DE102018113563A1 - Assembly of a connector part with a holding frame and attachable modular contact inserts - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly of a connector part (1) comprises a support frame (3), the frame walls (31, 32) and a frame opening (30) bounded by the frame walls (31, 32) for receiving a plurality of modular contact inserts (4) on a plurality of along a width direction (B) juxtaposed slots (300), and at least one modular contact insert (4) which is insertable at least one slot (300) in the frame opening (30) and a housing body (42) with at least one arranged thereon Projection element (420, 421) for engaging in an associated recess (310, 320) on one of the frame walls (31, 32) of the holding frame (3). In this case, the at least one modular contact insert (4) has at least one slide element (43) which is displaceably guided on the housing body (42) and on which the at least one projection element (420, 421) is arranged. In this way, an assembly of a connector part is provided, which allows a tolerance compensation between contact inserts and the holding frame.

Description

The invention relates to an assembly of a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an assembly includes a support frame having frame walls and a frame opening bounded by the frame walls for receiving a plurality of modular contact inserts at a plurality of slots lined up along a width direction. At least one modular contact insert can be inserted into the frame opening at at least one slot and has a housing body with at least one projection element arranged thereon for engaging in an associated recess on one of the frame walls of the retaining frame.

Such support frames are used for modular recording of contact inserts on connectors. On such a support frame, one or more contact inserts can be arranged to be used together with the holding frame in a housing of a connector part and connected to the housing. In this way, contact inserts can be combined with each other in a modular manner and arranged over the holding frame in or on a connector part.

Such modular contact inserts may, for example, have one or more electrical contacts. The contact inserts are connected in this case, on the one hand, for example, with electrical lines that are fed to a connector, and on the other hand form plug contacts, via which the connector plug-in for electrical contacting with a mating connector part can be engaged.

Such modular contact inserts offer the advantage of flexible combinability and thus variable usability of connectors.

At one of the DE 10 2012 110 907 A1 known holding frame is provided that on a first Halterahmenteil having recesses for receiving projection elements of contact inserts, a second Halterahmenteil can be attached to lock in this way in the recesses inset projection elements and thus to lock on the support frame.

At one of the EP 1 353 412 B1 known, modular connector can contain modules, for example, switching means that take over a signal-regulating or signal-controlling function in a module. Several modules can be attached to each other attached to a support frame.

At one of the DE 10 2016 107 412 A1 known connector part are contact inserts to attach to a support frame having a movably arranged on a module housing contact carrier.

At one of the DE 20 2013 103 611 U1 known holding frame holder frame parts are made of sheet metal.

At one of the EP 3 011 643 B1 known connector part are arranged on a support frame spring elements which act on arranged on the support frame connector modules.

In conventional connectors, modular contact inserts are attached to slots of a support frame so as to provide a combination of contact inserts for providing an array of contacts, such as electrical contacts, optical contacts, pneumatic contacts or the like, to a connector part. About one or more on the housing body of each contact insert shaped projection elements in this case a coding on the contact inserts is provided, which cooperates for a correct position attachment of the contact inserts on the holding frame with associated recesses on the frame walls of the holding frame. About the protrusion elements, a contact insert can also be set detent on the support frame.

The contact inserts as well as the holding frame can have tolerances. In addition, tolerances may exist in the positioning of a holding frame in an associated housing of a connector part. It may thus be necessary to compensate for tolerances in the arrangement of contact inserts in the holding frame.

Object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of a connector part available that allows tolerance compensation between contact inserts and the support frame.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the at least one modular contact insert has at least one slide element which is displaceably guided on the housing body and on which the at least one projection element is arranged.

One or more projection elements are thus arranged on one or more slide elements and adjustably mounted on the housing body. The projection elements are thus not rigidly formed on the housing body, but can be moved by adjusting the at least one slide member to the housing body, which allows a tolerance compensation in the position of the projection elements to the housing body of the respective contact insert. In a position in which the contact insert is attached to the support frame, thus a tolerance compensation between the contact insert and the support frame is possible due to the fact that the contact insert is supported on its projection elements on the support frame and thus by adjusting the projection elements, the position of the contact insert to the support frame is variable to some extent.

One or more carriage elements are guided displaceably on the housing body. Each slide element in this case preferably carries an associated projection element, so that each projection element is adjustable via the associated slide element to the housing body and the projection elements can thus be adjusted independently of each other in their position on the housing body.

Each slide element is preferably displaceably guided by engagement of a guide pin in an associated guide groove on the housing body. In one embodiment, for example, one or more guide grooves can be formed on the housing body, into which an associated slide element engages with one or more guide pins, so that the slide element is guided in this way in a form-fitting manner on the housing body and can be adjusted on the housing body.

In one embodiment, the contact inserts can be inserted along an insertion direction in the holding frame. The direction of insertion here can correspond to the direction in which a (when equipped with contact inserts holding frame on a connector part created) arrangement of contact elements with an associated mating connector part can be placed in a mating connection. In this case, the at least one slide element which carries the at least one projection element is preferably displaceably guided along the insertion direction on the housing body, so that the adjustment direction of the slide element on the housing body corresponds to the insertion direction. A tolerance compensation by adjusting the position of the projection elements relative to the housing body is thus possible in particular along the insertion direction.

In one embodiment, the at least one slide element is resiliently biased along the direction of insertion relative to the housing body via a spring element. The adjustment of the carriage member to the housing body thus takes place in a spring-elastic manner, wherein - in an embodiment with a plurality of carriage elements and projection elements arranged thereon - each carriage element can be resiliently biased by a separate spring element with respect to the housing body. Each spring element may in this case be accommodated, for example, in an associated clamping receptacle on the housing body and biases the projecting element, for example, counter to the direction of insertion to the housing body.

The at least one spring element can be configured, for example, by a compression spring which is compressible when the slide element is adjusted.

In one embodiment, the housing body has a stop element which limits the adjustment path of the closing element relative to the housing body along the insertion direction. For example, in a rest position, a spring element associated with the carriage element can press the carriage element against the stop element, wherein the carriage element can be moved away from the stop element to counteract the tolerance of the spring element.

In an advantageous embodiment, each modular contact insert has two slide elements arranged on opposite sides on the housing body, each of which carries a projection element. The slide elements are separately and independently adjustable on the housing body and thereby advantageously biased in each case via a spring element relative to the housing body. By displacing one or both of the carriage elements relative to the housing body, the position of the projection elements on the housing body and thus the position of a contact insert on the mounting frame can thus be adapted.

For example, if a contact insert has a width that corresponds to a multiple of the width of a slot (for example, twice the width), and the contact insert occupies more than one slot in a position inserted into the holding frame, the contact insert on the opposite sides can also each having more than one slide element, each carrying a projection element and are independently adjustable on the housing body.

The projection elements on the housing body is preferably in each case a recess assigned to a frame wall of the holding frame. Correspondingly, opposite frame walls of the support frame each have (at least) a recess, so that upon insertion of a contact insert into the support frame, the projection elements on the opposite sides of the housing body of the contact insert can engage with the recesses on the opposite frame walls of the support frame in this way to support the contact insert on the frame walls of the support frame.

Here, the slots assigned to a slot of the opposite frame walls, measured along the width direction, may have different widths. Thus, a first recess assigned to a slot has a first width on a first frame wall, which differs from a second width of a recess assigned to the slot on the second frame wall opposite the first frame wall.

Associated protrusion elements on opposite sides of the housing body of a contact insert insertable into the slot preferably have (also different) widths corresponding to the widths of the associated recesses of the opposing frame walls, so that a coding is created via the recesses and the associated protrusion elements, that the contact insert can be used exclusively in a single position and orientation in the slot. Only when the contact insert is attached in the correct position to the associated slot can the projection elements engage with the associated recesses, so that the contact insert can only be received in the correct position on the holding frame when it is in the correct position.

By way of an associated latching element, which is, for example, elastically resilient, the projection elements can in this case be latched in the recesses, so that a positive-locking (possibly detachable) fixing of the contact insert to the support frame is provided.

In one embodiment, a plug-in section is formed on the housing body of at least some of the contact inserts, with which the contact insert can be plugged into an associated mating connector part. An array of contact inserts may be combined on a support frame and mounted in a housing of a connector portion to thereby populate the connector portion with an array of, for example, electrical contacts. By plug-in connection of the connector part, the plug portions of the contact inserts are placed on the holding frame with associated mating plug portions on a mating connector part in a mating connection, so that in this way a connection between the connector part and the mating connector part is made and, for example, electrical, optical or other contact elements are contacted.

One or more contact elements, for example electrical contact elements, optical contact elements, pneumatic contact elements or also other contact elements can be arranged on the housing body of one or more contact inserts. Thus, contact elements for plug-in connection with associated mating contact elements are fastened to the housing body.

On the rear side of a plug-in section formed on the housing body, one or more plug-in openings can be formed on the housing body, via which, for example, electrical or optical lines can be connected to contact elements on the housing body.

On the support frame several along the width direction lined up slots are defined. In principle, each slot serves to accommodate a contact insert, so that in this case the pitch of the slots corresponds to the pitch of the contact inserts. In one embodiment, however, a contact insert may also have a width that corresponds to the multiple of the width (for example, twice the width) of a slot. If such a contact insert is attached to the holding frame, then the contact insert occupies the space of two or more adjacent slots in the inserted position and is accordingly held on two or more adjacent slots on the holding frame.

The holding frame forms a plurality of mutually offset along the width direction slots for receiving a plurality of contact inserts. Each slot is assigned, for example, a spring element serving for latching on a frame wall such that contact inserts can be inserted individually into the slots and locked in the slots and also removed from the slots again. The holding frame advantageously has a substantially rectangular shape. Frame walls in this case form side surfaces along the longitudinal sides of the holding frame, on which two spring elements are arranged opposite each other for locking for each slot.

A connector part may in one embodiment, a holding frame after the vorangehend have described type. In the holding frame, a plurality of modular contact inserts are used, of which at least some have a connectable in a direction of insertion with a mating connector part plug-in portion arranged thereon contact elements for contacting with the mating connector part. At the contact inserts, for example, electrical, optical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other contacts can be provided. Characterized in that the plug connector part is brought into engagement with an associated mating connector part, there is a contact between the held in the holding frame contact inserts and associated mating contacts on the part of the mating connector part.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinderteils mit einem Halterahmen und darin eingesetzten Kontakteinsätzen;
• 2 eine Ansicht eines Halterahmens mit darin eingesetzten Kontakteinsätzen;
• 3 die Anordnung gemäß 2, betrachtet von oben;
• 4 eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes mit einem Gehäusekörper und daran angeordneten, Vorsprungselemente tragenden Schlittenelementen;
• 5 eine Explosionsansicht der Anordnung gemäß 4;
• 6 eine Seitenansicht der Anordnung gemäß 4;
• 7A eine stirnseitige Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß 4;
• 7B eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 7A;
• 8A eine Draufsicht auf die Anordnung gemäß 4; und
• 8B eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 8A.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a view of a connector part with a holding frame and inserted therein contact inserts;
• 2 a view of a holding frame with inserted therein contact inserts;
• 3 the arrangement according to 2 , viewed from above;
• 4 a view of an embodiment of a contact insert with a housing body and disposed thereon, the projection elements carrying carriage elements;
• 5 an exploded view of the arrangement according to 4 ;
• 6 a side view of the arrangement according to 4 ;
• 7A an end view of the arrangement according to 4 ;
• 7B a sectional view along the line AA according to 7A ;
• 8A a plan view of the arrangement according to 4 ; and
• 8B a sectional view along the line BB according to 8A ,

1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a connector part 1 that is a case 10 and one in the case 10 inserted holding frame 3 having. In the case 10 leads - in this embodiment - an electrical line 11 into it, in which there are several electrical wires in the housing 10 open, can be edged to this way on the support frame 3 to contact arranged contacts electrically.

The connector part 1 can be plugged into a plug-in direction S with an associated mating connector part 2 be associated. The support frame 3 of the connector part 1 serves to accommodate modular contact inserts 4 as used in one embodiment 2 and 3 are shown. The contact inserts 4 are on the support frame 3 attached and have outwardly projecting plug sections 40 with contact elements arranged thereon 400 on, for plugging and electrical contacting with associated mating contact elements of the mating connector part 2 serve.

How out 2 and 3 can be seen, are the contact inserts 4 modular and can be designed differently. The contact inserts 4 each have a housing body 42 on, at one in the housing 10 of the connector part 1 pointing in side plug openings 41 has, in the line wires of the line 11 can be plugged in for electrical contact. On the opposite, outwardly facing side are the plug sections 40 with the contact elements arranged thereon 400 from the housing body 42 before, which is to be engaged with the mating connector part 2 serve.

The contact inserts 4 can be in the shape of the mating sections 40 with the contact elements arranged thereon 400 , in the number of contact elements 400 or differ in their basic function. For example, via the contact inserts 4 no electrical contacts, but for example optical mechanical or pneumatic contacts are provided.

The contact inserts 4 can in a modular way in different combinations to a holding frame 3 be set. The support frame 3 points along a width direction B Frame walls extending parallel to one another 31 . 32 on that along a depth direction Q spaced apart and between the contact inserts 4 take up. Front side are the frame walls 31 . 32 over wall parts 33 . 34 connected together, leaving a rectangular frame with an opening 30 is formed, in which the contact inserts 4 in an insertion direction e can be used.

Along the width direction B have the contact inserts 4 - at the in 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment - an equal pitch, in particular a same width. However, this is not mandatory.

On the frame walls 31 . 32 are - in pairs opposite - each recesses 310 . 320 formed, in which the contact inserts 4 with protrusion elements 420 . 421 pushed so that when in the holding frame 3 arranged contact inserts 4 the contact inserts 4 with their projection elements 420 . 421 each in a pair of opposed recesses 310 . 320 to come to rest.

The recesses 310 . 320 the opposite frame walls 31 . 32 wise - measured along the width direction B - different widths A1 . A2 on (see 3 ). In this way, a coding is created, the insertion of a contact insert 4 only in a predetermined position and orientation in one between the frame walls 31 . 32 created slot 300 allows. So, a first, measured along the width direction B narrow projection element 420 in the recesses 310 on the first frame wall 31 be inserted while a second, on the opposite, other side of the housing body 42 arranged projection element 421 because of its width A2 only in the recess 320 on the second frame wall 32 can be used.

About the recesses 310 . 320 assigned to the frame walls 31 . 32 arranged spring elements (in 2 and 3 not shown) can in this case a locking of the contact inserts 4 with the support frame 3 be created by the protrusion elements 420 . 421 each detent in the associated recesses 310 . 320 be arrested.

At the frontal wall parts 33 . 34 are attachment points 330 . 331 . 340 . 341 provided for attachment of the support frame 3 on the housing 10 of the connector part 1 serve and for example by means of suitable screw a fixing of the holding frame 3 with contact inserts arranged thereon 4 on the housing 10 enable.

At the frontal wall parts 33 . 34 are also connection devices 332 . 342 provided, for example, a neutral conductor (so-called PE-contacting) with the holding frame 3 can be connected and over, if the connector part 1 with the mating connector part 2 is connected, a ground connection between the connector part 1 and the mating connector part 2 is created.

At an in 4 to 8A . 8B illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 4 are protrusion elements 420 . 421 in a resilient manner with respect to a housing body 42 of the contact insert 4 adjustable. One each protrusion element 420 . 421 is at an associated carriage element 43 shaped, wherein the projection elements 420 . 421 as described above 1 to 3 has been described, on opposite sides to the outside of the housing body 42 projecting and engaging in associated recesses 320 . 321 on the side frame walls 31 . 32 of the holding frame 3 serve.

One each slide element 43 has a body 430 on, from the guide pins to different sides 431 . 432 protrude. About the guide pins 431 . 432 is the carriage element 43 on guide grooves 440 . 442 within an associated guideway 44 of the housing body 42 along the insertion direction e slidably guided while a spring element 45 resilient against the housing body 42 biased.

One each guide pin 431 . 432 engages in a separate, associated guide groove 440 . 442 on opposite sides of the guideway 44 a, so about the carriage element 43 along the insertion direction e on the housing body 42 is guided. The guide grooves 440 . 442 each have a recess on an outer edge 441 . 443 on, which make it possible, the respective carriage element 43 for mounting the contact insert 4 in the guide grooves 440 . 442 use. In inserted position is the carriage element 43 sliding on the guide grooves 440 . 442 guided.

From the body 430 of each carriage element 43 is a support element 433 inside. About the support element 433 is the associated spring element 45 on the carriage element 43 supported, as this particular 7B and 8B it can be seen, wherein the associated spring element 45 between the support element 433 on the carriage element 43 and a floor 446 a clamping fixture 444 of the housing body 42 extends. In the tension receptacle 444 is the spring element 45 taken in the manner of a cage and a fixing pin 447 on the ground 446 fixed.

About the associated spring element 45 is one each slide element 43 against the insertion direction e opposite the housing body 42 resiliently biased. The adjustment of the carriage element 43 against the insertion direction e is here by stop elements 445 at the end of the guide pin 431 associated guide grooves 442 limited.

In an in 4 and 6 to 8A . 8B shown starting position becomes each carriage element 43 over the associated spring element 45 against the stop elements 445 at the associated guide grooves 442 pressed and is to change position against the spring bias of the spring element 45 in the insertion direction e from the stop elements 445 Movable away.

About the carriage elements 43 are the protrusion elements 420 . 421 independent of each other to the housing body 42 of the contact insert 4 variable in position, so tolerances on the contact inserts 4 , on the support frame 3 and also in the position of the holding frame 3 inside the case 10 an associated connector part 1 can be compensated flexibly.

On the housing body 42 of in 4 to 8A . 8B illustrated contact insert 4 is a plug-in section 40 shaped over which the contact insert 4 when the contact insert 4 together with other contact inserts 4 to a holding frame 3 attached and over the support frame 3 inside the case 10 a connector part 1 is received, plugged with an associated mating connector part 2 can be connected. On the housing body 42 Here, one or more electrical, optical or other contact elements (possibly also in the form of connectors) may be arranged, so that a combination of contact inserts 4 a mating face of contact elements on the support frame 3 is created.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be realized in a completely different manner.

One or more contact inserts of the same type or different types can be accommodated on a holding frame in order in this way to create a desired arrangement of contact elements by combining modular contact inserts. Such a support frame can be mounted with contact inserts disposed thereon in a housing of a connector part, to provide in this way a desired configured connector.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

connector part

10

casing

11

management

110

ladder

2

Mating connector part

20

casing

3

holding frame

30

opening

300

slot

31, 32

frame wall

310, 320

recess

33

wall part

330, 331

attachment points

332

contactor

34

wall part

340, 341

attachment points

342

contactor

4

Modular contact inserts

40

Plug-in section (mating face)

400

contact elements

41

plug openings

42

housing body

420.421

projection member

43

carriage element

430

body

431, 432

spigot

433

supporting

44

guideway

440

guide

441

recess

442

guide

443

recess

444

chip receiver

445

stop element

446

ground

447

fixing pins

45

spring element

A1, A2

width

B

width direction

e

insertion

Q

depth direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012110907 A1 [0006]
• EP 1353412 B1 [0007]
• DE 102016107412 A1 [0008]
• DE 202013103611 U1 [0009]
• EP 3011643 B1 [0010]

Claims (13)

An assembly of a connector part (1) having a support frame (3), the frame walls (31, 32) and a frame opening (30) bounded by the frame walls (31, 32) for receiving a plurality of modular contact inserts (4) on a plurality of along a width direction (B) juxtaposed slots (300), and at least one modular contact insert (4) which is insertable at least one slot (300) in the frame opening (30) and a housing body (42) with at least one arranged thereon Projection element (420, 421) for engaging in an associated recess (310, 320) on one of the frame walls (31, 32) of the holding frame (3), characterized in that the at least one modular contact insert (4) at least one displaceable on the Housing body (42) guided slide member (43) on which the at least one projection element (420, 421) is arranged. Assembly after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one slide element (43) by engagement of a guide pin (431, 432) in an associated guide groove (440, 442) on the housing body (42) is displaceably guided. Assembly after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one contact insert (4) along an insertion direction (E) in the holding frame (3) is insertable, wherein the at least one slide element (43) along the insertion direction (E) on the housing body (42) is displaceable. Assembly after Claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one slide element (43) via a spring element (45) is resiliently biased along the insertion direction (E) relative to the housing body (42). Assembly after Claim 3 or 4 characterized in that the housing body (42) comprises at least one stop member (445) for limiting movement of the carriage member (43) along the direction of insertion (E) to the housing body (432). An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one modular contact insert (4) has two slide elements (43) arranged on opposite sides on the housing body (42), each carrying a projection element (420, 421). Assembly after Claim 6 , characterized in that the carriage elements (43) are independently displaceable on the housing body (42). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mutually opposite frame walls (31, 32) of the holding frame (3) for each slot (300) each have a recess (310, 320). Assembly after Claim 8 , characterized in that the one slot (300) associated with recesses (310, 320) of the opposite frame walls (31, 32), measured along the width direction (B), different widths (A1, A2). Assembly after Claim 9 , characterized in that each recess (310, 320) is associated with a projection element (420, 421) on the housing body (42) with a corresponding width (A1, A2). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one contact insert (4) has a plug-in portion (40) for plug-in connection with a mating connector part (2). Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one contact insert (4) has at least one electrical contact element (400). Connector part (1) with an assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector part (1) has a housing (10) on which the holding frame (3) is attached.

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