Earthing module for a modular plug-in connector system, modular plug-in connector system and modular plug-in connector with same

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of an inexpensive, easy-to-use, space-saving solution for safe, mutual PE ("Protective Earth") connection of multiple PE lines for modular plug-in connectors, in particular heavy-duty modular plug-in connectors, and proposes for this purpose an earthing module (1) with an at least partly electrically conductive earthing plate (3) arranged in or on the module housing (10) perpendicular to the plug-in direction. Said earthing plate has respective through-openings (30, 30') as contact receptacles for each of the PE plug-in contacts (2) for insertion and mutual electrically conductive connection of the PE plug-in contacts (2) of the earthing module (1) and thus for earthing potential equalisation between these PE plug-in contacts (2). In particular, the PE plug-in contacts (2) may be provided with push-in connection technology for particularly straightforward connection of the PE lines. An easy-to-use, well-defined solution, compliant with mechanical requirements and standards, to the problem of common earthing of PE lines of a modular plug-in connector, and optionally earthing the metallic plug-in connector housing thereof, is thus achieved.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The invention is based on a grounding module for a modular connector system according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention is based on a connector modular system comprising a grounding module according to claim 1 and a connector modular frame.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention is based on a connector, in particular a heavy-duty connector, comprising a connector housing and a connector modular system according to claim 14.

[0005] Such a grounding module for a connector is required to ensure proper grounding via the modular connector.

[0006] Modular connectors, such as modular heavy-duty connectors, which usually have metallic connector housings, are characterized by the fact that they comprise a modular connector system comprising several connector modules, including connector modules that differ from one another. The connector modules can be combined with one another as required. Such connector modules are therefore required as part of a modular connector system in order to form such a modular connector, in particular a heavy-duty connector.

[0007] Industrial connectors can be flexibly adapted to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g., between two electrical devices. 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 needed.

[0008] Typically, the corresponding connector modules are inserted into matching connector modular frames of the connector modular system. The connector modular frames are sometimes also referred to as holding frames, articulated frames, module frames, or modular frames. The connector modular frames are used to accommodate several similar and / or different connector modules and securely attach them, for example, to a surface and / or a device wall and / or in the aforementioned connector housing, etc.

[0009] The connector modules typically each have a substantially cuboid-shaped insulating body as the module housing. These module housings can, for example, be designed in two parts, consisting of a contact carrier and a retaining plate that can be snapped onto the contact carrier. This allows them to accommodate plug contacts in their continuous contact chambers and secure them in place using the retaining plate snapped onto the contact carrier. Alternatively, they can also be designed in one part. In this case, the plug contacts must be inserted through the cable entry openings into the contact chambers on the cable connection side in order to snap into the internal locking contours of the contact carrier.

[0010] The plug contacts of different connector modules can be of a wide variety of types. The function of a connector formed in this way is therefore very flexible. For example, pneumatic connector modules, optical connector modules, connector modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals can be accommodated in the respective module housing and thus be used in the modular connector system. Connector modules are increasingly also performing measurement and data processing tasks and are therefore particularly sensitive to interference, especially electrical and / or magnetic interference fields and interference.

[0011] To hold several of these modules in the connector housing, connector modular frames are typically used, which then also form part of the connector modular system. These frames can, for example, be formed from two frame halves that can be pivoted relative to each other and are connected to each other by hinges. The connector modules are provided with approximately rectangular locking lugs protruding from their narrow sides as a holding and polarization means for their fixation and correct alignment in the connector modular frame.

[0012] The side panels of the frame halves contain recesses designed as fully closed openings, namely so-called "locking windows," into which the locking lugs engage with a positive fit when the connector modules are inserted into the connector modular frame. To insert the connector modules, the connector modular frame is unfolded, i.e., opened, with the frame halves being folded open around the joints only far enough to allow the connector modules to be inserted. The frame halves are then clipped together, i.e., the connector modular frame is closed, with the retaining means moving into the recesses, ensuring a secure, positive fit for the connector modules in the connector modular frame.

[0013] The designs of connector modular frames are diverse. For example, connector modular frames each with a rigid base frame can be used. This can be manufactured using a die-casting process, e.g., zinc die-casting, and can be provided with several flexible cheek parts on its long sides, e.g., stamped and bent parts made of resilient sheet metal. The cheek parts can have locking means such as locking windows or locking hooks or the like, to which the connector modules can be locked, 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 with several tabs. For example, one locking element can be arranged on each cheek part and / or each tab.Such connector modular tubes have the advantage that the connector modules can be individually inserted into and removed from the connector modular tube with minimal effort, even automated. At the same time, the base tube can be made of metal and have a PE connection, such as a screw connection, for protective grounding. This enables it to ground the aforementioned metallic connector housing, which is common for heavy-duty connectors and into which it is installed—e.g., screwed.

[0014] State of the art

[0015] From the publication DE 197 07 120 C1 a

[0016] Connector modular frames ("holder frames") are known for freely combining a variety of different connector modules. The connector modules are inserted into the connector modular frames, and retaining means on the connector modules interact with recesses provided on opposite wall parts (side parts) of the connector modular frame to hold the connector modules in a form-fitting manner in the connector modular frame. In the prior art, said connector modular systems with such connector modules using such a connector modular frame, also known as a holding frame, module frame, articulated frame, or module frame, are disclosed in numerous printed documents and publications in many different variants, are 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, DE 296 01 998 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 , EP 2 917 974 A1.

[0017] For example, the aforementioned document EP 0 860 906 B1 discloses a connector modular frame in the form of an articulated frame 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. Mounting 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.

[0018] The connector modular frame, in its articulated design, consists of two frame halves connected 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 perpendicularly to the fastening surface, thereby forming a positive connection between the connector modules and the connector modular frame via the retaining means. In practice, such connector modular frames are typically manufactured using a die-casting process, particularly a zinc die-casting process.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] However, practice has shown that such connector modular frames require complex operation during assembly. For example, such connector modular frames must be unscrewed from the connector housing and / or derusted as soon as even a single module needs to be replaced. In the process, other connector modules, whose removal was not intended, may also fall out of the connector modular tube and then have to be reinserted before the frame halves are screwed together and / or before they rust. Finally, all connector modules must be in their intended position simultaneously before the frame halves are joined, in order to be permanently fixed in the connector modular frame when the frame halves are joined, which complicates assembly.

[0022] EP 1 801 927 B1 discloses a one-piece connector modular frame made of plastic material. The connector modular frame is designed as a circumferential collar and has several wall segments separated by slots on its plug-in side. Two opposing wall segments each form an insertion area for a connector module, with the wall segments having window-like openings that serve to accommodate projections formed on the narrow sides of the connector modules. Furthermore, a guide groove is provided in each wall segment. The guide groove is formed above the openings by means of an outwardly offset window web, which has an insertion bevel on the inside.In addition, the connector modules feature locking arms molded onto the narrow sides, acting toward the cable connections, and locking beneath the side collar wall, providing two independent locking elements to secure the connector modules in the connector modular tube. This plastic tube has the disadvantage that it does not allow for PE protective earthing, as it does not contain any electrically conductive material.

[0023] The publication DE 10 2013 113 975 B4 discloses a

[0024] Connector modular tubes, particularly made of die-cast zinc, for a heavy-duty connector for accommodating similar and / or different connector modules. The connector modular tube consists of a base tube with a rectangular cross-section and two opposing side parts. A cheek part made of a flexible material, particularly resilient 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 lugs, which are suitable for locking the connector modules individually in the connector modular frame using their locking lugs.This design has the fundamental advantage that the connector modules can be individually inserted and removed without affecting the fastening of the other connector modules. Furthermore, the design allows the connector modular tube to be made of metal and have or be equipped with a PE contact, thus enabling the protective grounding of a metallic connector housing into which the connector modular tube is screwed, as well as, to a certain extent, an electrical and / or magnetic shielding function of the connector modules.

[0025] Furthermore, a device for fastening a connector contact insert in an electrically conductive connector housing is known from the prior art, published DE 103 03 800 B3. The connector housing is a so-called "half-shell housing," which means that the connector housing is formed from two joinable and interconnectable half-shells. The connector housing has three separate circular housing openings for optional use. Typically, one of these openings is used as an insertion opening for inserting a cable. The two remaining, unused openings can then be provided with a blind plug to seal the housing. Furthermore, sheet metal flanges attached to the connector contact insert to be fastened can be fixed in the connector using special spring elements.With this design, only a single connector contact insert in the form of an insulating body is used, so that usually only a single connecting cable and accordingly only a single PE (protection earth) cable is required, which can be electrically connected to one of the two sheet metal flanges for earthing, for example.

[0026] Against this background, the document DE 10 2016 111 467 B3 sets out to integrate such a modular connector system into a half-shell housing. If the connector modules are modules with electrical contacts, each of these modules typically requires its own cable with an associated PE conductor. Each PE conductor must then be connected to a grounding part of the connector for safety reasons.

[0027] Of course, the grounding part must be electrically conductive. The grounding part can be, for example, the aforementioned support frame or a part of it, provided the support frame is made of an electrically conductive material.

[0028] Furthermore, the document assumes that it is known to supply each module with its own cable and to route these cables together through a single cable entry of the connector housing. Since, as previously mentioned, each of these cables has its own PE conductor for safety reasons, it is known to combine several or all of these PE conductors, provided they have at least a similar cross-section, into a ring terminal and crimp them together to ground them.

[0029] However, this joint crimping of the individual strands has the disadvantage that it cannot easily be retrofitted with an additional PE conductor. This means that it is not possible to subsequently insert an additional PE conductor into the aforementioned ring terminal when adding an additional module. Furthermore, with this design, there is no way to individually disconnect the associated PE conductor from this crimped ground connection when removing an individual module without also disconnecting the other PE conductors.

[0030] In order to be able to contact and disconnect the PE lines individually, the document still assumes the use of a shield clamp, to which the grounding lines are screwed separately. However, this has the disadvantage of requiring a lot of space in the cabling area of ​​the enclosure, because wiring space is usually extremely limited, especially in half-shell enclosures. Furthermore, this solution carries the risk of cables being damaged by friction and / or crushing by the edges of the grounding clamp.

[0031] The publication identifies a need for a reliable, space-saving, and separate contacting option for multiple PE conductors within such a half-shell housing. Therefore, the publication sets itself the task of overcoming the aforementioned problems and cost-effectively reducing the effort required to ground a connector with a half-shell housing using multiple PE (protective earth) conductors.

[0032] To this end, the document proposes repurposing a second cable outlet of the half-shell housing, namely, equipping it with an electrically conductive base body as a mounting opening. The base body has at least three spaced-apart threaded holes on the connection side, with a contact screw being screwable into each of the threaded holes.

[0033] After several PE cables are screwed to the base body, they are electrically connected to each other via the base body and thus share a common electrical grounding potential. This allows each connector module to have its own cable, and each of these cables can have its own PE cable. All of these PE cables can be electrically connected to each other without consuming unnecessary space in the connector housing. Furthermore, the retaining frame with its PE connection can be electrically connected to the base body via a connecting conductor, thus connecting it to the common grounding potential.

[0034] The disadvantage, however, is that an arrangement and a method as described in this document requires a half-shell housing with an unused housing opening, i.e. a total of at least two cable inlets / cable outlets, one of which is used as a cable entry and the other as an assembly opening for the base body.

[0035] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2015 106 416 B3, DE 10 2019 101 822 B4,

[0036] DE 10 2017 124 632 A1 and DE 10 2018 133 135 A1.

[0037] Task

[0038] The object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and space-saving solution for the secure, mutual PE ("Protective Earth") connection of multiple PE cables for modular connectors. In particular, this solution should also be applicable to modular connectors, especially modular heavy-duty connectors, and serve to ground their preferably metallic connector housings. The connector housings can be constructed in one piece and have only a single cable inlet.

[0039] The object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. An earthing module for a modular plug connector system has the following: a substantially cuboid-shaped module housing, comprising o two opposing narrow sides running in a plug-in direction, wherein at least one fastening element is formed on the outside of each of these narrow sides; o two opposing broad sides, also running in the plug-in direction, which are arranged at right angles to the narrow sides; o a cable connection side running at right angles to the plug-in direction, having at least three cable insertion openings; o a plug-in side parallel and opposite the cable connection side; o at each cable insertion opening, a contact chamber running in the plug-in direction and connecting the cable connection side to the plug-in side, each for receiving a PE (“Protective Earth”) plug contact;for each contact chamber, a PE plug-in contact arranged or to be arranged therein, each PE plug-in contact having the following: o at a first, cable connection-side end, a cable connection area for connecting a PE line and o at a second, plug-in end opposite the first end, a plug-in area for plugging into a PE mating plug-in contact of a further earthing module of a mating connector that can be plugged into the plug-in connector, the earthing module further having the following: an at least partially electrically conductive earthing plate arranged in or on the module housing perpendicular to the plug-in direction, each with a through-opening as a contact receptacle for each of the PE plug-in contacts for inserting and mutual electrically conductively connecting the PE plug-in contacts to one another and thus for earthing potential equalization between the said PE plug-in contacts.;

[0040] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0041] A significant advantage of the invention is that the grounding module is designed as a connector module and can thus be accommodated together with other connector modules in a connector modular frame.

[0042] The additional connector modules can, in particular, be connector modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals. Thus, these connector modules have at least one electrical plug contact, in particular a so-called "push-in" plug contact, which is particularly user-friendly with regard to the cable connection process and is explained in more detail below. The additional connector modules can each be connected to an electrical cable, each of which has several electrical lines, one of which is designed as a grounding line, namely a PE ("protective earth") line. Thus, at least one of the electrical lines of at least one of the cables is connected to each connector module.The respective PE line of each cable can be connected to the connection area of ​​one of the PE plug contacts of the grounding module, which is also an electrical plug contact, in particular the aforementioned, particularly user-friendly push-in plug contact. This provides a common ground connection for potential equalization between the individual PE lines with little manual effort. A modular connector system equipped in this way can also be used without a connector housing, e.g., on a wall opening in a control cabinet. Then at least one additional PE plug contact of the grounding module, which is therefore not yet connected to a PE line of one of the aforementioned cables, can be connected via another PE line to an equipotential bonding bar of the control cabinet and / or to a PE connection of the modular connector frame, in order to ensure a common ground potential with the control cabinet.

[0043] Similarly, the grounding module enables all PE conductors of the cables to be grounded together to a metallic connector housing of a modular connector with minimal manual effort. To do so, the cables can be fed into the connector housing through a cable inlet of the connector housing and connected to the connector modular system as described above. The additional PE conductor can then connect the additional PE plug contact to a ground connection of the connector modular frame, e.g., a conventional grounding screw. The connector modular frame can then be installed in the plug-in opening of the connector housing, in particular screwed to it, and thus also ground the metallic connector housing, thus connecting it to the common electrical potential of the PE conductors.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the through-holes of the grounding plate have a substantially circular basic shape. "Substantially circular" in this context means that, for example, each through-hole can have inward-facing slats. In a preferred embodiment, the grounding plate is made of metal, in particular of resilient sheet metal, thus possessing high electrical conductivity and being easy and inexpensive to manufacture, e.g., by stamping or stamping and bending.

[0045] In particular, the through holes in the grounding plate can be punched out using a stamping / stamping-bending process. Furthermore, the aforementioned inward-facing, spring-loaded lamellae can also be punched out and slightly bent in the direction of insertion.

[0046] The slats have the advantage that the P E plug contacts can be accommodated in the through openings with a force fit.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, each of the PE plug contacts has a preferably cylindrical crimping area between its cable connection area and its plug-in area, wherein the diameter of the crimping area is larger than the diameter of the plug-in area. With this crimping area, the respective PE plug contact can be arranged in a form-fitting manner in the respective through-opening of the earthing plate and can be connected in a force-fitting and electrically conductive manner to the earthing plate and thus also to the other PE plug contacts. In particular, the crimping area can slightly bend any lamellae present in the plug-in direction so that they make mechanical and electrical contact with it in an elastically resilient manner with a restoring force corresponding to their deflection.In particular, the pressing area can have grooves running in the plugging direction on its surface, also referred to as “knurls” in technical jargon, in order to improve the electrical connection with the P E plug contact and can thus be designed as a knurled section.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening elements of the PE module can be formed by locking lugs molded onto the narrow sides. This is advantageous for ensuring compatibility with existing systems. This allows such a grounding module to be installed together with other existing connector modules in an existing connector modular frame. Since the other connector modules typically have locking lugs of different sizes as polarization means, namely to ensure their correct orientation in the connector modular frame, it can be particularly advantageous to also equip the grounding module, whose polarization is actually less important, with two such differently sized locking lugs for compatibility reasons.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the module housing can be designed in at least two parts, wherein a first part of the module housing is formed by a holding plate and wherein a second part of the module housing is formed by a contact carrier, wherein the connection side of the module housing belongs to the holding plate and wherein the plug-in side, the narrow sides and the wide sides of the module housing belong to the contact carrier and wherein the holding plate can be attached to the contact carrier on the cable connection side after insertion of the grounding plate into the contact carrier and can be latched onto the contact carrier.

[0050] This is particularly advantageous for the simplified production of the module housing using the injection molding process, as the interior of both parts, particularly with regard to the holding contours for the grounding plate and the PE plug contacts, can be realized much more easily individually in a respective injection mold. However, it is also particularly advantageous for the insertion of the grounding plate. This can be inserted into the contact carrier and fixed in its final position in the grounding module by the holding plate. In addition, the PE plug contacts can also be inserted into the contact carrier in a similar way, first plugged into the through-openings of the grounding plate and then finally fixed in the grounding module by snapping the holding plate on. In a further advantageous embodiment, the cable connection area of ​​the PE plug contacts can be designed using a so-called "push-in technology".For this purpose, the cable connection area can have a busbar and a clamping spring. The busbar has a cage that is open on the cable connection side for the insertion of an electrical conductor, namely the PE conductor, in one insertion direction. The cage serves to clamp and electrically contact the respective PE conductor using the clamping spring arranged in the cage, with the insertion direction of the electrical conductor running parallel to the plug-in direction.

[0051] This push-in technology is advantageous because it is easy to manufacture. Another advantage is that the PE cables simply need to be inserted into the cable entry opening of the grounding module to be connected. Another advantage is that existing push-in plug-in contact designs can be used as PE plug-in contacts.

[0052] A modular connector system comprises a modular connector frame with several electrical connector modules accommodated therein. The electrical connector modules are characterized in that—in contrast to optical or pneumatic modules—they each have at least one electrical plug contact. One of these connector modules accommodated in the modular connector frame is designed as a grounding module according to one of the preceding claims. Its PE plug contact is one of the aforementioned electrical plug contacts.

[0053] Of course, other non-electrical connector modules, such as optical or pneumatic ones, can also be accommodated in the connector modular frame. However, for the use of the grounding module to be worthwhile, at least two additional electrical connector modules should be arranged in the connector modular frame in addition to the grounding module, i.e., a total of three: the grounding module and two additional electrical connector modules. Then, the grounding potentials of the electrical cables belonging to the additional electrical connector modules can be advantageously connected via the grounding module using their PE conductors.

[0054] The modular connector system also has the aforementioned multiple electrical cables, each of which has multiple electrical lines, one of which is designed as a PE line. At least one of the electrical lines of at least one of the cables is connected to each of the electrical connector modules, with the respective PE line of each cable being connected to the connection area of ​​one of the PE plug contacts of the grounding module.

[0055] For this purpose, the number of PE plug contacts of the grounding module is greater than the number of electrical cables and thus greater than the number of PE lines. This means that with the aforementioned arrangement, at least one PE connection of the grounding module is available for the additional, in particular separate, PE line. This PE plug contact of the grounding module can be connected on the connection side to the PE connection of the connector modular frame via this additional PE line. This also "grounds" the connector modular frame, i.e. the grounding plate is electrically connected to the connector modular frame via the aforementioned PE plug contact and the additional PE line.

[0056] A modular connector, in particular a modular heavy-duty connector, which is intended for example for industrial use, comprises the following: a metallic connector housing the aforementioned connector modular system, wherein o the cables of the connector modular system are introduced into the connector housing through a cable inlet of the connector housing and o wherein the connector modular frame is installed in the plug-in opening of the connector housing, in particular screwed thereto, and thereby o earths the metallic connector housing, ie connects it in an electrically conductive manner to the earthing plate and thereby to the PE lines of the electrical cables.

[0057] Advantageously, this makes operation very straightforward, as the PE cables simply need to be plugged into the grounding module of the modular connector system. Furthermore, this creates a well-defined and mechanically compliant solution to the problem of common grounding of the PE cables for modular connectors.

[0058] Example

[0059] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0060] Fig. 1a an earthing module;

[0061] Fig. 1 b P E plug contacts of the earthing module;

[0062] Fig. 1c the PE plug contacts with knurled crimping area;

[0063] Fig. 1d an earthing plate with through holes;

[0064] Fig. 2a shows a grounding module in a second embodiment;

[0065] Fig. 2b PE plug contacts of the earthing module in a second version;

[0066] Fig. 2c the PE plug contacts with unknurled crimping area;

[0067] Fig. 2d shows a grounding plate with through-holes with lamellas; Fig. 3a-c shows a modular connector system. The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference numerals are used for identical, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of identical 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 representations compared to the object depicted.

[0068] Figures 1a and 2a each show a grounding module 1 in two slightly modified versions from the plug-in side. Figures 1b-d and 2b-d each show its essential components.

[0069] Fig. 1a and 1b show the grounding module 1 from the plug-in direction. The grounding module 1 has a substantially cuboid-shaped module housing 10. The module housing 10 has two opposing, in the plug-in direction,

[0070] Narrow sides 11, 12. On each of these narrow sides 11, 12, a locking lug 118, 128 is formed on the outside as a fastening element.

[0071] Furthermore, the earthing module 1 has two opposing broad sides 13, 14 which also run in the plug-in direction and are arranged at right angles to the narrow sides 11, 12.

[0072] In addition, the grounding module 1 has a cable connection side 15 running at right angles to the plug-in direction, comprising eight cable insertion openings 150, which are optically concealed by the grounding module 1 in this illustration, but are clearly visible in Fig. 3b.

[0073] For this purpose, a plug-in side 16 of the connector module 1 is clearly visible in this illustration. Furthermore, the plug-in areas 26 of eight PE ("Protective Earth") plug contacts 2 can be seen, which protrude through through-openings 30 of a grounding plate 3.

[0074] In Fig. 1 b and 2b the P E plug contacts 2 are shown together with the earthing plate 3 but without the module housing 10.

[0075] Each of the PE plug contacts 2 has a cable connection area 25 at a first, cable connection-side end for connecting an electrical conductor, in this case a further PE line 6 (seen in Fig. 3b).

[0076] In addition, the PE plug contact 2 has a plug-in area 26 which can be seen particularly well in Fig. 1c and 2c.

[0077] Each PE plug contact 2 also has a cylindrical pressing area 23 between its cable connection area 25 and its plug-in area 26. In Fig. 1c, the pressing area is knurled by grooves (“knurls”) 233 running in the plug-in direction.

[0078] Accordingly, the grounding plate 3 shown separately in Fig. 1d has several cylindrical through-openings 30 with a smooth inner contour.

[0079] In contrast, the PE plug contact shown in Fig. 2c has no knurling on its pressing area 23', ie it is designed without knurling, ie it has no grooves (“knurls”) 233. Accordingly, the through openings 30' of the earthing plate 3 shown in Fig. 2d have inwardly directed lamellae 303.

[0080] The grooves 233 of the P E plug contacts 2 or the lamellae 303 of the earthing plate 3 serve to improve the electrical conductivity as well as to improve the mechanical fastening between the earthing plate 3 and the P E plug contact 2 inserted into its respective through-opening 30, 30'.

[0081] Finally, Figs. 3a - c show a connector modular system 100.

[0082] Fig. 3a shows a section of the connector modular system 100 from the plug-in side. The connector modular system 100 has a connector modular frame 4 with a screw-on flange 44 and fastening screws 45 extending through its screw holes. This allows the connector modular frame 4 to be installed into the plug-in opening of a metallic connector housing (not shown), more precisely a metallic sleeve housing, and can be screwed tight therein using the fastening screws 45. The connector modular frame 4 is thus electrically connected to the metallic connector housing.

[0083] Figs. 3b and 3c show the connector modular frame 4 with the grounding module 1 inserted therein. Fig. 3b shows this arrangement with a view of the cable connection side 15 of the grounding module 1; Fig. 3c shows the same arrangement with a view of the plug-in side 16. The locking lugs 118, 128 engage in locking windows 418, 428 of the frame halves 41, 42, which fold together to secure them. Thus, for reasons of clarity, a connector modular system 100 is shown here without additional connector modules. It is clear to those skilled in the art and is also disclosed in connection with the present invention that the connector modular frame 4 is configured to accommodate additional electrical connector modules.

[0084] In other words, additional electrical connector modules (not shown) can be accommodated in the connector modular frame 4. Each of these electrical connector modules then has a cable (not shown) with multiple wires. One of these is a PE cable (not shown), which is inserted through a cable insertion opening 150 of the connection side 15 into one of the contact chambers 120 and is automatically connected to the respective PE plug contact 2 in a push-in process through the interaction of the clamping spring 7 with the cage 254 of the cable connection area 25. This connection can then be released again by actuating the actuator 257.

[0085] Thus, the PE lines of the various cables can each be connected to a PE plug contact 2 with very little effort and thus be electrically connected to the earthing plate 3 - and thus to each other.

[0086] As can be clearly seen in Fig. 3b, one of the PE plug contacts 2 is connected via the additional PE line 6 to a grounding terminal 46 of the metallic connector modular frame 4. This grounds the metallic connector modular frame 4 and, in turn, grounds the metallic connector housing (not shown) into which it is installed.

[0087] The grounding module 1 thus creates a particularly handy and self-explanatory configuration, which enables the defined and permanently installed common grounding of many different PE lines 6 within a connector. Furthermore, a PE transfer to a mating connector (not shown) is possible by means of a plug-in connection via not only the plug-in sections 460, 461 of the grounding connections 46 of the connector modular frame 4, but also via the plug-in areas 26 of the PE plug contacts 2, thereby significantly improving the current-carrying capacity of this PE transfer. Operation is very straightforward, as the PE lines 6 merely need to be plugged into the connections of the grounding module 1 of the connector modular system 100. Furthermore, a well-defined and mechanically compliant solution to the problem of common grounding of the PE lines for modular connectors is created.Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG.

[0088] Title: Grounding module for a modular connector system and

[0089] Connector modular system and modular connector with the same

[0090] List of reference symbols

[0091] 1 grounding module

[0092] 10 module housings

[0093] 11 , 12 narrow sides

[0094] 13, 14 broadsides

[0095] 15 Cable connection side

[0096] 16 plug-in side

[0097] 118, 128 Fasteners / locking lugs

[0098] 120 contact chamber

[0099] 150 cable entry opening

[0100] 2 P E plug contacts

[0101] 23, 23' press area

[0102] 233 grooves, “knurling”

[0103] 25 Cable connection area

[0104] 254 cage

[0105] 257 actuators

[0106] 26 plug-in area

[0107] 3 Grounding plate

[0108] 30, 30' passage opening

[0109] 303 slats

[0110] 4 connector modular frames

[0111] 41 , 42 frame halves

[0112] 44 Screw-on flange

[0113] 45 fixing screws for the earthing connection of the connector modular frame, 461 plug-in sections of the earthing connections, additional PE cable / earthing cable, clamping spring for the connector modular system

Claims

Claims 1 . Grounding module (1) for a modular plug connector system (100), the grounding module (1) having the following: a substantially cuboid-shaped module housing (10), comprising o two opposing narrow sides (11, 12) running in a plug-in direction, wherein at least one fastening element (118, 128) is formed on the outside of each of these narrow sides (11, 12); o two opposing broad sides (13, 14) also running in the plug-in direction, which are arranged at right angles to the narrow sides (11, 12); o a cable connection side (15) running at right angles to the plug-in direction, having at least three cable insertion openings (150); o a plug-in side (16) parallel and opposite the cable connection side (15); o at each cable entry opening (150) a contact chamber (120) running in the plug-in direction and connecting the cable connection side (15) to the plug-in side (16) for accommodating a PE (“Protective Earth”) plug-in contact (2);for each contact chamber (120) there is a PE plug-in contact (2) arranged or to be arranged therein, each PE plug-in contact (2) having the following: o at a first, cable-connection-side end, a cable connection area (25) for connecting a PE line (5) and o at a second, plug-in-side end opposite the first end, a plug-in area (26) for plugging into a PE mating plug-in contact of another; Earthing module of a mating connector that can be plugged into the plug connector, wherein the earthing module (1) further comprises: an at least partially electrically conductive earthing plate (3) arranged in or on the module housing (10) perpendicular to the plugging direction, each with a through-opening (30, 30') as a contact receptacle for each of the PE plug contacts (2) for inserting and mutually electrically conductively connecting the PE plug contacts (2) to one another and thus for earthing potential equalization between the said PE plug contacts (2).

2. Grounding module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the grounding plate (3) is made of metal.

3. Grounding module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grounding plate (3) is formed from resilient sheet metal.

4. Grounding module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the through-openings (30') are punched out of the grounding plate (3) and have inwardly facing, resilient lamellae (303).

5. Earthing module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the PE plug contacts (2) has a pressing area (23, 23') between its cable connection area (25) and its plug area (26), wherein the diameter of the pressing area (23, 23') is greater than the diameter of the plug area (26), wherein the respective PE plug contact (2) with its pressing area (23, 23') is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the respective through-opening (30, 30') of the earthing plate (3) and is thereby non-positively and electrically conductively connected to the earthing plate (3) and thereby also to the respective other PE plug contacts (2).

6. Grounding module (1) according to claim 5, wherein the pressing area (23) of the PE plug contact (2) has grooves (233) running in the plugging direction on its surface.

7. Grounding module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening elements of the grounding module (1) are formed by locking lugs (118, 128) formed on the narrow sides (11, 12).

8. Grounding module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the module housing (10) is designed in at least two parts, wherein a first part of the module housing (10) is formed by a holding plate and wherein a second part of the module housing (10) is formed by a contact carrier, wherein the cable connection side (15) of the module housing (10) belongs to the holding plate and wherein the plug-in side (16), the narrow sides (11, 12) and the wide sides (13, 14) of the module housing (10) belong to the contact carrier and wherein the holding plate can be attached to the contact carrier on the cable connection side and can be latched to the contact carrier after the grounding plate (3) has been inserted into the contact carrier.

9. Grounding module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the grounding plate (3) is plugged outside the module housing (10) on the plug-in side onto the plug contacts (2) protruding from the module housing (10) on the plug-in side.

10. Earthing module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable connection area (25) of the PE plug contacts (2) has a busbar and a clamping spring (7), wherein the busbar has a cage (254) which is open on the cable connection side for the insertion of a PE line (6) in an insertion direction, wherein the cage (254) serves for clamping and electrically contacting the PE line (6) by means of the clamping spring (7) arranged in the cage (254), wherein the insertion direction of the PE line (6) runs parallel to the plug-in direction.

11. A modular connector system (100), comprising a modular connector frame (4) with a plurality of electrical connector modules accommodated or to be accommodated therein, each having at least one electrical plug contact (2), wherein one of the connector modules is designed as a grounding module (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Connector modular system (100) according to claim 11, wherein the connector modular system (100) further comprises a plurality of electrical cables, each having a plurality of electrical lines, of which one electrical line is designed as a PE line, wherein at least one of the lines of at least one of the cables is connected to each connector module (1), wherein the respective PE line of each cable is connected to the cable connection area (25) of one of the PE plug contacts (2) of the grounding module (1).

13. Connector modular system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the number of PE plug contacts (2) of the grounding module (1) is greater than the number of said electrical cables.

14. Connector modular system (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the connector modular frame (4) has at least one grounding connection (46) for a further PE line (6), wherein one of the PE plug contacts (2) of the grounding module (1) is connected on the connection side via this further PE line (6) to the grounding connection (46) of the connector modular frame (4), so that the grounding plate (3) is electrically conductively connected to the connector modular frame (4) via the aforementioned PE plug contact (2) and the further PE line (6).

15. A modular connector comprising a metallic connector housing and a connector modular system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the cables of the connector modular system (100) are introduced into the connector housing through a cable inlet of the connector housing, and wherein the connector modular frame (4) is installed in a plug-in opening of the connector housing and is thereby electrically conductively connected to the connector housing and thereby grounds the metallic connector housing.

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