Holding frame for a modular industrial plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding frame (1, 1') for a modular industrial plug-in connector, wherein plug-in connector modules (19) are insertable into the holding frame (1, 1'), wherein the holding frame (1, 1') consists of two halves (4, 5), a first half (4) and a second half (5), which are connectable to each other, wherein the halves (4, 5) are both formed from a sheet-metal material in a punching and bending process, wherein the holding frame (1) has at least one blocking element (7), wherein the halves (4, 5) are orientable in at least two positions in relation to each other and are fixable in at least two positions in relation to each other by means of the blocking element (7).

Description

[0001] Title: Holding frame for a modular industrial connector

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention is based on a holding frame for a modular industrial connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0004] Such holding frames are used to hold connector modules. The holding frame is equipped with various connector modules and then inserted into a connector housing and screwed to it. The holding frame must be mechanically stable to withstand the insertion and removal forces that occur when connecting or disconnecting the connector.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In modular industrial connectors, connector modules are inserted into a holding frame, which in turn is fixed in a connector housing. The connector modules usually each have a cuboid-shaped insulating body or a cuboid-shaped housing. These insulating bodies or housings can, for example, serve as contact carriers and accommodate and secure 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.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] DE 19 707 120 C1 describes a holding frame for

[0010] Connector modules are known. The holding frame consists of two halves connected by a joint. Snap-in hooks of the connector modules engage in recesses in the side surfaces of each half. The joint, or rather the end joints, are located in the fastening ends of the holding frame. When the holding frame is screwed onto a fastening surface, the frame parts align themselves such that the side parts of the holding frame are aligned at right angles to the fastening surface. This fixes the connector modules in the holding frame. The holding frame of DE 19 707 120 C1 does not have a clearly defined open position for equipping the holding frame with connector modules. This occasionally results in somewhat cumbersome assembly, especially for inexperienced persons.

[0011] Once the retaining frame has been successfully loaded with connector modules, it must be closed or locked in a closed position to secure the connector modules. There is no fixed closed position for the closed state of the retaining frame in the prior art, so the retaining frame can accidentally open, causing the modules to fall out of their anchorage.

[0012] A purely articulated connection does not always ensure a defined electrical contact between the halves of the support frame. Therefore, the support frame described above cannot reliably perform a grounding function.

[0013] DE 10 2015 114697 A1 shows a retaining frame for a modular industrial connector that can be locked in two positions: an open position for fitting connector modules and a closed position for securing the connector modules. The retaining frame is made of die-cast zinc. This material has not always been available recently. Furthermore, it is quite expensive. Furthermore, the retaining frame for locking the position requires separate components, making its manufacture expensive.

[0014] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2021 105 967 A1 , CN 112 038 821 A1 , DE 10 2015 114 703 A1 , DE 197 07 120 C1 and DE 102015 114 697 A1 .

[0015] The object of the invention is to propose a support frame that can be manufactured from various and readily available materials. Furthermore, the support frame according to the invention should be inexpensive to manufacture.

[0016] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0018] The holding frame according to the invention is designed to accommodate connector modules. The holding frame is then installed in a connector housing or screwed to a wall surface, for example, of a machine.

[0019] The support frame consists of two halves that can be connected to each other.

[0020] Each of these halves has a side surface and an end surface. The two halves define a separation plane approximately in their contact area, which runs parallel to the long sides of the halves.

[0021] The halves of the holding frame according to the invention are each formed from a sheet material which is formed in a punching and bending process.

[0022] The support frame preferably has joints that connect the halves in a hinged manner. Such a hinged connection has proven itself, as can be seen from the prior art cited above. Alignment and positioning are achieved by the hinged connection of the two halves of the support frame. Fixability is achieved by a locking element described in more detail below. The interplay of the hinged connection and the ability to fix the frame in two positions makes the support frame particularly user-friendly.

[0023] The holding frame has at least one locking element, allowing the halves to be aligned and secured relative to each other in at least two positions. A first position represents the open position and allows easy insertion of the connector modules into the holding frame. A second position represents the closed position. In the closed position, the connector modules are reversibly held in the holding frame. The holding frame can then be easily installed into a connector housing without the connector modules being able to slip or fall out.

[0024] The holding frame can be fixed either in an open position or in a closed position.

[0025] Advantageously, the locking element is formed as a protruding fixing arm formed on the frame half with a fixing lug formed on the end.

[0026] Preferably, at least one half of the support frame has two recesses on its front side. The other half has the above-described fixing arm, whose fixing lug can engage in the at least two recesses. This allows the halves to be aligned and fixed relative to each other in at least two positions.

[0027] The retaining frame preferably has a PE contact pin on one end and a PE contact socket on the opposite end. This allows the PE transfer to take place when plugging a connector into a mating connector. However, the PE contact pin and the PE contact socket also serve to guide or align the connector and mating connector during the plugging process. Advantageously, the PE contact pin and the PE contact socket are each designed as separate components and are secured by stamping on the retaining frame or on one half of the retaining frame.

[0028] Preferably, the PE contact pin and the PE contact socket are each made of bronze or brass. Such materials are available and meet the required material properties, particularly with regard to conductivity.

[0029] Preferably, the halves of the support frame are each made of bronze, a copper-tin alloy, or brass, a copper-zinc alloy. Such materials are readily available. Recycled materials can also be used.

[0030] Advantageously, two locking elements, a first locking element and a second locking element, are provided on the support frame. This allows for particularly reliable locking of the frame halves.

[0031] Ideally, a locking element is molded onto each half of the support frame. This ensures consistent locking.

[0032] The halves are electrically connected to each other via the locking element, provided the halves are made of an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive connection is particularly reliable when the holding frame is in the closed position described above.

[0033] Preferably, each half of the support frame is formed as a single piece. The support frame can be easily assembled by joining the two halves. It is particularly advantageous if the locking element is molded onto one half of the support frame and is connected to the other half of the support frame in a force-locking manner. As soon as the locking element enters the aforementioned recess in the other frame half, it is under tension, creating a force-locking connection. Therefore, it is necessary for the support frame material to be sufficiently elastic.

[0034] Since at least one frame half has recesses that are roughly modeled on the inverse shape of the locking element's fixing lug, there is also a positive connection here, so that overall it can be described as a force-locking and at the same time positive connection.

[0035] Example

[0036] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a holding frame whose geometry is known from the prior art,

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a holding frame according to the invention and

[0039] Fig. 3 is a plan view of an end face of a holding frame according to the invention.

[0040] The figures contain partly 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 indications 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 shown. Figure 1 shows a holding frame 1, the geometry of which is known from the prior art, in an open position. The holding frame 1 essentially consists of two halves 4, 5, which are connected to one another via a joint. For this purpose, one half 5 has a joint head 2 on each of its end faces, which engages in a joint receptacle 3 provided for this purpose in the opposite half 4. This is referred to as an articulated connection between the two halves 4, 5 of the holding frame.

[0041] A locking element 7 is fixed to an end face 6 of one half 4 of the support frame 1. The fixation is achieved, for example, by means of a screw 8. A riveted connection would also be possible here. However, a screw connection would allow the locking element 7 to be easily replaced later if its functionality deteriorates.

[0042] One leg of the locking element 7 is attached to the end face 6 of the half 4. The locking element 7 also has two recesses 12, 12'.

[0043] A substantially cylindrical dome 14 is formed on an end face 13 of one half 5 of the holding frame 1. When the dome 14 engages in a first recess 12' of the locking element 7, the holding frame 1 is in an open position. When the dome 14 is in the recess 12, the holding frame is in its closed position.

[0044] The opposite end faces 6', 13' of the halves 4, 5 are covered by a second locking element 15. The function of the second locking element 15 is not relevant to the present invention and will therefore not be described further.

[0045] When the halves 4, 5 move toward each other, the locking element 7 is brought into engagement with the dome 14. This creates a force-locking or essentially force-locking fixation.

[0046] In principle, the holding frame 1 shown in Figure 1 is covered by the invention, provided that it is made from a piece of sheet metal using a stamping and bending process instead of from a zinc die-cast material.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a support frame 1' according to the invention. The respective halves 4, 5 of the support frame 1' are manufactured from a bronze sheet using a stamping and bending process.

[0048] The holding frame 1' has an earthing socket or PE contact socket 24, into which an earthing pin or a PE contact pin 23 of an opposite holding frame 1' can engage.

[0049] The PE contact socket 24 and the PE contact pin 23 are stamped onto half 4 of the holding frame 1'. The PE contact socket 24 and the PE contact pin 23 are made of bronze.

[0050] The holding frame 1' according to the invention has a locking element 7', which is integrally formed on one half 4 of the holding frame 1'. This means that the locking element 7' is directly provided in the punching and bending process and does not have to be attached or fastened to one half as a separate component, as in the holding frame 1 of Figure 1.

[0051] The locking element 7' according to the invention is designed as a fixing arm protruding from the half 4 and having a fixing lug 9 formed on the end. The halves 4, 5 can be moved relative to one another. The locking element 7' has elastic properties. The fixing element 7' therefore ensures a force-fitting and form-fitting connection of the frame halves 4, 5. If the fixing lug 9 engages in the upper recess 12' (see Fig. 3), the holding frame 1' is in its closed position. In this position, the connector modules are fixed in the holding frame 1'. If the fixing lug 9 engages in the lower recess 12' (see Fig. 2), the holding frame 1' is in its open position. In this position, the holding frame 1' can be equipped with connector modules.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.

[0052] List of reference symbols

[0053] Holding frame

[0054] joint head

[0055] Joint recording

[0056] Half of the holding frame 1

[0057] Half of the holding frame 1

[0058] front side

[0059] Locking element

[0060] screw

[0061] Fixing nose

[0062] Recess / recess

[0063] front side

[0064] mandrel

[0065] Second locking element

[0066] opening

[0067] P E-contact pin

[0068] PE contact socket

Claims

Claims 1. A holding frame (1, 1') for a modular industrial plug connector, wherein plug connector modules (19) can be inserted into the holding frame (1, 1'), wherein the holding frame (1, 1') consists of two halves (4, 5) which can be connected to one another, a first half (4) and a second half (5), wherein the halves (4, 5) are each formed from a sheet metal material in a stamping and bending process, wherein the holding frame (1) has at least one locking element (7), wherein the halves (4, 5) can be aligned with one another in at least two positions and can be fixed with one another in at least two positions via the locking element (7).

2. Holding frame (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that the halves (4, 5) of the holding frame (1, 1') each consist of bronze or brass.

3. Holding frame (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two locking elements (7') are provided on the holding frame (1, 1').

4. Holding frame (1, 1') according to the preceding claim, characterized in that two locking elements (7') are formed on one half (4) of the holding frame (1).

5. Holding frame (1, T) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking element (7) is formed on one half (4, 5) of the holding frame (1, T) and is connected at the other end in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner to the other half (4, 5) of the holding frame (1).

6. Holding frame (1, T) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each half (4, 5) of the holding frame (1) is formed in one piece.

7. Holding frame (1, T) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding frame (1, T) has a separation plane which runs parallel to the longitudinal sides of the halves (4, 5).

8. Holding frame (1, T) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding frame (1, T) has joints (2, 3) with which the halves (4, 5) are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

9. Holding frame (1, T) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding frame (1, T) has a PE contact pin (23) on one end face and a PE contact socket (24) on the opposite end face.

10. Holding frame (1, T) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the PE contact pin (23) and the PE contact socket (24) are each designed as separate components and are fastened to the holding frame (1, T) by an embossing.

11. Holding frame (1, 1') according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the PE contact pin (23) and the PE contact socket (24) are each made of bronze or brass.

12. Holding frame (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one half (4, 5) of the holding frame has two recesses (12, 12') on the end face, wherein the locking element (7, 7') has a fixing lug (9) on the end face and the fixing lug (9) can engage in the at least two recesses (12, 12') and as a result the halves (4, 5) can be aligned and fixed in at least two positions relative to one another.

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