EP4002606A1 - Electrical connector, connector and data transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical connector. The present invention also relates to a connector. The present invention also relates to a data transmission system. An electrical plug connection (9) comprises a plug connector (6) and a mating connector (7). At least two contact elements (11; 16) and a passive electrical component (18) having at least two contact sections (19) are arranged in the connector (6). When the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, two contact sections (19) of the passive electrical component (18) each make contact with a different contact element (11; 16). When the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are plugged in, at least one contact section (19) of the passive electrical component (18) can be separated from the respective contact element (11; 16) by means of a deflection of the passive electrical component (18) or at least one of the contact elements (11; 16) spaced apart from one another by the mating connector (7).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical plug connection comprising a plug connector and a mating connector.

The present invention also relates to a plug connector for the electrical plug connection.

The present invention also relates to a data transmission system with an electrical data transmission channel and a number of transceiver units.

The electrical connection between the electrical data transmission channel and the transceiver units is made via the electrical plug connection.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Data communication between control units in an automobile takes place via a communication medium made up of individual cables. The communication system preferably has a linear structure in which the individual control units are lined up in series via cables connected between them. In this way, additional control devices can be flexibly integrated into the communication system or removed from the communication system at both ends of the linear communication system or between two adjacent control devices of the linear communication system.

The data that is transmitted between two control units is not transmitted directly via a cable connected between the two control units, but via the control units connected in between and the individual connecting cables (so-called daisy-chain transmission).

From the US 4,838,814A a data transmission system based on the daisy-chain principle emerges. The individual data processing units can each be connected to one another via a switchable plug connector unit and differential conductor pairs connected to it. For this purpose, the connector unit has a switch for each connection to a differential pair of conductors, which switch is accessible from outside the connector unit and can be operated by the user. Thus, a data processing unit to the data transmission system added or removed from the data processing system. The disadvantage here is that the user has to operate the switch integrated in the plug-in connector unit. It is also disadvantageous that the connection or disconnection of a terminating resistor at one end of the data transmission system is carried out solely by the user.

This is a condition that needs to be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of specifying an electrical plug connection between a transmitter/receiver unit and the at least two electrical conductors of a connecting cable of a data transmission channel, with which an electrical connection between the transmitter/receiver unit and the at least two electrical conductors of a connecting cable or an electrical connection, in particular an electrical terminating resistor, can be switched between at least two electrical conductors.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical plug connection with the features of claim 1.

• einen Steckverbinder und
• einen Gegensteckverbinder,
• wobei im Steckverbinder wenigstens zwei Kontaktelemente und
• ein passives elektrisches Bauelement
• aufweisend wenigstens zwei Kontaktabschnitte angeordnet sind,
• wobei in einem nicht gesteckten Zustand des Steckverbinders und des Gegensteckverbinders zwei Kontaktabschnitte des passiven elektrischen Bauelements jeweils ein unterschiedliches Kontaktelement kontaktieren und
• in einem gesteckten Zustand des Steckverbinders und des Gegensteckverbinders wenigstens ein Kontaktabschnitt des passiven elektrischen Bauelements vom jeweiligen Kontaktelement jeweils mittels einer Auslenkung des passiven elektrischen Bauelements oder wenigstens eines der Kontaktelemente durch den Gegensteckverbinder voneinander beabstandet ist.

Accordingly, it is provided:
An electrical connector comprising

• a connector and
• a mating connector,
• wherein in the connector at least two contact elements and
• a passive electrical component
• having at least two contact sections are arranged,
• wherein when the connector and the mating connector are not plugged in, two contact sections of the passive electrical component each make contact with a different contact element and
• when the plug connector and the mating connector are plugged in, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is spaced apart from the respective contact element by means of a deflection of the passive electrical component or at least one of the contact elements by the mating connector.

The finding/idea on which the present invention is based is that two contact elements and a passive electrical component with two contact sections are arranged inside the plug connector.

In a first position, which is referred to here and below as the contacting position, the contact sections of the passive electrical component each make contact with a different contact element of the two contact elements. The two contact sections of the passive electrical component and the two contact elements are each in the contacting position when the connector and the mating connector are in an unplugged state. In the contacting position, the two contact sections are in a non-deflected position.

In a second position, which is referred to here and below as the spaced position, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is spaced from the associated contact element. For this purpose, either the individual contact section of the passive electrical component is displaced from the associated contact element and/or the individual contact element is displaced from the associated section of the passive electrical component. The displaced contact section of the passive electrical component and/or the displaced contact element is/are in the spaced position when the connector and the mating connector are in a plugged-in state. The individual contact section of the passive electrical component and/or the individual contact element each move from the contacting position into the spacing position by means of a deflection of the passive electrical component or the contact element through the mating connector.

The deflection of the individual contact section of the passive electrical component through the mating connector preferably takes place through the connector housing of the mating connector. Alternatively, the deflection can also take place through the insulator element, the outer conductor contact element or another component belonging to the mating connector and preferably having a dielectric design.

The individual contact element is preferably deflected by the associated mating contact element of the mating connector, so that when the plug connection is plugged in, an electrical connection between the plug connector and the mating connector is secured.

A transmitter/receiver unit can be electrically connected to two adjacent transmitter/receiver units via a cable section each with at least two electrical conductors. For this purpose, two connectors are integrated in each transmitter/receiver unit. Everyone For this purpose, the cable section has a mating connector at each of its two ends. Each individual electrical connection is made by electrically connecting a plug connector of a transceiver unit to the associated mating connector of a cable section. The contact elements of the connector make contact with associated mating contact elements of the mating connector. In this case, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is spaced apart from the associated contact element. Either the contact element or the contact section of the passive electrical component or both the contact element and the contact section of the passive electrical component are in a spaced-apart position.

A data transmission system can thus be implemented by a plurality of serially connected transceiver units. The data transmission channel of the data transmission system is made up of the electrical conductors of the individual cable sections between the individual transceiver units. The individual cable sections have at least two electrical conductors. If a symmetrical or differential signal is transmitted in the individual cable sections, the cable contains an electrical conductor pair consisting of two electrical inner conductors. If an asymmetrical signal, i. H. a single-ended signal, an electrical inner conductor and an electrical outer conductor are arranged in the individual cable section. As will be shown below, further electrical conductors, for example an electrical outer conductor for shielding a differential signal or further electrical conductors or further pairs of electrical conductors for transmitting further symmetrical or asymmetrical signals, can be arranged in the individual cable section. The electrical conductors of the individual cable sections are each electrically connected to one another via associated electrical conductors within the individual transmitter/receiver units, which electrically connect the two plug connectors of the individual transmitter/receiver unit to one another.

In a transmitter/receiver unit, which is arranged at one end of the serially connected transmitter/receiver units, one connector is connected to a mating connector of a cable section, while the other connector is not plugged in. In the unplugged connector, the two contact elements are electrically connected to the contact sections of the passive electrical component, which are each in their contacting position. The data transmission channel between the individual transceiver units can thus be electrically terminated at its end.

In principle, any electrical transmission characteristic and any electrical termination characteristic can be formed in the passive electrical component, as will be explained in detail further below. The passive electrical component is preferred as a adapted electrical resistance designed to ensure reflection-free transmission of a high-frequency data signal in the data transmission channel.

A transmitter/receiver unit with two plug connectors is thus created, which can be flexibly positioned either between two transmitter/receiver units or at the end of serially connected transmitter/receiver units.

The electrical connector is preferred for the transmission of a differential signal, i. H. a balanced signal. The electrical plug connection can also be designed for the transmission of a plurality of differential signals via an associated pair of contact elements. The pairs of contact elements for the transmission of one differential signal each can be arranged either crossed over or parallel to one another. Alternatively, the electrical plug connection can also be used for the transmission of an asymmetrical signal, a so-called single-ended signal, between an inner conductor and an outer conductor contact element. A plurality of asymmetrical signals or the combination of at least one differential signal and at least one asymmetrical signal is also conceivable with such an electrical plug connection. In a cable section connected to the electrical plug connection, the individual symmetrical or asymmetrical signals can preferably be transmitted in electrical conductors that are stranded together. Alternatively, transmission in non-stranded electrical conductors is also conceivable.

A plug connector or mating connector can be a plug, a built-in plug, a socket, a coupling or an adapter. The term "connector" or "mating connector" used in the context of the invention is representative of all variants. As is known, electrical plug connectors are used to transmit electrical supply signals and/or data signals to corresponding mating plug connectors.

The connector is preferably designed as a printed circuit board connector which is electrically and mechanically connected to a printed circuit board. The transmitter/receiver unit of the data transmission system is preferably implemented on this printed circuit board. Alternatively, the printed circuit board on which the printed circuit board connector is fastened can be separate from the printed circuit board of the transmitter/receiver unit and connected to it via an additional electrical connection.

A realization of the connector as a cable connector or as a housing connector is also conceivable.

If the individual transmitter/receiver units are not connected to one another in series according to the daisy-chain principle, but each transmitter/receiver unit is connected to the common data transmission channel via a stub line, then an electrical plug connection implemented as a T-member is required. This electrical plug-in connection, implemented as a T-link, has three plug-in connector interfaces. A connector interface mates with a mating connector that is connected to the stub cable. The two other connector interfaces can each be plugged into a mating connector that is connected to a cable section of the data transmission channel. In this case, the two pairs of contact elements can also be contacted with the contact sections of an associated passive electrical component at all three connector interfaces of the connector implemented as a T-member.

The mating connector is preferably an electrical connector designed as a cable connector. The mating connector preferably has a mechanical and an electrical interface. In order to form a mechanical interface, the mating connector has, in particular, an electrically insulating connector housing made of a dielectric material with a corresponding shape for attachment to the connector housing of the connector. Within the connector housing, mating contact elements are arranged in the mating connector to form an electrical interface with the contact elements of the connector.

In addition, the mating connector can also only have a mechanical interface, i. H. a connector housing without contact elements included. Such mating connectors are typically referred to as dummy connectors or blind connectors. In the plugged-in state of the connector and of the mating connector designed as a dummy connector, the two contact elements of the connector are connected neither to the passive electrical component nor to mating contact elements. The two contact elements of the connector are consequently not wired and thus each have an open end or an open termination. By electrically connecting the connector to a mating connector designed as a dummy connector, a connector, i. H. a port, with an open termination in a transceiver unit. This configuration can be used, for example, when testing a control unit using high-frequency technology.

The two contact elements within the connector housing of the connector are preferably inner conductor contact elements for transmitting a differential signal. The pair of contact elements in the form of an inner conductor contact element pair Connector can be designed as a socket or pin contact according to common technical forms. Alternatively, the contact element pair can also be designed as an inner conductor and outer conductor contact element, which can each be designed as a socket or pin contact.

The passive electrical component preferably has two contact sections, which are preferably located at the axial ends of the passive electrical component. With regard to a low transfer impedance, a metallic material with high electrical conductivity, for example gold- or silver-coated brass, should be selected for the contact section of the passive electrical component and for the contact element. In addition, in the contacting position of the contact sections, sufficient contact pressure between the contact section and the contact element is required. For this purpose, as will be explained in detail further below, an elastic arrangement or an elastic shaping of the passive electrical component, in particular an elastic shaping of the contact sections of the passive electrical component, is implemented.

In the contacting position of the contact sections, the passive electrical component electrically connects the two contact elements of the contact element pair to one another and thus forms an electrical termination for the two electrical conductors of the data transmission channel.

A specific electrical transmission behavior and thus a specific electrical termination characteristic between the electrical conductors of the data transmission channel can be formed by the geometric and material design of the passive electrical component. This electrical termination characteristic can have not only real behavior but also complex behavior, i. H. a behavior dependent on the frequency of the transmission signal. Further details are explained below.

In electrical engineering, an electrical component is understood to be a unit made up of at least one electrical component that cannot be physically subdivided further without losing its technical function. A passive electrical component is understood to be an electrical component that does not show any amplifier effect and has no control function. Thus, a passive electrical component can include, for example, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, a resonator, etc., or an electrical circuit with at least one resistor, at least one capacitor, at least one inductor, and/or at least one resonator, etc.

With regard to simple deflection, the passive electrical component is preferably designed in one piece. A multi-part design of the passive electrical component is also conceivable. With regard to a joint deflection of the entire passive electrical component, a rigid connection between the individual components of the passive electrical component must be ensured in a multi-part implementation.

The passive electrical component is preferably designed as a low-reflection resistor and very particularly preferably as a matched electrical resistor. The electrical resistance value of the adapted electrical terminating resistor corresponds to the characteristic impedance of the electrical conductors in the data transmission channel. In the case of a differential pair of conductors, the characteristic impedance is typically designed for 100 Ω, so that the adjusted terminating resistor must also be dimensioned with 100 Ω. However, other values for the characteristic impedance of the differential conductor pair or for the terminating resistor can also be implemented.

A short-circuit bridge can also be used as a passive electrical component for testing electronic circuits with high-frequency components, for example a transceiver unit of a control device in the automotive sector or another high-frequency circuit in communications technology, industrial technology or medical technology. In this case, there is a short circuit between the two electrical conductors.

As a further option for a passive electrical component, any passive electronic circuit consisting of at least one electrical resistor and/or at least one capacitor and/or at least one coil (a so-called RLC network) can be used, which has a very specific electronic or performs a physical function, such as low-pass filtering. In this way, an electrical alternating current resistance, i. H. implement an impedance with any electrical transmission characteristic, in particular for test and inspection purposes.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two contact elements of the plug connector are electrically connected to one another solely via the passive electrical component when the plug connector and the mating connector are not plugged in. The two contact sections of the passive electrical component thus contact the associated contact elements directly and immediately.

In this way, an electrical connection can be realized between the two contact elements, which only contains the electrical components of the passive electrical component. Additional mechanical components, which increase the complexity of the connector and thus make it more expensive to produce, are not required. The electrical transmission characteristics and thus the electrical termination characteristics between the two contact elements are also not falsified by additional mechanical components.

In order to achieve reliable contacting between the contact sections of the passive electrical component and the associated contact elements, sufficient contact pressure is required between each contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element. For this purpose, an elasticity is preferably formed, which returns that contact partner of the contacting pair consisting of the contact element and associated contact section that is deflected from a contacting position to a spaced position, from the spaced position to the contacting position and contacts the other contact partner with a contact pressure.

If the contact partner that can be moved between a contacting position and a spacing position is a contact section of the passive electrical component, the elasticity is preferably an elastic element arranged in the connector, which is connected to the passive electrical component and moves the passive electrical component into an initial position and the contact section of the passive electrical component moved back into the contacting position. The passive electrical component is consequently mounted elastically in the plug connector by means of the elastic element. The elastic element can be, for example, a spring arm, a spiral spring, a disc spring, an element made of an elastomer or any other suitable elastic or resilient element. The elastic element is arranged in a prestressed manner and applies a spring force to the passive electrical component in such a way that the contact section moved from the spacing position into the contacting position contacts the associated contact element with sufficient contact pressure.

Alternatively, the elasticity can also be realized through an elastic design of the passive electrical component. The preferably one-piece passive electrical component has an elastically acting geometry either in a direction of longitudinal extent or alternatively in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent. A suitable geometry for realizing elasticity can be, for example, a spring-arm-shaped, a U-shaped or a V-shaped geometry. It is also conceivable to use an elastic material for the passive electrical component, for example using an elastomer with or without the integration of metal particles.

If the contact partner that is movable between a contacting position and a spacing position is the contact element, the elasticity for returning the contact element from the spacing position to the contacting position can be implemented either inside or outside the contact element.

An externally implemented elasticity can also be an elastic element that is connected to the contact element and returns the contact element from the spacing position to the contacting position when the connector and the mating connector are not plugged in.

An internally realized elasticity can be realized by a contact element designed as a spring arm, which is fixed in the connector housing of the connector and is designed in the shape of a spring arm in the area of the deflection in a recess within the connector housing of the connector and can be moved between the contacting position and the spacing position. An elastic design of just one section or several sections of the contact element is also conceivable. The section of the contact element which makes contact with the associated contact section of the passive electrical component in a contacting position and can be deflected from the contacting position into a spacing position is preferably of elastic design.

When the plug connector and the mating connector are plugged in, ie when the electrical plug connection is plugged in, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and/or at least one contact element is deflected from the contacting position into a spaced position. The at least one contact section is spaced apart from the associated contact element and does not make contact with it. The two contact elements of the connector are no longer electrically connected via the passive electrical component and are therefore no longer terminated. Instead, the contact elements of the connector make contact with associated mating contact elements of the mating connector.

The relative movement between at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element takes place in a translatory or rotary manner in the transition between the plugged in and the unplugged state of the plug connector and the mating plug connector. When the contact element is deflected, there is preferably a relative rotational movement. In the case of a deflection of the contact section of the passive electrical component, the relative movement can be translational or rotational or a combination of translational and rotational movement.

The passive electrical component can be arranged in a connecting plane between the two contact elements or in a plane parallel to this connecting plane between the two contact elements.

If the passive electrical component is arranged in the connection level between the two contact elements, a separation between the two contact partners of at least one contacting pair can be prevented by a deflection of the passive electrical component in a parallel connection level or by a deflection of at least one contact element in the connection level or in a parallel connection level. If the passive electrical component is arranged in a plane parallel to the connection plane, the two contact partners of at least one contacting pair can be separated by deflecting the passive electrical component into a further plane parallel to the connection plane.
Alternatively, a deflection of at least one contact element in the connection plane or in a plane parallel to the connection plane is also possible in this case.

If the passive electrical component is arranged in a connecting plane between the two contact elements, the passive electrical component can preferably be arranged in a fixed manner on the connector housing. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the passive electrical component in the connecting plane between the two contact elements is movable on a connecting line between the two contact elements, i. H. floating, is stored.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element is realized by a dielectric component of the mating connector, which is inserted between the at least one contact section and the associated contact element by the plugging process. Due to the electrically insulating material of the dielectric component of the mating connector, the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is separated from the associated contact element of the connector electrically separated. The dielectric component of the mating connector is preferably the connector housing of the mating connector. Alternatively, the dielectric component can also be the insulating element or another dielectric component of the mating connector.

In the case of an elastic mounting of the passive electrical component, the passive electrical component is preferably deflected translationally from a contacting position into a spacing position by inserting the dielectric component of the mating connector between the passive electrical component and the associated contact element.

In order to enable simple and smooth insertion of the dielectric component of the mating connector between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element, the at least one contact section has a chamfer in the direction of the mating connector. In addition, the front end of the area of the dielectric component of the mating connector, which is inserted between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element, can also have a chamfer.

If the passive electrical component has elasticity due to its geometry or the material, inserting the dielectric component of the mating connector between the passive electrical component and the associated contact element in particular causes the contact section of the passive electrical component to be elastically deformed. In this way, the elastically deformed contact section of the passive electrical component moves from a contacting position into a spaced position. In this case, the passive electrical component is fixed at least in regions in the connector housing of the connector.

In order to enable simple and smooth insertion of the dielectric component of the mating connector between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element even with such a design, the geometry of the passive electrical component, in particular the geometry of the passive electrical component in the contact section, chamfered in the direction of the mating connector.

Alternatively, a dielectric component of the connector can also be inserted between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element, which component is inside the connector housing of the connector is movably arranged in the insertion direction of the mating connector. The dielectric component of the plug connector, which is not located between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element when the electrical plug connection is not plugged in, is between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component when the electrical plug connection is plugged in through the mating connector and the associated contact element. The component, which is preferably designed to be dielectric, is preferably formed in the form of a pin or rod. However, it can also have a plate-shaped or bush-shaped configuration or any other technically sensible configuration.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element is realized in that the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is moved from the contacting position to a spacing position by the mating connector inserted into the connector housing of the connector is deflected. There is only air between the deflected contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element.

Since the plug-in direction of the mating connector runs parallel to the plug-side area of the contact elements, in the second embodiment of the invention, contacting between the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component and the associated contact element in the printed circuit board-side area of the angularly bent contact elements of a plug connector designed as a printed circuit board connector is advantageous. In this case, the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component can be deflected in a translatory manner from a contacting position into a spacing position by the mating connector. Contacting between the contact sections of the passive electrical component and the associated contact elements in the area of the plug-side area of the contact elements is also conceivable. In this case, the contact areas of the passive electrical component are each deflected by the mating connector along the plug-side area of the associated contact element out of the plug-side area of the associated contact element.

If the passive electrical component is mounted elastically and can therefore be deflected, it can be deflected by the mating connector when the mating connector is plugged into the connector. In this way, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component can be deflected from a contacting position into a spaced position and is thus spaced from the associated contact element only by air.

In the second embodiment as well, the passive electrical component is preferably deflected by the connector housing of the mating connector. Alternatively, the passive electrical component can also be provided by the insulator element, by another preferably dielectrically designed component, or by the outer conductor contact element of the mating connector.

The connector housing, the insulator element, the further preferably dielectrically designed component or the outer conductor contact element of the mating connector are each to be shaped in such a way that a front end of the connector housing, the insulator element, the further component or the outer conductor contact element of the mating connector in the plugged-in state of the electrical plug connection is the passive electrical component can deflect.

Instead of a direct deflection of the elastically mounted passive electrical component through the mating connector, an indirect deflection via a component of the connector is also possible, which is movably arranged in the plug-in direction of the mating connector in the connector housing of the connector. During the plugging process of the electrical plug connection, the component of the connector is deflected by the mating connector in the direction of the passive electrical component and thus in turn deflects the elastically mounted passive electrical component. The component that is movably mounted in the plug connector is preferably designed to be dielectric in order to prevent the risk of a possible short-circuit current or an electrical potential that is conducted to the outside.

The at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is thus in the first and second embodiment of the invention in the spaced position directly or indirectly by the mating connector or by a component of the mating connector, i. H. the connector housing, the insulator element or another component of the mating connector, deflected. The indirect deflection of the at least one contact section of the passive electrical component through the mating connector or through a component of the mating connector takes place via a component that is movably mounted in the connector housing of the connector.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a contact element is preferably deflected by the associated mating contact element of the mating connector. For this purpose, the contact element preferably has an elastic geometry, for example a spring-arm-shaped geometry, in the contacting area with the contact section of the passive electrical component, which also represents the contacting area with the mating contact element. on. The mating contact element separates the contact element from the associated contact section of the passive electrical component by inserting the mating contact element between the contact element and the associated contact section of the passive electrical component. In order to prevent contacting between the mating contact element and the contact section of the passive electrical component, the contact section of the passive electrical component is designed in such a way that the mating contact element is spaced apart from the contact section of the passive electrical component when the connector and the mating connector are in the plugged-in state.

Alternatively, in a further embodiment of the third embodiment of the invention, the contact element can be deflected by the connector housing or a dielectric component of the mating connector during the plugging process of the connector and mating connector. The connector housing or the dielectric component of the mating connector can be inserted in the spacing area between the elastic contact element and the contact section of the passive electrical component. Alternatively, the connector housing or the dielectric component of the mating connector can also deflect the elastic contact element outside of the spacing area. Because of the leverage effect of the elastic contact element, the contact element is spaced apart from the contact section of the passive electrical component in the spacing area. If the contact element is rigid, then when the contact element is deflected by the connector housing or a dielectric component of the mating connector, an elastic element is typically provided in the connector housing, which returns the contact element from the spacing position to the contacting position.

As an alternative to direct deflection, the contact element, equivalent to the passive electrical component, can be indirectly deflected via a component which is movably mounted in the connector housing of the connector and which in turn is deflected by the mating connector.

In addition to the two contact elements which are connected to the pair of electrical conductors when a differential signal is transmitted and which each represent inner conductor contact elements, the plug connector can preferably contain a further contact element which is connected to the outer conductor shield of the data transmission channel and/or to the ground potential of the transmit/receive -Unit is connected and represents an outer conductor contact element. The further contact element typically encloses the pair of contact elements with regard to optimal shielding within the connector.

If there is a data transmission channel with two inner conductors for the transmission of a differential signal, i.e. a symmetrical signal, and an outer conductor, the following three termination configurations can be implemented:
In a first case, when the connector and the mating connector are not plugged in, only the two inner conductor contact elements are electrically connected to each other via a passive electrical component designed as an electrical terminating resistor. In the plugged-in state of the connector and the mating connector, at least one contact section of the passive electrical component is arranged at a distance from the associated contact element.

In the first case, the electrical resistance value of the adapted electrical terminating resistor corresponds to the impedance of the data transmission channel in the push-pull mode and is therefore only optimized for the push-pull mode.

In a second case, when the connector and mating connector are not plugged in, only the two inner conductor contact elements of each inner conductor contact element are electrically connected to the outer conductor contact element via a passive electrical component designed as an electrical terminating resistor. When the connector and the mating connector are plugged in, at least one contact section of each of the two passive electrical components is arranged at a distance from the associated contact element.

In the second case, the electrical resistance value of the adapted electrical terminating resistor corresponds to the impedance of the data transmission channel in common mode and is therefore only optimized for common mode.

In a third case, when the connector and the mating connector are not plugged in, the two inner conductor contact elements and the outer conductor contact element are each electrically connected to one another via an electrical terminating resistor of a passive electrical component. For this purpose, the passive electrical component has three contact sections, which are each connected to one another in a star shape or triangular shape via an electrical terminating resistor. When the connector and the mating connector are plugged in, at least two contact sections are spaced apart from the associated contact element.

The electrical resistance value of each matched electrical terminating resistor of the passive electrical component corresponds to the impedance of the transmission channel im Common mode and differential mode. Thus, in the third case, an adapted termination is possible both for the common mode and for the push-pull mode.

The invention also includes a plug connector for the electrical plug connection. For the design of the plug connector, what was said above for the plug connector of the electrical plug connection applies analogously.

In addition, the invention also includes a data transmission system. The data transmission system has an electrical data transmission channel and a number of transceiver units. At least one, preferably a plurality, particularly preferably each transmitter/receiver unit is electrically connected to the data transmission channel via at least one electrical plug connection according to the invention.

In a first embodiment of the data transmission channel, it can be provided that the transceiver units are connected directly to at least one cable section of the data transmission channel via the electrical plug connection. In this case, the electrical data transmission channel can have a plurality of sections, each with at least two electrical conductors. In this case, each section of the data transmission channel electrically connects two transmitter/receiver units to one another. Each transmitter/receiver unit is electrically connected to a respective section of the data transmission channel via an electrical plug connection according to the invention. The two sections of the data transmission channel, which are each electrically connected to a transmitter/receiver unit via an electrical plug connection according to the invention, are electrically connected to one another within the transmitter/receiver unit via associated at least two electrical conductors. Such a data transmission channel thus works according to the daisy chain principle.

If each transmitter/receiver unit is connected to only two further transmitter/receiver units, a data transmission system with a serial interconnection of a plurality of transmitter/receiver units can be implemented. If a transmitter/receiver unit is connected to more than two other transmitter/receiver units, a data transmission system with branches, i. H. a data transmission system with a tree-like structure.

In a second embodiment of a data transmission channel, it can be provided that the transceiver units are connected to the data transmission channel by means of a respective bridging element, preferably a T element. For this purpose, the bridging elements can each be connected to two cable sections of the data transmission channel. For the electrical connection between the transmitter/receiver unit and the bridging element and/or at least one of the electrical plug connections is used for the electrical connection between the bridging element and the cable sections of the data transmission channel. The bridging element can preferably be connected to the two cable sections via a respective electrical plug connection and to the transmitter/receiver unit via a further plug connection.

According to the second embodiment, it can also be provided that the data transmission system has a plurality of sections, each with at least two electrical conductors. Each two adjacent sections of the data transmission channel are connected to each other via an electrical plug connection according to the invention with a T-member. The T-section is electrically connected via a third electrical plug connection according to the invention either directly to the transmitter/receiver unit or indirectly to the transmitter/receiver unit via an interposed spur line. Equivalent to the individual sections of the data transmission channel, the branch line has at least two electrical conductors. The three electrical connectors are electrically connected to each other within the T-bar.

The above configurations and developments can be combined with one another as desired, insofar as this makes sense. Further possible configurations, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

ein Blockdiagram eines Datenübertragungssystems nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2A, 2B,

eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand und im gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 2C

eine Querschnittdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 2D

eine Querschnittdarstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 3A, 3B,

eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer weiteren Ausprägung der ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand und im gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 4A, 4B

zwei Längsschnittdarstellungen einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 4C, 4D

zwei Längsschnittdarstellungen einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 4E, 4F

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht-gesteckten Zustand und gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 5A, 5B,

eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer dritten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand und im gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 6A, 6B,

eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer weiteren Ausprägung der dritten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung im nicht gesteckten Zustand und im gesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 7A

eine Darstellung eines sternförmigen Abschlusses eines differentiellen und geschirmten Datenübertragungskanals,

Fig. 7B

eine Darstellung eines dreieckförmigen Abschlusses eines differentiellen und geschirmten Datenübertragungskanals und

Fig. 8A, 8B

ein Blockdiagram einer ersten und einer zweiten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Datenübertragungssystems.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawing. They show:

1

a block diagram of a data transmission system according to the prior art,

2A, 2B,

a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state and in the plugged state,

Figure 2C

a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state,

2D

a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state,

3A, 3B,

a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of the first embodiment of an electrical plug connection according to the invention in the unplugged state and in the plugged state,

Figures 4A, 4B

two longitudinal sectional views of a second embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state,

Figures 4C, 4D

two longitudinal sectional views of a second embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the plugged-in state,

Figures 4E, 4F

a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state and plugged state,

5A, 5B,

a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention in the unplugged state and in the plugged state,

6A, 6B,

a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of the third embodiment of an electrical plug connection according to the invention in the unplugged state and in the plugged state,

Figure 7A

a representation of a star-shaped termination of a differential and shielded data transmission channel,

Figure 7B

a representation of a triangular termination of a differential and shielded data transmission channel and

Figures 8A, 8B

a block diagram of a first and a second embodiment of the data transmission system according to the invention.

The accompanying drawing figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the foregoing advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing, elements, features and components that are the same, have the same function and have the same effect--unless stated otherwise--are each provided with the same reference symbols.

The figures are described in a coherent and comprehensive manner below.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before the electrical connector according to the invention is described in detail, a data transmission system according to the prior art, which is useful for the technical understanding of the electrical connector, based on FIG 1 explained below:
A data transmission system 1 comprises a plurality of transceiver units 2 which are connected via an in 1 dashed data transmission channel 3 exchange data with each other. Each transceiver unit 2 contains at least one processor unit 4, which performs all of the signal processing for transmitting and receiving data in the baseband and in the high-frequency band. The signal processing in the processor unit 4 is not part of the invention, so that reference is made to the extensive technical literature on data transmission in bus systems or in data networks in the most diverse fields of application.

The individual transceiver units 2 are preferably electrically connected to one another in series via the data transmission channel 3 . A differential signal is preferably transmitted between the individual transceiver units 2 in the data transmission channel 3 . However, transmission of an asymmetrical signal is also conceivable. The data transmission channel 3 has individual cable sections 28 with at least two electrical conductors 5, which are each connected between two transmitter/receiver units 2 that are electrically connected to one another.

If a transmitting/receiving unit 2 transmits data to a further transmitting/receiving unit 2 of the data transmission system 1, this data is transmitted via the data transmission system in between Send-receive units 2 forwarded according to the daisy-chain principle. In order to implement data transmission in the data transmission system 1 according to the daisy-chain principle, each transceiver unit 2 is connected twice to the data transmission channel 3, ie to two cable sections 28 of at least two electrical conductors 5. Each transceiver unit 2 has two plug connectors 6 for this purpose.

If a transmitter-receiver unit 2 is arranged between two adjacent transmitter-receiver units 2 in a chain of transmitter-receiver units 2, then both connectors 6 of the transmitter-receiver unit 2 are each connected to a mating connector 7, which is connected to one end of a cable section 28 is attached.

So that a transceiver unit 2 can forward data from an adjacent transceiver unit 2 to the other adjacent transceiver unit, the two plug connectors 6 and the processor unit 4 are connected to one another via a section of two internal electrical conductors 27 electrically connected.

If a transmitter/receiver unit 2 is arranged at one end of a chain of transmitter/receiver units 2, only one connector 6 is connected to an associated mating connector 7 of a cable section 28. The other connector 6 is connected to another mating connector 8, which is terminated with a matched electrical resistance. Due to the adapted termination, the data transmission channel 3 composed of individual cable sections 28 with at least two electrical conductors 5 is suitable for reflection-free transmission of a high-frequency differential signal.

In order to avoid plugging another mating connector 8 with a matched electrical resistance to a transmitter/receiver unit 2 at one end of the chain of transmitter/receiver units 2, the electrical plug connection 9 to be explained below is advantageously used:
Based on the longitudinal sections of the Figures 2A and 2 B and the cross-sectional representation of the Figure 2C a first embodiment of an electrical plug connection 9 in the unplugged state and in the plugged state is explained below:
The electrical connector 9 includes a connector 6 and an associated mating connector 7. The connector 6 is preferably designed as a printed circuit board connector. A pair of contact elements 11 are arranged within a connector housing 10 of the connector 6 and are connected to the pair of internal electrical conductors 27 within a transceiver unit 2 . The contact elements 11 each set a Represents inner conductor contact element and are each preferably designed as a contact pin. The contact elements 11 extend at right angles between an interface 13 on the circuit board side and an interface 12 on the cable side. The two contact elements 11 are each preferably guided in a correspondingly shaped bushing within the connector housing 10 . In the area of the interface 13 on the printed circuit board, the contact elements 11 are brought out of the connector housing 10 . In the area of the cable-side interface 12, the contact elements 11 end in a recess 14 formed in the connector housing 10, which serves to accommodate the plug-side interface 15 of the mating connector 7.

In addition to the pair of contact elements 11, which represent inner conductor contact elements, further contact elements 16 are arranged within connector housing 10, which represent outer conductor contact elements. In the region of the interface 13 on the circuit board side, the further contact elements 16 serving as outer conductor contact elements are preferably designed in the form of pins. Typically, four outer conductor contact elements are provided and brought out of the connector housing 10 . The shape of the outer conductor contact in the area of the cable-side interface 12 is aligned with the shape of the outer conductor contact of the mating connector 7 and is typically sleeve-shaped. Thus, the pin-shaped outer conductor contact elements at the interface 13 on the printed circuit board merge within the connector housing into an outer conductor contact element that is typically sleeve-shaped at the interface 12 on the cable side.

The pair of contact elements 11 and the further contact elements 16 are each inserted in a hole in a printed circuit board. The individual contact elements 11 and 16 are electrically and mechanically connected to printed circuit board contacts in the area of the bores, preferably via a soldered connection or alternatively via a press connection.

In a cavity 17 of the connector housing 10, a passive electrical component 18 is arranged fixed. The passive electrical component 18 is preferably designed as a matched electrical resistance. The geometry and the material of the electrical resistance are selected in such a way that the electrical resistance value corresponds to the characteristic impedance of the differential electrical conductor pair in the data transmission channel 3 and is therefore adapted.

The passive electrical component 18, ie the electrical resistor, has a contact section 19 for making contact with the contact elements 11 at each of its two axial ends. The passive electrical component 18 is arranged in the cavity 17 and has such an axial longitudinal extent that the two contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 in the unplugged state of connector 6 and mating connector 7 according Figure 2A or. Figure 2C each contact a different contact element 11. The passive electrical component 18 is connected to an elastic element 20 which is also arranged in the cavity 17 of the connector housing 10 . The elastic element 20 is preferably a spring with a spring arm. The elastic element 20 is arranged in the cavity 17 of the connector housing 10 in a prestressed manner. The prestressing of the elastic element 20 exerts a force on the passive electrical component 18 with which the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 exert sufficient contact pressure on the associated contact elements 11 . The two contact elements 11 are thus securely electrically connected to one another via the passive electrical component 18 when the electrical connection 9 is not plugged in.

In the mated state of the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 according to Figure 2B the connector-side interface 15 of the mating connector 7 is inserted into the cable-side interface 12 of the connector 6 designed as a recess 14 .

When plugged in, the pin-shaped contact elements 11 of the connector 6 contact associated socket-shaped mating contact elements 21 of the mating connector 7. Alternatively, the mating contact elements 21 of the mating connector 7 can be pin-shaped and contact socket-shaped contact elements 11 of the connector 6.

In the first embodiment of the electrical plug connection 9, when plugged in, a dielectric component of the mating connector 7, preferably the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, fits between the contact elements 11 and the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 and thus interrupts the contact between the contact elements 11 and the associated contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18.

The socket-shaped mating contact elements 20 of the mating connector 7 are preferably enclosed in the region of the plug-side interface 15 by a pin-shaped region 23 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 . This pin-shaped area 23 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 is in turn inserted into the recess 14 of the connector housing 10 of the connector 6 .

The pin-shaped area 23 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 can preferably have an extension 24, which in the plugged-in state of the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 between the contact elements 11 and is inserted into the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 and thus interrupts the contact between the contact elements 11 and the associated contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 .

Alternatively, in the plug-in process, a component made of an electrically insulating material, d. H. made of a dielectric material, are deflected by the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 and thereby insert themselves between the contact elements 11 and the associated contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18.

Instead of the dielectric connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 can also be deflected by the insulator element or by another dielectric component of the mating connector 7 when the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are plugged in, from the contacting position to the spaced position and thus lose contact with the associated contact elements 11.

How out Figure 2C As can be seen, both contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 can be spaced apart from the associated contact elements 11 by the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, in particular by the extension 24 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7. However, it is also conceivable that only a single contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 is spaced apart from the associated contact element 11 by the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, in particular by a correspondingly designed extension 24 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7. The other contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 is connected to the associated contact element 11 via a soldered or pressed connection, for example.

Next to the in Figure 2C illustrated symmetrical conclusion of the two contact elements 11 by an interposed passive electrical component 18 is according to 2D an asymmetrical termination of the two contact elements 11 is also possible:
In the unplugged state of the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 , each contact element 11 serving as an inner conductor contact element is connected via a passive electrical component 18 to a contact element 16 serving as an outer conductor contact element. How out 2D shows, in this case a contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 is, for example, via a soldered or pressed connection with the associated contact element - in 2D with the outer conductor contact element 16 - connected. The respective other contact element - in 2D the inner conductor contact element 11 - can be objected to in the plugged-in state of the electrical plug connection 9 through the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 from the associated contact section 19 of the respective passive electrical component 18 . But it is also conceivable in the case of an asymmetrical termination of the two contact elements 11 that the two contact sections 19 of the two passive electrical components 18 through the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 of
the associated contact elements 11 and 16 are objected to. When the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are not plugged in, one contact section 19 of the two passive electrical components 24 makes contact with the contact element 11 serving as the inner conductor contact element, and the other contact section 19 of the two passive electrical components 24 makes contact with the contact element 16 serving as the outer conductor contact element.

In a further embodiment of the first embodiment of the electrical connector according to Figures 3A and 3B the spacing of the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 from the associated contact elements 11 is achieved by inserting the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 between the at least one contact element 11 and the associated contact section 19 of an elastic passive electrical component 18.

The elastic configuration of the passive electrical component 18 is realized by an elastic geometry of the passive electrical component 18 . The elastic geometry of the passive electrical component 18 can be realized, for example, by a geometry in the form of a spring arm. If the passive electrical component 18 is implemented as an electrical terminating resistor, then the spring-arm-shaped geometry is metallic. In this case, the elastic geometry and the metal of the passive electrical component 18 are selected in such a way that the electrical resistance value of the passive electrical component 18 corresponds to a matched impedance of the data transmission channel.

The geometry of the passive electrical component 18 is preferably elastic in the plugging direction of the electrical plug connection 9, ie in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the passive electrical component 18. The elastic design of the passive electrical component 18 makes it possible to insert the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 between the contact element 11 and the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 during the plugging process of the electrical plug connection 9 . The passive electrical component 18 and thus also the contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 is deformed due to the elastic geometry during the plugging process and moves from the contacting position to the spaced position. It is also conceivable for the elastic geometry of the passive electrical component 18 to also be formed in the longitudinal extension direction of the passive electrical component 18 , in particular in the area of the contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 .

In a second embodiment of the electrical connector 9 according to Figures 4A, 4B , 4C, 4D , 4E and 4F the contact is separated between the two contact elements 11 and the associated contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 by a deflection of a passive electrical component 18 that is movably mounted in the connector housing 10 of the connector 6. With the deflection of the passive electrical component 18, the at least one movable contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 deflected. The at least one movable contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 is thus deflected from a contacting position to a spaced position, without the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 being connected in between, and is thus spaced from the associated contact element 11 solely by the air in between.

The passive electrical component 18 is elastically mounted in the cavity 17 of the connector housing 10 by the unplugged state of the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 according to the Figures 4A, 4B and 4E at least one elastic element 20 presses the passive electrical component 18, ie the electrical resistance, against the two contact elements 11. The two contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 are each in a contacting position. In this case, the two contact elements 11 are electrically connected to one another via the passive electrical component 18 . The elastic element 20 is implemented as a spring arm, for example, as indicated in the figures, which is fixed in the cavity 17 of the connector housing 10 . Alternatively, instead of a spring arm, a torsion spring, a plate spring or an element made of an elastic material, for example an elastomer, is also possible.

When the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are plugged in according to FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4F, a component 25 of the connector 6, which is movably mounted in the connector housing 10 of the connector 6 in the insertion direction of the mating connector 7, directs the passive electrical component 18 with its two Contact sections 19 from. The two contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 are each in a spaced position. The two contact elements 11 are not electrically connected to one another via the passive electrical component 18 .

The component 25 , which is preferably designed to be dielectric, is in turn deflected by the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 , which is plugged into the connector housing 10 of the connector 6 . Since the passive electrical component 18 is deflected indirectly by the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, the passive electrical component 18 is preferably deflected in the plugging direction of the mating connector 7. The passive electrical component 18 with the contact sections 19 is therefore preferably in a region of the contact elements 11 to be arranged within the connector housing 10, which connects to the interface 13 on the printed circuit board.

Alternatively, the passive electrical component 18 can be deflected directly by an extension 24 of the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 without the interposition of a movably mounted and preferably dielectric component 25 . As an alternative to the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7 , the passive electrical component 18 can also be deflected by the insulator element, by the outer conductor contact element or by another component of the mating connector 7 .

In a third embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention 9 according to Figures 5A and 5B
at least one contact element 11 is deflected by the associated mating contact element 21 during the plugging process of the electrical plug connection 9 and is thus deflected from a contacting position to a spaced position:
For this purpose, the individual contact element 11 is designed to be elastic. According to the Figures 5A and 5B the individual contact element 11 has an area 26 in the form of a spring arm. In the unplugged state of the electrical connector 9 according to Figure 5A the individual contact element 11 contacts the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18. The spring-arm-shaped area 26 of the individual contact element 11 is prestressed and exerts sufficient contact pressure on the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 via this prestress.

Due to the elasticity of the contact element 11, in particular due to the spring-arm-shaped portion 26 of the contact element 11, in the plugged-in state of the electrical connector 9 according to Figure 5B the mating contact element 21 of the mating connector 7 deflects the contact element 11 . As a result, the contact element 11 moves from a contacting position into a spacing position. The elastic area of the contact element 11, ie the spring arm-shaped Area 26 of the contact element 11 is preferably formed in the contacting area with the contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 . The plugging process of the electrical plug connection 19 can thus easily insert the associated counter-contact element 21 between the contact element 11 and the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 and deflect the contact element from a contacting position into a spaced position. At the same time, the plugging process of the electrical plug connection 9 creates contact between the contact elements 11 and the associated mating contact elements 21.

In order to prevent an electrical connection between the two mating contact elements 21 of the mating connector 7 via the passive electrical component 18, the passive electrical component 18 is shaped in such a way that the mating contact elements 21 are separated from the two contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component 18 when the electrical plug connection is plugged in 9 are spaced.

In a further embodiment of the third embodiment of the electrical connector 9 according to the invention Figures 6A and 6B at least one contact element 11 is mounted elastically. For this purpose, an elastic element 20 which is connected to the contact element 11 is arranged in a cavity 17 of the connector housing 10 of the connector 6, in which the associated contact element 11 is also movably mounted. The elastic element 20 is prestressed and, via its prestressing, exerts a force on the contact element 6 which, in the unplugged state, corresponds to the electrical plug connection 9 Figure 6A transmits a contact pressure from the contact element 11 to the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 .

In the plug-in process of the electrical connector 9 according to Figure 6B the individual contact element 11 is deflected through the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, in particular through a preferably conically shaped opening in the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, in which the associated mating contact element 21 is arranged, and thus deflected from a contacting position into a spacing position. When the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are plugged in, the individual contact element 11 is separated from the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 .

In the third embodiment of the electrical plug connection 9 according to the invention, only a single contact element 11 can be deflected from the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 by an associated mating contact element 21 or the connector housing 22 of the mating connector 7, while the other Contact element 11 is permanently connected to the associated contact portion 19 of the passive electrical component 18.

Out of Figure 7A shows a schematic representation of a star-shaped connection of an electrical termination for a differential and shielded data transmission channel 3:
For this purpose, the connector 6 contains two contact elements 11 serving as inner conductor contact elements for transmission of the differential signal and one contact element 16 serving as outer conductor contact element for outer conductor shielding. The passive electrical component 18 correspondingly has three contact sections 19 which are each connected to one another in a star shape via an electrical resistor of the same size.

When the connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are not plugged in, two contact sections 19 of the passive electrical component each make contact with a different contact element 11 serving as the inner conductor contact element and one contact section 19 with the contact element 16 serving as the outer conductor contact element.

At least two contact elements of the total of three contact elements 11 and 16 are spaced apart from the associated contact section 19 of the passive electrical component 18 when the plug connector 6 and the mating connector 7 are in the plugged-in state.

the Figure 7B schematically shows a corresponding triangular interconnection of an electrical termination for a differential and shielded data transmission channel 3.

Finally, the two embodiments of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention are described below with reference to FIG Figures 8A and 8B explained:
The first embodiment of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention is an extension of the basis 1 described data transmission system according to the prior art. Therefore, a repeated description of features of the first embodiment of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention Figure 8A omitted, which are identical to the features of the data transmission system 1 according to the prior art 1 are.

How out Figure 8A in contrast to 1 can be seen is only in the transceiver unit 2, which is at one end of the serially interconnected transceiver units 2 is arranged, a single connector 6 with a mating connector 7 of a cable section 28 with at least two electrical conductors 5 electrically connected. The additional connector 6 of these transceiver units 2 is not electrically connected to a mating connector 7 in each case. Instead, each transmitter/receiver unit 2 contains a plug connector 6 according to the invention.

This connector 6 according to the invention forms with the mating connector 7 an electrical connector 9 according to the invention, as explained in detail above.

In an unplugged state of the connector 6 according to the invention and the associated mating connector 7, the two contact elements 11 of the pair of inner conductor contact elements are bridged via a passive electrical component 18, which is preferably an adapted electrical resistance. The data transmission channel 3, which has a plurality of cable sections 28 each with at least two electrical conductors 5, is thus terminated at its end and prevents unwanted reflections of a high-frequency data transmission signal at the end of its data transmission channel 3.

When the connector 6 according to the invention and the associated mating connector 7 are plugged in, the two contact elements 11 of the pair of inner conductor contact elements are not bridged via a passive electrical component 18 . Instead, the two contact elements 11 of the connector 6 are electrically connected to the mating contact elements 21 of the mating connector 7 .

Without plugging in a mating connector with an integrated terminating resistor and without using a connector with a switch that can be moved by the user from outside the connector housing, a connector is created that automatically enables an adapted terminating resistor to be connected or disconnected simply by connecting or disconnecting the electrical connector.

In a second embodiment of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention Figure 8B the data transmission channel 3 also has a plurality of cable sections 28 each with at least one pair of electrical conductors 5 . In each case two adjacent cable sections 28 are electrically connected to one another via an interposed bridging element 29 . The bridging member 29 is designed as a T-member and thus has three plug connectors, which are each electrically connected to one another via at least two internal electrical conductors 27 . Two of the connectors in the bridging member 29 are each designed as connectors 6 according to the invention, each with a mating connector 7 form an electrical plug connection 9 according to the invention at one end of a respectively adjacent cable section 28 .

The third connector in the bridging member 29 is designed as a further connector 30 and forms an electrical plug connection with a mating connector 32 which is attached to one end of a stub line 31 . The additional connector 30 corresponds to the mating connector 32 and does not necessarily have to be a connector 6 according to the invention. The branch line 31 also has at least two electrical conductors 5 guided in a cable. The additional mating connector 32 at the other end of each branch line 31 also forms an electrical plug connection with an additional connector 30 arranged in the associated transmitter/receiver unit 2 . In a further development of the second embodiment of a data transmission system 1 according to the invention, the spur line 31 between a transceiver unit 2 and an associated bridging element 29 can be omitted. In this case, the further plug connector 30 of the bridging element 29 forms an electrical plug connection with the further plug connector 30 which is arranged in the transceiver unit 2 and acts as a mating plug connector.

Although the present invention has been fully described above on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted to them, but rather can be modified in a variety of ways.

Claims (15)

Electrical plug connection (9) comprising a plug connector (6) and a mating connector (7), at least two contact elements (11; 16) and a passive electrical component (18) having at least two contact sections (19) being arranged in the plug connector (6), wherein when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, two contact sections (19) of the passive electrical component (18) each contact a different contact element (11; 16) and when the plug connector (6) and of the mating connector (7) at least one contact section (19) of the passive electrical component (18) from the respective contact element (11; 16) by means of a deflection of the passive electrical component (18) or at least one of the contact elements (11; 16) through the mating connector (7) spaced apart. Electrical plug connection (9) according to claim 1,
characterized,
that when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, the two contact elements (11; 16) are electrically connected to one another solely via the passive electrical component (18). Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of claims 1 to 2,
characterized,
that at least one contact element (11; 16) is mounted elastically or is designed to be elastic and when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, the respective contact element (11; 16) clamps the associated contact section ( 19) contacted with a contact pressure. Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the passive electrical component (18) is mounted elastically or is designed to be elastic and when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, the associated contact element (11; 16 ) contacted with a contact pressure. Electrical plug connection (9) according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the passive electrical component (18) is movably mounted along a connecting line between the two contact elements (11; 16). Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that between the plugged-in state and the unplugged state, a translatory or rotary relative movement takes place between the at least one contact section (19) of the passive electrical component (18) and the associated contact element (11; 16). Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
characterized,
that when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are plugged in, a dielectric component of the mating connector (7) is inserted at least between one of the contact sections (19) and the associated contact element (11; 16). Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
characterized,
that when the connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are plugged in, the passive electrical component (18) or at least one of the contact elements (11; 16) is deflected by the mating connector (7) in such a way that at least one of the contact sections (19 ) is in each case spaced from the associated contact element (11; 16) only by an air located therebetween. Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
characterized,
that in the plug connector (6) a component (26) of the plug connector (6) is movably mounted in a plugging direction of the mating connector (7), which is deflected by the mating connector (7) when the plug connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are plugged in is. Electrical plug connection (9) according to claim 9,
characterized,
that the component (26) is deflected by the mating connector (7) in such a way that the component (26) is inserted between at least one of the contact sections (19) and the associated contact element (11; 16) or the component (26) the passive electrical The component (18) or the at least one contact element (11; 16) deflects in such a way that at least one of the contact sections (19) is spaced from the associated contact element (11; 16) only by an air space located between them. Electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 10,
characterized,
in that three contact elements (11, 16) are arranged in the connector (6) and the passive electrical component (18) has three contact sections (19), the three contact sections (19) each having an electrical resistance, preferably each having an adapted electrical resistance , Star-shaped or triangular are electrically connected to each other. Electrical plug connection (9) according to claim 11,
characterized,
that when the plug connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are not plugged in, the three contact elements (11; 16) each make contact with a different contact section (19) and when the plug connector (6) and the mating connector (7) are plugged in, they contact at least two contact sections (19) are each spaced apart from the associated contact element (11; 16) by means of a deflection of the at least two contact sections (19) of the passive electrical component (18) or the associated contact elements (11; 16) through the mating connector (7). Plug connector (6) for an electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 12. Data transmission system (1) having an electrical data transmission channel (3) and a plurality of transceiver units (2), each transceiver unit (2) being connected to the data transmission channel via at least one electrical plug connection (9) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 (3) electrically connected. Data transmission system (1) according to claim 14,
characterized,
that the transceiver units (2) a) are connected directly to at least one cable section (28) of the data transmission channel (3) via the electrical plug connection (9); and or b) are connected to the data transmission channel (3) by means of a respective bridging element (29), preferably a T-element, whereby for the electrical connection between the transceiver unit (2) and the bridging element (29) and/or for the electrical connection between the bridging element (29) and the cable sections (28) of the data transmission channel (3) is used by at least one of the electrical plug connections (9).

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