EP0985250B1 - Connection element for a high-frequency cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (10) for the isolated single-conductors (20) of a high-frequency cable (12), which are twisted in pairs. Said element has an even number of contact grooves (18) with a cutting or holing device fitted through the insulation (22) of the inserted single-conductor (20), so as to face the end of the conductor. The contact grooves (18) of the connection element (10) have a catch (30) in a first section (D) of the groove length (L) for the associated unseparated conductor pairs (26). This first section is the conductor pair zone (24). A second section (E) of the groove length (L), the single-conductor zone, has catch elements (32, 24) for the single-conductors (20). After uncovering the twisted conductor pairs (26) and the terminal single-conductors (20), the unseparated conductor pairs (26) are locked in the conductor pair zone (24), and the single-conductors (20) are locked in a contact groove (18). In this way, all locked single-conductors (20) and conductor pairs (26) can be pushed into their contact groove (18) or conductor pair zone (24) with the aid of a sealing cap.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting element for the twisted pair, isolated single conductor of an HF cable, which connection element has an even number of contact slots with one arranged in the direction of the conductor end Cutting or piercing device through the insulation of the inserted single conductor. Related the invention relates to a method for fastening the individual conductors of an HF cable in such a connection element and on the use of the connection element.

There are various brands of connection elements for HF cables on the market, for example with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or more Poles, as the contacts are called. at these connection elements avoid incorrect connections, by the contact slots with the identification color of the to be inserted Individual conductors or their insulation are marked. Numbers, letters, symbols or combinations can also be used of which are used for identification.

Known connection elements are standardized and are used for example in an HF connector system, which has a socket insert and a corresponding one Plugs as connector parts with a grounded Shielding from RF cable to RF cable includes. connector systems are used especially for electrical connections used on communication main and peripheral devices, for example ISDN, telephone, terminal and modem, as well as PC, Host or data network systems.

Commercially available RF cables include, according to the standards applicable today one to four pairs of conductors, especially four pairs. It lies however, in the perspectives of today and in the future Developments to combine more pairs of conductors in one RF cable. The single conductors, appropriately insulated copper wires or strands with a diameter of up to about 0.8 mm, are twisted in pairs. The individual conductors may run parallel over a maximum length of 12 mm, otherwise there are signal errors in the range above about 300 MHz can not be avoided.

The conductor pairs can be at HF frequencies up to about 100 MHz twisted into an RF cable. A twisted one Head pair can also be used with a mechanical stop Films are wrapped, for example with a longitudinal one or wrapped polyester film. At higher frequencies, in particular from around 300 MHz, an envelope is used with a metal foil in the current state of the art as deemed essential. The wrapping with a metal foil, in particular with an aluminum foil, can in turn be longitudinal or by wrapping, the metal foil also as a composite film with an inside plastic carrier can be trained. The term includes metal foil here also appropriately trained fabrics, braids, Knitted or spiral windings of metal threads, which perform the same function.

The individual pairs of conductors are of a peripheral shield and surrounded by an outer insulation jacket. The peripheral The shield of the HF cable comprises at least one braid, tissue or knitted from metal wires, in particular from copper, which has a metal foil on the inside, in particular made of aluminum, can concern. Such RF cables have a defined one minimum permissible bending radius, which at a usual make, for example, four to five times Outside diameter of the cable is. Will these bend radii is below, is with disruptions or even with business interruptions to count. An advantageous solution This problem is explicitly described in EP, A1 0709929 is referred to.

Before installing an RF cable in a connector the outer insulating cable jacket is removed in the end area and the peripheral shield flipped. A possible one flexible mass is removed in this area. Now lie the twisted pairs are free, for example via one Length from 5 to 8 cm. In the extreme end area, for example over a length of 2 to 3 cm, is a possible wrapping the conductor pairs are also removed and the free individual conductors aligned approximately parallel in this area. The Individual conductors are sorted on the assigned contact slot placed and pushed into it with a special tool, the protruding single wire usually is cut off at the same time. This sounds very easy in practice, but is extremely difficult and tedious in practice perform. The individual conductors must be in a very narrow Assembly room sorted, directed and into the contact slot be pushed. It is not uncommon for that bulky special tool the insulation of the individual conductors damaged. This can lead to short circuits, which is the total Power failure.

The invention has for its object a connector for RF cables of the type mentioned and a method to attach its individual conductors, which facilitate the assembly and the workload considerably Reduce.

With regard to the device, the object is achieved according to the invention solved in that the contact slots of the connection element one in a first part of the slot length, the Head pair zone, arranged locking for the assigned undivided wire pairs and in a second part of the Slot length, the single conductor zone, arranged catches for the single conductors. Special and continuing education Embodiments of the device are the subject of dependent claims.

In practice, the contact slots of the connection element run expediently parallel, they are laterally by two Outer and inner webs limited. Because there are no separate pairs of conductors with twisted insulated single conductors, covered or not, take up more space for locking than single conductors, is preferably every second in this pair zone Inner web removable or omitted. This Part of the inner webs can be, for example, in one piece or be broken away in several sections. This will enough space for the twisted pair of conductors. The single ladder are in the narrow formed by all inner webs Contact slots locked.

The first part with the conductor pair zone for the undivided Conductor pairs are suitably shorter than the second part with the contact slots for the individual conductors. The ladder pair zone preferably extends over 20 to 50% of the total Slot length.

The latches themselves can be done in a manner known per se be formed, for example as retaining lugs or as Spring clip.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved according to the invention solved by exposing the twisted wire pairs and the terminal single conductor the undivided Conductor pairs in the conductor pair zone, the individual conductors in one Contact slot locked, and then at the same time with the help a locking cap all locked individual conductors in their contact slot as well as all locked conductor pairs in their ladder pair zone are pushed and held down there. Special and further developments of the Procedures are the subject of dependent claims.

The twisted wire pairs are, with or without sheathing, initially locked in a conductor pair zone, the individual conductors themselves need only after locking the unseparated Double ladder to be locked. The bigger ones Double conductors can easily be inserted into the relevant hand Double contact slot pressed and locked with it. The individual conductors are then roughly positioned and can be finally positioned with little effort and also be locked by hand. The order can also be reversed, first the individual conductors, then the Wire pairs locked.

The latching of enveloped has proven to be particularly advantageous Wire pairs together with their sheathing in a wire pair zone proved. In addition to the other advantages, the not cut back cover in the connector free space uncontrolled can trigger unwanted side effects, but orderly fixed and the undivided double conductor wrapped as far as possible and stably. This improves in the case of a metallic covering, the shield, too expresses itself in a higher signal quality.

The protruding single conductors installed in the connection element can easily be cut in one operation it doesn't need a bulky, complicated and one Tools for pushing in that require great effort and cutting off a single conductor at the same time.

An advantageous use of connection elements according to of the present invention and method of attachment the single conductor of an HF cable results in connection with the already mentioned EP, A1 0709929. In HF connector systems with a socket insert and a corresponding one Plug as connector parts, in which system a grounded Shielding from RF cable to RF cable continuously runs over a large area and with at least one flexible area, the cable end can be adjusted at an adjustable angle.

Thanks to the continuous large area in the area outside of the cable jacket, i.e. in the area of the exposed conductor pairs or single conductor, flexible shielding can the cable as mentioned at any angle by bending be adjusted without the risk of kinking or there is a too small bending radius for the HF cable. This runs practically straight in every position.

The connection element according to the invention acts in one HF connector system particularly advantageous if the Contact slots or contact double slots in the cable direction run. Then the twisting and ordering is twisted Cables are particularly time-saving and simple possible.

• Die Montage der Einzelleiter eines HF-Kabels mit bis möglichst nahe zu den elektrischen Kontakten verdrillten Leiterpaaren in einem Anschlusselement wird stark erleichtert und der Arbeitsaufwand erheblich vermindert.
• Es sind keine komplizierten, sperrigen Spezialwerkzeuge notwendig.
• Alle überstehenden Einzelleiter können in einem Arbeitsgang und mit einem Schnitt nach der Positionierung abgeschnitten werden, was in der Regel einfacher und billiger als eine in die Verschlusskappe integrierte Schneidvorrichtung ist.

The advantages according to the invention can be summarized as follows:

• The assembly of the individual conductors of an HF cable with pairs of conductors twisted as close as possible to the electrical contacts in a connection element is greatly facilitated and the workload is considerably reduced.
• No complicated, bulky special tools are necessary.
• All protruding individual conductors can be cut off in one operation and with one cut after positioning, which is generally easier and cheaper than a cutting device integrated in the sealing cap.

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht eines Anschlusselementes mit eingerasteten Leitern,
• Fig. 2 eine aufgeschnittene Seitenansicht eines Anschlusselementes mit umhülltem Leiterpaar,
• Fig. 3 eine Variante von Fig. 1 mit Verschlusskappe,
• Fig. 4 eine Variante von Fig. 2 mit verdrilltem, nicht umhülltem Leiterpaar,
• Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt durch ein umhülltes Leiterpaar,
• Fig. 6 ein Detail A gemäss Fig. 5, und
• Fig. 7 eine Verwendung eines Anschlusselementes in einem HF-Steckverbindersystem.

The invention is explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments, which are also the subject of dependent patent claims. They show schematically:

• 1 is a view of a connection element with engaged conductors,
• 2 shows a cut-away side view of a connection element with a coated pair of conductors,
• 3 shows a variant of FIG. 1 with a closure cap,
• FIG. 4 shows a variant of FIG. 2 with a twisted, uncovered pair of conductors,
• 5 shows a cross section through a coated pair of conductors,
• 6 shows a detail A according to FIG. 5, and
• Fig. 7 shows a use of a connection element in an RF connector system.

A connecting element 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for a HF cable 12 (Fig. 7) consists of a plastic injection molded part The parallel two outer webs 14 and seven Inner webs 16 form a total of eight longitudinal, continuous Contact slots 18 for single conductors 20 with one Insulation jacket 22.

Starting from the outer webs 14, the first, third, fifth and seventh inner web 16 in a first area D removed above a contact surface 48 or not formed (Fig. 2). In the resulting conductor pair zone 24 can be a pair of conductors 26 with twisted insulated individual conductors 20 can be picked up and locked. In the present In this case, the locking takes place together with the covering 28.

Over the second part E of the entire slot length L. only single conductor 20 locked with the insulation jacket 22 because in this case the inner webs 16 are continuous formed and the contact slots 18 are narrow.

On the inside of the outer webs 14 and on both sides of the continuous Inner webs 16 are in the area of the slot opening 29 Holding lugs 30 formed. In the conductor pair zone 24 each a pair of retaining lugs 30 formed, which the coated pair of conductors 26 locked. In the second part E, the single conductor zone, is an upper retaining lug 32 for each contact slot 18 and a lower retaining tab 34 is formed. That only in the single conductor zone trained inner web 16 has no retaining lugs. Between the upper and lower retaining lugs 32, 34 each an isolated single conductor 20 locked.

All holding lugs 30, 32, 34 have a sliding surface 36 against the slot interior 18, 24 and a locking surface 38 to the outside. The latches serve as a temporary bracket of the inserted conductor pairs 26 and individual conductors 20.

The locked, insulated individual conductors 20 of a pair of conductors 26 each lie on an insulation displacement connection 40, 42 on, which for design reasons with regard to the longitudinal direction the individual conductor 20 are offset.

With a locking cap, everyone can be locked at the same time Individual conductors 20 in their insulation displacement connection 40, 42 and all twisted pairs of conductors 26 into theirs at the same time Head pair zone 24 are pushed until the stop surface 48 is reached. The insulation displacement terminals 40, 42 have cut through the insulation jacket 22 and stand in direct Contact with the relevant single conductor 20. Piercing pins act equivalent. Now everyone can survive isolated individual conductor 20 in the cutting zone 50 with be cut off a cut.

With 44 and 46 are fixing lugs for the connection element Designated 10.

1 it should also be noted that on the left and on the right half the viewing direction is different. On the on the left you look towards the pair of conductors 26 to Single conductors, on the right in the opposite direction.

3 and 4 correspond essentially to Fig. 1 and 2. Das twisted pair of conductors 26 is not covered, it is in first part D, the conductor pair zone 24, as such, not separated locked.

3 is a closure cap 82 with push-in lamellae 84 for simultaneous pushing in of all locked Individual conductors 20 and all latched conductor pairs 26 shown. The snaps in the end or hold-down position Locking cap 82 in hold-down lugs 86.

According to an embodiment not shown, the closure flap 82 additionally an electrically non-conductive Cutting device, e.g. a cutting knife, for the simultaneous Cutting off the excess lengths of the inserted single conductors Have 20.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through a pair of conductors 26 with a sheath 28. The individual conductors 20 are designed as strands, not as usual as wires.

The casing 28 is designed to overlap so that it can be handled without problems can be removed. As a result, they during partial removal towards the end of the conductor dissolves further than intended and the protective effect no longer or can no longer develop fully. After a major advantage the invention can when locking the pair of conductors 26th at the same time the covering 28 is fixed.

6 in area A is a possible structure of the casing 28 shown. A composite film from a preferably internal polyester film 52 and an aluminum film 54 form an ideal combination of materials.

7 shows one with a connection element according to the invention 10 equipped socket insert with a shield 58 according to EP already mentioned, A1 0709929. The simplicity and for the sake of clarity are the main factors Plastic parts of the socket insert omitted, they are of a type familiar to the person skilled in the art.

In position M, a shield connection 58 is bent back and thereby the interior of a shield housing 60 completely exposed. It is inserted into the shield connection 58 and RF cable 12 already fastened with a crimping plate 62 indicated. A flexible plate 64 is only bent along its first predetermined bending area 66 while a second predetermined bending area 68 remains unchanged.

The first is in position R of shield connection 58 Target bending area 66 of the flexibly designed sheet 64 see above bent that this into the contour of the shield housing 60th is integrated. The shield housing 60 is now ready for assembly a housing cover ready, which the flexibly designed Holds down plate 64. In the second predetermined bending area 68 the flexibly designed sheet 64 is bent approximately at right angles. The HF cable 12 runs at an angle to the direction of insertion.

The second predetermined bending area 68 can also remain stretched, with the shield connection 58 in the position shown S lies.

Depending on the needs, the turning angle can be changed at the second Target bending area 68 can vary within wide limits, in particular from an approximately perpendicular to the direction of insertion HF cable 12 (position R) up to about 180 °, the cable connection backwards (position S). Depending on the training of the the lid housing can be attached and locked Shield connection 58 on the HF cable 12 also via the right angle unbent from position R and / or the straight one Position S are exceeded. In no position it will HF cable 12 itself significantly bent, the exposed Conductor pairs 26 with their twisted individual conductors 20 (Fig. 5) easily adapt to any change in angle Target bending areas 66, 68.

The RF cable 12 comprises four pairs of conductors in the present example 26. Outside the shield connection 58 is the HF cable 12 protected with an outer insulation jacket 70. in the The area of the shield connection 58 is the insulation jacket 70 completely removed, and all the way exposed Metal mesh 72, if necessary after folding, contact-wise clamped. When folding the metal braid 72 becomes an underlying wrapping aluminum foil 74 exposed. This foil complements the metallic shield and also serves as a moisture barrier in the HF cable 12.

In the interior of the shielding housing 12, this is according to the invention Connection element 10 mounted. For reasons of clarity it is rotated by 90 °, the contact slots run preferably in the direction of the HF cable 12. The connection element 10 points for each pair of conductors 26, more precisely said, for the individual conductor 20 not visible here with Insulation jacket 22 (Fig. 2) a insulation displacement connection 42, in which the insulation of the introduced single conductor 20 cut and when pressing the metal contact is manufactured in the simplest way. Cutting terminal connections of this type are commercially available and for example described in more detail in EP, A1 0088162.

Below the connection element 10 is one in the housing 76 extending circuit board 78 mounted, of which electrical conductor wires not shown for the sake of simplicity lead to the contact element 80, from where the electrical Signals in a manner known per se to the sliding contacts of a plug are transmitted.

In the area of the housing 76 there are further two contact elements 80 which shows the shielding when the connector is attached of the socket insert with that of the plug connect electrically conductive.

Claims (10)

1. Connection element (10) for the pair-twisted, insulated, individual conductors (20) of an HF cable (12), where the said connection element has an even number of contact slots (18) with a device arranged in the area of the conductor end for cutting or punching through the insulation (22) of the inserted individual conductors (20),
   characterised in that,
   the contact slots (18) of the connection element (10) in pairs have arranged in a first part (D) of the slot length (L), the conductor pair zone (24), a catch (30) for the allocated and separated conductor pair (26) and in a second part (E) of the slot length (L), the individual conductor zone, catches (32, 34) for the individual conductors (20).
2. Connection element (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that two outer webs (14) and an odd number of inner webs (16) form parallel contact slots (18), where the first, third, fifth ... inner web (16) are formed removably or are omitted over the first part D of the slot length (L), for holding and catching an unseparated conductor pair (26).
3. Connection element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first part (D), the conductor pair zone (24), extends over 20 to 50% of the slot length (L).
4. Connection element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the outer webs (14) have on the inside, and the inner webs (16) have on one or both sides, retaining lugs (30, 32, 34) or spring clips with a sliding surface (36) in the area of the support surface (48) and a catch surface (38) in the area of the slot opening (29).
5. Connection element (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that the retaining lugs (30, 32, 34) are formed only on the outer webs (14) and on both sides of the inner webs (16) extending over the entire length (L) of the contact slots (18).
6. Process for fixing the individual conductors (20) of an HF cable (12) in a connecting element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   after exposing the twisted conductor pairs (26) and the individual conductors (20) at the ends, the unseparated conductor pairs (26) are captured in the conductor pair zone (24) and the individual conductors (20) in a contact slot (18), and then simultaneously using a closing cap (82) all captured individual conductors (20) are pushed into their contact slot (18) and all captured conductor pairs (26) into their conductor pair zone (24) and there retained.
7. Process according to claim 6, characterised in that sheathed conductor pairs (26) are captured together with their sheathing (28) and that this is retained.
8. Process according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the projecting individual conductors (20) are trimmed in one work process and with one cut.
9. Use of a connecting element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5 in an HF plug system with a socket insert and a corresponding plug as plug connecting parts, in which an earthed screening of HF cable to HF cable (12) runs complete over a large area and has at least one flexible zone (66, 68) where the cable end can be adapted to an adjustable angle.
10. Use of the connecting element (10) according to claim 9 with contact slots (18) and conductor pair zones (24) running in the cable direction.

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