Hybrid SPE connector unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a hybrid SPE connector unit (1) comprising a housing (2) and a male hybrid SPE input connector (6) mounted on the housing. The hybrid SPE connector unit further comprises at least one female SPE output connector (8) of a set of connectors comprising at least one female SPE-only connector (30) mounted on the housing, and at least one female hybrid SPE connector (28) mounted on the housing. The hybrid SPE connector unit also includes a PCB side (70) of the housing that provides a mechanical interface (66) and an electrical interface (68) for mounting and connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit to a PCB (12). The hybrid SPE connector unit simplifies PCB layout, saves space and has cost effectiveness. Meanwhile, the hybrid SPE connector unit has high function integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hybrid SPE connector unit. Background Art

[0002] The hybrid SPE connector unit is used to interconnect PCBs or other electrical devices using a hybrid SPE topology (such as a hybrid SPE ring structure or a multi-point topology). The hybrid SPE connector unit generally includes a hybrid SPE connector, which contains contacts for SPE and contacts for power transmission, such as the hybrid connectors given in IEC 63171-6 and IEC 63171-7.

[0003] Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is a recent standard for two-wire Ethernet connections, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors. The IEEE 802.3bu-2016 standard deals with power supply over SPE connections, which are called hybrid SPE connections.

[0004] Hybrid SPE connector units currently available on the market typically require complex and elaborate PCB layouts and are not very space efficient. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid SPE connector unit which simplifies PCB layout and saves space and cost. At the same time, the hybrid SPE connector unit should have a high degree of functional integration.

[0006] This object is solved by a hybrid SPE connector unit comprising

[0007] -case,

[0008] -Male hybrid SPE input connector mounted on housing,

[0009] - at least one female SPE output connector from a connector set, the connector set comprising:

[0010] = at least one female SPE connector mounted on the housing,

[0011] = at least one female hybrid SPE connector mounted on the housing,

[0012] - The PCB side of the housing provides a mechanical and electrical interface for mounting and connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit to the PCB.

[0013] In order to interconnect the PCB with the SPE ring structure, the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected to the PCB on its PCB side, and the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected to the mating SPE connector on the SPE side. For correct interconnection, it is necessary to ensure that a specific mating SPE connector is mated with the SPE input connector or the SPE output connector of the hybrid SPE connector unit. The hybrid SPE connector unit according to the present invention stipulates that the SPE input connector and at least one SPE output connector have opposite genders. Therefore, the mating SPE connector on the SPE side can only be mated with the male hybrid SPE input connector or the female SPE output connector. This eliminates the risk of incorrect mating, thereby improving application safety and simplifying the mating process.

[0014] By providing both an electrical interface and a mechanical interface for the hybrid SPE connector unit, the PCB can be connected to the hybrid SPE connector unit without the PCB itself having a simplified SPE interface, and can therefore be integrated into the SPE ring structure. In this way, the design workload of the PCB is reduced, which reduces the connection costs.

[0015] An SPE-only connector is an SPE connector without any power transmission capability. An SPE-only connector may correspond, for example, to a connector in IEC 63171-1 to IEC 63171-6 having only two signal pins.

[0016] The invention described above may be further improved by adding one or more of the features described below, each of which is advantageous in itself and may be combined independently and / or in any desired manner with any other features described below.

[0017] In one embodiment, the male hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may both comply with standards IEC 63171-6 and IEC 63171-7. The hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female SPE output connector may have a size of M6, M8, M12 or larger. The hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female SPE output connector may be according to standard IEC 63171 series.

[0018] The contact pins of both the male hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may be protected or unprotected. Preferably, the pins of the male hybrid SPE input connector may be unprotected and the pins of the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may be protected. The pin protection may comprise an integrally formed component concentrically surrounding the contact pins. The pin protection may, for example, be used for the purpose of touch protection and / or electromagnetic shielding. In particular, contact of a user's human finger with the current-carrying parts may be prevented, the user's human finger being simulated, for example, by a test finger according to the DIN EN 60529:2000 standard.

[0019] The mechanical interface may include a pin for inserting into a retaining hole of the PCB. Preferably, the pin may be formed integrally by the housing. The electrical interface may also include an electrical contact for contacting a contact of the PCB. For example, the electrical contact of the electrical interface may be a contact spring and / or a pin. In particular, the pin of the mechanical interface may protrude in the same direction as any electrical contact of the electrical interface.

[0020] Input connectors and output connectors may be provided for integrating a hybrid SPE connector unit into an SPE ring structure or creating an SPE ring structure. In particular, the male hybrid SPE input connector and at least one of the female SPE output connectors may both mate with a complementary mating SPE connector, which is part of the SPE ring structure to which the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected.

[0021] To allow a compact design, the housing of the hybrid SPE connector unit may be a cuboid, or may have any other geometric shape including different sides. The housing may also be electromagnetically shielded. The electromagnetic shield may be integrally formed with the housing, or may be a separate component attached to the housing.

[0022] The male hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female SPE output connector may be mounted on the same side of the housing or on different sides of the housing. The PCB side may be opposite to the side where the male hybrid SPE input connector is located. In particular, the PCB side may extend perpendicularly to the side where the male hybrid SPE input connector is located.

[0023] Preferably, the hybrid SPE connector unit may be provided with a seal. In particular, the sealed hybrid SPE connector unit may comply with standard IP67. However, the hybrid SPE connector unit may at least support standard IP20.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the at least one female SPE output connector can be smaller than the male hybrid SPE input connector. In principle, a larger SPE connector has larger contacts and wires, which is why a larger SPE connector can also transmit more power. Having a large male hybrid SPE input connector allows a larger power lead or terminal to be placed inside the connector. This input power can then be distributed to one or more female hybrid SPE output connectors, each of which transmits less power than a male hybrid SPE input connector and can therefore be smaller than a hybrid male SPE input connector. This reduces the size of the hybrid SPE connector unit.

[0025] Preferably, the male hybrid SPE input connector can have an external thread for engaging with the internal thread of the female SPE hybrid output connector of the matching. In particular, the external thread can have the size of M8 or M12. Female hybrid SPE output connector and / or female SPE output connector can have an internal thread for engaging the external thread of the corresponding matching male hybrid SPE connector and / or matching male SPE connector. Preferably, the thread of the male hybrid SPE input connector can have a larger diameter than the thread of the female SPE output connector and / or the thread of the female hybrid SPE output connector. Male hybrid SPE input connector can be M12, and at least one female SPE output connector can be M6, M8 or M12, or male hybrid SPE input connector can be M8, and at least one female SPE output connector can be M6 or M8.

[0026] According to another aspect, the hybrid SPE connector unit can be configured to provide a PoDL function on at least one of the female SPE output connectors. The PoDL function uses a line for power transmission that is otherwise only used for data transmission. As a result, the hybrid SPE connector unit does not require an additional power line, thereby allowing the use of a simpler and smaller connector. This allows further reduction in the size of the hybrid SPE connector unit. The PoDL function also enables the hybrid SPE connector unit 2 to be connected to an SPE topology using PoDL. Therefore, the hybrid SPE connector unit can be interconnected with a wider variety of SPE topologies.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical interface may include data lines and power lines separated from each other, wherein the electrical interface may include electrical contacts arranged at a contact pitch, and wherein the data lines and the power lines are spaced apart from each other by more than the contact pitch. The separation of data and power transmission has the following advantages: data transmission is not disturbed due to interference with power transmission. By spacing the power lines and data lines apart from each other, the process of wiring is simplified. This reduces PCB design costs, thereby reducing overall connection costs.

[0028] In order to further improve the separation of data lines and power lines, the electrical interface may include discrete contact areas, wherein the data lines and the power lines are in different contact areas. Each contact area may have a different contact pitch and / or comply with different connector standards.

[0029] According to another aspect, the data line can be arranged on the first side of the hybrid SPE connector unit, and the power line can be arranged on the second side of the hybrid SPE connector unit, and the first side is arranged opposite to the second side. This design further improves the separation of the data line and the power line, and prevents the occurrence of interference between power transmission and data transmission.

[0030] Regarding another embodiment of the present invention, the hybrid SPE connector unit may include a circuit board. The provision of the circuit board enables additional functions to be integrated into the hybrid SPE connector unit. Such a hybrid SPE connector unit can therefore take over the functions of the PCB. This increases the application range of the hybrid SPE connector unit. In addition, the system design cost of the PCB connected to the hybrid SPE connector unit is reduced, thereby reducing the overall connection cost.

[0031] The circuit board can form a part of the housing, in particular a rear wall of the housing. Preferably, the back side of the circuit board can form a part of the housing or a rear wall of the housing, respectively. The circuit board can also be located in the housing.

[0032] The male hybrid SPE connector and the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector and / or the female SPE output connector may be mounted on a circuit board.The electrical interface may be attached to the circuit board and the connector of the electrical interface may be mounted on the circuit board.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hybrid SPE connector may include at least one component of a component group, the component group comprising:

[0034] -transformer;

[0035] - Common mode choke;

[0036] -LED drivers;

[0037] -LED;

[0038] - magnetic and / or electromagnetic elements;

[0039] - Passive electronic and / or electrical components;

[0040] - active electronic and / or electrical components;

[0041] - Power filter;

[0042] - data filter;

[0043] -PHY.

[0044] The hybrid SPE connector unit has a high degree of functional integration due to the large number of different components that can be integrated. This makes the hybrid SPE connector unit suitable for a wide range of applications. In particular, the connector unit can be flexibly adapted to various system configurations on the PCB side or on the SPE line side.

[0045] To save space on the hybrid SPE connector unit, at least one component may be located between the male hybrid SPE input connector and at least one female hybrid SPE output connector. Likewise, at least one component may be positioned between at least two female hybrid SPE output connectors.

[0046] The hybrid SPE connector unit may include at least one LED zone, and different LED zones may be assigned to different SPE input / output connectors. The LED zones may include at least one of the following:

[0047] - At least one LED whose activity state [on / off] depends on the data speed of the assigned SPE input / output connector

[0048] - At least one LED whose activity status depends on the power provided on the assigned SPE input / output connector

[0049] - At least one LED, the activity state of which depends on the activity of the data line of the corresponding SPE input / output connector.

[0050] To power the LED, the electrical interface may include pins that connect to the LED.

[0051] According to another embodiment, the at least one component may be mounted on the circuit board. If the component acquires data or information from the electrical system that is processed on the circuit board, a connection between the component and the circuit board may be required. By mounting the component on the circuit board, such a connection can be achieved in a simple and space-saving manner.

[0052] According to another aspect, the data lines and the power lines can be kept electrically separated from at least one of the electrical interface and at least one female SPE output connector and the hybrid male SPE input connector. The galvanic isolation ensures that data and power transmission via the electrical interface and data and power transmission via the SPE connector do not interfere with each other. It also prevents voltages introduced via the SPE connector from impairing or damaging the function of the hybrid SPE connector unit or PCB.

[0053] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail exemplarily with reference to the accompanying drawings and according to several embodiments, the different features of which can be combined with each other as required according to the above general description. In addition, features can be omitted from the following embodiments if their technical effects are not required in a specific application. Similarly, the aforementioned features that are not present in the embodiments described below can be added if their technical effects are not necessary for a specific application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In the following, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond to each other in at least one aspect of structure and function.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment;

[0056] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit mounted on a PCB according to a possible embodiment;

[0057] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hybrid SPE connector unit mounted on a PCB according to a possible embodiment;

[0058] Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment;

[0059] Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment;

[0060] Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit mounted on a PCB according to a possible embodiment;

[0061] Figure 7 shows a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment;

[0062] Figure 8 shows a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment;

[0063] Fig. 9 shows a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment;

[0064] Fig.10 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment, without a housing;

[0065] Fig.11shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment; and

[0066] Fig.12 A schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 12 A hybrid SPE connector unit according to several embodiments is described.

[0068] The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 comprises a housing 2, a circuit board 4, a male hybrid SPE input connector 6, at least one female SPE output connector 8 and a plurality of components 10. The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may be provided for interconnecting a PCB 12 with an SPE ring structure.

[0069] The housing 2 has a substantially cuboid shape with a top 14, a bottom 16, a front side 18, a rear side 20 and two opposing side walls 22. The front side 18 of the housing 2 comprises a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and a female SPE output connector 8, via which the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 can be connected to an SPE topology, such as an SPE ring structure. The longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front side 18 of the housing 2.

[0070] The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 complies with the IEC 63171-6 standard. Figure 1 The female SPE output connector 8 shown is a female hybrid SPE connector 28 according to the IEC 63171-6 standard. According to another embodiment, the female SPE output connector 8 may be a female SPE connector 30. Furthermore, a plurality of female SPE connectors 30 and / or female hybrid SPE connectors 28 may be provided on the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0071] The female SPE output connector 8 may include an external thread 32, an internal thread 34, a contact pin 36, a pin protector 38, and a nut 40. The external thread 32 of the female SPE output connector 8 is configured to engage the complementary internal thread of a mating female hybrid SPE output connector (not shown). The internal thread 34 is configured to engage the complementary external thread of a mating male hybrid SPE input connector and / or a mating male SPE input connector (not shown).

[0072] The contact pins 36 of the female SPE output connector 8 are Figure 14 and 5. The contact pins 36 of the female SPE output connector 8 are arranged to transmit power and / or data between the SPE ring structure and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. In the case where the female SPE output connector 8 is a female hybrid SPE connector 28, power and data are each transmitted via separated pairs of contact pins 36. Thus, physical separation of power transmission and data transmission is achieved. In the case where the female SPE output connector 8 is a female SPE connector 30, power and data are transmitted via the same pair of contact pins 36.

[0073] The nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8 can be used to attach the female SPE output connector 8 to the housing 2 or the circuit board 4. In particular, the circuit board 4 can form a part of the housing 2. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 can be attached to the wall 44 of the external housing 46 by using the nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8 and the nut 62 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6. For attachment, both the female SPE output connector 8 and the male SPE input connector 6 are inserted into the through-hole 48 in the external housing 46 until the front side 18 of the housing 2 abuts against the wall 44 of the external housing 46. When the nuts 40, 62 are tightened, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 is attached to the external housing 46. Both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 can be connected to a circuit board 4 as part of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. In particular, the circuit board 4 can form the rear side 20 of the housing 2 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. The mechanical connection between both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 and the circuit board 4 is established by using a metal bracket 50. The metal bracket 50 includes a latch hook 52 for establishing a form-locking connection 54 with the circuit board 4. Both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 are electrically connected to the circuit board 4 via rear contacts 56 that are inserted into complementary holes of the circuit board 4 .

[0074] The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 may include an external thread 58, a contact pin 60 and a nut 62. The external thread 58 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 is configured to engage a complementary internal thread of a mating female hybrid SPE connector (not shown). The contact pin 60 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 is provided for transmitting both power and data. In particular, both power and data are transmitted via a single pair of contact pins 60. Similar to the nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8, the nut 62 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 can be used to attach the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to the wall 44 of the external housing 46. Figure 1The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 shown in FIG. 8 does not include a pin protection member 38. However, the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 may also include a pin protection member 38 provided on the female SPE output connector 8.

[0075] The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may also include an annular sealing element 64 (see Figure 1 ). The sealing element 64 abuts the front side 18 of the housing 2 and extends concentrically about the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8, respectively. When the nuts 40, 62 are tightened, the sealing element 64 is compressed between the nuts 40, 62 and the front side 18 of the housing 2.

[0076] like Figure 4 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may also include a mechanical interface 66 and an electrical interface 68 located at a PCB side 70 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 . Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, PCB side 70 corresponds to bottom 16 of housing 2. Generally, PCB side 70 can be considered as the side of housing 2 where mechanical interface 66 and electrical interface 68 are located and via which hybrid SPE connector unit 1 is connected to PCB 12.

[0077] A mechanical interface 66 may be provided for mounting the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 on the PCB 12. The bottom 16 of the housing 2 may be provided with a pin 72, whose longitudinal axis 74 extends perpendicularly to the bottom 16 of the housing 2. Preferably, the pin 72 is integrally formed by the housing 2. The pin 72 is designed to be inserted into a complementary retaining hole of the PCB 12. The mechanical interface 66 may also include a rectangular, frame-shaped protrusion 76, which faces vertically away from the bottom 16 of the housing 2. The protrusion 76 is preferably integrally formed by the housing 2. The protrusion 76 may be designed to be inserted into a complementary groove of the PCB 12. In particular, a press-fit connection between the protrusion 76 and the groove of the PCB 12 and the pin 72 and the complementary retaining hole of the PCB 12 may be established.

[0078] An electrical interface 68 may be provided for electrically connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to the PCB 12. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the electrical interface 68 may include a data line 78 and a power line 80, which are spaced apart by a line distance 82. The data line 78 may be provided for transmitting data between the PCB 12 and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1, and the power line 80 may be provided for transmitting power between the PCB 12 and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0079] Each data line 78 and each power line 80 may include an electrical contact 84 whose longitudinal axes 86 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom 16 of the housing 2. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 86 of the electrical contact 84 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 74 of the pin 72 of the mechanical interface 66 of the housing 2 .

[0080] Two adjacent electrical contacts 84 of each data line 78 and each power line 80 may be spaced apart from each other by a contact spacing 88 that is less than the line distance 82 .

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data line 78 may be arranged at the first side 90 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1, and the power line 80 may be arranged at the second side 92 of the housing 2. In particular, the first side 90 may be arranged opposite to the second side 92. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the first side 90 may correspond to the rear side 20 of the housing 2 , and the second side 92 may correspond to the front side 18 of the housing 2 .

[0082] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As best seen in the figure, the electrical contacts 84 of the data line 78 and the electrical contacts 84 of the power line 80 may be surrounded by a protective cap 94. In particular, the protective cap 94 of the data line 78 may be provided with a latch 96 having a longitudinal axis 98 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 86 of the electrical contact 84. The latch 96 may serve as a grounding portion 100 and may thus be inserted into a complementary hole of the PCB 12.

[0083] Various configurations of hybrid SPE connector units 1 are possible. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Each hybrid SPE connector unit 1 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 , a female SPE output connector 8 , a housing 2 , a circuit board 4 comprising a plurality of components 10 , and an electrical interface 68 . Figure 7 The electrical interface 68 of the illustrated hybrid SPE connector unit 1 includes two power lines 80 , four data lines 78 and two grounds 100 . Figure 8 The electrical interface 68 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 shown includes six power lines 80 , two data lines 78 and one ground 100 .

[0084] According to Fig. 9In a possible embodiment shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4 , a hybrid SPE connector unit 1 includes a circuit board 4, a male hybrid SPE input connector 6, a female SPE output connector 8, an electrical interface 64 including a power line 80, a data line 78, a grounding portion 100, and a plurality of components 10. The components 10 are mounted on the circuit board 4. The set of components 10 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include any of the following components 10: a transformer 102, a common mode choke 104, an LED driver 106, a plurality of LEDs 108, a magnetic component and / or an electromagnetic component 110, a passive electronic and / or electrical component 112, an active electronic and / or electrical component 114, a power filter 116, a data filter 118, and a PHY 120.

[0085] like Fig.10 As shown, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may further include a plurality of transformers 102. The transformers 102 may be used to provide voltage isolation toward the electrical interface between the hybrid SPE connector and the SPE-only connector. Fig.10 In the illustrated embodiment, the transformer 102 is substantially cuboid and is positioned relative to a transverse axis 122 of the circuit board 4. The transformer 102 is also located at an end 122 of the circuit board 4 facing away from the PCB side 70 of the housing 2.

[0086] Each transformer 102 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or at least one female SPE output connector 8. For example, a first transformer 140 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and a second transformer 142 may be assigned to a female hybrid SPE connector 8.

[0087] The common mode choke 104 may be used to suppress common mode signals introduced into the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 via the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or via the electrical interface 68 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 . Fig.10 The common mode choke 104 shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially cuboid shape, with a longitudinal axis 126 extending along the transverse axis 122 of the circuit board 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female hybrid SPE connector 8. In particular, the longitudinal axis 126 of the common mode choke 104 extends between the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8. The common mode choke 104 is attached to the circuit board 4 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0088] like Fig.11As shown, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include an LED unit 128. The LED unit 128 may be cylindrical, and its longitudinal axis 130 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6, parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the female hybrid SPE connector 8, and perpendicular to the front side 18 of the housing 2.

[0089] The LED unit 128 may include an annular sealing element 64 that abuts the front side 18 of the housing 2 and extends concentrically around the cylindrical LED unit 128 .

[0090] At an end face 129 facing away from the front side 18 of the housing 2, the LED unit 128 may include an LED zone 132. The LED zone 132 may include several LEDs 108, whose active state (on / off) may depend on a parameter of power transmission and / or data transmission of the male SPE input connector 6 and / or the at least one female SPE output connector 8. In particular, each LED 108 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or an SPE output connector 8 to indicate at least one parameter of power transmission and / or one parameter of data transmission of the assigned SPE connector 6, 8.

[0091] For example, the activity state of the first LED 131a of the LED zone 132 may depend on the data speed of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 , and the activity state of the second LED 131b of the LED zone 132 may depend on the power provided on the female hybrid SPE connector 8 .

[0092] To power the LED unit 128, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include an LED pin 134 (see Figure 5 ), the LED unit 128 can be electrically connected to the PCB 12 or any other device via the LED pins 134. The LED pins 134 can be connected to the circuit board 4 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. The longitudinal axes 136 of the LED pins 134 can extend parallel to each other and parallel to the electrical contacts 84 of the data line 78 and the electrical contacts 84 of the power line 80.

[0093] like Fig.12 As shown, the SPE hybrid connector unit 1 may further include a rear cover 138 on the rear side 20 of the housing 2. The rear cover 138 may be provided, for example, as a part of an electromagnetic shield and / or a part of a touch protection, in particular for protecting the circuit board 4. The rear cover 138 at least partially covers the electrical contacts 84 of the data line 78 and the power line 80 and the LED pins 134.

[0094] Reference numerals

[0095] 1 Hybrid SPE connector unit

[0096] 2 Housing

[0097] 4 Circuit Board

[0098] 6 Male Hybrid SPE Input Connector

[0099] 8 Female SPE output connector

[0100] 10 Components

[0101] 12 PCB

[0102] 14 Top

[0103] 16 Bottom

[0104] 18 front side

[0105] 20 Rear

[0106] 22 Sidewall

[0107] 24 Longitudinal axis of the male hybrid SPE input connector

[0108] 26 Longitudinal axis of female SPE output connector

[0109] 28 Female Hybrid SPE Connector

[0110] 30 Female SPE Connector

[0111] 32 Male thread of female SPE output connector

[0112] 34 Internal threads of female SPE output connector

[0113] 36 Contact pins for female SPE output connector

[0114] 38 Pin protection

[0115] 40 Nut for female SPE output connector

[0116] 42 cylindrical cavity

[0117] 44 wall

[0118] 46 External housing

[0119] 48 Through hole in outer housing

[0120] 50 Metal bracket

[0121] 52 Latch hook

[0122] 54 Form-locking connection

[0123] 56 rear contact

[0124] 58 Male Hybrid SPE Input Connector External Thread

[0125] 60 male hybrid SPE input connector contact pins

[0126] 62 Male Hybrid SPE Connector Nut

[0127] 64 Sealing element

[0128] 66 Mechanical interface

[0129] 68 Electrical interface

[0130] 70 PCB side

[0131] 72 Pins

[0132] 74 Longitudinal axis of pin

[0133] 76 protrusion

[0134] 78 Data cable

[0135] 80 Power Line

[0136] 82 Line distance

[0137] 84 Electrical contacts

[0138] 86 Longitudinal axis of electrical contact

[0139] 88 Contact spacing

[0140] 90 First side

[0141] 92 Second side

[0142] 94 Protective cap

[0143] 96 Latch

[0144] 98 Longitudinal axis of latch

[0145] 100 Grounding

[0146] 102 Transformer

[0147] 104 Common Mode Choke

[0148] 106 LED Driver

[0149] 108 LED

[0150] 110 Magnetic and / or electromagnetic components

[0151] 112 Passive electronic and / or electrical components

[0152] 114 Active electronic and / or electrical components

[0153] 116 Power filter

[0154] 118 Data Filter

[0155] 120 PHY

[0156] 122 Transverse axis of circuit board

[0157] 124 End of circuit board

[0158] 126 Longitudinal axis of the common mode choke

[0159] 128 LED units

[0160] 129 End face

[0161] 130 Longitudinal axis of the LED unit

[0162] 131a First LED

[0163] 131b Second LED

[0164] 132 LED Zone

[0165] 134 LED pins

[0166] 136 Longitudinal axis of LED pin

[0167] 138 Back cover

[0168] 140 First Transformer

[0169] 142 Second Transformer

Claims

1. A hybrid SPE connector unit (1), comprising - a housing (2), - a male hybrid SPE input connector (6) mounted on said housing (2), - at least one female SPE output connector (8) from a connector set, the connector set comprising: = at least one female SPE connector (30) mounted on the housing (2), = at least one female hybrid SPE connector (28) mounted on said housing (2), - The PCB side (70) of the housing (2) provides a mechanical interface (66) and an electrical interface (68) for mounting and connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit (1) to the PCB (12).

2. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 1, in, The at least one female SPE output connector (8) is smaller than the male hybrid SPE connector (6).

3. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) is configured to provide PoDL functionality on at least one of the female SPE output connectors (8).

4. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The electrical interface (68) includes a data line (78) and a power line (80) that are separated from each other, wherein the electrical interface (68) includes electrical contacts (84) arranged at a contact pitch (88), And wherein the data line (78) and the power line (80) are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the contact spacing (88).

5. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 4, in, The data line (78) is arranged on a first side (90) of the hybrid SPE connector unit (1), and the power line (90) is arranged on a second side (92) of the hybrid SPE connector unit (1), the first side (90) being arranged opposite to the second side (92).

6. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) comprises a circuit board (4).

7. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) comprises at least one component (10) from a group of components (10), the group of components comprising: - a transformer (102); - a common mode choke (104); - LED driver (106); - LED (108); - magnetic and / or electromagnetic elements (110); - passive electronic and / or electrical components (112); - active electronic and / or electrical components (114); - a power filter (116); - data filter (118); -PHY(120).

8. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 7, in, The at least one component (10) is mounted on the circuit board (4).

9. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, in, The data line (78) and the power line (80) are galvanically separated from each other between the hybrid male SPE input connector (6) and at least one of the electrical interface (68) and at least one hybrid female SPE output connector (8).

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