Connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) configured for mating with a mating connector for data and / or power transmission. The connector comprises a central carrier wall (10), a plurality of pins (20) arranged through the central carrier wall (10), a pin carrier (40, 50), an electrically conductive shield (60) and one or more pre-guide elements (70).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector configured to mate with a counterpart connector for data and / or power transmission. Background Art

[0002] Many different types of connectors are known for data and / or power connections. In medical applications, connectors are used, for example, with fixed and / or mobile patient monitors (e.g., Philips IntelliVue patient monitors) to connect them directly or via an adapter or cable. For example, a mobile patient monitor can be directly docked to a fixed patient monitor to synchronize all medical data and charge the battery of the mobile patient monitor.

[0003] A known connector is the IEEE 488 connector, also known as an HP-IB (Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus) or GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) connector, which is a short-range digital communication 8-bit parallel multi-master interface bus connector.

[0004] The next generation of patient monitors and future application scenarios will require increased broadband width and / or bandwidth for secure high-speed data transmission. Additional requirements may be compact outer dimensions, high and stable signal quality, and ingress protection.

[0005] US2017 / 271820 A1 discloses an electrical connector, which is suitable for mating with another mating connector and includes a combined body, a grounded metal plate and an outer shielding shell. The combined body includes a first terminal module and a second terminal module. The first terminal module has a first insulating member and a plurality of first terminals. The first insulating member has a first base and a first tongue. Each first terminal forms a first mating portion and a first welding portion. The second terminal module has a second insulating member assembled with the first insulating member and a plurality of second terminals. The second insulating member has a second base and a second tongue. Each second terminal forms a second mating portion and a second welding portion. The grounding metal plate is inserted between the first terminal module and the second terminal module. The outer shielding shell surrounds the external space of the first tongue and the external space of the second tongue, and forms a mating cavity for inserting the mating connector. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be used as an interface to provide increased broadband width and / or bandwidth for secure high-speed data transmission. Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can achieve smooth interface connector operation and / or facilitate automatic blind mating of connectors with high reliability.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a connector configured to mate with a counterpart connector for data and / or power transmission, the connector comprising:

[0008] a central carrier wall having a front surface, a rear surface, and a circumferential surface;

[0009] a plurality of pins arranged through the central carrier wall and having front ends protruding from the front surface and rear ends protruding from the rear surface, wherein the front ends are arranged along one or more pin rows on the front surface of the central carrier wall;

[0010] a pin carrier arranged on the front surface and having two or more pin carrier rows of a plurality of front ends carrying a plurality of pins;

[0011] a conductive shield having: a front circumferential shield portion circumferentially arranged around the front ends of the plurality of pins; a rear circumferential shield portion covering at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the central carrier wall; and an intermediate shield portion covering a portion of the front surface of the central carrier wall and arranged between the front circumferential shield portion and the rear circumferential shield portion; and

[0012] One or more pre-guide elements that protrude from the front surface of the central carrier wall beyond at least some of the front ends of the plurality of pins and beyond the front end circumferential shield portion, wherein the one or more pre-guide elements are arranged in a circumferential area around the front ends of the plurality of pins and between the front ends of the plurality of pins and the front end circumferential shield portion.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

[0014] The present invention is based on the concept of providing an interface connector characterized by compact external dimensions, a multi-row arrangement of an increased number of contact pins, shielding covering the connector, and mechanical pre-guiding to enable smooth interface connector operation. The connector is particularly configured to enable automatic mating with a mating connector, for which purpose one or more pre-guiding elements are useful, which protrude from the front surface of the central carrier wall beyond at least some of the front ends of the plurality of pins and beyond the front circumferential shielding portion. As a result, the mating action can be easily performed via a sliding or snapping action, which can be achieved without a wrench or other tool. In addition, the one or more pre-guiding elements provide a self-aligning function, which allows for small misalignments during mating, prevents accidental deformation of the front circumferential shielding portion during blind mating, and thus protects the shield and pins from damage and wear. The connector can be configured as a male or female connector, which mates with / can be connected to a corresponding female or male mating connector.

[0015] Generally, connectors can be used to connect any type of device, directly or indirectly, via cables and / or adapters. Preferably, the connectors can be used with medical devices (e.g., patient monitors) as well as cables and adapters used to connect medical devices to each other to provide high-speed data transfer and / or charging. The present invention proposes a concept for a (standalone) multi-pin strip connector for multiple customer-specific applications.

[0016] In one embodiment, one or more pre-guiding elements providing mechanical pre-guiding are circumferentially arranged throughout the circumferential region surrounding the first ends of the plurality of pins and between the plurality of front ends and the front circumferential shield portion. This further improves the pre-guiding function and facilitates mating of the connector.

[0017] The one or more pre-guiding elements are preferably arranged at a certain distance from the multiple front ends and / or the front circumferential shielding parts (in the radial direction, i.e., in the direction from the center of the connector to the outer periphery of the connector), i.e., there is preferably a free space between the one or more pre-guiding elements and the multiple front ends and / or the front circumferential shielding parts. In addition, the one or more pre-guiding elements are preferably mounted directly on the front surface of the central carrier wall and protrude from the front surface. Therefore, the one or more pre-guiding elements are preferably separate elements arranged separately from the conductive shielding part and the multiple pins and the pin holder, i.e., they are preferably not integrated into the shielding part or the pin carrier or not mounted directly on the shielding part or the pin carrier. This makes it easy for the connector and the mating connector to mate, wherein their respective components, in particular the front ends of their multiple pins and their front circumferential shielding parts, can easily slide into the free space of the corresponding other connector. This arrangement further improves the automatic blind mating of the connector and the mating connector.

[0018] Furthermore, the one or more pre-guide elements are preferably made of a different material (most likely plastic) than the conductive shield, which is preferably made of metal. This allows for an application-adequate material selection (e.g., to prevent premature wear of the two mating ends).

[0019] According to another embodiment, the front circumferential shielding portion and / or one or more pre-guiding elements have an asymmetrical outer shape, in particular a D-Sub shape. This provides a poka-yoke function and prevents mating errors. In particular, the one or more pre-guiding elements can serve as a mechanical keying / coding when the connector mating part is mated to prevent any incorrect connector orientation.

[0020] The conductive shield may include another circumferential shielding portion circumferentially arranged around the rear ends of the plurality of pins. This further improves the shielding function, thereby further improving the signal quality of the transmitted signal. The conductive shield may be, for example, a metal shield or a metallized plastic element, or any other element that provides shielding against undesirable radiation.

[0021] The connector may further include a seal disposed circumferentially around the circumferential surface of the central carrier wall and disposed on an outer surface of the rear circumferential shield portion and / or on a circumferential surface of the central carrier wall adjacent to an end of the rear circumferential shield portion. Such an integrated seal prevents leakage when the connector is installed in a device.

[0022] In another embodiment, at least one of the front ends of the plurality of pins, or at least one of the pin rows formed by the front ends, protrudes from the central carrier wall beyond the remaining front ends or pin rows. Thus, the front ends of the pins or the complete pin row are offset relative to the other front ends or the other pin rows, which provides additional mechanical stability and protection against accidental pin deformation during the connector mating process.

[0023] The connector may further comprise one or more snap-on connection elements, such as cable snap-on connection elements, which protrude from the front surface of the central carrier wall and are arranged outside the front circumferential shielding portion. This ensures that the connector used with a cable cannot be inadvertently unmated, for example by pulling on the cable or device.

[0024] Furthermore, the connector may include potting material on the front and / or rear surfaces of the central carrier wall. This avoids potential leakage through the front and rear ends of the connector itself.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pin carrier includes one pin carrier point per pin that supports the front end of the corresponding pin, and optionally includes one or more dummy pin carrier points or a complete row of dummy pin carriers that do not support the front ends of the pins. The dummy (or blind) pin carrier points allow the configuration of the connector to be easily modified and / or customized by the manufacturer so that it can be used in a variety of applications by simply adding or removing pins as needed.

[0026] The connector may further comprise additional seals arranged at an outer region of the front surface of the central carrier wall and at a front region of the circumferential surface of the central carrier wall adjacent to the front surface. This further improves the sealing function and, in particular, prevents leakage into the connector interior when the two connectors are mated.

[0027] The width and / or height of the one or more pre-guiding elements decreases as the distance from the front surface of the central carrier wall increases.Such an inclined design facilitates smooth connector mating.

[0028] Preferably, the pin carrier rows are arranged in parallel. Thus, two different kinds of arrangements can be considered (as male connector end and female connector end).

[0029] In an embodiment of the female connector, the pin carrier includes a center pin carrier strip, an upper pin carrier strip and a lower pin carrier strip, wherein one pin carrier row is arranged on the upper pin carrier strip and faces the center pin carrier strip, another pin carrier row is arranged on the lower pin carrier strip and faces the center pin carrier strip, and the other two pin carrier rows are respectively arranged on opposite surfaces of the center pin carrier strip and face the upper pin carrier strip and the lower pin carrier strip, respectively.

[0030] In an embodiment of the male connector, the pin carrier comprises two parallel pin carrier strips, wherein the first and second pin carrier rows are arranged on opposite surfaces of the first pin carrier strip, and the third and fourth pin carrier rows are arranged on opposite surfaces of the second pin carrier strip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the accompanying drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows different views of a male version of a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows different views of the female version of the first embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the male and female versions of the first embodiment of the connector in mated and unmated states.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a male version and a female version of a second embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG5 shows a front view of a male version and a female version of a third embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a front view and a rear view of a male version of a fourth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG7 shows a front view of a female version of a fifth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention and side views of two versions in an unmated state and a mated state.

[0039] FIG8 shows a front view of a male version and a female version of a sixth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 9A rear view of a seventh embodiment of a connector according to the present invention is shown.

[0041] FIG. 10 shows a front view of an eighth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention including a protective cap in a disassembled state and an assembled state.

[0042] FIG. 11 shows a front view of a male version of a ninth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention and front views of two versions in an unmated state and a mated state.

[0043] Figure 12 A front view showing a female version of a tenth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows different views of a male version of a first embodiment of a connector 1A according to the present invention. Figure 1A shows a perspective view, Figure 1B shows an exploded perspective view, Figure 1C shows a front view, Figure 1D A side view is shown, and Figure 1E A rear view is shown.

[0045] Connector 1 includes a central carrier wall 10 having a front surface 11, a rear surface 12, and a circumferential surface 13. A plurality of pins 20 are arranged through central carrier wall 10, each having a front end 21 projecting from front surface 11 and a rear end 31 projecting from rear surface 12. Front ends 21 are typically arranged along one or more (preferably two or more, more preferably three or more) pin rows, in this embodiment four pin rows 22, 23, 24, 25, on front surface 11 of central carrier wall 10. Rear ends 31 can be connected to the conductors of a cable and can be arranged as straight ends, but can also be beveled or angled as desired, for example to allow for stacked board arrangements within a device including the connector.

[0046] The pin carrier 40 is arranged on the front surface and has two or more (preferably three or more) pin carrier rows, in this embodiment four pin carrier rows 41, 42, 43, 44, with a plurality of front ends 21 that carry a plurality of pins 20. Preferably, there is one pin carrier row per pin row, preferably all arranged in parallel. However, in general, there may be more pin carrier rows than pin rows, i.e., there may be one or more dummy / blind pin carrier rows for customization of the connector so as to arrange the desired number of pins at the desired pin carrier points as needed. Thus, in exemplary embodiments of the connector, there may be, for example, one pin row and two pin carrier rows (i.e., one dummy pin carrier row), or there may be two pin rows and three or four pin carrier rows (i.e., one or two dummy pin carrier rows), or there may be three or four pin rows and three or four pin carrier rows (i.e., zero or one dummy pin carrier row).

[0047] In this embodiment of the male connector 1A, there are four pin rows and four pin carrier rows. Pin carrier 40 includes a central pin carrier strip 45, an upper pin carrier strip 46, and a lower pin carrier strip 47. One pin carrier row 41 is arranged on the upper pin carrier strip 46 and faces the central pin carrier strip 46, another pin carrier row 44 is arranged on the lower pin carrier strip 47 and faces the central pin carrier strip 46, and two other pin carrier rows 42 and 43 are arranged on opposite surfaces of the central pin carrier strip 46 and face the upper pin carrier strip 45 and lower pin carrier strip 47, respectively.

[0048] The connector 1A also includes a conductive shield, which in the exemplary embodiment described herein is a metal shield 60, which is Figure 1B The metal shield 60 is shown separately in an exploded view of FIG. The metal shield 60 includes a front circumferential shield portion 61 circumferentially arranged around the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20, a rear circumferential shield portion 63 covering at least a portion of the circumferential surface 13 of the central carrier wall 10, and an intermediate shield portion 62 covering a portion of the front surface 11 of the central carrier wall 10 and arranged between the front circumferential shield portion 61 and the rear circumferential shield portion 63.

[0049] The ground contact 15 may be integrated into the connector (male and female versions), for example, at any portion of the central carrier wall 10 (e.g., at Figure 1B In the embodiment shown, it is integrated into the front surface 11 . The ground contact 15 enables a ground shield connection.

[0050] The pre-guide element 70 protrudes beyond at least some of the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20 and the front end circumferential shielding portion 61, that is, the pre-guide element 70 protrudes further from the front surface 11 of the central carrier wall 10 than the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20 and the front end circumferential shielding portion 61. The pre-guide element 70 is arranged in a circumferential area around the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20 and between the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20 and the front end circumferential shielding portion 61.

[0051] In this embodiment, the pre-guide element 70 is circumferentially arranged in the entire circumferential area around the first ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20 and between the plurality of front ends 21 and the front circumferential shielding portion 61. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pre-guide element 70 is integrally formed with the upper pin carrier strip 45 and the lower pin carrier strip 47.

[0052] In this embodiment, the connector 1A further includes a seal 80 disposed circumferentially around the circumferential surface 13 of the central carrier wall 10. Furthermore, the seal 80 may be disposed on an outer surface of the rear circumferential shield portion 63 (e.g., as shown in FIG6 ) and / or on the circumferential surface 13 of the central carrier wall 10 adjacent an end of the rear circumferential shield portion 63.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector 1A comprises one or more (in this embodiment two) snap connection elements 90 , 91 protruding from the front surface 11 of the central carrier wall 10 and arranged outside the front circumferential shielding portion 61 .

[0054] Generally, the front circumferential shielding portion 61 and the pre-guiding element 70 can have any shape as long as they mate with corresponding elements of the mating connector. In this embodiment, the front circumferential shielding portion 61 and the pre-guiding element 70 have an asymmetric outer shape, in particular a D-Sub shape, so as to enable fail-safe mating between the connector 1A and the mating connector 1B (e.g., Figure 1B shown).

[0055] FIG. 2 shows different views of the female version of the first embodiment of the connector 1B according to the present invention. Figure 2A shows a perspective view, Figure 2B shows an exploded perspective view, Figure 2C shows a front view, Figure 2D A side view is shown, and Figure 2E A rear view is shown. Many parts of the female version are identical to those of the male version shown in FIG1 and are therefore denoted by the same reference numerals. Some other parts are slightly modified to ensure that connector 1B can mate with mating connector 1A. Those other parts are explained below.

[0056] In this embodiment of the female connector 1B, the pin carrier 50 is formed differently from the pin carrier 40 of the male connector 1A. The pin carrier 50 includes two parallel pin carrier strips 55 and 56, wherein a first pin carrier row 51 and a second pin carrier row 52 are arranged on opposite surfaces of the first pin carrier strip 55, and a third pin carrier row 53 and a fourth pin carrier row 54 are arranged on opposite surfaces of the second pin carrier strip 56. Therefore, when connected, each of the front ends 21 of the pins 20 of the connector 1B contacts the corresponding front ends 21 of the pins 20 of the connector 1A.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pre-guiding element 70 comprises two sub-elements 71, 72, which are arranged on opposite sides at the lateral ends of the pin carrier 40. These sub-elements have a width and a height that decrease as the distance from the front surface 11 of the central carrier wall 10 increases, thereby defining inclined front ends of the sub-elements 71, 72, which improve the process of introducing the connector 1B into the mating connector 1A.

[0058] FIG3 shows the state of mating (connection) ( Figure 3A ) and unmatched (separated) state ( Figure 3B ) in male and female versions of a first embodiment of a connector of the type shown in FIG. 1 . As shown, the two connectors 1A and 1B fit properly and thus allow a desired compact design of a connector interface with a multi-row pin configuration, which can provide sufficient space for, for example, up to 38 (or more) pins. The height of the metal shield 60 can be reduced, as shown in FIG. 3 , for example, there can be an offset / recess between the metal shield 60 and a pre-guide element 70, which protrudes further from the center carrier wall 10 than the metal shield 10. Furthermore, in the mated state the metal shield 60 covers the entire connector interface. Furthermore, the error-proofing measure (in this example, achieved by the D-Sub shape) can be seen in FIG. 3 , as the connector ends only mate in a specified orientation.

[0059] The D-Sub shaped connector design provides connector coding functionality, while the connector interior is protected by the surrounding material, which can be made of plastic. Furthermore, this design prevents contact with the operator's fingers (in terms of IP classification requirements). The central carrier wall (also known as the connector insert), which can be injection molded and made of plastic, features integrated pre-guiding elements, such as plastic guide pins, which allow for smooth connector mating operation.

[0060] Preferably, when the two connector ends are mated to prevent interference (i.e., foreign device signal crosstalk / noise), the (ground plate) metal shield is mounted inseparable from the center wall connector insert so as to cover the connector ends and perform the shielding function. To provide ingress protection, the two connector ends may include a potting portion (not shown) located in the area of ​​the front and / or rear ends of the connector (i.e., potting material located on the front surface 11 and / or rear surface 12 of the center carrier wall 10) to avoid potential leakage through the connector ends themselves. When assembled into a device (e.g., into a patient monitor), a seal mounted in the area of ​​the rear of the connector provides an additional sealing function. The integrated cable mounting snap-fit ​​option provides beneficial device user operation due to the customer-known usability concept.

[0061] Thus, the connector according to the present invention can be used as a docking solution and / or an adapter cable interface, i.e. the connector can be arranged at a cable, at an adapter and / or at a device in order to provide data and / or power transmission. An additional benefit of the proposed connector is that the connector design allows for common soldering operations on PCAs (printed circuit assemblies) and using flexible prints (flexprints). Furthermore, the pin ends can be designed to allow straight and / or angled soldering operations. In addition to a docking connector interface, the connector can also be used as a cable connector. This feature allows for maximum interconnectivity of multiple devices. Furthermore, connector design scalability is provided, i.e. the connector design can be modified according to the specific requirements or needs of the manufacturer, customer, standard or other regulations.

[0062] FIG4 shows a male version of a second embodiment of a connector 2A, 2B according to the present invention ( Figure 4A ) and female connector type ( Figure 4B ). Unlike the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, at least one of the front ends 21 of the plurality of pins 20, or at least one of the pin rows formed by the front ends 21, protrudes from the central carrier wall beyond the remaining front ends 21 or pin rows. For example, in female connector 2A, the uppermost pin row 22 protrudes further than the second-uppermost pin row 23, and the lowermost pin row 25 protrudes further than the second-lowest pin row 24. Thus, the pin ends of pin rows 22 and 25 terminate in a first plane, and the pin ends of pin rows 23 and 24 terminate in a second plane, which is closer to the front surface 11 of center wall 10 than the first plane. Similarly, in male connector 2A, the second-uppermost pin row 23 protrudes further than the uppermost pin row 22, and the second-lowest pin row 24 protrudes further than the lowermost pin row 25. Thus, the pin ends of pin rows 22 and 25 terminate in a first plane, and the pin ends of pin rows 23 and 24 terminate in a second plane that is further away from the front surface 11 of the central wall 10 than the first plane.

[0063] The pin carrier rows are preferably arranged in the same manner and have the same relative arrangement relative to each other as the corresponding pin rows. In the female connector 2B, the pin carrier 40 comprises four separate parallel pin carrier strips 140, 141, 142, 143 that carry the front ends 21 of the pins 20, wherein the uppermost pin carrier strip 140 and the lowermost pin carrier strip 143 simultaneously form part of the pre-guiding element 70. In the male connector 2A, the pin carrier 50 comprises a single pin carrier strip 150 that carries the front ends 21 of the pins 20 at different pin carrier rows.

[0064] The male connector 2A of this embodiment comprises pre-guiding elements in the form of integrated plastic pins 73 , 74 which are arranged in the upper corners at the circumferential pre-guiding element 70 .

[0065] Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment may require additional connector mating depth. However, due to the offset pin alignment within the connector, this connector design allows for a variety of pin contact points. Furthermore, this multi-row offset pin configuration provides more mechanical stability during the mating process of the two connector ends 2A, 2B.

[0066] FIG5 shows a male version of a third embodiment of a connector 3A, 3B according to the present invention ( Figure 5A ) and female connector type ( Figure 5B ). This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the male and female pin carriers 40, 50 not only include one pin carrier point 145, 155 per pin that supports the front end of the corresponding pin, but also additionally include one or more dummy / blind pin carrier points 146, 156 (in one or more pin carrier rows) that do not support the front end of the pin. This allows for customized connector configurations that meet specific customer needs. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG5 , due to the two dummy pin points 146, 156, the two connectors 3A, 3B allow for a 38+2 pin configuration.

[0067] FIG6 shows a front view of a male version of a fourth embodiment of a connector 4A according to the present invention ( Figure 6A ) and rear view ( Figure 6B). Compared to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the metal shield 60 has another circumferential shielding portion 64 that is circumferentially arranged around the rear ends 31 of the plurality of pins 20. Thus, the sheet metal shield is enlarged so as to cover the entire length of the pins, including the solder joints (not shown) where the wires (not shown) are soldered to the rear ends 31. The seal 80 is formed as an outer seal that is mounted on top of the intermediate shielding portion 62. The enlarged shield ensures a "front-to-back" shielding function for the entire connector, so as to further improve protection against interference due to crosstalk and noise from foreign device signals.

[0068] It should be noted that female versions not explicitly shown may include the same circumferential shield portion 64 .

[0069] FIG. 7 shows a female type of a fifth embodiment of a connector 5B according to the present invention ( Figure 7A ) and a front view of the connector in an unmated state ( Figure 7B ) and matching status ( Figure 7C ) female connector 5B and male connector 5A. This embodiment of the female connector 5B further includes an additional seal 81 arranged at an outer region of the front surface 11 of the central carrier wall 10 and at a front region of the circumferential surface 13 of the central carrier wall 10 adjacent to the front surface 11. The additional seal 81 can be in particular in contact with the metal shield 60, in particular in contact with the surfaces of the front circumferential shield portion 61, the rear circumferential shield portion 63, and the intermediate shield portion 62.

[0070] The male connector 5A may not include such an additional seal, but may be designed in the same manner as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .

[0071] exist Figure 7C In the mated state shown, the additional seal 81 is assembled between the two connector ends and prevents leakage into the connector interior when the two connector ends are mated. In one embodiment, the additional seal 81 can be designed to provide axial and / or radial sealing functions. Thus, even if the connector is sprayed with liquid (e.g., disinfectant or cleaning agents in a hospital environment), the risk of short circuits between the pins is minimized.

[0072] FIG8 shows a male version of a sixth embodiment of a connector 6A, 6B according to the present invention ( Figure 8A ) and female connector type ( Figure 8B). This embodiment has a mirrored pin configuration on the male connector 6A and integrated dome-shaped plastic pre-guide pins 75, 76 (which serve as pre-guide elements that fit into corresponding recesses 77, 78 on the female connector 6B). This embodiment allows for a smaller connector design, but the number of contact pins is limited, though this can be reduced / increased as needed, as shown in other embodiments. The same pre-guide elements can be used in other connector embodiments.

[0073] The metal shield provided in accordance with the present invention enables a reduced height of the connector due to sheet metal protection during operation and transportation of the connector. In particular, the connector shielding function can be provided in the mated state of the connector end. In addition, the potting compound can provide a collar design (front and rear ends). In other embodiments, the potting collar can be an integrated metal shielding function. The metal shield can also provide a straight and / or formed / shaped front end (e.g., in the form of a horn or other desired shape) to allow optional electrical contact between the male connector end and the female connector end in the mated state. The formed / shaped rear end can further prevent the seal from slipping during connector assembly.

[0074] The pins can have an offset pin alignment and thus provide operator finger protection (e.g., to avoid electric shock according to IP classification). The rear end of the pins can have angled and / or straight alignment, which allows for stacked board setups tailored to specific customer needs. The curved state of the rear end of the pins can provide mechanical self-supporting benefits during shock and / or vibration impacts. A recessed pin configuration can provide further benefits due to increased mechanical connector robustness.

[0075] Figure 9 A rear view of a seventh embodiment of a connector 7 according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, some of the rear ends 32 of the pins are straight, and some of the rear ends 33 of the pins are curved. This arrangement can generally be used in all other embodiments of the connector. It can be used to separate parameter signals into different / separate pin rows, allowing parameter signal pins to be grouped across multiple pin rows. For example, ECG signals can be grouped in the top pin row, SpO2 signals can be grouped in the second pin row below, and so on.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows a connector according to the present invention including a connector in a disassembled state ( Figure 10A ) and assembled state ( Figure 10B). In this example, the male connector 1A shown in Figure 1 is shown to include a protective cap 100 that covers at least the front ends 21 of the pins in the assembled state. The cable mounting features (in this embodiment, the snap connection elements 90, 91) are intentionally placed outside the pin carrier area. This enables the use of a capture protective cap 100 and compatibility with such caps. The protective cap 100 protects the internal metal parts from corrosion, contamination and / or mechanical deformation (for example, in a rough out-of-hospital environment).

[0077] FIG. 11 shows a front view of a male version of a ninth embodiment of a connector 8A according to the present invention ( Figure 11A ) and in an uncooperative state ( Figure 11B ) and matching status ( Figure 11C ). In this embodiment, the male connector 8A includes external cable mounting levers 92, 93 disposed at the outer surfaces of opposite sides of the connector 8A. The levers 92 securely lock the male connector 8A with the mating connector 8B because they properly mate with the opposing cable mounting snap connectors 90, 91 of the female connector 8B, thereby ensuring secure connector mating.

[0078] Figure 12 A front view of a female version of a tenth embodiment of a connector 9B according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the metal shield 60 is modified. The front circumferential shield portion 61, particularly its outer end 61a, is shaped / formed (e.g., having an embossed shape) to ensure electrical contact between the male and female connectors in the mated state.

[0079] In the mated state, the metal shield can cover the entire length of the pin from front to back (from the contact end to the solder joint).

[0080] The rear metal shielding part may comprise a stamped recess (exemplarily shown as a V-shaped recess in the figures) in order to allow mechanical fixing by plastic deformation with a counterpart made of plastic (eg a pin carrier).

[0081] The potting compound may provide mechanical fixation of the pressed pins in order to prevent movement inside the pin carrier (in the assembled state) due to vibrations and / or shock impacts (abuse).

[0082] Due to the optional use / compatibility with a protective cap, the cable mounting element (e.g., in the shape of a snap-on connection element) is intentionally placed outside the pin carrier in order to protect the metal parts from corrosion, contamination and / or mechanical deformation (e.g., outside hospital environment).

[0083] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by one skilled in the art through a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0084] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0085] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A connector (1) configured to mate with a mating connector for data and / or power transmission, the connector comprising: a central carrier wall (10) having a front surface (11), a rear surface (12) and a circumferential surface (13); a plurality of pins (20) arranged through the central carrier wall (10) and having a front end (21) protruding from the front surface (11) and a rear end (31) protruding from the rear surface (12), wherein the front end (21) is arranged along one or more pin rows (22, 23, 24, 25) on the front surface of the central carrier wall; a pin carrier (40, 50) arranged on the front surface and having two or more pin carrier rows (41-44; 51-54) carrying the plurality of front ends (21) of the plurality of pins; a conductive shield (60) having a front circumferential shield portion (61) circumferentially arranged around the front ends (21) of the plurality of pins, a rear circumferential shield portion (63) covering at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the central carrier wall, and an intermediate shield portion (62) covering a portion of the front surface of the central carrier wall and arranged between the front circumferential shield portion (61) and the rear circumferential shield portion (63); as well as One or more pre-guiding elements (70) protruding from the front surface (11) of the central carrier wall beyond at least some of the front ends (21) of the plurality of pins and beyond the front circumferential shielding portion (61), wherein the one or more pre-guiding elements are arranged in a circumferential area around the front ends (21) of the plurality of pins and between the front ends (21) of the plurality of pins and the front circumferential shielding portion (61).

2. The connector according to claim 1, in, The one or more pre-guide elements (70) are circumferentially arranged in the entire circumferential area around the first end (21) of the plurality of pins, and are arranged between the plurality of front ends and the front end circumferential shielding portion, in particular, are arranged at a position at a certain distance from the plurality of front ends (21) and / or the front end circumferential shielding portion (61).

3. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The front circumferential shielding portion (61) and / or the one or more pre-guiding elements (70) have an asymmetrical outer shape, in particular a D-Sub shape.

4. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The conductive shield (60) has another circumferential shield portion (64) arranged circumferentially around the rear ends (31) of the plurality of pins.

5. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The connector further comprises a seal (80) which is arranged circumferentially around the circumferential surface (13) of the central carrier wall (10) and is arranged on the outer surface of the rear end circumferential shielding portion (63) and / or on the circumferential surface of the central carrier wall (10) and adjacent to the end of the rear end circumferential shielding portion (63).

6. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, At least one of the front ends of the plurality of pins or at least one of the pin rows formed by the front ends protrudes from the central carrier wall beyond the remaining front ends or pin rows.

7. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The connector further comprises one or more snap connection elements (90, 91) protruding from the front surface (11) of the central carrier wall (10) and arranged outside the front circumferential shielding portion (61).

8. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The connector further comprises a potting material on the front surface (11) and / or the rear surface (12) of the central carrier wall (10).

9. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The pin carrier (40, 50) includes a pin carrier point for each pin that supports the front end of the corresponding pin, and optionally includes one or more dummy pin carrier points that do not support the front end of the pin.

10. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The connector further comprises an additional seal (81) which is arranged at an outer region of the front surface (11) of the central carrier wall (10) and at a front region of the circumferential surface (13) of the central carrier wall (10) adjacent to the front surface (11).

11. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The width and / or height of the one or more pre-guiding elements (70) decreases with increasing distance from the front surface (11) of the central carrier wall (10).

12. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The pin carrier rows (41-44; 51-54) are arranged in parallel.

13. The connector according to claim 12, in, The pin carrier includes a central pin carrier strip (45), an upper pin carrier strip (46) and a lower pin carrier strip (47), one pin carrier row (41) is arranged on the upper pin carrier strip (46) and faces the central pin carrier strip, another pin carrier row (44) is arranged on the lower pin carrier strip (46) and faces the central pin carrier strip, and the other two pin carrier rows (42, 43) are respectively arranged on opposite surfaces of the central pin carrier strip and face the upper pin carrier strip and the lower pin carrier strip respectively.

14. The connector according to claim 12, in, The pin carrier comprises two parallel pin carrier strips (55, 56), wherein the first and second pin carrier rows (51, 52) are arranged on opposite surfaces of the first pin carrier strip (55), and the third and fourth pin carrier rows (53, 54) are arranged on opposite surfaces of the second pin carrier strip (56).

15. A device, in particular a medical device and / or a cable and / or an adapter, comprising a connector according to any one of the preceding claims.

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