CONNECTOR FOR Symmetrical Signal Transmission

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for symmetrical signal transmission. In particular, but not limited to, a connector for differential data transmission is provided.

[0002] In wired symmetrical data transmission, such as differential transmission, the characteristic impedance is a crucial parameter of the transmission link for maintaining signal integrity and should ideally be uniform along the entire transmission path. The characteristic impedance, more precisely the differential characteristic impedance, refers to the location-specific characteristic impedance along the transmission path. This can, for example, correspond to the input impedance of a hypothetical infinitely long transmission line whose uniform cross-section is configured to match the cross-section of the point under consideration. The characteristic impedance can also be referred to as the characteristic impedance or simply as impedance.

[0003] Deviations from the uniform value of the characteristic impedance lead to reflection loss (also known as return loss attenuation or RL), which negatively affects signal integrity. The characteristic impedance is primarily influenced by the geometric arrangement of the conductors and the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding material. For example, in the high-frequency range, the characteristic impedance can vary significantly. Z due to the local inductance level L' and the local capacity utilization C' at the respective point under consideration by Z = L ′ C ′ be certain.

[0004] Document US 10404014 B2 describes clearances between the contacts of a connector designed to reduce crosstalk. However, a disadvantage is that the contacts cannot be completely free-standing; they must be at least partially adjacent to a dielectric environment containing the clearances. This severely limits the possible contact geometries and the feasible mechanical connection systems.

[0005] Furthermore, according to the cited document US 10404014 B2, the clearances reduce crosstalk. However, without impedance matching of the connector, reflection attenuation can negatively affect signal integrity. US2004 / 121633A1 discloses another connector from the prior art.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a connector whose characteristic impedance can be structurally adapted, preferably increased, without increasing the connector's installation space. An alternative or more specific objective is to enable a spring-loaded locking mechanism for the connector without compromising the ability to adapt the characteristic impedance or the connector's installation space requirements.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with partial reference to the figures.

[0009] According to one aspect, a connector for symmetrical, preferably differential, signal transmission comprises at least two connection contacts on one connection side of the connector. Furthermore, the connector comprises at least two plug contacts on the opposite connection side of the connector and at least two conductors, each of which electrically connects a connection contact to one of the plug contacts. The connector also comprises a dielectric enclosure for the at least two conductors. The dielectric enclosure has at least one gap between the conductors.

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the connector can adapt the dielectric environment of the conductors by means of the at least one free space in the dielectric enclosure of the at least two conductors between the connection side and the plug-in side, for example to match a characteristic impedance (preferably a line characteristic impedance) of the connector, without having to adapt the enclosure or the geometry of the connection contacts and / or the plug-in contacts of the connector.

[0011] For example, the terminal contacts and / or the plug contacts can be freely positioned, preferably projecting outwards on the terminal side or plug side. A modification of the area surrounding the plug contacts, as shown, for example, in document US 10404014 B2, is not necessary.

[0012] By means of the clearance space, embodiments of the connector can have a structurally adapted characteristic impedance. For example, by increasing the clearance space (preferably by extending the clearance space along the at least two conductors), the characteristic impedance of the connector can be increased without increasing the size of the connector. Alternatively or additionally, the dielectric encapsulation of the connector can have an effective permittivity that is lower than the permittivity of the material used for the encapsulation or lower than the permittivity of a typical plastic insulating material.

[0013] A section of the dielectric enclosure that limits the free space, for example, an edge of the free space, can be spring-elastic. This section can be spring-elastic due to the deformability of the free space. The section can be described as a spring element.

[0014] One embodiment of the connector can be composed of multiple parts. The individual components can be locked together (for example, during assembly) by means of the spring element.

[0015] Every connector in a transmission link inherently introduces a local disturbance into the characteristic impedance. Designed connectors can minimize deviations in the connector's characteristic impedance compared to the characteristic impedance of a cable or connection on a printed circuit board (i.e., electrically connected to the connector contacts) by utilizing clearance. For example, the connector can be a socket mounted on or mountable to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can be connected to, or connectable to, the connector contacts.

[0016] In connector design, one is often limited by the available space and / or by the required high-voltage withstand capability. At least one free space allows for a measure that preserves or maintains the available space while influencing the characteristic impedance of the connector.

[0017] The at least one free space in the dielectric encapsulation between the conductors allows the use of a dielectric encapsulation material whose relative permittivity ε r conventionally too large, or this would lead to an impedance that is too low. For example, commonly used plastic materials with a relative permittivity ε r between 2 and 8 are used for the dielectric encapsulation. Materials with values ​​of ε rItems under 2 are often foamed materials, which usually do not have sufficient strength, long-term stability and / or insulation resistance to function as a dielectric enclosure for the conductors (i.e., as a support for the plug and / or connection contacts, in short: contact carriers).

[0018] The inclusion of at least one free space (for example, an opening and / or a cavity) in the material of the dielectric encapsulation allows embodiments to compensate for a disturbance in the characteristic impedance caused by a conventional connector, without restricting the surroundings or geometry of the plug and / or connection contacts. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one free space between the conductors and between the plug-in and connection sides can utilize the installation space for a mechanical function, for example, for spring-like deformation during connector assembly.

[0019] A recess or through-opening in the dielectric enclosure can encompass the free space. The recess or through-opening can extend (for example, section by section) between the at least two conductors. Alternatively or additionally, the free space can be a recess or through-opening in the dielectric enclosure. Alternatively or additionally, the free space can be in fluid contact with the area surrounding the connector.

[0020] The free space can be a gas-tight cavity. The cavity can be filled with air or a noble gas, or it can be evacuated, for example, with a residual pressure of less than 30,000 Pa. The gas filling and / or the residual pressure allow the effective relative permittivity of the dielectric lining, and thus the characteristic impedance of the connector, to be determined by design.

[0021] The dielectric enclosure can be an integral, one-piece component. Alternatively or additionally, the dielectric enclosure can be an injection-molded part.

[0022] The dielectric encapsulation can extend from the connection side to the plug-in side. The connection side and the plug-in side can each be end faces of the dielectric encapsulation, preferably from which the connection contacts or the plug-in contacts protrude.

[0023] The dielectric enclosure can enclose each of the at least two conductors. For example, the dielectric enclosure can enclose each of the at least two conductors at least at one point between the connection side and the plug-in side, or continuously between the connection side and the plug-in side. The enclosure of each conductor can be a completely closed enclosing of the respective conductor.

[0024] The dielectric encapsulation can be produced by overmolding the at least two conductors. Alternatively or additionally, the dielectric encapsulation can insulate the at least two conductors (preferably continuously) between the connection side and the plug-in side.

[0025] The dielectric encapsulation can surround each of the at least two conductors on both the plug-in and connection sides. The dielectric encapsulation can be made of a material having a relative permittivity of at least 1.5 or 2 and / or at most 8.

[0026] The dielectric confinement between conductors in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the conductors through the free space can have an effective relative permittivity that is less than 1.5 or 2. The effective relative permittivity, ε r eff , may correspond to or be determined by ε r eff = d ∑ j d j ε r j , where d = Σ jdjthe distance between the conductors in the cross-section is and ε r j the relative permittivity in the corresponding section of the width dj of the cross-section. The relative permittivity of the free space can ε r j ′ = ε r Luft or ε r j ′ = 1 be, i.e., in the section of the transverse dimension, dj , of the free space.

[0027] The dielectric enclosure is spring-elastic in a first transverse direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the at least two conductors, deforming the free space (for example, reducing the cross-sectional dimension of the free space) and / or deflecting one or more of the at least two conductors.

[0028] The connector can further comprise a housing part. The housing part can have an inner surface and at least one locking recess in the inner surface. Furthermore, the housing part can have a receiving opening that opens onto the inner surface. The receiving opening can be configured to receive the dielectric insert in the longitudinal direction. The dielectric insert can have a locking element (for example, a spring element). The locking element can be arranged to slide over the inner surface when the dielectric insert is received in the housing part (for example, by contracting the clearance in the first transverse direction) and, when the insert is received in the housing part (for example, by widening the clearance in the first transverse direction), to engage in the locking recess, preferably for reversible locking of the received state.

[0029] The free space can widen towards the outside of the dielectric enclosure along a second transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the first transverse direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. For example, the free space can widen with respect to the first transverse direction and / or along slopes. The slopes can extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The connector may further comprise a cable electrically connected to the connection side with at least two connection contacts, or a printed circuit board electrically connected to the connection side with at least two connection contacts, or be electrically connectable to the cable or the printed circuit board. The connection side may be electrically and / or mechanically connected or connectable to a terminal on the printed circuit board.

[0031] The cross-sectional dimension of the free space in the dielectric enclosure, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the at least two conductors, can influence the characteristic impedance of the connector. The characteristic impedance of the connector, influenced or controllable (e.g., by design) via this free space, can be matched to the characteristic impedance of the cable or the PCB connection.

[0032] The characteristic impedance of the connector can be inversely proportional to the square root of the effective relative permittivity. ε r eff , be.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings and by way of preferred embodiments.

[0034] They show schematically: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment in an open state; Fig. 2 a side view of the connector according to the first embodiment in the open state; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment in an assembled state; Fig. 4A a sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment in the assembled state; Fig. 5A a side view of the connector according to the first embodiment in the assembled state; Fig. 5A a longitudinal sectional view of a dielectric insert that can be used in the first embodiment of the connector; Fig. 6A a side view of the dielectric insert that can be used in the first embodiment of the connector.Fig. 5C shows a sectional view of the dielectric encapsulation in a first cross-sectional plane, which can be used in the first embodiment of the connector; Fig. 5A shows a sectional view of the dielectric encapsulation in a second cross-sectional plane, which can be used in the first embodiment of the connector; Figs. 6A to 6I each show schematic cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of further embodiments of the dielectric encapsulation; and Figs. 7A to 7P each show schematic cross-sections parallel to the longitudinal direction of further embodiments of the dielectric encapsulation.

[0035] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector, generally designated by reference numeral 100, for symmetrical, preferably differential, signal transmission. The connector 100 comprises at least two connection contacts 112 on a connection side 102 of the connector 100, and at least two plug contacts 111 on a plug side 101 of the connector 100 opposite the connection side 102.

[0036] At least two conductors connect (preferably in a one-to-one correspondence) a terminal contact 112 to one of the plug contacts 111 in an electrically conductive manner. The connector 100 further comprises a dielectric enclosing 110 for the at least two conductors. The dielectric enclosing 110 can be bonded to the at least two conductors by a material connection or a form connection and / or electrically insulate the at least two conductors from each other. The dielectric enclosing 110 has at least one free space 114 in a space between the at least two conductors. The free space 114 can be a cavity or a through-hole in the dielectric enclosing 110.

[0037] The dielectric enclosure 110 can also be referred to as a contact carrier. The dielectric enclosure 110 is preferably injection-molded in one piece from a dielectric material, for example a plastic.

[0038] The electrically conductive plug contacts 111, conductor and connection contacts 112 can each be a continuous metallic pin.

[0039] The first embodiment of the connector 100 comprises several components, namely the enclosing 110 and a housing part 120. In the Fig. 1 The shown condition is that components 110 and 120 of connector 100 are in an open or disassembled state.

[0040] The housing part 120 has a receiving opening 122 for receiving the dielectric insert 110. To ensure polarity (i.e., to prevent reverse polarity), the insert 110 has polarity markings 119A and 119B, which are not symmetrical with respect to a 180° rotation of the insert about its longitudinal direction. The receiving opening 122 opens into an inner surface of the housing part 120, which has polarity markings 129A and 129B that are shaped complementary to the polarity markings 119A and 119B of the insert 110.

[0041] The frame 110 includes locking elements 118, for example locking cams, laterally at the free space 114. When the frame 110 is inserted into the housing part 120 (for example, when mounting the connector 110), the locking elements 118 are engaged in the first transverse direction (for example, in the vertical direction). Fig. 1The locking elements 118 are compressed and slide along the inner surface of the housing part 120 until they engage in locking recesses 128 on the inner surface of the housing part 120. The clearance 114 allows the locking elements 118 to spring elasticity by contracting the transverse dimension 115 of the clearance 114 in the first transverse direction.

[0042] In addition to the free space 114, optional inclined surfaces 116 on the free space 114 can be used to design the mechanical and / or electromagnetic (especially dielectric) properties of the plug contact 100. For example, the spring constant of the compressible locking elements 118 and / or the characteristic impedance of the plug contact 110 can be determined independently of each other.

[0043] Matching the characteristic impedance of the connector to the characteristic impedance of a cable or printed circuit board connected to the terminal 102 can minimize the reflection coefficient. When an electromagnetic wave of any shape propagates along the cable (or through the connection of the printed circuit board and / or along traces of the printed circuit board) and the conductors of the connector 100, reflection occurs if the characteristic impedance (which can also be referred to as wave impedance) changes at the terminal 102. For linear behavior (for example, with a linear dielectric function of the housing 110), a dimensionless reflection coefficient describes how the reflected voltage and current wave is generated from the incoming wave.Even with distortion-free or lossless signal transmission, reflection attenuation can occur due to a real reflection coefficient, corresponding to the square of the reflection coefficient. The real reflection coefficient is zero when the characteristic impedances of the cable and the connector are equal to 100.

[0044] Optionally, the housing part 120 has a mechanical cable fastening, for example, a cable strain relief, and / or a cover 124 for the freestanding plug contacts 111. The cover 124 can serve for the mechanical connection of the connector 100 with a complementary connector, which can be another embodiment of the connector 100. For example, the complementary connectors 100 can be mechanically connected to the cover 124 by means of a bayonet fitting.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the housing part 120 has a locking window 126 in the cover 124. In one embodiment, the entire connector 100 (i.e., the connector 100 with the dielectric encapsulation 110 contained therein, for example as a plug) is soldered to the connection contacts 112 on a printed circuit board. On the mating side 101, a complementary connector (preferably a free connector attached to a cable end, for example a coupler) is inserted into the cover 124 of the connector 100. A locking mechanism of the complementary connector engages in the locking window 126.

[0046] While the connector 100 in the first embodiment is designed as a plug, a variant of each embodiment can also be designed as a socket.

[0047] Fig. 2Shows a side view of connector 100 according to the first embodiment in the open (i.e., disassembled) state. Reference numerals corresponding to those of the Fig. 1 "To match" refers to matching or interchangeable characteristics.

[0048] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of connector 100 according to the first embodiment in an assembled state. Reference numerals corresponding to those of the Fig. 1 or 2 "To match" refers to matching or interchangeable characteristics.

[0049] Fig. 4A Figure 1 shows a sectional view of connector 100 according to the first embodiment in the assembled state. The at least two conductors are generally designated by reference numeral 113.

[0050] The clearance 114 can be cylindrical. The clearance 114 can extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the conductors 113. The clearance 114 can extend along a section of the conductors 113. This ensures that the freestanding plug contacts 111 and the connection contacts 112 are unaffected by the impedance matching achieved by means of the clearance 114, particularly with regard to their shape and / or surroundings.

[0051] Fig. 4B shows the section view of the Fig. 4A corresponding side view of connector 100.

[0052] Fig. 5A Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the dielectric socket 110, which can be used in the first embodiment of the connector 100. The section plane shown is parallel to the longitudinal direction (for example, the horizontal direction of the Fig. 5A ) and at the level of ladder 113. In other words, those in Fig. 5AThe section plane shown includes the longitudinal direction and the first transverse direction. Fig. 5B shows a corresponding side view of the dielectric frame 110 with a viewing direction along the second transverse direction.

[0053] Fig. 5C shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the dielectric enclosure 110 in a first cross-sectional plane, which includes the first transverse direction and the second transverse direction. Fig. 5D shows a section view in a second cross-sectional plane that is parallel to the first cross-sectional plane and is closer to the connection side 102.

[0054] The Figs. 6A to 6I Each figure schematically shows cross-sections of further embodiments of the dielectric enclosure 110, each of which can be implemented as a variant or further development of the first embodiment. The first transverse direction is vertical and the second transverse direction is horizontal. Figs. 6A to 6I .

[0055] The free space 114 can be cuboid-shaped, for example as in the Figs. 6A to 6F shown. Alternatively or additionally, the free space 114 can end on the side facing the ladder 113, for example as in the Figs. 6A, 6C, 6D and 6E shown, preferably with different dimensions of the free space 114 in the second transverse direction.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the free space 114 can be cylindrical, for example as in the Figs. 6G to 6I shown.

[0057] The Figs. 7A to 7P Each schematically shows cross-sections of further embodiments of the dielectric enclosure 110, each as a variant or further development of the first embodiment and / or in combination with features of one of the Figs. 6A to 6I are feasible. The first transverse direction is vertical and the longitudinal direction is horizontal in the Figs. 6A to 6I .

[0058] Areas with the same hatching indicate identical features within each figure and / or corresponding features when comparing different figures. For clarity, only the following areas are shown: Figs. 7D, 7H, 7L and 7P Reference symbol shown.

[0059] The free space 114 can be spherical or cylindrical, as for example in the Figs. 7M to 7P shown. The Fig. 7J can correspond to the first embodiment.

[0060] The at least one free space 114 can be a contiguous space. Alternatively, the at least one free space 114 can comprise several free spaces 114 or compartments, as for example in the Figs. 7C, 7D, 7G, 7H, 7K, 7L and 7P shown.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the free space 114 can be open towards the connection side 102 or the plug-in side 101, as for example in the Figs. 7A, 7D, 7E, 7H, 7I and 7L shown.

[0062] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalents can be used as substitutes. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt the invention to a specific situation or material. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but encompasses all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Reference symbol list

[0063] Connectors 100 Plug-in side 101 Connection side 102 Dielectric socket, also: contact carrier 110 Plug connectors 111 Connection contacts 112 Director 113 open space 114 Cross-sectional area of ​​the open space 115 Slope towards open space 116 Locking element, preferably a bulge transverse to the longitudinal direction 118 Polarity coding of the frame 119A, 119B Housing part 120 opening 122 Covering of the plug contacts 124 Window 126 Rest recess 128 Polarity coding of the housing part 129A, 129B

Claims

1. Plug-in connectors (100) for symmetrical, preferably differential, signal transmission, comprising: - at least two connection contacts (112) on a connection side (102) of the plug-in connector (100); - at least two plug-in contacts (111) on a plug-in side (101) of the plug-in connector (100), the plug-in side being situated opposite the connection side (102); - at least two conductors (113), each of which electrically conductively connects a connection contact (112) to one of the plug-in contacts (111); and - a dielectric enclosure (110) of the at least two conductors (113), wherein the dielectric enclosure (110) has at least one clearance (114) between the conductors (113), characterized in that the dielectric enclosure (110) is spring-elastic in a first transverse direction transversely to a longitudinal direction of the at least two conductors (113) with deformation of the clearance (114), preferably with a reduction in the transverse dimension (115), and / or with deflection of the at least two conductors (113).

2. Plug-in connector (100) according to Claim 1, wherein a recess or passage opening in the dielectric enclosure (110) surrounds the clearance (114).

3. Plug-in connector (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the clearance (114) is a gas-tight cavity, preferably filled with air or an inert gas or evacuated.

4. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the dielectric enclosure is integrally in one piece and / or is an injection-moulded part.

5. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the dielectric enclosure (110) extends from the connection side (102) to the plug-in side (101).

6. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the dielectric enclosure (110) encloses each of the at least two conductors (113), preferably each at at least one point between the connection side (102) and the plug-in side (101) or continuously between the connection side (102) and the plug-in side (101).

7. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the dielectric enclosure encloses each of the at least two conductors on the plug-in side and the connection side respectively.

8. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein a material of the dielectric enclosure has a relative permittivity of at least 1.5 or 2 and / or at most 8.

9. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the dielectric enclosure (110) between the conductors (113) has an effective relative permittivity of less than 2 in a cross section transverse to a longitudinal direction of the conductors (113) through the clearance (114).

10. Plug-in connector (100) according to Claim 9, wherein the effective relative permittivity, ε r eff , is determined by ε r eff = d ∑ j d j ε r j ′ where d = Σjdj is the distance between the conductors (113) in cross section and ε r j is the relative permittivity in the associated portion of the width dj of the cross section, preferably where ε r j ′ = ε r Air or ε r j ′ = 1 is the relative permittivity in the portion of the transverse dimension (115), dj, of the clearance (114).

11. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 10, further comprising a housing part (120), wherein the housing part (120) has: - an inner surface and at least one detent recess (128) in the inner surface; and - a receiving opening (122) which opens into the inner surface and is designed to receive the dielectric enclosure (110) in the longitudinal direction (113), wherein the dielectric enclosure (110) has a detent element (118) which is arranged to slide over the inner surface with contraction in the first transverse direction when the dielectric enclosure (110) is received in the housing part (120) and to engage into the detent recess (128) with widening in the first transverse direction in the state in which the enclosure (110) is received in the housing part (120), preferably for reversibly locking of received state.

12. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the clearance (114) widens along a second transverse direction, which is transverse to the first transverse direction and transverse to the longitudinal direction, to the outside of the dielectric enclosure, preferably with widening in the first transverse direction and / or along slopes (116) extending in the longitudinal direction.

13. Plug-in connector (100) according to any of Claims 1 to 12, further comprising: a cable or connection of a printed circuit board, which cable or connection is electrically conductively connected to the at least two connection contacts on the connection side, wherein a transverse dimension (115) of the clearance (114) in the dielectric enclosure (110) transverse to a longitudinal direction of the at least two conductors (113) influences a wave impedance of the plug-in connector (100), which wave impedance is adapted to a wave impedance of the cable or the connection of the printed circuit board.

14. Plug-in connector (100) according to Claim 13 in conjunction with Claim 9 or 10, wherein the wave impedance of the plug-in connector (100) is inversely proportional to the square root of the effective relative permittivity, ε r eff .