EP0882318B1 - Electrical multi-pole plug-and-socket-type connector with associated socket part - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP97/00826 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 11, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 11, 1998 PCT Filed Feb. 21, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/33347 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 12, 1997An electrical connector includes a frame which supports contact modules which are equipped with connections for a corresponding number of conductors of a multi-wire cable. The contact modules and corresponding female modules can be freely combined in their selection and arrangement and can be latched together to form compact module blocks.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to an electrical connector Type of multi-pin connector, its structure is modular with contact inserts based on a modular system and the opposite socket part is a corresponding one Has modularity, the respective contact inserts in the plug part and in the socket part in a mounting frame are clickable and for additional attachment of the Socket contact inserts in the socket part of the device mounting side can be plugged together to form a contact insert block.

STATE OF THE ART

Modular electrical connectors are from the EP 0 523 491 A1 and from various catalogs or product publications known. In a published product catalog 11/92 "Electrical components" from 2E Rolf Hiller becomes a modular connector system as a board connector described in accordance with DIN 41612, whose one Mounting frame modules that can be used as knife and female connectors are executed and for the respective use with contacts of different types by snapping can be equipped. This system does not have a connector housing and is in the male connector designed as a plug part more a separable board connector than an industrial connector assign. Depending on the equipment, the Modules while maintaining a basic grid on a circuit board be attached. The Attachment takes place in a mounting frame that is on the Board side provided as a collection and alignment frame is. The modules inserted in these mounting frames are only available as plug-in, crimp or solder version. A universal use by means of a clamp or screw clamp connection for wires and strands and one in the modular system integrated PE contacting is not provided.

In the published catalogs of the CONTACT Connectors 950331 "EPIC series MC", "Concept - The modular connector system", INNOVATION, connector cover sheet, Weidmüller, Amphenol C 146 modular catalog, euro publishing 2/94 are also modular connectors of a common Systems described that are used in a frame and can be snapped into place. The individual modules are in this system via lateral guide ribs and corresponding grooves running in the direction of insertion in the mounting frame and fastened to it with snap hooks. The modules are very robust and therefore voluminous, which leads to a Enlargement of the contact grid dimension leads. For equipotential bonding between the plug part and the socket part are on the side of the frame and outside the module arrangement PE metal contacts leading the narrow side of the connector provided for the lateral cushioning of the contact connection additional installation space required. This is possible for plug connections without the required equipotential bonding Loads of the number of contacts per connector. For this are the surface-mounted / base housing and the sleeve housing in one robust design to meet the special requirements of a heavy duty has been adapted and usually out Made of metal. The present form of the housing is on an intended mechanical joint locking system matched what additional installation space for the entire electrical connector needed.

THE INVENTION

The present invention has for its object to design an electrical connector of the type mentioned in a protection class IP65 not unusual for electrical connectors so that when taking advantage of modular electrical contact inserts, a compact electrical connector with PE contacting can be integrated if necessary.
In its structure, the disadvantages of the known prior art are to be minimized and, for use cases without the need for equipotential bonding with the same plug area, additional utilization of the PE contact area on the narrow side of the plug connector which is not required in these use cases is made possible by contact modules. Thus, the number of contacts per connector and its installation volume can be increased for such applications. With the same dimensions, this version should correspond to protection class IP65 and, for each connector size, partly with a plastic sleeve housing for use on devices, as well as in a second version with a metal housing for heavier industrial applications with extreme environmental conditions and additional EMC protection with no difference in size compared to the plastic housing Size and different contact inserts can be used.

It is provided, known miniature PCB connectors with a matching pitch in Combine groups into one module and modify it in such a way that these modules on the one hand as a plug part of the Grommet housing, as well as on the other hand as a socket part on the Connection or device side arranged in a mounting frame can be. The arrangement is structurally solved such that the actuators or openings for Show the long side of the mounting frame so that the wiring of the individual terminal points is facilitated. Consequently can have multiple modules with different contact inserts for power and / or signal transmission in screw terminal or spring clamp technology combined and accordingly the predetermined grid dimension of the receiving frame in one freely selectable order can be arranged ..

Another feature is by minimization the wall thicknesses of the connector side mounting frame like the mounting frame of the device side, optimal use of the Connector area for the number of modules to be inserted to enable. This is achieved in that a variant of the construction of the receiving frame resiliently installed PE metal parts leading contacting is dispensed with, which is usually in one piece at the ends of the longitudinal direction of the connector are firmly connected to the mounting frame.

In the event of a need for leading PE contacts becomes a special, on the modularity of the connector modules coordinated mounting frame provided as a mounting kit, in which at the outer ends of the receiving frame in Longitudinal direction PE contacts in module form with half a module pitch are provided, which together form an entire module surrender and together along a lengthways on the inside of the frame attached bridge made of electrically conductive material can be connected as flat ribbon or round wire. On This PE module in the sleeve housing is one with the conductor cable Carried PE conductor can be connected.

Another variant is the socket part of the electrical connector, which is usually on the mounting frame on the device or add-on side or on an industrial 19 "rack is attached, in its form as a counterpart to the plug part without PE connection, as well as to one Plug part to be used with PE modules. For this is the mounting frame for use without a PE connection as Counterpart to the connector side to a maximum of Connector modules designed. For use with PE contacts is the mounting frame in its module division of the position the connector-side modules adapted and also has an insertable bridge made of electrically conductive metal tape or round wire with one in the mounting frame snap-in PE module connected at the other end of the socket is. This has the advantage that only a further one PE connection, be it as a conductor track on a circuit board or as a freely clampable conductor got to.

It is also advantageous to snap the contact inserts together the attachment or device side with locking means the side faces of the individual modules into a block that for additional stability of the contact inserts in the Socket part and beyond in the entire connector leads. The combination of contact inserts is also advantageous for contacting a circuit board and contact inserts for connecting further flexible electrical Ladder. Each of these different contact inserts is with a module of a different type of connection technology via locking pieces provided on the side of these modules or dovetail guides into a block connectable.

Another feature is that for EMC protection provided constructive arrangement of a shield plate between the sleeve housing intended for this purpose made of metal and one for positioning the sleeve housing mounting frame provided on the on-site device front, which is also the receiving part of the device side Socket contact modules is. This shield plate encloses by the device side the mounting frame, so that at the same time after inserting the shield plate with the mounting frame in the device connection opening a contact with the edge of the Device front opening over several on the long side the receiving frame supporting resilient sections the shield plate is provided.

On the other hand, there is the possibility of the plug and the Front of the device via the mounting flanges with PE connections to connect a circuit board. For this, the metal parts designed as fastening elements of the mounting flange, that contacting a conductor track of a circuit board is possible.

The protection class IP65 of the entire connector design is achieved becomes a contact area provided groove in the sleeve housing wall of the plastic and / or metal housing and one inserted therein and for Contact surface of the connector protruding cord seal achieved by screwing the connector grommet sealing against a device wall between the two parts works. This construction is advantageous and inexpensive, because this creates a connector housing with additional Seal to the device wall and the associated additional installation space can be omitted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Fig. 1

einen ersten Teil eines Tüllengehäuses (2) eines elektrischen Steckverbinders (1) in einer perspektivischen Darstellung mit angeschlossenem mehradrigem Leiterkabel (3), Kabelverschraubung (4) mit Zugentlastung, herausgezogenem Aufnahmerahmen (5) und zwei unterschiedliche in diesem Aufnahmerahmen (5) einrastbare Kontaktmodule (6a, 6b),

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Aufnahmerahmens (5) mit PE-Kontakten in einer Ansicht "A" und mit eingerasteten Kontaktmodulen (6a, 6b), einstückig am Aufnahmerahmen (5) angeordneten PE-Modulen (7) und deren Verbindung mit einem elektrisch leitenden Metallteil (8) über eine am Aufnahmerahmen (5) anliegenden Brücke (9) und der Position der Befestigungsschrauben (10) des Tüllengehäuses (2),

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Anbauteile einer Gerätefront in der Ausführung mit PE-Kontakten und deren Anordnung im Anbaurahmen (11) auf der Geräteseite, mit eingelegter Brücke (17) , der Position des Schirmbleches (12), einer Frontblende (13) eines Gerätes und einer möglichen Anordnung eines Modulblockes (14) von Leiterplattenbuchsenmodulen (14a, 14b) und Anbauflanschen (16), sowie PE-Module (15) für die Kontaktierung freier elektrischer Leiter (20) .

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Anordnung zur Verbindung von Anbaurahmen (11), Schirmblech (12) und Anbauflansche (16) bei einer Ausführung ohne PE-Kontaktierung, bei der das Schirmblech (12) mittels federnder Kontakte (34) mit der Innenkante der Aufnahmeöffnung (13a) der Gerätefrontseite (13) kontaktiert und wobei über die Anbauflansche (16) eine Verbindung des Schirmbleches (12) und der Gerätefrontseite (13) mit Leiterbahnen (18) einer Leiterplatte (19) ermöglicht wird und gleichzeitig über die Anbauflansche (16) eine Befestigung der Leiterplatte (19) an der Gerätefrontseite (13) vorgesehen ist und

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Anordnung von PE-Modulen (15) am Anbaurahmen (11) mit der Darstellung der Position der einsteckbaren Brücke (17) am Aufnahmerahmen (11) und deren seitliche Kontaktierung mit den Federkontakten (28) der PE-Module (15), die hier vorzugsweise als Verbinder für freie Leiter (20) dargestellt sind.

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings and the drawing itself, which are explained in more detail in connection with the figures. All of the described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any combination, form the subject matter of the present invention, irrespective of how they are summarized in the protection claims or their back-reference. It shows

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first part of a grommet housing (2) of an electrical connector (1) with a connected multi-core conductor cable (3), cable gland (4) with strain relief, pulled-out mounting frame (5) and two different contact modules that can be snapped into this mounting frame (5) 6a, 6b),

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the mounting frame (5) with PE contacts in a view "A" and with engaged contact modules (6a, 6b), PE modules (7) arranged in one piece on the mounting frame (5) and their connection to an electrically conductive metal part ( 8) via a bridge (9) resting on the receiving frame (5) and the position of the fastening screws (10) of the sleeve housing (2),

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the attachments of a device front in the version with PE contacts and their arrangement in the mounting frame (11) on the device side, with inserted bridge (17), the position of the shield plate (12), a front panel (13) of a device and one possible arrangement of a module block (14) of printed circuit board socket modules (14a, 14b) and mounting flanges (16), as well as PE modules (15) for contacting free electrical conductors (20).

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the arrangement for connecting the mounting frame (11), shield plate (12) and mounting flanges (16) in a version without PE contact, in which the shield plate (12) by means of resilient contacts (34) with the inner edge of the receiving opening (13a ) contacted the front of the device (13) and a connection of the shield plate (12) and the front of the device (13) with conductor tracks (18) of a circuit board (19) is made possible via the mounting flanges (16) and at the same time an attachment via the mounting flanges (16) the circuit board (19) is provided on the front of the device (13) and

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the arrangement of PE modules (15) on the mounting frame (11) with the representation of the position of the plug-in bridge (17) on the mounting frame (11) and their lateral contact with the spring contacts (28) of the PE modules (15) , which are preferably shown here as connectors for free conductors (20).

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a first part of an electrical connector (1), the plug part, consisting of a sleeve housing (2), a receiving frame (5) and at least one in this receiving frame (5) snap-in contact module (6a, 6b), a PG screw connection (4) for mechanical and sealing Fastening a conductor cable (3) with the inside usual clamping and sealing elements, the fastening screws (10) for attaching the sleeve housing (2) to one Front of a device wall (13), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 is shown and advantageously in a groove the contact surface of the housing grommet (25), which together with the PG screw connection (4) provide a seal of the entire electrical connector in IP65 enables. This saves an additional seal in one Base part, as well as the base part itself. These parts are to the fastening parts (28), see in Fig. 2, added. The receiving opening (37) of the grommet housing (2) has one rectangular cross section with formed on the long sides (38) Contact surfaces with the long sides (39) of the elongated Interact with the receiving frame (5).

After stripping the outer sheath of the conductor cable (3) The individual wires of the conductor cable are of a predetermined length after slipping on the cable gland with Strain relief (4) in the screw opening of the sleeve housing (2) and then for a clamp connection prepared. Furthermore, the shooting frame (5) with the order different or the same Contact modules (6a, 6b) by simply snapping them in the joining direction "B" equipped. The receiving frame (5) is advantageous and inexpensive made of plastic and has for attachment the contact modules (6a, 6b) are constructed and pieces protruding against the joining direction "B" (30), on the inside of the receiving frame (5) Undercuts (29) for receiving at right angles to Joining direction "B" of the contact module (6a, 6b) protruding Locking pieces (31) are provided. This connection is in Unjoined state of the receiving frame (5) in the sleeve housing (2) without great effort due to slight bending the mounting frame (5) to release, so that a contact module (6a, 6b) can be easily moved into its position can.

When the contact modules (6a, 6b) in the receiving frame (5), the individual conductors of the Conductor cable (3) connected to the contact modules (6a, 6b) become. For this purpose, the contact module (6a, 6b) is in its constructive training has been advantageously provided that the actuators of the clamp connection to the long side (39, 39a) of the receiving frame (5) show and through the protruding pieces (30) of the receiving frame (5) are not be covered.

After connecting all individual conductors of the conductor cable (3) the receiving frame (5) with engaged contact modules (6a, 6b) in the joining direction "B" into the sleeve housing (2) pushed, the individual conductor of the conductor cable (3) find space inside the sleeve housing (5). The The mounting frame (5) is fastened by means of fastening elements (28) 2 with the sleeve housing (2) in the joining direction "B" screwed inside the sleeve housing. After the tight fit of the receiving frame (5) is a removal of a connector module (6a, 6b) no longer possible because the inner Contact surfaces (38) of the sleeve housing (2) as a shaped element expanding the long sides (39) of the receiving frame (5) counteract.

For supporting and positioning the contact modules in Joining direction "B" are protruding supports on the side (32) on the plastic housing part of the contact module (6a, 6b) provided, which are on the edge of the receiving frame (5) Support in joining direction "B" and with side supports (32) the edge of the long side (39) of the receiving frame (5) grasp and a movement of the contact module (6a, 6b) transverse to the joining direction "B" and a widening of the receiving frame (5) counteract or loosen the Prevent connector module (6a, 6b).

Fig. 2 shows the perspective in part equipped mounting frame (5) of a variant for PE contacting from view "A", the above Locking piece recordings (30) of the receiving frame (5) with the undercuts (29) are illustrated.

It is often necessary to use electrical wiring Potential for a device to protect the inside to guide and transmit electronic components. In a variant of the electrical connector (1) is the assumption of this electrical potential given from the connector side to the device side that for this a constructed in the form of a contact module (6a, 6b) PE module (7) is provided, which can be used Contacted PE socket module (15) in Fig. 3 on the device side.

An advantageous construction is therefore proposed in FIG. such fixed PE contacts (7) in a mounting frame (5) provides and at the same time the side continued assembly of contact modules (6a, 6b) not with special needs. The constructive design of this snap and thus firmly connected to the mounting frame (5) PE modules (7) in the form and grid of the contact modules (6a) preferably the interchangeable use of PE socket counterparts (15) on the device side. The PE socket modules (15) can both with free conductor connection as well as with plug or solder connections for PCB contacting be executed.

This is advantageously provided in a constructive Variant of the mounting frame (5) and the mounting frame (11) with half the contact module width of the contact module (6a) in a design as a PE module (7) on both ends to be formed in one piece with the receiving frame (5) and a prefabricated electrically conductive metal part (8) with a connected bridge (9) between the outer metal parts (8) insert, which in turn laterally with the Clamp connection of the conductor connection of the PE module (7) electrically contacted. In another constructive variant is a plug-in and lockable PE module (7) the same half contact module width possible, the Contacting metal parts matched to this construction are. The design of the add-on frame with PE contact is assembled in a mounting kit. The Matching PE modules 7, 15 of the connector 1 and the socket part 35 (Fig. 3) have leading contacts 36.

In Fig. 3 is the mounting side (device side), namely that Socket part 35, with which to connect to a device front cover (13) necessary components shown. Advantageous in this version is the constructive version of the mounting frame (11) as a mounting and positioning flange for the sleeve housing (2) on the one hand and on the other as a leading mounting frame (11) for the counterparts socket modules (14a, 14b, 15).

The socket modules (14a, 14b, 15) can according to the Connector side with the same mutual order be fitted by snapping, so that the necessary for this Snap technology using elements 29 to 32 in Fig. 1 and 2 of the connector side is used.

In practice, the socket modules (14a) on the device side with printed circuit boards (19) galvanically as well as by means of press-in technology connected. For this it is advantageous to use the connector modules to clip together into blocks (14) according to FIG. 3.

5 are laterally on each socket module (14a, 14b, 15) usual locking means (33), such as conical pointing towards each other Pins and undercut holes and / or Dovetail guides and grooves are provided. But also the use of socket modules (14b) for a free one Conductor connection can be made with the solderable or press-in PCB variant the socket modules (14a) by means of lateral connectivity (33) snapped together to form blocks (14) become. The module blocks (14) locked together can are soldered to the circuit board (19) and are in their entirety as a module block (14) in the mounting frame (11) can be inserted and locked. This is the mounting frame (11) by means of the connecting elements (26) from the plug side forth (Fig. 3) held on the front cover (13), wherein the connector block (14) from the back of the Front cover (13) in the mounting frame (11) in the Form described above is snapped so that the front cover of the housing between mounting frame (11) and socket modules (14a, 14b, 15) is pinched. In addition are on the Board side of the front cover (13) on both sides of the module block (14) add-on mounting flanges (16) provided that one part with the socket modules (14a, 14b, 15) can be locked laterally, but on the other hand the mounting frame by means of the connecting elements (26) Pull (11) on the front cover (13), position and fasten.

There is also a bridge (17) on the device side for connection the provided at one end of the module block (14) PE socket modules (15) as a counterpart to the connector variant provided with PE modules (7). For that they are on pluggable on the device side but not with the mounting frame (11) firmly connected PE contact modules (15) in their upper opened housing part (15) and that of the printed circuit board (19) opposite side with resilient contact elements (28) see Fig. 5, equipped, in which the angled electrically conductive end pieces (27) of the bridge (17) are inserted can be and thus a contact for forwarding provided on a PE socket module clamp connector is the electrical connection to the circuit board or as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 to free PE conductors (20).

In an EMC-protected variant of the electrical connector (1) a shield plate (12) is proposed, which on the device side before joining the mounting frame (11) the front cover (13) over the mounting frame (11) is put over and together with this on the front cover (13) is attached, the resilient electrically conductive shield plate system contacts (34) an electrical Contact with the inner edge (13a) of the front cover opening produce.

4 is the EMC variant with the PE contact a printed circuit board shown, wherein the device front to clarify the detail and the opening of which is not shown. Already in Fig. 3 shows that the resilient shield contact contacts (34) with the inner edge of the receiving opening can contact a device front, so that the mounting mounting flanges (16) not necessarily a connection with the shield plate (12), as the front cover of the housing (13) of the device for example by a Paint layer can be electrically isolated. 4 is shown an application in which the metal parts of the mounting mounting flanges (16) partly with a conductor track (18) a circuit board (19) designed to be contactable are and on the other hand a connection to the front cover of the housing (13) using the metal parts of the mounting mounting flanges (16) can produce.

5 is the connection and arrangement between electrically conductive bridge (17) and the PE socket modules (15) for PE forwarding to free conductors (20). The bridge (17) is at its end pieces (27) angular, preferably in the embodiment shown bent at right angles and contacted by the above End pieces (27) electrically conductive contact spring elements (28) of the PE socket module (15) in its bridge (17) open upper case area. In the lower area of the PE socket module (15) the electrical contact is preferred to a pin contact as a counterpart to that in the plug part provided PE module (7) equipped with contact spring element, this pin contact of the socket module (15) again in one piece with the contact spring elements (28) is. These socket modules (15) also have lateral ones Latching means (33) for stringing together into one Module block (14).

Reference list

1

Connectors

2nd

Sleeve housing

3rd

Conductor cable, multi-core

4th

Cable gland with strain relief

5

Mounting frame

6

Contact module

6a

8-way contact module

6b

Double contact module

7

PE module

8th

Metal part, electrically conductive

9

Bridge, on the connector side

10th

Fastening screw

11

Mounting frame

12th

Shield plate

13

Front cover

14

Module block

14a

Socket module, pluggable / solderable

14b

Socket module, free conductor outlet

15

PE socket module

16

Attachment mounting flange

17th

Bridge, on the socket side

18th

PE conductor track

19th

Circuit board

20th

free leader

21

Grip position of the operator

22

Identification label

23

head Start

24th

Handle side

25th

poetry

26

Mounting screws

27

Bridge end piece

28

PE socket metal

29

Rest piece recess

30th

Rest piece holder

31

Rest stop

32

lateral support

33

lateral module locking

34

Shield plate system contact

35

Socket part

36

Leading contacts

37

Receiving opening

38

Long side d. Grommet housing

39

Long side d. Frame

Claims (10)

1. Electrical multi-pole plug-and-socket-type connector with associated socket part, which both have a respective carrier for receiving contact modules which correspond with one another, whereby these contact modules are equipped with connections for a corresponding number of conductors,
   characterised in that
   in the carrier (5) of the plug-and-socket-type connector (1) as well as in the carrier (11) of the socket part (35) instead of at least one contact module (6a, 6b) two PE modules (7, 15) can optionally be used, which upon connection of the plug-and-socket-type connector (1) and the socket part (35) together have priority contacting (rapid) contacts (36), and in that a bridge (9, 17) made from an electrically conducting material and connecting the two PE modules (7, 15) respectively can be positioned on the respective carrier (5, 11).
2. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 1
   characterised in that
   the PE modules (7, 15) of the plug-and-socket-type connector and/or of the socket part (35) have a connection for a free conductor (20).
3. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 1 or Claim 2
   characterised in that
   the PE modules (15) of the socket part (35) have plug connections or soldered connections for the contacting of a circuit board (19).
4. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 3
   characterised in that
   PE modules (15) of the socket part (35) can be engaged with the circuit board (19) and mounting flanges (16) are securely positioned on the circuit board (19), whereby these mounting flanges (16) can be screwed together with the carrier (11) of the socket part (35) .
5. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to one of the Claims 1 to 4
   characterised in that
   the contact modules (6a, 6b) have a module width of equal division and the PE modules (7, 15) have half module width.
6. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to one of the Claims 1 to 5
   characterised in that
   the contact modules (6a, 6b) and the PE modules (7, 15) have a lateral means of engaging (33).
7. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to one of the Claims 1 to 6
   characterised in that
   the bridge (9, 17) connecting the PE modules (7, 15) consists of flat strip or round wire.
8. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 7
   characterised in that
   the bridge (9, 17) connecting the PE modules (7, 15) is positioned inside or outside on the carrier (5, 11).
9. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 7 or Claim 8
   characterised in that
   the bridge (17) of the socket part (35) connecting the PE modules (15) contacts with a screening plate surrounding the carrier (11), whereby this screening plate is positioned in connection with the socket case (2) of the plug-and-socket-type connector (1).
10. A plug-and-socket-type connector according to Claim 4 and Claim 9
    characterised in that
    instead of the PE modules (15) of the socket part (35) the mounting flanges (16) on the circuit board (19) are electrically connected to the screening plate (12) and to PE conductor paths (18) positioned on the circuit board (19) .

Images