Electrical connector for a data or communication cable

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector for a data or communication cable with the following features: - a case, - a printed circuit board, wherein first contact elements and second contact elements are electrically connected to the printed circuit board, - a frame arranged inside the housing, wherein the frame forms a first holding area and a second holding area, - the second contact elements are held by the first and second holding areas, - the second contact elements within the frame are at least partially exposed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector for a data or communication cable according to the features of claim 1.

[0002] For electrical connectors, especially RJ45 sockets or RJ45 plugs, it is state of the art to overmold the contact elements that establish an electrical connection to a complementary electrical connector with plastic using a plastic injection molding process. This has the disadvantage that plastic is positioned between these contact elements. Plastic has a higher dielectric constant than air. As a result, these contact elements exhibit stronger electromagnetic coupling to each other, which leads to disadvantages with regard to NEXT and FEXT, as well as insertion loss and reflection loss.

[0003] The object of the invention is to solve these problems. This object is achieved by an electrical connector for a data and communication cable with the features of claim 1.

[0004] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the invention, an electrical connector for a data or communication cable with a housing, a printed circuit board, wherein first contact elements and second contact elements are electrically connected to the printed circuit board, a frame arranged inside the housing, wherein the frame forms a first holding area and a second holding area, the second contact elements are held by the first and second holding areas, and the second contact elements are at least partially free inside the frame.

[0006] In connection with this invention, the contact point is defined as the point that establishes the connection point between the electrical connector according to the invention and a complementary electrical connector.

[0007] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​providing an electrical connector whose second contact elements are exposed over a wide area, i.e., surrounded by air, so that the electromagnetic coupling of the second contact elements to each other is reduced to a minimum.

[0008] Plastic has a dielectric constant between three and six. Air, on the other hand, has a dielectric constant of approximately one. In a simplified first analysis, the capacitive coupling between the second contact elements is proportional to the dielectric constant. When the second contact elements are overmolded or surrounded by plastic, the capacitive coupling between them is greater than in the solution according to the invention, where only air is present around the second contact elements. This is particularly advantageous for NEXT and FEXT.

[0009] In electrical connectors, particularly when the connector is an RJ45 socket, data transmission preferably takes place on differential lines or differential transmission paths. Each differential transmission path has a first transmission path and a second transmission path. A signal is transmitted on the first transmission path, while the second transmission path transmits the inverted signal. The receiver calculates the difference between the two signals, with this difference corresponding to the original signal to be transmitted.

[0010] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical connector has four differential transmission paths. Due to normative requirements, the transmission paths are designated one to eight. Transmission paths one and two, transmission paths three and six, transmission paths four and five, and transmission paths seven and eight each form a differential transmission path.

[0011] Advantageously, the frame is formed by an upper frame part and a lower frame part, wherein the upper frame part and the lower frame part have guides that, in the fully assembled state, form the first and second holding areas. An advantage of a two-part or multi-part frame design is that, during the assembly process, the second contact elements are each inserted into a guide in the first holding area and the second holding area of ​​the lower frame part, in order to then mechanically fix the second contact elements by placing the upper frame part, which also has guides in the first and second holding areas.

[0012] Preferably, the upper and lower frame parts are mechanically connected to each other in the assembled state by a snap-fit ​​connection, preferably a latching connection. A snap-fit ​​connection offers the advantage of being cost-effective and enabling simple, non-destructive assembly and disassembly.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second contact elements are clamped in the first and second holding areas. Preferably, the guides of the first and second holding areas of both the upper and lower frame parts are designed to be slightly narrower than the second contact elements, so that during final assembly, the second contact elements are clamped immovably within the first and second holding areas. This increases the mechanical stability of the electrical connector and prevents the second contact elements from detaching from their electrical connections.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two second contact elements intersect within the frame in such a way that, viewed from a top view, the second contact elements arranged in an elongated row change their order.

[0015] In connection with this invention, the top view is defined as the view that spans a plane which intersects the plugging plane orthogonally, wherein the plugging plane is the plane which intersects the plugging direction vector orthogonally.

[0016] In the area where the second contact elements connect to the circuit board, the second contact elements, viewed from above, have a different order than in the area of ​​the contact point with a complementary electrical connector. This is due to conductor crossings.

[0017] Preferably, three intersections of second contact elements are formed. Each intersection is formed by two crossing ridges, which are part of the respective second contact element. The crossing ridges of an intersection are preferably oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electrical connector. The crossing ridges of an intersection are preferably parallel to each other. The crossing ridges of an intersection are preferably arranged offset from each other when viewed from a top view.

[0018] Advantageously, a crossing is formed by the second contact elements that are part of transmission paths one and two, by the second contact elements that are part of transmission paths four and five, and by the second contact elements that are part of transmission paths seven and eight. The crossings can also be formed by any other combination of second contact elements.

[0019] Advantageously, the section in which the second contact elements are guided parallel to each other within the frame is approximately the same length or exactly the same length as the section in the area of ​​the contact point in which the second contact elements are also guided parallel. Preferably, the area of ​​the contact point is continuous, i.e., without curvature.

[0020] If the second contact elements are crossed as described above, this has the advantage that the electromagnetic coupling, in particular the capacitive coupling of the second contact elements, is almost or completely eliminated.

[0021] For example, the second contact element belonging to transmission path one is positioned next to the second contact element belonging to transmission path three in the frame area, while in the contact point area, the second contact element belonging to transmission path two is positioned next to the second contact element belonging to transmission path three. The same applies to the other intersections. If one section were overmolded with plastic and another without, the capacitive coupling in one section would be significantly greater, necessitating additional compensation. Furthermore, the capacitive coupling is as equal as possible and cancels itself out when the two sections are approximately the same length.

[0022] Advantageously, a compensating circuit board is placed on the frame in the assembled state, with the compensating circuit board being clamped to the frame by the second contact elements, which are preferably spring-loaded. The spring-loaded design of the second contact elements ensures that a reliable electrical connection is always established at the contact point with both the complementary electrical connector and the compensating circuit board.

[0023] Preferably, the frame and the compensating circuit board are connected via a snap-fit ​​connection. As already mentioned, a snap-fit ​​connection has the advantage of allowing simple, non-destructive assembly and disassembly, and is cost-effective. The frame and the compensating circuit board can also be mechanically fixed in at least two spatial directions using a pin and a corresponding recess.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame is made of plastic. This has the advantage that the frame is therefore extremely inexpensive to manufacture.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, all second contact elements within the frame are at least partially or at least over a common length exposed.

[0026] Advantageously, the electrical connector is designed as an RJ45 socket.

[0027] The first contact elements are preferably designed as insulation displacement connectors (IDCs). IDCs have the advantage that, when the electrical connector is assembled, they automatically strip the insulation from the conductors inserted into the terminal block and establish an electrical connection between the cable and the connector. The first contact elements can also be designed as pins.

[0028] Preferably, compensation units are formed on the printed circuit board and on the compensation circuit board. The compensation unit can be either an inductor or a capacitance, in particular a capacitor.

[0029] An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exploded view of the electrical connector, Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an exploded view of an assembly comprising the second contact elements, the frame and the compensation circuit board, Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the assembly. Fig. 2 in the assembled state, Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a section along the longitudinal plane of the electrical connector through the assembled component. Fig. 3.

[0030] Identical or functionally equivalent parts or features are identified by the same reference numerals in the detailed description of the figures below. Likewise, all identical or functionally equivalent parts or features in the figures are identified by a reference number.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an electrical connector. The electrical connector 1 is designed as a socket, specifically an RJ45 socket.

[0032] The electrical connector 1 comprises a housing 10, a frame 40, a circuit board 20, a compensation circuit board 50, as well as first contact elements 25 and second contact elements 30.

[0033] The housing 10 has a front housing part 11 and a rear housing part 15. The rear housing part 15 is pivotally mounted on the front housing part 11. The front housing part 11 has a plug-in interface on one end face 12. A complementary electrical connector (not shown) can be inserted into the electrical connector 1 through this plug-in interface.

[0034] The housing 10 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material. This has the advantage that the electronics in the electrical connector 1 are better protected against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other electrical components near the electrical connector 1 are also less exposed to EMI. The housing 10 can also be made of plastic or at least partially of plastic.

[0035] The front part of the housing 11 has recesses 13 on each of its side surfaces 12.

[0036] The frame 40 has a locking lug 48 on each of its side surfaces 47, which engages in the respective recess 13 of the housing front part 11 and mechanically connects the frame 40 to the housing front part 11. The frame 40 is preferably made of a plastic. The frame 40 has an L-shaped cross-section.

[0037] The printed circuit board 20 has first contact pads and second contact pads, which are used for the electrical and mechanical connection of the first contact elements 25 and second contact elements 30. The contact pads are preferably arranged circularly around a hole in the printed circuit board 20.

[0038] The printed circuit board 20 is preferably designed as a rigid printed circuit board 20. This allows the printed circuit board 20 to contribute to the mechanical stability of the electrical connector 1. Furthermore, the mounting of the first and second contact elements 25, 30 is simplified by the mechanical stability of the printed circuit board 20. The printed circuit board 20 can also be designed as a star-flex printed circuit board 20. In a star-flex printed circuit board 20, a portion of the printed circuit board 20 is flexible. The printed circuit board 20 can also be designed as a flexible printed circuit board 20.

[0039] The circuit board 20 can be arranged perpendicular or parallel to a compensation circuit board 50.

[0040] The electrical connector 1 forms eight transmission paths 60, 61-68. A transmission path 60 comprises the first and second contact elements 25, 30 and a conductor track, the conductor track having a conductor path and a first and second contact pad. A differential transmission path is formed by two transmission paths 60.

[0041] The first contact elements 25 are preferably designed as insulation displacement connectors (IDCs). The IDCs have a foot that is pushed through a hole in the circuit board 20 when the electrical connector 1 is mounted, in order to be mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit board by means of a solder joint.

[0042] The second contact elements 30 preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the electrical connector 1. The second contact elements 30 are wire-shaped, wherein the second contact element 30 has at least a partially curved profile.

[0043] The second contact elements 30 have a contact point 32 near the free end 31. The contact point 32 is the point that electrically connects the electrical connector 1 to a complementary electrical connector (not shown).

[0044] In the area of ​​electrical connector 1, where a cable (not visible) is inserted into electrical connector 1, a charging piece (not visible) is arranged.

[0045] The individual wires of a cable (not visible) are inserted into the charging piece. During final assembly, the first contact elements 25, which are preferably designed as insulation displacement connectors (IDCs), strip the insulation of the individual wires and establish an electrical connection between the individual wire and the IDC.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an assembly 100, which consists of the two-part frame 40, a compensating circuit board 50 and eight second contact elements 30.

[0047] The frame 40 is formed by an upper frame part 43 and a lower frame part 44, wherein the upper frame part 43 and the lower frame part 44 have guides 45 which, in the assembled state, form the first and second holding areas 41, 42. An advantage of a two-part design of the frame 40 is that, during the assembly process, the second contact elements 30 are each inserted into a guide 45 of the first and second holding areas 41, 42 of the lower frame part 44, in order to then mechanically fix the second contact elements 30 by placing the upper frame part 43, which also has guides 45 in the first and second holding areas 41, 42, on top.

[0048] The first holding area 41 and the second holding area 42 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis L of the electrical connector 1. The guides 45 of the first and / or second holding area 41, 42 of both the upper frame part 43 and the lower frame part 44 are toothed. In the assembled state, the teeth 49 of the upper frame part 43 and the lower frame part 44 mesh against each other.

[0049] The in Fig. The second contact elements 30 shown are specified by standard in the area of ​​contact point 32. The second contact element 30, which is connected to transmission path one 61, is in Fig. 2 is located furthest to the left. The second contact element 30, which is connected to the transmission path eight 68, is in Fig. The second contact element is located furthest to the right. Between these, the second contact elements and their associated transmission paths 62-67 are arranged with consecutive numbering.

[0050] The upper frame part 43 and the lower frame part 44 are connected to each other in the assembled state by pin-shaped locking connections 46.

[0051] The second contact elements 30 have intersections 35. The intersections 35 are arranged freely within the frame 40, i.e., the contact elements 30 do not touch each other. An intersection 35 is formed between the second contact elements 30 that are part of transmission paths one and two 61, 62, four and five 64, 65, and seven and eight 67, 68.

[0052] The compensation circuit board 50 is inserted into a receptacle 39 formed by the frame 40. The compensation circuit board 50 is located in the area of ​​the free ends 31 of the second contact elements 30. Furthermore, the compensation circuit board 50 is located in the area of ​​the contact point 32. Most of the crosstalk occurs in the area of ​​the contact point 32. It is therefore recommended to position the compensation as close as possible to the crosstalk area.

[0053] The compensation circuit board 50 has compensation units in the form of capacitors and inductors.

[0054] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of assembly 100. Fig. 2.

[0055] The compensating circuit board 50 is inserted into the receptacle 39 of the frame 40. The compensating circuit board 50 is held within the receptacle 39 of the frame 40 by a pin and by the spring action of the second contact elements 30.

[0056] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a section along the longitudinal plane of the electrical connector 1 through the assembled assembly 100. Fig. 3.

[0057] The intersections 35 are arranged within the frame 40. All second contact elements 30 are arranged exposed within the frame 40 over a specified length L.

[0058] The second contact elements 30 are mechanically held by the first and second holding areas 41, 42. The guides 45 of the first and second holding areas 41, 42 are preferably narrower than the second contact elements 30, so that the second contact elements 30 are clamped within the guides 45 of the first and second holding areas 41, 42.

[0059] The guides 45 of the first and second holding areas 41, 42 are preferably designed to be tapered. Reference symbol list 1 Electrical connector 10 cases 11 Front of housing 12 side surface 13 exceptions 15 Rear of housing 20 circuit boards 25 First contact elements 30 Second contact elements 31 Free End 32 Contact point 35 intersections 36 crossing bridges 39th entry 40 frames 41 First stopping area 42 Second stopping area 43 Frame upper part 44 Frame lower part 45 guided tours 46 rest connection 47 side surface 48 Rastnase 49 teeth 50 Compensation circuit board 60 transmission path 61 Transmission path one 62 Transmission path two 63 Transmission path three 64 transmission path four 65 transmission path five 66 transmission path six 67 Transmission path seven 68 transmission path eight 100 assembly

Claims

[1] Electrical connector (1) for a data or communication cable having the following features: - a case (10), - a printed circuit board (20), wherein first contact elements (25) and second contact elements (30) are electrically connected to the printed circuit board (20), - a frame (40) arranged inside the housing (10), wherein the frame (40) forms a first holding area (41) and a second holding area (42), - the second contact elements (30) are held by the first and second holding areas (41, 42), - the second contact elements (30) within the frame (40) are at least partially free. [2] Electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the frame (40) is formed by a frame upper part (43) and a frame lower part (44), wherein the frame upper part (43) and the frame lower part (44) form guides (45) which, in the assembled state, form the first and second holding area (41, 42). [3] Electrical connector (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the upper frame part (43) and the lower frame part (44) are connected to each other by a snap connection (46) when assembled. [4] Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the second contact elements (30) are clamped in the first and second holding area (41, 42). [5] Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that at least two second contact elements (30) within the frame (40) intersect in such a way that, viewed from a top view, the second contact elements (30) arranged in an elongated row change their order. [6] Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that a compensation circuit board (50) is placed on the frame (40) in the assembled state, wherein the compensation circuit board (50) is clamped to the frame (40) by the second contact elements (30). [7] Electrical connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the frame (40) and the compensation circuit board (50) are connected to each other via a snap-fit ​​connection. [8] Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that all second contact elements (30) within the frame (40) are at least partially free. [9] Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the electrical connector (1) is designed as an RJ45 socket.

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