Hybrid SPE connector unit

Abstract

To provide a hybrid SPE connector unit which simplifies a PCB layout and is space-saving and cost-effective.SOLUTION: A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) further comprises at least one female SPE output connector (8) selected from a group of connectors, which include at least one female SPE only connector (30) mounted on the housing and at least one female hybrid SPE connector (28) mounted on the housing. The hybrid SPE connector unit further comprises a PCB side of the housing providing a mechanical interface and an electrical interface for mounting and connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit to a PCB. The hybrid SPE connector unit simplifies a PCB layout and is space-saving and cost-effective. At the same time, the hybrid SPE connector unit has a high degree of functional integration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid SPE connector unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A hybrid SPE connector unit is used to interconnect PCBs or other electrical devices with a hybrid SPE topology, such as a hybrid SPE ring structure or a multi-drop topology. A hybrid SPE connector unit typically includes a hybrid SPE connector that includes contacts for SPE and contacts for power transmission, such as the hybrid connectors shown in IEC 63171-6 and IEC 63171-7.

[0003] Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is a more recent standard for two-wire Ethernet connections, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors. The IEEE 802.3bu-2016 standard supports power delivery over SPE connections, and these SPE connections are referred to as hybrid SPE connections.

[0004] Current hybrid SPE connector units available on the market often require complex and precise layout of the PCB and are not very space-saving. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a hybrid SPE connector unit that simplifies the PCB layout, is space-saving and cost-effective. At the same time, the hybrid SPE connector unit should have a high degree of functional integration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The purpose of this is to Housing and a male hybrid SPE input connector that is attached to the housing; at least one female SPE only connector mounted in the housing; At least one female hybrid SPE connector fitted to the housing At least one female SPE output connector from a group of connectors including: the PCB side of the housing, which provides the mechanical and electrical interface for mounting and connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit to the PCB; The problem is solved by a hybrid SPE (Single Pair Ethernet) connector unit comprising:

[0007] To interconnect a PCB with an SPE ring structure, the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected to the PCB on its PCB side, while the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected to a mating SPE connector on its SPE side. For successful interconnection, it is necessary to ensure that one specific mating SPE connector mates with either the SPE input connector or the SPE output connector of the hybrid SPE connector unit. The hybrid SPE connector unit according to the present invention provides that the SPE input connector and at least one SPE output connector have opposite gender. As a result, the mating SPE connector on the SPE side can only mate with either the male hybrid SPE input connector or the female SPE output connector. This eliminates the risk of incorrect mating, thereby increasing safety in application and simplifying the mating process.

[0008] By providing both electrical and mechanical interfaces in the hybrid SPE connector unit, a PCB can be connected to the hybrid SPE connector unit and thus integrated into the SPE ring structure without the PCB itself having a simplified SPE interface, which reduces the PCB design effort and therefore the connection cost.

[0009] The SPE-only connector is an SPE connector that does not have any power transmission capability. The SPE-only connector may correspond, for example, to a connector having only two signal pins in IEC 63171-1 to IEC 63171-6.

[0010] The above invention may be further improved by the addition of one or more of the features described below, each of which is advantageous in itself and may be combined independently and / or in any desired manner with any of the other features described below.

[0011] Both the male hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may conform to the IEC 63171-6 and IEC 63171-7 standards in one embodiment. The hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female SPE output connector may have a size of M6, M8, M12 or larger. The hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female SPE output connector may conform to the IEC 63171 series of standards.

[0012] The contact pins of both the male hybrid SPE input connector and the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may be protected or unprotected. Preferably, the pins of the male hybrid SPE input connector may be unprotected and the pins of the at least one female hybrid SPE output connector may be protected. The pin guard may comprise an integrally formed component that concentrically surrounds the contact pins. The pin guard may for example serve the purpose of a touch guard and / or an electromagnetic shield. In particular, contact with the live component by a user's finger, which is simulated by a test finger according to the standard DIN EN 60529:2000, may be prevented.

[0013] The mechanical interface may comprise pins for insertion into the retaining holes of the PCB. Preferably, the pins may be integrally formed with the housing. The electrical interface may further comprise electrical contacts for contacting contacts of the PCB. The electrical contacts of the electrical interface may for example be contact springs and / or pins. In particular, the pins of the mechanical interface may project in the same direction as any electrical contacts of the electrical interface.

[0014] The input and output connectors may be provided for integrating the hybrid SPE connector unit into or forming an SPE ring structure. In particular, both the male hybrid SPE input connector and at least one of the female SPE output connectors may mate with a complementary mating SPE connector that is part of the SPE ring structure to which the hybrid SPE connector unit is connected.

[0015] To allow for a compact design, the housing of the hybrid SPE connector unit may be a rectangular parallelepiped or have any other geometric shape with different faces. The housing may further be electromagnetically shielded. The electromagnetic shield may be integrally formed with the housing or may be a separate component attached to the housing.

[0016] The male hybrid SPE input connector and at least one female SPE output connector may be mounted on the same side of the housing or on different sides of the housing. The PCB side may be opposite to the side on which the male hybrid SPE input connector is arranged. In particular, the PCB side may extend perpendicular to the side on which the male hybrid SPE input connector is arranged.

[0017] Preferably, the hybrid SPE connector unit may be provided with a seal. In particular, the sealed hybrid SPE connector unit may comply with the IP67 standard. However, the hybrid SPE connector unit may support at least the IP20 standard.

[0018] According to another embodiment, at least one female SPE output connector may be smaller than the male hybrid SPE input connector. In principle, a larger SPE connector has larger contacts and wires, and therefore a larger SPE connector may also transmit more power. Having a larger male hybrid SPE input connector allows for larger power leads or terminals to be placed in the connector. This input power may then be distributed to one or more female hybrid SPE output connectors, each of which may transmit less power than the male hybrid SPE input connector and therefore be smaller than the hybrid male SPE input connector. This reduces the size of the hybrid SPE connector unit.

[0019] Preferably, the male hybrid SPE input connector may have an outer thread for engaging with the inner thread of the mating female SPE hybrid output connector. In particular, the outer thread may have a size of M8 or M12. The female hybrid SPE output connector and / or the female SPE output connector may have an inner thread for engaging with the outer thread of the respective mating male hybrid SPE connector and / or mating male SPE connector. Preferably, the thread of the male hybrid SPE input connector may have a larger diameter than the thread of the female SPE output connector and / or the thread of the female hybrid SPE output connector. The male hybrid SPE input connector may be M12 and at least one female SPE output connector may be M6, M8 or M12, or the male hybrid SPE input connector may be M8 and at least one female SPE output connector may be M6 or M8.

[0020] According to another aspect, the hybrid SPE connector unit may be configured to provide power over data line (PoDL) functionality to at least one of the female SPE output connectors. The PoDL functionality uses lines that are otherwise used only for data transmission for power transmission. As a result, the hybrid SPE connector unit does not require additional power lines, thus allowing the use of simpler and smaller connectors. This allows the size of the hybrid SPE connector unit to be further reduced. The PoDL functionality further allows the hybrid SPE connector unit to be connected to SPE topologies that use PoDL. Thus, the hybrid SPE connector unit can be interconnected with a wider variety of SPE topologies.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the electrical interface may comprise data lines and power lines separated from each other, and the electrical interface may comprise electrical contacts arranged at a contact pitch, and the data lines and power lines are separated from each other by a larger distance than the contact pitch. Separating the data and power transmission has the advantage that the data transmission is not hindered by interference with the power transmission. By separating the power lines and the data lines from each other, the process of wiring is simplified. This reduces the design cost of the PCB and thus the overall connection cost.

[0022] To further improve isolation of the data and power lines, the electrical interface may include separate contact areas, with the data and power lines being in different contact areas, each of which may have a different contact pitch and / or conform to a different connector standard.

[0023] According to another aspect, the data lines may be disposed on a first side of the hybrid SPE connector unit while the power lines are disposed on a second side of the hybrid SPE connector unit, the first side being opposite the second side. This design further improves the isolation of the data lines and the power lines and prevents interference between power and data transmission from occurring.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the hybrid SPE connector unit may include a circuit board. The provision of a circuit board allows further functionality to be integrated into the hybrid SPE connector unit. Thus, such a hybrid SPE connector unit can take over the functionality of a PCB. This increases the application range of the hybrid SPE connector unit. Furthermore, the system design cost of the PCB connected to the hybrid SPE connector unit is reduced, thus reducing the overall connection cost.

[0025] The circuit board may form part of the housing, in particular a rear wall of the housing. Preferably, a rear surface of the circuit board may form part of the housing or a rear wall of the housing. The circuit board may be arranged in the housing.

[0026] The male hybrid SPE connector and at least one female hybrid SPE output connector and / or female SPE output connector may be mounted to a circuit board. The electrical interface may be attached to the circuit board and a connector of the electrical interface may be mounted to the circuit board.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the hybrid SPE connector unit comprises: Transformers, Common mode choke, LED Driver, LED, Magnetic and / or electromagnetic elements, Passive electronic and / or electrical components, Active electronic and / or electrical components, Power filters, Data Filters, PHY The device may include at least one component from a group of components including:

[0028] Due to the large number of different components that can be integrated, the hybrid SPE connector unit has a high degree of functional integration, which makes the hybrid SPE connector unit suitable for a wide range of applications. In particular, the connector unit can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of PCB-side or SPE line-side system configurations.

[0029] To conserve space in the hybrid SPE connector unit, at least one component may be disposed between the male hybrid SPE input connector and at least one female hybrid SPE output connector, and similarly, at least one component may be disposed between at least two female hybrid SPE output connectors.

[0030] The hybrid SPE connector unit may include at least one LED region, and different LED regions may be assigned to different SPE input / output connectors. The LED regions may include: At least one LED whose operating state [on / off] depends on the data rate of the assigned SPE input / output connector, At least one LED whose operational state depends on the power supplied to the assigned SPE input / output connector, At least one LED whose operational state depends on the activity of the data lines on the respective SPE input / output connector It may comprise at least one of:

[0031] To provide power to the LEDs, the electrical interface may comprise pins that are connected to the LEDs.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, at least one component may be mounted on a circuit board. If the component obtains data or information from an electrical system that is processed on the circuit board, a connection between the component and the circuit board may be required. By mounting the component on the circuit board, this connection can be realized in a simple and space-saving manner.

[0033] According to another aspect, the data and power lines may remain galvanically isolated from at least one of the hybrid male SPE input connector and the electrical interface and at least one female SPE output connector. Galvanic isolation ensures that the transmission of data and power through the electrical interface and the transmission of data and power through the SPE connector do not interfere with each other. This also prevents voltages introduced through the SPE connector from harming or impairing the functionality of the hybrid SPE connector unit or the PCB.

[0034] The present invention will now be described in more detail and by way of example, with reference to the drawings, according to several embodiments. The various features of those embodiments can be combined with each other as necessary, according to the above summary. Furthermore, features may be omitted from the embodiments described below if the technical effect of the features is not necessary in a particular application. Similarly, features mentioned above that are not present in the embodiments described below may be added if the technical effect of the features is not essential for a particular application.

[0035] In the following, elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function will bear the same reference numerals. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment mounted on a PCB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment mounted on a PCB. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment mounted on a PCB. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a possible embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic principle diagram of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a further possible embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment, without a housing. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to another possible embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a hybrid SPE connector unit according to a further possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Hereinafter, hybrid SPE connector units according to several embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 comprises a housing 2, a circuit board 4, a male hybrid SPE input connector 6, at least one female SPE output connector 8, and a number of components 10. The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may be provided for interconnecting a PCB 12 with an SPE ring structure.

[0039] The housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a top 14, a bottom 16, a front 18, a back 20 and two opposite side walls 22. The front 18 of the housing 2 comprises a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and a female SPE output connector 8, through which the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may be connected to an SPE topology, such as an SPE ring structure. A longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and a longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front 18 of the housing 2.

[0040] The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 complies with the IEC 63171-6 standard. The female SPE output connector 8 shown in FIG. 1 is a female hybrid SPE connector 28 according to the IEC 63171-6 standard. According to another embodiment, the female SPE output connector 8 may be a female SPE connector 30. Furthermore, multiple female SPE connectors 30 and / or female hybrid SPE connectors 28 may be provided in the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0041] The female SPE output connector 8 may include external threads 32, internal threads 34, contact pins 36, pin protectors 38, and threaded nut 40. The external threads 32 of the female SPE output connector 8 are provided for engaging complementary internal threads of a mating female hybrid SPE output connector (not shown). The internal threads 34 are provided for engaging complementary external threads of a mating male hybrid SPE input connector and / or a mating male SPE input connector (not shown).

[0042] The contact pins 36 of the female SPE output connector 8 are not visible in FIG. 1 because they are concentrically surrounded by the cylindrical cavity 42 of the pin protector 38. The pin protector 38 may be provided as a touch protector for the contact pins 36 of the female SPE output connector 8. The contact pins 36 of the female SPE output connector 8 are provided to transmit power and / or data between the SPE ring structure and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. If the female SPE output connector 8 is a female hybrid SPE connector 28, power and data are each transmitted through separate pairs of contact pins 36. Thereby, a physical separation of power transmission and data transmission is realized. If the female SPE output connector 8 is a female SPE connector 30, power and data are transmitted through the same pair of contact pins 36.

[0043] The screw nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8 may be used to attach the female SPE output connector 8 to the housing 2 or the circuit board 4. In particular, the circuit board 4 may form part of the housing 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may be attached to the wall 44 of the external housing 46 by using the screw nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8 and the screw nut 62 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6. For attachment, both the female SPE output connector 8 and the male SPE input connector 6 are inserted into the through holes 48 in the external housing 46 until the front face 18 of the housing 2 abuts against the wall 44 of the external housing 46. The screw nuts 40, 62 are tightened to attach the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to the external housing 46. Both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 may be connected to a circuit board 4 that is part of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. In particular, the circuit board 4 may form the rear surface 20 of the housing 2 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. The mechanical connection between both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 and the circuit board 4 is established by using a metal bracket 50. The metal bracket 50 includes a latch hook 52 for establishing a form-locking connection 54 with the circuit board 4. Both the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the female SPE output connector 8 are electrically connected to the circuit board 4 via rear contacts 56 that are inserted into complementary holes in the circuit board 4.

[0044] The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 may comprise an external thread 58, contact pins 60 and a threaded nut 62. The external threads 58 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 are provided for engaging complementary internal threads of a mating female hybrid SPE connector (not shown). The contact pins 60 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 are provided for transmitting both power and data. In particular, both power and data are transmitted via a single pair of contact pins 60. Similar to the threaded nut 40 of the female SPE output connector 8, the threaded nut 62 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 may be used to attach the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to a wall 44 of the external housing 46. The male hybrid SPE input connector 6 shown in FIG. 1 does not comprise a pin protector 38. However, the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 may comprise a pin protector 38 as provided in the female SPE output connector 8.

[0045] The hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may further comprise a toroidal sealing element 64 (see FIG. 1 ). The sealing element 64 abuts the front face 18 of the housing 2 and extends concentrically around the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and around the longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8, respectively. When the threaded nuts 40, 62 are tightened, the sealing element 64 is compressed between the threaded nuts 40, 62 and the front face 18 of the housing 2.

[0046] As best seen in Figure 4, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may further include a mechanical interface 66 and an electrical interface 68 disposed on a PCB side 70 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the PCB side 70 corresponds to the bottom 16 of the housing 2. In general, the PCB side 70 may be considered as the side of the housing 2 on which the mechanical interface 66 and the electrical interface 68 are disposed and on which the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 is connected to the PCB 12.

[0047] A mechanical interface 66 may be provided for mounting the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to the PCB 12. The bottom 16 of the housing 2 may be provided with a pin 72 with a longitudinal axis 74 extending perpendicular to the bottom 16 of the housing 2. Preferably, the pin 72 is integrally formed with the housing 2. The pin 72 is designed to be inserted into a complementary retaining hole in the PCB 12. The mechanical interface 66 may further comprise a rectangular frame-like protrusion 76 facing perpendicularly from the bottom 16 of the housing 2. The protrusion 76 is preferably integrally formed with the housing 2. The protrusion 76 may be designed to be inserted into a complementary groove in the PCB 12. In particular, a press-fit connection may be established between both the protrusion 76 and the groove of the PCB 12 and the pin 72 and the complementary retaining hole of the PCB 12.

[0048] An electrical interface 68 may be provided for electrically connecting the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 to the PCB 12. As visible in Figures 4 and 5, the electrical interface 68 may include a data line 78 and a power line 80 spaced apart by a line distance 82. The data line 78 may be provided for transmitting data between the PCB 12 and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1, and the power line 80 may be provided for transmitting power between the PCB 12 and the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0049] Each of the data lines 78 and each of the power lines 80 may include electrical contacts 84 with longitudinal axes 86 extending parallel to one another and perpendicular to the bottom 16 of the housing 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the longitudinal axes 86 of the electrical contacts 84 extend parallel to the longitudinal axes 74 of the pins 72 of the mechanical interface 66 of the housing 2.

[0050] The two adjacent electrical contacts 84 of each data line 78 and each power line 80 may be spaced apart from each other by a contact pitch 88 that is smaller than the line distance 82 .

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data lines 78 may be disposed on a first side 90 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1, and the power lines 80 may be disposed on a second side 92 of the housing 2. In particular, the first side 90 may be disposed opposite the second side 92. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the first side 90 may correspond to the back side 20 of the housing 2, and the second side 92 may correspond to the front side 18 of the housing 2.

[0052] 5 and 6 , the electrical contacts 84 of the data lines 78 and the electrical contacts 84 of the power lines 80 may be surrounded by a protective cap 94. In particular, the protective cap 94 of the data lines 78 may be provided with a latch 96 having a longitudinal axis 98 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 86 of the electrical contacts 84. The latch 96 may be used as a ground 100 and may therefore be inserted into a complementary hole in the PCB 12.

[0053] Several configurations of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 are possible. Each hybrid SPE connector unit 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8 includes a male hybrid SPE input connector 6, a female SPE output connector 8, a housing 2, a circuit board 4 with multiple components 10, and an electrical interface 68. The electrical interface 68 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 shown in Figure 7 includes two power lines 80, four data lines 78, and two grounds 100. The electrical interface 68 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 shown in Figure 8 includes six power lines 80, two data lines 78, and one ground 100.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment as shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 9, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 comprises a circuit board 4, a male hybrid SPE input connector 6, a female SPE output connector 8, an electrical interface 64 comprising a power line 80, a data line 78, a ground 100, and a number of components 10. The components 10 are mounted on the circuit board 4. The group of components 10 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may comprise any of the following components 10: a transformer 102, a common mode choke 104, an LED driver 106, a number of LEDs 108, magnetic and / or electromagnetic elements 110, passive electronic and / or electrical components 112, active electronic and / or electrical components 114, a power filter 116, a data filter 118, and a PHY 120.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 10, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include multiple transformers 102. The transformers 102 may be used to provide voltage isolation between the hybrid SPE and the SPE-specific connector for the electrical interface. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the transformers 102 are substantially rectangular and are disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board 4 with respect to a transverse axis 122. The transformers 102 are further disposed on the ends 122 of the circuit board 4 facing away from the PCB side 70 of the housing 2.

[0056] Each of the transformers 102 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or at least one female SPE output connector 8. For example, a first transformer 140 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and a second transformer 142 may be assigned to a female hybrid SPE connector 8.

[0057] The common mode choke 104 may be used for suppression of common mode signals introduced into the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 via the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or the electrical interface 68 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. The common mode choke 104 shown in FIG. 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with its longitudinal axis 126 extending along the transverse axis 122 of the circuit board 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female hybrid SPE connector 8. In particular, the longitudinal axis 126 of the common mode choke 104 extends between the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and the longitudinal axis 26 of the female SPE output connector 8. The common mode choke 104 is mounted on the circuit board 4 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1.

[0058] 11 , the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include an LED unit 128. The LED unit 128 may be cylindrical and its longitudinal axis 130 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6, parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the female hybrid SPE connector 8, and perpendicular to the front surface 18 of the housing 2.

[0059] The LED unit 128 abuts the front surface 18 of the housing 2 and may include a toroidal sealing element 64 that extends concentrically around the cylindrical LED unit 128 .

[0060] At an end face 129 facing away from the front face 18 of the housing 2, the LED unit 128 may comprise an LED area 132. The LED area 132 may comprise a number of LEDs 108, the operating state (on / off) of which may depend on the power transmission and / or data transmission parameters of the male SPE input connector 6 and / or the at least one female SPE output connector 8. In particular, each LED 108 may be assigned to a male hybrid SPE input connector 6 and / or an SPE output connector 8 to indicate at least one parameter of power transmission and / or one parameter of data transmission of the assigned SPE connector 6, 8.

[0061] For example, the operating state of a first LED 131a in the LED area 132 may depend on the data rate of the male hybrid SPE input connector 6, and the operating state of a second LED 131b in the LED area 132 may depend on the power supplied to the female hybrid SPE connector 8.

[0062] To provide power to the LED unit 128, the hybrid SPE connector unit 1 may include LED pins 134 (see FIG. 5 ), through which the LED unit 128 may be electrically connected to the PCB 12 or any other device. The LED pins 134 may be connected to the circuit board 4 of the hybrid SPE connector unit 1. The longitudinal axes 136 of the LED pins 134 may extend parallel to each other and to the electrical contacts 84 of the data lines 78 and the electrical contacts 84 of the power lines 80.

[0063] 12, the SPE hybrid connector unit 1 may include a rear cover 138 disposed on the rear surface 20 of the housing 2. The rear cover 138 may be provided, for example, as part of an electromagnetic shield and / or as part of a touch protection section, in particular to protect the circuit board 4. The rear cover 138 at least partially covers the electrical contacts 84 of the data lines 78 and power lines 80 and the LED pins 134. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Hybrid SPE connector unit 2. Housing 4 Circuit Board 6 Male Hybrid SPE Input Connector 8 female SPE output connectors 10 Components 12 PCB 14 Top 16 Bottom 18 Front 20 Back side 22 Side wall 24 Longitudinal axis of male hybrid SPE input connector 26 Longitudinal axis of female SPE output connector 28 Female Hybrid SPE Connector 30 Female SPE connector 32 External threads of female SPE output connector 34 Internal threads of female SPE output connector 36 Female SPE output connector contact pins 38 Pin protection section 40 Female SPE output connector screw nut 42 Cylindrical Cavity 44 Wall 46 Outer housing 48 External housing through hole 50 Metal Bracket 52 Latch hook 54 Shape lock connection 56 Rear Contact 58 Male Hybrid SPE Input Connector External Threads 60 Male Hybrid SPE Input Connector Contact Pins 62 Male Hybrid SPE Connector Screw Nut 64 Sealing elements 66 Machine Interface 68 Electrical Interface 70 PCB surface 72 pin 74 Pin Longitudinal Axis 76 Protrusion 78 Data Line 80 Power Lines 82 Line Distance 84 Electrical Contacts 86 Longitudinal axis of electrical contact 88 contact pitch 90 First Side 92 Second Side 94 Protective Cap 96 Latch 98 Longitudinal axis of latch 100 Grounding part 102 Transformer 104 Common Mode Choke 106 LED Driver 108 LED 110 Magnetic and / or electromagnetic elements 112 Passive Electronic and / or Electrical Components 114 Active Electronic and / or Electrical Components 116 Power Filter 118 Data Filter 120 PHY 122 Circuit Board Horizontal Axis 124 Circuit Board Edge 126 Longitudinal axis of common mode choke 128 LED Unit 129 End face 130 Longitudinal axis of LED unit 131a First LED 131b Second LED 132 LED area 134 LED pins 136 Longitudinal axis of LED pin 138 Rear cover 140 First Transformer 142 Second Transformer

Claims

1. A hybrid SPE connector unit (1), comprising: A housing (2); a male hybrid SPE input connector (6) mounted in said housing (2); At least one female SPE connector (30) mounted in the housing (2); At least one female hybrid SPE connector (28) mounted in said housing (2). At least one female SPE output connector (8) from a group of connectors including: a PCB side (70) of said housing (2) providing a mechanical interface (66) and an electrical interface (68) for mounting and connecting said hybrid SPE connector unit (1) to a PCB (12); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1).

2. the at least one female SPE output connector (8) is smaller than the male hybrid SPE connector (6); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 1.

3. the hybrid SPE connector unit (1) is configured to provide PoDL functionality to at least one of the female SPE output connectors (8); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The electrical interface (68) includes separate data lines (78) and power lines (80), the electrical interface (68) including electrical contacts (84) arranged at a contact pitch (88); the data lines (78) and the power lines (80) are spaced apart from each other by greater than the contact pitch (88); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the data lines (78) are disposed on a first face (90) of the hybrid SPE connector unit (1), while the power lines (90) are disposed on a second face (92) of the hybrid SPE connector unit (1), the first face (90) being disposed opposite the second face (92); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 4.

6. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) comprises a circuit board (4). A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The hybrid SPE connector unit (1) comprises: A transformer (102), Common mode choke (104), LED driver (106), LED (108), A magnetic and / or electromagnetic element (110), passive electronic and / or electrical components (112); active electronic and / or electrical components (114); A power filter (116), A data filter (118), PHY (120) At least one component (10) from a group of components (10) including A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The at least one component (10) is mounted on the circuit board (4). A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to claim 7.

9. the data lines (78) and the power lines (80) are galvanically isolated from one another between the hybrid male SPE input connector (6) and at least one of the electrical interface (68) and at least one hybrid female SPE output connector (8); A hybrid SPE connector unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

Images