DE102022202848A1 - Contact element, contact element system and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact element (10a; 10b) for a plug connector (100), a contact element system (50) and a plug connector (100). The contact element (10a; 10b) for a plug connector (100) comprises a conductive contact element body (1a; 1b), which has at least one adaptation structure (5) which is designed and provided, electrical properties of the contact element (10a; 10b) and/or or to adapt and/or adjust the connector (100) by modifying the adaptation structure (5).

Description

The invention relates to a contact element for a plug connector, a contact element system and a plug connector.

The contact elements of the connector play a crucial role in ensuring signal transmission through a connector as quickly and as smoothly as possible. For example, in the case of symmetrical signal transmission (also known as differential signal transmission), such as that used in USB, it is important that the contact elements and in particular the contact element pairs (in the case of differential signal transmission, the so-called differential pairs) of a connector have certain electrical Properties (such as a certain impedance and/or certain capacitive properties or a certain capacity).

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a contact element for a plug connector that is improved in terms of signal transmission, a contact element system that is improved in terms of signal transmission and a plug connector that is improved in terms of signal transmission. This task is solved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

A first independent aspect for solving the problem relates to a contact element for a plug connector, having a conductive contact element body, wherein the contact element body has at least one adaptation structure, which is designed and provided to adapt electrical properties of the contact element and / or the plug connector by modifying the adaptation structure and /or to adjust.

In the context of this invention, a contact element is understood to be in particular an electrical conductor, which is part of a plug connector, in particular a plug connector base or a plug connector plug. The contact element is designed to transmit electrical signals, for example from a cable to a circuit board and/or vice versa. The contact element has a conductive, in particular cylindrically shaped or cylindrical, contact element body. The contact element body is preferably solid, in particular as a solid cylinder. The contact element body can be formed from a metal or a metal alloy. The contact element body preferably has copper and/or one or more copper alloys, in particular copper-beryllium (CuBe), bronze (CuSn) and/or brass (CuZn), or is made from one or more of these materials. It goes without saying that, in principle, any other materials that are suitable for signal transmission, such as silver and/or gold, can also be used to form the contact element body.

The contact element or the contact element body according to the invention has at least one (e.g. exactly one) modifiable adaptation structure or a modifiable adaptation element, with which electrical properties of the contact element, in particular with regard to one or more further contact elements (which in particular in a defined and / or predetermined distance, preferably parallel, to said contact element is / are arranged) by a modification (in particular a physical and / or geometric modification or change) of the adaptation structure and / or adjust.

Electrical properties of the contact element (or a pair of contact elements) can include, for example, capacitive and/or impedantic properties, in particular a capacitance and/or an impedance, and/or an air gap and/or a creepage distance. Preferably, the adaptation structure is a capacity adaptation structure, which is designed and provided to adapt and/or set capacitive properties or a capacity of the contact element and/or the plug connector. Alternatively or additionally, the adaptation structure can be an impedance adaptation structure, which is designed and provided to adapt and/or set an impedance of the contact element and/or the plug connector.

With the help of the adaptation structure, the electrical properties of the contact element and/or the plug connector can advantageously be adapted and/or optimized to the respective circumstances or requirements, depending on the arrangement and/or the environment of the contact element in the plug connector.

The adaptation structure preferably represents a local enlargement or local thickening of the (in particular cylindrical) contact element body. In particular, the adaptation structure is designed as a substantially annular structure or as an annular element, which surrounds a section, in particular an end section, of the contact element body .

Preferably, the modification of the adaptation structure includes (targeted) material removal of the adaptation structure, in particular in such a way that the adaptation structure is caused by the material removal has a flat surface with a predetermined area. In particular, the adaptation structure is designed in such a way that the modification of the adaptation structure can be carried out (in a targeted manner) by removing material from the adaptation structure. The material removal can be carried out in particular by machining. The material removal can be carried out in particular by milling and/or grinding (in particular deep grinding) and/or cutting (for example with a saw blade) and/or impacting and/or by laser ablation of the adaptation structure.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adaptation structure is designed (and/or shaped) in such a way that the size of a flat surface resulting from material removal from the adaptation structure depends on a removal depth.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adaptation structure is formed on an axial end section or an axial end of the contact element body.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adaptation structure is formed on a contact pin of the contact element body. In particular, the adaptation structure can be designed as a contact pin (also referred to as a contact pin) or shaped into a contact pin. The contact pin is designed in particular to electrically contact a contact on a printed circuit board or circuit board and/or to be soldered to it. Alternatively, the contact pin can be designed to be inserted into a complementary contact socket (in particular a female contact element). In other words, the adaptation structure can represent a contact pin for contacting a contact on a circuit board or for insertion into a contact socket. The adaptation structure therefore preferably not only has a modifiable area or surface for adjusting electrical properties, but at the same time represents a contact pin. The contact pin is in particular as a tapered section, in particular as a tapered end section, of the contact element or Contact element body formed.

In a further preferred embodiment, the adaptation structure has a substantially flat surface (or surface), in particular as a result of a modification (or material removal). The flat surface preferably extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the contact element or contact element body. In other words, a normal vector of the flat surface is preferably aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the contact element or contact element body. A “flat surface or surface” is understood to mean, in particular, a surface or surface for which the following applies: for every two points on the surface or surface, a distance running through these two points also lies completely in the surface or surface.

The contact element body can, for example, also have a socket for inserting a contact pin. Alternatively or additionally, the contact element body can have a solder connection for soldering an electrical conductor (in particular a stranded wire).

A solder connection (also referred to herein as a solder contour or solder surface) is preferably designed as a flat surface (or surface) of the contact element body. In particular, an axial end section of the contact element body can be flattened and have a substantially flat surface (or surface) for soldering an electrical conductor (or a stranded wire). Here, too, a “flat surface or surface” is understood to mean in particular a surface or surface for which the following applies: for every two points on the surface or surface, a distance running through these two points is completely in the surface or surface lies. The flat surface can be created, for example, by milling off an end section of the contact element body, which is why the flat surface in this case can also be referred to as a “milled surface” or “milled surface”. It is understood that the flat surface can alternatively also be produced by other methods, such as cutting (in particular with a saw blade), impacting and/or laser ablation.

The electrical conductor can be soldered to the flat surface of the solder end section or solder connection, in particular with the aid of solder. In contrast to a conventional soldering cup (which comprises a hollow cylinder into which the electrical conductor must be inserted from above), the axial soldering end section of the contact element or contact element body is preferably designed as a solid half cylinder (ie as a flattened solid cylinder). In particular, the axial soldering end section of the contact element body is flattened in such a way that an electrical conductor coming from a plurality of directions (or coming from several sides, for example from the front, from the right and / or from the left) is placed on the axial end section for soldering can be. In the context of the present invention, it was recognized that a solder connection designed in this way offers the advantage in comparison to a conventional solder cup that, with a large number of contact elements arranged parallel to one another, a cable whose strands are each connected to the contact elements should be soldered, can remain twisted as long or as far as possible, ie except for a small end section of the cable. In addition, when soldering the cable, it is sufficient to expose only a small piece of the cable's strand or to remove the cable shield from only a small end section of the cable. In particular, the conductors or strands of the cable do not have to be inserted into a hollow cylinder from a very specific direction, as is the case with a conventional soldering cup, but can be guided (for example from above or laterally, especially in pairs) to the soldering connection or the soldering surface. This makes soldering the conductors or strands of a cable much easier.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact element or the contact element body thus has an adaptation structure with a first flat surface (or surface) and a solder connection (or a solder contour) with a second flat surface (or surface). Preferably, the first flat surface (i.e. the flat surface of the adaptation structure) is formed on a first axial end section of the contact element or contact element body, while the second flat surface (i.e. the flat surface of the solder connection) is formed on the second axial end section. Preferably, the first flat surface is formed on a first radial end section of the contact element or contact element body, while the second flat surface is formed on a second radial end section of the contact element or contact element body, which is opposite the first radial end section. In other words, the first flat surface and the second flat surface are each formed on different (in particular opposite) radial sides of the (cylindrical) contact element or contact element body. In other words, the first flat surface or surface and the second flat surface or surface face away from each other. In particular, the first flat surface (of the adaptation structure) and the second flat surface (of the solder connection) are designed and/or arranged such that a normal vector of the first flat surface or surface is aligned opposite to a normal vector of the second flat surface or surface.

This has the advantage that when two such contact elements are arranged in parallel, for example to form a “differential contact element pair”, electrical properties of the contact elements or the contact element pair are set by means of the adaptation structures on the first axial end sections of the contact elements can be, while at the second end sections of the contact elements, regardless of or despite the soldering of strands of one or more cables, a very specific predefined distance between the second end sections of the contact elements can be guaranteed. Preferably, in particular in a mounted or mated state of the plug connector, two contact elements (e.g. of a differential contact element pair) are arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the first flat surfaces (i.e. the flat surfaces of the adaptation structures) of the two contact elements face each other and the second flat surfaces (i.e. the flat surfaces of the solder connections) of the two contact elements face away from each other.

• - ein erstes erfindungsgemäßes Kontaktelement, und
• - ein zweites erfindungsgemäßes Kontaktelement, wobei

die Anpassungsstruktur des ersten Kontaktelements und die Anpassungsstruktur des zweiten Kontaktelements ausgelegt und vorgesehen sind, elektrische Eigenschaften des Kontaktelementsystems und/oder des Steckverbinders durch eine Modifikation der Anpassungsstruktur des ersten Kontaktelements und/oder der Anpassungsstruktur des zweiten Kontaktelements anzupassen und/oder einzustellen.A further independent aspect for solving the problem relates to a contact element system (in particular a contact element pair) for a plug connector, the contact element system comprising at least:

• - a first contact element according to the invention, and
• - a second contact element according to the invention, wherein

the adaptation structure of the first contact element and the adaptation structure of the second contact element are designed and provided to adapt and/or adjust electrical properties of the contact element system and/or the plug connector by modifying the adaptation structure of the first contact element and/or the adaptation structure of the second contact element.

In particular, electrical properties (e.g. capacitive and/or impedantic properties, in particular a capacitance and/or an impedance), which are present when the first and second contact elements are arranged parallel to one another, can be adapted and/or adjusted. In particular, the electrical properties that exist at a specific or predetermined distance between the first and second contact elements arranged parallel to one another or one above the other can be adapted and/or adjusted.

In particular, the adaptation structure of at least one of the contact elements of the contact element system (preferably the adaptation structures of at least two contact elements of the contact element system) may have been modified (in particular geometrically changed, such as milled or cut) to adapt the electrical properties of the contact element system and/or the plug connector.

In a preferred embodiment, the adaptation structure of the first contact element and the adaptation structure of the second contact element ment each has a substantially flat surface (or surface). In particular, the adaptation structure of the first contact element and the adaptation structure of the second contact element were modified such that they each have a substantially flat surface (or surface). The first contact element and the second contact element (or the respective contact element bodies) are preferably arranged parallel to one another (and/or one above the other) in such a way that the flat surface of the adaptation structure of the first contact element and the flat surface of the adaptation structure of the second contact element face each other.

In a further preferred embodiment, the contact element system comprises at least one unmodified contact element (with an unmodified adaptation structure) and at least one modified contact element (with a modified adaptation structure). Alternatively or additionally, the contact element system comprises at least two contact elements with differently modified adaptation structures. In particular, within the scope of the invention, an “unmodified contact element” is understood to mean a contact element with an unmodified adaptation structure. Accordingly, a “modified contact element” is understood to mean a contact element with a modified adaptation structure.

In a further preferred embodiment, the contact element system comprises four unmodified contact elements (each with an unmodified adaptation structure) and six modified contact elements (each with a modified adaptation structure).

In a further preferred embodiment, the modified adaptation structures of the six modified contact elements each have a substantially flat surface (or surface). In particular, the adaptation structures of the six modified contact elements were modified in such a way that they each have a substantially flat surface (or surface). The six modified contact elements include three contact element pairs, each with two modified contact elements, the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair being arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the flat surfaces of the adaptation structures of the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair face each other. Preferably, two modified contact elements of a first contact element pair of the three contact element pairs are arranged rotated by 90° relative to each of the remaining modified contact elements of the other two contact element pairs with respect to the flat surfaces. In other words, the contact elements of the three contact element pairs are preferably arranged such that a normal vector of the two modified contact elements of a first contact element pair of the three contact element pairs is aligned perpendicular to the normal vectors of all of the remaining modified contact elements of the other two contact element pairs.

In a further preferred embodiment, the four unmodified contact elements are arranged such that their adaptation structures form the corners of a rectangle. In other words, the four unmodified contact elements are arranged such that a virtual connecting line, which connects the adaptation structures of the unmodified contact elements to one another, essentially forms a rectangle. In other words, the four unmodified contact elements or their adaptation structures are arranged in a rectangle or at the corners of a rectangle.

• - zumindest ein erfindungsgemäßes Kontaktelement; und/oder
• - zumindest ein erfindungsgemäßes Kontaktelementsystem.

Another independent aspect for solving the problem relates to a connector, in particular a circular connector or a USB 3.1 circular connector, comprising:

• - at least one contact element according to the invention; and or
• - At least one contact element system according to the invention.

• - einen Steckverbinder-Stecker mit einem ersten erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelementsystem (Stecker-Kontaktelementsystem); und
• - einen Steckverbinder-Sockel mit einem zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelementsystem (Sockel-Kontaktelementsystem);

wobei die Kontaktelemente (Stecker-Kontaktelemente) des ersten Kontaktelementsystems jeweils einen Kontakt-Pin aufweisen, und
wobei die Kontaktelemente (Sockel- bzw. Buchsen-Kontaktelemente) des zweiten Kontaktelementsystems jeweils eine zu dem Kontakt-Pin komplementäre Kontaktbuchse aufweisen, mit welcher der Kontakt-Pin (insbesondere elektrisch und mechanisch) verbindbar ist. Mit anderen Worten sind die Kontaktbuchsen jeweils zur Aufnahme eines Kontakt-Pins der Kontaktelemente des Steckverbinder-Steckers ausgelegt. Entsprechend sind die Kontakt-Pins jeweils ausgelegt, um in eine Kontaktbuchse der Kontaktelemente des Steckverbinder-Sockels eingeführt bzw. eingesteckt zu werden. Insbesondere ist in einem montierten bzw. zusammengesteckten Zustand des Steckverbinders jeweils ein Kontakt-Pin der Kontaktelemente des ersten Kontaktelementsystems in eine (insbesondere zugehörige) Kontaktbuchse der Kontaktelemente des zweiten Kontaktelementsystems (lösbar) eingeführt bzw. eingesteckt. Insbesondere ist im montierten Zustand das erste Kontaktelementsystem mit dem zweiten Kontaktelementsystem derart (lösbar) zusammengesteckt, dass die Kontaktelemente des ersten Kontaktelementsystems jeweils mit zugehörigen Kontaktelementen des zweiten Kontaktelementsystems elektrisch und mechanisch miteinander verbunden sind. Diese elektrische und mechanische Verbindung ist vorzugsweise eine lösbare Verbindung, d.h. das erste und zweite Kontaktelementsystem können nach dem Zusammenstecken, insbesondere durch das Anwenden einer bestimmten Kraft entgegen einer Einsteckrichtung, auch wieder zerstörungsfrei voneinander getrennt bzw. auseinandergesteckt werden.In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises:

• - a connector plug with a first contact element system according to the invention (plug contact element system); and
• - a connector base with a second contact element system according to the invention (base contact element system);

wherein the contact elements (plug contact elements) of the first contact element system each have a contact pin, and
wherein the contact elements (base or socket contact elements) of the second contact element system each have a contact socket that is complementary to the contact pin and to which the contact pin can be connected (in particular electrically and mechanically). In other words, the contact sockets are each designed to receive a contact pin of the contact elements of the connector plug. Accordingly, the contact pins are each designed to be inserted or inserted into a contact socket of the contact elements of the connector base. In particular, when the connector is assembled or plugged together, there is one contact Pin of the contact elements of the first contact element system is inserted or inserted (removably) into a (in particular associated) contact socket of the contact elements of the second contact element system. In particular, in the assembled state, the first contact element system is (removably) plugged together with the second contact element system in such a way that the contact elements of the first contact element system are each electrically and mechanically connected to one another with associated contact elements of the second contact element system. This electrical and mechanical connection is preferably a detachable connection, ie the first and second contact element systems can be separated from one another or put apart again in a non-destructive manner after being plugged together, in particular by applying a certain force against an insertion direction.

Preferably, the connector base has a base insulating element for electrically insulating the base or socket contact elements. Furthermore, the connector base preferably has a base housing, which in particular surrounds the base insulating element and thus also the base contact elements. Accordingly, the connector plug preferably has a plug insulating element for electrically insulating the plug contact elements. Furthermore, the connector plug in particular has a plug housing, which preferably surrounds the plug insulating element and thus also the plug contact elements. In particular, the base insulating element and the plug insulating element are made of plastic.

Preferably, the connector base has drilling or screw holes in order to attach the connector base to a circuit board by means of screws, preferably in such a way that the base contact elements are electrically connected to associated contacts on the circuit board.

Preferably, the base contact elements each have a socket for inserting a contact pin. Alternatively or additionally, the plug contact elements preferably each have a solder connection (already described above) or a flat surface for soldering an electrical conductor (or a stranded wire).

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also alone or in other combinations, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The statements made above or below regarding the embodiments of the first aspect also apply to the further independent aspects mentioned above and in particular to related preferred embodiments. In particular, the statements made above and below regarding the embodiments of the other independent aspects also apply to an independent aspect of the present invention and to related preferred embodiments.

Individual embodiments for solving the problem are described below using the figures as examples. Some of the individual embodiments described have features that are not absolutely necessary to carry out the claimed subject matter, but which provide desired properties in certain applications. Embodiments that do not have all the features of the embodiments described below should also be viewed as falling under the technical teaching described. Furthermore, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, certain features are only mentioned in relation to individual embodiments described below. It should be noted that the individual embodiments should therefore not only be viewed individually, but also in conjunction. Based on this overview, the person skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments can also be modified by incorporating individual or multiple features of other embodiments. It is noted that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments with one or more features described in relation to other embodiments may be desirable and useful and should therefore be considered and included in the description.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1a shows a schematic drawing of a contact element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view;
• 1b shows a schematic drawing of the contact element of 1 in another perspective view;
• 1c shows a schematic drawing of a contact element according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view;
• 2a shows a schematic drawing of a contact element system according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• 2 B shows an enlarged section of adaptation structures of a first contact element pair of the contact element system 2a ;
• 2c shows an enlarged section of adaptation structures of a second contact element pair of the contact element system 2a ;
• 2d shows an equivalent circuit diagram for a pair of contact elements arranged in parallel;
• 3a shows a measurement result of the impedance as a function of time for differential contact element pairs without matching structures;
• 3b shows a measurement result for the impedance as a function of time for differential contact element pairs with matching structures;
• 4a shows a schematic drawing of a contact element system according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• 4b shows a schematic drawing of the contact element system from 4a with an insulating element on the plug side;
• 5 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view;
• 6a shows a schematic drawing of the connector from 5 in a front view;
• 6b shows a schematic drawing of a section of the connector from 5 in a perspective rear view.

Detailed description of the drawings

The location information chosen in this description, such as: B. top, bottom, side, etc. are each related to the figure directly described and shown and are to be transferred accordingly to the new position when the position changes.

The 1 shows a schematic drawing of a contact element 10a according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view. The contact element 10a is designed for use in a plug connector and has a cylindrical conductive contact element body 1. At least one adaptation element or an adaptation structure 5 is formed on the contact element body 1 at a first end section E1 of the contact element 10a. Like in the 1 As can be seen, this adaptation structure 5 represents a local thickening and/or casing of the contact element body 1. The adaptation structure 5 is designed and provided for electrical properties of the contact element 10a and/or a plug connector in which the contact element can be arranged by modifying the adaptation structure 5 to adapt and/or adjust.

In the example shown the 1a the adaptation structure 5 of the contact element 10a has already been modified. For this purpose, material was removed from a radial side of the cylindrical or annular adaptation structure 5 in such a way that a substantially flat surface F1 was formed.

At the axial end section E1, the contact element 10a also has a contact pin or contact pin 2, which is inserted into a complementary socket 6 (see 1c ) can be introduced to establish an electrical connection with another contact element 10b (see 1c ). As in 1a As can be seen, the adaptation structure 5 is formed directly on the contact pin 2 of the contact element 10a. The contact pin 2 is designed as a tapered end portion of the contact element body 1a and has a contact tip at its axial end.

At a second axial end section E2 (also referred to as a soldering end section in the context of this description) of the contact element 10a is a soldering connection or a soldering contour 8 for soldering an electrical conductor to the conductive contact element body 1a. The solder connection 8 is formed as a flat surface (or surface) F2 of the contact element body 1a. As especially in the perspective view of the 1b can be seen, the axial end section E2 of the contact element body 1a is flattened so that it has a substantially flat surface (or surface) for placing and soldering an electrical conductor. Like the flat surface F1 of the adaptation structure 5, the flat surface F2 of the solder connection 8 can also be produced by material removal, in particular by milling, grinding, cutting, butting and/or by laser ablation of the end section E2 of the contact element body 1a.

An electrical conductor, such as a strand of a cable, can be soldered to the flat surface F2 of the second end portion E2 using solder, thereby producing a mechanical and electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the contact element 10a. The axial soldering end section E2 of the contact element 10a has the shape and/or geometry of a mass iven half cylinder (or flattened solid cylinder). An electrical conductor can thus be placed and soldered onto the axial end section E2 coming from a variety of directions (or from several sides, for example from the front, from the right and/or from the left). As already explained above, such a flat soldering surface significantly facilitates the soldering of a corresponding number of electrical conductors or strands, particularly in the case of a plug connector which has a large number of contact elements 10a.

der ersten ebenen Fläche F1 entgegengesetzt zu einem Normalenvektor bzw. einer Richtung $\overrightarrow{R_2}$

der zweiten ebenen Fläche F2 ausgerichtet ist. Wie bereits weiter oben beschrieben, hat eine solche Konfiguration den Vorteil, dass bei einem parallelen Anordnen zweier Kontaktelemente 10a (wie z.B. in der 2a dargestellt) mittels der Anpassungsstrukturen 5 an den ersten axialen Endabschnitten E1 der Kontaktelemente 10a elektrische Eigenschaften der Kontaktelemente 10a bzw. des Kontaktelementpaares eingestellt werden können, während an den zweiten Endabschnitten E2 der Kontaktelemente 10a unabhängig vom bzw. trotz dem Anlöten von Litzen eines oder mehrerer Kabel ein ganz bestimmter vordefinierter Abstand D (siehe auch 6b) zwischen den zweiten Endabschnitten E2 der Kontaktelemente 10a eingehalten werden kann. Denn vorteilhafterweise wird dieser Abstand D bei einer solchen Konfiguration nicht durch das Anbringen von Lötmittel beeinflusst.Like from the 1a and 1b As can be seen, the contact element 10a or the contact element body 1a has an adaptation structure 5 with a first flat surface F1 and a soldering contour or a soldering connection 8 with a second flat surface F2. The first flat surface F1 is formed on the first axial end section E1 of the contact element 10a or contact element body 1a, while the second flat surface F2 is formed on the second axial end section E2. Both flat surfaces F1 and F2 extend parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the contact element body 1a. The first flat surface F1 and the second flat surface F2 are formed on opposite radial sides of the cylindrical contact element body 1a, ie the first flat surface F1 faces away from the second flat surface F2. Like in the 1a and 1b indicated, the flat surfaces F1 and F2 are arranged and / or designed in such a way that a normal vector or a direction $\overrightarrow{R_1}$

the first flat surface F1 opposite to a normal vector or a direction $\stackrel{}{R_{}}$$\overrightarrow{{}_2}$

the second flat surface F2 is aligned. As already described above, such a configuration has the advantage that when two contact elements 10a are arranged in parallel (as for example in the 2a shown) by means of the adaptation structures 5 on the first axial end sections E1 of the contact elements 10a, electrical properties of the contact elements 10a or the pair of contact elements can be adjusted, while on the second end sections E2 of the contact elements 10a independently of or despite the soldering of strands of one or more cables a very specific predefined distance D (see also 6b) between the second end sections E2 of the contact elements 10a can be maintained. Advantageously, in such a configuration, this distance D is not influenced by the application of solder.

The 1c shows a schematic drawing of a contact element 10b according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view. Compared to that in the 1a and 1b 10a and 10b shown, the end section E2 of the contact element body 1b of the contact element 10b is designed as a socket 6. In other words, the contact element body 1b has an opening or a slot. By inserting and/or plugging in the contact pin 2 of the 1a and 1b shown contact element 10a into the socket 6 of the contact element 10b, an electrical and / or mechanical connection can be established between the contact elements 10a and 10b. The contact element 10 also has a contact pin 3, which is formed by the adaptation structure 5 or is integrated into it. The contact pin 3 is used to electrically contact contacts on a circuit board. In particular, the contact elements 10b can be soldered to the circuit board using the contact pins 3, in particular by SMD soldering.

How further from the 1a until 1c As can be seen, the adaptation structure 5 is designed such that the size A of a flat surface F1 resulting from material removal (eg milling or cutting) of the adaptation structure 5 depends on a removal depth. The size of the area F1 can thus be determined by the amount of material that is removed from the adaptation structure. In this way, the surface F1 and thus also electrical properties of the contact element (such as a capacitance or an impedance), in particular in connection with at least one further contact element arranged parallel to the contact element, can be adapted and/or adjusted.

The 2a shows a schematic drawing of a contact element system 50 (here, for example, a “SuperSpeed transmitter differential pair” for a “USB 3.1 - Socket and Plug” circular connector) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The contact element system 50 of 2a comprises two contact elements 10b arranged parallel to one another, which can be arranged in particular in a base element (here the female part) of a plug connector, and two contact elements 10a arranged parallel to one another, which can be arranged in particular in a plug element (ie the male part) of the plug connector. Like in the 2a shown, the contact pins 2 of the plug contact elements 10a are inserted into the sockets 6 of the socket contact elements 10b. An electrical conductor or a strand 13 of a cable 18 is soldered to the flat surfaces of the soldering end sections E2 of the plug contact elements 10a. In this assembled or plugged-together state, the two contact elements 10a are arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the first flat surfaces F1 of the adaptation structures 5 face each other, while the second flat surfaces F2 (ie the flat surfaces through the Endab Sections E2 formed solder connections) of the two contact elements 10a are facing away from each other.

The 2 B shows an enlarged section of the adaptation structures 5 of the socket contact element pair (comprising two socket contact elements 10b arranged parallel to one another) of the contact element system 50 from 2a .

The 2c shows an enlarged section of the adaptation structures 5 of the plug contact element pair (comprising two plug contact elements 10a arranged parallel to one another) of the contact element system 50 from 2a . As in 2 B indicated, the flat surfaces F1 of the modified adaptation structures 5 are spaced apart by a distance d.

The 2d shows a waveguide equivalent circuit diagram for a pair of contact elements arranged in parallel or one above the other, as in each case 2a until 2c shown as an example. The contact element pair can be, for example, a differential contact element pair. The impedance Z is as follows: $$Z=\sqrt{\frac{R\text{'}+i\omega L\text{'}}{G+i\omega C\text{'}}}.$$

L' denotes an inductance layer, C' a capacitance layer, R' a resistance layer, G' a transverse conductor layer, and ω = 2πf the angular frequency of the alternating current. At a frequency of several megahertz and above, and thus ωL'>>R' and ωC'>>G', the following applies in simple terms: $$Z=\sqrt{\frac{L\text{'}}{C\text{'}}}.$$

The impedance Z is therefore dependent on the capacitance or the capacitance C' at a constant L'.

With the help of the 2 B and 2c Using the modified adaptation structures 5 of the contact elements 10a and 10b shown enlarged, the capacity of a pair of contact elements can be adjusted in particular via the size A of the area F1. The following applies to the capacity C: $$C=\frac{\epsilon \cdot A}{d}$$

Here ε denotes the dielectric constant. The capacity therefore depends on the size A of the area F1 and the distance d. The size A can be adjusted by modifying the adaptation structure 5 of the contact elements 10a and 10b. At a predetermined distance d, the capacity C can be adjusted by modifying the adaptation structure 5 of the contact elements 10a or 10b. In particular, the capacity C can be increased by flattening the adaptation structure 5 and thus increasing the area F1 or A.

A particular challenge with connectors is to achieve the most constant impedance possible, which is at least within certain tolerance limits. For example, a desired or permissible impedance range can be between 80 Ω and 100 Ω. In the 3a a measurement result of the impedance as a function of time for differential standard contact element pairs without matching structures is shown, while in the 3b the corresponding measurement result for differential contact element pairs with adaptation structures according to the invention is shown. As can be seen from the diagrams, the measured impedances of the standard contact element pairs are sometimes outside the tolerance limits specified above (see the diagram of 3a) , while the measured impedances for the contact element pairs with modified matching structures and thus adapted or optimally set capacitances lie within the tolerance limits specified above (see the diagram of 3b) . By adapting or modifying the adaptation structures 5 according to the invention, a significant improvement in the electrical properties of the contact elements or contact element pairs can be achieved.

The 4a shows a schematic drawing of a contact element system 50 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The contact element system 50 includes a first contact element system 50a and a second contact element system 50b. The contact element system 50a comprises a plurality of contact elements 10a (see also the 1a and 1b) , while the contact element system 50b has a plurality of contact elements 10b (see also the 1c ). A corresponding number of cables 18 are guided through a cable guide element 16, and the strands of these cables are soldered to the solder connections 8 of the contact elements 10a. Furthermore, the contact pins 2 of the contact elements 10a are inserted or plugged into the sockets 6 of the contact elements 10b.

The 4b shows a schematic drawing of the contact element system 50 from 4a , wherein the plug contact elements 10b are at least partially surrounded by a plug insulating element 20. A corresponding socket insulating element (in the 4b not shown) in particular also surrounds the socket contact elements 10a. For better visualization, such a socket insulating element is in the 4b however omitted.

The 5 shows a schematic drawing of a connector 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a perspective side view. The connector 100, which in the embodiment shown represents a circular connector (in particular a USB 3.1 circular connector), includes, as in the 4a and 4b shown, a contact element system 50 with a plurality of contact elements 10a (in 5 not recognizable) and 10b. The connector 100 has a connector plug 30 with a first contact element system 50a, the contact elements 10a (in 5 not recognizable) each has a contact pin 2, which can be inserted into one of the contact sockets 6 (see in particular the 1a until 1c ). Furthermore, the plug connector 100 has a plug connector base 40 with a second contact element system 50b, the contact elements 10b of which each have a contact socket 6 for receiving one of the contact pins 2 of the contact elements 10a. This in 5 Element 30 shown represents a connector plug or a plug housing, while the element 40 represents a connector socket or a socket housing. When the connector 100 is assembled or plugged together, a contact pin 2 of the contact elements 10a of the first contact element system is inserted into a contact socket 6 of the contact elements 10b of the second contact element system.

In particular, the connector plug has a plug contact element system 50a with a plurality of contact elements 10a, a plug insulating element 20 for insulating the plug contact elements 10a, and a plug housing 30 which contains the plug insulating element 20 and thus also the plug contact elements 10a surrounds. Accordingly, the connector base in particular has a base contact element system 50b with a plurality of base contact elements 10b, a base insulating element for insulating the base contact elements 10b, and a base housing 40, which contains the base insulating element and thus also the base Contact elements 10b surrounds.

The connector base 40 also has four drilling or screw holes in order to attach the connector base to a circuit board (not shown in the figures) with screws, preferably in such a way that the base contact elements 10b with associated contacts the circuit board are electrically connected.

The 6a shows a schematic drawing of the connector 100 from 5 in a front view. In this view it is clear that the connector 100 or the contact element system 50 arranged in the connector 100 includes both unmodified contact elements (ie contact elements with an unmodified adaptation structure) and modified contact elements (ie contact elements with a modified adaptation structure). In particular, the contact element system 50 comprises at least two contact elements with differently modified adaptation structures 5. Two contact elements 10b arranged one above the other or next to one another, each of which has a modified adaptation structure, form a differential contact element pair 15 (“differential pair”).

Like in the 6a recognizable, the connector or the contact element system 50 comprises four unmodified contact elements, each with an unmodified adaptation structure, and six modified contact elements, each with a modified adaptation structure. The modified adaptation structures of the six modified contact elements each have a flat surface. The six modified contact elements include three contact element pairs 15 (in particular “differential pairs”), each with two modified contact elements, the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair 15 being arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the flat surfaces of the adaptation structures of the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair 15 are facing each other. Two modified contact elements of a first contact element pair of the three contact element pairs are also arranged rotated by 90° relative to each of the remaining modified contact elements of the other two contact element pairs with respect to the flat surfaces. The four unmodified contact elements are arranged in such a way that their adaptation structures form the corners of a rectangle.

The 6b shows a schematic drawing of a section of the connector from 5 in a perspective rear view. In this rear view, the end sections E2 or the solder connections 8 of the plug contact elements 10a (see also the 1a and 1b) to see. For reasons of presentation, in the 6b Only two of the ten connected cables 18 are shown, while the remaining eight cables are hidden. Thus, above all, those in the connector 100 or its plug-in element system 50 are the 5 , 6a and 6b existing three contact element pairs 15, which are in particular differential contact element pairs, are easier to see. The two modified contact elements 10a of each pair of contact elements 15 each have a predetermined distance D at the end sections E2 or the solder connections 8. By arranging the contact elements 10a in such a way that In the case of the contact element pairs 15, the flat soldering surfaces 8 of the two contact elements involved are facing away from each other, it can advantageously be ensured that the distance D always remains the same regardless of the solder introduced when soldering the strands. This advantageously ensures electrical properties that are as constant as possible, such as a capacitance and/or impedance of the plug connector 100 or the contact element system 50 arranged in the plug connector 100 that is as constant as possible.

Reference symbol list

1a, 1b

Contact element body

2

Contact pin (contact pin)

3

Contact pin

5

Adjustment element (adjustment structure)

6

Rifle

8th

Solder contour (solder connection)

10a, 10b

Contact element

13

stranded wire (electrical conductor)

15

(differential) contact element pair

16

Cable guide element

18

Cable

20

Insulating element

30

Connector (housing)

40

Base (housing)

42

Drill hole (screw hole)

50

Contact element system

100

Connectors

A

Area / surface area

d

Distance

D

Distance

E1

(first) axial end section

E2

(second) axial end section

F1

first flat surface

F2

second flat surface

L

Longitudinal axis

R1

first direction

R2

second direction

Claims (15)

Contact element (10a; 10b) for a plug connector (100), comprising a conductive contact element body (1a; 1b), characterized in that the contact element body (1a; 1b) has at least one adaptation structure (5) which is designed and provided with electrical properties to adapt and/or adjust the contact element (10a; 10b) and/or the plug connector (100) by modifying the adaptation structure (5). Contact element (1 0a; 10b). Claim 1 , wherein the modification of the adaptation structure (5) comprises material removal from the adaptation structure (5), and/or wherein the adaptation structure (5) is designed such that the size of a flat surface (F1) resulting from material removal from the adaptation structure (5) is of depends on a removal depth. Contact element (10a; 10b). Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the adaptation structure (5) is formed on an axial end section (E1) of the contact element body (1a; 1b). Contact element (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation structure (5) is formed on a contact pin (2; 3) of the contact element body (1a; 1b). Contact element (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation structure (5) has a substantially flat surface (F1) which preferably extends parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the contact element body (1a; 1b). Contact element (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation structure (5) is formed on a first axial end section (E1) of the contact element body (1a), and wherein the contact element body (1a) further has a solder connection (8) which is formed on a second axial end portion (E2) of the contact element body (1a). Contact element (10b) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the adaptation structure (5) is formed on a first axial end section (E1) of the contact element body (1a), and wherein the contact element body (1b) further has a socket (6) for inserting a contact pin (2), the socket (6) is formed on a second axial end section (E2) of the contact element body (1b). Contact element system (50) for a plug connector (100), comprising at least: - a first contact element (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, and - a second contact element (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation structure (5 ) of the first contact element (10a; 10b) and the adaptation structure (5) of the second contact element (10a; 10b) are designed and provided, electrical properties of the contact element system (50) and / or the plug connector (100) by modifying the adaptation structure (5 ) of the first contact element (10a; 10b) and / or the adaptation structure (5) of the second contact element (10a; 10b) to adapt and / or adjust. Contact element system (50). Claim 8 , wherein the adaptation structure (5) of the first contact element (10a; 10b) and the adaptation structure (5) of the second contact element (10a; 10b) each have a substantially flat surface (F1), and wherein the first contact element (10a; 10b) and the second contact element (10a; 10b) are arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the flat surface (F1) of the adaptation structure (5) of the first contact element (10a; 10b) and the flat surface (F1) of the adaptation structure (5) of the second contact element (10a; 10b) face each other. Contact element system (50). Claim 8 or 9 , wherein the contact element system (50) comprises at least one unmodified contact element with an unmodified adaptation structure and at least one modified contact element with a modified adaptation structure; and/or wherein the contact element system (50) comprises at least two contact elements (10a; 10b) with differently modified adaptation structures (5). Contact element system (50) according to one of the Claims 8 until 10 , wherein the contact element system (50) comprises four unmodified contact elements, each with an unmodified adaptation structure, and six modified contact elements, each with a modified adaptation structure. Contact element system (50). Claim 11 , wherein: the modified adaptation structures of the six modified contact elements each have a substantially flat surface (F1); and the six modified contact elements comprise three contact element pairs (15), each with two modified contact elements, the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair (15) being arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the flat surfaces (F1) of the adaptation structures (5) of the two modified contact elements of each contact element pair (15) face each other, and preferably two modified contact elements of a first contact element pair of the three contact element pairs (15) are arranged rotated by 90 ° relative to each of the remaining modified contact elements of the other two contact element pairs with respect to the flat surfaces (F1). Contact element system (50). Claim 11 or 12 , wherein the four unmodified contact elements are arranged such that their adaptation structures (5) form the corners of a rectangle. Connector (100) comprising: - at least one contact element (10a; 10b) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 ; and/or - at least one contact element system (50) according to one of Claims 8 until 13 . Plug connector (100). Claim 14 comprising: - a connector plug with a first contact element system (50a) according to one of Claims 8 until 13 ; and - a connector base with a second contact element system (50b) according to one of Claims 8 until 13 ; wherein the contact elements (10a) of the first contact element system (50a) each have a contact pin (2), and wherein the contact elements (10b) of the second contact element system each have a contact socket (6) complementary to the contact pin (2), with which the contact pin (2) can be connected.

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