Plug connector modules for modular plug connectors

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in connector module for a modular plug-in connector, which is used to establish a connection with a circuit board, the plug-in connector module having a housing for accommodating at least one insulator, the insulator being configured to accommodate at least one data contact pair, wherein the data contact pair is composed of a conductor and a contact element, and the housing having at least one recess, which is shaped to engage with a connecting element, whereby the plug-in connector module is connected to other, system-related modules, wherein the plug-in connector module accommodates at least two data contact pairs, which are configured to transmit data, wherein the data contact pairs are at least largely protected by corresponding shielding elements against interfering influences.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention is based on a plug connector module for a modular plug connector.

[0002] Such a plug connector module can be used to transmit power and electrical and / or optical signals / data from a first printed circuit board and / or to the first printed circuit board, either alone or in combination with other plug connector modules. In this case, such a transmission can take place between the first and second printed circuit boards or between the first printed circuit board and the plug connector. The modular design enables an easily manageable and space-saving combination of plug connector modules for data transmission and / or signal transmission and / or power transmission. Background Art

[0003] DE 10 2017 119 287 A1 shows a modular plug connector, the modules of which are fixed by means of connectors that engage with dovetail guides. The flexibility achieved thereby when assembling plug connectors for circuit boards enables both the combination of different plug connector modules and the arrangement of several plug connector modules of the same type in a row.

[0004] Due to the modularity of the corresponding plug connectors, it is not uncommon to combine modules for signal transmission and / or data transmission as well as modules for power transmission in one plug connector. The combination of data transmission modules and power transmission modules presents challenges that cannot be ignored, especially in the current and rapidly growing demands of end users, such as industry and corresponding production facilities, on the data transmission rate of the plug connectors to be used.

[0005] It has long been known that a particular disadvantage with regard to data transmission in the combination of a module designed for power transmission and a module designed for data transmission is that electromagnetic interference leads to a negative influence on the data transmission rate.

[0006] In the priority application of the present application, the German Patent and Trademark Office searched the following prior arts: DE 60 2006000 218 T2, DE 10 2017 119 287 A1 and US 2016 / 0036165 A1.

[0007] Purpose of the Invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to expand existing plug connector systems with a plug connector module which reduces the susceptibility to electromagnetic interference as simply as possible. In particular, the plug connector module should be able to achieve a data transmission rate of category 6A and thus, in the case of bus systems such as Ethernet, a data transmission rate of greater than or equal to 10 megabytes per second (Gbit / s). Summary of the invention

[0009] The plug connector module according to the invention is provided for modular plug connectors, in particular for mounting on a circuit board. The plug connector module has a housing for accommodating at least one insulating body. The insulating body accommodates at least one data contact pair, wherein the data contact pair is composed of two conductors and two contact elements.

[0010] Here, the conductor and the contact element can also be designed as one piece. The housing is designed with at least one recess, wherein the recess is shaped to engage with the connecting element. Thus, the plug connector module is connected to other modules of the same system type, whereby the plug connector modules are assembled together to form a plug connector. The plug connector module according to the present invention accommodates at least one insulator for accommodating a data contact pair. In addition, the plug connector module has at least two data contact pairs, which are in turn configured for transmitting data. The data contact pairs are at least largely protected by a shielding element to counteract interference effects. Therefore, not only can the interference effects of the data contact pairs on each other be reduced or eliminated, but also the interference effects on adjacent modules can be reduced or eliminated. Despite being combined with other modules, in particular power transmission modules, a safe and stable data transmission rate can be achieved in this way.

[0011] The term data contact pair refers in particular to two contacts. The two contacts are particularly designed to contact a conductor, which produces an electrically conductive connection from a data contact pair to a circuit board. The conductor can be a fixed component. The conductor can also be designed as a cable with at least one core wire, which is composed of at least one twisted wire. In addition, an electrically conductive connection from at least one twisted pair to a circuit board can also be provided. The twisted pair is preferably used in the field of information technology and is also called a "twisted pair cable".

[0012] The plug connector module can in particular be part of a modular plug connector that is connected to a circuit board. The plug connector module can also be used as part of a plug connector that is mounted on a correspondingly designed cable. In addition, "part of a plug connector" can mean an individual plug connector module. Likewise, "part of a plug connector" can mean a combination of a plug connector module according to the invention with other modules suitable for the system.

[0013] The term "module" refers to other plug connector modules that are connected to the plug connector module according to the invention. These modules do not necessarily have to fulfill different purposes here. It can also mean a module that only fulfills the purpose of connecting to other modules. For example, auxiliary tools that simplify the insertion process can also be covered by this term.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the recess in the housing is a groove in the form of a dovetail guide, which accommodates identical connecting elements that are at least largely flush with themselves. The simple shape produces a secure hold when using mating connecting elements. Plug connector modules of different embodiments can thus be quickly, easily and safely connected to one another and can thus be simply and precisely inserted as a modular plug connector.

[0015] An expedient embodiment provides that the recesses are formed on opposite sides of the module in order to strengthen the connection of the modules by using two connecting elements. In addition to a significant increase in stability, this embodiment makes it possible to achieve a simpler assembly of the modular plug connector. The approximately axisymmetric design of the individual plug connector modules makes it particularly easy to assemble the plug connector modules to form a plug connector, since during assembly the orientation of the plug connector modules does not have to be taken into account in the first place.

[0016] Another advantageous embodiment proposes that at least two data contact pairs are arranged in the housing along a plane of the plug connector module which is angled relative to a vertical plane formed by a line parallel to the longitudinal axis and a vertical line arranged approximately centrally in the data contacts. This means that, relative to the front view, the data contact pairs are positioned along a line oriented at an angle to the vertical (center) axis. In other words, the data contact pairs are oriented non-aligned with each other. Since electromagnetic interference between the data contact pairs is reduced via the action of the shielding element, the performance of the data contact pairs is additionally improved.

[0017] In another embodiment, the data contact pairs are arranged symmetrically in the front view, in particular symmetrically with respect to the center point of the housing. As a result, the data contact pairs used are arranged staggered with respect to each other. Since electromagnetic interference between the data contact pairs is reduced by the action of the shielding element, the performance of the data contact pairs is further improved.

[0018] According to the invention, one embodiment is characterized in that the individual shielding elements of the data contact pairs surround the data contact pairs and the associated conductor pairs along their longitudinal axes at least over a length corresponding to the length of the contacts and the insulator accommodating the contacts. In particular, this means 360° shielding of the corresponding data contact pairs. 360° shielding means here that the shielding elements are shaped to completely enclose the data contact pairs in a front view. In addition, this complete shielding should be performed at least over the length of a pair of conductors associated with the data contact pairs extending from the insulator of the plug connector module to the circuit board. When using core pairs (twisted pairs), the shielding elements should occupy at least the length required to maintain the shielding transferred from the contacts to the shielding elements embedded in the cable.

[0019] A clever embodiment provides that the shielding element shields the data contacts from the surroundings so that a data transmission rate of greater than or equal to 10 megabytes per second (Gbit / s) is achieved when using suitable conductors. Such data transmission rates are classified or categorized according to the standard. According to the standard, the category with a transmission capacity of at least 10 Gbit / s belongs to Category 6A (Cat-6A) or a correspondingly higher category. In order to establish modern networks for digital data processing, it is meaningful to select plug connectors and conductors, such as cables, circuit boards (i.e. printed circuit boards) or the like, according to the category of their data transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plug connector module according to the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Shows an exploded perspective view of a plug connector module according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A perspective view of a plug connector module according to the invention is shown, which is designed as Figure 1 The matching parts;

[0024] Figure 4 The plug connector module according to the present invention is shown in a perspective exploded view. Figure 2 The matching parts;

[0025] Figure 5 Two identical modular plug connectors with a plug connector module according to the invention are shown, as well as further components.

[0026] The drawings contain partially simplified schematic diagrams. In some cases, the same reference numerals are used for identical, but not necessarily identical, elements. Different views of the same element may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" are to be understood with reference to the corresponding drawings and may vary in the various views relative to the object represented.

[0027] The figures have reference numerals which are additionally marked with, for example, "'" or separated by a dot, with other numbers, for example "10.x", wherein for "x" a natural number in ascending order is used. This makes it clear that in principle the elements mentioned in the list of reference numerals may differ in shape from elements which are not provided with a reference numeral or may differ in form and / or function from differently numbered elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of a plug connector module 1 according to the invention is shown. The housing 3 has a recess 8 on the opposite face. This enables the plug connector module 1 to be connected to other modules belonging to the system. It can be quickly seen from this illustration that the data contact pairs 5 passing through the housing 3 have different distances from the longitudinal axis L and from the vertical line V extending through the longitudinal axis L. In this illustration, the plug connector module 1 according to the invention has a housing 3, which accommodates four identical data contact pairs 5. The contacts 7 of the data contact pairs 5 are designed as pin contacts and, according to the name, are surrounded in pairs by shielding elements 11. In addition, the size of the shielding elements 11 becomes clearer. The corresponding, associated shielding elements 11 extend from the insertion side of the contacts 7 of the data contact pairs 5 along the conductor 6, which is connected to a circuit board (not shown), for example. In addition, ridges can be seen on the shielding element 11, which are formed approximately in the center of the contacts 7 of the data contact pairs 5. In the inserted state of the plug connector module 1' with an inverted shape, these ridges ensure the transmission of the shielding. Therefore, these ridges are called shielding contacts 12.

[0029] The structure of the plug connector module 1 according to the invention is Figure 2 The shape of the shielding element 11 is particularly clear in this exploded view. Furthermore, in addition to the housing 3, the insulator 4 is also shown. The insulator 4 accommodates the contacts 7 of the data contact pairs 5, which are shown as pin contacts, and fixes them in place. The shielding elements 11 are shaped so that they accommodate the insulator 4 and completely surround the data contact pairs 5. Particularly advantageous shielding is thereby achieved. This embodiment provides shielding contacts 12 in order to reliably transfer advantageous shielding to the plug connector module 1' with an inverted shape and its shielding element 11'. The advantageous point-symmetrical arrangement of the data contact pairs 5 of the illustrated embodiment can also be achieved in Figure 2. The two upper data contact pairs 5 can be rotated 180° at point Ps, so that the two lower data contact pairs 5 are visible. This staggered arrangement results in reduced interference between the data contact pairs 5. By using the shielding element 11, this reduced interference can be almost completely limited. By combining these design features that reduce interference, data transmission rates of greater than or equal to 10 Gbit / s can be achieved.

[0030] Figure 3 The present invention shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The plug connector module 1' in the form of a mating plug connector of the illustrated embodiment. The housing 3' is shaped so that it can be inserted into the housing 3. Likewise, the contact 7' is designed as a socket and the contact 7 is accommodated therein and thus an electrically conductive connection is produced. The insulator 4' accommodates the contacts 7' designed as sockets of the data contact pair 5' and each is surrounded by a shielding element 11'. The plug connector module 1' also has two recesses 8, which can be connected to other components by using connecting elements.

[0031] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 Exploded view of a plug connector module 1 ' described in . The diagram illustrates the shape of a shielding element 11 ' which is inserted into the housing 3 ' and which surrounds the conductor 6 ' over the length of the insulating body 4 ' and thus produces a shield.

[0032] One conceivable possibility of using the plug connector modules 1 and 1 ′ according to the invention can be Figure 5. Two plug connectors 2 and 2' are shown, which are formed so that they can engage with each other. Here, the plug connector module 1 is connected to other modules 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 of the same system via a recess 8 and a connecting element 9 inserted therein and constitutes a plug connector 2. The same applies to the modules 10.1', 10.2', 10.3' and 10.4' of the mating plug connector 2' and the plug connector module 1', which are fixed to each other by two connecting elements 9 inserted into the recess 8. The plug connectors 2 and 2' include modules 10.1 and 10.1', which ensure the correct and secure fit of the plug connectors. Modules 10.2 and 10.2' transmit power. Modules 10.3 and 10.3 are modules for signal transmission, and the power transmitted by modules 10.4 and 10.4' is substantially lower than the power transmitted by modules 10.2 and 10.2'. The illustrated structure shows that the plug connector modules 1 and 1' according to the invention can be used both for the same module and for modules of the same system, in this case the modules 10.2 and 10.2'. The illustrated embodiment is mainly provided for a so-called "board-to-board" design. That is, the plug connectors 2 and 2' are designed to establish a connection from one circuit board to another circuit board. Of course, it is also conceivable to use this technology in a so-called "cable-to-board" solution. In other words, the plug connectors 2 and 2' shown and the corresponding, modified embodiments can also be used to connect cables to circuit boards.

[0033] Even if different aspects or features of the present invention are shown in combination in the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature combinations from different embodiments can be interchanged with each other.

[0034] List of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Plug connector modules 2 Modular plug connectors 3 case 4 Insulator 5 Data contact pair 6 conductor 7 Contact elements 8 concavity 9 Connecting elements 10.x (System related) modules 11 Shielding components 12 Shielding contact L Longitudinal axis V Vertical Ps Symmetrical Point

Claims

1. A plug connector module (1) for a modular plug connector (2), the plug connector module being used to establish a connection to a circuit board, the plug connector module comprising a housing (3) for accommodating at least one insulating body (4), the insulating body being arranged to accommodate at least one data contact pair (5), in, The data contact pairs are composed of conductors (6) and contact elements (7), and the housing (3) has at least one recess (8) which is shaped to engage with a connecting element (9), whereby the plug-in connector module (1) is connected to other, system-related modules (10.x), characterized in that the plug-in connector module (1) accommodates at least two data contact pairs, which are arranged to transmit data, wherein the data contact pairs are at least largely protected against interference influences by a shielding element (11), wherein the shielding elements (11) are shaped so that they completely surround the data contact pairs, wherein the shielding elements (11) have shielding contacts (12) which ensure the transmission of the shielding when the plug-in connector module (1') having an inverted shape is inserted, and the individual shielding elements (11) of the data contact pairs surround the data contact pairs and the associated conductor pairs along their longitudinal axis at least over a length corresponding to the length of the contact element (7) and the insulator (4) accommodating the contact element (7).

2. The plug connector module (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The recess (8) in the housing (3) is a groove in the form of a dovetail guide, which accommodates the identical connecting element (9) at least largely flush with itself.

3. The plug connector module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The recesses (8) are formed on opposite sides of the plug connector module (1), so that a plug connector (2) consisting of different plug connector modules (1) and / or modules of the same system is reinforced by at least two connecting elements (9).

4. The plug connector module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The at least two data contact pairs are arranged in the housing (3) along a plane of the plug connector module (1) which is angled relative to a vertical plane formed by a line parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) and a vertical line (V) arranged centrally in the data contact pairs.

5. The plug connector module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The data contact pairs are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a symmetry point (Ps) in the front view.

6. The plug connector module (1) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that In the front view, the data contact pair is arranged point-symmetrically relative to the center point of the housing (3).

7. The plug connector module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The shielding element (11) shields the data contacts from the surroundings so that a data transmission rate greater than or equal to 10 megabytes per second is achieved when using suitable conductors.

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