EP3080875B1 - Holding frame for a plug-type connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a support frame according to the preamble of independent main claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of the independent subclaim 8 and a method according to the Oberbergriff of the independent subsidiary claim 15th

Such support frames are required to accommodate a plurality of similar and / or different modules. These modules can be, for example, insulating bodies, which are provided as contact carriers for electronic and electrical and possibly also for optical and / or pneumatic contacts. Of particular importance is that the support frame allows for a proper protective grounding in accordance with the EN61984 connector standard, for example, for inserting the module-mounted support frame into metallic connector housings.

State of the art

DE 2736079 A1 refers to the attachment of terminal blocks or connection modules of rigid insulating material by snapping and fixing in place on a metallic support rail, which may be asymmetrical and which may be formed by a U-shaped profile with two inwardly projecting protrusions, in their height can be offset from each other and from the middle part of the U-shaped profile.

In particular disclosed DE 2736079 A1 a snap-in terminal block or a connection module for electrical lines, wherein the terminal block is provided at its two end edges, which are parallel to the longitudinal direction of a support rail, for assembling such terminal blocks with grooves, each cooperating with internal horizontal projections which in the vicinity of the free Ends of the two legs of a metallic U-shaped support profile are provided, wherein the grooves can be used at different distances from the bottom of the profile against the action of at least one transverse leaf spring having two parts which in the direction of the ground or are compressible against the rear leg of the profile and from which a free end can translate transversely in the interior of a groove, in the thickness of the metal of the profile parallel to the bottom at the junction of that bottom with an inner part of increased thickness of the front According to the leg of this profile, the depth of this groove is sufficient with respect to the distance between the internal projections to allow compression of the curved central part of the transverse leaf springs required for the inwardly projecting projections to enter the interior of the grooves End surfaces of the terminal blocks can enter, and that the lower part of the front end edge of the terminal blocks has a chamfer, which facilitates the engagement of these terminal blocks and allows the engagement by simply applying pressure to the terminal blocks towards the bottom of the profile of the support rail.

DE 295 080 95 U1 relates to a Moduleinsetzrahmen for receiving contact modules for insertion into connector housing with a frame body of two cheek parts and two headers, each lying parallel and forming a receiving opening for the contact modules, with holding means on the cheek parts, of which the contact modules are fixed and held, with guide means on the head pieces comprising on the one hand a positive / male guide element and on the other hand a negative / female Führungselment, and with protective contact means which are formed on the head pieces, wherein the protective contact means by one of the guide elements themselves, which is integrally connected to the frame body, and a individual protection contact spring, which is attached to the other of the guide elements are formed.

From the publication EP 0 860 906 B1 is a support frame for mounting connector modules and for installation in connector housing or for screwing to wall surfaces known, the connector modules are inserted into the support frame and support means on the connector modules with provided on opposite wall parts (side parts) of the support frame recesses cooperate, wherein the recesses as All-sided closed openings are formed in the side parts of the holding frame, wherein the holding frame of two hingedly interconnected Halves consists, wherein the separation of the holding frame is provided transversely to the side parts of the frame, and wherein joints in the attachment ends of the holding frame are arranged such that when screwing the holding frame on a mounting surface, the frame parts align such that the side parts of the holding frame perpendicular to Attachment surface are aligned and the connector modules via the support means have a positive connection with the support frame. In practice, such holding frames are usually produced in a die-casting process, in particular in a zinc die-casting process.

The publication EP 2 581 991 A1 discloses a support frame for connector modules, which has two frame halves, which are latched together by linear displacement of a frame half relative to the other frame half in a sliding direction with each other to the frame halves each corresponding locking means are provided, which in linear displacement locking the two frame halves together in two cause different locking positions in which the frame halves are spaced at different distances from each other.

However, it has been found in practice that such mounting frames require a complex operation during assembly. For example, such support frame must be unscrewed from the connector and / or unlocked as soon as a single module to be replaced. In this case, possibly fall the other modules whose removal was not desirable, out of the support frame and must then be reinserted before screwing together and / or before locking the frame halves. Finally, all the modules must be in the position provided for them at the same time before joining the frame halves located to be finally fixed in the mounting frame when joining the frame halves, which makes mounting difficult.

The publication EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a holding frame, which consists of a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The holding frame is formed as a circumferential collar and has on its side plug a plurality of separated by slots wall segments. Two opposite wall segments each form an insertion region for a plug-in module, wherein the wall segments have window-like openings, which serve to receive projections formed on the narrow sides of the modules. Furthermore, in each case a guide groove is provided in the wall segments. The guide groove is formed above the openings by means of an outwardly offset window web, which has an insertion bevel on the inside. In addition, the plug-in modules have latching arms, which act on the narrow sides in the direction of the cable connections, molded, and latch below the side collar wall, so that two independent latching means fix the connector modules in the support frame.

A disadvantage of this prior art, on the one hand, that it is a holding frame formed of plastic, which is not suitable for protection ground and therefore not suitable for installation in metallic connector housing. However, the use of metallic connector housings requires such protective grounding and in many cases is necessary because of its mechanical robustness, its temperature resistance and because of its electrical shielding properties, and is therefore desired by the customer. Furthermore, it has been shown that the production of the aforementioned plastic support frame by injection molding is at least difficult and can be realized only with great effort. Finally, the heat resistance of such a plastic support frame for special applications, for example in the vicinity of a blast furnace, is not always sufficient. Finally, the plastic material and the shape, in particular the strength of the holding frame, in the relevant places primarily determined by the requirements of flexibility and not those of the temperature resistance.

task

The object of the invention is to provide a design for a support frame, which on the one hand has good heat resistance and high mechanical robustness and in particular when installed in a metallic connector housing a corresponding protective ground, in particular a PE ("Protection Earth"), allows and on the other hand, a comfortable operation, especially when replacing individual modules guaranteed.

This object is achieved in a first aspect with a support frame of the type mentioned by the features of the characterizing part of the independent main claim 1.

In further aspects, the object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned by the features of the characterizing part of the independent Nebenansprpüche 8 and 15.

Such a holding frame can be used in the field of heavy industrial connectors and can at least partially consist of an electrically conductive material. As a result, a protective grounding is optionally made possible, which can be realized for example by the fact that the holding frame has a PE contact or at least is equipped with such a PE contact.

The holding frame has a base portion and a deformation portion, which are at least partially formed of different materials. The base section serves to fix a received module in a plane. The deforming portion may assume an inserting state and a holding state, wherein the inserting state allows insertion of at least one module in a direction transverse to the plane in the holding frame with a received module fixed in the holding state.

The holding frame may for example have a base frame as a base portion and at least one, preferably two cheek parts as a deformation portion. The base frame can then be formed of a different material than the cheek parts and thus vorteilhafteniveise lower elasticity and thus have greater rigidity than the cheek parts.

The deformation section, in particular the one or more cheek parts, may be formed from a material which is more elastic according to its stress / strain diagram, ie has a smaller modulus of elasticity than that material from which the base section, in particular the base frame, is formed. Conversely, the material of the base portion may be stiffer than the material of which the deformation portion is formed. For example, the material of the base frame according to its stress / strain diagram may have a modulus of elasticity which is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the material of which the cheek parts are formed.

The amount of elastic modulus is greater, the more resistance a material opposes its elastic deformation.

Further, the material of which the deformation portion is formed may have a larger elastic range corresponding to its stress / strain diagram than the material of which the base portion is formed.

In particular, the base portion, in particular the base frame, rigid, in particular idealized rigid, executed.

Furthermore, the deformation portion, in particular the cheek part or the cheek parts, be designed to be elastic and can advantageously be made of a resilient sheet metal.

A resilient sheet metal is to be understood as meaning a sheet having spring-elastic properties, such as, for example, a reversible deformability, in particular by applying a corresponding restoring force, that is, for example, a sheet metal made of spring steel or a comparable material.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

An advantage of the invention is thus that the modules can be inserted individually and with very little effort in the support frame and removed again from it, which facilitates in particular the manual assembly. The resilient properties of the deformation section, in particular the cheek part or the cheek parts, namely, allow modules to insert individually or with very little effort or remove. At the same time, the stiffness of the base frame can provide the necessary mechanical stability when holding the inserted modules.

Advantageously, both for the base portion, in particular the base frame, as well as for the deformation section, in particular the cheek parts, by using one or more metallic materials, for example, compared with plastic, high temperature resistance and further ensures a particularly high mechanical robustness of the support frame.

Another advantage of the use of one or more metallic materials is that the holding frame for electrical safety, a protective ground, in particular a PE protective ground of a metallic connector housing, in which the holding frame is inserted, allows. This further ensures as an additional advantage, a shielding of the transmitted signals through the connector. This shield can be a protection against interference from the outside. But it can also be a shield to prevent or reduce an interference emission, so protect the environment against interference fields of the connector. In other words, not only are the signals transmitted by the modules protected from external interference fields, but environmental protection from disturbances also takes place, which is caused by current flowing through the modules.

A particularly great additional advantage of the use of one or more metallic materials is further that the support frame is on the one hand particularly resistant to heat and on the other hand, nevertheless, for example by the use of resilient metal sheet, at the sites required for a sufficiently high elasticity to the modules individually and insert with little effort into the module frame and remove again. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if the support frame has resilient elastic sheet metal at suitable places, because it is at least as much elasticity much more heat resistant than one out mechanical view of otherwise functionally comparable plastic frame. Associated modules can be made compact in their design accordingly, so that they can continue to be made of plastic and still are relatively resistant to heat.

It is particularly advantageous if the holding frame has a plurality of different regions, for example a first and a second region, which have a different elasticity relative to one another, because then it can selectively apply a higher resistance moment in the region of the highest bending stress. The first area may correspond to the basic section. The second region may correspond to the deformation section.

These different regions, in particular the base section and the deformation section, may for example be formed of different materials and thus preferably have different material properties, in particular different elasticity modules.

The second region, in particular the deformation section, can thereby have a higher elasticity than the first region, which corresponds in particular to the base section. Conversely, the first region can have a greater rigidity than the second region, in other words. In particular, the first region may be rigid and the second region may be resilient. On the one hand, such elasticity or rigidity can be achieved, as already mentioned, by the material used in each case and / or on the other hand, it can also be achieved by the geometric shaping of these regions, in particular of the base section and of the deformation section.

The first region, in particular the base section, may be formed of a rigid material, for example of a zinc alloy or an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy. The second region, in particular the deformation section, can be formed from a resilient material and thus for example consist of a resilient steel sheet.

The first region, in particular the base section, can be produced in a casting process, for example in a zinc die-casting or aluminum die-casting process, or else produced by milling, for example, a copper alloy. By way of example, the first area, in particular the base area, may preferably be the circulating base frame. The base frame can therefore in particular be a zinc die-cast part. The base frame may be substantially rectangular in cross-section, thus having two mutually parallel opposite end faces and perpendicular thereto two mutually parallel opposite side parts, wherein the two end faces are shorter than the two side parts. Both the end faces and the side parts can have a substantially rectangular shape.

Furthermore, the second region, in particular the deformation section, for example, be formed from the at least one, preferably the two, separate cheek parts, of which each cheek part preferably consists of a respective resilient sheet metal part. If appropriate, the two cheek parts can be made of the same material, in particular made of resilient sheet metal, and also have the same thickness. For example, the preferred two cheek parts can be punched out of the same stamping sheet.

Each cheek part may be formed substantially flat and preferably have a rectangular basic shape. Thus, it has two opposite, long edges, namely a first and a second edge, and at right angles thereto two opposite short edges, namely a third and a fourth edge. The cheek part has in particular at regular intervals at its first edge beginning and preferably at right angles thereto in the direction of the second edge in the cheek part in extending, preferably rectilinear, slots, which are formed in the cheek part freestanding tabs. Furthermore, a latching window can be arranged as a latching element in each of these tabs. These locking windows are designed to receive locking lugs inserted modules to lock the modules in the support frame. Furthermore, each cheek part may have a plurality of fastening elements, in particular fastening recesses in a preferably round shape, for attachment to the base frame.

Each of the two cheek parts can be advantageously attached to an outer side of one of the two side parts on the base frame, so that in each case two resilient tabs of the two cheek parts are symmetrical opposite. Furthermore, these tabs may be slightly outwardly towards the end, i. from the base frame and thus away from each other, to facilitate insertion of a module.

On the corresponding side part, preferably on both side parts, the base frame may have fastening means, for example round fastening pins. These fasteners can engage in the mounting recesses of the associated cheek part and hold the cheek parts so, for example by latching and / or by a positive and non-positive connection to the base frame. Additionally or alternatively, the cheek pieces may be secured to the base frame by gluing, welding, brazing, riveting and / or bolting or by any other manner of attachment to the base frame.

The associated modules may be formed substantially parallelepiped-shaped and may each have a width at two opposite end faces, which corresponds to the width of a tab. Each module advantageously has at its two end faces in each case a latching lug, which may also be designed substantially cuboidal. Each of the elastic tabs of the holding frame advantageously has a latching window, which may be formed substantially rectangular, and which is provided for preferably positive reception of such a latching lug.

The two locking lugs of a module may, for example, in their shape and / or size, in particular by their length, differ from each other and the tabs on both sides of the support frame may have corresponding windows, which thus also differ from each other and in their size and / or their shape to each one of the locking lugs fit. This has the advantage that thereby the orientation of each module is fixed in the holding frame. In other words, the latching window and the locking lugs can be used by their shape and / or size as coding, in particular as a polarizing agent, for orientation of the modules in the holding frame.

Advantageously, the tabs of the holding frame in a free-standing end region are easily bent away from the holding frame, which simplifies the insertion of the modules. The insertion of a module into the holding frame is then particularly user-friendly. For this purpose, a module is first introduced between two tabs of a holding frame and then slides along with its two end faces and in particular with the locking lugs formed thereon along the bent away end regions of the tabs. As a result, the two tabs briefly diverge until the respective locking lugs are received by the associated latching window of the respective tab and thus lock it therein. At the recording the locking lugs in the respective locking window feathers the tabs preferably return to their original position. In this way, the modules can latch individually in the holding frame.

At the same time, the module is held firmly in the preferably rigid base frame. To unlock the modules again, only the two associated tabs have to be bent away from each other again. Then, the respective module can be removed individually from the support frame, while the other modules are still locked. Thus, in this way, a firm hold of the module in the holding frame is ensured at a comparatively low operating force, which is particularly advantageous for the operability.

It is particularly advantageous, moreover, that the modules are already held by the aforementioned construction with sufficient holding force in the holding frame and accordingly except their locking lugs no further locking means, for example, latching arms, because this simplifies their design and thus their production cost considerably and ensures at the same time a compact design and thus also for high heat resistance of the modules and thus the entire connector.

In one embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if these two cheek pieces are similar, i. It must be made despite the two-part design of the support frame only cheek parts of a kind, which further reduces the manufacturing cost.

In another preferred embodiment, the two cheek parts differ by the size and / or the shape of their locking window. This has the advantage that thereby determines the orientation of each module, which accordingly also has two different locking lugs is. In other words, the latching window and the latching lugs can thus serve by their shape as coding means for the orientation of the modules.

For protective earthing (PE), the holding frame can be equipped with a corresponding PE module, which produces an electrical contact between a grounding cable connected thereto and the at least partially electrically conductive, in particular metallic, holding frame, for example via an electrically conductive earthing clamp. As a result, the holding frame can be equipped with a PE contact.

Alternatively, the support frame itself may have a PE contact, for example a screw contact, for the grounding cable. For example, such a PE contact may be molded to the base frame.

embodiment

Fig. 1

einen Grundrahmen;

Fig. 2 a,b

ein erstes Wangenteil aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

Fig. 2 c,d

ein zweites Wangenteil aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

Fig. 3 a,b

ein Modul aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

Fig. 4 a,b

einen Halterahmen mit einem eingefügten PE-Modul aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1

a basic frame;

Fig. 2 a, b

a first cheek piece from two different perspectives;

Fig. 2 c, d

a second cheek piece from two different perspectives;

Fig. 3 a, b

a module from two different perspectives;

Fig. 4 a, b

a support frame with an inserted PE module from two different perspectives.

The Fig. 1 shows a base frame 1. This base frame 1 is formed in cross-section substantially rectangular, so has two mutually parallel opposite end faces 11, 11 'and perpendicular thereto two mutually parallel opposite side parts 12, 12 ', wherein the two end faces 11, 11' are shorter than the two side parts 12, 12 '. Both the end faces 11, 11 'and the side parts 12, 12' in turn have a substantially rectangular shape, wherein at the end faces 11, 11 'in each case a perpendicular thereto projecting flange 13, 13' is formed, wherein each of these two flanges 13,13 'each have two screw holes 131, 131', so that the base frame 1 has a total of four screw holes 131, 131 'has.

The two side parts 12, 12 'each have at a first edge a plurality of, in the present embodiment, relatively short executed symmetrically oppositely arranged webs 122, 122', wherein the term "short" in this context means that in the drawing upwardly extending length of the webs 122, 122 'whose width falls below. The webs 122, 122 'could also be significantly longer in a somewhat different embodiment. For example, their length could be equal to or even greater than their width. Open recesses 123, 123 'are thus formed between these webs 122, 122'.

In the present example, four such open recesses 123, 123 'are provided on each cheek part 2, 2', but of course another number of recesses would also be conceivable, for example three, five, six, seven or eight. The number of open recesses 132, 132 'in each side part 12, 12' corresponds to the number of modules 3 that is capable of receiving the corresponding holding frame.

Furthermore, each side part 12, 12 'a plurality of mounting pins 124, 124' for attachment of the associated cheek part 2, 2 'on. In the present case, the fastening pins 124, 124 'have a circular cross-sectional shape; but it would be any other Shape conceivable; Thus, for example, the fastening pins 124, 124 'could also be oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-angular or in any other planar form.

Thus, two cheek parts 2, 2 'are provided for the holding frame, namely a first cheek part 2 and a second cheek part 2'.

The Fig. 2 a and Fig. 2c each show one of these cheek parts 2, 2 'in a first perspective, in which the line of sight extends at right angles thereto. The Fig. 2b and Fig. 2d show the respective cheek part 2, 2 'from an oblique view. Each cheek part 2, 2 ', which in the present exemplary embodiment is preferably a stamped and bent part, has three slots 21, 21' through which four equally sized tabs 22, 22 'are formed. The number of tabs 22, 22 'of the respective cheek part 2, 2' corresponds to the number of open recesses 123, 123 'on one of the two side parts 12, 12' of the base frame 1.

In each tab 22, 22 'of each cheek part 2, 2' is in each case a latching window 23, 23 'is provided. The latching windows 23 of the first cheek part 2 are larger than the latching window 23 'of the second cheek part 2'. The two cheek parts 2, 2 'thus differ from each other by the size of their locking window 23, 23'. Furthermore, in the cheek parts 2, 2 'additional mounting recesses 24, 24' are provided, which in the present embodiment have a circular shape, but of course could have any other shape, so for example oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n could be square or in any other planar shape.

The mounting pins 124, 124 'of the base frame 1 fit positively in the respective mounting recesses 24, 24' of the associated Wang parts 2, 2 ', so that the respective cheek part 2, 2' on the associated side part 12, 12 'can be plugged. In addition, the respective cheek part 2, 2 'still on the other side of the corresponding side part 12, 12' are fixed, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting and / or screwing.

In the Fig. 2b and 2d It can be seen that the respective cheek part 2, 2 'in the lower end region at a bending line B, B' folded by 180 ° and thus reinforced in this area. A lower edge K, K 'of the associated sheet comes to rest between the fastening recesses 24 and an associated bending line B, B', so that the fastening recesses 24, 24 'are uncovered and the fastening pins 124, 124' can be inserted unhindered therein.

The Fig. 3 a and the Fig. 3b show an insertable into the holding frame module 3 in a possible design of two different views. Of course, other modules in similar design can be used.

The module 3 has on a first longitudinal side 32 a first latching lug 31, which is provided for latching in a latching window 23 of the first cheek part 2. On one of these first longitudinal side 32 opposite the second longitudinal side 32 ', the module 3 has a second latching lug 31', which is narrower than the first latching lug, and which is provided for latching in a latching window 23 'of the second cheek part 2'. Furthermore, the module is very compact, which improves its heat resistance.

Due to the shape of the latching lugs 31, 31 'and the shape of the windows 23, 23', the orientation of the module 3 is fixed in the holding frame.

The Fig. 4 shows a fully assembled holding frame, in which therefore the two cheek parts 2, 2 'are fixed to the base frame. The fastening pins 124, 124 'of the base frame engage in the fastening recesses 24, 24' of the corresponding cheek parts 2, 2 '. In addition, a special stability of this attachment is given by the said lower edge K, K 'of the respective sheet of the cheek part 2, 2' directly with the corresponding side part 12, 12 'of the base frame 1 closes. In addition or as an alternative to fastening by the fastening pins 124, 124 'and the fastening recesses 24, 24', the cheek parts 2, 2 'can also be soldered, welded, screwed, riveted or otherwise fastened to the base frame 1.

The cheek parts 2, 2 'have, in particular in the region of their tabs 22, 22', a higher elasticity than the base frame 1. Vice versa, the base frame 1, which can be made in a die casting process, in particular a zinc die casting process, has a greater rigidity than that two spring-elastic cheek parts 2, 2 ', which may for example consist of resilient sheet steel.

This means that a certain force, for example of 10 N, which acts on an arbitrary tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its latching window 23 at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, with respect to the holding frame from the inside out, engages, at the level of her Detent window 23 to be measured deflection of the tab 22 causes, which is greater than that deflection, which undergoes the base frame 1 at any point, if at this arbitrary point an equally large force, ie, for example, also 10 N, perpendicular to its end face 11th , 11 'or to its side part 12, 12', with respect to the base frame directed from inside to outside, acts.

The base frame 1 thus has a greater rigidity than the cheek parts 2, 2 '. Conversely, the cheek parts 2, 2 'have a higher elasticity than the base frame.

The following information is based on the fact that the support frame is fixed at four corner points. For example, it may be fixed to the four screw holes 131, 131 'of its flanges 13, 13' in or on a metallic connector housing by screwing.

If, for example, a force of 10 N acts on the lug 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its detent window 23 at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, this lug 22 will be at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm, in particular of at least 0.8 mm, that is, for example, reversibly deflected by more than 1.6 mm. Attacks an equally large force of 10 N, for example, in the middle of its side part 12 perpendicular to the surface of the side part 12, with respect to the base frame 1 from the inside out, at, so the base frame 1 even in this area, in which its rigidity still on is least, only by a path length of less than 0.2 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, so for example less than 0.025 mm deflected. Thus, the base frame 1 is stiffer than the cheek parts 2, 2 '. In particular, the base frame 1 is to be regarded as stiff and the cheek parts 2, 2 'are each to be described as resilient.

This is a holding and in particular a locking of the modules with high holding power given at the same time low operating forces, which greatly facilitates the operation, in particular the insertion and removal of individual modules 3. Finally, the cheek part 2 is resilient and the elasticity of the cheek part 2 is selected, in particular according to the values given above, such that the modules 3 manually inserted and manually removable. At the same time, the base frame 1 is rigid, and in particular, the rigidity of the base frame 1 is particularly high in accordance with the above values so that the inserted modules 3 are held therein with sufficient strength to ensure the proper function of an associated connector. As a result, the modules 3 and thus existing in the modules 3 contacts namely geometrically accurate and mechanically stable enough to reliably contact with corresponding mating contacts of a comparable mating connector electrically.

Such a connector and a corresponding mating connector, which are not shown in the drawing, may additionally have a preferably metallic housing, in which in each case a fully or partially populated with modules 3 holding frame is inserted.

In the in the Fig. 4 a and Fig. 4b holding frame shown a specially designed PE module 3 'held in its basic form in the Fig. 3a, b represented module 3 corresponds. In addition, the PE module 3 'has an electrically conductive PE contact 33', which is connected via the PE module 3 'in an electrically conductive manner to an electrically conductive grounding clip 34' which likewise belongs to the PE module 3 '. The PE contact 33 'may, for example, be a screw contact, ie the PE contact 33' has a grounding screw 35 ', which is suitable for connecting a grounding cable to the PE contact 33' in a conductive manner and mechanically fix. This grounding cable is connected by the PE module 3 'via its grounding bracket 34', which is clamped to one of the end faces 11 'of the holding frame, electrically conductively connected to the base frame 1.

Alternatively, the holding frame, for example, on its base frame 1 itself such a PE contact, such as a PE screw, exhibit. The PE contact can for example be molded to the base frame 1. This can already be done in the production of the base frame 1, for example by injection molding.

• Der Halterahmen dient zur Aufnahme gleichartiger und/oder unterschiedlicher Module 3, wobei der Halterahmen aus mindestens zwei verschiedenen Werkstoffen gebildet sein kann, von denen zumindest ein Werkstoff elektrisch leitfähig ist. Vorteilhafterweise besitzt der Halterahmen zumindest teilweise federelastische Eigenschaften. Insbesondere kann der Halterahmen teilweise aus einem steifen und teilweise aus einem federelastischen Material bestehen.

However, the invention is by no means limited to this embodiment. Rather, it is disclosed a variety of other embodiments in particular by the following characteristics as well as by their meaningful combination:

• The holding frame serves for receiving similar and / or different modules 3, wherein the holding frame may be formed from at least two different materials, of which at least one material is electrically conductive. Advantageously, the holding frame has at least partially resilient properties. In particular, the support frame may partially consist of a stiff and partially made of a resilient material.

For example, the holding frame can be made in several parts. The holding frame may consist of at least two parts, of which a first part is formed from a first material and a second part is formed from a second material, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first material is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second material.

For example, the first part as a base frame 1 and that the second part as a cheek part 2, 2 'be formed. The base frame 1 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and two mutually parallel opposite side parts 12, 12 'and two mutually perpendicular and mutually parallel opposite end surfaces 11, 11' have. In particular, the base frame 1 may be rigid. The base frame 1 may be made in one piece. The base frame 1 can be designed as a die-cast part. The at least one cheek part can be 2, 2 'resilient. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'may be electrically conductive and may further consist of resilient sheet metal.

The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'can be fixed to the base frame 1, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and / or screwing. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'may have a plurality of slots 21, 21 through which tabs 22, 22' are formed in the respective cheek part 2, 2 '. In this case, the width of the tabs 22, 22 'correspond to the width of the modules 3. In particular, all lugs 22, 22 'may have the same width. Each tab 22, 22 'may have a locking means. The latching means may consist in a latching window 23, 23 ', which is arranged in the respective tab 22, 22'. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'may in particular be a stamped and bent part. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'can be two cheek parts 2, 2'. The holding frame may have a protective earth contact (PE contact) or at least be equipped with such.

In its manufacture, the holding frame, which is provided for a connector and suitable for receiving similar and / or different modules 3, are formed from at least two different materials.

At least a first part of the holding frame, namely a base frame 1, can be produced in a die casting process, in particular in a zinc die casting process.

The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'can be punched out of a resilient sheet metal and in particular folded at 180 ° at at least one bending edge B, B'.

The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'can be attached to the base frame 1 in particular by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and / or screwing.

The support frame can hold a module 3 received therein in one direction with its base frame and fix this module 3 at the same time to the respective cheek part 2, 2 'belonging tabs 13, 13', 23, 23 'perpendicular thereto, in particular by the module 3 at its Tabs 22, 22 'locked.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

base frame

11, 11 '

faces

12, 12 '

side panels

122, 122 '

Stege

123, 123 '

open recesses

124, 124 '

fastening pins

13, 13 '

flanges

131, 131 '

screw holes

2, 2 '

cheek portions

21, 21 '

slots

22, 22 '

tabs

23, 23 '

locking feature

24.24 '

fixing recesses

B, B '

elastic line

K, K '

lower edge

3

module

3 '

PE module

31, 31 '

locking lugs

32, 32 '

front surfaces

33 '

PE contact

34 '

grounding clamp

35 '

ground screw

Claims (15)

1. A holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising a base portion (1), for fixing a received module (3, 3') in a plane, and a deformation portion, which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module (3, 3') into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane and wherein, in the holding state, a received module (3, 3') is fixed, wherein the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are formed at least in part from different materials, wherein the base portion (1) is formed as a base frame (1),
   characterized in that the deformation portion is provided in form of at least two opposed cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1), wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') include resilient tabs (22, 22') extending, in the direction transverse to the plane, beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1), the resilient tabs (22, 22') each being provided with a locking window (23, 23') as a locking element for receiving a locking nose (31, 31') of a module (3, 3').
2. The holding frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion (1) surrounds at least a part (K, K') of the deformation portion at least partially and/or in that at least part of the deformation portion is provided externally on the base portion (1).
3. The holding frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding frame is provided in segmented form and the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are joined in a form-locking, friction-locking and/or substance-bonding manner.
4. The holding frame according to claim 3, characterized in that the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are adhesively bonded, welded, soldered, riveted, latched and/or screwed.
5. The holding frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are provided integrally.
6. The holding frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation portion comprises or consists of resilient sheet metal.
7. The holding frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a protective earth contact (33').
8. A method for producing a holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising a base portion (1), for fixing a received module (3, 3') in a plane, and a deformation portion, which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module (3, 3') into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane and wherein, in the holding state, a received module (3, 3') is fixed,
   characterized in that the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are formed at least in part from different materials, wherein the base portion (1) is formed as a base frame (1) and the deformation portion is provided in form of at least two opposed cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),
   wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') include resilient tabs (22, 22') extending, in the direction transverse to the plane, beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1), the resilient tabs (22, 22') each being provided with a locking window (23, 23') as a locking element for receiving a locking nose (31, 31') of a module (3, 3').
9. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, by die casting.
10. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 9, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of a metal or a metal alloy.
11. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 10, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of zinc or aluminium.
12. The method for producing a holding frame according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the deformation portion is made, at least in part, by punching and bending.
13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the deformation portion includes at least one cheek part (2, 2'), which is folded by 180° at least at one bending edge (B, B').
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one cheek part (2, 2') is joined to the base portion (1) by adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and/or screwing.
15. A method for inserting a module (3, 3') into a holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising an inserting of the module (3, 3') into a base portion (1) of the holding frame for fixing the module (3, 3') in a plane, and a fixing of the module (3, 3') in the base portion (1) by deforming a deformation portion of the holding frame, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of a first material and the deformation portion is made, at least in part, of a second, different material, wherein the deforming includes only a deforming of the second material,
    wherein the base portion (1) is formed as a base frame (1) and the deformation portion is provided in form of at least two opposed cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),
    wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') include resilient tabs (22, 22') which extend, in the direction transverse to the plane, beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1),
    wherein the fixing of the module (3, 3') is carried out by receiving a locking nose (31, 31') of the module (3, 3') in a locking window (23, 23') which is provided as a locking element in one of the tabs (22, 22').

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