Electrical plug connector, circuit arrangement and electrical assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug connector (1), in particular a circuit board plug connector, having a first end (2) and a second end (4), a first electrical interface (3) being formed on the first end (2) and a second electrical interface (5) being formed on the second end (4). The electrical plug connector (1) also has an extension axis (L) which extends between the first interface (3) and the second interface (5). The first interface (3) and the second interface (5) can each be connected to a respective mating interface of the electrical mating plug connector in a first plug direction (S1) oriented transversely to the extension axis (L). Between the two ends (2, 4), a third electrical interface (6) is configured for contacting at least one electrical conductor (7) of an electrical circuit (8), in particular for contacting an electrical conductor (7) of an electrical circuit (8) of a circuit board (9).

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 102022122509.7 and European Patent Application No. 22201201.5, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical plug connector, in particular to a printed circuit board plug connector, the electrical plug connector having a first electrical interface, a second electrical interface, and a third electrical interface, wherein the first interface and the second interface are preferably plug-compatible with each other.

[0003] The invention further relates to a circuit arrangement having at least one electrical plug connector and an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical plug connector contacts at least one electrical conductor of the electrical circuit.

[0004] The present invention further relates to an electrical component having a support device and a plurality of circuit arrangements arranged on the support device.

[0005] A variety of electrical plug connectors are known in electrical engineering. As is known, electrical plug connectors are used to transmit electrical supply signals and / or data signals to another plug connector or a corresponding mating plug connector. A plug connector or a mating plug connector can be a plug, a printed circuit board plug, a built-in plug, a socket, a coupling or an adapter. The terms "plug connector" or "mating plug connector" used within the scope of the present invention represent all variants.

[0006] Sometimes electrical components filled with individual circuit devices in a modular manner are used in electrical engineering, for example in order to change or expand the functionality of the electrical component. Here, it is necessary to distribute electrical signals (e.g., supply signals) to the circuits of the corresponding circuit devices. In particular, when it is intended that the electrical component can be assembled in a modular manner, it can be advantageous to arrange an electrical plug connector on the side of these individual circuit devices or circuits facing away from each other in each case in order to relay electrical signals from circuit device to circuit device. In this way, adjacent circuit devices can be electrically connected to each other using plug connectors, which face each other in each case, and in each case, the previous circuit device can supply electrical data and / or supply signals to the following circuit device. Such an electrical component can be used in an extremely flexible manner.

[0007] Sometimes there is a requirement that it must be possible to economically produce plug connectors in large quantities. Thus, the installation time, for example fastening the electrical plug connector to a corresponding circuit arrangement, for example soldering the electrical plug connector to an electrical printed circuit board, can be kept as short as possible.

[0008] In view of the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical plug connector which can preferably be produced and installed inexpensively and which is particularly suitable for use with electrical components which can be populated with individual circuit arrangements in a modular manner.

[0009] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a circuit arrangement having an electrical plug connector which can preferably be produced and installed inexpensively and which is particularly suitable for populating electrical components in a modular manner.

[0010] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical component which can preferably be produced and installed inexpensively and which is particularly suitable for being populated with individual circuit arrangements in a modular manner.

[0011] This object is achieved with an electrical plug connector having the features mentioned in claim 1. With regard to the circuit arrangement, this object is achieved by the features of claim 13 and with regard to claim 14 with regard to the electrical component.

[0012] The dependent claims and the features described below relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention.

[0013] An electrical plug connector is provided, in particular a printed circuit board plug connector. However, in principle it can be any type of electrical plug connector, i.e. for example also a cable plug connector. However, the electrical plug connector is preferably an electrical plug connector which can be connected to an electrical circuit (but not necessarily to a circuit on an electrical printed circuit board).

[0014] According to the invention, the electrical plug connector has a first end and a second end, wherein the first electrical interface is formed at the first end and the second electrical interface is formed at the second end.

[0015] The first electrical interface and the second electrical interface are preferably in each case interfaces, preferably pluggable interfaces, which can be electrically and / or mechanically contacted by another compatible plug connector or a "mating plug connector", so that plugging together with another plug connector or with a mating plug connector is possible.

[0016] The first interface and the second interface can preferably be connected to corresponding mating plug connectors, in particular plugged together, preferably independently of one another.

[0017] The first end and / or the second end of the electrical plug connector does not necessarily have to be the corresponding end of the plug connector. The corresponding electrical interface may be spaced apart from the direct end of the electrical plug connector.

[0018] The first electrical interface may also be referred to as a first contact portion and the second electrical interface as a second contact portion. These terms are accordingly interchangeable.

[0019] A connecting portion or connecting area may be provided between the first interface or first contact portion and the second interface or second contact portion.

[0020] The first electrical connection and the second electrical connection are preferably formed on sides of the electrical plug connector facing away from one another.

[0021] Preferably, only the first interface is formed in the first end portion without forming another interface. Preferably, only the second interface is formed in the second end portion without forming another interface.

[0022] The electrical plug connector preferably extends along a longitudinal axis and preferably has a substantially elongated design.

[0023] An axis of extension, preferably a longitudinal axis of the electrical plug connector, runs between the first interface and the second interface.

[0024] The axis of extension preferably runs between the two ends and therefore preferably also extends through the above-mentioned connecting portion arranged between the two ends, in particular in the manner of a central axis.

[0025] According to the invention, the first interface and the second interface can in each case be connected to corresponding mating interfaces of an electrical mating plug connector at least along a first plug-in direction oriented transversely to the extension axis, in particular to an electrical mating plug connector having the same structure as the plug connector according to the invention or at least compatible therewith.

[0026] The first interface and the second interface can thus be connected to corresponding mating plug connectors. In other words, the first interface can be connected to the first mating plug connector and the second interface to the second mating plug connector.

[0027] The first plugging direction may preferably run orthogonally or at least substantially orthogonally to the extension axis. However, the first plugging direction may also run at any angle relative to the extension axis, for example, inclined at 45° or more relative to the extension axis, preferably, inclined at 60° or more relative to the extension axis, particularly preferably, inclined at 80° or more relative to the extension axis.

[0028] An advantageous development of the application is that, in addition to the first plug-in direction, the first interface and the second interface can in each case be connected to a corresponding mating interface of the electrical mating plug connector in a second plug-in direction oriented parallel or at least substantially parallel to the extension axis.

[0029] According to the invention, a third electrical interface for contacting at least one electrical conductor of the circuit is formed between the two ends. The third interface is preferably formed for direct contacting of the electrical conductor, but may also be used only for indirect contacting of the electrical conductor, for example using an electrically conductive intermediate contact element.

[0030] The third interface may be indirectly connectable, in particular to at least one electrical conductor of a circuit of an electrical printed circuit board (PCB), ie in particular to a trace, a via or a pad.

[0031] The third interface is preferably electrically connected to the first interface and the second interface.

[0032] The third interface is preferably formed in the above-mentioned connecting portion.

[0033] The third interface can in principle be formed in any part between the two ends of the electrical plug connector, i.e., for example, in a central part of the electrical plug connector. However, the third electrical interface is preferably closer to one of the two ends. The third electrical interface is also preferably arranged at an end of the electrical plug connector, i.e., for example, at the first end or the second end of the electrical plug connector.

[0034] An electrical plug connector can advantageously be provided which is capable of feeding data and / or supply signals to an electrical circuit and which can furthermore be connected to another electrical plug connector of a corresponding plug connector type. A further connection (i.e. the wiring of data and / or supply signals) can be realized between the ends of the electrical plug connector. At the same time, the electrical signal can be branched to the electrical circuit via a third interface.

[0035] It is thus particularly advantageously possible to replace the two separate plug connectors required in the prior art for further contacting with a single plug connector.

[0036] The advantages resulting from this include a saving of material, a reduction in installation space and, in particular, also a simplification of the installation of the electrical plug connector on the circuit, since it is no longer necessary to connect two separate plug connectors to the circuit in each case (manually).

[0037] The electrical plug connector can be designed for electrically distributing at least one data and / or supply signal between the electrical interfaces.

[0038] A plurality of electrical paths (e.g. at least one first electrical path, but preferably also at least one separate second electrical path) which are electrically insulated and / or shielded from one another can run between the interfaces. The electrical plug connector can therefore be designed specifically to be multipolar, for example for transmitting a DC voltage to two poles or for transmitting at least a single-phase AC voltage to a terminal. In principle, any number of current and / or data paths can be provided, each current and / or data path being insulated and / or shielded from the other current and / or data paths being allocated by the first, second, and third interface.

[0039] According to a development of the invention, it can be provided that the first interface and the second interface are compatible with each other, preferably plug-compatible with each other.

[0040] In the context of the present invention, "interfaces compatible with one another" is understood to mean that these interfaces can be easily (directly) connected to one another, in particular can be mechanically and electrically plugged together. Thus, the first interface and the second interface can be designed such that they can be directly mechanically and electrically functionally connected to one another, in particular plugged together (as long as the two interfaces are not arranged at different ends of the same plug connector).

[0041] The fact that the first interface and the second interface are plug-compatible with each other is to be understood to mean that the first interface can be plugged together with the second interface in order to produce an electrical and mechanical connection. However, this is not provided with the same plug connector, but with a further compatible plug connector or a mating plug connector, in particular with a further plug connector according to the invention according to the above and following embodiments. Thus, the first interface of the first plug connector according to the invention can be connected to the second interface of the second plug connector according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0042] According to a particularly advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the electrical plug connector has at least one electrical contact element extending from the first interface to the second interface. The electrical contact element furthermore has a third interface formed between the first interface and the second interface.

[0043] At least one electrical contact element can have a corresponding contact region in the region of the interface, which contact region is designed for direct electrical and mechanical contact with a corresponding mating contact element of a compatible further electrical plug connector, in particular also according to the invention.

[0044] The electrical contact elements or their contact regions described in detail below can preferably form an essential component of an interface of an electrical plug connector, possibly in combination with further plug connector components, such as the further contact elements mentioned below and / or a plug connector housing.

[0045] In a development, it can be provided that the electrical plug connector has exactly two of the electrical contact elements which are electrically insulated from one another.

[0046] A particularly advantageous use of the proposed electrical plug connector may be the supply of currents and voltages which can be handed over between adjacent circuits as already claimed. Thus, it may be particularly preferred to provide two separate electrical paths so that, for example, phase and ground connections or anode and cathode connections can be handed over via the same electrical plug connector and can be fed to the circuits at the same time.

[0047] However, actual use need not be within the scope of the invention. In principle, the electrical plug connector can also be suitable for relaying electrical data signals, ie, for example, for use with a data bus that can be expanded in a modular manner. A mixed transmission of data and supply signals via the electrical plug connector can also be provided.

[0048] In principle, any number of contact elements may be provided, which are preferably each electrically insulated from one another and optionally electromagnetically shielded from one another.

[0049] In the case of a plurality of electrical contact elements, these are preferably arranged so that they run parallel to each other. For this purpose, the electrical contact elements are preferably spaced apart from each other. The spaces between the contact elements may optionally be at least partially filled with a dielectric solid body (e.g., a plug connector housing mentioned below).

[0050] It can be provided that, in the simplest embodiment, the electrical plug connector consists only of at least one contact element, ie in particular the plug connector housing mentioned below is completely omitted.

[0051] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one electrical contact element is formed from a predominantly planar material, in particular from a sheet metal material.

[0052] The first interface, the second interface and / or the third interface may be designed as a flat contact. The entire contact element may be designed as a flat contact.

[0053] It can be provided in particular that the electrical contact element is designed as a punched and bent part. However, other production methods are also possible.

[0054] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the first interface and the second interface are arranged aligned with one another along the axis of extension.

[0055] In this way, adjacent mating plug connectors can in each case be connected to the electrical plug connector without lateral offset, so that also relatively long non-offset chains of plug connectors can be formed.

[0056] The first interface and the second interface are preferably arranged in a common contact plane, in particular such that the actual contacting of the interfaces with the respective mating interface can in each case take place in the same contact plane.

[0057] Optionally, the third interface may also be arranged such that it is aligned with the first interface and / or the second interface, possibly in a common contact plane.

[0058] In particular, one or more bending points of the contact element can be formed between a first interface or a first end and a second interface or a second end of the electrical plug connector, for example in order to enable a defined orientation and / or positioning of the first interface relative to the second interface, so that the electrical plug connector plugged together via the first interface and the second interface is oriented to be aligned, preferably oriented with a coaxial arrangement of their longitudinal axes.

[0059] Additional or alternative bending points may also be provided in the contact element, for example in order to form one of the interfaces and / or in order to form one or more of the latching elements mentioned below.

[0060] According to a development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one contact element is formed from bronze.

[0061] The contact element is preferably formed from spring bronze.

[0062] The contact element can preferably be at least partially coated, in particular with a gold-plated or nickel-plated contact area.

[0063] The contact elements can in principle each have a multi-part design. According to a particularly preferred development of the invention, however, it is provided that the contact elements are in each case designed as a single part.

[0064] In particular, for reasons of robustness, manufacturability and installability, it has proven to be particularly advantageous to use a one-piece contact element. The electrical resistance of a one-piece contact element can also be reduced compared to a multi-piece contact element, for which reason a correspondingly equipped electrical plug connector can be very well suited for high currents.

[0065] In a development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one contact element forms a first contact region of the first interface in the first end.

[0066] The first contact region is preferably a predominantly elongated contact region.

[0067] The extension direction of the mainly elongated first contact region can preferably be oriented orthogonally or at least substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the electrical plug connector or of the contact element.

[0068] In a development of the invention, it can be provided that the first contact region of at least one contact element is designed as a predominantly planar contact plate.

[0069] The main extension direction of the contact plate and the plugging direction of the contact plate are preferably oriented such that they run orthogonally or at least substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the contact element or of the electrical plug connector.

[0070] The contact surface of the contact plate is preferably completely flat or planar, and more preferably both sides of the contact plate can further be used for electrical contacting in order to achieve low-resistance electrical contact with the second interface of a compatible further electrical plug connector.

[0071] However, in principle, the first contact region of at least one contact element can be designed as a contact element of any structure, in particular also as a contact pin. The contact pin can have a circular, flat, rectangular or other polygonal cross section. Optionally but less preferably, even a spring-loaded contact pin can be provided.

[0072] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one contact element forms a second contact region of the second interface in the second end.

[0073] Preferably, according to the invention, the second contact region is preferably a receptacle for a first contact region of a first interface of a compatibly configured further electrical plug connector, in particular for a mainly elongated first contact region of the first interface.

[0074] It can thus be provided that a first interface or a first contact region of a contact element can be plugged into a second interface or a second contact region of a contact element of another compatible plug connector.

[0075] The receptacle for the first contact region can be designed to be able to make contact with the first contact region in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. For the first contact region, a receptacle with a force-fitting manner is particularly preferred.

[0076] In a development of the invention, it can be provided that the receptacle of the second contact region is formed by at least one contact spring.

[0077] When, for example, further plug connector components are provided in the second interface, such as the inner support surface of the plug connector housing mentioned below, the use of a single contact spring is sufficient for receiving and force-fitting contacting the first contact area in the second contact area. However, in a particularly preferred variant, at least two contact springs running next to each other are provided, the contact springs enabling force-fitting insertion of the first contact area between them. It is also possible to provide for the use of more than two contact springs for the receiving seat of the first contact area, for example using three contact springs, four contact springs, five contact springs or even more contact springs, wherein the contact springs can be arranged, for example, in the manner of a spring cage.

[0078] For reasons of simple producibility, the use of precisely two contact springs has proven to be particularly advantageous, since the two contact springs can be shaped accordingly by a simple bending process.

[0079] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one contact element forms a third contact region for the third interface.

[0080] The third contact region is preferably a contact fork or a contact pin which protrudes from the base body of the contact element.

[0081] In an advantageous refinement, it can in particular be provided that the third contact area is formed as a press contact for press-fitting into a corresponding receptacle of the electrical circuit (e.g. in a through-hole of a printed circuit board) and / or is formed as a soldering contact (e.g. in order to contact a trace, a through-hole or a pad of the electrical printed circuit board using solder).

[0082] The third contact region is preferably designed at least partially as a soldering foot, a soldering lug or a soldering pad.

[0083] In principle, the third contact region can have any type of contact element. For example, the third contact region can be designed as a contact pin (optionally even as a spring-loaded contact pin), for example also in the manner of a probe tip. One or more spring tabs can also be provided in order to form the third contact region. It can furthermore be provided that the third contact region is designed in order to at least partially receive an electrical conductor of a circuit (for example a contact pin of a printed circuit board), for example in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.

[0084] The third interface of the electrical plug connector or the third contact area of ​​the electrical contact element is preferably designed in such a way that the connection point between the third interface and the electrical conductor of the circuit is optically visible and can therefore be checked by an engineer. It can also be provided that the connection point is accessible for intervention (e.g. in the case of installation or repair).

[0085] In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the electrical plug connector has a plug connector housing.

[0086] The plug connector housing is preferably designed such that the first, second and third interface are accessible.

[0087] The plug connector housing can form part of the corresponding interface together with the contact element to ensure plug compatibility. It can also be optionally provided that the plug connector housing has a mechanical contact device so that it can only be plugged together with a compatible mating plug connector and possibly only in one or more defined orientations.

[0088] An electrically insulating plug connector housing is preferably provided, but it is also possible to use an electrically conductive plug connector housing, for example using one or more additional dielectrics, particularly when the contact elements are still arranged so that they are electrically insulated from each other and possibly from the plug connector housing. In principle, a combination of insulating and conductive housing parts can also be provided.

[0089] The at least one contact element is preferably fastened inside the plug connector housing.

[0090] It can be provided in particular that the plug connector housing is designed as a single piece. However, a multi-piece plug connector housing can also be provided, which has, for example, a first housing shell and a second housing shell, which are latched, screwed or rigidly connected to each other in different ways in the installed state.

[0091] The plug connector housing is preferably formed from plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic or a plastomer, such as polyamide. However, the plug connector housing can also be formed, for example, from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0092] The plug connector housing is preferably designed as an injection-molded plastic part.

[0093] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plug connector housing has a separate contact chamber for each contact element.

[0094] The contact chamber is preferably a primarily slot-like contact chamber for receiving a primarily planar contact element or a contact element formed from sheet metal material.

[0095] The corresponding contact chamber preferably extends partially or completely through the plug connector housing along the longitudinal axis of the electrical plug connector starting from the side facing the first interface. The extension direction of the contact chamber can then preferably run orthogonally or at least substantially orthogonally to the first plug-in direction of the first and second interfaces or at least substantially parallel to the extension axis / second plug-in direction.

[0096] However, the contact chamber can in principle extend from any side through the plug connector housing, ie for example also in the first plugging direction of the first and second interface or orthogonally to the extension axis / second plugging direction.

[0097] In a development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one contact element is latched in the plug connector housing, preferably latched in such a way that it can be removed (non-destructively) as required.

[0098] In particular, the contact elements may be latched in the corresponding contact chambers.

[0099] According to a development of the invention, it can be provided that, for latching between the respective contact element and the plug connector housing, a latching tab is formed on one side and a latching latch is formed on the other side.

[0100] In a preferred variant, at least one contact element has one, preferably two, raised portions, which are arranged on opposite sides for forming corresponding latching latches for latching with corresponding latching tabs in the plug connector housing. However, the contact element can also have one or more latching tabs - the specific distribution of the latching elements is in principle unimportant.

[0101] The plug connector housing may optionally have one or more support surfaces for mechanical support on the circuit, in particular on the electrical printed circuit board. The support surface is preferably designed to support the plug connector housing on the same upper surface of the circuit, on which the electrical conductors for connection to the third interface are located.

[0102] The plug connector housing may optionally have one or more fastening elements in order to mechanically fasten the electrical plug connector to an electrical circuit, in particular to an electrical printed circuit board. The fastening elements may be, for example, latching lugs or screw elements.

[0103] It can optionally be provided that the electrical plug connector has an electromagnetic shielding in order to at least partially electromagnetically shield at least one contact element. In this case, a plurality of electrical contact elements can be shielded individually, in groups and / or jointly.

[0104] However, the electrical plug connector has a design that is as minimal as possible and consists only of at least one electrical contact element, preferably two contact elements, and precisely one electrically insulating plug connector housing, in particular a one-piece plug connector housing.

[0105] The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement having at least one electrical plug connector according to the above and following embodiments, and the circuit having at least one electrical conductor, wherein the third interface of the electrical plug connector electrically contacts the at least one electrical conductor. The third interface of the electrical plug connector is also preferably mechanically rigidly connected to the electrical conductor of the circuit.

[0106] The electrical plug connector is advantageously suitable for providing an electrical data and / or supply connection for an electrical circuit, wherein each electrical connector can provide a plurality of current and / or data paths as required. The corresponding data and / or supply signals can advantageously be handed over to other electrical plug connectors of the same plug connector type or at least of a compatible plug connector type, or be received by such a plug connector. In this way, it is advantageously possible to connect a plurality of circuit arrangements directly to one another or in another electrical arrangement, for example in order to provide an electrical assembly that can be equipped in a modular manner.

[0107] It may optionally be provided that the circuit arrangement has a plurality of electrical plug connectors according to the above and following embodiments, which are connected to the circuit, for example in order to provide redundant or parallel data and / or supply connections and / or in order to provide further data and / or supply connections.

[0108] The invention further relates to an electrical component having a support device and a plurality of circuit arrangements according to the above and following embodiments arranged on the support device, wherein in each case two directly adjacent circuit arrangements are electrically connected to one another via their corresponding electrical plug connectors.

[0109] It can be optionally provided that the electrical component has at least one electrical component connector according to the above and following embodiments. In principle, however, the electrical component can also have, for example, an electrical component connector having a component interface that is plug-compatible with the first interface and / or the second interface of the electrical plug connector described above and below, so that at least the first circuit device (for example, the outermost circuit device in a row of circuit devices) can be plugged into the component connector of the electrical component with its electrical plug connector.

[0110] Data and / or supply signals can be applied to a first circuit arrangement directly from an electrical component, for example from a control device and / or a power supply of the electrical component. A second circuit arrangement adjacent to the first circuit arrangement can ultimately be supplied with data and / or supply signals further from the circuit arrangement, since the electrical data and / or supply signals are handed over by the proposed electrical plug connector. In this way, any desired chain of adjacent circuit arrangements can be formed.

[0111] The supporting device can be designed as a supporting rail, in particular a top hat rail, or be suitable for being fastened to a supporting rail or a top hat rail.

[0112] It may be provided that the support device has a corresponding plug-in location for the circuit device, in particular for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting reception of the circuit device.

[0113] In an advantageous development, it can be provided that the circuit arrangement can be individually plugged into and unplugged from the support device, wherein the electrical plug connectors of the support device are designed and arranged and oriented on the circuits of the corresponding circuit arrangement in such a way that the circuit arrangement is inserted into the support device in such a way that the first interface and the second interface of the electrical plug connectors that are directly adjacent in each case are plugged together.

[0114] The invention is particularly suitable for use in switchgear, in particular with switchgear which can be equipped in a modular manner, wherein the circuit arrangement can be inserted into an electrical component as an expansion module.

[0115] The invention is very particularly suitable for providing and relaying electrical supply signals between individual circuit arrangements of an electrical component via corresponding electrical plug connectors. The electrical plug connector, in particular the contact element, can, for example, be designed to be able to transmit a voltage between 1.0 volt and 100 volts, preferably between 5 volts and 80 volts, for example about 60 volts. The electrical plug connector, in particular the contact element, can preferably be designed to be able to transmit a current at a level of 0.1 amperes to 50 amperes, preferably 0.5 amperes to 20 amperes, for example about 10 amperes. However, in principle, even higher currents and / or voltages can be provided or lower currents and / or voltages can also be provided.

[0116] The invention further relates to an electrical contact element for an electrical plug connector, in particular for a printed circuit board plug connector, the electrical contact element having a first end and a second end, wherein a first contact region is formed at the first end and a second contact region is formed at the second end, and wherein an extension axis runs between the first contact region and the second contact region (preferably runs through a connecting portion formed between the two contact regions), wherein the first contact region and the second contact region are contactable in a first plugging direction of a corresponding mating contact element of the electrical mating plug connector, which is oriented transversely to the extension axis, and wherein a third contact region for contacting at least one electrical conductor of an electrical circuit, in particular of an electrical printed circuit board, is formed between the two contact regions. The invention further relates to an electrical plug connector having a contact element as defined above.

[0117] The features already described in connection with one of the inventive subjects (i.e. provided by the electrical plug connector according to the invention, the circuit arrangement according to the invention, the electrical component according to the invention and the electrical contact element according to the invention) can also advantageously realize other subjects of the invention. Likewise, the advantages already mentioned in connection with one of the inventive subjects can also be understood as being relevant to other subjects of the invention.

[0118] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprising", "having" or "with" do not exclude any other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the" indicating a single step or feature do not exclude a plurality of features or steps, and vice versa.

[0119] However, in an embodiment of the present invention where the language is concise, it can also be provided that the features introduced in the present invention by the terms "comprising", "having" or "with" are limited. Thus, within the scope of the present invention, one or more enumerations of features may be considered limiting, such as to be considered in each case in each claim. For example, the present invention may consist only of the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0120] It should be noted that descriptions such as “first” or “second” etc. are mainly used for the purpose of distinguishing features of corresponding apparatuses or methods, and are not necessarily intended to indicate that the features are mutually dependent or related to each other.

[0121] It should also be emphasized that the values ​​and parameters described in this document include deviations or fluctuations of ±10% or less, preferably ±5% or less, more preferably ±1% or less, and very particularly preferably ±0.1% or less of the values ​​or parameters mentioned in each case, provided that these deviations are not excluded in practice when implementing the invention. The specification of ranges by starting and ending values ​​also includes all those values ​​and fractions included in the range mentioned in each case, in particular the starting and ending values ​​and the corresponding mean values.

[0122] The invention also relates to an electrical plug connector independent of claim 1. The applicant reserves the right to claim protection for this independent electrical plug connector separately. The electrical plug connector, in particular a printed circuit board plug connector, has a first electrical interface and a second electrical interface, wherein the first interface and the second interface are compatible with each other (preferably plug-compatible), and wherein a third electrical interface is formed between the two interfaces. Preferably, the first interface is formed on a first end of the electrical plug connector and the second interface is formed on a second end of the electrical plug connector, wherein the third interface is formed between the two ends. The third interface is preferably designed to contact at least one electrical conductor of an electrical circuit, in particular of an electrical printed circuit board. The plug connector may exclusively comprise electrical contact elements, but may optionally also have further plug connector parts, such as a plug connector housing. The further features of claim 1 and the dependent claims and the features described in this specification relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the independent electrical plug connector.

[0123] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

[0124] The drawings show preferred exemplary embodiments in each case, in which individual features of the invention are illustrated in combination with one another. Features of an exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be easily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further convenient combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0125] Elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0126] In the attached picture:

[0127] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of an electrical plug connector according to the invention is schematically shown in a perspective illustration, the electrical plug connector having two contact elements and a one-piece electrically insulating plug connector housing;

[0128] Figure 2 Another stereoscopic diagram schematically shows the Figure 1 Electrical plug connector;

[0129] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 One of the contact elements of the electrical plug connector is shown separately in a perspective view;

[0130] Figure 4 A second exemplary embodiment of an electrical plug connector according to the invention is schematically shown in a perspective illustration, the electrical plug connector having two contact elements and a one-piece electrically insulating plug connector housing;

[0131] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4 One of the contact elements of the electrical plug connector is shown separately in a perspective view;

[0132] Figure 6 schematically shows an electrical assembly having a plurality of circuit arrangements and an electrical plug connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0133] Figure 7 A further variant of a contact element for use in an electrical plug connector according to the invention is schematically shown in a perspective illustration.

[0134] Figures 1 to 3 A preferred exemplary embodiment of an electrical plug connector 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0135] The electrical plug connector 1 has a predominantly elongated design and extends along a longitudinal axis L. A first electrical interface 3 is formed at a first end 2 of the electrical plug connector 1 and a second electrical interface 5 is formed at a second end 4. The longitudinal axis L forms an extension axis between the two end portions 2, 4. The first interface 3 and the second interface 5 are plug-compatible with each other, so that the electrical plug connector 1 can be connected to a corresponding further electrical plug connector of the same or at least similar plug connector type. However, plug-in compatibility is not absolutely necessary within the scope of the invention, as described below based on Figure 7 Detailed description.

[0136] The first interface 3 and the second interface 5 can in each case be arranged at least transversely to the axis of extension or longitudinal axis L (see Figure 1 and Figure 6). It can also be optionally provided that, in addition to the first plugging direction S1, the first interface 3 and the second interface 5 can in each case be connected to a corresponding mating interface of the electrical mating plug connector in a second plugging direction S2 oriented parallel to the extension axis or longitudinal axis L.

[0137] Between the two ends 2, 4 a third electrical interface 6 is provided for direct contacting at least one electrical conductor 7 of an electrical circuit 8. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical plug connector 1 is designed as a printed circuit board plug connector, for which reason the third interface 6 is designed for contacting an electrical conductor 7 of an electrical circuit 8 (not shown in detail) formed on an electrical printed circuit board 9. The electrical printed circuit board 9 is Figure 1 The combination of electrical plug connector 1 and electrical circuit 8 or electrical printed circuit board 9 is referred to as a “circuit arrangement” 10 within the scope of the present invention.

[0138] In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical plug connector 1 has two electrical contact elements 11, which extend in each case from the first interface 3 via the third interface 6 to the second interface 5. The contact elements 11 are electrically insulated from one another or spaced apart from one another so as to form electrical paths that are independent of one another. A particularly advantageous embodiment results from the illustrated parallel arrangement of the electrical contact elements 11.

[0139] Figure 3 The electrical plug connector 1 is shown separately. Figure 1 and Figure 2 One of the contact elements 11 of the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0140] The contact element 11 is formed from sheet metal material and is preferably produced as part of a stamping and bending process. The contact element 11 can preferably be formed from bronze, in particular spring bronze, and at least partially coated, for example, in the area of ​​the electrical connections 3, 5, 6. The contact element 11 can have, for example, a gold coating.

[0141] The contact element 11 is preferably designed in each case as a single piece, as described in the exemplary embodiments.

[0142] The contact element 11 has in each case a first contact area 12 which is associated with the first end 2 or the first interface 3 within the electrical plug connector 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first contact area 12 is a predominantly elongated contact area which forms a flat contact plate. In principle, however, any form of first contact area 12 can be provided, such as a contact pin or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal extension of the first contact area 12 or the contact plate is oriented orthogonally to the extension axis or longitudinal axis L of the electrical plug connector 1, which also corresponds to the first plug direction S1 (see Figure 1 and Figure 6 ).

[0143] The second interface 5, which is plug-compatible with the contact plate or the first contact area 12, is formed by a corresponding second contact area 13 of the corresponding contact element 11, which forms a receptacle for the contact plate 12. A press-fit reception of the contact plate 12 in the second contact area 13 is provided, which is achieved by the configuration of the second contact area 13 in the form of two contact springs 14 running next to each other. Therefore, the contact plate 12 can be inserted between the contact springs 14 in a press-fit manner within their longitudinal extension. For this purpose, a portion 15 of the first contact portion 12 located at the front of the plug-in direction S1 is provided, wherein the opposite rear portion 16 in the plug-in direction S1 is purely optional. The rear portion 16 of the first contact area 12 can also be optionally omitted. Insertion of the contact plate 12 between the contact springs 14 in the second plug-in direction S2 is preferably also possible.

[0144] Alternatively, the contact spring 14 can have a widened insertion portion, for example an insertion portion widened in the shape of a cone or funnel, as for example in Figure 3 and Figure 5 , in order to provide an insertion aid for the first contact area 12 of a compatible plug connector.

[0145] The contact element 11 has at least one bending point 17 along its longitudinal axis between the first contact area 12 and the second contact area 13 in order to preferably orient the first contact area 12 and the second contact area 13 in alignment with each other, such as based on Figure 3 It can be seen particularly well. In this way, it is possible to plug a plurality of plug connectors 1 according to the invention together in an aligned manner. The first interface 3 and the second interface 4 are therefore preferably arranged in a common contact surface E, such as in Figure 3 and Figure 5 Indicated by dotted line.

[0146] The contact element 11 forms a third contact area 18 for the third interface 6, which in the exemplary embodiment is a contact fork 19 protruding from the base body of the contact element 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact fork 19 is designed as a soldering contact for connecting to an electrical conductor 7 (designed as a soldering pad) of the electrical printed circuit board 9. By means of the specific geometry of the contact fork 19 or due to the protrusion of the contact fork 19 from the base body, a particularly good accessibility is ensured for the responsible engineer, so that the connection to the electrical printed circuit board 9 can be optically checked and, in case of doubt, can be easily accessed for repair or alternatively for installation or removal.

[0147] At this point it should be noted that the third contact area 18 does not necessarily have to be designed as a solder contact. For example, a crimping contact, a contact pin or another configuration can also be provided, preferably to enable direct contact with the electrical conductor 7 of the circuit 8.

[0148] In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical plug connector 1 has an electrically insulating plug connector housing 20. The plug connector housing 20 is preferably manufactured from a plastic injection-molded part and is capable of receiving the contact elements 11 therein. The plug connector housing 20 is preferably designed as a single piece, however, it is also possible to provide a multi-piece plug connector housing 20 which can, for example, be plugged together.

[0149] For each contact element 11 , a separate contact chamber 21 is provided in the plug connector housing 20 , which contact chamber is shaped in the manner of a slot in the exemplary embodiment in order to receive the contact element 11 formed from sheet metal material.

[0150] The corresponding contact element 11 can be latched in the plug connector housing 20, preferably in a corresponding contact chamber 21. For this purpose, according to Figures 1 to 3 The contact element 11 of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention has in each case raised portions which are formed on opposite sides and form latching latches 22 for resilient latching tabs in a contact chamber 21 (not shown) (see Figure 3 ).

[0151] exist Figures 1 to 3 In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contact chamber 21 extends completely through the plug connector housing 20 from the side facing the first interface 3, so that the contact element 11 can be pushed into the plug connector housing 20 orthogonally to the first plugging direction S1 of the first and second interfaces 3, 5 or parallel to the extension axis L. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The "upper side" shown is completely closed and is particularly robust with regard to the plugging process.

[0152] The contact element 11 may have one or more stop surfaces 23 (see for example Figure 3 ) in order to provide an insertion depth limitation in the corresponding contact chamber 21 or in the plug connector housing 20.

[0153] The plug connector housing 20 has a recess 24 on the side of the plug connector housing 20 associated with the second end 4 in order to receive a contact plate of a further plug connector. The recess 24 can optionally be designed to taper conically in order to form an insertion aid.

[0154] The plug connector housing 20 optionally has the support surface 25 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment or another support surface in order to achieve a mechanically particularly stable connection to the printed circuit board 9 .

[0155] Optionally, a fastening element 26 may further be provided in order to fasten the electrical plug connector 1 to the circuit 8 or the printed circuit board 9. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Illustrated by way of example are four latching lugs 26 which project from the lateral support surface 25 and which can be inserted into corresponding holes of the printed circuit board 9 , preferably in a force-fitting manner or pressed on.

[0156] It should be pointed out here that the electrical plug connector 1 according to the invention may also have only at least one contact element 11. The plug connector housing 20 is not absolutely necessary. In addition to the contact element 11 and the plug connector housing 20, any desired other plug connector components may also be provided, such as a device for electromagnetically shielding the contact element 11. Therefore, all exemplary embodiments are given only by way of example and should not be understood as limiting.

[0157] It can be optionally provided that the electrical printed circuit board 9 has an opening 27 (see Figure 1 ), in order to further improve the installation and mechanical stability of the electrical plug connector 1, and to optimize the structural space. The opening 27 can start from a side or an edge of the printed circuit board 9, but can also be designed as a window in the printed circuit board 9.

[0158] exist Figure 4 A further exemplary embodiment of a plug connector 1 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view. Figure 5 One of the used contact elements 11 is shown separately in FIG.

[0159] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The variant of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3The exemplary embodiment of EMBODIMENT 2 differs essentially in that the contact chamber 21 extends in the plug connector housing 20 or in the direction in which the contact element 11 is mounted in the plug connector housing 20 .

[0160] and Figures 1 to 3 Compared to the exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The contact element 11 in the exemplary embodiment of can be inserted into the plug connector housing 20 in a first plugging direction S1 of the first or second interface 3, 5. For this purpose, the plug connector housing 20 has a corresponding contact chamber 21 which, in contrast to the above-described variant, does not extend completely through the plug connector housing 20.

[0161] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the variant shown, the latching of the contact element 11 inside the corresponding contact chamber 21 can be achieved by a latching tab 28 of the contact element 11 (see Figure 5 ) and a corresponding latching latch (not shown) in the contact chamber 21 are formed.

[0162] right Figure 4 and Figure 5 For further technical details of the exemplary embodiments, reference should be made to the above explanations.

[0163] exist Figure 6 Schematically shown in FIG. 2 is an electrical assembly 29 according to the invention, which has a support device 30 for a plurality of circuit arrangements 10. The support device 30 can be designed, for example, to be mounted on a top hat rail.

[0164] The support device 30 has a modular plug-in connector 31, which has an interface for connecting to a first circuit device 10 in a row of circuit devices 10, which interface is compatible with the first interface 3 of the above-mentioned plug-in connector 1, so that data and / or supply signals can be applied to the first circuit device 10 via its electrical plug-in connector 1 via the modular plug-in connector 31.

[0165] Individual circuit devices 10 can preferably be individually plugged into and unplugged from the support device 30 in each case, wherein the electrical plug connector 1 of the support device 30 is designed, arranged and oriented on the circuit 8 of the corresponding circuit device 19 in such a way that the circuit device 10 is plugged into the support device 30 and simultaneously the directly adjacent electrical plug connectors 1 of the first interface 3 and the second interface 5 in each case are plugged together. Thus, an installation movement in the first plug-in direction S1 and / or the second plug-in direction S2 can be provided.

[0166] A vertical insertion of a separate printed circuit board 9 or circuit 8 together with the electrical plug connector 1 is preferably provided, such as Figure 6Optionally, the plug connector 1 (in particular the plug connector housing 20 of the plug connector 1 ) can have a guiding and / or securing device (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 A guide groove 32 (shown by way of example in FIG. 1 ) is provided in order to improve the insertion into a corresponding insertion position of the support device 30 .

[0167] In each case, two directly adjacent circuit arrangements 10 can be electrically connected to one another in the manner proposed via their corresponding electrical plug connectors 1 .

[0168] The electrical components 29 can ultimately be upgraded in a modular and flexible manner along with the circuit arrangements 10 which are ultimately supplied by handing over electrical data and / or supply signals from a corresponding predecessor.

[0169] The individual circuit arrangements 10 or the electrical components 29 can be designed, for example, to supply, activate and / or evaluate sensors and / or actuators of electrical switching devices.

[0170] Finally, based on Figure 7 As illustrated, plug-in compatibility between the first interface 3 and the second interface 5 does not necessarily take place within the scope of the invention.

[0171] For this purpose, Figure 7 , an electrical contact element 11 is illustrated, whose first interface 3 and second interface 3, 5 have a consistent structure. The first and second interfaces 3, 5 each have two contact springs 14 running next to each other and are therefore suitable in each case for electrical and mechanical connection to a mainly elongated mating contact element (i.e., for example, a contact plate 12).

[0172] Alternatively, the first two interfaces 3, 5 can also have, for example, corresponding elongated contact areas 12, 13. The contact element 11 can thus be equipped with contact plates 12, for example, on both sides.

Claims

1. An electrical plug connector (1), in particular a printed circuit board plug connector, having a first end (2) and a second end (4), wherein: A first electrical interface (3) is formed at the first end (2) and a second electrical interface (5) is formed at the second end (4), and wherein an extension axis (L) runs between the first interface (3) and the second interface (5), wherein the first interface (3) and the second interface (5) are in each case connectable to a corresponding mating interface of an electrical mating plug connector at least in a first plug-in direction (S1) oriented transversely to the extension axis (L), and wherein a third electrical interface (6) for contacting at least one electrical conductor (7) of a circuit (8), in particular of an electrical printed circuit board (9), is formed between the two ends (2, 4).

2. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first interface (3) and the second interface (5) are arranged along the extension axis (L) in alignment with one another, preferably in a common contact plane (E).

3. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first interface (3) and the second interface (5) are compatible with each other, preferably plug-compatible with each other.

4. The electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In addition to the first plug-in direction (S1), the first interface (3) and the second interface (5) can in each case be connected to a corresponding mating interface of the electrical mating plug connector in a second plug-in direction (S2) oriented parallel to the extension axis (L).

5. The electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that At least one electrical contact element (11) extends from the first interface (3) to the second interface (5) via the third interface (6), wherein the first interface (3) and / or the second interface (5) and / or the third interface (6) are preferably designed as flat contacts.

6. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that Exactly two of the electrical contact elements (11) are electrically insulated from one another and are preferably arranged such that they run parallel to one another in close proximity.

7. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that Each of the contact elements (11) is in each case designed as a single piece.

8. Electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that The at least one contact element (11) forms a first contact region (12), preferably a predominantly elongated first contact region (12), of the first interface (3) in the first end (2).

9. Electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that The at least one contact element (11) forms in the second end (4) a second contact area (13) of the second interface (5), the second contact area preferably being a receiving seat for the mainly elongated first contact area (12) of the first interface (3) of another electrical plug connector of the same configuration, in particular for receiving in a force-fitting manner, preferably by means of two contact springs (14) running closely together.

10. Electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that The at least one contact element (11) forms a third contact area (18) for the third interface (6), the third contact area preferably being a contact fork (19) protruding from a base body of the contact element (11).

11. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The third contact region (18) is designed as a press contact or a solder contact, preferably as a solder foot, a solder lug or a solder pad.

12. Electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that The at least one contact element (11) is fastened in a plug connector housing (20), preferably a one-piece plug connector housing (20), in which a separate contact chamber (21), in particular a predominantly groove-shaped contact chamber (21), is formed for each contact element (11).

13. A circuit arrangement (10) having at least one electrical plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 and the circuit (8) with the at least one electrical conductor (7), wherein: The third interface (6) of the electrical plug connector (1) is in electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor (7).

14. An electrical component (29) comprising a support device (30) and a plurality of circuit devices (10) according to claim 13 arranged on the support device (30), wherein: In each case, two directly adjacent circuit arrangements (10) are electrically connected to one another via corresponding electrical plug connectors (1) of the circuit arrangements.

15. The electrical component (29) according to claim 14, characterized in that The circuit arrangement (10) can be individually plugged into and unplugged from the support device (30), wherein the electrical plug connector (1) of the support device (30) is designed and arranged and oriented on the circuit (8) of the corresponding circuit arrangement (10) so that when the circuit arrangement (10) is plugged into the support device (30), the first interface (3) and the second interface (5) of the directly adjacent electrical plug connector (1) are plugged together.

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