HOLDING FRAME FOR A CONNECTOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding frame for a plug connector for receiving similar and / or different modules, comprising a base section for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module in a direction transverse to the plane into the holding frame and a received module is fixed in the holding state.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a holding frame for a plug connector for receiving similar and / or different modules, having a base section for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation section which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module in a direction transverse to the plane into the holding frame and a received module is fixed in the holding state.

[0003] Such holding frames are required to accommodate several similar and / or different modules.

[0004] These modules can, for example, be insulating bodies intended as contact carriers for electronic and electrical, and possibly also for optical and / or pneumatic contacts. It is particularly important that the holding frame enables proper protective earthing in accordance with the connector standard EN61984, for example, for inserting the holding frame equipped with modules into metallic connector housings. State of the art

[0005] An electrical-fiber optic connector assembly according to US 5,352,133 comprises a dielectric jacket having a receptacle for receiving a connector in a mating position with a complementary connector device. A metal lock is secured to the dielectric jacket and engageable with a complementary lock on the connector to automatically lock the connector in the receptacle when the connector is positioned therein in a mating direction. An anti-overload stop overlies the metal lock in spaced relation thereto to restrict the metal lock's movement into and out of engagement with the complementary lock to prevent overloading of the metal lock.A rib and slot engagement is provided between the connector and the cover to prevent rotation of the connector about an axis perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector to provide further overload protection for the metal latch.

[0006] DE 27 36 079 A1 discloses a modular terminal block that can be snapped onto rails. Several of the blocks can be connected in a row by interlocking the sides. Each module is made of rigid insulating material with slots or raised portions on the sides and cutouts for clipping onto mounting rails. The mounting rail is U-shaped, and each block contains spring-loaded contact clips. Each contact clip has two prongs whose free ends are bent at 90°. The upright sections of the free ends are in turn split in two and engage slots in the block. The prongs, which run parallel to the base, are connected at the front end by an inward projection that engages another recess.

[0007] EP 0 183 587 A1 discloses a multi-contact electrical connector element comprising a hollow housing having at least one cavity for receiving an insulating block, the or each of the blocks having a plurality of through-holes or cells provided for the attachment of contacts immobilized in the cells, the connector element further comprising locking means capable of cooperating with locking means of a complementary connector element.Each insulating block is fixed in the corresponding cavity of the housing by two elastic clips with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the web of which has means for hooking onto a narrow side wall of the cavity of the housing and elastic means for supporting the narrow side wall opposite the insulating block, each of the legs of the clip being arranged so as to bear elastically against one of the wide side walls of the insulating block, each of the legs of the clip also being arranged so that its free end surface bears elastically against a peeling bearing surface of the corresponding wide side wall of the cavity of the housing.

[0008] US 4,032,209 relates to a multiple plug assembly for electrical components. A rail has spaced-apart arms, each holding a plurality of clips, each clip located at a corresponding station. Thus, there is a pair of clips at each station. The multiple plug assembly can be mounted between the arms at each station or at adjacent stations. An electrical component, such as a relay, can be plugged into each plug assembly and, when plugged in, is engaged by the clips that hold the component and receptacle assembly together, and the combination of the two is locked in the station(s) with the rail.

[0009] DE 29 812 500 U1 discloses a modular connector having a support frame which has longitudinal frame strips and contains a plurality of modules which are each supported on a first longitudinal edge of the frame strips, wherein independent locking elements are provided which can be mounted on the modules in a latching or clamping manner and block them on a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge.

[0010] CN 203277786 U discloses a frame structure for fixing modules, the frame structure comprising a frame body and lateral sliding frames, the frame body and the lateral sliding frames enclosing a spatial structure for receiving one or more modules, the frame body and the sliding frames each being provided with a plurality of adapted grooves, and a positioning projection corresponding to one of the grooves being provided on the sides of each module, such that when the lateral sliding frames are closed and locked, the positioning projections of the module are clamped in the closed grooves formed by the interaction of the frame body and the sliding frames. After releasing the sliding frames, the modules can be easily inserted and then the sliding frames are closed, which enables the modules to be fixed. The advantages of the utility model lie in the assembly and / orTo facilitate disassembly of the modules and to fix the modules securely.

[0011] The publication EP 0 860 906 B1 describes a holding frame for holding connector modules and for installation in connector housings or.for screwing to wall surfaces, wherein the plug connector modules are inserted into the holding frame and holding means on the plug connector modules interact with recesses provided on opposite wall parts (side parts) of the holding frame, wherein the recesses are designed as openings in the side parts of the holding frame that are closed on all sides, wherein the holding frame consists of two halves that are connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein the separation of the holding frame is provided transversely to the side parts of the frame, and wherein joints are arranged in the fastening ends of the holding frame in such a way that when the holding frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the frame parts are aligned in such a way that the side parts of the holding frame are aligned at right angles to the fastening surface and the plug connector modules have a positive connection with the holding frame via the holding means.In practice, such holding frames are usually manufactured using a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process.

[0012] This articulated frame is described together with a rigid support frame in the book "Steckverbinder II" by G. Knoblauch et al. (3rd edition, 2006, expert verlag, Kontakt & Studium, Volume 583; Section 7.3.2.3).

[0013] The document EP 2 581 991 A1 discloses a holding frame for connector modules, which has two frame halves which can be locked together by linearly displacing one frame half relative to the other frame half in a sliding direction, wherein mutually corresponding locking means are provided on the frame halves, which, during linear displacement, cause the two frame halves to lock together in two different locking positions in which the frame halves are spaced apart from one another at different distances.

[0014] However, practice has shown that such retaining frames require complex operation during installation. For example, such retaining frames must be unscrewed and / or unlatched from the connector as soon as even a single module needs to be replaced. In the process, other modules that were not intended to be removed may also fall out of the retaining frame and then have to be reinserted before the frame halves are screwed together and / or latched together. Finally, all modules must be in their intended position simultaneously before the frame halves are joined, in order to be permanently secured in the retaining frame when the frame halves are joined, which complicates installation.

[0015] The document EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a holding frame consisting of a one-piece plastic injection-molded part. The holding frame is designed as a circumferential collar and has several wall segments separated by slots on its plug-in side. Two opposing wall segments each form an insertion area for a plug-in module, wherein the wall segments have window-like openings that serve to accommodate projections molded onto the narrow sides of the modules. Furthermore, a guide groove is provided in each wall segment. The guide groove is formed above the openings by means of an outwardly offset window web that has an insertion bevel on the inside. In addition, the plug-in modules have locking arms that are molded onto the narrow sides, acting in the direction of the cable connections, and that lock below the lateral collar wall, so that two independent locking means fix the plug-in modules in the holding frame.

[0016] A disadvantage of this prior art is, firstly, that it involves a plastic retaining frame, which, by its nature, is not suitable for protective earthing and thus not suitable for installation in metallic connector housings. However, the use of metallic connector housings requires such protective earthing, and this is necessary in many cases due to their mechanical robustness, temperature resistance, and electrically shielding properties, and is therefore desired by customers. Furthermore, it has been shown that the production of the aforementioned plastic retaining frames using injection molding is at least difficult and can only be achieved with considerable effort. Ultimately, the heat resistance of such a plastic retaining frame is not always sufficient for special applications, for example, near a blast furnace.

[0017] Finally, the plastic material and shape, especially the thickness of the support frame, are primarily determined by the requirements of flexibility and not by those of temperature resistance at the relevant points. Task

[0018] The object of the invention is to provide a design for a holding frame which, on the one hand, has good heat resistance and high mechanical robustness and which, in particular, also enables appropriate protective earthing, in particular a PE ("Protection Earth"), when installed in a metallic connector housing and, on the other hand, also ensures convenient operability, in particular when replacing individual modules.

[0019] This object is achieved in a first aspect with a holding frame according to claim 1.

[0020] In a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 5.

[0021] Such a retaining frame is suitable for heavy-duty industrial connectors and is made of electrically conductive material. This enables protective earthing, which is achieved by the retaining frame having a PE contact or at least being equipped with such a PE contact.

[0022] The holding frame has a base section and a deformation section, which are at least partially formed from different materials. The base section serves to fix a received module in a plane. The deformation section can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane, wherein a received module is fixed in the holding state.

[0023] The support frame comprises a base frame as the base section and at least one, preferably two, cheek parts as the deformation section. The base frame is then made of a different material than the cheek parts and has less elasticity and thus greater rigidity than the cheek parts.

[0024] The deformation section, in particular the cheek part(s), can be formed from a material that, according to its stress / strain diagram, is more elastic, i.e., has a lower modulus of elasticity, than the material from which the base section, in particular the base frame, is formed. Conversely, the material of the base section can be stiffer than the material from which the deformation section is formed. For example, the material of the base frame, according to its stress / strain diagram, can have a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the material from which the cheek parts are formed.

[0025] The value of the elastic modulus is greater the more resistance a material offers to elastic deformation.

[0026] Furthermore, the material from which the deformation section is formed can, according to its stress / strain diagram, have a larger elastic range than the material from which the base section is formed.

[0027] The basic section, i.e. the basic frame, is stiff, especially ideally considered rigid.

[0028] Furthermore, the deformation section, in particular the cheek part or the cheek parts, is designed to be spring-elastic and consists of a spring-elastic sheet metal or has spring-elastic sheet metal.

[0029] A spring-elastic sheet is understood to be a sheet that has spring-elastic properties, such as reversible deformability, in particular when a corresponding restoring force is applied, for example a sheet that is made of spring steel or a comparable material.

[0030] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0031] One advantage of the invention is that the modules can be inserted into and removed from the holding frame individually and with very little effort, which particularly facilitates manual assembly. The spring-elastic properties of the deformable section, particularly the cheek part(s), allow modules to be inserted or removed individually with very little effort. At the same time, the base frame's rigidity ensures the necessary mechanical stability when holding the inserted modules.

[0032] Advantageously, both for the base section, in particular the base frame, and for the deformation section, in particular the cheek parts, a high temperature resistance, compared for example with plastic, and also a particularly high mechanical robustness of the holding frame is ensured by the use of one or more metallic materials.

[0033] A further advantage of using one or more metallic materials is that the holding frame enables protective earthing for electrical safety, in particular a PE protective earthing of a metallic connector housing into which the holding frame is inserted. This also ensures, as an additional advantage, shielding of the signals transmitted by the connector. This shielding can provide protection against external interference fields. However, it can also be shielding to prevent or reduce emitted interference, i.e. to protect the environment against interference fields from the connector. In other words, not only are the signals transmitted by the modules protected from external interference fields, but the environment is also protected from interference caused by current flowing through the modules.

[0034] A particularly significant additional advantage of using one or more metallic materials is that the holding frame is, on the one hand, particularly heat-resistant and, on the other hand, through the use of spring-elastic sheet metal, for example, it still has a sufficiently high elasticity in the required places to allow the modules to be inserted and removed from the module frame individually and with little effort. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the holding frame has spring-elastic sheet metal in suitable places, as this makes it significantly more heat-resistant than a plastic frame that is otherwise functionally comparable from a mechanical point of view, while being at least as elastic. The associated modules can be designed accordingly compactly, so that they can still be made of plastic and yet are relatively heat-resistant.

[0035] It is particularly advantageous if the support frame has several different regions, for example, a first and a second region, which have different elasticities from each other, because it can then apply a higher section modulus in the region of highest bending stress. The first region corresponds to the base section. The second region corresponds to the deformation section.

[0036] These different regions, in particular the base section and the deformation section, are made of different materials and thus have different material properties, namely different elastic moduli.

[0037] The second region, in particular the deformation section, can therefore have greater elasticity than the first region, which corresponds in particular to the base section. Conversely, the first region can thus have greater rigidity than the second region. In particular, the base section is rigid, and the deformation section is spring-elastic. Such elasticity or rigidity can, on the one hand, as already mentioned, be achieved by the material used in each case, and / or, on the other hand, it can also be achieved by the geometric shape of these regions, in particular the base section and the deformation section.

[0038] The base section is made of a rigid material, for example, a zinc alloy, an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy. The deformation section is made of a resilient material and can therefore be made of, for example, a resilient sheet steel.

[0039] The base section is at least partially manufactured using a die-casting process, for example using a zinc die-casting or aluminum die-casting process. The first region, the base section, is the surrounding base frame. The base frame is therefore, in particular, a zinc die-cast part. The base frame is essentially rectangular in cross-section, i.e., it has two parallel, opposite end faces and, at right angles to this, two parallel, opposite side parts, with the two end faces being shorter than the two side parts. Both the end faces and the side parts can have an essentially rectangular shape.

[0040] Furthermore, the deformation section is formed from at least one, preferably two, separate cheek parts, each of which preferably consists of a resilient sheet metal part. The two cheek parts can optionally be made of the same material, in particular resilient sheet metal, and also have the same thickness. For example, the preferably two cheek parts can be punched from the same sheet metal.

[0041] Each cheek part can be essentially flat and preferably have a rectangular basic shape. Thus, it has two opposing, long edges, namely a first and a second edge, and at right angles to these, two opposing, short edges, namely a third and a fourth edge. The cheek part has, in particular, preferably straight slots that begin at regular intervals at its first edge and run preferably at right angles thereto towards the second edge into the cheek part, whereby free-standing tabs are formed in the cheek part. Furthermore, a locking window can be arranged in each of these tabs as a locking element. These locking windows are provided to receive locking lugs of inserted modules in order to lock the modules in the holding frame.Furthermore, each cheek part can have several fastening elements, in particular fastening recesses in a preferably round shape, for fastening to the base frame.

[0042] Each of the two cheek pieces can advantageously be attached to the base frame on an outer side of one of the two side pieces, so that two spring-elastic tabs of the two cheek pieces are symmetrically opposite each other. Furthermore, these tabs can be bent slightly outward toward their ends, i.e., away from the base frame and thus from each other, to facilitate the insertion of a module.

[0043] The base frame can have fastening means, for example, round fastening pins, on the corresponding side part, preferably on both side parts. These fastening means can engage in the fastening recesses of the corresponding cheek part and thus hold the cheek parts to the base frame, for example, by locking and / or by a positive and non-positive connection. Additionally or alternatively, the cheek parts can be attached to the base frame by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting and / or screwing, or by any other fastening method.

[0044] The associated modules can be essentially cuboid-shaped and can each have a width on two opposite end faces that corresponds to the width of a tab. Each module advantageously has a locking lug on each of its two end faces, which can also be essentially cuboid-shaped. Each of the spring-elastic tabs of the holding frame advantageously has a locking window, which can be essentially rectangular and is provided for the preferably form-fitting reception of such a locking lug.

[0045] The two locking tabs of a module can differ from each other, for example, in their shape and / or size, in particular in their length. The tabs on both sides of the holding frame can have corresponding windows, which also differ from each other and whose size and / or shape each match one of the locking tabs. This has the advantage that it determines the orientation of each module in the holding frame. In other words, the locking windows and the locking tabs, due to their shape and / or size, can be used as coding means, in particular as polarization means, for orienting the modules in the holding frame.

[0046] Advantageously, the tabs of the holding frame are slightly bent away from the holding frame in a free-standing end section, which simplifies the insertion of the modules. Inserting a module into the holding frame is then particularly user-friendly. For this purpose, a module is first inserted between two tabs of a holding frame and then slides with its two end surfaces and in particular with the locking lugs formed on them along the bent-away end sections of the tabs. This causes the two tabs to bend apart briefly until the respective locking lugs are received by the corresponding locking window of the respective tab and thus lock into place. When the locking lugs are received in the respective locking window, the tabs preferably spring back to their original position. This allows the modules to lock individually into the holding frame.

[0047] At the same time, the module is firmly held in the preferably rigid base frame. To release the modules again, simply bend the two corresponding tabs away from each other. The respective module can then be removed individually from the holding frame while the other modules remain locked in place. This ensures that the module is firmly held in the holding frame with comparatively low actuation force, which is particularly advantageous for usability.

[0048] Another particular advantage is that the modules are already held in the holding frame with sufficient holding force by the aforementioned construction and therefore do not require any further locking means, such as locking arms, apart from their locking lugs, because this considerably simplifies their design and thus their manufacturing effort and at the same time ensures a compact design and thus also a high heat resistance of the modules and thus of the entire connector.

[0049] In one embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if these two cheek parts are of the same type, ie despite the two-part design of the holding frame, only cheek parts of one type have to be produced, which further reduces the manufacturing effort.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment, the two cheek parts differ in the size and / or shape of their locking windows. This has the advantage that the orientation of each module, which accordingly also has two different locking lugs, is determined. In other words, the locking windows and the locking lugs can thus serve as coding means for the orientation of the modules due to their shape.

[0051] For protective earthing (PE), the support frame can be equipped with a corresponding PE module, which, for example, establishes electrical contact between a connected grounding cable and the at least partially electrically conductive, particularly metallic, support frame via an electrically conductive grounding clamp. This allows the support frame to be equipped with a PE contact.

[0052] Alternatively, the support frame itself can have a PE contact, such as a screw contact, for the grounding cable. For example, such a PE contact can be molded onto the base frame. Example

[0053] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1: A base frame; Fig. 2 a, a first cheek part from two different perspectives; Fig. 2 c, a second cheek part from two different perspectives; Fig. 3 a, a module from two different perspectives; Fig. 4 a, a holding frame with an inserted PE module from two different perspectives.

[0054] The Fig. 1shows a base frame 1. This base frame 1 is essentially rectangular in cross-section, i.e. it has two mutually parallel end faces 11, 11' and, at right angles to this, two mutually parallel side parts 12, 12', wherein the two end faces 11, 11' are shorter than the two side parts 12, 12'. Both the end faces 11, 11' and the side parts 12, 12' have an essentially rectangular shape, with a flange 13, 13' projecting at right angles to the end faces 11, 11' being formed onto each of them, with each of these two flanges 13, 13' having two screw holes 131, 131', so that the base frame 1 has a total of four screw holes 131, 131'.

[0055] The two side parts 12, 12' each have a plurality of webs 122, 122' arranged symmetrically opposite one another on a first edge. In this embodiment, the term "short" means that the length of the webs 122, 122' extending upwards in the drawing is less than their width. However, the webs 122, 122' could also be significantly longer in a slightly different embodiment. For example, their length could correspond to or even exceed their width. Open recesses 123, 123' are thus formed between these webs 122, 122'.

[0056] In the present example, four such open recesses 123, 123' are provided on each side panel 2, 2', but a different number of recesses would of course also be conceivable, for example, three, five, six, seven, or eight. The number of open recesses 132, 132' in each side panel 12, 12' corresponds to the number of modules 3 that the corresponding support frame is capable of accommodating.

[0057] Furthermore, each side part 12, 12' has several fastening pins 124, 124' for fastening the corresponding cheek part 2, 2'. In the present case, the fastening pins 124, 124' have a circular cross-section; however, any other shape would also be conceivable; for example, the fastening pins 124, 124' could also be oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-sided, or any other flat shape.

[0058] Thus, two cheek parts 2, 2' are provided for the holding frame, namely a first cheek part 2 and a second cheek part 2'.

[0059] The Fig. 2 a and Fig. 2 c show each of these cheek parts 2, 2' in a first perspective, in which the viewing direction is perpendicular to it. Fig. 2 b and Fig. 2d show the respective cheek part 2, 2' from an oblique view. Each cheek part 2, 2', which in the present embodiment is preferably a stamped and bent part, has three slots 21, 21', through which four equally sized tabs 22, 22' are formed. The number of tabs 22, 22' of the respective cheek part 2, 2' corresponds to the number of open recesses 123, 123' on each of the two side parts 12, 12' of the base frame 1.

[0060] A locking window 23, 23' is provided in each tab 22, 22' of each cheek part 2, 2'. The locking windows 23 of the first cheek part 2 are larger than the locking windows 23' of the second cheek part 2'. The two cheek parts 2, 2' thus differ from one another in the size of their locking windows 23, 23'. Furthermore, additional fastening recesses 24, 24' are provided in the cheek parts 2, 2'. In the present embodiment, these recesses are circular, but could of course also have any other shape, for example, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal, n-sided, or any other flat shape.

[0061] The fastening pins 124, 124' of the base frame 1 fit snugly into the respective fastening recesses 24, 24' of the corresponding side panels 2, 2', so that the respective side panel 2, 2' can be plugged onto the corresponding side panel 12, 12'. Additionally, the respective side panel 2, 2' can be secured to the corresponding side panel 12, 12' in other ways, for example, by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, and / or screwing.

[0062] In the Fig. 2 b and 2 d It can be seen that the respective cheek part 2, 2' is folded by 180° at a bending line B, B' in the lower end area and is thus reinforced in this area. A lower edge K, K' of the corresponding sheet metal lies between the fastening recesses 24 and a corresponding bending line B, B', so that the fastening recesses 24, 24' are uncovered and the fastening pins 124, 124' can be inserted therein unhindered.

[0063] The Fig. 3 a and the Fig. 3 b Show a module 3 that can be inserted into the support frame in two different views. Of course, other modules with a similar design can also be used.

[0064] The module 3 has a first locking lug 31 on a first longitudinal side 32, which is designed to lock into a locking window 23 of the first cheek part 2. On a second longitudinal side 32' opposite this first longitudinal side 32, the module 3 has a second locking lug 31', which is narrower than the first locking lug and is designed to lock into a locking window 23' of the second cheek part 2'. Furthermore, the module is very compact, which improves its heat resistance.

[0065] The orientation of module 3 in the holding frame is determined by the shape of the locking lugs 31, 31' and the shape of the windows 23, 23'.

[0066] The Fig. 4shows a fully assembled support frame in which the two cheek parts 2, 2' are attached to the base frame. The fastening pins 124, 124' of the base frame engage in the fastening recesses 24, 24' of the corresponding cheek parts 2, 2'. In addition, this fastening is particularly stable because the lower edge K, K' of the respective sheet metal of the cheek part 2, 2' directly adjoins the corresponding side part 12, 12' of the base frame 1. In addition to or as an alternative to fastening by the fastening pins 124, 124' and the fastening recesses 24, 24', the cheek parts 2, 2' can also be soldered, welded, screwed, riveted, or otherwise attached to the base frame 1.

[0067] The cheek parts 2, 2' have a higher elasticity than the base frame 1, particularly in the area of ​​their tabs 22, 22'. Conversely, the base frame 1, which is manufactured using a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process, has a greater rigidity than the two spring-elastic cheek parts 2, 2', which can be made of spring-elastic sheet steel, for example.

[0068] This means that a certain force, for example 10 N, which acts on any tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its locking window 23 at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, directed from the inside outwards with respect to the holding frame, causes a deflection of the tab 22, to be measured at the level of its locking window 23, which is greater than the deflection which the base frame 1 experiences at any point if at this arbitrary point an equally large force, for example also 10 N, acts perpendicular to its end face 11, 11' or to its side part 12, 12', directed from the inside outwards with respect to the base frame.

[0069] The base frame 1 therefore has greater rigidity than the cheek parts 2, 2'. Conversely, the cheek parts 2, 2' have greater elasticity than the base frame.

[0070] The following information assumes that the retaining frame is fixed at four corner points. For example, it can be fixed by screwing to the four screw holes 131, 131 of its flanges 13, 13 in or to a metallic connector housing.

[0071] If, for example, a force of 10 N acts on the tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of its locking window 23 at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, this tab 22 is reversibly deflected, for example, by a distance of at least 0.2 mm, preferably of at least 0.4 mm, in particular of at least 0.8 mm, i.e., for example, by more than 1.6 mm. If an equally large force of 10 N acts, for example, in the middle of its side part 12 perpendicular to the surface of the side part 12, acting from the inside outwards with respect to the base frame 1, the base frame 1 is only deflected by a distance of less than 0.2 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, i.e., for example, less than 0.025 mm, even in this area where its rigidity is at its lowest. Thus, the base frame 1 is stiffer than the cheek parts 2, 2'.In particular, the base frame 1 is to be regarded as rigid and the cheek parts 2, 2' are each to be described as spring-elastic.

[0072] This ensures that the modules are held and, in particular, locked with high holding force while simultaneously requiring low actuation forces, which significantly facilitates operation, in particular the insertion and removal of individual modules 3. Finally, the cheek part 2 is spring-elastic, and the elasticity of the cheek part 2 is selected, in particular according to the values ​​specified above, so that the modules 3 can be inserted and removed manually. At the same time, the base frame 1 is rigid, and, in particular, the rigidity of the base frame 1, in particular according to the values ​​specified above, is so high that the inserted modules 3 are held therein with sufficient strength to ensure the intended function of an associated connector.As a result, the modules 3 and thus also the contacts present in the modules 3 are positioned geometrically precisely and mechanically stable enough to reliably make electrical contact with the corresponding mating contacts of a comparable mating connector.

[0073] Such a connector and a corresponding mating connector, which are not shown in the drawing, can additionally have a preferably metallic housing, into which a holding frame fully or partially equipped with modules 3 is inserted.

[0074] In the Fig. 4 a and Fig. 4 b The holding frame shown holds a specially designed PE module 3', which in its basic form is similar to the one shown in Fig. 3 a, bcorresponds to the module 3 shown. In addition, the PE module 3' has an electrically conductive PE contact 33', which is electrically connected via the PE module 3' to an electrically conductive earthing clamp 34' that also belongs to the PE module 3'. The PE contact 33' can, for example, be a screw contact, i.e. the PE contact 33' has an earthing screw 35' that is suitable for conductively connecting an earthing cable to the PE contact 33' and mechanically fixing it thereto. This earthing cable is electrically connected to the base frame 1 by the PE module 3' via its earthing clamp 34', which is clamped to one of the end faces 11' of the holding frame.

[0075] Alternatively, the holding frame can have such a PE contact, for example, a PE screw contact, on its base frame 1 itself. The PE contact can, for example, be molded onto the base frame 1. This can be done during the production of the base frame 1, for example, using an injection molding process.

[0076] However, the invention is by no means limited to this embodiment. Rather, a multitude of further embodiments are disclosed, in particular by the following features and their useful combination: The holding frame serves to accommodate similar and / or different modules 3, wherein the holding frame is formed from at least two different materials, at least one of which is electrically conductive. Advantageously, the holding frame partially has spring-elastic properties. In particular, the holding frame consists partly of a rigid and partly of a spring-elastic material.

[0077] The support frame is constructed in several parts. The support frame consists of at least two parts, a first part made of a first material and a second part made of a second material, wherein the elastic modulus of the first material is greater than the elastic modulus of the second material.

[0078] For example, the first part can be designed as a base frame 1 and the second part as a side part 2, 2'. The base frame 1 has a rectangular cross-section and comprises two parallel, opposing side parts 12, 12' and two end faces 11, 11' arranged perpendicularly thereto and parallel to each other. In particular, the base frame 1 is rigid.

[0079] The base frame 1 can be constructed in one piece. The base frame 1 is at least partially constructed as a die-cast part. The at least one cheek part 2, 2' is resilient. The at least one cheek part 2, 2' can be electrically conductive and furthermore consists of resilient sheet metal or comprises resilient sheet metal.

[0080] The at least one cheek part 2, 2' is fastened to the base frame 1, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, locking, and / or screwing. The at least one cheek part 2, 2' can have a plurality of slots 21, 21 through which tabs 22, 22' are formed in the respective cheek part 2, 2'. The width of the tabs 22, 22' can correspond to the width of the modules 3. In particular, all tabs 22, 22' can have the same width. Each tab 22, 22' can have a locking means. The locking means can consist of a locking window 23, 23' arranged in the respective tab 22, 22'. The at least one cheek part 2, 2' can in particular be a stamped and bent part. The at least one cheek part 2, 2' can be two cheek parts 2, 2'. The holding frame has a protective earthing contact (PE contact) or is at least equipped with one.

[0081] During its manufacture, the holding frame, which is intended for a connector and is suitable for accommodating similar and / or different modules 3, is formed from at least two different materials.

[0082] The base frame 1 is at least partially manufactured using a die-casting process, in particular a zinc die-casting process.

[0083] The at least one cheek part 2, 2' is punched out of a spring-elastic sheet and can be folded by 180° in particular at least one bending edge B, B'.

[0084] The at least one cheek part 2, 2' can be fastened to the base frame 1 in particular by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, locking and / or screwing.

[0085] The holding frame can hold a module 3 accommodated therein in one direction with its base frame and at the same time fix this module 3 perpendicularly thereto with tabs 13, 13', 23, 23' belonging to the respective cheek part 2, 2', in particular by locking the module 3 to its tabs 22, 22'. List of reference symbols

[0086] 1 Base frame 11, 11' End faces 12, 12' Side panels 122, 122' Webs 123, 123' Open recesses 124, 124' Fastening pins 13, 13' Flanges 131, 131' Screw holes 2, 2' Side panels 21, 21' Slots 22, 22' Tabs 23, 23' Snap-in window 24, 24' Fastening recesses B, B' Bending line K, K' Lower edge 3 Module 3' PE module 31, 31' Snap-in lugs 32, 32' Front faces 33' PE contact 34' Earthing clamp 35' Earthing screw

Claims

1. A holding frame for a plug connector, namely a heavy industrial plug connector for receiving similar and / or different modules comprising a base portion for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation portion which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module into the holding frame in a direction transverse relative to the plane and a received module is fixed in the holding state, wherein the base portion and the deformation portion are at least partially formed from different materials and wherein the base portion (1) and the deformation portion (2, 2') have different material properties, namely different moduli of elasticity, wherein the base portion is a peripherally extending base frame which is of rectangular cross-sectional configuration and has two mutually parallel and oppositely disposed end faces and at a right angle thereto two parallel and oppositely disposed side portions, wherein the end faces are shorter than the two side portions, and wherein the base portion at the end faces has a respective flange projecting at a right angle relative thereto, wherein each of said flanges has two screw bores so that the base frame in total has four screw bores, and wherein the deformation portion (2, 2') is in the form of at least one cheek portion on the base frame, and at least a part of the deformation portion (2, 2') is arranged externally on the base portion (1), and the base portion (1) and the deformation portion (2, 2') are positively lock-ingly, force-fittingly and / or positively substance jointingly interconnected, and wherein the deformation portion (2, 2') is designed for elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state, and wherein the deformation portion (2, 2') has or comprises resilient sheet and the resilient properties of the deformation portion (2, 2') make it possible to individually insert or remove modules (3, 3'), and wherein the deformation portion is at least partially produced with a stamping bending process, and wherein the holding frame has a protective earthing contact (33') or is equipped therewith, and wherein the base portion (1) is produced at least partially by pressure die casting, more specifically from a metal like for example zinc or a metal alloy, preferably a zinc alloy or aluminium alloy, and wherein the base portion is of lower elasticity and thus greater stiffness than the deformation portion, and wherein the base portion (1) is stiff and the higher elasticity of the deformation portion (2, 2'), in comparison with the base portion is achieved by - the higher elasticity of the material used for the deformation portion (2, 2') in comparison to the material used for the base portion (1) and / or - the geometrical shapes of the base portion (1) and the deformation portion (2,2').

2. A holding frame according to claim 1 characterised in that the protective earthing contact (33') is a screw contact which has an earthing screw (35') suitable for conduct-ingly connecting an earthing cable to the protective earthing contact (33') and mechanically fixing same thereto.

3. Plug connector, namely a heavy industrial plug connector, comprising: a holding according to one of the preceding claims, similar and / or different modules (3), a metallic plug connector housing, wherein the modules (3) are received in the holding frame and the holding frame with the modules (3) is installed in the metallic plug connector housing.

4. Combination of two plug connectors, each according to claim 3, as plug connector and mating plug connector.

5. A method of producing a holding frame for a plug connector, namely a heavy industrial plug connector for receiving similar and / or different modules comprising a base portion for fixing a received module in a plane and a deformation portion which can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state allows insertion of at least one module into the holding frame in a direction transverse relative to the plane and a received module is fixed in the holding state, characterized in that the base portion and the deformation portion are at least partially formed from different materials, wherein the base portion and the deformation portion have different material properties, namely different moduli of elasticity, wherein the base portion forms a peripherally extending base frame and is of a rectangular cross-sectional configuration and has two mutually parallel and oppositely disposed end faces and at a right angle thereto two parallel and oppositely disposed side portions, wherein the end faces are shorter than the two side portions, and the base portion at the end faces has a respective flange projecting at a right angle relative thereto, wherein each of said flanges has two screw bores so that the base frame in total has four screw bores, and the deformation portion (2, 2') is in the form of at least one cheek portion on the base frame, and at least a part of the deformation portion (2, 2') is arranged externally on the base portion (1), and the base portion (1) and the deformation portion (2, 2') are positively lock-ingly, force-fittingly and / or positively substance jointingly interconnected, and the deformation portion (2, 2') is designed for elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state, and the deformation portion (2, 2') has or comprises resilient sheet and the resilient properties of the deformation portion (2, 2') make it possible to individually insert or remove modules (3, 3'), and the deformation portion is at least partially produced with a stamping bending process, and the holding frame has a protective earthing contact (33') or is equipped therewith, and the base portion (1) is produced at least partially by pressure die casting, more specifically from a metal like for example zinc or a metal alloy, preferably a zinc alloy or aluminium alloy, and the base portion is of lower elasticity and thus greater stiffness than the deformation portion, and the base portion (1) is stiff and the higher elasticity of the deformation portion (2, 2'), in comparison with the base portion, is achieved by - the higher elasticity of the material used for the deformation portion (2, 2') in comparison to the material used for the base portion (1) and / or - the geometrical shapes of the base portion (1) and the deformation portion (2,2'), so that the holding frame can targetedly apply a higher resistance moment in the region of the highest flexural stressing.

6. A method according to claim 5 characterised in that the protective earthing contact is shaped on the base frame in production of the base frame using an injection moulding method.