EP3358682B1 - Electrical connector and electrical connector system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector and a connector system with a connector and a complementary connector. In particular, the invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board to a complementary plug element.

The invention is in the field of connector technology, in particular in the field of circular connectors, that is to say connectors with, for example, an M12, M8, M23 or a 7/8 "thread. Such connectors, in particular M12 connectors, are used, for example used for electrical contacting and / or connection of industrial Ethernet Conventionally, such connectors have a thread with which the connector can be screwed and secured, so that these connectors can withstand mechanical stresses, such as from connected machines.

The plugging or screwing together of such plug connections, however, is relatively time-consuming. In addition, both the male and the female connector must have complementary screw rings, which makes such a connector system expensive and inflexible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector and an improved connector system. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that can be used flexibly depending on the application. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the subordinate claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The publication DE 10 2005 026148 A1 discloses a connector coupling, in particular for multi-pole electrical line connections. The connector coupling consists of two coupling halves, the first coupling half having an external thread and the second coupling half having a rotatable union nut for screwing onto the external thread of the first coupling half. In addition, locking means of a bayonet lock are provided on the first and second coupling halves.

The publication DE 30 22 102 C1 discloses a coaxial RF connector consisting of coupler and plug. The coupler is provided with an external thread and bayonet passages, the bayonet passages being at least partially passed through the external thread. The plug is provided with an internal thread and locking lugs.

A first independent aspect for solving the problem relates to a connector according to claim 1.

The connector can be a male or a female connector. In particular, the connector can be a socket or a plug-in base. With the plug region, the plug connector can be connected to a complementary plug element or plug connector, in particular a female or male plug connector. Is the connector e.g. a male connector, it can be connected to a complementary female connector. Is the connector e.g. a female connector, it can be connected to a complementary male connector.

The connector preferably has a circular connector, with which a complementary circular connector can be connected to the connector.

The term “connecting” is understood in particular to mean an electrical and mechanical connection or assembly.

The plug-in area of the plug connector can have, for example, contact elements on the plug element side, which can be connected or joined to complementary contact elements of the complementary plug element such that there is an electrical contact between the respective contact elements and the associated complementary contact elements.

To connect, the plug-in area of the connector has a multi-part thread and at least one locking means.

A multi-part thread or a multi-part thread element is understood to mean a thread or a thread-like element which is composed of several parts or sections. In particular, the multi-part thread is composed of a plurality, preferably three, thread sections, two successive thread sections being separated or spaced apart by a threadless section. A thread section is understood to mean a section that has a thread structure, i.e. has the profiled notches or the thread turns which are characteristic of the thread, while a threadless section is understood to mean a section which has no such thread structure. In other words, a multi-part thread is understood to mean a thread or a thread-like element which does not have a continuous thread structure, but rather a plurality of recesses or millings. In particular, in the case of the multi-part thread, its thread structure or its threads extends only with interruptions or recesses around the interior of a cylindrical wall. The interruptions or recesses can e.g. Represent milling of the thread structure.

The multi-part thread in the sense of the present invention thus differs from a classic thread in that the thread structure or the profiled notch does not run continuously around a cylindrical wall, but only in sections, i.e. with interruptions or recesses or cutouts.

The at least one latching means, which can be, for example, a latching means receptacle for receiving the complementary latching means of the complementary plug element, is designed to be brought into engagement with at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug element. In particular, can each locking means of the connector can be brought into engagement with a respectively associated complementary locking means of the complementary plug element. The plug connector or the plug-in area of the plug connector preferably comprises at least two and particularly preferably three latching means, each of which can be brought into engagement with an associated complementary latching means of the complementary plug element. In other words, a first latching means of the connector can preferably be brought into engagement with an associated first complementary latching means of the complementary plug element. Accordingly, a second latching means of the connector can preferably be brought into engagement with an associated second complementary latching means of the complementary plug element. Furthermore, a third locking means of the connector can preferably be brought into engagement with an associated third complementary locking means of the complementary plug element.

The at least one latching means is preferably designed to be elastic and / or resilient. The at least one latching means is particularly preferably designed as a latching hook, in particular as an elastic and / or resilient latching hook. The at least one latching means is used, in particular, for releasably fixing the connection between the plug connector and the complementary plug element or for releasable locking between the plug connector and the complementary plug element.

With the plug connector according to the invention it is thus advantageously possible to realize not only a stable but also a flexible connection with a complementary plug element. For example, the plug connector according to the invention can be connected to a conventional plug element, which has a screw ring, by screwing the screw ring of the plug element into the multi-part thread of the plug connector according to the invention, which results in a very stable connection. In contrast to a conventional connector, however, it is also possible to provide the connector according to the invention with a complementary plug element, which has a complementary locking means instead of a screw ring. In this case, the connection can be established without time-consuming screwing, ie very quickly, in particular by simply pressing it. Accordingly, the connection can also be released again very quickly, in particular by simply pulling it. The connector can thus be used as a so-called "push-pull" connector.

The connector according to the invention is thus a multifunctional connector which can be connected to different complementary plug-in elements depending on the application and can therefore be used flexibly or multifunctionally. In addition, the multi-part thread facilitates the insertion of the complementary plug element into the plug area of the connector and can in particular prevent incorrect plugging in or incorrect polarity when plugging together.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector further has a circuit board area for attaching or contacting and / or connecting the connector to a circuit board.

In this embodiment, the connector can also be referred to as a plug-in base. The connector or plug base can be attached to the printed circuit board in particular by contacting and / or soldering printed circuit board contact elements or contact pins of the plug connector or plug base to associated contact points on the printed circuit board.

The circuit board area of the plug connector or plug-in base therefore preferably comprises circuit board contact elements which can be contacted and in particular soldered to associated contact points on the circuit board.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a connector housing, the multi-part thread and the at least one latching means being part of the connector housing. In other words, the connector housing comprises the multi-part thread and at least a locking device.

The connector housing preferably accommodates contact elements on the printed circuit board side and / or contact elements on the plug element side of the connector and thus protects them from environmental influences.

The at least one latching means of the connector is designed as a recess of the multi-part thread. In other words, the at least one locking means is formed by tapering the multi-part thread. The at least one locking means is thus part of the multi-part thread, i.e. the multi-part thread has at least one locking means.

The latching means or the recess or the taper is preferably arranged in the plug-in area of the connector in such a way that, in an assembled state, a complementary latching means of a complementary plug-in element engages with the latching means of the connector.

For the purposes of the present invention, an assembled state is understood to mean a state in which the plug connector is electrically and mechanically connected to a complementary plug element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the multi-part thread has at least one, in particular two, three, four, etc., threaded sections and at least one, in particular two three, four, etc., non-threaded sections.

As already described above, in the sense of the present invention a thread section is understood to mean a section which has a thread structure, ie profiled thread notches. A threadless section is accordingly understood to mean a section which has no such thread structure. The threadless sections are therefore sections or areas in which the thread structure is cut out or milled out.

The number of locking means preferably corresponds to the number of threadless sections of the multi-part thread. Each of the at least one locking means is designed as a recess or taper of an associated unthreaded section of the multi-part thread.

In a preferred embodiment, the multi-part thread has at least two threaded sections and at least two unthreaded sections.

The multi-part thread is particularly preferably a three-part thread. This three-part thread has three thread sections, a threadless section being arranged in each case between two successive thread sections. In other words, two successive thread sections are separated from each other by a threadless section.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one unthreaded section or the unthreaded sections are designed and / or dimensioned such that the at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug element along an insertion direction in the at least one unthreaded section or in at least one of the unthreaded sections can be introduced.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug-in area or the multi-part thread is designed with a complementary circular connector, especially an M12 connector.

Another independent aspect for achieving the object relates to a plug-in system with a plug connector according to the invention and a complementary plug element, the complementary plug element having a plug-in area which is complementary to the plug-in area of the plug connector and which can be connected to the plug-in area of the plug connector.

In a preferred embodiment, the complementary plug-in element or the plug-in area of the complementary plug-in element has at least one complementary locking means which can be brought into engagement with the at least one locking means or with at least one of the locking means of the connector. In particular, the at least one latching means and / or the at least one complementary latching means are designed such that in the assembled state of the plug-in system the at least one complementary latching means of the complementary plug-in element engages with the at least one latching means of the connector. The complementary plug-in element or the plug-in area of the complementary plug-in element preferably has at least two complementary latching means and particularly preferably three complementary latching means.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one complementary locking means has a spring element. In particular, the at least one complementary locking means is a spring element. The spring element preferably has resilient elastic properties.

The complementary plug-in element preferably has a locking means body or a spring element body, in which the at least one locking means or spring element is formed.

More preferably, the complementary plug-in element has at least one guide element which is designed and / or dimensioned such that it fits into the at least one threadless section of the multi-part thread can be introduced. The complementary plug-in element particularly preferably has three guide elements which are designed and / or dimensioned such that they can each be inserted into associated threadless sections of the multi-part or three-part thread. In other words, the guide elements of the complementary plug-in element preferably extend through the threadless sections of the plug-in connector in the assembled state. In particular, the number of guide elements corresponds to the number of unthreaded sections. Each guide element of the complementary plug element preferably extends through an associated threadless section of the plug connector.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug-in system is designed as an M12 plug-in system. That the complementary plug-in element is preferably an M12 connector and / or the multi-part thread is essentially an M12 thread or the multi-part thread is essentially designed as an M12 thread.

Alternatively or additionally, the plug-in system is designed as a push-pull plug-in system. In particular, the complementary plug-in element can be connected and fixed electrically and mechanically along a plug-in direction to the plug-in base by applying a predetermined force, which depends in particular on the elastic properties of the complementary locking means or spring element. Accordingly, the complementary plug-in element can be released from the connector against the plug-in direction by applying a predetermined force, which depends in particular on the elastic properties of the complementary locking means or spring element, i.e. a fixation between the plug connector and the complementary plug element that is present in the assembled state can thereby be removed.

The plug connector and / or the complementary plug element can optionally have further components. For example, a shield housing that at least partially covers the connector or the complementary plug element electrically shielded. In addition to the shield housing (s), the plug-in system can have further optional additional modules, such as a seal and / or one or two locking rings, which hinder and / or reduce unintentional loosening of the plug connection.

The statements made above or below regarding the embodiments of the first aspect also apply to the above-mentioned further independent aspect and in particular to preferred embodiments relating thereto. In particular, the statements made above and below regarding the embodiments of the respective other independent aspect also apply to an independent aspect of the present invention and to preferred embodiments relating thereto.

In the following, individual embodiments for solving the problem are described by way of example using the figures. The individual embodiments described in some cases have features which are not absolutely necessary in order to carry out the claimed subject matter, but which provide desired properties in certain applications. Embodiments that do not have all the features of the embodiments described below are also to be regarded as being covered by the technical teaching described. Furthermore, in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, certain features are only mentioned in relation to individual embodiments described below. It is pointed out that the individual embodiments should therefore not only be taken in isolation, but should also be considered in a synopsis. On the basis of this summary, the person skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments can also be modified by including individual or more features of other embodiments. It is pointed out that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments with individual or more features that are described in relation to other embodiments may be desirable and meaningful and should therefore be considered and also considered to be included in the description.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1

shows a perspective view of a connector system with a connector and a complementary connector according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 2

shows a cross section of the connector system according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

shows a cross section of a connector housing of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 4

shows a front view of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 5

shows a perspective front view of the connector according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 6

shows a perspective front view of the complementary plug element according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 7

shows a perspective side view of a locking means body according to a preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of the drawings

The location information selected in the present description, such as. B. top, bottom, side, etc., are each based on the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to a new position in the case of a change of position.

The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plug system 300 with a plug connector 100 and a complementary plug element 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The plug connector 100 and the complementary plug-in element 200 are designed and intended to be plugged into one another with their plug-in end in the plug-in direction E, wherein they form a plug connection with one another.

The connector 100, which according to the Figure 1 is designed as a plug-in base, has a plug-in area 10 and a circuit board area 20.

The printed circuit board area 10 of the connector 100 has printed circuit board contact elements 24 and 26. The circuit board contact elements 24 can e.g. serve to transmit a signal and are therefore also referred to in the sense of the present invention as signal contacts. The printed circuit board contact elements 26 are, in particular, shield contacts, which additionally also contribute to the mechanical stabilization or fixing of the connector 100 on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board contact elements 24 and 26 can be plugged into associated contact points on the printed circuit board or soldered to them. The plug connector or plug base 100 can thus be attached to a printed circuit board or circuit board via the printed circuit board area 20.

The plug-in area 20 of the connector 100 has a multi-part, in particular three-part, thread 13 and at least one, in particular three locking means 15 (in the Figure 1 not to be seen). Both the multi-part thread 13 and the latching means 15 can serve to fix a plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 and the plug-in area 10 of the connector 100. For this purpose, a screw ring (not shown here) of the complementary plug element 200 can be screwed into the multi-part thread 13. Alternatively, the latching means 15 can be inserted by inserting the complementary plug element 200 into the Mating area 10 of the connector 100 can be brought into engagement with associated complementary locking means or spring elements 35 of the complementary plug element 200. In the Figure 1 two of a total of three complementary locking means or spring elements are visible.

The connector 100 has a connector housing 50 which houses a connection element 17. The connecting element 17 has contact elements 19 on the plug element side, which with complementary contact elements 39 (in the Figure 1 not to be seen) of the complementary plug-in element 200 can be connected or joined together, so that in the assembled state there is an electrical and physical contact between the respective contact elements 19 and the associated complementary contact elements 39. The connection element 17 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example of a plastic, and serves for the electrical insulation of the contact elements 19. The multi-part thread 13 and the locking means 15 are part of the connector housing 50. The locking means 15 are located inside or on the Inside of the connector housing 50 and are therefore in the Figure 1 not visible.

If the plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 is plugged into the plug-in area 10 of the connector, a ring 40 of the complementary plug-in element 200 strikes a stop point of the connector housing 50 or an edge on the plug-in area, i.e. an edge of the plug-in area 10 facing away from the circuit board area Connector 100 on. By pulling the ring 40 in the opposite direction of insertion E, a lock which exists due to an engagement of the locking means 15 with the complementary locking means 35 can be released without destroying the locking mechanism. In particular, pulling the ring 40 with sufficient force counter to the insertion direction E causes a relative movement between the plug connector 100 and the complementary plug element 200 and thus also between the latching means 15 and the complementary latching means 35. This consequently leads to an, in particular non-destructive, Unlocking the engaging locking means 15 and 35. In other words, the engagement of the locking means 15 with the complementary locking means 35 can be canceled or released non-destructively by pulling the plug element 200 and in particular the ring 40 with sufficient force. As a result of its function, the ring 40 can be referred to as a stop ring and / or an unlocking ring.

In addition, the complementary plug-in element 200 has guide elements 34, which are designed and / or dimensioned in such a way that they each fit into associated threadless sections 13b (see, for example, FIG Figure 3 ) of the multi-part thread 13 are insertable. The number of guide elements corresponds to the number of complementary latching means or spring elements 35. In particular, each spring element 35 is guided through an opening of an associated guide element 34. Furthermore, the complementary plug-in element 200 has an insulating sleeve 60, which can sheath a cable (not shown here).

The Figure 2 shows a cross section of the plug system 300 of FIG Figure 1 , In addition to those already in connection with the Figure 1 described components, which also in the Figure 2 are provided with identical reference numerals in the illustration of the Figure 2 two of three locking means or spring elements 15 of the connector 100 can also be seen. Again Figure 2 It can also be seen that the complementary plug-in element 200 also has a detent means body or a spring element body 70, in which the at least one complementary detent means or spring element 35 is formed.

Furthermore, in the Figure 2 a connection element 37 of the plug element 200 complementary to the connection element 17 of the plug connector 100 with two of four complementary contact elements 39 can be seen. The complementary connection element 37 is formed from an electrically insulating material, for example from a plastic, and serves for the electrical insulation of the complementary contact elements 39. At the right end, ie the end facing away from the plug area 30, of the complementary plug connector 200, a cable (not shown) , whose cores with the complementary contact elements 39 connected, connected. Thus, with the aid of the plug-in system 300, a cable (not shown) can be connected to a printed circuit board (not shown).

The locking means 15 is designed as a recess or as a taper of the three-part thread 13. In the assembled state, i.e. If the plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 is inserted into the plug-in area 10 of the connector 100 along the insertion direction E, the spring elements 35 of the complementary plug-in element 200 engage in the associated recesses 15 of the connector 100 and serve for fixing or for holding between the connector 100 and the complementary plug-in element 200.

When the plug-in area 30 of the complementary plug-in element 200 is inserted into the plug-in area 10 of the connector 100, the spring elements 35 are first made elastic by contact with a threadless section 13b of the three-part thread 13, i.e. resilient, deformed until they finally relax again at the respective recesses or tapers 15 of the three-part thread 13 and thus engage in the respective recesses 15. Only when the complementary plug-in element 200 is pulled against the insertion direction E with a predetermined force are the spring elements 15 compressed or compressed again, as a result of which the engagement of the spring elements 35 with the recesses 15, i.e. the fixation, releases and thus the complementary plug element 200 can be unplugged from the plug connector 100. The plug-in system 300 is thus a so-called “push-pull” plug-in system, in which the connection can be established by simply pressing the complementary plug element 200 in the plug-in direction E, and can be released by simply pulling it counter to the plug-in direction E.

The Figure 3 shows a cross section of the connector housing 50 of the connector 100 according to a preferred embodiment. The connector housing 50 is in turn divided into the plug-in area 10 and the circuit board area 20. For guidance regarding the Figures 1 and 2 the insertion direction E is also indicated.

A section of the three-part thread 13 can be seen in the plug-in area 10. The three-part thread 13 has threaded sections 13a and unthreaded sections 13b. Overall, in the embodiment of the connector 100 or the connector housing 50 shown here, there are three threaded sections 13a and three unthreaded sections 13b. Like in the Figure 3 As can be seen, the thread sections 13a have a thread structure, ie perforations which are typical for the thread, while the threadless sections 13b have no such thread structure. Rather, the unthreaded sections 13b represent a recess or milled-out of the thread structure of a conventional thread, for example an M12 thread Figure 3 not shown) are inserted or pushed or pushed along the insertion direction E into the plug-in area 10, ie into the interior of the connector housing 50 or the connector 100, until the spring elements 35 engage in the recesses 15. Since a dimension or a radius of the multi-part thread 13 is matched to a dimension or a radius of the complementary plug element 200 or its plug region 30 such that the guide elements 34 or the complementary latching means or spring elements 35 only via the threadless sections 13b , but cannot be inserted into the connector 100 or its plug-in area 10 via the threaded portions 13a, incorrect insertion or incorrect polarity during insertion can thus be prevented.

The three-part thread 13 and the recesses 15 are in this embodiment part of the connector housing 50. The connector housing 50 and the three-part thread 13 with the recesses 15 are preferably made of metal or plastic, such as e.g. Hard plastic, made.

In the Figure 4 The connector 100 is shown in a frontal view according to a preferred embodiment. The connector element-side connection element 17 with a plurality of contact elements 19 is in the connector housing 50 arranged. The contact elements 19 are in this exemplary embodiment as female contact elements, ie as plug-in sockets, for inserting complementary male contact elements 39 (see Figure 6 ), educated. On the inner wall of the connector housing 50, the three-part thread 13 is formed with the threaded sections 13a and the unthreaded sections 13b. Furthermore, the printed circuit board contact elements 24 and the printed circuit board holding elements 26 for connecting the plug connector or plug base 100 to a printed circuit board can be seen.

The Figure 5 shows the connector 100 again in a perspective frontal view, the individual components having identical reference numerals as in FIG Figure 4 Marked are.

The Figure 6 shows a perspective front view of the complementary plug element 200 according to a preferred embodiment. In particular, the three complementary latching means or spring elements 35, which are guided through the threadless sections 13b of the three-part thread 13 when the complementary plug element 200 is inserted into the plug region 10. Furthermore, the complementary connection element 37 with the complementary contact elements 39 arranged inside the insulating sleeve 60 can also be seen. The complementary contact elements 39 are in this exemplary embodiment as male contact elements, ie as plugs or contact pins for insertion into the female contact elements 19 (see Figure 5 ), educated.

The Figure 7 shows a perspective side view of the locking means body or spring element body 70 according to a preferred embodiment. Three locking means or spring elements 35 are formed on the locking means body 70. In the assembled state, the locking means 35 are through corresponding openings of the guide elements 34 (see the Figures 1 and 2 ) guided. In other words, in the assembled state, the latching means 35 extend through the openings in the guide elements 34.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Mating area of the connector

13

Multi-part thread

13a

threaded portion

13b

threadless section

15

Latching means / recess / rejuvenation

17

connecting element

19

contact element

20

PCB area

24

PCB contact element

26

retaining element

30

Mating area of the complementary plug element

34

guide element

35

complementary locking means / locking hook / spring element

37

complementary connection element

39

complementary contact element

40

Ring / stop ring / unlocking ring

50

connector housing

60

insulation

70

Latch body / spring element body

100

Plug connector / socket / plug base

200

complementary plug element / complementary connector

300

plug-in system

e

insertion

Claims (12)

1. A connector (100) comprising:

   - a connection region (10) for connecting the connector (100) to a complementary connector element (200), wherein the connection region (10) comprises a multipart thread (13) and at least one latching means (15), and wherein the at least one latching means (15) is designed to be brought into engagement with at least one complementary latching means (35) of the complementary connector element (200), wherein:

   the multipart thread (13) comprises at least one threaded portion (13a) and at least one unthreaded portion (13b), and

   each latching means (15) is designed as a recess in an associated unthreaded portion (13b) of the multipart thread (13).
2. The connector (100) according to claim 1, further comprising

   - a circuit board region (20) for attaching the connector (100) to a circuit board.
3. The connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising

   - a connector housing (50), wherein the multipart thread (13) and the at least one latching means (15) are components of the connector housing (50).
4. The connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
   the multipart thread (13) comprises at least two threaded portions (13a) and at least two unthreaded portions (13b).
5. The connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (100) comprises a number of latching means (15) that corresponds to the number of unthreaded portions (13b).
6. The connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multipart thread (13) is a three-part thread.
7. The connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unthreaded portions (13b) are designed and/or dimensioned such that the at least one complementary latching means (35) of the complementary connector element (200) can be inserted into at least one of the unthreaded portions (13b) in a plug-in direction.
8. The connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection region (10) is designed to be connected to a complementary round connector, in particular an M12 connector.
9. A connector system (300) comprising a connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a complementary connector element (200), wherein the complementary connector element (200) comprises a connection region (30) that is complementary to the connection region (10) of the connector (100) and that can be connected to the connection region (10) of the connector (100).
10. The connector system (300) according to claim 9, wherein the complementary connector element (200) comprises at least one complementary latching means (35), which can be brought into engagement with at least one of the latching means (15) of the connector (100).
11. The connector system (300) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one complementary latching means (35) is resilient and/or comprises a spring element.
12. The connector system (300) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the connector system (300) is designed as an M12 connector system, and/or wherein the connector system (300) is designed as a push-pull connector system.

Images