Connectors

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (10) for connecting a data transmission cable (11) with a connector unit (15) and a cable receiving unit (70), wherein the connector unit (15) has a longitudinal axis (L1), a connector housing (20), and a contact unit (40) with contact elements (41) for contacting a mating connector and wire connection elements (42) for connecting a wire (12), wherein the cable receiving unit (70) has longitudinal axes (L2, L3) that are at an angle to each other, wherein the cable receiving unit (70) comprises a wire receiving block (80), a cable receiving housing (100), and a connecting element (130), wherein the longitudinal axis (L1) of the connector unit (15) is arranged collinearly with the longitudinal axis (L2) of the cable receiving unit (70), and wherein the cable receiving unit (70) is arranged in a plurality of orientations (P1, P2, P3, P4) about the longitudinal axis (L2) can be detachably connected to the connector unit (15).For a simple and intuitive connection of the data transmission cable (11) by providing a cable receiving unit (70) for flexible use in critical and small installation spaces, it is proposed to provide a connecting element (130) with a plurality of spaced locking bodies (132, 142), wherein locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) are arranged on each locking body (132, 142) which have a distance and an angle other than 0° to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for connecting a multi-core data transmission cable with a connector unit and a cable receiving unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Connectors of this type are used particularly in telecommunications and data transmission technology. In conjunction with a complementary mating connector, they serve to detachably connect two data transmission cables. For electrical connection, the mating connector is inserted into the connector's receiving slot, with the contact elements arranged in the receiving slot making contact with the complementary contacts of the mating connector. The contact elements can be integrally connected or electrically connected via a circuit board with wire termination elements to which the conductors of a data transmission cable are connected. For this purpose, such connectors have a wire termination block into which at least one conductor of the data transmission cable can be inserted and positioned in the correct orientation relative to the corresponding wire termination element.The insertion of the wire connection elements into the wire receiving block, assuming the wire connection elements are designed as insulation displacement connectors (IDCs), first causes the wire insulation to be cut and then the insulation displacement connectors to penetrate the conductor of the data transmission cable.

[0003] To protect against external interference signals, connectors of this type and the data transmission cables connected to them have suitable shielding elements known to those skilled in the art.

[0004] The data transmission cable has one or more conductors. Each conductor consists of an electrical conductor encased in insulation. The data transmission cable can, for example, have two, four, six, or eight conductors, with each pair of conductors twisted together to form a conductor pair. To protect the conductor pairs against crosstalk from adjacent pairs, each conductor pair can be surrounded by a pair shield, which may, for example, be a conductive foil strip wrapped around the conductor pair.

[0005] The conductors of the data transmission cable are surrounded by a cable jacket made of insulating material. Between the jacket and the individual conductor pairs, which are optionally surrounded by a pair shield, a cable shield in the form of a conductive braid is often installed. This shield protects the signal current flowing through the conductors of the data transmission cable from interfering radiation that can affect the cable from the outside. Sources of such external interference include, for example, emissions from mobile phones, cell towers, or nearby incompletely shielded or unshielded data transmission equipment such as connectors.

[0006] Additionally, power can be transmitted to connected devices via the conductors of the data transmission cable. The transmittable power depends on the number of conductors in the data transmission cable and the application's standards.

[0007] In automation technology, such connectors are used within a data transmission link, for example, to control machines and systems. In office environments / cabling, such connectors are used, for example, in distribution cabinets or cable trunking to connect multiple computers to the company network using patch cables.

[0008] In installation situations with limited space, for example when used in trunking systems with low installation height, it is advantageous if the longitudinal axis of the data transmission cable to be connected to the connector is arranged at an angle of approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of the connector. This allows for the creation of connectors with a short overall length, while simultaneously eliminating the need to bend the connected data transmission cable before it reaches the back of the trunking system.

[0009] The different installation situations of such connectors, for example in horizontally or vertically arranged skirting ducts, require, in addition to the aforementioned angled arrangement of the data transmission cable to be connected to the connector, a plurality of orientations of the cable receptacle around the longitudinal axis of the connector.

[0010] DE 20 2014 105 661 U1 discloses a generic connector for connecting a data transmission cable 60 with eight conductors 61. The connector comprises a connector unit 10 and a cable connection unit 40, 50. The contact elements of the connector unit 10 are provided with contact elements for the mating connector and with conductor connection elements in the form of insulation displacement connectors 11 for connecting a conductor of the data transmission cable 60. The cable connection unit comprises a cable receptacle 50, a conductor receptacle block 40, and a connecting element 54, which is integrally connected to the cable receptacle 50.The cable connection unit also includes a longitudinal axis of the cable exit facing the connector unit, collinear with the longitudinal axis of the connector unit, and a longitudinal axis facing the data transmission cable to be connected, arranged at a 90° angle to this. The cable connection unit can assume a total of four positions around the longitudinal axis of the connector unit. This design enables simple and intuitive connection of a data transmission cable to a generic connector without the need for special tools. The connector has a short overall length and simultaneously provides flexible positioning of the data transmission cable in four positions around the longitudinal axis of the connector.A disadvantage of this proposal is that the selection of the cable exit direction is made by placing the cable receiving housing 50 onto the connector unit 10 after the conductors 61 have been connected to the insulation displacement terminals 11. This is evident from the... Fig. 5 to 8 clearly. In particular, when connecting rigid installation cables to the connector, there is a risk that the forces and moments generated when bending the data transmission cable in the desired direction will act on the contact points between the insulation displacement connectors and the conductors, thus negatively affecting the reliability of the contact points.

[0011] In FR 3 089 068 A1, a further connector of the same type 1 is proposed for connecting a data transmission cable 8 with eight conductors 8a and for connecting it to a complementary mating connector. The connector 1 has a connector unit with a housing 6 in which eight conductor connection elements 7 in the form of insulation displacement connectors are arranged for electrical connection to the conductors 8a of the data transmission cable 8 to be connected. Two rotatably mounted covers 10, 11 are provided on the housing 6, which can pivot back and forth between an open position releasing the data transmission cable 8 and a closed position securing the data transmission cable. A conductor connection block 9 is provided to receive the eight conductors 8a. This block is inserted into the housing 6 by the pivoting movement of the covers 10, 11 from their open position to the closed position, acting like a wedge-type sliding mechanism.The wire connection elements 7, arranged in the housing 6, penetrate the conductors of the wires 8a, thereby establishing an electrical connection. To accommodate multiple cable exit directions, the covers 10, 11 have breakable sections 13, 14. This allows for the simple creation of cable exit openings in different directions. A disadvantage is the lack of measures to secure the data transmission cable 8 to be connected before it is connected to the wire connection block 9, thus preventing unwanted forces and moments on the contact points of the wire connection elements 7 during the connection process.

[0012] From DE 10 2014 110 066 A1, another connector of the same type for connecting a data transmission cable 4 is known, comprising a connector unit 2 with a wire receptacle and a cable receptacle 3. The insulation displacement connectors (IDCs) arranged in the wire receptacle of the connector unit for wire connection are electrically connected via a printed circuit board with contact elements for connection to a mating connector. The cable receptacle 3 comprises a cable receptacle housing 30 with a strain relief element 31. The proposed design of the connection adapter 301 of the cable receptacle housing 30 advantageously allows for a flexible arrangement of the cable receptacle 3 in a total of eight orientations around the longitudinal axis of the connector unit 2 of the connector 1. The large overall length of the connector and the high number of individual parts are disadvantages of this proposal.When connecting a data transmission cable to the connector, there is also the previously described risk that the forces and moments generated when bending the data transmission cable in the desired direction act on the contact points and thus negatively affect the reliability of the contact points, since here too the bending of the data transmission cable takes place after the conductors have been contacted with the insulation displacement connectors of the connector unit.

[0013] WO 2021 / 016 281 A1 discloses another connector 10 of the same type for connecting an eight-core data transmission cable 4, comprising a connector unit 12 and a cable receptacle 100. The connector unit contains a total of eight spring contacts 16, which are connected to the conductors via a circuit board with conductor connection elements. The cable receptacle 100 consists of a cable receptacle housing 102, a strain relief element 120, and a conductor receptacle block 20. The cable receptacle housing 102 is designed as a protective cap that can be positioned against the conductor receptacle block in four different orientations around the longitudinal axis of the connector. This allows an existing connector with an angled cable exit to be supplemented and the bent data transmission cable to be protected in critical installation situations.The high number of components, the increased overall length around the cable receiving unit, and the previously described stresses on the contact points due to the bending of the data transmission cable and the attachment of the strain relief element 120 after the wire connection are disadvantages.

[0014] In DE 10 2017 120 180 B3, a generic connector 1 for connecting a multi-core data transmission cable 4 is proposed, comprising a connector unit 3, 5 and a cable receptacle A. The contact elements arranged in the connector unit serve to connect to the mating connector and, on their end regions facing the cable receptacle A, to connect to the cores of the data transmission cable 4 to be connected by means of core connection elements designed as insulation displacement connectors. The cable receptacle A comprises a core receptacle block 2 and a circumferentially closed cable receptacle housing with a cable entry opening facing the data transmission cable 4 to be connected for insertion and a cable exit opening facing the connector unit for leading out the cores of the data transmission cable, wherein the longitudinal axes of the cable entry and cable exit openings form an angle of 90° to each other.To connect a data transmission cable, the wires exposed from the cable sheath are led through the cable entry opening into the cable housing and out of the cable exit opening (. Fig. 4a). The wire holder is then placed over the free wires onto the cable exit opening, the wires are inserted into the designated slots of the wire holder and cut to length ( Fig. 4b). Placing the connector unit S onto the cable receiving unit and subsequently connecting it by means of a screw connection causes the conductor insulation to be cut and subsequently the conductor connection elements to penetrate the conductor of the data transmission cable ( Fig. 4c). A disadvantage when connecting the data transmission cable is the necessity of routing the cable with a number of exposed wires through the cable entry opening into the cable housing and deflecting it by 90° to the cable exit opening within the cable housing.

[0015] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a generic connector according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it enables a simple and intuitive connection of a data transmission cable to a connector according to the invention, while providing a cable receiving unit for flexible use in critical and small installation spaces.

[0016] This problem is solved in a connector of the generic type according to the invention in that the connecting element of the cable receiving unit for connection with the connector unit has at least two spaced-apart locking bodies, wherein at least two locking elements are arranged on each locking body, which have a distance greater than zero and an angle other than 0° to each other, wherein one locking element of each locking body engages in the complementary locking component of the connector housing of the connector unit, and wherein another locking element of each locking body has a distance to the complementary locking component of the connector housing.The engagement of each of the spaced-apart locking elements of the connecting element with the respective complementary locking component of the connector housing of the connector unit advantageously enables a secure connection of the cable receptacle to the connector unit in any orientation of the cable receptacle relative to the connector unit around the longitudinal axis of the connector according to the invention via at least two spaced-apart connection points. The distance of the respective other locking element of each locking element to the complementary locking component of the connector housing allows for easy and intuitive disconnection of the cable receptacle from the connector unit in various orientations around the longitudinal axis of the connector according to the invention, for example by engaging the end of a screwdriver in the space between the locking element and the connector housing.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the cable receiving housing of the cable receiving unit has a U-profile, wherein one end face of the U-profile is at least partially closed. Such an embodiment allows the data transmission cable to be easily inserted into the semi-open U-profile without having to first pass it through a circumferentially closed cable entry opening.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arrangement of a strain relief element on the cable housing of the cable holding unit enables the data transmission cable to be secured to the cable holding unit before the cable holding unit is connected to the connector unit and thus before the conductor connection elements are made contact with the conductors of the data transmission cable. In this way, the influence of external forces and moments on the aforementioned contact points between the conductor connection elements and the conductors is effectively prevented by bending of the data transmission cable.

[0019] In one embodiment according to the invention, the strain relief element is arranged on the cable housing of the cable receiving unit such that the strain relief element is pivotably positioned on the cable housing of the cable receiving unit between an open position, releasing the data transmission cable, and a closed position, securing the data transmission cable. In the open position, releasing the data transmission cable, the data transmission cable can thus be inserted into the cable housing without obstruction. The strain relief element is then pivoted from the position releasing the data transmission cable to a position securing the data transmission cable on the cable housing.Subsequent external forces and moments acting on the data transmission cable therefore have no effect on subsequent assembly steps, in particular on the contacting of the wire connection elements to the wires of the data transmission cable.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the arrangement of coding elements on the wire receiving block of the cable receiving unit enables a unique orientation of the wire receiving block to the connector unit in any orientation of the cable receiving unit to the connector unit around the longitudinal axis of a connector according to the invention.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the wire holder block has connection components for connection with complementary connection receptacles of the cable holder housing. The connection components are arranged such that a plurality of orientations of the cable holder unit relative to the connector unit about the longitudinal axis of a connector according to the invention are enabled. This means that the wire holder block can be connected to the cable holder housing in a plurality of orientations.

[0022] In a further embodiment according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the connecting element has two opposing locking bodies, each locking body having two locking elements arranged at an angle of 90° to each other. Such a design enables the realization of a rectangular, preferably square, design for the end region of the connector unit facing the cable receiving unit, whereby the cable receiving unit can assume a total of four orientations around the longitudinal axis of the connector relative to the connector unit.

[0023] In one embodiment according to the invention, the connecting element has a fastening element for connection to the cable housing. The fastening element can, for example, be designed for a positive-locking connection. Alternatively, other connection types accessible to those skilled in the art, such as snap-in connections, are also possible.

[0024] In one embodiment according to the invention, the cable receiving unit has a shield connection element for electrical connection to the cable shield of the data transmission cable. Here, spring contact elements for force-fit and / or form-fit contact of the shield connection element are advantageous, as they reliably contact the cable shield of the data transmission cable with different diameters.

[0025] The arrangement of contact components on the shield connection element for electrical connection with the connector housing of the connector unit advantageously enables, in an embodiment according to the invention, an electrical connection of the cable shield via the shield connection element to the connector housing of the connector unit with low contact resistances.

[0026] The following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention serves, in conjunction with the drawing, for further explanation.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of the connector in a first advantageous embodiment; Fig. 2: A perspective view of the connector from Fig. 1. in the style of an exploded view; Fig. 3: A side view of the connector in the style of an exploded view drawing Fig. 2; Fig. 4: A perspective view of the connector from Fig. 1; Fig. 5: an enlarged view of detail X from Fig. 4; Fig. 6: A perspective view of the connector from Fig. 1; Fig. 7: An enlarged view of detail Y from Fig. 6; Fig. 8: a rear view of the connector Fig. 6 in a first alignment P1 of the cable receiving unit to the connector unit; Fig. 9: An enlarged view of detail Z1 from Fig. 8; Fig. 10: An enlarged view of detail Z2 from Fig. 8; Fig. 11: a rear view of the connector made of Fig. 8 in a second orientation P2 of the cable receiving unit to the connector unit; Fig. 12: An enlarged view of detail Z3 from Fig. 11; Fig. 13: An enlarged view of detail Z4 from Fig. 11; Fig. 14: a perspective view of the connector unit Fig. 2; Fig. 15: a rear view of the connector unit made of Fig. 14; Fig. 16: a sectional view of the connector unit made of Fig. 15; Fig. 17: a perspective view of the connector housing made of Fig. 14; Fig. 18: Another perspective view of the connector housing made of Fig. 17; Fig. 19: a side view of the connector housing made of Fig. 18; Fig. 20: a perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 2; Fig. 21: a perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 20 in the style of an exploded view; Fig. 22: a perspective view of the wire pickup block of the cable pickup unit Fig. 20; Fig. 23: a top view of the wire pickup block made of Fig. 22; Fig. 24: a perspective view of the arteriovenous block from Fig. 23; Fig. 25: a rear view of the vein pickup block made of Fig. 24; Fig. 26: a perspective view of the cable housing of the cable holding unit made of Fig. 20; Fig. 27: another perspective view of the cable receptacle housing Fig. 26; Fig. 28: another perspective view of the cable receptacle housing from Fig. 27; Fig. 29: a perspective view of the connecting element of the cable receiving unit made of Fig. 20; Fig. 30: a front view of the connecting element made of Fig. 29; Fig. 31: a side view of the connecting element made of Fig. 30; Fig. 32: a top view of the connecting element made of Fig. 31; Fig. 33a-e: Assembly steps for connecting a data transmission cable to the cable receptacle Fig. 20; Fig. 34: a perspective view of the connector from Fig. 1 with four cable receiving units arranged in orientations P1 to P4 around the longitudinal axis L2 according to the type of an exploded view; Fig. 35: a perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 34; Fig. 36: a partially broken side view of the connector made of Fig. 1; Fig. 37: an enlarged view of detail W from Fig. 36; Fig. 38: A perspective view of an alternative design of the cable housing

[0028] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 37 schematically depict a first advantageous embodiment of a connector according to the invention with an attached data transmission cable 11, and are collectively designated by reference numeral 10. According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The connector 10 includes a connector unit 15 and a cable receiving unit 70, which can be detachably connected to each other by means of the connecting element 130.

[0029] The connector unit 15 comprises a connector housing 20 that circumferentially surrounds a contact unit 40, the contact unit 40 having a total of eight contact elements 41 on its end region facing the mating connector for electrical connection with a mating connector and eight conductor connection elements 42 on its end region facing away from the mating connector for electrical connection with a conductor 12 of the data transmission cable 11 to be connected. In the described embodiment, the electrical and mechanical connection between the contact elements 41 and the conductor connection elements 42 is made by means of a Fig. 16 shown circuit board 43. Alternatively, direct connections between the contact and wire connection elements 41, 42, or one-piece designs of the contact and wire connection elements 41, 42, are also possible. The longitudinal axis L1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector unit 15 according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0030] The contact elements 41 can be designed as stamped and bent parts and, for example, made of a brass alloy. To optimize the contact resistance with the complementary contact elements of the mating connector, they can have at least partial gold plating in the contact area. The wire connection elements 42 can be designed as stamped parts and made of a brass alloy. An FR4 material can be used for the circuit board 43.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the contact unit 40 is additionally surrounded circumferentially by an insulating housing 44 and an insulating frame 45, which can be connected to each other in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art, for example, by means of snap-in connections. The aforementioned insulating parts 44, 45 are provided in particular for the effective insulation of the contact unit 40 from a metallic connector housing 20 of the connector unit 15. The insulating frame 45 also has three coding elements 46, 47, 48 projecting towards the cable receptacle 70 to be connected, which, in conjunction with the complementary coding receptacles 90, 91, 92 of the wire receptacle block 80, ensure a unique orientation of the connector unit 15 to the cable receptacle 70. This is shown in the Fig. 14 and Fig. Figure 15 shows the two opposing lateral insulating walls 49 of the insulating frame 45 abut the inner wall of the cavity 25 and provide an insulating separation of the conductor connection elements 42 from an electrically conductive connector housing 20.

[0032] The insulating housing 44 and the insulating frame 45 can be designed as injection-molded parts and made of an insulating plastic, for example a polyamide.

[0033] According to the Fig. 2. The cable receiving unit 70 comprises a wire receiving block 80, a cable receiving housing 100, a connecting element 130, a strain relief element 150, and a shield connection element 160. The strain relief element 150 is located in a position S2 that secures the data transmission cable 11. The cable receiving unit 70 also has, according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The longitudinal axes L2 and L3 are arranged at an angle β to each other, where the angle β in the exemplary embodiment has a value of 90°. The longitudinal axis L2 defines the axis of rotation for a total of four orientations P1, P2, P3 and P4 of the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15. The longitudinal axis L3 describes the connection direction of the data transmission cable 11 to the connector unit 15.

[0034] The Fig. Figures 4 to 10 show the connection of the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15 by means of the connecting element 130 in a first orientation P1 about the longitudinal axis L2. In this orientation, the locking elements 133a, 143b arranged on the locking bodies 132, 142 engage in the locking components 34b, 34d of the connector housing 20 of the connector unit 15, which are designed as complementary openings, and thus secure the connection between the cable receiving unit 70 and the connector unit 15. At the same time, the two locking elements 133b, 143a, which are each arranged at an angle of 90° to the locking elements 133a, 143b, maintain a distance F1, F2 from the inner walls 35b, 35d of the locking components 34b, 34d.The formation of the clearances defined by the distances F1, F2 advantageously enables a simple and intuitive unlocking of the locking elements 133a, 143b of the connecting element 130 from the locking components 34b, 34d and thus a detachability of the connection of the cable receiving unit 70 connected by means of the connecting element 130 from the connector unit 15 by engaging a screwdriver in the aforementioned clearances, which can be supported on the respective freestanding locking element 133b, 143a for unlocking.

[0035] Furthermore, the arrangement of the locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b according to the invention on the spaced-apart locking bodies 132, 142 of the connecting element 130 advantageously enables a space-saving arrangement of the complementary locking components 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d on the connector housing 20, since, depending on the orientation of the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15, a locking element 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b engages in the complementary locking components 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d via the distance of the locking bodies 132, 142. In orientations P1 and P4, the locking elements 133a and 143b engage with the locking components 34b and 34d, with locking elements 133b and 143a remaining free. In orientations P2 and P3, the locking elements 133b and 143a engage with the locking components 34a and 34c, with locking elements 133a and 143b remaining free. This is shown in the Fig. Numbers 8 to 13 are shown particularly clearly.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, connector unit 15 is fitted with the following: Fig. A shield contact element 50 and a locking element 60 are arranged at points 14 to 16. The contact tabs 51, which are integrally connected to the shield contact element 50, serve to electrically connect the shield contact element 50 to the complementary shield contact element of a mating connector. The design and arrangement of such a shield contact element 50 on the connector housing 20 of the connector unit 15 are known to those skilled in the art, for example, from DE 10 2018 121 792 B4 and therefore do not need to be explained in more detail here. This also applies to the locking element 60, which in the exemplary embodiment is connected to the connector housing in a manner known to those skilled in the art in the form of a snap-in connection. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the locking element 60 includes an integrally connected grounding connection element 61, which can be connected to a grounding cable, for example, via a cable lug.

[0037] The shield contact element 50 and the locking element 60 can be designed as a stamped and bent part and can be made, for example, from a stainless steel or brass material.

[0038] The Fig. Figures 17 to 19 reveal the connector housing 20 of the connector unit 15. The connector housing 20 extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis L1 between the end faces 21, 22 with a rectangular hollow profile 23, to which a larger, rectangular-like hollow profile 24 adjoins. The hollow profiles 23, 24 enclose a cavity 25 extending between the end faces 21, 22, which serves for the positive-locking reception of the contact unit 40. Two stop blocks 26a, 26b rise from the underside 27 of the hollow profile 24, which, in conjunction with the locking element 60 and the contact blocks 31a, 31b, enable the connector 10 to be secured in a complementary opening of a module receptacle or patch panel in the distribution cabinet. The design of such fastenings is known to the person skilled in the art from DIN EN IEC 60603-7, Annex D.On the underside 27 of the hollow profile 24, a receiving element 28 for attaching the locking element 60 to the connector housing 20 in the sense of a snap-in connection and two locking hooks 29a, 29b for securing the contact unit 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L1 are also provided. The cavity 25 opens at its end region facing the mating connector into a receiving opening 32 in accordance with the specifications of the aforementioned DIN EN IEC 60603-7.

[0039] The hollow profile 24 has a total of four shaped recesses 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d on its end face 22, which faces the cable receiving unit 70. These recesses are offset by 90° about the longitudinal axis L1 and are designed to positively engage the complementary positive locking elements 120a, 120b, 120c of the cable receiving housing 100. The shaped recesses 36a, 36b, and 36c have a circular arc contour. The shaped recess 36d is defined by two parallel guide surfaces, the distance between which is determined by the dimensions of the positive locking elements 120a to c. For positive engagement of the shield contact element 50, the hollow profile 24 has a recess 30 on three side faces.

[0040] From the end face 22 of the hollow profile 24, a total of four connection components 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d extend towards the cable receiving unit 70. These components have locking elements 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d configured as through-holes for the engagement of the complementary locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b. The contact surfaces 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d facing the inner wall of the cavity 25 serve to engage the locking elements 132, 142 of the connecting element 130. A fixed coding mark 37, in the form of a triangular recess, is provided on the upper surface 38 of the hollow profile 24 as a visual coding for aligning the cable receiving unit 70 with the connector unit 15.

[0041] The connector housing 20 can be designed as a die-cast part and made of zinc.

[0042] The Fig. 20 and Fig. Figure 21 shows the assembly of the cable receiving unit 70, consisting of a wire receiving block 80, a cable receiving housing 100, a connecting element 130, a strain relief element 150, and a shield connection element 160. The wire receiving block 80 can be arranged in a total of four orientations P1, P2, P3, P4 around the longitudinal axis L2 relative to the cable receiving housing 100. An alignment mark 93 on the wire receiving block 80 and a total of four coding marks 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d on the cable receiving housing 100 are provided as alignment aids. To connect the wire receiving block 80 to the cable receiving housing 100, four pin-shaped connecting components 94 arranged on the underside 86 engage in the corresponding complementary receiving elements 117, forming a transition or press fit, until the underside 86 rests against the complementary base surface 106 of the cable receiving housing 100. Fig. 20 and Fig. Figure 21 shows the alignment of the wire holding block 80 to the cable holding housing 100 in the orientation P1 of the cable holding unit 70 to the connector unit 15. The strain relief element 150 is pivotably mounted on the mounting pin 111 of the cable holding housing 100 via the pivot opening 156 and assumes a position S1 that releases the data transmission cable 11 to be connected.

[0043] The strain relief element 150 extends between the boundary surfaces 151, 152 in an arc-shaped contour, forming a clearance 153 for receiving the data transmission cable 11 to be connected in the circumferential direction. A clamping rib 154 projecting into the clearance 153 further supports the clamping function of the strain relief element 150 in its position S2, which secures the data transmission cable 11. Radially outward-facing locking teeth 155 are provided for locking the strain relief element with the complementary locking projection 112. These teeth allow for multiple locking positions relative to the cable receiving housing 100, thus enabling the use of data transmission cables with different sheath diameters.

[0044] The strain relief element 150 can be designed as an injection-molded part and, for example, made of a polyamide.

[0045] The connecting element 130 is firmly connected to the cable housing 100 by means of four fastening elements 139. For connection, the four undeformed fastening elements 139 are passed through the complementary fastening openings 116 of the cable housing 100 until the connecting body 131 rests against the support 108 and is deformed into state 139a.

[0046] A rivet connection known to those skilled in the art is provided for the permanent connection of the shield connection element 160 to the cable housing 100. For this purpose, two hollow cylinders 118 rise from the base surface 115, which, when assembled, extend through the complementary openings 162 in the base of the shield connection element 160. The subsequent permanent deformation of the hollow cylinders 118, forming a rivet connection, ensures the secure connection between the cable housing 100 and the shield connection element 160. The shield connection element 160 can be designed as a stamped and bent part and, for example, made of a brass alloy.

[0047] The Fig. Figures 22 to 25 reveal the structure of the conductor connection block 80, which extends as a rectangular hollow profile between the top surface 85 and the base surface 86 with a free space 87 for the passage of the eight insulated conductors 12 of the data transmission cable 11 and is bounded by the end faces 81, 82 and the side faces 83, 84. The free space 87 is subdivided by means of a cross of ribs consisting of the separating ribs 88a, 88b, 88c, 88d, which extend from the top surface 85 to the end surface 98, into four conductor channels 89a, 89b, 89c, 89d for the distribution of the conductors 12 into four conductor pairs. On the end face 81 there are two coding receptacles 90, 91 and a third coding receptacle 92 on the end face 82, which are designed to be complementary to the coding elements 46, 47, 48 of the insulating frame 45 and in this way ensure a unique alignment of the wire receiving block 80 with the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15.Within the coding recess 92 there is an alignment mark 93 as an alignment aid for positioning the wire receiving block 80 to the cable receiving housing 100 in the desired orientation P1, P2, P3, P4 of the cable receiving unit 70 around the longitudinal axis L2 to the connector unit 15.

[0048] From the top surface 85, a total of eight wire receiving channels 95a to 95h extend towards the base surface 86 to receive the eight conductors 12 in the wire receiving block 80, which open into the side walls 83, 84 with positioning ribs 97a to 97h in which the insulated conductors 12 are held by a clamping action. Within each wire receiving channel 95a to 95h, two recesses 96a to 96h are also provided as a free space into which the wire connection elements 42 of the contact unit 40 engage after the insulated conductors 12 have been connected.

[0049] As already mentioned, a total of four pin-shaped connecting components 94, arranged in a square, extend from the base 86 towards the cable housing 100 for connection with the complementary receiving elements 117 of the cable housing 100.

[0050] The wire receiving block 80 can be designed as an injection-molded part and made of an insulating plastic, for example a polyamide.

[0051] The construction of the cable housing 100 is described in the Fig. It is explained in sections 26 to 28. It extends with a U-shaped cross-section between the end faces 101 and 102 and is bounded laterally by the side walls 103 and 104, and vertically by the cover 105 and the base 106. The end face 102 is completely covered by an end wall 107. The end face 101 facing the data transmission cable 11 to be connected has a receiving opening formed by the receiving ribs 114 for the at least partially positive-locking reception of the data transmission cable 11.

[0052] On the side wall 103, at the end region facing the data transmission cable 11 to be connected, a receiving pin 111 is provided for the rotatable mounting of the strain relief element 150, the pivot opening 156 of which at least partially surrounds the receiving pin 111 in the circumferential direction after a snap-in connection. On the side wall 104 opposite the receiving pin 111, a locking projection 112 is provided, which enables locking with the complementary locking teeth 155 of the strain relief element 150 in the position securing the data transmission cable 11, with the end region 157 of the strain relief element 150 engaging in the provided clearance 113. The plurality of locking teeth 155 enables the securing of data transmission cables 11 with different diameters of the cable sheath 13 in a manner known to those skilled in the art, for example in the Fig. 12 of DE 10 2021 004 953 B3. Two hollow cylinders 118 rise from the inner wall 115, which serve the rivet connection to the screen connection element 160 already described.

[0053] A total of three positive-locking elements 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged on the side walls 103, 104 and on the end wall 107. These elements engage positively in the corresponding recesses 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d in orientations P1 to P4 during assembly of the cable receiving unit 70 with the connector unit 15. This is particularly evident from the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 34 clearly. Each positive locking element 120a, 120b, 120c also has a coding mark 121a, 121b, 121c and a label 122a, 122b, 122c indicating the alignment angle. The fourth coding mark 121d and the fourth label 122d are positioned on the top surface 105 due to the design.

[0054] The recessed surface 108 and the cutouts 109a, 109b ensure that the connecting element 130 does not protrude beyond the cable receptacle housing 100 when assembled. The stop blocks 110a, 110b limit the maximum deflection of the locking elements 132, 142 of the connecting element 130.

[0055] The cable housing 100 can be designed as a die-cast part and made of zinc, for example.

[0056] The Fig. Figures 29 to 30 describe the connecting element 130, which consists of a connecting body 131 and two opposing locking elements 132, 142 arranged at a 90° angle to the connecting body. The end faces of the locking elements 132, 142 each have two locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b positioned at a 90° angle to each other, with the associated locking surfaces 134a, 134b, 144a, 144b, and the insertion ramps 135a, 135b, 145a, 145b. Furthermore, four fastening elements 139 are provided on the connecting body 131 of the connecting element 130 for connection to the cable housing 100.

[0057] The connecting element 130 can be designed as a stamped and bent part and can be made, for example, from a brass material or from a stainless steel.

[0058] The Fig. Sections 33a to 33e describe the individual assembly steps for connecting the data transmission cable 11 to the cable receptacle 70 in the exemplary orientation P1 of the cable receptacle 70 to the connector unit 15. According to the Fig. 33a The exposed end sections of the insulated conductors 12, separated from the cable sheath 13, are first passed pairwise through the four conductor channels 89a to 89d of the conductor terminal block 80. The cable shield 14 is laid back over the cable sheath 13. The conductor terminal block 80 is aligned such that the alignment mark 93 corresponds to the orientation shown with respect to the data transmission cable 11.

[0059] In the second assembly step, according to Fig. 33b the cable receiving unit 70 is in an alignment of the alignment mark 93 and the coding mark 121b. The strain relief element 150 is in a position S1 releasing the data transmission cable 11, so that the data transmission cable 11 can be inserted into the cable receiving housing 100, with the spring contact elements 163 of the shield connection element 160 contacting the cable shield 14 and at least partially surrounding it circumferentially.

[0060] In the third assembly step, according to Fig. 33c The placement of the wire holding block 80 onto the cable receiving housing 100 of the cable receiving unit 70 until the base surface 86 of the wire holding block 80 rests against the complementary base surface 106 of the cable receiving housing 100, wherein the four connection components 94 engage in the complementary receiving elements 117, forming a transition or press fit. The insulated conductors 12 are deflected by 90° and inserted into the wire receiving channels 95a to 95h, with the end faces of the conductors 12 projecting beyond the side surfaces 83, 84 of the wire holding block 80. Subsequently, the strain relief element 150 is rotated from its position S1, which releases the data transmission cable 11, to the position S2, which secures the data transmission cable 11 to the cable receiving housing 100, according to Fig. 33d.

[0061] After the data transmission cable 11 has been secured to the cable housing 100 by the strain relief element 150, the insulated conductors 12 extending beyond the side surfaces 83, 84 of the wire receptacle 80 are shortened using a suitable tool so that they are flush with the side surfaces 83, 84 of the wire receptacle 80. This assembly step is described in the Fig. Figure 33e clearly shows the position securing of the data transmission cable 11 before shortening the insulated conductors 12 that extend beyond the side surfaces 83, 84 of the conductor receiving block 80, preventing a change in position of already shortened conductors 12 by actuating the strain relief element 150.

[0062] The Fig. 34 and Fig. Figure 35 reveals the four orientations P1 to P4 of the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15. Each orientation P1 to P4 requires an alignment of the alignment mark 93 of the wire receiving block 80 with the desired coding mark 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d of the cable receiving housing 100 and the alignment of the coding mark 37 of the connector unit 15 with the desired coding mark 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d of the cable receiving unit 70.

[0063] The Fig. 36 and Fig. Figure 37 shows the contact spring elements 164a, 164b of the shield connection element 160 of the cable receptacle 70 with the connector housing 20 of the connector unit 15 in orientation P1. Placing the cable receptacle 70 onto the connector unit 15 and subsequently connecting it with the connecting element 130 causes the contact spring elements 164a, 164b, 165a, 165b to expand via the associated connecting component 33c, 33d, resulting in direct contact between the shield connection element 160 and the connector housing 20. In the illustrated example of orientation P1, the contact spring elements 164b, 165b contact the complementary contact surfaces 35c, 35d of the connecting components 33c, 33d. At the same time, the contact spring elements 164a, 165a come into contact with the complementary outer surfaces of the hollow profile 24.

[0064] The contact spring elements 164a, 164b, 165a, 165b are designed such that in every orientation P1 to P4 of the cable receiving unit 70, a secure contact of the contact spring elements 164a, 165a to the outer wall of the profile 24 and of the contact spring elements 164b, 165b to the inner wall of the cavity 25 can be made.

[0065] The Fig. Figure 38 shows an alternative embodiment of the cable housing 200. In this embodiment, an earthing connection component 210 is integrally connected to the cable housing 200 and allows a direct connection of a cable lug with an attached earthing cable to the cable housing 200, as is known to those skilled in the art.

[0066] The cable housing 200 can be designed as a die-cast part and made of zinc, for example.

Claims

[1] Connector (10) for connecting a multi-core data transmission cable (11) with a connector unit (15) and a cable receiving unit (70), wherein the connector unit (15) has a longitudinal axis (L1), a connector housing (20) and a contact unit (40) with contact elements (41) for contacting a mating connector and wire connection elements (42) for connecting a wire (12) of the data transmission cable (11), wherein the cable receiving unit (70) has longitudinal axes (L2, L3) which form an angle (β) different from 0° or 180° with respect to one another, wherein the cable receiving unit (70) comprises a wire receiving block (80), a cable receiving housing (100) and a connecting element (130), and wherein the longitudinal axis (L1) of the connector unit (15) is arranged collinearly with the longitudinal axis (L2) of the cable receiving unit (70), and wherein the Cable receiving unit (70) in a plurality of orientations (P1, P2, P3,P4) is detachably connectable to the connector unit (15) about the longitudinal axis (L2), characterized bythat the connecting element (130) of the cable receiving unit (70) has a plurality of spaced-apart locking bodies (132, 142), wherein locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) are arranged on each locking body (132, 142) of the connecting element (130), which locking elements occupy a distance greater than zero and an angle different from 0° to one another, wherein in each orientation (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the cable receiving unit (70) to the plug connector unit (15), one of the locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) of one of the locking bodies (132, 142) engages in a complementary locking component (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) of the plug connector housing (20) of the plug connector unit (15), and wherein another of the locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) of this locking body (132, 142) is at a distance (F1, F2) from a contact surface (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d) of one of the locking components (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) of the connector housing (20), wherein the distance (F1,F2) forms a free space for unlocking one of the locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) which engages in one of the complementary locking components (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d). [2] Connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cable receiving housing (100) has a semi-open U-profile consisting of two side walls (103, 104) and a cover surface (105), wherein an end face (102) is at least partially closed by an end wall (107). [3] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable receiving unit (70) has a strain relief element (150). [4] Connector (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the strain relief element (150) is arranged pivotably on the cable receiving housing (100) of the cable receiving unit (70) between an open position (S1) releasing the data transmission cable (11) and a closed position (S2) fixing the data transmission cable (11). [5] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wire receiving block (80) of the cable receiving unit (70) has coding receptacles (90, 91, 92) and the connector unit (15) has coding elements (46, 47, 48) for the clear alignment of the wire receiving block (80) to the connector unit (15). [6] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wire receiving block (80) has connecting components (94) for detachable connection to complementary receiving elements (117) of the cable receiving housing (100). [7] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the connecting element (130) has two opposing locking bodies (132, 142), wherein locking elements (133a, 133b) are arranged on one of the locking bodies (132) and form an angle of 90° to one another, and wherein other locking elements (143a, 143b) are arranged on the other locking body (142) and form an angle of 90° to one another. [8] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element (130) has a fastening element (139) for connection to the cable receiving housing (100). [9] Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable receiving unit (70) has a shield connection element (160) with spring contact elements (163) for electrical connection to a cable shield (14) of the data transmission cable (11). [10] Connector (10) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the shield connection element (160) has contact spring elements (164a, 164b, 165a, 165b) for electrical connection to the connector housing (20) of the connector unit (15).

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