Plug connector module having a module element

Abstract

A module element is provided for accommodating pluggable contact means and/or functional elements to provide an assembled plug connector module. The module element has a retaining contour arranged and designed in such a way that a first module element can be joined with a second module element in a transverse direction, and/or the module element has a fastening contour and at least one fastening element, which are arranged and designed correspondingly in such a way that a first module element can be joined with a second module element in the transverse direction to form the plug connector module. A plug connector module composed of at least two of the module elements described above is also provided.

Claims

1. A module element for accommodating at least one of plug-in contact means and functional elements for providing an assembled plug connector module for a plug connector, the plug connector having a slot suitably designed and arranged for the plug connector module, the at least one of the plug-in contact means and the functional elements of the module element extending in a first direction which corresponds to a plug-in direction of the module element, and the slot having a length which extends in a second direction and a width which extends in a third direction, the module element comprising: a retaining contour, which is arranged and designed such that a first module element can be assembled with a second module element in the second direction in direct abutting contact to form the plug connector module, wherein the retaining contours of the first and second module elements cooperate in a form-fitting interlocking manner such that the first and second module elements are held against one another to be torsion-resistant and tilt-resistant in the first direction, the second direction and the third direction, and are held against one another to be displacement-resistant in the first direction and the second direction.

2. The module element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining contour is formed on a first and second edge of a first wall of the module element, which edge extends in the plug-in direction.

3. The module element as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the retaining contour is formed as a first projection in a first portion on the first edge in the plug-in direction; the retaining contour is formed as a first step in a second portion on the first edge in the plug-in direction; the retaining contour is formed as a second step in the first portion on the second edge in the plug-in direction; the retaining contour is formed as a second projection in the second portion on the second edge in the plug-in direction; the retaining contour is designed and arranged such that the first projection cooperates in a form-fitting interlocking manner with the second step; and the second projection cooperates in a form-fitting interlocking manner with the first step.

4. The module element as claimed in claim 3, wherein a length of the first portion and a length of the second portion differ in the plug-in direction.

5. The module element as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of a coding and a retaining element is provided on a second wall of the module element which is opposite the first wall, which at least one of the coding and the retaining element is arranged and designed such that the at least one of the coding and the retaining element cooperates in a form-fitting interlocking manner with at least one of a coding and a retaining element provided in the slot, such that the plug connector module is secured in the slot in a form-fitting manner, and wherein the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided in the slot has a coding which defines a correctly orientated seating of the plug connector module in the slot.

6. A module element for accommodating at least one of plug-in contact means and functional elements for providing an assembled plug connector module for a plug connector, the plug connector having a slot suitably designed and arranged for the plug connector module, the at least one of the contact means and the functional elements of the module element extending in a first direction which corresponds to a plug-in direction of the module element, and the slot having a length which extends in a second direction and a width which extends in a third direction, the module element comprising: a fastening contour and at least one fastening element which are correspondingly arranged and designed such that a first module element can be assembled with, and fastened to, a second module element in the second direction in direct abutting contact to form the plug connector module, wherein the fastening contour and the fastening element are designed and arranged to cooperate in a form-fitting interlocking manner such that the first and second module elements of the assembled plug connector module are fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in the first direction and in the second direction and in the third direction.

7. The module element as claimed in claim 6, wherein: a first wall of the first and second module element of the plug connector module touch one another; and the fastening contour is formed on a second wall of the module element, and has at least one of a step and an elevation.

8. The module element as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the fastening contour includes at least one step, and the step is formed on the second wall and a third wall and a fourth wall of the module element; the second wall is arranged opposite the first wall, and the third wall is arranged opposite the fourth wall; and the step formed in the third and fourth wall has an elevation in each case, which is at least partially surrounded by the step.

9. The module element as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of a coding and a retaining element is provided on the second wall of the module element, which the at least one of the coding and the retaining element is arranged and designed such that the at least one of the coding and the retaining element cooperates in a form-fitting interlocking manner with at least one of a coding and a retaining element provided in the slot and/or with at least one of a coding and a retaining element provided on the fastening element, such that the plug connector module is secured in the slot in a form-fitting manner.

10. The module element as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the fastening element is designed in the form of a clip with a central portion at which a first and second limb are bent opposite one another and parallel to one another; the fastening element, in a form-fitting manner, embraces the second wall of the first module element of the first and second module element assembled to form the plug connector module, wherein the central portion engages in a form-fitting manner in the step of the second wall of the first module element; at least one of the first limb and the second limb engages at least partially in the step of at least one of the first module element and the second module element, which is formed at least partially in at least one of the third wall and the fourth wall of the first module element; and at least one of the first limb and the second limb has a first and second recess in each case, which are designed and arranged to correspond in a form-fitting manner to an elevation of the fastening contour.

11. The module element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the assembled plug connector module has a first and second fastening element, each of which is designed and arranged such that the first limb is designed to be longer than the second limb, and the first limb has the first and second recess, whilst the second limb has no recess, wherein: a first portion of the first fastening element engages in a form-fitting manner in the step of the second wall of the first module element; a first portion of the second fastening element engages in a form-fitting manner in the step of the second wall of the second module element; the first limb of the first fastening element is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the step of the fourth wall of the second module element, adjacent to the second limb of the second fastening element; and the first limb of the second fastening element is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the step of the third wall of the first module element, adjacent to the second limb of the first fastening element.

12. The module element as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element has at least one hook-shaped bent portion, wherein: at least one of the third wall and the fourth wall of at least one of the first module element and the second module element has at least one groove, which is arranged and designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the hook-shaped bent portion of the at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element; and wherein the groove of the at least one of the third wall and fourth wall, which corresponds to the hook-shaped bent portion, correspondingly arranged and designed such that the bent portion engages in a form-fitting manner in the groove.

13. The module element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second limbs of the fastening element have the same length and have a mutually facing first and second bent portion at their end which is spaced from the central portion; wherein the central portion of the fastening element is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the step of the second wall of the first module element, and wherein the first and second bent portion of the fastening element is designed and arranged to engage in a form-fitting manner in the step of the second wall of the second module element, such that the elevations of the fastening contour which are formed on at least one of the third wall and the fourth wall of the at least one of the first module element and the second module element engage in a form-fitting manner in the recesses of the first and second limb.

14. The module element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastening element is designed to be resilient and has a thickness which corresponds in a form-fitting manner to a depth of the step and a height of the elevation.

15. The module element as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the module element further includes a fastening contour and at least one fastening element which are correspondingly arranged and designed such that the first module element can be assembled with, and fastened to, the second module element in the second direction to form the plug connector module.

16. A plug connector module assembled from at least a first and second module element as claimed in claim 1.

17. The plug connector module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the slot is provided by a module frame, which is intended for the plug connector and has two side walls which extend parallel to one another in the third direction and are spaced from one another in the second direction, wherein the spacing of the side walls corresponds to the length of the slot, and wherein the module frame has a plurality of slots, located adjacent to one another and arranged successively in the third direction, for a plurality of plug connector modules arranged successively and adjacent to one another.

18. The plug connector module as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second module elements has at least one of contact means and a functional element.

19. The module element as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second portion extend together over the entire length of the module element in the plug-in direction.

20. The module element as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion on at least one of the first edge and the second edge have a discontinuous form.

21. The module element as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second portion are arranged successively and adjacent to one another in the plug-in direction.

22. The module element as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one of the coding the retaining element provided in the slot has a recess which has a predetermined width, and the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided on the module element is formed as a projection on the second wall of the module element and has a predetermined width which corresponds to the width of the recess.

23. The module element as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of a coding and a retaining element is provided on the fastening element, wherein that at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided on the fastening element cooperates in a form-fitting interlocking manner with at least one of a coding and a retaining element provided in the slot, such that the plug connector module is secured in the slot in a form-fitting manner, and wherein the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided in the slot has a coding, which defines a correctly orientated seating of the plug connector module in the slot.

24. The module element as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided in the slot is a recess which has a predetermined width and the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided on the module element is formed as a projection on the second wall and has a predetermined external contour with, in particular, a predetermined width.

25. The module element as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided on the fastening element is a U-shaped projection formed on the fastening element, which can have a predetermined internal contour and a predetermined external contour with, in particular, a predetermined width, wherein the internal contour of the U-shaped projection is arranged and designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided on the module, and the external contour of the U-shaped projection is arranged and designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the at least one of the coding and the retaining element provided in the slot.

26. The module element as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element has at least one hook-shaped bent portion, wherein at least an opposite one of the first fastening element and the second fastening element has at least one recess which is arranged and designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the hook-shaped bent portion, and wherein the recess is correspondingly arranged and designed such that the bent portion engages in a form-fitting manner in recess.

27. The module element as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the module element has a width which corresponds to a width of the slot; the plug connector module has a length in the first direction which corresponds to a length of the slot; and the module element has a length in the first direction which corresponds to half the length of the slot.

28. The module element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening contour is designed and arranged on a third portion of the module element, which extends in the plug-in direction and overlaps at least one of the first portion and the second portion at least partially in the plug-in direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

(2) FIG. 1A a module frame suitable for a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 1B a plug connector housing suitable for the module frame of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2 a module element according to an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 3 a further module element according to an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 a further module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 5A two scaled-down illustrations of the module element of FIG. 4 from different perspectives;

(8) FIG. 5B the module elements of FIG. 5A assembled to form a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 6A two illustrations of a module element according to an embodiment of the invention from different perspectives;

(10) FIG. 6B three plug connector modules according to an embodiment of the invention in the plug-in direction from above;

(11) FIG. 7A a fastening element suitable for a module element and/or a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 7B a further fastening element suitable for a module element and/or a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(13) FIG. 8A a further fastening element suitable for a module element and/or a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(14) FIG. 8B a further fastening element suitable for a module element and/or a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(15) FIG. 9 a module element of FIG. 4, equipped with a fastening element of the embodiment of FIG. 7A;

(16) FIG. 10 the module element of FIG. 9, equipped with a fastening element, from another perspective;

(17) FIG. 11A a common scaled-down illustration of the module elements of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10;

(18) FIG. 11B the module elements of FIG. 11A, assembled to form a plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(19) FIG. 12 a further plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention;

(20) FIG. 13 a further plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention; and

(21) FIG. 14 a further plug connector module according to an embodiment of the invention.

(22) The figures may contain partially simplified, schematic illustrations. Identical reference signs are sometimes used for elements which are similar, but possibly not identical. Different views of similar elements may be drawn to different scales. For the sake of distinctness and clarity, the reference signs are not all illustrated in all drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) FIG. 1A shows a module frame 2 suitable for a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, which module frame 2 is suitable for insertion into a plug connector housing 1 (illustrated in FIG. 1B) of a modular plug connector. The module frame 2 is a hinged frame with two parallel, mutually opposing side walls 20, which each have codings K1, K2 for the correctly orientated intended insertion of a plug connector module 3 and/or 4M into the module frame 2.

(24) The module frame 2 of FIG. 1A is designed to accommodate six plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M arranged successively and adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the module frame 2, wherein the plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M can each have different contact inserts and/or contact means, and wherein the plug connector modules 4M can, moreover, also have functional elements, for example a sensor system for detecting an operating state of, for example, a plug connector module 4M.

(25) The direction in which the parallel side walls 20 of the module frame 2 extend, namely the longitudinal direction of the module frame 2, is referred to here and below and within the entire context of the application as the Y direction. Moreover, the direction in which the parallel side walls 20 of the module frame 2 are spaced from one another, namely the width direction of the module frame 2, is referred to as the X direction.

(26) The plug connector modules 3 and 4M are suitably designed to be inserted into the slots P provided therefor in the module frame 2, adjacent to one another and successively in the Y direction, namely in the longitudinal direction of the module frame 2. In this case, a slot P has a width B in the Y direction and a length L in the X direction, which correspond in each case to the width B and the length L of the plug connector modules 3 and 4M.

(27) In this case, the plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M can have a width in their width direction which corresponds to the width of their slot P in the module frame 2 and a length in their longitudinal direction which corresponds to the length of their slot P.

(28) In this case, a plug connector module 3 and/or 4M which is inserted as intended into the module frame 2 has, on its walls arranged adjacent to the side walls 20, a respective coding and/or retaining element 35 and/or coding and/or retaining element 45 and/or coding and/or retaining element 55, which each correspond in a form-fitting manner to the coding and/or retaining elements 25 of the side walls 20 so that correctly orientated insertion of a plug connector module 3 and/or 4M into the module frame 20 is ensured.

(29) In this case, the mutually corresponding coding and/or retaining elements 25, 35 and/or 25, 45, 55 can be provided by means of recesses 25 provided in the side walls 20 and in the said walls of the plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M and suitable pins 35 and/or pins 45 and/or projections 55, which correspond to the recesses 25 and can each have a mutually corresponding coding K1, K2, in particular in terms of their width.

(30) For better understanding of embodiments of the invention, the module frame 2 of FIG. 1A, which is designed for a maximum of six plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M, is not fully populated, wherein four plug connector modules 3 are inserted into the module frame 2 as intended and one plug connector module 3 is not fully inserted into the module frame 2, and a slot P with its width B in the Y direction and its length L in the X direction is exposed in the module frame.

(31) To insert a module frame which is populated as intended with plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M into a plug connector housing 1 (illustrated in FIG. 1B) of a plug connector, securing screws 21 are provided on the module frame 2, which securing screws correspond to matching threaded bores 11 provided on the plug connector housing 1. In this case, the module frame 2 which is inserted as intended into the plug connector housing 1 of FIG. 1A has the connector face (which faces downwards in FIG. 1B) facing upwards.

(32) In this case, the plug connector modules 3 and/or 4M inserted as intended into their slot P extend with their contact inserts having the contact means in the plug-in direction S and extend in direction X in their longitudinal direction and in direction Y in their width direction.

(33) FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a module element 4 according to an embodiment of the invention. By way of example, the module element 4 has a plug insert suitable for accommodating power contacts, wherein the module element 4 is designed such that its accordingly accommodated contact means extend in a direction S which corresponds to the plug-in direction S of the module element 4. The module element 4, which is suitably made from plastic material, has an internal contour and external contour, in particular of its walls, suitable for its plug insert and its contact means.

(34) A retaining contour 41, 42 is formed on a first wall 401, which is visible in the drawing and extends in the plug-in direction S and in the Y direction. The retaining contour 41, 42 is suitably formed on a mutually opposing first 412 and second 421 edge, extending in the plug-in direction S, of the first wall 401, so that the retaining contour 41, 42 advantageously does not compromise the space of the module element 4 which is required for the plug insert and the contact means.

(35) The first edge 412 of the first wall 401 is formed as a second step 42 in a second portion S2 adjoining the first portion S1 in the plug-in direction. The second edge 421 of the first wall 401, which is opposite the first edge 412, is designed and arranged as a second projection 41 in the second portion S2, such that the second projection 41 corresponds in a form-fitting manner to the second step 42.

(36) The further fourth wall 404, which is visible in the drawing and extends in the X direction, has the common edge 421 with the first wall 401. The module element 4 has the length L4 in the X direction and the width B in the Y direction. In this case, the width B and the length L4 of the module element 4 correspond respectively to the width B and half the length of the plug connector module 4M for which the module element 4 is provided, and the width B and the length L of the slot P provided for the plug connector module 4M.

(37) By way of the above-described projections 41 and steps 42, which correspond to one another in a form-fitting manner, an advantageous retaining contour 41, 42 is provided, which enables two module elements 4 to be assembled in the X direction to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the first walls 401 of the module elements 4 of the assembled plug connector module 4M are arranged adjacent to one another and touch one another and the retaining contours 41, 42 formed on the first 412 and second 421 edge of the first walls 401 interlock in a form-fitting manner.

(38) By means of the above-described advantageous retaining contour 41, 42, the module elements 4 assembled to form a plug connector module 4M are advantageously held against one another to be torsion-resistant and tilt-resistant in the plug-in direction S, in the direction X and in the direction Y by way of the cooperating retaining contours 41, 42 of the module elements 4 and are moreover held to be displacement-resistant in the plug-in direction and in the direction Y.

(39) The length of first portion S1 and the length of the second portion S2 are advantageously designed to be different, whereby the correct orientation of a first and second module element 4 in the plug-in direction S is ensured when they are assembled in the X direction.

(40) FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a further module element 4 according to an embodiment of the invention, which, in terms of its dimensions, corresponds to the module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and, unlike the module element 4 of FIG. 2, has a fastening contour 43, 44 instead of the retaining contour 41, 42, which fastening contour corresponds and cooperates in a form-fitting manner with a fastening element 5 described below with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B, such that two module elements 4 arranged with their first walls 401 adjacent to one another can be fastened to one another by at least one fastening element 5 cooperating with the fastening contour 43, 44 and form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention.

(41) The fastening contour 43, 44 has a planar step 43, which extends in the plug-in direction S of the module element 4 in a third portion S3 over all walls of the module element 4 apart from the first wall 401. On the fourth wall 404, a planar elevation 44 is formed in the planar step 43, which elevation 44 is elevated to the level of the non-stepped portion of the wall 404.

(42) In this embodiment of the invention, the third wall 403, which is opposite the fourth wall 404 and is not visible in the drawing, is designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the fourth wall 404 so that the fastening contour 43, 44 is formed by a step 43 and an elevation 44 in the two mutually opposing walls 403, 404. The fastening contour 43, 44 has only the step 43 and no elevation 44 on the second wall 400, which is opposite the first wall 401 and is likewise not visible in the drawing.

(43) In this case, the depth of the step 43 of the fastening contour 43, 44 corresponds to the thickness of the at least one fastening element 5, which cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the fastening contour 43, 44 such that the fastening element 5 embraces a plug connector module 4M, assembled from two module elements 4, in the manner of a clamp and thus mutually fastens its two module elements 4 arranged with their first walls 401 adjacent to one another. In this case, the module elements 4 are advantageously fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in any direction.

(44) FIG. 4 shows a further module element 4 according to an embodiment of the invention, which has all the above-described features of the embodiments of the module elements 4 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and accordingly combines all the advantages of the two embodiments; therefore, in this regard, please refer to the description above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

(45) In this case, for particularly reliable fastening of two module elements 4 assembled to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, it is further advantageous that the portion S3 in which the fastening contour 43, 44 extends in the plug-in direction S of the module element 4 overlaps the first portion S1 and the second portion S2 in which the respective fastening contour 41, 42 is formed, which, as in the embodiment of the module element 4 of FIG. 2, moreover also extends over the full length of the module element 4 in the plug-in direction S thereof.

(46) FIG. 5A shows two scaled-down illustrations of the module element 4 of FIG. 4 from different perspectives, wherein the first wall 401 having the retaining contour 41, 42 is visible in each case and the illustration of the module element 4 on the right in FIG. 5A corresponds to the perspective of the module element 4 illustrated in FIG. 4.

(47) The illustration of the module element 4 on the left in FIG. 5A is rotated in relation to the illustration on the right such that the retaining contour 41, 42 (described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), which is formed on the first wall 401 and has the second step 42 formed on the first edge 412 of the wall 401, is visible.

(48) Moreover, the third wall 403, which is opposite the fourth wall 404 described above with reference to FIG. 2, is visible in the illustration of the module element 4 on the left in FIG. 5A. The two opposing walls 403 and 404 differ only in terms of their first 412 and second 421 edge, which are each common to the wall 401 and are designed and arranged to correspond to one another in a form-fitting manner, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

(49) FIG. 5B shows the module elements 4 of FIG. 5A assembled to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the first walls 401 are arranged adjacent to one another and touching one another and the retaining contours 41, 42 of the first walls 401 interlock in a form-fitting manner.

(50) In this case, the two module elements 4 are assembled in the direction X and form the plug connector module 4M, wherein the assembled module elements 4 are held against one another by way of the cooperating retaining contours 41, 42 of the module elements 4 to be advantageously torsion-resistant and tilt-resistant in the first plug-in direction S, in the direction X and in the direction Y, and are moreover held against one another to be displacement-resistant in the first plug-in direction S and in the direction Y. Only in the direction X, in which the two module elements 4 are also assembled, can the module elements 4 be separated again in the opposite direction to one another, with the direction X being the only degree of freedom permitted by the mutually cooperating retaining contours 41, 42 of the assembled module elements 4.

(51) The plug connector module 4M of the embodiment of FIG. 5B, which is assembled from the two module elements 4 and is moreover equipped with a fastening element 5 cooperating with its fastening contour 43, 44, is illustrated in FIG. 5B and FIG. 11B. The plug connector module 4M of FIG. 11B is suitable for insertion into a modular plug connector and/or into a module frame 2 of a plug connector.

(52) By way of example, the plug connector module 4M can be suitable for a module frame 2 which is described with reference to FIG. 1A and has corresponding dimensions for the spacing of its side walls 20, wherein the side walls 20 of the module frame 2 additionally effectively prevent the separation of the assembled module elements 4 in the X direction. The plug connector module 4M which is inserted as intended into its slot P in a module frame 2 is thus reliably held and ready for its intended use.

(53) To this end, the module element 4 of the embodiment of FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B can have, on its second wall 400 opposite the first wall 401, a suitable coding and/or retaining element 45, which, matching the coding and/or retaining element 25 (described with reference to FIG. 1A) of the side walls 20 of the module frame 2, can have a coding K1 and K2 which corresponds in a form-fitting manner to the respective coding and/or retaining element 25. The coding and/or retaining element 45 can be provided by a pin 45 and/or projection which is suitably designed and arranged on the second wall 400 and has, in particular, a width corresponding to the coding K1, K2.

(54) FIG. 6A shows two perspective illustrations of a module element 4 according to an embodiment of the invention from different perspectives, which correspond substantially to the perspectives of the two module elements 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 5A. The module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A is likewise made from plastic material and, like the module element 4 of FIG. 5A, likewise has a retaining contour 41, 42 and a fastening contour 43, 44, which are suitably designed for assembling and fastening the module elements 4 to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention.

(55) Unlike the module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the module element of 6A has, by way of example, a plug insert having an internal contour which is suitable for inserting contact means of a signal line and an external contour which corresponds to the internal contour and has a plurality of recesses for providing a material balance of the wall thickness of the module element 4. In this case, the retaining contour 41, 42 and the fastening contour 43, 44 are partially affected by the said recesses, whereby the second projection 41 formed on the second edge 421 of the first wall 401 can be discontinuous, for example.

(56) The two module elements 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A are also suitably designed to be assembled to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the module element 4 of the embodiment of 6A is moreover advantageously compatible with the module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A and can also be assembled with the module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention.

(57) The above compatibility, even for module elements 4 designed for a wide variety of applications, is particularly advantageous and enables a desirable flexibility and variability of the plug connector modules 4M in their longitudinal direction X, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction X of a slot P provided therefor, in particular a slot of a module frame 2 of a plug connector.

(58) In this regard, FIG. 6B shows three plug connector modules 4M according to an embodiment of the invention in the plug-in direction from above, wherein the plug connector module 4M illustrated at the top in the drawing is provided by two module elements 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A which are assembled in the X direction.

(59) The plug connector module 4M illustrated at the bottom in FIG. 6B is formed by means of a module element 4 of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5A, which is assembled with a module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A in the X direction.

(60) The further plug connector module 4M illustrated in FIG. 6B corresponds to the plug connector module 4 of FIG. 5B; therefore, in this regard, please refer to the description above.

(61) FIG. 7A shows a fastening element 5 suitable for a module element 4 and/or a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention. The fastening element 5 can be made from a suitable plastic material, and in particular from a suitable metal having suitable spring properties, for example VA sheet metal or spring steel.

(62) As described above, the fastening element 5 is designed in a form-fitting manner with the fastening contour 43, 44 of the module element 4, such that a first and second fastening element 5 engage in a form-fitting manner in each case in the fastening contour 43, 44 of a first and second module element 4 assembled to form a plug connector module 4M, and thereby fasten the assembled module elements 4 against one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in the plug-in direction S, the Y direction and the X direction.

(63) To this end, the fastening element 5 has a thickness which corresponds to the depth of the step 43 of the fastening contour 43, 44, and recesses 54 which are arranged and designed to correspond to the elevations 44 of two assembled module elements 4. In this case, the fastening element 5 is designed in the form of a clip with a central portion 50. Limbs 52, which are designed and arranged parallel to one another, bent in one direction, extend at the central portion 50

(64) The central portion 50 of the fastening element 5 is provided for form-fitting insertion at the second wall 400 of the module elements 4, which is opposite the first wall 401. One limb 52 of the two bent limbs 52 is designed to be correspondingly shorter, wherein the short limb 52 is provided and correspondingly designed and arranged to embrace a common edge of the first wall 400 and the third wall 403 of the module element 4 in a form-fitting manner.

(65) The limb 52 with the comparatively longer design is provided to embrace a common edge of the second wall 400 and the fourth wall 404 of the module element 4 in a form-fitting manner, wherein the third 403 and fourth 404 wall of the module element 4 are arranged opposite one another.

(66) The third wall 403 moreover has the common first edge 412 with the first wall 401 and the fourth wall 404 moreover has the common second edge 421 with the first wall 401; in this regard, please also refer to the description with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

(67) The longer limb 52 moreover has recesses 54, which are arranged and designed such that the recesses 54 each correspond in a form-fitting manner to an above-described elevation 44 of the module elements 4 assembled to form a plug connector module 4M.

(68) A coding and/or retaining element 55, formed as a substantially U-shaped projection, can be moreover suitably arranged on the upper edge of the central portion 50, which coding and/or retaining element can be designed to correspond to a coding and/or retaining element 25 of a module frame 2. The coding and/or retaining elements 55 and 25 can have codings K1, K2, which differ in terms of their dimensions and/or design and in particular in terms of their width. In this connection, please refer to the description above of the coding and/or retaining elements 25 with reference to FIG. 1A.

(69) The coding and/or retaining element 55 can furthermore have an internal contour, which corresponds to the contour of a pin 45 formed on the first wall 400 of a module element 4. In this connection, please also refer to the description with reference to FIG. 11B.

(70) The two limbs 52 suitably together have a length which is designed such that the ends of the limbs 52 of two fastening elements 5 inserted in a form-fitting manner as intended into the fastening contour 43, 44 of two assembled module elements 4 are arranged adjacent to one another.

(71) The fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7A can moreover have at least one bent hook 56 for a form-fitting latching with, for example, at least one groove, which can be designed and arranged to correspond to the hook 56 on at least one wall of the module element 4.

(72) An example of a fastening element 5 having an above hook 56 is illustrated in FIG. 7B, wherein the hook 56 is designed by way of example and advantageously on a recess 54 of the fastening element and, in this case, advantageously extends perpendicularly to the direction X in which the module elements 4 are assembled. Of course, such a hook 56 can suitably also be provided, for example, on at least one end of a limb 52.

(73) FIG. 8A shows a further fastening element 5 suitable for a module element 4 and/or a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, which fastening element, like the fastening element 5 described with reference to FIG. 7A, has a central portion 50 having two limbs 52 which are bent at the central portion 50.

(74) One limb 52 of the two bent limbs 52 is designed to be comparatively short, wherein the short limb 52 is provided and correspondingly designed and arranged to embrace the common edge of the first wall 400 and the third wall 403 of a module element 4 in a form-fitting manner.

(75) The second limb 52 with the comparatively longer design is arranged and designed substantially in the manner of the limb 52 of the embodiment of the fastening element 5 which is described with reference to FIG. 7A; therefore, in this regard, please refer here to the description above.

(76) In contrast to the longer limb 52 of the fastening element 5 of FIG. 7A, the longer limb 52 of the fastening element 5 of FIG. 8A moreover has an above-mentioned hook 56, which is provided at its end. In this case, the shorter limb 52 has a recess 560, which is designed and arranged to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the hook 56. In this case, the hook 56 and the recess 560 extend advantageously perpendicularly to the direction X, in which two module elements 4 can be assembled to form the plug connector module 4M.

(77) The longer limb 52 having the hook 56 moreover has a length which is selected such that two fastening elements, which are inserted as intended with their central portion 50 in the step 43, formed on the first wall 400, of a respective module element 4 of an assembled plug connector module 4M, overlap one another with the ends of their respective first and second limbs 52 such that the hook 56 of a fastening element 5 cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the recess 560 in each case such that the two module elements 4 assembled to form a plug connector module 4M are fastened to one another and, in this case, the two fastening elements 5 are moreover fastened to one another and to the plug connector module 4M. In this case, the assembled module elements 4 are fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in any direction and/or plane.

(78) The recess 560 formed in the short limb is moreover advantageously designed in a T shape and suitably extends from its portion which extends perpendicularly to the direction X and cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the hook 56 to the edge of the fastening element 5 which is formed upon bending the short limb 52 thereof. As a result of this measure, it is advantageously ensured that the limb 52 having the recess 560 is not damaged during its formation via the intended bending from the central portion 50.

(79) FIG. 8B shows a further suitable fastening element 5 designed in the form of a clip for a module element 4 and/or a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, which fastening element cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the fastening contour 43, 44 of the plug connector module 4M, and/or the module elements 4 assembled in the direction X to form the plug connector module 4M, such that the assembled module elements 4 are fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in any direction and/or plane.

(80) Like the above-described fastening elements 5 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A, the fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 8B has a central portion 50 at which two mutually parallel extending limbs 52 are bent; therefore, in this regard, please refer to the description above.

(81) In this case, the two limbs 52 each have two recesses 54, which are designed and arranged to correspond to the elevations 44 of the fastening contour 43, 44 such that the recesses 54, upon the intended arrangement of the fastening element 2 on two module elements 4 assembled in the direction X to form the plug connector module 4M, cooperate in a form-fitting manner with the elevations 44 of the fastening contour 43, 44 of the module elements 4.

(82) The two limbs 52 moreover each have a mutually facing bent portion 51 at their ends opposite the central portion 50 of the fastening element 5.

(83) In this case, the length of the limbs 52 is selected in a predetermined manner such that the two bent portions 51, in a form-fitting manner, embrace the two edges of the first wall 400 of the module element 4 spaced from the central portion 50 of the fastening element 5 such that the two assembled module elements 4 are fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement resistant in any direction and/or plane and such that, in this case, the fastening element 5 is moreover fastened to the plug connector module 4M and/or the module elements 4.

(84) FIG. 9 shows a module element 4 of FIG. 4, which is equipped with a fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7A; in this respect, FIG. 10 shows the module element 4 of FIG. 9, which is equipped with a fastening element 5, from a different perspective; and, in this respect, FIG. 11A shows a common scaled-down illustration of the module elements 4 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

(85) FIG. 11B finally shows the two module elements 4 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 which are each equipped with a fastening element 5 and are assembled to form a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention.

(86) On its first wall 400, third wall 403 and fourth wall 404, the fastening contour 43, 44 of the module element 4 is designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the fastening element 5 such that a fastening element 5 which is inserted as intended into the fastening contour 43, 44 is held in the step 43 of the fastening contour 43, 44 of the module element 4.

(87) In this case, the two limbs 52 of the fastening element 5, in a form-fitting manner, embrace the two edges of the second wall 400 which extend in the plug-in direction S of the module element 4, such that they are held in the steps 43 of the retaining contour 43, 44 which are formed in the mutually opposing third 403 and fourth 404 wall. In this case, the central portion 50 of the fastening element 5 is seated in a form-fitting manner in the step 43 of the fastening contour 43, 44 of a module element, which step 43 is formed in the first wall 400.

(88) In this case, the longer limb 52 having the two recesses 54 is inserted in a form-fitting manner into the step 43 of the retaining contour 43, 44 of the fourth wall 404 of the module element 4 such that the elevation 44 engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess 54 of the longer limb 52.

(89) In this case, the retaining contour 43, 44 extends in the plug-in direction S of the module element 4 in a third portion S3, which advantageously overlaps the first S1 and second S2 portion of the module element 4 in each case, which likewise extend in the plug-in direction S. In this case, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, on the first S1 and second portion S2, projections 41 and steps 42, corresponding to one another in a form-fitting manner in each case, are formed on the mutually opposing edges 412 and 421 of the first wall 401 of the module element 4, wherein a retaining contour 41, 42, which is described above with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, is provided by way of the projections 41 and the steps 42.

(90) Two module elements 4, described above and already equipped with their intended fastening elements 5, can be easily assembled in the direction X, wherein their fastening elements 5 each fully embrace the first wall 400 and the fourth wall 404 in a form-fitting manner by way of their central portion 50 and their longer limb 52, whilst the third wall 403 is embraced in a form-fitting manner by the shorter limb 52, merely in the region of its common edge with the second wall 400.

(91) During the assembly of the module elements 4 equipped as above with a fastening element 5, the retaining contours 41, 42 of the module elements 4 interlock in a form-fitting manner. Moreover, in this case, the exposed elevation 44 of the fastening contour 43, 44 of the third wall 403 of a module element 4 engages in a form-fitting manner in each case in the exposed recess 54 of the fastening element 5 seated with its central portion 50 on the adjacent module element 4, such that the two module elements 4, by way of their interlocking retaining contours 41, 42 and as a result of the cooperation of the fastening elements 5 and the fastening contours 43, 44, are fastened to one another to be advantageously torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement resistant, wherein a plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention is provided, which has two similar module elements 4.

(92) The fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7A of the plug connector module 4M of the above-described embodiment of the invention, and also the fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7B and FIG. 8A, can have a coding and/or retaining element 55, which is suitably formed, in particular, as a U-shaped projection on the upper edge of the central portion 50 and can be designed to correspond in a form-fitting manner, in particular, to the width and/or coding K1, K2 of a coding and/or retaining element 25, in particular of a module frame 2, so that correctly orientated insertion of the plug connector module 4M equipped with two fastening elements 5 is provided.

(93) In this case, the module elements 4 can suitably have a pin 45 on their second wall 400 which is designed to cooperate in a form-fitting manner with the central portion 50 of the fastening element 5, which pin 45 is designed such that the pin 45, irrespective of the coding K1, K2 of the coding and/or retaining element 55 which is formed, in particular, substantially in a U shape on the central portion 50, is accommodated in the coding and/or retaining element 55 by way of the fastening element 5 such that, in particular, a lower edge of the pin 45 in the plug-in direction S abuts against a lower edge of the coding and/or retaining element 55 when the two assembled module elements 4 are fastened.

(94) It is thus advantageously ensured that plug-in or removal forces acting on the plug connector module 4M also act, in particular, on the fastening element 5 of the plug connector module 4M in each case and are evenly distributed and/or transmitted to the module elements 4 thereof.

(95) The fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7A of the plug connector module 4M of the above-described embodiment of the invention, and also the fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7B and FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, can also be designed without a coding and/or retaining element 55 formed on the fastening element 5. In this case a corresponding coding of the plug connector module 4M can be provided by way of suitably designed and arranged coding and/or retaining elements 45. The coding and/or retaining elements 45 can be suitably provided by way of a pin 45 equipped with a corresponding coding K1, K2 and designed and arranged on the wall 400 of the module elements 4.

(96) Instead of the above-described coding and/or retaining element 55 formed as a projection 55, a fastening element 5 suitable for such coding and/or retaining elements 45 can have a recess which corresponds to the coding and/or retaining elements 45 and can be suitably designed such that, for the desirable even transmission of plug-in and/or removal forces to the module elements 4 and the fastening elements 5 of the plug-connector module 4M, in particular a lower edge of the coding and/or retaining elements 45 in the plug-in direction S abuts against an edge of the recess of the fastening elements 5.

(97) Like the coding and/or retaining elements 45 of a module element 4, the above-described coding and/or retaining elements 55 of a fastening element 5 can moreover each be arranged and designed such that a plug connector module 4M is furthermore also suitably held in the correct orientation in its intended position in a module frame 2, for example, by way of the coding and/or retaining elements 55 and/or 45.

(98) The above statements relating to the coding and/or retaining elements 55 of the fastening elements 5 and the coding and/or retaining elements 45 of the module elements 4 of the plug connector module 4M of the embodiment of FIG. 11B apply accordingly to the embodiments of the invention which are described below with reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14.

(99) In this respect, FIG. 12 shows a further plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, which corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 11B and which likewise has two assembled module elements 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4, which are fastened to one another by way of two fastening elements 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 7B; therefore, in this regard, please refer to the description above of the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 11B.

(100) In contrast to the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 11B, the fastening elements 5 of the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 12 have a hook 56, which extends in the plug-in direction S in a recess 54 of the fastening elements 5 and cooperates in a form-fitting manner in each case with a groove, which is suitably arranged and designed on the module elements 4, such that the assembled module elements 4 are fastened particularly reliably to one another in terms of their position, in particular in the X direction.

(101) FIG. 13 shows a further plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention which, unlike the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 11B and FIG. 12, has two assembled module elements 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, wherein the module elements 4 are fastened to one another by way of a fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 8A to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant.

(102) The retaining contours 41, 42 of the module elements 4, which interlock in a form-fitting manner, fasten the module elements 4, which are assembled to form the plug connector module 4M, to be additionally torsion-resistant and tilt-resistant in the plug-in direction S and in the X and Y direction, and moreover displacement-resistant in the plug-in direction S and in the Y direction.

(103) The two fastening elements 5, which are designed and arranged to correspond in a form-fitting manner to the fastening contour 43, 44 of the module elements 4, and moreover the fastening elements 5 designed with their hooks 56 corresponding and latching to their recesses 560 in a form-fitting manner, moreover fasten the assembled module elements 4 to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement-resistant in any direction. The fastening element 5 formed with the hook 56 and the recess 560 is particularly suitable for fastening a module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, which is assembled with a further module element 4 to form a plug connector module 4M, according to which a module element 4 of this embodiment has a plurality of recesses formed in its wall.

(104) The coding and/or retaining element 55 and/or pin 45 of the embodiment of the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 13 can be designed in the manner of the above-described coding and/or retaining elements 55 and/or pins 45 of the embodiment of FIG. 11B.

(105) FIG. 14 shows a further plug connector module 4M according to an embodiment of the invention, which has a module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 and a module element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 6A. The two module elements 4 are designed such that they can be assembled in a mutually compatible manner and are assembled to form the plug connector module 4M, wherein their retaining contours 41, 42 interlock in a form-fitting manner such that the assembled module elements 4 are fastened to one another to be torsion-resistant and tilt-resistant in the plug-in direction S and in the X direction and the Y direction and moreover to be displacement-resistant in the plug-in direction S and the Y direction.

(106) The plug connector module 4M moreover has a fastening element 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 8B, which is inserted in a form-fitting manner as intended into the fastening contour 43, 44 and thereby moreover fastens the two module elements 4 to one another to be torsion-resistant, tilt-resistant and displacement resistant in any direction.

(107) The statements relating to the coding and/or retaining element 55 of the embodiment of FIG. 11B apply to the coding and/or retaining element 55 formed on the portion 50 of the fastening element 5. The free pin 45 of the module element 4, which is formed on the wall 400 of the module element 4 shown on the right in the drawing, is suitably formed as a coding and/or retaining element 45, which has a corresponding coding K1, K2 for correctly orientated insertion of the plug connector module 4M. With respect to the pin 45 formed as a coding and/or retaining element 45, please refer to the statements above in the description of the embodiment of the plug connector module 4M of FIG. 11B in this regard.

(108) Even where combinations of various aspects or features of the invention are shown in the figures in each case, it is clear to the person skilled in the art—unless indicated otherwise—that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible combinations. In particular, mutually corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be interchanged with one another.

(109) In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.