Plug assembly and clamp part for the plug assembly

Abstract

To provide a plug assembly that is used with an assembled cable plug for quickly and frequently performing a detachment from the plug assembly of the assembled cable plug.SOLUTION: A plug assembly comprises: a clamp part 5; a clamp sleeve 6; and a housing 4. The clamp part 5 is constructed so as to receive a cable plug 2, position the cable plug 2 to a position predetermined at a front part of the clamp part 5, and be engaged to a circumference of a cable 3 at a rear part of the clamp part 5. The clamp part 5 and the clamp sleeve 6 are constructed so as to provide a fixing connection to between them. The connection is constructed so as to generate a strength of a compression of a radial direction of the rear part of the clamp part 5 for clamping the cable 3. The housing 4 receives the clamp part 5 so as to be inserted into a socket of a complementary socket assembly, and positions the clamp part 5 to a latch position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug assembly for use with a cable having a cable plug, in particular for data cables such as RJ45 cables, light guides, power cables, and cables of the like, and a clamp portion for the plug assembly.

[0002] Generally, a cable plug is available at at least one end of the cable. In some applications, the cable plug is pre-assembled to the cable by the manufacturer, but such cable plugs are prone to damage and failure. For example, such cable plugs are not very suitable for repeated plugging and unplugging into a chassis plug. For example, in a stage performance tour, in addition to frequent removal and reconnection of plug connections, the plug connections are often subjected to large mechanical loads during operation.

[0003] For example, with respect to stage performances, due to the high time pressure and the required flexibility, artists and preparation staff often handle the equipment roughly. For example, it is quite common for an assembler to support the body on the housing of a cable connector that is already plugged in or to pull on the connecting cable. In such an environment, the cable connector is specially designed to withstand mechanical shock and environmental influences during both plugging and unplugging. In addition, the plug assembly used is often locked to prevent accidental detachment.

[0004] The so-called "RJ45" plug is an example of a pre-assembled cable plug attached to a cable. However, this 8-pole plug, which is used in many scenarios, is prone to damage and failure because it repeatedly plugs and unpluggs into the socket of a chassis plug. If the insertion method is poor, the contact part can easily bend or shift. The plastic latch (spring arm) may fatigue and break, so that the plug may no longer seat firmly in the socket. The cable itself also becomes prone to failure when repeatedly kinked at the part that enters the socket. Furthermore, the cable may be torn from the plug due to a longitudinal load. Since the housing of the plug is formed of plastic, it can easily be deformed or damaged, for example, if carelessly stepped on. Other pre-assembled cable plugs for fiber optic cables, electronic data cables, power cables, and many other cables also have similar drawbacks.

[0005] Therefore, the configuration according to Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a protector for a high-sensitivity cable plug. Further, a cable plug protector for a pre-assembled RJ45 cable plug is sold under the name NE8MC by Neutrik Group. NE8MC consists of a housing, a stop disk, a clamp part, a clamp sleeve, and a kink protector. The housing for receiving the actual cable plug has appropriate external threads and forms a screw connection together with a clamp socket or a union nut or a clamp nut having internal threads. The radially compressible clamp part that engages around the cable and clamps the cable within the housing in a compressed state is inside the housing and is received inside the housing including the clamp sleeve partially. When the screw connection is tightened, the clamp sleeve, the clamp part, the housing, the cable plug, and the cable are fixed together, and the clamp sleeve, the clamp part, the cable plug, and the housing form a plug assembly. Here, this plug assembly can be coupled to complementary elements such as a plug socket, for example, by plugging them together.

[0006] A plug assembly specially designed to receive and position such an assembled cable plug provides improved mechanical robustness and protection against environmental influences, which is desired in various fields such as event technology, military equipment, or general outdoor applications. However, there may still be situations where it is necessary to directly access the assembled cable plug, for example, when it is necessary to connect a device to a laptop that does not have a socket for a complementary plug assembly to receive the above-mentioned specially designed plug assembly having the assembled cable plug. However, in many cases, the specially designed plug assembly is not assumed to quickly and frequently remove the attached cable plug from the plug assembly. In some examples, the components may become separated and lost upon disassembly, making reassembly impossible. In addition, in many cases, the specially designed plug assembly is assumed to receive and position only one specific type of assembled cable plug. This complicates the preparation / installation of assembled cables from different manufacturers that can be used in the same application, such as the same music event or theater event.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an advanced plug assembly for use with an assembled cable plug that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] A further object is to provide a plug assembly for use with an assembled cable plug that enables quick and frequent removal of the attached cable plug from the plug assembly.

[0010] A further object is to provide more efficient attachment of an assembled RJ45 cable plug to a plug assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] These objects are achieved by realizing at least a part of the features of the independent claims. Features for further developing the invention in an alternative or advantageous form are described in some of the other features of the independent claims and in the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention relates to a plug assembly for use with a cable having a cable plug, for example, for a data cable, a light guide, or a power cable. The plug assembly includes a clamp portion configured to receive the cable plug and position the cable plug at a predetermined position in a front portion of the clamp portion. A rear portion of the clamp portion, which is opposite to the front portion of the clamp portion, is configured to engage around the cable when the cable plug is received by the clamp portion and positioned at the predetermined position by the clamp portion.

[0013] The plug assembly further includes a housing configured to be inserted into a socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing a front end portion of the housing closer to the socket, the housing being configured to receive the clamp portion and position the clamp portion in a latched position.

[0014] As an example, in many cases, the housing is configured such that a mechanically lockable plug connection is provided between the plug assembly and a complementary plug assembly. The complementary plug assembly may be a plug of the device, often referred to as a chassis connector or a chassis plug. The clamp part is housed inside the housing and is fixed to the housing even when subjected to an axial (along the cable) tension. The rear part of the clamp part compressed radially surrounds the cable and clamps the cable within the housing. With such a configuration, an effect of reducing distortion to the cable connected to the plug assembly is achieved.

[0015] Positioning the clamp part at the latch position is done by a latching arrangement, which provides the latch position by a stop element disposed on the inner surface of the housing and an engaging element disposed on the outer surface of the clamp part. At the latch position of the clamp part within the housing, the engaging element is disposed opposite to the stop element, and the movement of the clamp part along the longitudinal axis of the housing towards the front end of the housing causes the engaging element to engage with the stop element so as to abut the engaging element against the stop element (by the engaging element being further away towards the rear end of the housing on the side of the stop element. Here, the rear end of the housing is on the opposite side of the front end of the housing). This prevents further movement of the clamp part towards the front end of the housing.

[0016] As an example, the plug assembly further comprises a clamp sleeve, and the clamp part and the clamp sleeve are configured to provide a fixed connection between them. For this fixed connection, at least a part of the clamp sleeve is advanced over the rear part of the clamp part towards the front part of the clamp part, resulting in an increased radial compression of the rear part of the clamp part.

[0017] For example, the clamp part and the clamp sleeve are configured to provide a screw connection therebetween, and by tightening the screw connection, a compressed state is created in the rear part of the clamp part, and the rear part then clamps the cable.

[0018] In particular, the rear part of the clamp part comprises two, in particular four, radially compressible and spaced-apart extensions, the outer shape of which forms at least part of the rear part of the radially compressible clamp part. In this way, these (finger-shaped) extensions are configured to abut against and press against the cable as a result of the clamp sleeve advancing over the clamp part towards the front part of the clamp part. For example, the extensions may comprise a tangentially running slit or web on the inner part facing the cable, which can provide improved clamping and gripping of the cable sheath.

[0019] As an example, the plug assembly further comprises a tail part, which is embodied, for example, as a so-called kink protector, and which has a front part configured to be connected to the rear part of the housing. In particular, the clamp sleeve and the tail part are separate components.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing comprises a clamp part support region on its inner surface facing the stop element, and the housing is configured such that the engagement element can be disengaged from the stop element with an inclined movement of the clamp part about an inclined axis passing through the contact point of the clamp part and the clamp part support region, the inclined axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis, and by means of the inclined movement, the engagement element is disengaged from the stop element.

[0021] As an example, the housing and the clamp part are aligned with each other at the latch position of the clamp part in the housing when the cable plug is received and positioned at a predetermined position in the front part of the clamp part. The clamp part support area is seated against the clamp part and is arranged further away from the stop element towards the rear end part of the housing (the rear end part of the housing is on the opposite side of the front end part of the housing). In the front part of the housing from the clamp part support area towards the front end part of the housing, the degree of freedom of movement of the clamp part with respect to the housing exists on the side of the clamp part support area, and In the rear part of the housing from the clamp part support area towards the rear end part of the housing, the degree of freedom of movement of the clamp part with respect to the housing exists on the side of the stop element.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the latch configuration further comprises a spring element of the clamp part, and the spring element is supported on a spring element contact area on the inner surface of the housing facing the stop element at the latch position. The spring element is configured to apply a biasing force to the spring element contact area and thereby press the clamp part against the surface of the housing where the stop element is arranged (i.e., maintain the latch position of the clamp part within the housing).

[0023] In particular, at the latch position, the spring element contact area coincides with at least a part of the clamp part support area such that the axis of inclination runs through the contact point of the spring element and the spring element contact area.

[0024] As an example, the stop element is embodied as a lateral step on the inner surface of the housing configured to prevent the movement of the clamp part towards the front end part of the housing, the engagement element is embodied as a lateral ridge or edge on the outer surface of the clamp part, the lateral ridge or edge is configured to be complementary to the lateral step, and the biasing force applied by the spring element functions to prevent the lateral ridge or edge from crossing over the lateral step.

[0025] This latching configuration enables the clamp part (together with the cable plug) to be pushed forward from the housing, i.e., in the insertion direction. Normally, pushing out the clamp part, or in other words, pulling the housing backward from the clamp part and reaching onto the part of the cable that is actually located behind the so-called kink protector, is prevented by the latching connection and is only possible by releasing that latching connection.

[0026] To release the plug assembly, the housing can be grasped and pulled out from the complementary plug assembly, and the force required to pull out the cable plug is transmitted from the housing to the clamp part (and the cable plug) via the latching connection between the step and the lateral ridge.

[0027] To release the latching connection between the clamp part and the housing, the clamp part (or the cable plug) is pushed downward so as to resist the force of the spring element. As a result, the clamp part tilts about the tilt axis, and the engaging element of the clamp part is disengaged from the stop element of the housing. Now, these two parts can be displaced relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Here, the housing (and, for example, the kink protector) can be pushed backward along the cable, and as a result, the cable plug and the clamp part are no longer covered by the housing. In this state, the cable plug can be used to make an insertion connection that cannot be achieved with the housing, i.e., to make an insertion connection with another plug assembly that is designed to match the actual cable plug but does not have a complementary shape to the above-mentioned housing.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the clamp portion is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug as a cable plug and to position the RJ45 cable plug. The RJ45 cable plug typically includes a latching element configured to latch the RJ45 cable plug to a conventional RJ45 socket. The spring element is arranged such that the spring element provides support to the latching element of the RJ45 cable plug to position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion.

[0029] As an example, the spring element is embodied as a spring arm configured similar to the spring arm of an assembled RJ45 cable plug. In particular, such a spring arm has a rounded outer contour and is located in a correspondingly shaped recess on the inner surface of the housing, and as a result, further contributes to the lock between the housing and the clamp portion.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the clamp portion has a bottom surface, a top surface, and two lateral surfaces. The bottom surface includes an engaging element. The top surface faces the bottom surface (and, at the latching position, includes a contact point between the clamp portion and the clamp portion support region). The two lateral surfaces face each other, and each of the two lateral surfaces connects the top surface and the bottom surface. In the region of the front portion of the clamp portion, each of the lateral surfaces has a flat outer surface, and the outer surfaces of the two lateral surfaces are parallel to each other. In line with this, the housing includes two flat surfaces facing each other on its inner surface. At the latching position, each of the two flat surfaces of the housing is arranged to face one of the two flat outer surfaces of the clamp portion. Thus, the contact between the flat surface of the housing and the flat outer surface of the clamp portion prevents the clamp portion from rotating relative to the housing about the longitudinal axis.

[0031] As an example, the flat outer surface of the clamping part brings an additional benefit that a compact enclosure of the cable plug can be realized in a separated state. For example, when the cable plug is used for plugging and connecting to a plug assembly that is designed to match the actual cable plug but does not have a complementary shape to the above-mentioned housing, Clamping part it is separated from the housing (as seen above, the housing is pushed backward along the cable), and a compact arrangement of "bare" cable plugs inserted adjacent to each other is provided. For example, when the clamping part is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug, several individual plugs received by each clamping part can also be inserted adjacent to each other within a "conventional" switch element. This "conventional" switch element is a switch element having a plurality of "conventional" RJ45 sockets (not having a complementary shape to the housing) arranged adjacent to each other in a dense grid pattern.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the engaging element is arranged at the front part of the clamping part, for example, arranged closer to the front end of the front part of the clamping part than to the rear end of the front part of the clamping part.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the contact point of the clamping part located on the inclined axis at the latching position is arranged at the front part of the clamping part.

[0034] As an example, even if the degree of freedom of movement of the rear end part of the clamping part for causing the inclined movement of the clamping part is small, such an arrangement enables the engaging element to be efficiently released from the stopping element.

[0035] To provide degrees of freedom of movement for the tilting movement of the clamping part, for example, the housing is embodied such that the cylindrical front section of the housing is displaced parallel to the cylindrical rear section of the housing. In other words, from the clamping part support area to the rear end of the housing, the inner contour of the housing is formed in an essentially circular cylinder shape, and from the stop element to the front end of the housing, the inner contour is formed in an essentially circular cylinder shape, and the longitudinal central axes of the cylinders are displaced parallel to each other.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the maximum radial diameter of the housing in the section from the clamping part support area to the rear end of the housing is smaller than the maximum radial diameter of the housing in the section from the stop element to the front end of the housing.

[0037] In a further embodiment, on the side of the stop element, the section from the clamping part support area to the rear end of the housing transitions essentially smoothly into the section from the stop element to the front end of the housing. On the side opposite the stop element, in the transition area between the section from the clamping part support area to the rear end of the housing and the section from the stop element to the front end of the housing, the diameter of the housing increases towards the front end of the housing.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the housing has an edge on its inner surface that has an edge surface facing the rear end of the housing, and the edge is arranged in the front part of the housing, for example, closer to the front end of the front part of the housing than to the rear end of the front part of the housing, and the edge surface is the end of a groove arranged on the inner surface of the housing, and the groove runs uninterrupted from the rear end of the housing to the edge surface.

[0039] As an example, the above-mentioned edge part provides a part of a mechanical locking mechanism for preventing a plug assembly inserted into a complementary plug assembly from detaching from the socket of the complementary plug assembly in such a way that a releasable corresponding part of the complementary plug assembly engages with the edge surface of the housing from the inside of the housing.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the rear part of the clamping part comprises a radially compressible tapered section having an outer shape that tapers towards the rear end of the clamping part. The tapered section comprises a tapered external thread region, and the tapered external thread region has an external thread extending thereon. The internal contact section of the clamping sleeve comprises a tapered internal thread region, and the tapered internal thread region has an internal thread extending thereon. The internal thread region has a tapered shape that matches the tapered shape of the external thread region. The external thread and the internal thread are configured to engage with each other to provide a fixed connection as a threaded connection. By tightening the threaded connection, the internal contact section of the clamping sleeve advances towards the front part of the clamping part on the tapered section of the clamping part while contacting the tapered section, resulting in an increased radial compression of the rear part of the clamping part.

[0041] Such a particular type of threaded connection arrangement will be described individually again below. And it goes without saying that further embodiments of this arrangement regarding the considerations made individually below are compatible with the above-mentioned arrangements and embodiments.

[0042] When the clamping sleeve has a tail part separate from the clamping sleeve, the clamping sleeve is often referred to as a clamping nut. For example, the front part of the tail part comprises a flexible coupling part, and the flexible coupling part is configured to engage with at least a part of the rear part of the housing in a shape-conforming and / or press-fitting manner (e.g., surrounding at least a part of the rear part of the housing or reaching under at least a part of the rear part of the housing).

[0043] As an example, the tail portion has a flexible rear portion on the opposite side of the front portion of the tail portion. The flexible rear portion is configured to surround the cable (when the cable plug is received and positioned within the clamp portion and the clamp portion is received and positioned within the housing), and has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cable. Such a tail portion is often referred to as a kink protector, because the kink protector is attached behind the housing (towards the cable and away from the insertion port) and stabilizes the cable so as to minimize the risk of the cable kinking. For example, the kink protector is configured as a reinforcing member surrounding the cable and made of a rigid rubber or plastic material.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the tail portion is a multi-component injection molded part comprising a flexible material and a rigid material, and the clamp sleeve is formed from a rigid material.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the clamp portion is longitudinally divided into two half-shells, and the two half-shells are pivotally connected at the front end portion. For example, the two half-shells have external threads at the rear end portion for engaging the internal threads of the clamp sleeve (relating to embodiments having a screw connection as described above and below).

[0046] In a further embodiment, the clamp portion is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug and position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion.

[0047] An embodiment having two half-shells configured to receive and position an RJ45 cable plug is described separately below for a particular embodiment. According to that particular embodiment, two different types of RJ45 cable plugs, namely a stepped RJ45 cable plug and a non-stepped RJ45 cable plug, can be received. It goes without saying that the two half-shell embodiments described below are compatible with the above-described aspects and embodiments.

[0048] The present invention further relates to a plug assembly for use with a cable having a cable plug, for example, for a data cable, a light guide, or a power cable. The plug assembly includes a clamping portion configured to receive a cable plug and position the cable plug at a predetermined position in a front portion of the clamping portion. A rear portion of the clamping portion, which is opposite to the front portion of the clamping portion, is configured to engage around the cable when the cable plug is received by the clamping portion and positioned at the predetermined position by the clamping portion. The rear portion has a radially compressible tapered section having an outer shape that tapers towards a rear distal end of the clamping portion. The plug assembly further includes a clamping sleeve configured to bring the clamping portion closer to a front end portion of the clamping sleeve and to be connected to a rear portion of the clamping portion by a screw connection. The clamping portion and the clamping sleeve are configured such that tightening the screw connection results in the inner contact section of the clamping sleeve advancing over the tapered section of the clamping portion while contacting the tapered section, thereby increasing the radial compression of the rear portion of the clamping portion. In other words, tightening the screw connection causes a compressed state of the tapered section of the clamping portion, and at that time, the tapered section clamps the cable.

[0049] The clamping part is configured to be received by the housing of the plug assembly, and the housing is configured to be inserted into the socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing the socket closer to the front end of the housing. The housing is configured to receive the clamping part and position the clamping part in the front part of the housing, such that when a cable plug is received and positioned within the clamping part and the clamping part is received and positioned within the housing, at least the front part of the cable plug extending towards the front end of the housing is surrounded at a distance by the front part of the housing.

[0050] According to this aspect of the invention, the tapered section of the clamping part comprises a tapered external thread region having an external thread extending thereon. The internal contact section of the clamping sleeve comprises a tapered internal thread region having an internal thread extending thereon, the internal thread region having a tapered shape that matches the tapered shape of the external thread region of the clamping part, and the external and internal threads being configured to engage with each other to provide a threaded connection.

[0051] As an example, matching means that the tapered shapes of the internal and external thread regions are designed such that when the clamping sleeve is brought towards the rear part of the clamping part for making a threaded connection, their surfaces essentially slide against each other, i.e., the inner diameter of the internal thread region increases towards the front end of the clamping sleeve.

[0052] For example, by having a screw on the integrated taper region, the benefit is provided that the clamp sleeve can be pushed without resistance in the direction of the front end portion of the clamp portion on the taper section of the clamp portion until the screw engages, regardless of the thickness of the cable clamped by the clamp portion. Here, essentially, by tightening the screw connection, a radial compressive force acting on the rear portion of the clamp portion (and the cable) is directly generated. This prevents unnecessary screwing in and makes it more efficient to assemble the clamp sleeve and the clamp portion to clamp the cable.

[0053] As an example, each of the external thread and the internal thread comprises a maximum of 10 turns, for example a maximum of 8 turns.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the plug assembly comprises a tail as described above, i.e., a tail embodied as a so-called kink protector. Here, the clamp sleeve and the tail are separate components or the clamp sleeve is an integral part of the tail. For example, the housing comprises a stop for the clamp portion configured to prevent movement of the clamp portion towards the rear end portion of the housing.

[0055] The present invention further relates to a clamp portion for a plug assembly. The clamp portion is divided into two half-shells in its longitudinal direction, and the two half-shells are configured to clamp an RJ45 cable plug between the two half-shells and thereby position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion. The rear portion of the clamp portion, which is compressible in the radial direction, is on the opposite side of the front portion of the clamp portion, and the rear portion is configured to engage around the cable connected to the RJ45 cable plug when the RJ45 cable plug is positioned by the two half-shells at the predetermined position.

[0056] As an example, the rear portion of the radially compressible clamping part is configured to interact with the clamping sleeve and to adapt to the radial compression of the rear portion of the clamping part, which is connected to the rear portion of the clamping part. For example, due to the axial movement between the clamping sleeve and the rear portion of the radially compressible clamping part, an adaptation of the radial compression force applied by the clamping sleeve onto the rear portion of the radially compressible clamping part occurs.

[0057] In particular, the rear portion of the clamping part is embodied according to one of the above-described embodiments and has, for example, radially compressible spaced-apart extensions and / or a tapered section with an external thread. For example, the rear portion of the radially compressible clamping part has a radially compressible tapered section with an outer shape that tapers towards the rear distal end of the clamping part, and the tapered section comprises a tapered external thread region that has an external thread extending thereon.

[0058] One of the two half-shells is configured to overlap concentrically with respect to the upper surface, the rear surface, and the two lateral surfaces of the RJ45 cable plug, and the other of the two half-shells is configured to overlap concentrically with respect to the bottom surface, the rear surface, and the two Horizontal surface with respect to the RJ45 cable plug. The upper surface of the RJ45 cable plug is the surface that comprises a latching element configured to latch the RJ45 cable plug into a conventional RJ45 socket, the bottom surface is opposite the upper surface, the rear surface is on the side of the cable and connects the upper surface Bottom surface and each of the lateral surfaces is adjacent to the rear surface and connects the upper surface to the bottom surface.

[0059] For example, the two half-shells are pivotally connected at the front end.

[0060] According to this aspect of the present invention, the clamp portion is configured to clamp and position a stepped RJ45 cable plug and a non-stepped RJ45 cable plug. This means that the same clamp portion can be used interchangeably for different types of RJ45 cable plugs.

[0061] The stepped RJ45 cable plug includes a housing having a surface with a step on the bottom surface, and the rear portion of the housing in contact with the cable has a larger diameter than the front portion of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The rear portion has a contact portion for signal transmission to a complementary plug assembly.

[0062] The non-stepped RJ45 cable plug includes a housing having no step on the bottom surface. The housing has extensions on each of the lateral surfaces (in the direction towards the cable), and the extensions extend each of the side surfaces of the housing and extend beyond the housing surface on the back surface.

[0063] For interchangeable use, each of the two half-shells comprises an alignment structure for positioning an RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position, and each of the alignment structures comprises two pockets arranged in a rear region of each of the alignment structures. Each of the two pockets receives one of the extensions of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug, and each of the two pockets of one of the two half-shells provides a boundary for the upper surface and two lateral surfaces of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug, and each of the two pockets of the other of the two half-shells is configured to provide a boundary for the bottom surface and two lateral surfaces of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug. Further, a boundary structure is arranged in a front region of the two pockets, and one of the boundary structures (the boundary structure of one of the two half-shells) provides a boundary for the two lateral surfaces and the upper surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug, and the other of the boundary structures (the boundary structure of the other of the two half-shells) provides a boundary for the two lateral surfaces and the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug. The boundary surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug (i.e., the contact surface providing the boundary surface) is (the boundary structure of one of the two half-shells configured to overlap concentrically with respect to the bottom surface of the RJ45 cable plug) displaced and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the bottom surface from the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug provided by the two pockets (i.e., provided by the boundary surface of the pocket).

[0064] In one embodiment, the alignment structure for positioning the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position is configured such that the front end of each of the two pockets (i.e., the surface of the pocket defining the front end of each of the pockets opening forward) provides a boundary surface for the rear surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug for each of the two half-shells. In particular, the alignment structure is configured such that the front end of the pocket is brought into contact with the rear surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug for positioning the stepped RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position.

[0065] In a further embodiment, the alignment structure for one of the two half-shells configured to overlap concentrically with respect to the upper surface of the RJ45 cable plug includes a spring element, and the spring element is arranged to provide a support portion for the latch element of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position.

[0066] In a further embodiment, the alignment structure for positioning the RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position each includes a guide side surface that is supposed to be arranged opposite to the lateral surface of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position, and the guide side surface brings about a stop of the movement of the RJ45 cable plug in a direction orthogonal to the lateral surface of the RJ45 cable plug in the front region of the alignment structure.

[0067] In a further embodiment, each of the pockets of the alignment structure has an axial depth such that, in order to position the flush-type RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position, the pocket provides a boundary surface for the back surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug, and the extension of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the boundary surface for the back surface.

[0068] In a further embodiment, the alignment structure is configured such that, in order to position the stepped RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position, the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug.

[0069] In a further embodiment, the alignment structure is configured such that, in order to position the flush-type RJ45 cable plug in a predetermined position, the boundary surface provided by the pocket for the bottom surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the extension of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug.

[0070] In a further embodiment, the alignment structure is configured such that a spring element applies a biasing force to a latch element of the RJ45 cable plug to position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position. The biasing force is configured such that, respectively, the interface surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug, and the interface surface for the bottom surface of the non-stepped RJ45 cable plug provided by the pocket is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the extension of the non-stepped RJ45 cable plug.

[0071] The present invention further relates to a plug assembly for use with a cable having an RJ45 cable plug. The plug assembly includes a clamp portion configured to receive the RJ45 cable plug and position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position within the clamp portion according to one of the above embodiments, a clamp sleeve configured to be connected to the clamp portion and interact with the clamp portion to provide a radial compression fit of the rear portion of the clamp portion, and a housing configured to receive the clamp portion and position the clamp portion at the front portion of the housing, and into which the socket of the complementary plug assembly is inserted by bringing the socket closer to the front end portion of the housing, wherein at least the front portion of the RJ45 cable plug extending in the direction of the front end portion of the housing is surrounded at a distance by the front portion of the housing when the RJ45 cable plug is positioned by the clamp portion and the clamp portion is positioned within the housing.

[0072] In particular, in any of the descriptions of the plug assembly described above, the housing may comprise a part of a mechanical locking mechanism, for example a corresponding part of a snap-action catch mechanism or a corresponding part of a spring catch mechanism, to prevent the plug assembly inserted into the socket of the complementary plug assembly from detaching from the socket of the complementary plug assembly.

[0073] For example, a part of the mechanical locking mechanism is provided by an edge having an edge surface facing the rear end of the housing, and the edge is on the opposite side of the front end of the housing. At that time, for example, the edge surface is provided by a recess on or across the housing, or the edge surface is provided by a groove disposed on (inside or outside of) the housing. The groove runs continuously from the rear end of the housing to the edge surface.

[0074] The clamp part and the plug assembly according to different aspects of the present invention will be described and explained in more detail below by way of pure example with reference to the embodiments schematically shown in the figures. In particular, in the figures, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0075]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a prior art plug assembly used as a protector for an assembled RJ45 cable plug 2. The plug assembly includes a housing 200, a clamp portion 201, and a kink protector 202, and the clamp sleeve is embodied as an integral part of the kink protector 202. The housing 200 has an external thread 203 for engaging an internal thread (not shown) of the kink protector 202 so that the housing 200 and the kink protector 202 can form a screw connection. The radially compressible clamp portion 201 engages around the cable 3 and, in the compressed state, the cable 3Clamp it. The clamping part 201 is received inside the housing 200 and partially inside the clamping sleeve provided by the kink protector 202. When the screw connection between the housing 200 and the kink protector 202 is tightened, the clamping sleeve, the clamping part 201, the housing 200, the cable plug 2, and the cable 3 are fixed together. The inner contact section of the clamping sleeve advances along the tapered section of the clamping part 201 towards the front part of the clamping part 201 while contacting the tapered section, resulting in an increase in the radial compression of the tapered section. The radially compressible tapered section is embodied as finger-like spaced extensions 204, and the extensions 204 are provided with tangentially running slits 205, which can provide improved clamping and gripping of the cable sheath. In the assembled state, the plug assembly can be connected to complementary elements such as a plug socket. The housing 200 further includes a corresponding part 206 of a snap-action catch, which is embodied by a hole piercing the outer shell of the housing at the front part of the housing 200. The corresponding part 206 of the snap-action catch provides part of a mechanical locking mechanism to prevent the plug assembly inserted into the complementary plug assembly from detaching from the socket of the complementary plug assembly when the releasable corresponding part of the complementary plug assembly engages with the corresponding part 206 of the snap-action catch.

[0077] To gain direct access to the assembled RJ45 cable plug 2, for example, if the cable plug 2 is used with a laptop or device that is designed to be compatible with the RJ45 cable plug 2 but does not have a complementary shape to the housing 200, the screw connection between the housing 200 and the kink protector 202 must be released, and the housing 200 is pulled forward from the kink protector 202 and the clamping part 201.

[0078] In the following, aspects of the present invention are illustrated by an embodiment of a plug assembly 1 of the present invention for use with an RJ45 cable plug 2. The plug assembly 1 comprises a housing 4, a clamp portion 5, a clamp sleeve 6, and a kink protector 7 (see, for example, FIG. 4). The RJ45 cable plug 2 is received and positioned by the clamp portion 5. In so doing, the clamp portion 5 is received and positioned in the front portion of the housing 4 such that at least the front portion of the cable plug 2 extending in the direction of the front end portion of the housing 4 is surrounded at a distance by the front portion of the housing 4 (see, for example, FIG. 2). The clamp portion 5 is configured to receive the cable plug 2 and position the cable plug 2 at a predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion 5, and the tapered rear portion of the clamp portion 5 is configured to engage around the cable 3 when the cable plug 2 is received by the clamp portion 5 and positioned at a predetermined position by the clamp portion 5. Similar to the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the radially compressible tapered section is embodied by finger-shaped spaced extensions 8 which comprise a tangentially running slit 9 therein (see, for example, FIGS. 5 and 13).

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp sleeve 6 and the kink protector 7 are separate components, and the front portion of the kink protector comprises a flexible coupling portion 10 which is configured to engage, shape-conformingly, with the rear portion 11 of the housing (see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0080] As an example, the tapered section of the clamp portion 5 comprises an external thread 12 extending on a tapered external thread region, and the clamp sleeve 6 has an internal thread 13 spreading on a tapered internal contact region, thereby forming a tapered internal thread region (see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5). The internal thread region has a tapered shape matching the tapered shape of the external thread region, and the external thread and the internal thread are configured to engage with each other to provide a threaded connection between the clamp portion 5 and the clamp sleeve 6.

[0081] The plug assembly 1 is configured to provide the latching position of the clamp portion 5 within the housing 4 by a stop element 14 disposed on the inner surface of the housing and an engagement element 15 disposed on the outer surface of the clamp portion 5 (see, for example, FIGS. 6, 7, and 19). For example, the stop element 14 is embodied as a lateral step running tangentially on the inner surface of the housing 4 configured to prevent the movement of the clamp portion 5 towards the front end of the housing 4 (see, for example, FIG. 7). The engagement element 15 may be embodied as a lateral ridge on the outer surface of the clamp portion 5 configured to be complementary to the step (see, for example, FIG. 6).

[0082] The housing 4 includes a clamp portion support region 16 on its inner surface opposite the stop element 14. At the latching position of the clamp portion 5 within the housing 4, the clamp portion support region 16 is disposed further away from the stop element 14 towards the rear end of the housing 4 and seats against the clamp portion 5. This arrangement enables the latching connection between the clamp portion 5 and the housing 4 to be released by an inclined movement about an inclined axis 43 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing 4 (see, for example, FIG. 19).

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 4 has a cylindrical front section, and this cylindrical front section is offset parallel to the cylindrical rear section of the housing, so that a degree of freedom of movement for the tilting movement of the clamping part about the tilting axis 43 is provided. This can also be seen from FIG. 18 showing a front view of the insertion opening of the plug assembly without the cable plug 2. The black dots indicate the longitudinal central axes (cylindrical axes) 39, 40 of the cylindrical front section and the cylindrical rear section. In the illustrated figure, the longitudinal central axis 39 of the cylindrical front section is below the longitudinal central axis 40 of the cylindrical rear section. Also, it can be seen that the clamping part 5 is centrally arranged within the cylindrical front section of the housing, and this can be seen, for example, from the circular outlet provided by the rear part 41 of the clamping part and symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal central axis 39 of the cylindrical front section. On the other hand, the kink protector is coaxially attached to the cylindrical rear section, and thus the rear circular outlet provided by the rear end portion 42 of the kink protector is symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal central axis 40 of the cylindrical rear section of the housing.

[0084] Here (for example, referring to FIG. 19), for example, the cylindrical rear section has a maximum diameter that is smaller than the maximum diameter in the radial direction of the cylindrical front section. At this time, on the side of the stop element 14, the section of the housing 4 from the clamping part support region 16 / tilting axis 43 to the rear end portion of the housing 4 transitions essentially continuously to the section from the stop element 14 to the front end portion of the housing 4, and on the side of the clamping part support region 16, in the transition region 44 between the section of the housing 4 from the clamping part support region 16 / tilting axis 43 to the rear end portion of the housing 4 and the section from the stop element 14 to the front end portion of the housing 4, the diameter of the housing 4 increases towards the front end portion of the housing 4.

[0085] Due to the tilting movement, the engaging element 15 will be disengaged from the stopping element 14, and the housing 4 can be pushed backward along the cable 3. In other words, the latch configuration enables the clamp part 5 to be pushed forward from the housing 4 (together with the cable plug) (for example, refer to FIG. 3), and enables easy access to the assembled RJ45 cable plug 2. To release the latch connection, the front end of the clamp part 5 is pushed downward and separated from the stopping element 14. As a result, the clamp part 5 tilts about the transverse tilting axis 43 provided by the contact point between the clamp part 5 and the clamp part support area 16, whereby the engaging element 15 is disengaged from the stopping element 14.

[0086] The clamp part 5 can be configured to receive and position a stepped RJ45 cable plug 17 (for example, refer to FIG. 8) and a non-stepped RJ45 cable plug 18 (for example, refer to FIG. 9). Hereinafter, the upper surface 19, the bottom surface 20, the back surface 21, and the two side surfaces 22 of the RJ45 cable plug will be described. The upper surface 19 is the surface provided with the latch element 23 of the assembled RJ45 cable plug 2. The bottom surface 20 is on the opposite side of the upper surface 19, and the back surface 21 (or the rear surface) connects the upper surface 19 on the cable side Bottom surface to the bottom surface 20. Each of the side surfaces 22 is adjacent to the back surface 21 and connects the upper surface 19 to the bottom surface 20.

[0087] The stepped RJ45 cable plug 17 includes a housing having a surface with a step on the bottom surface 20. The rear part 24 of the housing has a diameter from the bottom surface 20 to the upper surface 19 that is larger than that of the front part 25 of the housing, and the rear part 24 has a contact part 26 for signal transmission.

[0088] The non-stepped RJ45 cable plug 18 includes a housing that does not have a step on the bottom surface but has an extension part 27 on each of the side surfaces 22. The extension part 27 extends each side surface 28 of the housing and extends beyond the housing surface 29 on the back surface 21.

[0089] The clamping part 5 is embodied by two half-shells 30, 31 pivotally connected by a flexible connecting element 32 at the front end (see, for example, FIGS. 10 to 13). One of the two half-shells 30 is configured to receive and position the upper surface 19 of the RJ45 cable plug, and the other of the two half-shells 31 is configured to receive and position the bottom surface 20 of the RJ45 cable plug.

[0090] The half-shell 30, which is supposed to receive the upper surface 19 of the cable plug, has two pockets 33, each of which is shaped to receive one of the two extensions 27 of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug 18. This half-shell 30 further comprises a spring element 34 arranged to support the latch element 23 of the RJ45 cable plug (see, for example, FIGS. 10 and 11). The guide side surface 35 brings about the stop of the RJ45 cable plug at the front end of the clamping part 5 in the direction perpendicular to the lateral surface 22 of the RJ45 cable plug. When receiving the stepped RJ45 cable plug 17, the RJ45 cable plug is arranged in the front region of the two pockets 33 that provide an interface for the two lateral surfaces 22 and the upper surface 19 of the RJ45 cable plug.

[0091] Similarly, the bottom surface of the cable plug 20The half shell 31, which is assumed to receive, is provided with two pockets 33, and each of the two pockets 33 is shaped to receive one of the two extensions 27 of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug 18. The half shell 31 also has a guide side surface 35 for stopping the movement of the RJ45 cable plug at the front end of the clamp part 5 in a direction orthogonal to the lateral surface 22. To receive the stepped RJ45 cable plug 17, the half shell 31 is provided, in front of the two pockets 33, with a boundary structure that provides a boundary surface for the two lateral surfaces 22 and the bottom surface 20 of the RJ45 cable plug. To receive and accommodate the rear part 24 of the housing of the RJ45 cable plug (having a diameter from the bottom surface 20 to the upper surface 19 that is larger than the front part 25 of the housing), the boundary surface for the bottom surface 20 of the stepped RJ45 cable plug 17 is displaced and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the bottom surface 20 from the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug 18 provided by the two pockets 33 (see, for example, FIGS. 11 and 15). In the illustrated example, the boundary surface for the bottom surface 20 of the stepped RJ45 cable plug 17 is provided on one of the lateral surfaces 22 by a bearing surface 36 to support the bottom surface 20 of the stepped RJ45 cable plug 17, and each of the two bearing surfaces 36 extends axially parallel from the front end of the clamp part 5 to the level of the front end of the pocket 33.

[0092] The housing 4 further has, on its inner side, an edge part 37 having an edge surface facing the rear end of the housing 4 (see, for example, FIGS. 16 and 17). The edge part 37 provides a part of a mechanical locking mechanism for preventing the plug assembly 1 inserted into the socket of the complementary plug assembly from detaching from the socket of the complementary plug assembly in that the releasable corresponding part of the complementary plug assembly engages with the edge part 37 of the housing from the inside of the housing 4. The edge surface is the end of a groove 38 arranged on the inner surface of the housing 4, and the groove 38 runs continuously from the rear end of the housing 4 to the edge surface.

[0093] Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of the plug assembly of the present invention. The clamp portion 5' includes two transverse surfaces 45 facing each other, and the two transverse surfaces 45 are configured to have flat outer surfaces 46 that are aligned with the flat surface 47 inside the housing 4'. As a result, in the latched position, contact between the flat surface 47 of the housing 4' and the flat outer surface 46 of the clamp portion 5' prevents the clamp portion 5' from rotating relative to the housing 4' about the longitudinal axis.

[0094] Figure 21 shows a view of the bottom surface of the clamp portion 5' shown in Figure 20 as seen from above. The flat Outside surface 46 provides a compact enclosure for the cable plug 2. This is beneficial when a plurality of cable plugs received in the plug assembly of the present invention have to be arranged adjacent to each other in a "conventional manner" (using sockets that are not complementary in shape to the housing), which involves each clamp portion being pushed away from the housing.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp portion 5' is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug, and the clamp portion 5' is dimensioned such that, in the separated state where the clamp portion 5' is separated from the housing 4', for example, when several RJ45 plugs having a plurality of "conventional" (not complementary in shape to the housing) RJ45 sockets have to be connected into a "conventional" switch element, it can be firmly inserted adjacent to other RJ45 plugs received by each clamp portion.

[0096] So far, the present invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments, but it should be understood that multiple modifications and combinations of different features of the embodiments are possible. All these modifications are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. 〔Aspect 1〕 A plug assembly (1) for use with a cable (3) having a cable plug (2), particularly for a data cable, a light guide, or a power cable, wherein the plug assembly (1) comprises a clamping part (5, 5'), the clamping part (5, 5') being configured to receive the cable plug (2) and position the cable plug (2) at a predetermined position in the front part of the clamping part (5, 5'), and the rear part of the clamping part (5, 5'), which is opposite to the front part of the clamping part, being configured to engage around the cable (3) when the cable plug (2) is received and positioned at the predetermined position by the clamping part (5, 5'), and the plug assembly (1) further comprises a housing (4, 4') configured to be inserted into the socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing the front end of the housing (4, 4') closer to the socket, the housing (4, 4') being configured to receive the clamping part (5, 5') and position the clamping part (5, 5') in a latched position, and the plug assembly (1) further comprises a latching configuration, the latching configuration being provided by a stop element (14) disposed on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4') and an engaging element (15) disposed on the outer surface of the clamping part (5, 5'), and at the latched position of the clamping part (5, 5') within the housing (4, 4'), the engaging element (15) is disposed opposite to the stop element (14), and the movement of the clamping part (5, 5') along the longitudinal axis of the housing (4, 4') towards the front end of the housing engages with the stop element (14) such that the engaging element (15) abuts against the stop element (14), thereby preventing further movement of the clamping part (5, 5') towards the front end of the housing (4, 4') in the plug assembly (1). The housing (4, 4') comprises a clamp part support region (16) on its inner surface facing the stop element (14), and the housing (4, 4') is configured such that the engagement element (15) can be disengaged from the stop element (14) along with an inclination movement of the clamp part (5, 5') about an inclination axis (43) passing through the contact point of the clamp part (5, 5') and the clamp part support region (16), the inclination axis (43) crosses the longitudinal axis, and due to the inclination movement, the engagement element (15) is disengaged from the stop element (14). The plug assembly (1) is characterized by this. 〔Aspect 2〕 The housing (4, 4') and the clamp part (5, 5') are aligned with each other at the latch position of the clamp part (5, 5') within the housing (4, 4') when the cable plug (2) is received and positioned at the predetermined position at the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'). The clamp part support region (16) seats against the clamp part (5, 5') and is arranged further away from the stop element (14) towards the rear end of the housing (4, 4'), and In the front part of the housing (4, 4') from the clamp part support region (16) towards the front end of the housing (4, 4'), there is a degree of freedom of movement of the clamp part (5, 5') with respect to the housing on the side of the clamp part support region (16), and in the rear part of the housing (4, 4') from the clamp part support region (16) towards the rear end of the housing, there is a degree of freedom of movement of the clamp part (5, 5') with respect to the housing on the side of the stop element (14). The plug assembly (1) according to Aspect 1. 〔Aspect 3〕 The engagement element (15) is arranged at the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'), and in particular, is arranged closer to the front end of the front part of the clamp part (5, 5') than to the rear end of the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'). The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 and 2. 〔Aspect 4〕 In the latch position, the contact point of the clamp part (5, 5') located on the tilt axis (43) is arranged in the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'), and the plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3. 〔Aspect 5〕 From the clamp part support region (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4'), the inner contour of the housing (4, 4') is formed in an essentially circular cylindrical shape, and from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), the inner contour is formed in an essentially circular cylindrical shape. The longitudinal central axes (39, 40) of the respective cylinders are shifted parallel to each other, and the plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4. 〔Aspect 6〕 In the section from the clamp part support region (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4'), the maximum radial diameter of the housing (4, 4') is smaller than the maximum radial diameter of the housing (4, 4') in the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), and the plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5. 〔Aspect 7〕 On the side of the stop element (14), the section from the clamp part support region (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4') transitions essentially smoothly to the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), On the side facing the stop element (14), in the transition region (44) between the section from the clamp part support region (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4') and the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), the diameter of the housing (4, 4') increases towards the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), and the plug assembly (1) according to Aspect 6. 〔Aspect 8〕 The latch configuration further includes a spring element (34) of the clamp part (5, 5'), and the spring element (34) is supported on a spring element contact area on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4') facing the stop element (14) at the latch position and is configured to apply a biasing force to the spring element contact area. The spring element (34) thereby presses the clamp part (5, 5') against the surface of the housing (4, 4') where the stop element (14) is arranged. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7. 〔Aspect 9〕 At the latch position, the spring element contact area coincides with at least a part of the clamp part support area (16) such that the inclined axis (43) passes through the contact point between the spring element (34) and the spring element contact area. The plug assembly (1) according to Aspect 8. 〔Aspect 10〕 The clamp part (5, 5') is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug as the cable plug (2) and position the RJ45 cable plug. The RJ45 cable plug includes a latch element (23) configured to latch the RJ45 cable plug to a conventional RJ45 socket. The spring element (34) is arranged such that the spring element (34) provides support to the latch element (23) of the RJ45 cable plug to position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position in the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'). The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 8 and 9. 〔Aspect 11〕 The stop element (14) is embodied as a lateral step on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4') configured to prevent the movement of the clamp part (5, 5') towards the front end of the housing (4, 4'). The engagement element (15) is embodied as a lateral ridge or edge on the outer surface of the clamp part (5, 5'), and the lateral ridge or edge is configured to be complementary to the lateral step. The biasing force provided by the spring element (34) functions to prevent the lateral ridge or edge from crossing over the lateral step. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 8 to 10. 〔Aspect 12〕 The housing (4, 4') has, on its inner surface, an edge (37) having an edge surface facing the rear end portion of the housing (4, 4'), and the edge (37) is arranged in the front portion of the housing (4, 4'), in particular, closer to the front end portion of the front portion of the housing (4, 4') than to the rear end portion of the front portion of the housing (4, 4'), and the edge surface is the end of a groove (38) arranged on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4'), and the groove (38) runs uninterruptedly from the rear end portion of the housing (4, 4') to the edge surface. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11. [Aspect 13] The plug assembly (1) comprises a clamp sleeve (6), and the clamping portions (5, 5') and the clamp sleeve (6) are configured to provide a fixed connection between each other. For this fixed connection, at least a part of the clamp sleeve (6) is advanced over the rear portion of the clamping portion (5, 5') towards the front portion of the clamping portion (5, 5'), as a result of which the radial compression of the rear portion of the clamping portion (5, 5') is increased. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12. [Aspect 14] The rear portion of the clamping portion (5, 5') comprises a radially compressible tapered section having an outer shape that tapers towards the rear end portion of the clamping portion (5, 5'), and the tapered section comprises a tapered external thread region having an external thread (12) extending thereon. The internal contact section of the clamp sleeve comprises a tapered internal thread region having an internal thread (13) extending thereon. The internal thread region has a tapered shape that matches the tapered shape of the external thread region, and the external thread (12) and the internal thread (13) are configured to engage with each other to provide the fixed connection as a threaded connection. By tightening the threaded connection, the internal contact section of the clamp sleeve (6) contacts the tapered section while advancing over the tapered section of the clamp portions (5, 5') toward the front portion of the clamp portions (5, 5'), resulting in an increase in the radial compression of the rear portions of the clamp portions (5, 5'). The plug assembly (1) according to aspect 13. 〔Aspect 15〕 The clamp portion (5') has a bottom surface, an upper surface, and two side surfaces (45). The bottom surface includes the engaging element (15). The upper surface faces the bottom surface. The two side surfaces (45) face each other, and each of the two side surfaces (45) connects the upper surface and the bottom surface. In the region of the front portion of the clamp portion (5'), each of the side surfaces (45) has a flat outer surface (46), and the outer surfaces (46) of the two side surfaces (45) are parallel to each other, and The housing (4') has two flat surfaces (47) facing each other on its inner surface. In the latched position, each of the two flat surfaces (47) of the housing (4') is arranged to face one of the two flat outer surfaces (46) of the clamp portion (5'). The contact between the flat surface (47) of the housing (4') and the flat outer surface (46) of the clamp portion (5') prevents the clamp portion (5') from rotating relative to the housing (4') about the longitudinal axis. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of aspects 1 to 14. 〔Aspect 16〕 A plug assembly for use with a cable having a cable plug, particularly for a data cable, a light guide, or a power cable, the plug assembly comprising Comprising a clamping part, the clamping part is configured to receive the cable plug and position the cable plug at a predetermined position in the front part of the clamping part. The rear part of the clamping part, which is on the opposite side of the front part of the clamping part, is configured to engage around the cable when the cable plug is received by the clamping part and positioned at the predetermined position by the clamping part. The rear part has a radially compressible tapered section with an outer shape that tapers towards the rear distal end of the clamping part. The plug assembly further Comprises a clamping sleeve, the clamping sleeve is configured to bring the clamping part closer to the front end of the clamping sleeve and to be connected to the rear part of the clamping part by a screw connection. By tightening the screw connection, the internal contact section of the clamping sleeve comes into contact with the tapered section and is advanced along the tapered section of the clamping part towards the front part of the clamping part. As a result, the radial compression of the rear part of the clamping part is increased. The plug assembly further A housing, comprising a housing into which a socket is inserted into the socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing the socket closer to the front end of the housing. The housing is configured to receive the clamping part and position the clamping part in the front part of the housing. When the cable plug is received and positioned within the clamping part and the clamping part is received and positioned within the housing, at least the front part of the cable plug extending in the direction of the front end of the housing is surrounded at a distance by the front part of the housing. In a plug assembly The tapered section of the clamping part comprises a tapered external thread region, and the tapered external thread region has an external thread extending on the tapered external thread region, and The internal contact section of the clamping sleeve comprises a tapered internal thread region, and the tapered internal thread region has an internal thread extending on the tapered internal thread region. The internal thread region has a tapered shape that matches the tapered shape of the external thread region, and the external thread and the internal thread are configured to engage with each other to provide the threaded connection. A plug assembly, characterized in that. [Aspect 17] The rear portion of the clamp part includes two, particularly four, radially compressible and spaced extensions, and the outer shape of the extensions forms at least a part of the tapered section of the clamp part that is radially compressible. The plug assembly according to aspect 16. [Aspect 18] Each of the external thread and the internal thread has a maximum of 10 turns, particularly a maximum of 8 turns. The plug assembly according to any one of aspects 16 and 17. [Aspect 19] The plug assembly includes a tail, and the tail has a front portion configured to be connected to the rear portion of the housing. The rear portion of the housing is on the opposite side of the front end portion of the housing. In particular, the tail includes a flexible rear portion on the opposite side of the front portion of the tail. The flexible rear portion is configured to surround the cable and has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cable. The plug assembly according to any one of aspects 16 to 18. [Aspect 20] The clamp sleeve and the tail are separate components. In particular, the front portion of the tail includes a flexible coupling portion, and the flexible coupling portion is configured to engage at least a part of the rear portion of the housing in a shape-conforming and / or press-fitting manner. The plug assembly according to aspect 19. [Aspect 21] The clamp sleeve is an integral part of the tail. In particular, the housing includes a stop portion for the clamp part configured to prevent movement of the clamp part towards the rear end portion of the housing. The plug assembly according to aspect 19. [Aspect 22] The tail is a multi-component injection molded part including a flexible material and a rigid material, and the clamp sleeve is formed from the rigid material. The plug assembly according to aspect 21. [Aspect 23] The clamp part is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug and position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position of the front portion of the clamp part. The plug assembly according to any one of aspects 16 to 22. [Aspect 24] The plug assembly is configured to provide a latching connection between the clamping portion and the housing, the latching connection being provided by a lateral step on an inner surface of the housing configured to prevent movement of the clamping portion towards the front end portion of the housing, a lateral ridge or edge on an outer surface of the clamping portion configured to be complementary to the step, and a spring element configured to apply a biasing force to the clamping portion, wherein in the latched position, the ridge or edge is disposed on a side of the step facing the rear end portion of the housing, and the biasing force functions to prevent the ridge or edge from overrunning the step. The plug assembly according to any one of aspects 16 to 23. 〔Aspect 25〕 The clamping portion is divided in its longitudinal direction into two half-shells, the two half-shells being pivotally connected at the front end portion and having, at the rear end portion, an external thread for engaging with the internal thread of the clamping sleeve. The plug assembly according to any one of aspects 16 to 24. 〔Aspect 26〕 A clamp portion for a plug assembly, wherein the clamp portion is divided into two half-shells in its longitudinal direction, and the two half-shells are configured to clamp an RJ45 cable plug between the two half-shells and thereby position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion. The rear portion of the clamp portion that is compressible in the radial direction is on the opposite side of the front portion of the clamp portion. The rear portion is configured to engage around a cable connected to the RJ45 cable plug when the RJ45 cable plug is positioned by the two half-shells at the predetermined position. One of the two half-shells is configured to overlap in an nested manner with respect to the upper surface, the rear surface, and two lateral surfaces of the RJ45 cable plug, and the other of the two half-shells is configured to overlap in an nested manner with respect to the bottom surface, the rear surface, and two of the lateral positions of the RJ45 cable plug. The upper surface is provided with a latch element configured to latch the RJ45 cable plug to a conventional RJ45 socket. The bottom surface is on the opposite side of the upper surface. The rear surface connects the upper surface to the bottom position on the side of the cable, and each of the lateral surfaces is adjacent to the rear surface and connects the upper surface to the bottom surface. In the clamp portion, the clamp portion is configured to clamp and position a stepped RJ45 cable plug. The stepped RJ45 cable plug includes a housing having a surface with a step on the bottom surface. The rear portion of the housing in contact with the cable has a larger diameter than the front portion of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The rear portion has a contact portion for signal transmission to a complementary plug assembly. The stepped RJ45 cable plug is, and the clamp portion further configured to clamp and position a non-stepped RJ45 cable plug. The non-stepped RJ45 cable plug includes a housing having no step on the bottom surface. The housing has extensions on each of the lateral surfaces. The extensions extend each side surface of the housing and extend beyond the housing surface on the rear surface. The non-stepped RJ45 cable plug is Each of the two half-shells includes an alignment structure for positioning the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position for the clamping portion, and each of the alignment structures is provided with two pockets disposed in a rear region of each of the alignment structures, each of the two pockets receiving one of the extensions of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug, and each of the two pockets of one of the two half-shells provides a boundary surface for the upper surface and the two lateral surfaces of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug, and each of the two pockets of the other of the two half-shells is configured to provide a boundary surface for the bottom surface and the two lateral surfaces of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug. Each of the alignment structures further includes a boundary structure disposed in a front region of the two pockets. One of the boundary structures provides a boundary surface for the two lateral surfaces and the upper surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug, and the other of the boundary structures provides a boundary surface for the two lateral surfaces and the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug. The boundary surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug is displaced and disposed in a direction orthogonal to the bottom surface from the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug provided by the two pockets. A clamping portion, characterized in that. [Aspect 27] The alignment structure for positioning the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position is configured such that the front end of each of the two pockets provides a boundary surface for the rear surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug for each of the two half-shells. In particular, the alignment structure is configured such that the front end of the pocket is brought into contact with the rear surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug in order to position the stepped RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position. The clamping portion according to aspect 26. [Aspect 28] The alignment structure for one of the two half-shells configured to overlap concentrically with respect to the upper surface of the RJ45 cable plug includes a spring element, and the spring element is arranged to provide a support portion for the latch element of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 and 27. 〔Aspect 29〕 The alignment structure for positioning the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position each includes a guide side surface assumed to be arranged opposite to the lateral surface of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, and the guide side surface causes the movement of the RJ45 cable plug in a direction orthogonal to the lateral surface of the RJ45 cable plug in the front region of the alignment structure to stop, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 28. 〔Aspect 30〕 Each of the pockets of the alignment structure has an axial depth such that the pocket provides a boundary surface for the back surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug in order to position the flush-type RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, and the extension of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the boundary surface for the back surface, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 29. 〔Aspect 31〕 The alignment structure is configured such that the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug in order to position the stepped RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 30. 〔Aspect 32〕 The alignment structure is configured such that the boundary surface provided by the pocket for the bottom surface of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the extension of the flush-type RJ45 cable plug in order to position the flush-type RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 31. 〔Aspect 33〕 The alignment structure is configured such that the spring element applies a biasing force to the latch element of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position, and as a result, respectively, the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the stepped RJ45 cable plug, and the boundary surface for the bottom surface of the non-stepped RJ45 cable plug provided by the pocket is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the extension of the non-stepped RJ45 cable plug, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 28, 31, and 32. [Aspect 34] The rear portion of the radially compressible clamp portion is configured to interact with the clamp sleeve to effect a radial compression fit of the rear portion of the clamp portion, which is connected to the rear portion of the clamp portion. In particular, an axial movement between the clamp sleeve and the rear portion of the radially compressible clamp portion results in an adaptation of the radial compression force applied by the clamp sleeve onto the rear portion of the radially compressible clamp portion, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 33. [Aspect 35] The rear portion of the radially compressible clamp portion has a radially compressible tapered section with an outer profile that tapers towards the rear distal end of the clamp portion, the tapered section comprising a tapered external thread region, and the tapered external thread region having an external thread extending thereon, the clamp portion according to aspect 34. [Aspect 36] The two half-shells are pivotally connected at the front end portion, the clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 35. [Aspect 37] A plug assembly for use with a cable having an RJ45 cable plug, the plug assembly comprising a clamp portion according to any one of aspects 26 to 36, configured to receive the RJ45 cable plug and to position the RJ45 cable plug at a predetermined position within the clamp portion, and a clamp sleeve configured to be connected to the clamp portion and to interact with the clamp portion to effect a radial compression fit of the rear portion of the clamp portion, the clamp sleeve. A housing that is inserted into the socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing the socket closer to the front end of the housing, the housing being configured to receive the clamp portion and position the clamp portion in the front portion of the housing, the RJ45 cable plug being positioned by the clamp portion, and at least a front portion of the RJ45 cable plug extending in the direction of the front end of the housing being surrounded at a distance by the front portion of the housing, the housing and a plug assembly comprising the same.

Claims

1. A plug assembly (1) for use with a cable (3) having a cable plug (2), particularly for a data cable, a light guide, or a power cable, wherein the plug assembly (1) comprises clamping parts (5, 5'), the clamping parts (5, 5') being configured to receive the cable plug (2) and position the cable plug (2) at a predetermined position in the front part of the clamping parts (5, 5'), the rear part of the clamping parts (5, 5'), which is opposite to the front part of the clamping parts, being configured to engage around the cable (3) when the cable plug (2) is received and positioned at the predetermined position by the clamping parts (5, 5'), and the plug assembly (1) further comprises a housing (4, 4') configured to be inserted into a socket of a complementary plug assembly by bringing a front end of the housing (4, 4') closer to the socket, the housing (4, 4') being configured to receive the clamping parts (5, 5') and position the clamping parts (5, 5') in a latched position, and the plug assembly (1) further comprises a latching configuration provided by a stop element (14) disposed on an inner surface of the housing (4, 4') and an engaging element (15) disposed on an outer surface of the clamping parts (5, 5'), wherein in the latched position of the clamping parts (5, 5') within the housing (4, 4'), the engaging element (15) is disposed opposite to the stop element (14) and engages with the stop element (14) such that movement of the clamping parts (5, 5') along the longitudinal axis of the housing (4, 4') towards the front end of the housing causes the engaging element (15) to abut against the stop element (14), thereby preventing further movement of the clamping parts (5, 5') towards the front end of the housing (4, 4') in the plug assembly (1). The housing (4, 4') has a clamp portion support region (16) on its inner surface facing the stop element (14), and the housing (4, 4') is configured such that the engagement element (15) can be disengaged from the stop element (14) with an inclined movement of the clamp portion (5, 5') about an inclined axis (43) passing through the contact point of the clamp portion (5, 5') and the clamp portion support region (16), the inclined axis (43) intersects the longitudinal axis, and by the inclined movement, the engagement element (15) is disengaged from the stop element (14), characterized by a plug assembly (1).

2. The housing (4, 4') and the clamp portion (5, 5') are aligned with each other at the latch position of the clamp portion (5, 5') within the housing (4, 4') when the cable plug (2) is received and positioned at the predetermined position in the front portion of the clamp portion (5, 5'), The clamp portion support region (16) seats against the clamp portion (5, 5') and is arranged further away from the stop element (14) towards the rear end portion of the housing (4, 4'), and In the front portion of the housing (4, 4') from the clamp portion support region (16) towards the front end portion of the housing (4, 4'), there is a degree of freedom of movement of the clamp portion (5, 5') with respect to the housing on the side of the clamp portion support region (16), and in the rear portion of the housing (4, 4') from the clamp portion support region (16) towards the rear end portion of the housing, there is a degree of freedom of movement of the clamp portion (5, 5') with respect to the housing on the side of the stop element (14), the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

3. The engagement element (15) is arranged in the front portion of the clamp portion (5, 5'), in particular, closer to the front end portion of the front portion of the clamp portion (5, 5') than to the rear end portion of the front portion of the clamp portion (5, 5'), the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

4. For the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1, the contact point of the clamp part (5, 5') located on the inclined shaft (43) at the latch position is arranged at the front part of the clamp part (5, 5').

5. From the clamp part support area (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4'), the inner contour of the housing (4, 4') is formed in an essentially circular cylinder shape, and from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), the inner contour is formed in an essentially circular cylinder shape. The longitudinal central axes (39, 40) of the respective cylinders are shifted parallel to each other. For the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

6. For the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1, the maximum radial diameter of the housing (4, 4') in the section from the clamp part support area (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4') is smaller than the maximum radial diameter of the housing (4, 4') in the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4').

7. On the side of the stop element (14), the section from the clamp part support area (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4') transitions essentially smoothly to the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'). On the side opposite to the stop element (14), in the transition area (44) between the section from the clamp part support area (16) to the rear end part of the housing (4, 4') and the section from the stop element (14) to the front end part of the housing (4, 4'), the diameter of the housing (4, 4') increases towards the front end part of the housing (4, 4'). For the plug assembly (1) according to claim 6.

8. The latch configuration further comprises a spring element (34) of the clamping part (5, 5'), and the spring element (34) is supported on a spring element contact area on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4') facing the stop element (14) at the latch position and is configured to apply a biasing force to the spring element contact area. The spring element (34) thereby presses the clamping part (5, 5') against the surface of the housing (4, 4') on which the stop element (14) is arranged. The plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

9. At the latch position, the spring element contact area coincides with at least a part of the clamping part support area (16) such that the tilt axis (43) runs through the contact point between the spring element (34) and the spring element contact area. The plug assembly (1) according to claim 8.

10. The clamping part (5, 5') is configured to receive an RJ45 cable plug as the cable plug (2) and to position the RJ45 cable plug. The RJ45 cable plug comprises a latch element (23) configured to latch the RJ45 cable plug to a conventional RJ45 socket. The spring element (34) is arranged such that the spring element (34) supports the latch element (23) of the RJ45 cable plug in order to position the RJ45 cable plug at the predetermined position in the front part of the clamping part (5, 5'). The plug assembly (1) according to claim 8.

11. The stop element (14) is embodied as a lateral step on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4') configured to prevent movement of the clamping part (5, 5') towards the front end of the housing (4, 4'). The engagement element (15) is embodied as a lateral ridge or edge on the outer surface of the clamping part (5, 5'), and the lateral ridge or edge is configured to be complementary to the lateral step. The biasing force applied by the spring element (34) functions to prevent the lateral protrusion or edge from crossing the lateral step, the plug assembly (1) according to claim 8.

12. The housing (4, 4') has an edge (37) with an edge surface facing the rear end of the housing (4, 4') on its inner surface, and the edge (37) is arranged in the front part of the housing (4, 4'), in particular, closer to the front end of the front part of the housing (4, 4') than to the rear end of the front part of the housing (4, 4'), and the edge surface is the end of a groove (38) arranged on the inner surface of the housing (4, 4'), and the groove (38) runs continuously from the rear end of the housing (4, 4') to the edge surface, the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

13. The plug assembly (1) comprises a clamp sleeve (6), and the clamp parts (5, 5') and the clamp sleeve (6) are configured to provide a fixed connection between them. For this fixed connection, at least a part of the clamp sleeve (6) is advanced over the rear part of the clamp part (5, 5') towards the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'), as a result of which the radial compression of the rear part of the clamp part (5, 5') is increased, the plug assembly (1) according to claim 1.

14. The rear part of the clamp part (5, 5') has a radially compressible tapered section with an outer shape that tapers towards the rear end of the clamp part (5, 5'), and the tapered section has a tapered external thread region, and the tapered external thread region has an external thread (12) extending thereon. The internal contact section of the clamp sleeve has a tapered internal thread region, and the tapered internal thread region has an internal thread (13) extending thereon. The internal thread region has a tapered shape that matches the tapered shape of the external thread region, and the external thread (12) and the internal thread (13) are configured to engage with each other to provide the fixed connection as a threaded connection. By fastening the threaded connection, the internal contact section of the clamp sleeve (6) comes into contact with the tapered section while advancing over the tapered section of the clamp part (5, 5') toward the front part of the clamp part (5, 5'). As a result, the radial compression of the rear part of the clamp part (5, 5') increases. The plug assembly (1) according to claim 13.

15. The clamp part (5') has a bottom surface, an upper surface, and two side surfaces (45). The bottom surface is provided with the engagement element (15). The upper surface faces the bottom surface. The two side surfaces (45) face each other, and each of the two side surfaces (45) connects the upper surface and the bottom surface. In the region of the front part of the clamp part (5'), each of the side surfaces (45) has a flat outer surface (46), and the outer surfaces (46) of the two side surfaces (45) are parallel to each other, and The housing (4') is provided with two flat surfaces (47) facing each other on its inner surface. In the latched position, each of the two flat surfaces (47) of the housing (4') is arranged to face one of the two flat outer surfaces (46) of the clamp part (5'). The contact between the flat surface (47) of the housing (4') and the flat outer surface (46) of the clamp part (5') prevents the clamp part (5') from rotating relative to the housing (4') about the longitudinal axis. The plug assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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