PLUG ARRANGEMENT FOR ESTABLISHING A DETACHABLE POWER AND / OR DATA TRANSFER CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug arrangement for establishing a detachable energy and / or data transmission connection, comprising a housing body and a contact element connected to the housing body, wherein the contact element is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a predetermined plug-in direction and has annular contact zones arranged along the predetermined plug-in direction.

[0002] Such a connector arrangement, known as a jack plug, is known from stage or studio technology, among other applications, where it is used to transmit audio signals or supply voltages with comparatively low currents. The design of the jack plug allows it to rotate freely in a mating socket, thus protecting any cable connected to it from unwanted twisting. Due to this property, the use of a jack plug connection is particularly suitable for establishing a wired power and / or data transmission connection with an electrically powered agricultural machine, since the associated cable can follow any possible changes in orientation of the agricultural machine due to the free rotation of the plug connection.

[0003] In this context, DE 10 2017 201 544 A1 discloses a cable-operated agricultural machine with a cable drum. To prevent the operator from driving over a section of cable unwound from the cable drum, its path is recorded by a sensor. The detection is carried out using a pivoting sensor, the design of which is comparatively complex and susceptible to external contamination or damage.

[0004] US 8 192 234 B2 discloses a jack plug for an electronic device such as a portable music player, a mobile phone, or a computer. Sensors such as optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, resistance sensors, and capacitive sensors are used to monitor the position and movement of the audio plug relative to the audio jack. A user can rotate the audio plug to control operations such as media playback, menu selection, and other activities in the electronic device.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a robust arrangement for detecting the course of a power and / or data transmission cable intended for the electrical operation of an agricultural machine.

[0006] This object is achieved by a plug arrangement having the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] The plug assembly according to the invention for establishing a detachable power and / or data transmission connection comprises a housing body and a contact element connected to the housing body. The contact element is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a predetermined plug-in direction and has annular contact zones arranged along the predetermined plug-in direction. At least one coding means is provided on the contact element, which forms an angle code that varies uniquely with a rotational position of the contact element.

[0008] The invention takes advantage of the fact that in the case of a cable-connected, and therefore electrically powered, agricultural machine, the associated cable is usually detachably attached at one of its two ends to a power supply station or another electrically powered agricultural machine by means of a detachable plug connection. Due to the rotational symmetry of the contact element, it can rotate freely within an associated plug coupling, so that the respective rotational position of the contact element or the resulting angle code directly indicates the route of the cable attached to it. This information can be used, for example, to control or steer the agricultural machine operated via the cable. For this purpose, the plug arrangement is attached to the agricultural machine in such a way that the rotational axis of the contact element, defined by the predetermined plug direction, coincides with the vertical axis of the agricultural machine.Due to the internal positioning of the at least one coding means in the plugged-in state and its structural integration into the contact element, the arrangement thus created enables particularly robust detection of the path of the power and / or data transmission cable provided for the electrical operation of the agricultural machine.

[0009] The ring-shaped contact zones can serve both power and data transmission. These are conductive section rings made of copper of appropriate width, which are electrically insulated from each other. To protect against oxidation, the conductive section rings can also be hard-coated with a precious metal such as gold or rhodium.

[0010] The plug arrangement can be designed either as an angled plug, in which a power and / or data transmission cable entering the housing body runs at right angles to the specified plug-in direction, or as a straight plug with a cable entering the housing body in the direction of the specified plug-in direction.

[0011] The agricultural machine could be, for example, an agricultural tractor, a harvester, a forage harvester, a self-propelled sprayer, or the like. Several agricultural machines can form a fleet that communicates via associated power and / or data transmission cables. An example of such a fleet can be found in DE 10 2017 217 481 A1. Use in connection with construction machines that interact with each other, for example, in a road construction crew or similar, is also conceivable.

[0012] According to the invention, a fastening element for attaching a holding cable is formed on the housing body of the plug assembly. The holding cable is stored, for example, on a cable drum and serves to guide or relieve the load on the cable provided for operating the agricultural machine. The respective unwinding state of the cable drum allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about the current distance between the agricultural machine and the origin of the holding cable and thus ultimately also of the cable. Together with the directional position of the agricultural machine resulting from the rotational position of the contact element, a clear position determination relative to the fixed origin is possible. Alternatively, instead of a holding cable, a pure distance measuring cable can be formed to implement a cable pull sensor.The fastening element is formed in particular as a fastening eyelet in one piece on an upper side of the housing body of the plug arrangement, wherein a snap hook or the like connected to the holding cable can be hooked into the fastening eyelet.

[0013] Advantageous further developments of the plug arrangement according to the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one coding means is designed as a barcode arranged in a ring on the contact element. The barcode can be arranged in the form of an associated section ring between the annular contact zones of the contact element and can have a plurality of coding lines running in the predetermined plug-in direction. In this case, the reading of the at least one coding means can be carried out wear-free by contactless sensor detection of the coding lines.

[0015] The term "coding bar" is to be understood in an abstract sense. In addition to visually perceptible markings, it can also refer to correspondingly magnetized areas. The latter are embedded in the section ring encompassed by at least one coding device and are characterized by their particular resistance to external contamination and damage. Accordingly, the barcode can be read either optically or magnetically.

[0016] Furthermore, it is possible for the at least one coding means to have at least two barcodes arranged one behind the other in the specified plug-in direction. The barcodes are either redundant or arranged in such a way that they are rotated or offset relative to one another in such a way that the direction of rotation of the contact element can be determined simultaneously.

[0017] Instead of using a section ring provided with a barcode, it is also conceivable for the at least one coding means to be designed as a sensor ring arranged annularly on the contact element, with magnetization continuously varying along its circumference. The pattern of the magnetization allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about the respective direction of rotation of the contact element, whereas the magnetization strength provides a clear measure of its respective rotational position.

[0018] To prevent accidental loosening of a plug connection established with the plug assembly, it is possible to provide a constriction running around the contact element for engaging a locking means when establishing a plug connection with a plug coupling. The constriction can be located, in particular, in the end region of the contact element.

[0019] In addition, a sealing means may be provided on the housing body to create a dust- and / or liquid-tight seal when establishing a plug connection with a plug coupling. In the simplest case, the sealing means is a circumferential rubber lip that is pressed tightly against a coupling housing enclosed by the plug coupling.

[0020] In addition to the ring-shaped contact zones, a light guide may also be provided on the contact element for broadband or interference-free optical transmission of digital data.

[0021] Optionally, there is the possibility that the at least one coding means additionally comprises a typing code characterizing a functional assignment of the contact element.

[0022] This can be used, in particular, to configure the agricultural machine's control or drive systems that communicate via the cable. The typing code can be stored in an additional RFID identification means, which is housed in the housing body of the connector assembly as part of the at least one coding means.

[0023] Furthermore, a plug coupling for receiving the plug assembly according to the invention comprises a socket designed to complement the contact element, wherein spring contacts that can be brought into contact with the annular contact zones and detection means for reading the at least one coding means are provided within the socket. The detection means are, for example, a reflected light sensor for scanning an optically readable barcode or a Hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field influenced or generated by a magnetically readable barcode or a magnetized sensor ring.

[0024] To protect the bushing from penetrating contaminants, a protective cover can be attached to a coupling housing. This cover can be moved from a position that closes the bushing to a position that releases it, counteracting a restoring force. For this purpose, the protective cover can be pivotably or slidably mounted on the coupling housing.

[0025] To secure the plug assembly within the socket, the plug coupling can have a manually operable locking means with a ball coupling designed for releasable engagement with a constriction running around the contact element, wherein the locking means is biased in particular toward a locking position. The locking means has, in particular, a manually operable release piece that can be moved into an unlocking position that releases the ball coupling.

[0026] In order to facilitate or assist the release of a plug connection established between the plug assembly and the plug coupling, a spring element arranged on the front side within the socket can be provided to exert an ejection force on a contact element located in the socket.

[0027] Additionally, a sealing means may be provided within the socket to create a dust- and / or liquid-tight seal against a contact element located within the socket. In the simplest case, the sealing means is a circumferential rubber ring that is pressed tightly against the contact element enclosed within the plug assembly when the plug connection is established.

[0028] The plug assembly or plug coupling according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding reference numerals designate structurally identical or functionally comparable components. They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the plug arrangement according to the invention for producing a detachable energy and / or data transmission connection, and Fig. 2 shows a sectional embodiment of the plug coupling according to the invention for use with the Fig. 1 shown connector arrangement.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the plug arrangement according to the invention for establishing a detachable energy and / or data transmission connection with an electrically operated agricultural machine (not shown).

[0030] The plug assembly 10, designed in the manner of a jack plug, comprises a housing body 12 made of glass fiber reinforced plastic or die-cast metal and a contact element 14 connected to the housing body 12. The contact element 14 is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a predetermined plugging direction 16 and has a plurality of annular contact zones 18, 20 arranged along the predetermined plugging direction 16.

[0031] For example, the annular contact zones 18, 20 are first, second, and third conductive section rings 22, 24, 26 for power transmission, as well as fourth, fifth, and sixth conductive section rings 28, 30, 32 for data transmission, which are electrically insulated from each other. The conductive section rings 22 to 32 are made of copper and have a width corresponding to the current to be transmitted. To protect against oxidation, the conductive section rings 22 to 32 are hard-coated with a precious metal, such as gold or rhodium.

[0032] In addition to the annular contact zones 18, 20, a light guide 34 is provided on the contact element 14 for broadband and interference-free optical transmission of digital data. In this case, this is located at one end of the contact element 14.

[0033] The plug assembly 10 is designed in the present case as an angled plug, ie a power and / or data transmission cable 36 entering the housing body 12 runs at a right angle to the predetermined plugging direction 16. A kink protection 38 made of elastic plastic serves to mechanically relieve the cable 36.

[0034] Furthermore, at least one coding means 40 is provided on the contact element 14, which forms an angle code that varies uniquely with a rotational position 42 of the contact element 14.

[0035] Due to the rotational symmetry of the contact element 14, the plug assembly 10 can rotate freely within an associated plug coupling, so that the respective rotational position 42 of the contact element 14 or the resulting angle code directly indicates the route of the cable 36 attached to it. This information can be used, for example, to control or steer the agricultural machine operated via the cable 36. For this purpose, the plug assembly 10 is attached to the agricultural machine in such a way that the rotational axis of the contact element 14, defined by the predetermined plugging direction 16, coincides with the vertical axis of the agricultural machine.

[0036] According to the presentation in Fig. 1 The at least one coding means 40 is designed as a first or second barcode 44, 46 arranged in a ring on the contact element 14. Each of the two barcodes 44, 46 is arranged in the form of an associated section ring 48, 50 between the annular contact zones 18, 20 of the contact element 14 and has a plurality of coding lines 52, 54 extending in the predetermined plugging direction 16.

[0037] The term "coding bar" is to be understood in an abstract sense. These are either visually perceptible markings or correspondingly magnetized areas. The latter are embedded in the section rings 48, 50 encompassed by the at least one coding means 40. Accordingly, the first or second barcode 44, 46 can be read either optically or magnetically.

[0038] The two barcodes 44, 46 are arranged one behind the other in the predetermined plug-in direction 16, rotated or offset relative to each other in such a way that at the same time a determination of the direction of rotation of the contact element 14 is made possible.

[0039] Optionally, the at least one coding means 40 comprises a typing code characterizing a functional assignment of the contact element 14. This code is used to configure control or drive systems of the agricultural machine operated via the cable 36. The typing code is stored in an additional RFID identification means 56, which is housed as a component of the at least one coding means 40 in the housing body 12 of the connector assembly 10.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the at least one coding means 40, instead of using a section ring 48, 50 provided with a barcode 44, 46, a sensor ring arranged annularly on the contact element 14 with a magnetization that varies continuously along its circumference is provided. The pattern of the magnetization allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about the respective direction of rotation of the contact element 14, whereas the magnetization strength provides a clear measure of its respective rotational position 42.

[0041] In order to prevent an unwanted release of a plug connection made with the plug arrangement 10, a constriction 58 running around the contact element 14 is provided for engaging a locking means when making a plug connection with a Fig. 2 The constriction 58 is located in the end area of ​​the contact element 14.

[0042] A sealing means 60 provided on the housing body 12 serves to create a dust- and / or liquid-tight seat when establishing the plug connection with the plug coupling 80. The sealing means 60 is a circumferential rubber lip 62 which is pressed in a tight fit against a coupling housing encompassed by the plug coupling 80.

[0043] Additionally, a fastening element 64 for attaching a retaining cable 66 is formed on the housing body 12 of the plug assembly 10. The retaining cable 66 is stored, for example, on a cable drum (not shown) and serves to guide or relieve the load on the cable 36 provided for operating the agricultural machine. The fastening element 64 is formed as a fastening eye 68 in one piece on an upper side of the housing body 12 of the plug assembly 10, wherein a snap hook 70 or the like connected to the retaining cable 66 is suspended in the fastening eye 68.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a sectioned embodiment of the plug coupling according to the invention for use with the Fig. 1 shown connector arrangement 10.

[0045] The plug coupling 80 comprises a socket 82 complementary to the contact element 14 for receiving the plug assembly 10. Within the socket 82, spring contacts 84, 86 engage the annular contact zones 18, 20, as well as detection means 88 for reading the at least one coding means 40, are provided. The detection means 88 is a reflected light sensor for scanning an optically readable barcode 44, 46 or a Hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field influenced or generated by a magnetically readable barcode 44, 46 or a magnetized sensor ring.

[0046] To protect the bushing 82 from penetrating contaminants, a protective cover 92 is attached to a clutch housing 90. This protective cover can be moved, against a restoring force, from a position that closes the bushing 82 to a position that releases the bushing 82. For this purpose, the protective cover 92 is pivotally mounted on the clutch housing 90. The restoring force is applied by means of a torsion spring 94.

[0047] To secure the plug assembly 10 within the socket 82, the plug coupling 80 has a manually operable locking means 96 with a ball coupling 100, which is designed for releasable engagement with the constriction 58 extending circumferentially on the contact element 14. The locking means 96 is biased toward a locking position by a compression spring 98. The locking means 96 has a manually operable release piece 102, which can be moved into an unlocking position releasing the ball coupling 100.

[0048] In order to facilitate or assist the release of a plug connection established between the plug assembly 10 and the plug coupling 80, a spring element 104 arranged on the front side within the socket 82 is provided for exerting an ejection force in the event that the contact element 14 is located in the socket 82.

[0049] Additionally, a sealing means 106 is provided within the socket 82 to create a dust- and / or liquid-tight fit relative to the contact element 14. The sealing means 106 is a circumferential rubber ring 108, which is pressed tightly against the contact element 14 encompassed by the plug assembly 10 when the plug connection is established.

[0050] Optionally, an RFID reading unit 110 is provided for reading the typing code stored in the RFID identification means 56.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the agricultural machine operated via cable 36 can be an agricultural tractor, a harvester, a forage harvester, a self-propelled sprayer, or the like, whereby several agricultural machines can form a fleet that communicates via associated power and / or data transmission cables. An example of such a fleet can be found in DE 10 2017 217 481 A1.

Claims

1. Plug arrangement for producing a detachable energy- and / or data-transmitting connection, having a housing body (12) and a contact element (14) that is connected to the housing body (12), wherein the contact element (14) is embodied in a rotationally symmetrical manner in relation to a predetermined plugging direction (16) and comprises annular contact zones (18, 20) that are arranged along the predetermined plugging direction (16), wherein at least one coding means (40) is provided on the contact element (14), said coding means forming an angular code that clearly varies with a rotational position (42) of the contact element (14), wherein the plug arrangement (10) may either be embodied as an angle plug in which an energy- and / or data-transmitting cable (36) that is introduced into the housing body (12) extends at a right-angle with respect to the predetermined plugging direction (16) or however may also be embodied as a straight plug having a cable (36) that is introduced into the housing body (12) in the direction of the predetermined plugging direction (16), characterized in that a fastening element (64) for attaching a holding cable (66) is embodied on the housing body (12).

2. Plug arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one coding means (40) is embodied as a bar code (44, 46) that is arranged in an annular manner on the contact element (14).

3. Plug arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the bar code (44, 46) may be read either optically or magnetically.

4. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one coding means (40) comprises at least two bar codes (44, 46) that are arranged one behind the other in the predetermined plugging direction (16).

5. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one coding means (40) is embodied as a sensor ring that is arranged in an annular manner on the contact element (14), said sensor ring having a magnetization that varies continuously along the circumference of said sensor ring.

6. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a constriction (58) that extends circumferentially on the contact element (14) is provided for a locking means (96) to engage into when a plug connection to a plug coupling arrangement (80) is produced.

7. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a sealing means (60) that is provided on the housing body (12) is provided so as to produce a seat that is sealed with respect to dust and / or fluid when a plug connection to a plug coupling arrangement (80) is produced.

8. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a light guide (34) that is provided on the contact element (14) is provided for the optical transmission of digital data.

9. Plug arrangement according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one coding means (40) additionally comprises a typification code that characterizes a function of the contact element (14).

10. Plug coupling with a plug arrangement (10) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9 accommodated therein, comprising a socket (82) that is embodied in a manner that complements the contact element (14), wherein resilient contacts (84, 86) that may be brought into contact with the annular contact zones (18, 20) and also ascertaining means (88) for reading the at least one coding means (40) are provided within the socket (82).

11. Plug coupling according to Claim 10, characterized in that a protective cover (92) is attached to a coupling housing (90) and said protective cover may be brought against a returning force out of a position that closes the socket (82) to the outside into a position that releases the socket (82).

12. Plug coupling according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized by a manually-actuatable locking means (96) having a ball coupling (100) that is embodied so as to engage in a detachable manner into a constriction (58) that extends circumferentially on the contact element (14), wherein the locking means (96) is in particular prestressed in the direction of a locking position.

13. Plug coupling according to at least one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a resilient element (104) that is arranged on the end face within the socket (82) is provided so as to exert an expelling force on a contact element (14) that is located in the socket (82).

14. Plug coupling according to at least one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a sealing means (106) that is arranged within the socket (82) so as to produce a seat that is sealed with respect to dust and / or fluid is provided opposite a contact element (14) that is located in the socket (82).