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 at the same time being convenient to use, in particular during the replacement of individual modules. For this purpose, the holding frame can have base frame and resilient cheek parts, which are formed from different materials. The base frame is used for fixing an accommodated connector module or modules in a plane. The resilient cheek parts can assume an insertion state and a holding state, wherein the insertion state permits insertion of at least one connector module into the holding frame in a direction transverse to the plane, and wherein the accommodated connector module is fixed in the holding state.

Claims

1. A holding frame for a plug-type connector adapted to receive a plurality of connector modules, the holding frame comprising: a rigid metallic base frame including opposing longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure with a module receiving cavity extending through the rectangular frame structure to insertably receive the 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 adjacent protrusions 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 first resilient cheek part distinct from but coupled to one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metallic base frame and arranged such that at least a portion of the first resilient cheek part extends along an external side of said longitudinal sidewall; and a second resilient cheek part distinct from but coupled to the other one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metallic base frame and arranged such that at least a portion of the second resilient cheek part extends along another external side of said longitudinal sidewall, wherein each of the resilient cheek parts includes an upper end portion that is adapted to move outwardly away from the rigid metallic base frame to enable insertion of at least one of the connector modules into the module receiving cavity of the rigid metallic base frame and the upper end portions is to move back toward the rigid metallic base frame to a holding state to secure the connector module within the module receiving cavity of the rigid metallic base frame via at least one locking window arranged in the upper end portion that is aligned with a respective one of the open recesses and engages a corresponding one of the lugs of the connector module, and wherein the upper end portion of each of the resilient cheek parts includes resilient tabs extending in a direction parallel to a receiving direction of the connector modules, the resilient tabs each having an upper free end with a respective locking window extending through each of the resilient tabs, and wherein the at least one locking window of each of the resilient cheek parts is provided by the respective locking windows of the resilient tabs.

2. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the rigid metallic base frame is formed at least in part from a first material and each of the resilient cheek parts is formed at least in part of a second material that is different than the first material.

3. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the rigid metallic base frame is die-cast metal and each of the resilient cheek parts is sheet metal.

4. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the upper free end of each resilient tab is configured to flex outwardly away from the rigid metallic base frame independent of each other.

5. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein, for each of the resilient cheek parts, each of the resilient tabs is separated by an adjacent one of the resilient tabs by an elongate slot.

6. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the resilient cheek parts are coupled to the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metallic base frame at a respective lower end portion thereof opposite the upper end portion.

7. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the rigid metallic base frame and the resilient cheek parts are formed in an interlocking, frictionally engaged, or integrally bonded manner.

8. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein each of the resilient cheek parts is of substantially flat design and has a rectangular basic shape.

9. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein a common width of the open recesses of one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metallic base frame is different than a common width of the open recesses of the other one of the longitudinal sidewalls of the rigid metallic base frame.

10. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein portions of the rigid metallic base frame adjacent the open recesses cooperate with the locking windows formed in the upper end portions of the resilient cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices.

11. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein a respective transverse flange is integrally formed with each end wall of the rigid metallic base frame, each transverse flange including a plurality of apertures for securing the holding frame to a metallic plug-type connector housing.

12. The holding frame of claim 1, wherein the module receiving cavity has a perimeter defined by the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metallic base frame and extends completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame from one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to the other one of the opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame such that no material of the rigid metallic base frame is provided within the confines of the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metallic base frame.

13. A holding frame for a plug-type connector adapted to receive a plurality of connector modules, the holding frame comprising: a rigid metallic base frame having a rectangular frame structure with a module receiving cavity extending through the rectangular frame structure to insertably receive the plurality of connector modules; and resilient cheek parts distinct from but coupled to opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame such that at least a portion of each of the resilient cheek parts extends along a respective external facing surface of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame, wherein each of the resilient cheek parts includes an upper end portion that is adapted to flex outwardly away from the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to enable insertion of at least one of the connector modules into the module receiving cavity of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame and the upper end portion is to move back toward the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to a holding state to secure the connector module within the module receiving cavity, wherein, for each of the resilient cheek parts, at least one region of the upper end portion is immediately adjacent to the respective external facing surface of the rectangular frame structure without any intermediate structure when the connector modules are received in the module receiving cavity and the resilient cheek parts are in the holding state, and wherein the upper end portion of each of the resilient cheek parts includes resilient tabs extending in a direction parallel to a receiving direction of the connector modules, the resilient tabs each having an upper free end with a respective locking window extending through each of the resilient tabs.

14. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the rigid metallic base frame is formed at least in part from a first material and each of the resilient cheek parts is formed at least in part of a second material that is different than the first material.

15. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the rigid metallic base frame is die-cast metal and each of the resilient cheek parts is sheet metal.

16. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the upper free end of each resilient tab is configured to flex outwardly away from the rigid metallic base frame independent of each other.

17. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein, for each of the resilient cheek parts, each of the resilient tabs is separated by an adjacent one of the resilient tabs by an elongate slot.

18. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the resilient cheek parts are coupled to the opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame at a respective lower end portion thereof opposite the upper end portion.

19. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the rigid metallic base frame and the resilient cheek parts are formed in an interlocking, frictionally engaged, or integrally bonded manner.

20. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein each of the resilient cheek parts is of substantially flat design and has a rectangular basic shape.

21. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein each of the opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame include 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 side of the rectangular frame structure between adjacent protrusions to receive lugs of the connector modules that extend transversely toward the side of the rectangular frame structure when the connector modules are received in the rectangular frame structure.

22. The holding frame of claim 21, wherein the open recesses between the adjacent protrusions of one of the opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame have a common width that is different than a common width of the open recesses between the adjacent protrusions of the other one of the opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame.

23. The holding frame of claim 21, wherein portions of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame adjacent the open recesses cooperate with locking windows formed in the upper end portions of the resilient cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices.

24. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein a respective transverse flange is integrally formed with the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame at opposing ends thereof, each transverse flange including a plurality of apertures for securing the holding frame to a metallic plug-type connector housing.

25. The holding frame of claim 13, wherein the rigid metallic base frame includes opposing longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define the rectangular frame structure, and wherein the module receiving cavity has a perimeter defined by the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metallic base frame and extends completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame from one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to the other one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame such that no material of the rigid metallic base frame is provided within the confines of the longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls of the rigid metallic base frame.

26. A holding frame for a plug-type connector adapted to receive a plurality of connector modules, the holding frame comprising: a rigid metallic base frame having a rectangular frame structure including opposing longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure with a module receiving cavity extending completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame from one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to the other one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to insertably receive the plurality of connector modules, and wherein each of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame include 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 adjacent to each other 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; and resilient cheek parts made of sheet metal that are distinct from but coupled to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame such that at least a portion of each of the resilient cheek parts extends along a respective external facing surface of one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame, wherein each of the resilient cheek parts includes an upper end portion having a plurality of resilient tabs extending in a direction parallel to a receiving direction of the connector modules, the resilient tabs each having an upper free end with a respective locking window extending through each of the resilient tabs and each being aligned with a respective one of the open recesses and adapted to flex outwardly away from the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame independent of each other to enable insertion of at least one of the connector modules into the module receiving cavity of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame and the upper end portion is to move back toward the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to a holding state to secure the connector module within the module receiving cavity, and wherein portions of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame adjacent the open recesses defined between the upwardly extending protrusions of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame cooperate with the respective locking windows formed in the upper free end portions of the resilient cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices to secure the connector modules within the module receiving cavity.

27. The holding frame of claim 26, wherein, for each of the resilient cheek parts, the upper free ends of the resilient tabs are immediately adjacent to the respective external facing surface of the rectangular frame structure without any intermediate structure when the connector modules are received in the module receiving cavity and the resilient tabs of the resilient cheek parts are in the holding state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(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 comprise or consist of resilient sheet steel.

(21) This means that a certain force, for example of 10N, 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 10N, 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 1.

(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 1.

(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 10N 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 10N 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, including 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. The holding frame, by way 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 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.

(38) 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.