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

• US 10,615,529 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2019
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Leon, Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jeancharles, Milagros
• Application Number:
  US16/378,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20190237890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 439732
• 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

The connection apparatus of the invention comprises a platform (200), a plug connector (15) having a plug connector part (19) secured to the platform (200) and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and a plug connector part (20) connectable with the connection cable and complementary to the first plug connector part (19), as well as a lid (16) held movably relative to the platform (200) for at least partially covering the plug connector (15) formed by connecting the plug connector parts (19, 20). The lid (16) is swingable between a first end position, in which the lid (16) 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 (20) can be separated from the plug connector part (19), as well as at least in the first end position to secure the plug connector part (20) connected with the plug connector part (19).

Claims

1. A field device, comprising:

an electronics housing;

a device electronics accommodated within said electronics housing; and

a connection apparatus accommodated within said electronics housing and electrically connected with said device electronics for electrically connecting a circuit of said device electronics with a connection cable, extended at least partially externally of said electronics housing, which connection apparatus comprises;

a platform composed at least partially of an electrically insulating plastic;

a plug connector including;

a first plug connector part secured to said platform and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device, a second plug connector part connectable with the connection cable and complementary to said first plug connector part as well as a lid, at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic;

said first plug connector part including at least one contact pin electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and said second plug connector part including at least one contact socket, electrically connectable with at least one conductor of the connection cable; and

said first plug connector part and said second plug connector part being releasably connected with one another, in such a manner that said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part is plugged onto said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part to form a frictional interlocking and electrically conductively contacts such;

wherein;

said lid includes at least one locking element;

said platform includes at least one locking element, corresponding to said at least one locking element of said lid;

said lid is swingable, about an axis, between a first end position, in which said lid at least partially covers said plug connector, to form a shape-blocking between said lid and said second plug connector part, and a second end position; and

said lid is 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 predetermined removal track, such that said second plug connector part is separated from said first plug connector part, utilizing a removal force acting in a direction of the removal track; and

at least in said first end position to secure said second plug connector part connected with said first plug connector part;

and in the first end position to engage shape-interlockingly with the at least one locking element in a corresponding locking element of the platform.

2. The field device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronics housing is at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic.

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

said electronics housing comprises a box-shaped or pot-shaped housing foundation, as well as a housing closure closing the housing foundation fixable releasably to said housing foundation.

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

said housing closure is secured releasably to said housing foundation, by means of screwed connection.

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

said housing closure includes at least one contact region, on an inner side facing said connection apparatus, a portion, which is adapted to contact said lid located in the first end position; and

said lid includes, on an outer side facing said housing closure, at least one contact region corresponding to the contact region of said housing closure, a portion, which is adapted to contact said contact region of said housing closure.

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

said housing closure is adapted, with at least the 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; and

/or

the contact region of said housing closure has at least one formed element, a pin shaped or web shaped, formed element, which is adapted to contact the contact region of said lid located in the first end position, to form a shape-blocking between said housing closure and said lid, in such a manner that the formed element secures said lid in the first end position.

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

a measuring transducer, electrically connected to said device electronics, 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, a connection cable extending externally of said electronics housing and/or a two- or multi-conductor connection cable and/or a connection cable electrically connected with the at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part.

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

said locking element of the platform is hook shaped or grommet shaped.

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

said at least one locking element of the lid is hook shaped.

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

said at least one locking element of the platform is hook shaped.

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

said at least one locking element of the platform is grommet shaped.

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

said lid is adapted in the first end position to engage shape-interlockingly, with automatic engagement retention, equally as well releasably and/or with snap connection formation, with said at least one locking element in the corresponding locking element of said platform.