EP3345256B1 - Holding frame for plug connector modules having a locking bow that can be fastened - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a holding frame for connector modules according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such support frames are used to hold connector modules, the support frame equipped with various connector modules and then inserted into a connector housing and bolted to it. In this case, the support frame must be mechanically stable in order to withstand the insertion and pulling forces occurring when assembling or disconnecting the connector can.

State of the art

From the DE 197 07 120 C1 is a holding frame for connector modules known. The support frame consists of two halves, which are connected to each other via a hinge. In recesses of the side surfaces of the respective half engage latching hooks of the connector modules. The joint or the end-side joints are arranged in the attachment ends of the holding frame. When the retaining frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the frame parts align in such a way that the side parts of the retaining frame are aligned at right angles to the fastening surface. As a result, the connector modules are fixed in the holding frame.

The frame of the DE 197 07 120 C1 has no clearly defined open position for equipping the holding frame with connector modules. This sometimes results in a somewhat bulky assembly, especially inexperienced people.

Upon successful assembly of the holding frame with connector modules, this must be brought into a closed state or in a closed position, so that the connector modules are fixed. For the closed state of the prior art support frame, there is no fixed closed state so that the support frame may inadvertently open, allowing the modules to fall out of their anchorage.

By a pure articulated connection a defined electrical contact between the halves of the support frame is not always guaranteed. Therefore, a grounding function can not reliably take over the above-described support frame.

The CN 204 205 152 U shows a holding frame, which consists of two halves, which are hinged together. The halves can - be brought into an open angular position - for loading the holding frame with connector modules. Here you have to work against the force of a spring. The restoring force of the spring pulls the halves 1, 2 back to a closed position after assembly.

The CN 201 656 162 U shows a holding frame, which consists of two halves, which are linearly connected together by a spring. The halves can be drawn linearly into an open position for equipping the holding frame with connector modules. Here you have to work against the force of a spring. The restoring force of the spring pulls the halves back to a closed position after assembly.

Working against the spring makes the mounting process of the holding frame difficult, because on the one hand the halves fixed by hand must be and at the same time the connector modules must be used.

The US 2010/015728 A1 shows an electrical connector for a printed circuit board (PCB) with a hinged housing cover.

The FR 2 860 348 A1 shows a housing for a memory module with a hinged housing cover.

The DE 20 2012 103 360 U1 shows a holding frame, which consists of two halves, which are locked by a linear displacement of a frame half relative to the other frame half with each other in two different locking positions. However, the plug connector modules can fall through during loading due to a linearly open holding frame.

task

The object of the invention is to propose a holding frame which is easy to handle and versatile.

The object is solved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The support frame according to the invention is intended to accommodate connector modules. Subsequently, the support frame is installed in a connector housing or screwed to a wall surface, such as a machine.

The support frame consists of two interconnecting halves. Each of these halves has a side surface and an end surface. The two halves define approximately in their contact area a separation plane which runs parallel to the longitudinal sides of the halves.

The holding frame consists of said two hingedly connectable halves. Due to the articulated connection, the halves are in at least two different angular positions aligned with each other. By angular position, it is meant that the planes of the individual halves include an angle that varies with each other depending on the position of the halves.

The second half of the holding frame has a mandrel on the front side. A blocking element, which is fixed on one side to the first half of the holding frame, has at least one recess, wherein the mandrel can engage in the at least one recess. As a result, the halves are fixable in an open position or in a closed position.

The holding frame has at least one first blocking element, as a result of which the halves can be aligned and fixed to one another in at least two positions. A first position represents the open position and allows easy insertion of the connector modules into the support frame. By open position is meant that the halves along the dividing line at an angle α are not equal to 180 ° to each other. Preferably, the angle is between 130 ° to 170 °. An angle between 155 ° and 165 ° has proven to be particularly advantageous. In this angular position of the halves, the connector modules can be inserted particularly easily in the holding frame. In the closed position, the halves occupy an angle of approximately 180 ° or exactly 180 ° to each other. The halves are thus in the closed position parallel to each other

A second position represents the closed position. In the closed position, the connector modules in the holding frame are reversibly held. The angle α is 180 ° here. The support frame can now be easily installed in a connector housing without the connector modules could still slip or fall out.

The support frame can be selectively fixed in an open position or in a closed position.

Preferably, the holding frame may comprise two first locking elements, which are arranged on the respective end sides of the holding frame.

In addition, the halves are electrically conductively connected to each other via the first blocking element, provided that the first blocking element and the halves consist of an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive connection is particularly stable when the support frame is in the upper described closed state. Advantageously, the first blocking element is designed substantially U-shaped. The blocking element covers the end faces of the two halves of the holding frame. As a result, the holding frame according to the invention does not build larger than the known holding frame. Advantageously, the blocking element is a blocking plate, which is made of metallic material. By the metallic material, a conductive connection between the halves of the holding frame can be made.

The first blocking element is fixed on one side to one half of the holding frame and on the other side frictionally connected to the other half of the holding frame. Instead of a pure frictional connection and a form-adhesion connection can be provided. This will be explained in more detail below.

At least one half of the holding frame, a mandrel is provided on the front side. The first blocking element has at least two associated recesses, wherein the mandrel can engage in the at least two recesses and thereby the halves are at least two positions aligned and fixable to each other. Alternatively, at least two mandrels are provided on at least one half of the holding frame at the front end, and the first blocking element has only one cutout. The at least two mandrels can each engage in the recess and thereby align the halves in at least two positions to each other.

Preferably, in both cases described, the blocking element is under tension, so that a non-positive connection exists. Since the blocking element has recesses which are modeled approximately in the shape of the mandrel or the mandrels, but there is also a form-fitting, so that can be spoken of a total force and simultaneously positive connection.

Advantageously, the mandrel or mandrels are cylindrical. Due to the cylindrical shape, the locking element can easily slide over the mandrel or mandrels.

Preferably, the support frame has joints with which the halves are hinged together. Such an articulated connection has proven itself, as can be seen from the prior art cited above.
The alignability is achieved by the articulated connection of the two halves of the holding frame. The fixability is achieved by the blocking element. The interaction of articulated connection and fixability in two positions makes the support frame particularly user-friendly.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding frame has a second blocking element, wherein the second Blocking element is fixed on one side to the first half of the holding frame and on the other side is positively connected to the second half of the holding frame. The positive connection is by a movement of the Fixierblechs, away from an end face of the second half, solvable. If you push the locking element away from the end face of a half in the axial direction, the locking element is released from the positive connection. As a result, the two halves can be brought to each other at least in two different positions.

Advantageously, the holding frame may also have two second locking elements, which are located on the respective end faces of the holding frame.

So that the fixation can work via the second blocking element, the second blocking element has at least two holes and an assigned half has at least one mandrel, wherein the mandrel can engage in the at least two holes. If the mandrel is located in the hole of the locking element which is in the upper area of the U-bend, the retaining frame is in an open position and can be equipped with connector modules. When the mandrel is in a hole in the lower portion of the barrier U-bend, the support frame is in a closed position. In this closed position, the connector modules can not fall out of the support frame or slip.

Alternatively, the second locking member may include only one hole and the associated half has at least two mandrels, wherein the mandrels may engage in the hole. With this solution, a fixation of the holding frame could be achieved in an open and a closed position.

Advantageously, both halves of the holding frame are made of a metallic material. In a closed state of the holding frame, the halves are in an electrically conductive contact each other. The above-mentioned articulated connection is not sufficient for a defined electrical contact between the support frame. About the blocking element, the two halves are reliably brought into electrical contact with each other. This happens on the one hand via the blocking element itself, if it is made of an electrically conductive material. In addition, is pressed by the bias of the locking element of the condyle of one half in the joint seat of the other half, whereby a reliable electrical contact is formed.

In the present invention, the terms open or closed state and open or closed position are used interchangeably.

embodiment

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Halterahmens mit einem ersten Sperrelement in offener Position,

Fig. 2

weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Halterahmens mit einem zweiten Sperrelement in offener Position,

Fig. 3

weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Halterahmens mit einem ersten Sperrelement in geschlossener Position,

Fig. 4

weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Halterahmens mit einem zweiten Sperrelement in geschlossener Position,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf ein Sperrelement,

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf ein weiteres Sperrelement,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines mit Steckverbindermodulen bestückten Halterahmens mit einem ersten Sperrelement und

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbindermoduls.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a holding frame with a first locking element in the open position,

Fig. 2

further perspective view of the holding frame with a second blocking element in the open position,

Fig. 3

further perspective view of the holding frame with a first blocking element in the closed position,

Fig. 4

further perspective view of the holding frame with a second blocking element in the closed position,

Fig. 5

a plan view of a blocking element,

Fig. 6

a top view of another blocking element,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a stocked with connector modules holding frame with a first blocking element and

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a connector module.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The FIG. 1 shows a holding frame 1 in an open position. In the open position, the side parts 22 of the respective halves 4, 5 are no longer aligned parallel to each other. The holding frame consists essentially of two halves 4, 5, which are connected to each other via a hinge. For this purpose, one half 5 has at the respective end faces a joint head 2 which engages in a joint receptacle 3 of the opposite half 4 provided for this purpose. This is called an articulated connection of the two halves 4, 5 of the holding frame.

On an end face 6 of a half 4 of the holding frame 1, a blocking element 7 is fixed. The fixation is realized for example via a screw 8. A riveted connection would also be possible here. However, by a screw connection, the locking element 7 could be easily replaced later if the functionality wears off.

The blocking element 7 has a substantially U-shape. A first leg 9 of the first locking element 7 is fixed to the end face 6 of the half 4. For this purpose, the first leg 9 has corresponding openings 10, 10 ', 10 ". The opposite second leg 11 of the blocking element 7 has two recesses 12, 12'.

On an end face 13 of a half 5 of the holding frame 1, a substantially cylindrical mandrel 14 is formed. Engages the mandrel 14 in a first recess 12 'of the locking element 7, is the Holding frame 1 in an open position.

The opposite end faces 6 ', 13' of the halves 4, 5 are covered by a second blocking element 15. Alternatively, the end faces 6 ', 13', just like the other end faces 6, 13, may also be covered with a blocking element 7. Such an embodiment is easily conceivable and will therefore not be shown further in the figures. If a second blocking element 15 is present, the blocking element 7 is also referred to as a first blocking element 7.

A first leg 16 of the second locking element 15 is fastened essentially via openings 19, 19 ', 19 ", in combination with a screw 8', to the first end side 6 'of the half 4 of the retaining frame 1. The second leg 17 of the second locking element The second leg 17 of the second locking element 15 has two openings 18, 18 'into which a mandrel 14' of the second end face 13 'of the opposite half 5 can engage When the mandrel 14 'is located in the opening 18' at the end of the second leg 17 of the second locking element 15, the retaining frame 1 is ready for insertion with connector modules in an open position End is removed, the support frame 1 is in a closed position.

The holding frame 1 presented here works with a first blocking element 7, which produces a substantially frictional connection or fixation of the halves 4, 5, while a second blocking element 15 generates an essentially positive connection or fixation of the halves 4, 5 on the opposite side. The second locking element 15 can be freed by pushing away the second leg 17 of the second end face 13 'from the engagement of the mandrel 14' and thus from the positive fixation. By Movement of the halves 4, 5 to each other, the mandrel 14 'can be brought into engagement with the respective other opening 18 or 18', whereby the above-mentioned open or closed position of the holding frame 1 is achieved. The opposite locking element 7 is brought in the movement of the halves 4, 5 to each other in the engagement of the mandrel 14. Here, the recesses 12 or 12 'engage analogously to the mandrel 14. In this case, the first locking element 7 is under a slight tension, so the leg 11 exerts a force in the direction of the other leg 9 on the mandrel 14. As a result, a non-positive or substantially non-positive fixation is generated.

As a rule, the holding frame is delivered to the customer in the closed position. The customer will axially push away the second blocking element 15 from the holding frame 1 and move the halves into an open position until the first blocking element 7 locks in the open position and the second blocking element 15 fixes the holding frame 1 simultaneously in the opened position. This positive fixation by the second blocking element 15 is particularly secure. The holding frame 1 remains reliable in the respective position.

A delivery of the holding frame 1 in an open position could also be useful. The customer can then begin immediately with the assembly of connector modules 19.

The opened position of the holding frame 1 is in the Figures 1 and 2 shown. The closed position of the holding frame 1 is in the FIGS. 3 and 4 shown.

By open position is meant that the halves along the dividing line at an angle α are not equal to 180 ° to each other. Preferably, the angle is between 130 ° to 170 °. An angle between 155 ° and 165 ° has proven to be particularly advantageous. In this angular position of the halves, the connector modules can be inserted particularly easily in the holding frame. In the closed position, the halves occupy an angle of approximately 180 ° or exactly 180 ° to each other. The halves are thus in the closed position parallel to each other.

Connector modules 19 have long been known and, for example, in the DE 197 07 120 C1 described. The connector modules 19 are provided with projecting, approximately rectangular support means 20 and resilient locking hooks 21. In the side parts 22 of the halves 4, 5 formed as all-round closed openings recesses 23 are provided, into which the support means 20 dip when inserting the connector modules 19 in the support frame 1.

To insert the connector modules 19 of the support frame 1 is brought as described above in an open position, so that the connector modules 19 can be used. For prefixing of the connector modules 19, the latching hooks 21, when inserted, first engage under the lower edges of the side parts 22 of the halves 4, 5.

Subsequently, the frame halves 4, 5 are brought into a closed position as described above, wherein the holding means 20 reach into the recesses 23 and a secure, positive retention of the connector modules 19 in the holding frame 1 is effected.

The support frame 1 has a grounding socket 24 into which a pin (not shown) of an opposite support frame (not shown) can engage.

The FIG. 7 shows the holding frame 1 in a closed position. Here, the side parts 22 of the halves are approximately parallel to each other aligned. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 1 holding frame 14 mandrel 2 joint head 15 Second blocking element 3 joint Taping 16 First leg of the second locking element 4 First half 17 Second leg of the second locking element 5 Second half 18 opening 6 First front page 19 connector module 7 First blocking element 20 support means 8th screw 21 Spring-elastic latching hook 9 First leg of the first locking element 22 side panel 10 opening 23 recess 11 Second leg of the first locking element 24 ground socket 12 recess 13 Second front side

Claims (8)

1. Holding frame (1) that can receive plug connector modules (19), wherein the holding frame (1) comprises two halves (4, 5), a first half (4) and a second half (5), which can be connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein the halves (4, 5) can be oriented in different angular positions with respect to one another along a parting line, characterized in

   - that the holding frame (1) comprises at least one first locking element (7) and

   - that the second half (5) of the holding frame (1) comprises at the end face a peg (14) and the first locking element (7) comprises at least two recesses (12, 12'), wherein the peg (14) can engage into the at least two recesses (12, 12') or
   that the second half (5) of the holding frame (1) comprises at the end face at least two pegs (14) and the first locking element (7) comprises a recess (12), wherein the at least two pegs (14) can engage in each case into the recess (12) and

   - as a consequence the halves (4, 5) can be fixed in an open position or in a closed position,

   - that the halves (4, 5) enclose an angle (α) between 130° to 170° with one another in the open position, and in that the halves (4, 5) enclose an angle (α) of 180° with one another in the closed position, and

   - that the first locking element (7) is fixed at one end to the first half (4) of the holding frame (1) and at the other end is connected in a positive locking and/or non-positive locking manner to the second half (5) of the holding frame (1).
2. Holding frame according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the first locking element (7) is configured essentially in a U-shape.
3. Holding frame according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the holding frame (1) comprises a separation plane that extends in parallel with the longitudinal sides of the halves (4, 5).
4. Holding frame according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the peg (14) is configured in a cylindrical shape.
5. Holding frame according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in

   - that the holding frame (1) comprises a second locking element (15), wherein the second locking element (15) is fixed at one end to the first half (4) of the holding frame (1) and at the other end is connected in a positive locking manner to the second half (5) of the holding frame (1) and

   - that the positive locking connection can be released by means of moving the second fixing metal sheet (15) in the axial direction away from a second end face (13) of the second half (5).
6. Holding frame according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in

   - that the second locking element (15) comprises at least two openings (18, 18') and at least one half (5) comprises at least one peg (14'), wherein the peg (14') can engage into the at least two openings (18, 18'),
   or

   - that the second locking element (15) comprises an opening (18) and at least one half (5) comprises at least two pegs (14'), wherein the pegs (14') can engage into the opening (18).
7. Holding frame according to Claim 5 or 6,
   characterized in that
   the first (7) and/or second (15) locking element is manufactured from a metal material.
8. Holding frame according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the halves (4, 5) consist of a metal material and in a closed state they are in contact with one another in an electrically conductive manner.

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