DE10034613A1 - Solderless electrical connection device for joining two flat flexible cables for PCBs, uses intermediate connector which allows connection e.g. of further flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

An intermediate connector (4) is provided between the two flat cables (2,3) to be connected. To make an electrical connection between the conductors of each cable, electrically conductive, mechanically biased elastic contact members of a contact member arrangement (K1,K2) are used. The intermediate connector may be apart of a further flat cable. An Independent claim is included for a connection system.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for solderless electrical connection of two electrical flat cables, for example flexible foil cables you. The invention further relates to a connection system for creating such an arrangement.

It is known for connecting a flexible film conductor to a to use printed circuit board stack connector through Button contacts an electrical connection between one of the printed th circuit associated conductor and one contained in the foil conductor Make a trace. The two electrical conductors are closed this purpose in superimposed different levels, between which the stack connector is arranged. A contact from two electrical, each on a different level Ladders are made using a contact element, which is a guarantee performance of an intended electrical contact under Biasing is present on the conductor of one level as well the leader of the other level. According to ei nem known prior art, a wire ball that is in an Iso lierkörper is held and in the non-contacting state to both  Sides protrude slightly above the surface of the insulating body. By placing the insulating body with the wire ball on a bottom ren electrical conductor, by placing the upper electrical conductor and then bracing the two conductors against each other the wire ball serving as a contact member is compressed so that the due to the material elasticity of the wire used tension both on the head of one level and on that the other level. To meet the requirements regarding the elec electrical conductivity, sufficient power transmission and a To ensure sufficient material elasticity, gold-plated Mo Lybdand wires used and in a complex manufacturing process cylindrical wire balls shaped. One by using one The contact member formed connector thus consists of three layers, namely the lower electrical conductor, the insulating body with the on put wire balls and the upper electrical conductor. The contact rich on the two conductors are circular. By arrangement One of numerous wire balls in the insulating body is a contact Numerous electrical conductors possible.

It is also known the conductor tracks of a flat cable, for example a flexible foil conductor with the help of cutting or piercing contacts to contact. With the latter contacts, for example a foil conductor electronic components in electrical connection with at least some of the conductor tracks contained in the foil conductor be fixed.

Furthermore, there are different systems for forming plugs for Flat cables, in particular film conductors known, the ends of a such flat cable are arranged for contacting their conductors.

All of these previously known contact options allow Contacting or direct electrical connection of the conductor tracks from two flat cables. However, there is a need to create one Interface in such a flat cable at any point with simp Chen means.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an arrangement for to provide solderless electrical connections between two flat electrical cables,  which is not just an electrically conductive connection between Conductors of one flat cable and conductors of the other flat cable, but through the also a different usable interface is formed. The invention is also based on the object of a verb provide system for creating such an arrangement.

The first-mentioned object is achieved in that an in between the two flat cables to be electrically connected a level different from the level or levels of the flat cables ne arranged connector for producing an electrically lei tendency connection between conductors of the one flat cable and conductors the other flat cable is switched on, whereby to create the elec trical connection between the conductors of the flat to be contacted lines and the conductors of the intermediate connector electrically conductive, fe derelastic trained and under tension, to the each Because of the conductors to be connected, there are contact members one at a time Contact member arrangement are used.

Such a connection system is proposed, which is characterized by

• - At least two plug-in connection parts each comprising an exit tion element for stiffening the electrically connected Ab cut of a flat cable with a flat contact surface and with Means for fixing the flat cable on the contact surface,
• - At least one flat intermediate connector, one each Flat line facing surface is designed as a contact surface and has exposed electrical conductors, the electrical conductors one contact surface with that of the other contact surface in egg a predetermined manner are electrically connected and
• - At least two contact member arrangements each consisting of meh reren individual contact links to create a solderless electrical between the conductors of a flat cable and that of a contact surface of the intermediate connector.

In the arrangement according to the invention is used to connect between the End flat cables located intermediate connector as a coupling piece or coupling plug to the desired electrically conductive Ver bond between conductors of one flat cable and conductors of the other  Manufacture flat cable. The provision of one in the electrical connector of the two flat cables switched on intermediate connector it allows that this for the training of different purposes Nenden interface can be formed. By such a two another connector can be contacted, for example can be. In such a case, the arrangement serves as a distributor. However, the intermediate connector can also be used as a separate electrical scarf tion be designed to, for example, certain electrical conductors of the to electrically ver a flat cable with those of the other flat cable bind, especially if they are in different positions are arranged half of the flat cable. Such can be realized intersecting contact between conductors of a flat cable and conductors of the other flat cable, for example, by an equivalent accordingly constructed multilayer module. With such a multilayer module can not only a crossing contact between conductors of the a flat cable with conductors of the other flat cable, but the multilayer module can also be designed to be angled Outlet, for example a 90 ° outlet based on the longitudinal extension provide the foil conductor. In the event that the intermediate connection that is part of an electrical circuit, it can also be provided that electronic components or assemblies integrated into this circuit are. In such a case, the intermediate connector takes over the functions on a dongle, as known from the field of computer technology are.

In the arrangement according to the invention, contact element arrangements are used with individual contact each on two electrically connected conductors the contact links to the electrical connection between the conductors one flat cable and the conductors of the intermediate connector as well between the conductors of the intermediate connector and the conductors of the other to manufacture their flat cable. For example, as contact members Serve button contacts. Instead of button contacts, lamel len-shaped contact members can be used, which are offset to each other of the contact surfaces arranged in relation to a vertical position point. It is provided that the on the contact surfaces of a con clock bias acting essentially from the spring elastic zity of those sections of the contact member is provided, the two Connect contact areas with each other. This is the one for deployment  of the required ones on the contact surfaces of the contact member kenden bias used energy storage essentially in egg ner level approximately parallel to the levels of the two to be contacted Conductors. Through this training there is the possibility, depending on the ge staltung the or the holding members for holding the contact member, the in the prior art by the layered Insulating body is realized, consisting of the outside of the structure Head of the first level, the contact link and the head of the second Arrange level. The advantages of this arrangement compared to the use of button contacts does not result in only the height of such a link and accordingly also the height of an arrangement formed from it can be kept very flat can, but also in the fact that essentially the entire height of the Contact member can be used for tolerance compensation. The formation of the contact member in the manner of a lamella, for example formed as a sheet metal strip, ensures that the contact surface between between the contact member and a conductor and also under different bias is constant.

The two electrical flat cables to be contacted can be found in egg ner level can be arranged side by side, so that the intermediate connection the one on a different level and the two contact surfaces next to each other are arranged. However, the flat cables can also be stacked lying in different levels, so that the intermediate ver Binder is arranged between the levels of the flat cables. In one in such a case, the opposite flat sides of the Zwi connector the contact surfaces.

It is expedient to have the necessary to create such an arrangement Design components in a modular manner, in the manner of a modular system provide differently designed electrical connections can. Such a connection system is its simplest Form of two plug-in connection parts, which each to be connected electrical flat cables are assigned. Every connector part comprises a stiffening element for stiffening the section of the Flat cable to be contacted. Such a Sy also includes stem a flat intermediate connector, each on two contact surfaces has an exposed conductor structure, the one conductor structure  the conductors of one flat cable and the other conductor track structure is assigned to the conductors of the other flat cable. The two Conductor structures of the intermediate connector are in the desired one Form electrically connected to each other, with this Ausfü under the term "in electrical connection" also one such electrical connection is included in the electronic components elements or modules in this electrical connection are. The third element of such a connection system are Kon Clock link arrangements with individual contact links for contacting one conductor of the intermediate connector and one flat cable provided the desired solderless electrical connection between the individual ladders. The individual modules can be built principle of principle by means of suitable connecting means to each other formation of the desired arrangement mechanically connected become.

In one embodiment it is provided that the two contacts link arrangements that are necessary to form an interface, are combined in one module, and that this module does not only the desired electrical connection between the individual Lei tern but also the mechanical connection between the two Flat cables assigned connector parts is brought about.

The invention is based on exemplary embodiments purifies. Show it:

Fig. 1: A schematic representation of an arrangement for solder-free electrical connection of two flat electrical cables using an intermediate connector in a first embodiment,

Fig. 2: A schematic representation of an arrangement for solder-free electrical connection of two flat electrical cables using an intermediate connector ei ner according to another embodiment,

Fig. 3: An arrangement for solderless connection of several electrical flat cables using intermediate connectors and

Fig. 4: A schematic three-dimensional representation of a Ver connecting member with a plurality of contact members for contacting several electrical conductors located in different levels.

An arrangement 1 for creating a solderless electrical connection between two flexible film conductors 2 , 3 comprises a connecting piece as the connecting connector 4 . The film conductors 2 , 3 are arranged one on top of the other in various levels; the intermediate connector 4 is provided between the levels of the foil conductors 2 , 3 . The intermediate connector 4 is the U-shaped bent end of another film conductor 5 in the illustrated embodiment. The sides of the foil conductors 2 , 3 , 5 facing each other are stripped so that the electrical conductors integrated therein are exposed. To hold the front end of the film conductor 5 in its U-shaped configuration, a support body 6 is provided, on which the U-shaped bent portion of the Folienlei age 5 is fixed, for example by means of locking lugs. As a result of the U-shaped bending of the film conductor 5 in its end section shown, the intermediate connector 4 formed therefrom has conductors exposed on the top of its two surfaces each facing a film conductor 2 , 3 . These surfaces of the intermediate connector 4 thus form its contact surfaces.

The electrical connection between the conductors of the film conductor 2 and the conductors of the lower contact surface of the film conductor 5 of the intermediate connector 4 and between the conductors of the upper contact surface of the film conductor 5 of the intermediate connector 4 and the conductors of the film conductor 3 is in each case by a contact element arrangement K ₁ , K ₂ realized. The contact element arrangements K ₁ , K ₂ consist of a plurality of contact lamellae arranged parallel to one another, which are designed for contacting the respective conductors and are arranged with respect to one another. Such a contact member arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 and will be explained below. In order to ensure proper contacting by using the contact element arrangements K ₁ and K ₂ , they must be under a ge bias on the conductors of the respective foil conductors 2 , 3 , 5 ; this pretension is symbolized by the arrows pointing in opposite directions in the figures.

In this exemplary embodiment, the intermediate connector 4 serves to contact the film conductor 5 and to contact the conductor of the film conductor 2 with those of the film conductor 3 . The arrangement 1 serves in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, therefore, as a distributor, where an interface is created by the arrangement of the electrical connection between the Lei of the film conductor 2 and that of the film conductor 3 .

The arrangement 1 can be implemented both at the respective ends of the film conductors 2 , 3 as shown in FIG. 1; however, this arrangement can also be implemented at any point within an already laid foil conductor.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement which is constructed in principle as that of Fig. 1, but in contrast to the intermediate connector 4 of the one for the electrical connection of the conductor of the film conductor 2 with that of the film conductor 3, an intermediate connector 7 is used, which is connected to an electrical Circuit 8 is connected or carries one. When playing as such interconnector 7 can be a mutually be printed circuit board. In the electrical circuit 8 , an electronic component, for example a chip, is integrated, so that an electrical connection between the conductors associated with the lower contact surface of the intermediate connector 7 and that associated with the upper contact surface is guided via this component 8 . The signals to be transmitted from the conductors of the film conductor 2 to the conductors of the film conductor 3 can be processed via the component 8 . In this exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the interface created by the arrangement 9 is used , for example, to influence or also amplify transmitted data if the component integrated in the circuit 8 is an amplifier. The Zwischenver binder 7 is thus virtually switched on as an adapter or dongle in the electrical connection of the conductor of the film conductor 2 and that of the film conductor 3 .

Fig. 3 shows a further arrangement 10 , in which two intermediate connectors 11 , 12 are used to connect the electrical conductor of a first foil conductor 13 with that of a second foil conductor 14 . Dar is the use of the intermediate connector 11 , 12 as a distributor in Fig. 3. Instead of the intermediate connector 11 or 12 , an intermediate connector corresponding to that shown in FIG. 2 can also be provided in this construction.

To create the required electrical connections using the contact element arrangements K ₁ , K ₂ , each section of a film conductor to be contacted - explained on the arrangement of FIG. 1 - is assigned a stiffening element 15 , 16 to which the sections to be contacted are fixed , for example through the foil conductors 2 , 3 engaging latches, so that the foil conductors 2 , 3 can be clipped onto the corresponding contact surfaces of the stiffening elements 15 , 16 . The sections of the film conductors 2 , 3 to be contacted thus form plug-in connection parts with the stiffening elements 15 , 16 . The contact plate arrangements K ₁ , K ₂ are held in a coupling piece 17 , which in turn is mechanically connected to the stiffening elements 15 , 16 or the plug-in connection parts to create the arrangement 1 . Through the coupling piece 17 , the necessary bias is exerted on the contact element arrangements K ₁ , K _{2 in} order to provide a determination-appropriate contact between the respective electrical conductors.

The contact element arrangements K ₁ and K ₂ consist of a number of contact lamellae L ₁ -L ₆ serving as contact elements. In the following, the contact member arrangement K ₁ with reference to Figure 4, he explains. the contact member arrangement K ₂ is constructed accordingly. The contact blades L ₁ -L ₆ are constructed identically; the further description of the contact element arrangement K ₁ relates to the contact lamella L ₁ ; the same applies to the other contact blades L ₂ -L ₆ . The contact lamella L ₁ consists of an electrically conductive, resilient materi al. for example from a piece of sheet metal of a CuBe alloy. The contact lamella L ₁ shows upward and downward contact beads K _O and K _U , whose apex zones each represent a contact surface K _F. Between two contact beads K _O and K _U there is a straight contact lamella section K _A , which runs approximately parallel to the plane of the two electrical conductors to be contacted in the unloaded contact arrangement K ₁ . The contact surfaces lying on the conductors of one level are thus offset from those lying on the conductors of the other level.

The contact lamellae L ₁ -L ₆ are produced as a lead frame, which has been brought into the configuration shown in FIG. 4 in a subsequent work step. In the region of one end of the contact lamellae L ₁ - L ₆ or the original stamped grid is the contact plates L ₁ -L _6-absorbing present as a fixed bearing, a molded plastic block 18th For proper positioning of the individual contact lamellae L ₁ -L ₆ , they are initially connected to one another as a lead frame at one end, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. After extrusion coating of the lead frame with the plastic block 18 , the part of the original lead frame marked with broken lines has been removed so that the individual contact blades L ₁ -L _{6 are kept} electrically insulated from one another in the plastic block 18 . The contact member arrangement K ₁ has been summarized at closing in the coupling piece 17 together with the contact member arrangement K ₂ produced in the same manner.

In a further development, not shown in the figures, the la mellenike trained and in a plane parallel to the levels of contact members arranged to be contacted not only for Establish an electrical connection between one below and an overhead electrical conductor, but are by their Training as part of a connector part suitable, even electrical to be contacted. The parallel arrangement of such a contact member to the levels of the two conductors to be connected allows that from the actual connection point a connector part or a connected electrical line can be led out. In this way it is simultaneous with the connection of the two electri between a manager trained in the manner of another interface cycle point formed. Through this, both from one to the other other conductor tapped via the contact member current the. Furthermore, the contact element of a current feed into the two Serve leaders.

The design of such a contact member can differ way. In one embodiment it is provided that this is the rear extension of a socket for receiving a plug kers is. It can also be provided that the lamella-like Kon clock element is part of a connector part, which as a plug part is formed. Also those connector parts that have a crimp or  otherwise have electrical connection section are conceivable.

In the event that a moisture-proof arrangement is made should be, it can be provided in a closable Encapsulate the assembly tub.  

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

arrangement

2

foil conductor

3

foil conductor

4

interconnector

5

foil conductor

6

support body

7

interconnector

8th

Electrical circuit

9

arrangement

10

arrangement

11

interconnector

12

interconnector

13

foil conductor

14

foil conductor

15

stiffening

16

stiffening

17

coupling

18

Plastic block
L contact lamella
L ₁

-L ₆

Multilam
K ₁

, K ₂

Contact member assembly
K _O

Contact bead, above
K _U

Contact bead, below
K _F

contact area
K _A

Contact plate section

Claims (19)

1. Arrangement for solderless electrical connection of two electrical flat cables ( 2 , 3 ; 13 , 14 ), characterized in that between the two flat cables to be electrically connected, an intermediate connector arranged in one of the planes or the planes of the flat cables ( 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ) for establishing an electrically conductive connection between conductors of one flat line ( 2 , 13 ) and conductors of the other flat line ( 3 , 14 ) is switched on, with the creation of the electrical connection between the conductors to be contacted the flat line gene ( 2 , 3 ; 13 , 14 ) and the conductors of the intermediate connector ( 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ) electrically conductive, spring-elastic and pre-stressed, on the respective conductors to be connected contact members (L ₁ -L ₆ ) each a Kontaktgliedanord voltage (K ₁ , K ₂ ) are used. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate connector ( 4 , 11 , 12 ) is part of a further flat cable ( 5 ). 3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the further flat cable ( 5 ) to form the intermediate connector ( 4 , 11 , 12 ) in the region of the intermediate connector ( 4 , 11 , 12 ) with exposed conductors on the outside U-shaped around a support body ( 6 ) is bent around. 4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductors of the intermediate connector ( 7 ) are part of an electrical circuit ( 8 ). 5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the Intermediate connector is constructed like a multilayer module, a crossing conductor contact between conductors of the one flat cable and those of the other flat cable realize.   6. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that in the electrical circuit ( 8 ) electronic components are integrated. 7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the two by means of the intermediate connector ( 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ) to be electrically connected flat cables ( 2 , 3 ; 13 , 14 ) are arranged one above the other in un different planes , 8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact members (L ₁ -L ₆ ) of a Kontaktelemen tanordnung (K ₁ , K ₂ ) are designed lamellar and the contact surfaces serving for contacting a different conductor (K _F) are arranged offset with respect to a perpendicular projection to one another, the force acting on the contact surfaces (K _F) on the circuit bias of the contact members in Wesent union of the spring elasticity of the Chen between the Kontaktflä (K _F) extending contact member sections (K _a) results. 9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the contact members (L ₁ -L ₆ ) each have several associated with each conductor contact surfaces (K _F ). 10. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the contact members are wave-shaped and the Schei areas that are contact areas. 11. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the contact members (L ₁ -L ₆ ) as contact surfaces (K _F ) alternwei se to the conductors facing contact beads (K _O , K _U ), which by substantially parallel to the contact member sections (K _A ) which are to be contacted are separated from one another. 12. Arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized records that the contact members each part of one with the other electrically conductive means to be contacted connector are partly.   13. The arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the Contact elements together with a socket for receiving a Mating connector part form the connector part and the back current extension of a socket for receiving a plug bil the. 14. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the flat cables used are flexible film conductors ( 2 , 3 ; 13 , 14 ). 15. Connection system for creating an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by
at least two plug connection parts each comprising a stiffening element ( 15 , 16 ) for stiffening the section of a flat cable ( 2 , 3 ) to be electrically connected with a flat contact surface and with means for fixing the flat cable ( 2 , 3 ) on the contact surface,
at least one flat intermediate connector, each of which a flat line ( 2 , 3 ) facing surface is designed as a contact surface and has exposed electrical conductors, the electrical conductors of the one contact surface being electrically connected to those of the other contact surface in a predetermined manner and
at least two contact element arrangements (K ₁ , K ₂ ) each consisting of several individual contact elements (L ₁ -L ₆ ) to provide a solder-free electrical connection between conductors each of a flat cable ( 2 , 3 ) and that of a contact surface of the intermediate connector ( 4 ). 16. Connection system according to claim 15, characterized in that the exposed conductor tracks of the intermediate connector ( 4 ) ge opposite flat sides of the intermediate connector are arranged. 17. Connection system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized records that in each case a contact member arrangement part of a Connector part is.   18. Connection system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized records that the two contact member arrangements are part of the Intermediate connectors are. 19. Connection system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that two contact element arrangements (K ₁ , K ₂ ) are combined in a coupling piece ( 17 ), which both provide the electrical connection between the individual conductors and to produce a mechanical one Connection of two connector parts is used.