Fastening system for a plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening system (1) for plug connections (2), wherein the fastening system (1) has a first holding element (3) for reversibly holding a first plug connector (5) and a second holding element (4) for reversibly holding a second plug connector (5'), wherein the first and second holding elements (3, 4) each have at least one latching arm (7, 7'), via which the first and second holding elements (3, 4) can be reversibly latched to one another. The invention also relates to various mounting possibilities, in particular of such a fastening system (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening system for plug-in connectors. The invention also relates to a method for installing a fastening system.

[0002] This type of fastening system has expanded the field of application of plug-in connectors available on the market. This means that these plug-in connectors can be used for the internal wiring of control cabinets and / or machines. BACKGROUND

[0003] WO 2020 / 114557 A1 shows a housing for plug-in connectors, which is mounted on a mounting rail (Hutschiene, top hat rail) and can be expanded into a three-dimensional structure using the same design of the housing body.

[0004] However, certain installation specifications must be observed here. The position of the housing must be considered and determined before the plug-in process is carried out, which limits the flexibility of the installation of the equipment.

[0005] The German Patent and Trade Mark Office investigated the following prior art in the priority application of the present application: DE 29 20 253 U1, DE 10 2011 001 069 A1 and WO 2020 / 114557 A1. SUMMARY

[0006] The object of the invention is to propose a fastening system for plug-in connections, which can be used flexibly and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0007] The fastening system according to the invention is provided for fastening plug-in connections on a mounting rail and / or on a device wall. In this context, plug-in connections are plug-in connectors that are inserted into suitable mating plug-in connectors. Here, the contact elements present in the plug-in connectors come into contact with one another, which, depending on the type of contact elements, enables the transmission of electrical current and / or data signals, or pneumatic or optical fiber signals. The contact elements are designed to correspond to one another, respectively.

[0008] The fastening system comprises a first holding element, in which a first plug-in connector is reversibly held, and a second holding element, in which a second plug-in connector is reversibly held. Both holding elements are each equipped with at least one latching arm, which means that they can be locked to one another in a reversible manner. By means of the locking of the holding elements, the plug-in connectors plugged together are also inserted into one another, i.e. are in the plugged-in state.

[0009] Preferably, the holding elements each have at least two opposite clamping arms between which the respective plug-in connector can be clamped. This clamping is technically easy to implement.

[0010] Preferably, each holding element is essentially formed by a flat, essentially "T"-shaped piece, from which the clamping arms protrude perpendicularly. Due to the holding elements being preferably made of plastic material, such an essential shape is particularly easy to realize in a corresponding injection molding method.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, each holding element has at least two opposite latching arms. Thereby, the holding elements can fit together precisely and the previously mentioned latching becomes correspondingly more stable.

[0012] Preferably, the holding elements have latching arms with latching tabs. The other holding element has latching arms with latching hooks that match the latching tabs thereof. Such a latching connection is particularly easy to realize in the case of plastic pieces, can be intuitively operated and can be simply loosened again.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present application, the first and the second holding element each have a mounting rail fastening for reversibly fastening on a mounting rail. Such a mounting rail fastening can be provided as an additional component, for example can be mounted or fixed to the T-shaped essential shape of the holding element. Thus, the fastening system can be flexibly adapted to different applications.

[0014] Preferably, the first and the second holding element each have a wall fastening for reversibly fastening to a device wall. Such a wall fastening comprises for example an opening introduced or shaped into the T-shaped essential shape and for example for a threaded fastening. This means that the wall fastening does not require special tools. A clip, a rivet or a similar wall fastening can also be used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 A perspective view of a fastening system for a plug-in connection in an unplugged state is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A perspective view of a fastening system for a plug-in connection in a plugged state is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 A perspective view of a fastening system for a plug-in connection in a plugged state is shown, with a plug-in connection held therein; and

[0019] Figure 4 A perspective view of a fastening system for a plug-in connection in a plugged state is shown, fastened on a mounting rail.

[0020] The drawings contain partly simplified schematic drawings. In some cases, the same reference signs are used for identical but possibly not identical elements. Different views of identical elements can be scaled differently. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A fastening system 1 for a plug-in connector 2 according to the present invention is shown. The fastening system 1 includes a first retaining element 3 for reversibly retaining a first plug-in connector 5 and a second retaining element 4 for reversibly retaining a second plug-in connector 5'.

[0022] The retaining elements 3 and 4 are essentially formed in a T-shape, with two opposing clamping arms 6 projecting vertically from this basic shape. The plug connectors 5 and 5' can be reversibly clamped between the clamping arms 6.

[0023] Retaining elements 3 and 4 each have at least two opposing locking arms 7 and 7'. The locking arms 7 and 7' are substantially T-shaped, with the T-line projecting perpendicularly from the basic shape of the retaining elements 3 and 4.

[0024] The locking arm 7' of the first retaining element 3 has a locking tab 8. The locking arm 7 of the second retaining element 4 has a locking hook 9 that matches it (the locking tab). Retaining elements 3 and 4 are inserted together in the direction of arrows 10 and 10'. During locking, the locking hook 9 first engages with the locking tab 8 and then locks, thereby locking retaining elements 3 and 4 reversibly to each other.

[0025] Connectors 5 and 5' are also inserted together in the direction of arrows 10 and 10', and for example in... Figure 2 As can be seen, in the plugged-in state, it constitutes plug-in connector 2.

[0026] In their basic shape, retaining elements 3 and 4 are provided with openings 11, through which retaining devices 3 and 4 can be fastened to the equipment wall (not shown) by means of screws, rivets or similar fastening devices.

[0027] Figure 4 Two retaining devices 3 and 4 are shown, which are fixed to each other and fastened to a separate mounting rail fixing device 12. The mounting rail fixing device 12 is equipped with a mounting rail clamping device 13, through which the entire fastening system 1 is fixed to the mounting rail 14.

[0028] The insertion direction of retaining elements 3 and 4 and plug connectors 5 and 5' is indicated by arrows 10 and 10'. The clamping direction of plug connectors 5 and 5' or plug connector 2 on retaining elements 3 and 4 is indicated by arrow 15. Arrows 10 and 10' and arrow 15 are perpendicular to each other.

[0029] The retaining devices 3 and 4 according to the invention provide different installation possibilities and can therefore be used very flexibly.

[0030] The first possible installation method is as follows:

[0031] a. First, the first holding element 3 is fastened to the device wall or to the mounting rail 14.

[0032] b. Then the first plug-in connector 5 is clamped in the first holding element 3 (arrow 15).

[0033] c. The second plug-in connector 5' is clamped in the second holding element 4 (arrow 15).

[0034] d. The second holding element 4 is plugged together with the first holding element 3, wherein the holding elements 3, 4 are latched to each other (arrows 10, 10'). At the same time, the first plug-in connector 5 and the second plug-in connector 5' are plugged together to form the plug-in connection 2.

[0035] Alternatively, a third possible way of mounting is as follows:

[0036] a. First, the first holding device 3 and the second holding device 4 are latched to each other (arrows 10, 10').

[0037] b. The latched holding devices 3, 4 are fastened to the device wall (not shown) or to the mounting rail 14.

[0038] c. The first plug-in connector 5 and the second plug-in connector 5' are plugged together to form the plug-in connection 2 (arrows 10, 10').

[0039] d. The plug-in connection 2 is then guided in the direction of the arrow 15 to the latched holding devices 3, 4 and clamped thereon.

[0040] A third possible way of mounting the fastening system according to the application is as follows:

[0041] a. First, the first plug-in connector 5 and the second plug-in connector 5' are plugged together to form the plug-in connection 2 (arrows 10, 10').

[0042] b. The first holding device 3 and the second holding device 4 are latched to each other (arrows 10, 10').

[0043] c. The latched holding devices 3, 4 are fastened to the device wall (not shown) or to the mounting rail 14.

[0044] d. The plugged-together plug-in connectors 5, 5' or the plug-in connection 2 resulting therefrom are clamped into the latched holding devices 3, 4 (arrow 15).

[0045] The method steps a and b can also be interchanged.

[0046] Even if different aspects or features of the present application have been presented in the description in combination with each other, it is evident for a person skilled in the art that these aspects or features can be implemented independently from each other unless otherwise stated. In particular, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that features of different exemplary embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0047] List of reference signs

[0048] 1 fastening system

[0049] 2 plug-in connection

[0050] 3 first holding element

[0051] 4 second holding element

[0052] 5 plug-in connector

[0053] 6 clamping arm

[0054] 7 latching arm

[0055] 8 latching tab

[0056] 9 latching hook

[0057] 10 arrow

[0058] 11 opening

[0059] 12 mounting rail fastening device

[0060] 13 mounting rail clamping device

[0061] 14 mounting rail

[0062] 15 arrow

Claims

1. A fastening system (1) for fastening a plug-in connector (2) to a device wall or mounting rail (14), in, The fastening system (1) has a first retaining element (3) for reversibly retaining the first plug connector (5) and a second retaining element (4) for reversibly retaining the second plug connector (5'). The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) each have at least one locking arm, and the first and second retaining elements (3, 4) can be reversibly locked to each other via the locking arms. The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) each have a mounting rail fastener (12) for reversibly fixing to the mounting rail (14). The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) each have wall fasteners for reversibly fixing to the wall of the device. The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) are characterized in that each has at least two opposing clamping arms (6), and the corresponding first and second plug-in connectors (5, 5') are respectively clamped between the clamping arms.

2. The fastening system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) each have at least two opposing locking arms.

3. The fastening system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first retaining element (3) has a locking arm with a locking tab (8), while the second retaining element (4) has a locking arm with a matching locking hook (9).

4. The fastening system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first and second retaining elements (3, 4) are each formed of a flat T-shaped piece, on which a vertically protruding clamping arm (6) is provided.

5. A system comprising a fastening system and a plug-in connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. A method for installing a fastening system (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, the method being performed according to the following method steps in a given order: a. Secure the first retaining element (3) to the equipment wall or the mounting rail (14); b. Clamp the first plug connector (5) in the first retaining element (3); c. Clamp the second plug connector (5') in the second retaining element (4); d. The second retaining element (4) is inserted into the first retaining element (3), wherein the first and second retaining elements (3, 4) are locked together, and the first plug connector (5) and the second plug connector (5') are inserted into each other to form a plug connector (2).

7. A method for installing a fastening system (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, the method being performed according to the following method steps in a given order: a. Lock the first retaining element (3) and the second retaining element (4) together; b. Secure the interlocking first and second retaining elements (3, 4) to the equipment wall or to the mounting rail (14); c. Connect the first and second plug connectors (5, 5') together to form a plug connector (2); d. Clamp the plug connector (2) into the first and second retaining elements (3, 4) that are locked together.

8. A method for installing a fastening system (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, the method being performed according to the following method steps in a given order: a. Connect the first and second plug connectors (5, 5') together to form a plug connector (2); b. Lock the first retaining element (3) and the second retaining element (4) together; c. Secure the first and second retaining elements (3, 4) that are interlocked to each other to the equipment wall or to the mounting rail (14); d. Clamp the plug connector (2) into the first and second retaining elements (3, 4) that are locked together.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The order of steps a and b is reversed.

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