HYBRID PLUG-IN CONNECTOR

Abstract

A hybrid plug-in connector for connecting electrically conductive contacts to a mating plug-in connector has at least two energy contacts for transferring electrical energy and four data contact pairs for transferring electrical signals and/or electronic data, includes a shielding element is formed such that the shielding of a data cable, first of all in the hybrid plug-in connector, and in the connected state of the hybrid plug-in connector to the mating plug-in connector is at least extensively maintained, wherein four data contact pairs are arranged in a principally rectangular insulating body, spatially separated from the energy contacts, the insulating body having an offset in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the hybrid plug-in connector between the data contact pairs and the energy contacts, such that the hybrid plug-in connector is uniquely positioned on the mating plug-in connector thereof during a plug-in process.

Claims

1. A hybrid plug-in connector for connecting electrically conductive contacts to a mating plug-in connector, in particular a bushing, wherein the hybrid plug-in connector has at least two energy contacts for transmitting electrical energy and four data contact pairs for transmitting electrical signals and/or electronic data in a housing which is of basically rectangular shape and comprises at least one insulating body for fixing the contacts, having at least one shielding element for at least partially shielding the signal and/or data transmission taking place through the data contact pairs from possible electromagnetic interference, wherein the shielding element is formed in such a way that the shielding of a data cable is at least largely maintained initially in the hybrid plug-in connector and in the state in which the hybrid plug-in connector is connected to the mating plug-in connector, wherein the four data contact pairs are arranged in a basically rectangular insulating body in a manner spatially separated from the energy contacts, wherein the insulating body has an offset in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hybrid plug-in connector between the data contact pairs and the energy contacts, so that the hybrid plug-in connector is uniquely positioned on its mating plug-in connector during a plug-in process.

2. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hybrid plug-in connector is configured to be releasably connected to a mating plug-in connector by a locking device, wherein the locking device has an outer sleeve which, when axially oriented pressure is applied in the longitudinal direction of the hybrid plug-in connector, brings at least two locking elements into engagement with one another and, due to the outer sleeve being pulled in an axially oriented manner in the longitudinal direction, unlocks the at least two locking elements, so that the hybrid plug-in connector can be separated from its mating plug-in connector in the same movement.

3. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding element and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 1 Gbit/s can be achieved.

4. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basically rectangular insulating body has a spatial separating element between the data contact pairs, wherein the separating element assumes a guiding function during the plug-in process.

5. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the separating element is embodied as a further shielding element which extends the shielding of the data contact pairs from the environment by shielding in each case one data contact from the respectively remaining data contact pairs.

6. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the separating element, with respect to its geometry, is described by two plates which are arranged along two perpendicularly intersecting planes.

7. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding elements and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 10 Gbits/s can be achieved.

8. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding element in the insulating body has, on the cable side, at least two transmission elements which are embodied in a flexibly yielding manner and can be brought into contact with the shielding of a cable.

9. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding element respectively has a contact area within the insulating body, which contact area is embodied in a flexibly yielding manner and is basically arranged between two contacts of a data contact pair.

10. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding element and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 1 Gbit/s can be achieved.

11. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the basically rectangular insulating body has a spatial separating element between the data contact pairs, wherein the separating element assumes a guiding function during the plug-in process.

12. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the separating element is embodied as a further shielding element which extends the shielding of the data contact pairs from the environment by shielding in each case one data contact from the respectively remaining data contact pairs.

13. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the separating element, with respect to its geometry, is described by two plates which are arranged along two perpendicularly intersecting planes.

14. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the separating element, with respect to its geometry, is described by two plates which are arranged along two perpendicularly intersecting planes.

15. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding elements and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 10 Gbits/s can be achieved.

16. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding elements and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 10 Gbits/s can be achieved.

17. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the data contact pairs are arranged within the insulating body in such a way that, in conjunction with the shielding elements and given use of a suitable cable, a data transmission rate in the region of greater than or equal to 10 Gbits/s can be achieved.

18. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shielding element in the insulating body has, on the cable side, at least two transmission elements which are embodied in a flexibly yielding manner and can be brought into contact with the shielding of a cable.

19. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shielding element respectively has a contact area within the insulating body, which contact area is embodied in a flexibly yielding manner and is basically arranged between two contacts of a data contact pair.

20. The hybrid plug-in connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the basically rectangular insulating body has a spatial separating element between the data contact pairs, wherein the separating element assumes a guiding function during the plug-in process.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0026] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a hybrid plug-in connector according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the plug-in face of a hybrid plug-in connector according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a view of a detail of the plug-in face of a hybrid plug-in connector according to the invention with particular focus on the contact areas of the shielding element;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a hybrid plug-in connector according to the invention in the state in which it is connected to a mating plug-in connector;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a hybrid plug-in connector according to the invention with particular focus on the contact areas of the shielding element in the plug-connected state.

[0032] The figures contain partly simplified, schematic illustrations. In some cases, identical reference signs are used for elements which are similar but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be drawn to different scales.

[0033] Directional indications such as “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “above” and “below” are to be understood with reference to the figure in question and may vary in the individual illustrations in relation to the illustrated object.

[0034] The figures contain reference signs which are additionally identified by a “'” as an index. This indicates that the elements in question are, in principle, elements mentioned in the list of reference signs which can be shaped differently to the elements without a reference sign index or may differ from the differently numbered elements in form and/or function.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a hybrid plug-in connector 1 according to the invention as claimed in claim 1 in a three-dimensional manner of illustration. The hybrid plug-in connector 1 is provided with a total of 10 contacts 2. In this case, the contacts 2 partially differ in function. First, it can be seen that the energy contacts 4 are arranged remote from the data contacts 5. The insulating body 6 has a readily identifiable offset 9. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the data contacts 5 protrude considerably in relation to the other energy contacts 4. Furthermore, a closure means 10 known in the prior art as a “push-pull locking arrangement” can be seen. The outer sleeve 11 is arranged in a displaceable manner around the insulating body 7 in this case. Furthermore, a separating element 13 can be seen, which separating element provides spatial separation of the data contacts 5 arranged in pairs. This separating element 13 additionally ensures, besides the spatial separation, reliable guidance of the data contacts 5 of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 during a plug-in process. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows further elements on the insulating body 7, in particular on the offset 9, these further elements initially simplifying the guidance of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 during a plug-in process with a mating plug-in connector 3. Furthermore, these formations prevent improper plug-connection of the hybrid plug-in connector 1, for example into an unsuitable mating plug-in connector.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional illustration of the plug-in face of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 shown in FIG. 1. Besides the abovementioned elements, a pair of points are shown more clearly. Firstly, the positioning of the contacts 2 can be better understood. Here, it is clear that the energy contacts 4 are arranged along a straight line running vertically through the illustration. The data contacts 5 are arranged in pairs in order to be able to be assigned to data cables with twisted core pairs, what are known as “twisted pair cables”, in a useful way. Between the corresponding paired data contacts 5, it can be seen that grooves, or cutouts, are provided in the insulating body 7, these allowing projections of the shielding element 8 which are used as contact areas to pass through in the direction of the data contacts 5. The offset 9 that has become clear in FIG. 1 can be seen here as an abovementioned integrally formed element which is intended to further ensure the plug-in security. The projection will engage into a correspondingly shaped step in the insulating body 7 of the mating plug-in connector 3.

[0037] In order to achieve the desired data transmission rate of greater than or equal to 1 Gigabit/second and nevertheless to use as little installation space as possible, besides the shielding by the shielding element 8, the spacing of the data contacts 5 is also adjusted. The data contact pairs 5 are arranged at a distance range of between 2 mm and 4 mm away from one another. The preferred design has a distance a, a′ between the data contacts 5 within a data contact pair of 1.3 mm along a horizontal here. A distance b of 2.4 mm is achieved between the data contact pairs. Here, distances between the data contacts 5 within a data contact pair in relation to one another of 1.4 mm are assumed along a vertical. The data contact pairs are spaced apart by 2.8 mm in relation to one another along a vertical axis.

[0038] These dimensions allow a hybrid plug-in connector 1 in line with DIN EN 61076-3-106 to be provided, which hybrid plug-in connector can nevertheless transmit both data and power. Data transmission rates in line with category 5 are possible here. Owing to the design of the separating element 13 as an additional shielding element, that is to say as what is known as a shielding cross, category 6 can be achieved. Furthermore, the energy contacts 4 are designed to transmit current up to 10 A at 24 V DC. The locking elements 11 of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 which locks using the push-pull principle are indicated.

[0039] The spatial arrangement of the contacts 2 and in particular the arrangement of the shielding element 8 or its contact areas is shown in FIG. 3. The formation of the insulating body 7 with its offset 9 between the data contacts 5 and the energy contacts 4 is once again made clear. In addition, further design elements of the insulating body 7 are also obvious. All visible geometric forms serve for plug-in security and are intended to ensure that a plug-in process is executed in a simpler and more secure manner. The separating element 13 illustrated may be designed as a shielding cross. The dimensioning of the separating element 13 which can be designed as a shielding cross is also conceivable as a continuous element between the shielding element 8 and could be used to achieve further improved data transmission rates. The locking elements 12 of the closure means 10 can be seen more clearly here than in the previous FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a hybrid plug-in connector 1 according to the invention in the state in which it is plug-connected to a mating plug-in connector 3. Here, the contacts 2 in the hybrid plug-in connector 1 are designed as pin contacts. Congruent socket contacts 2′ are made in the mating plug-in connector 3. The insulating body 7 projects, by way of its offset 8, into the mating plug 3. The shielding element 8 of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 is brought into contact with the shielding element 8′ of the mating plug-in connector 3 along the described contact areas. The shielding to be continued is performed by a data cable, not illustrated. The shielding in data cables is usually performed by metal braids, but metallic foil is often also used in order to achieve better shielding. This shielding can then be taken over by the shielding transmission element 8.1 of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 and continued. In other words, the shielding against electromagnetic radiation is continued by a cable within the hybrid plug-in connector 1 and, for its part, transmitted to a mating plug-in connector 3. In order to achieve a further improved data transmission rate, the separating element 13 can be designed as an additional shielding element and establish shielding between the data contacts 5 or the data contact pairs. This shielding cross then engages into the separating element 13′ in the mating plug-in connector 3, which separating element is likewise designed as a shielding element.

[0041] Details relating to the process of establishing contact by the shielding elements 8 and 8′ and the engagement of the insulating body 7, by way of its offset 9, into the insulating body 6′ of the mating plug-in connector 3 are apparent from the cross section of a hybrid plug-in connector 1 according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, it can be particularly clearly seen that the design of the shielding element 8 provides tabs which project flexibly beyond the insulating body 7 into the region of the data contacts 5. This ensures that the shielding element 8′ of a mating plug-in connector 3 can establish a secure connection to the shielding element 8 of the hybrid plug-in connector 1 as soon as a plug-in process takes place.

[0042] Even though various aspects or features of the invention are shown respectively in combination in the figures, it is clear to a person skilled in the art—unless stated otherwise—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only ones possible. In particular, mutually corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0043] 1 Hybrid plug-in connector [0044] 2, 2′ Contact [0045] 3 Mating plug-in connector [0046] 4, 4′ Energy contact [0047] 5, 5′ Data contact [0048] 6, 6′ Housing [0049] 7, 7′ Insulating body [0050] 8, 8′ Shielding element [0051] 8.1 Shielding transmission element [0052] 9 Offset [0053] 10 Closure means [0054] 11 Locking element [0055] 12, 12′ Outer sleeve [0056] 13 Separating element [0057] a, a′ Vertical distance between contacts within a data contact pair [0058] b Vertical distance between data contact pairs [0059] c, c′ Horizontal distance between contacts within a data contact pair [0060] d Horizontal distance between data contact pairs