EP3211725B1

EP3211725B1 - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3211725B1
Application number: EP16157114.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yannick Nurdin; Frédéric Schull
Original assignee: Staeubli Electrical Connectors AG
Current assignee: Staeubli Electrical Connectors AG
Priority date: 2016-02-24
Filing date: 2016-02-24
Publication date: 2022-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-24
Also published as: EP3211725A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

PRIOR ART

There are a plethora of connectors known from prior art. Such connectors usually comprise a pin-side to be connected to a plug-side and may serve for various purposes such as providing an electrical contact or establishing a fluid-tight connection in a pneumatic or hydraulic pipe system.
There are for example electrical connectors which are used to link railway carriages together such that there is an electrical contact provided in order to supply electrical appliances such as light etc. with electrical energy.
Furthermore it is known from prior art that connectors may be arranged parallel to each other so that several connections are established with one single insertion operation. Such a connector assembly is for example known from US 2006/0110978 .
However, connector systems known from prior art usually have the disadvantage that the shielding structure is very complicated and not very efficient in terms of electromagnetic shielding or in terms of a shielding against mechanical impacts. Namely the connection from electromagnetic shielding of the cable to be connected with the connectors as well as the connection between the shielding elements of the pin-side connector with the one of the plug-side connector are not solved in satisfactory manner.
WO 2011/154302 shows a modular connector with shielding elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to provide a connector assembly which can be arranged in a modular manner, whereby the shielding shall be improved.
Such an object is achieved by a connector assembly according to claim 1. Such a connector assembly comprises a pin-side with at least two pin-side housings in each of which at least one pin-side connector is arranged, wherein said pin-side housing having a front section extending along a front axis and a rear section extending along a rear axis, a plug-side with at least two plug-side housings in each of which at least one plug-side connector is arranged, wherein said pin-side housing having a front section extending along a front axis and a rear section extending along a rear axis, and wherein the front section of the pin-side is adapted to be connected with the front section of the plug-side in direction of said front axis, and a shielding arrangement comprising at least one outer shielding element to provide an electromagnetic shielding. The assembly thereby comprises a pin-side, a plug-side and a shielding arrangement. Said housings comprise an outer surface on which latching elements are arranged. Said outer shielding element comprises latching elements which are adapted to be received by said latching elements of said housings in order to establish a mechanical connection between the shielding element and the respective housing. Between two neighbouring pin-side housings and/or two neighbouring plug-side housings an intermediate shielding element is arranged. The intermediate shielding is arranged in an interspace between the two respective housings. Said intermediate shielding element comprises latching elements which are adapted to be received by latching elements of said neighbouring housings in order to establish a mechanical connection between two neighbouring housings via said intermediate shielding element.
The intermediate shielding element has not only the electromagnetic shielding function between the two neighbouring housings but they provide also a mechanical connection or linkage between respective housing. Hence they act also as connection element to mechanically connect two neighbouring housings.
Furthermore the said latching elements of the housings are additionally adapted to be received by latching elements of a neighbouring housing in order to establish a mechanical connection between two neighbouring housings. This in case an intermediate shielding element will be omitted between one of the housings.
This structure allows building a contact assembly in a modular manner, wherein the shielding can be adapted to the structure of the housing and/or to the structure of the pin-side arrangement or the plug-side arrangement.
Preferably said outer shielding element is connected to the outer surface of the housing, which outer surface is opposite to the intermediate shielding element of the outermost housing.
Preferably said shielding arrangement comprises further at least one transversal shielding element that is arranged such that it extends over at least two of said plug-side housings or said pin-side housings or such that it extends over all of said pin-side housing or all of said plug-side housing.
In a preferred embodiment the shielding arrangement comprises between each pair of housing an intermediate shielding element, two outer shielding elements and two transversal shielding elements. The outer shielding element and the transversal shielding element encompass the connector assembly apart from the parts of the front section and the rear section on its outer side. Preferably the shielding elements of the shielding arrangement are in an electrical contact with each other.
Preferably said intermediate shielding element has a top surface and a bottom surface extending substantially perpendicular to said lateral surfaces. Said top surface and/or said bottom surface comprise at least one contact surface for receiving at least one contact element, in particular a spring element, of said transversal shielding element in order to establish an electrical contact between said intermediate shielding element and said transversal shielding element.
Preferably said outer shielding element has a top surface and a bottom surface extending substantially perpendicular to lateral surfaces of the outer shielding element, wherein said top surface and/or said bottom surface comprise at least one contact surface for receiving at least one contact element, in particular a spring element, of said transversal shielding element in order to establish an electrical contact between said outer shielding element and said transversal shielding element.
Preferably said intermediate shielding element and said transversal shielding element are mechanically connected with a latching mechanism. Alternatively or additionally said outer shielding element and said transversal shielding element are mechanically connected with a latching mechanism.
With the latching mechanism a mechanical connection can be provided to connect the transversal shielding element to the intermediate shielding element or to the outer shielding element.
In a preferred embodiment the spring element to provide the electrical contact between the intermediate shielding element and/or the outer shielding element is part of the latching mechanism. However it is also possible to provide the spring element separately from the latching mechanism.
Preferably said outer shielding element and/or said intermediate shielding element has substantially the same dimension as the housing as viewed in a direction perpendicular to said front axis and/or rear axis.
Preferably one of said shielding arrangement is in connection with the pin-side housing and one of said shielding arrangements is in connection with the plug-side housing. At least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements that is arranged on the pin-side comprises a contact section and at least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements that is arranged on the plug-side comprises a contact section. Said contact sections are arranged such that an electrical and/or mechanical contact between the shielding element that is arranged on the pin-side and the shielding element that is arranged on the plug-side can be established.
Preferred embodiments are characterized in that said contact section is arranged on said intermediate shielding element and/or in that said contact section is arranged on the outer shielding element and/or in that said contact section is arranged on the transversal shielding element.
In a very preferred embodiment each of the intermediate shielding elements and each of the outer shielding elements comprise such a contact section, whereas the transversal shielding element does not comprise such a contact section.
Preferably said contact section is a substantially flat contact surface. Alternatively said contact section is provided by means of a plug-side and a pin-side. In a preferred embodiment the intermediate shielding element is provided with the contact surface and the outer shielding element is provided with the plug-side and a pin-side.
Preferably said latching elements, in particular of the housing and/or the intermediate shielding element and/or the outer shielding element, are oriented in direction of said front axis and/or said rear axis such that the housings are connectable with a movement in direction of said front axis and/or said rear axis with each other or with said shielding element. It is an advantage that the latching elements can be used to connect the housings with each other as well as said housing with the shielding element.
Preferably said housing as well some of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangement comprise a locking structure in order to secure neighbouring housing against a relative movement to each other and/or in order to secure the respective of said shielding elements against a relative movement to the respective housing. The locking structure comprises preferably a recess in the housing and/or recess in the shielding element which recesses provide a complete recess, if the respective elements are in connection with each other, and a pin which can be introduced in said complete recess.
In a preferred embodiment the outer shielding element and the intermediate shielding element have such a locking structure, whereas the transversal shielding element does not comprise such a locking structure.
Preferably said latching elements are arranged in the front section and in the rear section so that each of the housings comprises two latching elements which are separated from each other. With two separate latching elements a very firm connection can be provided.
The housings have substantially the shape of a hollow cylinder with a preferably circular cross section, wherein said hollow cylinder defines an interior space in which said connectors are arranged. The latching elements are preferably arranged on embossments which circumvent said hollow cylinder in manner that a prismatic cross-section result, wherein the surface of said prismatic cross-section provide said outer surface.
Preferably at least two groups of latching elements are arranged, whereby said two groups are arranged separately from each other at a distance and wherein between said groups said locking structure is arranged.
Preferably the front axis is arranged collinear with the rear axis.
Alternatively the front axis is arranged angular with the rear axis, wherein the angle between the front axis and the rear axis is preferably between 90° or 150°, in particular 90°: Thereby an angular connector may be provided.
Preferably the pin-side connector as well as the plug-side connector comprises a connector element extending along the front axis and a bridging element extending along the rear axis, wherein either the connector element or the bridging element comprise an opening in which the bridging element or the connector element, respectively extends such that an electrical contact is established between the connector element and the bridging element. With this structure a very compact angular connector can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

Fig. 1: shows a perspective view of pin-side of a connector assembly;
Fig. 2: shows a perspective view of plug-side of a connector assembly;
Fig. 3: shows a perspective of the pin-side of figure 1 and the plug-side of figure 2 shortly before a contact between the pin-side and the plug-side is established;
Fig. 4: shows a view of the plug-side of a connector assembly with shielding elements;
Fig. 5: shows a perspective explosion view of figure 4;
Fig. 6: shows a sectional view along section line VI-VI of figure 4;
Fig. 7: shows a sectional view along section line VII-VII of figure 4;
Fig. 8: shows a sectional view along section line VIII-VIII of figure 4;
Fig. 9: shows a perspective explosion view of an angular pin-side;
Fig. 10: shows a cross section through a connection of several angular pin-sides; and
Fig. 11: shows an embodiment of a connector assembly in which one of parts are connected to a wall of a housing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 8 show a first embodiment of connector assembly. Such a connector assembly is provided to establish a contact between two energy carriers, such as electrical cables and/or hydraulic pipes and/or pneumatic pipes. Thereby the connector assembly serves as multi-polar connector with which several electrical cables to transmit electrical energy and/or control signals. Optionally the connector assembly may also include other energy carriers as mentioned above.
The connector assembly comprises a pin-side 1 with at least one pin-side housing 2 in which at least one pin-side connector 3 is arranged and a plug-side 4 with at least one plug-side housing 5 in which at least one plug-side connector 6 is arranged. Preferably several housings 2, 5 are arranged parallel to each other so that the pin-side 1 as well as the plug-side 2 comprises a multi-polar structure. The pin-side 1 and the plug-side 2 can be connected with each other in order to establish a contact between the pin-side connector 3 of the pin-side 1 and plug-side connector 6 of the plug-side 2.
The pin-side connector 3 and the plug-side connector 6 can be an electrically conductive element whereby a contact element 60, such as a contact lamella is arranged in order to establish an electrical contact between the pin-side connector 3 and the plug-side connector 6. In case a contact between other energy carriers shall be established, the connectors may also have the shape of a pipe connection in order to establish a connection between the pipes. Depending on the application the connectors can be unipolar or can have several number of poles.
The connector assembly further comprises a shielding arrangement 7. The shielding arrangement 7 comprises as it can be seen from figure 4 at least one, here two, outer shielding elements 100 and between each of the housings 3, 5 an intermediate shielding element 101. Via the intermediate shielding element 101 two neighbouring housings 2, 5 can be mechanically connected with each other. Furthermore the shielding arrangement 7 as shown in this embodiment comprises also two transversal shielding elements 103. The shielding arrangement 7 will be explained in more detail below.
With regard to figure 1 the structure of the pin-side 1 will be explained in greater detail. The pin-side housing 2 comprises a front section 20 extending along a front axis M1 and a rear section 21 extending along a rear axis M2. The pin-side housing 2 has the shape of a hollow cylinder extending along the front axis M1 and the rear axis M2. The hollow cylinder has preferably a circular cross-section and defines an interior space 24 and an outer surface 22. The pin-side connector 3 is arranged within the interior space 24. On the outer surface 22 two embossments 25 are arranged at a distance between each other. The embossments 25 have a prismatic cross-section, preferably a quadratic cross-section. The embossments 25 provide attachment surfaces 26 to accommodate said latching elements 23. Alternatively, the latching elements 23 may also be arranged directly on the outer surface 22.
The latching elements 23 have preferably the shape of a dovetail joint. However, other shapes are also possible. With this regard it has to be mentioned that it is preferable that two neighbouring pin-side housings are contactable via movement in direction of one of the axis M1 or M2.
In case the pin-side connector 3 is an electrical connector, a cable is electrically connected to the pin-side connector 3 in the interior space 24.
The front section 20 of the pin-side housing 2 is adapted to engage with the front section 50 of the plug-side housing 5.
The rear section 21 comprises optionally a clamping element 27 with which a cable may be clamped in order to secure the cable against force in the axis of the cable.
Reference is now made to figure 2 in which the plug-side 4 is shown. Apart from the plug-side connector 6 the plug-side housing 5 is substantially identical to the pin-side housing 2. Therefore the plug-side housing 5 has also a front section 50 extending along a front axis M3 and a rear section 51 extending along a rear axis M4, and wherein the front section 50 is adapted to be connected to the front section 20 of the pin-side housing 2. Furthermore the plug-side housing 5 has also the shape of a hollow cylinder defining an interior space 54 and an outer surface 52. Furthermore the plug-side housing 5 comprises also two embossments 55 which are arranged at a distance to each other. The embossments here provide also a surface on which the latching elements 53 are arranged.
In the interior space 54 the plug-side housing 5 serves to accommodate the plug-side connector 6. In case an electrical contact shall be provided between the plug-side and the pin-side, the plug-side connector 6 is adapted to establish an electrical contact with the pin-side connector 3.
The plug-side connector 6 as well as the pin-side connector 3 can be provided as unipolar connectors or as connectors having several poles.
Between the two embossments 25, 55 the housings 2, 5 comprise further a locking structure 8 with which two neighbouring housings can be locked against an axial displacement. The locking structure 8 comprises recesses 80 in the respective housing 2, 5. When the neighbouring housing are arranged at the correct position two recesses 80 provide a complete recess 82 in which a pin 83 can be introduced. Said pin 83 then prevents that two neighbouring housings 2, 5 can be axially displaced against each other. Preferably each of the elements comprises two recesses 80 so that two pins 83 have to be used to secure the housings 2, 5.
In Figure 3 the pin-side 1 and the plug-side 4 are shown in position in which they can be connected to each other. Thereby a force along the respective axes M1 and M3 has to be applied so that the pin-side 1 and the plug-side 4 are moved towards each other.
Figure 4 and 5 show perspective views of a connector assembly having three poles. The connector assembly further comprises said shielding arrangement 7 which in this case comprises between each of the housings 2, 5 an intermediate shielding element 101, two outer shielding elements 100 and two transversal shielding elements 103. All of the housings are arranged parallel but not above each other. It may also be possible to arrange two rows of housings one above the other.
In the present embodiment the intermediate shielding element 101 provides an electromagnetically shield between two neighboring housings and further provides a mechanical connection between the two housings. For that reason said intermediate shielding element 101 comprises latching elements 73 which are adapted to be received by latching elements 23, 53 of said neighbouring housings 2, 5 in order to establish a mechanical connection between two neighbouring housings 2, 5 via said intermediate shielding element 101.
Figure 5 shows an explosion view of three parallel to each other arranged plug-side housings 5 which can also be designated as contact assembly. The plug-side housing 5 to the left is shown displaced in order to enhance clarity, but it is clear that said plug housing 5 is also in connection with the other two housings in case a three-polar structure has to be provided.
The contact assembly is as mentioned above encompassed by the shielding arrangement 7 which comprises here substantially two intermediate shielding elements 101, two outer shielding elements 100 and two transversal shielding elements 103. The two outer shielding elements 100 are arranged to the left and the right of the contact assembly, whereas the two transversal shielding elements 103 are arranged on the top and on the bottom of the contact assembly. Between each of the housings 2, 5 there is arranged one intermediate shielding element 101. All of the shielding elements 100, 101, 103 are in an electrical contact with each other. Preferably the shielding elements 100, 101, 103 are provided such that they cover substantially the respective surface of the respective housing 2,5.
The outer shielding elements 100 and the intermediate shielding elements 101 comprise latching elements 73 with which the respective shielding element 100, 101 can be connected to the respective housing 2, 5.
The latching elements 73 of the intermediate shielding elements 101 are arranged on lateral surfaces 102 of said intermediate shielding element 100 which lateral surfaces 102 face said housings 2, 5. This means that the intermediate shielding element 100 has on two sides latching elements 73.
In the present embodiment the outer shielding elements 100 comprises also latching elements which are also arranged on a lateral surface 111. The shielding elements 100 which are arranged to the left and to the right are provided with latching elements 73 to be connected to the housing 2, 5.
The outer shielding elements 100 comprise also a front section 70 and a rear section 71. The front section 70 and the rear section 71 extend in the same direction as the respective sections 20, 21; 50, 51 of the pin-side housing 2 or the plug-side housing 5. In order to provide an electrical contact between the outer shielding elements 100 of the pin-side 1 and the outer shielding elements 100 of the plug-side 4, some of the outer shielding elements 100 comprise a contact section 113. In the shown embodiment the contact section 114 is provided by means of a plug-side 78 and a pin-side 79 in order to establish a preferably electrically connection between the plug-side 78 of the outer shielding element 100 and the pin-side 79 of the outer shielding element 100. This connection is established, when the pin-side 1 comes into contact with the plug side 4. Preferably there is a contact element, such as a contact lamella, arranged in the plug-side 78 which improves the electrical contact.
It is however also possible, that the plug-side 78 and a pin-side 79 serve as mechanical guiding elements. In this case the electrical contact between the shielding arrangement of the pin-side and the shielding arrangement of the plug-side can be provided by means an additional contact element 118 which can have the shape of a screw that is arranged in an opening 119 in the shielding arrangement of the pin-side and in a corresponding opening 119 in the plug-side. One of the openings may be threaded.
In the embodiment shown, the intermediate shielding element 101 has also a contact section 113 in order to provide an electrical contact between the intermediate shielding elements 101 of the pin-side 1 and the intermediate shielding elements 101 of the plug-side 4. The contact section 113 in the embodiment shown has, as it can be seen in figure 8, the shape of a substantially flat contact surface 114. The contact section 113 can also be designed such that there is no physical contact between the intermediate shielding element 101 of the plug-side with the one of the pin-side. An electrical contact here is not always necessary. It is however, of advantage in case the flat contact surfaces 114 of the intermediate shielding element 101 of the plug-side overlaps with the one of the pin-side. The outer shielding element 100 and the transversal shielding elements 103 of the shielding arrangment 7 are in an electrical contact with each other and preferably also with the shielding of the cable. The intermediate shielding element 101 is also in contact with the transversal shielding elements 103.
The intermediate shielding element 101 has a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 105 extending substantially perpendicular to said lateral surfaces 102. Said top surface 104 and/or said bottom surface 105 comprise at least one contact surface 107 for receiving at least one spring element 108 of said transversal shielding element 103 in order to establish an electrical contact between said intermediate shielding element 101 and said transversal shielding element 103. Also the outer shielding element 100 has such contact surfaces.
The cross sectionals figures 6 und 7 show that in the present embodiment per intermediate shielding element 101 two of such contact surfaces 107 and spring elements 108 are arranged. The location of contact is shown by means of arrow C. The number of contact locations can also be lower or higher.
From figure 5 it becomes clear that with regard to the electrical connection between the transversal shielding element 103 and the outer shielding element 100 only one contact location is provided. The number of contact locations can also be higher.
The intermediate shielding element 101 and said transversal shielding element 103 are mechanically connected with a latching mechanism 112. Here two latching mechanism are arranged per intermediate shielding element 101. The latching mechanism 112 comprises in this embodiment an opening 115 and a lug 116. The opening 115 is part of the transversal shielding element 103 and the lug 116 extends from the top or bottom surface of said intermediate shielding element 101. The lug 116 is T-shaped and the opening 115 comprises a recess 117 in which the lug 116 will be introduced.
It may also be possible to connect the transversal shielding element 103 in the same manner to the outer shielding element 100. However, in the present embodiment such a connection has been omitted.
In this embodiment the spring element 108 for establishing the electrical contact between the intermediate and the transversal shielding element is part of said latching mechanism 112.
The shielding arrangement 7 does not only provide an electrical shielding but also a protection against mechanical impacts on the respective housing. This is particularly advantageous, if the contact assembly is used in the field of railway technique in order to prevent that the housings will be damaged due to stone chipping etc..
The shielding arrangement 7 and/or the housing comprises furthermore also coding elements 9 providing protection against reverse polarity. The coding elements 9 here are coding openings 74 in which a pin may be arranged.
As mentioned above it is possible to mechanically secure the pin-side 1 to the plug-side 4 by means of a screw 118.
Furthermore the outer shielding element 100 may comprise clamp openings 75 via which two neighbouring shielding elements can be clamped with each other.
In figure 3 it is also shown that the plug-side connector 6 is provided as hollow cylinder 61 having a front side 62 in which the pin-side connector 3 is contacted and a rear side 63 in which a cable is connected to the plug-side connector 6. Furthermore the contact element 60 is shown which is arranged in the front side 62.
The contact assembly as shown in figures 4 and 5 can be considered as one single unit, if it is in its mounted state. This means that with the contact assembly according to figure 4 and 5 three polar connections can be established.
Figure 9 to 11 show a further embodiment of a pin-side or a plug-side, respectively. Same elements are designated with same reference numerals. One can say that the only difference between the previous embodiments and the one of figures 9 to 11 is the angular arrangement. In this embodiment the front axes M1, M3 and the rear axes M2, M4 are arranged angular to each other, so that an angular plug results. The angle between the axes is here 90°, but other angles such as 135° are also possible.
In the embodiment according to figures 9 to 11 the intermediate shielding element 101 has been omitted, but it is clear that an intermediate shielding element 101 can be arranged in a similar manner as described with regard to figures 1 to 8.
In the following the structure of the pin-side connector 3 to be arranged in an angular housing is described. The structure of the plug-side connector 6 which is not shown here is identical apart from the front section which is to be contacted with the pin-side connector 3. The pin-connector 3 comprises a connector element 30 and a bridging element 31. The connector element 30 will be connected to the respective connector element of the plug-side, whereas the bridging element 31 will be in connection with a cable. The connector element 30 and the bridging element 31 are connected electrically to each other in the interior space 24 of the housing 2, namely in that region, where the front axis M1 crosses the rear axis M2. The connection between the connector element 30 and the bridging element 31 is provided by means of an opening 32 which is arranged in one of the elements 30, 31, here in the bridging element 31, wherein the other element 30, 31, here the contact element 30 extends into said opening 32. With this configuration the element with opening 32 is secured in the housing against a movement in direction of the respective axis M2. The other element is preferably secured by a circlip 34 which acts onto a shoulder 33 on the connector element.
Within the opening 32 there is arranged a contact element such as a contact lamella in order to provide a good electrical contact between the connector element 30 and the bridging element 31.
The structure of the connector element 30 and the bridging element 31 has the advantage that the edge connector can be provided which has marginal dimensions in direction of the front axis M1, hence a very compact edge connector can be provided.
The shielding elements 7 are also adapted to the angular shape of the housing 2. This means that the shielding element 76 has also an angular structure and that the shielding element 77 is oriented also accordingly. With this regard it has to be mentioned that the main function of the shielding element 7 is to encompass the whole housings 2, 5 in order provide an effective shielding.
In figure 10 there is a cross-section of the angular embodiment shown. From this embodiment one can see that also with the angular configuration a multipolar structure may be provided in a modular manner.
Furthermore it can be seen that within the opening a groove 35 is arranged in which said contact element establishing an electrical contact between the bridging element 31 and the connector element 30 can be placed.
Figure 11 shows a possible application of the pin-side or the plug-side respectively, as described herein. In this embodiment a plug-side 4 is shown. The plug-side housing 5 is subdivided between the front section 50 and the rear section 51. The two sections 50, 51 are in contact with a wall W and extend in both directions from said wall W. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as it allows a very flexible application of the plug-side and the pin-side as described herein.

With regard to all of the embodiments it has to be mentioned here that the

housings

2, 5 are made out of plastic material, preferably chosen from the group of polyethylene. The shielding elements are preferably made out of metal.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1	pin-side	60	contact element
2	pin-side housing	61	hollow cylinder
3	pin-side connector	62	front side
4	plug-side	63	rear side
5	plug-side housing	70	front section
6	plug-side connector	71	rear section
7	shielding arrangement	73	latching elements
8	locking structure	74	coding opening
9	coding elements	75	clamp openings
20	front section	78	plug-side
21	rear section	79	pin-side
22	outer surface	80	recess
23	latching elements	81	recess
24	interior space	82	complete recess
25	embossment	83	pin
26	attachment surfaces	100	outer shielding elements
27	clamping element	101	intermediate shielding
28	outer surface		element
30	connector element	102	lateral surface
31	bridging element	103	transversal shielding element
32	opening	104	top surface
33	shoulder	105	bottom surface
34	circlip	107	contact surface
35	groove	108	spring element
50	front section	109	top surface
51	rear section	110	bottom surface
52	outer surface	111	lateral surface
53	latching elements	112	latching mechanism
54	interior space	113	contact section
55	embossment	114	flat contact surface
57	clamping element	115	opening
116	lug	M2	rear axis pin-side
117	recess	M3	front axis plug-side
118	additional contact element, screw	M4	rear axis plug-side
	additional contact element, screw
119	opening
M1	front axis pin-side

Claims

Connector assembly comprising
a pin-side (1) with at least two pin-side housings (2) in each of which at least one pin-side connector (3) is arranged, wherein said pin-side housing (2) having a front section (20) extending along a front axis (M1) and a rear section (21) extending along a rear axis (M2);

a plug-side (4) with at least two plug-side housings (5) in which at least one plug-side connector (6) is arranged, wherein said plug-side housing having a front section (50) extending along a front axis (M3) and a rear section (51) extending along a rear axis (M4), and wherein the front section (20) of the pin-side (1) is adapted to be connected with the front section (50) of the plug-side (4) in direction of said front axis (M1, M3), and

a shielding arrangement (7) comprising at least an outer shielding element (100) to provide an electromagnetic shielding,

wherein said housings comprise an outer surface (22, 52) on which latching elements (23, 53) are arranged, and

wherein said at least one outer shielding element (100) comprise latching elements (73) which are adapted to be received by said latching elements (23, 53) of said housings in order to establish a mechanical connection between the at least one outer shielding element (100) and the respective housing,

characterized in that

between two neighbouring pin-side housings (2) and/or two neighbouring plug-side housings (5) an intermediate shielding element (101) is arranged,

wherein said intermediate shielding element (101) comprises latching elements (73) which are adapted to be received by latching elements (23, 53) of said neighbouring housings in order to establish a mechanical connection between two neighbouring housings via said intermediate shielding element (101).
1
Connector assembly according to claim characterized in that said latching elements (73) of the intermediate shielding elements (101) are arranged on lateral surfaces (102) of said intermediate shielding element (101) which lateral surfaces (102) face said housings.
Connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one outer shielding element (100) is connected to an outer surface (28) opposite to the intermediate shielding element (101) of the outermost housing.
Connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shielding arrangement (7) comprises further at least one transversal shielding element (103) that is arranged such that it extends over at least two of said plug-side housings (2) or said pin-side housings (5) or such that it extends over all of said pin-side housing (2) or all of said plug-side housing (5).
Connector assembly according to claim 2 and claim 4, characterized in that said intermediate shielding element (101) has a top surface (104) and a bottom surface (105) extending substantially perpendicular to said lateral surfaces (102), wherein said top surface (104) and/or said bottom surface (105) comprise at least one contact surface (107) for receiving at least one contact element, made from a spring element (108), of said transversal shielding element (103) in order to establish an electrical contact between said intermediate shielding element (101) and said transversal shielding element (103).
Connector assembly according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said at least one outer shielding element (100) has a top surface (109) and a bottom surface (110) extending substantially perpendicular to lateral surfaces of the outer shielding element, wherein said top surface (109) and/or said bottom surface (110) comprise at least one contact surface (107) for receiving at least one contact element, made from a spring element (108), of said transversal shielding element (103) in order to establish an electrical contact between said at least one outer shielding element (100) and said transversal shielding element (103).
Connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said intermediate shielding element (101) and said transversal shielding element (103) are mechanically connected with a latching mechanism (112); and/or in that said at least one outer shielding element (100) and said transversal shielding element (103) are mechanically connected with a latching mechanism (112).
Connector assembly according to claims 5 and 7 or 6 and 7, wherein said spring element (108) is part of said latching mechanism (112).
Connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one outer shielding element (100) or said intermediate shielding element (101) has substantially the same dimension as one of said housings as viewed in a direction perpendicular to said front axis or rear axis.
Connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shielding arrangement (7) is in connection with the pin-side housing (2) and in that a further shielding arrangement (7) is in connection with the plug-side housing (5), wherein at least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements (7) that is arranged on the pin-side (1) comprises a contact section (113) and at least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements (7) that is arranged on the plug-side comprises a contact section (113) and wherein said contact sections (113) are arranged such that an electrical and/or mechanical contact between the shielding element of the shielding arrangement (7) that is arranged on the pin-side (1) and the shielding element of the shielding arrangement (7) that is arranged on the plug-side (4) can be established, wherein said contact section (113) is preferably arranged on said intermediate shielding element (101) and/or wherein said contact section (113) is preferably arranged on the at least one outer shielding element (100).
Connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the shielding arrangement (7) is in connection with the pin-side housing (2) and in that a further shielding arrangement (7) is in connection with the plug-side housing (5), wherein at least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements (7) that is arranged on the pin-side (1) comprises a contact section (113) and at least one of said shielding elements of said shielding arrangements (7) that is arranged on the plug-side comprises a contact section (113) and wherein said contact sections (113) are arranged such that an electrical and/or mechanical contact between the shielding element of the shielding arrangement (7) that is arranged on the pin-side (1) and the shielding element of the shielding arrangement (7) that is arranged on the plug-side (4) can be established, wherein said contact section is preferably arranged on the transversal shielding element (103).
Connector assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said contact section (113) is a substantially flat contact surface (114); or in that said contact section (113) is provided by means of a plug-side (78) and a pin-side (79).
Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said latching elements (23, 53, 73), in particular of the plug-side housing or the pin-side housing or the intermediate shielding element or the at least one outer shielding element, are oriented in direction of said front axis (M1, M2) or said rear axis (M3, M4) such that the housings (2, 5) are connectable with a movement in direction of said front axis (M1, M2) or said rear axis (M3, M4) with each other or with said at least one outer shielding element and/or said intermediate shielding element.
Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (2, 5) as well as some of said at least one outer shielding element and/or said intermediate shielding elements of said shielding arrangement (7) comprise a locking structure (8) in order to secure neighbouring housings (2, 5) against a relative movement to each other or in order to secure said at least one outer shielding element and/or said intermediate shielding elements of said shielding arrangement (7) against a relative movement to the respective housing (2, 5).
Connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the locking structure (8) comprises a recess (80) in the housing (2, 5) and/or a recess (81) in the shielding element which recesses (80, 81) provide a complete recess (82), if the housing (2, 5) is in connection with the at least one outer shielding element or the intermediate shielding element, and a pin (83) which can be introduced in said complete recess (82).
Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin-side and plug-side housings (2, 5) comprises coding elements (9) providing protection against reverse polarity, wherein said coding elements (9) comprise preferably openings (90) which are arranged in said pin-side and plug-side housings (2, 5) and coding pins (91) which are introduceable into said openings (90), wherein the openings are oriented parallel to said front axis (M1, M3).
Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said latching elements (23, 53) are arranged in the front section (20, 50) and in the rear section (21, 51) so that each of the housings (2, 5) comprises two latching elements which are separated from each other.
Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the housings (2, 5) have a substantially the shape of a hollow cylinder with a preferably circular cross section, wherein said hollow cylinder defines an interior space (24, 54) in which said connectors (3, 6) are arranged, and in that the latching elements (23, 53) are arranged on embossments (25, 55) which circumvent said hollow cylinder in manner that a prismatic cross-section results, wherein the surface of said prismatic cross-section provide said outer surface (22, 52).
Connector assembly according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that at least two groups of latching elements (23, 53) are arranged, whereby said two groups are arranged separately from each other at a distance and wherein between said groups said locking structure (8) is arranged.