DE202018101278U1 - Connector module for a modular industrial connector for transmitting high data rates - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector module (1, 1 ') for a modular industrial connector, which has at least two electrical contact elements and which has a metallic housing (4), in which at least three metallic webs (6) are formed and aligned substantially parallel to each other, wherein the contact elements the metallic webs (6) are arranged separately in the metallic housing (4), wherein the metallic housing (4) has an electrically conductive cover (9) which is in touching contact with the metallic webs (6) and electrically contacts them with each other.

Description

The invention is based on a connector module according to the preamble of the independent claim 1.

Such connector modules are used in particular in modular industrial connectors or heavy connectors to transmit data in a high frequency range. The connector module presented here is designed for very high data rates and in particular for the transmission category Cat.7A. This makes the connector module suitable for use in a 10 GB Ethernet network. The connector module according to the invention enables data transmission at an operating frequency of up to 1,000 MHz (megahertz).

Connector modules are required as part of a connector modular system to a connector, in particular a heavy industrial connector, flexible to specific requirements in terms of signal and energy transmission z. B. between two electrical devices to adapt. Typically, this connector modules in corresponding support frame, which are sometimes referred to as hinge frame, module frame or modular frame used. The support frame thus serve to accommodate a plurality of similar and / or different connector modules and this or the like on a surface and / or a device wall and / or in a connector housing o.ä. to fix.

Optimally, holding frames are used, which are formed from two frame halves, which are hinged together. The connector modules are provided with on the narrow sides projecting, approximately rectangular support means. In the side parts of the frame halves recesses formed as openings closed on all sides are provided into which the holding means dip when inserting the connector modules into the holding frame. To insert the connector modules of the holding frame is opened, d. H. open, with the frame halves are opened only so far around the joints that the connector modules can be used. Subsequently, the frame halves are capped together, d. H. the holding frame is closed, wherein the holding means reach into the recesses and a secure, positive retention of the connector modules is effected in the holding frame.

State of the art

The EP 1 398 853 B1 shows a connector module in which the braid of the connected cable is electrically connected to the metallic housing. As a result, the housing has the same shield potential as the shield of the cable, whereby the data transmission rates of the connector module can be further increased. The technical trend towards ever higher data transfer rates, the connector module of the EP 1 398 853 B1 but do not follow.

task

The object of the invention is to propose a connector module for a modular industrial connector, which can reliably transmit very high data rates.

The object is solved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The connector module according to the invention is intended to be used in a connector modular system. Therefore, the housing of the connector module according to the invention is designed for such use.

The connector modules generally each have a substantially cuboid insulating body or a cuboid housing. This Isolierköper or housing, for example, serve as a contact carrier and record and fix various types of contacts. The function of a connector formed thereby is very flexible. It can e.g. be included pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals in the respective insulating body or housing and so find use in the connector modular system. Increasingly, connector modules also take over measurement and data-technical tasks.

The connector module according to the invention has at least two electrical contact elements. The connector module has a metallic housing, in which at least three metallic webs are formed and aligned substantially parallel to each other. The webs run parallel to the plug-in direction of the connector module. Two adjacent webs each have the same distance from each other. The contact elements are separated by the metallic webs arranged in the metallic housing. It means that the adjacent contact elements are positioned separately from each other in the housing by the webs. The housing has an electrically conductive cover which rests on the metallic webs or is pressed onto the webs and electrically contacts them with one another.

Advantageously, the metallic housing has a detachably connected housing cover. The housing cover is screwed to the housing. The housing cover can be easily fastened and removed with a simple tool. As a result, a simple installation of the connector module is guaranteed.

Advantageously, the electrically conductive cover is a metallic foil. Alternatively, the electrically conductive cover is a metallic sheet. Such components are inexpensive and can be easily integrated into the housing of the connector module. By means of the electrically conductive cover, the metallic webs are electrically connected to each other. By this electrical contacting of the webs located between the webs contact elements are electromagnetically shielded from each other. As a result, a so-called crosstalk of the contact elements is significantly reduced, which ultimately higher amounts of data can be reliably transmitted.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive cover is fixed to the detachable housing cover. The webs and the foil or the sheet are aligned substantially perpendicular to each other. The film or sheet may be glued, for example, on the inside of the housing cover. When fixing the housing cover, the film or sheet is pressed onto the webs, whereby a particularly reliable electrical contact is achieved.

Advantageously, the metallic housing and the electrically conductive cover made of different materials. The materials can then be tailored to each other as needed.

In a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the electrical conductivity of the metallic housing is less than the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive cover. In this case, the metallic housing made of a zinc die-cast material. Such a housing is robust and can be produced inexpensively and easily. The conductive cover may for example consist of copper or a copper alloy. Such a material has a high electrical conductivity, so that the electrical contacting of the webs of the housing is reliable. The electrical conductivity of the zinc die-cast material is less than the electrical conductivity of copper or a copper alloy.

Preferably, the connector module has a sleeve which covers the metallic housing at least partially. The sleeve has essentially the shape of a hollow cuboid. The sleeve is designed so that it can be pushed over the metallic housing with a fixed housing cover. Preferably, the metallic housing and / or the sleeve on locking means with which the sleeve and the metallic housing are reversibly latched together.

The sleeve is preferably made of a plastic. The plastic has electrically insulating properties. The sleeve preferably has approximately rectangular holding means with which the connector module can be fixed in the above-mentioned holding frame.

Preferably, the connector module has a cable gland, which is electrically conductively connected to the metallic housing and to a braided shield of the cable connected to the connector module. The braided shield and the metallic housing are set to the same electrical potential. This allows higher data rates to be transmitted from the connector module.

list of figures

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindermoduls (männlich),
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines korrespondierenden erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindermoduls (weiblich),
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Hülse des Steckverbindermoduls,
• 4 eine Explosionszeichnung des Steckverbindermoduls (weiblich)
• 5 eine Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindermoduls und
• 6 eine Draufsicht auf den Steckbereich der weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindermoduls.

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

• 1 a perspective view of a connector module according to the invention (male),
• 2 a perspective view of a corresponding connector module according to the invention (female),
• 3 a perspective view of a sleeve of the connector module,
• 4 an exploded view of the connector module (female)
• 5 a plan view of another embodiment of a connector module according to the invention and
• 6 a plan view of the plug-in area of the further embodiment of the connector module according to the invention.

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

The 1 and 2 each show a perspective view of a connector module 1 , 1'. The connector module 1 '1' is on the outside with a sleeve 3 provided, which consists of a plastic. The sleeve 3 is in 3 shown. The sleeve 3 has approximately rectangular holding means 2 on, with which the connector module 1 in a holding frame (not shown for illustrative reasons) is fixable. In the support frame several similar and / or different connector modules can be fixed. The support frame can then be installed in a heavy industrial connector (not shown).

This in 1 shown connector module 1 represents the so-called male variant (plug). The corresponding female variant (socket) of the connector module 1 'is in 2 shown. The slip-on sleeve 3 is in 3 shown and points against the direction of insertion ST protruding ridges 10 on, in the deferred state, the screws 5 cover with which the two housing parts of the metallic housing 4 connected to each other.

The connector module 1 1 'has a metallic housing 4 on. The metallic housing 4 is in the exploded view of the 4 clearly visible. The metallic housing 4 is designed in two parts in this embodiment. The metallic housing 4 consists of a housing body 4a and one about it with screws 5 fixed housing cover 4b , In the metallic housing 4 are three metallic bars 6 formed. The bridges 6 are aligned parallel to each other and parallel to the direction of insertion ST , Two adjacent bridges 6 have a defined distance from each other.

The connector module has an insulating body 7 on. The insulator 7 is formed in two parts and consists of an insulator upper part 7a and an insulating body lower part 7b , which are telescopically and thus fixable with each other. In the insulating body 7 are openings 8th arranged in which contact elements (not shown for illustrative reasons) are arranged. The contact elements are separated by the metallic webs arranged in the metallic housing. The metallic bars 6 separate the contact elements within the metallic housing 4 spatially from each other and thereby simultaneously shield them from each other electromagnetically.

The connector module 1 has an electrically conductive cover 9 on, in the assembled state of the connector module 1 on the metallic bars 6 of the metallic housing 4 rests. The cover 9 consists in this variant of the invention of copper or a copper alloy. Through the cover 9 become the metallic webs 6 contacted each other electrically.

In the 5 and 6 1 shows a further embodiment of a connector module 1 "according to the invention, on the narrow side surfaces of the metallic housing 4 is each a spring plate 11 intended. The spring plate 11 is designed substantially triangular folded and consists of an electrically conductive, spring-elastic sheet metal. In this embodiment is in the sleeve 3 a recess provided by which the spring element 11 penetrates to the outside. The spring element 11 touches the metallic support frame (not shown) when installed. This creates a potential equalization between the metallic housing 4 and the holding frame created. For sensitive applications, especially in the railway sector, this has proved to be advantageous.

In 6 the plug-in area of the connector module 1 "of the further embodiment is shown for illustrative reasons, the representation of the contact elements was omitted here 12 the plug-in area is chamfered. The slopes 13 fall inwards. This facilitates the mating of connectors which are equipped with such a connector module 1 ", which increases the durability, in particular by increasing the possible mating cycles, of such connectors.

Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, unless stated otherwise, that the combinations illustrated and discussed are not the only ones possible. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

connector module

2

support means

3

shell

4

Metallic housing

4a

Housing body

4b

housing cover

5

screw

6

web

7

insulator

7a

Insulating shell

7b

Insulator-base

8th

opening

9

cover

10

web

11

spring element

12

corner

13

slope

ST

Plug-in direction / arrow

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 1398853 B1 [0005]

Claims (12)

Connector module (1, 1 ') for a modular industrial connector, which has at least two electrical contact elements and which has a metallic housing (4), in which at least three metallic webs (6) are formed and aligned substantially parallel to each other, wherein the contact elements the metallic webs (6) are arranged separately in the metallic housing (4), wherein the metallic housing (4) has an electrically conductive cover (9) which is in touching contact with the metallic webs (6) and electrically contacts them with each other. Connector module after Claim 1 characterized in that the metallic housing (4) is formed in two parts and consists of a housing base body (4a) and a housing cover (4b) detachably connected thereto. Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive cover (9) is a metallic foil. Connector module after Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the electrically conductive cover (9) is a metallic sheet. Connector module according to the above Claims 2 and 3 or 2 and 4 characterized in that the electrically conductive cover (9) is fixed to the housing cover (4b). Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic housing (4) and the electrically conductive cover (9) consist of different materials. Connector module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical conductivity of the metallic housing (4) is less than the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive cover (9). Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metallic housing (4) consists of a die-cast zinc material. Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductive cover (9) consists of copper or a copper alloy. Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (1) has a sleeve (3) which covers the metallic housing at least partially. Connector module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sleeve (3) consists of a plastic. Connector module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector module (1) has a cable gland which is electrically conductively connected to the metallic housing (4) and to a braided shield of the cable connected to the connector module.

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