An adaptor and use of an adaptor

Abstract

Disclosed is an adaptor (1) comprising an adaptor body (2) having a plug part (3) arranged at a plug end (4) of the adaptor body (2) and a socket part (5) arranged in a socket end (6) of the adaptor body (2), wherein the socket end (6) includes a socket end face (7), and the plug end (4) includes a plug end face (8), and wherein the socket end face (7) and the plug end face (8) are arranged opposite each other. The adaptor body (2) further comprises a connector side (9) and a guide side (10) arranged opposite each other, wherein the connector side (9) and the guide side (10) are extending between the socket end (6) and the plug end (4). The plug part (3) comprises a number of plug contact elements (11) arranged side by side and parallel to each other, wherein the number of plug contact elements (11) are extending from the plug end face (8) towards the socket end face (7) at the connector side (9). The socket part (5) comprises a socket hole (12) extending from the socket end face (7) and into the adaptor body (2), wherein the socket hole (12) has a cylindrical shape forming an inner cylindrical surface (13) and an axially extending socket centre axis (14). The socket part (5) further comprises a number of socket contact elements (15) each arranged, at least partly, at the inner cylindrical surface (13) and the adaptor (1) further comprises signal conductors (16), connecting each of the number of plug contact elements (11) to a socket contact element of the number of socket contact elements (15), and wherein the plug contact elements (11) are overlapping the socket hole (12) in a direction of the axially extending socket centre axis (14). Use of an adaptor (1) is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] AN ADAPTOR AND USE OF AN ADAPTOR

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to an adaptor comprising an adaptor body having a plug part arranged at a plug end of the adaptor body and a socket part arranged in a socket end of the adaptor body, wherein the socket end includes a socket end face, and the plug end includes a plug end face, and wherein the socket end face and the plug end face are arranged opposite each other. The adaptor body further comprises a connector side and a guide side arranged opposite each other, wherein the connector side and the guide side are extending between the socket end and the plug end. The invention further relates to use of an adaptor.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Ethernet is a family of wired computer networking technologies. Ethernet is commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). In an Ethernet, networking hardware - such as computers, switches, routers, servers and other - are connected by means of Ethernet cables. Today most home and corporate Ethernet cables comprise eight individually insulated wires arranged in twisted pairs and provided with an 8P8C modular connector at both ends. The cable may be a shielded or unshielded. Twisted pair cabling is a form of wiring in which pairs of wires (the forward and return conductors of a single circuit) are twisted together for the purposes of cancelling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other wire pairs and from external sources. Twisted pair cabling is used in short patch cables and in the longer runs in structured cabling.

[0006] However, the 8P8C (8 position 8 contact) modular connector - also very often referred to as a RJ45 connector - is quite chunky and typically includes a locking pin that has a tendency to catch anything it parses. So, if an Ethernet cable have to be laid in an existing structure an opening with a diameter of 17 mm has to be made to get the 8P8C modular connector through walls, panels and other and the diameter of guide tubes, cable trays and other for guiding cables around a building has to be relatively big. Therefore, the cables are often laid without 8P8C modular connectors, and these are then mounted once the cable is in place. But mounting 8P8C modular connectors on an Ethernet cable is difficult and requires specialist tools and knowledge. The chunkiness of the 8P8C modular connector also means that the corresponding socket becomes big and chunky which is very disadvantageous in general because the space required by the socket is almost always an issue - and particularly in relation to smaller devices such as laptops, tablets and other where the general size is an issue this problem is pronounced.

[0007] Furthermore, in the cable the wires are typically arranged in a circular configuration and when they are connected to an 8P8C modular connector they have to be arranged in a linear configuration side by side. This transformation entails that a relatively large part of the twisted pairs has to be unwind which increases the risk of electromagnetic interference.

[0008] However, the 8P8C modular connector is a predominant industrial standard and for this to be changed some sort of adaptor is needed that will allow preplacement of 8P8C modular connector on cables etc.

[0009] Thus, from the international patent application WO 2011 / 035160 A2 it is known to provide a network cable with a plug assembly formed by a sleeve and a connector assembly, wherein the connector assembly comprises a plug part, a connector body and contacts. WO 2011 / 035160 A2 further discloses a socket assembly where one end is adapted for electrical communication with an RJ-type jack. However, this socket assembly complex, chunky and expensive.

[0010] From the US patent US 6,010,369 connectors for connecting electrical signal lines are known and from US patent application US 2005 / 0014404 an electrical connector assembly is known, but these are also complex, chunky and expensive. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a cost-efficient adaptor that will alleviate the above disadvantages.

[0011] The invention

[0012] The invention provides for an adaptor comprising an adaptor body having a plug part arranged at a plug end of the adaptor body and a socket part arranged in a socket end of the adaptor body, wherein the socket end includes a socket end face, and the plug end includes a plug end face, and wherein the socket end face and the plug end face are arranged opposite each other. The adaptor body further comprises a connector side and a guide side arranged opposite each other, wherein the connector side and the guide side are extending between the socket end and the plug end. The plug part comprises a number of plug contact elements arranged side by side and parallel to each other, wherein the number of plug contact elements are extending from the plug end face towards the socket end face at the connector side. The socket part comprises a socket hole extending from the socket end face and into the adaptor body, wherein the socket hole has a cylindrical shape forming an inner cylindrical surface and an axially extending socket centre axis. The socket part further comprises a number of socket contact elements each arranged, at least partly, at the inner cylindrical surface and the adaptor further comprises signal conductors, connecting each of the number of plug contact elements to a socket contact element of the number of socket contact elements. The plug contact elements are overlapping the socket hole in a direction of the axially extending socket centre axis.

[0013] Providing the adaptor body with both a plug part and a socket part is advantageous in that the adaptor hereby can be formed more compact. Furthermore, providing the plug part with plug contact elements arranged side by side and parallel to each other is advantageous in that this enables that the adaptor may fit in existing RJ-type sockets. Even further, forming the socket part as a cylindrical socket hole a number of socket contact elements each arranged at the inner cylindrical surface and provide signal conductors, connecting each of the number of plug contact elements to a socket contact element of the number of socket contact elements, is advantageous in that this enables that a corresponding cylindrical plug can be inserted in the socket hole so that corresponding contact element of the plug can make good electrical contact with the socket contact elements. The cylindrically shape of the socket hole and thereby the corresponding plug is advantageous in that the circumscribed circle of the plug hereby can be made much smaller - even as small as the cable the plug is connected to - thereby making it much easier to laid cables with connector plugs fitted and thereby reducing the risk of people having to mount connector plugs to the cable themselves. Furthermore, cylindrical shape of the socket hole and thereby the corresponding plug enables easier connection of the circularly arranged wires in the cable to the circular shaped plug thereby reducing the risk of electromagnetic interference.

[0014] Making the plug contact elements and the socket hole overlap each other in the axial direction of the socket hole is advantageous in that the adaptor body hereby can be formed very compact and inexpensive.

[0015] Furthermore, the cylindrical socket hole entails that the socket contact elements can be arranged along the inner cylindrical surface of the socket hole, hereby protecting the socket contact elements and enabling that the socket can be formed very compact. And forming the socket contact elements at the inner cylindrical surface is advantageous in that the plug contact elements of a corresponding plug hereby easily can form contact with the socket contact elements either by the socket contact elements extending radially inwards to make contact with the plug contact elements or the plug contact elements extending radially outwards to make contact with the socket contact elements or both.

[0016] In this context, the term “plug” should be understood as the male part - i.e. the protruding part - of a plug and socket arrangement. Thus, a plug is the protruding part which is inserted into a corresponding socket so that at least a protruding part of the plug is protruding into a corresponding receptacle - such as a hole, opening, indentation or other - in a female socket. Likewise, in this context, the term “socket” should be understood as the female part - i.e. the receptacle part - of a plug and socket arrangement. Thus, a socket is in this context a device that includes an opening, a hole, an indentation or other in which a corresponding protruding part of a male plug is inserted into.

[0017] Also, in this context, the term “contact element” should be understood as any kind of pin, plate, spade, rod or other capable of forming a contact surface for establishing electrical contact.

[0018] Furthermore, in this context, the term “cylindrically shape” should be understood as any kind of fully cylindrical shape - i.e. formed as a circular cylinder - and all other shapes closely resembling a fully cylindrical shape. I.e., the term also includes a many- sided polygonal shape, a slightly oval or elliptical shape and any other shape that closely resembles a fully cylindrical shape.

[0019] In an aspect of the invention, a number of socket element grooves are extending axially in the inner cylindrical surface and wherein the number of socket contact elements are each arranged, at least partly, in a socket element groove of the number of socket element grooves.

[0020] Providing the inner cylindrical surface of the socket hole with axially extending socket element grooves is advantageous in that these socket element grooves hereby can act as a guide for contact elements of a corresponding plug and thereby increase the chance of good contact between the socket contact elements and the corresponding contact elements of the plug. Furthermore, arranging each of the socket contact elements, at least partly, in a socket element groove is advantageous in that the socket contact elements hereby is better protected - particularly against sidewards bending - hereby increasing the chance of good electrical contact with contact element of a corresponding plug.

[0021] In an aspect of the invention, a protruding free element end of each of the number of socket contact elements is arranged inside the number of socket element grooves. Arranging the protruding free element end of the socket contact elements inside the socket element grooves is advantageous in that the chance of the protruding free element end catching the plug (incorrectly) or anything else being inserted in the socket is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of the socket contact elements being bend or damaged. Furthermore, directing the protruding free element end of the socket contact elements back inside the socket element grooves is advantageous in that this radial displacement of the socket contact elements along their axial extend enables that an inherent flexibility of the socket contact elements can be used for forcing the socket contact elements against corresponding contact elements of an inserted plug to generate a good electrical contact between these parts.

[0022] In an aspect of the invention, each of the number of socket element grooves comprises a groove end wall arranged at the protruding free element end.

[0023] Providing the socket element grooves with a groove end wall arranged at the protruding free element end of the socket contact elements is advantageous in that when the socket contact elements are straightened out a little by a radial push generated by an inserted corresponding plug, the protruding free element end will be pushed against the groove end wall which will generate an even harder radially inwards push of the socket contact elements against the corresponding contact elements of the inserted plug.

[0024] In an aspect of the invention, at least a contact part of each of the number of socket contact elements is protruding radially into the socket hole.

[0025] Making a contact part of the socket contact elements protrude radially into the socket hole is advantageous in that this enables that the outer surface of the corresponding plug can be formed more smoothly, thereby making it easier to lay a cable with plugs mounted. Furthermore, this entails that the plug can be formed without any moving parts in that the protruding socket contact elements can reach into the socket hole and make contact with the corresponding plug contact elements.

[0026] In an aspect of the invention, the contact part is arranged at a protruding free element end of each of the number of socket contact elements.

[0027] Arranging the contact part at the protruding free element end of the socket contact elements is advantageous in that this enables that a radial flexibility of the socket contact elements can generate a force that presses the contact part against a corresponding part of an inserted plug to form good electrical contact.

[0028] In an aspect of the invention, the contact part is convex in relation to the inner cylindrical surface.

[0029] Forming the socket contact elements so that they are curving radially inwards towards the socket centre axis at the contact parts is advantageous in that the curvature of the socket contact elements at the contact part will better guide an inserted plug into its correct position and in that the curvature forms a natural spring element that will force the contact part against the plug to establish good electrical contact.

[0030] In an aspect of the invention, the socket hole comprises a socket opening at an opening end of the socket hole, and a socket bottom at a bottom end of the socket hole and wherein a protruding free element end of each of the number of socket contact elements is protruding from the bottom end towards the opening end.

[0031] Making the socket contact elements protrude from the bottom end towards the opening end of the socket hole is advantageous in that there is more space to fix the socket contact elements at the bottom end of the socket hole and in that it is easy to form the socket contact elements radially flexible. In an aspect of the invention, the socket hole comprises a socket opening at an opening end of the socket hole, and a socket bottom at a bottom end of the socket hole and wherein a protruding free element end of each of the number of socket contact elements is protruding in a direction from the opening end towards the bottom end.

[0032] Making the socket contact elements protrude from the opening end towards the bottom end of the socket hole is advantageous in that it hereby is easier to form the socket contact elements as guides for the plug and in that the risk of the protruding free element end of the socket contact elements catching the plug or anything else inserted in the socket is reduced.

[0033] In an aspect of the invention, the socket hole is a blind hole.

[0034] Forming the socket hole as a blind hole is advantageous in that the interior of the socket hole is hereby better protected against ingress of dirt, moisture or other - particularly when a plug is inserted.

[0035] In an aspect of the invention, the number of socket contact elements are substantially evenly distributed around the axially extending socket centre axis.

[0036] Distributing socket contact elements substantially evenly around the axially extending socket centre axis is advantageous in that this will maximise that space between all socket contact elements, thereby making it easier to fit the socket contact elements and to design the corresponding plug so that it makes contact with the socket contact elements.

[0037] In an aspect of the invention, the socket part comprises eight socket contact elements.

[0038] A standard Ethernet cable (RJ45) comprises eight individual wires and it is therefore advantageous to provide the adaptor socket with eight socket contact elements in that the socket can hereby replace 8P8C sockets (as used for RJ45, RJ49, RJ61 and in relation to other registered jack (RJ) standardized telecommunication network interfaces), 6P6C and 6P4C sockets (as used with RJ25, RJ14, and RJ11) and 4P4C sockets, used for connecting a telephone handset and base.

[0039] In an aspect of the invention, the adaptor comprises the same number of plug contact elements, signal conductors, and socket contact elements.

[0040] Providing the adaptor comprises the same number of plug contact elements, signal conductors, and socket contact elements is advantageous in that a more cost-efficient adaptor is hereby formed.

[0041] In an aspect of the invention, all of the signal conductors substantially have the same length.

[0042] Forming all the signal conductors with substantially the same length is advantageous in that the risk of signal delay through the adaptor is hereby reduced.

[0043] In an aspect of the invention, all of the number of plug contact elements are substantially identical.

[0044] Forming all plug contact elements substantially identical will simplify production and assembly and thereby reduce production cost. Furthermore, substantially identical plug contact elements will reduce the risk of signal delay through the adaptor.

[0045] In an aspect of the invention, all of the number of socket contact elements are substantially identical.

[0046] Forming all socket contact elements substantially identical will simplify production and assembly and thereby reduce production cost. Furthermore, substantially identical socket contact elements will reduce the risk of signal delay through the adaptor. In an aspect of the invention, the number of socket contact elements are arranged to be flexible in a radial direction of the socket hole.

[0047] Forming the socket contact elements so that they are flexible in the radial direction of the socket hole is advantageous in that this flexibility will ensure that the socket contact elements are pushed firmly against the corresponding plug contact elements of a plug inserted in the socket to establish good electrical contact between the socket and the plug.

[0048] In an aspect of the invention, the inner cylindrical surface of the socket hole comprises a socket guide groove or a socket guide protrusion.

[0049] Providing the inner cylindrical surface of the socket hole with a socket guide groove or a socket guide protrusion is advantageous in that this enables that a corresponding plug having a mating plug guide groove or plug guide protrusion can only be inserted with the correct orientation in the socket.

[0050] In an aspect of the invention, the socket part comprises locking means protruding into the socket hole.

[0051] Providing the connector socket with locking means protruding into the socket hole is advantageous in that this enables that the locking means more easily can engage a corresponding locking groove of a corresponding plug.

[0052] In an aspect of the invention, the locking means are arranged to engage a corresponding locking grove of a corresponding connector plug inserted in the socket hole. Hereby is achieved an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

[0053] In an aspect of the invention, the locking means are formed integrally with the number of socket contact elements or integrally with the adaptor body. Forming the locking means integrally with the socket contact elements is advantageous in that no extra parts are needed to form the locking means, hereby reducing cost of the socket. And forming the locking means integrally with the socket body is advantageous in that this enables that the locking means can be located in a more advantageous position and that it can be designed more freely regarding its purpose.

[0054] In an aspect of the invention, the socket end face and the plug end face are parallel.

[0055] Forming the socket end face and the plug end face parallel is advantageous in that the socket hole hereby extents in the direction in which the adaptor is moved to insert the plug end of the adaptor into a socket, hereby enabling a more compact adaptor design.

[0056] In an aspect of the invention, the connector side and the guide side are parallel.

[0057] Forming the connector side and the guide side parallel is advantageous in that this makes the adaptor fit better in standard RJ45 sockets.

[0058] In an aspect of the invention, the number of plug contact elements are extending from the plug end face towards the socket end face at the connector side in a direction parallel to the axially extending socket centre axis.

[0059] Making the plug contact elements extend from the plug end face towards the socket end face at the connector side in a direction parallel to the axially extending socket centre axis is advantageous in that the plug contact elements hereby can extent past the internal socket hole, hereby enabling a more compact adaptor. Furthermore, this design provides a better fit with standard RJ45 sockets.

[0060] In an aspect of the invention, each of the number of plug contact elements are formed integrally with a signal conductor of the signal conductors. Forming each of the plug contact elements integrally with each of the signal conductors is advantageous in that this simplifies production, handling and assembly and it reduces the risk of bad electrical connection between the plug contact elements and the signal conductors.

[0061] In an aspect of the invention, each of the number of socket contact elements are formed integrally with a signal conductor of the signal conductors.

[0062] Forming each of the socket contact elements integrally with each of the signal conductors is advantageous in that this simplifies production, handling and assembly and it reduces the risk of bad electrical connection between the socket contact elements and the signal conductors.

[0063] In an aspect of the invention, the plug part further comprises a number of plug contact element grooves formed in the connector side and extending from the plug end face towards the socket end face, and wherein the number of plug contact elements are each arranged, at least partly, in a plug contact element groove of the number of plug contact element grooves.

[0064] Forming plug contact element grooves in the connector side and arranging the plug contact elements in these plug contact element grooves is advantageous in that the plug contact elements hereby is better protected and in that the plug part hereby better fits a standard RJ45 socket.

[0065] In an aspect of the invention, an adaptor guide protrusion is protruding from the guide side.

[0066] Arranging an adaptor guide protrusion on the guide side of the adaptor is advantageous in that this will ensure that the adaptor can only be inserted in an RJ45 socket when it is inserted with the correct orientation. In an aspect of the invention, the adaptor body is monolithically formed.

[0067] Forming the adaptor body monolithically - e.g., by casting it as one single “block” in a casting process - will simplify production and assembly.

[0068] In an aspect of the invention, the number of plug contact elements, the number of socket contact elements, and / or the signal conductors comprise metal.

[0069] Forming the plug contact elements, the number of socket contact elements, and / or the signal conductors from metal is advantageous in that most metals are excellent conductors of electricity will at the same time it is easy to form metal into complex shapes. Furthermore, at least the socket contact elements have to be manipulated and bent to establish good electrical contact with the corresponding plug and metal have excellent flexibility.

[0070] In an aspect of the invention, the metal comprises cobber, aluminium or silver.

[0071] Cobber, aluminium and silver are both durable and excellent at conducting electrical signals.

[0072] In an aspect of the invention, the adaptor body comprises a polymer material, such as plastic.

[0073] Forming the adaptor body from a polymer material is advantageous in that polymer material has good electrical insulating qualities and can easily be given complex shapes in a moulding process.

[0074] In an aspect of the invention, the socket hole has a socket diameter of between 4 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 4.5 mm and 11 mm and most preferred between 5 mm and 10 mm. If the socket diameter is too big the corresponding plug will get too chunky and the risk of the plug catching something - when a cable with plugs is drawn through a structure - increases. Furthermore, if the socket diameter is too big it becomes too difficult to form a compact adaptor. However, if the socket diameter is too little it becomes too difficult to fit the socket contact elements inside the socket hole and the risk of short circuits and bad contact with an inserted plug increases. Thus, the present size ranges present an advantageous relationship in relation to usability and function.

[0075] In an aspect of the invention, an adaptor length of the adaptor body between the socket end face and the plug end face is betweenlO mm and 20 mm, preferably between 11 mm and 17 mm, and most preferred between 12 mm and 15 mm.

[0076] If the size of the adaptor body between the socket end face and the plug end face is too big, the adaptor becomes too expensive, and the adaptor body will protrude out of a standard 8P8C modular connector socket whereby the adaptor will take up unnecessarily much space and the risk of damage to the adaptor increases. However, if the adaptor length of the adaptor body is too little it becomes too difficult to position and maintain the adaptor correctly in a corresponding socket and it becomes too difficult to fit and maintain a corresponding plug correctly in in the socket hole. Thus, the present length ranges are advantageous in relation to functionality and durability.

[0077] In an aspect of the invention, the plug contact elements are overlapping the socket hole between 0.3 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and most preferred between 0.8 mm and 3 mm in the direction of the axially extending socket centre axis.

[0078] If the plug contact elements are overlapping the socket hole too much the adaptor becomes too difficult to design and it becomes too expensive to manufacture. However, if the plug contact elements are overlapping the socket hole too little the adaptor becomes too big and thereby also too expensive to manufacture. Thus, the present overlap ranges are advantageous in relation to design and cost. The invention further relates to use of an adaptor according to any of the previously discussed adaptors as an ethernet adaptor.

[0079] Using the adaptor as an Ethernet adaptor is advantageous in that in relation to Ethernets the standard RJ45 design is practically the only design on the market, and it is therefore advantageous to use the present adaptor as an Ethernet adaptor in that this enables the introduction of a cylindrical plug that will make it easier to lay Ethernet cables comprising pre-mounted plugs in an existing structure.

[0080] Figures

[0081] The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which. fig. 1 illustrates an adaptor, as seen in an isometric view, fig. 2 illustrates an adaptor, as seen from the back, fig. 3 illustrates a cross section through the middle of an adaptor, as seen from the side, fig. 4 illustrates a tilted cross section through an adaptor at two signal conductors, as seen from the top, fig. 5 illustrates an assembled adaptor, as seen in an isometric view, and fig. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an adaptor, as seen in an isometric view. Detailed description

[0082] Fig. 1 illustrates an adaptor 1, as seen in an isometric view, fig. 2 illustrates an adaptor 1, as seen from the back, fig. 3 illustrates a cross section through the middle of an adaptor 1, as seen from the side, and fig. 4 illustrates a tilted cross section through an adaptor 1 at two signal conductors 16, as seen from the top.

[0083] In this embodiment the adaptor 1 comprises an adaptor body 2 with a plug part 3 arranged at a plug end 4 of the adaptor body 2 and a socket part 5 arranged in a socket end 6 of the adaptor body 2. In this embodiment the socket end 6 includes a socket end face 7 arranged to face the opposite direction than a plug end face 8 of the plug end 4 and in this embodiment the socket end face 7 is provided with a cylindrical socket hole 12 extending into the adaptor body 2, so that the socket hole 12 forms an inner cylindrical surface 13 and an axially extending socket centre axis 14.

[0084] The adaptor body 2 further comprises a connector side 9 and a guide side 10 arranged on opposite sides of the adaptor body 2, so that the connector side 9 and the guide side 10 in this case are extending all the way between the socket end 6 and the plug end 4. However, in another embodiment the connector side 9 and / or the guide side 10 would only extend some of the way between the socket end 6 and the plug end 4. In this embodiment the socket end face 7 and the plug end face 8 are parallel to each other and the connector side 9 and the guide side 10 are parallel to each other and in this embodiment the socket end face 7 and the plug end face 8 are both arranged perpendicular to the connector side 9 and the guide side 10 so that in this embodiment the adaptor body 2 is formed as a cuboid. However, it would be known to the skilled person that an adaptor 1 can be given a multitude of different shapes, e.g., to fit into a specific device or socket, to optimise material usage, to increase functionality or other. I.e., in another embodiment the adaptor body 2 could be formed cylindrically, as a cube, or be given a more complex shape. Also, in another embodiment the socket end face 7 and the plug end face 8 would not be parallel to each other - e.g., if the socket end face 7 and / or the plug end face 8 was tilted at least slightly - e.g., in relation axially extending socket centre axis 14 - so that the socket end face 7 and / or the plug end face 8 would not be perpendicular to the connector side 9 and the guide side 10. Likewise, in another embodiment the connector side 9 and / or the guide side 10 would not be parallel to each other - e.g., if the connector side 9 and / or the guide side 10 was tilted at least slightly in relation to each other and / or in relation to the axially extending socket centre axis 14.

[0085] In this embodiment the adaptor body 2 is given an outer shape corresponding to an 8P8C modular plug so that the adaptor 1 matches the inner shape of a corresponding 8P8C modular socket and thereby can be inserted in a corresponding 8P8C modular socket. In this embodiment the length AL of the adaptor body 2 - i.e., the distance between the socket end face 7 and the plug end face 8 - is 13.15 mm. Thus, in this embodiment the adaptor body 2 is approximately as long as a corresponding standard 8P8C modular socket is deep so that in this embodiment the adaptor 1 will be substantially flush with the entrance opening side of the corresponding standard 8P8C modular socket when the adaptor 1 is fully and correctly inserted in the 8P8C modular socket. However, in another embodiment the length AL of the adaptor body 2 could be longer - such as 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm or even longer - e.g., to enable that the socket hole 12 could extend deeper into the adaptor body 2, to enable that it was easier to remove the adaptor 1 from the corresponding socket, or other. Or in another embodiment the length AL of the adaptor body 2 could be shorter - such as 12 mm, 11 mm, 10 mm or even longer - e.g., to make the adaptor 1 even more compact, to reduce cost of the adaptor 1 or other.

[0086] In this embodiment an adaptor guide protrusion 29 is protruding from the guide side 10 of the adaptor body 2 so that the adaptor 1 can only be inserted in a corresponding 8P8C modular socket when it has the correct orientation. However, in another embodiment the adaptor body 2 would not comprise an adaptor guide protrusion 29 or the adaptor guide protrusion 29 would be designed differently (e.g., to match another RJ socket standard or another socket standard). In this embodiment the adaptor body 2 is monolithically formed from plastic - i.e., in this embodiment the adaptor body 2 is formed as one single block of plastic in a casting process. However, in another embodiment the adaptor body 2 could also or instead comprise another polymer material, such as rubber, wood or other, it could also or instead comprise metal, a composite material, glass, ceramic or other or any combination thereof as long as at least the relevant parts of the material, that the adaptor body 2 is made from, preferably is at least a fairly good electrical insulator. Also, in another embodiment the adaptor body 2 could be formed as more than one assembled parts.

[0087] In this embodiment the plug part 3 comprises eight plug contact elements 11 arranged side by side and parallel to each other, so that the plug contact elements 11 are extending a plug element length PL of around 3.5 mm from the plug end face 8 towards the socket end face 7 at the connector side 9 of the adaptor body 2 and so that the adaptor 1 may be use as an Ethernet adaptor 1. However, in another embodiment the adaptor 1 could comprise fewer plug contact elements 11 - such as six, five three or even less - or more plug contact elements 11 - such as nine, ten, twelve or even more

[0088] - e.g., depending on the specific use or other. And / or the plug element length PL of the plug contact elements 11 could be longer - such as 4 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm or even longer

[0089] - or the plug element length PL of the plug contact elements 11 could be shorter - such as 3 mm, 2.5 mm, 2 mm or even shorter - e.g., depending on the specific use, the RJ type or other. In this embodiment the plug contact elements 11 are extending from the plug end face 8 towards the socket end face 7 in a direction parallel to the axially extending socket centre axis 14

[0090] In this embodiment the plug part 3 further comprises eight plug contact element grooves 28 formed in the connector side 9 and extending from the plug end face 8 towards the socket end face 7 so that the eight plug contact elements 11 are each arranged in these plug contact element groove 28 to make the plug part 3 correspond the design of a standard 8P8C modular plug and to better protect the plug contact elements 11. However, in another embodiment the plug part 3 would comprise another number of plug contact element grooves 28 - preferably corresponding to the number of plug contact elements 11 - and / or the plug part 3 would not comprise plug contact element grooves 28 and the plug contact elements 11 would instead be located in or on the connector side 9 or in or on an indentation in the connector side 9.

[0091] In this embodiment the socket hole 12 is a blind hole but in another embodiment the socket hole 12 could be a through hole extending all the way through the adaptor body 2 in which case the adaptor body 2 would comprise some sort of stop (not shown) ensuring that a corresponding plug could not be pushed all the way through the adaptor body 2. In this embodiment the socket hole 12 has a socket hole depth SHD of around

[0092] 11 mm but in another embodiment the socket hole depth SHD of the socket hole 12 could be deeper - such as 12 mm, 14 mm, 17 mm or even deeper - or the socket hole depth SHD of the socket hole 12 could be shorter - such as 10 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm or even shorter - e.g., depending on the design of the corresponding plug, the design of the adaptor body 2, the specific use or other. In this embodiment the socket hole 12 has a socket diameter SD of around 7 millimetres but in another embodiment the socket diameter SD could be bigger - such as 8, 9, 13 millimetres or even bigger - or the socket diameter SD could be smaller - such as 6, 3.5, 3 millimetres or even smaller - e.g., depending on the design of the corresponding plug, the design of the adaptor body 2, the specific use or other.

[0093] In this embodiment the plug contact elements 11 are all overlapping the socket hole

[0094] 12 in the direction of the axially extending socket centre axis 14, enabling that the adaptor body 2 can be formed very compact so that the length AL of the adaptor body 2 is approximately as long as the depth of a corresponding standard 8P8C modular socket. However, in another embodiment only some of the plug contact elements 11 would be overlapping the socket hole 12. Thus, in this embodiment the socket hole depth SHD plus the plug element length PL is greater than the length AL of the adaptor body 2. In this embodiment plug contact elements 11 are overlapping the socket hole 12 by

[0095] I.35 mm in the direction of the axially extending socket centre axis 14. However, in another embodiment the plug contact elements 11 could be overlapping the socket hole 12 more - such as by 2.2 mm, 3.7 mm, 4.6 mm or even more - or the plug contact elements 11 could be overlapping the socket hole 12 less - such as by 1.2 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.3 mm or even less - e.g., depending on the specific use of the adaptor 1, the design of the plug contact elements 11 and / or the socket hole 12 or other.

[0096] In this embodiment the adaptor 1 also comprises eight socket contact elements 15 substantially evenly distributed around the axially extending socket centre axis 14 inside the socket hole 12 at the inner cylindrical surface 13. However, in another embodiment the socket contact elements 15 could be distributed in another pattern - e.g., by alternately being arranged at different distances from the axially extending socket centre axis 14, by socket contact elements 15 being arranged closer together in pairs (i.e., not evenly distributed around the axially extending socket centre axis 14) or in another configuration e.g., depending on the specific use or other.

[0097] In this embodiment the adaptor 1 comprises eight socket contact elements 15 so that the adaptor 1 may be use as an Ethernet adaptor 1. However, in another embodiment the adaptor 1 could comprise fewer socket contact elements 15 - such as six, five three or even less - or more socket contact elements 15 - such as nine, ten, twelve or even more - e.g., depending on the specific use or other. However, preferably the adaptor 1 comprises the same number of socket contact elements 15 and plug contact elements

[0098] I I.

[0099] In this embodiment socket element grooves 17 are extending axially in the inner cylindrical surface 13 and in this embodiment the socket contact elements 15 are each partly arranged in one of these socket element grooves 17. However, in another embodiment the inner cylindrical surface 13 would not comprise socket element grooves 17 and the socket contact elements 15 would be arranged inside the inner cylindrical surface 13, be integrated in the inner cylindrical surface 13, protrude from the inner cylindrical surface 13 or other or any combination thereof.

[0100] In this embodiment a contact part 20 of each of the socket contact elements 15 is protruding radially into the socket hole 12 so that at least this contact part 20 of each of the socket contact elements 15 will make contact with corresponding contact parts of a corresponding connector plug (not shown) when such a corresponding connector plug is inserted in the socket hole 12 of the adaptor 1.

[0101] In this embodiment the socket hole 12 comprises a socket opening 21 at an opening end 22 of the socket hole 12, and a socket bottom 23 at a bottom end 24 of the socket hole 12 opposite the opening end 22 and in this embodiment a protruding free element end 18 of each of the socket contact elements 15 is protruding from the bottom end 24 towards the opening end 22. However, in another embodiment the direction of the socket contact elements 15 could be reversed so that the protruding free element end 18 of each of the socket contact elements 15 would be protruding in a direction from the opening end 22 towards the bottom end 24 or the socket contact elements 15 would not comprise a protruding free element end 18, e.g., if the socket contact elements 15 were extending all the way from the opening end 22 to the bottom end 24, if the socket contact elements 15 was formed differently - such as spring loaded plates or rods protruding from the inner cylindrical surface 13, as displaceable bracket protruding from the inner cylindrical surface 13 or other - or if the socket contact elements 15 was formed as non-displaceable parts and the contact between the socket contact elements 15 and the corresponding plug contact elements of a corresponding plug was formed by displaceable plug contact elements arranged on the corresponding plug.

[0102] In this embodiment the socket contact elements 15 are connected to the adaptor body 2 at the socket bottom 23 and in this embodiment the contact part 20 of the socket contact elements 15 is convex in relation to the inner cylindrical surface 13 and arranged at the protruding free element end 18 of each of the socket contact elements 15. Furthermore, in this embodiment the protruding free element end 18 of each of the socket contact elements 15 curves inside the socket element grooves 17 so that when a corresponding connector plug is inserted in the socket hole 12, the contact part 20 of the socket contact elements 15 is pushed radially outwards - because the socket contact elements 15 in this embodiment are flexible in the radial direction - so that the protruding free element end 18 is pushed against the bottom of the socket element grooves 17 and the convex part of the socket contact elements 15 is straightened out at least a little, hereby generating an radially inwards push of the contact parts 20 to form good electrical contact with the corresponding plug contact elements of the inserted plug.

[0103] In this embodiment the socket element grooves 17 comprise a groove end wall 19 arranged at the protruding free element end 18 of the socket contact elements 15 so that when the convex part of the socket contact elements 15 is straightened out a little, the protruding free element end 18 will be pushed against the groove end wall 19 which will generate an even harder radially inwards push of the contact parts 20. However, in another embodiment the socket element grooves 17 would not comprise a groove end wall 19 at the protruding free element end 18, the contact part 20 of the socket contact elements 15 would be another shape than convex, such as sloping inwards towards the socket bottom 23 either curved or in a straight line, the inwards push of the contact part 20 of the socket contact elements 15 towards the corresponding plug contact elements of an inserted corresponding plug could be spring assisted or made solely or primarily by the flexibility of freely protruding socket contact elements 15 or other or the socket contact elements 15 and / or socket element grooves 17 could be formed by any combination of the above to ensure that the socket contact elements 15 will form good electrical contact with the corresponding plug contact elements of an inserted corresponding plug.

[0104] In this embodiment the adaptor 1 also comprises signal conductors 16 connecting each of the socket contact elements 15 to one of the plug contact elements 11. In this embodiment the signal conductors 16 are formed integrally with the socket contact elements 15 and the plug contact elements 11 but in another embodiment only the signal conductors 16 and the socket contact elements 15 would be formed integrally, only the signal conductors 16 and the plug contact elements 11 would be formed integrally, or the signal conductors 16, the socket contact elements 15 and the plug contact elements 11 would all be formed as individual parts connected to each other.

[0105] In this embodiment all the socket contact elements 15 are substantially identical, all the signal conductors 16 are substantially identical, and all the plug contact elements 11 are substantially identical among other to reduce production cost and reduce the risk of signal delay through the adaptor 1 but in another embodiment one or more of these could be formed different from the others, e.g., to guide during assembly, to simplify assembly, to reduce the risk of signal delay, to be adapted to a specific use or other.

[0106] In another embodiment the adaptor 1 could further be provided with shielding means (not shown) - e.g., in the form of metal plates, metal foil or other e.g., integrated in the adaptor body 2 - arranged between at least some of the plug contact elements 11 and / or signal conductors 16 to reduce the risk of electromagnetic interference between different neighbouring plug contact elements 11 and / or signal conductors 16.

[0107] In this embodiment the inner cylindrical surface 13 of the socket hole 12 further comprises a socket guide protrusion 26 arranged to match a corresponding plug guide groove of a corresponding plug ensuring that the plug can only be inserted in the socket when it has the correct orientation. However, in another embodiment the inner cylindrical surface 13 could also or instead comprise a socket guide groove 25 (see fig. 4) arranged to match a corresponding plug guide protrusion of a corresponding Plug.

[0108] In this embodiment the adaptor 1 further comprises locking means 27 arranged to engage a corresponding locking groove of a corresponding connector plug inserted in the socket hole 12. In this embodiment the locking means 27 comprises a flexible arm protruding into the socket hole 12 and in this embodiment the locking means 27 are formed integrally with the adaptor body 2. However, in another embodiment the locking means 27 could be formed integrally with the socket contact elements 15 or the locking means 27 could be formed as one or more individual parts and / or in another embodiment the locking means 27 could comprise a spring-loaded locking pin, a locking plate, a snap lock system or other enabling that a corresponding connector plug would stay in place when inserted correctly into the socket hole 12 while at the same time allowing that the connector plug can be pulled out of the socket hole 12 again.

[0109] Fig. 6 illustrates an assembled adaptor, as seen in an isometric view.

[0110] A standard 8P8C modular plug typically comprises a locking tap arranged to lock the 8P8C modular plug in position when it is inserted correctly in a corresponding standard 8P8C modular socket. However, even though the outer shape of the adaptor 1 in this embodiment more or less fully resembles a standard 8P8C modular plug the adaptor 1 is in this embodiment not provided with such a locking tap. The locking tap is in this embodiment the omitted to enable that substantially the entire adaptor 1 will fit inside a corresponding standard 8P8C modular socket to effectively and seamlessly transform the socket to a new cylindrical plug standard. However, in another embodiment the adaptor 1 could comprise such a locking tap or a similar locking system - e.g., if the adaptor 1 was meant to constantly be pulled out and inserted in a corresponding socket.

[0111] In this embodiment the signal conductors 16 are all embedded in corresponding signal conductor grooves 30 formed in the plug end face 8 of the adaptor body 2 to simplify assembly and to protect the signal conductors 16 from wear and damage. However, in in another embodiment the signal conductors 16 could be fully cast into the adaptor body 2 or signal conductors 16 could extend through dedicated holes in the adaptor body 2.

[0112] In this embodiment the signal conductors 16 are extending in a winding pattern between the socket contact elements 15 and the plug contact elements 11 and in this embodiment this is done to ensure that all the signal conductors 16 has the same length so that all signals passing through the adaptor 1 will take the same time to pass through no matter which of the signal conductors 16 the signals are travelling through and thereby avoid any signal delay through the adaptor 1. However, in another embodiment the signal conductors 16 could be arranged in a different pattern and / or the signal conductors 16 could have different length - e.g., to compensate for different lengths of the socket contact elements 15 and / or the plug contact elements 11, if signal delay was not an issue for at least some of the conductors 16 or other.

[0113] Fig. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an adaptor, as seen in an isometric view.

[0114] In this embodiment the signal conductors 16 are formed integrally with the socket contact elements 15 and the plug contact elements 11 and in this embodiment the signal conductors 16, the socket contact elements 15 and the plug contact elements 11 are connected to the adaptor body 2 from the plug end 4 of the adaptor 1 after the adaptor body 2 has been cast in a separated process. However, in another embodiment the signal conductors 16, the socket contact elements 15 and / or the plug contact elements 11 could be cast into the adaptor body 2 during casting of the adaptor body

[0115] 2.

[0116] The invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples of adaptor bodies 2, plug contact element 11, socket contact element 15 and other. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be designed and altered in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims.

[0117] Figure references

[0118] 1. Adaptor

[0119] 2. Adaptor body

[0120] 3. Plug part

[0121] 4. Plug end 5. Socket part

[0122] 6. Socket end

[0123] 7. Socket end face

[0124] 8. Plug end face

[0125] 9. Connector side

[0126] 10. Guide side

[0127] 11. Plug contact element

[0128] 12. Socket hole

[0129] 13. Inner cylindrical surface

[0130] 14. Socket centre axis

[0131] 15. Socket contact element

[0132] 16. Signal conductors

[0133] 17. Socket element groove

[0134] 18. Protruding free element end

[0135] 19. Groove end wall

[0136] 20. Contact part

[0137] 21. Socket opening

[0138] 22. Opening end

[0139] 23. Socket bottom

[0140] 24. Bottom end

[0141] 25. S ocket gui de groove

[0142] 26. Socket guide protrusion

[0143] 27. Locking means

[0144] 28. Plug contact element groove

[0145] 29. Adaptor guide protrusion

[0146] 30. Signal conductor grooves

[0147] SD. Socket diameter

[0148] AL. Adaptor length

[0149] PL. Plug element length

[0150] SHD. Socket hole depth

Claims

Claims1. An adaptor (1) comprising, an adaptor body (2) having a plug part (3) arranged at a plug end (4) of said adaptor body (2) and a socket part (5) arranged in a socket end (6) of said adaptor body (2), wherein said socket end (6) includes a socket end face (7), and said plug end (4) includes a plug end face (8), wherein said socket end face (7) and said plug end face (8) are arranged opposite each other, wherein said adaptor body (2) further comprises a connector side (9) and a guide side (10) arranged opposite each other, wherein said connector side (9) and said guide side (10) are extending between said socket end (6) and said plug end (4), wherein said plug part (3) comprises, a number of plug contact elements (11) arranged side by side and parallel to each other, wherein said number of plug contact elements (11) are extending from said plug end face (8) towards said socket end face (7) at said connector side (9), wherein said socket part (5) comprises, a socket hole (12) extending from said socket end face (7) and into said adaptor body (2), wherein said socket hole (12) has a cylindrical shape forming an inner cylindrical surface (13) and an axially extending socket centre axis (14), and a number of socket contact elements (15) each arranged, at least partly, at said inner cylindrical surface (13), wherein said adaptor (1) further comprises signal conductors (16), connecting each of said number of plug contact elements (11) to a socket contact element (15) of said number of socket contact elements (15), and wherein said plug contact elements (11) are overlapping said socket hole (12) in a direction of said axially extending socket centre axis (14).

2. An adaptor (1) according to claim 1, wherein a number of socket element grooves (17) are extending axially in said inner cylindrical surface (13) and wherein said number of socket contact elements (15) are each arranged, at least partly, in a socket element groove (17) of said number of socket element grooves (17).

3. An adaptor (1) according to claim 2, wherein a protruding free element end (18) of each of said number of socket contact elements (15) is arranged inside said number of socket element grooves (17).

4. An adaptor (1) according to claim 3, wherein each of said number of socket element grooves (17) comprises a groove end wall (19) arranged at said protruding free element end (18).

5. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a contact part (20) of each of said number of socket contact elements (15) is protruding radially into said socket hole (12).

6. An adaptor (1) according to claim 5, wherein said contact part (20) is arranged at a protruding free element end (18) of each of said number of socket contact elements (15).

7. An adaptor (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said contact part (20) is convex in relation to said inner cylindrical surface (13).

8. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket hole (12) comprises a socket opening (21), at an opening end (22) of said socket hole (12), and a socket bottom (23) at a bottom end (24) of said socket hole (12) and wherein a protruding free element end (18) of each of said number of socket contact elements (15) is protruding from said bottom end (24) towards said opening end (22).

9. An adaptor (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said socket hole (12) comprises a socket opening (21) at an opening end (22) of said socket hole (12), and a socket bottom (23) at a bottom end (24) of said socket hole (12) and wherein a protruding free element end (18) of each of said number of socket contact elements (15) is protruding in a direction from said opening end (22) towards said bottom end (24).

10. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket hole (12) is a blind hole.

11. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said number of socket contact elements (15) are substantially evenly distributed around said axially extending socket centre axis (14).

12. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket part (5) comprises eight socket contact elements (15).

13. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein all of said signal conductors (16) substantially have the same length.

14. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein all of said number of plug contact elements (11) are substantially identical.

15. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein all of said number of socket contact elements (15) are substantially identical.

16. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said number of socket contact elements (15) are arranged to be flexible in a radial direction of said socket hole (12).

17. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said inner cylindrical surface (13) of said socket hole (12) comprises a socket guide groove (25) or a socket guide protrusion (26).

18. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket part (5) comprises locking means (27) protruding into said socket hole (12).

19. An adaptor (1) according to claim 18, wherein said locking means (27) are arranged to engage a corresponding locking grove of a corresponding connector plug inserted in said socket hole (12).

20. An adaptor (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said locking means (27) are formed integrally with said number of socket contact elements (15) or integrally with said adaptor body (2).

21. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket end face (7) and said plug end face (8) are parallel.

22. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said connector side (9) and said guide side (10) are parallel.

23. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said number of plug contact elements (11) are extending from said plug end face (8) towards said socket end face (7) at said connector side (9) in a direction parallel to said axially extending socket centre axis (14).

24. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said number of plug contact elements (11) are formed integrally with a signal conductor (16) of said signal conductors (16).

25. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said number of socket contact elements (15) are formed integrally with a signal conductor (16) of said signal conductors (16).

26. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plug part (3) further comprises a number of plug contact element grooves (28) formed in said connector side (9) and extending from said plug end face (8) towards said socket end face (7), and wherein said number of plug contact elements (11) are each arranged, at31 least partly, in a plug contact element groove (28) of said number of plug contact element grooves (28).

27. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an adaptor guide protrusion (29) is protruding from said guide side (10).

28. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said adaptor body (2) is monolithically formed.

29. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said number of plug contact elements (11), said number of socket contact elements (15), and / or said signal conductors (16) comprise metal.

30. An adaptor (1) according to claim 29, wherein said metal comprises cobber, aluminium or silver.

31. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said adaptor body (2) comprises a polymer material, such as plastic.

32. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said socket hole (12) has a socket diameter (SD) of between 4 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 4.5 mm and 11 mm and most preferred between 5 mm and 10 mm.

33. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an adaptor length (AL) of said adaptor body (2) between said socket end face (7) and said plug end face (8) is between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 11 mm and 17 mm, and most preferred between 12 mm and 15 mm.

34. An adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plug contact elements (11) are overlapping said socket hole (12) between 0.3 mm and 8 mm,32 preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and most preferred between 0.8 mm and 3 mm in said direction of said axially extending socket centre axis (14).

34. Use of an adaptor (1) according to any of the preceding claims as an ethernet adaptor (1).

Images