Electrical connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector (10) having a contact (30) on the input side and a housing (20) in which an electrical line (40) and an electrical circuit having at least one sensor device (84) and a control device (82) are connected to the contact (30). According to the invention, the sensor device (84) and the control device (82) are arranged on a common carrier (70). The carrier is here configured as a circuit carrier which is injection-molded from plastic, on which a conductor track (80) of metal is applied. Advantage: easy integration of sensor and monitoring functions into conventional connectors.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector having an input-side contact and a housing, within which electrical wires and a circuit having at least one sensor device and a control device are connected to the contact.

[0002] Electrical connectors are well known and widely used. Connectors can be configured as plugs, sockets, or kupplungs, for example. Here, the connector can be attached to the end of a cable, or in other embodiments, one end can be connected to a circuit board. This invention relates to all forms of different variations of such connectors.

[0003] A simple connector typically consists of contacts on the input side and a housing, within which electrical wires are connected to the contacts. For example, a separate wire of a cable is electrically connected to the contacts within the connector housing, allowing the cable to be easily connected to the mating connector. Here, the connector can be loosely secured to the mating connector by mating, screwing, or similar means.

[0004] Connectors are also known that not only contain electrical wires connected to the connector contacts within their housing, but are also constructed to be "intelligent." To this end, circuitry is placed within the connector housing, which performs monitoring and sensor functions, for example, to ensure the proper functioning of the connector and the transmission of signals through it. For this purpose, the circuitry includes control devices in addition to sensor devices. The control devices ensure that, on the one hand, the parameters or signals to be monitored by the connector are analyzed within the connector, and on the other hand, that they are output wirelessly or in contact to an evaluation device located outside the connector in an appropriate manner.

[0005] Examples of such “smart” connectors are disclosed in DE 10 2017 107 251 A1, US 5,989,069, US 2016 / 0343232 A1 and WO 2018 / 222695 A1.

[0006] In these known "smart" connectors, a common, plate-like circuit board is typically housed within the connector housing, on which circuitry with control devices is applied. As shown, for example, in WO 2018 / 222695 A1, the sensor device is not located on the corresponding circuit board with the control device. Therefore, such "smart" connectors cannot be easily assembled. Furthermore, the carrier to be housed within the connector housing must accommodate several additional circuit components besides the circuit board and sensor. These include not only the individual connector contacts but also so-called contact cores and transmission coils. All these components must be housed within the carrier, secured there, and then sealed with a separate cap. Finally, this carrier, equipped with all the components and sealed with a cap, must be fitted into the connector housing.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a “smart” electrical connector that consists of fewer parts and is therefore easy to operate and, in particular, easy to assemble.

[0008] The objective is achieved by a connector having the features of Scheme 1.

[0009] This improved connector is the subject of a subordinate scheme referencing scheme 1.

[0010] That is, a key feature of the electrical connector according to the invention is that it has an input-side contact and a housing, within which electrical wires and a circuit having at least one sensor device and a control device are connected to the contact. Here, the sensor device and the control device are mounted on a common, integrated carrier. The carrier, according to the invention, is constructed of a non-metallic material and is not a plate-shaped circuit carrier. Metallic conductor lines are applied to the circuit carrier.

[0011] In current connectors, the main core concept lies in the special design of the carrier that should be housed in the housing of the electrical connector according to the present invention.

[0012] The carrier is preferably made of plastic, but it can also be made of other non-conductive materials, such as ceramic or glass, and is manufactured integrally, for example, as an injection-molded part, sintered part, or 3D-printed part. Here, the carrier differs from a conventional plate shape, that is, from a merely flat shape; for example, the carrier's contacts facing the connector input side have an outer contour that matches the inner contour of the connector housing. Metal conductor lines are applied to this constructed carrier to connect to the circuit. In addition to these electrical conductor lines, the carrier according to the invention also carries circuitry with sensor devices and suitable control devices.

[0013] To assemble this connector, it is simply necessary to insert the carrier, which is configured as a circuit carrier, into the housing of the electrical connector and connect the electrical wires to the contacts on the input side of the connector.

[0014] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the housing is configured to completely surround the carrier.

[0015] In another improved embodiment, the housing is configured as a one-piece or a two-piece structure, comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. In the case of achieving a so-called round plug, the electrical connector housing has a cylindrical shape and is specifically configured as an M8 or M12 circular housing. Other M-designs are also possible.

[0016] According to the present invention, the carrier can have a suitable fixing structure, which allows the carrier to be directly fixed to the housing of the electrical connector. For example, threads can be provided on both the carrier and the housing of the connector for this purpose. The carrier is thus provided with external threads on its outer side in a suitable manner, which can be screwed into matching internal threads machined on the inner circumference of the housing of the electrical connector. In addition to this threaded fixing, clamping fixing, snap-fit ​​fixing, or adhesive bonding can also be used to fix the carrier within the housing of the connector.

[0017] In another improvement of the invention, the integrally formed carrier comprises a plurality of integrally joined segments, including at least one, preferably two outer segments, and at least a second segment connected to said outer segments. The second segment is plate-shaped and carries the necessary circuit components of the circuit. The outer segments, or both outer segments, connected to said plate-shaped segments are designed such that said outer segments at least substantially conform to the inner contour of the housing for easy fixation. For example, the threaded connection mentioned above is suitable for this.

[0018] In another improvement of the invention, the sensor device is disposed not on a plate-like section of the carrier, but in a region of the carrier as close as possible to the housing wall of the connector. This ensures that the sensor device can detect environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, or pressure) directly on the outer wall of the connector. Preferably, an opening is provided in the connector housing corresponding to the arrangement of the sensor device.

[0019] The connector circuitry according to the invention, together with the sensor device, is configured to monitor different operating conditions of the connector, or to monitor signals or the like guided through the connector. Necessarily, the circuitry also includes a communication device that allows the detected parameters to be transmitted to an evaluation device outside the connector. For this purpose, the connector circuitry has a suitable communication device, such as a Bluetooth connection or a radio connection. The transmitted signals can then be received and evaluated by a suitable receiving device.

[0020] To power the circuitry within the connector housing, it is preferable that the circuitry be electrically connected to the contacts on the connector input side, as this is where the electrical signals required to power the circuitry within the connector are transmitted. For this purpose, conductive spring elements, particularly solderable spring elements, can be provided on the carrier, connected to the contacts and / or wires of the electrical connector. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to include a voltage regulating device within the connector housing to allow for the regulated supply of power voltage to the circuitry.

[0021] The connector according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to three accompanying drawings and embodiments. Wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 An external view of the electrical connector according to the invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 Shown in a partially sectional view Figure 1 Electrical connectors, and

[0024] Figure 3 Shown with an exploded diagram Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connector.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts that have the same function.

[0026] Figure 1 An embodiment of an electrical connector is shown in a side view. The connector is constructed as an electrical round plug. The electrical connector, indicated by reference numeral 10, has a front mating side 11 and a back side 12 facing away from the mating side. The electrical connector 10 has a cylindrical housing 20, which has a first housing portion 21 facing the mating side 11 and a second housing portion 23 that is longer than the first housing portion. These two housing portions 21 and 22 can be connected, for example, by a threaded connection, which has... Figure 3 The internal thread 22 is shown in the figure, and the external thread is shown on the housing portion 23 (not shown in the figure). The housing 20, now the second housing portion 23, has an opening in its wall, the function of which will be explained below.

[0027] A contact 30 extends from the mating side 11, forming a mating contact of the electrical connector 10. The contact 30 is electrically connected, inside the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10, to a contact plate 32 and via an electrical conductor 40, to a cable 50 extending from the back side 12 of the electrical connector 10. For this purpose, the electrical conductor 40 of the cable 50 is connected to the contact plate 32 inside the housing 20, for example, by a crimp connection, screw connection, solder connection, or similar method. The contact plate 32 is electrically connected to the contact 30.

[0028] Such as especially Figure 2 sectional view and Figure 3 As shown in the perspective view, a specially designed carrier 70 is provided within the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10. The carrier 70 is made of a non-conductive material, preferably plastic, and is manufactured by injection molding or 3D printing. Therefore, the carrier 70 is non-conductive. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 70 has three integrally joined segments 71, 72, and 73. The middle segment 73 is designed as a plate to house circuit components. The individual circuit components are generally indicated by reference numeral 82 for use with control devices. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustration, the first segment 71 of the carrier 70 is connected to the middle segment 73 on the left, and the second segment 72 of the carrier 70 is connected to the right. The plate-like segment of the carrier 70 is referred to as the third segment 73. The carrier 70 is provided with electrical conductors 80 in its third segment 73 and also in part in its first segment 71. The electrical conductors 80 can be applied to the carrier 70 as a metallization structure using appropriate deposition techniques after the carrier 70 is fabricated. Alternatively, the necessary electrical conductors 80 can be formed on the carrier 70 using conductive paste, instead of depositing a metallization structure.

[0029] As by Figure 3 As can be clearly seen, the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 of the carrier 70 are adapted to the inner contour of the connector housing 20 in such a way that the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 are preferably constructed as cylindrical or hollow cylinders and generally correspond to the inner diameter of the circular housing 20 of the electrical connector 10. External threads 75 and 74 are formed on the cylindrical first segment 71 and the third segment 73, respectively, thereby allowing the carrier 70 to be easily screwed into the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10 along with the circuitry, thus ensuring a good mechanical connection between the housing 20 and the carrier 70.

[0030] However, the outer contour of the carrier 70 is not limited to the embodiment shown. Instead, the entire outer contour of the carrier 70 can be constructed into an angular, elliptical, or similar shape depending on the specific requirements for the inner contour of the housing 20. It is important that at least one of the outer portions 71, 72 of the carrier 70 is adapted to the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10.

[0031] The circuitry applied to the carrier 70 is configured to detect various parameters of the connector, the current flowing therein, and environmental conditions. For this purpose, the circuitry has a control device 82, which is electrically connected to a suitable sensor device 84. The electrical sensor device 84 may be, for example, a temperature sensor, which is not positioned on the plate-shaped second segment 72 of the carrier 70, but rather disposed in a recess in the cylindrical segment 71, such as... Figure 3 As clearly shown in the diagram, the sensor device 84 is thus positioned close to the housing wall of the housing 20. To allow the sensor device 84 to optimally detect environmental conditions of the electrical connector 10, such as temperature, humidity, or similar conditions, the housing 20 has the aforementioned opening 26, below which the sensor device 84 is positioned. The sensor device 84 is electrically connected to the circuit or electrical control device 82 via an electrical wire 80 applied to the first segment 21.

[0032] The entire circuit on the carrier 70 is powered via a suitable electrical connector or power line, not shown in the figure, that is electrically connected to the contact 30 or contact piece 32. For this purpose, for example, a solderable spring contact is provided, which elastically contacts the contact piece 32 when the carrier 70 is assembled into the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10 and here ensures the output voltage. To compensate for voltage fluctuations, the circuit is optionally equipped with a voltage regulation device.

[0033] Finally, for completeness, it should be noted that the cable 50 has individual electrical wires 40, which are connected to the contact piece 32 inside the housing 20 of the electrical connector 10.

[0034] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0035] 10 electrical connectors

[0036] 11 Plug side

[0037] 12 Dorsal side

[0038] 20 housing

[0039] 21 First shell section

[0040] 22 internal thread

[0041] 23 Second shell section

[0042] 26 openings

[0043] 27 Sealing Ring

[0044] 30 contacts

[0045] 32 contact pads

[0046] 40 electrical wire

[0047] 50 cable

[0048] 70 carriers

[0049] The first part of the 71 carrier

[0050] The second part of the 72 carrier

[0051] The third part of the 73 carrier

[0052] 74 external thread

[0053] 75 external thread

[0054] 80 electrical wire

[0055] 82 control device

[0056] 84 sensor devices

Claims

1. An electrical connector (10) having an input-side contact (30) and a housing (20), within which an electrical conductor (40) and a circuit having at least one sensor device (84) and a control device (82) are connected to the contact (30), characterized in that, The sensor device (84) and the control device (82) are mounted on a common, integrated carrier (70), which is constructed as a circuit carrier made of non-metallic material and is different from a plate shape, on which metallic conductor lines (80) are applied. The carrier (70) has a fixing structure, which is used to directly fix the carrier (70) to the housing (20) of the electrical connector (10). The fixing structure of the carrier (70) is a thread, which is at least partially provided on the outside of the carrier (70) and can be screwed into the internal thread of the housing (20) of the electrical connector (10).

2. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier (70) is configured as an injection molded part, a 3D printed part, or a sintered part.

3. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact (30) of the carrier (70) facing the input side has an outer contour that is at least approximately adapted to the inner contour of the housing (20).

4. The electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The shell (20) completely surrounds the carrier (70).

5. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing (20) is constructed as a single piece or as a two-piece structure having a first housing portion (21) and a second housing portion (23).

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shell (20) has a cylindrical shape.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier (70) mainly comprises three integrally connected segments (71, 72, 73), with the two outer segments (71, 72) being constructed as essentially hollow cylinders and connected to the plate-shaped middle segment (73).

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control device (82) of the circuit is located on the middle section (73) of the plate.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The sensor device (84) is disposed on the outer wall of the hollow cylindrical first section (71) of the carrier (70).

10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, External threads are integrally machined on the two outer sections (74, 75) of the carrier (70).

11. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (20) has an opening (26) on its outer periphery, and the sensor device (84) of the circuit is positioned below the opening.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit has a wireless or wired communication device.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit is connected to the electrical wire (40) of the electrical connector (10) via a conductive connection structure.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that, The conductive connection structure is connected to the contacts (30) and / or electrical wires (40) of the electrical connector (10) via conductive spring elements.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit has a voltage regulation device.

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