Electrical connector

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector for contactless energy transfer and contactless data transfer, capable of improving data transfer speed and energy transfer efficiency.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an electrical connector (1). The electrical connector (1) includes an antenna (3) for contactless data transfer and a sleeve-shaped coil (2) for contactless energy transfer. In this case, the coil (2) includes a first leadthrough (4) between an air-interface-side axial end (5) of the coil (2) and an antenna-side axial end (6) of the coil (2). A sleeve-shaped electromagnetic absorber (7) includes a second leadthrough (8) designed to allow propagation for an electromagnetic wave. The absorber (7) is arranged within the first leadthrough (4), and the antenna (3) is arranged relative to the antenna-side axial end (6) in such a way that a main radiating direction HRD of the antenna (3) passes through the second leadthrough (8).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of pluggable connections for the transmission of data and electrical energy, electrical plug-in connections are known which have a plug-in electrical connector and a corresponding counter-plug-in electrical connector, whereby when the plug-in connection is in the plugged-in state, contact elements of the plug-in connector are in contact with corresponding counter-contact elements of the counter-plug-in connector.

[0003] If plug-in connections are frequently plugged in, their contact elements wear out. Over time, the contact elements oxidize. During the transmission of electrical energy, discharges occur between the contact elements in both the insertion and removal processes of the plug-in connection for energy transmission. In all three cases, the electrical transmission properties of the plug-in connection are permanently deteriorated. To overcome the above technical drawbacks, patent document 1 describes a connection system for wireless, i.e. contactless, data and energy transmission between two connection devices. The connection device comprises a communication device for transmitting wireless data and a coil made of a ferrite core for transmitting wireless energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2021 108 236 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, currently available electrical connectors for contactless energy and data transmission have a very limited data transmission speed and lag behind contact connectors in this respect. In this respect, commercially available connectors offer a data transmission speed of up to 100 Mbit / s. Thus, the transmission of high-speed Ethernet protocols, such as Gigabit Ethernet, is not possible. Furthermore, available contactless connectors have the disadvantage of high power consumption due to the complex electronic circuits for signal processing of the data transmission. This increased power consumption ultimately leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the energy transmission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of improving the transmission quality between two connecting devices.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical connector having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Thus, the electrical connector provided is An antenna for contactless data transmission; a sleeve-like coil for contactless energy transmission, the coil having a first leadthrough between an axial end of the coil on an air interface side and an axial end of the coil on an antenna side; a sleeve-shaped electromagnetic wave absorber having a second leadthrough designed to propagate electromagnetic waves or a second leadthrough specifically designed to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate through or within said second leadthrough, The absorbent body is disposed inside the first leadthrough, The antenna has a main radiation direction HR D is disposed relative to the antenna axial end so that it passes through the second leadthrough.

[0009] In the following, the coil leadthrough is referred to as the first leadthrough and the absorber leadthrough as the second leadthrough. Since the absorber is arranged inside the first leadthrough and the main radiation direction of the antenna passes through the second leadthrough, the advantage is that parts of the emitted and / or received electromagnetic waves that do not propagate along the main radiation direction of the antenna are absorbed by the absorber and therefore are not reflected at the coil. As a result, multipath propagation of the electromagnetic waves can be suppressed or at least reduced. This leads to a reduction in channel distortion and thus a lower bit error rate and / or a higher data transmission rate during communication between the connector and the mating connector.

[0010] Reducing channel distortion reduces the complexity of signal processing, thereby reducing energy consumption, which improves energy transmission efficiency.

[0011] The absorber of electromagnetic waves, in particular radio frequency absorbers, is made of a material that at least attenuates, and preferably does not reflect, the reflection of the electromagnetic waves incident thereon. In this case, the absorber of the electrical connector absorbs part of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the electrical connector and part of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the mating electrical connector. As a result, the electromagnetic waves, when propagating inside the coil, do not reach the coil or at least reach the coil attenuated, and are therefore not reflected or are reflected attenuated at the coil. In this case, the absorber has a transmission attenuation of preferably at least 40 dB / cm, preferably at least 60 dB / cm, particularly preferably at least 70 dB / cm, at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves transmitted during data transmission.

[0012] The absorber is of sleeve-like design. In the following, sleeve-like absorber is understood to mean an absorber that includes a second leadthrough along the longitudinal axis. The second leadthrough is designed to be able to propagate electromagnetic waves. The second leadthrough can therefore preferably be filled with air. Alternatively, the second leadthrough can be filled at least partially with a dielectric material that has a low attenuation of the electromagnetic waves. In this case, low attenuation of the dielectric material is understood to mean in particular that the transmission attenuation at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves transmitted in the data transmission is less than 10 dB / cm, preferably less than 5 dB / cm, particularly preferably less than 3 dB / cm. Alternatively, the attenuation of the dielectric material can also be defined by the tangent of the dielectric loss angle δ. In this case, low attenuation is understood to mean in particular that the dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) at the carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves transmitted in the data transmission is less than 0.05, preferably less than 0.025, particularly preferably less than 0.01.

[0013] The second leadthrough is preferably surrounded by a sheath region of the absorber. At least one of the two lateral ends of the sleeve-like absorber is preferably designed so that it is open, whichever it is, or at least partially filled with a low-attenuation dielectric material, whichever it is.

[0014] Preferably, the sheath region of the sleeve-shaped absorbent body has a sufficient minimum wall thickness, which is preferably at least 1 mm, particularly preferably more than 5 mm. The wall thickness of the sleeve-shaped absorbent body can be constant, but can also be realized as being variable in the longitudinal extension direction and / or in the circumferential direction.

[0015] In order to absorb the electromagnetic waves incident on the sheath region as best as possible, the sheath region can be designed without holes. According to the invention, the sheath region of the absorber can also be provided with through holes, e.g. consisting of a number of slots and / or a number of pores. As a result, the effective relative dielectric constant ε of the absorber rcan be reduced, thereby increasing the return loss of the absorber.

[0016] The shape of the absorber, in particular the external shape of the absorber, is preferably dimensioned such that there is a gap, preferably an air gap, between the outer sheath surface of the absorber and the coil, so that the absorber can be directly aligned with the antenna, such that the coil does not influence the relative position of the absorber with respect to the antenna. The external shape of the absorber preferably corresponds to the internal shape of the first leadthrough.

[0017] In the following, an electrical connector for contactless transmission of electrical energy and data is to be understood as meaning in particular a device designed to transmit electrical energy and data to a corresponding counter-electrical connector by means of outgoing and incoming electromagnetic fields. The connector and the counter-connector can be arranged contactless, in mutual contact or by mechanical interconnection, for example in a plug-in connection. The connector and the counter-connector can move translationally and / or rotationally relative to one another during operation. This makes it possible, for example, to avoid the use of sliding contacts, which are particularly prone to wear, and / or cables which move in a following manner and are therefore subjected to mechanical loads. Alternatively, the connector and the counter-connector can be securely fixed to one another.

[0018] The connector comprises an antenna for contactless data transmission. In this case, various antenna types can be used in the context of the invention. In particular, the antenna can be designed as a planar antenna, for example a patch antenna or a slot antenna. Alternatively or additionally, horn antennas and / or other antenna types can also be used. The antenna can also comprise one or more antenna arrays, for example a transmitting antenna array and a receiving antenna array or a dual-purpose antenna array.

[0019] The main radiation direction of the antenna is the direction in which the antenna can emit and receive at maximum power in the antenna directivity diagram. Therefore, the main radiation direction is both the main emission direction and the main incidence direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the electrical connector includes a sleeve-shaped coil. Hereinafter, the sleeve-shaped coil is understood to mean a coil body including a conductive wire curved in a spiral or helical shape. When an alternating current flows through the coil of the connector, it can induce an alternating current in the coil of the counterpart connector arranged laterally in a similar sleeve shape. Thereby, energy can be inductively transmitted unidirectionally in any case between the connector and the corresponding counterpart connector. In this non-contact energy transmission, power between 1 mW and 10 kW, preferably between 1 W and 100 W, can be transmitted.

[0021] The coil can have various geometric shapes. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coil can be circular, elliptical, or polygonal, that is, an n-sided polygon, particularly a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc.

[0022] The first lead-through of the coil extends between the axial end on the air interface side of the coil and the axial end on the antenna side of the coil. The axial end on the antenna side is the axial end of the coil facing the antenna side. The axial end on the air interface side is the axial end of the coil facing the side opposite to the antenna.

[0023] According to the invention, the sleeve-shaped absorber is arranged inside the first lead-through of the sleeve-shaped coil and the antenna is arranged with respect to the antenna-side axial end of the coil in such a way that the main radiation direction of the antenna passes through the second lead-through. This ensures that a large part of the electromagnetic waves emerging from and / or entering the antenna can be allowed to propagate both inside the sleeve-shaped coil and inside the second lead-through of the sleeve-shaped absorber. The advantage is that the part of the emerging and / or entering electromagnetic waves that does not propagate parallel to the main radiation direction of the connector's antenna impinges on the inner sheath surface of the absorber and can be absorbed by the absorber.

[0024] Various advantageous configurations and further developments emerge from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the respective figures of the drawing.

[0025] It goes without saying that the various features mentioned above and those to be described below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the absorber may extend over at least the longitudinal extent of the first leadthrough of the coil. This has the advantage that the inner sheath surface of the coil is completely masked or covered by the absorber. As a result, the beam path from the antenna of the connector and the mating connector to the coil can be preferably completely blocked, so that the reflection of electromagnetic waves at the coil can be reduced to the greatest possible extent.

[0027] In one equally possible embodiment of the connector, it is also possible to mask or cover only a part of the inner sheath surface of the coil with an absorber. Particularly preferred is when more than 50%, preferably more than 90%, particularly preferably more than 95% of the inner sheath surface of the coil is masked or covered with an absorber. As a result, at least a part of the reflection of the electromagnetic waves at the coil can be prevented.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the absorber can extend in the longitudinal direction up to the antenna. The antenna can preferably be arranged outside the first leadthrough of the coil. This has the advantage that the magnetic field generated by the coil does not or only slightly passes through the antenna and / or possibly the corresponding electronics. As a result, the induction of eddy currents in the antenna and the corresponding electronics can be prevented or at least reduced.

[0029] If the antenna is arranged axially away from the coil, the longitudinal extension of the absorber up to the antenna can prevent the electromagnetic waves from impinging on an object arranged in the gap between the coil and the antenna, so that said waves are not reflected or at least are reflected less. Said object can preferably be a ferrite core arranged adjacent to the coil, which directs the magnetic field generated by the coil in at least a portion of the corresponding magnetic field lines.

[0030] The sleeve-like absorber can be embodied as a lossy absorber and / or a resonant absorber. The lossy absorber can comprise loss-inducing particles, such as graphene, carbon fibers, and / or metamaterials. The particles are embedded in a matrix material, such as elastomers, foams, thermoplastics or thermosets. The loss-inducing particles attenuate the electromagnetic waves penetrating the absorber.

[0031] A resonant absorber suppresses reflections at its outer surface due to the fact that part of the electromagnetic wave incident on it is reflected at its outer surface and part penetrates into the absorber. At the interface between the absorber and the material to which it is attached, a further second reflection of the part of the electromagnetic wave that penetrates the absorber can be counter-superimposed on the first reflection at the outer surface of the absorber, with a phase delay of 180° relative to the first reflection due to the thickness of the absorber.

[0032] In one advantageous development of the invention, the sleeve-like absorber can be embodied from a lossy absorber material.

[0033] In one advantageous development of the invention, the absorber can be provided with a flange shape at the air-interface axial end of the coil and / or at the antenna-side axial end of the coil. The flange shape of the absorber can thus mask or cover the axial end of the coil. If a section of the ferrite core is arranged especially at the antenna-side axial end of the coil, the flange shape of the absorber can axially mask or cover this section of the ferrite core as well, thereby reducing reflections. If the flange shape of the absorber is at the air-interface axial end of the coil, reflections between the connector and the mating connector can be minimized.

[0034] The absorbent body can be one-piece or multi-piece. In one particularly preferred development of the connector, the flange feature of the absorbent body can be a separate part from the sleeve feature of the absorbent body. As a result, by using common parts, an absorbent body without a flange feature can be produced at low cost to complement an absorbent body with a flange feature. If the absorbent body is multi-piece, the segments of the absorbent body can be force-fixed, locked together or connected by an integral joint. The segments of the absorbent body can be separated by a gap. The thickness of this gap is preferably at most 0.5 mm.

[0035] The absorbent material in the flange-shaped portion of the absorbent body may preferably be made of a material containing an elastomer, such as silicone, or a foam. The elastomer and the foam may each be a composite material, as described above. This is particularly advantageous when the outer diameter is significantly larger than the axial thickness of the flange-shaped portion, for example by a factor of 3, 5 or 10. Planar objects cannot be manufactured or are only marginally manufacturable by injection molding methods.

[0036] It is particularly advantageous if the diameter of the second leadthrough expands laterally or radially in the direction of the air-interface axial end of the absorber, which is further from the antenna than the antenna-side axial end of the absorber. It is particularly advantageous if the expansion of the inner diameter of the absorber is stepped or conical. Technical investigations by the inventors have shown that as a result the electromagnetic waves reflected at the mating connector are attenuated.

[0037] A sleeve-like absorber, in which the diameter of the second leadthrough expands laterally or radially in the direction of the air-interface side axial end of the absorber, may be of separate component construction. For example, the absorber may comprise a first absorber unit, which is attached directly to the antenna, on the antenna side. For example, if the antenna is mounted on a printed circuit board, the first absorber unit may be precisely positioned on the printed circuit board. The first absorber unit may thus be precisely positioned relative to the antenna in the mounting process on the printed circuit board. In this case, the first absorber unit forms part of the second leadthrough of the absorber by having a first through-opening in which the antenna is located. As a result of the precise positioning, the longitudinal axis of the first through-opening may pass through the centre point of the antenna and / or the phase centre of the antenna.

[0038] The absorber may further comprise a second absorber unit. The second absorber unit may be of sleeve-like design. The second absorber unit may have a second through opening as a further part of the second lead-through. The inner diameter of the second through opening may correspond to the outer diameter of the first absorber unit. The longitudinal length of the second absorber unit may be greater than the longitudinal length of the first absorber unit. Thus, in the mounting process, the second absorber unit may fit around the first absorber unit by press-fitting. As a result, the second absorber unit may be accurately aligned with respect to the first absorber unit, such that the longitudinal axis of the second through opening is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first through opening. Thus, as an overall result, the longitudinal axis of the second lead-through of the absorber may be accurately aligned with respect to the antenna.

[0039] Optionally, the absorber may comprise a third absorber unit. The third absorber unit may form a flange-shaped portion of the absorber on the air-interface side. The third absorber unit may be a separate part with respect to the first and second absorber units. The third absorber unit may be attached to the air-interface end face of the coil. The second absorber unit may extend longitudinally from the antenna or from a printed circuit board carrying the antenna to the third absorber unit. The second absorber unit may thus be held by the third absorber unit by interlocking, force locking or integral joining. In this way, an absorber may be provided which masks all components of the connector between the antenna and the air-interface axial end of the coil.

[0040] As already mentioned, the electrical connector may further comprise a ferrite core. The ferrite core may preferably extend along the outer sheath surface of the coil and / or along the end face of the coil formed at the antenna-side axial end. In this case, the ferrite core is preferably arranged adjacent to the coil. The ferrite core may preferably have a third leadthrough (through passage, guideway) which can be aligned with the first leadthrough of the coil. In this case, the absorber preferably further extends at least along a longitudinal extent of the third leadthrough in order to prevent reflection of the electromagnetic wave at the ferrite core.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coil may be configured to transmit energy by electromagnetic induction in a first frequency range. Meanwhile, the antenna may be configured to transmit data in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range. The absorber may be configured to be electromagnetically transparent, particularly to alternating magnetic fields, in the first frequency range and electromagnetically absorbing, particularly to electromagnetic waves, in the second frequency range. As a result, reflection of electromagnetic waves carrying data signals can be reduced, and thus attenuation of energy transmitted by electromagnetic induction between the connector and the mating connector can be suppressed.

[0042] Electromagnetically transparent in this case means that the absorber has a transmission attenuation of preferably less than 10 dB / cm, particularly preferably less than 5 dB / cm, whereas electromagnetically absorptive in this case means that the transmission attenuation of the absorber is parameterized as described above.

[0043] The upper limit of the first frequency range is preferably lower than the lower limit of the second frequency range. By way of example, the first frequency range may be between 0.5 kHz and 10 MHz, or may selectively occupy a part of the range. Alternatively, the upper limit of the first frequency range may be, for example, up to 100 MHz. The first frequency range may include vibrations of a specific frequency between 0.5 kHz and 100 MHz. By way of example, the second frequency range may be between 1 GHz and 500 GHz, or may selectively occupy a part of the range. Particularly preferably, the second frequency range is between 57 GHz and 64 GHz. Alternatively, the lower limit of the second frequency range may be, for example, 0.5 GHz or 10 GHz. It is particularly advantageous if the upper limit of the first frequency range is at least 10 times, 100 times, or 1000 times lower than the lower limit of the second frequency range. This allows one to find materials and / or shapes that have the property of absorbing electromagnetic waves in a second frequency range and transmitting electromagnetic waves in a first frequency range.

[0044] In one advantageous development of the electrical connector, the antenna may be of circular polarised design and / or the main radiation direction of the antenna may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough. When the connector is rotated relative to the mating connector about the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough of the connector, the respective circularly polarised antennas of the connector and the mating connector enable data transmission that is independent of the rotation angle.

[0045] A favorable alignment of the main radiation direction with the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough has the following advantages: That is, the absorber surrounds the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna without being axially offset relative to the center point of the antenna, which can maintain circular polarization of the electromagnetic waves propagating through the second leadthrough and / or can enhance transmit / receive isolation of the antenna.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second leadthrough may be of a rotationally symmetric design. As a result, the transmit / receive isolation of the antenna may be improved. This may be particularly advantageous if the antenna is configured for in-band full-duplex data transmission. If the connector rotates relative to the mating connector about the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough of the connector, the rotational symmetry of the second leadthrough may further improve the transmission quality.

[0047] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna of the connector and the mating connector may be configured to realize in-band full-duplex data transmission. This means that the antenna transmits simultaneously in the same frequency band in both receive and transmit directions. That is to say, during in-band full-duplex data transmission, the required bandwidth may be halved or the data transmission rate may be doubled compared to frequency duplex. In this case, preferably, the central axis of the antenna may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough.

[0048] An antenna configured to realize an in-band full-duplex data transmission is characterized by its transmit-receive isolation. This transmit-receive isolation represents the separation between the transmit signal path of the connector electrically connected to the antenna and the receive signal path of the connector electrically connected to the antenna. For in-band full-duplex data transmission, the transmit-receive isolation may be greater than 30 dB, particularly preferably greater than 40 dB. This transmit-receive isolation constitutes the inverse of the transmit scattering parameter from the transmit signal path to the receive signal path.

[0049] There are various embodiments of antennas configured to provide in-band full-duplex data transmission. For example, the antenna may comprise a dual-purpose antenna in which both the transmit and receive signal paths are electrically connected, for example via a circulator. Additionally or alternatively, orthogonal modes of the antenna may be assigned to the transmit and receive signals of an electrical connector.

[0050] Alternatively, the antenna may comprise at least one transmitting antenna to which the transmitting signal path is connected and at least one receiving antenna to which the receiving signal path is connected, the receiving antenna being independent of the transmitting signal path. In this case, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna may be arranged sufficiently spatially separated from each other to achieve the required transmitting-receiving isolation. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna may be mutually cross-polarized. Additionally or alternatively, a decoupling structure, for example an electromagnetic wave absorber, a metasurface or a shielding wall, may be arranged between the at least one transmitting antenna and the at least one receiving antenna. A further possibility for in-band full-duplex data transmission consists in the antenna comprising at least two transmitting antennas and at least one receiving antenna, in which crosstalk from each transmitting antenna to all receiving antennas is cancelled in each case.

[0051] The antenna includes a transmitting antenna group having a first transmitting antenna, a second transmitting antenna, and a first balun, and a receiving antenna group having a first receiving antenna, a second receiving antenna, and a second balun, the first transmitting antenna and the second transmitting antenna being connected to a balanced port of the first balun, the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna being connected to a balanced port of the second balun, and an unbalanced port of the first balun being connected to a transmitting signal path of a transceiver configuration of the connector. a first balun connected to a first balun and an unbalanced port of the second balun connected to a receive signal path of a transceiver configuration, the receive signal path being independent of the transmit signal path, the first transmit antenna, the second transmit antenna, the first receive antenna, and the second receive antenna having relative spatial positions with respect to one another such that crosstalk between the transmit antennas and the receive antennas is at least reduced by differential wiring of the respective antennas, and each of the receive antennas has the same center-to-center distance with respect to both transmit antennas.

[0052] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna comprises a pair of planar transmitting antennas and a pair of planar receiving antennas, which are arranged in each case crossing each other, preferably at right angles, on the printed circuit board. In this case, a central axis passing through the midpoint of the two planar antenna pairs and oriented perpendicularly to the printed circuit board may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough. In this case, the pair of transmitting and receiving antennas may be arranged in each case on a ring-shaped line, preferably crossing each other. The transmitting antennas may be driven by differential transmitting signals. As a result, the signals of the transmitting antennas are in each case destructively superimposed on the receiving antennas, so that the transmitting and receiving isolation of the antennas is improved.

[0053] In one advantageous development of the invention, at least one region of the absorber can be made of a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material, which can be fixed directly to the antenna, particularly preferably by means of a press fit.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment of the absorber, the absorber may be entirely made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material or composite material, which allows the absorber to achieve sufficient mechanical strength for fixing to the antenna or to the printed circuit board on which the antenna is formed.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment, the absorber may have a layered structure consisting of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. In this case, the inner sleeve may be made of an elastomeric or foam absorber material, while the outer sleeve may have a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic absorber material. Instead of the outer sleeve, the absorber may preferably be made of a dielectric solid material and may be fixed to a preferably sleeve-like holding element. Typically, the holding element may comprise a rigid material, for example a plastic, a natural substance or a composite material. The absorber consisting of an elastomeric material or consisting of a foam may be fixed to the holding element, for example by adhesive bonding, for example by a pressure-sensitive double-sided adhesive film and / or by an epoxy adhesive. The absorber may be fixed to the antenna, preferably by press-fitting or by adhesive bonding.

[0056] A direct fastening of the absorber or the retaining element to the antenna is preferred since it allows the chain of manufacturing tolerances to be minimized, thereby reducing or avoiding any lateral or radial offset between the absorber and the antenna, which helps to improve the transmit-receive isolation of the antenna, and thus further improves the concentricity of the main radiation direction of the antenna with the longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough of the absorber.

[0057] An optional development of the invention comprises an integrated transmitter circuit and an integrated receiver circuit, which may for example be arranged on a printed circuit board with an antenna and electrically connected thereto. In this case, the integrated transmitter circuit comprises at least a radio frequency mixer and an oscillator for generating a carrier oscillation. The oscillator may optionally be a free-running oscillator. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption, since a carrier frequency control by means of a phase-locked loop is not necessary. The transmitter circuit may optionally be designed to further implement amplitude modulation. The receiver circuit may optionally comprise an incoherent demodulator, for example an envelope detector, for demodulating a data signal from the received carrier oscillation. In this respect, the generation of an oscillator signal in the receiver circuit may be omitted, which makes it possible to reduce power consumption. Thus, the energy transmission efficiency can be increased.

[0058] The invention further relates to a system comprising an electrical connector and a corresponding counter electrical connector. The technical features, technical embodiments and technical aspects already described in detail with respect to the connector are equally applicable to the connector and the counter connector. In this case, the air interface of the connector is arranged opposite to the air interface of the counter connector. At least the connector and / or the counter connector are in each case designed to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the second lead-through, respectively. If the longitudinal axes of the second lead-throughs of the connector and the counter connector are aligned, the two connectors may rotate relative to each other, preferably around the two aligned longitudinal axes. In this case, this rotational movement can be realised within a defined angular arc or over a solid angle between 0° and 360°.

[0059] Between the respective air interfaces of the two connectors there may be an air gap, preferably having a thickness between 0 cm and 20 cm, in particular between 0 cm and 5 cm, particularly preferably between 0.05 cm and 1 cm. In principle, the distance between the two connectors is variable, preferably within the above-mentioned distance ranges.

[0060] In one development of the system according to the invention, the respective axes of the two connectors may be inclined relative to one another. In this case, the respective air interfaces of the two connectors face one another in an inclined plane. This may preferably be done within an angular range of -10° to +10°. This may be realized by widening the radiation lobe of the antenna.

[0061] The various configurations and developments described above can be combined with one another in any desired manner, provided that this is feasible. The various further possible configurations, developments and realizations of the invention may also include combinations that are not expressly mentioned above or below as characteristics of the invention with respect to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, in this case, a person skilled in the art will be able to add further individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the respective basic aspects of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0062] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments defined in respective schematic views of the drawings.

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention comprising an electromagnetic wave absorber. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a link of an absorber to a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a connector according to the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a system with two electrical connectors according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] The figures of the accompanying drawings are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the present invention. Other embodiments and various advantages of the description will become apparent from the drawings. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale relative to each other.

[0065] In the various figures of the drawings, identical, functionally identical and acting identical elements, features and components are respectively designated by the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated.

[0066] In the following, the figures will be explained in a relative and comprehensive manner.

[0067] According to Fig. 1, an electrical connector 1 according to the invention for contactless data and energy transmission comprises a coil 2 for contactless energy transmission and an antenna 3 for contactless data transmission. The coil 2 is preferably designed as a cylindrical coil and has a longitudinal axis L S The antenna 3 is preferably designed as a planar antenna.

[0068] The coil 2 has a first leadthrough 4 (first through passage 4, first guide passage 4) between the air interface side axial end 5 and the antenna side axial end 6. An electromagnetic wave absorber 7 is disposed inside the first leadthrough 4 of the coil 2. The absorber 7 has a hollow tubular, preferably hollow cylindrical, shape, and includes a second leadthrough 8 (second through passage 8, second guide passage 8). The longitudinal axis L of the absorber 7 is A is the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4 of the coil 2 S is aligned to.

[0069] In order to increase the inductance of the coil 2 and thus extend the contactless energy transmission range, a part of the magnetic flux generated by the coil 2 is guided inside the ferrite core 9. The ferrite core 9 extends only around the periphery of the coil 2 and is formed adjacent to the coil 2 only radially outside and only in the region of the antenna-side axial end 6 of the coil 2.

[0070] The antenna 3 is formed on a printed circuit board 10, on which further electronic circuit units and radio frequency components required for contactless data transmission, such as transceiver circuits, radio frequency couplers, etc., can be mounted. In order to prevent any undesirable eddy currents from being generated in the antenna 3 and in the electronic circuits mounted on the printed circuit board 10, the printed circuit board 10 and the antenna 3 mounted thereon are arranged at a distance from the antenna-side axial end 6 of the coil 2 by at least the base thickness of the ferrite core 9.

[0071] The antenna 3 is further aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8. A For example, the second leadthrough 8 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis L Amay be oriented perpendicular to the antenna 3 and / or pass through the phase center of the antenna 3 if the antenna 3 is a planar antenna. If the antenna 3 comprises one or more transmitting antennas and one or more receiving antennas separate from the one or more transmitting antennas as required, the longitudinal axis L A The longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8 may pass through a common midpoint of the transmitting and receiving antennas. A may correspond to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent body 7, if necessary. The second leadthrough 8 further has its longitudinal axis L A It can be formed as rotationally symmetric with respect to

[0072] Thus, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna 3 propagate through the second leadthrough 8. Similarly, the antenna 3 receives the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna of the mating connector 1' via the second leadthrough 8. As a result, the main radiation direction HR of the contactless bidirectional data transmission between the connector 1 and its corresponding mating connector 1' is D is the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8 A The main transmission direction HR of the unidirectional contactless energy transmission from the connector 1 to the mating connector 1' E is the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4 S Located along the top.

[0073] The absorber 7 extends at least over the longitudinal extent of the first leadthrough 4 of the coil 2 in order to at least partially, preferably substantially, in particular completely, mask at least the inner sheath surface of the coil 2. Of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna 3 or incident on the antenna 3, due to the directional characteristics of the antenna 3, the main radiation direction HR D The electromagnetic wave portion passing outside impinges on the absorber 7 and is absorbed by the absorber 7, as a result of which it does not reach the coil 2 or at least reaches it in an attenuated form, so that reflections at the coil 2 are prevented or at least reduced.

[0074] In the first embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, the absorber 7 extends from the first lead-through 4 of the coil 2 over the third lead-through 11 (third through-passage 11, third conductor 11) of the ferrite core 9 to the antenna 3 or to the printed circuit board 10 carrying the antenna 3. Such an extension of the absorber 7 extends in the main radiation direction HR up to the axial section between the antenna-side axial end 6 of the coil 2 and the antenna 3 or the printed circuit board 10. D 1 may also extend further beyond the air-interface axial end 5 of the coil 2 in order to further limit the directional characteristics of the electromagnetic waves. If necessary, the absorber 7 and also its second leadthrough 8 may extend from the antenna 3 to the cover 14 of the connector 1.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the absorber 7 can be fixed to the printed circuit board 10 by an integral joint, preferably by an adhesive joint. The absorber 7 is separated from the coil 2 by a small air gap.

[0076] For further mechanical stabilization and / or for signal connection, the printed circuit board 10 is fixed on a fixed carrier 12, which may comprise further printed circuit boards and additional electronic components. The connector 1 is integrated in a housing 13, which may be connectable to a corresponding housing 13' of a counter connector 1'. The housing 13 is closed on the air interface side by a cover 14, which is made of a non-conductive material, preferably plastic, in order to make it transparent to electromagnetic waves. For this purpose, if necessary, the thickness of the cover may be made half the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves emitted and / or incident by the antenna 3 in the material of the cover.

[0077] In the second exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, of an electrical connector 1 according to the invention, the absorber 7 is connected directly to the printed circuit board 10, in particular by means of a force lock.

[0078] For this purpose, according to FIG. 3, preferably four axial extensions 15 are formed in the absorber 7. These axial extensions 15 surround, at their respective side edges, the preferably parallelepiped printed circuit board 10. At least one protrusion 16 is formed in each axial extension 15 of the absorber 7. The protrusions 16 engage with the peripheral outer edge of the printed circuit board 10 by force locking (press fit). Alternatively, an interlocking or some other (direct) connection is also possible. The absorber 7 is thus directly aligned to the antenna 3 or to the printed circuit board 10 carrying the antenna 3. This allows a more precise positioning of the antenna 3 relative to the second leadthrough 8.

[0079] If necessary, a preferably pin-shaped extension 17 may be formed on at least one axial extension 15 of the absorber 7. The extension 17 can be inserted by clearance fit into an associated hole in the fixed carrier 12. The clearance fit can facilitate the mounting of the absorber 7 on the printed circuit board 10. Due to the clearance fit in the fixed carrier 12 and the projections 16 engaging in a force-locking manner around the printed circuit board 10, the absorber 7 is aligned with respect to the printed circuit board 10 and not with respect to the fixed carrier 12, so that a lateral offset occurring during production between the printed circuit board 10 and the fixed carrier 12 does not affect the positioning tolerances of the absorber 7 or its second leadthrough 8 with respect to the antenna 3. If necessary, the printed circuit board 10 can also be soldered to the fixed carrier 12.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, which comprises a sleeve-shaped absorbent body 7 made of a foam or elastomer-containing material. For a stable mechanical fixation of such an absorbent body 7 to the printed circuit board 10, the absorbent body 7 is fixed, preferably at its outer sheath surface, to a holding element 15-2, which is preferably sleeve-shaped. The sleeve-shaped holding element 15-2 is preferably made of a material having a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic solid material. In order to fix the holding element 15-2 to the printed circuit board 10 and / or to the fastening carrier 12, in the second embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holding element 15-2 can be shaped corresponding to the absorbent body 7.

[0081] In the fourth embodiment of the connector 1 according to the present invention shown in Fig. 5, the inner diameter of the absorber 7 expands in a step shape in the direction of the air interface 21. Therefore, a part of the electromagnetic waves incident from the mating connector 1' on the printed circuit board 10 or substantially adjacent to the antenna 3 can be attenuated better by the absorber 7. Furthermore, the surface waves radiated from the antenna 3 can be significantly attenuated by the antenna-side tapered part (inner peripheral step part) of the absorber 7.

[0082] If necessary, the stepped second leadthrough 8 can be formed, for example, by at least two hollow cylinders, which are aligned along the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8. A If desired, these hollow cylinders may be covered in whole or in part with a radome material.

[0083] Furthermore, in a fifth embodiment of the electrical connector 1 according to the invention, shown in FIG. 6, the inner diameter of the absorber 7 may be shaped to expand conically in the direction of the air interface 21, ie up to the cover .

[0084] In the sixth embodiment of the electrical connector 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the absorber 7 has a flange-shaped portion 19 formed at its axial end 18 on the air interface side, which masks the axial end 5 on the air interface side of the coil 2, thereby reducing the reflection of electromagnetic waves therefrom.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, in a seventh embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, the air-interface axial end 5 of the coil 2 is masked by an additional sleeve-like electromagnetic wave absorber element 20. The additional sleeve-like electromagnetic wave absorber element 20 masks the air-interface axial end 5 of the coil 2. The electromagnetic wave absorber element 20 forming the flange-shaped portion 19 of the absorber 7 is thus a separate part from the absorber 7 and may be formed as having an absorber material different from the remaining part of the absorber 7, for example an elastomer and / or a foam, if necessary. The additional electromagnetic wave absorber element 20 may be directly adjacent to the remaining part of the absorber 7. This may improve the radio channel between the connector 1 and the mating connector 1′.

[0086] FIG. 9 shows a connector 1 according to the invention, in which the sleeve-like absorber 7 is of separate component construction, for example of a three-component construction. The absorber 7 comprises a first absorber unit 7-1 mounted directly on a printed circuit board 10. The first absorber unit 7-1 has a first through opening 8-1. The first through opening 8-1 forms part of the second leadthrough 8 of the absorber 7 and may for example have a circular cross section. The longitudinal axis of the first through opening 8-1 extends through the centre point and / or phase centre of the antenna 3. Furthermore, the absorber 7 comprises a second absorber unit 7-2. The second absorber unit 7-2 has a second through opening 8-2. The inner diameter of the second through opening 8-2 may be equal or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the first absorber unit 7-1. As a result, the second absorber unit 7-2 can be fitted, for example press-fitted, into the first absorber unit 7-1. The second absorber unit 7-2 extending from the printed circuit board 10 has a larger longitudinal extent than the first absorber unit 7-1. The second through opening 8-2 can therefore also form at least a part of the second lead-through 8. The longitudinal axis of the second through opening 8-2 can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first through opening 8-1. When the first and second absorber units 7-1, 7-2 are embodied in this way, the diameter of the second lead-through 8 can be formed to expand towards the air interface 21. The second absorber unit 7-2 is connected to the retaining element 15-2 at the outer sheath surface.

[0087] Optionally, the absorbent body 7 may comprise a third absorbent body unit 7-3. The third absorbent body unit 7-3 may form a flange-shaped portion 19 at the air-interface side axial end portion 18 of the absorbent body 7. The third absorbent body unit 7-3 has a third through-opening 8-3 forming part of the second lead-through 8. The inner diameter of the third through-opening 8-3 may be equal or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the second through-opening 8-2. The second absorbent body unit 7-2 extends longitudinally to the third absorbent body unit 7-3.

[0088] At least one of the first, second or third absorber units 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 may comprise an elastomeric and / or foam based absorber material. Furthermore, if desired, it is also possible for the first absorber unit 7-1 to comprise a resonant type absorber material and for the second and / or third absorber units 7-2, 7-3 to comprise a lossy type absorber material.

[0089] FIG. 10 shows a system 100 comprising a connector 1 and a corresponding mating connector 1'. The mating connector 1' can be realized structurally identical to the connector 1. However, the connector 1 and the mating connector 1' can also differ with regard to the transmitting and receiving power electronics used for the energy transmission. For example, it is possible that only the connector 1 is provided with transmitting electronics, while the mating connector 1' is provided with only receiving electronics for the energy transmission. The longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8 of the first connector 1 is A and the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4 S is the longitudinal axis L of the second lead-through 8' of the mating connector 1' A ' and the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4' S The air interface 21 of the first connector 1 is preferably arranged facing away from the air interface 21' of the counter connector 1'. However, it is usually also possible to have the two covers 14 and 14' in contact, for example if the connector and the counter connector are intended to provide galvanic isolation rather than a complete contactless separation of the combined energy and data transmission. At least the connector 1 or the counter connector 1' is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the second lead-through 8 of the connector 1. A and / or the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4 S or the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8' of the second mating connector 1'. A ' and / or the longitudinal axis L of the first leadthrough 4' S ', and are rotatable about rotation axes located at

[0090] Similar to the connector 1, the mating connector 1' comprises a preferably sleeve-shaped coil 2' for contactless energy transmission. A first leadthrough 4' of the sleeve-shaped coil 2' extends from an antenna-side axial end 6' of the coil 2' to an air-interface-side axial end 5'. Inside the first leadthrough 4' a preferably sleeve-shaped absorber 7' is arranged which extends to a printed circuit board 10'. An antenna 3' for contactless data transmission is arranged on the printed circuit board 10', preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough 8'. A '. In order to increase the range between the connector 1 and the counter connector 1', a part of the magnetic flux of the coil 2' is led inside a ferrite core 9' formed adjacent to the coil 2', preferably only radially outside the coil 2' and only at the antenna-side axial end 6' of the coil 2'. The absorber 7' is led through a third lead-through 11' of the ferrite core 9'. The antenna 3' of the counter connector 1' emits and / or receives electromagnetic waves through a second lead-through 8' of the absorber 7'. A printed circuit board 10' with the antenna 3' is fixed to a fixed carrier 12'. The counter connector 1' is integrated in a housing 13'. The housing 13' is closed on the air interface 21' side by a cover 14'. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Electrical Connector 2 Coil 3 Antennas 4. First Lead-Through 5 Axial end on air interface side 6 Axial end on antenna side 7. Absorber 8 Second Lead-Through 9 Ferrite core 10 Printed Circuit Board 11 Third Read-Through 12 Fixed carrier 13. Housing 14 Cover HR EMain Transmission Direction HR D Main radiation direction L S Longitudinal axis of the first leadthrough L A Longitudinal axis of the second leadthrough

Claims

1. An electrical connector (1), The electrical connector (1) comprises: An antenna (3) for contactless data transmission; A sleeve-shaped coil (2) for contactless energy transmission, the coil (2) having a first leadthrough (4) between an air interface side axial end (5) of the coil (2) and an antenna side axial end (6) of the coil (2); a sleeve-like electromagnetic wave absorber (7) having a second leadthrough (8) designed to allow the propagation of electromagnetic waves; Equipped with The absorbent body (7) is arranged inside the first leadthrough (4), The antenna (3) has a main radiation direction HR Ｄ is arranged with respect to the antenna-side axial end (6) so as to pass through the second leadthrough (8). Electrical connector (1).

2. The absorbent body (7) extends over at least the longitudinal extent of the first leadthrough (4), An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

3. The absorber (7) extends longitudinally to the antenna (3), An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

4. The absorbent body (7) is made of an elastomer or foam-containing material, characterised in that the absorbent body (7) is connected on the outer sheath surface to a retaining element (15-2) made of a material having a thermoplastic or thermosetting absorbent material. An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

5. The absorber (7) is characterized in that it has a flange-shaped portion (19) at the air-interface side axial end (5) and / or the antenna side axial end (6) of the coil (2). An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

6. The flange-shaped portion (19) of the absorbent body (7) is a separate part from the sleeve-shaped absorbent body (7). An electrical connector (1) according to claim 5.

7. The flange-shaped portion (19) of the absorbent body (7) is formed of a material including an elastomer or a foam. An electrical connector (1) according to claim 5.

8. the second leadthrough (8) is characterized in that its diameter expands transversely or radially with respect to the direction of the axial end of the absorber (7) on the air interface side, An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

9. The electrical connector (1) further comprises a ferrite core (9), The ferrite core (9) extends along an outer sheath surface of the coil (2) and an end face formed at the antenna-side axial end (6) of the coil (2); The ferrite core (9) has a third leadthrough (11), the third leadthrough (11) is aligned with the first leadthrough (4) of the coil (2); the absorbent body (7) extends along a longitudinal extent of the third leadthrough (11), An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

10. The coil (2) is configured to transmit energy by electromagnetic induction in a first frequency range; the antenna (3) is configured to transmit data in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range; The absorber (7) is formed to be electromagnetically transparent in the first frequency range and electromagnetically absorbing in the second frequency range. An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

11. The antenna (3) is a circularly polarized antenna and / or the main radiation direction HR of the antenna (3) Ｄ is the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough (8). Ａ is aligned to An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

12. The antenna (3) is configured to perform in-band full-duplex data transmission; The central axis of the antenna (3) is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the second leadthrough (8). Ａ is aligned to An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

13. characterised in that the second leadthrough (8) is rotationally symmetrical, An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

14. characterised in that at least one region of the absorber (7) is made of a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material and is fixed directly to the antenna (3) by a press fit, An electrical connector (1) according to claim 1.

15. A system (100) comprising an electrical connector (1) and a corresponding mating electrical connector (1'), The connector (1) and the mating connector (1') are each designed as an electrical connector (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The air interface (21) of the connector (1) is disposed opposite to the air interface (21') of the mating connector (1'), At least the connector (1) and / or the mating connector (1') are aligned along the longitudinal axis (L) of the second leadthrough (8, 8'), respectively. Ａ , L Ａ The system (100) is rotatable around the axis of rotation (X').

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