EP3782238B1 - System of shielded plug connector modules for modular industrial plug connectors - Google Patents

Description

The invention is based on a system consisting of a first connector module and a second connector module, each for use in a modular industrial connector, according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such connector modules are required as part of a modular connector system in order to be able to flexibly adapt a connector, in particular a heavy industrial connector, to certain requirements with regard to signal and energy transmission, e.g. between two electrical devices. For this purpose, connector modules are usually used in corresponding holding frames, which are sometimes also referred to as articulated frames, module frames or modular frames. The holding frames are therefore used to accommodate a plurality of mutually similar and/or different connector modules and to fasten them securely to a surface and/or a device wall and/or in a connector housing or the like.

As a rule, the connector modules each have an essentially cuboid insulating body or a cuboid housing. These insulating bodies or housings can serve, for example, as contact carriers and can accommodate and fix contacts of all kinds. The function of a connector formed thereby is very flexible. It can e.g. B. pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for the transmission of electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals in the respective insulator or housing and are used in the modular connector system. Connector modules are increasingly taking over also measurement and data technology tasks.

For example, holding frames can be used which are formed from two frame halves which are articulated to one another. The connector modules are provided with approximately rectangular mounting means protruding on the narrow sides. In the side parts of the frame halves, recesses are provided which are designed as openings which are closed on all sides and into which the holding means dip when the connector modules are inserted into the holding frame. To insert the connector modules, the holding frame is opened, i. H. opened, with the frame halves being opened around the joints only far enough for the connector modules to be inserted. The frame halves are then clipped together, i. H. the holding frame is closed, the holding means entering the recesses and a secure, form-fitting hold of the connector modules in the holding frame being effected.

State of the art

the DE 10 2014 110 279 B3 shows a connector module with a centrally arranged contact element. The contact element is designed to transmit high currents. If, for example, further connector modules for the transmission of high-frequency signals are arranged next to such connector modules, the data signals can unfortunately be adversely affected.

For heavy-duty connectors, metallic connector housings are usually used for safety reasons, such as those in DE 10 2014 113 481 A1 are shown. Such connector housings are produced, for example, in a zinc die-casting process or in an aluminum die-casting process. They automatically provide a certain level of shielding against electrical and/or magnetic fields. There is a disadvantage with this design in the very complex production. Accordingly, they are usually too expensive to be used exclusively for shielding purposes.

the FR 2 952 761 A1 shows a multi-contact connector. This connector is characterized by having a two-part connector element made of an electrically conductive material, which parts together define a shielding housing which surrounds the insulator and the contacts.

the DE 20 2006 012 687 U1 shows a modular connector system with at least one plug module and one socket module for insertion into a frame of a connector, with connections being provided, preferably connected conductively via busbars to a plug and a socket on the plug and socket module.

FR 2 952 761 A1 and DE 20 2006 012687 U1 each disclose the preamble of claim 1.

the DE 29 815 378 U1 shows a shield connector for electrically conductively connecting a cable shield of a shielded cable to an electrical housing, the shield connector having a deformable contact area into which the cable with the cable shield can be inserted and which can be molded onto the cable shield of the cable.

the U.S. 2005/0112920 A1 shows a connector with multiple modules stacked together. The modules each contain a shield, signal contacts and may contain an equalization device. The equalization device can be connected directly to the signal contacts that are overlapped by the shields of the module and an adjacent module.

• DE 102 32 186 C1 , DE 20 2006 012 687 U1 , DE 20 2006 016 545 U1 ,
• DE 20 2008 004 428 U1 , DE 697 22 303 T2 , US 5,511,992 A , US 5,500,788 A .

The German Patent and Trademark Office has researched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application:

• DE 102 32 186 C1 , DE 20 2006 012 687 U1 , DE 20 2006 016 545 U1 ,
• DE 20 2008 004 428 U1 , DE 697 22 303 T2 , US 5,511,992A , US 5,500,788A .

task

The object of the invention is to propose a connector module for a reliable and at the same time inexpensive modular industrial connector.

The object is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The system according to the invention consists of a first connector module and a second connector module. The connector modules are specially designed for a modular industrial connector and in particular for fixing in a modular holding frame.

Both connector modules each have a shield transfer element. The screen transfer elements consist of a metallic material that has particularly good electrically conductive properties. The respective shield transfer element can be connected to a cable on the cable connection side and in particular to a braided shield of the connected cable. Plug-in side are the first and the second Shield transfer element electrically connected to each other. In this, the screen transfer elements are in physical contact with one another.

The characteristic impedance, also known as characteristic impedance, can be significantly reduced by the screen transfer elements of the system according to the invention.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first screen transfer element is designed to be essentially flat and only bent in a wavy shape on the plug-in side. The wave shape can correspond to a more rounded wave shape when viewed from the side or when looking at the narrow side. However, an angular variant is also conceivable as an alternative. Advantageously, the first screen transfer element has at least one slot running in the plug-in direction on the plug-in side. Particularly advantageously, the first screen transfer element has three slots running in the plug-in direction on the plug-in side. The first screen transfer element can be produced easily and inexpensively from a flat sheet metal material in a stamping and bending process.

According to the invention, the second screen transfer element is designed flat throughout. Through the above-mentioned slits, contacting fingers are formed on the plug-in side on the first screen transfer element, which grasp the second, flat screen transfer element for electrical contacting. This configuration achieves reliable contacting that can be implemented without great effort during the plugging process. In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and the second screen transfer element are designed in a T-shape on the cable connection side, with the T line being formed at the end. The width of the first and the second shield transfer element is preferably smaller on the cable connection side than on the plug-in side.

This geometry is well suited to be connected to a braided shield of a cable to be connected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second shield transfer element each have a cable fixing element on the cable connection side. The cable fixing element is preferably designed as a hose clamp. In this way, the braided shield of the cable can be electrically conductively fixed to the respective shield transfer element. At the same time, a hose clamp can be used to provide strain relief for the connected cable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second shield transfer element each cover a side face of the connector module at least in regions. This means that the essentially cuboid housing of the connector module has a side surface that is covered at least in regions by the shield transfer element. This is the face that aligns with an adjacent connector module in a mounting frame. The shield transfer element can thus unfold its shielding effect in the required direction.

The first and the second shield transfer element preferably cover the respective side surface of the connector module over a large area, preferably at least 75% and particularly preferably at least 90%. These overlap portions have proven to be suitable in practice. This is particularly advantageous in order to achieve adequate shielding for the respective application.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second connector module each have at least three contact elements, with each of which a current with an amperage of at least 16 amperes can be transmitted. A current with a current strength of more than 20 amperes can preferably be transmitted. In order to be able to transmit such currents, a contact element must have a certain material thickness and a certain surface area (square millimeters). These are usually so-called turned contacts, which are made of solid material. More filigree contacts, such as those used in signal or data connectors, cannot transfer currents of this magnitude.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the first and the second connector module each have a holding plate with which the contact elements in the connector module can be fastened. The contact elements are inserted into recesses in a base body and fixed in the base body via the retaining plate. The contact elements still have a certain amount of play in order to facilitate the plugging process of the first connector module with the second connector module. The holding plate has fixing arms which protrude vertically and point in the insertion direction and which grip the individual contact elements and thus hold or fix them in the insulating body.

example

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Steckverbindermoduls,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines zweiten Steckverbindermoduls,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Explosionszeichnung eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems bestehend aus dem ersten und dem zweiten Steckverbindermodul,

Fig. 4

ein perspektivischer und geschnittener Ausschnitt eines alternativen ersten Steckverbindermoduls,

Fig. 5

ein perspektivischer und geschnittener Ausschnitt eines alternativen zweiten Steckverbindermoduls,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems bestehend aus dem ersten und dem zweiten Steckverbindermodul,

Fig. 7

eine geschnittene Seitenansicht einer zweiten Variante der Schirmübergabeelemente der Steckverbindermodule,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht der zweiten Variante der Schirmübergabeelemente der Steckverbindermodule,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer nicht beanspruchten dritten Variante der Schirmübergabeelemente der Steckverbindermodule,

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Systems bestehend aus einem ersten und einem zweiten Steckverbindermodul und

Fig. 11

ein perspektivischer Ausschnitt des alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Systems bestehend aus einem ersten und einem zweiten Steckverbindermodul.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

1

a perspective view of a first connector module,

2

a perspective view of a second connector module,

3

a perspective exploded drawing of a system according to the invention consisting of the first and the second connector module,

4

a perspective and cut section of an alternative first connector module,

figure 5

a perspective and cut section of an alternative second connector module,

6

a perspective view of the system according to the invention consisting of the first and the second connector module,

7

a sectional side view of a second variant of the shield transfer elements of the connector modules,

8

a perspective view of the second variant of the shield transfer elements of the connector modules,

9

a perspective view of a non-claimed third variant of the shield transfer elements of the connector modules,

10

a perspective view of an alternative system according to the invention consisting of a first and a second connector module and

11

a perspective detail of the alternative system according to the invention consisting of a first and a second connector module.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

the figure 1 shows a first connector module 2 and the figure 2 a second connector module 3, each for insertion into a holding frame, such as in the DE 10 2015 114 703 A1 shown, an industrial modular connector (not shown) are provided. For this purpose, the connector modules 2, 3 are provided with approximately rectangular mounting means 4 projecting on the narrow sides. In the side parts of the frame halves of the holding frame are as all-round closed openings formed recesses provided in which the mounting means 4 immerse in the insertion of the connector modules 2, 3 in the holding frame.

The first connector module 2 and the second connector module 3 are each used via a holding frame in a modular industrial connector and are correspondingly arranged opposite one another. The connector modules 2, 3 act in this context as a system 1, as the Figures 3 and 6 can be seen.

The connector modules 2, 3 have a plug-in side S and a connection side A. The plug-in side S is also described as "plug-in side" in the following. Analogously, the connection side A is also referred to as "connection side". A cable (not shown for illustrative reasons) is connected to the respective connection side A. With the mating side S, the connector modules 2, 3 are brought together and plugged together.

The first plug-in connector module 2 and the second plug-in connector module 3 are each brought together and plugged in in the plug-in direction SR, SR'. The first connector module 2 has a first shield transfer element 5 and the second connector module 3 has a second shield transfer element 6 . The screen transfer elements 5, 6 are made from a metallic workpiece in a stamping and bending process. A braided shield of a cable can be connected to each of the shield transfer elements 5, 6 on the cable connection side. The braided shield of the cable is electrically conductively connected to the respective shield transfer element 5, 6. On the plug-in side S, the shielding transfer elements 5, 6 are connected or contacted to one another in an electrically conductive manner.

The second screen transfer element 6 is completely flat. The first screen transfer element 5 of the first connector module 2 is also designed to be mostly flat. The only exception here is the S end of the shield transfer element 5 on the plug-in side. This shape is achieved by bending the sheet metal up and down in this area, or vice versa. The first screen transfer element 5 has axial slots 7 running in the insertion direction SR on the extension side S—essentially within the corrugated area. Contacting fingers 8 are formed on the first screen transfer element 5 through the slots 7 .

In figure 6 a first connector module 2 and a second connector module 3 can be seen, which are plugged together. A holding frame and a matching connector housing are not shown for illustrative reasons. In the plugged-in state, the screen transfer elements 5, 6 are electrically connected to one another on the plug-in side. During the plugging process, the first screen transfer element 5 of the first connector module 2 slides over the second screen transfer element 6 of the second connector module 3. The contacting fingers 8 of the first screen transfer element 5 grip or press on the plug-side end of the second screen transfer element 6. The force with which the contacting fingers 8 of the Press the first screen transfer element 5 onto the second screen transfer element 6 can be set by the wave-shaped bending described above and a corresponding choice of material.

On the connection side, the first and the second shield transfer element 5, 6 each have two opposite, rectangular notches 10 which form a T-shaped end. On the connection side A are the first and the second screen transfer element 5, 6 each with a Hose clamp 9 equipped. The hose clamp 9 is arranged in the area of the notches 10 . The hose clamp 9 can be used to electrically conductively connect the braided shield of a cable (not shown) connected to the respective connector module 2, 3 to the respective shield transfer element 5, 6. At the same time, the hose clamp 9 provides strain relief for the cable.

In the first and second connector module 2, 3, six contact elements 11, 11 'are arranged. The connector modules 2, 3 are particularly suitable as so-called motor connectors for an electric motor. At least three contact elements 11, 11' are designed in such a way that a current with a current intensity of at least 16 amperes can be transmitted via them.

The first and the second connector module 2, 3 each have a retaining plate 12 with fingers 13 formed in the insertion direction. The contact elements 11, 11' are fastened or fixed in the connector module 2, 3 via the retaining plate 12 together with fingers 13. The contact elements 11, 11' are captively fixed, but still have a certain amount of play in their respective recess 14 in order to ensure the necessary tolerance during the plugging process.

In the Figures 4 and 5 an alternative variant of the system according to the invention is shown. In this case, the first connector module 2 ′ and the second connector module 3 ′ each have a metallic PE transmission element 15 . Otherwise the connector modules 2', 3' are configured analogously to the first embodiment. The PE transmission element 15 is electrically conductively connected to the respective screen transfer element 5, 6. In the installed state, the PE transmission element 15 is electrically conductively connected to a metallic holding frame, as already mentioned above. The holding frame (not shown) has a so-called PE contact, which in turn is electrically conductively connected to a metallic housing of an industrial connector, also mentioned above. The PE transmission element 15 can provide continuous equipotential bonding, which can be advantageous in some applications, including for shielding purposes.

In the Figures 7 and 8 An alternative embodiment of a first screen handover element 5' can be seen. The matching second screen transfer element 6 is designed analogously to the first original embodiment. The slats 8 'are formed here by separate stamped and bent components that are made of a different material than the basic shape. The lamellae 8' here consist of a copper-beryllium alloy and only have a wall thickness of 0.15 mm to 0.08 mm, the edge areas being included in the wall thickness interval. The slats 8' can simply be pushed onto a base body. The slats 8' are pushed onto the base body of the first screen transfer element 5' on the plug-in side.

In the figure 9 a further alternative embodiment of a first screen transfer element 5" can be seen in a non-claimed variant. A second screen transfer element 6" was designed to match this. Both screen transfer elements 5", 6" have a lateral slot 15 into which the separate slats 8' are inserted. In each of the two screen transfer elements 5", 6", two slats 8' are inserted on the mating side opposite to one another or laterally offset from one another.

In the Figures 10 and 11 an alternative system according to the invention consisting of a first connector module 2' and a second connector module 3' is shown. The first connector module 2 has a first screen transfer element 5‴, from which Contacting fingers 8" protrude in the axial direction. At least two of these contacting fingers 8" are bent away in opposite directions from the flat base body of the screen transfer element 5‴. One also speaks here of a fork-like configuration of the contacting fingers 8". As a result, the contacting fingers 8" can encompass and contact the second shield transfer element 6 of the second connector module 3' on both sides. With this type of contacting, no lateral forces occur on the connector modules 2', 3', which increases the number of possible plugging cycles.

On the connection side, the screen transfer elements 5‴, 6 of the alternative system 1′ have protruding grooves 18 which are arranged between the indentations 10′. The cable sheath of the connected cable is placed on top of this. On the other side, the cable is provided with a pressing element 16 and finally squeezed between grooves 18 and pressing element 16 with the aid of a cable tie 17 . As a result, a particularly reliable cable strain relief is realized.

Even if different aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art--unless stated otherwise--that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, mutually corresponding units or complexes of features from different exemplary embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

Reference List

1

system

2

First connector module

3

Second connector module

4

support means

5

First screen handover element

6

Second screen handover element

7

slots

8th

contacting fingers

9

hose clamp

10

notch

11

contact element

12

Retaining plate

13

Finder of the holding plate

14

recess

15

slot

16

pressing element

17

cable ties

18

grooves

S

mating side

A

connection side

SR

mating direction

Claims (14)

1. System consisting of a first plug connector module (2) and a second plug connector module (3), each for use in a modular industrial plug connector,

   - wherein the first plug connector module (2) has a first shield transfer element (5) and the second plug connector module (3) has a second shield transfer element (6),

   - wherein a cable which can be connected to the plug connector module (2, 3) can be secured on a connection side (A) of each of the shield transfer elements (5, 6),

   - and wherein, when the plug connector modules are plugged together, the shield transfer elements (5, 6) can be electrically contact-connected to one another on the plug side,

   characterized in that
   the second shield transfer element (6) is of continuously flat design.
2. System according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the first shield transfer element (5) is bent in a wave-shaped manner on the plug side (S).
3. System according to either of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the first shield transfer element has, on the plug side (S), at least one slot (7) which runs parallel to the plugging direction (SR).
4. System according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in that
   the first shield transfer element has, on the plug side (S), three slots (7) which run parallel to the plugging direction (SR).
5. System according to one of the two preceding claims and Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the at least one slot (7) or the slots (7) runs/run in the region of the wave-shaped bend.
6. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) have, on the connection side (A), two opposite notches (10) and as a result are of T-shaped configuration.
7. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the width of the first and of the second shield transfer element (5, 6) is smaller on the connection side (A) than on the plug side (S).
8. System according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) have a cable fixing element on the connection side (A).
9. System according to the preceding claim,
   characterized in that
   the cable fixing element is designed as a hose clip (9).
10. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) each cover a side surface of the plug connector module (2, 3) at least in regions.
11. System according to the preceding claim,
    characterized in that
    the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) cover at least 75% of the respective side surface of the plug connector module (2, 3).
12. System according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) cover at least 90% of the respective side surface of the plug connector module (2, 3).
13. System according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the first and the second plug connector module (2, 3) each have at least three contact elements (11, 11') by way of each of which a current with a current intensity of at least 16 Amperes can be transmitted.
14. System according to the preceding claim,
    characterized in that
    the first and the second plug connector module (2, 3) each have a holding plate (12) by way of which the contact elements (11, 11') can be secured in the plug connector module (2, 3).

Images