EP2898571B1 - Plug connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector and in particular a connector, which enables a transmission of high-frequency signals with a data rate> 10 Gbit and a bandwidth> 500 MHz.

The IEC 61076-2-109 standard recognizes connectors that are used to connect twisted-pair cables with four wire pairs. The ends of the total of eight wires of the twisted-pair cable are each connected to a contact element. The eight contact elements are integrated in an insulator of the associated connector. In this case, the insulator forms four individual insulation segments, each receiving two contact elements - a pair of contact elements. The contact element pairs are connected to the ends of each of a pair of wires of the twisted pair cable. The insulator is surrounded by a metallic housing, which serves as a shield for the contact elements arranged therein and on the other fastening means in the form of a thread, a bayonet lock or a snap mechanism, via the two complementary connectors can be connected to form a plug connection.

Known IEC 61076-2-109 connectors are suitable for transmitting high-frequency signals up to a data rate of about 10 Gbit and a bandwidth of about 500 MHz.

document US-A-5766040 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention was to provide an improved connector which is particularly suitable for the transmission of high-frequency signals with a data rate> 10 Gbit and a bandwidth> 500 MHz.

This object is achieved by a connector according to independent claim 1. A unit of a connector according to the invention and a twisted pair cable is the subject of the independent dependent claim 8.

A connector of two connectors according to the invention is the subject of the independent dependent claim 10. Independent claim 13 discloses a use of the connector.

Advantageous embodiments of the connector according to the invention, the unit according to the invention and the connectors according to the invention are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of the transmission capability of a generic connector having at least four arranged in a housing contact elements, which are provided for the transmission of high frequency signals, wherein each two contact elements form a pair of contact elements, which is in each case integrated into an insulating body, thereby improve that the insulation bodies are each surrounded by a shield. By virtue of this additional shielding of the individual insulation bodies or the contact element pairs accommodated in the insulation bodies, unwanted crosstalk between the pairs of contact elements as well as any center contact which may be present can be reduced. Furthermore, the additional shielding can serve to improve the shielding behavior against electromagnetic interference from the outside and from adjacent lines.

A unit according to the invention comprises an inventive Connector and a ("twisted pair") cable, the twisted wire pairs having its ends connected to the contact elements of a respective contact element pair.

A connector according to the invention comprises a first and a second connector, wherein in a mated state (the connector) contact at least the contact elements of the two connectors.

In a preferred embodiment of the unit according to the invention it can be provided that the wire pairs - for example by means of an aluminum foil - are shielded, wherein the shield of the wire pairs is electrically connected to the shield of the connector. Such ("twisted pair") cables are also referred to as "shielded twisted pair" cable or "foiled twisted pair" cable.

In a further preferred embodiment it can be provided that in the cable of the unit according to the invention - if appropriate in addition to a sum screen surrounding all the wire pairs - the wire pairs are shielded from each other, i. each of the wire pairs has its own shielding (e.g., an aluminum foil wrapper again). Such ("twisted pair") cables are also referred to as "screened shielded twisted pair" cable or "screened foiled twisted pair" cable. It can be particularly preferably provided that the shields of the individual wire pairs are connected to the respective shields connected to these contact element pairs.

In order to realize an uninterruptible shielding of the individual contact element pairs of a plug connection according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the two shields of the connector forming the plug connector each form at least one contact tab which is designed for contacting the complementary contact tab of the mating connector. It is preferably provided that the contact tab with respect to the plug movement direction (the direction of relative movement between the two connectors when mating) is aligned inclined. In a contact between the two contact tabs at least one of the contact tabs (at least slightly) laterally deflected (with respect to the plug movement direction). This can on the one hand cause a compensation of tolerances with respect to the relative position of the two contact tabs to one another. As a result of the elastically preloaded contact between the contact tabs also a good electrical contact can be achieved.

According to the invention, the connector further comprises a contact part, which is provided for the transmission of electrical supply energy.

In this case, it can preferably be provided that the contact part is designed as a coaxial contact part with an inner contact part and an outer contact part surrounding the inner contact part. This coaxial contact part can then preferably be connected to a coaxial conductor, which is part of the cable of a unit according to the invention. As an alternative to the formation of the contact part as a coaxial contact part, this can be designed as a simple, solid conductor.

Furthermore, it is provided that the contact part is arranged centrally within the housing. It is also provided that the contact element pairs surround the contact part in a ring and in particular a circular arrangement.

It can be provided that the insulation body in each case form a ring segment in cross section, wherein a shielding sheet is arranged between each two insulating bodies. Preferably, it can then also be provided that each shielding sheet forms at least one contact tab which is provided for contact with a complementary contact tab of a mating contact plug.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that at least some, preferably all, of the shielding plates also extend into the intermediate space between the insulation bodies and the contact part. This allows a largely uninterrupted shielding of the individual insulation body, wherein it can be particularly preferably provided that in each case two Schirmungsbleche and a portion of the housing form a (all around) shielding for the individual insulation body.

In a preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention can be provided that it has a coding that allows mating of the first and second connector in only one orientation to each other. For this purpose, the first connector of the connector according to the invention, for example, have a projection or a recess into which engages a complementary recess or a projection of the mating connector, said intervention only in a (rotational) alignment of the two connectors to each other is possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention can be provided that the housing, the contact elements, the contact tabs of the shields and the contact parts of the first and the second connector are formed so that when plugging the connector initially the housings interlock, in particular to the Center connector to each other, then contact the contact parts, then contact the contact elements and then contact the contact tabs.

The connector according to the invention, the unit according to the invention and the connector according to the invention are due to the separate shielding of the contact elements receiving insulating body advantageously for the transmission of high frequency signals at a data rate, which may be> 10 Gbit, and / or with a bandwidth that also 500 MHz can exceed.

Fig. 1:

eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders in Form eines Steckers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2:

einen als Gegensteckverbinder zu dem Steckverbinder gemäß der Fig. 1 vorgesehenen, erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder in Form eines Kupplers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3:

eine Aufsicht auf das Steckinterface des Steckers gemäß der Fig. 1;

Fig. 4:

eine Seitenansicht des Steckers gemäß den Fig. 1 und 3;

Fig. 5:

einen Längsschnitt durch den Stecker gemäß den Fig. 1, 3 und 4 entlang der Schnittebene V - V in der Fig. 3;

Fig. 6:

eine Aufsicht auf das Steckinterface des Kupplers gemäß der Fig. 2;

Fig. 7:

eine Seitenansicht des Kupplers gemäß den Fig. 2 und 6;

Fig. 8:

einen Längsschnitt durch den Kuppler gemäß den Fig. 2, 6 und 7 entlang der Schnittebene VIII - VIII in der Fig. 6;

Fig. 9:

einen Längsschnitt durch eine aus den beiden Steckverbindern gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 8 gebildete Steckverbindung in der zweiten Stufe eines fünfstufigen Zusammensteckprozesses;

Fig. 10:

eine Aufsicht auf ein kabelseitiges Ende der Steckverbindung gemäß der Fig. 9 in einer dritten Stufe des

Fig. 11:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckverbindung gemäß der Fig. 10 entlang der Schnittebene XI - XI in der Fig. 10;

Fig. 12:

eine Vergrößerung des Details XII in der Fig. 11;

Fig. 13:

eine Aufsicht auf die Steckverbindung gemäß den Fig. 9 bis 12 in einer fünften Stufe des Zusammensteckprozesses;

Fig. 14:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckverbindung gemäß der Fig. 13 entlang der Schnittebene XIV - XIV in der Fig. 13;

Fig. 15:

eine Vergrößerung des Details XV in der Fig. 14; und

Fig. 16:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckverbindung gemäß der Fig. 13.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1:

an embodiment of a connector according to the invention in the form of a plug in a perspective view;

Fig. 2:

a mating connector to the connector according to the Fig. 1 provided connector according to the invention in the form of a coupler in a perspective view,

3:

a plan view of the plug-in interface of the plug according to the Fig. 1 ;

4:

a side view of the plug according to the Fig. 1 and 3 ;

Fig. 5:

a longitudinal section through the plug according to the Fig. 1 . 3 and 4 along the section plane V - V in the Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6:

a plan view of the plug interface of the coupler according to the Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 7:

a side view of the coupler according to the Fig. 2 and 6 ;

Fig. 8:

a longitudinal section through the coupler according to the Fig. 2 . 6 and 7 along the section plane VIII - VIII in the Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 9:

a longitudinal section through one of the two connectors according to the Fig. 1 to 8 formed connector in the second stage of a five-stage Zusammensteckprozesses;

Fig. 10:

a plan view of a cable-side end of the connector according to the Fig. 9 in a third stage of the

Fig. 11:

a longitudinal section through the connector according to the Fig. 10 along the cutting plane XI - XI in the Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12:

an enlargement of detail XII in the Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 13:

a plan view of the connector according to the Fig. 9 to 12 in a fifth stage of the assembly process;

Fig. 14:

a longitudinal section through the connector according to the Fig. 13 along the cutting plane XIV - XIV in the Fig. 13 ;

Fig. 15:

an enlargement of the detail XV in the Fig. 14 ; and

Fig. 16:

a longitudinal section through the connector according to the Fig. 13 ,

The Fig. 1 and 3 to 5 show in various views a connector according to the invention in the form of a plug 1 in an isolated representation, ie without the associated complementary mating connector. This mating connector in the form of a coupler 2 is insulated in the Fig. 2 and 6 to 8 shown in different views. A connector formed from the two connectors is in the Fig. 9 to 16 shown.

The connectors each comprise a housing 3 made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal (eg steel, copper, etc.), wherein the housing 3 of the plug 1 is formed in several parts. This comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped inner housing 4, which forms on its outer side an annular shoulder 5, on which one side a mounting sleeve 6 can be supported (see. Fig. 16 ). The fastening sleeve 6 has on its inside an internal thread 7, which is provided for screwing with an external thread 8 of the housing 3 of the coupler 2. This will make the two of them Connectors formed connector, among others secured against accidental loosening.

Within the housings 3, the connectors each comprise four insulation bodies 9 (for example made of a ceramic or a non-electrically conductive plastic), each having the shape of a ring segment in cross-section. In the embodiment shown here, the insulation body 9 are each an integral part of an integrally formed insulator of the plug 1 and the coupler 2. Each of the insulation body 9 has two mutually parallel and to the direction of insertion of the two connectors channels, wherein within each channel, a contact element 10 from an electrically conductive material (in particular a metal (eg, steel, copper, etc.) is arranged.) The contact elements 10 are arranged substantially immovable in the plugging direction.

In the connector 1, the contact parts 10 are formed in the form of contact sockets. These serve to receive the contact elements 10 formed in the form of contact pins of the coupler. 2

According to the invention, each of the insulation bodies 9 of the plug 1 and of the coupler 2 is provided with a separate shield, which is formed in each case from a section of the respective housing 3 and (sections of) two shielding plates 11. The Schirmungsbleche 11 respectively contact the housing 3 and thus have the same electrical potential with this. The individual Schirmungsbleche 11 of the connector each comprise a planar portion 12 which extends radially between two adjacent insulating bodies 9 and a curved portion 13 which shields the radially inner side of a corresponding insulating body 9.

The curved portions 13 of the four Schirmungsbleche 11 form a cylinder jacket, which shields the insulation body 9 with respect to a centrally disposed within the inner housing contact member 14.

The planar portions 12 of the Schirmungsbleche 11, which extend into the space formed between each two adjacent insulating 9 space, each have a contact tab 15 which is arcuate obliquely with respect to the plugging direction (this corresponds to the longitudinal axes 16 of the two connectors). An electrically conductive connection between the shields of the plug 1 and the shields of the coupler 2 is produced via the contact lugs 15 (cf. Fig. 15 ).

The contact part 14, which is arranged centrally within the housing 3, is designed as a contact pin in the plug 1, which is arranged inside a further insulating body 17 which insulates it (electrically) from the curved sections 13 of the shielding plates 11. In contrast, the contact part 14 is executed in the coupler 2 in the form of a contact socket, which is also arranged in an additional insulating body 17 which shields the contact socket against the curved portions 13 of the Schirmungsbleche 11.

One of the contact elements 10 receiving insulation body 9 of the plug 1 has a recess 18 into which a complementary projection 19 of an insulating body 9 of the coupler 2 can engage. As a result, a coding is provided which allows a complete mating of the two connectors in only one orientation to each other. If different plug-in connections are provided, in which the projection-depression pairings of the connectors differ with regard to the cross-sectional geometry (including cross-sectional size) and / or with regard to the positioning within the housing of the plug connectors, the coding can additionally be designed such that only functionally suitable plug connectors to form a connector are connected to each other.

When plugging the plug 1 and the coupler 2 engages first the plug-side end of the inner housing 4 of the plug 1 in the central opening of the housing 3 of the coupler 2 (first stage of the assembly process). As a result, a centering of the two connectors is realized to each other.

Upon continuation of the plugging movement, the plug-side end of the insulating body 17 which surrounds the contact part 14 of the coupler 2 formed as a contact socket engages in the cylinder jacket formed by the curved portions 13 of the four shielding plates 11 (second stage of the assembling process; , Fig. 9 ). This also ensures a (further improved) centering of the two connectors to each other.

In a further continuation of the insertion movement then engages the projection 19 of the coupler 2 in the recess 18 of the plug 1 (third stage of the assembly process; Fig. 11 ). However, this assumes that the two connectors have the correct alignment with each other. If different coded connectors exist, this also requires that two functionally related connectors - connector 1 and coupler 2 - are connected to each other.

In a further continuation of the plug movement then contact the contact parts 14, i. the central contact pin of the plug 1 engages in the central contact socket of the coupler 2.

Further continuation of the plug movement then leads to a contacting of the contact elements 10 of the two connectors by the contact pins of the coupler 2 engage in the associated contact sockets of the plug 1 (fourth stage of the assembly process).

As a result of a further continuation of the plugging movement, the contact lugs 15 of the shielding plates 11 of the two plug connectors are then brought into contact with each other (fifth stage of the mating process; FIGS. 14 and 15 ).

If then the mounting sleeve 6 of the housing 3 of the plug 1 with the housing 3 of the coupler 2 is screwed, the connector is additionally secured against unintentional release. At the same time, a sealing ring 20 clamped between the housings 3 of the plug connector (specifically between the annular shoulder 5 of the housing 3 of the plug 1 and the plug-side end of the housing 3 of the coupler 2) ensures a sealing of the functional elements arranged within the housing 3 with respect to the surroundings.

In an alternative, not shown in the drawings embodiment of the connector according to the invention (plug and / or coupler) can be provided that the four Schirmungsbleche 11 are formed as a one-piece shielding body, which can be preferably manufactured inexpensively as a cast component and in particular as a zinc die-cast component.

Alternatively, since integration of contact tabs 15 into such a cast component is difficult to implement, it may alternatively be contemplated that the shield bodies of the plug and coupler contact laterally, e.g. each overlap a portion of extending between two adjacent insulating bodies 9 planar parts 12 of the shielding body of plug and coupler. Of course, alternatively or additionally, the cylindrical parts of the shielding bodies surrounding the central contact part 14 may also overlap, e.g. by having correspondingly different diameters.

Incidentally, the connectors according to this alternative embodiment may be formed according to the embodiment illustrated and described in the drawings.

Claims (13)

1. Plug connector having a housing (3) as well as at least four contact elements (10) arranged within the housing (3) for the transmission of high frequency signals, wherein in each case two contact elements (10) form a contact element pair which is in each case integrated in an insulating body (9), wherein the insulating bodies (9) are in each case surrounded by a shield, characterised by a contact part (14) for the transmission of electrical supply energy arranged centrally within the housing (3) which is surrounded by the contact element pairs in a circular arrangement.
2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the shields form at least one contact lug (15) for making contact with a complementary contact lug (15) of a mating plug connector which is oriented at an angle to the plugging direction of the plug connector.
3. Plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the contact part (14) is designed as a coaxial contact part with an inner contact part and an outer contact part surrounding the inner contact part.
4. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insulating bodies (9) in each case form, in cross section, a ring segment, wherein in each case a shield plate (11) is arranged between two insulating bodies (9).
5. Plug connector according to claim 4, characterised in that each shield plate (11) forms at least one contact lug (15).
6. Plug connector according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least some of the shield plates (11) also extend into an interstice formed between the insulating bodies (9) and the contact part (14).
7. Plug connector according to one of the claims 4 to 6, characterised in that in each case two shield plates (11) and a section of the housing (3) form a shield for an insulating body (9).
8. Unit consisting of a plug connector according to one of the preceding claims and a cable, wherein the cable contains twisted wire pairs, wherein ends of the individual wire pairs are in each case connected with the contact elements (10) of a contact element pair.
9. Unit according to claim 8, characterised in that the wire pairs are shielded, wherein the shielding of the wire pairs is connected with the shield of the plug connector.
10. Plug connection with a first and a second plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a plugged-together state of the plug connectors at least the contact elements (10) make contact.
11. Plug connection according to claim 10, characterised by a coding which only permits the first and second plug connectors to be plugged together in one orientation.
12. Plug connection according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the housing (3), the contact elements (10), the shield and the contact part (14) of the first and of the second plug connector are so designed that, as the plug connectors are plugged together, the housings (3) first engage with one another, then the contact parts (14) make contact, then the contact elements (10) make contact and then the contact lugs (15) make contact.
13. Use of a plug connector according to one of the claims 1 to 7 and/or a unit according to claim 8 or 9 and/or a plug connection according to claim 10 or 11 for the transmission of high frequency signals with a data rate > 10 Gbits and/or a bandwidth > 500 MHz.

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