Patent ID: 12206199

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a plug connector12ain an exploded view.FIG.2shows a connection cable82a, which is embodied as an optical connection cable. The connection cable82acomprises the plug connector12aas well as a cable36athat is assembled with the plug connector12a. The plug connector12ais realized as an optical plug connector. The plug connector12acomprises a plug connector device10a(cf.FIGS.1and2). The plug connector12ais sealed against environment influences and is suitable for an outdoor use.

The plug connector device10acomprises an outer housing14a. The outer housing14acomprises a bushing56a. The bushing56ais implemented of a flexible synthetic material. The bushing56ais configured to prevent a kinking of a cable and to provide the cable with a strain relief. The bushing56acomprises an inner thread58a, by means of which the bushing56acan be screwed onto a cable screwing60aof the outer housing14a.

The cable screwing60aand the bushing56arespectively comprise a hexagonal tool holder62a, which is in particular configured for receiving a spanner wrench. The cable screwing60acomprises an outer thread64athat corresponds to the inner thread58a. The outer housing14amoreover comprises a sealing element66a.

The outer housing14afurthermore comprises a cable tie68a, which is in the assembled state fastened around a sleeve70a, in particular in order to prevent undesired sliding of a sliding collar72aof the outer housing14a. The sliding collar72acomprises a plurality of recesses, which together form a triangular groove74a.

In the assembled state the groove74aaccommodates a plurality of pins78aof an actuation element76aof the outer housing14a. The actuation element76ais rotatable. The sliding collar72ais displaceable by a rotation of the actuation element76a, via a corresponding force transmission by the pins78ato the groove74a. By rotation of the actuation element76a, causing a displacement of the sliding collar72a, a locking mechanism of the plug connector12ais operated.

The outer housing14afurther comprises a coding member84a. The coding member84ais embodied as a color-coding ring. In the assembled state the coding member84a, which is embodied as a color-coding ring, sits in a corresponding recess of the actuation element76a. In the assembled state the coding member84ais visible from an outside.

The outer housing14aalso comprises a spring element86a. The spring element86ais realized as a sinuous spring. In the assembled state the spring element86ahas been slid onto the sleeve70a. In the assembled state the spring element86aprovides a spring force acting onto the actuation element76a. In the assembled state the spring force prevents an inadvertent releasing of the plug connector12a.

The sleeve70ais realized so as to be hollow and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The sleeve70ais in particular free of orientation means. The sleeve70acomprises an inner thread (not shown), via which the sleeve70acan be screwed with a corresponding outer thread of the cable screwing60a. The outer housing14afurther comprises an O-ring88a. In the assembled state the O-ring88asits in a recess90aof the sleeve70a. The O-ring88aserves for a further sealing of the outer housing14aagainst environment influences.

The outer housing14amoreover comprises a closure92a. The closure92ais realized as a dust-protection cap. The closure92acomprises a fastening member94a. The closure92ais in the assembled state fastened by means of the fastening member94a. The fastening member94ais embodied as a flexible loop.

The plug connector device10afurther comprises an inner housing16a. The inner housing16acomprises a first inner housing element18a. The inner housing16afurthermore comprises a second inner housing element20a.

The plug connector device10acomprises two plug elements22a. The first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20aare in the assembled state configured to accommodate the two plug elements22a(cf.FIGS.1and2).

The first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20acomprise a receiving section24a. Viewed in an axial direction28a, the receiving section24ais arranged on a side of the inner housing16athat is situated opposite a plugging side of the plug connector12a. The receiving section24ais configured to receive a fixing element26a.

The first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20aare respectively embodied as inner housing half-shells. In the assembled state the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20aare connected to each other along the axial direction28a.

The first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20ahave at least in the receiving section24aa mutually complementary geometry (cf.FIGS.3and4). In the assembled state the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20aform a continuous receiving section24a. In the illustrated example, the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20ahave in the receiving section24aa substantially half-hollow-cylindrical shaping.

The first inner housing element18acomprises a first sub-stud96ain the receiving section24a. The second inner housing element20acomprises a second sub-stud98ain the receiving section24a. In the assembled state, the first inner housing element18aforms together with the second inner housing element20aa hollow receiving stud30ain the receiving section24a.

Beyond this the plug connector device10acomprises the fixing element26a. In the assembled state the fixing element26aconnects the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20aat least partially. In the present example, the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20afurther comprise latching members100afor a connection to each other.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the fixing element26ais embodied as a crimp ring. In the assembled state, the fixing element26aengages completely around the first inner housing element18aand the second inner housing element20ain the receiving section24a. In the assembled state, the fixing element engages around the receiving stud30ain the receiving section24a.

The inner housing16acomprises in the receiving section24aan adjoining surface32afor a strength element34aof the cable36a(cf.FIGS.5and6). The strength element34aof the cable36ais realized as reinforcing fibers of the cable36a. The adjoining surface32afor the strength element34aof the cable36ais an outer surface of the hollow receiving stud30ain the receiving section24a.

The fixing element26ais in the assembled state configured to press the strength element34ato the adjoining surface32a. The fixing element26ais in the assembled state configured to press the strength element34aagainst the hollow receiving stud30ain the receiving section24a.

The first inner housing element18ahas in the receiving section a fixing contour42a. Furthermore, the second inner housing element20ahas in the receiving section24aa fixing contour42a. The fixing contour42acomprises a plurality of radial elevations. The fixing contour42aserves for an additional fixing of the strength element34aon the receiving stud30a.

The inner housing16acomprises a guiding unit46a. The guiding unit46ais configured to guide at least one conduction element48aof the cable36a. The guiding unit46ais in the assembled state configured for guiding the at least one conduction element48ato the plug element22a. The at least one conduction element48ais in the present example an optical fiber, in particular an optical waveguide, of the cable36a.

The guiding unit46ais moreover configured to delimit a bending radius of the conduction element48ain the inner housing16ato a minimum radius. In the example shown the guiding unit46ais configured to delimit the bending radius of the conduction element48ain the inner housing16ato at least a fifteen-fold of a conduction diameter of the conduction element48a.

For a guidance of the conduction element48a, in particular to the plug element22a, the first inner housing element18acomprises a guiding subchannel50a. For a guidance of a further conduction element54aof the cable36a, in particular to the plug element22a, the first inner housing element18acomprises a second guiding subchannel52a. The second inner housing element20acomprises guiding subchannels which are identical to the guiding subchannels.

The guiding subchannel50aand the second guiding subchannel52aare part of the guiding unit46a. The guiding subchannel50aand the second guiding subchannel52aare configured, in particular in a pre-assembled state, to hold the conduction element48aand the further conduction element54ain a mounting position. The guiding subchannel50aand the second guiding subchannel52aare moreover configured to prevent an undulation of the conduction element48aand the further conduction element54a, in particular at low temperatures.

The first inner housing element18acomprises in the guiding subchannel50aa holding element80afor holding the conduction element48a. The second inner housing element20acomprises in the second guiding subchannel50aa holding element80afor holding the further conduction element54a.

The holding elements80aare in particular configured for fixing the conduction element48aand the further conduction element54a, in particular in the axial direction. The holding elements80aprevent the conduction element48aand the further conduction element54afrom being pushed out of a cable jacket of the cable36a. The holding elements80aare realized as flexible tabs, which are configured to clamp the conduction element48aand the further conduction element54ain the assembled state.

InFIGS.7to16four further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions and the drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein principally, regarding identically denominated components, in particular regarding components having the same reference numeral, the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular ofFIGS.1to6, may be referred to. In order to distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a has been added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS.1to6. In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS.7to16the letter a has been replaced by the letters b to e.

FIGS.7and8show a plug connector device10bof a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plug connector device10bcomprises an inner housing16b. The inner housing16bcomprises a first inner housing element18b. The inner housing16bfurthermore comprises a second inner housing element20b.

The plug connector device10bcomprises two plug elements22b. In the assembled state, the first inner housing element18band the second inner housing element20bare configured to receive the two plug elements22b.

The first inner housing element18band the second inner housing element20bcomprise a receiving section24b. In the assembled state, the first inner housing element18bforms together with the second inner housing element20ba hollow receiving stud30bin the receiving section24b. The receiving section24bis configured to receive a fixing element26b.

The inner housing16bcomprises a reinforcement element44b. The reinforcement element44bis embodied as a metal sleeve. In the assembled state, the reinforcement element44bis arranged in the receiving section24bbetween the first inner housing element18band the second inner housing element20b, in particular within the receiving stud30b.

The first inner housing element18bhas a fixing contour42bin the receiving section. Furthermore, the second inner housing element20bhas a fixing contour42bin the receiving section24b. The fixing contour42bcomprises a plurality of radial elevations.

The fixing element26bhas a further fixing contour104bon its outer side. The further fixing contour104bserves for receiving a tool, in particular a crimping tool, in a force-fit and/or form-fit manner. The receiving stud30bhas a narrowly tapering end, in particular a bevel102b.

FIGS.9and10show a plug connector device10cof a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plug connector device10ccomprises an inner housing16c. The inner housing16ccomprises a first inner housing element18c. The inner housing16cfurther comprises a second inner housing element20c.

The first inner housing element18cand the second inner housing element20ccomprise a receiving section24c. In the assembled state, the first inner housing element18cforms together with the second inner housing element20ca hollow receiving stud30cin the receiving section24c. The receiving section24c, in particular the hollow receiving stud30c, is configured to receive a fixing element26c.

The inner housing16ccomprises a reinforcement element44c. The reinforcement element44cis embodied as a metal sleeve. In the assembled state, the reinforcement element44cis arranged in the receiving section24cbetween the first inner housing element18cand the second inner housing element20c, in particular within the receiving stud30c.

The fixing element26ccomprises a cable claw38c. In the assembled state, the cable claw38cclaws a cable jacket40cof a cable36c. The cable claw38cis realized as a radial projection in the interior of the fixing element26c. In the example shown the fixing element26chas two regions, which have different diameters. The cable claw38cis arranged in an end of the plug connector12cthat is situated opposite a plugging side of the plug connector12c.

FIG.11shows a plug connector device10dof a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plug connector device10dcomprises an inner housing16d. The inner housing16dcomprises a first inner housing element18d. The inner housing16dfurther comprises a second inner housing element20d.

The inner housing16dcomprises a centering unit106d. The centering unit106dserves for a centering during assembly of the plug connector device10d, in particular for a centering of plug elements of the plug connector device10d. In particular, the centering unit106dprevents an erroneously oriented plug connection.

A first centering element108dof the centering unit106dis arranged on the first inner housing element18d. A second centering element110dof the centering unit106dis arranged on the second inner housing element20d.

The first centering element108dand the second centering element110dare in each case realized so as to be removable. In the example shown, the first centering element108dand the second centering element110drespectively latch at the first inner housing element18dand at the second inner housing element20din an assembled state. Alternatively, the first centering element108dand the second centering element110dcould be connected integrally to the first inner housing element18dand the second inner housing element20d.

The implementation of the centering unit106dis not limited to the present exemplary embodiment. In particular, the modular centering unit may be part of the plug connector devices10a-cof the preceding exemplary embodiments.

FIGS.12to15show a plug connector device10eof a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plug connector device10ediffers from the plug connector devices of the preceding exemplary embodiments of the invention in regard to a fixing element26eof the plug connector device10e. In particular, the implementation of the fixing element26edescribed below is also applicable to the plug connector devices of the preceding exemplary embodiments.

FIGS.12and13show a portion of the plug connector device10ewith the fixing element26ein a pre-assembled state, i. e. in a pre-crimped state.FIGS.14and15show the portion of the plug connector device10ewith the fixing element26ein an assembled state, i. e. in a fully crimped state. In the pre-assembled state and in the assembled state (cf.FIGS.12to15), the fixing element26ehas a first cross section112ewith a first inner diameter. Furthermore, in the assembled state, the fixing element26ehas at least one second cross section114ewith a second inner diameter that substantially differs from the first diameter (cf.FIGS.14and15). In the example shown, the first inner diameter of the first cross section112eis greater than the second diameter of the second cross section114eby 16%. Between the fixing element26eand a receiving section24eof a first inner housing element18eand/or of a second inner housing element20eof the plug connector device10e, a strength element34eof a cable36eis arranged.

FIG.16illustrates a method200efor producing a plug connector device10e. In a first step202eof the method200e, a fixing element26eof the plug connector device10eis crimped by means of a first crimp stage to an outer measurement116eof a fixing contour42eof a receiving section24eof a first inner housing element18eand/or of a second inner housing element20eof the plug connector device10e(cf. alsoFIGS.12and13). In the first step202efurthermore a strength element34eof a cable36eis arranged between the fixing contour42eand the receiving section24e.

In a second step204eof the method200e, the fixing element26eis crimped by means of a second crimp stage to an inner measurement118eof the fixing contour42e(cf. alsoFIGS.14and15).

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10plug connector device12plug connector14outer housing16inner housing18first inner housing element20second inner housing element22plug element24receiving section26fixing element28axial direction30receiving stud32adjoining surface34strength element36cable38cable claw40cable jacket42fixing contour44reinforcement element46guiding unit48conduction element50guiding sub-channel52second guiding sub-channel54further conduction element56bushing58inner thread60cable screwing62tool holder64outer thread66sealing element68cable tie70sleeve72sliding collar74groove76actuation element78pin80holding element82connection cable84coding member86spring element88O-ring90recess92closure94fixing member96first sub-stud98second sub-stud100latching member102bevel104further fixing contour106centering unit108centering element110further centering element112first cross section114second cross section116outer measurement118inner measurement200method202first step204second step