EP4293834B1 - Electrical connector and electrical connection - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector having the features of patent claim 1. The present invention also relates to an electrical plug connection having the features of patent claim 14.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

EP3944430A1 and EP3930111A1 disclose prior art electrical connectors.

While the two electrical interfaces of a straight electrical connector have a common longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the two electrical interfaces of an angled electrical connector are oriented at a specific angle, preferably at an angle of 90°, to each other. Such angled electrical connectors are used in a variety of configurations in which the application of the electrical connection requires a change in the direction of the signal routing. Angled connectors are used, for example, for an electrical connection between two circuit boards oriented perpendicular to each other or when a cable is routed parallel to the surface of the circuit board due to the space available.

If a differential signal is transmitted in an angled connector, two inner conductor contact elements are required. If the two inner conductor contact elements are each spaced the same distance between the two interfaces, in particular between their two axial ends, two identical inner conductor contact elements can be guided parallel to one another in the angled connector. In addition to using identical parts for the two inner conductor contact elements, a simple impedance adjustment of the angled connector can be implemented for the transmission of a differential high-frequency signal. Due to the equal lengths of the two inner conductor contact elements, there is also no phase offset, no so-called "skewing", of the differential signal along the two inner conductor contact elements. As will be shown below, this does not require any mode conversion of the differential signal and therefore no increased radiation of electromagnetic interference and no reflection of the differential high frequency signal.

The applications of angled connectors are becoming increasingly diverse, and with them the arrangement of the two inner conductor contact elements at the two interfaces or at the axial ends of the two inner conductor contact elements. The variety of arrangements of the two inner conductor contact elements at the two interfaces enables a variety of shapes of the inner conductor contact elements between the two interfaces and, as a result, a different quality of impedance matching, a different form of skewing and a different degree of symmetry of the inner conductor contact elements.

In contrast to the trivial case of identical inner conductor contact elements mentioned above, no optimum can be achieved in all three criteria of impedance matching, skewing and symmetry for other designs of the inner conductor contact elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of creating a generally valid technical solution for a differential angled connector for all possible arrangements of the inner conductor contact elements at the two interfaces - with the exception of the trivial case mentioned above - with which an overall optimum of the criteria of impedance matching, skewing and symmetry can be achieved.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical connector having the features of patent claim 1 and by an electrical plug connection having the features of patent claim 14.

• ein Kontaktelementpaar mit
• einem ersten Kontaktelement und
• einem zweiten Kontaktelement,
• wobei eine Längsachse des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements in einem ersten Längsabschnitt des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements an der ersten Schnittstelle jeweils in einem ersten Winkel zur Längsachse des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements in einem zweiten Längsabschnitt des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements an der zweiten Schnittstelle orientiert ist,
• wobei eine erste Ebene, welche durch die Längsachse des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements im ersten Längsabschnitt aufgespannt ist, in einem zweiten Winkel zu den Längsachsen des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements im zweiten Längsabschnitt orientiert ist,
• wobei zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Längsabschnitt des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements jeweils ein dritter Längsabschnitt des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements ausgebildet ist,
• wobei im dritten Längsachsabschnitt das erste und das zweite Kontaktelement jeweils relativ zu einer ersten Drehachse, welche jeweils orthogonal zur Längsachse des ersten bzw. des zweiten Kontaktelements im ersten und im zweiten Längsabschnitt orientiert ist, um einen ersten Drehwinkel, der dem ersten Winkel entspricht, gebogen sind,
• wobei im dritten Längsachsabschnitt das erste und das zweite Kontaktelement jeweils zusätzlich derart gebogen sind, dass die Längsachsen des ersten und des zweiten Kontaktelements relativ zu einer zweiten Drehachse, welche im dritten Längsabschnitt mittig zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Kontaktelement verläuft, um einen zweiten Drehwinkel parallel verschoben sind
• und wobei der zweite Drehwinkel sich aus einer Subtraktion des zweiten Winkels von einem Winkel in Höhe von 90° ergibt.

Accordingly, it is envisaged:
An electrical connector for transmitting a differential signal between a first interface and a second interface comprising

• a contact element pair with
• a first contact element and
• a second contact element,
• wherein a longitudinal axis of the first and the second contact element in a first longitudinal section of the first and the second contact element at the first interface is oriented at a first angle to the longitudinal axis of the first and the second contact element in a second longitudinal section of the first and the second contact element at the second interface,
• wherein a first plane which is spanned by the longitudinal axis of the first and second contact elements in the first longitudinal section is oriented at a second angle to the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements in the second longitudinal section,
• wherein a third longitudinal section of the first and second contact elements is formed between the first and second longitudinal sections of the first and second contact elements,
• wherein in the third longitudinal axis section the first and the second contact element are each bent relative to a first axis of rotation, which is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the first and the second contact element in the first and second longitudinal sections, by a first angle of rotation which corresponds to the first angle,
• wherein in the third longitudinal axis section, the first and the second contact element are each additionally bent such that the longitudinal axes of the first and the second contact element are displaced parallel by a second angle of rotation relative to a second axis of rotation which runs centrally between the first and the second contact element in the third longitudinal section
• and wherein the second angle of rotation results from a subtraction of the second angle from an angle of 90°.

The knowledge/idea underlying the present invention consists in creating an angled differential connector with a contact element pair, ie with an inner conductor contact element pair, consisting of a first contact element and a second contact element, the distance between which over the entire longitudinal extension is the smallest possible variance and is preferably constant. Such a design of the two inner conductor contact elements advantageously enables an impedance curve with the smallest possible fluctuations in order to preferably achieve a constant impedance curve.

While the distance between the first and the second contact element is usually constant in a first longitudinal section in which the first interface of the differential angled connector is formed, and in a second longitudinal section in which the second interface of the differential angled connector is formed, the distance between the first and the second contact element in a third longitudinal section formed therebetween is to be minimized in terms of its variance by a suitable formation of the first and the second contact element.

In this context, it should be noted that the transition between the first and the third longitudinal section of the contact element pair and thus the axial end of the first longitudinal section of the two contact elements is located at that axial position of the contact element pair at which at least one contact element changes from a linear shape to a curved shape. This applies equivalently to the transition between the second and the third longitudinal section of the contact element pair.

In order to minimize the variance of the distance between the two contact elements, the first and the second contact element in the third longitudinal section are bent about an identical axis of rotation, which is referred to below as the first axis of rotation and is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the first and the second contact element in the first and the second longitudinal section, by an identical angle of rotation, which is referred to below as the first angle of rotation Φ _1. In addition, the first and the second contact element in the third longitudinal section are each bent in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the first and the second contact element are displaced parallel relative to a further axis of rotation, which is referred to below as the second axis of rotation and runs centrally between the first and the second contact element, by an identical angle of rotation, which is referred to below as the second angle of rotation Φ _2. The second axis of rotation can, as in the discussion of the The individual variants of the contact elements will be shown later and can have a linear or a curved course.

By bending the two contact elements by a first angle of rotation Φ ₁ around the first axis of rotation in the third longitudinal section, the orientation of the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements between the first and second longitudinal sections is bridged at the level of the first angle φ ₁ '. The first angle of rotation Φ ₁ corresponds to the first angle φ ₁ '. In this way, the basic angularity of the differential angled connector is realized in a plane that is oriented perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

Preferably, the first angle is 90° so that a right-angled differential connector can be realized.

By bending the two contact elements about the second axis of rotation by a second angle of rotation Φ ₂ , a further orientation of a plane which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements in the first longitudinal section and is referred to below as the first plane is bridged for the orientation of the first and second contact elements in the second longitudinal section at the level of the second angle φ ₂ '. The second angle of rotation Φ ₂ results from subtracting the second angle φ ₂ ' from an angle of 90°. By bending the two contact elements about the second axis of rotation, which runs centrally between the first and second contact elements in the third longitudinal section, at the level of the second angle of rotation Φ ₂ , an additional tilting of the two contact elements, i.e. a further angularity of the differential angled connector in a further degree of freedom, can be achieved. In this context, centrally between the first and the second contact element is understood as an equal radial or approximately equal distance of the two contact elements from the second axis of rotation along the entire longitudinal extension of the third longitudinal section.

Preferably, the second angle is 0°, so that the first plane at the first interface is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements at the second interface.

In particular, the bending of the two contact elements around the second axis of rotation significantly expands the variety of arrangements of the two contact elements at the two interfaces and thus the variety of applications of the differential angled connector.

Above all, however, the bending of the two contact elements about the second axis of rotation advantageously enables a distance between the two contact elements whose variance along the third longitudinal section is minimized and preferably constant.

Based on this optimization, a largely constant and preferably constant impedance curve of the differential transmission system in the third longitudinal section can be realized by an appropriate design of the insulator element and the outer conductor contact element.

The first and second contact elements can preferably be produced either in a punching or a turning process. However, other manufacturing technologies are also conceivable, such as casting, deep drawing or embossing. The first and second contact elements preferably have a rectangular cross-section after a punching process and a round cross-section after a turning process. In a rarer implementation variant, a round cross-section, in particular a hollow cylindrical cross-section, can also be obtained by means of a punching-bending process.

In a preferred embodiment of the contact element pair, the bending of the two contact elements can completely overlap both relative to the first axis of rotation and relative to the second axis of rotation within the third longitudinal section. A partial overlap of the bending of the two contact elements relative to the first axis of rotation and relative to the second axis of rotation within the third longitudinal section is also conceivable. Finally, the bending of the two contact elements relative to the first axis of rotation and relative to the second axis of rotation can be implemented in successive subsections of the third longitudinal section.

The longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are displaced in parallel between the axial ends of the third longitudinal section (in the case of complete overlap) or between the axial ends of the partial section of the third longitudinal section (in the case of partial overlap or sequential succession) by bending the contact elements about the second axis of rotation.

The bending of the two contact elements can take place in all three forms - complete overlap, partial overlap and sequential succession - continuously over the entire longitudinal extension of the third longitudinal section. The bending of the two contact elements can be designed as a bending around one bending radius (convex bending or concave bending) or as a bending around two bending radii (S-shaped course from the sequential combination of a concave bending and a convex bending).

Finally, the bending of the two contact elements can also only take place in discrete sections of the third longitudinal section, between which a linear section of the two contact elements is arranged. In the latter case in particular, the two contact elements can be bent in individual discrete sections of the third longitudinal section both relative to the first axis of rotation and at the same time relative to the second axis of rotation. However, it is also conceivable that in individual discrete sections of the third longitudinal section, the two contact elements are only bent relative to the first axis of rotation or only relative to the second axis of rotation.

The continuous bending of the two contact elements over the entire third longitudinal section can preferably be achieved using a turning process. Bending the two contact elements in discrete sections of the third longitudinal section, which are connected by linear sections of the two contact elements, is better suited to a punching process.

The two contact elements each have an equally large and constant cross-section along their entire length. With regard to impedance matching of the electrical connector designed for high-frequency signal transmission, the cross-section of the two contact elements can also change in individual sections. This occurs, for example, if, for assembly reasons, the insulator element and the outer conductor contact element have recesses or other irregularities in certain areas of the differential angled connector. Finally, special shapes, such as locking claws or locking hooks or locking recesses for locking the contact element with an adjacent insulator element of the electrical connector, can be formed at individual points on the two contact elements.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the differential angled connector, the first and second contact elements each have the same electrical length. The electrical lengths of the first and second contact elements in the first longitudinal section and in the second longitudinal section are usually the same due to the parallel guidance of the two contact elements in the first and second longitudinal sections. In addition, the electrical length and thus the longitudinal extent of the first and second contact elements in the third longitudinal section is preferably the same.

The equal longitudinal extension of the two contact elements advantageously enables the use of identical parts for the two contact elements.

In addition, due to the equal electrical length of the two contact elements, a phase shift of the differential signal between the two contact elements of the contact element pair, a so-called "skewing", is advantageously avoided. If skewing is avoided in the entire longitudinal extension and in particular in the third longitudinal section of the contact element pair, the ratio between the common mode and the differential mode of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave remains approximately constant and is preferably constant.

Skewing-related mode conversion and thus emission of electromagnetic interference as well as reflection of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave are advantageously avoided. The formation of a deskewing section outside the differential angled connector, i.e. a differential signal section with an inverse electrical length, in the skewing case can therefore also be advantageously dispensed with.

In order to achieve an equal longitudinal extension of the first and second contact elements when the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are displaced parallel by bending the first and second contact elements relative to the common second axis of rotation by the same second angle of rotation within the third longitudinal section, a constant or approximately constant ratio between the parallel displacement of the longitudinal axis and the change in the longitudinal extension for both contact elements over the third longitudinal section is preferably to be formed.

In order to achieve an equal length for both contact elements, the gradient of the bend can preferably be the same for both contact elements along the third longitudinal section. However, a special case is also conceivable in which in individual sections of the two contact elements within the third longitudinal section there is no parallel displacement of the longitudinal axes, ie no bend, but a linear course of the two contact elements parallel to the second axis of rotation. In addition,

Partial sections of the two contact elements are possible without bending the contact elements, in which a linear course of the two contact elements is not parallel to the second axis of rotation. Finally, partial sections of the contact elements within the third longitudinal section are also possible in which the ratio between the parallel displacement of the longitudinal axis and the change in the longitudinal extension is different for both contact elements, but the total changes in the longitudinal extension for both contact elements are the same in the entire third longitudinal section.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electrical connector, the first and second contact elements in the third longitudinal section are each bent relative to the first axis of rotation by the first angle of rotation with an equal bending radius. By bending the two contact elements relative to the same axis of rotation, by the same angle of rotation and with the same radius of curvature, an equal electrical length can be achieved for both contact elements in the third longitudinal section.

In a further preferred embodiment of the contact element pair, the bending of the two contact elements in the third longitudinal section relative to the common second axis of rotation by the same second angle of rotation takes place in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are each displaced parallel to the same extent in a first radial direction to the second axis of rotation and are each displaced parallel to the same extent in a second radial direction to the second axis of rotation, which is oriented orthogonally to the first radial direction. Such a bending of the two contact elements about the second axis of rotation in combination with the embodiment that the common second axis of rotation is arranged centrally to the two contact elements enables the same electrical length for both contact elements in the simplest technical way.

In a further embodiment of the contact element pair, the bending of the first and second contact elements about the first axis of rotation and the bending of the first and second contact elements about the second axis of rotation takes place in different subsections of the third longitudinal section, which follow one another sequentially. In this case, the subsection in in which the two contact elements are each bent relative to a first axis of rotation by the same first angle of rotation, preferably arranged on the second longitudinal section. The subsection in which the two contact elements are each bent relative to the common second axis of rotation by the same second angle of rotation is preferably formed between the first longitudinal section and the other subsection of the third longitudinal section.

Depending on the application, the first angle of rotation by which the first and the second contact element are each bent in the third longitudinal section relative to the first axis of rotation is in an angular range between 45° and 135°, preferably in an angular range between 70° and 110°, particularly preferably in an angular range between 85° and 95° and is most preferably 90°.

The second angle of rotation by which the contact elements in the third longitudinal section are bent relative to the common second axis of rotation, i.e. the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are displaced parallel within the third longitudinal section, is, depending on the application, greater or less than 0°, preferably greater than 45° or less than -45°, particularly preferably greater than 80° or less than -80° and is most preferably ±90°.

Preferably, in the first longitudinal section, in the second longitudinal section and in the third longitudinal section, i.e. in the entire longitudinal extension between the first and the second interface, a distance between the first and the second contact element is always the same size and/or a diameter of the first and the second contact element is always the same size and constant. If the outer conductor contact element and the insulator element, which electrically insulates the first and the second contact element from the outer conductor contact element, also have a homogeneity along the entire longitudinal extension between the first and the second interface, a constant and thus adapted impedance curve is realized over the entire longitudinal extension of the angled differential connector. The homogeneity of the insulator element is achieved, for example, by a uniform dielectric material and by a homogeneous distribution of the dielectric material of the insulator between the outer conductor contact element and the (Inner conductor) contact element pair is realized over the entire longitudinal extension of the connector. The homogeneity of the outer conductor contact element is realized by a constant inner diameter over the entire longitudinal extension of the connector.

Because of the ability to mount the first and second contact elements, the insulator element and the outer conductor element each have recesses in certain longitudinal sections of the angled differential connector, which cause an undesirable shift in the impedance. To adjust the impedance, for example, the distance between the first and second contact elements in such longitudinal sections must be reduced accordingly and/or the diameter of the first and second contact elements must be increased accordingly.

In a further preferred embodiment of the contact element pair according to the invention, the first and second contact elements each have an equal extension in the third longitudinal section in a direction of the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements in the first longitudinal section. Thus, the entire longitudinal extension of the two contact elements from the transition between the second and third longitudinal sections and the axial end of the first longitudinal section is in each case the same. The longitudinal extension of the two contact elements from the transition between the second and third longitudinal sections and the axial end of the second longitudinal section is also the same. Thus, the transition between the second and third longitudinal sections of the contact elements represents the angle apex of the differential angle connector, while the extension of the two contact elements from the transition between the second and third longitudinal sections to the axial ends of the first and second longitudinal sections respectively result in the two angle legs of the differential angle connector.

A second plane, which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements at the second interface, can have the same orientation as a plane which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements at the axial end of the third longitudinal section pointing towards the second interface. This plane is referred to below as the third plane.

However, it is also conceivable that the second plane is oriented at a third angle to the third plane that is different from 0°. In this case, a fourth longitudinal section of the first and second contact elements is formed between the second and third longitudinal sections. In the fourth longitudinal axis section, the first and second contact elements are each bent in such a way that, with the same longitudinal extension of the first and second contact elements, the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are displaced parallel by a third angle of rotation relative to a third axis of rotation, which runs centrally between the first and second contact elements in the fourth longitudinal section.

The bending of the two contact elements in the fourth longitudinal section also takes place relative to the common third axis of rotation by the same third angle of rotation, preferably in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the first and second contact elements are each displaced parallel to the same extent in a first radial direction to the third axis of rotation and are each displaced parallel to the same extent in a second radial direction to the third axis of rotation, which is oriented orthogonally to the first radial direction. Such a bending of the two contact elements about the third axis of rotation in combination with the fact that the common third axis of rotation is arranged centrally to the two contact elements enables the simplest implementation
an equal electrical length for both contact elements in the fourth longitudinal section.

The third angle of rotation, which corresponds to the third angle between the second plane and the third plane, shall be designed to be equivalent to the second angle of rotation:
The third angle of rotation is greater or less than 0°, is preferably greater than 45° or less than -45°, is particularly preferably greater than 80° and less than -80° and is most preferably ±90°.

In a preferred application of the angled differential connector, the first interface is arranged to contact an electrical mating connector and the second interface is set up to contact a circuit board. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the first and the second interface are each set up to contact a different circuit board. The angled differential connector can also be designed as a cable connector or as a housing connector. In this case, the first interface is set up to contact an electrical mating connector and the second interface is set up to contact a cable or a contacting device in a housing. Finally, the angled differential connector can also be designed as an adapter in which the first and the second interface are each set up to contact a different electrical mating connector.

The invention also covers an electrical plug connection which comprises the electrical connector and an associated electrical mating connector. All features disclosed, illustrated and claimed for the electrical connector previously and subsequently also apply equivalently to the electrical plug connection and vice versa.

The electrical mating connector has a pair of mating contact elements with a first and a second mating contact element. The first and the second mating contact elements preferably each have a longitudinal extension with the same electrical length, which are guided parallel to one another. A straight differential electrical mating connector is conceivable. The differential electrical mating connector is preferably designed to be angled, so that the first and the second mating contact elements are each bent by a fourth angle, preferably by 90° each, with the same radius of curvature.

The first and the second mating contact element thus have a first longitudinal section, a third longitudinal section adjoining the first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section adjoining the third longitudinal section. The first longitudinal section of the first and the second mating contact element of the mating connector are each designed to contact the first and the second contact element of the connector at its first interface. In In the third longitudinal section, the first and second mating contact elements of the mating connector are each bent by the fourth angle. The second longitudinal section of the first and second mating contact elements
forms another interface of the mating connector, for example to another cable.

The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired, provided this makes sense. Other possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1A,1B,1C 1D, 1E

eine isometrische Darstellung, eine Explosionsdarstellung, eine Querschnittsdarstellung, eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 2A,2B

eine isometrische Darstellung von zwei Ausführungsbeispielen des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 3A,3B,3C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 4A,4B,4C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 5A,5B,5C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 6A,6B,6C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 7A,7B,7C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 8A,8B,8C

eine erste und eine zweite Seitenansicht und eine Draufsicht eines sechsten Ausführungsbeispiels des differentiellen Kontaktelementpaars des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders und

Fig. 9A,9B,9C

eine erste und eine zweite Schnittdarstellung und eine isometrische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbindung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawing. They show:

Fig. 1A,1B,1C 1D, 1E

an isometric view, an exploded view, a cross-sectional view, a first and a second side view of an electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 2A,2B

an isometric representation of two embodiments of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 3A,3B,3C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a first embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 4A,4B,4C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a second embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 5A,5B,5C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a third embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 6A,6B,6C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 7A,7B,7C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention,

Fig. 8A,8B,8C

a first and a second side view and a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the differential contact element pair of the electrical connector according to the invention and

Fig. 9A,9B,9C

a first and a second sectional view and an isometric view of the electrical plug connection according to the invention.

The accompanying drawing figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

In the following, the figures are described in a coherent and comprehensive manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION

The differential angled connector according to the invention is described in all its embodiments below:
The differential angled connector 1 is preferably designed as a printed circuit board connector and is connected at its first interface 2 according to the Figures 9A to 9C with a corresponding mating contact element pair of a differential mating connector 5 and at its second interface 4 according to the Figures 1A to 1E connected to a differential signal line pair on a circuit board 3. Alternatively, the differential angled connector can also connect differential signal line pairs on two circuit boards or differential signal conductors of a cable to a corresponding mating contact element pair of a differential mating connector. All configurations of a differential electrical connection in which differential contacts, differential contact elements, differential signal lines and the like of two connection partners are oriented at an angle to one another are conceivable.

The differential angled connector 1 has a contact element pair 6 with a first contact element 7 ₁ and a second contact element 7 ₂ , which, as can be seen from the overview of the exploded view in Fig. 1B and the cross-sectional representation in Fig. 1C The first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ are guided within the differential angled connector 1 in an insulator element 8 such that they are electrically insulated from one another on the one hand and spaced apart from one another on the other hand and are electrically insulated from an outer conductor contact element 9 on the other hand. The outer conductor contact element 9 can be the metallic connector housing or an outer conductor contact element integrated in a dielectric connector housing. In order to achieve a good shielding effect and the best possible guidance of a In order to achieve a high-frequency transmission of the electromagnetic wave between the outer conductor contact element 8 and the contact element pair 6 serving as a differential inner conductor contact, the outer conductor contact element 9 encloses the insulator element 8 and the contact element pair 6 guided therein as extensively as possible. A differential angled connector 1 according to the invention without the formation of an outer conductor contact element 8 is not the preferred design of a high-frequency connector, but is also covered by the invention.

The first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ are fixed to the insulator element 8 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, for example, via claws formed on the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ , respectively. The insulator element 8 is fixed to the outer conductor contact element 9, for example, via a press fit.

For assembly reasons, the outer conductor contact element 9 does not completely enclose the insulator element 8 and the insulator element 8 does not completely enclose the contact element pair 6 over the entire longitudinal extent of the contact element pair 6. In particular, in a central longitudinal section 10 of the contact element pair 6, as for example from Fig. 1C As can be seen, the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ are arranged at a distance from one another, but are surrounded by air and not by the dielectric material of the insulator element 8. Since such a change in the dielectric property in the intermediate region between the outer conductor and the two inner conductors represents a change in the impedance curve, with a view to a more balanced impedance curve, for example in the region of the central longitudinal section 10 of the contact element pair 6, the diameter of the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ is increased and/or the distance between the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ is reduced.

At the second interface 4 of the connector 1, which forms the interface to the circuit board 3, the contact ends of the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ are inserted into corresponding inner conductor-side holes 11 of the circuit board 3 and, for example, via a solder connection or a force-fitting press connection with contact surfaces on the inner wall of the inner conductor-side holes 11 electrically and mechanically connected. Several pins 12 formed on the outer conductor contact element 9, preferably pins 12 formed on the four corners of the second interface 4 of the connector 1, are inserted equivalently into associated outer conductor-side holes 13 of the circuit board 3 and are electrically and mechanically connected to the contact surfaces on the inner wall of the outer conductor-side holes 13.

The Fig. 1D shows a side view of the differential angled connector from the rear, ie from a side opposite the mating side from which the individual components of the connector are mounted. From the Fig. 1E shows a side view from the front, ie from the mating side from which the differential angled connector is mated with a corresponding differential mating connector. The Figures 1D and 1E serve to further illustrate the individual components of the connector, in particular the course of the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ .

The contact element pair 6 comprising the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ has in all embodiments of a contact element pair 6 and thus in all embodiments of a differential angled connector 1, as exemplified below using the first embodiment of the contact element pair 6 according to the Figures 2A and 2 B explained, has several longitudinal sections that are connected to each other by certain angular relationships:
The contact element pair 6 has according to Fig. 2A at the first interface 2, a first longitudinal section 14 in which the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are each oriented parallel to one another and have a linear course. At the second interface 4, the contact element pair 6 has a second longitudinal section 15 in which the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are also each oriented parallel to one another and also have a linear course.

Between the first longitudinal section 14 and the second longitudinal section 15, a third longitudinal section 16 is formed in the contact element pair 6, in which the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are each bent relative to a first axis of rotation 17 ₁ by a first angle of rotation Φ ₁ and at the same time the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are shifted parallel relative to a second axis of rotation 17 ₂ by bending the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ by a second angle of rotation Φ _2. The first axis of rotation 17 ₁ for the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in the first and second longitudinal sections 14, 16. The second axis of rotation 17 ₂ runs centrally to the first and the second contact element 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ within the entire longitudinal extent of the third longitudinal section 16.

In addition to the presentation in Fig. 2A the contact element pair 6 has a fourth longitudinal section 18 between the second longitudinal section 15 and the third longitudinal section 16, in which the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are displaced parallel relative to a third axis of rotation 17 ₃ by bending the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ by a third angle of rotation Φ ₃ . The third axis of rotation 17 ₃ runs within the longitudinal extent of the fourth longitudinal section 18 centrally to the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ .

The position of the first rotation axis 17 ₁ , the second rotation axis 17 ₂ and the third rotation axis 17 ₃ as well as the orientation of the first rotation angle φ ₁ , the second rotation angle Φ ₂ and the third rotation angle Φ ₃ in relation to the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are apparent from the following description of all embodiments of the contact element pair 6 in the Figures 3A to 8C even clearer:
In a first embodiment of a contact element pair 6 according to the Figures 3A, 3B and 3C the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are oriented between the first and second longitudinal sections 14 and 15 at a first angle φ ₁ ' of 90° to one another. The first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are consequently arranged between the first and second longitudinal sections 14 and 15 in a first subsection 16 ₁ of the third longitudinal section 16, which adjoining the second longitudinal section 15, is bent relative to a first axis of rotation 17 ₁ by a first angle of rotation Φ ₁ of 90°.

The longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ span in the first longitudinal section 14 according to Fig. 3C a first plane 19 ₁ which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in the second longitudinal section 15. Thus, the second angle φ ₂ ' between the first plane 19 ₁ and the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in the second longitudinal section 15 is 0 °. Consequently, the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are shifted parallel between the axial ends of a second subsection 16 ₂ of the third longitudinal section 16, which is formed between the first subsection 16 ₁ of the third longitudinal section and the first longitudinal section 14, by bending the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ relative to a second axis of rotation 17 ₂ by a second angle of rotation Φ ₂ of 90 °. The first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are bent relative to the second axis of rotation 17 ₂ by the second angle of rotation Φ ₂ of 90° such that the electrical lengths of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ within the second subsection 16 ₂ of the third longitudinal section 16 are the same. A second plane 19 ₂ , which is spanned by the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in the second longitudinal section 15, is thus oriented perpendicular to the first plane 19 ₁ , as can be seen from Fig. 3B emerges.

In a second embodiment of a contact element pair 6 according to the Figures 4A, 4B and 4C the bending of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ relative to a first axis of rotation 17 ₁ by a first angle of rotation Φ ₁ of 90° and the parallel displacement of the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ by bending the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ relative to a second axis of rotation 17 ₂ by a second angle of rotation Φ ₂ of 90° is realized simultaneously between the axial ends of the third longitudinal section 16. The bending of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ relative to the second axis of rotation 17 ₂ by the second angle of rotation Φ ₂ of 90° is also carried out in such a way that the electrical lengths of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ within the third longitudinal section 16 are equal.

The Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show a third embodiment of a contact element pair 6, in which the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ between the first and second longitudinal sections 14 and 15 are oriented at a first angle φ ₁ ' of 120° and thus at an angle different from 90°.

In the Figures 6A, 6B and 6C a fourth embodiment of a contact element pair 6 is shown, in which the first plane 19 ₁ is not oriented parallel to the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ . The second angle φ ₂ ' between the first plane 19 ₁ and the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in the second longitudinal section 15 is thus different from 0°. The associated second angle of rotation φ ₂ , by which the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are each bent relative to the second axis of rotation 17 ₂ for the parallel displacement of the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ between the axial ends of the third longitudinal section 16, is thus also different from 90°.

In a fifth embodiment of a contact element pair 6 according to the Figures 7A, 7B and 7C the first plane 19 ₁ lies in the second plane 19 ₂ . In contrast to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of a contact element pair 6, in which the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are arranged next to one another at the second interface 4 in the second longitudinal section 15 and at the same distance from the first interface 2, in the fifth embodiment the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are arranged one behind the other at the second interface 4 in the second longitudinal section 15 and thus at different distances relative to the first interface 2. The second plane 19 ₂ is oriented pivoted by a third angle φ ₃ to a third plane 19 ₃ which is spanned by the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ at an axial end of the third longitudinal section 15 pointing towards the second interface 4.

In order to move the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ in parallel from a position in the second plane 19 ₂ to a position in the third plane 19 ₃ , a fourth longitudinal section 18 of the contact element pair 6 is formed between the second longitudinal section 15 and the third longitudinal section 16. Between the axial ends of the fourth longitudinal section 18, the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are each bent in such a way that, with the same longitudinal extent of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ , the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ of the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ are moved parallel relative to a third axis of rotation 17 ₃ by a third angle of rotation φ ₃ of 90°. The third axis of rotation 17 ₃ runs in the fourth longitudinal section 18 centrally to the first and second contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ .

The sixth embodiment of a contact element pair 6 according to the Figures 8A, 8B and 8C shows a rotation of the second plane 19 ₂ to the third plane 19 ₃ by a third angle of rotation φ ₃ , which is 45 ° and is thus different from 0 ° as in the first to fourth embodiments and different from 90 ° as in the fifth embodiment.

From the Figures 9A, 9B and 9C Finally, a differential electrical connector 20 with a differential electrical connector 1 according to the invention and an associated differential electrical mating connector 5 emerges. The differential mating connector 5 can be designed as a straight differential mating connector or as in the Figures 9A, 9B and 9C shown as an angled differential mating connector 5.

The angled differential mating connector 5 contains a mating contact element pair 21 with a first mating contact element 22 ₁ and a second mating contact element 22 ₂ , which, when the differential plug connection 20 is plugged in, electrically and mechanically contact the first contact element 7 ₁ and the second contact element 7 ₂ of the angled differential connector 1. The first mating contact element 22 ₁ and the second mating contact element 22 ₂ are electrically insulated from the outer conductor mating contact element 24 of the differential mating connector 5 by an insulator element 23. The two mating contact elements 22 ₁ and 22 ₂ are arranged in a third longitudinal section 25 of the The mating contact element pair 21 is bent relative to a fourth rotation axis 17 ₄ by a fourth angle of rotation Φ ₄ of preferably 90° and has the same electrical length. The first mating contact element 22 ₁ and the second mating contact element 22 ₂ are each linear in the first longitudinal section 26 of the mating contact element pair 21 at the plug interface and in the second longitudinal section 27 of the mating contact element pair 21 at the cable interface and have the same electrical length.

This results in a differential electrical plug connection 5 which has an equal electrical length in all longitudinal sections of the contact elements 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ or the mating contact elements 22 ₁ and 22 ₂ and thus advantageously does not generate any phase offset (skewing) in the differential signal.

Claims (15)

1. Electrical plug-in connector (1) for transmitting a differential signal between a first interface (2) and a second interface (4), comprising a pair of contact elements (6) having a first contact element (7₁) and a second contact element (7₂),

   a longitudinal axis of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in a first longitudinal portion (14) of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) at the first interface (2) being oriented at a first angle (Φ₁') with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in a second longitudinal portion (15) of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) at the second interface (4), respectively,

   a first plane (19₁) spanned by the longitudinal axis of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the first longitudinal portion (14) being oriented at a second angle (Φ₂') with respect to the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the second longitudinal portion (15),

   a third longitudinal portion (16) of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) being realized between the first and the second longitudinal portion (14, 15) of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) , respectively,

   in the third longitudinal portion (16), the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) each being bent, relative to a first axis of rotation (17₁) that is oriented orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂), respectively, in the first and in the second longitudinal portion (14, 15), respectively, through a first angle of rotation Φ₁ corresponding to the first angle Φ₁',

   characterized in that,

   in the third longitudinal portion (16) the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) each being additionally bent in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are shifted in parallel, through a second angle of rotation Φ₂, relative to a second axis of rotation (17₂) that extends centrally between the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the third longitudinal portion (16), and the second angle of rotation Φ₂ resulting from subtraction of the second angle Φ₂' from an angle of 90°.
2. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to Claim 1,
   characterized
   in that, in the third longitudinal portion (16), the longitudinal extent of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) being equal, the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are shifted in parallel, relative to the second axis of rotation (17₂), through the second angle of rotation Φ₂.
3. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized
   in that, in the third longitudinal portion (16), the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are each bent, relative to the first axis of rotation (17₁), through the first angle of rotation Φ₁ with an equal radius of bend.
4. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized
   in that, in the third longitudinal portion (16), the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are each bent, relative to the second axis of rotation (17₂), through the second angle of rotation Φ₂ in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are each shifted by the same amount in parallel in a first radial direction, with respect to the second axis of rotation (17₂), and are each shifted by the same amount in parallel in a second radial direction, with respect to the second axis of rotation (17₂), that is oriented orthogonally with respect to the first radial direction.
5. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized
   in that the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are each bent through the first angle of rotation Φ₁ in a first sub-portion (16₁) of the third longitudinal portion (16) that adjoins the second longitudinal portion (15), and are bent through the second angle of rotation Φ₂ in a second sub-portion (16₂) of the third longitudinal portion (16) that is between the first longitudinal portion (2) and the first sub-portion (16₁) of the third longitudinal portion (16).
6. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterized
   in that the first angle of rotation Φ₁ lies in an angular range of between 45° and 135°, preferably in the angular range of between 70° and 110°, particularly preferably in the angular range of between 85° and 95°, and is most preferably 90°.
7. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized
   in that the second angle of rotation Φ₂ is greater than or less than 0°, preferably greater than 45° or less than -45°, particularly preferably greater than 80° and less than -80°, and is most preferably ±90°.
8. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized
   in that, in the third longitudinal portion (16), the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are each of the same extent in a direction of the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the first longitudinal portion (14).
9. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized
   in that a fourth longitudinal portion (18) of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) is realized between the third and the second longitudinal portion (16, 15), in the fourth longitudinal portion (18) the first and the second contact element (71, 72) each being bent in such a way that, with an equal longitudinal extent of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂), the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) are shifted in parallel, through a third angle of rotation Φ₃, relative to a third axis of rotation (17₃) that extends centrally between the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the fourth longitudinal portion (18).
10. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to Claim 9,
    characterized
    in that the third angle of rotation Φ₃ corresponds to a third angle _Φ3' between a second plane (19₂), which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) in the second longitudinal portion (4), and a third plane (19₃), which is spanned by the longitudinal axes of the first and of the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) at an axial end of the third longitudinal portion (16) that faces toward the second interface (4).
11. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to Claim 10,
    characterized
    in that the third angle of rotation Φ₃ is greater than or less than 0°, preferably greater than 45° or less than -45°, particularly preferably greater than 80° or less than -80°, and is most preferably ±90°.
12. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11,
    characterized
    in that the first interface (2) is configured to contact a printed circuit board, and the second interface (4) is configured to contact a mating plug-in connector.
13. Electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized
    in that, in the first longitudinal portion (14), in the second longitudinal portion (15) and in the third longitudinal portion (16), a distance between the first and the second contact element (7₁, 7₂) is the same in each case and/or a diameter of the first and of the second contact element (71, 72) is the same in each case.
14. Electrical plug-in connection (21) composed of an electrical plug-in connector (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, and of an associated electrical mating plug-in connector (5).
15. Electrical plug-in connection (21) according to Claim 14,
    characterized
    in that the mating plug-in connector (5) has a pair of mating contact elements (21) having a first and a second mating contact element (22₁, 22₂), the first and the second mating contact element (22₁, 22₂) each having the same electrical length and each being bent through a fourth angle of rotation Φ₄, preferably each of 90°, with an equal radius of curvature.

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