WO2012123460A1

WO2012123460A1 - Plug element with strain relief organ

Info

Publication number: WO2012123460A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/054400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xavier Rouillard; Veronique BRENCA
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics France Sas
Priority date: 2011-03-15
Filing date: 2012-03-13
Publication date: 2012-09-20
Also published as: FR2972861B1; FR2972861A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-element (2) for an electrical plug-in connector (1), comprising at least one conductor receptacle (12), adapted to take up an electrical conductor (100) in a conductor insertion direction (I) in which the conductor (100) may be inserted in and withdrawn from the at least one conductor receptacle (12). Further the invention relates to a mating plug-element (3) and a plug-in connector (1). In order to facilitate strain relief of the conductor (100), the present invention provides that a strain relief organ (22) is connected to the plug-element (2) and in a fixing position (B) at least partially overlaps with the at least one conductor receptacle (12) in a projection along the conductor insertion direction (I).

Description

PLUG-ELEMENT WITH STRAIN RELIEF ORGAN

The present invention relates to a plug-element for an electrical plug-in connector, comprising at least one conductor receptacle, adapted to take up an electrical conductor in a conductor insertion direction in which the conductor may be inserted in and withdrawn from the at least one conductor receptacle. Further, the present invention relates to a mating plug- element and a plug-in connector.

Plug-elements, mating plug-elements and plug-in connectors of the type described above are well-known from the prior art. Commonly, the plug-elements provide openings to their conductor receptacles through which the conductors e.g. electrical lines or wires are inserted into the plug-element in order to be affixed therein. For affixing the conductors, terminals crimped to their tips are often arrested at the plug-element.

The connection between the conductors and the terminals is a permanent and omnipresent weakness because as the terminals are arrested within a plug-element, any forces acting on the conductor tend to strain that connection. As a result, the connection between the conductor and the terminal may be mechanically and electrically impaired, especially when the plug-element, respectively, a connector comprising a plug-element is frequently operated or exposed to movement and vibration. Hence, the connection between the conductor and the terminal may fail. The conductor as well as the terminal may disengage or dissociate. In order to prevent any strains from affecting the connection between the conductor and the terminal, strain relief pieces are generally utilised, which attach the conductor to e.g. a housing of the plug-element. The strain relief pieces commonly clamp an isolation of the conductor such that the conductor is immobilised. Known strain relief pieces are formed with parts which are e.g. screwed onto the plug-element. Several disadvantages arise from the use of known strain relief pieces: When assembling the plug-element, its housing and the strain relief piece are provided separately but have to match as otherwise they would not properly work together. Consequently, on the assembly side, there is a problem of selecting the plug-element and a suitable strain relief piece. On the manufacturing side, there is a problem that the produced numbers of plug-element and strain relief pieces have to be coordinated for both parts, and corresponding production machines have to be provided. Moreover, the strain relief piece may get lost during use. In view of the disadvantages and problems of the prior art described above, an object underlying the invention is to provide a plug-element wherein means for strain relief are easy to use and to manufacture.

This object is achieved according to the present invention for the electrical plug-element mentioned in the beginning of the description in that a strain relief organ is connected to the plug-element and in a fixing position at least partially overlaps with the at least one conductor receptacle in a projection along the conductor insertion direction.

For a mating plug-element mentioned in the beginning of the description, the object is achieved in that the mating plug-element is adapted to be mated with at least one plug- element according to the invention.

For a plug-in connector mentioned in the beginning of the description, the object is achieved in that the plug-in connector comprises at least one plug-element element according to the invention and at least one mating plug-element according to the invention.

These solutions provide that the strain relief organ may be undetachably combined with the plug-element and may not get lost so easily. Through the connection of the plug-element and the strain relief organ, their matching is always guaranteed. The plug-element and the strain relief organ may be manufactured together and may stay together from production to use. By overlapping with the at least one conductor receptacle, the strain relief organ provides a simple solution for locking or clamping the conductor within its receptacle. Thereby, any strains acting on the conductor may be absorbed at the strain relief organ within the conductor receptacle and thereby be kept away from a connecting area, where the conductor is connected to a terminal or where the conductor contacts a mating conductor of a mating plug-element.

The solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the following further embodiments that are advantageous on their own in each case.

According to a first possible further embodiment, the strain relief organ may comprise a strain relief element which protrudes from the strain relief organ and at least in the fixing position juts into the at least one conductor receptacle. By jutting into the conductor receptacle, the strain relief element may overlap with the at least one conductor receptacle in a projection along the conductor insertion direction and may further help to alter a free cross- sectional area within the conductor receptacle such that the conductor may be locked or clamped therein. Therefore, the strain relief may mesh or engage with the conductor or a complementing counter strain relief element provided therefore.

In order to easily clamp the conductor within the conductor receptacle, the strain relief organ may comprise a protrusion which may be adapted to at least partially penetrate the conductor at least in the fixing position. The protrusion may be formed as a nose, lug, ridge or grid which may penetrate the isolation of the conductor or at least deform it and exert a force thereon acting substantially perpendicular to the conductor insertion direction on the conductor such that it is fixed within the conductor receptacle. In order to effectively keep any strains away from a terminal attached to the conductor, the overlapping of the strain relief organ and the conductor receptacle may take place adjacent to a terminal receptacle or a transition between a line receptacle for an electrical line and the terminal receptacle of the plug-element. The terminal receptacle may be adapted to take up an electrical terminal connected to the conductor. The line receptacle may be equal to the conductor receptacle or at least a part thereof which is adapted to receive an electrical line of the conductor. A length of the conductor receptacle may exceed its width. Thereby, any forces acting on the conductor perpendicularly to the insertion direction may be supported laterally in a region of the conductor receptacle between the overlapping position with regard to the strain relief organ and an opening of the conductor receptacle through which the conductor is inserted or withdrawn. In order to prevent or notching stresses from damaging the conductor in the region of the opening to the conductor receptacle, the opening may be provided with a bevel.

The strain relief organ may be secured in the fixing position and its arrival at the fixing position may be confirmed in that the strain relief organ may comprise a latching element which may snap into place and arrest the strain relief organ in the fixing position.

The strain relief organ may comprise at least one adjustment stop to avoid breaking the hinge element that provides for the mobility of the relief organ.

Merging the plug-element with a mating plug-element of the plug-in connector or a housing thereof may be facilitated in that the strain relief organ may be provided with a guiding for a counter-guiding of the plug-in connector. In order to signalise malfunctions or failures during the assembly of the plug-element or during a mating of the plug-in connector, it may be provided that in a pre-fixing position of the strain relief organ, the strain relief organ provides a limit-stop adapted to limit a merging of the plug-element with a mating plug-element of the plug-connector before the plug- element and the mating plug-element are merged to a fully mated state. Hence, unless the strain relief organ is not correctly moved from a pre-fixing position to the fixing position, it may prevent the mating of the plug-element and the mating plug-element or may prevent the mating of the plug-element with a housing for the connector.

For an additional functionality of the strain relief organ, it may provide a limit-stop which may be part of a blocking-mechanism of the plug-in connector preventing faults due to premature mating. In order to signalise the arrival at a blocking position after premature mating, a locking element of the plug-element may be arranged for locking the plug-element and the mating plug-element in the fully mated state.

The interaction of the plug-element and the strain relief organ may be further improved in that at least in the fixing position the strain relief organ may be aligned with an outer contour of the plug element such that the strain relief organ is embedded therein. Thereby, it may be prevented that the strain relief organ protrudes from the plug-element in a way that it would be prone to damage. Moreover, inserting the strain relief organ in the plug-element may be applied for moving the limit-stop out of the way for mating the plug-element with a mating plug-element and therefore unblocking the blocking mechanism during the premature mating described above.

In order to provide a stable support of the strain relief organ at the plug-element, it may be provided that the strain relief organ is connected to the plug-element at a surface formed at the plug-element running essentially perpendicularly to a direction of extension of a conductor receiving section of the plug-element. The conductor receiving section can be aligned with the insertion direction and/or the plug-in direction. With the help of said surface, forces acting on the strain relief organ which run parallel to either of said directions may be easily supported at the plug-element. Thereby, damage to the connection between the strain relief organ and the plug-element which could lead to a separation of the strain relief organ from the plug-element, may be prevented. The strain relief organ may be easily moved from any pre-fixing position to the fixing position in that the strain relief organ can be hinged to the plug-element. Thereby, the strain relief organ may be pivoted, thus forming a shutter enabling easy application and action.

All above-mentioned disadvantages and problems occurring in plug-elements known from the prior art may be easily solved in that the strain relief element can be integrally formed with a housing of the plug-element. Thereby, the strain relief element and plug-element may be manufactured together in one machine. Especially, in case the plug-element is formed by injection molding, one mold may be used to form the plug-element and the strain relief organ. Concerning the mating plug-element, the solution of the above-mentioned problems may be further improved in that a length of a mating plug-portion of the mating plug-element measured substantially in parallel to a mating plug-in direction of the mating plug-element at least partially exceeds a distance measured substantially in parallel to the mating plug-in direction between a plug-face of the plug-element and the strain relief organ. Thereby, when the plug-element and the mating plug-element are fully mated, the mating plug-portion and the strain relief organ may overlap such that the strain relief organ is locked and secured in the fixing position.

The invention will be described in more detail by way of example hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate advantageous embodiments. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which the individual features may however, as described above, be implemented independently of each other or may be omitted.

Corresponding elements illustrated in the drawings are provided with the same reference signs. Parts of the description relating to the same elements illustrated in different drawings are omitted. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a plug-in connector according to the present

invention comprising a plug-element and a mating plug-element which are merged in a mated state;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the plug-element and the mating plug-element shown in Fig. 1 in a position where they are ready to be merged; -ο -

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is another schematic perspective view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is schematic side view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, wherein a strain relief organ of the plug-element is in pre-fixing position;

Fig. 6 is another perspective side view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,

wherein the strain relief organ is in the fixing position;

Fig. 7 is schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 along the cross-sectional line D-D depicted in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3, wherein a conductor receptacle of the plug-element is equipped with an electrical conductor and the strain relief organ is in a pre-fixing position;

Fig. 9 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3, wherein the conductor receptacle is equipped with an electrical conductor and the strain relief organ is in the fixing position;

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the mating plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the mating plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, wherein the strain relief organ is in pre-fixing position;

Fig. 12 is another schematic side view of the mating plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 10 and 11, wherein the strain relief organ is in the fixed position;

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mating plug-element illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 10 to 12 along the cross-sectional line E-E depicted in Fig. 10; Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-element and the mating plug-element along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3, wherein the plug-element and _η the mating plug-element are in a pre-mated state and the strain relief organ is in a blocking position;

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the plug-in connector in a fully mated state along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-in connector along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, a plug-in connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise a plug-element 2 and a mating plug-element 3, each according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the plug-element 2 and the mating plug-element 3 are in a mated state. The plug-element 2 comprises a conductor receiving section 4 which is adapted to receive at least one electrical conductor (not yet shown). Analogously, the mating plug-element 3 comprises a mating conductor receiving section 5, which is adapted to receive at least one mating electrical conductor (not yet shown).

The plug-element 2 comprises a plug portion 6 which is adapted to be merged with a mating plug portion 7 of the mating plug-element 3. Therefore, the plug portion 6 is formed as a plug 8 and the mating plug portion 7 provides a receptacle 9 for the plug 8. Figure 1 shows also two adjustment stops 10a and 10b on the plug-element 2, as well as an open shutter detection element 11 on the mating plug-element 3.

The conductor receiving section 4, the mating conductor receiving section 5, the plug portion 6, the mating plug portion 7, the plug 8 and the receptacle 9 extend substantially in parallel to a length direction X of the plug-in connector 1. The length direction X extends perpendicularly to a height direction Z and a width direction Y of the plug-in connector 1. A plug direction P and a mating plug direction P' of the plug-element and the mating plug- element, respectively, run substantially in parallel to the length direction X and are defined by the direction of extension of the plug portion 6 and the mating plus portion 7, respectively.

Conductor receptacles 12 of the plug-element 2 extend substantially in parallel to the length direction X and each have an opening 14 which is provided with a bevel 16. The conductor receptacles 12 are aligned in parallel to the width direction Y. Further, the plug-element 2 is equipped with a connector positioning assurance 18 providing an actuating surface 18a which faces substantially against the plug direction P in order to exert a plug force thereon. Additionally, gripping surfaces 20 on each side of the plug- element 2 are provided with ribs running perpendicularly to the plug direction P which facilitate gripping the plug-element and pulling it against the plug direction P out of the receptacle 9.

Fig. 2 shows the plug-element connector in 1 a ready-to-merge position M', where the plug- element 2 and the mating plug-element 3 are positioned such that they maybe merged through pushing them towards each other in the plug direction P and the mating plug direction P', respectively. In the ready-to-merge position M', the plug 8 is fully withdrawn from the receptacle 9. A recess 10' can also be seen on the plug-element arranged for the open shutter detection element to pass. An anti over stress bar 10'a and 10'b is arranged on both sides of the recess.

Further, the plug-element 2 comprises a strain relief organ 22 which is adapted to fix an electrical conductor (not yet shown) or a line of the conductor within its receptacle 12.

Analogously, the mating plug-element 3 comprises a mating strain relief organ 23 for arresting a mating electrical conductor (not yet shown) within a mating conductor receptacle (not yet shown). Additionally, a terminal locking organ 24 of the plug-element 2 is adapted to lock an electrical terminal (not yet shown) within the plug-element 2. Analogously, a mating terminal locking organ 25 of the mating plug-element is adapted to lock a mating terminal (not yet shown) within the mating plug-element 3.

Fig. 3 is schematic perspective view of the plug-element 2. Here it becomes apparent that the plug-element 2 comprises at least one terminal receptacle 26 having an opening 28 which is provided with a bevel 30. The terminal receptacles 26 are aligned in parallel to the width direction Y. The terminal receptacles 26 and the lateral guidings 32 form a plug face 34 of the plug-element 2. A recess 10" ' is asymmetrically provided with keying elements 10' "a and 10" 'b on both sides thereof. Passages 36 each reach into one of the terminal receptacles 26. The passages 36 may be utilised to lock a terminal (not yet shown) within the plug- element 2 or as a lateral access to the terminal receptacles 26. The terminal receptacles 26 are arranged within a terminal section 38 of the plug-element 2 which is connected to the conductor receiving section 4 such that the terminal receiving section 38 and at least in part the conductor receiving section 4 together form the plug portion 6. The strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24 are each connected to the plug- element 2 via a hinge 40 and 42, respectively. The hinges 40, 42 are arranged at surfaces 44, and 46, respectively. The surfaces 44 and 46 each face into the plug direction P. The elements 10a, 10b, 10"a and 10"b form adjustment stops for limiting the stroke of the strain relief organ 22 and of the terminal locking organ 24, respectively.

Fig. 4 shows the plug-element 2 in another schematic perspective view. The strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24 are each in a fixed position B, wherein a body portion 48, 50 of the strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24, respectively, is aligned in parallel to the plug direction P. A strain relief element 52 and a locking element 54 of the strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24, respectively, each extend from the respective body portions 40 and 50 against the height direction Z. The strain relief element 52 is adapted to fix an electrical conductor (not yet shown) in its respective conductor receptacle 12. The locking element 58 is adapted to lock a terminal (not yet shown) attached to the conductor (not yet shown) within the respective terminal receptacle 26.

In the fixed position B, the strain relief organ 22 and terminal locking organ 24 are each latched such that they are immobilised by the help of latching elements 56 and 58, respectively, which interact with counter latching elements 60 and 62, respectively. The latching elements 56, 58 are formed as logs or snap tabs which, in the fixed position B, jut into the counter latching elements 60, 62, formed as latching recesses. Further, the strain relief element 52 is provided with a protrusion 64 which is adapted to penetrate an electrical conductor (not yet shown) such that it is fixed within its respective conductor receptacle 12.

Fig. 5 shows a plug-element 2 in a schematic side view. The strain relief organ 22 is in a prefixing position A, wherein its strain relief element 52 is arranged above and outside a passage 66 reaching down into the at least one conductor receptacle 12. The terminal locking organ 24 is in a fixed position B, wherein the locking element 52 just into a passage 68 reaching down into at least one of the terminal receptacles 26. In the fixed position B, the latching element 58 on the locking organ 24 meshes with the counter latching element 62. The body portion 50 of the terminal locking organ 24 is aligned with an outer contour 70 formed at the housing of the plug-element. By being aligned with the outer contour 70 at least parallel to the plug direction P, the locking organ 24 is embedded within an indentation 74 in the outer contour of the plug-element. In Fig. 6, another perspective side view of the plug-element 2, both the strain relief organ 22 and the locking organ 24 are in the fixed position B, wherein their strain relief element 52 and locking element 54, respectively, sit within the respective passages 66 and 68. The strain relief organ 22 is embedded in an indentation 72 within the outer contour of the plug- element such that the body portion 48 of the strain relief organ 22 is at least in the plug direction P aligned with the outer contour 70 of the plug-element.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line D-D depicted in Fig. 4. The cross-section is made in parallel to the plug direction P along the whole length of the conductor receptacle 12 and the terminal receptacle 26, which both merge in a transition area 78. Similarly to Fig. 6, the strain relief organ 22 and the locking organ 24 are in the fixed position B. The conductor receptacle 12 has a width or cross-sectional area Qi₂. The width Qi₂ is reduced in the region of the protrusion 64 on the strain relief organ 22 to a width or cross-sectional area Q64. The transitional area 78 has a width or cross-sectional area Q₇₈. The terminal receptacle 26 has a width or cross-sectional area Q₂₆. The width Q_¾ is reduced at the locking element 54 of the locking organ 24 to a width or cross-sectional area (¾₄.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-element 2 along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3. The plug-element 2 is equipped with at least one electrical conductor 100 which has been introduced into the plug-element 2 in an insertion direction I running essentially in parallel to the length direction X through the opening 14 of the conductor receptacle 12. The conductor 100 comprises an electrical line 101 and a terminal 102. The terminal 102 comprises a line fixing section 103 and a contact portion 104. The line fixing section 103 comprises a conductor friction fit 105 holding a conducting element 106 of the electrical line 101. An isolation crimp 107 of the line fixing section 103 holds an isolation 108 of the electrical line 101. The contact portion 104 comprises two contact springs 109 which oppose each other at a contact area 110 of the electrical conductor 100. The contact area 110 is adapted to be merged with a mating electrical conductor (not yet shown). For contacting the mating electrical conductor, a contact point 111 is formed at each of the contact springs 109. In the contact area 110, the contact points 111 protrude towards each other in parallel to the height direction Z. Further, a locking lance 112 of the electrical conductor is attached to the contact portion 104. In a fully inserted position J of the electrical conductor 100 illustrated in Fig. 8, the catch spring is engaged with the passage 36. In the fully inserted position J, the terminal 102 is arranged within the terminal receptacle 26, the line fixing section 103 is arranged within the transition area 78 and the line 101 is arranged within the conductor receptacle 12 serving as a line receptacle 12.

In the fixed position B the locking element 54 meshes with the electrical conductor 100 in that the locking element 54 sits behind the contact portion 104 against the insertion direction I. Thereby, pulling the electrical conductor 100 out of the plug-element 2 against the insertion direction I is prevented. Moreover, in case the electrical conductor 100 is not fully inserted into the plug-element 2 such that it has not reached the fully inserted position J, the locking element 54 would abut against the contact portion 104 in the pre-fixing position and could not be moved into the fixed position as the contact portion 104 blocks a movement of the locking element 54 downwardly against the height direction Z into the passage 68. Moreover, a conductor locking lance 80 is formed at an underside of the plug-element 2. The conductor locking lance 80 comprises a spring arm 82 which is provided with a locking pin stop 84 and a further catch 86 providing a bevelled locking surface 88 forming thereby a locking element. Between the spring arm 82 and the underside of a wall 90 of the plug- element 2, an accommodation 92 for the connector positioning assurance 18 is formed. Fig. 9 shows the plug-element 2 along the cross-sectional line C-C equipped with the electrical conductor 100 in the fully inserted position J. In contrast to Fig. 8, the strain relief organ illustrated in Fig. 9 is in the fixed position B. In the fixed position B, the strain relief organ 22 penetrates the isolation 108 of the electrical conductor 100 to maintain it by pressure. Thereby, the electrical conductor 100, i.e. the electrical line 101 of the electrical conductor 100, is affixed within the conductor receptacle 12 by means of a force closure and/or frictional connection. The fixation takes place adjacent to the transition area 78 where the conductor receptacle 12 merges with the terminal receptacle 26. Hence, any forces acting on the electrical line 101 dragging the electrical conductor 101 out of the conductor receptacle 12 against the insertion direction I are supported at the protrusion 64 close to the transition 78 where the terminal receptacle 26 begins and the electrical line 101 is connected to the terminal 102. As another advantage, any forces acting in parallel to the height direction Z and/or the width direction Y are supported at a wall portion 94 of the conductor receptacle 12 such that they are transformed into drag forces acting in the area close to the protrusion 64 substantially only in parallel and against the length direction X and the insertion direction I.

Fig. 10 shows the mating plug-element 3 in a schematic perspective view. The receptacle 9 forms a mating plug face 35. Besides mating terminal receptacles (not yet shown), the mating plug face 35 comprises a connector counter locking member 81 including a locking pin 85 which is adapted to interact with the locking pin stop 84 on the spring arm 82 of the plug-element 2.

The mating strain relief organ 23 and the mating terminal locking organ 25 are each provided with a body portion 49 and body portion 51, respectively. The body portions 49 and 51 are pivotably connected to surfaces 45, and 47, respectively, via respective hinges 41, and 43. The surfaces 45 and 47 face into the mating plug direction P'. Hence, forces acting on the mating strain relief organ 23 and the mating terminal locking organ 25 in parallel to the mating plug direction P' may be easily supported at the surfaces 45 and 47, thereby protecting the mating strain relief organ 23 and the mating terminal locking organ 25 from damage. The elements with references l l'a, l l'b, l l"a and l l"b are adjustment stops allowing to protect hinge areas 41 and 43 from damage.

Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the mating plug-element 3. The mating strain relief organ 23 is in the pre-fixing position A, wherein a strain relief element 53 protruding from the body portion 49 of the strain relief organ 23 is situated above a strain relief passage 67 leading into a mating conductor receptacle (not yet shown). Analogously to the strain relief element 52 of the plug-element 2, the strain relief element 53 is provided with a latching element 57 adapted to interact with a counter latching element 61. Further, a protrusion 65 is formed at the strain relief element 53. The mating locking organ 25 is in the fixed position B, wherein the body portion 51 of the mating terminal locking organ 25 is aligned with an outer contour 71 of the mating plug- element 3. A locking element 55 formed at the mating terminal locking organ 25 juts downwardly into a locking passage 69, reaching down to the mating conductor receptacle (not yet shown). A latching element 59 on the locking element 55 is snapped into a counter latching element 63 formed at the mating plug-element 3. Fig. 12 is another schematic side view of the mating plug-element 3. Here, both the mating strain relief organ 23 and the mating terminal locking organ 25 are in the fixed position B wherein their respective body portions 49 and 51 are aligned with the outer contour 71 of the mating plug-element 3. The body portions 49 and 51 are embedded in indentations 73 and 75, respectively, formed at the mating plug-element 3. The latching elements 57 and 59 engage with the counter latching elements 61 and 63, respectively.

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line E-E depicted in Fig. 10. The cross- section illustrated in Fig. 13 is made along a mating conductor receptacle 13 extending essentially in parallel to the length direction X and the mating plug direction P' . The mating conductor receptacle 13 is accessible through an opening 15 which is provided with a bevel 17 in order to prevent notching stresses from damaging a mating electrical conductor (not yet shown), which may be inserted into the mating conductor receptacle 13 through the opening 15 in a mating insertion direction Γ.

The mating conductor receptacle 13 analogously to the conductor receptacle 12 of the plug- element 2 is connected to a mating terminal receptacle 27. The mating conductor receptacle 13 and the mating terminal receptacle 27 merge in a transition area 79. The mating terminal receptacle 27 is provided with a passage 37 through which the mating terminal receptacle 27 is accessible and which is adapted to engage with a mating electrical conductor (not yet shown). The mating terminal receptacle 27 and the passage 37 are arranged in a mating terminal section 39 of the mating plug-element 3.

In an area of the mating conductor receptacle 13 between its opening 15 and the protrusion 65, the mating conductor receptacle 13 has a cross-sectional area or width Q13. At the protrusion 65, the width Qi₃ is reduced to a cross-sectional area or width Q₆5. The transition 75 has a cross-sectional area or width Q79. The terminal receptacle 27 has a cross-sectional area or width Q₂₇. In the region of the locking element 55, the width Q₂₇ and Q₇9, respectively, are reduced to a width Q55.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the plug-in connector 1 in the pre-mated state M along the cross-sectional line C-C depicted in Fig. 3. The plug-element 2 is half-mated with the mating plug-element 3. The strain relief organ 22 is in a pre-fixing position A and more precisely in a blocking position A' . In the blocking position A', a limit stop 96 of the strain relief organ 22 faces substantially into the plug direction P. The limit stop 96 prevents the connector 1 from being transferred into the fully mated state N in that the limit stop 96 abuts the open shutter detection element 11 formed at the mating plug-element 3 acting thereby also as a limit stop.

The limit stop 96 is defined by the body portion 48 and the strain relief element 52 of the strain relief organ 22, i.e. those parts of the strain relief organ 22 which may be moved out of the indentation 72 and may face at least partially into the plug direction P. The open shutter detection element 11 is defined by a front edge of the mating plug portion 7, in other words, by a rim of an opening to the receptacle 9.

When the limit stop 96 abuts against the open shutter detection element 11, the connector 1 is in a blocked position S. In the blocked position S, the locking pin stop 84 on the spring arm 82 of the conductor locking lance 80 provided to the plug-element 2 is situated in the plug direction P on the same level as the locking pin 85 of the mating plug-element 3 situated in the mating plug direction P' . Hence, the locking pin stop 84 and the locking pin 85 interfere with each other and are superposed so that the conductor locking lance 80 is in a pre-locked state K, thus signalising that the connector 1 is in the pre-mated state. Further, a front face 98 of the plug face 34 belonging to the plug-element 2 is distanced from a mating front face 99 formed by a bottom of the receptacle 9 of the mating plug-element 3 facing into the mating plug direction P'.

In Fig. 14, the mating plug-element is equipped with a mating electrical conductor 200. Analogously to the electrical conductor 100, the mating electrical conductor 200 comprises a mating electrical line 201, a mating terminal 202, a mating line fixing section 203, a mating contact portion 204, a mating conductor crimp 205, a mating conducting element 206, a mating isolation friction fit 207, a mating isolation 208, a mating spring 209, a mating contact area 210, a mating contact 211 and a locking lance 212 which may be provided when penetrated by the protrusion 65 of the strain relief element 53. Contrary to the electrical conductor 100, the mating contact area 210 of the mating electrical conductor 200 is formed as a contact pin which is adapted to be inserted into the contact area 110 of the electrical conductor 100. The mating contact area 210 having the form of a pin extends through an opening 29 to the mating terminal receptacle 27 and juts into the opening 28 to the terminal receptacle 26. Fig. 15 shows the plug-in connector 1 the fully mated state N in a schematic cross-sectional view along the line C-C depicted in Fig. 3. In the fully mated state N, the strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24 are embedded within their respective indentations 72 and 74. In other words, the body portions 48 and 50 of the strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24, respectively, are aligned with the outer contour 70 if the plug- element 2. Hence, the limit stop 96 is moved out of the way and below the open shutter detection element 11, thus allowing the strain relief organ 22 to be slid past the front edge of the receptacle 9 in the plug direction P. In other words, the strain relief organ 22 is an unblocking position. Further, the front face 98 of the plug 8 is situated adjacent to the mating front face 99 or abuts thereon. The opening 28 to the terminal receptacle 26 and the opening 29 to the mating terminal receptacle 27 oppose each other in the plug direction P and the mating plug direction P', respectively.

The arrival of the plug-element 2 and the mating plug-element 3 at the fully mated state further allows for the locking pin stop 84 on the spring arm 82 of the plug-element 2 to engage with the locking pin 85 of the mating plug-element 3. Thereby, the conductor locking lance 80 and the connector counter locking member 81 are in a locked state L, wherein the connector positioning assurance 18 may be activated.

Fig. 16 shows the connector 1 in the fully mated state N in a schematic cross-sectional side view along the line C-C depicted in Fig. 3. Here it becomes apparent that a length 1 of the mating plug portion 7 corresponding to a depth of the receptacle 9 exceeds the distance d between the plug face 34 or its front face 98 and the strain relief organ 22 or the limit stop 96 formed thereon. The distance d and the length 1 are measured in parallel to the plug-in direction P and the mating plug-in direction P', respectively. Thereby, the mating plug portion 7 overlaps the plug portion 6 and the front edge of the receptacle forming the open shutter detection element 11 superimposes the body portion 48 of the strain relief organ 22, such that the strain relief organ 22 is blocked in the fixed position B. In other words, the wall of the receptacle 9 encompasses the plug 8 covering both the strain relief organ 22 and the terminal locking organ 24.

Deviations of the embodiment of the present invention described above are possible without departing from the inventive idea: the plug-in connector 1 may comprise any desired number of matable plug-elements 2 and mating plug-elements 3 which may be provided with a desired number of conductor receiving sections 4, mating conductor receiving sections 5, - 10 - plug portions 6, mating plug portions 7, plugs, 8, receptacles 9, recesses 10', 10" ', open shutter detection element 11, conductor receptacles 12, mating conductor receptacles 13', openings 14 and 15 in whatever shaped desired for realising a plug-connection. The strain relief organ 22, mating strain relief organ 23, terminal locking organ 24 and mating terminal locking organ 25 may be provided in whatever desired number for fixing electrical conductors 100 as well as their lines 101 and terminals 102. Preferably, one of the strain relief organs 22, mating strain relief organs 23, terminal locking organs 24 as well as mating terminal locking organs 25 can be provided for overlapping with several conductor receptacles 12, terminal receptacles 26, and mating terminal receptacles 27, respectively, in order to provide strain relief and a fixing for several conductors 100, 200 by a single organ 22, 23, 24, 25.

The organs 22, 23, 24, 25 may be connected to the plug-in connector via film hinges 40, 41, 42, 43, as shown herein or the hinges 40, 41, 42, 43 may be designed differently. In any case, pivotably attaching the organs 22, 23, 24, 25 to the connector 1 is a decisive advantage as they may easily be transferred from the pre-fixing position A to the fixed position B like shutters. The organs 22, 23, 24, 25 may be provided with body portions 48, 49, 50, 51, elements 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 in whatever desired number and shape in order to interact with elements 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, passages 66, 67, 68, 69, outer contours 70, 71, and indentations 72, 73, 74, 75. The plug directions P, P' and the insertion direction I, Γ do not have to extend in parallel to a length direction X as provided in a 180 degrees plug-in connector 1 shown herein.

Alternatively, e.g. in a 90 degrees plug-in connector 1, the plug direction P and mating plug direction P' may have a certain angle, e.g. 90 degrees, with respect to the insertion direction I and the mating insertion direction Γ .

Claims

1. Plug-element (2) for an electrical plug-in connector (1), comprising

at least one conductor receptacle (12), adapted to take up an electrical conductor (100) in a conductor insertion direction (I) in which the conductor (100) may be inserted in and withdrawn from the at least one conductor receptacle (12),

characterised in that

a strain relief organ (22) is connected to the plug-element (2) and in a fixing position (B) at least partially overlaps with the at least one conductor receptacle (12) in a projection along the conductor insertion direction (I).

2. Plug-element (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) comprises a strain relief element (52) which protrudes from the strain relief organ (22) and at least in the fixing position (B) juts into the at least one conductor receptacle (12).

3. Plug-element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) comprises a protrusion (64) which is adapted to at least partially penetrate the conductor (100) at least in the fixing position (B). 4. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the overlapping takes place adjacent to a terminal receptacle (26) of the plug-element (2), the terminal receptacle (26) is adapted to take up an electrical terminal (102) connected to the conductor (100). 5. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) comprises a latching element (56) which snaps into place and arrests the strain relief organ (22) in the fixing position (B).

6. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) is provided with at least one adjustment stop (10a, 10b).

7. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in a pre-fixing position (A) of the strain relief organ (22), the strain relief organ (22) provides a limit stop (96) adapted to limit a merging of the plug-element (2) with a mating plug-element (3) of the plug-in connector (1) before the plug-element (2) and the mating plug-element (3) are merged to a fully mated state (N). 8. Plug-element (2) according to claim 7, characterised in that a locking element (84) of the plug-element (2) is provided for locking the plug-element (2) and the mating plug- element (3) in the fully mated state (N).

9. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least in the fixing position (B) the strain relief organ (22) is aligned with an outer contour (70) of the plug-element (2) such that the strain relief organ (22) is embedded therein.

10. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) is connected to the plug-element (2) at a surface (44) formed at the plug- element (2) running essentially perpendicularly to a direction of extension of a conductor receiving section (4) of the plug-element (2).

11. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) is hinged to the plug-element (2).

12. Plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the strain relief organ (22) is integrally formed with the plug-element (2).

13. Mating plug-element (3) for a plug-in connector (1), characterised in that the mating plug-element (3) is adapted to be mated with at least one plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Mating plug-element (3) according to claim 13 characterised in that a length (1) of a mating plug-portion (7) of the mating plug-element (3) measured substantially in parallel to a mating plug-in direction (Ρ') of the mating plug-element (3) at least partially exceeds a distance (d) measured substantially in parallel to the mating plug-in direction (Ρ') between a plug-face (34) of the plug-element (2) and the strain relief organ (22).

5. Plug-in connector (1), characterised in that the plug-in connector (1) comprises at least one plug-element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and at least one mating plug- element (3) according to claim 13 or 14.