Connector element, electronic device, connector system, and signal transmission device

Abstract

A connector element (1, 2) for a connector system, comprising: four contact members (111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) for making electrical contact on the front end side of the connector element; and a contact member carrier (11, 21) comprising a circumferentially extending contact surface, on which the contact member extends in an axial direction, on which the contact member has a free contact surface, on which the contact member extends in the axial direction. The free contact surface is accessible on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, each contact member having an insulation radius that is the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the nearest adjacent contact member when measured in a front view, the contact members being divided into two sets of contact members, each set of contact members having an insulation radius that is the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the nearest adjacent contact member when measured in a front view. Each contact member belongs to a different group of contact members with a closest adjacent contact member defining an insulation radius of the contact member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the subject of a connector element, an electronic device, a system and a signal transmission device. Background Art

[0002] In many technical applications, it is found to be very desirable to replace individual components in a link that transmits signals, such as signals from sensors. Therefore, a detachable connection is provided between the individual components of such a link, for example at the connection between an analog-to-digital converter and a signal cable, which is used to transmit the digitized signal from the analog-to-digital converter to a data acquisition and / or data processing device. For example, a plug-in connector system can be used. On the one hand, it may be ideal if the user or a field maintenance technician can directly release and re-establish the connection between the components while avoiding the risk of re-establishing the connection using the wrong contacts or lines, respectively. On the other hand, the signal transmission should not be affected by dirt in the releasable interface or creepage currents on the surface of the releasable interface or the connector elements of the connection system. In this regard, it is also desirable to achieve a good sealing of the connection system so that no dust, liquid or moisture can penetrate between the connectors. On the other hand, the size of the connector components may be limited.

[0003] It is understandable that other technical fields also desire connector elements and connector systems to have the above-mentioned features.

[0004] Known technology includes the product offered under the name "Variopin" by Büschel Connecting Systems of Albstadt, Germany at the priority date of this application. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide the initially mentioned subject matter. In a more specific aspect, a connector element for a connector system should be provided. In certain cases, the connector element and the connector system should be adapted and configured for transmitting power and signals. In a more specific aspect, the connector element should have certain desirable characteristics as described above.

[0006] The subject matter described in the present disclosure achieves this.

[0007] Further effects and advantages of the disclosed subject matter, whether explicitly mentioned or not, will become apparent from the disclosure provided hereinafter.

[0008] Accordingly, the utility model discloses a connector element for a connector system, which includes four contact members for electrical contact. Preferably, the connector element includes exactly four contact members. It is not difficult to understand that the electrical contact is made with the mating contact member of the corresponding connector element. The contact member can be contacted from the front end side of the connector element. The connector element also includes a contact member carrier, wherein the contact member carrier includes a circumferentially extending contact surface, which has an axial extension scale. The contact member extends axially on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier. On the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, the contact member has a free contact surface, which is accessible on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier. Each contact member has an insulation radius. The insulation radius is the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the outer boundary of the nearest adjacent contact member. This minimum gap is measured on a plan view in front view. The contact members are divided into two groups. Each contact member has a nearest adjacent contact member that determines its insulation radius. The nearest adjacent contact member and the contact member at hand belong to different contact member groups.

[0009] This should be understood to imply that the insulation distance from one contact member to another contact member of the same group of contact members is greater than the insulation distance to a contact member of another group of contact members. The insulation distance between two contact members is measured as the smallest gap between the outer boundaries of the two contact members. In other words, the arrangement of the contact members is non-equidistant. Non-equidistant applies to measurements made in a plan view viewed from the front, in particular to measurements of the distance between the contact members in the circumferential direction of the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier.

[0010] It is understood that, according to the above definition, a contact member group includes contact members, each of which has at least one other contact member not belonging to the contact member group closer to them than other contact members outside the contact member group.

[0011] Therefore, for each contact member belonging to the first group, there is preferably at least one contact member of the second group whose minimum gap is smaller than the minimum gap of the other contact members of the first group, and vice versa.

[0012] The insulation resistance between the contact members in the same group of contact members is greater than the insulation resistance between the contact members in the group of contact members and the contact members in another group of contact members. In particular, the creepage current resistance between two contact members in a group of contact members on the front side of the contact member carrier is increased compared to a connector element having the same size and the contact members are arranged equidistantly.

[0013] Preferably, the groups are in pairs.

[0014] Preferably, a "minimum insulation distance" can be used instead of the insulation radius, i.e. each contact member has a minimum insulation distance in a plan view of the front side, wherein the minimum insulation distance is preferably measured as the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the outer boundary of the nearest adjacent contact member. In this embodiment, the contact members are preferably divided into two pairs of contact members, wherein each contact member has a minimum insulation distance with one contact member of the other pair of contact members.

[0015] The contact component carrier can be made in particular of a plastic with a high insulation resistance. The high insulation resistance is preferably greater than or equal to 10 14 Ω / cm. In this way, the required electrical properties can be obtained even with a small insulation radius, for example a radius between 1 and 2 mm. The plastic is preferably injection moldable. This facilitates the production of the connector element. The water absorption of the plastic is preferably less than or equal to 0.4% and can be used at temperatures from -40°C to +85°C. With these properties, the connector element can be used reliably in environments that may be humid and at all temperatures typically used by sensors and links that transmit the signals of these sensors. Therefore, the plastic is preferably one of the following materials: PBT, PEEK, PPE, PPS, LCP or fluoroplastics such as PCTFE, PVDF, ECTFE, ETFE, PFA or FEP.

[0016] It should be noted that, within the framework of the present disclosure, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" neither denotes singularity nor excludes the presence of a plurality of named components or features. Therefore, the indefinite article should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more".

[0017] Furthermore, it is noted that, in this application, the terms "bordering" and "adjacent" are considered synonyms.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact members may be arranged at the corners of a quadrilateral, wherein the quadrilateral has at least two parallel sides. The parallel sides of the quadrilateral extend at least between the contact members of each group of contact members. For example, the corners of the quadrilateral may be the center points of the contact members or the boundary points of the contact members, which are closest to adjacent contact members in the same group of contact members or adjacent contact members in another group of contact members. On the other hand, the common tangents of any two adjacent contact members on the side of the contact members facing the other two contact members may be considered. The four tangents thus defined may form a quadrilateral having at least two parallel sides, wherein the tangents of at least two groups of contact members that are at a greater distance from each other are parallel. In particular, the quadrilateral may be a rectangle having a set of shorter sides and a set of longer sides.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the smaller distance between at least two parallel edges is between 1 mm and 1.2 mm, more preferably between 1.05 mm and 1.1 mm. In another preferred embodiment, the smaller distance between at least two parallel edges is between 1.6 mm and 1.95 mm, more preferably between 1.65 mm and 1.8 mm. Through these specific selections, a printed circuit board (PCB) can be mounted between the protruding sections of the contact members. As described below, using the protruding sections of the contact members to support the printed circuit board helps connect the printed circuit board to the connector element and makes the connection more secure.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment, the contact member extends axially through the contact member carrier and protrudes a protruding section of the contact member on the back side of the contact member carrier. The protruding sections of each pair of contact members have a common tangent, wherein the common tangent of the protruding section of the first group of contact members facing the protruding section of the second group of contact members is parallel to the common tangent of the protruding section of the second group of contact members facing the protruding section of the first group of contact members. A gap is left between the protruding section of the first group of contact members and the protruding section of the second group of contact members. In some aspects, the common tangent of the protruding section of any two adjacent contact members can be considered, which are located on the side of the protruding section facing the protruding sections of the other two contact members. The four tangents defined in this way can form a quadrilateral with at least two parallel sides, wherein at least the tangents of the two groups of contact members with a larger distance from each other and / or the tangents of the two groups of protruding sections with a larger distance from each other are parallel.

[0021] Between the protruding sections of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections of the second group of contact members, a recess may be provided on the back side of the contact member carrier. The recess may be dimensioned to receive the leftover portion of the end of the printed circuit board. Thus, the printed circuit board may be connected flush with the back side of the contact member carrier, even if there are manufacturing tolerances.

[0022] In addition, the contact member carrier may include at least one collar extending from the back side and surrounding the protruding section of the contact member protruding from the back side along its longitudinal extension, and / or a recess surrounding the protruding section of the contact member in an embodiment. These features may further increase the creepage distance of the current, thereby reducing the creepage current between adjacent contact members on the back side of the contact member carrier.

[0023] The contact member may in particular be provided as (but not limited to) a lever or spring contact member.

[0024] In other embodiments, the contact member extends axially through the contact member carrier and extends a solder tab on the back side of the contact member carrier. The contact member may be a spring contact with a solder tab at its rear end. The spring contact may be gold plated to prevent corrosion and ensure low contact resistance. The spring contact may be placed in a plastic housing of the contact member carrier and held in place by a contact member holder fixed to the back side of the contact member carrier, while the solder tab passes through the contact member holder and extends from the back side of the contact member carrier. There may be hooks on the outer diameter of the contact member carrier and near the rear end of the contact member carrier, on which the contact member holder may be fixed. The contact member carrier and / or the contact member holder may in particular be made of plastic with high insulation resistance. In further specific embodiments, a positioning structure may be provided on the contact surface of the contact member carrier extending circumferentially, for example on a pin or in a socket. These embodiments will be described in detail below. In this way, the contact member carrier has a circumferential reference position. The contact member carrier and the contact member holder may also include interacting positioning structures so that the contact member holder can only be connected to the contact member carrier in one direction relative to the circumferential reference position. On the back of the contact element holder, the extended contact elements can be marked to facilitate correct wiring. This makes it easy to connect each wire connected to the solder tab to the contact element carrier or to a contact element with a specific circumferential position in the contact element carrier.

[0025] As described above, an alignment structure may be provided on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact component carrier. The alignment structure includes at least one of a protrusion on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact component carrier and / or an axially extending groove on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact component carrier. The alignment structure makes the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact component carrier asymmetric in the circumferential direction and determines the circumferential reference position of the contact component carrier.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier is cylindrical.

[0027] In an embodiment of the connector element, the contact member carrier may comprise a pin, wherein the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier is arranged on a lateral peripheral surface of the pin. The pin is preferably a cylindrical protrusion of the contact member carrier. It is preferably a pin of the connector element, which is sized and intended to be at least partially inserted into a socket comprising a complementary formed contact surface.

[0028] However, in other embodiments, the contact member carrier may include a socket having an axially extending wall which bounds the socket and forms a circumferentially extending contact surface.

[0029] It may further be provided that the connector element comprises at least one alignment structure on its back side, i.e. on a side opposite to the front side, which is configured and adapted to receive and align a printed circuit board. The at least one alignment structure comprises at least one support cutout extending axially relative to the connector element, the support cutout being formed in the at least one alignment structure. When the printed circuit board is advanced into the at least one support cutout in the axial direction of the connector element, the at least one support cutout is configured to receive the printed circuit board, while the two faces of the printed circuit board extend in the axial direction and radial direction of the connector element, respectively. The at least one support cutout is specifically configured so that the printed circuit board received in the support cutout is placed in the gap between the two sets of contact member protruding sections.

[0030] A first of the at least one support cutout has a greater radial extension than another support cutout located on a radially opposite side of the connector element. In a preferred embodiment, there are no further support grooves. Thus, the alignment structure is asymmetric with respect to the axial direction of the connector element in an axially extending plane between the two sets of contact members.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the first of the at least one supporting cutouts passes completely through one of the at least one alignment structures in the radial direction, while the alignment structure wall on the side of the connector element radially opposite to the first of the at least one supporting cutouts is closed on the radial outside. During installation, the printed circuit board is aligned and / or supported in the radial direction by the alignment structure wall. In addition, the installation of the printed circuit board can be offset from the center relative to the connector element or the contact structure carrier, i.e. laterally offset. The advantage of this is that the conductor path pattern on the printed circuit board to be mounted on the connector element and the protruding section of the contact structure can be selected to match only when the printed circuit board is arranged in the required direction relative to the connector element. This facilitates the production of electronic devices and reduces errors.

[0032] In an embodiment, a further support cutout in the form of a support groove may be formed radially inside one of the at least one alignment structure and closed radially outside, wherein a connecting line between the two support cutouts extends in an axially and radially extending plane between the two sets of contact members.

[0033] As mentioned above, in a connector element comprising a pin, provision can be made that the pin extends from a cylindrical section of the connector element, the cross-sectional dimensions of which are larger than the pin. For example, the cylindrical section can be part of a contact member carrier. The cylindrical section comprises at least one circumferential groove on its outer diameter, wherein the circumferential groove is used to receive an O-ring therein for sealing purposes, as will be described in detail below.

[0034] In other embodiments of the connector element, the locking sleeve can rotate and move axially, for example, between two axial end stops on the connector element. The locking sleeve can be configured in particular as a bayonet lock. A mating structure is provided on the outside of the component including the mating connector element, which can interlock with the locking sleeve, in particular form a shape-locking relationship. For example, the mating structure can be arranged on the outside of an electronic device, which includes a mating connector element, which is configured to be connected to the connector element including the locking sleeve. The bayonet lock has the advantage of being easier to clean than a thread, and is easier to lock and unlock than a pair of threads. In addition, the bayonet lock according to the utility model can prevent the connector element and the mating connector element from rotating relative to each other. The advantage of this is that the elements in the signal transmission chain connected to the connector element and its mating element can be kept in the corresponding retainer when the connection is established.

[0035] In another aspect, an electronic device including a connector element and a printed circuit board is disclosed, wherein the printed circuit board is received in a gap between a protruding section of a first set of contact members and a protruding section of a second set of contact members, and the protruding section of the contact members is directly soldered to a conductor path of the printed circuit board. For example, the gap defined between the protruding sections of the two sets of contact members, and the gap measured between the facing tangents of the protruding sections of the two sets of contact members can be greater than or equal to 1 times the thickness of the printed circuit board, and can also be less than or equal to 1.2 times the thickness of the printed circuit board. In a more specific embodiment, it can be greater than or equal to 1.05 times the thickness of the printed circuit board, and can also be less than or equal to 1.1 times the thickness of the printed circuit board. The thickness of the printed circuit board is preferably 1 mm. This can both miniaturize the electronic device and ensure that the spacing is sufficient to reduce creepage current and ensure the mechanical stability of the printed circuit board.

[0036] A housing may be provided which encloses the printed circuit board and at least a part of the connector element, wherein an O-ring seal is provided between the connector element and the housing. The housing is preferably cylindrical and has an outer diameter less than or equal to 1.5 times, preferably less than or equal to 1.25 times, preferably greater than or equal to 1 times, the diameter of the sensor shaft constituting the electronics or to which the electronics are to be mounted. The housing is preferably cylindrical and has an outer diameter less than or equal to 18 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 12 mm. Sensors such as pH sensors, conductivity sensors, ion selective electrodes for measuring ion concentrations, sensors for determining dissolved oxygen, turbidity and / or redox potential typically comprise a shaft with a diameter of 12 mm. An outer diameter of the housing equal to or slightly greater than the sensor shaft ensures that the combination of the sensor shaft and the electronics is easy to store and install. A housing of this size does not affect the line of sight on the sensor shaft and allows the use of a sensor holding device designed for sensors without electronics according to the utility model.

[0037] In another aspect, the utility model provides a system, which includes: a first connector element including a pin, wherein a contact member is arranged on a circumferentially and axially extending surface of the pin; and a second connector element including a socket, wherein the contact member is arranged on a wall radially limiting the socket. The pin has an axially extending outer surface, forming a circumferentially extending contact surface of the first connector element, and the contact member of the first connector element is arranged on the contact surface and accessible; the socket has an axially extending surface, which is the radial outer boundary of the socket, forming a circumferentially extending contact surface of the second connector element, and the contact member of the second connector element is arranged on the contact surface and accessible. The socket and the pin complement each other, so that the pin is configured to be received inside the socket, and when the pin is received inside the socket, at least one contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the pin is in electrical contact with the contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the socket. More specifically and more commonly, each contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the pin is in electrical contact with the contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the socket, and vice versa. In a particular case, the first connector element including the pin can be connected to the sensor to form an assembly with the sensor, or can be part of a sensor head, or part of a sensor assembly consisting of the sensor and the sensor head, and is configured to transmit data from the sensor to a second connector element including a socket. The sensor head can include electronic components for processing data from the sensor, wherein a specific example is an analog-to-digital converter. In this particular case, the matching contact members of the set of contact members can transmit the digitized signal from the sensor to the second connector element including the socket, and the matching contact members of the second set of contact members can transmit power from the connector element including the socket to the first connector element including the pin. The sensor can be a pH measuring sensor, a conductivity sensor, an ion selective electrode for measuring ion concentration, a sensor for determining dissolved oxygen, turbidity and / or redox potential, etc. Since the pin is easier to clean than the socket, and the sensor is usually more exposed to the outside and therefore more easily dirty, it is preferred to mount the connector element including the pin to the sensor.

[0038] Alternatively, in the above system, an alignment key is provided on a circumferentially extending contact surface of one of the pin and the socket, and an axially extending groove is provided on a circumferentially extending contact surface of one of the pin and the socket. The axially extending groove is used to receive the alignment key when the pin is received in the socket, wherein the arrangement and configuration of the alignment key and the axially extending alignment groove are such that the pin can only be received in the socket in one direction relative to the circumferential direction, in particular around its axial centerline. If the two connector elements can only be matched in this one relative position, it will be found to be beneficial because the contact members of the two connector elements can be prevented from being incorrectly connected.

[0039] In another aspect, a signal transmission device is disclosed, the signal transmission device comprising: a connector element, wherein the contact member includes a solder tab extending from a back side of a contact member carrier; and a signal cable having at least four conductors. At least one conductor is connected to each solder tab, and a sealing sleeve is sleeved over the cable in a sealing relationship and covers the back side of the contact member carrier and the solder tab, and is configured to provide a liquid-tight seal for at least an interior space including the solder tab.

[0040] A method for assembling an electronic device according to any of the above types is further disclosed. The method comprises:

[0041] providing a connector element having a pin extending from a cylindrical section, the cylindrical section having a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the pin, wherein the cylindrical section includes at least one circumferential groove on an outer diameter thereof, wherein the circumferential groove is configured to receive an O-ring therein;

[0042] Providing a printed circuit board and placing a first end of the printed circuit board in a gap between the protruding sections of the first set of contact members and the protruding sections of the second set of contact members;

[0043] providing a housing having a cylindrical inner diameter sized to seal with an O-ring on the connector element;

[0044] soldering the protruding sections of the first set of contact members directly to corresponding conductor paths provided on a first side of the first end of the printed circuit board, and soldering the protruding sections of the second set of contact members directly to corresponding conductor paths provided on a second side of the first end of the printed circuit board;

[0045] connecting one of a pluggable connector or a sensor to a second end of the printed circuit board opposite the first end of the printed circuit board, the one of the pluggable connector or the sensor including a radially extending structure configured as an end stop of the housing; and

[0046] The housing is moved axially over the connector element in the direction of one of the pluggable connector or the sensor until the housing engages the end stop.

[0047] It is understood that the features and embodiments disclosed above can be combined with each other. It is further understood that within the scope of the present disclosure and the claimed subject matter, more embodiments can be conceived, which are obvious to the skilled person and are also obvious through the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The subject matter of the present disclosure will now be explained in more detail by means of selected exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It goes without saying that the drawings are highly schematic and details not necessary for the purpose of illustration may be omitted for ease of understanding and description. It should also be understood that the drawings only show selected, illustrative embodiments, and embodiments not shown may still fully fall within the scope of the subject matter disclosed by the utility model.

[0049] In the attached figure:

[0050] Figure 1 is a partial view of an electronic device including a connector element according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter;

[0051] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front plan view of an electronic device;

[0052] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a plan view of the back side of the contact member carrier of the illustrated connector element;

[0053] Figure 4 After removing the shell Figure 1 a perspective view of an electronic device;

[0054] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device:

[0055] Figure 6 A transmission cable connected with a second exemplary embodiment of the connector element of the utility model;

[0056] Figure 7 are connector components and Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a transmission cable;

[0057] Figure 8 are connector components and Figure 6 Cross-sectional views of the transmission cable at different circumferential positions;

[0058] Fig. 9 A connector system wherein a contact member carrier of a connector element of one embodiment is mounted within a connector element according to a second embodiment; and

[0059] Fig.10 An electronic device comprises a connector element according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein and another pluggable connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Figure 1An exemplary embodiment of a connector element 1 disclosed herein is shown, which connector element 1 is connected to an electronic device 5 (e.g. a sensor head) as a terminal, for example. The sensor head 5 may in particular include an electronic device for processing measurement data received from the sensor. For example, the sensor head may include an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog measurement signal received from the sensor into a digital representation of the measurement signal for further processing and / or storage in a digital device. The sensor head 5 includes a housing 52, which in turn includes a locking pin 115. The connector element 1 is partially received in the housing 52, and its front end section protrudes from the housing 52. In essence, the connector element 1 includes a contact member 111 and a contact member carrier 11, and the contact member 111 is used to make electrical contact with a mating contact member in a mating contact element connected to the connector element 1. The contact member carrier 11 includes a pin 112 protruding axially at the front end of the contact member carrier 11. A circumferentially extending substantially cylindrical surface is arranged on the side surface of the pin 112. The contact member 111 extends axially on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier 11, and the circumferentially extending contact surface is arranged on the pin 112. It should be noted that, since the pin 112 is an integral part of the contact member carrier 11, each feature or element of the pin 112 is also a feature of the contact member carrier 11, and therefore the circumferentially extending contact surface of the pin 112 is also the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier 11. As described below, the contact member 111 is partially located in the contact member carrier, a part of its cross section is located in the pin 112, and has a free contact surface on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, which contact surface is arranged along the pin 112. The contact member carrier 11 or the pin 112 is respectively provided with an axially extending groove 113, which interacts with a mating element inside the mating connector element of the connector element 1, so that the connector element 1 can only be matched with the mating connector element in one circumferential orientation relative to the two connector elements. This will be described in detail below.

[0061] Furthermore, an O-ring 114 is received in a circumferential cutout of a further cylindrical section of the contact member carrier 11, wherein the diameter of the further cylindrical section is greater than the diameter of the pin 112. The purpose and use of the O-ring 114 will be described in more detail below.

[0062] Arranging the contact members on the circumferential surface of the pin has various advantages, including facilitating cleaning of the contact members, and other benefits will be apparent from this description or otherwise envisioned by the skilled artisan.

[0063] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1The front view of the embodiment shows the arrangement of the contact members 111a, 111b, 111c and 111d. It can be clearly seen that these contact members are basically arranged at the corners of the rectangle. The rectangle is non-equilateral, so the contact members are unevenly and non-equidistantly distributed in the circumferential direction around the pin 112. In other words, the insulation distance between each adjacent contact member is different. The insulation distance between two contact members is measured by the minimum gap between the outer boundaries of the two contact members.

[0064] For example, the insulation distance between contact member 111a and contact member 111c is the smallest, while the insulation distance between contact member 111b and contact member 111d is larger, and the insulation distance between contact member 111d is still larger. The insulation distance between contact member 111b and contact member 111d is the smallest, while the insulation distance between contact member 111a and contact member 111c is larger, and the insulation distance between contact member 111c is still larger. The insulation distance between contact member 111c and contact member 111a is the smallest, while the insulation distance between contact member 111d and contact member 111d is larger, and the insulation distance between contact member 111b is still larger. The insulation distance between contact member 111d and contact member 111b is the smallest, while the insulation distance between contact member 111c and contact member 111a is larger, and the insulation distance between contact member 111a is still larger.

[0065] In addition, the contact members can be divided into two groups of contact members. For example, any two contact members located on one of the longer sides of the rectangle can be regarded as a pair or a group of contact members. That is, the contact members 111a and 111b constitute a pair or a group of contact members, and the contact members 111c and 111d constitute another pair or a group of contact members.

[0066] It can be said that each contact member has a minimum insulation distance from a contact member in another group of contact members. This minimum insulation distance, i.e. the smallest of the insulation distances between a certain contact member and all other contact members, is called the insulation radius or "minimum insulation distance" of the contact member. The insulation distance between two contact members refers to the minimum gap between the outer boundaries of the two contact members. The insulation radius of a given contact member is measured as the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the outer boundary of its nearest neighboring contact member.

[0067] The specific arrangement of the contact members has the effect that the signal transmitted through contact member 111a is less sensitive to interference from contact member 111b than to interference from contact member 111c, the signal transmitted through contact member 111b is less sensitive to interference from contact member 111a than to interference from contact member 111d, the signal transmitted through contact member 111c is less sensitive to interference from contact member 111d than to interference from contact member 111a, and the signal transmitted through contact member 111d is less sensitive to interference from contact member 111c than to interference from contact member 111b.

[0068] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The contact member extends axially through the contact member carrier 11, and the protruding sections 116a, 116b, 116c and 116d of the contact member protrude on the back side of the contact member carrier 11, through Figure 4 and Figure 5 This fact can be better understood. The protruding sections of the contact members are also arranged substantially at the corners of the non-single-sided rectangle, wherein the protruding sections 116a, 116b of the first group of contact members 111a, 111b, and the protruding sections 116c, 116d of the second group of contact members 111c, 111d respectively have a common tangent facing the protruding section of the corresponding other group of contact members. There is a free space between the protruding sections of the two groups of contact members or between the tangents, which is sized and configured to receive a printed circuit board between the protruding sections of the two groups of contact members. The back side of the contact member carrier 11 is provided with a recess 118, which is adjacent to the gap and is located between the protruding sections of the contact members. The function of the recess is to receive the protruding section of the printed circuit board that exceeds its nominal size, while still receiving the printed circuit board flush between the protruding sections of the contact members. Therefore, due to the presence of the recess 118, larger manufacturing tolerances of the size of the printed circuit board are acceptable.

[0069] Annular recesses 117 are formed on the back side of the contact member carrier 11, surrounding the protruding sections of the contact member. The function of these annular recesses 117 is to increase the distance between the protruding sections of the contact member when measured along the surface of the contact member carrier 11, thereby reducing the creepage current between the protruding sections along the contact member carrier.

[0070] Furthermore, in order to attach the connector element 1 to a printed circuit board, or vice versa, the back side of the contact member carrier 11 includes alignment structures 119 and 120. The alignment structure 119 is continuous, while a support cutout 120a is provided in the alignment structure 120. The support cutout 120a extends radially through the alignment structure 120, essentially dividing the alignment structure 120. The width of the support cutout 120a is dimensioned so that a printed circuit board can be accommodated in the support cutout 120a. The support cutout 120a is also located in the radial extension of the gap between the protruding sections 116a and 116b of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections 116c and 116d of the second group of contact members. In this way, the printed circuit board can be mounted in the gap between the protruding sections and inside the support cutout 120a, and supported in the circumferential direction by the adjacent sections of the alignment structure 120 and the protruding sections of the contact members to prevent it from tipping over, while the alignment structure 119 further aligns it in the radial direction.

[0071] Figure 4An electronic device is shown, in which a connector element 1 receives a printed circuit board 30 including various circuit elements (without reference numerals), and the connector element 1 is connected to the printed circuit board 30. The printed circuit board 30 is located between the protruding sections 116a, 116b of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections 116c, 116d of the second group of contact members, wherein the latter two contact members are not visible in the present description, and are further located in the support cutouts provided in the alignment structure 120. The gap size between the protruding sections 116a, 116b of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections 116c, 116d of the second group of contact members is designed in such a way that the printed circuit board 30 is received with a relatively small gap, or is received in a form-fitting manner. As described above, the gap between the protruding sections 116a, 116b of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections 116c, 116d of the second group of contact members can be, for example, greater than or equal to 1 times the thickness of the printed circuit board, less than or equal to 1.2 times the thickness of the printed circuit board, and even in a more specific embodiment, can be greater than or equal to 1.05 times the thickness of the printed circuit board, less than or equal to 1.1 times the thickness of the printed circuit board. Therefore, the protruding sections of the contact members are close to the conductor paths 32a, 32b on the printed circuit board, and the conductor paths 32a, 32b on the printed circuit board are visible in the current description, while similar conductor paths on the side of the printed circuit board that are currently not visible match the protruding sections 116c, 116d and are hidden by the printed circuit board. Therefore, the protruding sections can be directly soldered to the corresponding contact paths. It can be seen that the printed circuit board is received asymmetrically with respect to the center line of the connector element. Since the printed circuit board is radially supported by the alignment structure 119 and is received in the support cutout of the alignment structure 120, the printed circuit board in the receiving area of ​​the connector element is laterally offset relative to the center line of the connector element. However, the protruding sections of the contact members are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line of the connector element. Therefore, the conductor path for soldering the protruding sections to the printed circuit board is asymmetrical and laterally offset. Therefore, only in a single direction and position of the printed circuit board 30 can the protruding sections of the contact members and the contact paths to be soldered match and coincide with each other. Therefore, it is impossible to accidentally connect any of the contact members 111a, 111b, 111c and 111d to the wrong contact path through their corresponding protruding sections 116a, 116b, 116c and 116d.

[0072] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, in addition to the O-ring 114 , two O-rings 121 , 122 are mounted in corresponding circumferential grooves on the cylindrical section of the contact component carrier 11 , which has a larger diameter than the pin 112 .

[0073] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sensor head 5 shown in FIG. O-rings 121, 122 respectively seal between the contact member carrier 11 or the connector element 1 and the housing 52. The connector element (in which the contact members 111a and 111d are visible) is basically embedded in the interior of the contact member carrier 11, but the lateral surface is exposed at the circumferential surface of the pin 112 and the corresponding protruding section is exposed on the back of the contact member carrier 11. Figure 5 As shown in the middle contact members 111a, 111d, the contact member comprises a collar axially fixed in the contact member carrier 11.

[0074] Combination of the above Figure 2 It is summarized that the signal transmitted through any contact member has different sensitivities to the interference of the signal transmitted through other different contact members. In general, through different insulation distances, the arrangement of any contact member will make the signal transmitted through it less sensitive to the interference from the contact members in the same group of contact members. As mentioned repeatedly above, the contact members 111a and 111b constitute one group of contact members, and the contact members 111c and 111d constitute another group of contact members. Therefore, the printed circuit board 30 can be configured so that one group of contact members, such as 111a and 111b, is used to transmit digital signals and is connected to the printed circuit board, while the other group of contact members, such as 111c and 111d, is used to transmit power and is connected to the printed circuit board. Although the current transmitted through the power transmission contact part may cause higher interference to the signal transmitted through the adjacent signal transmission contact part, the digital signal and the interference from the power transmission contact part can be easily distinguished, for example, by AC coupling or high-pass filtering of the signal transmitted through the signal transmission contact part. However, the insulation distance between the signal transmission contacts is large, so the insulation resistance between them is also large. In other words, the distance between the contacts is relatively large when necessary, and relatively small when possible. Therefore, the harmful signal interference at the contacts is greatly reduced compared to the contacts arranged at equal distances, while the connector element is still compact because the diameter of the contact arrangement surface does not need to be increased.

[0075] Figure 6A portion of a signal transmission device 6 is summarized, which includes a connector element 2 and a transmission cable 62 of different embodiments. The connector element 2 includes a contact member carrier 21 and contact members, of which only contact members 211b and 211d are visible in this figure. It is understood that when the connector elements 1 and 2 are matched and connected to each other, the contact member 211b is used to contact the contact member 111b of the connector element 1 discussed above, and the contact member 211d is used to contact the contact member 111d of the connector element 1 discussed above. The contact members of the connector element 2 are located and accessible on the contact surface extending circumferentially of the contact member carrier 21, and the contact member carrier 21 is formed as the outer wall of the socket 212. The connector element 2 also includes a locking sleeve 24, which is rotatably and axially movable connected to the contact member carrier. However, as described below, the locking sleeve 24 is axially clamped between the axial end stops. On the inner surface of the locking sleeve 24, there is a generally L-shaped bayonet lock groove 215, which is open at the front. The bayonet lock slot is used to receive and lock the locking pin 115 on the housing of the sensor head 5 discussed above. The key 213 extends from the circumferentially extending contact surface of the socket 212 and extends into the socket 212. The size and configuration of the key 213 are similar to those described above. Figures 1 to 5 The key 213 and the slot 113 match the slot 113 of the connector element 1 discussed in the discussion. The key 213 and the slot 113 act as alignment structures, ensuring that the connector elements 1 and 2 can only match and plug together in a single relative position around their longitudinal axis. It can be said that the slot 113 and the key 213 break the symmetry of the connector element and determine the reference position or marking position of the connector element in the circumferential direction. This ensures that each contact member in the connector element 1 can contact the mating contact member in the connector element 2. Wrong connection is almost impossible. Therefore, the key 213 and the slot 113 can be called alignment structures. The key 213 can be called an alignment protrusion or a positive alignment feature or a positive alignment structure or a protruding alignment structure, and the slot 113 can be called an alignment slot, an alignment cut, an alignment groove or a similar structure, and can also be called a negative alignment feature or a negative alignment structure or a recessed alignment structure. The sealing sleeve 63 is mounted on the cable in a sealing relationship and covers and seals the back side of the contact member carrier and the electrical connection it provides, which will be better explained below.

[0076] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Shows Figure 6 The longitudinal section of the device 6 is shown. The contact members 211a, 211b, 211c and 211d (only the contact members 211a and 211c are in Figure 7The contact member carrier 21 is inserted into the contact member carrier 21 and is accessible from the inside of the socket 212 and is fixed in place by the contact member holder 25. The contact member carrier 21 includes a fixing hook 214, and the contact member holder 25 is fixed to the fixing structure on the back side of the contact member carrier 21 to fix the contact member in the contact member carrier 21. Figure 7 and Figure 8 When you look at it together, you will understand that, especially Figure 8 The front end of the contact member is inserted into the matching groove of the contact member carrier 21, and the radial inner spring portion of the contact member is further supported by the boss 217 of the contact member carrier. At the rear end, the contact member is equipped with welding pieces, of which only welding pieces 216a and 216c are Figure 7 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , solder tabs 216a, 216c and 216d are Figure 8 The solder tab passes through the opening of the contact member holder 25 and extends from the back side of the contact member carrier 21. Figure 7 In the figure, it can be seen that the alignment key 213 extends into the socket 212. In addition, the contact part mark can be printed on the back of the contact member holder 25, and a matching alignment structure can be further provided on the back of the contact member carrier 21 and the contact member holder 25, so that the contact member holder 25 can be connected and locked to the contact member carrier 21 only in one position. In this way, the mark on the back of the contact member holder 25 can distribute the soldering piece to the contact member with a specific position relative to the alignment key 213, and the soldering piece is visible on the back. Then, a single wire on the cable 62 is soldered to the soldering piece. The cable 62 may include four or at least four wires. The sealing sleeve 63 is pushed onto the cable 62 and can be sleeved on the back of the contact member holder 25 and the contact member carrier 21 after the wire is connected to the soldering piece of the contact member, so as to achieve a liquid-tight seal between the cable 62 and the connector element 2 in the embodiment. The front side, i.e., the front end side of the connector element 2 is equipped with a locking sleeve 24. The rear end of the locking sleeve 24 includes an inwardly facing support ring, which is axially clamped between the support shoulder of the contact member carrier 21 and the front end of the sealing sleeve 63. Therefore, the locking sleeve 24 is rotatably fixed relative to the contact member carrier 21 between the support shoulder of the contact member carrier 21 and the front end of the sealing sleeve 63, and the axial movement is restricted. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The bayonet lock slot 215 can be seen in the description.

[0077] Fig. 9 Basically shows Figures 1 to 5 How connector components of the type shown are used with Figures 6 to 8Connector elements of the type shown are matched and connected. Description of the housing 52 is omitted. The pin 112 of the contact member carrier 11 is connected to the socket 212 of the contact member carrier 21, and the alignment key 213 is connected to the alignment groove 113. The contact member carrier 11 has an O-ring 114 on its cylindrical surface with a diameter larger than the pin 112, which can be sealed with the inner surface of the contact member carrier 21 of the connector element 2. The O-rings 121 and 122 are sealed with the housing 52, which is not shown in this figure. However, based on the above description, it can be clearly seen by those skilled in the art. The bayonet lock groove 215 interlocks with the locking pin 115 on the housing. Similarly, although Fig. 9 The housing 52 and the locking pin 115 are omitted, but according to the above description, this fact is obvious to those skilled in the art. Through the interlocking of the bayonet lock groove 215 and the locking pin 115, the connection between the two connector elements is mechanically fixed.

[0078] Fig.10 An embodiment of an electronic device 5, which may in particular be a sensor head, is shown, which comprises a connector element 1 of the type described herein. Essentially, the sensor head 5 comprises a pluggable connector 40, a housing 52 containing the electronic components and the connector element 1. In a special case, the electronic device 5 may be a sensor head as described above. Figure 1 , 2 , 4 and 5, wherein the electronic device 5 is based on a printed circuit board, and the connector element 1 is connected to one end of the printed circuit board. The pluggable connector 40 is connected to the other end of the printed circuit board in any suitable manner, which is known to those skilled in the art, although not explicitly described, or in any other manner described herein or developed later. In a specific example, the electronic device 5 can be an analog-to-digital converter, and the electronic components of the analog-to-digital converter are mounted on Figure 4 and Figure 5 The analog signal from the sensor can be provided to the pluggable connector 40 and transmitted from there to the printed circuit board. The electronic components on the printed circuit board 30 convert the analog measurement signal into a digital signal and transmit the digital signal to the connector element 1. In the above manner, the connector element 1 can be connected to the pluggable connector 40 by Figures 6 to 8 The connector element 2 shown connects to Figure 6 The transmission device 6 shown is a part of which the connector element 2 is a part. The transmission device can transmit the digital signal to other electronic devices for further processing and / or storage of the digital data.

[0079] It should be noted that connector elements including sockets can also have contact members that pass through the contact member carrier and extend from the back of the contact member carrier, and these contact members have protruding sections, so that they can be directly connected to the printed circuit board. Similarly, connector elements with pins can be equipped with contact members with solder tabs and can be configured to connect to the cable of the transmission device.

[0080] Although the subject matter of the present disclosure has been explained by exemplary embodiments, it is understood that these embodiments are by no means intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present utility model. It is understood that the claims cover embodiments that are not explicitly shown or disclosed herein, and embodiments disclosed by exemplary embodiments that deviate from the present disclosure will still be covered by the claims.

[0081] Reference numerals list

[0082] 1 Connector components

[0083] 2 Connector components

[0084] 5 Electronics, sensor head

[0085] 11. Contact member carrier

[0086] 21. Contact member carrier

[0087] 24 Locking sleeve

[0088] 25 Contact member retainer

[0089] 30 Printed Circuit Board

[0090] 32a, 32b Conductor path

[0091] 52 Housing

[0092] 62 Transmission Cable

[0093] 63 Sealing sleeve

[0094] 111, 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d contact member

[0095] 112 Pins

[0096] 113 slot; alignment structure

[0097] 114 O-ring

[0098] 115 Locking pin

[0099] 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d: protruding sections of contact members

[0100] 117 annular recess

[0101] 118 recess

[0102] 119 Alignment Structure

[0103] 120 Alignment Structure

[0104] 120a Support cutout

[0105] 121 O-ring

[0106] 122 O-ring

[0107] 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d contact members

[0108] 212 Socket

[0109] 213 keys, counterpoint structure

[0110] 214 Fixed hook

[0111] 215 Bayonet lock slot

[0112] 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d Soldering piece

[0113] 217 Boss.

Claims

1. A connector element, used in a connector system, the connector element comprising: Four contact members (111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) for making electrical contact at the front end side of the connector element; and a contact member carrier (11, 21), wherein the contact member carrier comprises a circumferentially extending contact surface having an axial extension, and the contact members extend in the axial direction on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, characterised in that on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, the contact member has a free contact surface, the free contact surface being accessible on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier, Each contact member has an insulation radius, which is the minimum gap between the outer boundary of the contact member and the outer boundary of the nearest adjacent contact member when measured from a front view. The contact members (111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) are divided into two groups of contact members, and the nearest adjacent contact member of each contact member that defines the insulation radius of the contact member belongs to the other group of contact members.

2. The connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that The contact members (111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) are arranged at the corners of a quadrilateral having at least two parallel sides extending at least between the contact members of each group of contact members.

3. The connector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The contact members extend axially through the contact member carrier and protrude from the back side of the contact member carrier with protruding sections (116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) of the contact members, the protruding sections of each group of contact members having a common tangent line, the common tangent line of the protruding sections of the first group of contact members on the side facing the protruding sections of the second group of contact members being parallel to the common tangent line of the protruding sections of the second group of contact members on the side facing the protruding sections of the first group of contact members, thereby providing a gap between the protruding sections of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections of the second group of contact members.

4. The connector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The contact member extends axially through the contact member carrier and protrudes from the back side of the contact member carrier with solder tabs (216a, 216b, 216c, 216d).

5. The connector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier is cylindrical.

6. The connector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The contact member carrier comprises a pin (112), a circumferentially extending contact surface of the contact member carrier being arranged on a side surface of the pin.

7. The connector element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The contact member carrier includes a socket (212) having an axially extending wall that delimits the socket and forms a circumferentially extending contact surface.

8. The connector element according to claim 3, characterized in that The connector element (1) comprises at least one alignment structure (119, 120) on its back side, the alignment structure being configured and adapted to receive and align a printed circuit board (30), the at least one alignment structure comprising at least one axially extending support cutout (120a), the at least one support cutout being formed in the at least one alignment structure, the at least one support cutout being configured to receive the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is advanced into the support cutout along the axial direction of the connector element, while the two faces of the printed circuit board extend along the axial direction and radial direction of the connector element, wherein the at least one supporting cutout (120a) extends in an axially extending plane between the two sets of contact members, The radial extension dimension of a first supporting cutout among the at least one supporting cutout (120a) is greater than the radial extension dimension of another supporting cutout on the radially opposite side of the connector element.

9. The connector element according to claim 8, characterized in that A first one of the at least one support cutout (120a) extends completely radially through one of the at least one alignment structures, while the alignment structure on the radially opposite side of the connector element is closed radially outwardly.

10. The connector element according to claim 6, characterized in that The pin (112) extends from a cylindrical section of the connector element having a cross-sectional dimension greater than that of the pin, the cylindrical section comprising on its outer diameter at least one circumferential groove configured to receive an O-ring (114, 121, 122).

11. The connector element according to any one of claims 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10, characterized in that: A locking sleeve (24) is received on the connector element so as to be rotatable and axially movably.

12. An electronic device (5), comprising a connector element and a printed circuit board (30) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that: The printed circuit board is received in a gap between the protruding sections of the first group of contact members and the protruding sections of the second group of contact members, and the protruding sections (116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) of the contact members are directly soldered to the conductor paths (32a, 32b) of the printed circuit board.

13. The electronic device (5) according to claim 12, characterized in that: A housing (52) is provided to encapsulate at least a portion of the connector element and the printed circuit board (30), and an O-ring is provided between the connector element and the housing (52).

14. A connector system comprising a connector element comprising a pin according to claim 6 and a connector element comprising a socket according to claim 7, characterized in that: The pin (112) of the pin connector element has an axially extending outer surface forming a circumferentially extending contact surface of the pin connector element, and the socket (212) of the socket connector element has an axially extending surface forming a circumferentially extending contact surface of the socket connector element, The socket (212) and the pin (112) complement each other so that the pin can be received in the socket, and when the pin is received in the socket, at least one contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the pin (112) and a contact member on the circumferentially extending contact surface of the socket are in electrical contact with each other.

15. A signal transmission device (6), comprising a connector element according to any one of claims 4 to 11 and a signal cable (62) having at least four conductors, characterized in that: At least one wire is connected to each soldering tab, and a sealing sleeve (63) is placed over the cable in a sealing relationship and covers the back side of the contact member carrier and the soldering tab, the sealing sleeve being configured to provide a liquid-tight seal at least to an interior space including the soldering tab.

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