EP3646411B1 - Plug connector and contact arrangement - Google Patents

Plug connector and contact arrangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3646411B1
EP3646411B1 EP18730754.1A EP18730754A EP3646411B1 EP 3646411 B1 EP3646411 B1 EP 3646411B1 EP 18730754 A EP18730754 A EP 18730754A EP 3646411 B1 EP3646411 B1 EP 3646411B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
positioning
plug
aligning plate
latching
circuit carrier
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18730754.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3646411A1 (en
Inventor
Richard Gueckel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Publication of EP3646411A1 publication Critical patent/EP3646411A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3646411B1 publication Critical patent/EP3646411B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
    • H01R12/724—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits containing contact members forming a right angle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a connector, a contact arrangement between the connector and a circuit carrier and a method for aligning and / or positioning lead wires of the connector according to the preambles of the independent claims.
  • electrical and / or electronic modules have a plug connector for a simple electrical connection, which can be contacted by a corresponding mating connector.
  • Such stick connectors are generally also known as male connectors or pin connectors.
  • they have an insulating plug body from which a large number of lead wires protrude on both sides.
  • One side forms a plug contact diagram for the mating connector through the lead wires.
  • the lead wires are electrically connected to contact points of a circuit carrier in accordance with a connection contact diagram.
  • the lead wires each have, for example, a press-fit pin, which each form a press-in contact with corresponding openings in the circuit carrier.
  • the disclosure document DE 10 2014 219 126 A1 discloses a plug connection for connection to a circuit carrier or a circuit board.
  • the plug connection has several pins which protrude into corresponding bores in the circuit board.
  • the pins are guided through a centering strip.
  • An electrically insulating body is provided between the centering strip and the circuit carrier, which has hollow cylindrical bores for each individual pin.
  • the hollow cylindrical bores limit the space for possible whisker growth in the area of the enclosed pins.
  • the insulating body is held in position by the centering strip by being pressed against the circuit carrier. Alternatively, the insulating body is glued to the circuit carrier.
  • the hollow cylindrical bores emerge from a flat surface of the insulating body. In order to ensure a gap-free cavity for whisker particles that may have formed, the flat surface and the contact surface of the circuit carrier must have a very high level of flatness with respect to one another.
  • the invention is based on the object of keeping the arrangement of lead wires of a connector in terms of their alignment and positioning with one another in a process-safe and simple manner for different manufacturing phases, while maintaining an error-free and operationally optimized contact arrangement of the connector with a circuit carrier.
  • a connector for connection to a circuit carrier, comprising at least one electrically insulating plug body.
  • the connector body has a plurality of lead wires spaced in a pattern. With each of their ends, the lead wires form a plug contact diagram for electrical contact or connection of a mating connector. With their respective opposite ends of the lead wires, a connection contact diagram for corresponding contact points of the circuit carrier is in turn formed.
  • the conductor wires are preferably each formed in one piece, for example with a round or rectangular cross-section, with a longitudinal extension being a multiple of the smallest cross-sectional dimension.
  • a line wire is composed of different section elements, at least with a first line element terminating on the side of the plug contact diagram and a second line element terminating on the connection contact diagram side, which are at least indirectly in electrical contact with one another via a connection point.
  • the conductor wires are oriented in their arrangement relative to one another by a positioning and / or alignment plate, in that the positioning and / or alignment plate has rectified guide openings, each of which is penetrated by a conductor wire with play.
  • At least one latching connection is formed by the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate, by means of which the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate are held in at least one latching position.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate is fixed in a defined manner, which overall simplifies the further assembly and handling of the connector within a manufacturing process. As a result, distances can also be bridged during transport without the need for additional securing against loosening of the positioning and / or alignment plate.
  • the fixing of the positioning and / or alignment plate prevents the sensitive lead wires from being displaced and / or tilted in a damaging manner bent or damaged, so that the connector is then unusable for further assembly.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate comprises at least one spring element on the side facing the contact connection diagram, which is designed to brace the positioning and / or alignment plate in the at least one latching position against the circuit carrier by means of spring force when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier .
  • a particular advantage results from the fact that the plug connector has more than one possible latching position of the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate.
  • an advantageous arrangement of the positioning and / or alignment plate relative to the plug body can be taken into account as a function of certain manufacturing or assembly phases.
  • a possible latching position is preferably provided as a transport latching position.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate is arranged as far as possible in the direction towards the side of the contact connection diagram in order to protect the lead wires from mechanical damage. Optimized protection is obtained in particular in such an arrangement in which at least a respective partial section of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contacting, preferably a press-fit pin, is arranged within the guide openings.
  • a pre-assembly group is thereby available in which a temporally and / or spatially subsequent production for connecting the connector to a circuit carrier is made possible in a process-reliable manner.
  • a further preferred latching position results in a final assembly latching position in which the positioning and / or alignment plate permanently keeps the lead wires insulated from one another when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier.
  • further locking positions can be provided that advantageously support an assembly process or a production process.
  • every latching position can be reached by moving the positioning and / or alignment plate in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the conductor wires. Moving is both in the direction of the contact connection scheme and / or in the opposite direction in the direction of the plug contact scheme.
  • the latching connection can be released in a latching position by overcoming a latching holding force, in particular by a force component which points in the direction of the lead wires.
  • a latching holding force in particular by a force component which points in the direction of the lead wires.
  • a displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably blocked.
  • Unlocking takes place, for example, with an unlocking force which is significantly greater than the locking holding force, in particular a multiple thereof.
  • a direction of action of the unlocking force is preferably different from a longitudinal extension of the conductor wires. In this way, for example, a final assembly latching position is secured against unintentional loosening.
  • a simple embodiment of an advantageous latching connection results from a spring-loaded latching hook which has a protruding latching nose which engages in a latching recess of complementary design.
  • the latching hook is arranged, for example, on the positioning and / or alignment plate and the latching recess is arranged on the plug body or is designed in a straight twisted arrangement.
  • a plurality of latching connections are preferably formed in order to provide a force introduction and / or force retention at a plurality of points on the positioning and / or alignment plate or the plug body. At least two latching connections are advantageously formed on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate. In this way, the introduction of force and / or force retention is symmetrical and thus balanced.
  • the connector body comprises a closed or partially open recess on the side of the connection contact diagram, into which at least sections of the positioning and / or alignment plate protrude in the at least one locking position and / or the locking connection is formed in the recess.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably arranged completely within the recess in the final assembly latched position.
  • the connector body and the positioning and / or alignment plate can be displaced relative to one another by means of a guide.
  • the guide is preferably formed by complementary guide elements on the connector body and on the positioning and / or alignment plate, in particular in the form of a tongue and groove guide.
  • corresponding guide elements are attached in the side wall of the recess described above or formed in the plug body.
  • correspondingly complementary guide elements are arranged on the side walls of the positioning and / or alignment plate or are formed in this.
  • at least one pair of complementary guide elements are operatively connected on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate. This enables stable guidance without tilting.
  • the guide is designed in such a way as to facilitate or support the finding of a latching position when the positioning and / or alignment plate is moved along the longitudinal extension of the conductor wires.
  • Guide elements and latching elements are advantageously provided directly next to one another on the plug body or on the positioning and / or alignment plate, so that the intended latching function and the guiding function do not adversely affect one another.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate comprises at least one centering element which is formed when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier, the circuit carrier and / or an assembly tool relative by means of a positive fit to position the positioning and alignment plate.
  • the centering element preferably has a centering mandrel which aligns the circuit carrier by penetrating into a centering opening present in the circuit carrier.
  • the centering element can have a further centering section in the form of a centering pin or a centering opening, which in turn aligns the positioning and / or alignment plate relative to the assembly tool.
  • the centering pin facing towards the circuit carrier and the further centering section facing towards the assembly tool preferably have the same centering axis, for example by means of a coaxial arrangement.
  • several centering elements are provided, preferably on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate.
  • plug-in connectors are advantageous in which the lead wires for forming a press-in zone in complementary cutouts in the circuit carrier are each formed in the form of a press-in pin, at least on the side of the connection contact diagram.
  • Conductor wires that have a coating or material composition that is prone to whisker growth, in particular made of pure tin, of zinc or of one of their alloys, are also advantageously suitable here, at least in the area of the press-fit pins.
  • a very favorable embodiment of the connector results from the fact that the guide openings on the side facing the contact connection diagram are enclosed by a wall that is spaced apart and protruding from the respective guide opening and the wall keeps a cavity free in such a way that a collecting reservoir is provided when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier is designed to receive whisker particles that have grown on the lead wires and / or free particles detached from the lead wires.
  • the guide openings preferably emerge on the side facing the contact connection diagram from a flat surface of the positioning and / or alignment plate, the surrounding wall being incorporated as a countersunk shoulder in the flat surface or protruding as a shaped rib on the flat surface.
  • the cavity that is kept free is cylindrical.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably designed as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part which, in addition to a base body with embedded guide openings, comprises at least one guide element, a latching element of the latching connection, a centering element and / or the spring element for resiliently pressing against a circuit carrier.
  • the invention also relates to a contact arrangement of a circuit carrier with a plug connector in at least one of the embodiments described above.
  • a contact arrangement is formed in that at least the lead wires are electrically connected to the circuit carrier on the side of the contact connection diagram, in particular by a solder contact or by a press-in contact.
  • the circuit carrier rests at least in some areas on contact surfaces of the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate, the positioning and / or alignment plate being moved by the circuit carrier from a transport locking position to a final assembly locking position is shifted.
  • the support surfaces can serve as stops to reach the final assembly latching position.
  • subsections of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contacting are released at the latest at the time of a manufacturing process for establishing an electrical connection with the circuit carrier, for example in the form of a press-in contact.
  • a particularly advantageous embodiment of the contact arrangement results from the fact that by supporting the circuit carrier, a cavity closed towards the circuit carrier is formed in the area of each guide opening of the positioning and / or alignment plate penetrated by a conductor wire such that a collecting reservoir is formed for receiving in particular whisker particles grown on the lead wires and / or free particles detached from the lead wires.
  • the at least one spring element of the positioning and / or alignment plate braces the positioning and / or alignment plate in the transport latching position against the circuit carrier by means of spring force.
  • the respective press-in pin has a shaped support shoulder on which a pressure area of the press-in tool rests in a force-exerting manner.
  • a partial section of a connector 10 for connection to a circuit carrier is shown in a perspective view.
  • Such plug connectors 10 usually have an insulating plug body 20, for example made of a plastic material.
  • the plug body 20 is penetrated by a multiplicity of lead wires 11 which protrude freely on both sides from the plug body 20.
  • the lead wires 11 are spaced from one another in the form of a pattern arrangement.
  • the one ends of the lead wires 11 together form a connector contact diagram 15 for the mating connector (hidden in the perspective view).
  • the lead wires 11 on the side of the Connector contact schemes 15 are surrounded by a connector collar 21, for example.
  • the mating connector can, for example, be received and held in its plug-in position.
  • the connection side of the connector body 20 for electrically contacting the connector 10 with a corresponding circuit carrier the other ends of the lead wires 11 together form a connection contact diagram 16 for corresponding contact points of the circuit carrier.
  • the lead wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 are rotated by 90 ° with respect to an orientation of the lead wires 11 on the side of the plug contact diagram 15 and point upwards in perspective in the plane of the drawing.
  • different orientations of the respective side of the connection contact diagram 16 and the side of the plug contact diagram 15 with respect to one another are also possible.
  • connection contact diagram 16 has, at their respective ends, subsections of the connection areas designed for electrical contacting. In the present exemplary embodiment, these connection areas are shown in the form of press-fit pins 12. Alternatively, connection areas can be provided to form a soldered contact.
  • the press-fit pins 12 protrude from a recess 25 formed in the plug body 20 and partially open on one side.
  • the recess 25 adjoins a flat support surface 26 of the plug body 20. Part of the recess 25 is formed by projections 27 protruding laterally on the plug body 20.
  • the latching recesses 28 are designed in such a way that different latching positions for a positioning and / or alignment plate 30 (see FIG Figure 1b ) to enable.
  • the latching recesses 28 are preferably arranged one behind the other and parallel to one another, starting from the support surface 26, so that a first possible latching position is followed by a further possible one. Also preferred is an orientation of the latching recess 28 in the plug body 20 such that a latching effect begins in a latching position in the direction of the orientation of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16, in particular the press-in pins 12. Groups of several latching recesses 28 are advantageously opposite one another on different sides of the recess 25. Basically, locking recesses can 28 can alternatively also be provided at other points on the plug body 20.
  • the plug body 20 has at least one guide element 29, for example in the form of a guide rail formed within the recess 25, such that a guided displacement of the in Figure 1b Positioning and / or alignment plate 30 shown, for example by a tongue and groove guide, is made possible.
  • the guidance to be achieved is aligned in particular in the direction of the orientation of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16, for example the press-in pins 12.
  • At least two guide elements 29 advantageously face one another on different sides of the recess 25. In principle, guide elements 29 can alternatively also be provided at other points on the plug body 20.
  • a positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is shown in a perspective view before being threaded onto lead wires 11 of the connector 10.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a main body 35 with at least two oppositely directed, in particular flat main surfaces 36. One of these main surfaces 36 is directed upwards in perspective in the plane of the drawing, the other is covered.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a multiplicity of guide openings 31 in the same direction, which protrude completely from both main surfaces 36.
  • the guide openings 31 are in an arrangement which corresponds to a target pattern arrangement of the lead wires 11 on the terminal contact diagram 16 side. Different elements are formed on the main body 35 on opposite sides in each case.
  • a spring-loaded latching hook 38 is integrally formed as a latching element which, in cooperation with one of the latching recess 28 in the plug body 20, enables a latching connection to be formed.
  • a guide groove 39 is formed on the side which, in cooperation with one of the guide rails 29, enables a guided displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 within the recess 25 in the plug body 20.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a centering element 40 on each side, which is designed to position the circuit carrier and / or an assembly tool relative to the positioning and alignment plate 30 by means of a form fit when the connector 10 is connected to a circuit carrier.
  • the Centering element 40 has a centering mandrel 41 which protrudes from the main body 35, in particular perpendicular to the main surface 36.
  • a dome attachment is continued, in which a centering opening 42 is made from the side facing away from the centering mandrel 41.
  • the centering opening 42 is designed to position the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 relative to the latter when an assembly tool engages.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a spring element 32 on the main surface 36 visible in the plane of the sheet, which is designed to be in contact with the system to maintain a spring force effect with a circuit carrier.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is threaded onto the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is attached over the recess 25 in such a way that the respective complementary guide elements 29, 39 on the plug body 20 and on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 are brought into operative connection with the formation of, for example, a tongue and groove joint. Guide.
  • the latching hook 38 is pressed resiliently inward into the recess 25 and remains ineffective for the time being.
  • the guide openings 31 are in each case widened continuously on the side facing away from the connection contact diagram 16, for example by means of a bevel.
  • a type of collecting funnel 33 is formed by the widening (see also FIG. 5).
  • the complementary latching elements 28, 38 are brought into operative connection by further displacement along the longitudinal extension of the line wires 11 - with the formation of a first latching connection 50.
  • the respective latching hook 38 on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 engages behind the respective latching recess 28 on the plug body 30.
  • the first possible latching connection is preferably in a transport latching position 51.
  • the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 facing the side of the connection contact diagram 16 stands in particular above the support surface 26 emerges.
  • connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contact is arranged within the guide openings 31, in particular the whole or predominant part of a press-in pin 12. or alignment plate 30 as a preassembly group 100, which can be used in a temporally and spatially offset manner for connecting a circuit carrier to the connector 10 in the manufacturing process.
  • an assembly tool 60 in particular a press-in tool, is brought into engagement via the laterally arranged centering elements 40 with the positioning and / or alignment plate 30, preferably by means of a form fit - as in Figure 2b shown.
  • a circuit carrier 70 is positioned and aligned relative to the assembly tool 60 or to the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 via the laterally arranged centering elements 40 - as in FIG Fig. 3a shown.
  • a respective centering pin 11 of the centering elements 40 engages in molded openings in the circuit carrier 70 to form a form fit.
  • this has the effect that the ends of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 face complementary connection openings in the circuit carrier 70 and penetrate into them by a relative displacement of the circuit carrier 70.
  • the shifting of the circuit carrier 70 relative to the assembly tool 60 or to the lead wires 11 takes place in particular with the application of force (see force effect F).
  • force effect F In the case of press-in pins 12, a region of press-in tool 60 rests on a support shoulder of a respective press-in pin 12, as a result of which a press-in process is achieved with the formation of a respective press-in contact.
  • a solder contact can also be provided.
  • the circuit carrier 70 preferably rests on the support surface 26 of the plug body 20 and on the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate.
  • the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has now been shifted by the circuit carrier 70 into a final assembly latching position 52 with the formation of a further latching connection 50.
  • the respective latching hook 38 on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 engages behind the respective downstream Latching recess 28 on the plug body 20.
  • the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 facing the side of the connection contact diagram 16 preferably ends flush with the support surface 26 of the plug body 20.
  • the spring element 32 of the positioning and / or alignment plate is in system contact with the circuit carrier 70, so that the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is braced against the circuit carrier by means of spring force in the final assembly position.
  • a contact arrangement 200 of the circuit carrier 70 with the plug connector 10 the lead wires 11 being electrically connected to the circuit carrier 70 on the side of the contact connection diagram 16, in particular by a solder contact or by a press-in contact.
  • the Fig. 4 shows the contact arrangement from a different perspective, in which the circuit carrier is oriented downwards in the plane of the drawing.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Steckverbinder, eine Kontaktanordnung zwischen dem Steckverbinder und einem Schaltungsträger sowie ein Verfahren zum Ausrichten und/oder Positionieren von Leitungsdrähten des Steckverbinders gemäß den Oberbegriffen der unabhängigen Ansprüche.The invention relates to a connector, a contact arrangement between the connector and a circuit carrier and a method for aligning and / or positioning lead wires of the connector according to the preambles of the independent claims.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

In vielen Fällen weisen elektrische und/oder elektronische Module für einen einfachen elektrischen Anschluss einen Steckverbinder auf, welcher durch einen entsprechenden Gegenstecker kontaktierbar ist. Derartige Stickverbinder sind im Allgemeinen auch als Messerleisten oder Stiftleisten bekannt. Sie weisen in der Regel einen isolierenden Steckerkörper auf, aus welchen beidseitig gerichtet eine Vielzahl von Leitungsdrähten herausragen. Die eine Seite bildet durch die Leitungsdrähte ein Steckerkontaktschema für den Gegenstecker aus. Auf der anderen Seite sind die Leitungsdrähte entsprechend einem Anschlusskontaktschema mit Kontaktstellen eines Schaltungsträgers elektrisch verbunden. Zum Anschluss an den Schaltungsträger weisen die Leitungsdrähte jeweils beispielsweise einen Einpresspin auf, welche mit korrespondierenden Öffnungen in dem Schaltungsträger jeweils einen Einpresskontakt ausbilden. Aufgrund der mechanischen Beanspruchung im Bereich des Einpresskontaktes kennt man bei bestimmten Pinmaterialien und/oder Pinbeschichtungen, beispielsweise Reinzinn, bereits die Problematik eines zeitlich fortschreitenden Whiskerwachstums. Gelöste Whiskerpartikel und/oder beim Einpressvorgang gelöste Freipartikel bergen die Gefahr einer Kurzschlussbrückenbildung während des Betriebes des elektrischen und/oder des elektronischen Modules. Zum prozesssicheren elektrischen Verbinden der Leitungsdrähte mit einem Schaltungsträger ist es ferner erforderlich, dass die Leitungsdrähte jeweils relativ zueinander in einer definierten Anordnung stehen.In many cases, electrical and / or electronic modules have a plug connector for a simple electrical connection, which can be contacted by a corresponding mating connector. Such stick connectors are generally also known as male connectors or pin connectors. As a rule, they have an insulating plug body from which a large number of lead wires protrude on both sides. One side forms a plug contact diagram for the mating connector through the lead wires. On the other hand, the lead wires are electrically connected to contact points of a circuit carrier in accordance with a connection contact diagram. For connection to the circuit carrier, the lead wires each have, for example, a press-fit pin, which each form a press-in contact with corresponding openings in the circuit carrier. Due to the mechanical stress in the area of the press-fit contact, with certain pin materials and / or pin coatings, for example pure tin, the problem of whisker growth that progresses over time is already known. Dissolved whisker particles and / or free particles released during the press-in process involve the risk of short-circuit bridging during operation of the electrical and / or electronic module. For reliable electrical connection of the lead wires to a circuit carrier, it is also necessary to that the lead wires are each in a defined arrangement relative to one another.

Die Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2014 219 126 A1 offenbart eine Steckverbindung zum Anschluss an einen Schaltungsträger, bzw. eine Leiterplatte. Die Steckverbindung weist mehrere Pins auf, welche in entsprechende Bohrungen des Schaltungsträgers hineinragen. Die Pins sind dabei durch eine Zentrierleiste geführt. Zwischen der Zentrierleiste und dem Schaltungsträger ist ein elektrisch isolierender Körper vorgesehen, welcher hohlzylindrische Bohrungen für jeden einzelnen Pin aufweist. Die hohlzylindrischen Bohrungen begrenzen im Bereich der umschlossenen Pins den Raum für ein mögliches Whiskerwachstum. Der isolierende Körper wird durch die Zentrierleiste durch Anpressen an den Schaltungsträger in seiner Position gehalten. Alternativ ist der isolierende Körper mit dem Schaltungsträger verklebt. Die hohlzylindrischen Bohrungen treten aus einer ebenen Fläche des isolierenden Körpers aus. Um einen Spaltfreien Hohlraum für möglicherweise gebildete Whiskerpartikel sicherzustellen, müssen die ebene Fläche und die Auflagefläche des Schaltungsträgers eine sehr hohe Ebenheit zueinander aufweisen.The disclosure document DE 10 2014 219 126 A1 discloses a plug connection for connection to a circuit carrier or a circuit board. The plug connection has several pins which protrude into corresponding bores in the circuit board. The pins are guided through a centering strip. An electrically insulating body is provided between the centering strip and the circuit carrier, which has hollow cylindrical bores for each individual pin. The hollow cylindrical bores limit the space for possible whisker growth in the area of the enclosed pins. The insulating body is held in position by the centering strip by being pressed against the circuit carrier. Alternatively, the insulating body is glued to the circuit carrier. The hollow cylindrical bores emerge from a flat surface of the insulating body. In order to ensure a gap-free cavity for whisker particles that may have formed, the flat surface and the contact surface of the circuit carrier must have a very high level of flatness with respect to one another.

Aus den Offenlegungsschriften US2011/281462 A1 , US5591036 A1 und EP1061607 A1 sind Ausführungen von Steckverbindern bekannt, bei welchen jeweils eine Ausrichtplatte zur Beabstandung von Leitungspins zum Einsatz kommen und die Ausrichtplatte dabei durch eine Rastverbindung in einer Stellung gehalten ist. Die Offenlegungsschrift US 2011/281462 A1 offenbart ebenfalls den Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.From the disclosure documents US2011 / 281462 A1 , US5591036 A1 and EP1061607 A1 Designs of plug connectors are known in which an alignment plate is used in each case for spacing line pins and the alignment plate is held in one position by a latching connection. The disclosure document US 2011/281462 A1 also discloses the preamble of claim 1.

Offenbarung der ErfindungDisclosure of the invention Vorteileadvantages

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zu Grunde, die Anordnung von Leitungsdrähten eines Steckverbinders hinsichtlich ihrer Ausrichtung und Positionierung untereinander für unterschiedliche Fertigungsphasen prozesssicher und einfach zu halten und dabei eine fehlerfreie und betriebsoptimierte Kontaktanordnung des Steckverbinders mit einem Schaltungsträger zu erhalten.The invention is based on the object of keeping the arrangement of lead wires of a connector in terms of their alignment and positioning with one another in a process-safe and simple manner for different manufacturing phases, while maintaining an error-free and operationally optimized contact arrangement of the connector with a circuit carrier.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch einen Steckverbinder, eine Kontaktanordnung zwischen dem Steckverbinder und einem Schaltungsträger sowie ein Verfahren zum Ausrichten und/oder Positionieren von Leitungsdrähten des Steckverbinders mit den Merkmalen der unabhängigen Ansprüche gelöst.
Ausgegangen wird hierbei von einem Steckverbinder zum Anschluss an einen Schaltungsträger, umfassend zumindest einen elektrisch isolierenden Steckerkörper. Der Steckerkörper weist eine Vielzahl von in einer Musteranordnung beabstandeten Leitungsdrähten auf. Mit ihrem jeweils einem Ende bilden die Leitungsdrähte dabei ein Steckerkontaktschema zum elektrischen Kontaktieren bzw. Anschluss eines Gegensteckers aus. Mit ihrem jeweils entgegengesetzten Ende der Leitungsdrähte ist wiederrum ein Anschlusskontaktschema für korrespondierende Kontaktstellen des Schaltungsträgers ausgebildet. Die Leitungsdrähte sind bevorzugt jeweils einstückig ausgebildet, beispielsweise mit einem runden oder rechteckigen Querschnitt, wobei eine Längserstreckung ein Vielfaches des kleinsten Querschnittmaßes ausmacht. Alternativ setzt sich ein Leitungsdraht aus unterschiedlichen Abschnittselementen zusammen, zumindest mit einem zur Seite des Steckerkontaktschemas abschließendem ersten Leitungselement und einem zur Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas abschließendem zweiten Leitungselement, welche untereinander zumindest mittelbar über eine Verbindungsstelle elektrisch miteinander kontaktiert sind. Die Leitungsdrähte sind zumindest auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas in ihrer Anordnung relativ zueinander durch eine Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte orientiert, indem die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte gleichgerichtete Führungsöffnungen aufweist, die jeweils durch einen Leitungsdraht mit Spiel durchdrungen sind. Durch den Steckerkörper und die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte ist zumindest eine Rastverbindung ausgebildet, mittels welcher der Steckerkörper und die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in zumindest einer Raststellung gehalten sind. In vorteilhafter Weise ist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte dadurch definiert fixiert, was die weitere Montage und das Handling des Steckverbinders innerhalb eines Fertigungsprozesses insgesamt vereinfacht. Dadurch können auch Wegstrecken bei einem Transport überbrückt werden, ohne dass eine zusätzliche Sicherung gegen ein Lösen der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte erforderlich ist. Zusätzlich ist durch die Fixierung der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte ausgeschlossen, dass die empfindlichen Leitungsdrähte durch ein schädliches Verrücken und/oder Verkippen verbogen oder beschädigt werden, so dass der Steckverbinder dann für eine weitere Montage unbrauchbar wird.This object is achieved by a connector, a contact arrangement between the connector and a circuit carrier and a method for aligning and / or positioning lead wires of the connector with the features of the independent claims.
This is based on a plug connector for connection to a circuit carrier, comprising at least one electrically insulating plug body. The connector body has a plurality of lead wires spaced in a pattern. With each of their ends, the lead wires form a plug contact diagram for electrical contact or connection of a mating connector. With their respective opposite ends of the lead wires, a connection contact diagram for corresponding contact points of the circuit carrier is in turn formed. The conductor wires are preferably each formed in one piece, for example with a round or rectangular cross-section, with a longitudinal extension being a multiple of the smallest cross-sectional dimension. Alternatively, a line wire is composed of different section elements, at least with a first line element terminating on the side of the plug contact diagram and a second line element terminating on the connection contact diagram side, which are at least indirectly in electrical contact with one another via a connection point. At least on the side of the connection contact diagram, the conductor wires are oriented in their arrangement relative to one another by a positioning and / or alignment plate, in that the positioning and / or alignment plate has rectified guide openings, each of which is penetrated by a conductor wire with play. At least one latching connection is formed by the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate, by means of which the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate are held in at least one latching position. In an advantageous manner, the positioning and / or alignment plate is fixed in a defined manner, which overall simplifies the further assembly and handling of the connector within a manufacturing process. As a result, distances can also be bridged during transport without the need for additional securing against loosening of the positioning and / or alignment plate. In addition, the fixing of the positioning and / or alignment plate prevents the sensitive lead wires from being displaced and / or tilted in a damaging manner bent or damaged, so that the connector is then unusable for further assembly.

Ferner umfasst die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte auf der dem Kontaktanschlussschema zugewandten Seite zumindest ein Federelement, welches ausgebildet ist, bei der Verbindung des Steckverbinders mit einem Schaltungsträger die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in der zumindest einen Raststellung mittels Federkraft gegen den Schaltungsträger zu verspannen. Dadurch ist vorteilhaft erreicht, dass sowohl die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte als auch der Schaltungsträger in einfachster Weise schwingungs- und bewegungsfest fixiert bleiben.Furthermore, the positioning and / or alignment plate comprises at least one spring element on the side facing the contact connection diagram, which is designed to brace the positioning and / or alignment plate in the at least one latching position against the circuit carrier by means of spring force when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier . This advantageously means that both the positioning and / or alignment plate and the circuit carrier remain fixed in the simplest way so that they are stable against vibrations and movement.

Ein besonderer Vorteil ergibt sich dadurch, dass der Steckverbinder mehr als eine mögliche Raststellung von dem Steckerkörper und der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte aufweist. Auf diese Weise kann eine vorteilhafte Anordnung der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte relativ zum Steckerkörper in Abhängigkeit von bestimmten Fertigungs- oder Montagephasen berücksichtigt werden.
So ist bevorzugt eine mögliche Raststellung als eine Transportraststellung vorgesehen. Hierbei ist es vorteilhaft, dass die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte möglichst weit in Richtung zur Seite des Kontaktanschlussschemas angeordnet ist, um die Leitungsdrähte vor mechanischer Beschädigung zu schützen. Ein optimierter Schutz ergibt sich insbesondere in einer solchen Anordnung, in welcher zumindest ein jeweiliger Teilabschnitt der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche der Leitungsdrähte, bevorzugt ein Einpresspin, innerhalb der Führungsöffnungen angeordnet ist. Insgesamt ist dadurch eine Vormontagegruppe erhältlich, bei welcher eine zeitlich und/oder örtlich nachgesetzte Fertigung zum Anschluss des Steckverbinders an einen Schaltungsträger prozesssicher ermöglicht ist. Eine weitere bevorzugte Raststellung ergibt sich bei einer Endmontageraststellung, bei welcher die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte beim Anschluss des Steckverbinders an einen Schaltungsträger dauerhaft die Leitungsdrähte voneinander isoliert beabstandet hält. Darüber hinaus lassen sich noch weitere Raststellungen vorsehen, die einen Montagevorgang oder einen Fertigungsprozess vorteilhaft unterstützen. Grundsätzlich ist jede Raststellung durch ein Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Leitungsdrähte erreichbar. Ein Verschieben ist dabei sowohl in Richtung des Kontaktanschlussschemas und/oder auch entgegengesetzt in Richtung des Steckerkontaktschemas ermöglicht.A particular advantage results from the fact that the plug connector has more than one possible latching position of the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate. In this way, an advantageous arrangement of the positioning and / or alignment plate relative to the plug body can be taken into account as a function of certain manufacturing or assembly phases.
Thus, a possible latching position is preferably provided as a transport latching position. It is advantageous here that the positioning and / or alignment plate is arranged as far as possible in the direction towards the side of the contact connection diagram in order to protect the lead wires from mechanical damage. Optimized protection is obtained in particular in such an arrangement in which at least a respective partial section of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contacting, preferably a press-fit pin, is arranged within the guide openings. Overall, a pre-assembly group is thereby available in which a temporally and / or spatially subsequent production for connecting the connector to a circuit carrier is made possible in a process-reliable manner. A further preferred latching position results in a final assembly latching position in which the positioning and / or alignment plate permanently keeps the lead wires insulated from one another when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier. In addition, further locking positions can be provided that advantageously support an assembly process or a production process. In principle, every latching position can be reached by moving the positioning and / or alignment plate in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the conductor wires. Moving is both in the direction of the contact connection scheme and / or in the opposite direction in the direction of the plug contact scheme.

In einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform des Steckverbinders ist die Rastverbindung in einer Raststellung durch Überwinden einer Rasthaltekraft lösbar, insbesondere durch eine Kraftkomponente, die in Richtung der Leitungsdrähte zeigt. Auf diese Weise ist das einfache Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte bis in die nächst folgende Raststellung mit einer gegenüber der Rasthaltekraft verminderten Verschiebekraft ermöglicht. Ausgehend von beispielsweise einer Transportraststellung als einer ersten Raststellung auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas erfolgt eine solche lösbare Verbindung zum Ermöglichen eines vereinfachten Verschiebens der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte bevorzugt in Richtung des Steckerkontaktschemas. Dies entspricht in den meisten Fällen den Anforderungen für einen Montagefortgang. In entgegengesetzter Richtung dagegen, also in Richtung des Anschlusskontaktschemas, ist ein Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte bevorzugt gesperrt. Ein Entsperren erfolgt beispielsweise bei einer Entsperrkraft, welche wesentlich größer ist als die Rasthaltekraft, insbesondere ein Vielfaches davon. Hierbei ist bevorzugt eine Wirkrichtung der Entsperrkraft zu einer Längserstreckung der Leitungsdrähte verschieden. Auf diese Weise ist beispielsweise eine Endmontageraststellung gegen ein unabsichtliches Lösen gesichert.In an advantageous embodiment of the connector, the latching connection can be released in a latching position by overcoming a latching holding force, in particular by a force component which points in the direction of the lead wires. In this way, the simple displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate into the next following latching position is made possible with a displacement force that is reduced compared to the latching holding force. Starting from, for example, a transport latching position as a first latching position on the side of the connection contact diagram, such a detachable connection is made to enable simplified displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate, preferably in the direction of the plug contact diagram. In most cases, this corresponds to the requirements for the assembly process. In the opposite direction, on the other hand, that is to say in the direction of the connection contact diagram, a displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably blocked. Unlocking takes place, for example, with an unlocking force which is significantly greater than the locking holding force, in particular a multiple thereof. In this case, a direction of action of the unlocking force is preferably different from a longitudinal extension of the conductor wires. In this way, for example, a final assembly latching position is secured against unintentional loosening.

Eine einfache Ausführung einer vorteilhaften Rastverbindung ergibt sich durch einen verfederten Rasthaken, welcher eine vorstehende Rastnase aufweist, die in eine komplementär ausgebildete Rastaussparung eingreift. Hierbei sind Ausführungen denkbar, bei welcher der Rasthaken beispielsweise an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte und die Rastaussparung an dem Steckerkörper angeordnet sind oder in einer gerade verdrehten Anordnung ausgeführt sind.A simple embodiment of an advantageous latching connection results from a spring-loaded latching hook which has a protruding latching nose which engages in a latching recess of complementary design. Here, designs are conceivable in which the latching hook is arranged, for example, on the positioning and / or alignment plate and the latching recess is arranged on the plug body or is designed in a straight twisted arrangement.

Insgesamt bevorzugt sind mehrere Rastverbindungen ausgebildet, um eine Krafteinleitung und/oder Krafthaltung auf mehreren Stellen der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte bzw. dem Steckerkörper vorzusehen. Vorteilhaft sind zumindest zwei Rastverbindungen auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte ausgebildet. Auf diese Weise ist die Krafteinleitung und/oder Krafthaltung symmetrisch und damit ausgeglichen.Overall, a plurality of latching connections are preferably formed in order to provide a force introduction and / or force retention at a plurality of points on the positioning and / or alignment plate or the plug body. At least two latching connections are advantageously formed on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate. In this way, the introduction of force and / or force retention is symmetrical and thus balanced.

In einer besonderen Ausführungsform des Steckverbinders umfasst der Steckerkörper auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas eine geschlossene oder teilgeöffnete Aussparung, in welche zumindest Abschnitte der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in der zumindest einen Raststellung hineinragen und/oder die Rastverbindung in der Aussparung ausgebildet ist. Dadurch ergibt sich eine kompakte Anordnung, wodurch der Steckverbinder in seiner Baugröße nicht größer ausfällt. Bevorzugt ist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in der Endmontageraststellung vollständig innerhalb der Aussparung angeordnet.In a particular embodiment of the connector, the connector body comprises a closed or partially open recess on the side of the connection contact diagram, into which at least sections of the positioning and / or alignment plate protrude in the at least one locking position and / or the locking connection is formed in the recess. This results in a compact arrangement, as a result of which the connector does not turn out to be larger in size. The positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably arranged completely within the recess in the final assembly latched position.

In einer Weiterbildung des Steckverbinders sind der Steckerkörper und die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte mittels einer Führung relativ zueinander verschiebbar. Die Führung ist bevorzugt ausgebildet durch komplementäre Führungselemente jeweils am Steckerkörper und an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte, insbesondere in Form eine Feder-Nut-Führung. So sind beispielsweise in der Seitenwandung der oben beschriebenen Aussparung entsprechende Führungselemente angebracht oder im Steckerkörper ausgeformt. Diesen gegenüberliegend sind entsprechend komplementär ausgeführte Führungselemente an den Seitenwandungen der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte angeordnet oder in dieser ausgeformt. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind zumindest ein Paar von komplementären Führungselementen auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Positionier-und/oder Ausrichtplatte wirkverbunden. Auf diese Weise ist eine stabile Führung ohne zu verkanten ermöglicht. Insbesondere ist die Führung derart ausgeführt, das Auffinden einer Raststellung beim Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte entlang der Längserstreckung der Leitungsdrähte zu begünstigen bzw. zu unterstützen. Vorteilhaft sind Führungselemente und Rastelemente unmittelbar nebeneinander am Steckerkörper bzw. an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte aufgeführt, so dass die beabsichtigte Rastfunktion und die Führungsfunktion sich nicht negativ beeinflussen.In a further development of the connector, the connector body and the positioning and / or alignment plate can be displaced relative to one another by means of a guide. The guide is preferably formed by complementary guide elements on the connector body and on the positioning and / or alignment plate, in particular in the form of a tongue and groove guide. For example, corresponding guide elements are attached in the side wall of the recess described above or formed in the plug body. Opposite these, correspondingly complementary guide elements are arranged on the side walls of the positioning and / or alignment plate or are formed in this. In a preferred embodiment, at least one pair of complementary guide elements are operatively connected on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate. This enables stable guidance without tilting. In particular, the guide is designed in such a way as to facilitate or support the finding of a latching position when the positioning and / or alignment plate is moved along the longitudinal extension of the conductor wires. Guide elements and latching elements are advantageously provided directly next to one another on the plug body or on the positioning and / or alignment plate, so that the intended latching function and the guiding function do not adversely affect one another.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Steckverbinders umfasst die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte zumindest ein Zentrierelement, welches ausgebildet ist beim Anschluss des Steckverbinders an einen Schaltungsträger, den Schaltungsträger und/oder ein Montagewerkzeug mittels eines Formschlusses relativ zur Positionier- und Ausrichtplatte zu positionieren. Dadurch ist sichergestellt, dass zumindest ein Teilabschnitt der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche der Leitungsdrähte den komplementären Kontaktstellen auf dem Schaltungsträger örtlich sehr exakt gegenübergestellt werden können. Dies ergibt sich vorteilhaft durch Vorliegen einer sehr kurzen Toleranzkette, wodurch beispielsweise die Ausbildung einer Vielzahl von parallelen Einpresskontakten prozesssicher durchzuführen ist. Bevorzugt weist das Zentrierelement einen Zentrierdorn auf, welcher den Schaltungsträger durch Eindringen in eine im Schaltungsträger vorliegende Zentrieröffnung ausrichtet. Zusätzlich kann das Zentrierelement einen weiteren Zentrierabschnitt in Form eines Zentrierdornes oder einer Zentrieröffnung aufweisen, welche die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte wiederrum relativ zum Montagewerkzeug ausrichtet. Der gegenüber dem Schaltungsträger zugewandte Zentrierdorn und der gegenüber dem Montagewerkzeug zugewandte weitere Zentrierabschnitt weisen bevorzugt eine gleiche Zentrierachse auf, beispielsweise durch eine koaxiale Anordnung. Zur Optimierung der beabsichtigten Zentrierung sind mehrere Zentrierelement vorgesehen, bevorzugt auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte.In a preferred embodiment of the connector, the positioning and / or alignment plate comprises at least one centering element which is formed when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier, the circuit carrier and / or an assembly tool relative by means of a positive fit to position the positioning and alignment plate. This ensures that at least a partial section of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contacting can be compared very precisely in terms of location with the complementary contact points on the circuit carrier. This results advantageously from the presence of a very short tolerance chain, whereby, for example, the formation of a large number of parallel press-in contacts can be carried out in a process-reliable manner. The centering element preferably has a centering mandrel which aligns the circuit carrier by penetrating into a centering opening present in the circuit carrier. In addition, the centering element can have a further centering section in the form of a centering pin or a centering opening, which in turn aligns the positioning and / or alignment plate relative to the assembly tool. The centering pin facing towards the circuit carrier and the further centering section facing towards the assembly tool preferably have the same centering axis, for example by means of a coaxial arrangement. To optimize the intended centering, several centering elements are provided, preferably on opposite sides of the positioning and / or alignment plate.

Grundsätzlich vorteilhaft sind Steckverbinder, bei welchen die Leitungsdrähte zur Ausbildung einer Einpresszone in komplementären Aussparungen des Schaltungsträgers zumindest auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas jeweils in Form eines Einpresspins ausgebildet sind. Hierbei eignen sich vorteilhaft auch solche Leitungsdrähte, die zumindest im Bereich der Einpresspins eine zu Whiskerwachstum neigende Beschichtung oder Materialzusammensetzung aufweisen, insbesondere aus Reinzinn, aus Zink oder aus einer ihrer Legierungen.In principle, plug-in connectors are advantageous in which the lead wires for forming a press-in zone in complementary cutouts in the circuit carrier are each formed in the form of a press-in pin, at least on the side of the connection contact diagram. Conductor wires that have a coating or material composition that is prone to whisker growth, in particular made of pure tin, of zinc or of one of their alloys, are also advantageously suitable here, at least in the area of the press-fit pins.

Ein weiterer Vorteil ergibt sich bei einem Steckverbinder, bei welchem die Führungsöffnungen in der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte auf der dem Kontaktanschlussschema abgewandten Seite jeweils stetig aufgeweitet sind. Dadurch erfolgt eine kontinuierliche Vergrößerung der Öffnungsweite ohne Sprungstellen, was beispielsweise insbesondere durch eine Anfasung gegeben ist. Durch die Aufweitung liegt ein Art Fangtrichter vor zum vereinfachten erstmaligen Auffädeln der Leitungsdrähte in die Führungsöffnungen der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte. Dadurch ist die Montage sehr vereinfacht und eine unbeabsichtigte mechanische Beschädigung der Leitungsdrähte vorteilhaft minimiert.Another advantage is obtained with a plug connector in which the guide openings in the positioning and / or alignment plate are constantly widened on the side facing away from the contact connection diagram. This results in a continuous enlargement of the opening width without cracks, which is given, for example, in particular by a chamfer. As a result of the widening, there is a type of fishing funnel for the simplified initial threading of the conductor wires into the guide openings of the positioning and / or alignment plate. As a result, assembly is very simplified and unintentional mechanical damage to the lead wires is advantageously minimized.

Eine sehr günstige Ausführungsform des Steckverbinders ergibt sich weiterhing dadurch , dass die Führungsöffnungen auf der dem Kontaktanschlussschema zugewandten Seite von einer zur jeweiligen Führungsöffnung beabstandeten und abstehenden Wandung umschlossen sind und die Wandung einen Hohlraum derart freihält, dass bei einer Verbindung des Steckverbinders mit einem Schaltungsträger ein Auffangreservoir ausgebildet ist zur Aufnahme von an den Leitungsdrähten gewachsenen Whiskerpartikel und/oder von den Leitungsdrähten gelösten Freipartikel. Bevorzugt treten die Führungsöffnungen auf der dem Kontaktanschlussschema zugewandten Seite aus einer ebenen Fläche der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte heraus, wobei die umschließende Wandung als Senkabsatz in der ebenen Fläche eingebracht ist oder als Formrippe auf der ebenen Fläche absteht. In einer einfachen Ausführung ist der freigehaltene Hohlraum zylindrisch ausgeformt.A very favorable embodiment of the connector results from the fact that the guide openings on the side facing the contact connection diagram are enclosed by a wall that is spaced apart and protruding from the respective guide opening and the wall keeps a cavity free in such a way that a collecting reservoir is provided when the connector is connected to a circuit carrier is designed to receive whisker particles that have grown on the lead wires and / or free particles detached from the lead wires. The guide openings preferably emerge on the side facing the contact connection diagram from a flat surface of the positioning and / or alignment plate, the surrounding wall being incorporated as a countersunk shoulder in the flat surface or protruding as a shaped rib on the flat surface. In a simple embodiment, the cavity that is kept free is cylindrical.

Insgesamt ist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte bevorzugt als einstückiges Kunststoffspritzgussteil ausgebildet, welches neben einem Grundkörper mit eingelassenen Führungsöffnungen zumindest ein Führungselement, ein Rastelement der Rastverbindung, ein Zentrierelement und/oder das Federelement zum federnd Andrücken an einen Schaltungsträger umfasst.Overall, the positioning and / or alignment plate is preferably designed as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part which, in addition to a base body with embedded guide openings, comprises at least one guide element, a latching element of the latching connection, a centering element and / or the spring element for resiliently pressing against a circuit carrier.

Die Erfindung betrifft auch eine Kontaktanordnung eines Schaltungsträgers mit einem Steckverbinder in zumindest einer der zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungsformen. Eine Kontaktanordnung ist ausgebildet, indem zumindest die Leitungsdrähte auf der Seite des Kontaktanschlussschemas mit dem Schaltungsträger elektrisch verbunden sind, insbesondere durch einen Lotkontakt oder durch einen Einpresskontakt.
In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform liegt der Schaltungsträger zumindest bereichsweise auf Auflageflächen des Steckerkörpers und der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte auf, wobei die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte durch den Schaltungsträger von einer Transportraststellung in eine Endmontageraststellung verschoben ist. Die Auflageflächen können hierbei als Anschläge zur Erreichung der Endmontageraststellung dienen. Zusätzlich werden die Teilabschnitte der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche der Leitungsdrähte, beispielsweise in Form eines Einpresspins, zum spätestens Zeitpunkt eines Fertigungsprozesses zur Ausbildung einer elektrischen Verbindung mit dem Schaltungsträger, beispielsweise in Form eines Einpresskontaktes, freigegeben.The invention also relates to a contact arrangement of a circuit carrier with a plug connector in at least one of the embodiments described above. A contact arrangement is formed in that at least the lead wires are electrically connected to the circuit carrier on the side of the contact connection diagram, in particular by a solder contact or by a press-in contact.
In a preferred embodiment, the circuit carrier rests at least in some areas on contact surfaces of the plug body and the positioning and / or alignment plate, the positioning and / or alignment plate being moved by the circuit carrier from a transport locking position to a final assembly locking position is shifted. The support surfaces can serve as stops to reach the final assembly latching position. In addition, the subsections of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contacting, for example in the form of a press-fit pin, are released at the latest at the time of a manufacturing process for establishing an electrical connection with the circuit carrier, for example in the form of a press-in contact.

Eine besonders vorteilhafte Ausführung der Kontaktanordnung ergibt sich dadurch, dass durch Auflage des Schaltungsträgers ein zum Schaltungsträger hin jeweils verschlossener Hohlraum im Bereich jeder von einem Leitungsdraht durchdrungenen Führungsöffnung der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte derart ausgebildet ist, dass ein Auffangreservoir gebildet ist zur Aufnahme insbesondere von an den Leitungsdrähten gewachsenen Whiskerpartikel und/oder von den Leitungsdrähten gelösten Freipartikel.A particularly advantageous embodiment of the contact arrangement results from the fact that by supporting the circuit carrier, a cavity closed towards the circuit carrier is formed in the area of each guide opening of the positioning and / or alignment plate penetrated by a conductor wire such that a collecting reservoir is formed for receiving in particular whisker particles grown on the lead wires and / or free particles detached from the lead wires.

Es zeigt sich ferner vorteilhaft, wenn innerhalb der Kontaktanordnung das zumindest eine Federelement der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in der Transportraststellung mittels Federkraft gegen den Schaltungsträger verspannt.It also turns out to be advantageous if, within the contact arrangement, the at least one spring element of the positioning and / or alignment plate braces the positioning and / or alignment plate in the transport latching position against the circuit carrier by means of spring force.

Die Erfindung betrifft auch ein Verfahren zum Ausrichten und/oder Positionieren von Leitungsdrähten eines Steckverbinders, insbesondere in zumindest einer der zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungsformen, mit den nachfolgenden Verfahrensschritten:

  • Bereitstellen des Steckverbinders und der vom Steckverbinder losgelösten Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte,
  • Auffädeln der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte von der Seite des Kontaktanschlussschemas derart, dass Leitungsdrähte des Steckverbinders in Führungsöffnungen der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte eindringen,
  • Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte entlang der Längserstreckung der Leitungsdrähte bis in eine Transportraststellung, in welcher zumindest ein jeweiliger Teilabschnitt der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche der Leitungsdrähte innerhalb der Führungsöffnungen angeordnet ist.
The invention also relates to a method for aligning and / or positioning lead wires of a connector, in particular in at least one of the embodiments described above, with the following method steps:
  • Provision of the connector and the positioning and / or alignment plate detached from the connector,
  • Threading the positioning and / or alignment plate from the side of the contact connection diagram in such a way that lead wires of the connector penetrate into guide openings in the positioning and / or alignment plate,
  • Moving the positioning and / or aligning plate along the longitudinal extension of the conductor wires into a transport latching position in which at least a respective subsection of the connecting regions of the conductor wires designed for electrical contact is arranged within the guide openings.

Auf diese Weise ist vorteilhaft eine Vormontagegruppe ausgebildet, welche zeitlich und/oder örtlich versetzt mit einem Schaltungsträger unter Ausbildung eine Kontaktanordnung in einer der zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungen elektrisch verbunden werden kann. Eine solche Kontaktanordnung lässt sich mit nachfolgenden Verfahrensschritten erreichen:

  • Ausbilden einer relativen Montageanordnung der Leitungsdrähte zu einem Einpresswerkzeug, indem zwischen dem zumindest einen Zentrierelement der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte und einem korrespondierenden Zentrieraufnahmeelement des Einpresswerkzeuges zumindest ein Formschluss ausgebildet wird,
  • Ausbilden einer relativen Montageanordnung der Leitungsdrähte zu einem zu kontaktierenden Schaltungsträger, indem zwischen dem zumindest einen Zentrierelement der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte und einem korrespondierenden Zentrieraufnahmeelement des Schaltungsträgers zumindest ein Formschluss ausgebildet wird,
  • Ausbilden eines Einpresskontaktes zwischen jeweils eines Verbindungsbereichs der Leitungsdrähte in Form eines Einpresspins mit korrespondierenden Öffnungen in dem Schaltungsträgers mittels des Einpresswerkzeuges, wobei beim Einpressen die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte durch Anlagenkontakt mit dem Schaltungsträger in eine Endmontageraststellung verschoben wird.
In this way, a pre-assembly group is advantageously formed, which can be electrically connected to a circuit carrier offset in terms of time and / or location to form a contact arrangement in one of the embodiments described above. Such a contact arrangement can be achieved with the following process steps:
  • Forming a relative assembly arrangement of the conductor wires to a press-in tool by forming at least one form fit between the at least one centering element of the positioning and / or alignment plate and a corresponding centering receiving element of the press-in tool,
  • Forming a relative mounting arrangement of the conductor wires to a circuit carrier to be contacted by at least one form fit being formed between the at least one centering element of the positioning and / or alignment plate and a corresponding centering receiving element of the circuit carrier,
  • Forming a press-in contact between each connecting area of the lead wires in the form of a press-in pin with corresponding openings in the circuit carrier by means of the press-in tool, with the positioning and / or alignment plate being moved into a final assembly latching position during the press-in process through system contact with the circuit carrier.

Zum Einpressen weist der jeweilige Einpresspin eine ausgeformte Stützschulter auf, auf welche ein Druckbereich des Einpresswerkzeuges kraftbeaufschlagend aufsitzt.For pressing in, the respective press-in pin has a shaped support shoulder on which a pressure area of the press-in tool rests in a force-exerting manner.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale und Einzelheiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsbeispiele sowie anhand der Zeichnung. Diese zeigt in:

Fig. 1a:
einen Teilausschnitt eines Steckverbinders zum Anschluss an einen Schaltungsträger in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,
Fig. 1b:
eine Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in einer perspektivischen Darstellung vor dem Auffädeln auf Leitungsdrähten des Steckverbinders aus Fig. 1a,
Fig. 2a:
die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte aus Fig. 1b in einer Transportraststellung innerhalb des Steckverbinders aus Fig. 1a,
Fig. 2b:
ein Montagewerkzeug im Eingriff mit der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte vor einer elektrischen Kontaktierung mit einem Schaltungsträger,
Fig. 3a:
Kontaktanordnung eines Steckverbinders mit einem Schaltungsträger in einer perspektivischen Darstellung eines Teilausschnittes,
Fig. 3b:
Kontaktanordnung aus Fig. 3a mit Darstellung der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte aus Fig. 1b in einer Endmontageraststellung innerhalb des Steckverbinders aus Fig. 1a,
Fig. 4:
Kontaktanordnung wie in Fig. 3b aus einer anderen perspektivischen Sicht.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and on the basis of the drawing. This shows in:
Fig. 1a:
a partial section of a connector for connection to a circuit carrier in a perspective view,
Fig. 1b:
a positioning and / or alignment plate in a perspective view before being threaded onto lead wires of the connector Fig. 1a ,
Fig. 2a:
the positioning and / or alignment plate Figure 1b in a transport locking position within the connector Fig. 1a ,
Fig. 2b:
an assembly tool in engagement with the positioning and / or alignment plate before electrical contact is made with a circuit carrier,
Fig. 3a:
Contact arrangement of a connector with a circuit carrier in a perspective view of a partial section,
Fig. 3b:
Contact arrangement from Fig. 3a with representation of the positioning and / or alignment plate Figure 1b in a final assembly position within the connector Fig. 1a ,
Fig. 4:
Contact arrangement as in Figure 3b from a different perspective.

Ausführungsformen der ErfindungEmbodiments of the invention

In den Figuren sind funktional gleiche Bauteile jeweils mit gleichen Bezugszeichen gekennzeichnet.In the figures, functionally identical components are each identified with the same reference symbols.

In Fig. 1a ist ein Teilausschnitt eines Steckverbinders 10 zum Anschluss an einen Schaltungsträger in einer perspektivischen Darstellung gezeigt. Derartige Steckverbinder 10 haben üblicherweise einen isolierenden Steckerkörper 20, beispielsweise aus einem Kunststoffmaterial. Der Steckerkörper 20 ist von einer Vielzahl von Leitungsdrähten 11 durchdrungen, welche beidseitig zum Steckerkörper 20 frei abstehen. Die Leitungsdrähte 11 sind in Form einer Musteranordnung zueinander beabstandet. Auf der Anschlussseite des Steckerkörpers 20 zum elektrischen Kontaktieren des Steckverbinders 10 mit einem entsprechenden Gegenstecker, bilden die jeweils einen Enden der Leitungsdrähte 11 zusammen ein Steckerkontaktschema 15 für den Gegenstecker aus (in der perspektivischen Darstellung verdeckt). Die Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Steckerkontaktschemas 15 sind beispielsweise durch einen Steckerkragen 21 umrandet. Mittels des Steckerkragens 21 kann der Gegenstecker beispielsweise aufgenommen und in seiner Steckposition gehalten werden. Auf der Anschlussseite des Steckerkörpers 20 zum elektrischen Kontaktieren des Steckverbinders 10 mit einem entsprechenden Schaltungsträger, bilden die jeweils anderen Enden der Leitungsdrähte 11 zusammen ein Anschlusskontaktschema 16 für korrespondierende Kontaktstellen des Schaltungsträgers aus. Die Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschema 16 sind in diesem Ausführungsbeispiel um 90° gedreht ausgerichtet gegenüber einer Orientierung der Leitungsdrähten 11 auf der Seite des Steckerkontaktschemas 15 und zeigen in der Zeichnungsebene perspektivisch nach oben. Es sind jedoch auch davon abweichende Orientierungen der jeweiligen Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 und der Seite des Steckerkontaktschemas 15 zueinander möglich. Die Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 weisen an ihren jeweiligen Enden Teilabschnitt der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche auf. Im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel sind diese Verbindungsbereiche in Form von Einpresspins 12 gezeigt. Alternativ können Verbindungsbereiche zur Ausbildung eines Lötkontaktes vorgesehen sein. Die Einpresspins 12 ragen aus einer im Steckerkörper 20 ausgeformten, einseitig teilgeöffneten Aussparung 25 heraus. Die Aussparung 25 grenzt an eine ebene Auflagefläche 26 des Steckerkörpers 20. Ein Teil der Aussparung 25 ist gebildet durch jeweils seitlich am Steckerkörper 20 abstehende Auskragungen 27. An einer Innenwandung der Aussparung 25, beispielsweise gebildet durch die Auskragung 27, sind mehrere Rastaussparungen 28 eingebracht. Die Rastaussparungen 28 sind derart ausgebildet, verschiedene Raststellungen für eine Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 (siehe Fig. 1b) zu ermöglichen. Bevorzugt sind die Rastaussparungen 28 ausgehend von der Auflagefläche 26 hintereinander und parallel zueinander angeordnet, so dass einer ersten möglichen Raststellung eine weitere mögliche folgt. Weiter bevorzugt ist eine Orientierung der Rastaussparung 28 im Steckerkörper 20 derart, dass eine Rastwirkung in einer Raststellung in Richtung der Orientierung der Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16, insbesondere der Einpresspins 12, einsetzt. Vorteilhafterweise stehen sich Gruppen von mehreren Rastaussparungen 28 auf verschiedenen Seiten der Aussparung 25 gegenüber. Grundsätzlich können Rastaussparungen 28 alternativ auch an anderen Stellen des Steckerkörpers 20 vorgesehen sein. Zusätzlich weist der Steckerkörper 20 zumindest ein Führungselement 29 auf, beispielsweise in Form einer innerhalb der Aussparung 25 ausgeformten Führungsschiene, derart, dass eine geführte Verschiebung der in Fig. 1b gezeigten Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30, beispielsweise durch eine Feder-Nutführung, ermöglicht ist. Die zu erwirkende Führung ist insbesondere in Richtung der Orientierung der Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16, beispielsweise den Einpresspins 12, ausgerichtet. Vorteilhafterweise stehen sich zumindest zwei Führungselemente 29 auf verschiedenen Seiten der Aussparung 25 gegenüber. Grundsätzlich können Führungselemente 29 alternativ auch an anderen Stellen des Steckerkörpers 20 vorgesehen sein.In Fig. 1a a partial section of a connector 10 for connection to a circuit carrier is shown in a perspective view. Such plug connectors 10 usually have an insulating plug body 20, for example made of a plastic material. The plug body 20 is penetrated by a multiplicity of lead wires 11 which protrude freely on both sides from the plug body 20. The lead wires 11 are spaced from one another in the form of a pattern arrangement. On the connection side of the connector body 20 for electrically contacting the connector 10 with a corresponding mating connector, the one ends of the lead wires 11 together form a connector contact diagram 15 for the mating connector (hidden in the perspective view). The lead wires 11 on the side of the Connector contact schemes 15 are surrounded by a connector collar 21, for example. By means of the connector collar 21, the mating connector can, for example, be received and held in its plug-in position. On the connection side of the connector body 20 for electrically contacting the connector 10 with a corresponding circuit carrier, the other ends of the lead wires 11 together form a connection contact diagram 16 for corresponding contact points of the circuit carrier. In this exemplary embodiment, the lead wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 are rotated by 90 ° with respect to an orientation of the lead wires 11 on the side of the plug contact diagram 15 and point upwards in perspective in the plane of the drawing. However, different orientations of the respective side of the connection contact diagram 16 and the side of the plug contact diagram 15 with respect to one another are also possible. The lead wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 have, at their respective ends, subsections of the connection areas designed for electrical contacting. In the present exemplary embodiment, these connection areas are shown in the form of press-fit pins 12. Alternatively, connection areas can be provided to form a soldered contact. The press-fit pins 12 protrude from a recess 25 formed in the plug body 20 and partially open on one side. The recess 25 adjoins a flat support surface 26 of the plug body 20. Part of the recess 25 is formed by projections 27 protruding laterally on the plug body 20. The latching recesses 28 are designed in such a way that different latching positions for a positioning and / or alignment plate 30 (see FIG Figure 1b ) to enable. The latching recesses 28 are preferably arranged one behind the other and parallel to one another, starting from the support surface 26, so that a first possible latching position is followed by a further possible one. Also preferred is an orientation of the latching recess 28 in the plug body 20 such that a latching effect begins in a latching position in the direction of the orientation of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16, in particular the press-in pins 12. Groups of several latching recesses 28 are advantageously opposite one another on different sides of the recess 25. Basically, locking recesses can 28 can alternatively also be provided at other points on the plug body 20. In addition, the plug body 20 has at least one guide element 29, for example in the form of a guide rail formed within the recess 25, such that a guided displacement of the in Figure 1b Positioning and / or alignment plate 30 shown, for example by a tongue and groove guide, is made possible. The guidance to be achieved is aligned in particular in the direction of the orientation of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16, for example the press-in pins 12. At least two guide elements 29 advantageously face one another on different sides of the recess 25. In principle, guide elements 29 can alternatively also be provided at other points on the plug body 20.

In Fig. 1b ist eine Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung vor dem Auffädeln auf Leitungsdrähten 11 des Steckverbinders 10 gezeigt. Die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 weist in diesem Ausführungsbeispiel einen Hauptkörper 35 auf mit zumindest zwei entgegen gerichteten, insbesondere ebenen Hauptflächen 36. Eine dieser Hauptflächen 36 ist in der Zeichnungsebene perspektivisch nach oben gerichtet, die andere verdeckt. Die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 weist eine Vielzahl von gleichgerichteten Führungsöffnungen 31 auf, die aus beiden Hauptflächen 36 vollständig heraustreten. Die Führungsöffnungen 31 sind in einer Anordnung, die einer Soll-Musteranordnung der Leitungsdrähte 11 auf Seiten des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 entspricht. Jeweils seitlich gegenüberliegend sind verschiedene Elemente am Hauptkörper 35 angeformt. Zum einen ist ein verfederter Rasthaken 38 als Rastelement angeformt, welcher in Zusammenwirken mit einer der Rastaussparung 28 im Steckerkörper 20 die Ausbildung einer Rastverbindung ermöglicht. Ferner ist seitlich eine Führungsnut 39 ausgeformt, welche in Zusammenwirken mit einer der Führungsschiene 29 eine geführte Verschiebung der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 innerhalb der Aussparung 25 im Steckerkörper 20 ermöglicht. Zusätzlich weist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 seitlich jeweils ein Zentrierelement 40 auf, welches ausgebildet ist beim Anschluss des Steckverbinders 10 an einen Schaltungsträger, den Schaltungsträger und oder ein Montagewerkzeug mittels eines Formschlusses relativ zur Positionier- und Ausrichtplatte 30 zu positionieren. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel weist das Zentrierelement 40 einen Zentrierdorn 41 auf, welcher insbesondere senkrecht zur Hauptfläche 36 vom Hauptkörper 35 absteht. Dem Zentrierdorn 41 entgegengerichtet ist ein Domansatz fortgeführt, in welchem von der dem Zentrierdorn 41 abgewandten Seite eine Zentrieröffnung 42 eingebracht ist. Die Zentrieröffnung 42 ist ausgebildet, beim Eingriff eines Montagewerkzeuges die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 relativ zu diesem zu positionieren. Es bestehen grundsätzlich auch alternative Möglichkeiten zur Ausführung eines jeweiligen Zentrierelementes 40, eines Rastelementes 38 und eines Führungselementes 39. Zusätzlich weist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 auf der in der Blattebene sichtbaren Hauptfläche 36 ein Federelement 32 auf, welches ausgebildet ist, im Anlagenkontakt mit einem Schaltungsträger eine Federkraftwirkung aufrecht zu erhalten.In Figure 1b a positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is shown in a perspective view before being threaded onto lead wires 11 of the connector 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a main body 35 with at least two oppositely directed, in particular flat main surfaces 36. One of these main surfaces 36 is directed upwards in perspective in the plane of the drawing, the other is covered. The positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a multiplicity of guide openings 31 in the same direction, which protrude completely from both main surfaces 36. The guide openings 31 are in an arrangement which corresponds to a target pattern arrangement of the lead wires 11 on the terminal contact diagram 16 side. Different elements are formed on the main body 35 on opposite sides in each case. On the one hand, a spring-loaded latching hook 38 is integrally formed as a latching element which, in cooperation with one of the latching recess 28 in the plug body 20, enables a latching connection to be formed. Furthermore, a guide groove 39 is formed on the side which, in cooperation with one of the guide rails 29, enables a guided displacement of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 within the recess 25 in the plug body 20. In addition, the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a centering element 40 on each side, which is designed to position the circuit carrier and / or an assembly tool relative to the positioning and alignment plate 30 by means of a form fit when the connector 10 is connected to a circuit carrier. In the embodiment shown, the Centering element 40 has a centering mandrel 41 which protrudes from the main body 35, in particular perpendicular to the main surface 36. In the opposite direction to the centering mandrel 41, a dome attachment is continued, in which a centering opening 42 is made from the side facing away from the centering mandrel 41. The centering opening 42 is designed to position the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 relative to the latter when an assembly tool engages. In principle, there are also alternative options for implementing a respective centering element 40, a latching element 38 and a guide element 39. In addition, the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has a spring element 32 on the main surface 36 visible in the plane of the sheet, which is designed to be in contact with the system to maintain a spring force effect with a circuit carrier.

In Fig. 2a ist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 auf Seiten des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 auf die Leitungsdrähte 11 aufgefädelt. Hierfür ist die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 über der Aussparung 25 derart angesetzt, dass die jeweiligen komplementären Führungselemente 29, 39 am Steckerkörper 20 und an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 in Wirkzusammenhang gebracht werden unter Ausbildung beispielsweise einer Feder-Nut-Führung. Der Rasthaken 38 wird hierbei federnd nach innen in die Aussparung 25 gedrückt und bleibt vorerst wirkungslos. Durch das Verschieben der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 dringen die Leitungsdrähte 11 in die Führungsöffnungen 31 und werden durch diese mit Spiel 13 in ihrer Anordnung zueinander gehalten. Zum vereinfachten Auffädeln sind die Führungsöffnungen 31 auf der dem Anschlusskontaktschema 16 abgewandten Seite jeweils stetig aufgeweitet, beispielsweise durch eine Anfasung. Durch die Aufweitung ist eine Art Fangtrichter 33 ausgebildet (siehe auch Fig. 5). Durch weiteres Verschieben entlang der Längserstreckung der Leitungsdrähte 11 werden die komplementären Rastelemente 28, 38 in Wirkzusammenhang gebracht - unter Ausbildung einer ersten Rastverbindung 50. Hierbei hintergreift der jeweilige Rasthaken 38 an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 die jeweilige Rastaussparung 28 am Steckerkörper 30. Die erste mögliche Rastverbindung ist bevorzugt in einer Transportraststellung 51. Hierbei steht die der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 zugewandte Hauptfläche 36 der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 insbesondere über die Auflagefläche 26 hervor. Weiter bevorzugt ist in der Transportraststellung 51 zumindest ein jeweiliger Teilabschnitt der zum elektrischen Kontaktieren ausgebildeten Verbindungsbereiche der Leitungsdrähte innerhalb der Führungsöffnungen 31 angeordnet, insbesondere der ganze oder überwiegende Teil eines Einpresspins 12. In der Transportraststellung 51 liegt der Steckverbinder 10 zusammen mit der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 als eine Vormontagegruppe 100 vor, welche zeitlich und örtlich versetzt zum Anschluss eines Schaltungsträgers an den Steckverbinder 10 im Fertigungsprozess eingesetzt werden kann.In Fig. 2a the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is threaded onto the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16. For this purpose, the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is attached over the recess 25 in such a way that the respective complementary guide elements 29, 39 on the plug body 20 and on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 are brought into operative connection with the formation of, for example, a tongue and groove joint. Guide. The latching hook 38 is pressed resiliently inward into the recess 25 and remains ineffective for the time being. By moving the positioning and / or alignment plate 30, the lead wires 11 penetrate into the guide openings 31 and are held by these with play 13 in their arrangement with respect to one another. To simplify threading, the guide openings 31 are in each case widened continuously on the side facing away from the connection contact diagram 16, for example by means of a bevel. A type of collecting funnel 33 is formed by the widening (see also FIG. 5). The complementary latching elements 28, 38 are brought into operative connection by further displacement along the longitudinal extension of the line wires 11 - with the formation of a first latching connection 50. The respective latching hook 38 on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 engages behind the respective latching recess 28 on the plug body 30. The first possible latching connection is preferably in a transport latching position 51. Here, the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 facing the side of the connection contact diagram 16 stands in particular above the support surface 26 emerges. More preferably, in the transport latching position 51, at least a respective partial section of the connection areas of the conductor wires designed for electrical contact is arranged within the guide openings 31, in particular the whole or predominant part of a press-in pin 12. or alignment plate 30 as a preassembly group 100, which can be used in a temporally and spatially offset manner for connecting a circuit carrier to the connector 10 in the manufacturing process.

Zum Anschluss des Schaltungsträgers an den Steckverbinder 10, wird ein Montagewerkzeug 60, insbesondere ein Einpresswerkzeug, über die seitlich angeordneten Zentrierelemente 40 mit der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30, bevorzugt mittels eines Formschlusses, in Eingriff gebracht ein - wie in Fig. 2b dargestellt. Des Weiteren wird über die seitlich angeordneten Zentrierelemente 40 ein Schaltungsträger 70 relativ zu dem Montagewerkzeug 60 bzw. zu den Leitungsdrähten 11 auf der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 positioniert und ausgerichtet - wie in Fig. 3a gezeigt. So greift hierfür beispielsweise ein jeweiliger Zentrierdorn 11 der Zentrierelemente 40 in Formöffnungen des Schaltungsträgers 70 unter Ausbildung eines Formschlusses. Grundsätzlich ist dadurch erwirkt, dass sich die Enden der Leiterdrähte 11 auf Seiten des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 komplementären Verbindungsöffnungen in dem Schaltungsträger 70 gegenüberstehen und durch ein relatives Verschieben des Schaltungsträgers 70 in diese eindringen. Das Verschieben des Schaltungsträgers 70 relativ zum Montagewerkzeug 60 bzw. zu den Leitungsdrähten 11 erfolgt insbesondere kraftbeaufschlagt (siehe Kraftwirkung F). Im Falle von Einpresspins 12 setzt ein Bereich des Einpresswerkzeuges 60 auf einer Stützschulter eines jeweiligen Einpresspins 12 auf, wodurch ein Einpressvorgang erwirkt wird unter Ausbildung eines jeweiligen Einpresskontaktes. Alternativ kann auch ein Lötkontakt vorgesehen werden. Bevorzugt liegt der Schaltungsträger 70 auf der Auflagefläche 26 des Steckerkörpers 20 und auf der Hauptfläche 36 der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte auf. Insgesamt ist nun die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 durch den Schaltungsträger 70 in eine Endmontageraststellung 52 unter Ausbildung einer weiteren Rastverbindung 50 verschoben worden. Hierbei hintergreift der jeweilige Rasthaken 38 an der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 die jeweilige nachgeordnete Rastaussparung 28 am Steckerkörper 20. In der Endmontageraststellung 52 schließt die der Seite des Anschlusskontaktschemas 16 zugewandte Hauptfläche 36 der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 bevorzugt ebene mit der Auflagefläche 26 des Steckerkörpers 20 ab. Des Weiteren steht das Federelement 32 der Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte in Anlagenkontakt mit dem Schaltungsträger 70, so dass die Positionier- und/oder Ausrichtplatte 30 in der Endmontagestellung mittels Federkraft gegen den Schaltungsträger verspannt wird.To connect the circuit carrier to the connector 10, an assembly tool 60, in particular a press-in tool, is brought into engagement via the laterally arranged centering elements 40 with the positioning and / or alignment plate 30, preferably by means of a form fit - as in Figure 2b shown. Furthermore, a circuit carrier 70 is positioned and aligned relative to the assembly tool 60 or to the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 via the laterally arranged centering elements 40 - as in FIG Fig. 3a shown. For this purpose, for example, a respective centering pin 11 of the centering elements 40 engages in molded openings in the circuit carrier 70 to form a form fit. Basically, this has the effect that the ends of the conductor wires 11 on the side of the connection contact diagram 16 face complementary connection openings in the circuit carrier 70 and penetrate into them by a relative displacement of the circuit carrier 70. The shifting of the circuit carrier 70 relative to the assembly tool 60 or to the lead wires 11 takes place in particular with the application of force (see force effect F). In the case of press-in pins 12, a region of press-in tool 60 rests on a support shoulder of a respective press-in pin 12, as a result of which a press-in process is achieved with the formation of a respective press-in contact. Alternatively, a solder contact can also be provided. The circuit carrier 70 preferably rests on the support surface 26 of the plug body 20 and on the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate. Overall, the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 has now been shifted by the circuit carrier 70 into a final assembly latching position 52 with the formation of a further latching connection 50. Here, the respective latching hook 38 on the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 engages behind the respective downstream Latching recess 28 on the plug body 20. In the final assembly latching position 52, the main surface 36 of the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 facing the side of the connection contact diagram 16 preferably ends flush with the support surface 26 of the plug body 20. Furthermore, the spring element 32 of the positioning and / or alignment plate is in system contact with the circuit carrier 70, so that the positioning and / or alignment plate 30 is braced against the circuit carrier by means of spring force in the final assembly position.

Insgesamt liegt eine Kontaktanordnung 200 des Schaltungsträgers 70 mit dem Steckverbinder 10 vor, wobei die Leitungsdrähte 11 auf der Seite des Kontaktanschlussschemas 16 mit dem Schaltungsträger 70 elektrisch verbunden sind, insbesondere durch einen Lotkontakt oder durch einen Einpresskontakt. Die Fig. 4 zeigt die Kontaktanordnung aus einer anderen Perspektive, bei welcher der Schaltungsträger in der Zeichnungsebene nach unten orientiert ist.Overall, there is a contact arrangement 200 of the circuit carrier 70 with the plug connector 10, the lead wires 11 being electrically connected to the circuit carrier 70 on the side of the contact connection diagram 16, in particular by a solder contact or by a press-in contact. the Fig. 4 shows the contact arrangement from a different perspective, in which the circuit carrier is oriented downwards in the plane of the drawing.

Claims (11)

  1. Plug-in connector (10) for connection to a circuit carrier, comprising at least one electrically insulating plug body (20) in which a large number of conducting wires (11) that are spaced apart in a pattern arrangement form, by way of their respective one end, a plug contact scheme (15) for a mating plug and, by way of their respective opposite end, a connection contact scheme (16) for corresponding contact points of the circuit carrier, wherein the conducting wires (11), at least on the side of the connection contact scheme (16), are oriented relative to one another in terms of their arrangement by a positioning and/or aligning plate (30) by way of the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) having guide openings (31) that have a common direction and through each of which a conducting wire passes with play, wherein at least one latching connection (50) is formed by the plug body (20) and the positioning and/or aligning plate (30), by means of which latching connection the plug body and the positioning and/or aligning plate are held in at least one latching position, characterized in that the positioning and/or aligning plate (30), on the side that faces the connection contact scheme (16), comprises at least one spring element (32) which, when the plug-in connector (10) is connected to a circuit carrier, is designed to clamp the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) against the circuit carrier in the at least one latching position by means of spring force.
  2. Plug-in connector (10) according to Claim 1, wherein the plug-in connector has more than one possible latching position of the plug body and the positioning and/or aligning plate (30), in particular a transportation latching position (51) and a final assembly latching position (52), wherein each latching position can be reached by shifting the positioning and/or aligning plate in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the conducting wires.
  3. Plug-in connector according to either of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the latching connection (50) can be released in a latching position by overcoming a latching holding force, and shifting of the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) in the direction of the plug contact scheme as far as into the next latching position with a displacement force that is reduced in comparison to the latching holding force is rendered possible.
  4. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latching connection (50) is formed by a spring-action latching hook (38) which has a projecting latching lug which engages into a complementary latching cutout (28).
  5. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two latching connections (50) are formed on opposite sides of the positioning and/or aligning plate (30).
  6. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, on the side of the connection contact scheme (16), the plug body comprises a closed or partially open cutout (25) in which at least portions of the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) project in the at least one latching position and/or the latching connection is formed in the cutout.
  7. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body (20) and the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) can be shifted relative to one another by means of a guide, wherein the guide is preferably formed by complementary guide elements (29, 39) respectively on the plug body and on the positioning and/or aligning plate, in particular in the form of a tongue-and-groove guide.
  8. Plug-in connector according to Claim 7, wherein at least one pair of complementary guide elements (29, 39) on opposite sides of the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) are operatively connected.
  9. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) comprises at least one centring element (40) which, when the plug-in connector is connected to a circuit carrier, is designed to position the circuit carrier and/or a fitting tool relative to the positioning and aligning plate by means of an interlocking connection.
  10. Contact arrangement of a circuit carrier comprising a plug-in connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conducting wires (11) are electrically connected to the circuit carrier on the side of the connection contact scheme (16), in particular by a solder contact or by a press-in contact, and wherein the circuit carrier rests, at least in regions, on support surfaces of the plug body and the positioning and/or aligning plate, wherein the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) is shifted from a transportation latching position (51) to a final assembly latching position (52) by the circuit carrier.
  11. Method for aligning and/or positioning conducting wires (11) of a plug-in connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising the method steps of:
    • providing the plug-in connector and the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) that is detached from the plug-in connector,
    • threading the positioning and/or aligning plate from the side of the connection contact scheme (16) in such a way that conducting wires of the plug-in connector enter guide openings of the positioning and/or aligning plate,
    • shifting the positioning and/or aligning plate (30) along the longitudinal extent of the conducting wires as far as into a transportation latching position (51) in which at least one respective subportion of the connecting regions, designed for electrical contact-connection, of the conducting wires is arranged within the guide openings (31),
    • forming a relative mounting arrangement of the conducting wires (11) to a circuit carrier to be contacted, by way of at least an interlocking connection being formed between the at least one centring element (40) of the positioning and/or aligning plate and a corresponding centring receiving element of the circuit carrier,
    • forming a relative mounting arrangement of the conducting wires (11) to a press-in tool, by way of at least an interlocking connection being formed between the at least one centring element (40) of the positioning and/or aligning plate and a corresponding centring receiving element of the press-in tool,
    • forming a press-in contact between in each case one connecting region of the conducting wires (11) in the form of a press-in pin with corresponding openings in the circuit carrier by means of the press-in tool, wherein, when the positioning and/or aligning plate is pressed in, the positioning and/or aligning plate is shifted into a final assembly latching position (52) by bearing contact with the circuit carrier and in so doing the positioning and/or aligning plate is clamped against the circuit carrier by means of spring force of the spring element (32) that is arranged on the side facing the contact connection scheme.
EP18730754.1A 2017-06-28 2018-06-11 Plug connector and contact arrangement Active EP3646411B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017210948.3A DE102017210948A1 (en) 2017-06-28 2017-06-28 Connector and contact arrangement
PCT/EP2018/065281 WO2019001938A1 (en) 2017-06-28 2018-06-11 Plug connector and contact arrangement

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3646411A1 EP3646411A1 (en) 2020-05-06
EP3646411B1 true EP3646411B1 (en) 2021-09-08

Family

ID=62597509

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18730754.1A Active EP3646411B1 (en) 2017-06-28 2018-06-11 Plug connector and contact arrangement

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3646411B1 (en)
DE (1) DE102017210948A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019001938A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07235351A (en) * 1994-02-21 1995-09-05 Kel Corp Connector for printed circuit board
US6273732B1 (en) * 1999-06-18 2001-08-14 Berg Technology, Inc. Through mount connector with alignment device
JP5370260B2 (en) * 2010-05-13 2013-12-18 住友電装株式会社 Board connector
DE102014219126A1 (en) 2014-09-23 2016-03-24 Continental Automotive Gmbh Arrangement with circuit carrier for an electronic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019001938A1 (en) 2019-01-03
DE102017210948A1 (en) 2019-01-03
EP3646411A1 (en) 2020-05-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69521580T2 (en) Electrical connector with contact position securing device which facilitates the complete insertion of the contacts
DE10327581B4 (en) A construction for mounting a connector, a circuit board connector and method for mounting the same
DE60014719T2 (en) CABLE CONNECTOR WITH CONTROLLED IMPEDANCE
DE3917697C2 (en)
DE69602306T2 (en) Electrical connector
DE69806745T2 (en) CONNECTOR WITH CONTACT LOCKING MECHANISM
EP3375048B1 (en) Plug contact
DE9115318U1 (en) Electrical connector with reduced insertion force
DE69505450T2 (en) plug
EP2018684B1 (en) Module with connectors for actuators and/or sensors
DE102014000955B4 (en) Connector with an electronic component, holding device and method of manufacture
DE102018000940A1 (en) Connector and contact arrangement
EP3073577B1 (en) Plug, plug connection and method for producing a plug
WO2020127073A1 (en) Multi-part printed circuit board adapter plug
EP3069416B1 (en) Terminal strip and spring clamping adapter
EP0738028A1 (en) Flat pin
EP3646411B1 (en) Plug connector and contact arrangement
EP3446365B1 (en) Electrical terminal and method
DE102020104022B3 (en) Short-circuit pin, plug connection with such a short-circuit pin and a method for producing such a short-circuit pin
DE102015121832B4 (en) Plug connector for direct electrical contact and plug connection
DE2425521C2 (en) Electrical connection element
DE102021122197A1 (en) Electrical connector for terminating a wide range of sizes of enameled wires
WO2016050586A1 (en) Male strip connector
EP1939987B1 (en) Contact device
DE102017110060B4 (en) Method for producing an arrangement and arrangement with a busbar for a connection terminal for contacting a plurality of electrical conductors and an electrical connection terminal

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200128

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01R 43/20 20060101ALN20210416BHEP

Ipc: H01R 13/506 20060101ALI20210416BHEP

Ipc: H01R 12/72 20110101AFI20210416BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20210518

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1429406

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502018006975

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20210908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211208

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211208

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20211209

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220108

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220110

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502018006975

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20220609

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20220630

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220611

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220611

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220611

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220611

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220630

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230509

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20180611

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240621

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1429406

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230611

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210908

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240628

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240822

Year of fee payment: 7