Support frame for connector module

The invention is based on a holder frame for plug connector modules according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such holder frames are used for holding connector modules, the holder frame being equipped with different plug-in modules and subsequently inserted into a connector housing and being screwed thereto. In this case, the holding frame must be mechanically stable in order to be able to withstand the occurring plugging and pulling forces when the plug-in connection is disconnected or disconnected.

State of the art

From the <patcit><text>DE 19 707 120 C1</text></patcit> A holder frame for plug connector modules is known. The holder frame consists of two halves which are connected to one another by means of a joint. Hooking hooks of the plug connector modules engage in recesses in the side faces of the respective half. The joint or the end-side joints are arranged in the fastening ends of the holder frame. When the holder frame is screwed onto a mounting surface, the frame parts align in such a way that the side parts of the holder frame are aligned at right angles to the mounting surface. As a result, the plug connector modules are fixed in the holder frame.

The holder of the <patcit><text>DE 19 707 120 C1</text></patcit> Has no clearly defined open position for fitting the holder frame with plug connector modules. This sometimes results in a somewhat bulky mounting, especially in untrained persons.

If the holder frame is successfully fitted with plug connector modules, the latter must be brought into a closed state or into a closed position in order that the plug connector modules are fixed. For the closed state of the holder frame of the prior art, there is no fixed closed state so that the holder frame can inadvertently open, whereby the modules can fall out of their anchoring.

A pure articulated connection does not always have a defined electrical contact between the halves of the holder frame. As a result, a reliable use of the mounting frame for grounding purposes can not be ensured.

Work position

The object of the invention is to propose a holder frame which is easy to handle and versatile in use.

The object is achieved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The holder frame according to the invention is designed to receive plug connector modules and subsequently be installed in a connector housing. The holder frame consists of two mutually connectable halves, a first half and a second half. The holder frame has at least one first locking element.

The halves can be aligned in at least two positions with respect to one another and can be fixed in the at least two positions relative to one another via the first locking element. The alignability of the halves is achieved through the articulated joint, which is described in more detail below.

Advantageously, the holder frame has a respective pivot point at the end, the connecting line of the pivot points forming an axis of rotation parallel to the side faces of the halves. Along the axis of rotation, the halves of the holder frame can be rotated and aligned with each other. As a rule, the pivot points are formed by an articulation head, which is guided in a suitable gel purchase and is described in more detail below.

Preferably, the first locking member has an arcuate shape. One could also speak of a U-shape. One end of the lock member is at the first half and the other end of the lock member is held at the second half.

It is particularly advantageous if the first locking element is fastened to the halves under a preload and when a force is applied by the prestressing which fixes the holder frame in an open position or in a closed position. The force applied by the biasing is used to fix the holder frame in a closed or open position. When the halves are aligned, the user first has to overcome a counter force until the holder frame remains in the respective position (open or closed) or is fixed in this position.

The force resulting from the prestressing of the first blocking element acts on the &lt;?page 3?&gt;End-side joints or the end points of the axis of rotation of the holder frame. Depending on the orientation in which the holder frame is located, a resulting force acts on the articulated connection and forces the holder frame into a closed or open position.

Preferably, the holder frame has at least a second locking element. Preferably, the first locking element is arranged on an end face of the holder frame and the second locking element is arranged on the opposite end face of the holder frame. The first locking element is located on the inner side of the first end face of the holder frame. The second locking element is located on the inner side of the second end face of the holder frame. As a result, the mounting frame is mechanically stable in its alignment.

Preferably, the second locking element is meander-shaped. This meander shape supports the alignment movement of the halves.

It is particularly advantageous if the second locking element is also fastened to the halves under a pretension. This biasing may assist the fixation by the first locking element.

Advantageously, the halves are made of a metallic material. In a closed state, the halves are in electrically conductive contact with each other. The electrically conductive connection between the halves can also be effected or supported by the blocking element. For this purpose, the blocking element or the blocking elements must also consist of an electrically conductive material.

By open position it is meant that the halves along the separation line are at an angle α unequal to 180 ° to one another. Preferably the angle is between 130 ° to 170 °. An angle between 155 ° and 165 ° has proved to be particularly advantageous. In this angular position of the halves, the plug connector modules can be inserted particularly easily into the holder frame. In the closed position, the halves assume an angle of approximately 180 ° or exactly 180 ° to one another. Thus the halves are parallel to each other in the closed position.

The two halves are reliably brought into electrical contact with one another via the blocking element. This takes place, on the one hand, via the blocking element itself insofar as it is made of an electrically conductive material. In addition, by biasing the locking element, the articulation head of one half is pressed into the yoke of the other half, resulting in a reliable electrical contact.

FIG

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

<figref>1</figref> A side view of a holder frame in a closed position,

<figref>2</figref> A side view of a holder frame in an open position,

<figref>3</figref> A perspective view of a section of the holder frame,

<figref>4</figref> A perspective illustration of a further section of the holder frame,

<figref>5</figref> A perspective view of the closed holder frame,

<figref>6</figref> A perspective view of the closed holder frame with integrated connector modules,

<figref>7</figref> 4 shows a perspective view of a first blocking element and FIG

<figref>8th</figref> 4 shows a perspective view of a second blocking element.

The figures partially contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases identical reference characters are used for identical, but not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements could be differently scaled.

The <figref>1</figref> Shows a holder frame <figref>1</figref> In a closed position. The holder frame<figref>1</figref> Consists essentially of two halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref>, Which has a joint <figref>2</figref>, <figref>3</figref> Are connected to each other. A half<figref>5</figref> Has a joint head at the respective end faces <figref>2</figref> Which is included in an intended purchase <figref>3</figref> Of the opposing half <figref>4</figref> . This is referred to as an articulated connection of the two halves<figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Of the holder frame.

The holder frame <figref>1</figref> Has a first locking element <figref>7</figref> , Which is essentially U-shaped. The first locking element<figref>7</figref> Is in <figref>7</figref> Respectively. The ends of the first locking element<figref>7</figref> Are bent by 90 °. The bent areas form so-called ratchet hooks<figref>9</figref> out.

The halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> Each have a recess <figref>6</figref> on. The catch hooks<figref>9</figref> Of the first locking element engage in the recesses <figref>6</figref> Whereby the first locking member <figref>7</figref> On the inside of an end face of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> Is fixed.

&lt;?page 4?&gt;The first locking element <figref>7</figref> Is placed under a bias in the recesses <figref>6</figref> Respectively. The ends of the first locking element<figref>7</figref> Exert a force along a virtual stress line through the bias <figref>10</figref> To each other. In the<figref>1</figref> and <figref>2</figref> Is a center line <figref>11</figref> Of the joint head <figref>2</figref> Or the articulated connection of the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> Is shown.

The operation of the first locking element will be described below <figref>7</figref> In more detail. Due to the pretensioning of the first locking element<figref>7</figref> Becomes a force on the hinged connection of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> Respectively. A resulting force causes the halves<figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> In a closed or open position.

Is the voltage line <figref>10</figref> Above the central line of the joint <figref>2</figref>, <figref>3</figref>, The halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Into a closed position of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> (<figref>1</figref>). In this case,<figref>2</figref> Outgoing first stop <figref>12</figref> Against a first stop <figref>13</figref> The half <figref>4</figref> Button. Is the voltage line<figref>10</figref> Below the center line <figref>11</figref>, A second, from the joint head <figref>2</figref> Protruding stop <figref>14</figref> Against a second stop <figref>15</figref> The half <figref>4</figref> Button. This will make the halves<figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Or becomes the holder frame <figref>1</figref> In an open position (<figref>2</figref>).

On an opposite, inner end face of the holder frame <figref>1</figref> Is a second locking element <figref>7 '</figref> . This locking element is essentially meander-shaped and has detent hooks at the respective end<figref>9 '</figref> Which are in recesses <figref>6</figref> On the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Are held. A loop of the meandering second locking element<figref>7 '</figref> Located at the height of the joint <figref>2</figref>, <figref>3</figref>. The meandering second locking element<figref>7 '</figref> Essentially supports the articulated connection of the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> And provides a restoring force from the open to the closed position. This makes the mounting frame easier to operate.

Connector modules <figref>19</figref> Have long been known and, for example, in the <patcit><text>DE 19 707 120 C1</text></patcit> Described. The connector modules<figref>19</figref> Are provided with protruding, approximately rectangular holding means <figref>20</figref> And spring-elastic latching hooks <figref>21</figref> provided. In the sides<figref>22</figref> Of the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Are recesses formed on all sides <figref>23</figref> In which the holding means <figref>20</figref> When inserting the connector modules <figref>19</figref> In the holder frames <figref>1</figref> To come in.

The holder frame <figref>1</figref> Has a grounding bush <figref>24</figref> , Into which a pin (not shown) of an opposite holder frame (not shown) can engage.

The core of the invention relates to a holder frame <figref>1</figref>, In which plug connector modules <figref>19</figref> , Wherein the holding frame <figref>1</figref> From two mutually connectable halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref>, A first half <figref>4</figref> And a second half <figref>5</figref>, Wherein the holding frame <figref>1</figref> At least a first blocking element <figref>7</figref> And wherein the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> Via the first locking element <figref>7</figref> In at least two positions can be aligned and fixed with respect to one another. The first locking element<figref>7</figref> Is under a bias on the halves <figref>4</figref>, <figref>5</figref> And a force is applied by the biasing force to the support frame <figref>1</figref> Optionally fixed in an open position or in a closed position.

It has turned out to be particularly effective when a holder frame <figref>1</figref> On both sides with a U-shaped locking element <figref>7</figref> As shown in Fig <figref>7</figref> Is shown.

Reference list

<dl><dt>1</dt><dd> Mounting frame</dd><dt>2</dt><dd> Joint head</dd><dt>3</dt><dd> Purchasing</dd><dt>4</dt><dd> half</dd><dt>5</dt><dd> half</dd><dt>6</dt><dd> Recess</dd><dt>7 7 '</dt><dd>First barrier element; Second locking element</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd> screw</dd><dt>9</dt><dd> Ratchet hooks</dd><dt>10</dt><dd> Voltage line</dd><dt>11</dt><dd> Central line</dd><dt>12</dt><dd> First stop of the joint head</dd><dt>13</dt><dd> First stroke of the half</dd><dt>14</dt><dd> Second stop of the joint head </dd><dt>15</dt><dd> Second attack of the half</dd><dt>19</dt><dd> Connector module</dd><dt>20</dt><dd> Brackets</dd><dt>21</dt><dd> Spring-elastic snap hook</dd><dt>22</dt><dd> Side section</dd><dt>23</dt><dd> Recess</dd><dt>24</dt><dd> Earthing connector</dd></dl>

&lt;?page 5?&gt;CITATES IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included for the better information of the reader only. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited Patent Literature

<ul list-style="bullet"><li>DE 19707120 C1 <b>[0003] 0004, 0039]</b></li></ul>