This disclosure relates to a plug-in connector to which a cable having at least one insulated conductor is connectable, and furthermore to a system comprising a plug-in block and circuit board plug-in connector. Plug-in connectors of the aforementioned type are used for transmitting data signals but also for transmitting currents. It is quite possible using plug connectors of the aforementioned type to transmit currents of one ampere or multiple amperes.
Description of the Related ArtEP 2 417 675 B1 discloses a multi-pole plug-in connector whose connected cable comprises multiple individual conductors that are in electrical contact with the plug-in connector via insulation-displacement clamps. Generally, only so-called stranded wires are connected using insulation-displacement clamps. The electrical contact with so-called solid conductors may be less reliable using the insulation-displacement clamp technology. Since the insulation-displacement clamps require a comparatively large installation space in order to be able to reliably contact the conductors, an even smaller construction of plug-in connectors of this type may only be achieved with great difficulty. Moreover, the number of conductor cross-sections that may be connected is limited. It is often not possible to detach and re-connect an insulation-displacement clamp connection as desired.
EP 935 310 A2 discloses plug connectors having screw connections for the individual conductors of multicore cables. A tool is required in this case for the assembly procedure. The screw connection technology requires a comparatively large installation space and may therefore only be used in a limited range of applications.
It is sufficiently known from WO 2016/034166 A2 to connect the contact elements of plug-in connectors to the conductors of a cable using crimping technology. However, a crimp connection is not detachable and consequently the connection may only be made once. Moreover, the crimping procedure requires complex tools.
Electrical components such as those illustrated in WO 00/021160 A1 that use a so-called cage clamp spring to connect conductors require a tool, by way of example a screw driver, to connect or disconnect the conductors. As an alternative to the tool, it is also possible to provide a separate actuator on the component. The cage clamp springs also require a large amount of space in the component.
The aforementioned connection technologies all have the disadvantage that they are unsuitable for use in the case of plug-in connectors that are required to process very high data rates.
Embodiments of the invention provide a plug-in connector that is able to transport data signals and currents in a reliable manner. Simultaneously, the plug-in connector is designed to be simple to assemble and small in size.
The disclosure relates to a plug-in connector to which is connected a cable having at least one electrical conductor that is located in said cable. A so-called multicore cable is used in many applications. At least two electrical conductors that are insulated with respect to one another are located in a multicore cable. The insulation is typically provided via a dedicated synthetic material sheath of the conductors.
Different embodiments of the invention are described below using an example of a cable having at least two conductors. However, the invention is not explicitly limited to multicore cables and always also relates to a single core cable.
A cable having at least two individual conductors that are insulated with respect to one another may be connected to the plug-in connector, wherein the plug-in connector comprises a conductive rubber element having at least one conductive layer but preferably at least two conductive layers. The plug-in connector comprises a conductive rubber element having individual conductive layers in order to use the connection technology for individual conductors. This connection technology produces a particularly small construction and is simultaneously suitable for a multiplicity of conductor cross-sections.
According to embodiments of the invention, the conductive rubber element comprises an elastically deformable material having alternating conductive and non-conductive layers. Conductive particles are incorporated in the conductive layers. However, a conductive polymer itself may also form such a conductive layer. A non-conductive layer is generally provided around the edge layers of the conductive rubber element.
In order to produce the electrical contact, a conductor is brought into contact with at least one conductive layer of the conductive rubber element. However, it is also possible that a conductor is in contact with at least two or more such conductive layers simultaneously. This state is dependent upon the so-called conductor diameter and upon the so-called grid dimension of the conductive rubber element.
Embodiments of the invention further relate to a system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector, wherein at least two solid or stranded conductors are fixed within the plug-in block arranged parallel with one another and with their respective conductor end aligned with a direction vector parallel and/or orthogonal to the plug-in direction. A conductive rubber element is also arranged in this case either in the plug-in block or in the circuit board plug-in connector, said conductive rubber element being used as the connection technology for the individual conductors of the cable or to make contact with the conductor tracks in the circuit board.
Variants of embodiments of the invention are further described below. As already mentioned above, variants having single core or multicore connected cables are discussed equally.
A cable having at least two individual, insulated conductors may be connected to the plug-in connector in accordance with embodiments of the invention. A multicore cable is also discussed here. The plug-in connector comprises a conductive rubber element having at least two conductive layers. DE 25 20 590 C2 discloses conductive rubber elements of this type. Conductive rubber elements are embodied from an elastomer material that comprises alternating conductive and non-conductive layers. Generally, conductive materials, such as by way of example gold and/or silver and/or carbon particles, are incorporated in the conductive layers. A conductive rubber element may also be produced in that the afore-mentioned materials are embedded in a silicon material.
Generally, a person skilled in the art assumes that the conductivity is good as soon as the material gold is used. A conductive rubber element was tested that comprised gold-coated copper wires. If the conductive rubber element is compressed to a great extent, these gold-coated copper wires have a tendency to break, as a result of which the level of conductivity is reduced. It has been established in this respect that the conductive rubber element, which comprises the above-mentioned gold material, in the case of plug connectors, in particular in the case of plug-in connectors that are provided for transmitting higher data rates, perform less well than a conductive rubber element that comprises a silver material, preferably silver particles. Therefore, it is particularly preferred to use a conductive rubber element that comprises a silver material. Such a conductive rubber element has demonstrated particularly in the high frequency range very good insulating properties and through-flow resistances. The material in the plug-in connector also demonstrates good current carrying capacity values even under hard climatic conditions.
The conductive function of the individual conductive layers of the conductive rubber element is rendered possible by virtue of the fact that the individual layers are compressed or pressed together. As a consequence, the homogenously distributed conductive particles are brought into contact and consequently form a closed conductive section within the conductive layer.
A multicore cable having multiple individual conductors is generally connected to the plug-in connector. Embodiments of the invention are described using an example of at least two conductors. However, the cable may comprise any number of such conductors. The number of connection contacts, the conductive layers of the conductive rubber element and the contact elements then increases accordingly.
In one variant of a plug-in connector, the individual conductors may be fixed in an electrically conductive manner respectively to a conductive layer of the conductive rubber element. One conductor is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a first conductive layer of the conductive rubber element, whereas a further conductor is connected in an electrically conductive manner to another conductive layer of the conductive rubber element. The individual conductors of the connected cable are electrically connected to the individual conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. The electrical signals or currents may be transmitted directly to contact elements of the plug-in connector via the conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. However, it is also possible to select other possibilities as further explained below.
It is also possible that an individual conductor may be fixed in a conductive manner simultaneously to multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. A further conductor may then be connected to multiple other conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. If multiple conductive layers for contacting an individual conductor, connection contact or contact element are involved, this is also described as layer groups.
If an individual conductor is connected in an electrical manner simultaneously to multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element, in other words to form a layer group, it is necessary to connect a corresponding partner, by way of example a contact element, to the same layer group in an electrical manner. It is possible in this case that, on account of an imperfect positioning of the conductor and/or contact element, not all conductive layers contribute to the electrical contact between the conductor and the contact element. It is important that the conductor or the contact element does not have a conductive layer common with an adjacent conductor or contact element. The spacing between the conductors and the contact elements must be selected accordingly in dependence upon the grid dimension of the conductive rubber element. The conductors and the contact elements must correspond with one another.
The grid dimension of the conductive rubber element is generally at least a factor of 20 smaller than the spacing between the conductors and the contact elements. As a consequence, it is not necessary for the assembly process to be absolutely precise.
In one advantageous embodiment, the plug-in connector comprises at least one connection contact. Advantageously, the plug-in connector comprises at least two connection contacts that may be fixed in an electrically conductive manner respectively to one conductive layer or to multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. The connection contacts may be electrically contacted respectively by a conductor end of a conductor. In this embodiment, the individual conductors of the multicore cable are not directly connected to the individual conductive layers or the conductive layer groups of the conductive rubber element but rather are connected thereto via the so-called connection contacts.
It is advantageous if technology that uses contact pressure is used to provide such an electrical contact or such an arrangement of fixing the conductor and conductive rubber element. The conductor end that is stripped of insulation is pressed onto the conductive layer or onto the conductive layers via suitable means or devices. Contact-pressure means or devices of this type may be implemented in different ways. Variants of contact-pressure means or devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are proposed below.
Advantageously, the plug-in connector comprises at least one contact element but preferably at least two contact elements. The conductors may be contacted respectively by a connection contact. The connection contacts are in turn in electrical contact on one face of the conductive rubber element respectively with one conductive layer or with multiple conductive layers and on the other face of the conductive rubber element the contact elements are in contact respectively with one corresponding conductive layer or with corresponding conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. The electrical signals or currents are transmitted from the conductor via the connection contact, then via the conductive layer or the conductive layers of the conductive rubber element finally to the contact element. In the case of a construction of this type, the individual conductors may be connected in a detachable manner to the plug-in connector, in contrast to connections formed using insulation-displacement clamp technology and crimping technology. The procedure of pressing the conductor ends against the conductive rubber element may be performed in an absolutely destruction-free and detachable manner. Furthermore, an additional tool is not required for assembling such a plug-in connector, which is otherwise the case for a crimp or screw connection. An additional advantage resides in the fact that it is possible to connect the most varied conductor cross-sections. Furthermore, solid and stranded conductors may be used equally.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the individual conductors may also be directly connected in an electrically conductive manner to the associated contact elements via the conductive rubber element. On one face of the conductive rubber element, the conductors may be fixed in an electrically conductive manner respectively to one conductive layer or to multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element and on the other face of the conductive rubber element the contact elements are in contact respectively with one corresponding conductive layer or with multiple corresponding conductive layers. A construction of this type may be implemented in a particularly space-saving manner.
A system comprising a plug-in block and a circuit board plug-in connector is also proposed within the scope of the invention. At least one solid or stranded conductor is fixed in the plug-in block, in particular preferably however at least two solid or stranded conductors arranged parallel with one another and with their respective conductor end aligned with a direction vector parallel and/or orthogonal with respect to the plug-in direction.
Advantageously, the plug-in block comprises a conductive rubber element, wherein the conductor ends are in contact with respectively one conductive layer or with multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. Alternatively, the circuit board plug-in connector comprises a conductive rubber element, wherein in the plug-in direction respectively one conductive layer or multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element is/are aligned with the different conductor ends of the solid conductor or stranded conductor. In the first case, the conductive rubber element is used on the one hand as a connection possibility for the individual conductors. On the other hand, the conductive layers of the conductive rubber element form the so-called plug-in face of the plug-in block. The plug-in block then assumes the function of a plug-in connector.
In some advantageous embodiments the circuit board plug-in connector comprises at least two contact elements having respectively a contact end and a circuit board connection end, wherein the respective contact ends are in contact with a conductive layer or with multiple conductive layers of the conductive rubber element. The circuit board connection ends are by way of example soldered to a circuit board and as a consequence are connected in an electric manner to associated conductor tracks.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are further explained below. In the drawings:
The figures show in parts simplified, schematic views. In part, identical reference numerals are used for similar but possibly not identical elements. Different views of similar elements may be scaled differently.
For representational reasons in the figures, one conductor, one connection contact and one contact element is always connected to only one conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4. In practice, however, multiple conductive layers 5, 5′ may be connected simultaneously to one of the above-mentioned elements. A procedure of this type has the advantage that it is not necessary to assemble such a plug-in connector 1 so precisely. If by way of example five conductive layers 5, 5′ are contacted by one conductor 7, 7′, the associated contact element 8, 8′ is however arranged in a slightly offset manner but it still has three conductive layers 5, 5′ in common with the conductor 7, 7′ so that a conductive connection is still guaranteed between the conductor 7, 7′ and the contact element 8, 8′ via the conductive rubber element 4. As a consequence, such a plug-in connector may be assembled in the field in a particularly simple manner.
A multicore cable 6 is connected to the plug-in connector 1. The cable 6 in this exemplary embodiment comprises two insulated conductors 7, 7′. The ends of the conductors 7, 7′ are stripped of insulation and connected respectively to one conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4.
The electric connection of the conductors 7, 7′ of the cable 6 is provided on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4. The opposite-lying front face of the conductive rubber element 4 is oriented in the plug-in direction. The individual conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 form the electrical contact or connection sites of the plug-in connector 1 and assume the function of contact elements.
The connection contacts 9, 9′ are in electrical contact with and connected respectively to a conductive layer 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 on the rear face of the conductive rubber element 4. The front face of the conductive rubber element 4 forms the plug-in face of the plug-in connector 1″. The connection contacts 9, 9′ may also be provided in the case of the plug-in connector 1′ in accordance with
The above-mentioned connection contacts 9, 9′ differ from the contact elements 8, 8′ amongst other things by virtue of the fact that the contact tips, in other words the region that is in contact with the conductive layers 5, 5′ of the conductive rubber element 4 may also be configured in a geometrically obtuse manner. Such a geometric shape may be produced in a very simple and cost-effective manner.
In
In
A locking element 13 is attached in a pivotable manner to the insulating body 2. The locking element 13 in this exemplary embodiment also assumes the function of a flap that closes the plug-in connector 1. The rotatably fixed end of the locking element 13 comprises an elliptical end 14. The stripped end of the conduct 7 is arranged between the conductive rubber element 4 and the elliptical end 14 of the locking element 13. In the illustrated open state, the longitudinal side of the elliptical end 14 is oriented in parallel with the conductor 7 or its conductor end. In the closed state, the elliptical end 14 exerts a force that is directed in a perpendicular manner with respect to the orientation of the conductor 7—similar to the schematic sketch in
A locking element 13′ is attached in a pivotable manner to the insulating body 2. The locking element 13′ also assumes in this case the function of a flap for reversibly closing the plug-in connector 1′. The locking element 13′ comprises approximately in the middle an inwardly-directed wedge-shaped element 16. As the locking element 13′ is folded down, the wedge-shaped element 16 acts on the conductor end of the conductor 7 and—comparable to the schematic sketch in
The above illustrated locking elements 13, 13′ may also be configured in segments. This means that one locking element 13 may be provided for each conductor. The conductors may then be connected one after the other.
In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2016 106 704.0 | Apr 2016 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/DE2017/100256 | 4/3/2017 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2017/178007 | 10/19/2017 | WO | A |
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20200328549 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |