Connector module for a modular industrial connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, which consists of a connector module (5, 5', 5'') for a modular industrial connector and a data connector (6) or a data connector jack (15), wherein: the connector module (5, 5', 5'') has at least one receiving region (13) for receiving the data connector (6) or the data connector jack (15); the data connector (6) and the data connector jack (15) each have a detent arm (7) by means of which the data connector (6) or the data connector jack (15) each can reversibly engage the connector module (5, 5', 5'').

Description

[0001] Title: Connector module for a modular industrial connector

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention is based on a system comprising a connector module for a modular industrial connector and a data connector or a data connector socket according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0004] The invention further relates to a connector module for insertion into a holding frame of a modular industrial connector according to the preamble of independent claim 13.

[0005] The invention also relates to an industrial connector according to the preamble of independent claim 14.

[0006] Connector modules are required as part of a modular connector system to flexibly adapt a connector, especially a heavy-duty industrial connector, to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g., between two electrical devices. For this purpose, connector modules are typically inserted into corresponding holding frames, sometimes also referred to as articulated frames, module frames, or modular frames. The holding frames thus serve to accommodate several similar and / or different connector modules and securely attach them to a surface and / or a device wall and / or in a connector housing or similar.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] The connector modules typically each have a substantially cuboid-shaped insulating body or housing. These insulating bodies or housings 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 accommodated in the respective insulating body or housing and thus be used in the modular connector system. Connector modules are increasingly also taking on measurement and data technology tasks.

[0009] Ideally, holding frames are used which are formed from two frame halves which are connected to one another in an articulated manner. The connector modules are provided with approximately rectangular holding means protruding from the narrow sides. Recesses in the form of openings closed on all sides are provided in the side parts of the frame halves, into which openings the holding means insert when the connector modules are inserted into the holding frame. To insert the connector modules, the holding frame 1 is folded open, i.e. opened, with the frame halves being folded open around the joints only far enough for the connector modules to be inserted. The frame halves are then clipped together, i.e. the holding frame is closed, with the holding means moving into the recesses and ensuring a secure, positive fit for the connector modules in the holding frame.

[0010] The modular industrial connectors described above offer a high degree of flexibility and can be configured for a wide variety of applications by assembling connector modules with different functions together in a common mounting frame. However, the number of connector module slots in a mounting frame is limited. This limits the flexibility of an industrial connector. DE 10 2018 115 371 A1, however, shows a connector module composed of two independent functional units. However, the installation space per functional unit is limited because the size of a connector module or its housing is predetermined. It has not yet been possible to represent specific connector types in a single functional housing.

[0011] Connector modules can also be used to integrate standard connectors into the modular system.

[0012] DE 20 2004 007 300 U1 shows a connector module into which a standard USB connector can be inserted. Although the USB connector is quite compact, it requires an entire module slot in this solution.

[0013] Furthermore, solutions must be found to secure the commercially available connectors in the connector module housing. Although DE 10 2016 117 204 A1 does not show a generic connector module, it does show a commercially available RJ45 connector being secured in an adapter housing using a magnetic lock. This solution is quite complex and therefore expensive. However, it allows the existing locking tab of the RJ45 connector to continue to be used to secure the RJ45 connector in a commercially available RJ45 connector socket.

[0014] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2016 105 392 A1 , DE 202016 105 823 U1 , US 2008 / 0194150 A1 , DE 10 2021 122 319 A1 , DE 102018 115 371 A1 , DE 202004 007 300 U1 and DE 102016 117 204 A1.

[0015] Task

[0016] The object of the invention is to propose a system consisting of a connector module and a data connector or a data connector socket, which has a simple and compact design. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to propose a connector module that further increases the flexibility of a modular connector system.

[0017] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0019] The system according to the invention consists of a connector module for a modular industrial connector and a data connector or a data connector socket.

[0020] The term "connector module" is used, although the connector module could essentially be viewed as a higher-level housing for the data connector to be secured therein. However, the connector module preferably otherwise comprises all the features of a connector module for a modular connector system described in the prior art. In particular, the connector module according to the invention preferably has the geometric dimensions such that it occupies only one module space in a holding frame described above. Furthermore, the connector module preferably comprises holding means so that it can be secured in such a holding frame.

[0021] The connector module belonging to the system according to the invention has at least one receiving area for receiving the data connector or the data connector socket. This means that the data connector or the data connector socket can be introduced or pushed into the receiving area and preferably secured therein. The data connector according to the invention and the data connector socket according to the invention each have a locking arm. This locking arm is suitable for - and preferably originally intended for - reversibly locking the data connector according to the invention and the data connector socket according to the invention to one another in the plugged-in state. In the sense of the invention, however, the locking arm is used to reversibly lock the data connector or the data connector socket in the connector module.As a result, the locking arm can no longer fulfil its original intended function, namely locking the plug connection between the data connector and the data connector socket.

[0022] The locking of a plug connection between an industrial connector and its mating industrial connector is now achieved by a locking lever on the housing of an industrial connector. This locking lever then also assumes the function of the locking arm originally intended for the data connector.

[0023] The connector module preferably has two slots, in each of which a data connector or a data connector socket can be reversibly inserted. In this case, in the system according to the invention, two data connectors or two data connector sockets are present or fixed in the connector module. In a modular connector system equipped according to the invention, two data connectors can thus be arranged in a single module slot. This increases the flexibility of the modular connector system and, in particular, allows for a more compact design, as a customer can install a narrower industrial connector with fewer module slots. Advantageously, the data connector protrudes from the connector module on the plug-in side. This allows the data connector to be plugged more easily into a data connector socket of a corresponding mating connector module.

[0024] Preferably, the data connector socket is flush with the connector module housing on the mating side. This holds the data connector socket in position, enabling a precise mating process.

[0025] The connector module is preferably essentially cuboid-shaped. On two opposite narrow sides, the connector module has retaining means provided for securing the connector module in a holding frame. In a particularly preferred variant of the invention, the retaining means on the opposite narrow sides are designed differently to specify a specific orientation of the connector module in the holding frame. This is also referred to as a polarized fixation of the connector module.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the data connector is an RJ45 connector and the data connector socket is an RJ45 connector socket.

[0027] Advantageously, it is a commercially available RJ45 connector and / or a commercially available data connector socket. "Commercially available" in this case means that such connectors are well-known and available from various manufacturers. The RJ45 connectors and RJ45 connector sockets are compatible and have the same locking means. The invention thus allows data connectors from different manufacturers to be used and, if necessary, combined with one another. The connector module is preferably formed as a single piece. It can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively from plastic using an injection molding process.

[0028] Alternatively, the connector module is composed of two reversibly attachable module halves. Each module half can then form an independent functional unit, as mentioned above. The module halves could, for example, be equipped with different data connectors. One module half could have an RJ45 connector, and the other module half could have a USB connector.

[0029] The connector module preferably has at least one locking edge to which the locking arm of the data connector or data connector socket engages. This locking edge is preferably matched to the locking arm of the commercially available data connector.

[0030] It is further advantageous if the connector module has at least one insertion edge that limits the insertion depth of the data connector or data connector socket into the connector module. This simplifies the assembly of the connector module with the data connectors.

[0031] Advantageously, the connector module has two slots, each of which can accommodate an RJ45 connector or an RJ45 connector socket. This allows for a more compact design of an industrial connector that is intended to have two RJ45 connectors. Until now, no such connector module was available in the connector modular system. The locking arm is preferably made of plastic and is molded onto the data connector. Advantageously, the locking arm in the data connector socket is formed from a metal tab that is bent outward from a stamped and bent part surrounding the data connector socket. Both locking arm variants are available on commercially available data connectors, eliminating the need for special designs.

[0032] The connector module according to the invention is intended for insertion into a holding frame of a modular industrial connector and preferably has two slots in each of which an RJ45 connector or an RJ45 connector socket is reversibly inserted.

[0033] An industrial connector according to the invention therefore consists of such a connector module, a holding frame in which the connector module is held and a connector housing in which the holding frame can be fixed.

[0034] Example

[0035] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector housing of an industrial connector,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a holding frame equipped with various connector modules,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a standard RJ45 connector,

[0039] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a connector module according to the invention for two data connectors, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector module according to the invention for two data connector sockets, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a module half of a connector module according to the invention,

[0040] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative module half of a connector module according to the invention and

[0041] Fig. 8 shows a holding frame in which several connector modules are arranged, each of which is composed of module halves.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a connector housing 1 of an industrial connector. The connector housing 1 is typically made of a metallic material and is typically manufactured using a zinc die-casting process. Such a connector housing is robust and has good electromagnetic shielding properties, making it particularly suitable for harsh industrial environments. However, the connector housing 1 can also be made of plastic using an injection-molded process. In this case, the industrial connector would be lighter.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a holding frame 2 equipped with various connector modules 5, 5'. The holding frame 2 has a frame-shaped configuration and has screws 4 at each of its corners. The connector housing 1 has an approximately rectangular cross-section and has corresponding threaded holes 3 in its corners inside the housing. The holding frame 2 can be fastened in the connector housing 1 using the screws 4, in conjunction with the associated threaded holes 3.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a commercially available data connector 6, which in this embodiment is commonly referred to as an RJ45 connector. Such RJ45 connectors are used particularly for data transmission in computer networks.

[0046] The RJ45 connector has a locking arm 7, which can be locked into a standard RJ45 connector socket. The RJ45 connector has a release lever 11, which can be used to release the locking arm 7 from its locking connection, allowing the RJ45 connector to be removed from the RJ45 connector socket. The release lever 11 partially covers the locking arm 7. The release lever 11 can be used to push the locking arm 7 down, thereby releasing the locking connection between the RJ45 data connector and the RJ45 connector socket.

[0047] In accordance with the invention, the release lever 11 can be used to release the RJ45 connector 6 from its rusting with the connector module 5.5".

[0048] Figure 4 shows a connector module 5, which is designed to accommodate two commercially available RJ45 connectors, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a connector module 5" which has two RJ45 connector sockets.

[0049] On the opposite side of the

[0050] A retaining means 8 is formed on each connector module 5, 5', 5". The retaining means 8 allows the connector module to be fixed in a holding frame 2.

[0051] The holding frame 2 shown in Figure 2 consists of two frame halves 9 that are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Openings 10 are provided in the respective frame halves 9 of the holding frame 2, into which the holding means 8 of the connector module 5, 5' or the connector modules 5, 5' are inserted during insertion. When the frame halves 9 are folded together, the holding means 8 move completely into the openings 10, thereby creating a positive fit for the connector module 5, 5' or the connector modules 5, 5' in the holding frame 2.

[0052] The connector module 5, which is designed to accommodate data connectors, is also referred to below as the data connector module 5. The data connector module 5 has two receiving areas 13, into each of which a commercially available RJ45 connector can be inserted in the insertion direction E. The insertion depth is limited by an insertion edge 14 arranged on the plug-in side. When the RJ45 connector abuts the insertion edge 14, the locking arm 7 of the RJ45 connector rests on the locking edge 12 of the data connector module 5.

[0053] Figure 5 shows a 5" connector module designed to accommodate two standard RJ45 connector sockets 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the RJ45 connector sockets 15 are already rusted in the 5" connector module.

[0054] The RJ45 connector sockets 15 have a housing manufactured using a stamping and bending process. The housing, in turn, has locking arms 7' that engage in corresponding locking openings 16 of the 5" connector module. Figures 6 and 7 show module halves 17, 17', respectively. Two module halves 17, 17' can be combined to form a 5" connector module. For this purpose, the module halves 17, 17' each have fixing arms 18.

[0055] The module halves 17 from Figure 6 can be assembled to form a data connector module according to Figure 4. The module half 17 has a web 18 to which the cable 19 of the connected RJ45 connector can be attached, for example using a cable tie, for strain relief.

[0056] The module halves 17' from Figure 7 can be assembled to form a socket connector module according to Figure 5.

[0057] Figure 8 shows a holding frame 2 in which several connector modules 5 according to the invention are fixed, each composed of two module halves 17. In this example, the holding frame has six module slots. A total of twelve data connectors 6 can be accommodated in the holding frame 2. Therefore, 2x (two times x) data connectors 6 can be accommodated in a holding frame 2 with x module slots.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 1 connector housing

[0060] 2 holding frames

[0061] 3 holes

[0062] 4 screws

[0063] 5 Connector module

[0064] 6 data connectors

[0065] 7 locking arm

[0066] 8 mounting devices

[0067] 9 frame half

[0068] 10 openings

[0069] 11 Release lever

[0070] 12 locking edge

[0071] 13 Recording area

[0072] 14 Insertion edge

[0073] 15 Data connector socket

[0074] 16 locking opening

[0075] 17 module halves

[0076] 18 jetty

[0077] 19 cables

[0078] E Insertion direction

Claims

Claims 1. System comprising a connector module (5, 5', 5") for a modular industrial connector and a data connector (6) or a data connector socket (15), wherein the connector module (5, 5', 5") has at least one receiving area (13) for receiving the data connector (6) or the data connector socket (15), wherein the data connector (6) and the data connector socket (15) each have a locking arm (7, 7') with which the data connector (6) or the data connector socket (15) can each be reversibly locked in the connector module (5, 5', 5").

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5") has two receiving areas (13) in each of which a data connector (6) or a data connector socket (15) can be reversibly latched.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (6) protrudes from the connector module (5) on the plug-in side.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector socket (15) is flush with the housing of the connector module (5") on the plug-in side.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5") is essentially cuboid-shaped and has holding means (8) on two opposite narrow sides for fixing the connector module (5, 5', 5") in a holding frame (2).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5”) is formed in one piece.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5") is formed from two module halves (17, 17') which can be reversibly fixed to one another.

8. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a data connector (6) or a data connector socket (15) can be reversibly locked in each of the module halves (17, 17').

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (6) is an RJ45 connector and / or that the data connector socket is an RJ45 connector socket.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (6) is a commercially available RJ45 connector and / or that the data connector socket (15) is a commercially available RJ45 connector socket. 11 . System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5") has at least one locking edge (12) to which the locking arm (7) of the data connector (6) or the data connector socket (15) is locked.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (5, 5', 5") has at least one insertion edge (14) which limits the insertion depth of the data connector (6) or the data connector socket (15) into the connector module (5, 5', 5").

13. Connector module (5, 5', 5") for insertion into a holder (2) of a modular industrial connector, wherein the connector module (5, 5', 5") has two receiving areas (13) in each of which an RJ45 connector or an RJ45 connector socket can be reversibly inserted.

14. Industrial connector, with a holder ohm (2) for connector modules (5, 5', 5"), wherein the holder ohm (2) has x module locations and 2x data connectors (6) can be accommodated in the holder ohm (2), where x is a natural number.

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