IP Library Granted Patent US 9,634,439
Granted Patent B2
US 9,634,439 · App. 14/351,079 · Granted Apr 25, 2017

Contactless plug connector and contactless plug connector system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,634,439
App. No.
14/351,079
Granted
Apr 25, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to contactless plug connectors and contactless plug connector systems for electromagnetically connecting a corresponding mating plug connector. In order to allow for an electromagnetic connection, the invention suggest providing at least one input terminal for inputting a baseband input signal; an antenna element arranged at the mating end of the contactless plug connector; and a transmitting circuit for modulating the inputted baseband input signal on a predetermined carrier frequency and for transmitting the modulated baseband input signal via the antenna element as a radio wave with the predetermined carrier frequency. In particular, the contactless plug connector and contactless plug connector system include an electromagnetic shielding element arranged to surround the transmitting circuit and the antenna element with a rim portion forming an opening at the mating end of the contactless plug connector.

Claims (44)

1. A contactless plug connector for electromagnetically connecting a corresponding mating connector comprising:

at least one input terminal for inputting a baseband input signal;

an antenna element arranged at the mating end of the contactless plug connector;

a transmitting circuit for modulating the inputted baseband input signal on a predetermined carrier frequency and for transmitting the modulated baseband input signal via the antenna element as a radio wave with the predetermined carrier frequency;

an electromagnetic shielding element arranged to surround the transmitting circuit and the antenna element with a rim portion forming an opening at the mating end of the contactless plug connector, wherein the rim portion of the shielding element is arranged such that it overlaps, in a mated state, a corresponding shielding element of the mating connector by a predefined distance based on the predetermined carrier frequency,

wherein the connector is provided as a radial connector allowing the connector to rotate in the mated state and the shielding element has a cylindrical shape; and

a power terminal for connection to a power supply; and

an inductive coupling element connected to the power terminal for transmitting/receiving power to/from the corresponding mating connector,

wherein the inductive coupling element is arranged so as to form in the mated state an induction loop with a corresponding inductive coupling element of the mating connector.

2. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein the predefined distance corresponds to a quarter of the wavelength of the predetermined carrier frequency.

3. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a receiving circuit for demodulating a radio wave received via the or another antenna element to a baseband output signal; and

at least one output terminal for outputting the baseband output signal.

4. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting circuit is connected to the power terminal.

5. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna element is a circular polarized antenna.

6. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing structure arranged so as to prevent the shielding element from directly contacting the corresponding shielding element of the corresponding mating connector.

7. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein the shielding element is surrounded by dielectric material.

8. The contactless plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is embedded in a housing that is sealed against intrusion of water.

9. A contactless plug connector system comprising a contactless plug connector according to claim 1 and a corresponding mating connector, wherein the rim portion of the shielding element of the contactless plug connector is arranged so as to fit closely about the corresponding shielding element of the mating connector.

10. A contactless plug connector for electromagnetically

connecting a corresponding mating connector comprising:

an antenna element arranged at the mating end of the contactless plug connector;

a receiving circuit for demodulating a radio wave of a predetermined carrier frequency received via the antenna element to a baseband output signal;

at least one output terminal for outputting the demodulated radio wave as the baseband output signal;

an electromagnetic shielding element arranged to surround the receiving circuit and the antenna element, with a rim portion forming an opening at the mating end of the contactless plug connector;

a power terminal for connection to a power supply; and

an inductive coupling element connected to the power terminal for transmitting/receiving power to/from a corresponding mating connector;

wherein the inductive coupling element is arranged so as to form, in a mated state, an induction loop with a corresponding inductive coupling element of the mating connector,

wherein the connector is provided as a radial connector allowing the connector to rotate in the mated state and the shielding element has a cylindrical shape, and

wherein the rim portion of the shielding element is arranged such that it overlaps, in the mated state, a corresponding shielding element of the mating connector by a distance corresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of the predetermined carrier frequency.

11. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one input terminal for inputting a baseband input signal;

a transmitting circuit for modulating the inputted baseband input signal on a predetermined carrier frequency and for transmitting the modulated baseband input signal via the or another antenna element as a radio wave with the predetermined carrier frequency.

12. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , wherein the receiving circuit is connected to the power terminal.

13. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , wherein the antenna element is a circular polarized antenna.

14. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , further comprising a housing structure arranged so as to prevent the shielding element from directly contacting the corresponding shielding element of the corresponding mating connector.

15. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , wherein the shielding element is surrounded by dielectric material.

16. The contactless plug connector according to claim 10 , wherein the connector is embedded in a housing that is sealed against intrusion of water.

17. A contactless plug connector system comprising a contactless plug connector according to claim 10 and a corresponding mating connector, wherein the rim portion of the shielding element of the contactless plug connector is arranged so as to fit closely about the corresponding shielding element of the mating connector.

18. A contactless plug connector for electromagnetically connecting a corresponding mating connector comprising:

at least one input terminal for inputting a baseband input signal;

an antenna element arranged at the mating end of the contactless plug connector;

a transmitting circuit for modulating the inputted baseband input signal on a predetermined carrier frequency and for transmitting the modulated baseband input signal via the antenna element as a radio wave with the predetermined carrier frequency; and

an electromagnetic shielding element arranged to surround the transmitting circuit and the antenna element with a rim portion forming an opening at the mating end of the contactless plug connector, wherein the connector is provided as a radial connector allowing the connector to rotate in a mated state and wherein the shielding element has a cylindrical shape.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2017
From: RIEZEBOS, DIRK-JAN; HABRAKEN, GIED
To: TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND BV
Reel/Frame 041095/0045 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2017
From: BERGNER, BERT
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
Reel/Frame 041095/0298 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 16, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
To: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 036617/0856 →