EP1443612A1 - Electrical connector and electrical or electronic device with an electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector is for attachment to a circuit carrier (12) with electrical or electronic circuit and for connection of electrical leads to the circuit on the carrier and has a housing (24), contact elements (26,28) at least partly arranged in the housing for connection to the leads and to conducting tracks of the circuit carrier and an antenna (16) mounted on or in the housing for electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range. An independent claim is also included for the following: (a) an electrical or electronic unit with a circuit carrier and an inventive device.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for attachment on a circuit board as well as an electrical or an electronic one Assembly with a circuit board, an electrical arranged thereon or electronic circuit and one attached to the circuit board electrical connector.

In many applications, for example in motor vehicles, signals are used wirelessly using electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range transfer. For example, signals for a Immobilizer in the vehicle transmitted wirelessly.

One is often used to receive or send such signals electrical or electronic assembly uses an antenna for receiving and / or sending electromagnetic radiation in the corresponding radio frequency range and, for example, a Circuit for processing signals received by the antenna and / or for feeding the antenna with signal currents depending control signals supplied by the circuit. For feeding the control signals as well as a supply voltage is often on provided the circuit carrier connector provided by whose control signals are supplied from other devices to the circuit can be.

The antenna can in particular by means of plated-through holes corresponding holes with conductor tracks on the circuit carrier electrically connected and mechanically held on the circuit carrier his. To manufacture the assembly, the antenna is used after manufacture of the holes in the circuit carrier inserted into the holes and temporarily on the circuit carrier by means of an appropriate holder held. It can then be used to produce the via for example, a wave soldering process can be carried out. To The temporary holder can then solidify the soldered connection Antenna are removed.

This method of mounting the antenna on the circuit board is however very complex, because on the one hand the mostly relatively small antenna is to be positioned exactly in the holes. The other is the antenna then hold in this position until the soldering process is complete.

The present invention is therefore based on the object simple manufacture of an electrical or electronic assembly with an antenna for electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range and a corresponding electrical or electronic assembly provide.

The task is solved by an electrical connector with the Features of claim 1.

The electrical connector according to the invention for fastening on a Circuit carrier with an electrical or electronic arranged thereon Circuit and for the electrical connection of electrical Lines with the circuit on the circuit carrier comprises a housing, at least partially arranged in the housing, with the electrical Cables connectable contact elements for electrical Connection with conductor tracks of the circuit carrier and one in or on the housing held antenna for electromagnetic radiation in the Radio frequency range.

The task is further solved by an electrical or electronic one Assembly with the features of claim 10.

The electrical or electronic assembly according to the invention comprises a circuit carrier, an electrical or electronic arranged thereon Circuit and a arranged on the circuit carrier, electrical connector according to the invention, wherein at least one electrical or electronic component of the circuit with a connection contact element of the connector is electrically connected.

The circuit carrier can be any carrier for electrical or electronic circuits act on the electrical or electronic components can be attached. In particular can rigid, flexible or rigid-flexible circuit boards with, for example, printed Conductors of common thickness and width are used, however in principle, the use of other conductor tracks is also conceivable.

The electrical or electronic circuit is on the circuit carrier arranged and can in particular electrical or electronic components have, by means of which the antenna in the invention electrical connector can be fed with appropriate antenna currents and / or can process the signals received by the antenna. The components can be at least partially via conductor tracks be electrically connected to one another on the circuit carrier.

The electrical connector according to the invention fulfills two functions.

On the one hand, it serves when it is connected to the circuit carrier, for connecting the circuit to corresponding external lines. He For this purpose, has a housing, in particular on the circuit carrier is immediately, attachable. The type of attachment can basically take place conventionally, in particular corresponding connecting elements can be used for this purpose for a snap, snap or screw connection be provided, in which case corresponding on the circuit carrier complementary elements are provided. However, the housing can can also be glued to the circuit carrier or by means of the connection contact elements be attachable to the circuit carrier.

On the other hand, the electrical connector according to the invention serves as a holder for the antenna for electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range. The antenna can be detachable in or on the housing be held indissolubly. Appropriately, the antenna is in or held on the housing so that when the electrical connector is connected with the circuit carrier not or only slightly relative to that electrical connector that moves after making the connection within given tolerances in a by the location of the Electrical connector predetermined target position is held.

The electrical connector according to the invention thus enables a particularly simple manufacture of an electrical or electronic device according to the invention Assembly. After production of the electrical This connector only needs mechanical with the circuit carrier and to be electrically connected, with separate handling of the connector and the antenna can be omitted. In particular, can due to the positioning of the connection contact elements anyway relative to the circuit carrier required alignment of the electrical Connector to the circuit board at the same time positioning the antenna. For example, should antenna contacts in the following Work steps are contacted, is not a separate bracket the antenna until these contacts are made.

Further developments and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the claims, the description and the drawings.

Basically, the antenna does not need conductor tracks on the circuit board to be connected. However, it is preferred that at least an antenna contact element of the antenna for contacting a conductor track is formed on the circuit carrier. In the case of the invention electrical or electronic assembly is accordingly preferred that at least one antenna contact element of the antenna with a conductor track on the circuit carrier is electrically connected. The The conductor track can be contacted in the same way such as the contacting of the connection contact elements with the conductor tracks, however, another method can be used. In particular the contact can be chosen so that the best possible Impedance matching with respect to a signal processor processing the antenna or the antenna feeding circuit is achieved.

The connection contact elements can in at a contacting end be designed in any way in such a way that it with one of the conductor tracks are connectable. For example, the contacting end as Contact surface or resilient contact section that only corresponds to a corresponding Printed conductor track or contact surface on the circuit carrier will be trained. However, it is particularly preferred that at least one of the connection contact elements has an end section Plated through hole that protrudes from one side of the housing, which faces the circuit carrier when the connector is on the circuit carrier is attached, and that the antenna contact element protrudes from the housing in the same direction as the End portion of the connection contact element. Is particularly preferred then the antenna contact element also for through-plating educated. The end section can in particular be pin-shaped or tongue-shaped be designed for insertion into an opening in the circuit carrier. This formation of the end portions of the terminal contact elements and the antenna contact elements allow particularly simple contacting on a circuit carrier, in particular soldering is made possible by means of wave soldering, so that the soldering in only one Process step can take place.

The antenna can basically be used to send and / or receive electromagnetic radiation of any radio frequencies with a range between about 10 below the radio frequency range MHz and 10 GHz is understood. Here is a range between 1.5 and 2.6 GHz preferred. Particularly preferred for use in motor vehicles are the radio frequencies of 315 released for free use MHz, 433 MHz and / or 868 MHz.

The size of the antenna does not necessarily need half or to correspond to a quarter of the wavelength of the received radiation.

It is preferred that the antenna is designed as a loop antenna. Such loop antennas require little space and are suitable therefore particularly for the electrical connector or the electrical or electronic assembly according to the invention.

It is particularly preferred that the antenna by a wire bracket is formed. For applications in particular in the automotive sector Such a design of the antenna is fully sufficient, but it stands out by a very simple and inexpensive production.

Basically, the antenna can be in any orientation in or be held on the housing. However, it may be appropriate to Align the antenna so that the connector is taken for itself or arranged on the circuit carrier together with this one takes up particularly little space.

It is further preferred that the antenna is relative to the connection contact elements and / or the circuit carrier is arranged such that electromagnetic interactions, especially crosstalk, between the antenna and the connection contact elements or Circuit on the circuit carrier to a minimum are. This is particularly important if the antenna is too Broadcasting is used and a direct coupling of the broadcast electromagnetic radiation in the connection contact elements is possible.

Furthermore, it is preferred that in the housing with a ground line electrically connectable, electrically conductive element for shielding the antenna opposite the connection contact elements and / or electrical and / or electronic components on the circuit carrier is arranged. In this way, interference can effectively affect the Connection contact elements and / or the circuit or the antenna be avoided.

The antenna can basically in or on in any way the housing. In particular, it can, for example, be sent to the Be glued to the housing. However, it is preferred that the housing be through Injection molding is made and the antenna at least partially in it Housing is injected. The antenna is therefore very secure in the injection molded housing kept so that movement of the antenna and in particular of antenna contact elements relative to the housing at normal Handling of the connector according to the invention largely excluded are what the connection of the electrical connector with a circuit carrier much easier.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the antenna is inserted in or on the housing. or is clamped. The housing can do this Have clamp bracket or grooves into which the antenna is pressed or can be pressed. This embodiment of the electrical Connector allows the antenna to be made after the housing is made mechanically connect with this, depending on the method used can greatly simplify the manufacture of the housing.

In this case in particular, it is preferred that at least one connection contact element an end section protruding from the housing has, which in an insertion direction in a bore in the Circuit carrier is insertable, and that at least one in or on the Housing directly attached section of the antenna transverse to the direction of insertion is arranged. The direction of insertion can in particular be given by end sections of the connection contact elements if these are designed for through-plating. By the arrangement a portion of the antenna transverse to the direction of insertion can be a very good transfer of forces to the housing take place that occur when the connector with the antenna is plugged onto a circuit carrier becomes.

In principle, the electrical connector can be designed such that External electrical lines cannot be detached from the connection contact elements are connectable in the electrical connector, with "insoluble" it is understood that to separate the connection tools or for the normal use of untypically large forces and / or temperatures necessary is. In particular, contact ends of the connection contact elements be designed for soldered connections or as insulation displacement terminals. However, it is preferred that the connector is designed as a plug connector is. This embodiment of the electrical connector according to the invention allows easy connection to an electrical connection thus equipped electrical or electronic assembly, wherein depending on the connector type used, especially a detachable one Connection is made possible. For this purpose, the housing can preferably have guide elements have, by means of which a complementary to the connector Connector when plugging together is feasible. About that In addition, the connection contact elements can have corresponding contact ends have, which are in particular from the housing protruding contact tongues or pins can act. However, it is also possible that the contact ends of the connection contact elements as Sockets or sleeves are formed. In this way, the electrical or electronic assembly independent of the wiring manufactured and installed in a vehicle, for example the electrical connections only become easy at a later stage by making a connector with a complementary Connectors can be produced.

The connection contact elements are then preferably provided with a plug contact element connected or formed at one end as a plug contact. In particular, the contact element can be arranged at one end with the contact element Plug contact be formed in one piece. The connection contact elements can be injected into the housing or, if the housing has corresponding channels, pressed or pushed into this his.

The direction of insertion in which a complementary connector with the electrical connector according to the invention can be plugged together, if a particularly flat design of the electrical or electronic Module is desired, especially in parallel to the circuit carrier or one after connection to the circuit carrier parallel to this extending surface of the housing.

In order to put a heavy load on the connection contact elements when Avoid mating with a complementary connector it is preferred that the connector is designed so that the Mating direction in which this with a complementary connector can be plugged together, essentially orthogonal to the circuit carrier or a parallel to this surface of the housing when the Connector is connected to the circuit carrier, is oriented. It can shear forces on the connection of the electrical connector with the circuit carrier or the connection contact elements and, if appropriate avoid the antenna contact elements.

The present invention also relates to processes for the production an electrical or electronic assembly according to the invention in which a circuit carrier with conductor tracks is provided on an electrical or electronic circuit is formed in the circuit carrier is, an electrical connector according to the invention with a antenna for electromagnetic radiation held therein or thereon is produced in the radio frequency range, and the electrical connector is attached to the circuit carrier, with connection contact elements of the connector connected to conductor tracks of the circuit carrier become.

The electrical connector according to the invention and the inventive electrical or electronic assembly are particularly suitable for Applications with very large numbers, for example in the automotive sector.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittansicht einer elektronischen Baugruppe mit einem Steckverbinder nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung entlang der in Fig. 3 durch gestrichelte Pfeile angedeuteten Ebene B,

Fig. 2

eine schematische, teilweise Schnittansicht der elektronischen Baugruppe in Fig. 1 entlang der durch gestrichelte Pfeile angedeuteten Ebene A, und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittansicht durch die elektronische Baugruppe in Fig. 1 entlang der durch gestrichelte Pfeile angedeuteten Ebene C.

The invention will now be further explained by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic sectional view of an electronic assembly with a plug connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention along the plane B indicated by dashed arrows in FIG. 3,

Fig. 2

a schematic, partial sectional view of the electronic assembly in Fig. 1 along the plane indicated by dashed arrows, and

Fig. 3

a schematic sectional view through the electronic assembly in Fig. 1 along the plane C indicated by dashed arrows.

1 to 3 comprises an electronic assembly 10 according to a preferred one Embodiment of the invention a circuit carrier 12, a attached electrical connector 14 with an integrated therein Antenna 16 and an electronic circuit 18th

The circuit carrier 12 is a conventional one Printed circuit board, the holes 20, 20 'for through-plating, i.e. to Includes contact pins, of which only in Fig. 3rd schematically shown conventional conductor tracks 22 and 22 'to the Circuit 18 lead. These conductor tracks 22 and 22 'can one or be formed on both sides of the circuit carrier 12.

Circuit 18 can be a central control circuit for act a motor vehicle that controls, for example, an immobilizer. For this purpose, it has a circuit section with which antenna currents in the radio frequency range, depending on the embodiment in the range of 315 MHz, 433 MHz or 868 MHz, or corresponding currents can be processed by the antenna 16.

The connector 14 includes a housing 24 and six held therein first connection contact elements 26, six to the first contact elements 26 offset second connection contact elements 28 and Antenna 16.

The housing 24, which is essentially cuboid in the example, is made of one insulating plastic manufactured by injection molding. One below surface of the housing 24 referred to as underside 30 on the circuit carrier 12 when the housing 24 on the Schalturigträger 12 is attached. Furthermore, the housing 24 comprises one to the underside 30 adjacent side surface, hereinafter referred to as the connector side 32 is referred to, a circumferential collar 34, the one Guide and reception for a corresponding part of one in the figures not shown, connected to external lines or cables, complementary connector forms, so in one direction parallel to the underside 30 or the circuit carrier 12 in the connector 14 is pluggable.

Furthermore, latching elements are not shown on the housing 24 in the figures formed by means of which the connector 14 also in complementary locking elements not shown in the figures on the Printed circuit board 12 is connectable.

The first connection contact elements injected into the housing 24 26 and second connection contact elements 28 are the same in each case Distances from each other and arranged parallel to each other.

The connection contact elements 26 or 28 are essentially L-shaped (see FIG. 2) and point one each running essentially parallel to the underside 30 Plug contact section 36 and 38 on the inside of the collar 34 in Plug direction protrudes from the housing 24 and at its end as Plug contact tongue is formed.

The kinked relative to the plug contact sections 36 and 38 Legs 40 and 42 of the first and second connection contact elements 26 and 28 run essentially orthogonally to the underside 30 and thus to the printed circuit board 12. They are each in a linear end section 44 and 46 formed as contact pins through the holes 22 in the circuit board 12 in an insertion direction parallel to the Longitudinal direction of the end sections 44 or 46 or the bores 20 can be introduced.

The first and second contact elements 26 and 28 are so against each other staggered that the plug contact sections 36 and 38 offset in a direction orthogonal to the bottom 30 and on the other hand, the legs 40 and 42 in a direction parallel to that Bottom 30 are arranged offset. This results in a compact design, the greatest possible distance between the plug contact sections 36 and 38 or legs 40 and 42.

Furthermore, the antenna 16 is injected into the housing 24, at which it is a loop antenna formed from a wire bracket. The ends of antenna 16, i.e. of the wire bracket, form antenna contact elements in the form of contact pins 48 which are parallel to the end sections 44 and 46 of the first and second connection contact elements 26 or 28 in the insertion direction also in corresponding bores 20 'can be inserted into the circuit carrier 12. The conductor tracks 22 ' are designed so that an impedance match between the electronic circuit 18 and the antenna 16 is reached.

To manufacture the electronic assembly 10, the first and second connection contact elements 26 and 28 and the antenna 16 produced by injection molding the connector 14.

Furthermore, the circuit carrier 12 with the conductor tracks 22 and 22 ' and corresponding holes and arranged on it, but still not soldered components of the electrical circuit 18 provided.

In a subsequent step, the connector 14 with the first and second connection contact elements 26 and 28 and the antenna 16 with a snap connection to the circuit carrier 12 attached, the end portions 44 and 46 and the antenna contact elements 48 in the corresponding holes 20 and 20 'in the Printed circuit board 12 are introduced. Afterwards, for example, soldering the contacts and the components on the circuit carrier 12 done by wave soldering.

In another preferred embodiment, the antenna is in shape of a wire bracket is not injected into the housing, but pressed in. For this purpose, the housing has a U-shaped groove in one side surface, the central portion of the "U" parallel to the bottom 30 of the housing runs. The antenna 16 is pressed into the U-shaped groove, whereby the antenna contact elements of the antenna parallel to the end sections the connection contact elements protrude from the underside 30.

The U-shaped groove can in particular on an end face of the housing 24 be formed, which is orthogonal to the connector side 32 and Bottom 30 runs.

The electronic assemblies described can easily be in one Motor vehicle used and by establishing a plug contact connection be connected to parts of the vehicle electrical system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

electronic assembly

12

circuit board

14

Connectors

16

antenna

18

electronic switch

20, 20 '

drilling

22, 22 '

conductor tracks

24

casing

26

first connection contact elements

28

second connection contact elements

30

bottom

32

plug side

34

collar

36

Plug contact portions

38

Plug contact portions

40

leg

42

leg

44

end

46

end

48

contact pins

Claims (11)

Electrical connector for attachment to a circuit carrier (12) with an electrical or electronic circuit (18) arranged thereon and for the electrical connection of electrical lines to the circuit (18) on the circuit carrier (12), with a housing (24),
Connection contact elements (26, 28), which are arranged at least partially in the housing (24) and can be connected to the electrical lines, for the electrical connection to conductor tracks (22, 22 ') of the circuit carrier (12) and
an antenna (16) held in or on the housing (24) for electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range. An electrical connector according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one antenna contact element (48) of the antenna (16) is designed for contacting a conductor track (22 ') on the circuit carrier (12). An electrical connector according to claim 2,
characterized in that at least one of the connection contact elements (26, 28) has an end section (44, 46) for through-plating, which protrudes from a side of the housing (24) which faces the circuit carrier (12) when the electrical connector (14 ) is attached to the circuit carrier (12), and
that the antenna contact element (48) protrudes from the housing (24) in the same direction as the end section (44, 46) of the connection contact element (26, 28). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the antenna (16) is designed as a loop antenna. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the antenna (16) is formed by a wire bracket. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the housing (24) is made by injection molding and
the antenna (16) is at least partially injected into the housing (24). Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the antenna (16) is clamped in or on the housing (24). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one connection contact element (26, 28) has an end section (44, 46) which projects out of the housing (24) and can be inserted into a bore (22) in the circuit carrier (12) in an insertion direction, and
that at least one section of the antenna (16) directly fastened in or on the housing (24) is arranged transversely to the insertion direction. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the electrical connector is designed as a plug connector (14). Electrical or electronic assembly with a circuit carrier (12), an electrical or electronic arranged thereon Circuit (18) and one arranged on the circuit carrier (12) electrical connector (14) according to one of the preceding Claims where at least one electrical or electronic Component of the circuit (18) with a connection contact element (26, 28) of the electrical connector (14) electrically connected is. Electrical or electronic assembly according to claim 10,
characterized in that at least one antenna contact element (48) of the antenna (16) is electrically connected to a conductor track (22 ') on the circuit carrier (12).

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