Round plug connector comprising a shield connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a round plug connector for releasably connecting lines, having at least one housing element for receiving at least one insulating body and at least one locking element for releasably connecting to a mating plug connector. The housing element receives at least one circumferential spring element, and the spring element is made of an electrically conductive material in order to attach to an electromagnetic shielding, wherein the spring element is held in a circumferential depression of the housing element and has at least two curvatures facing radially outwards.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a circular connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Such circular connectors are required to connect cables, especially those containing electrically conductive wires, to devices and / or other cables. Data transmission, in particular, requires cables and connectors with high electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). For this purpose, cables and, in some cases, the wires they contain, are sheathed with conductive wire, wire mesh, and / or foil. Various shielding methods are used to transmit this shielding to a connector. State of the art

[0003] In the prior art, spring elements made of electrically conductive materials are preferably used to transfer an electromagnetic shield from an electrically conductive cable via a connector to a mating connector.

[0004] The use of spring washers is particularly suitable for circular connectors. Wave washers are particularly popular for shield connection in circular connectors.

[0005] A disadvantage of using spring washers, including wave spring washers, is the lack of operational reliability in circular connectors with a so-called push-pull locking mechanism. Due to the way the locking mechanism works, simple spring washers cannot adequately ensure that the shield connection is secure, even during operation and with the vibrations that may occur during operation.

[0006] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for this application: US 2010 / 120282 A1,

[0007] DE 10 2017 124 141 A1 and US 4,544,224 A. Task

[0008] The object of the invention is to equip known circular connectors with push-pull locking with an element for shield connection, which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture and can be used reliably.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention provides a circular connector for releasably connecting lines, comprising at least one housing element for receiving at least one insulating body and at least one locking element for releasably connecting to a mating connector, wherein the locking element is designed for a push-pull locking mechanism. The housing element accommodates at least one circumferential spring element, wherein the spring element is made of an electrically conductive material for connecting an electromagnetic shield, and wherein the spring element is held in a circumferential recess of the housing element and has at least two radially outward-facing bulges. The recess is arranged behind the locking element in the plugging direction. The term "lines" preferably refers to electrically conductive wires of a cable.In addition, an optical signal line or a combination of an electrically conductive wire and / or optical signal line and / or a fluid line can be used. The term "housing element" refers in particular to at least one electrically conductive component of the circular connector located in the connection area with a mating connector. The housing element is most preferably designed as a metallic sleeve. For connection to a conductor and / or a cable containing a conductor, a circular connector can have various housing elements, for example, a union nut for connecting the circular connector to a strain relief and / or a cable outlet. Plastic cylinders are typically used as insulating bodies, which have at least one through-opening for accommodating at least one contact element.The contact element establishes the connection for the electrical and / or optical and / or fluid transmission with a corresponding contact element. The corresponding contact element is typically located in a mating connector corresponding to the circular connector or in a corresponding bulkhead housing. A locking element is a component that interacts with the mating connector in such a way that unwanted loosening of the connector connection is prevented. The spring element according to the invention for shield connection is particularly advantageous when using a so-called push-pull locking mechanism. Such locking mechanisms are designed with locking shapes so that the respective locking shapes interact with each other when the connectors are plugged together.By means of release features, for example catch hooks, in at least one of the connectors, this connection can be easily released by applying a tensile force to the housing element provided for this purpose. The release features engage, for example, at least one locking element and release it from the corresponding locking element. The spring element according to the invention is made of an electrically conductive material. In particular, the spring element is made of metallic materials, in particular copper-containing alloys are provided, with the use of copper-beryllium alloys being particularly preferred. Furthermore, alternative alloys, for example spring bronze, and / or other materials, for example spring steel, are conceivable. In the context of the invention disclosure, a recess is initially understood to mean at least one radial groove into which at least one ring of the spring element can be inserted.Curvature means that the outer diameter of the spring element is deformed outward by at least half the thickness of the spring element. Ideally, the curvature assumes a new diameter that is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of a mating connector.

[0012] A preferred embodiment provides that the spring element has at least one recess, wherein the recess enables a reduction in diameter and thus initially at least simplifies a plugging process. This means that the recess allows the spring element to yield, at least during the plugging process of the circular connector with a corresponding mating connector, so that the mating connector can be brought into engagement with the circular connector. Subsequently, the curvatures ensure contact with the mating connector, while the spring element in the recess ensures secure contact with the circular connector. Furthermore, the recess enables quick and uncomplicated assembly of the circular connector. The spring element can be widened in a flexible deformation area in order to be guided over a housing element and inserted into a circumferential recess.

[0013] In a clever embodiment, the curvatures of the spring element each have at least one radially inward-facing concavity. This concavity ensures that at least two regions of the curvatures point outwards and protrude beyond an outer diameter of the spring element, while the concavity is deformed inwards by at least half the thickness of the spring element. Ideally, the concavity is shaped such that the diameter of the spring element returns to the outer diameter at the deepest point of the concavity. Furthermore, it is possible to shape at least one concavity such that the diameter of the spring element is reduced at the deepest point of the concavity. This concavity particularly advantageously improves contact with the circular connector. In other words, the curvatures establish contact with a mating connector, while the concavity ensures contact with the circular connector.Furthermore, one embodiment provides for the bulge to be arranged essentially in the center of each bulge. This ensures, in particular, the shield connection of the circular connector to the mating connector.

[0014] Another embodiment provides for the bulges on the spring element to be arranged at a distance of 100° to 140° from each other. In other words, the at least two bulges are arranged, for example, at positions 0° and 100° on the circumference of the spring element. Ideally, three bulges are arranged at positions 0°, 120°, and 240°. In this way, shield transmission can be ensured both at the circular connector and at the corresponding mating connector.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the bulges and indentations extend alternately along at least half the length of the spring element. In a preferred embodiment, the bulges and indentations alternate from a first end of the spring element to a second end of the spring element. The first and second ends are formed by the recess.

[0016] Another embodiment provides that the bulges and at least the concavity ensure that, when the circular connector is plugged into a mating connector, the spring element is clamped between the circular connector and the mating connector in a force-locking manner. This means that the spring element, with its bulges and concavities, presses against the circular connector and a corresponding mating connector to enable secure shield transfer. The spring force of the spring element allows this shield transfer to be maintained even during movement during operation of a working machine.

[0017] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the recess is arranged behind the locking element, viewed in the plugging direction. This means that during a plugging process from a corresponding mating connector to a circular connector according to the invention, the mating connector first contacts the spring element before the locking elements of the mating connector are brought into engagement with the locking elements of the circular connector. Example

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a circular connector according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a spring element according to the invention for shield connection; Fig. 3 shows a partial section with a focus on the shield connection with a spring element according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a circular connector according to the invention with an alternative spring element; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a spring element according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative spring element according to the invention for shield connection;

[0019] The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for identical, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of identical elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "back" refer to the respective illustrations and may vary depending on the elements depicted.

[0020] The Figure 1shows the plug-in area of ​​a circular connector 1 according to the invention, wherein the circular connector 1 has at least two housing elements 2 and 2'. The housing element 2 accommodates an insulating body 3. Recesses in the housing element 2 accommodate the locking elements 4 along the circumference of the housing element 2. The locking elements 4 are designed as latching hooks and are provided for a push-pull locking mechanism. The spring element 5 for shield connection can also be seen, which is accommodated in the housing element 2. The spring element 5 is located in a recess 6, which is designed as a circumferential groove. The spring element 5 is secured in the axial direction by this recess 6.

[0021] The spring element 5 is in the Figure 2shown, the design being clarified. The spring element 5 has three bulges 7, each of which has a concavity 8 in its center. The bulges 7 extend beyond the outer diameter d A of the spring element 5. The concavities 8 are formed in the center of the bulges 7 and reduce the diameter at their lowest point to at least the outer diameter d A or more. For manufacturing and assembly purposes, the spring element 5 has a recess 9. Furthermore, the recess 9 can ensure a short-term evasive movement during the plugging process, whereby the plugging process between the circular connector 1 and the mating connector is simplified. Furthermore, it can be seen that the bulges 7 are essentially arranged at positions that would be indicated by an imaginary, equilateral triangle within the spring element 5.In the illustrated embodiment, the indentations 8 can be used as corner points of the imaginary triangle.

[0022] The Figure 3shows a circular connector 1 in a frontal view opposite to the plug-in direction RS. This clearly shows the functionality of the improved spring element 5 for shield transfer. The spring element 5, which is inserted into a recess 6, is generally in contact with the housing element 2, with the bulges 7 projecting beyond the depth of the recess 6, which is designed as a circumferential groove. A mating connector fixed to the circular connector 1 with the locking element 4 presses the bulges 7 towards the center of the circular connector 1. The bulges 7 thereby contact the mating connector and the resulting force acting on the bulges 7 presses the remainder of the spring element 5, in particular the indentations 8, against the housing element 2, thereby creating a secure and permanent contact and achieving an equally secure shield transfer.

[0023] In the Figures 4 , 5 and 6a comparable or identical circular connector 1 is shown, which accommodates an alternative embodiment of the spring element 5' according to the invention in the recess 6 designed as a circumferential groove. The spring element 5' essentially fulfills the same function as the spring element 5. However, the bulges 7 and the indentations 8 alternate along the entire circumference. Both embodiments of the spring element 5 and 5' represent a secure contact with a mating connector due to the bulges 7, which exceed the average outer diameter d A. The forces occurring against the bulges 7 when the circular connector 1 is plugged into a mating connector force the indentations 8 to a diameter less than or equal to the average inner diameter d I , thereby ensuring contact with the circular connector 1.This clamping effect ensures that the electrical shield connection is always maintained, even during operation of a machine with high levels of vibration. Circular connector with shield connection List of reference symbols

[0024] 1Circular connector 2Housing element 3Insulating body 4Locking element 5Spring element 6Recess 7Curvature 8Indentation 9Recess RS Plug-in direction d A Outer diameter d I Inner diameter daverage diameter

Claims

1. Round plug connector (1) for the detachable connection of cables, comprising at least one housing element (2) for receiving at least one insulating body (3) and at least one locking element (4) for detachable connection to a mating connector, wherein the locking element (4) is designed for a locking mechanism of the "push-pull" locks, wherein the housing element (2) accommodates at least one circumferential spring element (5) and wherein the spring element (5) is made of an electrically conductive material for connecting an electromagnetic shield, characterized in that the spring element (5) is held in a circumferential recess (6) of the housing element (2) and has at least two radially outwardly pointing bulges (7) and the recess (6) is arranged behind the locking element (4) in the insertion direction (SR).

2. Round plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the spring element (5) comprises at least one cutout (9), wherein the cutout (9) allows a reduction of the diameter and thus firstly at least simplifies a plugging process.

3. Round plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the bulges (7) each comprise at least one radially inward-pointing indentation (8).

4. Round plug connector (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the indentation (8) is arranged substantially centrally of each bulge (7).

5. Round plug connector (1) according to one of claims 3 - 4 characterized in that the bulges (7) and indentation (8) extend over at least half the length of the spring element (5).

6. Round plug connector (1) according to one of claims 3 - 5 characterized in that the bulges (7) and at least the indentation (8) ensure that the spring element (5) is clamped between the round plug connector (1) and the mating plug connector in a force-locking manner during a mating operation of the round plug connector (1) with a mating plug connector.

7. Round plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the bulges (7) on the spring element (5) are arranged at a distance of 100° to 140° from one another.

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