DE102020214948A1 - circuit board connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a printed circuit board connector for spring-loaded connection of a printed circuit board to another printed circuit board. The circuit board connector has at least one electrically conductive contact element. The contact element has, on one end section, a contact designed for contacting the printed circuit board, and a contact designed on an end section opposite thereto for contacting the further printed circuit board. The contact element has at least one spring section or only one spring section, which is arranged between the end sections and is designed to yield resiliently at least when the contact element is moved in the direction of a longitudinal extension. The contact element has a limit stop which is designed to limit a spring deflection of the spring section. According to the invention, the contact element has at least two plastic bodies, wherein two longitudinal sections of the contact element, which enclose the spring section between one another, are each connected to one of the plastic bodies. The plastic bodies together form the limit stop and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the contact element in such a way that the spring deflection of the spring section can be limited.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a printed circuit board connector for spring-loaded connection of a printed circuit board to another printed circuit board. The circuit board connector has at least one electrically conductive contact element. The contact element has, on one end section, a contact designed for contacting the printed circuit board, and a contact designed on an end section opposite thereto for contacting the further printed circuit board. The contact element has at least one spring section or only one spring section, which is arranged between the end sections and is designed to yield resiliently at least when the contact element is moved in the direction of a longitudinal extension. The contact element has a limit stop which is designed to limit a spring deflection of the spring section.

From the DE 20 2005 014 070 U1 a printed circuit board press-in adapter is known which has a press-in end and a plug end and a weakened area formed between them, the elasticity of which against a longitudinal force acting in the longitudinal direction is greater than the elasticity of the press-in and plug end against this longitudinal force.

From the DE 10 2008 014 337 A1 a printed circuit board connector with an insulating body is known, in which a plurality of press-in pins are used, which are each formed with contact terminals on both sides and protrude from the insulating body.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, the contact element of the type mentioned at the outset has at least two or only two plastic bodies. Two longitudinal sections of the contact element enclosing the spring section between one another, in particular the end sections, are preferably each connected to one of the plastic bodies. The plastic bodies together form the limit stop and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the contact element in such a way that the spring deflection of the spring section can be limited. A force acting in the longitudinal direction on the further press-in contact can thus be guided past the spring section and act directly on the press-in contact pointing in the opposite direction thereto. Advantageously - for example when connecting the printed circuit boards to the printed circuit board connector by means of a press-in process - the spring section can be protected in this way, insofar as the spring travel can be limited in the longitudinal direction when pressed in, so that the spring, in particular through a bypass formed by means of the limit stop - for the press-in force can be bridged. The spring section between the plastic bodies can advantageously absorb a relative movement of the printed circuit boards to one another.

In a preferred embodiment, a press-in contact is formed on each of the end sections. Advantageously, the printed circuit board connector can electrically connect the printed circuit boards to one another in this way, in particular by means of a cold-welded connection.

In a preferred embodiment, the plastic elements each have opposing, in particular planar, stop surfaces. The stop surfaces are each designed to be pressed against one another when limiting the spring travel. Advantageously, the spring deflection can thus be reliably limited by means of the stop surfaces formed on the plastic elements, even in the event of a torsional rotation of the contact element.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop surfaces are each roof-shaped, in particular V-shaped, or trapezoidal, or rectangular. Advantageously, the longitudinal alignment of the end sections connected to the printed circuit boards can be safely guided in a predetermined alignment during springing or during pressing in, to this extent by the roof-shaped stop surfaces, with one stop surface on a plastic body being convex in shape, for example, and the stop surface opposite thereto being concave in shape , A tapered fit is formed, in which the stop surfaces are guided into one another. Advantageously, the spring section can thus be guided securely and not bend laterally or in the direction of torsion.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact element, in particular a longitudinal section of the contact element, is embedded in the limit stop, in particular a plastic body forming the limit stop. In this way, a secure form fit and also a rigidity of the stop can advantageously be formed. For example, the plastic body is injection molded onto the contact element, or is formed using an additive manufacturing process.

In a preferred embodiment, the circuit board connector has a row of contacts with at least two contact elements, which are arranged parallel to one another. In this way, a space-saving, compact connection arrangement can advantageously be formed by the circuit board connector. The plastic elements of mutually adjacent contact elements are preferably each connected to one another, in particular bonded to one another. The plastic elements of the mutually adjacent contact elements can, for example, together form one piece and can be produced, for example, by means of injection molding. Advantageously, the row of contacts can thus be resilient together, with the printed circuit board connector advantageously being able to be connected to a printed circuit board as a one-piece component comprising the row of contacts. The further printed circuit board then needs to be plugged onto the printed circuit board connection for the final connection of the printed circuit boards.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring element is designed to deflect transversely from the longitudinal extension of the contact element, contact elements directly adjacent to one another being arranged such that the spring elements of the contact elements directly adjacent to one another point in opposite directions. In this way, an alternating contact arrangement can advantageously be formed, so that the contact elements can reliably deflect in the longitudinal direction of the contact elements. In this way, a tipping of a longitudinal section of the contact element during spring deflection can advantageously be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring element is C-shaped or U-shaped. More preferably, one end of the C-shaped spring element is molded onto an end section of the contact element, and the other end of the C-shaped spring element is molded onto the other end section of the contact element. In this way, a spring element can be formed in the contact element in a cost-effective manner by means of a meandering section.

In an advantageous variant of the contact element, the contact element has three plastic bodies. Two longitudinal sections of the contact element enclosing the spring section between one another, in particular the end sections, are preferably each connected to two outer plastic bodies which enclose a central plastic body between one another. A spring section is formed between each of the outer plastic bodies and the middle plastic body, so that the spring sections act with one another in a series arrangement. The plastic bodies together form the limit stop and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the contact element in such a way that the spring deflection of the spring section can be limited.

The spring sections are preferably C-shaped. More preferably, the spring sections point in opposite directions to one another. The contact element can thus have an S-shaped spring formed by the two C-shaped springs formed on one another, which can advantageously have greater torsional capacity and can thus absorb movements or vibrations in mutually different directions.

The contact element is preferably embedded, in particular injected or molded, into the plastic body on longitudinal sections which extend between the spring sections.

A spring deflection of the spring of the contact element is preferably between 0.1 millimeters and 2 millimeters, more preferably between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters.

To produce a printed circuit board connector with two or three plastic bodies, the at least one contact element can be overmoulded with a one-piece plastic body and then separated into two or three plastic parts by means of a laser.

The invention also relates to a printed circuit board arrangement with at least one printed circuit board connector of the type described above. The printed circuit boards are resiliently connected to one another by means of the printed circuit board connector. Advantageously, the printed circuit boards can be resiliently connected to one another at low cost and securely by means of the printed circuit board connector of the type described above.

The invention also relates to a method for spring-loaded connection of two printed circuit boards by means of a printed circuit board connector, in particular by means of a printed circuit board connector of the type described above. In the method, a press-in contact of the printed circuit board connector is pressed into a printed circuit board, and another printed circuit board is pressed onto a press-in contact of the printed circuit board connector that deflects away from it pressed on. During the pressing-in process, limiting stops made of plastic, which in each case enclose a spring element of the press-in contact between one another, limit a spring travel of the spring element by impact. Advantageously, the spring travel can be safely limited in this way. The circuit board connector preferably has a row of contact elements. In this way, the circuit board connector can advantageously be pressed into the circuit board as a one-piece component in the method. The contact elements of the circuit board connector can also advantageously be resilient together, insofar as the contact elements, which are molded together into the same plastic body, can be mutually supported by the plastic body.

• 1 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel für einen Leiterplattenverbinder, bei dem durch einen Kunststoffkörper ein Einpressanschlag zur kraftschlüssigen Überbrückung einer Feder gebildet ist, und der zum Verbinden von zwei Schaltungsträgern in einen Schaltungsträger eingepresst wird;
• 2 zeigt den in 1 dargestellten Leiterplattenverbinder, bei dem ein weiterer Schaltungsträger auf den Leiterplattenverbinder aufgepresst wird, wobei ein aus Kunststoff gebildeter Wegbegrenzungsanschlag eine Feder überbrückt;
• 3 zeigt den in den 1 und 2 dargestellten Leiterplattenverbinder, bei dem die mittels der Feder verbundenen Einpresskontakte frei gegeneinander schwingen können;
• 4 zeigt eine Variante für einen Leiterplattenverbinder, bei dem ein dachförmiger Begrenzungsanschlag ein seitliches Verschieben der Einpresskontakte beim Aufpressen des weiteren Schaltungsträgers verhindern kann;
• 5 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel für einen Leiterplattenverbinder mit Reihenkontakten in einer Aufsicht;
• 6 zeigt den in 5 dargestellten Leiterplattenverbinder in einer seitlichen Aufsicht.

The invention is now described below with reference to figures and further exemplary embodiments. Further advantageous embodiment variants result from a combination of the features described in the figures and in the dependent claims.

• 1 shows an embodiment of a printed circuit board connector in which a press-in stop for non-positive bridging of a spring is formed by a plastic body, and which is pressed into a circuit carrier to connect two circuit carriers;
• 2 shows the in 1 circuit board connector shown, in which another circuit carrier is pressed onto the circuit board connector, wherein a formed plastic path limiting stop bridges a spring;
• 3 shows the in the 1 and 2 circuit board connector shown, in which the press-in contacts connected by means of the spring can oscillate freely against one another;
• 4 shows a variant for a printed circuit board connector in which a roof-shaped limit stop can prevent lateral displacement of the press-in contacts when the further circuit carrier is pressed on;
• 5 shows an embodiment of a printed circuit board connector with series contacts in a top view;
• 6 shows the in 5 PCB connector shown in a side view.

1 shows - schematically - an embodiment of a circuit board connector 1. The circuit board connector 1 has a contact element 2 on. In this exemplary embodiment, the contact element 2 is formed by a particularly stamped wire, for example a stamped grid or leadframe. The contact element 2 has an end section 3 and a further end section 4 pointing away in the opposite direction thereto. The end sections 3 and 4 each form a longitudinal section of the contact element 2 along a longitudinal extension 10 of the contact element 2.

Between the end sections 3 and 4, along a longitudinal extension 10 of the contact element 2, a spring element 6 is formed on a spring section 5, which is U-shaped in this exemplary embodiment. The spring element 6 is molded onto the end section 3 with a U-leg 23 and molded onto the end section 4 with a U-leg 24 .

The contact element 2 is designed to deflect along the longitudinal extent 10 while compressing the spring element 6 .

A press-in contact 13 is formed on the end section 3 and encompasses one end of the end section 3 . A press-in contact 12 , which encompasses one end of the end section 4 , is formed on the further end section 4 .

In this exemplary embodiment, a plastic element 7 is molded onto the contact element 2 in the region of the end section 3, in particular injection-molded on. The contact element 2 is thus embedded in the plastic element 7 on the end section 3 . The contact element 2 has a projection area 9 on the end section 3 which is designed to secure the contact element 2 in the plastic body 7 in a form-fitting manner.

The contact element 2 also has a plastic body 8 which is injection molded onto the contact element 2 in the area of the further end section 4 and is secured in a form-fitting manner by a projection area 11 formed onto the contact element 2 . For this purpose, the projection area 11 is embedded in the plastic body 8 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the plastic element 7 extends along the longitudinal extent 10 of the contact element 2 beyond the end section 3, with the U-leg 23 being arranged in a cavity formed in the plastic body 7, for example a slot, and being able to move resiliently there.

In 1 the circuit board connector 1 is pressed into a circuit carrier 16 by means of a press-on tool 22 . The circuit carrier 16 is formed, for example, by a printed circuit board. For this purpose, the press-in contact 12 engages in a corresponding recess in the circuit carrier 16, in particular a printed circuit board. The circuit carrier 16 is placed on a support bearing 17 in this exemplary embodiment, so that a press-in force 21 with which the tool 22 presses on the plastic body 8 can be absorbed by the support bearing 17 .

2 shows the in 1 circuit board connector already shown, onto which in a further process step a further circuit carrier 18, in particular a further circuit board, is pressed. For this purpose, the press-in contact 13 engages in a corresponding recess in the circuit carrier 18 . The circuit carrier 18 is formed, for example, by a printed circuit board. A press-on tool 25 is shown, which exerts a press-in force 21 on the additional circuit carrier 18 . The press-in force 21 acts along the longitudinal extension 10 of the contact element 2. When the additional circuit carrier 18 is pressed on along the longitudinal extension 10, the plastic body molded onto the contact element 2 is moved into a press-on position 7`. One bumps into 1 already shown stop surface 14, which is formed on the plastic body 7, against a stop surface 15, which is formed on the plastic body 8. The stop surfaces 14 and 15 are arranged opposite one another. 2 shows the stop surfaces 14' and 15' pressed against each other, which have a spring deflection 19, which in 1 shown limit.

3 shows the in the 1 and 2 circuit board connector 1 already shown, which electrically connects the circuit carrier 16 to the circuit carrier 18 after the further circuit carrier 18 has been pressed on.

For this purpose, the contact element 2 is formed, for example, from a copper alloy, in particular CuSn6. After being pressed on, the spring 6 can move the plastic bodies 7 and 8, and thus also the press-in contacts 13 and 12, away from one another along the longitudinal extent 10, so that a gap formed between the stop surfaces 14 and 15 forms a spring deflection for the spring 6.

The circuit carriers 16 and 18 can thus--for example deformed by thermal expansion--move towards one another along the longitudinal axis 10 on the spring travel 19, or move away from one another.

The spring deflection 19 is between 0.1 and 2 millimeters, for example.

4 shows - schematically - an embodiment of a printed circuit board connector 30. The printed circuit board connector 30 has a resiliently constructed contact element 33 . The contact element 33 has a press-in contact 31 on one end section and a press-in contact 32 on an end section opposite thereto. The press-in contacts 31 and 32 are each designed to be pressed into a printed circuit board.

Between the press-in contacts 31 and 32 there is a spring 38 which is U-shaped in this exemplary embodiment and is formed with a respective U-leg on the press-in contact 31 or on the press-in contact 32 . The press-in contact 33 is thus formed in one piece.

The circuit board connector 30 has a plastic body 34 and a plastic body 35, which are each molded onto the contact element 33 in the region of the press-in contact 31 and press-in contact 32, respectively, and enclose it at least on a longitudinal section 36 or 37 along the longitudinal extension 10. The contact element 33 is thus embedded, in particular molded, in the plastic body 34 along the longitudinal section 36 . The plastic bodies 33 and 34 are separated from one another in the area of the spring 38 by a gap 41 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the gap 41 is V-shaped—in particular in a cross section. In another embodiment, the gap 41 can be trapezoidal or rectangular. The gap 41 thus forms a limited spring deflection when the spring element 38 is compressed the plastic bodies 34 and 35 can be guided along the longitudinal extent 10 when a circuit carrier is pressed onto the circuit board connector 30, so that a lateral displacement of the plastic bodies 34 and 35 relative to one another transversely to the longitudinal extent 10 can be avoided.

5 shows an embodiment of a circuit board connector 50. The circuit board connector 50 includes a plastic body 51, in which four contact elements 52, 53, 54 and 55 are molded in this embodiment. The contact elements 52, 53, 54 and 55 are arranged at a distance from one another along a row axis 60 and each extend parallel to one another. The contact elements 52, 53, 54 and 55 each have two mutually opposite press-in contacts, and a spring section enclosed between the press-in contacts. A spring section 56 of contact element 52 and a spring section 58 of contact element 54 each protrude in the same direction, whereas a spring section 57 of contact element 53 and a spring section 59 of contact element 55 point in an opposite direction transverse to the row axis. The spring elements 56 and 57, which immediately follow one another along the row axis 60, thus point in opposite directions to one another. The spring elements 57 and 58 directly following one another along the row axis 60 also point in opposite directions to one another, as do the spring elements 58 and 59 directly following one another. The spring elements of the contact elements, which form a contact row in the molded body 51, therefore point along a row extension along the row axis 60 alternating in mutually different directions.

Advantageously, a spring movement in the form of a segment of a circle of a U-shaped spring element can be compensated for by the alternating arrangement of the spring elements, so that the spring elements can jointly execute a linear movement during springing.

6 shows the in 5 circuit board connector 50 already shown in a side view. The spring elements 57 and 59 of the contact elements 53 and 55 each point in the same direction transversely to the row axis 60, and the spring elements 56 and 58 of the contact elements 52 and 54 point in a direction opposite thereto.

The circuit board connector 50 also has a further plastic body 61 which encloses the contact elements 52, 53, 54 and 55 on a longitudinal section in the region of a further press-in contact.

The plastic bodies 51 and 61 are each separated from one another by a gap 62, the gap 62 forming a spring path for the spring elements 56, 57, 58 and 59.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 202005014070 U1 [0002]
• DE 102008014337 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) for spring-loaded connection of a printed circuit board (16) to a further printed circuit board (18), having at least one electrically conductive contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55), the contact element (2, 33 , 52, 53, 54, 55) on one end section (4) a contact (12) designed to contact the circuit board (16) and on an end section (3) opposite thereto a contact (12) designed to contact the further circuit board (18) 13), and the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) has a spring section (5, 6, 38) with a spring element (6, 38, 56, 57, 58, 59) which between the end sections (3, 4) and is designed to yield resiliently at least when the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) moves in the direction of a longitudinal extent (10), and the contact element (2, 33, 52 , 53, 54, 55) has a limit stop (7, 8) which is designed to have a spring deflection of the spring section (5), characterized in that the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) has two plastic bodies (7, 8, 34, 35, 51, 61), the spring section (5) between one another enclosing end sections (3, 4) of the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) are each connected to one of the plastic bodies (7, 8), and the plastic bodies (7, 8) together form the limit stop (7, 8 , 34, 35, 51, 61) and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension (10) of the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) in such a way that the spring deflection of the spring section (5) can be limited. PCB connectors (1, 30, 50) according to claim 1 , characterized in that a press-in contact (12, 13, 31, 32) is formed on each of the end sections (3, 4). PCB connectors (1, 30, 50) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the plastic elements (7, 8) each have opposing planar stop surfaces (14, 15), which are each designed to be pressed against one another when limiting the spring travel (19). Printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the plastic elements (7, 8, 34, 35, 51, 61) each have opposing stop surfaces (14, 15), which are each designed to be pressed against one another when the spring travel (19) is limited, the stop surfaces (39, 40) are each roof-shaped or trapezoidal. Circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) is embedded in the limit stop (7, 8, 34, 35, 51, 61). is. Circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) has a row of contacts with at least two contact elements (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) which are mutually are arranged in parallel. PCB connectors (1, 30, 50) according to claim 6 , characterized in that the plastic elements (7, 8) of mutually adjacent contact elements are each connected to one another. Printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to any one of the preceding Claims 6 or 7 , characterized in that the spring element (6) is designed to deflect transversely from the longitudinal extension (10) of the contact element (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) and contact elements (2, 33, 52, 53, 54 , 55) are arranged in such a way that the spring elements (56, 57, 58, 59) of the contact elements (2, 33, 52, 53, 54, 55) directly adjacent to one another each point in opposite directions to one another. Circuit board connector (1, 39, 50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (6, 38, 56, 57, 58, 59) is C-shaped or U-shaped. Printed circuit board arrangement with at least one printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed circuit boards (16, 18) are resiliently connected to one another. Method for spring-loaded connection of two printed circuit boards (16, 18) by means of a printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the press-in contact (12, 32) of the printed circuit board connector (1, 30, 50) is pressed into a printed circuit board ( 16) is pressed in, and another printed circuit board (18) is pressed onto a press-in contact (13, 31) facing away therefrom, with limit stops made of plastic and enclosing a spring element (6, 38, 56, 57, 58, 59) between one another (7, 8, 34, 35, 51, 61) limit a spring deflection (19) of the spring element (6, 38, 56, 57, 58, 59) by colliding.

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