Electric connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector (1). The electrical connector (1) comprises an antenna (3) for contactless data transmission and a sleeve-like coil (2) for contactless energy transmission. In this case, the coil (2) comprises a first via hole (4) located between an air interface-side axial end (5) of the coil (2) and an antenna-side axial end (6) of the coil (2). The sleeve-like electromagnetic absorber (7) comprises a second via hole (8) designed to allow the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The absorber (7) is arranged in the first via hole (4) and the antenna (3) is arranged relative to the antenna-side axial end (6) such that a main radiation direction HRD of the antenna (3) passes through the second via hole (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric connector. Background Art

[0002] In pluggable and re-pluggable connections for transmitting data and electrical energy, known electrical plug connections include electrical plug connectors and associated electrical mating plug connectors. In the plugged-in state of the plug connection, the contact elements of the plug connector contact the associated mating contact elements of the mating plug connector.

[0003] During high plug-in and unplug cycles of plug-in connections, the contact elements are subject to wear. Over time, oxides form on the contact elements. During the transmission of electrical energy, spark discharges occur between the contact elements during each plug-in and unplugging process of the plug-in connection used for energy transmission. In all three cases, the electrical transmission characteristics of the plug-in connection are permanently deteriorated. In order to overcome the above-mentioned technical defects, DE102021108236A1 describes a coupling system for wireless and therefore contactless data and energy transmission between two coupling devices. The coupling device comprises a communication device for wireless data transmission and a coil containing a ferrite core for wireless energy transmission.

[0004] However, the current electrical connectors used for contactless energy and data transmission are greatly limited in terms of data rate and cannot keep up with contact connectors in this respect. In this regard, the maximum data rate provided by commercially available connectors is 100Mbit / s. Therefore, the transmission of Fast Ethernet protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet cannot be achieved. In addition, due to the complex electronic circuits for signal processing for data transmission, the available contactless connectors have the disadvantage of high power consumption. This increased power consumption ultimately leads to a reduction in energy transmission efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this background, the object of the present invention is to improve the transmission quality between two coupling devices.

[0006] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by the electrical connector of the present invention.

[0007] Accordingly, the electrical connector is arranged as follows:

[0008] An electrical connector comprising

[0009] – antennas for contactless data transmission,

[0010] - a sleeve-shaped coil for contactless energy transmission, the coil comprising

[0011] - a first via between the air interface side axial end of the coil and the antenna side axial end of the coil, and

[0012] - a sleeve-shaped electromagnetic absorber, the electromagnetic absorber comprising

[0013] a second conductive via designed to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate, or specifically designed to enable electromagnetic waves to propagate through or in the second conductive via,

[0014] - wherein the absorber is arranged in the first via, and

[0015] – The antenna is arranged relative to the antenna side axis end so that the main radiation direction HR of the antenna D Pass through the second via hole.

[0016] Here and below, the lead through of the coil is referred to as the first lead through and the lead through of the absorber is referred to as the second lead through. Since the absorber is arranged in the first lead through and the main radiation direction of the antenna passes through the second lead through, the part of the emitted electromagnetic waves and / or the received electromagnetic waves that does not propagate along the main radiation direction of the antenna is absorbed by the absorber in each case and is therefore advantageously not reflected at the coil. As a result, multipath propagation of electromagnetic waves can be prevented or at least reduced. This results in lower channel distortion, resulting in a reduced bit error rate and / or increased data rate between the connector and the mating connector during communication.

[0017] Since the channel distortion is lower, less signal processing complexity is required, resulting in lower energy requirements. This improves the efficiency of energy transmission.

[0018] The electromagnetic absorber, in particular the radio frequency absorber, is made of a material that at least attenuates or preferably prevents the reflection of incident electromagnetic waves. In this case, the absorber of the electrical connector absorbs both a portion of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the electrical connector and a portion of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the electrical mating connector. Therefore, when the electromagnetic wave propagates inside the coil, the electromagnetic wave can no longer reach the coil, or at least can only reach the coil in an attenuated manner, and therefore will not be reflected at the coil, or is only reflected in an attenuated manner. In this case, the absorber preferably has a transmission attenuation of at least 40 dB / cm, preferably at least 60 dB / cm, and particularly preferably at least 70 dB / cm at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be transmitted in the data transmission.

[0019] The absorber is of sleeve-shaped design. Here and below, the sleeve-shaped absorber is understood to be an absorber body comprising a second through hole along the longitudinal axis. The second through hole is designed so that electromagnetic waves can propagate in the second through hole. Therefore, the second through hole is preferably capable of being filled with air. Alternatively, the second through hole can be at least partially filled with a dielectric material that has only slight damping for electromagnetic waves. In this case, the slight damping of the dielectric material should be understood to mean, in particular, that at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic wave transmitted in data transmission, the transmission attenuation is less than 10 dB / cm, preferably less than 5 dB / cm, and particularly preferably less than 3 dB / cm. Alternatively, the damping of the dielectric material can be specified by the tangent of the dielectric loss angle δ. In this case, slight damping should be understood to mean, in particular, that at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be transmitted in data transmission, tan(δ) is less than 0.05, preferably less than 0.025, and particularly preferably less than 0.01.

[0020] The second via is preferably surrounded by a jacket region of the absorber.At least one of the two side ends of the sleeve-shaped absorber is in each case preferably designed to be open or at least partially filled with a dielectric material having a slight damping.

[0021] Preferably, the jacket region of the sleeve-shaped absorber has a sufficient minimum wall thickness. The minimum wall thickness is preferably at least 1 mm, particularly preferably greater than 5 mm. The wall thickness of the sleeve-shaped absorber can remain constant, but can also be variable in the longitudinal direction and / or in the circumferential direction.

[0022] The sheath region can be designed to be non-perforated so that electromagnetic waves incident on the sheath region are absorbed to the greatest extent. According to the present invention, the sheath region of the absorber can also include conductive holes (such as grooves and / or holes). Therefore, the effective relative dielectric constant ε of the absorber can be reduced. r This results in an increase in the reflection damping of the absorber.

[0023] The geometry of the absorber, in particular the outer geometry of the absorber, is preferably dimensioned such that a gap, preferably an air gap, is located between the outer sheath of the absorber and the coil. Thus, the absorber can be directly aligned with the antenna without the coil influencing the relative position of the absorber with respect to the antenna. The outer geometry of the absorber preferably corresponds to the inner geometry of the first via.

[0024] Here and below, an electrical connector for contactless transmission of electrical energy and data is understood to mean in particular a device designed to transmit electrical energy and data to an associated electrical mating connector by means of emitting and receiving electromagnetic fields. The connector and the mating connector can be arranged contactless, in contact with each other or mechanically connected to each other (e.g. plug-in connection). The connector and the mating connector can be translated and / or rotated relative to each other during operation. Thus, the use of (particularly susceptible to wear) such as sliding contacts and / or cables that are mechanically loaded with movement can be avoided. Alternatively, the connector and the mating connector can also be rigidly fixed relative to each other.

[0025] The connector comprises an antenna for contactless data transmission. In this case, various antenna types are possible in the context of the present invention. In particular, the antenna can be designed as a flat antenna, for example as a patch antenna or a slot antenna. Alternatively or in addition, horn antennas and / or other antenna types can also be used. The antenna can also comprise one or more antenna arrays, for example a transmitting antenna array and a receiving antenna array or a common transmitting-receiving antenna array.

[0026] The main radiation direction of the antenna is the direction in the antenna's radiation pattern that can transmit the maximum power and receive the maximum power. Therefore, the main radiation direction is both the main transmission direction and the main reception direction.

[0027] In addition, the electrical connector comprises a sleeve-shaped coil. Here and hereinafter, a sleeve-shaped coil is understood to mean a coil body comprising a spiral or helically bent conductive wire. If an alternating current flows through the coil of the connector, the coil can induce an alternating current in the coil of the laterally arranged mating connector which is also sleeve-shaped. In this way, in each case, energy can be inductively transferred between the connector and the associated mating connector in one direction. In the contactless energy transmission, a power between 1 mW and 10 kW, preferably a power between 1 W and 100 W, can be transmitted.

[0028] Various geometries of the coil are possible. The cross-sectional profile orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the coil can be circular, elliptical or polygonal, ie n-sided, in particular triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon or the like.

[0029] The first conducting hole of the coil extends between the air interface side axial end of the coil and the antenna side axial end of the coil. The antenna side axial end is the axial end of the coil facing the antenna. The air interface side axial end is the axial end of the coil facing away from the antenna.

[0030] According to the present invention, the sleeve-shaped absorber is arranged in the first conducting hole of the sleeve-shaped coil, and the antenna is arranged relative to the antenna-side axial end of the coil so that the main radiation direction of the antenna passes through the second conducting hole. This ensures that most of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna and / or received by the antenna can propagate both in the sleeve-shaped coil and in the second conducting hole of the sleeve-shaped absorber. The part of the emitted and / or received electromagnetic waves that does not propagate parallel to the main radiation direction of the connector antenna can hit the inner sheath surface of the absorber and is advantageously absorbed by the absorber.

[0031] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorber can extend at least beyond the longitudinal extent of the first lead-through hole of the coil. This has the advantage that the inner sheath surface of the coil is completely concealed or covered by the absorber. Therefore, the beam path from the connector and the antenna of the mating connector to the coil is preferably completely interrupted, so that the electromagnetic waves are not reflected at the coil as much as possible.

[0033] In an equally possible embodiment of the connector, only a portion of the inner cladding surface of the coil can also be shielded or covered by the absorber. In particular, it is advantageous if more than 50%, preferably more than 90%, particularly preferably more than 95% of the inner cladding surface of the coil is shielded or covered by the absorber. Thus, at least some reflections of electromagnetic waves at the coil can be prevented.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the absorber can extend in the longitudinal direction to the antenna. The antenna can preferably be arranged outside the first lead-through hole of the coil. This has the advantage that the magnetic field generated by the coil does not pass through the antenna and / or the optional associated electronics or only slightly passes through the antenna. Thus, the induction of eddy currents in the antenna and the associated electronics is prevented or at least reduced.

[0035] In the case where the antenna is arranged in a manner spaced axially from the coil, the extension of the absorber to the longitudinal extent of the antenna prevents the electromagnetic waves from impinging on an object arranged in the gap between the coil and the antenna. As a result, the electromagnetic waves are not reflected, or at least reflected to a lower extent. The object is preferably a ferrite core arranged near the coil and the ferrite core guides the coil to generate a magnetic field at least in a portion of the relevant magnetic field lines.

[0036] The sleeve-shaped absorber can be embodied as a loss-based absorber and / or as a resonance-based absorber.

[0037] Loss-based absorbers can include loss-inducing particles (e.g., graphene, carbon fiber, and / or metamaterials) embedded in a base material (e.g., elastomers, foams, thermoplastics, or thermosets). The loss-inducing particles attenuate electromagnetic waves that penetrate the absorber.

[0038] Resonance-based absorbers suppress reflections from their outer surfaces because electromagnetic waves incident on the absorber are partially reflected from their outer surfaces and partially penetrate the absorber. Due to the thickness of the absorber, the second reflection of the portion of the electromagnetic wave that penetrates into the absorber at the interface between the absorber and the material on which the absorber is mounted is delayed in phase by 180° relative to the first reflection, and can therefore be destructively superimposed with the first reflection at the outer surface of the absorber.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sleeve-shaped absorber can be realized using a loss-based absorbing material.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision can be made that the absorber comprises a flange-shaped area at the air-interface-side axial end and / or at the antenna-side axial end of the coil in each case. The flange-shaped area of ​​the absorber can thus shield or cover the axial end of the coil. In the case where a section of the ferrite core is arranged in particular at the antenna-side axial end of the coil, the flange-shaped area of ​​the absorber can also axially shield or cover this section of the ferrite core, thereby reducing reflections. In the case where the flange-shaped area of ​​the absorber is located at the air-interface-side axial end of the coil, reflections between the connector and the mating connector can be minimized.

[0041] The absorber can be of one-piece or multi-component design. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the connector, the flange-shaped area of ​​the absorber can be designed as a separate component relative to the sleeve-shaped area of ​​the absorber. Thus, absorbers without flange-shaped areas can be supplemented to absorbers with flange-shaped areas in an economical and efficient manner by the use of common parts. If the absorber is of multi-component design, in each case, the individual components of the absorber can be connected to each other by force locking, interlocking or integral bonding. The individual components of the absorber can be separated by a gap. The thickness of the gap is preferably a maximum of 0.5 mm.

[0042] In the flange-shaped region of the absorber, the absorber material can preferably be made of a material containing an elastomer (e.g. silicone) or a foam. The elastomer and the foam can each be a composite material as described above. It is particularly advantageous if the outer diameter is significantly greater than the axial thickness of the flange-shaped region (e.g. 3, 5 or 10 times greater). In the injection molding method, flat bodies cannot be produced or can be produced with difficulty.

[0043] It may be particularly advantageous if the diameter of the second via increases laterally or radially in the direction of the axial end of the absorber on the air interface side. The axial end of the absorber on the air interface side is further away than the axial end of the absorber on the antenna side relative to the distance of the antenna. The increase in the inner diameter of the absorber can be particularly advantageously designed in a stepped or conical manner. Technical studies by the inventors have shown that electromagnetic waves reflected at the mating connector are thereby advantageously attenuated.

[0044] The sleeve-shaped absorber can be a discrete component structure, in which the diameter of the second conductive hole increases laterally or radially along the axial end direction of the air interface side of the absorber. For example, on the antenna side, the absorber can include a first absorber unit directly mounted on the antenna. If the antenna is mounted on a printed circuit board, for example, the first absorber unit can be precisely positioned on the printed circuit board so that it is precisely aligned relative to the antenna by the printed circuit board placement process. In this case, the first absorber unit includes a part of the second conductive hole of the absorber because the first absorber unit itself has a first through hole, and the antenna is located in the first through hole. Due to the precise alignment, the longitudinal axis of the first through hole can pass through the midpoint of the antenna and / or through the phase center of the antenna.

[0045] Furthermore, the absorber may further comprise a second absorber unit, which may be of sleeve-like design and comprise a second through hole as another part of the second via. The inner diameter of the second through hole may correspond to the outer diameter of the first absorber unit. The longitudinal extent of the second absorber unit may be longer than the longitudinal extent of the first absorber unit. During installation, the second absorber unit can therefore be inserted onto the first absorber unit by press fit. Therefore, the second absorber unit can be precisely aligned relative to the first absorber unit, so that the longitudinal axis of the second through hole can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first through hole. Therefore, the overall result is that the longitudinal axis of the second via of the absorber is precisely aligned relative to the antenna.

[0046] Optionally, the absorber may include a third absorber unit, which can form a flange-like area of ​​the absorber on the air interface side and is designed as a discrete component relative to the first absorber unit and the second absorber unit. The third absorber unit can be mounted on the air interface side end face of the coil. The second absorber unit can extend longitudinally from the antenna or from a printed circuit board carrying the antenna to the third absorber unit, and can therefore be fixed by the third absorber unit in an interlocking, force-locking or integrally bonded manner. The absorber can therefore be arranged to shield all parts of the connector between the antenna and the axial end of the air interface side of the coil.

[0047] As previously mentioned, the electrical connector may further include a ferrite core, which is preferably capable of extending along the outer cladding surface of the coil and / or along the end face of the coil formed at the axial end of the antenna side. In this case, the ferrite core is preferably arranged near the coil. The ferrite core preferably may include a third via hole, which may be aligned with the first via hole of the coil. In this case, the absorber may advantageously extend at least along the longitudinal extent of the third via hole to prevent electromagnetic waves from being reflected at the ferrite core.

[0048] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coil can be configured to inductively transmit energy within a first frequency range, and the antenna can be configured to transmit data within a second frequency range different from the first frequency range. The absorber can be configured to have electromagnetic transparency, especially to the alternating magnetic field within the first frequency range, and to have electromagnetic absorption, especially to electromagnetic waves within the second frequency range. Therefore, the reflection of electromagnetic waves transmitting data signals can be reduced without attenuating the inductive energy transmission between the connector and the mating connector.

[0049] In this case, electromagnetic permeability means that the transmission damping of the absorber is preferably less than 10 dB / cm, particularly preferably less than 5 dB / cm. In this case, electromagnetic absorptivity means that the transmission damping of the absorber is parameterized as described above.

[0050] Advantageously, the upper limit of the first frequency range is lower than the lower limit of the second frequency range. For example, the first frequency range can be between 0.5kHz and 10MHz, or optionally occupy a sub-range of this range. Alternatively, the upper limit of the first frequency range can also be, for example, a maximum value of 100MHz. The first frequency range can also only involve oscillations of a specific frequency between 0.5kHz and 100MHz. For example, the second frequency range can be between 1GHz and 500GHz, or occupy a sub-range of this range. Particularly preferably, the second frequency range can be between 57GHz and 64GHz. The lower limit of the second frequency range can optionally be, for example, 0.5GHz or 10GHz. In particular, it is advantageous if the upper limit of the first frequency range is at least 10 times, 100 times or 1000 times lower than the lower limit of the second frequency range. Therefore, materials and / or geometries having electromagnetic absorption properties in the second frequency range and electromagnetic transmission properties in the first frequency range can be found.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment of the electrical connector, the antenna can adopt a circular polarization design and / or the main radiation direction of the antenna can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second via.

[0052] If the connector is rotated relative to the mating connector about the longitudinal axis of the second through hole of the connector, the circularly polarized antennas of the connector and the mating connector can realize data transmission independent of the rotation angle.

[0053] The preferred alignment of the main radiation direction with the longitudinal axis of the second via has the following advantages:

[0054] The absorber surrounds the electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna without axial offset relative to the antenna midpoint. This can maintain the circular polarization of the electromagnetic wave when propagating through the second via and / or promote the transmit-receive isolation of the antenna.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second conductive hole can be designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner. Therefore, the transmit-receive isolation of the antenna can be improved. This is particularly advantageous when the antenna is configured for in-band full-duplex data transmission. In addition, if the connector is rotated relative to the mating connector around the longitudinal axis of the second conductive hole of the connector, the rotational symmetry of the second conductive hole can improve the transmission quality.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna of the connector and the mating connector can be configured to perform in-band full-duplex data transmission. This means that the antenna transmits on the same frequency band simultaneously in the receiving direction and the transmitting direction. Therefore, during in-band full-duplex data transmission, the required bandwidth can be halved or the data rate can be doubled compared to frequency duplex. In this case, preferably, the central axis of the antenna can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second via.

[0057] An antenna configured to perform in-band full-duplex data transmission can be characterized by its transmit-receive isolation. The transmit-receive isolation describes the isolation between the transmit signal path of the connector electrically connected to the antenna and the receive signal path of the connector electrically connected to the antenna. For in-band full-duplex data transmission, the transmit-receive isolation can be greater than 30 dB, particularly preferably greater than 40 dB. The transmit-receive isolation constitutes the inverse of the transmission scattering parameter from the transmit signal path to the receive signal path.

[0058] There are various embodiments of antennas configured to perform in-band full-duplex data transmission. For example, the antenna can include a common transmit-receive antenna to which both the transmit signal path and the receive signal path are electrically connected, for example, via a circulator. Additionally or alternatively, orthogonal modes of the antenna can be assigned to the transmit signal and the receive signal of the electrical connector.

[0059] Alternatively, the antenna can include at least one transmitting antenna, to which the transmitting signal path is connected, and at least one receiving antenna, to which the receiving signal path is connected, which is independent of the transmitting signal path. In this case, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna can be spatially spaced far enough from each other so that the required transmit-receive isolation can be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna can be cross-polarized relative to each other. Additionally or alternatively, a decoupling structure (e.g. an electromagnetic absorber, a metasurface or a shielding wall) can be arranged between at least one transmitting antenna and at least one receiving antenna. Another possibility for in-band full-duplex data transmission is that the antenna includes at least two transmitting antennas and at least one receiving antenna, and the crosstalk from the transmitting antenna to all receiving antennas is eliminated in each case.

[0060] The antenna may include a transmit antenna group and a receive antenna group, the transmit antenna group having a first transmit antenna, a second transmit antenna and a first balun, and the receive antenna group having a first receive antenna, a second receive antenna and a second balun, wherein the first transmit antenna and the second transmit antenna are each connected to a balanced port of the first balun, and the first receive antenna and the second receive antenna are each connected to a balanced port of the second balun, wherein the unbalanced port of the first balun is connected to a transmit signal path of a transceiver device of the connector, and the unbalanced port of the second balun is connected to a receive signal path of the transceiver device, the receive signal being independent of the transmit signal path, and wherein the first transmit antenna, the second transmit antenna, the first receive antenna and the second receive antenna have relative spatial positions relative to each other such that crosstalk between the transmit antenna group and the receive antenna group is reduced at least by differential interconnection of their respective antennas, wherein each receive antenna has the same center-to-center distance relative to the two transmit antennas.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna comprises a pair of planar transmitting antennas and a pair of planar receiving antennas, which can be arranged in a crossed manner on the printed circuit board in each case, preferably at right angles to each other. In this case, the central axis passing through the midpoint of the two pairs of antennas and perpendicular to the printed circuit board can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second via. In this case, the pair of transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are preferably arranged in a crossed manner on the loop line respectively. The transmitting antenna can be driven by a differential transmission signal. Therefore, the signals of the transmitting antenna can be destructively superimposed at the receiving antenna in each case, so that the transmit-receive isolation of the antenna can be improved.

[0062] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one region of the absorber can be made of a material comprising a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic material and can be fixed directly to the antenna, particularly preferably by means of a press fit.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the absorber, the absorber is made completely of a thermoplastic material or a thermosetting plastic material or a composite material. Thus, sufficient mechanical strength can be obtained to fix the absorber to the antenna or to a printed circuit board forming the antenna.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment, the absorber can comprise a layered structure consisting of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. In this case, the inner sleeve can be made of a material comprising an elastomer or a foam-like absorbent material, while the outer sleeve can comprise a thermoplastic absorbent material or a thermosetting absorbent material. As an alternative to the outer sleeve, the absorber can be fixed to a sleeve-shaped retaining element, preferably consisting of a dielectric solid material. Typically, the retaining element can comprise a rigid material, such as a plastic, a natural substance or a composite material. The absorber consisting of an elastomeric material or a foam material can be fixed to the retaining element by bonding, for example by a pressure-sensitive double-sided adhesive film and / or by an epoxy resin adhesive. The absorber can preferably be fixed to the antenna by press fit or bonding.

[0065] Fixing the absorber or the holding element directly to the antenna can minimize the manufacturing tolerance chain, thereby advantageously reducing or avoiding the lateral offset or radial offset between the absorber and the antenna. This can promote the improvement of the transmit-receive isolation of the antenna. In addition, the coaxiality of the main radiation direction of the antenna and the longitudinal axis of the second through hole of the absorber is also improved.

[0066] An optional embodiment of the present invention includes an integrated transmitting circuit and an integrated receiving circuit. These circuits can be arranged on a common printed circuit board together with an antenna and electrically connected thereto, for example. In this case, the integrated transmitting circuit includes at least a radio frequency mixer and an oscillator for generating carrier oscillations. The oscillator can optionally be a self-excited oscillator. Therefore, there is no need to control the carrier frequency through a phase-locked loop, thereby saving power. In addition, the transmitting circuit can optionally be designed to perform amplitude modulation. The receiving circuit can optionally include a non-coherent demodulator (e.g., an envelope detector) to demodulate the data signal from the received carrier oscillation. In this regard, in the receiving circuit, the generation of the oscillator signal can be omitted, thereby saving power. Therefore, the efficiency of energy transmission can be improved.

[0067] The present invention also relates to a system comprising an electrical connector and an associated electrical mating connector. The technical features, technical embodiments and technical aspects described in detail above with respect to the connector are equally applicable to the connector and the mating connector. In this case, the air interface of the connector is arranged relative to the air interface of the mating connector. At least the connector and / or the mating connector is designed in each case to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the corresponding second through-hole. If the second through-hole of the connector and the longitudinal axis of the mating connector are aligned, the two connectors can be rotated relative to each other, preferably around two aligned longitudinal axes. In this case, the rotational movement can be performed within a limited angular range or within a solid angle of 0° to 360°.

[0068] Between the air interfaces of the two connectors there can be an air gap with a thickness preferably between 0 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 0 cm and 5 cm, particularly preferably between 0.05 cm and 1 cm. In principle, the distance between the two connectors is variable, preferably variable within the above distance.

[0069] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the axes of the two connectors can be tilted relative to each other. In this case, the air interfaces of the two connectors are opposite to each other in an inclined plane. This is preferably achieved in an angle range of -10° to +10°. This can be achieved by extending the radiation lobe of the antenna.

[0070] Where feasible, the above configurations and embodiments can be combined with each other in any desired manner. Other possible configurations, embodiments and implementations of the present invention also include combinations of features of the present invention described in the above or following embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, in this case, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic forms of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The invention is explained in more detail below based on the embodiments specified in the schematic diagram of the accompanying drawings. In this case:

[0072] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector including an electromagnetic absorber according to the present invention,

[0073] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a connector according to the present invention,

[0074] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the absorber and the connector according to the present invention is shown,

[0075] Figure 4shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a connector according to the present invention,

[0076] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0077] Figure 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0078] Figure 7 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0079] Figure 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0080] Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of a connector according to the invention, and

[0081] Fig.10 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a system according to the invention comprising two electrical connectors is shown.

[0082] The accompanying drawings are intended to further understand the embodiments of the present invention. The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, explain the principles and concepts of the present invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned will become apparent from the accompanying drawings. The elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily shown in true proportion to each other.

[0083] In the figures, identical elements, features and components having the same function and having the same effect are provided with the same reference signs, unless otherwise indicated.

[0084] The various drawings are described below in an interrelated and comprehensive manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] according to Figure 1 The electrical connector 1 for contactless data and energy transmission according to the present invention comprises a coil 2 for contactless energy transmission and an antenna 3 for contactless data transmission. The coil 2 is preferably designed as a cylindrical coil and has a longitudinal axis L S The antenna 3 is preferably designed as a flat-plate antenna.

[0086] The coil 2 comprises a first through hole 4 between the air interface side shaft end 5 and the antenna side shaft end 6. An electromagnetic absorber 7 is arranged in the first through hole 4 of the coil 2, the absorber preferably being of hollow cylindrical design and comprising a second through hole 8. The longitudinal axis L of the absorber 7 is A Preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4 of the coil 2 S Alignment.

[0087] In order to increase the inductance of the coil 2 and thus increase the range of the contactless energy transmission, the magnetic flux generated by the coil 2 is partially guided in the ferrite core 9. The ferrite core 9 extends only in a portion around the coil 2 and is preferably formed only radially outside the coil 2 and only in the vicinity of the area of ​​the antenna-side axial end 6 of the coil 2.

[0088] The antenna 3 is formed on a printed circuit board 10. The printed circuit board 10 is capable of carrying additional electronic units and radio frequency components required for contactless data transmission, such as transmitter and receiver circuits, radio frequency couplers, etc. In order to avoid any unnecessary eddy currents in the antenna 3 and the electronic circuits on the printed circuit board 10, the printed circuit board 10 and the antenna 3 thereon are arranged to be spaced from the antenna-side axial end 6 of the coil 2 by at least the base wall thickness of the ferrite core 9.

[0089] The antenna 3 is also relative to the longitudinal axis L of the second via 8. A For example, the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8 is A It may be orthogonal to the antenna 3, provided that the antenna 3 is a flat antenna, and / or may pass through the phase center of the antenna 3. If the antenna 3 optionally includes one or more transmitting antennas and one or more receiving antennas separated from the transmitting antenna, the longitudinal axis L A The longitudinal axis L of the second via hole 8 may pass through the common midpoint of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna. A The second through hole 8 may also be embodied relative to its longitudinal axis L A Rotational symmetry.

[0090] Therefore, the antenna 3 emits electromagnetic waves, which propagate through the second conductive via 8. Similarly, the antenna 3 receives electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the mating connector 1' through the second conductive via 8. Therefore, the main radiation direction HR of the bidirectional contactless data transmission between the connector 1 and the associated mating connector 1' is D Preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8 is A Main transmission direction HR for preferably unidirectional contactless energy transmission from the connector 1 to the associated mating connector 1 ′ E Preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4 is S superior.

[0091] The absorber 7 extends at least through the longitudinal extent of the first through hole 4 of the coil 2 so as to at least partially, preferably substantially, and in particular completely shield at least the inner cladding surface of the coil 2. The electromagnetic waves emitted or received by the antenna 3 and located in the main radiation direction HR due to the directional characteristics of the antenna 3 DThe rest of the light hits the absorber 7 and is absorbed by the absorber 7 , and thus does not reach the coil 2 , or at least reaches the coil 2 in an attenuated manner, thereby preventing or at least reducing reflection at the coil 2 .

[0092] In accordance with Figure 1 In the first embodiment of the connector 1 of the present invention, the absorber 7 extends from the first through hole 4 of the coil 2, passes through the third through hole 11 of the ferrite core 9, and extends to the antenna 3 or the printed circuit board 10 carrying the antenna 3. This extension of the absorber 7 absorbs the radiation in the main radiation direction HR D The electromagnetic waves propagate to the axial portion between the antenna-side shaft end 6 of the coil 2 and the antenna 3 or the printed circuit board 10. Therefore, these electromagnetic wave portions are not reflected by the object (particularly the ferrite core 9) arranged in the axial portion. Figure 1 The absorber 7 shown can also be extended beyond the air interface side axial end 5 of the coil 2 to further limit the directional characteristics of the electromagnetic waves. Optionally, the absorber 7 and its second via 8 can extend from the antenna 3 to the cover 14 of the connector 1.

[0093] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the absorber 7 can be fixed to the printed circuit board 10 in an integrally bonded manner, preferably by gluing. A small air gap is preferably left between the absorber 7 and the coil 2.

[0094] For further mechanical stabilization and / or for signal connection, the printed circuit board 10 is fixed on a fixed carrier 12, which can include another printed circuit board and additional electronic components. The connector 1 is integrated in a housing 13, which is connectable to a housing 13' of an associated mating connector 1'. The housing 13 is closed on the air interface side by a cover plate 14, which is made of an electrically insulating material, preferably plastic, so as to be able to transmit electromagnetic waves. For this purpose, the thickness of the cover plate can optionally be half the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves emitted and / or received by the antenna 3 in the cover plate material.

[0095] In accordance with Figure 2 In the second embodiment of the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the absorber 7 is directly connected to the printed circuit board 10, in particular, directly connected in a force-locking manner.

[0096] like Figure 3As shown, for this purpose, preferably four axial extensions 15 are formed on the absorber 7, which surround the preferably parallelepiped printed circuit board 10 at the respective side edges. In each case, at least one protrusion 16 is formed on the axial extension 15 of the absorber 7, which engages with the outer edge of the printed circuit board 10 in a force-locking manner (press fit). Alternatively, an interlocking or other (direct) connection can also be used. Thus, the absorber 7 can be directly aligned with the antenna 3 or the printed circuit board 10 carrying the antenna 3. This allows a more accurate positioning of the antenna 3 relative to the second via 8.

[0097] Optionally, a preferably pin-shaped extension 17 can be formed in each case on at least one axial extension 15 of the absorber 7 and can be inserted in each case with a clearance fit into an associated hole in the fixing carrier 12, which can facilitate mounting of the absorber 7 on the printed circuit board 10. Due to the clearance fit in the fixing carrier 12 and the projection 16 engaging in a force-locking manner around the printed circuit board 10, the absorber 7 is aligned relative to the printed circuit board 10 and not relative to the fixing carrier 12, so that any manufacturing-prescribed lateral offset between the printed circuit board 10 and the fixing carrier 12 does not affect the positioning tolerances of the absorber 7 or its second lead-through hole 8 relative to the antenna 3. Optionally, the printed circuit board 10 can be soldered to the fixing carrier 12.

[0098] Figure 4 A third embodiment of a connector 1 according to the invention is shown, which connector 1 comprises a sleeve-shaped absorber 7, which consists of a material comprising foam or an elastomer. In order to mechanically and stably fix such an absorber 7 to a printed circuit board 10, the absorber 7 is preferably fixed at its outer sheath surface to a preferably sleeve-shaped retaining element 15-2. The sleeve-shaped retaining element 15-2 is made of a material that preferably comprises a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic solid material. In order to fix the retaining element 15-2 to the printed circuit board 10 and / or the fixing carrier 12, the retaining element 15-2 can be connected to a fixing member according to the invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The absorber 7 in the second embodiment of the connector 1 of the present invention has the same shape.

[0099] In accordance with Figure 5 In the fourth embodiment of the connector 1 of the present invention, an absorber 7 is shown, the inner diameter of which increases in a stepwise manner in the direction of the air interface 21. Therefore, the part of the electromagnetic wave incident from the mating connector 1' on the printed circuit board 10 or the part of the electromagnetic wave generally close to the antenna 3 can be better attenuated by the absorber 7. In addition, the antenna-side taper of the absorber 7 can advantageously attenuate the surface wave emitted from the antenna 3 to a greater extent.

[0100] Optionally, the second through hole 8 implemented in a stepped manner may include, for example, at least two hollow cylinders. The hollow cylinders may be arranged relative to the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8. A Coaxial arrangement. Optionally, these hollow cylinders may be fully or partially filled with radome material.

[0101] In accordance with Figure 6 In the fifth embodiment of the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, the inner diameter of the absorber 7 increases in a conical shape in the direction of the air interface 21 instead, that is, increases to the cover plate 14 .

[0102] In accordance with Figure 7 In the sixth embodiment of the electrical connector 1 of the present invention, a flange-shaped area 19 is formed at the air interface side axial end 18 of the absorber 7, and shields the air interface side axial end 5 of the coil 2, thereby reducing the reflection of electromagnetic waves there.

[0103] like Figure 8 As shown, in a seventh embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, the air interface side axial end 5 of the coil 2 is shielded by an additional sleeve-shaped electromagnetic absorber element 20, which shields the air interface side axial end 5 of the coil 2. The absorber element 20 forms a flange-shaped area 19 of the absorber 7, so that the absorber element 20 is a discrete component design relative to the absorber 7 and can optionally include different absorber materials (e.g. elastomer and / or foam) compared to the rest of the absorber 7. The additional absorber element 20 can be directly adjacent to the rest of the absorber 7, thereby improving the radio channel between the connector 1 and the mating connector 1'.

[0104] Fig. 9A connector 1 according to the present invention is shown, in which the sleeve-shaped absorber 7 is a discrete component design (e.g. a three-component design). The absorber 7 comprises a first absorber unit 7-1 mounted directly on a printed circuit board 10. The first absorber unit 7-1 has a first through hole 8-1, which forms a part of a second conductive hole 8 of the absorber 7, and which may have, for example, a circular cross-section. The longitudinal axis of the first through hole 8-1 passes through the midpoint and / or phase center of the antenna 3. In addition, the absorber 7 comprises a second absorber unit 7-2. The second absorber unit 7-2 has a second through hole 8-2, the inner diameter of which may be equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the first absorber unit 7-1. Therefore, the second absorber unit 7-2 may form a fit, such as a press fit, with the first absorber unit 7-1. Starting from the printed circuit board 10, the second absorber unit 7-2 has a larger longitudinal extent than the first absorber unit 7-1. Therefore, the second through hole 8-2 may also form at least a part of the second conductive hole 8. The longitudinal axis of the second through hole 8-2 may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first through hole 8-1. By realizing the first absorber unit 7-1 and the second absorber unit 7-2 in this way, the diameter of the second lead-through hole 8 can thus increase toward the air interface 21. The second absorber unit 7-2 is connected to the holding element 15-2 on the outer jacket side.

[0105] Optionally, the absorber 7 may include a third absorber unit 7-3, which may form a flange-shaped area 19 at the air interface side axial end 18 of the absorber 7. The third absorber unit 7-3 has a third through hole 8-3 that forms a part of the second through hole 8. The inner diameter of the third through hole 8-3 may be equal to or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the second through hole 8-2. The second absorber unit 7-2 extends to the third absorber unit 7-3 in the longitudinal direction.

[0106] At least one of the first absorber unit, the second absorber unit or the third absorber unit 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 may include an elastomer-based and / or foam-based absorber material. In addition, the first absorber unit 7-1 may also include a resonance-based absorber material, while the second and / or third absorber unit 7-2, 7-3 may include a loss-based absorber material.

[0107] Fig.10 A system 100 is shown comprising a connector 1 and an associated mating connector 1', which may have the same structure as the connector 1. However, the connector 1 and the mating connector 1 may differ in terms of the power electronics of the transmitter and the receiver for energy transmission, for example, only the transmitting electronics may be provided in the connector 1, while only the receiver electronics for energy transmission may be provided in the mating connector 1. The longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8 of the first connector 1 A and the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4S The longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8' of the mating connector 1' A ' and the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4' S '. The air interface 21 of the first connector 1 is preferably arranged relative to the air interface 21' of the mating connector 1' in a spaced manner. However, in general, the two cover plates 14 and 14' may also be in contact, for example, if the connector and the mating connector are intended to provide an electrical connection, but the combined energy and data transmission is not completely contactless and isolated. At least the connector 1 or the mating connector 1' is rotatable around a rotation axis, which is respectively located at the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8 of the connector 1 A and / or the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4 S or respectively located on the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8' of the second mating connector 1' A ' and / or the longitudinal axis L of the first through hole 4' S 'superior.

[0108] Similar to the connector 1, the mating connector 1' comprises a preferably sleeve-shaped coil 2' for contactless energy transmission, wherein a first through hole 4' of the coil 2' extends from an antenna-side axial end 6' of the coil 2' to an air interface-side axial end 5'. An absorber 7', preferably sleeve-shaped, is arranged in the first through hole 4' and extends to the printed circuit board 10'. On the printed circuit board 10', the antenna 3' for contactless data transmission is preferably arranged relative to the longitudinal axis L of the second through hole 8'. A ' are arranged symmetrically. In order to increase the range between the connector 1 and the mating connector 1', the magnetic flux of the coil 2' is partially guided in a ferrite core 9' formed near the coil 2', and the ferrite core 9' is preferably formed only radially outside the coil 2' and only at the antenna-side axial end 6' of the coil 2'. The absorber 7' passes through the third conducting hole 11' of the ferrite core 9'. The antenna 3' of the mating connector 1' radiates and / or receives electromagnetic waves through the second conducting hole 8' of the absorber 7'. The printed circuit board 10' with the antenna 3' is fixed to a fixed carrier 12'. The mating connector 1' is integrated in a housing 13', which is closed by a cover plate 14' at the air interface 21'.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (1), comprising an antenna (3) for contactless data transmission, A sleeve-shaped coil (2) for contactless energy transmission, the sleeve-shaped coil (2) comprising a first conducting hole (4) located between an air interface side shaft end (5) of the coil (2) and an antenna side shaft end (6) of the coil (2), and a sleeve-shaped electromagnetic absorber (7), the sleeve-shaped electromagnetic absorber (7) comprising a second conductive hole (8) for allowing electromagnetic waves to propagate; The absorber (7) is arranged in the first conducting hole (4), and the antenna (3) is arranged relative to the antenna side shaft end (6) so that the main radiation direction of the antenna (3) passes through the second conducting hole (8).

2. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The absorber (7) extends at least beyond the longitudinal extent of the first via (4).

3. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The absorber (7) extends to the antenna (3) in the longitudinal direction.

4. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorber (7) is made of a material including elastomer or foam.

5. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The absorber (7) is connected on the outer jacket side to a retaining element (15-2), which is made of a material including a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic absorbent material.

6. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The absorber (7) comprises in each case a flange-like region (19) at the air-interface-side axial end (5) and / or the antenna-side axial end (6) of the coil (2).

7. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The flange-shaped region (19) of the absorber (7) is designed as a separate component relative to the absorber (7).

8. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 6 or 7, It is characterized in that The flange-like region (19) of the absorber (7) is made of a material comprising an elastomer or a foam.

9. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The diameter of the second through hole (8) increases laterally or radially in the direction of the axial end on the air interface side of the absorber (7).

10. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The electrical connector (1) also includes a ferrite core (9) extending along the outer cladding surface of the coil (2) and along the end surface of the coil (2) formed at the antenna side axial end (6), wherein the ferrite core (9) includes a third conductive hole (11) aligned with the first conductive hole (4) of the coil (2), and wherein the absorber (7) extends at least along the longitudinal extent of the third conductive hole (11).

11. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The coil (2) is configured to inductively transmit energy in a first frequency range, wherein the antenna (3) is configured to transmit data in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range, and wherein the absorber (7) is configured to be electromagnetically transmissive in the first frequency range and electromagnetically absorbing in the second frequency range.

12. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The antenna (3) is circularly polarized and / or the main radiation direction of the antenna (3) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second via (8).

13. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The antenna (3) is configured to perform in-band full-duplex data transmission.

14. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that: The central axis of the antenna (3) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second via (8).

15. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The second conducting hole (8) is designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner.

16. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one region of the absorber (7) is made of a material including a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic material, and at least one region of the absorber (7) is directly fixed to the antenna (3).

17. The electrical connector (1) according to claim 16, At least one region of the absorber (7) is fixed to the antenna (3) by press-fitting.

18. A system (100) comprising an electrical connector (1) and an associated electrical mating connector (1′), wherein the electrical connector (1) and the electrical mating connector (1′) are in each case designed as an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the air interface (21) of the electrical connector (1) is arranged opposite to the air interface (21′) of the electrical mating connector (1′), wherein at least the electrical connector (1) and / or the electrical mating connector (1′) are in each case designed to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the corresponding second conductive hole.

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