DE102015105262A1 - Capacitive sensor module for a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor module (1) for a plug connector, wherein the sensor module (1) is substantially cuboidal, wherein an end face (2) of the sensor module (1) is provided with metallic structures (3) comprising an electrical component (4 ), wherein the electrical component (4) forms at least one capacitor. The invention also relates to a system comprising a sensor module and a plug connector, wherein the sensor module (1) is designed according to the invention and wherein the plug connector has a frame in which a plurality of modules can be inserted. The sensor module allows, for example, the monitoring or counting of the mating cycles of the connector. As a result, the lifetime can be estimated and, for example, individual components or modules can be replaced preventively.

Description

The invention relates to a sensor module for a connector.

Such connectors are often referred to as modular connectors. Modular connectors are used in particular in mechanical and plant engineering.

State of the art

A modular connector is for example from the EP 1 353 412 A2 known. Such a connector can be equipped with several different modules that transmit different signals and / or currents. In such connectors is often lack of space.

Such connectors often have to survive many mating cycles without the quality of the current or signal transmission decreases. In some cases, it is necessary to replace individual modules in the connector after certain mating cycles.

task

The object of the invention is to propose a sensor element for a modular connector, which can be used to save space and which works effectively.

The object is achieved by a sensor module for a modular connector having the features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The sensor module according to the invention is intended for use in a connector, in particular in a modular connector. The sensor module is essentially cuboid. An end face of the sensor module has metallic structures, wherein the metallic structures form an electrical component. This electrical component is at least one capacitor.

Advantageously, the sensor module has electrical contact elements and / or pneumatic contact elements and / or optical contact elements. Here it is already clear that the sensor module can fulfill a dual function. The sensor module serves on the one hand as a sensor or as part of a sensor that provides data and on the other hand, signals or currents are still conducted via the sensor module. The sensor module is therefore particularly space-saving.

The electrical component preferably has at least two, but preferably seven, capacitors connected in parallel. As a result, a particularly sensitive proximity sensor circuit can be generated.

Particularly preferably, a side surface of the sensor module on connection surfaces which are electrically connected to the electrical component. About these pads, the capacitor described above can be electrically tapped and integrated into a sensor circuit.

It is advantageous if the sensor module consists of plastic. Particularly advantageously, the sensor module consists of a metallizable plastic. As a result, the metallic structures can be generated using the MID technique. The MID technology allows cost-effective production of very complex electrical structures. As a result, an optimal design can be generated.

In other embodiments, it would be conceivable to apply the structures of the sensor capacitor either on a PCB or a Flex (rigid-flex) circuit board, and to attach them to the front of the module, for example by means of a clip.

The metallic structures are preferably applied to the end face of the sensor module which is aligned in the insertion direction. As a result, an approach of a connector to a socket or a mating connector can be easily detected.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor module has means by which the sensor module can be fixed in a hinge frame of a connector. These are lateral retaining lugs, which can be introduced into recesses of the joint frame. Such a hinge frame is from the DE 10 2013 106 279 A1 known.

The invention also relates to a system of a sensor module and a connector. Preferably, the sensor module is designed according to claim 1 and the connector has a frame, preferably an above-mentioned hinge frame, in which a plurality of modules can be used. As a result, a connector modular with a certain sensor intelligence can be configured.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. It shows:

1 a perspective view of a capacitive sensor module.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

This is 1 shown sensor module 1 is designed essentially cuboid. On the front page 2 of the sensor module 1 are metallic structures 3 Applied to an electrical component 4 form. When electrical component 4 these are several capacitors connected in parallel.

The sensor module 1 is made of a metallizable plastic, which can be provided with the above-described metallic structures using the MID technique. A suitable MID method is for example in the EP 1 898 682 B1 described. It may also be advantageous if the sensor module consists only partially of metallizable plastic and the remaining part of a simple plastic. Only the front side 2 forming part must be metallizable. This can save material costs.

On two side surfaces, the sensor module has so-called retaining lugs 5 on, with which the sensor module 1 in a hinged frame (not shown) can be fixed. The sensor module 1 has two openings 6 in which contact elements (not shown) can be inserted. The sensor module 1 can then take on the task of a previously known module while fulfilling a sensor function. As a result, the design of the sensor module shown here can be used in a particularly space-saving manner.

One side surface of the sensor module 1 is with two connection surfaces 7 provided with electrical structures 3 conductive with the electrical component 4 are provided. About these pads 7 can the electrical component 4 electrically tapped and integrated into a sensor circuit (not shown) and / or connected to an evaluation (not shown). The following is a brief summary of the essence of the invention: The invention relates to a sensor module 1 for a connector, the sensor module 1 is formed substantially cuboid, with an end face 2 of the sensor module 1 with metallic structures 3 is provided, which is an electrical component 4 form, wherein the electrical component 4 at least one capacitor is formed. The invention also relates to a system of a sensor module and a connector, wherein the sensor module 1 is configured according to the invention and wherein the connector has a frame in which a plurality of modules can be used. The sensor module allows, for example, the monitoring or counting of the mating cycles of the connector. As a result, the lifetime can be estimated and, for example, individual components or modules can be replaced preventively.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 sensor module

2

 front

3

 Metallic structure

4

 Electrical component

5

 retaining nose

6

 opening

7

 terminal area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1353412 A2 [0003]
• DE 102013106279 A1 [0015]
• EP 1898682 B1 [0021]

Claims (11)

Sensor module ( 1 ) for a connector, - wherein the sensor module ( 1 ) is substantially cuboid-shaped, - wherein a front side ( 2 ) of the sensor module ( 1 ) with metallic structures ( 3 ), which is an electrical component ( 4 ), - wherein the electrical component ( 4 ) forms at least one capacitor. Sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor module ( 1 ) has electrical contact elements and / or pneumatic contact elements and / or optical contact elements. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical component ( 4 ) at least two, but preferably seven, parallel-connected capacitors is formed. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a side surface of the sensor module ( 1 ) Pads ( 7 ), which is electrically conductive with the electrical component ( 4 ) are connected. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor module ( 1 ) consists of plastic. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor module ( 1 ) consists of a metallizable plastic. Sensor module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the metallic structures ( 3 ) can be generated using the MID technique. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic structures ( 3 ) in the direction of insertion in the direction of insertion ( 2 ) of the sensor module ( 1 ) are applied. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor module ( 1 ) Has means with which the sensor module ( 1 ) is fixable in a hinge frame of a connector. System consisting of a sensor module and a connector. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - the sensor module ( 1 ) is configured according to claim 1 and - that the connector has a frame in which a plurality of modules can be used.

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