ELECTRICAL CABLE

Abstract

Electrical cable (1) having a connecting line (2) with electrical conductors and a plug-in connector (3) for establishing an electrical connection with a plug-in counter-element, • wherein the plug-in connector (3) has an electrical plug-in contact (4) and a connecting element (5) electrically connected to the plug-in contact (4), • wherein the plug-in contact (4) is made to be inserted along a insertion direction (100) with a plug-in counter-contact to removably establish an electrical connection, • wherein the connecting element (5) is permanently connected to the connecting line (2) to establish a permanent electrical connection and to guide the connecting line (2) out of the plug-in connector (3) along a cable direction (200),and • in which the pluggable contact (4) and the connecting element (5) can be adjusted against each other to adjust a relative alignment of the plugging direction (100) and the cable direction (200) with respect to each other. [Fig.1],

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CABLE

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical cable. The cable has an adjustable connector.

[0002] Connectors, particularly in the audio field, for transmitting electrical signals are known from the prior art. For example, a 6.3 mm jack plug is often used to connect guitars. Due to the different types of guitar plugs, it is known that two types of connecting cables are always necessary: ​​one with a straight jack plug and the other with an angled jack plug. This is necessary because some guitars are not compatible with only one type of jack plug, or using one type of jack plug would result in undesirable guitar handling.

[0003] The invention aims to provide an electrical cable with a plug-in connector, which allows a reliable connection to a plug-in counter-element in the case of simple and economical manufacturing and assembly.

[0004] The solution to said objective is achieved by the features of the independent claim. The sub-claims contain preferred improvements of the invention.

[0005] The objective is thus achieved by an electrical cable with a plug-in connector and a connecting line. The plug-in connector and the connecting line are permanently connected to each other, meaning they cannot be separated without being destroyed. The plug-in connector allows for an electrical connection to be made with a plug-in counterpart.

[0006] The plug-in connector has an electrically pluggable contact and a connecting element electrically connected to the plug-in contact. The plug-in contact is designed to be inserted along a insertion direction with a pluggable counter-contact to establish a removable electrical connection. By moving the plug-in contact relative to the pluggable counter-contact in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, the electrical connection can be disconnected and the plug-in connector can be separated from the pluggable counter-connector. For example, the plug-in contact is a male part of a pluggable connection that can be inserted into a pluggable counter-contact designed as a socket.

[0007] The connecting element is permanently attached to the connecting line. A permanent electrical connection is thus established. Furthermore, the connecting line is guided out of the plug-in connector along a cable direction. Preferably, the connecting line is mechanically connected. to the connecting element by material bonding and / or force. In addition, an electrical connection of the electrical conductors of the connecting line to the connecting element is specifically provided.

[0008] The plug-in contact and the connecting element can be adjusted relative to each other to achieve a relative alignment of the plug-in direction and the cable direction. This means that the plug-in direction and the cable direction are not fixed relative to each other, but can vary thanks to the adjustability of the plug-in contact and the connecting element. An electrical connection between the plug-in contact and the connecting element is made to allow this adjustability. This can be achieved, for example, by flexible electrical conductors and / or friction contacts.

[0009] Thanks to the ability to adjust the plugging direction and cable direction, the electrical cable can be easily and quickly adapted to environmental conditions. This allows the use of either an angled or a straight plug connector, depending on the required variant. There is no need to supply different electrical cables or adapters. This eliminates the risk of losing parts such as adapters and also avoids the need to supply multiple different cables.

[0010] The plug-in contact and the connecting element can preferably be adjusted at least between a first and a second operating position. In particular, the plug-in contact and the connecting element can be locked or snapped into place in both operating positions. In the first operating position, the insertion direction and the cable direction are parallel to each other. In the second operating position, the insertion direction and the cable direction are at an angle to each other, in particular at a right angle. In the first operating position, the connecting line can be positioned in a straight line away from the plug-in counter-connector. In the second operating position, the connecting line is positioned perpendicularly away from the plug-in counter-connector to save space.Depending on the available free space and the configuration of the plug-in counter-connector, it is therefore possible to flexibly adjust the best operating position on the plug-in connector to optimally use the electrical cable for the given application.

[0011] The insertion direction is preferably parallel to a first longitudinal axis of the pluggable contact. The cable direction is carried out in such a way preferred parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the connecting element. This allows for a compact shape of the plug-in connector.

[0012] Advantageously, the plug-in connector has a hinge. The hinge allows the plug-in contact and the connecting element to rotate relative to each other. In particular, one axis of rotation of the hinge has an angle of 45° with respect to the first and second longitudinal axes. Thus, the first longitudinal axis moves relative to the second longitudinal axis on a conical outer surface when the plug-in connector and the connecting element are rotated by the hinge. This allows for easy adjustment of the plug-in connector.

[0013] Advantageously, a first housing portion of the plug-in contact and a second housing portion of the connecting element rest on each other in a movable manner relative to each other along a circular contour. The axis of rotation of the joint passes through the center of the circular contour. This means that the two housing portions always rest completely on each other during any relative rotation of the plug-in contact and the connecting element. This prevents, in particular, the creation of protruding parts or openings between the first and second housing portions. This, in particular, prevents the ingress of foreign bodies or fluids into the plug-in connector.

[0014] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the pluggable contact has at least two different contact surfaces that are electrically isolated from each other along the first longitudinal axis. In this way, it is possible to establish a clean electrical connection with the associated counter contact surfaces of a pluggable counter contact. Thus, a single pluggable contact is sufficient to establish several independent electrical connections, for example, to create a closed electrical circuit by means of secondary connections and / or to carry several signals independently of each other.

[0015] In a particularly preferred configuration, the connecting element is electrically connected to all the electrical conductors of the connecting line. The connecting element thus constitutes a termination of the connecting line. It is not intended that individual conductors of the connecting line be guided to any other components of the plug-in connector besides the connecting element.

[0016] The plug-in connector is preferably a jack plug, for example a 6.3 mm jack plug, a mini-jack plug, or an XLR plug. All these plug-in connectors are specifically designed for the transmission of low-voltage electrical signals. Alternatively, the plug-in connector is made as a power plug, for example as a Schuko plug, and is used to transmit electrical power, for example from an electrical network.

[0017] The invention also relates to a plug-in connector. The connector is, in particular, part of an electrical cable as described above. The plug-in connector has an electrically pluggable contact and a connecting element electrically connected to the pluggable contact.

[0018] The plug-in contact is designed to be inserted along a insertion direction with a plug-in counter-contact to establish a removable electrical connection. By moving the plug-in contact relative to the plug-in counter-contact in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, the electrical connection can be disconnected and the plug-in connector can be separated from the plug-in counter-connector. For example, the plug-in contact is a male part of a plug-in connection that can be inserted into a plug-in counter-contact designed as a socket.

[0019] The connecting element is designed to be permanently connected to the connecting line. This establishes a permanent electrical connection that cannot be separated without damage. Furthermore, the connecting line can be guided out of the plug-in connector by the connecting element along a cable direction. Preferably, the connecting line is mechanically connected to the connecting element by a material bond and / or force connection. In addition, an electrical connection of the electrical conductors of the connecting line to the connecting element is specifically provided. For example, the connecting element has one or more solderable contacts onto which electrical conductors of the connecting line can be soldered.

[0020] The plug-in contact and the connecting element can be adjusted relative to each other to achieve a relative alignment of the plug-in direction and the cable direction. This means that the plug-in direction and the cable direction are not fixed relative to each other, but can vary thanks to the adjustability of the plug-in contact and the connecting element. An electrical connection between the plug-in contact and the connecting element is made to allow this adjustability. This can be achieved, for example, by flexible electrical conductors and / or friction contacts.

[0021] The plug-in connector therefore offers the same advantages as those described above for the electrical cable. In particular, the direction of the connecting line can be easily adapted to existing framework conditions by adjusting the plug-in contact and the connecting element so that they correspond to each other. Furthermore, it is preferable that the plug-in connector have the advantageous configurations described above.

[0022] Other details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures, which show:

[0023] [Fig. 1] a schematic view of an electrical cable according to an example of an embodiment of the invention in a first operating position, and

[0024] [Fig.2] a schematic view of the electrical cable according to the example embodiment of the invention in a second operating position.

[0025] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an electrical cable 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. A first operating position of the electrical cable 1 is shown. Figure 2 illustrates the same electrical cable 1, with a second operating position shown. The electrical cable 1 can be easily and effortlessly changed between the first and second operating positions.

[0026] The electrical cable 1 has a connecting line 2 with electrical conductors and a plug-in connector 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. The plug-in connector 3 serves to establish an electrical connection with a plug-in counter-element. The plug-in connector 3 in turn has an electrical plug-in contact 4 and a connecting element 5 electrically connected to the plug-in contact 4. The connecting element 5 serves to connect the plug-in connector 3 to the connecting line 2.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the plug-in connector 3 is implemented as a jack plug, for example, as a 6.3 mm jack plug. The plug-in connector 3 is particularly advantageous for connecting a guitar to an amplifier or other electronic components. In other configurations, the plug-in connector 3 could also be implemented as a mini-jack plug, an XLR connector, or a power connector.

[0028] The plug-in contact 4 can be inserted along a insertion direction 100 with a plug-in counter-contact to establish a removable electrical connection. The insertion direction 100 is oriented parallel to a first longitudinal axis 300 of the plug-in contact 4. Since the plug-in connector 3 is designed like a jack plug, the plug-in contact 4 has at least two different contact surfaces 7, 8 that are electrically isolated from each other along the first longitudinal axis 300. The contact surfaces serve respectively to establish a clean electrical connection with associated counter-contact surfaces of a plug-in counter-contact. Therefore, a plurality of electrical signals can be transmitted with a single plug-in contact 4. The plug-in contact 4 is part male of a plug-in connection to establish the electrical connection with a female counterpart of the plug-in connection.

[0029] The connecting element 5 is rigidly connected to the connecting line 2. A permanent electrical connection is thus established between the plug-in connector 3 and the connecting line 2. The connecting line 2 is guided out of the plug-in connector 3 by the connecting element 5 along a cable direction 200. The cable direction 100 is oriented parallel to a second longitudinal axis 400 of the connecting element 5. In particular, the connecting element 5 is electrically connected to all the electrical conductors of the connecting line 2. Thus, the connecting element 5 advantageously forms a complete termination of the connecting line 2.

[0030] The plug-in contact 4 and the connecting element 5 can be adjusted relative to each other to achieve a relative alignment of the plug-in direction 100 and the cable direction 200. For example, the plug-in contact 4 and the connecting element 5 can be adjusted between the first operating position shown in [Fig. 1] and the second operating position shown in [Fig. 2]. In the first operating position, the plug-in direction 100 and the cable direction 200 are aligned parallel to each other. The first longitudinal axis 300 and the second longitudinal axis 400 are thus preferably identical. This results in a straight plug. The connecting line 2 can therefore be positioned in a straight line away from a device connected to the cable 1 via the plug-in connector 3.In the second operating position, the plug-in direction 100 and the cable direction 200 are arranged perpendicular to each other. Thus, the first longitudinal axis 300 and the second longitudinal axis 400 are also oriented orthogonally to each other. In this way, the connecting line 2 can be moved away to save space in a direction other than parallel to the plug-in direction 100 of a device connected to cable 1 via the plug-in connector 3. Instead of being perpendicular, the plug-in direction 100 and the cable direction 200 can also assume other angular positions relative to each other. A user of cable 1 can easily and quickly switch between the first and second operating positions to bring cable 1 into the desired configuration.

[0031] The plug-in connector 3 has a joint 6 that allows the plug-in contact 4 and the connecting element 5 to rotate relative to each other. In this way, the insertion direction 100 and the cable direction 200 can be adjusted relative to each other. A rotation axis 500 of the joint 6 has an angle at 45° with respect to the first longitudinal axis 300 and the second longitudinal axis 400, as shown as an example in Figures 1 and 2. This means that the tip of the plug-in contact 4 always describes a semicircle when passing between the first operating position and the second operating position.

[0032] An electrical connection between the plug-in contact 4 and the connecting element 5 is formed, for example, by means of flexible electrical conductors extending through the joint 6. A first housing portion 9 of the plug-in contact 4 and a second housing portion 10 of the connecting element 5 rest on each other in a movable manner relative to each other along a circular contour. The axis of rotation 500 of the joint 6 extends through the center of the circular contour. Thus, complete contact of the first housing portion 9 and the second housing portion 10 always occurs along the entire circular contour. The risk of dirt or foreign matter entering between the two housing portions 9 and 10 is thereby minimized.

[0033] In addition to the text of the description of the invention above, explicit reference is made to the figures representing the invention to supplement its disclosure. List of reference numbers

[0034] 1 Electrical cable

[0035] 2 Connection line

[0036] 3 Plug-in connector

[0037] 4 Plug-in contact

[0038] 5 Connection element

[0039] 6 Articulation

[0040] 7 First contact surface

[0041] 8 Second contact surface

[0042] 9 First part of the housing

[0043] 10 Second part of the housing

[0044] 100 Plug-in direction

[0045] 200 Cable direction

[0046] 300 First longitudinal axis

[0047] 400 Second longitudinal axis

[0048] 500 Axis of rotation

Claims

Demands

1. An electrical cable (1) having a connecting line (2) with electrical conductors and a plug-in connector (3) for establishing an electrical connection with a plug-in counter-element, • wherein the plug-in connector (3) has an electrical plug-in contact (4) and a connecting element (5) electrically connected to the plug-in contact (4), • wherein the plug-in contact (4) is made to be inserted along a insertion direction (100) with a plug-in counter-contact to removably establish an electrical connection, • wherein the connecting element (5) is permanently connected to the connecting line (2) to establish a permanent electrical connection and to guide the connecting line (2) out of the plug-in connector (3) along a cable direction (200),and • wherein the pluggable contact (4) and the connecting element (5) can be adjusted relative to each other to adjust the relative alignment of the plugging direction (100) and the cable direction (200) with respect to each other.

2. Electric cable (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pluggable contact (4) and the connecting element (5) can be adjusted at least between a first operating position and a second operating position, in which, in the first operating position, the plugging direction (100) and the cable direction (200) are arranged parallel to each other and, in the second operating position, the plugging direction (100) and the cable direction (200) are arranged at an angle to each other, in particular at a right angle to each other.

3. An electrical cable (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion direction (100) is parallel to a first longitudinal axis (300) of the contact pluggable and the cable direction (200) is made parallel to a second longitudinal axis (400) of the connecting element (5).

4. Electrical cable (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the plug-in connector (3) has a joint (6) which allows rotation of the plug-in contact (4) and the connecting element (5) relative to each other, wherein an axis of rotation (500) of the joint (6) has an angle of 45° with respect to the first longitudinal axis (300) and the second longitudinal axis (400).

5. Electrical cable (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a first part of the housing (9) of the plug-in contact (4) and a second part of the housing (10) of the connecting element (5) rest on each other in a movable manner relative to each other along a circular contour, in which the axis of rotation (500) extends through the central point of the circular contour.

6. Electric cable (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the pluggable contact (4) has at least two different contact surfaces (7, 8) electrically insulated from each other along the first longitudinal axis (300) to establish respectively a clean electrical connection with associated counter contact surfaces of a pluggable counter contact.

7. Electric cable (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (5) is electrically connected to all the electrical conductors of the connecting cable (2).

8. Electrical cable (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pluggable connector (3) is made as a jack plug or mini jack plug or as an XLR plug or as a power plug.

9. Plug-in connector (3) having an electrical plug-in contact (4) and a connecting element (5) electrically connected to the plug-in contact (4), in which the pluggable contact (4) is designed to be inserted along a insertion direction (100) with a pluggable counter-contact to removably establish an electrical connection, in which the connecting element (5) is designed to be permanently connected to a connecting line (2) to establish a permanent electrical connection and guide the connecting line (2) out of the pluggable connector (3) along a cable direction (200), and in which the pluggable contact (4) and the connecting element (5) can be adjusted relative to each other to adjust a relative alignment of the plugging direction (100) and the cable direction (200) relative to each other.

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