EP2621024B1 - Contactor, use and method for contacting - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a contactor or connector for a component mounted on a printed circuit board, a use of the contactor and a method for contacting the printed circuit board or the component contacted therewith.

For the purposes of this application, a printed circuit board is understood to be a printed circuit board (also called "PCB" or "printed circuit board"). A circuit board may include one or more electrical and / or electronic components such as integrated circuit devices, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc., or connectors (connectors, SIMM connectors, post connectors, etc.) .).

Conventionally, printed circuit boards or integrated circuit components are tested for their functionality after production. To test the printed circuit boards, these are electrically connected to a test board, tested and then removed again. The connection of the printed circuit board to the test board can be made in particular by means of a connector of the printed circuit board, which is contacted with a complementary connector of the test board and is decontacted again after the test. Depending on the type of connector or complementary connector, the number of mating cycles of the complementary connector is limited so that only one test board no series of printed circuit boards can be tested for their functionality.

document US 4,812,754 relates to a device for contacting a printed circuit board with a test system. The device has two facing test heads with a plurality of contact bars for contacting test points of the circuit board. The test heads can from a spaced loading position by means of a Pivoting movement are moved to a closer to each other positioned test position in which each contact rod contacts a test point of the circuit board. An electrical bus provides an electrical connection between the test heads and the separate test system.

document US 4,735,580 relates to a test adapter for connection to a PLCC (Plastic Leaded Clip Carrier). The test adapter has an inner housing that can be supported on the top of the PLCC during testing, and four contact frames pivotally mounted thereto. Each contact frame has electrical contacts for contacting lines of the PLCC. The contact frames are held by a snap ring which is arranged around the contact frames.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a contactor and a method for contacting printed circuit boards, wherein the contacting and subsequent testing of printed circuit boards or integrated

The present invention relates to a contactor or connector for a component mounted on a printed circuit board, a use of the contactor and a method for contacting the printed circuit board or the component contacted therewith.

For the purposes of this application, a printed circuit board is understood to be a printed circuit board (also called "PCB" or "printed circuit board"). A circuit board may include one or more electrical and / or electronic components such as integrated circuit devices, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc., or connectors (connectors, SIMM connectors, post connectors, etc.) .).

Conventionally, printed circuit boards or integrated circuit components are tested for their functionality after production. To test the printed circuit boards, these are electrically connected to a test board, tested and then removed again. The connection of the printed circuit board to the test board can be made in particular by means of a connector of the printed circuit board, which is contacted with a complementary connector of the test board and is decontacted again after the test. Depending on the type of connector or complementary connector, the number of mating cycles of the complementary connector is limited so that only one test board no series of printed circuit boards can be tested for their functionality.

document US 4,812,754 relates to a device for contacting a printed circuit board with a test system. The device has two facing test heads with a plurality of contact bars for contacting test points of the circuit board. The test heads can from a spaced loading position by means of a Pivoting movement are moved to a closer to each other positioned test position in which each contact rod contacts a test point of the circuit board. An electrical bus provides an electrical connection between the test heads and the separate test system.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a contactor and a method for contacting printed circuit boards, wherein the contacting and subsequent testing of printed circuit boards or integrated Circuits in large quantities and in a simple manner is possible. This object is achieved by the Kontaktor according to claim 1, by the use according to claim 7 and by the method according to claim 8. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Kontaktor according to one aspect

• eine Bauteilaufnahme, in welche das Bauteil entlang einer Einführrichtung E zumindest bereichsweise einführbar ist,
• eine Vielzahl von Kontaktierungsmitteln, wobei
  • -- die Kontaktierungsmittel elektrisch leitfähig sind,
  • -- jedes der Kontaktierungsmittel in einer Richtung X, welche senkrecht zur Einführrichtung E orientiert ist, von der Bauteilaufnahme beabstandet angeordnet ist oder die Bauteilaufnahme zumindest bereichsweise ausbildet, und wobei
  • -- die Kontaktierungsmittel in einer Betriebsposition jeweils mit einem zugeordneten der Anschlußkontakte des auf der Leiterplatte befestigten Bauteils kontaktieren.

One aspect of the invention relates to a contactor for a component mounted on a printed circuit board which is contacted with a plurality of terminal contacts with the circuit board, the contactor comprising:

• a component receiving, in which the component along an insertion direction E is at least partially inserted,
• a plurality of contacting agents, wherein
  • the contacting means are electrically conductive,
  • - Each of the contacting means in a direction X, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E, is spaced from the component receiving or forms the component receptacle at least partially, and wherein
  • - Contact the contacting means in an operating position in each case with an associated one of the terminal contacts of the component mounted on the printed circuit board.

Under a component are understood active and passive electronic components which are attached or contacted on the circuit board. The attachment of the component to the circuit board may preferably be associated with the electrical contacting of the component with the circuit board. In particular, the component is fastened only or exclusively by means of the connection contacts on the circuit board, for example by soldering. However, the component may alternatively or additionally be attached by means of at least one of the terminal contacts different fastening means to the circuit board, for example by gluing, screwing, clamping, etc.

The component may preferably be a connector such as a SIMM connector, a DIMM connector, a COM Express connector, and so forth. Furthermore, the component can preferably be an integrated circuit component, in particular an SMD component (surface mounted device) or a circuit component which can be contacted in a DFP (dual flat package), a TFP (triple flat package) or a QFP (quad flat package) configuration is. The terminal contacts of the component protrude along a direction X 'over the remaining component, for example over a housing of the component or a connector receptacle of the component. The direction X 'is substantially perpendicular to a normal of the circuit board to which the component is mounted. In other words, the direction X 'is oriented substantially parallel to the extension of the circuit board. In particular, the directions X and X 'are identical. Further, the normal of the circuit board may be identical to the insertion direction E. As a result, the terminal contacts of the component are accessible without having to engage behind the component attached to the circuit board.

The contacting means are preferably arranged in a direction X, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E, spaced from the component receiving. Preferably, the component receptacle can be arranged between the contacting means. In other words, the contacting means may at least partially surround the component receptacle. Alternatively, the contacting means may form or limit the component receptacle at least in regions. For example, the contacting means may be arranged such that the component receptacle adjacent to at least one contact means, that is bounded by this, whereby the distance between the component holder and this or this contacting means (n) is equal to zero.

The contacting means are preferably arranged in relation to the component receptacle such that the component can be introduced without contact along the insertion direction E into the component receptacle, in particular between the contacting means. In other words, the contacting means contact only the terminal contacts of the component, which connect the component to the circuit board. In particular, other elements of the component in the operating position can not be electrically and / or mechanically contacted by the contacting means.

The connection contacts of the component are provided exclusively for electrical or mechanical connection of the component to the printed circuit board and in particular not intended to electrically or mechanically contact the printed circuit board or the component with another external component, such as a complementary connector. In the event that the component is a connector, the component has connector contacts which are designed to contact a complementary connector electrically or mechanically. Each of the connector contacts in the connector internally connected to an associated with the terminal contacts electrically. However, the contacting elements of the contactor contact electrically and mechanically exclusively the connection contacts. In contrast, the connector contacts are not mechanically contacted by the contacting elements.

Preferably, one of the terminal contacts and one of the connector contacts of the component may be integrally formed as a component contact element, wherein the terminal contact describes the region of the component contact element which is designed to electrically contact the circuit board and the connector contact describes the area of the component contact element, which is designed with to electrically contact an external component. In other words, the contacting means may be designed to contact in an operating position in each case with a region of the component contact element of the component mounted on the printed circuit board, which is electrically contacted and designed only with the printed circuit board, when the circuit board is used as intended, ie not during the process described in US Pat Not to be contacted with external components electrically or not be contacted.

The component receptacle may comprise a recess in the Kontaktor, in which the component along the insertion direction E at least partially inserted. The component can in particular also with the exception of the connection contacts be completely acceptable in the component holder, in which case only the terminal contacts projecting against the insertion direction E from the component holder.

Preferably, in the operating position, the component may at least partially be in positive engagement with the component receptacle or one or more of the walls thereof. Advantageously, by the component receiving a spatial displacement of the component along a spatial direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction E, be inhibited.

The component receptacle is at least partially complementarily formed congruent with the male component, so that advantageously by the insertion of the component in the component receiving a positive engagement or a frictional engagement can be formed which inhibits a displacement of the component or the associated circuit board against the insertion direction E. , In particular, it is necessary to apply a tensile force to the printed circuit board or to the component which is greater than a predetermined value, for example greater than about 1 N, preferably greater than about 5 N or more preferably greater than about 10 N, counter to the component to pull the insertion direction E from the component holder. Advantageously, the printed circuit board can be held by the component received in the component receptacle. In particular, merely picking up the component in the component receptacle is sufficient to hold the circuit board at the Kontaktor in the operating position. The operating position therefore describes a position during the operational use of the contactor.

The contactor has a plurality of contacting means, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 200, 220, 440, or more contacting means. The contacting means are electrically conductive and preferably formed of a metal, in particular of copper, tin, zinc, nickel, silver and alloys containing these metals, such as copper-nickel alloys, bronze and brass.

Preferably, the contacting means are resiliently mounted in an associated contacting means receptacle and displaceable along the insertion direction E. Preferably, at least a portion of each contacting means is disposed in an associated contacting means receptacle. By applying a force along the insertion direction E, the contacting means is further, particularly preferably completely, displaceable into the contacting means receptacle. The contacting means can in particular be formed from the same material as the contact means.

Advantageously, the spring-mounted contacting means allow a higher number of possible contacting cycles. In particular, the contacting means are displaced during the contacting with the terminal contacts along the insertion direction E, so that neither the terminal contacts of the component nor the contacting means are worn or damaged by a mechanical action or by a friction between the terminal contacts and the contacting means. By resilient mounting the displacement of each contacting means is reversible, so that the respective contacting means returns after removal of the component from the component holder back to its original position or shape. To form the resilient mounting, a spring element may preferably be arranged in each contacting means receptacle, which is stretched by displacing the associated contacting means along the insertion direction E, preferably elastically tensioned, so that an elastic restoring force of the spring element can displace the contacting means counter to the insertion direction E. The spring element may in particular be formed of the same material as the contact means or the Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahme.

Preferably, the contacting means protrude opposite to the insertion direction E beyond the component receptacle. In particular, the contacting means can be designed to contact the terminal contacts electrically before the associated component is arranged or inserted in the component receptacle such that the operating position is reached. For example, each of the Contacting means by about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 3 mm, against the insertion direction E protrude beyond the component receiving. More preferably, at least one contacting means, in particular all contacting means, protrude counter to the insertion direction E with respect to the further elements of the contactor or connector.

Preferably, each of the contacting means is electrically connected to a test board. In particular, the electrical connection is effected indirectly via the at least one contacting means receptacle and an associated board contact, which is preferably part of the contacting means receptacle or can be formed together with the latter, in particular in one piece. Preferably, the test board may be part of the contactor.

Preferably, the component holder is formed at least partially complementary to the male component, so that the recorded component can be fixed by a frictional engagement and / or positive engagement in the component holder. Advantageously, the component receptacle can be designed such that only one particular type or several specific types of components can be accommodated by means of the component receptacle. As a result, it can further advantageously be prevented that the contactor or the test board contacted with it contacts with components which are not adequate, whereby the test board or the component to be tested could be damaged.

In the event that the component to be inserted into the component receptacle is a connector, the component receptacle can essentially be designed as a complementary connector, wherein it is not necessary to form the connector contacts complementary to the connector contacts of the connector in or on the component receptacle ., Since the contacting of the component does not take place via the component receiving, but by means of the contacting means which contact the terminal contacts of the connector. In order to prevent wear of the connector or the complementary connector, that is, by the insertion of the connector in the component receiving a contacting cycle of the To generate connector or the complementary connector is even excluded that the formed as a complementary connector component receiving also has complementary connector contacts. In other words, complementary connector contacts are contacted electrically and / or mechanically neither by the connector contacts nor by the terminal contacts.

Particularly preferably, the contactor comprises a fixing device with which the printed circuit board can be mechanically connected or fastened to the contactor. For example, the contactor can comprise latching elements which can engage in the insertion direction with complementary latching elements of the printed circuit board by displacing the printed circuit board along the insertion direction and are latched in the operating position.

Advantageously, an unintentional loosening or removal of the printed circuit board can be prevented, since to remove the printed circuit board from the Kontaktor first solved the fixing or the latching elements must be unlocked. For example, at least one latching hook may be provided on the contactor, which is latched in the operating position with an edge of the printed circuit board.

Particularly preferably, the contactor comprises a straightening device with which the position of the printed circuit board can be aligned relative to the contactor. For example, the contactor may comprise at least one projection or at least one pin as a preferred straightening device. The straightening device can advantageously ensure the correct insertion of the component into the component receptacle. For this purpose, during the displacement of the printed circuit board along the insertion direction E, the straightening device can engage with an associated complementary straightening device of the printed circuit board. An exemplary complementary straightening device of the printed circuit board may be, for example, a bore or a passage opening in the printed circuit board. As a result, in particular a displacement of the printed circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction E can be prevented. Expediently reach straightening device and complementary straightening device engage each other before the component is even partially inserted into the component holder or before the contacting contact the associated terminal contacts.

Preferably, the contactor comprises at least one component receptacle into which at least one component fastened on the printed circuit board can be inserted at least in regions along the insertion direction E. In this case, the at least one component is different from the component which is electrically contactable by means of the contacting means. In other words, an element of the printed circuit board that is to be electrically contacted by the contactor is referred to as a "component", whereas, in contrast thereto, an element of the printed circuit board that is merely to be mechanically and / or mechanically contacted, and in particular not electrically contacted, is referred to as a "component" becomes. Exemplary components of the printed circuit board may be resistors, capacitors, coils, trimmers, diodes, transistors, ICs, connectors, fasteners, etc., which are attached to the circuit board and which could possibly hinder the insertion of the component to be electrically contacted into the component receptacle. Expediently, recesses or depressions along the insertion direction E, which are formed in the contactor, allow these interfering components to be accommodated during insertion of the printed circuit board along the insertion direction E in a preferably complementary component receptacle without hindering the insertion. The at least one component receptacle can be adapted individually to the circuit board to be tested, so that a confusion of the circuit board to be tested and thus damage to the circuit board or the contactor and the test board connected thereto is prevented.

Use of the contactor

One aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a contactor according to the invention for connecting a component mounted on a printed circuit board to a test board, wherein the electrical connection of a each terminal of the component with an associated Prüfplatinenkontakt the test board via one of the contacting of the contactor. Advantageously, the printed circuit board or the component is thus contacted in a simple manner with the test board, wherein the number of possible contacting cycles is advantageously increased.

Method according to one aspect

• Bereitstellen eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktors;
• Bereitstellen der Leiterplatte mit dem daran befestigten Bauteil;
• Einführen des Bauteils entlang der Einführrichtung E in die Bauteilaufnahme des Kontaktors bis eine Betriebsposition erreicht ist, in welcher Kontaktierungsmittel des Kontaktors jeweils mit einem zugeordneten Anschlußkontakt des auf der Leiterplatte befestigten Bauteils kontaktieren.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of contacting a printed circuit board and / or a component mounted on the printed circuit board, which is contacted with a plurality of terminal contacts with the printed circuit board, comprising the steps:

• Providing a contactor according to the invention;
• Providing the printed circuit board with the component attached thereto;
• Insertion of the component along the insertion direction E into the component receptacle of the contactor until an operating position is reached in which contacting means of the contactor each contact an associated terminal contact of the component mounted on the printed circuit board.

Advantageously, the component can remain on the circuit board, so that a complicated release of the component from the circuit board is not necessary, since the accessible terminal contacts are contacted by means of the contactor electrically.

Preferably, the component mounted on the printed circuit board is a connector whose terminal contacts are electrically connected to associated connector contacts, wherein the connector contacts are not contacted or uncontacted by the contacting means in the operative position. Rather, the connector contacts are indirectly electrically connected to the respective associated contacting means via an internal connector electrical connection to the terminal contacts and the terminal contacts themselves.

Preferably, after the operating position has been reached, testing of the printed circuit board and / or of the component takes place on the printed circuit board. The necessary for testing circuit is provided by a test board, which is connected by means of the contactor with the circuit board.

figure description

Figur 1

eine Schnittansicht einer Prüfanordnung mit einer zu prüfenden Leiterplatte und einem Kontaktor,

Figur 2

eine Schnittansicht durch die in Figur 1 gezeigte Prüfanordnung in der Betriebsposition,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des in den Figuren 1 und 2 gezeigten Kontaktors,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Kontaktors.

Preferred embodiments of a contactor will be described by way of example with reference to accompanying figures. It shows:

FIG. 1

a sectional view of a test arrangement with a circuit board to be tested and a Kontaktor,

FIG. 2

a sectional view through the in FIG. 1 shown test arrangement in the operating position,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown contactors,

FIG. 4

a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the contactor.

The FIG. 1 shows a test arrangement 1 comprising a Kontaktor 3 and a circuit board 5 in a sectional view. The FIG. 2 shows the test arrangement 1 of FIG. 1 in an operating position.

On the circuit board 5 to be tested, a connector 7 is fixed, wherein the connector 7 has a plurality of terminal contacts 9a, 9b, with which the connector 7 is electrically contacted with the circuit board 5. Preferably, the connector 7 is also mechanically fastened to the printed circuit board 5 by means of the terminal contacts 9a, 9b, for example by soldering the terminal contacts 9a, 9b to associated contact regions 11a, 11b of the printed circuit board 5.

The connector 7 further comprises connector contacts 13a, 13b, which is electrically connected to a respective one of the terminal contacts 11a, 11b. In particular, the number of connector contacts 13a, 13b is identical to the number the connection contacts 11a, 11b, so that each connector contact 13a, 13b, a single terminal contact 9a, 9b is uniquely associated. Accordingly, the connector contacts 13a, 13b with the contact areas 11 a, 11 b of the circuit board 5 are electrically connected. In particular, the number of contact areas 11a, 11b of the circuit board 5 is identical to the number of connector contacts 13a, 13b, so that each connector contact 13a, 13b, a contact area 11a, 11 b of the circuit board 5 is uniquely associated.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 The preferred embodiment of the printed circuit board 5 shown is a COM module with a connector designed as a COM connector 7 ("computer on module" connector), for example as a COM Express connector 7. This connector is designed to be around the PCB 5 by a displacement of the circuit board 5 along an insertion direction E with a complementary connector connector (not shown) of another circuit board connector (not shown) mechanically and electrically connect. During connection of the circuit board 5 to the complementary connector, the connector contacts 13a, 13b of the connector 7 are mechanically stressed by rubbing the module against the complementary connector contacts. Therefore, such connectors 7 have a limited number of mating cycles, for example, about 5 to about 15 mating cycles. In other words, with a complementary connector, about 5 to about 10 circuit boards 5 having such a connector 7 can be tested with a test board having such a complementary connector. After reaching the number of mating cycles contact problems occasionally occur between the connector contacts 13a, 13b and the complementary connector contacts, so that a faultless electrical connection of the circuit board 5 is no longer guaranteed.

This is particularly disadvantageous if the aufzusteckenden on the complementary connector circuit boards 5 are to be subjected to a test and therefore a plurality of printed circuit boards 5 must be contacted in succession with a complementary connector of a test board and de-contacted again. This has the consequence that the test board after reaching the limited number must be exchanged or rejected by mating cycles of a complementary connector or that at least the complementary connector of the test board is replaced. It is thus an object of the invention to allow repeated contacting of the connector 7 of the circuit board 5 (or different identical circuit boards 5), wherein the number of mating cycles is increased.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Contactor 3 shown provides a way to contact and test any number of circuit boards 5 because an electrical connection to the test board can be made by contactor 3 without contacting the connector contacts 13a, 13b with complementary connector contacts of the complementary connector. The Kontaktor 3 includes for this purpose a component holder 15, which in the in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown preferred embodiment is formed substantially as a connector receptacle 15. In the component receiving or connector receptacle 15, the connector 7 can be introduced as a preferred component 7 along an insertion direction E at least partially. The component holder 15 may be formed as a recess in the Kontaktor 3. Preferably, this recess or component receptacle 15 is formed substantially complementary to the male component, ie complementary to the male connector 7, so that the connector 7 preferably during insertion along the insertion direction E in the component receptacle 15 at least partially with the walls 17 of Part pickup 15 passes in positive engagement or frictional engagement.

Advantageously, this is achieved in that the connector 7 can be fixed to the component receptacle 15 or to the contactor 3. In other words, pulling out the connector 7 or the printed circuit board 5 is inhibited against the insertion direction E, as long as the tensile force does not exceed a predetermined size.

The Kontaktor 3 has a plurality of contacting means 19a, 19b, which by inserting the connector 7 along the insertion direction E in the component receptacle 15 each with an associated of the terminal contacts 9a, 9b to contact. The contacting means 19a, 19b are preferably arranged in a direction X, which is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction E, spaced from the component holder 15. Alternatively, the contacting means 19a, 19b may form the component receptacle 15. In other words, the contacting means 19a, 19b are arranged such that the connector 7 with respect to the contacting means 19a, 19b without contact along the insertion direction E in the component holder 15 can be inserted. In other words, the contacting means 19a, 19b contact only the terminal contacts 9a, 9b which connect the connector 7 to the circuit board 5.

The contacting means 19a, 19b are preferably designed to carry out more than about 100 contacting cycles, more preferably more than about 1000 contacting cycles, and in particular more than about 10,000 contacting cycles. In other words, more than about 100, more than about 1000, or more than about 10,000 boards 5 can be tested with the connector 7 before the contactor 3 has reached the maximum number of bonding cycles.

The contacting means 19a, 19b are each mounted displaceably in an associated contacting means receptacle 21a, 21b along the insertion direction E. Next, the contacting means 19a, 19b either elastically deformable or resiliently in the associated Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahme 21 a, 21 b stored. In other words, the contacting means 19a, 19b return to their original position or original shape when no printed circuit board 5 with a connector 7 is arranged on the contactor 3. Preferably, the Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahmen 21 a, 21 b may be formed as a sleeve, in particular as a metal sleeve, in which a spring element (not shown) is arranged, which the contacting means 19 a, 19 b, at least partially in the Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahme 21 a, 21 b is added, biases. The contacting means are preferably also made of metal. More preferably, the spring element is also made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal. The contacting means 19a, 19b are each associated with an associated board contact 23a, 23b electrically connected, preferably via the Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahme 21 a, 21 b. About the board contacts 23a, 23b, the contacting means 19a, 19b are directly or indirectly electrically connected to a test board 33. For this purpose Prüfplatinenkontakte 35a, 35b are provided, which are contacted after arranging the contactor 3 on the test board 33 in each case with an associated of the board contacts 23a, 23b electrically. In particular, the contactor 3 may be attached to the test board 33.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 The preferred embodiment shown of the contactor 3 comprises an optional straightening device 25, which in a preferred form is formed as a pin 25 which, during displacement of the printed circuit board 5 along the insertion direction E, can engage with an associated complementary straightening device (not shown) of the printed circuit board 5 , In order to facilitate insertion of the pin 25 into the complementary straightening device of the printed circuit board 5, the end of the pin 25, which is oriented counter to the insertion direction E, has a conical region. With the pin 25, the position of the circuit board 5 can be aligned relative to the Kontaktor 3, whereby the correct insertion of the component 7 can be ensured in the component holder 15. Since the straightening device 25 projects further counter to the insertion direction E beyond the component receptacle 15 than the contacting means 19a, 19b, the straightening device 25 and the complementary straightening device engage each other before the contacting means 19a, 19b contact the associated connection contacts 9a, 9b.

It is understood that a printed circuit board may also have a second connector 7 'which is constructed substantially identical to the connector 7. The identical to the connector 7 components are therefore provided with identical and marked with a prime reference numerals. To such a circuit board 5, as in FIG. 1 The test contactor 3 may have correspondingly a second component receptacle 15 ', second contact means 19a', 19b 'and further elements which are identical to the elements already described and therefore with the same reference numerals, which are indicated by a dash. are provided.

By displacing the printed circuit board 5 along the insertion direction E, so that the connectors 7, 7 'are at least partially received in the associated component receptacle 15, 15', the test arrangement 1 enters an operating position in which the connection contacts 9a, 9b, 9a ''9b' each electrically contact the associated contacting means 19a, 19b, 19a ', 19b' and the connectors 7, 7 'are preferably in positive engagement or frictional engagement with the associated component receptacles 15, 15' such that removal of the printed circuit board 5 is inhibited against the insertion direction E, as long as a predetermined tensile force is not exceeded. This operating position of the test arrangement 1 is in FIG. 2 shown.

As in FIG. 2 shown, the connector contacts 13a, 13b, 13a ', 13b' preferably neither by the contacting means 19a, 19b, 19a ', 19b' nor by the walls 17, 17 'of the component receptacles 15, 15' electrically or mechanically contacted. In other words, the circuit board 5 can be electrically contacted by means of the contactor 3 with the test board 33 without the connectors 7, 7 'experiencing a plug-in cycle.

The FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 The Kontaktor 3 has two identical component receptacles 15, 15 ', which are formed in the illustrated preferred embodiment substantially as complementary COM Express connector to a printed circuit board (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) having two COM-Express connectors spaced apart in the X direction.

The connectors of the printed circuit board are at least partially accommodated in the corresponding component receptacles 15, 15 'in the operating position such that the first connector substantially between the associated contacting means 19a, 19b and the second connector substantially between the associated contacting means 19a', 19b ' is arranged. In this case, the distance of the contacting means 19a and 19b along the direction X, which corresponds is perpendicular to the insertion direction E, approximately the extension of the male COM Express connector or is about 1 mm to about 5 mm larger than this, so the contacting means 19a, 19b arranged on the connector terminal contacts (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can contact electrically.

In the FIG. 3 Also shown are two straightening devices 25 which are each designed to engage an associated complementary straightening device (not shown) of the printed circuit board. It is understood that one, two, three, four or more straightening devices 25 may be provided on the contactor 3.

FIG. 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the contactor 3 in a perspective view. The elements of the contactor 3 are substantially identical to the elements of the embodiment of the contactor 3, which in the FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown why the identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals.

The in FIG. 4 shown Kontaktor 3 additionally comprises component receptacles 27, wherein in each of the component receptacles 27 at least one mounted on the circuit board component along the insertion direction E at least partially inserted. In contrast to the components, which are received in the component receptacles 15, 15 'and electrically contacted by the contactor 3, the components are only received mechanically in the associated component receptacle 27.

For example, in the in the FIG. 4 shown component receptacles 27 further attached to the circuit board components, such as resistors, capacitors, coils, trimmers, diodes, transistors, ICs, connectors, fasteners, etc., are received by insertion along the insertion direction E, which otherwise the inclusion of electrically to be contacted components could hinder in the associated component holders 15, 15 '. Advantageously, these disturbing components during insertion of the circuit board along the insertion direction E in an associated and Preferably complementary formed component receptacle 27 are added, so that the insertion of the components or connectors in the component receptacles 15, 15 'are not hindered. The component receptacles 27 can preferably be adapted to the circuit board to be tested. In other words, the Kontaktor 3 can be designed to contact only with an associated type of circuit boards, so that a confusion of the circuit board to be tested is not possible. This advantageously prevents damage to the circuit board or the test board.

The contactor 3 can preferably be arranged or fastened in a contactor attachment region of the test board (not shown). In particular, the test board may have through openings through which fastening means 29, such as screws can reach through to secure the Kontaktor 3 to the test board. The screws can be secured to the contactor 3 opposite side of the test board with lock nuts to secure the Kontaktor. Preferably, the contactor 3 is screwed by means of the screws 29 with a stiffening element 31, wherein the test board between the Kontaktor 3 and the stiffening element 31 is arranged or clamped. As a result, advantageously, a contact pressure on the test board and the Kontaktor 3 are exercised, so that the board contacts (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) against associated board contacts of the test board, whereby the contact resistance between the two can be reduced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

test set

3

contactor

5

circuit board

7

Interconnects

7 '

second connector

9a, b

connection contact

9a ', b'

second connection contact

11a, b

contact area

11a ', b'

second contact area

13a, b

connector contact

13a ', b'

second connector contact

15

component pick

15 '

second component holder

17

Wall of the component holder 15

17 '

Wall of the second component receptacle 15 '

19a, b

contacting

19a ', b'

second contacting agent

21a, b

Kontaktierungsmittelaufnahme

21a ', b'

second contacting agent absorption

23a, b

platinum contact

23a ', b'

platinum contact

25

leveler

27

component receptacle

31

stiffener

33

test board

35a, b

Prüfplatinenkontakte

35a ', b'

Prüfplatinenkontakte

e

insertion

Claims (11)

1. A contactor (3) for a component (7) that is attached to a printed circuit board (5) and which is contacted by means of a plurality of terminal contacts (9a, 9b) to the printed circuit board (5), wherein the contactor (3) comprises:

   - a component seat (15) into which the component (7) can be inserted, at least sectionally, along a direction of insertion (E),

   - a plurality of contacting means (19a, 19b), wherein

   - the contacting means (19a, 19b) are electrically conductive, and wherein

   - when in an operating position, the contacting means (19a, 19b) each contact an associated terminal contact (9a, 9b) of the component (7) attached to the printed circuit board (5).

   characterized in that

   - each of the contacting means (19a, 19b) is arranged at a distance from the component seat (15) in a direction (X) that is oriented perpendicular to the direction of insertion (E), and

   - the contacting means (19a, 19b) extend beyond the component seat (15) opposite the direction of insertion (E).
2. The contactor (3) according to claim 1, wherein the contacting means (19a, 19b) are each resiliently mounted in an associated contacting means seat (21a, 21b) and are movably mounted along the direction of insertion (E).
3. The contactor (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the contacting means (19a, 19b) is electrically connected to a test PCB (33).
4. The contactor (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component seat (15) is at least sectionally designed to be complementary with the component (7) to be accommodated so that the accommodated component (7) can be secured by a friction lock and/or a form fit.
5. The contactor (3) according to one of the prior claims, furthermore comprising:

   - at least one component seat (27) in which at least one component attached to the printed circuit board (5) can be inserted at least sectionally along the direction of insertion (E).
6. The contactor (3) according to one of the prior claims, furthermore comprising:

   - a fixing device (25) by means of which the printed circuit board (5) can be mechanically connected to the contactor (3).
7. The contactor (3) according to one of the prior claims, furthermore comprising:

   - an aligning device (25) by means of which the position of the printed circuit board (5) can be aligned relative to the contactor (3).
8. The use of a contactor (3) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for connecting a component (7) attached to printed circuit board (5) to a test PCB (33), wherein the electrical connection of each terminal contact (9a, 9b) of the component (7) is achieved with an associated test PCB contact (35a, 35b) of the test PCB (33) by means of one of the contacting means (19a, 19b).
9. The method for contacting a printed circuit board (5) and/or a component (7) attached to the printed circuit board which is contacted by a plurality of terminal contacts (9a, 9b) to the printed circuit board (5), comprising the steps:

   - providing a contactor (3) according to one of claims 1 to 7;

   - providing the printed circuit board (5) with the component (7) attached thereto;

   - insertion of the component (7) along the direction of insertion (E) in to the component seat (15) of the contactor (3) until an operating position is reached in which contacting means (19a, 19b) of the contactor (3) contact the component (7) attached to the printed circuit board (5) with an associated terminal contact (9a, 9b).
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the component (7) attached to the printed circuit board (5) is a connector (7) whose terminal contacts (9a, 9b) are electrically connected to associated connector contacts (13a, 13b), wherein the connector contacts (13a, 13b), when in the operating position, are not directly contacted by the contacting means (19a, 19b).
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the step:

    - testing the printed circuit board (5) and/or the component (7).

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