EP3358682A1 - Electrical connector and electrical connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector (100) and a plug-in system (300) with the connector (100) according to the invention and a complementary plug-in element (200). In this case, the connector (100) has a plug-in region (10) for connecting the connector (100) with a complementary plug-in element (200), wherein the plug-in region (10) has a multi-part thread (13) and at least one latching means (15), and wherein the at least one latching means (15) is designed to be engaged with at least one complementary latching means (35) of the complementary plug-in element (200).

Description

The invention relates to a connector and a plug-in system with a connector and a complementary plug-in element. In particular, the invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board with a complementary plug-in element.

The invention is in the field of connector technology, in particular in the field of circular connectors, ie connectors with, for example, an M12, M8, M23 or a 7/8 "thread Such connectors, in particular M12 connectors, become for example Traditionally, such connectors have threads that allow the connector to be bolted and secured so that these connectors can withstand mechanical stresses, such as from connected machines.

The mating or screwing such connectors is relatively time consuming. In addition, both the male and the female connector must necessarily have mutually complementary screw rings, which makes such a connector system expensive and inflexible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector and an improved connector system. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that can be used flexibly depending on the application. This object is achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

• einen Steckbereich zum Verbinden des Steckverbinders mit einem komplementären Steckelement, wobei der Steckbereich ein mehrteiliges Gewinde und zumindest ein Rastmittel aufweist, und wobei das zumindest eine Rastmittel ausgelegt ist, um mit zumindest einem komplementären Rastmittel des komplementären Steckelements in Eingriff gebracht zu werden.

A first independent aspect for solving the problem relates to a connector comprising:

• a plug-in portion for connecting the connector to a complementary plug-in element, wherein the plug portion has a multi-part thread and at least one latching means, and wherein the at least one latching means is designed to be engaged with at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug element.

The connector may be a male or a female connector. In particular, the connector may be a socket or a socket.

With the plug-in area, the plug connector can be connected to a complementary plug element or complementary plug connector, in particular a female or male plug connector. If the connector is e.g. a male connector, it can be connected to a complementary female connector. If the connector is e.g. a female connector, it can be connected to a complementary male connector.

Preferably, the connector has a circular connector, with a complementary circular connector can be connected to the connector.

The term "bonding" is understood in particular to be an electrical and mechanical joining or joining.

The plug-in region of the plug connector may have, for example, plug-element-side contact elements which can be connected or joined together with complementary contact elements of the complementary plug element such that an electrical contact exists between the respective contact elements and the associated complementary contact elements.

For connection, the plug-in region of the connector has a multi-part thread and at least one latching means.

A multi-part thread or a multi-part threaded element is understood to mean a thread or a thread-like element which is composed of several parts or sections. In particular, the multi-part thread is composed of a plurality, preferably three, threaded sections, wherein two successive threaded sections are separated or spaced by a respective threadless section. A threaded portion is understood to mean a portion having a thread structure, i. the profiled notches or threads characteristic of the thread, while a non-threaded portion means a portion having no such thread structure. In other words, a multi-part thread is understood as meaning a thread or a thread-like element which does not have a continuous thread structure but rather a plurality of recesses or cutouts. In particular, in the multi-part thread, its threaded structure or its threads extend or extend only with interruptions or recesses around the interior of a cylindrical wall. The breaks may be e.g. Milling the thread structure represent.

The multi-part thread in the sense of the present invention therefore differs from a conventional thread in that the thread structure or the profiled notch, respectively, does not run continuously around a cylindrical wall, but only in sections, i. with interruptions or recesses or cutouts.

The at least one latching means, which may be, for example, a latching means receptacle for receiving the complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element, is designed to be engaged with at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element. In particular, can each locking means of the connector are brought into engagement with a respectively associated complementary latching means of the complementary plug element. Preferably, the connector or the plug-in region of the connector comprises at least two and particularly preferably three latching means which can each be brought into engagement with an associated complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element. In other words, preferably a first latching means of the connector can be brought into engagement with an associated first complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element. Accordingly, preferably, a second latching means of the connector with an associated second complementary latching means of the complementary plug element are brought into engagement. Further, preferably, a third locking means of the connector can be brought into engagement with an associated third complementary locking means of the complementary plug element.

The at least one latching means is preferably elastic and / or resilient. Particularly preferably, the at least one locking means is designed as a latching hook, in particular as an elastic and / or resilient latching hook. The at least one latching means is used in particular the releasable fixing of the connection between the connector and the complementary plug-in element or the reversible locking between the connector and the complementary plug-in element.

With the connector according to the invention is thus advantageously possible to realize not only a stable, but also a flexible connection with a complementary plug-in element. Thus, the connector according to the invention, for example, with a conventional plug-in element, which has a threaded ring, are connected by the threaded ring of the plug element is screwed into the multi-part thread of the connector according to the invention, whereby a very stable connection is made. However, unlike a conventional connector, it is also possible to use the connector according to the invention with a complementary plug-in element, which has a complementary locking means instead of a screw ring to connect. In this case, the connection without a time-consuming screws, ie very quickly, in particular by a simple pressing, can be produced. Accordingly, the compound can be solved again very quickly, in particular by a simple pulling. The connector is thus usable as a so-called "push-pull" connector.

The connector according to the invention is thus a multifunctional connector, which can be connected depending on the application with different complementary plug-in elements and thus flexible or multi-functional use. In addition, the multi-part thread facilitates the insertion of the complementary plug-in element in the plug-in region of the connector and can in particular prevent a wrong insertion or a wrong polarity when mating.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a circuit board portion for attaching and / or connecting the connector to a circuit board.

The connector can be referred to in this embodiment, in particular as a plug-in base. The attachment of the connector or socket to the circuit board can be done in particular by contacting and / or soldering printed circuit board contact elements or contact pins of the connector or socket with associated contact points of the circuit board.

Preferably, therefore, the circuit board portion of the connector or socket circuit board contact elements, which can be contacted with associated contact points of the circuit board and in particular soldered.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a connector housing, wherein the multi-part thread and the at least one locking means are part of the connector housing. In other words, the connector housing includes the multi-part thread and the at least a locking means.

Preferably, the connector housing housing-side contact elements and / or plug-side contact elements of the connector and thus protected from environmental influences.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one latching means of the connector is formed as a return of the multi-part thread. In other words, the at least one locking means is formed by a taper of the multi-part thread. The at least one locking means is thus preferably part of the multi-part thread, i. the multi-part thread has the at least one locking means.

The latching means or the recess or the taper is preferably arranged in the plug-in region of the connector such that in a mounted state, a complementary latching means of a complementary plug-in element with the latching means of the connector is engaged.

Under a mounted state is understood in the context of the present invention, a state in which the connector is electrically and mechanically connected to a complementary plug-in element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the multi-part thread has at least one, in particular two, three, four, etc., threaded sections and at least one, in particular two three, four, etc., threadless sections.

As already described above, in the context of the present invention, a threaded section is understood to mean a section which has a threaded structure, ie profiled thread notches. Under a threadless section is accordingly understood a section which has no such thread structure. The threadless sections are thus sections or areas in which the thread structure is recessed or milled out.

Preferably, the at least one latching means of the connector is formed as a return or Vejüngung at least one non-threaded portion of the multi-part thread. Further preferably, the number of locking means corresponds to the number of non-threaded portions of the multi-part thread. In particular, each of the at least one latching means is formed as a recess or taper of an associated non-threaded portion of the multi-part thread.

In a preferred embodiment, the multi-part thread has at least two threaded sections and at least two threadless sections.

Preferably, the number of locking means corresponds to the number of threadless sections.

More preferably, each locking means is formed as a return of an associated non-threaded portion of the multi-part thread.

Particularly preferably, the multi-part thread is a three-part thread. This three-part thread has three threaded sections, wherein a threadless section is arranged in each case between two successive threaded sections. In other words, each two consecutive threaded portions are separated by a non-threaded portion from each other or spaced.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one threadless section or the threadless sections are designed and / or dimensioned such that the at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug element along an insertion in the at least one unthreaded section or in at least one of the threadless sections can be introduced.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug-in area or the multi-part thread is designed with a complementary circular connector, especially an M12 connector, to be connected.

A further independent aspect for achieving the object relates to a plug-in system with a plug connector according to the invention and a complementary plug-in element, wherein the complementary plug element has a plug-in region which is complementary to the plug-in region of the plug connector and which can be connected to the plug-in region of the plug connector.

In a preferred embodiment, the complementary plug element or the plug region of the complementary plug element has at least one complementary latching means which can be brought into engagement with the at least one latching means or with at least one of the latching means of the plug connector. In particular, the at least one latching means and / or the at least one complementary latching means are designed such that in the mounted state of the plug-in system, the at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element is engaged with the at least one latching means of the plug-in connector. Preferably, the complementary plug-in element or the plug-in region of the complementary plug-in element has at least two complementary latching means and particularly preferably three complementary latching means.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one complementary latching means on a spring element. In particular, the at least one complementary latching means is a spring element. The spring element preferably has resiliency elastic properties.

Preferably, the complementary plug-in element has a latching means body or a spring element body, in which the at least one latching means or spring element is formed.

Further preferably, the complementary plug-in element has at least one guide element, which is designed and / or dimensioned such that it is in the at least one non-threaded portion of the multi-part thread is insertable. Particularly preferably, the complementary plug-in element on three guide elements, which are designed and / or dimensioned such that they are each insertable into associated non-threaded portions of the multi-part or three-piece thread. In other words, in the mounted state, the guide elements of the complementary plug element preferably extend through the threadless sections of the plug connector. In particular, the number of guide elements corresponds to the number of threadless sections. Each guide member of the complementary male member preferably extends through an associated non-threaded portion of the connector.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug-in system is designed as an M12 plug-in system. That Preferably, the complementary plug-in element is an M12 connector and / or the multi-part thread is essentially an M12 thread or the multi-part thread is substantially formed as an M12 thread.

Alternatively or additionally, the plug-in system is designed as a push-pull plug-in system. In particular, the complementary plug-in element can be electrically and mechanically connected or fixed to the plug-in base along a plug-in direction by applying a predetermined force, which depends in particular on the elastic properties of the complementary latching means or spring element. Accordingly, by applying a predetermined force, which depends in particular on the elastic properties of the complementary latching means or spring element, the complementary plug-in element can be released from the plug connector opposite to the plug-in direction, i. It can thereby be repealed in the assembled state fixation between the connector and the complementary plug-in element.

Optionally, the connector and / or the complementary plug-in element may have further components. For example, a screen housing, the connector or the complementary plug element at least partially electrically shielded. In addition to the screen housing (s), the plug-in system can have further optional additional modules, such as a seal and / or one or two inhibitor rings, which hinder and / or reduce an unintentional release of the plug connection.

For the above-mentioned further independent aspect and in particular for related preferred embodiments, the statements made above or below apply to the embodiments of the first aspect. In particular, for an independent aspect of the present invention and for related preferred embodiments, the statements made above and below apply to the embodiments of the respective other independent aspect.

In the following, individual embodiments for solving the problem will be described by way of example with reference to the figures. In this case, the individual embodiments described have in part features which are not absolutely necessary in order to carry out the claimed subject matter, but which provide desired properties in certain applications. Thus, embodiments are also to be regarded as falling under the described technical teaching, which does not have all the features of the embodiments described below. Further, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, certain features will be mentioned only with respect to each of the embodiments described below. It should be noted that the individual embodiments should therefore be considered not only in isolation, but also in a synopsis. Based on this synopsis, those skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments may also be modified by incorporating one or more features of other embodiments. It should be understood that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments having single or multiple features described with respect to other embodiments may be desirable and useful, and therefore should be considered and also included within the description.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1

shows a perspective view of a plug-in system with a connector and a complementary plug-in element according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2

shows a cross section of the plug system according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

shows a cross section of a connector housing of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4

shows a front view of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5

shows a perspective front view of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6

shows a perspective front view of the complementary plug-in element according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7

shows a perspective side view of a locking body according to a preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of the drawings

The location selected in the present description, such as location. B. top, bottom, side, etc., are each related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are mutatis mutandis to transfer to a new position to the new situation.

The FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plug-in system 300 with a connector 100 and a complementary plug-in element 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The connector 100 and the complementary plug-in element 200 are designed and provided to be inserted with their insertion-side end in the insertion direction E into one another, wherein they enter into a plug connection with each other.

The connector 100, which according to the FIG. 1 is designed as a plug-in base, has a plug-in area 10 and a printed circuit board area 20.

The printed circuit board area 10 of the connector 100 has printed circuit board contact elements 24 and 26. The board contact elements 24 may be e.g. serve for the transmission of a signal and are therefore referred to as signal contacts in the context of the present invention. The printed circuit board contact elements 26 are in particular shield contacts, which additionally contribute to the mechanical stabilization or fixation of the connector 100 on a printed circuit board. The PCB contact elements 24 and 26 can be plugged into corresponding contact points of the circuit board or soldered thereto. Over the printed circuit board area 20 of the connector or socket 100 can thus be attached to a circuit board or board.

The plug-in portion 20 of the connector 100 has a multi-part, in particular three-part, thread 13 and at least one, in particular three locking means 15 (in the FIG. 1 not to be seen). Both the multi-part thread 13 and the latching means 15 can serve for fixing a plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 and the plug-in area 10 of the plug connector 100. For this purpose, a screw ring (not shown here) of the complementary plug element 200 can be screwed into the multi-part thread 13. Alternatively, the locking means 15 by inserting the complementary plug element 200 in the Plug-in area 10 of the connector 100 with associated complementary latching means or spring elements 35 of the complementary plug-in element 200 are brought into engagement. In the FIG. 1 two of a total of three complementary locking means or spring elements are visible.

The connector 100 has a connector housing 50, which houses a connection element 17. The connection element 17 has plug-in element-side contact elements 19 which are provided with complementary contact elements 39 (in the FIG. 1 not to be seen) of the complementary plug-in element 200 can be connected or joined, so that in the mounted state between the respective contact elements 19 and the associated complementary contact elements 39 is an electrical and physical contact. The connecting element 17 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example of a plastic, and serves for electrical insulation of the contact elements 19. The multi-part thread 13 and the locking means 15 are part of the connector housing 50. The locking means 15 are located inside or at the Inside the connector housing 50 and are therefore in the FIG. 1 not visible.

If the plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 is inserted into the plug-in area 10 of the plug connector, then a ring 40 of the complementary plug element 200 strikes a stop point of the plug connector housing 50 or a plug-in area-side edge, ie an edge of the plug-in area 10 facing away from the printed circuit board area Connector 100 on. By pulling on the ring 40 counter to the insertion direction E, a lock, which is due to an engagement of the latching means 15 with the complementary latching means 35, be repealed without destroying the locking mechanism. In particular, a sufficiently strong pulling on the ring 40 against the insertion direction E causes a relative movement between the connector 100 and the complementary plug element 200 and thus also between the locking means 15 and the complementary latching means 35. This consequently leads to a, in particular non-destructive,

Unlocking the engaged locking means 15 and 35. In other words, the engagement of the latching means 15 with the complementary latching means 35 can be canceled or released by a sufficiently strong pulling on the plug element 200 and in particular on the ring 40 nondestructive. As a result of its function, the ring 40 may be referred to as a stop ring and / or as an unlocking ring.

In addition, the complementary plug-in element 200 on guide elements 34 which are designed and / or dimensioned such that they each in associated non-threaded portions 13b (see, eg FIG. 3 ) of the multi-part thread 13 can be inserted. The number of guide elements corresponds to the number of complementary latching means or spring elements 35. In particular, each spring element 35 is guided through an opening of an associated guide element 34. Furthermore, the complementary plug-in element 200 has an insulating sleeve 60, which can wrap a cable (not shown here).

The FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the plug-in system 300 of FIG. 1 , In addition to those already in conjunction with the FIG. 1 described components, which also in the FIG. 2 are each provided with identical reference numerals are in the illustration of the FIG. 2 Also two of three locking means or spring elements 15 of the connector 100 can be seen. Again FIG. 2 can be seen further, the complementary plug-in element 200 further comprises a latching body or a spring element body 70, in which the at least one complementary latching means or spring element 35 is formed.

Furthermore, in the FIG. 2 a to the connection element 17 of the connector 100 complementary connection element 37 of the plug element 200 with two of four complementary contact elements 39 to see. The complementary connection element 37 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example of a plastic, and serves for the electrical insulation of the complementary contact elements 39. At the right end, ie the end facing away from the plug-in area 30, of the complementary connector 200, a cable (not shown) , whose wires with the complementary contact elements 39 connected to be connected. Thus, by means of the plug-in system 300, a cable (not shown) can be connected to a circuit board (not shown).

The locking means 15 is formed as a recess or as a taper of the three-part thread 13. In the assembled state, i. When the plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 is inserted along the plug-in direction E into the plug-in area 10 of the plug connector 100, the spring elements 35 of the complementary plug element 200 engage in the associated recesses 15 of the plug connector 100 and serve for fixing or holding between the plug connector 100 and the complementary plug-in element 200.

When inserting the mating portion 30 of the complementary male member 200 into the mating portion 10 of the male connector 100, first, the spring members 35 are resiliently contacted by contact with a non-threaded portion 13b of the three-piece thread 13, i. resilient, deformed until they finally relax at the respective recesses or tapers 15 of the three-part thread 13 again and thus engage in the respective recesses 15. Only when the complementary plug element 200 is pulled counter to the insertion direction E with a predetermined force, the spring elements 15 are again compressed or compressed, whereby the engagement of the spring elements 35 with the recesses 15, i. the fixation, and thus solves the complementary plug-in element 200 can be disconnected from the connector 100 and withdrawn. The plug-in system 300 is thus a so-called "push-pull" plug-in system, in which the connection can be achieved by simply pressing the complementary plug element 200 in the plug-in direction E, and can be released by simply pulling it against the plug-in direction E.

The FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the connector housing 50 of the connector 100 according to a preferred embodiment. In this case, the connector housing 50 is in turn divided into the plug-in area 10 and the printed circuit board area 20. For orientation regarding the FIGS. 1 and 2 is also the insertion direction E indicated.

In the plug-in area 10, a section of the three-part thread 13 can be seen. The three-part thread 13 has threaded portions 13a and threadless portions 13b. Overall, in the embodiment of the connector 100 and the connector housing 50 shown herein, there are three threaded portions 13a and three unthreaded portions 13b. Like in the FIG. 3 As can be seen, the threaded portions 13a have a thread structure, ie perforated notches typical for the thread, while the threadless portions 13b have no such thread structure. Rather, the threadless portions 13b are a recess or cutout of the thread structure of a conventional thread, for example, an M12 thread. About these recesses, ie on the threadless portions 13b, respectively, the spring elements 35 of the complementary plug element 200 (in the FIG. 3 not shown) along the insertion direction E in the plug-in region 10, ie in the interior of the connector housing 50 and the connector 100, inserted or pushed or pressed until the spring elements 35 engage in the recesses 15. Since a dimension or a radius of the multi-part thread 13 is matched to a dimension or a radius of the complementary plug element 200 or its plug-in area 30, that the guide elements 34 and the complementary locking means or spring elements 35 only 13b over the threadless portions , but can not be inserted via the threaded portions 13a in the connector 100 or its plug-in portion 10, thus a wrong plugging or a wrong polarity can be prevented during insertion.

The three-piece thread 13 and the recesses 15 are in this embodiment part of the connector housing 50. The connector housing 50 and the three-part thread 13 with the recesses 15 are preferably made of metal or plastic, such as. Hard plastic, made.

In the FIG. 4 For example, the connector 100 is shown in a frontal view according to a preferred embodiment. In the connector housing 50 is the plug-element-side connection element 17 with a plurality of contact elements 19th arranged. The contact elements 19 are in this embodiment as a female contact elements, ie as Einsteckbuchsen, for inserting complementary male contact elements 39 (see FIG. 6 ), educated. On the inner wall of the connector housing 50, the three-part thread 13 is formed with the threaded portions 13a and the unthreaded portions 13b. Furthermore, the printed circuit board contact elements 24 and the Leiterplättenhaltelemente 26 are shown for connecting the connector or socket 100 to a circuit board.

The FIG. 5 shows the connector 100 again in a perspective frontal view, wherein the individual components with identical reference numerals as in FIG. 4 Marked are.

The FIG. 6 shows a perspective front view of the complementary plug-in element 200 according to a preferred embodiment. In particular, the three complementary latching means or spring elements 35, which are guided during insertion of the complementary plug-in element 200 into the plug-in region 10 of the connector 100 through the threadless sections 13b of the three-part thread 13, can be seen. Furthermore, the complementary connection element 37 arranged within the insulating sleeve 60 with the complementary contact elements 39 can also be seen. The complementary contact elements 39 are in this embodiment as a male contact elements, ie as a plug or contact pins for insertion into the female contact elements 19 (see FIG. 5 ), educated.

The FIG. 7 shows a perspective side view of the detent body or spring element body 70 according to a preferred embodiment. At the locking means body 70, three locking means or spring elements 35 are formed. In the assembled state, the latching means 35 through corresponding openings of the guide elements 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) guided. In other words, in the mounted state, the latching means 35 extend through the openings of the guide elements 34.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Plug-in area of the connector

13

Multi-part thread

13a

threaded portion

13b

unthreaded section

15

Latching means / return / rejuvenation

17

connecting element

19

contact element

20

PCB area

24

PCB contact element

26

retaining element

30

Plug-in area of the complementary plug element

34

guide element

35

complementary latching means / latching hook / spring element

37

complementary connection element

39

complementary contact element

40

Ring / stop ring / unlocking ring

50

connector housing

60

insulation

70

Rastmittelkörper / spring element body

100

Plug connector / socket / plug-in socket

200

complementary plug / complementary connector

300

plug-in system

e

insertion

Claims (15)

Connector (100) comprising: - A plug-in area (10) for connecting the connector (100) with a complementary plug element (200), wherein the plug portion (10) has a multi-part thread (13) and at least one latching means (15), and wherein the at least one latching means (15 ) is adapted to be engaged with at least one complementary latching means (35) of the complementary male member (200). The connector (100) of claim 1, further comprising - A printed circuit board area (20) for attaching the connector (100) to a circuit board. A connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising - A connector housing (50), wherein the multi-part thread (13) and the at least one latching means (15) are part of the connector housing (50). Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one latching means (15) is formed as a return of the multi-part thread (13). Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein
the multi-part thread (13) has at least one threaded portion (13a) and at least one threadless portion (13b). Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein
the multi-part thread (13) has at least two threaded sections (13a) and at least two unthreaded sections (13b). Connector (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connector (100) has a number of non-threaded portions (13b) corresponding number of locking means (15). Connector (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein each latching means (15) is formed as a return of an associated threadless portion (13b) of the multi-part thread (13). A connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-part thread (13) is a three-part thread. Connector (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the threadless portions (13b) are designed and / or dimensioned such that the at least one complementary latching means (35) of the complementary plug element (200) along a direction of insertion into at least one of the threadless Sections (13b) can be introduced. Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in portion (10) is adapted to be connected to a complementary circular connector, in particular an M12 connector. Plug-in system (300) with a connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a complementary plug-in element (200), wherein the complementary plug-in element (200) has a plug-in area (30) which is complementary to the plug-in area (10) of the plug connector (100) can be connected to the plug-in area (10) of the connector (100). Plug system (300) according to claim 12, wherein the complementary plug element (200) has at least one complementary latching means (35) which can be brought into engagement with at least one of the latching means (15) of the connector (100). Plug system (300) according to claim 13, wherein the at least one complementary latching means (35) is elastic and / or has a spring element. Plug system (300) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the plug-in system (300) is designed as an M12 plug-in system, and / or wherein the plug-in system (300) is designed as a push-pull plug-in system.

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