Plug housing of an optical plug connector for industrial environment

p0001The present invention relates to a connector housing for an optical SC-RJ plug, for receiving at least one ferrule housing, according to the preamble of claim 1.

p0002Plug case for plugging into a corresponding receptacle are generally the support and targeted management of electrical or optical cables, in particular an electrical or optical connection of cable ends to be able to accomplish in a simple manner. Such compounds for modern data and communications transmission are also used outdoors, such as in the living room, office or business and industry. So, for example, so-called RJ45 connector for electrical signal transmission on the market have prevailed. For the geometry of the so-called SC-RJ connectors, respectively SC-RJ connector assemblies (plug / adapter / connector) for optical cables are already in detailed standard regulations (EN 50377-6-1).

p0003When using such connector assemblies in an industrial environment this proves however to be extremely susceptible to interference. In particular, carry out the mechanical loads, ie extreme vibration, and contamination of air, ie Oeldämpfe, dust and / or humidity, incidental influence this sensitive pads.

p0004There are therefore standards for the design of industrietaulichen RJ45 connectors, especially the standard IEC 61076-3-106 (International Electrotechnical Commission), and a housing body for receiving an RJ45 connector is described for example in DE-100'31'341 which is suitable for plug-in contacts for use, as required under industrial environmental conditions. The method disclosed in this document, the housing body is provided with a removable hinged lid and designed such that a normalized RJ45 connector in this case body can be inserted. This housing body furthermore has a laterally arranged latch pair, with the help of the installed plug can be secured to a plug socket. The composite structure of this housing body protects the internal, electrical contact points in the long term only insufficient and can meet the high requirements for fiber optic contacts in an industrial environment are no longer sufficient to.

p0005In the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1333537A1"><text>EP-A1-1 333 537</text></patcit> is a further housing body for receiving an RJ45 plug described, wherein the housing body has a sealing function.

p0006For example, in the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US5727963A"><text>US 5,727,963</text></patcit> describes an electrical plug connection, which is particularly designed for use in an industrial environment. This arrangement also includes a multi-part housing with a body arranged on both sides handle duo. No special measures Sorry provided to protect the long term Kontaktbereicht from moisture, dust or other contamination even with this arrangement. Moreover, vibrations are transmitted undamped to the contact points.

p0007Today, there is the need, optical connectors, such as those described in the <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="WO9942877A"><text>WO 99/42877</text></patcit> describes increasingly be able to use in the industrial sector. To use such an optical connector assemblies in the industrial sector in the long term, special precautions to protect the delicate optical cable ends are required. Unfortunately, none of the known electrical cable connector assemblies for use with optical cables are suitable. Such a connector assembly for optical cable is described for example in US 6'648'520 which has a robust connector capsule for a cable end. These connectors capsule is clamped by means of a nut on a retaining piece fixed to the optical cable. Unfortunately, such an attachment will trip for the permanent vibration in industrial environments over time and can not assemble easily spot such a connector assembly.

p0008It is therefore object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly for an optical connector, which is longer used in industrial environments and can be assembled on site and in a simple manner. Preferably, this connector assembly is to be non-destructively dismantled.

p0009In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector housing for an optical connector, which does not have the disadvantages of known connectors, as well as to provide a connector capsule, which is suitable for the safe connection of such a connector housing.

p0010This object is inventively achieved by a connector housing with the features of claim 1, and in particular by a plug housing of an optical connector of known type, which is suitable for receiving at least one ferrule housing, said connector housing having first attachment means for a long-term secure attachment with a connector capsule to generate an industry-standard connector.

p0011Preferred developments of the inventive connector housing have the features of the subclaims.

p0012So has the inventive plug housing advantageously first fastening means which are suitable for releasable attachment to a connector capsule. This first fastening means comprise at least one latching element for the formation of a capsule with the connector wirkungskomplemetär cooperating snap fastener. Preferably, the first fastening means (16) comprise at least one detent element for the formation of a capsule with the plug connector effectively complementary cooperating rotary snap lock. The locking element can in a first embodiment of a simple latching groove or in another embodiment, have a detent. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first fastening means, the latching element has a latching lug which is transverse to the plug direction (R) of a circular segment shaped in order to be guided without play in a guide groove in the interior of the connector cap can.

p0013The object is further achieved by a connector capsule, which can receive the connector housing described above and cooperates with this appropriately. In particular, second fastening means for releasable fastening with the inventive plug housing are provided, which cooperate effectively complementary second fastening means with the first attachment means of the plug housing. In a development of this connector capsule third fastening means are provided with which the connector capsule can be releasably attached to a mounting frame or a device housing. This third fasteners have the pawl, respectively. be designed handle duo and effective complementary counter elements on the mounting frame or the cabinet engage behind. Just as easy also provide a nut for the development of this third fastener.

p0014The advantages of the present invention to those skilled immediately apparent and will be the creation of an under industrial conditions and long-term safe and serviceable plug assembly, in their ease of use and cost-effective production. In particular, can this plug assembly Assemble using the inventively designed connector housing in a simple manner and preferably also dismantle nondestructively.

p0015In the following the invention using an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of the figures will be described in more detail. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an exploded view of a connector arrangement for optical cable with an inventive connector housing and a mating plug connector capsule;</dd><dt>FIG. 2 a - 2 c</dt><dd>spatial representations to the mounting end of the connector housing according to the invention with the inventive plug connector capsule.</dd><dt>Fig. 3 a - 3 c</dt><dd>detailed illustrations of the inventive connector housing;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a plan of the inventively equipped connector assembly; and</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>according to a perspective view of a socket for receiving the plug assembly according to the invention <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>,</dd></dl>

p0016<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> shows a connector assembly 1 for two optical cables 2, 3, also called fiber optics, the ends of which are each provided with a ferrule 4; 5. These ferrules 4, 5 are in standardized Ferrulengehäusen 6a, 6b in a known manner, that is held by means of ferrule holders 26 and crimping sleeves 27th The two optical cable 2, 3 are guided through a connector 7 capsule and protected by a cable sheath. 8 This connector assembly 1 also has a strain relief 9 of known type, in order to protect the optical cables 2, 3 from an undesired kinking. In addition, a connector housing 10 is provided, which accommodates the ferrule housing 6a, 6b and so a connector 11, in particular a SC-RJ connector forms. The thus assembled connector assembly 15 can be inserted into an adapter 12, which is secured by means of a support plate 13 on a mounting frame 14th It is understood that for such connector assemblies, a protective cap 25 is provided which can be placed over the connector assembly 15, to protect the ends of the optical cable 2, the third

p0017The inventive plug housing 10 includes first fastening means 16 which allow a snap connection with the plug connector capsule. 7 In a preferred embodiment, said first fastening means 16 are formed as part of a rotary-lock closure. Such a rotary-latch lock prevents the pulling out of the plug assembly 15 from the sleeve assembly 30, the plug housing 10 is released from the plug connector capsule 7, and thus tensile forces are exerted on the optical cable 2, the third In the arrangement shown, the connector housing is located at 10 with its rear side on the opening edge 17 of the plug connector capsule. 7 This means that when plugged in the connector housing 10 fully protrudes into the mounting frame 14 and the connector cap 7 sealing manner on the mounting frame 14th The connector cap 7 is provided for this purpose with an O-ring 21st The inventive connector capsule 7 has a laterally arranged latch pair 22, 22 ', to secure the connector 7 capsule on Anbaurahmen 14th

p0018The <figref idrefs="f0002">2a to 2c</figref> show some assembly steps for assembling an inventive connector assembly 15. Initially, a sealing element, preferably a cable jacket 8 and a kink 9 via the cable 2, 3 pushed. In this state, the cable 2, 3 stripped in a known manner about 7 cm and the individual fibers are not made up, including, in particular provided with a ferrule 4, 5 and possibly glued and sanded. After making-up of cables 2, 3 is a connector 7 capsule is slid over the thus prepared cable 2, the third Each of the ferrules 4, 5 is previously attached to one of the ferrule housing 6a, 6b. This ferrule housing 6a, 6b are then used in the inventive plug housings 10th In a next step, this connector housing 10 is inserted in the plug connector capsule 7, as seen from the<figref idrefs="f0002">2a to 2c</figref> visible, and the bend protection 9 is sealingly attached to the plug connector capsule 7 and the cable sheath eighth The process by which the male housing 10 is secured to the plug connector capsule 7, is in the<figref idrefs="f0002">2a to 2c</figref> made clear. For now, the first fastening means 16 of the connector housing 10 are inserted into a slot to the direction R twisted position in the connector cap. 7<figref idrefs="f0002">figure 2b</figref> shows the way into the connector cup 7 inserted plug housing 10. The rear wall of this connector housing 10 is in this position at the opening edge 17 of the connector 7 capsule on. A portion of the first fixing means 16, in particular a latching element 24 is now (not shown) of the plug connector capsule 7. To prevent the connector housing 10 because this slip out of the plug connector capsule 7 when pulling out of the connector in a second fastening means, in particular in an inner locking groove , the plug housing 10 is a rotation φ about the plug-in direction R and by means of second fastening means in a detachable rotary snap-engaged with the connector cap. 7 These second fastening means comprise, in addition an attached locking groove on the locking notch into which a locking rib 29 of the locking element 24 engages in this embodiment. The arrangement in accordance with<figref idrefs="f0002">2c</figref> can now be used in the present invention as assembled connector assembly 15th

p0019<figref idrefs="f0003">3a to 3c</figref> show the inventive connector housing 10 and the novel first fastening means 16 in detail. This connector housing 10 has two slots 18, 19 into which the ferrule housing can be 6a, 6b used. Lateral cam 20, and an encoding keys (not visible) on the underside of the plug housing 10, ensure the correct insertion of the plug housing 10 in a bushing arrangement 30. The in<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3b</figref> shown in detail first fastening means 16 comprise a crosspiece 23, which from the rear end of the plug housing 10 in the insertion opposite direction, ie facing towards the plug connector capsule. 7 This bridge 23 is dimensioned such that the ferrule housing 6a, 6b referred to in the slots 18, 19 of the male housing 10, carriage housing also can be performed. After insertion of the plug housing 10 in the plug connector capsule 7, the first attachment means may in effect complementary second fixing means (not shown) engage the plug connector 16 within the capsule. 7

p0020<figref idrefs="f0003">3a to 3c</figref> make the geometry according to the invention preferably the first attachment means 16 significantly. The web 23 in this embodiment comprises at least a head portion 24 or 24 ', which is cross-shaped segment of a circle to the insertion direction R. In the<figref idrefs="f0003">3a-3b</figref> , the first fastening means 16 has a web 23 with two such headers 24, 24 '. In the assembled state is at least a head portion 24 in a recess provided inside the Steckverbinerkapsel 7 circumferential groove (not shown). This groove has an appropriate place on a threshold, in which the head part 24 can releasably engage. In such a way it is ensured that the plug housing 10 is no longer in the insertion opposite direction from the plug connector capsule 7 can be pulled out, but -φ only a rotational movement can be released from its latching position.

p0021<figref idrefs="f0004">figure 4</figref> shows the assembled plug and makes it clear that the inventive male housing 10 bears with its rear side on the opening edge of the connector 7 and the capsule entirely in a sleeve assembly 30 according to <figref idrefs="f0004">figure 5</figref> can be introduced.

p0022The in <figref idrefs="f0004">Figures 4 and 5</figref> illustrated connector assembly 15 and sleeve assembly 30 makes it clear that the contact point for the optical connection by the inventive connector assembly 1 is fully protected, ie in particular by means of the integral connector capsule 7 is completely abkapselbar and thus even in difficult industrial environment long term faultless and safe functioning. When plugged in, the O-ring 21 27 of the mounting frame sets a sealing manner against a stop surface 26 of an opening collar 14. This opening Collar 27 is undercut, such that third fastening means, in particular at least one of the latches 22, 22 'this opening collar 27 can engage behind and thus the plug assembly can safely hold 15 of the sleeve assembly 30th

p0023It is understood that the embodiments for all types of optical connectors, but particularly for SC-RJ connectors shown here, is applicable. It is irrelevant whether that only one or whether a plurality of optical cables to be connected simultaneously. Of course, other geometric configurations may be provided, in particular, the inventive connector housing 10 can be completely in the assembled state, or only partially lie in the interior of the plug connector capsule. 7 The connector housing 10 or the single ferrule housing 6a, 6b may be provided with automatic closing flaps to protect the optical fibers when unplugged from contamination.

p0024It is also understood that the person skilled in the male capsule 7 can fix without inventive activity instead using latches 22 with the aid of a union nut on the mounting frame 14 or on a device housing. Other means for secure attachment of the inventive connector assembly 15 are within the ordinary action of the expert. It should also be understood without saying that in the present invention equipped connector assembly 15 may also have automatic closing flaps or a manually attachable cap 25th