FR2828588A3 - In-line multi core electrical cable coupling has outer layers of interlocking screening - Google Patents

Abstract

The screened electrical cable (10) has a number of pins (15) that contact sleeves in an electrical body (20). Located around the cable is a screening element (40). At the other end is a second screening element (30). This has profiled slots (34) that fit onto features on the other screening to form an enclosure.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a circular connector provided with several poles (multipole) and comprising a coaxial shield for shielded cables which will be referred to hereinafter as a shielded multiaxial connector. This connector is particularly suitable for use in field bus cabling systems for distributed automation, mainly for industrial use. This circular connector is integrated into a system of modular modular connectors, multiple, for heavy industrial uses.

 Currently, there are various types of circular, multiaxial and shielded connectors on the market. The metal shields of the known connectors consist of at least two shielded parts, which can be assembled together, to allow the introduction of the wired connector module into the shield.

 In certain types of known connectors, the shielding parts are obtained by machining with chip removal from large diameter copper bars, resulting in a large quantity of chips and high production costs. In shielding parts, threads are dug for their assembly when they must contain the connector module. For the assembly of these connectors, it is necessary to use special tools (such as open-end wrenches, for example) and an additional fixing means (such as a screw), to block the module relative to the shielding.

 Other types of known connectors are made of die-cast metal alloy. The parts constituting the shield consist of a main support body and a side cover, held together by a fixing. The connector "module" is inserted into the shield through a side window of the main body, which is then closed by a cover.

 The fastening means, due to their reduced dimensions, do not provide stable electrical continuity along the entire shielding, with the risk of reducing

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 shielding efficiency. In addition, the numerous closings and openings between the two shielding parts accentuate the unreliability. Finally, it is difficult to say the least to introduce the wired connector module into the side window of the main body.

 Other types of connector are known which provide for a coaxial shield made in the form of two half-shells which it is possible to assemble. It is obvious that for the discontinuity of the shielding structure, this solution is not very efficient from the point of view of electromagnetic shielding.

 The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known technique by providing a shielded multiaxial circular connector guaranteeing a high shielding capacity.

 Another object of the invention is to provide such a shielded multiaxial circular connector which allows easy assembly and the introduction of the connector module into the shield.

 Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shielded multiaxial circular connector which is economical and easy to produce.

 To this end, the invention relates to a shielded multiaxial circular connector comprising a male connector element comprising a module receiving several male electrical contacts connected to a shielded electrical cable and a shielding of the male connector element in coaxial position with respect to at the end of the shielded electrical cable, and a female connector element comprising a module receiving several female electrical contacts connected to a shielded electrical cable and a shield of the female connector element in coaxial position relative to the end of said cable shielded electrical device, characterized in that said shielding of at least one of the connector elements, male or female, comprises a first shielding element of a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, placed at the rear and fixed to said shielded cable and a second shielding element, substantially shaped

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hollow cylindrical, arranged at the front and fixed by embedding to said first shielding element
According to another characteristic of the invention, said second front shielding element comprises a cylindrical rear part which can be engaged in a cylindrical front part provided in said first rear shielding element.

 Advantageously, in said cylindrical rear part of said second front shielding element are provided engagement means which can be engaged with reciprocal engagement means provided in said cylindrical front part of said first rear shielding element.

 Advantageously, said engagement means provided in said cylindrical rear part of the second front shielding element are projecting elements and said reciprocal engagement means provided in the cylindrical front part of the first rear shielding element are slots.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, in said cylindrical rear part of said second front shielding element is provided at least one flexible fin defined by longitudinal notches and having, on its external surface, a projection on the circumference which can be engaged , by engagement, in a peripheral slot provided in said cylindrical front part of said first rear shielding element.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, in said cylindrical rear part of said second front shielding element is provided at least one projecting element, having substantially the shape of an L, which can be engaged by embedding in a slot which has substantially the shape of an L and which is provided in the cylindrical front part of said first rear shielding element, by relative rotation of said second front shielding element with respect to the aforementioned first rear shielding element.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, in the rear end of said first rear shielding element is fixed

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 a fixing device suitable for fixing the external sheath of the cable and for fixing the shielding sheath of the shielded cable.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the rear part of said first rear shielding element comprises a semi-circular strip partially enveloping the sheath of the shielded cable and that said fixing device comprises a semicircular body partially enveloping the sheath of the cable shielded and capable of being fixed with screws to the rear part of said first rear element.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, in the internal surface of said second front shielding element, there is provided a longitudinal projecting element which can be engaged in a longitudinal groove provided in the external surface of said module to avoid the corresponding rotation of the module relative to said second element before shielding.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the second front shielding element of the female connector element has, in its front part, longitudinal grooves which define the flexible fins.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the module of said female connector element has a circular front part with a diameter smaller than that of a circular rear part.

 The shielded multiaxial circular connector according to the invention comprises a male connector element and a female connector element. Each element of the connector comprises, respectively, a module receiving several electrical contacts connected to a shielded electrical cable and a shield disposed coaxially, at the end of said shielded electrical cable.

 The characteristic of this invention resides in the fact that the shielding of at least one element of the connector, male or female, comprises a first shielding element of a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, placed at the rear and fixed to the shielded cable and a

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 second shielding element, of substantially hollow cylindrical shape, placed at the front and fixed by embedding to the first shielding element.

 The fact that two separate shielding elements are provided, placed at the front and at the rear, makes it easy to assemble the module with the respective wired electrical contacts.

 Furthermore, the fact that an engagement by embedding of the two shielding elements is provided makes it possible to produce these elements in die-cast metal alloy, avoiding costly machining of chip removal to produce the threads.

 In addition, since the rear part of the front shielding element engages in the front part of the rear shielding element, this guarantees highly reliable shielding continuity.

Other characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description below, which refers to its form, by way of example only and which is therefore not exhaustive as regards its implementation, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, namely:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective showing a male element of the shielded multiaxial connector object of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section along the section plane II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective which shows the male connection element of Figure 1 assembled, with an exploded view of shielding, without the device for fixing the cable sheath; Figure 4 is a perspective of the male connection element of Figure 3, with the shielding assembled; Figures 4A and 4B are two enlargements of the parts contained in circles A and B, respectively, of Figure 4;

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la figure 5 est une perspective de l'élément du connecteur mâle de la figure 1 assemblé ; la figure 6 est une perspective éclatée, comme la figure 1, représentant un élément femelle du connecteur multiaxial blindé conforme à l'invention ; la figure 7 est une perspective, comme à la figure 3, qui représente l'élément femelle du connecteur de la figure 6 assemblé, avec une vue éclatée de blindage et sans le dispositif de fixation de la gaine du câble ; la figure 8 est une perspective, comme la figure 4, de l'élément femelle du connecteur de la figure 7, avec le blindage assemblé ; les figures 8C et 8D sont deux agrandissements des pièces contenues dans les cercles C et D, respectivement, de la figure 8 ; et la figure 9 est une perpective, comme la figure 5, de l'élément femelle du connecteur de la figure 6 assemblé.

Figure 5 is a perspective of the male connector element of Figure 1 assembled; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective, like Figure 1, showing a female element of the shielded multiaxial connector according to the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective, as in Figure 3, which shows the female element of the connector of Figure 6 assembled, with an exploded view of shielding and without the cable sheath fixing device; Figure 8 is a perspective, like Figure 4, of the female element of the connector of Figure 7, with the shielding assembled; Figures 8C and 8D are two enlargements of the parts contained in circles C and D, respectively, of Figure 8; and FIG. 9 is a perspective, like FIG. 5, of the female element of the connector of FIG. 6 assembled.

 The shielded multiaxial circular connector according to the invention is described using the above-mentioned figures. This connector comprises a male element of the connector indicated, as a whole, under the reference number 100, illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, and a female element of the connector, indicated as a whole under the reference number 200 and illustrated in FIGS. 6 -9.

 As regards FIG. 1, it represents a shielded cable 10 comprising several conductive elements 11, a shield "sheath" 12 which covers the conductive elements 11 and an insulating sheath 13 which covers the shield sheath 12.

 The conductors 11, at their front ends, are stripped and are each connected to an electrical contact 14, for example by crimping. The electrical contacts 14 each end with a male pole 15 whose axis is substantially parallel to the axis of the shielded cable 10.

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 The male element of the connector 100 comprises an electrical module 20 consisting of a substantially cylindrical body. The module 20 has, in the example shown, four longitudinal through-holes or channels 21, capable of receiving four electrical contacts 14, so that the front ends of the male poles 15 protrude outside the module 20, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3.

 In addition, the module 20 has a longitudinal groove 22 formed on its external surface, over approximately half of its length.

 The shield of the male connector element 100 comprises a first rear shield element 30 and a second front shield element 40.

 The first front shielding element 30 has a hollow cylindrical body 31 having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the shielded cable 10. In front of the cylindrical body 31, there is a hollow cylindrical front part 32 whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the body 31.

 The front part 32 of the first rear shielding element 30 has two slots 33 in the form of notches on the periphery, arranged in diametrically opposite positions.

In addition, the front part 32 of the first rear shielding element 30 has a notch 34, substantially L-shaped, open at the front end of the front part 32 and disposed on the periphery of the front part 32, being equidistant of the two slots 33.

 At the rear of the cylindrical body 31 is a rear part 35 which comprises a small semi-cylindrical strip forming a whole with the body 31 and having, at one end, a flange 36 with a threaded hole 39 projecting radially from the body 31 and at another end a flexible fin 37, separated from the body 32 by a notch on the circumference 38.

 The rear part 35 of the first rear shielding element 30 is intended to be engaged, by a fixing device 50, for fixing the sheath 13 of the screened cable 10 and for fixing

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 of the shielding sheath 12 of the shielded cable 10. The fixing device 50 comprises a semi-circular body 51 which has, at one end, a flange 52 with a hole 53 and at the other end a slot 54.

 In this way, the fin 37 of the rear part 35 of the first shielding element can engage in the slot 54 of the fixing device 50 and the flange 52 of the fixing device can be disposed in abutment on the flange 36 of the rear part of the first shielding element, with the respective coaxial holes 53 and 39, so that with the screws 55 they can be inserted into the hole 53 and screwed into the hole 39, to tighten the electric cable.

 The second rear shielding element 40 has a hollow cylindrical body 41 whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the external diameter of the "module" 20 and an external diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of the front part 32 of the first shielding element. At the rear of the cylindrical body 41 there is a hollow cylindrical rear part 42 whose external diameter is less than the external diameter of the body 41, so as to generate an annular abutment surface 43.

 The front part 42 of the second shielding element 40 has two flexible fins 44 arranged diametrically opposite. Each fin 44 is defined by two longitudinal grooves 45 on the front part 42. In the external surface of each fin is provided a projection 46 capable of engaging in the slot 33 of the rear part 32 of the first shielding element. In addition, the rear part 42 of the second front shielding element 40 has, on its external surface, a projecting element 47, substantially L-shaped, equidistant from the two flexible fins 44. The L-shaped projection 47 is suitable for engage in the L-shaped slot 33 of the front part of the first shielding element.

 In addition, the second shielding element 40 has, in the external surface of the body 41, a projecting part 48 which serves as a meeting surface for manipulation by the user during the assembly and disassembly phases.

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 As shown in Figure 2, in the internal surface of the body 41 is provided a longitudinal projecting element 49 which can be engaged in the longitudinal groove 22 of the module 20 in order to avoid rotation of the module 20 relative to the shielding.

 The mounting of the male element 100 of the connector is described below.

insérés dans le module 20 de sorte que les pôles mâles 15 dépassent à l'avant du module 20. Referring to Figure 1, the shielded cable 10, with the corresponding electrical contacts 14 which are connected, is introduced into the first rear shielding member 30. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electrical contacts 14 are

inserted into the module 20 so that the male poles 15 protrude from the front of the module 20.

 The wired module 20 is then inserted into the front shielding element 40. This insertion is guided by the projection 49 of the front shielding element 40 which slides in the slot 22 of the module 20.

 As illustrated in FIG. 4, once the wired module has been inserted into the second front shielding element 40, the first rear shielding element 30 is pushed forward, so that the rear part 42 of the second element before shielding engages in the front part 32 of the first rear shielding element. In this position, the flexible fins 44 of the front part 42 of the second rear shielding element bend inwards, until the protruding part 46 of the fins 44, as best shown in FIG. 4A, engages by engagement. in the slot 33 of the corresponding circumference of the front part 32 of the first shielding element.

 The L-shaped protrusion 47 of the rear part of the second shielding element engages in the L-shaped slot of the front part of the first shielding element. At this time (see FIG. 4), it can be seen that the first shielding element 30 is turned in the direction of the arrow F1 and that the second shielding element 40 is turned in the direction of the arrow F2, opposite to the direction of arrow F1.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 4B, the cross section

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 of the L-shaped projection 47 engages by embedding in the transverse part of the L-shaped notch, ensuring the stable holding of the two shielding elements 30 and 40.

 Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the fixing device 50 is fixed by inserting the fin 37 of the rear part of the first shielding element between the slot 54 of the fixing device and by screwing the screw 55 in the flanges 52 and 36 of the fixing device and of the rear part of the first shielding element, so as to tighten the cable 10.

 With regard to the description, on the basis of FIGS. 6 to 9, of the element 200 of the connector, where the elements identical or corresponding to those already described for the male element 100 of the connector, are indicated with the same numbers of reference, we failed to describe them in detail.

 With regard to FIG. 6, the electrical contacts 14 of the shielded cable 10 are connected to the female poles 215. The module 220 of the female element is slightly longer than the module 20 of the male element and has a first part cylindrical large diameter 223 and a second cylindrical portion small diameter 224.

l'élément mâle. The rear shielding element 30 and the fixing device 50 of the female element are substantially identical to those of

the male element.

 The front element 240 for shielding the female element of the connector has a rear part 42 substantially identical to that of the male element of the connector, a central part 241 and a front part 260 having an external diameter slightly smaller than the external diameter of the central part 241. The front part 260 has longitudinal notches 261 which define flexible fins 262 having an end 263 slightly reduced inwards.

 The front part 260 has an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the front part 41 of the front element 40

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 shielding of the male element. Thus, the front part 260 of the female element can be inserted into the front part 40 of the male element, allowing the two elements of the connector to be assembled.

 For the assembly of the female element 200 of the connector, the cable 10 with the corresponding contacts is inserted into the rear shielding element 30. The contacts 14 are introduced into the module 220. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the female poles 215 do not protrude from the holes 21 in the module 220. In fact, the holes 21 must receive the male poles in order to be brought into contact with the poles females.

 Then, the front shielding element 240 is inserted on the module 220 and, as shown in FIG. 8, the rear part 42 of the front shielding element engages in the front part 32 of the rear shielding element , as described with reference to element 100 of the connector. It should be noted that, because the front part 224 of the module 220 has a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the front part 260 of the front shielding element 240, the fins 262 of the front shielding element 240 can bend towards the inside.

 Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the fixing device 50 is mounted in the rear part 35 of the rear shielding element, to fix the sheath 13 and fix the shield sheath 12 of the cable 10.

 Numerous variations and modifications of detail can be made to this invention, as embodied, within the reach of ordinary skill in the art, provided that they are within the scope of the invention expressed by ancillary claims.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Shielded multiaxial circular connector comprising: a male connector element (100) comprising a module (20) receiving several male electrical contacts (14, 15) connected to a shielded electrical cable (10) and a shield (30, 40) of the male connector element in coaxial position with respect to the end of the shielded electrical cable, and a female connector element (200) comprising a module (220) receiving several female electrical contacts (14, 215) connected to a cable shielded electrical cable (10) and a shield (30,240) of the female connector element in a coaxial position relative to the end of said shielded electrical cable, characterized in that said shield of at least one of the connector elements, male ( 100) or female (200) comprises a first shielding element (30) of a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, placed at the rear and fixed to said shielded cable (10) and a second shielding element ge (40,240), of substantially hollow cylindrical shape, disposed at the front and fixed by embedding to said first shielding element (30).  2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that said second front shielding element (40,240) comprises a cylindrical rear part (42) which can be engaged in a cylindrical front part (32) provided in said first rear shielding element ( 30).  3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that in said cylindrical rear part (42) of said second front shielding element (40,240) are provided engagement means (46,47) which can be engaged with engagement means reciprocals (33,34) provided in said cylindrical front part (32) of said first rear shielding element (30). <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that said engagement means (46,47) provided in the cylindrical rear part in question (42) of the second front shielding element (40,240) are projecting elements and in that that said reciprocal engagement means (33,34) provided in the cylindrical front part (32) of the first rear shielding element (30) are slots.  5. Connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, in said cylindrical rear part (42) of said second front shielding element (40, 240) is provided at least one flexible fin (44) defined by longitudinal notches and having, on its external surface, a projection on the circumference (46) which can be engaged, by engagement, in a peripheral slot (33) provided in said cylindrical front part (32) of said first rear shielding element (30).  6. Connector according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that in said cylindrical rear part (42) of said second front shielding element (40,240) is provided at least one projecting element (47), having substantially the shape of a L, which can be engaged by embedding in a notch which has substantially the shape of an L (34) and which is provided in the cylindrical front part (32) of said first rear shielding element (30), by rotation of said second element front shielding (40, 240) relative to the aforesaid first rear shielding element (30).  7. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the rear end of said first rear shielding element (30) is fixed a fixing device (50) capable of fixing the external sheath (13) of the cable and fixing the shielding sheath (12) of the shielded cable.  8. Connector according to claim 7, characterized in that <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  that the rear part (35) of said first rear shielding element (30) comprises a semi-circular strip partially enveloping the sheath (13) of the screened cable and that said fixing device (50) comprises a semi-circular body (51 ) partially enveloping the sheath (13) of the shielded cable and capable of being fixed with screws (55) to the rear part (35) of said first rear element (30).  9. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the internal surface of said second front shielding element (40,240), there is provided a longitudinal projecting element which can be engaged in a longitudinal groove (22) provided in the external surface of said module (20,220) to avoid the corresponding rotation of the module with respect to said second element before shielding (40,240).  10. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second front shielding element (240) of the female connector element (200) has, in its front part, longitudinal grooves (261) which define the flexible fins (262).  11. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (220) of said female connector element (200) has a circular front part (224) with a diameter less than that of a circular rear part. (223).