Patent ID: 12191595

The figures may contain partially simplified, schematic illustrations. In part, identical reference signs are used for like, but possibly not identical elements. Different views of like elements might be scaled differently.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a perspective and partially transparent illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a connector module1according to the invention.

The connector module1consists of or comprises two functionally independent functional units2,2′. On narrow sides of the connector module1formed by the functional units2,2′, the functional units2,2′ each have holding means or devices3,3′ of different size, with which the connector module1is fastened in a holding frame (not shown) of an industrial connector (not shown). The functional units2,2′ have openings4in which (different) contact elements5can be inserted. However, other elements, such as sensors, can also be provided in the functional units2,2′. Since the functionality of the functional units2,2′ in this respect is not important for the present invention, this will not be discussed in detail below. The connector modules1are plugged together in the mating direction SR with a corresponding mating connector module (not shown).

The functional units2,2′ brought together enclose a cavity6with each other. The cavity6is filled with a fixing means or device7, which is shown separately inFIG.2. The fixing means or device7has the shape of a cross extruded or insertable into the space.

In the first exemplary embodiment of the connector module (FIG.1), the functional units2,2′ form a transverse partition of the connector module1. The functional units2,2′ are brought together with their narrow sides provided for this purpose. The fixing means or device7is then pushed or injected axially, i.e., in the mating direction SR, into the connector module1in order to connect the functional units2,2′ in a way that ideally is detachable.

The functional units2,2′ each have offsets9on their sides that are brought together, which offsets are oriented in a manner complementary to each other. As a result, the functional units2,2′ do not shift axially relative to one another, even if no fixing means or device7is yet present. Thus, the functional units2,2′ are stabilized during the further manufacturing process, for example in an injection mold.

FIG.3shows a second exemplary embodiment of a connector module1′ according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector module1′ is longitudinally divided. Therefore, the fixing means or device7is pushed or injected into the narrow side of the connector module1′ perpendicularly to the mating direction SR. Such longitudinally divided connector modules2,2′ have the disadvantage that the diameter of the contact elements that can be accommodated therein is limited. This also frequently gives rise to problems with clearance and creepage distances. One advantage of longitudinally dividing the connector modules, however, is that the functional units alone, i.e., without being connected to another functional unit, can be fastened in a holding frame if the slots of the holding frame are provided accordingly.

A third exemplary embodiment of a connector module1″ according to the invention can be seen inFIG.4. This variant again involves a previously mentioned transverse division of the connector module1″ by the functional units2,2′ joined together on the narrow side. In this exemplary embodiment, the fixing means or device7extends within the connector module1″ both in the mating direction SR and perpendicularly thereto. The cavity6is of course designed accordingly. This design of the fixing means or device7ensures a particularly stable and play-free fixing of the functional units2,2′ to one another. Of course, no finished component can be used as fixing means or device7for this purpose. In this exemplary embodiment, the fixing means or device7is injected into the cavity6, in the form of curing material.

FIG.5shows a detail of a connector module1,1′,1″ according to other embodiments of the invention. The detail focuses on a holding means or devices3′ integrally formed on the various narrow sides of the connector module1,1′,1″. In the previously shown exemplary embodiments, the holding means or devices3′ can (optionally) be embodied as described hereinafter in accordance with the illustration inFIG.5. The holding means or devices3′ consists of a base3aintegrally formed on the functional unit2,2′, which base has a groove8. The base3acorresponds substantially to a small holding means or device3(e.g., a small lug) of the connector module1,1′,1″ and fits accordingly into a narrower recess of the previously mentioned holding frame. In an injection molding process, an enlargement3bis injection-molded onto the base3a. The base3atogether with the enlargement3bcorresponds to a larger holding means or device3′ (e.g., a large lug) of the connector module1,1′,1″ and fits accordingly into the larger recess of the previously mentioned holding frame. In this exemplary embodiment, the functional units can be swapped with each other as desired, since they are only provided with the useful polarization for the holding frame afterwards, in said injection-molding process.

Even though various aspects or features of the invention are shown in each case in combination in the figures, it is apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise indicated—that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be interchanged. Accordingly, aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.