# US 11,909,146 B2 · Single Pair Ethernet connector

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- Number: US 11,909,146 B2
- Document ID: US11909146B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/724,524
- Filed: 2022-04-20
- Published: 2022-10-27
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2021-04-22
- Assignees: Turck Holding GmbH
- Applicants: TURCK Holding GmbH
- Inventors: Michael Schneider
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11909146B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/7175: {Light emitting diodes (LEDs)}
- H01R 13/7172: {Conduits for light transmission}
- H01R 13/641: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A connector device produces a connection by means of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). The connector device includes at least one connection element for an SPE connection, a light source for generating a light emission, and a light-guide element. The light source is set up to couple the generated light emission into the light-guide element, and the light-guide element is set up to couple an output-light distribution out in a coupling-out area.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) connector device comprising:
at least one connection element for an SPE connection;
a light source for generating a light emission; and
a light-guide element; wherein
the light source is set up to couple the generated light emission into the light-guide element,
the light-guide element is set up to couple an output-light distribution out in a coupling-out area, and
the connector device outputs a visually perceptible signal in response to receiving a request signal or data input.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is set up to generate the generated light emission with a predefined light parameter, wherein the predefined light parameter is determinable by a control unit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The connector device according to claim 3, wherein the light source is set up to generate the generated light emission with a dynamic change of the light parameter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the light-guide element has a coupling-in surface where the generated light emission can be coupled in.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the light-guide element has a coupling-out surface in the coupling-out area.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a housing, wherein the coupling-out area comprises a recess in the housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The connector device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of coupling-out areas.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A sensor device with the connector device according to claim 1.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The connector device according to claim 3, wherein the light source is set up to generate the generated light emission with the predefined light parameter with a color or an intensity.

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

The connector device according to claim 4, wherein the light source is set up to generate the generated light emission with the dynamic change of the light parameter with a periodically variable light parameter.

### Claim 12 (depends on 4)

The connector device according to claim 4, wherein the light source is set up to generate the generated light emission with the dynamic change of the light parameter with a flashing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The connector device according to claim 5, wherein the coupling-in surface extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connector device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The connector device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling-out surface extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 6)

The connector device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling-out surface extends along a cylindrical surface around a longitudinal axis of the connector device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The connector device according to claim 8, wherein the coupling-out areas are arranged distributed evenly around a longitudinal axis of the connector device.

### Claim 17 (depends on 3)

The connector device according to claim 3, wherein the request signal or the data input is received via a wired or wireless data connection.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The connector device according to claim 17, wherein the request signal or the data input is processed by the control unit, and the visually perceptible signal is effected by the control unit.