Abstract:
In order to secure connectors, particularly USB connectors, in a module housing of a modular connector, the invention proposes to arrange locating springs in the connecting region of the module housing, wherein said locating springs are aligned in the connecting direction and secure the connector inserted therebetween.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to a device for securing a connector in an insulating module housing of a modular connector.  
         [0002]     A device according to the invention is required for automatically interlocking a connector with a module housing or a mating connector.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional connector locking mechanisms utilize, among other things, screws, hooks, clamping devices or holding clips and always require corresponding manual activities. In the field of office communication interfaces, there is an increasing demand for a simple connecting mechanism that can be operated by any layman.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Consequently, the invention is based on the objective of developing a device of the initially cited type for securing a connector in such a way that the connector and a corresponding module are automatically interlocked when the connection is produced.  
         [0005]     This objective is attained in that the module housing contains a connecting region with at least one locating spring arranged therein, wherein the end of said locating spring is aligned in the connecting direction and protrudes into the connecting region.  
         [0006]     An advantageous embodiment of the invention is disclosed in claims  2 - 5 .  
         [0007]     The advantage attained with the invention can be seen, in particular, in that the connector to be inserted into a module is automatically interlocked therewith when this connection is produced, namely without requiring any additional activities to be performed by the person producing the connection.  
         [0008]     There are no exact specifications or requirements with respect to the dimensions of the connectors that are usually delivered in the form of ready-made goods with extrusion-coated cables connected thereto, e.g., analogous to so-called USB connectors.  
         [0009]     Symmetrically arranged locating elements are advantageously provided in the module housing for receiving such a connector housing, wherein said locating elements comprise locating springs that are directed into the connecting region of the module housing at a flat angle and secure the connector housing on both sides.  
         [0010]     The module housing, in turn, can be engaged with or screwed to the frame of a modular connector that accommodates several modules.  
         [0011]     When the connection is produced, the locating spring aligned in the connecting direction initially slides along the narrow sides in the connecting region of the connector housing, but immediately interlocks in the relatively soft housing wall of the connecting region when attempting to pull out the connector.  
         [0012]     It is also advantageous that connector housings with largely non-standardized outside dimensions can be secured in the module housing even if they have a certain bandwidth.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described in greater detail below. The figures show:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1 , a perspective representation of a sectioned module housing;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2 , a connector that is partially inserted into the module housing, and  
         [0016]      FIG. 3 , an individual spring element. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective representation of a sectioned module housing  10 . Locating hooks  6  are integrally formed onto the respective outer edges in order to engage the module housing with the frame of a (not-shown) modular connector that also accommodates other module housings arranged in a row.  
         [0018]     The module housing  10  contains a connecting region  11 , as well as an opening  12 , through which an inserted connector  1  protrudes in order to be contacted with a mating connector.  
         [0019]     The connector  1  used is delivered in the form of a ready-made cable connection together with an electric cable  8 . The cable connection is formed by the connector  1  consisting of a connector housing  2  with a connecting region  3 , as well as a cable  4  connected thereto.  
         [0020]     The connecting region  3  is delivered by the various connector manufacturers with a certain bandwidth, but with different dimensions. Consequently, one variably designed interlocking device can be advantageously utilized for securing a connector.  
         [0021]     Such an interlocking device is provided in the connecting region  11  of the module housing, wherein at least one locating spring  16 ′—that extends into a depression  14  in the bottom of the module housing—is integrally formed onto the respective narrow sides of the module housing.  
         [0022]     In this case, two successively arranged locating springs  16 ′ are integrally formed in a graduated fashion onto both sides of the connecting region, wherein the ends  17 ′ of said locating springs are directed into the connecting region  11  and aligned in the connecting direction at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the wall.  
         [0023]     When the connector housing  2  is inserted into the module housing  10 , the spring ends  17 ′ initially slide along the narrow housing sides in the connecting region  5 , but generate a wedge effect when attempting to pull out the connector.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective representation of a connector  1  that already is partially inserted into a module housing  10  illustrated in the form of a section. A variation of the interlocking device shown in  FIG. 1  is provided on this module, wherein two opposing spring elements  15  are arranged in the connecting region  11  such that they respectively point into the connecting region  11  with a locating spring  16  or with their end  17 .  
         [0025]     The spring elements  15  are secured in slots  13  with their ends  19  and captively inserted into the module housing through an installation opening  14  provided on one side.  
         [0026]     When the connector  1  is additionally inserted into the module housing  10  until the connecting region  3  of the connector housing protrudes into the opening  12  in the module housing, the narrow sides of the connector housing slide along the locating springs  16 , wherein the connector is prevented from sliding back out due to the alignment of the locating springs in the connecting direction.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a spring element  15  that has a slightly U-shaped curvature, wherein a locating spring  16  that is cut out on three sides protrudes from the center of said spring element. The locating spring is initially bent in accordance with the curvature of the spring element, but protrudes from the opening  18  opposite to the curvature with the spring ends  17 .  
         [0028]     The curvature is required in order to hold the locating element within the slots  13  in the module  10  with a certain tension.  
         [0029]     In order to separate the connector, the locating springs  16  need to be bent back from outside. This is achieved by inserting a flat tool for bending back the locating springs into the bottom opening  14  in the module housing  10 .  
         [0030]     However, this effort is quite justifiable in light of the fact that these connectors are incorporated into a system interface equipped with several modular connectors and, as a rule, only manipulated when a new system is installed. In other respects, the connectors held in the modular connector are also disengaged when the two halves of the modular connector are separated from one another.