Shielded plug connector module

Abstract

In order to improve the shielding of plug connectors modules (1, 1') and a plug connector modular system equipped therewith, especially with respect to high-frequency interference fields, the present invention proposes that the insulators (10, 10') of the modules be form-fittingly surrounded by surrounding shielding elements (15, 15'). This additionally allows for a ground connection of the metallic plug connector modular frame (2) to the shielding transfer elements (14, 14') of the plug connector modules (1, 1') and thus also allows for a ground connection to the mating plug. The shielding elements (15, 15') are thus also self-surrounding and multiply grounded and can thereby particularly well suppress the effects of especially high-frequency electrical and / or magnetic interference fields.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is based on a plug connector module of the type according to independent claim 1.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a plug connector modular system having a metallic or at least partially metallic plug connector modular frame or at least one plug connector module according to claim 12.

[0003] Such a plug connector module is needed as a component of a plug connector modular system in order to enable plug connectors, especially heavy industrial plug connectors, to flexibly meet certain requirements in terms of signal transmission and energy transmission, for example, between two electrical devices. Thereby, various different signals, such as optical and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals and / or electrical energy, can be flexibly combined as needed and transmitted through a plug connection.

[0004] Generally, for this purpose, the corresponding plug connector module is inserted into a mating plug connector modular frame, which is sometimes also referred to as a holding frame, articulated frame, module frame, or modular frame. Thus, the plug connector modular frame is used to accommodate a plurality of plug connector modules of the same type and / or also different types from each other and to reliably fix these plug connector modules on a surface and / or device wall and / or in a plug connector housing, etc.

[0005] The plug connector modules generally each have a substantially cuboid insulator. These insulators can be implemented, for example, in two parts and consist of a contact carrier and a holding plate. Thereby, they can accommodate and fix plug contacts in their contact clips.

[0006] The plug contacts of different plug connector modules can be of different types here. Thus, the functions of the resulting plug connectors are very flexible. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals can be accommodated in respective insulators or housings and can thus be applied in a plug connector modular system. The plug connector modules increasingly take on measurement and data technology tasks and are thus particularly sensitive to interference, especially to electrical and / or magnetic interference fields and stray capacitances.

[0007] In order to hold a plurality of these modules in a plug connector housing, plug connector modular frames are generally used. These plug connector modular frames can be formed by two relatively pivotable frame halves, which are articulated to each other. The plug connector modules are provided with a locking projection that protrudes on the narrow side and is substantially rectangular as a holding and polarization mechanism for its fixation and correct orientation in the plug connector modular frame.

[0008] In the side part of the frame half, there is a recess configured as an opening that is closed on all sides, namely the so-called "locking window". When inserting the plug connector module into the plug connector modular frame, the locking projection engages form-locked into the locking window. To insert the plug connector module, the plug connector modular frame is flipped open, that is, opened, wherein the frame half is flipped open around the hinge only to such an extent that the plug connector module can be inserted. Subsequently, the frame half is closed, that is, the plug connector modular frame is closed, wherein the retaining mechanism enters the recess and enables a reliable, form-locked retention of the plug connector module in the plug connector modular frame.

[0009] The structural form of the plug connector modular frame is diverse. For example, a plug connector modular frame with a rigid base frame for each can also be used. This plug connector modular frame can in particular be manufactured by die-casting, for example by zinc die-casting, and can be provided with a plurality of flexible side parts on its longitudinal sides, for example with stamped bends made of spring-elastic metal sheets. Here, the side parts can have locking mechanisms, such as locking windows or locking hooks, and the plug connector module is locked, for example, by its locking projections on the locking window or the locking hook. For example, two side parts can be provided for each plug connector module, that is, one on each longitudinal side of the base frame, or one or more side parts with a plurality of tabs can also be used. For example, a locking element can be arranged on each side part and / or each tab respectively. Such a plug connector modular frame has the advantage that the plug connector module can be introduced into and removed from the plug connector modular frame individually with only little effort and, for example, also automatically. Background Art

[0010] In the prior art, in the case of using such a plug connector modular framework (also referred to as a retaining framework, modular framework, articulated framework or module framework), the plug connector modular system having such plug connector modules has been disclosed in a large number of documents and published documents in many different variants, shown as measurement objects and generally used in the industrial field in the form of heavy-duty plug connectors. For example, they are described in documents DE 10 2013 106279 A1, DE10 2012 110 907 A1, DE 10 2012 107 270 A1, DE 20 2013 103 611 U1, EP 2 510 590A1, EP 2 510 589 A1, DE 20 2011 050 643 U1, EP 0 860 906 A2, DE 29 601 998 U1, EP1 353 412 A2, DE 10 2015 104 562 A1, EP 3 067 993 A1, EP 1 026 788 A1, EP 2 979326 A1 and EP 2 917 974 A1.

[0011] A plug connector modular framework is known from the above-mentioned document EP 0 860 906 B1 in the form of an articulated framework for fixing plug connector modules and for mounting in a plug connector housing or for screwing onto a wall surface. Here, the plug connector module is inserted into the plug connector modular framework. A retaining mechanism is provided on the plug connector module, which cooperates with a window provided on the opposite side part of the plug connector modular framework, wherein the window is present in a rectangular recess, which is configured as a fully closed through-opening in the side part of the plug connector modular framework.

[0012] In an embodiment as an articulated framework, the plug connector modular framework consists of two frame halves that are hingedly connected to each other, wherein the separating part of the plug connector modular framework is arranged transversely to the side part of the framework. Hinges are arranged in the fixed end of the plug connector modular framework such that the side part is oriented perpendicular to the fixed surface when the plug connector modular framework is screwed onto the fixed surface, whereby the plug connector module is positively connected to the plug connector modular framework by the retaining mechanism. In practice, such a plug connector modular framework is usually made by die-casting, especially by zinc die-casting.

[0013] Document DE 10 2015 114 703 A1 discloses an improved version of such a modular frame of a plug connector designed as a hinged frame. The modular frame of the plug connector disclosed therein has at least one fixing mechanism by which the frame halves can be fixed to each other in two positions (open position and closed position), which significantly simplifies the operation.

[0014] Document DE 20 2013 103 611 U1 shows two frame halves that can be screwed together extremely stably, are manufactured at low cost by stamping and bending technology and are assemblable, and the frame halves are suitable for accommodating in particular pneumatic modules. The modular frame of the plug connector assembled in this way has only very small creepage characteristics even under high long-term mechanical loads. However, disadvantageously, the effort for adding or replacing plug connector modules is extremely high.

[0015] However, it has been shown in practice that such a modular frame of a plug connector requires laborious manipulation during assembly. For example, once only a single module needs to be replaced, this modular frame of the plug connector has to be unscrewed and / or unlocked from the plug connector housing. Here, other plug connector modules that are not at all desired to be removed may also fall out of the modular frame of the plug connector and have to be inserted again before and / or during screwing the frame halves together and / or before latching the frame halves. Finally, before assembling the frame halves, all plug connector modules must be in their predetermined positions simultaneously in order to be finally fixed in the modular frame of the plug connector during the assembly of the frame halves, which makes the assembly difficult.

[0016] Document EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a one-piece modular frame of a plug connector, which is made of plastic material. The modular frame of the plug connector is constructed as a surrounding flange and has on its plug side a plurality of wall segments separated by gaps. Each two opposite wall segments form a plugging area for a plug connector module, wherein the wall segments have window-shaped openings for receiving projections formed on the narrow sides of the plug connector modules. In addition, guide grooves are respectively provided in the wall segments. The guide grooves are formed by window webs offset outwardly above the openings, and the window webs have inlet chamfers on the inner side. Additionally, the plug connector modules have latching arms, which are molded on the narrow sides in the direction of the cable connection and latch under the lateral flange walls, so that two independent latching mechanisms fix the plug connector modules in the modular frame of the plug connector. The disadvantage of this modular frame of the plug connector is that it cannot achieve the PE protective grounding function because it does not have a conductive material.

[0017] The document DE 10 2013 113 975 B4 discloses a modular frame for a plug connector, which is made especially of zinc die-castings and is used to accommodate re-plug connectors of the same type and / or different plug connector modules. The modular frame for the plug connector consists of a base frame with a rectangular cross-section, which has two opposite side parts. On each of the side parts, there is arranged a side part made of a flexible material, especially a spring-elastic metal plate. When the plug connector module is inserted into the modular frame for the plug connector perpendicular to the frame plane, these side parts first bend outwards away from the sides. The side parts can especially have tabs with latching windows, and the tabs are suitable for latching the plug connector module individually at its latching projections in the modular frame for the plug connector. The plug connector module can thus be pushed into the modular frame for the plug connector individually and with only little effort from the cable connection direction and along the plugging direction, and taken out again in the opposite direction. The inserted plug connector module is firmly and stably held by the base frame of the modular frame for the plug connector in the frame plane. In its insertion direction perpendicular to the frame plane, they can be latched respectively between the opposite side parts with their latching projections. The basic advantage of this structural form is that the plug connector modules can be inserted and taken out individually without thereby interfering with the fixation of other plug connector modules. In addition, this structural form allows the modular frame for the plug connector to be made of metal and have or be equipped with such PE contacts, and thus it is possible to achieve the protective earthing of a metal plug connector housing into which the modular frame for the plug connector is screwed, and to a certain extent also to achieve the functions of electrical shielding and / or magnetic shielding of the plug connector module.

[0018] In principle, the disadvantage existing in the prior art is that, even when using a metal modular frame for the plug connector, the electrical shielding of each plug connector module is not always sufficient.

[0019] Thereby, the electrical signals transmitted through the plug connector module can especially be interfered with by an electric field and / or a magnetic field, which are generated outside each plug connector module but inside the modular frame for the plug connector. Such interference may be caused, for example, by supplying electrical energy with alternating current. In addition, the electric field and / or magnetic field generated outside the modular frame for the plug connector may also interfere with the electrical signals in the plug connector module.

[0020] For the interference-free radiation transmission of signals, document EP 1 398 853 B1 proposes that a plug connector module has a conductive housing with plug-in inserts in a holding body made of insulating material. The plug connector module is held in a module carrier device by means of a latching mechanism, and this module carrier device is in turn integrated into a plug connector housing. Conductive contact parts for shielding the cables guiding the signals are provided within the housing, so that a plurality of plug connector modules with mutually independent ground potentials as well as transmission power supply, pneumatic or similar plug connector modules can also be arranged in the module carrier device without influencing each other.

[0021] In this structural form, it has proven disadvantageous for many applications that there is no transfer of shielding elements and thus no direct potential equalization of the shielding between the plug connector module and the plug connector module of the mating plug plugged thereinto. This is particularly disadvantageous for high-frequency signals.

[0022] To solve this problem, document DE 10 2018 108 968 A1 discloses that two mutually plugged-in plug connector modules each have a shielding transfer element. The cables connected to each plug connector module on the cable connection side are connected to this shielding transfer element, for example, by means of a shielding braid. The shielding transfer elements each cover the side surfaces of the plug connector module over a large area and can be in electrical contact with each other on the plugging side. The two shielding transfer elements are made of a metallic material that has particularly good electrical conductivity characteristics. By means of such shielding transfer elements, the wave resistance, also known as the wave impedance, can be significantly reduced.

[0023] However, in the operation of this structural form, it has proven disadvantageous that the cross-section of the ground connection of the connected cables is often too small. In addition, a direct potential equalization between the metallic plug connector modular frame and the shielding transfer element cannot be ensured thereby. The shielding devices known from the prior art are interrupted at least on the narrow sides of the substantially cuboid plug connector modules. The plug connector modules already available on the market cannot be retrofitted with the known shielding devices accordingly.

[0024] In the priority application of the present application, the German Patent and Trademark Office retrieved the following prior art: DE 10 2015015 189 B3, DE 20 2006 012 687 U1, DE 20 2018 101 278 U1 and WO 2019 / 113 524 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0025] The object of the present invention is to improve the shielding of a plug connector module and a plug connector modular system equipped with such a plug connector module, so as to thereby ensure a particularly high quality of the electrical signals transmitted through the plug connector module and in particular to minimize the negative influence of high-frequency electrical interference fields and / or magnetic interference fields on the signal quality of these signals.

[0026] This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0027] The plug connector module has an insulator which is substantially cuboid-shaped and made of an electrically insulating material.

[0028] Furthermore, the plug connector module has a plug side and a cable connection side which is arranged parallel and opposite thereto. The cable connection side and the plug side are interconnected by a continuous contact cavity. The contact cavity is used to accommodate conductive plug contacts.

[0029] Furthermore, the insulator has two wide sides which extend perpendicular to its cable connection side and plug side and are arranged parallel and opposite to each other, and two narrow sides which are arranged parallel and opposite to each other and are at right angles thereto. On each of the two narrow sides, a latching projection is formed respectively for fixing the plug connector module in a plug connector modular frame. These two mutually opposed latching projections are different from each other in terms of their shape and / or size, so as to ensure the correct orientation of the plug connector module in the plug connector modular frame as a polarization mechanism.

[0030] The plug connector module is form-locked by a surrounding shielding element on its wide sides and narrow sides, wherein the shielding element covers more than 50% of the area of the wide sides and narrow sides respectively. This means that the shielding element covers more than 50% of the two wide sides, and the shielding element covers more than 50% of the two narrow sides. Furthermore, the shielding element is implemented openly not only on the cable connection side of the module but also on the plug side. The shielding element thus has openings on the cable connection side and the plug side of the insulator.

[0031] The plug connector modular system has at least partially metallic plug connector modular frame and such a plug connector module, wherein, in order to establish an additional conductive connection with the plug connector modular frame, the shielding element has at least one outwardly directed contact tab on at least one of its narrow side walls and is electrically connected to the plug connector modular frame through this outwardly directed contact tab.

[0032] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are given in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0033] The present invention has the advantage that the signals transmitted through the plug connector module are not interfered by the electric field and / or magnetic field generated outside the plug connector module, or at least such interference is suppressed to a great extent.

[0034] In a preferred design, the plug connector module has at least one electrical plug contact, which has a cable connection section and a plug section. The plug contact is inserted into at least one contact cavity of the insulator. Its cable connection section can be accessed from the cable connection side of the insulator in order to advantageously enable the connection of the electrical conductors of the cable, and its plug section extends into the plug area of the insulator in order to advantageously enable a plug connection with a mating plug.

[0035] In an advantageous design, the shielding element is basically designed as a cuboid-shaped frame, which has two mutually opposed narrow side walls and two mutually opposed wide side walls at right angles thereto corresponding to the cuboid shape of the plug connector module. This is particularly advantageous because the shielding element can thus be pushed onto the plug connector module especially from the plug side direction and preferably in a form-fitting manner. Advantageously, not only the plug connector module provided therefor but also a large number of plug connector modules already existing on the market can be provided with such a shielding element in this way.

[0036] Preferably, the shielding element has recesses on the narrow side walls at the opening on its cable connection side, which recesses at least partially surround the latching projections three-sidedly. The latching projections of the plug connector module then at least partially project through the recesses. This is particularly advantageous because in this way, despite the presence of the shielding element, the latching projections can still perform their function, which is to latch onto the plug connector modular frame and to provide correct polarization, i.e. orientation, of the plug connector module in the plug connector modular frame.

[0037] In another preferred design, the shielding element can be composed of a sheet metal part. In particular, it can be implemented as a stamped and bent part and bent at right angles on four parallel bending edges. In addition, the shielding element can have fixing means on two fixing edges adjacent to each other thereby for fixing the shielding element to each other, so that the shielding element is particularly advantageously shaped into a closed, i.e. surrounding, shape, in particular into the cuboid-shaped frame described above.

[0038] These fixing means can preferably be constituted by dovetail joints which are particularly easy to manufacture and also stable.

[0039] The shielding element can in particular be a stamped and bent part, which can be advantageously manufactured inexpensively and without great effort and is used for shielding.

[0040] Also particularly advantageous is that the plug connector module, in addition to the preferably one-piece shielding element, has at least one, in another embodiment a plurality, for example two, shielding transfer elements. The at least one shielding transfer element can be arranged on one of the two wide sides of the plug connector module. For this purpose, in an advantageous embodiment, the plug connector module can respectively have corresponding recesses on its respective wide sides, and the shielding transfer element can preferably be positively inserted into the recess. This has the advantage that the cuboid shielding element can be easily pushed onto the plug connector module provided with at least one plug-in buried element without being hindered thereby.

[0041] The at least one shielding transfer element can be formed from a metal sheet. Such a shielding transfer element can in particular be a stamped and bent part. The shielding transfer element can be implemented in a substantially planar shape. This means that, in particular, the contact area of the shielding transfer element for the contact transfer element for contacting the mating plug can protrude slightly from the main plane of the shielding transfer element, for example in a slightly rounded form, for large-area electrical contact with the contact surface of the shielding transfer element of the mating plug.

[0042] The shielding transfer element configured in a substantially planar shape can also have a shielding connection area on the cable connection side for grounding connection to the cable, which, for example, is laid around the shielding layer of the cable in the form of a crimp contact / press contact and is pressed together by means of a tool, such as pliers.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the shielding element has at least one, preferably a plurality, of inwardly bent contact tabs for establishing electrical contact with the shielding transfer element. This is advantageous because thereby a common ground contact can be established, in particular in the sense of a common ground on as many contact areas as possible, for producing a particularly good shielding also for high-frequency interference signals. These inwardly directed contact tabs can advantageously be arranged in the wide side walls because they can then directly contact the shielding transfer element located beneath them on the one hand. In addition, this can be advantageous because thereby sufficient space is reserved in the narrow side walls to, for example, arrange outwardly directed contact tabs for contacting the metal plug connector modular frame and / or inwardly directed latching tabs for latching the shielding element to the plug connector module there. The latter are particularly advantageously latched on the narrow sides of the plug connector module because these narrow sides preferably do not have shielding transfer elements, so that the latching is not hindered by the shielding transfer elements.

[0044] The shielding element is thus grounded multiple times and can thereby particularly well suppress the influence of in particular high-frequency electric and / or magnetic fields on the electrical signals transmitted through the plug connector module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are described in detail below. Shown therein are:

[0046] Figure 1a and 1b Two plug connectors modules are shown in the unplugged and plugged states;

[0047] Figure 2a and 2b Two plug connectors modules are shown in exploded views respectively;

[0048] Figure 3a and 3b Two insulators of the plug connectors module are shown;

[0049] Figure 4a and 4b Plug connectors modules each having a shielding element are shown; and

[0050] Figure 5 Two mutually plugged plug connectors modular systems are shown, each having a plug connectors modular frame and a plug connectors module.

[0051] The drawings include partially simplified schematic illustrations. In part, the same reference numerals are used for identical, but not necessarily identical, elements. Different views of the same element may be scaled differently. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Figure 1a and 1b The plug connectors module 1 in the unplugged state and the plugged state and a mating plug module 1' which can be plugged therewith and is in principle similarly constructed thereto are shown. For the sake of simplicity in the description, the plug connectors module 1 and the mating plug module are also jointly referred to as the plug connectors module 1, 1' hereinafter.

[0053] Each of these plug connectors modules 1, 1' has a substantially cuboid-shaped insulator 10, 10'.

[0054] In addition, the plug connectors modules 1, 1 respectively have a frame-shaped shielding element 15, 15' which encloses the insulators 10, 10' in a form-locking manner. The shielding elements 15, 15' are likewise implemented substantially cuboidally for this purpose and have two narrow side walls 153' and two wide side walls 154' which are at right angles thereto.

[0055] In addition, each of the shielding elements 15, 15' has at Figure 1bInwardly directed latching tabs 151, 151' marked on its narrow sidewalls 153 for fixing it to insulators 10, 10', and having outwardly directed contact tabs 152, 152' for electrical contact with the plug connector modular frame 2, the plug connector module being insertable into the plug connector modular frame and the plug connector module being fixable in the contact tabs by means of its latching projections 122, 122', but this is clearly shown in Figure 5 is only shown explicitly.

[0056] Furthermore, each shielding element 15, 15' has an inwardly directed contact tab 156, 156' on one of its two mutually opposed wide sidewalls 154, 154' for electrical contact of its substantially planar shielding transfer elements 14, 14'.

[0057] In Figure 1b the plugged-in state shown, the shielding transfer elements 14, 14' are in contact with each other by means of their contact sections 141, 141' shown in Figure 1a and thus also take care of the mutual ground connection of their shielding elements 15, 15'.

[0058] Figure 2a and 2b show the plug connector modules 1, 1' in exploded views respectively. The plug connector modules 1, 1' each have a contact carrier 11, 11', a plurality of plug contacts 13, 13' and a retaining plate 12, 12'. It is readily conceivable that the respective contact carriers 11, 11' and the associated retaining plates 12, 12' are joined together and latched to each other in order to jointly form the respective insulators 10, 10' shown in more detail below, and thus to fix the plug contacts 13, 13' in the continuous contact cavities 100, 100'.

[0059] In the present example, the plug contacts 13, 13' of the plug connector module 1 are implemented as socket contacts 13, while the plug contacts of the mating plug module 1' are implemented as pin contacts 13'.

[0060] Furthermore, latching projections 121, 122' are formed on the retaining plate 12 on the narrow side.

[0061] Furthermore, the substantially flat shielding transfer elements 14, 14' and the frame-shaped, cubic shielding elements 15, 15' are shown as separate parts in the exploded view. Both the shielding transfer elements 14, 14' and the shielding elements 15, 15' are manufactured by means of stamping and bending techniques. However, the shielding transfer elements 14, 14' are implemented substantially flat, while the shielding elements 15, 15' are bent at right angles at four edges and a closed frame is formed on two fixed edges adjacent to each other by means of a dovetail joint as a fixing mechanism. Of course, other fixing mechanisms are also known to those skilled in the art for this purpose.

[0062] The contact section 141 of the shielding transfer element 14 of the plug connector module 1 is slightly stamped into a fork shape and slightly bent for better contact with the flat contact section 141' of the shielding transfer element 14' of the mating plug 1'. Therefore, the contact tabs of the contact section 141, which are not shown in detail for clarity reasons, have slight contact rounding. Nevertheless, both shielding transfer elements 14, 14' are considered to be substantially flat.

[0063] The shielding transfer elements 14, 14' each have a cable connection area 142, 142' on the cable connection side. The shielding transfer element can, for example, be laid around the shielding braid of the connected cable using pliers or other suitable tools and mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to the shielding braid by means of crimping.

[0064] In Figure 3a and 3b two insulators 10, 10' assembled from respective contact carriers 11, 11' and associated retaining plates 12, 12' can be seen. The insulators 10, 10' are substantially implemented in a cubic shape and are made of an electrically insulating material. On one side of the insulators 10, 10' shown at the bottom in this figure, the respective contact sections 141, 141' of the shielding transfer elements 14, 14' can be seen. The cable connection areas 142, 142' of the shielding transfer elements 14, 14' are substantially visible on the cable connection side respectively.

[0065] The insulators 10, 10' have cable connection sides 127, 127' at their respective retaining plates 12, 12'. Oppositely parallel thereto, the insulators 10, 10' have the said plugging areas 110, 110' with plugging sides 111, 111' on their contact carriers 10, 10'. The plugging sides 111, 111' and the cable connection sides 127, 127' are connected to each other via contact cavities 100, 100' passing through the insulators 10, 10'. The contact cavities 100, 100' are for accommodating the plug contacts 13.

[0066] In addition, the insulators 10, 10' each have two wide sides 104, 104' that extend perpendicular to the contact sides 111, 111' and the cable connection sides 127, 127' and are parallel and opposite to each other, and two narrow sides 103, 103' that are perpendicular to them and parallel and opposite to each other. Latching protrusions 121, 122, 121', 122' are respectively formed on each of the two narrow sides 103, 103'. In this illustration, only one latching protrusion 121, 122' can be seen respectively, because the corresponding other latching protrusions 121', 122 are covered by the insulators 10, 10'.

[0067] In Figure 4a and 4b the plug connector modules 1, 1' are each shown in two views. The associated insulators 10, 10' are form-fittingly surrounded by 360°-surrounding shielding elements 15, 15' on their wide sides 104 and narrow sides 103'. The shielding elements 15, 15' respectively cover most of the areas of the wide sides 104, 104' and the narrow sides 103, 103', and thus cover more than 50% of the area. For this purpose, the corresponding shielding elements 15, 15' are pushed onto the corresponding insulators 10, 10' on the plugging side. In addition, the shielding elements 15, 15' are implemented openly not only on the cable connection sides 127, 127' of the insulators 10, 10' but also on the plugging sides 111, 111'.

[0068] The shielding elements 15, 15' are likewise implemented substantially cuboidally and have two narrow side walls 153' and two wide side walls 154' that are perpendicular to them.

[0069] On the narrow side walls 153, 153', the shielding elements 15, 15' have inwardly directed latching tabs 151, 151' for fixing the shielding elements to the insulators 10, 10'.

[0070] In addition, the shielding elements 15, 15' have recesses 150, 150' at the openings on the cable connection side on their narrow side walls 103. These recesses at least partially surround the latching protrusions 121, 121', 122, 122' on three sides. The latching protrusions 121, 121', 122, 122' of the plug connector modules 1, 1' thus protrude through the recesses 150, 150'. This is particularly advantageous because the latching protrusions 121, 121', 122, 122' can perform their functions in this way despite the presence of the respective shielding elements 15, 15'.

[0071] This function is in Figure 5This can be seen particularly well in the figure. This function is reflected in that the latching projections 121, 122, 121', 122' of the plug connector modules 1, 1' latch onto the latching windows 20, 20' of the plug connector modular frame 2. Due to the different sizes of the latching projections, they are responsible here for the correct polarization, i.e., orientation, of the plug connector modules 1, 1' in the plug connector modular frame 2. In this case, the plug connector modular frame 2 is a hinged frame manufactured by zinc die-casting. However, those skilled in the art will understand that any other plug connector modular frame is equally suitable for this application as long as it is at least partially made of metal to ensure the conductivity required for the ground connection.

[0072] In this illustration, two identical plug connector modular frames 2 are shown, one of which houses the plug connector module 1 and the other houses the mating plug connector module 1'. Each plug connector modular frame 2 has two mutually opposed side walls 21, 22, and the difference between the side walls lies in the sizes of the latching windows 210, 220 arranged therein. It can be easily seen that the incorrect orientation of the plug connector modules 1, 1' is prevented due to the differently sized latching windows 210, 220.

[0073] The plug connector modules 1, 1' are not only in mutual plug connection, but also, as can be well seen in Figure 1b In addition, for improving shielding and / or grounding, they are also electrically connected to each other over a large area by means of their shielding transfer elements 14, 14'. For this purpose, the two shielding transfer elements 14, 14' are in contact with each other through their contact sections 141, 141'.

[0074] Furthermore, the shielding elements 15, 15' are in contact with the respective metallic plug connector modular frame 2 by means of their outwardly directed contact tabs 152, 152' and are in contact with the respective shielding transfer elements 14, 14' by means of their inwardly bent contact tabs 156, 156' and thus ensure grounding at multiple positions and thus ensure particularly good shielding against high-frequency interference fields.

[0075] Even if different aspects or features of the present invention are shown combined in the drawings respectively, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the shown and discussed combinations are not the only feasible ones as long as not otherwise stated. In particular, the corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be exchanged with each other.

[0076] List of reference numerals

[0077] 1, 1' Plug connector module; (Plug connector module, mating plug module)

[0078] 10, 10' Insulator

[0079] 100, 100' Contact cavity

[0080] 103, 103' Narrow side

[0081] 104, 104' Wide side

[0082] 11, 11' Contact carrier

[0083] 110, 110' Plug-in area

[0084] 111, 111' Plug-in side

[0085] 12, 12' Retaining plate

[0086] 121, 121', 122, 122' Latching protrusion

[0087] 127, 127' Cable connection side

[0088] 13, 13' Plug contact (socket contact, pin contact)

[0089] 14, 14' Shield transfer element

[0090] 141, 141' Contact section of the shield transfer element

[0091] 142, 142' Cable connection area of the shield transfer element

[0092] 15, 15' Shielding element

[0093] 150, 150' Recess

[0094] 151, 151' Latching tab of the shielding element

[0095] 152, 152' Outwardly directed contact tab

[0096] 153, 153' Narrow side wall

[0097] 154, 154' Wide side wall

[0098] 156, 156' Inwardly directed contact tab

[0099] 2 Plug-in connector modular frame

[0100] 21, 22 Side walls of the plug-in connector modular frame

[0101] 210, 220 Latching windows of the plug-in connector modular frame

Claims

1. A plug-in connector module (1, 1'), having a cuboid-shaped insulator (10, 10') made of an electrically insulating material, wherein, The insulator (10, 10') has a plugging area (110, 110'), the plugging area has a plugging side (111, 111'), and has a cable connection side (127, 127') disposed parallel and opposite to the plugging side, wherein the cable connection side (127, 127') and the plugging side (111, 111') are connected to each other through a coherent contact cavity (100, 100') for accommodating a conductive plug contact (13, 13'), wherein the insulator (10, 10') further has two narrow sides (103, 103') extending perpendicular to its cable connection side (127, 127') and plugging side (111, 111') and disposed parallel and opposite to each other, and two wide sides (104, 104') disposed parallel and opposite to each other at right angles to the narrow sides, wherein locking protrusions (121, 121', 122, 122') are formed on each narrow side for fixing the plug connector module (1, 1') in a plug connector modular frame (2), wherein two opposite locking protrusions (121, 121', 122, 122') are different in shape and / or size, so as to ensure the correct orientation of the plug connector module (1, 1') in the plug connector modular frame (2) as a polarization mechanism, characterized in that the plug connector module (1, 1') is also surrounded in a form-locking manner by a shielding element (15, 15') surrounding its wide sides (104, 104') and narrow sides (103, 103'), wherein the shielding element (15, 15') covers more than 50% of the area of the wide sides (104, 104') and the shielding element covers more than 50% of the area of the narrow sides (103, 103'), and the shielding element has openings on the cable connection side (127, 127') and the plugging side (111, 111') of the insulator (10, 10'), wherein in addition to the shielding element (15, 15'), the plug connector module (1, 1') further has at least one separate shielding transfer element (14, 14') on at least one of its two wide sides (104, 104'), and the shielding transfer element is in electrical contact with the shielding element (15, 15').

2. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug connector module (1, 1') has at least one electrical plug contact (13, 13'), the electrical plug contact has a cable connection section and a plugging section, and the plugging section is inserted into one of the contact cavities (100, 100') of the insulator (10, 10'), wherein the cable connection section of the electrical plug contact can be accessed from the cable connection side (127, 127') of the insulator (10, 10'), and wherein the plugging section of the electrical plug contact extends into the plugging area (110, 110') of the insulator (10, 10').

3. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The shielding element (15, 15') is embodied as a cuboid-shaped frame which, corresponding to the cuboid shape of the plug connector module (1, 1'), has two mutually opposed narrow side walls (153, 153') and, at right angles to the narrow side walls, two mutually opposed wide side walls (154, 154').

4. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The openings on the cable connection side of the shielding element (15, 15') have recesses (150, 150') on its narrow side walls (153, 153'), which at least partially surround the latching projections (121, 121', 122, 122') three-sidedly, whereby the latching projections (121, 121', 122, 122') of the plug connector module (1, 1') project at least partially through the recesses (150, 150').

5. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The shielding element (15, 15') is composed of a metal sheet which is designed as a stamped and bent part and is bent at right angles at four parallel bending edges, wherein the shielding element (15, 15') has fixing means at two mutually adjacent fixing edges for fixing them to each other and thus forming a closed frame shape.

6. The pluggable connector module (1, 1') according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shielding element (15, 15') is a stamped and bent part.

7. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that The at least one shielding transfer element (14, 14') is integrally formed as a stamped and bent part made of a metal sheet and is designed to be flat.

8. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The at least one shielding transfer element (14, 14') has a cable connection area (142, 142') on the cable connection side for grounding connection to a cable.

9. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The shielding element (15, 15') has inwardly bent contact tabs (156, 156') on at least one of its wide side walls (154, 154') for establishing electrical contact with the shielding transfer element (14, 14').

10. The plug-in connector module (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The shielding element (15, 15') has at least one outwardly pointing contact tab (152, 152') on at least one of its narrow side walls (153, 153') for establishing an additional conductive connection to the at least partially metallic plug connector modular frame (2).

11. A modular system for a plug connector, having at least partially metallic modular frame (2) of a plug connector and at least one plug connector module (1, 1') arranged and fixed therein according to claim 10, characterized in that, The shielding element (15, 15') is electrically connected to the plug connector modular frame (2) via the outwardly pointing contact tab (152, 152').

12. The modular system of plug connectors according to claim 11, characterized in that, The at least one plug connector module (1, 1') is fixed in the plug connector modular frame (2) and furthermore polarized in a predetermined orientation in such a way that its latching projections (121, 121', 122, 122') engage form-locked in differently sized latching windows (210, 220), and the plug connector modular frame (2) has the latching windows on two mutually opposed side walls (21, 22).

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