Shielded push-pull connector with shielding spring

Abstract

We provide shielded push-pull connectors equipped with shielding springs. [Solution] The shield spring has a tab-shaped projection facing forward when viewed in the insertion direction, and the snap ring 10 has a tab-shaped recess corresponding to the tab-shaped projection of the shield spring, with the tab-shaped projection of the shield spring positioned within the tab-shaped recess, thereby forming a completely circumferential projection that, together with the tab-shaped projection of the snap ring 10, abuts against the undercut portion 24 of the built-in connector, in which case the shield spring, made of a metal material, forms a loop through the shield portion of the push-pull connector to the built-in connector, and the shield spring is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the shield portion of the cable on which the push-pull connector is located, in a shielded push-pull connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] According to the features of the superordinate concept of two independent claims, the present invention relates to a shielded push-pull connector that is insertable into an embedded connector (also referred to as an embedded coupling depending on the configuration) and locks during this insertion.

[0002] Known shielded push-pull connectors have a contact support, the contact support has at least one contact chamber, and a contact partner is inserted into the contact chamber. A shield sleeve made of a conductive material is arranged around the contact support. A snap ring is arranged around the shield sleeve, and the snap ring has a completely circumferential protrusion as shown forward in the insertion direction (in the direction of the insertion surface). When the push-pull connector is inserted into an embedded connector (hereinafter generally also referred to as the mating connector), the completely circumferential protrusion of the snap ring can be operatively connected to the undercut of the embedded connector. A grip sleeve (hereinafter also referred to as a nut) is arranged around the snap ring. When the push-pull connector is to be pulled out of the embedded connector, the snap ring can be operated by the grip sleeve. By moving the grip sleeve axially, the inner contour of the grip sleeve acts on the circumferential inclined surface of the snap ring at the front end, thereby pushing down the circumferential inclined surface. As a result, the completely circumferential protrusion of the snap ring is pushed down and is moved so as to escape from the undercut of the embedded connector at this time. In this case, by further sliding the grip sleeve axially, it becomes possible to completely pull out the push-pull connector from the embedded connector.

[0003] The problem underlying the present invention is to improve the known shielded push-pull connector with regard to its shielding properties.

[0004] The above problem is solved according to the first concept, in which a shield spring is provided, the shield spring having a tab-shaped projection facing forward when viewed in the insertion direction, and the snap ring having a tab-shaped recess corresponding to the tab-shaped projection of the shield spring, the tab-shaped projection of the shield spring being positioned (fitted) within the tab-shaped recess, thereby forming a completely circumferential projection that contacts the undercut portion of the built-in connector together with the tab-shaped projection of the snap ring, in which case the shield spring, made of metal, forms a loop through the shield portion of the push-pull connector to the built-in connector. At the same time, the shield spring is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the shield portion of the cable in which the push-pull connector is located.

[0005] In an advanced form of the present invention, the tab-shaped projection originates from a cylindrical base of the shield spring. The base allows the shield spring to be configured to contact both the snap ring and the shield sleeve, or between a portion of these two elements. This enables mechanical positioning and fixing, and alternative or supplemental electrical contact, between the snap ring (if manufactured from a metallic material) and the shield sleeve (if also manufactured from a metallic material) under spring action. Alternatively, the shield spring may be positioned between the shield sleeve and the nut, at least in a portion of the area.

[0006] In an advanced form of the present invention, the base has a slit extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shield sleeve. This gives the base a spring action when it is positioned and fixed in its installation location. As a result, the base can be fixed on the one hand and maintain continuous electrical contact under spring action on the other.

[0007] In an advanced form of the present invention, at least one substantially U-shaped spring element (bent portion) originates from the base. At least one substantially U-shaped spring element (or two or more such elements distributed and arranged across the circumferential surface of the base) increases the spring action. On the other hand, manufacturing tolerances can be compensated. Furthermore, the fitting of the shield spring can be carried out, in particular under spring action, within the space in which the shield spring is incorporated between the snap ring (and possibly the nut) and the shield sleeve.

[0008] In an advanced form of the present invention, at least one locking tab is formed from the substrate. This at least one locking tab, preferably a plurality of locking tabs distributed and arranged over the circumferential surface of the substrate, allows the shield spring to be secured to a relevant element, such as a snap ring, nut, and / or shield sleeve, within the shield spring's mounting space. For this purpose, these elements may have corresponding geometric shapes, such as recesses, circumferential grooves, or similar features, and at least one locking tab engages with these geometric shapes when the shield spring is positioned as specified in the shield spring's mounting location.

[0009] The above problem is solved, according to the second concept, by inserting a spring ring into the front region of the push-pull connector, particularly into the snap ring of the push-pull connector, and by having the spring ring interact with an undercut portion, particularly a groove, provided in the built-in connector after the push-pull connector is inserted into the built-in connector, and by having the spring ring formed in a circumferentially corrugated shape.

[0010] Further embodiments of the second concept using a spring ring are described in relation to the corresponding drawings.

[0011] The following sections illustrate and explain examples of the two concepts presented above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the second concept of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the second concept of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the second concept of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows a connector 1 according to the second concept of the present invention.

[0013] Figures 1 to 7 show connector 1 according to the first concept of the present invention.

[0014] The connector 1 shown in Figure 1 has a shield sleeve 2, and a nut 3 is positioned to be movable relative to the shield sleeve 2, particularly a sliding nut, so as to cover a portion of the shield sleeve 2. Behind one end of the nut 3, there is a further housing-like element of the connector 1, particularly an overmolded portion 4. A shielded cable 5 extends from this element, particularly from the overmolded portion 4.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of connector 1. Contact portions 6 are further visible, and these contact portions 6 are located within a contact chamber, not shown in detail, of a contact support located inside the shield sleeve 2. The electrical conductors 7 of cable 5, more precisely the stripped front ends of the electrical conductors 7, are connected to the contact portions 6. Connector 1 has at least one, but basically multiple, contact portions 6 and corresponding electrical conductors 7. Reference numeral 8 indicates the shield portion of cable 5, which is connected to and electrically contacted with the shield sleeve 2, made of conductive material, in the connection region 9. A snap ring 10 for achieving a push-pull connection with the mating connector is located inside the nut 3, with the front end of the snap ring 10 positioned to cover a portion of the shield sleeve 2. Reference numeral 11 indicates a shield spring, also made of conductive material, located around the shield sleeve 2.

[0016] Figure 3 shows connector 1 mated with a mating connector. The front end 12 of nut 3 is slightly bent and positioned on the inclined surface 13 of snap ring 10. The front locking tab 14 of snap ring 10 is operationally connected to the housing 20 of the mating connector. The housing 20 houses the contact portion 21 of the mating connector, which is mated with the contact portion 6 of connector 1. Furthermore, the housing 20 has, for example, a circumferential frame 22, within which a circumferential sealing ring 23 is positioned. The housing 20 is inserted, for example, into an opening (not shown) in electronic equipment, where it is sealed and secured by the sealing ring 23. The mating connector may be located at the end of a cable instead of being a built-in connector. The housing 20 has a locking projection 24, which forms an undercut for the front locking tab 14 of snap ring 10. A plastic or metal snap ring 10 locks within the mating connector (also called a built-in coupling) and is responsible for the retaining force of the plug-in connection. The shield is guided directly from the shield sleeve 2 to the housing 20 of the mating connector via a shield spring 11 (see the illustration of the lower region of connector 1 in Figure 3). The shield spring 11 centers the snap ring 10 and nut 3 on the shield sleeve 2 and in this case has a corresponding centering element (see Figure 7). Optionally, the centering element of the shield spring 11 may be spring-elastic or may contact the shield sleeve 2 by a snap hook.

[0017] As can be seen in Figure 3, the plug-in connection between connector 1 and the mating connector can be released again by operating nut 3. When nut 3 is slid backward (to the right in Figure 3), the bent front end 12 of nut 3 operates the inclined surface 13, causing the front end 14 of snap ring 3 to move (displace) downward, so that this front end 14 is no longer located within the area of ​​the undercut portion 24 of the housing 20 of the mating connector. As a result, after sliding nut 3, connector 1 can be pulled out of the mating connector with only a small force. Conversely, this means that when plugging them together, the front end 14 of snap ring 10 is guided into the geometric shape of the undercut portion via the front end 24 of housing 20. This is because the front end of the snap ring 10 is slightly displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connector 1 via the inclined surface 13, and after the fitting process is performed, it grips from behind the undercut portion formed by the front end 24 of the housing 20, so that the plug-in connection can no longer be separated from each other without the operation of the nut 3. This is also known as the push-pull process.

[0018] Figure 4 shows the area around the shield spring 11 in detail. It can be seen that the front end of the shield spring 11 forms a contact point 15 between the shield spring 11 and the housing 20 of the mating connector (of the built-in coupling). To ensure that this front region of the shield spring 11 is in continuous contact with the housing 20, the contact legs (tab-shaped protrusions 16) of the shield spring 11 are formed to be spring-elastic. Furthermore, the end region of the shield spring 11 is provided with a substantially U-shaped bend 17. The horizontal leg of this bend 17, which is on the lower side when viewed in Figure 4, is not free-floating when the connector 1 is implemented, and a portion of the snap ring 10 is located between this horizontal leg and the inner contour of the nut 3 (as can be seen in Figure 3).

[0019] Figure 5 shows the internal structure of connector 1, where the shield spring 11 is located in the rear region of the shield sleeve 2. The shield spring 11 contacts the shield sleeve 2 via its contact legs 16 and spring element. A forward-projecting portion of the shield spring 11 fits into a recess in the shield sleeve 2, preventing rotation of the shield spring 11. The base of the shield spring 11 is located in a groove (or a recessed portion with a smaller diameter) in the shield sleeve 2; more precisely, the base of the shield spring 11 is positioned to cover this smaller-diameter portion of the shield sleeve 2.

[0020] Figure 6 shows the connector 1 after the nut 3 has been attached. Here, it can be seen that the front end of the shield sleeve 2 remains exposed. Behind the shield sleeve 2 and before the front end of the nut 3 begins, the front locking tab of the snap ring 10 and the contact leg 16 of the shield spring 11 can be seen. These last two elements are distributed and alternately arranged across the circumferential surface. Therefore, the contact leg 16 of the shield spring 11 is positioned between the locking arms (front end 14 of the snap ring 10), and here again it serves to prevent the snap ring 10 from rotating.

[0021] Figure 7 shows the shield spring 11 in detail. Here, we can see the front end of a tab-shaped projection that forms a contact point 15, located on the contact leg 16. Furthermore, a U-shaped element (bent portion 17) can be seen. Each contact leg 16 protrudes from the base 18 of the shield spring 11, as does the bent portion 17. In this embodiment, the base 18 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, but the extension of the circumferential surface of the base 18 is interrupted by a slit 19 to realize the spring action. Alternatively, the base 18 may be closed in the circumferential direction of the base 18. Furthermore, the base 18 is provided with a locking tab, which is not shown in detail.

[0022] Figures 8 to 11 show the connector 1 according to the second concept of the present invention. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements for both concepts. Furthermore, the insertion principle by the push-pull process is the same for both concepts, and thus, in the case of the connector 1 according to the second concept, the same elements having the same functions as those of the connector 1 according to the first concept are used and applied for that purpose.

[0023] In Figures 8 and 9, the differences in the connector 1 according to the second concept can be directly observed. Therefore, in the region in front of the connector 1, a spring ring 30 is disposed inside or on the surface of the shield sleeve 2. This spring ring 30 is electrically connected to the shield portion 9 of the cable 5 through the shield sleeve 2 made of a metal material.

[0024] Observing Figure 10, it can be seen that when the connector 1 is inserted into the mating connector and locked by the snap ring 10, the spring ring 30 abuts against the inner contour of the housing 20 of the mating connector. Here too, by sliding the nut 3, the snap ring 10, more precisely the front end portion of the snap ring 10, can be operated, whereby the geometry of the undercut portion provided at the front end portion 24 of the mating connector is released and the connector 1 can be pulled out from the mating connector.

[0025] Figure 11 shows the connector 1 according to the second concept as viewed from the insertion side, where it can be seen that the contact portion is located within the contact support, which is located inside the shield sleeve 2 (and further inside the snap ring 10, and even inside the nut 3). Furthermore, it can be seen that the spring ring 30 is formed in a roughly corrugated shape. Each valley of the spring ring 30 abuts against the corresponding contact surface in the shield sleeve 2, in particular against the bottom of the groove provided in the shield sleeve 2, where it forms a contact point. The higher points of the spring ring 30 adjacent to each valley form the contact surface, or more precisely, the contact point, of the spring ring 30 in the direction of the inner contour of the housing 20 of the mating connector. Therefore, when the connectors are joined, the spring ring 30 provides electrical contact with the shield portion 9 of the cable 5 in the direction of the shield portion of the mating connector, because the spring ring 30 is in electrical contact with the metal housing 20 of the mating connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 Connector 2 Shield Sleeves 3. Nut (grip sleeve) 4. Overmolded section 5 Cables 6. Contact area 7 Electrical Conductors 8 Shield section 9 Connection Area 10 snap rings 11 Shield spring 12 Front end 13 Slope 14 Front end 15 Tab-shaped protrusion (contact point) 16 Tab-shaped protrusion (contact leg) 17. Flexed section 18 Base 19 slits 20 Housing 21 Contact section 22 Circumferential frame 23 Ceiling 24 Front end 30 spring rings

Claims

1. A shielded push-pull connector (1), The shielded push-pull connector (1) has a contact support, the contact support has at least one contact chamber, and a contact partner (6) is inserted into the contact chamber. A shield sleeve (2) made of a conductive material is placed around the contact support. A snap ring (10) is positioned around the shield sleeve (2). The snap ring (10) has a completely circumferential projection (12) that is shown forward in the insertion direction, and the completely circumferential projection (12) is capable of acting on and connecting to the undercut portion (24) of the built-in connector. A grip sleeve (3) is further positioned around the snap ring (10), and the grip sleeve (3) can be used to operate the snap ring (10) when the push-pull connector (1) is to be pulled out from the built-in connector. By moving the grip sleeve (3) in the axial direction, the front end (12) of the grip sleeve (3) acts on the circumferential oblique inclined surface (13) of the snap ring (10), pushing down the circumferential oblique inclined surface (13). As a result, the completely circumferential protrusion (14) of the snap ring (10) is pushed down and moved to escape from the undercut portion (24) of the built-in connector. By further sliding the grip sleeve (3) in the axial direction, the push-pull connector (1) can be completely withdrawn from the built-in connector. In a shielded push-pull connector (1), A shield spring (11) is provided, and the shield spring (11) has tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) facing forward when viewed in the insertion direction. The snap ring (10) has tab-shaped recesses corresponding to the tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) of the shield spring (11), and the tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) of the shield spring (11) are positioned within the tab-shaped recesses. As a result, the tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) of the shield spring (11), together with the tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) of the snap ring (10), form a completely circumferential protrusion that contacts the undercut portion (24) of the built-in connector. The shield spring (11), made of metal, forms a loop through the shield portion of the push-pull connector (1) to the built-in connector. The shield spring (11) is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the shield portion of the cable on which the push-pull connector (1) is located. A shielded push-pull connector (1) characterized by the following:

2. The tab-shaped protrusions (15, 16) originate from the cylindrical base (18) of the shield spring (11). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to claim 1.

3. The base (18) has a slit (19) that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shield sleeve (11). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to claim 2.

4. At least one substantially U-shaped spring element (18) begins from the base (18). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to claim 2 or 3.

5. At least one locking tab is formed from the substrate (18). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. A shielded push-pull connector (1), The shielded push-pull connector (1) has a contact support, the contact support has at least one contact chamber, and a contact partner (6) is inserted into the contact chamber. A shield sleeve (2) made of a conductive material is placed around the contact support. A snap ring (10) is positioned around the shield sleeve (2). The snap ring (10) has a completely circumferential projection (12) that is shown forward in the insertion direction, and the completely circumferential projection (12) is capable of acting on and connecting to the undercut portion (24) of the built-in connector. A grip sleeve (3) is further positioned around the snap ring (10), and the grip sleeve (3) can be used to operate the snap ring (10) when the push-pull connector (1) is to be pulled out from the built-in connector. By moving the grip sleeve (3) in the axial direction, the front end (12) of the grip sleeve (3) acts on the circumferential oblique inclined surface (13) of the snap ring (10), pushing down the circumferential oblique inclined surface (13). As a result, the completely circumferential protrusion (14) of the snap ring (10) is pushed down and moved to escape from the undercut portion (24) of the built-in connector. By further sliding the grip sleeve (3) in the axial direction, the push-pull connector (1) can be completely withdrawn from the built-in connector. In a shielded push-pull connector (1), A spring ring (30) is inserted into the front region of the push-pull connector (1). The spring ring (30) interacts with an undercut portion provided in the built-in connector after the push-pull connector (1) has been inserted into the built-in connector. The spring ring (30) is formed in a circumferentially corrugated shape. A shielded push-pull connector (1) characterized by the following:

7. The spring ring (30) is located inside the snap ring (10). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to claim 6.

8. The spring ring (30) is located inside the shield sleeve (2). A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to claim 6.

9. The undercut portion of the aforementioned built-in connector is a groove. A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The spring ring (30) is closed in a circumferential manner. A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The spring ring (30) is interrupted in the circumferential direction. A shielded push-pull connector (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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