FR2710198A1 - Connection box and connection cable for forming a connection device intended for a computer network - Google Patents

Abstract

By way of example of a connection device for a computer network, a connection box (15) contains a small interface plate, by means of which two BNC sockets (connectors) (16, 17) and at least one functional socket (18) are connected together. In order not to interrupt, as far as possible, the coaxial system of the computer network in the region of the connection box (15), the small interface plate is made in the form of several layers in such a way that the conducting tracks (43) are arranged between two conducting faces (41, 42), just as in a coaxial cable. The functional socket (18) is, for this same purpose, surrounded by a screening foil (44) placed very closely. In the corresponding connection cable, the plugging-in part (24) of the functional plug (23) is also surrounded by a screening foil (46) so that, here, too, the conducting linkage (bonding) is continued under coaxial conditions. The connection device thus corresponds, in a reliable manner, to the requirements of transmission technology, such as security with regard to interfering radiation and slight distortion of the signals.

Description

Connection box and connection cable to form a device

  connection for a computer network. The present invention relates to a connection box according to the preamble of claim 1 and a connection cable according to the preamble of

claim 9.

  These two objects are known for example from the utility model DE-Gm-90 00 754. A computer network is used mainly to connect several data processing machines to each other, respectively to a central computer or the like. For this purpose, a shielded cable (coaxial cable) is permanently installed, along which there are several connection boxes, so that in different places of a room or an entire building, machines can be connected , as required, using connection cables

  appropriate. The advantage of functional sockets is

  properly developed for junction boxes

  The fact that the computer network is never interrupted, regardless of whether a connection cable is connected or not

  using its functional sheet. Even inadvertently

  tance, we cannot cause a fault. The incon-

  The reason for this lies in the fact that the requirements of the decisive transmission technique for such computer networks, such as security with regard to disturbing radiation, can only be observed at the limits of the tolerable framework. The reason is that the coaxial system is interrupted in the region of the junction boxes and functional plugs. By the aforementioned utility model, it is known to provide special protection for the conductive paths on the interface board in the connection box to the

  by means of a large face of copper facing them.

  There is also a connection box of a comparable nature, the housing of which consists of a die-cast piece of zinc. Likewise, the functional plug of the connection cable has been incorporated - 2 -

  in a die-cast zinc part. An encapsu-

  The action thus carried out certainly prevents the disturbing action.

  batrix of received or emitted radiation, but the system

  coaxial also remains interrupted, with as a consequence

  of transmission losses and distortions

  signal at the limit of acceptable. In addition, this encap-

  total sulage is very expensive and in many cases

  application, it is desirable that no metal parts

  the earth is not freely accessible, in order to avoid sparking discharges under the effect of

electrostatic charges.

  The object of the invention is to provide a connection box of the aforementioned type as well as a connection cable which is adapted to it, thanks to which the requirements imposed by the transmission technique can be met, under price conditions

  favorable, safer and more reliable in series.

  Regarding the junction box, this

  objective is achieved by the particular characteristics

  lières of claim 1 and as regards the connection cable, it is by the characteristics

  Particulars of claim 9.

  The conductive tracks on the inter-

  face are enclosed on both sides by shielding faces, which gives rise here to a situation analogous to that of a coaxial cable. Even the shielding sheets placed individually and very close around the functional sockets are at a distance from the contact strips equal to that which is significant for a coaxial system. Likewise, the shielding sheet also surrounds the plug-in part of the functional plug. It goes without saying that the shielding sheets of the functional socket and of the functional plug engage with each other just like the socket and the plug. Thus the coaxial system of the computer network is extended as far as possible even in the region of the connection points. Relative to the outside, the system is isolated, and the connection box can be made with a plastic casing in the usual way currently. Similarly, the boxes of

  connection are compatible with function plugs-

unarmoured.

  Other advantages and variants of the invention

  arise from the secondary claims and the

  description which follows relating to examples of realizations

  tion illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows the electrical circuit with the shield

  according to the invention shown diagrammatically

tick; the

  Fig. 2 is a section through a section of the plate

  interface quette according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a recessed connection box, according to the invention, with some

  parts shown only diagrammatically

  tick; Fig. 4 shows a perspective representation of a functional socket with a shielding sheet, in a separate position before mounting; Fig. 5 shows a side view of a functional plug according to the invention, with the upper half of the housing removed; and Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a plug and a plug shortly before the plug is inserted, where the part to the right of the median plane corresponds to the cut in the plane 6r-6r of FIG. 5 and the part on the left corresponds to the

  section in plane 61-61 of FIG. 5.

  The assembly diagram according to Fig. 1 shows a data line 11 which is connected to a BNC plug 12. The data line 13 is connected to another BNC plug 14. Between these is a connection box 15, shown here only schematically, which first presents two BNC sockets 16 and 17, for the connection of BNC plugs 12 and 14. It also contains two functional sockets 18 and 19. The functional socket 18 respectively 19 (the two are identical) has a first pair of switch contact blades with -4- two opposite switch contact blades in a pair 21, 22 which touch each other ensuring electrical contact when no functional plug is engaged , as shown in the functional socket 19. If on the contrary a functional plug 23 is introduced, as shown in the left functional socket 18, the contact strips 21, 22 are separated

one from the other.

  The functional sheet 23 comprises a first pair of contact strips with contact strips and 26 arranged in a pair on external sides

  opposite of a plug-in part 24, and to each of-

  which is connected a signaling line 27, 28.

  These signal lines 27, 28 are isolated from each other and provided with electrical shielding. Their other ends are connected together to the central contact pin 29 of a BNC plug 31. The two signal lines 27, 28 with the functional plug 23 and the BNC plug 31 form a molded duplex connection cable 32. It is used for connection of a machine

  data processing 33 to the computer network.

  The signal path thus goes from the line

  data 11 by the central contact pin

  trale 34 of the BNC plug 12 to the central contact socket 35 of the BNC socket 16, from there to the switch contact strip 21 of the functional socket 18 and by the contact strip 25 of the functional plug 23 as well as the signaling line 27 to the central contact pin 29 of the BNC plug 31. Here the path of the signals divides, on the one hand, towards the data processing machine 33 and, on the other hand, continues with the signal line 28 back to the contact strip 26, leads from there via the switch contact strip 22 of the functional socket 18 and through the switch contact strips 21, 22 which touch each other from the functional socket 19 to the central contact socket 36 of the BNC socket 17, from which the signal path finally continues via the central contact pin 37 of the BNC plug 14 to -5 -

the data output line 13.

  In Fig. 1, it has not been shown that each functional socket 18, 19 has, in a plane under the switch contact blades 21, 22 shown, a second pair of contact blades which must not have any switching function and which are electrically connected to the shields 38 of the BNC sockets 16, 17. Similarly, the functional plug 23 has a second pair of contact strips, which is connected in parallel to the shields 39 of the signaling lines and which is electrically connected to the shields 38 by the second pair of contact blades

functional plug.

  In Fig. 1, neither has it been shown that

  each functional outlet 18, 19 has an advantageous-

  yet another pair of switch contact blades in a plane below the pair of switch contact blades shown, which is electrically connected in parallel therewith. Similarly, the functional sheet 23 also has yet another pair of contact strips. So therefore, if the contact were to be defective at one point, the parallel contact

would still perform the function.

  In Fig. 1, a first conductive face 41 and a second conductive face 42 are shown schematically on either side of the conductive tracks 43 of an interface board, as well as sheets of

  shielding 44 and 45 in the region of the functional sockets

  nelles 18, 19, which are all connected to the shield 38. Similarly, the functional plug 23 is surrounded by a shield sheet 46, which is electrically connected

shield 39.

  Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross section through a partial area of an interface board 47 produced in several layers. On a first planar face 48 of the base plate 49 are arranged the conductive tracks 43 and on the second

  flat face 51 is the first conductive face 41.

  Above the first planar face 48 is a deposit -6- of insulating material 52, the outer planar face 53 of which carries the second conductive face 42. The two conductive faces 41, 42 which lie flat over the entire surface of the wafer have hollow islands, in the region of which is made a through contact 54 with the underlying conductive paths. Conversely, the interior conductive paths bypass the through contact 55, which establishes a connection between the two

outer layers.

  Fig. 3 illustrates the general structure of the connection box 15. The interface plate 47 is provided, on its upper face, with at least one functional socket 18 and the BNC sockets 16, 17, which are constituted by sockets angle, are protruding on its underside. The interface board 47 is housed in a plastic part 60 in two parts, which consists of a lower part 56 in the form of

  plate and an upper part 57 in the form of a cap.

  The lower part 56 has holes 58 for the passage of the connection base 59 of the BNC sockets 16, 17. To the plastic housing 60 is securely attached a metal fixing ring 61, which serves for anchoring in a wall box 62 Above is a cover plate 63, which still holds a protective plate 64 of larger dimensions. The functional socket 18 is surrounded by a shielding sheet 44 on three sides, as can be

  better to see it in the representation of Fig. 4.

  According to FIG. 4, the functional socket 18 comprises a prismatic block 66 of plastic material with two large flat faces parallel to one another 67,

  68 and two narrow faces 69, 71 which are perpendicular thereto

  eyepieces. The upper face has a plug-in opening for a corresponding functional plug and the switch contact blades which emerge in the interior space are recognized, and the soldering blades of which exit under the plastic block 66. The shielding sheet 44 is folded approximately in the shape of a U and it comprises two large lateral wings 72, 73, which apply directly to the flat faces 67, 68 and a transverse wing 74, which is applied to the narrow face 69. The wings still have a fin 75 folded inwards, which covers a little the upper face of the plastic block. The fin 75 serves as a stiffener. The shielding sheet 44 has several integrated brazing blades 76 which are directed downwards. In the wings are formed strips 77 produced by substantially E-shaped cutouts, which are slightly curved outward relative to the plastic block. They serve to ensure elastic contact with a shielding envelope of a

  functional sheet, which will be shown further on.

  Owing to the U shape visible in FIG.

  4, the shielding sheet 44 can be easily folded.

  In the region of the opening of the U is then the narrow face 71 of the plastic block 66 and close to it is disposed the second pair of switch contact blades mentioned above, which is connected to the shield and thus completes the shielding of the socket instead of the sheet wall

  failing. The pairs of contact slats

  On the contrary, the conductor which conducts the signals is entirely in the shielding region of the shielding sheet 44. The shielding sheet 44 is laid as a thin coating on the block of material.

  plastic 66 and takes up very little space.

  In Fig. 5, we can see the appearance known per se of a functional sheet 23 in thin lines and partially in broken lines. The plug-in part 78 pointing downwards is surrounded at a distance by a plastic enclosure 79 which, seen in the plug-in direction, has the shape of a rectangular ring. At its inner wall is disposed a shielding sheet 46, which in turn leaves a rectangular annular gap free around the insertion piece 78 with the contact strips. For the sake of clarity, the periphery of the shielding sheet 46 is underlined by thicker lines. It is folded approximately in the form of -8- U according to the sectional representation of FIG. 6, and the arc 82 of the U arises in part on the shields 39, arranged there freely, signal lines

  27, 28 (Fig. 1) and it is preferably soldered to them.

  The two wings 83 and 84 extend, at a short distance, essentially parallel to the surface of the contact strips to the front engagement edge 85 and they thus cover the two internal flat faces 86 and 87 of the material enclosure. plastic 79. As shown in FIG. 5, they extend from the inner narrow face

  right 88 not quite up to the narrow interior side

  opposite opposite 89, namely just far enough to cover

  laterally screw the second pair of contact strips, which is closest to the inner narrow face 89 and which is electrically connected to the

  shields 39. Here, too, the second pair of lamel-

  the contact makes the shielded connection instead of the shielding sheet hollowed out there. This simplifies the folding operations for the shielding sheet 46. Because of its wings 83, 84 protrude from the edges 91 folded towards the common median plane 92, the surfaces of which complement one another to cover the inner narrow face 88 Similarly, above the insertion piece 78 in the region for fixing the contact strips, there are folded edges 93 coming out of the

  wings 83, 84, to complete a shielding enclosure.

  The plastic enclosure 79 is formed by two housing shells 94 and 95 contiguous in the median plane 92, which also surround and isolate the entire

  shielding sheet 46 including cable tie 96.

  The housing shells 94, 95 comprise several rods or legs directed inwards, which center and support the shielding sheet 46 and the plug part 78. In particular, two legs 97 and 98 are provided, which pass through through 99 slots in

the wings 83, 84.

  As shown in Fig. 6, the shielding sheets 44 and 46 of the functional socket 18 and of the functional plug 23 engage one in the other - 9 - like a socket and a plug, and therefore the strips

  77 provide elastic compensation for play.

- 10 -

R E V E N D I CATIONS

  1. Connection box to form a connection device for a computer network, comprising

  a plastic case, an inter-

  front, two BNC sockets and at least one functional socket with at least two switch contact blades

  arranged in a pair in opposite interior faces

  with a plastic socket, which touch each other in electrical contact when no corresponding functional plug is engaged between them, the central contact sockets of BNC sockets being electrically connected directly by the switch contact strips which touch each other with a pair of switch contact strips and by corresponding conductive tracks of the interface board, conductive tracks which are arranged on a first planar face of the interface board and in which, on a second plane parallel face remote from the latter is provided a first conductive face, covering

  the conductive pathways, which is connected

  designed in electrical connection with the shielding connections of the BNC sockets as well as with the switch contact blades of a second pair of contact blades, characterized in that above the first planar face (48) of the interface plate (49) with the conductive tracks (43) there is provided a layer of insulating material (52) which has, on a third planar face (53) located at a distance from the first planar face (48) and parallel to the latter, a second conductive face (42) superficially covering the conductive tracks, which is electrically connected to the first conductive face (41) and in that on at least three external faces (67, 68, 69) of the material block plastic (66), substantially perpendicular to the interface plate, is placed a shielding sheet (44) which is electrically connected to the conductive faces (41, 42). 2. Junction box according to claim 1,

- he -

  characterized in that the interface board (47) is produced in several layers, in which the two outer layers form the first and the second conductive face (41, 42) and the middle layer forms the conductive paths (43). 3. Junction box according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding sheet (44) folded substantially in the shape of a U extends on two flat faces parallel to one another (67, 68) and on a narrow face (69), oriented at right angles to them, of the plastic block (66) and in that the shielding sheet (44) has several integrated brazing blades (76) by means of which it is brazed

to the conductive faces (41, 42).

  4. Junction box according to claim 3, characterized in that the narrow face (69) of the plastic block (66) surrounded by the shielding sheet (44) is placed in the immediate vicinity of the first pair of contact strips switch (21,

22).

  5. Junction box according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding sheet (44) has several integrated lamellas (77) and elastically moving away from the plastic block (66), for contact with the inner wall of an envelope of

  shielding (46) of a functional plug (23).

  6. Junction box according to claim 4, characterized in that the functional socket (18) has two neighboring pairs of switch contact strips, which make the connection in parallel with the BNC sockets (16, 17) and are close to the narrow face (69) surrounded by the shielding sheet (44), while another pair of contact blades, which is in contact with the shielding connections, is close to the narrow face (71) of the material block plastic (66)

  hollowed out by the shielding sheet (44).

  7. Junction box according to claim 1,

  characterized in that it has two functional sockets-

  nelles (18, 19), including the contact blades of

- 12 -

  switch (21, 22) are electrically connected in

  series, where each functional outlet is surrounded separately-

  by a shielding sheet (44).

  8. Junction box according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic case (60) is made in two parts and contains the interface board (47) equipped with a functional socket (18)

  and surrounded by the shielding sheet (44).

  9. Connection cable to connect a data processing machine to a connection box,

  particular a connection box according to one which

  conch of the preceding claims, comprising a

  BNC plug at one end of the connection cable and, at the other end, a functional plug which has at least two contact strips arranged in a pair

  on opposite exterior faces of a piece of

  plug, in which each of the two contact blades of a first pair of contact blades is

  connected a signaling line, signaling lines

  lisation which, isolated and shielded with respect to each other, are led to the BNC plug and are connected in common to the central contact pin of the latter and in which the shields of the signaling lines are electrically connected to the contact strips of a second pair of contact strips, characterized in that the plug-in part (78) of the functional plug (23) is surrounded by a plastic enclosure (79), the wall of which interior leaves an annular gap free with the insertion piece (78) and surrounds a shielding sheet (46), which at its

  tower has a distance from the workpiece

  plug (78), is arranged by covering at least the first pair of contact strips (25, 26) and is connected in electrical connection with the shields (39)

  signal lines (27, 28).

  10. Connection cable according to claim 9, characterized in that the shielding sheet (46) is applied on two opposite internal flat faces (86, 87) and on an internal narrow face (88),

- 13 -

  oriented at right angles to them, of the plastic enclosure (79), in which the inner narrow face (88) coated with the shielding sheet is close to the first pair of contact strips

(25, 26).

  11. Connection cable according to claim, characterized in that the functional plug (23) has two neighboring pairs of contact strips, which

  are connected in parallel with the signal lines

  sation (27, 28) and are adjacent to the inner narrow face (88) coated with the shielding sheet (46), while another pair of contact strips, which is in contact with the shields (39), is close to the inner narrow face (89), hollowed out by the sheet of

  shielding, of the plastic enclosure (79).

  12. Connection cable according to claim, characterized in that the shielding sheet (46) is folded substantially in the shape of a U, in which the core (82) of the U extends at least partially over the shields (39 ) freely placed signal lines (27, 28) and thus touches them, and the two wings (83, 84) of the U are essentially parallel at a distance to the contact strips to the front engagement edge (85), covering thus the two inner flat faces (86, 87), and in that two wings (83, 84) come out from the edges (91) inclined towards the common median plane (92), the faces of which cover the narrow inner face (88 ) of the enclosure

  made of plastic (79) by complementing one another.

  13. Connection cable according to claim 12, characterized in that the plastic enclosure (79) is formed by two enclosure shells (94, 95)

  contiguous in the median plane (92), which also surround

  by insulating it all the shielding sheet (46) including the cable tie (96), in which the plastic enclosure (79) has an outer contour

  rectangular, seen from the plug side.