DE3227770A1 - Multipin electrical plug device - Google Patents

Abstract

For an electrical plug device, for example an earth-contact plug device (20, 46, 55, 67, 75, 76, 11) such as a plug and socket conforming to DIN 49440 or DIN 49441, in each case consisting of an insulating material base (23, 47, 81, 91) which supports the plug pins (21, 66) and the plug sockets (88) and the earth contact (22, 49, 80, 96), and of a detachable cover (51, 86) having a pot-shaped depression (52, 94), a combination with an optical-fibre plug device (31, 56, 66, 74, 77, 78, 97, 105) is proposed, the optical-fibre plug device being arranged entirely within the cover and the insulating material base such that it is recessed or can be recessed, and being located with its light-outlet surface (34) in the cross-sectional region of the pot-shaped depression (52, 94). This construction allows the control of the loads which are connected via the electrical plug device to the mains to be simplified without adversely affecting the operation of conventional plug devices without an optical-fibre connection. <IMAGE>

Description

Multipole electrical connector

The invention relates to a multi-pole electrical connector with or without protective contact, consisting of a plug and socket, each with one the plug pins or the sockets and the insulating material base carrying the protective contact and a detachable cover covering the insulating material base, which cover is for the socket a protruding protective collar or to accommodate the front part of the plug a pot-shaped recess with in the recessed end face of the connector receptacle has arranged openings for the plug pins of the plug.

Such plug-in devices are, for example, according to DIN 49 440, DIN 49 441, DIN 49 445 or DIN 49 446 known. These are movable ones Plugs or coupling sockets or permanently installed wall or device sockets for Connection of electrical consumers to the line network.

To control the electrical consumers, for example as part of a house control system, is according to DE-OS 2 800 472 a control device for the electrical devices have been proposed, their power supply network with numerous sockets for the power supply of the devices is equipped and with transmitter and receiver units works whose digital address signals are modulated onto a carrier whose Frequency is many times higher than the network frequency. In this training are the transmitter and receiver units coupled to the network in the housing, so that the Control signals of the mains voltage are superimposed. So it can be the conventional The plug devices described above can be used without modification. One however, such an arrangement is due to the interference present in the line network not without problems.

Very extensive interference suppression measures are required in order to to enable satisfactory operation. It also stands for signal transmission only a relatively narrow frequency range abundant available so that one Broadband transmission of signals is not possible. The above described However, disadvantages can be avoided if for the signal or. Data transfer an optical fiber is used.

To simplify the installation, the applicant has already received it has been proposed to insert a fiber optic cable into the multi-core copper installation cable, e.g. to embed fiber optics for signal transmission.

The object of the invention is to provide a generally recognized Standards, e.g. DIN standards, electrical plug-and-socket devices in more detail at the beginning to create the designated type for the connection of an additional fiber optic cable, their standardized or original main dimensions or their characteristic Plug profile is not changed by the fiber optic cable.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in the case of a plug-in device described type by the measures listed in the characterizing part of the main claim solved. Further developments of the invention are explained in the subclaims.

The advantage of the invention is that for the optical waveguide no separate plug connection spatially separated from the electrical plug connection is required.

The optical connection is made at the same time as the plug is inserted into the socket. The connector according to the invention differs not different in shape and in use from the conventional ones in use Devices, so that the connector equipped according to the invention according to how before in a normal connector and vice versa - fits. For the arrangement of the Optical fiber plug-in device within the electrical plug-in device there there several ways. A first possibility according to claim 2 consists in the fiber optic connector centrally between the connector pins or to arrange the sockets, so concentrically. This has the advantage that the fiber optic plug connection regardless of the polarity of the electrical tric plug connection is.

Another possibility according to claim 3 is to have a pole the electrical connector at the same time as a fiber optic connector to train. In this solution, plug devices without distinctive features must be used Although the correct polarity must be taken into account, the invention can be used for this Realize with the slightest structural changes to the connector. For example, according to claims 15 and 16, a plug pin and a socket can be used form as a fiber optic connector, for example, according to claim 17 the plug pin and the associated connection head of the socket of the socket has a longitudinal bore filled with a light-conducting material.

These suggestions appear to be particularly practical because neither the direct electrical current nor the temperature influences caused by the current significantly affect the transmission properties of the fiber optic cable.

The connector according to the invention, which is for example a protective contact plug or a protective contact socket according to DIN 49 440 or DIN 49 441 can act, should if possible be designed such that the main dimensions specified in the standards are not changed, i.e. into a Socket with fiber optic connection should also be a plug without fiber optic connection fit and vice versa. The advantage of claim 4 is that the optical fiber connector does not hinder or prevent the use of normal plug-in devices. In In this context, however, a problem arises, which is the different tolerances of the two different plug-in devices.

The electrical plug-in device naturally has much larger ones permissible tolerances on than the optical. So it could happen that such a large offset of the light exit surfaces occurs that the light path is practically interrupted. To prevent this from happening, there is several Options. A first possibility is according to claim 20, the light-transmitting Part of the transition point on the connector is much larger in diameter to be designed as the light-feeding optical fiber. This allows a good tolerance adjustment reach. The light should, however, come through immediately after the transition point a lens-like or conical configuration of the light guide can be collected again.

Another possibility of tolerance compensation exists, for example, according to claim 7,8 or 10 in that the light exit opening from the housing or the cover protrudes and is resiliently mounted. This first ensures that the two Light exit openings in the plugged-together state under bias against each other are pressed, so lie against each other without a gap. Through appropriate training the ends of the light exit opening, for example by means of a cone and cone mount the two ends into each other and are centered butted by the conical receptacle guided. With plug devices according to DIN 49 440 and 49 441 with an approximately U-shaped curved protective contact bracket can be according to claim 6 on the middle leg of the protective contact attach the fiber optic connector. Through a resilient training the middle leg according to claim 8 can be easily the required Reach the spring deflection of the fiber optic cable. In a practical implementation can the center leg have one or more bends, between which the optical waveguide plug connection is attached. Another possibility for resilient storage is provided according to Claim 11 in that the optical waveguide connector is movably mounted and is supported by a spring, for example on the protective contact. To the fiber optic cable to be able to conveniently connect is the fiber optic connector according to claim 9 releasably, for example attached to the protective contact. This can for example according to Claims 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 take place with a clamping screw.

In another version of the fiber optic plug connection according to claim 12 and 13, the connection of the Pen part with the socket part be designed as a screw connection or plug connection. the The plug connection is then secured again by a clamping screw. In this version there is one more light transition point than with the one-piece design the connector according to claim 11. In each case, the end faces of the light guide e.g. to polish with aluminum sandpaper. The connection of the fiber optic cable to the plug-in device is preferably carried out by gluing the light guide in the receiving hole and by crimping the jacket of the light guide with the as Crimp sleeve formed end of the connector.

Claims 14, 18, 24 and 25 relate to a training in which the electrical connection terminal is combined with the optical fiber connection is. This has the advantage that only one clamping screw is required for both connections is. In addition, this solution is very space-saving.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated below the drawings described in more detail.

The figures show: FIG. 1 a longitudinal section through a device according to the invention formed earthing contact plug with a fiber optic connection, Figure 2 another longitudinal section through the plug, along the line a-b in Figure 1, FIG. 3 shows a protective contact of the plug, shown on an enlarged scale the detachably attached fiber optic plug-in connection, FIG. 4 shows another Protective contact with a socket part of the optical fiber plug-in connection that is permanently attached to it, FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a grounded safety socket with the inventive formed centrally arranged optical fiber plug-in connection, Figure 6 the Top view of the socket according to Figure 5, but without the cover, figure 7 the optical waveguide connector shown on an enlarged scale Socket according to Figures 5 and 6, Figure 8 shows a plug device shown in section, Consisting of safety plug and socket in the assembled state, figure 9 shows the top view of the socket according to FIG. 8, FIG. 10 shows a plug pin in FIG enlarged scale of the connector according to Figure 8, with an optical fiber connection device, FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through a protective contact plug with a resilient one Protective contact and an attached fiber optic plug connection, figure 12 a longitudinal section through another protective contact plug with the spring-mounted one Optical fiber plug-in connection, FIG. 13 a longitudinal section through a coupling socket with a fiber optic plug connection designed according to the invention, FIG 14 shows a section through the coupling socket according to FIG. 13, along the line c-d, FIG. 15 shows a section through the coupling socket according to FIG. 13, along the line e-f, Figure 16 shows the optical fiber plug connection of the coupling socket FIG. 13 with the protective contact on an enlarged scale, FIG. 17 a socket on an enlarged scale of the coupling socket according to FIG. 13.

The embodiments of the invention are plug devices according to DIN 49 440 and DIN 49 441, so-called protective contact plug devices.

Figures 1 and 2 show a protective contact plug 20, consisting from an insulating material base carrying the plug pins 21 and the protective contact 22 23 and a rear cover 24. On the rear of the insulating material base 23 a web-shaped part 25 is integrally formed, up to the area of the cable entry opening the hood 24 is pulled up and at its end as a strain relief 26 for the connecting line 27 trained.

The hood 24 and the insulating material base 23 can be detached with a screw 28 tied together. The protective contact 22 has a bow-like shape with an inwardly angled Central leg 29 and is inseparable in a window-like opening 30 of the web 25 attached, e.g. locked in place.

The optical fiber connector 31 is between the two Plug pins 21 arranged in a recess 32 of the insulating material base 23 and designed as a pin 33.

The light exit opening 34 protrudes only slightly from the end face 35 of the base 23 out.

In Figure 3 of the drawing it can be seen how the optical fiber connector 31 is formed and mounted on the protective contact 22. The pin part 33 is detachable mounted on the center leg 29 and engages in a receptacle 36.

The pin part 33, made of metal or plastic, has a fine longitudinal bore 37, into which the stripped end of the fiber optic cable is inserted and glued. The upper end is a sleeve 38 for receiving the jacket of the glass fiber line 39 and is glued or crimped to the glass fiber line 39. At all Exemplary embodiments are the light exit opening 34, for example with aluminum sandpaper polished so that a good optical transition is created. The pin part 33 is with a clamping screw 40 clamped in the middle leg 29. The clamping screw 41 is the connection for the protective conductor.

In Figure 4 of the drawing, the optical fiber connector is 42 permanently attached to the protective contact, the rear part of which is designed as a socket 43 which receives a pin part 44 which can be connected to the optical waveguide.

So that the pin part 44 can be fixed immovably on the socket part 43 can, a lateral clamping screw 45 is provided in the socket part.

Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing show one for the connector according to FIG 1 and 2 trained protective contact socket 46 for installation in a flush-mounted socket.

The socket 46 consists of an insulating material base 47 which is not has designated chambers for receiving the contact sockets 48. Between the contact sockets 48 is in a groove of the base of the U-shaped bent protective contact 49 attached. The insulating base 47 is on a plate-like metallic Support member 50 attached, which is attached to the installation of the socket in the up-box the wall supports.

The insulating base 47 and the support member 50 are towards the front covered by a square cover plate 51 made of insulating material, which with the help a screw 52 is releasably attached to the base 7. The cover plate has a central Cup-shaped recess 52 with arranged in the recessed end face 53 Openings 54 for the plug pins 21 of the plug 20. As shown in Figure 8 of the drawing is apparent, the plug 55 engages with its front part in the cup-shaped recess 52 a.

The optical fiber connector 56 is on the center leg 57 of the protective contact 49 and consists of one with the middle leg 57 inextricably connected socket part 58 and one insertable into the socket part Pin part 59. As with the plug 20, the pin part 59 has a fine bore 60 for inserting the stripped optical waveguide and a crimp sleeve 61 Recording for the sheath of the fiber optic cable. The pin part has a threaded part 62 and the socket part 58 has an internally threaded part 63, so that the two parts join together let screw. The socket part 58 also has a pin-like extension 64 with a longitudinal bore which is filled with a material 65 that conducts light is. It can be, for example, a glass fiber or an adhesive gel-like act air-curing material.

As can be seen from FIG. 5 of the drawing, the socket part 64 engages into an unspecified opening in the recessed end face 53 one, whereby the light exit opening 34 is approximately flush with the end face 53 concludes. Since the light outlet opening 34 of the plug 20 is also approximately flush with the front of the plug completes, the main dimensions of the electrical connector are complied with and a "normal" plug fits into a socket according to the invention and vice versa. In this design, the light exit openings can be plugged in without Touch each other. A certain loss is therefore inevitable. It is therefore makes sense to let the light exit openings 34 protrude slightly so that a certain lead arises through which the fiber optic connection is plugged in Condition is under tension.

A gapless arrangement is thus achieved. Through manufacturing tolerances due to the electrical connector, however, a lateral offset of the Light exit openings 34 occur. It is therefore suggested that the diameter to choose the light exit opening 34 larger than the diameter of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide in the connector is therefore preferred.

conical (Figures 4, 7, 10 and 16). A lateral offset the large diameter light exit openings 34 therefore results in less loss.

Figures 8 to 10 of the drawing show an embodiment of the Invention in which the fiber optic plug connection is inserted into the plug pin 66 and is attached to the socket 67 behind a socket 48.

The connection head 68 of the plug pin 66 has a longitudinal axis of the pin aligned receiving bushing 69 for the pin part 44 on which the conical extended optical waveguide 70 connects, in addition is the receiving socket 71 for the electrical connection conductor arranged, the one with the laterally mounted clamping screw 72 can be clamped. Around the pin part 44 in the socket part 69 as well To be able to clamp with the same clamping screw 72, the partition 73 is relative thin-walled so that it yields under the pressure of the clamping screw 72.

The connection end of the optical fiber connector 74 the Socket 67 is in the arch from the rear of the socket to the area below the contact socket 48 out so that the light exit opening 34 in the longitudinal direction the contact socket 48 and the plug pin 66 with its light exit opening 34 is flush with it in the inserted state according to FIG.

Figures 11 and 12 show exemplary embodiments of connectors 75, 76, in which the fiber optic connection 77,78 is resiliently mounted in the longitudinal direction in order to avoid an air gap at the light exit surface 34.

In the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11, the middle limb is 79 of the protective contact 80 is designed to be resilient and the optical waveguide plug connection 77 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing, is inextricably attached to the central limb.

In the normal position, the front end of the optical fiber connector protrudes 77 by about 1 to 2 mm out of the insulating base 81. Due to the elastic Formation of the protective contact can be the fiber optic plug connection 77 shift so that when the plug 75 is inserted into a socket, e.g. According to Figure 5 and 6 of the drawing, the light exit or light entry openings 34 below Pretension against each other. This creates a distance between the optical fibers avoided. The resilience of the center leg 79 is by one with several Bends 82 provided bend reached, at the rear end of the optical fiber connector 77 is attached by flanging or riveting.

The front pin-like part is guided in the insulating base 81, so that a lateral offset is kept low.

The pin portion 44 can be configured, for example, as shown in Figure 10 of the drawing be and releasable in a socket part 43, according to Figure 4 of the drawing, with the clamping screw 45 are attached.

FIG. 12 of the drawings shows a plug 76 in which the optical waveguide plug connection 78 lengthways direction of the plug is movably guided and through one supported on the one hand on a collar 83 and on the other hand on the protective contact 84 Helical spring 85 is loaded. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG 11 is the optical waveguide plug connection 78 in an unspecified Guide of the protective contact mounted movably.

The embodiment according to Figures 13 to 17 of the drawings is based on a coupling socket 111, which consists of a front part 86, a hood-like Cover part 87 and one carrying the contact sockets 88 and the connection terminals 89, 90 Base 91 consists. A web-like part 92 is pulled up on the back of the base 91 and designed as a strain relief device 93 at its end. In the front part 86, the cup-shaped recess 94 with the insertion openings 95 is incorporated. The bracket-like protective contact 96 is in an unspecified groove in the recessed face 112 arranged and with a das.gesamte front part 86 penetrating metal bolt 97 riveted, at its end as a connecting terminal 90 is formed. According to FIG. 16 of the drawing, the bolt 97 is hollow and filled with an optical waveguide 98.

The optical waveguide 9 widens conically and downwards opens at the upper end in a one-piece with the bolt 98 connection head 99, the from a connection socket 100 aligned with the optical waveguide 98 for a, for example according to Figure 10, formed pin part 44 and one arranged next to it further connection socket 101 for a copper conductor 102 exists. The connection socket 101 has a laterally arranged clamping screw 103, with which at the same time the copper conductor 102 and the pin portion 44 can be clamped. For this purpose is the partition 104 formed relatively thin between the two sockets 100, 101, so that the Terminal pressure of the clamping screw 103 can be transmitted to the pin part 44.

In the embodiment of Figure 13 are except the central and at the same time designed as a protective conductor connection fiber optic plug connection the contact socket-884m - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ behead 105 as well designed as a light wave connector, so that either or as required the optical waveguide 39 is connected to the corresponding or continuing line can be. The coupling socket according to Figure 13 can also be used as a branch and distribution of the optical waveguide 39 can be used in three different channels. Also suitable the arrangement for the connection of an outward and return line.

Of course, the coupling socket according to Figure 13 with only a fiber optic plug-in connection, either in a central arrangement through the Protective conductor or decentralized arrangement through one of the two contact sockets 88 be equipped.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment in which the optical waveguide plug connection runs through the connection head 105 of the contact socket 88.

As already mentioned, connection head 105 and contact socket 88 are in one piece educated. Here, the connection head 105 is made of a solid profile and the Contact socket 88 made from a sheet metal strip. Both parts are unsolvable connected with each other. As in Figure 16, in Figure 17 the connector head 105 has two Connection sockets 106 and 107, which are separated by a relatively thin partition 108 from each other are separated.

With the clamping screw 109, both the copper conductor 102 and also clamp the pin portion 110.

The invention is not limited to reconnectable plugs and sockets limited. It is readily applicable to such connectors where For example, the connector and the cable are inextricably linked. Here can they are so-called flexed plugs or couplings. Since with such Plug devices the electrical line is permanently connected, can consequently the optical waveguide connection can also be made non-detachable, e.g. according to claim 11, 15 or 16. The optical waveguide 39 can be a single mode, multimode, Gradient fiber optics or a fiber optic bundle.

Claims (28)

Claims: 1.) Multipole electrical connector with or without protective contact, consisting of a plug and socket, each with a die Plug pins or the sockets as well as the insulating material base carrying the protective contact and a detachable cover covering the insulating material base, which cover is for the socket a protruding protective collar or to accommodate the front part of the plug a cup-shaped recess with in the recessed end face of the connector receptacle has arranged openings for the plug pins of the plug, characterized in that that the connector (20,46,55,67,75,76,111) with an optical fiber connector (31,56,66,74,77,78,97, 105) combined into one structural unit and the optical fiber connector completely within the cover or the base of the electrical connector sunk or retractable is arranged and with its light exit surface (34) in the cross-sectional area of Plug receptacle, e.g. the cup-shaped recess (52,94). 2.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the optical fiber connector (31.56,77,78,97) is central is arranged between the contacts (21,48,88) of the electrical connector. 3.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that at least one pole (66,89,90) of the electrical connector is designed as a fiber optic connector. 4.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optical fiber plug-in device (31,56,97) with its light exit surface (34) essentially flush with the recessed End face (53) or the connector end face (35) closes. 5.). Multipole electrical plug-in device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light exit surfaces (34) of the optical waveguide plug-in device (31,56,66,74,77,78,97,105) through the contacts (21,66,48,88) of the electrical connector are aligned in the longitudinal direction. 6.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the protective contact (22,49,80,96) of the electrical Plug-in device is designed as an approximately U-shaped bracket, on the middle leg (29,79) the optical fiber connector (31, 56,77,78,97) is held. 7.) Multipole electrical plug device according to one of the claims up to 6, characterized in that the optical fiber plug-in device (77, 78) with its light exit opening (34) from the plug front (35) or the deepened lying end face (53) protrudes and is resiliently mounted in the plugging direction. 8.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the middle limb (79) of the protective contact is designed to be resilient in the plugging direction. 9.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the optical fiber plug-in device (31) is releasably attached to the protective contact (22). 10.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the optical waveguides Plug-in device (78 on the insulating material body (23) and / or the protective contact (84) and by one on the one hand on a collar (83) of the optical fiber plug-in device (78) and on the other hand on the protective contact (84) or the insulating base Coil spring (^ 85) is loaded. 11.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the optical fiber connector (31) is in one piece and designed as a pin (33) which has a sleeve (38) at one end for receiving and holding the optical waveguide (39) and one at the other end Has bore (37) for receiving the optical fiber core. 12,) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the optical fiber plug-in device (42) is designed in two parts and consists of a non-detachable protective contact (24,49,96) connected socket part (38,58,100) and a detachably connectable to the socket part Pin part (44,59, 110) consists. 13.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the socket part (38, 43, 58, 69, 100) is an extension with a channel-like opening, which is covered with a light-conducting material (65.98) is filled out. 14.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the optical fiber connector as Bolt (97) is formed and consists of metal, on which at the front end of the designed as a U-shaped bracket protective contact (96) is attached and its rear Has the end of the protective conductor terminal (90). 15.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one connector pin (66) is used as an optical waveguide connector is trained. 16.) Multipole electrical Steckvor.richtung according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one contact socket (48,88) as Optical fiber connector is formed. 17.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 15, characterized characterized in that the connector pin (66) is one with a light-conducting material (70) has filled longitudinal bore. 18.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 14 to 17, characterized in that the connection head (68, 99, 105) has two connection sockets (69.71), (100.101), (106.107). 19.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 18, characterized characterized in that the connection head (68,99,105) has an electrical and an optical fiber connector socket (71,101,106), (69,100,107). 20.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 13 or 17, characterized in that the opening (34) or the longitudinal bore has a larger diameter than the optical fiber. 21.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the pin part (33,44,110) with a clamping screw (40,45,72,103,109) can be determined. 22.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized characterized in that the clamping screw (40) is mounted in the protective contact bracket (22). 23.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized characterized in that the clamping screw (45,72,103, 109) is mounted in the socket part. 24.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the electrical connector (, 1 '; 10: 6) and Ge'jichtwellenleiter-connection socket (69,100,107) through a relative thin wall (73,104,108) are separated from each other. 25.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 21 or 24, characterized in that the pin part (44,110) with the clamping screw (72,103,109) the electrical terminal can be determined. 26.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the optical fiber exit surface of the optical fiber connector (74) is arranged behind the electrical contact socket (48). 27.) Multipole electrical connector according to claim 26, characterized characterized in that the optical fiber connector (74) in the radius on the Rear of the insulating base (47) is performed. 28.) Multipole electrical connector according to one of the claims 1 to 27, characterized in that one optical fiber connector (31,56,66,74,77,78,97, 105) is provided for the outward and return lines.