WO2022124681A1

WO2022124681A1 - Connecting element

Info

Publication number: WO2022124681A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/017887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Gormanns; Bernadette Goebbels; Daniel Sommer
Original assignee: Hanon Systems
Priority date: 2020-12-10
Filing date: 2021-11-30
Publication date: 2022-06-16
Also published as: DE102021126140A1

Abstract

The object of the invention, which relates to a connecting element (1), is to propose a connecting element (1) which is simple and cost-effective to produce, and which can be universally employed in various plug connections. This object is achieved by the connecting element (1) having a base (2) and by at least one plug-in contact (3) in this base (2) being fixedly and at least partially surrounded by the base (2).

Description

CONNECTING ELEMENT

The invention relates to a connecting element for establishing an electrical connection between plug-in contacts of a plug connection and an electrical load having at least one plug-in contact which is at least partially disposed in the plug connection.

More specifically, the invention relates to a connecting element disposed in a plug connection. The plug connection is employed for establishing electrical connections, for example to assemblies, in vehicles. In this context, such connections are established with so-called main units and so-called ancillary units in vehicles.

While a main unit enables locomotion of a vehicle, ancillary unit refers to any auxiliary machines of a vehicle which cannot directly cause locomotion of a vehicle. Examples of such ancillary units are a starter, an alternator, a coolant compressor, an additional heat exchanger, a lubricant pump, a hydraulic pump, a cooling water pump, a fuel pump, a brake booster or an auxiliary power unit.

Such assemblies und units have printed circuit boards which receive circuitry for controlling and/or regulating electrical loads disposed in the units. An example thereof is represented by a printed circuit board disposed in an electric coolant compressor, on which components of a control circuit as well as a converter circuit are disposed to control an electric motor in the coolant compressor.

For example, plug connections are required for transmitting an operating voltage, for transmitting signals for controlling or regulating assemblies and/or transmitting status information within a vehicle.

For example, when employed in hybrid or electric vehicles, it is necessary to establish electrical connections by means of a plug connection between a voltage source, such as an accumulator or a generator, and loads, for example a main unit, such as an electric motor.

In this context, it is required that the electrical connections are formed as detachable connections, such as a plug connection. Such plug connections are usually formed of two parts which are referred to as a connector and a mating connector. Alternative names for a connector are the terms plug or male plug, while the mating connector is also referred to as a socket or female plug.

In the field of cables and/or lines in particular, such plug connections are employed in so-called high-voltage on-board networks which are needed for power supply in hybrid or electric vehicles, for example. In this context, as an example, the automotive sector works with voltages in the range between 12　V and 1,000　V.

For transmitting an operating voltage or for transmitting signals, it is necessary for the contacts disposed in the plug connection to be connected to a printed circuit board disposed in a main unit or ancillary unit in an electrically conductive manner.

It is known from the prior art to dispose wires between the contacts or plug-in contacts of a mating connector and the printed circuit board, which are connected to the contacts of the mating connector as well as corresponding tracks on the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive manner. As an example, such a connection can be accomplished by means of soldering, welding, riveting, or bolting.

According to this prior art, a connecting element required for establishing an electrically conductive connection would comprise the plug-in contacts with the solderable ends, for example in a counter plug, as well as the wires and multiple soldering points.

To reduce the complexity of production, for establishing a connection, it is also possible to fit the contacts of the mating connector into corresponding apertures on the printed circuit board and solder them to respective tracks. As the plug connections with the contacts are mostly designed differently for each use case, each unit or each application, the connection of the contacts to the printed circuit board must also always be readjusted.

Since the respective connections between the printed circuit board and the high-voltage plug connection always need to be customized, there is a large number of parts and part numbers. In addition, a long development period is required for each use case to always create a new solution for at least very similar applications.

Several solutions for such connections are known from the prior art. Apart from soldered connections for flat plug connections, there are, without limitation, bolted press-fit contacts with flying lead contacts as well as press-fit sleeves with crown spring contacts for circular connectors.

Therefore, there is a need to improve the connection between contacts and/or plug-in contacts of a plug connection and a printed circuit board.

Now, the object of the invention is to provide a connection and/or a connecting element which is easy and cost-effective to produce and can be employed universally in various plug connections.

Furthermore, such a connecting element should be able to be used for a variety of plug connections, for which only minor adjustments should be necessary. Such a connecting element should also absorb mechanical forces and hence keep them away from the respective soldering points.

The object is achieved by a subject-matter having the features according to patent claim 1 of the independent patent claims. Further improvements are specified in the dependent patent claims.

The connection between the contacts of a plug connection and a printed circuit board is established by means of a connecting element. Preferably, the connecting element has a base formed of a plastic material. In the base, at least one plug-in contact, mostly two or more plug-in contacts, for example flat plug-in contacts, are arranged which are at least partially surrounded by the base. The base fixes and retains the embedded plug-in contacts in the predetermined positions.

Preferably, the base is formed of a plastic material, such as polyamide, called PA for short, or polybutylene terephthalate, called PBT for short, and is produced in an injection molding method by means of a correspondingly shaped injection mold. Such plastic materials have corresponding dielectric strength and are, for example, UL-compliant so that the materials meet the requirements and safety regulations of the US and Canada.

The area in which a plug-in contact is at least partially surrounded and/or over-molded by the base is variable and is implemented in the extension such that the plug-in contact is securely retained in the base.

Advantageously, the base and/or plastic base also has support surfaces by which the base is disposed to be supported on a printed circuit board. By means of the support surfaces, the base is positioned at the level of the printed circuit board with which the plug-in contacts of the connecting element are connected in an electrically conductive manner. Hence, the base of the connecting element is disposed to be aligned in parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board, wherein the contacts and/or plug-in contacts of the connecting element are preferably aligned normal to the surface of the printed circuit board. It should be understood that the plug-in contacts of the connecting element are connected to pads or tracks disposed on at least one side of the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive manner.

Preferably, the connecting element bears against the surface of the printed circuit board by means of multiple support surfaces and thereby protects the solder connections of the plug-in contacts to tracks of the printed circuit board against mechanical stresses.

As the support surfaces are formed to be protruding and/or raised from the remaining circumferential outer sections of the base, it is possible to dispose tracks or components, for example, on the surface of the printed circuit board in the areas of the base of the connecting element not directly supported on the surface of the printed circuit board, without them being subject to compressive stresses from the connecting element.

Preferably, at the base of the connecting element, a locating pin is disposed as a locating aid. The locating pin is used for alignment of the connecting element when placing it onto the surface of the printed circuit board during assembly and/or joining of the connecting element and the printed circuit board. For this purpose, the printed circuit board is provided with an aperture matching and/or corresponding to the locating pin, into which the locating pin is introduced during assembly.

The locating pin is also used as a sprue element so that, when manufacturing the base with the injection molding method, the liquefied plastic material is fed into and distributed in the injection die across the area of the locating pin forming later.

The locating pin can be formed as a so-called leading locating pin so that the locating pin protrudes from the base so much so that, when mounting the connecting element on the printed circuit board, it first slides into the corresponding aperture before the plug-in contacts of the connecting element are introduced into respective apertures on the printed circuit board. Hence, the assembly process is simplified and made safe. Thus, the locating pin is a technical means for preventing mistakes during the assembly process, like a so-called "poka-yoke element", as an arrangement of the connecting element on the printed circuit board in a false orientation of the connecting element to the printed circuit board is prevented.

In the case in which the locating pin is implemented as a cylinder, such an aperture can be a hole, the internal diameter of which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical locating pin. Thus, when mounting the connecting element on the printed circuit board, the cylindrical locating pin can be easily disposed in the hole of the printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the locating pin is provided with a chamfer, thereby slightly reducing the diameter at an end facing the printed circuit board and facilitating the fitting of the locating pin into the hole. The locating pin has a so-called circumferential surface by which the locating pin bears against the inner surface of the hole after fitting it into the hole of the printed circuit board.

In addition, preferably, at least one fastener is disposed on the base of the connecting element, the fastener securely retaining the connecting element in the predetermined position on the surface of the printed circuit board following an assembly step of disposing the connecting element on the printed circuit board. In one embodiment, two fasteners are provided which are formed as so-called latching hooks. The latching hooks can be disposed on two opposing outer surfaces of the base of the connecting element and are used for axially fastening the connecting element and as a pull-out protection preventing removal of the connecting element from the surface of the printed circuit board. The number of fasteners can be one, two or four and, just like the position of the fastener, it can be adjusted to a specific application of the connecting means or to customer specifications.

For the latching hooks, corresponding apertures are provided on the printed circuit board into which the latching hooks are introduced during assembly of the connecting element on the printed circuit board. The apertures are formed such that the latching hooks can slide into and latch to the apertures, thereby securely retaining the connecting element on the surface of the printed circuit board.

Thus, for example, the connecting element can be latched by means of two latching hooks and correspondingly implemented, in particular rectangular, apertures on the printed circuit board, and thus held in position. The ends provided to be soldered to tracks of the printed circuit board, for example two plug-in contacts disposed in the base of the connecting element, are located in apertures and/or recesses of the printed circuit board provided for the plug-in contacts upon latching of the connecting element. In this position, the plug-in contacts are maintained in a state free of mechanical stresses by the base of the connecting element. In the state free of mechanical stresses, the plug-in contacts are soldered to the printed circuit board and thus connected to corresponding tracks on the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive manner by means of a suitable soldering method.

The plug-in contacts, which are disposed in the base of the connecting element, can be formed as bent stamped parts. As an example, the plug-in contacts are implemented as linear flat conductor lines and can optionally be provided with a partially or fully coated surface. Such a coating can be accomplished with tin, nickel, gold, or combinations of said materials, in particular as a partial coating, and reduces the contact resistance of the plug-in contacts within the connector in which the plug-in contacts are disposed. As such, the plug-in contacts are preferably coated with tin in the area of the soldering to the printed circuit board, while the plug-in contacts are coated with nickel and/or silver in the area of the contacting with the counter plug.

Preferably, the cross sections of the plug-in contacts are adjusted according to the intended use or the current load.

In an injection molding method, the so formed plug-in contacts are laid in a corresponding injection mold and/or injection die and over-molded with a plastic material to form the base of the connecting element.

The geometry of the base is designed simply and can thus be implemented with little effort, for example by means of a slider-less injection mold. Thus, high quantities of the base of the connecting element can be manufactured at little cost, for example by using multi-cavity molds which can be used to produce multiple parts within one cycle and/or shot.

The fasteners, such as latching hooks, can be disposed with sufficient spacing from the plug-in contacts within the base of the connecting element, which does not interfere with soldering the plug-in contacts, i.e., establishing an electrically conductive connecting between the plug-in contacts and tracks on the printed circuit board. Hence, for example, selective wave soldering can be employed for the connection of the plug-in contacts to the tracks. When employing a reflow soldering method for establishing solder connections, the spacings between the plug-in contacts and the fasteners and hence the component size of the connecting element can be reduced.

In addition, modifications of the contact areas of the plug-in contacts can be implemented with the same line cross section without the need for a newly designed base of the connecting element and consequently without a new injection mold.

The contact area, for example of the first plug-in contacts, is the area in which the first plug-in contacts are to establish an electrically conductive connection to correspondingly shaped second plug-in contacts, for example a mating connector, for the case that the first plug-in contacts are disposed in a connector and the second plug-in contacts are disposed in a mating connector and a connector as well as a mating connector can be assembled to form a plug connection.

Modifications of the contact areas of the plug-in contacts can include turning the plug-in contacts, bending the ends of the plug-in contacts, implementing the ends of the plug-in contacts as a circular contact plug, implementing the ends of the plug-in contacts as circular contactor socket or disposing interlocking contacts in high-voltage plug connections. In this context, it is common that the plug-in contacts are tapered at their ends to facilitate the introduction into corresponding contacts, for example into a mating connector.

Preferably, the connecting element is disposed to be fitted into a connector or a mating connector. The plug-in contacts disposed in the connecting element, in particular in parallel to each other and in the correct position, are inserted and/or disposed in a part of a connector or mating connector which does not include any plug-in contacts. Hence, the plug-in contacts are located in the positions provided in the connector or mating connector such that the connector or the mating connector can be connected to contacts of a corresponding mating connector or connector by the plug-in contacts to thereby form a plug connection.

The use of connectors and mating connectors with the fitted connecting element is intended both for the high-voltage range and the low-voltage range. As such, the voltages to be transmitted are in the range of 12　V to 1,000　V, for example.

The components of the connecting element are embodied such that the connecting element can be employed in a temperature range of at least -40°C to +125°C.

In the following, advantages of the connecting element according to the invention are specified:

· Reducing the differences in components of plug connections,

· Lowering the development costs and the duration of development,

· Simple adjustment to new products and/or plug connections,

· Quality assurance through long-term process control,

· Continuous improvement process based on experiences gathered,

· Simple components of the connecting element reduce scrap and waste when producing the connecting element,

· Low need for specimens in the development phase because of the transfer of validations already carried out,

· Standardizing multiple flows of goods,

· High purchasing and production quantities improve the cost situation,

· Experiences in the production lines are utilized continuously,

· No new techniques and assembly devices required for each project, and

Low equipment costs due to the repeated creation of new equipment, such as, for example, injection molds, being avoided.

Further details, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures:

Fig. 1: shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the connecting element,

Fig. 2: shows a sectional view of the connecting element of Fig. 1,

Figs. 3a to 3d: show side views and plan views of the connecting element of Fig. 1,

Figs. 4a and 4b: show perspective views of the connecting element of Fig. 1,

Figs. 5a to 5c: show perspective views of the connecting element of Fig. 1 in connection with a printed circuit board,

Figs. 6a to 6c: show perspective views of the connecting element with differently shaped plug-in contacts,

Figs. 7a to 7c: show perspective views of the connecting element with differently shaped plug-in contacts in another embodiment of the connecting element in comparison to the connecting element of Figs. 6a to 6c,

Figs. 8a to 8d: show perspective views of the connecting element with plug-in contacts in an embodiment of the connecting element with interlocking contacts,

Fig. 9: shows a further embodiment of the connecting element with angled plug-in contacts,

Fig. 10: shows an arrangement of the connecting element of Fig. 9 on a printed circuit board,

Fig. 11: shows a further embodiment of the connecting element with a central contact, and

Fig. 12: shows an arrangement of the connecting element in an exemplary mating connector.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a connecting element 1. Connecting element 1 has a base 2 in which at least one plug-in contact 3 is disposed. For example, base 2 of connecting element 1 is produced by means of an injection molding method.

In the injection molding method, plug-in contacts 3 are laid or placed in a corresponding injection mold and then over-molded by means of a suitable plastic material, for example, wherein the body and/or base 2 is removed from the mold.

In the example of Figure 1, two plug-in contacts 3 are disposed in base 2, which are formed as flat plug-in contacts. Plug-in contacts 3 can be provided as stamped parts.

Plug-in contacts 3 can have a coated surface to reduce the contact resistance of plug-in contacts 3 or facilitate soldering plug-in contacts 3 in a printed circuit board.

Plug-in contacts 3 are disposed in base 2 such that connecting element 1 can be fitted into a connector or a mating connector not shown in Figure 1 such that the position and orientation of plug-in contacts 3 match the specifications of the respective connector or mating connector and/or the plug connection to be provided in each case.

Base 2 of connecting element 1 has at least one support surface 4. In the example of Figure 1, base 2 of connecting element 1 has three support surfaces 4 disposed in the circumferential outer sections of base 2. Implementations having a support surface 4 extending across the entire circumferential outer section of base 2 are also possible, as are implementations with two, three, four or more support surfaces 4 disposed in the circumferential outer sections of base 2.

Connecting element 1 is disposed on a printed circuit board not shown in Figure 1, which may be a control unit and/or a converter unit for driving an electric motor of a coolant compressor. With this arrangement of connecting element 1 on the printed circuit board, support surfaces 4 directly bear on a surface of the printed circuit board and thereby ensure a correct support and orientation of connecting element 1 on the surface of the printed circuit board. In the example of Figure 1, base 2 of connecting element 1 is supported on the surface of the printed circuit board in three sections by means of support surfaces 4.

As support surfaces 4 are formed to be protruding and/or raised from the remaining circumferential outer sections of base 2, it is possible to dispose tracks or components on the surface of the printed circuit board in the areas of base 2 of connecting element 1 not directly supported on the surface of the printed circuit board, without them being subject to compressive stresses from connecting element 1.

As an example, the ends of plug-in contacts 3 projecting upwardly from base 2 of connecting element 1 are soldered to tracks of the printed circuit board on which connecting element 1 is mounted. To this end, soldering methods, such as selective wave soldering or a reflow soldering method, can be employed. As shown, the ends of plug-in contacts 3 projecting downwardly from base 2 of connecting element 1 can be formed with tapers 8, facilitating joining with corresponding counter plug-in contacts within a plug connection.

Connecting element 1 in Figure 1 has two fasteners 5 formed as so-called latching hooks. By means of fasteners 5, connecting element 1 is held and/or positioned in a predetermined position on the surface of the printed circuit board after the latching hooks latch in the intended position on the printed circuit board as fasteners 5 when positioning connecting element 1. Alternative implementations of fasteners 5 are possible to fix connecting element 1 in the intended position on the printed circuit board.

At least one locating aid is disposed on base 2 of connecting element 1, which is formed in the form of a cylindrical locating pin 6 according to Figure 1. Locating pin 6 can have a taper on an end facing away from base 2, thereby facilitating the positioning of locating pin 6 during assembly of connecting element 1 on a printed circuit board.

Locating pin 6 has a circumferential surface 7 by which locating pin 6 can be positioned accurately in a hole in the printed circuit board corresponding thereto.

In addition, locating pin 6 can be formed such as to protrude further from base 2 of connecting element 1 than the ends of plug-in contacts 3 which are soldered to tracks of the printed circuit board. During assembly, such a so-called leading locating pin 6 is first fitted into an aperture disposed on the printed circuit board, shaped according to the geometry of locating pin 6. Subsequently, the ends of plug-in contacts 3 to be soldered are positioned in corresponding apertures on the printed circuit board. In a further step, fasteners 5 latch in the intended apertures on the printed circuit board and connecting element 1 is properly placed on the printed circuit board. To complete the assembly, the ends of plug-in contacts 3 are soldered to tracks on the printed circuit board.

Figure 2 shows a sectional diagram of connecting element 1 of Figure 1 along a section line. Plug-in contacts 3 are at least partially surrounded by base 2 of connecting element 1. In this way, plug-in contacts 3 are placed in parallel to each other and in the correct position in connecting element 1, for example. Thus, for example, a part of a mating connector not containing any plug-in contacts 3 is put on connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3, wherein plug-in contacts 3 are then disposed in the mating connector in the intended manner to form a plug connection by means of a corresponding mating connector.

The ends of plug-in contacts 3 projecting from base 2 of connecting element 2 with the longer portion in Figure 2 have a taper 8 on each end and are connected to correspondingly shaped counter plug-in contacts not shown within a plug connection in an electrically conductive manner. To this end, connecting element 1 can be disposed to be fitted in a mating connector disposed on a housing of a main unit or ancillary unit. As such, the mating connector can be joined with a connector to form a plug connection to transmit a high voltage and control signals for an electrical load, such as a converter or an electric motor, for example. The converter and/or the electric motor are disposed to be fitted in the housing of a main unit or ancillary unit. The correspondingly configured counter plug-in contacts not shown are disposed in the connector.

The taper 8 at the ends of plug-in contacts 3 facilitates the introduction of plug-in contacts 3 into the corresponding counter plug-in contacts.

Figures 3a to 3d show side views and plan views of connecting element 1 of Figure 1 with the individual components, base 2, plug-in contacts 3, support surfaces 4, fasteners 5, locating pin 6, circumferential surface 7 of locating pin 6 and taper 8, wherein not all of the components can be seen together in all views of Figures 3a to 3d for graphic reasons. Connecting element 1 is shown in a view from above in Figure 3a, in a view from a first side in Figure 3b, in a view from a second side, rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the first side, in Figure 3c, and in a view from below in Figure 3d. Figures 3a to 3d show exemplary dimensions of base 2, plug-in contacts 3, fasteners 5 and locating pin 6 of connecting element 1.

Figures 4a and 4b show perspective views of connecting element 1 of Figure 1. To provide a better understanding, connecting element 1 is shown in a perspective view in each case, in which the individual components already explained, base 2, plug-in contacts 3, support surfaces 4, fasteners 5, locating pin 6, circumferential surface 7 of locating pin 6 and taper 8, can be seen.

Figures 5a to 5c provide perspective views of connecting element 1 of Figure 1 in connection with a printed circuit board 9.

Figure 5a shows connecting element 1 disposed on printed circuit board 9 with ends of plug-in contacts 3 introduced into corresponding apertures on printed circuit board 9 and with latched fasteners 5 as well as locating pin 6 fitted in an intended aperture in printed circuit board 9.

Figure 5b shows the arrangement of connecting means 1 on printed circuit board 9 known from Figure 5a in a sectional diagram.

Figures 5a and 5b show printed circuit board 9 without corresponding tracks and components as wells as without a solder connection between the ends of plug-in contacts 3 and the tracks of printed circuit board 9.

Figure 5c shows a further view of connecting element 1 in connection with a printed circuit board 9 from another perspective.

Figures 6a to 6c show perspective views of connecting element 1 with differently shaped plug-in contacts 3.

Figure 6a shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 already known and embodied as flat plug-in contacts. Unlike the connecting elements within the figures already shown, locating pin 6 of connecting element 1 of Figures 6a to 6c is disposed centrally in connecting element 1.

Figure 6b shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 which are formed as a circular contact plug.

Figure 6c shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 which are implemented as a circular contact socket.

Figures 7a to 7c show perspective views of connecting element 1 with differently shaped plug-in contacts 3 in a further embodiment of connecting element 1 with respect to connecting element 1 of Figures 6a to 6c.

Figure 7a shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 already known and embodied as flat plug-in contacts. Unlike connecting element 1 of Figures 6a to 6c, locating pin 6 is disposed centrally in connecting element 1.

Figure 7b shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 which are formed as a circular contact plug.

Figure 7c shows connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 which are embodied as turned and angled flat plug-in contacts.

Figures 8a to 8d show perspective views of connecting element 1 with plug-in contacts 3 in an embodiment of connecting element 1 with interlocking contacts.

In this embodiment of connecting element 1, in addition to plug-in contacts 3 formed as flat plug-in contacts, two interlocking contacts 10 are disposed in base 2 of connecting element 1. As already explained for plug-in contacts 3, interlocking contacts 10 are laid in a corresponding injection die with plug-in contacts 3 and over-molded with plastic material to form base 2 of connecting element 1.

The so manufactured connecting element 1 is also disposed to be fitted in a counter plug or connector of a plug connection. Such interlocking contacts 10 are disposed in high-voltage plug connections. By means of interlocking contacts 10, it is possible to meet safety standards in the are of high-voltage technology, for example timely discharging of a high voltage applied to one of plug-in contacts 3 in the event of a fault or when disconnecting the high-voltage plug connection.

To mount connecting element 1 having interlocking contacts 10 on printed circuit board 9, corresponding holes are provided in printed circuit board 9 not shown, into which interlocking contacts 10 are fitted with the ends to be soldered to tracks of printed circuit board 9. In the same operation as plug-in contacts 3, interlocking contacts 10 are soldered to respective tracks on printed circuit board 9.

To establish the solder connections, soldering methods, such as selective wave soldering or the reflow soldering method, are employed.

Figure 9 is a further embodiment of connecting element 1 with angled plug-in contacts 3 in the form of flat plug-in contacts. A connecting element 1 formed in this manner can be employed if the joining direction of the counter plug, for example for reasons of installation space and special arrangements, is not aligned with the printed circuit board at an angle of 90°.

Figure 10 shows connecting element 1 of Figure 9 or Figure 6a in an arrangement of connecting element 1 on a printed circuit board 9 in a sectional diagram.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of connecting element 1 with a central contact. As an example, the central contact can be used for potential equalization or can be formed as a third power contact with which a device driven with three-phase supply is contacted.

Figure 12 shows an arrangement of connecting element 1 in an exemplary prepared mating connector 11. For complete formation of an operational counter plug, the connecting element is fitted into a prepared mating connector 11 which has corresponding apertures for plug-in contacts 3 firmly connected to connecting element 1. Moreover, prepared mating connector 11 can also have apertures for interlocking contacts 10 firmly connected to connecting element 1.

Figure 12 shows prepared mating connector 11 and connecting element 1 in a position not yet fully fitted to better illustrate the corresponding apertures in prepared mating connector 11 for plug-in contacts 3 as well as interlocking contacts 10.

Such a prepared mating connector 11 also has means for fastening the complete mating connector, for example to a housing of a main unit or ancillary unit, such as a flange with holes. In addition, a shield plate 12 can be seen in prepared mating connector 11.

The illustration of prepared mating connector 11 in Figure 12 is exemplary. Such a prepared mating connector 11 can have a deviating geometry, depending on the use case or customer specifications. Moreover, instead of in a prepared mating connector 11, connecting element 1 can also be fitted in a prepared connector not shown in Figure 12. In this case, plug-in contacts 3 can be formed to be adapted to the prepared connector. In one variant, this can be an implementation of plug-in contacts 3 as a circular contact socket if the counterpart is implemented as a circular contact plug.

List of reference numerals

1	Connecting element
2	Base
3	Plug-in contacts
4	Support surface
5	Fasteners / latching hooks
6	Locating pin
7	Circumferential surface
8	Taper
9	Printed circuit board
10	Interlocking contacts
11	Prepared mating connector
12	Shield plate

Claims

A connecting element (1), which is provided for establishing an electrical connection between plug-in contacts (3) of a plug connection and an electrical load and is disposed between the plug connection and the electrical load, characterized in that the connecting element (1) has a base (2), and in that, in said base (2), at least one plug-in contact (3) is disposed fixedly and at least partially surrounded by the base (2).
The connecting element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one plug-in contact (3) is formed as a power contact or a signal transmission contact.
The connecting element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that interlocking contacts (10) are disposed in the base (2).
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, on the base (2) of the connecting element (1), at least one support surface (4) is disposed by which the connecting element (1) is supported on a printed circuit board (9).
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, on the base (2) of the connecting element (1), at least one locating pin (6) is disposed as a locating aid.
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, on the base (2) of the connecting element (1), at least one fastener (5) is disposed.
The connecting element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastener (5) is formed as a latching hook.
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting element (1) is disposed on a printed circuit board (9).
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting element (1) is disposed to be at least partially fitted in a prepared mating connector (11) or a prepared connector.
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one plug-in contact (3) is formed, at least on one end, as a flat plug-in contact or circular contact plug or circular contact socket or angled flat plug-in contact.
The connecting element (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the plug-in contact (3) formed as a flat plug-in contact has a taper (8) on one end.
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the locating pin (6) has a circumferential surface (7), and in that the locating pin (6) is disposed with its circumferential surface (7) in a congruent hole on the printed circuit board (9).
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one plug-in contact (3) is disposed to be soldered to tracks of the printed circuit board (9).
The connecting element (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the printed circuit board (9) is disposed in an electric coolant compressor, and in that the connecting element (1) as well as components of a control circuit and/or a converter circuit for controlling an electric motor in the coolant compressor are disposed on the printed circuit board (9).