DE29920253U1 - Device for connecting module plugs - Google Patents

Description

HARTING KGaA

Marienwerderstrasse 3 1999-11-17

D-32339 Espelkamp 9902 DE G H

Device for connecting module plugs

&iacgr;&ogr; The invention relates to a device for connecting module plugs.

To simplify the assembly of conductor connections in control cabinets or distribution boxes, it is necessary to design connections that can be separated without special tools; the cables can be grouped together in module connectors.

It is known to use terminal blocks with screw or cage clamp contacts for connecting cables within closed operating areas, such as rooms, control cabinets and distribution boxes. It is also known to combine cable connections in system connectors, which can consist of individual, differently designed module plugs that are held together in a holding frame and provided with a plug housing.

For cable connections made using terminal blocks, a tool is usually required to disconnect a connection. The use of system connectors is expensive and is not necessary if only a small number of connections are to be made.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that commercially available module plugs can be connected cost-effectively even without the housing of a system plug connector and without special tools.

This object is achieved in that a first mounting device has a frame into which a first module plug can be latched, that a second mounting device has a frame for receiving a second module

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plug, and that the first holding device and the second holding device are provided with means for mutual locking, whereby plug contacts of the two module plugs come into contact with one another.
5

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in claim 2.

The advantages achieved with the invention consist in particular in the fact that individual module plugs can be connected by means of a holding device. In a further embodiment of the invention, the module plugs are held in a holder which can be snapped onto a mounting rail.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below. They show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting device and a frame-shaped mounting, and

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a device that can be snapped onto a mounting rail for connecting module plugs to corresponding module plugs.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first mounting device 1 and a frame-shaped second mounting device 2. A locking device 11 is formed on the mounting device 1 below a frame 10, which is provided with parallel, vertically downward-pointing webs 12 and locking means 13 formed on the ends thereof.

The different distances between the webs 12 are adapted to the different sizes for a total of three different holding rails - for a top hat rail, a C rail and a G rail. A protruding locking arm 18 is formed on the lower part of the frame 10, which is provided with a hook-shaped locking element 14 pointing downwards, while an attachment 19 is formed on the upper part of the frame, which has a recess 15 open downwards.

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The second holder 2 consists of a frame 20, on the upper frame part of which a protruding locking arm 28 is formed, which is provided with an upwardly pointing hook-shaped locking element 24 and has an attachment 29 with an upwardly open recess 25 on the lower frame part.

The side walls of the frames 10 and 20 of the mounting devices 1 and 2, shown vertically in Fig. 1, are designed differently. The side walls 17 and 27 are designed as smooth, continuous walls for adhesive labels, while the opposite

The side walls are each provided with two window-like recesses 16 and 26 for snapping in identification plates (not shown here).

To facilitate the insertion of the module plugs 4 and 6 into the frames 10 and 20, the vertical inner edges of the frames can be provided with an insertion bevel 30.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the mounting device 1 to be snapped onto a mounting rail, the mounting device 2 and the corresponding module plugs 4 and 6. During assembly, the mounting device 1 is first snapped onto the mounting rail 3 with the locking elements 13 of the locking device 11, which is provided, for example, in a control cabinet for accommodating cable connection elements.

The module plug 4 with plug contacts inserted therein (not shown here) is then inserted into the holder device 1. A total of four locking hooks 5 are provided on the module plug 4, which, after correct insertion into the frame 10, lock into the upper and lower frame parts on the plug-in side of the holder device 1.

Likewise, the module plug 6 is inserted into the frame 20 and locked by means of the locking hooks 7.

The freely movable combination of the holder 2 with the module plug 6 is then inserted into the holder device 1 snapped onto the mounting rail 3.

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When the holder device 1 is assembled with the frame-shaped holder 2 and with the module plugs 4 and 6 inserted, the outward-facing hook-shaped locking elements 14 and 25 engage in the inwardly open recesses 24 and 15.

By applying pressure from the top and bottom to the locking arms 18 and 28, the two holders 1 and 2 are unlocked, so that connecting or disconnecting the module plugs locked in the holders 1 and 2 does not require any tools.

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Claims (2)

1. Device for connecting module plugs, characterized in that
that a first holding device ( 1 ) has a frame ( 10 ) into which a first module plug ( 4 ) can be snapped,
that a second holder ( 2 ) has a frame ( 20 ) for receiving a second module plug ( 6 ), and that the first holder device ( 1 ) and the second holder ( 2 ) are provided with means ( 14 , 25 and 15 , 24 ) for mutual latching or locking, wherein plug contacts of the two module plugs ( 4 , 6 ) come into contact with one another. 2. Device for connecting module plugs according to claim 1, characterized in that the first holding device ( 1 ) is provided with means ( 13 ) for snapping onto a support rail ( 3 ).