阅读说明：本技术 插接连接器、电插接连接器装置和用于其的保持元件 (Plug connector, electrical plug connector arrangement and retaining element therefor ) 是由 斯特凡·加绍尔 鲁道夫·马斯泰尔 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种电的插接连接器,所述插接连接器具有至少一个壳体、在所述壳体中设置的电插接接触元件和至少一个第一卡锁元件,所述插接连接器能借助所述第一卡锁元件与配合件卡锁地耦联,其中所述插接连接器具有保持元件,所述保持元件具有基本体和可弹性地偏转的卡锁接片,所述卡锁接片从所述基本体伸出并且在从所述基本体伸出的区域中具有所述第一卡锁元件,其中所述保持元件在所述插接连接器上的固定部位处、尤其在其壳体处固定,其中所述卡锁接片沿朝向所述固定部位的方向从所述基本体伸出。此外本发明涉及一种电插接连接器装置和一种保持元件。(The invention relates to an electrical plug connector having at least one housing, an electrical plug contact element arranged in the housing, and at least one first latching element, by means of which the plug connector can be latchingly coupled to a mating piece, wherein the plug connector has a holding element having a base body and a resiliently deflectable latching tab which projects from the base body and has the first latching element in a region projecting from the base body, wherein the holding element is fixed at a fixing location on the plug connector, in particular at its housing, wherein the latching tab projects from the base body in the direction of the fixing location. The invention further relates to an electrical plug connector arrangement and to a retaining element.)

1. An electrical plug connector (7) having at least one housing, electrical plug contact elements arranged in the housing, and at least one first latching element (31), by means of which the plug connector (7) can be latchingly coupled with a mating piece, wherein the plug connector (7) has a retaining element (1) having a base body (10) and a resiliently deflectable latching tab (3) which projects from the base body and has the first latching element (31) in a region projecting from the base body, wherein the retaining element (1) is fixed at a fixing point on the plug connector (7),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the latching tab (3) projects from the base body in the direction of the fastening point.

2. A plug connector according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the holding element (1) is fixed to the housing of the plug connector at the fixing point.

3. Plug connector according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the latching tab (3) has the first latching element (31) at a free end.

4. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the latching tabs (3) project from the base body opposite to the plugging direction of the plug connector (7).

5. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the elastically deflectable latching tabs (3) are connected to the base body (10) at an end-side transverse connection of the base body (10).

6. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least one actuating element (2) is provided on the plug connector (7), said actuating element being provided for releasing the latch by elastic deformation of the latching tab (3).

7. A plug connector according to claim 6,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the holding element (1) has the actuating element (2).

8. A plug connector according to claim 6 or 7,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the end-side transverse connection of the base body (10), at which the elastically deflectable latching tabs (3) are connected to the base body (10), is arranged on the end of the base body (10) facing away from the actuating element (2).

9. Plug connector according to one of claims 5 to 8,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating element (2) is designed as an annular release web which can be elastically deflected.

10. Plug connector according to claim 5 or 9,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating mechanism (2) has a first actuating section (21) and a second actuating section (22) which is held so as to be movable relative to the first actuating section (21) and has a free end (23).

11. A plug connector according to claim 10,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the elastically deflectable latching webs (3) have a contact surface (35) on which the elastically deflectable latching webs (3) can be contacted and deflected by the first actuating section (21) for unlocking, wherein the contact surface (35) is arranged closer to the actuating element (2) than the first latching element (31).

12. Plug connector according to claim 10 or 11,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

when the actuating element (2) is compressed by a laterally acting actuating force in the direction of the plug connector (7), the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) executes a displacement movement within the actuating opening (12) in the direction of the mating plug connector (8) and/or in the direction of the latching tab (3).

13. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 12,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the base body (10) has an operating opening (12) into which the operating mechanism (2) and the elastically deflectable latching tabs (3) extend in the direction towards one another.

14. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 13,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) is supported on an insulating material housing (75) of the plug connector (7) at least during the release of the latching.

15. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 14,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the actuating element (2) has a crank mechanism for displacing the second actuating section (22) relative to the first actuating section (21) when an actuating force (F) acts on the actuating element (2) perpendicular to the plug-in direction (S), or the actuating element (2) is designed as such a crank mechanism.

16. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 15,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) and the second actuating section (22) of the actuating mechanism (2) are formed in one piece as sections of elastic spring arms.

17. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 16,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the free end (23) of the second actuating section (22) engages behind the edge of the contact surface (35) of the latching tab (3) when the latching is released, as a result of which the latching tab (3) is elastically deformed.

18. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 17,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first actuating section (21) is connected to the plug connector (7) in a non-movable manner or is fixed to the plug connector (7) in a movable manner, wherein the movability is limited by a stop present on the plug connector (7) at which the first actuating section (21) rests on the plug connector (7) at least when the latching is released.

19. Plug connector according to one of claims 10 to 18,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second actuating section (22) has, on its side facing the latching tab, an unlocking contour tapering toward a free end (23), which is guided between the latching tab (3) and the insulating material housing of the mating plug connector (8) into the actuating opening (12) when the latching is released.

20. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the base body (10) of the holding element (1) is formed as a one-piece structural unit with the latching web (3) and/or the actuating element (2).

21. Electrical plug connector arrangement (9) having a plug connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims and a mating piece, with which the plug connector (7) and the mating piece can be snap-coupled, wherein the mating piece has at least one second snap-in element (81) which, in the plugged-together state of the plug connector (7) and the mating piece, is designed in co-action with the first snap-in element (31) for fixing the plug connector (7) on the mating piece in such a way that: the first latching element (31) latches with the second latching element (81) in the plugged-together state.

22. A holding element (1) of a plug connector (7), wherein the holding element (1) has a base body (10) and a resiliently deflectable latching tab (3) which projects from the base body (10) and has a first latching element (31) in the region projecting from the base body (10), wherein the holding element (1) has at least one fastening element (11) for fastening the holding element (1) to the plug connector (7),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the latching tab (3) protrudes from the base body in the direction of the at least one fastening element (11).

23. A plug connector according to claim 22,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the holding element (1) has at least one fastening element (11) for fastening the holding element (1) to a housing of the plug connector.

24. Retaining element (1) according to claim 22 or 23,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the retaining element (1) can be fixed only on the plug connector (7) by means of the at least one fixing element (11) in such a way that the latching tabs (3) project from the base body counter to the plugging direction of the plug connector (7).

25. The retaining element of any one of claims 22 to 24,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the base body (10) of the holding element (1) is formed as a one-piece structural unit with the latching web (3) and/or the actuating element (2).

26. The retaining element of any one of claims 22 to 25,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the retaining element (1) has a form-fitting fixing element (11) for the form-fitting fixing of the retaining element (1) on the plug connector (7).

27. The retaining element of any one of claims 22 to 26,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the holding element (1) has a fastening section for fastening a cable (74) connected to the plug connector (7) to the holding element (1).

28. The retaining element of any one of claims 22 to 27,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the elastically deflectable latching tab (3) protrudes from the actuating opening (12) in the unloaded state on the side facing away from the fastening side of the holding element (1).

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electrical plug connector having at least one housing, an electrical plug contact element arranged in the housing, and at least one first latching element, by means of which the plug connector can be latchingly coupled with a mating piece, wherein the plug connector has a retaining element having a base body and a resiliently deflectable latching tab which projects from the base body and has the first latching element in a region projecting from the base body, wherein the retaining element is fixed at a fixing point on the plug connector, in particular on its housing.

The invention further relates to an electrical plug connector arrangement having such a plug connector and a mating piece, with which the plug connector can be snap-coupled, wherein the mating piece has at least one second snap-in element, which is designed to fix the plug connector to the mating piece in cooperation with the first snap-in element in the plugged-together state of the plug connector and the mating piece, in that: the first latching element and the second latching element are latched in the plugged-together state. The mating piece can be, for example, a mating plug connector which is associated with the plug connector as a mating piece, wherein the plug connector and the mating plug connector each have electrical plug contact elements which are associated with one another and are designed for plugging together and electrically contacting the associated plug contact elements in the plugged-together state. The mating part can also be designed in other ways, for example as a circuit board, on which the plug connector can be mechanically fixed by means of a holding element.

The invention also relates to a holding element for such a plug connector device.

Background

In order to reliably hold the plug connector arrangements formed by the plug connector and the mating piece to one another in the plugged-together state, a locking mechanism is required, which is also referred to as a plug connector arrangement. There have been various proposals in the prior art for this. See for example DE 102014107950 a 1. It has already been shown a plug connector device with a latching device and an advantageous release mechanism for releasing the latching by means of a toggle lever mechanism. A further plug connector arrangement and release element are known from DE 102016102071B 3.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of further improving the electrical plug connector and the retaining element.

This object is achieved in an electrical plug connector of the type mentioned at the outset in that: the latching tab projects from the base body in the direction of the fastening point. In this way, the first latching element is spaced apart from the fastening point. As a result, the first latching element can grip better on the mating piece, for example on the mating plug connector, and a higher retention force of the latch is achieved in the manner described. By means of the inventive configuration of the electrical plug connector arrangement and its retaining element, it is furthermore possible to counteract premature release of the catch.

The fastening point may be a point at which the holding element is permanently fastened to the plug connector, for example if it is formed in one piece with the plug connector or is fastened thereto in a non-releasable manner. The fastening point can also be a point on the plug connector at which the holding element is fastened to the plug connector via a releasable fastening element, as is also explained below.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the latching web has a first latching element at the free end. In this way, the retaining force of the latch can be further optimized. The first latching element can be formed, for example, in the form of a barb.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the latching tabs project from the base body opposite to the plugging direction of the plug connector. The plugging direction of the plug connector is the direction in which the plug connector is plugged together with the mating piece by means of its plugging surface. The latching tab thus projects from the base body in the opposite direction, wherein the direction in which the latching tab projects from the base body does not have to extend exactly opposite the plugging direction, but rather allows an angle in the range of, for example, ± 45 ° to the plugging direction.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elastically deflectable latching tabs are connected to the base body at the end-side transverse connection of the base body. The basic body can have, for example, a recess, such as, for example, an operating opening, which is explained below. The recess can be delimited by an end-side transverse web. In this way, the latching tab can be coupled to the base body in a constructively advantageous manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one actuating element is provided on the plug connector, which actuating element is provided for releasing the latch by elastic deformation of the latching lugs. This allows the user to simply release the latch without the need for additional tools. The operating mechanism is thus always available.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the holding element has an actuating mechanism. The actuating element can be molded on the holding element in one piece, for example. For example, the actuating element can be permanently coupled to the latching tab, for example in that: the actuating element is formed integrally with the latching tab, for example as a plastic part.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an end-side transverse connection of the base body is provided at the end of the base body facing away from the actuating means, at which end-side transverse connection an elastically deflectable latching tab is connected to the base body. In this way, the retainability of the latch can be further improved by the retaining element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the base body has an operating opening into which the operating means and the elastically deflectable latching tabs extend in the direction toward one another. In this way, an alternative embodiment of the retaining element can be realized. In addition, a high retention force of the latch can be achieved by the retaining element designed as described above while being compact. The overall mechanical construction of the release mechanism can be improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the elastically deflectable latching tab has a loading surface, at which the elastically deflectable latching tab can be loaded and deflected by the first actuating section for releasing the latch, wherein the loading surface is arranged closer to the actuating element than the first latching element. This allows effective actuation and deflection of the latching tabs by the actuating mechanism. The loading surface can be located, for example, at the free end of the elastically deflectable latching tab. The holding element can have an operating side on which manual operation of the operating mechanism is necessary in order to release the latch. The loading surface can be located, for example, on the side of the latching tab facing away from the actuating side.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second latching element is provided on the counterpart or on a component connected to the counterpart. The second latching element can be molded, for example, on the counterpart, for example, on its insulating material housing. The second latching element can be designed in particular as a latching recess or as a latching recess. The first latching element is then formed as a counterpart of the second latching element, for example in the form of a latching projection or latching hook.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding element is arranged on the plug connector. The holding element can be fixed to the plug connector, for example, via the fixing element, or can be formed integrally with the plug connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the free end of the second fastening section is moved within the actuating opening in the direction of the mating piece and/or the latching tab if the actuating means is compressed by a laterally acting actuating force in the direction of the plug connector. In this way, the second operating section can be moved relative to the first operating section or, in the case of manual operation, can be changed in distance from the first operating section. The second actuating section can be guided, for example, along the outside of the plug connector by laterally acting actuating forces in order to execute a displacement movement within the actuating opening.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elastically deflectable latching tabs are connected to the base body at the end-side transverse connection of the base body at the end of the base body facing away from the actuating means. This allows a mechanically advantageous and robust mounting of the latching tab on the base body. Furthermore, the relatively high elasticity of the latching webs can be achieved only by the material of the latching webs and the transition to the transverse connection. The holding element may be provided, for example, as a one-piece plastic component.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section is supported on an insulating material housing of the plug connector at least during the release of the latching. Accordingly, the first actuating section can be fixedly mounted on the plug connector or can be movable in a certain range at least in the plugging direction. The plug-in direction is understood to mean the spatial axis along which the plug-in connector and the mating piece are plugged together and the components are released from one another. In order to support the first fastening section on the plug connector, a stop can be provided on the plug connector or on a component connected thereto.

The support on the insulating housing can thus be realized, for example, in such a way that the first actuating section is fixed on the insulating housing or the aforementioned stop is arranged on the insulating housing, so that the first actuating section can be supported on the insulating housing finally when the stop is reached.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating mechanism has a curved lever mechanism for displacing the second actuating section relative to the first actuating section in the event of an actuating force acting on the actuating element perpendicularly to the plug-in direction, or is designed as such a curved lever mechanism. A toggle lever mechanism in the sense of the present invention therefore has two levers which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which are formed by a first and a second actuating section. By means of the force acting at the hinged connection of the first and second actuating sections, the actuating element, i.e. the knee lever, is stretched and moves with increasing assistance force. This therefore causes a displacement of the second actuating section toward the mating piece and thus toward the latching tab.

By means of the actuating mechanism formed by the knee lever mechanism, a very compact and force-consuming actuation of the retaining element can be achieved, which, under the pressure acting on the actuating mechanism, exerts sufficient force on the latching tab in order to unlatch it.

The hinge provided in the knee lever mechanism can be realized in the plug connector device according to the invention, for example, in the following manner: the actuating mechanism is made of a flexible, elastic material, so that the articulation is realized by the elasticity of the actuating mechanism.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section and the second actuating section of the actuating mechanism are formed in one piece as sections of elastic spring arms. This allows a simple and cost-effective production of the actuating element and a simple mounting of the actuating element on the plug connector.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element is designed as an annular release tab, which is elastically deflectable. This allows for a design of the operating mechanism that is advantageous in terms of manufacturing and ergonomic use.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the free end of the second actuating section engages behind the edge of the contact surface of the latching tab when the latching is released, as a result of which the latching tab is elastically deformed. In this way, the latching tab is lifted, i.e. the first latching element is moved forward from the second latching element, until it no longer engages the second latching element and the latching is released.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the base body of the holding element forms a structural unit which is produced in one piece with the latching webs and/or the actuating element. In this way, the latching tabs and the actuating means or the retaining element can be produced particularly cost-effectively, for example as plastic injection-molded parts. Furthermore, such a module can be fixed to a separately produced plug connector, for example to its insulating housing, with little effort.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the first actuating section is connected to the plug connector in a non-movable manner or is fixed to the plug connector in a movable manner relative to the plug connector, wherein the movability is limited by a stop present on the plug connector, at which stop the first actuating section rests on the plug connector at least when the latch is released. In this way, the actuating element is securely fixed to the plug connector such that it cannot be lost.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second actuating section has, on its side facing the latching tab, an unlocking contour tapering toward the free end, which is guided into the actuating opening between the latching tab and the insulating material housing of the counterpart when the latch is released. This simplifies the introduction of the second actuating section and the lifting of the latching tab for releasing the latch.

The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a holding element of a plug connector of the type stated above, wherein the holding element has a base body and a resiliently deflectable latching tab which projects from the base body and has a first latching element in a region projecting from the base body, wherein the holding element has at least one fastening element for fastening the holding element to the plug connector, in particular for fastening the holding element to its housing, characterized in that the latching tab projects from the base body along a region facing the at least one fastening element. The advantages set forth above are also achieved thereby.

The embodiment possibilities of the holding element mentioned at the outset with regard to the plug connector also apply to the holding element described here.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is designed as a one-piece component having the base body, the actuating element and the latching tab. For example, the retaining element may be provided as a one-piece plastic member. This allows simple and cost-effective manufacture.

For this purpose, the holding element has a form-fitting fixing element, for example in the form of a push button and/or a latching projection, for positively fixing the holding element on the plug connector.

The above-mentioned features of the actuating element and of the latching tab are at the same time advantageous refinements of the respective elements of the retaining element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the holding element has a fastening section for fastening a cable connected to the plug connector to the holding element. The fastening section can be designed, for example, as an extension section which, with the holding element mounted on the plug connector, projects out of a connection side of the plug connector, at which connection side the cable is connected to the plug connector. In this way, a strain relief of the connected cable can be achieved via the fixing section in that: the cable is mechanically fixed to the fastening portion, for example, via a cable tie, other fastening means, in particular fastening means integrated into the holding element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the elastically deflectable latching tabs project from the actuating opening in the unloaded state on the side facing away from the fastening side of the holding element. In this way, the latching tabs already have a pretensioning force in the direction of the plug connector or the counterpart, i.e. the component on which the second latching element is arranged. This allows the first latching element to be automatically latched with the second latching element when the plug connector and the mating piece are plugged together.

The indefinite article "a" or "an" is not to be understood as a word of number in the sense of the present invention. Thus, if for example one component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". This relates to a 360 degree circle (360 °), as long as the angular description is in degrees.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to embodiments using the figures.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical plug connector arrangement, an

Fig. 2 shows a side view of an electrical plug connector arrangement with a plug connector according to fig. 1, together with the sub-regions shown in section, and

FIG. 3 shows a partial enlargement of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 shows the plug connector arrangement in the view according to FIG. 2 with an operating mechanism operated for releasing the latch, and

FIG. 5 shows a partial enlargement of FIG. 4, an

FIG. 6 shows the plug connector arrangement in the view according to FIG. 2 in the case of a tensile loading of the plug connector arrangement, an

FIG. 7 shows a partial enlargement of FIG. 6, an

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the holding element, an

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the holding element according to fig. 8, and

fig. 10 shows a side view of the holding element according to fig. 8, and

fig. 11 shows a lateral section through the holding element according to fig. 8, and

fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the plug connector, and

fig. 13 shows a lateral section through an electrical plug connection with the plug connector according to fig. 12. The reference numerals used in the drawings are associated with the following:

1 holding element

2 operating mechanism

3 latch tab

7 plug connector

8-mating plug connector

9 plug connector device

10 basic body

11 fixing element

12 operating opening

13 path limiting element

20 connecting section

21 first operating section

22 second operating section

23 free end of the second operating section

24 fixing element

25 transverse connection

30 deflection section

31 first latching element

32 additional connection sections

35 loading surface

70 lead-in opening

71 connecting side

75 insulating material shell

81 second latching element

Force F

S direction of insertion

Detailed Description

The electrical plug connector arrangement 9 shown in fig. 1 has a plug connector 7 and a mating plug connector 8 plugged together therewith. The plug connector 7 is connected to the mating plug connector 8 in the plugging direction S and is released again from it in the same axial direction with a reverse direction of movement. The plug connector 7 and the mating plug connector 8 each have electrical plug contact elements associated with one another, which are arranged within the respective insulating material housings of the plug connector 7 and the mating plug connector 8 and are therefore not visible in the figures. Such electrical plug connections are known, however, so that it is not necessary here to discuss such separate units further. In any case, in the plugged-together state of the plug connector device, the electrical plug contact elements associated with one another bring about an electrical contact, so that electrical signals can be transferred from the plug connector to the mating plug connector and vice versa.

The plug connector 7 has a conductor insertion opening 70 at a connection side 71 on the rear side of the insulating material housing 75, via which conductor insertion opening an electrical conductor or a cable can be connected to the plug connector 7.

In order to secure the plug connector 7 to the mating plug connector 8 in the plugged-together state in order to prevent unintentional release, there is a latching which is realized by means of a retaining element 1 which, in the embodiment of fig. 1, is laterally secured to the plug connector 7, in particular to its insulating material housing 75. The holding element 1 may be present only simply and be provided on one side of the insulating material housing 75 only, or on both sides, i.e. the second holding element 1 may be provided on the opposite side not visible in the view of fig. 1.

The holding element 1 has a base body 10, for example in the form of a base plate, to which an actuating element 2 for releasing the latch is fastened via a connecting section 20. The actuating mechanism 2 has a first actuating section 21 which is coupled to the base body 10 via the connecting section 20 and is connected to the base body 10 at least in the plug-in direction S of the plug-in connector device 9 in a non-movable manner. The actuating element 2 furthermore has a second actuating section 22 in the region facing away from the connecting section 20, which second actuating section terminates at a free end 23 (see fig. 3) of the actuating element 2 or of the second actuating section 22.

The holding element 1 has a latching tab 3 which is connected to the base body 10 and can be deflected elastically relative to the base body 10 and the plug connector 7 from the latching position shown in fig. 1 in order to release the latching.

The free end 23 of the second operating section 22 engages into the operating opening of the base body 10. If the actuating element 2 is actuated by a laterally acting actuating force, for example in the transition region between the first actuating section 21 and the second actuating section 22, the actuating element 2 is compressed in the direction of the plug connector 7. The free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 thereby executes a displacement movement within the actuating opening 12 in the direction of the mating plug connector 8. As a result, the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 lifts the latching tab 3 slightly, thereby releasing the latching. This is described in more detail below with respect to other embodiments.

As can be seen from fig. 1, the holding element 1 can be arranged, for example, laterally on the plug connector 7. The holding element 1 can be used universally and can be fastened, for example, to the underside of the plug connector 2.

The function of the retaining element 1 in latching and unlatching is now explained further on the basis of fig. 2 to 7. Starting from the plug connector 7 with the holding element 1 fixed on its underside, as shown in fig. 2. Furthermore, the mating plug connector 8 is plugged onto the plug connector 7 in order to form an electrical plug connector arrangement 9.

Fig. 2 and 3 show the latched state, fig. 4 and 5 show the latch released by actuating the actuating element 2, and fig. 6 and 7 show the state which occurs when no actuation of the actuating element 2 is performed, i.e. when an attempt is made to pull the plug connector 7 out of the mating plug connector 8 during an effective latching. In fig. 2, 4 and 6, a particular region of the electrical plug connector arrangement 9 with the latching connection is shown in section. The region with its environment is additionally depicted in fig. 3, 5 and 7 as a partial enlargement.

As can be seen from fig. 2 and better from the detail enlargement according to fig. 3, the holding element 1 has a base body 10 on which the actuating element 2 is integrally molded via a connecting section 20. The path limiting element 13 projects from the basic body in the direction of the operating mechanism 2. The path limiting element 13 serves to limit the operating path when the operating mechanism 2 is manually operated. The latching tabs 3 are integrally molded on the base body 10, furthermore at the end facing away from the connecting portion 20, via a further connecting portion 32. The latching webs 3 extend in a direction toward the actuating element 2, wherein both the actuating element 2, in particular the free end 23 thereof, and the latching webs 3 also extend into the actuating opening 12 which is present in the basic body 10. The connecting web 3 and the actuating element 2 are in contact with one another in the region of the actuating opening 12, namely by means of a deflection section 30 of the latching web 3 formed at the free end of the latching web 3, which can be mechanically loaded and correspondingly deflected when the actuating element 2 is actuated in order to release the latching, for the latching web 3 to be deflected by the actuating element 2, in particular by its free end 23. In this case, the actuating element 2 is guided by its free end 23 along the contact surface 35 of the deflection section 30, so that the latching tab 3 lifts the workpiece away from the mating plug connector 8 at least in the region of the latching element 31, as is explained below with reference also to fig. 4 and 5.

The latching of the plug connector 7 with the mating plug connector 8 is carried out by simply plugging the plug connector 7 with the mating plug connector 8. The latching elements 31, which are designed as latching projections, are guided along the second latching elements 81 by means of a running surface inclined in the plugging direction and are deflected elastically. As soon as the latching projection slides past the latching edge of the second latching element 81, the latching web 3 springs back by means of the latching projection, so that the latching projection latches onto the latching edge.

As can be seen from fig. 2 and 3, the first latching elements 31 and the second latching elements 81 provided on the mating plug connector 8 are designed such that they latch into one another at the rear in the latched state, so that the plug connector 7 cannot be released from the mating plug connector 8 in the plugging direction S or in the opposite release direction. For this purpose, the latch must first be released, as is shown in fig. 4 and 5, by applying a force F to the actuating element 2, which force should have at least a major component transverse to the longitudinal direction of the holding element 1. As a result, the actuating means 2, which is designed as a spring tab, is pressed in the direction of the plug connector 7, so that the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 is moved toward the mating plug connector 8, wherein the free end 23 of the second actuating section 22 slides on the surface of the insulating material housing of the mating plug connector 8, and the contact surface 35 and thus the deflection section 30 are deflected, and thus the latching tab 3 is lifted at least at its free end, so that the first latching element 31 is moved away from the second latching element 81 and is no longer hooked thereto. In this state, the mating plug connector 8 can be separated from the plug connector 7 without a large expenditure of force. The loading surface 35 can be inclined in order to facilitate the lifting process of the latching tab 3.

If the application of force F to actuator 2 is terminated, actuator 2 springs back again into the shape shown in fig. 3 due to its elastic design. Instead, the latching tab 3 springs back to the shape shown in fig. 3 due to its elastic design.

As can be seen, the maximum deflection path when the actuating element 2 is subjected to a force F is limited by the stop element 13, against which the actuating element 2 then rests.

The holding element 10 is fixed to the plug connector 7 via a form-fitting fixing element 11 in such a way that: the fastening element 11 engages in a corresponding latching recess formed in the insulating material housing 75.

In fig. 6 and 7, it is assumed that the operating element 2 is not operated manually. Nevertheless, attempts are made to release the plug connector 7 from the mating plug connector 8 by applying a force F counter to the plugging direction. In this case, when a large force is applied, the latching tab 3 remains in its position despite the slight bending of the base body 10 in the region of the latching tab 3, so that the latching continues to be achieved, i.e. the first latching element 31 continues to engage behind the second latching element 81. It can be seen that, by means of such a configuration of the retaining element 1, a high degree of reliability against undesired release of the latch of the plug connection 9 can be achieved.

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the holding element 1 toward the upper side, which forms the loading side, of the actuating element 2. Visible in particular is an operating opening 12 into which the latching tab 3 and the operating element 2 protrude.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the holding element 1 from the bottom. In addition to the components of the holding element 1 already explained above, a form-fitting fastening element 11 can be seen, for example in the form of a latching projection, which is molded onto the base body 10 and which projects from the fastening side and is designed for being pressed into a corresponding recess at the insulating material housing 75 of the plug connector 7 in order to positively fasten the holding element 1 to the insulating material housing 75 in the manner described.

Fig. 10 and 11 show a side view (non-cut-away and cut-away) of the holding element 1, from which the previously explained elements are clearly visible. It can be seen here that at least the first latching element 31 projects from the actuating opening 30 and is correspondingly biased in the direction of the mating plug connector 8.

Fig. 11 also shows that the free end 23 of the actuating element 22 is recessed into or protrudes through the actuating opening 30 in the uninstalled state of the retaining element 1. This means that the actuating element 2 is pivoted beforehand in the mounted and non-actuated state of the holding element 1 according to fig. 2 and 3, so that the actuating element 2 is pretensioned in this state. This pretensioning causes an assistance in returning the actuating element 2 into the inoperative state, in which the latching tabs are not deflected, as long as the force F no longer acts on the actuating element 2.

Fig. 12 shows a plug connector 7 with an insulating material housing 75. The holding element 1 is fixed to the plug connector 7 or its insulating housing 75. The holding element 1 has a fixing element 24, via which the holding element 1 is fixed at a fixing point at the plug connector 7. The holding element 1 has a frame-like base body 10 with an operating opening 12. The base body 10 has, at the end facing away from the fastening point, a transverse connection 25 which is delimited around the actuating opening 12 and at which the holding element 1 is fastened to the plug connector 7.

The latching webs 3 project from the transverse connection 25, namely opposite the plugging direction S, i.e. the latching webs 3 point forward toward the plugging surface of the plug connector 7. As can be seen, the latching tab 3 also extends into the operating opening 12.

The holding element 1 has an actuating mechanism 2, which, starting from a manual actuating element, has first of all a first actuating section 21 and a second actuating section 22 connected thereto, which is arranged at an angle to the first actuating section 21. The second actuating section 22 is fixed to the latching tab 3, for example by integrally molding the actuating element 2 on the latching tab 3. The actuating element 2 can also be coupled by its first actuating section 21 to the fastening element 24 via a material section. If a pressure is applied manually to the actuating element 2 from above, via the first actuating section 21 and its fastening to the fastening element 24, the movement is diverted into a lifting movement of the latching tab 3, i.e. the latching tab 3 is pulled upward.

Fig. 13 shows the plug connector 7 in combination with a mating plug connector 8, which is plugged together with the plug connector 7. The latching is visible, in particular, between the first latching element 31 and the second latching element 81. By applying pressure from above to the actuating element 2, the tilting movement is transmitted via the first fastening section 21 to the second actuating section 22 and thus to the latching tab 3, which is lifted and releases the latching between the first latching element 31 and the second latching element 81.