EP3782238A1 - Shielded plug connector module for a modular industrial plug connector - Google Patents

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.

Description

 Shielded connector module for a modular

 industrial Connectors

description

 The invention is based on a system consisting of a first connector module and a second connector module, each for use in a modular industrial connector, according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Such connector modules are used as part of a

Connector modular system is required to a connector, in particular a heavy industrial connector, flexible to certain requirements in terms of signal and energy transmission, e.g. between two electrical devices to be able to adjust.

Typically, this connector modules in corresponding support frame, which are sometimes referred to as hinge frame, module frame or modular frame used. The support frame thus serve to several similar and / or also

accommodate different connector modules and this safely on a surface and / or a device wall and / or in a

Connector housing o. Ä. To fix.

The connector modules usually have one in each case

Essentially cuboid insulating body or a cuboid housing. This Isolierköper or housing, for example, serve as a contact carrier and record and fix various types of contacts. The function of a connector formed thereby is very flexible. It can z. B. pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical analog and / or digital signals in the respective insulator or

Housing be included and so find in the connector modular system use. Increasingly take over connector modules also measuring and data technical tasks.

For example, holding frame can be used, which are formed of two hingedly interconnected frame halves. The

Connector modules are provided with on the narrow sides projecting, approximately rectangular support means. In the side parts of the frame halves recesses formed as openings closed on all sides are provided into which the holding means dip when inserting the connector modules into the holding frame. To insert the connector modules of the holding frame is opened, d. H. open, with the frame halves are opened only so far around the joints that the connector modules can be used. Subsequently, the frame halves are capped together, d. H. of the

Holding frame is closed, the retaining means in the

Recesses reach and a secure, positive fit of the connector modules is effected in the support frame.

State of the art

 DE 10 2014 1 10 279 B3 shows a connector module with a centrally arranged contact element. The contact element is for

Transmission of high currents formed. If in addition to such

Connector modules, for example, further connector modules for transmitting high-frequency signals are arranged, however, it can unfortunately lead to a negative impact on the data signals.

For heavy duty connectors are usually already out

Safety reasons metallic connector housing used as shown for example in DE 10 2014 1 13 481 A1. Such connector housings are made, for example, in a zinc die casting process or in an aluminum die casting process. Through it is automatically given a certain shielding against electrical and / or magnetic. A disadvantage of this design is in the very elaborate production. Accordingly, they are usually too expensive to use only for Schirmungszwecken. The German Patent and Trademark Office has in the priority application for the present application, the following prior art research: DE 102 2006616 C1, DE 20 2006 012 687 U1, DE 20 2006 016 545 U1, DE 20 2008 004 428 U1, DE 697 22nd 303 T2, US Pat. No. 5,511,992 A, US Pat. No. 5,500,788 A

 The object of the invention is a connector module for a reliable and at the same time inexpensive modular

To propose industrial connectors. The object is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The system according to the invention consists of a first

Connector module and a second connector module. The connector modules are specially designed for a modular

Industrial connector and in particular provided for fixing in a modular support frame.

Both connector modules each have a screen transfer element. The screen transfer elements consist of a metallic material, which in particular has good electrically conductive properties. The respective screen transfer element can be connected on the cable side with a cable and in particular with a braided screen of the connected cable. On the plug side are the first and the second Screen transfer element electrically contacted each other. In this, the screen transfer elements are in touching contact with each other.

By the screen transfer elements of the system according to the invention, the characteristic impedance, also called wave impedance, can be significantly reduced.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first screen transfer element is configured substantially flat and only waved wavy on the plug side. In this case, the waveform from a lateral view or when looking at the narrow side of a more rounded waveform match. An angular variant is however alternatively also conceivable. Advantageously, the first screen transfer element on the plug side has at least one slot extending in the plugging direction. Particularly advantageously, the first screen transfer element on the plug side three extending in the direction of insertion slots. The first

Screen transfer element can be easily and inexpensively manufactured in a stamping-bending process of a flat sheet material.

Preferably, the second screen transfer element is made flat throughout. Through the above-mentioned slots are on the first

Screen transfer element plug side Kontaktierungsfinger formed, which take hold for making electrical contact with the second, flat screen transfer element. By this configuration, a reliable contact is achieved, which can be realized without much effort during insertion.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and the second screen transfer element

kabelanschussseitig configured T-shaped, wherein the T-bar is formed end. Preferably, the width of the first and the second screen transfer element is less on the cable side than on the plug side. This geometry is well suited to be connected to a braided screen of a cable to be connected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second Schirmübergabeelement kabelanschussseitig each have a Kabelfixierelement. Preferably, the Kabelfixierelement is designed as a hose clamp. Thus, the braid of the cable can be electrically fixed to the respective screen transfer element. At the same time a strain relief for the connected cable can be realized by a hose clamp.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second screen transfer element each cover a side surface of the connector module at least partially. This means that the substantially cuboid housing of the connector module has a side surface which is at least partially covered by the screen transfer element. These are the

Side surface aligned with an adjacent connector module in a support frame. The screen transfer element can develop its shielding effect in the direction of need.

Preferably, the first and the second cover

Schirmübergabeelement the respective side surface of the

Connector module over a large area, preferably at least 75% and more preferably at least 90%. These

Coverage shares have proven to be suitable in practice. This is particularly beneficial to any of the particular application

to achieve adequate shielding.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second connector module each have at least three

Contact elements on, each with a current with a current of at least 16 amps is transferable. Preferably, a current with a current greater than 20 amps can be transmitted. In order to be able to transfer such currents, a contact element must have a certain material thickness and a certain surface area (square millimeters). These are usually so-called turned contacts, which are formed from solid material. More filigree contacts, such as those used in signal or data connectors, can not transmit such currents. In a preferred variant of the invention, the first and the second connector module each have a retaining plate, with which the contact elements in the connector module can be fastened. The

Contact elements are inserted into recesses of a base body and fixed in the base body via the retaining plate. The contact elements still have some play around the

 Plug-in operation of the first connector module with the second

To facilitate connector module. The holding plate has vertically projecting and pointing in the insertion direction fixing arms which engage around the individual contact elements and thus hold in the insulating or fix it.

embodiment

 An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first

 Connector module,

 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second

 Connector module,

 Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a

inventive system consisting of the first and the second connector module, 4 is a perspective and sectioned section of an alternative first connector module,

 Fig. 5 is a perspective and sectioned section of a

 alternative second connector module,

 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the invention

 System consisting of the first and the second connector module,

 7 is a sectional side view of a second variant of

 Screen transfer elements of the connector modules,

8 is a perspective view of the second variant of

 Screen transfer elements of the connector modules,

9 is a perspective view of a third variant of

 Screen transfer elements of the connector modules,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative

 inventive system consisting of a first and a second connector module and

Fig. 1 1 is a perspective section of the alternative

 inventive system consisting of a first and a second connector module.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, for the same, but possibly not identical

Elements identical reference numerals used. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

FIG. 1 shows a first connector module 2 and FIG. 2 shows a second connector module 3, which are each provided for insertion into a flap frame, as shown for example in DE 10 2015 1 14 703 A1, of a modular industrial connector (not shown). For this purpose, the connector modules 2, 3 are provided with on the narrow sides projecting, approximately rectangular Flalterungsmitteln 4. In the side parts of the frame halves of the Flalterahmens are as all sides closed openings formed recesses provided, in which the support means 4 when inserting the connector modules 2, 3 dive into the support frame. The first connector module 2 and the second connector module 3 are each a holding frame in a modular

Industrial connectors are used and are accordingly

arranged correspondingly opposite. The

Connector modules 2, 3 act in this context as a system 1, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 6.

The connector modules 2, 3 have a plug side S and a

Connection side A on. The plug-in side S is also described below with "plug-in side". Similarly, the connection side A is also called "connection side". At the respective connection side A is a

Cable (not shown for illustrative reasons) connected. With the plug side S, the connector modules 2, 3 are brought together and plugged together. The first connector module 2 and the second connector module 3 are in each case in the insertion direction SR, SR 'merged and plugged. The first connector module 2 has a first one

Screen transfer element 5 and the second connector module 3, a second screen transfer element 6. The screen transfer elements 5, 6 are made of a metallic workpiece in a stamping and bending process. To the screen transfer elements 5, 6 can

each cable shield side a braided shield of a cable

be connected. The braided shield of the cable is electrically connected to the respective screen transfer element 5, 6.

Plug side S, the screen transfer elements 5, 6 are electrically conductively connected or contacted. The second screen transfer element 6 is completely flat. The first screen transfer element 5 of the first connector module 2 is also designed largely flat. Excluded here is only the plug-S end of the screen transfer element. 5

On the plug side, the screen transfer element 5 is wave-shaped or corrugated. This shape is achieved by bending the sheet in this area once up and then down once or vice versa. The first screen transfer element 5 has stretching side S-substantially within the wave-shaped region-axial slots 7 extending in the insertion direction SR. Through the slots 7 5 Kontaktierungsfinger 8 are formed on the first screen transfer element.

In Figure 6, a first connector module 2 and a second

Connector module 3 to see that are plugged together. A Flalterahmen and a matching connector housing are not shown for illustrative reasons. When plugged in, the screen transfer elements 5, 6 are in contact with each other on the plug side. In the mating process, the first screen transfer element 5 of the first connector module 2 slides over the second

Screen transfer element 6 of the second connector module 3. The Kontaktierungsfinger 8 of the first screen transfer element 5 engage or press on the plug-side end of the second

Screen transfer element 6. The force with which the Kontaktierungsfinger 8 of the first screen transfer element 5 to the second

Press screen transfer element 6, can be adjusted by the above-described wave-shaped bend and a corresponding selection of materials.

On the connection side, the first and the second screen transfer element 5, 6 each have two opposite, rectangular notches 10, which form a T-shaped end. On the connection side A are the first and the second screen transfer element 5, 6 each with a Hose clamp 9 equipped. The hose clamp 9 is arranged in the region of the notches 10. With the hose clamp 9, the

Braided shield one to the respective connector module 2, 3rd

connected cable (not shown) are electrically conductively connected to the respective screen transfer element 5, 6. At the same time the hose clamp 9 provides a strain relief for the cable.

In the first and second connector modules 2, 3 are each six

Contact elements 1 1, 11 'arranged. The connector modules 2, 3 are particularly suitable as a so-called motor connector for an electric motor. At least three contact elements 1 1, 1 1 "are designed such that a current with a current of at least 16 amperes is transferable. The first and the second connector module 2, 3 each have a holding plate 12 with integrally formed fingers 13 in the insertion direction. About the support plate 12 together with fingers 13, the contact elements 1 1, 1 1 'in the connector module 2, 3 attached or fixed. The contact elements 1 1,

11 'are fixed captive, but still have a certain amount of play in their respective recess 14 to ensure a necessary tolerance in the mating process.

In Figures 4 and 5 is an alternative variant of

inventive system shown. Here are the first

Connector module 2 "and the second connector module 3" each have a metallic PE transmission element 15. Otherwise they are

Connector modules 2 ", 3" analogous to the first embodiment

designed. The PE transmission element 15 is electrically conductively connected to the respective screen transfer element 5, 6. The PE transmission element 15 is electrically connected in the installed state with a metallic support frame, as already mentioned above. The holding frame (not shown) has a so-called PE contact, which in turn is electrically connected to a, also already mentioned above, metallic housing of an industrial connector. By the PE transmission element 15 can a

continuous equipotential bonding, which in some

Use cases, including for Schirmungszwecken, may be advantageous.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of a first screen transfer element 5 '. The matching second

Screen transfer element 6 is analogous to the first original

Embodiment designed. The fins 8 'are formed here by separate punching and bending components, which are made of a different material than the basic shape. The lamellae 8 'here consist of a copper beryllium alloy and have only a wall thickness of 0.15 mm to 0.08 mm, the edge regions in the wall thickness interval

are included. The fins 8 'can easily on a

Be pushed body. The lamellae 8 'are plugged onto the base body of the first screen transfer element 5'

postponed.

FIG. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of a first screen transfer element 5 ". This was a second

Screen transfer element 6 "designed appropriately. Both

Screen transfer elements 5 ", 6" have a lateral slot 15, in which the separate lamellae 8 'are inserted. In both screen transfer elements 5 ", 6" are each two slats 8 'plug side opposite or laterally offset from each other.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative system according to the invention comprising a first connector module 2 'and a second connector module 3'. The first connector module 2 has a first screen transfer element 5 '", of which in axial direction contact finger 8 "stand out. At least two of these contacting fingers 8 "are bent away in the opposite direction from the flat main body of the screen transfer element 5 '". This is also referred to as a fork-like configuration of the contacting fingers 8 ". This allows the Kontaktierungsfinger 8 "the second

 Screen transfer element 6 of the second connector module 3 'on both sides and contact. In this type of contacting occur no lateral forces on the connector modules 2 ', 3', whereby the number of possible mating cycles is increased.

On the connection side, the screen transfer elements 5 '", 6 of the alternative system V have protruding grooves 18, which are seconded between the notches 10'. Then the cable jacket of the connected cable is laid. On the other hand, the cable is provided with a pressing element 16 and finally squeezed by means of a cable tie 17 between grooves 18 and pressing member 16. As a result, a particularly reliable cable strain relief is realized.

Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, unless stated otherwise, that the combinations illustrated and discussed are not the only ones possible. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be exchanged with one another. Shielded connector module for a modular

industrial Connectors

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 system

 2 First connector module

 3 Second connector module

 4 holding means

 5 First screen transfer element

 6 Second screen transfer element

 7 slots

 8 contact fingers

 9 Hose clamp

 10 notch

 1 1 contact element

 12 retaining plate

 13 Finder of the retaining plate

 14 recess

 15 slot

 16 pressing element

 17 cable ties

 18 grooves

S plug side

 A connection side

 SR plug-in direction

Claims

Shielded connector module for a modular industrial connector claims A system comprising a first connector module (2) and a second connector module (3), each for use in a modular industrial connector,  wherein the first connector module (2) a first  Screen transfer element (5) and the second  Connector module (3) have a second screen transfer element (6),  wherein on a connection side (A) of the  Screen transfer elements (5, 6) each one to the connector module (2, 3) connected cable can be fastened  and wherein the screen transfer elements (5, 6) plug-in side are electrically contacted with each other. 2. System according to claim 1  characterized in that  the first screen transfer element (5) on the plug side (S) is bent wave-shaped. 3. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the first screen transfer element has on the plug side (S) at least one slot (7) running parallel to the plug-in direction (SR). 4. System according to the preceding claim  characterized in that the first screen transfer element has on the plug side (S) three slots (7) running parallel to the plug-in direction (SR). 5. System according to one of the two preceding claims and claim 2  characterized in that  the at least one slot (7) or the slots (7) extend in the region of the wave-shaped bend. 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the second screen transfer element (6) is made flat throughout. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the first and second screen transfer elements (5, 6)  on the firing side (A) have two opposite notches (10) and are thus designed T-shaped. 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the width of the first and the second screen transfer element (5, 6) on the firing side (A) is less than the plug side (S). 9. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the first and second screen transfer element (5, 6) on the firing side (A) have a Kabelfixierelement. 10. System according to the preceding claim  characterized in that the Kabelfixierelement is designed as a hose clamp (9). 11. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the first and the second screen transfer element (5, 6) each have a side surface of the connector module (2, 3) at least  partially overlap. 12. System according to the preceding claim  characterized in that  the first and the second screen transfer element (5, 6) cover at least 75% of the respective side surface of the connector module (2, 3). 13. System according to claim 1 1  characterized in that  the first and the second screen transfer element (5, 6) cover at least 90% of the respective side surface of the connector module (2, 3). 14. System according to any one of the preceding claims  characterized in that  the first and the second connector module (2, 3) each have at least three contact elements (1 1, 1 1 '), with each of which a current with a current of at least 16 amps is transferable. 15. System according to the preceding claim  characterized in that  the first and the second connector module (2, 3) each have a holding plate (12), with which the contact elements (1 1, 1 1 ') in the connector module (2, 3) can be fastened.