Connector module for a modular industrial connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable clamp (1) for a connector module (10) of a modular industrial connector, wherein the cable clamp (1) has a cable-receiving part (2) into which a cable (6) that can be connected to the connector module (10) can be inserted and / or placed, wherein the cable clamp (1) has a cable-fixing part (5) which can be connected to the cable-receiving part (2), wherein the cable (6) is fixed in the cable clamp (1) in a tensile-force-resistant manner by connecting the cable-receiving part (2) and the cable-fixing part (5), and wherein the cable clamp (1) comprises passive electronic components (7, 8).

Description

[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0002] Title: Connector module for a modular industrial connector

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a cable clamp for a connector module of a modular industrial connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a connector module comprising such a cable clamp and a modular industrial connector comprising such a connector module.

[0005] Such industrial connectors use various connector modules to flexibly adapt them to specific requirements regarding signal and power transmission, e.g., between two electrical devices.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] German patent application DE 202018 101 278 U1 discloses a connector module for a modular industrial connector. The connector module is designed for transmitting high data rates. For this purpose, the contact elements arranged within the connector module are separated from each other by metallic bridges inside the module housing. This prevents crosstalk of the data signals.

[0008] The cables connected to the connector module consist of individual conductors with a small cross-section. If subjected to excessive tensile stress, the conductors can separate from or break off the contact element.

[0009] The cable connected to the connector module has a braided shield for electromagnetic shielding. Depending on the transmission frequency and environment, such passive shielding may not be sufficient.

[0010] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: JP S62-47079 U, DE 41 14921 A1 and US 2005 / 0202724 A1

[0011] Task

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide improved strain relief and simultaneously optimized data transmission properties for connector modules.

[0013] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage of simple assembly and optimized shielding of the data signals to be transmitted.

[0015] Industrial connectors utilize various connector modules to flexibly adapt them to specific requirements regarding signal, data, and power transmission, for example, between two electrical devices. These connector modules are typically inserted into corresponding mounting frames, sometimes also referred to as hinged frames, module frames, or modular frames. These mounting frames serve to accommodate multiple identical and / or different connector modules and securely mount them to a surface, a device wall, and / or within a connector housing, etc.

[0016] Connector modules typically consist of a cuboid-shaped insulating body or housing. These insulating bodies or housings can serve as contact carriers, accommodating and securing various types of contacts. The function of a connector formed in this way is therefore highly flexible. For example, pneumatic modules, optical modules, modules for transmitting electrical power and / or analog and / or digital electrical signals or data can be housed within 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.

[0017] Ideally, mounting frames are used, consisting of two frame halves connected by hinges. The connector modules are equipped with rectangular or cuboid-shaped retaining elements that protrude from their narrow sides. The sides of the frame halves have recesses designed as fully enclosed openings into which the retaining elements engage when the connector modules are inserted into the mounting frame. To insert the connector modules, the mounting frame is unfolded, i.e., opened, with the frame halves opening around the hinges only far enough to allow the connector modules to be inserted. The frame halves are then snapped back together, i.e., the mounting frame is closed, thereby engaging the retaining elements in the recesses and ensuring a secure, positive-locking hold of the connector modules within the mounting frame.

[0018] The modular industrial connectors described above offer high flexibility and can be configured for a wide variety of applications by mounting connector modules with different functions together in a common mounting frame. However, the number of connector module slots in a mounting frame is limited. This limits the flexibility of an industrial connector. The cable clamp according to the invention is designed for a connector module of a modular industrial connector described above. The cable clamp has a cable receiving element.

[0019] The cable to be connected to the connector module is inserted and / or placed into the cable holder. In one embodiment, the plug-side end of the cable holder (front) has a feed-through opening for the cable. Simultaneously, the cable holder has an insertion area for the cable on the connection side (rear).

[0020] The cable clamp according to the invention has a cable fixing element which can be connected to the cable receiving element. When the cable is positioned in the cable receiving element, the cable fixing element is placed onto the cable receiving element and mechanically connected to it. This secures the cable in the cable clamp by positive locking and / or frictional locking. In other words, the cable is clamped securely between the cable receiving element and the cable fixing element to prevent tensile strain.

[0021] The cable clamp according to the invention comprises passive electronic components. These passive electronic components include, for example, a resistor, a capacitor, and / or an inductor. These components are used to transmit the signal or...

[0022] The data integrity of a connector using a cable clamp is improved. At the same time, such a connector becomes less susceptible to external interference.

[0023] The cable clamp according to the invention is designed so that commercially available passive electronic components can be used. These are so-called catalog items, which are also used by hobbyists. It is not necessary to use components conforming to industrial standards. In one embodiment of the invention, the passive electronic components, together with a braided cable shield, form an electronic circuit. Preferably, the electronic circuit is an electronic frequency filter. This allows certain frequency ranges of a signal to pass through while blocking others.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic filter is an RC filter, an RL filter, an LC filter, or an RLC filter. Such circuits are well-established and can be easily implemented within the cable clamp. This allows, in particular, voltage or current spikes that are introduced into the cable shield from the outside through potentially adjacent power or current contacts. Such disturbances are filtered out and not conducted through the entire cable system.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic components are arranged in the cable receiving part. Here, they or the circuit can be brought into electrical contact with the cable's shielding braid when the cable is inserted.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic frequency filter is an RC filter with at least one capacitor and at least one ohmic resistor. This circuit can be implemented particularly cost-effectively and with readily available, commercially available components.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cable fixing element can be placed onto a contact edge of the cable receiving element. This means that the base planes of the cable receiving element and the cable fixing element, when placed, form an angle α with each other. The contact edge forms an axis of rotation when the two components are brought together. The ends, which are initially spaced apart, are gradually brought together, thereby increasingly exerting a clamping force on the cable to be connected.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the cable receiving part is made of plastic. This makes it particularly cost-effective to manufacture.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cable fixing part is made of metal. This allows, in particular, the cable's braided shield to be electrically contacted and thus integrated into the filter circuit.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cable fixing part can be connected to or screwed together with the cable receiving part via a screw connection. Such a fixing is reliable and can be carried out with standard tools.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cable receiving part has a clamping insert with a semi-cylindrical recess. The diameter of the recess is selected to match the diameter of the cable to be connected, thus providing a reliable cable fit.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping insert is made of metal. This allows the shielding braid of the cable to be electrically conductively fixed.

[0033] The present invention also claims a connector module with at least one cable clamp as described above.

[0034] In another embodiment of the connector module, the cable clamp is an integral part of the connector module's housing. In other words, the housing and cable clamp are a single unit. This allows for easy assembly and configuration of such a connector module.

[0035] The present invention also claims a modular industrial connector which has at least one of the connector modules mentioned above.

[0036] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0037] Example of implementation

[0038] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

[0039] Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a cable clamp according to the invention,

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a cable receiving part of the cable clamp with passive electronic components that can be integrated therein.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows another perspective exploded view of a cable clamp according to the invention with a cable to be connected and an insulating body of a connector module; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of the cable clamp to illustrate the clamping effect for the cable; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a connector module with a connected cable and missing housing cover.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a connector module according to the invention.

[0043] 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," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary from one representation to the actual object depicted.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a cable clamp 1 according to the invention. The cable clamp 1 is used on a connector module 10 of a modular industrial connector (not shown).

[0045] The cable clamp 1 has a cable receiving part 2 into which a cable 6, connectable to the connector module, can be inserted into a through-opening 4 at the front (plug-in side) and into a semi-cylindrical recess 3 at the rear (connection side). The cable receiving part 2 could also be described as the lower part of the cable clamp 1.

[0046] The cable clamp 1 has a cable fixing part 5, which can be screwed together with the cable receiving part 2. By screwing the two components 2 and 5 together, the connected cable 6 is secured, particularly against tensile strain. The cable fixing part could also be referred to as the upper part of the cable clamp 1.

[0047] Figure 2 shows that the cable clamp 1 has passive electronic components. In this embodiment, these are a resistor 7 and a capacitor 8, which are shown separately to the left and right of the actual component for illustrative purposes.

[0048] The passive electronic components 7 and 8 each have electrical connection contacts 9. These allow them to be integrated into an electronic circuit. The cable clamp 1 can also have integrated leads for connecting the electronic components 7 and 8. In the installed state, the lower connection contacts rest on the partially cylindrical recess 3 of the cable receiving part 2 and can thus be brought into contact with the shield or braid of the cable 6.

[0049] In the embodiment shown here, the ohmic resistor 7 and the capacitor 8 are integrated in an RC filter circuit.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the cable receiving part 2 and the cable fixing part 5 are designed as so-called hinge parts. This means that both parts each provide a side wall of the cable clamp 1.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a cable clamp 1 with a cable 6 enclosed within it. At the front (left) of the cable clamp 1, the cable 6 is pushed through a through-hole. The individual conductors 6.1 of the cable 6 are then connected to an insulating body 11 of a connector module or to its contact elements (not shown). At the rear (right) of the cable clamp 1, the braided shield 6.2 of the cable 6 rests on the semi-cylindrical recess 3.

[0052] Figure 4 schematically illustrates how the clamping force of the cable clamp 1 is exerted on the cable 6. The cable fixing part 5 is placed on a contact edge 14 of the cable receiving part 2. The cable 6 is located between the cable receiving part 2 and the cable fixing part 5. The components 2 and 5 are brought together uniformly by means of the screws 12. Due to the arc-shaped cross-section 15 in the contact area of ​​the cable receiving part 2 and the cable fixing part 5, no shear force is generated in the area of ​​the contact edge 14, so that the components remain in position in this area. This allows a uniform clamping force to be exerted on the cable 6 and at the same time ensures easy handling of the cable clamp 1. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a connector module 10 according to the invention with the housing cover open or missing. The connector module 10 occupies (only) one module slot in a modular industrial connector.The connector module 10 has two insulating bodies 11 in which contact elements (not shown) are arranged, each of which is electrically contacted with a conductor 6.1 of the cable 6 connected to the insulating body 11. Accordingly, two cables 6 are connected to the connector module 10, one cable 6 per insulating body 11.

[0053] The connector module 10 has two cable clamps 1, i.e., one cable clamp 1 for each cable 6. Figure 6 shows a closed connector module 10 without any cables 6 connected to it.

[0054] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise indicated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0055] Title: Connector module for a modular industrial connector

[0056] Reference symbol

[0057] 1 cable clamp

[0058] 2 cable receptacle

[0059] 3 Partially cylindrical recesses

[0060] 4 Through opening

[0061] 5 cable fixing part

[0062] 6 cables

[0063] 6.1 Leader

[0064] 6.2 Umbrella weave

[0065] 7 Ohm resistance

[0066] 8 Capacitor

[0067] 9 Connection contact

[0068] 10 connector module

[0069] 11 insulating bodies

[0070] 12 screws

[0071] 14 Attachment edge

[0072] 15 Arc-shaped cross-section

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Connector module for a modular industrial connector Claims 1. Cable clamp (1 ) for a connector module (10) of a modular industrial connector, wherein the cable clamp (1) has a cable receiving part (2) into which a cable (6) connectable to the connector module (10) can be inserted and / or placed, wherein the cable clamp (1) has a cable fixing part (5) which can be connected to the cable receiving part (2), wherein the cable (6) is securely fixed in the cable clamp (1) by the connection of the cable receiving part (2) and the cable fixing part (5) and wherein the cable clamp (1) has passive electronic components (7, 8).

2. Cable clamp (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the passive electronic components (7, 8) are integrated into an electronic circuit.

3. Cable clamp (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by the fact that The electronic circuit is an electronic frequency filter.

4. Cable clamp (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by the fact that the electronic filter is an RC filter, an RL filter, an LC filter or an RLC filter.

5. Cable clamp (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by the fact that the electronic components (7, 8) are arranged in the cable receiving part (2).

6. Cable clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 characterized by the fact that The electronic frequency filter is an RC filter with at least one capacitor (8) and at least one ohmic resistor (7).

7. Cable clamp (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by the fact that the cable fixing part (5) can be placed on a contact edge (14) of the cable receiving part (2), wherein the contact edge (14) forms an axis of rotation when the two components (2, 5) are brought together.

8. Cable clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cable receiving part (2) is made of plastic.

9. Cable clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cable fixing part (5) is made of metal.

10. Cable clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that The cable fixing part (5) can be connected to the cable receiving part (2) via a screw connection.

11. Cable clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable receiving part (2) has a clamping insert with a partially cylindrical recess.

12. Cable clamp (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by the fact that the clamping insert is made of metal, wherein the clamping insert has at least in some areas a partially cylindrical recess (3) for the cable (6).

13. Connector module (10) with at least one cable clamp (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Connector module (10) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the cable clamp (1) is an integral part of a housing of the connector module (10).

15. Modular industrial connector with at least one connector module (10) according to one of the two preceding claims.

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