Shielded plug connector module for a modular industrial plug connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a system consisting of a first plug connector module (2) and a second plug connector module (3), each of which is to be used in a modular industrial plug connector. 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). A cable connected to the plug connector module (2, 3) can be secured on a connection side (A) of each shield transfer element (5, 6), and the shield transfer elements (5, 6) can be brought into electric contact with each other on the plug side.

Claims

1. A system, consisting of: a first plug connector module (2) configured for use in a modular industrial plug connector; and a second plug connector module (3) configured for use in the modular industrial plug connector, wherein the first plug connector module (2) comprises a first shield transfer element (5) having a plug side (S) and a connection side (A), wherein the second plug connector module (3) comprises a second shield transfer element (6) having a plug side (S) and a connection side (A), wherein the first plug connector module (2) is configured to connect a first cable thereto and to secure the first cable on the connection side (A) of the first shield transfer element (5), wherein the second plug connector module (3) is configured to connect a second cable thereto and to secure the second cable on the connection side (A) of the second shield transfer element (6), and wherein the first shield transfer element (5) and the second shield transfer elements (6) can be electrically contact-connected to one another on their respective plug sides.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shield transfer element (5) is bent in a wave-shaped manner on the plug side (S).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shield transfer element has, on the plug side (S), at least one slot (7) which runs parallel to a plugging direction (SR).

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first shield transfer element has, on the plug side (S), three slots (7) which run parallel to the plugging direction (SR).

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shield transfer element (5) is bent in a wave-shaped manner on the plug side (S), and wherein the first shield transfer element has, on the plug side (S), at least one slot (7) which runs parallel to the plugging direction (SR), and wherein the at least one slot (7) runs in a region of the wave-shaped bend.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second shield transfer element (6) is of continuously flat design.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein 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.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the first shield transfer element (5) is smaller on the connection side (A) than on the plug side (S), and wherein a width of the second shield transfer element (6) is smaller on the connection side (A) than on the plug side (S).

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second shield transfer element (5, 6) have a cable fixing element on the connection side (A).

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cable fixing element is designed as a hose clip (9).

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein 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.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein 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).

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein 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).

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein 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.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein 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).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a first plug connector module.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a second plug connector module.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective exploded drawing of a system consisting of the first and the second plug connector module.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective and sectioned detail of an alternative first plug connector module.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective and sectioned detail of an alternative second plug connector module.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of the system consisting of the first and the second plug connector module.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a sectioned side view of a second variant of the shield transfer elements of the plug connector modules.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the second variant of the shield transfer elements of the plug connector modules.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a third variant of the shield transfer elements of the plug connector modules.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of an alternative system consisting of a first and a second plug connector module.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective detail of the alternative system consisting of a first and a second plug connector module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) The figures contain partially simplified, schematic illustrations. In some cases, identical reference signs are used for similar but not identical elements. Different views of the same elements can be shown to different scales.

(14) FIG. 1 shows a first plug connector module 2 and FIG. 2 shows a second plug connector module 3, which plug connector modules are each intended to be inserted into a holding frame, as shown in DE 10 2015 114 703 A1 for example, of a modular industrial plug connector (not shown). To this end, the plug connector modules 2, 3 are provided with approximately rectangular holder means 4 which project from the narrow sides. Recesses which are designed as openings which are closed on all sides and which the holder means 4 enter when the plug connector modules 2, 3 are inserted into the holding frame are provided in the side parts of the frame halves of the holding frame.

(15) The first plug connector module 2 and the second plug connector module 3 are each inserted into a modular industrial plug connector by means of a holding frame and are accordingly correspondingly arranged oppositely. In this context, the plug connector modules 2, 3 function as a system 1, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6.

(16) The plug connector modules 2, 3 have a plug side S and a connection side A. The plug side S is also described by “on the plug side” below. Analogously, the connection side A is also referred to as “on the connection side”. A cable (not shown for reasons of illustration) is connected to the respective connection side A. The plug connector modules 2, 3 are combined and plugged together by way of the plug side S.

(17) The first plug connector module 2 and the second plug connector module 3 are each brought together and plugged in the plugging direction SR, SR′. 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. The shield transfer elements 5, 6 are produced from a metal workpiece using a stamping and bending process. A shield braid of a cable can be connected to each of the shield transfer elements 5, 6 on the cable connection side. The shield braid of the cable is electrically conductively connected to the respective shield transfer element 5, 6. The shield transfer elements 5, 6 are electrically conductively connected to one another or contact-connected on the plug side S.

(18) The second shield transfer element 6 is of completely flat design. The first shield transfer element 5 of the first plug connector module 2 is likewise of flat configuration for the most part. The only exception here is the plug side S end of the shield transfer element 5. The shield transfer element 5 is of wave-shaped or corrugated design on the plug side. This shape is achieved by the metal sheet being bent upward once and then bent downward once, or vice versa, over its course in this region. The first shield transfer element 5 has, on the plug side S,—substantially within the wave-shaped region—axial slots 7 which run in the plugging direction SR. Contact-making fingers 8 are formed on the first shield transfer element 5 by the slots 7.

(19) FIG. 6 shows a first plug connector module 2 and a second plug connector module 3 which are plug-connected to one another. A holding frame and a matching plug connector housing are not shown for reasons of illustration. In the plugged state, the shield transfer elements 5, 6 are electrically conductively connected to one another on the plug side. In the plugging process, the first shield transfer element 5 of the first plug connector module 2 slides over the second shield transfer element 6 of the second plug connector module 3. The contact-making fingers 8 of the first shield transfer element 5 engage or press onto the plug-side end of the second shield transfer element 6. The force with which the contact-making fingers 8 of the first shield transfer element 5 press onto the second shield transfer element 6 can be adjusted by the above-described wave-shaped bend and an appropriate selection of material.

(20) The first and the second shield transfer element 5, 6 each have, on the connection side, two opposite, rectangular notches 10 which form a T-shaped end. The first and the second shield transfer element 5, 6 are each equipped with a hose clip 9 on the connection side A. The hose clip 9 is arranged in the region of the notches 10. The shield braid of a cable (not shown) which is connected to the respective plug connector module 2, 3 can be electrically conductively connected to the respective shield transfer element 5, 6 by way of the hose clip 9. At the same time, the hose clip 9 provides strain relief for the cable.

(21) In each case six contact elements 11, 11′ are arranged in the first and the second plug connector module 2, 3. The plug connector modules 2, 3 are suitable, in particular, as so-called motor plug connectors for an electric motor. At least three contact elements 11, 11′ are configured in such a way that a current with a current intensity of at least 16 Amperes can be transmitted by means of said contact elements.

(22) The first and the second plug connector module 2, 3 each have a holding plate 12 with fingers 13 which are integrally formed in the plugging direction. The contact elements 11, 11′ are secured or fixed in the plug connector module 2, 3 by means of the holding plate 12 in addition to fingers 13. The contact elements 11, 11′ are fixed in a captive manner, but still have a certain degree of play in their respective recess 14 in order to ensure a required tolerance during the plugging process.

(23) FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative variant of the system. Here, the first plug connector module 2′ and the second plug connector module 3′ each have a metal PE transmission element 15. Otherwise, the plug connector modules 2′, 3′ are configured analogously to the first embodiment. The PE transmission element 15 is electrically conductively connected to the respective shield transfer element 5, 6. The PE transmission element 15 is electrically conductively connected to a metal holding frame, as already mentioned above, in the installed state. The holding frame (not shown) has a so-called PE contact which, for its part, is electrically conductively connected to a metal housing, likewise already mentioned above, of an industrial plug connection. Continuous potential equalization, which can be advantageous in some applications, including for shielding purposes, can be provided by the PE transmission element 15.

(24) FIGS. 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of a first shield transfer element 5′. The matching second shield transfer element 6 is designed analogously to the first original embodiment. Here, the lamellae 8′ are formed by separate stamped-and-bent components which are manufactured from a material other than that of the main form. Here, the lamellae 8′ consist of a copper/beryllium alloy and only have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.08 millimeters, where the edge regions are incorporated in the wall thickness range. The lamellae 8′ can be pushed onto a main body in a simple manner. The lamellae 8′ are pushed onto the main body of the first shield transfer element 5′ on the plug side.

(25) FIG. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of a first shield transfer element 5″. A second shield transfer element 6″ is configured in a manner matching said first shield transfer element. The two shield transfer elements 5″, 6″ have a lateral slot 15 into which the separate lamellae 8′ can be pushed. In each case two lamellae 8′ are pushed into the two shield transfer elements 5″, 6″ oppositely to one another or laterally offset in relation to one another on the plug side.

(26) FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative system consisting of a first plug connector module 2′ and a second plug connector module 3′. The first plug connector module 2 has a first shield transfer element 5″′ from which contact-making fingers 8″ project in the axial direction. At least two of these contact making fingers 8″ are bent away from the flat main body of the shield transfer element 5″′ in opposite directions. This can also be called a fork-like configuration of the contact-making fingers 8″. As a result, the contact making fingers 8″ can surround and make contact with the second shield transfer element 6 of the second plug connector module 3′ on both sides. With this type of contact-connection, no lateral forces occur on the plug connector modules 2′, 3′, as a result of which the number of possible plugging cycles is increased.

(27) The shield transfer elements 5″′, 6 of the alternative system 1′ have, on the connection side, protruding flutes 18 which are arranged between the notches 10′. The cable sheath of the connected cable is placed on said flutes. On the other side, the cable is provided with a pressing element 16 and ultimately fixedly pinched between the flutes 18 and the pressing element 16 with the aid of a cable tie 18. Particularly reliable cable strain relief is realized in this way

(28) 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

(29) 1 System

(30) 2 First plug connector module

(31) 3 Second plug connector module

(32) 4 Holder means

(33) 5 First shield transfer element

(34) 6 Second shield transfer element

(35) 7 Slots

(36) 8 Contact-making finger

(37) 9 Hose clip

(38) 10 Notch

(39) 11 Contact element

(40) 12 Holding plate

(41) 13 Finger of the holding plate

(42) 14 Recess

(43) 15 Slot

(44) 16 Pressing element

(45) 17 Cable tie

(46) 18 Flutes

(47) S Plug side

(48) A Connection side

(49) SR Plugging direction