Female terminal for printed circuit board and printed circuit board assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a female terminal (2) for a printed circuit board (3) and a printed circuit board assembly. The female terminal (2) has at least one plug receptacle (4), at least one first spring tongue (5) and at least one positioning arm (6). According to the invention, the plug receptacle (4) and the first spring tongue (5) are at least partially surrounded by a surrounding wall (8). The invention also relates to a printed circuit board arrangement (1) having at least one printed circuit board (3) and at least one female terminal (2) according to the invention. The female terminal (2) is arranged at least partially within the printed circuit board (3) and is electrically conductively connected to at least one conductor track (3 ') of the printed circuit board (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a female terminal for a printed circuit board and to a printed circuit board assembly having a female terminal, a printed circuit board and a plug. The female terminal has at least one plug receiving portion, at least one first spring tongue and at least one positioning arm. The plug receiving portion is configured and designed to at least partially receive a plug. The first spring tongue is arranged at least partially adjacent to the plug receiving portion and the first spring tongue is configured and designed to at least partially hold the plug in the plug receiving portion. The positioning arm is configured and designed to position the female terminal on the printed circuit board.

[0002] Female terminals are known in various embodiments of the prior art. For example, from EP 2 236 330 A1 or EP 2 897 230 B1 it is known to provide a spring tongue on a printed circuit board in order to hold a plug in place with respect to the printed circuit board. However, both EP 2 236 330 A1 and EP 2 897 230 B1 propose a female terminal which is essentially formed as a plate. In order to be positioned on the printed circuit board, the female terminal is provided with two curved webs which are to be inserted into corresponding openings in the printed circuit board. Experience has shown that these webs are prone to breakage even at low loads. Furthermore, with this type of design the female terminal requires a relatively large amount of space when being installed, so that the printed circuit board cannot be used for other connections at this time.

[0003] It is also known from the prior art that a female terminal has an outer contour which essentially corresponds to the inner contour of a corresponding opening in a printed circuit board. The spring tongue is attached outside this outer contour. However, this design of the female terminal also leads to the female terminal, in particular the spring tongue, becoming prone to damage.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the task of providing a female terminal and a printed circuit board assembly which have improved resistance to damage and a reduced space requirement.

[0005] According to the invention, this task is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1, i.e. the plug receiving portion and the first spring tongue are at least partially surrounded by a surrounding wall. Thus, in particular, the first spring tongue is protected from damage. Furthermore, the female terminal has a more compact shape and requires less installation space. Furthermore, the female terminal can essentially be arranged within the printed circuit board. The female terminal according to the invention increases the safety of the plug receiving portion and the first spring tongue while reducing the required space. In order to achieve a more compact form of the female terminal, it is also particularly advantageous if the plug receiving portion and / or the first spring tongue are essentially completely surrounded by the surrounding wall.

[0006] If a plug is inserted into the plug receiving portion in order to establish an electrically conductive connection with the female terminal, the first spring tongue is preferably elastically deformed by the plug, so that the first spring tongue rests against the plug under a pre-load and establishes an advantageous electrical contact.

[0007] Preferably, the female terminal is configured and designed for use in an electrically powered vehicle, for example in an electrically powered passenger car.

[0008] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the female terminal is designed and configured for use in a high-voltage region. In particular, the female terminal is provided in such a form that the female terminal is configured and designed for use in a high-voltage range or that the female terminal is configured and designed for use with a high-voltage current.

[0009] In order to reduce the amount of material required, the circumferential wall can also have at least one notch and / or at least one recess. It is advantageous if the at least one notch or the at least one recess is formed between two adjacent positioning arms.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the circumferential wall surrounds at least one interior space. Furthermore, the female terminal is advantageously configured such that the first spring tongue is arranged at least partially within the interior space. In particular, the first spring tongue defines a plug receptacle within the interior space. Preferably, the first spring tongue is arranged at least partially within the interior space. Preferably, the first spring tongue is arranged completely within the interior space.

[0011] With the preferred solution of the first spring tongue having a spring root portion and the spring root portion protruding from the interior space, the installation space required for the female terminal is further reduced. In particular, it is advantageous if only the spring root portion protrudes from the interior space. In these embodiments of the female terminal, it is advantageous if the plug receptacle is arranged completely within the interior space.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the first spring tongue has at least one spring portion, and the outer peripheral wall extends beyond the spring portion. Preferably, the first spring tongue, in particular the spring portion, has an extension which is less than the parallel extension of the outer peripheral wall. It is further advantageous if the spring portion extends in the height direction. The spring portion is protected by the circumferential wall and the risk of damage is further reduced.

[0013] The main wall portion of the circumferential wall extends beyond the spring portion, such that the material requirement is reduced. In particular, the spring portion is arranged within the interior space. Furthermore, the first spring tongue can be arranged on the main wall portion, preferably formed integrally therewith. In particular, the main wall portion has a length, for example a length extending substantially perpendicular to the height direction, which is greater than or less than the length of another portion of the circumferential wall, for example a side portion of the circumferential wall. Preferably, the main wall portion is the portion of the circumferential wall having the greatest length.

[0014] To increase the load capacity of the female terminal, it is advantageous that the spring portion has at least one end portion which is oriented towards the surrounding wall. In particular, the female terminal is configured such that the end portion section is at least partially supported against the surrounding wall when the plug is inserted into the plug receiving portion. It is further preferred that the end portion section rests at least partially on a main wall portion of the surrounding wall when the plug is inserted into the plug receiving portion. Preferably, the end portion section is at least partially supported on the surrounding wall, for example on the main wall portion, when the plug is inserted into the plug receiving portion, in order to increase the contact force. In particular, at least the spring portion is elastically deformable. The elastic deformability of the spring portion or of the entire first spring tongue results in an elastic deformation of the end portion section towards the surrounding wall when the plug is inserted, until the end portion section contacts the surrounding wall and is supported against the surrounding wall.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the female terminal, the first spring tongue is formed starting from the main wall portion. In particular, the first spring tongue and the positioning arm are arranged on the same main wall portion. In order to improve the force distribution and the resistance of the female terminal, the first spring tongue and the positioning arm are arranged at opposite end portions of the main wall portion. The two opposite end portions of the main wall portion define the extent of the surrounding wall, for example the extension height of the main wall portion. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first spring tongue extends in the interior space towards the positioning arm. Advantageously, the first spring tongue extends from the spring root portion in the direction of the end portion of the first spring tongue towards the positioning arm. In particular, the end portion of the first spring tongue is arranged closer to the positioning arm than the spring root portion of the first spring tongue.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, there can be at least one second spring tongue. In particular, the first spring tongue is at least partially oriented in an opposite direction to the second spring tongue. It is also preferred that the second spring tongue at least partially has the same design as the first spring tongue, in particular the second spring tongue thus has at least partially the same features as the first spring tongue. Preferably, the second spring tongue is arranged parallel to the first spring tongue, close to the first spring tongue. In particular, the female terminal has a second spring tongue.

[0017] The opposite orientation of the two spring tongues facilitates the insertion of the plug from different directions. Furthermore, due to the opposite orientation of the spring tongues, the plug is held in the plug receiving portion in an improved manner. In particular, it is advantageous that the first spring tongue and the second spring tongue are formed starting from opposite main wall portions of the surrounding wall. Preferably, the spring root portion of the first spring tongue is arranged opposite the end portion of the second spring tongue and the spring root portion of the second spring tongue is arranged opposite the end portion of the first spring tongue. In particular, the end portion of the first spring tongue and the spring root portion of the second spring tongue face each other and / or the end portion of the second spring tongue and the spring root portion of the first spring tongue face each other.

[0018] In another embodiment of the female terminal, at least the first spring tongue is at least partially or completely curved. Furthermore, preferably, the first spring tongue has at least one contact point for the plug. For example, the contact point is arranged in the spring portion of the first spring tongue or the spring portion of the first spring tongue is formed as the contact point. If the contact point is formed at the peak point of the curve, the electrical contact of the plug is improved. In particular, the curvature is formed on the spring portion of the first spring tongue.

[0019] In order to further reduce the installation space of the female terminal, the plug receptacle is oriented in such a way that, in the installed state, the plug receptacle extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board, in particular parallel to a surface of the printed circuit board. According to the application, the installed state is to be understood as the state in which the female terminal is mounted on the printed circuit board in such a way that the female terminal and the printed circuit board can be used as intended.

[0020] In particular, it is advantageous if the plug receptacle extends substantially parallel to the positioning arm wing of the positioning arm. Preferably, the plug receptacle is configured and designed in such a way that, in the installed state, the plug inserted into the plug receptacle extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board, in particular parallel to a surface of the printed circuit board. The extension of the plug receptacle describes the configuration of the plug receptacle from the insertion section to the exit section. The insertion section is preferably the section of the plug receptacle which is configured and designed to be penetrated first by the plug when the plug is inserted. In particular, the exit section is arranged at the end of the plug receptacle opposite the insertion section. Advantageously, the exit section is the section of the plug receptacle which is configured and designed to be passed last by the plug when the plug is inserted.

[0021] It should also be noted that the plug receptacle can also be referred to as a plug recess. In particular, the plug receptacle is formed as a channel. In particular, the plug receptacle is configured and designed in such a way that the plug passes through the plug receptacle. Alternatively, the plug receptacle has a closed end, preferably, whereby the plug can be placed against the closed end section.

[0022] In order to facilitate the positioning of the female terminal on the printed circuit board, a positioning arm is applied which extends substantially in the manner of an extension of the surrounding wall. In particular, the positioning arm extends substantially along the main wall portion of the surrounding wall. Preferably, the positioning arm projects from the main wall portion. It is advantageous for the electrical resistance of the female terminal if, in the installed state, the positioning arm at least partially, in particular completely, adjoins the printed circuit board, preferably at least in a section which is substantially flush with the printed circuit board. For example, the positioning arm is configured to be soldered to the printed circuit board or to a contact point on the printed circuit board.

[0023] The circumferential wall has at least one protective protrusion, such that the female terminal is further protected. Also, the protective protrusion is arranged on a side wall portion that is different from the main wall portion, further improving the protection of the female terminal against deformation. Furthermore, the protective protrusion improves the insertion of the female terminal into a printed circuit board or into a recess in the printed circuit board. In particular, it is advantageous that the protective protrusion is arranged on a side wall portion that is adjacent to the main wall portion. Preferably, the spring root portion protrudes from the main wall portion by a spring root extension length, and the spring root extension length is about the same size or larger than a protective protrusion extension length by which the protective protrusion protrudes from the side wall portion. In particular, the spring root portion is protected by the protective protrusion.

[0024] In another embodiment of the female terminal, the positioning arm has at least one positioning arm web and at least one positioning arm wing, and the positioning arm wing protrudes at an angle from the positioning arm, in particular from the positioning arm web. In particular, the angle is between 45° and 135°. Preferably, the angle is between 60° and 120°. Advantageously, the angle is about 75° or about 90°. In order to improve the attachment of the female terminal to the printed circuit board, preferably, the printed circuit board has at least one seat, and the seat is configured and designed to at least partially receive the positioning arm wing. Additionally or alternatively, in particular, the positioning arm wing portion is configured and designed to at least partially abut against the printed circuit board, in particular against a conductor track of the printed circuit board. It is preferred that the positioning arm wing is configured and designed to form an electrically conductive connection with the printed circuit board, in particular with a conductor track of the printed circuit board.

[0025] The manufacturing of the female terminal is improved, in particular if the female terminal is formed as a single-piece part. Preferably, the female terminal is manufactured from a blank made of a metal sheet by bending to a single-piece part. This prevents an interaction between different materials. Alternatively or additionally, the female terminal can also be manufactured at least partially or completely using an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing.

[0026] In order to produce the circumferential wall, in particular, the circumferential wall has at least one joint. Preferably, the two end portions of the blank are connected together at the joint. In order to prevent the female terminal from being opened unintentionally, it is advantageous that the two end portions are connected at the joint by a dovetail joint. A tongue-and-groove joint is preferably provided as an alternative or in addition to the dovetail joint. The joint is arranged on a side wall portion of the circumferential wall, enabling an improved load distribution.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention comprises a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly has at least one printed circuit board and at least one female terminal according to one of the preceding embodiments. The female terminal is arranged at least partially within the printed circuit board, in particular within a recess in the printed circuit board, wherein the female terminal is conductively connected to at least one conductor track of the printed circuit board. Since the printed circuit board assembly according to the invention has a female terminal according to the invention, the embodiments and advantages described with regard to the female terminal apply equally to the printed circuit board assembly and vice versa.

[0028] Advantageously, the printed circuit board has at least one seat. Preferably, the seat is configured and designed to receive a positioning arm wing of a positioning arm. In particular, the printed circuit board assembly is designed such that a positioning arm wing of a positioning arm is arranged at least partially in the seat of the printed circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description of the drawings and the dependent claims.

[0030] The drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a printed circuit board assembly,

[0032] Figure 1b and 1c is a perspective view of an embodiment of a female terminal,

[0033] Figure 2a and Figure 2b is a perspective view of another embodiment of a female terminal,

[0034] Figure 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a printed circuit board assembly,

[0035] Figure 3b and Figure 3c is a perspective view of another embodiment of a female terminal,

[0036] Figure 4a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a printed circuit board assembly,

[0037] Figure 4b is a perspective view of another embodiment of a female terminal, and

[0038] Figure 4c is a sectional view of a female terminal according to Figure 4b . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the individual figures of the drawings, identical parts are always labeled with the same reference signs.

[0040] Figure 1a A printed circuit board assembly 1 according to the application is shown with a female terminal 2 and a printed circuit board 3. In the printed circuit board assembly 1, the female terminal 2 is arranged partially inside the printed circuit board 3. Furthermore, the female terminal 2 is connected to a conductor track 3’ of the printed circuit board 3.

[0041] The female terminal 2 has a plug receptacle 4, at least one first spring tongue 5 (in this example four spring tongues 5 (see Figure 1b )) and at least one positioning arm 6 (in this example two positioning arms 6). Figure 1b and Figure 1c The female terminal 2 according to Fig. 1 is shown separately.

[0042] The plug receptacle 4 is configured and designed to receive a plug 7. The four first spring tongues 5 are arranged adjacent to the plug receptacle 4. The four first spring tongues 5 are configured and designed to hold the plug 7 at least partially in the plug receptacle 4. The positioning arms 6 are configured and designed to position the female terminal 2 on the printed circuit board 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the female terminal 2 has a surrounding wall 8, wherein the plug receptacle 4 and the first spring tongues 5 are partially surrounded by the surrounding wall 8. The surrounding wall 8 surrounds an inner space 9. The first spring tongues 5 are partially arranged within the inner space 9 and define the plug receptacle 4 in the inner space 9.

[0044] Furthermore, the first spring tongues 5 each have a spring root portion 10. The spring root portion 10 protrudes from the inner space 9, as Figure 1b is shown. In addition, the four first spring tongues 5 each have a spring portion 11. The surrounding wall 8 extends such that a main wall portion 12 exceeds the four spring portions 11. The spring portions 11 are arranged within the inner space 9 of the female terminal 2.

[0045] As Figure 1c is shown, each spring portion 11 of the four first spring tongues 5 has an end portion 13. The end portion 13 is oriented towards the surrounding wall 8, i.e. towards the main wall portion 12. When the plug 7 is inserted into the plug receptacle 4, the spring tongues 5 are deflected. As a result of the deflection, the end portions 13 of the first spring tongues 5 are supported against the surrounding wall 8 to increase the contact force.

[0046] On each main wall portion, two first spring tongues 5 are formed starting from the main wall portion 12. On the same main wall portion 12, not only the two first spring tongues 5 are formed, but also the positioning arms 6. As Figure 1b is shown, the first spring tongues 5 and the positioning arms 6 are arranged at opposite end portions 12’ and 12” of the main wall portion 12, respectively. In this example, the first spring tongues 5 extend within the inner space 9 from the spring root portions 10 towards the positioning arms 6.

[0047] Figure 2a and Figure 2b A further embodiment of a female terminal 2 is shown. The female terminal 2 has essentially the same design and the same features as the female terminal 2 shown in Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c Thus, the differences between the two embodiments are mainly explained in the following.

[0048] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The female terminal 2 shown in

[0049] In the embodiments of Figure 2a and Figure 2b The positioning arms 6 and the spring tongues 5 are each arranged symmetrically around a positioning arm plane P, wherein a positioning arm axis p of the respective positioning arm 6 lies in the positioning arm plane P.

[0050] Figure 3a A printed circuit board assembly 1 in a further embodiment is shown. The printed circuit board assembly 1 also has a female terminal 2 and a printed circuit board 3. Figure 3a A printed circuit board assembly 1 with an inserted plug 7 is shown. Figure 3b and 3c A perspective view of a female terminal 2 is shown.

[0051] The female terminal 2 according to Figure 3a , Figure 3b and Figure 3c has essentially the same design and the same features as the female terminal 2 according to Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 1c , Figure 2a and Figure 2b The printed circuit board assembly 1 according to Figure 3a has essentially the same design and the same features as the printed circuit board assembly 1 according to Figure 1a Thus, the differences to the embodiments according to Figures 1a to 2b are mainly described in the following.

[0052] Figure 3a , Figure 3b and Figure 3c The female terminal 2 shown in

[0053] Although in the embodiment shown Figures 1a to 2b In the embodiment shown, the main wall portion 12 is the longest wall portion of the surrounding wall 8, but in Figures 3a to 3c In the embodiment shown, the two main wall portions 12 are arranged adjacent to the longest wall portion of the surrounding wall 8. Thus, the main wall portions 12 have a shorter length than the side wall portion 22.

[0054] Figure 4a A printed circuit board assembly 1 in another embodiment is shown. According to Figure 4a The printed circuit board assembly 1 according to Figure 4a also has a female terminal 2 and a printed circuit board 3. The female terminal 2 is connected to a conductor track 3' of the printed circuit board 3. The conductor track 3' is shown with a dotted line. Figure 4b The female terminal 2 according to Figure 4a is shown in a perspective view, and Figure 4c The female terminal 2 is shown in a sectional view taken in a sectional plane C, wherein the sectional plane C intersects the two main wall portions and extends substantially parallel to the side wall portion 22.

[0055] The female terminal 2 according to Figure 4a , Figure 4b and Figure 4c has essentially the same design and the same features as the female terminal 2 according to Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 1c , Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figure 3a and Figure 3b . Therefore, only the differences between the embodiments are set out hereinafter. The printed circuit board assembly 1 according to Figure 4a has essentially the same design and the same features as the printed circuit board assembly 1 according to Figure 1a and Figure 3a . Therefore, the differences between the embodiments are mainly explained hereinafter.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4a , Figure 4b and Figure 4c , the female terminal 2 has at least one first spring tongue 5, in this example exactly one first spring tongue 5, and at least one positioning arm 6, in this example two positioning arms 6. In addition, the female terminal 2 has a second spring tongue 15. The second spring tongue 15 has essentially the same design as the first spring tongue 5.

[0057] Both the first spring tongue 5 and the second spring tongue 15 are arranged at least partially adjacent to the plug receiving portion 4 and at least partially extend into an interior space 9, which is surrounded by the surrounding wall 8.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4band Figure 4c As shown, the first spring tongues 5 and the second spring tongues 15 are arranged completely within the inner space 9. The spring root portions 10 of the first spring tongues 5 and the spring root portions 16 of the second spring tongues 15 are also arranged within the inner space 9. Thus, neither the first spring tongues 5 nor the second spring tongues 15 protrude from the inner space 9.

[0059] Figure 4c It is shown that the first spring tongues 5 and the second spring tongues 15 are arranged opposite to each other. The spring root 10 of the first spring tongue 5 is arranged opposite to the end portion 17 of the second spring tongue 15 and the spring root 16 of the first spring tongue 5 is arranged opposite to the end portion 13 of the first spring tongue 5. Thereby, it is advantageously possible to insert the plug 7 into the female terminal 2 or the plug receiving portion 4 from two insertion directions.

[0060] Furthermore, the first spring tongues 5 are formed on a first main wall portion 12' of the surrounding wall 8 and the second spring tongues 15 are formed on a second main wall portion 12" of the surrounding wall 8. The first main wall portion 12' and the second main wall portion 12" are opposite to each other.

[0061] As Figure 1b and Figure 1c shown, the first spring tongues 5 have a spring portion 11. The spring portion 11 has a curved shape. Furthermore, each first spring tongue 5 has a contact point 18, wherein the contact point 18 is configured and designed to cooperate with a plug into an electrically conductive connection. The contact point 18 is formed at a peak point 19 of the curve. Likewise, the first spring tongues 5 and the second spring tongues 15 according to Figures 4a to 4c each have a contact point 18, which is formed at a peak point 19 of the curve of the respective spring tongue 5, 15. According to Figure 4c , the contact points 18 of the spring tongues 5 and the spring tongues 15 are offset from each other.

[0062] Figures 1a to 3c The embodiment according to Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c has a plug receiving portion 4, which is oriented such that, in a state in which the female terminal 2 is attached to the printed circuit board 3, i.e. in an installed state, the plug receiving portion 4 extends through the printed circuit board 3. On the other hand, the female terminal 2 according to Figure 4a has a plug receiving portion 4, which is oriented such that, in an installed state, the plug receiving portion 4 extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 3, in particular parallel to a surface of the printed circuit board 3. Thus, in the installed state, a plug 7 inserted into the plug receiving portion 4 also extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 3, as shown for example in

[0063] Furthermore, the female terminal 2 according to Figures 4a to 4cEach positioning arm 6 has a positioning arm wing 20. The plug receptacle 4 extends substantially parallel to the positioning arm wing 20.

[0064] Each positioning arm 6 extends substantially in the manner of a continuation of the wall 8. Furthermore, Figure 4b It is shown that the positioning arms 6 each extend substantially along a side wall portion 22 of the wall 8, so that the width of the positioning arms 6 substantially corresponds to the width of the corresponding side wall portion 22. The positioning arms 6 project from the side wall portion 22.

[0065] According to Figures 1a to 3c an embodiment of the positioning arms 6 extends substantially in the manner of a continuation of the wall 8. The positioning arms 6 project from the main wall portion 12 of the wall 8.

[0066] As Figure 1b and Figure 1c shown, the female terminal 2 has at least one protection protrusion 21, which example comprises two protection protrusions 21. Each protection protrusion 21 is arranged on a side wall portion 22. The side wall portion 22 is a portion of the wall 8 that is different from the main wall portion 12. The side wall portion 22 is arranged adjacent to the main wall portion 12.

[0067] According to Figure 1b , the spring root portion 10 projects from the main wall portion 12 by a spring root extension length d. The spring root extension length d is about as large as a protection protrusion extension length s (see Figure 1c ). The protection protrusion extension length s describes the extent to which the protection protrusion 21 projects from the side wall portion 22.

[0068] In Figures 1a to 1c the embodiment of the female terminal 2 shown, the positioning arm 6 also has a positioning arm wing 20. Furthermore, the positioning arm 6 has a positioning arm web 23. The positioning arm wing 20 projects at an angle a from the positioning arm 6, in particular from the positioning arm web 23. In Figures 1a to 1c the embodiment shown, the angle a is about 75°.

[0069] Figures 4a to 4c The positioning arm wing 20 of the embodiment of the female terminal 2 shown in the middle also projects at an angle a from the respective positioning arm 6, in particular from the positioning arm web 23 of the respective positioning arm 6. According to this embodiment, the angle a is about 90°.

[0070] In the embodiment according to Figures 1a to 3c , the female terminal 2 is formed from a blank made of sheet metal as a single piece. In order to produce the wall 8, the wall 8 has a joint 24. At the joint 24, two opposite end portions 24' and 24" of the blank are connected together using a dovetail joint. The joint 24 is arranged on one of the side wall portions 22.

[0071] In the embodiment according to Figures 4a to 4cIn an embodiment of the female terminal 2 is formed from a blank made of sheet metal as a single piece. To produce the surrounding wall 8, the surrounding wall 8 has two joints 24 in one of the main wall portions 12. The joints 24 have a weld, in particular a laser weld, which connects opposite end portions 24', 24" of the blank. The two joints 24 are offset from each other with respect to the second spring tongue 15.

[0072] With regard to the description, it is claimed that the application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, and thus not to all or several features of the described feature combinations, but that each individual partial feature of each exemplary embodiment is important for the purpose of the application independently of all other partial features described in connection therewith and also in combination with any feature of another embodiment.

[0073] The application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described, but also includes all embodiments which have the same effect in the meaning of the application. It is expressly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to the combination of all features, but that each individual partial feature can also have its own inventive significance independently of all other partial features. Furthermore, the application is also not limited to the combination of the features defined in claim 1, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all individual features disclosed. This means that, in principle, almost any individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in this application.

[0074] List of reference signs

[0075] 1 printed circuit board assembly

[0076] 2 female terminal

[0077] 3 printed circuit board

[0078] 3' conductor track

[0079] 4 plug receptacle

[0080] 5 first spring tongue

[0081] 6 positioning arm

[0082] 7 plug

[0083] 8 surrounding wall

[0084] 9 inner space

[0085] 10 spring root portion

[0086] 11 spring portion

[0087] 12 main wall portion

[0088] 12', 12" opposite end portions

[0089] 12' first main wall portion

[0090] 12" second main wall portion

[0091] 13 end portion

[0092] 14 notch

[0093] 15 second spring tongue

[0094] 16 spring root portion

[0095] 17 end portion

[0096] 18 contact point

[0097] 19 peak point

[0098] 20 positioning arm wing

[0099] 21 protection protrusion

[0100] 22 side wall portion

[0101] 23 positioning arm web

[0102] 24 joint

[0103] 24', 24" end

[0104] p positioning arm axis

[0105] P positioning arm plane

[0106] d spring root extension length

[0107] s protection protrusion extension length

[0108] a angle

Claims

1. A female terminal (2) for a printed circuit board (3), in, The female terminal (2) has at least one plug receiving portion (4), at least one first spring tongue (5), and at least one positioning arm (6). The plug receiving portion (4) is configured and designed to at least partially accommodate the plug (7). The first spring tongue (5) is arranged at least partially adjacent to the plug receiving portion (4), and the first spring tongue (5) is configured and designed to retain the plug (7) at least partially in the plug receiving portion (4). The positioning arm (6) is configured and designed to position the female terminal (2) on the printed circuit board (3). Its features are, The plug receiving portion (4) and the first spring tongue (5) are at least partially surrounded by the surrounding wall (8).

2. The female terminal (2) according to claim 1, Its features are, The surrounding wall (8) surrounds at least one interior space (9), and the first spring tongue (5) is arranged at least partially within the interior space (9).

3. The female terminal (2) according to claim 2, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) has a spring root portion (16) and the spring root portion (16) extends from the internal space (9).

4. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) has at least one spring portion (11), and the surrounding wall (8) extends beyond the spring portion (11).

5. The female terminal (2) according to claim 4, Its features are, The main wall portion (12) of the outer peripheral wall (8) extends beyond the spring portion (11).

6. The female terminal (2) according to claim 4 or 5, Its features are, The spring portion (11) is arranged within the internal space (9).

7. The female terminal (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, Its features are, The spring portion (11) has at least one end portion (13) oriented toward the surrounding wall (8).

8. The female terminal (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, Its features are, When the plug (7) is inserted into the plug receiving part (4), the end portion (13) is at least partially supported on the surrounding wall (8).

9. The female terminal (2) according to claim 8, Its features are, When the plug (7) is inserted into the plug receiving part (4), the end part (13) is at least partially supported on the main wall part (12) of the surrounding wall (8).

10. The female terminal (2) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, Its features are, When the plug (7) is inserted into the plug receiving part (4), the end portion (13) is at least partially supported on the surrounding wall (8) to increase the contact force.

11. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) originates from the main wall portion (12).

12. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) and the positioning arm (6) are arranged on the same main wall portion (12).

13. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) and the positioning arm (6) are arranged at opposite end portions (12', 12") of the main wall portion (12).

14. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) extends in the direction of the positioning arm (6) in the internal space (9).

15. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, There is at least one second spring tongue (15), and the first spring tongue (5) is arranged to be at least partially opposite the second spring tongue (15).

16. The female terminal (2) according to claim 15, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) and the second spring tongue (15) originate from the opposite main wall portions (12', 12”) of the surrounding wall (8).

17. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) is curved and has at least one contact point (18) for the plug (7).

18. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The plug receiving portion (4) is oriented such that, in the installed state, the plug receiving portion (4) extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board (3).

19. The female terminal (2) according to claim 18, Its features are, The plug receiving portion (4) extends substantially parallel to the positioning arm wing (20) of the positioning arm (6).

20. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The positioning arm (6) extends substantially as an extension of the surrounding wall (8).

21. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The positioning arm (6) extends substantially along the main wall portion (12) of the surrounding wall (8).

22. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The positioning arm (6) extends from the main wall portion (12).

23. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The surrounding wall (8) includes at least one protective protrusion (21).

24. The female terminal (2) according to claim 23, Its features are, The protective protrusion (21) is arranged on a side wall portion (22) that is different from the main wall portion (12).

25. The female terminal (2) according to claim 24, Its features are, The protective protrusion (21) is arranged on the side wall portion (22) adjacent to the main wall portion (12).

26. The female terminal (2) according to any one of claims 23 to 25, Its features are, The first spring tongue (5) has a spring root portion (16) that extends from the interior space (9) and extends from the main wall portion (12) by a spring root extension length (d), and the spring root extension length (d) is approximately the same as the protection protrusion extension length (s) of the protection protrusion (21) extending from the side wall portion (22).

27. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The positioning arm (6) has at least one positioning arm web (23) and at least one positioning arm wing (20), and the positioning arm wing (20) extends from the positioning arm (6) at an angle (α).

28. The female terminal (2) according to claim 27, Its features are, The angle (α) is between 45° and 135°, or the angle (α) is between 60° and 120°, or the angle (α) is approximately 75°, or the angle (α) is approximately 90°.

29. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The female terminal (2) is formed as a single-piece component.

30. The female terminal (2) according to claim 29, Its features are, The female terminal (2) is made into a single part by bending a blank made of metal sheet.

31. The female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The surrounding wall (8) includes at least one joint (24).

32. The female terminal (2) according to claim 31, Its features are, The two ends (24', 24") of the blank are joined together at the joint (24) by at least one of dovetail joint or welding.

33. The female terminal (2) according to claim 31 or 32, Its features are, The connector (24) is arranged on the side wall portion (22) of the surrounding wall (8).

34. A printed circuit board assembly (1), comprising: At least one printed circuit board (3) and at least one female terminal (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female terminal (2) is at least partially disposed within the printed circuit board (3) and wherein the female terminal (2) is electrically connected to at least one conductor track (3') of the printed circuit board (3).

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