EP3010092A1 - Connector element, female connector element and electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug element (2) for an electrical plug connector (1), having a receptacle (6), which is open in a housing (5) and opposite to an insertion direction (S), for a mating plug element (3), in particular a control unit for a motor vehicle and a lever (4) rotatable relative to the housing (5) about an axis of rotation (R) from an unlocking position (O) to a locking position (C), the lever (4) and the housing (5) together forming a clamping device (10) for generating a along the insertion direction (S) acting frictional engagement. The invention further relates to a complementary designed mating connector element (3) and an electrical connector (1). By the solution according to the invention vibrations on the connector (1) can be damped or prevented.

Description

The invention relates to a plug element, a mating plug element and an electrical plug connector comprising a plug element and a mating plug element.

Connectors comprising a plug element and a mating connector element are widely used in electrical connection technology. Plug elements are also already known having a lever rotatable relative to a housing about an axis of rotation from an unlocking position into a locking position. With the lever, a mating connector element can be locked with the plug element. Such connectors are used for example in automobiles. In particular, when used in harsh environments, such as occur in the operation of an automobile, however, it often happens that the electrical contact between a plug element and mating connector element is getting worse over time.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution in which the connection between the plug element and the mating connector element and in particular their long-term stability is improved.

This object is achieved by a plug element for an electrical plug connector, with a receptacle arranged in a housing, open against a plug-in direction, and with a relative to the housing about an axis of rotation from an unlocking position into a locking position rotatable lever, wherein the lever and the housing together form a clamping device for generating a frictional engagement acting along the plugging direction.

A mating connector element is designed to be complementary to the plug element.

An electrical connector includes a male member and a mating male member.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible to clamp the mating connector transversely to the direction of insertion of the plug element. As a result, the resulting plug connection is stiffer, at least in the locking position. In particular, vibrations occurring thereby can not cause the mating connector element relative to the plug element executes vibrations that adversely affect the connector, in particular the electrical properties of the connector, for example, by plug contacts of the plug member and the mating connector member rub against each other and thereby wear or that the plug contacts plastically deform.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by means of the following embodiments, which are each advantageous and which can be combined with one another as desired.

The plug element may have a clamping device which, when the lever is rotated into the locking position, clamps a mating plug inserted into the housing transversely to the plug-in direction of the plug element.

The lever and / or the housing may each have at least one clamping surface with which the corresponding clamping surface is clamped on the mating connector element. Overall, at least two clamping surfaces may be present on the lever and the housing to contact two clamping surfaces on the mating connector element in opposite directions transverse to the direction of insertion.

The clamping device can automatically clamp the mating connector. Upon rotation of the lever in the locking position, the clamping device then automatically clamps the mating plug element inserted into the housing transversely to the plug-in direction of the plug.

In an advantageous embodiment, two opposing and mutually facing clamping surfaces may be arranged on the housing. For example, the clamping surfaces may be mounted in or on the receptacle. The clamping surfaces of the housing may extend toward one another in the plug-in direction, so that the mating plug is clamped or wedged between the clamping surfaces during a movement along the plugging direction. The mating connector can be forcibly guided by the lever, so that the mating connector forcibly moves in rotation of the lever from the unlocked position into the locking position in the insertion direction and is thereby clamped between the mutually running clamping surfaces. The clamping surfaces may be arranged for example in a funnel-like or tapered receptacle for the mating connector. In an alternative embodiment, the two clamping surfaces of the housing may also be arranged parallel to one another and the clamping surfaces of the mating connector along the direction of insertion to each other. The mutually extending clamping surfaces thus form a wedge shape with which the mating connector is clamped between the clamping surfaces of the housing.

In another advantageous embodiment, the clamping device comprises a clamping tongs formed by the lever and the housing. In such a clamp, a counter-element inserted into the housing is also clamped transversely to the direction of insertion of the plug upon rotation of the lever in the locking position. In each case at least a clamping surface on the lever and on the housing, wherein in the locking position the at least one clamping surface of the lever and the at least one clamping surface of the housing are opposite to each other with respect to the plugging direction and facing each other. The clamping surfaces are in the locking position in each case in contact with corresponding clamping surfaces on the mating connector element. The applied between the clamping surfaces of the lever and the clamping surfaces of the housing clamping force acts here again transversely to the direction of insertion on the corresponding clamping surfaces on the mating connector element.

The lever and the housing may each have at least one clamping surface, wherein a measured in a transverse direction distance between the at least one clamping surface of the lever and the at least one clamping surface of the housing in the locking position is smaller than the distance between the at least one clamping surface of the lever and the at least one clamping surface of the housing in the unlocked position. In such an embodiment, the mating connector element can be clamped when transferring into the locking position between the clamping surface of the housing and the clamping surface of the lever. This can be done automatically in particular. The transverse direction is transverse to the direction of insertion and can in particular be perpendicular to the direction of insertion. The clamping surface of the housing and the clamping surface of the lever can in particular point towards one another in the locking position. In the unlocked position they can be oriented differently. In particular, the clamping surface of the lever can point in a different direction, for example in the direction of insertion.

The clamping surfaces may be flat or curved, approximately concave or convex. The clamping surfaces of an element may be at least partially complementary to the corresponding clamping surfaces on another element to be contacted.

The clamp can have two jaws. A jaw may be disposed on the lever or formed by the lever. The other jaw may be disposed on or formed by the housing. Clamping surfaces may be located on the clamping jaws.

The clamping device can clamp the mating connector element directly between two clamping surfaces of the housing or between a clamping surface of the lever and the housing. Alternatively, it is also possible for intermediate elements to be present which are arranged so as to transmit the clamping force to a clamping face of the housing or a clamping face of the lever. Such elements can for example be connected to the lever or the housing detachable or non-detachable and be separate from the housing or the lever. At such intermediate elements clamping surfaces are then arranged for clamping with the housing or the lever and jamming with the mating connector element. Of course, such intermediate elements can also be present on the mating connector element.

At least one clamping surface may be arranged on a clamping member. Such a clamping member may for example be designed so that the clamping at each clamping always takes place at a same, defined location, that is, a defined clamping surface. As a result, the clamping forces and the force distribution can be well planned and taken into account, for example, in a construction of the plug element or the mating connector element.

At least one clamping surface may be arranged on a projection. A projection offers, for example, the advantage that the clamping surface is arranged at a defined location. A projection or a clamping member may be designed so that the clamping surface is as small as possible, so that the force density per surface is as high as possible. Such a configuration can be very compact, for example. A projection may protrude or travel transversely to the direction of insertion, i. projecting in or opposite to the plug-in direction. The use of such a projection can also be advantageous in the construction of the plug element, since under some circumstances a previously used plug element construction can be used to which only a projection must be added. Such a projection can therefore contribute to a particularly space and space-saving design. A projection can be designed so that it distributes the force evenly. For example, it can be designed conical. The projection may continue on the housing to allow for ease of construction or manufacture. It can be continuous with an outer surface of the housing. A projection or a clamping member may continue like a strip on one side of the housing. It can be integrated into a truss structure, which ensures high stability in order to be able to absorb high clamping forces.

A projection may in particular project transversely to the direction of insertion of a wall of the housing. This can ensure that only one lying at the end of the protrusion clamping surface comes into contact with a clamping surface on the mating connector element and the mating connector otherwise easy to move when the clamping surface of the housing is not in contact with the clamping surface of the mating connector element, such as in the unlocked position or in an intermediate position between the unlocking position and the locking position.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lever has an actuating portion, wherein the distance between the actuating portion and the axis of rotation is greater than the distance between the at least one clamping surface of the lever and the axis of rotation. As a result, leverage can be achieved on the actuating section and the force applied to the clamping surface can be greater than the force applied to actuate the actuating section. The actuating portion may be designed to be manually operable to allow about a simple operation without tools. In particular, the distance may be greater by at least a factor of 2, preferably by at least a factor of 3, more preferably by at least a factor of 5, in order to enable a good clamping action with a low actuation force.

The axis of rotation may lie between the clamping surface and the actuating portion. As a result, an actuation can take place on an end opposite the clamping surface. The clamping surface can in particular clamp at one end of the housing, whereby vibrations can be attenuated stronger than in a rather central clamping. In another embodiment, the clamping surfaces between the axis of rotation and the actuating portion may lie, at least in the locking position. This can allow a particularly compact design and ease of use.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lever and the housing on a locking device for relative locking of the two to each other in the locking position. This can ensure that the plug element remains in the locked position. Alternatively, for example, a holding device or a fixing device may be present. In a further embodiment, for example, prevent a frictional engagement, that the lever automatically moves out of the locking position.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lever has a locking member spaced from the axis of rotation. The locking member can lock the mating connector element in the locking position on or in the housing. It can block the movement of the mating connector element out of the housing or away from the housing, in particular counter to the plugging direction. In the locking position, it is also possible for a force acting along the plugging direction to be exerted on the mating plug element, so that the mating plug element is jammed along the plugging direction with the plug element. The locking member may in particular have a continuous pressing surface whose measured in the insertion direction distance from the axis of rotation in the locking position is smaller than in the unlocked position and / or smaller than in a transitional position between the unlocked position and the locking position is located. In the locking position, the mating connector element between the Andrückfläche and a plug-in portion of the plug or a part of the housing may be clamped. The locking member can pull the mating connector automatically in or along the insertion direction, for example, in or on the plug element.

The projection, the clamping member, the housing and / or the lever may have ramps extending obliquely to the plug-in direction in order to make it as easy as possible for the clamping surfaces of the mating plug element to run against the clamping surfaces of the housing or the lever. Likewise, in the direction of insertion running bevels on the mating connector element may be present.

A mating connector element may have clamping surfaces. The clamping surfaces may be transverse to the direction of insertion and facing away from each other or face each other. Like the clamping surfaces on the housing or the lever, the clamping surfaces on the mating connector element, at least in the locking position have transversely to the direction of insertion.

The mating connector element may be a module. For example, it may be a control unit or a control unit, such as an engine control unit. The plug element can be an adapter for the mating plug, in particular for a module.

Analogous to the plug element, at least one clamping surface of the mating plug element can be arranged on a clamping member. In particular, a clamping surface can be arranged again on a projection. The projection can again protrude transversely to or along the insertion direction.

In an advantageous embodiment, the center of gravity of the mating connector element lies between the at least one clamping surface and a plug-in region. By this design, vibrations are damped particularly efficient. In particular, the center of gravity of the mating connector element with respect to the plugging direction between the at least one clamping surface and a plug-in area. By a plug-in area is meant a range in which the mating plug element is electrically and / or mechanically connected to the plug element. In particular, contact elements may be located in the plug-in area. Advantageously, the clamping surface is located at an end remote from a source of vibration such as a motor. The clamping surface may in particular lie at one end, which is opposite to the plug-in area or the plug area. As a result, a particularly efficient damping is possible. The plug-in area can in turn also be at one end to a particular to allow easy insertion. The clamping surface and the plug-in area can therefore lie at two opposite ends relative to the plug-in direction, so that the mating plug element is held at both ends and vibrations do not lead to a relative movement of the mating plug element to the plug element.

In order to obtain a good damping, the center of gravity of the mating connector element can also lie in the vicinity of the at least one clamping surface. Compared to a two-sided clamping, as just described, other vibration frequencies can be damped, such as those with a higher frequency.

In a connector according to the invention, the housing and the mating connector element or the lever and the mating connector element may have complementary formed securing members which block a relative movement of the two to each other in the insertion direction in the locking position. Such securing members may be formed, for example, as pins and recesses, as tongue and groove or as at least partially complementary projections or strips. The clamping surfaces can be arranged in particular on such security organs. For example, the clamping surfaces may lie on an upper side of a projection and abutment surfaces which block a relative movement of the two elements in the plugging direction, on one side of the projection.

The securing members can also prevent perpendicular to the direction of insertion and perpendicular to a transverse direction in which the clamping force, a relative movement of the two elements. In such an embodiment, a relative movement of the two elements in all three spatial directions, namely in the insertion direction, in the transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the direction of insertion, and in a lateral direction, which is transverse to the direction of insertion and transverse to the transverse direction, blocked.

In order to enable a simple guidance of the plug element relative to the mating plug element, the plug element and / or the mating plug element can have guide members for guiding along the mating direction. These can be designed in particular complementary. For example, it may be pins and grooves in which the pins are guided. A belonging to a locking member pressing surface in the mating connector element may be arranged on a guide member. As a result, a particularly compact design is possible.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example only with reference to advantageous embodiments with reference to the drawings. The illustrated features are independent of each other and can be combined with each other as required in the application.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines elektrischen Steckverbinders in der Verriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht des elektrischen Steckverbinders in der Verriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Perspektivansicht des elektrischen Steckverbinders nach den Fig. 1 und 2 in einer zwischen einer Verriegelungsstellung und einer Entriegelungsstellung liegenden Übergangsstellung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Gegensteckerelementes der elektrischen Steckverbinder der Fig. 1 bis 3;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Gehäuses eines Steckerelementes des Steckverbinders aus den Fig. 1 bis 3;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Steckerelementes aus den Fig. 1 bis 3 in der Entriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Frontalansicht des Steckerelementes aus den Fig. 1 bis 3 in einer Entriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Steckerelementes aus den Fig. 1 bis 3 in einer Verriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Frontalansicht des Steckerelementes aus den Fig. 1 bis 3 in einer Verriegelungsstellung aus einer Richtung, die der Blickrichtung der Fig. 7 entgegen gerichtet ist;

Fig. 10

eine teilweise geschnittene schematische Seitenansicht des Steckerelementes aus Fig. 8, wobei der Schnitt entlang der in Fig. 9 gezeigten Ebene X verläuft;

Fig. 11

ein Detail XI aus Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

eine teilweise geschnittene perspektivische Topansicht des Steckerelementes der Fig. 8 bis 11, wobei der Schnitt entlang der in Fig. 8 gezeigten Ebene XII verläuft;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Ansicht des Steckerelementes der Fig. 8 bis 12 aus einer Richtung, die der Blickrichtung in der Fig. 9 entgegengesetzt ist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector in the locked position;

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of the electrical connector in the locked position;

Fig. 3

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector according to the Fig. 1 and 2 in a transition position lying between a locking position and an unlocking position;

Fig. 4

a schematic perspective view of a mating connector element of the electrical connector of Fig. 1 to 3 ;

Fig. 5

a schematic perspective view of a housing of a plug element of the connector from the Fig. 1 to 3 ;

Fig. 6

a schematic side view of the plug element of the Fig. 1 to 3 in the unlocked position;

Fig. 7

a schematic front view of the plug element of the Fig. 1 to 3 in an unlocked position;

Fig. 8

a schematic side view of the plug element of the Fig. 1 to 3 in a locking position;

Fig. 9

a schematic front view of the plug element of the Fig. 1 to 3 in a locking position from one direction, the direction of the Fig. 7 is directed against;

Fig. 10

a partially sectioned schematic side view of the plug element Fig. 8 , where the section along the in Fig. 9 shown level X runs;

Fig. 11

a detail XI off Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

a partially cutaway top perspective view of the plug element of 8 to 11 , where the section along the in Fig. 8 shown level XII runs;

Fig. 13

a schematic view of the plug element of 8 to 12 from one direction, the line of sight in the Fig. 9 is opposite.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 an electrical connector 1 with a plug element 2 and a mating connector element 3 is shown. The mating connector element 3 is a module 31, in this case an engine control unit 32, as used for example in automobiles.

The plug element 2 comprises a housing 5 with a receptacle 6 and a lever 4 mounted on the housing. The receptacle 6 5 is open against an insertion direction. It serves to receive the mating connector element 3. The lever 4 is rotatably mounted on the housing 5 about a rotation axis R. By a rotation about the axis of rotation R, the lever 4 of an unlocking position O (in the Fig. 1 and 2 not shown) in the in Fig. 1 and 2 shown locking position C are brought.

The mating connector element 3 is in the Fig. 1 and 2 inserted into the housing 5 of the plug element 2 and in a transverse direction Q, the transverse, in particular perpendicular to the insertion direction S, in which the mating connector element 3 is inserted into the connector element 2, runs, clamped. Along the plug-in direction S acts a frictional engagement. The frictional engagement is generated by a clamping device 10 formed by the lever 4 and the housing 5. As a result, the mating connector element 3 is firmly connected to the plug element 2, so that there is no relative movement between the two, for example, when vibrations abut the plug connector 1. Such a connector is therefore safer and has a longer life than a connector without these features, since the vibrations can not cause damage such as plastic deformation or abrasion of the electrical contact surfaces.

In the examples shown, the transverse direction Q and the plug-in direction S are perpendicular to each other and are each perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. The clamping forces F extend along the transverse direction Q, ie transversely to the direction of insertion S. The housing 5 and the lever 4 respectively have clamping surfaces 15 and 14, which are opposite to the direction of insertion S and facing each other in the locking position C. At the clamping surfaces 14 and 15 of the lever 4 and the housing 5 are in the locking position C corresponding clamping surfaces 13 of the mating connector element 3, which have transversely to the direction of insertion S to the outside.

The lever 4 and the housing 5 form a clamping pliers 11, which is a clamping device 10 for clamping the mating connector element 3. If, for example, the lever 4 is manually operated, ie rotated, on an actuating section 41, the clamping surfaces 14 located on the opposite side of the lever 4 move transversely to the direction of insertion S due to the rotation about the axis of rotation R. The lever 4 moves into the locking position C brought so pinch the clamping surfaces 14 of the lever 4, the mating connector element 3 against the clamping surfaces 15 of the housing 5 and generate a force acting along the direction of insertion S frictional engagement. The measured in the locking position C distance DC between the clamping surfaces 14 of the lever 4 and the clamping surfaces 15 of the housing 5 is smaller than the distance DT in a transition position T and smaller than the distance DO between the clamping surfaces 14, 15 in an unlocked position O (see also Fig. 3 . 6 and 8th ). The distances DC, DT and DO are measured in each case transversely to the insertion direction S between the clamping surfaces 14 of the lever 4 and the clamping surfaces 15 of the housing 5.

In order to achieve a good leverage, the distance D1 between the clamping surface 14 of the lever 4 and the axis is much smaller than the distance D2 between the axis of rotation R and the actuating portion 41. In the examples shown here, the distance D2 is about three times as large like the distance D1.

In order to clamp the mating connector element 3 at its outer end 33, the clamping surface 14 is the actuating portion 41 with respect to the axis of rotation R opposite. The axis of rotation R thus lies between the clamping surface 14 and the actuating portion 41.

At the inner end 34 of the mating connector element 3, which lies opposite the outer end 33, there is a plug-in region 35, which is in contact with a corresponding plug-in region 50 in the housing 5 when the plug-in connector 1 is plugged together. In the locking position C, the mating connector element 3 is thus held mechanically on the housing 5 both at the outer end 33 and at the inner end 34. This avoids vibrations that could occur if one end were free. Occurring vibrations can therefore not easily solve the mating connector element 3 from the housing 5 or cause damage. In particular, in the locking position C, the center of gravity 36 of the mating connector element 3 lies between the clamping surfaces 13 and the inner end 34 with the plug-in region 35. Since the center of gravity 36 lies between the clamping surfaces 13 and the inner end 34, both mechanically with the housing 5 he can not swing freely.

The lever 4 has a spaced from the axis of rotation R locking member 45. The locking member 45 serves to lock the mating connector element 3 in the housing 5. It blocks a movement of the mating connector element 3 against the plug-in direction S out of the housing 5. For this purpose, each stop surfaces 445 and 345 are attached to the locking member 45 and the mating connector element 3, which are opposite in the locking position C and in the attempt to pull the mating connector element 3 against the insertion direction of the housing 5, abut each other. The locking member 45 is configured so that it automatically pulls or pushes the mating connector element 3 into the housing 5 when the lever 4 is brought from the unlocked position O via the transition position T in the locking position C. For this purpose, the locking member 45 and the mating connector element 3 on pressing surfaces 645 and 545, which bear against each other in the transition position T and the locking position C. The pressing surfaces 545 of the mating connector element 3 are identical to the abutment surfaces 345. The pressing surfaces 645 on the lever 4 are curved, in particular spirally designed and have a varying distance to the axis of rotation R, this distance along the direction of insertion S is measured. In the locking position C they have the smallest distance to the axis of rotation R along the direction of insertion S. The stop surfaces 445 are part of the pressing surface 645 of the lever 4. The pressing surfaces 645 on the lever 4 are continuous and without steps, so that the mating connector element 3 without jerking in the Housing 5 is inserted when the lever 4 is rotated from the unlocked position O in the locking position C.

In order to lock the lever 4 and the housing 5 in the locking position C with each other and thus to prevent it from moving out of the locking position, the lever 4 and the housing 5 have a latching device 70. The latching device 70 comprises a projection 71 on the housing 5 and a recess 72 on the lever 5.

All clamping surfaces 13, 14, 15 are each arranged on a clamping member 12. Such a clamping member is, unlike a clamping surface, which is for example attached to an inside or outside of an element, designed specifically for the clamping function. It can exactly define the position of the clamping surface 13, 14, 15 and its size. As a result, the force flux and the force density per area can be precisely defined in advance in the construction and design. Since the clamping surface is precisely defined on the clamping member, other elements that are not used for clamping, can be made correspondingly thinner and thus lighter. If the clamping surface is correspondingly small, the force density per surface is very high and the clamping effect is always sufficient, which does not have to be the case with undefined and large clamping surfaces.

The clamping members 12 are configured as projections 22. These jump along or across the direction of insertion S. A projection 24 on the lever 4 projects radially from the axis of rotation R away from the rest of the lever 4. In the locking position C, it projects against the plug-in direction S from the lever 4 and from the rest of the plug element 2. The attached thereto clamping surface 14 is in engagement with a clamping surface 13 at a lower projection 23 of the mating connector element 3. The lower projections 23 of the mating connector 3 jump both against the transverse direction Q and in or against a lateral direction L, perpendicular to the transverse direction Q and perpendicular to the insertion direction S, from the rest of the mating connector element 3. A clamping surface 13, which is attached to an upper projection 23 of the mating connector element 3, is in the locking position C in contact with the clamping surfaces 15 on projections 25 of the housing 5. The upper projection 23 of the mating connector element jumps in the transverse direction Q from the rest of the mating connector element third so that the mating connector element can move relatively unhindered in the housing 5 when the connector 1 is not yet in the locking position C. To facilitate emergence of the clamping surfaces 13, 15 on each other, 3 ramp surfaces 220 are attached to the above clamping projection 23 of the mating connector element. Corresponding ramps are also found on the projection 25 of the housing fifth

The projections 25 on the housing 5 extend along the plug-in direction S, more precisely opposite to the plug-in direction S from the rest of the housing. This construction makes it possible to use a previous housing as a basis for the construction of the new housing 5 and to add only the projections 25. An elaborate redesign is therefore not necessary.

The projections 25 on the housing 5 continue on the housing 5. They are parts of struts 250, which are externally attached to the housing 5. These struts allow to absorb high forces. In order to absorb lateral forces, the projections 25 and the struts 250 are integrated into a truss structure 200 on the outside of the housing 5. This allows a lightweight, yet stable construction. In order to still be able to open the lever 4 on the housing wall, the lever has recesses 400 with bridging elements 401 which extend over the struts 250 on.

At a rear side 102 of the connector 1 cables 105 are indicated, which extend into the housing 5 and serve for electrical contacting of the mating connector element 3.

In order to enable or facilitate a guidance of the mating connector element 3 in the housing 5, the mating connector element 3 and the housing 5 each have guide elements 7. The guide members 7 each have guide surfaces 70 which point in the transverse direction Q or counter to the transverse direction Q. The guide surfaces 70 form a plane in which the insertion direction S is located. The guide members 7 on the mating connector element 3 are designed as projections, the guide members 7 on the housing 5 are designed as grooves or channel-like recesses. In order to keep the constructions compact, the pressing surface 545 and the abutment surface 345 of the mating connector element 3 are formed on a guide member 7.

Due to the clamping device 10 and the locking member 45, the mating connector element 3 is already held in the transverse direction Q and in the insertion direction S. In order to allow slippage in the lateral direction L, which in each case runs perpendicular to the transverse direction Q and to the insertion direction S, the lever 4 and the mating connector element 3 have securing members 8, which are configured complementary to one another and block movement in the lateral direction L. The securing members 8 on the lever 4 are configured as small strips which prevent movement with the securing members 8 designed as pins on the mating connector element 3 along the lateral direction L.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 the mating connector element 3 and the housing 5 are shown individually in perspective.

In the Fig. 6 to 13 are different views of the plug element 2, partially in a partially sectioned view, shown. In the Fig. 6 and 7 are the plug element 2 while in the unlocked position O, in the Fig. 8 to 13 is the plug element 2 in the locked position C.

When assembling the connector 1, the mating connector element 3 is inserted into the connector element 2 in the unlocked position O along the insertion direction S. To make this possible, the lever 4 plug-in recesses 9. The lever 4 is then rotated about the axis of rotation R and goes into a transition position T, which in the Fig. 3 is shown over. There, the pressing surfaces 645 of the lever 4 engage behind the pressing surfaces 545 of the mating connector element 3, so that the mating connector element 3 is automatically pushed or pulled into the housing 5. The housing 5 has a receptacle 6 for the mating connector element 3, at the end of which a plug-in region 51 of the plug element 2 is located. This plug-in area 51 is automatically plugged together with the plug-in area 35 of the mating connector element 3. At the end of the rotary movement of the lever 4, the mating connector element 3 is located in the final position. At the same time when reaching the end position, the clamping surfaces 13, 14, 15 are clamped on each other and thereby the mating connector element 3 clamped in the transverse direction Q. The solution shown thus allows a simple connection of the connector element 2 with the mating connector element 3, wherein the mating connector element 3 is also kept low in vibration in the locking position.

reference numeral

1

Connectors

2

male member

3

Mating connector element

4

lever

5

casing

6

admission

7

management body

8th

safety element

9

plug recess

10

clamping device

11

locking pliers

12

clamping member

13

Clamping surface of the mating connector element

14

Clamping surface of the lever

15

Clamping surface of the housing

22

head Start

23

Projection on mating connector element

24

Projection on the lever

25

Projection on the housing

31

module

32

Engine control unit

33

outboard end

34

inside end

35

plug-in region

36

main emphasis

41

actuating section

45

locking member

50

Plug-in area of the mating connector element

51

plug-in region

70

locking device

70

guide surfaces

71

catch projection

72

Recess on the lever

102

Rear of the connector

105

electric wire

200

Truss structure

220

approach ramp

250

pursuit

400

recess

401

bridging element

345

Stop surface on the mating connector element

445

Stop surface on the lever

545

Andrückfläche on mating connector element

645

Pressing surface on the lever

C

locking position

F

clamping force

L

lateral direction

O

unlocking

Q

transversely

R

axis of rotation

S

plug-in direction

T

Transition position

D1

Distance clamping surface lever - rotation axis

D2

Distance actuating section - axis of rotation

DC

Distance clamping surface Lever - clamping surface Housing in locking position

DO

Distance Clamping surface Lever - clamping surface Housing in unlocking position

DT

Distance clamping surface Lever - clamping surface Housing in transition position

Claims (13)

Plug element (2) for an electrical plug connector (1), with a housing (5) arranged in a housing (S) open receptacle (6) for a mating connector element (3), in particular a control unit for a motor vehicle, and with a relative to the housing (5) about a rotational axis (R) from an unlocking position (O) in a locking position (C) rotatable lever (4), wherein the lever (4) and the housing (5) together a clamping device (10) for Forming a along the insertion direction (S) acting frictional engagement form. Plug element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (10) comprises a clamping tongs (11) formed by the lever (4) and the housing (5). Plug element (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lever (4) and the housing (5) each have at least one clamping surface (14, 15), wherein a measured in a transverse direction (Q) distance (DC) between the at least one clamping surface (14) of the lever (4) and the at least one clamping surface (15) of the housing (5) in the locking position (C) is smaller than the distance (DO) between the at least one clamping surface (14) of the lever (4 ) and the at least one clamping surface (15) of the housing (5) in the unlocked position (O). Plug element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one clamping surface (14, 15) on a projection (22) is arranged. Plug element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lever (4) has an actuating portion (41) and the distance (D2) between the actuating portion (41) and the axis of rotation (R) is greater than the distance (D1). between the at least one clamping surface (14) and the axis of rotation (R). Plug element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing (5) and / or the lever (4) in the insertion direction (S) extending bevels (220). Mating connector element (3) for an electrical connector (1), wherein the mating connector element (3) is configured complementary to a connector element (2) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6. Mating connector element (3) according to claims, wherein at least one clamping surface (13) of the mating connector element (3) on a projection (22) is arranged. Mating connector element (3) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the center of gravity (36) of the mating connector element (3) between the at least one clamping surface (13) of the mating connector element (3) and a plug-in region (35). Mating connector element (3) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the center of gravity (36) of the mating connector element (3) in the vicinity of the at least one clamping surface (13) of the mating connector element (3). Electrical connector (1), wherein the connector (1) comprises a plug element (2) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6 and a plug element (2) insertable mating connector element (3) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein in the Locking position (C) the mating connector element (3) via a in the insertion direction (S) acting frictional engagement in the plug element (2) is held. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 11, wherein the housing (5) and the mating connector element (3) or the lever (4) and the mating connector element (3) have complementary formed securing members (8) in the locking position (C) a Block relative movement of the two to each other in the direction of insertion (S). Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the plug element (2) and / or the mating connector element (3) guide members (7) for guiding along the plugging direction (S).

Images