WO2013087486A1

WO2013087486A1 - Housing for an optical or electrical plug connector for use with or without a lever and modular system having such a housing

Info

Publication number: WO2013087486A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/074537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Horst Neumeuer; Alfons Ketteler; Ralf Hecker; Dieter Lietz
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-12-16
Filing date: 2012-12-05
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Also published as: DE102011056556B4; DE102011056556A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (4) for an optical or electrical plug type connector (2). The housing is constructed so as to be able to be assembled in an insertion direction (8) with a mating connector (28). It has a lever fixing means (17) for fitting a pivot lever (16) to the housing. The pivot lever preferably acts as an auxiliary insertion means in order to draw the housing and mating connector together. So that the housing can be engaged both with and without a pivot lever (16) with the mating connector (28) in a manner that is easy to operate, the catch means (24) has a lever catch (48) which is accessible for the pivot lever from the outer side and an internal connector catch (50) which is accessible in the insertion direction (8). Furthermore, the lever catch and connector catch are arranged together so as to be redirectable on the catch means (24). The connector catch can be used independently of the pivot lever (16) in order to engage with the mating connector (28). The pivot lever, if present, may be fixed in a predetermined pivot position via the lever catch (48).

Description

HOUSING FOR AN OPTICAL OR ELECTRICAL PLUG CONNECTOR FOR USE WITH OR WITHOUT A LEVER AND MODULAR SYSTEM HAVING SUCH A HOUSING

The invention relates to a housing for an optical or electrical plug type connector, which housing is constructed so as to be able to be assembled in an insertion direction with a mating connector and which has a lever fixing means for fitting a pivot lever to the housing and a catch means.

Housings with pivot levers are known. With the connector arrangement of WO 2004/012305, for example, the pivot lever acts as an auxiliary insertion means in order to increase the insertion force with which the plug type connection is drawn with respect to a mating connector.

This is also the objective with the connector arrangement set out in US 2006/0205254 A1 . The housing disclosed in this publication has the features mentioned in the introduction.

The forces intended to be applied in order to assemble the plug type connector and mating connector are often limited by the users in an upward direction. Thus, the manufacturers of motor vehicles determine, for example, for the plug type connections used in the motor vehicles, maximum forces which must not be exceeded.

However, the maximum permissible forces may differ from country to country and from manufacturer to manufacturer. As an additional complication, the forces required for assembly are also dependent on the number of electrical contact pairings of the plug type connector. The more electrical contact pairings are provided, the greater the insertion forces required become since additional friction forces are produced for each additional contact pair.

This often means that a plurality of different connector types must be kept in order to comply with the various requirements of the vehicle manufacturers. This is linked with high production and storage costs.

An object of the invention is therefore to improve the housings for plug type connectors mentioned in the introduction in such a manner that the various requirements of the motor vehicle manufacturers with respect to the insertion force can be met with low production costs. This object is achieved according to the invention for the housing mentioned in the introduction in that the catch means has a lever catch which is accessible for the pivot lever from the outer side and an internal connector catch which is accessible in the insertion direction for the mating connector, and in that the lever catch and connector catch are arranged together so as to be redirectable on the catch means.

This embodiment has the advantage that, regardless of whether a pivot lever is actually provided on the housing, the same mating connector can be used. If a housing without any pivot lever is used, the mating connector is engaged by means of the connector catch as in the case of a housing which has a pivot lever. If a pivot lever is used in addition, it can be secured by means of the lever catch. Consequently, the housing which is constructed according to the invention can be used both with and without a pivot lever. Consequently, the same housing can be used without modifications both in cases in which, owing to low insertion forces or high admissible maximum forces, a pivot lever is not required, and in cases in which, owing to high insertion forces or low admissible maximum forces, a pivot lever is required. The internal connector catch is arranged so as to be protected and consequently cannot be inadvertently actuated. The solution according to the invention can be further improved by a series of additional developments described below which are each advantageous per se and which can be freely combined with each other independently of each other.

According to a first advantageous embodiment, for instance, the housing may have a receiving member for a connector. Such connectors are in most cases standardised. The connector may, for example, be secured in a positive-locking manner in the receiving member. In a development, the housing may have a receiving member into which various connectors may be inserted and retained. To this end, adapters may also be inserted into the housing. The housing may in particular be constructed so as to be fitted to a connector which is already preassembled on a line. The separation of the connector and housing into various components has the advantage that the connector can be more readily prefabricated without the housing impeding the fabrication of the connector.

When connectors are assembled and disengaged, in the case of mechanical or manual gripping of the connector, a retention or pressing force which acts radially, that is to say, which acts in a direction from the outer to the inner side of the housing, is applied to the housing. In order to actuate, in particular to be able to release, the catch means with this force at the same time, the catch means may be arranged on the housing so as to be able to be radially redirected. For example, the catch means may thus be redirected by means of pressure on the housing. The catch means is preferably resilient so that it automatically returns to the initial position thereof after the redirection.

In the redirected state of the catch means, the connector catch and the lever catch are preferably moved out of engagement with the corresponding counter-catches of the mating connector.

In order to prevent incomplete or incorrect plug type connection, CPA elements (connection position assurance) are often used in the prior art. Such a connection position assurance element is set out, for example, in EP 1339138 B1 . The connection position assurance element has, on the one hand, the function of providing clear outward signals of a plug type connection which has not been inserted completely, for example, by it not being able to be moved into its end position if the connectors have not been completely inserted one inside the other. The connection position assurance element can be marked in a striking manner so that it can immediately be seen from the outer side when it is not in the end position thereof.

A second function of the connection position assurance element is that, with the connectors completely inserted one inside the other, it can be moved into a securing position in which the connectors can no longer be disengaged from each other, or no longer disengaged without destruction. This may be carried out, for example, by the connection position assurance element blocking the connector catch in the securing position thereof. The engagement between the housing and mating connector can consequently be released again only when the connection position assurance element is removed. According to another advantageous embodiment, the housing may have a receiving shaft for the connection position assurance element. The connection position assurance element may, for example, be received in the receiving shaft so as to be secured in a pre- assembly position in a non-releasable manner. The connection position assurance element may be retained in the receiving shaft, in particular in the insertion direction, so as to be able to be displaced from the preassembly position into the securing position. Preferably, the receiving shaft extends for the connection position assurance element in the insertion direction so that the connection position assurance element is also displaceably retained on the housing. This simplifies the production of a secured connection between the housing and mating connector in so far as the movement direction into the securing position for the connection position assurance element is the same as the movement direction during connection of the housing and mating connector. Consequently, the movement of the connection position assurance element into the securing position can be carried out in the same movement with which the plug type connection is also produced. This is particularly advantageous in small spaces.

If the catch means adjoins the receiving shaft for the connection position assurance element, the catch means can be readily fixed by the connection position assurance element. To this end, the connection position assurance element only has to be pushed into the receiving shaft. The embodiment is most simple when, in another development, the catch means is received on the housing so as to be able to be redirected into the shaft. This redirection movement is then prevented by the connection position assurance element which is inserted into the receiving shaft. The catch means may in particular form an outer wall of the housing and/or receiving shaft so that it can be secured from the outer side.

So that the connection position assurance element can be securely retained in a preassembly position, the receiving shaft may have inwardly directed catch members. These catch members may co-operate with the connection position assurance element in order to retain it. Accordingly, the securing position of the connection position assurance element may also be fixed and secured by catch means in the receiving shaft.

According to another embodiment, the receiving shaft may be separate from the connector receiving member, for example, by a housing wall extending between the receiving shaft and the receiving member for the connector.

A simple production of the catch means may be achieved if the catch means is constructed as a resiliently redirectable tongue. In this embodiment, the catch means may be readily redirected by means of pressure or tension on the free end thereof. The redirectable end of the catch tongue may in particular be directed in the insertion direction so that it comes to rest close to the front edge of the housing. The housing may remain compact with this measure. At least at one side of the catch means, there may be arranged a guide slot which extends in the insertion direction. The connector catch may overlap radially with the guide slot and/or extend into the guide slot. The guide slot serves in particular to receive a connector counter-catch of the mating connector which can be engaged with the connector catch.

The connector counter-catch is introduced into the guide slot and prevented from expanding laterally during the catch operation. The engagement between the connector catch and connector counter-catch consequently follows with predetermined tolerances for the insertion forces being precisely complied with. This may be achieved, for example, by the connector catch and/or the connector counter-catch extending over the entire guide slot transversely relative to the insertion direction.

In order to achieve a symmetrical force flow in the catch means, and not to twist it, for example, by means of one-sided catch engagement, an advantageous embodiment of the housing may have guide slots and/or connector catches at both sides of the catch means or the catch tongue.

Accordingly, the connector catch may be arranged at a side face of the catch means or the catch tongue. A symmetrical force flow is achieved if, at each of the two side faces of the catch means, at least one connector catch is symmetrically provided. The side face is a face whose normal is directed transversely relative to the insertion direction and not radially outwards.

The lever catch may have an outwardly projecting catch projection. Such a catch projection may also then enable an engagement of the pivot lever and lever catch when, for example, the catch means is redirected owing to the still incomplete engagement of the connector catch and connector counter-catch, in particular is pressed away from the pivot lever. In an advantageous development, the catch projection may have an inclined gripping member which extends in an inclined manner relative to the insertion direction. The inclined gripping member acts as a finger stop in order, in an ergonomic manner, to both redirect the catch means, for example, by means of pressing, and at the same time to be able to push the housing in an insertion direction. The inclined gripping member converts a portion of the insertion force automatically into a pressure force which redirects the catch means. The connector catch may adjoin the receiving shaft for the connection position assurance element and be spaced apart from the outer faces of the housing in a radial direction. In this manner, the engagement which secures the assembly between the housing and the mating connector is arranged so as to be protected at the inner side.

The receiving shaft may be open at both ends thereof located in the insertion direction. At an end preferably facing counter to the insertion direction, as set out above, the connection position assurance element can be inserted. Into the other opposing opening, elements of the mating connector can be introduced, in particular the connector counter- catch, and/or the end of the connection position assurance element facing in the insertion direction can be pushed through.

In order to redirect the catch means manually and to release the catch connections brought about by the catch means on the connector catch and lever catch, the lever catch and/or the connector catch may be located at a free end of the catch means. At the free end, the travel to be achieved during a redirection of the catch means is greatest so that correspondingly large and secure catch movements can be ensured when the pivot lever and/or the counter-catch is engaged.

According to another series of advantageous embodiments, a pivot lever may be provided on the housing, in particular on the lever fixing means thereof. The pivot lever may have a lever counter-catch which can be engaged with the lever catch. Owing to the engagement of the lever catch and lever counter-catch, a pivot position of the pivot lever is fixed. From this position, the pivot lever can be pivoted only when the catch means is released, which is carried out, for example, by the catch means being redirected.

The lever counter-catch may in particular be an inwardly projecting catch projection. The lever catch and/or pivot lever may be constructed in such a manner that the pivot lever is automatically engaged with the lever catch in an end position placed against the housing. If the pivot lever is turned over into the end position, it can be independently fixed at that location. The fixed end position of the pivot lever may in particular correspond to a position in which the housing and the mating connector are completely pulled together and assembled by means of the pivot lever. Owing to the engagement of the pivot lever, in this manner the completely concluded connection of the housing and mating connector is automatically secured. This securing is carried out in addition to the engagement using the connector catch.

The catch action between the lever and lever catch when the lever is engaged can be based on two catch faces which face each other in the insertion direction. When the lever catch is engaged, such a catch connection delimits the forces required to redirect the catch means. When redirecting, in particular pressing down, the catch means, this can more readily move past the pivot lever. In particular, according to another embodiment, the pivot lever cannot engage below the lever catch. There is advantageously no portion of the lever in a radial direction between the lever catch and the inner side of the housing.

This would lead to an unnecessarily high force for releasing the catch connection.

A plug type connection having a housing in one of the above-described configurations and having a mating connector is in particular constructed in such a manner that the automatically adjusting redirection of the catch means which occurs during the engagement of the connector catch, when the housing and mating connector are assembled, automatically also releases the lever catch.

In this configuration, it is ensured that, owing to the redirection of the catch means, both the connector catch and the lever catch are redirected and consequently the corresponding catch connections are released.

Finally, the invention also relates to a modular system, which has at least a first housing and a second housing according to one of the above embodiments, the first housing being constructed without a pivot lever and the second housing being constructed with a pivot lever, preferably as an auxiliary insertion means. The modular system further comprises a mating connector which is constructed so as to be able to be assembled both with the first and with the second housing, and which may also be constructed simply as a housing. The mating connector can be engaged with the connector catch of both the first and the second housing. In the completely assembled state, the pivot lever of the second housing is automatically engaged with the lever catch.

With such a modular system, the same housing with or without a lever may be used for connection to the same mating connector. The pivot lever may be a separate component which is constructed so as to be able to be fitted to the housing or the lever fixing means in a positive-locking manner, in particular a repeatedly releasable manner. The mating connector may form a stop for the pivot lever so that overtravel and consequently damage to the lever mechanism is prevented.

According to an advantageous development, the modular system may have a connection position assurance element which can be inserted into the first and the second housing. The connection position assurance element, as already set out above, can secure the connector catch and the lever catch in the engaged state. The connection position assurance element may advantageously be used in all housing forms of the modular system according to the invention. In order to reduce the number of basic forms in the modular system according to the invention, without limiting the variety of variants, the second housing may be constructed so as to be able to be produced by fitting the pivot lever to a first housing. In this embodiment, the modular system consequently has only one housing form, that is to say, that of the first housing, and the second housing is produced from the first housing by the pivot lever being fitted.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by way of example with reference to an embodiment and the appended drawings. According to the above explanations, individual features of the embodiment described below may be omitted if the advantage which is connected with this feature is not significant. In the same manner, it is possible to supplement the embodiment described with additional features in accordance with the above explanations if the advantages connected with these features are significant in specific applications. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are always used below in the individual drawings if the elements thereby designated have the same function and/or the same construction. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective exploded view of a plug type connector having a housing according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a mating connector assembled with the housing of

Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a plug type connection having a plug type connector of Figure 1 and a mating connector of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the plug type connection of Figure 3 in a plane of section which extends through a connection position assurance element and a catch means;

Figure 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the plug type connection of Figure 3 in the state partially released from each other;

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the plug type connection of Figure 5 in the plane of section of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a schematic, perspective sectioned illustration of the arrangement of Figure 3.

Firstly, an exemplary construction of a plug type connector 2 having a housing 4 according to the invention will be described with reference to Figure 1 . The plug type connector 2 is used primarily in the automotive industry in order to connect cable harnesses in motor vehicles.

The housing 4 has a connector receiving member 6 which, as shown in Figure 1 , can be continuously opened in an insertion direction 8. In the connector receiving member there may be received a connector 10 which retains electrical or optical contacts. The connector 10 is preferably engaged in the connector receiving member 6. The connector 10 may be a standardised component, which is standardised in terms of the sector, company or factory. The connector receiving member 6 may be constructed to receive various connectors 10 so that the housing 4 has a wider range of application. In an alternative configuration, the connector 10 may also be an integral component of the housing 4 so that both form a single component. This variant is also referred to as a housing below.

If, as shown in Figure 1 , the connector 10 is received in the housing 4 as a separate component, there may be provided a seal 12 which is supported between the connector 10 and housing 4 and which prevents moisture or contamination from being able to travel past a plug face 14 between the housing 4 and connector 10.

A pivot lever 16 may optionally be fitted to the housing 4. The connection between the housing 4 and the pivot lever 16 may be brought about by means of a repeatedly releasable positive-locking connection, such as, for example, a bayonet connection. To this end, the housing 4 is provided with a lever fixing means 17. Furthermore, a connection position assurance element 18 may be provided.

The connection position assurance element 18 is preferably constructed so as to be able to be inserted into the housing 4 in the insertion direction 8. To this end, separated from the connector receiving member 6 by a partition wall 20, a receiving shaft 22 for the connection position assurance element may be provided. The receiving shaft 22 preferably extends in the insertion direction 8 and is preferably open at both ends thereof located in the insertion direction 8.

In order to more clearly identify the connection position assurance element in the receiving shaft 22, the shaft is illustrated in Figure 1 with a partially broken-away wall.

The housing 4 has a catch means 24 which may be constructed, for example, in the form of a catch tongue 26 which extends in the insertion direction.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a mating connector 28 which can be assembled and engaged with the plug type connector 2 of Figure 1 , regardless of whether a pivot lever 16 is provided.

The mating connector 28 may have a connector receiving member 30 or be integrated with a standardised connector. The mating connector 28 is provided with a counter-catch means 32 which is constructed so as to complement the catch means 24. The counter- catch means 32 may, in particular in contrast to a redirectable catch means 24, be constructed in a fixed and in particular immovable manner on the mating connector 28.

The mating connector 28 may further have an engagement element 34, which can be brought into engagement with a drive portion 36 (cf. Figure 1 ) of the pivot lever 16. To this end, the pivot lever must be located in a preassembly position. If the pivot lever 16 is then pivoted out of the preassembly position, the plug connector 2 and the mating connector 28 are automatically bent together. At the end of the pivot movement, the pivot lever 16 may be engaged by the catch means 24. In addition, owing to the catch means 24, the mating connector 28 is also engaged with the catch means 24. The assembly of the plug type connector 2 and the mating connector 28 is clarified with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figures 3 to 6 illustrate a plug type connection 40 with a plug type connector 2 and a mating connector 28, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In addition, at the ends 42 of the plug type connector 2 and mating connector 28 facing away from each other in the insertion direction 8, there are arranged end caps 44 which each have a tensile relief member 46 but which will not be described in greater detail.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the plug type connection 40 in the completely assembled state. The pivot lever 16 is pivoted on the housing 4, whereby the plug type connector 2 and mating connector 28 are drawn together and inserted completely one inside the other. In the end position of Figure 3, the pivot lever is engaged on a lever catch 48. The lever catch 48 is part of the catch means 24 and is arranged so as to be accessible from the outer side for the pivot lever.

Not illustrated in Figure 3 is an internal connector catch which is accessible in the insertion direction for the mating connector and by means of which the housing 4 and the mating connector 28 are engaged with each other. The connector catch 50 can be seen in the section of Figure 4. In the embodiment illustrated, two connector catches 50 are accordingly provided symmetrically with respect to a centre axis 52. In the completely assembled state, a connector counter-catch 54 engages behind the connector catch 50 in the insertion direction. In order to reach this position, the catch means 24 had to be redirected, preferably resiliency redirected. This redirection is carried out in the embodiment illustrated inwards in the radial direction 56, as illustrated by the arrow 57 (Figure 3).

Figure 4 further shows the connection position assurance element 18 which is completely inserted into the receiving shaft 22 in an insertion direction 8. The connection position assurance element 18 is engaged with the mating connector 28 in the securing position of Figure 4. To this end, it may protrude from the end of the receiving shaft 22 facing in the insertion direction. At the end of the connection position assurance element located in the insertion direction, there may be provided two projecting members 58, at the ends of which there may be arranged securing catches 60 in the form of catch projections which project towards each other.

The connection position assurance element 18 may be provided with at least one, preferably two, stop(s) 62 which co-operate(s) with complementary counter-stops 64 in the receiving shaft 22 and prevent(s) removal of the connection position assurance element 18 counter to the insertion direction 8. In order to facilitate the insertion of the connection position assurance element 18 in the receiving shaft 22, the stops 62 may be arranged on the members 58. The members 58 can be resiliency redirected without application of significant force, so that the stops 62 of the connection position assurance element 18 are readily pushed past the counter-stops

64 of the housing 4.

The connection position assurance element 18 may further be provided with a securing flap 26 which is arranged at the end of the connection position assurance element 18 located in the insertion direction 8 and protrudes from this end 70 in the insertion direction

8. In the securing position of the connection position assurance element 18, the securing flap 66 is located below the catch means 24 and prevents it from being able to be redirected radially inwards towards the housing 4 and thus being able to release the engagements via the lever catch 48 and the connector catch 50.

At the end 72 of the connection position assurance element 18 facing counter to the insertion direction 8, a finger recess 74 may be provided in order to make the insertion of the connection position assurance element 18 into the receiving shaft 22 economically more advantageous.

Figure 5 shows the plug type connector 2 and the mating connector 28 shortly before the beginning of the engagement operation in an intermediate position. The connector counter-catches 54 are located in the insertion direction 8 upstream of the connector catches 50. The connector catches 50 and/or the mating connector catches 54 are provided with an inclined leading member 76 so that the connector catches 50 on the redirectable catch means 24 push below the preferably stationary mating connector catches of the mating connector 28. This catch movement is carried out automatically when the pivot lever 16 is folded in the direction of the arrow 78. The catch operation between the connector catch 50 and mating connector catch 54 is complete when the pivot lever 16 reaches its end position on the mating connector 28 and strikes a projecting lever stop 80 which is formed by the mating connector 28.

After the mating connector catches 54 have slid behind the connector catches 50 (Figure 4), the catch means 24 moves owing to the resilient restoring force radially outwards again into its initial position. It jumps automatically over the pivot lever 16 in this instance so that the lever catch 48 at the end of the catch means 24 located in the insertion direction 8 engages with the pivot lever. To this end, the pivot lever 16 may be provided with a lever counter-catch 82 which may be constructed in the form of a catch projection 84, as shown in Figure 5.

As can be seen in Figure 6, in the intermediate position, shortly before the beginning of the catch operation, the securing catches 60 are also out of engagement. The base-like projection 86 which acts as the stop 80 for the pivot lever acts as a guide for the members 58 or the securing catches 60.

In Figure 6, the securing flap 66 of the connection position assurance element is still located under the catch means 24. However, the position securing element 18 cannot follow the additional displacement of the housing 4 in the insertion direction 8 because the catch means 24 which is pressed down by the connector counter-catches 54 prevents the additional insertion of the position assurance element 18.

The connection position assurance element 18 can be completely inserted into the receiving shaft 22 again only when the catch means has jumped back into its initial position at the end of the catch operation and releases the path again for the securing flap 66. This position is reached in Figure 4. Only then can the securing flap 66 be inserted under the catch means 24.

Additional details of the catch connection between the pivot lever 16, plug type connector 2 and mating connector 28 can be seen in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the housing 4 in a transparent state for the sake of clarity. The housing 4 and the mating connector 28 are in the completely assembled state. The pivot lever 16 is pivoted towards the housing 4 in the end position thereof. The lever counter-catch 82 is engaged with the lever catch 48. This engagement between the pivot lever 16 and the lever catch 48 is preferably based on two catch faces 88 which are opposite each other in the insertion direction 8. The catch faces 88 are not intended to overlap each other in a radial direction so that the pivot lever 16 does not engage under the lever catch 48. It is thereby ensured that, if the connection position assurance element 18 is not in its securing position, the catch means 48 can be pressed down with the engagement between the pivot lever 16 and housing 4 being released. Figure 7 further shows the mating connector catches 54 which have slid behind the connector catches 50 in the catch position. The connector catch 50 and mating connector catch 54 overlap each other in the insertion direction 8 with the stop faces 90 thereof. When the catch means 24 are pressed down, this catch connection is also released: the mating connector catches 54 can be drawn past the connector catches 50 in the insertion direction 8 with the catch means 24 pressed down.

The connector catches 50 project laterally from side walls 92 of the catch means 48. The side walls 92 have a normal direction which extends transversely to the insertion direction

8 and radial direction 56. A free, redirectable end 94 of the catch means 24 may be located in the insertion direction 8.

The at least one connector catch 50 and the at least one lever catch 48 are preferably arranged at the free end 94 of the catch means so that they carry out a maximum travel when the catch means 48 is pressed down.

The lever catch 48 can form a projection 96 which is directed outwards. The projection 96 may have, in a double function, an inclined gripping member 98 which is inclined relative to the insertion direction 8 and whose normal direction is directed counter to the insertion direction. The inclined gripping member 98 acts as a finger stop so that, when the housing 4 and mating connector 28 are assembled, an inwardly directed pressure on the catch means 24 and an insertion force directed towards the mating connector can be applied at the same time. An insertion force is automatically translated into a redirection of the catch means 24 owing to the inclined gripping member 98.

The catch means 48 is delimited by two guide slots 100 at the two sides which are located perpendicularly relative to the insertion direction and which are not directed outwards. Figure 7 shows two guide slots merely by way of example. In other constructions, only a single guide slot may also be provided.

The connector catches 50 are preferably in the guide slots. The mating connector catches 54 together form a guide for the catch means 48 so that the catch means cannot deviate laterally and change the insertion force in an uncontrolled manner in particular when the mating connector catches 54 are engaged with the connector catches 50. The connection position assurance element 18 is shown in Figure 7 in a preassembly position in which it is retained in a non-releasable manner by the stops 62 and the counter-stops 64 of the receiving shaft. Since the securing flap 66 is not located under the free end of the catch means 24, it can be redirected and can carry out the catch movements.

Figure 7 further shows that an outwardly projecting plate 104 is provided on the housing 4 at the end 102 of the housing 4 in the insertion direction 8. The outer contour of the plate 104 corresponds to the inner contour of the pivot lever 16 in the end position. The pivot lever 16 and plate 104 cooperate in order to protect the plug type connection against contamination transported in the insertion direction.

As is apparent from the above explanation, the housing 4 may be used with or without a pivot lever. If the housing 4 is used without the pivot lever 16, it must be assembled by hand without a mechanical auxiliary insertion member in the form of the pivot lever 16.

The above-described catch operation between the mating connector catches 54 and the connector catches 50 remains unaffected. Only the engagement between the lever catch 48 and the pivot lever 16 is dispensed with. The inclined gripping member 98 may still be used for releasing the plug type connection between the mating connector catches 54 and the connector catches 50. It simultaneously serves to connect together the mating connector 28 and the housing 4.

A great variety of variants can be achieved for various uses of the plug type connector 2 by means of the housing 4 with a small number of different basic modules. The module system preferably also comprises, in addition to the housing 4 with or without a pivot lever, the connection position assurance element 18 and the mating connector 28. The mating connector 28 may remain unchanged irrespective of whether or not the housing 4 is provided with a pivot lever 16. List of reference numerals

2 Plug type connector

4 Housing

6 Connector receiving member

8 Insertion direction

10 Connector

12 Seal

14 Plug face

16 Pivot lever

17 Lever fixing means

18 Connection position assurance element

20 Partition wall

22 Receiving shaft

24 Catch means

26 Catch tongue

28 Mating connector

30 Connector receiving member

32 Counter-catch means

34 Engagement element

36 Drive portion of the pivot lever

40 Plug type connection

42 Ends of the housing and mating connector

44 End caps

46 Tensile relief

48 Lever catch

50 Connector catch

52 Centre axis

54 Mating connector catch

56 Radial direction

57 Arrow

58 Members of the connection position assurance element 60 Securing catch

62 Stop

64 Counter-stop

66 Securing flap End of the connection position assurance element in the insertion direction

Opposite end

Finger recess

Inclined leading members

Arrow direction

Lever stop

Lever counter-catch

Catch projection

Projection of the mating connector

Catch faces

Stop faces of the connector catch and connector counter-catch

Side walls of the catch means

Free end of the catch means

Projection of the lever catch

Inclined gripping member

Guide slot

End of the housing in the insertion direction

Plate

Claims

1 . Housing (4) for an optical or electrical plug type connector (2), which housing is constructed so as to be able to be assembled in an insertion direction (8) with a mating connector (28) and which has a lever fixing means (17) for fitting a pivotable pivot lever

(16) to the housing (4) and a catch means (24), characterised in that the catch means has a lever catch (48) which is accessible for the pivot lever from the outer side and an internal connector catch (50) which is accessible in the insertion direction for the mating connector, and in that the lever catch and connector catch are arranged together so as to be redirectable on the catch means.

2. Housing (4) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the catch means (24) adjoins a receiving shaft (22) for the connection position assurance element (18).

3. Housing (4) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the catch means (24) is constructed as a resiliency redirectable catch tongue (26).

4. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a guide slot (100) which extends in the insertion direction (8) is arranged at least at one side of the catch means (24) and the connector catch (50) overlaps with the guide slot in the radial direction.

5. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the catch means (24) is constructed in a blockable manner by a connection position assurance means (18) which is fitted into a receiving shaft (22).

6. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the lever catch (48) has an outwardly projecting catch projection (84).

7. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the connector catch (50) is arranged at a side face of the catch means (24).

8. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the connector catch (50) adjoins a receiving shaft (22) for the connection position assurance element (18).

9. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lever catch (48) and/or connector catch (50) is/are located at a free end (94) of the catch means (24).

10. Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that there is provided a pivot lever (16) which is automatically engaged with the lever catch (48) in an end position placed against the housing (4).

1 1 . Housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a pivot lever (16) which can be engaged with the lever catch (48) is provided and in that the catch action between the pivot lever and the lever catch is based on two catch faces (88) which face each other in the insertion direction (8) when the pivot lever is engaged.

12. Modular system which has at least a first housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least a second housing (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , the housing (4) being provided with a pivot lever (16) as an auxiliary insertion means, characterised by a mating housing (28) which is constructed so as to be able to be assembled both with the first and with the second housing (4) and which is constructed so as to be able to be engaged with the connector catch (50) of both the first and the second housing (4) and, in the completely assembled state, the pivot lever of the second housing (4) is engaged with the lever catch (50).

13. Modular system according to claim 12, characterised in that the mating housing forms a lever stop (86) for the pivot lever (16).

14. Modular system according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that there is provided a connection position assurance element (18) which can be inserted into the first or second housing (4) and which secures the connector catch (50) and the lever catch (48) in the engaged state.

15. Modular system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the second housing (4) is constructed so as to be able to be produced by fitting a pivot lever (16) to a first housing (4).

16. Plug type connection comprising a housing (4) and a mating connector (28) of the modular system according to any one of claims 12 to 15.