Circular connector for an automation field device

Abstract

The invention relates to a circular connector, in particular an M12 circular connector, for an automation field device, having a connector housing part (21a) in which a plurality of contact elements (21b) is arranged, the rear contact element end pieces of which are provided for insertion into a socket strip (26), in particular an SMD socket strip, and which, in the assembled state, is to arranged in relation to a printed circuit board (20) on which the circular plug connector (21) is to be mounted / arranged, such that a plug-in direction lies in a plug-in direction plane that is parallel to a plane of the printed circuit board (20) on which the circular connector is to be mounted / arranged, wherein further the connector housing part (21a) in the assembled state of the connector is arranged in a region in front of the printed circuit board (20) and adjoins the latter, and wherein at least three, preferably all, of the rear contact element end pieces (21c) lie in a contact element end piece plane (EK).

Description

[0001] Circular connector for a field device in automation technology

[0002] The invention relates to a circular connector for a field device in automation technology, an arrangement comprising this circular connector and a printed circuit board with a socket strip and a field device in automation technology.

[0003] Field devices used in industrial plants are known from the state of the art. Field devices are widely used in process automation technology as well as in manufacturing automation technology. In principle, field devices are all devices that are used close to the process and that provide or process-relevant information. Field devices are used to record and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices or sensors are used to record process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, etc. and record the corresponding process variables pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, fill level, flow rate, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These are, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the fill level in a container.In addition to the measuring devices and actuators mentioned above, field devices also include remote I / Os, radio adapters and, in general, devices that are arranged at the field level.

[0004] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0005] To connect such field devices, for example, to a two-wire cable, circular connectors are typically used, which are inserted into the housing. Data, particularly measured values ​​and / or energy, are transmitted from the field device to an external unit, for example, a higher-level unit, via the circular connectors.

[0006] These circular connectors are purchased by field device manufacturers as preconfigured finished parts. Therefore, the circular connectors typically have a configuration that allows the circular connector to be mounted along a housing's longitudinal axis. A variant configured in such a way that the circular connector can be mounted parallel to a transverse axis of the housing (radial mounting) does not exist.

[0007] To achieve this type of assembly, field device manufacturers employ a complex manufacturing process in which the connector is first attached, particularly by soldering, to a suitable printed circuit board. The printed circuit board with the connector is then inserted radially into the field device housing, and the connector is positioned in a corresponding opening in the housing. A female connector is then pushed over the connector already inserted into the housing. In a final step, the female connector is joined, particularly by welding, to the housing, so that the field device housing, with the inserted connector that can be contacted externally, is protected against moisture.

[0008] The disadvantage of this is that this manufacturing process is complex, since the radial insertion of the circuit board, with the connector already soldered to the circuit board, is relatively difficult.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of showing a possibility of how a circular connector for a field device in automation technology can be mounted in the simplest possible way.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by the circular connector for a field device of automation technology according to patent claim 1, the arrangement comprising a circular connector and a printed circuit board according to patent claim 8 and the field device of automation technology according to patent claim 11.

[0011] The circular connector according to the invention, in particular an M12 circular connector, for a field device in automation technology comprises a connector housing part in which a plurality of contact elements are arranged, the rear contact element end pieces of which are provided for insertion into a socket strip, in particular an SMD socket strip, and which, in the assembled state, is arranged in relation to a printed circuit board on which the circular connector is to be mounted / arranged in such a way that a plug-in direction lies in a plug-in direction plane that is aligned parallel to a plane of the printed circuit board on which the circular connector is to be mounted / arranged, wherein, in the assembled state of the connector, the connector housing part is arranged in an area in front of the printed circuit board and adjoins it, and wherein at least three, preferably all of the rear contact element end pieces lie in a contact element end piece plane.

[0012] According to the invention, a circular connector is proposed which is designed at the rear end such that the contact element end pieces are designed for insertion into a socket strip and not, as is usual in the prior art, for soldering. An advantageous embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention can provide that the connector housing part, preferably at the end at which the rear contact element end pieces are arranged for insertion into the socket strip, has a means for mechanically locking the connector housing part to a plug sleeve that surrounds the connector housing part in the assembled state. In particular, the embodiment can provide that the means for mechanical locking comprises at least one, preferably several locking hooks, wherein the locking hooks are preferably designed such that they are formed circumferentially on the connector housing part - viewed in cross-section.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention can provide that the rear contact element end pieces are designed in such a way that they correspond to a pitch of the socket strip, in particular an SMD socket strip, so that the rear contact element end pieces can be plugged into the socket strip.

[0014] Yet another advantageous embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention can provide that the connector housing part has a stop at the end opposite the end at which the rear contact element end pieces are arranged for insertion into the socket strip. In particular, the embodiment can provide that the stop is designed as a radially circumferential lip, as seen in cross-section.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention can provide that the connector housing part has a circumferential recess, in particular in the form of a groove for receiving a sealing ring.

[0016] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a circular connector, in particular according to one or more of the previously described embodiments, and a printed circuit board with a socket strip, wherein the circular connector is arranged in an area in front of the printed circuit board and is plugged into the socket strip by means of contact element end pieces.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention can provide that the socket strip is an SMD-equipped socket strip.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention can provide that the socket strip is arranged on a circuit board edge, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board. The invention further relates to a field device for automation technology, comprising: a field device housing, which at least in sections has a substantially rotationally symmetrical region that serves to accommodate at least one first circuit board, wherein the field device housing further has a housing opening in a side wall region of the rotationally symmetrical region;At least one first printed circuit board inserted into the rotationally symmetrical region of the field device housing, wherein the at least one first printed circuit board has a socket strip on a printed circuit board edge, and wherein the at least one first printed circuit board is arranged in the rotationally symmetrical region of the field device housing such that a circuit board plane of the first printed circuit board is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the field device housing and the socket strip is directed toward the housing opening; a circular connector according to one or more of the previously described embodiments, wherein the circular connector is guided outwardly through the housing opening for contacting by a mating circular connector and is plugged into the socket strip with the rear contact element end pieces.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment of the field device according to the invention for automation technology can further comprise a plug sleeve which is arranged at the housing opening and welded to the field device housing, wherein the plug connector housing part is inserted into the plug sleeve and the rear contact element end pieces are plugged into the socket strip.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows:

[0021] Fig. 1 : a perspective sectional view of the circular connector according to the invention in the assembled state,

[0022] Fig. 2: a perspective view of the circular connector according to the invention in the unassembled state to illustrate the plane in which the end pieces of the contact pins are located, and

[0023] Fig. 3: a schematic sectional view through a field device of automation technology 1 with a mounted circular connector.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective sectional view of the circular connector 21 according to the invention in the assembled state with four electrically conductive contact pins 21b, of which only two are visible in the illustrated perspective. The circular connector 21 is preferably an M12 circular connector. In principle, the invention is not limited to a specific number of contact pins 21b, but can have any desired number of contact pins 21b. Such circular connectors typically comprise up to 12 contact pins.

[0025] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the circular connector 21 is arranged in an area in front of the printed circuit board 20 in the assembled state. The housing of the circular connector 21a is divided into a front sleeve section 21h, an adjoining base section 21i and a rear sleeve section 21j adjoining the base section. The front sleeve section 21h is directed in the direction of a female circular connector to be connected and protectively surrounds the contact pins 21b projecting freely into it. The base section 21i forms the base of the circular connector 21 and serves to guide and position the contact pins 21a and to electrically insulate them from one another. The rear sleeve section 21j is, as shown in Fig. 1, in the assembled state, directed in the direction of a printed circuit board 20 to which the circular connector 21 is electrically connected.is to be directed and at least partially surrounds the end pieces of the contact pins 21 c.

[0026] The plug-in direction of the circular connector lies in a plug-in direction plane that is aligned at least approximately parallel to the circuit board plane EL. Accordingly, a female mating circular connector corresponding to the circular connector 21 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 20 to connect to the circular connector 21 in order to plug them together.

[0027] The end pieces of the contact pins 21 c are designed such that they can be plugged into a socket strip 26 and furthermore that at least three of the contact pins 21 b lie in a (single) plane EK and not, as is usually the case with circular connectors 21 known from the prior art, that the end pieces of the contact pins 21 c are designed for soldering and / or lie in several or different planes.

[0028] Preferably, the end pieces of the contact pins 21c are designed such that all end pieces lie in a (single) plane EK. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, all four end pieces of the contact pins 21c lie in a plane EK. This plane is identified by the reference symbol EK in Fig. 2.

[0029] To ensure that the end pieces of the contact pins 21c can be inserted into the socket strip 26, they are adapted to a pitch of the socket strip 26. The end pieces of the contact pins 21c are designed in particular such that they can be inserted into an SMD (SMD stands for "Surface-Mounted Device") socket strip 26.

[0030] In the assembled state, the circular connector 21 can also be inserted into a plug sleeve 30, which was previously inserted, for example, into a wall of a field device housing 12. Due to the inventive design of the circular connector 21, after the plug sleeve 30 has been inserted into the wall of the field device 12 or fastened thereto, the connector can be easily inserted from the outside into the plug sleeve 30 and electrically contacted by the rear end pieces of the contact pins 21c. This offers the advantage that it no longer has to be inserted into the interior 13 of the field device housing 12 together with the printed circuit board, i.e. in the soldered state, as is usual in the prior art.

[0031] For electrical contacting of the end pieces of the contact pins 21c, the circuit board

[0032] 20 has the aforementioned socket strip 26. The socket strip 26 is arranged, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 20, on a circuit board edge 20a, so that with a corresponding arrangement of the circuit board 20 in the field device housing 12, e.g., if the circuit board 20 is or will be arranged with the circuit board plane EL transverse to the longitudinal direction of the field device housing L, the end pieces of the contact pins 21c of the circular connector 21 can be plugged into the socket strip 26.

[0033] Additionally, the connector housing part 21a can have one or more locking hooks 21e, preferably at the end where the end pieces of the contact pins 21c are located, intended for insertion into the socket strip 26. If multiple locking hooks 21e are provided, the individual locking hooks 21e are preferably configured to extend radially around the end of the connector housing part 21a, as viewed in cross-section.

[0034] The locking hooks 21 e are matched to one another and designed in such a way that, in a plugged-in state in which the circular connector 21 is inserted into the plug sleeve 30 and the end pieces of the contact pins 21c are plugged into the socket strip 26, they lock onto or with the plug sleeve 30, so that an unintentional release of the circular connector 21 from the plug sleeve 30, for example when removing the female mating circular connector, can be prevented.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the connector housing part 21a may further comprise a stop at the end to which the female mating circular connector is connected.

[0036] 21f, which is designed to limit the insertion of the connector into the connector sleeve 30, so that when the female mating circular connector is attached, the circular connector 21 is not pushed into the interior of the field device housing. The stop can, for example, be designed as a radially circumferential lip, as seen in cross-section.

[0037] In addition or alternatively, the connector housing part 21a can have a circumferential recess 21g for receiving a sealing ring, so that, when plugged in, a seal is created between the connector housing part 21a and the connector sleeve 30, for example, to prevent moisture from penetrating the field device housing 12. The recess 21g can be designed, for example, in the form of a circumferential groove. The recess 21g is preferably designed circumferentially in the region of the base section 21i.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through a field device of automation technology 1 with a mounted circular connector 21. The field device comprises a field device housing 12 which encloses an interior space 13. The field device housing 12 has an at least partially rotationally symmetrical region 17 into which the printed circuit board with the socket strip is inserted. The field device housing further comprises a sensor and / or actuator element 14, arranged on the housing 12, for setting and / or detecting a process variable, as well as an electronic circuit 15 which is inserted in the interior space 13 and is designed to operate the sensor and / or actuator element 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, the electronic circuit comprises, in addition to the first printed circuit board with the socket strip, three further printed circuit boards, of which, for example,Two circuit boards 15a and 15b can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and one circuit board 15c can be arranged transversely to the housing. The circuit boards 15a, 15b, 15c can be plugged into one another via corresponding plug connectors and mating connectors 15d and thus electrically contacted. One of the circuit boards 15b, which is arranged in the longitudinal direction, comprises at least one rigid mating connector 15e corresponding to the second rigid connector 22 of the first circuit board 20, which is arranged and attached to this circuit board 15b in such a way that, in the installed state, a plug-in axis of the mating connector runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field device housing.

[0039] The field device housing 18 further has a housing opening 18 in the area on a side wall for the circular connector of the first printed circuit board 20, which can be contacted from outside the field device housing 18 after assembly. A connector sleeve 30, which serves to receive the connector housing part 21a of the circular connector 21, is welded to the housing opening 18. This means that the connector sleeve 30 can be fastened to the field device housing 12 even before the first printed circuit board 20 is inserted. The housing opening 18 and the connector sleeve 30 are dimensioned such that the connector housing part 21a can be inserted radially from the outside through the connector sleeve 30 welded to the housing 12. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing part 21a is inserted into this connector sleeve 30.To protect the field device 10 from moisture ingress, a sealing ring can be inserted into the recess 21g of the connector housing part. Additionally or alternatively, the connector housing part 21a can be inserted into the connector sleeve 30 such that the locking hooks 21e are locked onto the end of the connector sleeve 30 located inside the field device, thus preventing accidental detachment of the circular connector 21 from the connector sleeve 30, for example, when removing the female mating circular connector.

[0040] To enable precise positioning of the connector housing part 21a, particularly with respect to the socket strip 26, the connector housing part 21a and the connector sleeve 30 can each have coordinated positioning means 16a, 16b. For example, the connector sleeve 30 can have a recess 16b on a side facing away from the field device housing 12. The recess 16b is preferably designed as a notch or notch-shaped. In a suitable design, the connector housing part 21a of the connector 21 can have a radially outwardly projecting projection 16a located on the outer edge, which is designed such that the projection 16a engages in the recess 16b when the connector housing part 21a is inserted into the connector sleeve 30. The projection 16a is preferably designed as a nose or similar. The shape and length of the recess 16b or the projection 16a as a positioning means can vary.According to this embodiment, the connector housing part 21a with the radially projecting projection 16a is inserted into the recess 16b of the connector sleeve 30, so that when the connector housing part 21a is inserted, the rear contact element end pieces 21c are securely guided to or into the socket strip 26.

[0041] List of reference symbols

[0042] 10 Field device in automation technology

[0043] 12 field device housings

[0044] 13 Interior

[0045] 14 Sensor and / or actuator element

[0046] 15 Electronic circuit

[0047] 15a-15c circuit boards

[0048] 15d plug and mating connectors

[0049] 15e Rigid mating connector

[0050] 16a Positioning means on the circular connector, e.g. projection

[0051] 16b Positioning means on the connector sleeve, e.g. recess

[0052] 17 Rotationally symmetric area

[0053] 18 Housing opening

[0054] 19 Display

[0055] 20 First circuit board

[0056] 20a PCB edge

[0057] 21 circular connectors

[0058] 21 a Connector housing part

[0059] 21 b Contact elements

[0060] 21 c Rear contact element end pieces

[0061] 21 e Means for mechanical locking, in particular locking hooks

[0062] 21f stop

[0063] 21 g Circumferential recess

[0064] 21 h Front sleeve section

[0065] 21 i Base section

[0066] 21j Rear sleeve section

[0067] 22 Second connector

[0068] 24 Electronic components, e.g. for EMC and / or explosion protection measures

[0069] 25 Field device interface

[0070] 26 socket strip

[0071] 30 Connector sleeve L Longitudinal axis of the field device

[0072] EL PCB level of the first PCB

[0073] EK contact element end pieces level

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Circular connector, in particular M12 circular connector, for a field device in automation technology with a connector housing part (21a) in which several contact elements (21b) are arranged, the rear contact element end pieces of which are designed for insertion into a socket strip (26), in particular.an SMD socket strip is provided and which, in the assembled state, is arranged in relation to a printed circuit board (20) on which the circular plug connector (21) is to be mounted / arranged, in such a way that a plug-in direction lies in a plug-in direction plane which is aligned parallel to a plane of the printed circuit board (20) on which the circular plug connector (21) is to be mounted / arranged, wherein, in the assembled state of the plug connector, the plug-in connector housing part (21a) is arranged in an area in front of the printed circuit board (20) and adjoins it, and wherein at least three, preferably all of the rear contact element end pieces (21c) lie in a contact element end piece plane (EK).

2. Circular connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the connector housing part (21a), preferably at the end at which the rear contact element end pieces (21c) are arranged for insertion into the socket strip (26), has a means for mechanically locking (21e) the connector housing part (21a) with a plug sleeve (30) surrounding the connector housing part (21a) in the assembled state.

3. Circular connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the means for mechanical locking (21e) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of locking hooks, wherein the locking hooks are preferably designed such that they are formed circumferentially on the connector housing part (21a) as seen in cross section.

4. Circular connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the rear contact element end pieces (21c) are designed such that they correspond to a pitch of the socket strip (26), in particular an SMD socket strip, so that the rear contact element end pieces (21c) can be plugged into the socket strip (26).

5. Circular connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the connector housing part (21a) has a stop (21f) at the end opposite the end at which the rear contact element end pieces (21c) are arranged for insertion into the socket strip (26).

6. Circular connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the stop (21f) is designed as a radially circumferential lip, seen in cross section.

7. Circular connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the connector housing part (21a) has a circumferential recess (21g), in particular in the form of a groove for receiving a sealing ring.

8. Arrangement comprising a circular connector, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, and a printed circuit board (20) with a socket strip (26), wherein the circular connector (21) is arranged in an area in front of the printed circuit board (20) and is plugged into the socket strip (26) with contact element end pieces (21c).

9. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the socket strip (26) is an SMD-equipped socket strip.

10. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the socket strip is arranged, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board, on a circuit board edge (20a) of the circuit board (20). 11 . A field device for automation technology, comprising: a field device housing (12) which, at least in sections, has a substantially rotationally symmetrical region (17) which serves to accommodate at least one first printed circuit board (20), wherein the field device housing (12) further comprises a housing opening (18) in a side wall region of the rotationally symmetrical region (17); the at least one first printed circuit board (20) introduced into the rotationally symmetrical region (17) of the field device housing (12), wherein the at least one first printed circuit board (20) has a socket strip (26) on a printed circuit board edge (20a) and wherein the at least one first printed circuit board (20) is arranged in the rotationally symmetrical region (17) of the field device housing (12) in such a way that a printed circuit board plane (20b) of the first printed circuit board (20) is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the field device housing (L) and the socket strip (26) is directed towards the housing opening (18);a circular connector (21) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein the circular connector (21) is guided outward through the housing opening (18) for contacting by a mating circular connector and is plugged into the socket strip (26) with the rear contact element end pieces (21c); 12. Field device of automation technology according to the preceding claim, further comprising a plug sleeve (30) which is arranged at the housing opening (18) and with the field device housing (12), wherein the connector housing part (21 a) is inserted into the connector sleeve (30) and the rear contact element end pieces (21 c) are plugged into the socket strip (26).

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