EP1587180B1 - Coding connector for data transfer - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the coding of connectors for signal-carrying cables. The connector is preferably an electrical connector. However, it is not excluded that the connector is an optical connector.

Connectors for signal-carrying cables are required in many technical fields of application. Machining centers, machine tools, data processing systems, data communication systems, motor drives and robots are just a few examples from the long list of areas in which cable connectors are used.

For connecting electrical cables in many cases electrical connectors are used, which can be found, for example, in a round or rectangular version. Such connectors generally have a housing, which is usually made of metal, sometimes made of plastic. In the housing, a made of electrically insulating plastic contact carrier is used, in which an array of electrical contact elements is embedded. In the case of connectors, the contact elements are, for example, contact pins or contact sockets. The contact elements can generally be referred to as signal interface elements, since they form a signal interface for the signals to be transmitted. When the connector is mated with a mating connector to form a connector mating, the contact elements of the connector engage complementary mating contact elements of the mating connector.

Connectors of the type considered herein include those to be attached to a loose end of a signal cable. The signal-carrying wires of the cable are firmly connected to the contact elements - or generally signal interface elements - of the connector.

However, the connectors considered here also include those which are intended for fixed mounting on a superordinate construction, for example for installation in a wall.

In many applications, a more or less large number of cables to lay. To avoid confusion when assembling the cable connectors, It is known to code the connectors mechanically. In a known embodiment of an electrical circular connector, for example, a Codierformation in the form of a nose or a recess is formed on the housing of the connector. The coding formation is intended to engage in mating of the connector with a mating connector in engagement with a complementary Gegencodierformation the mating connector. Thus, if one connector carries a coding tab, the other connector must have a coding recess to allow both connectors to be mated together. The coding formation is always provided at all connectors at the same angular position of the housing.

The contact carrier of the connector may optionally be inserted in three different relative rotational positions in the connector housing. In the respectively selected built-in rotary position of the contact carrier is then, of course, non-rotatable relative to the housing. The three possible installation rotational positions of the contact carrier according to three different angular positions of the contact elements of the connector against the Codierformation are possible. Accordingly, there are a total of three possible codings of the connector.

Such a coded connector can be properly assembled with a mating connector only if the latter is coded complementary. It must therefore have the contact carrier of the mating connector a corresponding angular position with respect to the Gegencodierformation of the mating connector as the contact carrier of the connector with respect to the Codierformation of the connector. For example, if the contact carrier of a connector is incorporated into the housing of this connector with a central recessed rotational position, but the contact carrier of another connector is incorporated into the housing of that other connector with a built-in rotational position rotated right or left, both connectors can not be mated together because, when the coding formations of the two connectors face each other, the polar patterns of the contact elements of the two connectors are twisted relative to each other.

A disadvantage of the known solution is that in this limited number of possible codes a subsequent change in the coding of the connector is very cumbersome because the connector must be completely disassembled in order to change the angular position of the contact carrier in the housing can. Extensions of the coding options are only possible if a different housing is used or the contact carrier is revised. However, this is not considered on a regular basis.

DE 195 06 713 A1 such as WO 97/1687 A1 disclose electrical connectors with a Codierstück which is attached to a contact carrier of the connector.

From the FR 1 300 710 A 10, a connector is known, which has a coupler housing and a plug housing, wherein the two housing parts have integrally formed Codierstücke.

DE 37 12258 A1 discloses a socket for single and multi-pole coupling devices of circular connectors with the same contact image. In order to enable a modification of the socket, a housing front part is described with Codierformationen for a male connector device, which can be arranged in a plurality of predefined angular positions by means of a union nut to a housing rear part.

DE 298 19 746 U1 shows a coaxial connector with a plug and a coupler, wherein the coupler carries a Codierhülse which is provided on the inner peripheral side with a longitudinal groove into which a freely rotatably seated on the plug coding ring with a protruding coding lance immersed.

EP 0 392 629 A discloses a connector set with juxtaposed rectangular connectors. The connectors have two complementary carrier units to which Codierplättchen can be attached.

Finally, out of the FR 2 036 634 A6 a plug connection is known which has a plug housing and a coupler housing, wherein a removable and displaceable Codierringabschnitt is arranged in a sleeve-shaped end portion of the coupler housing.

The invention is based on a first aspect of a signal-carrying cable connector, comprising a housing and a carrier unit for an array of signal interface elements which, when the connector is mated with a mating complementary connector, signal-interactively communicate with associated signal mating interface elements of the mating connector wherein the connector carries at least one coding formation which is intended and adapted, when the connector is properly connected to the mating connector, to engage with an associated counter-coding formation of the mating connector, wherein at least one coding formation is formed on a separate from the housing and the carrier unit Codierstück, which is held on the housing. According to the invention, the coding piece is formed as a coding ring, which is held non-rotatably on the housing, and wherein the coding ring and the housing have cooperating mounting members, which allow attachment of the Codierstücks to the housing in only a single predetermined relative position.

The invention then proceeds to structurally separate the coding formation (s) of the connector from the housing and provide it on a separate component. This separation allows, for example, to decide on the final choice of coding only at the place of use of the connector by the assembly of the Codierstücks done by the end user. This creates a high degree of flexibility, can allow a significant reduction in costly storage options and can reduce delivery times. Since different Codierstücke can be designed differently, a large number of coding possibilities of the connector is given without the need for modifications to the carrier unit must be made or the housing must be replaced.

If the coding piece is removable from the housing, the coding of the connector can be subsequently modified by replacing the coding piece.

The separate Codierstück can be used on its color for the optical encoding of the connector. For example, two connectors may then be characterized as being associated with one another by being provided with the same color coded pieces. Other connector pairs may carry differently colored coding pieces.

The coding piece may have a single coding formation or a plurality of spaced-apart coding formations, for example two, three or four. If a plurality of coding formations are formed on the coding piece, then they may have the same shape or at least partially different shape. Preferably, a coding formation is either as an elongated nose (rib) or as complementary recess (groove) formed. Of course, the invention is not limited to these forms. Other, in particular more complex embodiments of the coding formation (s) are also conceivable. By different position of the coding formation (s) on the Codierstück, different configuration of the Codierformation (s) and also different colors of the Codierstücks a nearly unlimited number of different codings of the connector can be realized.

Preferably, the Codierstück is mounted in built-in housing housing unit and in particular also interchangeable. This makes it possible, for example, to partially pre-assemble connectors and equip them with cables. The coding of the prefabricated, partially assembled connector can then be made by the end customer at a time chosen by him. A later modification of the coding of the connector is so very easy.

For mounting the Codierstücks on the housing preferably cooperating coupling members are arranged on the Codierstück and the housing, which allow attachment of the Codierstücks to the housing in only a single predetermined relative position. In this way, improper mounting of the Codierstücks on the connector housing is excluded.

Connectors of the type considered here often have a sleeve-shaped end portion of their housing. The coding ring can then be inserted into this end section or placed on it. In particular, in connectors of one type of signal interface elements (eg, electrical contact pins), the coding ring may be inserted into the sleeve-shaped housing end portion while being seated on the sleeve-shaped housing end portion in connectors of a complementary type of signal interface elements (eg, contact sockets).

The Codierstück is advantageously made of plastic, in particular by injection molding. This is easy and inexpensive.

Preferably, in the connector according to the invention, the carrier unit can be installed in the housing only in a single predetermined relative rotational position. The coding of the connector is done so only by the Codierstück. This has the advantage that installation of the carrier unit in the housing in a wrong, unintentional angular position is excluded. In the case of the known circular connector, on the other hand, it may happen that the contact carriers of two connectors to be plugged together have not been inserted into the respective connector housing by mistake in a matching angular position. Then at least one of the connectors must be laboriously disassembled and then reassembled with the corrected position of the contact carrier in question.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a set of coding rings for a connector of the type described above. The coding rings of this set are selectively attachable to the connector and differ, at least in part, by a different location of at least one coding formation and / or by a different number of Codierformationen and / or by a different embodiment of at least one coding formation and / or by different colors from each other. Such a set may be offered together with the connector in a trade item. It may also be available separately so that it can be purchased later if needed, if the user wishes to recode a connector.

In one embodiment, the coding rings differ, at least in part, from each other by different colors, each coloration being uniquely associated with a particular combination of location, number, and design of coding information. In this embodiment, the user immediately knows from the color scheme which encoding it is.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a housing of a signal-carrying connector comprising an in-housing carrier unit for an array of signal interface elements which, when the connector is mated with a mating complementary connector, signal-translate with associated signal-mating interface elements of the mating connector. According to the invention, provision is made in this aspect for mechanical coupling formations to be arranged on the housing, which are designed and constructed for attachment of a separate coding piece carrying at least one coding formation, which is designed as a coding ring, to the housing in fitting engagement with complementary mechanical coupling formations of the coding piece such that the coding ring is held non-rotatably on the housing and attachment of the coding ring to the housing is possible only in a single predetermined relative rotational position.

The invention also comprises a coding ring with at least one coding formation for attachment to the housing of a connector according to the third aspect. In this case, the coding ring according to the invention carries mechanical coupling formations, which are complementary to the mechanical coupling formations of the housing of the connector and are designed and adapted to occur when mounting the coding ring on the housing of the connector in fitting engagement with the mechanical coupling formations of the connector housing, such that the coding ring is held on the housing non-rotatably and an attachment of the Codierrings to the housing only in a single predetermined relative rotational position is possible.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for assembling a connector according to the first aspect. This method is characterized in that firstly the connector is partially assembled at a first location by incorporating the carrier unit into the housing, the partially assembled connector is then brought to a remote location from the first location second location and there the coding is attached to the connector housing. In this case, the partially assembled connector can be brought together with a cable connected to the second location.

• Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Explosionsdarstellung Komponenten eines elektrischen Rundsteckverbinders gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Codierrings des Steckverbinders der Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 ein Verbindergehäuse für einen elektrischen Rundsteckverbinder nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
• Fig. 4 den Steckverbinder nach dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einem zusammengebauten Zustand,
• Fig. 5 einen in dem Steckverbinder nach dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel verwendeten Codierring in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• Fig. 6 vergrößert den Ausschnitt A der Fig. 4,
• Fig. 7 vergrößert den Ausschnitt B der Fig. 4 und
• Fig. 8 schematisch ein Beispiel eines Satzes unterschiedlich codierter Codierringe.

The invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

• Fig. 1 in an exploded perspective view components of a circular electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• Fig. 2 an enlarged view of a coding ring of the connector of Fig. 1 .
• Fig. 3 a connector housing for an electrical circular connector according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• Fig. 4 the connector according to the second embodiment in an assembled state,
• Fig. 5 a coded ring used in the connector according to the second embodiment in an enlarged view,
• Fig. 6 enlarges the section A of the Fig. 4 .
• Fig. 7 enlarges the detail B of the Fig. 4 and
• Fig. 8 schematically an example of a set of differently coded coding rings.

In the Fig. 1 shown components of a generally designated 10 electrical circular connector include a particular made of metal sleeve-shaped connector housing 12 having a housing longitudinal axis 14, a contact carrier unit 16 and a coding ring 18. The contact carrier unit 16 has in a conventional manner an arrangement of metallic contact elements 20, the here are designed as contact sockets. At these contact sockets 20, the stripped ends of the wires of a multi-core electric cable (in Fig. 1 not shown in detail) can be connected. The contact carrier unit 16, which is preferably made of electrically insulating plastic by injection molding, is to be inserted in the housing 12 in the axial direction, for example from the rear axially, that is to say in FIG Fig. 1 from the top left. In the final assembly state of the connector 10, it is secured in the housing 12 in a manner not shown against falling out after axially forward and against backward movement to the rear axially. The specific embodiment of the axial securing of the contact carrier unit 16 in the housing 12 serving means is not relevant to the present invention, which is why a more detailed description is omitted. Suitable securing means are well known in the art. For example, the contact carrier unit 16 can be held in the housing 12 by a releasable latching connection.

The contact carrier unit 16 has on its outer peripheral side an axial positioning groove 22 which engages in the proper insertion of the contact carrier unit 16 in the housing 12 in a non-illustrated, formed on the inner peripheral side of the housing 12 axial rib. The contact carrier unit 16 can be inserted into the housing 12 only when the positioning groove 22 is opposite to the housing-side rib. In this way, it can be installed in the housing 12 only in a single predetermined relative angular position. This facilitates the assembly of the connector 10 for the assembly personnel.

The preferably also made of plastic, in particular injection-molded coding ring 18 is to be placed on an axially front end portion 24 of the housing 12. The front here refers to that side of the connector 10, in the final assembly state, a non-illustrated mating connector with complementary contact elements, in the present case, pins can be infected. The coding ring 18 has distributed over its annular circumference a plurality of retaining tabs 26, preferably at approximately equal angular intervals from each other. Im shown Embodiment, the coding ring 18 is designed with three such support tabs 26, which have an angular distance of 120 degrees from each other. The retaining tabs 26 protrude from the axially rear edge of the coding ring 18 and each have an opening 28.

In accordance with the number and distribution of the mounting brackets 26, the housing 12 has an array of support projections 30 on the outer peripheral side of its end portion 24. When axial positioning of the encoder ring 18 on the housing end portion 24, the support tabs 26 move over these projections 30 so that the latter engage in the openings 28 of the support tabs 26. The support tabs 26 have for this purpose a certain radial elasticity, so that they can deflect when they hit the projections 30. In order to facilitate the placement of the Codierrings 18, at least the axially front flanks of the support projections 30 are designed as run-up slopes. The axially rear flanks of the support projections 30 may be axially directed (that is to say run parallel to the radial direction) or may also be bevelled. In the latter case, it may be advisable if they are steeper than the front flanks of the support projections 30, to ensure a secure axial retention of the coding ring 18 against removal from the front.

The retaining tabs 26 with the openings 28 can be as well as the support projections 30 denote mechanical coupling formations of the housing 12 and the coding ring 18.

In the circumferential direction between the support projections 30 radially projecting stop webs 32 are formed on the outer peripheral side of the housing. These stop webs 32 limit the movement of the coding ring 18 to the rear axially. At least one of the stop webs 32 has at its axially front web edge a recess 34 into which a removal of the coding ring 18 from the housing 12 facilitating peeling tool can be used. For example, the recess 34 may be sized so that the tip of a screwdriver tool can be inserted into it. By rotating the screwdriver tool in the recess 34, an axial force can be generated on the encoder ring 18 which causes the bracket tabs 26 to disengage from the support tabs 30.

The retaining projections 30 are not all identical. Likewise, the retaining tabs 26 are not all identical. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the support projections 30 in the circumferential direction slightly wider than the other two. Similarly, one of the retaining tabs 26 is designed with a wider opening 28 than the others. In Fig. 1 this is the mounting tab 26 which is located deepest in the perspective view. The wider of the support projections 30 is in Fig. 1 covered.

This at least partially different configuration of the retaining projections 30 and the retaining tabs 26 ensures that the coding ring 18 can be mounted on the housing 12 only in a single predetermined relative rotational position. The wider of the support tabs 30 fits only into the retention tab 26 with the wider opening 28, not into the other retention tabs. This makes the mounting of the coding ring 18 very easy, because no incorrect assembly is possible.

It will now be additionally to the enlarged view of the coding ring 18 in Fig. 2 directed. To encode the coding ring 18 carries on its outer peripheral side one or more distributed in the ring circumferential direction Codierformationen. In the illustrated embodiment, it carries three coding information, namely a thicker coding projection 36 and two thinner Codiervorsprünge 38. The latter are only in Fig. 2 recognizable. The Codiervorsprünge 36, 38 are formed here as axially elongated ribs which extend over substantially the entire axial width of the Codierrings 18. They are intended to engage in mating of the connector 10 with a mating connector into engagement with complementary code grooves of the mating connector.

The thicker Codiervorsprung 36 is arranged in the present example case in the peripheral region of one of the support tabs 26. The two thinner Codiervorsprünge 38, however, are arranged in a peripheral region between the other two retaining tabs 26. In particular, they can lie approximately symmetrically on both sides of an imaginary plane of symmetry which contains the ring axis of the coding ring 18 (in FIG Fig. 2 designated 40) and passes through the thicker Codiervorsprung 36.

The Fig. 3 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of an electrical circular connector. The circular connector according to this embodiment forms a complementary mating connector to the connector of Fig. 1 and 2 , In the FIGS. 3 to 7 are the same or equivalent components as in the first embodiment provided with the same reference numerals, but supplemented by a Lowercase letters. Unless otherwise stated below, reference is made to the preceding comments on the Fig.1 and 2 directed.

In Fig. 3 is a designed as a flange housing 12 a of the connector according to the second embodiment shown. It has a mounting flange 42a for mounting the housing 12a to a superstructure, such as a multi-connector wall of an electrical or electronic device. Apart from the mounting flange, the housing 12a is also designed sleeve-shaped.

The housing 12 a has a front end portion 24 a, in which a in Fig. 5 to be used in detail shown Codierring 18a. In the region of the end portion 24 a, a ribbing 44 a is formed on the inner peripheral side of the housing 12 a, which in Fig. 3 is partially visible. Ribbing here refers to an arrangement of circumferentially alternating axial ribs and grooves, so that overall sets a ribbed appearance. Accordingly, the coding ring 18a is formed on its outer peripheral side with a complementary ribbing 46a, as well in FIG Fig. 5 can be seen. The ribs 44a, 46a are not perfectly regular in the circumferential direction, but are designed so that the coding ring 18a can only be properly inserted into the housing 12a in a single predetermined relative rotational position. In the assembled state, the mutual engagement of the ribs 44a, 46a also prevents rotation of the coding ring 18a relative to the housing 12a.

In Fig. 4 the state is shown in which the coding ring 18a is inserted into the end portion 24a of the housing 12a. It also recognizes a likewise inserted into the housing 12a contact carrier unit 16a with contact elements 20a, which are designed here as contact pins. The contact pins 20a may be directly connected to the wires of an electric cable extending from the back of the in Fig. 4 with connector 10a, ie, from the side of the mounting flange 42a, into the housing 12a.

The Codierring 18 a has in the region of its axially front edge on two diametrically opposite, radially projecting stop lugs 48 a, of which in Fig. 5 one is recognizable. Of course, more than two stop lugs can be provided. The stop lugs 48a limit the axial insertion depth of the encoder ring 18a in the housing 12a. The latter has at its front edge in association with each stop lug 48a a recess 50a (see Fig. 6 ) on, in which engages the respective stop lug 48a upon insertion of the coding ring 18a in the housing 12a. The stop lugs 48a can be dimensioned so that they can receive axial holding forces and transmitted into the housing 12a. In particular, they can be made sufficiently strong to provide reliable protection against the coding ring 18a in the housing end portion 24a being undesirably pushed too far axially to the rear.

Fig. 5 also shows that the coding ring 18a has two diametrically opposite locking tongues 52a, each of which is exposed by a pair of separating slots 54a formed in the coding ring 18a. The separating slots 54a are formed approximately axially into the latter from the axially rear edge of the coding ring 18a. The latching tongues 52a exposed by the separating slots 54a have a certain radial elasticity. On their outer side, the latching tongues 52a each have a latching projection 56a.

In association with each latching tongue 52a, a window 58a is formed in the wall of the housing end portion 24a. Such a window 58a is in the enlarged section of Fig. 7 clearly visible. When inserting the coding ring 18a in the housing 12a, the locking tongues 52a are first deflected radially inward. When the latching projections 56a reach the area of the windows 58a, they snap back so that the latching projections 56a snap into the windows 58a. The locking engagement of the locking projections 56a with the windows 58a secures the coding ring 18a against falling axially out of the housing end portion 24a. Since the locking tongues 52a are accessible from the outside through the windows 58a, the coding ring 18a can be easily removed by pressing the locking tongues 52a radially inward and then pulling the coding ring 18a axially out of the housing.

Like the coding ring 18 of the first embodiment, the coding ring 18a also carries one or more coding formations distributed in the circumferential direction of the ring, but in this case on its inner peripheral side. In the embodiment shown, the coding formations of the coding ring 18a are complementary to those of the coding ring 18 of FIG Fig. 1 and 2 so that the connector 10 of the Fig. 1 and 2 with the connector 10a of Fig. 3 to 7 can be put together.

Specifically, the coding ring 18a, as in FIG Fig. 5 shown, a lower Codierrinne 60a and two less deep Codierrinnen 62a. In the example shown, the lower Codierrinne 60a is formed on one of the locking tongues 52a, while the two less deep Codierrinnen 62a lie on both sides of the other latching tongue 52a. When the connectors 10, 10a are put together, the thicker coding projection 36 of the cordier ring 18 engages with the lower coding channel 60a of the coding ring 18a. The thinner Codiervorsprünge 38 of the Cordierrings 18, however, engage with the lower-depth Codierrinnen 62 a of the Codierrings 18 a.

In both embodiments discussed above, the encoder ring 18, 18a may be installed in and removed from the connector housing 12, 12a while the contact carrier unit 16, 16a is in the connector housing. The contact carrier unit does not have to be removed. The coding ring can be easily mounted from the front of the housing and also pulled off to the front again. This allows a simple change of the coding of the connector by replacing the coding ring with another one.

By varying the shape, number and location of the coding formations, any number of different codings can be generated per se. In addition, the coloring of the coding ring can also be an encoding feature. Thus, different coding rings, which all have the same mechanical interface to a connector housing and are therefore selectively interchangeable, not only in the mechanical coding features shape, number and location of the coding formations but also from a color point of view.

An exemplary set of coding rings differing in at least one coding feature is shown in FIG Fig. 8 indicated schematically. There are shown three coding rings 18b1, 18b2 and 18b3. All three Codierringe have similar to the Codierring 18 of Fig. 1 and 2 each have a thicker Codiervorsprung 36b and two thinner Codiervorsprünge 38b. It can be seen that they differ from one another by the angular position of their thicker coding projection 36b with respect to the thinner coding projections 38b. For example, the thicker encoder projection 36b of the encoder rings 18b1 and 18b3 is offset by +20 degrees and -20 degrees, respectively, from the thicker encoder projection 36b of the encoder ring 18b2.

Accordingly, coding rings of the in the Fig. 3 to 7 For example, by the angular position of the lower Codierrinne differ.

To make coding rings of different coding even more distinguishable, all coding rings of the same coding and of the same type can have the same coloring, coding rings of this type having different coding differing Coloring have. It can then be recognized in a set of coding rings alone based on the color, whether two coding rings are coded the same or different.

It is understood that the invention is by no means limited to annular Codierringe. For rectangular connectors, for example, rectangular Codierringe are conceivable.

Claims (14)

1. A connector (10) for signal-carrying cables, comprising a housing (12) as well as a carrying unit (16) received in the housing (12) for an arrangement of signal interface elements (20) that upon connection of the connector (10) with a complementary mating connector (10a) establish an interaction with related signal interface elements (20a) of the mating connector (10a) while carrying signals, wherein the connector (10) carries at least one coding formation (36, 38) that is intended and designed so as to engage the related coding formation (60a, 62a) of the mating connector (10a) when the connector (10) properly connects to the mating connector (10a),
   characterized in that at least one coding formation (36, 38) is configured on a coding component (18) segregated from the housing (12) and the carrying unit (16), which is held on the housing (12), wherein the coding component (18) has the shape of a coding ring that is non-rotatably attached to the housing (12), and wherein the coding ring (18) and the housing (12) comprise interacting securing organs (30, 26) that permit securing the coding ring (18) to the housing (12) in a single predetermined relative angular position only.
2. The connector according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the coding component (18) is removable from the housing (12).
3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the coding component (18) can be attached, and in particular exchanged, when the carrying unit (16) is installed in the housing (16).
4. The connector according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the coding component (18a) is inserted into a sleeve-shaped end portion (24a) of the housing (12a).
5. The connector according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the coding component (18) is set on the sleeve-shaped end portion (24) of the housing (12).
6. The connector according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the coding component (18) is made of plastic.
7. The connector according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the carrying unit (16) can be inserted into the housing in a single predetermined relative angular position only.
8. The connector according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the connector (10) is an electric plug-in connector, particularly a circular plug-in connector.
9. A set of coding rings (18b1, 18b2, 18b3) for a connector for signal carrying cables according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding rings (18b1, 18b2, 18b3) can be selectively secured to the connector (10) and at least partly differ from one another in a different localization of at least one coding formation (36b, 38b), or/and in a different number of coding formations, or/and in a different configuration of at least one coding formation, or/and in a different colouring.
10. The set of coding rings according to claim 9,
    characterized in that the coding rings (18b1, 18b2, 18b3) at least partly differ from one another in a different coloring, wherein each coloring is unambiguously assigned to a certain combination of localization, number and configuration of coding formations (36b, 38b).
11. A housing of a connector (10) for signal carrying cables according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising carrying unit (16) to be received in the housing (12) for an arrangement of signal interface elements (20) that upon connection of the connector (10) with a complementary mating connector (10a) establish an interaction with related signal interface elements (20a) of the mating connector (10a) while carrying signals, characterized in that mechanic coupling formations (30) are arranged on the housing (12) that are intended and designed so as to establish on the housing a holding engagement with complementary mechanic coupling formations (26,28) of the coding ring (18) when a segregated coding component (18) carrying at least one coding formation (36, 28) being shaped as coding ring is assembled in such a manner that the coding ring (18) is non-rotatably held on the housing (12) and that the coding ring (18) can be fixed to the housing (12) in a single predetermined relative angular position only.
12. Coding ring (18) comprising at least one coding formation (36, 38) for securing to the housing (12) of a connector (10) for signal carrying cables according to claim 12,
    characterized in that the coding ring (18) bears mechanic coupling formations (26, 28) that are complementary to the mechanic coupling formations (30) of the housing of the connector and that are intended and designed to establish a holding engagement with the mechanic coupling formations (30) of the connector housing when the coding ring (18) is fixed to the housing (12) of the connector (10) in such a manner that the coding ring (18) is non-rotatably held to the housing (12) and that the coding ring (18) can be fixed to the housing (12) in a single predetermined relative angular position only.
13. A method for assembling a connector according to one of claims 3 to 8,
    characterized in that, firstly, the connector (10) is partly assembled at a first place by at least installing the carrying unit (16) in the housing (12), the partly assembled connector (10) is brought to a second place that is distant from the first place and the coding component (18) is fixed to the connector housing.
14. The method according to claim 13,
    characterized in that the partly assembled connector is brought together with a cable connected to it to a second place.

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