DE102017110621B3 - Arrangement of a printed circuit board and at least one plug contact - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is an arrangement of a printed circuit board (1) and at least one plug contact (2), wherein in the circuit board (1) at least one contact opening is formed and wherein the at least one plug contact (2) is formed of a metallic sheet and two relatively each having one in the inserted state, the contact opening contacting contacting region (4a, 5a) aufweist.Die erfmdungsgemäße arrangement of a printed circuit board (1) and at least one plug contact (2) is characterized even at low available flexible space can be used, that the at least one contact opening in an edge region (1a) of the printed circuit board (1) is arranged and formed as a recess open on one side (3).

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement of a printed circuit board and at least one plug contact. In the printed circuit board at least one contact opening for insertion of the plug contact is formed, which is formed of a metallic sheet and has two relatively resilient contact legs. The contact legs each have a contacting region with which the contact legs contact the contact opening in the inserted state of the plug contact.

Plug contacts for the production of electrical connections between conductors, various electrical or electronic components and busbars are extensively known in various embodiments and for various applications. The plug contacts are plugged into corresponding receiving contacts or socket elements, which may be, for example, openings in busbars in the receiving contacts. The plug contacts themselves can be connected to electrical components or be provided for connection to electrical conductors, what then the plug contacts have a correspondingly formed connection area.

For the connection between a printed circuit board and an electrical component or the connection of a conductor to a printed circuit board, there are different techniques, in practice, especially the soldering and the pressing of a corresponding contact have been established. Both techniques have proven themselves over the years, as they ensure a good and lasting electrical contact between the contact partners.

The DE 198 09 138 A1 discloses, for example, a printed circuit board with SMD components which are connected to the circuit board by means of a reflow soldering process. In order to connect the circuit board easily with other electrical components, terminal pins are provided, which are pressed into recesses at the edge region of the circuit board and connected by means of the reflow soldering process with the circuit board.

A disadvantage of both soldering and pressing in is that both joining techniques are not reversible, so that once a compound is not prepared - or only with great effort - can be separated again. In addition, additional work steps and / or special tools are required to make the connection. Here plug connections, which are used in other application areas for decades, offer an alternative, since the connection can be made simply by hand and, if necessary, also be separated again, ie is reversible.

From practice for some time designed for use with circuit boards plug contact is known, which is designed in the manner of a fork and has two flat, relatively resilient contact legs, which are connected to each other via a common connection area. The plug contact is punched out of a metallic flat material and bent, wherein for the production of the two contact legs a narrowest possible area between the contact legs is punched out. When inserted, the contact legs press with their two outer edges against the inner wall of the contact hole, in which the plug contact is inserted. A contact region opposite the contact region is formed as a crimp connection, so that in each case a conductor can be connected to a plug contact.

The fact that the contact legs press with their punching edges against the inner wall of the contact hole, the outer edges of the contact legs dig when pressing the plug contact in the contact hole of the circuit board in the metallization of the bore wall. This cold welding between the metallization of the bore wall and the contact legs can occur, which ensures good electrical contact. The disadvantage here, however, that the sharp edges of the contact legs can damage the inner wall of the contact hole during the insertion process, so that a deposited in the contact hole coating, for example, made of tin, is worn down after a few mating cycles.

From the DE 10 2016 107 482 A1 is a plug contact for making electrical contact with a circuit board by inserting the plug contact in a contact hole of the circuit board known. The plug contact formed from a metallic flat material has two contact limbs which are resilient relative to one another, a connection region and a connection region which connects the two contact limbs to each other and to the connection region. In order to enable a secure and good contact with the contact hole even with multiple mating cycles, in the known plug contacts, the two contact legs in each case one in the inserted state contacting the contact hole contacting region, whose outer contour is formed in cross-section circular segment. The outer contour of the contact legs is thus processed in the region in which the contact legs contact the contact hole so that it has no sharp edges which dig when plugging the plug contact in the contact hole in the metallization of the bore wall.

A terminal with several previously described plug contacts is from the DE 10 2011 011 017 A1 known. The individual plug contacts are arranged in several rows next to each other in chambers of the terminal housing so that the plug contacts extend perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board. To connect individual conductors, the connection areas are designed as crimp terminals for the individual plug contacts. As a result, a plurality of conductors can be connected to a printed circuit board in which the individual contact holes have a small distance from each other. The terminal has a conditional by the length of the plug contacts minimum height, so that the use of the known terminal requires a corresponding minimum space above the level of the circuit board. If this space is not available, the terminal can not be used, especially since the orientation of the terminal to the circuit board can not be changed.

Also from the DE 20 2016 008 242 U1 is a plug-in contact for making electrical contact with a printed circuit board or a terminal with multiple plug contacts known. In the plug contacts, the terminal areas are designed as busbar pieces, which together with one clamping spring each form a spring terminal connection for connecting a conductor. As a result, although electrical conductors can be connected in a simple manner with a circuit board, but due to the height of the terminals, a corresponding minimum space above the level of the circuit board is also required here.

The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of a printed circuit board and at least one plug-in contact described in the introduction which can be used as flexibly as possible even with a small amount of space available. It should be ensured even with multiple mating cycles a safe and the best possible contact between the plug contact and the contact opening in the circuit board.

This object is achieved in the arrangement described above from a printed circuit board and at least one plug contact with the features of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one contact opening arranged in an edge region of the circuit board and is formed as a recess open on one side. Instead of a known from the prior art, circumferentially closed contact hole is formed in the inventive arrangement in the circuit board at least one recess open on one side in the edge region of the circuit board, which has a U-shaped or V-shaped base. This makes it possible to insert the plug contact from two mutually perpendicular directions in the recess open on one side.

On the one hand, the plug contact can be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit board when it is plugged into the recess, as is also the case with the plug known from the prior art in which the plug contact is plugged into a contact hole in the printed circuit board. On the other hand, however, it is also possible to insert the plug contact horizontally in the recess open on one side, wherein in the inserted state, the longitudinal axis of the plug contact lies in the plane of the circuit board and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the recess. The arrangement according to the invention thus makes it possible for the plug contact to have different alignments with the printed circuit board or the recess formed in the printed circuit board on one side. Preferably, a horizontal insertion of the plug-in contact takes place in the recess, so that the arrangement can also be used where only a very limited space is available perpendicular to the circuit board.

Input is stated that the arrangement consists of a printed circuit board and at least one plug contact. In this case, it is sufficient if in the circuit board, only a corresponding recess is formed as a contact opening for the plug contact. In general, however, the arrangement consists of a printed circuit board and a plurality of plug contacts, so that then in the circuit board and a plurality of corresponding recesses are formed, wherein the number of recesses in the circuit board is greater than or equal to the number of plug contacts. The recesses can preferably be produced by milling, wherein the contact region of the recess is electrically connected to a conductor track or a component on the circuit board. For this purpose, at least the contact region of the recess to a metallization as a conductive coating, which is usually a copper layer.

Characterized in that in the inventive arrangement, the contact opening in the circuit board is formed as a one-sided open recess, the risk of damage to the Kontaktierungsbereiche the contact leg or the recess when inserting the plug contact is reduced, compared to the formation of a contact hole as a contact opening. According to an advantageous embodiment, moreover, it is provided that the outer contour of the two contact legs in the contacting region is formed in each case in the form of a circular segment in the longitudinal direction. The outer contour of the contact legs is thus in particular in the region in which contact the contact legs in the inserted state, the contact region of the recess, machined so that they have no sharp edges that dig when plugging the plug contact in the inner wall of the recess, in particular in a metallization formed there. In this way, the number of possible mating cycles can be further increased, without causing damage to the inner wall of the recess or to the contact legs.

According to a further preferred refinement, the outer contour of the two contact limbs in the contacting region is circular-segment-shaped, not only in the longitudinal direction but also in cross section, so that the contacting regions of the two contact limbs are of spherical design. The two contact legs thus have a rounded outer contour in the contacting region both in the insertion direction of the contact limbs and perpendicular to the insertion direction, so that there is only one substantially punctiform contact between the contact limbs and the recess in the contacting region.

The spherical shape of the contacting areas can be easily generated with the help of a die, in which the contacting areas of the contact legs are pressed after punching the plug contact of a metallic sheet material or pressed against the contact legs. Such embossing or reshaping of the outer contour of the contact limbs produced by the punching out has the further advantage that the roughness of the outer edges of the contact limbs generated during punching is smoothed, whereby the risk of damage to a coating applied to the inner wall of the recess is further reduced ,

In order to further facilitate the insertion of the contact legs of the plug-in contact into the recess, the recess preferably has an insertion region, wherein the width B _{E of} the insertion region is greater than the width B _{K of} the contact region. Such an insertion area, which is preferably symmetrical with respect to the central axis, serves at the same time as an insertion aid when the plug-in contact is inserted into the recess. Preferably, the insertion region of the recess is also provided with a coating or metallization, so that the inner wall of the recess is provided over its entire length with a corresponding metallization. By forming a metallization in the insertion of the recess of the insertion of the circuit board is additionally protected, so that the risk of damage in the insertion is further reduced. In addition, the formation of a metallization along the entire inner wall of the recess in the manufacture of the circuit board is advantageous.

So that an electrical conductor can also be connected to the plug contact, the plug contact preferably has a connection region, which is connected to the two contact limbs via a connection region connecting the two contact limbs. For connecting a conductor to the plug contact different connection techniques can be used. For example, the connection region of the plug contact can be designed as a crimp connection, by means of which the stripped end of a conductor to be connected can be electrically connected to the plug contact. Alternatively, the connection region can also be formed as a cutting connection, so that the connection region has two mutually opposite cutting edges, between which the insulated end of a conductor to be connected is pressed, so that the cutting edges penetrate the insulation of the conductor and contact the metallic conductor.

According to another preferred embodiment, the connection region is formed as a flat current bar, which then forms a Federkraftklemmanschluss together with a clamping spring. In order to increase the surface pressure between an inserted conductor and the current bar, preferably a plurality of grooves or indentations are formed on the side of the current bar facing the conductor, whereby the contact resistance between the conductor and the current bar is reduced.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one plug-in contact is part of a connection plug. The connector has in this case a housing in which the plug contact is arranged so that the contact legs are freely accessible at least with their contact area, d. H. the insertion of the contact legs in the recess in the circuit board is not hindered by the housing. In the housing a number of plug contacts corresponding number of conductor insertion openings are formed, through which a conductor to be connected in each case can be inserted into the housing.

In the housing, a conductor connection element may be arranged, with the aid of which a conductor to be connected can be electrically conductively connected to a plug-in contact. Preferably, a clamping spring is provided as a conductor connecting element, which has a clamping leg and a plant leg, so that the clamping leg forms a spring terminal connection for the electrical conductor to be connected with the connection region of the plug contact.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung bestehend aus einer Leiterplatte und mehreren Steckkontakten,
• 2 die Anordnung gemäß 1, in Draufsicht und von vorne,
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung, mit zwei Leitern, im noch nicht eingesteckten Zustand,
• 4 eine Variante der Anordnung gemäß 3, mit zwei Leitern, im noch nicht eingesteckten Zustand,
• 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung, mit zwei Leitern, im noch nicht eingesteckten Zustand, und
• 6 eine Variante der Anordnung gemäß 5, mit zwei Leitern, im noch nicht eingesteckten Zustand.

In particular, there are a plurality of possibilities, the inventive Arrangement of a circuit board and at least one plug contact to design and develop. Reference is made to both the claims subordinate to claim 1 and to the following description in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings show

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive arrangement consisting of a printed circuit board and a plurality of plug contacts,
• 2 the arrangement according to 1 , in plan view and from the front,
• 3 a perspective view of another embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention, with two conductors, not yet inserted,
• 4 a variant of the arrangement according to 3 , with two ladders, not yet plugged in,
• 5 a perspective view of another embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention, with two conductors, not yet inserted, and
• 6 a variant of the arrangement according to 5 , with two ladders, not yet plugged in condition.

The 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an arrangement of a printed circuit board 1 and several plug contacts 2 , In the circuit board 1 In the illustrated embodiment, a total of four contact openings are formed, all as open on one side recesses 3 trained and in a border area 1a the circuit board 1 are arranged. Thus, this circuit board 1 with a total of four plug contacts 2 get connected. The punched out of a metallic sheet and bent plug contacts 2 each have two relative to each other resilient contact legs 4 . 5 on, at their free ends in each case a contact area 4a . 5a is formed, with which the plug contact 2 the recess 3 contacted in the inserted state.

By doing that, the circuit board 1 in its edge area 1a arranged, one-sided open recesses 3 having contact openings, the plug contacts 2 optionally perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board 1 or in the plane of the circuit board 1 be arranged. Preferably, it is - as in 1 represented by the arrows - in both variants of the orientation of the plug contact 2 the plug contact 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the recess _A 3 into the recess 3 plugged in. The longitudinal axis L _{S of} the plug contact 2 is then either perpendicular to the insertion direction E - as in the two front plug contacts 2 in 1 - or parallel to the longitudinal axis L _{A of} the recess 3 aligned, like the two rear plug contacts 2 in 1 ,

As in particular from the top view 2 , left half, can be seen, have the contact legs 4 . 5 the plug contacts 2 in the contacting area 4a . 5a an outer contour 6 on, in the longitudinal direction of the contact legs 4 . 5 is formed circular segment. In addition, the outer contour 6 the two contact legs 4 . 5 in the contacting area 4a . 5a Also formed in cross-section circular segment, so that the two contact legs 4 . 5 in the contacting area 4a . 5a are each formed spherical. This leads to that with such a trained plug contact 2 a variety of insertion and removal cycles can be performed without causing damage to the recess 3 or the contacting areas 4a . 5a the contact leg 4 . 5 comes.

The insertion of the contact legs 4 . 5 of the plug contact 2 in a recess 3 is further facilitated by the recess 3 a funnel-shaped insertion area 7 whose width B _{E is} greater than the width B _{K of} the contact area 8th the recess 3 , The insertion area 7 It also serves as an insertion aid when inserting a plug contact 2 into the recess 3 ,

The recesses 3 are each at the edge area 1a in the plastic (for example FR4) formed circuit board 1 milled, the inner wall 9 each of the recesses 3 is provided with a metallization, such as a copper layer. The metallization is here with printed conductors, not shown on the top, the bottom or inside the circuit board 1 connected via the electrical connection of a plug contact 2 with one on the circuit board 1 arranged, not shown electronic component can be realized. Preferably, the inner wall is 9 the recess 3 provided with metallization over its entire length, providing mechanical protection of the insertion 7 the recess 3 is reached. This will increase the risk of damage to the insertion area 7 when inserting a plug contact 2 into the recess 3 further reduced.

The 3 and 4 each show an embodiment of an arrangement of a printed circuit board 1 and two plug contacts 2 in not yet mated condition. The two plug contacts 2 are part of a connector 10 , the one housing 11 in which the two plug contacts 2 are partially arranged. How out 3 it can be seen, the two plug contacts 2 with their contacting areas 4a . 5a and her contact legs 4 . 5 freely accessible, ie not from the housing 11 enclosed, so that the plug contacts 2 easily in the corresponding recesses 3 in the circuit board 1 can be inserted. In the case 11 of the connector 10 are also two conductor entry openings 12 for insertion of two electrical conductors 13 educated.

Will be at the in 3 illustrated arrangement of the connector 10 with the two plug contacts 2 in the two recesses 3 in the circuit board 1 plugged in, that's the case 11 of the connector 10 with its largest part below the circuit board 1 arranged. In contrast, is in the embodiment according to 4 the majority of the case 11 of the connector 10 in the assembled state above the circuit board 1 , Both variants are in common that the plug-in direction E of the plug contacts 2 in the plane of the circuit board 1 lies. The direction of connection of the conductors 13 to the connector 10 runs parallel to the plane of the circuit board 1 and to the longitudinal axis L _{S of} the plug contacts 2 , Overall, therefore, in this arrangement, based on the plane of the circuit board 1 horizontal connection of both the conductors 13 to the connector 10 as well as the connector 10 to the circuit board 1 , This will be perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board 1 only a very small space required.

The 5 and 6 show two further embodiments of an arrangement of a printed circuit board 1 and two plug contacts 2 in not yet mated condition. Again, the two plug contacts 2 Part of a connector 10 who has a housing 11 with two conductor entry openings 12 for two conductors 13 having. In the 5 and 6 is in each case a part of the housing 11 omitted, leaving the arrangement of the plug contacts 2 inside the case 11 is recognizable. The plug contacts 2 each have a connection area 14 and a connection area 15 on, with the connection area 15 U-shaped and the two contact legs 4 . 5 with each other and with the connection area 14 combines.

In the two embodiments, the connection area 14 each formed as a crimp connection, so that the free ends of the conductors 13 first with the plug contacts 2 be connected before the Steckkontatke 2 in the case 11 be introduced. Over in the housing 11 Trained edges odder projections can be ensured that the plug contacts 2 after inserting or pressing into the housing 11 are kept safe in this. While in the embodiment according to 5 the two contact legs 4 . 5 and the connection area 14 perpendicular to the direction of insertion E or to the longitudinal axis L _{S of} the plug contacts 2 are arranged one above the other, are the contact legs 4 . 5 and the connection area 14 in the embodiment according to 6 arranged in the insertion direction E one behind the other. This indicates the connector 10 according to 5 a greater height while the connector plug 10 according to 6 has a greater length.

Claims (11)

Arrangement comprising a printed circuit board (1) and at least one plug contact (2), wherein at least one contact opening is formed in the printed circuit board (1) and wherein the at least one plug contact (2) is formed from a metallic flat material and two contact legs (4 , 5), each having a in the inserted state contacting the contact opening contacting region (4a, 5a), characterized in that the at least one contact opening in an edge region (1a) of the printed circuit board (1) and arranged as a single-sided recess (3) is trained. Arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L _S ) of the plug contact (2) in the inserted state in the plane of the printed circuit board (1) and coincides with the longitudinal axis (L _A ) of the recess (3). Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the outer contour (6) of the two contact legs (4, 5) in the contacting region (4a, 5a) is formed in each case in the longitudinal direction of a circular segment. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the outer contour (6) of the two contact legs (4, 5) in the contacting region (4a, 5a) is formed in each case in cross-section circular segment. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the recess (3) has an insertion region (7) and a contact region (8), wherein the width (B _E ) of the insertion region (7) is greater than the width (B _K ) of the contact region (8). Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the inner wall (9) of the recess (3) is provided over its entire length with a metallization. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the at least one plug contact (2) is part of a connector plug (10) having a housing (11), wherein in the housing (11) one of the number of plug contacts (2) corresponding number of conductor insertion openings (12) Introduce an appropriate number is formed by electrical conductors (13) and wherein the at least one plug-in contact (2) in the housing (11) is arranged so that at least the contacting regions (4a, 5a) of the contact legs (4, 5) are freely accessible. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the at least one plug contact (2) has a connection region (14) and a connection region (15), wherein the connection region (15) connects the two contact legs (4, 5) to one another and to the connection region (14) and the connection region (14) is designed to connect an electrical conductor (13). Arrangement according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the connection region (14) of the at least one plug-in contact (2) is designed as a crimp connection. Arrangement according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the connection region (14) of the at least one plug-in contact (2) is designed as a flat current bar. Arrangement according to Claim 10 , characterized in that at least one clamping spring is arranged as a conductor connecting element in the housing (11), wherein the clamping spring has a clamping leg and an abutment leg and the clamping leg with the connection region (14) of the plug contact (2) a spring terminal connection for an electrical conductor to be connected (13 ).

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