Plug connector module for high-frequency data transmission

Abstract

The invention relates to a functional unit (6, 6') which can be joined to a further functional unit (6, 6') to form a plug connector module (5, 5') for a modular industrial plug connector, wherein the functional unit (6, 6') has a data plug connector (7, 7') and wherein the functional unit (6, 6') has a receiving element (11, 1 T) in which the data plug connector (7, 7') is received and which has securing means (14) formed on the outside for interlocking and / or force-locking securing to the further functional unit (6, 6').

Description

[0001]Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Connector module for high-frequency data transmission Description The invention relates to a connector module for high-frequency data transmission according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a connector module according to dependent claim 11 and an industrial connector according to dependent claim 12. Functional units can be variably assembled into different connector modules. Differently functional connector modules are in turn installed in industrial connectors in order to flexibly adapt them to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g., between two electrical devices. Prior art In modular industrial connectors, various types of connector modules are used to flexibly adapt them to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g.,to be able to adapt between two electrical devices. Typically, connector modules are inserted into corresponding mounting frames, sometimes also called hinged frames, module frames, or modular frames. These mounting frames serve to hold several identical and / or different connector modules and securely attach them to a surface and / or a device wall and / or in a connector housing, etc. The connector modules generally each have a cuboid-shaped insulating body or housing. These insulating bodies or housings can, for example, serve as contact carriers and accommodate and secure contacts of various types. The function of a connector formed in this way is therefore very flexible. For example,Pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical energy and / or analog and / or digital electrical signals are integrated into the respective insulating body or housing and thus used in the modular connector system. Increasingly, connector modules are also taking on measurement and data processing tasks. Ideally, mounting frames are used, consisting of two frame halves that are hinged together. The connector modules are equipped with mounting elements that protrude from the narrow sides and are approximately rectangular or cuboid in shape. Recesses, designed as fully enclosed openings, are provided in the side panels of the frame halves, into which the mounting elements are inserted when the connector modules are inserted into the mounting frame. To insert the connector modules, the mounting frame 1 is opened, i.e.,The frame halves are opened, with the hinges only being unfolded enough to allow the insertion of the connector modules. The frame halves are then snapped together, closing the mounting frame. This engages the retaining elements in the recesses, ensuring a secure, positive-locking hold of the connector modules within the mounting frame. The modular industrial connectors described above offer high flexibility and can be configured for a wide variety of applications by combining connector modules with different functions within a single mounting frame. However, the number of connector module slots in a mounting frame is limited, thus restricting the flexibility of an industrial connector. German patent DE 102018115371 A1 discloses a connector module composed of two functional units. Each functional unit constitutes an independent component.The assembled functional units can have different functionalities. This allows module slots of the industrial connector to be occupied by two different functionalities, making such an industrial connector more versatile and simultaneously smaller. However, since the functional units only occupy half a module slot, the functional elements or components must also manage with a smaller installation space. This poses particular problems when high-frequency data transmission is required, because closely adjacent contact elements can lead to signal crosstalk and thus to poor data transmission. The German Patent and Trademark Office searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 102018115371 A1, DE 112018000682 B4, US 2023 / 0352868 A1 and DE 102022124488 A1.Problem Statement: The object of the invention is to provide a functional unit for an industrial connector that, despite its small size, ensures a high data transmission rate and is simultaneously simple and cost-effective to manufacture. The object of the invention is to provide a functional unit for an industrial connector that, despite its compact design, ensures a high data transmission rate and is simultaneously simple and cost-effective to manufacture. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description. The functional unit according to the invention can be combined with another functional unit to form a connector module. The functional units can have different functionalities.For example, a functional unit for high-frequency data transmission and the associated functional unit for high-energy transmission can be configured. It is advantageous that the interconnected functional units are functionally different, as this allows for space-saving utilization of the module slots of an industrial connector. The functional unit according to the invention comprises a data connector. Furthermore, the functional unit comprises a receiving body in which the data connector is received. The receiving body preferably has essentially the shape of a rectangular profile. The receiving body has externally molded fixing means for positive and / or force-fit fixing with the other functional unit. These fixing means can, for example, be configured as shown in DE 102022124488 A1.The relevant disclosure content of DE 102022124488 A1 is incorporated below into the present application. Preferably, the data connector of the functional unit has a two-part housing. Advantageously, the housing halves are made of a metallic material. Alternatively, a first housing half is made of plastic and a second housing half is made of a metallic material. The plastic component can be advantageously manufactured by injection molding. The metallic component can also be advantageously manufactured, for example, by a stamping and bending process and simultaneously offers electrically conductive properties, which are particularly necessary for shielding. Alternatively, a metallic die-casting process is also conceivable. Preferably, the first housing half has locking lugs, and the second housing half has corresponding locking recesses.The two housing parts can be easily snapped together, simplifying the assembly of the functional unit. Preferably, the data connector has an insulating body or contact carrier in which contact elements for electrical data transmission are arranged. The use of different terms for the components comprising the contact elements is purely technical and will be clarified below. Advantageously, the data connector has a cable connection part. The cable connection part is provided for strain relief and shield connection of a connected multi-core cable. This increases the robustness of the functional unit, particularly for use in harsh industrial environments. Preferably, the cable connection part can be partially inserted into a designated contour of the first or second housing half.The cable connector is held in place on the data connector by the interlocking of the two housing halves. Separate fixing of the cable connector to the functional unit is not necessary. Preferably, the cable connector is essentially hollow and cylindrical. It consists of two screw-together parts between which the cable sheath of the connected cable can be fixed by positive and / or frictional engagement. This is also referred to as crimping the connected cable, whereby the force acting on the cable is selected to be only high enough to prevent damage to the cable conductors. The cable shield or braid is electrically connected to the cable connector. The shield potential is transferred to the metallic second housing part via the cable connector.Preferably, the second housing part of the data connector housing, when plugged in, forms an electrical contact with a second housing part of a corresponding mating data connector. This transfers and synchronizes the shield potential of the connector and mating connector. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a metallic shielding cross is arranged in the contact carrier of the data connector. Typically, the contact carrier has a cavity into which the metallic shielding cross is inserted. Preferably, the shielding cross consists of a structure extruded into the cavity with a cross-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the shielding cross is elongated, electrically conductive, and consists of two equal-sided walls perpendicular to each other.The shielding cross forms four segments within the contact carrier, in which the contact elements are electromagnetically shielded from each other in pairs. In particular, the shielding cross provides excellent shielding to prevent crosstalk and protects against external electric and / or magnetic fields. Higher transmission frequencies can be achieved with a shielding cross. Preferably, the data connector has a locking receptacle, preferably on both sides. The receiving body has a corresponding locking tab. This allows the data connector to be locked into the receiving body. Preferably, the locking receptacles and the locking tab have different widths, enabling coding or oriented assembly. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below.Figure 1 shows a connector housing of an industrial connector, Figure 2 shows a mounting frame 2 equipped with various connector modules, Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention, Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a data connector of the first functional unit, Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention, Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a data connector of the second functional unit, Figure 7 shows two connected data connectors of the first functional unit, Figure 8 shows a section through the contact area of ​​the connected data connectors of the first functional unit, Figure 9 shows two connected data connectors of the second functional unit, and Figure 10 shows a section through the contact area of ​​the connected data connectors of the second functional unit. Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations.In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations compared to the object depicted. Figures 3 and 5 show functional units 6, 6' according to the invention. A functional unit 6, 6' forms an independent component. The functional unit 6, 6' can be used independently, that is, without another functional unit connected to it. A functional unit 6, 6' does not only become technically usable by assembling two or more functional units to form a connector module 5, 5'. The functional units 6, 6' of a connector module 5, 5' can operate completely independently of one another.However, it is also possible that the functional units 6, 6' experience a synergistic effect when combined, particularly when sensors of one functional unit are combined with contact elements of another. Figure 1 shows a connector housing 1 of an industrial connector. The connector housing 1 is typically made of a metallic material and is manufactured, in particular, using a zinc die-casting or aluminum die-casting process. Such a connector housing is robust and has good electromagnetic shielding properties, making it particularly suitable for harsh industrial environments. Figure 2 shows a mounting frame 2 equipped with various connector modules 5, 5'. The mounting frame 2 has a frame-like shape and features screws 4 at each of its corners.The connector housing 1 has an approximately rectangular cross-section and features corresponding threaded bores 3 in its corner regions. The mounting frame 2 can be fastened in the connector housing 1 using the screws 4, in conjunction with the associated threaded bores 3. The mounting frame 2 consists of two frame halves 9 that are hinged together. Openings 10 are provided in each frame half 9 of the mounting frame 2, into which the retaining elements 8 of the connector module 5, 5' or connector modules 5, 5' are inserted. When the frame halves 9 are folded together, the retaining elements 8 are fully inserted into the openings 10, thereby creating a positive-locking hold of the connector module 5, 5' or connector modules 5, 5' in the mounting frame 2. Figure 3 shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of a functional unit 6 according to the invention.The functional unit 6 comprises a data connector 7 and a receiving body 11 encompassing the data connector 7. The receiving body 11 has externally molded fixing means 12, which are provided for positive and / or force-fit fixing with the further functional unit. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a data connector 7 used in the first embodiment of the functional unit. The data connector 7 has a two-part housing 13. Both housing halves 13a and 13b are made of a metallic material. The first housing half 13a has externally molded locking lugs 14. The second housing half 13b has locking recesses 15 corresponding to the locking lugs 14. The two housing halves 13a and 13b can thus be locked together.The data connector 7 has an insulating body 16 in which contact elements 17 for electrical data transmission with a mating connector are arranged. The data connector 7 has a cable connection part 18. The cable connection part can also be referred to as a cable clamp. The cable connection part 18 is designed for both strain relief and shield connection of a connected multi-core cable (not shown). The cable connection part 18 consists of two metallic elements that are joined or screwed together on opposite sides, each by means of a screw 4. The cable to be connected (not shown) is securely clamped between the two elements. The braided shield (not shown) of the cable is in electrical contact with the cable connection part. The cable connection part 18 can be inserted into a corresponding contour 19 of the first housing half 13a of the data connector 7.When the housing 13 is assembled, the potential of the cable's shield braid is transferred via the cable connection part 18 to the housing 13, or to both housing halves 13a and 13b. The data connector 7 has a locking receptacle 20. The receiving body 11 has a corresponding locking tab 21. The locking receptacle 20 and the locking tab 21 on the back are not visible in the figure, but are present. This allows the data connector 7 to be locked into the receiving body. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a functional unit 6' according to the invention as an exploded view. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment essentially by a different data connector 7'. Similar functioning elements have already been described in the first embodiment and are not described again here. The data connector 7' used here is shown in Figure 6.The data connector 7' has a two-part housing 13, the housing halves 13a, 13b of which can be locked together via corresponding locking mechanisms 14, 15 – analogous to the first embodiment. The data connector 7' has a contact carrier 16' in which contact elements 17' are arranged. The data connector 7' has a shielding cross 21. This is a metallic component which has the geometric shape of a cross extruded into space. The shielding cross 21 is arranged largely within the contact carrier 16'. The shielding cross forms four segments S, in each of which two contact elements 17' are arranged (i.e., in pairs). The contact element pairs are electromagnetically shielded from each other. This prevents signal crosstalk and achieves better data transmission quality. At the same time, higher frequencies orData transmission rates are achieved. Figure 7 shows two connected data connectors 6 of the first embodiment of the functional unit 6. Figure 8 shows section A...A from Figure 7. It can be seen that the housings 13 of the data connector 7 and the mating data connector make electrical contact at two transfer points 22, thereby achieving, in particular, shield transfer. Figure 9 shows two connected data connectors 6' of the second embodiment of the functional unit 6'. Figure 10 shows section B...B from Figure 9. It can be seen that the housings 13' of the data connector 7' and the mating data connector make electrical contact at a transfer point 22. The shield crosses 21 of the connectors also make contact when connected. This ensures shield transfer and, in particular, good data integrity in the connection area.Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to the person skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature sets from different embodiments can be interchanged. Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Connector module for high-frequency data transmission Reference numerals 1 Connector housing 2 Mounting frame 3 Threaded hole 4 Screw 5 Connector module 6 Functional unit 7 Data connector 8 Mounting means 9 Frame half 10 Opening 11 Receiving body 12 Fixing means 13 Housing 13a First housing half 13b Second housing half 14 Locking lug 15 Locking recesses 16 Insulating body, contact carrier 17 Contact element 18 Cable connection part. 19 Kontur 20 Resting position 21 Umbrella cross 22 Transfer point 23 Resting tab S SegmentA...A Cut B...B Cut

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Connector module for high-frequency data transmission Claims 1. Functional unit (6, 6') which can be joined with a further functional unit (6, 6') to form a connector module (5, 5') for a modular industrial connector, wherein the functional unit (6, 6') has a data connector (7, 7') and wherein the functional unit (6, 6') has a receiving body (11, 11') in which the data connector (7, 7') is received and which has externally molded fixing means (14) for form-fit and / or force-fit fixing with the further functional unit (6, 6').

2. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the data connector (7, 7') has a two-part housing (13, 13'), wherein both housing halves (13a, 13b) are made of an electrically conductive material.Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to the preceding claim characterized in that the first housing half (13a) has locking lugs (14) and that the second housing half (13b) has locking recesses (15) corresponding to the locking lugs (14), or vice versa, so that the two housing halves (13a, 13b) can be locked together.

4. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (7, 7') has an insulating body (16) or contact carrier (16') in which contact elements (14, 14') are preferably arranged for electrical data transmission.

5. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (7, 7') has a cable connection part (18) which is provided for strain relief and / or shield connection of a connected multi-core cable. 6.Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to claim 2 and the preceding claim, characterized in that the cable connection part (18) can be inserted into a contour (19) provided for this purpose in the first and / or second housing half (13a, 13b) and is held on the data connector (7, 7') by snapping the two housing halves (13a, 13b) together.

7. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that the cable connection part (18) is essentially hollow cylindrical and consists of two screwable parts between which the cable sheath of the connected cable can be fixed by positive and / or force-fit.

8. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to one of the preceding claims 2-7, characterized in that the second housing part (13b) of the housing (13, 13') of the data connector (7, 7') forms a contact contact with a second housing part (13b) of a corresponding mating data connector when plugged in.

9. Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically conductive shielding cross (21) is arranged in the contact carrier (16') of the data connector (7'), which advantageously forms four segments in which the contact elements (17') are shielded from each other in pairs. 10.Functional unit (6, 6') for a modular industrial connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connector (7, 7') has a locking receptacle (20) and that the receiving body (11, 11') has a corresponding locking tab (23) so that the data connector (7, 7') can be locked into the receiving body (11, 11').

11. Connector module (5, 5') which is composed of two functional units (6, 6'), wherein at least one functional unit (6, 6') is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Industrial connector which has at least one connector module (5, 5') according to a preceding claim.

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