Connector apparatus for a field device as well as field device with such a connector apparatus

• US 10,305,212 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2013
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Larsson, Bjorn, Kretzler, Timo, Umkehrer, Alfred, Kirst, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Amy Cohen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jeancharles, Milagros
• Application Number:
  US15/031,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20160254609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 439911, 439373, 439144, 439372, 439732, 439729, 43962021, 335202, 335132, 335133, 335156
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0416 Connectors, terminals G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2200/00 Transmission systems for measured values, control or similar signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/111 co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/20 for testing or measuring purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/30 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629

Abstract

A connection apparatus comprises a platform, a plug connector having a plug connector part secured to the platform and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and a plug connector part connectable with the connection cable and complementary to the first plug connector part, as well as a lid held movably relative to the platform for at least partially covering the plug connector formed by connecting the plug connector parts. The lid is swingable between a first end position, in which the lid at least partially covers the plug connector, and a second end position, and is additionally adapted in at least one open position located between the first end position and the second end position to expose the plug connector such that the plug connector part can be separated from the plug connector part, as well as at least in the first end position to secure the plug connector part connected with the plug connector part.

Claims

1. A field device, comprising:

an electronics housing, said electronics housing including a housing foundation and a housing closure closing said housing foundation;

a device electronics accommodated within said electronics housing; and

a connection apparatus accommodated within said electronics housing for electrically connecting a circuit of said device electronics with a connection cable extended at least partially covering said plug connector, wherein;

said connection apparatus including a platform, a plug connector and a lid for at least partially covering said plug connector;

said plug connector including a first plug connector part secured to said platform and electrically connected to said circuit and a second plug connector part connectable with said connection cable and complementary to said first plug connector part;

said first plug connector part including at least one contact pin electrically connected to said circuit and said second plug connector part including at least one contact socket;

said first and said second plug connector parts being releasably connected with one another;

said lid being held movably relative to said platform such that said lid is swingable between a first end position, in which said lid at least partially covers said plug connector, and a second end position;

said lid being adapted, in at least one open position located between said first end position and said second end position, to expose said plug connector such that said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part is withdrawable from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part along a predetermine removal track, such that said second plug connector part is separated from said first plug connector part, and said lid being adapted, at least in said first end position to secure said second plug connector part connected with said first plug connector part;

said connection apparatus is accommodated within said electronics housing in such a manner that said lid of said connection apparatus is positioned in said first end position; and

said housing closure exhibits at least one contact region, said contact region of said housing closure being adapted to contact said lid located in said first end position, and said lid exhibits at least one contact region corresponding to said contact region of said housing closure, said contact region of said lid being adapted to contact said contact region of said housing closure, said contact region of said housing closure exhibiting at least one formed element, which is adapted to contact said contact region of said lid located in said first end position and to form a shape-blocking between said housing closure and said lid in such a manner that said formed element secures said lid in said first end position.

2. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said lid has at least one contact region, said contact region of the lid being adapted to contact said second plug connector part connected with said first plug connector part; and

said second plug connector part connected with said first plug connector part, includes at least one contact region corresponding to the contact region of said lid, said contact region of the second plug connector part being adapted to contact the contact region of said lid.

3. The field device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said lid is adapted in the first end position with at least the contact region to contact said contact region of said second plug connector part; and

/or

said contact region of said lid exhibits a shape complementary to a shape of the contact region of said second plug connector part; and

/or

said contact region of said lid includes at least a formed element, which in the first end position of said lid contacts the contact region of said second plug connector part.

4. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said lid and said second plug connector part are adapted in the first end position of said lid to form a shape-blocking to counteract removal of said second plug connector part from said first plug connector part.

5. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said lid is adapted in the first end position to secure said second plug connector part connected with said first plug connector part, in that the lid holds said second plug connector part pressed against said first plug connector part.

6. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the platform and the lid are adapted in the first end position of the lid to form a snap connection.

7. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said housing closure is secured releasably to said housing foundation.

8. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said housing closure is adapted, with at least a contact region, to contact the corresponding contact region of said lid, to form a force- and/or shape-blocking to counteract a swinging of said lid out of the first end position.

9. The field device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a measuring transducer, for producing at least one measurement signal dependent on a physical measured variable to be registered; and

/or

a connection cable electrically connected with said device electronics by means of said connection apparatus.

10. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said lid is adapted, to secure the second plug connector part connected with the first plug connector part in such a manner that a removal force acting with less than 15 N on the second plug connector part effects no removal of the at least one contact socket of the second plug connector part from the at least one contact pin of the first plug connector part.

11. The field device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said lid is adapted, to secure the second plug connector part connected with the first plug connector part in such a manner that for removal of the at least one contact socket of the second plug connector part from the at least one contact pin of the first plug connector part a removal force of greater than 15 N is required.