Cable connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable connection device (10) for electrically connecting a conductor (13) of a first data transmission cable (11) to a conductor (13) of a second data transmission cable (12) with a connector unit (20) and two cable receiving units (70, 71), wherein the connector unit (20) comprises a connector housing (21) with two connector receptacles (18, 19) having a longitudinal axis (L1, L2) for receiving the cable receiving units (70, 71), a printed circuit board (60) with conductor connection elements (65), and an insulating unit (35) enclosing the printed circuit board (60), wherein each cable receiving unit (70, 71) comprises a cable receiving housing (100), a conductor receptacle (80), a connecting element (130) to the connector housing (21), a cable receiving axis (K), and an alignment axis (R) which are at an angle to each other, wherein the longitudinal axis (L1, L2) the connector unit (20) is aligned collinearly to the alignment axis (R),wherein each wire receptacle (80) is detachably connectable to the cable receptacle housing (100), and wherein each cable receptacle unit (70, 71) is detachably connectable to the connector unit (20). For a flexible cable connection device (10) with a plurality of cable exit directions, it is proposed that each cable receptacle unit (70, 71) is detachably connectable to the connector unit (20) in a plurality of orientations (P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, P23) about the longitudinal axis (L1, L2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cable connection device for electrically connecting the conductors of a first data transmission cable to the conductors of a second data transmission cable, comprising a connector unit and two cable receiving units according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Cable connection devices of this type are used particularly in telecommunications and data transmission technology. They serve to electrically connect two data transmission cables without the use of connectors. In building cabling, there is a regular need for infrastructure modifications, which consequently require extending existing data transmission cables without impairing the quality of the data transmission. This can be achieved, for example, using connectors familiar to those skilled in the art, by attaching a first connector to the end of the cable to be extended and a second, complementary connector to the end of the extension cable, with the connection of the connector to its mating connector creating the desired cable connection. However, the use of cable connection devices of this type, which do not require connectors, proves to be significantly more cost-effective.

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

[0004] Each data transmission cable to be connected using the cable connector has one or more conductors. Each conductor consists of an electrical conductor encased in insulation. The data transmission cable may, for example, have two, four, six, or eight conductors, with each pair of conductors being twisted together to form a conductor pair. To protect the conductor pairs against crosstalk from adjacent conductor pairs, each conductor pair may 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 cable jacket and the conductor pairs, which are optionally surrounded by a pair shield, a cable shield in the form of a conductive braid is often placed. This cable 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] The use of cable connection devices of this type in confined spaces, for example in control cabinets or flat skirting ducts, requires flexibility of such devices with regard to the variability of the cable feed and cable exit directions.

[0008] In DE 20 2024 100 151 U1, a connector 20, 20' within a connection arrangement 100, 200, 300 for a light strip 30, 30' is proposed. The connector 20, 20' comprises a connector housing 201 for detachable connection to a connector plug 10, 10' and a conductive pin 202, 202' on a printed circuit board 302 for electrical connection to the light strip. The first end face of the connector 20, 20' is electrically connected to the light strip 30, 30' via the conductive pin 202, 202'. The second end face of the connector 20, 20' establishes the connection to the line 40 for powering the light strip 30, 30'. The proposed connector 20, 20' enables a simple electrical connection between a two-core power supply line 40 and a light strip. However, the proposal only includes a fixed orientation of 180° for the light strip 30, 30' relative to the connector 20, 20'.

[0009] JP 2006 236 718 A discloses a device 100 for electrically connecting the eight conductors 7, 7' of each of two data transmission cables 6, 6' to a connector unit consisting of a printed circuit board 120 with a total of sixteen conductor connection elements 111 arranged on it in the form of IDCs, an insulating plate 130, a conductor receptacle 2, and a U-shaped cover 3. To connect the data transmission cables 6, 6', the free end sections of the conductors 7, 7' are inserted through the two end sections 21 and then into the receiving chambers 23, into which the aforementioned IDCs project, and shortened if necessary so that they are flush with the side walls of the conductor receptacle 2.Placing and locking the cover 3 onto the wire receptacle 2 causes the wires 7, 7' to be pressed into the IDCs, which penetrate the wire insulation and then partially enter the conductive core, thus establishing an electrical connection between the IDCs 111 and the wires 7, 7'. The IDCs are connected to each other via conductor tracks on the circuit board. A disadvantage of this proposal is the limitation to data transmission cables that are aligned with each other.

[0010] Another device 10 for connecting two data transmission cables 38, each with eight conductors 40, is presented in WO 2007 121 581 A1. A total of eight contacts 22, 32 are provided in a two-part insulating housing 12. The offset and opposing end regions of these contacts are designed as insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) for connecting a total of sixteen conductors 40 of the data transmission cables 38 to be connected. Pressing the exposed end regions of the conductors 40 into the openings 42 provided for this purpose in the insulating housing 12 causes the insulation displacement contacts to penetrate the conductor insulation and into the conductor itself. A disadvantage of this design is also the limitation to connecting data transmission cables that are aligned with each other.

[0011] From DE 10 2024 000 554 B3, a connector 10 for connecting a data transmission cable 11 is known, comprising a connector unit 15 and a cable receptacle 70. 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, as well as conductor connection elements 42 for connecting a conductor 12 of the data transmission cable 11. The cable receiving unit 70, comprising a wire receiving block 80, a cable receiving housing 100, and a connecting element 130, enables a plurality of detachably connectable orientations P1, P2, P3, P4 of the cable receiving unit 70 to the connector unit 15 through the collinear arrangement of the longitudinal axis L1 of the connector unit 15 with the longitudinal axis L2 of the cable receiving unit 70. The proposal is limited to a connector for connecting a data transmission cable 11 to a mating connector.

[0012] DE 10 2011 086 330 A1 discloses a generic cable connection device 10 for connecting two data transmission cables 80, 90, each with eight conductors 82, 92, which has a connector unit and two cable receiving units for receiving the data transmission cables 80, 90 to be connected. The connector unit comprises a contact carrier 30, which is axially penetrated by a total of eight insulation displacement contact plates 34', 34" for contacting the conductors 82, 92 and circumferentially surrounded by a housing 20. At the end faces of the housing 20, a first and second external thread 22', 22" are provided for connection to the complementary internal threads of the first and second union nuts 60', 60" of the cable receptacles. Each cable receptacle has, in addition to the union nut 60', 60", a loading piece 40', 40" with a through-opening 41', 41" and eight conductor receptacles 42', 42".For connection, the end faces of the data transmission cables 80, 90 are inserted through the through-holes into the cable receiving units, the exposed ends of the conductors are inserted into the conductor receiving chambers and shortened if necessary. The fitting and tightening of the union nuts 60', 60" to the housing 20 causes the insulation displacement contacts 34', 34" to penetrate the insulation of the conductors 82, 92 and into the conductors of the conductors, thus electrically connecting them. The proposal disclosed here enables a simple, robust, and cost-effective connection of two data transmission cables without the need for connectors. While the absence of a printed circuit board proves cost-effective, it simultaneously prevents impedance matching within the cable connector. Furthermore, the aligned arrangement of the cable entry and exit directions complicates its use in confined spaces.

[0013] From DE 20 2018 106 288 U1, another cable connection device of the same type for connecting two data transmission cables, each with eight conductors, is known. The cable connection device 100, 200 has a connector unit with a housing 120, 220, which surrounds an insulation displacement contact carrier 125, which is penetrated by a total of eight insulation displacement contacts 126a, 126b. At the end faces of the housing 120, 220, a flap 111, 112, 211, 212 is rotatably arranged, which closes the cable connection device 100, 200 after the cable receiving unit has been inserted into the connector unit. Each cable receiving unit 140, 150, 240, 250 has a wire receiving 142, 152, 242, 252 for receiving the wires of the data transmission cables to be connected.To connect the data transmission cable to the cable connection device, the exposed conductor ends are inserted into the designated receiving chambers of the cable receiving unit and shortened if necessary. Inserting the cable receiving unit into the connector unit cuts the conductor insulation and allows the insulation displacement contacts to penetrate the conductors, electrically connecting them to the connector unit's terminals. This design enables a simple and robust connection between two data transmission cables without the need for connectors. The cable connection device's design advantageously accommodates different cable entry and exit directions, allowing the cables to be connected at angles of 360°, 180°, or 90° to each other.

[0014] This, however, necessitates differently designed cable receptacle units 140, 150, 240, 250 and different flaps 111, 112, 211, 212, meaning the user must choose one of the possible versions before even knowing the actual installation situation. Furthermore, the different variants of the cable receptacle units and flaps of the proposed cable connection device result in a larger number of parts and the associated cost disadvantages. The omission of a printed circuit board prevents the implementation of impedance matching within the cable connection device.

[0015] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a generic cable connection device according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it enables a simple and robust connection between two data transmission cables while maintaining data transmission quality and a plurality of orientations of a cable receiving unit to the connector unit.

[0016] This problem is solved according to the invention in a generic cable connection device with the features from the characterizing element of claim 1.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the cable receiving axis K assumes an angle of 90° to the alignment axis R of the cable receiving unit. This enables flat designs of the cable connection device, which are particularly suitable for installation in control cabinets.

[0018] In one embodiment according to the invention, the two cable receiving units of the cable connection device are identical. This results in a minimal number of parts, leading to a corresponding cost advantage.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if, in an embodiment according to the invention, the connecting element of the cable receiving unit has two opposing end regions, on each of which two locking elements are provided for releasable locking with complementary locking components of the connector unit.

[0020] In one embodiment according to the invention, the two locking elements arranged at each end region of the connecting element assume an angle of 90° to each other. This advantageously allows the arrangement of the complementary locking components to be reduced to only two opposite sides of the housing of the connector unit and thus simplifies the design and manufacture of the housing of the connector unit.

[0021] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the wire receptacle can be detachably connected to the cable receptacle housing in a plurality of orientations around the alignment axis R. This allows the wire receptacle to remain in only one orientation relative to the connector unit, even when the cable receptacle housing is oriented differently relative to the connector unit. In this way, an identical wire receptacle can be used for multiple orientations of the cable receptacle relative to the connector unit around the alignment axis R.

[0022] The arrangement of a strain relief element on the cable housing of the cable receptacle unit allows the data transmission cable to be secured to the cable receptacle unit before the cable receptacle unit is connected to the connector unit, and thus before the wire 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 wire connection elements and the conductors is effectively prevented by bending of the data transmission cable.

[0023] 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 a 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.

[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] For high-quality data transmission, it is necessary to ensure the most constant possible impedance of the individual components along the entire data transmission path. Within the data transmission cable, this is achieved by twisting two conductors together to form a conductor pair, a technique known to those skilled in the art. The resulting phase shifts between the conductors compensate for interference. Several conductor pairs within a cable exhibit different twist ratios. The connection point between two data transmission cables interrupts the constant impedance and regularly leads to a deterioration in data transmission quality. This disruption can be compensated for, for example, by appropriately dimensioning the cable connection device.Alternatively, in an embodiment according to the invention, compensation is achieved via a suitable design of the conductor tracks on the circuit board in the form of a compensation circuit.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the compensation circuit has capacitive and inductive elements which are generated by suitable designs of the conductor tracks between the wire connection elements.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, exactly four wire connection elements for the electrical connection of two data transmission cables, each with exactly two wires, are arranged on the circuit board of the connector unit. This enables the connection of two Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) data transmission cables. Designing the cable connector for the electrical connection of two SPE data transmission cables, each with exactly two wires, naturally allows for a significant reduction in size compared to a cable connector for eight-wire data transmission cables, to 50% or less.

[0028] It is advantageous to provide suitable mounting points on the housing of the connector unit for securing the cable connection device to a DIN rail. Such DIN rails are commonly found in control cabinets. The cable connection device can be secured using additional fastening elements. Alternatively, the fastening elements can be integrally integrated with the housing of the connector unit. Exemplary embodiments are known to those skilled in the art from DE 10 2023 122 398 A1.

[0029] In an alternative design, the housing features mounting components for fixing the cable connection device to a housing wall. These can, for example, be designed as mounting tabs and have through-holes for fixing the cable connection device using screws.

[0030] In applications requiring the connection of multiple data transmission cables, it is cost-effective to provide a single, common housing for a connector unit, in which a plurality of printed circuit boards with wire connection elements are arranged.

[0031] Alternatively, the aforementioned common housing of the connector unit can have a common circuit board with connection elements for connecting more than two data transmission cables.

[0032] The following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention serves, in conjunction with the drawing, for further explanation.

[0033] They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of the cable connection device in a first advantageous embodiment with a first alignment of the cable receiving units to the connector unit; Fig. 2: a perspective view of the cable connection device from Fig. 1. in the style of an exploded view; Fig. 3: a perspective view of the connector unit from Fig. 1. in the style of an exploded view; Fig. 4: A top view of the connector unit Fig. 3; Fig. 5: a sectional view along section line A of the connector unit Fig. 4; Fig. 6: a sectional view along section line B of the connector unit Fig. 4; Fig. 7: A perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 1; Fig. 8: a perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 7 with data transmission cable inserted; Fig. 9: a perspective view of the cable intake unit from Fig. 7 in the style of an exploded view; Fig. 10: a side view of the cable intake unit Fig. 7 with closed strain relief element; Fig. 11: a perspective view of the wire connection of the cable receiving unit from Fig. 7; Fig. 12: another perspective view of the blood vessel survey from Fig. 11; Fig. 13: A perspective view of the cable housing of the cable holding unit made of Fig. 7; Fig. 14: Another perspective view of the cable housing from Fig. 13; Fig. 15: Another perspective view of the cable receptacle housing from Fig. 14; Fig. 16: a perspective view of the connecting element of the cable receiving unit made of Fig. 7; Fig. 17: a front view of the connecting element made of Fig. 16; Fig. 18: a side view of the connecting element made of Fig. 17; Fig. 19: a top view of the connecting element made of Fig. 17; Fig. 20: a perspective, partially broken view of the cable connection device made of Fig. 1 with an exemplary arrangement of the cable receiving units to the connector unit; Fig. 21: an enlarged view of detail X from Fig. 20; Fig. 22: a top view of the cable connection device made of Fig. 1 with a further exemplary arrangement of the cable receiving units to the connector unit; Fig. 23: an enlarged view of detail Y from Fig. 22; Fig. 24: a perspective view of the cable connection device from Fig. 1 with six cable receiving units in three orientations to the connector unit; Fig. 25: a perspective view of the cable connection device in a second advantageous embodiment for mounting on a DIN rail; Fig. 26: a perspective view of the cable connection device in a third advantageous embodiment for attachment to a housing wall; Fig. 27: a perspective view of the cable connection device in a fourth advantageous embodiment; Fig. 28: a perspective view of the connector unit from Fig. 27;

[0034] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20, Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 23 to Fig. Figure 24 is a first advantageous embodiment of a cable connection device according to the invention for electrically connecting the conductors 13 of two data transmission cables 11, 12, shown schematically and designated overall by reference numeral 10.

[0035] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 disclose the cable connection device 10 consisting of a connector unit 20 with two connector receptacles 18, 19, into which two cable receptacle units 70, 71 are detachably connected, wherein a data transmission cable 11, 12 is connected to each cable receptacle unit 70, 71.

[0036] According to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. The connector unit 20 consists of a connector housing 21, an insulating unit 35, and a printed circuit board 60 on which a total of sixteen wire connection elements 65 are arranged for connection to the wires 13 of the data transmission cables 11, 12 to be connected. The insulating unit 35 comprises an insulating plate 40 and an insulating housing 50, which surround the printed circuit board 60. Two connector receptacles 18, 19 are arranged in the connector unit 20, which serve for the positive-locking reception of the cable receptacle units 70, 71 in the connector unit 20. Each connector receptacle 18, 19 has a longitudinal axis L1, L2, which extends perpendicular to the PCB surface 64 and is located in the center of each connector receptacle 18, 19. The interior of the connector unit 20 is divided in such a way that two connector receptacles 18, 19 are created, each with eight wire connection elements 65 assigned to the respective data transmission cable 11, 12 to be connected.The wire connection elements 65 in the first connector receptacle 18 are electrically connected to the corresponding wire connection elements 65 in the second connector receptacle 19 via conductor tracks arranged on the circuit board 60. The arrangement and design of the conductor tracks between the wire connection elements 65 create compensation circuits consisting of capacitors and inductors for impedance matching of the cable connection device 10.

[0037] The connector housing 21 extends with a rectangular hollow profile 22 with opposing side walls 26, 26' between the base surface 23 and the vertical boundary 25. The end-face side walls 26' have a step 24 to the vertical boundary 25. The side walls 26, 26' are provided with a total of six recesses 27 for the positive locking of the complementary positive locking elements 120a, 120b and 120c of the cable receiving housing 100 of the cable receiving unit 70, 71 and also have a total of four connecting openings 28 each for the mutual receiving of the complementary locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b in the form of through openings, wherein the contact surfaces 29 are provided for contact with the complementary locking surfaces 134a, 134b, 144a, 144b of the locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b of the connecting element 130.Each side wall 26 has a receiving opening 30, which serves for the positive locking connection of the insulating housing 50 to the connector housing 21 by contacting the locking component surface 56 with the complementary system 31. This is shown in the . Fig. 6 particularly clearly recognizable. One of the two side walls 26 has two alignment markings 32 for the correct orientation of the wire receptacle 80 in the cable receptacle housing 100, depending on the desired orientation of the cable receptacle unit 70, 71 to the connector unit 20. The connector housing 21 can be designed as a die-cast part and made of zinc.

[0038] The insulating plate 40, as part of the insulating unit 35, extends vertically as a base plate 41 with a cuboid profile. Two guide walls 42 rise opposite each other from the base plate 41, forming two end-face recesses 43. A shaped element 44 is provided in each of the four corners of the insulating plate 40, corresponding to the complementary corner recesses 62 of the circuit board 60. The base plate 41 has a total of four recesses 45 as clearances for the conductor connection elements 65 protruding from the circuit board 60. This is particularly evident in the Fig. 5 clearly.

[0039] The insulating housing 50 has a cuboid base plate 51 from which two guide walls 52 and a partition 53 rise. The resulting spaces between the partition 53 and the guide walls 52 form part of the respective connector receptacles 18, 19 of the connector unit 20. Two recesses 54 are provided in the partition 53, which allow elastic deformation of the locking components 55 with the surface 56 perpendicular to the side walls 26 of the connector housing 21. On the base plate 51, two coding elements 57 and one coding element 58 are provided for each connector receptacle 18, 19, which, in combination with the complementary coding receptacles 88, 89 of the wire receptacle 80, enable unambiguous mounting of the cable receptacle unit 70, 71 into the connector receptacle 18, 19 of the connector unit 20. The base plate 51 has a total of sixteen through-openings 59 with a rectangular cross-section for the insertion of the conductor connection elements 65.

[0040] The insulating plate 40 and the insulating housing 50 can, for example, be manufactured from a polyamide using injection molding.

[0041] The printed circuit board 60 consists of a cuboid base plate 61 with four corner recesses 62 formed to match the shape elements 44 of the insulating plate 40. The base plate 61 is penetrated by a total of sixteen receiving openings 63, which serve as through-holes for receiving the sixteen wire connection elements 65 arranged on the printed circuit board 60. The connection of the wire connection elements 65 to the printed circuit board 60 via the receiving openings 63 can be achieved by positive locking and force-fit by press-fitting or by material bonding through soldering.

[0042] The circuit board 60 can, for example, be made of FR4 material. The wire connection elements 65 can be manufactured from brass using a stamping tool.

[0043] The Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. Section 10 describes the construction of the cable intake unit 70. According to the Fig. The cable receiving unit 70 comprises a conductor receptacle 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, which is rotatably mounted on the cable receiving housing 100, is in a position S1 that releases the data transmission cable 11, with the pivot opening 156 encompassing the complementary receiving pin 111 in the circumferential direction. Fig. 8 The strain relief element 150 assumes a position S2 that secures the data transmission cable 11. The cable receiving unit 70 also has, according to the Fig. 10 The alignment axis R and the cable receiving axis K, arranged at an angle β to each other, are defined, with the angle β having a value of 90° in the exemplary embodiment. Around the alignment axis R as the axis of rotation, a total of three orientations P11, P12, and P13 of the cable receiving unit 70 and, correspondingly for the cable receiving unit 71, three orientations P21, P22, and P23 to the connector unit 20 are defined. This is shown in the Fig. Figure 24 is particularly clear in an overview drawing. The cable receiving axis K describes the orientation of the data transmission cable 11, 12 to the connector unit 20.

[0044] The wire receptacle 80 can be arranged in a total of four orientations around the alignment axis R with respect to the cable receptacle housing 100. An alignment mark 90 on the wire receptacle 80 and three coding marks 121a, 121b, 121c on the cable receptacle housing 100 are provided as alignment aids. To connect the wire receptacle 80 to the cable receptacle housing 100, four pin-shaped connecting components 92 arranged on the base surface 83 engage in the corresponding complementary receiving elements 117 of the cable receptacle housing 100, forming a transition or press fit until the base surface 83 rests against the complementary base surface 106 of the cable receptacle housing 100.

[0045] 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, 12 to be connected in the circumferential direction. A clamping rib 154 projecting radially 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, 12. 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.

[0046] The strain relief element 150 can be designed as an injection-molded part and, for example, made of a polyamide.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The shield connection element 160 has a base body 161 through which two bottom openings 162 penetrate. These openings are in turn penetrated by the hollow cylinders 118 of the cable receiving housing 100, which then deform to create a riveted connection between the shield connection element 160 and the cable receiving housing 100. Two spring contact elements 163 extend from the base body 161 for electrical connection with the cable shield 15, as well as a total of four contact spring elements 164a, 164b, 165a, 165b for contacting the side walls 26, 26' of the cable receiving housing 100.

[0049] 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 of the cable housing 100, which, when assembled, extend through the complementary base openings 162 of the shield connection element 160. The subsequent permanent deformation of the hollow cylinders 118, forming a rivet connection, ensures the permanent 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.

[0050] The Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 reveals the structure of the conductor receptacle 80, which extends as a rectangular hollow profile 81 between the top surface 82 and the base surface 83 with a free space 93 for the passage of the eight insulated conductors 13 of the data transmission cable 11, 12. The free space 93 is divided into four conductor channels by means of a cross of ribs consisting of the separating ribs 84, 85, which extend from the top surface 82 to the end surface 91, for the division of the conductors 13 into four conductor pairs. On two opposite end faces of the hollow profile 81 are two coding receptacles 89 and a third coding receptacle 88, which are designed to be complementary to the coding elements 57, 58 of the insulating housing 50 and thus enable a unique orientation of the conductor receptacle 80 as part of the cable receptacle unit 70, 71 to the connector unit 20.Furthermore, the coding receptacle 88 includes an alignment aid 90 in the form of a triangle recessed in the material, which serves to align the wire receptacle 80 with the cable receptacle housing 100. Extending from the top surface 82 are a total of eight wire receptacle channels 86 towards the base surface 83, which are designed to receive the free end sections of the conductors 13 of the data transmission cable 11, 12, and additionally recesses 87 into which the wire connection elements 65 engage for electrical connection with the conductors 13 of the data transmission cable 11, 12 to be connected.

[0051] The wire receptacle 80 can be designed as an injection-molded part and made of an insulating plastic, for example a polyamide.

[0052] The construction of the cable housing 100 is described in the Fig. 13, Fig. 14 to Fig. 15 explains. It extends with a U-shaped cross-section between the end faces 101, 102 and is bounded laterally by the side walls 103, 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, 12 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, 12.

[0053] On the side wall 103, at the end region facing the data transmission cable 11, 12 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 S2 that secures the data transmission cable 11, 12, with the end region 157 of the strain relief element 150 engaging in the designated clearance 113. The plurality of locking teeth 155 enables the fixing of data transmission cables 11, 12 with different diameters of the cable sheath 14 in a manner known to those skilled in the art, which is used, 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 as a rivet connection to the screen connection element 160.

[0054] 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 in the designated recesses 27 in a positive-locking manner in orientations P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, and P23 when the cable receiving unit 70, 71 is assembled with the connector unit 20. Each positive-locking element 120a, 120b, 120c also has a coding mark 121a, 121b, 121c and a label 122a, 122b, 122c indicating the orientation angle.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The cable housing 100 can be designed as a die-cast part and made of zinc, for example.

[0057] The Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. Figure 19 serves to explain the connecting element 130, which consists of a connecting body 131 and two opposing locking elements 132, 142 arranged at an angle of 90° to the connecting body. The end faces of the locking elements 132, 142 each have two locking elements 133a, 133b, 143a, 143b positioned at an angle of 90° to each other, with the associated locking surfaces 134a, 134b, 144a, 144b, as well as the insertion ramps 135a, 135b, 145a, 145b. In addition, four fastening elements 139 are provided on the connecting body 131 of the connecting element 130 for connection to the cable housing 100.

[0058] 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.

[0059] By means of the Fig. 20, Fig. 21, Fig. 22 to Fig. Section 23 describes the detachable connection between the cable receiving unit 70, 71 and the connector unit 20. Fig. The cable receiving units 70, 71 assume the orientation P13, P23 with respect to the connector unit 20, so that the connection of the two data transmission cables 11, 12 via the connector unit 20 results in a 360° deflection. The detachable connection of the cable receiving units 70, 71 to the connector unit 20 is made according to Fig. 21 by engaging the locking surface 134a behind the complementary contact surface 29 of the connecting opening 28 on the connector housing 21. The elastic design of the locking element 132 allows the locking element 133a to be unlocked from the connecting opening 28. The exposed locking element 134b can be used as an unlocking aid.

[0060] In the Fig. 22 The cable receiving units 70, 71 assume the orientation P12, P21 with respect to the connector unit 20, so that the connection of the two data transmission cables 11, 12 via the connector unit 20 causes a 90° deflection. The detachable connection of the cable receiving unit 71 is made in this orientation according to Fig. 23 by engaging the locking surface 134b behind the complementary contact surface 29 of the connecting opening 28 on the connector housing 21. The exposed locking element 134a can be used as a release aid.

[0061] The Fig. Figure 25 discloses a second advantageous embodiment of a cable connection device according to the invention for mounting on a DIN rail, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 200. Such DIN rails, known to those skilled in the art, are used, for example, in control cabinets and serve for the detachable mounting of various components. The cable connection device 200 has a connecting unit 220, which is connected to two cable receiving units 70, 71, to which data transmission cables 11, 12 are each connected. The cable receiving units 70, 71 assume the orientation P11, P21 with respect to the connecting unit 220, such that the two data transmission cables 11, 12 to be connected form an angle of 180° with each other.

[0062] The assembly 220 comprises a housing 221, an insulating unit 35, a printed circuit board 60 with conductor connection elements 65 arranged on it, and a mounting element 230 for the DIN rail. At the end of the housing 221 facing the DIN rail, receiving elements 222 are provided for the positive locking of the mounting element 230. The connection of the mounting element 230 to the housing 221 is effected by means familiar to those skilled in the art, for example, by snap-fit ​​or screw connections. Numerous exemplary embodiments of mounting elements 230 for connection to standardized DIN rails are also known to those skilled in the art, so this need not be explained in detail. The receiving elements 222 can be designed such that they allow different orientations of the mounting element 230 relative to the housing 221.

[0063] The Fig. Figure 26 discloses a third advantageous embodiment of a cable connection device according to the invention for mounting on a housing wall, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 300. The cable connection device 300 has a connection unit 320, which is connected to two cable receiving units 70, 71 and to which data transmission cables 11, 12 are each connected. The cable receiving units 70, 71 assume the orientation P11, P21 with respect to the connection unit 320, such that the two data transmission cables 11, 12 to be connected form an angle of 180° to each other.

[0064] The connection unit 320 comprises a connection housing 321, an insulating unit 35, and a printed circuit board 60 with wire connection elements 65 arranged on it. Fastening components 322, 324, designed as mounting tabs, are provided at the lower end of the connection housing 321 for indirect connection of the connection housing 321 to a housing wall, with fastening screws passing through the openings 323, 325 provided for this purpose. Alternatively, other fasteners known to those skilled in the art can be used that allow direct attachment of the connection housing 321 to a housing wall, for example, snap-fit ​​connections.

[0065] The Fig. 27 and Fig.Figure 28 discloses a fourth advantageous embodiment of a cable connection device according to the invention, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 400. The cable connection device 400 has a multi-connection unit 420, which is connected to a total of four cable receiving units 70, 71 and to which data transmission cables 11, 11', 12, 12' are connected. The cable receiving units 70, 71 assume the orientations P11, P12, P21 and P23 with respect to the multi-connection unit 420.

[0066] The multi-composite unit 420 comprises a multi-composite housing 421 with a total of four cable receptacles 18, 18', 19, 19', two insulating units 35, and two printed circuit boards 60 with conductor connection elements 65 arranged on them. Fastening components 422, 424 in the form of mounting tabs and through-holes 423, 425 for indirect connection of the multi-composite housing 421 to a housing wall are provided at the lower end region of the multi-composite housing 421. Alternatively, the multi-composite housing 421 can also be designed to accommodate a composite element 230 for attaching the cable connection device 400 to a DIN rail.

[0067] In another alternative embodiment, the plurality of printed circuit boards 60 can be combined into a common printed circuit board and the plurality of insulating units 35 into a common insulating unit.

Claims

[1] Cable connection device (10) for electrically connecting a conductor (13) of a first data transmission cable (11) to a conductor (13) of a second data transmission cable (12) with a connector unit (20) and two cable receiving units (70, 71), wherein the connector unit (20) comprises a connector housing (21) with two connector receptacles (18, 19) having a longitudinal axis (L1, L2) for receiving the cable receiving units (70, 71), a printed circuit board (60) with conductor connection elements (65) and an insulating unit (35) enclosing the printed circuit board (60), wherein the conductor connection element (65) arranged on the printed circuit board (60) for connection with the conductor (13) of the first data transmission cable (11) is electrically connected via a conductor track to the conductor connection element (65) for connection with the conductor (13) of the second data transmission cable (12), wherein each Cable intake unit (70, 71), a cable intake housing (100), a wire intake (80),a connecting element (130) to the connector housing (21), a cable receiving axis (K) and an alignment axis (R) which form an angle β with each other, wherein the longitudinal axis (L1, L2) of the connector unit (20) is collinear with the alignment axis (R), wherein each wire receiving (80) is detachably connectable to the cable receiving housing (100), and wherein each cable receiving unit (70, 71) is detachably connectable to the connector unit (20), , characterized by , that each cable receiving unit (70, 71) can be detachably connected to the connector unit (20) in a plurality of orientations (P11, P12, P13, P21, P22, P23) about the longitudinal axis (L1, L2). [2] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cable receiving axis (K) and the alignment axis (R) of each cable receiving unit (70, 71) form an angle β of 90° to each other. [3] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that each cable receiving unit (70, 71) has the cable receiving housing (100), the wire receiving (80) and the connecting element (130) which are identical. [4] Cable connection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting element (130) of each cable receiving unit (70, 71) has two opposing end areas (132, 142) each with two locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) for the detachable connection of the cable receiving unit (70) with the connector unit (20). [5] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the locking elements (133a, 133b, 143a, 143b) arranged at each end region (132, 142) are at an angle of 90° to each other. [6] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each conductor receptacle (80) can be detachably connected to the cable receptacle housing (100) in a plurality of orientations around the alignment axis (R). [7] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each cable receiving unit (70, 71) has a strain relief element (150). [8] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the data transmission cable (11, 12) to be connected has a cable shield (15), wherein in each cable receiving unit (70, 71) a shield connection element (160) with spring contact elements (163) for electrical connection to the cable shield (15) of the data transmission cable (11, 12) is arranged. [9] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the conductor tracks arranged on the circuit board (60) for the electrical connection of the wire connection elements (65) form a compensation circuit for impedance matching with passive elements. [10] Cable connection device (10) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the compensation circuit for impedance matching has inductances and capacitances.

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