DE102021121965A1 - Contact element for a connector part - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact element (1 - 1N) for a connector part (15) for contacting a corresponding contact element (2 - 2N) of a mating connector part (19), comprising:a first end area (3) for connection to a printed circuit board;a second end area (5), the second end area (5) being opposite the first end area (3) and having at least one contact lug (7A, 7B); anda transition region (9) arranged between the first end region (3) and the second end region (5), the transition region (9) having a geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching at least in sections.

Description

The invention relates to a contact element for a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1, a connector part with such a contact element and a connector system.

Such contact elements for a connector part for contacting a corresponding contact element of a mating connector part include a first end area for connection to a printed circuit board;
a second end portion, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion and having at least one contact tab; and
a transition region located between the first end region and the second end region.

Connector parts usually include a large number of such contact elements, each for contacting a corresponding contact element of a mating connector part. For example, in the WO 2019/201768 A1 describes such a connector part with hermaphrodite contact elements.

When plugged together, the connector part and the mating connector part form part of a signal transmission path. In order to enable successful signal transmission, the impedance within the signal transmission path should be as constant as possible over the entire path. The plug connections can lead to an impedance mismatch, especially in the case of larger transmission distances.

Impedance adjustments are therefore usually carried out through the structural design of the respective contact elements. For example, in the DE 11 2013 006 540 T5 proposed changing the geometry of a tip of a contact or barbs on the contact to improve impedance.

In the U.S. 7,510,445 B2 it is suggested that a certain width ratio of specific locations on a contact tail can lead to an impedance improvement.

In the case of the impedance matching options known from the prior art, various areas of the contact element that already fulfill a specific function, such as an area for connection to a printed circuit board, or the mating face of the contact element are changed geometrically. Such changes in areas that already fulfill a different function can be implemented with difficulty and often also entail corresponding changes, such as changes to the plug faces on the corresponding contact elements of the mating connector part.

The object of the present invention is to specify an improved contact element for a connector part, in particular to specify a contact element that has a standardized structure and enables simple impedance matching.

This object is solved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the transition region of the contact element comprises a geometry for impedance matching, at least in sections.

The transition area is arranged between the first end area and the second end area, which is opposite the first end area. A soldering area, such as a connecting lug or soldering lug, for example, can be arranged on the first end area for connection to a printed circuit board. For example, the terminal lug can be connected to the printed circuit board and connected to an electrical conductor track on the printed circuit board.

The second end area has a contact lug, which can be designed, for example, as a contact pin or as a bent end of the contact element. The contact lug can be plugged into engagement with a corresponding contact lug of a corresponding contact element.

The transition area can extend flatly along a direction of expansion and connect the first end area to the second end area. For example, the contact element can be manufactured as a bent stamped part from sheet metal. Without the introduced geometry, the transition area of the contact element can extend in strip form with a cross section that is constant at least in sections between the first end area and the second end area. The geometry for impedance matching can be introduced into the constant cross-section of the transition region, which runs in sections.

The transition region of the contact element includes the geometry for impedance matching, at least in sections. The geometry can be formed onto the transition area or introduced as a cross-sectional reduction, such as a recess or tapering in the material of the transition area.

The impedance can advantageously be adjusted by the geometric design of the transition area. Around the area of an impe To keep the danz mismatch as small as possible, the transition area can be specifically designed. For example, the transition region can be designed to achieve a differential impedance of 100 ohms. Such an optimization can also advantageously ensure the transmission with larger circuit board distances, since with larger circuit board distances the transition area usually has a high priority in the overall consideration.

Compared to the contact elements known from the prior art, standard elements can be arranged on the first end area and the second end area, for example as contact or soldering lugs, and only the geometry of the transition area can be changed for impedance matching.

In one configuration, the geometry for impedance matching is designed as a cross-sectional enlargement of the transition area.

For example, along the direction of extent of the transition area, the cross section can be enlarged at least in one area compared to the cross section in a remaining area of the transition area. For example, the increase in cross section can be carried out stepwise or continuously. In one example, the thickness and length of the transition region is constant, with the increase in cross-section being achieved by increasing the width of the transition region.

In one configuration, the geometry for impedance matching is designed as a reduction in the cross section of the transition region.

For example, along the direction of extent of the transition region, the cross section can be reduced, ie tapered or reduced, at least in one region compared to the cross section in a remaining region of the transition region. For example, the reduction in cross section can be carried out stepwise or continuously. In one example, the thickness and length of the transition region is constant, with the reduction in cross-section being achieved by reducing the width of the transition region.

Since the second end area with the contact lug in particular often represents an impedance sink, the transition area can advantageously be used for impedance compensation.

In one configuration, the geometry for impedance matching runs uniformly, at least in regions, in an extension direction of the transition region between the first end region and the second end region.

Herein, the term “uniformly in an extension direction” can be understood along the course of a line that is uniform to the points on it. For example, the line can have a positive or negative slope. Alternatively, the gradient of the line can also be 0.

Advantageously, the even course of the geometry means that an impedance adjustment can be carried out simply and precisely.

In one configuration, the geometry for impedance matching is arranged on at least one side section of the transition area. For example, a bar-shaped material section can be arranged on the side section in order to increase the cross section, or a corresponding bar-shaped cutout can be arranged in the side section in order to reduce the cross section depending on the desired impedance matching.

For example, the bar-shaped section/cutout can be formed in one piece with the material of the contact element, or have already been taken into account during the manufacture of the contact element. As an alternative to this, the web-shaped section/cutout can also have been added/removed after the production of the contact element.

In one configuration, the geometry for impedance matching is arranged on opposite side sections of the transition area.

Advantageously, mechanical stresses on the contact element can be better counteracted by such a configuration, while at the same time an impedance adjustment can be carried out.

In one example, a width of the transition region, having the geometry for impedance matching, is in a range from 0.6 mm to 1 mm, in particular 0.8 mm.

For example, a connector with such contact elements have a pitch of 0.8 mm. In one example, at a width of 1 mm, the impedance drops to about 85 Ω. Advantageously, the impedance matching can take place not only by changing the cross section, but also by changing the length of the transition area, having the geometry for impedance matching. With a change in length, a uniform progression of the over transition range can be achieved in order to avoid larger imperfections.

In one configuration, the second end region has a further contact lug, with the contact lug and the further contact lug extending in a first direction together with the transition region.

For example, the contact lugs can be configured such that the contact element can be plugged into a contact element that is a mirror image of a mirror plane. A hermaphroditic contact element can advantageously be created in this way, with a simple impedance adjustment to compensate for the impedance sink caused by the contact lugs.

In one configuration, the contact lug and the further contact lug are offset relative to one another along a second direction extending transversely to the first direction and also along a third direction extending transversely to the first direction and transversely to the second direction.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector part with at least one contact element, as described herein, in particular a multiplicity of contact elements, as described herein.

For example, the connector part can comprise a housing made of a non-conductive material, for example plastic. The contact elements can be surrounded at least in regions by the material of the connector part and held by it.

The invention also relates to a connector system with a connector part as described herein and a mating connector part with at least one corresponding contact element, in particular a multiplicity of corresponding contact elements.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Kontaktelements gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2A, 2B Ansichten eines Steckverbinderteils mit Kontaktelementen gemäß der 1;
• 3 Ansicht von Kontaktelementen gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4 eine Ansicht eines Steckverbindersystems mit Kontaktelementen gemäß der 1; und
• 5A - 5D Ansichten von Kontaktelementen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung mit unterschiedlich langen Übergangsbereichen.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a view of a contact element according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2A , 2 B Views of a connector part with contact elements according to 1 ;
• 3 View of contact elements according to another embodiment of the invention;
• 4 a view of a connector system with contact elements according to the 1 ; and
• 5A - 5D Views of contact elements according to embodiments of the invention with transition areas of different lengths.

The 1 shows a contact element 1 for a connector part for contacting a corresponding contact element of a mating connector part.

The contact element 1 shown has a first end region 3 for connection to a printed circuit board (not shown). For this purpose, the first end portion 3, as in the 1 shown, a terminal lug 13 which can be secured to the circuit board for electrical connection to a conductive trace on the circuit board.

The second end region 5 opposite the first end region 3 has in 1 shown embodiment two contact lugs 7A, 7B.

The contact element 1 shown is a hermaphroditic contact element, so that two contact elements 1 of identical design at the second end region 5 can be plugged into one another in order to establish electrical contact between the contact elements, as is described below in FIG 4 is shown.

The contact lugs 7A and 7B shown extend together in a first direction X, with the contact lug 7A and the further contact lug 7B extending along a second direction Y extending transversely to the first direction X and also along a direction transverse to the first direction X and transverse to the second direction Y extended, third direction Z are offset from one another.

Furthermore, in the 1 shown that the transition area 9 is arranged between the first end area 3 and the second end area 5 and the transition area 9 at least in sections has a geometry 11A, 11 B for impedance matching, or the geometry was introduced into the transition area 9.

In 1 For example, the geometry 11A, 11B for impedance matching is formed as a reduction in cross section of the transition region 9 and is arranged on opposite side portions of the transition region 9 as shown. It is also shown that the geometry 11A, 11B for impedance matching runs uniformly at least in regions in an extension direction of the transition region 9, along the first direction X, between the first end region 3 and the second end region 5.

The 2A , 2 B show views of a connector part 15 with contact elements 1, 1N according to the previously shown 1 .

The 2A shows a perspective view of the connector part 15. As shown, there are several contact elements 1, 1N in a housing 17 of the connector part 15. The connector part 15 shown can be arranged on a printed circuit board and contacted with a corresponding mating connector part.

The 2 B shows a plan view of the already in 2A shown connector part 15. In 2 B A horizontal section through a portion of the housing 17 (in the third quadrant) is shown in order to better illustrate the arrangement of the contact elements 1, 1N in the housing.

The 3 shows views of two contact elements 1, 1A shown one behind the other according to a further embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the in 1 In the embodiment shown, the geometry for impedance matching 11 is arranged as a cross-sectional reduction only on a side area of the transition area 9 .

The 4 shows a connector system 21, with a connector part 15 as already shown in FIGS 2A and 2 B shown. For a clearer presentation, the connector part 15 is without in the 2A and 2 B housing shown shown.

Furthermore, in the 4 a plugged onto the connector part 15 mating connector part 19 (also without housing) shown with corresponding contact elements 2, 2N. Like it in the 4 is shown, the contact lugs of the respective contact elements 1, 1N are plugged together with the contact lugs of the corresponding contact elements 2, 2N and thus form part of a signal transmission path. As shown, the transition areas of the corresponding contact elements 2, 2N have no geometry for impedance matching. In further embodiments, however, the transition regions of the corresponding contact elements 2, 2N can each have such a geometry.

The 5A - 5D show views of contact elements 1 according to embodiments of the invention with transition regions 9 of different lengths.

In the 5A - 5D shows that a length-to-width ratio UB of the transition regions 9, having the geometry for impedance matching, is different in each case. In the illustrated embodiments, the lengths L1-L4 differ from one another, with the widths B1-B4 remaining the same. This results in different values for the ratios L1/B1, L2/B2, L3/B3 and L4/B4.

Reference List

1 - 1N

contact element

2 - 2N

Corresponding contact element

3

First end area

5

Second end area

7A, 7B

contact flag

9

transition area

11, 11A, 11B

Geometry for impedance matching

13

connection tab

15

connector part

17

Housing

19

mating connector part

21

connector system

L, L1-L4

length

B, B1-B4

Broad

X

First direction

Y

second direction

Z

third direction

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

• WO 2019201768 A1 [0003]
• DE 112013006540 T5 [0005]
• US 7510445 B2 [0006]

Claims (11)

Contact element (1 - 1N) for a connector part (15) for contacting a corresponding contact element (2 - 2N) of a mating connector part (19), comprising: a first end region (3) for connection to a printed circuit board; a second end area (5), the second end area (5) being opposite the first end area (3) and having at least one contact lug (7A, 7B); and a transition region (9) arranged between the first end region (3) and the second end region (5), characterized in that the transition region (9) has a geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching at least in sections. Contact element (1 - 1N) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching is designed as a cross-sectional enlargement of the transition region (9). Contact element (1 - 1N) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching is designed as a cross-sectional reduction of the transition region (9). Contact element (1 - 1N) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching is at least partially uniform in a direction of expansion of the transition region (9) between the first end region (3) and the second End area (5) runs. Contact element (1 - 1N) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometry (11) for impedance matching is arranged on at least one side section of the transition region (9). Contact element (1 - 1N) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometry (11A, 11B) for impedance matching is arranged on opposite side sections of the transition region (9). Contact element (1 - 1N) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a width of the transition area, having the geometry (11, 11A, 11B) for impedance matching, is in a range from 0.6 mm to 1 mm, in particular at 0.8mm. Contact element (1 - 1N) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end region (5) has a further contact lug (7B), the contact lug (7A) and the further contact lug (7B) being located together with the transition region (9 ) extend in a first direction (X). Contact element (1 - 1N) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the contact lug (7A) and the further contact lug (7B) extend along a second direction (Y) transverse to the first direction (X) and also along a transverse to the first direction (X) and transverse to the second direction (Y ) extended, third direction (Z) are offset from one another. Connector part (15) with at least one contact element (1 - 1N), in particular a multiplicity of contact elements (1 - 1N), according to one of the preceding claims. Connector system (21), with a connector part (15). claim 10 and a mating connector part (19) with at least one corresponding contact element (2 - 2N), in particular a multiplicity of corresponding contact elements (2 - 2N).

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