MODULAR FRAME ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A modular frame assembly (10) for supporting an array of electrical and/or electronic components (40, 50, 60, 70, 80). The frame assembly (10) includes a frame (20) having housing receiving units (31) therein for receiving electrical or electronic components (60, 70, 80). The frame (20) also includes at least one joint slot (24) along a periphery thereof for receiving an electrical or electronic component (40, 50) or a second frame (20) in series therewith. Additionally, the frame includes at least one housing receiving unit (31) having a resiliently deflectable latching arm (32) for latching an electrical or electronic component (60, 70, 80) therein, and the latching arm includes a tip (32d) formed thereon for an operator's use in deflecting the latching arm (32) during the electrical or electronic components' (60, 70, 80) assembly to or disassembly from the frame (20).

Description: MODULAR FRAME ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a modular frame assembly for supporting an array of electrical connectors and/or electronic components. As the quantity of electronics in automobiles increases, the need for more electrical/electronic components and a place to reliably mount them becomes apparent. Modular frame assemblies are used in the automotive industry to provide a structure whereby fuses, relays, and other electrical/electronic devices can be mounted for interconnection with other devices and/or wires in the electrical system. It is therefore desirable for a frame to be versatile in that it can mount a variety of electrical components, but it must be compact, and it should comprise structural characteristics which provide ease of use in installing and removing the components. A conventional modular electrical connector system is disclosed in US-A-4090764. This known modular connector includes individual electrical modules which may be assembled in a side-by-side arrangement in a supporting device having opposed metallic but separable spring fingers. The modules are secured to the supporting device by the spring fingers; however, this arrangement requires many parts, and is expensive to manufacture and assemble. Another conventional device is disclosed in US-A- 4171862. This known terminal board is designed for the mounting of a row of electrical devices and elements on a terminal board, and further provides for a plurality of identical terminal board units being connected together in an interlocked manner by virtue of interlocking structural features. Thus, like terminal boards can be mechanically connected in series; however, during board-to-board assembly of the interconnection structures a frictional force exists which requires a high degree of insertion force to overcome. Moreover, this device is not particularly versatile in that it does not provide for the mounting of a variety of electrical components thereon. The present invention provides a modular frame assembly for supporting a variety of electrical and electronic components, the frame assembly includes: a frame having housing receiving units therein for receiving electrical or electronic components; and a joint slot along a periphery thereof for receiving an electrical or electronic component or a second frame in series with the first frame. The housing receiving units respectively include a resiliently deflectable latching arm for latching an electrical or electronic component therein, and the latching arm includes a tip formed thereon for an operator's use in deflecting the latching arm during the electrical or electronic component's assembly to or disassembly from the frame. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded, isometric view of the modular frame assembly according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows the modular frame of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the modular frame of Figure l taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the modular frame of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the modular frame taken along line 5-5 of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the modular frame taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2. Figure 7 is an isometric view of the power ground tab housing of Figure 1. Figure 8 is an isometric view of an electrical connector housing for use with the present invention. Figure 9 is an isometric view of a further electrical connector housing for use with the present invention. Figure 10 is an isometric view of an electronic component housing for use with the present invention. Figure 11 is an isometric view of a further electronic component housing for use with the present invention. Figure 12 is an isometric drawing of two modular frames according to the present invention when such frames are connected in series, but with a power ground tab housing disposed on the periphery of one of the modular frames. Figure 13 shows an exploded isometric view of an electrical connector assembly for use with the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, the modular frame assembly 10 of the present invention will be described. The modular frame assembly 10 is made of a suitable engineering plastic and includes a mounting flange 21, mounting aperture 22, joint slot 24, wall 25, slot array 26, joint member 27, and joint latching fingers 29 with recesses 29a. A housing receiving array 30 is shown within the periphery of the frame 20. Housing receiving array 30 includes housing receiving units 31, latch arms 32, and partitions 34. As shown in Figure 1, housing receiving array 30 is formed in a top face 38 of frame 20. Latch arm elbow 32a is shown as located on a bottom surface of the modular frame 20 (see Figure 3) . Power ground tab housing 40 is shown above the frame 20 before connection to an outer periphery of the frame 20. Electrical connector housing 50 is likewise shown above frame 20 in a pre-mounted position. Internal electrical housing 60 is shown below frame 20 before insertion into a housing receiving unit 31 of housing receiving array 30. Fuse housing 70 is likewise shown below frame 20 prior to insertion of the fuse housing 70 into a pair of housing receiving units 31. Additionally, diode housing 80 is disposed beneath frame 20 for insertion into a housing receiving unit 31. Referring to Figures 2-6, the frame 20 will be more fully described. In the left hand side of Figure 3, joint slot 24 is shown with tabs 24a, and a pair of latch arms 32 are shown in housing receiving unit 31 with the partition 34 formed therebetween. On the right hand side of Figure 3, a cross sectional view of the latch arms 32 is shown. Each latch arm 32 extends from and is supported by base portion 36 and includes the elbow 32a, a ramp 32b, a ledge 32c, and a tip 32d. Adjacent to the latch arm 32 a void 33 is formed on base portion 36 and has a side portion 33a of a generally tapered shape. Wall 25 with wall face 25a is shown at an extreme right hand side of Figure 3 on the outer periphery of frame 20. Figure 2 shows a support wall 35 holding latch arms 32 between base portions 36. As shown in Figure 3, however, the elbows 32a of latch arms 32 project below a bottom face 37 of frame 20. As is best shown in Figures 2 and 5, the housing receiving unit 31 of frame 20 is provided with a keying recess 31a and a keying projection 31b. Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the frame 20 in the area adjacent to joint member 27. Joint member 27 includes projection 27a and a pair of lands 27b formed on either side of joint member 27 on frame 20. Referring to Figure 6, joint latching fingers 29 are disposed on lateral sides of joint member 27. The joint latching fingers 29 are resiliently deflectable and are formed adjacent to recesses 29a. Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a portion of frame 20. Mounting flange 21 includes strengthening ribs 23a, 23b, and 23c on a bottom surface thereof for saving plastics material and strengthening mounting flange 21. Referring to Figures 7 and 13, the power ground tab housing 40 of the present invention will now be described. Ground tab housing 40 includes a ground lug aperture 41, a corner post 42, latching members 46, joint member 47, support flange 48, and latching fingers 49. Joint member 47 includes projections 47a for registering with joint slots 24 of frame 20, and includes walls 47b. Support flanges 48 support latching fingers 49 for latching engagement with bottom surfaces of wall 25. The four corners of posts 42 describe an inner cavity for the receipt of a power ground contact. Latching members 46 are resiliently deflectable and include an inner projection for engaging a tab on an electrical terminal for releasing the terminal from the ground. Grounding lug aperture 41 is provided for passage of a ground lug, and slot 41a is provided for receipt of a grounding terminal therethrough. Referring to Figure 8, the peripheral electrical contact housing 50 includes a top half 52 and a cap half 53. Top half 52 includes contact apertures 51 for receiving electrical contacts therein (not shown in the drawing) , and a joint member 57 with projections 57a on a surface thereof. Disposed laterally of joint member 57 are supports 58 having latching fingers 59 disposed thereon. Joint member 57 is adapted to be slid into joint slot 24 of frame 20. Additionally, latching fingers 59 are adapted to engage bottom surfaces of walls 25 of frame 20. Referring to Figure 9, internal electrical housing 60 will be further described. Internal electrical housing 60 includes a body half 62 with electrical contact apertures 61 formed therein for receipt of electrical contacts, for example, junior power-timer contacts (not shown in the drawing) . Cap half 63 is adapted to be latched to body half 62. Body half 62 includes recesses 64 for registering with ramps 32b of latch arms 32 of frame 20. Additionally, a keying projection 65 is provided for registering with keying recess 31a of housing receiving unit 31 of frame 20. Referring to Figures 10 and 11, fuse housing 70 and diode housing 80, respectively, will be further described. As shown in Figure 10, fuse housing 70 includes apertures 71 formed in body 72 for receiving electronic or electrical components, for example, fuses. Grooves 73 are formed in longitudinal edges of fuse housing 70, and lands 74 with keying projections 76 are formed on end edges of fuse housing 70. Transverse recess 75 is provided for registering with partition 34 and keying projection 31b of frame 20. Grooves 73 are provided for registering with ramp 32b of latching arms 32. Keying projections 76 are adapted to fit within keying recess 31a of housing receiving unit 31. Lands 74 are adapted to abut the bottom face 37 of frame 20 adjacent to keying recess 31a at one end of body 72, and lands 74 are adapted to abut base portion 36 at another end of body housing 72. Referring to Figure 11, diode housing 80 will be more fully described. Diode housing 80 is similar to fuse housing 70 in the way that it latches to frame 20 as it includes: grooves 83 for registering with ramps 32b of latch arms 32 of frame 20; lands 84 for abutment with bottom face 37 of frame 20; keying projections 86 for registering with keying recess 31a of housing receiving unit 31 of frame 20; and a transverse recess 85 for registering with partition 34 of housing receiving unit 31. Body 82 includes diode apertures 81 for receiving, for example, electrical diodes therein. Figure 12 shows two frames 20 joined together at assembled joints 28 comprising joint slot 24 and joint member 27. Additionally, power ground tab housing 40 is joined to the left hand side of frame 20 at assembled joint 45, which joint 45 comprises interlocked members 47 and 24. Assembly of the modular frame assembly 10 will now be described. Beginning with power ground tab housing 40, the joint member 47 is inserted down into joint slot 24 so that projections 47a on joint members 47 will be firmly bottomed within joint slot 24. Tabs 24a adjacent to joint slots 24 will firmly engage back surface 47b of power ground tab housing 40. After power ground tab housing 40 has been fully inserted into joint slot 24, latching fingers 49 will resiliently deflect under wall faces 25a of walls 25, thereby securely latching power ground tab housing 40 in place on frame 20. Peripheral electrical housing 50 is assembled to frame 20 in a similar manner whereby joint member 57 is inserted into joint slot 24 so that projections 57a are snugly disposed in joint slot 24 behind tabs 24a. As peripheral electrical housing 50 is slid into place in joint slot 24, latching fingers 59 will be resiliently deflected inwardly by engaging walls 25 of frame 20. Latching fingers 59 will outwardly deflect and thereby lock peripheral electrical housing 50 in place as the tips of the latching fingers 59 will engage bottom surfaces of wall faces 25a of walls 25. As shown in Figure 1, internal electrical housing 60 is to be inserted into a housing receiving unit 31. Internal electrical housing 60, fuse housing 70, and diode housing 80 are all inserted from the bottom side 37 of frame 20. Internal electrical housing 60 must be oriented so that keying projection 65 will be slid into the complimentary keying recess 31a of housing receiving unit 31. As electrical housing 60 is moved into place in housing receiving unit 31, grooves 64 thereon will engage ramps 32b of latch arms 32, thereby deflecting latch arms 32 relatively away from each other. Thus the void 33 will be somewhat closed. Electrical housing 60 is pushed upwardly until flanges 64a below recess 64 will allow ledges 32c of latch arms 32 to resiliently deflect towards each other and against the body of electrical housing 60. At this point, lands 67 of electrical housing 60 will engage the bottom face 37 of frame 20, thereby trapping electrical housing 60 between the interface of lands 67 and bottom face 37, and flange 64a and ledges 32c. The electrical housing 60 is thereby snugly held on the frame 20 at housing receiving unit 31. 28861 PC17US96/02234 8 Referring to the assembly of fuse housing 70 onto frame 20, the fuse housing 70 will be inserted from a bottom side of frame 20 so that latch arms 32 are resiliently deflected outwardly by grooves 73 until ledges 32c pass flanges 73a, at which point latch arms 32 will resile toward body 72 of fuse housing 70. In order for this to happen, fuse housing 70 must be oriented so that keying projections 76 will be aligned with keying recess 31a of housing receiving unit 31. Fuse housing 70, however, fills the space of two housing receiving units 31, so that transverse recess 75 will internally accommodate partitions 34 when fuse housing 70 is fully installed on frame 20. When so installed, fuse housing 70 will be held snugly in place as it is trapped between lands 74, abutting bottom face 37 of frame 20, and ledges 32c of latch arms 32, which engage flanges 73a adjacent to groove 73. In a manner similar to fuse housing 70, diode housing 80 is inserted into place from a bottom side of frame 20. Grooves 83 engage ramp surfaces 32b of latch arms 32 and outwardly deflect the latch arms 32 until ledges 32c thereof engage flanges 83a below grooves 83. When fully assembled to the frame 20, lands 84 of diode housing 80 will engage bottom face 37 and keying projections 86 must be oriented to fit into keying recesses 31a of housing receiving unit 31. Diode housing 80 also takes up the space of two housing units 31, so that partition 34 will be disposed in transverse recess 85 across the top of diode housing 80. Diode housing 80 is thereby trapped in place by lands 84 engaging bottom face 37 of frame 20, and flanges 83a engaging ledges 32c of latch arms 32. As shown in Figure 12, frames 20 can be serially connected at assembled joints 28, which joints comprise joint members 27 interlocked with joint slots 24. Referring to Figures 4 and 12, joint members 27 are slid down into joint slots 24 so that projections 27a are firmly engaged in joint slots 24. At this time joint latching fingers 29 of frame 20 will be resiliently and inwardly deflected by wall faces 25a until they reach the position of the bottom portions of walls 25, which position allows resilient joint latching fingers 29 to deflect outwardly below walls 25, thereby latching the frames 20 together. Complimentary wall faces 25a of walls 25, as shown in Figure 12, will engage each other. As shown in Figure 6, joint member 27 includes tabs 27a with bearing surfaces (bumps) formed thereon for presenting a low coefficient of friction interface as these surfaces slide against wall 25 when joint members 27 are inserted into joint slots 24. This is an advantage because it reduces insertional friction during assembly of the serially connected frames 20, yet maintains a suitable retention force. The frames 20 can be bolted (or otherwise fastened) to a bulkhead or wall by employing a bolt or screw through mounting holes 22 of mounting flanges 21. When it is desired to remove internal electrical housing 60, fuse housing 70, or diode housing 80, the operator can simply depress tips 32d of latch arms 32, moving the latching arms 32 relatively away from each other, and thereby remove ledges 32c from the flanges 64a, 73a, 83a, taken respectively. This permits removal of the internal electrical housing 60, fuse housing 70, or diode housing 80 from frame 20. Thus the operator can easily assemble or disassemble electrical or electronic components relative to the frame 20 by depressing the tips 32d. An embodiment of a modular frame assembly for supporting an array of electrical connectors and electronic components has thus been disclosed; however, modification of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. For example: it is possible to arrange the housing receiving units 31 into a configuration which departs from the ordered array shown in the appended drawings; it is contemplated that more or less electrical and/or electronic components 40,50,60,70,80 can be used with the frame; and the frames 20 can be connected serially in various ways to suit the technical application at hand. It is also contemplated that housing receiving units 31 can include but one latching arm 32 to securely retain housings 60, 70, or 80. Thus, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be strictly limited to such embodiment, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Claims : 1. A modular frame assembly (10) for supporting an array of electrical and electronic components (40,50,60,70,80), the frame assembly (10) includes a frame (20) having housing receiving units (31) therein for receiving electrical or electronic components (60,70,80), and the frame (20) includes at least one joint slot (24) along a periphery thereof for receiving an electrical or electronic component (40,50) or a second frame (20) in series therewith, the frame assembly (10) is characterized in that: at least one housing receiving unit (31) includes an integral, deflectable latching arm (32) therein for latching an electrical or electronic component (60,70,80), and the latching arm includes an operating section (32d) formed thereon for an operator's use in deflecting the latching arm (32) during the electrical or electronic components' (60,70,80) assembly to or disassembly from the frame (20) . 2. The modular frame assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the latch arm (32) includes a ramp surface (32b) for sliding engagement with a surface of an electrical or electronic component (60,70,80) and, as the electrical or electronic component (60,70,80) is assembled to the frame (20) , the latch arm (32) is thereby deflected. 3. The modular frame assembly (10) of claim 2, wherein the latch arm (32) includes a ledge (32c) for latching engagement with a flange (64a,73a,83a) of an electrical or electronic component (60,70,80). 4. The modular frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame (20) includes at least a pair of housing receiving units (31) , at least a pair of the units (31) include a partition (34) therebetween for extending across an electrical or electronic component (70,80) when the electrical or electronic component is assembled to the frame (20) . 5. The modular frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the frame (20) includes a pair of raised walls (25) disposed laterally of the joint slot (24) . 6. The modular frame assembly of claim 5, wherein a second frame (20) includes a joint member (27) for insertion into the joint slot (24) of the first frame (20) for connecting the first and second frames (20) in series. 7. The modular frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the second frame (20) includes joint latching fingers (29) disposed laterally of the joint member (27) for registering with the raised walls (25) of the first frame (20) and thereby latching the first and second frames (20) in series. 8. The modular frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical or electronic component (40,50) includes a joint member (47,57) for insertion into the joint slot (24) of the first frame (20) for connecting the electrical or electronic component (40,50) to the first frame (20) . 9. The modular frame assembly of claim 8, wherein the electrical or electronic component (40,50) includes joint latching fingers (49,59) disposed laterally of the joint member (47,57) for registering with the raised walls (25) of the first frame (20) and thereby latching the electrical or electronic component (40,50) to the first frame (20) .

Inventors: DEFARIA PEDRO LAMARTINE, SFEIR ELIAS ANTONIO, DEFARIA, PEDRO, LAMARTINE, SFEIR, ELIAS, ANTONIO
Applicants: DEFARIA PEDRO LAMARTINE, SFEIR ELIAS ANTONIO, WHITAKER CORP, DEFARIA, PEDRO, LAMARTINE, SFEIR, ELIAS, ANTONIO, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: B60R16, H01R13