EP3440745B1 - Honeycomb component to build a patchboardmodule, patchboard module and tool to remove a honeycomb component from de patchboard module - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a honeycomb module (20) for forming a jumper honeycomb (10), the honeycomb module having a box-shaped housing with two end faces and four side faces extending between the end faces, the two end faces of the honeycomb modules each having at least one connection area, with the side surfaces of the honeycomb building blocks each have at least one connecting element for connecting to another honeycomb building block, the connecting elements, which are formed on opposite side surfaces, designed and arranged to correspond to one another and wherein the connecting elements each have a longitudinal extension that runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of the respective side surface .

The invention also relates to a marshalling honeycomb and a tool for releasing a honeycomb module from a marshalling honeycomb.

For the connection of electrical conductors, electrical terminal blocks have been used for decades, which are usually snapped into several side by side on a mounting rail, with several mounting rails equipped with terminal blocks in this way often being arranged in a switch cabinet. Since a relatively large amount of space remains unused between the individual mounting rails, patch panels are often used, especially where a plurality of electrical conductors have to be connected in a very confined space. For this purpose, patch panels are known from practice in which a plurality of honeycomb modules are arranged in corresponding chambers of the frame within a fixed, rectangular assembly frame. Electrical conductors can be connected to the patch panel or the individual modules from the front, the field side, and from the rear, the system side. For this purpose, connection elements are arranged in the box-shaped housings of the individual honeycomb modules, which are usually connected to one another via corresponding busbars, so that an electrical conductor inserted through a corresponding conductor entry opening in the front face is connected to an electrical conductor or a connection contact can be electrically connected, which is inserted through a corresponding insertion opening in the rear end face of the housing.

Such a marshalling honeycomb with a plurality of honeycomb modules is for example from FIG DE 195 12 226 A1 known. In the shunting honeycomb disclosed in this publication, the individual honeycomb modules that are used in the individual chambers of the mounting frame all have the same dimensions. A fastening flange attachment is firmly connected to the patch panel on its upper and lower edge, via which the patch panel can be attached to a mounting frame by means of screws. It is not possible to adapt the marshalling honeycomb to the individual wishes of the user with this known marshalling space. If the number of conductors to be connected has to be increased, a correspondingly larger patch panel with a larger number of individual honeycomb modules must be used, whereby in practice patch panels with 18, 32, 48, 54 or 80 modules are available.

From the DE 10 2014 101 528 A1 a patch panel is known that is characterized by increased flexibility and the ability to adapt the patch panel to individual requirements. This is achieved in that the individual side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks each have at least one latching element for connecting to another honeycomb block. The latching elements, which are formed on opposite side surfaces, are designed and arranged to correspond to one another, so that the honeycomb modules can be connected directly to one another. As a result, it is possible to dispense with the use of a rigid assembly frame that defines the number of individual honeycomb modules, so that the patch panel can in principle have any number of honeycomb modules.

The ones from the DE 10 2014 101 528 A1 known honeycomb modules have locking pins on their individual side surfaces which can be inserted into corresponding locking holes on the opposite side surface of an adjacent honeycomb module. In addition, the honeycomb modules each have two latching hooks on one side surface, which can be hooked into elongated latching holes that are formed on the opposite side surface are. Both the locking pins and the locking hooks extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface, so that the jumper honeycomb has to be removed line by line or by column. After the individual honeycomb modules have been put together, a very stable patch panel is available, which enables signals to be distributed in the smallest of spaces.

A patch panel, which can also dispense with the use of a mounting frame, is also from the DE 35 87 796 T2 known. In this jumper honeycomb, on which the present invention is based, a plurality of webs are formed on the side surfaces of the individual honeycomb blocks, to which corresponding grooves are provided on the opposite side surface of the honeycomb blocks. The webs and the grooves each run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the respective side face, ie in the direction of extension from one end face to the other end face. Two honeycomb modules arranged next to one another can thus be simply plugged together by inserting the webs on the side surface of one honeycomb module into the corresponding grooves on the opposite side surface of the other honeycomb module. Projections formed on the grooves ensure that two honeycomb modules cannot be displaced against one another in the longitudinal direction of the side surfaces after they have been plugged together.

In order to securely connect two honeycomb modules plugged together in this way, separate fixing elements in the form of locking wedges are provided in the known marshalling honeycomb, which are inserted into a recess formed between two honeycomb modules plugged together. To form the recess, the honeycomb blocks each have mutually opposite incisions in their side faces, which are dovetail-shaped. The locking wedge has a corresponding two-sided dovetail cross-section. In addition, a locking hook is formed on one end face of the locking wedge, which ensures that the locking wedge is locked in the recess when it is completely inserted into the recess between two honeycomb modules.

In the marshalling honeycomb known from the prior art, the locking elements formed on the individual honeycomb modules, possibly together with separate fixing elements, ensure a secure and stable connection of the individual honeycomb modules with one another, so that a stable marshalling honeycomb is created without the need for a corresponding mounting frame. The disadvantage here, however, is that due to the latching of the individual honeycomb modules with one another, dismantling of the shunting honeycomb is either not possible at all or only possible with increased effort. It is just as impossible to remove a honeycomb module that is not located directly on the edge of the marshalling honeycomb as it is to insert a new honeycomb module inside the marshalling honeycomb, so that the replacement of individual, defective honeycomb modules is not possible or only possible with increased effort.

US 2014/196925 A1 discloses a power distribution box having a plurality of interconnected support modules. For this purpose, connecting elements in the form of guide rails and grooves are formed on the side surfaces of the carrier modules, the longitudinal extent of which runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface. In addition, resilient locking arms are also formed on the side surfaces, each having two opposing locking hooks. The locking hooks interact with a corresponding locking rib of an adjacent module, in that the locking rib is arranged between the opposing locking hooks in the assembled state. D1 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a patch panel with a plurality of honeycomb modules in which individual honeycomb modules can be removed from the patch panel with little effort, even in the assembled state. The patch panel should have a high level of stability overall. In addition, a corresponding honeycomb module for the formation of a marshalling honeycomb and a tool for easy removal of a honeycomb module from a marshalling honeycomb are to be made available.

This object is achieved in a honeycomb module with the features of claim 1 in that two resilient latching arms each with a latching hook are arranged on at least two adjacent side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks, the latching arms extending in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface, and wherein the locking arms are arranged next to one another perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface and extend in opposite directions, and at least at the Side faces on which at least one latching arm is formed, at least one recess for a tool is formed in the side face, through which the latching hooks of the latching arms are accessible from one end face by means of the tool.

By forming at least one connecting element on all four side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks, the connecting elements, which are formed on opposite side surfaces, being designed to correspond to one another, a honeycomb block can be used both in the x-direction as well as in the y-direction with a further honeycomb module. Due to the design of the connecting elements, neighboring honeycomb modules of a jumper honeycomb are fixed relative to one another both in the x-direction and in the y-direction. In order to also securely connect and fix the honeycomb blocks in the z-direction, resilient latching arms are provided in the honeycomb blocks of the inventive marshalling honeycomb, which are arranged on at least two adjacent side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks. The fact that at least two resilient latching arms each with a latching hook are arranged on two adjacent side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks means that two honeycomb blocks can also be fixed to one another in the z direction, regardless of whether the second honeycomb block is in the x direction or in the y direction is arranged next to the first honeycomb module. The fixation or latching between two adjacent honeycomb building blocks takes place in that the latching hook of the resilient latching arms of the one honeycomb building block is brought into engagement with the latching hooks of the resilient latching arms of the neighboring honeycomb building block. For this purpose, two honeycomb modules to be connected to one another must be arranged in relation to one another in such a way that they face one another with a side surface on which two locking arms are formed in each case.

In order that, for example, a defective honeycomb module can be detached from the marshalling honeycomb with little effort, a recess is formed in the side surface at least on the side surfaces on which two locking arms are formed. The recess in the side surface, which is preferably designed as a U-shaped groove, enables the latching hooks of the latching arms to be accessible to a tool from the end face even when two honeycomb modules are connected to one another. A tool can thus be inserted into the recess from one end face of the honeycomb building block, so that the latching arms can be deflected and the latching between the latching hooks of two honeycomb building blocks can thereby be released.

Since two honeycomb building blocks connected to one another via the latching arms each face one another with their side surfaces on which not only the latching arms but also the recess are formed, the two opposing recesses in the two side surfaces create a A sufficiently large opening between the side surfaces for a tool two honeycomb blocks formed. The tip of a screwdriver, for example, can be used as a tool. Preferably, however, a special tool is used with which the latching of a honeycomb module can be released particularly easily and the honeycomb module can be removed from the marshalling honeycomb.

In order to fix two honeycomb blocks connected to one another via a locking arm not only in the opposite direction to the joining direction of the two honeycomb blocks, but also in the joining direction, corresponding stops or edges can be formed on the individual connecting elements, as they are also in the webs and grooves of the DE 35 87 796 T2 known honeycomb blocks are provided. However, the formation of such stops or edges is preferably dispensed with, so that the connecting elements do not prevent two honeycomb modules from being displaced relative to one another in the z direction. This has the advantage that the individual honeycomb modules can then not only be assembled in one direction.

A displacement of two honeycomb blocks against each other in the longitudinal extent of the respective side surfaces is prevented in the shunting honeycomb according to the invention in that two resilient latching arms each with a latching hook are arranged on at least two adjacent side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks. The two latching arms are arranged next to one another, viewed in the longitudinal extension of the respective side face, the latching arms extending in opposite directions. In addition, the locking arms are designed and arranged so that their ends intersect with the locking hooks in the longitudinal direction. If two honeycomb modules are connected to each other, in which two such resilient locking arms are arranged on the opposite side surfaces, this leads to the two locking hook pairs formed by the total of four locking arms or locking hooks crossing in the middle of the side surfaces of the honeycomb modules. A displacement of two honeycomb blocks connected to one another in this way parallel to the longitudinal extent of the two opposite side surfaces is then no longer possible, so that the two honeycomb blocks are securely locked to one another in the z-direction.

In the introduction it was stated that two resilient latching arms are arranged on at least two mutually adjoining side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, two resilient latching arms are formed not only on two side surfaces but on all four side surfaces of the individual honeycomb modules. Corresponding to this, corresponding recesses are then also provided in the side surfaces on all side surfaces of the honeycomb blocks, so that the latching by the latching arms between adjacent honeycomb blocks can be released by inserting a tool into the corresponding recess between two side surfaces of two honeycomb blocks.

According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one groove and at least one web corresponding to the groove are formed as connecting elements on each side surface of the honeycomb blocks, the webs and the grooves preferably each having a dovetail-shaped cross section. The at least one groove on one side surface of a honeycomb block is mirror-symmetrical to the web on the opposite side surface of the honeycomb block, so that when two honeycomb blocks are connected to each other, a web on one side surface of one honeycomb block is inserted into the corresponding groove on the opposite side surface of the other honeycomb block intervenes. At the same time, a groove on one side surface of the one honeycomb module together with a web on the opposite side surface of the other honeycomb module also forms a corresponding mechanical connection. There are then at least two connections, in particular at least two tongue-and-groove connections, between two honeycomb modules connected to one another.

If the individual connecting elements have the same distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the individual honeycomb blocks, then individual honeycomb blocks can also be connected to one another via the corresponding connecting elements if the honeycomb blocks are rotated 90 ° around their central axis. Each side surface of a honeycomb module can then be connected to any side surface of another honeycomb module.

The aforementioned object is achieved in a honeycomb module with the features of claim 5 in that two resilient latching arms each with a latching hook are arranged on at least two adjacent side surfaces, the latching arms each extending in the longitudinal extension of the respective side surface, and that at least on the side surfaces on which two resilient locking arms are formed, at least one recess for a tool is formed in the side surface. With regard to the advantages of a honeycomb module of this type, reference is made to the previous statements on the shunting honeycomb according to the invention.

The recess in the side surface of the honeycomb module, on which two resilient latching arms are formed, is preferably designed in the manner of a groove, in particular a U-shaped groove, so that it is a recess open on one side. This means that with two honeycomb blocks connected to one another, on the opposite side surfaces of which two locking arms and a recess are formed, an opening accessible from one end face for a tool is available, which is formed by the two mirror-symmetrically opposing recesses. Even with relatively small dimensions of an individual honeycomb module, a sufficiently large opening can be made available so that, for example, the tip of a screwdriver as a tool can be inserted so far into the opening that the tip of the screwdriver can release the latch between two locking arms.

With regard to the structural design of the latching arms formed on the individual side faces of the honeycomb module, there are various possibilities. The latching arms are preferably designed such that it extends at a small angle away from the corresponding side surface, so that, starting from its foot area connected to the side wall, the latching arms have an increasing distance to the side surface in the direction of the latching hooks.

According to another embodiment, the latching arms have a first section and an adjoining second section, the first section is connected with its first end to the side surface and the locking hook is formed at the free end of the second section.

The locking arms are designed so that the two sections extend at different angles to the side surface on which the locking arms are attached. In particular, the locking arms are designed so that it is only deflected when a tool hits the second section of the locking arms with its actuating tip. This ensures that the point at which the actuating tip of the tool applies a force to the locking arms is spaced from the pivot point of the locking arms, between the pivot point of the locking arms, i.e. the point at which the locking arms are connected to the side surface, and the The point of application of force is thus a lever.

The distance between the force application point and the pivot point essentially corresponds to the length of the first section of the locking arm, so that the first section acts as a lever arm. The force that is required for the deflection of the locking arm can be reduced as a result. With the same insertion force, the load at the pivot point of the latching arm is also lower, compared to a latching arm in which the force application point is only a very small distance from the pivot point. This reduces the risk of damage to the locking arms, in particular the locking arms breaking off at the pivot point.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the honeycomb module according to the invention, the latching hooks of the latching arms are arranged in the area of the center of the side surfaces, based on the longitudinal extensions of the side surfaces. This makes it possible for a tool to be inserted into the recess either from the front or from the rear face in order to detach a honeycomb module from a marshalling honeycomb, since the distance between the latching hooks and the two faces is at least approximately the same. The connecting elements, ie the grooves and webs formed on the side surfaces, are preferably interrupted in the region of the latching hooks, so that only the latching arms are formed in the central region, which facilitates the production of the honeycomb module. The connecting elements are then arranged in the front and rear areas of the side surfaces and the locking arms are arranged in the central area.

As has already been explained above, the tool for releasing the latching between two latching hooks of two honeycomb blocks can in principle be any tool that is suitable for its dimensions, in particular the tip a screwdriver. In particular, when a honeycomb module is connected to several adjacent honeycomb modules via several latching arms arranged on different side surfaces, it is advantageous if, instead of several individual tools, a single tool can be used with which several latches can be released simultaneously.

For this purpose, according to a further teaching of the invention, a tool for releasing a honeycomb module from a shunting honeycomb with the features of claim 7 is provided. The tool has at least two unlocking arms and a handle section, from which the unlocking arms extend, the unlocking arms being arranged in relation to one another in such a way that they can be inserted into two recesses at the same time on two different side surfaces of a honeycomb module, the individual unlocking arms each having two unlocking fingers , which are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal extension of the unlocking arms and which each have a slope at their free end, the slopes being arranged on opposite sides of the unlocking fingers.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the tool according to the invention, it has a total of four unlocking arms, which are arranged symmetrically distributed on the handle section, the positions of the unlocking arms being selected such that the unlocking arms in a honeycomb module with a recess in each of the four side surfaces in all four recesses can be plugged in. If the handle section has an annular base area, the four unlocking arms are each arranged offset from one another by 90 ° on the handle section, the direction of extension of the unlocking arms running perpendicular to the base area of the handle section.

To release a honeycomb module that has two resilient latching arms on the individual side surfaces, the individual unlocking arms of the tool have two unlocking fingers which are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal extension of the unlocking arms. With both unlocking fingers of an unlocking arm, a pair of latching hooks between two honeycomb modules connected to one another can be unlocked. The unlocking fingers each have a bevel at their free ends, which is designed to correspond to the bevel of the locking hook, whereby the deflection of the Latching arms made easier and the risk of an unlocking finger jamming on a latching hook is reduced.

If the tool according to the preferred embodiment has four unlocking arms, a honeycomb module to be detached from a shunting honeycomb by the tool is encompassed on its four side surfaces by an unlocking arm, which is inserted into a corresponding recess in the side surface. In order to be able to easily and safely pull the honeycomb module out of the marshalling honeycomb after the individual locking connections have been released, according to a further preferred embodiment, a locking hook is formed on at least one unlocking arm of the tool, which preferably extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the unlocking arm. When the unlocking arm is fully inserted into the recess in a side surface of the honeycomb module, the latching hook engages behind a corresponding edge on the honeycomb module, whereby a latching between the tool and the honeycomb module is implemented, through which the honeycomb module can be easily pulled out of the marshalling module together with the tool can.

In order to ensure a particularly secure latching between the tool and the honeycomb module, a latching hook is formed on at least two opposite unlocking arms. For the person skilled in the art, it is evident that, as an alternative to the formation of a latching hook on an unlocking arm, a corresponding latching hook can also be formed in a recess of the honeycomb module. A corresponding latching recess is then formed on at least one unlocking arm, into which the locking hook engages when the unlocking arm is completely inserted into the recess in the side surface of the honeycomb module.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer aus vier Wabenbausteinen aufgebauten Rangierwabe, in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines einzelnen Wabenbausteins einer Rangierwabe, in perspektivischer Darstellung und von vorne,

Fig. 3

zwei Wabenbausteine von der Seite, vor und nach dem Zusammenschieben,

Fig. 4

die Rangierwabe gemäß Fig. 1, mit einem separaten Werkzeug zum Lösen eines Wabenbausteins aus der Rangierwabe,

Fig. 5

die Rangierwabe gemäß Fig. 1, mit eingeschobenen Werkzeug,

Fig. 6

die Rangierwabe gemäß Fig. 1, mit einem mit Hilfe des Werkzeugs herausgelösten Wabenbaustein,

Fig. 7

eine Schnittdarstellung eines Verrastungsbereichs zwischen zwei Wabenbausteinen, einmal mit einem teilweise und einmal mit einem ganz eingeführten Werkzeug,

Fig. 8

eine Schnittdarstellung des Verrastungsbereichs zwischen zwei Wabenbausteinen, die einem im Vergleich zur Fig. 7 anders ausgebildeten Rastarm aufweisen, einmal mit einem teilweise und einmal mit einem ganz eingeführten Werkzeug,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Wabenbausteins gemäß Fig. 2 mit einem Werkzeug, vor und nach dem Aufschieben des Werkzeugs,

Fig. 10

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Werkzeugs, von der Seite und in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 11

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines einzelnen Wabenbausteins einer Rangierwabe, in perspektivischer Darstellung und von vorne, und

Fig. 12

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines einzelnen Wabenbausteins einer Rangierwabe, in perspektivischer Darstellung und von vorne

In detail, there are now a large number of possibilities for designing and developing the honeycomb module according to the invention as well as the shunting honeycomb and the tool. For this purpose, reference is made to the claims subordinate to claims 1, 4 and 7 as well as to the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show in the drawings

Fig. 1

an exemplary embodiment of a shunting honeycomb made up of four honeycomb modules, in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

an enlarged representation of an individual honeycomb module of a shunting honeycomb, in perspective and from the front,

Fig. 3

two honeycomb bricks from the side, before and after being pushed together,

Fig. 4

the patch panel according to Fig. 1 , with a separate tool for removing a honeycomb module from the marshalling honeycomb,

Fig. 5

the patch panel according to Fig. 1 , with inserted tool,

Fig. 6

the patch panel according to Fig. 1 , with a honeycomb module removed with the help of the tool,

Fig. 7

a sectional view of a latching area between two honeycomb modules, once with a partially and once with a fully inserted tool,

Fig. 8

a sectional view of the latching area between two honeycomb modules, which one compared to Fig. 7 have differently designed locking arm, once with a partially and once with a fully inserted tool,

Fig. 9

a perspective view of the honeycomb module according to Fig. 2 with a tool, before and after the tool is pushed on,

Fig. 10

an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of a tool, from the side and in a perspective view,

Fig. 11

an enlarged illustration of a second embodiment of an individual honeycomb module of a shunting honeycomb, in a perspective illustration and from the front, and

Fig. 12

an enlarged illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a single honeycomb module of a shunting honeycomb, in a perspective illustration and from the front

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a jumper honeycomb 1, which consists of four honeycomb modules 2, the individual honeycomb modules 2 being directly connected to one another. The marshalling honeycomb 1 can, however, also be composed of significantly more honeycomb blocks 2, the individual honeycomb blocks 2 being arranged with respect to one another in such a way that each honeycomb block 2 is or at least connected to at least one further honeycomb block 2 in both the x-direction and in the y-direction is connectable.

The individual honeycomb modules 2 each have a box-shaped housing 3 with two end faces 4a, 4b and four side faces 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d. The individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d extend between the two end surfaces 4a, 4b and each have an angle of 90 ° to the end surfaces 4a, 4b. A honeycomb building block 2 thus has an essentially rectangular cross section, the individual honeycomb building blocks 2 even being square and all having the same dimensions, without the invention being restricted thereto. In addition, the honeycomb modules 2 have a length or depth which runs in the longitudinal extension of the respective side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d - and thus in the z direction.

On the front end face 4a of the honeycomb modules 2, three connection areas 6 are provided, which are preferably designed as spring-loaded terminal connections. Three clamping springs are then arranged within the housing 3, and by means of the clamping springs a stripped conductor inserted through a respective conductor entry opening of a connection area 6 can be clamped against a busbar also arranged in the housing 3 and thus connected to the busbar in an electrically conductive manner. The rear end face 4b can also have three connection areas. Besides However, it is also possible that the two end faces 4a, 4b have a different number of connection areas, the rear end face 4b, for example, only has two connection areas. Likewise, the outer surfaces 4a, 4b can also have more or fewer than the three connection areas shown in the figures.

To connect the honeycomb building blocks 2 to one another, the honeycomb building blocks 2 have a plurality of connecting elements 7, 8 on all four side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. As a result, a honeycomb module 2 can be connected to another honeycomb module 2 on all four side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and thus both in the x-direction and in the y-direction, in order to form a corresponding patch panel 1. The in Fig. 1 and 2 The illustrated embodiment have the honeycomb blocks 2 - as in particular from the enlarged illustration according to FIG Fig. 2 can be seen - on all four side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d two dovetail-shaped grooves 7 and two dovetail-shaped webs 8. The grooves 7 on one side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are arranged mirror-symmetrically to the webs 8 on the opposite side surface 5b, 5a, 5d, 5c, so that when two honeycomb blocks 2 are connected, the grooves 7 and webs 8 of one side surface 5b of the one honeycomb module 2 with the webs 8 and grooves 7 of the opposite side face 5a of the adjacent honeycomb module 2 are in engagement.

Since both the grooves 7 and the webs 8 each extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, the connection of two honeycomb blocks 2 to one another takes place in that the honeycomb blocks 2 with their respective opposing grooves 7 and webs 8 in z-direction are pushed into each other. The assembly direction thus runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. The direction of assembly also corresponds to the direction of actuation of the connection areas 6, i. H. the direction in which the conductors to be connected are introduced into the connection areas 6.

In the marshalling honeycomb 1 shown in the figures, the individual honeycomb modules 2 are firmly connected to one another in the x-direction and y-direction in that the individual dovetail-shaped webs 8 are inserted into the corresponding Grooves 7 are inserted. A displacement of the honeycomb building blocks 2 relative to one another in the z-direction, however, is not prevented by the grooves 7 and webs 8, since the grooves 7 and webs 8 all extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and have stops or edges , which would limit a displacement in the z-direction, are not provided. So that the individual honeycomb building blocks 2 of a marshalling cell 1 cannot be displaced against one another in the z-direction, the honeycomb building blocks 2 in the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 2 on their individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d each have two resilient latching arms 9, 9 ', at the free end of which a latching hook 10 is formed.

As can be seen from the enlarged illustration of a honeycomb module 2 according to FIG Fig. 2 As can be seen, the latching arms 9, 9 'each extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the respective side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. The two latching arms 9, 9 'formed on one side surface are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal extension of the respective side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, as is also shown in the side view according to FIG Fig. 3 can be seen. From the Figures 2a and 3a it can also be seen that the two latching arms 9, 9 'extend in opposite directions and that their ends intersect with the latching hooks 10 in the longitudinal direction. One latching hook 9 thus extends from its foot area connected to the side surface 5a in the direction of the rear face 4b, while the other latching arm 9 ′ extends from its foot region in the direction of the front face 4a. Since - as stated above - the ends of the locking arms 9, 9 'with their locking hooks 10 overlap in the longitudinal direction, the locking hook 10 of one locking arm 9 is a little further back in the z-direction and the locking hook 10 of the other locking arm 9' is a little further forward arranged, which is also very clear from the side view of the honeycomb building blocks 2 according to FIG Fig. 3a can be seen.

Like in particular from Figure 3b As can be seen, in the joined state of two honeycomb blocks 2, the pairs of latching hooks formed by the total of four latching arms 9, 9 'or latching hooks 10 cross one another, so that a displacement of the honeycomb blocks 2 relative to one another in the z-direction is not possible; the two honeycomb modules 2 are thus securely locked to one another in the z direction.

So that, despite the above-described secure latching of the honeycomb blocks 2 with one another, a honeycomb block 2 can nevertheless be removed from the jumper honeycomb 1 with little effort in the shunting honeycomb 1 according to the invention, there is a groove-shaped recess on the side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the individual honeycomb blocks 2 11 formed. This makes it possible to insert a tool 12 for releasing the latching into the opening 13 formed by two opposing recesses 11 between two honeycomb blocks 2, as in the Figures 4 to 6 as well as the Fig. 7 and 8th is shown. The release of the latching between two latching hooks 10 of two latching arms 9 and 9 'is preferably not carried out by means of the tip of a screwdriver, which in principle would also be possible, but with the aid of a special tool 12 which is inserted into the Figures 4 to 6 and 9 together with the marshalling honeycomb 1 or a honeycomb module 2 and in Fig. 10 is shown separately.

The tool 12 for releasing a honeycomb module 2 from a shunting honeycomb 1 has, according to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, four unlocking arms 14 which are arranged on a common, annular handle section 15. The unlocking arms 14 extend perpendicular to the base of the handle section 15, the unlocking arms 14 being arranged symmetrically distributed on the handle section 15 so that the unlocking arms 14 each extend into a recess 11 on a side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of a honeycomb module 2 when the tool 12 according to Fig. 5 is connected to the honeycomb module 2 to be removed. The ring-shaped grip section 15 lies flat on the end face 4a of the honeycomb module 2, the diameter of the grip section 15 being only slightly larger than the dimensions of the end face 4a of the honeycomb module 2. As a result, conductors that are connected to the adjacent honeycomb modules 2 do not have to be detached from the connection areas 6 if a honeycomb module 2 is to be removed from the jumper module 1 with the aid of the tool 12.

From the two representations according to Fig. 7 and 8th it can be seen how the latching between the latching hooks 10 of the individual latching arms 9, 9 'of two honeycomb blocks 2 connected to one another is released when an unlocking arm 14 is inserted into the two opposing recesses 11 formed opening 13 between two honeycomb blocks 2 is inserted. If an unlocking arm 14 is completely inserted into the opening 13, the latching arms 9, 9 'of both honeycomb blocks 2 are each deflected so far that the mutually corresponding latching hooks 10 are no longer in engagement with one another, as shown in the Figure 7b and 8b can be seen. Since the latching between two honeycomb modules 2 is released in the z-direction, the honeycomb module 2 can be released from the shunting module 1 together with the tool 12, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 is shown.

The Fig. 7 and 8th both show a sectional view of the latching area between two honeycomb modules 2, the honeycomb modules 2 shown differing in the structural design of the locking arms 9, 9 '. While the in Fig. 7 The locking arms 9, 9 'shown each have only one section which, starting from its foot area 16 connected to the side surface 5, extends at a small angle to the corresponding side surface 5 to the locking hook 10 arranged at the free end Fig. 8 locking arms 9, 9 'shown each have a first section 17 and an adjoining second section 18. The first section 17 is connected with its first end 19 to the respective side surface 5 of the honeycomb module 2, while the latching hook 10 is formed at the free end of the second section 18.

How out Fig. 8 As can be seen, the first section 17 of the latching arm 9 runs essentially parallel to the side surface 5, while the second section 18 is at an angle to the side surface 5, so that the latching hook 10 of the latching arm 9 of the one honeycomb module 2 with the corresponding latching hook 10 of the latching arm 9 of the other honeycomb module 2 is in engagement. The formation of the locking arms 9, 9 'according to Fig. 8 leads to the fact that a locking arm 9, 9 'is only deflected when the tip of the unlocking arm 14 of the tool 12 hits the second section 18 of the locking arm 9, 9'. Between the force application point and the point at which the latching arm 9 is connected to the side surface 5, there is thus a distance that essentially corresponds to the length of the first section 17 of the latching arm 9. A lever arm is thus formed between the force application point and the point of rotation 20 of the locking arm 9, 9 ', whereby the forces occurring at the point of rotation 20 when the locking arm 9, 9' is deflected are reduced.

Out Figure 8b It can also be seen that a bearing area 21 is formed in the transition area from the first section 17 to the second section 18, which rests on the side surface 5 of the honeycomb module 2 when the latching arm 9 is deflected so that the bearing area 21 then acts as a second pivot point. This leads to a further relief of the first pivot point 20 and thus of the area in which the latching arm 9 is connected to the side surface 5 of the honeycomb module 2.

From the enlarged illustration of the tool 12 according to FIGS Fig. 9 and 10 it can be seen that the unlocking arms 14 of the tool 12 each have two unlocking fingers 22 which are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal extension of the unlocking arms 14. At the free ends of the unlocking fingers 22, a bevel 23 is formed in each case, which is aligned to correspond to the bevel of the locking hooks 10. The two unlocking fingers 22 each serve to unlock the locking of the two locking arms 9, 9 'arranged next to one another. For this purpose, the bevels 23 are arranged at the free ends of the unlocking fingers 22 in each case on opposite sides of the unlocking fingers 22, which corresponds to the formation of the bevels on the latching hooks 10.

So that the tool 12 does not inadvertently detach itself from the honeycomb module 2 when a honeycomb module 2 is pulled out of the jumper module 1, an additional latch is formed between the honeycomb module 2 and the tool 12. For this purpose, a latching hook 24 is preferably formed on two unlocking arms 14 on each side of an unlocking finger 22, which engages behind a corresponding edge 25 on the honeycomb module 2 when the tool 12 is attached. So that the insertion of an unlocking arm 14 into a recess 11 is not made too difficult by the formation of the locking hook 24 on the side of the unlocking finger 22, a gap 26 is formed between the two unlocking fingers 24 so that the unlocking fingers 22 inward when inserted into the recess 11 , so they can spring together.

Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of a honeycomb module 2, in which, in contrast to that in particular in FIG Fig. 2 honeycomb building block 2 shown on the individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d only one Dovetail-shaped groove 7 and, correspondingly, only one dovetail-shaped web 8 are formed. The groove 7 and the web 8 extend over the entire length of the respective side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, the groove 7 and the web 8 being formed centrally on the side surface. In addition, the in Fig. 11 The illustrated embodiment of the honeycomb module 2 is arranged on the individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d with four resilient latching arms 9, 9 'each, the latching arms 9, 9' being arranged in pairs on one side of the groove 7 or the web 8. Corresponding to the arrangement of the respective locking arms 9, 9 ', a recess 11 is formed on the side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d so that the individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d in the case of the in FIG Fig. 11 The illustrated embodiment of the honeycomb module 2 each have two recesses 11.

The in Fig. 12 The illustrated further exemplary embodiment of a honeycomb module 2 - just as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 11 - Only one groove 7 and one web 8 are formed on the individual side faces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. In this exemplary embodiment, only one latching arm 9 or 9 'is provided on both sides of the centrally formed groove 7 or of the web 8, so that in the honeycomb module 2 according to FIG Fig. 12 - as with the honeycomb module according to Fig. 2 - Two resilient locking arms 9, 9 'are provided per side surface 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. Here too, the resilient latching arms 9, 9 ′ each have a latching hook 10 at their free ends. In the embodiment according to Fig. 12 the individual latching hooks 10 each have a central recess 27, so that the latching hooks 10 could also be referred to as double latching hooks in this exemplary embodiment.

The latching of several honeycomb blocks 2 according to Fig. 11 or of a plurality of honeycomb blocks 2 according to FIG Fig. 12 essentially takes place as it was already done in connection with the in Fig. 2 honeycomb module 2 shown is described and explained. To release the latching must also in the honeycomb module 2 according to Fig. 11 and 12th a tool can be inserted into the openings formed by two opposing recesses 11 between two honeycomb blocks 2. The respective latching arm 9, 9 ′ is then deflected by the tool in such a way that the latching with the corresponding latching arm 9, 9 ′ of the other web module 2 is released. There at the in the Fig. 11 and 12th honeycomb blocks 2 shown are formed on the individual side surfaces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d with two recesses 11, a corresponding tool - in contrast to the one in FIG Fig. 10 tool 12 shown - have not four but a total of eight unlocking arms 14. In addition, it is also possible to insert a single tool, for example the tip of a screwdriver, into the individual recesses 11 or the openings formed by two recesses 11 in order to release the latching.

Claims (9)

1. A socket block (2) for constructing a patchboard (1), having a box-shaped housing (3) with two end faces (4a, 4b) and four side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which extend between the end faces (4a, 4b), wherein the two end faces (4a, 4b) have at least one terminal region (6),
   wherein the side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) each have at least one connecting element (7, 8) for connection to another socket block (2), wherein the connecting elements (7, 8), which are formed on opposite side faces (5a, 5c; 5b, 5d), are designed and arranged so as to correspond to one another, and wherein the connecting elements (7, 8) each have a longitudinal extension which runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d),
   characterized in
   that two elastic locking arms (9, 9') each having a respective locking hook (10) are arranged on at least two adjoining side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), wherein the locking arms (9, 9') extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d),
   that the locking arms (9, 9') are arranged next to one another perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and extend in opposite directions,
   that the locking arms (9, 9') are constructed and arranged in such a way that their ends overlap with the locking hooks (10) in the longitudinal extent, and that at least one recess (11) for a tool (12) is formed in the side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) at least on the side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) on which the locking arms (9, 9') are formed, through which recess (11) the locking hooks of the locking arms are accessible from one end face by means of the tool.
2. Socket block (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual locking arms (9, 9') each have a first section (17) and a second section (18) adjoining the first section (17), wherein the first section (17) is connected by its first end (19) to the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), and the locking hook (10) is formed at the free end of the second section (18), and that the individual locking arms (9, 9') are designed in such a way that a locking arm (9, 9') is only deflected when a tool (12) inserted into the recess (11) meets the second section (18) of the locking arm (9, 9') with its actuating tip.
3. Socket block (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that a bearing region (21) is formed in the transition region from the first section (17) to the second section (18) of the individual locking arms (9, 9'), which region is arranged at a distance from the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) when the locking arm (9. 9') is not deflected and which region bears against the respective side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket block (2) when the locking arm (9, 9') is deflected by a tool (12) inserted into the recess (11).
4. Patchboard (1) with several socket blocks (2) according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3.
5. Patchboard (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that two elastic locking arms (9, 9') each with a respective locking hook (10) are arranged on each of the side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket blocks (2) and correspondingly at least one recess (11) is formed in the side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of all side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket blocks (2).
6. Patchboard (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least one groove (7) and at least one ridge (8) corresponding to the groove (7) are formed on each side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket blocks (2), wherein the at least one groove (7) is formed on one side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket blocks (2), mirror symmetrically to the ridge (8) on the opposite side face (5b, 5a, 5d, 5c) and the at least one ridge (8) on one side face (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) is arranged mirror symmetrically to the groove (7) on the opposite side face (5b, 5a, 5d, 5c).
7. Tool (12) for releasing a socket block (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 from a patchboard (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the tool (12) has at least two release arms (14) and a handle section (15), from which the release arms (14) extend, wherein the release arms (14) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they can be inserted simultaneously into two recesses (11) on two different side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of a socket block (2), and
   that the individual release arms (14) each have two unlocking fingers (22) which are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal extent of the release arms (14) and which each have a bevel (23) at their free end, wherein the bevels (23) are arranged on opposite sides of the unlocking fingers (22).
8. Tool (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that four release arms (14) are provided, which are symmetrically distributed on the handle section (15).
9. Tool (12) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one release arm (14) has a locking hook (24) which preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the release arm (14) and which cooperates with a corresponding edge (25) on a socket block (2) for latching the tool (12) to the socket block (2).

Images