Abstract:
An electrical plug connector with a plug-connection member and with an angled cable outlet member is provided. The cable outlet member is able to be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in a plurality of orientations. In order to develop the electrical plug connector such that it is simple to manipulate even when using relatively thick cables, it is proposed that the cable outlet member be able to be connected detachably to the plug-connection member by a pivoting movement about a pivot axis arranged obliquely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member or by a linear movement along the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of German application number 10 2014 104 449.5 filed on Mar. 28, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an electrical plug connector with a plug-connection member which can be plug-connected with a complementarily configured plug-connection member in order to produce an electrical connection and which has a longitudinal axis, and with a cable outlet member which has a cable guidance channel with a front channel section facing the plug-connection member and oriented in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member and with a rear channel section remote from the plug-connection member and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member, the cable outlet member being able to be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in a plurality of orientations. 
         [0003]    Electrical plug connectors of this type are used for example to produce an electrical connection between a first cable and a second cable, or alternatively to produce an electrical connection between a first cable and an electrical appliance. To this end, a plug-connection member of the plug connector can be plug-connected with a complementarily configured plug-connection member. The plug-connection member may for example be formed as a connecting plug which can be inserted into a connecting socket, or alternatively as a connecting socket into which a connecting plug can be inserted. A cable may be guided through to the plug-connection member through a cable guidance channel of the cable outlet member. The cable guidance channel has a front channel section facing the plug-connection member and a rear channel section remote from the plug-connection member. In order to keep the overall length of the electrical plug connector as low as possible, the rear channel section is oriented at an angle to the front channel section. The cable which is passed through the cable guidance channel thus undergoes curvature in the cable guidance channel in the region between the front channel section and the rear channel section. 
         [0004]    The cable outlet member can be connected detachably to the plug-connection member, it being able to be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in a plurality of orientations, so that the rear channel section can assume different angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member and thus the cable can be guided in different directions. 
         [0005]    An electrical plug connector with an insulating body and an angled strain relief element is known from publication EP 2 323 228 A2. The insulating body is provided with a square collar which has a circumambient recess with latching cut-outs. The angled strain relief element has a matching connection opening and also a U-shaped rail which surrounds the connection opening on three sides. The rail has latching noses and latching hooks, and may be inserted into the recess of the isolating body, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the insulating body in four different orientations, which are each arranged at an angle of 90° offset relative to each other. 
         [0006]    Pushing on the rail of the strain relief element transversely to the longitudinal axis of the insulating body frequently proves quite difficult, in particular when using relatively thick cables. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to improve an electrical plug connector of the generic type such that it is easy to manipulate even when using relatively thick cables. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This object is achieved in an electrical plug connector of the type referred to first hereinbefore according to the invention in that the cable outlet member can be connected detachably to the plug-connection member by a pivoting movement about a pivot axis arranged obliquely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member or by a linear movement along the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. 
         [0009]    Due to the pivoting of the cable outlet member about a pivot axis oriented obliquely or preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member or alternatively by a linear movement along the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member, the cable outlet member can be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in a very simple manner. Manipulation proves easy, in particular also when using relatively thick cables which can be bent only with considerable application of force. 
         [0010]    The plug-connection member usually has a connection module to which the individual strands of the cable can be connected. Such connection modules are frequently also referred to as “wire managers”. The connection module can be introduced into the plug-connection member in the longitudinal direction of the plug-connection member, and the connection module upon producing the connection between the plug-connection member and the cable outlet member can be transferred into its end position by a pivoting movement of the cable outlet member or alternatively by a linear movement of the cable outlet member in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. This results in further simplification of the manipulation of the electrical plug connector. 
         [0011]    The rear channel section of the cable guidance channel is oriented at an angle to the front channel section of the cable guidance channel. It is beneficial if the angle between the front channel section and the rear channel section is at least 45°. Beneficially, the angle between the front channel section and the rear channel section is 45° to 90°. In a particularly preferred configuration, the rear channel section is oriented perpendicular to the front channel section. This provides the electrical plug connector with a particularly short overall length. 
         [0012]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical plug connector has at least one locking member for detachably locking the cable outlet member on the plug-connection member. The locking member is movable back and forth between a release position and a locking position. When producing the connection between the cable outlet member and the plug-connection member, the locking member can assume its release position, and once connection of the cable outlet member to the plug-connection member has taken place the locking member can be transferred into its locking position, in which it secures the cable outlet member to the plug-connection member. 
         [0013]    The locking member is beneficially pivotable about a pivot axis oriented obliquely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. Alternatively, provision may be made for the locking member to be linearly displaceable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. 
         [0014]    Preferably the locking member is mounted on the plug-connection member. 
         [0015]    It is particularly advantageous if the locking member can be latched in a locking position. For this purpose, the locking member preferably has at least one first latch element which in the locking position of the locking member cooperates with a second latch element to produce a latch connection. For example, at least one latching nose may be arranged on the locking member, which nose in the locking position of the locking member penetrates into an associated latch recess. 
         [0016]    As has already been mentioned, the cable outlet member can be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in a plurality of different orientations. It is beneficial if the electrical plug connector has a plurality of first connecting elements which are located diametrically opposed to one another in pairs, and if the electrical plug connector has two second connecting elements which are located diametrically opposed to one another, with one pair of the first connecting elements in each case being able to be connected detachably to the second connecting elements in the individual orientations of the cable outlet member. 
         [0017]    Provision may for example be made for the electrical plug connector to have two pairs of first connecting elements which are arranged offset by 90° to each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. This gives the user the possibility of connecting the cable outlet member detachably to the plug-connection member in a total of four orientations each arranged offset by 90° to each other. 
         [0018]    In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the pairs of first connecting elements are arranged on the cable outlet member and the two second connecting elements are arranged on the plug-connection member. 
         [0019]    It is beneficial if the first connecting elements are arranged spaced apart from each other. The first connecting elements may for example be positioned on an end face of the cable outlet member facing the plug-connection member, the first connecting elements being formed in the manner of projections or depressions which are arranged spaced apart from each other in each case. 
         [0020]    The second connecting elements are advantageously arranged spaced apart from each other. For example, provision may be made for the second connecting elements to be positioned on a rear side of the plug-connection member facing the cable outlet member, the plug-connection member having an opening, into or onto the edge of which the second connecting elements are formed. 
         [0021]    It is advantageous if the first connecting elements are configured as connection lugs and the second connecting elements are configured as connection receptacles, one pair of connection lugs being able to be introduced into the connection receptacles in each orientation of the cable outlet member. 
         [0022]    Preferably the connection lugs are configured to be rectangular. 
         [0023]    Advantageously the connection lugs protrude from an end surface of the cable outlet member. 
         [0024]    Preferably the connection lugs are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. 
         [0025]    The connection receptacles in a preferred configuration of the invention are arranged on the inner side of a collar of the plug-connection member which faces the cable outlet member. 
         [0026]    In order to produce a detachable connection, the connection lugs may be introduced into the connection receptacles, with the connection lugs being pivoted about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member or displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. 
         [0027]    Preferably the connection lugs in each case have an aperture, and a projection is arranged in one of the connection receptacles, which projection, upon introduction of a connection lug into the connection receptacle, penetrates into the aperture. With such a configuration, thus a first connection receptacle may have a projection, and in a first assembly step a first connection lug may be hooked into the first connection receptacle, with the aperture of the first connection lug receiving the projection of the first connection receptacle. Then, in a second assembly step, the cable outlet member can be pivoted about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member to such an extent that a second connection lug which is located diametrically opposed to the first connection lug can be pivoted into a second connection receptacle which is located diametrically opposed to the first connection receptacle. The production of a connection between the cable outlet member and the plug-connection member proves particularly simple with such a configuration. 
         [0028]    It is beneficial if the locking member already discussed above has a bar which can be introduced into a connection receptacle. If a connection lug with an aperture has been introduced into this connection receptacle beforehand, the connection lug can then be secured in the connection receptacle by means of the bar of the locking member. 
         [0029]    It is particularly advantageous if one connection receptacle has a delimitation in the form of a circular arc. The circular arc delimitation forms a wall of the connection receptacle. A connection lug can be guided into the connection receptacle upon pivoting-in along the circular arc delimitation. 
         [0030]    Further simplification of the manipulation of the electrical plug connector is achieved in an advantageous embodiment in that the cable outlet member has a first and a second housing shell, the first housing shell being able to be connected detachably to the plug-connection member in various orientations and the second housing shell being movable between an open position which releases the first housing shell and a closed position which covers the first housing shell. The cable is thus received by the two housing shells, the cable being bent in the desired manner upon the transfer of the second housing shell from its open position into its closed position. 
         [0031]    Beneficially, the second housing shell is held non-detachably on the first housing shell. 
         [0032]    It is advantageous if the second housing shell is mounted on the first housing shell so that it can be moved back and forth between the open position and the closed position. 
         [0033]    The second housing shell is beneficially pivotable about a pivot axis oriented obliquely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member. 
         [0034]    Provision may be made for the second housing shell to be mounted on the first housing shell so as to be pivotable with the aid of a hinge. The hinge may have two hinge pins oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member which are arranged on two outer sides of the first housing shell which are remote from each other. Beneficially, the hinge pins are connected in one part to the first housing shell. 
         [0035]    In a further advantageous configuration, the cable outlet member has a cap nut which can be screwed onto the two housing shells. This, in a structurally simple manner, yields the possibility of securing the second housing shell in its closed position on the first housing shell. The second housing shell, in combination with the first housing shell, may form an external thread onto which the cap nut can be screwed. 
         [0036]    It is particularly advantageous if the two housing shells in combination with the cap nut form a strain-relief arrangement which secures the cable in the cable guidance channel of the cable outlet member. 
         [0037]    Provision may for example be made for the two housing shells to have on their inner sides which face each other a projection which is directed radially inwards, which projection can be pressed against a cable arranged in the cable guidance channel by screwing the cap nut onto the two housing shells. 
         [0038]    The description below of advantageous embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to explain the invention in greater detail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]      FIG. 1 : shows a perspective view of a first advantageous embodiment of a plug connector according to the invention with a plug-connection member and a cable outlet member; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2 : shows a perspective view of the plug-connection member of the electrical plug connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3 : shows a perspective view of the plug-connection member of  FIG. 1  in the manner of an exploded view; 
           [0042]      FIG. 4 : shows a perspective view of the cable outlet member of the electrical plug connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 5 : shows a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical plug connector of  FIG. 1 , with a second housing shell of the cable outlet member assuming an open position and a first connection lug of the cable outlet member being hooked into a first connection receptacle of the plug-connection member; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6 : shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of detail A of  FIG. 5  upon hooking the first connection lug of the cable outlet member into the first connection receptacle of the plug-connection member; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7 : shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 6  once pivoting of the cable outlet member about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug-connection member has taken place; 
           [0046]      FIG. 8 : shows an enlarged longitudinal sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 6  once locking of the cable outlet member on the plug-connection member has taken place; 
           [0047]      FIG. 9 : shows a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 5 , the cable outlet member having an orientation rotated by 90° and the second housing shell having been removed to give a better overview; 
           [0048]      FIG. 10 : shows an enlarged partial sectional view of a second advantageous embodiment of an electrical plug connector according to the invention once the insertion of connection lugs of the cable outlet member into associated connection receptacles of the plug-connection member has taken place, and 
           [0049]      FIG. 11 : shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the second advantageous embodiment of the invention once locking of the cable outlet member on the plug-connection member has taken place. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0050]      FIGS. 1 to 9  show diagrammatically a first advantageous embodiment of an electrical plug connector according to the invention which is assigned overall the reference numeral  10 . The electrical plug connector  10  has a plug-connection member  12  and a cable outlet member  14 . The plug-connection member  12  is configured at its front end section  18  as a connecting plug which has a plurality of electrical contact elements which are known per se, which in the example of embodiment illustrated are covered by a protective cap  20  in order to protect them against dirt and damage during transport. The protective cap  20  can be removed by the user in order to introduce the front end section  18  into an electrical connecting socket known to the person skilled in the art. Alternatively, provision may also be made for the front end section  18  to be designed as a connecting socket. 
         [0051]    As becomes clear in particular from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plug-connection member  12  receives a connection module  22  with an upper connection block  24  and a lower connection block  26 , between which an electrical printed circuit board  28  is arranged and to which the individual strands of an electric cable can be connected. Connection modules  22  of this type are known to the person skilled in the art for example from DE 10 2008 064 535 A1. 
         [0052]    On its rear side remote from the front end section  18 , the plug-connection member  12  has a collar  30  which surrounds an opening  32 . On an outer side of the collar  30 , a locking member  34  is mounted on the plug-connection member  12  so as to be pivotable about a locking axis  36  oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12 . The locking member  34  has a bar  38 , and is pivotable back and forth between a locking position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8  and a release position illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  9 . 
         [0053]    The collar  30  has, facing the locking member  34 , an opening  40  through which the bar  38  extends in the locking position of the locking member  34 . 
         [0054]    On the side remote from the bar  38 , a first connecting element in the form of a first connection receptacle  42  is formed into the inner side of the collar  30 , in which inner side a projection  44  which is directed radially inwards is arranged. A second connection receptacle  46  is located diametrically opposed to the first connection receptacle  42 . The opening  40  opens into the second connection receptacle  46 , and in the locking position the bar  38  penetrates into the second connection receptacle  46 . 
         [0055]    The cable outlet member  14  has a first housing shell  48 , a second housing shell  50  and also a cap nut  52 . The first housing shell  48  lies with one end face  54  against the collar  30  of the plug-connection member  12  and defines a front channel section  56  of a cable guidance channel  58 , which section is oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12 , and which extends through the cable outlet member  14 . The front channel section  56  is adjoined by a rear channel section  60  which is remote from the plug-connection member  12  and is oriented perpendicular to the front channel section  56 . Vertical orientation of the rear channel section  60  relative to the front channel section  56  is however not absolutely necessary. Provision may also be made for the rear channel section to be oriented at a different angle relative to the front channel section  56 , in particular at an angle of at least 45°. 
         [0056]    The second housing shell  50  is mounted on the first housing shell  48  so as to be pivotable about a housing pivot axis  62 . The housing pivot axis  62  is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12  and parallel to the locking axis  36  of the locking member  34 . The second housing shell  50  is mounted on the first housing shell  48  with the aid of a hinge which has two pivot pins which are oriented in alignment with each other and are formed on the outside onto the first housing shell  48 , with merely one pivot pin  64  being able to be seen in the drawing. The second housing shell  50  can be pivoted back and forth between an open position illustrated in  FIG. 5  and a closed position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In its closed position, the second housing shell  50  together with the first housing shell  48  defines the rear channel section  60  of the cable guidance channel  58 . 
         [0057]    The two housing shells  48 ,  50  are configured approximately semi-cylindrically in their end regions which are remote from the plug-connection member  12 , and together form an external thread  66  of the cable outlet member  14  onto which the cap nut  52  can be screwed. 
         [0058]    In their end regions remote from the plug-connection member  12 , the two housing shells  48 ,  50  have in each case a projection  68 ,  70 , which extends in the peripheral direction along a partial region of the rear channel section  60 , with a wedge surface  72 ,  74  directed into the rear channel section  60 . The two projections  68 ,  70  in combination with the cap nut  52  form a strain-relief arrangement into which a cable  76  illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be clamped. The cable  76  extends through the cable guidance channel  58 , being bent by 90° in the region between the rear channel section  60  and the front channel section  56 . The individual strands of the cable  76  are connected to the connection blocks  24  and  26  of the connection module  22 . 
         [0059]    To connect the strands of the cable  76  to the connection module  22 , the cable  76  can be guided through the cable guidance channel  58  and then the individual strands can be connected to the connection blocks  24 ,  26 . Thereafter, the connection module  22  can be introduced through the opening  32  into the plug-connection member  12 . In a further assembly step, the cable outlet member  14  through which the cable  76  extends can then be connected to the plug-connection member  12 . A first pair of connection lugs  78 ,  80  and a second pair of connection lugs  82 ,  84  are formed onto the end face  54  of the first housing shell  48  for this purpose, which pairs protrude from the end face  54 , which is flat, perpendicularly in the direction of the plug-connection member  12 . The connection lugs  78 ,  80 ,  82  and  84  are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12 . The connection lugs  78 ,  80  are located diametrically opposed to one another relative to the longitudinal axis  16 , and correspondingly the connection lugs  82 ,  84  of the second pair are located diametrically opposed to one another relative to the longitudinal axis  16 . The second pair of connection lugs  82 ,  84  is arranged turned by an angle of 90° relative to the first pair of connection lugs  78 ,  80 . 
         [0060]    The use of a total of four connection lugs, two of which in each case are located opposite each other in pairs, makes it possible for the user to connect the cable outlet member  14  detachably to the plug-connection member  12  in four orientations which are offset by 90° relative to each other in each case. To this end, the user, in a first connection step, can hook one of the connection lugs, for example the connection lug  78 , into the first connection receptacle  42 . All the connection lugs  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84  have for this purpose an aperture  86  into which the projection  44  of the first connection receptacle  42  can penetrate. 
         [0061]    Once for example the connection lug  78  has been hooked into the first connection receptacle  42 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the cable outlet member  14  can be pivoted about a pivot axis  88  oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12  to such an extent that the connection lug  80  located diametrically opposed to the connection lug  78  which is hooked into the first connection receptacle  42  is pivoted into the second connection receptacle  46 . The pivot axis  88  is oriented parallel to the side of the collar  30  into which the first connection receptacle  42  opens, and the wall  90  of the second connection receptacle  46  which is penetrated by the opening  40  of the collar  30  is formed in the manner of a circular arc, the partial circle defined by the wall  90  having its centre point on the pivot axis  88 . Upon pivoting the connection lug  80  into the second connection receptacle  46 , the connection lug  80  can slide along the arcuate wall  90 . 
         [0062]    In a subsequent connection step, the locking member  34 , which has initially assumed its release position, can be pivoted into its locking position. In the locking position, the bar  38  extends through the aperture  86  of the connection lug  80  introduced into the second connection receptacle  46 . The cable outlet member  14  is thereby secured to the plug-connection member  12 . 
         [0063]    The locking member  34  in its locking position penetrates into an outside recess  92  of the plug-connection member  12  which is delimited by two raised portions oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis  16  of the plug-connection member  12 . The raised portions have in each case a latch recess  94 ,  96 , into which one latch projection of the locking member  34  in each case engages in the locking position. A latch projection  98  of the locking member  34  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0064]    The locking member  34  can be secured in its locking position by means of the latch recesses  94 ,  96  and the latch projections  98 . This prevents the cable outlet member  34  from unintentionally becoming detached from the plug-connection member  12 . 
         [0065]    As has already been mentioned, the cable outlet member  14  can be connected to the plug-connection member  12  in four different orientations by using the four connection lugs  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 . In  FIG. 9 , for this purpose the first housing shell  48  is illustrated diagrammatically in an orientation which is rotated by 90°. In this orientation too, the cable outlet member  14  can be connected to the plug-connection member  12  in a simple manner by a pivoting movement. In such case, initially one of the connection lugs  82 ,  84 , for example the connection lug  82 , is hooked into the first connection receptacle  42  and then the cable outlet member  14  is pivoted about the pivot axis  88  to such an extent that the connection lug  84  which is located diametrically opposed to the connection lug  82  penetrates into the second connection receptacle  46 . Finally, the bar  38  of the locking member  34  can then extend through the aperture  86  of the connection lug  84  which has been introduced into the second connection receptacle  46 , and thereby secure the cable outlet member  14  in the desired orientation on the plug-connection member  12 . 
         [0066]    Once the mechanical connection between the cable outlet member  14  and the plug-connection member  12  has been produced, the second housing shell  50  can be pivoted into its closed position, and finally the cap nut  52  can then be screwed onto the external thread  66  of the two housing shells  48 ,  50 , the projections  68 ,  70  of the housing shells  48 ,  50  clamping the cable  76  between them. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 10 and 11  diagrammatically illustrate a second advantageous embodiment of an electrical plug connector in partial sectional views. The second advantageous embodiment in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is assigned overall the reference numeral  110 . The electrical plug connector  110  is configured largely identically to the electrical plug connector  10  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . Therefore, in  FIGS. 10 and 11  the same reference numerals as in  FIGS. 1 to 9  are used for identical components, and reference is made to the explanations above with respect to these components in order to avoid repetition. 
         [0068]    In the case of the electrical plug connector  110  too, a cable outlet member  14  with a first housing shell  48  and a second housing shell  50  is used, with a total of four connection lugs  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84  being arranged on the end face  54  of the first housing shell  48 , which lugs are located diametrically opposed to one another in pairs. 
         [0069]    The electrical plug connector  110  has a plug-connection member  112  which comprises a first connection receptacle  114  and a second connection receptacle  116 . The two connection receptacles  114 ,  116  are formed as receiving shafts which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis  118  of the plug-connection member  112 . 
         [0070]    In order to produce a mechanical connection between the first housing shell  48  of the electrical plug connector  110  and the plug-connection member  112 , the first housing shell  48  together with the second housing shell  50  which is articulated to the first housing shell  48  can be moved colinearly to the longitudinal axis  118  in the direction of the plug-connection member  112 , with either the connection lugs  78  and  80  or alternatively the connection lugs  82  and  84 , depending on the orientation of the first housing shell  48 , penetrating into the shaft-shaped connection receptacles  114 ,  116  of the plug-connection member  112 . 
         [0071]    A locking member  120  is used in order to lock the first housing shell  48  on the plug-connection member  112 , which locking member can be displaced back and forth perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  118  between a release position illustrated in  FIG. 10  and a locking position illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The locking member  120  can be latched detachably with the plug-connection member  112  in the locking position by means of latch elements not shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0072]    Whereas in the case of the electrical plug connector  10  the mechanical connection between the first housing shell  48  and the plug-connection member  12  takes place by means of a pivoting movement, the mechanical connection between the first housing shell  48  and the plug-connection member  112  takes place by means of a linear translatory movement. In both cases, a mechanical connection can be achieved in a simple manner.