EP3443682A1

EP3443682A1 - Contactless connector

Info

Publication number: EP3443682A1
Application number: EP17720663.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Detlef Tenhagen; Lorraine STRÖING
Original assignee: Harting Stiftung and Co KG
Current assignee: Harting Stiftung and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-04-13
Filing date: 2017-04-03
Publication date: 2019-02-20
Also published as: DE102016106837A1; WO2017178006A1

Abstract

In order to improve the channel separation of a multi-channel contactless connector, it is proposed to use multiface antennas, in particular in the EHF (extreme high-frequency) range, in order to advantageously use the directivity of the far field in the predetermined dimensions.

Description

Contactless connector

description

The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such connectors are required to ensure data transfer as possible lossless, especially under harsh environmental conditions, even after a high number of mating cycles.

State of the art

In the prior art, so-called "contactless" plug connectors are known, for example, in the railroad sector, which are distinguished by the fact that the signal transmission between a plug and an associated mating plug takes place wirelessly.

The document DE 10 2010 045 742 A1 discloses a

Electric coupling for railways with a first and a second coupling part, each having a carrier in which a plurality of coupling parts are arranged, with which an electrical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic coupling can be made from one coupling part to the other coupling part. In addition, at least one high-frequency coupling is provided, which is formed by an encapsulated antenna in the one coupling part and an encapsulated antenna in the other coupling part.

The document DE 10 2005 063 190 A1 proposes a

Connector device having a wireless transmitter and / or a wireless receiver. Communication of the wireless transmitter and / or the wireless receiver is based on a wireless ultra wide band transmission link. The document US 2015/0085903 A1 shows a contactless

Multi-board connector, each one multiple

Transceivers for wireless transmission and receive modulated carrier signals, each transceiver of the system is configured to receive signals from each of the other transceivers.

In general, it is disadvantageous in multichannel contactless connectors that the crosstalk between multiple channels

especially within a limited space, is relatively large, which degrades the data integrity.

In the prior art, there is the constant need for ever higher data transmission rates with the highest possible data integrity. At the same time, for example, in the railway area as possible

maintenance-friendly, pollution-resistant and moisture-resistant and, in particular, as low-wear connectors as possible, for example, in corresponding Zugkupplungen, ie within a limited space demanded. Of course, these should also be possible to produce as inexpensively.

task

The object of the invention is the aforementioned

Requirements and in particular the

Crosstalk between multiple pairs of transceivers within a connector, so in limited space to improve cost.

This object is achieved with a connector of the type mentioned by the features of the characterizing part of the independent claim 1. The connector comprises a connector and a mating connector connectable thereto for wireless signal transmission, each having a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver having a transmitter (Tx) for transmission and a receiver (Rx) for reception, both the transmitters (Tx) and the transmitters Receiver (Rx) each have a Multifaceantenne, consisting of several elementary antennas, each with an antenna surface

The invention is a multi-channel contactless connector. The term "multichannel" means that the

Signal transmission simultaneously over several pairs of transceivers

can take place, wherein a pair of transceivers is characterized in that it consists of a transceiver each of the connector and a

Transceiver of the mating connector is formed. Are plugs and

Mating connector interconnected, so the two transceivers of a pair of transceivers for mutual data exchange are preferably arranged opposite each other.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the

Subclaims specified.

The invention has the advantage that the data integrity of multi-channel contactless connector is inexpensively improved.

It is particularly advantageous that both the transmitting side and

On the receiving side for each pair of transceivers by the use of the Multifaceantennen and in particular by a suitably chosen phase position of the radiated via their elementary antennas and / or signals received over them a directivity within each

Transceiver pair generated or possibly already

existing directivity is additionally reinforced. Through this Directivity can also be significantly reduced within the limited space crosstalk between multiple pairs of transceivers.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the Multiface antennas each have a planar Multifaceanordnung, formed of several

Elementary antennas exhibit, because thereby the directivity is particularly well adjustable in particular on the phase position of the radiated from the elementary antennas electromagnetic wave.

For this purpose, it is advantageous if the antenna surfaces are made planar, because this simplifies the predictability and optimizes the directivity. For this it is also advantageous if the

Antenna surfaces of the transceiver of the connector are arranged in a first plane and the antenna surfaces of the transceiver of the

Mating connector are arranged in a second plane and when by connecting the plug and mating connector, the first and the second plane are aligned parallel to each other, because this optimizes the transmission quality. Furthermore, it is advantageous if each Multifaceantenne has at least four elementary antennas, because the directivity can thereby be adjusted in two levels. Thus, the transponder can be arranged in the plug and in the mating connector in preferably equidistant rows and columns and thus optimally profit in a minimum space from the directivity to reduce crosstalk.

In particular, it is advantageous if the antenna surfaces of the at least four elemental antennas of the respective multifacean antenna are arranged rotationally symmetrical to one another, because the

Directional characteristic of the Multifaceantenne thus particularly well in two orthogonal planes can be created or strengthened. Both the plug and the mating connector may each have a printed circuit board on which the respective transceivers are arranged. For example, each circuit board may comprise four transceivers, which are advantageously arranged in the positions of the vertices of a square so as to optimally benefit as a four-channel arrangement from the said reduction of crosstalk.

It can be particularly cost-effective if one or more transceivers are combined in an electronic component, for example in a semiconductor component and in particular a so-called "chip." Such "chips" are known to the person skilled in the art and can be acquired and used as purchased parts, for example.

It is particularly advantageous if the elementary antennas for

Abstrahl and / or for receiving the signals antenna surfaces, which are arranged on a surface of the component. In particular, the antenna surfaces of the elemental antennas may be embedded in an additional die ("package") disposed on the surface of the electronic component, which serves to further enhance the directivity of the multiface antennas.

For this purpose, it has proven to be extremely advantageous in practice, if the thickness of the plate is less than 100 μιη.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous for the following reasons, if the transceiver in the range of extremely high frequencies send, so z. B. in EHF - ("extreme high frequency range"), which is between 30 GHz and 300 GHz: On the one hand, the space is limited, for example, on a cube with an edge length of 10 cm. On the other hand, the directivity of an electromagnetic wave, as is known, unfolds only in the far field, ie only at a certain distance from the respective antenna, this distance being proportional to the emitted wavelength. As an approximate guideline, as is known to the skilled person, about twice the radiated

Wavelength be based. At correspondingly high

Thus, the directivity already arises within the given installation space, ie within the connector, and can thus have a positive effect on the signal integrity

Crosstalk between the transceiver pairs.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the connector on shutdown, which in separation of the plug from

Mating connector interrupt the wireless signal transmission to protect the data to be transmitted against unauthorized access.

If plug and mating connector are connected again, the wireless signal transmission is activated again, since the signals now, z. B. by a shielding, closed on all sides

Connector housings are protected against unauthorized access.

In particular, the shut-off means may include a proximity switch and / or an RFID component.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1 a, b a Multifaceantenne with four elementary antennas;

FIG. 2a shows a chip with two transceivers (Rx, Tx); FIG. FIG. 2b shows the chip in a cross section; FIG.

FIG. 2c shows the chip in cross-section with a chip ("package") and a printed circuit board; FIG.

3 shows the printed circuit board with four transponders;

4 shows two such printed circuit boards in contactless data exchange;

Figure 5a shows a connector with a plug and a separate mating connector.

Fig. 5b the connector with the plug and the so

connected mating connector in contactless

Data exchange.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, for the same, but possibly not identical

Elements identical reference numerals used. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

Fig. 1a shows a multifacean antenna 1 comprising four

Elementary antennas 1 1, each with an antenna surface in a plan view. The elementary antennas are arranged rotationally symmetrical to a common center. The shape of the antenna surfaces shown is to be regarded as purely exemplary; in fact, the antenna surfaces of the elementary antennas 11 may have a shape improved by experiments and simulations, but this is not necessary to understand the basic principle underlying the invention. Fig. 1 b shows the Multifaceantenne 1 in an oblique plan view, in addition, a send or receive-side directional characteristic 12 is shown, depending on whether the Multifaceantenne 1 to a

Transmitter Tx or belongs to a receiver Rx, but this type of application (send / receive) is not relevant to the shape of the Multifaceantenne 1.

Fig. 2a shows a transceiver 2, as an independent

electronic component, namely as a "transceiver chip." The transceiver 2 has a transmitter Tx for transmitting and a

Receiver Rx for receiving signals. The transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx each have a multifacean antenna and are

together surrounded by an additional, shielding

Antenna structure 21.

FIG. 2b shows a basic structure of such a transceiver chip in cross section. The thickness of such a chip may for example be in the range of 0.6 to 1.4 mm. The shielding antenna structure 21 has on a first, shown in the drawing above

Surface of the transceiver chip antenna surfaces and is capacitively coupled on the surface shown below with unspecified ground terminals. The antenna surfaces of the elementary antennas 1 1 of the multi-antenna antennas of the transmitter Tx and the receiver Rx are also arranged on the upper surface of the chip 2. Furthermore, each elementary antenna 1 1 has an electrically conductive connection to a further ground connection at the bottom in the drawing

represented surface of the chip, which allows a separate control of each individual antenna surface 1 1, 1 1 ^' .

FIG. 2 c shows a similar arrangement in which the antenna surfaces of the elementary antennas 11 are, however, embedded in a chip ("package") which is located on the corresponding surface of the electronic component 2, so the chip is arranged to the

Directivity to reinforce. On the opposite surface of the chip with the unspecified solder terminals with a

Circuit board 3 connected, that is not illustrated conductor tracks of the circuit board 3 via which each elementary antenna 1 1 ^'can be separately supplied with a designated Signal 1. 1 In this way, the signal z. B. each of the elementary antennas 1 1, 1 1 ^' receive a defined phase delay through which the send - or

Receive-side directional characteristic 12 is generated.

3 shows the printed circuit board 3 with four such transceivers 2 in the form of such transceiver chips, which are arranged symmetrically on the printed circuit board 3.

Fig. 4 shows two such printed circuit boards 3, 3 ^' , which are arranged parallel to each other and oppositely aligned. The second printed circuit board 3 ^' is thus rotated in its position relative to the first printed circuit board 3 about a vertical axis in the drawing by 180 ° and additionally parallel to the right conceivable, so that the respective receiver Rx and transmitter Tx of the transceiver 2, 2 ^' the two circuit boards 3, 3 ^' directly opposite. The associated, opposing transceivers 2, 2 ^' , in each case form a transceiver pair. Furthermore, the directivity 12 of the associated signal transmission is shown, resulting in the channel separation.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a connector 4, comprising a plug 42 and a mating connector 42 ^'in a disconnected and in a connected state.

The disconnected state is shown in FIG. 5a. The plug 42 has a plug housing 41 and the mating connector has a

Mating connector housing 41 ^' and the connector housing 41 and the Mating connector housing 41 ^' are separated from each other.

Furthermore, both in the connector housing 41 and in the

Mating connector housing 41 ^'in each case the corresponding circuit board 3, 3 ^' of FIG. 4 is arranged.

In Fig. 5b, the connector 4 is in the connected state

shown. The connector housing 41 and the mating connector housing 41 ^' are connected to each other. As a result, the printed circuit boards 3, 3 ^' are aligned parallel to one another and the transceivers 2, 2 ^{' of} the individual transceiver pairs located thereon are arranged opposite one another.

In the connected state continue to shield the interconnected housing parts, namely the connector housing 41 and the mating connector housing 41 from the signals to the outside, so that outside the now closed housing of the connector 4 no unauthorized access to the transmitted data is more possible.

In the non-connected state shown in FIG. 5a, in which otherwise an unauthorized access would be possible, no signals are emitted. This can be effected by a proximity switch, not shown in the drawing, or an RFID device or any other device that detects the connection of male and female connectors.

Contactless connector list of reference numbers

1 multifacean antenna

11, 11 ^' elementary antenna

12 directional characteristic

2,2 ^' transponder

21 shielding antenna structure

3, 3 ^' PCB 4 connector

41, 41 ^' connector housing, mating connector housing

42, 42 ^' plug, mating connector

Tx, Rx Transmitter, Receiver

Claims

Contactless connector claims

1 . A connector (4) comprising a plug (42) and a mating connector (42 ^' ) connectable thereto for wireless signal transmission, each having a plurality of transceivers (2, 2 ^' ), each transceiver (2, 2 ^' ) having a transmitter (Tx) for transmitting and a receiver (Rx) has for receiving, wherein both the transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx) each have a Multifaceantenne (1), consisting of a plurality of elementary antennas (1 1, 1 1 ^' ), each with an antenna surface, exhibit.

2. Connector (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna surfaces are designed planar.

3. Connector (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the antenna surfaces of the transceiver (2) of the plug (42) are arranged in a first plane and the antenna surfaces of the transceiver (2 ^') of the mating plug ^(42') in a are arranged on the second level and that by connecting plug (42) and mating connector (42 ^' ), the first and the second plane are aligned parallel to each other.

4. Connector (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each multifaceted antenna (1) has at least four elementary antennas (1 1, 1 1 ^' ).

5. Connector (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both the plug (42) and the mating connector (42 ^' ) has at least four transceivers (2).

6. Connector (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plug and the mating connector each have a printed circuit board on which the respective transceivers are arranged.

7. Connector (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one or more transceivers (2) are combined in an electronic component ("chip").

8. Connector according to claim 7, characterized in that in a surface of the electronic component, the antenna surfaces of a plurality of elementary antennas (1 1, 1 1 ^' ) are arranged.

9. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the antenna surfaces of the elementary antennas (1 1, 1 1 ^' ) in an additional plate (22) are embedded, which on the

Surface of the electronic component is arranged to additionally strengthen the directivity of the Multiface antennas (1).

10. Connector according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the plate (22) is smaller than 100 μιη.

1 1. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector has disconnection means which interrupt the wireless signal transmission upon separation of the plug (42) from the mating connector (42 ^' ).

12. Connector according to claim 1 1, characterized gelkennzeichnet that the shutdown comprise a proximity switch and / or an RFID component.