EP2451021B1 - Locking device and casing for a connector comprising this device - Google Patents

Description

Background and state of the art

Hereinafter, a housing for a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the connector and a female receiving this will be described.

Such connectors are used in particular in industrial control technology and serve, for example, to connect larger electronic devices, such as computers or industrial robots, to power supplies or other electrical components.

The connector housing is usually composed of two housing parts, in each of which provided with contact elements Isolierkörpereinsätze are provided, the contact elements when coupling the housing parts come into contact with each other. The housing parts are held in communication with each other via a locking device with a locking bracket, which acts on fastening elements which are arranged on both the first and the second housing part to be connected. In a locking device basically two types of a locking bracket are known, namely a locking single-bar or a locking cross bar, depending on whether the locking bracket on the longer (single bar) or shorter (cross bar) of the side surfaces of the connector housing is arranged.

The housing itself has the task of protecting the insulating body inserts received therein from external mechanical influences as well as from electromagnetic influences. For this purpose, known from the prior art housing parts made of metal or plastic, which have a sufficient mechanical strength to prevent damage to the incorporated therein elements by external action. The housing parts may be provided on their surface with an electrically conductive coating, which allows an electrical connection between the two housing parts and in this way a sufficient protection against electromagnetic interference from the outside for the contact devices in Interior of the housing guaranteed. Electromagnetic interference radiation occurring inside the housing can likewise not escape to the outside.

Typically, in a case for such connectors an elastic sealing ring will be provided which is arranged between the two housing parts to secure the interior of the housing against the ingress of dirt and moisture. Such a sealing ring is this example made of an elastic material such as rubber or the like. The sealing ring acts regularly together with the longitudinal bracket of the locking device in such a way that the two housing parts are pressed together in a closed position of the locking device of the single handle, so that the intermediate sealing ring is elastically deformed. In this way it is ensured that the sealing ring rests tightly against the two housing parts in order to ensure the sealing of the interior of the housing.

Due to the elastic deformation of the sealing ring between the housing parts and the restoring force acting as a result of the elastic deformation, the longitudinal bracket is also kept under tension and remains in its closed position. The sealing ring thus also contributes to the locking of the locking device.

In the provision of such an elastic sealing ring whose elastic deformation is sufficiently large to build a restraining force holding the single lever in its closed position, however, care must be taken that the electrically conductive connection between the housing parts is not interrupted by the elastic sealing ring. Such connector housings are for example from the EP 2 192 659 A1 the applicant, the DE 92 18 209 U1 , of the DE 43 39 210 C1 , of the DE 26 32 338 or the EP 0 957 540 A2 known. This results in practice requirements on the manufacturing accuracy of the sealing surfaces of the housing parts, where the sealing ring comes to rest, and the manufacturing accuracy of the sealing ring itself.

So will in the DE 43 39 210 C1 It is recommended to rework the surface of the housing parts at least in the region of their contact surfaces, for example to ground flat in order to ensure a good and continuous electrical connection of the two housing parts.

From the DE 10 2007 023 019 A1 as well as the DE 92 18 209 U1 In addition, connector housing are known in which the locking bracket is integrally formed with an integral spring element in order to provide a secure connection of the housing parts even if, for example, the degree of hardness and elasticity of the sealing ring (setting behavior) change over time. Alternatively, such as in the DE 26 32 338 disclosed, this is achieved by an additional spring element in the form of a bent wire spring, which pivotally attaches the locking bracket to the associated mounting pin.

From the EP 2 133 959 A2 a locking device for a two-part connector housing is known, which is formed from an operating handle with both sides attached thereto, one-piece locking elements. The locking elements are rotatably arranged on hinge pins of a first housing half and can lock them via locking pins on the second housing half with the second housing half.

From the EP 1 729 376 A2 For example, a connector lock lever is known. The connector includes a first fixed plug portion and a second plug portion that can be connected to the first. The lock lever has two end portions which are pivotable along an axis, the axis being substantially orthogonal to the connection direction. The end portions of the locking lever are attached to two opposite surfaces of the first plug-in portion. Each of the end sections has a cam curve. The second plug portion, however, has two lugs. The locking lever is adapted to be pivotable between a release position and a locking position. The end portions are configured to be elastically deformed to exert a compressive force between the first plug portion and the second plug portion in operative engagement with the ears of the second plug portion in the locking position.

Tasks:

Therefore, there is a requirement in the production of a locking device, which is able to brace at least two housing parts by connecting connecting portions with rigid fasteners against each other. Therefore, there is also a requirement to make the production of a housing for a connector cost and at the same time to ensure a reliable electrical connector.

solution

This is achieved by a locking device according to claim 1 and by a housing according to one of the dependent claims. If the locking bracket is moved from its open position to a closed position in which it clamps the housing parts to be joined against each other, the at least one elastically resilient portion, the distance between the locking arms of a locking bracket leg and their connecting portions due to an externally on the locking bracket acting force (for example, applied by a user traction) are increased. In this way, the respective connecting portions can be connected to the rigid fastening elements of the housing parts, for example by the connecting portions engage behind the rigid fasteners. If the external force no longer acts on the locking bow (for example because the user releases the locking clip), a restoring force acting as a result of the elastic deformation of the elastically resilient portion will return the connecting portions to their relative starting positions, thereby tightening the housing parts against each other.

Advantages and training

The fact that the housing parts are braced against each other by means of the locking bracket, their sealing surfaces are pressed tightly against each other. Consequently, it is possible to connect them together without providing such a sealing ring between the housing parts, which in addition to its sealing effect provides a sufficiently large deformation to a distortion of the housing parts to ensure. Instead, can be between the housing parts use a simple sealing ring which is sufficient to meet the usual safety requirements with respect to the housing density, and in which the metallic contact of the housing parts is ensured even without additional processing steps. This results in a simplified production of the housing parts and consequently reduced manufacturing and assembly costs in the manufacture and assembly of a connector housing according to the invention.

In addition, the restoring force of the elastically resilient portion between the locking arms with the connecting portions causes the locking bracket to be held in its closed position and released only by applying an external force which again acts against the restoring force and changes the distance between the connecting portions.

In principle, this principle can be transferred both to a single locking lever and to a locking bracket designed as a crossbar.

The resilient portion may include a single portion into which both latching arms open and the two latch arms connect a leg to the web of the latch bracket. Alternatively, two or more separate resilient portions may be provided, each connecting the one or the other connecting arm with the web of the locking bracket.

The connecting portions are preferably arranged in the region of the free ends of the respective locking arms of the locking bracket.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that each housing part has a receiving device for receiving and contacting a cable. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when both housing parts, apart from the receiving device and the connecting region, have a closed housing wall.

It is further provided that the rigid fastening elements are designed as pins which protrude in pairs in direction away from each direction of the first housing part, wherein the locking bracket is pivotally connected to the pair of pin-shaped fastening elements of the first housing part.

The paired pins form in this way on the first housing part from an axis on which the locking device can engage.

The fastening elements may be arranged in pairs on the first housing part or both housing parts in a direction away from one another. Furthermore, one or more pairs of the rigid fastening elements can be provided on each housing part.

The locking bracket is further adapted to be pivotally connected to a pair of the pin-shaped fastening elements of the first housing part. Here, the axis formed by the paired pins forms the axis of rotation for the pivoting movement of the associated locking bracket. According to the invention, the connecting portions of each leg of the locking bracket comprise at least one receiving opening, which is capable of receiving a pin of the first housing part for pivotally connecting the locking bracket to the first housing part, and a receiving area, which is releasably engageable with the fastening elements of the second housing part the locking bracket from an open position about the pivot axis formed by the pins of the first housing part is pivotable in a closed position.

The receiving openings can substantially coincide with the outer diameter of the pin-shaped fastening elements of the first housing part and establish the connection between the locking bracket and fasteners by receiving the pin-shaped fastening elements. According to the invention it is provided that the receiving openings in the circumferential direction laterally, i. to one side, are open and have a resilient projection which is able to hold the respective received fastener in the receiving opening.

As already stated above, the fastening elements of the second housing part are formed as pins. The receiving region may have at least one first projection, which is able to engage behind the respective pin of the second housing part in a closed position of the locking clip. In this case, the first projection of the receiving area has the function of the locking bracket To hold by engaging behind the pin-shaped fastener in its closed position and secure against pivotal movement in an open position.

Furthermore, the receiving area may have a second projection on which the respective pin of the second housing part can come to rest in a closed position of the locking bracket, so that the pivoting movement of the locking bracket is limited in the closed position.

To reduce the friction between the pins and the receiving openings of the locking bracket and to increase the resistance of the pin-shaped fasteners against wear, it may also be advantageous to provide bearing bushes, wherein the pins are formed to receive them. The bushings are in this case arranged between the receiving opening of the locking bracket and the pin to be received in this and are preferably made of a durable material such as stainless steel.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one housing part comprises a receiving device for receiving and contacting a cable. The receiving device can in this case a formed on the housing opening and a surrounding collar. In this case, holding means for fastening the cable to the receiving device can be provided on the collar. These holding means for fixing the cable may for example comprise an external thread. Alternatively, however, other forms of the holding means are conceivable, for example a groove for producing a latching connection or the like. A latching connection can be advantageous in particular if a connection of the cable to the housing part which is particularly fast to produce and to be released is desired. The cable is secured by means of additional elements, for example with a cap nut or a corresponding attachment with a second corresponding locking component to the receiving device by the cap nut is screwed onto, for example, the external thread or the locking components are brought into engagement with each other.

Instead of an external thread, however, an internal thread can be provided as a holding means for attaching the cable, for example on the inside of the collar. In this case, the cap nut has a section with an external thread on, which corresponds to the internal thread of the collar and contributes to the attachment of the cable to the receiving device.

In order to achieve an improved sealing of the housing, it can furthermore be provided that the first housing part, at least partially overlaps the second housing part in an assembled state of the housing. According to the invention, that the legs of the locking bracket each have a Aushebehilfe, which is able to act on a rigid fastening element, such as a pin, the second housing part in a pivoting movement of the locking bracket from its closed position to its open position such that the second housing part of the first is solved.

In this way, the opening of the housing is facilitated by means of the Aushebehilfe.

Furthermore, the Aushebehilfe can be arranged between the receiving opening and the receiving area of a leg. The Aushebehilfe comprises a fastening element of the second housing part facing control surface, on which the fastener is able to abut. The control surface is essentially designed such that the radial distance between the abutment region of the fastening element on the control surface and the pivot axis of the locking bracket steadily increases during a pivoting movement of the locking bracket into its open position. As a result, the adjoining pin or the fitting rigid fastening element of the second housing part is pushed away by means of the Aushebehilfe of the formed by the fastening elements of the first housing part pivot axis and so the two housing parts detached from each other.

The locking bracket of the locking device can be made in one or more parts. In a one-piece design variant of the locking bracket can be made for example of stainless steel. Furthermore, the web connecting the legs of the locking bar may comprise a handle. The handle may also be integral, ie one-piece, made with the locking clip. Alternatively, however, it may also be mounted as a separate element (integrally with the web) between the legs of the locking clip and connected to these or attached as a separate element to the web of the locking bracket and secured thereto. Depending on the design variant of the handle of the same or a different material than the web or the legs of the locking bracket be prepared. Preferably, to ensure a more comfortable handling for the user, the handle can be made of plastic.

In a development of the invention, the housing parts of the housing according to the invention can be produced as zinc die-cast parts. This brings additional advantages: Thus, for example, the investment costs and the manufacturing costs can be reduced since the shape durability in the zinc die casting process with a maximum number of shots of (depending on the manufacturing process) about 500,000 to about 3,000,000 castings over other die-casting, such as Die-cast aluminum, significantly higher. This is due to the relatively low melting point and the very narrow setting interval of zinc alloys.

Furthermore, particularly tight tolerances and demanding surfaces can be produced in zinc die casting, so that a mechanical post-processing, such as grinding of the housing parts in the connection area, i. E. where the housing parts abut each other to form a housing together, not or is required to a much lesser extent than, for example, aluminum die-cast housing parts. The castings produced, in addition to high precision, also have high hardness and mechanical strength.

For these reasons mentioned above, it is possible to form the fastening elements as well as the receiving device integrally with the housing, i. to make them with the respective housing part of a cast instead of using them as previously as separate elements in the finished castings. The surface quality and precision of the cast fasteners, for example, is sufficient to ensure a defined interface with the locking device connectable thereto. Also, the mechanical strength is sufficient to ensure that shearing of the fasteners under the influence of conventional external forces can be prevented.

The fact that the fastening elements and the at least one receiving device are formed integrally with the housing, the number of individual parts of a correspondingly manufactured housing can be reduced and the associated storage and installation costs are reduced.

Furthermore, due to the high hardness and strength of zinc and zinc alloys, it is possible to reduce the wall thicknesses of the housing parts, which can significantly reduce material costs over die-cast aluminum housings. This in turn results in a weight reduction of the housing parts, so that despite the greater mass of zinc compared to aluminum, the housing according to the invention is at least not heavier than comparable known from the prior art aluminum die-cast housing. Another advantage of the reduced wall thicknesses is in greater air and creepage distances of the housing according to the invention over known die-cast aluminum housings.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1a, 1b

show isometric front and rear views of an example of a connector in the assembled state, which facilitates the understanding of the invention;

Fig. 2

shows an example of an isometric view of a locking device of the housing according to the Fig. 1a and 1b ; and

Fig. 3

shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a locking device for a housing according to the invention.

Detailed description of the figures

Fig. 1a and 1b show an isometric front and rear view of an example of housing for a connector, generally designated by the reference numeral 10 is. The housing 10 is manufactured as a zinc die-cast housing and comprises a first and a second housing part 12, 14, which are connected to one another via a locking device 16 and rigid fastening elements 18. The first housing part 12 is formed as a base housing and has on its side facing away from the connecting portion 36 with the second housing part 14 side four flange-like feet 20 (in Fig. 1a and 1b only three are shown), which are formed in the corner regions of the first housing part 12. Further, recesses 22 are provided on the flange-like feet 20, which make it possible to attach the base housing by means of connecting elements, such as screws or the like, to other elements.

In the in the Fig. 1a and 1b shown zinc die-cast housing 10, both housing parts 12, 14 also has a receiving device in the form of a cable gland 24 which is adapted to receive a cable (not shown) and to contact. The type of attachment of the cable is not discussed in detail in this context, but with reference to the EP 2 192 659 A1 the applicant to the type of attachment described therein.

The Fig. 2 and 3 each show a locking device for better understanding detached from the connector housing, wherein the Fig. 2 an example of a locking device illustrated while the Fig. 3 an embodiment of the invention the locking device shows. The two locking devices differ only by the design of the web 26 c, as will be explained in more detail below, so that the description of the other features of the first example of the Fig. 2 also to the embodiment of Fig. 3 true. In the Fig. 3 are similar features provided with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features of Fig. 2 but preceded by the number " ₁ ".

The locking device shown is formed in the form of a longitudinal bracket 26 and 126 arranged locking bracket, which viewed in a plan view is substantially U-shaped (see. Fig. 2 and 3 ). In this case, its two substantially parallel legs 26a, 26b are interconnected by a web 26c. At each of its longitudinal legs 26a, 26b are each two longitudinally extending locking arms 42, 44 are formed, which have at their free end a receiving opening 32 or a receiving portion 34, which serve to receive the fasteners 18.

The fasteners 18 are, as in Fig. 1a and 1b shown, pin-shaped and protrude substantially perpendicularly from the housing outer surface. In this case, in each case two pin-shaped fastening elements 18 are formed in pairs protruding from each other in the direction of the respective housing part 12 and 14, respectively. Their longitudinal axes are aligned with each other, so that the two pin-shaped fastening elements 18 of a pair together form a longitudinal axis.

The longitudinal bracket 26 is connected to a formed on the first housing part 12 pair of pin-shaped fastening elements 18 such that it can be pivoted about these formed by the two fastening elements 18 longitudinal axis. Thus, the fastening elements 18 of the first housing part 12 are received in the respective receiving opening 32 of the longitudinal bracket 26 and in this way form the axis of rotation for the pivotal movement of the longitudinal bracket 26th

In the assembled state, ie when the two housing parts 12 and 14 are connected to each other via the locking device 16 in the form of the longitudinal bracket 26, as in Fig. 1a and 1b shown, the paired fasteners 18 of the second housing part 14 are received in the receiving region 34 of the longitudinal bracket 26. The receiving openings 32 include, as in the Fig. 2 and 3 more clearly seen, an opening in the circumferential direction to one side, in which the fastening element 18 will be inserted laterally and is held by a resilient projection 32a in the receiving opening 32. The pins 18 are thus locked in the receiving openings. The resilient projection 32a acts in the example shown the Fig.2 and in the embodiment shown the Fig. 3 with a notch 32b, which allows a slight compliance of the projection 32a. Furthermore, the notch 32b also serves to facilitate assembly.

A recess 148 (see the embodiment of the invention Fig. 3 ) serves to reinforce this effect in addition and at the same time leads to a material and weight savings in the locking bracket.

The receiving opening 32 may also have a collar 32c, which is embossed or pressed into the leg 42 in an axial direction, ie in the direction of the pivot axis, which form the fastening elements 18 received therein.

The receiving area 34 also has a first latching projection 34a which, due to increased friction between the longitudinal bracket 26 and the mounting element 18 received in the second receiving opening 34, secures the latching latch 26 in a closed position, e.g. when the two housing parts 12 and 14 are connected via this fixed. An undesired pivoting of the longitudinal bracket 26 such that the connection of the housing parts 12, 14 is released, is at least made more difficult in this way.

Between the connecting portions 32, 34 is additionally at least one, in the illustrated locking means two elastically resilient portions 36 and 38 are arranged and connect the locking arms 42, 44 of the longitudinal bracket 26 with the web 26c. The connecting portions 32, 34 are respectively disposed between the receiving opening 32 and the receiving area 34 and the transition to the web 26 c and allow spreading of the connecting portions 32, 34 relative to each other and to the web 26 c, so that the receiving portion 34 of each leg 26 a, 26b can be snapped by pivoting the longitudinal bracket 26 on the respective pin 18 of the second housing part 14. The elastically resilient portions may be formed by a local variation of the material properties (for example, by introducing thermal energy during manufacture) of the elongate yoke or by providing a particular geometry of the longitudinal yoke (eg, a tapered section, recesses, or the like) therein Be formed area.

Due to the elastic deformation during spreading of the connecting sections 32, 34, a restoring force is built up in the elastic sections 36, 38, which clamps the fastening elements 18 accommodated in the connecting sections 18 and thus the housing parts 12 and 14 against each other. In addition, effectively prevented by the acting restoring force that the longitudinal bracket 26 is undesirably pivoted back into its open position.

A second detent projection 34b also prevents the longitudinal bracket 26 from pivoting beyond the open (i.e., predetermined) closed position from the open position.

Between the receiving area 24 and the receiving opening 32 of the longitudinal bracket, a removal aid 40 is furthermore provided on each of the longitudinal legs 26a, 26b.

This comprises a control surface 46, on which the respective pin 18 accommodated in the opposite receiving region can abut (cf. Fig. 1a and 1b ). The control surface 46 is shaped so that the distance of the adjacent pin steadily increases during a pivoting movement of the longitudinal bracket 26 from its closed position to its open position, ie the fastening pin 18 of the second housing part 24 is pushed away from the fastening pin 18 of the first housing part 12. Thus, the opening of the housing 10 is supported by means of the Aushebehilfe. In addition, a recess 46 a may be provided on the control surface 46, into which the fastening pin 18 is received in a closed position of the longitudinal bracket 26.

As in Fig. 1a and 1b Further, bearing bushes 28 are provided, which are accommodated for an increased resistance to wear and reduced friction on the pin-shaped fastening elements 18. The bushings 28 are attached to the pin-shaped fasteners 18 of the finished molded housing part 12 and 14 and embossed. With the aid of the bearing bushes 28 an improved due to the reduced friction pivotability of the elongated bracket 26, as well as due to the improved resistance increased life of the fasteners 18 is ensured.

Finally, in the region of its web 26c, the longitudinal bracket 26 has an actuating handle 50 which can be actuated in order to achieve a pivoting of the longitudinal bracket 26 for fixing or releasing the housing part 14 connected thereby. The handle or operating handle 50 can, as in the Fig. 1 to 2 shown to be made integrally with the longitudinal bow of the same material, such as stainless steel, or made as a separate element of a material other than the single strap, such as plastic or rubber, as in Fig. 3 shown.

In the in the Fig.1 to 2 In the example shown, which facilitates the understanding of the invention, the longitudinal bow in each case in its transition region from the web 26c to the parallel legs 26a, 26b on the outside on a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web 26c extending groove-like recess 52. Furthermore, the handle 50 for easier and more comfortable handling of the longitudinal bracket 26 by the user on a tab 54, which extends over almost the entire length of the handle 50 and from this at the facing in the mounted state of the housing parts Side of the handle 50 extends (see. Fig. 1a ). The tab is angled relative to the web forming part of the handle 50 by about 90 °, wherein between the web forming part of the handle 50 and the tab 52, a bending radius is provided, which in contrast to a sharp edge or a kink injury User prevented. On the opposite side extends a grip edge, which is also slightly angled relative to the web forming part of the handle 50 to facilitate the gripping of the handle 50 for the user.

In the manufacture of the zinc die cast housing, the housing parts 12 and 14 are formed in respective molds by the zinc die casting process. The molded housing parts 12, 14 comprise both the fastening elements 18 and the receiving devices 24 and the flange-like feet 20 with the corresponding recesses 22 for attachment. Furthermore, the mold is formed such that at the cable gland 24 a male thread is mitabgegossen so that the housing parts after the step of die casting for an assembly of the additional elements, i. the locking device 16 and further inputs and inserts of the cable gland 24 are finished.

In order to receive and fasten corresponding inserts, such as plugs or sockets, inside the housing 10, mounting surfaces (not shown) are provided inside the housing parts 12 and 14 and optionally provided with threaded bores for receiving corresponding fastening screws in a further processing step.

As an alternative to the threaded bores created in a further processing step in order to receive and fasten corresponding inserts inside the housing 10, it is also possible to produce the housings of the plug connectors by die-casting zinc alloys without mechanical (re) machining. These are on the mounting surfaces (in the example, four mounting surfaces, this number can also vary) provide holes to introduce appropriate thread (For example, M3) by molding. A separate step of threading can be eliminated by the use of thread-forming screws. At the hole diameter no change is necessary in this case.

The die casting of zinc alloys has the advantage that with a single mold and corresponding tools a larger number of housing parts can be prepared as in a comparable process with aluminum alloys. In addition, it is possible to cast zinc and zinc alloys with high-precision shapes, so that a mechanical post-processing, such as cutting a thread or grinding of contact surfaces is no longer or only to a much lesser extent necessary. The zinc die-cast housing has sufficient hardness and strength to provide good mechanical protection against, for example, shearing off loaded portions such as the fasteners. Due to the good electrical conductivity of zinc or of zinc alloys, a coating of the housing parts with an electrically conductive substance, as known from the prior art, may be dispensed with.

Thus, a cost-effective and simple production of housing parts is ensured for a connector.

Claims (8)

1. A locking device (16) for a housing (10) of a connector with at least two housing parts (12, 14), which comprises at least one locking bracket (126) with two essentially parallel legs (126a, 126b) and a web (126c) which connects the legs (126a, 126b), wherein each one of the legs (126a, 126b) of the locking bracket (126) comprises two locking arms (142, 144), each of which having at least one connecting portion (132, 134) for the connection with pins (18) of the housing (10), wherein
   a first connecting portion (132) of each leg (126a, 126b) comprises at least one mounting opening (132) which may receive a pin (18) of the first housing part (12) for the pivotable connection of the locking bracket (126) with the first housing part (12), wherein the mounting opening (132) is laterally open in the circumferential direction and comprises a resilient projection (132a) which is capable of holding the received pin (18) of the first housing part (12) in the mounting opening (132), and
   a second connecting portion (134) of each leg (126a, 126b) comprises at least one receiving/mounting area (134) which may come into a releasable engagement with a pin (18) of the second housing part (14), wherein the locking bracket (126) is pivotable about the pivot axis formed by the pins (18) of the first housing part (12) from an open position into a closed position,
   wherein the locking arms (142, 144) of the locking bracket (126) are connected with the web of the locking bracket by at least one resilient portion (136, 138), so that the relative distance between the locking arms (142, 144) of one leg (126a, 126b) is variable, and the locking bracket (126) is capable of clamping together the at least two housing parts (12, 14) by connecting the connecting portions (132, 134) with the pins (18) of the first and second housing part, and that each leg (126a, 126b) of the locking bracket (126) comprises a lift-off aid (140) with a control surface (146) which faces the pin (18) of the second housing part, which upon a swivelling motion of the locking bracket (126) from its closed position into its open position by means of the control surface (146), may act on the pin (18) of the second housing part (14) in such a manner that the second housing part (14) is separated from the first housing part (12), and that the first connecting portion (132) each of the two legs (126a, 126b) has a recess.
2. A housing (10) of a connector for making an electrical connection between the connector and a socket for receiving same with the at least first and second housing part (12, 14) as well as a locking device according to Claim 1 and pins (18) for releasably connecting the housing parts (12, 14).
3. The housing according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that at least two pins (18) project in pairs from the first housing part (12) in opposite directions, wherein the locking bracket (126) may be pivotably connected with the pair of pins (18) of the first housing part (12).
4. The housing according to Claim 3,
   characterised in that the receiving/mounting area (134) comprises at least one first projection (134a) which is capable of engaging behind the respective pin of the second housing part (14) in a closed position of the locking bracket (126).
5. The housing according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that the receiving/mounting area (134) comprises at least a second projection (134b) against which the respective pin of the second housing part (14) may rest in a closed position of the locking bracket (126), so that the pivoting motion of the locking bracket (126) into the closed position is limited thereby.
6. The housing according to one of Claims 2 to 5,
   characterised in that the lift-off aid (140) is arranged between the mounting opening (132) and the receiving/mounting area (134) of a leg (126a, 126b) at one of the locking arms (142, 144).
7. The housing according to one of Claims 2 to 6,
   characterised in that the web (126c) which connects the legs (126a, 126b) of the locking bracket (126) comprises a handle (150).
8. The housing according to one of Claims 2 to 7,
   characterised in that the housing parts (12, 14) are produced as zinc pressure die castings.

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