EP3286805B1 - Plug system having low-wear contacting - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a plug-in system, comprising a plug-in part with at least one contact element and a mating plug-in part with at least one contact point on a contact carrier surface extending approximately parallel to a plug-in direction. The plug-in part can be inserted in the plug-in direction into the mating plug part in such a way that the contact element comes into electrical contact with the contact point of the mating plug-in part.

Such plug-in systems are particularly suitable for the transmission of numerous signals in a confined space. In this case, the male part has a multiplicity of contact elements and the mating male part has a multiplicity of contact points (or contact pads) on the contact carrier surface, which are brought into electrical contact with the respective associated contact element when plug-in part and mating male part are plugged together.

For the transmission of many signals or current paths in a confined space conventionally printed circuit boards or boards (Printed Circuit Boards, PCBs) are used, the surface is at least partially formed as a contact carrier surface that carries the contact points. The contact points may be formed as exposed, gold-plated contact surfaces or copper, which is applied to the contact carrier surface, or be galvanically finished. If a signal from such a board to another conductor (cable, connectors, other board) are transmitted, there are several ways to make an electrically conductive connection. On the one hand you can solder the contact partner directly on the board. This is a very reliable method for transmitting signals as lossless as possible. The big disadvantage of this compound is that it is no longer solvable. Added to this are the longer installation times and the thermal load.

Likewise, it is state of the art that there are also detachable connections between boards and other signal conductors. These are often designed such that metallic contact elements of a male part during the mating process slide directly on the contact carrier surface of the board and pushed to an end position (completely inserted). A "plug-in part" is understood to be an arbitrary plug connector, such as a plug-in board, a socket part, a plug part, etc., which is set up for mating or for coupling with a complementarily designed "mating plug-in part", wherein in a verkuppelten end position electrical signals or Transmitted currents from the contact elements of the male part to the contact points of the mating male part and can be. The verkuppelte end position is preferably detachable, so that the male part and the mating male part are again decoupled from each other.

A conventional plug-in system is exemplary and simplified in the FIGS. 6a to 6d The reference numeral 10 'designates the plug-in part which carries a plurality of contact elements 30', and reference numeral 20 'denotes the counterpart plug-in part which has a plurality of contact points 44' in the form of contact pads on a contact carrier surface. For coupling the plug-in part 10 'is moved in a direction parallel to the contact carrier surface extending insertion direction S in the direction of the mating connector part 20' ( Fig. 6a ) until the contact elements 30 'designed as contact springs come into contact with the contact carrier surface ( Fig. 6b ).

In the course of the further insertion movement, the contact elements 30 'are compressed by the contact carrier surface and in abrading contact along the Contact carrier surface moved ( Fig. 6c ) until the contact elements 30 'are finally opposite the contact points 44' and contact them electrically ( Fig. 4d ). In the course of the grinding movement of Fig. 6c to Fig. 6d Press the contact elements 30 'necessarily continuously with a full contact normal force on the contact carrier surface. This long Reibstreckt means a lot of abrasion.

When grinding with high compressive force over the entire length of the contact carrier surface, the contact elements 30 'produce undesirable abrasion. In each insertion process, a certain part of the contact coating is thus removed, whereby the contact resistance increases steadily and at the same time the pollution in the contact area by conductive chips or the like. increases. This can mean that between the contact points of the board can lead to a drastically reduced insulation resistance to short circuit.

Another disadvantage of known plug-in systems is that due to the o.g. Contact normal forces with increasing signal number and the Gesamtsteckkraft increases, since the normal contact force during the entire plugging operation produces a corresponding frictional force between the contact element and the board, which increases the insertion force to be applied in the plugging direction.

From the US 5 277 611 A For example, an arrangement for connecting an electrical connector to a suitable circuit board is known. The connector includes a dielectric housing having upper and lower walls joined together by spaced sidewalls. The upper and lower walls form a shaft for receiving the appropriate circuit board. In the housing a plurality of terminals are arranged, which form contact portions along the shaft for receiving contact surfaces on the circuit board. At least a pair of aligned apertures extend through the upper and lower walls of the housing, and an opening in the circuit board is arranged and aligned to align with the apertures in the housing when the circuit board is inserted into the well. A fastener is for receiving in the housing openings and the aligned board openings provided to secure the board in the connector. The fastening element is designed such that it clamps the upper and lower walls of the housing. The height of the shaft is greater than the thickness of the circuit board, so that the board is floatingly mounted in the connector, wherein the clamping forces of the fastener against the upper and lower walls of the housing are not transmitted to the circuit board. Nevertheless, the contact surfaces are subject to a high mechanical wear at each mating process, since the contact pressure is already fully present during the plug-in operations.

US2002064988 discloses a connector system according to the preamble of claim 1.

In view of the problems described, it was the object of the present invention to develop a plug-in system which allows a high number of channels in a small space. The wear behavior of the contact partners should be optimized, and the insertion forces should be as low as possible to facilitate the insertion process. At the same time, however, the contact forces should be sufficiently high to ensure safe transmission of both high frequency signals and supply currents.

This object is achieved by a plug-in system according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. In a plug-in system according to the invention, the mating plug part has one of the contact carrier surface in a transverse, in particular perpendicular, extending to the plug-in direction of contact opposite counter-pressure surface. The contact carrier surface is movably held on the mating male part such that it can be displaced in the insertion direction relative to the counter-pressure surface immovably held on the mating male part.

Consequently, a gap between the contact carrier surface and the counter-pressure surface is present, in which the contact element of the male part can be received in an end position. In the end position, the contact element is thus pressed by the counter-pressure surface against the contact point of the contact carrier surface.

In other words, the contact carrier surface is movably held on the mating plug part so that it is displaceable in the insertion direction in the end position upon insertion of the male part together with the contact element. Only in the end position, the contact element is pressed in the direction transverse to the insertion direction pressing against the contact point, wherein the contact element is received in the end position in the space between the counter-pressure surface and the contact carrier surface and is thereby pressed against the contact carrier surface, so that a reliable electrical Contact between the contact element and the contact point is made.

According to the invention, the contact carrier surface is held displaceably in the insertion direction on the mating plug part. This has the advantage that, unlike conventional plug-in systems, the contact element is not moved under pressure relative to the contact carrier surface during insertion and in so doing grinds over the contact carrier surface or via the contact point. Rather, the contact element can first be brought into a position in which it already correctly positioned opposite the contact point (preferably without it to rest), and only then the contact carrier surface is moved together with the male part in the plug, whereby the contact element in the space between the Contact carrier surface and the counter-pressure surface is clamped.

The invention is based on the recognition that the sliding relative movement between the contact partners in conventional plug-in systems leads to the above-described problems and should therefore be largely avoided. Therefore, according to the invention, the contact element in the insertion together with its contact partner - but essentially without compressive force in the normal direction (pressing) - moved to its axial end position, and only then it is thereby pressed in the contact pressure to the contact point that it is between the counter pressure surface and Contact carrier surface is clamped. A sliding relative movement takes place only between the counter-pressure surface and the contact element, but not between the contact carrier surface and the contact element.

In order to ensure that contact engagement with the counterpressure surface takes place only when the contact element of the contact point is already positioned substantially correctly, it may be expedient for the contact carrier surface to protrude further in the direction of the plug part than the counterpressure surface. In this case, in the course of the insertion process, first the contact element is positioned correctly with respect to the contact point, and only upon further insertion is the contact element brought into abutment with the counterpressure surface beginning behind in the insertion direction.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the contact normal force required for signal transmission between contact point and contact element is not generated by the fact that the spring tension of the contact element designed as a contact element acts between a contact surface of the plug part and the contact carrier surface of the mating plug part. Rather, acts according to the present invention, the spring bias of the contact element designed as a contact element preferably between two surfaces of the mating male part, namely between the counter-pressure surface and the contact carrier surface. This has the advantage that the spring force can be absorbed by a component which is not involved in the electrical contact, namely the counter-pressure surface.

A reliable contact force between the contact element and the contact point can be ensured that the at least one contact element is flexible and preferably designed as an elastic contact spring. Especially many mating cycles under constant contact force can be achieved if the contact element is designed as a leaf spring element.

As already explained above, the leaf spring element is received in the end position in a space between the contact carrier surface and the counter-pressure surface and is thereby pressed against the contact point. With regard to a good contact, it is expedient that the dimension of the leaf spring element in the relaxed state in the pressing direction is greater than that Distance between the contact carrier surface and the opposite counter-pressure surface, preferably more than 1.1 times as large, in particular more than 1.2 times as large or larger. In this way, a good clamping effect is achieved without an excessive insertion force is required for the insertion process.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the leaf spring element has a first leaf spring part projecting cantilevered essentially in the insertion direction and having a first abutment region for bearing against the contact point. In addition, the leaf spring element may have a second leaf spring part bent back from a front end of the first leaf spring part with a second contact surface for engagement with the counterpressure surface for exerting pressure on the leaf spring element in the contact pressure direction. In this case, the dimension of the leaf spring member in the pressing direction is preferably measured between the first and second abutment portions. When the leaf spring element is received in the intermediate space between the counterpressure surface and the contact carrier surface, the second abutment region is pressed against the first abutment region by the counterpressure surface, thereby elastically compressing the leaf spring element as a whole in the pressing direction. Alternatively or additionally, it may be expedient that the second leaf spring part has an at least partially oblique with respect to the insertion direction extending front surface, so that the leaf spring part is gradually compressed during insertion by pressure contact with the counter-pressure surface and the contact force can be gradually built up. Such a configuration of the contact element allows a well-dosed and reliably acting contact force in the end position.

In the case of a plurality of contact elements, all contact elements may be similar or substantially identical, wherein influence can be taken on the insertion force required for coupling by selecting the material thickness, the dimension in the pressing direction and the shape of the leaf spring elements.

The plug-in system according to the invention is preferably designed for transmitting a plurality of signals, wherein in this case the plug part a plurality (eg. 5, 10, 30 or more) in a width direction (B) juxtaposed contact elements and the mating plug a plurality of at the Contact carrier surface in the width direction (B) may have juxtaposed contact points that come into contact with a respective associated contact element upon insertion. The width direction is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the insertion direction and the pressing direction. The contact elements are preferably in the form of contact springs starting from a spring carrier of the plug-in part in the direction of the mating plug-in part, wherein the contact points are introduced as contact pads next to one another at corresponding distances in the contact carrier surface.

A particularly compact embodiment of the plug-in system is possible in that the mating plug part has a plate element such as a printed circuit board (PCB) with two opposing contact carrier surfaces and / or that the plug part at least one pair of contact elements of two opposite each other in the pressing direction (H) arranged contact elements, between which the plate member is insertable. In other words, both the upper and the lower boundary surface of the board is at least partially configured as a contact carrier surface with contact points for contacting contact elements, wherein both the upper and the lower boundary surface of the board can carry numerous in the width direction B juxtaposed contact points. The opposing contact elements of the contact element pair may be arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to. The platinum level, which simplifies the structure and the contact.

With regard to a low-wear contacting, it has proven to be expedient that a distance A between the contact elements of the contact element pair substantially corresponds to the thickness of the plate element. In the course of the insertion process then the plate element first passes without contact pressure, but in the pressing direction substantially free of play, in the Interspace between the contact elements of the contact element pairs until the contact elements are opposite to the respective associated contact points on the two sides of the board. Only then does the pressing against the contact points in the pressing direction take place in that the plate element is displaced together with the contact elements of the contact element pairs relative to two counter-pressure surfaces until the contact elements are pressed by the counter-pressure surfaces in the pressing direction on both sides in the direction of the plate element. This symmetrical structure leads to a symmetrical contact pressure on the two oppositely directed contact carrier surfaces of the plate element and thus to a particularly uniform and stable contact.

With regard to an even higher contact density of the plug-in system, it is advantageous for the mating plug part to have two, three or more, in particular eight plate elements, such as sinkers, each extending in the plug-in direction (S), wherein preferably both main board surfaces are formed at least in sections as contact carrier surfaces , The individual plate elements are preferably arranged one above the other in the pressing direction. The plate elements are then inserted substantially without contact pressure between each pair of contact element pair, and then the contact elements are each pressed by means of pairs of opposing counter-pressure surfaces to the associated contact points.

In the case of a plurality of plate elements, it is advantageous that at least two plate elements and / or counter-pressure surfaces are offset from one another in the insertion direction, so that not all contact elements simultaneously come into contact with a counter-pressure surface during the insertion process and are thereby pressed together. Otherwise, a particularly high insertion force would be required when plugging in at a certain point. If, on the other hand, the counter-pressure surfaces, for example, start at different positions in an alternating manner, then those required for compressing the contact elements must Forces are applied at two (or more) places in the insertion direction, so that the required maximum force is lowered.

The first force peak can be set higher than the following force peaks, being pushed through to the end. This ensures that everything is complete.

A particularly well and stable guided mating operation is possible if the plate elements are arranged in each case displaceably and preferably in the pressing direction substantially centrally between two counter-pressure surfaces of the mating plug. The first counterpressure surface is provided for pressing contact elements against the first contact carrier surface of the plate element, and the second counterpressure surface is provided for pressing the respectively opposite contact elements against the opposing contact carrier surface of the plate element.

The production of a plug-in system according to the invention can be simplified in that the plate elements each interspaces of the counter-pressure surfaces having lamellar body, preferably wherein the lamellae of the lamellar body facing the plug-in part and / or obliquely with respect to. The plug-in direction extending ramps may have. The run-up slopes can gradually pass into the running parallel to the insertion counterpressure surfaces. The lamellar body may be formed in one piece and carry a plurality of each having two counter-pressure surfaces having fins. Alternatively, the slats of the slat body are each attached separately to a housing of the mating connector. It is important that the individual boards protrude through the spaces between the slats, so that the contact elements and the boards are already correctly positioned relative to each other when the contact elements enter into the spaces between the slats.

The plug-in part preferably has at least one stop surface on which a front surface of the at least one plate element abuts when it is plugged in and from which the plate element is pushed in the plug-in direction.

A low-wear, good contact enabling Kontaktierungsvorgang can be achieved in that the male part of an intermediate position in which the contact elements their respective contact points each already positioned correctly, but substantially pressure-free, opposite, is displaceable in the end position, in which the contact elements clamped between each plate member and a counter-pressure surface and thereby pressed to the associated contact point.

The abutment surface of the male part is preferably arranged such that the front surface of the plate element abuts against it, when the contact elements are positioned correctly positioned the contact points. From this point, the plate member is advanced in the direction of insertion relative to the counter-pressure surfaces.

In order to allow a mobility of the contact carrier surfaces or the plate elements in the insertion direction, the plate elements are preferably guided displaceably in extending in the insertion direction guide slots.

Preferably, each contact carrier surface or each plate member is associated with at least one biasing element such as a spring element, against the bias of the plate member is displaceable in the insertion direction. Prior to insertion of the male part, the plate elements are urged by the biasing elements towards the male part to ensure that plate elements are in an interface-side position when inserted. The required insertion force can be adjusted by the spring force of the biasing elements. A stop (for example a shoulder of the disk body) may be provided on the mating plug part, against which the plug-in part strikes upon reaching the end position. The spring elements can each be provided as leaf springs behind the guided in guides plate elements.

With regard to a structurally and structurally simple construction of the mating male part, it has proved expedient to provide a arranged in the insertion behind the plate elements and a plurality of spring elements having leaf spring comb, each plate member is assigned at least one leaf spring of the leaf spring comb, which is the respective plate element in the direction of the male part. Preferably, two Blattfederkämme each provided with a leaf spring per plate element.

The biasing elements, the plate elements with the contact carrier surfaces and / or preferably formed as lamellae counter-pressure surfaces can be accommodated in a common housing of the mating plug-in part, in which the plate elements are arranged one above the other in layers in the pressing direction. Alternatively or additionally, a number of contact element carriers corresponding to the plate elements can be accommodated in a common housing of the plug-in part, in which the contact element carriers are arranged one above the other in layers in the pressing direction. From a front side of each contact element carrier are preferably formed as contact springs contact elements in front of each other. In this case, two opposing rows of contact elements are preferably provided in the pressing direction, wherein in each case a plate element is insertable between the individual contact element pairs of these two rows.

Fig. 1a bis 1d

vier Schritte im Verlauf eines Einsteckvorgangs, bei dem ein aus einem Steckteil und einem Gegensteckteil bestehendes erfindungsgemäßes Stecksystem verkuppelt wird, in einer schematischen Schnittansicht,

Fig. 2

ein Kontaktelementträger des Steckteils des erfindungsgemäßen Stecksystems in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3

das Steckteil des erfindungsgemäßen Stecksystems in einer der Erläuterung dienenden Ansicht,

Fig. 4a bis 4d

verschiedene (Teil-)Ansichten des Gegensteckteils des erfindungsgemäßen Stecksystems,

Fig. 5

das hintere Ende eines Plattenelements des Gegensteckteils in einer Draufsicht, und

Fig. 6a bis 6d

vier Schritte im Verlauf eines Einsteckvorgangs, bei dem ein aus einem Steckteil und einem Gegensteckteil bestehendes herkömmliches Stecksystem verkuppelt wird.

In the following description, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1a to 1d

four steps in the course of a plug-in operation in which a plug-in system according to the invention consisting of a plug-in part and a mating plug-in part is coupled, in a schematic sectional view,

Fig. 2

a contact element carrier of the plug-in part of the plug-in system according to the invention in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

the male part of the plug-in system according to the invention in an explanatory view,

Fig. 4a to 4d

different (partial) views of the mating male part of the plug-in system according to the invention,

Fig. 5

the rear end of a plate member of the mating male part in a plan view, and

Fig. 6a to 6d

four steps in the course of a plug-in operation in which a conventional plug-in system consisting of a plug-in part and a mating plug-in part is verkuppelt.

In the following, the present invention will be explained with reference to a plug-in system designed in a particularly advantageous manner:
This in Fig. 1 shown plug system 100 consists in principle of a male part 10 and a mating connector 20. The male part is in detail in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown and the mating plug is in detail in the FIGS. 4a to 4d shown.

In a housing 65 of the male part 10, which is open on two sides, a plurality of contact element carrier 60 are held stationary (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ). On one side of the contact element carrier 60, cables are soldered onto the printed conductors of a printed circuit board, which are soldered out of the housing 65 on the so-called "cable side" escape. They serve for further signal transmission to other components, which have no significance for the present invention.

On the second open side of the housing 65, the so-called "interface side", which precedes the plug-in direction S in the insertion process or faces the mating plug-in part, contact elements 30 are arranged on the contact element carrier 60 both on the upper side and on the lower side Applied form of contact springs which protrude in the insertion direction S of the contact element carrier 60. Two opposing contact elements 38, 39 are referred to below as the contact element pair. These are ideally soldered directly onto the tracks of the contact element carrier 60. Between the upper and lower contact elements 38, 39 of the contact element pairs a clearance is formed with a distance A which is at least so large that the thickest, provided for immersion of the mating connector 20 board 40 as a contact partner between these contact elements 38, 39 substantially can dive without friction.

The contact elements 38, 39 of the contact element pairs are at least partially opposite each other in a pressing direction H which is perpendicular to the insertion direction S. On the interface side of the contact element carrier 60, numerous pairs of contact elements (here by way of example 34) are arranged side by side in a width direction B which is perpendicular to the insertion direction S and the pressing direction H. A contact element carrier is thus set up to transmit 68 signals, wherein eight contact element carriers 60 are received one above the other in the housing 65 in the pressing direction H. Depending on the need for signal paths, more or less contact elements per contact element carrier 60 or more or fewer than eight contact element carriers 60 may be provided in the housing 65.

In the FIGS. 1a to 1d is particularly well recognized that the contact elements 30 each one attached to the contact element carrier 60 and substantially in the insertion direction S of the contact element carrier projecting first leaf spring member 32 having a first contact region for electrically contacting a Contact point 44 of the mating connector 20 have. The contact element 30 is bent back and has one of the front end of the first leaf spring member 32 substantially opposite to the insertion direction S returning second leaf spring member 34 with a second abutment portion for abutment against a counter-pressure surface 52 of the mating connector 20 in the end position II. Thus, the contact elements 30 are arranged elastically compressible in the pressing direction H. When they are received in the space between the counter-pressure surfaces 52 and the board 40, which is slightly narrower than the dimension of the contact element 30 in the pressing direction (measured between the two contact areas), they are elastically compressed, so that in each case a compressive force between the first Contact surface of the contact element 30 and the associated pad 44 of the board 40 acts.

On one end side of the housing 65 (interface side) can be seen diagonally arranged two recesses 66. These take at the beginning of the mating process matching counterparts (pin 49) of the mating connector 20 in order to ensure adequate pre-centering of all involved in the mating process components.

The following is the in the FIGS. 4a to 4d illustrated mating connector 20 described. FIG. 4a shows various components of the mating connector 20 in an exploded view, FIG. 4b shows the fully assembled counterpart plug 20 in a perspective view, Figure 4c shows the mating connector 20 from diagonally behind and FIG. 4d shows a portion of the mating male part 20 in a sectional view.

In a housing 45, which is also open on two sides, laterally opposite guide slots 46 can be found. The number and exact execution of the guide slots 46 are irrelevant to the further considerations. In these guide slots 46 plate elements are inserted in the form of boards 40, whose upper and lower main surfaces of the interface side (that side which is provided for coupling with the male part 10 and the male part 10 when plugging in) as oppositely directed Contact carrier surfaces 42, 43 are formed. The contact carrier surfaces 42, 43 each have a plurality of juxtaposed in the width direction of contact points 44, which are provided for electrically contacting the contact elements 30.

On the side facing away from the plug-in part 10 cable side of the housing 45, as described above for the housing 65 of the male part 10, cable soldered to the tracks of the boards 40, which emerge on the cable side of the housing 45 from this. A stop in the guide slots 46 prevents the boards 40 on the interface side to protrude too far out of the housing 45 or fall out. The boards 40 are pressed by means of spring elements 70 which are arranged at the cable end behind the boards 40 against this stop and are slidably received in the direction of the cable side against the bias of the spring elements 70 in the guide slots 46. This is crucial for the further function. In the embodiment shown here, the spring elements 70 are stamped sheet-metal springs which, on the one hand, press against the sinkers 40 with individually resilient fingers and bear against the side wall of the housing 45 with the fixed, non-resilient part. In each case, a pin 72 secures each spring element 70 against falling out and at the same time allows deflecting the spring forces against the wall of the housing 45. In the pressing direction H superimposed spring elements 70 for the individual boards 40 each form a leaf spring 74, the in Fig. 4a is shown particularly clearly. A cable-side end of a board 40 with the board in the direction of the male part 10 biasing spring element 70 is in Fig. 5 shown enlarged.

The design of the spring elements 70 is exemplary here. Any other shape that pushes the boards 40 against the stop in the guide slots 46 is conceivable. The boards 40 are thus movably mounted in the insertion direction S, where they are in the unmated state in an interface-side end position in which they project in the direction of the plug-in part 10 to be inserted.

Now another important component comes into play, namely a lamellar body 50. This is designed such that it has a plurality of parallel slats 51. In cross-section (see Fig. 4d ), these lamellae 51 are substantially rectangular, with each lamella on the upper and lower side of the interface having a small slope, the so-called starting bevel 54. The run-on slopes 54 each pass into the counter-pressure surfaces 52 of the slats 51, through which the contact elements 30 are pressed against the contact points 44. The lamellar body 51 is installed in a suitable manner fixed in the housing 45 (eg pressed, glued or injected directly with), so that the run-on slopes 54 are directed towards the interface. For better distribution of the insertion forces over the entire insertion process, it may prove to be particularly useful to offset the chamfers 54 in the insertion direction S against each other (not shown here).

The boards 40 are accommodated in the housing 45 in such a way that they protrude on the side of the interface substantially centrally through the interspaces between the lamellae 51.

Also, the housing 45 has elements for pre-centering, in the form of two pins 49th

The following is with reference to the FIGS. 1a to 1d described the insertion process in which the male part 10 is inserted in the insertion direction S in the mating connector part 20. In the first step, the Vorzentrierelemente (pin 49 and recesses 66) are brought into engagement with each other. This has the effect that the housings 45, 65 of the plug-in part and mating plug-in part as well as the components installed in them are oriented in the correct position relative to one another. This prevents possible damage to the sensitive components (contact elements, contact points, etc.) during the plug-in process. Upon further pushing together of male part 10 and mating male part 20, interface-side geometric elements of the housing slide into one another in such a way that a further circumferential centering of the two male partners takes place relative to one another.

In this case, sink the boards 40 in the spaces between the contact elements 38, 39 of the contact element pairs, which protrude from the contact element carriers 60 of the plug-in part, but without touching them or without along it to sand (see Fig. 1a ).

If the plug-in part 10 and the mating plug part are pushed further into one another, the boards strike 40 on abutment surfaces 62 of the contact element carrier 60, so that no relative movement of contact elements 30 and boards 40 in the plug-in direction S can take place from this point on. The plug-in system is in the in Fig. 1b arranged intermediate position shown.

At this time, the contact elements 30 and the pads 44 (landing pads) on the contact support surfaces 42, 43 of the boards 40 are optimally aligned with each other, but they still do not touch. It should be remembered that the boards 40 are resiliently mounted and slidable towards the cable side. This becomes important now, since the male part 10 and the mating male part 20 are pushed further into one another, but the sinkers 40 are already pressed against the abutment surfaces 62.

As the plug-in path progresses, the lamellar body 50 is now used (see Fig. 1c ). The counter-pressure surfaces 52 formed by the fins 51 run with their run-on slopes 54 on the contact elements 30 so that they are inserted into the space between boards 30 and fins 51 and pressed against the already positioned contact points 44 of the boards 40. The contact carrier surfaces 42, 43 are thus moved together with the correctly positioned contact elements 30 relative to the stationary on the housing 45 held counter-pressure surfaces 52. The electrical contact is finally made (see Fig. 1d ).

As already mentioned, the run-up bevels 54 can be offset from one another in the insertion direction in order to reduce the value of the maximum insertion force. However, this is not shown here, since in this embodiment is not necessary.

The further the male part 10 and the mating male part 20 are pushed into each other, the greater the contact force in the perpendicular to the insertion direction S extending pressing direction H between the contact springs 30 and the boards 40. The maximum contact force is reached at the end of the chamfers 54, which then in pass straight substantially parallel to the insertion direction S extending counter-pressure surfaces 52, whereby it is achieved that the contact force remains constant at the desired value. The male part 10 and the mating male part 20 are pushed further into each other (the relative position of the contact elements 30 and the contact points 44 on the contact carrier surfaces 42, 43 remains unchanged) until the housing 65 abuts against the lamella body 50. The plug-in process is complete.

When loosening the plug connection, the procedure described above takes place in the reverse order.

1. a) Optimiertes Verschleißverhalten, da die Kontaktelemente nicht über den gesamten Steckweg auf den Kontaktpads gleiten, sondern erst dann in Druckkontakt kommen, wenn zwischen Kontaktelement und Kontaktstelle keine Relativbewegung mehr stattfindet. Daher weniger Abrieb, einfacheres Stecken (keine der Steckrichtung entgegenwirkende Reibkraft von den Kontaktelementen auf den Kontaktpads), bessere Vorzentrierung, bevor der Kontakt hergestellt wird.
2. b) Aufgrund des optimierten Verschleißverhaltens können Schichtdicken (z.B. Goldbeschichtung) auf den Kontaktelementen und auf den Kontaktstellen reduziert werden, was zu einem Kostenvorteil führt.
3. c) Da die Kontaktkraft nicht von den Kontaktelementen selbst aufgebracht werden muss, sondern über die Abstützung im Gehäuse an den Gegendruckflächen generiert wird, können die Kontaktfedern einfacher, billiger und zuverlässiger ausgeführt werden. Ebenso kann die Packungsdichte (Anzahl der Kontakte pro Flächeneinheit) erhöht werden, da die Kontaktelemente kleiner ausgeführt werden können.
4. d) Die Dickentoleranzen der Platinen können besser ausgeglichen werden, da die Federkraft der Kontaktelemente "extern" generiert wird. Somit sinkt die Wahrscheinlichkeit, die Federn bei ungünstiger Toleranzlage zu zerstören, bzw. schlechten oder gar keinen Kontakt zu haben.
5. e) Die Zuverlässigkeit der Kontakte wird erhöht, da die Kontaktelemente aktiv auf die Kontaktstellen gedrückt werden. Dies ist insbesondere von Vorteil, wenn das Stecksystem mechanischen Belastungen wie etwa Vibrationen ausgesetzt ist. f) Aufgrund der beschriebenen Vorteile ist das Stecksystem skalierbar und auf den jeweiligen Anwendungsfall optimal anpassbar.

The plug-in system according to the invention offers in particular the following advantages over the conventional plug-in systems:

1. a) Optimized wear behavior, since the contact elements do not slide over the entire plug on the contact pads, but only come into pressure contact when between the contact element and contact point no relative movement takes place. Therefore, less abrasion, easier mating (no frictional force against the mating direction from the contact elements on the contact pads), better pre-centering before contact is made.
2. b) Due to the optimized wear behavior, layer thicknesses (eg gold coating) on the contact elements and on the contact points can be reduced, which leads to a cost advantage.
3. c) Since the contact force does not have to be applied by the contact elements themselves, but is generated by the support in the housing on the counter-pressure surfaces, the contact springs can be made simpler, cheaper and more reliable. Likewise, the packing density (number of contacts per unit area) can be increased because the contact elements can be made smaller.
4. d) The thickness tolerances of the boards can be better compensated because the spring force of the contact elements is generated "externally". Thus, the probability of destroying the springs in unfavorable tolerance position, or having poor or no contact decreases.
5. e) The reliability of the contacts is increased as the contact elements are actively pressed onto the contact points. This is particularly advantageous when the plug-in system is exposed to mechanical stresses such as vibrations. f) Due to the described advantages, the connector system is scalable and optimally adaptable to the respective application.

The plug-in system according to the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures. In particular, the plug-in system does not necessarily have a plurality of contact elements and contact points, but can also provide only a single contact path. However, the circuit boards symmetrically loading, opposing contact elements in the form of contact element pairs that contact both major surfaces of the board, but offer special stability and compactness benefits. The plug-in system according to the invention, however, due to the exactly definable insertion forces without risk of wear set up particularly well for transmitting a plurality of signals and therefore preferably has more than 50, in particular more than 100 contact elements and associated contact points.

In an alternative embodiment, the contact elements after mating of male and mating male in the plug S are not under pressure at the contact points, but only by another operation (eg. Applying pressure on the contact element carrier, adjusting the Lamellar body, actuation of an additional part, etc.) brought into the final position in which they rest under pressure at the contact points.

Alternatively, the contact elements are spread apart before the insertion process and are relaxed after plugging by means of various parts and then contact the board under pressure. There are also conceivable double boards, which are clamped together after insertion.

Alternatively or additionally, also the contact elements or the contact element carrier carrying the contact elements can be movable (for example floatingly mounted).

There is not necessarily a contact element carrier available. The contact elements may, for example, be applied directly to plate elements such as circuit boards (analogously to the contact points), for example by soldering. Also, the boards of the male part may be movably held in the insertion direction on the male part.

Claims (15)

1. Plug system (100) comprising a plug part (10) with at least one contact element (30) and a mating plug part (20) with at least one contact point (44) on a contact carrier surface (42) running approximately parallel to a plugging direction (S), wherein the plug part (10) can be plugged into the mating plug part (20) in the plugging direction (S) and in an end position (II) the at least one contact element (30) is in electrical contact with the contact point (44), the mating plug part having a counterpressure surface (52) arranged, at least in portions, opposite the contact carrier surface (42) in a pressing direction (H) oriented transversely to the plugging direction, characterised in that the contact carrier surface (42) is held on the mating plug part (20) so as to be moveable in the plugging direction (S) relative to the counterpressure surface (52).
2. Plug system according to claim 1, characterised in that, when the plug part (10) is plugged in, the contact carrier surface (42), together with the contact element (30) preferably resting substantially without pressure against, or arranged opposite the contact point (44), without play, can be displaced in the plugging direction (S) until the contact element (30) is introduced into an intermediate space between the counterpressure surface (52) and the contact carrier surface (42) and as a result is pressed against the contact point (44) in the end position (II).
3. Plug system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one contact element (30) is flexible, and preferably in the form of an elastically compressible leaf spring element.
4. Plug system according to claim 3, characterised in that the dimension of the contact element (30) in the pressing direction (H) is greater, in the relaxed state, than the distance between the contact carrier surface and the counterpressure surface opposite this, so that the leaf spring element can be clamped between these.
5. Plug system according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the leaf spring elements (30) in each case have a self-supporting first leaf spring part (32) projecting in the plugging direction (S) with a first contact region intended to rest against the contact point (44) and a second leaf spring part (34) bent back from a front end of the first leaf spring part (30) with a second contact region intended to rest against the counterpressure surface (52) in the end position (II).
6. Plug system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plug part (10) has a plurality, for example 5, 10, 30 or more, of contact elements (30) arranged next to one another in a breadthwise direction (B), and/or the mating plug part (20) has a plurality of contact points (44) arranged next to one another in the breadthwise direction (B) on the contact carrier surface (42) which, on plugging-in, in each case come into electrical contact with an associated contact element (30).
7. Plug system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mating plug part (20) comprises at least one circuit board element (40), for example a printed circuit board with two opposing contact carrier surfaces (42, 43), and/or the plug part (10) comprises at least one contact element pair consisting of two contact elements (38, 39) arranged opposite one another in the pressing direction (H), between which the circuit board element (40) can be introduced during the plugging operation.
8. Plug system according to claim 7, characterised in that a distance (A) between the contact elements (38, 39) of the contact element pairs substantially corresponds to the thickness of the circuit board elements (40).
9. Plug system according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the mating plug part (20) comprises two, three or more, in particular eight circuit board elements (40), in each case extending in the plugging direction (S), preferably in each case with two contact carrier surfaces (42, 43) which can in each case be inserted between contact element pairs (38, 39) until each contact element (30) makes electrical contact with an associated contact point (44).
10. Plug system according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the at least one circuit board element (40) is arranged displaceably between two counterpressure surfaces (52) of the mating plug part (20) which are provided in order to press the opposing contact elements (38, 39) of the contact element pairs of the plug part against the contact carrier surfaces (42, 43) of the circuit board element (40).
11. Plug system according to claim 10, characterised in that the circuit board elements (40) in each case pass through intermediate spaces of a lamellar body (50) containing the counterpressure surfaces (52), wherein the lamellae of the lamellar body (50) preferably have ramp surfaces (54) facing the plug part and/or running obliquely to the plugging direction (S).
12. Plug system according to one of the claims 7 to 11, characterised in that the plug part has at least one limit-stop surface (62) against which a front surface of the at least one circuit board element (40) comes to bear during the plugging operation, wherein the circuit board element (40) is pushed in the plugging direction (S) by the limit-stop surface (62) during the plugging operation.
13. Plug system according to one of the claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the plug part (10) can be displaced from an intermediate position (I) in which the contact elements (30) are in each case already correctly positioned opposite the associated contact points (44), but substantially free of contact pressure, into the end position (II) in which the contact elements (30) are in each case clamped between a circuit board element (40) and a counterpressure surface (52) and as a result are pressed against the associated contact point (44).
14. Plug system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each contact carrier surface (42, 43), in particular each circuit board element (40), is assigned at least one preloading element, for example a spring element (70), against the preload of which the contact carrier surface (42, 43) can be displaced in the plugging direction (S).
15. Plug system according to claim 14, characterised by a leaf spring comb (74) which is arranged behind the circuit board elements in the plugging direction and which has a plurality of spring elements (70).

Images