Plug-in electronic module and method for connecting a plug-in electronic module to a holding structure

A plug-in electronic module for plugging into a holding structure having a coupling partner with an electrical contact, the electronic module comprising:

• a housing;
• an electronic component configured in said housing;
• at least one external electrical contact connected to said electronic component, said external electrical contact configured for contacting the electrical contact on the coupling partner during a plug-in operation in which the electronic module is plugged into the holding structure;
• and
• a mechanical protective device for protecting said electrical contact from mechanical contact when the electronic module is not plugged into the holding structure, said protective device exposing said electrical contact when the electronic module is plugged into the holding structure such that said electrical contact comes into contact with the electrical contact on the coupling partner;
• said protective device including a moving protective element configured for moving between a first position and a second position, said moving protective element being moveable into itself and having an end connected firmly to said housing, and said moving protective element being a foldable element that folds together during said plug-in operation to expose said electrical contact;
• said electrical contact being protected when said moving protective element is in said first position;
• said electrical contact being exposed when said moving protective element is in said second position;
• and
• said moving protective element moving from said first position to said second position when the electronic module is plugged into the holding structure.

A method for connecting an electronic module to a holding structure for holding the electronic module, the method which comprises:

• providing the electronic module with an electronic component and at least one external electrical contact connected to the electronic component;
• providing the electronic module with a mechanical protective device having a moving protective element that protects the external electrical contact from mechanical contact when the electronic module is not inserted into the holding structure;
• and
• moving the moving protective element against a bias force of a spring element and relative to the external electrical contact when the electric module is plugged into the holding structure such that the external electrical contact is exposed and contacts the electrical contact on the coupling partner, wherein an insertion force is applied to the moving protective element by the holding structure when the electric module is plugged in to the holding structure thereby moving the moving protective element into an interior portion of a housing of the electronic module.