EP4280397A2 - Clamping frame for a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A holding frame for a connector should have good heat resistance and a high level of mechanical robustness and should enable protective grounding when installed in a metal connector housing, but at the same time also ensure comfortable operation, especially when replacing individual modules (3). For this purpose, it is proposed to manufacture the holding frame at least partially from resilient sheet metal. For this purpose, the holding frame can have a base section (1) and a deformation section (2), which are made of different materials. The basic section (1) is used to fix a recorded module in a plane. The deformation section (2) can assume an insertion state and a holding state, the insertion state allowing at least one module (3) to be inserted into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane, with a received module (3) being fixed in the holding state.

Description

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

The invention further relates to a method according to the preamble of independent claim 9.

Such holding frames are required to accommodate several modules that are similar and/or different from one another. These modules can be, for example, insulating bodies that are intended as contact carriers for electronic and electrical and possibly also for optical and/or pneumatic contacts. It is particularly important that the holding frame enables proper protective grounding in accordance with the connector standard EN61984, for example for inserting the holding frame equipped with modules into metallic connector housings.

State of the art

From the publication EP 0 860 906 B1 a holding frame for holding connector modules and for installation in connector housings or for screwing onto wall surfaces is known, the connector modules being inserted into the holding frame and holding means on the connector modules interacting with recesses provided on opposite wall parts (side parts) of the holding frame, the recesses as Openings closed on all sides are formed in the side parts of the holding frame, the holding frame consisting of two hingedly connected to one another There are halves, with the separation of the holding frame being provided transversely to the side parts of the frame, and with joints in the fastening ends of the holding frame being arranged in such a way that when the holding frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the frame parts align themselves in such a way that the side parts of the holding frame are perpendicular to the Fastening surface are aligned and the connector modules have a positive connection to the holding frame via the holding means. In practice, such holding frames are usually manufactured in a die-casting process, in particular in a zinc die-casting process.

The publication EP 2 581 991 A1 discloses a holding frame for connector modules, which has two frame halves, which can be locked together in a sliding direction by linearly displacing one frame half relative to the other frame half, with mutually corresponding locking means being provided on the frame halves, which lock the two frame halves together in two during linear displacement cause different locking positions in which the frame halves are spaced at different distances from one another.

However, it has been shown in practice that such holding frames require complex operation during assembly. For example, such holding frames must be unscrewed and/or unlocked from the connector as soon as even a single module is to be replaced. The other modules that were not intended to be removed may also fall out of the holding frame and then have to be reinserted before screwing together and/or before locking the frame halves. Finally, before the frame halves are joined together, all modules must be in their intended position at the same time in order to be finally fixed in the holding frame when the frame halves are joined together, which makes assembly more difficult.

The publication EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a holding frame which consists of a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The holding frame is designed as a circumferential collar and has several wall segments separated by slots on its plug-in side. Two opposite wall segments each form an insertion area for a plug module, the wall segments having window-like openings which serve to accommodate projections formed on the narrow sides of the modules. Furthermore, a guide groove is provided in each of the wall segments. The guide groove is formed above the openings by means of a window bar that is offset outwards and has an insertion bevel on the inside. In addition, the plug-in modules have locking arms, which are formed on the narrow sides in the direction of the cable connections and lock below the side collar wall, so that two independent locking means fix the connector modules in the holding frame.

The disadvantage of this prior art is, on the one hand, that it is a holding frame made of plastic, which is generally not suitable for protective grounding and therefore not suitable for installation in metallic connector housings. However, the use of metallic connector housings requires such protective grounding and is necessary in many cases due to their mechanical robustness, their temperature resistance and their electrically shielding properties and is therefore desired by the customer. Furthermore, it has been shown that the production of the aforementioned plastic holding frames using the injection molding process is at least difficult and can only be achieved with great effort. Ultimately, the heat resistance of such a plastic holding frame is not always sufficient for special applications, for example near a blast furnace.

Ultimately, the plastic material and the shape, in particular the strength of the holding frame, are primarily determined at the relevant points by the requirements for flexibility and not by those for temperature resistance.

Task

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

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

In a second aspect, the task is solved with a method of the type mentioned at the outset by the features of the characterizing part of independent claim 9.

Such a holding frame can be used in the area of heavy industrial connectors and can at least partially consist of an electrically conductive material. This makes possible protective grounding if necessary, which can be implemented, for example, by the holding frame having a PE contact or at least being equipped with such a PE contact.

The holding frame has a base section and a deformation section, which are at least partially formed from different materials. The base section is used to fix a recorded module in a plane. The deformation section can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module in a direction transverse to the plane into the holding frame, with a received module being fixed in the holding state.

The holding frame can, for example, have a base frame as a base section and at least one, preferably two cheek parts as a deformation section. The base frame can then be made of a different material than the cheek parts and thus advantageously have less elasticity and therefore greater rigidity than the cheek parts.

The deformation section, in particular the cheek part or parts, can be formed from a material which, according to its stress/strain diagram, is more elastic, i.e. has a smaller modulus of elasticity, than the material from which the base section, in particular the base frame, is formed. Conversely formulated, the material of the base section can be stiffer than the material from which the deformation section is formed. For example, the material of the base frame can have a modulus of elasticity corresponding to its stress/strain diagram, which is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the material from which the cheek parts are formed.

The magnitude of the elastic modulus is greater the more resistance a material offers to its elastic deformation.

Furthermore, the material from which the deformation section is formed can, according to its stress/strain diagram, have a larger elastic range than the material from which the base section is formed.

In particular, the base section, in particular the base frame, can be designed to be rigid, in particular rigid when viewed in an idealized sense.

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

A resilient sheet is to be understood as meaning a sheet that has resilient properties, such as reversible deformability, in particular with the application of a corresponding restoring force, for example a sheet that is made of spring steel or a comparable material.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

An advantage of the invention is that the modules can be inserted into the holding frame and removed from it individually and with very little effort, which makes manual assembly easier in particular. The resilient properties of the deformation section, in particular of the cheek part or parts, allow modules to be inserted or removed individually with very little effort. At the same time, the rigidity of the base frame can ensure the necessary mechanical stability when holding the inserted modules.

Advantageously, for both the base section, in particular the base frame, and for the deformation section, in particular the cheek parts, the use of one or more metallic materials ensures a high temperature resistance, compared to plastic, for example, and also a particularly high mechanical robustness of the holding frame.

A further advantage of using one or more metallic materials is that the holding frame enables protective grounding, in particular PE protective grounding, of a metal connector housing into which the holding frame is inserted for electrical safety. As an additional advantage, this also ensures shielding of the signals transmitted through the connector. This shielding can provide protection against external interference fields. However, it can also be a shield to avoid or reduce interference emissions, i.e. to protect the environment against interference fields from the connector. In other words, not only are the signals transmitted by the modules protected from external interference fields, but the environment is also protected from interference caused by a current flow that runs through the modules.

A particularly great additional advantage of using one or more metallic materials is that the holding frame is, on the one hand, particularly heat-resistant and, on the other hand, still has a sufficiently high level of elasticity at the required points, for example through the use of resilient sheet metal, to hold the modules individually and can be inserted into the module frame and removed again with little effort. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the holding frame has spring-elastic sheet metal in suitable places, because this means that it is much more heat-resistant than one with at least as much elasticity From a mechanical point of view, otherwise functionally comparable plastic frame. Associated modules can be designed to be correspondingly compact in design, so that they can still be made of plastic and are still relatively heat-resistant.

It is particularly advantageous if the holding frame has several different areas, for example a first and a second area, which have different elasticities from one another, because it can then specifically apply a higher moment of resistance in the area of the highest bending stress. The first area can correspond to the basic section. The second area can correspond to the deformation section.

These different areas, in particular the base section and the deformation section, can, for example, be formed from different materials and thus preferably have different material properties, in particular different moduli of elasticity.

The second region, in particular the deformation section, can therefore have a higher elasticity than the first region, which corresponds in particular to the base section. In other words, the first area can therefore have greater rigidity than the second area. In particular, the first region can be designed to be rigid and the second region can be designed to be resilient. Such elasticity or rigidity can, on the one hand, as already mentioned, be achieved by the material used in each case and/or, on the other hand, it can also be achieved by the geometric shape of these areas, in particular the base section and the deformation section.

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

The first area, in particular the base section, can be produced in a casting process, for example in a zinc die-casting or aluminum die-casting process, or can also be produced by milling from, for example, a copper alloy. For example, the first region, in particular the base section, can preferably be the circumferential base frame. The base frame can therefore in particular be a zinc die-cast part. The base frame can be essentially rectangular in cross section, i.e. it has two end faces lying parallel to each other and two side parts lying parallel to each other at right angles thereto, the two end faces being shorter than the two side parts. Both the end faces and the side parts can have a substantially rectangular shape.

Furthermore, the second region, in particular the deformation section, can be formed, for example, from at least one, preferably two, separate cheek parts, of which each cheek part preferably consists of a resilient sheet metal part. The two cheek parts can optionally be made of the same material, in particular spring-elastic sheet metal, and can also have the same thickness. For example, the two cheek parts can preferably be punched out of the same punching sheet.

Each cheek part can be essentially flat and preferably have a rectangular basic shape. It therefore has two long edges lying opposite each other, namely a first and a second edge, and at right angles thereto two opposite short edges, namely a third and a fourth edge. The cheek part has, in particular, preferably rectilinear slots which begin at regular intervals on its first edge and preferably extend into the cheek part at right angles thereto in the direction of the second edge, whereby free-standing tabs are formed in the cheek part. Furthermore, a latching window can be arranged as a latching element in each of these tabs. These locking windows are intended to accommodate locking lugs of inserted modules in order to lock the modules in the holding frame. Furthermore, each cheek part can have several fastening elements, in particular fastening recesses in a preferably round shape, for fastening to the base frame.

Each of the two cheek parts can advantageously be attached to the base frame on an outer side of one of the two side parts, so that two resilient tabs of the two cheek parts are symmetrically opposite each other. Furthermore, these tabs can be bent slightly outwards towards their end, i.e. away from the base frame and thus away from each other, in order to make it easier to insert a module.

On the corresponding side part, preferably on both side parts, the base frame can have fastening means, for example round fastening pins. These fastening means can engage in the fastening recesses of the associated cheek part and hold the cheek parts on the base frame, for example by latching and/or by means of a positive and non-positive connection. Additionally or alternatively, the cheek parts can be attached to the base frame by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting and/or screwing or by any other type of fastening to the base frame.

The associated modules can be essentially cuboid-shaped and can each have a width on two opposing end faces that corresponds to the width of a tab. Each module advantageously has a locking lug on its two end faces, which can also be essentially cuboid. Each of the spring-elastic tabs of the holding frame advantageously has a locking window, which can be essentially rectangular and which is intended for the preferably positive reception of such a locking lug.

The two locking lugs of a module can differ from one another, for example in their shape and/or their size, in particular in their length, and the tabs on both sides of the holding frame can have corresponding windows, which also differ from one another and in their size and/or their shape matches one of the locking lugs. This has the advantage that the orientation of each module in the holding frame is fixed. In other words, the latching windows and the latching lugs can be used as coding means, in particular as polarization means, for orienting the modules in the holding frame due to their shape and/or size.

Advantageously, the tabs of the holding frame are slightly bent away from the holding frame in a free-standing end region, which simplifies the insertion of the modules. Inserting a module into the holding frame is then particularly user-friendly. For this purpose, a module is first inserted between two tabs of a holding frame and then slides with its two end faces and in particular with the locking lugs formed thereon along the end regions of the tabs that are bent away from one another. As a result, the two tabs bend apart for a short time until the respective locking lugs are received by the associated locking window of the respective tab and thus lock into it. At the recording of the locking lugs in the respective locking window, the tabs preferably spring back into their starting position. In this way, the modules can be locked individually in the holding frame.

At the same time, the module is held firmly in the preferably rigid base frame. To unlock the modules again, you simply need to bend the two associated tabs away from each other. The respective module can then be removed individually from the holding frame, while the other modules continue to be locked. This ensures that the module is firmly held in the holding frame with a comparatively low actuation force, which is particularly advantageous for operability.

It is also particularly advantageous that the modules are already held in the holding frame with sufficient holding force by the aforementioned construction and therefore do not require any other locking means, for example locking arms, apart from their locking lugs, because this considerably simplifies their design and thus their manufacturing effort and at the same time ensures a compact design and therefore also for high heat resistance of the modules and thus the entire connector.

In one embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if these two cheek parts are of the same type, i.e. despite the two-part design of the holding frame, only cheek parts of one type have to be produced, which further reduces the manufacturing effort.

In another preferred embodiment, the two cheek parts differ in the size and/or the shape of their locking windows. This has the advantage that it determines the orientation of each module, which accordingly also has two different locking lugs is. In other words, the locking windows and the locking lugs can therefore serve as coding means for orienting the modules due to their shape.

For protective grounding (PE), the holding frame can be equipped with a corresponding PE module, which, for example, establishes electrical contact between a grounding cable connected to it and the at least partially electrically conductive, in particular metallic, holding frame via an electrically conductive grounding clip. This means that the holding frame can be equipped with a PE contact.

Alternatively, the holding frame itself can have a PE contact, for example a screw contact, for the ground cable. For example, such a PE contact can be molded onto the base frame.

Example embodiment

Fig. 1

Einen Grundrahmen;

Fig. 2 a,b

ein erstes Wangenteil aus zwei verschiedenen Pespektiven;

Fig. 2 c,d

ein zweites Wangenteil aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

Fig. 3 a,b

ein Modul aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

Fig. 4 a,b

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

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1

A basic frame;

Fig. 2 a, b

a first cheek piece from two different perspectives;

Fig. 2 c,d

a second cheek piece from two different perspectives;

Fig. 3 a, b

a module from two different perspectives;

Fig. 4 a, b

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

The Fig. 1 shows a base frame 1. This base frame 1 is essentially rectangular in cross section, so it has two end faces 11, 11 ' lying parallel to each other and two side parts 12 lying parallel to each other at right angles thereto, 12', whereby the two end faces 11, 11' are shorter than the two side parts 12, 12'. Both the end faces 11, 11' and the side parts 12, 12' in turn have a substantially rectangular shape, with a flange 13, 13' projecting at right angles to each of the end faces 11, 11' being formed, each of these two flanges 13, 13' each have two screw holes 131, 131', so that the base frame 1 has a total of four screw holes 131, 131'.

The two side parts 12, 12 'each have on a first edge a plurality of webs 122, 122', which in the present embodiment are relatively short and arranged symmetrically opposite one another, the term "short" in this context meaning that in the drawing upward length of the webs 122, 122 'whose width is less than. The webs 122, 122' could also be significantly longer in a slightly different design. For example, their length could equal or even exceed their width. Open recesses 123, 123' are thus formed between these webs 122, 122'.

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

Furthermore, each side part 12, 12' has a plurality of fastening pins 124, 124' for fastening the associated cheek part 2, 2'. In the present case, the fastening pins 124, 124 'have a circular shape in cross section; but it would also be any other form conceivable; The fastening pins 124, 124 'could also be designed, for example, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-shaped or in any other flat shape.

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

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

A locking window 23, 23' is provided in each tab 22, 22' of each cheek part 2, 2'. The latching windows 23 of the first cheek part 2 are larger than the latching windows 23 'of the second cheek part 2'. The two cheek parts 2, 2' therefore differ from each other in the size of their locking windows 23, 23'. Furthermore, additional fastening recesses 24, 24' are provided in the cheek parts 2, 2', which in the present exemplary embodiment have a circular shape, but of course could also have any other shape, for example oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, etc. could be angular or in any other flat shape.

The fastening pins 124, 124' of the base frame 1 fit positively into the respective fastening recesses 24, 24' of the associated ones Cheek parts 2, 2', so that the respective cheek part 2, 2' can be plugged onto the associated side part 12, 12'. In addition, the respective cheek part 2, 2' can be attached to the corresponding side part 12, 12' in another way, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting and/or screwing.

In the Fig. 2 b and 2 d It can be seen that the respective cheek part 2, 2 'is folded by 180 ° in the lower end area on a bending line B, B' and is therefore reinforced in this area. A lower edge K, K' of the associated sheet metal comes to lie between the fastening recesses 24 and an associated bending line B, B', so that the fastening recesses 24, 24' are uncovered and the fastening pins 124, 124' can be inserted therein without hindrance.

The Fig. 3 a and the Fig. 3 b show a module 3 that can be inserted into the holding frame in a possible design from two different views. Of course, other modules with a similar design can also be used.

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

The orientation of the module 3 in the holding frame is determined by the shape of the locking lugs 31, 31' and the shape of the windows 23, 23'.

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

The cheek parts 2, 2 'have a higher elasticity than the base frame 1, particularly in the area of their tabs 22, 22'. In other words, the base frame 1, which can be produced in a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process, has a greater rigidity than that two resilient cheek parts 2, 2 ', which can consist, for example, of resilient sheet steel.

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

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

The following information assumes that the holding frame is fixed at four corner points. For example, it can be fixed by screwing to the four screw holes 131, 131 'of its flanges 13, 13' in or on a metal connector housing.

If, for example, a force of 10 N then acts on the tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its locking window 23 at a right angle to the surface of the cheek part 2, this tab 22 is, for example, moved by a path length of at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm, in particular of at least 0.8 mm, for example of more than 1.6 mm, reversibly deflected. If an equally large force of 10 N acts, for example, in the middle of its side part 12 perpendicular to the surface of the side part 12, acting from the inside to the outside with respect to the base frame 1, the base frame 1 is even in this area in which its rigidity is still at least, only deflected by a path length of less than 0.2 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, for example less than 0.025 mm. The base frame 1 is therefore stiffer than the cheek parts 2, 2'. In particular, the base frame 1 is to be viewed as stiff and the cheek parts 2, 2 'are each to be described as resilient.

This ensures that the modules are held and in particular locked with high holding force and at the same time low actuation forces, which makes operation, in particular the insertion and removal of individual modules 3, considerably easier. Finally, the cheek part 2 is resilient and the elasticity of the cheek part 2 is selected in particular according to the values given above so that the modules 3 can be inserted and removed manually. At the same time, the base frame 1 is rigid and in particular the rigidity of the base frame 1 is so high, in particular according to the values given above, that the inserted modules 3 are held therein with sufficient strength to ensure the intended function of an associated plug connector. As a result, the modules 3 and thus also the contacts present in the modules 3 are positioned geometrically precisely and mechanically stable enough to make reliable electrical contact with corresponding mating contacts of a comparable mating connector.

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

In the in the Fig. 4 a and Fig. 4 b The holding frame shown holds a specially designed PE module 3 ', which in its basic form resembles that in Fig. 3 a, b corresponds to module 3 shown. In addition, the PE module 3' has an electrically conductive PE contact 33', which is electrically connected via the PE module 3' to an electrically conductive grounding clip 34', which also belongs to the PE module 3'. The PE contact 33' can, for example, be a screw contact, ie the PE contact 33' has a grounding screw 35', which is suitable for electrically connecting a grounding cable to the PE contact 33' and mechanically attaching it fix. This grounding cable is electrically connected to the base frame 1 through the PE module 3' via its grounding clip 34', which is clamped to one of the end faces 11' of the holding frame.

Alternatively, the holding frame can, for example, have such a PE contact on its base frame 1, for example a PE screw contact. exhibit. The PE contact can be molded onto the base frame 1, for example. This can already be done during the production of the base frame 1, for example using the injection molding process.

However, the invention is by no means limited to this embodiment. Rather, a large number of further versions are revealed, in particular by the following characteristics and also by their sensible combination:
The holding frame serves to accommodate similar and/or different modules 3, wherein the holding frame can be formed from at least two different materials, of which at least one material is electrically conductive. Advantageously, the holding frame has at least partially resilient properties. In particular, the holding frame can consist partly of a rigid and partly of a resilient material.

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

For example, the first part can be designed as a base frame 1 and the second part can be designed as a cheek part 2, 2 '. The base frame 1 can have a rectangular cross-section and have two side parts 12, 12' which are parallel to each other and two end faces 11, 11' which are arranged perpendicularly thereto and which are parallel to each other. In particular, the base frame 1 can be designed to be rigid. The base frame 1 can be made in one piece. The base frame 1 can be designed as a die-cast part. The at least one cheek piece can be 2, 2' resilient. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 'can be electrically conductive and can also consist of resilient sheet metal.

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

During its manufacture, the holding frame, which is intended for a plug connector and is suitable for receiving similar and/or different modules 3, can be formed from at least two different materials.

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

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

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

With its base frame, the holding frame can hold a module 3 accommodated therein in one direction and at the same time fix this module 3 perpendicularly thereto with tabs 13, 13', 23, 23' belonging to the respective cheek part 2, 2 ', in particular by the module 3 being attached to it Tabs 22, 22 'locked.

Reference symbol list

1

Basic frame

11, 11'

End faces

12, 12'

Side parts

122, 122'

Bridges

123, 123'

open recesses

124, 124'

Fastening pin

13, 13'

flanges

131, 131'

screw holes

2, 2'

Cheek parts

21, 21'

slots

22, 22'

tabs

23, 23'

Rest window

24.24'

Fastening recesses

B, B'

bend line

K, K'

lower edge

3

module

3'

PE module

31, 31'

Detents

32, 32'

Front surfaces

33'

PE contact

34'

Grounding clamp

35'

ground screw

The following is a list of exemplary embodiments:

• Embodiment 1. Holding frame for a plug connector for accommodating similar and/or different modules (3, 3'), with a base section (1) for fixing a received module (3, 3') in one plane and a deformation section (2, 2' ), which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, the insertion state allowing at least one module (3, 3') to be inserted into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane and a received module (3, 3') being fixed in the holding state,
  characterized in that the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2') are at least partially formed from different materials.
• Embodiment 2. Holding frame according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the base section (1) is designed as a base frame (1) and the deformation section (2, 2') is designed as at least one cheek part (2, 2') on the base frame (1).
• Embodiment 3. Holding frame according to one of embodiments 1 to 2, characterized in that the base section (1) at least partially encloses at least a part (4, 4 ') of the deformation section (2, 2') and / or at least a part of the deformation section ( 2, 2') is arranged on the outside of the base section (1).
• Embodiment 4. Holding frame according to one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding frame is designed in several parts and the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2 ') are connected to one another in a form-fitting, non-positive and / or material-locking manner, in particular glued, welded , soldered, riveted, locked and/or screwed.
• Embodiment 5. Holding frame according to one of embodiments 1 to 3, characterized in that the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2 ') are designed integrally.
• Embodiment 6. Holding frame according to one of embodiments 1 to 5, characterized in that the deformation section (2, 2 ') is designed for an elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state or a plastic deformation from the insertion state to the holding state.
• Embodiment 7. Holding frame according to embodiment 6, characterized in that the deformation section (2, 2') has or consists of resilient sheet metal (2, 2').
• Embodiment 8. Holding frame according to one of embodiments 1 to 7, characterized by a protective earth contact (33').
• Embodiment 9. Method for producing a holding frame for a connector for receiving similar and/or different modules, with a base section for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, the insertion state being at least an insertion of a module in a direction transverse to the plane into the holding frame and a received module is fixed in the holding state, characterized in that the base section and the deformation section are at least partially formed from different materials.
• Embodiment 10. Method for producing a holding frame according to claim 9, characterized in that the base section is at least partially produced by die casting, in particular from a metal or a metal alloy, preferably from zinc or aluminum.
• Embodiment 11. Method for producing a holding frame according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the deformation section is at least partially produced using a punch-bending technique.
• Embodiment 12. Method for inserting a module into a holding frame for a plug connector for receiving similar and/or different modules, with inserting the module into a base section of the holding frame to fix the module in a plane and fixing the module in the base section by deforming a Deformation section of the holding frame, characterized in that the base section is at least partially formed from a second, different material, the deformation only comprising deformation of the second material.

Claims (15)

Holding frame for a connector for receiving similar and/or different modules, with a base section for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, the insertion state being an insertion of at least one module in a direction transverse to the Level is allowed in the holding frame and a recorded module is fixed in the holding state,
characterized in that the base section and the deformation section are at least partially formed from different materials. Holding frame for a connector, namely a heavy industrial connector, according to claim 1, wherein the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2') have different material properties, namely different moduli of elasticity, wherein the base section is a circumferential base frame which is rectangular in cross-section and has two parallel, opposite end faces and two parallel, opposite side parts at right angles thereto, the end faces being shorter than the two side parts, and wherein the base section on the end faces each has a flange projecting at right angles thereto, each of these flanges having two screw holes, so that the base frame has a total of four screw holes, and wherein the deformation section (2, 2') is designed as at least one cheek part on the base frame, and at least part of the deformation section (2, 2') is arranged on the outside of the base section (1), and the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2') are connected to one another in a form-fitting, non-positive and/or material-locking manner, and wherein the deformation section (2, 2') is designed for elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state, and wherein the deformation section (2, 2') has or consists of resilient sheet metal, and the resilient properties of the deformation section (2, 2') allow modules (3, 3') to be inserted or removed individually, and wherein the deformation section is at least partially manufactured using a punch-bending technique, and wherein the holding frame has or is equipped with a protective earthing contact (33 '), and wherein the base section (1) is at least partially manufactured by die casting, namely from a metal such as. B. zinc, or a metal alloy, preferably a zinc alloy or aluminum alloy, and wherein the base section has a lower elasticity and therefore a greater rigidity than the deformation section, and wherein the base section (1) is designed to be stiff, and the deformation section (2, 2 ') has a higher elasticity compared to the base section - the higher elasticity of the material used for the deformation section (2, 2 ') compared to the material of the base section (1) and/or - the geometric shape of the base section (1) and deformation section (2, 2') is achieved. Holding frame according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective grounding contact (33') is a screw contact which has a grounding screw (35') which is suitable for conductively connecting a grounding cable to the protective grounding contact (33') and for mechanically fixing it thereon . Holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the base section (1) is designed as a base frame (1), characterized in that the deformation section is designed as two opposite cheek parts (2, 2 ') on the base frame (1), wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have resilient, free-standing tabs (22, 22'), which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2') and which each have a locking means for locking with a locking lug (31, 31' ) of a module (3, 3'), the tabs (22, 22') of the opposing cheek parts (2, 2') each being opposite one another, wherein the spring-elastic tabs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1) by having a free end, on which the locking means is provided, over a first edge of a side part (12, 12 ') of the Base frame (1) protrude so that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3 ') to be inserted, wherein the base section (1) at least partially encloses a part of the deformation section and a part of the deformation section is arranged on the outside of the base section (1). Holding frame according to claim 4,
where the locking means is not a locking window. Holding frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the base section is designed as a base frame and the deformation section is designed as at least one cheek part on the base frame, wherein the modules (3) are each cuboid-shaped and each have a locking lug (31, 31') on opposite end faces (32, 32'), the base frame (1) has a rectangular cross-section and has two side parts (12, 12') which are parallel to each other and two end faces (11, 11') arranged perpendicularly thereto and facing each other in parallel, the two end faces (11, 11' ) are shorter than the two side parts (12, 12 '), and the two side parts (12, 12') each have a plurality of webs (122, 122') arranged symmetrically opposite each other on a first edge, between which open recesses (123, 123') are formed, wherein the locking lugs (31, 31') of a received module (3) are located in opposite open recesses (123, 123'). Holding frame according to claim 6, wherein - the at least one cheek part (2, 2') is designed with a locking means for locking a module (3) accommodated in the base frame, in particular with a locking window (23, 23'), - the webs (122') of one side part (12') are wider than the webs (122) of the other side part (12), - the modules (3) can be inserted into the holding frame along an insertion direction, the webs (122, 122') extend counter to the insertion direction and the length of the webs (122, 122') counter to the insertion direction is their width along the side parts (12, 12') exceeds, and/or - the base section at least partially encloses at least a part of the deformation section and/or at least a part of the deformation section is arranged on the outside of the base section. Connectors, especially heavy industrial connectors, comprising: a holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, similar and/or different modules (3), a metallic connector housing, wherein the modules (3) are accommodated in the holding frame and the holding frame with the modules (3) is installed in the metallic connector housing. Combination of two connectors each according to claim 8 as a connector and mating connector. Method for producing a holding frame for a connector for receiving similar and/or different modules, with a base section for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, the insertion state being an insertion of at least one module into a direction transverse to the plane is permitted in the holding frame and a received module is fixed in the holding state,
characterized in that the base section and the deformation section are at least partially formed from different materials. Method for producing a holding frame for a connector, namely a heavy industrial connector, according to claim 10, wherein the base section and the deformation section have different material properties, namely different moduli of elasticity, wherein the base section forms a circumferential base frame and is rectangular in cross section and has two parallel opposite end faces and two parallel opposite side parts at right angles thereto, the end faces being shorter than the two side parts, and the base section on the end faces each has a flange projecting at right angles thereto, each of these flanges having two screw holes, so that the base frame has a total of four screw holes, and the deformation section (2, 2') is designed as at least one cheek part on the base frame, and at least part of the deformation section (2, 2') is arranged on the outside of the base section (1), and the base section (1) and the deformation section (2, 2') are connected to one another in a form-fitting, non-positive and/or material-locking manner, and the deformation section (2, 2') is designed for elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state, and the deformation section (2, 2') has or consists of resilient sheet metal, and the resilient properties of the deformation section (2, 2') allow modules (3, 3') to be inserted or removed individually, and the deformation section is at least partially produced using a punch-bending technique, and the holding frame has or is equipped with a protective earth contact (33`), and the base section (1) is at least partially produced by die casting, namely made of a metal such as B. zinc or a metal alloy, preferably a zinc alloy or aluminum alloy, the base section has lower elasticity and therefore greater rigidity than the deformation section, and the base section (1) is designed to be stiff, and the higher elasticity of the deformation section (2, 2 ') compared to the base section - the higher elasticity of the material used for the deformation section (2, 2 ') compared to the material of the base section (1) and/or - the geometric shape of the base section (1) and deformation section (2, 2') is achieved so that the holding frame can specifically apply a higher section modulus in the area of the highest bending stress. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the protective earthing contact is formed on the base frame by injection molding during production of the base frame. Method for producing a holding frame according to claim 10, characterized in that the base section (1) is designed as a base frame (1) and the deformation section is designed as two opposite cheek parts (2, 2 ') on the base frame (1), wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have resilient, free-standing tabs (22, 22'), which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2') and which each have a locking means for locking with a locking lug (31, 31' ) of a module (3, 3'), the tabs (22, 22') of the opposing cheek parts (2, 2') each being opposite one another, wherein the spring-elastic tabs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1) by having a free end, on which the locking means is provided, over a first edge of a side part (12, 12 ') of the Base frame (1) protrude so that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3 ') to be inserted, wherein the base section (1) at least partially encloses a part of the deformation section and a part of the deformation section is arranged on the outside of the base section (1). Method for inserting a module into a holding frame for a connector for receiving similar and/or different modules, with inserting the module into a base section of the holding frame to fix the module in one Plane and fixing the module in the base section by deforming a deformation section of the holding frame, characterized in that the base section is at least partially formed from a first material and the deformation section is at least partially formed from a second, different material, the deformation only deforming the second material includes. Method for inserting a module (3, 3') into a holding frame according to claim 14; characterized in that the base section (1) is designed as a base frame (1) and the deformation section is designed as two opposite cheek parts (2, 2 ') on the base frame (1), wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have resilient, free-standing tabs (22, 22') which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2'), the tabs (22, 22') of the opposite cheek parts (2, 2') are each opposite, the tabs (22, 22') each having a locking means that is not a locking window, wherein the module (3, 3') is fixed by locking a locking lug (31, 31) of the module (3, 3') with the locking means of opposite tabs (22, 22'), wherein the spring-elastic tabs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond a circumferential section of the base frame (1) by having a free end, on which the locking means is provided, over a first edge of a side part (12, 12 ') of the Base frame (1) protrude so that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3 ') to be inserted, wherein the base section (1) at least partially encloses a part of the deformation section and a part of the deformation section is arranged on the outside of the base section (1).

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