CN115053411A - System comprising a plug contact carrier and at least one plug contact element, plug contact carrier, plug contact element and plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A system (1) consisting of a plug contact carrier (2) and at least one plug contact element (3) is described and presented, wherein the at least one plug contact element (3) has at least one socket element (4) and/or at least one pin element ( 5 ) and/or at least one plug element ( 6 ) for direct contact with the circuit board, and wherein the at least one plug contact element ( 3 ) has a connection area ( 14 ) which The contact areas ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) are connected to one another, wherein in the connected state at least one plug contact element ( 3 ) is positioned and fixed in the plug contact carrier ( 2 ). The object of specifying a system consisting of a plug-in contact carrier and at least one plug-in contact element, wherein the plug-in contact element can be connected to the plug-in contact carrier in a particularly simple manner and positioned and fixed in the plug-in contact carrier. , it is achieved that at least one plug contact element ( 3 ) is fixed in the plug contact carrier ( 2 ) by means of a latching connection, wherein the latch connection is arranged in the connection region of the plug contact element ( 3 ).

Description

System consisting of a plug contact carrier and at least one plug contact element, a plug Contact carriers, plug contact elements and plug connectors

technical field

The invention proceeds from a system comprising a plug contact carrier and at least one plug contact element, wherein the at least one plug contact element has at least one socket element and/or at least one pin element and/or is used for direct contacting of the circuit At least one plug element of the board, and wherein the at least one plug contact element has a connection area which connects the contact areas to one another, wherein the at least one plug contact element is positioned and fixed in the plug contact carrier in the connected state .

Background technique

According to one configuration, the plug element for direct contact has two contact legs which can be inserted into corresponding contact holes in the circuit board, so that the circuit board can be contacted only by inserting the plug element.

According to a further refinement, the plug elements for direct contact with the circuit board are oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the socket elements and/or the pin elements. Thus, there is sufficient space for joining and arranging the components to be joined.

Within the scope of the invention, the at least one plug contact element and the plug contact carrier are designed such that the plug contact element can be inserted into the plug contact carrier for connection to the plug contact carrier.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug contact element for accommodating in a plug contact carrier, wherein the plug contact element is designed to form the system described above; a plug contact for accommodating at least one plug contact element a carrier, wherein a plug contact carrier is configured for forming the system described above; and a plug connector, preferably a direct plug connector for contacting a circuit board, preferably via a plug connection, comprising a plug contact carrier The system is formed with at least one plug contact element and also includes a housing.

Plug connectors for electrically contacting at least two electronic components are known from the prior art. In particular, the contacting of the circuit board places high demands on the positioning and fixing of the current-carrying contact elements of the plug-in connector.

From the prior art DE 20 2016 105 358 U1 a plug contact element for connecting electrical components to a circuit board is known, wherein the plug contact element can be inserted into a plug contact carrier, and wherein the plug contact The contact elements are positioned in the contact carrier via the mounting frame and via the latching connection.

Furthermore, a plug connector is known from publication DE 10 2013 111 571 B4, in which the plug contact elements arranged in the plug contact carrier have solder pins for connection to the circuit board, and in which the plug In the region of the contact sockets, the contact elements have fixing openings which, in interaction with corresponding projections of the plug contact carrier, fix the plug contact elements in the installed state. However, such a design has the disadvantage that the incomplete snap-in of the securing opening affects the size of the contact opening of the contact socket and thus the quality of the contact.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to connect the contact metal in the form of a plug-in contact element to the housing by means of thermal caulking to ensure a defined positioning. For this purpose, the plug contact elements must first be pre-positioned in order to thermally caulk the plug contact elements in the correct position. This method has the disadvantage that additional complex process steps are required to manufacture the system described above. Furthermore, the method is conditional on relatively large gaps between the individual components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Starting from the stated prior art, the object of the present invention is to specify a system consisting of a plug-in contact carrier and at least one plug-in contact element, in which the plug-in contact element can be connected to the plug-in contact in a particularly simple manner The carrier is connected and positioned and fixed in the plug contact carrier. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to specify a corresponding plug contact carrier, a corresponding plug contact element and a corresponding plug connector.

According to a first teaching, the above-mentioned object is achieved by the above-described system of a plug-in contact carrier and at least one plug-in contact element having the features of patent claim 1 whereby the at least one plug-in contact element is connected by a snap-fit It is fixed in the plug contact carrier, wherein the latching connection is arranged in the connection region of the plug contact element.

According to the invention, the at least one plug contact element can be inserted into the plug contact carrier in detail, wherein the plug contact carrier and the at least one plug contact element are designed in such a way that the at least one plug contact element is inserted into the plug contact carrier. After that, it is directly fixed by the card lock connection. Since the snap connection is arranged in the connection region of the plug contact element and therefore not in the contact region of the plug contact element, the snap connection has no influence on the contact region and in particular on the quality of the contact. Even incomplete latching does not necessarily lead to worse contact quality.

As a result, the system according to the invention thus ensures, on the one hand, a particularly simple connection of the at least one plug contact element to the plug contact carrier and, on the other hand, an improved contact with further structural elements.

For example, the latching connection according to the invention is configured as a rear latch. In this context, rear locking means that the locking takes place in the insertion direction behind a locking element or a locking counterpart element which is arranged on the plug-in contact carrier.

According to a preferred refinement, at least one of the plug contact elements has a latching element, in particular in the form of a latching nose or a latching hook, and the plug contact carrier has a latching counterpart element, in particular in the form of a recess. A latching counterpart element in the form of the latching element forming a latching connection with the latching counterpart element in the inserted state of the plug contact element, and wherein the latching element is arranged in the connection region of the at least one plug contact element.

It is also conceivable for the plug contact carrier to have latching elements, in particular in the form of latching lugs or latching hooks, which, in the inserted state, snap into place at least one of the plug contact elements. in the latching counterpart element at the location, in particular in the form of a recess.

Particularly preferably, the latching element and the latching counterpart element are designed in such a way that the latching element is elastically deformed and/or deflected during insertion, preferably by means of the latching counterpart element reset. In the inserted state, the latching element has the original shape or position, whereby the latching connection is achieved.

According to another preferred configuration, the at least one plug contact element is fixed in the plug contact carrier by exactly one latching connection. According to this configuration, in addition to the latching connection, there may optionally be further defined contact areas between the at least one plug contact element and the plug contact carrier, in particular with stops and/or bearing surfaces and/or A contact area in the form of a guide surface, wherein the defined contact area stabilizes the position of the plug contact element in the plug contact carrier.

Another advantageous configuration is characterized in that the at least one plug contact element is designed in such a way that in the inserted state not only a defined contact area with the plug contact carrier, in particular with stops and/or bearing surfaces and/or guides, is present A contact area in the form of a face, but also an area in which there is an intermediate space between the components. Such an intermediate space can be achieved, for example, by thinning the plug contact elements at least in regions. In important regions, for example in the region of socket elements and/or pin elements, the at least one plug contact element is therefore not placed on the plug contact carrier. Particularly preferably, a defined contact area with the plug contact carrier is arranged in the connection area of the plug contact element.

Such a configuration has the advantage that manufacturing-induced tolerances in the flatness of the plug contact element and/or the plug contact carrier have substantially no influence on the position of the plug contact element in the plug contact carrier.

According to a further refinement, the plug contact element preferably has at least two bearing surfaces in the connecting region, with which the plug contact element rests on the plug contact carrier. Preferably, the sum of the bearing surfaces is generally less than 50% or less than 40% or less than 30% of the possible bearing surfaces.

Particularly preferably, the plug contact element has exactly two bearing surfaces with which the plug contact element rests on the plug contact carrier. This design is an optimal compromise between ensuring a stable position of the plug contact element in the plug contact carrier on the one hand and ensuring sufficient free space between the components on the other hand in order to minimize the influence of manufacturing-induced tolerances .

Particularly preferably, the plug contact carrier has at least one stop surface for positioning at least one plug contact element in the insertion direction, wherein the plug contact element has at least one mating stop surface, and wherein each mating stop In the inserted state, the stop surface abuts against the stop surface of the plug-in contact carrier. A defined positioning of the plug contact element in the inserted state can be ensured by a defined number of abutment surfaces, wherein the stop surface in particular limits the movement of the plug contact element in the insertion direction. According to a particularly preferred configuration, the plug contact carrier has at least two stop surfaces, wherein the plug contact element in the inserted state abuts against the two stop surfaces with two mating stop surfaces. In this way, a particularly precise positioning of the plug contact element in the plug contact carrier can be ensured.

According to a particularly preferred configuration, the at least one plug contact element is produced from a flat metal material by means of stamping. The plug contact element produced in this way advantageously differs from the punch-bend contacts known from the prior art by a particularly simple production process. If a detent element is arranged on the plug contact element, the detent element can be formed directly during stamping.

The plug contact carrier preferably consists of plastic.

It is also advantageous if the plug contact carrier has at least three guide elements, in particular guide elements in the form of guide surfaces, wherein the guide elements cause the at least one plug contact element to move between three during insertion and/or in the inserted state. Steering and/or stabilizing in a spatial direction.

According to a particularly preferred configuration, the plug contact carrier has at least one guide element, preferably in the form of a guide rail, wherein the guide element extends in the insertion direction, and wherein the plug contact element for connecting the components It is inserted into the plug contact carrier along the guide element.

If the plug contact carrier has a plurality of plug contact elements, a guide element, preferably in the form of a guide rail, is preferably arranged on the plug contact carrier for each plug contact element. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide element extends on both sides of the plug contact element in the insertion direction, so that a straight introduction of the plug contact element into the plug contact carrier can be ensured.

According to another configuration, the guide element is designed as a guide housing, wherein the guide housing extends in the insertion direction on three sides of the plug contact element. This configuration already ensures a particularly precise positioning of the plug contact element during insertion.

According to a particularly preferred configuration, the guide housing has a recess into which the latching element of the plug-in contact element snaps into place in the inserted state. In this configuration, the recess of the guide housing acts as a latching counterpart element.

According to a second teaching of the present invention, the object stated at the outset is achieved by the plug contact element mentioned at the outset for connection to the plug contact carrier, ie the plug contact element is designed to form the above-mentioned embodiment. system. For this purpose, the plug contact element has the features of at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

Furthermore, the plug contact element for connection to the plug contact carrier can also be configured according to one of the following refinements.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the plug contact element is produced by punching and after punching is processed by embossing in at least one contact region. The surface quality and the cutting edge produced by the stamping process are improved by plastic deformation. Consequently, the electrical connection to the plug-in contact element can be improved as a result.

Particularly preferably, the plug contact element is embossed not only in the region of the socket element but also in the region of the pin element.

It is also advantageous if the socket element tapers at least in regions. This has the advantage that the size of the contact opening can be adjusted simply and precisely in the region of the taper after stamping.

A further advantageous configuration of the plug contact element is characterized in that the pin element is widened in such a way that the material thickness of the pin element is wider than the remainder of the plug contact element. This has the advantage that, when the pin elements are joined, the contact becomes easier due to the enlargement of the overlapping surface. For example, the pin elements can be widened by plastic deformation after stamping.

According to a third teaching of the present invention, the object stated at the outset is achieved by the plug contact carrier described at the outset for accommodating at least one plug contact element, ie the plug contact carrier is designed to form the form according to the preceding embodiments. system. For this purpose, the plug contact element has the features of at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

According to a fourth teaching, the object stated at the outset is achieved by a plug connector, in particular a direct plug connector for contacting circuit boards, preferably via a plug connection, which comprises the above-mentioned configuration. The system consists of a plug contact carrier and at least one plug contact element and also includes a housing.

Furthermore, the plug connector, in particular the direct plug connector, can alternatively or additionally be constructed according to one of the following configurations.

According to a preferred configuration, the plug connector has a housing, wherein the housing has a receiving area for receiving the plug contact carrier, wherein the receiving area has at least two boundaries, preferably lateral boundaries, wherein the receiving area is In the connected state, at least two boundaries of the region are fixed in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner. Particularly preferably, the boundary extends in the insertion direction of the plug-in contact carrier, so that a fixation extending over the entire receiving area can be ensured. For example, the boundary is designed as a boundary wall or as a boundary edge. Particularly preferably, at least two borders are formed as side walls lying opposite one another.

It can thereby be ensured that the plug contact elements arranged in the plug contact carrier, which are provided for connection, can be positioned in the housing in a particularly advantageous manner, ie the plug contact carrier is inserted into the receiving region of the housing, and In the inserted state, the plug-in contact carrier is fixed in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner by means of the receiving region. In this way, a stable positioning of the plug contact elements provided for joining is also achieved.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the receptacle area of the plug-in contact carrier and the housing is designed in such a way that the plug-in contact carrier can be pushed into the receptacle area with a clearance fit during insertion first and in the fully inserted state Only the plug-in contact carrier is fixed by at least one press fit.

Particularly preferably, the press fit is achieved in the inserted state by means of a transition fit or an interference fit.

According to a further refinement, the plug contact carrier is positioned and/or fixed in the inserted state by at least two press fits, wherein preferably one press fit is realized in the rear region of the plug contact carrier in the insertion direction, And in this case, the second press fit takes place in the front region of the plug-in contact carrier in the insertion direction.

The press fit can preferably be achieved in that, in the unconnected state, the distance between the side walls or the side edges of the plug-in contact carrier is at least partially greater than the distance between the lateral boundaries of the receiving region.

According to a further advantageous refinement, the lateral boundaries of the receiving area of the housing and/or the side walls or the side edges of the plug-in contact carrier are not oriented parallel to each other at least in some areas, but rather the distance between the lateral boundaries of the receiving area And/or the spacing of the side walls or side edges of the plug-in contact carrier decreases in the insertion direction of the plug-in contact carrier.

According to a further refinement, the press fit can also be achieved or improved in that at least one lateral boundary of the receiving region is not formed parallel to the adjoining side walls or side edges of the plug-in contact carrier. The angle to the respective adjoining side wall or side edge is in the range between 0.5 and 10°, preferably in the range between 0.5 and 5°, particularly preferably in the range between 0.5 and 2° within the range.

The press fit can also be achieved or improved in that at least one side wall or side edge of the plug-in contact carrier is not formed parallel to the adjoining lateral boundaries of the receiving region. Here, the angle to the respective adjoining lateral boundary lies in the range between 0.5 and 10°, preferably in the range between 0.5 and 5°, particularly preferably in the range between 0.5 and 2°.

Alternatively or additionally, a press fit can also be achieved in that at least one lateral boundary of the receiving region and/or at least one side wall or side edge of the plug-in contact carrier has at least one step.

According to a particularly preferred refinement, in the connected state, a press fit is achieved by two opposite steps of the lateral boundaries of the receiving area, and a second press fit is achieved by plug-in contact with the side walls of the carrier or This is achieved by two steps in the side edges lying opposite each other.

A further configuration of the plug connector is characterized in that the receiving area has at least three boundaries, such that the boundaries surround the plug contact carrier on at least three sides. Particularly preferably, the boundary is arranged in such a way that the boundary limits the movement of the plug contact carrier both laterally and in the insertion direction, and in this case positions the inserted plug contact carrier in a form-fitting manner on at least three sides.

According to a further refinement, the receiving area has at least four borders for positioning and fixing the plug-in contact carrier, which borders are arranged in such a way that the borders lie not only laterally but also in the insertion direction but also opposite the connection to the circuit board while the plug-in contact carrier is positioned and/or fixed in place.

Particularly preferably, the border is arranged as a base opposite the circuit board to be plugged in. The forces acting when the circuit board is plugged in can be absorbed by the base, thereby reducing the load on the plug-in contact elements.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the housing has lateral openings in the receiving region, wherein the lateral openings are oriented perpendicularly with respect to the plug-in direction of the circuit boards to be joined.

In order to improve the fixation of the plug-in contact carrier in the housing, it is also advantageous if the plug-in contact carrier preferably has at least one latching element, for example in the form of a latching lug or latching hook, preferably in the region of the side wall. A locking element, wherein in the inserted state at least one locking element engages in a locking counterpart element, for example in the form of a recess, wherein the locking counterpart element is preferably arranged in the receiving area of the housing in the area of the lateral boundary. Particularly preferably, the at least one latching element is arranged and designed in such a way that the latching element protrudes beyond a side wall or a side edge of the plug-in contact carrier. Particularly preferably, the latching element is resiliently deflected and/or deformed in return during the insertion process, wherein the latching element engages in its original shape and/or position into the latching counterpart element.

For example, the latching counterpart element can be designed as a recess in the lateral boundary of the receiving area, wherein the latching element snaps into the recess in the inserted state. Alternatively, the lateral boundaries of the receiving area can also have abrupt or continuous changes in the spacing of the boundaries.

Description of drawings

In detail, there are now numerous possibilities for designing and improving the system according to the invention, the plug contact element according to the invention and the plug contact carrier according to the invention and the plug connector according to the invention. For this purpose, reference is made not only to the patent claims subordinate to the independent patent claims but also to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system according to the invention comprising a plug-in contact carrier and three plug-in contact elements in an unconnected state,

Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the system according to the invention in the plugged together state, and

Figure 3 shows the system presented in Figure 2 in a cross-sectional view,

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a direct plug connector.

Detailed ways

In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention is presented in the unconnected state, which system comprises a plug contact carrier 2 and three plug contact elements 3 .

The plug contact elements 3 each have a socket element 4 , a pin element 5 and a plug element 6 with contact prongs for direct contact via corresponding contact holes of the circuit board 15 . The area of the plug contact element 3 between the contact areas 4 , 5 and 6 is referred to as the connection area 14 . The presented plug contact element 3 is produced by means of stamping.

The plug contact element 3 and the plug contact carrier 2 are designed in such a way that the plug contact element 3 can be inserted into the plug contact carrier 2 for stable positioning.

In order to fasten the plug contact elements 3 in the plug contact carrier, the plug contact elements 3 each have a latching element 7 which, in the inserted state, and the corresponding latching counterpart element 8 on the plug contact carrier 2 Form a latching connection. The latching elements 7 are each arranged in the connecting regions 14 of the plug-in contact elements. In this way, it can be ensured that the snap-in connection, for example in the case of incomplete snap-in, has no effect on the contact area and thus on the quality of the contact.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment presented in FIG. 1 in the plugged together state. In addition to the latching connection formed by the latching element 7 and the mating latching element 8 for securing the plug-in contact element 3 , the plug-in contact carrier has a guide element 9 for each plug-in contact element 3 , wherein , the guide element 9 not only stabilizes the position of the plug element 6 but also ensures a straight insertion of the corresponding plug contact element 3 .

The embodiment presented in FIG. 2 is shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 . In addition to the components already described, the illustration in FIG. 3 shows that the plug contact element 3 has exactly two bearing surfaces 10 with which the plug contact element 3 rests on the plug contact carrier 2 . In this way, as large a free space as possible between the components can be ensured, so that manufacturing-induced tolerances have substantially no influence on the position of the plug contact element 3 in the plug contact carrier 2 .

Furthermore, the plug contact carrier 2 has a stop surface 11 for positioning or limiting the movement of the plug contact element 3 in the insertion direction. In the inserted state, the plug-in contact element 3 in each case abuts against the stop surface 11 with the mating stop surface 12 .

As a result, the system 1 of the plug contact elements 3 inserted into the plug contact carrier 2 presented in FIGS. 1 to 3 has the advantage that, on the one hand, the plug contact can be accommodated by the plug contact carrier 2 in a particularly simple manner. element 3 , and at the same time a precise positioning of the plug contact element 3 in the plug contact carrier 2 can be ensured, in particular by the snap-fit connection.

FIG. 4 presents an embodiment of a direct plug connector 13 with the plug contact carrier 2 and the plug contact elements 3 arranged in the plug contact carrier 2 as shown in FIG. 2 . system 1. The plug-in contact carrier 2 is arranged in a receiving area 16 of the housing, wherein the receiving area 16 fixes the plug-in contact carrier 2 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner by means of a press fit. Furthermore, a circuit board 15 is presented, which can be connected to the direct plug connector 13 .

List of reference signs

1 System consisting of a plug-in contact carrier and at least one plug-in contact

2 Plug contact carrier

3 Plug contacts

4 Contact socket

5 Contact plug

6 Plug for connection to circuit board

7 locking element

8 Mating latching elements

9 Guide elements

10 Support surface

11 Stop surface

12 Mating stop surfaces

13 Direct plug connectors

14 Connection surface

15 circuit boards

16 accommodating area

17 Housing.

Claims (11)

1. A system (1) consisting of a plug contact carrier (2) and at least one plug contact element (3), wherein the at least one plug contact element (3) has at least one socket element (4) and/or at least one pin element (5) and/or at least one plug element (6) for directly contacting a circuit board (15), and wherein the at least one plug contact element (3) has a connection region (14) which connects the contact regions (4,5,6) to one another, wherein, in the connected state, the at least one plug contact element (3) is positioned and fixed in the plug contact carrier (2),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one plug contact element (3) is fixed in the plug contact carrier (2) by means of a latching connection, wherein the latching connection is arranged in a connection region (14) of the plug contact element (3).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one plug contact element (3) has a latching element (7), in particular in the form of a latching nose or a latching hook, and the plug contact carrier (2) has a latching counter-element (8), wherein the latching element (7) forms a latching connection with the counter-latching element (8) in the inserted state of the plug contact element (3), and wherein the latching element (7) is arranged in a connection region (14) of the at least one plug contact element (3).

3. System (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the latching element (7) and the latching counter-element (8) are configured such that the latching element (7) is elastically deformed and/or deflected during insertion, preferably by resetting of the latching counter-element (8).

4. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one plug contact element (3) is fixed in the plug contact carrier (2) by exactly one snap-on connection.

5. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one plug contact element (3) is designed such that in the inserted state there is not only a defined contact region with the plug contact carrier (2), in particular in the form of a bearing surface (10) or a guide surface, but also a region in which an intermediate space is present between the components.

6. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plug contact carrier (2) has at least one stop face (11) for positioning the at least one plug contact element (3), wherein the plug contact element (3) has at least one mating stop face (12), and wherein each mating stop face (12) in the inserted state abuts against the stop face (11) of the plug contact carrier (2).

7. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one plug contact element (3) is made of a metallic flat material by means of stamping.

8. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plug contact carrier (2) has at least three guide elements, in particular in the form of guide surfaces, wherein the guide elements guide the at least one plug contact element (3) in different spatial directions during and/or in the inserted state and/or stabilize in its position.

9. Plug contact element (3) for connecting with a plug contact carrier (2), wherein the plug contact element (3) is designed to form a system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Plug contact carrier (2) for accommodating at least one plug contact element (3), wherein the plug contact carrier (2) is designed to form a system according to one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A plug connector (13), in particular a direct plug connector for contacting a circuit board (15), preferably via a plug connection, comprising a system (1) of a plug contact carrier (2) and at least one plug contact element (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and further comprising a housing (17).

Images