EP2741371B1 - Plug connector and apparatus with such a plug-type connector - Google Patents

Description

Field of application and state of the art

The invention relates to a connector with a housing and plug-in connections therein and a device provided with such a connector.

In general, a corresponding connector, for example, from DE 102007013881 A1 known. A connector on a heater is out of the DE 10021512 A1 known, wherein the carrier may be flat or formed as a tube and thus may have a convex surface.

From the EP 448382 A1 is a connector with a housing and a plurality of metallic plug-in connections known therein, protrude in the angled and resiliently formed contact feet with ends at the bottom of the housing. They can be soldered to a circuit board and then the connector forms a socket.

From the US 2009/0068860 A1 Another connector is known, which forms a socket after mounting on a printed circuit board. In this case, two different types of oppositely arranged plug-in connections are provided with contact feet.

From the EP 538029 A2 is another connector provided with a housing and plug-in connections therein, each having connection ends. The terminal ends are factory-made so that they can form contact feet in three different positions.

From the US 2007/0175741 A1 , of the US 2010/0081312 A1 and the US 2006/0089036 A1 Further connectors are known with a one-piece connector in it. He has only at one end a projecting out of the housing contact foot.

From the US 2005/0142907 A1 a connector is known with male terminals and contact feet that protrude from the bottom of the housing. They are designed in the manner of laterally projecting and resilient contact feet.

From the US 2008/0032536 A1 is a connector known with a housing and therein plug-in connections. These have at one end U-shaped contact feet, the can be soldered or welded to a lower leg on, for example, a contact pad of a printed circuit board.

Task and solution

The invention has for its object to provide a connector mentioned above and a device provided therewith, with which problems of the prior art can be avoided and it is particularly possible to attach a connector easily and permanently to a corresponding device to the electrical connection ,

This object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of claim 12. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are described only for the connector or only for the device. However, they should be able to apply independently of both the connector and the device independently. The wording of the claims is incorporated herein by express reference.

It is provided that the connector has a housing and a plurality of plug-in connections therein, which are advantageously metallic, are particularly advantageously punched out or worked out of a metal sheet. The connector has a plurality of contact feet, which are each connected to the plug-in connections or integrally associated with these and stand out on the underside of the housing or protruding from this. In this case, they can protrude out of the housing particularly advantageously to the side or project laterally beyond it. The contact feet are used for electrical contacting and mechanical attachment of the connector to the device or to a support of the device.

According to the invention, a plurality of contact feet on a U-shaped foot with two legs. The two legs are approximately parallel to each other. An upper leg passes into the contact foot or the contact foot into the upper leg. Then comes a bend in the U-shape and then a lower leg, so that between the two legs a recess is provided as a free space. The lower leg is provided on the side facing away from the housing or to the aforementioned carrier. Thus, essentially the lower leg of the contact foot is connected to the carrier or the device. This makes it possible that the housing of the connector has a slightly larger Distance from the carrier or the device may have, which is advantageous if it is a heater or if the carrier has high temperatures, especially when soldering or welding. Furthermore, a certain elasticity and / or spring action is achieved both by the somewhat elongated shape of the contact feet and, above all, by the formation of the foot end with the U-shape and the fastening with the lower leg of the foot end. By appropriate choice of material and dimensioning this spring effect can be influenced. Advantageously, it is such that in the normal forces when plugging a plug on the connector or when pulling a small travel of a maximum of 1 mm or 2 mm is given or is exhausted. At the same time, however, there is still a stable and defined arrangement and orientation of the connector.

Advantageously, the contact feet extend substantially transversely to the plug connections or their intended plug-in direction. According to the invention they stand out laterally under the housing and are visible and achievable for attachment or a hard soldering or a fixed welding. Furthermore, as well as a certain spring action is possible, although it is relatively low. To increase the spring action, the contact feet would have to be made longer, which in turn requires more space than desired.

According to the invention is not only generally the contact foot laterally beyond the housing on or at the bottom of this, but especially the aforementioned foot with the two legs and the recess in between. Particularly advantageous, the entire lower leg should protrude laterally, since with him the attachment to the carrier.

In an embodiment of the invention, the length of the lower leg is at least 100% to 300% of the maximum height of the recess or of the intermediate space in the foot end. By means of this height, a maximum spring travel can be adjusted. Furthermore, the height should of course not be too large, so that the height of the connector above the carrier not too big. Likewise, although the lower leg should have a certain length, especially for a good contact and attachment to the carrier. At the same time, the lower leg should also not be too long, so that it does not particularly advantageously engage under the housing and at the same time the entire contact foot does not protrude too far laterally from the housing, as a result of which installation space problems can be avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the recess or a corresponding intermediate space in the foot end between the two legs inward, so to speak, to a room or in a room at the bottom of the housing. So the foot end points outward with the bend. Thus, a good ratio between the width of the entire connector, length of the contact feet or the foot and spring action and length of the thermal path within the contact foot from the carrier is achieved in the connector inside.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the recess or a corresponding free space may have a height which has between 50% and 150% of the height of the contact foot in its area at the foot end zoom. Advantageously, a contact foot made of sheet metal with a thickness between 0.3 mm and 2 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The contact foot thus has a rectangular cross-section, wherein the height of the contact foot should be greater up to the foot end than its thickness or a material thickness.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the recess or the corresponding intermediate space over the greater part of the length has a constant height. This is especially true for at least 90% to 95% of the length of the contact foot, up to the foot end or even up to the U-shaped bend in the foot.

Said recess or the corresponding intermediate space may be tapered towards the bend, at least at the outer end. Thus, a kind of V-shaped taper can be provided. An angle between the longitudinal axis of the upper leg and the longitudinal axis of the lower leg or in the V-shape can be between 5 ° and 45 °, advantageously between 15 ° and 30 °.

In an embodiment of the invention, a rounded, enlarged opening can be provided in the recess or in the corresponding intermediate space for bending. As a result, the spring action can be improved. The opening may advantageously be formed approximately circular or as a pitch circle. A diameter or clear height of the recess or gap may be greater than its maximum height.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is possible that an underside of the lower leg is chamfered, particularly advantageous inwardly towards the housing or to a central longitudinal axis of the housing. A reference plane for the chamfer can also be formed so that it is touched by all contact feet or is formed by them, so that the underside of the one lower leg, preferably a plurality of lower sides, are chamfered the same compared to this plane. Such an angle of a bevel may be between 5 ° and 30 °, preferably between 15 ° and 25 °. This is advantageous when the support to which the connector is to be attached, is curved, either convex or concave. Advantageously, if several contact feet protrude from the connector, on opposite sides of the housing, and then all the contact feet on its underside are chamfered at one side of the housing and the contact feet on the opposite side correspondingly, all the contact feet with their undersides can be equally good abut the wearer. Thus, a reasonably consistent soldering gap can be achieved. To improve the same underside of the contact feet even a curvature of the wearer can be cut out bent accordingly. Furthermore, less solder is needed with such an adapted form.

Furthermore, heating of the connector via the contact feet when soldering or welding the lower legs to a carrier is reduced by such a bend in the foot. Furthermore, the soldered or welded contact foot is less cooled, so that shorter soldering times are possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention may be provided on an underside of the lower leg of the foot at the transition to the outward-facing bend a radius or a rounding, and advantageously the outermost point of the lower leg. Such a radius simplifies the manufacture of the contact foot and also allows an optimized soldering gap.

Furthermore, it is possible for an aforementioned radius or an aforementioned rounding to be formed on a projection projecting beyond the other underside of the lower leg. Such a projection has the advantage that, when attached to a flat-shaped carrier, a defined soldering gap is formed, with the essential part of the underside of the lower leg having a small distance from the carrier. An aforementioned radius may be in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, advantageously 0.4 mm to 1 mm. The aforesaid projection may be 0.1 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, with respect to a plane plane.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a recess or depression is provided in a contact foot, in particular in the region of the foot end or in front of an aforementioned bend, ie shortly before the upper leg of the foot end or in the upper leg of the foot end, ie a reduction of the material thickness , It is considered advantageous if this recess or depression is introduced laterally. It can be provided for example by an embossing or a notch. Thus, a flexibility in the attachment of the contact feet can be achieved because here a material weakening and thus a greater compliance is achieved. Thus, forces acting in the plug-in direction on the connector can be additionally better absorbed or so an additional spring effect is achieved.

At least one contact foot can protrude in the longitudinal direction or in the direction of its longitudinal extension via a lateral outer side of the housing, wherein preferably the contact foot with the lower leg and the recess projects beyond the outer side. So the contact foot and especially the lower leg is easily accessible.

According to the invention, at least two of said contact feet are provided on opposite lateral outer sides of the housing and project beyond these outer sides, wherein said two contact feet have opposite longitudinal extensions or longitudinal directions or are parallel. Advantageously, all contact feet can be parallel and survive.

The device according to the invention advantageously has a previously described connector, particularly advantageously only a single one. It can be provided that in the connector all the foot ends, under certain circumstances, a majority of protruding from the housing contact feet, is the same or identical. The contact feet with the foot ends are advantageously on two opposite sides of the housing out.

These and other features will become apparent from the claims and from the description and drawings, wherein the individual features each alone or more in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and advantageous and protectable Represent embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections as well as intermediate headings does not restrict the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 eine schräge Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder,
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung durch den Steckverbinder aus Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 und 4 zwei Abwandlungen von Ausbildungen von Kontaktfüßen für den Steckverbinder mit unterschiedlich ausgebildeten Aussparungen,
• Fig. 5 eine erfindungsgemäße Heizvorrichtung mit einem flachen Träger, auf dem ein Steckverbinder und eine Heizeinrichtung angeordnet sind und
• Fig. 6 und 7 Abwandlungen einer Heizvorrichtung ähnlich Fig. 5 mit unterschiedlich gewölbten Trägern.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

• Fig. 1 an oblique top view of a connector according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 an enlarged sectional view through the connector Fig. 1 .
• 3 and 4 two modifications of configurations of contact feet for the connector with differently shaped recesses,
• Fig. 5 a heating device according to the invention with a flat support, on which a connector and a heater are arranged and
• 6 and 7 Modifications of a heater similar Fig. 5 with differently curved straps.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In the Fig. 1 an inventive connector 11 is shown in an oblique plan view. He has, as known from the aforementioned prior art, a housing 12 with an inner space 13, are arranged in the upstanding plug-in terminals 14a to 14c. This, and especially the formation of the interior 13 is known to those skilled in the art and need not be set out here in detail, including a coding provided on the inside by projections and recesses and a division of the interior.

As especially from the Fig. 2 becomes clear, stand down on the housing 12 and the connector 11 contact feet 16a to 16f. These contact feet 16 are formed in each case identical, as from the enlargements in 3 and 4 becomes clear, and they are integrally connected to the plug-in terminals 14 and go at least partially into this, in particular in the rear interior 13 to the plug-in terminals 14a to 14c. The front three contact feet 16d to 16f have differently designed plug connections, which are not discussed here in detail.

The contact feet 16 are integrated together with the plug-in terminals 14 in the housing 12, either after its production, advantageously made of plastic, pressed or injected directly with. The contact feet 16 are at the bottom of the housing 12 laterally out of this. You could also stand out from its underside.

A contact foot 16 has according to the 3 and 4 an elongated profile leading away from the plug connection 14 toward a foot end 18. At the foot end 18, an upper leg 19 is now provided which virtually forms the extension of the upper contact foot. The upper leg 19 has a bend 21 to a lower leg 20. In this case, the upper leg 19 and the lower leg 20 extend approximately parallel. Here, the region of the bend 21 is shown relatively wide, so that the aforementioned spring action is only very slightly or not at all present. However, lateral forces can still be absorbed much better. The reduced heat conduction is retained.

In contact foot 16 on the upper leg 19 or at least at the transition to an embossment 25 is provided, which is introduced laterally, as the Fig. 1 shows. The embossment 25 extends over a width in the region of the height of the contact foot 16 and can be 10 to 30% or 40% of the thickness of the material of the contact foot 16 in depth. The embossing is intended above all to effect thinning out of the material and thus a certain weakening, as a result of which the initially mentioned acting forces in the horizontal and vertical direction on the plug connector 11 can be cushioned better. Furthermore, as in the case of the bend in the foot end 18, a heat input during soldering or solid welding is once again reduced into the plug connector 11.

At the lower leg 20, a projection 26 is provided on the left to the bend 21. This has a substantially round radius, which may be the aforementioned 0.4 mm to 1 mm. The projection 26 stands over the underside of the lower leg 20 down over. At its free end to the right, the lower leg 20 has a bevel 28. Their angle α to the bottom or to a plane against which all the bottom sides of the contact feet 16 is, for example, 15 ° and is in the aforementioned range. However, this can also vary, depending on the intended use for the connector 11.

In the Fig. 2 a recess 23 is provided in the foot 18 with a constant height. A modification to it can be found in the Fig. 3 , where in the recess 23 is still an enlarged opening 24a is provided, which here is part-circular in principle. The radius of this opening 24a is about 0.8 mm to 2 mm. This serves, similar to the embossment 25, for better cushioning of forces acting on the connector 11 forces in the assembled state and to reduce heat conduction from the lower leg 20 during soldering in the connector 11th

In a further modification according to Fig. 4 is at a contact foot 16, the recess 23 provided with a wedge-shaped tapered opening 24b. While the round opening 24a according to Fig. 3 Above all, in the upper leg 19 and the elongated portion of the contact foot 16 acts, the wedge-shaped recess 24b extends to the left in the bend 21 into it. But it also serves to improve the spring action and to reduce the thermal conductivity.

In Fig. 5 a heater 31 according to the invention is shown with a flat support 32 and contact pads 33, on which, shown on the left, by means of solder 34, the connector 11 is attached or soldered with its contact feet 16. It can be seen that a soldering is done very well, because by the projection 26 on the lower leg 20 of the solder gap between the other bottom of the lower leg 20 and the contact pad 33 is precisely specified for such flat carrier 32nd

The contact fields 33 are connected by conductor tracks 35, wherein in the right-hand area a heating device 37 is contacted with it. This heater 37 may, as in the aforementioned DE 10021512 A1 have described a plurality of heating conductors, preferably in thick film technology, which are applied directly to the carrier 32. In the left area leads the track 35 to a controller 38 as a separate electrical or electronic component.

In Fig. 6 is a modification of a heating device 131 shown, the support 132 is formed relatively strongly curved. The curvature of the carrier 132 is here designed such that the chamfers 28 extend at the lower legs 20 of the connector 11 approximately with its central region tangential to the surface of the carrier 132. Thus, also provided over a certain length, relatively narrow solder gap is given for a good soldering to contact fields, not shown here on the carrier 132nd

In the Fig. 7 is yet another modification of a heater 231 shown with a curved support 232, which, however, is much less curved than in Fig. 6 , The curvature is here designed such that the projection 26 rests against the lower legs 20 of the connector 11 on the support and also the corner of the transition of the straight area of the lower leg 20 in the chamfer 28. Thus, an advantageous soldering gap is also given here, although this is defined by a plurality of support points between which the soldering gap varies, but each has advantageous height.

Claims (14)

1. Plug connector having a housing (12) and having a plurality of metallic plug connections (14a-c) in the housing, the plug connector (11) having a plurality of contact feet (16a-f) which project from the bottom face of the housing in order to make electrical contact and be mechanically fixed to a support (32, 132, 232) of an apparatus which is electrically connected to the plug connector, preferably a heating apparatus (31, 131, 231), wherein a plurality of contact feet (16a-f) each have a U-shaped foot end (18) with an upper limb (19) and a lower limb (20) approximately in parallel thereto, wherein the upper limb merges with the contact foot, with a cutout (23) between the upper limb (19) and the lower limb (20) as a free intermediate space, wherein the lower limb is provided on that side which faces away from the housing (12), wherein at least two of said contact feet (16a-f) protrude over opposite lateral exterior sides of the housing, wherein said two contact feet (16a-f) have opposing longitudinal extensions or longitudinal directions,
   characterized in that
   the respective foot end (18) of said two contact feet (16a-f) with the two limbs (19, 20) and the cutout (23) between them protrudes laterally from beneath the bottom of the housing (12).
2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the lower limb (20) is at least 100% to 300% of the maximum height of the cutout (23) or of the intermediate space in the foot end (18).
3. Plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutout (23) in the foot end (18) faces inward between the limbs (19, 20) into a space on the bottom face of the housing (12) in such a way that the foot end (18) faces outward with a bend (21).
4. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutout (23) has a constant height over the major part of its length, in particular at least 90% or 95%.
5. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutout (23) is tapered, in particular tapered in a V-shaped (24b) manner.
6. Plug connector according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rounded, in particular approximately circular, enlarged opening (24a) is provided in the cutout (23) in the direction of the bend (21), the diameter or clear height of the said opening preferably being greater than the maximum height of the cutout (23) or of the intermediate space.
7. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bottom face of the lower limb (20) is sloped (28) inward toward the housing (12) or toward a central longitudinal axis of the housing, preferably at an angle in relation to a plane which touches all of the contact feet (16a-f) or is formed by the said contact feet, the angle being between 5° and 30°, preferably between 15° and 25°.
8. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radius or a rounded portion, preferably a radius of from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, in particular of from 0.4 mm to 1 mm, is provided on a bottom face of the lower limb (20) at the transition to the outwardly facing bend (21).
9. Plug connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the radius or the rounded portion is formed on a projection (26) which projects beyond the rest of the bottom face of the lower limb (20) and, in particular, adjoins the outwardly facing bend (21).
10. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lateral recess or depression (25), in particular produced by stamping, for increasing flexibility in respect of the fixing of the contact feet (16a-f) is provided in a contact foot (16a-f), in particular in the region of the foot end (18), preferably just in front of the upper limb (19) of the foot end (18).
11. Plug connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one contact foot (16a-f) protrudes in its longitudinal extension or longitudinal direction over a lateral exterior side of the housing (12), wherein preferably the contact foot (16a-f) protrudes with the lower limb (20) and the cutout (23).
12. Apparatus (31, 131, 231) having a plug connector according to any of the preceding claims for making electrical contact by way of a plug connection, the contact feet (16a-f) of the plug connector (11) or of the plug connections (14a-c) bearing against contact areas (33) on a support (32) of the apparatus (31, 131, 231), characterized in that a contact surface of the contact areas (33) is planar or convexly curved.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, as a heating apparatus (31, 131, 231), it has at least one heating device (37) which is fitted on the support (32), preferably in the form of an electrical heating device.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the plug connector (11) is firmly soldered to the contact areas (33) of the support (32) by way of the contact feet (16a-f) or foot ends.

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