Holding frame for a plug-type connector

Abstract

A holding frame for a plug-type connector is intended to have good heat resistance and a high level of mechanical robustness and, when installed in a metallic plug-type connector housing, enable protective grounding while being convenient to use, in particular during the replacement of individual modules. To this end, a holding frame is provided having a rigid die-cast metal frame and cheek parts made of resilient sheet metal, the cheek parts being distinct from but coupled to the rigid die-cast metal frame to extend along opposing exterior sides of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame to provide a multi-layer sidewall structure, and each cheek part having a upper portion with at least one detent window which is configured to flex outwardly to an insertion state to receive a connector module and to return to a holding state to lock the connector module in place.

Claims

1. A holding frame for a plug-type connector for receiving connector modules, the holding frame comprising: a rigid frame formed from a first material and including longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure that is configured to insertably receive the connector modules, each of the longitudinal sidewalls including a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions that are arranged to define open recesses spaced apart along a longitudinal length at an upper end of the longitudinal sidewall between the upwardly extending protrusions which are configured to receive lugs of the connector modules that extend transversely toward the longitudinal sidewall when the connector modules are received in the rectangular frame structure, a lower end of each of the open recesses being defined by the upper end of the longitudinal sidewall and opposing sides of each of the open recesses being defined by lateral sides of the upwardly extending protrusions, and wherein each of the open recesses extends completely through the longitudinal sidewall; and resilient cheek parts distinct from each other and distinct from but coupled to the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid frame which are adapted to assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein: the resilient cheek parts in the insertion state are adapted to allow at least one of the connector modules to be inserted into the rigid frame in an insertion direction, and in the holding state are adapted to fix the at least one of the connector modules in place within the rigid frame, the resilient cheek parts are formed from a second material that is different from the first material of the rigid frame, at least a portion of each of the resilient parts is arranged to extend externally along a respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid frame to provide a multi-layer sidewall structure, each of the resilient parts includes an upper portion with at least one detent window which is aligned with a respective one of the open recesses such that the detent window at least partially overlaps with one of the open recesses when viewing the holding frame perpendicular to the longitudinal sidewalls, and the upper portion of each of the resilient parts is adapted to move outwardly away from the rigid frame when moving to the insertion state to receive one of the lugs of the connector modules.

2. The holding frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid frame and the resilient cheek parts are adhesively bonded, welded, soldered, riveted, latched or screwed together.

3. The holding frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient cheek parts are designed for an elastic deformation between the insertion state and the holding state.

4. The holding frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the resilient parts further includes a lower portion coupled to a respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid frame.

5. The holding frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each of the resilient parts includes a plurality of tabs each having a free end configured to flex outwardly away from the rigid frame independent of each other.

6. The holding frame as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of each of the resilient parts includes a respective detent window for receiving a corresponding lug of one of the connector modules, and wherein the at least one detent window of each of the resilient part is provided by the respective detent windows of the plurality of tabs.

7. The holding frame as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of each of the resilient cheek parts is separated from an adjacent one of the tabs by an elongate slot.

8. A holding frame for a plug-type connector for installing in a metallic plug-type connector housing, the holding frame comprising: a rigid die-cast metal frame including longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure that is configured to receive a plurality of connector modules, each of the longitudinal sidewalls including a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions that are arranged to define open recesses spaced apart along a longitudinal length at an upper end of the longitudinal sidewall between the upwardly extending protrusions which are configured to receive lugs of the connector modules that extend transversely toward the longitudinal sidewall when the connector modules are received in the rectangular frame structure, a lower end of each of the open recesses being defined by the upper end of the longitudinal sidewall and opposing sides of each of the open recesses being defined by lateral sides of the upwardly extending protrusions, and wherein each of the open recesses extends completely through the longitudinal sidewall; and cheek parts made of resilient sheet metal, the cheek parts being distinct from each other and distinct from but coupled to the rigid die-cast metal frame to extend along opposing exterior sides of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame to provide a multi-layer sidewall structure, and each of the cheek parts having an upper portion with at least one detent window which is aligned with a respective one of the open recesses such that the detent window at least partially overlaps with one of the open recesses when viewing the holding frame perpendicular to the longitudinal sidewalls, and wherein the upper portion of each of the resilient parts is configured to flex outwardly to an insertion state to receive one of the lugs of the plurality of connector modules and to return to a holding state to lock the connector module in place within the rigid die-cast metal frame.

9. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the cheek parts further includes a lower portion coupled to a respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame.

10. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upper portion of each of the cheek parts includes a plurality of tabs each having a free end configured to flex outwardly away from the rigid die-cast metal frame independent of each other.

11. The holding frame as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of each of the cheek parts includes a respective detent window for receiving a corresponding lug of one of the connector modules, and wherein the at least one detent window of each of the cheek parts is provided by the detent windows of the plurality of tabs.

12. The holding frame as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of each of the cheek parts is separated from an adjacent one of the tabs by an elongate slot.

13. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the cheek parts is of substantially flat design and has a rectangular basic shape.

14. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the cheek parts has straight slots that are spaced at regular distances across a width of the cheek part and extend from a free end of the cheek part toward a base end of the cheek part to form protruding tabs.

15. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the cheek parts is a punched and bent part.

16. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the cheek parts includes a 180 folded edge at a lower end of the cheek part such that the lower end includes parallel and laterally offset lower end cheek portions.

17. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of upwardly extending protrusions of each of the longitudinal sidewalls are arranged in a manner opposite one another symmetrically.

18. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein, for each of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame, each of the upwardly extending protrusions have a common length and a common width, and wherein the common length exceeds the common width.

19. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein, for each of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame, each of the upwardly extending protrusions have a common length and a common width, and wherein the common length is the same or less than the common width.

20. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein the open recesses between each of the upwardly extending protrusions of one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame have a common width that is different than a common width of the open recesses between each of the upwardly extending protrusions of the other one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame.

21. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein portions of the rigid die-cast metal frame adjacent the open recesses cooperate with the detent windows formed in the cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices in the holding frame.

22. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein a respective flange is integrally die-cast with each of the transverse end walls of the rigid die-cast metal frame to extend at a right angle from the transverse end wall, and wherein each of the flanges has a plurality of apertures for securing the holding frame to a metallic plug-type connector housing.

23. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a protective earthing contact.

24. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein portions of each of the cheek parts on each of opposing sides of the at least one detent window provided in the cheek part are immediately adjacent to a respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid die-cast metal frame without any intermediate structure between each of the cheek parts and the respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls when the connector modules are received in the rigid die-cast metal frame and the cheek parts are in the holding state.

25. The holding frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein a cavity having a perimeter defined by the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid die-cast metal frame extends completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid die-cast metal frame from one of opposing sides of the rigid die-cast metal frame to the other one of the opposing sides of the rigid die-cast metal frame such that no material of the rigid die-cast metal frame is provided within confines of the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid die-cast metal frame.

26. The holding frame as claimed in claim 21, wherein, for each of the resilient parts, the at least one detent window is directly aligned with the respective one of the open recesses.

27. The holding frame as claimed in claim 21, wherein, for each of the resilient parts, the at least one detent window is aligned with the respective one of the open recesses such that the detent window substantially overlaps with the respective one of the open recesses when viewing the holding frame perpendicular to the longitudinal sidewalls.

28. A holding frame for a plug-type connector for installing in a metallic plug-type connector housing, the holding frame comprising: a rigid metal frame including longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure that is configured to receive a plurality of connector modules, each of the longitudinal sidewalls including a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions that are arranged to define open recesses spaced apart along a longitudinal length at an upper end of the longitudinal sidewall between the upwardly extending protrusions which are configured to receive lugs of the connector modules that extend transversely toward the longitudinal sidewall when the connector modules are received in the rectangular frame structure, a lower end of each of the open recesses being defined by the upper end of the longitudinal sidewall and opposing sides of each of the open recesses being defined by lateral sides of the upwardly extending protrusions, and wherein each of the open recesses extends completely through the longitudinal sidewall; and cheek parts made of resilient sheet metal, the cheek parts being distinct from each other and distinct from but coupled to the rigid metal frame to extend along opposing exterior sides of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metal frame to provide a multi-layer sidewall structure, each of the cheek parts having an upper portion with at least one detent window which is aligned with a respective one of the open recesses such that the detent window at least partially overlaps with one of the open recesses when viewing the holding frame perpendicular to the longitudinal sidewalls, and wherein the upper portion of each of the cheek parts is configured to flex outwardly to an insertion state to receive one of the lugs of the plurality of connector modules and to return to a holding state to lock the connector module in place within the rigid metal frame, and wherein portions of each of the cheek parts on each of opposing sides of the at least one detent window provided in the cheek part are immediately adjacent to a respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metal frame without any intermediate structure between each of the cheek parts and the respective one of the longitudinal sidewalls when the connector modules are received in the rigid metal frame and the cheek parts are in the holding state.

29. The holding frame as claimed in claim 28, wherein portions of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metal frame adjacent the open recesses cooperate with the detent windows in the cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices configured to secure the connector modules within the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metal frame.

30. The holding frame as claimed in claim 28, wherein a cavity having a perimeter defined by the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metal frame extends completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metal frame from one of opposing sides of the rigid metal frame to the other one of the opposing sides of the rigid metal frame such that no material of the rigid metal frame is provided within confines of the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metal frame.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a basic frame;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b show a first cheek part from two different perspectives;

(4) FIGS. 2c and 2d show a second cheek part from two different perspectives;

(5) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a module from two different perspectives;

(6) FIGS. 4a and 4b show a holding frame with an inserted PE module from two different perspectives.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a basic frame 1. This basic frame 1 is substantially rectangular in cross section, i.e. has two mutually opposed end faces 11, 11 extending parallel to one another and, at right angles thereto, has two mutually opposed side parts 12, 12 extending parallel to one another, wherein the two end faces 11, 11 are shorter than the two side parts 12, 12. Both the end faces 11, 11 and the side parts 12, 12 in turn have a substantially rectangular shape, wherein a flange 13, 13 is integrally molded onto each of the end faces 11, 11 at right angles thereto, wherein each of these two flanges 13, 13 has two screw bores 131, 131, such that the basic frame 1 has a total of four screw bores 131, 131.

(8) The two side parts 12, 12 each have, at a first edge, a plurality of webs 122, 122, which are relatively short in the present embodiment and which are arranged in a manner opposite one another symmetrically, wherein the term short in this context means that the length of the webs 122, 122 extending upwardly in the drawing is less than the width of said webs. However, the webs 122, 122 could also be much longer in a different embodiment. By way of example, the length of the webs could correspond to their width or could even exceed their width. Open recesses 123, 123 are thus formed between these webs 122, 122.

(9) In the present example four such open recesses 123, 123 are provided on each cheek part 2, 2, however it would also of course be conceivable to provide a different number of recesses, for example three, five, six, seven or eight. The number of open recesses 132, 132 in each side part 12, 12 corresponds to the number of modules 3 that the corresponding holding frame is able to receive.

(10) Furthermore, each side part 12, 12 has a plurality of fastening pins 124, 124 for fastening the relevant cheek part 2, 2. In the present case the fastening pins 124, 124 have a circular shape in cross section; however, any other shape would also be conceivable; for example, the fastening pins 124, 124 could thus also be oval, rectangular, square, triangular or pentagonal, or could have n corners or could be formed in any other flat shape.

(11) Two cheek parts 2, 2 are thus provided for the holding frame, specifically a first cheek part 2 and a second cheek part 2.

(12) FIGS. 2a and 2c each show one of these cheek parts 2, 2 in a first perspective, in which the viewing direction extends at right angles thereto. FIGS. 2b and 2d show, respectively, the cheek parts 2, 2 in an oblique view. Each cheek part 2, 2, which in the present exemplary embodiment is preferably a punched and bent part, has three slots 21, 21, by means of which four tabs 22, 22 of identical size are formed. The number of tabs 22, 22 of the cheek parts 2, 2 corresponds to the number of open recesses 123, 123 in each of the two side parts 12, 12 of the basic frame 1.

(13) A detent window 23, 23 is provided in each tab 22, 22 of each cheek part 2, 2. The detent windows 23 of the first cheek part 2 are larger than the detent windows 23 of the second cheek part 2. The two cheek parts 2, 2 thus differ from one another by the size of their detent windows 23, 23. Furthermore, additional fastening recesses 24, 24 are provided in the cheek parts 2, 2, which recesses have a circular shape in the present exemplary embodiment, but of course could also have any other shape, for example could be oval, rectangular, square, triangular or pentagonal, could have n corners, or could be formed in any other flat shape.

(14) The fastening pins 124, 124 of the basic frame 1 fit in an interlocking manner into the fastening recesses 24, 24 of the cheek parts 2, 2 respectively, such that each cheek part 2, 2 can be fitted onto the relevant side part 12, 12. Each cheek part 2, 2 can additionally also be fastened in another way to the corresponding side part 12, 12, for example by adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, riveting and/or screwing.

(15) It can be seen in FIGS. 2b and 2d that the cheek parts 2, 2 in the lower end region are folded through 180 at a bending line B, B and are therefore reinforced in this region. A lower edge K, K of the associated sheet metal comes to lie here between the fastening recesses 24 and an associated bending line B, B, such that the fastening recesses 24, 24 are uncovered and the fastening pins 124, 124 can be inserted therein in an unhindered manner.

(16) FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b show a possible design of a module 3 that can be inserted into the holding frame, from two different views. Of course, other modules of similar design can also be used.

(17) The module 3 has, on a first longitudinal side 32, a first detent lug 31, which is intended to latch in a detent window 23 of the first cheek part 2. On a second longitudinal side 32 opposite this first longitudinal side 32, the module 3 has a second detent lug 31, which is narrower than the first detent lug and which is intended to latch in a detent window 23 of the second cheek part 2. The module is also very compact, which improves the heat resistance thereof.

(18) The orientation of the module 3 in the holding frame is fixed by the shape of the detent lugs 31, 31 and the shape of the windows 23, 23.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a fully assembled holding frame, in which the two cheek parts 2, 2 are thus fastened to the basic frame. Here, the fastening pins 124, 124 of the basic frame engage with the fastening recesses 24, 24 of the corresponding cheek part 2, 2. In addition, a particular stability of this fastening is provided in that said lower edges K, K of the sheet metal of the cheek parts 2, 2 terminate directly with the corresponding side part 12, 12 of the basic frame 1. Additionally or alternatively to the fastening by means of the fastening pins 124, 124 and the fastening recesses 24, 24, the cheek parts 2, 2 can also be soldered, welded, screwed or riveted to the basic frame 1, or can be fastened thereto in another way.

(20) The cheek parts 2, 2 have, in particular in the region of their tabs 22, 22, a greater elasticity than the basic frame 1. Expressed conversely, the basic frame 1, which can be produced in a diecasting method, in particular a zinc diecasting method, has a greater rigidity than the two resilient cheek parts 2, 2, which for example can consist of resilient sheet steel.

(21) This means that a certain force, for example of 10 N, which acts on any tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the height of the detent window 23 thereof at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, directed from the inside out with respect to the holding frame, causes a deflection of the tab 22 to be measured in line with the detent window 23 thereof, which deflection is greater than the deflection experienced by the basic frame 1 at any arbitrary point when a force of equal strength, for example likewise of 10 N, acts on this arbitrary point perpendicularly to the end face 11, 11 or side part 12, 12 of said basic frame, directed from the inside out with respect to the basic frame.

(22) The basic frame 1 thus has a greater rigidity than the cheek parts 2, 2. Expressed conversely, the cheek parts 2, 2 have a higher elasticity than the basic frame.

(23) The following disclosure is provided on the understanding that the holding frame is fixed at four corner points. By way of example, it can be fixed in or to a metal plug-type connector housing by screwing at the four screw bores 131, 131 in the flanges 13, 13 of said holding frame.

(24) If, for example, a force of 10 N acts on the tab 22 of a cheek part 2 at the level of the detent window 23 thereof at right angles to the surface of the cheek part 2, this tab 22 will be reversibly deflected for example over a path of least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm, in particular at least 0.8 mm, i.e. for example more than 1.6 mm. If a force of equal magnitude of 10 N for example acts in the middle of a side part 12 perpendicularly to the surface of the side part 12, acting from the inside out with respect to the basic frame 1, the basic frame 1 will thus be deflected even in this region, in which the rigidity of said basic frame is minimal, only over a path of less than 0.2 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 0.05 mm, i.e. for example less than 0.025 mm. The basic frame 1 is thus more rigid than the cheek parts 2, 2. In particular, the basic frame 1 is considered to be rigid and the cheek parts 2, 2 are each said to be resilient.

(25) A holding and in particular a latching of the modules is thus provided with high holding force alongside low actuation forces, which significantly facilitates the handling, in particular the insertion and removal of individual modules 3. Lastly, the cheek part 2 is resilient, and the elasticity of the cheek part 2 is selected in particular in accordance with the above-specified values such that the modules 3 can be manually inserted and manually removed. At the same time, the basic frame 1 is rigid, and in particular the rigidity of the basic frame 1 is so high, in particular in accordance with the above-specified values, that the inserted modules 3 are held therein with sufficient strength to ensure the intended function of an associated plug-type connector. The modules 3 and therefore contacts also provided in the modules 3 are thus, specifically, positioned with sufficient geometric accuracy and sufficient mechanical stability to reliably electrically contact corresponding mating contacts of a comparable mating plug.

(26) Such a plug-type connector and a corresponding mating plug, which are not illustrated in the drawing, can additionally have a preferably metal housing, in which a holding frame fitted fully or partially with modules 3 is inserted.

(27) In the holding frame illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, a specially designed PE module 3 is held, which corresponds in terms of its basic shape to the module 3 illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. In addition, the PE module 3 has an electrically conductive PE contact 33, which is electrically conductively connected via the PE module 3 to an electrically conductive earthing clip 34 likewise belonging to the PE module 3. The PE contact 33 can be, for example, a screw contact, i.e. the PE contact 33 has an earthing screw 35, which is suitable for conductively connecting an earthing cable to the PE contact 33 and for mechanically fixing said cable to said contact. This earthing cable is electrically conductively connected to the basic frame by the PE module 3 via the earthing clip 34 thereof, which is clamped to one of the end faces 11 of the holding frame.

(28) Alternatively, the holding frame itself can have a PE contact of this type, for example a PE screw contact, on its basic frame 1. The PE contact can be integrally molded on the basic frame 1, for example. This can be implemented already during the production of the basic frame 1, for example by means of injection molding.

(29) The invention, however, is in no way limited to this embodiment. Rather, a multiplicity of further embodiments are disclosed, in particular by the following characterizing features and by expedient combination thereof:

(30) The holding frame serves to receive modules 3 of the same type and/or, different modules 3, wherein the holding frame can be formed from at least two different materials, of which at least one material is electrically conductive. The holding frame advantageously has resilient properties at least in part. In particular, the holding frame can consist in part of a rigid material and in part of a resilient material.

(31) By way of example, the holding frame can be formed in a number of parts. The holding frame can consist of at least two parts, of which a first part is formed of a first material and a second part is formed of a second material, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first material is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second material.

(32) By way of example, the first part can be formed as a basic frame 1 and the second part can be formed as a cheek part 2, 2. The basic frame 1 can be rectangular in cross section and can have two mutually opposed side parts 12, 12 extending parallel to one another and two opposed end faces 11, 11 arranged perpendicularly to said side parts and extending parallel to one another. In particular, the basic frame 1 can be rigid. The basic frame 1 can be formed in one piece. The basic frame 1 can be formed as a diecast part. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be resilient. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be electrically conductive and can also consist of resilient sheet metal.

(33) The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be fastened to the basic frame 1, for example by adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and/or screwing. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can have a plurality of slots 21, 21, by means of which tabs 22, 22 are formed in the cheek parts 2, 2. Here, the width of the tabs 22, 22 can correspond to the width of the modules 3. In particular, all tabs 22, 22 can have the same width. Each tab 22, 22 can have a detent means. The detent means can consist of a detent window 23, 23, which is arranged in the relevant tab 22, 22. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be, in particular, a punched and bent part. The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be constituted by two cheek parts 2, 2. The holding frame can have a protective earthing contact (PE contact) or can be provided with at least one such contact.

(34) During production thereof, the holding frame, which is intended for a plug-type connector and is suitable for receiving modules 3 of the same type and/or different modules 3, can be formed from at least two different materials.

(35) At least a first part of the holding frame, specifically a basic frame 1, can be produced here in a diecasting method, in particular in a zinc diecasting method.

(36) The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be punched out from a resilient sheet metal and in particular can be folded through 180 at least at one bending edge B, B.

(37) The at least one cheek part 2, 2 can be fastened to the basic frame 1, in particular by adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, riveting, latching and/or screwing.

(38) The holding frame, by means of its basic frame, can hold a module 3 received therein in one direction and at the same time can fix this module 3 perpendicularly to said direction by means of tabs 13, 13, 23, 23 belonging to the relevant cheek part 2, 2, in particular by latching the module 3 at the tabs 22, 22 thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(39) 1 basic frame 11, 11 end faces 12, 12 side parts 122, 122 webs 123, 123 open recesses 124, 124 fastening pins 13, 13 flanges 131, 131 screw bores 2, 2 cheek parts 21, 21 slots 22, 22 tabs 23, 23 detent windows 24, 24 fastening recesses B, B bending line K, K lower edge 3 module 3 PE module 31, 31 detent lugs 32, 32 front faces 33 PE contact 34 earthing clip 35 earthing screw