EP3080875B2 - Holding frame for a plug-type connector - Google Patents

Description

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

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of independent claim 6 and a method according to the preamble of independent claim 13.

Such holding frames are required to accommodate several similar and/or different modules. These modules can, for example, be insulating bodies 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 earthing 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

DE 2736079 A1 refers to the fastening of terminal blocks or connection modules made of rigid insulating material by snapping them into place and securing them in place on a metallic support rail, which may be asymmetrical and which may be formed by a U-shaped profile with two inwardly projecting projections which may be offset in height from each other and from the central part of the U-shaped profile.

In particular, DE 2736079 A1 a snap-in terminal block or a connection module for electrical cables, the terminal block being provided with grooves on its two end edges, which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of a support rail, for assembling such terminal blocks, each of which cooperates with internal horizontal projections provided near the free ends of the two legs of a metallic U-shaped support profile, the grooves being insertable at different distances from the base of the profile against the action of at least one transverse leaf spring having two parts compressible towards the base and against the rear leg of the profile, respectively, and a free end of which is capable of being displaced transversely inside a groove formed in the thickness of the metal of the profile, parallel to the base at the connection point of this base with an inner part of increased thickness of the front leg of this profile, such that the depth of this groove, with respect to the distance between the internal projections, is sufficient to ensure the compression of the curved central part of the transverse leaf springs, which is necessary to enable the inwardly projecting projections to enter the interior of the grooves of the end faces of the terminal blocks, and that the lower part of the front end edge of the terminal blocks has a bevel which facilitates the engagement of these terminal blocks and enables engagement by simply exerting pressure on the terminal blocks towards the bottom of the profile of the support rail.

DE 295 080 95 U1 relates to a module insertion frame for receiving contact modules for insertion into plug connector housings, with a frame body consisting of two cheek parts and two head pieces, each of which is parallel and opposite one another and forms a receiving opening for the contact modules, with holding means on the cheek parts, by which the contact modules are fixed and held, with guide means on the head pieces, which on the one hand comprise a positive/male guide element and on the other hand a negative/female guide element, and with protective contact means which are formed on the head pieces, wherein the protective contact means are formed by one of the guide elements itself, which is connected in one piece to the frame body, and a single protective contact spring which is fastened to the other of the guide elements.

From the printed publication EP 0 860 906 B1 A holding frame for holding connector modules and for installation in connector housings or for screwing to wall surfaces is known, wherein the connector modules are inserted into the holding frame and holding means on the connector modules interact with recesses provided on opposite wall parts (side parts) of the holding frame, wherein the recesses are designed as openings in the side parts of the holding frame that are closed on all sides, wherein the holding frame consists of two halves that are connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein the separation of the holding frame is provided transversely to the side parts of the frame, and wherein joints are arranged in the fastening ends of the holding frame in such a way that when the holding frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the frame parts are aligned in such a way that the side parts of the holding frame are aligned at right angles to the fastening surface and the connector modules have a positive connection with the holding frame via the holding means. In practice, such holding frames are usually manufactured using a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process.

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

However, practice has shown that such holding frames require complex operation during installation. For example, such holding frames must be unscrewed and/or unlocked from the connector as soon as even a single module needs to be replaced. In the process, other modules that were not intended to be removed may also fall out of the holding frame and then have to be reinserted before the frame halves are screwed together and/or locked together. Finally, all modules must be in their intended position simultaneously before the frame halves are joined, in order to be permanently secured in the holding frame when the frame halves are joined, which complicates assembly.

The printed matter EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a holding frame consisting 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 opposing wall segments each form an insertion area for a plug-in module, with the wall segments having window-like openings that serve to accommodate projections molded onto the narrow sides of the modules. Furthermore, a guide groove is provided in each wall segment. The guide groove is formed above the openings by means of an outwardly offset window web that has an insertion bevel on the inside. In addition, the plug-in modules have locking arms that are molded onto the narrow sides in the direction of the cable connections and lock below the lateral collar wall, so that two independent locking means fix the plug-in modules in the holding frame.

A disadvantage of this prior art is, firstly, that it involves a plastic retaining frame, which, by its nature, is not suitable for protective earthing and therefore not suitable for installation in metallic connector housings. However, the use of metallic connector housings requires such protective earthing, and this is necessary in many cases due to their mechanical robustness, temperature resistance, and electrically shielding properties, and is therefore desired by customers. Furthermore, it has been shown that the production of the aforementioned plastic retaining frames using injection molding is at least difficult and only possible with great effort. Ultimately, the heat resistance of such a plastic retaining frame is not always sufficient for special applications, for example, near a blast furnace. Ultimately, the plastic material and shape, in particular the thickness of the retaining frame, are primarily determined 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 enables appropriate protective earthing, in particular a PE ("Protection Earth"), when installed in a metallic connector housing and, on the other hand, also ensures convenient operability, in particular 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 characterising part of the independent main claim 1.

In further aspects, the problem is solved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset by the features of the characterising part of the independent subsidiary claims 6 and 13.

Such a holding frame is suitable for heavy-duty industrial connectors and can be made at least partially of an electrically conductive material. This allows for protective grounding, which can be achieved, for example, by having a PE contact in the holding frame 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 serves to fix a received 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 into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane, wherein a received module is fixed in the holding state.

The support frame comprises a base frame as the base section and two cheek parts as the deformation section. The base frame can then be made of a different material than the cheek parts and thus advantageously possesses less elasticity and thus greater rigidity than the cheek parts.

The cheek parts can be made of a material that, according to its stress/strain diagram, is more elastic, i.e., has a lower modulus of elasticity, than the material from which the base section, in particular the base frame, is formed. Conversely, 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, according to its stress/strain diagram, can have a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the material from which the cheek parts are formed.

The value of the modulus of elasticity is greater the more resistance a material offers to 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 stiff, in particular ideally rigid.

Furthermore, the cheek parts can be designed to be spring-elastic and can advantageously be made of a spring-elastic sheet metal.

A spring-elastic sheet is understood to be a sheet that has spring-elastic properties, such as reversible deformability, in particular when a corresponding restoring force is applied, for example a sheet that is made of spring steel or a comparable material.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

One advantage of the invention is that the modules can be inserted and removed from the support frame individually and with minimal effort, which particularly facilitates manual assembly. The spring-elastic properties of the side panels allow modules to be inserted or removed individually with minimal effort. At the same time, the rigidity of the base frame provides the necessary mechanical stability for holding the inserted modules.

Advantageously, both for 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 high temperature resistance, compared for example with plastic, and also 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 earthing for electrical safety, in particular a PE protective earthing of a metallic connector housing into which the holding frame is inserted. This also ensures, as an additional advantage, shielding of the signals transmitted by the connector. This shielding can provide protection against external interference fields. However, it can also be shielding to prevent or reduce emitted interference, 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 current flowing through the modules.

A particularly significant 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, through the use of spring-elastic sheet metal, for example, it still has a sufficiently high elasticity in the required places to allow the modules to be inserted and removed from the module frame individually and with little effort. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the holding frame has spring-elastic sheet metal in suitable places, as this makes it significantly more heat-resistant than a plastic frame that is otherwise functionally comparable from a mechanical point of view, while at least being as elastic. Associated modules can be designed accordingly compactly, so that they can still be made of plastic and yet are relatively heat-resistant.

It is particularly advantageous if the support frame has several different regions, for example, a first and a second region, which have different elasticities from one another, because it can then specifically apply a higher section modulus in the region of the highest bending stress. The first region can correspond to the base section. The second region can correspond to the deformation section.

These different regions, 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 greater elasticity than the first region, which corresponds in particular to the base section. The first region can thus, conversely, have greater rigidity than the second region. In particular, the first region can be rigid and the second region can be spring-elastic. 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 regions, in particular of the base section and the deformation section.

The first region, in particular the base section, can be formed from a rigid material, for example from a zinc alloy or from an aluminum alloy or from a copper alloy. The second region, in particular the deformation section, can be formed from a spring-elastic material and thus, for example, consist of a spring-elastic steel sheet.

The first region, 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 be a zinc die-cast part, in particular. The base frame can be essentially rectangular in cross-section, i.e. it has two end faces lying parallel to one another and, at right angles to this, two side parts lying parallel to one another, wherein the two end faces are shorter than the two side parts. Both the end faces and the side parts can have an essentially rectangular shape.

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

Each cheek part can be essentially flat and preferably have a rectangular basic shape. Thus, it has two opposing, long edges, namely a first and a second edge, and at right angles to them, two opposing, short edges, namely a third and a fourth edge. The cheek part has, in particular, preferably straight slots that begin at regular intervals on its first edge and run preferably at right angles thereto towards the second edge into the cheek part, whereby free-standing tabs are formed in the cheek part. Furthermore, a locking window is arranged in each of these tabs as a locking element. These locking windows are provided to receive 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, preferably of a round shape, for fastening to the base frame.

Each of the two cheek pieces can advantageously be attached to the base frame on an outer side of one of the two side pieces, so that two spring-elastic tabs of the two cheek pieces are symmetrically opposite each other. Furthermore, these tabs can be bent slightly outward toward their ends, i.e., away from the base frame and thus from each other, to facilitate the insertion of a module.

The base frame can have fastening means, such as round fastening pins, on the corresponding side part, preferably on both side parts. These fastening means can engage in the fastening recesses of the corresponding cheek part and thus hold the cheek parts to the base frame, for example by locking and/or by 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 fastening method.

The associated modules can be essentially cuboid-shaped and can each have a width on two opposite end faces that corresponds to the width of a tab. Each module advantageously has a locking lug on each of its two end faces, which can also be essentially cuboid-shaped. Each of the spring-elastic tabs of the holding frame advantageously has a locking window, which can be essentially rectangular and is provided for the preferably form-fitting 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 size, in particular in their length. The tabs on both sides of the holding frame can have corresponding windows, which also differ from one another and whose size and/or shape each match one of the locking lugs. This has the advantage that it determines the orientation of each module in the holding frame. In other words, the locking windows and the locking lugs, due to their shape and/or size, can be used as coding means, in particular as polarization means, for orienting the modules in the holding frame.

Advantageously, the tabs of the holding frame are slightly bent away from the holding frame in a free-standing end section, 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 on them along the bent-away end sections of the tabs. This causes the two tabs to bend apart briefly until the respective locking lugs are received by the corresponding locking window of the respective tab and thus lock into place. When the locking lugs are received in the respective locking window, the tabs preferably spring back to their original position. This allows the modules to lock individually into the holding frame.

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

Another particular advantage is that the modules are already held in the holding frame with sufficient holding force by the aforementioned construction and therefore do not require any further locking means, such as locking arms, apart from their locking lugs, because this significantly simplifies their design and thus their manufacturing effort and at the same time ensures a compact design and thus also a high heat resistance of the modules and thus of 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 shape of their locking windows. This has the advantage that the orientation of each module, which accordingly also has two different locking lugs, is determined. In other words, the locking windows and the locking lugs can thus serve as coding means for orienting the modules due to their shape.

For protective earthing (PE), the support frame can be equipped with a corresponding PE module, which, for example, establishes an electrical contact between a connected grounding cable and the at least partially electrically conductive, particularly metallic, support frame via an electrically conductive grounding clamp. This allows the support frame to be equipped with a PE contact.

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

Example

Fig. 1

einen Grundrahmen;

Fig. 2 a,b

ein erstes Wangenteil aus zwei verschiedenen Perspektiven;

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 embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail below. They show:

Fig. 1

a base frame;

Fig. 2 a,b

a first cheek part 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, i.e. it has two parallel, opposite end faces 11, 11' and, at right angles to this, two parallel, opposite side parts 12, 12', the two end faces 11, 11' being shorter than the two side parts 12, 12'. Both the end faces 11, 11' and the side parts 12, 12' have an essentially rectangular shape, with a flange 13, 13' projecting at right angles to the end faces 11, 11' being formed onto each of them, each of these two flanges 13, 13' having 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 a plurality of webs 122, 122' arranged symmetrically opposite one another on a first edge. In this embodiment, the term "short" in this context means that the length of the webs 122, 122' extending upwards in the drawing is less than their width. However, the webs 122, 122' could also be significantly longer in a slightly different embodiment. For example, their length could correspond to 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 side panel 2, 2', but a different number of recesses would of course also be conceivable, for example, three, five, six, seven, or eight. The number of open recesses 132, 132' in each side panel 12, 12' corresponds to the number of modules 3 that the corresponding support frame is capable of accommodating.

Furthermore, each side part 12, 12' has several fastening pins 124, 124' for fastening the corresponding cheek part 2, 2'. In the present case, the fastening pins 124, 124' have a circular cross-section; however, any other shape would also be conceivable; for example, the fastening pins 124, 124' could also be oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-sided, or any other flat shape.

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

The Fig. 2 a and Fig. 2c show each of these cheek parts 2, 2' in a first perspective, in which the viewing direction is perpendicular to it. Fig. 2b and Fig. 2d show the respective cheek part 2, 2' from an oblique view. Each cheek part 2, 2', which in the present embodiment is preferably a stamped and bent part, has three slots 21, 21', through which four equally sized tabs 22, 22' 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 each 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 locking windows 23 of the first cheek part 2 are larger than the locking windows 23' of the second cheek part 2'. The two cheek parts 2, 2' thus differ from one another 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 embodiment have a circular shape, but could of course also have any other shape, for example, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-sided or any other flat shape.

The fastening pins 124, 124' of the base frame 1 fit snugly into the respective fastening recesses 24, 24' of the corresponding side panels 2, 2', so that the respective side panel 2, 2' can be plugged onto the corresponding side panel 12, 12'. Additionally, the respective side panel 2, 2' can be attached to the corresponding side panel 12, 12' on another side, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, and/or screwing.

In the Fig. 2b and 2d It can be seen that the respective cheek part 2, 2' is folded by 180° at a bending line B, B' in the lower end area and is thus reinforced in this area. A lower edge K, K' of the corresponding sheet metal lies between the fastening recesses 24 and a corresponding bending line B, B', so that the fastening recesses 24, 24' are uncovered and the fastening pins 124, 124' can be inserted therein unhindered.

The Fig. 3 a and the Fig. 3b show a module 3 that can be inserted into the support frame in 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 designed to lock into 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 is designed to lock into a locking window 23' of the second cheek part 2'. Furthermore, the module is very compact, which improves its heat resistance.

The orientation of 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 support 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 because the lower edge K, K' of the respective sheet metal of the cheek part 2, 2' directly adjoins the corresponding side part 12, 12' of the base frame 1. In addition to 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 attached to the base frame 1.

The cheek parts 2, 2' have a higher elasticity than the base frame 1, in particular in the area of their tabs 22, 22'. Conversely, the base frame 1, which can be manufactured using a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process, has a greater rigidity than the two spring-elastic cheek parts 2, 2', which can be made of spring-elastic sheet steel, for example.

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, causes a deflection of the tab 22, to be measured at the level of its locking window 23, which is greater than the deflection which the base frame 1 experiences at any point if at this arbitrary point an equally large force, for example also 10 N, acts perpendicular to its end face 11, 11' or to its side part 12, 12', directed from the inside outwards with respect to the base frame.

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

The following specifications assume that the support 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 to a metallic connector housing.

If, for example, a force of 10 N acts on the tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its locking window 23 perpendicular to the surface of the cheek part 2, this tab 22 is reversibly deflected, for example, by a distance of at least 0.2 mm, preferably of at least 0.4 mm, in particular of at least 0.8 mm, i.e., for example, by more than 1.6 mm. 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 outwards with respect to the base frame 1, the base frame 1 is even deflected in this area in which its When stiffness is still at its lowest, the deflection is only by a distance of less than 0.2 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, i.e., for example, less than 0.025 mm. Thus, the base frame 1 is stiffer than the cheek parts 2, 2'. In particular, the base frame 1 is to be regarded as stiff, and the cheek parts 2, 2' are each to be described as spring-elastic.

This ensures that the modules are held and, in particular, locked in place with high holding force and, at the same time, low actuation forces are required, which significantly facilitates operation, in particular the insertion and removal of individual modules 3. Finally, the cheek part 2 is spring-elastic, and the elasticity of the cheek part 2 is selected, in particular according to the values specified 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 specified above, that the inserted modules 3 are held therein with sufficient strength to ensure the intended function of an associated 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 reliably make 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 Fig. 4 a and Fig. 4b A specially designed PE module 3' is held in the holding frame shown, which in its basic form is similar to Fig. 3a , b. 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 earthing clamp 34' that also belongs to the PE module 3'. The PE contact 33' can, for example, be a screw contact, i.e. the PE contact 33' has an earthing screw 35' that is suitable for conductively connecting an earthing cable to the PE contact 33' and mechanically fixing it thereto. This earthing cable is electrically connected to the base frame 1 by the PE module 3' via its earthing clamp 34', which is clamped to one of the end faces 11' of the holding frame.

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

However, the invention is by no means limited to this embodiment. Rather, a multitude of further embodiments are disclosed, in particular by the following features and their sensible combination:
The holding frame serves to accommodate similar and/or different modules 3. The holding frame can be made of at least two different materials, at least one of which is electrically conductive. Advantageously, the holding frame has at least partially resilient properties. In particular, the holding frame can be made partly of a rigid material and partly of a resilient material.

For example, the support frame can be designed in multiple parts. The support frame can consist of at least two parts, of which a first part is made of a first material and a second part is made of a second material, wherein the elastic modulus of the first material is greater than the elastic modulus of the second material.

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

Each cheek part 2, 2' can be attached to the base frame 1, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, locking, and/or screwing. Each cheek part 2, 2' has 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' has a locking means consisting of a locking window 23, 23' arranged in the respective tab 22, 22'. Each cheek part 2, 2' can, in particular, be a stamped and bent part. 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 connector and is suitable for receiving similar and/or different modules 3, is 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.

Each cheek part 2, 2' can be punched out of a spring-elastic sheet and in particular folded by 180° at at least one bending edge B, B'.

Each cheek part 2, 2' can be attached to the base frame 1 in particular by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, locking and/or screwing.

The holding frame can hold a module 3 accommodated therein in one direction with its base frame 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 locking the module 3 to its tabs 22, 22'.

List of reference symbols

1

Base frame

11, 11'

End faces

12, 12'

Side panels

122, 122'

Footbridges

123, 123'

open recesses

124, 124'

Mounting pin

13, 13'

flanges

131, 131'

screw holes

2, 2'

Cheek parts

21, 21'

slots

22, 22'

tabs

23, 23'

Rest window

24.24'

Mounting recesses

B, B'

Bending line

K, K'

lower edge

3

module

3'

PE module

31, 31'

locking lugs

32, 32'

Front surfaces

33'

PE contact

34'

Grounding clamp

35'

Grounding screw

Claims (13)

1. A holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising a base portion (1), for fixing a received module (3, 3') in a plane, and a deformation portion, which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module (3, 3') into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane and wherein, in the holding state, a received module (3, 3') is fixed, wherein the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are formed at least in part from different materials, wherein the base portion (1) is formed as a base frame (1),
   characterized in that

   the deformation portion is embodied as two mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),

   wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have spring-elastic, exposed lugs (22, 22') which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2') and in which is disposed in each case one latching window (23, 23') as a latching element for receiving a latching cam (31, 31') of a module (3, 3'), wherein the lugs (22, 22') of the mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') lie in each case opposite one another,

   wherein the spring-elastic lugs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond an encircling portion of the base frame (1) in that they by way of a free end in which the latching window (23, 23') is provided protrude beyond a first edge of a lateral part (12, 12') of the base frame (1) in such a way that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3') to be introduced,

   wherein the base portion (1) at least partially encloses part (K, K') of the deformation portion, and part of the deformation portion is disposed externally on the base portion (1).
2. The holding frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding frame is embodied in multiple parts, and the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or materially integral manner,
3. The holding frame according to claim 2, characterized in that the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are adhesively bonded, welded, soldered, riveted, latched and/or screwed.
4. The holding frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation portion comprises or consists of resilient sheet metal.
5. The holding frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a protective earth contact (33').
6. A method for producing a holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising a base portion (1), for fixing a received module (3, 3') in a plane, and a deformation portion, which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module (3, 3') into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane and wherein, in the holding state, a received module (3, 3') is fixed, characterized in that the base portion (1) and the deformation portion are formed at least in part from different materials, wherein the base portion (1) is formed as a base frame (1) and the deformation portion is provided in form of at least two opposed cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),

   wherein the base portion (1) as the base frame (1) and the deformation portion are embodied as two mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),

   wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have spring-elastic, exposed lugs (22, 22') which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2') and in which is disposed in each case one latching window (23, 23') as a latching element for receiving a latching cam (31, 31') of a module (3, 3'), wherein the lugs (22, 22') of the mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') lie in each case opposite one another,

   wherein the spring-elastic lugs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond an encircling portion of the base frame (1) in that they by way of a free end in which the latching window (23, 23') is provided protrude beyond a first edge of a lateral part (12, 12') of the base frame (1) in such a way that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3') to be introduced,

   wherein the base portion (1) at least partially encloses part (K, K') of the deformation portion, and part of the deformation portion is disposed externally on the base portion (1).
7. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 6, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, by die casting.
8. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 7, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of a metal or a metal alloy.
9. The method for producing a holding frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of zinc or aluminium.
10. The method for producing a holding frame according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the deformation portion is made, at least in part, by punching and bending.
11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the deformation portion includes at least one cheek part, which is folded by 180° at least at one bending edge (B, B').
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one cheek part (2, 2') is joined to the base portion (1) by adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and/or screwing.
13. A method for inserting a module (3, 3') into a holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving modules (3, 3') of the same and/or different type, comprising an inserting of the module (3, 3') into a base portion (1) of the holding frame for fixing the module (3, 3') in a plane, and a fixing of the module (3, 3') in the base portion (1) by deforming a deformation portion of the holding frame, characterized in that the base portion (1) is made, at least in part, of a first material and the deformation portion is made, at least in part, of a second, different material, wherein the deforming includes only a deforming of the second material,

    wherein the base portion (1) as the base frame (1) and the deformation portion are embodied as two mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') on the base frame (1),

    wherein the cheek parts (2, 2') have spring-elastic, exposed lugs (22, 22') which are formed by slots in the respective cheek part (2, 2'), wherein the lugs (22, 22') of the mutually opposite cheek parts (2, 2') lie in each case opposite one another,

    wherein the fixing of the module (3, 3') is performed by receiving in each case one latching cam (31, 31) of the module (3, 3') in a latching window (23, 23') which as a latching element is disposed in one of the lugs (22, 22'),

    wherein the spring-elastic lugs extend in the direction transverse to the plane beyond an encircling portion of the base frame (1) in that they by way of a free end in which the latching window (23, 23') is provided protrude beyond a first edge of a lateral part (12, 12') of the base frame (1) in such a way that they can be deflected by a module (3, 3') to be introduced,

    wherein the base portion (1) at least partially encloses part (K, K') of the deformation portion, and part of the deformation portion is disposed externally on the base portion (1).

Images