EP2887461A1 - Single-pole electrical connector with hermaphroditic contact elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single-pole electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") with hermaphroditic contact elements (30, 40, 30 "', 40"') for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular for connecting of light-emitting diode circuit boards, comprising: a base section (20) having a connection region (21) for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm (30, 30 "') and a second contact arm (40, 40"') located at the base section ( 20) and extend substantially parallel to each other from the base portion (20) away, wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 "') on its side facing the second contact arm (40, 40"') towards the inside forms a contact surface of the first contact arm and the second contact arm (40, 40 "') has a beveled portion (41) which extends from the base portion (20) in the direction of the first contact arm (30, 30"'), at which a parallel to the first contact arm (30, 30 "') extending portion (42) connects, which forms a contact surface of the second contact arm (40, 40 "'), and wherein in the connected state of two electrical connectors (10, 10', 10", 10 '", 10" ") the respective second contact arm (40, 40'" ) of an electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") between the first (30, 30 "') and the second contact arm (40, 40"') of the respective other electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") is clamped. Furthermore, the invention relates to a printed circuit board (L, L ') comprising at least one electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '", 10 "") according to the invention, a printed circuit board arrangement (A) comprising at least two printed circuit boards ( L, L ') according to the invention, and a lighting system (B), comprising a printed circuit board assembly according to the invention.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a unipolar electrical connector having hermaphroditic contact elements for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting diode printed circuit boards, and a printed circuit board with at least one such single-pole electrical connector and a printed circuit board assembly, in particular a lighting system, with at least two such printed circuit boards.

2. Background

Electrical connectors for connecting printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting diode printed circuit boards, are known from the prior art. In this context, a distinction is made on the one hand between so-called "board-to-board" connectors and "board-to-wire" connectors and on the other hand between single-pole and two-pole electrical connectors.

By a "board-to-board" connector is meant an electrical connector which is disposed on a circuit board and engageable with a corresponding electrical connector disposed on another circuit board to thereby provide electrical connection between the PCBs.

A "board-to-wire" connector is understood to mean an electrical connector which is not in direct contact with another electrical connector, but is first electrically connected to another electrical connector by means of a wire or cable.

A single-pole electrical connector is understood to mean an electrical connector which provides only one line, that is, only one electrically conductive connection. In contrast, under a bipolar electrical Connector to understand an electrical connector that provides two separate lines.

Usually, the electrical connectors for electrically connecting printed circuit boards are selected as a function of the respective operating voltage. Two-pole electrical connectors are essentially only for operating voltages of 125 volts and 250 volts. At higher operating voltages, there is a risk of short-circuiting within the electrical connector when using two-pole electrical connectors because the respective poles are relatively close to each other in a two-pole electrical connector. Therefore, at operating voltages greater than 425 volts, single pole electrical connectors, in the form of a "board-to-wire" connector, are commonly used.

An electrical connection of printed circuit boards by means of "board-to-wire" connectors, however, is relatively time-consuming, since in this case a wire or cable must first be provided, if necessary, an insulation of the wire to remove and finally the wire must each in one attached to the printed circuit board arranged electrical connector.

In addition, the known "board-to-wire" connectors are constructed comparatively complex, since appropriate holding or clamping means are to be provided for the wire, which in turn leads to higher costs.

Based on this prior art, the present invention has the object to provide an electrical connector in the form of a single-pole "board-to-board" connector, which is suitable for the electrical connection of printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting circuit boards.

These and other objects, which will become apparent upon reading the following description or which will be recognized by those skilled in the art, are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims further form the central idea of the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

3. Detailed description of the invention

A single-pole electrical connector according to the invention has hermaphroditic contact elements for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular light-emitting diode printed circuit boards (ie printed circuit boards with light-emitting diodes as lighting means). The electrical connector comprises: a base portion having a connection portion for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm and a second contact arm disposed on the base portion and extending substantially parallel to each other away from the base portion, the first contact arm being in its relation to the second contact arm directed inside a contact surface of the first contact arm, and the second contact arm has a sloping portion which extends from the base portion in the direction of the first contact arm, which adjoins a parallel to the first contact arm extending portion forming a contact surface of the second contact arm, and wherein in the connected state of two electrical connectors of the respective second contact arm of an electrical connector between the first and the second contact arm of the respective other electrical connector is clamped.

By hermaphroditic contact elements is to be understood that two identically formed electrical connectors can be interconnected, i. without having to provide different electrical connectors in the form of plugs and sockets.

The oblique portion of the second contact arm thereby enables two electrical connectors to be easily connected to each other, as a result the second contact arms of two electrical connectors to be connected are arranged displaced relative to one another in such a manner that in the connected state the respective second contact arm of an electrical connector is clamped between the first and the second contact arm of the respective other electrical connector / is. Thus, in each case an electrical connector can be arranged on a printed circuit board, without the electrical connectors having to be arranged offset from one another on the printed circuit board or the printed circuit boards having to be interconnected offset from one another. By an inventive electrical connector with its hermaphroditic contact elements or contact arms thus two

(identical) printed circuit boards are simply connected to each other by means of two identical electrical connectors according to the invention.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the first contact arm and / or the second contact arm has / have frontal chamfers arranged on the front side. Such contact surfaces simplify a connection, in particular a telescoping, of two electrical connectors according to the invention, since the danger of tilting or wedging is minimized by the run-on slopes.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the base portion is U-shaped and the contact arms are respectively arranged on the legs of the U-shaped base portion. Such a configuration is particularly easy to produce by means of a stamping-bending process, as far as the electrical connector, as preferred, is provided of a metallic material.

The central region of the base portion is preferably formed straight, i. without bulges or the like, so that it can be easily arranged on a circuit board and fixed on this.

Preferably, the base portion is chamfered at the opposite sides of the contact arms. Since the electrical connector is to be used, in particular, on a light-emitting diode printed circuit board, there is a need to keep the cross-section of the electrical connector as small as possible in order to prevent the electrical connector from shielding the light-emitting diode, thereby causing unwanted shadows.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first contact arm has a protrusion on its inner side directed toward the second contact arm, which protrusion forms the contact surface of the first contact arm. By such a protrusion, it is possible to increase the clamping force on each clamped between the first and second contact arm second contact of a second connector. In addition, there is the possibility of exactly defining the contact surface which comes into contact with the second contact arm. The contact surface of the contact arms is preferably between 3 and 7 mm ² , preferably between 4 and 6 mm ² and particularly preferably about 5 mm ² . Depending on the operating voltage or operating current, the contact surfaces of the contact arms can be made smaller or larger. In practice, it has been found that a contact surface of the contact arms of about 5 mm ² is sufficient for applications in light-emitting diode printed circuit boards.

Advantageously, the electrical connector has an overall height between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm, and particularly preferably between 3.3 and 4 mm. As already stated, the electrical connector is preferably used for a light-emitting diode printed circuit board, while the electrical connector should be as compact as possible to avoid unwanted shadow effects. As has been shown in practice, unwanted shadows can be largely avoided if the electrical connector has an overall height between 3.3 and 4 mm.

The electrical connector is preferably formed as an integral component (eg, stamped and bent part) made of a copper alloy, advantageously with the surfaces of the electrical connector tinned and / or gold plated. An integral formation by means of a copper alloy represents a particularly simple way of providing an electrical connector according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment, the electrical connector has latching means on at least one of the contact arms, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding latching means of a further electrical connector.

Further, it is advantageous that the electrical connector is adapted to operate at a voltage of ≥425 volts and / or a current of ≥4 amps.

The invention further relates to a printed circuit board with the erfindugsgemäßen connector, a printed circuit board assembly having at least two of the circuit boards of the invention and a lighting system with light-emitting (insbesondre light-emitting diodes) printed circuit board assembly.

4. Description of preferred embodiments

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf den in Figur 1 gezeigten elektrischen Verbinder;

Figur 3

eine erste Seitenansicht auf den in Figur 1 gezeigten elektrischen Verbinder;

Figur 4

eine zweite Seitenansicht auf den in Figur 1 gezeigten elektrischen Verbinder;

Figur 5

eine Rückansicht auf den in Figur 1 gezeigten elektrischen Verbinder;

Figur 6

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Leiterplatte mit einem erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinder;

Figur 7

eine schematische Ansicht von zwei Leiterplatten mit jeweils zwei erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbindern;

Figur 8

eine schematische Ansicht der in Figur 7 gezeigten Leiterplatten, wobei die Leiterplatten durch die elektrischen Verbinder elektrisch verbunden sind; und

Figur 9

eine schematische Ansicht von zwei Leiterplatten mit jeweils einem erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinder, wobei die Leiterplatten mit einem Winkel von ca. 45° zueinander angeordnet sind.

Hereinafter, a detailed description of the figures will be given. It shows:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of an electrical connector according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a top view of the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector;

FIG. 3

a first side view on the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector;

FIG. 4

a second side view on the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector;

FIG. 5

a rear view on the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector;

FIG. 6

a schematic view of a printed circuit board according to the invention with an electrical connector according to the invention;

FIG. 7

a schematic view of two printed circuit boards, each with two electrical connectors according to the invention;

FIG. 8

a schematic view of in FIG. 7 shown printed circuit boards, wherein the printed circuit boards are electrically connected by the electrical connector; and

FIG. 9

a schematic view of two printed circuit boards, each with an electrical connector according to the invention, wherein the circuit boards are arranged at an angle of approximately 45 ° to each other.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a single-pole electrical connector 10 according to the invention with hermaphroditic contact elements 30, 40 for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular of light-emitting diode printed circuit boards.

The electrical connector 10 shown here essentially has three sections, namely a preferably U-shaped base section 20, a first contact arm 30 and a second contact arm 40.

The electrical connector 10 may be mounted on the base portion 20 with a substantially horizontal base surface 21 on a circuit board (see, eg, FIG. FIG. 6 ) are arranged and fixed, for example by means of a soldering process. In approximately perpendicular from the base surface 21, the two legs 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20 extend upward. In the preferred embodiment shown, the legs 22 of the preferably U-shaped base portion 20 have frontal bevels 23.

At the chamfers 23 opposite sides of the legs 22, the first contact arm 30 is disposed on one of the legs 22 and the second contact arm 40 on the other leg 22. The two contact arms 30, 40 extend substantially parallel to each other from the base portion 20 away.

The first contact arm 30 is formed in the preferred embodiment substantially by a straight from the leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20 extending away portion 31. In the preferred embodiment shown, the first contact arm 30 on its inner side facing the second contact arm 40 has a protrusion 32, which forms a contact surface of the first contact arm 30. On the front side, the first contact arm 30 preferably has a run-on slope 33, which is intended to prevent tilting or wedging when the electrical connector 10 is connected to a further electrical connector.

The second contact arm 40, starting from the second leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20, has a beveled portion 41 that extends from the base portion 20 in the direction of the first contact arm 30 (see, for example, the top view of FIGS FIG. 2 ). The oblique section 41 is adjoined by a section 42 extending parallel to the first contact arm. At the front side, the second contact section 40 preferably also has a run-on slope 43 in order to prevent jamming when connecting two electrical connectors. The inside of the parallel section 42 thereby provides a contact surface of the second contact arm 40.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector 10. As in FIG. 2 As can be clearly seen, the first contact arm 30 and the second contact arm 40, apart from the inclined section 41 of the second contact arm 40, are aligned parallel to one another. Both ramps 33, 43 are opposite.

As will be explained in detail below, due to the asymmetrical configuration of the electrical connector 10, which is provided in particular by the inclined portion 41, two electrical connectors 10 according to the invention can be connected to each other, even if they are arranged opposite one another on two (identical) printed circuit boards. In this case, in the connected state of two electrical connectors, the respective second contact arm 40 of an electrical connector 10 is clamped between the first contact arm 30 and the second contact arm 40 of the respective other electrical connector.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the electrical connector 10 from FIG. 1 looking at the side of the first contact arm 30. As in FIG. 3 The protrusion 32 is arranged substantially centrally on the straight section 31 of the first contact arm 30, in FIG FIG. 3 the corresponding recess of pointing to the inside of the second contact arm 40 protrusion 32 can be seen.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the electrical connector 10 from FIG. 1 looking at the side of the second contact arm 40. As in FIG. 4 clearly visible, the inclined portion 41 of the second contact arm 40 connects directly to a leg 22 of the U-shaped base portion 20 at. As a result, the section 42 of the second contact arm 40 extending parallel to the first contact arm 30 is guided closer to the first contact arm 30 and the electrical connector 10 is not symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis (cf. FIG. 2 ).

FIG. 5 finally shows a back view of the in FIG. 1 shown electrical connector 10. As in FIG. 5 The inner side of the section 42 of the second contact arm 40 extending parallel to the first contact arm 30 is clearly visible and the protrusion 32 provided on the first contact arm 30 is made substantially parallel. The protrusion 32 and the parallel section 42 thereby form the contact surfaces into which a second contact arm of a further electrical connector can be clamped. The distance between the contact surfaces of an electrical connector 10 is dimensioned such that a second contact arm of a further electrical connector can be arranged therebetween with a sufficient clamping force.

FIG. 6 shows a printed circuit board L, on which an electrical connector 10 is arranged. In this case, the printed circuit board L has a substantially rectangular shape when seen in plan view, wherein the electrical connector 10 is preferably arranged in a corner region of the printed circuit board L. As in FIG. 6 To well be seen, the first contact arm 30 and the second contact arm 40 are beyond the front edge of the circuit board out to be engaged with another corresponding electrical connector of another circuit board can.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of two printed circuit boards L, L ', each having on a opposite end face two spaced-apart electrical connector 10, 10' and 10 ", 10 '". The two electrical connectors 10, 10 'and 10 ", 10'" are preferably arranged spatially symmetrical to the central longitudinal axis M of the printed circuit board (s) L, L ', ie, the electrical connectors are also when using two identical circuit boards L, L. 'each arranged opposite. In the preferred embodiment shown, the printed circuit boards are provided with identical electrical connectors 10, 10 'and 10 ", 10'", respectively. Two or more printed circuit boards L, L 'connected to one another via the connectors according to the invention are also referred to as printed circuit board arrangement A in the context of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a section of the in FIG. 7 shown circuit boards L, L 'in the connected state. As in FIG. 8 As can be well recognized, the electrical connectors 10, 10 '''can be engaged with the respective portions of the first 30, 30''and second contact arms 40, 40''projecting beyond the circuit boards L, L' such that the respective one second contact arm 40, 40 '"of an electrical connector 10, 10'" between the first 30, 30 '"and second contact arm 40, 40'" of the other electrical Such a connection is also called printed circuit board arrangement A. The printed circuit boards L, L ', as for example in the US Pat FIGS. 6 to 9 shown, as electronic components / components illuminants 50, 50 ', in particular light-emitting diodes, so in the context of the invention is also spoken by lighting system B.

In general, the oblique section provided on the second contact arm thus results in the respective second contact arms being virtually enclosed by the respective first contact arms in the connected state of two electrical connectors and resulting in a sandwich-type composite with inner second contact arms and outer first contact arms.

Depending on the operating voltage used or the current used or due to a specific application, it may be advantageous if one or more of the electrical connectors in a housing on the circuit board is / are, the housing preferably consists of an electrically insulating material. This can be done for example by corresponding caps that are plugged after connecting the circuit boards to the electrical connector or already in the production of a single electrical connector.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of two circuit boards L, L ', which are each formed with electrical connectors 10, 10 "". Unlike the in FIG. 8 shown circuit boards L, L 'are the in FIG. 9 shown circuit boards L, L 'not in a plane - that is arranged at an angle α of 180 ° to each other - but arranged at an angle α of about 135 ° to each other. As in FIG. 9 Because of the design of the electrical connectors 10, 10 "", it is possible to rotate the circuit boards around the respective contact surfaces of the electrical connectors 10, 10 "". A correspondingly high clamping force can be set by the distance between the protrusion 32 formed on the first contact arm 30 and the inside of the parallel section 42, ie with the spacing of the respective contact surfaces. The angle α is preferably 90 ° to 180 ° DEG, and the invention is not limited to any angle α as long as sufficient contact (and clamping) of the connectors is provided.

The invention is not limited to the preceding embodiments as long as it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims. Furthermore, the preceding embodiments can be combined with each other in any way. For example, the shape of the base member is not limited as long as it can provide appropriately designed contact arms. Also, the number and exact arrangement / position of the connectors on a printed circuit board and the shape of a printed circuit board is not limited by the invention as long as the connectors allow connection of two printed circuit boards.

Claims (15)

Single pole electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") with hermaphroditic contact elements (30, 40, 30 "', 40"') for electrically connecting printed circuit boards, in particular for connecting light-emitting diode printed circuit boards, comprising: a base portion (20) having a connecting portion (21) for connection to a printed circuit board, a first contact arm (30, 30 "') and a second contact arm (40, 40"') disposed on the base portion (20) and extending substantially parallel to each other from the base portion (20), wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 "') on its side facing the second contact arm (40, 40"') towards the inside forms a contact surface of the first contact arm, and the second contact arm (40, 40 "') has an inclined portion (41) which extends from the base portion (20) in the direction of the first contact arm (30, 30"') on which a parallel to the first contact arm (30, 30 "') extending Section (42) connects, which has a contact surface of the second Konta ktarms (40, 40 "'), and wherein in the connected state of two electrical connectors (10, 10', 10", 10 "', 10" ") the respectively second contact arm (40, 40"') of an electrical connector ( 10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") between the first (30, 30 "') and the second contact arm (40, 40"') of the respective other electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 "). , 10 "', 10" ") is clamped. The electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to claim 1, wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 "') and / or the second contact arm (40, 40"') have frontal bevels (33, 43). The electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the base portion (20) is U-shaped and the contact arms (30, 30 "') respectively the legs of the U-shaped base portion (20) are arranged, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") is preferably formed as an integral component, particularly preferably as a stamped and bent part , An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (20) is chamfered on the sides opposite the contact arms (30, 30 "'). An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact arm (30, 30 "') faces at its second contact arm (40, 40"') Inside has a protrusion (32), which forms the contact surface of the first contact arm (30, 30 "'). Electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surfaces of the contact arms (30, 30 "', 40, 40"') in each case between 3 and 7 mm ² , preferably between 4 and 6 mm ² and more preferably 5 mm ² , the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") preferably having an overall height between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm and more preferably between 3.3 and 4 mm. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") is made of a copper alloy is, wherein the surface of the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") is preferably tinned and / or gold-plated. Electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein latching means are provided on at least one of the contact arms (30, 30 "'), which with a corresponding latching means of a further electrical Connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") are engageable. An electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") is adapted to Further, the electric connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") is further preferably adapted to be operated with a current of ≥ 4A. Printed circuit board (L, L '), in particular for receiving at least one light-emitting diode (50, 50'), comprising at least one electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10"', 10 "") according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact arms preferably protrude beyond the edge of the printed circuit board. Printed circuit board (L, L ') according to claim 10, wherein at least on one end face of the printed circuit board (L, L') at least two electrical connectors (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 10 "") according to one of claims 1 to 9 spaced from each other. Printed circuit board (L, L ') according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10" ', 10 "") spatially symmetrical to a central axis (M) of the printed circuit board (L , L ') are arranged, and / or wherein the circuit board in plan view has a substantially rectangular shape, and / or wherein the at least one electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10" ', 10 "") in a Housing on the circuit board (L, L ') is arranged, which preferably consists of an electrically insulating material. Printed circuit board arrangement (A), in particular lighting system, comprising at least two printed circuit boards (L, L ') according to one of Claims 10 to 12, the respective second contact arm (40, 40 "') of an electrical connector (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10" ', 10 "") between the first (30, 30' ") and the second contact arm (40, 40" ') of the respective other electrical connector (10, 10', 10 ", 10" ', 10 "") is trapped. Circuit board assembly (A) according to claim 13, wherein in each case two printed circuit board (L, L ') at an angle between 90 and 180 ° DEG, more preferably between 120 and 180 ° DEG, more preferably between 135 and 180 ° DEG via the connectors are provided angled to each other angled. Lighting system (B), comprising a printed circuit board arrangement according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the circuit board (L, L ') in each case at least one lighting means (50, 50'), in particular a light-emitting diode.

Images