CONNECTOR APPARATUS FOR A FIELD DEVICE AS WELL AS FIELD DEVICE WITH SUCH A CONNECTOR APPARATUS

• US 20160254609A1
• Filed: 09/10/2014
• Published: 09/01/2016
• 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: Kretzler, Timo, Larsson, Bjorn, Umkehrer, Alfred, Kirst, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,305,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A connection apparatus for electrically connecting a circuit of a field device, accommodated in an electronics housing, with a connection cable, extended at least partially externally of an electronics housing of the field device and/or a two- or multiline, connection cable, which connection apparatus comprises:

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

a plug connector having;

a first plug connector part secured to said platform and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device, especially a first plug connector part in the form of an installed plug,

a second plug connector part connectable with the connection cable and complementary to said first plug connector part, especially said second plug connector part in the form of a socket;

said first plug connector part has at least one contact pin electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and said second plug connector part has at least one contact socket, electrically connectable with at least one conductor of the connection cable (L1, L2); and

said first plug connector part and said second plug connector part are 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;

as well as

a lid, at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic, for at least partially covering said plug connector, said lid is held movably relative to said platform, wherein;

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, in such a manner that a removal force acting with less than 15 N on said second plug connector part effects no removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part, and/or in such a manner that for removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part a removal force of greater than 15 N is required.

18. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said lid has at least one hook shaped locking element; and

said platform has a hook shaped or grommet shaped, locking element, corresponding to said at least one locking element of said lid.

19. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 18, 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.

20. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said lid, namely on an inner side facing said plug connector, has at least one contact region, namely a portion, which is 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, on an outer side facing said lid, has at least one contact region corresponding to the contact region of said lid, namely a portion, which is adapted to contact the contact region of said lid.

21. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

said lid is adapted in the first end position with at least the contact region to contact, complementary, said contact region of said second plug connector part, to form a shape-blocking to counteract a removal of said second plug connector part from said first plug connector part; and

/or

said contact region of said lid has a shape complementary to a shape of the contact region of said second plug connector part, in such a manner that in the first end position of said lid in cooperation of the contact region of said lid and the contact region of said second plug connector part a shape-blocking between said lid and said second plug connector part is formed opposing removal of said second plug connector part from said first plug connector part; and

/or

said contact region of said lid has at least a pin shaped or web shaped formed element, which in the first end position of said lid contacts the contact region of said second plug connector part, to form a shape-blocking between said lid and said second plug connector part.

22. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17, 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.

23. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17, 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.

24. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

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

25. A field device, formed as a measuring- and/or switch device, comprising:

a connection apparatus, for electrically connecting a circuit of a field device, accommodated in an electronics housing, with a connection cable, extended at least partially externally of an electronics housing of the field device and/or a two- or multiline, connection cable, which connection apparatus comprises;

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

a plug connector having;

a first plug connector part secured to said platform and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device, especially a first plug connector part in the form of an installed plug, a second plug connector part connectable with the connection cable and complementary to said first plug connector part, especially said second plug connector part in the form of a socket;

said first plug connector part has at least one contact pin electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and said second plug connector part has at least one contact socket, electrically connectable with at least one conductor of the connection cable (L1, L2); and

said first plug connector part and said second plug connector part are 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;

as well as a lid, at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic, for at least partially covering said plug connector, said lid is held movably relative to said platform, wherein;

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, in such a manner that a removal force acting with less than 15 N on said second plug connector part effects no removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part, and/or in such a manner that for removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part a removal force of greater than 15 N is required;

as well as a device electronics, electrically connected with said connection apparatus; and

/or

having a circuit electrically connected to the at least one contact pin of the first plug connector part.

26. The field device as claimed in claim 25, further comprising:

an electronics housing at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic, wherein;

both said connection apparatus as well as also a device electronics are accommodated within said electronics housing, in such a manner that said lid of said connection apparatus is positioned in the first end position.

27. The field device as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said electronics housing comprises a box-shaped or pot-shaped housing foundation, as well as a housing closure closing the housing foundation at least partially of plastic and/or fixable releasably to said housing foundation, by means of screwed connection.

28. The field device as claimed in claim 27, wherein:

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

29. The field device as claimed in claim 27, wherein:

said housing closure has 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 has, 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.

30. The field device as claimed in claim 28, 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.

31. The field device as claimed in claim 25, 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.

32. A method for connecting at least one electrical connection cable to a field device comprising:

a field device, formed as a measuring- and/or switch device, comprising;

a connection apparatus, for electrically connecting a circuit of a field device, accommodated in an electronics housing, with a connection cable, extended at least partially externally of an electronics housing of the field device and/or a two- or multiline, connection cable, which connection apparatus comprises;

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

a plug connector having;

a first plug connector part secured to said platform and electrically connected to the circuit of the field device, especially a first plug connector part in the form of an installed plug, a second plug connector part connectable with the connection cable and complementary to said first plug connector part, especially said second plug connector part in the form of a socket;

said first plug connector part has at least one contact pin electrically connected to the circuit of the field device and said second plug connector part has at least one contact socket, electrically connectable with at least one conductor of the connection cable (L1, L2); and

said first plug connector part and said second plug connector part are 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;

as well as a lid, at least partially composed of an electrically insulating plastic, for at least partially covering said plug connector, said lid is held movably relative to said platform, wherein;

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, in such a manner that a removal force acting with less than 15 N on said second plug connector part effects no removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part, and/or in such a manner that for removal of said at least one contact socket of said second plug connector part from said at least one contact pin of said first plug connector part a removal force of greater than 15 N is required;

as well as a device electronics, electrically connected with said connection apparatus; and

/or having a circuit electrically connected to the at least one contact pin of the first plug connector part, which method comprises;

electrically connecting the connection cable to the second plug connector part; and

/or

connecting at least one conductor of the connection cable with the at least one contact socket of the second plug connector part for electrically connecting the connection cable to the second plug connector part; and

/or

swinging of the lid into the open position for separating the second plug connector part from the first plug connector part; and

/or

separating the second plug connector part from the first plug connector part; and

/or

swinging of the lid into the open position for connecting the second plug connector part with the first plug connector part; and

/or

connecting the second plug connector part with the first plug connector part, especially in such a manner that the at least one contact socket of the second plug connector part is plugged onto the at least one contact pin of the first plug connector part; and

/or

swinging of the lid into the first end position for affixing the second plug connector part into the first plug connector part; and

/or

engaging a locking element of the lid located in the first end position in a corresponding locking element of the platform for affixing of the lid and/or for forming a snap connection between platform and lid.