EP3843221A1 - Supporting frame for a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Described and shown is a holding frame (1) for a connector for receiving several contact inserts (2), with two opposite side parts (3, 3 ') and two also opposite end parts (4, 4')), the two end parts ( 4, 4 ')) are arranged perpendicular to the side parts (3, 3'), with at least one elastic tab (5, 5 ') being provided on each of the two side parts (3, 3') and the tabs (5, 5 ') each have a locking means for fixing a locking projection (6) of a contact insert (2) inserted in the holding frame (1), at least one end part (4, 4') consisting at least partially of an electrically conductive material and a PE connection In the case of the holding frame according to the invention, the connection of a protective conductor is particularly easy to produce in that the PE connection has a screwless connection device (7) and a metallic connection contact (8, 9) which is connected to the A Connection device (7) is connected in an electrically conductive manner.

Description

The invention relates to a holding frame for a connector for receiving several contact inserts, with two opposite side parts and two opposite end parts, the two end parts being arranged perpendicular to the side parts, with at least one elastic tab being provided on each of the two side parts and with the tabs each have a latching means for fixing a latching projection of a contact insert inserted into the holding frame, at least one end part consisting at least partially of an electrically conductive material and having a PE connection.

Such holding frames are used to accommodate a plurality of contact inserts which can be inserted into the holding frame and which consist of an insulating body with a rectangular cross section, in which different contact elements can be arranged. Because the contact inserts can be inserted individually into the holding frame, it is possible to equip a holding frame with different contact inserts, depending on the intended use. The holding frame with the contact inserts is thus constructed in a modular manner, so that the contact inserts are also referred to as contact insert modules or contact modules. The fully equipped holding frame, in which the respective contact inserts are inserted, can be inserted into a housing part of a plug connector and fastened therein, the plug connector being used for fastening with a corresponding mating plug connector.

Various types of holding frame are known from practice, which allow a modular insertion of individual contact inserts. There are holding frames that consist of two articulated frame halves, the contact inserts being inserted into corresponding recesses in the holding frame when the holding frame is open and being positively held in their position when the holding frame is closed. There are also holding frames that have a fixed base frame in which the individual contact inserts are also inserted into corresponding recesses in a first step. To hold and fasten the contact inserts in the base frame, a fastening bracket is fixed to the base frame in a second step. The mounting bracket engages over projections that are formed on the end faces of the contact inserts and engage in corresponding recesses on the upper edge of the base frame.

From the EP 1 801 927 B1 a holding frame for a connector is known, which is formed in one piece and consists of a plastic material. To fasten the contact inserts to be inserted into the holding frame, the two opposing side walls of the holding frame have a plurality of elastic wall segments separated by slots, in each of which a window-like opening is formed. As a result, a contact insert with its locking projections formed on the end faces can be pushed between two opposing wall segments until the two locking projections lock into the opposing window-like openings. The disadvantage here, however, is that the holding frame is made entirely of plastic, so that it is not suitable for protective grounding when the holding frame is installed in a metallic connector housing.

The DE 10 2015 103 563 A1 discloses a holding frame made of an electrically conductive material, which consists of a rigid, rectangular base frame with two side parts and two end parts, with upwardly open recesses formed on the upper edge of the side parts, which are laterally bounded by webs that extend parallel to the direction of insertion of a Extend contact insert. A plurality of resilient tabs separated from one another by slots are attached to the two side parts, for which purpose the lower sections of the slots are bent over by 180 ° around the lower edge of the corresponding side wall of the base frame. In addition, the tabs each have a holding tongue in their bent-over section, which engages in a corresponding holding opening in the side part.

A recess is formed in each of the tabs, the tabs being arranged on the side parts in such a way that the recesses in the tabs and the recesses in the side parts are aligned with one another. The upper edge of the recesses is delimited in each case by a bracket section on which an inwardly protruding locking lug is formed. The latch protrudes into the respective recess of a side part, so that the latching projection of a contact insert inserted in the holding frame is overlapped by the latch formed on the tab. The lower edge of the locking projection lies on the lower edge of the recess of the side part, while the side edges of the locking projection are held by the webs laterally delimiting the recess.

The tabs are preferably made of a resilient sheet metal, so that the tabs have corresponding resilient properties that allow the contact inserts to be inserted between two opposing tabs until the latching projections formed on the contact inserts are overlapped by the inwardly protruding latches formed on the tabs thereby be fixed in the holding frame.

The front parts, which consist of an electrically conductive material, in particular sheet metal, each have a flange section on which a PE connection is formed. The PE connection has a screw connection so that a protective conductor can be electrically connected to the connection contact of the PE connection with the aid of the screw connection.

A holding frame designed in this way enables the contact inserts to be fastened in the holding frame in a simple and, at the same time, secure manner, and individual contact inserts can also be exchanged without any problems. However, the assembly is somewhat complex, especially if a protective conductor is to be connected in confined spaces.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a holding frame that is as simple as possible to manufacture and that enables the simplest possible assembly.

This object is achieved in the holding frame described at the outset with the features of claim 1 in that the PE connection has a screwless connection device and a metallic connection contact which is electrically conductively connected to the connection device. Because the at least one PE connection in the holding frame according to the invention does not have a screw connection but a screwless connection device, the effort involved in connecting a protective conductor is reduced. This also simplifies the assembly of the holding frame, which is associated with a shortening of the assembly times for the individual holding frames. As a screwless connection device, a cutting connection can be provided, for example, in which the end of an insulated conductor be inserted between two opposing cutting edges of a metallic connection element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, the screwless connection device is designed as a spring-loaded terminal connection which has a clamping spring and a contact piece. A loop-shaped tension spring can be used as the clamping spring, with the aid of which a conductor arranged in an opening in the clamping leg of the tension spring is clamped against a busbar piece. Preferably, however, a leg spring is used as the clamping spring, which has a clamping leg and a retaining leg, which are connected to one another via a spring arch. The clamping leg of the clamping spring forms with the contact piece a clamping point for the protective conductor to be connected by the stripped end of the protective conductor being pressed by the clamping leg against the contact piece, which is electrically connected to the connection contact.

The advantage of a spring-loaded terminal connection with a leg spring as the clamping spring is that no additional assembly step is required to connect a rigid conductor. The end of a rigid conductor can simply be inserted into the terminal point, since the clamping leg is deflected from the end of the rigid conductor when it is inserted. If the protective conductor to be connected is plugged into the terminal point, it is securely held by the end of the terminal leg running obliquely to the direction of insertion of the conductor, so that the conductor is prevented from being unintentionally pulled out of the terminal point.

The design of the PE connection as a spring-loaded terminal connection can be implemented in a particularly simple manner in that the contact piece, against which the conductor to be connected is pressed by the clamping leg of the clamping spring, is designed in one piece with the front part. If the front part consists, for example, of sheet metal, in particular a steel sheet or a sheet made of a copper material, the contact piece can simply be punched free from the front part and bent. If, on the other hand, the end part is designed as a die-cast part, in particular as a zinc die-cast part or as an aluminum die-cast part, then the contact piece is preferably molded directly onto the end part in the die-casting process.

In order to avoid unintentional contact with the PE connection, a housing part is arranged at least on the end part that has a PE connection. The housing part can be attached to the front part, preferably by means of corresponding latching elements. The housing part, which consists of an insulating material, has a conductor entry opening for inserting the protective conductor to be connected and, moreover, preferably also an actuation opening for opening the terminal point. As previously stated, a protective conductor is not only pressed against the contact piece by the clamping leg, whereby an electrically conductive connection is established between the free end of the protective conductor and the contact piece, but the protective conductor is also protected against an unwanted one by the free end of the clamping leg Prevented pulling out of the clamping point. In order to deliberately release a connected conductor from the clamping point or the spring-loaded terminal connection, the clamping leg of the clamping spring must be deflected against its spring force. For this purpose, a corresponding actuating tool, for example the end of a screwdriver, can be inserted through the actuating opening into the housing part, the actuating opening being arranged in relation to the clamping spring in such a way that the clamping leg is deflected against its spring force when the actuating tool is inserted and is thus lifted off the connected conductor.

According to a preferred embodiment, an actuating element is arranged in the actuating opening for opening the clamping point, which actuating element can be brought from a first position in which the clamping point is closed into a second position in which the clamping point is open. In the second position of the actuating element, the clamping leg of the clamping spring is deflected by the actuating element against its spring force. The actuation element can be, for example, a pivotably mounted actuation lever or an actuation lever arranged displaceably in the actuation opening. By arranging a corresponding actuating element in the actuating opening, it can be ensured that the clamping spring is not damaged when the clamping point is opened, ie when the clamping leg is deflected, for example through the use of an unsuitable operating tool.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, not only the contact piece for the clamping point, but also a fastening element for the clamping spring and preferably also a stop element for the clamping leg of the clamping spring is formed on the end part, which has a PE connection. The formation of a corresponding fastening element ensures secure positioning and holding of the clamping spring, in which case corresponding contact sections for the clamping spring can also be formed in the housing so that the clamping spring is safely and functionally supported and positioned by the end part and the housing part. The formation of an additional stop element on the front part has the advantage that the clamping leg of the clamping spring is thereby protected against excessive deflection, which could damage the clamping spring or impair the spring properties.

The holding frame according to the invention can in principle have a one-piece base frame which is formed by the two side parts and the two front parts. Such a base frame is then preferably designed as a die-cast part, for example as a zinc die-cast part or an aluminum die-cast part. According to a preferred embodiment of the holding frame according to the invention, the two side parts and the two end parts are initially designed or manufactured as separate components before the two side parts are firmly connected to the two end parts, in particular welded, soldered, riveted or stamped together. In such a holding frame composed of separate components, the individual components, that is to say the side parts and the front parts, are preferably made of sheet metal, for example a sheet steel or a sheet made of a copper material.

For easy prepositioning, the side parts and the front parts preferably have interlocking contours at the connection points, so that the side parts and the front parts can first be put together or plugged together before they are permanently connected to one another at the connection points by welding, soldering, riveting or stamping. The design of interlocking contours has the additional advantage that, in addition to a force fit or material fit, a form fit is also generated at the connection points.

The formation of the holding frame from several separate components also has the advantage that, in this way, different holding frames can be produced in a simple manner, which are provided for receiving different numbers of contact inserts. In the case of a holding frame, which is intended to hold six contact inserts, for example, only different, correspondingly longer side parts then have to be used compared to a holding frame which is intended to hold four contact inserts, while the same end faces can be used for both holding frames. The individual side parts can preferably be made from an endless punched strip that is punched for different lengths depending on the size of the holding frame to be manufactured.

At the beginning it was stated that the tabs on the side parts each have a locking means. The latching means can be, for example, recesses or latching windows in the tabs. According to a preferred embodiment, two holding elements are formed as latching means on the upper region of the tabs in the insertion direction E of a contact insert, the holding elements extending perpendicular to the insertion direction E in the opposite direction outward from the upper region of the tab. The tabs are arranged on the side parts in such a way that in each case one tab is arranged at least with its upper area between two locking projections, so that the holding elements at least partially overlap the locking projections of the contact inserts when the contact inserts are inserted into the holding frame.

Such a holding frame then also differs from the holding frame known from the prior art in that two holding elements are formed as latching means on the individual tabs, the two holding elements interacting with two latching projections of the contact inserts. In contrast to this, in the prior art the individual tabs have only one latching means, so that each tab also only interacts with one latching projection of a contact insert, regardless of whether the latching means is designed as a latching window or as a latching lug. The two latching projections, which are at least partially overlapped by the two retaining elements of a tab, can either be formed on two contact inserts, which are arranged next to one another in the retaining frame, or on a contact insert, which then has a double width.

If a contact insert is inserted into the holding frame, a latching projection formed on its end face is overlapped by at least one holding element of a bracket. If the contact insert is located between two tabs, its latching projection is overlapped by one holding element of the two tabs, that is to say by a total of two holding elements. The holding elements preferably have a length perpendicular to the insertion direction E of the contact inserts, which is only slightly less than the corresponding extension of a latching projection of a contact insert, so that only a small amount of space remains between two holding elements of two adjacent tabs that jointly overlap a latching projection.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the contact inserts into the holding frame, the holding elements of the tabs are preferably designed or arranged in such a way that they form an insertion bevel for a latching projection of a contact insert. Such an insertion bevel can be implemented, for example, in that the holding elements are arranged at a small angle to the insertion direction E or to the longitudinal extension of the tabs on the upper region of the tabs. The holding elements are thus slightly inclined with respect to the insertion direction E.

At the beginning it was stated that at least one elastic tab is provided on each of the two side parts of the holding frame. Preferably, more than one tab, for example two, three, four, five or even more tabs, are provided on both side parts. The at least one tab is preferably designed in one piece with the respective side part, so that fastening of the tabs to the side parts is not necessary, which means that a corresponding work step can be omitted. The tabs are then preferably formed on the upper edge of the side parts. The respective side part and the tabs formed thereon are then essentially flat, which is advantageous due to the generally limited installation space for a holding frame in a housing part of a connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment, two shoulders are formed on the tabs, each of which is located at a distance below a holding element. The distance between a shoulder and the opposing holding element is selected so that the latching projection of a contact insert inserted in the holding frame rests on the shoulder and thereby is at the same time partially overlapped by the holding element. Because shoulders are formed on the tabs, which serve to support the latching projections of the contact inserts, the extension of the tabs can be selected to be relatively large. When inserting a contact insert between two opposing tabs, the tabs are resiliently spaced apart from one another without great expenditure of force, so that the contact insert with its two latching projections can slide past between the retaining elements of the tab.

Regardless of whether the brackets in the holding frame are designed as separate components or in one piece with the side parts, the brackets of one side part preferably have a different width in their upper area than the brackets of the other side part. The formation of, at least in the upper area, tabs of different widths on the two opposite side parts means that the distance between two adjacent tabs in the upper area on the two side parts is also different. In this way, a coding can be created for the individual slots which only enables the contact inserts to be inserted in exactly one orientation if the latching projections provided on the contact inserts also have a different width on the two end faces.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Halterahmens,

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Halterahmens gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Halterahmens, mit drei eingesetzten Kontakteinsätzen,

Fig. 4

ein Stirnteil des Halterahmens gemäß Fig. 1 oder Fig. 3, schräg von der Seite,

Fig. 5

das Stirnteil des Halterahmens gemäß Fig. 4 mit einem Gehäuse, einmal mit geschlossener Klemmstelle und einmal mit geöffneter Klemmstelle,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Halterahmens. und

Fig. 7

den Halterahmen gemäß Fig. 6, mit einem Seitenteil mit abgenommenem Gehäuse.

In detail, there are several options for designing and developing the holding frame according to the invention. For this purpose, reference is made both to the subordinate patent claims and to the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a holding frame,

Fig. 2

an exploded view of the holding frame according to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a holding frame, with three inserted contact inserts,

Fig. 4

a front part of the holding frame according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 3 , diagonally from the side,

Fig. 5

the front part of the holding frame according to Fig. 4 with a housing, once with a closed terminal point and once with an open terminal point,

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a third embodiment of a holding frame. and

Fig. 7

the holding frame according to Fig. 6 , with a side part with the housing removed.

The Figures 1 and 6th show two different design variants of a holding frame 1 according to the invention, each in a perspective view, obliquely from above, the side of the holding frame 1 from which a contact insert 2 is inserted into the holding frame 1 in the insertion direction E is referred to as "top". While the holding frame 1 according to the Fig. 1 and 6th are intended to accommodate two contact inserts each, is in Figure 3 a variant of the holding frame 1 according to Fig. 1 shown, in the three contact inserts 2 are inserted.

The holding frame 1 has a rectangular basic shape in all embodiments and consists of two opposite side parts 3, 3 'and two also opposite end parts 4, 4', the two end parts 4, 4 'being arranged perpendicular to the side parts 3, 3' are. The two side parts 3, 3 'have in the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 in each case only one elastic tab 5, 5 ', which are formed in one piece with the side parts 3, 3' and are arranged opposite one another. In the embodiment according to Figure 3 two tabs 5, 5 'per side part 3, 3' are provided, the tabs 5, 5 'also being formed in one piece with the side parts 3, 3' and being arranged opposite one another in pairs.

In the embodiment according to Figures 6 and 7 are attached to the base frame only shown two separate tabs in pairs opposite each other as separate components on the two side parts 3, 3 '. The tabs can be designed as in the DE 10 2015 103 563 illustrated and described tabs. The brackets can be attached to the side parts 3, 3 'by riveting or locking.

The ones in the Figs. 1 to 3 The holding frame 1 shown also differ from that in the Figures 6 and 7 shown holding frame 1 that in the embodiments according to the Figs. 1 to 3 the side parts 3, 3 'and the front parts 4, 4' each consist of sheet metal, in particular sheet steel and are designed as separate components, while in the embodiment according to the Figures 6 and 7 the side parts 3, 3 'and the end parts 4, 4' form a one-piece base frame and are manufactured in the die-casting process as a zinc die-cast part or as an aluminum die-cast part.

The holding frame shown in the figures has a PE connection on each of its two end parts 4, 4 ′, the PE connection being formed by a screwless connection device 7 and a connection contact 8, 9. One connection contact 8 is designed as a contact pin, while the other connection contact 9 is designed as a contact socket. In the preferred exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the screwless connection device 7 is designed as a spring-loaded terminal connection which has a clamping spring 10 and a contact piece 11. The approximately V-shaped or U-shaped clamping spring 10 has a clamping leg 12 and a holding leg 13, the clamping leg 12 together with the contact piece 11 forming a clamping point for a protective conductor to be connected. In the connected state, the stripped end of the protective conductor is pressed by the end of the clamping leg 12 against the contact piece 11, which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a connection contact 8, 9.

In addition to the two side parts 3, 3 'and the two end parts 4, 4', the holding frame 1 according to the invention also has two housing parts 14, which are each arranged on a front part 4, 4 '. The housing parts 14 are fastened to the end parts 4, 4 'in particular by means of corresponding latching elements, so that the housing parts 14 can be fastened to the end parts 4, 4' easily and without tools. The housing parts 14 each have a conductor insertion opening 15 for inserting the protective conductor to be connected and an actuation opening 16 for opening the terminal point. In the actuation opening 16, an actuation element 17 is arranged displaceably in such a way that it can be moved from a first position ( Figure 5a ), in which the clamping point is closed, to a second position ( Figure 5b ), in which the terminal point is open, can be moved. In the second position of the actuating element 17, which is designed as a pusher, the clamping leg 12 becomes the clamping spring 10 deflected by the free end arranged in the interior of the housing part 14, so that the free end of the clamping leg 12 is arranged at a distance from the contact piece 11. In the sectional view according to Figure 5a is the aforementioned first position of the actuating element 17 or of the clamping leg 12 and in the Figure 5b the second position is shown. The actuation element 17 can be displaced from its first position into the second position, for example, with the aid of the tip of a screwdriver.

From the separate illustration of a front part 4 in Fig. 4 it can be seen that in the face part 4 made there from sheet metal, the contact piece 11 is formed in one piece with the face part 4. The contact piece 11 is first punched free on three sides and then bent from the base of the end part 4 essentially by 90 °. In addition to the contact piece 11, the front part 4 also has two strap-shaped fastening elements 18 for holding and fixing the clamping spring 10 and a stop element 19 for the clamping leg 12 of the clamping spring 10. The two fastening elements 18 and the stop element 19 are also produced from the base area of the front part 4 by punching and bending. As a result, a secure positioning and holding of the clamping spring 10 on the front part 4 is ensured overall in a simple manner, the clamping spring 10 additionally being able to be held in its position by contact surfaces formed in the housing part 14.

Fig. 2 shows that in the illustrated embodiment, the holding frame 1 consists of individual components, namely in particular of the two side parts 3, 3 'and the two end parts 4, 4', which are firmly connected to one another. For easy prepositioning, the side parts 3, 3 'and the front parts 4, 4' have contours 20, 21 that engage one another at the connection points. As a result, the side parts 3, 3 'and the front parts 4, 4' can first be plugged into one another before they are then firmly connected to one another, for example by welding, soldering or stamping.

The two end parts 4, 4 'each have a flange section 22, 22' which is each connected to a metallic connection contact 8, 9. In addition, holes are formed in the flange sections 22, 22 'which are used to receive screws with which the holding frame 1 can be screwed into a connector housing. The flange sections 22, 22 'serve in addition to receiving the housing parts 14, which are attached to the end parts 4, 4 'above the flange sections 22, 22'.

So that the contact inserts 2 inserted in the holding frame 1 can be fixed in the holding frame 1, the contact inserts 2 each have a latching projection 6 on their opposite end faces. In addition, the tabs 5, 5 'each have two holding elements 23 on the upper region 24 of the tabs 5, 5'. The two holding elements 23 of a tab 5, 5 'extend perpendicular to the insertion direction E of a contact insert 2 in opposite directions from the upper region 24 of the tab 5, 5' outwards, so that when the contact inserts 2 are inserted, their latching projections 6 are partially removed from the Holding elements 23 are overlapped. Out Fig. 3 It can be seen that the tabs 5, 5 'are arranged on the side parts 3, 3' in such a way that each tab 5, 5 'is arranged with its upper region 24 between two latching projections 6 of two contact inserts 2. The tabs 5, 5 ′ are thus located with their central axis between two contact inserts 2 inserted in the holding frame 1.

The in Fig. 1 The holding frame 1 shown is intended to accommodate two contact inserts 2, each contact insert 2 having a latching projection 6 on each of the two end faces. In addition, there is also the possibility of using a double-width contact insert in the holding frame 1, which then has two latching projections on each of its two end faces. The in Fig. 3 The holding frame 1 shown, however, is provided for receiving three contact inserts 2 "single" width. Of course, the holding frame according to the invention can also have a length such that it is suitable for receiving a different number of contact inserts, for example four, five, six or more contact inserts 2.

In order to facilitate the insertion of a contact insert 2 into the holding frame 1, the holding elements 23 are arranged on the tabs 5, 5 ′ in such a way that they form an insertion bevel for a latching projection 6 of a contact insert 2. For this purpose, the holding elements 23 are bent away from the tabs 5, 5 ′ in such a way that the holding elements 23 run somewhat inclined to the insertion direction E. A contact insert 2 can thus simply be inserted between two mutually opposite tabs 5, 5 ', the tabs 5, 5' somewhat are deflected outward when the locking projections 6 slide along the holding elements 23.

In the embodiment of the holding frame according to FIGS Figs. 1 to 3 the tabs 5, 5 'are formed in one piece with the side parts 3, 3'. For this purpose, the tabs 5, 5 'are integrally formed on the upper edge 25 of the sides 3, 3', the tabs 5, 5 'extending from the upper edge 25 opposite to the insertion direction E. So that the contact inserts 2 have a defined end position when they are inserted into the holding frame 1, two shoulders 26 are formed on each of the tabs 5, 5 ′, each of which is located somewhat below a holding element 23. The free distance between the shoulders 26 and the holding elements 23 is adapted to the corresponding height of the latching projections 6 of the contact inserts 2. When the contact inserts 2 are in the inserted state, the latching projections 6 rest on the shoulders 26 of the tabs 5, 5 ′ and are at the same time partially overlapped by the holding elements 23.

From the exploded views according to Fig. 2 it can also be seen that the two end parts 4, 4 'of the holding frame 1 are of identical design. This simplifies the production of the holding frame 1. The two opposite side parts 3, 3 'differ in that the tab 5 of one side part 3 is wider in its upper area 24 than the tab 5' of the other side part 3 '. This leads to the fact that the distance between the tab 5 of one side part 3 and the two front parts 4, 4 'is less than the distance between the tab 5' of the other side part 3 'and the front parts 4, 4'. This allows coding for the individual slots so that the contact inserts 2 can only be inserted in exactly one orientation if the latching projections 6 provided on the contact inserts 2 are also of different widths on the two end faces.

In order to improve the resilient properties of the tabs 5, 5 ', recesses 27 are punched out in the individual tabs 5, 5'. As a result, the side parts 3, 3 'on the one hand and the tabs 5, 5' on the other hand can also have a different elasticity when the tabs 5, 5 'and the side parts 3, 3' are formed integrally with one another or the separate tabs 5, 5 ' consist of the same material as the side parts 3, 3 '.

Claims (16)

Holding frame (1) for a connector to accommodate several contact inserts (2), with two opposite side parts (3, 3 ') and two also opposite end parts (4, 4'), the two end parts (4, 4 ') being perpendicular to the side parts (3, 3 ') are arranged, with at least one elastic tab (5, 5') being provided on each of the two side parts (3, 3 ') and the tabs (5, 5') each having a locking means for fixing have a latching projection (6) of a contact insert (2) inserted into the holding frame (1), and
wherein at least one end part (4, 4 ') consists at least partially of an electrically conductive material and has a PE connection,
characterized,
that the PE connection has a screwless connection device (7) and a metallic connection contact (8, 9) which is electrically conductively connected to the connection device (7). Holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the screwless connection device (7) is designed as a spring-loaded terminal connection which has a clamping spring (10) and a contact piece (11), that the clamping spring (10) has a clamping leg (12) and a Has holding leg (13), wherein the clamping leg (12) with the contact piece (11) form a clamping point for a protective conductor to be connected, and that the contact piece (11) is electrically conductively connected to the connection contact (8, 9). Holding frame (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the end part (4, 4 ') and the contact piece (11) are formed in one piece. Holding frame (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a housing part (14) is arranged on at least the end part (4, 4 ') which has a PE connection, the housing part (14) being made of an insulating material and has a conductor entry opening (15) for inserting the protective conductor to be connected and an actuation opening (16) for opening the terminal point. Holding frame (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that an actuating element (17) is arranged in the actuating opening (16) that the actuating element (17) from a first position, in which the clamping point is closed, into a second position, in which the clamping point is open, can be moved, the clamping leg (12) of the clamping spring (10) being deflected in the second position of the actuating element (17) by the actuating element (17) against its spring force. Holding frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the end part (4, 4 '), which has a PE connection, consists of sheet metal, in particular a sheet steel or a sheet made of a copper material, and that the contact piece (11) is punched out of the front part (4, 4 ') and bent. Retaining frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the end part (4, 4 '), which has a PE connection, is designed as a die-cast part, in particular as a zinc die-cast part or an aluminum die-cast part, and that the contact piece (11) is formed on the end part (4, 4 ') in the die-casting process. Holding frame (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that on the end part (4, 4 ') which has a PE connection, a fastening element (18) for the clamping spring (10) and / or a stop element ( 19) is or are designed for the clamping leg (12) of the clamping spring (10). Holding frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the side parts (3, 3 ') and the front parts (4, 4') are designed as separate components, the two side parts (3, 3 ') with the two end parts (4, 4 ') are firmly connected, in particular welded, soldered, riveted or stamped together. Holding frame (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the side parts (3, 3 ') and the front parts (4, 4) have interlocking contours (20, 21) at the connection points. Holding frame (1) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the two end parts (4, 4 ') are of identical design. Holding frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least on the end part (4, 4 '), which has a PE connection, a flange section (22, 22') is arranged which is connected to the metallic connection contact (8, 9) is connected in an electrically conductive manner. Holding frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that two holding elements (23) are formed as latching means on the upper region (24) of the tabs (5, 5 ') in the insertion direction E of a contact insert (2), that the holding elements (23) of a tab (5, 5 ') extend perpendicular to the insertion direction E in the opposite direction from the upper region (24) of the tab (5, 5') outwards, and that the tabs (5, 5 ') are arranged on the side parts (3, 3 ') that in each case a tab (5, 5') is arranged at least with its upper region (24) between two locking projections (6), so that the holding elements (23) the locking projections (6 ) at least partially overlap contact inserts (2) inserted into the holding frame (1). Holding frame (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the tabs (5, 5 ') are formed in one piece with the side parts (3, 3'). Holding frame (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that two shoulders (26) are formed on the tabs (5, 5 '), each of which is located below a holding element (23) so that the latching projection (6) one in the holding frame (1) inserted contact insert (2) rests on a shoulder (26). Holding frame (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the tabs (5) of one side part (3) have a different width in their upper region (24) than the tabs (5 ') of the other side part (3') ) have in their upper region (24).

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