Connector for differential data transfer

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] This type of connector is needed to ensure the best possible signal transmission via multiple biaxial cable connections.

Background Art [0003] Plug connectors, in which four pairs of wires are provided for transmitting signals, are almost accepted as the state of the art, also when different protective publications state otherwise.

For example, EP 0 755 100 B1 describes a "cable contact set with twisted, individually shielded pairs of wires" in which four pairs of wires are arranged in paired contact holders on the outer sides of the square plug body, respectively.

In addition, EP 0 809 331 B1 discloses a multipolar plug system in which each one pair of conductors is introduced into a separate guide body, the guide bodies being separated by a cross structure formed of a vertical and horizontal partition wall.

[0004] FR 2 921 522 shows a plug connector with a cylindrical insulator, with eight channels arranged in the longitudinal direction in the insulator. The channels contain Ethernet cables and one contact each, which extends through each channel. The channels are arranged in pairs, each pair of adjacent channels being divided by a longitudinally oriented layer of conductive material. The layer is formed by two plates, placed transversely to each other.

[0005] US 2002/015346 discloses a telecommunications plug connector for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a vertical shell and an inner shell, the inner shell protruding downwards onto the printed circuit board. The vertical cover and the inner cover form one, and the cross forms four quadrants, which are used to insert contacts. The cover of the contacts from each other through the cross cover provides better protection and reduces crosstalk.

[0007] These types of plug connections are uniquely designed for cable connections. However, decentralized peripheral devices for network technology have also been developed, especially for Ethernet networks, in which also external circular plug connectors must be inserted, so that also in a decentralized switchboard circular plug connectors can be placed with low input on one or several printed circuit boards in a shielded housing.

Defining the purpose [0008] The object of the invention is to provide a plug connector that is suitable for transmitting high frequency signals, with several electrical wires in pairs arranged in several shielded chambers of the plug connector housing. One variant should be planned as an inclined version and the other as a simple version for mounting the printed circuit board.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention relates to a circular plug connector in which it inserts four differential signal cables into four separate chambers for optimal coverage of the four differential signal cables.

Preferably there is a cross longitudinal structure of the circular plug connector in whose segments a differential signal cable is arranged.

- two single wires.

For this purpose, a contact carrier is provided, made of insulating material, as a carrier for electrical contacts and covering a protective cross, in such a way that the contact carrier is sprayed directly against the protective cross, it can be slipped on the protective cross or it can be latched in several parts .

[0013] A total of eight electrical contacts, with a sleeve or pin on the male side, are inserted into the respective receiving grooves, preferably in the corner areas of the cross contact carrier.

For mounting the printed circuit boards, the connection terminals are tilted by approximately 90 °, with different contact lengths for achieving a round

EP 2 603 952 B1 to form a connection on a printed circuit board.

An insulating round body slides over this system, which has four partial segments in the connector area, and each has two electrical contacts.

Thus, a completely shielded signal transfer is advantageously possible, namely the insulated body is surrounded by a metal conductive housing in the form of a front plate insert for a mating or complete plug, a closing housing, electrically conductive, in which the internal plug connector can be connected to an external power supply plug cooperating.

[0014] For accurate orientation of the ends of the connectors, an auxiliary positioning means is preferably provided, which is fixed on the connection side on the plug-in connector and which contains holes corresponding to the circuit arrangement of the printed circuit boards, so that the connecting terminals are exactly aligned with the connections of the printed circuit board.

[0015] A graded height distribution in a circular hole pattern is preferred here, so that not all contacts of the printed circuit board should be introduced at the same time into the positioning aid.

[0016] The electric contacts are made as wire contacts and are inserted into the longitudinal grooves in the respective grooves in the four segments of the contact carrier, so that the round body slid over it securely receives the contacts.

Electrical contacts are made as a plug or as a socket.

The preferred circular plug connector shown here is in a straight and angled version, and is intended for direct mounting on printed circuit boards. However, they can also be made as a rectangular or square arrangement for a plug connector.

In addition to this, in addition to inserting the electrical contacts into the respective recesses of the contact carrier, it is envisaged to insert the electrical contacts directly into the body of this plastic carrier.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the plug connector is provided in a deflected form for mounting on a printed circuit board.

For this angular version, a shield cross was developed for the first time, which is preferably

EP 2 603 952 B1 also takes into account the vertical deviation of the electrical contacts, so that the entire length of the contacts, from the plug side to the connection side on the board, is shielded without gaps.

[0018] It is first provided that the plug connector does not include an additional shielding outer cover, since the final assembly together with the printed cable card is initially carried out in the shielding housing covering all parts.

In a further embodiment, the plug connector can also be inserted into the electrically conductive cover surrounding it. However, it is also possible to use one or more fixed connectors on the printed circuit board in a non-conductive housing, whereby the connector in the electrically conductive front plate insert is inserted into the electrically conductive front plate, so that the front plate insert simultaneously creates fasteners for a plug-in mating plug.

The plug connector or round body is made in "floating" form, ie it is held only on the printed circuit board, while the supplied mating plug is preferably held in the screw connection of the front plate insert. The union is in the form of a sleeve, and although it extends above the circular plug connector, but both are not permanently connected, the protective effect is carried out by means of a protective spring.

[0019] Preferably, in a further embodiment, a simple plug-in connector design is provided which must be mounted vertically on the printed circuit board. All inserted electrical contacts have the same design

Embodiment [0020] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail below. shows:

Fig. 1 isometric view of the cover cross;

Fig. 2.0 isometric view of a sheath cross with molded contact carrier; Fig. 2.1 isometric view of a contact carrier for slipping on a shield cross;

EP 2 603 952 B1

Fig. 2.2 isometric view of the two halves of the contact carrier for sliding together on a shield cross;

Fig. 2.3 isometric view of the two carrier longitudinal halves of the contact carrier for snap-on on a shield cross;

Fig. 2.4. Isometric view of the four segments of the contact carrier for snap-in on the cross;

Fig. 2.5 an isometric view of the four hinged segments of the material of the contact carrier parent material for latching on the cover cross;

Fig. 3 a view of the electric contact;

Fig. 4 isometric view of a round body;

Fig. 5 an isometric view of the mounted contacts on the contact carrier, positioned on a shield cross;

Fig. 6 isometric view of the positioning aid;

Fig. 7 isometric view of a fully assembled plug connector;

Fig. 8 a side view of the plug-in connector in a front plate insert;

Fig. 9 a side view of the right angle connector on the printed circuit board in the front plate insert in the front plate, and

Fig. 10 a straight plug connector mounted vertically on a printed circuit board surrounded by a front plate insert.

[0021] In Fig. 1 is shown an electrically conductive, axially extending shield cross 10 to plug connector 1, four semi-open quadrants 16 being formed through the cross structure, in which electric contacts 30 are arranged in pairs.

[0022] The shield cross 10 is formed of two walls perpendicular to each other 11, 12, the angular version shown here, on both sides of the perpendicular wall 11, comprises two perpendicular walls 12, perpendicular walls 13 to separate later upper and lower contacts 30.

In addition, the vertical and horizontal walls 11, 12 comprise on one side axially oriented grooves 18 into which the provided for

The beads 26 on the respective sides of the contact carriers 20 and serve to guide the 20 contact carriers described below.

The geometry of the cover cross on the plug-in side is determined in a standardized way.

[0023] Approximately in the middle of the length of the cover cross 10 at the outer edges of the vertical and horizontal walls 11, 12, and in each case first and second integrally formed latch members are provided opposite.

The first integrally formed latch members 15.1 serve to latch the contact carrier 20, and the second integrally formed latch members 15.2 are provided for a later slide round body 40.

In addition, a ground pin 17 on the shielding cross 10 is provided for electrical contact with the printed circuit board 65.

[0024] Fig. 2.1 shows a basic example of a one-piece contact carrier 20.1, into which the inner hollow space 29 can slide a cover cross 10.

In the outer corner areas of the contact carrier 20, the isosceles inner inner edge 22 with an angle of about 45 ° is axially oriented and comprises two receiving grooves 23 formed side by side.

The receiving grooves have different sections:

first section 24.1, which indicates the inside corner, second narrowed section 24.2, made as a round groove and third section 24.3 also with a round groove, but with a larger diameter than on the second section

24.2.

In addition, axial slots 27 with a latch hook 28 are provided along the outer edges of the contact carrier 20.1, each of which two opposite, for latching once the guard cross 10 with the first integrally formed latch elements 15.1 and both second integrally formed latch elements 15.2, perpendicular to them, for snapping the round body 40 slid onto the carrier 20.1 contacts.

[0025] Fig. 2.0 is a special embodiment that shows such a contact carrier 20.1 of this type which is connected directly and in one piece with the shield cross 10.

[0026] Fig. 2.2 shows a multi-part carrier 20.2 contacts, wherein two segment parts are provided here, which slide laterally axially onto the shield cross and which, held together with the latching means 25.1 on the plug side, include a shield cross 10 in the middle, with both sides of integrally formed latching elements 15.1, 15.2. To this end, corresponding recesses 21.2 are provided in the middle contact areas 21 of the carrier 20.2 contacts.

[0027] Fig. 2.3 shows a multi-part contact carrier, which consists of two single segments 20.3, which are made as the same half shells and are superimposed, encapsulating the cross 10, and are snapped together.

In addition, in Fig. 2.4 four individual segments - but four the same 20.4 segments - are arranged around the cover cross 10, connected and latched each time by means of latching means 25.2.

[0029] In Fig. 2.5 one one-piece contact carrier 20.5 is shown, which is formed here of four 20.7 segments, which are connected together by a hinge 20.7, which are arranged around the casing cross 10 and whose ends can each snap behind each other behind using latching means 25.3.

In the following description, different versions of contact carriers for simplicity are called contact carriers, since the outer edges have the same functional properties in each case.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a wire electrical contact 30 that comprises differently shaped areas according to differently shaped sections 24 in receiving grooves 23 of different versions of contact carriers 20.

[0032] The plug-in side 31 of the electric contact 30 is made either as a plug or as a socket, while the soldering side 32.1 is in each case inclined about 90 ° from the axis.

EP 2 603 952 B1

The lengths of the electrical contacts 30 are different, with the first area 32.1 always having a shorter soldering side shorter or longer.

The next 2nd range 32.2 is significant, in which the contact is in the shape of a quadrangle, which in the first section 24.1 is used with the corner edge in the carrier 20 contacts. The first preliminary orientation of the soldering sides is thus achieved for subsequent assembly on the printed circuit board 65.

The 3rd area is generally provided for inserting and holding contact 30 on the second section 24.2 of the 20-pin carrier, while the 4th area 32.4 with the larger diameter is inserted into the long guide groove 24.3 on the 3rd section of the 20-pin carrier.

[0033] In further Fig. 4, a round body 40 is shown which slides over the cross structure of the cover cross 10 and the contact carrier 20.

[0034] The outer body, having substantially round edges on the outside and made of electrically non-conducting material, is fitted with its interior to the outer cross-form of the contact carrier 20. Two opposite longitudinal slots 44 with a latch hook 45 are provided in which the second integrally formed latch elements engage in locking

15.2 shielding cross 10.

At the end of the longitudinal gap 44, a circular annular groove 46 is formed in the round body 40, into which the so-called shield spring 60 enters. The shield spring may have a different shape from that shown here.

In addition, the round body 40 comprises a plug-in side 41 with four wheel segments 42 in which two holes 43 are formed for plug-in sides 31 made as a socket or plug for electrical contacts 30.

Initially, the wheel segments 42 partly, vertically and horizontally enclose the walls 11, 12 of the cover cross 10, between them. It is possible to mold the round body for the version with plug-in contacts directly around the contact carrier.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a partially connected plug connector that includes a shield cross 10 with a contact carrier 20 slid on and electrical contacts 30 inserted.

[0036] Fig. 6 shows the positioning aid 50 for orienting the soldering sides 32.1 of electrical contacts 30 which is connected to the round body 40 and is inserted by means of a fixing plug 55 onto the printed circuit board 65.

The positioning aid 50 is primarily made as a flat plate 51 with two quarter sections 52 at an elevated level.

[0037] When connecting the soldering side positioning aid 32.1, the electrical contacts 30 are first inserted into the holes 53.1 in the higher sections 52, and then the remaining contacts are inserted into the holes 53.2 of the flat area 51.

According to the desired round arrangement of solder ends 32.1 of the electrical contact connections 30, holes 53.1, 53.2 are positioned in the auxiliary positioning means 50.

In addition, a hole 54 is needed for the grounding pin 17 of the cover cross 10.

In addition, on the side facing the round body 40, two studs 57 are formed for attachment to the round body 40, while at least one locating pin 55 for the printed circuit board 65 is provided on the opposite side.

In addition, on the side of the auxiliary positioning means facing the printed circuit board 65, a spacer in the form of a convex isosceles cross, not shown here, is further illustrated for the distance application of the positioning aid onto the printed circuit board 65.

[0038] In Fig. 7, the already assembled plug connector 1 is shown, to which the auxiliary positioning means 50 is additionally connected.

On the circular body 40, a sheath spring 60 is visible in the circumferential groove 46 by which contact with the front plate insert 75 described below is ensured.

Shield spring 60 is shown here as a spiral spring and takes over ground contact between shield cross 10 by means of a second

EP 2 603 952 B1 of the integrally formed latch member 15.2 to the metallic, electrically conductive front plate insert 75.

[0039] For example, Fig. 8 shows a front plate insert 75 for a circular plug connector 1 into which the circular body 40 can be inserted, with the use of a shield spring 60, mass flow contact for the overall housing mass through the front panel 70 is ensured. Thus, essentially each of the four segments 42 of the total plug connector 1 with the electric contacts arranged therein 30 is optimally hermetically sealed in relation to the external voltage.

In the state of connection with the mating plug, the sheath cross enters the cross plug system formed by four segments 42 of the round body 40, so that a continuous shield of the signal wires in four segments is achieved.

[0040] In Fig. 9, an angled plug connector 1 is shown in perspective from the connection side, which is fixed on the printed circuit board 65 and "float" slides into the protective sleeve, front plate insert 75. This means that the plug connector 1 is positioned relatively freely, including contact with a shielding spring, in the front plate insert 75 screwed to the front plate 70, the contact plug to be connected is permanently bolted to the front plate insert 75 or is attached in latching form.

[0041] Fig. 10 shows a variant of the plug connector 2 in a so-called straight arrangement. This means that the electrical contacts, with the same length, are made in a continuous, straight form. Such a plug connector is applied perpendicularly to the printed circuit board 65 as shown here.

In addition, the front plate insert 75 is slid over the plug connector 2.

In all cases of use, however, a disturbed signal cover is provided, at least through the front plate insert 75 for plug connectors 1, 2.

[0043] Accordingly, the housing can be made as a "sleeve" and is

EP 2 603 952 B1 as a front plate insert 75, for example in a plastic housing, in which one or more plug connectors 1 are already arranged on the printed circuit board 65 according to the orientation of the front plate inserts for connection with the mating plug. Alternatively, the printed circuit board with the plug connectors located thereon is inserted into the metallic or electrically conductive housing 80 also for connection with corresponding mating plugs.

Mark list

Plug connector for differential data transmission [0044]

Plug-in connector, deflected

Plug connector, straight

Plug-in page

Connection page

Shielding cross, electrically conductive

Vertical wall

Horizontal wall

The wall is bent by 90 °

Plug-in page

15.1 1st integrally formed latch element for contact carrier

15.2 2nd integrally formed latch element for the round body

Shield cross quadrants

Ground pin

Groove for bead 26

20.0 Contact carrier, molded onto 10

20.1 Contact carrier, slipped in one piece

20.2 Contact carrier, two parts, middle, slip-on

EP 2 603 952 B1

Contact carrier, two-piece, snapped on

Contact carrier, four parts, latched together

Contact carrier, four segments with native material hinges Segments

Hinge from native material

Outer edges

Recess in outer edges at 20.2

Inner edge, isosceles

Receiving grooves

1st segment, angled, for polarization

2nd episode, round to embrace

3rd episode, round to lead

Clicking means for 20.2

Clicking means for 20.3, 20.4

Clicking means for 20.5

Thickness on contact carrier for groove 18

Longitudinal gap for sliding on to 20.1

Snap hook for contact carrier

Empty cross

Contacts, wire contacts

Plug-in side (plug or socket)

1st area, connection end (deflected), soldering side

2nd area, square to be polarized

3rd area, embracing area, round

4th area, leading area, round

Round body

EP 2 603 952 B1

Plug-in page

Circular segments

Holes for contacts

Longitudinal slot for latching

Latch hook

Ring groove

Pegs for vertical mounting

Auxiliary positioning agent

Pad

Quarter segments of the circle

Pin holes in 52

Pin holes in 51

Hole for ground stud 17

Locating pins for LP

Strut, cross for reflow soldering (invisible) Locating pins for the round body Shield spring

Printed circuit board

Front plate

Front plate insert

Housing

EP 2 603 952 B1