阅读说明：本技术 具有锁定元件的插接连接系统 (Plug connection system with locking element ) 是由 A·丹兹 M·梅希廷格 M·温克尔 于 2020-02-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种插接连接系统,其具有带有插接连接器壳体(1)的插接连接器和能与该插接连接器插接在一起的对应插接连接器(17),该插接连接器具有上部结构(4)并且该上部结构(4)容纳处于预锁定位置和最终锁定位置中的锁定元件(8),该插接连接器具有第一卡锁机构并且锁定元件(8)具有与该第一卡锁机构相对应的第一卡锁机构,以及对应插接连接器(17)具有另外的卡锁机构并且锁定元件(8)具有与该另外的卡锁机构相对应的另外的卡锁机构,其中在对应插接连接器插入插接连接器中之前,锁定元件(8)利用彼此相对应的第一卡锁机构首先在预锁定位置中固定在插接连接器上,并且通过对应插接连接器插入插接连接器中,彼此相对应的所述另外的卡锁机构被操作,由此锁定元件(8)能够移入到其最终锁定位置中,其中插接连接器壳体(1)和锁定元件(8)具有彼此相对应的第三卡锁机构,在该锁定元件已经移入到其最终锁定位置中时利用所述第三卡锁机构将锁定元件(8)附加地锁定在插接连接器上,其中上部结构(4)具有开口(7)并且锁定元件(8)具有能移入到开口(7)中的卡锁凸起(21),并且锁定元件(8)具有细长的伸臂(9),在该伸臂的一个端部上设置有操作件(10),其中第一卡锁机构设置在伸臂(9)的背离操作件的前端部区域中并且锁定元件(7)的第三卡锁机构设置在伸臂(9)的与操作件(10)相邻的区域中,其特征在于,伸臂(9)在前部的第一卡锁机构与后部的第三卡锁机构之间的区域中具有两个设置在侧面的销子(13),其中插接连接器壳体(1)在每个销子(13)的高度上具有用于相应的销子(13)的端侧的贴靠接板(25),其中该贴靠接板(25)通过狭缝(26)与插接连接器壳体(1)间隔开设置。(The invention relates to a plug connection system having a plug connector with a plug connector housing (1) and a counter plug connector (17) which can be plugged together with the plug connector, the plug connector having a superstructure (4) and the superstructure (4) accommodating a locking element (8) in a pre-locking position and a final locking position, the plug connector having a first latching mechanism and the locking element (8) having a first latching mechanism corresponding to the first latching mechanism, and the counter plug connector (17) having a further latching mechanism and the locking element (8) having a further latching mechanism corresponding to the further latching mechanism, wherein the locking element (8) is first fixed on the plug connector in the pre-locking position by means of the first latching mechanisms corresponding to one another before the counter plug connector is inserted into the plug connector, and by inserting the mating plug connector into the plug connector, the further latching mechanisms corresponding to one another are actuated, as a result of which the locking element (8) can be moved into its final locking position, wherein the plug connector housing (1) and the locking element (8) have third latching mechanisms corresponding to one another, with which the locking element (8) is additionally locked on the plug connector when it has been moved into its final locking position, wherein the superstructure (4) has an opening (7) and the locking element (8) has a latching projection (21) which can be moved into the opening (7), and the locking element (8) has an elongate limb (9) on one end of which an actuating part (10) is arranged, wherein the first latching mechanism is arranged in the region of the front end of the limb (9) facing away from the actuating part and the third latching mechanism of the locking element (7) is arranged in the region of the limb (9) which is opposite to the actuating part and the third latching mechanism of the locking element (7) is arranged in the region of the limb (9) In the area adjacent to the actuating element (10), the arm (9) has two laterally arranged pins (13) in the area between the front first latching means and the rear third latching means, wherein the plug connector housing (1) has an abutment tab (25) at the level of each pin (13) for the end face of the respective pin (13), wherein the abutment tab (25) is arranged at a distance from the plug connector housing (1) by means of a slot (26).)

1. A plug connection system having a plug connector with a plug connector housing (1) and a counter plug connector (17) which can be plugged together with the plug connector, the plug connector having a superstructure (4) and the superstructure (4) accommodating a locking element (8) in a pre-locking position and a final locking position, the plug connector having a first latching mechanism and the locking element (8) having a first latching mechanism corresponding to the first latching mechanism, and the counter plug connector (17) having a further latching mechanism and the locking element (8) having a further latching mechanism corresponding to the further latching mechanism, wherein the locking element (8) is first fixed on the plug connector in the pre-locking position by means of the first latching mechanisms corresponding to one another before the counter plug connector (17) is inserted into the plug connector, and by inserting the mating plug connector into the plug connector, the further latching mechanisms corresponding to one another are actuated, as a result of which the locking element (8) can be moved into its final locking position, wherein the plug connector housing (1) and the locking element (8) have third latching mechanisms corresponding to one another, with which the locking element (8) is additionally locked on the plug connector when it has been moved into its final locking position, wherein the superstructure (4) has an opening (7) and the locking element (8) has a latching projection (21) which can be moved into the opening (7), and the locking element (8) has an elongate limb (9) on one end of which an actuating part (10) is arranged, wherein the first latching mechanism is arranged in the region of the front end of the limb (9) facing away from the actuating part and the third latching mechanism of the locking element (7) is arranged in the region of the limb (9) which is opposite to the actuating part and the third latching mechanism of the locking element (7) is arranged in the region of the limb (9) -operating elements (10) in the adjacent zones, characterized in that: the extension arm (9) has two laterally arranged pins (13) in the region between the front first latching means and the rear third latching means, wherein the plug connector housing (1) has an abutment lug (25) at the level of each pin (13) for the end face of the respective pin (13), wherein the abutment lug (25) is arranged at a distance from the plug connector housing (1) by means of a slot (26).

2. The plug connection system of claim 1, wherein: the opening (7) of the superstructure (4) is formed by a substantially U-shaped or rectangular web, the ends of which are arranged on the superstructure (4) or on a transverse web (22) arranged in the opening (7).

3. A plug connection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the locking element (7) is arranged in a stress-free manner in its pre-locking position and its final locking position on the plug connector housing (1).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a plug connection system having a plug connector with a plug connector housing and a counter plug connector which can be plugged together with the plug connector, the plug connector having a superstructure which accommodates a locking element in a pre-locking position and a final locking position, the plug connector having a first latching mechanism and the locking element having a first latching mechanism which corresponds to the first latching mechanism, and the counter plug connector having a further latching mechanism and the locking element having a further latching mechanism which corresponds to the further latching mechanism, wherein the locking elements are first fixed to the plug connector in the pre-locking position by the first latching mechanisms which correspond to one another before the counter plug connector is inserted into the plug connector, and by the insertion of the counter plug connector into the plug connector, the further latching mechanisms corresponding to one another are operated, whereby the locking element can be moved into its final locking position, wherein the plug connector housing and the locking element have third latching mechanisms corresponding to one another, with which the locking element is additionally locked on the plug connector when it has been moved into its final locking position, wherein the superstructure has an opening and the locking element has a catch projection which can be moved into said opening, and the locking element has an elongate limb, on one end of which an operating element is arranged, the first latching mechanism is arranged in the region of the front end of the boom facing away from the actuating element and the third latching mechanism of the locking element is arranged in the region of the boom adjacent to the actuating element.

Background

Plug connection systems, in particular for motor vehicles, having a plug connector and a counter plug connector which can be plugged together with the plug connector are known. Due to the harsh conditions of use of such plug connection systems, it is necessary to latch the plug connector and the counter plug connector to one another. Furthermore, during the assembly, a tactile or visual feedback to the assembler who has plugged the connector and the counter-connector is required: whether the plug connection system has been correctly plugged together. For this purpose, locking elements (CPA) are already known. The known locking element has a first latching means which interacts with a corresponding latching means on the plug connector. Due to the first latching means which act in a cooperating manner, the locking element can be fixed in a pre-locking position on the plug connector, more precisely on its plug connector housing. This ensures that the plug connector together with the locking element is initially ready for further assembly, i.e. for plugging together with the mating plug connector, without the locking element being lost. The locking element can only be moved from its pre-locking position into its final locking position and not into one of the other positions (such as out of the plug connector). When the mating plug connector is inserted into the plug connector, its latching mechanism causes a further latching mechanism of the locking element corresponding to the latching mechanism to be actuated. The aim of these further latching mechanisms is to be able to bring the locking element from its already occupied pre-locking position into its final locking position only when the counter plug connector has been inserted correctly and completely into the plug connector. The further latching mechanism on the locking element and the counter plug connector then only allows the locking element to be moved into its final locking position. Generally, this is a linear sliding motion.

Although this way of moving the locking element from its pre-locking position to its final locking position has basically proved, there are nevertheless disadvantages in this case. First, the latching means, in particular the locking element and the further latching means on the counter plug connector, are designed such that when the locking element is already in its final locking position, the region of the locking element is in a tensioned state. This means that the locking element is under pressure throughout the service life of the plug connection system, which can lead to material fatigue and even fracture due to severe environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, vibrations, etc. However, this disadvantageously results in the corresponding plug connector being removed again from the plug connector and thus interrupting the plug connection. In particular in vehicles, this can lead to malfunctions and cause safety risks.

In addition, there is the disadvantage that, due to the constructional dimensions of the plug connection system, the movement distance from the pre-locking position to the final locking position is small (in particular less than 10mm), so that during the assembly of the plug connection system (insertion of the corresponding plug connector into the plug connector) and the subsequent operation of the locking element, sufficiently reliable tactile or visual feedback cannot be given to the assembler.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, it is provided in the prior art that the plug connector housing and the locking element have third latching mechanisms which correspond to one another and with which the locking element is additionally locked on the plug connector when the locking element is moved into its final locking position. A third latching mechanism (e.g., latching projection) on the locking element engages in a corresponding opening on the plug connector housing or on its upper structure when the latching element is moved into its final locking position, by means of which a further visual and/or tactile feedback can be emitted, that is to say not only the locking element has assumed its final locking position, but also the corresponding plug connector has been inserted into the plug connector in a positionally correct and complete manner. In addition, these third latching mechanisms on the locking element and on the plug connector also produce a further additional locking effect, so that the plug connection system is thus permanently held together. The locking element is arranged in a stress-free manner in its final locking position on the plug connector housing. This effect is achieved in that no pressure acts on the locking element in its final locking position, so that it is supported in its final locking position in a stress-free manner. Only latching means on the locking elements which correspond to one another and which interact with latching means on the plug connector and on the counter plug connector produce a securing action. After all these actions have been completed and the locking element has reached its final locking position, it is arranged stress-free on the plug connection system, so that material fatigue due to external influences over the service life of the plug connection system is effectively avoided.

A plug connection system of the above-described type is known from DE102015224164 a 1.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a plug connection system of this type with a locking element.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, provision is made for: the arm has two laterally arranged pins in the region between the front first latching means and the rear third latching means, wherein the plug connector housing has an abutment tab at the height of each pin for the end face of the respective pin, wherein the abutment tab is arranged spaced apart from the plug connector housing by a slot. The abutment tab is thus formed by the housing of the plug connector. The abutment tab projects on one side from the housing itself (and thus projects from the housing), while the other side projects freely into the space. It is therefore possible for one end face of the respective pin to bear against one side (flank) of the abutment web. Since the abutment tab thus projects freely from the plug connector housing and is slotted toward the rest of the plug connector housing, the abutment tab can be deformed flexibly when the arm is inserted with its two laterally arranged pins into the plug connector housing at the height of the abutment tab. The distance between the two contact surfaces of the two contact webs for the respective pins is slightly smaller than the distance between the two end faces of the two pins, so that when the locking element is inserted into the plug connector housing, the end faces of the two pins contact the side faces of the contact webs and press the contact webs slightly away from one another, which is achieved in that the respective contact webs are not only formed from the material of the plug connector housing, but are also spaced apart from the latter by means of the slits. By means of this adaptation of the distances to one another, the locking element is clamped and guided in a targeted manner at least during the insertion of the plug connector housing, optionally also during the further course, so that it is not lost and the locking element is guided in a targeted manner into the plug connector housing during the further movement. At least in those regions in which the end faces of the pins bear on the contact surfaces of the contact lugs running parallel to one another on the path of movement of the locking element into the plug connector housing (until its final locking position) and spread these slightly apart, the plug connector housing and the locking element are tensioned against one another in such a way that the two elements bear against one another under stress. If the abutment web is not present or retracted during the course of the displacement path, so that the distance between the abutment faces of two abutment webs running parallel to one another is greater than the distance between the end faces of the two pins, the abutment webs are not pressed away from one another by the pins, so that in these regions the two elements (plug connector housing and locking element) are in a stress-free state. Preferably, a stressed state of both elements is pursued when the locking element is located before or after the pre-locking position and/or before or after the final locking position. In the region before the pre-locking position and between the pre-locking position and the final locking position, the locking element should be movably clamped between the two abutment lugs in order to achieve the aforementioned targeted guidance of the locking element (in particular when the locking element is inserted into the plug connector housing before the pre-locking position is reached). In addition, by clamping and releasing the locking element during insertion of the plug connector housing up to its final locking position, the advantageous effect is: during the insertion process, a slight, perceptible force difference occurs when the locking element slips. In this way, a tactile feedback is given about at which point in the movement process the locking element is located in the connector housing.

Drawings

Further design variants of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, from which corresponding advantages are obtained. These construction designs and the advantages derived therefrom are explained in detail with reference to the drawings and the following description of the drawings.

Fig. 1 to 23 each show an exemplary embodiment of a plug connection system having a plug connector and a counter plug connector which can be plugged together with the plug connector. The design of the electrical contacts (e.g. the way the contacts are designed, single, double, multi-pole or single pole, etc.) is arbitrary and not important for understanding the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show three-dimensional views of the plug connector housing 1 of a plug connector viewed from two directions, while fig. 3 to 5 show sectional views.

The connector housing 1 has a receiving space 2 for a contact carrier, not shown, wherein the contact carrier can be inserted into this receiving space 2 and has contact chambers for mating contacts. A corresponding plug connector, not shown in detail, can be inserted into a receiving cavity 3 on the side of the plug connector housing 1 facing away from the receiving cavity 2.

The plug connector housing 1 (also referred to as a protective collar) has a superstructure 4 in which an operating element, which is also described and interacts with the locking element, is arranged with its rear part 5 and its front part 6. The upper structure 4 has an opening 7 or recess in its surface. The opening 7 will also be described in connection with the locking element and its principle of action.

The same reference numerals used up to now are also used in fig. 3 to 5, wherein reference numerals have already been assigned in fig. 1 to 5, which will also be explained in more detail below. The design of the plug connector housing 1 is referred to here. It can be seen that the plug connector housing 12 has abutment tabs 25 extending parallel to one another, which are adapted and configured for accommodating a locking element between them. The corresponding abutment tab 25 protrudes from the remaining material of the plug connector housing 1, so that the bottom of the abutment tab 25 projects from the plug connector housing 1 and its remaining surface projects freely into the space within the plug connector housing 1. One side of the respective abutment lug 25, in particular the side facing away from the receiving cavity for the locking element, is spaced apart from the remaining material of the plug connector housing 1 by a slit 26. The inwardly facing sides of the two abutment webs 25, i.e. facing one another, can each lie continuously in one plane or can also lie in at least two planes different from one another (as shown in fig. 4). By means of the arrangement of the two lateral surfaces abutting against the web 25 in different planes, it is possible to: the locking element can move alternately in the plug connector housing 1 in a stress-free and a stress-free manner over its stroke from the start of insertion into the plug connector housing 1 to its final locking position.

Fig. 5 shows that a connecting piece 16 is arranged on the base body of the plug connector housing 1 via a flexible joint G and can be pressed down via the flexible joint G in order to accommodate the locking element (by pressing the front end of the connecting piece 16 in the direction of movement B, see fig. 5).

Fig. 6 to 10 show an exemplary embodiment of a locking element 8(CPA), wherein fig. 6 and 7 show a three-dimensional view from the front and from the rear, while fig. 8 and 10 show a view of the locking element 8 from above, from below and from the side.

The locking element 8 essentially has a limb 9, in particular an elongate limb, at one end of which an actuating element 10 is arranged. The latching mechanism for fixing the locking element 8 to the plug connector housing 1 is first designated in general by a.

Looking at fig. 1, the locking element 8 is inserted with the front region of the arm 9 (in which the latching mechanism a is located) into a receiving space W (fig. 1) and is pushed in from the front part 6 in the direction of the rear part 5. The region between the two parts 5, 6 has at least on one side, preferably on both sides as shown, projections 11 which are arranged on side walls, as shown on side walls 12 which extend parallel to one another. These side walls 12 are located substantially between the rear part 5 and the front part 6 of the operating element, which will also be described. The interaction of the projections 11 with the side walls 12 extending parallel to one another results in: a pin 13 (preferably arranged in the same manner laterally on the limb 9 of the locking element 8) guides the locking element 8 until the latching mechanism a enters an opening 14 in the region of the rear part 5 (fig. 2). This results in the locking element 8 being fixed in its pre-locking position on the plug connector housing 1 via these corresponding latching mechanisms (opening 14 on the plug connector housing 1 and latching mechanism a on the locking element 8). The locking element 8 is therefore secured to the plug connector housing 1 in a slip-proof manner and can only be moved linearly into its final locking position when the mating plug connector is inserted into the plug connector, to be precise into the plug connector housing 1. The pre-locking position of the locking element 8 is first shown in fig. 11. It can be seen that a projection 15 (see fig. 6) of the latching mechanism a bears against a side face (see fig. 2) of the opening 14. As can be seen in addition, with reference to the two sectional views in fig. 11 and 12, the pin 13 of the locking element 8 is pressed down by the projection 11 on the plug connector housing 1, thus preventing the extension arm 9 from being able to be removed again from the opening 14 with its front region (in which the latching mechanism a is located). If this is necessary, the front region of the boom 9 must be moved upwards under the force of a tool in order to remove the latching mechanism a from the opening 14 and thus to be able to remove the locking element 8 from its pre-locking position.

Fig. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show different sectional views of the plug connector housing 1 and the corresponding locking element 8. The locking element 8 has been inserted with the front region of the limbs 9 into the interior of the plug connector housing 1. However, the preliminary locking position has not yet been reached in this state in fig. 11 to 14, since the latching projections 21 have not yet been inserted into the associated openings in the plug connector housing 1. As is apparent in particular from fig. 13 and 14, the laterally projecting pins 13 of the limbs 9 rest in the starting region of two bearing webs 25 which run parallel to one another. For further insertion, the pin 13 and/or the starting regions of the two abutment webs 25 running parallel to one another have a lead-in ramp. This is shown in detail D in fig. 13, which is shown enlarged again in fig. 14. In this position of the locking element 8 shown in fig. 11 to 14 relative to the plug connector housing 1, this locking element is not yet clamped between the two abutment lugs 25 and is therefore stress-free. A certain force by pressing the actuating element 10 is therefore required in order to be able to move the locking element 8 further into the plug connector housing 1. A force is therefore required to widen the two abutment plates 25 slightly by means of the two end faces of the pin 13, since these are flexible due to the two slots 26, which also preferably run parallel to one another.

Fig. 15 and 16 show that the locking element 8 is moved a little further into the plug connector housing 1 along its movement path by pressing the actuating element 10. In this case, it can be seen that the end faces of the two pins 13 already bear against the side faces of the abutment plate 25 and thus slightly enlarge the distance between the two abutment plates 25. In this region of the path of movement of the locking element 9 into the plug connector housing 1, the locking element 9 is therefore slightly clamped (i.e. under a prestress force), guided in a targeted manner and is no longer lost. However, the preliminary locking position is not yet reached in the illustrated position of the locking element 8.

Fig. 17 to 19 show different cross sections, namely a connecting element 16 designed as a flexible joint G (or rocker) (see fig. 5) between the rear part 5 and the front part 6. This is necessary in order to configure at least the rear part 5 to be movable when the mating plug connector is inserted into the plug connector. Reference is made to fig. 13 for this purpose. In this case, it can be seen that a corresponding plug connector 17 is inserted into the receiving space 3 with its housing (on which further latching means, in particular latching projections 18, are provided), which is not shown in detail. This latching projection 18 is shown and designed here as ramp-shaped, which first of all causes the rear part 5 to be lifted slightly together with the projecting arm 9 and the latching means a located in the opening 14 (see fig. 3, lifted upwards as shown), wherein when one projection 19 of the latching means a of the projecting arm 9 is lifted via a ramp-shaped latching means, in particular a ramp-shaped latching projection 18, of the corresponding plug connector, the other projection 20 of the corresponding plug connector can enter the opening 14 (provided between the rear part 5 and the flexible joint G of the connecting piece 16). This projection 20 of the counter connector 17 together with the opening 14 forms a further latching mechanism on the mutually corresponding locking element 8 and counter connector 17. The corresponding result is: the projection 19 on the locking element 9 is lifted by the projection 20 on the counter-plug connector 17 to such an extent that it no longer enters the opening 14.

Fig. 17 to 19 thus show that the locking element 8 has already assumed its pre-locking position in the plug connector housing 1 (in particular by virtue of the fact that the latching projections 21 are latched by corresponding mating means, which are formed by the plug connector housing 1, but can be moved out of this position again and the locking element 8 can thus be moved further into the plug connector housing).

It has been explained so far that a counter plug connector 17 can be inserted into the plug connector housing 1, which counter plug connector is not yet shown in fig. 1 to 19. Fig. 20 to 23 now additionally illustrate how the mating plug connector 17 can be inserted into the plug connector housing 1 and how the locking elements can be moved from their pre-locking position shown up to now into their final locking position after insertion by their respective geometries interacting with the geometries of the inner region of the plug connector housing 1.

Fig. 20 and 21 show in different sectional views that the locking element 8 is in its unstressed, pre-locked position and the front region of the limb 9 is lifted by insertion of the corresponding plug connector 17. For this purpose, the housing of the mating plug connector 17 has, as shown, for example, a corresponding ramp structure.

Fig. 22 to 23 show in different sectional views that the locking element 8 is moved further into the plug connector housing 1 by applying pressure on the actuating part 10 until its final locking position. Therefore, the respective geometry of the front end region of the arm 9 is first latched to the ramp structure of the corresponding plug connector 17. In addition, the latching projections 21 are inserted into their corresponding openings in the plug connector housing 1, and the locking element 8 is thus latched fixed to the plug connector housing 1. In this final locking position, the locking element 8 is arranged and fixed in the plug connector housing 1 in a stress-free manner, since the end face of the pin 13 of the limb 9 of the locking element 8 no longer bears against the side of the abutment web 25.

As already explained in detail above, fig. 17 to 19 show a state in which the locking element 9 is in its pre-locking position. Since the projection 15 abuts the projection 11 in this position, the front part of the locking element 8 is under prestress, which is relieved when the locking element 8 has been moved from the pre-locking position shown in fig. 17 to 19 (in different sections) into the final locking position shown in fig. 22 and 23.

This movement is achieved by a pressure force applied to the operating member 10 of the locking element 8 which can now be moved a further step to the left in the situation of viewing the drawing. This movement can thus be effected as described above, since the projection 19 of the limb 9 of the locking element 8 no longer enters the opening 14. More precisely, the underside of this projection can slide on the surface surrounding the opening 14 towards the rear part 5. As a result, the locking element 8 can be moved into its final locking position only when the counter plug connector 17 is correctly inserted into the plug connector housing 1 as shown in fig. 13.

As third latching mechanisms which correspond to one another, openings 7 are provided on the plug connector housing 1 on the upper side of the upper structure 4 and a latching projection 21 which can be moved into the opening 7 is provided on the locking element. The latching projection 21, which is arranged approximately between the peg 13 and the actuating element 10, can be moved on the underside of the upper structure 4 by pressure exerted from above on the actuating element 10 until it enters the opening 7. This entry is only achieved in the following cases: the remaining latching mechanism is already functional and allows the counter plug connector 17 to be inserted into the plug connector housing 1 (more precisely into its receiving cavity 3) in a positionally correct and complete manner. In addition, this results in a positionally correct and fully effective connection of the mating contacts of the plug connector and the counter-plug connector 17 for establishing the electrical connection of the plug connection system. In addition, the advantage of the latching projections 21 of the locking element 8 entering the opening 7 in the superstructure 4 is: the latching projections 21 become visible, which is a clear indication that the plug connection system is completely assembled. Depending on the geometry of the opening 7 and the detent 21 of the locking element 8, a clearly audible sound ("clicking") can also be produced and/or a different force consumption (depending on whether the locking element is in the unstressed or stressed state) can be produced. This is particularly advantageous in particular at assembly sites where the plug connector and the counter plug connector 17 are plugged together and where high noise levels are present. In addition, it is noted that: when the locking element 8 reaches its final locking position shown in fig. 13 and 14, the pin 13 of the locking element 8 has passed by the projection 11, so that the front part of the limb 9 is no longer pressed down, but is free to be located in its receiving cavity. It is thus advantageously ensured that the locking element 7 is arranged in its final locking position on the plug connector housing 1 in a stress-free manner.

Also indicated with reference to fig. 2: the opening 7 can be formed not only as a simple opening, but the opening 7 of the superstructure 4 can also be formed by a substantially U-shaped or rectangular web, the end of which is arranged on the superstructure 4 or on a further transverse web 22 in the opening 7. Shown in fig. 2: in the opening 7, a web 22 (arranged transversely to the insertion direction) is arranged approximately halfway (however, it can also be designed differently). Two longitudinal webs 23 extending substantially parallel to one another extend starting from this web 22, which is designed as a transverse web, and a transverse web 24 is arranged at the other end of the longitudinal web. The opening for the latching projection 21 is therefore of substantially rectangular design. Instead of a rectangle, however, the webs 23, 24 can also be of arcuate design, i.e. substantially U-shaped, wherein other geometries are also conceivable which allow an opening to be formed through them, into which the latching projections 21 can enter and at the same time emit a visual or audible feedback.

It goes without saying that the plug connector housing 1 shown in fig. 1 to 5, as well as the locking element 8 and the counter plug connector 17, are constructed as an integral component. These integral components are particularly advantageously made of plastic and are produced in a likewise advantageous manner by means of injection molding.

The plug connector housing with the locking element inserted therein (which both cooperate with the inserted counter plug connector) has one already mentioned advantage which, however, should be emphasized repeatedly in any case: the locking element thus not only has the effect of effectively locking the plug connector and the counter plug connector in its final locking position, but also, upon assembly, gives a visual or audible feedback that the plug-and-socket connection system has been correctly plugged together by means of the third latching mechanism; the locking element rests in the final locking position in a stress-free manner in the plug connector housing without pressure action of the plug connector and/or further elements of the counter-plug connector, in order to avoid material fatigue during the service life of the plug connection system, during which the plug connection system is generally no longer separated.

List of reference numerals

1 plug connector housing

2 accommodating cavity

3 accommodating cavity

4 superstructure

5 rear part

6 front part

7 opening

8 locking element

9 arm

10 operating element

11 projection

12 side wall

13 pin

14 opening

15 projection

16 connecting piece

17 corresponding plug-in connector

18 latch projection

19 projection

20 projection

21 latch projection

22 fishplate bar

23 longitudinal butt joint

24 transverse web

25 against the fishplate bar

26 slit