CN112003077A

CN112003077A - Coupling system for electrical connections

Info

Publication number: CN112003077A
Application number: CN202010321682.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.莱德雷尔; L.黑尔维希; E.法贝尔; A.韦伯
Original assignee: Festo SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Festo SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-05-25
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2020-11-27
Also published as: DE102020113540A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling system (100). The coupling system (100) has a plug unit (130) with a sleeve (160) and a cable (170) with at least one signal cable core (190, 200). The coupling unit (140) comprises a receptacle (150) for axially guiding the plug unit (130) and contacting the at least one signal cable core (190, 200). Furthermore, the coupling system (100) comprises a holding means (260) for fixedly holding a plug unit (130) introduced into the receptacle (150) and a movable disconnecting body (290) which is arranged at least partially in the receptacle (150) and is designed to act on the holding means (260) by manual actuation in such a way that the holding means is transferred into a release position in order to release the plug unit (130).

Description

Coupling system for electrical connections

Technical Field

The invention relates to a coupling system for electrically connecting a plug unit to a coupling unit.

Background

Such coupling systems are well known in the art. In general, such coupling systems have, in addition to the electrical connection, a tensile mechanical coupling between the plug unit and the coupling unit, which is designed, for example, as a screwed connection or a bayonet connection. A specific example from the prior art is the use of an electrical line cable with a screw connection M8 or M12 for a customer-side (kundenseitigen) connection to an electrical device.

The disadvantage of the prior art is that the mechanical coupling additionally requires installation space, structural components and assembly and disassembly time. Furthermore, increased material and manufacturing costs result. Furthermore, the ergonomics of the mechanical coupling is impaired, for example when special tools are required for screwing the knurled nut.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling system for electrically connecting a plug unit to a coupling unit.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a coupling system according to the subject matter of claim 1.

Advantageous and expedient embodiments of the coupling system according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea that the coupling system has a plug unit comprising a sleeve and a cable with at least one signal cable core. The coupling system further comprises a coupling unit with a receptacle for axially introducing the plug unit and contacting the at least one signal cable core. In addition, a holding device for the fixed holding of a plug unit introduced into the receptacle and a movable disconnecting body are provided, which is arranged at least partially in the receptacle and is designed to act on the holding device by manual actuation in such a way that the holding device is transferred into a release position in order to release the plug unit.

The advantages of the coupling system according to the invention are for example: no additional installation space is required for the holding device. The plug-in unit is connected to the coupling unit purely by insertion into the coupling unit and by means of the retaining means in a tensile manner. That is, additional actions, such as, for example, twisting the plug-in unit, are not necessary. This simplifies the installation and reduces the installation time required for this. An additional movement path is not necessary when the plug-in unit is to be disconnected or removed. The movable disconnecting body is arranged at the coupling unit in such a way that it can be actuated or pressed in the direction of the coupling unit when the plug-in unit is grasped, wherein the holding part is transferred into the release position. The coupling system is particularly ergonomic due to the simple and quick and feasible installation and removal of the plug-in unit. Furthermore, additional structural parts (such as, for example, during screwing) are not necessary, thereby saving material and production costs.

According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining means are formed by inwardly projecting, spring-elastically movable claw elements. Such a claw element is particularly suitable here because it can be loaded on the circumferential side and securely hold the plug-in unit introduced into the receptacle, without an additional movement path being necessary. Due to the elastic restoring force of the holding means, the plug-in unit is held securely. In this case, the holding means or the holding means can be brought into engagement with the plug unit with their free ends in a form-fitting manner. In this case, the plug-in unit can have at least one deepening into which the holding means can be snapped in. This results in a particularly stable anchoring of the plug unit in the coupling unit.

Preferably, the holding means is constructed from a resilient material. The holding means is thus constructed flexibly and bendable. This has the advantage, for example, that the inserted plug-in unit can be held well by means of the holding means. Particularly preferably, the holding means is produced from spring steel for this purpose. This has the advantage, in particular, that the plug-in unit can be held by means of the spring force of the holding means. Furthermore, the flexibly designed holding means can function with a balanced tolerance.

According to the invention, the holding means is advantageously embodied as a component of a ring body which is fixed to the receptacle. The annular body is preferably embodied entirely from metal. Particularly preferably, the holding means are held here in the deepened portion mentioned above. Additionally, each of the features set forth herein, as well as combinations thereof, stabilizes the anchoring of the plug unit in the coupling unit.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the holding means comprise a plurality of holding elements which are arranged circumferentially at the annular body. The respective holding element is preferably likewise designed here as a claw element. The retaining element extends radially inward from the annular body. In other words, the retaining element has a free end facing radially inwards. The holding element can then be held in the above-mentioned deepened portion in a form-fitting manner by means of a plug-in unit, more precisely a sleeve.

Preferably, the holding elements are arranged uniformly along the circumference of the annular body. The distance between two arbitrary adjacent retaining elements is, for example, equally large.

The holding force acting on the plug unit or the sleeve can thus be applied to the plug unit or the sleeve particularly well distributed. That is to say, the plug-in unit is loaded and held fixedly on the circumferential side by the holding element.

The plurality of holding elements comprises at least six, preferably at least eight and particularly preferably at least twelve holding elements. For example, fourteen holding elements can be arranged on the ring body.

The more retaining elements are arranged, the better the force can be applied in a distributed manner. The fourteen holding elements exhibit ideal values which combine simple manufacture with a very good force distribution.

The holding element is arranged at the ring body in such a way that the holding element is arranged at least 50%, preferably at least 65%, and particularly preferably at least 80% of the inner circumference of the ring body.

This means that a large portion of the circumference is obtained, at which the retaining element is arranged. The holding element can therefore apply a force to the plug unit uniformly and distributed over a large surface. This in turn results in a particularly reliable retention of the plug-in unit. In this case, the circumferential portion at which the retaining element is arranged is selected as high as possible.

When the retaining means is constructed from a flexible material, the retaining element is also constructed from a flexible material. The holding element can in particular be constructed from spring steel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the sealing means is arranged in the receptacle. The sealing mechanism is for example prepositioned in the holding means. Leading means that the sealing means, which is preferably configured as a sealing ring, is arranged deeper in the receptacle than the retaining means. The plug-in unit is preferably arranged so as to be guided through the sealing means. The sealing mechanism is provided for sealing interaction between the receptacle and the inserted plug unit. The electrical contact points between the plug unit and the coupling unit are thereby protected against external influences, for example against the penetration of moisture and/or dust. Thereby preventing an electrical malfunction.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, an optical display is provided at the end face of the decoupling body. The optical display can also be arranged laterally at the release body or around the edge of the release body, for example. In this case, an optical display is preferably provided for status or diagnostic display, which, for example, indicates whether the precisely positioned and/or connected signal line is currently in the input or output mode. Furthermore, an optical display can be used as a status display or diagnostic display of the connected signal lines. In a further embodiment, the optical display can also be arranged on the end face of the receptacle, in particular if said end face is not completely covered by the release body.

On this basis, the optical display can preferably be operated by means of at least one light-emitting device, preferably an LED. Here, the light emitting device is preferably adapted to emit light in different colors and/or in at least one in-out sequence (Ein-Aus-Sequenz). In this way, a large amount of information can be output from the optical display. For example, cable-related information can also be output. Therefore, the light emitting device can emit light in the color of the cable to be coupled. All conceivable colors, such as, for example, red, green, blue, yellow, etc., can be realized here.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the optical display can be operated by means of at least one optical waveguide, which transmits the light signals emitted by the light-emitting means to the optical display. The light guide is preferably arranged in an axial direction through the receptacle. In the case of a display arranged on the release body, the latter is constructed at least partially from a light-permeable material and/or at least partially light-permeable. Due to the optical waveguide, the light-emitting means can be arranged deeper within the connection unit or within an electrical device connected to the connection unit, and there, for example, on a conductor plate. This has the advantage, for example, that the electrical lines do not have to be routed to the optical display, which simplifies the production, thereby reducing the costs and also eliminates the electrical interaction between the plug-in unit and the structural components necessary for the optical display.

According to an additional embodiment, the sleeve can be introduced into the receptacle of the coupling unit. The sleeve is preferably made of a metallic material. However, the sleeve can also be constructed, for example, from plastic. One advantage of the sleeve is that it serves a stabilizing function when the plug unit is introduced into the coupling unit. The metallic sleeve furthermore leads in particular to an improved shielding of the plug unit or of at least one electrical conductor which is guided through the plug unit. Preferably, the sleeve extends axially in the same manner as the electrical conductor in the direction of the end face of the plug-in unit or, in addition, particularly preferably, to a conductor plate close to the electrical device connected to the coupling unit.

The sleeve introduced into the receptacle is preferably arranged in the coupling unit such that it is loaded and held fixedly on the circumferential side by the holding means. In this case, retaining means formed by hook elements are preferably again used. The sleeve is held in a fixed manner due to the elastic restoring force of the holding means, wherein the free end of the holding means comes into engagement with the sleeve in a form-fitting manner. In this case, the sleeve particularly advantageously has at least one deepening into which the holding means can be snapped. This results in a particularly stable anchoring of the already mentioned plug-in unit in the coupling unit.

Furthermore, the sleeve is preferably connected to the cable by means of an injection-molded cladding (Umspritzung). The injection-molded cover is preferably produced by means of injection molding. During injection molding, the starting material is liquefied or plasticized by means of an injection molding machine and injected under pressure into the mold by means of an injection molding tool. The starting material is then transferred back into the solid state by cooling or crosslinking (vernetzungsreak) and can be removed from the injection molding tool as a finished part. In order to achieve a connection of the structural parts, such as the connection between the cable and the sleeve, the structural parts are inserted together into an injection molding tool. Due to the injection-molded cladding, the connection between the cable and the sleeve is particularly fixedly and sealingly configured. The sleeve can also be a component of the injection-molded part itself, for example.

In a further embodiment, the plug unit is designed as an end section of a cable. The plug unit can thus be a simple cable end without additional components, such as a sleeve and/or an injection-molded cover. In other words, the coupling system functions even if the cable ends are introduced into the coupling unit preferably in a symmetrical arrangement of the electrical conductors in cross section (as in the case of coaxial cables). The described embodiment is particularly economical with respect to materials, manufacturing costs and costs.

Furthermore, the electrical conductor preferably relates to a current supply line, a signal line or a communication line. In the case of a plurality of electrical conductors within the connector unit, a combination of one or more of the respective current supply lines, signal lines and communication lines is also possible.

According to a preferred embodiment, a rotation prevention is provided, whereby the plug unit can be introduced into the coupling unit only in a predefined axial rotational position. In other words, a first guide means is arranged in the region of the receptacle for angularly orienting the plug-in unit at the coupling unit. The first guide means are preferably designed for sliding movement of the plug-in unit by means of a second guide means, preferably a rotational angle coding, which is formed by at least one outer contour of the plug-in unit.

In a particularly preferred manner, the rotation prevention element is formed with a first guide means with an axial longitudinal groove and a second guide means with a corresponding guide projection. The longitudinal groove is thereby designed for the sliding along of the plug-in unit by means of the guide projection. Such a rotation prevention is important in particular when the ends of the electrical conductors or the connector pins are oriented asymmetrically on the end side of the connector unit. The anti-rotation device ensures the exact assignment and electrical connection of the electrical conductors of the plug-in unit to the corresponding contact points of the coupling unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one shielding contact arranged at the coupling unit and at least one shielding mechanism arranged at the plug unit are provided, wherein the shielding mechanism is connected to the shielding contact as soon as the plug unit is introduced into the coupling unit. The shielding means is preferably designed as a metallic sleeve, which is preferably connected to the shielding braid of the associated cable. It is however also possible that the screening means is constructed solely by said screening braid and without a sleeve. The arrangement of a plurality of shielding contacts is particularly advantageous for the application of HF technology.

The shielding contact is preferably configured here with a holding means. The holding means is preferably formed from metal and/or is formed as a component of a ring body which is fixed to the receptacle and is completely made of metal. In this case, an electrical connection to the coupling unit or to the housing of the corresponding electrical device is advantageously made. Alternatively or additionally, the shielding contact can also be formed by means of at least one contact element which is mounted directly on a conductor plate of the electrical device. In the described embodiment, the arrangement of a plurality of shielding contacts is also particularly advantageous for the application of HF technology.

By means of the shielding means and the shielding contact, shielding or shielding of the electrical device from the surroundings from electric and/or magnetic fields is ensured. This improves the electromagnetic compatibility between the structural components and also ensures interference-free signal transmission. In particular in the case of electrical conductors, the shielding protects against undesired mutual influences of the actually individual signal paths.

The already mentioned aspects can be transferred to a subsequent further coupling system. The subsequent coupling system is distinguished from the preceding coupling system in particular in that the contact cylinder assembly is designed with contact elements for connecting the plug pins and the pin receptacles instead of plug pins.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by means of a further coupling system. Here, the further coupling system comprises: a plug unit comprising a sleeve and a cable with at least one signal cable core, a contact cylinder assembly, wherein the sleeve and the contact cylinder assembly are arranged coaxially with one another and the contact cylinder assembly comprises at least one contact cylinder, the further coupling system comprises at least one contact element for contacting the at least one contact cylinder and a coupling unit, the coupling unit comprises a receptacle for axially introducing the plug unit and contacting the at least one signal cable core, the further coupling system comprises a retaining means for fixedly retaining the plug unit introduced into the receptacle and a movable release body, which is arranged at least partially in the receptacle and is configured for acting on the retaining means by manual manipulation such that the retaining means is transferred into a release position in order to release the plug unit, wherein the at least one signal cable core is either electrically connected to the at least one contact post and electrically connectable to the at least one contact element or electrically connected to the at least one contact element and electrically connectable to the at least one contact post.

Here, the term connection means that the connection is also present in the unplugged state of the coupling system, i.e. when the plug unit is spatially separated from the coupling unit. Preferably, such a connection is not detachable, but is, for example, a welded connection. In this case, the term connectable means that the connection is present only in the plugged-in state of the coupling system, in which the plug unit and the coupling unit are spatially combined, but is not present in the unplugged state, i.e. the connection is established by means of the coupling system. Such a connection can be referred to as a disconnectable connection or as a plug connection.

Preferably, the contact cylinder has the shape of a vertical cylinder, particularly preferably a hollow vertical cylinder.

The term "cylinder" in the contact cylinder can be understood in such a way that the shape of the contact cylinder can correspond to the shape of a vertical cylinder in its most general geometric shape. The base surface of the cylinder does not particularly have to be circular. The cylinder can also be a prism which surrounds the cube as a special case, or an elliptical cylinder with an ellipse as the base.

In the case of a vertical column, such as for example in the case of a vertical cylinder, the cover surface lies vertically on the base surface. The axis of the vertical column passes through the geometric center of gravity of its two base planes. Thus, when the cylinder axis coincides with the other axes of the assembly, in particular the axis of the sleeve, reference can be made to coaxial assemblies not only with respect to a vertical cylinder, but also with respect to a generally vertical cylinder.

This has the advantage of the rotational independence of the coupling system, as long as the shape of the contact cylinder relates to a vertical cylinder. This means that the plug unit can be introduced axially into the coupling unit without having to pay attention to possible twisting of the plug unit in the axial direction.

Here, the twisting in the axial direction means that the axis of rotation coincides with the axial direction of the vertical cylinder, the axial direction of the vertical cylinder in this case, and the axial direction of the sleeve.

The contact cylinder is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal. However, other electrically conductive materials can also be used, for example electrically conductive plastics, the electrical conductivity of which is promoted, for example, by metal or graphite particles or carbon fibers as fillers.

The embodiment of the contact cylinder as a hollow cylinder can be suitable in order to guide the signal cable core through the interior of the preceding contact cylinder in the axially arranged contact cylinder.

The contact cylinder can have a groove around the cylinder axis, into which the contact element snaps. The reliability of the plug connection and thus of the coupling system is thereby increased. The groove can have, for example, a rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular cross section, wherein the cross section runs parallel to the axis of the cylinder. In the case of the socket connectors which are customary on the market, such slots are known, for example, from the apex, that is to say from the foremost contact cylinder.

The end of the contact cylinder assembly, in particular the end which is located at the front in the plugging direction, can be provided with a circumferential chamfer, as a result of which the contact cylinder assembly and the contact element can be paired relatively easily during the plugging process. In the case of the socket plug parts which are customary on the market, such chamfers are known, for example, from the apex, that is to say from the foremost contact cylinder.

As long as the contact cylinder assembly comprises only one single contact cylinder, said one single contact cylinder is arranged coaxially with the sleeve. As long as the contact cylinder assembly comprises a plurality of contact cylinders, the plurality of contact cylinders are arranged coaxially with the sleeve.

The position of the single contact cylinder or the plurality of contact cylinders marks the position of the contact cylinder assembly. Thereby, in addition to the contact cylinder or contact cylinders, the contact cylinder assembly is arranged coaxially with the sleeve. On the premise that the shape of the contact cylinder relates to a vertical cylinder, the rotation direction independence of the plug connection can be ensured through coaxial arrangement.

As long as the contact cylinder arrangement comprises a plurality of contact cylinders, the contact cylinder arrangement can relate to contact cylinders which are arranged in rows with respect to one another in the axial direction, wherein the contact cylinders preferably have the same radial extent.

However, the contact cylinder arrangement can also relate to contact cylinders which are arranged in rows with one another in the radial direction, wherein the contact cylinders have different radial extensions and all contact cylinders, except for the innermost contact cylinder, are designed as hollow cylinders in such a way that all contact cylinders can be placed in one another. This means that the cavity of the second innermost contact cylinder is so large that it can accommodate the innermost contact cylinder. As long as the radial rows comprise more than two contact cylinders, the cavity of the third innermost contact cylinder is so large that it can accommodate the radial rows of first and second contact cylinders, and so on. The innermost contact cylinder need not be a hollow cylinder, but is allowed to be a hollow cylinder.

The radial expansion corresponds to the cylinder radius as long as the contact cylinder has the shape of a vertical cylinder, and the description of the radial expansion applies accordingly to the diameter, in particular to the outer diameter in the case of a hollow cylinder.

Axially aligned with each other means that the contact columns form an axial arrangement and are displaced in relation to each other in the axial direction, that is to say the positions of the contact columns in the axial direction are different.

Radial being in line with each other means that the contact columns form a radial arrangement. Here, especially when the heights of the contact cylinders are uniform, the positions of the contact cylinders in the axial direction are preferably the same.

The larger contact cylinder is designed as a hollow cylinder in such a way that the cavity can accommodate the smaller contact cylinder. As long as the shape of the contact cylinder relates to a vertical cylinder, the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder is greater than the outer diameter of the inner subsequent contact cylinder.

Combinations of radial and axial rows in relation to one another are also possible. A plurality of contact cylinders, which preferably have identical radial extensions, can for example be axially aligned with one another, and the last element of the contact cylinder arrangement can have, in particular at the apex, radial contact cylinders aligned with one another with correspondingly different radial extensions. A possible alternative is that the two contact cylinders are radially in line with one another and that a plurality of the units thus formed are axially in line with one another.

As long as the contact pin arrangement has only one single contact pin, the contacting can be carried out by means of the contact element on the one hand radially with respect to the plug-in direction, i.e. perpendicularly to the axial direction, i.e. as long as the contact pin has the shape of a hollow cylinder at one of its outer faces.

On the other hand, axial contacting of the contact cylinder is also possible, i.e. as long as the contact cylinder has the shape of a cylinder or hollow cylinder at one of its base surfaces. In principle, combinations of both radial and axial contacts can also be considered, for example in order to increase the current carrying capacity.

As long as the contact cylinder assembly has a plurality of contact cylinders and the contact cylinders are arranged in a row with respect to one another in the axial direction, the contacting takes place radially with respect to the plugging direction by means of contact elements, wherein the contact cylinders can also be contacted axially at the ends of the contact cylinder assembly.

As long as the contact cylinder arrangement has a plurality of contact cylinders and the contact cylinders are arranged in a row in the radial direction, the contacting takes place axially with respect to the plugging direction by means of the contact elements. However, in particular if the innermost contact cylinder, that is to say the contact cylinder with the smallest radial extension, is embodied as a hollow cylinder, it can also be contacted radially from the inside. Correspondingly, the outermost contact cylinder, that is to say the contact cylinder with the largest radial extension, can also be contacted radially from the outside.

As long as the contact cylinder arrangement has a plurality of contact cylinders and the contact cylinders are lined up with one another not only in the axial direction but also in the radial direction at the ends of the contact cylinder arrangement, the contacting takes place radially in the region of the axial lines of contact and axially in the region of the radial lines of contact and radially and/or axially in the transition region between the radial and axial lines of contact. In the transition region, combinations of both radial and axial contacts can also be considered, for example, in order to increase the current carrying capacity.

In order to increase the reliability of the electrical contact between the at least one contact element and the at least one contact pin, it is advantageous if the contact element is elastically pretensioned and thus exerts a pressure on the contact pin at the contact point in the plugged-in state of the coupling system.

The contact element can, for example, in principle have the shape of a spoon. The convex side of the scoop body can be used for radial contacting of the contact ring. The handle of the scoop can extend parallel to the axis direction of the contact ring and contribute to the resilience. In particular, when the contact element is assigned to the coupling unit, the end of the handle facing away from the scoop body is preferably mechanically fixed to this end, for example in a conductor plate. In this case, the mechanical fastening additionally has the function of electrically connecting the conductor tracks on the conductor plates, for example by means of soldering points.

As long as the contact element is assigned to the plug-in unit, the mechanical fastening is advantageously ensured by the carrier element. The carrier element can also be a conductor plate, i.e. the plug-in unit can also have a conductor plate. The conductor plates here form a transition between at least one signal cable core of the cable to at least one contact element, in particular mechanically.

The contact cylinder assembly can be assigned either to the plug assembly or to the coupling unit. The assignment can be seen when the coupling system is in the unplugged state.

The at least one signal cable core is electrically connected to the at least one contact pin as long as the contact pin assembly is assigned to the plug connector assembly. In the case of a cable having a plurality of signal cables, it is advantageous if the contact cylinder assembly has a plurality of contact cylinders and each signal cable is electrically connected to a different contact cylinder. However, it is also possible for a plurality of signal cables to be electrically connected to a single contact cylinder and/or for individual contact cylinders of the contact cylinder assembly not to be connected to a signal cable, depending on how the circuit is arranged.

As long as the contact cylinder assembly is assigned to the coupling unit, the at least one signal cable core is electrically connected to the at least one contact element. In the case of a cable having a plurality of signal cores, it is advantageous if each signal core is electrically connected to a different contact element. However, it is also possible for a plurality of signal cables to be electrically connected to a single contact element and/or for individual contact elements not to be connected to the signal cable or for corresponding contact elements to be omitted, depending on how the circuit is arranged.

The radial contacting of the contact cylinder can in principle take place internally or externally at the contact cylinder. As long as the contact cylinder has the shape of a hollow cylinder, this means that the contact can be made at the outer, that is to say outwardly offset, mantle surface of the hollow cylinder or at the inner, that is to say inwardly offset, mantle surface of the hollow cylinder.

As long as the radial contacting of the contact cylinder takes place externally, it can be said that the contact cylinder assembly is used as a male part of the coupling system or as a plug-in part.

As long as the radial contacting of the contact cylinder takes place internally, it can be said that the contact cylinder assembly is used as a female part of the coupling system or as a socket component.

In principle, it is also possible to contact the contact cylinder both radially on the inside and radially on the outside, for example in order to increase the current carrying capacity by means of a plurality of contacts. In the case of two contact cylinders which are radially aligned with one another, the outer contact cylinder, that is to say the contact cylinder with the larger radial extension, is preferably radially contacted from the outside and the inner contact cylinder, that is to say the contact cylinder with the smaller radial extension, is preferably radially contacted from the inside.

In a further embodiment, the contact cylinder assembly comprises a plurality of contact cylinders, wherein the contact cylinders are electrically isolated from each other by means of at least one isolation cylinder and the contact cylinders and the at least one isolation cylinder are alternately lined up with each other in the axial direction.

The same applies to the insulating cylinder as already explained for the geometric shapes, in particular for the meaning of the word cylinder, and for the concepts of axial and radial arrangement in rows or rows with respect to one another. The difference between the insulating cylinder and the contact cylinder is in particular that the insulating cylinder is made of a material which is not electrically conductive, in particular plastic. Other non-conductive materials, such as glass or ceramic, are also contemplated for the insulating cylinder. The task of the insulating cylinder is to mechanically separate two adjacent contact cylinders so that they can be at different electrical potentials. In particular, different signals can thus be guided through the contact cylinder.

In a further embodiment, the contact cylinder assembly is designed as a jack plug, in particular as a commercially available jack plug.

Alternatively or additionally, the contact elements are components of a plug-in socket, which is common on the market. Both, in particular the combination of both, have the advantage of a cost-effective manufacture of the coupling system. In this case, either the socket plug can be assigned to the plug unit and the socket plug socket is assigned to the connection unit or the socket plug socket can be assigned to the plug unit and the socket plug is assigned to the connection unit.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below.

In this case, the aspects relating in particular to the annular body with the retaining element can be transferred completely to the above-described embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal section of a coupling system according to the invention in a first embodiment,

figure 2 shows an electrical instrument with a coupling system and a plurality of coupling units,

figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal section of a coupling system according to the invention in a further embodiment,

fig. 4 shows a detail from fig. 3, in particular the contact cylinder assembly,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the coupling system according to the invention, in which the contacting of the hollow cylinders takes place radially inward, and

figure 6 shows a detail view of the annular body with a large number of holding elements.

Detailed Description

In the following, the invention is explained in detail on the basis of the drawings showing different embodiments of the invention. In this case, functionally similar elements can be assigned similar reference numerals. As an example of this, mention may be made of a connector pin and contact pin arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows a coupling system 100, which here has a front side 110 and a rear side 120 for the purposes of the description. Here, the designations front side 110 and back side 120 also apply below to describe the front and back sides of the respective structural components. The coupling system 100 comprises a plug unit 130 and a coupling unit 140, wherein the plug unit 130 is arranged such that it is inserted from the front side 110 into a receptacle 150 of the coupling unit 140.

The plug unit 130 comprises a sleeve 160 which is arranged partially by the receptacle 150 in the coupling unit 140 and partially encloses a cable 170 introduced into the sleeve 160 from the front side 110. Here, the sleeve 160 and the cable 170 are fixedly connected to each other by means of an injection-molded cover 180. Two axially extending

signal cables

190, 200 are arranged in the cable 170, said signal cables exiting from the cable 170 on the rear side 120. The first signal cable 190 leads into a first plug pin 210 and the second signal cable 200 leads into a second plug pin 220. The plug pins 210, 220 are held or stabilized in their position by means of a carrier element 230 arranged in the sleeve 160, in this case in particular by means of a plastic carrier. Furthermore, the cable 170 has a shielding braid 240, which is arranged radially outside the

signal cable cores

190, 200 and is electrically connected to the sleeve 160, which is formed from an electrically conductive material.

The coupling unit 140 comprises, in addition to the receptacle 150, which is formed in one piece with the housing 250, a retaining means 260, which is formed with an annular body 270, in this case a metallic spring ring. In this case, the annular body 270 is radially and fixedly connected to an inner wall 280 of the receptacle 150. A release body 290 is arranged on the front side 110 of the receptacle 150 and extends into said receptacle shortly before the holding means 150. Furthermore, the disengagement body 290 is spaced apart from the front side 110 of the receptacle 150 and can be moved or displaced into the arrangement close to said front side. At the inner wall 280 of the receptacle 150 and behind the holder part 260 (viewed from the front side 110) a sealing mechanism 300, in particular a sealing ring, is arranged.

Furthermore, the coupling unit 140 comprises a conductor plate 310, which is arranged in fig. 1 at the back side 120 of the coupling system 100. The conductor plate 310 has two

pin receiving parts

320 and 330, two first shielding contacts 340, and a light emitting device 350. Light conductor 360 extends from light emitting device 350 in the direction of front side 110 and is guided through receptacle 150, so that the light signal emitted by light emitting device 350 can be transmitted as far as disengagement body 290. By means of light-emitting means 350 and light guide 360, an optical display 370 can be operated, which is arranged on one of the end faces or end faces 380 of disengagement body 290 facing away from receptacle 150. For this purpose, the release body 290 is constructed here from a transparent or light-permeable material.

When the plug unit 130 is introduced into the coupling unit 140 as shown here in fig. 1, the plurality of structural components are functionally connected to one another. Thus, the plug pins 210, 220 of the plug unit 130 pass into the

pin receptacles

320, 330 of the coupling unit. Specifically, the first plug pin 210 opens into the first pin receptacle 330 and the second plug pin 220 opens into the second pin receptacle 340. To ensure a precise assignment or contact of the connector pins 210, 220 with the

pin receptacles

330, 340, an anti-rotation element 390 is provided. The torsion prevention part 390 includes a first guide mechanism 400 disposed at the coupling unit 140 and a second guide mechanism 410 disposed at the plug unit 130. In this case, in particular, the first guide means 400 is formed with an axial longitudinal groove at the inner circumference of the part of the disengagement body 290 projecting into the receptacle 150, and the second guide means 410 is formed with a guide projection at the outer circumference of the injection-molded part 180. As a result, the plug unit 130 can be introduced into the coupling unit 140 only in a predefined axial rotational position.

The further functional connection between the plug unit 130 and the coupling unit 140 is realized by means of a first shielding contact 340 arranged on the conductor plate 310 and a second shielding contact 420 designed with the holding means 260. All the shielding

contacts

340, 420 are connected to the shielding mechanism 430 of the plug unit 130, which is constructed with the sleeve 160.

The central function of the coupling system 100 is: the holding means 260 loads and securely holds the plug unit 130 introduced into the receptacle 150 of the coupling unit 140, for which purpose no additional movement sequence is necessary. The disconnection of the plug unit 130 from the coupling unit 140 (as a further central function of the coupling system 100) takes place by means of a movable disconnection body 290 which, by manual actuation, acts on the holding means 260 in such a way that it is transferred into the release position in order to release the plug unit 130.

Fig. 2 shows an electrical device 440 according to the invention with the coupling system 100 from fig. 1 having the plug-in unit 130 and the coupling unit 140. Furthermore, the electrical device 440 has a plurality of further coupling units 140, which can potentially be equipped with further plug units 130. The further coupling and plug-in

units

130, 140 can be configured in this way as in the embodiment in fig. 1, but can also be configured in this way as in other embodiments within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates coupling system 100 in a further embodiment according to the present invention. In principle, the coupling system 100 is very similar to the coupling system 100 shown in fig. 1. Therefore, the differences from the coupling system 100 shown in fig. 1 are explained first below. However, all other aspects explained with reference to fig. 1 can be transferred to the coupling system 100 shown in fig. 3.

Instead of the first plug pin 210, the coupling system 100 includes a contact cylinder assembly 210 a. Instead of first and

second pin receptacles

320, 330, coupling system 100 includes two contact elements 320a, 330 a. Instead of the second plug pin 220, the coupling system 100 includes an insulating cylinder 220 a.

The contact cylinder assembly 210a has, inter alia, a first contact cylinder 215 and a second contact cylinder. The first signal cable core 190 of the cable 170 is connected to the first contact cylinder 215 and the second signal cable core 200 is connected to the second contact cylinder, wherein the second signal cable core 200 is guided through the interior of the first contact cylinder 215, which is embodied as a hollow cylinder. The isolation cylinder 220a is between the first contact cylinder 215 and the second contact cylinder; here, the reference numeral 220a can be found in fig. 4 (part of fig. 3).

The contact elements 320a and 330a are electrically connected to conductor tracks, not shown, on the conductor plate 310, which likewise form part of the coupling unit 140 and which in fig. 3 is arranged on the rear side 120 of the coupling system 100. Further, the conductor plate 310 is provided with two first shielding contacts 340 and a light emitting device 350.

When the plug unit 130 is inserted into the coupling unit 140 as shown in fig. 3, that is to say the coupling system 100 is in the plugged state, the plurality of components are functionally connected to one another. The first contact cylinder 215 is in particular radially contacted at its outer jacket surface by the contact element 320 a. The same applies to the second contact cylinder and the contact element 330 a.

Fig. 4 relates to a detail of fig. 3, which shows in particular a contact cylinder assembly 210a with a contact cylinder 215 and an insulating cylinder 220a located therebetween.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the coupling system according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment in fig. 3, the contact cylinder is not radially contacted from the outside, but radially from the inside by the contact element. Reference numerals of elements that are unchanged with respect to fig. 3 are adopted unchanged in fig. 5, and a detailed description of the elements is described with reference to the drawings of fig. 3. The reference numerals of the elements changed with respect to fig. 3 are increased by 400.

Accordingly, fig. 5 shows a coupling system 500 comprising a plug unit 530, a coupling unit 540, a contact cylinder assembly 610 and two

contact elements

720, 730, wherein the plug unit 530 is arranged from the front side 110 in such a way that it is introduced into the receptacle 150 of the coupling unit 540.

The contact cylinder assembly 610 has a first contact cylinder 615 and a second contact cylinder. The first signal cable core 190 of the cable 170 is connected with the second contact post and the second signal cable core 200 is connected with the first contact post 615. The isolation cylinder is between the first contact cylinder 615 and the second contact cylinder.

The

contact elements

720 and 730 are electrically connected to conductor tracks, not shown, on the conductor plate 710, which likewise form part of the coupling unit 540 and which in fig. 5 is arranged on the rear side 120 of the coupling system 500.

When the plug unit 530 is inserted into the coupling unit 540 as shown in fig. 5, i.e. the coupling system is in the plugged state, the plurality of components are functionally connected to one another. The first contact cylinder 615 is contacted radially by a contact element 730, in particular at its inner mantle surface. The same applies to the second contact cylinder and the contact member 720.

Fig. 6 shows a detail view of the annular body 270 with a plurality of holding elements 260 a. The holding element 260a is arranged circumferentially at the annular body 270. The respective holding element 260a is designed as a claw element.

The retaining element 260a extends radially inward from the annular body 270. The holding elements 260a are preferably arranged uniformly along the circumference of the annular body 270.

The annular body 270 shown in fig. 6 has fourteen retaining elements 260a, which are arranged distributed at uniform intervals around the circumference. In this case, the retaining element 260a covers a large part of the circumference.

The annular body 270 shown in fig. 6 with a large number of retaining elements 260a can be used in each of the

coupling systems

100, 500 mentioned above.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a coupling system with: a plug unit comprising a sleeve and a cable having at least one signal cable core, a contact cylinder assembly, wherein the sleeve and the contact cylinder assembly are arranged coaxially to one another and the contact cylinder assembly comprises at least one contact cylinder, the coupling system having at least one contact element for contacting the at least one contact cylinder and a coupling unit, the coupling unit comprising a receptacle for axially introducing the plug unit and contacting the at least one signal cable core, a holding means for fixedly holding the plug unit introduced into the receptacle, and a movable release body which is arranged at least partially in the receptacle and is designed to act on the holding means by manual actuation in such a way that the holding means is moved into a release position in order to release the plug unit, wherein the at least one signal cable core is either electrically connected to the at least one contact cylinder and can be connected to the at least one contact element The electrical connection is either electrically connected to the at least one contact element and can be electrically connected to the at least one contact stud.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the retaining means are formed by inwardly projecting, spring-elastically movable claw elements.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the holding means is embodied as a component of a ring body which is fixed to the receptacle.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the coupling system has a sealing mechanism arranged in the receptacle.

In a further exemplary embodiment, an optical display is provided at the end face of the decoupling body.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the optical display can be operated by means of at least one light-emitting device, preferably an LED.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the optical display can be operated by means of at least one optical waveguide, which transmits the optical signals emitted by the light-emitting means to the optical display.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sleeve can be introduced into a receptacle of the coupling unit.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sleeve introduced into the receptacle is arranged in the coupling unit in such a way that it is loaded and held fixedly on the circumferential side by the holding means.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is connected to the cable by means of an injection-molded cladding.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the plug unit is designed as an end section of a cable.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the contact cylinder assembly comprises a plurality of contact cylinders, wherein the contact cylinders are electrically isolated from one another by means of at least one isolation cylinder and the contact cylinders and the at least one isolation cylinder are alternately lined up with one another in the axial direction.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the contact cylinder assembly is configured as a jack plug and/or the contact element is an integral part of a jack plug socket.

In a further exemplary embodiment, at least one shielding contact arranged at the coupling unit and at least one shielding mechanism arranged at the plug unit are provided, wherein the shielding mechanism is connected to the shielding contact as soon as the plug unit is introduced into the coupling unit.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the shielding contact is configured with a holding means.

All features explained and illustrated in connection with the individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in the subject matter according to the invention in different combinations in order to achieve their advantageous effects at the same time.

The scope of protection of the invention is given by the claims and is not limited to the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

List of reference numerals

100. 500 coupling system

110 front side

120 back side

130. 530 connector unit

140. 540 coupling unit

150 accommodating part

160 sleeve

170 cable

180 injection molded cladding

190 first signal cable core

200 second signal cable core

210 first connector pin

210a, 610 contact cylinder assembly

215. 615 contact post

220 second connector pin

220a isolation column

230. 630 carrier element

240 shielding braid

250 shell

260 holding device

260a holding element

270 annular body

280 inner wall

290 disconnecting body

300 sealing mechanism

310. 710 conductor plate

320 first pin receiving part

320a, 720 first contact element

330 second pin receiving part

330a, 730 second contact element

340 first shield contact part

350 light emitting device

360 optical conductor

370 optical display

380 end side (disengaging body)

390 anti-twist part

400 first guide mechanism

410 second guide mechanism

420 second shield contact part

430 shielding mechanism

440 electrical apparatus.

Claims

1. Coupling system (100) with:

a plug unit (130) comprising a sleeve (160) and a cable (170) having at least one signal cable core (190, 200), and

a coupling unit (140) for coupling the first and second coupling units,

the coupling unit (140) comprises a receptacle (150) for axially introducing the plug unit (130) and contacting the at least one signal cable core (190, 200),

a holding means (260) for fixedly holding the plug-in unit (130) introduced into the accommodation part (150), and

a movable disconnecting body (290) which is arranged at least partially in the receptacle (150) and is designed to act on the holding means (260) by manual actuation in such a way that the holding means is transferred into a release position in order to release the plug unit (130).

2. Coupling system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (260) are formed by inwardly protruding, spring-elastically movable claw elements.

3. Coupling system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining means (260) is embodied as an integral part of an annular body (270) fixed at the receptacle (150).

4. The coupling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means (260) comprise a large number of retaining elements (260 a) arranged circumferentially at the annular body (270).

5. The coupling system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sealing mechanism (300) arranged in the receptacle (150).

6. Coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an optical display (370) is provided at the end side (380) of the decoupling body (290).

7. The coupling system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the optical display (370) is operable by means of at least one light emitting device (350), preferably an LED.

8. Coupling system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the optical display (370) can be operated by means of at least one optical conductor (360) which transmits the optical signal emitted by the light emitting means (350) to the optical display (370).

9. The coupling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (160) is introducible into a receptacle (150) of the coupling unit (140).

10. Coupling system (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that a sleeve (160) introduced into the receptacle (150) is arranged in the coupling unit (140) in such a way that the sleeve (160) is loaded on the circumferential side by the retaining means (260) and is fixedly retained.

11. The coupling system (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sleeve (160) is connected with a cable (170) by means of an injection-molded cladding (180).

12. The coupling system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plug unit (130) is configured as an end section of a cable (170).

13. Coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an anti-twist (390) is provided, whereby the plug unit (130) can be introduced into the coupling unit (140) only in predefined axial rotational positions.

14. Coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one shielding contact (340, 420) arranged at the coupling unit (140) and at least one shielding mechanism (430) arranged at the plug unit (130) are provided, wherein the shielding mechanism (430) is connected with the shielding contact (340, 420) once the plug unit (130) is introduced into the coupling unit (140).

15. The coupling system (100) of claim 14, wherein the shield contact (420) is configured with a retention device (260).