Presence detection for plug contacts

Abstract

An electrical plug-in connector (1) comprising an arresting portion (2), an insulation (3), a first contact (4), and a second contact (5), wherein the insulation (3) is located on or in a surface of the plug-in connector (1) and in the region of the arresting portion (2), wherein the first contact (4) is located in the region of the arresting portion (2), wherein the second contact (5) is insulated by means of the insulation (3) with respect to the arresting portion (2), and consequently with respect to the first contact (4), wherein the first contact (4) and the second contact (5) and the insulation (3) form a common enveloping surface of the arresting portion (2).

Description

[0001] PRESENCE DETECTION FOR PLUG-IN CONTACTS

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of connection technology, in particular plug connections in the field of high frequency technology and avionics.

[0004] Various connectors are already known in the art that allow detection of a successful connection between a plug and a socket. For example, panel sockets are known that are combined with an electrical switch that is activated by the insertion of the plug, allowing a device to easily adjust to whether or not a connection has been established.

[0005] A disadvantage of the current state of the art is that in the field of high-frequency technology, a great deal of effort is required to detect the absence or incorrect connection of data cables, for example. In the case of a receive socket, a missing or unconnected plug leads to lower signal levels within the device to which the receive socket is attached. Devices with multiple inputs cannot recognize which socket something is connected to. In the case of a transmit socket, a missing or incorrectly connected cable leads to reflections and, in the case of total internal reflection, possibly to the destruction of the device.

[0006] The technical object of the invention is to improve the state of the art by creating a possibility to enable the presence of a correct connection of plug connections.

[0007] According to the invention, connectors are used to connect and disconnect electrical cables. The connecting parts are aligned to one another, for example, by means of positive locking and / or frictional locking, and are additionally secured against accidental release, for example, by means of a mechanical locking mechanism, such as screwing. A mechanical locking mechanism can be achieved, for example, by means of a union nut or a spring-loaded connection, or in the manner of a bayonet lock. Latches or clamping mechanisms can also be provided.

[0008] According to one aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by an electrical plug connector, comprising a locking section, an insulation, a first contact, and a second contact, wherein the insulation is arranged on or in a surface of the plug connector and in the region of the locking section, wherein the first contact is arranged in the region of the locking section, wherein the second contact is arranged insulated from the locking section and thus from the first contact by means of the insulation, wherein the first contact and the second contact and the insulation form a common enveloping surface of the locking section.

[0009] The locking section can be designed, for example, as an external thread or as a bayonet lock, which can be used, for example, as an electrical ground or in a potential-free manner. The insulation can be formed, for example, by a plastic or by an air gap. The first contact can be provided in the form of a locking contact, and the second contact can be designed, for example, as a short-circuit contact.

[0010] If the electrical connector is connected, the first contact can be brought into connection with the second contact, which makes it very easy to determine whether contact has been made with the cables to be contacted by means of the electrical connector.

[0011] In a technically advantageous embodiment, the locking portion is designed such that it can be brought into engagement with a locking counterportion [e.g., internal thread ring, bayonet lock] of a standardized connector counterunit. The locking counterportion can be designed, for example, as an internal thread ring or as a bayonet lock.

[0012] The advantage here is that by means of the mechanical locking of the plug connection unit with the plug connection counter unit, statements can be made about the contact made between the conductors of the plug connection.

[0013] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that when the connector is mechanically locked with the connector counter-unit, a locking counter-element of the connector counter-unit closes the first contact with the second contact.

[0014] Advantageously, existing connector systems can be used, enabling easy detection of a correctly inserted connector. A particular advantage is that the mechanical locking mechanism can be used to detect a correct connection.

[0015] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the connector is designed as a socket, wherein in particular the second contact is formed outside a plug-in pattern of the socket.

[0016] The advantage here is that it allows for minimal signal interference.

[0017] According to a further aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by an electrical plug connection, comprising a first plug connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, and a plug connector counter unit, wherein when the connection between plug connector and plug connector counter unit is closed, the locking counter element of the plug connector counter unit electrically contacts, in particular short-circuits, the first contact with the second contact.

[0018] Already known and existing connector systems can be used to advantage and easy detection of a correctly plugged connector is enabled.

[0019] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the plug connector and the plug connection counter unit are designed as a circular plug connection, in particular as a COAX plug connection, preferably as a plug connection or as a plug connection according to the MIL38999 standard.

[0020] The advantage here is that it can be used in the avionics sector.

[0021] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that either the plug connector is designed as a coupling or socket and the plug connection counter-unit is designed as a plug or built-in plug, or the plug connector is designed as a plug or built-in plug and the plug connector counter-unit is designed as a coupling or socket.

[0022] The advantage here is that existing bushing systems can be assembled, if necessary additively, but at least with little effort.

[0023] According to a further aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by a method for detecting a non-contacted or incorrectly contacted plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an electrical variable is applied to the first contact and / or the second contact, and the electrical variable at the first contact and / or the second contact is evaluated by means of electronics, wherein the electronics are integrated in particular into a printed circuit board to which the plug connector is connected. The electrical variable can be, for example, a voltage.

[0024] According to a further aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by a device for high-frequency technology comprising an electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, an electronics system, wherein the electronics system is integrated in particular into a printed circuit board, wherein the connector is connected to the electronics system, in particular to the printed circuit board, wherein the device is suitable for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

[0025] The advantages already mentioned can also be taken into account in the process.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below.

[0027] It shows :

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical connector; and

[0029] Fig. 2 is a further schematic representation of an electrical connector

[0030] Figure 1 shows an electrical plug connector 1, comprising a locking section 2, insulation 3, a first contact 4, and a second contact 5, wherein the insulation 3 is arranged on or in a surface of the plug connector 1 and in the region of the locking section 2, wherein the first contact 4 is arranged in the region of the locking section 2, wherein the second contact 5 is arranged insulated from the locking section 2 and thus from the first contact 4 by means of the insulation 3, wherein the first contact 4 and the second contact 5 and the insulation 3 form a common enveloping surface of the locking section 2. Furthermore, Figure 1 schematically shows a conductor of the plug connector 6.

[0031] When connecting the connector 1 to contact the conductor, the first contact 4 can advantageously be closed with the second contact 5, whereby a statement can be made about successful contacting of the conductor 6.

[0032] Figure 2 also shows an electrical plug connector 1, comprising a locking section 2, an insulation 3, a first contact 4, and a second contact 5, wherein the insulation 3 is arranged on or in a surface of the plug connector 1 and in the region of the locking section 2, wherein the first contact 4 is arranged in the region of the locking section

[0033] 2 is arranged, wherein the second contact 5 is arranged insulated from the locking section 2 and thus from the first contact 4 by means of the insulation 3, wherein the first contact 4 and the second contact 5 and the insulation

[0034] 3 form a common enveloping surface of the locking section 2 .

[0035] The locking portion 2 is designed such that it can be engaged with a locking mating portion of a standardized connector mating unit (not shown). A corresponding connector mating unit could, for example, be a standard circular connector or a coaxial connector.

[0036] The connector is further designed such that when the connector 1 is mechanically locked with the connector counter-unit, a locking counter-element of the connector counter-unit closes the first contact 4 with the second contact 5, wherein the connector 1 is designed as a socket and the second contact 5 is designed outside a plug-in pattern of the socket.

[0037] Advantageously, by means of the connector shown in Figure 2, correct plugging of the connector and correct connection can be detected in a simple manner and by connecting a common connector counter unit.

[0038] List of reference symbols

[0039] 1 connector

[0040] 2 Locking section 3 Insulation

[0041] 4 first contact

[0042] 5 second contact

[0043] 6 ladders

Claims

Claims 1. Electrical plug connector (1), comprising a locking section (2), an insulation (3), a first contact (4), and a second contact (5), wherein the insulation (3) is arranged on or in a surface of the plug connector (1) and in the region of the locking section (2), wherein the first contact (4) is arranged in the region of the locking section (2), wherein the second contact (5) is arranged insulated from the locking section (2) and thus from the first contact (4) by means of the insulation (3), characterized in that the first contact (4) and the second contact (5) and the insulation (3) form a common enveloping surface of the locking section (2).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking portion (2) is designed such that it can be brought into engagement with a locking counter-portion of a standardized connector counter-unit.

3. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the connector (1) is mechanically locked with the connector counter-unit, a locking counter-element of the connector counter-unit closes the first contact (4) with the second contact (5).

4. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) is designed as a socket, wherein in particular the second contact ( 5 ) is formed outside a plug pattern of the socket .

5. Electrical plug connection, comprising a first plug connector (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, and a plug connector counter-unit, characterized in that when the connection between the plug connector (1) and the plug connector counter-unit is closed, the locking counter-element of the plug connector counter-unit electrically contacts, in particular short-circuits, the first contact (4) with the second contact (5).

6. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector (1) and the plug connection counter unit are designed as a round plug connection, in particular as a COAX plug connection, preferably as a plug connection or as a plug connection according to the MIL38999 standard.

7. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that either the plug connector (1) is designed as a coupling or socket and the plug connection mating unit is designed as a plug or built-in plug, or the plug connector is designed as a plug or built-in plug and the plug connector mating unit is designed as a coupling or socket.

8. Method for detecting a non-contacted or incorrectly contacted plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an electrical quantity [e.g. voltage] is applied to the first contact (4) and / or to the second contact (5) and the electrical quantity at the first contact (4) and / or the second contact (5) is evaluated by means of an electronic device, wherein the electronics are in particular integrated into a printed circuit board to which the plug connector is connected.

9. A high-frequency technology device comprising an electrical plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, an electronics system, wherein the electronics are in particular integrated into a printed circuit board, wherein the plug connector is connected to the electronics system, in particular to the printed circuit board, characterized in that the device is suitable for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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