EP3352311B1 - Connector and method for producing a connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector, in particular for establishing an Ethernet connection, and a method for manufacturing 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 plugs, such as M12 circular connectors, are used to make industrial Ethernet connections. The data density transmitted is particularly high when the plugs are used for high-speed Ethernet connections, and the plugs must therefore ensure interference-free data transmission.

The mutual arrangement of the data transmission conductors plays an important role here in order to prevent the data transmission conductors from adversely influencing one another within the plug connectors.

EP 2 722 937 A1 describes a connector including a socket connection of a socket, which is connected to an electrical signal line and inserted into a connection hole of a socket body, and a socket holder of the socket.

WO 2010/115514 A2 describes an electrical connector for releasably connecting a multi-core cable to a mating connector, the connector comprising a handle body enclosing a cable, a contact carrier receiving or holding a plurality of contact elements, and a rotatably arranged union screw with an external thread and the mating connector an outer sleeve with an external thread the Has screw cap corresponding internal thread and a plurality of mating contact elements receiving or holding mating contact carrier, the mating contact elements of the mating connector having an area extending in the axial direction, in which the outer diameter for impedance matching is reduced.

DE 10 2015 003935 B3 , DE 20 2010 010418 U1 and US 2013/170957 A1 disclose known connectors.

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

This object is achieved by a connector and a method for producing 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 establishing an Ethernet connection, comprising a multiplicity of contact elements for contacting a multiplicity of cable conductors of a cable end and at least one insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for at least regionally accommodating the plurality of contact elements, the at least one contact element receptacle being designed, so that each of the plurality of contact elements arranged in the at least one contact element receptacle is in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body without contact with the insulating body. In particular, the contact elements are mechanically and electrically contact-free, and in particular do not touch each other, nor are they in contact with any cable sheaths that may be present.

The cable end can belong to any commercially available Ethernet cable, the cable end having a large number of cable conductors, each of which belongs to the electrical lines within the Ethernet cable. In this case, the cable conductors are exposed from possible insulating layers in order to make electrical contact possible. The cable end can extend over a region of the cable with 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 designed to allow electrical contact with the exposed cable conductors of the cable end. This creates good electrical contact between the cable and the connector. In addition, each of the contact elements enables an electrical connection via the connector with a complementary connector. For this purpose, the contact elements within the plug connector can be cylindrical and run along an essentially straight axis of the contact element. Essentially straight in this sense means including small manufacturing and operational deviations.

The insulating body of the connector serves to electrically isolate the current-carrying contact elements from one another and from the outside. This enables the connector to be handled safely, even when the connected Ethernet cable is live. In addition, it is necessary to isolate the contact elements from one another in order to prevent unwanted interference of the conducted signals. In particular, it is necessary to prevent electrical crosstalk, with a signal being inductively, capacitively or galvanically coupled from one contact element 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 designed to accommodate the plurality of contact elements. The insulating body was designed within the scope of the invention, taking into account the knowledge that the best and most cost-effective material for producing the insulating body is an insulating gas, in particular air. Therefore, the insulating body is designed with at least one contact element receptacle for at least area-wise accommodating the plurality of contact elements. Here, the contact elements extend along an axial direction of the insulating body through the insulating body. Each of the contact element receptacles can be designed to receive either only a single one or more of the plurality of contact elements. Cable conductors and / or contact elements in the insulating body are preferably separated from one another by gas, for example air. As a result, crosstalk between conducted data streams on adjacent cable conductors and / or contact elements can be reduced. Furthermore, storing the cable conductors and / or contact elements in gas or air leads to a reduced permittivity ε _R , as a result of which the impedance can be controlled or adjusted.

In addition, the formation of contact element receptacles in the insulating body reduces the cost of materials for producing the insulating body, thereby reducing the cost of the manufacturing process.

The contact elements recorded in the contact element receptacles are shown in an area between the first end and the second end of the insulating body is supported without contact. In this sense, contact-free 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 an overall insulating effect of the insulating body. The gas can be a gas, for example air, present in the vicinity of the connector, for example in the atmosphere. In this case, it is advantageous to maximize the area between the first end and the second end of the insulating body, with one plug-side end of each contact element being held by the insulating body only in one end area. The end region can 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 insulating body. 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 receptacle and / or to all other of the plurality of contact elements. In this way, an efficient division of the plurality of contact elements in the insulating body can be ensured. In particular, the plurality of contact elements can be grouped or divided into pairs of exactly two contact elements, 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 two contact elements in each case can 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. In this way, undesired interference effects between the exactly two contact elements accommodated in one contact element receptacle can be efficiently reduced or prevented.

Preferably, each contact element of the plurality of contact elements of the connector is in an intermediate area between a first end and one second end of the contact element with a smaller diameter than at the first end or the second end of the contact element. Such a reduction in the diameter of the contact element in the intermediate region between a first end and a second end of the contact element maximizes a minimum distance between the insulating body and the contact element along a radial direction with respect to the contact element. As a result, a gas or air-filled space around the contact elements within the contact element receptacle is enlarged, as a result of which the permittivity ε _{R is} reduced and the impedance is thus increased. As a result of the changed permittivity ε _R , the impedance is thus controlled in corresponding norm values. In addition, the reduced diameter of the contact elements leads to an increased distance between the contact elements within the insulating body, as a result of which unwanted interference, ie crosstalk, of the signals conducted through the contact elements is reduced.

The reduced diameter of the contact elements ensures that a slight bend in the contact elements within the insulating body is possible. A slight bend in this sense is a bend of the contact element, so that physical contact does not occur in the intermediate area between the first end and the second end of the insulating body. This gives the contact elements flexibility that allows the contact elements to act resiliently. This is particularly advantageous since damage to the connector due to improper handling, such as inserting a complementary connector too forcefully, can be avoided or reduced.

The connector preferably has eight contact elements, for example in accordance with a further embodiment.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector is designed as an M12 circular connector. M12 circular connectors in particular can have different numbers of contact elements, the number of contact elements is determined by coding the M12 circular connector. In addition, the coding of the M12 circular connector results in a geometrical design of the insulating body, which prevents accidental connection of incompatible circular connectors. The M12 circular connector can be designed as an A-coded circular connector and include 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a B-coded circular connector and include 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a C-coded circular connector and include 3 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a D-coded circular connector and include 5 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as an S-coded circular connector and include 4 contact elements. The M12 circular connector can be designed as a T-coded circular connector and include 4 contact elements. The M12 circular connector is preferably 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, due to modern manufacturing processes and the advancing miniaturization of electronic components, for example also connectors or plug connectors for establishing an Ethernet connection, the implementation of a connector with contact elements with a length in the lower millimeter range is possible. Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, each of the plurality of contact elements has a maximum length of 200 mm, preferably 50 mm, further preferably 25 mm. 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. In this case, it is advantageous to accommodate as large a portion of the length of the contact elements in the insulating body as possible, to include as large a part of the contact elements as possible to be able to isolate. For this purpose, the insulating body and the contact elements are formed so that the insulating body has a length of at least 60%, preferably 80%, further 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 fastening the cable conductor and / or a plug receptacle for receiving a complementary contact plug. For this purpose, the cable conductor receptacle is arranged at one end of the contact element and can comprise a crimping device which is designed to fasten the cable conductor to the contact element by crimping and thus to establish an electrical connection between the cable conductor and the contact element.

According to the invention, the connector further comprises a connector body element, the connector body element being designed to engage an end section of the insulating body, so that a relative rotation of the insulating body and the connector body element 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 damage the connector and / or adversely affect the signal transmission of the contact elements. In order to counteract this, the connector body element can be designed to engage at least two components of the connector. In addition, the connector body element can be at least partially rigid. In this sense, rigid means a high dimensional stability of the connector body element against applied forces.

According to the invention, the plug connector further comprises a contact element spreading device, the contact element spreading device being designed to hold each contact element of the plurality of contact elements separately. This ensures that the contact elements are not in physical contact even outside the insulating body come and can negatively affect the signal transmission. In particular, this makes it possible to keep the contact elements separate in such a way that the contact elements are also at least partially insulated outside the insulating body by a gas, in particular air. It is advantageous here to minimize a contact area of each contact element on the contact element spreading device. According to the invention, the contact element spreading device is designed to engage the insulating body and / or the plug body element and thereby block a relative rotation of the contact element spreading device, and thus the contact elements, relative to the insulating body and / or the plug body element.

According to the invention, the connector further comprises a cable conductor spreading device, the cable conductor spreading device being designed to hold each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors of the cable end separately. As a result, the connector can be attached to the cable end in an orderly manner and a potential physical and / or electrical contact between cable conductors can be avoided. For this purpose, the cable conductor spreading device can be designed to hold an end section of a cable conductor and / or an end section of the contact elements. According to the invention, the cable conductor spreader is designed to engage the connector body element and thereby block relative rotation of the cable conductor spreader, and thus the cable conductor, relative to the connector body element. Preferably, the cable conductor spreader can also be designed to engage the contact element spreader and thereby block a relative rotation of the cable conductor spreader, and thus the cable conductor, to the contact element spreader.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector further comprises a connector sleeve element, the connector sleeve element being designed to encase the connector in a region between the cable end and the insulating body. The connector sleeve element is designed to electrically isolate the connector from the outside and to protect the connector from damage. The connector sleeve element can be in particular as a metallic

Be formed sleeve and / or be made of a metallic conductive plastic. The connector sleeve element can in particular be designed as a Faraday cage, which encloses and protects the contacts of the connector. The connector sleeve element is used for electromagnetic shielding, since the cable shielding continues through the connector.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the connector further comprises an injection molding protection element, the injection molding protection element consisting of an injection molding material and designed to encase the connector in a region between the cable end and the insulating body and to protect it from the outside. The injection molding material can be any material that is suitable for use in an injection molding process. Materials are preferred which can also electrically isolate the connector and are robust against damage. The injection molding protective element can be arranged directly on the connector using an injection molding process. The injection molding protective element is preferably liquid-tight and / or moisture-tight and / or dust-tight.

The plug connector is preferably designed so that a space between the contact elements of the plurality of contact elements is essentially free of injection molding material. In this sense essentially means with the exception of possible manufacturing-related deviations. This ensures that the contact elements of the connector are also at least partially free of injection molding material outside the insulating body and are isolated by gas, for example air. In this sense, at least partially means with the exception of possible holding surfaces on which the contact elements can be held by components of the connector. This ensures optimal insulation of the contact elements along the entire contact elements.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the plug connector further comprises a screw ring, the screw ring being designed Attach 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.

The connector preferably further comprises a sealant which is arranged on the connector, so that a connection region between the connector and the complementary connector is sealed in a liquid-tight manner after the screw ring has been tightened. 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 establish a high-speed Ethernet connection, a data transmission rate of the connector being at least 100 megabit / s, preferably at least 1 gigabit / s. The data transfer rate can also be up to 10 gigabits / s.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a plug connector, comprising providing a cable end with a plurality of cable conductors; Contacting each of the plurality of cable conductors with one end of a contact element; Receiving each of the contact elements in an insulating body comprising at least one contact element receptacle for receiving the contact elements at least in regions, the at least one contact element receptacle being designed so that each contact element of the contact elements arranged in the at least one contact element receptacle is in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body is contact-free to the insulating body. The contact elements can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the contact elements. The insulating body or the contact element receptacle can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the insulating body or the contact element receptacle.

According to the invention, the method for producing a plug connector further comprises a step for providing a cable conductor spreading device and a step for spreading the cable conductor of the cable end with the cable conductor spreading device, the cable conductor spreading device being designed to hold each cable conductor of the cable end separately. The steps for providing a cable conductor spreading device and for spreading the cable conductor of the cable end with the cable conductor spreading device preferably take place after each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors has been contacted with the end of a contact element in each case and before each of the contact elements has been received in the insulating body. The cable ladder spreader can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the cable ladder spreader.

According to the invention, the method for producing a plug connector further comprises a step for providing a contact element spreading device and a step for spreading the contact elements with the contact element spreading device, the contact element spreading device being designed to hold each contact element separately. Preferably, the steps for providing a contact element spreading device and for spreading the contact elements with the contact element spreading device take place after contacting each cable conductor of the plurality of cable conductors with the end of a contact element in each case and before receiving each of the contact elements in the insulating body. The contact element spreading device can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the contact element spreading device.

According to the invention, the method for producing a connector further comprises a step for providing a connector body element and a step for engaging the connector body element with the insulating body and with the cable conductor spreading device, the connector body element being designed to engage with an end section of the insulating body , so that a relative rotation of the insulating body and connector body element is blocked, and wherein the connector body element is designed to engage the cable conductor spreader, so that a relative rotation of the cable conductor spreader and Plug body element is blocked. According to the invention, the method for producing a plug connector further comprises a step for engaging the contact element spreading device with the insulating body and / or the plug body element, the contact element spreading device being designed to engage with the insulating body and / or the plug body element, so that a relative rotation of the contact element spreading device to the respective insulating body and / or plug body element is blocked.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the method for producing a plug connector further comprises a step for stabilizing the plug connector with the plug body element, the plug body element being designed to block rotation of the contact elements within the plug connector. The steps for providing a preferably take place Plug body element and for stabilizing the connector with the plug body element after receiving each of the contact elements in the insulating body. The connector body element can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the connector body element.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the method for producing a connector further comprises a step for providing a connector sleeve element and a step for enclosing the connector with the connector sleeve element, the connector sleeve element being designed to face the connector towards the outside isolate and protect against damage. The steps for providing a connector sleeve element and for enclosing the connector with the connector sleeve element preferably take place after each of the contact elements has been received in the insulating body. The connector sleeve element can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the connector sleeve element. The connector sleeve element can in particular be designed as a metallic sleeve and / or be made of a metallic conductive plastic. The connector sleeve element can in particular be designed as a Faraday cage, which encloses and protects the contacts of the connector. The connector sleeve element is used for electromagnetic shielding, since the cable shielding continues through the connector.

Preferably, for example according to a further embodiment, the method for producing a connector further comprises a step for enclosing the connector with an injection molding protective element, the injection molding protective element being arranged on the connector from an injection molding material by an injection molding process. The injection molded protective element is designed to isolate the connector from the outside and to protect it from damage. The injection molding protective element is preferably 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 with an injection molded protective element after receiving each of the contact elements in the insulating body. The injection molding protection element can have any combination of the features disclosed above for the injection molding protection 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 is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Individual features of the embodiments described in the figures can be combined as desired by the person skilled in the art.

Figure 1A:

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

Figure 1B:

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

Figure 2A:

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

Figure 2B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to Figure 1B with arranged cable ladder spreader.

Figure 3A:

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

Figure 3B:

shows a perspective view of a cable end according to Figure 2B with arranged contact element spreading device.

Figure 4A:

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

Figure 4B:

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

Figure 5:

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

Figure 6A:

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

Figure 6B:

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

Figure 7A:

shows a perspective view of a connector sleeve member of the exemplary embodiment.

Figure 7B:

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

Figure 8A:

shows a perspective view of an injection molding protective element of the exemplary embodiment.

Figure 8B:

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

Figure 8C:

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

In Figure 1A A contact element 10 of an exemplary 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 designed to take up a cable conductor of a cable end and to fasten it to the contact element 10 by a crimping process. At the end of the contact element 10, which is opposite 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 establish 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 on the cable conductor receptacle 11 or the plug receptacle 13 .

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

Figure 2A shows a cable ladder spreader 20 of the embodiment. The cable conductor spreading device 20 is designed to hold each cable conductor 2 of the cable end 1 separately. For this purpose, the cable conductor spreading device 20 has a spreading 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 conductor spreading device 20 furthermore has a multiplicity of cable conductor grooves 22 , which are designed in each case to receive a cable conductor 2 and / or a contact element 10 and to keep them separate from other cable conductors 2 and / or contact elements 10 . The cable conductor grooves 22 can also be designed to hold a portion of the cable conductor receptacle 11 of the contact elements 10 .

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

In Figure 3A A contact element spreading device 30 of the exemplary embodiment is shown. The contact element spreading device 30 has contact element holders 31 which are designed to hold the contact elements 10 separately from one another. For this purpose, the contact element holders 31 have contact element grooves 32 , which are designed to each receive and hold a contact element 10 . This prevents contact elements 10 from coming into contact within the connector. Furthermore, the contact element spreading device 30 has a connecting part 33 , which is designed to be received in the cable conductor spreading device 20 . This ensures a secure fit of the contact element spreader 30 relative to the cable conductor spreader 20 .

In Figure 3B is the subject of Figure 2B shown with arranged contact element spreader 30 . Here, the contact element spreader 30 is connected to the cable conductor spreader 20 by the connecting part 33 of the contact element spreader 30 being received in the cable conductor spreader 20 .

In Figure 4A an insulating body 40 of the exemplary embodiment is shown. The insulating body 40 shown is configured in accordance with an X-coded M12 connector. The insulating body 40 is adapted to receive the contact elements 10 and to allow a connection between the contact elements 10 with a complementary connector through openings 42nd The insulating body 40 also has a connecting part 43 , which is designed to be received in or connected to the contact element spreading device 30 in order to ensure a secure fit of the insulating body 40 and by relative rotation of the insulating body 40 and the contact element spreading device 30 to block.

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

Figure 5 shows the insulating body 40 from a different perspective. Here, the insulating body from the direction of the cable end 1 is shown. By way of example, two contact elements 10 have been received in a contact element receptacle 41 , while if the insulating body 40 is used correctly, eight contact elements 10 are received in the insulating body 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 is equal to a number of openings 42, which are designed to enable the connector receptacles 13 of the contact elements 10 to be connected to a complementary contact element of a complementary connector. Furthermore, the contact element receptacles 41 into which the contact elements 10 are received are visible from this perspective. The contact element receptacles 41 extend from the openings 42, preferably 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 added 41 two contact elements 10 each contact element holder, 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 , a partition wall 44 preferably runs in the axial direction of the insulating body and physically and / or electrically separates the received contact elements 10 , in particular along their plug receptacles 13 . The contact elements 10 are in the contact element receptacles 41 in at least one first partial area separated from one another and from the insulating body 40 by gas or air, and separated from one another by the partition wall 44 in a second partial area. The contact elements 10 can be supported in the second partial area 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 after the production of the insulating body 40, for example by milling in the insulating body 40 .

Figure 6A shows a connector body member 50 of the embodiment. The connector body element 50 is designed to ensure improved stability for the connector. In particular, the plug body element 50 has four holding plates 51 . The holding plates 51 are designed to engage with recesses in the insulating body 40 and thus to block relative rotation between the insulating body 40 and the plug body element 50 . Furthermore, the plug body element 50 has four holding arms 52 , which are designed to engage the cable conductor spreader 20 and the contact element spreader 30 , and thus to block a relative rotation of the latter with respect to the plug body element 50 . The connector body member 50 also has a prong ring 53 which serves to fasten the connector with a complementary connector by rotating a screw ring 90 (see FIG Figure 8B ) inhibits against a screwing direction. It is to be indicated here 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 Figure 6B is the subject of Figure 4B shown with arranged connector body element 50 . Here, the male body member 50 is slid along an axis of the connector on the connector, so that the retaining plates 51 to the insulator 40, and the holding arms 52 with the cable ladder spreader 20 and the contact element spreading means 30 engage.

Figure 7A shows a connector sleeve member 60 of the embodiment. The connector sleeve element 60 is designed to isolate the connector from the outside and to protect it from damage. For this purpose, the connector sleeve element 60 comprises a receptacle 63 for receiving the connector as in FIG Figure 6B shown. In particular, the connector sleeve element 60 comprises a first section 61 for enclosing the cable end 1 and a second section 62 for partially enclosing the connector. Figure 7B shows the subject of Figure 6B with an arranged connector sleeve element 60. Also shown is a sealant 70 which, when the connector is connected to a complementary connector, seals a connection area in a liquid-tight manner.

Figure 8A shows an injection molding protective element 80 of the embodiment. The injection molding protection element 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 to isolate the connector. Figure 8B shows a screw ring 90 of the embodiment. The screw ring 90 is designed with a thread 91 to fasten the connector to a complementary connector. Figure 8C shows the subject of Figure 7B with arranged injection molding protective element 80 and screw ring 90.

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

Reference symbol list

1

Cable end

2nd

Cable ladder

10th

Contact element

11

Cable ladder holder

12

Intermediate area

13

Connector receptacle

20th

Cable ladder spreader

21st

Expansion element

22

Cable ladder grooves

30th

Contact element spreader

31

Contact element holder

32

Contact element grooves

33

Connecting part

40

Insulating body

41

Contact element holder

42

openings

43

Connecting part

44

partition wall

50

Connector body element

51

Holding plates

52

Holding arms

53

Jagged ring

60

Connector sleeve element

61

first section

62

second part

63

admission

70

sealant

80

Injection molded protective element

90

Screw ring

91

thread

Claims (10)

1. A connector, in particular for establishing an Ethernet connection, comprising:

   a plurality of contact elements (10) for contacting a plurality of cable conductors (2) of a cable end (1);

   at least one insulating body (40) comprising at least one contact element receiving portion (41) for receiving the plurality of contact elements (10) at least in part,

   the at least one contact element receiving portion (41) being designed such that each of the plurality of contact elements (10) arranged in the at least one contact element receiving portion (41) is not in contact with the insulating body (40) in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body (40),

   a connector body element (50), the connector body element (50) being designed to become engaged with an end portion of the insulating body (40) such that a relative rotation between the insulating body (40) and the connector body element (50) is blocked; and

   a contact element spreading apparatus (30), the contact element spreading apparatus (30) being designed to hold each contact element (10) of the plurality of contact elements (10) separately, the contact element spreading apparatus (30) being designed to become engaged with the insulating body (40) and/or the connector body element (50) such that a relative rotation between the contact element spreading apparatus (30) and the insulating body (40) and/or the connector body element (50) is blocked,

   characterized by

   a cable conductor spreading apparatus (20), the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20) being designed to hold each cable conductor (2) of the plurality of cable conductors (2) of the cable end (1) separately and to become engaged with the connector body element (50) such that a relative rotation between the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20) and the connector body element (50) is blocked.
2. The connector according to 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 second end of the contact element (10).
3. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of contact elements (10) consists of eight contact elements (10).
4. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is designed as an M12 circular connector, and
   wherein the connector is designed as an X-coded M12 circular connector.
5. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of 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 2 mm, preferably 4 mm, more preferably 10 mm.
6. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one contact element (10) comprises:

   a cable conductor receiving portion (11) for receiving and securing the cable conductor (2); and/or

   a connector receiving portion (13) for receiving a complementary contact connector or a contact element of the complementary connector.
7. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector sleeve element (60), wherein the connector sleeve element (60) is designed to surround the connector in a region between the cable end (1) and the insulating body (40).
8. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an injection-molded protective element (80), wherein the injection-molded protective element (80) is composed of an injection-molded material and is designed to surround and externally protect the connector in a region between the cable end (1) and the insulating body (40).
9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the connector is designed such that a space between the contact elements (10) of the plurality of contact elements (10) is substantially free from injection-molded material.
10. A method for producing a connector, comprising:

    providing a cable end (1) with a plurality of cable conductors (2);

    providing a connector body element (50);

    providing a contact element spreading apparatus (30);

    providing a cable conductor spreading apparatus (20);

    contacting each cable conductor (2) of the plurality of cable conductors (2) with an end of one contact element (10) each;

    spreading the plurality of cable conductors (2) of the cable end (1) by means of the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20), which is designed to hold each cable conductor (2) of the plurality of cable conductors (2) of the cable end (1) separately;

    spreading the plurality of contact elements (10) by means of the contact element spreading apparatus (30), which is designed to hold each contact element (10) of the plurality of contact elements (10) separately;

    receiving each of the contact elements (10) in a insulating body (40) comprising at least one contact element receiving portion (41) for receiving the contact elements (10) at least in part,

    wherein the at least one contact element receiving portion (41) is designed such that each contact element (10) of the contact elements (10) arranged in the at least one contact element receiving portion (41) is not in contact with the insulating body (40) in a region between a first end and a second end of the insulating body (40);

    bringing the connector body element (50) into engagement with the insulating body (40) and with the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20), wherein the connector body element (50) is designed to become engaged with an end portion of the insulating body (40) such that a relative rotation between the insulating body (40) and

    the connector body element (50) is blocked, and wherein the connector body element (50) is designed to become engaged with the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20) such that a relative rotation between the cable conductor spreading apparatus (20) and the connector body element (50) is blocked; and

    bringing the contact element spreading apparatus (30) into engagement with the insulating body (40) and/or the connector body element (50), wherein the contact element spreading apparatus (30) is designed to become engaged with the insulating body (40) and/or the connector body element (50) such that a relative rotation between the contact element spreading apparatus (30) and the insulating body (40) and/or the connector body element (50) is blocked.

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