CN113097771A

CN113097771A - Holding frame for a plug connector

Info

Publication number: CN113097771A
Application number: CN202011536484.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·布里洛
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2021-07-09
Also published as: EP3843221A1; DE102019135726A1

Abstract

A holding frame (1) for a plug connector for accommodating a plurality of contact inserts (2) is described and shown, with two side portions (3, 3 ') which are opposite to one another and two end portions (4, 4 ') which are likewise opposite to one another, wherein the two end portions (4, 4 ') are arranged perpendicularly to the side portions (3, 3 '), wherein at least one elastic tab is provided at each of the two side portions (3, 3 ') and each has a latching means for fastening a latching projection (6) of a contact insert (2) inserted into the holding frame (1), and wherein at least one end portion is at least partially composed of an electrically conductive material and has a PE joint. In the holding frame according to the invention, the connection of the protective conductor, i.e. the PE connection, can thus be produced particularly easily, i.e. it has a screwless connection device and a metallic connection contact which is connected to the connection device in an electrically conductive manner.

Description

Holding frame for a plug connector

Technical Field

The invention relates to a holding frame for a plug connector for receiving a plurality of contact inserts, having two side sections lying opposite one another and two end sections also lying opposite one another, wherein the two end sections are arranged perpendicular to the side sections, wherein at least one elastic web is provided at each of the two side sections, and wherein the webs each have a latching means for fastening a latching projection of a contact insert inserted into the holding frame, wherein at least one end section is formed at least partially from an electrically conductive material and has a PE connection.

Background

Such a holding frame serves to accommodate a plurality of contact inserts which can be inserted into the holding frame and which are formed by an insulating body having a rectangular cross section, in which insulating body different contact elements can be arranged. Since the contact inserts can be inserted individually into the holding frame, there is the possibility that the holding frame is equipped with different contact inserts depending on the purpose of use. The holding frame with the contact inserts is therefore constructed modularly, so that the contact inserts are also referred to as contact insert modules or contact modules. The completely assembled retaining frame, into which the respective contact insert is inserted, can be inserted into the housing part of the plug connector and fixed therein, wherein the plug connector is used for fixing with a corresponding mating plug connector.

Different types of holding frames are known from practice, which allow modular insertion of the individual contact inserts. There is therefore a holding frame which is composed of two hingedly connected frame halves, wherein the contact inserts are inserted into corresponding recesses in the holding frame in the open state of the holding frame and are held in their position in a form-fitting manner in the closed state of the holding frame. Furthermore, a holding frame is provided, which has a fixed base frame, in which the respective contact insert is likewise inserted into the corresponding recess in a first step. In order to clamp and fix the contact insert in the base frame, the fixing bracket is fastened to the base frame in a second step. The fastening bow overlaps a projection which is formed on the end face of the contact insert and engages in a corresponding recess at the upper edge of the base frame.

A retaining frame for a plug connector is known from EP 1801927B 1, which is constructed in one piece and is made of a plastic material. For fixing the contact insert to be inserted into the holding frame, the two mutually opposite side walls of the holding frame have a plurality of elastic wall segments separated by slots, in each of which a window-like opening is formed. The latching projections of the contact insert, which are formed on the end sides, can thereby be moved into between the two opposite wall sections until the two latching projections snap into the opposite window-like openings. However, the disadvantage here is that the holding frame is made entirely of plastic, so that it is not suitable for protecting the ground when the holding frame is inserted into a metallic plug connector housing.

DE 102015103563 a1 discloses a holding frame made of an electrically conductive material, which is formed by a rigid, rectangular basic frame with two side sections and two end sections, wherein at the upper edges of the side sections upwardly open recesses are formed, which are laterally delimited by webs running parallel to the insertion direction of the contact insert. At both side portions, a plurality of spring-elastic webs are fastened, which are separated from one another by slots, for which purpose the lower sections of the slots are bent through 180 ° about the lower edge of the respective side wall of the basic frame. The webs additionally each have in their curved sections a clamping structure which engages in corresponding retaining openings in the side parts.

In each case a recess is formed in the webs, wherein the webs are arranged at the side sections in such a way that the recesses and the recesses in the webs are aligned with one another. The upper edges of the recesses are each delimited by a bracket portion, at which an inwardly projecting latching projection is formed. The latching projections project into corresponding recesses of the side parts, so that the latching projections of the contact insert inserted into the holding frame are overlapped by the latching projections formed on the webs. The lower edge of the latching projection is seated on the lower edge of the groove of the side part, the lateral edge of the latching projection being held by the webs laterally delimiting the groove.

The webs are preferably formed from a spring-elastic sheet metal material, so that the webs have a corresponding spring-elastic property, which enables the contact insert to be inserted between two webs lying opposite one another until the latching projections formed on the contact insert are overlapped by the inwardly projecting latching projections formed on the webs and are thereby fastened in the holding frame.

The side sections made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a sheet metal, each have a flange section, at which a PE connection is formed. The PE connector has a screw connection so that the protective conductor can be electrically connected to the connection contact of the PE connector by means of the screw connection.

The holding frame thus constructed makes it possible to fix the contact inserts in the holding frame in a simple and at the same time secure manner, wherein the individual contact inserts can also be exchanged without problems. However, installation is somewhat complicated, especially if the protective conductor is to be connected in narrow spaces.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a holding frame which can be produced as simply as possible and which allows installation as simply as possible.

This object is achieved in the holding frame described at the outset with the features of claim 1 in that the PE connection has a screwless connection device and a metallic connection contact, which is electrically conductively connected to the connection device. In the holding frame according to the invention, the at least one PE connection does not have a screw connection, but rather a screwless connection device, so that the effort required for connecting the protective conductor is reduced. The mounting of the holding frames is thus also simplified, with associated shortening of the set-up time of the individual holding frames. For example, a blade joint can be provided as a screwless connecting device, in which the end of the insulated conductor is inserted between two blades of the metallic connecting element which are opposite each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, the screwless connecting device is designed as a spring force clamping connection having a clamping spring and a contact piece. A ring-shaped tension spring can be used as the clamping spring, by means of which the conductor arranged in the opening of the clamping arm of the tension spring can be clamped against the busbar section. However, a helical torsion spring is preferably used as the clamping spring, which has a clamping arm and a holding arm, which are connected to one another by a spring bow. The clamping arm of the clamping spring forms a clamping point for the protective conductor to be connected with the contact piece in such a way that the insulation-removed end of the protective conductor is pressed against the contact piece by the clamping arm, and the contact piece is connected with the connection contact in an electrically conductive manner.

The advantage of a spring force clamping joint with a torsion coil spring as the clamping spring is that no additional mounting step is required for connecting the rigid conductors. The end of the rigid conductor can be simply inserted into the clamping point, since the clamping arm is deflected from the end of the rigid conductor during insertion. If the protective conductor to be connected is inserted into the clamping point, it is held securely by the end of the clamping arm which is inclined to the insertion direction of the conductor, since the conductor is prevented from being unintentionally pulled out of the clamping point.

This makes it possible to realize the PE connection in a particularly simple manner as a spring-force clamping connection, i.e. the contact piece (against which the conductor to be connected is pressed by the clamping arm of the clamping spring) is formed integrally with the end face section. If the end face section is formed, for example, from a sheet metal, in particular from a sheet metal or copper material, the contact piece can be easily punched out and bent freely from the end face section. If the end face section is in the form of a die casting, in particular a zinc die casting or an aluminum die casting, the contact piece is preferably formed directly at the end face section in a die casting process.

In order to avoid undesired contact with the PE joint, a housing part is arranged at least at the face part with the PE joint. The housing part can be fixed to the end face part preferably by means of corresponding latching elements. The housing part made of insulating material has a conductor insertion opening for inserting the protective conductor to be connected and preferably also an actuating opening for opening the clamping point. As stated above, the protective conductor is not only pressed against the contact piece by the clamping arm, as a result of which an electrically conductive connection between the free end of the protective conductor and the contact piece is established, but the protective conductor is also prevented from being undesirably pulled out of the clamping point by the free end of the clamping arm. In order to release the connected conductor from the clamping point or from the spring force clamping connection, the clamping arm of the clamping spring must be deflected against its spring force. For this purpose, the end of a corresponding actuating tool, for example a screwdriver, can be inserted into the housing part through the actuating opening, wherein the actuating opening is arranged relative to the clamping spring in such a way that the clamping arm is deflected against its spring force and is lifted from the connected conductor when the actuating tool is inserted.

According to a preferred embodiment, for opening the clamping point, an actuating element is arranged in the actuating opening, which actuating element can be moved from a first position, in which the clamping point is closed, into a second position, in which the clamping point is open. In the second position of the actuating element, the clamping arm of the clamping spring is deflected by the actuating element against its spring force. The actuating element may, for example, be a pivotably mounted actuating lever or an actuating button movably arranged in an actuating opening. By arranging a corresponding actuating element in the actuating opening, it is ensured that the clamping spring is not damaged when the clamping point is open, that is to say when the clamping arm is deflected, for example by using an unsuitable actuating tool.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, at the end face with the PE connections, not only the contact pieces for the clamping points are formed, but also, in addition, fixing elements for the clamping springs and preferably also stop elements for the clamping arms of the clamping springs are formed. By configuring the respective fastening element, a secure positioning and clamping of the clamping spring is ensured, wherein for this purpose, in addition, a respective bearing section for the clamping spring can be configured in the housing, so that the clamping spring is supported and positioned by the end face section and the housing section in a secure and functional manner. The design of the additional stop element at the end face portion has the advantage that the clamping arm of the clamping spring is thereby protected against too strong a deflection, which could damage the clamping spring or impair the spring properties.

The holding frame according to the invention can in principle have an integral basic frame which is formed by two side parts and two end parts. Such a base frame is then preferably designed as a die cast part, for example a zinc die cast part or an aluminum die cast part. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, the two side sections and the two end sections are constructed or produced as separate components before they are firmly connected to one another, in particular welded, soldered, riveted or pressed together. In such a holding frame assembled from separate components, the individual components, i.e. the side sections and the end sections, are preferably formed from sheet metal, for example made of steel or copper.

For simple pre-positioning, the side and end face parts preferably have profiles which engage in one another at the connection point, so that the side and end face parts can first be assembled or plugged together before they are permanently connected to one another at the connection point by welding, soldering, riveting or pressing. The design of the profiles engaging in one another has the additional advantage that, in addition to a force fit or a material bond, a form fit is also produced at the connection point.

The embodiment in which the holding frame is formed from a plurality of individual components also has the advantage that in this way different holding frames provided for accommodating different numbers of contact inserts can be produced in a simple manner. In the case of holding frames provided for accommodating the inflow of six contact inserts, in comparison with holding frames provided for accommodating four contact inserts, other correspondingly longer side portions must be used, but the same end side can be used for both holding frames. The individual side sections can preferably be produced from an endless punched strip and can thus be punched in different lengths depending on the structural dimensions of the holding frame to be produced.

It has already been explained at the outset that the webs each have latching means at the side portions. The latching means can be, for example, a recess in the web or a latching window. According to a preferred embodiment, two retaining elements are formed as latching means in the upper region of the web in the insertion direction E of the contact insert, wherein the retaining elements extend outward from the upper region of the web perpendicularly to the insertion direction E in opposite directions. The webs are arranged at the side sections in such a way that each web is arranged between two latching projections with at least its upper region, so that the retaining element at least partially overlaps the latching projections of the contact insert when the contact insert is inserted into the retaining frame.

This holding frame also differs from the holding frames known from the prior art in that two holding elements are formed as latching means at the respective web, wherein the two holding elements interact with two latching projections of the contact insert. In contrast, in the prior art, each web has only one latching means, so that each web also interacts with only one latching projection of the contact insert, irrespective of whether the latching means is in the form of a latching window or a latching projection. The two latching projections, which are at least partially overlapped by the two retaining elements of the tab, can be formed either at two contact inserts arranged side by side in the retaining frame or at a contact insert which then has a double width.

If the contact insert is inserted into the holding frame, the latching projections formed at the end faces thereof are overlapped at least by the holding elements of the webs. If the contact insert is located between two webs, its latching projection is bridged by one retaining element of each of the two webs, i.e. by a total of two retaining elements. The retaining element preferably has a length perpendicular to the insertion direction E of the contact insert which is only slightly smaller than the corresponding extent of the latching projection of the contact insert, so that only a small clearance remains between two retaining elements of two adjacent webs which jointly overlap one latching projection.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the contact insert into the holding frame, the holding elements of the webs are preferably designed or arranged such that they form a lead-in chamfer for the latching projection of the contact insert. Such an insertion ramp can be realized, for example, in that the retaining element is arranged at a small angle to the insertion direction E or the longitudinal extent of the web in the upper region of the web. The holding element is thus slightly inclined with respect to the introduction direction E.

It has already been explained at the outset that at least one elastic web is provided at each of the two side portions of the holding frame. More than one web, for example two, three, four, five or more webs, are preferably provided at both side portions. The at least one web is preferably formed integrally with the respective side part, so that the web does not need to be fastened to the side part, whereby corresponding work steps can be dispensed with. The tab is then preferably formed at the upper edge of the side portion. The respective side part and the lugs formed thereon are then configured substantially planar, which is advantageous on account of the usually limited installation space for the retaining frame in the housing part of the plug connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment, two projections are formed on the web, each of which is situated at a distance below the holding element. The distance between the projection and the opposite holding element is selected such that the latching projection of the contact insert inserted into the holding frame rests on the projection and is at the same time partially overlapped by the holding element. The extension of the web can be selected to be large by forming the projection at the web for supporting the latching projection of the contact insert. When the contact insert is inserted between two opposite webs, the webs can spring apart slightly without a large force loss, so that the contact insert can be guided with its two latching projections between the retaining elements of the webs.

Irrespective of whether the webs in the holding frame are separate components or are formed integrally with the side parts, the webs of one of the side parts preferably have a different width in the upper region thereof than the webs of the other side part. The design of the webs at the two opposite side parts, which are not as wide at least in the upper region, results in the distance between two adjacent webs also not being as large in the upper region at the two side parts. This makes it possible to create a coding for the respective plug-in space, which coding enables the insertion of the contact insert in only exactly one orientation if the latching projections provided on the contact insert likewise have different widths at the two end sides.

In detail, there are numerous possibilities for designing and expanding the design of the holding frame according to the invention. For this reason, reference is made to the following claims as well as to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a retention frame;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the holding frame according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a retention frame with an inserted contact insert;

fig. 4 shows an end face section of the holding frame according to fig. 1 or 3 obliquely from the side;

fig. 5 shows the end face of the holding frame according to fig. 4 with the housing, one with the closed clamping point and one with the open clamping point;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a holding frame; and is

Fig. 7 shows the holding frame according to fig. 6 with the side part with the housing removed.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 6 show two different embodiment variants of a holding frame 1 according to the invention in a perspective view and obliquely from above, wherein "above" refers to the side of the holding frame 1 from which the contact insert 2 is inserted into the holding frame 1 in the insertion direction E. While the holding frame 1 according to fig. 1 and 6 is provided for receiving two contact inserts each, fig. 3 shows a variant of the holding frame 1 according to fig. 1, into which three contact inserts 2 are inserted.

The holding frame 1 has in all embodiments a rectangular basic shape and is constructed from two mutually opposed side portions 3, 3 'and two end face portions 4, 4' that are likewise mutually opposed, wherein the two end face portions 4, 4 'are arranged perpendicularly to the side portions 3, 3'. The two side portions 3, 3 ' each have, in the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1 and 2, only one elastic web 5, 5 ', which is integrally formed with the side portions 3, 3 ' and is arranged opposite one another. In the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 3, each side portion 3, 3 'is provided with two webs 5, 5', wherein the webs 5, 5 'are also formed integrally with the side portions 3, 3' and are arranged in pairs opposite one another.

In the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 6 and 7, two individual webs are each fixed as individual components in pairs opposite one another at the two side sections 3, 3' at the basic frame only shown. The webs can be designed as shown and described in DE 102015103563. The fixing of the tabs at the side portions 3, 3' may here be done by riveting or snap-locking.

Furthermore, the holding frame 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3 differs from the holding frame 1 shown in fig. 6 and 7 in that, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3, the side portions 3, 3 'and the end face portions 4, 4' are each constructed from a sheet material, in particular from a steel sheet, and are constructed as separate components, whereas, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 7, the side portions 3, 3 'and the end face portions 4, 4' form an integral basic frame and are manufactured in a die casting process as zinc die castings or aluminum die castings.

The holding frame shown in the figures has PE connections at its two end face sections 4, respectively, wherein the PE connections are formed by screwless connecting devices 7 and connecting

contacts

8, 9, respectively. One of the connection contacts 8 is designed here as a contact pin, and the other connection contact 9 is designed as a contact bushing. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1, the screwless connecting device 7 is configured as a spring force clamping joint having a clamping spring 10 and a contact piece 11. The clamping spring 10, which is substantially V-shaped or U-shaped, has a clamping arm 12 and a holding arm 13, wherein the clamping arm 12 and the contact piece 11 together form a clamping point for the protective conductor to be connected. In the connected state, the end of the protective conductor, from which the insulation has been removed, is pressed by the end of the clamping arm 12 against the contact piece 11, which is connected to the

connection contacts

8, 9 in an electrically conductive manner.

The holding frame 1 according to the invention has, in addition to the two side portions 3, 3 ' and the two end portions 4, 4 ', two housing portions 14 which are fixed respectively at the end portions 4, 4 '. The fixation of the housing portion 14 at the end face portions 4, 4 'is here in particular done by means of corresponding snap-in elements, so that the housing portion 14 can be fixed simply and tool-free at the end face portions 4, 4'. The housing parts 14 each have a conductor insertion opening 15 for inserting the protective conductor to be connected and an actuating opening 16 for opening the clamping point. The actuating element 17 is arranged in the actuating opening 16 so as to be movable in such a way that it can be moved from a first position (fig. 5 a), in which the clamping point is closed, into a second position (fig. 5 b), in which the clamping point is open. In the second position of the actuating element 17, which is embodied as a push button, the clamping arm 12 of the clamping spring 10 is deflected by a free end arranged in the interior of the housing part 14, so that the free end of the clamping arm 12 is arranged spaced apart from the contact piece 11. The aforementioned first position of the actuating element 17 or of the clamping arm 12 is shown in the sectional view according to fig. 5a and the second position is shown in fig. 5 b. The movement of the actuating element 17 from its first position into its second position can be effected, for example, by means of the tip of a screwdriver.

Fig. 4 shows a separate illustration of the end face section 4, where the contact piece 11 is formed integrally with the end face section 4, which is made of sheet metal, in the end face section 4. The contact piece 11 is here first free-blanked on three sides and then bent substantially by 90 ° from the base surface of the end face portion 4. In addition to the contact piece 11, the end face section 4 has two lug-shaped fastening elements 18 for clamping and fastening the clamping spring 10 and a stop element 19 for the clamping arm 12 of the clamping spring 10. The two fastening elements 18 and the stop element 19 are also produced here by free punching and bending from the base surface of the end face section 4. As a result, a safe positioning and clamping of the clamping spring 10 at the end face portion 4 is ensured in a simple manner, wherein the clamping spring 10 can additionally be held in its position by a bearing surface formed in the housing portion 14.

Fig. 2 shows that, in the embodiment shown, the holding frame 1 is constituted by respective members, i.e. in particular by two lateral portions 3, 3 'and two end portions 4, 4', which are firmly connected to each other. For simple pre-positioning, the side portions 3, 3 'and the end face portions 4, 4' have

profiles

20, 21 that engage in one another at the connection locations. The side portions 3, 3 'and the end face portions 4, 4' can therefore be inserted together before being firmly connected to one another, for example by welding, brazing or stamping.

The two end face portions 4, 4 'each have a flange section 22, 22', which is connected to a

metallic connection contact

8, 9, respectively. Furthermore, holes are formed in the

flange sections

22, 22 ″, which holes serve to accommodate screws with which the holding frame 1 can be screwed into the plug housing. Flange segments 22, 22 ' are additionally used to house a casing portion 14, which is fixed at end face portions 4, 4 ' above flange segments 22, 22 '.

In order to be able to fasten the contact insert 2 inserted into the holding frame 1 in the holding frame 1, the contact insert 2 has latching projections 6 on its opposite end sides. Furthermore, the tabs 5, 5 'have two retaining elements 23, respectively, at the upper regions 24 of the tabs 5, 5'. The two retaining elements 23 of the tabs 5, 5 'extend here outwards from the upper regions 24 of the tabs 5, 5' in opposite directions, perpendicularly to the direction of introduction E of the contact insert 2, so that in the inserted state of the contact insert 2 their latching projections 6 are partially overlapped by the retaining elements 23. Here, as can be taken from fig. 3, the tabs 5, 5 ' are arranged at the side portions 3, 3 ' such that the region 24 above each one of the tabs 5, 5 ' is arranged between the two latching projections 6 of the two contact inserts 2. The tabs 5, 5' are therefore between the two contact inserts 2 inserted into the holding frame 1, with their central axes.

The holding frame 1 shown in fig. 1 is provided for receiving two contact inserts 2, wherein each contact insert 2 has a latching projection 6 on each of the two end sides. Furthermore, it is also possible to insert double-width contact inserts into the holding frame 1, which then have two latching projections at their two end sides. The holding frame 1 shown in fig. 3 is then provided for accommodating three contact inserts 2 of "single" width. The holding frame according to the invention can of course also have such a length that it is suitable for accommodating other numbers of contact inserts, for example four, five, six or more contact inserts 2.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the contact insert 2 into the holding frame 1, the holding elements 23 are arranged at the tabs 5, 5' such that they form lead-in bevels for the latching projections 6 of the contact insert 2. For this purpose, the holding element 23 is bent from the

tabs

5, 5 "such that the holding element 23 extends slightly obliquely to the insertion direction E. The contact insert 2 can thus be simply inserted between two mutually opposed tabs 5, 5 ', wherein the tabs 5, 5' are deflected slightly outwards when the blocking projections 6 slide along the holding element at the holding element 23.

In the exemplary embodiment of the holding frame according to fig. 1 to 3, the webs 5, 5 'are formed integrally with the side sections 3, 3'. For this purpose, tabs 5, 5 ' are shaped at an upper edge 25 of side faces 3, 3 ', wherein tabs 5, 5 ' extend from upper edge 25 opposite to insertion direction E. In order to make the contact insert 2 have a defined final position when inserted into the holding frame 1, two bosses 26 are configured at the tabs 5, 5', respectively, which bosses are slightly below the holding elements 23, respectively. The free distance between the projection 26 and the retaining element 23 is adapted to the respective height of the latching projection 6 of the contact insert 2. In the inserted state of the contact insert 2, the catch projections 6 rest on the bosses 26 of the tabs 5, 5' and are at the same time partially overlapped by the retaining elements 23.

Furthermore, as is apparent from the exploded view according to fig. 2, the two end face sections 4, 4' of the holding frame 1 are identically constructed. The production of the holding frame 1 is thereby simplified. The two side portions 3, 3 ' which are opposite one another differ in that the tab 5 of one of the side portions 3 is wider in a region 24 of an upper portion thereof than the tab 5 ' of the other side portion 3 '. This results in that the spacing between the tabs 5 of one of the side portions 3 and the two end face portions 4, 4 'is less than the spacing of the tabs 5' of the other side portion 3 'to the end face portions 4, 4'. This makes it possible to code the respective plug-in spaces, so that the insertion of the contact insert 2 is only possible in exactly one orientation if the latching projections 2 provided on the contact insert 2 are likewise not of the same width on both end sides.

In order to improve the spring-elastic properties of the tabs 5, 5 ', recesses 27 are punched in the respective tabs 5, 5'. Thus, when the tabs 5, 5 'and the side portions 3, 3' are integrally constructed with each other or the individual tabs 5, 5 'are constructed of the same material as the side portions 3, 3', it is possible to make one side portion 3, 3 'and the other side portion 5, 5' also have different elasticity.

Claims

1. A holding frame (1) for a plug connector for accommodating a plurality of contact cards (2), with two side portions (3, 3 ') that are opposite to each other and two end face portions (4, 4') that are likewise opposite to each other, wherein the two end face portions (4, 4 ') are arranged perpendicularly to the side portions (3, 3'),

wherein at least one elastic tab (5, 5 ') is provided at each of the two lateral portions (3, 3 ') and the tabs (5, 5 ') have respective catch means to fasten catch projections (6) of a contact insert (2) inserted into the holding frame (1), and

wherein at least one end face portion (4, 4') is at least partially constructed of an electrically conductive material and has a PE linker,

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

the PE connector has a screwless connection device (7) and metallic connection contacts (8, 9) which are electrically conductively connected to the connection device (7).

2. The holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the screwless connecting device (7) is configured as a spring force clamping joint having a clamping spring (10) and a contact piece (11), the clamping spring (10) having a clamping arm (12) and a holding arm (13), wherein the clamping arm (12) and the contact piece (11) form a clamping point for the protective conductor to be connected, and the contact piece (11) is connected to the connecting contacts (8, 9) in an electrically conductive manner.

3. The holding frame (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said end face portions (4, 4') and said contact members (11) are integrally constructed.

4. The holding frame (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a housing portion (14) is arranged at least the end sides (4, 4') having the PE splice, wherein the housing portion (14) is composed of an insulating material and has a conductor introduction opening (15) for introducing a protection conductor to be connected and an operating opening (16) for opening the clamping site.

5. The holding frame (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that an actuating element (17) is arranged in the actuating opening (16) such that the actuating element (17) can be moved from a first position, in which the clamping point is closed, into a second position, in which the clamping point is open, wherein the clamping arm (12) of the clamping spring (10) is deflected by the actuating element (17) against its spring force in the second position of the actuating element (17).

6. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the end face portions (4, 4 ') having PE tabs are constituted by plates, in particular plates made of steel or copper material, and said contact members (11) are free to be punched out and bent from said end face portions (4, 4').

7. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least the end regions (4, 4 ') having PE fittings are configured as die-castings, in particular as zinc die-castings or aluminium die-castings, and in that said contacts (11) are shaped at said end face portions (4, 4') in a die-casting process.

8. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at the end face portions (4, 4') having PE splices there are configured fixing elements (18) for said clamping springs (10) and/or stop elements (19) for the clamping arms (12) of said clamping springs (10).

9. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said side portions (3, 3 ') and said end face portions (4, 4') are configured as separate members, wherein the two side portions (3, 3 ') are firmly connected, in particular mutually welded, brazed, riveted or stamped, with the two end face portions (4, 4').

10. The holding frame (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said side portions (3, 3 ') and said end portions (4, 4') have profiles (20, 21) that engage each other at the connection site.

11. The holding frame (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said two end face portions (4, 4') are identically constructed.

12. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that flange segments (22, 22 ') are arranged at least at the end face portions (4, 4') having PE joints, said flange segments being conductively connected with said metallic connection contacts (8, 9).

13. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, at an upper region (24) of the tabs (5, 5 ') in an insertion direction E of the contact insert (2), two respective retaining elements (23) are respectively constructed as latching means, the retaining elements (23) of the tabs (5, 5 ') extending outwardly from the region (24) above the tabs (5, 5 ') in opposite directions perpendicularly to the insertion direction E, and said tabs (5, 5 ') are so arranged at said lateral portions (3, 3'), such that each one of the tabs (5, 5') is arranged between two of the latching projections (6) with at least a region (24) of an upper portion thereof, the holding element (23) thus overlaps at least partially the latching projection (6) of the contact insert (2) inserted into the holding frame (1).

14. The holding frame (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said tabs (5, 5 ') are integrally configured with said lateral portions (3, 3').

15. The holding frame (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that two bosses (26) are configured at said tabs (5, 5'), respectively below the holding elements (23), so that the blocking projections (6) of the contact inserts (2) inserted into said holding frame (1) rest on the bosses (26).

16. The holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the tabs (5) of one of the side portions (3) have, in the region (24) above them, a different width than the tabs (5 ') of the other side portion (3') in the region (24) above them.