WO2021254691A1

WO2021254691A1 - Plug connector having locking means selectable from a group

Info

Publication number: WO2021254691A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/062168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olaf Kappla; Udo Schulz
Original assignee: Provertha Connectors, Cables & Solutions Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2021-05-07
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Also published as: DE102020115863B4; DE102020115863A1; EP4165734A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (1) for connection to a counterpart plug connector, comprising a housing (10) and a connecting means (21, 22) for fixing the plug connector (1) to the counterpart plug connector, the housing (10) having a receptacle (11) which corresponds to the connecting means (21, 22) and in which the connecting means (21, 22) is situated and in which and/or by which the connecting means (21, 22) is held on the housing (10), the connecting means being selectable from a group of connecting means (21, 22) of different types which differ in their function and/or design, and the receptacle (11) corresponding to any type of connecting means (21, 22).

Description

Connector with locking means that can be selected from a group

Description:

The invention relates to a connector with a connecting means for fixing the connector to a mating connector or a system of a connector and a connecting means for fixing the connector to the mating connector. In principle, connectors with connecting means for connecting the connector to a mating connector have been known in the prior art for a long time. Here are the connecting means, for example wise screws, usually received in receptacles provided in a hous se of the connector, so that the screws or, in general, the connecting means is fixed to the housing. If the connector is then arranged on the mating connector, the connec tion means can fix them to one another. For this purpose, for example, the screw is screwed to a thread provided on the mating connector and corresponding to the screw.

However, in the prior art it is provided that mostly only a certain type of connecting means, i.e. certain screws, can be arranged on a specially provided housing or in a specially provided receptacle.

It follows that a connector or the housing of the connector can only be used with or for a certain type of connecting means or screws provided for this purpose.

If a different type of connector is to be used due to installation requirements, requirements for the connection itself, its detachability or due to other environmental conditions, the entire housing must be replaced.

This results in correspondingly increased production, storage and administration costs, since specific housings have to be produced and kept available for different fasteners.

At most, it is known in the prior art to completely omit the connecting means.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a connector which can be connected to a mating connector in a simple, cost-effective and universal manner with different types of connecting means. This object is achieved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a connector for connecting to a mating connector having a housing and a connecting means for fixing the connector to the mating connector is proposed. In addition, it is provided according to the invention that the housing has a receptacle corresponding to the connecting means, in which the connecting means is arranged and in which and / or through which the connecting means is held on the housing. The invention is further characterized in that the connecting means can be selected from a group of connecting means of different types, which differ in their mode of operation and / or shape, and the recording corresponds to each type of connecting means from the group of connecting means.

In addition to the connector with the housing and the connecting means, further aspects of the invention relate to a system and a set each consisting of the housing of the connector and the connecting means for connecting the connector to a mating connector. Accordingly, a system for connecting a connector with a mating connector comprising a connecting means and a housing of the connector and a set preferably consisting of a housing of a connector and a plurality of connecting means, which are Ver connecting means from a group of connecting means of different types, ie different types of Proposed connecting means for connec the connector or the housing of the connector with a mating connector. It is provided in each case that the connecting means is not necessarily already arranged in the receptacle of the housing, but that it can be arranged in the receptacle and is accordingly selected from a group of possible connecting means. and after a selection of the connecting means from the group of connecting means can be arranged in the receptacle. The set can also comprise the group of connecting means or a multiplicity of connecting means of different types. The following features of the connector, the housing and the connecting means, which are further developed in the context of the subclaims, can each also be applied or transferred to a system and set formed therefrom.

The basic idea of the invention is thus to design the receptacle in the housing in such a way that different types of connecting means can be received which differ in their shape or design and / or at least partially also in their mode of operation.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the group of connecting means comprises connecting means consisting of a single connecting element. Such connecting means consisting of a single connec tion element can be, for example, pins with locking heads, nuts, an insert with an internal thread or also screws. Furthermore, screws or types of screws can differ in their respective characteristics, such as contour, screw head length, screw profile or screw head drive. Correspondingly, a wide variety of screws, such as flat-head slotted, combination slotted or Allen screw, can be used, which can differ in terms of the dimensions along their respective longitudinal direction or the length of their thread. The individual connecting elements, which each correspond to a type of connec tion means, can furthermore have a section corresponding to the receptacle along their longitudinal direction, such as a projection running around them, with which they can be arranged in the receptacle, this being due to the design of this Section can be fixed or slidably received in the receptacle with respect to their longitudinal direction. Alternatively, a connecting element can also, for example be a sleeve or have an internal thread, so that a corresponding pin or a corresponding screw can be provided on the counter plug connector. If both connectors and mating connectors, for example in a coupling, each have their own housing, an identical housing for connectors and mating connectors can be used, in which only the respectively matching and mutually corresponding connecting means have to be arranged in the respective housing.

Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment variant provides that the group of connecting means comprises connecting means consisting of at least a first and a second connecting element. These include, for example, so-called “Push-PuN” connecting means, which can consist of a latching pin and a locking spring that can be latched onto the latching pin. Depending on the intended use, a wide variety of types of connecting means can be arranged in the receptacle, which, in relation to the "Push-PuN" connecting means mentioned by way of example, are determined by the shape of the locking pin and the locking spring, the spring or the clamping force of the locking spring , a locking contour on the locking pin and locking spring or other features can distinguish. If a connecting means with a locking spring is used, it is preferably provided that this extends from the receptacle to an outside of the housing and that the locking spring on the outside of the housing can be actuated by hand in order to release the locking spring from locking with the locking pin . In general, the first and second connecting elements or all connecting elements of the connecting means together form the connecting means or the respective type of connecting means.

In order to be able to hold the connecting means securely in the receptacle, an advantageous development provides that the plug connector further comprises a latching spring which is arranged in the receptacle. In addition, can the detent spring itself can be snapped into the receptacle, which can form detent lugs for this purpose, for example, behind which the detent spring can engage. Alternatively, the detent spring can also be fixed in the receptacle by other means and, for example, glued in or encapsulated by a material of the housing during manufacture of the housing. Alternatively, the detent spring can also be pushed into the receptacle from outside the housing through an opening provided for this purpose. The proposed detent spring is designed to lock in the receptacle with the connecting means or to grip the connecting means or at least individual connec tion elements of the connecting means at least in sections and to fix the connecting means in the receptacle or to hold it in the receptacle, so that a unintentional loosening of the connection by means of or at least one connecting element of the connecting means from the receptacle is prevented. Although the connecting means or at least one connecting element of the connecting means is held in the receptacle by the detent spring, the connecting means or the connecting element can be held displaceably in the receptacle. Furthermore, the detent spring can be designed to lock only with a part of types of connec tion means from the group of connection means. For example nuts can be held in the receptacle independently of the locking spring and preferably by a corresponding to the outer shape of the nuts corresponding shape of the receptacle.

In an advantageous development, the housing of the plug connector also has a lower part and an upper part, which can alternatively also be referred to as the first and second housing parts, for example, for example. The receptacle proposed according to the invention is formed alone or exclusively in the lower part or is formed jointly by the lower part and the upper part. If the receptacle is formed exclusively in or by the lower part, the upper part can preferably form a cover for the receptacle spanning the receptacle. In addition, it is advantageous if the receptacle has at least two openings, of which a first opening faces the mating connector and from which the connecting means, depending on the type of connecting means, can extend out in the direction of the mating connector. Furthermore, a second opening for actuating the connecting means can be provided, for which purpose the connecting means can also extend out of the second opening. If actuation of the connecting means is not necessary, depending on the selected type, or if at least the second opening is not required for this, it can be closed by a cover element which can be formed separately or integrally formed by the connecting means.

The detent spring is preferably arranged in the lower part and connected to it. Furthermore, in an assembled state, in which the upper part is arranged in a predetermined manner on the lower part, this extends out of the lower part into the upper part. In such a variant it is further provided that the detent spring has a first detent section and a second detent section. The first latching section is designed to grip around the connecting means at least in sections, whereby the latching spring can be latched to the connecting means and to fix the connecting means in the receptacle. The second latching section is designed to latch with a corresponding mating latching section on or in the upper part or to engage behind the mating latching section in a spring-elastic manner and to fix the upper part to the lower part. Independently of the detent spring, the upper part and the lower part can additionally also be connected by further fixing elements, such as a screw connection. The latching section can also be designed to be latched with only some of the types of connecting means from the group of connecting means. For example, the locking portion can be provided in accordance with the entire locking spring, not to lock with a nut as connec tion means. An advantageous variant, in which it is provided that a Ver binding agent should always be used in the receptacle, which is held by the locking spring, provides that the locking spring and its second Rastab section are formed, only with the second locking section in one predetermined position to be latched with the corresponding counter-latching section. The detent spring is also designed to be deflected out by the latching spring latched or latchable connection means or by the latching of the connecting means with the detent spring, that the second latching portion from an undefined Po position, which from the predetermined position deviates, is deflected and held in the predetermined position. This can prevent the housing or the upper part and the lower part from being assembled with one another, although or if the connecting means has not yet been arranged in the lower part. If such a variant is to be compatible with all connecting means or with all types of connecting means, these must each be designed to deflect and hold the second latching section into the predetermined position when it is latched with the latching spring.

In order to prevent the detent spring having two detent sections from inadvertently disengaging from one of the detents, an advantageous development variant provides that the detent spring is designed to lock with its first detent section by a first detent movement of a predetermined length and direction with the connecting means and with its second latching section by a second latching movement of predetermined length and direction to latch with the counter latching section or to be latched in each case. Furthermore, the first and the second latching movement have different predetermined lengths and / or directions. The directions accordingly form an angle between them. The length of the second latching movement is preferably longer than the length of the first latching movement. If, for example, a detent pin is inserted through an opening in the mounted housing or the Aufnah me, the detent spring can not be released from the latching be released with the counter-locking element or the upper part of the cover.

In an advantageous variant, the detent spring has two spring jaws emanating from a Mittelab section of the detent spring and extending essentially parallel in the same direction or to the upper part, the spring jaws preferably extending from opposite sides of the middle section away and more preferably between the respective spring jaws and the central section each make an angle in the range between 80 ° and 100 ° and preferably 90 °. As a result, the latching spring has essentially a U-shape, the latching spring with its Mittelab section can be fixed in the receptacle so that the spring jaws are resiliently movable or deflectable in the receptacle independently of one another. The first and second latching sections can be implemented differently in different variants by the spring jaws. For example, a first spring jaw can have the first latching section and the second spring jaw can have the second latching section. Alternatively, the two spring brackets can jointly form the first and / or the second latching section. In particular, the first locking portion can be formed by a convex section from the spring jaws, in which the spring jaws approach each other by their convex shape. The second Rastab section can be formed, for example, by a recess in both or one of the spring jaws or by a latching hook, which is preferably formed at an end facing away from the central portion or in egg nem end portion facing away from the central portion of at least one of the spring jaws.

Since the different types of connecting means differ greatly from one another with regard to their shape, at least in part, the receptacle has a first section and a second section in an advantageous variant. The first section corresponds to a contour of at least one first type of connecting means and the second section to one Contour of at least a second type of connecting means. For example, the first section corresponds to different types of screws and pins and the second section to a locking spring of a different type of connecting means. Furthermore, the receptacle can have further and in particular a third section which corresponds to a contour of at least a third type of connecting means. For example, the third section can be designed to correspond to a nut as a connecting means, so that the nut is held in the receptacle in a fixed position in the receptacle or in the third section both with respect to its longitudinal axis and with respect to a rotation about the longitudinal axis.

In addition, in one embodiment it can be provided that the first section and the second section and / or - if present - optionally also the third or a further section jointly correspond to a contour of at least a third type of connecting means. In particular in the case of types of connecting means which comprise several connecting elements, it is preferably provided that the first section is designed to correspond to a first connecting element and the second section to a second connecting element. In a “Push-PuN” connection means that has already been explained, the first section corresponds, for example, to the locking pin and the second section to the Arretierfe. Preferably, further sections and in particular the first, the second and a third section, which are each designed to receive a specific type of connecting means, can also be designed to correspond together to a further type of connecting means.

If the receptacle has several sections, it is preferably provided that the detent spring is only provided in one of the sections, for example the first section. A connection arranged in the second section Binding means or a connecting element of such a connecting means can be held in the receptacle, for example, by the shape of the receptacle or the shape of the second section of the receptacle.

In the case of a receptacle having a plurality of sections, it is generally advantageous if the individual sections are compatible and correspond to a plurality of different types of connecting means. For example, a third section is designed to correspond to a nut which is held in a fixed position in the third section, that is also to correspond to or compatible with a screw, which in a first type only extends through the section and in a second type through a circumferential projection is fixed in the third section with respect to a displacement along its longitudinal direction.

In order to be able to fix a connecting means in the receptacle, for example along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle or the connecting means, or to be able to limit the displaceability of the connecting means in the receptacle along the longitudinal axis of the connecting means in a predetermined manner, the receptacle also forms at least one stop surface in a development for example, can also form the contour or a boundary surface of the third section of the receptacle. A section of the connecting means can be brought into abutment against the stop surface, so that the displaceability of the connecting means in the receptacle is limited. In the case of a screw, for example, a circumferential projection of the screw can rest on the stop surface. In addition to the displaceability in the longitudinal direction, for example, a spring travel of a locking spring can also be limited by a stop surface. Alternatively, the stop surface can also form a guide surface, in particular for a locking spring, through which a section of the locking spring is guided when the spring moves. If certain openings or sections of the receptacle which are intended or required for a certain type of connecting means are not required when using a different type of connecting means and are therefore exposed, this can lead to contamination in the housing, a unintentional loosening of the connection means and other disadvantages. In order to overcome such a problem, an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the receptacle forms an opening corresponding to a first type of connecting means, provides that a second type of connecting means is formed which correspond to the first type of connecting means to close the ponding opening of the recording. For this purpose, the connecting means of the second type of connecting means or their connecting elements can have web-shaped or leaf-shaped projections or a correspondingly adapted outer contour through which the opening is closed.

It is also advantageous if several and insbesonde re two receptacles are provided on the housing each for a connecting means and optionally a detent spring each Weil. The recordings are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to a center plane of the housing or connector, with a mating face for electrical connection of the connector to the mating connector between tween the recordings is also preferably arranged. Correspondingly, in this variant it is provided that the housing has two receptacles, each corresponding to a connecting means, in each of which a connecting means is arranged and / or can be arranged. The respective connecting means is held on the housing in or through the receptacles. It is particularly advantageous here that the connecting means can be selected independently of one another from the group of connecting means. This means that the connector can be coded through the choice of connection means so that it can only be used with a specific mating connector or only in a specific correct orientation with respect to the mating connector can be connected to this. For example, locking pins of different lengths can be selected as connecting means. Alternatively, a locking pin or a screw could be selected as the first connecting means and, for example, a nut as the second connecting means.

In order to further increase the universal usability of the connector, a development also provides that the housing forms or has a cable duct through which a cable can be guided from an outside into an interior of the housing. It is provided here that the cable bushing forms at least two clamping body receptacles, in each of which clamping bodies of different types can be arranged. Depending on the selected cable, a clamping body can then be arranged in the first clamping body receptacle, in the second clamping body receptacle or in the clamping body receptacles. A clamping body can be formed here, for example, by a metal bracket or an elastically deformable plastic element. A plastic element can also be designed integrally as a sealing element. Furthermore, a plastic element can have different sections which each correspond to the clamp body and which are adapted to different cables or cable types, so that the plastic element with the section corresponding to the cable can be arranged in the clamp body.

Another aspect of the invention also relates to a coupling or a system or set of two connectors according to the invention, the housings of which are each designed according to the invention. The housings are preferably designed to be identical or at least to correspond to one another. The housings can be connected to one another and thus coupled with a suitable choice of the respective connecting means. The features disclosed above can be combined as required, provided this is technically possible and they do not contradict one another.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 connector with a closed housing and a first and a second type of connecting means in perspekti vischer view; Fig. 2 lower part of the housing and a further type of connec tion means in a perspective view;

3 shows a plan view of the lower part and the first and second types of connecting means;

Fig. 4 connector with closed housing and a third type of connecting means in a perspective view;

Fig. 5 lower part of the housing and the third type of connec tion means in a perspective view;

Fig. 6 plan view of the lower part and the third type of connec tion means; Fig. 7 connector with closed housing and a four th type of connecting means in a perspective view;

Fig. 8 lower part of the housing and the fourth type of connec tion means in a perspective view;

Fig. 9 plan view of the lower part and the fourth type of connection fertilizer;

Fig. 10 section through the connector

11 shows a detail of the lower part of the housing;

12 section of an upper part of the housing. The figures are schematic examples. The same reference symbols in the figures indicate the same functional and / or structural features.

In Figures 1 to 12, the same or the same housing 10 or parts, cross-sections or cutouts of this housing 10 or its parts are shown. The main difference is that in the figures different connection means or different types of connection means are provided in or on the housing.

Figures 1, 4 and 7 each show the connector 1 or a system or set 1 of a housing 10 and different types of connec tion means 21, 22 in perspective. The other figures each show parts or sections of parts of the connector 1.

The housing 10 is shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 with its lower part 101 and its upper part 102, respectively. FIGS. 2, 5 and 8 each show the lower part 101 of the housing 10 in a perspective view and FIGS. 3, 6 and 9 in a plan view together with the connecting means 21, 22 or types of connecting means used in each case.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section through the plug connector 1 in a plane running through the detent springs 12. FIGS. 11 and 12 are each enlarged sections of the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 of the housing 10 and show the receptacle 11 with its sections 111, 112, 113. The receptacle 11, which is formed jointly by the upper part 102 and the lower part 101 of the housing 10, has several sections 111, 112, 113, particularly visible in FIGS. 11 and 12, through which various types of connecting means 21, 22 can be arranged in the housing 10 or fixed on the housing 10.

The connector 1 or the housing 10 has two receptacles 11 which are arranged symmetrically with respect to an interior space 104 of the housing 10 or are adjacent to the interior space 104. In the interior 104, a contact element (not shown) can be arranged, through which the connector 1 can be electrically contacted with a mating connector, not shown.

In FIG. 1, the connector 1, which is shown without a contact element or contact carrier with contacts for electrical connection, is shown in a first configuration in which a connection means 22, 22 ′ consisting of two connection elements is inserted into the receptacles 11. In each of the two receptacles 11 a locking spring 222 is inserted into the receptacle 11, which extends in sections on an outer side of the housing 10 and in sections in the receptacle 11 and by the shape of the receptacle 11 and in particular by the shape of the first section 111 and the second section 112 of the receptacle 11 is fixed to the housing 10. A first section of the locking spring 222 is fixed in the housing 10 and by at least the first section 111 of the receptacle 11, a second section of the locking spring 222 extends from the first section 111 of the receptacle 11 out of the housing 10 and on this along and a third portion of the locking spring 222 extends through the second portion of the locking spring 222 resiliently held in the third portion 113 of the receptacle 11, wherein the third portion of the locking spring 222 can be resiliently deflected by manual pressure on the second portion of the locking spring 222 . As the second connecting element of the connecting means 22, 22 'consisting of two connecting elements, different second connecting elements are arranged or can be arranged in the two receptacles 11, whereby identical second connecting elements can alternatively also be used, which depends on the respectively desired installation situation.

In the receptacle 11 on the right in the image plane of the figures, a latching pin 221 is provided, which extends through the third section 113 into the second section 112 of the receptacle 11, these sections 112, 113 of the receptacle 11 correspondingly corresponding to the latching pin 221 are trained. The locking pin 221 has a circumferential locking groove in which the locking spring 222 is shown locked with the above-mentioned third section of the locking spring 222, whereby the locking pin 221 is held releasably on the housing 10. In addition, the locking pin 221 is held in the second section 112 of the receptacle 11 in a clamping or resilient manner by the locking spring 12. In the section extending out of the housing 10, the locking pin 221 has a further circumferential locking groove, whereby it can preferably be releasably locked in the mating connector, not shown.

In the receptacle 11 on the left in the image plane, a threaded locking pin 221 'is provided as a second connecting element of the connecting means 22', which is designed differently from the locking pin 221 with respect to its portion extending into the housing 10, as can be seen in particular from FIG. Alternatively, however, the threaded pin 221 'could be identical to the latching pin 221 with its portion lying in the receptacle 11. In its section extending out of the housing 10, the threaded locking pin 221 'has a thread with which it can be screwed into a corresponding mating thread of the mating connector, not shown. In Figure 2, the upper part 102 of the housing 10 is removed so that the inner space 104 or the adjoining receptacles 11 and the connecting means 21, 22 arranged therein are better visible, with one in the receptacle 11 on the right in the image plane Locking pin 221 in Figure 1 alternatively locking pin 221 'is provided.

Because the upper part 102 is removed in FIG. 2, the latching springs 12 in particular are visible, with one latching spring 12 in each case in a receptacle

11, is fixed to the lower part 101 of the housing 10 and extends from the section 11 'of the receptacle 11 formed in the lower part 101 into the upper part 102 (not shown) or into a section 11 ″ of the receptacle 11 formed in the upper part 102 . Regarding the locking springs

12, reference is also made in particular to FIG. 10, in which the detent springs 12 are particularly clearly visible through the sectional view.

Correspondingly, it can also be seen in FIG. 10 that the locking springs 12 each extend from a central section 120 with a first spring bracket 121 and a second spring bracket 122 from the lower part 101 into the upper part 102. The detent springs 12 each have a first detent section 123 and a second detent section 124. The first Rastab section 123 is formed jointly by the respective first and second spring jaws 121, 122 and exerts a resilient force on certain types of connecting means 21, 22 or their connecting elements. In the example shown, it is provided in each case that the two spring jaws 121, 122 have a section with a convex course in which the spring jaws 121, 122 converge and thereby form the first latching section 123.

It is particularly advantageous that the respective outer first spring jaws 121 each have a second latching section 124 formed by an opening, through which the first spring jaws 121 or the latching spring which 12 is latched or can be latched to the upper part 102 of the housing 10, so that the lower part 101 is fixed to the upper part 102 by the latching springs 12. As a result, no additional fixing of the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 is necessary, at least adjacent to a plug-in side of the housing, since this is formed integrally by the detent springs 12.

In a rear section of the housing 10 facing away from the plug-in side, in which, for example, a cable bushing 105 is also provided, a screw connection can additionally be provided to fix the upper part 102 to the lower part 101.

In Figure 3, the housing 10 with the connecting means 22, 22 ', as they are also shown in Figure 1, is shown in a plan view without the upper part 102, so that it is particularly visible that the respective locking spring 222 in a locking groove of the locking pin 221 or the threaded locking pin 221 'is locked.

In FIGS. 4 to 6, a screw 211 is provided in the receptacle 11 as a connecting element of a connecting means 21 consisting of exactly one connecting element. Since no locking spring 222 is neces sary, such is not available.

In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 6 that the first section 111 of the receptacle 11 is not only designed to correspond to the first section of the locking spring 222 but also to correspond to a screw head 2114 of the screw 211. Furthermore, the screw 211 also has a circumferential projection 2112, which is arranged in the third section 113 of the receptacle 11 and rests at least on one side against the stop surface 114 of the third section 113 that the displaceability of the screw 211 with respect to its longitudinal direction limited or the screw 211 is held in a fixed position in its longitudinal direction. An extending from the screw head 2114 to the circumferential projection 2112- the middle section 2113 of the screw 211 extends through the second section 112 from the receptacle 11 and is held in this section by the first Rastab 123 of the detent spring 12 resiliently. A threaded section 2111 of the screw 211 extends out of the housing 10 in the direction of the mating connector, not shown.

Although basically each section of the receptacle 11 can be further subdivided into subsections, in particular by taking into account the most varied types of connecting means 21, 22, it can be seen in FIG Actuation of the screw 211 can be introduced into the receptacle 11.

To demonstrate the scope of possible types of connecting means, a variant is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 in which nuts 212 are inserted into the receptacles 11 or into the third section 113 of the receptacles 11 as connecting means 21. The shape of the third section 113 corresponds not only to the locking spring 222, as shown for example in FIG. 1, or to the circumferential projection 2112, as shown for example in FIG third section 113 of the receptacle 11 is held in a fixed position in the housing 10 with respect to mobility around its axis of rotation and along its axis of rotation.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, a first or lower section 11 'of the receptacle 11 in the lower part 101 of the housing 10 and a second or upper section 11 "of the receptacle 11 in the lower part 101 of the housing 10 are shown enlarged and excerpted. In this case, no connecting means 21, 22 are arranged in the receptacle 11 or the respective lower or upper section 1 T, 11 ″, so that the recess 11 with its sections can be seen. In Figure 11, in which the lower part 101 of the housing 10 is shown in detail, the detent spring 12 arranged in the lower section 11 'of the receptacle 11 is visible, which is held in the lower part 101 or in the receptacle 11 by two retaining projections 106 . For this purpose, the detent spring 12 is pushed into the housing 10 or into the receptacle 11 from a side of the lower part 101 facing away from the upper part 102 through an opening 107 provided for this purpose, which is particularly visible in FIG. In order to hold the detent spring 12 in the receptacle 11, the detent spring 12 can be designed, for example, in such a way that it is resiliently clamped to the inner walls of the receptacle 11. Alternatively, the detent spring 12 can also be glued in the receptacle 11 or, for example, on the holding projections 106.

In the section shown in FIG. 12, in which in particular the upper section 11 ″ of the receptacle 11 is visible, the counter-latching section 103, which is designed as a latching projection and with which the second latching section 124 of the latching spring 12 can latch, is also clearly visible, whereby the upper part 102 and the lower part 101 of the housing 10 are fixed to one another, so that no further fastening elements for connecting the housing parts are necessary in the front region of the housing 10.

_{* * * * ** * * * *}

Claims

1. Connector (1) for connecting to a mating connector having a housing (10) and a connecting means (21, 22) for fixing the connector (1) to the mating connector, the housing (10) being one to the connecting means (21, 22 ) has a corresponding receptacle (11) in which the connecting means (21, 22) is arranged and in which and / or by which the connecting means (21, 22) is held on the housing (10), characterized in that the connecting means (21, 22) can be selected from a group of connecting means (21, 22) of different types, which differ in their functioning and / or shape, and the receptacle (11) corresponds to each type of connecting means (21, 22).

2. System (1) for connecting a connector with a mating connector comprising a connecting means and a housing of the connector, the housing (10) having a receptacle (11) corresponding to the connecting means (21, 22) in which the connecting means are Ver (21, 22) can be arranged and in which and / or by which the connecting means (21, 22) is held on the housing (10), characterized in that the connecting means (21, 22) are selected from a group of connecting means (21 , 22) different types can be selected, which differ in their functioning and / or shape, and the receptacle (11) for each type of connecting means (21, 22) corresponds.

3. Set of a housing of a connector and several connec tion means for connecting the connector to a mating connector, the housing (10) having a receptacle (11) corresponding to the connecting means (21, 22) in which the connecting means (21 , 22) can be arranged and in which and / or by which the connecting means (21, 22) is held on the housing (10), characterized in that the connecting means (21, 22) connecting means from a group of connecting means (21, 22 ) are of different types, which differ in their mode of operation and / or shape, and the receptacle (11) corresponds to each type of connecting means (21, 22).

A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the group of connecting means comprises connecting means (21) consisting of a single connecting element (211, 212).

5. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the group of connecting means comprises at least one first and one second connecting element (221, 222) existing connecting means (22).

6. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detent spring (12) which is in the receptacle

(11) is arranged and wherein the detent spring (12) is designed to lock in the receptacle (11) with the connecting means (20, 21) and the connecting to fix medium (20, 21) in the receptacle (11).

7. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (10) has a lower part (101) and an upper part (102) and the receptacle (11) is formed solely in the lower part (101) or jointly through the lower part (101) and the upper part (102) is formed.

8. Connector according to the two preceding claims, wherein the detent spring (12) is arranged in the lower part (101) and connected to it and extends from the lower part (101) into the upper part (102), the detent spring (12) has a first latching section (123) and a second latching section (124), and wherein the first latching section (123) is designed to grip around the connecting means (21, 22) at least in sections and to fix the connecting means (21, 22) in the receptacle and wherein the second latching section (124) is designed to latch with a corresponding mating latching section (103) on or in the upper part (102) and to fix the upper part (102) on the lower part (101).

9. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the detent spring (12) is designed to lock with its first detent portion (123) by a first detent movement of a predetermined length and direction with the connecting means (20, 21) and with its second detent portion (124 ) to lock by a second locking movement of a predetermined length and direction with the counter-locking portion (103), and wherein the first and the second locking movement have different Liche predetermined lengths and / or directions.

10. Connector according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein the detent spring (12) has two spring jaws (121, 122) proceeding from a central section (120) of the detent spring (12) and extending essentially in the same direction.

11. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (11) has a first section (111) and a second section (112), the first section (111) corresponds to a contour of at least a first type of connecting means, and wherein the second section (112) corresponds to a contour of at least one second type of connecting means.

12. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the first section (111) and the second section (112) together correspond to a contour of at least a third type of connec tion means.

13. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (11) forms at least one stop surface (114) against which a portion of the connecting means (20, 21) can be brought into contact so that the connecting means (20, 21) can be displaced ) is limited in the receptacle (11).

14. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (11) forms an opening corresponding to a first type of connecting means and wherein a second type of connecting means is formed, the opening of the receptacle (11) corresponding to the first type of connecting means to close.

15. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (10) has two receptacles (11) corresponding to a connecting means (21, 22), in each of which a connecting means (21, 22) is arranged and / or can be arranged and in which and / or through which the Connecting means (21, 22) are held on the housing (10), wherein the connecting means (21, 22) can be selected independently of one another from the group of connecting means.