EP3627636B2 - Electrical connector, module connection and circuit board assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical plug connection, comprising a connecting element with a first electrical plug connector arranged at a first end and a first electrical mating plug connector, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention also relates to an assembly connection for connecting a first electrical assembly and a second electrical assembly.

The invention further relates to a circuit board arrangement, having at least a first circuit board and a second circuit board.

Electrical assemblies usually have electronic circuits that are implemented on printed circuit boards (PCBs) by interconnecting several electronic components. Often, several circuit boards are provided within an assembly, for example in order to distribute a circuit spatially in a housing or an enclosure or to connect different modules of an assembly to one another. As a rule, this structure requires an electrical connection between the different circuit boards for signal and/or energy exchange. An electrical connection between different printed circuit boards may also be necessary, for example, if several electronic assemblies are to be communicatively connected to one another. Overall, there are many reasons for connecting multiple electrical circuit boards together.

Various options are known for electrically connecting circuit boards, including unshielded connectors, stranded wires and ribbon cables. Such connections are also known as “board-to-board” connections. However, conventional connections are generally inadequate, especially for high-frequency technology.

In order to electrically connect two circuit boards to each other, coaxial connecting elements are often used to transmit signals for high-frequency technology in order to ensure a sufficiently high signal quality. In practice, a coaxial connector of the connecting element is connected to a mating connector mounted on a circuit board. The mating connector is preferably soldered or pressed onto the circuit board and electrically connected to strip dividers on the circuit board. A coaxial adapter, also called an "adapter", connects the two coaxial connectors and thus bridges the distance between the two circuit boards to enable signal exchange.

For example, in the EP 1 154 527 A1 describes a connector to connect a coaxial cable to an electrical circuit board. The plug connection comprises a tubular socket fastened on the circuit board and a plug connector of the coaxial cable which can be inserted into the socket. When the plug connection is connected, it is provided that the inner conductor contact element of the plug connector directly contacts the circuit board. The US 4,963,105 discloses a coaxial plug connection with two contact springs offset along a longitudinal axis.

As a rule, the known coaxial connecting elements have an inner conductor and an outer conductor that is electrically insulated from the inner conductor by means of an insulating part or dielectric, each of which is manufactured as turned parts. Manufacturing the components by turning is usually necessary to achieve sufficiently good manufacturing tolerances and to enable a press fit. Particularly if the connecting element is to be used for high-frequency technology, the requirements for manufacturing tolerances are particularly high.

The newer product generations of connecting elements also increasingly place high demands on their miniaturization. On the one hand, the distance between the circuit boards as well as the distance (“pitch”) between two adjacent circuit board connectors (hereinafter referred to as “mating connector”) must be minimized.

Furthermore, the assembly and alignment of the connecting elements is now comparatively complex, not least due to miniaturization.

The general background will be referred to EP 1 746 691 A2 referred to, which concerns a coaxial cable connector. The plug connection can be clamped in its closed state using spring-elastic locking tongues. In addition, this concerns DE 20 2015 007 010 U1 a board-to-board connector for connecting two circuit boards.

The present invention is based on the object of simplifying the construction and assembly of an electrical plug connection, in particular while maintaining electrical transmission properties suitable for high-frequency technology.

The invention is also based on the object of providing a corresponding mating connector and a corresponding connecting element of an electrical plug connection with an improved structure and simplified assembly.

The present invention is also based on the object of simplifying the construction and assembly of a module connection for connecting a first electrical module and a second electrical module, in particular while maintaining electrical transmission properties suitable for high-frequency technology.

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a circuit board arrangement which is particularly easy to assemble while maintaining electrical transmission properties suitable for high-frequency technology.

The task is solved for the electrical plug connection by claim 1 or claim 11. With regard to the assembly connection, the task is solved by the features of claim 8 and with regard to the circuit board arrangement by the features of claim 10.

The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention.

An electrical plug connection is provided which has a connecting element with a first electrical plug connector arranged at a first end. Furthermore, the electrical plug connection has a first electrical mating connector. The first mating connector has contact springs and the first connector has an electrically conductive outer housing with a first, at least partially ring-shaped contact area. The contact springs act on the outer housing via the first contact area in order to establish electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug connector and the first mating plug connector.

The first electrical mating connector is preferably designed as a mating connector of a first electrical assembly, preferably as a circuit board connector of a first electrical circuit board.

If in the context of the invention one speaks of an at least partially annularly circumferential contact area, for example a first, at least partially annularly circumferential contact area or a second, at least partially annularly circumferential contact area, this is to be understood as meaning a contact area which preferably runs completely annularly around the outer housing. However, the contact area can also only run around the outer housing (partially in a ring shape) along an angular section or angular segment or can run in a partly ring-shaped manner along several angular sections distributed around the outer housing.

According to the invention, the outer housing is designed in one piece with the outer housing of the connecting element.

The outer housing can be designed to be completely conductive or only partially conductive. The outer housing can, for example, also have electrically non-conductive components.

Within the scope of the invention, any number of contact springs can be provided, for example two contact springs, three contact springs, four contact springs, five contact springs, six contact springs, seven contact springs, eight contact springs or more contact springs.

It can be provided that the contact springs form a spring basket.

Within the scope of the invention, it is not necessary for the contact springs to act completely all around the first contact area.

Preferably, all contact springs act on the first contact area in the same axial height plane, whereby tolerance-related and/or assembly-related deviations may be possible.

The contact springs can also be referred to as “spring tabs” or “outer conductor spring tabs”.

According to the invention, it is provided that the contact springs act on the first contact area in such a way that the outer housing is subjected to an axial force acting along a longitudinal axis of the first mating connector, which presses the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first mating connector. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the contact springs are designed in such a way that they are each orthogonal to the first contact area and to a second, at least partially ring-shaped contact area of the outer housing, which is axially offset from the first contact area along a longitudinal axis of the connecting element Apply radial force acting on the outer housing along the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector.

The longitudinal axis of the connecting element can preferably be an axis of symmetry of the connecting element. The longitudinal axis of the first mating connector can preferably be an axis of symmetry of the first mating connector.

The axial force and/or radial force according to the invention can be a force component of the spring force of the contact springs.

In a preferred development of the invention it can be provided that the outer diameter of the first contact area expands in the direction of the first end of the connecting element.

In particular, this configuration of the first contact area can result in an axial force component or the axial force according to the invention in order to press the first plug connector or the connecting element against the end stop.

In a further development of the invention it can also be provided that the contact springs are designed in such a way that they act on the outer housing via the second contact area.

In this way, a radial force component or the radial force according to the invention can arise.

Preferably, the first contact area and/or the second contact area can have an outer diameter that is constant in the axial direction, for example be cylindrical. It can then be provided, for example, to achieve the self-centering function of the connecting element by radial contacting in a cylindrical region if the contact regions and the contact springs are each arranged axially offset.

According to the invention, a self-centering of the connecting element or the first connector of the connecting element in the first mating connector to be provided. Due to this self-centering, the "catching area" (also referred to as the receiving area or insertion area) for the first connector in the first mating connector can be reduced in size and the entire first mating connector can therefore be made more compact.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided in particular that the contact springs, the first contact area and / or the second contact area are designed so that the contact springs apply a radial force component and an axial force component to the outer housing in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the first plug connector parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector.

The parallel alignment of the longitudinal axes of the first connector or the connecting element and the first mating connector can lead to an orthogonal alignment of the connecting element on the end stop.

In the context of the invention, centering, i.e. H. a compensation of a lateral offset of the longitudinal axes of the first connector and the first mating connector and / or an orthogonal alignment of the longitudinal axis of the connecting element to the end stop or a parallel alignment of the longitudinal axes of the connecting element and the first mating connector, d. H. a compensation for a tilt or an inclined position of the first connector in the first mating connector can be understood. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the connecting element and the first mating connector are aligned concentrically or coaxially. Self-centering according to the invention can also only be understood to mean an improvement in the position and/or position of the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector, whereby the longitudinal axis of the connecting element and the longitudinal axis of the mating plug connector at least approach one another.

In principle, the invention can be suitable for at least reducing an offset of the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector and/or an inclination of the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector. In particular, a tolerance-related offset of the first connector can remain in the first mating connector and/or a tolerance-related inclination of the first connector can remain in the first mating connector.

However, the longitudinal axes of the connecting element and the first mating connector preferably run coaxially after the self-centering according to the invention.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the first mating connector has a mating connector housing with a funnel-shaped insertion area for the first connector.

A funnel-shaped insertion area, in particular a conical receptacle for the first plug connector, can further simplify the assembly of the electrical plug connection. In particular, a “blind” insertion of the first connector into the first mating connector can be made possible.

According to the invention, the diameter of the insertion area and thus the diameter of the entire mating connector housing can be reduced due to the self-centering of the first plug connector in the first mating connector according to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the contact springs form two groups which are axially offset along the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector and arranged in such a way that the first group of contact springs can act on the outer housing via the first contact area, and the second group the contact springs can act on the outer housing via the second contact area.

Through this configuration, in particular, an inclination of the connecting element or the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector can be avoided or at least reduced, since the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector will strive for the most linear course possible between the two groups of contact surfaces due to the axially offset contact springs .

According to the invention it is provided that the contact springs in the first mating connector are mechanically prestressed.

According to the invention, the contact springs are already guided ahead even before the first connector is inserted into the first mating connector.

Pretensioning the contact springs can be particularly advantageous if the outer diameter of the first contact area expands in the direction of the first end of the connecting element, since the first end of the connecting element, which is thereby widened, has a stronger radial deflection of the contact springs and thus a higher insertion force compared to a conventional one Connection element required. To compensate for this, pre-tensioning the contact springs can be helpful. In this way, the surface areas of the individual contact springs, which axially touch the end face of the connecting element or the first end of the connecting element during the plugging process, can be reduced. The inventor has recognized that this fact alone can advantageously reduce the insertion force of the connecting element.

In a further development, it can be provided that the mating connector housing has a collar which projects into the first mating connector and is designed as a system for the contact springs is to mechanically preload the contact springs.

The collar or collar of the mating connector housing can preferably run completely in a ring shape. However, it can also be provided that the collar only rotates in a partially ring-shaped manner or distributed along at least one angular section, in particular in the radial sections in which the contact springs are located in the first mating connector. The contact springs can be pretensioned individually, in any group or together on a completely circumferential collar.

The collar of the mating connector for pretensioning the contact springs can preferably form the funnel-shaped insertion area.

Preferably, a metallic clamping device or a metallic collar is provided to pretension the contact springs.

The pretensioning of the contact springs can be advantageous because the catch area or the insertion area of the mating connector (i.e. in particular the area from the contacting plane to the end of the contact springs) can then be made shorter. The “clamping device” used for prestressing, in particular the generally cup-shaped collar of the mating connector housing, can therefore take on the main task of the insertion area or collecting funnel.

According to the invention, the axial length of the contact springs or a spring basket can be shortened due to the reduced insertion area or capture area.

By using a softer spring material, the resilient area of the contact springs can also be reduced.

A funnel-shaped insertion area can also form a contact protection for the contact springs and/or for an inner conductor spring basket of the mating connector.

The use of a collar of the mating connector housing to pretension the contact springs can be advantageous on the one hand, since a collar can be technically easily implemented by reshaping the free end of the mating connector housing and a correspondingly designed collar can at the same time serve to form the funnel-shaped insertion area for the first connector.

The mechanical prestressing of the contact springs can require a smaller additional deflection of the contact springs compared to the case without prestressing when the first connector is inserted into the first mating connector, although the required contact force can still be achieved. As a result, a spring basket or contact springs with a higher spring elasticity can advantageously be used.

The contact springs can in particular be prestressed in the first mating connector in its assembled state in order to be able to use contact springs with a flatter spring characteristic. This can result in some advantages. In particular, the resilient area of the contact springs or the contact area in the first mating connector can be shortened, which can minimize the installation space. Furthermore, the spring material is subjected to less stress, which is why a cheaper spring material can be used. Finally, the contact springs have to be expanded less when the first plug connector is plugged together with the first mating plug connector, as a result of which the insertion area of the contact springs can be made shorter, which can again reduce the installation space. Finally, the insertion area of the contact springs can also shorten the catch funnel or funnel-shaped insertion area of the first mating connector.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided, for example, that the contact springs are formed from a material with a low modulus of elasticity, in particular from a material with a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa or less, preferably 150 GPa or less, particularly preferably 100 GPa or less.

For example, brass, spring bronze or copper beryllium can be provided as the material for forming the contact springs.

By using an appropriate material, greater spring elasticity can be achieved. As a rule, another advantage of a softer spring material is that it is cheaper.

In one embodiment of the invention it can also be provided that the contact springs are slotted, in particular slotted longitudinally.

Provision can also be made to provide specific geometries for the contact springs, for example long and narrow contact springs. Contact springs with higher spring elasticity can also be provided through an appropriate geometry and, if necessary, additional slotting of the contact springs.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that the outer diameter of the first contact area expands conically, in particular linearly, convexly or concavely, towards the first end of the connecting element.

The first contact area can therefore in particular also be curved, for example concave or convex.

The self-centering according to the invention can preferably be achieved by contacting the contact springs on a cone, whereby an axial force component can be provided which presses the connecting element into the mating connector against an axial end stop formed by an insulating part and thereby erects it.

Basically it depends on the type of expansion of the outer diameter of the first contact area not according to the invention. A linear expansion of the outer diameter is preferably provided. In principle, however, any curve shape can be provided to expand the outer diameter of the first contact area.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the insulating part at least partially penetrates into the outer housing of the first plug connector when the first plug connector is plugged together with the first mating plug connector.

It can be provided that the connecting element has one or more inner conductors guided within the outer housing.

The at least one inner conductor can penetrate into a receptacle of the insulating part and, if necessary, mechanically and electrically contact a contact element of the first mating connector accommodated within the insulating part.

In a further development, it can be provided that the insulating part forms a collar pointing in the direction of the outer housing in order to center the outer housing in the first mating connector.

The collar or collar of the insulating part can be formed in particular on the free end of the insulating part that faces the connecting element.

Preferably, a completely annular collar is formed on the insulating part. However, a collar can also be provided, which only runs around the insulating part in a partial ring shape or distributed along at least one angular section.

The collar of the insulating part can serve in particular to prevent asymmetry between the first plug connector of the connecting element and the first mating plug connector and to ensure concentricity between the first plug connector and the first mating plug connector.

While the contact springs generally primarily correct an inclined position of the connecting element through the interaction with the first contact area and/or with the second contact area, the collar of the insulating part makes it possible to avoid or at least reduce a distance between the longitudinal axes of the connecting element and the first mating connector .

By means of a collar at the distal end of the insulating part, a symmetry can be achieved, which makes it possible for all contact springs in the plugged state of the first plug connector with their distal ends to no longer contact the tensioning device or the collar of the plug connector housing used to pretension the contact springs. In this way, a second, external conductor-side signal path via the mating connector housing or its collar can be prevented, which would otherwise form a self-contained signal path in the manner of a coil or inductor via the signal path of the contact springs. However, the collar of the insulating part can prevent the excitation of unwanted harmonics of a high-frequency signal and the electrical plug connection is particularly suitable for use in high-frequency technology.

The collar on the insulating part allows the radial movement of the connecting element or a radial or lateral offset between the longitudinal axis of the connecting element and the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector to be prevented or at least minimized when the first connector and the first mating connector are plugged together. This can be advantageous in order to prevent unwanted contact between the free end of the contact springs and the mating connector housing or the outer housing.

According to the invention it is provided that the insulating part forms the axial end stop for the first plug connector in the first mating plug connector.

The invention also relates to a mating connector (the “first mating connector”) for an electrical plug connection described above and below.

The invention further relates to a connecting element for an electrical plug connection according to the above and following statements.

According to the invention, a high electromagnetic compatibility of the connecting element can be provided.

The connecting element according to the invention can be particularly suitable for transmitting electrical signals of up to 8 GHz or more.

In a further development, it can be provided that the connecting element is designed to connect a first electrical assembly to a second electrical assembly and has a rigid, tubular outer housing made of an electrically conductive material and an electrical cable guided in the outer housing along a longitudinal axis of the outer housing.

If it is a coaxial cable with an inner conductor, the longitudinal axis of the outer housing runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the inner conductor or coincides with it. The longitudinal axis can also be defined by the fact that this is the axis that results when the centers of gravity of the cross-sectional areas of the outer housing are connected to one another.

The outer housing preferably encases the electrical cable in a tubular shape.

The connecting element can preferably be designed coaxially such that the longitudinal axes of the electrical cable and the outer housing lie on one another.

The outer housing does not have to be designed to be completely closed around the electrical cable and can also guide the electrical cable within itself in the sense of the invention if there are recesses, in particular Has holes and / or slots.

According to the development, it can be provided that the electrical cable has at least one inner conductor and a dielectric surrounding the at least one inner conductor.

The dielectric surrounding the at least one inner conductor can in particular also be a cable jacket.

The electrical cable can preferably also be a “cable blank”, i.e. H. an unfinished electrical cable in which at least one inner conductor was initially coated with an enveloping dielectric - after which potentially further manufacturing steps are dispensed with. In particular, it can be a cable blank of a coaxial cable in which a coaxial outer conductor (e.g. a cable shield braid and/or a shield foil) and a cable sheath have not yet been mounted on the dielectric surrounding the inner conductor.

Instead of a cable, an arbitrarily designed dielectric with one or more inner conductors running therein, which are encased in the outer housing, can also be provided. For example, the inner conductor and/or the dielectric can be manufactured as a turned part(s).

According to the development, it can also be provided that at least a section of the outer housing is reshaped along the longitudinal axis in such a way that the electrical cable is fixed in the outer housing.

Since the connecting element according to the development can consist of a tubular outer housing that can be produced in any way and a commercially available electrical cable or cable blank accommodated in the outer housing, it can be produced cost-effectively in contrast to the known turned connecting elements of the prior art. The connecting element can therefore be particularly suitable for mass production. However, within the scope of the invention, the connecting element can also be a turned part.

Because the outer housing is shaped according to the development, i.e. H. can be plastically specifically brought into a different shape without removing or adding material from the outer housing, a high mechanical holding force of the electrical cable in the outer housing can be provided, despite any high manufacturing tolerances of the outer housing and / or the electrical cable. In particular, an outer housing and/or an electrical cable can be used which has comparatively large manufacturing tolerances, since a corresponding play between the outer housing and the electrical cable can be compensated for by the subsequent forming.

Furthermore, the electrical adaptation for the transmission of signals in the high-frequency range can be optimized through the transformation.

The connecting element can be used advantageously in particular for transmitting electrical signals in high-frequency technology. In principle, however, the connecting element can be suitable for any signal and/or energy transmission throughout electrical engineering.

Preferably, the connecting element can be suitable for mechanically and electrically connecting two circuit boards. In principle, however, the connecting element can also be provided for the mechanical and electrical connection of other electrical or electronic assemblies, for example for the connection between control devices, filters, antennas or other modules. To simplify matters, the invention is described below for the electrical and mechanical connection of two printed circuit boards. However, the term “circuit board” can easily be referred to by a person skilled in the art to any electrical or electronic assembly and substituted accordingly.

Within the scope of the invention, the outer housing of the connecting element can serve as an outer conductor of the connecting element when transmitting electrical signals by means of the inner conductor of the electrical cable between the circuit boards.

In one embodiment of the connecting element, it can be provided that the outer housing has a first plug connector at a first end and a second plug connector at a second end for connection to a respective mating plug connector of an electrical assembly, in particular a printed circuit board.

The plug connectors at the ends of the outer housing can also be designed in a particularly simple embodiment, which is particularly preferred for connecting circuit boards, in that the ends of the outer housing are widened and a plug connector is thereby formed. The inner conductor (for example of the electrical cable) can, if necessary, protrude from the dielectric starting from the ends in a front section suitable for contacting, or the dielectric can be removed in this front section.

The connectors at the respective ends of the outer housing can also be referred to as “heads” of the connecting element and the area between the connectors as “adapters”.

The plug connectors formed at the ends of the outer housing can be designed as interfaces for connection to any other plug connectors or mating plug connectors.

The connectors at the ends of the outer housing are preferably round and coaxial. Through the plug connection between a plug connector and a respective mating plug connector, the connecting element can be connected mechanically and electrically to the corresponding circuit board (or any other electrical assembly).

The connecting element, the outer housing and/or the inner conductor can also be passed through a recess in at least one of the circuit boards and, for example, fixed or connected to the side of the circuit board opposite the entry side.

It can also be provided to connect the inner conductor and/or the outer housing of the connecting element directly to the respective circuit board or an electrical component, a strip conductor or a soldering pad by soldering, crimping, pressing or another connection technique. The use of a plug connection on the one hand and a direct connection on the other hand can also be provided. The specific connection technology is not important within the scope of the invention. However, the use of connectors and mating connectors is particularly advantageous.

The connecting element can thus be electrically conductively connected in particular at a first end to a first circuit board and at a second end to a second circuit board in order to form an electrical path. The electrical path can be used for transmitting electrical signals, in particular high-frequency signals, and/or for transmitting electrical energy.

Preferably, the first plug connector and the second plug connector are designed differently from one another. In particular, it can be provided that the outer diameter of the first contact area of the first plug connector expands in the direction of the first end of the connecting element, whereas the outer diameter of the first contact area of the second plug connector remains constant, for example tapering cylindrically towards the second end of the connecting element.

In one embodiment of the connecting element it can be provided that the electrically conductive material of the outer housing is non-magnetic. Preferably, the electrically conductive material of the outer housing is made of a non-magnetic metal, particularly preferably brass.

The term "non-magnetic" refers to a material on which a magnetic field has little to no effect. The property of negligible magnetic influence is sometimes also referred to as “amagnetic” or “non-magnetic”. It is preferably a non-ferromagnetic material. In particular, the magnetic properties of non-ferrous metals or non-ferrous metals (non-ferrous metal), in particular brass or tin bronze, have proven to be particularly suitable according to the invention in the context of high-frequency simulations. However, other materials, in particular non-magnetic or weakly magnetic metals, for example various stainless steels, can also be provided.

In one embodiment of the connecting element, it can be provided that the electrical cable and/or the connecting element is formed concentrically and preferably from exactly one inner conductor and a dielectric, which forms the cable jacket.

An electrical cable can also be provided which, in addition to an inner conductor, also has an outer conductor, the inner conductor and the outer conductor being separated by an insulator and the electrical cable also having a cable sheath enveloping the outer conductor or the "dielectric" according to the invention.

Since a single transmission channel should generally be provided per connecting element for the connection between electrical circuit boards, the use of an electrical cable, which is formed by exactly one inner conductor and a dielectric or cable sheath surrounding the inner conductor, has proven to be particularly suitable.

A concentric structure is particularly suitable for use in high-frequency technology.

In one embodiment of the invention, however, it can also be provided that the electrical cable and/or the connecting element has at least one pair of inner conductors for differential signal transmission.

The inner conductor pairs can in particular be twisted along the longitudinal axis of the connecting element or the cable (in the manner of a “twisted pair” cable). However, the inner conductor pairs can also be routed in parallel (“parallel pair”).

When using multiple inner conductors, the respective inner conductors can each be individually insulated from one another, in particular surrounded by a respective insulator. The dielectric according to the invention can then envelop the several inner conductors as a whole, for example in the manner of a cable jacket.

A single pair of inner conductors or several pairs of inner conductors, for example two, three, four or even more pairs of inner conductors can be provided for differential signal transmission.

It can be provided that several sections of the outer housing are formed along the longitudinal axis of the outer housing, wherein the sections can be arranged distributed along the longitudinal axis and/or radially on the outer surface of the outer housing, for example in the manner of notches.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the connecting element, however, it can be provided that the outer housing is formed along exactly one continuous section of the outer housing.

In particular, when using the connecting element for transmitting high-frequency or high-bit-rate signals, a uniform transformation and in particular a transformation of the longest possible, contiguous section can be advantageous in order to transmit the electrical signals without interference, in particular to be transmitted without reflection.

For example, securing or mechanically fixing the electrical cable by means of notches can represent an electrical fault, which can be avoided as best as possible by reshaping a single section, which preferably extends between the plug connectors of the connecting element.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the at least one continuous section along which the outer housing is formed is at least along 50% of the total length of the outer housing, preferably at least along 75% of the total length of the outer housing, particularly preferably at least along 90% of the outer housing Total length of the outer housing and most preferably extends completely or over the full length between the connectors of the outer housing.

The aforementioned values, which the at least one contiguous section preferably occupies along the total length of the outer housing, can be achieved by a single contiguous section or even distributed over several sections. However, it is preferable to form a coherent individual section.

Preferably, the section along which the outer housing is formed extends centrally between the plug connectors of the outer housing or centrally between the two ends of the outer housing.

In order to provide a connecting element that is as free of defects as possible and is therefore particularly suitable for high-frequency technology, it is particularly advantageous to reshape the outer housing along a continuous section that extends completely between the plug connectors of the outer housing.

A transition region with a variable outer diameter can be provided between the plug connectors, in particular round plug connectors with a first diameter, and the formed section of the outer housing with a second diameter.

In a preferred embodiment of the connecting element, it can be provided that the at least one section of the outer housing is shaped in such a way that the cross section of the outer housing in the shaped section has a circumference that is not circular.

Preferably, the basic shape of the tubular outer housing or its cross section is round or the circumference forms a circle (also referred to as a circular edge) and is brought into a different shape by the forming at least in the at least one section. A round geometry or a circular circumference is particularly suitable for use in high-frequency technology due to the uniform distance between the wall of the outer housing and the inner conductor, which is why a round basic shape can be particularly preferred as the starting point for the outer housing.

In one embodiment of the connecting element, it can be provided that the cross section in the formed section has two, three, four, five, six or more angular segments that are evenly distributed along the circumference and have the same, preferably constant, radius and/or the same arc length.

It can be provided that the angle segments distributed along the circumference have the same radius and/or the same arc length.

The angle segments preferably have a constant radius. However, the radius of the angle segments can also be variable along the circumference of the angle segment, for example following an elliptical shape.

Although it is preferable to design the angle segments with the same radii and the same arc length, the electrical cable can also be fixed with sufficient transmission properties if the angle segments have the same radius or the same arc length.

Further variants of this, which also lead to a fixation of the cable in the outer housing and can ensure sufficient transmission properties, are shown below. Nevertheless, it is preferable if the angle segments have the same radius, preferably a constant radius, and the same arc length.

As a result, the connecting element in the at least one section is brought into a shape that has a cross-sectional geometry in which the angle segments have excellent high-frequency transmission properties due to the coaxiality. Between the angle segments with the same, preferably constant radius and the same arc length, (compensating) angle segments can be provided, which absorb the mass displaced during the forming process from the angle segments with the same radius and the same arc length. It has been shown that the (compensating) angle segments only negligibly worsen the electrical transmission properties of the connecting element. However, fixing the electrical cable with the help of the angle segments, each of which has the same radius and the same arc length, results in a high holding force, enables simple production and, as already stated, has excellent high-frequency transmission properties. Preferably, exactly three angle segments distributed along the circumference are provided with the same, preferably constant, radius and the same arc length, between which (compensating) angle segments are formed.

The angle segments are preferably designed identically and have an identical, constant Radius and an equal arc length. However, it is also possible that the angle segments only have the same, constant radius or each have the same arc length.

In one embodiment of the invention it can further be provided that the angle segments have an identical, but not constant, radius. For example, the angle segments can have a course along their arc length or the circumference occupied by them that does not correspond to a constant radius. For example, an elliptical course or another course can be provided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the angle segments have different courses along the circumference or along the arc, that is, for example, that some of the angle segments have a constant radius and another part has a variable radius. In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the different angle segments are arranged symmetrically, for example in such a way that the angle segments with different courses are each arranged alternately. It can also be provided that the angle segments are arranged in pairs such that two identical angle segments always lie opposite each other in mirror images.

Analogously, the angle segments can also have different arc lengths, the angle segments preferably again being arranged symmetrically, for example in such a way that angle segments with different arc lengths are arranged alternately and/or that angle segments with identical arc lengths are arranged in pairs and are arranged in mirror image around the longitudinal axis of the connecting element.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one section of the outer housing is shaped in such a way that the cross section of the outer housing in the shaped section corresponds to a uniform thickness, preferably a Reuleaux triangle.

A "uniform thickness" is a curve with a constant width, the closed line of which always touches all four sides in every position within a corresponding square.

This creates a specific geometry of the outer housing, which ensures a high mechanical holding force while still providing sufficient coaxiality to ensure good signal transmission - especially for high-frequency technology.

A uniform thickness geometry can produce particularly good electrical properties, as this allows areas at a precise distance from the inner conductor to ensure suitable electrical adaptation. In the corner areas, the volume fluctuation of the insulating part or the dielectric and the diameter fluctuation of the outer housing can be compensated for without unduly distorting the electrical adjustment.

In principle, a uniform thickness with a higher number of side surfaces than in a Reuleaux triangle can also be provided. For example, a uniform thickness with four, five, six, seven, eight or even more side surfaces can be provided.

However, a uniform thickness with only two side surfaces can also be provided, similar to an ellipse. However, this geometry is generally not preferred.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the outer housing is formed by embossing or pressing or rolling.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the connecting element, it can be provided in particular that if the outer housing is radially embossed or rolled in the section or sections at three uniformly equidistant angular distances distributed along the circumference, three circumferential sections arranged at a distance from one another with an equal, preferably constant Radius and the same arc length are formed.

Such a design results in a high holding force combined with excellent high-frequency transmission properties.

Preferably, three embossing jaws or embossing dies are used, which convert the originally round cross-sectional geometry of the outer housing into the uniform-thickness cross-sectional geometry, in particular the Reuleaux triangle, in a corresponding embossing or pressing process.

In principle, a connecting element can be provided with a cross-sectional geometry that ensures coaxiality, i.e., in at least three angle segments. H. Has angle segments with a constant radius. In these areas, the connecting element can have excellent transmission properties for high-frequency technology. The slightly worsened coaxiality in the remaining segments then only negligibly worsens the electrical performance of the entire connecting element.

The total diameter of the connecting element in the section formed along the longitudinal axis of the connecting element can be, for example, 2 to 8 mm, preferably 2.5 to 4 mm, particularly preferably about 3 mm. The diameter of the electrical cable can be, for example, 1 to 7 mm, preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm, particularly preferably about 1.8 mm. The diameter of the inner conductor can be, for example, 0.5 mm to 1 mm, preferably about 0.7 mm. The length of the connecting element can be, for example, 7 to 60 mm, preferably 7 to 20 mm, particularly preferably about 10 mm. In principle, the person skilled in the art can design the dimensions of the connecting element as desired, especially with regard to the respective application and the distance between the circuit boards or electrical assemblies to be connected.

The invention further relates to an assembly connection for connecting a first electrical assembly and a second electrical assembly, comprising a connecting element with a first plug connector arranged at a first end and a second electrical plug connector arranged at a second end. The assembly connection further has a first mating connector and a second mating connector, the mating connectors being designed for connection to the plug connectors of the connecting element and for connection to an electrical assembly.

Several assembly connections can also be provided for connecting the first electrical assembly to the second electrical assembly.

As part of the assembly connection according to the invention, it is provided that the first mating connector has contact springs and the first connector has an electrically conductive outer housing with a first, at least partially annular, circumferential contact area. The contact springs act on the outer housing via the first contact area in order to establish electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug connector and the first mating plug connector.

With regard to the assembly connection according to the invention, it is provided that the contact springs act on the first contact area in such a way that the outer housing is subjected to an axial force acting along a longitudinal axis of the first mating connector, which presses the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first mating connector. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the contact springs are designed in such a way that they are each orthogonal to the first contact area and to a second, at least partially ring-shaped contact area of the outer housing, which is axially offset from the first contact area along a longitudinal axis of the connecting element Apply radial force acting on the outer housing along the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector.

With regard to the assembly connection according to the invention, it can be provided in particular that the outer diameter of the first contact area expands towards the first end of the connecting element and/or that the contact springs are designed in such a way that they act on the outer housing via the second contact area.

According to the invention, the connecting element can be self-centered by an axial and at the same time a radial force component acting on the connecting element in its contact area with the first mating connector.

In a further development, it can be provided that the second plug connector is designed differently from the first plug connector, preferably has a first, at least partially ring-shaped contact area, which runs cylindrically along the longitudinal axis of the connecting element.

The invention also relates to a circuit board arrangement, comprising at least a first circuit board and a second circuit board, the circuit boards being arranged in different planes running parallel to one another.

In particular, the surfaces of the circuit boards that can be fitted with electrical components run parallel to one another.

The circuit board arrangement can include any number of circuit boards, but at least two. Even if the invention is described below for illustrative purposes essentially for connecting two electrical circuit boards, the circuit board arrangement can, for example, also comprise three circuit boards, four circuit boards, five circuit boards or even more circuit boards.

The printed circuit boards to be connected to one another are preferably arranged parallel to one another in different planes. In particular, a tolerance-related deviation from the parallel arrangement, for example of up to 10°, preferably of up to 5° and particularly preferably of up to 4°, is to be understood in the present case as being encompassed by the term “parallel”.

The printed circuit boards can rest directly against one another or preferably be spaced apart from one another, in particular have a gap between one another.

With regard to the circuit board arrangement, it is provided that at least one connecting element is arranged between the circuit boards in order to electrically connect the circuit boards to one another, the connecting element having an electrically conductive outer housing. Furthermore, at least one of the circuit boards has a first electrical mating connector with contact springs, the contact springs acting on the outer housing via a first, at least partially ring-shaped contact area of a first electrical connector arranged at a first end of the connecting element in order to achieve electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first connector and the first mating connector.

With regard to the circuit board arrangement according to the invention, it is also provided that the contact springs act on the first contact area in such a way that the outer housing is subjected to an axial force acting along a longitudinal axis of the first mating connector, which presses the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first mating connector. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the contact springs are designed in such a way that they are each orthogonal to the first contact area and to a second, at least partially ring-shaped contact area of the outer housing, which is axially offset from the first contact area along a longitudinal axis of the connecting element Apply radial force acting on the outer housing along the longitudinal axis of the first mating connector.

With regard to the circuit board arrangement according to the invention, it can be provided in particular that the outer diameter of the first contact area expands in the direction of the first end of the connecting element and/or that the contact springs are designed such that they act on the outer housing via the second contact area.

Due to the design of the first contact area, which widens in the direction of the first end of the connecting element, the contact force acting normally (perpendicular to the first contact area of the connecting area) from the individual contact springs can, in contrast to the prior art, have a radial and at the same time an axial force component. The axial component of the contact force can enable an orientation of the connecting element perpendicular to the first electrical assembly and thus a self-centering of the connecting element in the first mating connector.

The connecting element (without mating connector) can also be referred to as an adapter part or "bullet" and is connected with its respective ends to the respective circuit board or plugged into a corresponding mating connector on the circuit board or directly into the circuit board.

In the circuit board arrangement, at least one connecting element can be provided for connecting the circuit boards, but in principle any number of connecting elements can be provided, for example two connecting elements, three connecting elements, four connecting elements, five connecting elements, ten connecting elements, fifty connecting elements, one hundred connecting elements or even more connecting elements. In principle, the person skilled in the art can determine the number of connecting elements used depending on the number of electrical signals to be transmitted, for example the number of necessary channels.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a connecting element for connecting a first electrical assembly to a second electrical assembly, according to which an electrical cable, having at least one inner conductor and a dielectric surrounding the at least one inner conductor, is inserted along a longitudinal axis into a rigid, tubular outer housing . The outer housing is made of an electrically conductive material, with at least a portion of the outer housing being reshaped along the longitudinal axis after the electrical cable has been inserted in such a way that the electrical cable is fixed in the outer housing.

A forming and a joining process can therefore be provided for constructing a connecting element for a circuit board arrangement.

Preferably, the inner diameter of the outer housing is designed to be larger than the outer diameter of the electrical cable. This enables particularly easy joining or insertion of the electrical cable into the outer housing (clearance fit). For example, the outer diameter of the deep-drawn part can be 0.1% to 0.5% larger than the outer diameter of the electrical cable, for example up to 1%, 2%, 3%, 5% or even larger than the outer diameter of the electrical cable.

When assembling a connecting element, a cable blank or an electrical cable can be joined to a preferably drawn tube. The joining process can preferably take place with a clearance fit, after which the tube or the outer housing is then radially compressed. The cross section resulting from the forming can in particular be designed in such a way that both the mechanical and electrical properties of the connecting element are optimized. For this purpose, for example, high-frequency simulations can be used in advance.

By optimizing the electrical properties of the connecting element while simultaneously maintaining a high mechanical holding force of the electrical cable in the outer housing, according to the invention, a connecting element with particularly fast and trouble-free data transmission can be provided. Furthermore, the structure of the connecting element can be inexpensive and therefore suitable for mass production.

In particular, since the electrical cable is fixed in the outer housing by reshaping it, no chips, scrapings or other abrasive damage can occur on the insulating part or on the dielectric during the production of the connecting element.

The electrical cable is preferably made from exactly one inner conductor, in particular a metallic inner conductor, which is then coated with a non-conductive material or a dielectric. In principle, the electrical cable can also have additional inner conductors. Preferably a concentric cable is used.

In one embodiment it can be provided that the outer housing is deep-drawn, extruded or turned from a metallic blank.

In particular, deep-drawing the outer housing has proven to be particularly advantageous, since in this case the outer housing can be produced comparatively inexpensively and, due to the forming according to the invention for fixing the electrical cable, the large tolerances or target dimension deviations that may result from the deep-drawing are not particularly important.

In one embodiment it can further be provided that the at least one section of the outer housing is formed by embossing and/or rolling. In principle, however, any forming process or forming technique can be provided, for example bending. Particularly suitable however, an embossing or rolling technique. By subsequently reshaping the outer housing, the electrical cable can also be joined with larger diameter tolerances, while still ensuring good mechanical retention and optimal electrical design. However, forming the outer housing is not absolutely necessary within the scope of the invention.

It can be an axial rolling process, i.e. H. rolling along the longitudinal axis of the outer housing may be provided.

However, a radial rolling process can also be provided, in which rolling takes place radially or tangentially along the outer circumference of the outer housing.

In principle, it can be provided that the section of the outer housing is reshaped by longitudinal rolling, stretching rolling, transverse rolling, ring rolling and/or diagonal rolling.

In one embodiment of the method it can be provided that the at least one section of the outer housing is formed by embossing using two or more embossing jaws, preferably three or more embossing jaws. Preferably, the forming takes place in such a way that the cross section of the formed section corresponds to a uniform thickness, preferably a Reuleaux triangle.

The number of embossing jaws preferably corresponds to the number of side surfaces of the same thickness; For example, three embossing jaws are provided to transform the cross section into a Reuleaux triangle.

The cross section of the outer housing can have both areas that are very precisely defined by the closed embossing dies or embossing jaws and in which the mechanical and electrical properties dominate, as well as areas that compensate for the component tolerances and the fitting clearance.

Instead of embossing jaws or embossing stamps, other suitably designed pressing or embossing tools can also be used.

In one embodiment, it can be provided in particular that the at least two embossing jaws each have a central region forming an embossing surface, the course of which corresponds to the course of the circumference of the cross section of the outer housing after embossing, and the course of the embossing jaws in the outer regions around the central one The area around is set back to the outside in order to accommodate material of the outer housing displaced by the embossing during the embossing.

An area set back with respect to the central area of the cross section of the embossing jaws is particularly suitable for accommodating material of the outer housing that has been displaced due to tolerances.

The embossing stamp or each embossing jaw can therefore have a curvature in the central area, the curvature corresponding to the curvature in the adjacent area of the outer housing at the end of the embossing process.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that the outer housing is stamped or rolled radially in the section or sections on three circumferential sections evenly distributed along the circumference in such a way that the three circumferential sections arranged at a distance from one another are formed with the same, preferably constant, radius and the same arc lengths be, with a compensating section being formed between two peripheral sections, which absorbs material displaced by the embossed or rolled peripheral sections.

The compensating section, also referred to above as the (compensating) circumferential section, enables material displaced during the embossing or rolling process to escape. The embossing jaws or embossing stamps can be designed accordingly.

It can be provided that all embossing jaws have the same curvature in their central area, so that angle segments are formed with the same, preferably constant, radius and the same arc length. The radius does not necessarily have to be constant. Other curvatures are also possible here, for example an elliptical course can be provided. However, a constant radius is preferable in order to achieve particularly good electrical transmission properties.

The embossing jaws can optionally also be designed in such a way that the arc length of the angle segments is not the same length. Preferably, the embossing jaws are at least arranged such that they symmetrically emboss or press into the outer housing, so that the cross-sectional area of the outer housing has a symmetrical shape in the embossed or pressed area.

The connecting element according to the invention is preferably suitable for transmitting high-frequency signals. In principle, however, the connecting element can also be used to transmit low-frequency signals or to transmit electrical supply signals.

Features that have already been described in connection with the electrical plug connection according to the invention can of course also be advantageously implemented for the mating connector, the connecting element, the module connection and the circuit board arrangement - and vice versa. Furthermore, advantages that have already been mentioned in connection with the electrical plug connection according to the invention can also be understood in relation to the mating plug connector, the connecting element, the module connection and the circuit board arrangement - and vice versa.

In addition, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising”, “having” or “with” do not exclude other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the", which indicate a singular number of steps or features, do not exclude a plurality of steps or features - and vice versa.

The further claims and the features mentioned throughout the description relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the independent inventions mentioned above.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. Features of one exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be easily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further sensible combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

Figur 1

eine Leiterplattenanordnung, aufweisend eine erste Leiterplatte und eine zweite Leiterplatte sowie ein zwischen den Leiterplatten angeordnetes Verbindungselement in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Figur 2

das Außengehäuse des Verbindungselement der Figur 1 in isometrischer Darstellung;

Figur 3

den Querschnitt des Verbindungselements der Figur 1 entlang der in Figur 1 dargestellten Schnittebene III vor dem Umformen durch drei Prägebacken;

Figur 4

den Querschnitt des Verbindungselements der Figur 1 entlang der in Figur 1 dargestellten Schnittebene III nach dem Umformen mit den drei Prägebacken;

Figur 5

eine isometrische Schnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung, aufweisend einen ersten elektrischen Steckverbinder und einen ersten elektrischen Gegensteckverbinder;

Figur 6

eine Schnittdarstellung der erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung der Figur 5 in einem Zustand vor dem Einführen des ersten Steckverbinders in den ersten Gegensteckverbinder;

Figur 7

die elektrische Steckverbindung der Figur 6 nach dem Einführen des ersten Steckverbinders in den ersten Gegensteckverbinder und vor einer erfindungsgemäßen Selbstzentrierung;

Figur 8

die elektrische Steckverbindung der Figur 7 nach einer erfindungsgemäßen Selbstzentrierung;

Figur 9

eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung des Kontaktbereichs der elektrischen Steckverbindung der Figur 5 zur Darstellung der Vorspannung der Kontaktfedern;

Figur 10

eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung des Kontaktbereichs einer elektrischen Steckverbindung gemäß einer beispielhaften Ausgestaltung mit Kontaktfedern mit hoher Federelastizität;

Figur 11

eine Baugruppenverbindung gemäß dem Stand der Technik in einem Zustand nach dem Einstecken des ersten Steckverbinders in den ersten Gegensteckverbinder in einer Seitenansicht;

Figur 12

eine erfindungsgemäße Baugruppenverbindung in einem Zustand nach dem Einstecken des ersten Steckverbinders in den ersten Gegensteckverbinder in einer Seitenansicht;

Figur 13

die erfindungsgemäße Baugruppenverbindung der Figur 12 in einem vollständig gesteckten Zustand; und

Figur 14

eine alternative Ausführungsform des ersten Steckverbinders mit einem ersten Kontaktbereich und einem zweiten Kontaktbereich.

It shows schematically:

Figure 1

a circuit board arrangement, comprising a first circuit board and a second circuit board and a connecting element arranged between the circuit boards in a sectional view;

Figure 2

the outer housing of the connecting element Figure 1 in isometric view;

Figure 3

the cross section of the connecting element Figure 1 along the in Figure 1 shown sectional plane III before forming by three embossing jaws;

Figure 4

the cross section of the connecting element Figure 1 along the in Figure 1 Section III shown after forming with the three embossing jaws;

Figure 5

an isometric sectional view of an electrical plug connection according to the invention, having a first electrical plug connector and a first electrical mating plug connector;

Figure 6

a sectional view of the electrical plug connection according to the invention Figure 5 in a state before inserting the first connector into the first mating connector;

Figure 7

the electrical connector of the Figure 6 after inserting the first connector into the first mating connector and before self-centering according to the invention;

Figure 8

the electrical connector of the Figure 7 after self-centering according to the invention;

Figure 9

an enlarged sectional view of the contact area of the electrical plug connection Figure 5 to show the preload of the contact springs;

Figure 10

an enlarged sectional view of the contact area of an electrical plug connection according to an exemplary embodiment with contact springs with high spring elasticity;

Figure 11

a module connection according to the prior art in a state after the first plug connector has been inserted into the first mating plug connector in a side view;

Figure 12

a side view of a module connection according to the invention in a state after the first plug connector has been inserted into the first mating plug connector;

Figure 13

the assembly connection according to the invention Figure 12 in a fully mated state; and

Figure 14

an alternative embodiment of the first connector with a first contact area and a second contact area.

In Figure 1 A circuit board arrangement 1 is shown in a sectional view. The circuit board arrangement 1 has a first circuit board 2 and a second circuit board 3, which are arranged in different planes running parallel to one another. Within the scope of the invention, additional circuit boards can in principle also be provided.

A connecting element 4 is arranged between the circuit boards 2, 3 in order to electrically connect the circuit boards 2, 3 to one another. In Figure 1 For reasons of clarity, a not yet assembled state of the connecting element 4 with the circuit boards 2, 3 is shown.

All size relationships shown in the drawings are only to be understood as examples, in particular the size relationships between the circuit boards 2, 3, the connecting element 4 and the mating connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2 'described below with one another.

In principle, any number of connecting elements 4 can be provided for the electrical and mechanical connection of the circuit boards 2, 3. The connecting element 4 can in particular be one connect electrical circuit 2.1 of the first circuit board 2 with an electrical circuit 3.1 of the second circuit board 3.2, in particular for the transmission of high bit rate signals between the electrical circuits 2.1, 3.1.

In principle, the connecting element 4 and the assembly connection 22 according to the invention are suitable for mechanical and electrical connection between any electrical assembly, in particular a first electrical assembly and a second electrical assembly. For illustrative purposes, however, only the application of the connecting element 4 in relation to the connection of two circuit boards 2, 3 is described in the exemplary embodiment; d. H. a specific embodiment variant in which the first electrical assembly is designed as a first circuit board 3 and the second electrical assembly is designed as a second circuit board 4. However, this should not be understood as limiting the invention.

The connecting element 4 comprises a preferably rigid, tubular outer housing 5 made of an electrically conductive material. One or more inner conductors 7 can be guided in the outer housing 5. Furthermore, a dielectric 8 or several dielectrics can be provided. Purely as an example, in the exemplary embodiment an electrical cable 6 is provided which is guided in the outer housing 5 along a longitudinal axis L of the outer housing 5 or the connecting element 4.

The electrically conductive material of the outer housing 5 can preferably be non-magnetic, in particular made of a non-magnetic material. Brass is preferably used.

The electrical cable 6 has at least one inner conductor 7, in the exemplary embodiment exactly one inner conductor 7, and a dielectric 8 surrounding the inner conductor 7. The electrical cable 6 shown in the exemplary embodiments is a concentrically designed electrical cable 6, which consists of exactly one inner conductor 7 and a dielectric 8 forming a cable sheath. In principle, however, it can also be provided that the electrical cable 6 has a plurality of inner conductors 7, for example at least one pair of inner conductors, which is preferably provided for differential signal transmission.

The outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 serves as an outer conductor of the connecting element 4. The connecting element 4 has a plug connector 9.1, 9.2 at each of its ends 4.1, 4.2 for connection to a respective mating plug connector 10.1, 10.2 of the respective circuit board 2, 3. As a result, the inner conductor 7 is also connected to the respective mating connector 10.1, 10.2. The plug connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the connecting element 4 are, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, preferably round.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the plug connectors 9.1, 9.2 are formed in that the outer housing 5 is expanded at its ends or has an enlarged diameter.

However, at least one of the connectors 9.1, 9.2 can also be omitted. The connecting element 4 can then, if necessary, be inserted directly into the circuit boards 2, 3 or using any suitable connection technology, e.g. B. soldering or crimping, be connected to the circuit boards 2, 3.

As part of the production of the connecting element 4, it can be provided that at least one section A, in the exemplary embodiment exactly one section A, of the outer housing 5 is reshaped along the longitudinal axis L in such a way that the electrical cable 6 is fixed in the outer housing 5. The section A can extend at least along 50% of the total length of the outer housing 5, but preferably along 75% of the total length of the outer housing 5, particularly preferably at least along 90% of the total length of the outer housing 5 and most preferably completely between the plug connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the outer housing 5 extend, as provided in the exemplary embodiment. In particular if one of the connectors 9.1, 9.2 is omitted, section A can also extend completely over the entire length of the connecting element 4.

In principle, however, one or more sections of the outer housing 5 can also be formed in the manner of notches in order to fix the electrical cable 6 in the outer housing 5. However, this is not preferred in view of the deteriorated electrical properties. However, forming the outer housing 5 is fundamentally not necessary within the scope of the invention.

For further clarification shows Figure 2 an isometric representation of the outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 with a graphic highlighting of the cross section Q of the formed section A of the outer housing 5. The cross section Q resulting after the forming is also in Figure 4 shown.

A tubular outer housing 5 made of a round, metallic blank can be provided, with the outer housing 5 preferably being deep-drawn, extruded or turned from the metallic blank. Preferably, the at least one section A of the outer housing 5 is then reshaped in such a way that the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 in the reshaped section A is no longer round or the circumference is no longer circular (cf. Figure 2 and Figure 4 ). Preferably, the at least one section of the outer housing 5 is deformed in such a way that the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 in the deformed section A follows a uniform thickness, in the exemplary embodiment a Reuleaux triangle.

With regard to an advantageous manufacturing method of the connecting element 4, it can be provided that the electrical cable 6, which has the at least one inner conductor 7 and the dielectric 8, is inserted into the outer housing 5 along the longitudinal axis L is, preferably with sufficient press play, after which the at least one section A of the outer housing 5 is deformed along the longitudinal axis L in such a way that the electrical cable 6 is fixed in the outer housing 5.

The shaping of section A of the outer housing 5 can be carried out, for example, by embossing and/or rolling (axially or radially). The forming is preferably carried out by embossing. The Figures 3 and 4 For further clarification, show the cross section Q of the connecting element 4 before the embossing process ( Figure 3 ) and after the embossing process ( Figure 4 ).

How out Figure 3 As can be seen, the outer diameter of the electrical cable 6 is made smaller than the inner diameter of the outer housing 5 for easy insertion into the outer housing 5. Accordingly, there is play between the outer housing 5 and the electrical cable 6.

To fix the electrical cable 6 by means of an advantageous embossing process, two or more embossing jaws 11 can be provided. Preferably, three embossing jaws 11 are provided, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, in particular in order to reshape section A in such a way that the cross section Q follows a uniform thickness after reshaping, for example a Reuleaux triangle.

The embossing surface 12 of the embossing jaws 11 can have a cross-section in a central area B _M (cf. Figure 4 ) correspond to the course of the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 after embossing. The outer areas B _A (cf. Figure 4 ) be set back around the middle area B _M.

How in particular the Figure 4 can be seen, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the outer housing 5 is pressed or stamped or rolled radially on three circumferential sections evenly distributed along the circumference in such a way that the three circumferential sections arranged at a distance from one another are formed with an equal and constant radius and equal arc lengths. These are the peripheral sections of the outer housing 5, which are formed by the central region B _M. Between every two of these peripheral sections there is a compensating section which absorbs material displaced by the pressed or stamped or rolled peripheral sections. The compensation sections are located within the angular sections of the outer areas B _A and are each formed by two adjacent outer areas B _A of two adjacent embossing jaws 11.

Figure 5 shows an electrical plug connection 13 according to the invention in a perspective sectional view. The plug connection 13 has a connecting element 4 with a first electrical plug connector 9.1 arranged at a first end 4.1 and a first mating plug connector 10.1 of a first electrical assembly, in the present case once again the first circuit board 2.

The first mating connector 10.1 has contact springs 14 and the first connector 9.1 has an electrically conductive outer housing which is formed in one piece with the outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 and has a first, annularly circumferential contact area 15. The contact springs 14 act on the outer housing 4 via the first contact area 15 in order to establish electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug connector 9.1 and the first mating plug connector 10.1.

It is envisaged that the outer diameter of the first contact area 15 expands towards the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the contact springs 14 are designed in such a way that they are applied to the outer housing 5 via a second, annularly circumferential contact area 23 of the outer housing 5, which is axially offset from the first contact area 15 along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 affect. This variant is only an example Figure 14 shown. The second contact area 23 and the first contact area 15 can also merge into one another. The first contact area 15 and the second contact area 23 can each have an axial extent which corresponds to the expected area in which the contact springs 14 are able to act on the first plug connector 9.1 - if necessary also taking into account tolerances and mechanical load on the plug connection 13.

The contact springs 14, the first contact area 15 and/or the second contact area 23 are designed so that the contact springs 14 apply a radial force component and an axial force component to the outer housing 5 in such a way that the first plug connector 9.1 preferably aligns coaxially with the first mating plug connector 10.1 . The principle is in the Figures 6 to 8 shown.

In Figure 6 the first connector 9.1 and the first mating connector 10.1 are shown in a non-connected state. Figure 7 shows a state in which the first plug connector 9.1 and the first mating plug connector 10.1 have already been plugged together by, for example, a fitter, but the connecting element 4 or its longitudinal axis L is still tilted relative to the longitudinal axis L _G of the first mating plug connector 10.1. According to the invention, due to the radial and axial force component of the contact springs 14, a self-centering of the connecting element 4 or the first plug connector 9.1 in the first mating plug connector 10.1 can be provided, which can preferably lead to a coaxial alignment, as in Figure 8 shown.

It can preferably be provided that the first mating connector 10.1 has a mating connector housing 16 with a funnel-shaped insertion area 17 for the first connector 9.1. The funnel-shaped insertion area 17 is, for example, in Figure 5 recognizable, formed by a collar 18 projecting into the first connector 9.1, which is simultaneously designed as a system for the contact springs 14 in order to mechanically prestress the contact springs 14.

Figure 9 shows an enlarged sectional view of the insertion area 17 of the first mating connector 10.1. In particular, the pretensioning of the contact springs 14 by the stop for the contact springs 14 formed by the collar 18 of the mating connector housing 16 is in Figure 9 good to see. In principle, however, the contact springs 14 in the first mating connector 10.1 can also be pretensioned in a different way or can be omitted.

It can also be advantageous to increase the elasticity of the contact springs 14 by appropriately selecting the material of the contact springs 14 or a corresponding geometry of the contact springs 14. An exemplary geometry for achieving high contact spring elasticity is shown in Figure 10 shown.

In the exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the first contact area 15 expands conically and essentially linearly in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4. In principle, however, the outer diameter of the first contact area 15 can expand according to any curve, for example, expand convexly or concavely.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments, the first mating connector 10.1 has an insulating part 19, which at least partially penetrates into the outer housing 5 of the first plug connector 9.1 when the first plug connector 9.1 is plugged together with the first mating connector 10.1. The insulating part 19 also has a collar 20 pointing in the direction of the outer housing 5 in order to center the outer housing 5 in the first mating connector 10.1, in particular in order to compensate for an axial offset. Furthermore, the insulating part 19 forms an axial end stop 21 for the first connector 9.1 in the first mating connector 10.1, against which the connecting element 4 can be pressed, which further supports self-centering.

The Figure 12 shows an assembly connection 22 for connecting a first electrical assembly (in the exemplary embodiment, the first circuit board 2) and a second electrical assembly (in the exemplary embodiment, the second circuit board 3), comprising a connecting element 4 with a first electrical connector 9.1 arranged at a first end 4.1 and a second electrical connector 9.2 arranged at a second end 4.2 and a first mating connector 10.1 and a second mating connector 10.2. The mating connectors 10.1, 10.2 are designed to be connected to the connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the connecting element 4 and to be connected to an electrical assembly or circuit board 2, 3. The first mating connector 10.1 has, for example, the one in the Figures 5 to 9 shown contact springs 14 and the first connector 9.1 an electrically conductive outer housing 5 with a first, annularly circumferential contact area 15. The contact springs 14 act on the outer housing 5 via the first contact area 15 in order to establish an electrical contact and a mechanical connection, for example also a locking, between the first plug connector 9.1 and the first mating plug connector 10.1.

According to the invention, self-centering can be provided for the assembly connection 22 shown. As a result, the outer diameter of the first contact area 15 can expand in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4 and/or the contact springs 14 can be designed in such a way that they have a second, annularly circumferential contact area 23 (cf. Figure 14 ) of the outer housing 5, which is axially offset from the first contact region 15 along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4, act on the outer housing 5.

The principle of self-centering is when comparing the Figures 11 and 12 good to see. In Figure 11 , which shows a module connection 22 according to the prior art in a state after the first connector 9.1 and the first mating connector 10.1 have been plugged together, the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 of the prior art is to the longitudinal axis L _G of the first mating connector 10.1 of the prior art Technology still tilted. In Figure 12 On the other hand, a coaxial alignment of the connecting element 4 or the first connector 9.1 to the first mating connector 10.1 is shown after the connecting element 4 has self-centered according to the invention. The coaxial alignment of the first connector 9.1 in the first mating connector 10.1 leads in the exemplary embodiment to a parallel alignment of the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 to the longitudinal axis of the second mating connector 10.2.

A particular advantage of self-centering can be that the insertion area 17 of the mating connectors 10.1, 10.2 can be made smaller compared to the prior art. To clarify this is in the Figures 11 to 13 a parallel offset of the longitudinal axis L _G of the first mating connector 10.1 and the longitudinal axis of the second mating connector 10.2 or 10.2 'is shown. Such an offset can result, for example, from a non-ideal alignment of the circuit boards 2, 3 to one another. In order to compensate for the offset and to enable an uncomplicated, preferably blind plugging together of the plug connectors 9.1, 9.2 with the mating plug connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2', the insertion area 17, 17' of the mating plug connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2' must be dimensioned accordingly the diameter of the entire Mating connector 10.1, 10.2, 10.2' enlarged overall. An inclined position of the connecting element 4 in the first mating connector 10.1 can increase this problem, which is evident when comparing the Figures 11 and 12 is clearly visible. Due to the inventive orientation of the connecting element 4 in the first mating connector 10.1, the insertion area 17 of the second mating connector 10.2 can be significantly reduced in size to the insertion area 17 'of the second mating connector 10.2' of the prior art.

Figure 13 shows a fully plugged module connection 22 according to the present invention. To compensate for the lateral offset of the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 and the longitudinal axis of the second mating connector 10.2, the connecting element 4 is again in a slightly inclined position when fully inserted, but this is generally not a problem.

As shown in particular by the Figures 1, 2 , 12 and 13 can be seen, the second connector 9.2 of the assembly connection 22 is designed differently from the first connector 9.1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first plug connector 9.1 has the first, annularly circumferential contact area 15, the outer diameter of which widens towards the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4. On the other hand, the second plug connector 9.2 has a first, annular contact area which runs cylindrically along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 and thus has a constant outer diameter.

In principle, however, it can also be provided that the first plug connector 9.1 and the second plug connector 9.2 are designed similarly or identically.

Claims (12)

1. Electrical plug-in connection (13), comprising a connecting element (4) for connecting a first electrical assembly (2) to a second electrical assembly (3) with a first electrical plug-in connector (9.1) arranged at a first end (4.1) and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises contact springs (14) and the first plug-in connector (9.1) comprises an electrically conductive outer housing (5) with a first contact region (15) which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein the contact springs (14) act via the first contact region (15) on the outer housing (5) in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector (9.1) and the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1),
   characterized in that the outer housing (5) of the first plug-in connector (9.1) is formed in one piece with an outer housing (5) of the connecting element (4), wherein the contact springs (14) act on the first contact region (15) such that the outer housing (5) is acted on with an axial force (F_A) which acts along a longitudinal axis (L_G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which pushes the outer housing (5) against an axial end stop (21) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), wherein the axial end stop (21) is formed by an isolating part (19) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), and wherein the contact springs (14) are mechanically preloaded in the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) such that the contact springs (14) are already pre deflected before the first plug-in connector (9.1) is introduced into the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1).
2. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the outer diameter of the first contact region (15) increases in the direction of the first end (4.1) of the connecting element (4).
3. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises a counterpart plug-in connector housing (16) with a funnel-shaped insertion region (17) for the first plug-in connector (9.1).
4. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the counterpart plug-in connector housing (16) comprises a collar (18) which projects into the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which is designed as an abutment for the contact springs (14) in order to mechanically preload the contact springs (14).
5. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the outer diameter of the first contact region (15) increases conically, in particular in a linear, convex or concave manner, in the direction of the first end (4.1) of the connecting element (4).
6. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the first plug-in connector (10.1) comprises an insulating part (19) which, as the first plug-in connector (9.1) is plugged together with the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), at least partially enters the outer housing (5) of the first plug-in connector (9.1).
7. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the insulating part (19) forms a collar (20) pointing in the direction of the outer housing (5), in order to center the outer housing (5) in the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1).
8. Assembly connection (22) for connecting a first electrical assembly (2) and a second electrical assembly (3), comprising an electrical plug-in connection (13) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting element (4) comprises a second electrical plug-in connector (9.2) arranged at a second end (4.2), and wherein a second electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.2) is provided, wherein the counterpart plug-in connectors (10.1, 10.2) are designed for connecting to the plug-in connectors (9.1, 9.2) of the connecting element (4) and for connecting to in each case one electrical assembly (2, 3).
9. Assembly connection (22) according to claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the second plug-in connector (9.2) is designed to differ from the first plug-in connector (9.1), and preferably comprises a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and which runs cylindrically along the longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4).
10. Circuit board arrangement (1), comprising at least one first circuit board (2), a second circuit board (3), and at least one electrical plug-in connection (13) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the circuit boards (2, 3) are arranged running parallel to one another in different planes, and wherein, between the circuit boards (2, 3), at least one of the connecting elements (4) is arranged in order to electrically connect the circuit boards (2, 3) to one another.
11. Electrical plug-in connection (13), comprising a connecting element (4) for connecting a first electrical assembly (2) to a second electrical assembly (3) with a first electrical plug-in connector (9.1) arranged at a first end (4.1) and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises contact springs (14) and the first plug-in connector (9.1) comprises an electrically conductive outer housing (5) with a first contact region (15) which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein the contact springs (14) act via the first contact region (15) on the outer housing (5) in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector (9.1) and the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1),
    characterized in that the outer housing (5) of the first plug-in connector (9.1) is formed in one piece with an outer housing (5) of the connecting element (4), wherein the contact springs (14) are designed such that they exert on the first contact region (15) and on a second contact region (23) of the outer housing (5), which second contact region (23) runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region (15) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4), a respective radial force (F_R), which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L_G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), on the outer housing (5).
12. Electrical plug-in connection (13) according to claim 12,
    wherein the contact springs (14) are designed so as to act via the second contact region (23) on the outer housing (5).

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