Holding frame with spring element

Abstract

A mounting frame for a modular connector system should be manufacturable without relying on raw materials such as zinc, nickel, and / or aluminum that are subject to supply bottlenecks, while simultaneously offering high user-friendliness. To this end, the mounting frame has at least one spring element (5) designed to releasably fix two pivotally connected mounting frame halves (H1, H2) in two relative pivot positions: a held position and an inserted position. The at least one spring element (5) has at least one common locking feature with a first part (41) of a narrow side wall (4) of the mounting frame. The at least one spring element (5) is essentially planar and, with its essentially planar shape, is arranged and attached to the second part (42) of the respective narrow side wall (4) parallel to the respective narrow side wall (4).

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a holding frame according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention is based on a system comprising the holding frame according to claim 1 and several connector modules.

[0003] Such holding frames are used to hold connector modules. The holding frame is typically equipped with identical and / or different connector modules and then inserted into a connector housing or a wall opening and screwed to the connector housing or the wall. For this purpose, the holding frame must be mechanically stable to withstand the insertion and removal forces that occur when connecting or disconnecting the connector.

[0004] Such a holding frame is used to accommodate several similar and / or different connector modules and to securely attach them to the wall and / or the connector housing or similar.

[0005] The connector modules typically each have a substantially cuboid-shaped insulating body. These insulating bodies can serve, for example, as contact carriers, accommodating and securing contacts of various types. The function of a connector formed in this way is therefore very flexible. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals can be incorporated into the respective insulating body and thus be used in the modular connector system. Connector modules are increasingly also taking on measurement and data technology, and in some cases, even control functions. State of the art

[0006] The company brochure of HARTING Elektronik GmbH, "Heavy-Duty Connectors, Han-Modular, 16 3," describes a generally rectangular mounting frame with side walls extending at right angles to the mounting plane. The connector modules are equipped with locking hooks that engage with the side walls when the connector modules are inserted into the mounting frame, thereby holding them firmly in place. Replacement, in particular removal / detachment of the connector modules, is then only possible with special disassembly tools.

[0007] A further development of this solution is described in DE 197 07 120 C1 and EP 0 860 906 A2. The goal of these two publications is to make the connector modules as easy to install and remove as possible. However, it must still be ensured that the retaining frame has a high level of mechanical stability to withstand the insertion and removal forces when connecting or disconnecting a connector.

[0008] The mounting frame described there, which is also referred to as a "folding" or "articulated frame" due to its operating principle, consists of two frame halves connected by hinges with fastening ends provided with fastening screws. The dividing plane of the mounting frame runs parallel to its long sides. The hinges are arranged in the end faces of the mounting frame equipped with fastening means in such a way that when the mounting frame is screwed onto a mounting surface, the frame parts align in such a way that the long sides are perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the connector modules have a positive connection with the mounting frame via the retaining means.

[0009] This holding or articulated frame, disclosed in DE 197 07 120 C1 or EP 0 860 906 A2, is known to be difficult to assemble, and during assembly, inserted modules can accidentally escape from the holder. To prevent such accidental detachment of inserted modules and to make operation more convenient, a separate component is used, which, however, can also be lost.

[0010] The publication DE 10 2015 216 929 A1 therefore criticizes the difficulties in assembly with this state of the art. After all, during assembly, inserted modules can unintentionally escape from the holder. The state of the art also states that a separate component is already being used, which, however, can also be lost.

[0011] In order to overcome these difficulties, this publication aims to achieve improved handling and safer assembly and installation of the holding frame.

[0012] For this purpose, a holding frame is proposed, which is designed as an articulated frame. The holding frame also has an elastic fixing element designed for releasably fixing the holding frame halves in the insertion state and the holding state. A restoring force of the elastic fixing element must be overcome at least to release the fixing and / or to switch between the insertion state and the holding state.

[0013] This support frame is typically manufactured using the zinc die-casting process and is therefore made at least partially, and especially mostly, of zinc, e.g., a zinc alloy. Aluminum alloys are also known as alternatives or supplements.

[0014] Currently, however, particularly due to a possible shortage of raw materials, calls have been made for the production of zinc-free and, in particular, nickel-free and / or aluminum-free holding frames that are functionally equivalent.

[0015] EP 3 080 874 A1 discloses a holding frame made of resilient sheet metal for a connector for accommodating similar and / or different modules. The holding frame has a base section for securing a received module in a plane and a deformation section that, due to the elasticity of the sheet metal, can assume an insertion state and a holding state. The insertion state allows at least one module to be inserted into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane. The received module is fixed in the holding state.

[0016] In order to be manufactured at a reasonable cost, such a support frame consists of as few separate parts as possible and can ideally even be made in one piece - or, if necessary, in two parts from two sheet metal parts of approximately the same size.

[0017] The problem, however, is that with this design, the elasticity required for operation conflicts with the desired stability of the entire support frame. Ultimately, the sheet thickness of the support frame is determined by the elasticity requirement. In order for the connector modules to latch onto two opposing tabs of the deforming section as intended, the deforming section must possess sufficient elasticity. For this to happen, the sheet metal must be sufficiently thin, which usually results in the entire support frame exhibiting an undesirably high elasticity, which makes it appear unstable, at least when not installed, compared to the previously mentioned zinc die-cast frames.

[0018] A disadvantage of the prior art is that articulated frames require too many raw materials, such as zinc, nickel, and / or aluminum, which may not be available in times of crisis, or at least not in sufficient quantities, or may only be very expensive. At the same time, the prior art does not provide a design for support frames made of other materials that are usually available even in times of crisis, especially sheet metal, that would, on the one hand, enable high stability and low-cost manufacturing, while, on the other hand, also providing a comparably high level of user-friendliness. Task

[0019] The object of the invention is to provide the most stable design possible for a support frame that is as easy to manufacture as possible, while at the same time enabling high operating comfort and requiring as few and ideally no raw materials as possible, such as zinc, nickel, and / or aluminum, which are potentially subject to supply shortages. In particular, the design should allow the support frame to be made, at least largely, of sheet metal.

[0020] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0021] A holding frame is used to hold several similar and / or different connector modules.

[0022] The connector modules can be inserted into the holding frame in one insertion direction.

[0023] The holding frame has two opposing narrow side walls running essentially parallel to the insertion direction, as well as two longitudinal side walls arranged perpendicular to the narrow side walls and connecting the two narrow side walls to each other at the ends.

[0024] The term "essentially parallel" implies that the course of the narrow side walls refers to a base area of ​​the respective narrow side wall, from which, for example, a flange can be angled - e.g. at a right angle - whereby the flange then naturally does not run in the insertion direction.

[0025] The two long side walls each have several locking windows to interact with the locking tabs of the modules.

[0026] The holding frame is divided into two holding frame halves which are hinged together at the two narrow side walls, so that each narrow side wall has at least two parts, namely a first and a second part.

[0027] The division of the holding frame into the two holding frame halves runs along a longitudinal axis parallel to the long side walls of the holding frame and through the narrow side walls, so that each holding frame half has a long side wall and a part of each of the two narrow side walls.

[0028] The articulated connection of the two holding frame halves allows for an insertion state and a holding state of the holding frame. In the insertion state, the holding frame halves are pivoted relative to each other around their longitudinal axis such that one or more connector modules can be inserted between the two longitudinal side walls.

[0029] In the holding state, the holding frame halves are pivoted relative to the insertion state in such a way that the locking lugs of the inserted connector modules engage in the locking windows of the longitudinal side walls and thus have a positive connection with the holding frame.

[0030] The holding frame has at least one spring element which is designed for a releasable fixation of the holding frame halves in the insertion state and the holding state, wherein a restoring force of the spring element must be overcome at least to release the fixation and / or to change between the insertion state and the holding state.

[0031] The at least one spring element has at least one common locking mechanism with the respective first part of the respective narrow side wall.

[0032] The spring element is essentially flat and is arranged and fastened with its essentially flat shape parallel to the respective narrow side wall on the second part of this narrow side wall.

[0033] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0034] The spring action of the spring element can then be aligned at right angles to its surface, ie the spring element can deform reversibly at right angles to its flat shape.

[0035] The said fastening of the at least one spring element to the respective second part of the respective narrow side wall can preferably be carried out by welding, in particular by spot welding. In other words, the spring element can be welded to the respective second part of the respective narrow side wall, in particular by spot welding.

[0036] The at least one spring element can preferably be attached from the outside to the second part of the respective narrow side wall. This is advantageous for space reasons, as the spring element does not take up any space within the support frame. Furthermore, the support frame can be manufactured more easily this way, as the outside of the respective narrow side wall is more easily accessible.

[0037] Preferably, each of the two holding frame halves consists at least partially, in particular at least largely, and ideally even entirely of sheet metal, in particular of sheet steel, in particular preferably of stainless steel. For example, the two longitudinal and narrow side walls can be formed as a single piece from such sheet metal. In particular, the two frame halves are formed from the same sheet metal, thus having the same thickness. Each frame half can be constructed as a single piece. In particular, each of the two frame halves is a stamped and bent part. In this case, the respective parts of the narrow side walls can be stamped out as a single piece together with the respective longitudinal side wall and bent at right angles thereto.

[0038] The at least one spring element is also preferably made of sheet metal, namely a spring-elastic sheet metal, in particular sheet steel, especially preferably stainless spring steel. Furthermore, the term "spring element" already indicates to a person skilled in the art that this spring element has elastic properties.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the spring element may be a leaf spring.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the support frame can have exactly two spring elements, namely one on each of its two opposing, split narrow side walls. This has the readily apparent advantage of ensuring a relatively good force distribution across the entire support frame with comparatively low manufacturing effort.

[0041] Although it is possible to use more than two spring elements, this would not provide any added value commensurate with the effort involved, as several spring elements would then have to be attached to at least one narrow side wall without enabling any special functionality.

[0042] It would also be possible to use just a single spring element - therefore of course on only one of the two narrow side walls - but this could lead to a highly asymmetrical distribution of force across the longitudinal axis of the holder frame, at least during operation, possibly with negative consequences, such as the two frame halves tilting against each other during operation, or similar.

[0043] A particular advantage of the invention is that the support frame in the aforementioned design can be manufactured entirely, or at least almost entirely, from sheet metal. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the use of raw materials affected by supply shortages such as zinc, nickel, and / or aluminum to be avoided, even in times of crisis, without sacrificing the ease of use of modern support frames.

[0044] Another special advantage is that the material thickness, especially the sheet metal, of the two frame halves can be selected independently of the material thickness, especially the sheet metal thickness, of the spring element. This allows the operating force to be adjusted completely independently of the stability of the support frame, especially if the support frame is made of sheet metal.

[0045] Another additional advantage is the convenient handling when equipping the holding frame with connector modules. The holding frame can initially be loaded in its inserted state (i.e., "opened") in a defined locking position, with the locking lugs of the connector modules automatically positioned at the height of the locking windows due to the defined insertion state. When manually "closing" the frame, a force must be applied to overcome the locking. The connector modules are therefore already in their optimal position relative to the locking windows and, in the held state, are held again in another defined locking position (i.e., "closed"), without the possibility of accidentally falling out. However, this holding state is also not very stable; it merely represents a pre-assembly state that prevents the connector modules from accidentally falling out.

[0046] In the next step, the retaining frame is then firmly screwed into a connector housing and / or onto a surface or similar. This permanently fixes its two longitudinal side walls, which are already aligned parallel to one another, in this relative position, and the connector modules are finally securely screwed into the retaining frame. The screwing can preferably be facilitated by each narrow side wall having not only a base surface but also a partial flange, angled at a right angle to this base surface, each with a through-hole for screwing. The retaining frame can be screwed into the connector housing / on the device wall, etc., using screws.Screwing on the holding frame therefore has a dual function, namely, on the one hand, the fastening of the holding frame itself and, on the other hand, the final fixation of the parallel aligned side parts relative to each other and thus the final and extremely stable fixation of the accommodated connector modules in the holding frame.

[0047] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one spring element can be fastened to the respective second part of the narrow side wall by clamping, chiseling, stamping, locking, squeezing, gluing, soldering, screwing, and / or riveting, as an alternative or in addition to the aforementioned welding, in particular spot welding, and / or can have a positive, non-positive, and / or materially bonded connection with the second part of the respective narrow side wall. There are many fastening options. For example, the spring element can be bent around an edge of the aforementioned part of the narrow side wall and locked and / or pressed, clamped, or otherwise fixed to it on both sides. This ensures, for example, a particularly strong and resilient fastening. A combination of bending and locking, or any other combination of the aforementioned fastening methods, can also be used.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the spring element can have an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. At its second end, the spring element can have a fastening section with which it can be fastened in the aforementioned form to the second part of the respective narrow side wall. At its first end, the spring element can have a locking section comprising a locking means, and the first part of the respective narrow side wall can have at least one first counter-locking means.

[0049] In particular, the second part of the respective narrow side wall can also have a second counter-locking means. This has the advantage that the locking means of the spring element can be locked to the first counter-locking means in the said holding state of the holding frame, thus creating a first locking state. Furthermore, the locking means of the spring element can be locked to the second counter-locking means in the said insertion state of the holding frame, thus creating a second locking state. The term "locking state" in this context means that a restoring force of the spring element must be overcome at least to release the respective locking and / or to switch between the first locking state, namely the holding state, and the second locking state, namely the insertion state.

[0050] The first part of the respective narrow side wall can be configured to latch onto the latching means of the spring element by means of its first counter-latching means in order to generate the holding state, and to latch onto the latching means of the spring element by means of its second counter-latching means in order to generate the insertion state.

[0051] The locking means of the spring element can be a stamped portion. The locking means can then have an outwardly curved, round, or at least rounded surface as the engagement surface, which can advantageously point toward the interior of the frame. This is particularly advantageous because it creates an engagement slope on the locking means, over which the spring element can be tensioned perpendicular to the pivoting movement of the respective narrow side wall.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the first counter-locking means can be a recess in the outward-facing surface of the first part of the respective narrow side wall, or even a through-opening, wherein the first locking means is arranged in the first part of the respective narrow side wall, i.e., is surrounded by material of the first narrow side wall. The through-opening can be created, for example, by drilling or punching.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the second counter-locking means can be a locking contour, in particular a concave outer contour, namely a contour of the edge of the first part of the respective narrow side wall. This second counter-locking means can preferably be arranged in an outer corner of the first part of the narrow side wall.

[0054] Conversely, in another design, a through hole can also be provided in the locking section of the spring element, and the second part of the respective narrow side wall can have an outward-facing embossing with a rounded engagement surface. However, this variant is generally more difficult to manufacture, at least if the retaining frame is made of sheet metal.

[0055] An advantage of this design is that the support frame as a whole is as stable as possible and only the spring element is designed to be particularly spring-elastic.

[0056] For this purpose, the sheet metal from which the two longitudinal and narrow side walls, i.e. the two holding frame halves, are formed, can have a material thickness of 1 to 2 mm, preferably 1.25 to 1.75, i.e. e.g. 1.5 mm, in order to ensure the stability of the holding frame.

[0057] The sheet metal from which the spring element is formed, however, can have a material thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, preferably 0.2 to 0.3 mm, i.e., e.g., 0.25 mm, in order to enable the necessary elasticity of the spring element.

[0058] The aforementioned design is therefore particularly advantageous because it allows the elasticity of the spring element to be adjusted during construction independently of the stability requirements of the two holding frame halves.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the two longitudinal side walls are a first and a second longitudinal side wall, wherein the locking windows of the first longitudinal side wall differ from the locking windows of the second longitudinal side wall in order to interact in a polarizing manner with two different locking lugs of the respective connector module in order to thus determine the polarization of the connector module within the holding frame.

[0060] In particular, the locking windows may have a substantially rectangular shape and the locking windows of the first longitudinal side wall may differ from the locking windows of the second longitudinal side wall in their length running along the respective longitudinal side wall.

[0061] Also disclosed as belonging to the invention is a system comprising the aforementioned holding frame and a plurality of connector modules inserted or at least insertable therein.

[0062] The connector modules can be essentially cuboid-shaped. The connector modules can, for example, have two opposing wide side surfaces and, at right angles to them, two opposing narrow side surfaces, namely a first narrow side surface and a second narrow side surface.

[0063] Perpendicular to the wide and narrow side surfaces, the connector modules can have a cable connection side and a plug-in side opposite the cable connection side. A locking lug can be formed on each of the two narrow side surfaces, namely a first locking lug on the first narrow side surface and a second locking lug on the second narrow side surface. The first and second locking lugs can differ from one another, for example, they can have different lengths which, when installed, run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holding frame and correspond to the lengths of the respective locking windows. The first locking lugs can correspond to the locking windows of the first longitudinal side wall of the holding frame, and the second locking lugs can correspond to the locking windows of the second longitudinal side wall of the holding frame.For example, the first locking lugs can be shorter than the second locking lugs, and the locking windows of the first long side wall can be shorter than the locking windows of the second narrow side wall, so that the second locking lugs do not fit into the locking windows of the first long side wall. This prevents the connector modules from being inserted into the holding frame with incorrect polarity, i.e., rotated 180° around a rotation axis running in the insertion direction, and thus usually also in the plug-in direction. Conversely, this ensures that the connector modules are only inserted into the holding frame with the correct polarity. Example

[0064] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1a a holding frame in the held state in an oblique external view from the plug-in side perspective; Fig. 1b the holding frame with a view of an outer side of a second narrow side wall in the held state; Fig. 1c the holding frame with a view of the outer side of the second narrow side wall in the inserted state; Fig. 2a an area of ​​the holding frame in an internal view with a view of an inner side of the second narrow side wall in the inserted state; Fig. 2b an area of ​​the holding frame in an internal view with a view of an inner side of the second narrow side wall in the held state; Fig. 3a the area of ​​the holding frame from the cable connection side view of the second narrow side wall in the held state; Fig. 3b holding frame in the held state in an oblique view from the cable connection side perspective; Fig. 4a, b connector module from two different views.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The Fig. 1a shows a retaining frame in an oblique external view from a slightly plug-side perspective, i.e., in the drawing from "obliquely above." In the drawing, the plug-in side is shown at the top and the cable connection side of the retaining frame at the bottom. The insertion direction E points from bottom to top, i.e., in the direction in which several identical and / or different connector modules (an example of a connector module 6 is shown in the Fig. 4a and 4b(shown) can be inserted into the holding frame when it is in its "unfolded" insertion position. However, in this illustration, the holding frame is in its holding position.

[0067] In the drawing, the insertion direction E runs from bottom to top. Modules 6 can therefore generally be inserted into the holding frame from the cable connection side as soon as it is pivoted into its insertion position.

[0068] The holding frame has two narrow side walls 3, 4 running essentially parallel to the insertion direction E and opposite one another, as well as two longitudinal side walls 1, 2 arranged perpendicular to the narrow side walls 3, 4 and connecting the two narrow side walls 3, 4 to one another at the ends. In the holding state shown here, the two longitudinal side walls 1, 2 are aligned parallel to one another.

[0069] The term "essentially" means that the course of the narrow side walls 3, 4 refers to their base area, which runs vertically in the drawing – in this case, this base area is divided into two partial base areas 316, 326, 416, 426 – from which one flange each – i.e., in this case, analogously, two partial flanges 314, 324, 414, 424 – is angled at a right angle. The narrow side walls 3, 4 run in the insertion direction E, since their respective base areas, i.e., their two partial base areas 316, 326, 416, 426, run in the insertion direction. The orientation of the respective flange, i.e., the orientation of the two respective partial flanges 314, 324, 414, 424, is not decisive for the course of the narrow side walls.

[0070] The two long side walls 1, 2 each have several locking windows 10, 20 μm with locking lugs 610, 620 of the connector modules 6 (cf. Fig. 4a, b ) and to accommodate them in a form-fitting manner when held.

[0071] The support frame is divided into two support frame halves H1, H2, which are hinged together at the two narrow side walls 3, 4, so that each narrow side wall 3, 4 has two parts, namely a first part 31, 41 and a second part 32, 42. The first part 31, 41 has the first partial base area 316, 416 and the first partial flange 314, 414. The second part has the second partial base area 326, 426 and the second partial flange 324, 424.

[0072] The division of the holding frame into the two holding frame halves H1, H2 runs essentially along a dashed longitudinal axis A parallel to the longitudinal side walls 1, 2 of the holding frame and also at least partially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, forming a joint through the narrow side walls 3, 4, so that each holding frame half H1, H2 has one longitudinal side wall 1, 2 and one part 31, 41, 32, 42 of each of the two narrow side walls 3, 4. More precisely, the first holding frame half H1 has the first longitudinal side wall 1, the first part 31 of the first narrow side wall 3 and the first part 41 of the second narrow side wall 4. The second holding frame half H2 has the second longitudinal side wall 2, the second part 32 of the first narrow side wall 3 and the second part 42 of the second narrow side wall 4.The two parts 31, 32 of the first narrow side wall 3 and the two parts 41, 42 of the second narrow side wall 4 are articulated to one another, namely pivotably connected to one another about the longitudinal axis A running through a pivot head 310, 410 of the respective first part 31, 41.

[0073] The first support frame half H1 is a one-piece design made of sheet metal, specifically a stamped and bent part. The second support frame half H2 is also a one-piece design made of sheet metal, also a stamped and bent part.

[0074] The first holding frame half H1 and the second holding frame half H2 are made of the same material and also have the same thickness and, in particular, are made of the same sheet metal.

[0075] The Fig. 1b shows the holding frame with a view of an outside of a second narrow side wall 4 in the holding state and the Fig. 1cshows the holding frame with the second holding frame half H2 pivoted against it in the insertion state.

[0076] The Fig. 2a shows an area of ​​the holding frame in an internal view with a view of an inner side of the second narrow side wall 4 in the inserted state and the Fig. 2b with the second holding frame half H2 pivoted against it in the holding position.

[0077] As in the Fig. 2a and 2bAs can be seen particularly well, the separation between the first 31, 41 and the second 32, 42 part of the respective narrow side wall 3, 4 (here only the second narrow side wall 4 is shown as an example) is puzzle-piece-shaped. As a result, a joint is formed in each narrow side wall 3, 4, which has a first joint part 413 that has the pivot head 410, and also has a second joint part 423 that is formed by a joint recess 423 with a pivot head receptacle 420 and in which the first joint part 413 is arranged so as to be pivotable about the pivot head 410. The first narrow side wall 3 opposite the second narrow side wall 4 is mirror-symmetrical to the second narrow side wall 4.

[0078] The articulated connection of the two holding frame halves H1, H2 allows a Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b shown holding state of the holding frame as well as one in the Fig. 1c and Fig. 2ashown, pivoted relative to the holding state. In the insertion state, the holding frame halves H1, H2 are pivoted relative to each other such that one or more connector modules 6 can be inserted between the two longitudinal side walls 1, 2 in the insertion direction E (i.e., "from below" in the drawing). \

[0079] In the holding state, the holding frame halves H1, H2 are again pivoted relative to the insertion state in such a way that the locking lugs 610, 620 of the inserted connector modules 6 (cf. Fig. 4 a, b ) engage in the locking windows 10, 20 of the respective longitudinal side walls 1, 2, which are thereby positioned parallel. As a result, the inserted connector modules 6 have a positive connection with the holding frame and are thus held therein in the holding state.

[0080] The holding frame has two spring elements 5, namely one spring element 5 on the outside of each of the two narrow side walls 3, 4. Of the two spring elements 5, however, only the spring element 5 attached to the second narrow side wall 4 is fully visible in the drawing, since the other spring element 5 is at least largely concealed by the holding frame. The spring elements 5 serve to releasably fix the two holding frame halves H1, H2 in the two pivoting positions relative to each other, namely both in the insertion state and in the holding state. At least to release one of the fixations and / or to switch between the insertion state and the holding state, a restoring force of the spring element 5 must be overcome. In this case, the spring element 5, which is essentially flat in the form of a leaf spring, initially bends outwards, i.e.its locking section 51 initially bends away from the first part 31, 41 of the respective narrow side wall 3, 4 under the application of a tensioning spring force, in order then to spring back into its respective locking position upon renewed locking by the restoring force of the spring element 5.

[0081] For this purpose, each spring element 5 has a common locking mechanism with the respective first part 31, 41 of the respective narrow side wall 3, 4. For this purpose, the spring element has a locking means designed as a locking embossment 50, and the respective first part 31, 41 of each narrow side wall 3, 4 has a through-opening as the first counter-locking means 40 and, in addition, a concave locking contour on its outer edge as the second counter-locking means 45. Although these are only shown on the second narrow side wall 4 in the drawing, they are identically present on the first narrow side wall 3 due to its aforementioned mirror symmetry. Fig. 2aIt is particularly easy to see how the locking embossing 50 of the spring element 5 engages the rat contour 45 of the first part 41 of the second narrow side wall 4.

[0082] The locking means 50 of the spring element 5, which is produced by embossing, has a rounded shape, so that an engagement slope exists on the locking means 50, via which the spring element 5 can be tensioned perpendicular to the pivoting movement of the respective narrow side wall 3, 4.

[0083] Furthermore, each spring element 5 has a fastening section 52, with which it is fastened from the outside to the respective second part 32, 42 of a respective narrow side wall 3, 4, namely welded by spot welding in the present example.

[0084] The spring element 5 is designed in one piece, is made of sheet metal and can be manufactured inexpensively as a stamped and bent part.

[0085] As already mentioned, each part 31, 32, 41, 42 of each narrow side wall 3, 4 has the respective partial flange 314, 324, 414, 424, each with a through-opening 318, 328, 418, 428 as a screw passage for installing the holding frame in a connector housing or for attaching it to a wall opening in a device wall or similar, namely by screwing the partial flanges 314, 324, 414, 424 in a plane, i.e., to a wall surface or at least to elements lying in a plane, e.g., inside a connector housing. This permanently fixes its two longitudinal side walls 1, 2, which are already aligned parallel to one another, in this relative position, and the previously inserted connector modules 6 are permanently and securely held in the holding frame.

[0086] The partial flange 314, 414 of the first parts 31, 41 of the narrow side walls 3, 4 has a section 315, 415 angled towards the cable connection side (i.e. downwards in the drawing) (in the Fig. 1 a, b, c particularly clearly visible) in order to hold the holding frame halves H1, H2 together in the direction of the longitudinal axis A even when inserted.

[0087] In addition, a PE ("Protective Earth") element 8, 8' with a cable connection area 84 and a PE plug-in area 80, 81 is attached to a part 32, 42 of each narrow side wall 3, 4 (cf. Fig. 1a ) and is thereby electrically connected to the two holding frame halves H1, H2. The plug-in area of ​​the PE element 8' of the first narrow side wall 3 is designed as a PE contact pin 81, and the plug-in area of ​​the PE element 8 of the second narrow side wall 4 is designed as a PE contact socket 80.

[0088] In the Fig. 3athe previously shown area of ​​the holding frame is shown from the insertion direction (ie in the previous illustration "from below").

[0089] From this perspective, the relationship between the material thicknesses is clearly visible. The material of the spring element 5, i.e., the sheet metal from which the spring element 5 is formed, is significantly thinner than the material, i.e., the sheet metal from which the support frame halves H1, H2 are formed.

[0090] The sheet metal from which the support frame halves H1, H2 are formed, for example, can have a material thickness of between 1 and 2 mm. The sheet metal from which the spring element is formed, on the other hand, can have a material thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm to ensure the necessary elasticity of the spring element.

[0091] In addition, the Fig. 3b the holding frame in its ("closed") holding state from a slightly cable connection side view (ie "obliquely from below").

[0092] The Fig. 4a and 4b The drawings show an example of a connector module 6 with a slightly angled view ("from below") of its plug-in area. The plug-in area of ​​the connector module 6 is shown at the bottom, and the cable connection area of ​​the connector module 6 is shown at the top.

[0093] Of course, this illustration of a design of the connector module 6 merely serves to understand the basic structure of the connector modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other, commercially available connector modules can also be used, which generally comprise the components described below: The connector module 6 has a substantially cuboid-shaped insulating body.

[0094] The connector module 6 has two opposing wide side surfaces and, at right angles to them, two opposing narrow side surfaces 61, 62, namely a first narrow side surface 61 and a second narrow side surface 62, which run perpendicular to the cable connection side and the plug-in side. On each of the two narrow side surfaces 61, 62, a locking lug 610, 620 is formed on the insulating body, namely a first locking lug 610 on the first narrow side surface 61 and a second locking lug 620 on the second narrow side surface 62.

[0095] The first 61 and the second 62 locking lugs differ from each other in that they have different lengths, whereby the length of the locking lugs 61, 62 is measured perpendicular to the insertion direction, i.e., in the installed state, parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the holding frame. The lengths of the locking lugs 610, 620 correspond to the lengths of the respective locking windows 10, 20 of the holding frame (see. Fig. 1a ). The first locking lugs 610 can correspond to the locking windows 10 of the first longitudinal side wall 1 of the holding frame and the second locking lugs 620 can correspond to the locking windows 20 of the second longitudinal side wall 2 of the holding frame. The first locking lugs 610 are shorter than the second locking lugs 620 and the locking windows 10 of the first longitudinal side wall are shorter than the locking windows 20 of the second longitudinal side wall 2, so that the second locking lugs 620 do not fit into the locking windows 10 of the first longitudinal side wall 1. This can prevent the connector modules from being inserted into the holding frame with the wrong polarity, i.e. rotated by 180° in the insertion direction E. Conversely, this ensures that the connector modules 6 are only inserted into the holding frame with the correct polarity.

[0096] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged. List of reference symbols

[0097] 1, 2 Longitudinal side walls 10, 20 Latching window 3, 4 Narrow side walls 31, 32, 33, 34 Parts of the narrow side walls 314, 324, 414, 424 Partial flanges 316, 326, 416, 426 Partial base surfaces 315, 415 Angled flange section 310, 410 Swivel head 413, 423 First, second joint part, joint recess 40 First counter-latching means, latching opening 420 Swivel head receptacle 45 Second counter-latching means / concave latching contour 5 Spring element 50 Latching means, latching embossing 51 Latching section 52 Fastening section 6 Connector module 61, 62 Narrow side surfaces 610, 620 Latching lugs 8, 8 PE contact 80PE contact socket 81PE contact pin 84Cable connection area ALongitudinal axis of the holding frame H1, H2first, second holding frame half

Claims

1. A holding frame for holding a plurality of similar and / or different connector modules (6) which can be inserted into the holding frame in an insertion direction (E), wherein the holding frame has two narrow side walls (3, 4) running essentially parallel to the insertion direction (E) and opposite one another, as well as two longitudinal side walls (1, 2) arranged perpendicular to the narrow side walls (3, 4) and connecting the two narrow side walls (3, 4) to one another at the ends, wherein the two longitudinal side walls (1, 2) each have a plurality of locking windows (10, 20) in order to cooperate with locking lugs (610, 620) of the connector modules (6), wherein the holding frame is divided into two holding frame halves (H1, H2) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner at the two narrow side walls (3, 4), so that each narrow side wall (3, 4) has at least two parts, namely a first (31, 41) and a second (32, 42) part, wherein the division of the holding frame into the two holding frame halves (H1,H2) runs along a longitudinal axis (A) parallel to the long side walls (1, 2) of the holding frame and through the narrow side walls (3, 4), so that each holding frame half (H1, H2) has a long side wall (1, 2) and a part (31, 41, 32, 42) of each of the two narrow side walls (3, 4), wherein the articulated connection of the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) allows an insertion state and a holding state of the holding frame, wherein in the insertion state the holding frame halves (H1, H2) are pivoted relative to one another about the longitudinal axis (A) such that one or more plug connector modules (6) can be inserted between the two long side walls (1, 2), and wherein in the holding state the holding frame halves (H1, H2) are pivoted relative to the insertion state such that the locking lugs (610, 620) of the inserted Connector modules (6) engage in the locking windows (10, 20) of the longitudinal side walls (1, 2) and thus have a positive connection with the holding frame,wherein the holding frame has at least one spring element (5) which is designed for a releasable fixation of the holding frame halves (H1, H2) both in the insertion state and in the holding state, wherein at least for releasing the fixation and / or for changing between the insertion state and the holding state, a restoring force of the at least one spring element (5) has to be overcome, wherein the at least one spring element (5) has at least one common latching with the first part (31, 41) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4), characterized in that the at least one spring element (5) is designed to be substantially flat and is arranged and fastened with its substantially flat shape parallel to the respective narrow side wall (3, 4) on the second part (32, 42) of this narrow side wall (3, 4).

2. Holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the holding frame has exactly two spring elements (5), namely one on each narrow side wall (3, 4).

3. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) are made of sheet metal.

4. Holding frame according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) is made in one piece.

5. Holding frame according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) is a separate stamped and bent part.

6. Holding frame according to claim 5, characterized in that the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) are made of the same sheet metal and therefore have the same thickness.

7. Holding frame according to claim 6, characterized in that the sheet metal from which the two holding frame halves (H1, H2) are formed has a material thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

8. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring element (5) is welded to the respective second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4).

9. Holding frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one spring element (5) is welded to the respective second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4) by spot welding.

10. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one spring element (5) consists of spring-elastic sheet metal.

11. Holding frame according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheet metal from which the spring element (5) is formed has a material thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

12. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (5) is fastened to the respective second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4) by chiseling, embossing, locking, squeezing, gluing, soldering, screwing and / or riveting and / or has a positive, non-positive and / or material connection with the respective second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4).

13. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring element (5) is fastened from the outside to the second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4).

14. Holding frame according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in thatthe spring element has an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the spring element (5) has a fastening section (52) at its second end, with which it is fastened to the second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4), and wherein the spring element (5) has a latching section (51) with a latching means (50) at its first end, and wherein the first part (31, 41) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4) has a first (40) and a second (45) counter-latching means and is designed to latch onto the latching means (50) of the spring element (5) to produce the holding state with the first counter-latching means (40) and to produce the insertion state with the second counter-latching means (45).

15. Holding frame according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking means of the spring element (5) is a locking embossing (50).

16. Holding frame according to one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in thatthe first counter-locking means is a locking opening (40) designed as a through opening.

17. Holding frame according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the second counter-locking means is a locking contour (45) of the second part (32, 42) of the respective narrow side wall (3, 4) designed as a concave outer contour.

18. Holding frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two longitudinal side walls (1, 2) are a first (1) and a second (2) longitudinal side wall, wherein the locking windows (10) of the first longitudinal side wall (1) differ from the locking windows (20) of the second longitudinal side wall (2) in order to interact in a polarizing manner with two different locking lugs (610, 620) of the respective connector module (6) in order to thus determine the polarization of the connector module (6) within the holding frame.

19. Holding frame according to claim 18, characterized in thatthe locking windows (10, 20) have a substantially rectangular shape and the locking windows (10) of the first longitudinal side wall (1) differ from the locking windows (20) of the second longitudinal side wall (2) in their length running along the respective longitudinal side wall (1, 2).

20. System comprising the holding frame according to one of the preceding claims and a plurality of connector modules (6) inserted or at least insertable therein, which are of the same type and / or different from one another.

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