EP3542419A1

EP3542419A1 - Terminal connector and method for producing a terminal connector

Info

Publication number: EP3542419A1
Application number: EP17800480.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Utermöhle
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-11-18
Filing date: 2017-11-10
Publication date: 2019-09-25
Also published as: WO2018091367A1; CN109964370A; JP2019536201A; JP6795149B2; US20200067213A1; DE102016122263A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal connector (100) for connecting a number of spring connections (104) of a plug connector (102) to the amount of contact connections (108) of an interface module (106), with a printed circuit board (110) having a lower side (111) and an upper side (112), and a number of strip conductors (114), wherein each strip c1onductor (114) is electrically connectable to a contact connection (108) of the interface module (106); a number of metal pins (116), wherein each metal pin (116) is connected in an electrically conductive and integrally bonded manner to a strip conductor (114) of the printed circuit board (110), wherein the metal pins (116) extend from the lower side (111) of the printed circuit board (110) and are insertable into the spring connections (104) of the plug connector (102).

Description

TITLE

Shunting connector and method for producing a jumper connector

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a jumper for Signalrangierung and a method for producing a jumper.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

In technical fields such as automation technology, a plurality of conductors are used to signal-link control devices or systems such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) to corresponding field devices, which may include sensors or actuators, to deliver signals to the desired position for driving the corresponding ones Devices and to transport for evaluation. Of the

Routing of signals by means of a wiring of conductors is of great importance. From the prior art is for a signal connection between

Control devices and field devices, for example, the use of so-called series or terminals common where the signal connection via a

Single-stranded, so a wiring of individual wires takes place. For special

Embodiments of series or terminal terminals, in particular an arrangement of combined terminals is also the name Rangierverbinder or Rangierverteiler common.

A further possibility known from the prior art for the connection of signals between a control system and a field device consists, for example, of connecting a signal of a control system via a prefabricated system cable to a so-called transfer module. On a contact connection of a transfer or interface module is usually a standardized

Connector, for example of the type FLK or D-SUB, which is connected on the output side via a printed circuit board with a spring connection such as a screw-type tension spring or a so-called push-in terminal. The corresponding field signal is connected to this terminal. An example of a terminal is in 1 and an example of a transition module is described in the document EP 2 1 15 539 B1.

Especially with a variety of signals and the use of a

a corresponding number of individual wire connections for signaling connection of the relevant systems and devices is a clear signal assignment of the plurality of single-core wires or conductors used and the respective terminals of great importance. In practice, the signal assignment of the terminals is usually done by a specific printing of these terminals. At the same time, however, efforts are being made, especially in automation technology, to realize a large number of single-wire wirings on as small a space as possible

Packing density in the wiring of single cores and conductors thus increases steadily.

In particular, when using a large number of single-core wiring, it has so far been a technical challenge and only with great effort, with a desire for increased packing density at the same time a clear and simple signal connection or signal routing between a control system and one or a plurality of field devices to realize.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved patching connector and a method for producing a jumper connector in order to enable a simple, flexible and cost-effective possibility of signal connection or signal routing between devices to be connected to one another by signal technology. Another object is to provide a high packing density in the

Signal routing or the wiring of individual wires to achieve and at the same time to allow a clear signal separation and signal assignment.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the independent

Claims solved. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the figures. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a jumper connector for connecting a number of spring terminals of a connector with the number of

Contact terminals of an interface module, comprising a printed circuit board with a bottom side and a top side and the number of interconnects, each interconnect being electrically connectable to a contact terminal of the interface module; the number of

Metal pins, each metal pin is electrically conductively and materially connected to a conductor track of the printed circuit board, the metal pins extending from the bottom of the

Extend the circuit board and are inserted into the spring terminals of the connector.

With the jumper according to the invention the advantage is achieved that with respect to the Signalrangierung a higher flexibility is achieved, since the number of combined terminal or terminal blocks is arbitrary selectable or expandable. For this purpose, only the dimension of the circuit board for the desired signal routing has to be adapted accordingly.

Another advantage is the cost savings because of a complex

Single core wiring can be dispensed with by using the circuit board and the manufacturing process of Rangierverbinders with the appropriate Signalrangierung is significantly simplified and shortened.

A further advantage is that a clear and simple signal separation and signal assignment is made possible by the jumper according to the invention, since a large part of an otherwise common single core wiring for signal routing is unnecessary.

Another advantage is also that the shunt according to the invention due to the circuit board and the electrically conductive and cohesive connection of the metal pins to the circuit board is robust and thus highly resistant to external undesirable effects such as shocks or climatic influences.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the jumper connector comprises an interface contact, which is arranged on the upper side of the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit traces of the printed circuit board with the contact terminals of the interface module electrically, in particular electrically and cohesively, are connected. This provides the advantage that the jumpering connector is robust and resistant to external influences on the jumpering connection, such as impacts or climatic influences such as heat or moisture.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductor tracks run on the upper side of the printed circuit board or on the upper side and in at least one

Interlayer of the circuit board. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a Leiterbahnbzw. Signal crossing due to a so-called multilayer arrangement is possible without causing an occurrence of electrical short circuits.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interface module is an FLK connector or an IDC connector or a D-SUB connector or an ELCO connector. Thereby, the advantage of greater flexibility in the selection and use of different types of connectors becomes possible in order to achieve the invention

Rangierverbinder and the appropriate interface module for a variety of technical applications can be used.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hole formed in the underside is provided in the circuit board for each metal pin, which extends at least to a conductor track and / or breaks through a conductor track, and wherein each

Metal pin is inserted into the corresponding hole. Through the hole of the metal pin also contains a guide, which gives this an additional grip. In addition, the metal pin is easier to insert through the respective hole. In addition, an automated connection of the metal pins to the printed circuit board, for example by a corresponding machine, particularly efficient to carry out.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, each metal pin has a base portion, which is insertable into a spring terminal, and a

Track section, which contacts a conductor track, wherein the conductor track section is angled relative to the base portion. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the metal pin can be easily inserted into the spring connection. In addition, it is achieved that the metal pin undergoes a particularly firm hold and not easy in his Position is displaced. In addition, the hole diameter of the individual drill holes on the circuit board can be minimized.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductor track portion is angled relative to the base portion within an angular range of 10 ° to 20 °, in particular by 15 °. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the diameters for the respective holes on the circuit board can be minimized, resulting in a particularly efficient use of the available board area. In addition, a large number of wells allows the efficient production of a particularly high robustness and compactness of Rangierverbinders.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base portion of a metal pin has a larger diameter than the conductor track portion. As a result, the advantage is achieved that uniform distances are achieved to the jumper. It also allows an efficient connection process to connect the metal pins to the PCB.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the base portions are arranged angled relative to the underside. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the base sections can be made particularly efficient, for example, to minimize the corresponding holes on the circuit board can.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the metal pins have a round or square cross-section. In particular, by a quadrangular cross section of the metal pins, a larger contact surface is provided for the respective metal pins. As a result, slippage or displacement of the metal pins can be prevented or at least minimized.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the top of the circuit board is covered with a contact protection plate. As a result, the advantage is achieved that contamination or damage to the printed circuit board and parts of the metal pins or of contact connections between the printed circuit board and the metal pins by external climatic influences or other acting substances is prevented or at least minimized. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the contact protection plate is spaced from the top of the circuit board by spacers disposed laterally on top of the circuit board. As a result, the advantage is achieved that possible irregularities in the contact connections between the printed circuit board and metal pin, as may occur for example by local elevations due to accumulated solder material, in the arrangement of Berührschutzplatte no influence on the arrangement and thus on the secure fit and impact resistance the contact protection plate have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a terminal connector. This will be the advantage of a simple and flexible

Extension in terms of line and signal connections achieved, so that a flexible adaptation of the connector is possible depending on application requirements and application.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spring terminals of the connector and the metal pins on the same geometric arrangement, so that the metal pins are inserted simultaneously into the spring terminals. As a result, the advantage is achieved that only relatively little effort is required to introduce the metal pins in the spring terminals. As a result, the metal pins can be inserted into the spring terminals efficiently and quickly.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a plug connector assembly having a connector, in particular a series connector, with a number of

Spring terminals; and a jumper connector according to the first aspect, wherein the

Metal pins of the Rangierverbinders are inserted into the spring terminals and in the

Spring terminals are held frictionally. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a durable connection of the metal pins with the jumper can be realized in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, without additional clamping means for making this connection are required.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a jumper connector for connecting a number of spring terminals of a

Connector with the number of contact terminals of an interface module, with Providing a printed circuit board having a bottom side and an upper side and the number of printed conductors, each printed circuit board being electrically assigned to a contact connection of the interface module; and materially connecting the number of metal pins to the number of conductor tracks in order to connect each metal pin to a conductor track, in particular to exactly one conductor track, the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive and cohesive manner, wherein the metal pins extend from the underside of the circuit board and into the

Spring terminals of the connector are insertable. By the invention

The advantage of the method is that a more robust and different

Areas of application of flexibly adaptable patching connectors can be produced in a simple manner. In addition, with the method according to the invention, a patching connector with a high packing density can be produced in a particularly efficient and cost-saving manner, in particular in an automated production process. In addition, a clear and simple signal assignment or signal routing can be implemented in a particularly efficient manner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the invention comprises the further steps of forming holes in the printed circuit board, wherein a hole is provided for a metal pin; inserting the metal pins into the holes; and a material connection of the metal pins after the insertion of the metal pins in the holes. These method steps can be carried out efficiently, in particular when using corresponding automation means. Due to the cohesive bonding, the advantage is achieved that the printed circuit board robust and strong with the

Rangierverbinder is connected and is particularly resistant to external shock, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a cut Rangierverbinders in

Side view with a printed circuit board and one with the printed circuit board connected metal pin according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a metal pin according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 diagram of a method for producing a jumper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the concept of the present invention

Deviate from the invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be understood in a limiting sense. Further, it should be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless specifically stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a cutaway Rangierverbinders 100 in side view and with attached printed circuit board 1 10 and a connector 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The jumper connector 100 for

Connecting a number of spring terminals 104 of the connector 102 with the number of contact terminals 108 of an interface module 106. Reference will now be made to the jumper 100 shown in FIG.

According to FIG. 1, the jumpering connector 100 comprises a printed circuit board 110 having a

Bottom 1 1 1 and a top 1 12 and a number of printed conductors 1 14, each conductor 1 14 is electrically connected to a contact terminal 108 of the interface module 106. The metal pins 1 16 shown in FIG. 1 are each electrically conductively and materially connected to a conductor track 1 14 of the printed circuit board 1 10. The Metal pins 1 16 extend from the bottom 1 1 1 of the circuit board 1 10 and are inserted into the spring terminals 104 of the connector 102.

According to FIG. 1, the interface contact 108 is preferably arranged on the upper side 12 of the printed circuit board 110. The printed conductors 1 14 of the printed circuit board 1 10 are connected to the contact terminals 108 of the interface module 106 electrically, in particular electrically and materially connected. The interface module 106 can be designed as an FLK connector or an IDC connector or a D-SU B connector or an ELCO connector.

According to one embodiment, the printed conductors 1 14 extend on the upper side 12 of the printed circuit board 110 or on the upper side and in at least one intermediate layer 120 of the printed circuit board 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hole 122 formed in the bottom 1 1 1 is provided in the circuit board 1 10 for the metal pin 1 16, which extends at least to a conductor track 1 14 and breaks through a conductor track 1 14, and wherein the Metal pin 1 16 is inserted into the bore 122.

In the jumper 100 shown in FIG. 1, the top 1 12 of

Printed circuit board 1 10 covered with a contact protection plate 128. This is preferably used to protect the circuit board from contamination or damage from external influences such as high or low temperatures, liquids, which could damage a respective cohesive contact connection between the circuit board 1 10 and a metal pin 1 16. The contact protection plate 128 is spaced from the top 1 12 of the circuit board 1 10 by spacers 130. These spacers 130 are preferably arranged laterally on the upper side 12 of the printed circuit board 110. Other positions are possible.

The connector 102 according to FIG. 1 may preferably be a terminal connector. The spring terminals 104 of the connector 102 and the metal pins 1 16 may preferably have the same geometric arrangement, so that the metal pins 1 16 at the same time in the spring terminals 104 are inserted.

The jumper connector 100 and the connector 102 may be part of a connector assembly not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In this case, the plug connector 102 can be used, in particular, as a row connector, with a number of numbers of

Spring terminals 104 may be formed and the jumper 100 may include metal pins 1 16, wherein the metal pins 1 16 of the jumper 100 are inserted into the spring terminals 104 and held in the spring terminals 104 frictionally.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a metal pin 1 16 according to a

Embodiment of the present invention. The metal pin 1 16 according to FIG. 2 has a base section 124, which can be inserted into a spring connection 104 indicated in FIG. 1, and a conductor track section 126, which contacts a conductor track 14, the track section 126 facing the base section 124 is angled. The track portion 126 is preferably opposite to

Base portion 124 angled within an angular range of 10 ° to 20 °, in particular by 15 °, which is advantageous in order to make smaller and thus space-saving holes can. The base portion 124 of a metal pin 1 16 preferably has a larger diameter than the conductor track portion 126. In addition, the base portions 124 may be angled relative to the bottom 1 1 1. The metal pins 1 16 may preferably have a round or a square cross-section. A quadrangular cross-section is advantageous because it provides a larger size

Support surface for the respective metal pins 1 16 can be provided. As a result, slipping or shifting of the metal pins 1 16 can be prevented or minimized.

3 shows a diagram of a method 200 for producing a jumper connector 100 for connecting a number of spring terminals 104 of a connector 102 to the number of contact terminals 108 of an interface module 106. The method 200 comprises a first step of providing 202 a printed circuit board 110 having a bottom side 1 1 1 and a top 1 12 and the number of interconnects 1 14, wherein each conductor 1 14 is associated with a contact terminal 108 of the interface module 106 electrically. The method 200 includes a second step 204 of integrally joining the number of metal pins 1 16 to the number of tracks 1 14 around each metal pin 16 with a conductor track 1 14, in particular with exactly one conductor track 1 14, the circuit board 1 10 to connect electrically conductive and cohesive, wherein the metal pins 16 extend from the bottom 1 1 1 of the circuit board 1 10 and into the spring terminals 104 of

Connector 102 are inserted. In addition, the method 200 may include a third step 206 of forming bores 122 in the circuit board 110, wherein a

Bore 122 is provided for a metal pin 1 16. The method 200 may include a fourth step 208 of inserting the metal pins into the bores 122. The method 200 may include a fifth step 210 of the material-locking connection of the metal pins 1 16 after the insertion of the metal pins 16 into the bores 122.

The jumper connector 100 is configured to be manufactured by the above-mentioned method 200.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 jumper connectors

102 connectors

104 Spring connection

106 interface module

108 contact connection / interface contact

1 10 PCB

1 1 1 Bottom of the PCB

1 12 top of the PCB

1 14 trace

116 metal pin

120 intermediate layer

122 bore

124 base section

126 trace section

128 shock protection plate

130 spacers 200 method

202 Providing a printed circuit board

204 Joining the number of metal pins

206 Forming holes

208 Inserting the metal pins

210 Cohesive joining of the metal pins

Claims

1 . A jumper connector (100) for connecting a number of spring terminals (104) of a connector (102) to the number of contact terminals (108) of an interface module (106), comprising: a printed circuit board (110) having a bottom surface (11) and a Top (1 12) and the number of tracks (1 14), each track (1 14) with a

Contact terminal (108) of the interface module (106) is electrically connectable; a number of metal pins (1 16), wherein each metal pin (1 16) to a conductor track (1 14) of the printed circuit board (1 10) is electrically conductively and materially connected, wherein the metal pins (1 16) from the bottom (1 1 1) of the printed circuit board (1 10) extend and in the spring terminals (104) of the connector (102) are insertable.

2. Rangierverbinder (100) according to claim 1, with the interface contact (108),

which is arranged on the upper side (1 12) of the printed circuit board (1 10), wherein the conductor tracks (1 14) of the printed circuit board (1 10) with the contact terminals (108) of the interface module (106) are electrically connected, in particular electrically and materially ,

3. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Conductor tracks (1 14) on the top (1 12) of the printed circuit board (1 10) or on the top and in at least one intermediate layer (120) of the printed circuit board (1 10).

4. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Interface module (106) is a FLK connector or an IDC connector or a D-SUB connector or an ELCO connector.

5. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the

Printed circuit board (1 10) for each metal pin (1 16) in the bottom (1 1 1) formed bore (122) is provided, which extends at least to a conductor track (1 14) and / or a conductor track (1 14) breaks through, and wherein each metal pin (1 16) is inserted into the corresponding bore (122).

6. jumper (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each metal pin (1 16) a base portion (124) which is insertable into a spring terminal (104), and a conductor track portion (126) which contacts a conductor track (1 14) , wherein the conductor track section (126) opposite to

Base portion (124) is angled.

The jumper connector (100) of claim 6, wherein the track portion (126).

relative to the base portion (124) is angled within an angular range of 10 ° to 20 °, in particular by 15 °.

The jumper connector (100) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the pedestal portion (124) of a metal pin (16) has a larger diameter than the track portion (126).

9. Rangierverbinder (100) according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the base portions (124) opposite the bottom (1 1 1) are arranged angled.

10. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Metal pins (1 16) have a round or square cross-section.

1 1. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Top (1 12) of the circuit board (1 10) with a contact protection plate (128) is covered.

12. Rangierverbinder (100) according to claim 1 1, wherein the contact protection plate (128) from the top (1 12) of the printed circuit board (1 10) by spacers (130) which laterally on the top (1 12) of the circuit board (10 ) are spaced apart.

13. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Connector (102) is a terminal connector.

14. Rangierverbinder (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Spring terminals (104) of the connector (102) and the metal pins (1 16) have the same geometric arrangement, so that the metal pins (1 16) at the same time in the spring terminals (104) are insertable.

15. Plug connector assembly, with: a connector (102), in particular a series connector, having a number of number of spring terminals (104); and the jumper connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the

Metal pins (1 16) of the jumper (100) are inserted into the spring terminals (104) and held in the spring terminals (104) non-positively.

16. A method of making a jumper connector for connecting a number of spring terminals of a connector to the number of contact terminals of an interface module, comprising:

Providing (202) a printed circuit board (1 10) having a lower side (1 1 1) and an upper side (1 12) and the number of printed conductors (1 14), each printed conductor (1 14) being connected to a contact connection (108) of the interface module ( 106) is electrically assigned; and materially connecting (204) the number of metal pins (1 16) with the number of conductor tracks (1 14) to each metal pin (1 16) with a conductor track (1 14), in particular with exactly one conductor track (1 14) Circuit board (1 10) electrically conductive and cohesively connect, the metal pins (1 16) extending from the bottom (1 1 1) of the circuit board (1 10) and in the spring terminals (104) of the connector (102) are insertable.

The method (200) of claim 16, comprising:

Forming (206) bores (122) in the circuit board (110), wherein a hole (122) for a metal pin (1 16) is provided;

Inserting (208) the metal pins (1 16) into the bores (122); and

Joining (210) of the metal pins (1 16) after insertion of the metal pins (1 16) in the holes (122).