EP2339701A2 - Circuit board connector with locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (1) has connector portions (2,3) whose respective base surfaces (4,6) are fixed on printed boards (100,200). The locking elements (7) are provided with locking arms (51,52,71,72) in one integral molding that respectively feature a locking surface (55,56,75,76) on end of locking arm. The locking surfaces of locking elements are arranged such that locking surfaces interengage in locked state.

Description

The invention relates to a printed circuit board connector for parallel printed circuit boards, wherein the printed circuit board connector consists of a first connector part and a second connector part, wherein the first connector part has a first base, which is fixable on a first circuit board, and wherein the second connector part has a second base, which is fixable on a second circuit board, and wherein the first connector part has a first locking element and the second connector part has a second locking element.

Such a device is needed to electrically and mechanically connect two parallel aligned printed circuit boards, each fixed to a connector part, via the circuit board connector and to lock that connection.

State of the art

From the publication EP 1 624 535 B1 a printed circuit board connector for locking parallel aligned printed circuit boards is known. The printed circuit board connector consists of two connectors and has locking means for blocking vertical movement of its cover housing. Furthermore, the circuit board connector unlocking means for releasing a locking of the cover housing.

A drawback in the prior art is that there is no inexpensive manufacturable printed circuit board connector of the type mentioned, which is suitable for unlocking an existing lock between two parallel-aligned printed circuit boards in a simple manner.

task

The invention is therefore based on the object form a printed circuit board connector of the type mentioned in that it allows easy to be carried out unlocking the circuit boards and continue to produce inexpensive.

This object is achieved in that both locking elements each have at least one locking arm, that at least one Anformung each with a locking surface is provided at the end of each locking arm, and that in the locked state, the locking surfaces of the two locking elements are arranged interlocking.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Such a printed circuit board connector allows in a particularly comfortable way the locking and unlocking of two parallel circuit boards.

At least one of the two locking elements consists at least partially of an elastically deformable material. Furthermore, the printed circuit board connector has an unlocking element which is provided for elastically deforming at least one of the two locking elements in order to separate the locking surfaces of the two locking elements from each other. Advantageously, the unlocking element on the first connector part is movable at right angles to the first base surface and captively associated therewith, for example by the unlocking element has unlocking arms which are positively but movably guided through openings provided for this purpose of the first base. By formations at the ends of the Entriegelungsarme the unlocking element is thereby captively connected to the first connector part. Of particular advantage is the fact that no further parts are needed, so that no small parts can be lost.

An essential advantage achieved by the invention is that the respective locking element is elastically deformed only in the locking and unlocking, so is not deformed both in the locked and in the unlocked state and is therefore exposed over a longer period corresponding mechanical stresses. This has an advantageous effect on the life of the locking element according to the respective material.

Another advantage is that assembly and disassembly of the circuit boards take place without additional tools. The locking process and the unlocking process are considerably simplified over the prior art. The PCB connector is inexpensive to manufacture.

It when the locking surfaces of the locking elements are arranged almost parallel to the associated base surfaces is particularly advantageous. The term "almost parallel" means that an angle between the plane of the locking surface and a plane parallel to the associated base surface is not more than 10 °, in particular not more than 5.degree .. The almost parallel alignment of the locking surfaces ensures that On the one hand, the locking elements do not automatically unlock and, on the other hand, they can already be unlocked by means of force components which are small and parallel to the circuit board plane.

These force components are generated by the unlocking element which is moved at right angles to the printed circuit board plane. In this case, the unlocking element is U-shaped. The second locking element consists of an elastically deformable material and is advantageously formed V-shaped. It is furthermore of particular advantage if the second locking element has engagement bevels on its projections, which are intended to cooperate with the unlocking element in the unlocking process. When inserted into the PCB connectors, the unlocking element presses the two locking arms of the second locking element together over these attack slopes. In this case, the V-shape of the second locking element has a particularly advantageous effect, since its two locking arms move toward one another with only little elastic deformation and due to a corresponding lever action with relatively little expenditure of force.

Of particular advantage, it is further that the locking elements are located within the connector and thus protected against mechanical damage and against unintentional unlocking.

The unlocking element is advantageously designed as a user-friendly actuator, which passes through the first base surface and a first printed circuit board fixed thereto through corresponding openings and thus allows easy to be carried out unlocking of the two connector parts. In this way, an unlocking of the fixed to the two bases printed circuit boards from the outside, i. from the side facing away from the connector of the first circuit board, be performed by a simple pushing the unlocking into the connector.

In a further embodiment, the second locking element has a locking arm with two projections. With these projections, the second locking element is formed substantially T-shaped. This is advantageous because the holding forces thereby run parallel to its locking arm. At the same time, the first locking element is made an elastically deformable material, is formed substantially U-shaped and the associated projections are inwardly, ie directed towards each other to lock with the projections of the second locking element. Furthermore, the projections of the first locking element on attack slopes, which are on the one hand intended to cooperate with the second locking element in the locking operation. On the other hand, these attack slopes are also intended to cooperate with the unlocking in the unlocking process as follows: In the locked state, the unlocking engages around the first locking element. In the unlocking process, the attack slopes of the projections of the first locking element by the partial withdrawal of the unlocking of molded thereon unlocking, in particular of associated Entriegelungsschrägen be attacked. The locking arms of the second locking element are thereby pulled apart. Thus, the locking surfaces of the two locking elements are separated from each other and the two connector parts are unlocked from each other.

It is particularly advantageous that the direction of movement of the unlocking coincides in the process of unlocking with the direction of movement of the first connector part in the separation of the second connector part. This greatly improves the handiness of operation, since the direction of movement of the unlocking and the direction of movement of the separation of the connector parts are identical and thus no opposing force components occur.

embodiment

• Fig. 1 a einen Querschnitt eines verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinders
• Fig. 1 b eine 3D-Darstellung des verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinders
• Fig. 2a einen Querschnitt eines ersten Steckverbinderteils
• Fig. 2b eine 3D-Darstellung des ersten Steckverbinderteils
• Fig. 3a einen Querschnitt eines zweiten Steckverbinderteils
• Fig. 3b eine 3D-Darstellung des zweiten Steckverbinderteils
• Fig. 4a eine 3D-Darstellung eines Entriegelungselements und
• Fig. 4b einen Querschnitt des Leiterplattensteckverbinders im Entriegelungsvorgang.

A first embodiment of the invention is the drawing in Fig. 1 a to Fig. 4b shown. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a a cross section of a locked printed circuit board connector
• Fig. 1 b a 3D representation of the locked PCB connector
• Fig. 2a a cross section of a first connector part
• Fig. 2b a 3D representation of the first connector part
• Fig. 3a a cross section of a second connector part
• Fig. 3b a 3D representation of the second connector part
• Fig. 4a a 3D representation of an unlocking and
• Fig. 4b a cross section of the circuit board connector in the unlocking process.

• Fig. 5a einen Querschnitt eines verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinders
• Fig. 5b eine 3D-Darstellung des verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinders
• Fig. 6a eine 3D-Darstellung eines Entriegelungselements und
• Fig. 6b einen Querschnitt des Leiterplattensteckverbinders im Entriegelungsvorgang.

A second embodiment is shown in the drawing in FIG Fig. 5a to Fig. 6b shown. Show it:

• Fig. 5a a cross section of a locked printed circuit board connector
• Fig. 5b a 3D representation of the locked PCB connector
• Fig. 6a a 3D representation of an unlocking and
• Fig. 6b a cross section of the circuit board connector in the unlocking process.

• Die Fig. 1 a zeigt einen verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinder 1 im Querschnitt durch eine Verriegelungsebene. Diese Verriegelungsebene zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass sie weiter unten beschriebene Verriegelungsflächen 55,56,75,76 rechtwinklig schneidet, wodurch der Ver- und Entriegelungsmechanismus des Leiterplattensteckverbinders 1 sichtbar wird. Der Leiterplattensteckverbinder 1 besteht aus einem ersten Steckverbinderteil 2 und einem zweiten Steckverbinderteil 3. Das erste Steckverbinderteil 2 besitzt eine erste Grundfläche 4, mit der es auf einer ersten Leiterplatte 100 fixiert ist.
• Das zweite Steckverbinderteil 2 besitzt eine zweite Grundfläche 6, mit der es auf einer zweiten Leiterplatte 200 fixiert ist. Die beiden Steckverbinderteile 2, 3 sind gegeneinander verriegelt, wodurch ihre Grundflächen 4,6 parallel zueinander ausgerichtet sind, und verbinden somit die daran fixierten, parallel ausgerichteten Leiterplatten 100,200 mechanisch miteinander.

First embodiment:

• The Fig. 1 a shows a locked printed circuit board connector 1 in cross-section through a locking plane. This locking plane is characterized in that it intersects locking surfaces 55,56,75,76 described below at right angles, whereby the locking and unlocking mechanism of the printed circuit board connector 1 is visible. The printed circuit board connector 1 consists of a first connector part 2 and a second connector part 3. The first connector part 2 has a first base 4, with which it is fixed on a first circuit board 100.
• The second connector part 2 has a second base 6, with which it is fixed on a second circuit board 200. The two connector parts 2, 3 are locked against each other, whereby their bases 4,6 are aligned parallel to each other, and thus connect the fixed thereto, parallel aligned printed circuit boards 100,200 mechanically.

The Fig. 1 b represents the locked printed circuit board connector in a three-dimensional view from the outside.

The first connector part 2 is as a single part in cross section through the locking plane in the Fig. 2a and as a three-dimensional representation from the outside in the Fig. 2b shown. The first connector part 2 has a first locking element 5, which is designed in two parts in the form of two separate locking arms 51,52 with associated projections 53,54. Accordingly, the first locking element 5 is not referred to in the drawing as a single part. The second connector part 3 is in a similar manner in the Fig. 3a and in the Fig. 3b shown and has a second locking element 7, which is made in one piece.

Like in the Fig. 2a is shown, the two locking arms 51,52 of the first locking element 5 are aligned parallel to each other and have at their ends the corresponding projections 53,54. The projections 53,54 are inwardly, ie directed towards each other and each having a locking surface 55,56, which is aligned parallel to the first base 4. The first connector part 2 further has two plug-in areas 91,92, which are equipped with contact sockets 93.

This in Fig. 3a illustrated second locking element 7 consists of an elastically deformable material, is substantially V-shaped and accordingly has two locking arms 71,72. At their ends, these locking arms 71,72 each have a Anformung 73,74. These two projections 73, 74 are directed outwards, ie away from one another, and each have a locking surface 75, 76, which is aligned parallel to the second base surface 6. Furthermore, these two projections 73, 74 have attack slopes 77, 78 on a side facing away from their respective locking surface 75, 76. The second connector part further has two plug-in areas 94,95, which are equipped with pins 96.

When locking the two connector parts 2,3 press the projections 53,54 of the two locking arms 51,52 of the first locking element 5, the locking arms 71,72 of the second locking element 7 via its attack slopes 77,78 together. Upon further impressions engage the locking arms 51,52,71,72 of the two locking elements 5,7 with their projections 53,54,73,74 together. In the locked state are then, as already in Fig. 1 a, the locking surfaces 55,56 of the first locking element 5 and the locking surfaces 75,76 of the second locking element 7 arranged opposite to each other.

In Fig. 4a a U-shaped unlocking element 8 is shown in a three-dimensional representation as a single part. This unlocking element 8 has two unlocking arms 81,82, which, as in the Fig. 1 b and Fig. 2b is shown, movably guided through openings provided for the first base 4. At the ends of the Entriegelungsarme 81,82 projections 83,84,85,86 are provided, of which only three projections 83,84,85 are visible in the drawing, while the fourth Anformung 86 covered by the second Entriegelungsarm 82 and in the drawing accordingly not indicated. By these projections 83,84,85,86 the unlocking element 8 is captively connected to the first connector part 2. The unlocking element 8 is part of the first connector part. 2

• Die Fig. 5a und die Fig. 5b zeigen einen verriegelten Leiterplattensteckverbinder 1 ', bestehend aus zwei Steckverbinderteilen 2',3' mit daran fixierten Leiterplatten 100',200'. Die Fig. 5a stellt diese Anordnung als Querschnitt durch eine Verriegelungsebene dar. Die Fig. 5b stellt die Anordnung in einer dreidimensionalen Darstellung von außen dar.

In the Fig. 4b By pushing the unlocking element 8 into the originally locked printed circuit board connector 1, the unlocking arms 81, 82 press against the engaging bevels 77, 78 of the second locking element 7 and elastically bend the locking arms 71, 72 thereof. The locking surfaces 75,76 of the second locking element 7 are thereby separated from the locking surfaces 55,56 of the first locking element and the PCB connector 1 is unlocked. Second embodiment:

• The Fig. 5a and the Fig. 5b show a locked circuit board connector 1 ', consisting of two connector parts 2', 3 'with it fixed circuit boards 100', 200 '. The Fig. 5a represents this arrangement as a cross section through a locking plane. The Fig. 5b represents the arrangement in a three-dimensional representation from the outside.

The first connector part 2 'has a first base 4' and a first locking element 5 'formed on this first base 4'. The first locking element 5 'is made in one piece. The second connector part 3 'has a second base 6' and a second locking element 7 'formed on this second base 6'. The second locking element 7 'is made in one piece.

The first locking element 5 'consists of an elastically deformable material, has two locking arms 51', 52 'and is formed substantially U-shaped. At the ends of the two locking arms 51 ', 52', the first locking element 5 'has two projections 53', 54 '. These projections 53 ', 54' each have a locking surface 55 ', 56', which is aligned parallel to the first base 4 '. Furthermore, these two projections 53 ', 54' on one of their respective locking surface 55 ', 56' facing away from attack bevels 57 ', 58'. The first connector part 2 'further has two plug-in areas 91', 92 ', which are equipped with contact sockets 93'.

Like from the Fig. 5a Furthermore, the second locking element 7 'has a locking arm 71', which is integrally formed at one end on the second base 6 and at the other end on both sides each have a Anformung 73 ', 74'. Through these two projections 73 ', 74', the second locking element 7 'is formed substantially T-shaped. The two projections 73 ', 74' each have a locking surface 75 ', 76', which is aligned parallel to the second base 6 '. Farther the second connector part 3 'has two plug-in areas 94', 95 ', which are equipped with contact pins 96'.

In the locking process, the engaging bevels 57 ', 58' of the first locking element 5 'press against the projections 73', 74 'of the second locking element. As a result, the locking arms 51 ', 52' of the first locking element 5 'are initially bent apart elastically and engage in further impressions on the locking surfaces 75', 76 'of the second locking element 7'. In the locked state, therefore, the locking surfaces 55 ', 56' of the first locking element 5 'and the locking surfaces 75', 76 'of the second locking element 7' are arranged counter to one another.

Furthermore, the first connector part 2 'has a substantially U-shaped unlocking element 8', which in Fig. 6a is shown as a single part. As is clear in this three-dimensional representation, the unlocking element 8 'has two parallel, surface unlocking arms 81', 82 ', each having a rectangular window. As the lower boundary edge of the window is at the end of each Entriegelungsarms 81 ', 82' in each case an unlocking hook 83 ', 84', each with a Entriegelungsschrägen 87 ', 88' integrally formed. As already in the Fig. 5b is shown, passes through the unlocking element 8 'with its Entriegelungsarmen 81', 82 ', the first base 4' through openings provided for this purpose. As a result, the unlocking element 8 'at right angles to the first base 4' movable and captive on the first connector part 2 'held. The unlocking element 8 'is part of the first connector part 2'. A on the first base 4 'fixed first circuit board 100' is also penetrated by the Entriegelungsarmen 81 ', 82' at openings provided for. From the illustration in Fig. 5a It is also clear that the unlocking element 8 'in the locked state with its unlocking arms 81', 82 'and its unlocking hooks 83', 84 'surrounds the first locking element 5'.

Fig. 6b represents the unlocking process in cross section through an in Fig. 6a indicated locking plane is: When partially pulling the unlocking 8 'from the PCB connector 1' engage the Entriegelungshaken 83 ', 84' with their Entriegelungsschrägen 87 ', 88' against the bevels 57 ', 58' of the first locking element 5 '. As a result, the two locking arms 51 ', 52' of the first locking element 5 'are bent apart elastically. The locking surfaces 55 ', 56' of the first locking element 5 'are thus separated from the locking surfaces 75', 76 'of the second locking element 7' and the PCB connector 1 'is unlocked.

By a continued pulling on the unlocking element 8 'or on the first connector part 2', the two connector parts 2 ', 3' are separated from each other after unlocking. As a result, only a single movement / movement direction for simultaneous unlocking and separating the two connector parts 2 ', 3' is necessary. There are no opposing force components.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS Printed circuit board connector with locking device

Ref .: P209-02 EP P 9

1

Leiterplattensteckverbinder

2

erstes Steckverbinderteil

3

zweites Steckverbinderteil

4

erste Grundfläche

51,52

Verriegelungsarme des ersten Verriegelungselements

53,54

Anformungen des ersten Verriegelungselements

55,56

Verriegelungsflächen des ersten Verriegelungselements

6

zweite Grundfläche

7

zweites Verriegelungselement

71,72

Verriegelungsarme des zweiten Verriegelungselements

73,74

Anformungen des zweiten Verriegelungselements

75,76

Verriegelungsflächen des zweiten Verriegelungselements

77,78

Angriffsschrägen

8

Entriegelungselement

81,82

Entriegelungsarme

83, 84, 85, 86

Anformungen des Entriegelungselements

91, 92

Steckbereiche des ersten Steckverbinderteils

93

Buchsenkontakte

94, 95

Steckbereiche des zweiten Steckverbinderteils

96

Steckerkontakte

First embodiment:

1

PC Board

2

first connector part

3

second connector part

4

first floor space

51.52

Locking arms of the first locking element

53.54

Formations of the first locking element

55.56

Locking surfaces of the first locking element

6

second floor space

7

second locking element

71.72

Locking arms of the second locking element

73.74

Formations of the second locking element

75.76

Locking surfaces of the second locking element

77.78

attack slopes

8th

unlocking

81,82

unlocking arms

83, 84, 85, 86

Formations of the unlocking element

91, 92

Plug-in areas of the first connector part

93

female contacts

94, 95

Plug-in areas of the second connector part

96

plug contacts

1'

Leiterplattensteckverbinder

2'

erstes Steckverbinderteil

3'

zweites Steckverbinderteil

4'

erste Grundfläche

5'

erstes Verriegelungselement

51 ',52'

Verriegelungsarme des ersten Verriegelungselements

53',54'

Anformungen des ersten Verriegelungselements

55',56'

Verriegelungsflächen des ersten Verriegelungselements

57',58'

Angriffsschrägen

6'

zweite Grundfläche

7'

zweites Verriegelungselement

71 '

Verriegelungsarm des zweiten Verriegelungselements

73',74'

Anformungen des zweiten Verriegelungselements

75',76'

Verriegelungsflächen des zweiten Verriegelungselements

8

Entriegelungselement

81',82'

Entriegelungsarme

83',84'

Entriegelungshaken

87',88'

Entriegelungsschrägen

91 ',92'

Steckbereiche des ersten Steckverbinderteils

93'

Buchsenkontakte

94',95'

Steckbereiche des zweiten Steckvernbinderteils

96'

Steckerkontakte

second embodiment

1'

PC Board

2 '

first connector part

3 '

second connector part

4 '

first floor space

5 '

first locking element

51 ', 52'

Locking arms of the first locking element

53 ', 54'

Formations of the first locking element

55 ', 56'

Locking surfaces of the first locking element

57 ', 58'

attack slopes

6 '

second floor space

7 '

second locking element

71 '

Locking arm of the second locking element

73 ', 74'

Formations of the second locking element

75 ', 76'

Locking surfaces of the second locking element

8th

unlocking

81 ', 82'

unlocking arms

83 ', 84'

unlatching

87 ', 88'

Entriegelungsschrägen

91 ', 92'

Plug-in areas of the first connector part

93 '

female contacts

94 ', 95'

Plug-in areas of the second Steckvernbinderteils

96 '

plug contacts

Claims (10)

Printed circuit board connector for parallel circuit boards, wherein the printed circuit board connector (1,1 ') consists of a first connector part (2,2') and a second connector part (3,3 '), wherein the first connector part (2,2') has a first base (4,4 '), which is fixable on a first printed circuit board (100,100'), and wherein the second connector part (3,3 ') has a second base surface (6,6') on a second circuit board (200,200 ' ), and wherein the first connector part (2, 2 ') has a first locking element (5, 5') and the second connector part (3, 3 ') has a second locking element (7, 7'), characterized
in that each of the two locking elements (5, 7, 5 ', 7') has at least one locking arm (51, 52, 71, 72, 51 ', 52', 71 ') at the end of each locking arm (51, 52, 71, 72,51 ', 52', 71 ') at least one Anformung (53,54,73,74, 53', 54 ', 73', 74 ') each having a locking surface (55,56,75,76, 55' , 56 ', 75', 76 ') is provided, and that in the locked state, the locking surfaces (55,56,75,76, 55', 56 ', 75', 76 ') of the two locking elements (5,7,5 ', 7') are arranged interlocking. Printed circuit board connector according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two locking elements (5,7,5 ', 7') at least partially consists of an elastically deformable material. Printed circuit board connector according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first connector part (2, 2 ') has an unlocking element (8, 8') which is perpendicular to the first base surface (4, 4 ') on the first connector part (2, 2'). is movably held and thereby adapted to elastically deform at least one of the two locking elements (7,5 ') to the locking surfaces (55,56,55', 56 ') of the first locking element (5,5') of the locking surfaces (75 , 76, 75 ', 76') of the second locking element (7,7 ') to separate. Printed circuit board connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the unlocking element (8,8 ') with the first connector part (2,2') is connected captively. Printed circuit board connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking surfaces (55,56,75,76, 55 ', 56', 75 ', 76') almost parallel to the base surfaces (4,6,4 ', 6 ') of the respective connector part (2,3,2', 3 ') are aligned. Printed circuit board connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first locking element (5) has two parallel locking arms (51,52) with mutually directed projections (53,54). Printed circuit board connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the second locking element (7) is substantially V-shaped and has two locking arms (71,72) with mutually away directed projections (73,74). Printed circuit board connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second locking element (7 ') has a locking arm (71') with two projections (73 ', 74') and that the second locking element (7 ') together with these projections (73 ', 74') is formed substantially T-shaped. Printed circuit board connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two locking elements (5,7,5 ', 7') at its projections (53,54,73,74, 53 ', 54', 73 ', 74' ) Has engagement bevels, which are intended to cooperate with the unlocking element (8,8 '). Printed circuit board connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking element (8,8 ') is formed substantially U-shaped.

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