EP3352311A1 - Connector and method for producing a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector, in particular a run connector, in particular for producing an Ethernet connection and a method for producing a connector according to the invention. The connector comprises a plurality of contact elements for contacting a plurality of cable conductors of a cable end and at least one insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for at least partially receiving the plurality of contact elements, wherein the at least one contact element receiving is formed, so that each contact element of the plurality of in the at least one contact element receiving contact elements arranged in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body is contact-free to the insulating body.

Description

The invention relates to a connector, in particular for producing an Ethernet connection, and a method for producing a connector.

The invention is in the field of connector technology, in particular in the field of high-speed Ethernet connectors, in particular in the field of M12 circular connectors. Such connectors, such as M12 circular connectors, are used to make industrial Ethernet connections. In particular, when using the connector for high-speed Ethernet connections, the transmitted data density is particularly high and therefore the plug must ensure interference-free data transmission.

In this case, the mutual arrangement of the data transmission conductors plays an important role in order to avoid that the data transmission conductors inside the connectors influence each other disadvantageously.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved and / or less expensive connector for establishing an Ethernet connection, which is robust to interference effects.

This object is achieved by a connector and a method for manufacturing a connector according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a connector, and In particular, a circular connector, in particular for producing an Ethernet connection, comprising a plurality of contact elements for contacting a plurality of cable conductors of a cable end and at least one insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for at least partially receiving the plurality of contact elements, wherein the at least one contact element receiving is formed so in that each of the plurality of contact elements arranged in the at least one contact element receiving means is free of contact with the insulating body in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body. In particular, the contact elements are mechanically and electrically non-contact, and in particular touch each other neither, nor are they in contact with optionally existing cable sheaths.

The cable end may in this case belong to any commercially available Ethernet cable, wherein the cable end has a multiplicity of cable conductors, which in each case belong to the electrical lines within the Ethernet cable. The cable conductors are exposed in this case of possible insulating layers to make an electrical contact possible. The cable end may extend over a portion of the cable having a length of preferably at most about 5 cm, more preferably not more than about 2.5 cm, even more preferably not more than about 1 cm.

The contact elements are configured to allow electrical contact with the exposed cable conductors of the cable end. As a result, a good electrical contact between cable and connector is made. In addition, each of the contact elements allows an electrical connection via the connector with a complementary plug. For this purpose, the contact elements may be formed cylindrical within the connector and extend along a substantially straight contact element axis. Substantially straight means in this sense including small customary production and customary deviations.

The insulating body of the connector is used for electrical insulation of the current-carrying contact elements of each other and to the outside. This allows safe handling of the connector, even when the connected Ethernet cable is live. In addition, it is necessary to isolate the contact elements against each other to prevent unwanted interference of the conducted signals. In particular, it is necessary to prevent electrical crosstalk, wherein a signal from one contact element is inductively, capacitively or galvanically coupled to another contact element. For this reason, the insulating body is made of an insulating material that has the highest possible insulating ability.

The insulating body is adapted to receive the plurality of contact elements. The insulator was designed in the context of the invention, taking into account that the best and most cost-effective material for producing the insulator is an insulating gas, in particular air. Therefore, the insulating body is formed with at least one contact element receptacle for at least partially receiving the plurality of contact elements. In this case, the contact elements extend along an axial direction of the insulating body through the insulating body. Each of the contact element receptacles may be configured to receive only a single or a plurality of the plurality of contact elements. Preferably, cable conductors and / or contact elements in the insulating body are separated from one another by gas, for example air. As a result, crosstalk between routed data streams on adjacent cable conductors and / or contact elements can be reduced. Furthermore, a storage of the cable conductors and / or contact elements in gas or air leads to a reduced permittivity ε _R , whereby the impedance can be controlled or adjusted.

In addition, the cost of materials for the production of the insulating body is reduced by the formation of contact element receptacles in the insulating body, whereby a cost reduction of the manufacturing process is effected.

The recorded in the contact element receiving contact elements are in an area between the first end and the second end of the insulating body without contact. Contactless in this sense means without physical contact between the contact elements and the insulating body. This ensures that each of the contact elements in the region between the first end and the second end of the insulating body is separated from the insulating body by gas, for example air, in order to optimize a total insulating effect of the insulating body. The gas may be a gas present in the vicinity of the connector, for example in the atmosphere, for example air. In this case, it is advantageous to maximize the area between the first end and the second end of the insulating body, wherein a plug-side end of each contact element is held only in one end region of the insulating body. The end region may preferably extend over at least about 60%, more preferably at least about 80%, even more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least about 95% of the length of the insulator. In particular, exactly two contact elements can be accommodated in each contact element receptacle. This also applies to all other of the at least one contact element receiving and / or for all other of the plurality of contact elements. In this way, an efficient division of the plurality of contact elements can be ensured in the insulating body. In particular, the plurality of contact elements may be grouped or divided into pairs of exactly two contact elements in each case, each pair of contact elements being accommodated in exactly one contact element receptacle. In particular, the exactly two contact elements in the region between the first end and the second end of the insulating body can be separated from one another by a gas, for example air. The exactly two contact elements may in this case be separated from one another, in particular along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insulating body by a gas, for example air. As a result, unwanted interference effects between the recorded in each case a contact element receiving exactly two contact elements can be efficiently reduced or prevented.

Preferably, each contact element of the plurality of contact elements of the connector is in an intermediate region between a first end and a second end of the contact element formed with a smaller diameter than at the first end or the second end of the contact element. By such a reduction of the diameter of the contact element in the intermediate region between a first end and a second end of the contact element, a minimum distance between the insulating body and the contact element along a radial direction with respect to the contact element is maximized. In this way, a gas or air-filled space is increased by the contact elements within the contact element receptacle, whereby the permittivity ε _{R is} reduced and thus increases the impedance. Due to the changed permittivity ε _R , the impedance is thus controlled into corresponding standard values. In addition, the reduced diameter of the contact elements leads to an increased distance between the contact elements within the insulating body, whereby unwanted interference, ie crosstalk, the signals passed through the contact elements are reduced.

The reduced diameter of the contact elements ensures that a slight bending of the contact elements within the insulator is possible. A slight bend in this sense is a bending of the contact element, so that a physical contact in the intermediate region between the first end and the second end of the insulator does not come about. This gives the contact elements a flexibility that allows the contact elements to act resiliently. This is particularly advantageous since damage to the connector due to improper handling, such as over-insertion of a complementary connector, can be avoided or reduced.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector has eight contact elements.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the connector is designed as a M12 circular connector. In particular, M12 circular connectors can have a different number of contact elements, wherein the number of contact elements is determined by a coding of the M12 circular connector. In addition, the coding of the M12 circular connector results in a geometric design of the insulating body, whereby accidental connection incompatible circular connector is prevented. The M12 circular connector may be formed as A-coded circular connector and comprise 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a B-coded circular connector and comprise 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a C-coded circular connector and comprise 3 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a D-coded circular connector and comprise 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as an S-coded circular connector and comprise 4 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a T-coded circular connector and comprise 4 contact elements. Preferably, the M12 circular connector is designed as an X-coded circular connector and comprises 8 contact elements.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, each of the plurality of contact elements has a length of at least 1 mm, preferably 2 mm, more preferably 5 mm. In particular, the realization of a connector with contact elements of a length in the lower millimeter range is possible due to modern manufacturing processes and the advancing miniaturization of electronic components, for example, of connectors or connectors for the production of an Ethernet connection. Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, each of the plurality of contact elements has a maximum length of 200mm, preferably 50mm, more preferably 25mm. Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the insulating body has a length of at least 2 mm, preferably 4 mm, more preferably 10 mm. Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the insulating body has a maximum length of 50 mm, preferably 25 mm, more preferably 15 mm. It is advantageous to take the highest possible proportion of the length of the contact elements in the insulating body to the largest possible part of the contact elements to be able to isolate. For this purpose, the insulating body and the contact elements are formed, so that the insulating body has the length of at least 60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90% of the length of the contact elements.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, each contact element comprises a cable conductor receptacle for receiving and fixing the cable ladder and / or a plug receptacle for receiving a complementary contact plug. The cable conductor receptacle is arranged for this purpose at one end of the contact element and may comprise a crimping device which is designed to fasten the cable conductor by crimping on the contact element and thus to produce an electrical connection between cable conductor and contact element.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the connector further comprises a plug body member, wherein the plug body member is adapted to engage with an end portion of the insulating body, so that a relative rotation of the insulating body and plug body member is blocked. In particular, the plug body element can be designed to block a relative rotation between the insulating body and the contact elements. Such relative rotation could lead to damage to the connector and / or to a negative impact on the signal transmission of the contact elements. To counteract this, the plug body member may be formed to engage with at least two components of the connector. In addition, the plug body element may be at least partially rigid. In this sense, rigid means a high dimensional stability of the plug body element against applied forces.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector further comprises a contact element spreader, wherein the contact element spreader is adapted to hold each contact element of the plurality of contact elements separately. This ensures that the contact elements outside of the insulator in physical contact come and thus can negatively affect the signal transmission. In particular, this makes it possible to keep the contact elements separately such that the contact elements are also at least partially isolated outside the insulating body by a gas, in particular air. In this case, it is advantageous to minimize a contact surface of each contact element on the contact element spreader. Preferably, the contact element spreader is configured to engage with the insulator body and / or the male body member to thereby block relative rotation of the contactor spreader, and thus the contact members, to the insulator body and / or the male body member.

Preferably, for example, in accordance with another embodiment, the connector further includes a cable conduit spreader, wherein the cable conduit spreader is configured to separately hold each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors of the cable end. This allows the connector to be arranged in an orderly manner at the cable end and to avoid potential physical and / or electrical contact between cable conductors. The cable conductor spreader can be designed for this purpose to hold one end section of a cable ladder and / or one end section of the contact elements. Preferably, the cable conductor spreader is configured to engage the contactor spreader and / or the plug body member to thereby block relative rotation of the cable conductor spreader, and thus the cable conductor, to the contactor spreader and / or the plug body member.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the connector further comprises a connector shell member, wherein the connector shell member is formed to envelop the connector in a region between the cable end and the insulating body. The connector shell element is designed to electrically isolate the connector to the outside and to protect the connector from damage. The connector shell element may in particular as a metallic Sleeve be formed and / or be formed of a metallically conductive plastic. The connector shell element may in particular be designed as a Faraday cage, which encloses and protects the contacts of the connector. The connector shell element is used for electromagnetic shielding, since the cable shield is continued by the connector.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the connector further comprises an injection-molded protective member, wherein the injection-molded protective member is made of an injection-molded material and is adapted to envelop the connector in a region between the cable end and the insulating body and to protect it from the outside. The injection molding material may be any material suitable for use in an injection molding process. Preference is given to materials which can additionally electrically insulate the plug connector and are robust against damage. The injection-molded protective element can be arranged directly on the connector by an injection molding process. The injection-molded protective element is preferably liquid-tight and / or moisture-proof and / or dust-tight.

Preferably, the connector is designed such that a space between the contact elements of the plurality of contact elements is substantially free of injection molding material. Essentially in this sense means, with the exception of possible production-related deviations. This ensures that the contact elements of the connector are also outside the insulating at least partially free of injection molding material and by gas, such as air, isolated. At least partially means in this sense, except for possible holding surfaces on which the contact elements can be held by components of the connector. This ensures optimum insulation of the contact elements along the entire contact elements.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the connector further comprises a threaded ring, wherein the screw ring is designed, the Secure the connector to a complementary connector by tightening or turning the screw ring. This ensures a secure hold between the connector and the complementary connector.

Preferably, the connector further comprises a sealing means, which is arranged on the connector, so that a connection region between the connector and the complementary connector is sealed liquid-tight after tightening the screw ring. This prevents the connection between the connector and the complementary connector from being affected by the action of liquid.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector is designed to produce a high-speed Ethernet connection, wherein a data transmission rate of the connector is at least 100 megabits / sec, preferably at least 1 gigabit / sec. The data transfer rate can also be up to 10 Gigabit / s.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making a connector, comprising providing a cable end having a plurality of cable conductors; Contacting each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors with one end of each one contact element; Receiving each of the contact elements in an insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for at least partially receiving the contact elements, wherein the at least one contact element receptacle is formed, so that each contact element of arranged in the at least one contact element receiving contact elements in a region between a first end and a second end the insulating body is contact-free to the insulating body. The contact elements may in this case have any combination of the features disclosed above for the contact elements. The insulating body or the contact element receptacle can have any desired combination of the features disclosed above for the insulating body or the contact element receptacle.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a connector further comprises a step of providing a cable conductor spreader and a step of spreading the cable conductor of the cable end with the cable conductor spreader, wherein the cable conductor spreader is adapted to each cable conductor of the cable Keep cable end separate. Preferably, the steps of providing a cable conductor spreader and spreading the cable conductors of the cable end with the cable conductor spreader are accomplished after contacting each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors with the end of each one contact element and before receiving each of the contact elements into the insulating body. In this case, the cable conductor spreader can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the cable conductor spreader.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the method of manufacturing a connector further comprises a step of providing a contactor spreader and a step of spreading the contact members with the contactor spreader, wherein the contactor spreader is configured to hold each contactor separately , Preferably, the steps of providing a contactor spreader and spreading the contact members with the contactor expander after contacting each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors with the end of each contact element and before receiving each of the contact elements into the insulator. In this case, the contact element spreader can have any desired combination of the features disclosed above for the contact element spreader.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the method of manufacturing a connector further comprises a step of providing a plug body member and a step of stabilizing the connector with the plug body member, wherein the plug body member is configured to block twisting of the contact members within the connector. Preferably, the steps to provide a Plug body member and for stabilizing the connector with the plug body member after receiving each of the contact elements in the insulating body. The plug body element may in this case have any combination of the features disclosed above for the plug body element.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a connector further comprises a step of providing a connector shell member and a step of enclosing the connector with the connector shell member, wherein the connector shell member is adapted to open the connector to the outside Insulate and protect from damage. Preferably, the steps of providing a connector shell member and enclosing the connector with the connector shell member after receiving each of the contact members into the insulator. The connector shell element may in this case have any combination of the features disclosed above for the connector shell element. The connector shell element may in particular be formed as a metallic sleeve and / or be formed of a metallically conductive plastic. The connector shell element may in particular be designed as a Faraday cage, which encloses and protects the contacts of the connector. The connector shell element is used for electromagnetic shielding, since the cable shield is continued by the connector.

Preferably, for example, according to another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a connector further comprises a step of enclosing the connector with an injection-molded protective member, wherein the injection-molded protective member is disposed of an injection-molded material by injection molding on the connector. The injection-molded protective element is designed to insulate the connector to the outside and to protect it from damage. Preferably, the injection molding protection member is designed so that no injection molding material extends between the contact elements of the plurality of contact elements. Preferably, the step of enclosing the Connector having an injection-molded protective element after receiving each of the contact elements in the insulating body. The injection-molded protective element may in this case have any combination of the features disclosed above for the injection-molded protective element.

Figur 1A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kontaktelements des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 1B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes mit angeordneten Kontaktelementen wie in Fig. 1A dargestellt.

Figur 2A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Kabelleiter-Spreizeinrichtung des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 2B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 1B mit angeordneter Kabelleiter-Spreizeinrichtung.

Figur 3A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Kontaktelement-Spreizeinrichtung des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 3B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 2B mit angeordneter Kontaktelement-Spreizeinrichtung.

Figur 4A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Isolierkörpers des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 4B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 3B mit angeordnetem Isolierkörper.

Figur 5:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Isolierkörpers des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels, und insbesondere die Kontaktelementaufnahmen.

Figur 6A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckerkörperelements des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 6B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 4B mit angeordnetem Steckerkörperelement.

Figur 7A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinder-Hüllenelements des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 7B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 6B mit angeordnetem Steckverbinder-Hüllenelement.

Figur 8A:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Spritzguß-Schutzelements des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 8B:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Schraubrings des exemplarischen Ausführungsbeispiels.

Figur 8C:

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kabelendes gemäß Figur 7B mit angeordnetem Spritzguß-Schutzelement und Schraubring.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. Individual features of the embodiments described in the figures can be combined as desired by the person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1A

shows a perspective view of a contact element of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1B

shows a perspective view of a cable end with arranged contact elements as in Fig. 1A shown.

FIG. 2A

shows a perspective view of a cable conductor spreader of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 1B with arranged cable conductor spreader.

FIG. 3A:

shows a perspective view of a contact element spreader of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 2B with arranged contact element spreader.

FIG. 4A

shows a perspective view of an insulating body of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 3B with arranged insulating body.

FIG. 5:

shows a perspective view of an insulating body of the exemplary embodiment, and in particular the contact element recordings.

FIG. 6A:

shows a perspective view of a plug body member of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 4B with arranged plug body element.

FIG. 7A:

shows a perspective view of a connector shell element of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 6B with arranged connector shell element.

FIG. 8A:

shows a perspective view of an injection-molded protective member of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8B:

shows a perspective view of a screw ring of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8C:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to FIG. 7B with arranged injection protection element and screw ring.

In Figure 1A a contact element 10 of an embodiment is shown. The contact element 10 comprises a cable conductor receptacle 11, which is arranged at one end of the contact element 10 . The cable conductor receptacle 11 is formed to receive a cable conductor of a cable end and to attach to the contact element 10 by a Krimpvorgang. At the end of the contact element 10, which is opposite to the cable conductor receptacle 11 , the contact element 10 has a plug receptacle 13 . The plug receptacle 13 is designed to receive a complementary plug or a complementary contact element of a complementary plug and to produce an electrical connection between the contact element 10 and the complementary plug or complementary contact element of the complementary plug. Furthermore, the contact element 10 has an intermediate region 12 between the two ends of the contact element 10 , the contact element 10 having a smaller diameter in the intermediate region 12 than at the cable conductor receptacle 11 or the plug receptacle 13 .

In FIG. 1B a cable end 1 with attached contact elements 10 is shown. For this purpose, in each case a cable conductor 2 of the cable end 1 , each with an associated cable conductor receptacle 11 of a contact element 10 are connected by crimping. In FIG. 1B all eight cable conductors 2 of the cable end 1 are connected to contact elements 10 .

FIG. 2A shows a cable conductor spreader 20 of the embodiment. The cable ladder spreader 20 is designed to hold each cable conductor 2 of the cable end 1 separately. For this purpose, the cable conductor spreader 20 has an expansion element 21 which is designed to physically separate and / or hold adjacent cable conductors 2 and / or adjacent contact elements 10 from one another. The cable ladder spreader 20 also has a plurality of Kabelleiternuten 22 which are adapted to receive and in each case a cable conductor 2 and / or a contact element 10 to keep separate from the other cable conductors 2 and / or contact elements 10th The cable conductor grooves 22 may also be designed to hold a portion of the cable conductor receptacle 11 of the contact elements 10 .

In FIG. 2B is the subject of FIG. 1B with arranged Cable ladder spreader 20 shown. For this purpose, the cable conductor spreader 20 is disposed at the cable end 1 and the cable conductors 2, which are connected to cable conductor receptacles 11 of the contact elements 10 , received in the cable conductor spreader 20 .

In FIG. 3A a contactor spreader 30 of the embodiment is shown. The contact element spreading device 30 has contact element holders 31 which are designed to hold the contact elements 10 separate from one another. For this purpose, the contact element holders 31 have contact element grooves 32 which are designed to respectively receive and hold a contact element 10 . This avoids that contact elements 10 come into contact within the connector. Furthermore, the contact element spreader 30 has a connection part 33 which is designed to be received in the cable conductor spreader 20 . As a result, a secure fit of the contact element spreader 30 is ensured relative to the cable conductor spreader 20 .

In FIG. 3B is the subject of FIG. 2B with arranged contact element spreader 30 shown. Here, the contact element spreader 30 is connected to the cable conductor spreader 20 by receiving the connection part 33 of the contact element spreader 30 into the cable rail spreader 20 .

In FIG. 4A an insulating body 40 of the embodiment is shown. The illustrated insulator 40 is formed in a configuration according to an X-coded M12 connector. The insulating body 40 is configured to receive the contact elements 10 and to allow a connection between the contact elements 10 with a complementary plug through openings 42 . Insulating body 40 further includes a connecting part 43 which is designed to be received in or connected to contact element spreader 30 to ensure a secure fit of insulator 40 and relative rotation of insulator 40 and contactor spreader 30 to block.

In FIG. 4B is the subject of FIG. 3B shown with arranged insulator 40 . In this case, the insulating body 40 is connected to the contact element spreader 30 by the connecting part 43 of the insulating body 40 is received in the contact element spreader 30 . The contact elements 10 are in this case received in contact element receptacles 41 (see FIG. 5 ).

FIG. 5 shows the insulating body 40 from a different perspective. Here, the insulating body is shown from the direction of the cable end 1. By way of example, two contact elements 10 have been received in a contact element receptacle 41 , while eight eight contact elements 10 are received in the insulator 40 with a proper use of the insulator 40 . The insulating body 40 has openings 42 and the connecting part 43 . In the insulating body 40 , a number of contact elements 10 of the connector equal to a number of openings 42 which are adapted to allow a connection of the plug receptacles 13 of the contact elements 10 , each with a complementary contact element of a complementary connector. Furthermore, from this perspective, the contact element receptacles 41 are visible, in which the contact elements 10 are received. The contact element receptacles 41 in this case preferably extend from the openings 42 in an axial direction of the insulating body 40 through the insulating body 40, and thus each form a continuous cavity within the insulating body 40. In particular, the contact element receptacles 41 have a larger cross section or diameter than the openings 42 . In the exemplary insulator 40 are housed two contact elements 10 each contact element holder 41, and thus each contact element receiver 41 is connected with two openings 42. Between each two openings 42 which are connected to the same contact element receptacle 41 , preferably in the axial direction of the insulating body, a partition wall 44 which physically and / or electrically separates the recorded contact elements 10, in particular along the plug receptacles 13 . The contact elements 10 are in the contact element receptacles 41 in at least one first portion separated by gas or air from each other and from the insulating body 40 , and separated from each other in a second portion by the partition wall 44 . The contact elements 10 can be supported in the second portion by the insulating body 40 . The contact element receptacles 41 can be formed during the production of the insulating body 40, for example, by a casting process, or molded after the manufacture of the insulating body 40, for example by milling in the insulating body 40 .

FIG. 6A shows a plug body member 50 of the embodiment. The plug body member 50 is formed to provide the connector with improved stability. In particular, the plug body element 50 has four holding plates 51 . The holding plates 51 are designed to engage with recesses of the insulating body 40 and thus to block relative rotation between the insulating body 40 and the plug body element 50 . Further, the plug body member 50 has four support arms 52 which are adapted to engage the cable conductor spreader 20 and the contactor spreader 30 , and thus to block relative rotation of those with respect to the plug body member 50 . The plug body member 50 further includes a serrated ring 53 which serves to secure the connector to a complementary plug by causing rotation of a screw ring 90 (see FIG FIG. 8B ) inhibits against a screwing. It should be indicated that the holding plates 51 and holding arms 52 are not limited to the number 4. There could also be more or fewer holding plates 51 and / or holding arms 52 .

In FIG. 6B is the subject of FIG. 4B shown with arranged connector body element 50 . Here, the plug body member 50 is pushed along an axis of the connector to the connector, so that the holding plates 51 with the insulating body 40, and the holding arms 52 with the cable conductor spreader 20 and the contact element spreader 30 engage.

FIG. 7A shows a connector shell member 60 of the embodiment. The connector shell member 60 is configured to isolate the connector to the outside and protect it from damage. For this purpose, the connector shell element 60 comprises a receptacle 63 for receiving the connector as in FIG. 6B shown. In particular, the connector shell member 60 includes a first portion 61 for enclosing the cable end 1 and a second portion 62 for partially enclosing the connector. FIG. 7B shows the item of FIG. 6B with connector arranged cover member 60. Further, a sealing means 70 is shown, the liquid-tight in closed connection of the connector with a complementary connector, a connection portion seals.

Figure 8A shows an injection-molded protective member 80 of the embodiment. The injection molding protection member 80 is attached directly to the connector by an injection molding process and serves to protect against, for example, moisture, dust and / or physical damage and the insulation of the connector. FIG. 8B shows a screw ring 90 of the embodiment. The threaded ring 90 is threaded with 91 designed to secure the connector to a complementary connector. FIG. 8C shows the item of FIG. 7B with arranged injection-protective element 80 and screw ring 90th

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the skilled person can realize any combination of said components of the connector with any combination of the disclosed features of the components in a connector according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cable end

2

cable conductor

10

contact element

11

Cable conductor receiving

12

intermediate area

13

plug receptacle

20

Cable ladder spreader

21

spreader

22

Kabelleiternuten

30

Contact element spreader

31

Contact element holder

32

Kontaktelementnuten

33

connecting part

40

insulator

41

Terminal-receiving

42

openings

43

connecting part

44

partition wall

50

Male body member

51

holding plates

52

holding arms

53

toothed ring

60

Connector shell member

61

first section

62

second part

63

admission

70

sealant

80

Injection protection element

90

screw ring

91

thread

Claims (13)

Connector, in particular for producing an Ethernet connection, comprising: a plurality of contact elements (10) for contacting a plurality of cable conductors (2) of a cable end (1); and at least one insulating body (40) comprising at least one contact element receptacle (41) for at least partially receiving the plurality of contact elements (10), wherein the at least one contact element receptacle (41) is formed so that each of the plurality of contact elements (10) arranged in the at least one contact element receptacle (41) is free of contact with the insulator body in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body (40). 40). The connector of claim 1, wherein each contact element (10) of the plurality of contact elements (10) has a smaller diameter in an intermediate region (12) between a first end and a second end of the contact element (10) than at the first end or the second end the contact element (10). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of contact elements (10) eight contact elements (10). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is designed as a M12 circular connector, and
wherein the connector is designed as an X-coded M12 circular connector. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each the plurality of contact elements (10) has a length of at least 1 mm, preferably 2 mm, more preferably 5 mm, and / or
wherein the insulating body (40) has a length of at least 2mm, preferably 4mm, more preferably 10mm. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one contact element (10) comprises: a cable conductor receptacle (11) for receiving and fixing the cable ladder (2); and or a plug receptacle (13) for receiving a complementary contact plug or a contact element of the complementary plug. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plug body member (50), wherein the plug body member (50) is adapted to engage with an end portion of the insulating body (40), so that a relative rotation of insulating body (40) and plug body member (50 ) is blocked. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a contactor spreader (30), said contactor spreader (30) adapted to hold each contact element (10) of said plurality of contact elements (10) separately. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cable conductor spreader (20), the cable spreader (20) adapted to hold each cable conductor (2) of the plurality of cable conductors (2) of the cable end (1) separately. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector shell member (60), wherein the connector shell member (60) is adapted to envelop the connector in a region between the cable end (1) and the insulator (40). A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an injection-molded protective member (80), said injection-molded protective member (80) being made of an injection-molded material and adapted to form said connector in a region between said cable end (1) and said insulating body (40). to envelop and protect to the outside. Connector according to claim 11, wherein the connector is designed so that a space between the contact elements (10) of the plurality of contact elements (10) is substantially free of injection molding material. A method of making a connector comprising: Providing a cable end having a plurality of cable conductors; Contacting each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors with one end of each one contact element; Receiving each of the contact elements in an insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for at least partially receiving the contact elements, wherein the at least one contact element receptacle is formed so that each contact element of the arranged in the at least one contact element receiving contact elements in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulator is contact-free to the insulator.

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