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EP-4736275-A1 - MODULAR PLUG DEVICE ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSFERRING ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND/OR ELECTRICAL SIGNALS

EP4736275A1EP 4736275 A1EP4736275 A1EP 4736275A1EP-4736275-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) which can be modified differently for transferring electrical energy and/or electrical signals, wherein the modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises a base housing module (100), a connection housing module (210, 220) and a plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340), wherein the base housing module (100), the connection housing module (210, 220) and the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) are designed as separate individual parts and are configured to each form at least one interlocking connection for assembly of the modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), preferably to each be plugged into each other in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4).

Inventors

  • Silbernagel, Eugen
  • HABIROV, Dennis

Assignees

  • Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co KG

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240613

Claims (17)

  1. 1. Modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) which can be modified in different ways for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals, wherein the modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises a carrier housing module (100), a connection housing module (210, 220) and a plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340), wherein the carrier housing module (100), the connection housing module (210, 220) and the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) are each designed as separate individual parts and are configured to form at least one positive connection for assembling the modular plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), preferably to be plugged together in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4).
  2. 2. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier housing module (100), the connection housing module (210, 220) and the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) are configured to each form at least one force-fitting connection for mounting the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), preferably to each form a detachable force-fitting connection.
  3. 3. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection housing module (210, 220) is designed as a replaceable Connection housing module (210, 220) of a plurality of connection housing modules (210, 220), and/or wherein the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) is configured as an exchangeable plug housing module (310, 320, 320, 330) of a plurality of plug housing modules (310, 320, 330, 340); and/or wherein the carrier housing module (100) is configured for connection to a connection housing module (210, 220) of a plurality of connection housing modules (210, 220) in order to mount the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) in a differently modified manner.
  4. 4. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier housing module (100) comprises a mounting section (106) which is configured for mounting the plug-in device arrangement (1, 1, 3, 4) on a support rail (800), preferably with a top-hat profile, and extends in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plug-in device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) along the carrier housing module (100); and/or wherein in a front view, preferably in a mounting direction (X) of the plug-in device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), the carrier housing module (100) is characterized by a square outline or by a rectangular outline, which is preferably defined by four outer walls of the carrier housing module (100).
  5. 5. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier housing module (100) is partially designed in the form of a first container or comprises a first container in order to accommodate at least one circuit board module (700) for converting electrical energy and/or electrical signals; and/or wherein the carrier housing module (100) comprises at least one mounting shaft (107) for accommodating at least one connection module (600) for an electrical conductor.
  6. 6. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier housing module (100) comprises at least one connecting section (102) which is configured to form the at least one positive and/or at least one force-fitting connection with the connection housing module (210, 220), wherein preferably the at least one positive connection has a Latching connection, particularly preferably a snap connection, and/or wherein preferably the at least one force-fit connection comprises a clamp connection.
  7. 7. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one connecting section (102) extends in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4); and/or wherein the at least one connecting section (102) is designed as a latching element or comprises a latching element; and/or wherein the at least one connecting portion (102) is attached to an outer wall of the carrier housing module (100).
  8. 8. Plug device arrangement (1, 1, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier housing module (100) comprises a shoulder (101), a groove or a tongue on an end face at least in sections in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein the shoulder (101), the groove or the tongue is configured for the positive reception of the connection housing module (210, 220) in the assembly direction (X), and/or wherein the connection housing module (210, 220) comprises a shoulder (211) complementary to the shoulder (101), or a tongue complementary to the groove, or a groove complementary to the tongue.
  9. 9. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a front view, preferably in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4), the connection housing module (210, 220) is characterized by a square outline or by a rectangular outline, which is preferably defined by four outer walls of the connection housing module (210, 220), wherein preferably in the front view the outline of the connection housing module (210, 220) is identical or similar to an outline of the carrier housing module (100).
  10. 10. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection housing module (210, 220) comprises at least one connecting section (212, 213) which is configured to form the at least one positive and/or at least one non-positive connection with the carrier housing module (100) and/or with the plug housing module (310, 320).
  11. 11. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one connecting section (212, 213) extends in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4); and/or wherein the at least one connecting section (212, 213) is designed as a recess or comprises a recess; and/or wherein the at least one connecting section (102) is arranged on an outer wall of the connection housing module (210, 220).
  12. 12. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection housing module (210, 220) is designed in the form of a shell in order to at least partially or completely cover at least one connection module (600) and/or at least one circuit board module (700) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4); and/or wherein the connection housing module (210, 220) comprises a recess (214, 215) for actuating at least one connection module (600) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) and/or for connecting at least one conductor to at least one connection module (600) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4).
  13. 13. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) comprises a plug section (311, 321, 331, 341) for forming a plug face, wherein the plug section (311, 321, 331, 341) is configured to form a plug connection with a mating plug connector in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals in an operating state.
  14. 14. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) comprises at least one connecting section (312) which is configured to form the at least one positive and/or at least one force-fitting connection with the connection housing module (210, 220), wherein preferably the at least one positive connection is a Latching connection, particularly preferably a snap connection, and/or wherein preferably the at least one force-fit connection comprises a clamp connection.
  15. 15. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one connecting section (312) extends in an assembly direction (X) of the plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4); and/or wherein the at least one connecting section (312) is designed as a latching element or comprises a latching element; and/or wherein the at least one connecting section (312) is arranged on an outer wall of the plug housing module (310, 320, 330, 340).
  16. 16. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, the carrier housing module (100) is configured to form at least one positive and/or at least one force-fitting connection with an interface housing module (500), and/or wherein the carrier housing module (100) is partially in the form of a second Container or comprises a second container to accommodate at least one interface module (400) for converting electrical signals.
  17. 17. Plug device arrangement (1, 2, 3, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier housing module (100), the connection housing module (210, 220) and the Plug-in housing module (310, 320, 330, 340) are each integrally formed from a material, preferably based on a plastic. * * * *

Description

MODULAR CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSMITTING ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND/OR ELECTRICAL SIGNALS DESCRIPTION The present invention is in the field of electrical connection technology and relates to a modular plug device arrangement for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals, which can be individually and/or specifically configured due to a modular structure. Industrially used plug-in devices in the form of sockets are used in many different areas, for example in the process and/or manufacturing industry or in building management, and are used for the electrical connection and operation of a large number of different electrical devices. The electrical devices to be operated can, for example, be field devices in the form of sensor devices or end devices in the form of stationary operating devices. In order to supply the socket for the respective electrical device with electrical energy and/or electrical signals, a corresponding connection device for the respective electrical conductors is required. One technology for connection devices is, for example, the so-called "push-in connection technology". Push-in connection technology, which is also known as "direct plug technology", is a well-known connection technology primarily for the direct plugging and automatic clamping of single-wire or multi-wire electrical conductors, whereby, for example, in the case of a dimensionally stable or rigid electrical conductor, no tool, i.e. an operating tool, is required to form a clamp connection (see, for example, the German laid-open specification No. DE 10 2015 105 757 Al). In the future, it will also be possible to operate other devices in the form of mobile control devices using the sockets. Mobile devices include tablets, laptops and smartphones. In addition, country-specific requirements also increase the diversity and thus the requirements that industrially used socket systems must meet. For example, There are a variety of different plug faces for transmitting electrical energy, which depends on the country in question. Industrially used sockets, for example, can also be used as charging stations for mobile devices. In order to meet the above-mentioned requirements, various approaches for variable or modular socket devices and socket systems are known from the prior art patent literature. For example, German published patent application No. DE 10 2015 100 040 A1 relates to a multiple socket system for a computer workstation, which can be electrically connected to a power supply network. The multiple socket system has a plurality of modular socket elements, each with at least one socket. The system has mechanical coupling means by means of which the socket elements can be mechanically coupled to one another, as well as electrical connecting means by means of which the socket elements can be electrically connected to one another. Furthermore, a programmable control device is provided for selectively switching individual socket elements and/or sockets on and off. Furthermore, US Patent No. US 8,622,756 B2 discloses a multifunctional power strip which comprises a rail for mounting various modular, separate components. The components can be network modules, USB modules, transformer modules, power connection modules, fuse modules or switching modules. For example, the known solutions all have the disadvantage that a separate module with its own housing must be provided to implement the respective function, which also leads to an increase in the variety of components and thus to higher costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular plug device arrangement for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals, which is improved in particular with regard to configurability and adaptability as well as with regard to assembly. The object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further embodiments and applications of the present invention emerge from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures. According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to a modular plug device arrangement which can be modified and/or adapted in different ways for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals, wherein the modular plug device arrangement comprises a carrier housing module, a connection housing module and a plug housing module, wherein the carrier housing module, the connection housing module and the plug housing module are each designed as separate individual parts and are configured to form at least one essentially positive connection for assembly and/or for producing the modular plug device arrangement, preferably to be plugged together essentially in an assembly direction of the plug device arrangement. In other words, the modular plug device arrangement forms or represents a system, that is to say a plug device system comprising a plurality of, preferably at least three separate h