Grounding module which is to be received in a metal plug connector modular frame and which grounds same

Abstract

A grounding module (10) with a single-part grounding element (1) is provided in order to ground a plug connector modular frame (3). The grounding element (1) can be made of a resilient elastic sheet metal in the form of a stamped bent part. The single-part grounding element (1) forms a contact spring (11) with a contact arm (110) for electrically contacting the plug connector modular frame (3) as well as a busbar (12) and a V-shaped clamping spring (14) for connecting a grounding line (21) to the busbar (12) in an electric manner and so as to produce a mechanical fixation.

Description

[0001] Title: Grounding module for inclusion in a metallic connector modular frame and for grounding the same

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention is based on an earthing module according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention is based on a connector modular system comprising at least the grounding module according to claim 1 and a connector modular frame.

[0005] The grounding module is a connector module whose intended function is to electrically ground a metal connector modular frame. Such grounding modules are therefore required to electrically ground metal connector modular frames or, if the connector modular frame already has a ground connection, to further increase the grounding cross-section of any existing electrical grounding connection.

[0006] The grounding module is thus a connector module designed to electrically connect a grounding wire to the metallic connector modular frame. The grounding wire, also called a "PE" (Protective Earth) wire, can be, for example, a grounding wire of an electrical cable, e.g., a grounding cable or a cable that has multiple current-carrying wires and, in addition, the aforementioned grounding wire. The grounding wire, often also referred to as a grounding wire, has at least one electrical conductor, e.g., a wire, e.g., a copper wire, preferably a plurality of wires, in particular copper wires, which together can form a flexible strand.The connector modular frame can be installed in a metallic connector housing to form a connector, in particular a heavy-duty connector, and thus ground this connector housing, in particular via the said grounding line with a particularly large conductor cross-section. In particular, the grounding module can additionally have a plug contact for grounding transfer to a mating connector, which is plugged into the plug connector, in particular the said heavy-duty connector. A heavy-duty connector is used, for example, in industrial plants and is usually designed to transmit particularly high currents of, for example, at least 10 A (“amperes”), in particular at least 16 A, i.e., for example, at least 32 A, i.e., 64 A and more. Due to these high current intensities, a high fault current must also be able to be discharged in the event of a fault, i.e.For the earthing of high-current connectors, a large conductor cross-section is generally required, which for very high permitted currents of, for example, even more than 90 A, is in the range of 80 mm. 2 up to 90 mm 2 or even 90 mm 2 up to 100 mm 2 and more. If the connector is a heavy-duty connector, the mating connector is usually also designed as a heavy-duty connector.

[0007] Connector modules are generally required as part of a modular connector system to flexibly adapt a connector, especially a heavy-duty connector, to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g., between two electrical devices. The function of a connector formed in this way is therefore very flexible. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical power and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals can be incorporated into the modular connector frame and thus be used in the modular connector system. Connector modules are increasingly also taking on measurement and data technology tasks.

[0008] This allows a wide variety of signals, such as optical and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals and / or electrical power, to be transmitted via a single connector in a flexible configuration as required. The transmission of electrical power in the aforementioned dimensions is naturally of particular importance in the field of heavy-duty connectors in industrial environments.

[0009] Typically, the corresponding connector modules are inserted into the aforementioned connector modular frames, which are sometimes also referred to as holding frames, articulated frames, module frames, or modular frames, and in individual cases also as mounting frames. The connector modular frames thus serve to accommodate several similar and / or different connector modules and to securely fasten them to a surface and / or a device wall and / or in a connector housing or similar. As already mentioned, the

[0010] Connector modular frames, provided they are at least partly made of metal, additionally serve to form a

[0011] Heavy-duty connectors are designed to be installed in metallic connector housings and thereby also to ground these metallic connector housings.

[0012] The connector modules typically each have a substantially cuboid-shaped housing, sometimes also referred to as an insulating body. These insulating bodies can be made of plastic and can be designed as either a single-piece or multi-piece, for example, two-piece, and consist, for example, of a contact carrier and an attachment that can be attached to it and, in particular, removed from it, such as a cover plate and, in particular, a retaining plate. Using such a retaining plate, the connector modules can accommodate and secure plug contacts in their contact chambers.

[0013] As already mentioned, the aforementioned connector modular frames are typically used to hold several of these connector modules in the connector housing. Many different designs are available for connector modular frames.

[0014] The connector modular frames can be formed from two frame halves that can be pivoted relative to one another and are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The connector modules can be provided with fixing means protruding from the narrow sides, in particular in the form of projections, e.g., rectangular locking lugs, as holding and polarizing means for their fixation and correct alignment in the connector modular frame. In particular, for polarization, the two projections, in particular the two locking lugs, of a connector module can differ in their shape, in particular in their width, to prevent the connector modules from being inserted into the connector modular frame in an incorrect orientation.

[0015] Recesses can be provided in the side parts of the frame halves, in particular recesses designed as openings closed on all sides, e.g. so-called "windows", in particular "locking windows", into which the locking lugs engage when the connector modules are inserted into the holding frame. To insert the connector modules, the aforementioned articulated frame is "folded open", i.e. opened, with the frame halves being pivoted apart about the joints only far enough for the connector modules to be inserted. The frame halves are then clipped together, i.e. the connector modular frame is closed, with the side parts aligning parallel and the holding means moving into the recesses, thus ensuring a secure, positive fit for the connector modules in the connector modular frame.

[0016] However, the designs of connector modular frames are diverse. Unlike the aforementioned design, connector modular frames can also be used, each with a rigid base frame. This can be manufactured using a die-casting process, e.g., zinc die-casting, and can be provided with several flexible cheek parts, e.g., stamped and bent parts, on its long sides on the inside or outside of the frame. The cheek parts can have locking means such as the aforementioned locking windows or locking hooks or the like. The connector modules can be locked to these locking means, e.g., with their locking lugs. For example, two cheek parts can be provided for each connector module, i.e., one on each long side of the base tube, or one or more cheek parts can be used, each having several tabs. For example, one locking element can be arranged on each cheek part or each tab.Such connector modular tubes, manufactured in a composite design, have the advantage that the connector modules can be individually inserted into and removed from the connector modular tube with minimal effort and, for example, even automatically. Furthermore, designs for metallic connector modular tubes have also become known that are made entirely of sheet metal and are designed for cost-effective production.

[0017] State of the art

[0018] In the prior art, the said connector modular systems with such connector modules using such a connector modular tube, also known as a holding tube, module tube, articulated tube or module tube, are disclosed in numerous printed documents and publications in many different variants, shown at trade fairs and are frequently used in industrial environments in the form of heavy-duty connectors. For example, they are in the publications DE 10 2013 106 279 A1, DE 10 2012 110 907 A1, DE 10 2012 107 270 A1, DE 202013 103 611 U1, EP 2 510 590 A1, EP 2 510 589 A1, DE 20 2011 050643 U1, EP 0 860 906 A2, DE 29 601 998 U1, EP 1 353 412 A2, DE 10 2015 104 562 A1, EP 3 067 993 A1, EP 1 026 788 A1 , EP 2 979 326 A1 and EP 2 917 974 A1.

[0019] From the aforementioned document EP 0 860 906 B1, a connector modular frame in the form of an articulated frame is known for holding connector modules and for installation in connector housings or for screwing to wall surfaces. The connector modules are inserted into the connector modular frame. Retaining means are provided on the connector modules, which interact with windows provided on opposite side panels of the connector modular frame. The windows consist of rectangular recesses formed as through openings closed on all sides in the side panels of the connector modular frame.

[0020] The connector modular frame, in its articulated design, consists of two frame halves that are connected to one another by hinges, with the connector modular frame being separated transversely to the frame's side panels. Joints are arranged in the fastening ends of the connector modular frame so that, when the connector modular frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the side panels align at right angles to the fastening surface, whereby the connector modules form a positive connection with the connector modular frame via the retaining means. In practice, such connector modular frames are usually

[0021] Die-casting process, particularly zinc die-casting process.

[0022] The publication DE 10 2015 114 703 A1 discloses a further development of such a modular connector frame designed as an articulated frame. The modular connector frame disclosed therein has at least one fixing means by which the frame halves can be fixed to each other in two positions, an open position and a closed position, which significantly simplifies handling.

[0023] The publication DE 20 2013 103 611 U1 shows two extremely stable frame halves that can be screwed together using stamping and bending technology. These halves are suitable for accommodating pneumatic modules, among other things. The modular connector frame assembled in this way exhibits very low creep properties, even under high long-term mechanical loads. A disadvantage, however, is that the effort required to add or replace a connector module is extremely high.

[0024] To improve ease of use, the document DE 10 2013 113 975 B4 discloses a connector modular frame, in particular made of die-cast zinc, for a heavy-duty connector for accommodating similar and / or different connector modules. The connector modular frame consists of a base frame with a rectangular cross-section and two opposing side parts. A cheek part made of a flexible material, in particular spring-elastic sheet metal, is attached to each side part. When a connector module is inserted into the connector modular frame perpendicular to the frame plane, these cheek parts are initially bent outward away from the side part. In particular, the cheek parts can have tabs with locking windows, which are suitable for locking the connector modules individually in the connector modular frame using their locking lugs.The connector modules can thus be individually and easily inserted into the connector modular tube from the cable connection direction and in the plug-in direction, and removed again in the opposite direction. The inserted connector module is held firmly and securely in the frame plane by the base tube of the connector modular tube. In their insertion direction, perpendicular to the frame plane, they can be locked between opposing side panels with their locking lugs. This design has the fundamental advantage that the connector modules can be inserted and removed individually without compromising the fastening of the other connector modules.The design also allows the connector modular tube to be made of metal and to have or be equipped with a PE contact, thus enabling the aforementioned protective earthing and, if necessary, an electrical shield connection of shielded connector modules.

[0025] The problem that grounding of connector modular tubes is not always sufficient is generally recognized in the prior art. Due to their design, metallic connector modular tubes, e.g., if they are made of sheet metal, may not have their own grounding contact at all. Zinc die-cast tubes generally have a PE screw contact as the grounding contact. However, this generally only allows for limited conductor cross-sections of the grounding cable screwed onto it, and these conductor cross-sections are too small for many applications, particularly high-current applications. On the other hand, connector modular systems are primarily used in industrial environments and must therefore be capable of reliably transmitting the high currents mentioned above. They should also allow connection to grounding cables with the aforementioned grounding cross-sections.

[0026] For this reason, the publication DE 10 2013 108 383 A1 proposes an electrical connector module designed as a grounding module. This is suitable for use alone or in combination with other connector modules to form a modular connector. Depending on the design, the electrical connector module can be inserted directly into a connector housing or accommodated in a holding frame (i.e., connector modular frame) and fastened together with the other connector modules in a connector housing. The grounding module has an electrical contact means, which is electrically conductively connected inside the electrical connector module to an electrical contact accommodated therein.The said electrical contact means, which is guided to the outside of the electrical connector module, also contacts the holding frame or the connector housing into which the electrical connector module is inserted via a spring area.

[0027] Building on this, the document DE 10 2020 119 128 A1 discloses a connector module for conveniently connecting a protective conductor. This comprises a housing that can be inserted into a receiving frame to create a connector assembly, a plug-in section arranged on the housing for plugging into an associated mating connector, and an electrical contact element arranged on the plug-in section for electrically contacting the mating connector. For electrical contact with the contact element, the protective conductor can be connected to a connection assembly that has a spring element with a clamping leg. The clamping leg is designed to act on the protective conductor in a clamped position for electrical contact and mechanical locking.For electrical contacting of the mounting frame, it is disclosed that the housing is made entirely of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal material, for example, a die-cast zinc material, so that when inserted into the mounting frame, the connector module's housing comes into contact with the mounting frame and thus makes electrical contact with the mounting frame. Once the connector module is inserted into the mounting frame and a protective conductor is connected to the connector module, the mounting frame thus reaches the potential of the protective conductor.

[0028] A disadvantage of the state of the art is the high material and manufacturing costs required to produce a grounding module with such a high level of user-friendliness.

[0029] Task

[0030] The object of the invention is to provide a grounding module for metallic connector modular frames that can be manufactured as inexpensively as possible while still allowing a grounding wire, in particular a grounding wire of an electrical cable, in particular a grounding cable, to be connected thereto with minimal effort and thus electrically connected to the connector modular frame. In particular, the grounding wire should also be easily detached from the grounding module if necessary.

[0031] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0032] A grounding module is intended to be accommodated in a metallic connector modular frame and serves to ground the same by electrically connecting the connector modular frame to a grounding line, in particular a grounding line of an electrical cable.The grounding module has the following: a housing having one or more fixing means for fixing the grounding module in the connector modular frame; as well as a busbar arranged in the housing for mechanically and electrically contacting said grounding line; a clamping spring arranged at least partially in the housing with a clamping leg for pressing and clamping the inserted or to be inserted grounding line to the busbar; and a contact spring which, on the one hand, is electrically connected to the busbar and, on the other hand, is led out of the housing to an outer side of the housing in order to electrically contact the metallic connector modular frame, wherein both the busbar and the clamping spring and the contact spring together are part of a single, one-piece component, namely a grounding element.

[0033] A modular connector system comprises a modular connector frame and a grounding module of the aforementioned type. In particular, the modular connector system comprises one or more further connector modules accommodated in the modular connector frame or at least accommodable therein. These further connector modules may be identical or different from one another and may thus fulfill identical or different functions. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals may be used in this way in the modular connector system. The modular connector frame is essentially rectangular in cross-section and thus has two mutually parallel, opposite end faces and, at right angles thereto, two mutually parallel, opposite side parts.A flange protruding at a right angle to each of the end faces is formed thereon, each of these two flanges having two, in particular, cylindrical through-openings as screw openings, in particular as screw bores, so that the connector modular frame has a total of four screw openings, in particular screw bores. The connector modular frame can be screwed into or onto a metallic connector housing, e.g. into a metallic connector housing, using its flange at these screw openings. This serves both for fastening and for electrically contacting the connector modular frame with the connector housing. The grounding module is accommodated in the connector modular frame and makes electrical contact with this connector modular frame with its contact spring.On the other hand, the grounding module is designed to use its clamping spring to press the grounding wire, in particular the grounding wire of the electrical cable, in particular the grounding cable, against the busbar, thus creating an electrically conductive connection. This enables the grounding module to establish an electrically conductive connection between the grounding wire and the connector modular frame.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0035] One advantage is the particularly high level of ease of use, which is provided by the fact that in most applications, the grounding conductor only needs to be inserted between the busbar and the clamping leg using the so-called "push-in" method to be connected to the connector modular frame, i.e., to be electrically connected to it. This connection process can be performed very easily manually, since the grounding module / the connector modular frame equipped with the grounding module can be held with one hand and the grounding cable can be inserted into the grounding module with the other hand.

[0036] A further particular advantage of the invention is that the grounding module can be manufactured cost-effectively with very little effort. For example, its housing can be made at least partially, in particular at least largely, and preferably even entirely of plastic, and can be manufactured by injection molding. Furthermore, the housing can be manufactured in two parts and also consist of a plug-in base housing and a cable connection-side attachment that can be attached to or locked onto it.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, said one-piece grounding element can be made of metal, in particular of resilient sheet metal. Preferably, said grounding element can be a stamped and bent part.

[0038] This allows both the busbar and the clamping spring and contact spring to be manufactured extremely cost-effectively from a single sheet of metal through a punching and bending process. Preferably, an elongated shape, such as a rectangular basic shape, can be punched out. As an alternative to the rectangular basic shape, different sections of the grounding element can also be designed with different widths, depending on the design of the grounding module.

[0039] The grounding element may have a length along a longitudinal axis that is significantly greater than its width at its widest point.

[0040] For example, the length of the grounding element can be at least three times, in particular at least five times, in particular at least eight times, preferably at least ten times, and particularly preferably at least twelve times its aforementioned width. In a preferred embodiment, the grounding element can be bent at several points, i.e., multiple times, in particular at right angles, in particular perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

[0041] Furthermore, the grounding element can be inserted into the housing and secured, e.g., by snapping it into place. The housing can then be closed, e.g., by snapping the attachment onto the base housing. Alternatively or additionally, the grounding element can also be overmolded with plastic to form the housing.

[0042] The invention has the particular advantage of being particularly simple and easily automated to manufacture, as well as the further advantage of significant material savings, because only those parts absolutely necessary for a secure electrically conductive connection and, if applicable, for power transmission need to be made of metal. Furthermore, the contact spring, busbar, and clamping spring are created from a simple stamped and bent part with just a few bends. Furthermore, the busbar is a single piece and is therefore electrically connected to the spring contact without any electrical contact resistance. Furthermore, not only the busbar but also the clamping leg electrically contacts the grounding conductor, thus contributing to the already very good electrical conductivity of the overall arrangement.

[0043] As an alternative to manufacturing the housing from plastic, the housing of the grounding module can be made at least partially, in particular at least largely, and preferably even entirely of metal and manufactured, for example, using a zinc die-casting process. The grounding connection to the connector modular frame is then particularly large and exists both in a contact area of ​​the contact spring and additionally in the contact points between the housing of the grounding module and the connector modular frame. For example, electrical contact between the connector module and the metallic connector modular frame can be established by means of the contact spring on the locking lugs of a metallic housing of the grounding module, alternatively or in addition to the electrical contact of the connector modular frame. In a further preferred embodiment, the contact spring could thus also be omitted.In addition, the metal housing may be particularly mechanically robust and heat-resistant. However, this metal housing variant also requires higher manufacturing and material costs, so this version of the metal housing for the grounding module is mentioned here only as a possible, but not preferred, alternative.

[0044] The invention has the particular advantage that, thanks to the aforementioned "push-in" contacting via the busbar and the clamping leg, even grounding cables with particularly large conductor cross-sections can be connected to the grounding module and thus to the connector modular frame. More generally, this design allows various grounding cables with very different conductor cross-sections, i.e., both very small and very large conductor cross-sections, to be connected to the grounding element.

[0045] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the electrical connection between the grounding line and the connector modular frame in the form of the aforementioned grounding element is formed integrally from a single metal part. This eliminates any contact resistance or mechanically detachable connections that would otherwise typically exist between several different components. These could otherwise generate particularly high electrical resistance, particularly at high currents and / or temperatures. Due to the one-piece nature of the grounding element, the aforementioned arrangement is therefore particularly reliable and cost-effective, as the corresponding fastening and / or contacting devices are eliminated, significantly simplifying production. The aforementioned connector modular system can, for example, be installed in a metallic connector housing and, together with this connector housing, form a connector.

[0046] This connector can be mated with a mating connector, which can, for example, also have a comparable, additional, particularly complementary, connector modular system.

[0047] As already mentioned, the housing of the grounding module can have a cuboid basic shape with, in particular, six outer sides.

[0048] The outer sides consist of two parallel narrow sides and two wide sides running at right angles to the narrow sides, which connect the narrow sides. Furthermore, a cable connection side and a plug-in side can be provided as outer sides, with the cable connection side and the plug-in side being arranged opposite each other and at right angles to the narrow and wide sides.

[0049] This allows the housing of the grounding module to essentially match the shape of the other connector modules, making it very easy to integrate into the modular connector system. After all, the grounding module is a connector module.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the said one or more fixing means are two locking lugs, one of which is formed on each of the two opposite narrow sides of the housing.

[0051] These locking lugs can be accommodated in recesses, e.g. in windows, in particular locking windows, of the connector modular frame for fastening the grounding module or can be secured or held on the connector modular frame in some other way. Alternatively or additionally, the connector modular frame can have webs, in particular on a cable connection-side edge of its two side parts, which extend counter to the insertion direction of the connector modules, in particular of the grounding module, and between which open recesses are formed. The locking lugs of the respective connector module / grounding module can then be accommodated in these recesses. Furthermore, the connector module / grounding module can be fixed in the connector modular frame by means of fastening means of the connector modular frame, e.g. on recesses of the connector modular frame, e.g.in that the locking lugs accommodated in the recesses on the one hand abut against a stop edge of the respective side part and on the other hand are locked in the aforementioned position by at least one locking means of the connector modular frame, e.g. by a locking window of a cheek part and / or by one or more locking hooks, whereby the locking hooks can be designed separately and / or be part of one or more cheek parts. Due to rusting, they can be prevented from moving in the direction of their cable connection side. In the opposite direction, i.e. towards their plug-in side, the locking lugs can, as already mentioned, strike the edge on the cable connection side. The locking lugs are held perpendicular to this by the webs and the housings of the connector modules / the earthing module are held by the side parts.

[0052] The two locking lugs of the grounding module can differ in size and / or shape to ensure the correct polarization of the grounding module in the connector modular tube.

[0053] Accordingly, depending on the design, the windows and / or the aforementioned recesses between the webs on the two opposite side panels of the connector modular frame can be of different sizes. This ensures the correct orientation of the connector modules and the grounding module in the connector modular frame.

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment, the contact spring of the grounding module can extend along one of the two sides of the housing of the grounding module, coming from the cable connection side and extending in a substantially S-shaped manner toward the plug-in side. Due to its S-shape, the distance of the contact spring from the aforementioned wide side of the housing varies. This serves to electrically connect the connector modular frame, into which the grounding module is inserted, to the contact spring on the outside.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the grounding module has a cable insertion opening on its cable connection side, for example in the attachment, for inserting the grounding cable.

[0056] Next to or at the cable entry opening, the housing can have an actuating opening on the cable connection side, in particular in the attachment, for inserting a tool, e.g. a screwdriver, for separating the clamping leg from the earthing line, in particular from the earthing line of the earthing cable, and thus for detaching the earthing line from the busbar.

[0057] The grounding element can therefore be arranged partly inside and partly outside the housing. Outside the housing, the grounding element can be arranged, in particular, with its preferably substantially S-shaped contact spring. This contact spring can, when the connector module is accommodated in the connector modular frame, contact the connector modular frame, in particular from the outside. Further along the grounding element, a central section, which is angled, in particular, by 180° from the contact spring and forms the busbar of the grounding element, can adjoin this contact spring. A connecting section, which is angled, in particular, by 90° therefrom, can adjoin this busbar and can preferably have at least one through-opening as a fastening opening.A plug contact can be attached to this fastening opening, for example riveted or screwed on, and thus electrically connected to the earthing element.

[0058] If the geometry of the grounding module requires it, e.g. if the plug contact is offset from the busbar, this connecting section can also be wider than other sections, e.g. wider than the busbar. Alternatively, the position of the plug contact can be geometrically compensated for by the grounding element having an additional electrically conductive connecting part, which in turn has two additional fastening openings, namely a first additional fastening opening and a second additional fastening opening. The first additional fastening opening can be screwed, riveted, or otherwise fastened to the fastening opening of the connecting section. The plug contact can be attached to the second additional fastening opening and thus electrically connected to the grounding element.In each of the two aforementioned cases, the said through-hole of the connecting section is provided as the said fastening opening for the plug contact.

[0059] The plug contact serves to transfer the grounding to a mating connector, in particular to another grounding module of the mating connector. A V-shaped clamping spring can ultimately be connected to the connecting section. This has a holding leg that is, in the initial position, angled at a particular 90° from the connecting section and thus preferably runs parallel to the busbar. The clamping leg is bent from this holding leg at an acute angle, thus running diagonally towards the busbar and the connecting section. With its free-standing end, the clamping leg is able to press the grounding wire, in particular the grounding wire of the electrical cable, against the busbar through elastic deformation of the V-shaped clamping spring, both connecting it to the busbar in an electrically conductive manner and also tilting / clamping the grounding wire against its insertion direction to prevent it from being accidentally pulled out.

[0060] Thus, the grounding module can have the plug contact, which is electrically connected to the busbar and serves to transfer the grounding, e.g. to a complementary plug contact of another grounding module of the said mating connector.

[0061] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connector modular system can have several, e.g. two, grounding modules in order to further increase the grounding cross-section if necessary.

[0062] Example

[0063] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0064] Fig. 1a an earthing element;

[0065] Fig. 1 b a basic housing with the inserted earthing element;

[0066] Fig. 1c a grounding module with a housing and the

[0067] earthing element;

[0068] Fig. 2a shows the grounding module accommodated in a connector modular frame with an inserted grounding cable, viewed from the cable connection side; Fig. 2b shows the grounding module accommodated in the connector modular frame, viewed from the plug-in side;

[0069] Fig. 3a, b the connector modular frame with the inserted grounding element from two different angles;

[0070] Fig. 4a, b the connector modular frame with the inserted grounding module without and with grounding cable in a sectional view.

[0071] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0072] Fig. 1a shows a grounding element 1. This element has elastic and electrically conductive properties, at least in some regions. In the present embodiment, for example, it consists entirely of resilient sheet metal and is designed as a one-piece stamped and bent part. To produce it, an elongated, in particular rectangular, basic shape is first punched out of a sheet metal. This basic shape has a length along a longitudinal axis that is significantly greater than its width. The length of this basic shape is more than five times, in particular more than eight times, preferably more than ten times, and particularly preferably more than twelve times its width.

[0073] To form the grounding element 1, the stamped and bent part is bent at several bending edges running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the grounding element 1 is even bent at right angles at some of these bending edges. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, various sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the grounding element 1 are separated from one another by the right-angled bending edges. It is, of course, clear to those skilled in the art that it would also be possible to separate different sections by bending edges with non-right-angled bending angles.

[0074] The grounding element 1 initially has a contact spring 11, shown on the left in the drawing, for electrically contacting a metallic connector modular frame 3 (shown for the first time in Fig. 2b). This contact spring 11 has a substantially S-shaped profile, through which a contact arm 110 with a contact edge or at least one contact area 111 is formed.

[0075] This S-shaped contact spring 11 is followed by a busbar 12, which runs vertically in the drawing and is thus angled at a right angle to the aforementioned S-shaped contact spring 11. This busbar 12 is intended for electrically conductive connection to a grounding line 21 (shown for the first time in Fig. 2a).

[0076] From this busbar 12, a further central section, again running horizontally in the drawing, is angled off as a connecting section 13. This connecting section 13 serves, on the one hand, to establish a connection to the retaining leg 141 of a clamping spring 14, which in turn is angled off from the connecting section 13. On the other hand, a plug contact 131 (not shown here) can also be electrically connected to the connecting section 13 and, if necessary, also fastened to it.

[0077] Shown on the right and pointing upwards in the drawing, the connecting section 13 is adjoined, as already indicated, by the aforementioned retaining leg 141 of the V-shaped clamping spring 14, which runs vertically in the drawing. This retaining leg 141 is thus parallel to the aforementioned busbar 12. Furthermore, the V-shaped clamping spring 14 has, adjacent to the retaining leg 141, a clamping leg 142 which is angled at an acute angle thereto and which is elastically pivotable at its free end in order to press an inserted grounding wire 21 (shown for the first time in Fig. 2a in the drawing) against the aforementioned busbar 12 with the required restoring force, thus electrically connecting it to it and simultaneously clamping / tilting the grounding wire 21 against it and preventing it from being accidentally pulled out counter to the insertion direction.

[0078] In summary, Fig.1a shows an earthing element 1 which, although it has several functionally very different

[0079] Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, is designed as a single piece and is therefore very easy to manufacture. In the present example, it can be manufactured as a stamped part and can in particular consist of resilient sheet metal. The earthing element 1 can thus be manufactured with only little effort. For this purpose, it can, for example, be stamped out of a resilient sheet metal in an elongated rectangular shape and bent at several points, in particular at right angles. This forms, among other things, the aforementioned sections 11, 12, 13, 14, through which the one-piece earthing element 1, as described above, combines the many different, very diverse functionalities.

[0080] Fig. 1 b shows a base housing 100' of a grounding module 10 with a view of its cable connection side 104', which is open in this illustration. The base housing 100' is essentially cuboid-shaped and has two narrow sides 101, 101' running parallel to one another, namely a first 101 and a second 101' narrow side. Furthermore, the base housing 100' has two broad sides 102, 102' running at right angles to the narrow sides 101, 101', namely a first 102 and a second 102' broad side, which connect the two narrow sides 101, 101' with one another. The narrow sides 101, 101' and the

[0081] Broad sides 102, 102' are outer sides. The base housing 100' has a locking lug 106, 106' on each of its narrow sides 101, 101', of which only one locking lug 106 is visible in this illustration. Furthermore, the base housing 100' has a hollow-cylindrical contact formation 103 for receiving a plug contact 131 (shown in Fig. 2b), which is electrically connected to the grounding element 1.

[0082] Fig. 1c shows a grounding module 10 in which, unlike the previous illustration, an attachment 104 in the form of a cover is applied to and secured to the base housing 100' on the cable connection side. The base housing 100', together with the attachment 104, thus forms the housing 100 of the grounding module 10. The attachment 104 has a cable entry opening 108 and an actuation opening 109.

[0083] Thus, the grounding module 10 has the said cable connection side 104', on which the attachment 104 is arranged, as well as a plug-in side 105 (facing away from the viewing direction in the drawing), wherein the cable connection side 104' and the attachment 104 on the one hand, and the plug-in side 105 on the other hand, are arranged opposite one another and at right angles to the narrow sides 101, 101' and wide sides 102, 102'.

[0084] The grounding element 1 is arranged partially inside and partially outside the housing 100. As can be seen from the previous illustrations, the grounding element 1, with its busbar 12, its connecting section 13, and its V-shaped clamping spring 14, is arranged within the base housing 100', but, as can be seen in Fig. 1c, simultaneously protrudes from the housing 100 with its contact spring 11 through a recess 107. This recess 107 is arranged on or at least near the cable connection side 1047 of the attachment 104 of the grounding module 10. The essentially S-shaped contact spring 11, which protrudes through the recess 107, extends with its contact arm 110 along the first ready side 102 of the housing 100 from the direction of the cable connection side 104' toward the plug-in side 105, i.e., from top to bottom in the drawing. Fig.2a shows a connector modular frame 3 with a grounding module 10 accommodated therein and an electrical grounding cable 2 connected thereto from the cable connection side, wherein the attachment 104 of the grounding module 10 is hidden to illustrate the connection technology, so that only the base housing 100' of the housing 100 of the grounding module 10 is visible.

[0085] The grounding cable 2 has a grounding wire 21 and insulation surrounding the grounding wire 21, e.g., stripped green / yellow for color identification. The grounding cable 2, with its end-stripped grounding wire 21, is inserted into the grounding module 10 from above in the drawing, with the grounding wire 21 passing between the busbar 12 and the clamping leg 142. The clamping leg 142 is elastically deflected in the direction of the holding leg 141 and, by means of a resulting restoring force, presses the grounding wire 21 against the busbar 12. As a result, the grounding wire 21 is connected to the busbar 12 over a large area and thus in an electrically conductive manner with a high electrical conductivity.At the same time, the grounding cable 2 is secured against unintentional withdrawal in the opposite direction of insertion, since the clamping leg 142 partially digs into the grounding conductor 21 when attempting to remove the grounding cable 2 in the opposite direction of insertion (i.e., upwards in the drawing), thus blocking this movement. The retaining leg 141 of the clamping spring 14 rests against a broad side 102 of the housing 100.

[0086] At the same time, the contact spring 11 contacts the connector modular frame 3 with its contact arm 110, more precisely with the contact area 111 of the contact arm 110. The grounding element 1 thus establishes an electrically conductive connection between the metallic connector modular frame 3 and the grounding line 21. In the embodiment shown here, a through-opening is provided in the connecting section 13 as a fastening opening 130. The plug contact 131 shown in the following illustration can be attached with its connection area to this fastening opening 130, e.g. riveted or screwed on, and thus also be electrically conductively connected to the grounding element 1, wherein this plug contact 131 then serves to transfer the grounding to a mating connector.

[0087] However, if the plug contact 131 cannot be attached to the fastening opening 130 due to space constraints because it is arranged offset therefrom, then in a further embodiment expressly disclosed here in connection with the invention, an additional connecting part 13' can be introduced into the housing 100. This additional connecting part 13' is made of metal, is flat and in particular rectangular, and has two additional fastening openings 130', only one of which is visible here because the other is located directly below the fastening opening 130 of the grounding element 1, in order to mechanically and electrically connect the connecting part 13' to the connecting section 13'. The plug contact 131 can then be attached to the additional fastening opening 130' visible here.

[0088] In a further embodiment, which is also expressly disclosed as belonging to the invention, but which is not shown in the drawing, the connecting part 13' can be designed to be functionally equivalent but in one piece with the earthing element 1, e.g. in that the connecting section 13 of the earthing element 1 is wider than the other sections 11, 12, 14. Such an offset can also be compensated for in that the fastening opening 130 is also arranged offset from the busbar 12.

[0089] In each of the aforementioned cases, this through-opening 130 is provided as a fastening opening 130 for the plug-in contact 131. Fig. 2b shows the arrangement from the plug-in side. The plug-in contact 131 is particularly clearly visible, which is located at least on the plug-in side in the contact formation 103 and is electrically connected to the connecting section 13 of the grounding element 1 on the connection side.

[0090] As can be clearly seen in Figs. 3a and 3b, the connector modular frame 3 has a rectangular basic shape with two end faces 31, 31' and two side parts 32, 32'. Arranged in the two side parts 32, 32' of the connector modular frame 3 are recesses 320, 320' of different sizes, in which the locking lugs 106, 106' of the grounding module 10 accommodated in the connector modular frame 3 are arranged.

[0091] Not only are the recesses 320, 320' of both side parts 32, 32' of the connector modular frame 3 different in size, but also the locking lugs 106, 106' of the grounding module 10. This also determines the orientation of the grounding module 10 in the connector modular frame 3. The same applies to other connector modules (not shown) that can be accommodated in the connector modular frame 3, the housing of which is comparable.

[0092] A flange 34, 34' projecting at right angles from each end face 31, 31' of the connector modular frame 3 is formed integrally. Each of these two flanges 34, 34' has two screw holes 340 for screwing into or onto a connector housing or into a wall opening in a housing wall for mutual fastening and electrical grounding.

[0093] One of the two flanges 34 has a P E screw contact 38. This

[0094] Screw contact has a connection opening 380, a

[0095] Grounding contact formation 303 and a grounding contact 30. However, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 2b, the plug contact 131 of the grounding module 10 is considerably larger than the grounding contact 30 of the plug connector modular frame 3. In addition, the illustration in Fig. 3a also makes it clear that the conductor cross-section of the grounding cable 2 is considerably larger than a possible conductor cross-section of another grounding cable which fits into the connection opening 380 of the PE screw contact 38.

[0096] The grounding module 10 thus enables an additional, significantly larger ground cross-section for grounding the connector modular frame 3. This is particularly relevant for connector modular systems capable of transmitting particularly high currents, e.g., more than 32 A or even more than 64 A or even more than 90 or even more than 96 A.

[0097] Finally, Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate the previously shown arrangement with and without the inserted grounding cable 2 in a cross-sectional view. As already shown in Fig. 3a, the grounding cable 2 is inserted into the grounding module 10 through the cable insertion opening 108 shown in Fig. 1c. The rectangular actuation opening 109 is connected to this round cable insertion opening 108 in the present example, but it could also be arranged separately.

[0098] This actuation opening 109 serves to release the grounding wire 21 from the grounding element 1 again. For this purpose, with the grounding cable 2 inserted, e.g., in Fig. 4b, a screwdriver or a similarly acting tool can be inserted into the grounding module 10 from above in the drawing and press on the clamping leg 142. This causes the clamping leg 142 to release the grounding wire 21, and the grounding cable 2 can be removed in the opposite direction to its insertion direction. The clamping spring 14 is supported by its retaining leg 141 from the inside on the housing 100.If the grounding cable 21 is a particularly flexible stranded wire, i.e., one that is not stiff enough to sufficiently pivot the clamping leg 142 under its own power, and is also not provided with a wire end ferrule, the clamping leg 142 can alternatively be deflected using the screwdriver inserted through the actuating opening 109 in order to insert this stranded wire without mechanical resistance. While this does not fully meet the desired ease of use, it at least makes it possible to electrically connect even very thin stranded wires without wire end ferrules to the grounding element 1 if necessary.

[0099] List of reference symbols

[0100] I Earthing element

[0101] II Contact spring

[0102] 110 Contact arm

[0103] III Contact area / contact edge

[0104] 12 Busbar

[0105] 13 Connecting section (middle section)

[0106] 130 mounting hole

[0107] 13' connecting part

[0108] 130' additional mounting opening

[0109] 131 plug contact

[0110] 14 clamping spring

[0111] 141 holding legs

[0112] 142 clamping legs

[0113] 10 Grounding module

[0114] 100 housings

[0115] 100' base housing (without attachment)

[0116] 101 , 101 ' narrow sides

[0117] 102, 102' broadsides

[0118] 103 Contact formation

[0119] 104 Essay

[0120] 104' cable connection side

[0121] 105 plug-in side

[0122] 106 locking lug

[0123] 107 recess

[0124] 108 Cable entry opening

Claims

- 32 - Claims: Grounding module (10) for installation in a metallic connector modular frame (3) and for grounding the same by electrically connecting the connector modular frame (3) to a grounding conductor (21), wherein the grounding module (10) comprises: a housing (100) having one or more fixing means (106, 106') for fixing the grounding module (10) in the connector modular frame (3); and a busbar (12) arranged in the housing (100) for mechanically and electrically contacting said grounding conductor (21); a clamping spring (14) arranged at least partially in the housing (100) with a clamping leg (142) for pressing and clamping the inserted or to be inserted grounding conductor (21) against the busbar (12);and a contact spring (11) which is electrically connected to the busbar (12) on one side and which is led out of the housing (100) to an outside of the housing (100) on the other side in order to electrically contact the metallic connector modular frame (3), wherein both the busbar (12), the clamping spring (14) and the contact spring (11) are together part of a single, one-piece component, namely an earthing element (1). - 33 - 2. Earthing module (10) according to claim 1, wherein the earthing element (1) consists of spring-elastic sheet metal.

3. Earthing module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the earthing element (1) is a stamped and bent part.

4. Earthing module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (100) has a cuboid shape with at least four outer sides, namely two narrow sides (101 , 101 ') running parallel to each other and two broad sides (102, 102') running perpendicular to the narrow sides (101 , 101 ') which connect the narrow sides (101 , 101 ') to each other.

5. Earthing module (10) according to claim 4, wherein the housing additionally has two further outer sides, namely a cable connection side (104') and a plug side (105), which are arranged opposite each other at right angles to the narrow (101 , 101 ') and wide sides (102, 102').

6. Grounding module (10) according to one of claims 4 to 5, wherein said one or more fixing means are two locking lugs (106, 106'), one of which is formed on each of the two narrow sides (101 , 101 ') of the housing (100).

7. Grounding module (10) according to claim 6, wherein the two locking lugs (106, 106') differ in size and / or shape from each other to ensure the correct polarization of the grounding module (10) in the connector modular frame (3).

8. Grounding module (10) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the contact spring (11) extends in an S-shape along the first ready side (102) of the housing (100) from the direction of the cable connection side (104') and towards the plug side (105). The contact spring (11) extends such that the distance of the contact spring (11) to the first broad side (102) varies in order to electrically contact the connector modular frame (3) on the outside at a contact area (111) of the spring arm (110) when the grounding module (10) is inserted therein. Grounding module (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the housing (100) has an attachment (104) on its cable connection side (104') which has a cable entry opening (108) for inserting the grounding conductor (21). Grounding module (10) according to claim 9, wherein the attachment (104) additionally has an actuating opening (109) for inserting a tool for separating the clamping leg (142) from the grounding conductor (21) and thus for releasing the grounding conductor (21) from the busbar (12). Earthing module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the earthing module (10) additionally has a plug contact (131) which is electrically conductively connected to the busbar (12).Grounding module (10) according to claim 11, wherein the clamping spring (14) is electrically connected to the busbar (12) via a connecting section (13), the connecting section (13) having a through-opening as a mounting opening (130) for the plug contact (131). Grounding module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (100) is at least partially made of plastic. Grounding module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (100) is at least partially made of metal.

15. Modular connector system comprising at least the grounding module (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a modular connector frame (3), wherein the modular connector frame (3) has a substantially rectangular cross-section, i.e., two parallel end faces (31, 31') and two parallel side faces (32, 32') perpendicular to them, wherein a flange (34, 34') projecting perpendicularly to each end face (31, 31') is formed, wherein each of these two flanges (34, 34') has two through-holes as screw holes (340), so that the modular connector frame (3) has a total of four screw holes (340) at which it can be inserted or screwed into a metallic connector housing for fastening and electrical contact.wherein the grounding module (10) is received or at least received in the connector modular frame (3) and electrically contacts this connector modular frame (3) in the received state with its contact spring (11) on the one hand, wherein the grounding module (10) is arranged, on the other hand, to press the grounding conductor (21) against the busbar (12) with its clamping spring (14) in order to establish an electrically conductive connection between the grounding conductor (21) and the metallic connector housing.

16. Connector modular system according to claim 15, wherein the connector modular system additionally comprises one or more identical and / or different further connector modules which are included or at least can be included in the connector modular frame (3).

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