Plug-in connector and method

Abstract

The invention comprises a plug connector for a cable with two core wires, the cable having a first core wire and a second core wire, the second core wire being arranged parallel to the first core wire in the cable. The plug connector has a male contact which can be coupled with the first core wire and which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, a female contact which can be coupled with the second core wire and which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, a carrier element which is configured for positioning and accommodating the male contact in a first accommodation space and for positioning and accommodating the female contact in a second accommodation space, respectively, at a preset angle with respect to the insertion direction of the plug connector, the male contact and the female contact being electrically insulated from one another, and a shielding element having a first passage for accommodating the first core wire and a second passage for accommodating the second core wire. The invention also comprises a corresponding method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connector for a two-core or multi-core cable, i.e. for a cable having at least two cores, in particular for a cable having at least one pair of cores for differential data transmission, in particular a twisted pair cable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for assembling such a cable with such a plug connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] The invention is described primarily with reference to a twisted pair cable for data transmission. It goes without saying that the invention can still be used with any type of two-core conductor.

[0003] In modern technical applications, for example in vehicles, a large number of electrical units are usually built nowadays. Such electronic units assist the driver when driving the vehicle or at least completely relieve the driver of the burden of driving the vehicle in certain situations.

[0004] A prerequisite for providing such functions in vehicles is that a large amount of sensor data can be processed and different vehicle systems can effectively communicate with one another. The necessary data transmission rates in the Gbit range require efficient and high-quality wiring in the vehicle, which enables communication with as low an error rate as possible.

[0005] In particular, plug connectors in the on-board power supply system of such vehicles often represent a point of high-frequency interference, which is to be avoided. SUMMARY

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an optimized plug connector for high-frequency signal transmission.

[0007] This object is achieved by the content of the invention. Advantageous refinements of the invention are given in the description and the drawings. In particular, the independent claims of the claim category can also be refined analogously to the dependent claims of the other claim categories.

[0008] The invention discloses:

[0009] A plug connector for a two-core cable, the two-core cable having a first core wire and a second core wire, the second core wire being arranged alongside the first core wire in the cable. The plug connector has a male contact which can be coupled with the first core wire and which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, and a female contact which can be coupled with the second core wire and which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, wherein the female contact is configured to accommodate a male contact of a further plug connector and the male contact is configured to contact a female contact of a further plug connector. Furthermore, the plug connector has a carrier element which is configured to position and accommodate the male contact in a first accommodation space and the female contact in a second accommodation space at a preset angle with respect to the insertion direction of the plug connector, respectively, and the male contact and the female contact are electrically insulated from one another, and the plug connector has a shielding element which has a first channel for accommodating the first core wire and a second channel for accommodating the second core wire, wherein the first channel and the second channel each pass through the shielding element from an end of the shielding element opposite the insertion direction to an end of the shielding element in the insertion direction, wherein the shielding element has an electrically conductive material and wherein the shielding element is arranged at an end of the carrier element opposite the insertion direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention also discloses:

[0011] A method for assembling a cable with a plug connector according to the invention, wherein the cable has a first core wire and a second core wire. The method has the following steps: coupling the first core wire with a male contact which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, coupling the second core wire with a female contact which is configured at least in the insertion direction of the plug connector to be elongate, wherein the female contact is configured to accommodate a male contact of a further plug connector and the male contact is configured to contact a female contact of a further plug connector, introducing the male contact into a first accommodation space of a carrier element and introducing the female contact into a second accommodation space of the carrier element, wherein the accommodation spaces are each configured to position and accommodate the respective contact at a preset angle with respect to the insertion direction of the plug connector, and the male contact and the female contact are electrically insulated from one another, and surrounding the first core wire with a first channel of a shielding element and the second core wire with a second channel of the shielding element, wherein the first channel and the second channel each pass through the shielding element from an end of the shielding element opposite the insertion direction to an end of the shielding element in the insertion direction, wherein the shielding element has an electrically conductive material and wherein the shielding element is arranged at an end of the carrier element opposite the insertion direction.

[0012] The application is based on the recognition that, when transmitting high-frequency signals, points of disturbance in the signal path have a negative effect on the quality of the signal transmission.

[0013] Differential conductors, also known as twisted-pair conductors, are generally used for transmitting high-frequency signals. In a twisted-pair conductor, the respective two differential conductors are arranged twisted around one another, thereby reducing the susceptibility of the conductors to external disturbances.

[0014] Points of disturbance in the signal path occur more frequently in plug connectors, since transitions, for example, between the conductors of a cable and the respective contact take place here, and the guidance of the individual conductors of the cable cannot generally be precisely defined. In particular, the twisting of the pair of conductors has to be untwisted in the plug connector, and the individual conductors have to be guided to the respective contact.

[0015] In order to reduce the susceptibility of the signal path to high-frequency signals, the application proposes a plug connector. The plug connector is used to contact a cable having two conductors arranged side by side. The "mutually juxtaposed" conductors are understood to mean that the respective conductor shields can contact one another. It goes without saying that the two conductors can be twisted around one another, i.e. the cable can be a twisted-pair cable.

[0016] The plug connector has a male contact and a female contact. Both contacts are configured elongate in the insertion direction of the plug connector and, in one embodiment, are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis or a plane through the longitudinal axis. The insertion direction of the plug connector can also be referred to as the main extension direction of the plug connector, and the respective axis as the main extension axis of the plug connector.

[0017] The male contact is configured for contacting the female contact of a further plug connector according to the application. The female contact is configured for accommodating the male contact of a further plug connector according to the application.

[0018] The two plug connectors according to the application can therefore be coupled to one another. The plug connector can therefore also be referred to as a hermaphroditic plug connector. In the case of a hermaphroditic plug connector, a so-called insert can be inserted into itself. The hermaphroditic plug connector has a coupling part with a male contact and a female contact and a pin part in the plug-in region. By implementing the plug connector as an embodiment of a hermaphroditic plug connector, only one implementation of the mechanical interface is required for the insert in order to be able to produce two plug connectors which can be coupled to one another.

[0019] For example, the male contact and the female contact can be stamped and formed from a respective sheet metal. In order to secure the respective conductor at the twist, the contacts can each have a crimp tab at the end. It goes without saying that other types of coupling between the contact and the conductor are also possible.

[0020] At the end opposite the crimping tab, the male contact has a contact pin. Such a male contact can also be referred to as a pin contact or as a contact implemented in pin fashion. The female contact has, at the end opposite the crimping tab, an accommodation space for a contact pin of a further male contact. Such a female contact can also be referred to as a socket contact or as a contact implemented in socket fashion. For example, a contact spring can be arranged around the accommodation space, which contact spring mechanically and electrically contacts the introduced contact pin.

[0021] It goes without saying that the above explanations regarding the contacts are merely exemplary and that the plug connector according to the application is not limited to such contacts, but can be used with any suitable type of contact.

[0022] In particular in the automotive sector, high-frequency properties of plug connectors are subject to stringent requirements. There are only limited possibilities for optimizing plug connectors in terms of high-frequency properties. For this purpose, in the plug connector according to the application, the tolerance chain from the housing to the inner conductor or contact is improved.

[0023] In order to accommodate and precisely position the contacts, the plug connector is provided with a carrier element. For each contact, the carrier element has an accommodation space into which the respective contact can be introduced. When installing the plug connector, the contacts can be pushed or inserted into the accommodation spaces, for example, and the carrier element surrounds the contacts in the installed state of the plug connector.

[0024] The contacts can be held in the carrier element, for example, by static friction between the material of the carrier element and the contacts. In addition, a restraining device can be provided between the carrier element and the contacts, which prevents the contacts from slipping out of the accommodation spaces. Such a restraining device can have a locking element and a corresponding bearing or recess, for example, which establish a locking connection between the contact and the carrier element.

[0025] In the accommodation space, the longitudinal axis of the contact is positioned at a preset angle, which essentially parallels the insertion direction or main extension axis of the plug connector. Here, the preset angle can be an acute angle of less than 10°, in particular between 0° and 5°, between 0° and 4°, between 0° and 3°, between 0° and 2°, or less than 1°.

[0026] Furthermore, the plug connector is provided with a shielding element. The shielding element serves to electrically shield the core wires of the cable in the area of the pitch widening. In the plug connector, the area between the carrier element and the end of the cable jacket is referred to as the area of the pitch widening. In this area, the pitch between the core wires of the cable is widened. The core wires introduced in the cable in parallel are guided in the area of the pitch widening such that they are spaced apart from one another at the same pitch as the contact pieces in the carrier element at the end of the area.

[0027] The area of the pitch widening represents a discontinuity point or disturbance point in the signal path formed with the cable and the plug connector. In particular, the core wires of the cable are guided without being twisted with respect to one another in this area and are thus susceptible to external disturbances.

[0028] By means of the shielding element of the plug connector, the core wires are guided in the first and second channels in the area of the pitch widening in a precisely defined course. The shielding element made of an electrically conductive material simultaneously shields the core wires in this area from external disturbance factors. This shielding is particularly important when high-frequency signals in the frequency range of, for example, more than 1 GHz are to be transmitted in order to ensure a high signal transmission quality.

[0029] The plug connector according to the application thus improves the continuity and uniform distribution of the electrical resistance of the signal path for transmitting high-frequency signals, wherein a sudden change in the electrical resistance in the signal path is suppressed.

[0030] It goes without saying that the plug connector can have further elements not explicitly mentioned so far. For example, the plug connector can have an outer conductor which accommodates the carrier element, the shielding element and the end of the cable jacket. For example, this outer conductor can also establish an electrical contact between the shielding braid of the cable and the shielding element and for this purpose the outer conductor has or is made of an electrically conductive or metallic material. Furthermore, for example, a sleeve, in particular a crimp sleeve, can be provided which is arranged over the end of the cable jacket and serves as a protective cover for the surrounding shielding braid. The outer conductor can be arranged over this sleeve and crimped or crimped in the area of overlap with the sleeve. Furthermore, the outer conductor can be fixed at the cable jacket, for example, by means of a pressure injection encapsulation.

[0031] Further embodiments and refinements result from the application and from the description with reference to the drawings.

[0032] In one embodiment, the plug connector can have a wedge which tapers in at least an axis normal to the insertion direction starting from the carrier element opposite the insertion direction and which is arranged between the first receiving space and the second receiving space at the end of the carrier element opposite the insertion direction.

[0033] The wedge is used for precise positioning of the individual core wires of the cable, in particular when installing the plug-in connector and when plugging in or unplugging the plug-in connection to the plug-in connector.

[0034] To this end, the wedge is embodied such that it accommodates the two core wires at an end of the wedge which is opposite the insertion direction, at which end the core wires lie against one another. The wedge widens over the length of the wedge in the insertion direction, such that the core wires at the end of the wedge in the insertion direction are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined spacing, i.e. the first and second contact pieces are arranged in the carrier element at the same spacing from one another.

[0035] It goes without saying that, in this embodiment, the passages can open into one another in the shielding element, such that there is no closed wall between the first and second passages. Rather, the wedge can separate the first and second passages at least in one section.

[0036] If the core wires are in the first and second passages, in particular when plugging in or unplugging the plug-in connection to the plug-in connector, the core wires are held in precisely defined positions by the wedge which tapers in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

[0037] When connecting the plug-in connector to the cable, after the contact pieces have been connected to the twisted wires of the core wires, the wedge can be arranged between the core wires and the contact pieces introduced in the carrier element. The position of the core wires for the application of the shielding element is precisely defined by the wedge. Incorrectly positioned core wires are thus effectively prevented from being pressed when the shielding element is applied.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the wedge can have an electrically conductive material.

[0039] For example, the wedge can have a metallization or consist of metal. In the region of the widening of the pitch, the core wires can no longer be guided in a twisted manner with respect to one another. The electrically conductive wedge insulates the two core wires from one another in this region, in turn improving the signal quality which can be negatively affected at high-frequency interference points in the absence of an electrically conductive wedge.

[0040] In one embodiment, the wedge can be configured in one piece with the carrier element and arranged in a corresponding recess of the shielding element.

[0041] In one embodiment, the carrier element can be a one-piece molded part, in particular a one-piece plastic part, in particular a one-piece plastic injection-molded part. Thus, in particular in embodiments in which the wedge and the carrier element are configured in one piece, the manufacture of the individual components of the plug-in connector can be simplified.

[0042] If the wedge is configured to be electrically conductive, the metallization of the wedge can be produced using a corresponding material, for example by immersion or other types of coating.

[0043] Alternatively, the wedge can be stamped or otherwise formed as a metal piece, for example, and inserted or injection molded into the solid material of the carrier element.

[0044] In another embodiment, the shielding element can have two half-shells. The section that divides the shielding element into two half-shells can be, for example, in the center of the cross section of the first channel in the longitudinal extension and in the center of the cross section of the second channel in the longitudinal extension.

[0045] If the first channel and the second channel are located in the longitudinal extension, i.e. in the insertion direction of the plug connector, for example, in a horizontal plane, the section centrally divides the plug connector in this horizontal plane. Thus, each half-shell comprises one of the two halves of the pitch widening region.

[0046] If the shielding element has two half-shells, the shielding element can be very simply manufactured and installed. In particular, the half-shells can be locked to one another in the installed state, for example, by means of a locking mechanism. To this end, one of the half-shells can have a corresponding peg with a molded locking lug. The other of the two half-shells can have a corresponding recess into which the peg can engage when the plug connector is installed.

[0047] In another embodiment, each half-shell can have a peg and a corresponding recess. In this embodiment, the same component can be used for each of the two half-shells. In this embodiment, the channels are axis-symmetric with respect to a central axis or longitudinal axis of the shielding element. Furthermore, the peg and the recess are likewise arranged axis-symmetrically with respect to the axis. It is thus ensured that the two embodiments of the half-shells can be placed on top of one another, and the peg of one half-shell engages into the recess of the other half-shell, respectively.

[0048] The connection of the two half-shells can be configured to be permanent, i.e. to be inseparable.

[0049] In another embodiment, the wedge can be arranged at one of the half-shells.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vertical axis of the wedge extends from one of the half-shells to the second half-shell, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the wedge and thus to the insertion direction of the plug connector.

[0051] The wedge can have a tapering over the entire length of the wedge at the upper end of the wedge, i.e. at the end facing away from the half-shells. This tapering makes it easy to introduce the wedge between the core wires when splicing the two half-shells. When splicing the half-shells, the core wires slide along the wall of the wedge and are guided into the desired position in the channel.

[0052] In one embodiment, the height of the wedge can be chosen such that the wedge extends beyond the core wires in a side view when the two core wires are placed into the half-shell. In the second half-shell, a corresponding accommodation space for the protruding end of the wedge can be provided. In particular, the accommodation space can be formed according to the taper and accommodate the taper. In this embodiment, in the assembled half-shells, the region of the core wires against the wedge, which does not have the taper, effectively prevents a gap between the wedge and the core wires.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to be able to work with two identical half-shells, in one embodiment, both half-shells can have an accommodation space. In this embodiment, the wedge can be provided as a separate component and have a corresponding taper at both the upper end and the lower end of the wedge. When installing the plug connector, the wedge can be placed into one of the half-shells and the second half-shell can then be put on.

[0054] If the wedge is not constructed at the carrier element but as a separate component or at one of the half-shells, the wedge can be made of the same material as the shielding element. This eliminates the additional step of metallizing the wedge on the carrier element.

[0055] In another embodiment, the plug connector can have a tubular metal element which has an open surface and is arranged at the carrier element and at least surrounds the end of the male contact in the insertion direction.

[0056] The tubular metal element can also be referred to as a sleeve, for example, and has a metallization or is made of metal. In the installed end position, the sleeve includes the male contact and thus shields the male contact electromagnetically, in particular in the frequency range of more than 1 (one) GHz. At the same time, the sleeve forms a mechanical protection for the male contact.

[0057] The open surface of the tubular metal element can be chosen such that the outer contour of the female contact fits the tubular metal element. Thus, the female contact can be inserted into the metal element and here accommodates the contact pin of the male contact.

[0058] It goes without saying that the metal element can be coupled with further elements of the plug connector. For example, the metal element can be electrically coupled with an outer conductor of the plug connector. As mentioned above, such an outer conductor can also be electrically coupled with the shielding braid of the cable. Thereby, the general shielding of the cable and the plug connector is ensured.

[0059] The metal element can be constructed, for example, from spring steel as a stamped and bent part. The connection between the metal element and such an outer conductor can be constructed, for example, as a crimp connection, a solder connection, a fusion welding connection, etc.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first and second channels can pass into one another at the end of the shielding element opposite the insertion direction, and form a common input channel for the first and second core wires.

[0061] The common input channel enables precise accommodation of the core wires in the position in which the core wires also lie next to one another in the cable. The widening of the spacing between the core wires can be precisely controlled by the channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] In the following, advantageous embodiments of the application are explained with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0063] Figure 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a plug connector according to the application;

[0064] Figure 2 a top view of an embodiment of a male contact and a female contact according to the application;

[0065] Figure 3 a top view of an embodiment of a carrier element according to the application;

[0066] Figure 4 a top view of an embodiment of two half-shells according to the application;

[0067] Figure 5 a side view of Figure 4 a half-shell according to the application;

[0068] Figure 6 a front view of Figure 4 a half-shell according to the application;

[0069] Figure 7 an exploded view of an embodiment of a plug connector according to the application;

[0070] Figure 8 a sectional view of Figure 7 an embodiment of a plug connector according to the application; and

[0071] Figure 9 a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the application.

[0072] The drawings are merely schematic drawings and are only intended to explain the application. Identical or identically acting elements are generally provided with the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Figure 1A schematic view of an embodiment of the plug connector 100 according to the application is shown. The plug connector 100 is used for coupling to a two-core cable 180 having a first core wire 181 and a second core wire 182. The cable 180 is a two-core data cable for differential transmission of data and can be, for example, a twisted pair cable. In particular, the data cable is constructed in a shielded manner.

[0074] The plug connector 100 has a male contact 101, a female contact 104, a carrier element 107 and a shielding element 110.

[0075] The male contact 101 and the female contact 104 are constructed elongated in the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100.

[0076] The male contact 101 has a coupling section 102 at an end of the male contact opposite the insertion direction X and a contact pin 103 at the other end of the male contact. The female contact 104 likewise has a coupling section 105 at an end of the female contact opposite the insertion direction X. At the opposite end of the female contact, the female contact 104 has a contact space 106. The contact space 106 is constructed such that it can accommodate and electrically contact the contact pin 103 of the male contact 101. It is thereby possible to insert the plug connector 100 into a further plug connector 100 in a manner rotated through 180° about the longitudinal axis of the plug connector.

[0077] The coupling sections 102, 105 are used for the electrical and mechanical connection of the twisted wires of the respective core wires 181, 182 of the cable 180. To this end, the coupling sections 102, 105 can be constructed, for example, as crimp tabs which can be crimped together with the twisted wires.

[0078] The carrier element 107 is used for positioning and fixing the male contact 101 and the female contact 104. To this end, the male contact 101 and the female contact 104 are in respective accommodation spaces 108, 109 in the carrier element 107, which determine the position of the male contact 101 and the female contact 104. The accommodation spaces run through the carrier element 107 in the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100. The contacts 101, 104 are thus arranged parallel to the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100. The carrier element 107 is constructed as an electrical insulator between the male contact 101 and the female contact 104. To this end, the carrier element 107 can be constructed, for example, as a plastic part.

[0079] The shielding element 110 is connected to the carrier element 107 opposite the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100 and is located between the carrier element 107 and the end of the jacket 183 of the cable 180.

[0080] The shielding element 110 guides the individual core wires 181, 182 of the cable 180 in the first and second channels 111, 112 to the carrier element 107. In contrast to the carrier element 107, the shielding element 110 has an electrically conductive material and insulates the core wires 181, 182 from external influences between the end of the jacket 183 of the cable 180 and the interface of the core wires 181, 182 to the contacts 101, 104, i.e. between the end of the shielding element 110 in the insertion direction X.

[0081] The channels 111, 112 are formed such that the core wires 181, 182 adjacent at the end of the jacket 183 are widened, i.e. are guided apart from one another, such that the spacing of the core wires at the end of the shielding element 110 in the insertion direction X corresponds to the spacing of the contacts 101, 104. Thus, the shielding element 110 shields the core wires 181, 182 at the point of sensitive high-frequency interference, thereby improving the quality of data transmission with the plug connector 100.

[0082] Figure 2 A top view of an embodiment of a male contact 201 and an embodiment of a female contact 204 according to the application is shown.

[0083] Both contacts 201, 204 have an elongated shape. At one end, both contacts 201, 204 have a coupling section 202, 205, respectively, for connecting the respective contact 201, 204 with a respective core wire of a cable. As mentioned above, the coupling sections 202, 205 can have a crimp tab, respectively, for example. It goes without saying that other possibilities for the connection between the coupling sections 202, 205 and the core wires are equally feasible. For example, the core wires can be soldered or welded with the respective coupling section 202, 205.

[0084] At the body of the elongated contact, a locking lug 215, 216 is arranged at approximately one third of the length starting from the end of the respective coupling section 202, 205. The locking lug 215, 216 serves to fasten the respective contact 201, 204 in a carrier element, cf. Figure 3 and Figure 8 .

[0085] The male contact 201 has a contact pin 203 at the end of the male contact in the insertion direction X. The female contact 204 has a contact space 206 at this end. In the female contact 204, the contact space 206 has a contact spring which is bent in the inner space of the contact space 206. If the contact pin 203 is now introduced into the contact space 206, the contact pin presses the contact spring outwards and the resulting pressing force ensures the electrical contact.

[0086] Figure 3A top view of an embodiment of the carrier element 307 is shown.

[0087] The carrier element 307 has a basic body 319, which corresponds to Figure 1 the carrier element 107. The basic body 319 has a guide element 321, 322 for each contact at the end of the basic body, which lies in the insertion direction X, in which the respective contact lies in the end position of the contact. Furthermore, the basic body 319 has a recess 323, 324 for each contact, into which, for example, a locking lug of the respective contact (see Figure 2 ) engages in order to fasten the contact in the carrier element 307.

[0088] Opposite the insertion direction X of the plug, a wedge 320 extends from the basic body 319, which tapers opposite the insertion direction X. The wedge 320 serves to spread the core wires of the cable with a precisely defined trajectory. If the wedge 320 is pushed between the core wires when the contacts connected with the core wires are introduced into the basic body, the core wires are pressed apart from one another by the wedge and are introduced into the desired position. Thus, the precise position of the core wires, in particular in the installed plug connector, can be preset by the wedge.

[0089] Since the core wires and the wedge are surrounded by the shielding element in the installed plug connector, the core wires can also not change their position when the plug connector is plugged in or unplugged.

[0090] Figure 4 A top view of an embodiment of the two half-shells 330, 331 of the shielding element is shown.

[0091] The two half-shells 330, 331 are almost identically constructed. The difference between the half-shells 330, 331 is only that the half-shell 330 has pegs 332, 333 and the half-shell 331 has recesses 334, 335 for the pegs 332, 333. The two half-shells 330, 331 can thus be spliced together, wherein the pegs 332, 333 engage into the recesses 334, 335. The following explanations for the half-shell 330 thus also apply analogously to the half-shell 331.

[0092] The half-shell 330 has two channels 311, 312 for accommodating the core wires of the cable. At the end opposite the insertion direction X, the two channels form a common input channel 336. Via the input channel 336, the core wires can be accommodated in the shielding element next to one another.

[0093] Starting from the input channel 336, the spacing between the channels 311, 312 is widened such that two core wires guided in the channels are moved away from each other in the insertion direction X. It goes without saying that, in the embodiment of the plug connector with a wedge, see for example Figure 3 and Figure 8 the contour of the half-shell 336 between the two channels 311, 312 can correspond to the contour of the wedge.

[0094] It goes without saying that, in one embodiment, the half-shells 330, 331 can be identically configured. In such an embodiment, each half-shell 330, 331 has a peg 332, 333 and a recess 334, 335, so that the half-shells 330, 331 can be spliced together.

[0095] Figure 5 a side view of the half-shells 330, 331 is shown. Figure 4

[0096] It is known that the recess 334, 335 passes through the half-shell 331. If, when splicing the half-shells 330, 331, the peg 332, 333 is introduced into the recess 334, 335, this peg can likewise protrude from the material of the half-shell 331.

[0097] For example, the protrusion can be used to fixedly connect the half-shells 330, 331 to each other. For example, the pegs 332, 333 can have corresponding locking elements. Alternatively, the protrusion of the peg 332, 333 can also be crimped or welded.

[0098] Figure 6 a front view of the half-shells 330, 331 is shown. Figure 4

[0099] The half-shells 330, 331 do not have material between the channels 312, 311 or the material between the channels 312, 311 does not extend to the contact face between the two half-shells 330, 331. Thus, the half-shells 330, 331 constitute a space for the wedge. In embodiments without a wedge, the material of the half-shells 330, 331 can obviously extend to the contact face between the two half-shells 330, 331.

[0100] Figure 7 an exploded view of an embodiment of the plug connector 400 for a cable 480 with two core wires 481, 482 and a shield braid 484 in a sheath 483 is shown.

[0101] ​​The plug connector 400 has a carrier element 407 which accommodates the male contact 401 and the female contact 404. For example, the male contact 401 can be coupled with the core wire 481 and the female contact 404 can be coupled with the core wire 482. Between the carrier element 407 and the end of the jacket 483 of the cable 480, the plug connector 400 has a shielding element in the form of two half-shells 430, 431.

[0102] In addition to the elements mentioned so far, the plug connector 400 has a sleeve 442 which is placed as a protective cover between the jacket 483 and the turned shielding braid 484.

[0103] Furthermore, the plug connector 400 has a metal tube 440 which is pushed over the male contact 401. Furthermore, an outer conductor 441 is arranged over the entire structure. The metal tube 440 serves for mechanical protection of the contact pin of the male contact 401. For the mechanical protection, in another embodiment, the tube can also be made of a non-metallic material. In the plug connector 400, the metal tube is electrically connected with the also electrically conductive outer conductor 441. The outer conductor 441 is also electrically connected with the shielding braid 484 and the shielding elements 430, 431. Thus, a continuous shielding is ensured from the end of the cable 480 up to the end of the contact pin of the male contact 401.

[0104] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug connector is shown, wherein the cross-section is located on the longitudinal axis of the two contacts 401, 404. Figure 7

[0105] It can be seen in the cross-sectional view that the sleeve 442 is placed on the jacket of the cable 480 and the shielding braid 484 is sheathed via the sleeve. For example, the outer conductor 441 can be crimped or pressed with the support sleeve and thus with the cable 480.

[0106] It can also be seen in the cross-sectional view that the locking lugs of the contacts 401, 404 are located in the accommodation provided for this purpose in the carrier element 407. Thus, the contacts 401, 404 are effectively prevented from slipping out of the carrier element when the plug connection is established.

[0107] Finally, the metal tube 440 has a bulge 443 on the outside of the metal tube in the direction of the female contact. If now a further plug connector is plugged with the plug connector 400, the metal tube of the further plug connector is moved over the female contact 404 of the plug connector 400. Then, the bulge 443 is pressed against this metal tube, thus establishing an electrical connection of the shielding of the two plug connectors.

[0108] Figure 9 ​A flow chart showing an embodiment of a method for assembling a cable 180, 480 with a plug connector 100, 400 according to the application, wherein the cable 180, 480 has a first core wire 181, 481 and a second core wire 182, 482.

[0109] The method has the following steps:

[0110] The first core wire 181, 481 is coupled S1 with the male contact 101, 201, 401, which is configured elongated at least in the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100, 400, and the second core wire 182, 482 is coupled S2 with the female contact 104, 204, 404, which is configured elongated at least in the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100, 400. Since the plug connector 100, 400 is configured as a hermaphroditic plug, the female contact 104, 204, 404 is configured for accommodating a male contact 101, 201, 401 of a further plug connector 100, 400. The male contact 101, 201, 401 is configured for contacting a female contact 104, 204, 404 of a further plug connector 100, 400.

[0111] The method further has the steps of introducing S3 the male contact 101, 201, 401 into a first accommodation space 108 of the carrier element 107, 307, 407 and introducing the female contact 104, 204, 404 into a second accommodation space 109 of the carrier element 107, 307, 407. The accommodation spaces are respectively configured for positioning and accommodating the respective contact at a preset angle relative to the insertion direction X of the plug connector 100, 400 and for electrically insulating the male contact 101, 201, 401 and the female contact 104, 204, 404 from each other.

[0112] Finally the method has the steps of surrounding S4 the first core wire 181, 481 with a first channel 111, 311 of the shielding element 110 and surrounding the second core wire 182, 482 with a second channel 112, 312 of the shielding element 110. The first channel 111, 311 and the second channel 112, 312 respectively pass through the shielding element 110 from an end of the shielding element opposite the insertion direction X to an end of the shielding element in the insertion direction X. The shielding element 110 has an electrically conductive material and is arranged at an end of the carrier element 107, 307, 407 opposite the insertion direction X. Here, the first core wire 181, 481 and the second core wire 182, 482 can be guided into the first channel 111, 311 and the second channel 112, 312 via a common input channel 336, 337.

[0113] It is possible to mount the two half-shells 330, 331, 430, 431 of the shielding element 110 from two opposite directions onto the first core wire 181, 481 and the second core wire 182, 482 and to couple the two half-shells 330, 331, 430, 431 to each other.

[0114] For the protection and shielding of the male contact 101, 201, 401, a metallic element 440 of a tubular configuration can be mounted at the carrier element 107, 307, 407 over the end of the male contact 101, 201, 401 which is located in the insertion direction X.

[0115] For permanently fastening the position of the individual core wires 181, 481, 182, 482 of the cable 180, 480, in one embodiment a wedge 320, in particular a wedge 320 of an electrically conductive material, is positioned or introduced between the first core wire 181, 481 and the second core wire 182, 482. The wedge 320 starts at the carrier element 107, 307, 407 tapering in an axis at least orthogonal to the insertion direction X opposite the insertion direction X and is arranged between the first receiving space 108 and the second receiving space 109 at the end of the carrier element 107, 307, 407 opposite the insertion direction X.

[0116] The wedge 320 can be integrally configured with the carrier element 107, 307, 407 and arranged in a respective recess of the shielding element 110.

[0117] Alternatively, the wedge 320 can be arranged at one of the half-shells 330, 331, 430, 431.

[0118] Since the apparatus and the method described in detail above are embodiments, the person skilled in the art can make a large number of modifications to this embodiment in a customary manner without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the mechanical arrangement and the size proportions of the individual elements to each other are only exemplary.

[0119] List of reference signs

[0120] 100, 400 plug connector

[0121] 101, 201, 401 male contact

[0122] 102, 202 coupling section

[0123] 103, 203 contact pin

[0124] 104, 204, 404 female contact

[0125] 105, 205 coupling section

[0126] 106, 206 contact space

[0127] 107, 307, 407 carrier element

[0128] 108 first accommodation space

[0129] 109 second accommodation space

[0130] 110 shielding element

[0131] 111, 311 first channel

[0132] 112, 312 second channel

[0133] 215, 216 locking lug

[0134] 319 basic body

[0135] 320 wedge

[0136] 321, 322 guide element

[0137] 323, 324 recess

[0138] 330, 331, 430, 431 half-shell

[0139] 332, 333 peg

[0140] 334, 335 recess

[0141] 336, 337 input channel

[0142] 440 metal element

[0143] 441 outer conductor

[0144] 442 sleeve

[0145] 443 protrusion

[0146] 180, 480 cable

[0147] 181, 481 first core wire

[0148] 182, 482 second core wire

[0149] 183 shield

[0150] 484 shielding braid

[0151] X insertion direction

[0152] S1, S2, S3, S4 method step

Claims

1. A plug connector (100, 400) for a two-core or multi-core cable (180, 480), said cable having at least one core pair for differential data transmission, said core pair having a first core (181, 481) and a second core (182, 482), the second core being arranged side-by-side with the first core (181, 481) in said cable (180, 480), said plug connector having: Male contacts (101, 201, 401), said male contacts being coupled to the first core wire (181, 481) and being configured as elongated at least in the insertion direction (X) of said plug connector (100, 400), Female contacts (104, 204, 404), said female contacts being coupled to the second core wire (182, 482) and configured as elongated at least in the insertion direction (X) of the plug connector (100, 400), wherein, The female contacts (104, 204, 404) are configured to receive the male contacts (101, 201, 401) of another plug connector (100, 400), and the male contacts (101, 201, 401) are configured to receive the female contacts (104, 204, 404) of the other plug connector (100, 400). Carrying elements (107, 307, 407) are configured to position and accommodate the male contacts (101, 201, 401) in a first receiving space (108) and the female contacts (104, 204, 404) in a second receiving space (109) at predetermined angles relative to the insertion direction (X) of the plug connectors (100, 400), respectively, and to electrically insulate the male contacts (101, 201, 401) and the female contacts (104, 204, 404) from each other. A shielding element (110) having a first channel (111, 311) for receiving the first core wire (181, 481) and a second channel (112, 312) for receiving the second core wire (182, 482), wherein the first channel (111, 311) and the second channel (112, 312) pass through the shielding element (110) from an end of the shielding element opposite to the insertion direction (X) to an end of the shielding element located in the insertion direction (X), wherein the shielding element (110) has a conductive material, and wherein the shielding element (110) is arranged at the end of the carrier element (107, 307, 407) opposite to the insertion direction (X).

2. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector is used for twisted pair cables.

3. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 1, the plug connector having a wedge (320) that tapers from the carrier element (107, 307, 407) on an axis at least orthogonal to the insertion direction (X) opposite to the insertion direction (X), and the wedge is disposed at the end of the carrier element (107, 307, 407) opposite to the insertion direction (X) between the first receiving space (108) and the second receiving space (109).

4. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 3, wherein, The wedge (320) is made of a conductive material.

5. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The wedge (320) is integrally constructed with the bearing element (107, 307, 407), and wherein the wedge (320) is arranged in a corresponding recess of the shielding element (110).

6. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The shielding element (110) has two half-shells (330, 331, 430, 431), wherein the cross section dividing the shielding element (110) into two half-shells is located at the center of the cross section of the first channel (111, 311) in the longitudinal extension direction and at the center of the cross section of the second channel (112, 312) in the longitudinal extension direction.

7. The plug connector (100, 400) according to claim 6, wherein, The wedge (320) is arranged at one of the half-shells (330, 331, 430, 431).

8. The plug connector (100, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the plug connector having a tubular metal element (440) having a predetermined open surface and being disposed at the carrier element (107, 307, 407) and at least surrounding the end of the male contact (101, 201, 401) in the insertion direction (X).

9. The plug connector (100, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first channel (111, 311) and the second channel (112, 312) pass into each other at the ends of the shielding element (110) opposite to the insertion direction (X) and form a common input channel for the first core wire (181, 481) and the second core wire (182, 482).

10. A method for assembling cables (180, 480) with plug connectors (100, 400) according to claim 1, wherein, The cable (180, 480) has a first core wire (181, 481) and a second core wire (182, 482), and the method has the following steps: The first core wire (181, 481) is coupled to the male contact (101, 201, 401) (S1), the male contact being configured to be elongated at least in the insertion direction (X) of the plug connector (100, 400). The second core wire (182, 482) is coupled to a female contact (104, 204, 404) (S2), the female contact being elongated at least in the insertion direction (X) of the plug connector (100, 400), wherein the female contact (104, 204, 404) is configured to receive a male contact (101, 201, 401) of another plug connector (100, 400), and the male contact (101, 201, 401) is configured to receive the female contact (104, 204, 404) of the other plug connector (100, 400). The male contacts (101, 201, 401) are introduced into the first receiving space (108) of the carrier element (107, 307, 407) in (S3), and the female contacts (104, 204, 404) are introduced into the second receiving space (109) of the carrier element (107, 307, 407), wherein the receiving spaces are respectively configured to position and receive the corresponding contacts at a preset angle relative to the insertion direction (X) of the plug connector (100, 400), and the male contacts (101, 201, 401) and the female contacts (104, 204, 404) are electrically insulated from each other, and The first core wire (181, 481) is surrounded (S4) by a first channel (111, 311) of the shielding element (110) and the second core wire (182, 482) is surrounded by a second channel (112, 312) of the shielding element (110), wherein the first channel (111, 311) and the second channel (112, 312) pass through the shielding element (110) from the end of the shielding element opposite to the insertion direction (X) to the end of the shielding element located in the insertion direction (X), wherein the shielding element (110) has a conductive material, and wherein the shielding element (110) is arranged at the end of the carrier element (107, 307, 407) opposite to the insertion direction (X).

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting a wedge (320) between the first core wire (181, 481) and the second core wire (182, 482), wherein, The wedge (320) begins to taper on an axis at least orthogonal to the insertion direction (X) opposite to the insertion direction (X) of the support element (107, 307, 407), and the wedge is arranged at the end of the support element (107, 307, 407) opposite to the insertion direction (X) between the first receiving space (108) and the second receiving space (109).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the wedge (320) has a conductive material.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The wedge (320) is integrally constructed with the bearing element (107, 307, 407), and wherein the wedge (320) is arranged in a corresponding recess of the shielding element (110).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The enclosure has two half-shells (330, 331, 430, 431) of the shielding element (110) mounted on the first core wire (181, 481) and the second core wire (182, 482) from two opposite directions, and the two half-shells (330, 331, 430, 431) are coupled to each other.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The wedge (320) is arranged at one of the half-shells (330, 331, 430, 431).

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein a tubular metal element (440) is mounted on the carrier element (107, 307, 407) above the end of the male contact (101, 201, 401) located in the insertion direction (X), the metal element having a predetermined open surface.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The first core wire (181, 481) and the second core wire (182, 482) are guided into the first channel (111, 311) and the second channel (112, 312) via a common input channel, wherein the common input channel is arranged at the end of the shielding element (110) opposite to the insertion direction (X).

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