Plug connector for a data cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (1) for a data cable, having the following features: - a housing (10), - a plug-in side (5) and a connection side (7), - a contacting means (50) arranged in the housing (10), - plug contacts (60) and contact pins (70) are connected to the contacting means (50), - the contact pins (70) are arranged in an even number of rows (72), wherein the rows (72) of contact pins (70) are oriented at least approximately orthogonally with respect to the plug-in direction of the plug connector (1), and - a loading piece (80), - at least one retaining means (81) is formed on the loading piece (80), - the retaining means (81) is, as seen in a side view, arranged at least in part between two middle rows (72) of contact pins (70), and - the retaining means (81) of the loading piece (80) interacts, in the connected state of the plug connector (1), with a retaining means (31) of the housing (10) or with a component that is fastened to the housing (10).

Description

[0001] Connector for a data cable

[0002] The invention relates to a connector for a data cable according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Such a connector is known, for example, from EP 2 731 206 A1. This discloses a cable termination device that can be displaced linearly relative to the insertion direction in order to be secured in a cable termination device receptacle of the housing device. A pivoting or rotating movement of the cable termination device relative to the housing device is thereby inhibited.

[0004] A problem with this known connector is that the cable termination device must be inserted into the cable termination device receptacle, at least partially, along the insertion direction, which increases the time required for connector assembly. Furthermore, this connector can result in a pivoting or rotating movement caused by the play of the linear displacement and / or externally applied mechanical stress.

[0005] The present invention is based on the problem of providing a remedy for this problem.

[0006] This problem is solved by a connector having the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. According to the invention, a plug connector for a data cable is provided, comprising a housing, a plug-in side, a connection side, and a contacting means arranged in the housing. Plug contacts and contact pins are connected to the contacting means. The contact pins are arranged in an even number of rows, the rows of contact pins being aligned at least approximately orthogonal to the plug-in direction of the plug connector. The plug connector has a charging piece which forms at least one holding means, seen in side view, the holding means being arranged at least partially between two middle rows of contact pins. In the connected state, the holding means of the charging piece interacts with a component fastened to the housing.

[0008] It is therefore essential in the connectors according to the invention that a pivoting or rotating movement of the cable end device relative to the housing device under mechanical stress from the outside is prevented by the holding means, which is formed on the loading piece, being located as precisely as possible centrally between the two middle rows of contact pins.

[0009] Advantageously, the housing consists of a metallic shielding part and an inner part, wherein the shielding part is made of a conductive material and the inner part is made of a non-conductive material. Advantages of metallic shielding include the resulting electromagnetic shielding and the reduction of interference by blocking electromagnetic radiation that could disrupt or impair signal transmission. In addition, signal losses can be minimized and protection against electrostatic discharge caused by electrostatic charging of objects or people can be guaranteed. According to an advantageous development of the invention, the holding means of the charging piece is designed as a locking means. An advantage of locking means is that, among other things, they have a high holding force, which ensures that the connected or fastened parts are firmly connected to one another and cannot be accidentally detached.The locking mechanism is also characterized by its ease of use. A locking mechanism can be quickly and easily attached and removed without the need for special tools. This is useful because quick assembly and, if necessary, disassembly is advantageous for connectors.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the holding means of the inner part is designed as a locking means.

[0011] Advantageously, the locking means on the loading piece is designed as a locking hook and the locking means on the inner part as a recess.

[0012] According to an advantageous development, the locking means on the charging piece is designed as a locking recess, and the locking means on the inner part is designed as a locking hook. The inner part is made of a non-conductive material. The inner part is particularly preferably made of plastic, which reduces weight and costs during the manufacturing process. Plastic locking mechanisms offer the advantage of being corrosion-resistant and thus not susceptible to rust or other types of corrosion. In addition, the insulation properties of plastic locking mechanisms are particularly good.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the contact pins of the contacting means are arranged in two, four, or six rows. In another embodiment of the invention, the contact pins of the contacting means are arranged offset from one another.

[0014] Advantageously, the contact pins of the row furthest from the plug-in side of the connector are shorter than the contact pins of the row closer to the plug-in side.

[0015] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the contacting element is arranged on a carrier element, wherein the carrier element consists of a non-conductive material, and wherein the carrier element has a locking component which, in the connected state, engages in a recess of the housing.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact pins which are arranged on the contacting element are designed as insulation displacement terminals.

[0017] According to another advantageous development of the invention, the contacting means is designed as a printed circuit board.

[0018] Advantageously, the connector is an RJ45 connector.

[0019] The front side of the connector is preferably the side which corresponds to the plug-in side. The rear side of the connector is preferably the side which corresponds to the connection side for a cable. The top side of the connector is preferably the side which is arranged orthogonally to the contact pins and contains the base element of the trough-shaped housing. The bottom side of the connector is preferably the side which is arranged opposite the top side. The side surfaces are preferably the sides which run along the longitudinal axis of the connector and connect the top side and the bottom side to one another.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the figures. They show:

[0021] Fig. 1 A perspective view of a connector in exploded view with shielding part, inner part, carrier element, contacting means and charging piece,

[0022] Fig. 2 is a top view of the connector of Fig. 1 without the shielding part attached, and

[0023] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of Fig. 1 without the charging piece inserted.

[0024] In the following figures, the same reference symbols designate the same parts with the same meaning.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a connector 1 with a housing 10, which has a shielding part 20 and an inner part 30 as well as a carrier element 40, a contacting means 50 and a charging piece 80.

[0026] The shielding part 20 of the housing 10 is at least approximately trough-shaped and is preferably made of a conductive material. The resulting shielding of the plug-in connector 1 significantly improves its electromagnetic compatibility. Interference emission and thus the influence on other electronic devices can also be reduced as a result. The potential of the shielding part 20 preferably has the same potential as that of ground. The shielding part 20 has a height H1 on the plug-in side 5 and a height H2 on the connection side 7. In this application example shown in Fig. 1, the height H1 of the plug-in side 5 is smaller than the height H2 of the connection side 7. In another embodiment of the present invention, the height H1 of the plug-in side 5 and the height H2 of the connection side 7 can, however, also be selected to be larger, smaller, or the same size compared to one another.The difference between the heights H1 and H2 can be abrupt at any point along the longitudinal axis L of the connector 1, stepwise at any point along the longitudinal axis L, or with a continuous gradient along the longitudinal axis L. In another embodiment, in which the difference is overcome stepwise, the individual steps can, for example, have a continuous gradient.

[0027] In the application example shown in Fig. 1, an abrupt difference occurs approximately half the length of the plug connector 1. Due to the abrupt difference, the shielding part 20 can be divided into two partial bodies TI, T2. Partial body TI extends from the point at which the difference occurs up to the plug-in side 5 of the plug connector 1. Partial body T2 extends from the point at which the difference occurs up to the connection side 7 of the plug connector 1. In the application example shown in Fig. 1, the top side 25 of the partial body TI and the top side 24 of the partial body T2 run parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Due to the top sides 24, 25 of the two partial bodies TI, T2 running parallel to the longitudinal axis L, the difference results from the height H1 and the height H2 for the part shown in Fig. 1 application case shown.

[0028] The partial body T2 has two recesses 21, which are each formed on the side surfaces 23 of the partial body T2. Both recesses 21 have the same shape. The recesses 21 each extend from the edge 22 of the trough-shaped shielding part 20 in the direction of approximately half the height H2 of the connection side 7. Each recess 21 extends, viewed lengthwise, from the point at which the difference between the height H1 of the plug-in side 5 and the height H2 of the connection side 7 occurs, in the direction of the connection side 7. The height profile of the recess 21, starting from the difference, runs parallel to the edge 22 of the trough-shaped shielding part 20. Subsequently, the height profile of the recess 21 has a positive gradient as seen from the edge 22 of the shielding part 22, followed by another line running parallel to the bottom surface of the shielding part 22. The recess 21 thus forms approximately a hexagon.

[0029] In other embodiments of the invention, the plan view of the respective recess 21, viewed from the side, can have the shape of a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, partial circle, trapezoid, polygon, or parallelogram. The recess 21 can be formed both within the side surface of the partial body 23 and at the edge of the partial body T2. In the latter case, the recess 21 is open to the edge 22 of the trough-shaped shield part 20, and in the former case, it is enclosed by wall parts of the side surface 23 of the partial body T2.

[0030] The inner part 30 of the housing 10 is made of a non-conductive material, preferably of plastic. The inner part 30 of the housing 10 has a similar geometric composite body to the shielding part 20 of the housing 10. The inner part 30 of the housing 10 can be inserted into the shielding part 20 of the housing 10 and, like the shielding part 20 of the housing 10, can be divided into two partial bodies T3, T4. The partial body T3 is arranged in the direction of the plug-in side 5, whereas the other partial body T4 is arranged in the direction of the connection side 7. In this application example, the two partial bodies T3 and T4 have different heights and a flat surface on the upper side 37 of the inner part 30. The two partial bodies T3 and T4 are connected to one another in one piece approximately in the middle of the longitudinal extension of the inner part 30. In this application example, the height of the partial body T3 is smaller than the height of the partial body T4 .In other embodiments of the invention, the height of the partial body T3 can be greater, smaller, or equal to the height of the partial body T4. The design of the height profile of the inner part 30 almost follows the design of the height profile of the shield part 20 of the housing 10.

[0031] The inner part 30 has a rectangular recess 33 on both side surfaces 34 of the partial body T3. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective recess 33 is formed almost centrally in each of the side surfaces 34 of the partial body T3. In another embodiment, the shape of the recess 33 can be a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, partial circle, trapezoid, polygon, or parallelogram.

[0032] The partial body T4 of the inner part 30 has an elevation 36 on each of its two side surfaces 35. The respective elevation 36 has the same contour as the recess 21 of the shielding part 20 of the housing 10. In the assembled state, the respective elevation 36 of the inner part 20 nestles into the corresponding recess 21 of the housing 10. A rectangular locking means 31 is formed in the elevation 36. The locking means 31 is implemented as a locking recess 31. In another embodiment of the invention, the shape of the locking recess 31 can be a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, partial circle, trapezoid, polygon or parallelogram.

[0033] The partial body T4 has a further recess 32 in the side surface 35. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the recess 32 is rectangular and arranged above the locking means 31. In another embodiment of the invention, the recess 32 has the shape of a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, partial circle, trapezoid, polygon, or parallelogram.

[0034] Fig. 1 also shows a contacting means 50. The contacting means 50 is designed as a printed circuit board that carries contact pins 70 and plug contacts 60 and electrically contacts them. The contact pins 70 are soldered to the circuit board. For this purpose, a contact leg 74 of a contact pin 70 is guided through a contact opening 73 on the circuit board, mechanically fixed by soldering, and electrically contacted.

[0035] The plug contacts 60 are soldered to the circuit board. For this purpose, a contact leg 64 of a plug contact 60 is guided through a contact opening 65 on the circuit board and is mechanically fixed and electrically contacted by soldering.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the printed circuit board is arranged obliquely in the housing 10. The printed circuit board is thus arranged antiparallel to the longitudinal axis L. The height difference H3 is defined as the distance between the upper edge 54 of the printed circuit board on the connection side 7 and the upper edge 55 of the printed circuit board on the plug-in side 5. Both the upper edge 54 of the printed circuit board on the connection side 7 and the upper edge 55 of the printed circuit board on the plug-in side 5 are defined as the edge which is arranged closer to the inner part 30 of the housing 10 on the plug-in side 5 and the connection side 7, respectively. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the height difference H3 has a positive value. A positive height difference value means that the upper edge 54 of the printed circuit board on the connection side 7 is arranged closer to the top side 37 of the inner part 30 of the housing 10 than the upper edge 55 of the printed circuit board on the plug-in side 5.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the contacting means 50 is designed as a series of wires that connect the respective plug contacts 60 to the associated contact pins 70. In a further embodiment of the invention, the contacting means 50 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The height difference H3 is zero in this case. In another embodiment of the invention, the height difference H3 has a negative value, whereby the upper edge 55 of the circuit board of the plug-in side 5 is arranged closer to the top side 37 of the inner part 30 of the housing 10 than the upper edge 54 of the circuit board of the connection side 7.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the contact pins 70 are arranged in two rows 72, each with four contact pins 70. The row 72, which is closer to the connection side 7, has four contact pins 70, whose contact pins 70 are shorter than those contact pins 70 arranged in a second row 72 further from the connection side 7 and closer to the plug-in side 5.

[0039] In another embodiment of the invention, more than two rows 72 of contact pins 70 are arranged on the printed circuit board. In other embodiments, the plug connector 1 forms four, six or eight rows 72 on a contacting means 50. The rows 72 are preferably at least approximately orthogonal to the plug-in direction of the plug connector 1. The contact pins 70 are preferably designed as insulation displacement contacts or IDC contacts. The contact pins 70 and plug contacts 60 are arranged such that they point in the direction of the side-free surface of the trough-shaped housing 10 in the assembled state of the plug connector 1. The contact pins 70 are preferably also orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L with their cutting surfaces 71.

[0040] When assembled, the plug contacts 60 and contact pins 70 engage in recesses provided for them in a support element 40. The support element 40 has a contact surface 43 that has the same pitch as the contacting means 50. The support element 40 is made of a non-conductive material, preferably plastic, so that costs and weight can be reduced.

[0041] The carrier element 40 has two holding means on each side, namely a locking lug 42 on each side, which is arranged lengthwise approximately in the middle of the carrier element 40 and a locking component 41 which is formed between the rows 72 of contact pins 70. The locking lug 42 has a rectangular outline when viewed from the side. Viewed from the front, the locking lug 42 has a plateau which tapers in a pointed manner towards the side wall of the carrier element 40 with increasing height. The locking lug 42 is the complementary counterpart to the recess 33 which is formed on the side surface 35 of the inner part 34. In the assembled state, the locking lug 42 engages in the recess 33 of the housing 10.

[0042] Viewed from the plug-in side 5, the two locking components 41 have a plateau which tapers in a pointed manner with increasing height toward the side wall of the support element 40. Viewed from the side, the locking component 41 has a square or rectangular outline. The respective locking component 41 is the complementary counterpart of the corresponding recess 32, which is formed on both side surfaces 35 of the partial body T4 of the housing 10.

[0043] The charging piece 80 is made of a non-conductive material, preferably plastic. The contact pins 70, which in this exemplary embodiment are arranged in two rows on the contacting means 50, engage in the complementary recesses 82 of the charging piece 80 when the plug connector 1 is assembled. In the ready-to-assemble state, cables (not shown) are inserted into the cable feeds 83. The cables are contacted when the plug connector 1 is assembled, in that the contact pins 70 separate the insulation of the cables and establish an electrical connection.

[0044] On the side surfaces 84 of the loading piece 80 there are respectively formed locking means 81 in the form of opposing lugs. Viewed from the plug-in side 5, the lug has a plateau which tapers with increasing height in the direction of the side surface 84 of the loading piece 80. Viewed from the side, the outline of the locking means 81 is rectangular or square. The outline of all the holding means formed on the carrier element 40 and loading piece 80 has the complementary shape of the holding means formed on the inner part 30 of the housing 10. In the assembled state, the locking means 81 of the loading piece 80 engages in the locking means 31 which is formed in the elevation 36.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the connector 1 without the charging piece 80 being inserted. In this application example of the invention, two rows 72 of contact pins 70 are arranged. The rows 72 are arranged at least approximately orthogonal to the plugging direction of the connector 1. Each row 72 has four contact pins 70. The contact pins

[0046] 70 are designed as insulation displacement terminals.

[0047] The surface 71 of the insulation displacement terminals is arranged orthogonal to the plug-in direction of the connector. In another embodiment of the invention, the surfaces 71 of the insulation displacement terminals are not arranged orthogonally and not parallel to the edge of the plug-in side 5. The insulation displacement terminals then have an angle with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5. The surfaces 71 of the insulation displacement terminals 71 of the two rows are arranged parallel to one another. As a result, in this embodiment, the surfaces 71 of the insulation displacement terminals have the same angle with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5. In another embodiment of the invention, the two surfaces 71 of the insulation displacement terminals have different angles with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5.

[0048] In another embodiment of the invention, the surface

[0049] 71 of the insulation displacement terminals in a row 72 have different angles to one another. In another embodiment of the invention, the surfaces 71 of the insulation displacement terminals all have different angles to one another.

[0050] In another embodiment, the contact pins 70 are arranged in more than two rows 72. In this application, too, the contact pins 70 are preferably designed as insulation displacement terminals. Each surface 71 of the insulation displacement terminals has the same angle with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5. In another application example, the cutting surfaces of the first and last row 72 have the same angle with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5, and the middle rows 72 of surface 71 of the insulation displacement terminals have the same angle with respect to the edge of the plug-in side 5.

[0051] The plug contacts 60 are U-shaped. The contact openings 65, through which the contact legs 64 of the plug contacts 60 are pushed, are arranged in two rows 66 of contact openings 65. A first row 66 of contact openings 65 is arranged closer to the plug-in side than the second row 66 of contact openings 65. The second row 66, which is further away from the plug-in side 5, is offset from the first row 66 closer to the plug-in side 5 such that a contact opening 65 of the second row 66 lies between two contact openings 65 of the first row 66 or a contact opening 65 of the first row 66 and a side wall of the carrier element 40.The first row 66 which is closer to the plug-in side 5 is offset from the second row 66 which is further away from the plug-in side 5 in such a way that a contact opening 65 of the first row 66 is located between two contact openings 65 of the second row 66 or a contact opening 65 of the second row 66 and a side wall of the carrier element 40.

[0052] The contact bars 61 of the plug contacts 60 are arranged in a row 66 and are located closer to the plug-in side 5 of the connector 1 than the first row 66 of the contact openings 65. The U-shaped plug contacts 60 have a longer or shorter central section 63, depending on whether the corresponding contact openings 65 are arranged in the first or second row 66. The central section 63 electrically connects the contact legs 64 of the plug contacts 60 and the contact bars 61 of the plug contacts 60.

[0053] In another embodiment of the invention, the contact openings 65 are arranged in a row 66. As a result, the central portion of the U-shaped plug contacts 60 is of equal size. In other embodiments of the invention, the contact openings 65 of the plug contacts 60 can be arranged in several rows 66.

[0054] Figure 3 shows the plug connector 1 from below without the loading piece 80 inserted. Figure 3 reveals that, in the assembled state, the elevation 36 of the inner part 30, which has a locking means 31, nestles into the recess 21 of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the contact pins 70 are designed as insulation displacement terminals and arranged in two rows 72. The surfaces of the insulation displacement terminals 71 of the two rows 72 are arranged parallel to one another. The rows 72 are designed orthogonally in the direction of the plug-in direction of the plug connector.

[0055] The carrier element 40 has slots 44 on its underside 45, which are arranged parallel to one another and extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector 1. The slots 44 extend from the plug-in side 5 in the direction of the connection side 7, wherein a recess is formed on the plug-in side 5, which smoothly merges into the slots 44 of the carrier element 40 on the underside 45.

[0056] In the assembled state, the plug contacts 60, which are attached to the contacting means 50, are at least partially inserted into the slots 44 of the carrier element 40. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 connector

[0058] 5 Plug-in side

[0059] 7 Connection side

[0060] 10 housings

[0061] 20 umbrella part

[0062] 21 Recess

[0063] 22 Edge of the tub-shaped housing

[0064] 23 Lateral surface of the partial body T2

[0065] 24 Top of the partial body T2

[0066] 25 Top of the partial body TI

[0067] 30 Inside

[0068] 31 Holding devices, locking devices

[0069] 32 recess

[0070] 33 Recess

[0071] 34 Lateral surface of the partial body T3

[0072] 35 Lateral surface of the partial body T4

[0073] 36 Survey

[0074] 37 Top

[0075] 40 carrier elements

[0076] 41 locking component

[0077] 42 locking lug

[0078] 43 contact surface

[0079] 44 slots of the support element

[0080] 45 Underside of the support element

[0081] 50 contact agents

[0082] 54 Top edge of the circuit board on the connection side

[0083] 55 Top edge of the PCB of the plug-in side

[0084] 60 plug contacts

[0085] 61 contact rods

[0086] 62 Row of contact rods 63 Middle part

[0087] 64 contact leg plug contact

[0088] 65 Contact opening plug contact

[0089] 66 row contact opening plug contact

[0090] 70 contact pins

[0091] 71 surface insulation displacement terminals

[0092] 72 row contact pins

[0093] 73 Contact opening for contact pins

[0094] 74 contact pins

[0095] 80 loading pieces

[0096] 81 Holding devices, locking devices

[0097] 82 recess

[0098] 83 Cable feed

[0099] 84 Side surface loading piece

[0100] Hl Height TI plug-in side

[0101] H2 Height T2 Connection side

[0102] H3 Height difference between the top edge of the PCB on the connection side and the top edge of the PCB on the plug-in side

[0103] TI Partial Body 1

[0104] T2 partial body 2

[0105] T3 Partial Body 3

[0106] T4 Partial Body 4

[0107] L Longitudinal axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Connector (1) for a data cable with the following features: - a housing (10), - a plug-in side (5) and a connection side (7), - a contacting means (50) arranged in the housing (10), - plug contacts (60) and contact pins (70) are connected to the contacting means (50), - the contact pins (70) are arranged in an even number of rows (72), wherein the rows (72) of contact pins (70) are aligned at least approximately orthogonally to the plugging direction of the connector (1), and - a loading piece (80), characterized by the further features: - at least one holding means (81) is formed on the loading piece (80) when viewed in side view, - the holding means (81) is arranged at least partially between two central rows (72) of contact pins (70), - the holding means (81) of the charging piece (80) interacts with a holding means (31) of the housing (10) or with a component fastened to the housing (10) when the plug connector (1) is connected.

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (10) has a metallic shielding part (20) and an inner part (30), wherein the shielding part (20) consists of a conductive material and the inner part (30) consists of a non-conductive material.

3. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding means (81) of the charging piece (80) is designed as a locking means (81).

4. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding means (31) of the inner part (30) is designed as a locking means (31).

5. Plug connector (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the locking means (81) on the loading piece (80) is designed as a locking hook and the locking means (31) on the inner part (30) is designed as a locking recess.

6. Plug connector (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the locking means (81) on the loading piece (80) is designed as a locking recess and the locking means (31) on the inner part (30) is designed as a locking hook.

7. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact pins (70) of the contacting means (50) are arranged in two, four or six rows (72).

8. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact pins (70) of the contacting means (50) are arranged offset from one another.

9. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact pins (70) of each some row (72) which is furthest away from the plug-in side (5) of the connector (1) are shorter than the contact pins (70) of the row (72) which is closer to the plug-in side (5).

10. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacting means (50) is arranged on a carrier element (40), wherein the carrier element (40) consists of a non-conductive material, and wherein the carrier element (40) has a locking component (41) which, in the connected state, engages in a recess (32) of the housing (10).

11. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact pins (70) which are arranged on the contacting means (50) are designed as insulation displacement terminals.

12. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacting means (50) is designed as a printed circuit board.

13. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) is an RJ45 connector.

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