PLUG ASSEMBLY FOR DATA CABLES

Abstract

A plug arrangement for use with cables (K) having cable plugs (S) comprises a housing (1) for receiving the cable plug (S), a clamping element (5) encompassing the cable (K) and accommodated in the housing (1), which clamping element (5) clamps, in a compressed state, the cable (K), and a clamping sleeve (3) for establishing a threaded connection with the housing (1). When the threaded connection is tightened, the clamping element (5) is braced in the housing (1) and the cable (K) is clamped in the clamping element (5). The front end of the clamping element (5) facing the cable plug (S) is configured for receiving and positioning the cable plug (S) in a predetermined position at the front end of the clamping element (5) or is provided with at least one stop for the cable plug (S). Thus, when the threaded connection is tightened, the cable plug (S) is also positioned with respect to the housing (1) and the clamping element (5) so as not to rotate and fixed.

Claims

1. A plug arrangement for use with cables (K) having cable plugs (S), in particular data cables such as RJ45 cables, optical fibers, electric cables and the like, comprising: a) a housing (1) for receiving the cable plug (S), with a thread (2) arranged on one of its faces; b) a clamping element (5) which is radially compressible and encompasses the cable (K) and is accommodated in the housing (1), which clamping element (5), in a compressed state, clamps the cable (K); c) a clamping sleeve (3) having a thread (4) for forming a threaded connection with the thread (2) on the housing (1); wherein, when the threaded connection is tightened, the clamping sleeve (3), the clamping element (5), the housing (1) and the cable (K) are braced together, characterized in that the front end of the clamping element (5) facing the cable plug (S) is formed for receiving and positioning the cable plug (S) in a predetermined position on the front end of the clamping element (5) or is provided with at least one stop for the cable plug (S), wherein, when the threaded connection is tightened, the cable plug (S) is positioned and fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the housing (1) and the clamping element (5) and/or in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

2. The plug arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cross-section constriction (16) is arranged inside the housing (1) in the direction of the longitudinal axis as a stop for the front end of the clamping element (5), wherein the clamping element (5) supports itself, at least when the threaded connection is tightened, in the direction of the longitudinal axis on the cross-section constriction (16) and is thus exactly positioned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing (1).

3. The plug arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that, at least when the threaded connection is tightened, the clamping element (5) is clamped between the cross-section constriction (16) and the clamping sleeve (3) or an element cooperating therewith and is thus exactly positioned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing (1).

4. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping element (5) is guided inside the housing (1) about its longitudinal axis so as not to rotate.

5. The plug arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one guide for the clamping element (5), which guide extends in parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis, is arranged inside the housing (1), wherein said guide cooperates with a complementary structure on the clamping element (5) or with the cable plug (S) itself.

6. The plug arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide for the clamping element (5) and the complementary structure on the clamping element are formed as a web extending in parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing (1) and as a slot extending in parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing (1).

7. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that multiple fingers (8, 8a) circumferentially distributed about the central longitudinal axis and oriented in parallel thereto are formed on the front end of the clamping element (5) as a receptacle and/or stop for the cable plug (S) and as a stop for the cross-section constriction (16) of the housing (1), which fingers (8, 8a) abut on said cross-section constriction when the threaded connection is tightened.

8. The plug arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one shoulder (9) is formed laterally when seen in the circumferential direction, on at least one of the fingers (8, 8a) as a receptacle and/or stop for the cable plug (S).

9. The plug arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, on at least one of the fingers (8, 8a), a web (8b, 10) protruding radially inwardly is formed.

10. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the fingers (8a) is preferably positioned and dimensioned such that a possible spring arm (F) of the cable plug (S) is retained in a position pressed toward the housing of the cable plug (S) by means of said finger (8a).

11. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamping element (5) has a cylindrical middle part (11) adjoining the fingers (8, 8a) and a preferably conically tapering rear end (12) opposing the fingers (8, 8a), wherein the conically tapering rear end (12) of the clamping element (5) has at least two radially compressible fingers (13), whose surfaces (14) facing the cable (K) are configured for an increased positive or frictional connection with the cable (K).

12. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a recess (16a) is provided in the housing (1) for receiving a possible spring arm (F) of the cable plug (S) and/or a finger (8a) of the clamping element (5), wherein, if applicable, the spring arm (F) is retained in the recess in a pressed position.

13. The plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the clamping element (5) has a continuous longitudinal slit (15) parallel to the axis along the length of the clamping element (5), wherein the clamping element (5) can be elastically pulled apart in its circumferential direction and pushed onto the cable (K).

14. A plug connection using a plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, for establishing at least one electric connection, furthermore, a plug socket is provided to correspondingly receive a plug arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The plug connection according to claim 14, characterized in that the housing (1) and the plug socket are provided with complementary structures for longitudinally guiding the housing (1) in the plug socket, in order to ensure the orientation of the plug arrangement with respect to the plug socket upon insertion of the plug arrangement into the socket, wherein the housing (1) is preferably provided with a longitudinal slot and the plug socket is provided with a corresponding counter-longitudinal rib.

16. The plug connection according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, additionally, a snap latch for the releasable connection of the plug arrangement with the plug socket is provided, wherein the snap latch engages with an indentation (17) on the outside of the housing (1).

17. A clamping element (5) for use in a plug arrangement for use with cables (K) having cable plugs (S), in particular for data cables such as RJ45 cables, optical fibers, electric cables and the like, according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the clamping element (5) is embodied according to one of claims 7 to 11.

Description

[0029] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0030] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0031] FIG. 1 a plug arrangement according to the prior art in an exploded view;

[0032] FIG. 2 an exemplary embodiment of a plug arrangement according to the invention, also in an exploded view, with a depiction of the cable plug;

[0033] FIG. 3 the plug arrangement of FIG. 2 from a different direction and with the cable plug abutting on the clamping element in the installation position as well as with the cable;

[0034] FIG. 4 a longitudinal section along the cable axis through an assembled plug arrangement, without cable and cable plug;

[0035] FIG. 5 a clamping element in its embodiment according to the invention in a slightly perspective side view;

[0036] FIG. 6 the clamping element of FIG. 5 in a front view, seen from the direction of the cable plug;

[0037] FIG. 7 a side view of the clamping element of FIG. 4;

[0038] FIG. 8 a side view, rotated by 90 degrees, of the clamping element of FIG. 7;

[0039] FIG. 9 a side view, rotated by 45 degrees, of the clamping element of FIG. 7;

[0040] FIG. 10 a section along the line X-X of FIG. 9;

[0041] FIG. 11 a view of the clamping element of FIG. 7 onto the rear end;

[0042] FIG. 12 a longitudinal section through the clamping element of FIG. 7 along the line XII-XII of FIG. 10 in the direction of the small arrows;

[0043] FIG. 13 a longitudinal section through the clamping element of FIG. 7 along the line XII-XII of FIG. 10 opposite to the direction of the small arrows;

[0044] FIG. 14 a longitudinal section, rotated by 90 degrees, through a plug arrangement as shown in FIG. 4, however, with the cable plug inserted;

[0045] FIG. 15 a longitudinal section along the cable axis according to FIG. 4, now with the cable plug and inserted, however, without the cable;

[0046] FIG. 16 a front view of the plug arrangement of FIG. 14;

[0047] FIG. 17 a front view of the clamping element with the cable plug inserted;

[0048] FIG. 18 a front view according to FIG. 17, with cable plugs of different dimensions inserted;

[0049] FIG. 19 a view of the housing from the side of the clamping sleeve; and

[0050] FIG. 20 A representation of a complete system including cable, cable plug according to the invention and complementary plug socket in an appliance.

[0051] First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0052] The plug arrangement shown in FIG. 1 as cable plug protection particularly for pre-assembled RJ45 plugs consists of a housing 1 configured for plugging into a plug socket, wherein the rear end of said housing 1 is provided with an external thread 2. In the installed state of the plug arrangement, the cable plug is accommodated and fixed inside said housing 1. A clamping sleeve 3 can be screwed onto the housing 1 from behind, meaning from the cable side, thus forming a threaded connection. Additionally, an internal thread 4 is arranged on the front end of the clamping sleeve 3 facing the housing 1. At the latest when this threaded connection is formed, this also compresses a radially compressible clamping element 5 encompassing the data cable and with that clamps the cable in the clamping element 5 and thus also in the plug arrangement. Thus, when the threaded connection is tightened, the clamping sleeve 3, the clamping element 5, the housing 1, and the cable are braced together.

[0053] For positioning and fixating the cable plug S in the housing 1, at least two adapter pieces 6 are provided according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1, which adapter pieces 6 must be mounted around the cable plug and inserted, with a rear offset, into the front end of the clamping element 5. The entire arrangement must then, in this configuration in which it is manually held by the user, also be manually inserted into the housing 1. The plug arrangement is supplemented with a washer 7, which is inserted between the housing 1 and clamping sleeve 3 and ensures the dust- and water tightness. This plug arrangement as explained above upgrades a conventional cable plug such as a RJ45 plug to an extremely robust and lockable solution. For different kinds of cable plugs, the adapter pieces 6 are to be selected accordingly.

[0054] A further improved solution with fewer components and a simpler assembly is shown in FIGS. 2 to 17. The plug arrangement according to the invention is applicable for all kinds of cable plugs and cables, in particular for data cables and RJ45 cable plugs, but also for optical fibers and their correspondingly configured plug connections, for electric cables and many more. Instead of cable plugs with multiple contact elements, individual contacts can also be used. In the following, the invention is explained with the aid of exemplary embodiments for data cables with RJ45 cable plugs, which, however, is not to be understood in a limiting sense.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 2, only one clamping element 5 is inserted inside the preferably cylindrical housing 1 open on both sides and the clamping sleeve 3 preferably conically tapered toward the back, which clamping element 5, however, according to the invention, is already configured itself at the front end facing the housing 1 for receiving and positioning a cable plug S having a spring arm F—for purposes of clarity of the representation, the cable is not depicted here—in a predetermined position within the housing 1. The housing 1 is preferably made of die-cast metal, in particular zinc die-casting preferably having one coating, in particular of nickel or chromium. Housings 1 made of plastic are also possible, of course. In this regard, the clamping element 5, preferably made of polyacetal (POM) or also polyamide (PA), is freely rotatable about the central cable axis as long as it is located outside the housing 1 and the threaded connection between the housing 1 and the clamping sleeve 3—in FIG. 4, a section view of a plug arrangement consisting of housing 1, clamping sleeve 3 and clamping element 5 is shown in the longitudinal view—is not yet established. Thus, it can be mounted on the cable during the assembly of the plug arrangement in any position. Only after insertion into the housing 1, the clamping element 5 is then held so as not to rotate by means of guide structures that will be explained below, and therefore the cable plug is also positioned, braced and fixed with respect to the housing 1.

[0056] At the front end of the clamping element 5, which is shown in different views and sections in FIGS. 5 to 13, multiple fingers 8 and 8a distributed circumferentially about the central longitudinal axis and oriented in parallel thereto are formed, which fingers 8 and 8a extend from the middle part 11 of the clamping element 5 to the plug-in end of the housing 1. Preferably, three fingers 8, 8a are formed and extend over up to about one third of the total length of the clamping element 5. The cable plug s is inserted—as it is shown in FIG. 3—between the fingers 8, 8a and is then accommodated between the fingers 8, 8a at the latest when the threaded connection of the housing 1 and the clamping sleeve 3 is tightened, and is then safely positioned in a very precisely defined position due to the guidance of the clamping element 5 in the housing 1 and the clamping between the clamping element 5 and inside the housing 1, and is also safely fixed in the plug arrangement by means of the clamping between the housing 1 and the clamping element 5, both with respect to the direction of rotation about the direction of the longitudinal axis and in the longitudinal direction of the plug arrangement.

[0057] An embodiment, in which a clamping element 5 is configured for the use with cable plugs S of different outer dimensions, is particularly preferred. This can be achieved, for example, by at least one shoulder 9 and/or offset being formed, in a staggered manner, on at least one of the fingers 8, 8a in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction of the clamping element 5, as a front-side stop surface for the cable plug S of differently dimensioned cable plug S. This can be seen clearly in FIG. 5. In this regard, the cable plug S does not immediately abut on the middle part 11 of the clamping element 5 anymore, but only on the offsets 9 of the fingers 8, 8a.

[0058] Preferably, two or also multiple shoulders 9 are provided. The rear side of a cable plug S inserted between the fingers 8, 8a then comes to abut on one of the shoulders 9 depending on the dimensions of the cable plug. This is depicted for two different cable plugs s in the FIGS. 16 and 17 in a front view. Then, as soon as the clamping sleeve 3 is screwed onto the housing 1 and the threaded connection is tightened, the rear end of the cable plug S is accommodated between the fingers 8, 8a, abuts on at least one front face of one of the shoulders 9 and is thus safely positioned and fixed within the housing 1. For the safe and precisely defined positioning of as well as for guiding the cable plug S during the insertion into the clamping element 5, guide ridges 8b having a tooth-shaped cross-section are advantageously formed on the fingers 8, 8a, which guide ridges 8b come into contact with the outside of the cable plug S to guide and hold it.

[0059] Furthermore—as it is clearly depicted in FIGS. 2, 6, 10, 13, 16 and 17—a radially inwardly protruding web 10 can be formed on at least one of the fingers 8a, in order to thus significantly increase the stability of said finger 8a and consequently of the entire clamping element 5. This is advantageous particularly when this holding arm 8a is meant and formed for holding a spring tongue F of the cable plug S in the position deformed in the direction of the cable plug housing, so that the spring tongue F neither obstructs the assembly of the plug arrangement nor the establishment and release of the plug connection with the counterpart of the plug arrangement according to the invention. The locking and unlocking of the plug connection is accomplished by other mechanisms on or in the plug arrangement and not by means of the spring tongue F of the cable plug S.

[0060] The holding arm 8a for the spring tongue F can be configured in one piece, however, it could be configured to be divided in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamping element 5, wherein the division region only extends across the length of the receiving region of a cable plug S. The or any web 10 can also be used for guiding the cable plug S in the direction of the longitudinal axis upon insertion of the same into the clamping element 5, as well as contribute to the safe positioning of the cable plug S in the circumferential direction of the plug arrangement by forming a stop for one of the longitudinal edges of the cable plug S, which plug prevents a—further—rotation of said cable plug S within and relative to the clamping element 5.

[0061] Similar to the known embodiment of the clamping element 5, this one has a cylindrical middle part 11 adjoining the fingers 8, 8a of the front end and a preferably conically tapering rear end 12 opposing the fingers 8, 8a.

[0062] Said rear end 12, in turn, has at least two radially compressible fingers 13, whose surfaces facing the cable K are configured for an increased positive or frictional connection with the cable K. These surfaces can, for example, have a sawtooth-like profile, so that the tips of the saw teeth push into the plastic encasement of the cable upon compression of the fingers 13 in the course of the tightening of the threaded connection between housing 1 and clamping sleeve 3, and thus effect the clamping between cable K and clamping element 5. This way, tensile stresses of the cable K are separated from the cable plug S and instead are transferred via the clamping element 5 on to the housing 1, and absorbed by the latter and/or by the plug connection between housing 1 and the corresponding plug socket.

[0063] The clamping element 5 is preferably designed in one piece and has, for an easy and quick mounting onto the cable, a continuous longitudinal slit 15 along the length of the clamping element 5. This offers the possibility to pull apart the clamping element 5 in the circumferential direction, after which it can then be easily pushed onto the cable K. A longitudinal web protruding from the internal wall of the plug housing 1, extending in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the same engages with the slot formed between the two longitudinal sides of the slit 15 of the clamping element 5. The longitudinal slot of the clamping sleeve and the longitudinal web cooperate and form a guide and/or a rotation prevention and effect the exact alignment of the clamping sleeve in the circumferential direction of the plug housing.

[0064] However, the clamping element 5 can also be designed to be completely closed in the circumferential direction and is then pushed onto the cable K in its longitudinal direction before mounting the cable plug S. In this case, appropriate structures are to be formed on the clamping element 5 and in the housing 1 for the rotation preventing guide, for example, a longitudinal slot that does not penetrate the entire material thickness of the clamping element 5 or protrusions in and/or on the clamping element 5 arranged to be aligning in the direction of the longitudinal axis for receiving a longitudinal rib in the housing 1 or for engaging with a longitudinal slot in the housing 1, so that a rotation prevention of the clamping element 5 in the housing 1 is ensured.

[0065] When assembling the plug arrangement according to the invention, first, the clamping sleeve 3 is pushed over the end of the cable with the cable plug. Subsequently, the clamping element 5 can be applied to the cable, wherein the cable is guided through the longitudinal slit 15 toward the longitudinal central axis of the clamping element 5. Then, the clamping element 5 is pushed forward toward the cable plug, which consequently arrives at a lying position between the fingers 8 and is supported by their shoulders 9. The entire arrangement of cable, cable plug and clamping element 5 is then inserted into the housing 1.

[0066] Preferably, a cross-section constriction in the form of a broken-through dividing wall 16 is arranged in the housing 1, which dividing wall 16 forms a stop for the front end of the finger 8. At least the two fingers 8 immediately adjoining the longitudinal edge of the longitudinal slit 15 of the clamping element 5 form, with their front sides, the stops for the longitudinal positioning of the clamping element 5 in the housing 1. The front end of the cable plug S protrudes, as is shown in FIG. 14 in the longitudinal section, through the opening in the dividing wall 16, which front end protrudes forward beyond the front sides of the fingers 8, 8a of the clamping element 5. The opening is formed according to the cross-section profile of the cable plug S and, if necessary, provided with a recess for receiving the front region of the spring arm F of the cable plug S. Its rear region is preferably held in a depressed position by the finger 8a. The recess in the dividing wall 16 is preferably dimensioned, such that the front end of the finger 8a is also accommodated and the dividing wall 16 can grip through to safely hold the spring arm F in a depressed position. In this case, the front side of the first shoulder 9 of the finger 8a is intended as the stop on the dividing wall 16. If necessary, the dividing wall 16 could also have a recess extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis for receiving the finger 8a.

[0067] If necessary, the function of forcing the spring arm F down can also be effected by a correspondingly dimensioned recess in the dividing wall 16. The dividing wall 16 is arranged inside the housing 1 on a longitudinal point, which is selected for obtaining the desired positioning of the cable plug S in the housing 1 and with respect to the plug socket for ensuring an optimal plug connection. For this case, an embodiment of the clamping element 5 is provided, in which no long finger 8a protruding beyond the spring arm F is present but all fingers 8 have the substantially same length.

[0068] In the housing 1 of the plug arrangement according to the invention, longitudinal guide slots 1b or longitudinal guide bars can also be formed on the side of the dividing wall 16 facing the clamping sleeve 3, which guide slots 1b or guide bars extend in an aligning manner to the corner regions of the aperture in the dividing wall 16 and serve for correctly guiding the cable plug S in the circumferential direction upon insertion into the housing 1. Longitudinal slots la on the side of the dividing wall 16 facing the counterpart of the housing 1 in the plug socket mainly serve for indexation, in order to avoid confusion with different, similarly built plug types. Optionally, they can also serve as guides for the circumferentially correct combining for establishing the plug connection.

[0069] For completing the plug arrangement according to the invention, the clamping sleeve 3 is screwed onto the housing 1, so that the threaded connection between the external thread 2 of the housing 1 and the internal thread 4 of the clamping sleeve 3 is established. On the one hand, the rear fingers 13 of the clamping element 5 are thereby pressed onto the cable K and thus, the clamping element 5 is clamped onto the cable K. Simultaneously, the clamping element 5 in with its fingers 8 and possibly also 8a is thereby moved up against the dividing wall 16 and/or clamped between the clamping sleeve 3 and dividing wall 16, so that all components are braced against one another and the cable plug S is positioned and fixed in the housing 1 in a safe and protected manner. In this regard, by clamping the clamping element 5 and receiving the cable plug S in or on its front side, a very exact positioning in the direction of the longitudinal axis as well as in the circumferential direction of the plug arrangement is ensured. On the other hand, the elasticity of the material of the clamping element 5 and a low slackness, meaning a small intermediate space 16a, between the internal wall of the recess in the dividing wall 16 and the cable plug S offer the possibility that the cable plug S can be pivoted by a small angle at least in the direction of at least one of the two main axes of the recess in the dividing wall 16. Thus, small tolerances and differences in orientation of the plug arrangement and its counterpart can be compensated, whereby the plugging together of the two complementary assembly groups for establishing the connection between two cable ends and/or one cable end and one appliance is substantially simplified.

[0070] On the front sides of the fingers 8, 8a, latch projections 8c—please refer to FIG. 7 on this—for fixating the clamping element 5 inside the housing 1 can be formed where appropriate, in order to fixate the clamping element 5 in the housing 1 and to protect it against pulling out or sliding out. Latch projections 11a which engage with complementary structures in or on the inside of the housing 1 could, if necessary, also be positioned on the circumferential surface of the clamping element 5, in the region of the fingers 8, 8a or of the middle part 11, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 5.

[0071] Using a plug arrangement as it is described above, a particularly robust plug connection can be realized by a plug socket B being provided for the correspondingly receiving the plug arrangement 1, 3, 5. The housing 1 can, if necessary, be provided with a longitudinal slot, and the plug socket B, which is built into an appliance G (please refer to FIG. 20 on this), for example as a built-in plug connector, can be provided with a corresponding counter-longitudinal rib, in order to ensure the orientation of the plug arrangement with respect to the plug socket B upon insertion of the plug arrangement into the plug socket. In order to avoid the inadvertent removal of the cable plug, additionally, a snap latch and/or spring latch can be provided as an optional further feature for the releasable connection of the plug arrangement with the plug socket. This snap latch then preferably meshes with an indentation 17 on the outside of the housing 1.

[0072] The exemplary embodiments and the preceding description as well as the enclosed drawings disclose possible embodiment variants, wherein, however, the invention is not limited to the specifically represented embodiment variants. In fact, various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible, and due to the teaching of the present invention, and this possibility of variation owing to the teaching provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0073] 1 housing [0074] 1a longitudinal slot [0075] 1b guide slot [0076] 2 external thread [0077] 3 clamping sleeve [0078] 4 internal thread [0079] 5 clamping element [0080] 6 adapter piece [0081] 7 washer [0082] 8 front finger [0083] 8a spring arm finger [0084] 8b web [0085] 8c latch projection [0086] 9 shoulder [0087] 10 web [0088] 11 middle part [0089] 11a latch projection [0090] 12 conical rear end [0091] 13 rear finger [0092] 14 sawtooth structure [0093] 15 longitudinal slot [0094] 16 dividing wall [0095] 16a recess [0096] 16b intermediate space [0097] 17 indentation [0098] K cable [0099] S cable plug [0100] F spring arm [0101] B socket [0102] G appliance