Plug-in device and method for manufacturing such a plug-in device

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in device (10) and to a method for producing such a plug-in device. The plug-in device (10) comprises a printed circuit board element (12), a first plug-in element (14) which is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element (12) by means of a solder connection (16), and a second plug-in element (18) which is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element (12) by means of a press-in contact (20), the second plug-in element having a housing portion (24) with a recess (26), the first plug-in element (14) being arranged in the recess (26) such that an outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug-in element (14) contacts an inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug-in device, particularly a plug-in device for vehicles, and a method for manufacturing such a plug-in device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, the continuous development of vehicles with increasingly higher requirements and greater autonomy necessitates increasingly powerful connectors. Such connectors are essential, for instance, when detecting the vehicle's environment via corresponding environmental sensors and forwarding the sensor data detected in this way to, for example, the vehicle's assistance systems.

[0003] However, it has been shown that many different types of plug-in elements are preferably integrated together in a plug-in device. For example, there are plug-in elements that connect to printed circuit board elements by means of soldering connections, and plug-in elements that connect to said printed circuit board elements by means of press-fit contacts. It is desirable to be able to combine different types of plug-in elements simply and reliably in a common modular plug-in device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a plug-in device, particularly a plug-in device for vehicles, wherein different types of plug-in elements can be used together. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing such a plug-in device.

[0005] These tasks are accomplished by the plug-in device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Advantageous designs are the subject of the following description.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a plug-in device is provided, particularly for a vehicle. The plug-in device includes a printed circuit board element, a first plug-in element electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element by means of soldering, and a second plug-in element electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element by means of a voltage-input contact. The second plug-in element here has a housing portion with a recess, in which the first plug-in element is disposed such that the outer surface of the first plug-in element contacts the inner surface of the recess.

[0007] The plug-in device according to the invention is based at least in part on the understanding that plug-in elements connected to printed circuit board components by means of soldering can be received and protected by recesses in the housing portions of other plug-in elements. Specifically, when the first plug-in element is flush-received in a recess in the housing portion such that it does not protrude beyond the recess in the housing portion of the second plug-in element, the contact surfaces for arranging the respective plug-in elements on the printed circuit board components are aligned flush with each other. Furthermore, since the outer surface of the first plug-in element contacts the inner surface of the recess, a plug-in device is created in which the first plug-in element can be said to be protected by the housing portion of the second plug-in element. Because the inner surface of the recess can be adapted to the outer surface of the first plug-in element, different sizes and types of first plug-in elements can be used in the plug-in device depending on the application.

[0008] This creates a plug-in device that provides different types of plug-in elements in a modular manner in a common device.

[0009] In a preferred design of the plug-in device according to the invention, the outer surface of the first plug element contacts the inner surface of the recess in a fluid-tight manner. This preferred design is based at least in part on the knowledge that the fluid-tight contact between the outer surface of the first plug element and the inner surface of the recess effectively prevents fluid from entering the recess of the housing portion and thus between the two plug elements. For example, the outer surface of the first plug element may be equipped with a sealing lip or other sealing element to ensure fluid-tight contact with the inner surface of the recess. The fluid-tight contact between the inner and outer surfaces expands the application range of the plug-in device according to the invention. For example, a plug-in device designed in this way can now also be used outside the passenger area of ​​a vehicle, for example, in the engine compartment.

[0010] A particularly advantageous feature is the arrangement of a sealing element between the inner surface of the recess and the outer surface of the first mating element. This sealing element not only improves the sealing effect between the inner and outer surfaces but also allows for the compensation of mating element tolerances caused by manufacturing processes.

[0011] Another preferred design specifies that the first plug element has a shape that gradually tapers towards the housing portion. In other words, the first plug element has a shape that gradually tapers as the distance from the printed circuit board element increases. Correspondingly, the recess of the housing portion has a shape that widens as the distance from the printed circuit board element decreases. This preferred design is based at least in part on the knowledge that the housing portion of the second plug element can be easily and more reliably inserted into the gradually tapering shape of the first plug element towards the housing portion. This is particularly advantageous when manufacturing such a plug device.

[0012] Of particular advantage is that the tapering shape of the first plug element is trapezoidal. This particularly preferred design is based at least in part on the understanding that, especially in a cross-section perpendicular to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board element, the trapezoidal shape of the first plug element is particularly suitable for inserting the second plug element, wherein the trapezoidal shape has two sides that gradually approach each other and a top surface connecting the two sides.

[0013] In another preferred design of the plug-in device according to the invention, the first plug-in element has a metallic signal shield for the (inserted) component to prevent interference with its signals. Such a plug-in element is, for example, a data transmission plug-in element, particularly a high-speed data transmission plug-in element, and more particularly, a digital high-speed data transmission plug-in element with a transmission rate, particularly in the megabit / s and / or gigabbit / s range. An example of a digital high-speed data transmission plug-in element is an Ethernet plug-in element, which has a metallic signal shield around its electrical insertion contacts. Such a plug-in element is used, for example, to transmit data from, for example, a vehicle's environmental sensor system to, for example, a vehicle's auxiliary system. Such a plug-in element is typically provided as a prefabricated plug-in element, which is connected to a printed circuit board component by means of a solder joint. Such a plug-in element is particularly susceptible to interference in the high-speed range, for example due to the bandwidth and amount of data to be transmitted, and therefore typically requires good electromagnetic shielding and an impedance of the plug-in element adapted to data transmission. According to the prior art, both of these can be most cost-effectively met by means of the solder joint to the printed circuit board component. Therefore, the plug-in device according to the invention enables plug-in elements, particularly those prone to failure (e.g., Ethernet plug-in elements), to be combined with other plug-in elements that are connected to printed circuit board elements by means of press-fit contacts. This creates a particularly flexible and modular plug-in device that can also easily integrate the most modern plug-in elements.

[0014] In another preferred design of the connector according to the invention, the first connector element has a first plug portion for contacting a first (inserted) component, and the second connector element has a second plug portion for contacting a second (inserted) component, wherein the first plug portion and the second plug portion are arranged such that the first component and the second component can be inserted into the first and second plug portions respectively in the same insertion direction. In other words, the first and second plug portions are arranged such that they can accommodate their respective (inserted) components in the same insertion direction. This allows components to be inserted into the connector in the same insertion direction, which is particularly advantageous in vehicles with limited installation space.

[0015] Particularly preferred is that the insertion direction extends obliquely to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board element. The main extension plane of the printed circuit board element is typically the assembly plane of the printed circuit board element. This particularly preferred design has the advantage that, for example, the plug-in device can be mounted in a recess of the housing, and components can be inserted into their respective plug portions, for example, from an obliquely upward position. Alternatively, the insertion direction is specified to extend parallel to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board element. In this case, the plug-in device is particularly space-saving because components can be inserted parallel to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board element. Since the pressing direction of the voltage-infeed contact of the second plug-in element, in particular, extends perpendicular to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board element, a 90° arrangement of the electrical contacts of the second plug-in element is achieved when the insertion direction extends parallel to the main extension plane. This allows for the creation of plug-in devices with insertion directions that are best suited to each application.

[0016] According to another design of the plug-in device according to the invention, the housing portion of the second plug-in element has a sealing surface for a housing arranged around the second plug-in element. Thus, for example, by means of the housing surrounding the second plug-in element, the second plug-in element can also be protected from external influences.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a plug-in device according to the first aspect or its design is provided. The method according to the second aspect includes the steps of: providing a printed circuit board element; applying a first plug-in element to the printed circuit board element such that the first plug-in element is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element by means of soldering; applying a second plug-in element to the printed circuit board element such that a voltage-infeed contact portion of the second plug-in element is pressed into a hole in the printed circuit board element for electrically and mechanically contacting the printed circuit board element; and the first plug-in element is disposed in a recess in a housing portion of the second plug-in element such that an outer surface of the first plug-in element contacts an inner surface of the recess.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a sealing element is applied between the outer surface of the first plug element and the inner surface of the recess after the first plug element is applied and before the second plug element is applied. This causes the outer surface of the first plug element to contact the inner surface of the recess in a fluid-sealed manner.

[0019] Preferably, the sealing element is a dispensing sealing element, and the dispensing sealing element is applied by means of a dispensing method. The dispensing method is particularly advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology, because the sealing element can thus be easily adapted to the respective shape of the first insertion element.

[0020] The preferred design of the plug-in device according to the invention can also be used in the preferred design of the method according to the invention, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features and objectives of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by practicing these teachings and by considering the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the plug-in device according to the invention in an incompletely assembled state is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment in its fully assembled state.

[0024] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Implementation methods along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of section AA, and

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of process steps for performing an embodiment of the method for manufacturing a plug-in device according to the present invention is shown.

[0026] Components with the same structure or function are given the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0027] First refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the plug-in device 10 in an incompletely assembled state is shown. The plug-in device 10 can be used, for example, in a vehicle and for connecting (insertion) components of the vehicle.

[0028] The plug-in device 10 has a printed circuit board element 12. The printed circuit board element 12 can be any printed circuit board element, such as an FR4 printed circuit board element or other printed circuit board elements known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] The connector 10 also includes a first connector element 14. The first connector element 14 is a connector that is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of soldering. Figure 1 In a specific example, the solder connection between the first plug element 14 and the printed circuit board element 12 is schematically represented by solder layer 16. Of course, other solder connections between the first plug element 14 and the printed circuit board element 12 are also possible. Importantly, the first plug element 14 is connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of a solder connection.

[0030] In addition to the first plug-in element 14, the plug-in device 10 also has a second plug-in element 18. Unlike the first plug-in element 14, the second plug-in element 18 is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of a voltage-injected contact 20. For this purpose, the voltage-injected contact 20 is pressed into a hole 22 corresponding to the structure of the printed circuit board element 12.

[0031] Thus, the connector 10 has two different types of connector elements. One connector element, the first connector element 14, is connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of soldering, while the other connector element, the second connector element 18, is connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of a press-fit contact 20. The two connector elements 14 and 18 are combined... Figure 1 A more detailed description of the electrical and mechanical connections with the printed circuit board component 12 in the assembled state.

[0032] exist Figure 1 In a specific example, the first connector 14 is a connector with metallic signal shielding for signals susceptible to interference, particularly a data transmission connector such as an Ethernet connector. This data transmission connector, for example, transmits data between a vehicle's environmental sensor system and its auxiliary systems. The data transmission connector can be a high-speed data transmission connector transmitting data in the megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) range. The data transmission connector must meet specific requirements regarding electromagnetic shielding and impedance adapted to data transmission. According to the prior art, both of these can be achieved most cost-effectively by means of the soldered connections described on the printed circuit board element 12.

[0033] Conversely, the second plug-in element 18 is not a data transmission plug-in element, but rather another plug-in element, such as one that transmits current and / or (high) voltage and is connected to the printed circuit board element 12 via a press-fit contact 20, which is common in practice.

[0034] As in Figure 1 As can be clearly seen, the second plug element 18 has a housing portion 24 with a recess 26. The recess 26 in the housing portion 24 is configured such that the recess can fully accommodate the first plug element 14 in the assembled state, such as when combined. Figure 2 More detailed description.

[0035] The first plug-in element 14 has a shape that gradually tapers with increasing distance from the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12. Figure 1 In a specific example, the gradually tapering shape is a trapezoidal shape. In Figure 1 In the cross-sectional view, the trapezoidal shape includes two sides 30 inclined to the main extending plane 28 and extending toward each other, and a top surface 32 connecting the two sides 30. Figure 1 In a specific example, the trapezoidal shape causes the top surface 32 to extend substantially parallel to the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12. Of course, in other embodiments not shown and not necessarily trapezoidal in shape, the top surface 32 may extend, for example, at an angle to the main extension plane 28. Importantly, the shape of the first insertion element 14 tapers gradually with increasing distance from the main extension plane 28.

[0036] In contrast, Figure 1 It can be clearly seen that the shape of the recess 26 in the outer casing portion 24 is adapted to the shape of the first plug-in element 14. Thus, in Figure 1 In the specific example of , the recess 26 is in Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shows two side surfaces 34 and a top surface 36. The two side surfaces 34 also extend obliquely to the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12, but are arranged such that the two side surfaces have an increasing distance 38 between them as the distance from the main extension plane 28 decreases. The top surface 36 of the recess 26 also extends substantially parallel to the main extension plane 28, but in other embodiments not shown, it may also extend obliquely to the main extension plane 28.

[0037] Similarly, Figure 1 As shown, the insertion device 10 has a sealing element 40. The sealing element 40 is disposed between the first insertion element 14 and the recess 26 and is used to seal any gaps that may exist in the assembled state between the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the first insertion element 14 and the inner surfaces 34, 36 of the recess 26. The sealing element 40... Figure 1 In a specific example, a sealing element is dispensed and applied, for example, to the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the second plug element 14 by means of a dispensing method.

[0038] The first plug element 14 has a first plug portion 42 through which connection to the first (insertion) component 44 (see...) can be established. Figure 3 The second plug element 18 has a second plug portion 46 through which a connection to the second (insertion) component 48 (see also) can be established. Figure 3 ) connection.

[0039] Now for reference Figure 2 It shows the assembly state. Figure 1 Plug-in device 10.

[0040] As in Figure 2As can be seen, the first insertion element 14 is disposed in the recess 26 of the housing portion 24. A sealing element 40 is disposed between the first insertion element 14 and the recess 26, establishing a fluid-tight contact between the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the first insertion element 14 and the inner surfaces 34, 36 of the recess 26. Furthermore, the first insertion element 14 is completely received within the recess 16, such that the first insertion element 14 does not protrude beyond the recess 26.

[0041] The housing portion 24 of the second plug element 18 also has a surface 50, which can be used as a sealing surface for a housing (not shown) arranged around the second plug element 18.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the voltage-infeed contact 20 of the second plug-in element 18 is pressed into the corresponding hole of the printed circuit board element 12 along the pressing direction marked with reference numeral 52. The pressing direction 52 is perpendicular to the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12, as is known to those skilled in the art for this type of connection.

[0043] Now for reference Figure 3 It shows the plug-in device 10 along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of section AA.

[0044] As in Figure 3 As can be seen, the first plug portion 42 of the first plug element 14 and the second plug portion 46 of the second plug element 18 are arranged such that their respective plug components 44, 48 can be inserted into the plug portions 42, 46 along the same insertion direction indicated by reference numeral 54. Furthermore... Figure 3 As shown, the second plug portion 46 may have sub-segments indicated by dashed lines, so that individual second (insertion) components 48 may be inserted into their respective sub-segments of the second plug portion 46. It is of course conceivable, in principle, that the first plug portion 42 may also have multiple sub-segments for multiple individual first (insertion) components 44.

[0045] For example, through comparison Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen that, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the specific example, the insertion direction 54 extends parallel to the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12 and also perpendicular to the press-in direction 52. This results in the press-in contact 20 establishing a 90° connection only between the circuit board element 12 and the second plug portion 46. Of course, in other embodiments not shown, the insertion direction 54 may extend not parallel to but inclined to the main extension plane 28 of the printed circuit board element 12, depending on the application for which the plug-in device 10 is configured.

[0046] Final Reference Figure 4 It shows the method for performing manufacturing Figures 1 to 3 A schematic diagram of the process steps of the method for using the plug-in device 10.

[0047] The method begins at step 400.

[0048] In the subsequent step 402, printed circuit board component 12 is provided.

[0049] In the subsequent step 404, the first insertion element 14 is applied to the printed circuit board element 12, such that the first insertion element 14 is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element 12 by means of a solder joint, the solder joint being... Figure 1 The example is illustrated by means of weld layer 16.

[0050] In the subsequent step 406, the second plug element 18 is applied to the printed circuit board element 12 such that the voltage-input contact portion 20 of the second plug element 18 is pressed into the hole 22 of the printed circuit board element 12, and the first plug element 14 is arranged in the recess 26 of the housing portion 24 of the second plug element 18 such that the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the first plug element 14 contact the inner surfaces 34, 36 of the recess 26.

[0051] In an optional step 408, which occurs after step 404 and before step 406, the sealing element 40 may be applied to the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the first plug element 14, for example by means of a dispensing method, to establish a fluid-sealed contact between the outer surfaces 30, 32 and the inner surfaces 34, 36.

[0052] Finally, the method ends in step 410.

[0053] Despite the combination Figure 3 It is possible that the first and second plug-in elements 14, 18 reach the entire width of the printed circuit board element 12 (from... Figure 3 The impression is that of the bottom to the top of the circuit board (but the plug-in elements 14 and 18 can actually only reach a portion of the width of the printed circuit board element 12. In other words, the printed circuit board element 12 can be wider than the plug-in elements 14 and 18.

Claims

1. A plug-in device (10), comprising: -Printed circuit board components (12). -A first plug-in element (14) electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element (12) by means of a solder connection (16), and - A second plug-in element (18) is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element (12) by means of a voltage-input contact (20) and has a housing portion (24) with a recess (26), wherein the first plug-in element (14) is arranged in the recess (26) such that the outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug-in element (14) contacts the inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26).

2. The plug-in device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug element (14) contacts the inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26) in a fluid-tight manner.

3. The plug-in device (10) according to claim 2, wherein, A sealing element (40) is arranged between the inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26) and the outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug-in element (14).

4. The plug-in device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first plug element (14) has a shape that gradually tapers toward the housing portion (24).

5. The plug-in device (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The gradually tapering shape is trapezoidal.

6. The plug-in device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first plug element (14) has a metal signal shield for the signal of the plug component.

7. The plug-in device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first plug element (14) has a first plug portion (42) for contacting the first component (44), and the second plug element (18) has a second plug portion (46) for contacting the second component (48), wherein the first plug portion (42) and the second plug portion (46) are arranged such that the first component (44) and the second component (48) can be inserted into the first and second plug portions (42, 46) respectively in the same insertion direction (54).

8. The plug-in device (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The first plug portion (42) and the second plug portion (46) are arranged such that the insertion direction (54) extends at an angle to the main extension plane (28) of the printed circuit board element (12).

9. The plug-in device (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The first plug portion (42) and the second plug portion (46) are arranged such that the insertion direction (54) extends parallel to the main extension plane (28) of the printed circuit board element (12).

10. The plug-in device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The housing portion (24) of the second plug element (18) has a sealing surface (50) for the housing arranged around the second plug element (18).

11. A method for manufacturing a plug-in device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -Provide printed circuit board components (12). - A first plug-in element (14) is applied to the printed circuit board element (12), such that the first plug-in element (14) is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board element (12) by means of a solder joint (16). - A second plug element (18) is applied to the printed circuit board element (12) such that the voltage-input contact (20) of the second plug element (18) is pressed into the hole (22) of the printed circuit board element (12) for electrical and mechanical contact with the printed circuit board element (12), and the first plug element (14) is arranged in the recess (26) of the housing portion (24) of the second plug element (18) such that the outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug element (14) contacts the inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, After the first plug element (14) is applied and before the second plug element (18) is applied, a sealing element (40) is applied between the outer surface (30, 32) of the first plug element (14) and the inner surface (34, 36) of the recess (26).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The sealing element (40) is a dispensing sealing element and the dispensing sealing element is applied by means of a dispensing method.

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