EP2917974B9 - Modular plug-in connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a modular connector according to claim 1.

A generic connector with a frame for releasable locking of multiple contact carrier modules is already out of the EP 1 063 731 A2 known.

Such connectors are for example from the DE 81 11 418 U1 and the EP 0 097 255 B1 known.

The connector after the EP 0 097 255 B1 is placed on a support body to which in turn a conductor connection block is attached, which consists of disc-shaped, lined-up insulating segments. The insulating segments have recesses in which the associated contact elements are inserted.

In order to enable accessibility to the contact elements in the plug state, it is further provided that chamber-shaped opening are provided in the insulating body, in which protrudes a pin-shaped extension of the end portions of the contact elements. The insulating body has on its upper side in each case a depression into which - transverse to the insulating segments - a spacer bolt is inserted, which is externally screwed to a frame part. By screwing the segments they are positioned against each other.

In the known embodiment, the number, location and assignment of the individual insulator are fixed. For replacement, the spacer bolt must be loosened, the frame removed and the contact bodies removed from the carrier body before a new assembly can take place.

From the publication DE 38 34 651 A1 are modular edged socket contacts known. The support body on the frame longitudinal parts are designed as a truncated strip, whereby a weakening of the frame occurs. Connectors are known in a variety of configurations. Since the housings and the frames of such connectors are often standardized (eg in the standard DIN 43 652), but on the other hand, there is a high demand for custom or application-oriented contact assignments, it is desirable to provide connectors that can be equipped with freely configurable contact shapes ,

From the publication DE 87 17 110.441 is a connector known, in which a frame is provided of two parts, can be used in the differently designed contact modules. The frame consists of two separate frame parts, one of which has on each longitudinal side a guide rail with a stop edge. The contact modules each have laterally corresponding webs, so that they can not fall through in their inserted state through the frame part. The second frame part is placed on the first frame part in which the contact modules are located and screwed with this. Also, the second frame part has lateral webs which engage in corresponding recesses on the upper side of the contact carrier, so that they are held captive in the bolted frame. This solution is problematic insofar as the installation is relatively expensive and necessary maintenance can be carried out only difficult. Furthermore, the two-part frame is relatively expensive to manufacture and therefore expensive.

From the publication DE 31 42 182 C2 is a connector with interchangeable sockets for different plug-in elements for receiving printed circuit boards with standardized male connector known in which a spring bar is formed of a one-piece frame and segments of different shapes, the inner longitudinal sides of the frame on one side as rectangular grooves and on the opposite side are formed as prismatic webs, wherein the longitudinal sides of the frame are provided with different openings for the positive locking of the segments by means of latching noses.

From the publication EP 0 202 916 A2 is also known to form the detent plate with a star surface of the contact carrier outstanding handle.

From the publication DE 93 01 220 U1 is a multi-pole plug-in device is known, which has a plastic base body with contact springs, which are provided for contacting with them associated contact blades. In this case, the contact blades are arranged in a plurality of open chambers of a plug connection part, and the contact springs arranged in the plastic base body are connected via flexible cables with connection contacts with connecting elements.

The contact blades of the chambers associated with the contact springs are arranged in a plurality of block-shaped interconnected plastic bodies and the plastic body has recesses provided with recesses in which the chamber associated plastic body can be releasably engaged. Thus, the chamber associated with the recess of the plastic body can be individually equipped with plastic bodies, the contact springs are connected via flexible cables with connection elements.

From the DE 15 90 072 A1 For example, an electrical connector housing assembly having an insulating plate is known, with electrical connectors attached to the plate. The plate has a rectangular opening into which a plurality of rectangular connector housings can be inserted. For this purpose, laterally projecting webs are provided on both sides of a first opposite side pair, which can form a detachable connection with the plate.

All of the aforementioned systems has the disadvantage that the variety of variants is limited.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved and versatile connector with detachable contact carrier modules. The contact carrier or carriers should be easy to assemble and disassemble in order to carry out testing and maintenance work on the connector quickly and easily and to enable a variety of mountable variants.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The invention is based on the consideration that the contact carrier modules are executed on the one hand in different module widths and on the other hand modules are provided whose width has a half-integer multiple (0.5, 1.5, 2.5...) Of the width of the base module with a width D and this a fixed frame part can be releasably secured in a defined module grid.

In other words, a frame with a fixed uniform grid of webs and web distances is provided, in which both the base modules and the modules with 0.5-fold, 1.5-fold, 2-fold, 2.5-fold ... module width can be releasably latched.

According to the invention, therefore, a connector with a frame for releasable locking of a plurality of contact carrier modules with the width 0.5 x B, 1 x B, 1.5 x B or 2 x B proposed, the frame of two opposite longitudinal side walls and two opposite transverse side walls is formed and wherein at least one contact carrier module of width 0.5 × B and at least one contact carrier module of width 1 × B are accommodated and latched to the frame and wherein the contact carrier modules of width 0.5 × B have a latching element consisting of a latching arm and the contact carrier modules of width 0.5 x B at least one locking element consisting of two locking arms which are connected to each other via a transverse web and thereby between the two adjacent locking arms each a Rastfensterausnehmung is formed, each cooperating with a arranged on the frame corresponding counter-locking element to the Kont releasably attach to the carrier modules in the frame and wherein externally on the longitudinal side walls of the frame a fixed grid of counter-locking elements in a uniform grid spacing of 0.5 x B.

The contact carrier modules have at least one latching element which interacts with a corresponding counter-latching element arranged on the frame in order to detachably fasten the contact carrier modules in the frame and wherein a fixed grid of these latching elements is arranged on the outside of the longitudinal side walls of the frame, namely in a uniform grid dimension the counter-locking elements of 0.5 x B (half the width of a base contact carrier module).

In this way, a connector can be provided in the standard contact carrier modules of width B are latched and contact carrier modules of width 0.5 x B and in the width 1.5 x B, which corresponds to three times the width of the half contact carrier module of width 0.5 x B.

Thus, integer, multiples of the width B / 2 of a standard or base contact carrier module can be introduced, so with contact carrier modules of width B or 2 x B or if the frame is sufficiently large and the width nx B / 2.

Thus, according to the invention, in the frame, preferably on the outer surface of the longitudinal side walls of the frame, a grid of locking ribs is provided which correspond to half the width of a standard module of width B.

By arranging a grid in the width B / 2, it is possible to arrange odd-numbered, multiples such as 0.5 times and 1.5 times the standard or basic contact carrier module of the width B and thereby increase the multiplicity of different possible uses.

Advantageously, the contact carrier modules latching elements on which locking arms are also arranged at a distance of 0.5 x B. So z. Example, a module that has 1.5 times the width of the base contact carrier module width B (ie, the width 1.5 x B) has three latching arms, while the base contact carrier module has two latching arms and half the contact carrier module via a latching arm on each side , Overall, one can say that a module that has n times the width B, thus providing 2 n spring arms on each side.

Particularly advantageous one or more latching arms are arranged directly on the latching element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plurality of respectively adjacent latching arms of a contact carrier module are formed at a distance of 0.5 × B at the contact carrier module or directly at the latching element.

It is also advantageous if the respectively adjacent latching arms immediately adjacent and in the frame immediately adjacent latched contact carrier modules are spaced apart at a distance of 0.5 x B on the contact carrier module.

In other words, this means that when inserting and locking differently wide contact carrier modules on the one hand adjacent spring arms of a contact carrier module in the locking distance of 0.5 x B are spaced, while locking arms of different but immediately adjacent contact carrier modules are also spaced at a distance of 0.5 x B to each other.

It is also advantageous if the contact carrier modules each have a coding groove on a side surface facing the longitudinal side edge of the frame.

Alternatively, they can also have a plurality of coding grooves on such a side surface.

It is particularly advantageous if the contact carrier modules each have on the second opposite side surface, which is oriented to the opposite side edge of the frame via one or more further coding grooves in such a way that they are arranged laterally offset from each other diametrically, so that only insert and lock the contact carrier module into the frame in a single orientation.

It is particularly advantageous if, therefore, the frame on the inside of each of its longitudinal side walls corresponding Codierrippen in a grid with the pitch of 0.5 x B and wherein each opposite coding ribs are also arranged offset diametrically to each other.

In other words, this means that on each inner side of the longitudinal side walls of the frame, a grid of Codierrippen is arranged in a grid of 0.5 x B, wherein the opposite rows of Codierrippen are arranged on the opposite inner side of the longitudinal side walls offset from each other diametrically.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connector according to the invention is further provided with a contact carrier module of width 1.5 x B and / or with a contact carrier module of width 2 x B.

Fig. 1

mehrere Ausführungsformen von Kontaktträgermodulen;

Fig. 2a

eine Ansicht von schräg oben auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Rahmen;

Fig. 2b

eine Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2a von schräg unten;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht des Rahmens aus Fig. 2a und Fig. 2b;

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf die Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2a;

Fig. 5

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung bestückt mit Kontaktträgermodulen;

Fig. 6

eine zweite Variante der Bestückung gemäß Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

eine dritte Alternativvariante der Bestückung mit Kontaktträgermodulen ähnlich Fig. 5;

Fig. 8

eine weitere Variante einer Ausführungsform einer Bestückung mit Kontaktträgermodulen ähnlich Fig. 5 bis Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine weitere Alternative ähnlich den Figuren 5 bis Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht durch ein Kontaktträgermodul;

Fig. 11

eine Aufsicht auf einen Rahmen ähnlich Fig. 4;

Fig. 12

eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders gemäß Fig. 9.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. In the following the invention with reference to an embodiment and the following figures will be explained in more detail. The figures show:

Fig. 1

several embodiments of contact carrier modules;

Fig. 2a

a view obliquely from above of a frame according to the invention;

Fig. 2b

a view according to Fig. 2a from diagonally below;

Fig. 3

a side view of the frame Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b ;

Fig. 4

a view of the view according to Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 5

a first embodiment of the invention equipped with contact carrier modules;

Fig. 6

a second variant of the assembly according to Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7

a third alternative variant of the assembly with contact carrier modules similar Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 8

a further variant of an embodiment of a fitting with contact carrier modules similar Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

another alternative similar to the FIGS. 5 to 8 ;

Fig. 10

a sectional view through a contact carrier module;

Fig. 11

a supervision similar to a frame Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 12

a side view of the connector according to the invention Fig. 9 ,

In the Fig. 1 Contact carrier modules 20, 21 are shown. The contact carrier modules 20, 21 are formed in different widths. The second view from the left shows the standard width B. This contact carrier module also has a depth T and a height H, as shown in FIG Fig. 10 is dargstellt.

The contact carrier module 20 with the standard width B is referred to below as the base contact carrier module. To the left is a contact carrier module 20 with the width B 0.5 × B. To the right are a contact carrier module 20 of width 1.5 × B and next to it a contact carrier module 20 of width 2 × B.

The contact carrier modules 20, 21 have coding grooves 31 on their side surface. These coding grooves 31 correspond to coding ribs 30 as shown in FIG Fig. 4 and Fig. 11 are shown. By a laterally offset arrangement of the Codierrippen 30 on each side surface of the contact carrier modules 20 and corresponding corresponding offset positions of the Codierrippen 30 in the frame 10, as in Fig. 11 As can be seen, it is prevented that the contact carrier modules 20 can be stuck in different positions in the frame 10.

Further, located on the side surfaces of the contact carrier modules 20 locking elements 23 on which one or more latching arms 24 are arranged. As far as a plurality of latching arms 24 are articulated on the latching element 23, these are connected to one another via a transverse web 25, at the left and right end latching lugs 26 are formed.

It can also be seen that with increasing module width in each case the number of latching arms is increased. For each width of 0.5 × B, a latching arm 24 is articulated on the latching element 23. For example, a module with the width 2 x B has four locking arms, as in Fig. 1 is shown in the right view.

In Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b . FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is an inventive frame 10 dargstellt. The frame 10 has in each case opposite longitudinal side walls 11 and transverse side walls 12. On the insides of the longitudinal side walls 11 are the Codierrippen 30. On the outer sides of the longitudinal side walls 11 are locking elements 13 and as shown in this embodiment locking ribs 13. The locking ribs 13 have a ramp portion 14 which extends obliquely

As in Fig. 3 clearly recognizable, the locking ribs 13 and locking elements 13 in a fixed grid with pitch of 0.5 x B The locking measure can be done by two left-sided outer edges, two right-sided outer edges or as in Fig. 3 be measured from the center to the center of each two adjacent locking elements 13. The clear distance between two side edges of each adjacent latching elements 13 is 0.5 x D.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, D = B.

As in Fig. 4 it can be seen, in each case on the outside of each longitudinal side wall 11 to find the same pitch of locking ribs 13.

In the Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 are different configurations and thus variants of equipping a erfindungemäßen frame 10 according to Fig. 2a to Fig. 4 equipped with contact carrier modules 20, 21 according to Fig. 1 dargstellt.

In Fig. 1 For example, one can find an assembly with standard modules 20, 21, wherein 4 × a base contact carrier module 21 is latched to the frame 10.

In the Fig. 6 is a placement of 2 x with a standard contact carrier module 21 of the width B and equipped with a contact carrier module 20 of width 2 x B.

In Fig. 7 is an assembly with a module 21 of width B in an intermediate position and a contact carrier module 20 with the width 2 x B, whereby between the two contact carrier modules 20, 21, a gap of width 0.5 x B is formed.

In this way, air and creepage distances can be increased, in which a gap is formed between adjacent modules. Is an assembly with contact carrier modules 20, 21 of a module of width 2 x B a module of width 1 x B and two modules of width 0.5 x B given.

In Fig. 9 For example, an assembly with a module 20 of width 0.5 x B a module 20 of width 1.5 x B and two modules 21 of the width B, so two base contact carrier modules 21 shown.

In the Fig. 10 a section through a contact carrier module 20, 21 is shown. The width T indicates the depth and the height H the height of the contact carrier module 20.

Located laterally on the side walls is the locking element 23, on which the latching arm 24 is mounted.

Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a frame 10, in which clearly the position of the Codierrippen 30 is shown. The top row of coding ribs 30 in FIG Fig. 11 formed on the inner side of the longitudinal side wall 11 is shifted from the lower row of the encoder ribs 30 formed on the opposite side wall 11. This ensures that the contact carrier modules 20, 21 can be inserted into the frame 10 only in one orientation, provided correspondingly corresponding latching grooves 31 are provided in the same manner in the contact carrier modules 20, 21.

In Fig. 12 is a side view of the Fig. 9 dargstellt. Here it can be clearly seen that the solution according to the invention with the contact grid in half the width of a base contact carrier module 21 is used.

The latching arms 24 are arranged in the grid with a pitch of 0.5 x B, so that the distance between latching arms adjacent, d. H. immediately adjacent latching arms of different contact carrier modules 20, 21 are latched at the same distance on the frame 10. The fact that 25 latching lugs 26 are arranged at the lower end of the latching arms 24 and that in extension of the transverse webs, results in a particularly good grip with a fixed locking measure.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, but may be further defined by combinations of various described features. For example, it is also possible to provide frames 10 which have a significantly greater longitudinal extent, so that contact carrier modules 20, 21 can also be arranged which have a size greater than 2 × B and indeed over a whole or half-integer multiple of the size of 0th

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

frame

11

Longitudinal side wall

12

Transverse side wall

13

locking ribs

14

ramp section

20

Contact carrier module

21

Base Module

23

locking element

24

detent arm

25

crosspiece

26

locking lug

30

coding ribs

31

coding grooves

B

Width of the module

T

Depth of the module

H

Height of the module

Claims (10)

1. Plug-in connector having a frame (10) for detachably latching multiple contact carrier modules (20, 21) of the widths 0.5 x B, 1 x B, 1.5 x B or 2 x B, wherein the frame (10) is formed from two opposite-lying longitudinal side walls (11) and two opposite-lying transverse side walls (12) and wherein at least one contact carrier module (20, 21) of the width 0.5 x B and at least one contact carrier module (20, 21) of the width 1 x B are received in the frame (10) and are latched with the frame (10) and wherein the contact carrier modules (20, 21) of the width 0.5 x B comprise a latching element (23) consisting of a latching arm (24) and the contact carrier modules (20, 21) of the width 1 x B comprise at least one latching element (23) consisting of two latching arms (24) which are connected to one another by way of a transverse connecting piece (25) and consequently in each case a latching window recess (27) is embodied between the two adjacent latching arms (24), which in each case cooperate with a corresponding mating latching element (13) that is arranged on the frame (10) in order to detachably fasten the contact carrier modules (20, 21) in the frame (10) and wherein a fixed grid of mating latching elements (13) is arranged on the exterior of the longitudinal side walls (11) of the frame (10) in a uniform grid spacing of 0.5 x B.
2. Plug-in connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that each contact carrier module (20, 21) comprises in each case a latching element (23) on two sides that lie opposite one another.
3. Plug-in connector according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (23) of the contact carrier modules (20, 21) having the width 1 x B, 1.5 x B and 2 x B that is arranged laterally on the contact carrier module (20, 21) comprises multiple latching arms (24).
4. Plug-in connector according to Claim 3, characterized in that the multiple in each case adjacent latching arms (24) of a contact carrier module (20, 21) are embodied with a spacing of 0.5 x B on the contact carrier module (20, 21).
5. Plug-in connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective adjacent latching arms (24) of directly adjacent contact carrier modules (20, 21) that latch in the frame (10) are embodied on the contact carrier module (20, 21) with a spacing of 0.5 x B.
6. Plug-in connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier modules (20, 21) are provided with a locating groove (31) in each case on a side that faces the longitudinal side edge (11) of the frame (10).
7. Plug-in connector according to Claim 6, characterized in that the contact carrier modules (20, 21) are provided with a locating groove (31) in each case on the respective second opposite-lying side that is aligned with the opposite-lying longitudinal side edge (11) of the frame (10), and said locating grooves are arranged in each case diametrically offset with respect to one another so that the contact carrier module (20, 21) can only be plugged in and latched in a one alignment in the frame.
8. Plug-in connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) comprises locating ribs (30) on the inner face of each of its longitudinal side walls in a grid with the grid dimensions of 0.5 x B and wherein in each case opposite-lying locating ribs are arranged diametrically offset with respect to one another.
9. Plug-in connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that furthermore contact carrier modules (20) of the width 1.5 x B and/or 2 x B are fastened in the frame (10).
10. Plug-in connector according to any of the preceding Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that multiple latching arms (24) of a contact carrier module (20) are connected to one another by way of a transverse connecting piece (25) and consequently in each case a latching window recess (27) is embodied between two adjacent latching arms (24).

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