AT14325U1 - Single-pole electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements and printed circuit board and lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-pole electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") with hermaphroditic contact elements (30, 40, 30 "', 40"') for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular for connecting Light-emitting diode circuit boards, comprising: a base portion (20) having a connection region (21) for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm (30, 30 "') and a second contact arm (40, 40"') disposed on the base portion (20 ) and extending substantially parallel to each other from the base portion (20), wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 "') on its inner side facing the second contact arm (40, 40"') forms a contact surface of the first contact arm, and the second contact arm (40, 40 "') has an inclined section (41) which extends from the base section (20) in the direction of the first contact arm (30, 30'"), at which a parallel to the first contact arm (30, 30 '') extending portion (42) connects, the one Kon in the connected state of two electrical connectors (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") of the respective second contact arm (40, 40 "') of a electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") between the first (30, 30 '") and the second contact arm (40, 40"') of the respective other electrical connector (10, 10 ' , 10 ", 10" ', 10 "") is clamped.

Description

description

UNIQUE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH HERMAPHRODITIC CONTACT DETAILS

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single-pole electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting diode printed circuit boards, and a printed circuit board having at least one such single-pole electrical connector and a printed circuit board arrangement, in particular a Beleuchtungssys¬tem, with at least two such printed circuit boards.

2. BACKGROUND

Electrical connectors for connecting printed circuit boards, in particular of light-emitting diode printed circuit boards, are known from the prior art. In this context, on the one hand between so-called "board-to-board" connectors and "board-to-wire" -Verbindernunterschieden and on the other hand between single-pole and two-pole electrical connectors.

By a "board-to-board" connector is meant an electrical connector which is disposed on a circuit board and engageable with a corresponding electrical connector disposed on another circuit board to thereby provide electrical continuity Make connection between the circuit boards.

A "board-to-wire" connector means an electrical connector which is not in direct contact with another electrical connector, but is electrically connected to a further electrical connector only by means of a wire or cable ,

A single-pole electrical connector is understood to mean an electrical connector which provides only one line, that is, only one electrically conductive connection. In contrast, a two-pole electrical connector is understood to mean an electrical connector that provides two separate leads.

Usually, the electrical connectors for electrically connecting Lei¬terplatten depending on the operating voltage selected. Two-pole electrical connectors are essentially suitable only for operating voltages of 125 volts and 250 volts. At higher operating voltages there is a risk of a short-circuit inside the electrical connector when using two-pole electrical connectors, since the respective poles are arranged relatively close to each other in a two-pole electrical connector. Therefore, at operating voltages of more than 425 volts usually einpo¬lige electrical connectors, used in the form of a "board-to-wire" connector.

An electrical connection of printed circuit boards by means of "board-to-wire" connectors is, however, relatively time-consuming, since in this case first a wire or cable has to be provided, if necessary. an insulation of the wire is to be removed and finally the wire must be fixed in each case in an electrical connector arranged on the printed circuit boards.

In addition, the known "board-to-wire" connectors are comparatively complex construction, since appropriate holding or clamping means are to be provided for the wire, which in turn leads to higher costs.

Starting from this prior art, the present invention provides the task of supplying an electrical connector in the form of a single-pole "board-to-board" connector, which is suitable for the electrical connection of printed circuit boards, in particular light emitting diode printed circuit boards.

These and other objects that may be mentioned in reading the following description or which may be recognized by those skilled in the art are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims further form the central idea of the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A single-pole electrical connector according to the invention has hermaphroditic contact elements for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting diode printed circuit boards (ie printed circuit boards with light-emitting diodes as lighting means). The electrical connector comprises: a base section having a connection region for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm and a second contact arm, which are arranged on the base section and extend substantially parallel to each other away from the base section, the first contact arm being in its the second contact arm has a contact surface of the first contact arm, and the second contact arm has a step section extending from the base section toward the first contact arm, followed by a section parallel to the first contact arm forming a contact surface of the second contact arm; and wherein in the connected state of two electrical connectors of the respective second contact arm of an electrical connector between the first and the second contact arm of the respective other electrical connector is clamped.

By hermaphroditic contact elements is to be understood that two identically formed electrical connectors can be interconnected, i. E. without having to provide different electrical connectors in the form of plugs and sockets.

The oblique portion of the second contact arm thereby enables two electrical connectors can be easily connected to each other, since thereby the second Kontaktarmevel of two electrical connectors to be connected are so arranged relative to each other or are that in the connected state of each second contact an electrical connector is clamped between the first and the second contact arm of the respective other electrical connector. Thus, an electrical connector can be arranged on a printed circuit board in each case without the electrical connectors having to be arranged offset relative to one another on the printed circuit board or the printed circuit boards having to be interconnected in offset fashion. By means of an electrical connector according to the invention with its hermaphroditically formed contact elements or contact arms, two (identical) printed circuit boards can thus be connected to one another simply by means of two identical electrical connectors according to the invention.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the first contact arm and / or the second Kontaktarmstirnseitig arranged chamfers has / have. Such contact surfaces unite a connection, in particular a telescoping, of two electrical connectors according to the invention, since the risk of tilting or wedging is minimized by the run-on slopes.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the base portion is U-shaped and the contact arms are respectively disposed on the legs of the U-shaped base portion. Such a configuration is particularly easy to produce by means of a stamping and bending process, as far as the electrical connector, as is preferred, is made of a metallic material.

The central region of the base portion is preferably formed straight, i. without bulges or the like, so that it can be easily arranged on and mounted on a printed circuit board.

Preferably, the base portion is chamfered at the sides opposite the contact arms. Since the electrical connector is to be used, in particular, on a light-emitting diode printed circuit board, there is a need to keep the cross-section of the electrical connector as small as possible in order to prevent the electrical connector from shielding the light-emitting diode, thereby causing unwanted shadows.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first contact arm has a protrusion on its inner side facing the second contact arm, which protrusion forms the contact surface of the first contact arm. By means of such protrusion, it is possible to increase the clamping force on the second contact arm of a second connector which is clamped between the first and second contact arm. In addition, this makes it possible to define exactly the contact surface which comes into contact with the second contact arm. The contact surface of the contact arms is preferably between 3 and 7 mm 2, preferably between 4 and 6 mm 2 and particularly preferably about 5 mm 2. Depending on the operating voltage or operating current strength, the contact surfaces of the contact arms can be made smaller or larger. In practice, it has been found that a contact surface of the contact arms of approximately 5 mm 2 is sufficient for applications in light-emitting diode printed circuit boards.

Advantageously, the electrical connector has an overall height of between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm, and more preferably between 3.3 and 4 mm. As already stated, the electrical connector is preferably used for a light-emitting diode printed circuit board. while the electrical connector should be as compact as possible to avoid unwanted shadow effects. As has been shown in practice, unwanted shadows can be largely avoided if the electrical connector has an overall height between 3.3 and 4 mm.

The electrical connector is preferably formed as an integral component (eg, stamped and bent part) that consists of a copper alloy, wherein advantageously the surfaces of the electrical connector are tinned and / or gold-plated. An integral formation of a copper alloy is a particularly simple way of providing an electrical connector according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment, the electrical connector locking means on zumin¬dest one of the contact arms, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding locking means of a further electrical connector.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the electrical connector is suitable to operate with a voltage of > 425 volts and / or a current of > 4 amps to be operated.

The invention further relates to a printed circuit board with the connector according to the invention, a printed circuit board arrangement with at least two of the printed circuit board according to the invention as well as a lighting system with light-emitting (in particular light-emitting diodes) printed circuit board arrangement.

4. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a detailed description of the figures will be given. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical connector according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a first side view of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a second side view of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a rear view of the electrical connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a printed circuit board according to the invention with an electrical connector according to the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic view of two printed circuit boards, each with two erfindungs¬ contemporary electrical connectors; Figure 8 is a schematic view of the printed circuit boards shown in Figure 7, wherein the

Printed circuit boards are electrically connected by the electrical connectors; and [0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of two printed circuit boards each having an electrical connector according to the invention, wherein the printed circuit boards are connected at an angle of approx. 45 ° are arranged to each other.

1 shows a schematic view of a single-pole electrical connector 10 according to the invention with hermaphroditic contact elements 30, 40 for the electrical connection of printed circuit boards, in particular of light-emitting diode printed circuit boards.

The electrical connector 10 shown here essentially has three sections, namely a preferably U-shaped base section 20, a first contact arm 30 and a second contact arm 40.

The electrical connector 10 may be disposed and secured to the base portion 20 with a substantially horizontal base surface 21 on a printed circuit board (see, e.g., Fig. 6), for example by means of a soldering process. In approximately perpendicular to the base surface 21, the two legs 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20 extend upward. In the preferred embodiment shown, the legs 22 of the preferably U-shaped base portion 20 have frontal bevels 23.

At the chamfers 23 opposite sides of the legs 22 is on one leg 22 of the first contact arm 30 and the other leg 22 of the second contact arm 40 is arranged. The two contact arms 30, 40 extend substantially parallel to each other from the base portion 20 away.

The first contact arm 30 is formed in the preferred embodiment substantially by a portion 31 extending straight away from the leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the first Kon¬taktarm 30 comprises on its side facing the second contact arm 40 inside a protrusion 32auf, which forms a contact surface of the first contact arm 30. At the front, the first contact arm 30 preferably has a run-on slope 33, which is intended to prevent jamming or wedging when the electrical connector 10 is connected to a further electrical connector.

The second contact arm 40 has, starting from the second leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20, a slanting portion 41 which extends from the base portion 20 in the direction of the first contact arm 30 (see, for example, the plan view of Figure 2). The oblique section 41 is adjoined by a section 42 extending parallel to the first contact arm. At the front, the second contact portion 40 preferably also has a chamfer 43 to prevent jamming when connecting two electrical connectors. The inner side of the parallel section 42 thereby provides a contact surface of the second contact arm 40.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen well in Figure 2, the first contact arm 30 and the second contact arm 40, viewed from the inclined portion 41 of the second contact arm 40, parallel to each other ausgerich¬tet. Both ramps 33, 43 are opposite.

As will be explained in detail below, due to the asymmetrical design of the electrical connector 10, which is provided in particular by the inclined portion 41, two electrical connectors 10 according to the invention can be connected to each other, even if they are arranged on two (identical) printed circuit boards opposite each other. In this case, in the connected state of two electrical connectors of each second contact arm 40 of an electrical connector 10 between the first contact arm 30 and second contact arm 40 of the other electrical connector is clamped.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the electrical connector 10 of Figure 1 looking towards the side of the first contact arm 30. As can be clearly seen in Figure 3, the dome 32 is disposed substantially centrally on the straight portion 31 of the first contact arm 30, with reference to Figs 3, the corresponding recess of the inside of the second contact arm 40 send- forward bulge 32 can be seen.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the electrical connector 10 of Figure 1 looking towards the side of the second contact arm 40. As can be clearly seen in Figure 4, the chamfer portion 41 of the second contact arm 40 immediately adjoins a leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20 on. As a result, the portion 42 of the second contact arm 40 extending parallel to the first contact arm 30 is guided closer to the first contact arm 30 and the electrical connector 10 is not symmetrical with respect to its central longitudinal axis (see also FIG.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the electrical connector 10 shown in FIG. 1. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 5, the inside of the section 42 of the second contact arm 40 extending parallel to the first contact arm 30 and the protrusion provided on the first contact arm 30 are 32 executed substantially in parallel. The protrusion 32 and the parallel section 42 thereby form the contact surfaces into which a second contact arm of a further electrical connector can be clamped. The distance between the contact surfaces of an electrical connector 10 is dimensioned such that a second contact arm of a further electrical connector can be arranged therebetween with a sufficient clamping force.

FIG. 6 shows a printed circuit board L on which an electrical connector 10 is arranged. The printed circuit board L has a substantially rectangular shape when seen in plan view, the electrical connector 10 preferably being arranged in a corner region of the printed circuit board L. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 6, the first contact arm 30 and the second contact arm 40 project beyond the front edge of the printed circuit board in order to be able to be engaged with a further corresponding electrical connector of another printed circuit board.

Figure 7 shows a schematic view of two printed circuit boards L, L ', each having on a opposite end face two spaced-apart electrical connectors 10, 10' and 10 ", 10" '. The two electrical connectors 10, 10 'or 10 ", 10'" are preferably arranged spatially symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis M of the printed circuit board (s) L, L ', i. E. the electrical connectors are arranged opposite each other even when using two identical printed circuit boards L, L'

In the preferred embodiment shown, the printed circuit boards are provided with identical configuration with electrical connectors 10, 10 'and 10 ", 10'", respectively. Two or more interconnected via the connector according to the invention circuit boards L, L'are referred to in the context of the present invention as a printed circuit board assembly A.

Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a section of the printed circuit boards L, L 'shown in Figure 7 in the connected state. As can be clearly seen in Figure 8, the electrical connectors 10, 10 " ' with the areas of the first 30, 30 "protruding beyond the printed circuit boards L, L ', respectively and second contact arms 40, 40 '" are engaged with each other such that each second contact arm 40, 40 '" of an electrical connector 10, 10 '"between the first 30, 30' " and second contact arm 40, 40 '" of the other electrical connector 10, 10 '" is trapped. Such a connection is also called printed circuit board assembly A. If the circuit boards L, L ', as shown for example in FIGS. 6 to 9, have light-emitting means 50, 50', in particular light-emitting diodes, as electronic components / components, this is also referred to as lighting system B in the context of the invention.

In general, the oblique portion provided on the second contact arm thus results in the respective second contact arms being virtually enclosed by the respectively first contact arms in the connected state of two electrical connectors and resulting in a sandwiched connection with inner second contact arms and outer first contact arms.

Depending on the operating voltage used or the current used or due to a specific application, it may be advantageous if one or more of the electrical connectors in a housing on the circuit board is / are arranged, wherein the housing is preferably made of an electrically insulating material. This can be done spielsweise by appropriate caps that are plugged after connecting the circuit boards on the electrical connector or already in the production of a single electrical connector.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of two printed circuit boards L, L 'which are each formed with electrical connectors 10, 10 "". In contrast to the printed circuit boards L, L 'shown in FIG. 8, the printed circuit boards L, L' shown in FIG. 9 are not arranged in one plane, ie at an angle α of 180 ° to one another, but at an angle α of approximately 135 ° zuei¬nander arranged. As can be clearly seen in Figure 9, due to the design of the electrical connectors 10, 10 "", it is possible to rotate the circuit boards around the respective contact surfaces of the electrical connectors 10, 10 "". A correspondingly high clamping force can be achieved by the distance between the protrusion 32 formed on the first contact arm 30 and the inside of the parallel section 42, i. be set with the distance of the respective contact surfaces. The angle α is preferably 90 ° to 180 ° DEG, wherein the invention is not limited to an angle α, as long as sufficient contact (and Verklem-mung) of the connector is provided.

The invention is not limited to the preceding embodiments, solan¬ge it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims. Furthermore, the preceding embodiments can be combined with each other in any way. For example, the shape of the base part is not limited, as long as it can provide appropriately designed Kon¬taktarme. Also, the number and exact arrangement / position of the connectors on a printed circuit board as well as the shape of a printed circuit board is not limited by the invention as long as the connectors allow connection of two printed circuit boards.

Claims (19)

Claims 1. A single-pole electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") having hermaphroditic contact elements (30, 40, 30 ", 40" ') for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular for connecting Light-emitting diode circuit board comprising: a base portion (20) having a connection portion (21) for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm (30, 30 '") and a second contact arm (40, 40'") located on the Base portion (20) are arranged and extending substantially parallel to each other from the base portion (20), wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 '") on its side facing the second contact arm (40,40'") inside a Forming contact surface of the first contact arm, and the second contact arm (40, 40 '") has a beveled portion (41) extending from the base portion (20) in the direction of the first contact arm (30, 30'"), at which a parallel first contact arm (30, 30 '") running r is a portion (42) forming a contact surface of the second contact arm (40, 40 '"), and wherein in the connected state of two electrical connectors (10,10', 10", 10 '", 10" ") of the respective second contact arm (40, 40 '") of an electrical connector (10, 10', 10", 10 '", 10" ") between the first (30, 30'") and the second contact arm (40, 40 '") the other electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") is clamped. 2. Electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to claim 1, wherein the first Kontakt¬arm (30, 30 '") and / or the second contact arm (40, 40' ") has or have frontal chamfers (33, 43) arranged on the front side. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10", 10 "") according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the base portion (20) is U-shaped and the contact arms (30, 30' ") are each arranged on the legs of the U-shaped base portion (20). 4. Electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (20) at the contact arms (30, 30 '") opposite sides bevelled are formed. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 '") at its second contact arm (40, 40' ";) towards the inside has a protrusion (32), which forms the contact surface of the first Kon¬taktarms (30, 30 '"). An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") is integral Component, vorzugswei¬se as punching-bending part, is formed. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surfaces of the contact arms (30, 30 '", 40, 40'") each between 3 and 7mm 2, preferably between 4 and 6 mm 2 and more preferably 5 mm 2. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") has an overall height between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm and more preferably between 3.3 and 4 mm. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") is formed from a Copper alloy is herge¬stellt. 10. The electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10', 10 '', 10 '' ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") tinned and / or gold plated. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein latching means are provided on at least one of the contact arms (30, 30 ") provided with a corresponding latching means of another electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") are engageable. 12. Printed circuit board (L, L '), in particular for receiving at least one light-emitting diode (50, 50'), comprising at least one electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the contact arms preferably protrude beyond the edge of the circuit board. 13. Printed circuit board (L, L ') according to claim 14, wherein at least at one end face of the printed circuit board (L, L') at least two electrical connectors (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to one of An¬sprüche 1 to 11 are arranged spaced from each other. 14. Printed circuit board (L, L ') according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the circuit board in plan view has a substantially rectangular shape. 15. Circuit board (L, L ') according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the / the electrical Verbin¬der (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") spatially symmetrical to a central axis (M) the circuit board (L, L ') are arranged. 16. Printed circuit board (L, L ') according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the at least one electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") in a housing on the circuit board (L , L ') is arranged, which preferably consists of an electrically insulating material. 17. Circuit board arrangement (A), in particular lighting system, comprising at least two printed circuit boards (L, L ') according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the respective second contact arm (40, 40' ') of an electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") between the first (30, 30' ") and the second contact arm (40, 40 '") of the other electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") Is trapped. 18, printed circuit board assembly (A) according to claim 17, wherein in each case two printed circuit boards (L, L ') at an angle between 90 and 180 ° DEG, more preferably between 120 and 180 ° DEG, more preferably between 135 and 180 ° DEG over the Connectors are provided rotated zueinan¬ the angled. 19. Illumination system (B), comprising a printed circuit board arrangement according to one of the An¬sprüche 17 or 18, wherein the circuit board (L, L ') in each case at least one lighting means (50,50'), in particular a light-emitting diode. 4 sheets of drawings