pushed so far out of the receiving part by further actuation of the release button that the dead center of the snap connection is already reached,

Fig. 15

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part in a further phase of the Opening operation in which the first connector part is pulled out of the receiving part by the spring force immanent to the snap connection,

Fig. 16

a schematic representation of the receiving part with associated first connector part in the final phase of the opening operation in which the first connector part assumes its outer starting position,

Fig. 17

a simplified schematic representation of the comparable with the phase of Figure 11 initial state immediately before the opening of the connector, the connector is shown in a plan view,

Fig. 18

a schematic side view of the connector shown in FIG. 17,

Fig. 19

a simplified schematic representation of a comparable with the phase of FIG. 14 further phase of the opening process in which the first connector part is already pushed so far out of the receiving part by further actuation of the release button that the dead center of the snap connection is already reached, the connector is shown in a top view,

Fig. 20

a schematic side view of the connector shown in FIG. 19,

Fig. 21

a simplified schematic representation of the phase of FIG. 16 comparable final phase of the opening process, in which the first connector part resumes its outer starting position due to the spring force immanent to the snap connection, the connector being reproduced in a top view,

Fig. 22

a schematic side view of the connector shown in FIG. 21,

Fig. 23

a schematic, perspective view of an electrical connector with an insertable in a receptacle provided as a header connector part,

Fig. 24

2 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment comparable to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 with two three-pole connector parts, FIG.

Fig. 25

a schematic representation of a comparable with the embodiment of FIG. 1 further embodiment with two four-pin connector parts and

Fig. 26

a schematic representation of a comparable with the embodiment of FIG. 1 further embodiment with two six-pin connector parts.

1 to 4, an electrical connector 10 is shown with a receiving part 12 in a purely schematic representation, which is provided in the present case as an inline connector, in the opposite sides of two here, for example, two-pole connector parts 14, 16 can be inserted are latched in the inserted position.

The first connector part 14 and the receiving part 12 are coupled to one another via a snap connection 18, which pulls the connector part 14 into the receiving part 12 when plug-in part 12 and connector part 14 are pushed together after a dead center is exceeded due to their inherent spring force.

By this snap connection 18 and the opening or separating of connector part 14 and receiving part 12 can be supported accordingly. Thus, when moving out of the connector part 14 from the receiving part 12 after exceeding the dead center, the connector part 14 can be pulled out of the receiving part 12 by the snap-in connection 18 immanent spring force.

The snap connection 18 comprises at least one film hinge, preferably at least one film hinge in combination with a kinematic over-center beam system. In the present case, in each case such a film hinge or such a combination is provided on two opposite sides (compare, for example, also FIGS. 5 to 7).

In the present case, the first connector part 14 in the assembled state, for example, be locked directly to the second connector part 16. In principle, however, a respective latching with the receiving part 12 is conceivable.

To release the locking connection, the receiving part 12 is provided with a release button 20. This particular slide-like executed release button 20 is in the present embodiment with respect to the housing of the receiving part 12 transversely to the insertion direction S displaced.

With the actuation of the release button 20, the connector part 14 is simultaneously urged out of the receiving part 12. For this purpose, the release button 20, for example, have at least one inclined surface 22 (see, for example, Figs. 11 to 16), which cooperates with a corresponding part of the connector 12 counter surface 24. In the present exemplary embodiment, in each case such an oblique surface 22 cooperating with a respective mating surface 24 is provided on two opposite sides.

As can be seen, for example, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the first connector part 14 has, for example with the second connector part 16, a resilient latching arm 26 which can be brought into engagement with a latching surface 28 assigned here, for example, to the second connector part 16. The locking surface 28 is provided in the present case to a latching lug 30 of the second connector part 16. In principle, however, such a counter-latching element can also be provided on the receiving part 12, for example.

In the present embodiment, the resilient latching arm 26 is made in two parts and provided with the free ends of the two partial arms 26 ', 26 "connecting web 32, which engages behind the counter-latching surface 28 for producing the latching connection (compare, for example, Fig. 7).

As can be seen in particular with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, with the actuation of the release button 20, first the latching connection 26, 30 is released and then the connector part 14 is forced out of the receiving part 12.

In its latching position engaging connector part 14 or when the connector 10 is closed, the snap connection 18 may be in a tension-free state. Such a tension-free state of the snap connection 18 can also be given when the connector part 14 is pulled out of the receiving part 12 and correspondingly occupies its starting position.

In the simplest case, the release button is pushed back with the insertion of the connector part in the receiving part back to its original position. In principle, however, such a design is conceivable in which the release button is resiliently loaded in the starting position.

In the present case, to release the latching connection 26, 30, the resilient latching arm 26 can be correspondingly deflected (compare, for example, FIG. 12).

As can be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 4, the first connector part 14 coupled to the receiving part 12 via the snap connection 18 can be made e.g. a receptacle housing, in particular flat receptacle housing include. The electrical contacts 34 which can be inserted into the connector part 14 and can be latched therein, e.g. Sockets, are each connected to a line 36. In the present case, for example, two electrical contacts 34 and correspondingly two lines 36 are provided.

The second connector part 16 may accordingly comprise, for example, a plug housing, in particular a flat plug housing. The insertable into this second connector part 16 and lockable in this electrical contacts 38, here eg flat plug, are each connected to a line 40.

In the present embodiment has, as already mentioned, the first connector part 14 with associated receiving part 12, for example, a two-pole socket housing and the second connector part 16, for example, a two-pin connector housing.

For example, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the two connector parts 14, 16 are each provided with a second latch 42, 43 for the relevant electrical contacts 34 and 38, respectively.

In the illustration according to FIG. 5, the receiving part 12, which is coupled via the snap connection 18 to the first connector part 14, is plugged onto the second connector part 16. The first connector part 14 assumes with respect to this receiving part 12 its outer starting position in which it is at least partially outside of the receiving part 12.

In the illustration according to FIG. 6, the first connector part 14 has already been inserted so far into the receiving part 12 that the dead center of the snap connection 18 is reached. In this case, the resilient latching arm 26 has been pivoted by a provided on the latching lug 30, the web 32 acting on bevel 44 to the outside.

Subsequently, the first connector part 14 is pulled by the snap-in connection 18 immanent, previously applied during assembly spring force into the receiving part 12. In the illustration according to FIG. 7, this first connector part 14 is pulled completely into the receiving part 12 and latched, for example, with the second connector part 16. The web 32 having the free end of the resilient latching arm 26 is here snapped back to its original position, so that the web 32 is engaged behind by the latching surface 38 of here, for example, the second connector part 16 associated latching lug 30.

Fig. 8 shows in a simplified schematic representation again the initial state shown in FIG. 5 immediately before the closing of the connector 10, that is, immediately before the insertion of the first connector part 14 in the receiving part 12. In this phase, the first connector part 14 by the snap connection 18th loaded in its reproduced in Fig. 8 starting position.

Fig. 9 shows in a simplified schematic representation again the state of FIG. 6, in which the first connector part 14 in particular manually in the direction of arrow F or in the insertion direction S is already pushed so far into the receiving part 12 that the dead center of the snap connection 18th is reached. Subsequently, the first connector part 14 can thus be automatically pulled into the receiving part 12 by the previously constructed, the snap connection immanent spring force.

Fig. 10 shows a simplified schematic representation again the state of FIG. 7, in which the connector part 14 is fully retracted into the receiving part 14. As already mentioned, the connector part 14 may be latched in this phase, for example with the second connector part 16 (see FIG. 7). As can be seen with reference to FIG. 10, the connector part 14 is loaded in this case by the spring force immanent to the snap connection 18 in the retracted position.

While previously described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, the operation of the electrical connector 10 during the closing operation, results from FIGS. 11 to 22 whose operation when opening the connector 10, that is, when disconnecting connector element 14 and receiving part 12th

Fig. 11 shows the phase immediately before the opening of the connector 10. The first connector part 14 thus still assumes its retracted position, in which it is latched over the resilient latching arm 26 and the latching lug 30, for example with the second connector part 16.

To release the locking connection 26, 30, the release button 20 is then actuated accordingly. In the illustration according to FIG. 12, this release button 20 has already been pushed in so far that the elastic latching arm 26 is pivoted outwards by a corresponding action on the web 32 to release the latching lug 30. For this purpose, on the release button 20, for example, with the web 32 in engagement inclined surfaces 46 (see, for example, Figs. 12 and 13) or the like may be provided. Although the locking connection 26, 30 is already released in the phase shown in FIG. 12, the connector part 14 still assumes its retracted position relative to the receiving part 12.

FIG. 13 shows a further phase of the opening process, in which the first connector part 14 is forced out of the receiving part 12 by a further actuation of the release button 20. This is done by the interaction of the inclined surfaces 22 of the release button 20 with the connector part 14 associated mating surfaces 24, which are provided in the present case, for example, to corresponding angled arms or lugs 48 of the connector part 14.

The connector part 14 is now pushed so far by a further pressing of the release button 20 to the outside until the reproduced in Fig. 14 phase is reached, in which the dead center of the snap connection 18 is exceeded. If the release button 20 are released again before reaching this dead center, then the connector part 14 would be retracted into the receiving part 14.

Fig. 15 shows a further phase of the opening process in which the dead center of the snap connection 18 has already been exceeded and the connector part 14 is pulled accordingly by the immanent spring 11 immanent spring force from the receiving part 12. As can be seen from FIG. 15, in this case the mating surfaces 24 associated with the connector part 14 are released from the oblique surfaces 22 of the release button 20. If the release button 20, for example, resiliently loaded in its initial position, it is automatically returned to its original position.

16 shows the final phase of the opening process, in which the first connector part 14 resumes its outer starting position, in which it is loaded by the spring force immanent in the snap connection 18.

17 and 18 show in a simplified schematic representation again the phase shown in FIG. 11 immediately before the opening of the connector 10, in which the connector part 14 is still fully retracted into the receiving part 12 and locked for example with a second connector part. As already mentioned, the connector part 14 may for example also be latched to the receiving part 12.

19 and 20 show in a simplified schematic representation again the phase according to FIG. 14, in which the first connector part 14 is already pushed so far out of the receiving part 12 by further actuation of the release button 20 that the dead center of the snap connection 18 has already reached is. Following this, the connector part 14 is automatically urged by the snap-in connection 18 immanent spring force to the outside in the end position.

21 and 22 show in a simplified schematic representation again the phase according to FIG. 16, in which the first connector part 14 due to the snap-in connection 18 immanent spring force again assumes its outer starting position, in which it is loaded by the snap connection 18.

FIG. 23 shows a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector 10 with a connector part 14 which can be inserted in a receptacle part 16 provided as a header. In this case, the latching can thus take place, for example, between the connector part 14 and the receptacle part or header 16. Incidentally, this embodiment may at least substantially again have the same structure as the embodiment described above.

While in the foregoing embodiments, the connector parts 14, 16 are each two-pole, the connector parts 14, 16 provided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 24 to 26 each have more than two poles. Thus, the two connector parts 14, 16 of the connector 10 shown in FIG. 4 each have three poles, wherein the three contacts or lines 36, 40 are each in a plane. The receiving part 12 serves here as well as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 again as an inline connector, in the opposite sides of the two connector parts 14, 16 are inserted.

In the connector 10 according to FIG. 25, the two connector parts 14, 16 are each, for example, four-pole, the contacts or lines 36, 40 being arranged in two planes. Again, the receiving part 12 again serves as an inline connector.

Also in the reproduced in Fig. 26 connector 10 two connector parts 14, 16 are again provided, which can be inserted from two opposite sides in a again serving as an in-line connector receiving part 12. The two connector parts 14, 16 are each in this case, for example, six-pole. In this case, the contacts or lines 36, 40 are each again arranged in two planes in this case.

Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 can at least substantially again have the same structure as the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 22.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

electrical connector

12

receiving part

14

first connector part

16

second connector part

18

snap

20

release button

22

sloping surface

24

counter surface

26

resilient latch arm

26 '

partial arm

26 "

partial arm

28

Rest area

30

locking lug

32

web

34

electrical contact, plug-in sleeve

36

management

38

electrical contact, flat plug

40

management

42

second lock

43

second lock

44

approach ramp

46

sloping surface

48

Poor, neck

S

plug-in direction

Claims (25)

1. An electrical plug connector (10) having a connector part (14) insertable into a reception part (12) and latchable in its inserted position,
   wherein the connector part (14) and the reception part (12) are coupled to one another via a snap connection (18) which pulls the connector part (14) into the reception part (12) by the spring force inherent in it after passing a dead center position on the plugging together of the reception part (12) and the connector part (14), characterized in that the snap connection (18) includes at least one film hinge.
2. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the snap connection (18) pulls the connector part (14) out of the reception part (12) by the spring force inherent in it after passing the dead center position on the moving of the connector part (14) out of the reception part (12).
3. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the snap connection (18) includes at least one film hinge in combination with a kinematic over dead center bar system.
4. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snap connection (18) is in a stress-free state when the connector part (14) adopts its latch position.
5. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snap connection (18) is in a stress-free state when the connector part (14) is pulled out of the reception part (12) and accordingly adopts its starting position.
6. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reception part (12) is provided with a release button (20) for the release of the latch connection (26, 30).
7. A plug connector in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the release button (20) is made in the form of a slider.
8. A plug connector in accordance with claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the release button (20) is displaceable transversely to the plug-in direction (S) with respect to the housing of the reception part (12).
9. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the connector part (14) is simultaneously urged out of the reception part (12) on the actuation of the release button (20).
10. A plug connector in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the release button (20) has at least one inclined surface (22) which cooperates with a mating surface (24) associated with the connector part (12) such that the connector part (14) is urged out of the reception part (12) on the actuation of the release button (20).
11. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that, on the actuation of the release button (20), the latch connection (26, 30) is first released and the connector part (14) is subsequently urged out of the reception part (12).
12. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the release button (20) can again be urged into its starting position or is resiliently loaded into the starting position on the insertion of the connector part (14).
13. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector part (14) can be latched to the reception part (12).
14. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first connector part (14) and a second connector part (16) are provided which can be latched to one another.
15. A plug connector in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the first connector part (14) has a resilient latch arm (26) for latching to the reception part (12) or to the second connector part (16) and said resilient latch arm (26) can be brought into engagement with a latch surface (28) associated with the reception part (12) or the second connector part (16).
16. A plug connector in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the latch surface (28) is provided at a latch nose (30) of the reception part (12) or of the second connector part (16).
17. A plug connector in accordance with claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the resilient latch arm (28) is made in two parts and is provided with a web which connects the free ends of the two part arms (26', 26") and behind which the mating latch surface (28) engages to establish the latch connection (26, 30).
18. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the resilient latch arm (26) is appropriately deflectable to release the latch connection (26, 30).
19. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the second connector part (16) includes a plug housing, in particular a flat plug housing.
20. A plug connector in accordance with claim 19, characterized in that the second connector part (16) includes a multiple plug housing.
21. A plug connector in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the first connector part (14) coupled to the reception part (12) includes a plug sleeve housing, in particular a flat plug sleeve housing.
22. A plug connector in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that the first connector part (14) coupled to the reception part (12) includes a multiple plug sleeve housing.
23. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connector part (14, 16) is provided with a second latching (42, 43) for the relevant electrical contacts (34, 38).
24. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reception part (12) is provided as a header.
25. A plug connector in accordance with any of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the reception part (12) is provided as an inline connector into which a second connector part (16) can be inserted from the opposite side.

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