Reinforcing frame for an attachment housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising a plug connector attachment housing (1) which is attachable to a device wall (16), at least one plug connector module (5) arranged in the plug connector attachment housing (1), or a contact insert arranged in the plug connector attachment housing (1), and a reinforcing frame (2) which is connectable to the plug connector attachment housing (1) and is intended to protect the system against mechanical stress by magnetic forces. The invention also relates to a plug connector system, to a method for attaching a plug connector attachment housing to a device wall, to a method for attaching a reinforcing frame to a device wall, and to an arrangement comprising a device wall, a reinforcing frame and a plug connector attachment housing.

Description

[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0002] Title: Reinforcement frame for an add-on housing

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a system essentially comprising a connector mounting housing according to independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for attaching a connector mounting housing according to independent claim 20.

[0005] Connector housings are used primarily in industrial environments. An industrial connector is plugged into the connector housing. These industrial connectors are essential for transmitting power, especially electrical power, signals, and / or data to devices such as machinery, control cabinets, or similar equipment in industrial settings. Increasingly, these connectors are also being used in data centers.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Housings for rectangular connectors are known from the prior art and are used in industrial environments for mounting connector modules or contact inserts to device walls. These housings enable the safe and reliable transmission of electrical power, signals, and data between various industrial devices and systems.

[0008] German patent DE 102020 101 812 A1 discloses an add-on housing with a frame-shaped base that encloses a receiving area for a contact insert or a mounting frame equipped with connector modules. The add-on housing has snap-in fastening means that engage through the mounting openings for mechanical fastening of the add-on housing to a wall penetration in a device wall. This solution enables tool-free assembly of the add-on housings.

[0009] German patent DE 102021 132062 A1 describes a rear-mountable connector housing in which the mounting housing can be pushed out from inside a device housing through a wall opening and reversibly attached. Recesses are provided within the mounting surfaces in which the mounting holes are arranged.

[0010] German patent DE 102017 104123 B3 discloses a protective disconnect device for a rectangular connector with a mounting housing that has a first and a second section. The first section can be fixed to a surface or a base housing, while the second section can be locked to a mating connector housing. The two sections can be reversibly separated from each other by applying a predetermined tensile force to prevent mechanical damage.

[0011] Conventional mounting of enclosures requires the use of four screws, which is time-consuming and requires tools as well as sufficient space. Furthermore, there is a risk of screws being lost. This is a significant disadvantage, especially during field installations where many enclosures need to be fitted.

[0012] A data center is a specially designed facility that houses a large number of servers, network devices, and storage solutions. It consists of various components such as server racks, cooling systems for temperature control, redundant power supplies, fire detection and suppression systems, and security systems. Data centers are often built with redundant configurations to ensure high availability and reliability. In addition, network infrastructures that ensure data exchange and internet connectivity, and appropriate physical security measures to regulate access, are employed. Such facilities are particularly energy-intensive and sometimes require high electrical currents.

[0013] When using high-current cables or components, magnetic fields can be generated that may affect electrical performance and the efficiency of devices. High currents can lead to induction effects that could affect nearby sensitive electronics. In particular, connectors can be pulled out under certain conditions by magnetic forces or mechanical stress.

[0014] Modular industrial connectors are increasingly being used in data centers. These connectors offer high flexibility and can be configured for a wide variety of applications by combining connector modules with different functions within a single connector system.

[0015] Industrial connectors are plugged into so-called connector housings, which are fixed to the device wall. The industrial connector and connector housing then form a connector system. In many cases, such a connector system is secured by a locking lever.

[0016] Due to high current pulses and the resulting magnetic forces, industrial connectors can be torn out of their housings. This can damage connector modules, especially those within the housings. It can even lead to contact elements being ripped out of the connector module housing. Torn-out contact elements can cause a ground fault and therefore pose a safety risk. Furthermore, a tear-out under load can lead to the contact element melting and cause fire damage.

[0017] Task

[0018] The object of the invention is to provide a connector system that ensures a high level of safety. In particular, the connector system and the connector modules should be protected against damage, especially from the connector modules being torn out of the connector housing. At the same time, the connector system should be easy to install.

[0019] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0021] The system according to the invention consists of a connector mounting housing that can be attached to a device wall, a reinforcement frame connected to the connector mounting housing, and at least one connector module or contact insert. Electrical contact elements for current or power transmission are arranged in the connector module or contact insert.

[0022] Another system according to the invention has a connector housing instead of the connector mounting housing. Everything else said about the connector mounting housing can also be applied to the system with the connector housing. The connector housing can be a housing with a rectangular cross-section – for so-called rectangular connectors – or a housing with a circular cross-section – for so-called circular connectors.

[0023] The reinforcement frame protects the connector modules or contact inserts arranged in the connector housing from mechanical stress (mechanical forces) that may result from magnetic forces.

[0024] The reinforcement frame is designed to protect the aforementioned system. In particular, the reinforcement frame protects the connector module housing from breaking apart. The contact elements are located inside the connector module housing. These contact elements are, in turn, connected to a conductor of a cable. The magnetic forces mentioned above can become so strong that the contact element is literally torn out of the connector module housing. Specifically, the housing cover of the module housing is torn off.

[0025] The protection of the reinforcement frame also extends to components of the system according to the invention. For example, the retaining frame within the connector mounting housing or connector housing can also be protected against mechanical damage.

[0026] The reinforcement frame's protective function is primarily, but not specifically, to protect the components non-destructively and thus allow the connector to be reused after such an impact. Its main purpose is to prevent more serious damage, such as a fire.

[0027] The system according to the invention allows for the use and combination of various connector modules. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or analog and / or digital electrical signals can be used. Increasingly, connector modules are also taking on measurement and data processing tasks.

[0028] The equipment wall could, for example, be a server rack as mentioned above. The reinforcement frame is positioned between the equipment wall and the connector mounting housing.

[0029] The reinforcement frame is preferably a purely safety component and has no other electrical function.

[0030] The connector housing essentially has a rectangular cross-section. On one open side, it features a plug-in opening into which the aforementioned industrial connector can be inserted.

[0031] On the opposite side, facing the device wall, the connector housing has a cable connection opening. Electrical wires from electrical cables are connected to the aforementioned contact elements through this cable connection opening.

[0032] At least part of the cable connection opening is covered by the reinforcement frame. This is preferably the edge of the cable connection opening. The conductor connection openings of the contact inserts or connector modules arranged in the connector housing remain unobstructed.

[0033] In one embodiment, the system according to the invention includes a seal. The seal is arranged between the device wall and the reinforcement frame. This prevents the ingress of media and moisture into the electrical device.

[0034] In another version, the seal's flat surface is adapted to the shape of the reinforcement frame. This ensures that, when installed, the seal does not protrude beyond the edge of the connector housing.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connector mounting housing and / or the reinforcement frame are made of plastic. This allows the components to be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector housing and / or the reinforcement frame are made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide. This material has proven to be particularly robust and durable in industrial environments. The glass fiber content is preferably 20% (plus or minus 5%).

[0037] In another embodiment, the connector mounting housing has a retaining frame for fixing at least one connector module. This allows the connector mounting housing to be individually equipped with different connector modules.

[0038] In another embodiment, the mounting frame is designed as a separate component. This mounting frame then has fixing means by which it can be secured in the connector housing. Preferably, these fixing means are snap-in devices that allow reversible fixing.

[0039] Alternatively, the mounting frame can be an integral part of the connector housing. In this case, the mounting frame can be produced in a single injection molding process together with the connector housing.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connector module or the contact insert is designed in two parts, wherein a first part is designed as a contact carrier and a second part as a retaining plate.

[0041] The electrical contact elements are typically inserted into the contact carrier first. A retaining plate is then placed onto the contact carrier and secured to it. This fixes the contact elements in the connector module or contact insert.

[0042] The mounting plate preferably has conductor connection openings. These openings allow a conductor or wire of an attached cable to be electrically connected to a contact element. Various contacting methods are known for this purpose, such as crimping or tool-free push-in technology.

[0043] In another, alternative embodiment, a portion of the mounting plate of the connector module, the respective connector modules, or the contact insert is covered by the reinforcement tube. However, the conductor connection openings of said components remain unobstructed.

[0044] The reinforcement tube prevents the retaining plate from being damaged or torn off the contact carrier by the mechanical stress described above.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement tube are formed as a single piece. This means that the reinforcement tube is an integral part of the connector mounting housing.

[0046] The connector mounting housing according to the invention is mounted to a device wall as follows:

[0047] • First, a seal is placed around a designated cutout in the device wall. • A suitable reinforcement frame is placed on the seal. • A connector mounting housing is placed on the reinforcement frame.

[0048] • The connector mounting housing is then attached to the device wall. This is preferably achieved via screw holes within a circumferential flange of the connector mounting housing.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the reinforcement frame features locking arms. These locking arms simplify system assembly by providing a direct mechanical connection between the reinforcement frame and other components. The locking arms offer the advantage of quick and secure attachment without additional fasteners.

[0050] In another embodiment, the locking arms are designed for tool-free attachment of the reinforcement frame to the device wall. This configuration allows for significant time savings during installation, as no tools are required for assembly. The advantage lies in the reduced complexity of the installation process and the minimization of the risk of assembly errors.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the locking arms are arranged along the circumference of the reinforcement frame. This distribution of the locking arms ensures a uniform force distribution and increases the mechanical stability of the entire connection. The advantage of this arrangement lies in the improved load distribution and the increased resistance to mechanical stress.

[0052] In another embodiment, the locking arms are spring-loaded. This spring-loaded design allows for automatic adjustment to tolerances and ensures a reliable connection even with minor dimensional deviations. The advantage lies in improved ease of assembly and the long-term reliability of the connection.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the locking arms are designed for reversible attachment of the reinforcement frame to the device wall. This reversible attachment allows for easy disassembly for maintenance or system modifications. The advantage lies in the system's flexibility and the possibility of reusing the components.

[0054] In another embodiment, the locking arms interact with corresponding locking receptacles in a cutout in the device wall. This specific design of the connection ensures precise positioning and a secure mechanical coupling. The advantage lies in the defined mounting position and the increased stability of the entire assembly.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement frame are manufactured as a single piece. This integrated design reduces the number of individual parts and simplifies both manufacturing and assembly. The advantage lies in the reduced system complexity and the elimination of potential weak points between separate components.

[0056] In another embodiment, the connector system comprises a connector mounting housing that can be attached to a device wall, a reinforcement frame that can be connected to the connector mounting housing, and an industrial connector that can be plugged into the connector mounting housing. This system configuration offers a complete solution for industrial applications and ensures the compatibility of all components. The advantage lies in the optimized coordination of the system components. In an alternative embodiment, a method for attaching a reinforcement frame to a device wall is provided, in which the reinforcement frame is attached to the device wall without tools using snap-in arms. This method significantly reduces installation effort and minimizes the risk of assembly errors. The advantage lies in increased installation efficiency and improved user-friendliness.

[0057] In another embodiment, an arrangement is provided comprising a device wall, a reinforcement frame, and a connector mounting housing, wherein the reinforcement frame is arranged on the device wall and the connector mounting housing is arranged on the reinforcement frame. This specific arrangement optimizes force transmission and protection against mechanical stresses. The advantage lies in the improved structural integrity and increased safety of the entire system.

[0058] The connector housing and reinforcement frame can be made of plastic. Using plastic allows for cost-effective manufacturing of the components while maintaining a low weight. Plastic materials also offer good resistance to environmental influences and can be produced in various colors.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement frame are made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide. Glass fiber reinforced polyamide exhibits high mechanical strength and stiffness. The material displays good dimensional stability even under temperature fluctuations and offers high resistance to chemical influences. The glass fiber content can, for example, range between 15% and 25%, with a glass fiber content of approximately 20% being particularly suitable. The connector mounting housing can include a retaining frame for fixing connector modules. The retaining frame can be designed as a separate component. In this embodiment, the retaining frame is manufactured as an independent component and then inserted into the connector mounting housing. The separate retaining frame can include fixing means that allow reversible fastening in the connector mounting housing.The fixing means can be designed as locking devices that allow for easy insertion and removal of the holding frame.

[0060] Alternatively, the mounting frame can be designed as an integral part of the connector housing. In this embodiment, the mounting frame and the connector housing are manufactured together in a single production process, for example, by injection molding. The integrated design reduces the number of individual parts and can shorten assembly time.

[0061] In another embodiment, the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement frame can be manufactured as a single piece. In this one-piece design, the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement frame form a cohesive unit. This embodiment can reduce the number of components and simplify assembly. The one-piece design can also be manufactured by injection molding, whereby the connector mounting housing and the reinforcement frame are produced in a single operation.

[0062] Example of implementation

[0063] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a connector mounting housing with a reinforcement frame;

[0064] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a connector mounting housing with a connector module;

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a reinforcement frame with a reinforcement structure;

[0066] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a connector module with contact elements;

[0067] Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting arrangement on a device wall;

[0068] Fig. 6 shows a top view of a reinforcement frame with locking arms;

[0069] Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a connector mounting housing with locking arms on a device wall.

[0070] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary from one representation to the actual object depicted.

[0071] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a system according to the invention, consisting of a connector mounting housing 1, connector modules 5 arranged therein, and a reinforcement frame 2. The connector modules are arranged within the cable connection opening 7, which, for clarity, is marked as a hatched area in Fig. 1. The installation situation of the connector modules 5 is shown explicitly in Fig. 2.

[0072] The connector mounting housing 1 has a circumferential flange 3 on the mounting side, which has a screw opening 4 in each of its corner areas. On the plug-in side, the connector mounting housing has protruding, cylindrical pins 6 onto which a pivotable locking lever (not shown) can be attached.

[0073] The reinforcement frame 2 is geometrically adapted to the mounting side of the connector housing 1. Screw openings 4' are provided in the corner areas of the reinforcement frame 2, which correspond to the screw openings 4 of the connector housing 1.

[0074] The connector mounting housing 1 has a cable connection opening 7, which is schematically indicated as a hatched area in Fig. 1. In the assembled state, the cable connection opening 7 is partially covered by the reinforcement frame 2. This is illustrated in Fig. 3, where the cable connection opening 7 of the connector mounting housing 1 is projected onto the corresponding overlap area of ​​the reinforcement frame 2.

[0075] The reinforcement frame 2 has a through-opening 8 through which the device leads or cables can be routed from the inside to the outside. The leads or cables may already be connected to contact elements 10 of connector modules 5. The through-opening 8 has an inwardly directed, wave- or tooth-shaped reinforcement structure 9. The reinforcement structure 9 partially covers the cable connection opening 7 of the connector mounting housing 1.

[0076] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a connector module 5. In this embodiment, the contact elements 10 are designed as socket contacts. The housing of the connector module 5 is made of two parts. The housing consists of a contact carrier 11, which has receiving openings for the contact elements 10. The housing also consists of a retaining plate 12, which is fixed to the contact carrier 11 and thereby secures the contact elements 10 in the connector module 5.

[0077] The connector modules 5 each have conductor connection openings 14. In the assembled state, the contours 15 between the conductor connection openings 14 are covered by the reinforcement structure 9 of the reinforcement tube 2.

[0078] The connector modules are provided with rectangular or cuboid-shaped retaining elements 19 projecting from their narrow sides. The side sections of the retaining element located in the connector mounting housing (not shown for illustrative purposes) have recesses designed as fully enclosed openings into which the retaining elements 19 are inserted when the connector modules are fitted. The retaining elements 19 are of different widths to ensure polarization.

[0079] Figure 5 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a connector mounting housing 1 attached to a device wall 16. The device wall 16 has a cutout 18 onto which the connector mounting housing is mounted. A seal 17 is first arranged over the cutout 18. The reinforcement frame 2 is arranged on the seal 17. The connector mounting housing 1 is arranged above this.

[0080] The magnetic fields mentioned above can generate a force F in the direction of the device's interior. This force F can exceed 700 N. The force acts on the metallic components inside the connector housing 1, particularly on the contact elements 10. The contact elements are pulled inwards towards the housing. With such a force, the housing of the connector module 5 can break, and the contact elements 10 can be torn out, potentially leading to significant damage, including a machine fire. The reinforcement frame 2 allows forces exceeding 4000 N to be withstood without damage.

[0081] As mentioned above, Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a system according to the invention, consisting of a connector mounting housing 1 and a reinforcement frame 2. The connector mounting housing 1 has a circumferential flange 3 on the mounting side, which has a screw opening 4 in each of its corner regions. On the mating side, the connector mounting housing 1 has projecting, cylindrical pins 6. The connector mounting housing 1 has a cable connection opening 7, which is shown schematically as a hatched area in Fig. 1.

[0082] The reinforcement frame 2 is geometrically adapted to the mounting side of the connector housing 1. Screw openings 4' are provided in the corner areas of the reinforcement frame 2, corresponding to the screw openings 4 of the connector housing 1. The reinforcement frame 2 can be positioned between a device wall and the connector housing 1 and is designed to protect the system from mechanical stress caused by magnetic forces. The system comprises at least one connector module or contact insert located in the connector housing 1. The reinforcement frame 2 is connectable to the connector housing 1 and covers at least a portion of the cable connection opening 7.The reinforcement frame 2 can be pre-mounted on the underside of the connector mounting housing 1, whereby a seal can be pre-fixed to the underside of the reinforcement frame 2 before assembly in the field.

[0083] As mentioned above, Fig. 2 shows a top view of a connector mounting housing 1. The connector mounting housing 1 has screw holes 4 positioned in the corner areas of the connector mounting housing 1. The screw holes 4 allow the connector mounting housing 1 to be attached to the device wall 16.

[0084] The connector mounting housing 1 includes pins 6 that project from the upper surface of the connector mounting housing 1. The pins 6 are arranged along the side faces of the connector mounting housing 1 and serve to receive a pivotable locking lever.

[0085] A connector module 5 is arranged in the central area of ​​the connector mounting housing 1. The connector module 5 is secured in the connector mounting housing 1 by a retaining frame. The retaining frame ensures the secure positioning of the connector module 5 within the connector mounting housing 1. The connector mounting housing 1 can be equipped with different connector modules 5, thus enabling individual system configuration. Fig. 3 shows a top view of a reinforcement frame 2. The reinforcement frame 2 has screw holes 4 located in the corner areas of the reinforcement frame 2. A through-hole 8 is provided in the central area of ​​the reinforcement frame 2. The through-hole 8 allows device leads or cables to be routed from the inside to the outside.

[0086] The through-hole 8 has an inwardly directed, wave-shaped reinforcement structure 9. The reinforcement structure 9 extends along the circumference of the through-hole 8 and forms a jagged contour. The wave-shaped design of the reinforcement structure 9 increases the mechanical stability of the reinforcement frame 2 in this area. The reinforcement structure 9 partially covers the cable connection opening 7 of the connector mounting housing. This partial coverage occurs in the peripheral areas of the cable connection opening 7, while the conductor connection openings of the connector modules or contact inserts arranged in the connector mounting housing remain unobstructed. This arrangement ensures protection of the components from mechanical stress without impairing the functionality of the electrical connections.

[0087] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a connector module 5. The connector module 5 is a two-part assembly comprising contact elements 10 configured as socket contacts. The housing of the connector module 5 consists of two main components: a contact carrier 11 and a retaining plate 12.

[0088] The contact carrier 11 has receiving openings for the contact elements 10. The contact elements 10 are inserted into the contact carrier 11 and positioned there. The retaining plate 12 is designed to lock onto the contact carrier 11. This connection between the retaining plate 12 and the contact carrier 11 secures the contact elements 10 within the connector module 5. The connector module 5 has conductor connection openings 14 through which electrical conductors can be connected to the contact elements 10. In the assembled state, contours 15 are arranged between the conductor connection openings 14. The contours 15 are covered by the reinforcing structure of the reinforcement frame 2.

[0089] The connector module 5 is provided with retaining elements 19 that project from the narrow sides of the connector module 5. The retaining elements 19 are approximately rectangular or cuboid in shape. The retaining elements 19 have different widths to ensure polarization. These different widths of the retaining elements 19 prevent incorrect orientation when inserting the connector module 5 into the connector mounting housing 1.

[0090] Fig. 5 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement comprises the connector housing 1, which is mounted on a device wall 16. The device wall 16 has a cutout 18 through which the mounting arrangement is secured. A seal 17 is positioned over the cutout 18. The reinforcement frame 2 is arranged between the seal 17 and the connector housing 1.

[0091] The seal 17 has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile that runs continuously around its circumference. The V-shaped profile allows for easy compression by hand and ensures tolerance compensation as well as a seal between the reinforcement frame 2 and the device wall 16.

[0092] Fig. 5 shows a force F acting towards the interior of the device. The force F represents the direction of potential magnetic forces that can act on the components. These magnetic fields can cause a force F towards the interior of the device that can exceed 700 N. The force F acts on the metallic components inside the connector housing 1, in particular on the contact elements 10. The contact elements 10 are pulled towards the interior of the housing. With such a force, the housing of the connector module 5 can break and the contact elements 10 can be torn out of it, which can lead to significant damage. The reinforcement frame 2 allows forces exceeding 4000 N to be withstood without damage.

[0093] Fig. 6 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the reinforcement frame 2. The reinforcement frame 2 has screw openings 4 in its corner regions. In this embodiment, the reinforcement frame 2 additionally has locking arms 20 that project from the reinforcement frame 2.

[0094] The locking arms 20 are arranged along the circumference of the reinforcement frame 2. The locking arms 20 are designed for tool-free attachment of the reinforcement frame 2 to the device wall 16. The locking arms 20 have a snap-hook functionality that enables tool-free installation by clipping them through corresponding cutouts in the mounting wall.

[0095] The locking arms 20 are spring-loaded, enabling reversible attachment of the reinforcement frame 2 to the device wall 16. Due to their spring-loaded design, the locking arms 20 can be compressed when the reinforcement frame 2 is inserted and spring back to their original position after passing through the corresponding cutouts in the device wall 16.

[0096] The system with the 20 locking arms replaces conventional screw-based mounting with a clip-in mechanism for rectangular connector mounting housings. This enables tool-free field installation, as it eliminates the need for screws, tools, and additional space for screwing operations.

[0097] The strength and load-bearing capacity of the locking arms 20 are optimized for maximum load-bearing capacity through simulation tests. The locking arms 20 are dimensioned to withstand the mechanical stresses that may occur during installation and operation.

[0098] Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a connector mounting housing 1, which is attached to a device wall 16. A reinforcement frame 2 is arranged between the connector mounting housing 1 and the device wall 16. The reinforcement frame 2 has several locking arms 20, which are arranged along the circumference of the reinforcement frame 2.

[0099] The locking arms 20 are spring-loaded and allow the reinforcement frame 2 to be attached to the device wall 16 without tools. The locking arms 20 interact with corresponding locking receptacles formed in a cutout in the device wall 16. The spring-loaded design of the locking arms 20 enables the reinforcement frame 2 to be attached to the device wall 16 in a reversible manner.

[0100] During assembly, the locking arms 20 are guided through the cutout in the device wall 16. Due to their spring-like design, the locking arms 20 are initially pressed inwards. After passing through the cutout, the locking arms 20 spring back outwards and engage in the corresponding locking receptacles. This creates a positive-locking connection between the reinforcement frame 2 and the device wall 16.

[0101] In this embodiment, the reinforcement frame 2 can be formed as a single unit with the connector mounting housing 1. The connector mounting housing 1 is designed to receive an industrial connector that can be plugged into the connector mounting housing 1.

[0102] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise indicated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Reinforcement frame for a surface-mounted enclosure

[0103] Reference symbol list

[0104] 1 connector mounting housing

[0105] 2 reinforcement frames

[0106] 3 flange

[0107] 4 screw openings

[0108] 5 connector module

[0109] 6 cones

[0110] 7 Cable connection opening

[0111] 8 Through opening

[0112] 9 Reinforcement structure

[0113] 10 contact element

[0114] 11 contact carriers

[0115] 12 Mounting plate

[0116] 14 Conductor connection opening

[0117] 15 contour

[0118] 16 Equipment wall

[0119] 17 Seal

[0120] 18 Excerpt

[0121] 19 Holding devices

[0122] 20 locking arms

[0123] F force

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Reinforcement frame for an add-on housing Claims 1. System comprising a connector mounting housing (1) that can be attached to a device wall (16), at least one connector module (5) or contact insert arranged in the connector mounting housing (1) and a reinforcement frame (2) that can be connected to the connector mounting housing (1) and is provided to protect the system from mechanical stress caused by magnetic forces.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcement frame (2) is arranged between the device wall (16) and the connector mounting housing (1).

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) has a cable connection opening (7) and that at least a partial area of ​​the cable connection opening (7) is covered by the reinforcement frame (2).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system has a seal (17) and that the seal (17) is arranged between the device wall (16) and the reinforcement frame (2).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) and / or the reinforcement frame (2) are made of plastic.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) and / or the reinforcement frame (2) are made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) has a retaining frame for fixing at least one connector module (5).

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the retaining frame is designed as a separate component or is an integral part of the connector mounting housing (1).

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (5) or the contact insert is designed in two parts, wherein a first part is designed as a contact carrier (11) and a second part as a retaining plate (12).

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that a partial area of ​​the retaining plate (12) is covered by the reinforcement frame (2).

11. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reinforcement frame (2) has locking arms (20).

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking arms (20) are designed for tool-free fastening of the reinforcement frame (2) to the device wall (16).

13. System according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the locking arms (20) are arranged along the circumference of the reinforcement frame (2).

14. System according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the locking arms (20) are resiliently designed.

15. System according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the locking arms (20) are designed for reversible attachment of the reinforcement frame (2) to the device wall (16).

16. System according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the locking arms (20) interact with corresponding locking receptacles in a cutout (18) of the device wall (16).

17. System according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) and the reinforcement frame (2) are made in one piece.

18. Connector system comprising a connector mounting housing (1) that can be mounted on a device wall, a reinforcement frame (2) that can be connected to the connector mounting housing (1) and an industrial connector that can be plugged into the connector mounting housing (1).

19. Connector system according to claim 18, characterized in that the connector mounting housing (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 17.

20. Method for attaching a connector mounting housing (1) to a device wall (16) comprising the following method steps: • First, a seal (17) is placed around a designated cutout in a device wall (16). • A suitable reinforcement frame (2) is placed on the seal (17). • A connector mounting housing (1) is placed on the reinforcement frame (2). • The connector mounting housing (1) is attached to the device wall (16).

21. Method for attaching a reinforcement frame (2) to a device wall (16), characterized in that the reinforcement frame (2) is attached to the device wall (16) without tools by means of locking arms (20).

22. Arrangement comprising a device wall (16), a reinforcement frame (2) and a connector mounting housing (1), wherein the reinforcement frame (2) is arranged on the device wall (16) and the connector mounting housing (1) is arranged on the reinforcement frame (2).

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