CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector arrangement (1) comprising a connector housing (2) which can be connected to a mating connector at a plug-in side (3), a cable (4) comprising at least one optical fiber (5.1; 5.2) enclosed by a cable sheath (6), a fastening unit (7) and a contact unit (8) comprising at least one contact side (30.1; 30.2), wherein the optical fiber (5.1; 5.2) protrudes from the cable sheath (6) at a cable end (11) of the cable (4), the contact unit (8) is arranged inside the connector housing (2), and the optical fiber (5.1; 5.2) extends through the contact unit (8) to the contact side (30) where the optical fiber (5.1; 5.2)2) is signal-conducting and connectable to the mating connector, the fastening unit (7) encloses the cable sheath (6) at the cable end (11), the fastening unit (7) is materially and / or form-fit connected to the cable sheath (6), the fastening unit (7) has at least one first locking element (12.1; 12.2) which is connected to at least one first counter-locking element (13.1; 13.2) on the connector housing (2) so that the cable (4) is attached to the connector housing (2) and at least one spring element (14.1; 14.2) is arranged between the contact unit (8) and the fastening unit (7) which biases the contact unit (8) towards the plug-in side (3) against a stop surface (15) of the connector housing (2).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector arrangement for optical signal lines. State of the art

[0002] For decades, optical signal lines, such as fiber optic cables, have been established in practice for transmitting large amounts of signal and data. With digitalization and automation, and the associated increase in data volumes, optical signal lines are increasingly being used in areas where electrical signal lines were long dominant. This is primarily because the required transmission volumes are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve with electrical signal lines. However, with the introduction of optical signal lines into new application areas, the requirements for both the signal lines and the connector systems used to connect them are also changing.Accordingly, there is a growing need for economical connector systems for optical signal cables that are resistant to both environmental influences and mechanical stresses that may act on the connector during the plugging process or in the plugged-in state.

[0003] For cable-side connectors, there is a particular requirement that a reliable optical signal connection between the connector and a mating connector connected to the connector is maintained, even when tensile forces act on the connector or the cable. Description of the invention

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a connector arrangement that is resistant to acting mechanical loads and ensures a reliable signal connection.

[0005] The problem according to the invention is solved by a connector arrangement with the features of the independent claims; further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0006] A connector assembly according to the invention comprises a connector housing, a cable, a mounting unit, and a contact unit. The connector housing has a mating side. The connector housing can be connected to a mating connector at the mating side. The cable has at least one optical fiber. The optical fiber is enclosed by a cable sheath. However, the cable can also have multiple optical fibers. In this case, the multiple optical fibers are jointly enclosed by the cable sheath. The optical fiber protrudes from the cable sheath at one end of the cable. In other words, the optical fiber is exposed. The contact unit has at least one contact side. The contact side is preferably arranged parallel to the mating side. The contact unit is arranged inside the connector housing. The optical fiber extends through the contact unit to the contact side.Preferably, the optical fiber is partially enclosed by the contact unit. The optical fiber can be connected to the mating connector at the contact side, thus transmitting a signal. The optical fiber is therefore preferably accessible via the contact side. If the cable comprises multiple optical fibers, these fibers can be arranged together at the contact side. Alternatively, the contact unit can have multiple contact sides, so that the multiple optical fibers extend to different contact sides. It is particularly preferred that each optical fiber of the cable is assigned a contact side. Furthermore, the contact sides can be arranged in the same plane. The optical fiber can have a coating comprising one or more layers. For example, the optical fiber can have a coating layer.Preferably, the coating is partially or completely removed in a section where the optical waveguide is enclosed by the contact unit.

[0007] The fastening unit encloses the cable sheath at the cable end. The fastening unit is connected to the cable sheath by a material-locking and / or form-fit connection. Preferably, the fastening unit is arranged inside the connector housing. Furthermore, the fastening unit has at least one first locking element that is connected to at least one first counter-locking element on the connector housing. In this way, the cable is secured to the connector housing. At least one spring element is arranged between the contact unit and the fastening unit. The spring element biases the contact unit towards the mating side against a stop surface of the connector housing. Preferably, the spring element acts parallel to a mating axis.

[0008] A connector arrangement according to the invention enables a secure and robust connection of the optical fiber to a mating connector that is pluggably compatible with the connector arrangement according to the invention. Since the fastening unit is connected to the cable sheath and to the connector, tensile forces acting on the cable sheath can be dissipated via the connector housing. Furthermore, the spring element pre-tensions the contact unit against the stop surface, ensuring that the optical fiber, together with the contact unit, is always in a defined position. After connecting the connector arrangement to a mating connector, the spring element also ensures that the contact unit, and thus the optical fiber, is pressed against the mating connector.This ensures a reliable signal-conducting optical connection, even when the connector assembly is subjected to stronger stresses, such as vibrations or shocks.

[0009] The fastening unit can be designed as an injection-molded component. The cable sheath can be connected to and / or embedded in a plastic matrix of the fastening unit. The plastic matrix can be bonded to the cable sheath by a material bond. Alternatively or additionally, a positive-locking connection between the cable sheath and the fastening unit can be formed by embedding the cable sheath, at least partially, in the plastic matrix. This positive-locking connection can be achieved, for example, by arranging the plastic matrix in undercuts or recesses in the cable sheath.

[0010] The cable can incorporate reinforcing fibers embedded in the plastic matrix of the mounting unit. These reinforcing fibers can be, for example, aramid or polyester fibers. The reinforcing fibers preferably extend along the cable and can enclose the optical fiber. The reinforcing fibers can be, for example, woven or knitted. Preferably, the reinforcing fibers are enclosed by the cable jacket. However, to allow for embedding in the plastic matrix, it is preferable for the reinforcing fibers to be exposed at the cable end.

[0011] The contact unit can have a second locking element, which can be connected to a second counter-locking element on the connector housing. This second locking element can be formed monolithically with the contact unit. This allows the contact unit to be easily mounted and held in position within the connector housing. At the same time, it remains largely mechanically decoupled from the mounting unit, as the contact unit is only connected to the mounting unit via the spring element.

[0012] The spring element can be monolithic with the contact unit. In this case, the spring action of the spring element is preferably generated by the elastic behavior of the material from which the contact unit or the first spring element is formed. For example, the contact unit can be made of a thermoplastic material. Thus, the spring force of the spring element is determined, in addition to the shape of the spring element, essentially by the elastic properties of the selected thermoplastic material.

[0013] The contact unit can have a ferrule housing. The ferrule housing can consist of two housing parts, which can be detachably connected to one another. The housing parts can be connected to one another, for example, by simple snap-fit ​​or latching connections. Furthermore, the contact unit can have at least one contact ferrule on which the contact side is arranged. The optical fiber can extend through the contact ferrule to the contact side. Preferably, the contact ferrule is mounted within the ferrule housing. The optical fiber can be enclosed by the contact ferrule, preferably with coatings on the optical fiber partially or completely removed in the area enclosed by the contact ferrule. The optical fiber can be bonded to the contact ferrule by a metallurgical bond.It is further preferred that the contact ferrule projects from the ferrule housing parallel to the plug-in side. It is particularly preferred that the contact side is located outside the ferrule housing. If the cable has multiple optical fibers, a contact ferrule can be provided for each optical fiber. If the contact unit has multiple contact ferrules, these can be arranged parallel to each other.

[0014] The optical fiber can be movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the cable sheath. In other words, the optical fiber can be suspended relative to the cable sheath. In this context, the longitudinal axis refers to the longest direction of extension of the optical fiber. Due to this suspended position, tensile forces acting on the cable sheath are not transmitted to the optical fiber.

[0015] The cable can have a support sleeve at its end, which can be positioned between the optical fiber and the cable jacket. The support sleeve can be inserted into the cable jacket at the cable end, enclosing the optical fiber. The support sleeve is preferably made of metal. The support sleeve can be partially enclosed by the fastening unit. Particularly preferably, the support sleeve is fixed to the cable end by the fastening unit. The support sleeve can, for example, ensure that the optical fiber is not damaged when the fastening unit is connected to the cable jacket. Furthermore, if the fastening unit is formed by an injection-molded component, the support sleeve can ensure that no plastic matrix comes into contact with the optical fiber.

[0016] The support sleeve can have a collar, particularly a funnel-shaped one, at an end facing away from the cable sheath. The collar preferably extends away from the optical fiber. The collar ensures that the optical fiber is not damaged at the edges of the support sleeve.

[0017] The support sleeve can extend through an access opening into a receiving chamber of the contact unit. The collar can be positioned within this receiving chamber. The access opening can have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the collar. This ensures a defined position of the contact unit on the mounting unit. This allows the contact unit and mounting unit to be assembled together within the connector housing.

[0018] The collar can be movable within the receiving space along, and in particular parallel to, the insertion axis. If the contact unit is pre-tensioned against the stop surface, the collar or support sleeve is preferably movable away from the insertion side. This can be achieved, for example, by designing the receiving space such that the collar has sufficient freedom of movement along the insertion axis to be moved along it. This ensures that the contact unit remains mechanically decoupled from the cable sheath and the fastening unit. In particular, it prevents tensile forces acting on the cable sheath from being transmitted to the contact unit via the support sleeve.

[0019] The connector assembly according to the invention can include a secondary locking element. The secondary locking element can be movable between a pre-locking position and an end-locking position. In the end-locking position, the secondary locking element can connect the mounting unit to the connector housing. This can be understood in this context as the secondary locking element securing the mounting unit to the connector housing in the end-locking position. This securing occurs independently of the fastening via the first locking element and first counter-locking element. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary locking element can lock the first counter-locking element, thus preventing the connection between the first locking element and the first counter-locking element from being released by the secondary locking mechanism. In the pre-locking position, the secondary locking element can release the mounting unit relative to the connector housing.Alternatively or additionally, in the pre-locking position, the secondary locking element can release the connection between the first locking element and the first counter-locking element. Preferably, the secondary locking element is movable along a movement axis between the pre-locking position and the end-locking position, which is arranged perpendicular to the insertion axis.

[0020] The connector housing can have at least one connecting channel between the mating side and the stop surface, in which the contact side can be arranged. The contact unit can, for example, be arranged section by section within the connecting channel. If the contact unit has a contact ferrule, the contact ferrule can also be arranged, at least partially, within the connecting channel. The connecting channel preferably extends parallel to the mating axis. Furthermore, it is preferred that a mating connector can be inserted into the connecting channel via the mating side and that the optical fiber can be connected to the mating connector at the contact side in a signal-conducting manner. This offers the advantage that the connector arrangement according to the invention can be designed as a female connector, thus facilitating the positioning of a mating connector that is designed as a male connector.

[0021] A guide tube can be arranged in the connecting channel, partially enclosing the contact unit. If the contact unit has a contact ferrule, the contact ferrule can be at least partially located in the guide tube. The guide tube is preferably made of a metal or ceramic. The guide tube enables more precise positioning of the contact unit with a mating connector.

[0022] The guide tube can rest against the contact unit with one side facing the contact unit. The guide tube preferably has a length that is at most the sum of the length of the portion of the contact unit and the length of the portion of the mating connector that is arranged in the guide tube when the connector assembly is connected to the mating connector. Particularly preferably, the guide tube is shorter than the sum of the length of the portion of the contact unit and the length of the portion of the mating connector that is arranged in the guide tube when the connector assembly is connected to the mating connector. By resting against the contact unit, the guide tube can be used as a reference to position the contact unit and mating connector at the desired distance.

[0023] Furthermore, additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described there and above can be implemented individually or in combination, provided that the features do not contradict each other. The following description of the preferred embodiments is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a connector arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of a cable end of the connector arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a contact unit of the connector arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 4 a sectional view of an embodiment of the connector arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 5 a further sectional view of an embodiment of the connector arrangement according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a connector assembly 1 according to the invention in a perspective exploded view. The connector assembly 1 has a connector housing 2. The connector housing 2 can be connected to a mating connector (not shown) at a mating side 3 in a signal-conducting manner. The connector assembly 1 further comprises a cable 4. The cable 4 includes two optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 which are enclosed by a cable sheath 6. The optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 have a multilayer coating 29.1; 29.2, which is partially removed. The cable 4 further comprises reinforcing fibers 16, which are designed as aramid fibers. The reinforcing fibers 16 also enclose the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2. The optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 protrude from the cable sheath 6 at a cable end 11. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by removing the cable sheath 6.A support sleeve 21 is inserted into the cable sheath 6 at the cable end 11, with the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 passing through the support sleeve 21. The support sleeve 21 is further positioned between the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 and the reinforcing fibers 16.

[0025] The connector assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a fastening unit 7. The fastening unit 7 is made of a thermoplastic material and encloses the cable jacket 6 at the cable end 11. The fastening unit 7 is materially and form-fittingly connected to the cable jacket 6. Furthermore, the reinforcing fibers 16 are embedded in a plastic matrix of the fastening unit 7. The fastening unit 7 also encloses the support sleeve 21. Consequently, the fastening unit 6 holds the support sleeve 21 in position relative to the cable jacket 6. The fastening unit 7 is arranged inside the connector housing 2. The fastening unit 7 has first locking elements 12.2 which are connected to first counter-locking elements 13.2 of the connector housing. In this way, the fastening unit 7 is attached to the connector housing 2. The support sleeve 21 and the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 extend through the fastening unit 7.The optical fibers 5.1; are movably mounted relative to the cable sheath 6 and the support sleeve 21 along their longitudinal direction.

[0026] The connector assembly 1 according to the invention further comprises a contact unit 8. In the present embodiment, the contact unit 8 has a ferrule housing 19, which is composed of two housing halves. The housing halves can be detachably connected to one another. The ferrule housing 19 has two spring elements 14.1; 14.2 which are monolithically formed with the ferrule housing 19. The spring elements 14.1; 14.2 extend in the direction of the mounting unit 7. The contact unit 8 further comprises two contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. The contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 are partially mounted within the ferrule housing 19. The optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 extend through the contact unit 8 and are each guided to a contact ferrule 9.1; 9.2. The optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 are located in the section where the coating 29.1; 29.2 is located away, enclosed by the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. The optical waveguides 5.1; 5.2 are also permanently connected to the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. The contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 project section by section from the contact unit 8 and are each partially arranged in a guide tube 27.1; 27.2. The guide tubes 27.1; 27.2 are each arranged in a connecting channel 26.1; 26.2 of the connector housing 2. Furthermore, the guide tubes 27.1; 27.2 with sides 28.1; 28.2 facing the respective contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 abut the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. The connector assembly 1 has a secondary locking element 25 that is movable between a pre-locking position and a final locking position.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the cable 4 of the connector arrangement 1 according to the invention in the region of the cable end 11. The fastening unit 7 encloses the cable sheath 6 and is materially and form-fittingly connected to it. Furthermore, the fastening unit 7 partially encloses the support sleeve 21. The support sleeve 21 is made of metal. To prevent damage to the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 or the coating 29.1; 29.2 by the support sleeve 21, the support sleeve 21 has a funnel-shaped collar 22 that extends away from the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the contact unit 8 of the connector arrangement 1 according to the invention. The contact unit 8 has an access opening 23 through which the optical fibers are guided to the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. Furthermore, a second locking element 17 is arranged on the ferrule housing 19. The ferrule housing 19 has two spring elements 14.1; 14.2 on the side on which the access opening 23 is arranged. The two contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 form a contact surface 30.1; 30.2 at one end, which is arranged outside the ferrule housing 19.

[0029] Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the connector arrangement 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1. The cutting plane passes through a plug axis 20 and through the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. Both the mounting unit 7 and the contact unit 8 are inserted into the connector housing 2 via a rear side that is arranged opposite the plug side 3. The spring elements 14.1; 14.2 bear against the mounting unit 7 and pre-tension the contact unit 8 against a stop surface 15. In the present embodiment, the stop surface 15 is arranged parallel to the plug side 3. Thus, the contact unit 8, and therefore also the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2, which are connected to the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2, are held in a defined position. The guide tubes 27.1; 27.2 are arranged in the connecting channels 26.1; 26.2. The connecting channels 26.1; 26.2 extend from the stop surface 15 to the plug-in side 3. In the guide tubes 27.1; 27.2 a contact ferrule 9.1; 9.2 is partially arranged in each.Consequently, the contact surfaces 30.1; 30.2 of both contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 are also arranged within the respective guide tubes 27.1, 27.2. The optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 extend through the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2 to the contact surface 30.1; 30.2. By connecting the fastening unit 7 to the first counter-locking elements 13.1; 13.2 via the first locking elements 12.1; 12.2, tensile forces acting on the cable sheath 6 are transferred to the connector housing 2. Since the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 are movably mounted relative to the support sleeve 21 and the cable sheath 6 along their longitudinal direction 10, the risk of tensile forces being transmitted from the cable sheath 6 to the optical fibers 5.1; 5.2 is particularly low.

[0030] The contact unit 8 has a receiving chamber 24 in which the collar 22 of the support sleeve 21 is arranged. The support sleeve 21 is guided through the access opening 23. The access opening 23 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the collar 22. The receiving chamber 24 is designed such that the collar 22 can move along the plug axis 20 and away from the plug-in side 3 without the collar 22 abutting a wall of the contact unit 8. This ensures that the contact unit 8 remains mechanically decoupled from the fastening element 7 even when tensile forces act on the cable sheath 6 that are high enough to move the support sleeve 21, and thus the collar 22, away from the plug-in side 3. A mechanical coupling between the contact unit 8 and the fastening element 7 therefore only occurs when the collar 22 reaches the access opening 23.

[0031] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further sectional view of the embodiment of the connector arrangement 1 according to the invention. Fig.1. The section plane runs parallel to the mating axis 20 and perpendicular to a plane defined by the contact ferrules 9.1; 9.2. The ferrule housing 19 has a second locking element 17. The connector housing 2 has a second counter-locking element 18, which is connected to the second locking element 17. Thus, the contact unit 8 is connected to the connector housing 2 independently of the mounting unit 7. The secondary locking element 25 is shown in the final locking position. In this embodiment, the secondary locking element 25 connects the mounting unit 7 to the connector housing 2 by blocking movement of the mounting unit 7 away from the mating side 3. Furthermore, the secondary locking element 25 prevents the connection between the first locking element 12 and the first counter-locking element 13 from being released. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 connector arrangement 2 connector housings 3 plug-in side 4 cables 5 optical fibers 6 cable sheath 7 Mounting unit 8 contact units 9 Contact ferrules 10 Longitudinal direction (optical waveguide) 11 Cable end 12 first locking element 13 first locking element 14 spring element 15 Stop surface 16 reinforcing fibers 17 Second locking element 18 Second locking element 19 ferrule housings 20 thru axle 21 Support sleeve 22 collars 23 Access opening 24 Recording Room 25 Secondary locking element 26 Connection channel 27 Guide tube 28 Side of the guide tube facing the contact unit 29 Coating 30 Contact page

Images