Modular electrical connector assembly

Abstract

A modular electrical connector assembly comprises: a socket carrier element (1) having a support section (2), a mating structure (3) and a carrier structure (4) to carry at least one electrical socket element (5); a pin carrier element (6) having a bearing section (7), a mating structure (8) and a carrier structure (9) for carrying at least one electrical pin element (10); a socket housing (11) having a receiving section (12) to which the socket carrier element (1) is mounted by means of the bearing section (2) and a housing section (13); and a pin housing (14) having a receiving section (15) to which the pin carrier element (6) is mounted by means of the bearing section (2), and a housing section (16), the mating structure (3) of the socket carrier element (1) mechanically mating with the mating structure (8) of the pin carrier element (6), the at least one electrical socket element (5) and the at least one electrical pin element (10) are arranged such that an electrical contact is provided between the at least one electrical socket element (5) and the at least one electrical pin element (10) when the socket carrier element (1) is mated with the pin carrier element (6), and wherein the bearing section (2) of the socket carrier element (1) is identical to the bearing section (7) of the pin carrier element (6), the receiving section (12) of the socket housing (11) is identical to the receiving section (15) of the pin housing (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 and to an assembly kit according to claim 13 . Background Art

[0002] Electrical connector assemblies are known in the art. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a modular electrical connector assembly in which various components are arranged so as to achieve a modular structure.

[0004] This object is achieved by an electrical connector assembly according to claim 1. According to claim 1, the modular electrical connector assembly comprises: a socket carrier element having a support section, a mating structure and a carrier structure to carry at least one electrical socket element; a pin carrier element having a support section, a mating structure and a carrier structure to carry at least one electrical pin element; a socket housing having a receiving section and a housing section, to which the socket carrier element is mounted by means of the support section; and a pin housing having a receiving section and a housing section, to which the pin carrier element is mounted by means of the support section. The mating structure of the socket carrier element mechanically cooperates with the mating structure of the pin carrier element. The at least one electrical socket element and the at least one electrical pin element are arranged so that when the socket carrier element is mated with the pin carrier element, electrical contact is provided between the at least one electrical socket element and the at least one electrical pin element. The support section of the socket carrier element is identical to the support section of the pin carrier element, and the receiving section of the socket housing is identical to the receiving section of the pin housing.

[0005] Due to the identical bearing section and receiving section, a standardized interface is provided between the carrier element and the housing, so that a modular system can be provided.

[0006] Preferably, each of the carrier elements is provided as a one-piece element.Preferably, each of the carrier elements is made of plastic, such as fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced polyamide, such as nylon.

[0007] Preferably, each of the housing elements is provided as a one-piece element.Preferably, each of the housing elements is made of plastic, such as fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced polyamide, such as nylon.

[0008] Preferably, the bearing section comprises a cylindrical section, and wherein the receiving section comprises a cylindrical section, wherein the cylindrical sections are mechanically engaged with each other.

[0009] Preferably, the cylindrical section of the support section is the outer surface, and the cylindrical section of the receiving section is the inner surface, wherein the outer surface contacts the inner surface. Alternatively, the cylindrical section of the support section is the inner surface, and the cylindrical section of the receiving section is the outer surface, wherein the outer surface contacts the inner surface.

[0010] Preferably, the bearing section comprises a stop surface, and wherein the receiving section comprises a stop surface, wherein the stop surfaces engage each other.

[0011] Preferably, the stop surface is inclined at an angle relative to a direction in which each carrier element is mounted to the corresponding housing.

[0012] Preferably, the bearing section comprises a latching structure, and wherein the receiving section comprises a latching structure, wherein the latching structures mechanically latch into one another.

[0013] Preferably, the snap-fit ​​structure is provided by a snap-fit ​​sheet and a snap-fit ​​rib, wherein the snap-fit ​​rib engages with the snap-fit ​​sheet.

[0014] wherein the latching piece is arranged on the housing and extends away from the housing, and the latching rib is arranged on the carrier element; or

[0015] Therein, the latching piece is arranged on the carrier element and extends away from the carrier element, while the latching rib is arranged on the housing.

[0016] Preferably, at least two of the latching pieces and at least two of the latching ribs are arranged, wherein the latching pieces are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the housing or the carrier element; and wherein the latching ribs are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the housing or the carrier element.

[0017] Preferably, on the carrier element, the cylindrical section is adjoined by a stop surface, and the latching structure is arranged on a side of the stop surface opposite the cylindrical section.

[0018] Preferably, the bearing section comprises a first guide element and the receiving section comprises a second guide element, wherein the first guide element engages with the second guide element such that a defined orientation between the carrier element and the housing can be provided.

[0019] Preferably, the carrier element comprises a plurality of recesses which are arranged such that they remain uncovered when the carrier element is mounted to the housing.

[0020] Preferably, the recess is arranged on a side of the stop surface opposite to the cylindrical section.

[0021] Preferably, the mating structure of one of the carrier elements comprises a mating opening, and wherein the mating structure of the other of the carrier elements comprises a mating shaft engaging with the mating opening.

[0022] Preferably, each of the mating structures comprises a coding ring having at least one coding element, wherein the coding ring can be positioned in different predetermined coding positions.

[0023] An assembly kit for a modular connector assembly according to the above description comprises

[0024] at least one socket carrier element;

[0025] at least one pin carrier element;

[0026] at least one socket housing;

[0027] at least one pin housing; and

[0028] At least one further housing having a further receiving section and a further housing section, to which one of the socket carrier element or the pin carrier element can be mounted by means of a bearing section. The housing sections of the housing are different from one another. The bearing section of the socket carrier element is identical to the bearing section of the pin carrier element. The receiving sections of the housing are identical to one another.

[0029] Since all housings have the same receiving section, the socket carrier element and the pin carrier element can be connected modularly to the corresponding housing with the corresponding housing section. Thus, the user can select a housing suitable for the respective application.

[0030] Further embodiments of the invention are listed in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to illustrate the current preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a modular connector assembly having a first connector and a second connector according to the following figure;

[0033] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Another stereoscopic view of;

[0034] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a modular connector of a connector assembly according to a preferred embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 Another detail view of;

[0036] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a modular connector of a connector assembly according to a preferred embodiment;

[0037] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 Another stereoscopic view of;

[0038] Figure 7 A further modular connector is shown in perspective view;

[0039] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 Another stereoscopic view of ; and

[0040] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 7 and Figure 8 Detail view of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A modular connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The modular connector assembly comprises a socket carrier element 1, a pin carrier element 6, a socket housing 11 and a pin housing 14. The socket carrier element 1 is mechanically connected to the socket housing 11, in which a socket-side connector is provided. The pin carrier element 6 is mechanically connected to the pin housing 14, in which a pin-side connector is provided. The socket-side connector and the pin-side connector can be connected to each other.

[0042] The socket carrier element 1 comprises a support section 2, a mating structure 3 and a carrier structure 4 to carry at least one electrical socket element 5. The pin carrier element 6 comprises a support section 7, a mating structure 8 and a carrier structure 9 to carry at least one electrical pin element 10. The mating structure 3 of the socket carrier element 1 mechanically cooperates with the mating structure 8 of the pin carrier element 6. The at least one electrical socket element 5 and the at least one electrical pin element 10 are arranged in the respective carrier elements 1, 6 so that when the socket carrier element 1 cooperates with the pin carrier element 6, an electrical contact is provided between the at least one electrical socket element 5 and the at least one electrical pin element 10. The electrical socket element 5 comprises a socket section, and the electrical pin element 10 comprises a pin section engaged in the socket section. Preferably, an electrical contact device having a spring-loaded contact element is arranged between the socket section and the pin section to establish an electrical contact between the pin section and the socket section.

[0043] The socket housing 11 comprises a receiving section 12 and a housing section 13, to which the socket carrier element 1 is mounted by means of the bearing section 2. The pin housing 14 comprises a receiving section 15 and a housing section 16, to which the pin carrier element 6 is mounted by means of the bearing section 8. In the present embodiment, the housing section 13 of the socket housing 11 is arranged differently from the housing section 16 of the pin housing 14.

[0044] The bearing section 2 of the socket carrier element 1 is identical to the bearing section 7 of the pin carrier element 6. The receiving section 12 of the socket housing 11 is identical to the receiving section 15 of the pin housing 14. Figures 7 to 9 , shows a further connector with a further housing 36. The further housing 36 has a receiving section 37 which is identical to the receiving section 12 of the socket housing 11 and the receiving section 15 of the pin housing 14. The further housing 36 is connected to the socket carrier element 1 here.

[0045] Due to the identical bearing sections 2 , 7 and the identical receiving sections 12 , 15 , 37 , a standardized interface is provided between the carrier element 1 , 6 and the housing 11 , 14 , 36 , so that a modular component system can be provided.

[0046] Now, using Figures 3 to 6 The illustrated embodiment explains the preferred mechanical structure in more detail, namely the socket carrier element and the pin carrier element as well as the socket housing and the pin housing. Figure 3 to Figure 4 shows the pin housing, Figure 5 to Figure 6 A socket housing is shown.

[0047] The bearing section 2, 7 of the carrier element 1, 6 comprises a cylindrical section 17. The receiving section 12, 15 of the housing 11, 14 comprises a cylindrical section 18. The cylindrical section 17 is here a cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical section 18 is here a cylindrical inner surface. The cylindrical sections 17, 18 are mechanically engaged with each other.

[0048] The bearing sections 2, 7 of the carrier elements 1, 6 comprise stop surfaces 19. The receiving sections 12, 15 of the housings 11, 14 comprise stop surfaces 20, wherein the stop surfaces 19, 20 engage with each other. The stop surfaces 19 on the carrier elements 1, 6 are arranged adjacent to the cylindrical section 17, and the stop surfaces 20 on the housings 11, 14 are arranged adjacent to the cylindrical section 18. The stop surfaces 19, 20 are oriented perpendicularly to the center axis passing through the cylindrical sections 17, 18.

[0049] The support sections 2, 7 include a snap-in structure 21, and the receiving sections 12, 15 include a snap-in structure 22. The snap-in structures 21, 22 are arranged so that the snap-in structures 21, 22 are mechanically snapped into each other. The snap-in structure 21 is provided by a snap-in piece 23, and the snap-in structure 22 is provided by a snap-in rib 24. The snap-in rib 24 engages with the snap-in piece 23. In the present embodiment, the snap-in piece 23 is arranged on the housing 11, 14 and extends away from the housing 11, 14, while the snap-in rib 24 is arranged on the carrier element 1, 6. The snap-in piece 24 extends away from the stop surface 20 of the housing 11, 14. When viewed from the mounting direction, the snap-in rib 23 is arranged between the carrier element and the housing, behind the stop surface 19 of the carrier element 1, 6.

[0050] Preferably, the bearing section 2, 7 comprises a first guide element 25 and the receiving section 12, 15 comprises a second guide element 26, wherein the first guide element 25 engages with the second guide element 26 such that a defined orientation between the carrier element 1, 6 and the housing 11, 14 can be provided. The guide elements 25, 26 can be provided by means of a flat surface on the housing.

[0051] The carrier element 1, 6 comprises a plurality of recesses 27. The recesses 27 are arranged so that they remain uncovered when the carrier element 1, 6 is mounted to the housing 11, 14. The recesses 27 act as cooling elements and reduce the wall thickness at their location, so that the production of the carrier element 1, 6 becomes more efficient. The recesses 27 are arranged on the side of the stop surface 19, 20 opposite to the cylindrical section 17, 18.

[0052] The mating structure 3 , 8 of one of the carrier elements 1 , 2 includes a mating opening 28 , while the mating structure 8 , 3 of the other of the carrier elements 2 , 1 includes a mating shaft 29 that engages with the mating opening 28 .

[0053] Each of the mating structures 3, 8 comprises a coding ring 30, 31 having at least one coding element 32, 33, wherein the coding rings 30, 31 can be positioned in different predetermined coding positions. Thus, the coding rings 30, 31 must be positioned in the same determined position so that the coding elements 32, 33 engage with each other. When the coding rings 30, 31 are positioned in different positions, the coding elements 32, 33 will not engage with each other. The coding element 32 is configured as a groove and the coding element 33 is configured as a comb tooth.

[0054] The matching structure further includes a snap-fit ​​structure, which is a snap-fit ​​piece 38 and a snap-fit ​​rib 39. In the matching state, the snap-fit ​​piece 38 is engaged with the snap-fit ​​rib 39.

[0055] Figure 3 to Figure 4 shows the pin side of the connector assembly, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The plug side of the connector assembly is shown. Figures 7 to 9 Additional embodiments are shown. It can be seen from these figures that the housing sections 13, 16 are configured differently, while the receiving sections 12, 15 are configured identically. In summary, an assembly kit for a modular connector assembly includes

[0056] at least one socket carrier element 1;

[0057] at least one pin carrier element 6;

[0058] At least one socket housing 11;

[0059] at least one pin housing 14; and

[0060] At least one further housing 36 having a further receiving section 37 and a further housing section 41 , to which one of the socket carrier element 1 or the pin carrier element 6 can be mounted by means of the bearing sections 2 , 7 .

[0061] The housing sections 13, 16, 41 of the housings 11, 14, 36 are different from each other. In this embodiment, the housing sections 13, 16 of the socket housing and the pin housing are configured as tubular sections, while the housing section 41 of the other housing 36 is configured as a clamping structure with a thread 42, on which a clamping nut 43 is arranged.

[0062] The bearing sections 2, 7 of the socket carrier element 1 are identical to the bearing section 7 of the pin carrier element 6. The receiving sections 12 of the housings 11, 14, 36 are identical to one another. This means that the assembly provides a modular connector assembly, making it possible to provide a connector for a specific mounting system based on the components within the assembly. It is therefore possible to mix and match the components.

[0063] Reference numerals list

[0064] 1 Socket carrier element

[0065] 2 Support section

[0066] 3. Coordination structure

[0067] 4 Carrier structure

[0068] 5 Electrical socket components

[0069] 6 Pin carrier element

[0070] 7 Support section

[0071] 8. Coordination structure

[0072] 9 Carrier structure

[0073] 10 Electric pin components

[0074] 11 Socket housing

[0075] 12 Receiving section

[0076] 13 Shell section

[0077] 14 Pin housing

[0078] 15 Receiving section

[0079] 16 Housing section

[0080] 17 cylindrical section

[0081] 18 cylindrical sections

[0082] 19 Stop surface

[0083] 20 Stop surface

[0084] 21. Card connection structure

[0085] 22 Card connection structure

[0086] 23 Card connector

[0087] 24 Snap-on rib

[0088] 25 First guide element

[0089] 26 Second guide element

[0090] 27 recess

[0091] 28 Matching opening

[0092] 29 Matching shaft

[0093] 30 Coding ring

[0094] 31 Encoding ring

[0095] 32 Coding element

[0096] 33 Coding element

[0097] 36 Additional shell

[0098] 37 Receiving section

[0099] 38 Card connector

[0100] 39 Snap-on rib

[0101] 41 Additional housing sections

[0102] 42 Thread

[0103] 43 Clamping nut

Claims

1. A modular electrical connector assembly, comprising: A socket carrier element (1) having a support section (2), a mating structure (3) and a carrier structure (4) for carrying at least one electrical socket element (5); A pin carrier element (6) having a support section (7), a mating structure (8) and a carrier structure (9) for carrying at least one electrical pin element (10); a socket housing (11) having a receiving section (12) and a housing section (13), the socket carrier element (1) being mounted to the receiving section of the socket housing by means of the support section (2); and a pin housing (14) having a receiving section (15) and a housing section (16), the pin carrier element (6) being mounted to the receiving section of the pin housing by means of the bearing section (7), wherein the matching structure (3) of the socket carrier element (1) is mechanically matched with the matching structure (8) of the pin carrier element (6), wherein the at least one electrical socket element (5) and the at least one electrical pin element (10) are arranged so that when the socket carrier element (1) is mated with the pin carrier element (6), electrical contact is provided between the at least one electrical socket element (5) and the at least one electrical pin element (10), and The bearing section (2) of the socket carrier element (1) is identical to the bearing section (7) of the pin carrier element (6), and the receiving section (12) of the socket housing (11) is identical to the receiving section (15) of the pin housing (14).

2. The modular electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The bearing section (2, 7) comprises a cylindrical section (17), and wherein the receiving section (12, 15) comprises a cylindrical section (18), wherein the cylindrical sections (17, 18) are mechanically engaged with one another.

3. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The bearing section (2, 7) comprises a stop surface (19), and wherein the receiving section (12, 15) comprises a stop surface (20), wherein the stop surfaces (19, 20) engage with each other.

4. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support section (2, 7) comprises a latching structure (21), and the receiving section (12, 15) comprises a latching structure (22), wherein the latching structures (21, 22) are mechanically latched to one another.

5. The modular electrical connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The clamping structure (21, 22) is provided by a clamping piece (23) and a clamping rib (24), wherein the clamping rib (23) is engaged with the clamping piece (24). wherein the clamping piece (23) is arranged on the housing (11, 14) and extends away from the housing (11, 14), and the clamping rib (24) is arranged on the carrier element (1, 6); or The latching piece (23) is arranged on the carrier element (1, 6) and extends away from the carrier element (1, 6), while the latching rib (24) is arranged on the housing (11, 14).

6. The modular electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein: At least two of the latching pieces and at least two of the latching ribs are arranged, wherein the latching pieces are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the housing or the carrier element; and wherein the latching ribs are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the housing or the carrier element.

7. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: On the carrier element (1, 6), the cylindrical section (17) is adjoined by the stop surface (19, 20), wherein the latching structure (21) is arranged on the side of the stop surface (19, 20) opposite the cylindrical section (17).

8. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The bearing section (2, 7) comprises a first guide element (25) and the receiving section (12, 15) comprises a second guide element (26), wherein the first guide element (25) engages with the guide coding element (26) such that a defined orientation between the carrier element (1, 6) and the housing (11, 14) can be provided.

9. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The carrier element (1, 6) comprises a plurality of recesses (27) which are arranged such that they remain uncovered when the carrier element (1, 6) is mounted to the housing (11, 14).

10. The modular electrical connector assembly of claim 9, wherein: The recess (27) is arranged on a side of the stop surface (19, 20) opposite to the cylindrical section (17, 18).

11. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The mating structure (3, 8) of one of the carrier elements (1, 2) comprises a mating opening (28), and wherein the mating structure (8, 3) of the other of the carrier elements (2, 1) comprises a mating shaft (29) engaged with the mating opening (28).

12. A modular electrical connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each of the mating structures (3, 8) comprises a coding ring (30, 31) having at least one coding element (32, 33), wherein the coding ring (30, 31) can be positioned in different predetermined coding positions.

13. An assembly kit for a modular connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the assembly kit comprising at least one socket carrier element (1); at least one pin carrier element (6); at least one socket housing (11); at least one pin housing (14); and at least one further housing (36) having a further receiving section (37) and a further housing section (41), to which one of the socket carrier element (1) or the pin carrier element (6) can be mounted by means of the bearing section (2, 7); in, The housing sections (13, 16, 41) of the housing (11, 14, 36) are different from each other; wherein the bearing section (2, 7) of the socket carrier element (1) is identical to the bearing section (7) of the pin carrier element (6); and The receiving sections (12) of the housings (6, 14, 36) are identical to one another.

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