EP3223376B1 - Network jack and method for holding and electrically contacting a network connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a network socket, a network plug-in system and a method for receiving and electrically contacting a network plug.

For data transmission in networks network cables are used, at the ends of which are network connectors. Such power plugs are also called LAN cable plugs or LAN plugs, which means English for "Local Area Network". For data transmission in LAN networks usually eight-pin network cables are used, in which four twisted wire pairs are laid. The eight wires of the four twisted wire pairs can lead to an eight-pin network plug.

Network cables have at least one end of such a network connector, in which on one side of the network connector, the eight electrical connections of the network cable or network connector are arranged in common for electrical contact with a network jack. The network connector is designed and intended to be plugged into such a network socket in which the eight electrical connections of the network cable are electrically contacted and tapped.

Depending on the transmission frequency, network cables, network connectors and network sockets can be designed differently. Thus, in particular from the Cat5 standard, ie at operating frequencies up to 100 MHz, the electrical signals routed through the network socket can crosstalk to such an extent that signal interference occurs. Therefore, Cat5-capable network sockets for routing usually have printed circuit boards, which also PCB (English: "printed circuit board ") in order to contact the individual electrical connections of the network plug with sufficient quality and to pass on data transmitted to a connection side of the network socket.

document US 5,791,942 A relates to a connector having a plurality of parallel contacts and terminals, wherein electrical signals from adjacent contacts are directed in opposite directions to each other to the connection points in order to reduce crosstalk.

document US 5,759,070 relates to a modular plug assembly having a plurality of contacts and pads, in which electrical signals are conducted in different ways from the contacts to the pads to reduce crosstalk to adjacent contacts.

document US 2013/017730 A1 relates to an electrical connector with a housing around a socket in which a contact module is arranged. The contact module has two types of electrical contact whose free ends extend in different directions.

The invention has for its object to enable an improved connection between a network connector and a network jack, in particular to reduce crosstalk between the electrical connections and / or to allow the production of a cheaper connection through the network jack.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are the subject matters of the dependent claims.

A first aspect relates to a network socket having a plug receptacle disposed at a male end of the network socket for receiving and electrically contacting a network plug having at least eight electrical terminals.

The network socket furthermore has at least eight contact pins, each of which has one arranged at a contact end of the respective contact pin Contact area for electrical contacting each have one of the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector and each having a connection area on a connection side of the network socket for electrically connecting the network socket. The contact ends of a first subgroup of the contact pins are arranged at an end of the respective contact regions facing away from the insertion end of the network socket. The contact ends of a second subset of the contact pins are arranged at an end of the respective contact regions facing the insertion end of the network socket.

In particular, the network socket may be formed as a compact RJ45 network socket designed and intended to conform to the Cat5 standard. Thus, the network socket would be designed to transmit electrical signals at transmission frequencies of up to 100 MHz with sufficient certainty on the at least eight contact pins.

The network connector has the connector receptacle into which the network connector can be inserted. The network connector may be formed as a common LAN network connector, in particular as a Cat5-enabled network connector connected to a corresponding network cable. As described above, such network plugs usually have eight electrical connections that are electrically connected to the wires of the four wire pairs of the network cable.

The network socket thus has at its insertion end corresponding means for electrically contacting the network connector. On its connection side, the network socket is designed and intended to be further electrically contacted. For example, at the terminal side of the network jack, the contact pins of the jack may protrude from the network jack so that they may be contacted by an electrical component, in particular may be bonded and / or connected to a printed circuit board.

In the context of this invention, a distinction is made linguistically between the contacting on the side of the network socket facing the network plug and the connection on the connection side of the network socket. In both cases, an electrical contact is made. The linguistic separation serves him within the scope of the invention only an improved understanding of which side of the network jack the described operations take place. The connection side of the network socket may e.g. be arranged on one of the plug receptacle opposite side of the network jack, or on a side adjacent to the plug receptacle. The network socket enables routing, that is, routing and / or routing, of the electrical signals through the network socket, in each case from one contact area to its respectively assigned terminal area, and vice versa.

The network connector has exactly one contact pin for each of the electrical connections of the network connector. The network jack can do this be configured to be connected to a predetermined network connector having a predetermined number of electrical connections.

The at least eight contact pins of the network socket can be formed in one or more parts and are designed as electrical conductors. The contact pins are designed to conduct electrical signals from the network connector through the network socket to the connection side of the mains socket and / or vice versa. The electrical signals are routed separately through the network socket. For electrical contacting with the electrical connections of the network connector, each of the at least eight contact pins has a contact region. The contact areas may have an elongated volume, that is, have a greater length than height and width. The contact regions of all the contact pins can be arranged essentially next to each other and, at least when viewed perpendicular to the insertion direction, with their elongated volume regions substantially parallel to each other.

At a network plug, the eight electrical connections are usually formed together on one side of the network plug, namely on a network plug connection side of the network plug. The eight electrical connections of a network connector are commonly referred to as pin 1 to pin 8, which are substantially equally spaced within a plane on the network connector side of the network connector equidistant from each other.

Completely adapted to this geometry of the network connector, the contact areas of the contact pins are all arranged together on a contact inner surface of the connector receptacle of the network socket. The contact inner surface is arranged so that the substantially planar contact inner surface faces the cavity of the connector receptacle. At this contact inner surface of the plug receptacle, the elongated contact regions are arranged such that they extend with their longitudinal direction, at least when viewed perpendicular to the contact inner surface, substantially parallel to one another from the insertion end of the network socket up to an insertion end facing away from the end of the contact areas.

The contact areas of the contact pins can not be formed flat lying flat against the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle, but can protrude with increasing distance from the insertion end always further from the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle. Here, the contact pins may be resilient, so that they are pressed upon insertion of the network connector further against the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle, whereby a particularly good and / or secure electrical contact between the electrical connections of the network connector and the contact pins of the network jack is provided.

The contact pins are configured to electrically connect the contact areas through the network jack to the terminal areas. If all contact pins are formed parallel to one another and substantially uniformly through the network socket from the contact region to the connection region, crosstalk of the signals between the contact pins can occur during transmission of high-frequency signals, in particular from a signal transmission in the Cat5 standard, which disturbs the signal transmission. Therefore, at least conventional Cat5-capable network sockets have printed circuit boards for routing and / or transmitting the signals from the contact areas to the terminal side of the network socket and / or vice versa. The Cat5 standard specifically refers to the Cat5e standard, which is commonly referred to as the Cat5 standard.

However, in the network socket according to the first aspect, the contact pins are not all uniformly formed, but divided into at least two subgroups. The contact pins of the two subgroups have a very different geometric shape. In principle, the contact pins of the first and second sub-groups differ in which end of the contact regions the contact pins conduct signals from or to the electrical connections of the network plug through the network socket to the connection side of the network socket.

Thus, the contact pins may be formed substantially as an elongated wire, in particular as a printed and / or stamped metal piece in wire form, so with an elongated shape, however, may have kinks and / or bends. The individual contact pins can extend from the contact end, on which the contact region is formed adjacent, over a middle region of the contact pin up to the connection region, which can be formed adjacent to the connection end of the contact pins. While the shape and arrangement of the contact areas and terminal areas may be substantially similar for all contact pins, the contact pins of the two subgroups have different central areas at which signals may be routed and / or routed through the interior of the socket.

Thus, the contact ends of the first subgroup of the contact pins are arranged at an end of the respective contact regions facing away from the insertion end of the network socket. This means that the center region of the contact pins is arranged adjacent to that end of the contact regions, which faces the insertion end. Thereby, the electrical signals are transmitted to and to the contact areas of the first subgroup via the end of the contact areas, which faces the insertion end of the network jack. This end is usually arranged immediately adjacent to the contact inner surface of the plug receptacle and / or adjacent to the insertion end of the network socket.

In the case of the contact pins of the second subgroup, the electrical signals on the opposite side are tapped or passed on or forwarded to the contact regions. In the contact pins of the second subgroup, the contact ends face the insertion end of the network socket. This means that the contact regions of the contact pins of the second subgroup at the end of the contact regions merge into the middle region of these contact pins, which are remote from the insertion end of the network socket. Thereby, a spatial separation is provided by a different geometry of the contact pins of the first subgroup and the second subgroup. This different geometry of the contact pins can be exploited to between the contact pins To provide a sufficient geometric separation, so that a crosstalk between the signals on the individual contact pins is reduced to such an extent that they themselves are suitable for signal transmission according to the Cat5 standard.

The network socket according to the first aspect enables formation of a network socket completely without a printed circuit board, that is without PCB (English Printed Circuit Board), whereby the manufacturing cost of the network socket can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is simplified because in the network socket no contact pins and / or connection contacts must be bonded to a printed circuit board.

The contact pins can be completely divided between the two subgroups. Thus, the network jack, e.g. a total of exactly eight contact pins may be formed so that the first subgroup has a first number of contact pins, e.g. six of the contact pins, while the second subgroup has all the rest of the contact pins, e.g. two contact pins.

The spatial separation of the contact pins, so by the different and / or differently shaped configuration of the contact pins of the first subgroup and the second subgroup thus the signal transmission within the network jack is improved because crosstalk between the signals can be reduced to the individual contact pins.

According to one embodiment, the connection areas are in two out in the insertion direction offset parallel rows out of the housing. In other words, the connection areas are arranged such that they protrude from the network socket in exactly two rows from the network plug connection side, eg for electrical contacting and / or bonding. This arrangement of the connection areas in two rows enables an overall compact construction of the network socket. Furthermore, this two-row arrangement of the connection areas makes it possible to adequately space the connection areas with one another, for example by arranging the connection areas " Especially with compact Cat5-capable plugs, it is common to lead out the connection areas in more than two rows or not in rows but in as many different and spaced locations as possible from the network connector connection side two rows of terminal areas may be spaced apart in particular in the insertion direction.

According to one embodiment, the network socket has a rear surface facing away from the insertion end of the network socket, parallel to which in each case a rear section of the contact pins adjoining the respective connection region is formed. In this case, the rear portions of the contact pins of the first subgroup are formed approximately as large as the rear surface and the rear portions of the contact pins of the second subgroup formed at most half as large as the rear surface. This allows a partial separation of the routing paths of the contact pins in the network socket, by which a crosstalk and thus a signal quality loss can be reduced. This is especially favorable for CAT5-capable network sockets. Here, the wording means that the rear portions of the contact pins of the first subgroup are formed to be approximately as large as the rear surface, the length of these rear portions being at least 85% of the propagation direction of the rear surface to which the rear portions are formed in parallel. Including the terminal portions projecting from the network plug terminal side, the back portions of the contact pins may be formed even longer than this propagation direction of the back surface.

According to one embodiment, the contact pins of one of the two subgroups are designed so that they are arranged adjacent to the respective contact region substantially parallel to and / or along a first outer surface of the network socket. Furthermore, the contact pins of the other of the two subgroups are designed so that they are arranged adjacent to the respective contact region in the interior and / or on a second outer surface of the network socket. Thus, for example, the contact pins of the first subgroup may be formed such that they are adjacent to the respective contact region along the first outer surface of the Network jack are arranged. This first outer surface of the network socket can be, for example, that surface which is arranged parallel and adjacent to the contact inner surface of the plug receptacle. In particular, a portion of the central region of the contact pins of the first subgroup may be arranged substantially along and / or parallel to the first outer surface. In this case, the contact pins of the first subgroup can extend substantially completely along the first outer surface from the insertion end to an end of the network socket facing away from the insertion end, for example up to a rear surface. From there they can extend, for example, along the back surface, up to the connection area of the contact pins on the connection side of the network socket. Here, the center regions of the contact pins of the first subgroup are not necessarily arranged directly on the first outer surface, but may be electrically insulated from this. In particular, the central regions of the contact pins of the first subgroup can extend inside a casing and / or a housing along the first outer surface. Thus, the contact pins of the first subgroup may be arranged at least regionally, namely with a region of its central region which adjoins the contact region, for instance between the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle and the associated, adjacent and adjacent first outer surface.

The contact pins of the other of the two subgroups, for example the second subgroup, are arranged so that they are not arranged adjacent to their contact region, not on, along and / or parallel to the first outer surface. Rather, the middle region of these contact pins, which is formed adjacent to the respective contact region, may be arranged inside the network socket, in particular pointing away from the first outer surface and / or the inner contact surface of the plug receptacle. In this case, the contact pins of the second subgroup can be arranged, in particular, adjacent to the respective contact region, pointing towards a second outer surface of the network socket, which is arranged opposite the first outer surface of the network socket. This increases the spatial separation inside the network socket between the contact pins of the two subgroups, which improves the signal transmission.

According to one embodiment, the first subgroup has two to six contact pins and the second group has the remaining ones of the at least eight contact pins. In this case, each of the two subgroups can have an even number of contact pins. This allows a particularly clear and advantageous signal line through the network socket, since individual contact pins can be arranged in particular guided in pairs by the network socket.

According to one embodiment, at least two of the contact pins of at least one of the two subgroups in the network socket are arranged at least partially in pairs from the contact region to the connection region. In this case, in particular all of the contact pins of this subgroup, that is to say, for example, of the first subgroup, may be formed in pairs from the contact region to the connection region. In this case, the subgroup with the paired contact pins can be, in particular, the first subgroup, in which the contact pins can have a longer middle region than the contact pins of the second subgroup due to their geometry. Therefore, in particular the pairwise guidance of the contact pins of the first subgroup is effective and advantageous.

Here, "paired guided" means that the two paired contact pins are at least partially arranged closer together than at all other contact pins of the network socket. In particular, the entire middle region, that is to say the region of the contact pins between the contact region and the connection region, has on average a smaller distance between the two pairs of contact pins than a mean distance of each of the two contact pins to each other of the contact pins. In particular, when transmitting signals at high transmission frequencies, e.g. starting from the Cat5 standard, the paired contact pins can be arranged so close to each other that the signals on the paired contact pins can influence more strongly than the signals between all other of the contact pins.

According to a development of this embodiment, at least two contact pins the one of the two sub-groups in the network socket arranged in pairs, which are designed for electrical contacting of the two electrical connections of a twisted wire pair of the network connector. Even inside the network cable, cores of the cable assigned to one another are usually twisted together, forming a twisted pair of wires. Also, a twisted pair is thus performed in pairs in the network cable. For example, network cables typically have four paired twisted pair wires. Such a pairwise guidance of at least one of the twisted wire pairs through the network socket can be achieved in this embodiment. This is particularly advantageous for signal transmission through the network jack.

In an alternative or additional development of the embodiment, at least two contact pins of one of the two subgroups in the network socket are arranged in pairs, which are designed for electrically contacting two out-of-phase electrical connections of two different twisted wire pairs of the network connector. For example, in a typical LAN network connector, the cores of pin 3 and pin 5 may be arranged in pairs, whose signals are transmitted in opposite phase, ie offset by 180 ° from each other, through the network cables. These anti-phase electrical connections of two different twisted wire pairs can be formed in pairs inside the network socket at least in sections. By this pairwise guidance of the two antiphase wire pairs crosstalk at the contact pins, which can occur regularly in the interior of the network socket at the high transmission frequencies of the Cat5 standard, can be substantially compensated. Crosstalk at the contact pins can thus be compensated for so much that the network socket meets the requirements of the Cat5 standard.

In general, two contact pins can be formed in pairs inside the network socket, which are designed to make contact with each other in opposite phase conductors of the network connector. In this case, overall the signal transmission through the network socket is improved.

According to one embodiment, the network socket has two power contact pins each having a power contact area for electrically contacting two power terminals of the network connector and each having a power terminal area on the terminal side of the network terminal. In this embodiment, the network socket in addition to the at least eight contact pins on two more power contact pins, which can be used for power transmission. For this purpose, the network connector can be designed as a network connector with at least two power connections. In this case, the power connections do not have to be formed like the other electrical connections on the network connector connection side, but rather can be formed on a second connector side opposite the network connector connection side as the power connection side of the network connector.

In this embodiment, the power contact areas of the network socket may be arranged on a power inner surface of the connector receptacle, which differs from the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle. The power inner surface of the connector receptacle may be formed as a substantially planar formed inner surface of the connector receptacle, which faces the cavity of the connector receptacle. For example, the power inner surface and the contact inner surface of the connector receptacle may be arranged opposite to each other with respect to the network connector in the operating position. The power contact pins are configured to transmit power from the power contact area through the network jack to the power port area and / or vice versa. In this case, the power connection regions can be arranged on the connection side of the network socket, on which the connection regions of the contact pins for further electrical contacting are arranged. The network socket can thus be designed and provided to receive both commercially available LAN network plugs and to contact electrically, which have no power connections, as well as those network plugs which are formed with standardized connections for signal transmission and additionally two power connections for transmission have electrical power. In this regard, the network socket is thus designed universally applicable.

In a development of this embodiment, the power contact areas are arranged on a power inner surface of the plug receptacle, while the contact areas are arranged on a contact inner surface of the plug receptacle. Here, the power inner surface of the contact inner surface with respect to the inserted network connector is arranged opposite. In other words, the contact inner surface and the power inner surface of the plug receptacle are substantially mutually parallel inner sides of the plug receptacle which are different from one another. This allows a particularly advantageous spatial separation between the contact pins and the power contact pins of the network socket, and thus improves both the transmission of electrical power and the transmission of electrical signals through the socket.

According to an alternative or additional development of the embodiment, the power contact pins are designed so that they are arranged adjacent to their respective power contact region substantially parallel to and / or along a second outer surface of the network jack. This second outer surface of the network socket may be, for example, that outer surface of the network socket which is arranged substantially parallel to and / or adjacent to the power inside of the connector receptacle. This takes into account the geometry of the network jack in forming the power contact pins, in that the overall length of the power contact pins can be shortened by reducing the overall length of the power contact pins through the network jack.

In a development of this embodiment, the first outer surface on which the contact pins of the one, eg, first subgroup are guided adjacent to the contact area of this, the second outer surface with respect to the connector receptacle and / or the inserted network connector opposite. In this case, the first outer surface is thus arranged opposite the second outer surface. As a result, the distance to the power contact pins to the Contact pins, in particular to the contact pins of the one, for example, first, subgroup, increased, which can improve the signal transmission. Furthermore, an improved use of space inside the network socket is made possible.

In a development of this embodiment, the contact pins of the other of the two subgroups, that is to say, for example, of the second subgroup, are designed such that they are arranged leading away from the contact region in the direction of the second outer surface. Thus, the spatial arrangement of the contact pins of the other, e.g. second, subset of the spatial arrangement of the power contact pins in the interior of the network socket more than the spatial arrangement of the contact pins of the one or first subgroup. This spatial separation can improve signal transmission through the network jack. In particular, the subregion of the middle region of the contact pins of the other, e.g. second subgroup facing away from the first outer surface and leading to the second outer surface, which is disposed immediately adjacent to the contact region of the respective contact pins. This allows for maximizing the mean spacing of the center portions of the contact pins of the first subset from those of the second subset.

According to one embodiment, the contact pins are formed essentially in one piece from the contact region to the connection region. Thus, the contact pins can be designed in particular as one-piece punched and / or printed metallic components, which can conduct the signals through the network socket without interruption via another component of the network socket. The same can apply to any existing power contact pins. This embodiment reduces the component complexity and thereby simplifies the production of the network socket.

According to one embodiment, the network socket is designed as an RJ45 network socket for receiving a Cat5 network plug. In other words, the network socket is designed as a Cat5-capable network socket that meets all requirements of the Cat5 standard, which are regulated in corresponding standards are.

According to one embodiment, the network socket is formed without a board. The inventive design of the contact pins in the network jack, the formation of a boardless network socket is possible, which is itself suitable for signal transmission at high signal frequencies, ie in particular according to Cat5 standard. The boardless design of the network socket itself, but which e.g. can be contacted on its connection side with a board, reduces the manufacturing cost and manufacturing costs.

A second aspect relates to a network plug-in system with a network socket according to the first aspect and a network plug with at least eight electrical connections. The network socket and the network plug are designed to be inserted into one another such that the at least eight electrical connections of the network plug contact the at least eight contact pins of the network socket. Furthermore, the network plug can have two power connections, which can be connected in the inserted operating state of the network plug-in system to two power contact pins of the network socket. Since the network plug-in system according to the second aspect includes a network socket according to the first aspect, all the explanations made in connection with the first aspect apply to the network plug-in system according to the second aspect and vice versa.

• Einstecken des Netzwerksteckers in eine an einem Einsteckende der Netzwerkbuchse angeordnete Steckeraufnahme;
• elektrisches Kontaktieren der zumindest acht elektrischen Anschlüsse des Netzwerksteckers mittels jeweils eines Kontaktbereichs von zumindest acht Kontaktpins der Netzwerkbuchse;
• Leiten von elektrischen Signalen aus den zumindest acht elektrischen Anschlüssen des Netzwerksteckers entlang der zumindest acht Kontaktpins zwischen dem jeweils einen Kontaktbereich und jeweils einem Anschlussbereich der zumindest acht Kontaktpins.

A third aspect relates to a method for receiving and electrically contacting a network connector having at least eight electrical connections in a network socket, comprising the steps of:

• Inserting the network connector into a connector receptacle located at a male end of the network connector;
• electrically contacting the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector by means of a respective contact region of at least eight contact pins of the network connector;
• Conducting electrical signals from the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector along the at least eight contact pins between the respective one contact region and in each case one connection region of the at least eight contact pins.

In this case, the electrical signals from a first subgroup of the at least eight electrical connections along a first subgroup of the contact pins are conducted away from the contact region at an end of the respective contact region facing the insertion end and the electrical signals from a second subgroup of the at least eight electrical connections along a second subgroup the contact pins directed away from the contact region at an end of the respective contact region facing away from the insertion end, and vice versa.

The method according to the third aspect may be performed with a network socket according to the first aspect and / or a network plug-in system according to the second aspect. Therefore, all embodiments made to these two aspects apply to the method according to the third aspect, and vice versa.

Figur 1A

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung eine Netzwerkbuchse zum Aufnehmen und elektrischen Kontaktieren eines Netzwerksteckers;

Figur 1B

in einer Frontalansicht in Einsteckrichtung eine Netzwerkbuchse;

Figur 2A

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung Kontaktpins und Leistungskontaktpins einer Netzwerkbuchse;

Figur 2B

in einer Frontalansicht in Einsteckrichtung die Kontaktpins und die Leistungskontaktpins einer Netzwerkbuchse;

Figur 3A

in einer Seitenansicht senkrecht zur Einsteckrichtung die Kontaktpins und die Leistungskontaktpins einer Netzwerkbuchse;

Figur 3B

in einer Draufsicht senkrecht zur Einsteckrichtung die Kontaktpins und die Leistungskontaktpins einer Netzwerkbuchse; und

Figur 3C

in einer Rückansicht entgegen der Einsteckrichtung die Kontaktpins und die Leistungskontaktpins einer Netzwerkbuchse.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in FIGS. Show it:

Figure 1A

in a perspective view of a network socket for receiving and electrically contacting a network connector;

FIG. 1B

in a front view in the insertion direction, a network socket;

FIG. 2A

in a perspective view contact pins and power contact pins of a network socket;

FIG. 2B

in a front view in the insertion direction, the contact pins and the power contact pins of a network socket;

FIG. 3A

in a side view perpendicular to the insertion direction, the contact pins and the power contact pins of a network socket;

FIG. 3B

in a plan view perpendicular to the insertion direction, the contact pins and the power contact pins of a network socket; and

FIG. 3C

in a rear view opposite to the insertion direction, the contact pins and the power contact pins of a network socket.

Figure 1A shows in a perspective view of a network socket 1, which is designed and intended to receive a network connector, not shown, in a connector receptacle 3 of the network socket 1 and to contact there electrically. The network socket 1 is designed as a Cat5 network socket and thus able to individually contact all eight electrical connections of a standardized network plug and forward the eight electrical signals to a connection side A, to which the network socket 1 can be further electrically contacted, for Example of a printed circuit board. The network socket 1 is designed as a Cat5-capable RJ45 socket.

The network socket 1 is substantially cuboid, wherein a side surface of the cuboid network socket 1 is formed as an insertion end E. The insertion end E is formed on the side of the network socket 1 into which the network connector, not shown in the figures, can be inserted into the network socket 1 along a plug-in direction S.

For receiving the network plug, the network socket 1 in the interior of a connector receptacle 3 as a one-sided accessible cavity. The plug receptacle 3 is open at the insertion end E, thus formed on one side wallless and thereby allows penetration of the network connector into the connector receptacle 3. The inner contours of the connector receptacle 3 are formed complementary to the outer dimensions of the standard network connector. The connector receptacle 3 is particularly dimensioned so that the network connector can be easily inserted into the connector receptacle 3. At the insertion end E may be formed in the interior of the connector receptacle 3, at least one locking element 5, which can securely and releasably fix the network connector in the interior of the connector receptacle 3.

The network socket 1 has a housing 2, which may be formed from a plastic and arranged inside the network socket 1 contact pins to the outside protects and / or electrically isolated. The housing 2 may be formed in several parts and the network socket 1 on all outer sides, except for the outside at the insertion end E, close.

The network socket 1 has the connection side A, which is formed in the embodiments shown in the figures on an outer surface of the network socket 1, which is arranged adjacent to that outer surface in which the opening of the connector receptacle 3 is formed. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the plane of the outer surface at the insertion end E of the network socket is formed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the terminal A side.

At the connection side A, the network socket 1 can have one or more fastening elements 4, which are designed for mechanical contacting and / or insertion of the network socket 1, in particular for insertion into recesses of a printed circuit board. In this case, the fastening elements 4 may be made of e.g. be formed electrically insulating plastic.

The network socket 1 has a plurality of contact pins, which will be described in more detail with reference to the other figures. More precisely, the network socket 1 has eight contact pins P1 to P8 (cf. FIG. 2B ) which are formed for electrically contacting the eight electrical connections of the network connector. The eight contact pins P1 to P8 contact the eight electrical (signal) terminals of the network plug in the interior of the plug receptacle 3.

The contact pins P1 to P8 each have a connection region A1 to A8. All of these contact areas A1 to A8 of the contact pins are arranged so that they project beyond the housing 2 on the connection side A out of the housing 2. The terminal areas A1 to A8 are formed as an electrical conductor, as are the one-piece contact pins P1 to P8. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal portions A1 to A8 are arranged so as to protrude substantially perpendicularly from the terminal side A of the network socket. Here are the eight Connection areas A1 to A8 arranged so that they protrude substantially in two offset in the Z direction parallel lines from the housing 2. As a result of this arrangement of the connection regions A1 to A8, these can have a maximized distance from one another (in particular in the X direction).

From the connection side A continue two power connection areas AL1 and AL2 out of the housing 2 out. Here, AL1 denotes the power connection portion of a first power contact pin L1 of the network connector 1 and AL2 the power connector portion of a second power contact pin L2 of the network connector 1 (see also FIG Fig. 2B ).

Both the terminal areas A1 to A8 of the contact pins P1 to P8 and the power terminal areas AL1 and AL2 of the two power contact pins are arranged on an end portion of the terminal side A, which is formed at an edge portion of the terminal side A spaced from the male end E. The connection areas A1 to A8 and the power connection areas AL1 and AL2 are thus all arranged so that they protrude from the connection side A at a socket connection area not specifically identified in the figures. This female terminal portion corresponds to a portion of the terminal side A extending over less than about one third of the area of the terminal A, preferably less than about one quarter of the area of the terminal A. The area of the female terminal portion is located at the end of the terminal A side which is (furthest) spaced from the insertion end E arranged.

FIG. 1B shows the network socket 1 in a front view in the insertion direction S, and thus an insight into the connector receptacle 3 inside. In the illustration shown, the connection side A is arranged at the bottom, ie in the areas of the network socket 1 with the smallest Y values of the coordinate system shown.

In the figures, a Cartesian coordinate system is shown, which is arranged so that the Z-axis counter to the insertion direction S shows. Here, the Y-axis is arranged to be perpendicular from inside the network socket 1 through the connection side A through. The X-axis is arranged parallel to the connection side A and perpendicular to the insertion direction S.

For network sockets are in the in FIG. 1B shown in the insertion direction S, the contact pins usually from left to right (ie in the positive X direction) numbered from 1 to 8. The contact pins P1 to P8 are in FIG. 1B mostly hidden by the housing 2. In FIG. 2B is the same view in the insertion direction S on the contact pins P1 to P8 without the housing 2 shown.

As in FIG. 1B All contact pins P1 to P8 have a contact region K1 to K8. The contact areas K1 to K8 are arranged in the interior of the plug receptacle 3 and serve for electrically contacting the eight electrical connections of the network plug. All contact areas K1 to K8 of all contact pins P1 to P8 are arranged on and / or adjacent to the same inner side of the plug receptacle 3, which is characterized in the figures as a contact inner surface KI. In this case, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the contact inner surface KI is that side of the plug receptacle 3 which, on the average, is farthest from the connection side A of the network socket 1.

In the case of network connectors, all eight electrical connections are usually arranged together on a side surface of the network connector, the network connector connection side. The network connector is inserted into the connector receptacle 3 in such a way that this network connector connection side points with the electrical connections to the contact inner surface KI of the connector receptacle 3. In order to prevent an incorrect insertion of the network connector into the connector receptacle 3, the network connector has a projection or a nose which protrudes from the network connector substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction S. Complementarily, the opening of the connector receptacle 3 has a recess 6, which is designed to receive this projection or this nose of the network connector. The recess 6 is formed on an inner surface of the connector receptacle 3, which is disposed opposite to the contact inner surface KI with respect to the network connector.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the recess 6 is formed on the inner surface of the connector receptacle 3, which is arranged adjacent to and parallel to the connection side A. The contact inner surface KI is arranged parallel to and adjacent to a first outer surface 1A of the housing 2 of the network socket 1. With regard to the plug receptacle 3 and with respect to an inserted network plug, the first outer surface 1A lies opposite a second outer surface 2A, which coincides with the connection side A in the embodiment shown in the figures. In FIG. 1B is further shown how the connection areas A1 to A8 and power connection areas AL1 and AL2 protrude from the connection side A. In this case, however, the connection regions A1 and A8 of the first contact pin P1 and of the eighth contact pin P8 are covered by the fastening elements 4 of the network socket 1.

The connector receptacle 3 has essentially five inner surfaces. A rear surface arranged opposite to the opening, two side inner surfaces (perpendicular to the X-axis), the contact inner surface KI and, with respect to the inserted network connector, arranged opposite thereto a power inner surface LI. Here, the power inner surface LI is that inner surface of the connector receptacle 3, in which the recess 6 is formed for the nose or the projection of the network connector. At and / or adjacent to the power inner surface LI, two power contact regions KL1 and KL2 of the power contact pins L1 and L2 (see FIG. FIG. 2B ) arranged. These two power contact areas KL1 and KL2 serve to contact two power terminals of the network connector on which electrical power can be transmitted.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the contact pins P1 to P8 and the two power contact pins L1 and L2 of the network socket 1 without the components of the housing 2. As shown in the figures, each of the contact pins P1 to P8 and the Power contact pins L1 and L2 integrally formed as a metallic conductor and spaced from each other electrical conductor of the network socket 1 arranged. Each of the contact pins P1 to P8 is formed as an elongate electrical conductor which extends from the respective contact region K1 to K8 via a central region not marked in more detail up to its respective connection region A1 to A8. The same applies to the power contact pins L1 and L2, which extend from a power contact region KL1 or KL2 to the respective power connection region AL1 and AL2.

From the perspective, the view corresponds to FIG. 2A essentially the in Figure 1A shown view while in FIG. 2B The view shown is essentially that in FIG. 1B corresponds to the view shown. Here are the FIGS. 2A and 2B however, all components of the housing element 2 are omitted.

FIG. 3A shows like that FIGS. 2A and 2B the network socket 1 without all the elements of the housing 2. In other words are in FIG. 3A in a side view perpendicular to the insertion direction S only the contact pins P1 to P8 and the power contact pins L1 and L2 shown.

In the FIGS. 3A to 3C Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the housing 2 are schematically indicated by a dotted line.

In the in FIG. 3A shown side view perpendicular to the insertion direction S and parallel to the contact inner surface KI is shown that the contact pins P3 and (in the figure behind it arranged and hidden) contact pin P5 clearly in shape from the other contact pins P1, P2, P4, P6, P7 and P8 differ. Generally, the contact pins P1 to P8 are divided into two subgroups. In this case, the six contact pins P1, P2, P4, P6, P7 and P8 form a first subgroup of the contact pins and the two contact pins P3 and P5 form a second subgroup of the contact pins.

The contact pins of the two subgroups differ at least as a result which end of their respective contact areas K1 to K8, the electrical supply and / or discharge takes place. All contact areas K1 to K8 are substantially elongated, ie they have an expansion direction (eg length) which is larger than the other extension directions (eg height and width). Along the longitudinal extent, ie the largest expansion direction, of the contact areas K1 to K8, current signals and / or electrical signals can be transmitted.

In this case, the contact pins of the first subgroup end at one end of the contact region, which faces away from the insertion end E of the network socket 1. For example, e.g. a contact end KE1 of the first contact pin P1 is formed as a representative of the first subgroup of the contact pins at one end of the contact region K1, which faces away from the insertion end E of the network socket 1. Electrical current and / or electrical signals are derived from the contact region K1 and / or via an end of the contact region K1, which faces the insertion end E of the network socket 1. At this position of the contact pin P1, a bend of the contact pin P1 is arranged, at which the electrical conductor is deflected into a central region of the contact pin P1. This center region of the contact pin P1 is laid along the first outer surface 1A of the network socket towards a rear surface R of the network socket 1, which faces away from the insertion end E. The same applies to the contact areas and middle areas of all other contact pins of the first subgroup.

The contact pins of the second subgroup, however, are designed differently. Exemplary is in FIG. 3A the contact pin P3 shown as a representative of the second subgroup, the contact end KE3 is arranged at that end of the contact area K3, that the insertion end E of the network socket 1 faces. Electrical signals and / or current are conducted from and / or to the contact region K3 at that end of the contact region K3, which faces away from the insertion end E of the network socket 1. At this end of the contact region K3 facing away from the insertion end E, the contact pin P3 has a bend which leads away the third contact pin P3 as a representative of the second subgroup from the contact point P3 Contact inner surface KI of the connector receptacle 3, away from the first outer surface 1A of the network socket 1 and towards the second outer surface 2A of the network socket 1. In the illustrated embodiment, this second outer surface 2A coincides with the connection side A of the network socket 1.

As a result of this spatial separation of the center regions of the contact pins of the first subgroup and the center regions of the contact pins of the second subgroup, crosstalk of signals which are transmitted on the contact pins of the different subgroups is reduced in the interior of the network socket 1.

All contact pins P1 to P8 of both subgroups have substantially elongated contact areas K1 to K8, which are arranged substantially parallel to one another and next to one another, at least when viewed perpendicularly to the insertion direction E and substantially perpendicular to the contact inner surface KI. As a result, the contact areas K1 to K8 of all the contact pins P1 to P8 can electrically contact the eight electrical connections of the network connector, which are jointly arranged on the network connector connection side of the network connector. However, away from the respective contact region, the electrical currents and / or signals are transported away in or transported to one another in substantially opposite directions.

The contact areas K1 to K8 are not arranged parallel to the contact inner surface KI, but slightly obliquely and resiliently to the contact inner surface KI, e.g. at an angle of 5 ° to 30 °. The contact areas K1 to K8 are bent when plugging in the network plug towards the contact inner surface KI of the plug receptacle 3, which improves electrical contacting of the electrical connections of the network plug.

The contact pins of the first subgroup have a substantially L-shaped middle region between the respective contact region and the respective connection region. Here, a first L-leg of the central region is substantially parallel to the first outer surface 1A and / or to the contact inner surface KI arranged and extends substantially from the insertion end E, more precisely from the end of the contact region, which faces the insertion end E and / or closer, to the rear surface R of the network socket 1, which faces away from the insertion end E. The respective second L-leg of the middle region of the contact pins of the first subgroup is arranged substantially parallel to the rear surface R of the network socket 1 and extends substantially from the first outer surface 1A of the network socket to the connection side A. This second L-leg of the central region can be referred to as Rear portion R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R8 of the contact pins P1, P2, P4, P6, P7, P8 of the first subgroup may be formed. These rear portions R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R8 are formed substantially parallel to the rear surface R and adjacent to the respective terminal region A1, A2, A4, A6, A7, A8 of the contact pins P1, P2, P4, P6, P7, P8 of the first subgroup. The rear portions R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R8 of the contact pins P1, P2, P4, P6, P7, P8 of the first subgroup are formed to be approximately as long as the extending direction of the back surface R to which they are parallel (in FIG Fig. 3A the direction from bottom to top).

The middle region of the contact pins of the second subgroup is substantially S-shaped. The central region extends from the end of the respective contact region, which is modified to the insertion end E of the network socket 1, initially in the direction of the second outer surface 2A, which corresponds to the connection side A in the exemplary embodiment shown, and subsequently has a bend of almost 180 ° , after which the course direction is almost reversed. Subsequently, the middle region of these contact pins has a short distance back contact inside surface KI, before it is again formed at a second bend bent back substantially 180 ° and points to the connection side A. This last section of the middle region can be formed as a back section R3, R5 of the contact pins P3, P5 of the second subgroup. These rear portions R3, R5 are formed substantially parallel to the rear surface R and adjoin the respective terminal region A3, A5 of the contact pins P3, P5 of the second subgroup. The rear portions R3, R5 of the contact pins P3, P5 of the second subgroup are formed to be approximately half as long as the extending direction of the rear surface R to which they are parallel (in FIG Fig. 3A the direction from bottom to top).

Due to the different lengths of the back sections of the first and second subgroups, crosstalk of signals between the back sections of the subgroups can be reduced.

Also, the two power contact pins L1 and L2 are in FIG. 3A shown. The power contact areas KL1 and KI2 are substantially rectilinear and elongated. Via a middle region of the two power contact pins L1 and L2, current and / or electrical signals are conducted essentially parallel to and / or along the second outer surface 2A towards the power connection regions LA1 and LA2 on the connection side A adjacent to the connection regions A1 to A8 the contact pins are arranged in the socket connection area.

FIG. 3B shows a view in the solder on the first outer surface A1 of the network socket 1, wherein also in FIG. 3B most components of the housing 2 are omitted. Only a housing element 2 'is in FIG. 3B shown disposed between the contact areas of the first subgroup and the central areas of the contact pins of the first subgroup.

As in FIG. 3B 1, the contact pins of the first subgroup are guided in pairs along the first outer surface 1A, from the insertion end E to the back surface R of the network socket 1. In the embodiment shown, both the contact pins P1 and P2 and the contact pins P7 and P8 are along the first Outer surface 1A in pairs. These contact pins belong to each twisted pairs of wires of a network cable. Thus, the signals transmitted on these wires fit together particularly well and therefore can be guided particularly well next to each other along the first outer surface inside the network socket 1.

Furthermore, the sections of the middle regions of the fourth and sixth contact pins P4 and P6 are guided in pairs. The on these two contact pins P4 and P6 transmitted signals belong to different twisted pairs in the network cable. The signals transmitted on these two contact pins are in opposite phase to each other, ie offset by 180 ° to each other. In the embodiment shown, two contact pins were selectively guided in pairs, on which signals in phase opposition are transmitted.

The pairwise guidance of signals in phase opposition compensates for signal disturbances which regularly occur in the interior of the network socket 1 during contacting at the contact inner surface KI. The pairwise guidance of the antiphase contact pins P4 and P6 thus improves the signal transmission through the network socket 1.

FIG. 3C shows a rear view of the network socket 1 without housing 2. The rear view is aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear surface R of the network socket 1, which is formed opposite to the insertion end E.

The center regions of the contact pins of the first subgroup, that is, for example, of the contact pins P1 and P8, are arranged such that they pass through these rear surfaces R substantially completely. Here, in particular, the rear portions of the contact pins of the first subgroup (that is, for example, R1 and R8) are formed substantially as large as the rear surface R itself. The center portions of the contact pins of the second subgroup, that is, for example, the back portions R3 and R5 of the contact pins P3 and P5, are formed so as not to pass through the back surface R by more than halfway. This enables efficient use of space inside the network socket 1.

As in FIG. 3C 1, one or more of the contact pins P1 to P8 have widenings 7. These spacers 7 may be diamond-shaped and / or semi-diamond-shaped and serve for improved signal transmission through the network socket 1. The exact position and shape of the spacers 7 may be optimized by a simulation.

The network socket 1 is designed without a board and meets the Cat5 standard.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Network jack

2

casing

2 '

housing element

3

plug receptacle

4

fastener

5

locking element

6

recess

7

widening

1A

1. outer surface

2A

2. outer surface

R

rear surface

A

terminal side

e

spigot

KI

Contact inner surface

LI

Performance inner surface

K1..K8

Contact area of the 1st to 8th contact pins

KE1

Contact end of the first contact pin

KE 3

Contact end of the 3rd contact pin

KL1

Power contact area of the 1st power contact pin

KL2

Power contact area of the 2nd power contact pin

A1..A8

Connection area of the 1st to 8th contact pins

AL1

Power connection area of the 1st power contact pin

AL2

Power connection area of the 2nd power contact pin

P1..P8

1st to 8th contact pin

R1..R8

Rear section of the 1st to 8th contact pin

L1

1. Power contact pin

L2

2. Power contact pin

S

insertion

Claims (15)

1. A network socket (1) with:

   - a plug holder (3) arranged on an insertion end (E) of the network socket (1) for accommodating and electrically contacting a network connector with at least eight electrical connections, and

   - at least eight contact pins (P1 to P8) with:

   - one contact region (K1 to K8) in each case arranged on a contact end (KE1, KE3) of the respective contact pin (P1 to P8) for electrically contacting one of the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector in each case, and

   - one connection region (A1 to A8) in each case on a connection side (A) of the network socket (1) for electrically connecting the network socket (1);

   wherein

   - the contact ends (KE1) of a first subgroup of the contact pins (P1, P2, P4, P6, P7, P8) are arranged on an end of the respective contact regions (K1, K2, K4, K6, K7, K8) facing away from the insertion end (E) of the network socket (1);

   - the contact ends (KE3) of a second subgroup of the contact pins (P3, P5) are arranged on an end of the respective contact regions (K3, K5) facing the insertion end (E) of the network socket (1);

   - the contact pins of the first subgroups are designed so that they are arranged adjacent to the respective contact region substantially parallel to and/or along a first outer surface (1A) of the network socket (1);

   - the first outer surface (1A) is arranged opposite a second outer surface (2A) relative to the connector holder (3); and

   - a middle region of the contact pins (P3, P5) of the second subgroup is formed by an end of the respective contact region (K3, K5) that faces away from the insertion end (E) of the network socket (1), and by the respective connection region (A3, A5);
   characterized in that

   - the middle region of the contact pins (P3, P5) of the second subgroup extends from the respective contact region (K3, K5) to the second outer surface (2A) then, at a bend, extends somewhat back toward the first outer surface (1A) before it is bent back at a second bend and faces the connection side (A).
2. The network socket according to claim 1, wherein the connecting regions (A1 to A8) project out of the housing (2) in two parallel rows offset from each other in the insertion direction (S).
3. The network socket according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the network socket (1) is designed as an RJ45 socket for receiving a CAT5 network connector.
4. The network socket according to one of the preceding claims with a rear surface (R) facing away from the insertion end (E) of the network socket (1), parallel to which is formed a rear section (R1 to R8) of the contact pins (P1 to P8) adjacent to the respective connecting region (A1 to A8), wherein:

   - the rear sections (R1, R2, R4, R6, R7, R8) of the contact pins (P1, P2, P4, P6, P7, P8) of the first subgroup are formed approximately as long as the direction of extension of the rear surface (R) to which they are arranged in parallel, and

   - the rear sections (R3, R5) of the contact pins (P3, P5) of the second subgroup are formed at most one-half as long as the direction of extension of the rear surface (R) to which they are arranged in parallel.
5. The network socket according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the contact pins of at least one of the two subgroups in the network socket (1) are arranged guided in pairs from the contact region to the connecting region.
6. The network socket according to claim 5, wherein at least two contact pins of the one of the two subgroups are arranged guided in pairs in the network socket (1) and are designed to electrically contact the two electrical connections of a twisted wire pair of the network connector.
7. The network socket according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least two contact pins of the one of the two subgroups are arranged guided in pairs in the network socket (1) and are designed to electrically contact two inverse electrical connections of two different twisted wire pairs of the network connector.
8. The network socket according to one of the preceding claims with two power contact pins (L1, L2) that each have a power contact region (KL1, KL2) for electrically contacting two power connections of the network connector, and that each have a power connection region (AL1, AL2) on the connection side (A) of the network socket (1).
9. The network socket according to claim 8, wherein:

   - the power contact regions (KL1, KL2) are arranged on a power inner surface (LI) of the connector holder (3);

   - the contact regions (K1 to K8) are arranged on a contact inner surface (KI) of the connector holder (3); and

   - the power inner surface (LI) is arranged opposite the contact inner surface (KI) relative to the inserted network connector.
10. The network socket according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the power contact pins (L1, L2) are designed so that they are arranged adjacent to their respective power contact region (KL1, KL2) substantially parallel to and/or along a second outer surface (2A) of the network socket (1).
11. The network socket according to claim 10, wherein the contact pins of the other of the two subgroups are designed such that they are arranged leading away from the contact region toward the second outer surface (2A).
12. The network socket according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact pins (K1 to K8) are designed substantially integral with the contact region (K1 to K8) for the connection region (A1 to A8).
13. The network socket according to one of the preceding claims wherein the network socket (1) is designed without a circuit board.
14. A network connection system having a network socket (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a network connector having at least eight electrical connections.
15. A method for accommodating and electrically contacting a network connector having at least eight electrical connections in a network socket (1) having the steps:

    - inserting the network connector into a connector holder (3) arranged on an insertion end (E) of the network socket (1);

    - electrically contacting the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector by means of a contact region (K1 to K8) of at least eight contact pins (P1 to P8) of the network socket (1) in each case;

    - transmitting electrical signals from the at least eight electrical connections of the network connector along the at least eight contact pins (P1 to P8) between each contact region (K1 to K8) and each connection region (A1 to A8) of the at least eight contact pins (K1 to K8);
    wherein

    - the electrical signals from a first subgroup of the at least eight electrical connections are transmitted away from the contact region along a first subgroup of the contact pins at an end of the respective contact region facing the insertion end (E);

    - the electrical signals from a second subgroup of the at least eight electrical connections are transmitted away from the contact region along a second subgroup of the contact pins at an end of the respective contact region facing away from the insertion end (E);

    - the electrical signals from the first subgroups are transmitted away from the contact region substantially parallel to and/or along a first outer surface (1A) of the network socket (1); and

    - the first outer surface (1A) is arranged opposite a second outer surface (2A) relative to the connector holder (3);
    characterized in that

    - the electrical signals from the second subgroup are transmitted away from the respective contact region (K3, K5) to the second outer surface (2A) then, at a bend, are transmitted somewhat back toward the first outer surface (1A) before they are transmitted back at a second bend to the connection side (A).

Images