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

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.

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.

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.