WO2012119899A1

WO2012119899A1 - Connector housing for a connector as well as connector or connecting device

Info

Publication number: WO2012119899A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/053407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dieter Lietz; Alfons Ketteler; Fabian ULLRICH
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-03-10
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Also published as: DE102011005385A1; DE102011005385B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector housing (10) for a connector (1), in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector (1), or a connection device, having a locking plate (20) for locking the connector housing (10) to a counter-connector (2), the locking plate (20) being provided so as to be able to be tilted with respect to the connector housing (10) by means of a pivot joint (100) and being resiliently supported on the connector housing (10) by means of a resilient device (200) which is separate from the pivot joint (100). The invention further relates to a connector (1), in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or a connection device, preferably for the automotive sector, the connector (1) or the connection device having a connector housing (10) according to the invention.

Description

CONNECTOR HOUSING FOR A CONNECTOR AS WELL AS CONNECTOR OR

CONNECTOR DEVICE

The invention relates to a connector housing for a connector, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or a connection device having a locking plate for locking the connector housing to a counter-connector. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or a connection device, preferably for the automotive sector, the connector or the connection device having a connector housing according to the invention.

In electronics and electrical engineering, there are known a large number of electrical pin or stud and socket connectors, - referred to below as (electrical) (plug type) connectors, counter-connectors or connection devices - which serve to transmit electrical voltages, currents and/or signals with the greatest possible range of voltages, currents, frequencies and data rates. In particular in the automotive sector, such electrical connectors must

permanently ensure correct transmission of signals, data and/or electrical power under dirty, damp and/or chemically aggressive conditions. Owing to a large range of applications for such connectors, a large number of specially constructed pin and socket connectors are known.

Such electrical connectors or the connector housings thereof may be assembled on an electrical line, or on another electrical device, such as, for example, a printed-circuit board, or on/in a housing of an electrical or electronic device; in the last case, it is possible to refer to a connection device. If a connector is located on a line or a cable, it is usually referred to as a floating (plug type) connector, a plug or a coupling; if it is located on/in an

electrical/electronic device, it is usually referred to as a flush type plug or a (flush type) socket. Furthermore, a counter-connector is often also referred to as a plug receiving member, particularly when the counter-connector has a support collar which is intended to ensure a more robust connection between a plug type connector and the counter-connector, that is to say, the plug receiving member.

Furthermore, transmission of data is becoming increasingly significant. High demands with regard to data transmission are nowadays a decisive factor in almost every industrial sector, such as, for example, the computer or the automotive industry. In this instance, in addition to electrical connectors, wide product ranges of optical and electro-optical connectors which ensure high rates of data transmission are required. For instance, in a motor vehicle, for example, entertainment and infotainment data are exchanged via an optical bus. These and also other optical data transmission technologies require connectors and connection devices which optically and/or electrically couple or connect together the optical or electro-optical components, such as pigtails or (hybrid/plug type) connectors with optical and/or electrical contacts and a glass or plastics optical wave guide cable and optionally an electrical line or an electrical cable.

In this instance, high demands are made of a locking system of two electrical and/or optical connectors. On the one hand, a locking or a catch force of a locking or catch plate of the connector by means of which the connector is able to be locked or engaged with the counter- connector is intended to be permanently high and, on the other hand, this force is intended to differ over a large number of connectors of the same type only to a small extent. In order to be able to deal with changing conditions in a flexible manner, it is further desirable to be able to influence this force with only a low level of complexity for all connectors of the same type. Furthermore, the locking is intended to be robust, withstand vibrations and be protected against unintentional overextension. In this instance, with locking plates which are fastened to a connector housing with a longitudinal end portion, it is only possible to release a locking action which is established therewith only at a free longitudinal end portion of the locking plate, which is only possible in a troublesome manner by reaching below it and lifting it.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved connector housing for an electrical and/or optical connector, and/or an improved electrical and/or optical connection device. Furthermore, an object of the invention is to provide an improved connector, in particular a plug type connector, and/or an improved connection device, preferably for the automotive sector. A permanently high locking force of a locking plate of the connector housing is intended to be able to be achieved in this instance, which is further intended to be able to be influenced in a comparatively simple manner for all connectors of the same type. The locking plate is intended to be protected against unintentional overextension and to be comparatively simple to operate. Furthermore, handling of the equipped connector housing, that is to say, the connector, is intended to be improved. The object of the invention is achieved by means of a connector housing for a connector, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or a connection device, having a locking plate for locking the connector housing to a counter-connector according to claim 1; and by means of a connector, in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or a connection device, preferably for the automotive sector, according to claim 11.

Advantageous developments of the invention will be appreciated from the dependent claims.

The connector housing has a locking plate for locking the connector housing to a counter- connector, the locking plate being provided so as to be able to be tilted on the one hand with respect to the connector housing by means of a pivot joint. On the other hand, according to the invention, the locking plate is resiliently supported on the connector housing by means of a resilient device which is separate from the pivot joint, that is to say, is provided separately therefrom. That is to say, the pivot joint may be constructed according to the invention in such a manner that it only has to carry out its pivot or support function between the locking plate and the connector housing and no longer as in the prior art (see below) a resilient function in addition. Owing to the separation of the resilient function from the articulation function, a high locking force can be achieved for the locking plate. The resilient device and the separately constructed pivot joint are each arranged between the connector housing and the locking plate in such a manner that, in an open position of the locking plate on the connector housing, a mechanical force or a mechanical torque can be exerted or applied in the direction of a locking position of the locking plate on the connector housing. In this instance, a resilient force which can be produced by means of the resilient device between the connector housing and the locking plate can act mainly perpendicularly relative to a pivot axis of the pivot joint and/or a longitudinal axis of the locking plate.

In embodiments of the invention, the resilient device is provided between the connector housing and a longitudinal and/or a transverse end of the locking plate. In this instance, the resilient device may be constructed as a bow, clamping or yoke spring which extends in particular at the outer side on the connector housing to the locking plate or vice versa.

Furthermore, two resilient devices are preferably provided between the connector housing and the locking plate in such a manner that the resilient force thereof can be established in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the pivot axis and/or the longitudinal axis of the locking plate. The locking plate can thereby be actuated on both longitudinal end portions; on that of the resilient device by means of a pressing force on that longitudinal end portion, and at the longitudinal end portion opposite it, by raising this longitudinal end portion, which preferably also has a catch device of the locking plate.

According to the invention, the resilient device and the catch device of the locking plate may be provided on mutually offset portions, in particular on mutually offset longitudinal portions, of the locking plate. In this instance, the portions may partially overlap each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis or may be provided spaced-apart from each other. The pivot joint may be provided in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the locking plate between the resilient device and the catch device. That is to say, in a direction of the longitudinal axis, the catch device appears first, then the pivot joint and finally the resilient device, or vice versa, the relevant portions again being able to overlap or be spaced apart from each other. The resilient device and the catch device are preferably provided at longitudinal end portions of the locking plate facing away from each other.

A resilient force of the resilient device or the bow spring can be simply adjusted by means of its sizing, in particular the height, thickness and radius thereof, without any function of the pivot joint being impaired. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the resilient device is constructed as a curved resilient member which extends between the connector housing and the locking plate. The curved resilient member may be a part-ring or a peripheral portion of a hollow cylinder which is preferably a comparatively short hollow cylinder whose peripheral portion covers approximately 180°. The locking plate and an outer side of the connector housing are substantially parallel with each other in this instance. By means of the resilient device or the curved resilient member, a gap present in the prior art between the locking plate and the connector housing is further closed so that a line or cable can no longer become entangled at that location. In embodiments of the invention, the curved resilient member, that is to say, the curved longitudinal extent thereof, may be located in a plane which is mainly parallel with the pivot axis of the locking plate. In this instance, two mutually opposing curved resilient members are preferably provided or formed between the connector housing and the locking plate. Furthermore, the curved resilient member may be located in a plane which is mainly parallel with the longitudinal axis of the locking plate. In this instance, two curved resilient members which are located beside each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the locking plate are then preferably provided or formed between the connector housing and the locking plate. Furthermore, the curved resilient member may be arranged in a plane which is mainly parallel with the pivot axis of the locking plate and which in turn is again mainly parallel with the longitudinal axis of the locking plate. In this instance, two curved resilient members preferably then extend laterally away from the locking plate and towards an outer side of the connector housing. Attachment to the connector housing is preferably brought about by means of a plate which is provided or formed thereon.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, there is provided between the locking plate and the connector housing an overextension safety system by means of which a movement of the locking plate with respect to the connector housing beyond the open position of the locking plate on the connector housing can be blocked. To this end, an abutment face of the locking plate preferably moves into abutment with an abutment face of the connector housing.

Movability of the locking plate with respect to the connector housing is blocked, in particular in the direction of the open position of the locking plate. The overextension safety system may be provided in a region of the resilient device between the locking plate and the connector housing. An inner side of the locking plate and an outer side of the connector housing may be used as abutment faces between the locking plate and the connector housing.

In embodiments of the invention, the connector housing and the locking plate are

constructed together in an integral manner, in particular in a materially integral manner, this integral connection preferably also being formed via the pivot joint and/or via the resilient device. Furthermore, the pivot joint between the connector housing and the locking plate is preferably constructed in a rigid manner in a depth direction of the connector housing and so as to be either resiliency soft or resiliency hard about the pivot axis. A ratio of a height of the resilient device, in particular of the curved resilient member, in the longitudinal direction with respect to the thickness thereof is preferably from approximately 1: 1 to approximately 4: 1; and a lever ratio on the locking plate between the catch device of the locking plate with respect to the pivot axis and the resilient device with respect to the pivot axis is also from approximately 1: 1 to approximately 4: 1. The locking plate may be pretensioned in the locking position, the catch device of the locking plate, without engagement in the counter- connector, being able to abut the connector housing.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments and the appended drawings. In the detailed Figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective side view, when viewed obliquely from above, of a locking plate which is constructed in an integral manner on a connector housing according to the prior art; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, also of a locking plate which is constructed on a connector housing in a materially integral manner according to the prior art;

Figure 3 is a perspective side view, when viewed obliquely from above, of a first embodiment of a locking plate according to the invention on a connector housing according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective side view, when viewed from below, of the first embodiment of the connector housing with the locking plate;

Figure 5 is a two-dimensional plan view of the first embodiment of the locking plate in the region of the resilient device thereof;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a second embodiment of the locking plate according to the invention on the connector housing according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a two-dimensional longitudinal side view of the second embodiment of the locking plate in the rest position thereof; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but as a cross-section, of the second embodiment of the locking plate; and.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 of the second embodiment of the locking plate in the open position thereof.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the illustration of an eight-pole electrical plug type connector for the automotive industry based on the prior art. However, the invention is not limited to electrical plug type connectors in the automotive industry but instead can be used on all electrical, optical or electro-optical connectors, such as, for example, floating connectors, or connection devices on a corresponding apparatus or device, in all those fields of technology in which electrical, optical or electro-optical connectors or connection devices are required. The term connector housing or housing is also intended to be understood below to refer to the term (connector) housing member or portion, that is to say, the term connector housing is also intended to refer to only an integral component or a region of a housing of a connector. Figures 1 and 2 each illustrate prior art, a locking plate 30 being constructed in a materially integral manner with the connector housing 10 on a connector housing 10 of a connector 1. The materially integral connection is constructed as a hinge 100 which, in addition to its hinge function, also provides a resilient force between the connector housing 10 and the locking plate 30. The resilient or closure forces which can be obtained thereby are comparatively small owing to a long lever of the locking plate 30 (see Figure 1) or the hinge 100 which is constructed as a resilient hinge (see Figure 2). An overextension safety system for the locking plate 30 of Figure 1 is constructed in a complex manner and the locking plate 30, in order to release a mechanical connection of the connector 1 with a counter-connector, can be moved in an opening direction only at the free longitudinal end portion thereof. With the locking plate 30 of Figure 2, it is problematic that a line or cable can be introduced at an upper end (with reference to Figure 2) between the locking plate 30 and the connector housing 10.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the first configuration of a locking plate 20 according to the invention on a connector housing 10 according to the invention of an electrical connector 1, these preferably being constructed in a materially integral manner with each other. The locking plate 20, also referred to as a catch plate 20, serves to lock the connector 1 or the connector housing 10 on/in a counter-connector 2 or a connector housing of the counter- connector (see Figure 6). In this instance, the counter-connector 2 is constructed so as to correspond to the connector 1, that is to say, in the manner of a positive to a negative. The connector 1 is illustrated in the drawings without electrical contact devices provided therein and without electrical lines or cables.

The locking plate 20 which extends in a longitudinal direction L at an outer side of the connector housing 10 substantially parallel therewith is provided on the connector housing 10 so as to be able to be pivoted or tilted by means of a pivot joint 100, which can also be referred to as a tilting joint 100, hinge 100 or swivel joint 100. The pivot joint 100, in an upper third (with reference to Figure 3) of the locking plate 20, secures the locking plate to the connector housing 10 preferably in an integral manner, whereby the locking plate 20 is provided so as to be able to be moved about a pivot axis K on the connector 1. At a lower free end portion, the locking plate 20 has a catch device 220, by means of which the locking plate 20 and consequently also the connector housing 10 can be secured, that is to say, engaged or locked, on the counter-connector 2.

At a restricted end portion opposite the catch device 220, the locking plate 20 has a resilient device 200, by means of which the locking plate 20 is resiliently supported on the connector housing 10, the locking plate 20 preferably being integrally connected to the connector housing 10 by means of the resilient device 200. The resilient device 200 is preferably constructed as a bow spring 200, clamping spring 200, yoke spring 200 or curved resilient member 200, curved resilient members 200 being illustrated in the drawings in each case. A resilient force or a locking force for the locking plate 20 results mainly from the resilient device 200, this resilient force or locking force being able to be supported by means of a force from the preferably solid or massive pivot joint 100. This is completely dependent on the dimensions, in particular a thickness in the longitudinal direction L and a height of the pivot joint 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two resilient devices 200 or curved resilient members 200 are provided between the locking plate 20 and the connector housing 10. A single curved resilient member 200 extends at the longitudinal end portion of the locking plate 20 opposite the free longitudinal end portion firstly in a first direction of the pivot axis K of the locking plate 20 away from the locking plate, then curves increasingly in a depth direction T of the connector housing 10, until it finally extends in a direction of the pivot axis K counter to the first direction and is then secured to the connector housing 10. To this end, the connector housing 10 preferably has a plate 110 which extends away in a longitudinal direction L. However, this can also be produced by a portion of the connector housing 10. A connection of the curved resilient member 200 to the locking plate 20 is preferably brought about at an outer securing region 214 of the locking plate 20, the curved resilient member 200 then extending at an outer side of the connector housing 10 and being secured at that location to a securing region 114. Preferably, two such curved resilient members 200 are provided facing each other between the locking plate 20 and the connector housing 10, a respective curved resilient member 200 preferably being constructed as a circular annular portion which extends over approximately 180° (see in particular Figures 3 and 5). A resilient force can be adjusted in a comfortable and also precise manner via the dimensions of the respective curved resilient member 200. In addition to a material, in particular a height of the curved resilient member 200 in the longitudinal direction L, a thickness and/or a length or a radius of the curved resilient member 200 are suitable for this purpose.

It is naturally possible to provide the resilient devices 200 or the curved resilient members 200 in another manner, or to provide only one individual resilient device 200 as described above. In particular, it is possible to first allow a curved resilient member, at the longitudinal end of the locking plate 20 opposite the free longitudinal end portion, to extend away from the locking plate 20 in a longitudinal direction L in order to then increasingly bend in the depth direction T and finally to be secured to the connector housing 10. In this instance, two curved resilient members may again be provided symmetrically on the locking plate 20.

The pivot joint 100 is preferably not formed over an entire extent of the width of the locking plate 20 in the direction of the pivot axis K between the connector housing 10 and the locking plate 20 but instead preferably has two portions or pillars which have a free space in a centre of the extent of the width. The pivot joint 100 thereby produces less resilient force and a statically defined support of the locking plate 20 on the connector housing 10 is produced. Furthermore, the pivot joint 100 may extend laterally beyond the locking plate 20 and may further be integrally connected to a longitudinal side of the locking plate 20 at that location by means of a strut (see Figures 3 and 4). Stable fastening of the locking plate 20 to the connector housing 10 is thereby produced.

Figures 6 to 89 illustrate the second embodiment of the invention, in particular the resilient device 200 or the curved resilient member 200 being constructed differently. In this instance, the curved resilient member 200 is constructed so as to be thicker and also higher in the longitudinal direction L than in the first embodiment of the invention. A greater resilient force is thereby produced, which a single curved resilient member 200 can apply to the locking plate 20. Furthermore, a radius of the curved resilient member 200 is smaller, that is to say, a length of the curved resilient member 200 is shortened with respect to the first embodiment. Furthermore, this embodiment has no fastening of the pivot joint 100 to the longitudinal sides of the locking plate 20; the struts are not provided in this instance, and the pivot joint 100 preferably terminates laterally in a flush manner with the locking plate 20. Preferably, there is formed or provided between the locking plate 20 and the connector housing 10 an overextension safety system 112, 212, which prevents excessive movement of the locking plate 20 on the connector housing 10 (see in particular Figures 5, and 88 and 9). Preferably, the overextension safety system 112, 212 is effective from a specific open position O of the locking plate 20 on the connector housing 10; in this instance, the curved resilient members 200, which have a tendency to expand again, then apply a force to the locking plate 20 in the closure direction. The open position O of the locking plate 20 on the connector housing 10 is illustrated only in Figure 9, Tthe remaining Figures illustrate the connector 1 or the connector housing 10 in a subsequent locking position V which corresponds to a rest position of the resilient device 200 or the locking plate 20.

The overextension safety system 112, 212 may be provided or formed at an end portion of the locking plate 20 opposite the catch device 220 between the locking plate 20 and the outer side of the connector housing 10. The overextension safety system 112, 212 is preferably constructed as abutment faces 112, 212 which can be brought into abutment with each other and which come to rest on each other, when the locking plate 20 is in its completely open position, the open position O (see Figure 9). In this instance, one of the abutment faces 112, 212, in this instance it is the abutment face 212 of the locking plate 20, can be chamfered in such a manner or constructed on the locking plate 20 in such a manner that, in the open position O, it moves into planar abutment with the corresponding abutment face 112 of the connector housing 10.

In this instance, abutment faces 112, 212 which face each other in the locking position V form a slot which is laterally bridged outwards in the direction of the pivot axis K by a curved resilient member 200. The slot opens at the upper longitudinal end (with reference to Figures 3 and 6) of the locking plate 20 and at an inner region between the locking plate 20 and the connector housing 10. The pivot joint 100 is then located in the longitudinal direction L further downwards on the locking plate 20. An inner side of the curved resilient member 200 may merge in the securing region 114 into the abutment face 112 of the connector housing 10.

The locking plate 20 preferably has, in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, two free longitudinal ends, the pivot joint 100 being provided between the locking plate 20 and the connector housing 10 between these two free longitudinal ends and with spacing therefrom. That is to say, when the locking plate 20 is pivoted, both longitudinal ends or longitudinal end portions of the locking plate 20 become tilted. Between the one longitudinal end or longitudinal end portion and the pivot joint 100, there is provided the catch device 220 which is preferably constructed as a catch hook 220. In this instance, it is preferable for the catch hook 220 to be located on the free longitudinal end portion. Furthermore, the resilient device 200 is provided between the other longitudinal end or longitudinal end portion and the pivot joint 100. In this instance, it is preferable for the resilient device 100 to be located at the free longitudinal end portion or at the free longitudinal end.

It is further preferable for the pivot joint 100 and consequently also the locking plate 20 to be located at a side of the connector housing 10 at which a secondary locking for electrical contact devices of the connector housing 10 is also located. Furthermore, it is preferable for the secondary locking for the contact devices to be brought about by means of a device on the connector housing 10, which is preferably constructed so as to be materially of one piece, that is to say, integral, with the connector housing 10 by means of a film hinge (see Figures 3, 4, 8 and 89). In this instance, there may be provided, for example, at two mutually opposing sides of the connector housing 10, one or more such devices for the secondary locking of the contact devices. Furthermore, this secondary locking described above may be constructed as a primary locking of the contact devices.

The connector housing 10 according to the invention is in particular constructed in such a manner that it can receive the electrical contact devices without other components and can adequately secure them, that is to say, at least a primary engagement and optionally also a secondary engagement for the contact devices is provided. According to the invention, the entire connector housing 10 for the connector 1 may be constructed materially in one piece, that is to say, integrally (see Figures 3 and 4) without, apart from the contact devices with the electrical lines provided thereon, additional components being required for a complete connector 1. In particular in this instance, no second component is required for a primary and optionally a secondary engagement.

Claims

C LAIMS

1. Connector housing for a connector (1), in particular an electrical and/or optical plug type connector (1), or a connection device, having a locking plate (20) for locking the connector housing (10) to a counter-connector (2),

the locking plate (20) being provided so as to be able to be tilted with respect to the connector housing (10) by means of a pivot joint (100) and being resiliently supported on the connector housing (10) by means of a resilient device (200) which is separate from the pivot joint (100).

2. Connector housing according to claim 1, the resilient device (200) and the pivot joint (100) which is provided or constructed separately therefrom each being arranged between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20) in such a manner that,

in an open position (O) of the locking plate (20) on the connector housing (10), a mechanical force or a mechanical torque can be exerted or applied in the direction of a locking position (V) of the locking plate (20) on the connector housing (10),

a resilient force which can be produced by means of the resilient device (200) between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20) preferably acting mainly perpendicularly relative to a pivot axis (K) of the pivot joint (100) and/or a longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20).

3. Connector housing according to either of the preceding claims, the resilient device (200) being provided between the connector housing (10) and a longitudinal and/or a transverse end of the locking plate (20),

the resilient device (200) preferably being constructed as a bow spring (200), a clamping spring (200) or yoke spring (200) which extends in particular at the outer side on the connector housing (10) to the locking plate (20) or vice versa, and

two resilient devices (200) preferably being provided between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20) in such a manner that the resilient force thereof can be established in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the pivot axis (K) and/or the longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20).

4. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, the resilient device (200) and a catch device (220) of the locking plate (20) being provided on mutually offset portions of the locking plate (20), and/or

the pivot joint (100) preferably being provided in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20) between the resilient device (200) and the catch device (220) of the locking plate (20),

the resilient device (200) and the catch device (220) of the locking plate (20) in particular being provided at longitudinal end portions of the locking plate (20) facing away from each other.

5. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, the resilient device (200) being constructed as a curved resilient member (200) which extends between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20),

the curved resilient member (200) preferably being a peripheral portion of a hollow cylinder, which is in particular a comparatively short hollow cylinder whose peripheral portion covers substantially 180°.

6. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, the curved resilient member (200) being located in a plane which is mainly parallel with the pivot axis (K) of the locking plate (20) and two mutually opposing curved resilient members (200) preferably being provided between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20), or

the curved resilient member (200) being located in a plane which is mainly parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20) and two curved resilient members (200) which are located beside each other with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20) preferably being provided between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20).

7. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, the curved resilient member (200) being arranged in a plane which is mainly parallel with the pivot axis (K) of the locking plate (20) and which in turn is again mainly parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) of the locking plate (20),

two curved resilient members (200) preferably extending laterally away from the locking plate (20) and towards an outer side of the connector housing (10), attachment to the connector housing (10) preferably being brought about by means of a plate (110) which is provided or formed thereon.

8. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, there being provided between the locking plate (20) and the connector housing (10) an overextension safety system (112, 212) by means of which a movement of the locking plate (20) with respect to the connector housing (10) beyond the open position (O) of the locking plate (20) on the connector housing (10) can be blocked,

an abutment face (212) of the locking plate (20) preferably moving into abutment with an abutment face (112) of the connector housing (10) and movability of the locking plate (20) with respect to the connector housing (10) being blocked in particular in a single pivot direction (S) about the pivot axis (K).

9. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, the overextension safety system (112, 212) being provided in a region of the resilient device (200) between the locking plate (20) and the connector housing (10),

an inner side of the locking plate (20) being able to be brought into mutual abutment with an outer side of the connector housing (10) as abutment faces (112, 212) between the locking plate (20) and the connector housing (10).

10. Connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims,

• the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20) being constructed together in an integral manner, in particular in a materially integral manner;

• the connector housing (10) being constructed in an integral manner, in particular in a materially integral manner, with the locking plate (20) via the pivot joint (100);

• the connector housing (10) being constructed in an integral manner, in particular in a materially integral manner, with the locking plate (20) via the resilient device (200);

• the pivot joint (100) being provided in a central region of the locking plate (20) and the connector housing (10);

• the pivot joint (100) between the connector housing (10) and the locking plate (20) being constructed in a rigid manner in a depth direction (T) of the connector housing (10) and so as to be resiliency soft or resiliency hard about the pivot axis (K); • a ratio of a height of the resilient device (200), in particular of the curved resilient member (200), in the longitudinal direction (L) with respect to the thickness thereof is approximately 1: 1, approximately 1.5: 1, approximately 2: 1, approximately 2.5: 1, approximately 3: 1 or approximately 4: 1;

• a lever ratio on the locking plate (20) between the catch device (220) of the locking plate (20) with respect to the pivot axis (K) and the resilient device (200) with respect to the pivot axis (K) is approximately 1: 1, approximately 1.5: 1,

approximately 2: 1, approximately 2.5: 1, approximately 3: 1 or approximately 4: 1; and/or

• the locking plate (20) is pretensioned in the locking position (V), the catch device (220) of the locking plate (20), without engagement in the counter-connector (2), being able to abut the connector housing (10).

11. Connector, in particular electrical and/or optical plug type connector, or connection device, preferably for the automotive sector, the connector (1) or the connection device having a connector housing (10), which is constructed in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10.