DE102023210814B3 - connector, connector arrangement and connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) with a contact carrier element (2) which has a contact chamber (3) for receiving a contact element (4) along an insertion direction (Z), the contact carrier element (2) having:
-- a first contact carrier (5);
-- a second contact carrier (6); wherein the first contact carrier (5) has a locking lance (7) which can be deflected in an X direction (X) transversely to the insertion direction (Z) for locking with the contact element (4), wherein the second contact carrier (6) has a protective structure (8) which limits a deflection of the locking lance (7) in the X direction (X), in particular such that the locking lance (7) is not plastically deformed,
wherein the first contact carrier (5) and the second contact carrier (6) are detachably connected to one another in a non-destructive manner
wherein the second contact carrier (6) has a base (20),
wherein an opening (21) is provided in the base (20) for each contact chamber (3), through which a mating contact element (73) of a mating connector (50) can be inserted or through which the contact element (4) can protrude towards the mating connector (50),
wherein a release opening (47) is formed in the base (20) for each contact chamber (3) for the insertion of a release tool for releasing the contact element (4) from the locking with the locking lance (7),
wherein the release openings (47) are each arranged outside the openings (21) when viewed parallel to the X-direction (X).

Description

field of the invention

The invention relates to a connector, a connector arrangement and a connector system.

State of the art

Connectors for mating with a mating connector in various areas of application often have contact carrier elements with contact chambers for accommodating contact elements. Such a contact carrier element can, for example, be composed of several contact carriers or contact carrier parts. Contact chambers, in particular for accommodating miniaturized so-called "cleanbody" contact elements, which, for example, have a cross-section of less than 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm, contain filigree locking hooks or locking lances or primary locking lances to fulfill a primary locking function. These locking lances are usually designed to be elastically reversible. They usually protrude into an insertion channel or an insertion trajectory for the contact element to be inserted. When the contact element is inserted, they are initially pushed or displaced outwards by the contact element transversely to the insertion direction of the contact element and, after passing a (free) contact end of the contact element, spring back towards their rest position into a constriction or undercut of the contact element in order to lock the contact element in the contact chamber (primary locking). If such a contact element is to be removed from the contact chamber again, this is often possible using a release tool or disassembly tool. This can be designed like a mandrel (e.g. like a screwdriver). It is inserted into the contact chamber from the side of the mating connector (from below). With or through the release tool, the locking lance can then be carefully displaced from the engagement with the undercut, e.g. by carefully moving it transversely to the insertion direction, and the contact element can be pulled out of the contact chamber, e.g. using a cable attached to it. These locking lances must be protected from excessive, e.g. mechanical, stress to avoid damage. Such undesirable mechanical stress can occur, for example, when the locking lance is over-pressed (e.g. when inserting the contact element into the contact chamber and/or when unlocking using the unlocking tool with too much force or too much travel across the insertion direction). This in turn can result in undesirable plastic deformation, which makes it difficult or impossible for the locking lance to spring back into the rest position. For this purpose, a protective wall can be provided against which the locking lance hits before plastic deformation occurs.

From the DE 10 2009 004 845 A1 A connector is known in which the protective wall is formed on the same contact carrier part of a contact carrier element as the locking lance.

From the DE 21 31 807 A A sealed connector with an exchangeable contact element is known. Two insulating bodies are provided which are made of an elastomeric material and form a contact chamber. Between these two insulating bodies, a contact holder is arranged which is made of a thermoplastic material and which has several longitudinally slotted elastic holding cones. With the holding cones, a contact element inserted into the contact chamber can be held in the axial direction in the connector, whereby the holding cones made of thermoplastic material, according to the teaching of the DE 21 31 807 A commonly used metal retaining sleeves, which according to the teaching of DE 21 31 807 A are expensive and inadequate for moisture-tight contact storage, can be replaced.

From the DE 103 32 892 A1 A chamber housing made in one piece using an injection molding process is known, with contact chambers arranged in several rows of chambers running parallel to one another, each for accommodating an electrical contact element, with the contact elements being primarily locked to locking lances of the contact chambers. A slider is also provided, which can be pushed into the chamber housing in a transverse direction and causes a secondary locking of the contact elements inserted into the contact chambers.

From the US 2008 / 0 233 784 A1 A plug connector with a one-piece contact carrier element is known, in which a plurality of contact chambers with locking lances arranged therein are provided. A contact element inserted into a contact chamber can lock into the contact chamber by the locking lance. A protective wall to prevent the locking lances from being overpressed is formed in the same one-piece contact carrier element as the locking lance. After the contact chambers have been fitted with the contacts, the contacts are secured in the contact chambers by a contact securing element placed on the front face of the contact carrier element, whereby the contact securing element blocks the locking lances from opening and displacement. A lever for reducing the insertion force can also be mounted on this one-piece contact carrier element.

disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on the knowledge that a complex and expensive tool (e.g. injection molding tool) is required to produce a contact carrier part that has both the locking lance and the associated protective wall. In such a tool, tool halves and slides must be coordinated in a lengthy process in order to create recesses between the locking lance and the protective wall and to avoid burrs. These complex geometries have a negative effect on the tool life and lead to high tool and spare part costs. In addition, the complex geometry can affect the yield or quality. The invention is also based on the knowledge that the material thicknesses of the locking lance and the protective wall and the mechanical requirements for these two elements differ significantly, which brings with it further challenges in the design and for the service life of a tool. Finally, the invention is based on the realization that the molding of a protective wall directly next to the locking lance in the same contact carrier part requires a design of the tool that results in the elimination of a chamber wall adjacent to the protective wall, since there is no space for such a chamber wall. As a result, the contact in the contact chamber cannot be guided in all directions, which can lead to undesirable play of the contact element in the contact chamber, which, for example, increases the risk that the primary locking does not hold securely, which makes the assembly of the contact carrier element more complex or, to remedy this, requires an unnecessarily large dimensioning of the locking lance.

There may therefore be a need to provide a connector, particularly for miniaturized contact elements, in which the locking lance or the locking lances of the connector are protected against mechanical damage such as plastic deformation when inserting a contact element into the contact chamber or when unlocking a contact located in the chamber, in which the locking lance can be made particularly small while at the same time providing reliable primary locking and which can be manufactured with comparatively simple or simpler, cost-effective and durable tools.

Advantages of the invention

This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a connector is proposed.

The connector has a contact carrier element, wherein the contact carrier element has a contact chamber for receiving a contact element along an insertion direction. The contact carrier element has a first contact carrier and a second contact carrier. The first contact carrier has a locking lance or primary locking lance (or a locking hook) that can be deflected in or parallel to an X direction transverse to the insertion direction for locking with the contact element or the contact. The second contact carrier has a protective structure that only does not overlap with the locking lance when viewed along the insertion direction, for example, and that limits a deflection of the locking lance in or parallel to the X direction, in particular in such a way that the locking lance is not plastically deformed.

This advantageously provides reliable protection against damage, e.g. overpressure protection, for the locking lance together with a geometric separation of the locking lance and protective structure into two initially separate components (first contact carrier on the one hand and second contact carrier on the other). This means that the two structures (locking lance and protective structure) can be manufactured using much simpler tools, since, for example, very narrow recesses between the protective structure and locking lance do not have to be produced using very narrow slide elements in injection molding tools. At the same time, the tools can also be better adapted to specific geometric or functional characteristics of the two structures (locking lance and protective structure). For example, the design of the locking lance may require the provision of a thinned-out area in order to set a defined tipping point or folding point, or a design that enables high elasticity for a spring-back process. The design of the protective structure may, for example, require a high degree of robustness or rigidity in order to optimally protect the locking lance. Since the provision of different material thicknesses in a confined space, e.g. in injection molding, can lead to warping problems, the geometric division of the two structures into two different parts (two contact carriers) of the contact carrier element has the advantageous effect of counteracting warping problems.

The optional non-overlapping of the locking lance and protective structure along the insertion direction is particularly advantageous, as it ensures that even with larger manufacturing tolerances of the first and second contact carrier (particularly parallel to the insertion direction: the protective structure and locking lance can be placed too close to one another in the axial direction), the locking lance can always be moved freely and does not accidentally collide with the protective structure or come into contact before the locking lance is deflected sufficiently to allow the contact element to pass when inserted or before the locking lance is displaced far enough to unlock the contact element. The demands on the tools are advantageously further reduced and/or the service life of the tools, which wear out during use and entail higher tolerances, is advantageously increased. This means that the connector can be manufactured more cost-effectively. In addition, the contact surface between the locking lance and the protective structure can be made larger in the event of contact, thereby reducing point loading on the protective structure and the locking lance. Finally, no special geometric requirements (e.g. special bevels, angles, etc.) need to be placed on the end faces of the locking lance and protective structure in order to ensure that the protective structure functions reliably to protect against damage. The manufacture of the tools and the connector can advantageously be kept simple.

According to the invention, the first contact carrier and the second contact carrier are connected to one another in a non-destructively detachable manner.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the second contact carrier has a base, wherein an opening is provided in the base for each contact chamber through which a mating contact element of a mating connector can be inserted or through which the contact element can protrude towards the mating connector, wherein a release opening is formed in the base for each contact chamber for inserting a release tool through to release the contact element from the locking connection with the locking lance, wherein the release openings are each arranged outside the openings when viewed parallel to the X direction.

The expression that the locking lance does not overlap with the protective structure when viewed along the insertion direction can be understood to mean that a projection of the locking lance and the protective structure along the insertion direction does not result in an intersection or an overlap of the two projections. For example, a protective structure that is arranged offset to the side of the locking lance in its rest position (e.g. offset parallel to the X direction) does not overlap along the insertion direction.

The insertion direction can be referred to as the Z direction, for example. Together with the X direction and the Y direction, it forms a Cartesian coordinate system.

The term “have” is used synonymously with the term “include”, unless otherwise stated.

The connector can, for example, be designed to connect to a mating connector.

It can be provided, for example, that the contact chamber is formed by an interaction of the first contact carrier and the second contact carrier. For example, the side walls of the contact chamber can be formed by sections of the first contact carrier and the second contact carrier. If several contact chambers are provided, this can apply, for example, to all contact chambers.

For example, it can be provided that the contact chamber for the contact element is formed by a maximum of the first contact carrier and the second contact carrier, i.e. by a maximum of two individually manufactured parts. If several contact chambers are provided, this can apply to all contact chambers, for example. This means that the connector can be manufactured particularly easily and inexpensively. Particularly simple and geometrically less complex tools can be used for production.

The contact element can be designed as a female contact element, e.g. as a socket contact element. Alternatively, the contact element can be designed as a male contact element, e.g. as a flat blade, as a pin or the like. If several contact chambers are provided in the connector for receiving contact elements, it can also be provided that at least one female contact element and at least one male contact element are arranged in the contact chambers (mixed assembly).

The connector can be designed for fitting with miniaturized contact elements, for example, for fitting with contact elements that have a maximum cross-section of 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm or a maximum cross-section of 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm or a maximum cross-section of 1.8 mm x 1.4 mm or a maximum cross-section of 1.1 mm x 1.1 mm. Accordingly, the locking lances (in their rest position without a contact element inserted) can have a distance from the protective structure that is at most 2.0 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm, particularly preferably at most 1.0 mm and completely particularly preferably a maximum of 0.5 mm. It goes without saying that the connector can also be designed for larger contacts.

It can be provided, for example, that the first contact carrier and the second contact carrier are manufactured separately from one another and are only connected to one another directly or indirectly later when the contact carrier element is assembled. The first contact carrier and the second contact carrier can, for example, be coupled to one another in a captive manner. According to the invention, they are connected to one another in a non-destructively detachable manner, e.g. by locking, clipping, etc.

The locking lance or primary locking lance or the locking hook can, for example, be designed to be elastically reversibly deflectable or spring-loaded deflectable.

The locking lance can, for example, have a free end and a root, wherein it is connected to the first contact carrier in particular at the root.

The locking lance can, for example, protrude into a contact channel or a contact element trajectory of the contact chamber, so that when a contact element is inserted into the contact chamber and/or when it is unlocked, e.g. by means of an unlocking tool, it is displaced or pushed away from the contact element parallel to the X direction, in particular to the side.

The protective structure can be designed as a protective wall, for example. The protective structure can limit the deflection of the locking lance, e.g. when inserting the contact element and/or when unlocking the contact element (e.g. using an unlocking tool), e.g. to a predetermined maximum deflection. It can be arranged relative to the locking lance, e.g. offset laterally to the locking lance when viewed parallel to the X direction (e.g. separated from the locking lance by a gap), so that the locking lance hits the protective structure and is prevented from deflecting further before the locking lance is damaged, e.g. plastic deformation of the locking lance or breaking off of the locking lance or the like.

It can be provided, for example, that the locking lance is arranged on an open side of the contact chamber, in particular on an open side in the first contact carrier. This open side can, for example, run parallel to the insertion direction. This side can, for example, be designed to be open along at least 50% of the length of the locking lance.

The part or section of the contact chamber located or arranged or provided in the first contact carrier can, for example, be open on a first end face of the first contact carrier facing the second contact carrier.

For example, it can be provided that the locking lance is arranged between the protective structure and the contact element, viewed parallel to the X direction. The protective structure thus advantageously protects against damage to the locking lance due to a displacement of the locking lance in accordance with the usual deflection direction of the locking lance, in particular when inserting a contact element into the contact chamber and/or when unlocking the contact element. It goes without saying that the protective structure can also protect the locking lance from mechanical or other influences (e.g. temperature fluctuations, dust, fluids, etc.) that could act on the locking lance from the side of the protective structure.

It can be provided, for example, that the first contact carrier extends into an interior of the second contact carrier. The first contact carrier can, for example, be inserted into the interior of the second contact carrier along the insertion direction. This advantageously makes it particularly easy and cost-effective to produce a connector with a very simple tool geometry, which offers particularly good protection of the locking lance against damage and which can advantageously be built particularly compactly or small, particularly when viewed along the insertion direction. The second contact carrier can, for example, be designed like a cup.

For example, it can be provided that the locking lance is arranged completely in the interior of the second contact carrier. This advantageously provides particularly good protection of the locking lance against damage with a simple tool geometry and thus at low cost.

In a further development, it is provided that the protective structure forms, at least in sections, a contact chamber outer wall that delimits the contact chamber from the external environment.

This advantageously enables particularly cost-effective production with particularly simple tools. In addition to the function of providing overpressure protection for the locking lance, the protective structure also simultaneously takes on the function of the contact chamber outer wall. This advantageously saves another wall that would serve as the contact chamber outer wall, which reduces the complexity of the production tools and the size of the connector. The protective structure is therefore also advantageous arranged close to the outer wall or forms it and can, for example, take on additional functions. For example, the receptacle for an actuating element for reducing the insertion force or the counterpart for such an actuating element can be provided on a side of the protective structure facing the outside environment or on an outside of the protective structure. Such an actuating element can, for example, be designed as a lever element or as a slider.

The external environment is understood to be the space outside the connector (when not connected to the mating connector), whereby pocket-like notches or recesses (e.g. for inserting a collar of a mating connector or stabilizing elements of the mating connector such as so-called Kojiri ribs) can also be considered to face the external environment and whereby the walls of such recesses can delimit the contact chamber from the external environment.

The contact chamber outer wall can, for example, be a lateral outer wall (running parallel to the insertion direction) of the contact chamber.

In a further development, the locking lance is arranged on the first contact carrier in such a way that it is displaced in the direction of an outer wall of the second contact carrier when the contact element is inserted and/or when the contact element is released. This advantageously enables particularly cost-effective production with particularly simply designed or easier to manufacture and more durable tools. The protective structure is therefore also advantageously arranged close to the outer wall or can represent the outer wall of the connector; it can also advantageously take on other functions, as described above. This also makes it particularly easy, particularly in the case of multi-row contact carrier elements, to achieve the most symmetrical design possible for the second contact carrier with little material consumption. The complexity of the tools can thus be reduced.

The locking lance can be moved in the direction of the nearest outer wall of the second contact carrier, for example when inserting the contact element.

In a further development, it is provided that the protective structure extends along at least 25% of the length of the locking lance. In particular, there is a lateral overlap (the locking lance and protective structure are spaced apart, for example, when viewed parallel to the X-axis; they overlap with one another, for example when viewed from a direction along the X-direction). This advantageously creates particularly reliable protection of the locking lance against damage caused by overpressure due to mechanical impact (e.g. when inserting the contact element or during the unlocking process). With regard to the overpressure protection, it is ensured that the locking lance and protective structure overlap sufficiently laterally (projection parallel to the X-direction), even with larger manufacturing tolerances. This means that the tools can be built more simply and used for longer. In addition, the force applied when impacting is distributed over a sufficiently large area to prevent damage to the locking lance and/or protective structure.

In one embodiment, the protective structure extends along at least 50% of the length of the locking lance. This further increases the protective function of the protective structure, the tools can be built even more simply to ensure a lateral overlap of the locking lance and the protective structure. The force during the impact can advantageously be distributed over an even larger area.

In one embodiment, the protective structure extends from a free end of the locking lance to a root of the locking lance. This maximizes the protective function of the protective structure, in particular the locking lance is also largely protected from influences (mechanical or other) from the outside or from the direction of the protective structure. The tools can be built even more simply to ensure a lateral overlap of the locking lance and the protective structure.

In a further development, it is provided that the first contact carrier is made of a first material, with the second contact carrier being made of a second material, with the first material and the second material being different. This advantageously allows the different requirements for the two structures (latching lance and protective structure) to be taken into account by means of a suitable choice of material for the first or second material (e.g. elasticity vs. rigidity) or the choice of material can simplify a clever dimensioning of wall thicknesses or structure thicknesses for the manufacturing process. This simplifies the design of the tools for the manufacture of the first or second contact carrier. The complexity of the tools can advantageously be reduced. For example, by using a stiffer second material compared to the first material, the wall thickness for the protective structure can be reduced with the same technical effect. At the same time, for example, the second contact carrier can be made more flexible by choosing a stiffer material for the second material compared to the first material also serve as an arrangement point for an actuating element or for an element interacting with an actuating element (e.g. a bolt if a link is provided in the actuating element or a rack if a gear is provided in the actuating element).

For example, the first material may comprise polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) with different glass fiber filling.

For example, the second material may comprise polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) with different glass fiber filling (being different from the first material).

For example, the first material may have a lower glass fiber filling ratio than the second material.

In a further development, it is provided that the second contact carrier has a guide structure which is designed to limit a play of a contact end of a contact element accommodated in the contact chamber perpendicular to the insertion direction.

This advantageously reduces the risk of a primary locking mechanism that is too loose and/or reduces the risk of a so-called mismating, in which a counter-contact element that is to be electrically connected to the contact element is inserted next to the contact element due to incorrect operation during assembly. The guide structure enables a narrowly tolerated end position of the contact element inserted into the contact chamber (little play). This means that the locking lance can be dimensioned smaller, as it can always securely lock into the correctly placed contact element. In addition, the risk of mismating due to carelessness during assembly is reduced. Such a guide structure can be implemented in the second contact carrier advantageously with simple means and simply designed tools and is therefore cost-effective.

The play can be reduced or limited by the guide structure, e.g. in a direction parallel to the X direction. Alternatively or additionally, it can be reduced or limited by the guide structure, e.g. in a direction parallel to the Y direction.

In other words, the guide structure is preferably designed to reduce the play in such a way that the locking lance always securely locks the contact element in the primary position. Alternatively or additionally, it can be designed to prevent the contact element from being pushed behind by the mating contact element when plugging together.

The guide structure can, for example, be designed to limit the play to a maximum of 0.2 mm, preferably to a maximum of 0.15 mm, particularly preferably to a maximum of 0.1 mm, in particular parallel to the X-direction and/or parallel to the Y-direction.

The guide structure can be formed, for example, on a side of the second contact carrier facing the contact chamber.

The second contact carrier has the base, wherein the guide structure is arranged in the area of the base or on the base or is connected to the base. The guide structure can, for example, be connected to the base in one piece. It can, for example, be connected directly to the base.

It is intended that a through-opening is formed in the base for inserting a male contact element, e.g. a pin or the like.

In a further development, it is provided that the connector has a locking element, which can be displaced in particular in a Y direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and perpendicular to the X direction, which is designed to lock a contact element arranged in the contact chamber in the chamber, wherein the locking element is guided almost completely by means of the first contact carrier, wherein in particular a play of the locking element parallel to the insertion direction is limited almost exclusively by the first contact carrier part. This advantageously enables a particularly simple tool design, since the guide of the locking element is not distributed over two contact carriers and therefore the manufacturing tolerances of two tools do not have to be coordinated with one another. At the same time, the play of the locking element can be tolerated more closely, which also improves the positional accuracy of the contact element or contact elements in the contact chamber(s).

The locking element can be designed as a locking slide, for example. It can be fork-shaped, for example, with a cross section and a cantilevered arm protruding from it, or with several cantilevered arms protruding from the cross section. The locking element can be referred to as a secondary locking element, for example.

In a further development, it is provided that the contact carrier element has a plurality of contact chambers adjacent to one another in the X direction, wherein the first contact carrier has a locking lance for at least two of the adjacent contact chambers, and the second contact carrier has a protective structure, in particular one which does not overlap with the respective locking lance when viewed along the insertion direction, which limits a deflection of the locking lance parallel to the X direction or in the X direction, in particular such that the locking lance is not plastically deformed.

This advantageously ensures that at least two of the locking lances (in contact chambers that are adjacent in the X direction or are in a row) are protected from mechanical damage and that a geometric functional separation (locking lance vs. protective structure in different, geometrically separated parts) is made possible in a simple manner, for which particularly simple and cost-effective tools are advantageously sufficient.

It is understood that the contact elements or the contact chambers in the connector can be arranged in several rows (next to each other in the X direction) and/or several columns (next to each other in the Y direction). For example, it can be provided that the contact chambers are positioned in parallel rows at the same positions in the Y direction.

It is also understood that contact chambers adjacent in the X direction are to be understood as all contact chambers in a column, for example. This means not only the nearest or next but one neighbors, but also all contact chambers that are arranged in (almost) the same position in the Y direction. These contact chambers are then considered to be adjacent in the X direction.

If, for example, four rows are provided, the second contact carrier can, for example, only provide or have the protective structure for the two outermost contact chambers of the four X-neighbors. This can also apply if the first contact carrier simultaneously provides or has a locking lance for three or all four X-neighbors. (The same considerations can also be applied analogously to examples with three rows, five rows, etc.)

Alternatively, it can be provided, for example, that the second contact carrier provides or has the protective structure for three or all four of the X-neighbors.

In this example with four rows, it can be provided, for example, that the first contact carrier for the outermost X-neighbors has locking lances, which are each moved outwards or to an outside of the first or second contact carrier (i.e. away from each other) when the respective contact element is inserted and/or when it is unlocked. And that the first contact carrier for the two inner X-neighbors (direct neighbors) has locking lances, which are each moved inwards (i.e. towards each other).

In other examples, the first contact carrier for the X-neighbors may also have locking lances, most or all of which are displaced in the same direction (during the insertion process and/or during unlocking).

It may be provided merely as an example that the first contact carrier has locking lances for all contact chambers.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided purely by way of example that the second contact carrier has protective structures for all contact chambers or for all those contact chambers for which the first contact carrier has locking lances or for most of the contact chambers for which the first contact carrier has locking lances but not for all.

In a further development, it is provided that the locking lances of the outermost of the contact chambers adjacent in the X direction are designed in such a way that they are pivoted outwards when a contact element is inserted.

This has the advantageous effect that the protective structures for these locking lances can simultaneously serve as the outer walls of the connector, thus saving a separate wall, which in turn enables particularly simple and durable tools and a particularly cost-effective production of the connector.

In a further development, it is provided that the connector has an operating element for reducing the insertion force or that an operating element for reducing the operating force or for reducing the assembly force is provided on the connector, wherein the second contact carrier has an operating element guide structure which is designed to guide or support the operating element.

This has the advantage that the operating element, which can be subjected to strong forces, is particularly stable and safe to guide and that possible twisting of the contact carrier element, in particular the second contact carrier, can be kept to a minimum when operating the operating element. At the same time, the tool concept can be designed to be particularly simple and durable in this way, since the The second contact carrier can have more robust structures compared to the first contact carrier, e.g. with greater material thickness and/or can be made from a stiffer material. A simple, robust tool can thus be provided for the first and one for the second contact carrier, which can be optimized with regard to this functional separation.

The operating element can be designed as a lever and/or a slider, for example. A combination of lever and slider is conceivable, e.g. to manage part of the plug-in path with the lever and another part of the plug-in path with the slider and/or to enable an even greater reduction in plugging force and/or to enable two-handed assembly.

The guidance or mounting of the operating element can be understood in particular as a guidance or mounting with respect to a displacement of the operating element relative to the second contact carrier. The operating element can, for example, be mounted on the second contact carrier in a movable manner.

The operating element can be coupled with a coupling element or a coupling structure with a complementary counter-coupling element or a complementary counter-coupling structure of the mating connector, so that when the operating element is actuated (e.g. from the first position towards the second position), the connector and the mating connector are moved towards each other to close the plug connection or away from each other to open the plug connection (opening usually occurs when the operating element is moved in the opposite direction to closing, e.g. from the second position towards the first position). Such a pairing of coupling structure and counter-coupling structure can be provided, for example, by a link and a projection (e.g. a bolt) and/or by a tooth structure (e.g. a lever tooth) and a rack, etc.

A lever can, for example, be mounted or guided in a rotatable manner on the connector or on the second contact carrier. Such a lever can, for example, be displaceable, in particular rotatable, between a first position (e.g. a starting position) and a second position (e.g. an end position).

A slider can, for example, be mounted or guided on the connector or on the second contact carrier in a displaceable manner. Such a slider can, for example, be displaceable, in particular, slidable, between a first position (e.g. a starting position) and a second position (e.g. an end position). Such a displacement can only take place, for example, along a straight line.

• -- eine Welle, insbesondere zur Aufnahme in einer Wellenaufnahmeöffnung des Bedienelements
• -- eine Durchgangsöffnung, insbesondere zur Lagerung einer Welle des Bedienelements;
• -- ein Vorsprung, insbesondere zur Führung einer Kulisse des Bedienelements;
• -- eine Kulisse, insbesondere zur Aufnahme eines Vorsprungs des Bedienelements.

In a further training it is provided that the control element management structure is selected from the group:

• -- a shaft, in particular for receiving in a shaft receiving opening of the control element
• -- a through-opening, in particular for supporting a shaft of the operating element;
• -- a projection, in particular for guiding a guide of the operating element;
• -- a backdrop, in particular for accommodating a projection of the operating element.

When designed as a shaft, it is advantageous that, for example, a rotating lever can be arranged as an actuating element or operating element on the connector, whereby large transmission ratios can be achieved with little lateral space required. The shaft on the connector or on the second contact carrier also advantageously means that it is not necessary to pass a shaft of the operating element through the second contact carrier, thus not affecting the stability of the second contact carrier and providing a large interior space for many contact chambers. Such a shaft can protrude outwards (away from an interior space of the second contact carrier) or protrude inwards (pointing towards the interior space of the second contact carrier). Protruding outwards can be particularly advantageous, for example, in so-called internal connectors, in which the connector is (almost completely) accommodated within a collar of a mating connector or a mating connector housing, whereby in the case of internal connectors the operating element for reducing the insertion force is often arranged within the collar of the mating connector or acts there. A projection inwards can be particularly advantageous, for example, in so-called external plugs, in which the plug connector with the contact chambers is accommodated within a collar of a mating connector or a mating connector housing, but in which the plug connector simultaneously accommodates or encloses the collar of the mating connector, e.g. between two walls of the contact carrier element. Such external plugs can, by means of a radial seal, enable a sealed connector system particularly easily when plugged together with the mating connector. In external plugs, the operating element is often arranged outside the collar of the mating connector or even outside the outermost wall of the plug connector, which makes it easier to Connectors to avoid a conflict between the control element and the radial seal.

A design as a through-opening has the advantage that the connector can be implemented particularly easily as an external connector. Another advantage is that it is particularly easy to provide a connector with a particularly small width, since there are no structures protruding outwards that increase the width of the connector. Another advantage is that the risk of the second contact carrier getting caught during transport before the connector is assembled from its individual parts is reduced, since fewer parts protrude outwards. Another advantage is that a particularly simple tool can be provided for such a design.

When designed as a projection or as a plurality of projections, a slider can be guided safely along the second contact carrier. The same considerations apply as for a shaft design.

In a design as a gate, a slide can be guided safely along the second contact carrier. The same considerations apply as in the case of a design as a shaft or as a through-opening. Such a gate can be designed (at least in sections) as a gate structure that protrudes outwards or inwards from the second contact carrier, e.g. two parallel rails, between which a projection of the slide can run. In an alternative or additional embodiment, such a gate can be designed (at least in sections) as an (elongated) opening or (elongated) recess or as a through-opening, e.g. in the form of an elongated hole. In this case, a particularly simple limitation of the displacement path of the operating element is advantageously possible - the edge of the opening, recess or through-opening can, for example, represent a displacement limit.

In a further development, it is provided that the control element can be mounted on the connector in two different directions or orientations.

This means that the connector can be adapted particularly flexibly to different spatial geometries, e.g. in vehicles: depending on where there is more space available for operating the control element or in which direction a cable outlet from the connector is planned, the control element can be mounted in the more suitable direction or orientation, e.g. simply re-plugged. At the same time, the connector can be manufactured using a particularly simple tool concept and at a particularly low cost. Regardless of the mounting direction, only one control element is required.

The two directions can be 180° different from each other, e.g. in the form of a left-hand mounting or a right-hand mounting, etc.

In particular, it is provided that when assembling in each of the two directions or orientations, an operation or actuation of the control element results in the plug connector and the mating connector being moved towards one another in order to close the plug connection (or being moved away from one another in order to open the plug connection). For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that a counter-coupling element or a counter-coupling structure is present or designed or formed multiple times on the mating connector and/or symmetrically with respect to the direction or orientation of the control element. For example, a counter-coupling structure designed as a rack can be formed at least twice on the mating connector, so that depending on the mounted direction of the control element, its coupling element or coupling structure (e.g. a lever tooth) couples with one or the other counter-coupling structure (e.g. a rack).

According to a second aspect of the invention, a connector arrangement is proposed.

The connector assembly includes a connector as described above and a contact element received in the contact chamber.

This advantageously creates a connector arrangement that can be manufactured using particularly simple and durable tools and is therefore cost-effective, while at the same time providing a geometric functional separation of the locking lance and protective structure and in which the locking lance is advantageously protected against damage, in particular against overpressure and/or external influences. The play of the contact element in the contact chamber can also be advantageously reduced using a particularly simple tool concept. A particularly well-guided locking element can also be advantageously implemented. A particularly simple and stable guide or bearing of an operating element can also be provided to reduce the operating force.

The contact element can, for example, be inserted into the contact chamber.

In a further development, it is provided that the contact element has a first undercut, in particular at the front, for locking with the Locking lance. This advantageously results in simple and secure locking, in particular primary locking, of the contact element in the contact chamber.

It can be provided, for example, that the contact element has a second undercut, in particular at the rear, for locking by means of a locking element as described above. This advantageously enables a secure and permanent positioning of the contact element in the contact chamber. At the same time, the locking element enables an installer to determine whether the contact element (or contact elements) is inserted far enough in the direction of its desired end position, because only then can the locking element be guided past the undercut. This advantageously enables assembly errors to be discovered in good time, which reduces waste.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a connector system is proposed.

The connector system has a connector arrangement as described above and a mating connector arrangement with a mating contact element, wherein the connector arrangement is connectable or connected to the mating connector arrangement, wherein the contact element is electrically connectable or electrically connected to the mating contact element.

This makes it possible to provide a particularly cost-effective connector system that can be manufactured using simple tools.

drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1: einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen Steckverbinder;
• 2: einen schematischen Querschnitt durch eine Steckverbinderanordnung;
• 3: einen Ausschnitt aus der Steckverbinderanordnung aus 2 mit eingesteckten Gegenkontaktelementen;
• 4: einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen Steckverbinder;
• 5: eine perspektivische und teilgeschnittene Ansicht auf zwei Steckverbindersysteme im nicht zusammengesteckten Zustand von zwei Steckverbindern und zwei Gegensteckverbindern;
• 6: eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die beiden Steckverbindersysteme aus 5 im zusammengesteckten Zustand der Steckverbinder und Gegensteckverbinder;
• 7: eine perspektivische Detailansicht auf einen Steckverbinder;
• 8: eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht auf einen ersten Kontaktträger und einen zweiten Kontaktträger;
• 9: eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht auf einen Ausschnitt eines ersten Kontaktträgers und eines zweiten Kontaktträgers;
• 10: eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen ersten Kontaktträger.

fIt shows

• 1 : a schematic cross-section through a connector;
• 2 : a schematic cross-section through a connector arrangement;
• 3 : a section of the connector arrangement from 2 with inserted mating contact elements;
• 4 : a schematic cross-section through a connector;
• 5 : a perspective and partially sectioned view of two connector systems in the unmated state of two connectors and two mating connectors;
• 6 : a perspective view of the two connector systems from 5 when the connectors and mating connectors are plugged together;
• 7 : a perspective detailed view of a connector;
• 8 : an exploded perspective view of a first contact carrier and a second contact carrier;
• 9 : a perspective exploded view of a section of a first contact carrier and a second contact carrier;
• 10 : a perspective view of a first contact carrier.

f

The 1 and 2 show schematic cross sections through a connector 1 for the explanation of relevant relationships of the invention, in 2 A connector arrangement 100 is shown, which has a connector 1 and a contact element 4. Connector 1 or connector arrangement 100 are surrounded by an external environment 10. The 1 and 2 have been taken from the applicant’s internal models and simulations and are described together below.

The connector 1 of the 1 and 2 is designed here as a so-called external connector, which is designed to accommodate a collar of a mating connector (not shown here) (see e.g. 5 and 6 for a collar 58 of a mating connector 50, wherein a so-called internal connector is shown there, in which the connector 1 is accommodated in a mating connector interior 74 of the mating connector 50). The connector 1 of the 1 and 2 is designed here for so-called “clean body” contact elements, which are (primarily) locked in the connector 1 by means of locking lances 7 arranged in the connector and usually do not have a contact element locking lance that protrudes outwards.

The connector 1 has a contact carrier element 2, which has a plurality of contact chambers 3 for receiving contact elements 4 (see e.g. 2 - 4 ) along an insertion direction Z, whereby here, for example, the contact chambers 3 are arranged in four rows ( 1 ) or in two rows ( 2 ) which are arranged next to each other or adjacent to each other in an X-direction X perpendicular to the insertion direction Z. In 1 Between each pair of rows of contact chambers 3, a recess 26 is arranged, which is in contact with the external environment 10 and whose delimiting walls are thus to be regarded as external walls, wherein in the section shown here, the recess 26 in the lower part is open towards the two internal contact chambers 3 or is delimited from them by a locking lance 7 described below.

In 1 a Cartesian coordinate system is drawn with the insertion direction Z, the X-direction X and a Y-direction Y that runs perpendicular to the insertion direction Z and the X-direction X.

It is understood that additional contact chambers 3 can be added in the four rows along the Y-direction Y.

The contact carrier element 2 has a first contact carrier 5 (in 1 shown above, below a mat seal 23) and a second contact carrier 6 (in 1 shown below, facing the mating connector). The first contact carrier 5 here has an upper part of the contact chambers 3 in the X direction X transverse to the insertion direction Z for each contact chamber 3. The second contact carrier 6 here has a locking lance 7 for each contact chamber 3 that can be deflected parallel to the X direction X (in the direction of the arrows with the reference number 25), in particular elastically reversibly deflected. Furthermore, the second contact carrier 6 has a protective structure 8, in particular a protective wall 9, which here, for example, does not overlap with the locking lance 7 viewed along the insertion direction Z and which here too is arranged or runs laterally next to the locking lance 7 merely for example. The protective structure 8 limits a deflection of the locking lance 7 parallel to the X-direction X, in particular when inserting the contact element 4 and/or when unlocking the contact element 4 by means of a unlocking element or unlocking tool, in particular in such a way that the locking lance 7 is not plastically deformed (in 1 such a protective structure 8 is shown only for the two outer locking lances 7).

In other words: if the locking lance 7 were to be deflected too far in the direction of the protective structure 8, it would hit the protective structure 8, which acts like a guard rail, and would be protected from further displacement, which could damage the locking lance 7 (breakage, plastic deformation and/or loss of resilience). The protective structure 8 thus prevents the locking lance 7 from being over-pressed.

This protective structure 8 runs from a protective structure root 71 to a free end 72 of the protective structure 8, i.e. from top to bottom. A gap 28 running approximately parallel to the insertion direction Z is formed between the protective structure 8 and the locking lance 7. This gap 28 enables the locking lance 7 to be moved or pivoted when the contact element 4 is inserted into the contact chamber 3 and/or when the contact element 4 is to be unlocked in order to be removed from the contact chamber 3 again. At the same time, the gap 28 is dimensioned so narrow that the locking lance 7 is not deflected too far and that overpressure (when inserting and/or unlocking) can be prevented.

The locking lance 7 and the protective structure 8 are integrally connected to the second contact carrier 6 and cannot be removed from it without causing damage. They are manufactured here in an injection molding process together with the second contact carrier 6.

The locking lance 7 extends along a length L approximately parallel to the insertion direction L between a root 14 and a free end 13. It is connected to the root 14 with the remaining part of the second contact carrier 6. The locking lance 7 projects into an insertion path or insertion route or insertion trajectory of a contact element 4 that can be inserted or is inserted into the contact chamber 3, at least with a free end 13 of the locking lance 7.

In 2 For the two-row connector 1 shown there, the contact chambers 2 are each fitted with a contact element 4 (here as a female contact element 35 in the form of a socket contact). The contact element 4 has a contact box 30 with a front contact end 16 that faces the mating connector 50. At least one contact blade 29 is arranged inside the contact box 30, which has a mating contact element 73 designed as a male contact element 36 (see 3 , 5 ) electrically. In the contact box 30, a first undercut 18 is formed for (primary) locking with the locking lance 7. A second undercut 19 is defined by the end of the contact box 30 for (secondary) locking with a locking element 17 described below. Further up in 2 At the rear end of the contact box 30 there is a crimping section 31 in which a stripped line 32 of a cable 34 otherwise having insulation 33 is connected or crimped here.

When equipping the contact chamber 3 with a contact element 4, the contact element 4 (see 2 ) usually first by the Mat tendichtung 23 (see 1 ) (if such a mat seal 23 is present), then passes the first contact carrier 5, enters the lower part of the contact chamber 3 in the second contact carrier 6, meets the elastically reversible or spring-loaded locking lance 7 with its front contact end 16 and displaces it radially outwards (here: parallel to the X-direction X in the direction of the arrows with the reference number 25) and is then stopped at a base 20 of the second contact carrier 6, whereby at the latest in this position (end position) the locking lance 7 is behind the first undercut 18 (see 2 ) of the contact element 4 springs back in the direction of its rest position and the contact element 4 is (primarily) locked in the contact chamber 3. In the base 20, an opening 21 is provided for each contact chamber 3, by way of example, through which a counter-contact element 73 (see 3 and 5 ) of the mating connector 50 can be inserted (or through which the contact element 4 can protrude towards the mating connector 50). In addition, a release opening 47 is provided in the base 20 for each contact chamber 3, through which a release tool can be inserted in order to move the locking lance 7 out of the first undercut 18 (parallel to the X direction X) and thus enable removal of the contact element 4 from the contact chamber 3.

Between the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6, a locking element 17 or secondary locking element is arranged, which forms the second undercut 19 (see 2 ) of the contact element 4 in its end position and locked in the contact chamber 3. In this way, the locking lances 7 can be relieved. The locking element 17 can be displaced here along the Y direction Y and is guided between the lower end of the first contact carrier 5 and the upper end of the second contact carrier 6.

With the connector 1 in the form of an external connector, a tight plug connection can be formed when plugged together with the mating connector (not shown here). For this purpose, the connector 1 has a radial seal 22 on the first contact carrier 5, which is arranged in a receptacle 27 in which the collar 58 of the mating connector 50 is received. The receptacle 27, which is formed all the way around here, is designed like a pocket and is formed in the first contact carrier 5 or is formed by two walls of the first contact carrier 5 or in the 1 and 2 lower section is formed by an outermost wall of the first contact carrier 5 and another outermost wall of the second contact carrier 6. The external environment 10 is present inside the receptacle 27. Furthermore, the connector 1 has, as already described above, the mat seal 23 with feedthroughs 24 for the (in 1 not shown) contact elements 4. In this way, the connector 1 can be sealed or is sealed against the external environment 10.

Through the 1 and 2 The geometry shown prevents the locking lance 7 from being overpressed, at least in those contact chambers 3 for which the second contact carrier 6 has a protective structure 8. However, a tool for injection molding the second contact carrier 6 is difficult, since the locking lance 7 and the protective structure 8 are only separated from one another by the small or narrow gap 28. This gap 28 requires thin, needle-like projections in the tool, which are comparatively difficult to produce. In addition, a recess for these projections must be provided on the bottom 20 of the second contact carrier 6 in order to demold the second contact carrier 6 from the tool. As a result, the contact end 16 of the contact element 4 cannot be guided safely laterally (in the X direction X). In addition, different materials cannot be used for the locking lance 7 and the protective structure 8, although the locking lance should have elastic properties and the protective structure should be as robust as possible. Furthermore, for manufacturing reasons, it is advisable to choose similar wall thicknesses for locking lance 7 and protective structure 8 in order to minimize distortion of the material during cooling - this impairs the freedom in designing the rigidity (protective structure 8) or elasticity (locking lance 7) of the two components. Finally, in this version of a connector 1, it is not easy to mount or guide an operating element for reducing the insertion force on the second contact carrier 6. Such a mount or guide must absorb high forces, so that a greater material thickness and/or a stiffer material may be required. This would increase the complexity of a tool in which the comparatively delicate, elastic locking lances are also to be formed. The challenges mentioned are particularly great when it comes to a connector 1 for miniaturized contacts, the smallest dimension of which in the cross-section of the contact box is, for example, at most 2.5 mm or at most 2.0 mm or at most 1.8 mm or at most 1.5 mm.

3 shows a section of the connector arrangement 100 from 2 with inserted counter contact elements 73, here in the form of male (counter) contact elements 36, e.g. in the form of pins ( 3 is like 1 and 2 taken from the applicant's internal models and simulations).

The right-hand side shows the desired state in which the contact element is securely locked to the locking lance 7. In addition, the counter-contact element 73 is inserted through the opening 21 of the base 20 into the contact box 30 of the contact element 4 and is mechanically clamped between the spring-loaded contact blade 29 and a base of the contact box 30 and electrically contacted in a defined manner.

On the left side, an unfavorable situation is shown in which the contact element 4 is positioned a little too far in the direction of the locking lance 7 due to the limited lateral guidance of the contact end 16, which can impair the reliability of the (primary) locking. At the same time, the counter contact element 73 protrudes a little too far to the right or was slightly slanted when plugging the connector 1 and the counter connector 50 together. The counter contact element 73 was able to pass through the opening 21 in the base, but then came to lie between a wall of the contact chamber 3 and the base of the contact box 30 - this situation can be referred to as "back plugging". In this situation, a permanent and undesirable force parallel to the X direction X can be exerted on the locking lance (here to the left), which can, for example, impair the elastically reversible nature of the locking lance 7.

4 shows a schematic cross-section through a connector 1, which illustrates the problems of the connectors from the 1 to 3 overcomes.

The plug connector 1 has a contact carrier element 2, which has a contact chamber 3 for receiving a contact element 4 along an insertion direction Z. Here, a plug connector 1 with two - in particular parallel - rows of contact chambers 3 is shown as an example. The contact carrier element 2 has a first contact carrier 5 and a second contact carrier 6.

In contrast to the connectors from the 1 to 3 points in 4 the first contact carrier 5 has a locking lance 7 which can be deflected parallel to an X-direction X transversely to the insertion direction Z, in particular elastically reversibly deflected, for locking with the contact element 4 (and not the second contact carrier 6).

The second contact carrier 6 has a protective structure 8, in particular a protective wall 9, which limits a deflection of the locking lance 7 parallel to the X direction X, in particular when inserting the contact element 4, in particular such that the locking lance 7 is not plastically deformed. The protective structure 8 is not designed to overlap with the locking lance 7 when viewed along the insertion direction Z. Here, for example, it runs laterally from the locking lance 7 (parallel to the X direction, offset from the locking lance 7, here, for example, spaced from the locking lance 7 by a gap 28).

In this way, the gap 28 between the locking lance 7 and the protective structure 8 or protective wall 9 arranged to the side of it can be provided simply and with very small dimensions (e.g. no more than 1 mm wide, preferably no more than 0.7 mm wide, particularly preferably no more than 0.5 mm wide). This is because the gap 28 is realized here through the interaction of two separate elements (first and second contact carriers 5, 6). At the same time, the tools for the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6 can be kept very simple and they can also have a longer service life, since fewer thin parts are required, which can wear out particularly quickly over several hundred thousand or millions of production cycles or injection cycles or material injections. The protective structure 8 runs here from the protective structure root 71 below (facing the mating connector 50) upwards (facing the first contact carrier 5) to the free end 72 of the protective structure 8.

In this exemplary embodiment, the protective structure 8 forms, at least in sections, a contact chamber outer wall 11 which delimits the contact chamber 3 from the external environment 10, in particular on the side.

The protective structure 8 here forms, for example, an outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6 or a part of the outer wall of the connector 1, wherein the second contact carrier 6 here is designed, for example, to be cup-like or cup-shaped and the first contact carrier 5 is largely accommodated in an interior of the second contact carrier 6.

This geometric functional separation of locking lance 7 and protective structure 8 makes it possible to create a very robust outer wall of the connector 1 and protective structure 8 for the locking lances 7 and at the same time keep the tool complexity low, since the more delicate structures of the locking lances 7 do not have to be provided in the same tool as the robust protective structure 8.

The locking lances 7 are arranged here, for example, on the first contact carrier 5 in such a way that when the contact element 4 is inserted and/or when the contact element (4) is released, they are displaced in the direction of an outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6, in particular in the direction of nearest outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6.

It is understood that in other embodiments (eg for a four-row connector 1 in the manner of 1 ) some locking lances 7 can also be provided, which are moved radially inwards when the contact element 4 is inserted. If in such an embodiment in the recess 26 (see 1 ), however, if one or two protective structures 8 or protective walls 9 are provided, these would also be considered as external walls since they border on the external environment 10.

In the embodiment of 4 the protective structure 8 extends along the entire length L of the locking lance 7, in this case from the free end 13 of the locking lance 7 to the root 14 of the locking lance 7. This provides particularly good protection against overpressure. The load on the locking lance 7 and the protective structure 8 is thus reduced in the event of an impending overpressure, which can cause the locking lance 7 to rest against the protective structure 8 over a large area.

In other embodiments, it can be provided, for example, that the protective structure 8 extends along at least 25% of the length L of the locking lance 7, preferably along at least 50% of the length L of the locking lance 7.

In the area of the free end 13 of the locking lance 7, an inwardly directed locking projection 48 is arranged for (primary) locking with the first undercut 18 of the contact element 4 (see also 10 ).

In the exemplary embodiment shown, it can be provided, for example, that the first contact carrier 5 is made of a first material M1 and that the second contact carrier 6 is made of a second material M2, wherein the first material M1 and the second material M2 are different. In this case, for example, the second material M2 can be a stiffer material than the first material M1 or, in the case of a glass fiber admixture, have a higher admixture of glass fibers than the first material M1.

For example, the first material may comprise polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) with different glass fiber filling.

For example, the second material can comprise polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) with different glass fiber filling.

For example, the first material may have a lower glass fiber filling ratio than the second material.

The second contact carrier 6 further comprises a guide structure 15 (see also 8 and 9 ), which is designed to limit the play of a contact end 16 of a contact element 4 accommodated in the contact chamber 3 perpendicular to the insertion direction Z, in particular parallel to the X direction X and/or to the Y direction Y, in particular to a maximum of 0.2 mm, preferably to a maximum of 0.15 mm or to a maximum of 0.1 mm, particularly preferably even to a maximum of 0.07 mm. This advantageously leads to a particularly secure (primary) locking, so that the locking lance can be designed to be comparatively small.

The plug connector 1 has a locking element 17 or secondary locking element, which can be moved in particular in the Y direction and is designed to lock a contact element 4 arranged in the contact chamber 3 in the contact chamber 3, wherein the locking element 17 is guided almost completely by means of the first contact carrier 5, wherein in particular a play of the locking element 17 parallel to the insertion direction Z is limited almost exclusively by the first contact carrier part 5. In other words: the locking element 17 is guided in a locking channel 76 which surrounds the locking element 17 here at least at the top and bottom, here also on the inside, for example. The boundary surfaces of the locking channel 76 (at least at the top and bottom in 4 ) are formed by the first contact carrier 5. This allows the locking element 17 to be guided particularly securely and smoothly - a coordination of manufacturing or assembly tolerances of the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6 is not necessary here.

In contrast to the 1 to 3 In the connectors 1 shown, the locking element 17 (possibly with the exception of an insertion opening in the contact carrier element 2) runs here, for example, completely within the first contact carrier part 5 (in the locking channel 76), which enables particularly smooth and closely tolerable guidance.

As already described above in other words, in the embodiment of 4 provided that the contact carrier element 2 has a plurality of contact chambers 3 adjacent to one another in the X direction (here: 2 rows), wherein for at least two of the adjacent contact chambers 3 the first contact carrier 5 has a locking lance 7 each, and the second contact carrier 6 has a, in particular with the respective locking lance 7 along the Viewed in the insertion direction Z, the protective structure 8 does not overlap and limits a deflection of the locking lance 7 parallel to or in the X-direction X, in particular in such a way that the locking lance 7 is not plastically deformed.

The locking lances 7 of the respective outermost of the contact chambers 3 adjacent in the X direction X are designed in such a way that they are pivoted outwards when a contact element 4 is inserted and/or when a contact element 4 is unlocked.

In 4 is in conjunction with the 5 to 7 to recognize that the connector 1 has an operating element 39 for reducing the insertion force or operating force or for reducing the assembly force or such an operating element 39 can be mounted on the connector 1 or an operating element 39 for reducing the insertion force is provided or can be mounted on the connector 1, in particular a lever 40 and/or a slide, wherein the second contact carrier 6 has an operating element guide structure 69 which is designed to guide or support the operating element 39 or to which the operating element 39 can be attached or mounted.

The control element guide structure 69 is designed here in the form of a shaft 37 that projects outwards from the second contact carrier 6 (here: towards the external environment 10). In this case, for example, the shaft 37 projects outwards from the two 4 Each of the outer sides of the second contact carrier 6 has a shaft 37 on which the operating element 39 can be attached (or in 5 and 7 is detachably attached or mounted).

As described, the control element guide structure 69 is designed here as a shaft 37, in particular for receiving in a shaft receiving opening 42 (see 5 and 7 ) of the control element 39.

In other embodiments, the operating element guide structure 69 can alternatively or additionally be designed, e.g. as a through-opening, in particular for supporting a shaft of the operating element 39 and/or as a projection, in particular for guiding a guide of the operating element 39 and/or as a guide, in particular for receiving a projection of the operating element 39.

It is understood that, for example, analogous to the embodiment of 4 the control element guide structure 69 can be designed in one way on one side and in another way on the other side (e.g. shaft 37 and through opening).

In the embodiment of the 4 to 10 the operating element 39 is designed to be mountable on the connector 1 in two different directions, in particular directions that differ by 180° from one another. In other words: it can be mounted on the connector 1 or on the second contact carrier 6 rotated by 180°, for example, in order to be able to accommodate a different mounting situation, e.g. a cable outlet (e.g. in a cover 38 or by means of a cover 38). In both mounting states, the operating element 39 can be operated in the same way and ensures that the connector 1 and the mating connector 50 are plugged together or detached from one another, as described below with reference to 5 and 6 is described in more detail.

5 shows a perspective and partially sectioned view of two connector systems 200 in the unplugged state of two connectors 1 and two mating connectors 50.

6 shows a perspective view of the two connector systems 200 from 5 when the connector 1 and mating connector 50 are plugged together.

The 5 and 6 are described together below.

5 shows in the upper part two separate connector arrangements 100, each having a connector 1 and at least one contact element 4, which is accommodated in the contact chamber 3, in particular is plugged into the contact chamber 3 - here it can be seen that in each connector 1 a plurality of contact chambers 3 for a plurality of contact elements 4 are provided.

As already mentioned in 4 As shown here, each contact element 4 has, by way of example, a first undercut 18, in particular at the front, for locking with the locking lance 7 (in particular with the exemplary locking projection 48 of the locking lance 7) and a second undercut 19, in particular at the rear, for locking by means of the locking element 17.

In the lower part of 5 Two mating connectors 50 with at least one mating contact element 73 (here a plurality of mating contact elements 73) are shown, wherein the two mating connectors 50 are connected to one another in one piece by way of example.

The two connector arrangements 100 and the two mating connectors 50 can - if they can be connected to each other (see 5 ) or are connected to each other (see 6 ) - can be regarded as two connector systems 200, wherein each connector system 200 has a connector arrangement 100 and a mating connector 50 and connector 1 and mating connector 50 are then connectable or connected to one another and contact elements 4 and mating contact elements 73 are electrically connectable or connected.

The connector 1 has a connector housing 70, which has the first contact carrier 5, the second contact carrier 6 and a cover 38 - here, for example, detachable from the first contact carrier 1 and optionally mountable in two different directions, here rotatable by 180°. The cover 38 protects the cables 34 of the contact elements 4 protruding from the contact chambers 3 and can let them emerge bundled as a cable harness by means of the opening, which here, for example, points to the left. Depending on the installation situation, the two covers 38 of the 5 and 6 point in the same direction (both to the left or both to the right) or in different directions (e.g. the left cover open to the left, the right cover open to the right - thus both pointing outwards; in other embodiments both can point towards each other with their openings for the cables 34).

It is also clearly visible that the locking element 17 is inserted or pushed into the connector 1 at the side of the narrow side of the connector in the Y direction Y.

The first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6 are detachably connected to one another in a non-destructive manner (here, for example, arranged one above the other along the insertion direction Z). This is achieved here, for example, by locking recesses 44 in the second contact carrier 6 or in the outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6 and by locking projections 45 of the first contact carrier 5 engaging from the inside into these locking recesses 44 - here, for example, the locking projections 45 being formed on the first contact carrier 5 on its outside or outer wall.

Both connectors 1 each have an operating element 39, here each in the form of a U-shaped lever 40, for example, which is mounted on the shafts 37 arranged on both sides as an operating element guide structure 69 of the second contact carrier 6.

For mounting on the shaft 37, each operating element 39 has a shaft receiving opening 42, which is arranged in a disk 59 - here, for example, approximately circular - with an arm of the lever 40 being arranged on the disk 59 (the two arms of the lever 40 are connected to one another outside the cover 38 by a cross member). A lever tooth 43 protruding radially outwards with respect to the shaft 37 is arranged on each disk 59 facing outwards. The shaft receiving opening 42 is provided approximately centrally in the disk 59. The disk 59 is placed or plugged onto the shaft 37 from the outside using the shaft receiving opening 42. The lever 40 can be rotated or displaced around the shaft 37 between a first position P1 (e.g. starting position) and a second position P2 (e.g. end position) relative to the connector housing 70 or the second contact carrier 6.

To illustrate the two lever positions, the lever 40 of the 5 right connector 1 (approximately horizontal) in the first position P1 and the lever 40 of the left connector 1 (approximately vertical) in the second position P2.

Radially outside the disk 59, a first disk guide element 60 is arranged on the first contact carrier 5 and a second disk guide element 61 (here in the form of two segments) is arranged on the second contact carrier 6, whereby the disk guide elements 60, 61 are here, for example, raised relative to the (outer) walls of the two contact carriers 5, 6 - in other words: they protrude outwards from the walls. The segments of the first and second disk guide elements 60, 61 each form (here for example) circular segments (and also a circular segment when put together), which run radially at a slight distance from an outer edge of the disk 59 (radial here is to be understood in relation to the shaft 37). This has the advantageous effect that when a strong force is applied to the operating element 39, which may lead to a strong load (e.g. twisting or compression, etc.) on the shaft 37 or the outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6, the disk 59 is nevertheless reliably and safely guided on a predetermined path and at the same time the load on the shaft 37 is relieved. The disk guide elements 60, 61 form a type of stop against excessive radial displacement of the disk 59 and limit a possible radial misalignment of the disk 59, which also contributes to a defined plugging or unplugging process of the connector 1 and the mating connector 50.

Both mating connectors 50 have a mating connector housing 80. The mating connector housing 80 of each mating connector 50 has a collar 58 which protrudes in the direction of the connector 1 (here: opposite to the insertion direction Z). The mating contact elements 73, here for example in the form of of male counter-contact elements 36. The collar 58 forms a kind of cup shape.

Furthermore, the collar 58 has two racks 51 on each of its two inner sides - here, for example, long ones - with which the lever tooth 43 of the operating element 39 can couple (on both arms of the lever 40, for example, a disk 59 with a lever tooth 43 is arranged here). The two racks 51 on each side are designed symmetrically to one another, so that the operating element 39 functions in both assembly directions - here, for example, rotated by half a turn around the vertical axis or insertion direction Z - or the lever tooth 43 can couple or interact with one or the other rack 51 in both assembly directions.

Viewed from top to bottom, the racks 51 initially have a first projection 52, then a rack recess 53, and then a second projection 54. The first projection 52 and the second projection 53 lie in one plane here, for example. The first projection 52 and the second projection 54 protrude the same distance here, for example parallel to the Y direction Y. When plugging the connector 1 and the mating connector 50 together, the lever 40 is initially in the first position P1. When plugging the connector 1 and the mating connector 50 together, the shaft 37 is inserted into a channel 75 or a gap between the two facing racks 51 or is received by the channel 75. When the connector 1 is placed on the mating connector 50, the lever tooth 43 slides into the gap or channel 75 between the two racks 51. If the lever 40 is then moved from the first position P1 towards the second position P2, the lever tooth 43 engages under or around the first projection 52 (in particular engaging in the rack recess 53) of one or the other rack 51, supports itself on its underside and pulls the connector 1 towards the mating connector 50. In this way, the (high) insertion forces (e.g. in the case of a multi-pin connector or connector 1) can be overcome by means of the lever transmission with less operating force from an installer.

When plugging the connector 1 and the mating connector 50 apart, the lever tooth 43 can, for example, be supported on the lower second projection 54 (on its upper side). When the lever 40 moves (for example from the second position P2) in the direction of the first position P1, the connector 1 can be detached from the mating connector 50, in particular in a simplified or easier manner, by this support.

Due to the symmetrical design of the two racks 51 (on the inner wall of the collar 58), the lever 40 can be used in both mounting directions (as in 5 shown or rotated by 180° about the insertion direction Z) on the second contact carrier 6 and fulfil its function in both mounting directions.

Preferably, a pair of racks 51 is arranged on opposite sides (here: inner sides) of the collar 58 of the mating connector 50. This allows the forces of the lever 40 to act particularly evenly. The connector 1 is designed here as an internal connector, for example. It is completely accommodated in the mating connector interior 74 with the contact carrier element 2, here for example in the state plugged together with the mating connector 50. The contact carrier element 2 here consists of just two elements, the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6.

It is understood that the racks 51 can alternatively be arranged on an outer side of the collar 58 (e.g. in the case of an external connector). It is also understood that instead of the rack-lever tooth structures, other coupling structures are also conceivable (e.g. projections that are guided in guides and the like).

The possibility of mounting the operating element 39 and the cover 38 (each as an identical part) in two different directions on the contact carrier element 2 enables a particularly simple, robust and cost-effective tool concept for the production of the connector 1, which at the same time can be adapted particularly flexibly to different installation situations.

In the exemplary embodiment of 5 it can be seen that a rack undercut 55 is formed on the mating connector 50 on the sides of the racks 51 facing away from the channel 75. A vertical guide projection 56 (running parallel to the insertion direction Z) is formed on the second contact carrier 6 outside the disk 59. It is designed in the form of a rod, for example. On the 5 Two such guide projections 56 are thus formed on the visible outer wall 12. On the other, opposite, outer wall 12 (in 5 not visible, as it points into the image plane), two guide projections 56 are also formed by way of example. Each guide projection 56 has a cover 57 which protrudes furthest from the outer wall 12 and partially covers the guide projection 56. Here, the cover 57 forms an undercut facing the disc 59, it projects parallel to the Y-direction Y beyond the guide projection 56 in the direction of the disc 59.

When plugging the connector 1 and the mating connector 50 together, a guide projection 56 (here: each guide projection) engages in a corresponding rack undercut 55. The cover 57 in turn engages the corresponding rack 51. In this way, for example, the connector 1 can be guided relative to the mating connector 50 parallel to the X direction X by means of the cover 57 and guided in the Y direction Y by means of the guide projection 56. The risk of tilting, jamming or slipping in a lateral direction during operation of the control element 39 is thereby reduced. The plugging process can therefore be carried out simply, safely, reliably and precisely.

Furthermore, in 5 It can be clearly seen that the cover 38 has a cover mounting projection 67 (one on the left side in 5 runs parallel to the Y-direction Y on a bottom side of the cover 3), which during assembly of the cover 38 through a mounting opening 66 (one runs vertically on the left side in 5 ) of the first contact carrier 5 and thus couples the cover 38 on a first side to the first contact carrier 5 or fastens it securely to it. Furthermore, the cover 38 has on its closed side (in 5 pointing to the right) has a tab (not visible here) with an opening that is designed to latch with a cover mounting projection 77 on the narrow side of the first contact carrier 5 (in the manner of a clip closure). Here, for example, a cover mounting projection 77 is formed on both narrow sides of the first contact carrier 5, in particular the two cover mounting projections 77 are formed symmetrically on the first contact carrier 5. The mounting openings 66 and the cover mounting projections 77 on the first contact carrier 5 are each formed symmetrically to one another (see e.g. also 8 ), so that the cover 38 can be mounted on the first contact carrier 5 in two different directions or orientations, e.g. rotated by 180° to each other.

6 shows the two connector systems 200 in the connected state (the two connectors 1 or connector arrangements 100 are connected to the two mating connectors 50, the contact elements 4 and the mating contact elements 73 are electrically connected to one another). Both operating elements 39 are in the second position P2. It is clearly visible that the connectors 1 are designed as internal connectors here. Both connectors 1, including their operating elements 39, are arranged within the collar 58 in the mating connector interior 74. This results in a particularly compact external shape of the connector system 200 and the movable elements (operating elements 39, disk 59, etc.) are particularly well protected against external influences.

It can be seen that the connector 1 is very simply constructed and can be assembled from just five individual components: first contact carrier 5, second contact carrier 6, cover 38 (here as an example as fixed parts) and operating element 39 as well as locking element 17 (here as an example as movable parts). Essentially only the two elements are necessary for the function: first contact carrier 5 and second contact carrier 6 - for a desired reduction in insertion force or operating force, the operating element 39 is also required as a third element.

This enables a particularly simple tool concept, robust tools, high flexibility of the connector 1, simple assembly, the use of many identical parts and elements separated according to function. Overall, the result is a connector 1 that is inexpensive to manufacture, robust and flexible to use.

7 shows a perspective detailed view of a connector 1 as it is used in the 5 and 6 is shown. The disk 59 with the lever tooth 43 attached to it can be clearly seen. The lever tooth 43 protrudes outwards (here in the second position P2, for example, parallel to the X direction X) from the disk 59 and radially outwards from the shaft receiving opening 42. With the various disk guide elements 60, 61 on the first and second contact carriers 5, 6, it is easy to see how these limit a radial displacement of the disk 59.

In the disk 59, there are - here two as an example - mounting structures 62 spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of the disk 50 for mounting the operating element 39 on the shaft 37. Here, the mounting structures 62 are designed as disk recesses 63, for example, which enlarge the shaft receiving opening 42 radially outwards in small angular sections. Corresponding shaft mounting structures 64 are formed on the shaft 37, which are designed to be complementary to the mounting structures 62. Here, the shaft mounting structures 64 are designed as radial projections 65, which protrude from the shaft 37 in the radial direction. The mounting structure 62 and the shaft mounting structure 64 ensure, on the one hand, correct mounting of the operating element 39 and, on the other hand, correct mounting of the operating element 39. ments 39 on the shaft 37 (correct angle). At the same time, the arrangement of the two structures 62, 64 also enables the operating element 39 to be mounted in two different directions. The shaft mounting structures 64 are arranged here, for example, symmetrically around the insertion direction Z. Furthermore, the shaft mounting structures 64 protrude from the outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6 or are spaced from the outer wall 12, in particular with their undersides. In other words: The shaft mounting structures 64 are designed in the manner of undercuts for the disk 59, whereby these undercuts here cover the disk, for example, here cover the edge of the shaft receiving opening 42 (with the exception of the locations of the mounting structures 62), see also 8 In this way, after assembly on the shaft 37, the disk 59 is guided closely against the outer wall 12 ((outer) axial guide or (outer) axial stop or guide parallel to the X-direction X) and cannot slip outwards from the shaft 37.

It is understood that, in principle, the mounting structure 62 and the shaft mounting structure 64 can be dispensed with or only one such structure or more than two of these structures can be provided.

8 shows a perspective exploded view of the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6, here as an example from above.

Guide projections 56 and covers 57 on the second contact carrier 6 for interaction with the racks 51 of the mating connector 50 are clearly visible. The same applies to the first and second disc guide elements 60, 61. The locking element 17 is not shown here, but can in principle be inserted from right to left into the locking channel 76 of the first contact carrier 5 in this view.

Furthermore, the openings 21 in the base 20 for the passage of the counter-contact elements 73 are clearly visible, as are the guide structures 15, which are arranged in blocks around the openings 21: two guide structures in the Y direction Y next to an opening 21 (at its edge) and another guide structure in the middle in front of an opening 21 in the direction of the outer wall 12. A fourth guide structure 15 is arranged as a continuous rib in the Y direction Y in the middle of the base 20 (see 9 ). As a result, the openings 21 are arranged as if in a recess in the base 20 and the front contact end 16 of a contact element 4 is guided in the lateral direction (XY plane) with only a small amount of play, so that the risk of an insecure or wobbly (primary) locking with the locking lance 7 is minimized and the risk of a back-plugging is also minimized.

The design of these guide structures 15 is particularly simple to realize, since they are arranged in the second contact carrier 6 and do not conflict with the design of the locking lances 7 during production. It is also advantageous in this way to realize the guide structures 15 in a single element together with the protective structure 8, so that no further element (e.g. no third contact carrier) is necessary.

In 8 It can also be seen that at the upper end of the first contact carrier 5, the contact chambers 3 are formed with contact chamber walls 46 that are closed all around; here, for example, an approximately rectangular cross-section of the contact chambers 3 is provided. The locking lances 7 are here, for example, only arranged in a lower section of the first contact carrier 5.

9 shows a further perspective exploded view of the first contact carrier 5 and the second contact carrier 6.

The arrangement of the guide structures 15 is particularly clearly visible on the base 20 of the second contact carrier 6. The openings 21 are arranged more in the center of the second contact carrier 6 when viewed parallel to the X direction X. Release openings 47 are formed in the base 20 of the protective structure 8 or protective wall 9, which simultaneously forms a contact chamber outer wall 11 and also the outer wall 12 of the second contact carrier 6. These release openings 47 are designed for the insertion of a release tool through which the contact element 4 can be released from the (primary) locking with the locking lance 7 by means of the release tool. Such a release element or release tool can be designed like a mandrel, for example. The release openings 47 are arranged outside the openings 21 when viewed parallel to the X direction X. They are separated from one another in the Y direction Y by the outer one of the guide structures 15. Viewed parallel to the Y direction Y, a release opening 47 is arranged between every two openings 21. The one of the guide structures 15 that is arranged between openings 21 adjacent in the Y direction Y points approximately to the center of the release opening 47. Damage to the contact element 4 by the release tool or the release of the wrong contact element 4 is advantageously prevented by the guide structure 15, here in the form of the various blocks.

By means of the second contact carrier 6 designed in this way, it is possible in a simple manner to provide not only the opening 21 but also the guide structure 15 and to incorporate the release opening 47 for the release of the contact elements 4 in a single component and at the same time to protect the locking lances 7 of the connector 1 against overpressure and to position the contact elements 4 at their front contact end 16 with little play in order to ensure secure (primary) locking and to minimize the risk of back-plugging. In particular, damage to the contact elements 4 during release or release of incorrect contact elements 4 can be made possible by this advantageous design with only a single component in the form of the second contact carrier 6, wherein the operating element 39 can also advantageously be mounted or stored or guided on the second contact carrier 6.

The locking lances 7 can be clearly seen on the first contact carrier 5, whereby the locking lances 7 here have, for example, a bevel 68 on one side towards the next locking lance 7, in which the thickness of the locking lance is reduced in the X direction X, here for example from the free end 13 to the root 14. The bevel 68 enables the formation of a particularly simple, robust and durable tool for the production of the first contact carrier 5. This is because mandrel-like projections are arranged in the tool between the locking lances 7, which are intended to prevent material from forming between adjacent locking lances 7. These projections are difficult to manufacture, can be easily damaged and wear out comparatively quickly, especially in the case of connectors 1 for miniaturized contact elements 4 (e.g. with side lengths of the contact box cross sections of at most 2.5 mm, preferably of at most 2.0 mm, particularly preferably of at most 1.8 mm and most preferably of at most 1.5 mm). The design of the chamfer 68 (here, for example, on just one side of the locking lance 7) enables the formation of a defined distance to the next locking lance 7 and, at the same time, the formation of a thicker projection in the tool, which does not wear out as quickly and also seals better against a counter-tool, thereby reducing the risk of burrs forming between the locking lances 7. Another advantage of the design of the chamfer 68 is that the spring effect of the locking lance 7 (elastically reversible locking lance 7) can also be specifically adjusted. In principle, it is also conceivable that a chamfer 68 is arranged on both sides (to the locking lance directly next to it) of the locking lance 7.

10 shows a perspective view of the first contact carrier 5, here from the side and below.

In addition to the 9 described bevel 68 on the side of the locking lances 7 are in 10 The locking projections 48 or locking hooks on the free end 13 of the locking lances 7, which are directed inwards here as an example, can also be clearly seen. The locking lance 7 has a first width B1 at the free end 13. The locking projection 48 arranged on the free end 13 has a second width B2. The second width B2 of the locking projection 48 is smaller than the first width B1, the second width B2 is, for example, from 50% of the first width to 85% of the first width B1, here, for example, approximately 75% of the first width B1.

In the event of a necessary unlocking, the unlocking tool can engage at the point on the locking lance 7 where the locking projection 48 is recessed (i.e. does not extend over the entire first width B1) in order to displace the locking lance 7 in the direction of the arrow with the reference number 25 and to disengage the locking projection 48 from the first undercut 18 of the contact element (see 4 ) - then the contact element 4 can be pulled out of the contact chamber 3, for example by pulling on the cable 34. As in connection with 9 As described, the unlocking tool can be inserted through the unlocking opening 47 of the contact chamber 3 belonging to the contact element 4 to be unlocked.

Overall, the connector 1 presented can be advantageously manufactured with a few, comparatively simple and durable tools, and various complex functionalities of the connector 1 can be provided with a few elements (protection against overpressure of the locking lance 7 when inserting the contact element and/or when unlocking, protection against rear insertion, robust arrangement of an operating element 39, secure (primary) locking, reliable guidance of a locking element 17 (secondary locking), flexible assembly of the connector 1 (in particular of the cover 38 and/or operating element 39) depending on different installation situations, secure guidance of the operating element 39 in the radial and axial direction, etc.). The connector 1 can be designed for all types of contact elements 4, preferably for clean-body contact elements. It can be designed for contact elements 4 of different sizes. It is particularly advantageous for high-pole connectors (e.g. more than 10 contact elements or more than 30 contact elements). It is particularly advantageous for connectors for miniaturized contact elements (side lengths in the cross section of at most 2.5 mm or at most 2.0 mm or at most 1.8 mm or at most 1.5 mm). The connector 1 can be implemented as an internal connector or as an external connector. It can be implemented as a sealed connector 1 (e.g. similar to the connectors from 1 to 3 ) or as a non-sealed connector 1.

Claims (15)

Connector (1) with a contact carrier element (2) which has a contact chamber (3) for receiving a contact element (4) along an insertion direction (Z), the contact carrier element (2) having: -- a first contact carrier (5); -- a second contact carrier (6); wherein the first contact carrier (5) has a locking lance (7) that can be deflected parallel to an X direction (X) transversely to the insertion direction (Z) for locking with the contact element (4), wherein the second contact carrier (6) has a protective structure (8), in particular a protective wall (9), which does not overlap with the locking lance (7) when viewed along the insertion direction (Z), which limits a deflection of the locking lance (7) in the X direction (X), in particular when inserting the contact element (4) and/or when unlocking the contact element (4) by means of an unlocking tool, in particular in such a way that the locking lance (7) is not plastically deformed, wherein the first contact carrier (5) and the second contact carrier (6) are connected to one another in a non-destructively detachable manner, wherein the second contact carrier (6) has a base (20), wherein an opening (21) is provided in the base (20) for each contact chamber (3). through which a mating contact element (73) of a mating connector (50) can be inserted or through which the contact element (4) can protrude towards the mating connector (50), wherein a release opening (47) is formed in the base (20) for each contact chamber (3) for inserting a release tool through to release the contact element (4) from the locking connection with the locking lance (7), wherein the release openings (47) are each arranged outside the openings (21) when viewed parallel to the X direction (X). Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the protective structure (8) forms at least in sections a contact chamber outer wall (11), in particular a lateral one, which delimits the contact chamber (3) from an external environment (10). Plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking lance (7) is arranged on the first contact carrier (5) in such a way that when the contact element (4) is inserted and/or when the contact element (4) is unlocked, it is displaced in the direction of an outer wall (12) of the second contact carrier (6), in particular in the direction of the nearest outer wall (12) of the second contact carrier (6). Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective structure (8) extends along at least 25% of a length (L) of the locking lance (7), preferably from a free end (13) of the locking lance (7) to a root (14) of the locking lance (7). Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first contact carrier (5) is formed from a first material (M1), wherein the second contact carrier (6) is formed from a second material (M2), wherein the first material (M1) and the second material (M2) are different. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second contact carrier (6) has a guide structure (15) which is designed to limit a play of a contact end (16) of a contact element (4) received in the contact chamber (3) perpendicular to the insertion direction (Z), in particular parallel to the X-direction (X) and/or parallel to the Y-direction Y, in particular to less than 0.15 mm. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) has a locking element (17), which can be displaced in particular in a Y direction (Y) perpendicular to the insertion direction (Z) and perpendicular to the X direction (X), which is designed to lock a contact element (4) arranged in the contact chamber (3) in the contact chamber (3), wherein the locking element (17) is guided almost completely by means of the first contact carrier (5), wherein in particular a play of the locking element (17) parallel to the insertion direction (Z) is limited almost exclusively by the first contact carrier (5). Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact carrier element (2) has a plurality of contact chambers (3) adjacent to one another in the X direction, wherein for at least two of the adjacent contact chambers (3) -- the first contact carrier (5) has a locking lance (7) each, and -- the second contact carrier (6) has a protective structure (8), which in particular does not overlap with the respective locking lance (7) when viewed along the insertion direction (Z), which limits a deflection of the locking lance (7) parallel to the X direction (X), in particular in such a way that the locking lance (7) is not plastically deformed. Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking lances (7) of the respective outermost of the contact chambers (3) adjacent in the X direction (X) are designed such that they when inserting a contact element (4) and/or when unlocking a contact element (4) can be pivoted outwards. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) has an operating element (39) for reducing the operating force, in particular a lever (40) and/or a slider, wherein the second contact carrier (6) has an operating element guide structure (69) which is designed to guide the operating element (39). Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the operating element guide structure (69) is selected from the group: -- a shaft (37), in particular for receiving in a shaft receiving opening (42) of the operating element (39); -- a through-opening, in particular for supporting a shaft (37) of the operating element (39); -- a projection, in particular for guiding a guide of the operating element (39); -- a guide, in particular for receiving a projection of the operating element (39). Connector (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the operating element (39) can be mounted on the connector (1) in two different directions, in particular directions differing from one another by 180°. Connector arrangement (100), comprising: -- a connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims; -- a contact element (4) which is accommodated in the contact chamber (3), in particular is plugged into the contact chamber (3). Connector arrangement (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the contact element (4) has a, in particular front, first undercut (18) for locking with the locking lance (7), wherein in particular the contact element (4) has a, in particular rear, second undercut (19) for locking by means of the locking element (17) according to claim 7 . Connector system (200), comprising: -- a connector arrangement (100) according to one of the two preceding claims; -- a mating connector arrangement with a mating contact element; wherein the connector arrangement (100) is connectable to the mating connector arrangement, wherein the contact element (4) is electrically connectable to the mating contact element.

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