JP2002532736A - Method for fixing optical connector to mounting board, connector used for such method, and fixing pin - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY The present invention relates to a method for fixing an optical connector (24) having a housing (11), preferably made of plastic material, on a mounting board configured as a printed circuit board. In order to create an assembly method that is easy, versatile and suitable for printed circuit board technology, the present invention is used for fixings implemented as press-fit pins (26), solder pins (27) or snap-on pins Provided fixing pins (25a to 25d). The fixing pins (25a to 25d) are press-fitted, soldered, or fitted into predetermined positions, and then connected to the housing (11) of the optical connector (24).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical connectors. It relates to a method for fixing an optical connector having a mounting board in the form of a circuit board on a housing. It also relates to connectors and fixing pins used in such a method.

Such a method and such a connector are described, for example, in International Publication No. WO 98/08
12 and EP-B1-0 430 107.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of optical information transmission, it is necessary to provide connectors to connect different fiber optic cables that are permanently arranged on a mounting board designed in the form of a circuit board. Usually, the mounting board also has electronic components for signal processing. The connector is reserved for cable connection only. The connector itself has no electrical or electronic connection means to a mounting board or electronic circuit.

A first form of such an optical connector is described in the above-mentioned International Publication No. WO 98/0812. In this case, the connector consists of a housing in the form of a hollow box and a holder, also in the form of a hollow box, in which snap connection of the frame parts is made.
) Inserts the actual socket components in order to adapt the optical connector held therein in both directions. To secure the housing to the mounting board, each free end has a catch ri
b) two mounting feet designed as parallel webs with
ng foot) is provided adjacent to two opposite ends on the bottom side of the housing. At least one relief slot is located between the two mounting legs. The housing is fitted onto the mounting substrate having these mounting legs by engaging the mounting substrate with the corresponding slot in the mounting substrate, and is locked to the mounting legs. The release grooves allow the mounting feet to extend to a limited extent without damaging the housing.

[0005] This type of mounting has the advantage that these fixing means can be integrated into the housing, since the mounting legs can be easily formed on the housing during the manufacture of the housing, for example by injection molding. is there. However, this advantage has to be weighed against various disadvantages. First, the mounting board must be specially prepared for assembly by introducing grooves. Since the plates usually only have holes for receiving electronic components, the introduction of this groove allows additional machining operations (eg punching or milling) due to the shape of the groove.
Occurs, which takes time and money. Secondly, mounting the housing on the mounting board with little play, the position of the retaining ribs on the mounting legs, or the distance from the retaining ribs to the bottom of the housing, depends on the thickness of the mounting board, It means that it must be exactly aligned. However, since mounting boards of different thicknesses are used in practice, specially adapted housings must be manufactured and stocked for each plate thickness, and therefore manufactured and stored. More costly.

[0006] A second form of such a connector is described in the above-mentioned European patent number EP-B1-0430107. In this case, the connectors are vertical mounting walls on the back of the housing and are used to optically connect the individual mounting boards (so-called backplane connectors). In this case, the components of the connector must be provided not only on the mounting board but also on the mounting wall. In order to solve the mounting problem, this publication discloses a floating mounting with two threaded pins on the underside of the connector housing (FIGS. 8 to 1).
Proposed 1), the housing is connected to the mounting board through appropriate holes using these screw-shaped pins and is nutned from the opposite side. In addition, a circular washer with a centrally grooved opening is used for this screw connection, thus allowing a float-type mounting of the threaded pin in one direction. Again, it is disadvantageous that larger attachment holes must be cut in order to attach these connectors. However, the assembly of the connector is particularly difficult since the washer has to be used here and the nut has to be mounted on a relatively small threaded pin, which takes a long time and can only be automated by relatively complex devices. Disadvantageous.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a method for fixing an optical connector to a mounting board, which can be easily and quickly performed, can be fully automated, and can be adjusted to adapt to different board thicknesses. In particular, to create a method that is optically adapted to the given properties of the mounting substrate. The invention also relates to a connector and fixing means corresponding to such a method.

The purpose of this is to design the fixing pins as press-fit pins, soldered pins or snap-in pins to be used for mounting, Achieved in a manner as defined, wherein the securing pins are press-fitted, soldered or mated to the mounting substrate and mounted to the optical connector housing. The core of the present invention is to use a press-fit pin, a soldering pin, or a snap-type pin which can be easily mounted by using existing means (flow soldering or the like) when assembling the mounting plate. Consists of In particular, these pins are fixed in holes having regularly spaced diameters and grid elements for use in circuit board assembly. Here, if there is a change in the thickness of the mounting board, it is necessary to use fixing pins of different lengths, but it is also an advantage that the connector itself need not be changed.

[0009] A first preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention utilizes a fixing pin designed as a soldering pin, which is firstly anchored to the housing of the optical connector and then to the optical connector. The connector is soldered to the mounting board together with the fixed pins installed. In this case, the connector is treated like an electronic component having fixing pins that are connected together and subsequently soldered during the assembly of the mounting board.

In a second preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the fixing pin is first pressed into, soldered or fitted into the mounting substrate, and then the housing of the optical connector is preferably A plug-in connection of the housing to a fixed pin designed for locked engagement is detachably connected to the fixed pin, and the housing of the optical connector is connected to the fixed pin, and the housing has It is characterized in that it comprises a catching device which engages with the fixing pin when joined with the fixing pin. In such fixing, soldering pins, press-fit pins and snap-type pins may be used as modifications. The pins are fixed with the assembly of the mounting board. Thereafter, the connector can be easily mated to the assembled board.

As a modification to the above, the connector is provided with a fixing hole in the housing of the optical connector, the connector is arranged on the fixing pin, and the connector is fixed to the fixing pin by locking means, so that the connector is press-fitted. It may be fixed to a pin, a soldering pin or a snap-on pin, which is subsequently fitted to the fixing pin. In this way, a locking attachment is possible without having to provide a corresponding locking device on the housing of the connector itself.

[0012] The connector of the invention having a housing of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the mounting substrate is molded on or otherwise provided in the housing, and the detachable connection means of the housing to the fixing pin comprises: It is provided on a mounting substrate.

A first preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention is characterized in that the connecting means are designed as means for removably mounting the fixing pins, each mounting means being provided on a mounting board. A circular recess having a grooved insertion opening and having a radius greater than the width of the insertion opening, concentrically adjacent the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the groove being formed on both sides of the recess; Provided parallel to the part. According to claim 14, a fixing pin designed as an installable soldering pin is installed in this connector housing by inserting and then rotating, so that the housing with the installed pins is It can be inserted into a mounting board and soldered in place.

A second preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention is characterized in that the connection means are designed for the releasable engagement of a fixing pin, each fastening means being attached to the fixing plate by one another. Consisting of three grooves arranged in parallel and separated from each other by two webs, one catch opening is provided between the webs. This housing can be mounted on the substrate by pressing it onto pins mounted on the substrate according to claim 15.

The fixing pin according to the invention for the method according to the invention has at one end a press-fit pin, a soldering pin or a snap-on pin, while the other end has a detachable connection means to the housing. It is characterized by being designed as follows.

If the fixing pins are mounted on the connector housing, according to a first preferred embodiment, the connecting means are two polygonal plates, in particular square plates, with a pin shaft arranged between these plates and It is characterized by being composed of polygonal plates which are concentric and have a circular intermediate part whose outer diameter is smaller than the length intersecting the pin axis of the polygonal plate, which are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pin axis. . Such a fixing pin can be installed in the connector according to claim 9.

If the fixing pin is connectable to the connector housing, according to a second preferred embodiment, the circular plate, the intermediate piece and the conical cap as connecting means are arranged in the direction of the pin axis in the direction of the pin axis. Concentric with each other and arranged in an overlapping manner from the bottom, wherein the circular intermediate piece has a smaller outer diameter than the circular plate and the conical cap. A connector according to claim 10 can be fitted to such a fixing pin and positioned there.

[0018] Further embodiments are derived from the cited claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of an embodiment together with the figures.

FIG. 1 has a fixing pin in the form of a soldering pin mounted on the housing,
FIGS. 2A and 2B are two partial views of a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention, for example for fixing to a circuit board designed as a plug-in card; FIG. FIG. 1B shows a side view (FIG. 1B). The connector 10 comprises a housing 11 and is preferably made of plastic,
It may be made of other materials such as metal. The housing 11 surrounds an insertion opening 12 into which an optical plug (not shown) can be inserted. Elastic locking tongues with locking cams to lock the plug inserted
A catch tongue 13 is arranged below the housing 11 by known means. In this example, provided to receive only one plug, but on the underside of the housing 11, which may be designed to receive multiple plugs, a square flat fixing plate 14 is integrally molded on the housing and this fixing The board is a mounting board (not shown)
Alternatively, it is used for the fixed connector 10 on the circuit board.

Two centering pins 15a, 15 projecting downward (integrally formed) on the center axis of the fixing plate 14 parallel to the direction of plug insertion.
b are arranged sequentially in this axial direction and are used for inserting and centering the connector 10 into the corresponding opening of the mounting board during assembly. In addition to the centering pins 15a and 15b, metal fixing pins 16a to 16d whose lower ends are designed as soldering pins 20 are mounted on the mounting board on both sides of the center axis adjacent to the centering pins. At the other end, the fixing pins 16a to 16d
With removable mounting means. Each of these mounting means consists of two square plates 17, 19 arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pin axis, arranged between the two square plates so as to be concentric with the pin axis and having an outer diameter of With a circular intermediate portion 18 that is smaller than the length intersecting the pin axes of the polygonal plates 17,19. Corresponding mounting means of the mounting substrate are each provided with a concentrically adjacent grooved insertion opening 21 of the mounting substrate 14 in a circular recess 22 on the upper and lower surfaces whose diameter is larger than the width of the insertion opening 21. Become. Grooves 23 parallel to the insertion opening 21 are arranged on both sides of the recess 22.

Due to the assembly (installation) of the fixing pins 16 a to 16 d in the fixing plate 14, they are removed from the side of the circular intermediate part 18 by the insertion openings 21 until they stop against the pawls. Plugged in. The square plates 17, 19 are arranged with their side surfaces parallel or perpendicular to the parallel side walls of the insertion opening 21. Then, the fixing pins 16a to 16d are rotated 45 degrees around the pin axis. The diameter of the circular recess 22 for receiving the square plates 17, 19 is
, The side wall of the recess 22 in the area of the groove 23 is pressed outward by the corners of the square plates 17 and 19 in this rotation, and the fixing pins 16a to
16d is positioned and fixed, and installed on the mounting board 14. Connector 10 having fixing pins 16a to 16d thus installed
Can be plugged into the mounting board in a conventional manner and soldered there. Preferably, the spacing and arrangement of the fixing pins 16a to 16d is such that the holes provided in the mounting board for this purpose are such that the holes provided in the mounting plate for this purpose are hole grids for conventional circuit boards. grid). Other methods of mounting the fixing pins 16a to 16d on the mounting board 14 are also conceivable. Instead of a uniform metal fixing pin, a fixing pin made of plastic or the like metalized so as to be solderable may be used.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connector 24 in this example has the same housing 11 with a bayonet opening 12, a retaining tongue 13 and an integrally formed fixed plate 14 with centering pins 15a, 15b. Here, further, four fixing pins 25a for fixing the connector 24 to the mounting board.
-25d are provided (on the same grid as used in FIG. 1). However, the fixing pins 25a to 25d are the same as the fixing pins 16a to 1 in FIG.
6d is different in form and function. Unlike the example of FIG. 1, the fixing pins 25a to 25d here are first inserted into the mounting board and fixed there. Accordingly, they are optionally designed at the lower end as press-fit pins 26 or as soldering pins 27. Although not shown in the figure, if the fixing pins are designed with their lower ends as snap-on pins, they may be fixed to the mounting board by fitting them in place. After the fixing pins 25a to 25d are mounted on the mounting board, the connector 24 together with the mounting board 14 is locked onto the pins by fitting the pins.

For this purpose, the fastening means is provided not only on the fixing pins 25a-d, but also on the mounting substrate 14.
A fastening means is formed. The fastening means of the mounting substrate 14 are respectively arranged in the mounting substrate 14 in parallel with each other and are separated from each other by three webs 32, 34 in three grooves 31, 33, 35.
Consists of The webs 32, 34 are designed to be continuous and have adjacent grooves 31,
Since there are 33 and 35, it is possible to bend elastically in the cross direction of the axis. When fitted to the connector 24, a catch opening 33a for receiving the free end of the corresponding locking pin is provided between the webs. Here, the webs 32, 34 preferably have a bulge in the region of the catch opening 33a, preferably a fitting to the catch opening 33a. In the case of the fixing pins 25a to 25d, the circular plate 30, the circular intermediate piece 29, and the conical cap 28 serve as fastening means on the free end so as to overlap the pin axis concentrically and from below the pin axis. Be placed. The circular intermediate piece 29 has an outer diameter smaller than the circular plate 30 or the conical cap 28.

When the connector 24 is fitted in place, the conical cap 28 of the fixing pins 25 a to 25 d penetrating through the retaining opening 33 a applies elastic pressure to the adjacent webs 32, 34 on the mounting substrate 14. And spread them out. As soon as the intermediate portion 29 located behind the conical cap 28 is located at the level of the webs 32, 34, the webs return to their original shape behind the conical cap 28 and the mounting substrate on the pins 14 is locked. Here, the circular plate 30 forms on its upper surface a first pawl to the webs 32, 34 which have returned to their original shape. The circular plate 30 forms on its underside a second pawl (height stop), by which the fixing pins 25a to 25d can be pushed and inserted into the mounting substrate.

A relatively deformable plastic must be utilized for the housing 11 in order to allow as much as necessary the lateral elastic deflection of the webs 32, 34 in FIG. If a harder plastic is utilized, the web can be separated as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. The plug 36 of FIG. 3 is, in turn, a housing 3 integrally formed on a mounting board 37a.
Seven. The mounting plate 37a includes not only (circular) centering pins 38, but also square centering pins 39, which are used to position the connector 36 on the mounting board.
It also has 40. The fastening devices 41a-41d are designed similarly to the webs and grooves as shown in FIG. 2 with the difference that these webs are no longer continuous and in the area of the fastening openings 46 half-webs (half-webs). web) 42-45. This results in improved elastic behavior when mated together.

Another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, is particularly suited for assembling backplane connectors. The connector 47 here is inserted into the backplane mounting board 48 together with its housing through the corresponding mounting opening 48a. The flange 49 having the fixing hole 50 is formed integrally with the housing. As already shown in FIG. 2B, the connector 47 is provided with these fixing holes 5 by means of press-fit pins 26 or fixing pins 25 designed as soldering pins 27.
0 and pressed into the mounting board 48 (FIG. 5) or soldered to the mounting board (FIG. 4). At their free ends, the fixing pins 25 have the same fastening means as shown in FIG. 5, namely a conical cap 28, a circular middle part 29 and a circular plate 30. However, in this case, the locking operation is not performed at the connector 47, but instead is performed by the retaining plate 51, which is subsequently fitted through the end of the fixing pin 25 protruding from the fixing hole 50. . The fastening plate 51 illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponds to fastening means of the mounting board illustrated in FIG. 2A. Here too, two elastically deflectable webs 52, 54 are used and the fixing pins 2
5 can be separated by grooves 53 so that they can be fitted between their pins. The use of a separate fastening plate 51 has the advantage that it can be manufactured from a different material than the connector housing, so that the material can be optimized for the respective function in each case.

The solution according to FIGS. 4 to 6 also makes it possible to select a mounting hole 50 in which the mounting hole 50 has a considerably larger diameter than the circular plate. This allows plug-in insertion, especially when there are many parallel connectors,
Or greatly facilitates "float" mounting of the connector 47 on the backplane mounting board 48.

The fixing pins 16a to 16d, 25, 25a to 25d may be manufactured from the same material as that used for soldering pins conventionally used in the field of electronics. When the fixing pins are designed as soldering pins, good solderability is required in addition to appropriate mechanical strength. However, the electrical properties do not play any role since the pins only have a mechanical function and no electrical function. Therefore, silver plating or the like is not necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a partial bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of soldering pins mounted on a housing. B is a partial side view of a first preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of soldering pins mounted on the housing.

FIG. 2A is a partial bottom view of a second preferred embodiment of a connector according to the present invention having fixing pins in the form of press-fit or soldering pins that can be fitted into a housing. B is a partial side view of a second preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of press-fit or soldering pins that can be fitted into the housing.

FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of another embodiment compared to FIG. 2 with the web separated in a fastening device.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing is placed on a securing pin soldered to a mounting board and secured thereto by a fastening plate.

5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4 in which a press-fit pin is used as a fixing pin.

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the retaining plate according to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 24, 36, 47 (optical) connector 11, 37 housing 12 insertion opening 13 fastening tongue 14, 37a fixing plate 15a, 15b centering pin 16a-16d fixing pin 17, 19 square plate 18 (circular) Intermediate portion 20 Soldering pin 21 Insertion opening 22 (circular) recess 23 Groove 25, 25a to 25d Fixed pin 26 Press-fit pin 27 Soldering pin 28 (conical) cap 29 (circular) Intermediate portion 30 Circular plate 31, 33 35, groove 32, 34 web 33a, 46 retaining opening 38-40 centering pin 41a-41d retaining device 42-45 half web 48 (backplane) mounting substrate 48a mounting opening 49 flange 50 mounting hole 51 retaining plate 52, 54 web 53 groove

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] November 4, 2000 (2000.11.4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

Patent application title: Method for fixing optical connector to mounting board, connector used for such method, and fixing pin

[Claims]

14. One end of the press-fit pin (26) is designed as a soldering pin (27) or snaps formula pins, removably to the other end housing (11,37)
The fixing pins (16a to 16d, 25 , 25a to 25d, 26 , 27) having various connecting means (17 to 19; 28 to 30), comprising a circular plate (30), a circular intermediate piece (29), And a conical cap (28) arranged in the direction of the pin axis and concentrically with the pin axis so as to sequentially overlap from below as a connecting means, and the circular intermediate piece (29) is attached to the circular plate (30). And the conical cap (28
2. The fixing pin used in the method according to claim 1, wherein the fixing pin has a smaller outer diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical connectors. It relates to an optical connector fixing method according to the definition of the species of claim 1 . It also relates to connectors and fixing pins used in such a method.

Such a method and such a connector are known, for example, from DE- U-297 08 275. Other connectors are international publication number WO 98/0812 and European patent number EP-B1-0 430 107
Is well known.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of optical information transmission, it is necessary to provide connectors to connect different fiber optic cables that are permanently arranged on a mounting board designed in the form of a circuit board. Usually, the mounting board also has electronic components for signal processing. The connector is reserved for cable connection only. The connector itself has no electrical or electronic connection means to a mounting board or electronic circuit.

A first form of such an optical connector is described in the above-mentioned International Publication No. WO 98/0812. In this case, the connector consists of a housing in the form of a hollow box and a holder, also in the form of a hollow box, in which snap connection of the frame parts is made.
) Inserts the actual socket components in order to adapt the optical connector held therein in both directions. To secure the housing to the mounting board, each free end has a catch ri
b) two mounting feet designed as parallel webs with
ng foot) is provided adjacent to two opposite ends on the bottom side of the housing. At least one relief slot is located between the two mounting legs. The housing is fitted onto the mounting substrate having these mounting legs by engaging the mounting substrate with the corresponding slot in the mounting substrate, and is locked to the mounting legs. The release grooves allow the mounting feet to extend to a limited extent without damaging the housing.

[0005] This type of mounting has the advantage that these fixing means can be integrated into the housing, since the mounting legs can be easily formed on the housing during the manufacture of the housing, for example by injection molding. is there. However, this advantage has to be weighed against various disadvantages. First, the mounting board must be specially prepared for assembly by introducing grooves. Since the plates usually only have holes for receiving electronic components, the introduction of this groove allows additional machining operations (eg punching or milling) due to the shape of the groove.
Occurs, which takes time and money. Secondly, mounting the housing on the mounting board with little play, the position of the retaining ribs on the mounting legs, or the distance from the retaining ribs to the bottom of the housing, depends on the thickness of the mounting board, It means that it must be exactly aligned. However, since mounting boards of different thicknesses are used in practice, specially adapted housings must be manufactured and stocked for each plate thickness, and therefore manufactured and stored. More costly.

[0006] A second form of such a connector is described in the above-mentioned European patent number EP-B1-0430107. In this case, the connectors are vertical mounting walls on the back of the housing and are used to optically connect the individual mounting boards (so-called backplane connectors). In this case, the components of the connector must be provided not only on the mounting board but also on the mounting wall. In order to solve the mounting problem, this publication discloses a floating mounting with two threaded pins on the underside of the connector housing (FIGS. 8 to 1).
Proposed 1), the housing is connected to the mounting board through appropriate holes using these screw-shaped pins and is nutned from the opposite side. In addition, a circular washer with a centrally grooved opening is used for this screw connection, thus allowing a float-type mounting of the threaded pin in one direction. Again, it is disadvantageous that larger attachment holes must be cut in order to attach these connectors. However, the assembly of the connector is particularly difficult since the washer has to be used here and the nut has to be mounted on a relatively small threaded pin, which takes a long time and can only be automated by relatively complex devices. Disadvantageous.

[ 0007 ] Further, a coupling fixing device for an optical fiber cable is also described in German Utility Model No. DE-U-297 08 275, wherein the device is curved in a U-shape, and has a curved shape.
It is formed by a sheet metal part which extends around the coupling and is integrally formed on the legs for fixing on the carrier plate and having a recess for receiving the fastening element of the coupling . Since all pins and sheet metal parts are designed in one piece and form a unit, the coupling of the coupling can only be done in a strict manner. If the sheet metal part is inserted and secured by a machine, the assembly machine must be adapted to the specific sheet metal part design.

[ 0008 ] These same disadvantages are the disadvantages of the optical connector disclosed in UK Patent Application No. 2,143,651.
In such a system, not only a retaining leg (54) that is permanently molded into the housing, but also a circuit equipped with an optical connector as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,245,683.
Tracts substrate, even fits those in the insertion legs permanently formed integrally (42, 44) in the housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a method of fixing an optical connector to a mounting board, which can be easily and quickly performed, fully automated, and can be adjusted to adapt to different board thicknesses. In particular, to create a method that is optically adapted to the given properties of the mounting substrate. The invention also relates to a connector and fixing means corresponding to such a method.

[ 0010 ] This object is achieved in a manner as defined above, throughout the features of claim 1 , wherein the fixing pins are pressed, soldered or fitted into the mounting substrate, It is attached to the housing of the optical connector. The core of the present invention is to use a press-fit pin, a soldering pin, or a snap-type pin which can be easily mounted by using existing means (flow soldering or the like) when assembling the mounting plate. Consists of In particular, these pins are fixed in holes having regularly spaced diameters and grid elements for use in circuit board assembly. Here, if there is a change in the thickness of the mounting board, it is necessary to use fixing pins of different lengths, but it is also an advantage that the connector itself need not be changed.

[ 0011 ] A first preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention utilizes a fixing pin designed as a soldering pin, which is first anchored to the housing of the optical connector and then to the optical connector. The connector is soldered to the mounting board together with the fixed pins installed. In this case, the connector is treated like an electronic component having fixing pins that are connected together and subsequently soldered during the assembly of the mounting board.

A second preferred embodiment of the method according to the [0012] present invention, if the fixing pin is initially pressed into the mounting substrate, is either or fitted are soldered, then the housing of the optical connectors, preferably A plug-in connection of the housing to a fixed pin designed for locked engagement is detachably connected to the fixed pin, and the housing of the optical connector is connected to the fixed pin, and the housing has It is characterized in that it comprises a catching device which engages with the fixing pin when joined with the fixing pin. In such fixing, soldering pins, press-fit pins and snap-type pins may be used as modifications. The pins are fixed with the assembly of the mounting board. Thereafter, the connector can be easily mated to the assembled board.

[0013] As a variant to this, the connector is provided with a fixing hole in the housing of the optical connector, the connector is placed on the fixing pin, by fixing the connector to the securing pin by the locking means (locking means clustering), pressed It may be fixed to a pin, a soldering pin or a snap-on pin, which is subsequently fitted to the fixing pin. In this way, a locking attachment is possible without having to provide a corresponding locking device on the housing of the connector itself.

[ 0014 ] The connector of the invention having a housing of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the mounting substrate is molded on or otherwise provided in the housing and the respective detachable connection means of the housing to fixing pins. Is provided on the mounting board.

[ 0015 ] A first preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention is characterized in that the connecting means are designed as means for removably mounting the fixing pins, each mounting means being provided on a mounting board. A circular recess having a grooved insertion opening and having a radius greater than the width of the insertion opening, concentrically adjacent the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the groove being formed on both sides of the recess; Provided parallel to the part. According to claim 14, a fixing pin designed as an installable soldering pin is installed in this connector housing by inserting and then rotating, so that the housing with the installed pins is It can be inserted into a mounting board and soldered in place.

[ 0016 ] A second preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention is characterized in that the connection means are designed for the releasable engagement of a fixing pin, each fastening means being attached to the fixing plate by one another. Consisting of three grooves arranged in parallel and separated from each other by two webs, one catch opening is provided between the webs. This housing can be mounted on the substrate by pressing it onto pins mounted on the substrate according to claim 15.

The fixing pin according to the present invention for the process according to the present invention has one end press-fit pins, soldering pins or snap pins der is, the other end has a removable connecting means to the housing Designed to be.

[0018] If the fixing pin is mounted in the connector housing, polygonal plate connecting means of two, in particular square plate, a pin shaft concentric arranged on these plates, the outer diameter of the polygon Having a circular intermediate portion smaller than the length intersecting the pin axis of the plate,
It is characterized by comprising a polygonal plate arranged parallel to each other and arranged perpendicular to the pin axis. Such a fixing pin can be installed in the connector according to claim 9.

[0019] If the fixing pin is engaged connectable to the connector housing, a circular plate, the intermediate piece, and, the conical cap as connecting means, to the pin axis, concentric to the pin axis, the lower And the circular intermediate piece has a smaller outer diameter than the circular plate and the conical cap. A connector according to claim 10 can be fitted to such a fixing pin and positioned there.

[ 0020 ] Further embodiments are derived from the cited claims.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of embodiments with drawings.

[0022] FIG 1 has a fixed pin in the form of soldering pins mounted to the housing,
FIGS. 2A and 2B are two partial views of a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention, for example for fixing to a circuit board designed as a plug-in card; FIG. FIG. 1B shows a side view (FIG. 1B). The connector 10 comprises a housing 11 and is preferably made of plastic,
It may be made of other materials such as metal. The housing 11 surrounds an insertion opening 12 into which an optical plug (not shown) can be inserted. Elastic locking tongues with locking cams to lock the plug inserted
A catch tongue 13 is arranged below the housing 11 by known means. In this example, provided to receive only one plug, but on the underside of the housing 11, which may be designed to receive multiple plugs, a square flat fixing plate 14 is integrally molded on the housing and this fixing The board is a mounting board (not shown)
Alternatively, it is used for the fixed connector 10 on the circuit board.

[0023] In the central axis of the fixing plate 14 is parallel to the direction of plug insertion, protrudes downward (integrally molded) two centering pins (centering pin) 15a, 15
b are arranged sequentially in this axial direction and are used for inserting and centering the connector 10 into the corresponding opening of the mounting board during assembly. In addition to the centering pins 15a and 15b, metal fixing pins 16a to 16d whose lower ends are designed as soldering pins 20 are mounted on the mounting board on both sides of the center axis adjacent to the centering pins. At the other end, the fixing pins 16a to 16d are
With removable mounting means. Each of these mounting means consists of two square plates 17, 19 arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pin axis, arranged between the two square plates so as to be concentric with the pin axis and having an outer diameter of With a circular intermediate portion 18 that is smaller than the length intersecting the pin axes of the polygonal plates 17,19. Corresponding mounting means of the mounting substrate are each provided with a concentrically adjacent grooved insertion opening 21 of the mounting substrate 14 in a circular recess 22 on the upper and lower surfaces whose diameter is larger than the width of the insertion opening 21. Become. Grooves 23 parallel to the insertion opening 21 are arranged on both sides of the recess 22.

[0024] For the assembly of the fixing pin 16a~16d in the fixed plate 14 (installation), until these pins is stopped against the pawl, those pins from a side of the circular intermediate section 18, the insertion opening 21 Plugged in. The square plates 17, 19 are arranged with their side surfaces parallel or perpendicular to the parallel side walls of the insertion opening 21. Then, the fixing pins 16a to 16d are rotated 45 degrees around the pin axis. The diameter of the circular recess 22 for receiving the square plates 17, 19 is
, The side wall of the recess 22 in the area of the groove 23 is pressed outward by the corners of the square plates 17 and 19 in this rotation, and the fixing pins 16a to
16d is positioned and fixed, and installed on the mounting board 14. Connector 10 having fixing pins 16a to 16d thus installed
Can be plugged into the mounting board in a conventional manner and soldered there. Preferably, the spacing and arrangement of the fixing pins 16a to 16d is such that the holes provided in the mounting board for this purpose are such that the holes provided in the mounting plate for this purpose are hole grids for conventional circuit boards. grid). Other methods of mounting the fixing pins 16a to 16d on the mounting board 14 are also conceivable. Instead of a uniform metal fixing pin, a fixing pin made of plastic or the like metalized so as to be solderable may be used.

[0025] Figure 2 is a similar view to FIG. 1, showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connector 24 in this example has the same housing 11 with a bayonet opening 12, a retaining tongue 13 and an integrally formed fixed plate 14 with centering pins 15a, 15b. Here, further, four fixing pins 25a for fixing the connector 24 to the mounting board.
-25d are provided (on the same grid as used in FIG. 1). However, the fixing pins 25a to 25d are the same as the fixing pins 16a to 1 in FIG.
6d is different in form and function. Unlike the example of FIG. 1, the fixing pins 25a to 25d here are first inserted into the mounting board and fixed there. Accordingly, they are optionally designed at the lower end as press-fit pins 26 or as soldering pins 27. Although not shown in the figure, if the fixing pins are designed with their lower ends as snap-on pins, they may be fixed to the mounting board by fitting them in place. After the fixing pins 25a to 25d are mounted on the mounting board, the connector 24 together with the mounting board 14 is locked onto the pins by fitting the pins.

[0026] In this purpose, fastening means, also the mounting substrate 14 as well as fixing pin 25A～d,
A fastening means is formed. The fastening means of the mounting substrate 14 are respectively arranged in the mounting substrate 14 in parallel with each other and are separated from each other by three webs 32, 34 in three grooves 31, 33, 35.
Consists of The webs 32, 34 are designed to be continuous and have adjacent grooves 31,
Since there are 33 and 35, it is possible to bend elastically in the cross direction of the axis. When fitted to the connector 24, a catch opening 33a for receiving the free end of the corresponding locking pin is provided between the webs. Here, the webs 32, 34 preferably have a bulge in the region of the catch opening 33a, preferably a fitting to the catch opening 33a. In the case of the fixing pins 25a to 25d, the circular plate 30, the circular intermediate piece 29, and the conical cap 28 serve as fastening means on the free end so as to overlap the pin axis concentrically and from below the pin axis. Be placed. The circular intermediate piece 29 has an outer diameter smaller than the circular plate 30 or the conical cap 28.

[0027] When the connector 24 is fitted in position, the conical cap 28 of the fixing pin 25a~25d penetrating the fastening opening 33a is elastically pressure to web 32 and 34 adjacent the mounting substrate 14 And spread them out. As soon as the intermediate portion 29 located behind the conical cap 28 is located at the level of the webs 32, 34, the webs return to their original shape behind the conical cap 28 and the mounting substrate on the pins 14 is locked. Here, the circular plate 30 forms on its upper surface a first pawl to the webs 32, 34 which have returned to their original shape. The circular plate 30 forms on its underside a second pawl (height stop), by which the fixing pins 25a to 25d can be pushed and inserted into the mounting substrate.

The bout web 32, 34 in FIG. 2, in order to allow only the necessary lateral elastic deflection, relatively deformable plastic has to be used for the housing 11. If a harder plastic is utilized, the web can be separated as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. The plug 36 of FIG. 3 is, in turn, a housing 3 integrally formed on a mounting board 37a.
Seven. The mounting plate 37a includes not only (circular) centering pins 38, but also square centering pins 39, which are used to position the connector 36 on the mounting board.
It also has 40. The fastening devices 41a-41d are designed similarly to the webs and grooves as shown in FIG. 2 with the difference that these webs are no longer continuous and in the area of the fastening openings 46 half-webs (half-webs). web) 42-45. This results in improved elastic behavior when mated together.

[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4-6 is particularly suitable for the assembly of the backplane connector. The connector 47 here is inserted into the backplane mounting board 48 together with its housing through the corresponding mounting opening 48a. The flange 49 having the fixing hole 50 is formed integrally with the housing. As already shown in FIG. 2B, the connector 47 is provided with these fixing holes 5 by means of press-fit pins 26 or fixing pins 25 designed as soldering pins 27.
0 and pressed into the mounting board 48 (FIG. 5) or soldered to the mounting board (FIG. 4). At their free ends, the fixing pins 25 have the same fastening means as shown in FIG. 5, namely a conical cap 28, a circular middle part 29 and a circular plate 30. However, in this case, the locking operation is not performed at the connector 47, but instead is performed by the retaining plate 51, which is subsequently fitted through the end of the fixing pin 25 protruding from the fixing hole 50. . The fastening plate 51 illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponds to fastening means of the mounting board illustrated in FIG. 2A. Here too, two elastically deflectable webs 52, 54 are used and the fixing pins 2
5 can be separated by grooves 53 so that they can be fitted between their pins. The use of a separate fastening plate 51 has the advantage that it can be manufactured from a different material than the connector housing, so that the material can be optimized for the respective function in each case.

[0030] The solution according to Figures 4-6, the mounting hole 50 is also made possible to select a mounting hole 50 having a considerably larger diameter than the circular plate. This allows plug-in insertion, especially when there are many parallel connectors,
Or greatly facilitates "float" mounting of the connector 47 on the backplane mounting board 48.

The fixing pin 16 a to 16 d, 25,25A～25d may be fabricated from the same material as that utilized in soldering pins which are conventionally used in the electronics field. When the fixing pins are designed as soldering pins, good solderability is required in addition to appropriate mechanical strength. However, the electrical properties do not play any role since the pins only have a mechanical function and no electrical function. Therefore, silver plating or the like is not necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a partial bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of soldering pins mounted on a housing. B is a partial side view of a first preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of soldering pins mounted on the housing.

FIG. 2A is a partial bottom view of a second preferred embodiment of a connector according to the present invention having fixing pins in the form of press-fit or soldering pins that can be fitted into a housing. B is a partial side view of a second preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention having fixing pins in the form of press-fit or soldering pins that can be fitted into the housing.

FIG. 3 is a partial bottom view of another embodiment compared to FIG. 2 with the web separated in a fastening device.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector housing is placed on a securing pin soldered to a mounting board and secured thereto by a fastening plate.

5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4 in which a press-fit pin is used as a fixing pin.

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the retaining plate according to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5;

[Description of Signs] 10, 24, 36, 47 (optical) connector 11, 37 housing 12 insertion opening 13 retaining tongue 14, 37a fixing plate 15a, 15b centering pin 16a-16d fixing pin 17, 19 square Plate 18 (circular) intermediate portion 20 soldering pin 21 insertion opening 22 (circular) concave portion 23 groove 25, 25a to 25d fixing pin 26 press-fit pin 27 soldering pin 28 (conical) cap 29 (circular) intermediate portion 30 Circular plates 31, 33, 35 Grooves 32, 34 Webs 33a, 46 Fastening openings 38-40 Centering pins 41a-41d Fastening devices 42-45 Half webs 48 (backplane) mounting board 48a Mounting openings 49 Flanges 50 Mounting holes 51 fastening plate 52, 54 web 53 groove

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H05K 7/12 H05K 7/12 M 7/14 7/14 B F term (Reference) 2H036 QA03 4E352 BB10 CC52 CC53 CC53 DR09 DR26 GG12 GG16 GG17 4E353 AA05 AA16 AA17 BB05 CC18 CC32 CC33 DD05 DD11 DD17 DR08 DR12 DR32 DR52 DR55 EE01 GG09 5E348 AA03 EF26

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A housing (48) to a mounting board (48) designed as a circuit board.
11. An optical connector (10, 24, 36, 47) fixing method having 11, 37) fixed pins (16a to 16) which are designed as press-fit pins (26), soldering pins (20, 27) or snap-type pins. 16d, 25, 25a to 25d) are used for fixing, and the fixing pin (16
a to 16d, 25, 25a to 25d) are press-fitted, soldered or fitted to the mounting board (48), and the fixing pins (16a to 16d, 25, 25a to 25d) are A method of fixing an optical connector to a mounting board, wherein the optical connector is connected to the housing (11, 37) of the optical connector (10, 24, 36, 47). 2. The fixing pin (16a-1) designed as a soldering pin (20).
6d) is used, firstly the fixing pins (16a to 16d) are mounted on the housing (11,14) of the optical connector (10), and further, the fixed pins (16a to 16d) are mounted. The method for fixing an optical connector to a mounting board according to claim 1, wherein the connector (10) is soldered to the mounting board. 3. The mounting board according to claim 1, wherein the fixing pins are detachably mounted on the housing of the optical connector. How to fix optical connector to 4. The fixing pins (25, 25a to 25d, 26, 27) are first press-fitted, soldered or fitted to the mounting board (48), and the light The housing (11, 14, 37) of the connector (24, 36, 47) is connected to the fixing pin (25, 25a).
2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing (11, 14, 37) is pressed into the housing (11, 14, 37) to be detachably connected to the fixing pin. Fixing method. 5. The fixing pin (25, 25a to 25d, 26, 27) is designed for locking engagement, and the housing (11, 14, 37) of the optical connector (24, 36, 47) is 5. The method for fixing an optical connector to a mounting board according to claim 4, wherein the fixing connector is connected to the fixing pin by a locking engagement (25, 25a to 25d, 26, 27). 6. A locking device (31-35; 41a-41d; 42-46) with which the fixing pin (25, 25a-25d, 26, 27) engages when the optical connector (24) is inserted. 6. The method for fixing an optical connector to a mounting board according to claim 5, wherein the optical connector is provided in the housing (11, 37). 7. A mounting hole (50) is provided in the housing of the optical connector (47), the fixing pin (25, 26, 27) is inserted into the optical connector (47), and the optical connector (47) is inserted. ) Is held by the locking means (51), and then the fixing pins (25, 2)
6. The method for fixing an optical connector to a mounting board according to claim 5, wherein the optical connector is fitted to (6, 27). 8. A connector (10,24,36) for use in a method according to claim 1, comprising a housing (11,14,37), wherein the mounting board (14,37a) is mounted on the housing (11,14,37).
11,37), or fixed to the fixing pins (16a to 16d, 25).
, 25a to 25d), detachable connecting means (21 to 23; 3) of the housing (11, 37)
Connector (10,24,36) for a method according to claim 1, characterized in that a mounting substrate (14,37a) is provided on the mounting substrate (14,37a). 9. The mounting means (14), wherein said connecting means are designed as removable mounting means for said fixing pins (16a to 16d).
A circular recess (22) is concentrically partitioned on its upper and lower surfaces by a slotted insertion opening (21), wherein the diameter of said recess is greater than the width of said insertion opening (21); 9. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that (23) are provided on both sides of the recess (22), parallel to the insertion opening (21). 10. The connecting means are designed as removable engaging means (31-35) of the fixing pins (25, 25a-25d), each of which engaging means being parallel to the mounting substrate. And three grooves (31,33,35) separated by two webs (32,34; 42-45), the engagement openings (33a, 46) being provided with said webs (32,34). ; 42-45
9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the connector is arranged between the connectors. 11. Connector according to claim 10, wherein the web (32, 34) is designed to be continuous. 12. A web (50) in the area of said engagement opening (46).
42. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is designed as (42,44,43,45). 13. The fixing pin (16a to 16d, 25, 25a to 25d, 26, 27) has one end designed as a press-fit pin (26), a soldering pin (27) or a snap-type pin, and the other end. Detachable connecting means (17-19; 28-30) to the housing (11,37)
2. A fixing pin for a method according to claim 1, wherein the fixing pin is designed as: 14. The connecting means comprises two polygonal plates, in particular square plates (17, 19).
), The outer diameter of which is concentric with the pin axis disposed therebetween and whose outer diameter is a polygonal plate (17, 19).
) Comprising a polygonal plate (17, 19) having a circular intermediate portion (18) smaller than the length intersecting with the pin axis and arranged perpendicular to the pin axis and parallel to each other. 14. The fixing pin according to claim 13, wherein 15. A circular plate (30), a circular intermediate piece (29), and a conical cap (28) are overlapped in the direction of the pin axis and concentrically with the pin axis in order from the bottom as the connecting means. The circular intermediate piece (29) has an outer diameter smaller than the circular plate (30) and the conical cap (28).
The fixing pin described.