Abstract:
The invention relates to a contact assembly for a combined power and data connector and to a socket assembly for a mating socket. In order to provide a combined power and data connector that allows combined transport of electrical power and data signals, which is compact, solid and may be produced cost-effectively, it is intended according to the invention that a connector face of the contact assembly comprises a data section and a second section, wherein the data section comprises a plurality of data contacts, which are separated from the second section by at least one separating wall assembly, the data contacts being arranged on a carrier unit that is mounted on a data section side of the separating wall assembly, that the carrier unit further carries electric power and wherein the at least one separating wall assembly comprises a fixation sub-assembly that fixates the carrier unit onto the separating wall assembly.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from European Patent Application EP13174536.6 filed Jul. 1, 2013, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a contact assembly for a combined power and data connector. The invention further relates to a socket assembly for a mating connector socket. 
         [0003]    In order to save material and installation costs of connections between electronic devices which need to be connected with electric power cables and data cables, the provision of combined power and data connectors is desired. In the prior art, the Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard is known and widely used. In this standard, data lines of standard network cables are used to transmit electric power for connected devices additionally to the data signals. Due to the low wire cross-section of the wires which are used in standard Ethernet cables and the low cross-sections of the used contact pins in standard Ethernet connectors, only a limited amount of electric power can be transmitted through the cables to a device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of known combined signal and power connectors and to provide a combined connector that is capable of transmitting both electrical power and data signals in a single and compact connector assembly. 
         [0005]    This object is achieved according to the invention for a combined power and data connector as mentioned in the beginning in that a contact assembly for a combined power and data connector comprises a connector face, facing in a connecting direction, the connector face comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is a data section and comprises a plurality of data contacts, which are separated from the second section by at least one separating wall assembly, the data contacts being arranged on a carrier unit that is mounted on a data section side of the separating wall assembly, the data section side of the separating wall assembly being opposite the second section of the connector face, wherein the carrier unit further carries electric power, and wherein the at least one separating wall assembly comprises a fixation sub-assembly that fixates the carrier unit onto the separating wall assembly. 
         [0006]    The contact assembly according to the invention thus provides a combined connector for power and data transmission. The carrier unit is adapted to carry both, data signals and electric current. The data contacts may be adapted to each carry electric currents up to 1 Ampere, preferably up to 0.5 Ampere. Using an additional carrier unit for the data contacts, which is mounted on the data section side of the separating wall assembly, plus the arrangement of the data contacts facing away from the second section provides a highly compact and solid connector face. 
         [0007]    The second section may be adapted as a power section which comprises additional power contacts which are separated from the data contacts. These additional power contacts may be adapted for transmitting electric power that exceeds the allowable power on PoE-cables and on the data contacts. The additional power contacts may preferably have a higher cross-section than the data contacts. 
         [0008]    The second section may also be used for the implementation of additional connector elements such as additional data contacts, optical fibre connectors, and/or dummy contacts. 
         [0009]    For the socket assembly as mentioned in the beginning, the object of the present invention is achieved in that the socket assembly for a combined power and data socket comprises a socket housing, a data section and a second section, wherein the second section comprises at least two contact elements and wherein the data section comprises a plurality of data contacts, the contact elements and the data contacts being situated in a shared open volume. 
         [0010]    The socket assembly according to the invention thus provides a data socket, which is compact and which is producible with a low material usage. 
         [0011]    In the following, further improvements are described. The additional improvements may be combined independently of each other, depending on whether a particular advantage of a particular improvement is needed in a specific application. 
         [0012]    According to a first advantageous improvement, both the carrier unit of the connector and the data section of the socket can each comprise eight data contacts in order to be compatible with standard network connection techniques, especially with Gigabit Ethernet or Power over Ethernet connections and with the standard type of Ethernet cables which carry eight wires. 
         [0013]    The data contacts may be arranged on a data contact face of the carrier unit. The data contact face may be opposite the second section of the connector face. 
         [0014]    In order to achieve a secure fixation of the carrier unit on the separating wall assembly along a data contact plane and to positively lock the carrier unit perpendicular to the connecting direction, the fixation sub-assembly may comprise at least one fixation wall that fixates the carrier unit. 
         [0015]    The connector face may comprise an open volume above the data contacts on the data section side of the carrier unit, the open volume receding from the connector face against the connecting direction. The open volume may allow an access to the data contacts on the carrier unit, providing an easy connectivity to a mating socket and also allowing a visual inspection of the contacts on the carrier board. 
         [0016]    According to another advantageous improvement, a protective wall member may define the open volume opposite the carrier unit. A protective wall member may protect the contacts on the carrier unit against mechanical damage. It may also be used to improve the stability of a connection to a mating socket when the socket comprises a receptacle for the protective wall member. 
         [0017]    To provide a reliable mounting of the carrier unit on the at least one separating wall assembly, said fixation sub-assembly may positively lock the carrier unit onto the separating wall assembly. 
         [0018]    In order to provide a separating wall assembly, onto which a carrier board can be mounted subsequently and which provides a secure mounting of the carrier board in a direction facing away from the data section side, the fixation sub-assembly may comprise at least one groove which opens into the connector face and which extends parallel to the connecting direction, the carrier unit comprising at least one locking sub-assembly, which is configured to be inserted into the at least one groove against the connecting direction. 
         [0019]    To provide a reliable seat and a simple construction of the fixation sub-assembly, the fixation sub-assembly may comprise two grooves which extend on two opposite sides of the at least one separating wall assembly, the two grooves facing each other. 
         [0020]    The locking sub-assembly of the carrier unit may be provided with at least one locking protrusion, which protrudes from a bottom surface of the carrier unit, the bottom surface facing the second section, the locking protrusion being configured to be engaged to a locking feature on the separating wall assembly. The locking feature may be adapted to lock the carrier board against movement in the connecting direction. To align the carrier unit on the data section side of the separating wall assembly, the locking feature may be at least in parts arranged perpendicular to the connecting direction. 
         [0021]    In order to lock a mounted carrier board against being moved in a direction away from the data section side, the locking protrusion may extend perpendicular to the connecting direction into the at least one groove. 
         [0022]    To provide a simple construction, the locking protrusion may be a separate strip fixed onto the carrier unit. The separate strip may have a rectangular shape, with the two short sides of the rectangle being inserted into two grooves of the fixation sub-assembly, the grooves facing each other. 
         [0023]    A simple construction and reliable fixation of the locking protrusion on the carrier unit can be achieved when the locking protrusion is soldered onto the carrier unit. The bottom surface of the carrier unit may comprise soldering pads, which may be tin-plated. The soldering pads may be used for soldering the carrier unit onto the locking protrusion. 
         [0024]    To provide a solid connector and electric insulation between the data carrier and additional elements in the second section, such as additional power contacts, the connector face may comprise at least one protruding shaft, which is adapted to receive at least one additional connector element, one wall of the shaft being part of the separating wall assembly. The shaft may be opened in the connecting direction for the additional connector element being connected with a mating socket. A separating wall assembly that is formed by walls of at least one shaft leads to a simple construction and a saving of material during the production. The carrier unit may be directly seated on the wall of the shaft that is part of the separating wall assembly. 
         [0025]    A simple construction and easy access to ends of data cables that are connected to the data contacts may be provided when the connector face is mounted in a mounting member with a mounting side facing in the connecting direction. The mounting member may be adapted to be locked with a complementary receiving structure, the receiving structure being fixated relatively to a combined power and data socket, which is adapted to be matable with the combined power and data connector. 
         [0026]    In order to allow for compensation of tolerances between the connector and the mating socket during mating and during locking of the mounting member with the complementary receiving structure, the connector face may protrude through a face opening in a mounting side of the mounting member, the face opening being laterally greater than the connector face and comprising a floating space which laterally surrounds the connector face. 
         [0027]    The carrier unit may be fixated onto the separating wall assembly. The mounting member may be adapted to allow a relative movement between the separating wall assembly together with the fixated carrier unit and the mounting member at least perpendicular to the connecting direction inside the floating space. 
         [0028]    In order to allow the combined power and data connector to carry electrical power additionally to the electric power which is carried via the carrier unit, the second section may be a power section which comprises at least one, preferably two power contacts. 
         [0029]    An advantageous embodiment of the contact assembly may have a smaller connector face area than a standard 8P8C-RJ45-connector. Said 8P8C-RJ45-connector with a connector face width of 11.7 mm has a connector face area of 170 mm 2 . The combined power and data connector according to the invention may have a connector face area less than 150 mm 2  at a connector face height of 12 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less. 
         [0030]    The carrier unit may be formed by a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board carrying data contacts which are formed as data contact strips. The data contact strips may be adapted to carry both, data signals and electric power. The use of a printed circuit board can effectively reduce the manufacturing costs. Data contact strips, which may be adapted for being electrically contacted to mating contacts of a socket, provide a reliable and simple contact design. The data contact strips may be arranged on the data contact side of the carrier unit which is formed by the printed circuit board. 
         [0031]    The data contact surfaces may comprise soldering sites for soldering data cables onto the data contacts. 
         [0032]    The integrity of data signals carried by the data contacts may be improved when the data contacts are arranged in parallel pairs, the distance of a pair of data contacts being smaller than the distance between two adjacent data contacts of different pairs. 
         [0033]    A plurality of twisted cable pairs may be connected to the carrier unit, each twisted cable pair being electrically connected to a pair of adjacent data contacts. The pair-wise connection between cable pairs and pairs of data contacts may improve the integrity of data signals carried by the data cables close to the carrier unit in comparison with the cable arrangements as defined by the T568A standard. 
         [0034]    The data contact strips may comprise a soldering end and a connecting end, the connecting end facing in the connecting direction. A distance between centre lines of two data contact strips of at least one pair of data contact strips may be between 1.4 and 1.6 times the width of a data contact strip at its connecting end. 
         [0035]    A distance between centre lines of two adjacent two contact strips of different pairs may be between 2.1 and 2.3 times the width of a data contact stripe at its connecting end. The arrangement of data contact strips with the distances mentioned before may improve the integrity of data signals being carried by the data contact strips. 
         [0036]    The contact assembly may comprise an enclosing structure, the enclosing structure surrounding the mounting member at least in parts and being configured to lock the mounting member to the complementary receiving structure of a socket, providing a stable connection between the connector and a mating socket and protecting a connected connector against being accidentally removed. 
         [0037]    The enclosing structure may comprise an electromagnetic shielding member, providing electromagnetic shielding for the connector. 
         [0038]    According to another advantageous improvement, additional power contacts may be formed by female contacts for mating blade contacts on a mating socket. Each female contact may be located inside a shaft, the shaft being opened towards the connecting direction. 
         [0039]    According to a first advantageous improvement of a socket assembly according to the invention, the data contacts of the socket assembly may be formed by spring contacts, each spring contact having a mounting section and a spring section. Each spring section of a spring contact may be adapted to contact one data contact of a mating connector. Each spring section may comprise a spring face, facing towards data contacts of an inserted connector. The spring faces may be arranged in the shared open volume of the socket assembly, facing the contact elements. 
         [0040]    A stable connection between a socket and a mating connector can be achieved when the at least two contact elements are formed by blade contacts, a common plane of the blade contacts being aligned in parallel to an array of data contacts. 
         [0041]    The contact elements can be power contacts to carry electric power additionally to the electric power carried by the data contacts of the carrier board. 
         [0042]    To allow the power contacts to carry electric power which exceeds the limitation of the data contacts, each blade contact may have a width which is measured parallel to the common plane and perpendicular to the connecting direction, which is a multiple of a width of a data contact. 
         [0043]    The contact elements may also be additional data contacts, optical fibre connectors and/or dummy contacts, depending on the elements which are used in the second section of a mating contact assembly. 
         [0044]    Dummy contacts can be used to protrude into empty shafts of a mating contact assembly to further increase the stability of the connection between connector and socket. 
         [0045]    A safe handling of the socket may be achieved when the socket housing comprises at least one separating structure between two contact elements, the separating structure extending perpendicular to a plane of the contact elements. 
         [0046]    According to another advantageous improvement, the socket housing may comprise at least two pockets and the plurality of contacts may comprise U-shaped fixation members, the fixation members being inserted into the pockets. Thus, a compact socket may be achieved. 
         [0047]    In the following, the invention and its improvements are described in greater details using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures. As described above, the various features shown in the embodiments may be used independently of each other in specific applications. 
         [0048]    In the following figures, elements having the same function and/or the same structure will be referenced by the same reference signs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a contact assembly according to the invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective cut-out of a separating wall assembly and a fixation sub-assembly according to the first embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic side view of a connector face according to the first embodiment with a mounted carrier unit; 
           [0052]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic perspective top view of a carrier unit according to the first embodiment; 
           [0053]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface of a carrier unit according to the first embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic drawing of contact strips on a carrier unit according to the first embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic perspective view of a socket assembly according to a first embodiment in a bottom-up view; 
           [0056]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic perspective view of a socket assembly according to the first embodiment in a mounted state; 
           [0057]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic perspective view of an array of data contacts of a housing according to the first embodiment of a socket assembly; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic perspective view of a socket housing according to the first embodiment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 11  shows a contact assembly according to the first embodiment in a mated state with a mating socket assembly according to the first embodiment of a socket assembly; 
           [0060]      FIG. 12  shows a contact assembly and a socket assembly in a mated state as shown in  FIG. 11  in a cut view; 
           [0061]      FIG. 13  shows a cut view of a contact assembly and a socket assembly in a mated state according to the previous described embodiment wherein the contact assembly further comprises an enclosure assembly; 
           [0062]      FIG. 14  shows a second embodiment of a contact assembly according to the invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 15  shows a contact assembly according to the second embodiment with a mounting member in a cut view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0064]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a contact assembly  1  according to the invention assembled to a combined data and power connector  3 . 
         [0065]    The contact assembly comprises a connector face  5 . The connector face  5  may be embedded in a mounting member  7 . The connector face  5  is facing in a connecting direction  9 . The connector face  5  comprises a data section  13  and a second section  10 . In this embodiment, the second section  10  is a power section  11 . The power section  11  comprises two additional elements  14  which are power contacts  15 , the power contacts  15  may be formed as female contacts which are opened in the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0066]    The power contacts  15  are situated inside rectangular shafts  17 . The shafts  17  have rectangular openings  19 , the rectangular openings  19  being arranged parallel to a power contact plane  21 , which is defined by insertion openings  23  of the power contacts  15 . The power contacts  15  are adapted to receive flat blade contacts  129  of a mating socket assembly  119 . 
         [0067]    The shafts  17  are arranged adjacent to each other and parallel to the power contact plane  21 , the shafts  17  being separated by a separating space  25 . Each shaft  17  has a wall  27  which faces the data section  13 . The walls  27  form a separating wall assembly  29  of the connector face  5 . The separating wall assembly  29  has a data section side  31 , facing away from the power section  11 . 
         [0068]    The connector face  5  protrudes through a face opening  37  in a mounting side  39  of the mounting member  7 . The face opening  37  is laterally greater than the connector face and leaves a floating space  32  between the connector face  5  and the mounting side  39 . The floating space  32  allows the movement of the connector face  5  in two perpendicular directions to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0069]    The data section  13  comprises a carrier unit  33 , which is mounted on the data section side  31  of the separating wall assembly  29 . The carrier unit  33  is arranged parallel to the power contact plane  21  and to the connecting direction  9 . Data cables  35  are electrically connected to the carrier unit  33 . The data cables  35  extend through the face opening  37  in the mounting side  39  of the mounting member  7 . Data cable ends  41  of the data cables  35  are soldered onto data contacts  43 , which are located on the data contact face  45  on the carrier unit  33 . Each data cable  35  is electrically connected to one data contact  43 . The carrier unit  33  is formed by a printed circuit board  83 . The carrier unit  33  defines the data contact plane  46 . The data contact plane  46  is parallel with the power contact plane  21 . Details of the carrier unit  33  and the data contacts  43  are shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
         [0070]    Above the data contact face  45  of the carrier unit  33 , an open volume  47  extends in the connecting direction  9  and in a direction facing away from the data contact face  45 . In the direction facing away from the data contact face  45 , the open volume  47  is limited by a protective wall member  49 . The protective wall member  49  extends parallel to the power contact and data contact planes  21 ,  46  and aligns with the connector face  5 . The protective wall member  49  may comprise a supporting structure  51 . Both the protective wall member  49  and the supporting structure  51  may be mounted on the mounting side  39  of the mounting member  7 . 
         [0071]    A width  52  of the power contacts  15  is measured parallel to power contact plane  21  and perpendicular to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0072]    The connector face area, which is the product of the connector face height  48  and the connector face width  50  is preferably below 150 mm 2 . Preferably the face width  50  is 16 mm or less. The face height  48  is preferably 12 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less. In one preferred embodiment the width  50  is 15.7 mm and the height  48  is 9.5 mm. 
         [0073]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective view of two shafts  17  and a fixation sub-assembly  53  with an inserted locking protrusion  59  according to the invention. 
         [0074]    Each of the shafts  17  has a wall  27 , which is part of the separating wall assembly  29 . The fixation sub-assembly  53  comprises two fixation walls  63 . The fixation walls  63  comprise alignment sides  65 , which oppose each other. In the fixation walls  63 , two grooves  55  are situated, which are aligned parallel to the connecting direction  9  and to the data contact plane  46 . The two grooves  55  face each other. The two grooves  55  are situated at two opposite sides of the connector face  5 . 
         [0075]    The fixation walls  63  positively locks an inserted carrier unit  33  between the alignment sides  65  in the data contact plane  46  perpendicular to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0076]    The grooves  55  comprise groove openings  57  which face into the connecting direction  9 . The groove openings  57  and the grooves  55  are adapted to receive a locking protrusion  59  from a carrier unit  33 . The grooves  55  are closed at closing positions  61 , limiting an insertion depth for a locking protrusion  59 . The grooves  55  are adapted to positively lock an inserted locking protrusion  59  in a direction away from the data contact plane  46 . 
         [0077]    The separating wall assembly  29  comprises two locking features  67 . The locking features  67  are adapted to prevent an inserted locking protrusion  59  from being moved out of the fixation sub-assembly  53  in the connecting direction  9 . The locking features  67  may be shaped as wedges  69 . The flat side  71  of the wedges  69  may be aligned in the connecting direction  9 , allowing a locking protrusion  59  to be easily inserted into the fixation sub-assembly  53 . The thick side  73  of the wedges  69  may be aligned in a direction opposite to the connecting direction  9 , positively locking an inserted locking protrusion  59 . 
         [0078]    The locking protrusion  59  may be formed as a separate strip  74 . Short sides  75  of the separate strip  74  may be adapted to extend into the grooves  55  when the locking protrusion  59  is inserted in the fixation sub-assembly  53 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic sectional view of a data connector face  5  in a cut through one of the shafts  17  along a plane being perpendicular to the connecting direction  9  and to the power contact plane  21 . 
         [0080]    The shaft  17  comprises a cavity  77  in which a power contact  15  is located. The power contact  15  may comprise two power springs  79 . The cavity  77  is accessible through the opening  19 . 
         [0081]    At the data section  13 , a carrier unit  33  is mounted. The carrier unit  33  is mounted on a wall  27  of the shaft  17 . The carrier unit comprises a locking sub-assembly  64 . The locking sub-assembly  64  is identical with the locking protrusion  59  which is formed as a separate strip  74 . The locking protrusion  59  is fixed onto a bottom surface  81  of the carrier unit  33 . The carrier unit  33  is positively locked against movement in the connecting direction  9  by the locking feature  67 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic perspective view of a data contact face  45  of a carrier unit  33 . 
         [0083]    The carrier unit  33  is formed by a printed circuit board  83 . The data contacts  43  are formed by elongated data contact strips  85 . The data contact strips  85  extend parallel to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0084]    Each data contact strip  85  comprises a soldering end  87  and a connecting end  89 . Each soldering end  87  may comprise a soldering site  91  to which a data cable end  41  of a data cable  35  can be soldered. The connecting ends  89  are situated in the open volume  47  when the carrier unit  33  is mounted on a data section side  31  to be accessible for mating data contacts  123  of a socket assembly  115 . 
         [0085]    The printed circuit board  83  may comprise a soldering barrier  93 , extending perpendicular to the connecting direction  9 , separating the soldering ends  87  and the connecting ends  89  of the data contact strips  85 . The soldering barrier  93  is located on top of the data contact strips  85  without interrupting the electrical connection between the soldering ends  87  and the connecting ends  89 . The soldering barrier  93  may be adapted to prevent tin solder from reaching the connecting ends  89  during a process of soldering data cable ends  41  onto the soldering ends  87  of the data contact strips  85 . 
         [0086]    The printed circuit board  83  may comprise an insertion edge  95 . The insertion edge  95  may be chamfered. The width  97  of the chamfered insertion edge  95  may be equivalent to a thickness  99  of the printed circuit board  83 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 5  shows the bottom surface  81  of a carrier unit  33 . 
         [0088]    The bottom surface  81  of the carrier unit  33  may comprise soldering pads  101 . The soldering pads  101  may be soldered onto a locking protrusion  59 . The bottom surface  81  may comprise three soldering pads  101 . The soldering pads  101  may be tin-plated. A locking protrusion may be made from a metallic material so that the soldering pads  101  can be easily soldered onto the locking protrusion  59 . 
         [0089]    According to an advantageous improvement, a locking protrusion  59  can be fixated at the bottom surface  81  of the carrier unit  33 , being aligned with the soldering pads  101  and can be subsequently heated in order to form a solder connection between the bottom surface  81  and the locking protrusion  59 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic top view on the data contact face  45  of a carrier unit  33  according to the first embodiment. 
         [0091]    The data contacts  43  are arranged in parallel pairs  103 . The data contacts  43  may be formed by data contact strips  85 . The distance  105  between two data contacts  43  of a pair  103  of data contacts  43  is preferably chosen to be between 1.4 and 1.6 times the width  107  of a data contact  43  at its connecting end  89 . 
         [0092]    The distance  109  between two adjacent data contacts  43  of adjacent pairs  103  is preferably chosen to be between 2.1 and 2.3 times the width  107  of a data contact  43  at its connecting end  89 . 
         [0093]    The distances  105  and  109  are measured as distances between centre lines  111  of the data contacts  43  at their connecting ends  89 . At their soldering end  87 , the data contacts  43  may be formed wider than at the connecting ends  89  in order to simplify a soldering process. 
         [0094]    The carrier unit  33  may comprise four pairs  103  of data contacts  43 . The data contacts  43  may be connected to an Ethernet cable carrying four twisted pairs  113  of data cables  35 . Each twisted cable pair  113  may preferably be connected to one pair  103  of data contacts  43 . The pair-wise connection between twisted cable pairs  113  of an Ethernet cable and pairs  103  of data contacts  43  differs from the well-known T568A standard for Ethernet connectors. However, the pair-wise connection may provide an improved signal integrity, especially at high data rates. 
         [0095]    The width  107  of the data contacts is smaller than the width  52  of the power contacts  15 . The width  52  of the power contacts  15  may be a multiple of the width  107  of the data contacts  43 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic perspective view of a socket assembly  115  according to the invention. 
         [0097]    The socket assembly  115  is assembled to a combined power and data socket  117 . The socket assembly  115  comprises a data section  127  and a second section  124 , which is a power section  125 . The socket assembly  115  comprises a socket housing  119 . The socket housing  119  is adapted to carry the contact elements  120 , which are power contacts  121  and the data contacts  123 . 
         [0098]    The power section  125  comprises two power contacts  121 . The power contacts  121  are formed as blade contacts  129 . The blade contacts  129  are aligned parallel to each other, both blades  129  defining a common blade contact plane  131 . The power contacts  123  extend in a direction opposite to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0099]    The power section  125  may comprise a separating structure  133 , which extends between the two power contacts  121  perpendicular to the blade contact plane  131 . The separating structure  133  may be adapted to fit into a separating space  25  of a mating connector assembly  1 , thus providing a guidance during insertions of a connector. The power contacts  121  comprise power contact connectors  134 . The power contact connectors  134  extend through a back side  136  of the socket housing  119 . 
         [0100]    The data section  127  comprises a plurality of data contacts  123 . The data section  127  may comprise preferably eight data contacts  123 . The data contacts  123  may be arranged in an array parallel to the blade contact plane  131 . The data contacts  123  and the power contacts  121  are situated in a shared open volume  135 . 
         [0101]    The data contacts  123  may preferably be formed as spring contacts  137 . The spring contacts  137  may comprise a mounting section  139  and a spring section  141 . Each section  141  may comprise a spring face  143 . The spring face  143  may preferably be adapted to establish an electric contact to a data contact  43  of a mating connector assembly  1 . The spring faces  143  are facing the power contacts  121 . The data contacts  123  are preferably arranged pair-wise in order to be connected to pairs  103  of mating data contacts of a connector  3 . Each mounting section  139  of a data contact  123  may comprise a data contact connector  138 . 
         [0102]    The socket assembly  115  may comprise at least one fixing member  145 . The fixing member  145  may be inserted through a fixing channel  147  in the socket housing  119  in order to fix the socket housing  119  onto a structure, such as a printed circuit board or a device housing. 
         [0103]    The width  146  of a blade contact  129  is a multiple of a width  148  of a data contact  123 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic perspective view of an assembled socket assembly  115  in a mounted state. 
         [0105]    The socket  117  is mounted on a mounting structure  149 . The mounting structure  149  may preferably be formed by a printed circuit board. The socket  117  is mounted on the mounting structure by the fixing members  145 , which extend through the fixing channels  147  into the mounting structure  149 . The power contact connectors  134  and the data contact connectors  138  may preferably be led through the mounting structure  149  to be accessible for being electrically connected. 
         [0106]    The mounting structure  149  may preferably comprise a receiving recess  151  in which a carrier unit  33  of an inserted mating connector  3  may be received. 
         [0107]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic perspective view of an array of data contacts  123  of a socket assembly  115  according to the invention. 
         [0108]    The data contacts  123  comprise U-shaped fixation members  153  in their mounting sections  139 . Each fixation member  153  comprises two parallel sections  155 . The parallel sections are spaced apart from each other. Each parallel section  155  comprises two fixation wings  157 . The fixation wings  157  are tapered along an insertion direction  159  of the fixation members  153 . The two fixation wings  157  extend from opposite sides of each parallel section  155 . 
         [0109]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic perspective view of a socket housing  119  of a socket assembly  115  according to the invention. 
         [0110]    The socket housing  119  comprises a plurality of pockets  161  being aligned in an array perpendicular to a connecting direction  9 . The pockets  161  are arranged adjacent to the shared open volume  135 , having an elongated shape which is aligned parallel to the connecting direction  9 . The pockets  161  are adapted to receive the U-shaped fixation members  153  of the data contacts  123 . Each pocket  161  may comprise two guiding slits  163 , adapted to receive and guide the fixation wings  157  of the fixation springs  153 . 
         [0111]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a contact assembly  1  according to the first embodiment assembled to a connector  3  being in a mated state M in which the connector  3  is mated with a socket  117  which is formed by socket assembly  115  according to the first embodiment for a socket assembly.  FIG. 12  shows a cut view in which the protective wall member  49  and the supporting structure  51  are not shown. In the mated state M, the connector face  5  protrudes into the shared open volume  135  of the socket  117 . The power contacts  121  of the socket  117  are inserted into the shafts  17  and mate with the power contacts  15 . The data contacts  123  from the socket  117  contact the data contacts  43  of the carrier unit  33 . 
         [0112]    The spring sections  141  of the data contacts  123  which are formed by spring contacts  137  are elastically deflected into a direction away from the carrier unit  33 . The receiving recess  151  of the mounting structure  149  forms a volume for the spring sections  141  which allows the spring sections  141  to move away from the carrier unit  33  when the connector face  5  protrudes into the socket  117 . 
         [0113]    In the mated state M, the data contacts  43  of the contact assembly  1  and the data contacts  123  of the socket  117  are situated between the separating wall assembly  29  and the protective wall member  49  in a direction perpendicular to the carrier unit  33 . In the connecting direction  9  and also perpendicular to the connecting direction  9  in the data contact plane  46 , the data contacts  43  and the data contacts  123  are confined between inner walls  165  of the mounting structure  149 . The arrangement of the data contacts  43  and the data contacts  123  between the afore-mentioned elements may protect the data contacts  43  and the data contacts  123  against hazards. 
         [0114]      FIG. 13  shows a cut along the centre plane parallel to a connection axis A of an assembled contact assembly  1  according to the first embodiment as described above but comprising additionally an encloser assembly  167 . The connector axis A is parallel with the connecting direction  9  and a rearward direction R. The rearward direction R is defined as being opposite to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0115]    The contact assembly  1  is shown in a mated state M in which it is mated with the socket assembly  115 . The blade contacts  129  protrude into the shafts  17  through the opening  19 . In the shafts  17 , power contacts  15  can be situated to establish an electrical contact with the blade contacts  129 . In an alternative embodiment, the shafts  17  can be empty so that the protrusion of the blade contact  129  into the shafts  17  increases the stability of the mating elements. 
         [0116]    The connector face  5  protrudes through the face opening  37  from the mounting member  7  into the connecting direction  9 . Between the connector face  5  and the mounting member  7 , the floating space  32  allows a movement of the connector face  5  at least perpendicular to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0117]    The mounting member  7  is surrounded by an electric shielding structure  169 . The electric shielding structure extends basically in a circumferential direction around the connector axis A and protects the inner volume  171  of the mounting member  7  and the elements therein against electromagnetic fields. A shielding ferrule  173  surrounds a rearward end  175  of the mounting member  7  and extends into the rearward direction R opposite to the connecting direction  9 . The shielding ferrule  173  is fixated onto the rearward end  175  of the mounting member  7 . The shielding ferrule  173  is electrically connected to the electric shielding structure  169  via a contact spring  177 , which surrounds the shielding ferrule  173 . 
         [0118]    The shielding ferrule is at least partially surrounded by a strain relief  179  which extends from the shielding ferrule  173  into the rearward direction R. The strain relief  179  may also seal at least the shielding ferrule  173  against dust and water. The strain relief  179  may be adapted to seal at least the shielding ferrule  173  according to the standard IP-65. 
         [0119]    An inner body  181  surrounds the strain relief  179  and the mounting member  7  at least partially in a circumferential direction around the connector axis A. Between the inner body  181  and the strain relief  179 , a sealing ring  183  is located. 
         [0120]    Around the inner body  181 , an outer body  185  is located, which surrounds the inner body  181  in a circumferential direction around the connector axis A at least in part. The outer body  185  may be adapted to be mated with a mating enclosure which may be a part of the socket assembly  115 . The outer body  185  may be moveable relatively to the inner body  181 . Further, the mounting member  7  and the shielding ferrule  173  may be moveable relative to the inner body  181  and the electric shielding structure  169  at least in a direction parallel to the connector axis A. 
         [0121]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show a second embodiment of a contact assembly according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, only the differences to the afore-mentioned embodiment are described. The carrier unit  33  extends along the rearward direction R into the inner volume  171  of the mounting member  7 . In the second section  10 , the connector face  5  comprises an arrester housing  187  which extends from the shafts  17  into the rearward direction R. In addition to the fixation walls  63  which are situated on the shafts  17 , the connector face  5  comprises two additional fixation walls  63 ′ which protrude from the arrester housing  187 . The carrier unit  33  comprises two mounting prominences  189  which extend into mounting openings  191  which are located between the fixation walls  63  and  63 ′. 
         [0122]    The carrier unit  33 , which is formed as a printed circuit board  83  comprises soldering sites  91 , which are situated inside the open volume  171  when the contact assembly  1  comprises a mounting member  7 . The soldering sites  91  are arranged at the soldering end  87  which is opposite to the connecting end  89 . Between the connecting end  89  and the soldering end  87  of the data contacts  43 , conductive lines  193  connect soldering sites  91  with connecting portions  195  of the data contacts  43 . The conductive lines  193  extend basically parallel to the connecting direction  9 . 
         [0123]    On the bottom surface  81  of the carrier unit  33 , a surge arrester  197  is located. The surge arrester extends at least partially into the arrester housing  187 . The surge arrester  197  is electrically connected with the conductive lines  193  by connecting means (not shown) which extend through connecting openings  199  in the carrier unit  33 . The connecting openings  199  are encircled by the conductive lines  193  on the data contact face  45  of the carrier unit  33 .