Abstract
A plug connector to which a cable having at least one insulated conductor can be connected is provided, wherein the plug connector has a conductive rubber element with at least one conductive layer, but preferably with at least two conductive layers. The electrical connection of the conductors is realized by the conductive rubber element. The conductive rubber element can also form the plug face of the plug connector. As an alternative, the conductors can be connected to contact elements by the conductive rubber element.
Claims
1. A plug-in connector to which a cable having a plurality of insulated conductors is connectable in a linear array, wherein the plug-in connector comprises an insulating body and an elongated conductive rubber element arranged within the insulating body, the elongated conductive rubber element having a unitary structure distinct from the insulating body and comprising a plurality of conductive layers alternating with non-conductive layers and extending along a length of the elongated conductive rubber element to interface with conductor elements of the linear array of the plurality of insulated conductors or with intervening connection contacts associated with the conductor elements, and wherein a non-stripped end face of at least one of the plurality of insulated conductors is pressed against the elongated conductive rubber element.
2. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of insulated conductors are fixable in an electrically conductive manner to at least one of the conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element.
3. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector comprises at least one connection contact that is fixable in an electrically conductive manner to at least one of the conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element.
4. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one connection contact is configured to be contacted in an electrical manner by a conductor end of one of the plurality of insulated conductors.
5. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plug-in connector comprises at least one contact element.
6. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein: one of the plurality of the insulated conductors is contactable by the at least one connection contact; the at least one connection contact is in electrical contact on one face of the elongated conductive rubber element with at least one of the plurality of conductive layers; and on the other face of the elongated conductive rubber element, the at least one contact element is in contact with the at least one of the plurality of conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element.
7. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one connection contact is in electrical contact with the at least one contact element via the elongated conductive rubber element.
8. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein: on one face of the elongated conductive rubber element at least one of the plurality of insulated conductors is fixable in an electrically conductive manner to at least one of the conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element; and on the other face of the elongated conductive rubber element, at least one contact element is contacted by the at least one of the conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element.
9. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the conductor element of at least one of the plurality of insulated conductors is in electrical contact with the at least one contact element via the elongated conductive rubber element.
10. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the plug-in connector comprises at least two connection contacts; and/or the plug-in connector comprises at least two contact elements.
11. The plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of conductor layers of the elongated conductive rubber element comprise silver particles.
12. A system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector, wherein at least two solid conductors or stranded conductors are fixed within the plug-in block parallel with one another and with a respective conductor end aligned with a direction vector parallel and/or orthogonal to a plug-in direction; and wherein the plug-in block comprises an insulating body and an elongated conductive rubber element arranged within the insulating body, the elongated conductive rubber element having a unitary structure distinct from the insulating body and comprising a plurality of conductive layers alternating with non-conductive layers and extending along a length of the elongated conductive rubber element, wherein the conductor ends of the at least two solid conductors or stranded conductors are in contact respectively with at least one conductive layer of the plurality of conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element, and wherein a respective non-stripped end face of the at least two solid conductors or stranded conductors is pressed against the elongated conductive rubber element.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the circuit board plug-in connector comprises at least two contact elements having respectively one contact end and one circuit board connection end, wherein the respective contact ends are in contact with at least one conductive layer of the plurality of conductive layers of the elongated conductive rubber element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are further explained below. In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sketch of a plug-in connector,
(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sketch of a further plug-in connector,
(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sketch of a further plug-in connector,
(5) FIG. 4a illustrates a schematic sketch of a system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector,
(6) FIG. 4b illustrates a schematic sketch of two conductors that may be connected to a circuit board plug-in connector having a conductive rubber element,
(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sketch of an alternative system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector,
(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sketch showing one technology for connecting a conductor to a conductive rubber element,
(9) FIG. 7 illustrates a further schematic sketch showing one technology for connecting a conductor to a conductive rubber element,
(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a further schematic sketch of one technology for connecting a conductive to a conductive rubber element,
(11) FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of a plug-in connector,
(12) FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the example embodiment of the plug-in connector shown in FIG. 9,
(13) FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another example embodiment of a plug-in connector,
(14) FIG. 12 illustrates a further perspective view of the example embodiment of the plug-in connector shown in FIG. 11, and
(15) FIG. 13 illustrates a further schematic sketch of a system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector.
(16) The figures show in parts simplified, schematic views. In part, identical reference numerals are used for similar but possibly not identical elements. Different views of similar elements may be scaled differently.
(17) For representational reasons in the figures, one conductor, one connection contact and one contact element is always connected to only one conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4. In practice, however, multiple conductive layers 5, 5′ may be connected simultaneously to one of the above-mentioned elements. A procedure of this type has the advantage that it is not necessary to assemble such a plug-in connector 1 so precisely. If by way of example five conductive layers 5, 5′ are contacted by one conductor 7, 7′, the associated contact element 8, 8′ is however arranged in a slightly offset manner but it still has three conductive layers 5, 5′ in common with the conductor 7, 7′ so that a conductive connection is still guaranteed between the conductor 7, 7′ and the contact element 8, 8′ via the conductive rubber element 4. As a consequence, such a plug-in connector may be assembled in the field in a particularly simple manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) FIG. 1 illustrates a plug-in connector 1 that comprises an insulating body 2 and a plug-in connector housing 3 that is arranged around said insulating body. A conductive rubber element 4 is arranged within the insulating body 2. The conductive rubber element 4 comprises a plurality of conductive layers 5, 5′ that are arranged adjacent to one another. The conductive layers are separated in each case by a non-conductive layer.
(19) A multicore cable 6 is connected to the plug-in connector 1. The cable 6 in this exemplary embodiment comprises two insulated conductors 7, 7′. The ends of the conductors 7, 7′ are stripped of insulation and connected respectively to one conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4.
(20) The electric connection of the conductors 7, 7′ of the cable 6 is provided on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4. The opposite-lying front face of the conductive rubber element 4 is oriented in the plug-in direction. The individual conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 form the electrical contact or connection sites of the plug-in connector 1 and assume the function of contact elements.
(21) FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a plug-in connector 1′ in accordance with the invention. The individual conductors 7, 7′ of the connected cable 6 are connected in an electrical manner to the associated conductive layers 5, 5′ on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4. Contact elements 8, 8′ are connected on the front face to the individual layers 5, 5′. The contact elements 8, 8′ in this embodiment form the plug-in face of the plug-in connector 1′.
(22) FIG. 3 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a plug-in connector 1″ in accordance with the invention. The individual conductors 7, 7′ of the connected cable 6 are connected in this version respectively to a so-called connection contact 9, 9′. The electrical connection may be performed in this case by way of example via the tried and tested crimp technology or via another suitable connection technology.
(23) The connection contacts 9, 9′ are in electrical contact with and connected respectively to a conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4. The front face of the conductive rubber element 4 forms the plug-in face of the plug-in connector 1″. The connection contacts 9, 9′ may also be provided in the case of the plug-in connector 1′ in accordance with FIG. 2.
(24) The above-mentioned connection contacts 9, 9′ differ from the contact elements 8, 8′ amongst other things by virtue of the fact that the contact tips, in other words the region that is in contact with the conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 may also be configured in a geometrically obtuse manner. Such a geometric shape may be produced in a very simple and cost-effective manner.
(25) FIGS. 4a and 5 each illustrate a system comprising a plug-in block 11 and a circuit board plug-in connector 12.
(26) FIG. 4a illustrates a plug-in block 11 in which conductors 7, 7′, solid or stranded conductors as desired, are arranged and fixed with a direction vector orthogonal and/or parallel with the plug-in direction. A circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ is illustrated lying opposite, a conductive rubber element 4 being arranged and fixed in the plug-in direction in the insulating body 2′″ of said circuit board plug-in connector 1′″. The circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ is arranged in this case on a circuit board 12. On the rear face, the individual conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 are connected in an electrical manner to the conductor tracks (not illustrated) of the circuit board 12. As the plug-in block 11 and the circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ are plugged together, the conductor ends of the conductors 7, 7′ make contact respectively with an allocated conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4. As a consequence, the conductors 7, 7′ are in electrical contact with the conductor tracks (not illustrated) of the circuit board 12 via the rubber element 4.
(27) FIG. 4b illustrates a circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ to which it is possible to connect two conductors 7, 7′ without a plug-in block (e.g., without plug-in block 11 of FIG. 4a). The conductors 7, 7′ may be connected by simple contact-pressure means or devices (not illustrated) to the circuit board plug-in connector 1′″. In this case, an additional tool is not necessary. The circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ comprises a conductive rubber element 4 for connecting the conductors 7, 7′. Such a conductive rubber element requires less installation space than comparable circuit board plug-in connectors that use a so-called cage clamp spring as the connection technology.
(28) FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system comprising a plug-in block 11′ and a circuit board plug-in connector 1″″. In this case, the conductive rubber element 4 is arranged in the plug-in block 11′. The conductive ends of the connected conductor 7, 7′ are in electrically conductive contact respectively on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4 with a conductive layer 5, 5′. The conductors 7, 7′ are furthermore fixed in the plug-in block 11′ in parallel with the plug-in direction. The front face of the conductive rubber element 4 forms the plug-in face of the plug-in block 11′. Contact elements (not illustrated) are arranged in the opposite-lying circuit board plug-in connector 1″″. As the plug-in block 11′ and the circuit board plug-in connector 1″″ are plugged together, the conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element are in electrical contact with the allocated contact elements (not illustrated) of the circuit board plug-in connector 1″″. As a consequence, the conductors 7, 7′ are in electrical contact with the conductor tracks (not illustrated) of the circuit board 12 via the conductive rubber element 4.
(29) FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate possible contact-pressure technologies for connecting conductors 7 to a conductive rubber element 4.
(30) FIG. 6 illustrates a section through a plug-in connector 1 in accordance with embodiments of the invention, wherein the plug-in connector housing and the insulating body are not illustrated for representational reasons. A conductor 7 lies in a transverse manner on the conductive rubber element 4. As already described above, generally multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element 4 are contacted by the conductor 7. The conductor 7 is pressed against the conductive rubber element 4 by virtue of exerting a force in the direction of the arrow F. The influence of the force also causes the conductive rubber element 4 or its conductive layers to be compressed, as a result of which a conductive structure is produced within the conductive layers. The contact-pressure force produces the electrically conductive connection between the conductor 7 and the contact element 8.
(31) In FIG. 7, the conductor 7 is located between a wall of the insulating body 2 and the conductive rubber element 4. In this example, it is possible as desired to exert a force on the conductive rubber element 4 in the direction of the arrow F (from above) or in the direction of the arrow F′ (from the left). If the force acts in the direction of the arrow F, the force is limited in the direction of the arrow F′ and conversely. In both cases, the conductive layers of the conductive rubber element 4 are compressed in such a manner that a conductive connection is produced between the conductor 7 and the contact element 8. Alternatively, simultaneously, a force may also act on the conductive rubber element in the direction F and a further force may act in the direction F′.
(32) In FIG. 8, the conductor 7 is pressed in a perpendicular manner against the conductive rubber element and its conductive layers via a force in the direction of the arrow F. As a consequence, a conductive connection is produced between the conductor 7 and the contact element 8. The exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 8 is preferably provided for solid conductors whose conductor ends may penetrate possibly also easily into the conductive rubber element 4 as a result of the effect of the force. FIG. 8 illustrates the conductor 7 where insulation has been stripped. However, it is not absolutely necessary to strip the insulation in order to produce an electrical contact between the conductor 7 and the conductive rubber element 4. The front end of the conductor 7 that has not had the insulation stripped (non-stripped) may be simply pressed onto the conductive rubber element 4.
(33) FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a specific exemplary embodiment of a plug-connector 1 in accordance with the invention. The plug-in connector 1 comprises an essentially cuboid insulating body 2. Conductor receiving devices 10, 10′ for receiving individual conductors 7 are integrated in the insulating body 2 lying parallel with one another. The conductors 7 of the connected cable 6 (not illustrated) are arranged in the conductor receiving devices 10, 10′.
(34) A locking element 13 is attached in a pivotable manner to the insulating body 2. The locking element 13 in this exemplary embodiment also assumes the function of a flap that closes the plug-in connector 1. The rotatably fixed end of the locking element 13 comprises an elliptical end 14. The stripped end of the conduct 7 is arranged between the conductive rubber element 4 and the elliptical end 14 of the locking element 13. In the illustrated open state, the longitudinal side of the elliptical end 14 is oriented in parallel with the conductor 7 or its conductor end. In the closed state, the elliptical end 14 exerts a force that is directed in a perpendicular manner with respect to the orientation of the conductor 7—similar to the schematic sketch in FIG. 6—onto the conductor end. As a consequence, the conductor end 7 is urged onto one or multiple conductor layers (not illustrated) of the conductive rubber element 4. A conductive connection is produced between the conductor 7 or the conductor end and the contact element 8.
(35) FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the plug-in connector 1′. The plug-in connector 1′ comprises an essentially cuboid insulating body 2 which is provided with integrated individual conductor receiving devices 10. Individual conductors 7 of a connected cable (not illustrated) may be placed in the conductor receiving devices 10. The conductor ends of the individual conductors 7 lie on a conductive rubber element 4 that is oriented in a perpendicular manner thereto. The conductive rubber element 4 is inserted into a recess of the insulating body 2 and faces outward on the rear face of the insulating body 2 of the plug-in connector 1′ and forms the so-called plug-in face. The conductive rubber element 4 may be connected on this face by way of example to conductor tracks of a circuit board (not illustrated). In order to fasten the plug-in connector 1′ (circuit board plug-in connector), fastening eyelets are provided integrated into the side.
(36) A locking element 13′ is attached in a pivotable manner to the insulating body 2. The locking element 13′ also assumes in this case the function of a flap for reversibly closing the plug-in connector 1′. The locking element 13′ comprises approximately in the middle an inwardly-directed wedge-shaped element 16. As the locking element 13′ is folded down, the wedge-shaped element 16 acts on the conductor end of the conductor 7 and—comparable to the schematic sketch in FIG. 6—exerts a force that is directed in an almost perpendicular manner. As a consequence, the conductor 7 or the conductor end is brought into electrical contact with conductive layers (not illustrated) of the conductive rubber element 4. This electrical contact may be transmitted by way of example to the conductor tracks of a circuit board via the plug-in face. It is however also conceivable to provide a matching mating connector (not illustrated) for this purpose.
(37) The above illustrated locking elements 13, 13′ may also be configured in segments. This means that one locking element 13 may be provided for each conductor. The conductors may then be connected one after the other.
(38) FIG. 13 illustrates a plug-in block 11 in which conductors 7, 7′, solid or stranded conductors as desired, are arranged and fixed with a direction vector orthogonal and/or parallel with the plug-in direction. A circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ is illustrated lying opposite, a conductive rubber element 4 being arranged and fixed in the plug-in direction in the insulating body 2′″ of said circuit board plug-in connector 1′″. The circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ is arranged in this figure on a circuit board 12. On the rear face, the individual conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 are connected in an electrical manner to the conductor tracks (not illustrated) of the circuit board 12. The conductive rubber element is connected in this case to the contact elements 8 that protrude on the plug-in face out of the insulating body 2′″. The plug-in block 11 is likewise provided with contact elements 8′ that likewise protrude in the plug-in direction and are connected in an electrical manner to the conductors 7, 7′. When the plug-in block 11 and the circuit board plug-in connector 1′″ are plugged together, the contact elements 8′ of the plug-in block 11 come into contact respectively with an allocated contact element 8 of the insulating body 2′″. As a consequence, the conductors 7, 7′ are in electrical contact with the conductor tracks (not illustrated) of the circuit board 12.
(39) In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
