EP3510676A1

EP3510676A1 - Overvoltage protection module for a modular plug connector

Info

Publication number: EP3510676A1
Application number: EP17777773.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Nass; Stefan Garske; Frank Quast
Original assignee: Harting Electric GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Harting Electric Stiftung and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-09-09
Filing date: 2017-08-31
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-31
Also published as: CN109716597A; WO2018046056A1; KR102231401B1; CN109716597B; EP3510676B1; KR20190044117A; US20190237913A1; RU2719766C1; DE102016116926A1; US10923864B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector module (1) for a modular plug connector (5), said plug module (1) having an overvoltage protection with at least one earth connection. The invention further relates to a connector and a modular plug connector having a connector module (1) of the above type.

Description

Overvoltage protection module for a modular connector

description

The present invention relates to a connector module for a modular connector.

Modular connectors are used in a wide variety of technical applications. The modular connectors are based on the technical principle, several different signals or

Currents, e.g. electrical currents and / or fluid flows and / or light and / or data streams via a plurality of plug modules and

Forward mating connector modules, which are connected together in the connected state of a plug and a mating connector of the modular connector. In each case a connector module and a

Mating connector module form a connector module pair over which a particular desired signal, e.g. an electrical signal and / or a desired current or fluid flow, or a desired light or flux, e.g. is a luminous flux for optoelectronic data transmission, and / or any data stream can be forwarded.

By virtue of the module principle, the forwarding of these different signals and / or currents can be realized by a simple and practical connection process. A typical application of a modular connector relates to the supply of a system with different signals, and at least one particular electrical energy supply, different

Voltages and / or currents as well as signals eg of a system control remote from the system. State of the art

An example of a modular connector is known from EP 1 353 412 A2. Modular connectors or modular connector systems have also been disclosed, for example, in numerous other publications and publications, shown at fairs and are used in particular in the industrial environment. For example, they are described in the publications DE 10 2013 106 279 A1, DE 10 2012 1 10 907 A1, DE 10 2012 107 270 A1, DE 20 2013 103 61 1 U1, EP 2 510 590 A1, EP 2 510 589 A1, DE 20 201 1 050 643 U1, EP 0 860 906 A2,

DE 296 01 998 U1, EP 1 353 412 A2.

Further modular plug connectors or plug modules are known from DE 10 2013 102 023 A1 and WO 201 11 \ 00942 A1.

From the document WO 2015/085995 A1, a holding frame for a connector, having a good heat resistance and a high mechanical robustness, is known, which allows a protective grounding when installed in a metallic connector housing, but at the same time also a comfortable operation, especially when replacing individual modules , guaranteed. It is suggested that the

Holding frame at least partially made of resilient sheet metal. For this purpose, the holding frame has a base section and a

Have deformation portion, which are formed of different materials. The basic section serves to fix a

recorded module in one level. 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 document DE 10 2014 213 728 A1 discloses a

Terminal block system with overvoltage protection for one A plurality of substantially similar side-by-side terminal blocks arranged on a mounting rail (HUT).

In practice, however, has shown that for retrofitting electrical equipment with one or more over-protection modules is not always a complete cabinet is available, which has a DIN rail, to which a corresponding overvoltage protection module attachable and can be integrated into the cabinet. However, there is often the need to retrofit an electrical device connected or to be connected to a signal source and / or sink, to a network and / or a power supply

equip appropriate surge protection. Furthermore, it has proven useful in practice, for different electrical equipment also corresponding, different sized

Overprotection circuits provide.

task

The object of the invention is to take into account the aforementioned disadvantages and an electrical device with the least possible installation, cabling and space requirements with a separate

To provide overvoltage protection.

This task comes with a plug-in module for a modular

Connector solved with the features of independent claim 1.

The connector module according to the invention for a modular connector is characterized in that the connector module has an electrical overvoltage protection.

By means of the plug-in module with the overvoltage protection module, the functionality of an overvoltage protection module can advantageously be reduced to one modular connector can be moved, which has at least one such connector module. In this way, furthermore, the expense for retrofitting an electrical appliance with such a modular plug connector can also be reduced significantly. It is particularly advantageous that in this way individual electrical devices can be retrofitted separately from each other with their own overvoltage protection, which is suitable in particular for each individual device and which is arranged in particular in the associated attachment housing. This suitability can relate, for example, to the reaction time and / or the threshold voltage at which the

Overvoltage protection triggers.

Advantageously, on the one hand by the invention so be it apart from subsequently incorporate a conventional known surge protection in an electrical device to be protected, which interferes with the corresponding device with the associated

Difficulties such as Lack of space, possibly renewed certifications, etc. would mean.

Furthermore, it is no longer necessary by the invention that the overvoltage protection e.g. on strips or DIN rails in one

Cabinet is mounted, where he claimed in the control cabinet particularly precious construction and wiring space, which could be used for other components.

Furthermore, can be excluded by the invention, confusion in the assignment of several possibly different surge protection modules to the individual electrical equipment of a system, because after the appropriate surge protection has been integrated once in the mounting housing of the respective electrical device and wired so he can as firmly connected be considered. This facilitates the intuitive assignment during installation and ensures the corresponding device against the use of a possibly less suitable overvoltage protection.

Alternatively, if flexible allocation is desired, a

Inventive overvoltage protection module can also be integrated into the respective mating connector, which can be correspondingly designated and assigned for this purpose. This variant is suitable, for example, for overvoltage protection modules which are specified for specific devices, functions and / or positions in the network.

Also, the invention still allows - if desired - a schallschrankseitiges arranging the overvoltage protection module, namely in the respective mounting housing of the cabinet or in the associated or provided for connection mating connector housing, while still maintaining the advantage that in the control cabinet valuable space on the DIN rail and in Cabling space is saved and the surge protection from the outside by simply repositioning the mating connector with little manual effort is ranked. Of particular advantage is that the inventive

Plug-in module, which is an overvoltage protection module, both ensures a particularly large space savings, and is particularly flexible use.

Advantageously, electrical devices to be protected by the invention, for example, in a, e.g. by lightning strike and / or switch-on operations and / or by any so-called "dirty network" and / or in particular by a corresponding one

predetermined grounding situation particularly overvoltage hazardous environment are operated separately from each other and in particular according to their electronic design and / or their

earth-specific arrangement in the network are each protected by its own, particularly suitably dimensioned surge protection. Overvoltage protection is generally known to the person skilled in the art. In general, voltage spikes are provided by it

Overvoltage protection circuits derived by means of gas arresters and diodes to the ground and / or ground of the respective electrical device, i. electrically connected to a ground and / or ground contact of the corresponding device. It makes sense that the components are connected and dimensioned so that the voltage peaks can damage at least no electrical hardware of the connected electrical device.

The plug according to the invention for a modular plug connector has a plurality of plug modules, of which at least one is designed in the form of the overvoltage protection module according to the invention. For example, as previously indicated, on

corresponding device, a modular connector, comprising a mounting housing and a mating connector, can be realized, with which the effort to install a surge protection module and the associated wiring costs can be significantly reduced and also also space, especially space and / or wiring space, for. in control cabinets or control cabinets or in the corresponding electrical device, can be saved.

In a practical embodiment, the plug has at least one holder frame in which the plug modules are received or held. However, the support frame may also be attached to a surface, such as a surface. to a surface of the electrical device, mounted to attach the plug of the modular connector together with the plug modules to the surface.

Preferably, the plug modules are detachable in the holding frame

recorded and recorded in particular fixed and detachable. Particularly preferably, the plug modules are accommodated in the holding frame in a form-fitting and / or non-positive manner. A positive reception can be realized in particular by a plurality of locking pins provided on each plug module, which can each be received in latching windows which are provided on side parts of the holding frame.

In a particularly practical embodiment of the holding frame in the connector housing, in particular the mounting housing can be received or mounted. The connector housing, in particular the mounting housing can be attached to a surface e.g. a control cabinet or plant cabinet or even more advantageously be attached to a surface of the electrical device to be protected.

Particularly preferably, the holding frame in the connector housing is positively and / or non-positively receivable. In particular, by a positive and non-positive recording of the support frame can be taken firmly and safely in the connector housing.

In particular, the support frame two hinged together

own connected side parts. Then the side panels can automatically align by screwing the support frame into the connector housing or on another surface in parallel and the

Fix plug modules in their position. However, it is also conceivable that the holder frame parts are brought together via a translational movement or that the holding frame, which has a cross-sectionally substantially rectangular base frame, for example, laterally attached thereto cheek parts has resilient tabs with locking windows, in which plug modules are usually inserted in the insertion direction and are then held perpendicular thereto in the holding frame, and are additionally fixed in the insertion direction by locking with their locking pins in the latching windows.

In particular, such a holding frame of an electric be made of conductive material, in particular metal, to, for example via a grounding screw and / or via the electrical contact to

Connector housing to allow the necessary grounding.

For example, the cheek parts then consist of resilient sheet metal. The overvoltage protection module may have a grounding spring, which has a ground connection of its

Overvoltage protection circuit, which in particular together with this ground terminal is arranged on a printed circuit board, electrically conductively connects to the holding frame, be it directly on the side parts or possibly also in the electrically or electrically conductive fixed therein, in particular glued, welded, soldered, riveted, latched and / or bolted elastic

Cheek parts. In particular, provides an electrical contact on the cheek parts when the cheek parts, which are formed in particular of resilient metal sheet, for example, bent by 180 ° and are preferably fixed from the inside to the base frame, in which case the appropriate method of attachment of the cheek parts on the base frame according to a possible good electrical conductivity should be selected. In particular, welding, soldering,

Riveting, latching and / or screwing the elastic

Wang parts on the base frame, in order to ensure a particularly good electrical conductivity between the cheek parts and the

To ensure basic frame.

The modular connector according to the invention has a

holding frame according to the invention, preferably with a plurality of plug modules and in particular a mounting housing and a mating connector with a plurality of mating connector modules, wherein each plug module of the plug and a mating connector module of the mating connector form a plug module pair, wherein the plug and the mating connector can assume an interconnected state in which connector module and mating connector module each of Plug module pairs connected to each other, so plugged and

in particular, e.g. Locked together by means of a locking bracket, but that they can also assume a separate state, in which plug module and mating connector module each of the plug module pairs are detached from each other, wherein in the plug module pair or the plug module pairs with the

Plug module according to the invention in the connected state of the plug and mating connector includes at least one plug module pair at least one overvoltage protection module.

embodiment

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

Fig. 1 a, b A plug-in module and a mating connector module;

Fig. 2a - e the plug module in an exploded view and in the assembled state;

3 shows the plug-in module inserted into a holding frame with a grounding spring;

4 shows the grounding spring in a separate representation;

Fig. 5a, b, the plug module and the plug-in module, which are each inserted into a holding frame, in a

Side view;

Fig. 6a, b, a mounting housing and a mating connector housing with the built-in frame in an oblique view; Fig. 7 shows a connector, with the mounting housing and thus plugged and locked mating connector housing in a side view.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, for the same, but possibly not identical

Elements identical reference numerals used. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

1 a shows a plug-in module 1 and FIG. 1 b shows a plug-in plug-in module 2 which can be plugged in. The plug-in module 1 has an overvoltage protection circuit, so that the plug-in module 1 is an overvoltage protection module. These

Overvoltage circuit is in this illustration by a

Module housing hidden. The module housing is made of an electrically insulating material, e.g. Plastic, and is from a first

Housing part 1 1 and a second housing part 13 assembled therewith. The second housing part 13 has two locking pins 132, 133 of different size for its own polarization, which are integrally formed on two opposite narrow side parts of the second housing part 13, and of which only the first 132 can be seen in this illustration. Furthermore, 1 1 pin contacts 1 1 1 are pressed into the first housing part and form a mating face of the plug-in module. 1 In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawing, the plug-in module has 1 socket contacts.

The mating connector module 2 shown in FIG. 1 b has a

corresponding mating face with socket contacts 21 1 on. In the aforementioned, not shown in the drawing alternative

The mating plug-in module has plug-in contacts. To the

Housing of the mating plug-in module 2 are also two such

Locking pin 232, 233 molded. Furthermore, the two mating faces have no closer

designated plug-in polarizing means in the form of

Polarization webs and recesses / slots.

2 shows the connector module 1 in an exploded view. Fig. 1 a shows the first housing half and the pin contacts 1 1 1 of the connection side. In Fig. 2b is a rectangular printed circuit board 12 with the overvoltage protection circuit constructed of diodes 122 and

Gas discharge pipes 123, very good to see. For connection to the

Terminal side of the pin contacts 1 1 1, the printed circuit board 12 has on one of its narrow sides corresponding connection pads 121, which are electrically connected via printed conductors to the protective circuit. Opposite each other are two on their long sides

Grounding springs 4, which are also shown in FIG. 4 as a separate component, soldered to a respective ground terminal of the printed circuit board 4.

In Fig. 2c, the circuit board 12 is soldered with their connection pads 121 to the pin contacts 1 1 1. On its opposite narrow side, the printed circuit board 12 has a cable connection element 124, whose

Connections via further tracks electrically conductive with the

Overvoltage protection circuit, namely a terminal of the diodes 122 are connected.

Fig. 2d shows the second housing part 13, wherein from this view, the second 133 of the two locking pins 132, 133 can be seen.

Cable connection side, the second housing part 13 a

Connection window 134 on. At its opposite opening, which is provided for inserting the printed circuit board 12 in the second housing part 13, or in other words for attaching the second housing part 13 on the printed circuit board 12, the second housing part 13 has on both sides of two opposite side parts one slit-shaped opening 131 and further includes an unspecified detent mechanism for its attachment to the first housing part 1. 1 In the mated, ie assembled state, which is shown in Fig. 2e, remains at least in the end region of the slot-shaped opening 131, a window opening. The window opening thus formed allows protruding parts of the contact spring 4 for grounding even in the assembled state.

In Fig. 3, the ground contact in the recording of the

Plug module 1 with a metallic support frame 3 shown. The locking pins 132, 133 of the plug module 1 are received in latching windows 33 of the holding frame 3, whereby the plug module 1 in

Holding frame 3 is fixed.

Inside the holding frame 3, the contact spring 4 of the plug-in module is indicated by dashed lines with its two spring arms 41, wherein the

Contact spring 4, the holding frame 3 electrically contacted with their spring arms 41. This allows the derivation of an electrical overvoltage by the overvoltage protection circuit via the holding frame 3 and thus possibly also to a connector housing 5 shown in FIG. 7.

Fig. 4 shows the contact spring 4. It is a stamped and bent part of resilient sheet metal, which has a substantially rectangular shape in the unbent state. From this, a window 42 is punched out on three sides in a partial area parallel to three outer sides, so that a three-sided rectangular frame 43 is formed on these three sides and a spring-elastic tab on the fourth side. Due to the division of this tab in two halves, two parallel spring arms 41, each free on three sides, are formed, which in their approach are bent out of the window plane in a first direction and slightly towards the frame 43 in the opposite direction towards their ends

Contact spring be bent. The second portion has two parallel, extending in the direction of the window 42 slots through which initially three parallel tabs are formed. The two outer tabs are then bent at a first bending edge at right angles and opposite to the first direction, whereby rectangular angled mounting feet 44 are formed. The inner flap is bent at a second bending edge in the same direction, whereby at a different distance from the window 42, a rectangular Lötfahne 45 is formed, wherein the first bending edge of the window 42 is about the thickness of the printed circuit board 12 farther than the second bending edge , Thus, the contact spring on the one hand with its mounting feet, for example, "below" the circuit board and on the other hand with their Lötfahne 45, eg "above" the circuit board from the side to be clamped to the circuit board, which is already a stop guaranteed. The Lötfahne 45 can then be soldered to the respective ground contact of the printed circuit board 12 for grounding the contact spring 4, whereby fastening the contact spring 4 on the

Printed circuit board 12 continues to be strengthened.

FIG. 5 shows two identical holding frames 3, 3 ^' in a side view. The first holding frame 3 is equipped with a connector module 1. The second holding frame 3 ^' is equipped with a mating connector module 2. The two holding frames 3, 3 ^' and the two modules 1, 2 are each adapted to be put together.

Fig. 6 shows a plug with a mounting housing 51 and a mating connector with a mating connector housing 52. In the mounting housing 51, the first support frame 3 is installed with the connector module 1. In the mating connector housing 52, the second support frame 3 ^' with the

Mating connector module 2 installed. The mounting housing 51 has a locking bracket 513. The mating connector housing 52 has locking pins 523, which are provided with the Locking bracket 513 cooperate. The mating connector housing 52 is thus plugged and locked with the mounting housing 51.

Fig. 7 shows the connector with its connector housing 5 in the plugged and locked state.

Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, unless stated otherwise, that the combinations illustrated and discussed are not the only ones possible. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

Overvoltage protection module for a modular connector

List of reference plug module

1 first housing part

1 1 pin contacts

PCB

1 connection pads

2 diodes

3 gas abstraction

4 cable connection element

second housing part

31 slot

32, 133 locking pin

34 Connection window mating connector module

1 1 socket contacts

32, 233 locking pin, 3 ^' first, second support frame

3 locking window contact spring

1 spring arms

2 Windows

3 frames

4 mounting feet

5 soldering lug Connector housing mounting housing

Locking bracket Mating connector housing Locking pin

Claims

Overvoltage protection module for a modular connector

claims

Plug module (1) for a modular connector, wherein the plug module (1) has an overvoltage protection circuit, so that it is at the plug module (1) to a

Overvoltage protection module acts.

Plug module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plug module (1) has a printed circuit board (12), and wherein the

Overvoltage protection circuit has at least one diode (122) and at least one Gasabieiter (123) and is arranged on the printed circuit board (12).

Plug module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the plug module (1) has at least one contact spring (4) for dissipating overvoltages, and wherein the

Overvoltage protection circuit has a ground terminal which is electrically connected to the contact spring (4).

Plug module (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plug module (1) has a module housing made of an electrically insulating material, which in the assembled state encloses the printed circuit board (12), wherein the module housing in the mounted state has at least one window opening, from which one or more Contact arms (41) of the at least one contact spring (4) for

Protruding ground contact.

Plug for a modular connector (5), wherein the plug for receiving a plurality of plug modules (1) is suitable and at least one plug module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4. Plug according to claim 5, wherein the plug has a holder frame (3) in which the plug modules (1) are accommodated.

Plug according to claim 6, wherein the plug modules (1) in the holding frame (3) are received positively and / or non-positively.

A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the support frame (3) is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g. a metallic material is formed.

Plug according to claim 8,

wherein the plug module (1) has a printed circuit board (12), and wherein the overvoltage protection circuit is arranged on the printed circuit board (12),

wherein the plug module (1) has at least one contact spring (4) for discharging overvoltages, and wherein the printed circuit board (12) has at least one ground connection, which is connected in an electrically conducting manner as part of the overvoltage protection circuit to the contact spring (4),

wherein the plug module (1) has a module housing made of an electrically insulating material, which in the assembled state encloses the printed circuit board (12), wherein the

Module housing in the assembled state, at least one

Window opening, from the one or more

Contact arms (41) of the at least one contact spring (4) protrude for grounding, and wherein the circuit board (12) has at least one ground terminal, which as part of the overvoltage protection circuit with the

Contact spring (4) is electrically connected,

wherein the contact arms (41) of the contact spring (4) by the inclusion of the plug module (1) in the holding frame (3) automatically electrically contact the holding frame (3).

10. Connector according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the plug comprises a metallic connector housing (5), wherein the

Holding frame (3) in the connector housing (5) is receivable.

1 1. A connector according to claim 10, wherein the support frame (3) is in the

Connector housing (5) positively and / or non-positively absorbable and thereby electrically contactable with it.

12. Plug according to claim 10 or 1 1, wherein the

Connector housing (5) consists of a mounting housing (51) and a mating connector housing (52) and wherein the

Holding frame (3) with the plug module (1) in the mounting housing (51) is positively and / or non-positively absorbable.

13. Modular connector, wherein the modular connector comprises a plug according to one of claims 5 to 12 and a mating connector (22) having a plurality of mating connector modules (2), wherein in each case a plug module (1) of the plug and a

Mating connector module (2) of the mating connector form a plug module pair, wherein the plug and the mating connector can assume an interconnected state, in which the

Plug module (1) and the mating connector module (2) each of

Plug module pairs are interconnected, and can take a separate state in which the plug module (1) and the mating connector module (2) each of

Plug module pairs are detached from each other, wherein in the

Plug module pair with the plug module (1) according to claim 1 in the connected state of the plug and mating connector, at least one overvoltage protection module for producing an electrically conductive connector is connected to an electrical device to be protected against overvoltage.