Retention frames for plug connectors

Abstract

The invention shows and describes a holding frame (1) for a plug-in connector for accommodating a plurality of contact inserts, comprising two mutually opposite side walls (2, 2') and two mutually opposite end walls (3, 3'), wherein the two end walls (3, 3') are arranged perpendicular to the side walls (2, 2') and wherein flange sections (4, 4') are arranged on each of the two end walls (3, 3'). The holding frame (1) can be fastened particularly easily in a housing part (22) of the plug-in connector by arranging a locking element (5) and a spring element (6) on at least one flange section (4, 4'), the locking element (5) having a base (7) with a locking section (8) and an actuating section (9), the locking element (5) being fastened to the flange section (4, 4') by means of the spring element (6), the spring element (6) exerting a spring force on the locking element (5), wherein the locking element (5) can be pivoted from a first position into a second position counter to the spring force of the spring element (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a holding frame for a plug connector, the holding frame being used to accommodate a plurality of contact inserts, the holding frame having two mutually opposite side walls and two mutually opposite end walls, wherein the two end walls are arranged perpendicular to the side walls, and wherein flange sections are arranged on each of the two end walls. The invention also relates to a contact insert for a plug connector and an assembly consisting of a holding frame or a contact insert and a housing part of the plug connector, wherein the housing part is designed to accommodate the holding frame or the contact insert. Background Art

[0002] A holding frame for a plug connector is used to accommodate a plurality of contact inserts that can be inserted into the holding frame, and the contact inserts are formed by an insulating body with a rectangular cross section, in which different contact elements can be arranged. By enabling the contact inserts to be inserted into the holding frame, respectively, it is possible to equip the holding frame with different contact inserts depending on the application. The equipped holding frame with the corresponding contact inserts inserted therein can be inserted into a housing part of a plug connector and fixed therein, wherein the plug connector is used to be fixed to a corresponding mating plug connector.

[0003] Alternatively, the contact insert can also be inserted directly into the housing part of the plug connector, i.e. without using a retaining frame, and fixed therein. Such a contact insert has an insulating body in which a plurality of contact elements are arranged. In addition, flange sections are respectively provided on two mutually opposite end sides of the insulating body, by means of which the contact insert is positioned and fixed in the housing part of the plug connector. The contact elements can in particular be contact pins or contact sockets, which are connected to corresponding contact elements of the mating contact insert when the contact insert is plugged together with a corresponding mating contact insert. Since the number of contact elements arranged in the insulating body does not change in such a contact insert, this contact insert is usually also called a fixed-pole contact insert.

[0004] In practice, different types of holding frames are known which allow modular insertion of individual contact inserts. Thus, there are holding frames consisting of two frame halves that are articulated to one another, wherein the contact inserts are inserted into corresponding recesses in the holding frame in the open state of the holding frame and are held in their position in a form-fitting manner in the closed state of the holding frame. In addition, there are holding frames with a fixed base frame, in which the individual contact inserts are likewise inserted into corresponding recesses in a first step. In order to hold and fix the contact inserts in the base frame, a fixing clip is fixed to the base frame in a second step. In this case, the fixing clip overlaps projections that are formed on the end faces of the contact insert and engage in corresponding recesses on the upper edge of the base frame.

[0005] DE 10 2015 103 563 A1 discloses a holding frame made of an electrically conductive material, which is formed by a rigid, rectangular base frame having two side walls and two end walls, wherein an upwardly open recess is formed on the upper edge of the side wall, the recess being laterally delimited by a beam extending parallel to the insertion direction of the contact insert. A plurality of spring-elastic tabs separated from each other by gaps are fixed to the two side walls, in which notches are respectively formed. The tabs are arranged on the side walls in such a way that the notches in the tabs and the recesses in the side walls are aligned with each other. The upper edges of the recesses are respectively delimited by an arcuate section, on which an inwardly protruding latching nose is formed. Here, the latching nose extends into the corresponding recess of the side wall, so that the latching projection of the contact insert inserted into the holding frame is overlapped by the latching nose formed on the tab. In this case, the lower edge of the latching projection rests against the lower edge of the recess of the side wall, while the side edges of the latching projection are held by the beams which laterally delimit the recess.

[0006] A holding frame designed in this way allows simple and nevertheless secure fixing of the contact inserts in the holding frame, wherein individual contact inserts can also be replaced without any problems.

[0007] The fastening of the holding frame equipped with the contact insert to the housing part of the plug connector (into which the holding frame is inserted) is usually achieved in practice by means of screws, for which purpose corresponding openings are formed in the flange section of the holding frame and corresponding holes with corresponding internal threads are formed in the housing part of the plug connector. In practice, the contact insert of the fixed pole is also usually fastened in the housing part of the plug connector by means of screws, for which purpose corresponding holes are also formed in the flange section of the contact insert. In this way, a mechanically fixed and reliable connection of the holding frame or the contact insert in the housing part can be achieved. However, the disadvantage here is that the assembly process is relatively complicated and the assembly time associated therewith is relatively long. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a holding frame or a contact insert which can be assembled into a housing part of a plug-in connector in the simplest possible manner. Furthermore, an assembly consisting of a holding frame or a contact insert and a housing part of a plug-in connector should be provided, wherein the connection of the holding frame or the contact insert to the housing part can be realized in the simplest possible manner.

[0009] This object is achieved in the initially mentioned holding frame by means of the features of claim 1 in that a locking element and a spring element are arranged on at least one flange section, wherein the locking element has a base body with a locking section and an actuating section. The locking element is hereby fixed to the flange section by means of the spring element, wherein the spring element additionally exerts a spring force on the pivotably arranged locking element, by which the locking element is pushed into the first position. In order to pivot the locking element from the first position into the second position, a force must therefore be applied that counteracts the spring force of the spring element.

[0010] In the contact insert, this object is also achieved by means of the features of claim 11 in that a locking element and a spring element are arranged on at least one flange section, wherein the locking element has a base body with a locking section and an actuating section, and the locking element is fastened to the flange section by means of the spring element, wherein the spring element exerts a spring force on the locking element and the locking element can be pivoted from a first position into a second position counter to the spring force of the spring element. In order to pivot the locking element from the first position into the second position, a force counter to the spring force of the spring element must therefore also be applied here.

[0011] In the case of the retaining frame or contact insert according to the invention, the retaining frame or contact insert is fixed in the housing part of the plug connector by means of the locking element when the locking element is in its first position, the locking position. In this locking position, the locking section of the locking element engages in a corresponding locking recess in the inner side of the opposite end wall of the housing part. This enables a safe and reliable fixing of the mounted retaining frame or contact insert in the corresponding housing part of the plug connector without screwing into the housing part being necessary for this purpose. Since screw fastening of the retaining frame or contact insert in the housing part can be dispensed with, the connection of the retaining frame or contact insert to the housing part can be realized simply and in a very time-saving manner.

[0012] In the holding frame according to the invention, the at least one locking element is not only fixed to the flange section by means of a spring element, but the spring element is also designed in such a way that it exerts a spring force on the locking element, by means of which the locking element is held in the first position or pivoted into the first position. As a result, when the holding frame has been inserted into the housing part of the plug connector, it is not necessary for the user to place the locking element in its locking position. The locking of the inserted holding frame is thus automatically achieved by the spring force of the spring element. If the holding frame is to be released again and removed from the housing part of the plug connector, the locking element can be pivoted from its first position to its second position against the spring force of the spring element. For this purpose, an actuating section is formed on the locking element, on which the user can act with a tool or a finger. This also applies accordingly to the contact insert according to the invention.

[0013] The design and arrangement of the locking elements and spring elements on the flange section is independent of whether it is a flange section of the holding frame or a flange section of the contact insert. Therefore, the following embodiments can apply to both the holding frame and the contact insert, even if only the holding frame or the contact insert is mentioned.

[0014] It has already been explained that a locking element and a spring element are arranged on at least one flange section. Although it may be sufficient in principle to arrange one locking element and one spring element on only one flange section, the retaining frame or the contact insert is usually designed in such a way that one locking element and one spring element are arranged on each of the two flange sections. For this purpose, preferably a recess is formed in at least one flange section, in which recess the locking element and the spring element are at least partially arranged. Preferably, a bow spring is used as the spring element, which has a circular or approximately circular cross section and is made of a corresponding wire segment. The recess in the flange section of the retaining frame or the contact insert is then preferably designed in a groove-shaped manner, at least in the region in which the spring element is arranged, so that the spring element can be easily inserted into the recess in the flange section.

[0015] In order to fix the locking element on the flange section in a simple manner by means of the spring element, according to an advantageous design, the base body of the locking element has a receiving area in which the middle section of the spring element is arranged. The recess and the flange section are then configured such that the locking element is partially arranged in the middle area of ​​the recess, while the lateral sections of the spring element are arranged in the lateral areas of the recess. The recess is adapted in its respective area to the respective dimensions of the locking element or the spring element, so that the recess can have different dimensions in different areas.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the holding frame and the contact insert, the spring element has a U-shaped central section with a U-shaped back and two U-shaped arms and two end sections, which are respectively connected to the free ends of the U-shaped arms. The spring element is then generally designed to be approximately W-shaped. In this embodiment of the spring element, the U-shaped back of the U-shaped central section is arranged in the receiving area in the base body of the locking element, while at least the two end sections are arranged in the lateral area of ​​the recess in the flange section. The U-shaped arms of the U-shaped central section of the spring element are preferably also arranged in the lateral area of ​​the recess in the flange section, but can also be arranged at least partially in the receiving area in the base body of the locking element.

[0017] In order to enable the locking element to be held in the first position or to be pivoted into the first position even by the relatively low spring force of the spring element, the locking element is arranged in the recess in the flange section and the receiving area in the base body of the locking element in such a way that the rotation axis of the locking element and the longitudinal axis of the middle section of the spring element are horizontally and vertically offset from one another. This ensures that the point of action of the spring element does not coincide with the rotation point or the rotation axis of the locking element or is arranged at the same height, so that a lever action is achieved due to the double offset, by which the locking element is pivoted into the first position.

[0018] According to another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a chamfer is formed on the base of the locking element, which is oriented in such a way that it simplifies the insertion of the holding frame or the contact insert into the housing part of the plug connector in the insertion direction. For this purpose, the chamfer is arranged between the receiving area for the intermediate section of the spring element and the locking section, so that the chamfer is located in front of the locking section in the insertion direction of the holding frame or the contact insert. This has the result that when the holding frame is inserted into the housing part of the plug connector, the chamfer on the base first contacts the upper edge of the housing part, whereby when the holding frame is further inserted into the housing part, the locking element automatically pivots from its first position to its second position. As a result, when inserting the holding frame into the housing part of the plug connector, the user does not have to pivot the locking element into its second position at the same time. As a result, the user can simply grasp the holding frame by hand and easily insert it into the housing part of the plug connector. This also applies to the insertion of the contact insert into the housing part of the plug connector.

[0019] It has been explained at the beginning that the holding frame is used to accommodate a plurality of contact inserts that can be inserted into the holding frame. Within the scope of the present invention, it is not important how the holding frame is constructed to accommodate and fix the individual contact inserts. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented in holding frames that are constructed differently in this regard. According to a preferred design, a plurality of elastic tabs are respectively provided on the two side walls of the holding frame, and the tabs respectively have a locking mechanism with a locking protrusion for fixing the contact insert inserted into the holding frame. Here, the locking mechanism can be, for example, a locking window constructed in the tab. As an alternative, two retaining elements can also be constructed as locking mechanisms on the upper area of ​​the tab along the insertion direction of the contact insert.

[0020] The above-mentioned object is achieved in an assembly consisting of a holding frame according to the invention or a contact insert according to the invention and a housing part of a plug-in connector by means of the features of claim 15. The housing part of the plug-in connector has two mutually opposite side walls, two mutually opposite end walls and a plurality of support sections, on which two flange sections of the holding frame or the contact insert rest when the holding frame or the contact insert is inserted into the housing part. The housing part is of approximately hood-shaped design overall, wherein its internal dimensions, at least in cross section, are adapted to the corresponding external dimensions of the holding frame or the contact insert.

[0021] According to the invention, a locking recess is formed in the inner side of at least one end wall of the housing part, into which the locking section of the locking element engages in the first position of the locking element when the holding frame or the contact insert is inserted into the housing part. The locking recess is adapted in its dimensions to the dimensions of the locking element, so that when the locking element is in its first position, the locking position, the holding frame or the contact insert is prevented from being pulled out of the housing part counter to the insertion direction, because the locking section is then arranged in the locking recess.

[0022] As described above, in the holding frame or contact insert according to the invention, preferably a locking element and a spring element are respectively arranged on the two flange sections. In this case, corresponding locking recesses are also formed on the inner side of the two end walls of the housing part, into which each locking section of the locking element engages when the holding frame or the contact insert is inserted into the housing part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In particular, there are numerous possibilities for designing and improving the holding frame according to the invention, the contact insert according to the invention, and the assembly consisting of housing part and holding frame or contact insert. For this purpose, reference is made to the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a holding frame,

[0025] FIG. 2 shows from the front and from the side the Figure 1 The holding frame,

[0026] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a housing part with an inserted holding frame in a perspective view and a top view,

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a spring element in three different views,

[0028] FIG. 5 shows three different embodiments of the locking element,

[0029] Figure 63 with the inserted retaining frame and the two locking elements in the locked state,

[0030] Figure 7 The housing part according to FIG. 3 is shown in longitudinal section, without the retaining frame being inserted.

[0031] Figure 8 3 shows a housing part in longitudinal section, with the retaining frame part inserted and the two locking elements in the open position,

[0032] Fig. 9 The housing part according to FIG. 3 is shown in cross section, wherein the retaining frame has not yet been inserted,

[0033] Fig.10 The housing part according to FIG. 3 is shown in cross section with the retaining frame inserted and the two locking elements in the locked position,

[0034] 11 shows two enlarged detail views of the housing part according to FIG. 3 , with the retaining frame inserted, one showing the locking element in the locked position and one showing the locking element in the open position,

[0035] Fig.12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a contact insert,

[0036] FIG. 13 shows from the front and from the side the Fig.12 The contact insert, and

[0037] Fig.14 The top view shows the Fig.12 contact insert. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows a holding frame 1 of a plug-in connector for accommodating a plurality of contact inserts, wherein the holding frame 1 can be inserted into a housing part 22 of the plug-in connector, as shown, for example, in FIG. The holding frame 1 has a rectangular basic shape and is composed of two mutually opposite side walls 2, 2' and two mutually opposite end walls 3, 3', wherein the two end walls 3, 3' are arranged perpendicular to the two side walls 2, 2'. A flange section 4, 4' is also arranged on each of the two end walls 3, 3', which serves to fix the holding frame 1 in the housing part 22. In the present case, the holding frame 1 is constructed in one piece and can be designed in particular as a zinc die-casting or aluminum die-casting.

[0039] In order to fix the holding frame 1 in the housing part 22, a locking element 5 and a spring element 6 are arranged on the two flange sections 4, 4', respectively. A preferred design of the spring element 6 is shown in three different views in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows three possible embodiments of the locking element 5. Regardless of the specific design, the locking element 5 has a base body 7 with a locking section 8 and an actuating section 9. In addition, in order to connect the locking element 5 to the spring element 6, a groove-shaped receiving area 11 is constructed in the base body 7 of the locking element 5. In the assembled state, the middle section 12 of the spring element 6 is inserted and held in the receiving area 11, for example, locked into the receiving area.

[0040] In particular, according to Figure 1 A perspective view of the holding frame 1 and a Figure 2a In the view of the holding frame 1 of FIG. 4 , it can be seen that a recess 10 is formed in the flange sections 4, 4 ′, in which a part of the locking element 5 and a part of the spring element 6 are arranged. By arranging the spring element 6 partially in the recess 10 in the flange section 4, the spring element 6 is fixed to the flange section 4. The locking element 5 is also fixed to the flange section 4 by the spring element 6 or its intermediate section 12 arranged in the receiving area 11, wherein the connection between the locking element 5 and the spring element 6 allows a pivoting movement of the locking element 5 from the first position to the second position.

[0041] Depend on Figure 4a , 4b 4c shows that the spring element 6 has a U-shaped central section 13, which consists of a U-shaped back 14 and two U-shaped arms 15. In addition, at the free ends of the U-shaped arms 15, the spring element 6 has an end section 16 bent by approximately 180°, so that the spring element 7 as a whole is bent approximately in a W-shape. The middle section 12 of the spring element 6 is formed by the U-shaped back 14, which is arranged in the receiving area 11 of the base body 7 of the locking element 5. Therefore, in the assembled state, the U-shaped back 14 of the spring element 6 is arranged in the receiving area 11 of the spring element 5, while the two U-shaped arms 15 and the two end sections 16 are arranged in the corresponding lateral areas of the recess 10 of the flange sections 4, 4'. Since the spring element 6 is designed in an arcuate manner in the embodiment shown, the corresponding area of ​​the recess 10 is designed in the flange sections 4, 4' in a corresponding groove-shaped manner.

[0042] In addition, from Figure 4b and Figure 4cAs can be seen in the figure, the end sections 16 of the spring element 6 are offset relative to the plane of the U-shaped central section 13, i.e. bent toward the end walls 3, 3' of the holding frame 1. In addition, the two end sections 16 of the spring element 6 are each bent outwardly away from the U-shaped central section 13, so that the end sections 16 and the U-shaped arms 15 are not oriented parallel to each other.

[0043] Figures 6 to 8 The housing part 22 with the holding frame 1 is shown in longitudinal section. Figure 6 In the illustration of FIG. , the holding frame 1 is completely inserted into the housing part 22, so that the two locking elements 5 are in their first locking position. Figure 7 In the illustration of , the holding frame 1 has not yet been completely inserted into the housing part 22. However, here, the locking elements 5 on the two flange sections 4, 4' are also in the first position due to the spring force of the spring element 6. Here, the locking elements 5 are in contact with the upper edge of the housing part 22 with the inclined surface 17 formed on the base body 7, so that when the holding frame 1 is further inserted into the housing part 22, the locking elements 5 overcome the spring force of the spring element 6 and pivot from their position to their second position, as shown in Figure 8 If the holding frame 1 is fully inserted into the housing part 22, the locking element 5 automatically pivots back into its first position due to the spring force of the spring element 6, whereby the holding frame 1 is locked in the housing part 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in .

[0044] Thus, when inserting the holding frame 1 into the housing part 2, the locking elements 5 do not have to be actuated by the user, so that the holding frame 1 can be inserted very easily into the housing part 22 and then automatically locked therein. If the holding frame 1 is to be pulled out of the housing part 22 again against the insertion direction E, the two locking elements 5 must be pivoted by the user from their first position into their second position, counter to the spring force of the spring elements 6. For this purpose, the locking elements 5 have an actuation section 9.

[0045] It can be seen from the individual illustration of the locking element 5 in FIG. 5 that the actuating section 9 can be designed differently. Figure 5a In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the actuation section 9 is designed as a handle section 18, wherein the handle sections 18 of the two locking elements 5 are arranged on the two flange sections 4, 4' relative to each other in such a way that the two handle sections 18 can be actuated simultaneously by the user with his hand, in particular with the thumb and index finger of the hand. As a result, the holding frame 1 can be removed from the housing part 22 very easily, in particular without requiring additional tools for this purpose.

[0046] On the contrary, Figure 5b and Figure 5cIn the illustrated embodiment of the locking element 5, a receptacle 19 for a tool is formed in each case in the actuating section 9. The locking element 5 can then be pivoted from its first position to its second position by inserting the tip of the tool into the receptacle 19 in the actuating section 9 and then pivoting the tool. The shape of the receptacle 19 can be used to determine in a simple manner whether the locking element 5 can only be opened with a special tool ( Figure 5b ) pivoting, or can it be screwed with a conventional screwdriver ( Figure 5c ) Pivot. Overall, therefore, it can be determined by the configuration of the actuating section 9 of the locking element 5 whether the holding frame 1 can be disassembled more easily or more difficultly.

[0047] exist Figure 3a The housing part 22 shown in perspective in FIG. 2 is generally shaped like a hood. The housing part 22 has two side walls 23, 23' lying opposite one another and two end walls 24, 24' lying opposite one another, so that the housing part 22 has a rectangular basic shape on its open side, into which the holding frame 1 is inserted in the insertion direction E. The inner dimensions of the housing part 22 are adapted to the outer dimensions of the holding frame 1. In order to be able to arrange the holding frame 1 at a defined position in the housing part 22, the housing part 22 has a total of four support sections 25 in the interior (specifically in the transition area between the side walls 23, 23' and the end walls 24, 24'), on which the inserted holding frame 1 rests with its two flange sections 4, 4'.

[0048] In order to fix the holding frame 1 in the inserted position in the housing part 22, a locking recess 26 is formed in each case in the inner side of the two end walls 24, 24', into which the locking section 8 of the locking element 5 engages in the first position of the locking element 5, such as, for example, from Figure 6 Furthermore, in order to accommodate the flange sections 4 , 4 ′, a recess 27 is formed in the inner side of the two end walls 24 , 24 ′, the dimensions of which are matched to the outer dimensions of the flange sections 4 , 4 ′.

[0049] From the basis Fig. 9 and Fig.10As can be seen from the comparison of the figures of FIG. 1 , the spring element 6 has a greater width overall than the recess 27 in the end walls 24, 24′ of the housing part 22 due to the outward bending of the end sections 16. When the holding frame 1 is inserted into the housing part 22, the two end sections 16 of the spring element 6 are thus slightly compressed, so that in the fully inserted state of the holding frame 1, the end sections 16 rest against the side walls 28 of the recess 27 in the housing part 22 under spring tension. This has the advantage that an additional contact is established between the holding frame 1 and the housing part 22 via the two spring elements 6. In the case of a metallic housing part 22, an electrical connection to the metallic holding frame 1 and in particular to the PE connection of the holding frame 1 can thereby be established.

[0050] From the basis Fig.11a In the enlarged detail view of FIG. 5 , it can be seen again how the locking section 8 of the locking element 5 is arranged in the locking recess 26 in the end wall 24 of the housing part 22 when the locking element 5 is in its first position. Fig.11b , the locking element 5 is pivoted from its first position along the direction s to its second position, and the locking section 8 is no longer located in the locking recess 26, thereby releasing the lock between the retaining frame 1 and the housing part 22, so that the retaining frame 1 can be pulled out of the housing part 22 in the opposite direction of the insertion direction E.

[0051] In addition, by Fig.11a and Fig.11b It can be seen from the comparison that when the locking element 5 is moved from its first position ( Fig.11a ) pivots to its second position ( Fig.11b ), the U-shaped back 14 of the spring element 6 is deflected slightly out of its rest position toward the end wall 24 of the housing part 22. This generates a spring force F, by which the locking element 5 is pivoted back into its first position when the grip section 18 of the locking element 5 is no longer held in the second position.

[0052] In addition, from Fig.11b It can be seen that the rotation axis D of the locking element 5 and the longitudinal axis L of the U-shaped back 14 of the spring element 6 and thus the point of action of the spring force F are not only horizontally but also vertically offset from each other. As a result, a lever force acts on the locking element 5, by which the locking element 5 is pivoted back into its first position when the user no longer deflects the handle section 18.

[0053] Finally, especially from Figure 1 and Figure 2bIt can also be seen that two elastic tabs 20 are arranged on the two side walls 2, 2' of the holding frame 1, respectively, and each of the tabs has two inwardly bent holding elements 21 at their free ends, which are used to fix the latching projections of the contact insert inserted into the holding frame 1. As an alternative, latching windows can also be formed at the free ends of the tabs, and the latching projections of the contact insert are respectively latched into these latching windows when the contact insert is arranged in the holding frame 1. In the embodiment shown, two separate contact inserts can be inserted side by side into the interior of the holding frame 1.

[0054] Figure 12 to Figure 14 A preferred design of a fixed-pole contact insert 30 is shown in different views. The contact insert 30 can be inserted directly into the housing part 22 of the plug connector, that is, without being arranged in a holding frame. The contact insert has an approximately rectangular insulating body 31, in which a plurality of contact elements 32 are arranged, and in the embodiment shown, the contact elements 32 are contact sockets. However, the contact elements can also be configured as contact pins. Flange sections 34, 34' are arranged on the two end walls 33, 33' of the insulating body 32, respectively, and the flange sections are used to fix the contact insert 30 in the housing part 22.

[0055] In order to fix the contact insert 30 in the housing part 22, a locking element 5 and a spring element 6 are arranged on the two flange sections 34, 34'. Here, the locking element 5 and the spring element 6 are designed as described above, especially according to Figures 4 and 5. Fig.12 A perspective view of a contact insert 30 and a Fig.13a As can be seen in the view of the holding frame 1 of FIG. 1 , a recess 35 is formed in the flange section 34, 34', in which a part of the locking element 5 and a part of the spring element 6 are arranged. The recess 35 in the flange section 34, 34' of the contact insert 30 therefore corresponds in its function and design to the recess 10 in the flange section 4, 4' of the holding frame 1.

[0056] By arranging the spring element 6 partially in the recess 35 in the flange section 34, the spring element 6 is fixed to the flange section 34, and the locking element 5 is also fixed to the flange section 34 via the spring element 6 or its intermediate section 12 arranged in the receiving area 11. In this case, the connection between the locking element 5 and the spring element 6 enables the locking element 5 to be pivoted from the first position to the second position. With the help of the actuating sections 9 of the two locking elements 5, which are designed as handle sections 18, they can be easily actuated by the user by hand, so that the contact insert 30 can be easily and without tools removed from the housing part 22. The contact insert 30 can also be fixed in the housing part 22, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 with respect to the retaining frame 1. Figure 7 to Figure 11 and described above. In the inserted state of the contact insert 30, the locking sections 8 of the two locking elements 5 engage in the first position of the locking elements 5 in the locking recesses 26 respectively formed in the two end walls 24, 24' of the housing part 22, as for the holding frame in Figure 6 as shown in .

Claims

1. A holding frame (1) for a plug-in connector for accommodating a plurality of contact inserts, the holding frame having two side walls (2, 2') lying opposite one another and two end walls (3, 3') lying opposite one another, wherein the two end walls (3, 3') are arranged perpendicular to the side walls (2, 2') and wherein flange sections (4, 4') are respectively arranged on the two end walls (3, 3'), It is characterized in that A locking element (5) and a spring element (6) are arranged on at least one flange section (4, 4'), The locking element (5) has a base body (7) with a locking section (8) and an actuating section (9). The locking element (5) is fixed to the flange section (4, 4') by means of a spring element (6), and The spring element (6) applies a spring force to the locking element (5), wherein the locking element (5) is pivotable from a first position to a second position against the spring force of the spring element (6), A recess (10) is formed in at least one flange section (4, 4'), in which a locking element (5) and a spring element (6) are at least partially arranged, a receiving area (11) is formed in a base body (7) of the locking element (5), in which a middle section (12) of the spring element (6) is arranged, the locking element (5) is arranged in the recess (10) in the flange section (4, 4'), and the receiving area (11) is arranged in the base body (7) of the locking element (5) in such a way that a rotation axis (D) of the locking element (5) and a longitudinal axis (L) of the middle section (12) of the spring element (6) are offset from each other not only horizontally but also vertically.

2. The holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring element (6) has a U-shaped central section (13) with a U-shaped back (14) and two U-shaped arms (15), and two end sections (16) which are respectively connected to the U-shaped arms (15).

3. The holding frame (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two end sections (16) of the spring element (6) are offset relative to the plane of the U-shaped central section (13) in the direction of the end walls (3, 3') of the holding frame (1).

4. The holding frame (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The two end sections (16) of the spring element (6) are bent outward from the U-shaped central section (13).

5. The holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inclined surface (17) is formed on the base body (7) of the locking element (5), which is arranged between the receiving area (11) for the middle section (12) of the spring element (6) and the locking section (8).

6. The holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The actuating section (9) is designed as a handle section (18), or a receptacle (19) for a tool is arranged in the actuating section (9) of the locking element (5).

7. The holding frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one elastic web (20) is respectively arranged on the two side walls (2, 2'), and the webs (20) respectively have latching means (21) for fixing latching projections of a contact insert inserted into the holding frame (1).

8. A contact insert (30) for a plug-in connector, comprising an insulating body (31) in which a plurality of contact elements (32) are arranged, wherein flange sections (34, 34') are respectively arranged on two mutually opposite end sides (33, 33') of the insulating body (32), It is characterized in that A locking element (5) and a spring element (6) are arranged on at least one flange section (34, 34'), The locking element (5) has a base body (7) with a locking section (8) and an actuating section (9). The locking element (5) is fixed to the flange section (34, 34') by means of a spring element (6), and The spring element (6) applies a spring force to the locking element (5), wherein the locking element (5) is capable of pivoting from a first position to a second position against the spring force of the spring element (6), A recess (35) is formed in the at least one flange section (34, 34'), in which the locking element (5) and the spring element (6) are at least partially arranged, a receiving area (11) is formed in the base (7) of the locking element (5), in which the middle section (12) of the spring element (6) is arranged, the locking element (5) is arranged in the recess (35) in the flange section (34, 34'), and the receiving area (11) is arranged in the base (7) of the locking element (5) in such a way that the rotation axis (D) of the locking element (5) and the longitudinal axis (L) of the middle section (12) of the spring element (6) are not only horizontally but also vertically offset from each other.

9. An assembly consisting of a holding frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a contact insert (30) according to claim 8 and a housing part (22) of a plug-in connector, wherein the housing part (22) has two side walls (23, 23') lying opposite one another, two end walls (24, 24') also lying opposite one another and a plurality of support sections (25) on which flange sections (4, 4') of an inserted holding frame (1) or flange sections (34, 34') of an inserted contact insert (30) rest, It is characterized in that A locking recess (26) is formed in the inner side of at least one end wall (24, 24'), into which locking recess a locking section (8) of the locking element (5) engages in a first position of the locking element (5).

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spring element (6) has a U-shaped central section (13) and two end sections (16), the central section having a U-shaped back (14) and two U-shaped arms (15), the end sections being respectively connected to the U-shaped arms (15), wherein the two end sections (16) of the spring element (6) are bent outwards from the U-shaped central section (13), characterized in that A recess (27) for accommodating a flange section (4, 4') of a retaining frame (1) or a flange section (34, 34') of a contact insert (30) is formed in the inner side of at least one end wall (24, 24'), and when the retaining frame (1) or the contact insert (30) is inserted into the housing part (22), the two end sections (16) of the spring element (6) abut against the side walls (28) of the recess (27).

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