EP3117489B1 - Modular connector with alignment module for plug-in connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a modular connector having the features of claim 1.

The present description therefore particularly relates to a connector alignment module in a modular connector in which a module body of the connector alignment module has two pins protruding from the module body which are preferably diametrically located at opposite positions so that upon mating of the modular connector, first opposing pins of the respective connector alignment modules meet.

In the prior art, different modular connectors are known. From the publication DE202012010735U1 is known a modular connector.

Modular connector systems or modular connectors typically include a female connector and a male connector that can be engaged with each other.

The connectors thus have a jack module frame in which jack modules are inserted, which together define the jack module connector. In the socket modules electrical contacts are arranged.

Thus, modular connector systems further include a pin module which cooperates with a pin module frame and defines the pin connector portion. In the pin module corresponding electrical contacts are usually arranged to the socket module. In addition to the sockets with electrical contacts and pneumatic and other contacts can be accommodated. In this way, differently equipped with power contacts, signal contacts or other contacts modular connector systems can be provided to meet the different requirements in the applications.

It is also common to deliver such modular connector systems in individual parts, so that the fitters and users can put together appropriate module systems adapted to their application.

As a rule, the module frames are designed so that the modules to be used can be inserted into a fixed plug-in grid in the module frame and latched or fastened there. In this way, one or more such modules can be inserted side by side in the module frame and locked with this depending on the Buchsenmodulrahmengröße.

The problem with the known in the prior art modular connector system is therefore the fact that it is difficult, especially in inaccessible plug positions to bring the female and pin modules of the connector system securely with each other. This is made more difficult in particular by the fact that the modules frequently have an end face lying on a common plane, so that the opposing connector pairs can be pushed back and forth with their front sides on the other connector and it is difficult to move the connectors into the desired engagement bring.

It is also undesirable that it comes to Aufsetzern the contact modules, as this can also cause damage before a proper contact between the contacts was made, depending on the design of the pin or socket modules.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and in particular to provide a device with which it is possible to bring connector pairs of modular connectors securely together in the intended engagement position.

This object is achieved with a modular connector according to claim 1.

The basic idea behind the present invention is to provide, in a modular connector, a connector alignment module for insertion into the modular frame of the modular connector, which is opposite to the module bodies of the modular connector Connector system, preferably two protruding from these pins, which serve as a guide means for inserting the connector pairs of the modular connector system.

In other words, a connector alignment module is disposed correspondingly at corresponding positions in the modular frame of the modular connector on both the pin side and the socket side, so that the respective protruding opposing pins converge and bring the two pairs of plugs into a proper engagement state.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connector alignment module is hermaphroditic. In this way, it can be used both on the pen module side as on the jack module side of the respective connector pairs of the modular connector system and can be solved with a single module, the object of the invention.

It is also advantageous if the pins protrude on the module body at two diametrically opposite corners, specifically in the insertion direction E of the module with respect to the module frame.

It is further preferred to design the pins identically and preferably to provide them with a rectangular cross-section.

Further, it is preferred if the pins have at their plug-side end insertion bevels, which meet when two opposing connector alignment modules meet and thus act as guide surfaces.

It is further advantageously provided that the connector alignment module has fastening elements, preferably resiliently formed fastening elements, in order to be inserted or plugged into a module frame of a modular connector system.

It is further preferred if the fastening elements have a latching nose for latching with the module frame, and further preferred if, in addition to the latching tabs, recesses are present in which tabs formed on the module frame can engage. This ensures a particularly secure mounting and storage of the connector alignment modules in the module frame.

According to the invention, a modular connector with the features of claim 1 is provided.

This provides a modular connector system which ensures that when a female connector is mated with a male connector, the different female modules that can be engaged with each other are brought into their correct engagement position by means of the connector alignment module.

It is further provided with advantage to provide a modular connector, wherein the connector alignment modules are formed with their fasteners so that can be used in any slot within the plug-in grid of the modular frame of the modular connector. In this way, the user has the ability to arrange the jack modules, respectively the pin modules in the respective module frame so that they can be introduced at a desired mounting position, while specifically a designated slot in the module frame for the connector alignment module according to the invention can be selected. In this way, a coding of the modular connector system can be provided at the same time, as well as otherwise equipped with comparable socket modules and pin modules modular connector systems by rearranging the jack modules or pin modules and appropriate arrangement of the connector alignment modules each with only the provided corresponding connector can be brought into engagement or plugged together.

According to the invention, when the modules are inserted into the module frame, the pins of the respective connector alignment module protrude with respect to the end face or the plane defined by the end faces of the modules, so that when the socket is plugged together, the opposing (projecting) pins of respectively opposite connector alignment modules meet and collide , When mating the connector pairs of the modular connector system, these are then preferably guided over the insertion bevels so that the connector pairs can be brought into their intended insertion or engagement position.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines modularen Steckverbindersystems;

Fig. 2

eine weitere Seitenansicht des modularen Steckverbindersystems gemäß Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des modularen Steckverbindersystems gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht zweier sich korrespondierend gegenüberstehender Steckverbinderausrichtungsmodule;

Fig. 5

eine Aufsicht auf ein Steckverbinderausrichtungsmodul gemäß Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines einzelnen Steckverbinderausrichtungsmoduls;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht eines Steckverbinderausrichtungsmoduls gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine weitere Seitenansicht auf ein Steckverbinderausrichtungsmodul gemäß Fig. 6.

The invention will now be described purely by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a modular connector system;

Fig. 2

another side view of the modular connector system according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the modular connector system according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of two correspondingly opposite connector alignment modules;

Fig. 5

a plan view of a connector alignment module according to Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a single connector alignment module;

Fig. 7

a side view of a connector alignment module according to Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 8

another side view of a connector alignment module according to Fig. 6 ,

In the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 an exemplary embodiment of a modular connector system 2 is shown. The modular connector system 2 is formed from a pair of connectors 2a, 2b. The socket connector 2a comprises a socket module frame 21 in which jack modules 20 are inserted in a defined plug-in grid A. The male connector 3a comprises a connector module frame 31, in which pin modules 30 (correspondingly designed for engagement in the socket modules 20) are inserted, which are likewise incorporated in a plug-in grid A of the plug module frame 31.

In the Fig. 1 is also apparent that a as in the Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 shown connector alignment module 1 in both the socket module frame 21 and the plug module frame 31 is inserted and locked with its fastening elements 5a, 5b.

In the Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 An exemplary embodiment of a connector alignment module 1 is shown. The connector alignment module 1 has a substantially rectangular module body 3, wherein two pins 4a, 4b protrude from the module body 3, and furthermore wherein at least one fastening element 5a, 5b is arranged laterally on the module body 3, around the connector alignment module 1 on the respective module frame 21, 31 set.

As in particular in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the present embodiment of the connector alignment module 1 is hermaphroditic in design and may be used with both the pen module frame 31 and the socket module frame 21.

If the connector alignment modules 1 are respectively arranged at corresponding plug-in positions in the plug-in grid R of the module frames 21, 31, meet the front ends of the pins 4a, 4b during mating (as in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 apparent) to each other, so that a guide during the merging of the connector pairs 2a, 2b is ensured.

It can also be seen that the pins 4a, 4b are identically formed in shape and arranged at diametrically opposite corners of the module body and projecting therefrom.

The length of the pins 4a, 4b is chosen so that they protrude beyond the end faces of the pin modules 30 and the socket modules 20, as also in the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 is apparent. In this way, it is ensured that, prior to the engagement of a pin module 30 with a socket module 20, first the opposing (projecting) ends of the pins 4a, 4b of the respective corresponding connector alignment modules 1 meet and ensure the guidance during the further mating of the connector pairs 2a, 2b.

For better guidance, the pins 4a, 4b have at their plug-side end 7 via chamfers 8. The chamfers 8 are formed so that two mating or intermeshing connector alignment modules 1 form when mating at the chamfers 8 slip planes along which they are guided, until the side surfaces of the pins 4a, 4b face each other and further insertion of the connector pairs 2a, 2b takes place.

In the Fig. 4 to Fig. 8 is also apparent that the side of the module body 3 each have a resilient fastening element 5a, 5b is arranged. The fastening elements 5a, 5b show with their free end 5c, 5d in the insertion direction E of the module with respect to the module frame.

The fastening elements 5a, 5b have two spring tongues, which are connected at their free end to the module body 3 and are connected to one another at their resilient free end via a transverse web. In this way, an opening is formed between the two spring arms, in which a latching nose can engage the module frame.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Connectors Orientation module

2

modular connector

2a, 2b

connector pairs

3

module body

4a, 4b

spigot

5a, 5b

fasteners

5c, 5d

free end

6

corners

7

plug-in end

8th

bevels

20

jack module

21

Socket module frame

22

front

30

pin module

31

Pin module frame

32

front

A

plug grid

e

insertion

R

plug grid

Claims (8)

1. Modular connector (2) consisting of a connector pair made up of a female connector comprising at least one socket module (20) with a socket-module frame (21), said socket module having a plug-in grid for plugging the at least one socket module (20) into one of the plug-in positions of the plug-in grid, and also made up of a male connector comprising at least one pin module (30) with a pin-module frame (31) having an identical plug-in grid (R) into which to plug the at least one pin module (30), characterized in that also provided is a connector alignment module (1) for each module frame (21, 31), for fitting at opposite corresponding plug-in positions of the plug-in grid on the respective module frame (21, 31), wherein each connector alignment module (1)

   a) has an essentially rectangular module body (3),

   b) wherein there is also the case that at least one fastening element (5a, 5b) is arranged on the module body (3), in order to secure the connector alignment module (1) on the module frame of the modular connector (2), and

   c) two stubs (4a, 4b) project from the respective module body (3), said stubs on the respective module body projecting from the latter in each case at two diametrically opposite corners of the module body and, specifically, projecting in the plug-in direction of the respective connector alignment module in relation to the respective module frame, wherein, with the modules (1, 20, 30) inserted into the respective module frame (21, 31), the stubs (4a, 4b) of the respective connector alignment module (1) project in relation to the end side of the respectively other modules (20, 30), said end side being formed by the modules (20, 30), and therefore, when the connector pair (2a, 2b) which make up the modular connector (2) are being plugged together, in the first instance the opposite ends of the stubs (4a, 4b) of the opposite connector alignment modules (1) come into contact and ensure guidance for the rest of the operation of plugging the connector pair together.
2. Modular connector (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connector alignment modules (1) have their fastening elements (5a, 5b) designed such that they can be plugged in in any desired plug-in position within the plug-in grid of the module frame of the modular connector (2).
3. Modular connector (2) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connector alignment module (1) is of hermaphroditic design.
4. Modular connector (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stubs (4a, 4b) are identical and have a rectangular cross section.
5. Modular connector (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stubs (4a, 4b) have introduction slopes (8) at their respective plug-in end (7).
6. Connector alignment module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening elements (5a, 5b) are of resilient design.
7. Connector alignment module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening elements (5a, 5b) each have a latching nose or a latching recess for latching to a module frame.
8. Modular connector (2) according to one of preceding Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the introduction slopes are arranged on at least two end edges of the plug-in end (7).

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