EP1160921A2 - Connector for connecting wires to a circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug connector is composed of a casing (10) mounted on a printed circuit board (50), which is equipped with windows (11) at a front, and which serves as contact carrier for receiving contact elements (60). An insert element (20) inserted in an aperture (12) opposite the windows, can be fixed in a first position (I) and a second end position (II). A conductor (40) is clamped between a support surface (21) with an extrusion (22) and a clamping element (30) fastened at the insert element. An end of a wire (41) of the conductor contacts a contact element (60) in the final position, which comprises a contact section projecting from the window, connected with a conductor path (51) of the printed circuit board.

Description

The invention relates to a connector, in particular zero-force connector, for connecting electrical cables to a printed circuit board.

Connectors are for a variety of uses known. They are therefore in a wide variety of embodiments and usually in large quantities, for example in the area of so-called "brown goods", used and subject to their respective use the most diverse requirements. So are in the Usually in addition to simple and inexpensive production, low Height, large holding forces or fully automatic assembly also one Strain relief or reliable contacting. Furthermore are as zero insertion force or ZIF connectors known connectors are known, which must be designed such that none during a plugging or pulling process significant compressive or tensile forces occur.

In connection with printed circuit boards, the design of the Connectors basically between two types of connection differentiate. The direct plug-in, in which a connector is so on a Printed circuit board is inserted that the contact elements of the connector Contact directly with the printed conductor tracks of a printed circuit board be, and the indirect plug, in which one as a two-part Plug connection trained connector is used, one of which Part mounted on the circuit board and the other part on the electrical Line is struck. The present invention primarily aims Plug connector for indirect plugging, but can be minor modifications without further ado also for direct insertion use that in general a special design of the circuit board required.

Under a circuit board or board are within the scope of the present Invention printed circuits with circuit patterns on one or both Sides and multilayer printed circuit boards, so-called multilayer, understood. Such circuit boards are usually with metallized holes Fastening components using solder connections or Provide press-fit connections. The components, for example the one on the Circuit board part of a connector for indirect Plug, have for this purpose contact elements in their PCB-side connection area as contact legs, which in the Bores of the circuit board are inserted, are formed. When soldering, for example by soldering methods such as wave soldering, the Contact legs soldered to the underside of the circuit board, whereas the Press the contact legs into elastically deformable or rigid press-in pins through which the mechanical stress is reduced at the same time solderless electrical connection is established.

This is for the manual assembly of a circuit board with components Push-through technology that is regularly suitable requires a great deal Space for the connections, so that meanwhile the SMT technology is increasing (Surface Mounted Technology) is used where surface-mountable components, generally as SMD (Surface Mounted Devices), with solderable contact elements directly on Junctions, so-called solder pads, on the surface of the PCB can be applied. The solder pads usually consist of one defined solder layer and are made by heating the entire Unit, that is, printed circuit board equipped with the components, soldered. In addition to the electrical contacting, this also takes place mechanical attachment without the need to close the circuit board pierce. In this way, not only shorter ones Assembly times but also significantly higher packing densities on the Printed circuit board and thus a commonly sought miniaturization to reach.

In the prior art, there are connectors for connecting electrical Lines known to a circuit board, the one made of plastic or metal have existing housing that primarily mechanical Protection of the components of a connector and security against touching electrical parts. Depending on the design, this can Housing also for other functions, such as one Locking, polarization, coding, electrical shielding, sealing or a strain relief. As electrical lines both one or more cores with, are to be seen Insulating sleeves, a jacket to protect structural elements or Shields for shielding cables, especially flexible Cables, flat cables, hose lines, shielded cables or Coaxial lines, as well as cables that are suitable for fixed installation and a jacket made of plastic or rubber and optionally one have additional metal sheath.

The disadvantage of the known connectors is the relative complex way with which a strain relief is realized. The complicated and unreliable contacting is also unsatisfactory of the electrical lines.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector for connecting electrical lines to a circuit board, with which a reliable strain relief and reliable contacting of the electrical line can be achieved in a comparatively simple manner.

This object is inventively achieved by a connector of the aforementioned type, consisting of a fastenable on the circuit board housing, which is provided on a front side with spaced windows and serves as a contact carrier for receiving contact elements in these areas, and in one of the windows Opposite opening of the insertable plug-in element, which can be locked in a first securing position and a second end position in the housing and has a support surface that positions the electrical line and has a recess, the electrical line between the support surface and one that can be locked in place on the insert element Clamping element, on which at least one projection engaging in the recess is arranged, can be clamped, and the insulation-free end of a wire of the electrical line has a plug-in area of a single contact located in the housing elements contacted in the end position of the insert element inserted into the housing and a connection area of the contact element which can be led out of the windows can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a conductor track of the circuit board.

Such a connector is based on the knowledge that a reliable strain relief can be achieved if one of the Clamping element arranged projection in the recess of the Insert element engages. Because in this way the between the Insert element and the clamping element clamped electrical conductors also pressed into the recess and thereby additionally positively fixed. For reliable contacting of the electrical Line also contributes to the fact that the insertion element is initially in a Secured position in the housing can be locked before it by another Insert in the end position in the housing, in which the Contact elements are contacted. Because the contacting is only at already inserted insert element and housing takes place in addition to targeted and constant contacting of the Contact elements also an effective protection against accidental contact if necessary, already live with the contact electrical line ensured.

To comfortably connect the electrical cable on the contact surface of the To be able to position the insertion element, it is expedient that Insert element and the clamping element as separate components or to connect with each other via a film hinge. Is useful in addition, the insert element on both sides of the support surface To provide guide surfaces for the electrical line. A precise one The electrical cable can be positioned on the support surface thereby guarantee. For this purpose, it is also advantageous if the insert element has at least one cam which is form-fitting engages in a recess of the electrical line. This allows especially the location of the free end of the electrical line on the Define the insert element exactly, so that the impression of the electrical Lead into the recess through the projection without affecting the Positioning of the electrical line on the contact surface remains. The river Oder the cams can either be on the guide surfaces or on a be placed anywhere on the support surface. The latter is in Generally, however, only if the loss of one or to implement multiple wires.

Advantageously, the insertion element is in the direction of insertion provided first and second locking lugs arranged one behind the other on a correspondingly designed fastening section of the housing for locking the insert element in the securing position and End position can be determined. This makes it structurally simple and thus an inexpensive embodiment. Has proven to be advantageous also highlighted the mounting section perpendicular to To form the insertion direction of the insert element resiliently. Because of that the flexibility of the fastening section can be achieved Insert the insert element into the housing almost without resistance and thus form a zero force connector.

According to a particularly advantageous development of the invention Connector is the clamping element at its front in the direction of insertion End face with an oblique ramp surface that is spaced from the Support surface in the end position of the insert element, the plug-in area of a contact element on the associated insulation-free wires electrical line. This training ensures that on the one hand the contacting of the contact elements exclusively in the End position of the insert element takes place and on the other hand the insulation-free wires of the electrical line can be contacted reliably.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the connector alternatively or additionally, the contact surface with the free end of the electrical line receiving slot may be provided, in which End position of the insert element of the plug area of a contact element the associated insulation-free wire of the electrical line in the area of Slot contacted. In this embodiment, the slot is on simple way an exact location of the contact surface between the insulation-free wires of the electrical line and the contact elements defined and thus favors a reliable contact. In Training of the connector is also proposed on the Clamping element facing away from the insert element Provide a stop for the electrical line through the slot. Such further training allows a contact game between adjust the contact elements and the electrical cable. By doing namely the length of the section of the electrical cable is dimensioned so that the insulation-free wires the electrical line through the free end of the electrical line in the area of the slot slightly from the Lift off the contact surface, the distance to the contact elements can vary become.

With regard to a reliable strain relief and a secure form fit it is favorable if depending on the electrical used in each case Conduct the projection a rectangular, triangular or cross section has a rounded shape. The recess of the insert element can adapted to the respective application also different be formed, for example as a continuous opening or trough-shaped recess. The contact elements are expedient formed in their plug-in area as a resilient fork contact, the one in essential hook-shaped contact holder for locking in the housing having. This enables secure attachment with simple assembly the contact elements in the housing, even if the Connection area of the contact elements through the contact surface on the electrical line is depressed. It is useful if the Contact elements in their plug area have a leg that with is provided with a curvature which corresponds to a in the end position trained recess snaps into place. Such Design offers the advantage that an additional one Locking of the insert element in the housing and on the other reaching the end position in both acoustic and haptic Terms is displayed. The curvature can be both convex and be concave on the leg. In the latter case, the Recess a correspondingly shaped projection on the Insert element to be provided.

Depending on the application, it is also useful to put the contact elements in their connection area with straight or angled contact legs provided, which are pressed into the circuit board or soldered to it with such a standing or lying connector ensure a permanent electrical connection to the circuit board. Finally, it is proposed to design the housing as an insulating body, so that additional means to isolate the individual contact elements, become dispensable.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines mit einer Flachleitung verbundenen Steckverbinders in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 1a

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 1b

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders in einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines mit einer Flachleitung verbundenen Steckverbinders in einer vierten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2a

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines mit einer Flachleitung verbundenen Steckverbinders in einer fünften Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des auf einer Leiterplatte angeordneten Steckverbinders nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 3a

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht des auf einer Leiterplatte angeordneten Steckverbinders nach Fig. 2a;

Fig. 4a

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders nach Fig. 4;

Fig. 4b

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Einschubelements des Steckverbinders nach Fig. 4;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung einer ersten Variante eines auf einem Einschubelement festgelegten Klemmelements im Bereich eines in eine Ausnehmung eingreifenden Vorsprungs;

Fig. 5a

eine Schnittdarstellung einer zweiten Variante nach Fig. 5;

Fig. 5b

eine Schnittdarstellung einer dritten Variante nach Fig. 5;

Fig. 5c

eine Schnittdarstellung einer vierten Variante nach Fig. 5;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Kontaktelements und eines Einschubelements und

Fig. 6a

eine das Kontaktelement und das Einschubelement gemäß Fig. 6 in einem verrasteten Zustand abbildende Schnittdarstellung.

Details and further advantages of the objects of the present invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings show in detail:

Fig. 1

an exploded view of a connector connected to a flat cable in a first embodiment;

Fig. 1a

a perspective view of a connector in a second embodiment;

Fig. 1b

a perspective view of a connector in a third embodiment;

Fig. 2

an exploded view of a connector connected to a flat cable in a fourth embodiment;

Fig. 2a

an exploded view of a connector connected to a flat cable in a fifth embodiment;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the connector arranged on a circuit board according to FIG. 2;

Fig. 3a

a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 3;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the connector arranged on a circuit board according to Fig. 2a;

Fig. 4a

a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 4;

Fig. 4b

a perspective view of an insertion element of the connector of FIG. 4;

Fig. 5

a sectional view of a first variant of a clamping element fixed on an insertion element in the region of a projection engaging in a recess;

Fig. 5a

a sectional view of a second variant of FIG. 5;

Fig. 5b

a sectional view of a third variant of FIG. 5;

Fig. 5c

a sectional view of a fourth variant of FIG. 5;

Fig. 6

a side view of a contact element and an insertion element and

Fig. 6a

a sectional view depicting the contact element and the insert element according to FIG. 6 in a locked state.

The connector shown in Fig. 1 has an insulating body formed housing 10, which is attachable to a circuit board 50. The housing 10 is spaced apart from one another on one end face Windows 11 and on the opposite side with an opening 12 provided. The interior of the housing 10 is in the area of the windows 11 designed as a contact carrier for receiving contact elements 60, whose connection area is led out of the windows 11 in order to Conductor tracks 51 of the circuit board 50 to be electrically connected. The contact elements 60 are designed as resilient fork contacts and have as a contact holder 61 hook-shaped on its upper leg 62 Projections on the on the window 11 facing portion of the upper inner surface 15 of the housing 10 are locked, as in Fig. 3a and 4a can be seen.

In the opening 12 is an insertion element 20, which has a flat contact surface 21 for a flat cable 40, insertable. Insert element 20 is with a recess extending transversely across the bearing surface 21 22 provided. Guide surfaces are located on both sides of the support surface 21 23 for the flat cable 40 and cams 24, which are on the support surface 21 positioned flat line 40 in recesses 42 present thereon intervene positively. Are on the outside of the guide surfaces 23 two arranged one behind the other in the direction of insertion of the insert element 20 Lugs 25, 26 formed. When inserting insert element 20 in the housing 10, the locking lugs 25, 26 act on both sides of the opening 12 arranged fastening sections 13 together. Through the Latches 25, the insertion element 20 in a first Secured position I locked in the housing 10. The locking lugs 26, however place the insert element 20 in a second end position II on the housing 10 firm. In the end position II, the guide surfaces 23 come orthogonally extending stop surfaces 29 on the outside of the Insert element 20 are arranged to lie on the housing 10, so that a continuous insertion of the insertion element 20 is excluded. The fastening sections 13 are perpendicular to Plug direction of the insert element 20 is resilient, which means the insert element 20 almost without resistance in the Safety position I and end position II can be introduced. The connector therefore represents a zero force or ZIF connector.

On the insertion element 20 is by means of a film hinge 32 Clamping element 30 is arranged pivotably. The clamping element 30 is on its side opposite the film hinge 32 with a Provided locking hook 34, which in the case of the insertion element 20 pivoted clamping element 30 on the film hinge 32nd opposite side of the insert element 20 can be locked in place, around the flat line 40 positioned on the support surface 21 between the Fix insert element 20 and the clamping element 30 by clamping. On the clamping element 30 is formed a projection 31, which at about Insert element 20 pivoted clamping element 30 into the recess 22 engages. The flat line 40 positioned on the support surface 21 becomes hereby also pressed into the recess 22 and into a fold 43 deformed. In this way, high holding forces and a reliable strain relief.

The clamping element 30 is on its front end in the direction of insertion also provided with an inclined ramp 33 which is parallel to the Projection 31 extends and extends over insert element 20 pivoted clamping element 30 spaced from that on the support surface 21 positioned flat line 40 extends. As can also be seen in FIG. 3a, the run-up surface 33 runs when the insertion element 20 is inserted into the Housing 10 shortly before reaching the end position II to one above the Opening 12 of the housing 10 formed insertion slope 14, which the ramp surface 33 between the inner surface 15 and the inside of the Housing 10 located plugging area of the contact elements 60 forces. As a result, the upper leg 62 of the contact elements 60 in the end position II to an associated insulation-free contact area Core 41 of the electrical line 40 is depressed. Thus only takes place in the end position II the electrical contacting of the flat cable 40, whereas effective protection against accidental contact is reached as soon as Secure position I is guaranteed.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 6a, the contact elements 60 instruct a curvature 64 on its lower leg 63. The bottom of the Insert element 20 corresponds to a curvature 64 trained recess 64a provided. The arrangement of the curvature 64 on the leg 63 or the recess 64a on the Insert element 20 is such that in the end position II of the Inserted housing 20 insert 20 a latching Contact elements 60 and insert element 20 takes place, which to a contributes to secure contacting. It is also this way perceptible both acoustically and haptically when the insert element 20 reaches the end position II.

The connector shown in Fig. 1 is a surface mount Component (SMD) trained and therefore within the so-called "pick-and-place technology" processable. 1a and 1b are alternative Embodiments shown in which the connection area of the Contact elements 60 has straight or angled contact legs, which in metallized holes in the circuit board 50 are pressed or plugged in and soldered. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1b the windows 11 additionally extend on the underside of the housing 10 to a grid dimension corresponding to the respective application to be able to provide.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 differs from that 1 only in that the insertion element 20th and the clamping element 30 does not have a film hinge with one another connected, but are formed as separate components. To in this If the clamping element 30 is to be latched on the insertion element 20, the clamping element 30 is provided with recesses 35 into which Insert element 20 correspondingly designed locking hooks 34a on the Insert element 20 arranged clamping element 30 engage, as well 3 and 3a also show such a connector give recognition.

In comparison, the one shown in FIGS. 2a and 4 to 4b is missing another embodiment of a connector, the run-up surface 33. Instead, the contact surface 21 of the insert element 20 is provided with a the free end of the flat cable 40 receiving and thus an accurate Location of the contact surface between the flat line 40 and the Provide contact elements 60 defining slot 27, as special can be clearly seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b. For those through slot 27 Flat line 40 passed through is on the clamping element 30 A stop 28 furthermore faces away from the underside of the insertion element 20 educated. This has the consequence that due to the jamming Locking the flat cable 40 between the insert element 20 and Clamping element 30 depending on the length of the slot 27 section of the flat cable 40 inserted through the insulation-free wires 41 in the area of the slot 27 in the end position II something of the Support surface 21 are lifted and thus a specifically variable Form contact surface for the upper leg 62 of the contact elements 60. Due to the position of the slot 27 on the support surface 21 can be above Furthermore, the contact area is independent of that caused by the interaction the locking lugs 25, 26 fixed with the fastening portions 13 Determine end position. For example, this comes into play if differently trained without changing the housing 10 Contact elements 60, approximately as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, application should find. A universal design of the insert element 20 leaves thus reach each other when several slots 27 in parallel are arranged in the support surface 21.

5 to 5c are finally different possibilities for Design of the projection 31 and the receiving recess 22 shown. With a view to reliable strain relief and safe Form-fit, for example, several projections 31 can be provided, as can be seen in FIGS. 5b and 5c. The projection 31 can over it also be provided with different cross-sectional shapes, for example rectangular as in FIGS. 3a and 4a or triangular as in the aforementioned Characters. In addition, the recess 22 of the insert element 20 also be different and the respective Use case according to, for example, a continuous opening such as 3a, 4a and 5 or a trough-shaped recess as in the 5a to 5c.

The connector described above is particularly suitable to be used as a zero force connector. In addition to one reliable contacting and effective protection against accidental contact the connector is also characterized by high holding forces and a reliable Strain relief. Depending on the design, it is suitable for both conventional push-through technology as well as for the increasingly widespread SMT. Last but not least, it enables the same housing Processing different electrical lines 40 and thus offers also creating jumpers.

Reference list

10th

casing

11

window

12th

opening

13

Fastening section

14

Chamfer

15

Inner surface

16

Insert element

17th

Contact surface

18th

Recess

19th

Leadership area

20th

cam

21

Latch

22

Latch

23

slot

24th

attack

25th

Abutment surface

26

Clamping element

27

head Start

28

Film hinge

33

Ramp area

34

Locking hook

34a

Locking hook

35

Recess

36

Flat cable

37

Vein

38

Recess

39

Fold

40

Circuit board

41

Conductor track

42

Contact element

43

Contact holder

44

upper leg

45

lower leg

46

Bulge

64a

Recess

I.

Securing position

II

End position

Claims (14)

Connectors, especially zero force connectors, for Connecting electrical lines (40) to a printed circuit board (50), Consists of a housing that can be attached to the printed circuit board (50) (10) that on one end with spaced windows (11) is provided and in these areas as a contact carrier for Includes contact elements (60), and one in one Windows (11) opposite opening (12) of the housing (10) insertable insert element (20), which in a first Secured position (I) and a second end position (II) in the housing (10) can be locked and an electrical line (40) is positioned and having a bearing surface (21) provided with a recess (22), wherein the electrical line (40) between the bearing surface (21) and one that can be locked in place on the insertion element (20) Clamping element (30) on which at least one in the recess (22) engaging projection (31) is arranged, can be clamped, and the insulation-free end of a wire (41) of the electrical line (40) a plug-in area of an individual located in the housing (10) Contact element (60) in the end position (II) in the housing (10) inserted insertion element (20) contacted and one of the Windows (11) lead-out connection area of the contact element (60) with a conductor track (51) of the circuit board (50) electrically conductive is connectable. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion element (20) and the clamping element (30) are formed as separate components or are connected to one another via a film hinge (32). Plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion element (20) is provided on both sides of the support surface (21) with guide surfaces (23) for the electrical line (40). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insertion element (20) has at least one cam (24) which engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess (42) in the electrical line (40). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insertion element (20) is provided with first and second locking lugs (25, 26) arranged one behind the other in the plugging direction, which are attached to a correspondingly designed fastening section (13) of the housing (10) Locking the insert element (20) in the securing position (I) and end position (II) can be fixed. Connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening section (13) is designed to be resilient perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the insert element (20). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clamping element (30) is provided on its front end side in the plugging direction with an oblique run-up surface (33) which is spaced apart from the support surface (21) in the end position (II) of the insertion element (20) depresses the plug-in area of a contact element (60) on the associated insulation-free wires (41) of the electrical line (40). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bearing surface (21) is provided with a slot (27) receiving the free end of the electrical line (40), wherein in the end position (II) of the insertion element (20) Plug area of a contact element (60) contacts the associated insulation-free wire (41) of the electrical line (40) in the area of the slot (27). Plug connector according to Claim 8, characterized in that a stop (28) for the electrical line (40) guided through the slot (27) is provided on the underside of the insert element (20) facing away from the clamping element (30). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the projection (31) has a rectangular, triangular or rounded shape in cross section. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact elements (60) are designed in their plug-in area as a resilient fork contact which has an essentially hook-shaped contact holder (61) for locking in the housing (10). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contact elements (60) in their plug-in area have a leg (63) which is provided with a curvature (64) which in the end position (II) in a correspondingly formed recess (64a) engages on the insert element (20). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the contact elements (60) are provided in their connection area with straight or angled contact legs which are pressed into the circuit board (50) or soldered to it. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) is designed as an insulating body.

Images