Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
  • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
  • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
  • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
  • H01R13/512—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by screw or screws
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
  • H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/646—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00 specially adapted for high-frequency, e.g. structures providing an impedance match or phase match
  • H01R13/6461—Means for preventing cross-talk
  • H01R13/6463—Means for preventing cross-talk using twisted pairs of wires
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
  • H01R31/005—Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Definitions

• the present invention relates in a first aspect to a connector for termination of at least two incoming and pair-wise twisted wires.
• the present invention relates to a signal transmission arrangement in a train coupler.
• the electrical signal can be of either digital or analog type. If a large bandwidth and a large signal/noise ratio are desired, preferably an electrical conductor of either coaxial type or twisted type is selected.
• the twisted cable type comprises pair-wise twisted wires and a cable may comprise one or more pairs of twisted wires. These pairs are surrounded by an outer cover of either plastic or rubber. In order to further enhance the cable's immunity to
• shield an electrical conductive covering usually designated "shield".
• Cables comprising twisted pairs of wires are particularly suitable for low noise transmission of analog signals when high immunity to interference is desirable, such as transmission of signals from a sensor.
• the cables In normal on-road vehicles such as cars and trucks are the cables usually connected directly to the subsystems of the vehicle by means of standard connectors.
• the connectors must be appropriate for use in relatively sheltered environments, and must perform well for a relatively small number of connections and disconnections.
• the connectors are usually disconnected only for servicing and repair of the vehicle.
• the signal-related connection in a rail-bound train is generally performed by using a special terminal block, where the various connectors are arranged for power supply and signal transmission, for example.
• the terminal is divided into rows and columns with fasteners for the connectors arranged with a predetermined spacing.
• the spacing is dimensioned in order for the connectors to be robust enough to allow a secure connection.
• the robustness of the connectors implies that the terminal block becomes dimensionally rather large compared to the cables for the actual signal transmission.
• connectors should of course be separable to allow automatic coupling and decoupling of the rail vehicles in the train.
• the connectors must also withstand harsh conditions due to the operating environment in the form of moisture, dust, dirt, cold, heat and vibrations.
• the wires of the pair are distributed to individual connectors which in turn are secured in said terminal block or connected to a corresponding
• the connector has a body arranged to be surrounded by a sleeve.
• the body usually comprises contact elements to which the individual wires of the pair is distributed and connected.
• the invention aims to eliminate the problem of varying contact impedance and crosstalk characteristics due to the distribution of the wires in a cable with twisted pair wires in a connector suitable for automatic train couplers.
• a connector of the initially defined type that comprises a spreader connectable to a cable terminator, the spreader having contact pins embedded in a dielectric material, the contact pins extending through the spreader and in at least a part of their extension having a radial direction component.
• the spreader is further separable into at least two parts, the parts having paths arranged for the contact pins.
• This spreader causes the twisted wires of the cable to be coupled to the contact pins in the spreader in a controllable and repetitive way, thereby causing a geometrical spreading by means of the spreader.
• the embedding of the contact pins in a dielectric material causes the technical effect of arresting the contact pins in the spreader, whereby contact impedance becomes constant between different connectors and different events of coupling.
• the spreader is separable into at least two parts the possibility to manufacture spreader and connector pins separately is attained. This means that even a single contact pin can be removed and replaced.
• said paths extend at least partially in a distribution plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader, and are angularly equally spaced in the distribution plane.
• the connector comprises a sleeve that extends coaxially with the spreader, the connector having a seat arranged in a forward end thereof, the seat is arranged to receive the spreader.
• the spreader By forming the seat and spreader with mutual form fit, the spreader can be mounted firmly in the sleeve.
• the sleeve further extends around the spreader, whereby efficient shielding of the spreader is attained.
• the connector comprises a cable terminator having for each wire an electrical contact element that connects the conductor to a contact pin embedded in the spreader.
• the cable terminator is further operable for arresting the wires of the cable.
• said sleeve is internally dimensioned to radially fix the cable terminator in the sleeve.
• Said sleeve preferably comprises a seat arranged to receive a clamping ring insertable in the rear end of the sleeve, the seat comprising a stop for said clamping ring.
• the clamping ring forms a rear axial stop for the cable terminator in the sleeve.
• the clamping ring When the seat for the clamping ring is arranged in the sleeve, the clamping ring will in one direction form an axial stop for all parts of the connector.
• the connector comprises a shell arranged to threadingly engage a threaded rear part of the sleeve, the shell comprising a stop that presses against the clamping ring as the shell engages the sleeve for locking the clamping ring in the sleeve.
• Said connector preferably comprises a locking washer, which is arranged to be removably mounted on the front end surface of the sleeve, whereby the spreader is arrested in the sleeve.
• Said locking washer comprises at least two contact sleeves, which are arranged centered around the contact pins. The contact sleeves can be integrated in the locking washer or alternatively be separate elements that are arrested by said locking washer in a mounted position thereof.
• the twisted wires have a surrounding shield, which is coupled to the sleeve by means of the clamping ring, causing electric contact between shield and sleeve.
• a signal transmission arrangement for couplers for automatic coupling of rail vehicles comprises a mountable terminal block, and a connector insertable in the terminal block arranged for termination of at least two incoming and pairwise twisted wires, wherein the terminal block having connector seats arranged in rows and columns.
• the signal transmission arrangement is characterized in that the connector has a cable terminator connectable to a spreader with contact pins embedded in a dielectric material, the contact pins extending through the spreader and in at least a part of their extension having a radial direction component adapted to the center distance between said connector seats.
• Figure 1 a shows the connector in a longitudinal cross section view in a mounted position
• Figure 1 b shows the connector in a corresponding and exploded longitudinal cross section view
• Figure 2 shows the connector in an end view
• Figure 3 a-g shows corresponding end views of alternative embodiments of a spreader included in the connector.
• the inventive connector is the wires 2 of the cable, coupled via one cable terminator commonly designated 4 to a spreader commonly designated 5 that distributes the signals in a geometrically desired way.
• the inner wires 2 of the twisted pair is provided with sleeve couplings 8 which are electrically connected to the wires 2, for example crimped or soldered onto the wires.
• the wires 2 and sleeve couplings 8 are mounted in the below described cable terminator 4.
• the cable terminator 4 is operable for arresting the wires 2 of the twisted pair relative each other and relative the connector 3.
• the cable terminator 4 separable in at least two parts, one front part 9 and one rear part 10.
• the cable terminator 4 is further formed to arrest the sleeve couplings 8 for further connection.
• the rear part 10 of the cable terminator has the form of a cylinder manufactured in a dielectric material, and having at least two paths 13 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the paths extends along the envelope surface of the cylinder and parallel with a center axis thereof.
• the paths 13 have a depth that is sufficient to completely laterally insert the sleeve couplings 8 therein.
• the paths 13 can further be arranged with a contraction 12 and thereby arresting the sleeve couplings 8 in the paths 13 in the longitudinal direction of the cable terminator 4.
• the rear part 10 of the cable terminator has a groove 1 1 that extends around the cylinder in its front part, the groove 1 1 is operable for snap locking and arresting the front part 9 of the cable terminator by means of a snap-lock means configured for this purpose.
• the front part 9 of the cable terminator is formed as a cap adapted to the rear part 10, the front part 9 has grip devices 14 arranged along the edge of the cap, and the grip devices 14 engage the groove 1 1 at the rear part 10 of the cable terminator.
• the sleeve couplings 8 arrested in the rear part 10.
• the front part 9 provided with guide tubes 15 arranged on the outside of the cap.
• the front end of the sleeve couplings 8 inserts into a rear part 16 of the spreader 5, and connects to electrical conducting contact pins 19 which inserts into holes 17 arranged in the rear part of the spreader. In this way are the wires 2 via the cable terminator 4 electrically coupled to the contact pins 19 in the spreader 5.
• the spreader 5 is manufactured in a dielectric material with suitable material characteristics for the desired impedance; the spreader 5 of the example
• embodiment comprises a front part 18 and a rear part 16.
• the spreader 5 separable which means that the contact pins 19 can easily be mounted in the spreader 5, which means that individual contact pins 19 can be replaced.
• Replaceable contact pins 19 are preferred from a service point of view due to the fact that individual contact pins can be replaced without dismounting the cable 1 from the connector 3.
• the contact pins 19 extend through the rear part 16 of the spreader which has paths 38 arranged for the contact pins 19.
• the paths extend axially through the rear part 16 of the spreader, and extend lowered or at least partially lowered with a radial direction in the front end plane of the rear part 16.
• the grooves 38 for the contact pins have a radial and at least partially lowered extension in the rear end plane of the front end 18 of the spreader, from there extends the groove axially and parallel with the center axis of the connector 3 through the front part 18 of the spreader.
• the contact pins 19 extend through the front part 18 and through a formed throat 37 on the same for coupling to a mating connector.
• the spreader 5 of the inventive connector 3 can have a plurality of shapes and also a varying number of contact pins 19.
• Figure 3a shows a spreader with sharp corners that is arranged for four contact pins.
• Figure 3d shows a spreader with sharp corners with only two contact pins.
• the figures 3b, 3e, 3c, 3f and 3g all have spreaders with rounded shapes and varying number of contact pins 19. It goes without saying that the other parts of the connector must be adapted to the shape of the spreader.
• the contact sleeves 20 On the front part 18 of the spreader is contact sleeves 20 arranged around the contact pins 19.
• the contact sleeves 20 is operable for guiding a mating connector at the event of coupling, it also fulfills the function to electrically couple the shield 7 of the cable to the shield of the mating connector.
• the contact sleeves 20 are connected to the sleeve 24 by means of a locking washer 21 that is removable connected to the sleeve 24 and holds the contact sleeves 20 in position by means of a flange 22 at the foot of the contact sleeves 20, and the locking washer 21 has a corresponding recess 40 formed around a through hole arranged for the contact sleeve 20.
• the cable terminator 4 and the spreader 5 is held together by means of a sleeve 24 having a front seat 36 arranged to house the spreader 5, whereby the latter by form fitting in the seat will be firmly attached to the sleeve 24.
• the sleeve 24 is internally dimensioned for radially arresting the cable terminator 4 received by the sleeve.
• the sleeve 24 is provided with at least one threaded hole 25 that mouth into the end surface of the sleeve, the threaded hole 25 is used for mounting the locking washer 21 whereby the contact sleeves 24, the spreader 5 and the cable terminator 4 are arrested radially and in one longitudinal direction of the connector 3.
• the sleeve 24 also exhibits a threaded part 26 in its rear end, which aims to bring a shell 32 in threaded engagement with the sleeve 24.
• the clamping ring 28 is arranged to press the shield 7 of the cable 1 against the rear seat 27 of the sleeve and thereby lock the shield 7. This connection also ensures an electrical connection between the sleeve 24 and the shield 7.
• An electrical connection between the shield 7 and the connector 3 is of utter importance for suppressing interference and cross-talk.
• the clamping ring 28 has a through hole for insertion of the cable 1 and having a front stop 29, a rear stop 30 and a beveling 31 .
• the rear stop 30 is arranged to be brought in contact with the shell 32 when the shell is screwed on the sleeve 24.
• the front stop 29 of the clamping ring brings the shield 7 in contact with the sleeve 24.
• the inner diameter of the clamping ring 28 is dimensionally adapted to the desired cable 1 and is provided with the inner beveling 31 in order to facilitate the insertion of the cable 1 .
• By locking the shield 7 to the connector 3 by means of the clamping ring 28 is also a tension relief for the cable 1 provided, which tension relief also protects the wires 2 of the cable against fracture when an axial force is applied on the cable in a longitudinal direction of the connector 3.
• the shell 32 having an internal thread 33, which is arranged to be brought in threaded engagement with the threaded rear part 26 of the sleeve.
• the shell 32 also exhibits a stop 34 arranged on its inside, which stop 34 is brought in contact with the clamping ring 28 at said threaded engagement.
• a relief 35 attached for protection of the cable 1 against external damage.
• FIG. 2 In fig. 2 is the connector shown in an end view.
• the locking washer 21 is removable attached to the shell 32 by means of screws 23.
• Contact sleeves 20 are arranged around the throats 37 that extend from the front part 18 of the spreader.
• the contact pins 19 are arranged centered in said throats 37 and contact sleeves 20.
• the shown embodiment shall generally be considered as an example of a solution to the problem of creating an interface between a dimensionally thin cable with pair- wise twisted wires and a dimensionally robust connector suitable for use in harsh conditions.
• the invention can therefore in a second aspect nevertheless be considered as a signal transmission device between coupled rail vehicles, wherein the above specified connector is dimensioned to cooperate with a terminal block arranged to be carried on a draft gear intended for automatic coupling of rail vehicles.
• a terminal block is preferably formed as a block made of a non-conducting material, such as a polymer material, and comprises seats for the connectors formed as through holes arranged on rows and columns in form of a perpendicular matrix.
• the contact seats are formed for insertion of the contact sleeves 20 of the connector from the back side of the terminal block. Thereafter, is an extension of the contact pins 19 inserted from the front side of the terminal block for electric connection with the contact pins 19.
• This extension connector can be formed as either a male or female connector which is arranged to mate with a corresponding extension connector in the terminal block of the mating couple.
• embodiment example be provided with snap-lock devices in the form of lugs 39 which is arranged in such a way that during mounting a correspondingly shaped shoulder arranged inside the contact seat arrest said lugs 39. Insertion of the contact sleeves in the seats of the terminal block is facilitated if the contact sleeves is axially slitted and elastic compressible in a radial direction.

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• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=45773147

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2010
  • 2010-09-03 SE SE1050906A patent/SE535946C2/sv unknown
• 2011
  • 2011-09-01 EP EP11822226.4A patent/EP2612404B1/de active Active
  • 2011-09-01 WO PCT/SE2011/051050 patent/WO2012030291A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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