EP2731205A1 - Connector and use - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (1) has housing (7) into which a complementary connector is inserted along direction of insertion (E). A contact element (11) is in operative connection with a contact portion (11a) to contact corresponding contact of the connector. A connecting element (13) is in operative connection with a connecting portion (13a) of a main circuit board. A circuit board (19) electrically connects associated contact element and connecting element. The circuit board is arranged parallel to a plane whose normal vector is positioned at different angle with insertion direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a connector and a use of the connector.

In many complex electrical or electronic devices interfaces are provided with which a wired connection between two devices can be produced to exchange data, for example between a mobile device (such as a laptop, a netbook, a test device, a mobile hard drive, etc.) and a stationary device (for example, a router, a hub, a DSL modem, a server, a printer, etc.). Due to the ever-increasing maximum data transfer rates between the individual devices and the ever-increasing volume of data to be transferred, cable connections are necessary which enable a corresponding data transmission.

In particular, it is necessary to install connectors in the individual devices, which can transmit electrical signals correspondingly lossless, for example, between a main circuit board of a device on which the connector is mounted, and a cable connected to the connector, which connects to another device ,

Due to the high data rates, which are defined in various communication or interface standards, the frequencies of the electrical signals to be transmitted via the connector are more than 400 MHz, sometimes more than 500 MHz. Conventional connectors are no longer suitable for these new standards because they have too high attenuation and over-crosstalk between the individual contacts within the connector at these high frequencies.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector for enabling detachable electrical connections which, with ease of use, have improved connection security and higher transmission rates.

The object is achieved by a connector according to claim 1 and a use of the connector according to claim 10. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

Connector according to one aspect

• eine Steckeraufnahme, in welche ein zum Verbinder komplementärer Stecker entlang einer Einführrichtung E einführbar ist;
• zumindest ein Kontaktelement, welches ausgelegt ist, in einer Betriebsposition mit einem Kontaktbereich einen zugeordneten Kontakt des Steckers elektrisch zu kontaktieren;
• zumindest ein Verbindungselement, welches ausgelegt ist, in der Betriebsposition mit einem Verbindungsbereich eine Hauptleiterplatte elektrisch zu kontaktieren;
• zumindest eine Leiterplatte, welche das zumindest eine Verbindungselement mit einem zugeordneten Kontaktelement elektrisch verbindet,

wobei die Leiterplatte im wesentlichen parallel zu einer Ebene angeordnet ist, deren Normalenvektor N mit der Einführrichtung E einen Winkel α einschließt, der verschieden von 0 Grad und verschieden von 90 Grad ist.One aspect of the invention relates to a connector, in particular an RJ45 connector, comprising:

• a connector receptacle into which a connector complementary to the connector along an insertion direction E can be inserted;
• at least one contact element which is designed to electrically contact an associated contact of the plug in an operating position with a contact region;
• at least one connecting element which is designed to electrically contact a main printed circuit board in the operating position with a connecting region;
• at least one printed circuit board which electrically connects the at least one connecting element to an associated contact element,

wherein the circuit board is arranged substantially parallel to a plane whose normal vector N with the insertion direction E forms an angle α different from 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees.

Advantageously, the electrical connections between the at least one contact element and the at least one connecting element can be embodied by means of the obliquely oriented to the insertion direction E printed circuit board such that the length of the electrical line is minimized, so that the electrical attenuation of the connector is advantageously minimized especially for high frequencies ,

It is understood that the connector may also have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more contact elements, which may each be electrically connected to an associated connection element. Accordingly, the connector may also have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more fasteners. Particularly preferably, the number of contact elements is identical to the number of connecting elements.

The contact element is formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal, such as a copper alloy. The contact element has a contact area. The contact element or the contact region can be resilient or elastically deformable. The contact region is designed to make electrical and / or mechanical contact with an associated contact of a plug that is complementary to the connector. Due to the resilience of the contact region, preferably of the entire contact element, in the operating position, a pressing force can be applied by the contact element in the contact region to the associated contact of the plug. For example, the contact element may be designed and positioned to apply a pressure force of more than about 0.1 N, in particular more than 0.5 N and particularly preferably more than about 1 N, to the associated contact of the plug. In particular, the pressure force may be between about 0.7 N and about 1 N. By the pressure force advantageously the electrical contact resistance between the contact of the plug and the contact element is reduced.

The resilience of the contact region or the contact element means that at the transition of the connector into the operating position, that is, by inserting the plug into the connector receptacle of the connector, the contact area or the contact element by applying a force by means of the associated contact of the plug at least partially displaced and / or deformed, this displacement or deformation is reversible. In other words, the contact element or the contact area returns to its original position and / or form back when the force is no longer effective, for example, because the plug has been pulled out of the connector receptacle again. The resilient deformability of the contact element or of the contact region comprises in particular an elastic deformability.

The contact elements may be arranged in the region or within the connector receptacle, so that an electrical contact between the at least one contact element and the associated contact of the plug is made possible only when the plug is at least partially inserted into the connector receptacle. In the operating position, the at least one contact element is electrically contacted with the associated contact of the plug.

The at least one contact element is electrically connected via the at least one printed circuit board with an associated connecting element. Particularly preferred exactly one printed circuit board is provided, which connects all contact elements with the associated connecting elements electrically. The association between the connection elements and the contact elements can be unambiguous, that is, that each connection element is assigned exactly one contact element and vice versa. In the context of the invention, a printed circuit board is understood to mean, in particular, a printed circuit board or "printed circuit board". The electrical connection can then take place by means of "printed" conductor tracks formed on the printed circuit board. The circuit board can be free of other electrical or electronic components, such as integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors and so on, so that in particular on the circuit board no processing of the electrical signals takes place, which are passed through the circuit board.

The connectors are configured to electrically connect the connector to a main circuit board. For this purpose, a connecting region is provided on each connecting element, in which the electrical contact between the connecting element and an associated contact of the main circuit board can take place. In particular, the connection area with the associated contact be soldered to the main circuit board, so that advantageously also a mechanical attachment by means of the connecting elements can be done.

Due to the spatial extent of the circuit board, an x'-y 'plane is clamped, whereby the thickness of the circuit board is neglected. Perpendicular to this x'-y 'plane is the normal vector N, which generally coincides with the thickness direction of the printed circuit board. The circuit board is disposed within the connector such that the normal vector N is disposed at an angle α different from 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees to the insertion direction E. Provided that the insertion direction in the above-described type of connectors is usually oriented parallel to an xy plane spanned by the main circuit board or parallel to an anode side of the connector which can be arranged on the main circuit board, the normal vector N of the circuit board closes with the main circuit board also at an angle which is different from 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees and in particular may be between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees, preferably between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees. In other words, the normal vector N of the printed circuit board may include an angle other than 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees with the anode side of the connector, more preferably between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees, preferably between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees ,

By inclined to the insertion direction E or the main circuit board oriented circuit board, it is advantageously possible to form a shortest possible electrical connection between the contact region of the contact element and the connection region of the connecting element, ie between the plug and the main circuit board. This further advantageously minimizes the attenuation of the connector to the signal to be transmitted and the crosstalk between individual lines in the connector by capacitive and / or inductive coupling. In particular, the connectors may be designed to meet the requirements of the international standard ISO / IEC 11801 or the IEEE 802.3an standard of the IEEE (Category 6 _A or Cat 6 _A ). This is the connector adapted to electrically connect a twisted pair cable provided with the complementary plug to the main circuit board to form an electrical signal transmission path. The transmission link can be, for example, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet broadband connection (10GBASE-T), which is designed for transmission frequencies up to 500 MHz and transmission distances up to 100 m.

Preferably, the angle α is between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, more preferably between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. In particular, the angle α can be about 61 °.

Preferably, the connector has a plurality of contact elements and a corresponding plurality of associated connection elements, wherein the circuit board electrically connects each of the connection elements with the associated contact element. In particular, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more contact elements and correspondingly two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more connecting elements may be provided, which are provided by one, two, three or more printed circuit boards ( n) are electrically connected to each other.

Preferably, the impedance between a first electrical connection element terminal of the circuit board, which is electrically connected to a first of the connection elements, and a first electrical contact element connection of the circuit board, which is electrically connected to a first of the contact elements, different from the impedance between a second electrical connection element connection, which is electrically connected to a second of the connecting elements, and a second electrical contact element terminal, which is electrically connected to a second of the contact elements.

Advantageously, the electrical impedance between a connection element connection and the contact element connection assigned by the electrical circuit on the printed circuit board can be predetermined largely as desired or be selected. In particular, all connection element connections or contact element connections can be connected to mutually different impedances, so that it is possible to compensate for the different impedances of the connection elements contacting the connection element connections and / or the different impedances of the contact elements contacting the contact element connections. The connecting elements and / or the contact elements may, for example, have a different impedance due to different lengths, different attachment and / or different cross-sections.

For impedance matching, the printed circuit board can have further electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and other electronic components. Alternatively or additionally, the printed circuit board may have different long and / or differently routed (rectilinear or in curves) electrical lines between the contact element terminals and the associated connection element terminals for adjusting the impedance.

Preferably, the signal propagation time of an electrical signal on the circuit board between the first electrical connection terminal and the first electrical contact terminal is different from the signal propagation time of the electrical signal between the second electrical connection terminal and a second electrical contact terminal.

Due to the different length of the electrical leads between the contact element terminals and the associated connector terminals on the circuit board, the signal propagation time for an electrical signal may be different depending on which connector terminal the signal has been transmitted to the associated female connector terminal. These different signal propagation times are advantageously selectable or predeterminable to a certain extent, for example by an extension or shortening of the electrical lines on the circuit board or by arranging dielectric media along the electrical lines.

Advantageously, the different signal propagation times on the printed circuit board can be used to keep the signal propagation times through the entire connector substantially constant for all lines made by the connector. For example, the effects of differently long contact elements and / or connecting elements can be compensated by a corresponding adjustment of the circuit board. For example, if a connected to the circuit board contact element or connecting element of constructive constraints (mounting options, position of the contacts on the main circuit board) longer than other contact elements or connecting elements, the electrical line on the circuit board, which electrically connects this contact elements with the connecting element shorter be formed as the electrical lines of the circuit board, which connect the other contact elements with the associated connecting elements. Preferably, the difference in signal propagation times between the different connection regions of the connection elements and the associated contact regions of the contact elements may be less than about 10 ms, preferably less than about 1 ms, and in particular less than about 100 ns.

Further preferably, the circuit board can also be designed to compensate for the crosstalk between the lines produced by the connector, in particular in the plug-in area. In this case, printed circuit board may preferably be designed to be below the following values (NEXT values) for the crosstalk (NEXT stands for "Near End Cross-Talk") by a suitable line routing on the printed circuit board: 75 dB at 1 MHz, 54 dB at 100 MHz, 46 dB at 250 MHz and 37dB at 500 MHz.

Preferably, the contact region of the at least one contact element and the connecting region of the at least one connecting element are arranged on opposite sides of the plug receptacle. In other words the contact region of the at least one contact element along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction E spaced from the connection region of the at least one connecting element is arranged so that the connector receptacle extends at least partially between the contact region and connection region. In other words, the electrical signal applied to the plug is guided around the plug or the plug receptacle to the main printed circuit board at least in places by the contact element, the printed circuit board and the connecting element. That is, the contact portions of the contact members are disposed on the opposite side of the connector receptacle and spaced therefrom from the Anordenseite of the connector, with which the connector is fixed in the operating position on the main circuit board.

Preferably, the plug receptacle has a locking device, which can be locked in the operating position with a complementary locking device of the plug. Advantageously, the plug is thus protected against accidental removal against the insertion direction E from the connector receptacle of the connector.

Preferably, the locking device on an undercut or a locking edge, wherein the complementary locking device passes through the insertion of the plug along the insertion direction E in the operating position with the undercut or the locking edge engages or locked so that the withdrawal of the plug against the insertion direction E is inhibited from the connector receptacle. For this purpose, the locking device and / or the complementary locking device of the plug can be designed to be resilient. By inserting the plug into the connector receptacle, the locking device and / or the complementary locking device can be deformed or displaced along a displacement direction which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction E. Upon reaching the operating position is / are the locking device and / or the complementary locking device due to the resilience again displaced against the displacement direction or deformed to return to the original state or the original shape. As a result, locking device and complementary locking device engage. The lock can be unlocked again by actuating the locking device or the complementary locking device along the displacement direction.

Particularly preferably, the connector is designed as RJ45 connector socket for receiving an RJ45 connector. For RJ45 connectors, the complementary locking device is located on a side opposite the contacts of the connector. Consequently, the locking device is preferably formed on the opposite side of the contact elements of the connector receptacle. If the connector is fastened to the main printed circuit board, then the locking device is arranged on the side of the plug receptacle which is closer to the main printed circuit board. This configuration is also referred to as a "tap down" configuration.

Preferably, the connector includes at least one power contact element configured to electrically contact, in the operative position with a power contact region, an associated power contact of the plug.

Preferably, the connector has two power contact elements so that an external device can be supplied with direct current or alternating current by means of the power contacts to provide electrical power to that external device via the main circuit board via the connector. In particular, the external device can be supplied exclusively via the power contact elements with the necessary energy for the operation of the device.

The power contact elements are different from the contact elements. The contact elements are in particular designed, electrical signals with a frequency content of about 1 MHz to about 500 MHz, preferably from about 1 MHz to about 500 MHz, and a low current of preferably less than 0.5 A, in particular less than 0.1 A, to transfer. For this purpose, the contact elements may have a cross-section of about 0.11 mm ² . In contrast, the power contacts are designed to take over the power supply of the external device. Therefore, the power contact elements should be capable of conducting at least a current greater than about 1 amp, preferably greater than about 2 amps or 5 amps. The power contact elements should not overheat during the conduction of such an electrical current. In particular, the temperature of the corresponding power contact element should not increase by more than about 10 ° C by the conduction of the electrical current. Accordingly, the conductor cross section of the power contact elements is generally larger than the conductor cross section of the contact elements. For this purpose, the power contact elements may have a cross section of about 0.16 mm ² to about 0.76 mm ² , in particular of about 0.37 mm ² . In particular, the power contact elements can have a larger cross-section than the contact elements by a factor of more than 2, preferably by a factor of more than approximately 5. In particular, this factor can be about 1.5 to about 6.9, in particular about 3.4.

Particularly preferably, the power contact elements are arranged on one side of the connector receptacle which is opposite or opposite the side of the connector receptacle on which the contact elements are arranged. In other words, the plug is at least partially insertable between the at least one contact region and the at least one power contact region.

Preferably, the connector comprises at least one light guide arranged to radiate the light from the main circuit board in a direction opposite to the insertion direction E out of the connector.

Advantageously, light signals from the main circuit board may be displayed to a user via the connector via the optical fiber. For example, by means of an optical signal via the optical fiber to the user Standby of the main circuit board are displayed to establish an electrical connection or a communication connection by means of the connector. Further, a data stream flowing over the connector can be visualized by an optical signal generated on the main circuit board by means of the optical fiber. Thereby, it is advantageously possible for the user to test the activity of an interface made by means of the connector from the outside, in particular in the case where the main circuit board is arranged inside a housing and thus the light source provided on the main circuit board is not visible.

The at least one light guide comprises an optically transparent or transparent material, in particular a plastic, such as an acrylic glass. Particularly preferably, the light guide is arranged and designed such that light from a light source located on the main circuit board in a direction opposite to the insertion direction E from the connector can be emitted. The light source may preferably comprise a light-emitting diode, an incandescent lamp or another light source.

Use according to one aspect

One aspect of the invention relates to the use of a connector according to the invention for transmitting electrical signals from a main circuit board to a connector electrically contacted to the connector, the electrical signals comprising frequencies up to about 500 MHz.

Preferably, the frequency spectrum of the signals transmitted by the connector includes frequencies from about 0 MHz to about 500 MHz or higher, in particular frequencies from about 300 MHz to about 450 MHz.

figure description

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Verbinders,

Fig. 2:

den in der Figur 1 gezeigten Verbinder ohne Gehäuse,

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittansicht durch den in Fig. 2 gezeigten Verbinder,

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht des Verbinders.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the connector will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1:

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connector,

Fig. 2:

in the FIG. 1 shown connector without housing,

3:

a sectional view through the in Fig. 2 shown connector,

4:

a perspective sectional view of the connector.

The FIGS. 1 to 4 show a connector 1 in different views, wherein identical elements of the connector 1 are identified in the figures with identical reference numerals. The FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector 1, which is formed in the illustrated preferred embodiment as a standard RJ45 compatible connector. The connector 1 has a housing 3 which is preferably formed of a metal to shield scattered electromagnetic radiation. The housing 3 may in particular be formed from one or more pieces of sheet metal, wherein the housing 3 further comprises at least one Gehäuselötfahne 5, which is connectable to a shielding contact or ground contact (not shown) of a main circuit board. In order to arrange the connector 1 on the main circuit board or to connect electrically and / or mechanically to the main circuit board, the housing 3 has an arrangement side 3a, which is substantially planar and in particular spans an xy plane.

In the operating position of the connector 1, the Anordenseite 3a of the housing 3 is at least partially disposed on the main circuit board or attached thereto. For fixing the connector 1 to the main circuit board, the housing 3 may include at least one housing fixing means 3b, whereby the housing 3 can be fixed to the main circuit board. In particular, the housing fastening means 3b can be designed to be accommodated in a complementary housing fastening means receptacle of the main printed circuit board at least in certain areas and / or to lock with them.

The connector 1 further has a connector receptacle 7 into which a plug (not shown) complementary to the connector 1 is inserted along an insertion direction E is insertable. By inserting the plug along the insertion direction E into the plug receptacle 7, a plug contact portion 3c of the housing 3 can electrically contact a complementary contact portion of the plug, so that a shield of the plug is electrically contacted with the shield case 3 of the connector 1.

By inserting the plug along the insertion direction E into the plug receptacle 7, the arrangement of plug and connector 1 can be transferred to an operating position. In order to hold the plug in the plug receptacle 7 in the operating position, the connector 1 may comprise a locking device 9, which is designed to lock with a complementary locking device of the plug in the operating position. For example, the locking device 9, as in FIG. 1 shown to be formed as an undercut, behind which engages the complementary locking means of the plug in the operating position, so that the withdrawal of the plug against the insertion direction E is inhibited from the plug receptacle 7.

For example, the complementary locking device of the plug may be formed as a resiliently formed component, which is deformed or displaced during the insertion of the plug along the insertion direction E in the connector receptacle 7 along a displacement direction perpendicular to the insertion direction E, in the operating position against the displacement direction due the resiliency to be displaced or deformed so that the complementary locking device of the plug engages or latching with the locking device 9 of the connector 1. The latch can be released by actuating the complementary locking means of the plug along the direction of displacement. For example, the actuation by a tool or by hand, to release the lock and pull the plug against the insertion direction E from the connector receptacle 7.

The connector 1 comprises in the in FIGS. 1 to 4 shown embodiment eight contact elements 11 which are designed, in the operating position, each with a contact region 11a of the contact element 11 to contact an associated contact of the plug electrically. Each of the contact elements 11 is electrically connected to an associated connection element 13, wherein each connection element 13 has a connection region 13 a, which is designed to be electrically contacted or connected to the main circuit board. In the in the FIGS. 1 to 4 As shown in the embodiment of the connector 1, the connecting portions 13a of the connecting members 13 are arranged on the anode side 3a of the housing 3 such that the connecting portions 13a project along an array direction A beyond the anode side 3a of the housing 3. The case attaching means 3b and the case soldering tabs 5 of the case 3 also extend along the direction of the arrangement A, so that the connector 1 can be arranged and connected to the main circuit board by a displacement along the direction of arrangement A. In particular, the connection regions 13a can be soldered to corresponding contacts of the main circuit board. Likewise, the Gehäuselötfahnen 5 can be soldered to the corresponding ground contacts of the main circuit board. By displacing the connector 1 along the arrangement direction A, the housing attaching means 3b can be engaged with the main circuit board. It will be understood, however, that the housing fasteners 3b may also be configured to be glued, bolted, soldered, latched, or otherwise secured to the main circuit board.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 4 The preferred embodiment of the connector 1 shown further comprises two power contact elements 15, which are designed to make electrical contact with an associated power contact of the plug by inserting the plug along the insertion direction E. In this case, the electrical contact of the power contact element 15 with the associated power contact of the plug takes place in a power contact region 15a.

While the contact elements 11 are preferably designed electrical signals, in particular transient electrical signals with a frequency content of about 1 MHz to about 500 MHz, preferably from about 100 MHz to about 500 MHz, to transmit these signals from the main circuit board to the contacts of the plug and thus to an external device, the power contacts 15 are designed to carry this external device to supply electrical energy, which is necessary for the operation of the device. Therefore, the power contact elements are configured to conduct at least a current greater than about 1 amp, preferably greater than about 2 amps or 5 amps. In contrast, the contact elements 11 may be designed such that currents of less than 0.5 A, preferably less than 0.1 A are passed without the temperature of the contact element 11 by passing the electric current by more than about 10 ° C increased. Accordingly, the conductor cross section of the contact elements 11 is smaller than the conductor cross section of the power contact elements 15. For example, the contact elements may have a cross section of about 0.11 mm ² . In contrast, the power contact elements may have a cross section of about 0.16 mm ² to about 0.76 mm ² , in particular of about 0.37 mm ² . In particular, the power contact elements 15 may have a conductor cross-section which is larger by a factor greater than 2, preferably by a factor greater than approximately 5, than the conductor cross-section of the contact elements 11. In particular, this factor may be approximately 1.5 to approximately 6.9, in particular about 3,4.

Preferably, the connector 1 has two optical fibers 17 arranged to radiate light from an associated light source disposed on the main circuit board in a direction opposite to the insertion direction E from the connector 1, respectively. For example, the main circuit board for each of the optical fibers may have an associated light source disposed near an entrance window 17a of the optical fiber 17 when the connector 1 is mounted on the main circuit board. The light source may include, for example, a light emitting diode or other light source. The light emitted by the light source enters the light guide through the entrance window 17a and is guided within the light guide, preferably by total reflection, to exit the light guide through an exit window 17b. The exit window 17b is arranged such that the light preferably leaves the light guide 17 against the insertion direction E. through of the optical fiber 17, signals can be emitted from the main circuit board by optical means. For example, by means of an optical signal via the light guide 17, the readiness of the main circuit board can be displayed to establish an electrical connection or a communication connection by means of the connector 1. Further, for example, a data stream flowing through the connector 1 may be displayed by an optical signal by means of the optical fiber 17. Thereby, it is advantageously possible to check the activity of an interface, which is produced by means of the connector 1, from the outside, that is, even in the event that the main circuit board and thus the light source provided on the main circuit board is not visible, for example because this inside a housing is arranged.

The FIG. 2 shows the in the FIG. 1 shown connector, wherein the housing 3 and one of the light guides 17 have been removed to allow a better view of the connection between the contact elements 11 and the connecting elements 13. Like in the FIG. 2 As shown, the contact elements 11 are indirectly connected electrically to the associated connection elements 13. This indirect electrical connection is made via the printed circuit board 19, which has a plurality of contact element terminals 19a, wherein the number of contact element terminals 19a preferably corresponds to the number of contact elements 11. Correspondingly, the printed circuit board 19 has a multiplicity of connecting element connections 19b, wherein the number of connecting element connections 19b preferably corresponds to the number of connecting elements 13.

The circuit board is preferably formed as a printed circuit, wherein each of the contact element terminals 19a is electrically connected to an associated connector terminal 19b, so that an electrical connection between each of the contact elements 11 is made with an associated one of the connecting elements 13. The printed circuit board and thus the printed electrical paths of the printed circuit board, which electrically connect the contact element terminals 19a to the connecting element terminals 19b, extend along an x'-y 'plane, which is tilted with respect to the xy plane, which is spanned by the Anordenseite 3a of the housing 3 and which is preferably oriented parallel to the main circuit board. In other words, the x'-y 'plane is defined by a normal vector N which includes an angle α with the insertion direction E, the angle α being different from 0 ° and from 90 °. The angle α enclosed between the normal vector N and the insertion direction E is preferably approximately 10 ° to approximately 80 °. Particularly preferably, the angle α is between about 30 ° and about 60 °. In particular, the angle α may be about 61.

Advantageously, the electrical connections between the contact elements 11 and the connecting elements 13 can be minimized by means of the printed circuit board 19 in length, so that the electrical attenuation of the connector 1 is also minimized, especially for high frequencies.

More preferably, the circuit board 19 may be formed such that the electrical impedance between a first one of the connection element terminals 19b and an associated first one of the contact element terminals 19a is different from the impedance between a second one of the electrical connection element terminals 19b and a second one of the contact element terminals 19a. In order to predetermine the impedance between a contact element terminal 19a and a connecting element terminal 19b, the printed circuit board 19 may comprise further electrical components 25 (in FIG FIG. 4 shown), such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and the like. The impedances between the contact element terminals 19a and the associated connection element terminals 19b can also be effected by the shape of the electrical connection 27a, 27b, 27c between two associated terminals. For this purpose, the electrical connection line on the circuit board 19 between two associated terminals 19a, 19b in a straight line (connection 27a) or not rectilinear (connection 27b) may be formed. In particular, the electrical connections 27a, 27b, 27c on the printed circuit board 19 between the Contact element terminals 19a and the associated connection element terminals 19b may be formed differently in length.

Due to the different length of the electrical connections and / or due to other causes, such as impedance matching, the signal propagation time of an electrical signal on the printed circuit board 19 between a first of the electrical connector terminals 19b and a first one of the contactor terminals 19a may be different from the signal propagation time of the electrical signal between a second one of the connection element terminals 19b and a second one of the contact element terminals 19a. The different signal propagation times on the printed circuit board 19 can be used, in particular, to adapt the signal propagation times through the entire connector 1 such that the signal propagation time of all connecting regions 13a to the respective associated contact regions 15a is substantially constant. In other words, the difference in signal propagation time between a first of the connection regions 13a and a first of the contact regions 11a is less than about 10 microseconds, preferably less than about 1 microsecond, compared to the signal propagation time between a second one of the connection regions 13a to an associated second one of the contact regions 11a and more preferably less than about 100 nanoseconds. Advantageously, 19 different signal propagation times can be compensated by differently long contact elements 11 and different long connecting elements 13 and phase shifts between the signals are prevented by the circuit board.

The contact elements 11 are each electrically connected to the contact element terminals 19 a of the printed circuit board 19 with a printed circuit board contact region 11 b. The electrical connection can be made for example by soldering, crimping, screwing, gluing, and the like. Preferably, the contact elements 11 are thereby also mechanically fastened to the printed circuit board 19. Particularly preferably, the connector comprises a contact element holder 21, which is designed to mechanically fasten the contact elements 11 to the printed circuit board 19. Especially the contact elements 11 may be at least partially performed by the contact element holder 21, wherein the contact element holder 21 preferably has a passage opening with a rounded opening portion 21a, so that the contact element 11 may be bent in the region of the opening portion 21a and in the bent area, in particular over the entire surface, on the Contact element holder 21 can rest. Thereby, a buckling of the contact element 11 is avoided, for example, when a force is applied to the contact element, as is the case when the complementary plug is inserted into the connector receptacle 7 of the connector 1. The contact element holder 21 is expediently made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic. Particularly preferably, the contact element holder 21 may have a contact element stop 21 b, which prevents excessive displacement of the contact element by inserting the plug into the connector receptacle 7.

Accordingly, the connection members 13 may have a circuit board contact portion 13b which electrically contacts with the connector terminal 19b of the circuit board 19. For example, the board contact area 13b may be soldered to the connector terminal 19b. As a result, mechanical attachment of the connecting element 13 to the printed circuit board 19 can preferably also take place. Since the connecting elements 13 are preferably fastened to a base body 23 of the connector 1, for example by the fact that the connecting elements 13 are at least partially performed by this body 23, the circuit board 19 may be mechanically fixed within the connector 1 by means of the connecting elements 13. However, the base body 23 of the connector 1 preferably has a printed circuit board receptacle 23a, into which the printed circuit board 19 can be inserted at least in regions along a printed circuit board insertion direction L. The Leiterplatteeinführrichtung L lies within the plane spanned by the circuit board 19 level. Next includes the PCB insertion direction L with the insertion direction of the plug E into the connector receptacle 7 at an angle β, which is different from 0 ° and different from 90 °. In particular, the lies between the Insertion direction E and the Leiterplatteeinführrichtung L included angle β (corresponds to β = 90 ° -α) de between about 30 ° and about 60 °. In particular, the angle β may be about 29 °. The printed circuit board 19 may be fixed in the printed circuit board receptacle 23a, for example by gluing or fusing or welding.

In a state in which the connector 1 is connected to the main circuit board, the circuit board 19 and the main circuit board are tilted toward each other. In other words, the main circuit board and the circuit board 19 are neither oriented parallel to each other nor perpendicular to each other. In particular, the main circuit board and the circuit board 19 include an angle β of about 10 ° to about 80 °, preferably from about 30 ° to about 60 °. Accordingly, the board-receiving direction L includes an angle β of about 10 ° to about 80 °, preferably about 30 ° to about 60 °, with the main circuit board. In particular, the angle β may be about 29 °.

By tilting the printed circuit board 19, on which the contact elements 11 are fixed, the contact elements 11 are arranged at a distance from the Anordenseite 3a of the housing 3. The plug receptacle 7 is at least partially between the contact elements 11 and the spaced therefrom Anordenseite 3a. Preferably, the power contact elements 15 are arranged on one side of the plug receptacle 7, which is opposite or opposite the side on which the contact elements 11 are arranged. In other words, the plug complementary to the connector 1 can be inserted at least in some areas between the contact elements 11 and the power contact elements 15. In the operating position, the plug is located between the contact areas 11a of the contact elements 11 and the main circuit board.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector 1 is designed to receive an RJ45 plug. In this RJ45 connector, the complementary locking device is on an opposite side of the contacts of the connector. Consequently, the locking device 9 of the connector is also on of the contact areas 11a opposite side of the connector receptacle 7 form. As in the FIGS. 1 to 4 is shown, the locking device 9 is seen from the contact portions 11a of the contact elements 11 in the direction of the main circuit board. This configuration is also referred to as "tap down". This embodiment has advantages with respect to the locking of the connector with the connector 1, since this connection can less easily be accidentally released when the connector 1 is installed with the main circuit board in a housing of a device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Interconnects

3

casing

3a

Anordenseite of the housing 3

3b

Housing attachment means of the housing 3

3c

Plug contact area of the housing 3

5

Gehäuselötfahne

7

plug receptacle

9

locking device

11

contact element

11a

Contact area of the contact element 11

11b

PCB contact area of the contact element 11

13

connecting element

13a

Connection area of the connecting element 13

13b

PCB contact area of the connecting element 13

15

Power contact element

15a

Contact area of the power contact element 15

17

optical fiber

17a

Entrance window of the light guide 17th

17b

Exit window of the light guide 17th

19

circuit board

19a

Contact element connection

19b

Connecting element connection

21

Contact element holder

21a

Opening area of the contact element holder 21

21b

Contact element stop of the contact element holder 21

23

Basic body of the connector 1

23a

Printed circuit board receptacle of the main body 23

25

electrical component

27a-c

Connection on the printed circuit board 19

Claims (12)

Connector (1), in particular an RJ45 connector, comprising: - A connector receptacle (7) into which a connector (1) complementary plug along an insertion direction (E) can be inserted; - At least one contact element (11) which is designed to electrically contact an associated contact of the plug in an operating position with a contact region (11a); - At least one connecting element (13) which is designed, in the operating position with a connecting portion (13 a) to electrically contact a main circuit board; at least one printed circuit board (19) electrically connecting the at least one connecting element (13) to an associated contact element (11),
wherein the circuit board is arranged substantially parallel to a plane whose normal vector N with the insertion direction E forms an angle α different from 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the angle α is between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, more preferably between about 30 degrees and about 61 degrees. A connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector has a plurality of contact elements (11) and a corresponding plurality of associated connection elements (13), wherein the circuit board electrically connects each of the connection elements with the associated contact element (11). The connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the impedance of the circuit board (19) is connected between a first electrical connection terminal (19b) electrically connected to a first one of the connection elements (13) and a first electrical contact terminal (19a) connected to a first one the first of the contact elements (11) is electrically different from the impedance between a second electrical connection element terminal (19b) which is electrically connected to a second one of the connection elements (13) and a second electrical contact element connection (19a) connected to a second one the contact elements (11) is electrically connected. A connector (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the signal propagation time of an electrical signal on the printed circuit board (19) between a first electrical connection element terminal (19b) which is electrically connected to a first one of the connection elements (13), and a first electrical contact element terminal (19). 19a) electrically connected to a first one of the contact elements (11) is different from the signal propagation time of an electrical signal between a second electrical connection element terminal (19b) electrically connected to a second one of the connection elements (13) and a second electrical one Contact element terminal (19a) which is electrically connected to a second of the contact elements (11). A connector (1) according to claim 5, wherein the signal propagation times through the entire connector 1 are substantially constant from all the connecting portions (13a) to the respective associated contact portions (15a). Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact region (11a) of the at least one contact element (11) and the connection region (13a) of the at least one connecting element (13) on opposite sides of the connector receptacle (7) are arranged. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the plug receptacle (7) has a locking device (9) which is lockable in the operating position with a complementary locking device of the plug. A connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - At least one power contact element (15) which is designed to electrically contact in the operating position with a power contact region (15a) an associated power contact of the plug. A connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - At least one light guide (17) which is arranged so as to radiate the light from the main circuit board in a direction opposite to the insertion direction (E) from the connector (1) or emit. Use of a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for transmitting electrical signals from a main circuit board to a connector electrically contacted to the connector (1), the electrical signals comprising frequencies up to about 500 MHz. Use according to claim 11, wherein the main circuit board and the circuit board (19) of the connector (1) enclose an angle β different from 0 degrees and different from 90 degrees.

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