CONNECTOR PART FOR AN OPTICAL AND / OR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector part, in particular a cable connector, for an optical and / or electrical plug connection, which has at least one housing and at least one clamping sleeve, which are connected to one another by means of a detachable screw connection, wherein a strain relief arrangement for a cable guided into the connector part is arranged within the housing and / or the clamping sleeve, which has a strain relief sleeve that is supported on an outer sleeve.

[0002] Connector components of this type are known per se. Such connector components for optical connections are marketed, for example, under the trademark OpticalCon. They also include a strain relief arrangement, in which strain relief fibers or similar components running through the cable are connected to parts of the connector that are locked to a socket or a complementary connector component, thus relieving any tensile forces on the power or data-transmitting fibers or strands of the cable.

[0003] For this purpose, strain relief elements made of metallic material can be connected to sleeves in the connector part, for example, by welding, soldering, crimping, or similar connection methods. These sleeves then rest on corresponding structures on or in the housing of the connector part.

[0004] US 4,795,229 shows a known strain relief assembly for an optical connector, which has annular holding and bearing elements cooperating with an annular holding sleeve to provide strain relief for the cable.

[0005] US 2017 / 212308 A1 discloses a connector part for an optical and / or electrical plug connection, which has at least one housing for the optical and / or electrical contact elements and their carriers and at least one clamping sleeve.

[0006] DE 3524105 A1 describes a coupling part of an electrical plug-in connection for connecting an electrical cable, which has at least two wires and a thread-like tension member in its core. The tension member is tightly attached to a metallic sleeve that extends beyond the cable and tapers conically towards the cable end. A grip body made of insulating material is molded around its cable-side end and the cable end. The manufacture of this arrangement is relatively complex, since both the tension member and the cable shield are secured in an undercut of the attachment on the base body. The attachment is provided with two axially extending grooves into which the tension member and the twisted-together shield are inserted. The ends of both parts are folded over. They lie in the undercut and are held there by the sleeve that fits tightly against the attachment.It has therefore already been proposed that the end of the pulling element be attached to the free, line-side end of the sleeve and that the ends of the contact elements protruding from the contact carrier be surrounded by an insulating body made of a material which is fluid when heated and becomes brittle when cooled and which is enclosed by the sleeve.

[0007] DE 202004016541 U1 discloses an adapter for connecting the electrical wires of an electrical cable to an electrical connector, as well as a connector equipped with such an adapter. The cable's shielding braid is bent around a conical ring inside the adapter by almost 180 degrees. Tensile forces acting on the cable are transferred to the shielding braid, so that the strain relief depends on the tensile strength of the shielding braid and the squeezing effect with which the shielding braid is held between the conical ring(s) and the tubular jacket of the adapter. A type of conical ring tapered opposite to the cable's insertion direction was therefore proposed, whereby the shielding braid lying on the outer surface of the conical ring merely needs to be bent open by less than 90 degrees from the axial alignment of the cable. Bending the shielding braid by an angle greater than 90 degrees is not necessary.

[0008] Finally, WO 2011116194 A2 describes a cable assembly for an electronic device, in which an injection-molded element is attached to a cable at one end of an insulating layer. The assembly further comprises a reinforcing element extending in the insulating layer along the at least one conductor and having a first end extending beyond one end of the insulating layer. This first end further extends rearwardly along the outer surface of the insulating layer under a prestressing force, whereby the reinforcing element is prestressed such that any additional tensile stresses exerted on the cable are at least initially borne by the reinforcing element. A fastening element is crimped to the reinforcing element and the insulating layer and locks the prestressed first end of the reinforcing element to one end of the insulating layer.A portion of the injection-molded member is molded over the first end of the reinforcement member and the fastener. The fastener has a flange extending radially outward from the cable and retained within the injection-molded member.

[0009] However, if strain relief elements made of non-metallic materials are to be used, for example in medical applications, these known connection types can no longer be used safely.

[0010] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a connector part in order to ensure a safe and fully functional strain relief for the cable connected to the connector part, even with non-metallic materials.

[0011] This object is achieved by a device and a method according to the claims.

[0012] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the strain relief arrangement has a sleeve which opens in a funnel shape towards the front at least over part of its length, through which the strands or fibers of the cable are passed and fixed therein by means of a potting compound made of hardened synthetic resin.

[0013] The sleeve surrounds the ends of strands or fibers of the cable guided into the connector part, wherein a fixing connection is provided between these elements and the sleeve, preferably also between a strain relief element of the cable and the sleeve.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sleeve is placed on the front side of the strain relief sleeve.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment of the connector part is characterized in that the interior of at least the funnel-shaped section of the sleeve is filled with the cured synthetic resin.

[0016] An embodiment is preferred in which the entire interior of the sleeve is filled with the cured synthetic resin.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the synthetic resin is selected from the group of reactive resins. The preferred material is epoxy resin.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is preferred according to which the sleeve is supported on the outer sleeve solely via the strain relief sleeve.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, any cable shield can be firmly connected to the funnel-shaped section of the sleeve. This is preferably done by crimping.

[0020] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0021] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a connector part according to the prior art; Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of sleeves for the strain relief arrangement; Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a connector part according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the connector part of the Fig. 3 with a different cover; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the internal components of the strain relief arrangement; and Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a plug connection of the connector part according to the invention as a cable connector with a complementary connector part in the form of a chassis socket.

[0022] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied mutatis mutandis to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these positional information must be applied mutatis mutandis to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0023] In the Fig. 1 a conventional embodiment of a connector part, in particular a cable connector, for an optical and / or electrical plug connection is shown in an exploded view.

[0024] It includes a strain relief arrangement for the cable K (not shown here), which extends through the clamping sleeve 19, preferably also through a kink protection 10 pushed onto the clamping sleeve 19, and opens into the housing 6 through the strain relief sleeve 23. The strain relief arrangement further comprises a small central crimp sleeve 15 and a wider crimp sleeve 38 with a larger circumference. The crimp sleeve 38 rests on the strain relief sleeve 23 and is connected to the shield of the cable K, while the central crimp sleeve 15 is connected to strain relief elements of the cable K.

[0025] The strain relief sleeve 23 rests on the two half-shells 8, which are further supported on the clamping sleeve 19. Retaining projections 17 are also arranged on the inside of the half-shells 8, via which the central crimp sleeve 15 rests on the half-shells 8 and further on the clamping sleeve 19. Furthermore, a return ring 7 and a sealing ring 13 are arranged on the rear section of the strain relief sleeve 23.

[0026] Another embodiment of the prior art has a strain relief arrangement in which the two separate crimp sleeves 15 and 38 are combined to form a common component 32 (see Fig. 2 ) are combined. The central, small crimp sleeve 15 is supported by a tubular intermediate piece 33 and a crosspiece 34 on the wider crimp sleeve 38. The component 32 as a whole is in turn supported in the manner already described in connection with Fig. 1 explained manner on the half shells 8 and thus further on the clamping sleeve 19.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention is shown in Fig. 3 , which is explained in detail below.

[0028] The housing 6 of the connector according to the invention is connected to a clamping sleeve 19 by means of a detachable screw connection, consistent with the known embodiments. A locking ring 18, which is movable longitudinally relative to the housing 6, engages with a toothing 26 in a fixed toothing 25 of the clamping sleeve 19. This fixed toothing 25 cannot be moved relative to the clamping sleeve 19 and is preferably formed or molded directly thereon, or initially manufactured as an additional part and then fixed accordingly to the clamping sleeve 19.

[0029] The locking ring 18 on the housing 6 is acted upon by a preload spring 3 and mounted for displacement in directions parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 6. The preload spring 3 preloads the locking ring 18 toward an engagement position of its toothing 26 with the toothing 25 of the clamping sleeve 19. In the engagement position, this prevents accidental unscrewing of the screw connection between the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19. In order to release the screw connection, the locking ring 18 must be lifted off the fixed toothing 25 of the clamping sleeve 19 against the preload of the preload spring 3 until its toothing 26 and the toothing 25 of the clamping sleeve 19 are no longer engaged in this released state. When the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19 are screwed together, however, the toothings 25, 26 can slide against each other along their flat tooth flanks, whereby the locking ring 18 is automatically moved against the action of the preload spring 3.

[0030] Of course, alternatively, other connection forms between the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19 could also be provided, such as a bayonet lock or a secured plug connection.

[0031] The locking ring 18 is secured against rotation relative to the housing 6 by a locking ring 14, which can be fastened to the housing 6 in a rotationally fixed manner. The locking ring 18 has a sequence of teeth, preferably located on the inside, i.e., in the direction toward the housing 6, into which the complementarily designed outer side of the locking ring 14 engages and which are preferably formed integrally on the locking ring 18. The locking ring 14 has a receiving opening open on one side, with which it can be slipped onto the housing 6 orthogonally to its longitudinal direction and fastened in a rotationally fixed manner. Despite this rotational lock, the locking ring 18 is still mounted on the housing 6 so that it can be displaced longitudinally.

[0032] In the gripping surface of the locking ring 18, there is a circumferential groove in which a loss protection or fastening element 20 for a cover cap 16 can be suspended. This cover cap 16 is preferably equipped with an insert 4.

[0033] The preload spring 3 is clamped between the locking ring 18 and a release ring 21, which is also displaceable in the longitudinal direction on the housing 6. The release ring 21 is part of a locking and unlocking arrangement with which the connector part according to the invention can be releasably locked after insertion into a complementary connector part, in particular a chassis socket, in order to prevent accidental release of the connector connection.

[0034] For this purpose, a tension sleeve 24 is connected to the housing 6 in an at least axially immovable manner. Its axially forward-facing tabs engage complementary retaining structures of the complementary connector part and engage behind them to create a snap-in connection. The release ring 21 lies above the tension sleeve 24 and, when pulled toward the locking ring 18 against the action of the preload spring 3, presses the tabs of the tension sleeve 24 radially inward, thereby releasing the locking connection with the complementary connector part.

[0035] The edge area 37 of the release ring 21, pointing in the unlocking direction, is significantly raised from a rounded, circumferentially extending depression, allowing it to be securely grasped and pulled backward, even while wearing gloves, to release the locking mechanism from a complementary connector part. This is particularly advantageous for medical applications.

[0036] A sealing ring 13, which is also known per se, seals the screw connection between the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19 when these two components are screwed together, i.e. when they are in the connected state.

[0037] In the front section of the housing 6, a contact carrier 12 for adapter contacts 1 is preferably inserted, for example, for the electrical transmission of data via some of the strands 30 of the cable K. A holding element 9, preferably for the end pieces of optical fibers 29 of the cable K, is arranged on the front section of a sleeve composed of two half-shells 8. It preferably also functions simultaneously as a contact carrier for electrical contact elements 11, preferably for energy transmission, which also takes place via corresponding strands 30 of the cable K.

[0038] At the rear, the end of the half-shells 8, which is opposite the holding element 9, the strain relief sleeve 23 is arranged and is supported via the half-shells 8 on the front end of the clamping sleeve 19. A sleeve 22, which opens funnel-shaped towards the housing 6, is supported on the strain relief sleeve 23, wherein this funnel-shaped section 27 is formed in the front part of the sleeve 22 over at least part of the length thereof. Embodiments are also possible in which a cylindrical sleeve is supported on the strain relief sleeve 23 and a completely funnel-shaped sleeve rests as a separate component on the cylindrical sleeve and is thus indirectly supported on the strain relief sleeve 23. The strands 30, fibers 29, strain relief elements or the like.of the cable K are guided through this sleeve 22 or any other similar sleeve arrangement and guided forward into the housing 6 and are furthermore fixed in at least the cylindrical section of the sleeve 22. Preferably, however, any shield of the cable K is connected to the funnel-shaped section 27 of the sleeve 22, for example by crimping. The remaining elements of the cable K are preferably fixed in the sleeve 22 by filling the interior of at least the funnel-shaped section 27 of the sleeve 22 with a cured synthetic resin 28. A preferred embodiment provides that the entire interior of the funnel-shaped sleeve 22 and at least part of the strain relief sleeve 23 is filled with the cured synthetic resin 28 (see . Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 This makes it possible to use strain relief elements made of non-metallic materials, which is advantageous in medical applications.

[0039] Epoxy resin is preferably used as the material for filling the sleeve 22, but other reactive resins such as unsaturated polyester resins, PUR casting resins, aminoplasts, or phenolic resins can also be used. Further embodiments can provide for the synthetic resin encapsulation to extend beyond the sleeve 22 and fill larger volumes within the housing 6 and, if applicable, also the clamping sleeve 19. Since all elements 29, 30 of the cable K, including the strain relief elements, are fixed in the sleeve 22 and, if applicable, additionally in the strain relief sleeve 23, the inner sides of the half-shells 8 can remain free of retaining elements, which of course considerably simplifies assembly. The funnel-shaped sleeve 22 is then supported on the outer sleeve consisting of the two half-shells 8 solely via the strain relief sleeve 23.

[0040] The strain relief arrangement described above can be arranged entirely on or in the clamping sleeve 19, or can be positioned in the transition area between the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19.

[0041] A return ring 7 and a ring-shaped spiral spring 2 for EMC shielding are also located between the strain relief arrangement 8, 22, 23 and the clamping sleeve 19. When the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19 are screwed together or otherwise connected, this spiral spring 2 is subjected to axial load, thereby tilting in the circumferential direction and thus forming the optimal EMC protection for the gap between the housing 6 and the clamping sleeve 19.

[0042] In Fig. 4Another embodiment of the cover cap 16 is shown, which is preferably used for medical applications. A tab 31 protruding further forward surrounds an opening 32 through which a user can reach with a finger, even a gloved finger, and remove the cover cap 16 easily and quickly.

[0043] In Fig. 5 is shown again in an isolated detail how the cable K, which is guided through any kink protection 10 and the clamping sleeve 19, is guided through the cable grommet 19 to the strain relief sleeve 23. Further forward through this sleeve 23, through the funnel-shaped opening sleeve 22 and into the housing 6, only the individual elements 29, 30 of the cable K are then split up and guided. These elements 29, 30 are firmly fixed in the synthetic resin potting 28, as is any shielding of the cable K.

[0044] Fig. 5further shows how the optical conductors 29 are guided into the holding element 9 for the ends of the optical fibers 29 and how the electrical conductors 30 are also guided into this holding element 9. Preferably, the contact carrier area of the holding element 9 is extended forward by the contact carrier 12. The number of optical fibers and electrical conductors is, in principle, arbitrary, and their maximum number is limited only by the dimensions of the connector part.

[0045] Fig. 6also shows a longitudinal section, but here the connector part according to the invention in the form of a cable plug has been connected to a corresponding connector part in the form of a chassis socket to form a plug-in connection. The front section of the housing 6 has been inserted into the insertion opening of the connector part 33. Its front edge 36 rises only slightly above the plane of the flange plate 35, which is particularly advantageous for devices in the medical field in order to largely prevent snagging on this edge 36.

[0046] A ring-shaped spiral spring 34 is also inserted into the complementary connector part 33, which is axially loaded by the front end of the inserted housing 6 and thereby tilted. This ensures optimal EMC shielding on the side of the connector part 33 as well. Together with the EMC shielding provided by the spiral spring 2 of the other connector part at the end of the cable K, this ensures optimal shielding of the area of the connector connection where the optical and electrical contact is made.

[0047] In the Fig. 6In the connected and locked position shown, the electrical contacts 1 and 11 in the front end of the housing 6 are in electrically conductive connection with corresponding electrical contacts of the connector part 33. The holding element 9, preferably for the optical fibers 29, rests with its contact surface directly against a contact surface of a optical fiber carrier of the connector part 33. As a result, the open ends of the optical fibers arranged in the contact surfaces come into optically conductive connection, so that optical signals can be transported via this connection.

[0048] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. Reference symbol list

[0049] 1 Adapter contact 36 Edge insertion opening 2 Ringfeder 37 Edge release ring 3 Preload spring 38 Crimp sleeve 4 Insert for protective cap 39 5 Contact carrier optical 40 6 Housing 41 7 Return ring 8 half shell 42 9 Holding element 43 10 kink protection 44 45 11 contact 12 Contact carrier electrical 46 13 sealing ring 14 locking ring 48 15 Crimp sleeve 49 50 16 protective cap 17 Holding projection 51 18 locking ring 52 19 clamping sleeve 53 20 Fastening element 54 55 21 release ring 22 funnel sleeve 56 23 Strain relief sleeve 57 24 Tension sleeve 58 25 Fixed gearing 59 60 26 Toothing locking ring 27 Funnel-shaped section 61 28 Resin casting 62 29 Strands 63 30 light guide 64 65 31 Tab protective cap 32 Opening tab 33 chassis socket 34 Ringfeder 35 Flange plate

Claims

1. A plug connector part for an optical and / or electrical plug connection, which comprises at least a housing (6) for the optical and / or electrical contact elements and their carriers (5, 12) and at least a clamping sleeve (19), which are connected to one another by means of a releasable screw connection, wherein a strain relief arrangement (8, 22, 23) for a cable (K) guided in the plug connector part is arranged inside the housing (6) and / or the clamping sleeve (19), which strain relief arrangement (8, 22, 23) comprises a strain relief sleeve (23), which is supported on an outer sleeve (8), characterized in that the strain relief arrangement (8, 22, 23) comprises a sleeve (22) opening toward the front in a funnel-shaped manner at least over a part (27) of its length, through which sleeve (22) the litz wires (29) or fibers (30) of the cable (K) are guided and fixed therein.

2. The plug connector part according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (22) opening in a funnel-shaped manner is placed on the front side of the strain relief sleeve (23) and supported thereon.

3. The plug connector part to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interior of at least the funnel-shaped section (27) of the sleeve (22) is filled with a cured synthetic resin (28).

4. The plug connector part according to claim 3, characterized in that the entire interior of the sleeve (22) and at least a part of the strain relief sleeve (23) is filled with a cured synthetic resin (28).

5. The plug connector part according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the synthetic resin (28) is selected from the group of reaction resins, wherein preferably epoxy resin is selected.

6. The plug connector part according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve (22) is supported on the outer sleeve (8) via the strain relief sleeve (23).

7. The plug connector part according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a possible shield of the cable (K) is firmly connected to the funnel-shaped section (27) of the sleeve (23), preferably by means of crimping.

8. The plug connector part according to one of claims 1 to 7, in an embodiment as a cable plug for optical and / or electrical cables, whose housing is designed for establishing a plug connection to a complementary plug connector part, preferable a chassis socket.