DE20022335U1 - Coupling or plug for a plug connection for use in measurement technology, especially in environmental measurement technology - Google Patents

Description

F:\IJBDHF\DHFANM\1216O88

Applicant:

Endress+Hauser

Conducta Society for Measurement

and control technology mbH + Co.

Dieselstrasse 24

70839 Gernsbach

1216 088 03.04.2001

Title: Coupling or plug for a plug connection

for use in measurement technology, especially in environmental measurement technology

Description

The invention relates to a coupling or a plug for a plug connection for use in measurement technology, in particular in environmental measurement technology, with a contact carrier which is accommodated in a housing. The invention also relates to a corresponding plug connection for use in measurement technology, in particular in environmental measurement technology, with a coupling and a plug.

Such a coupling or such a plug is known from the German patent application 197 23 684. The

The plug connection described there is primarily intended for use in measurement and environmental technology. One requirement for the plug connection is that it must be easy to manufacture, as durable as possible and, above all, easy for the user to operate.

The object of the invention is to provide a plug connection of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is further improved with regard to production, durability and/or operation.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a coupling or a plug of the type mentioned at the outset in that the housing of the coupling is provided on its inner, outer and/or end face with a projection which is assigned to a recess in a plug, and that the housing of the plug is provided on its outer, inner and/or end face with a recess which is assigned to a projection of a coupling.

The assignment of the projection and the recess ensures that the coupling and the plug can only be connected to each other in a predetermined rotational position. This ensures the correct adjustment of the individual contacts of the coupling and the plug

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to each other. This makes the operation of the connector much easier for the user.

The design of the projection and the recess on the housings of the coupling and the plug ensures that any stresses that may occur when the two components are inserted into one another cannot have any negative influence on the current- or voltage-carrying components of the plug connection. Instead, the stresses only act on the two housings, which cannot lead to any impairment of the electrical properties of the plug connection. This increases the durability of the plug or coupling according to the invention.

In addition, the projection and the recess can be manufactured particularly easily and inexpensively, so that an improvement in the plug connection according to the invention is also achieved in this respect.

It is particularly advantageous if the housing is made of a hard plastic, in particular polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). This ensures that any stresses are absorbed and compensated by the hard plastic of the housing. In particular, pressure or shear forces that occur when the projection is inserted

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Any damage that may occur in the recess has no negative impact on the plug connection due to the hard plastic. In particular, this ensures that the electrical properties of the plug connection remain unchanged in any case.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the contact carrier is made of an electrically insulating and elastic plastic, in particular polyfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA). Even if this plastic is not particularly hard, this does not mean that the contact carriers are exposed to any impairments, especially when the coupling and the plug are joined together. Due to the arrangement of the projection and the recess on the housings of the coupling and the plug, any stresses - as mentioned - are absorbed by the housings and therefore have no influence on the contact carriers.

It is particularly advantageous if a web is provided as a projection and a groove as a recess, which are adapted to one another. It goes without saying that the web and the groove can be assigned to the plug or the coupling as well as to the outer or inner surfaces of these components.

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In an advantageous development of the invention, the contact carriers are additionally provided with a further web and a further groove. This allows further adjustment of the contacts of the plug and the coupling to one another. It goes without saying that the web and the groove can be assigned to the contact carriers of the coupling and the plug as desired.

It is particularly advantageous if the webs and grooves in the housings and in the contact carriers are designed in such a way that the web and groove of the housing engage with each other first, and only then do the web and groove of the contact carriers engage with each other. This ensures that the actual adjustment of the contacts of the coupling and the plug takes place through the web and groove of the housing and not through the web and groove of the contact carriers. This ensures that the contact carriers are not damaged by incorrect insertion of the plug into the coupling. Only after adjustment through the web and groove of the housing can the web and groove of the contact carriers be inserted into each other. The web and groove of the contact carriers are automatically correctly aligned with each other by the web and groove of the housing.

Further features, possible applications and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are shown in the figures of the drawing. All described or shown features form the subject matter of the invention, either individually or in any combination, regardless of their summary in the patent claims or their reference, and regardless of their wording or representation in the description or in the drawing.

Figure 1 shows a schematic

Perspective view of a

Embodiment of a coupling according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view

by the coupling of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a schematic

Perspective view of a

Embodiment of a plug according to the invention, and

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view

through the plug of figure 3.

Figures 1 to 4 show a plug connection that can be assembled from a coupling 10 and a plug 30. The plug connection is designed to be liquid-tight and can be used, for example, in measurement technology, particularly in environmental measurement technology. It goes without saying that the plug connection described below can also be used independently of the liquid-tightness mentioned above.

The plug connection can be used, for example, to connect a cable to a sensor. The cable is connected to the coupling 10 and the sensor to the plug 3 0. It goes without saying that the features of the plug 3 0 described below can also be provided for a coupling. Accordingly, the features of the coupling 10 described below can also be used for a plug. In this respect, the plug connection can also be provided to connect two cables to one another. It is also possible for a sensor to be connected to the plug and a cable to the coupling.

The coupling 10 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The coupling 10 is designed to have a cable connected to it

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The coupling 10 is essentially rotationally symmetrical.

The coupling 10 has a housing 11 in which a shield is accommodated. The housing 11 is made of a hard plastic, for example polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The shield is made up of a sleeve 12 and two half shells 13, 14. A contact carrier 15 is inserted into the sleeve 12. Contact pins 16 are accommodated in the contact carrier 15.

The sleeve 12 and the contact carrier 15 are essentially tubular. The inner diameter of the sleeve corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the contact carrier. The sleeve 12 is made of electrically conductive metal. The contact carrier 15 consists of an electrically insulating and elastic plastic, for example polyfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA). When inserted and pressed together, the contact carrier 15 and the sleeve 12 lie tightly against one another. Due to the elastic plastic used, this creates a liquid-tight connection between the sleeve 12 and the contact carrier 15.

Two projections 17, 18 protrude from the contact carrier 15 on opposite sides. In the

Half shells 13, 14 each have an opening 19, 20 which is assigned to the projections 17, 18. The half shells 13, 14 have an inner radius which corresponds to the outer radius of the contact carrier 15. This allows the half shells 13, 14 to be placed on the contact carrier 15. The projections 17, 18 of the contact carrier 15 engage in the recesses 19, 20 of the half shells 13, 14. In this way, there is a mechanical connection between the contact carrier 15 and the half shells 13, 14.

The half shells 13, 14 are manufactured, for example, as injection-molded parts made of plastic. At least one of the surfaces of the half shells 13, 14, for example the outer surfaces, is provided with an electrically conductive layer. The end faces 21, 22 of the half shells 13, 14 facing the sleeve 12 are also provided with an electrically conductive layer.

In the assembled state of the shield, i.e. when the contact carrier 15 is inserted into the sleeve 12 and when the half-shells 13, 14 are placed on the contact carrier 15, the end faces 21, 22 of the half-shells 13 rest against the sleeve 12. In this way, an electrical connection is created between the metallic sleeve 12 and the half-shells 13, 14 provided with the electrically conductive layer.

The shielding consisting of the sleeve 12 and the half shells 13, 14, including the contact carrier 15 accommodated therein, is accommodated in the housing 11. A groove 23 is provided on the outer surface of the sleeve 12, into which a ring seal 24 is inserted. The ring seal 24 rests on the other hand on the inner surface of the housing 11. This creates a liquid-tight connection between the sleeve 12 and the housing 11.

With their free end facing away from the sleeve 15, the half-shells 13, 14 are inserted into a substantially tubular cable grommet 25. A nut 26 is placed over the cable grommet 25 and can be screwed to the housing 11. The shielding consisting of the sleeve 12 and the half-shells 13 and 14, including the contact carrier 15 housed therein, is thus housed firmly and in a liquid-tight manner in the interior of the housing 11.

On its outer surface, the housing 11 is provided with an annular groove 27 into which an annular seal 28 is inserted. A screw connection 29 is placed on the housing 11, namely over the annular seal 28, with which the coupling 10 can be screwed to the plug 3 0. The annular seal 2 8 prevents the accumulation of

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Contamination in the annular gap between the housing 11 and the screw connection 29.

The housing 11 is provided with a web on its inner surface. The web 50 protrudes as an elongated projection from the inner surface of the housing 11 and has an approximately rectangular cross-section. The web 50 is aligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling 10. The web 50 is arranged in the area of the end of the housing 11 that faces away from the cable grommet 25. However, the web 50 does not reach all the way to the aforementioned end of the housing 11. The arrangement of the web can be seen in particular from Figure 1.

The web 50 can also be designed as a nose-shaped projection and thus without any extension in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, it is possible for the inner surface of the contact carrier 15 to be provided with a protruding web 51. The web 51 is then aligned in the longitudinal direction of the coupling, provided with an approximately rectangular cross-section and arranged at the end of the contact carrier 15 facing away from the cable grommet 25. The web 51 can also be designed in the shape of a nose.

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The plug 30 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The plug 30 is intended to be connected to a sensor or the like. The plug 30 is essentially rotationally symmetrical.

The plug 30 has a shield that consists of a first sleeve 31 and a second sleeve 32. The first sleeve 31 has an inner diameter at its free end facing the second sleeve 32 that corresponds to the outer diameter of the facing free end of the second sleeve 32. The first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 32 are pressed together at these mutually facing free ends. There is thus a firm mechanical connection between the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 32.

The first sleeve 31 is tubular. A contact carrier 33 is arranged inside the first sleeve 31. The contact carrier 33 serves to accommodate contact pins 34.

The first sleeve 31 is made, for example, as a turned part from an electrically conductive metal. The second sleeve 32 is made as an injection-molded part from plastic. The outer surface of the second sleeve 32 is provided with an electrically conductive layer. The second sleeve 32 has

a slot 35 aligned in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the second sleeve 32 is provided with at least one window 36.

By pressing the first sleeve 31 with the second sleeve 32, the two sleeves 31, 32 are electrically connected to one another. This results in the shielding already mentioned.

The contact carrier 33 is made of an electrically insulating and elastic plastic, e.g. polyfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA). The outer diameter of the contact carrier 33 corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the first sleeve 31. The contact carrier 33 therefore lies tightly against the first sleeve. Due to the elastic plastic used, a liquid-tight connection is created between the contact carrier 33 and the first sleeve 31.

The longitudinal slot 35 is intended for connecting the coupling 30 to the sensor mentioned. For example, it is possible for a glass tube of the sensor to be inserted into the sleeve 32. The slot 35 allows for compensation of diameter tolerances of the glass tube in order to ensure secure clamping. Alternatively or additionally, the glass tube of the sensor can be glued to the sleeve 32,

whereby the slot 35 then allows the filling with adhesive
allowed.

The window 36 in the sleeve 32 is intended to
the sensor wires with the contact pins 34 of the
contact carrier 33 can be electrically connected.
For this purpose, it is possible for the sensor wires to be soldered to the contact pins 34 through the window(s) 36.

The first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 32
existing shielding including the
The contact carrier 33 is housed in a housing 37
The housing 3 7 is made of a hard
Plastic, for example
Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). On the second sleeve 32
On the outer surface of the housing 3 7 facing away from it, an annular groove 3 8 is provided into which an annular seal 39 is inserted.

On the outer surface of the housing 37 there is a groove 55
The groove 55 is in the longitudinal direction of the plug 30
The groove 55 extends from the end of the housing 37 facing away from the second sleeve 32 to the
Ring groove 38 for the ring seal 39. The cross section of the groove 55 corresponds to the cross section of the web 50. Corresponding

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applies to the length of the groove 55. The arrangement of the groove 55 is particularly evident from Figure 3.

This allows the coupling 10 with the web 50 to be inserted into the groove 55 of the plug 30. The web 50 only extends as far as the ring seal 39 located in the ring groove 38, so that the sealing in this regard is not influenced by the web/groove connection.

In addition, it is possible for the outer surface of the contact carrier 33 to be provided with a groove 56. The groove 56 is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the plug 30 and is adapted to the web 51 with regard to its cross section and length.

This allows the coupling 10 to be inserted with the web 51 into the groove 56 of the plug 3 0. The arrangement of the webs 50, 51 and the grooves 55, 56 can ensure that the web 50 engages in the groove 55 first and only then can the web 51 engage in the groove 56. This then has the consequence that the web 50 inserted into the groove 55 by an operator adjusts the coupling 10 and the plug 3 0 to one another, so that the web 51 is automatically inserted into the groove 56 due to the existing adjustment.

The housing 37 is provided with an external thread onto which the screw connection 29 of the plug 10 can be screwed. When screwed on, the screw connection 29 is arranged above the ring seal 39. This creates a liquid-tight connection between the screw connection 29 and the housing 37.

The coupling 10 is manufactured, for example, as follows:

First, the contact pins 16 are inserted into the contact carrier 15 and the contact carrier 15 is pressed into the sleeve 12. Then the cable to be connected is pushed through the cable grommet 25 and the nut 26. The lines of the cable to be connected can now be soldered to the contact pins 16. Furthermore, the half-shells 13, 14 are placed on the contact carrier 15. The contact carrier 15 together with the connection pins 16 and the lines of the cable to be connected soldered to them are thus located within the shield consisting of the sleeve 12 and the half-shells 13, 14. This shield is now inserted into the cable grommet 25 on the one hand with the free ends of the half-shells 13, 14 and on the other hand pushed into the housing 11 with the sleeve 12. The sealing ring 24 is first pulled onto the sleeve 12. The nut 26 is now screwed onto the external thread of the housing 11. Finally, the

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Ring seal 28 is inserted into the ring groove 27 and the screw connection 29 is put onto the housing 11.

The connector 30 is manufactured as follows:

First, the contact pins 34 are inserted into the contact carrier. Then the contact carrier 33 is inserted into the first sleeve 31. The first sleeve 31 is then pressed onto the second sleeve 32. The intended sensor can now be inserted into the second sleeve 32. The connecting cables of the inserted sensor can be soldered to the contact pins 34 through the windows 36 of the second sleeve 32. The shield consisting of the first and second sleeves 31, 32, including the contact carrier 33 housed therein, with the contact pins 34 and the soldered connecting cables of the sensor are now pushed into the housing 37 and glued if necessary. The ring seal 39 is inserted into the ring groove 38 of the housing 37.

To connect the plug 30 and the coupling 10, the free end of the plug 30 with the ring seal 39 is inserted into the screw connection 29 of the coupling 10. The operator aligns the web 50 of the coupling 10 with the groove 55 of the plug 30 and then inserts it into the groove. If present, the web 51 of the

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Coupling 10 is inserted into the groove 56 of the plug 30. This can be done without any further adjustment by the operator due to the existing adjustment by the web 50 in the groove 55. The plug 30 and the coupling 10 are then screwed together using the screw connection 2 9.

In a different embodiment, it is possible to provide a projection on the front face of the housing 11 of the coupling 10 instead of the web 50 and the groove 55, which projection is assigned to a recess on the front face of the housing 37 of the plug 30. It is understood that the projection and the recess can also be formed in reverse on the plug 30 and the coupling 10.

Claims (13)

1. Coupling ( 10 ) for a plug connection for use in measurement technology, in particular in environmental measurement technology, with a contact carrier ( 15 ) which is accommodated in a housing ( 11 ), characterized in that the housing ( 11 ) is provided on its inner, outer and/or end surface with a projection which is assigned to a recess in a plug. 2. Plug ( 30 ) for a plug connection for use in measurement technology, in particular in environmental measurement technology, with a contact carrier ( 33 ) which is accommodated in a housing ( 37 ), characterized in that the housing ( 37 ) is provided on its outer, inner and/or end surface with a recess which is assigned a projection of a coupling. 3. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 11 , 37 ) is made of a hard plastic, in particular of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). 4. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact carrier ( 15 , 33 ) consists of an electrically insulating and elastic plastic, in particular of polyfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA). 5. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a web ( 50 ) and a groove ( 55 ) are provided which are adapted to one another. 6. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact carriers ( 15 , 33 ) are additionally provided with a further web ( 51 ) and with a further groove ( 56 ). 7. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the further web ( 51 ) and the further groove ( 56 ) are adapted to one another. 8. Coupling ( 10 ) or plug ( 30 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the projection or the web ( 50 ) or the webs ( 50 , 51 ) and the recess or the groove ( 55 ) or the grooves ( 55 , 56 ) are aligned in the longitudinal direction. 9. Plug connection for use in measurement technology, in particular in environmental measurement technology, with a coupling ( 10 ) and a plug ( 30 ), characterized in that a housing ( 37 ) of the plug ( 30 ) and a housing ( 11 ) of the coupling ( 10 ) are provided with a projection and a recess on their outer and inner or end surfaces. 10. Plug connection according to claim 9, characterized in that a web ( 50 ) and a groove ( 55 ) are provided, which are adapted to one another. 11. Plug connection according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that a contact carrier ( 33 ) of the plug ( 30 ) and a contact carrier ( 15 ) of the coupling ( 10 ) are provided with a further web ( 51 ) and with a further groove ( 56 ). 12. Plug connection according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the housing ( 11 , 37 ) is made of a hard plastic, in particular of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). 13. Plug connection according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the contact carrier ( 15 , 33 ) consists of an electrically insulating and elastic plastic, in particular of polyfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA).