Plug-in element for insertion into a circuit board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-in element for insertion into a printed circuit board, comprising at least two contact plates. Each contact plate has at least two press-in pins arranged at a distance from one another and extending in the same direction. The contact plates are arranged at a distance from one another, such that a cavity is formed between each two adjacent contact plates. The cavity(ies) are at least partially filled with a material, wherein the material arranged in the cavity(ies) differs from the material of the contact plates.

Description

The present invention relates to a plug element for inserting or pressing into a printed circuit board comprising at least two contact plates, wherein each contact plate has at least two press-in pins arranged at a distance from one another and extending in the same direction, and wherein the contact plates are arranged at a distance from one another, such that a cavity is formed between each two adjacent contact plates.In modern electric vehicles, electric motors are used for the drive, the supply of which with electrical energy is realized by means of a high-voltage system. In such a high-voltage system, a high-voltage accumulator is usually used as an electrical energy source, which is connected via corresponding high-voltage busbars both to a high-voltage voltage supply and to the associated power electronics and to the electric drive. In contrast to low-voltage systems which are used in the motor vehicle sector, especially in the on-board power supply system, a high-voltage system with DC voltages above 60 V up to 1.5 kV is used. Alternating voltages above 30 V to 1 kV are also referred to as high-voltage systems.In order to connect a high-voltage accumulator to the high-voltage components of the power electronics and the electric drive and to the components of the charging device, it is necessary to use, inter alia, conventional electrical lines and corresponding plug connectors in the high-voltage system. Various plug elements are known for transmitting the high currents to printed circuit boards. On the one hand, there are plug elements milled from solid material with press-in pins arranged in a grid arrangement. These plug connectors are often made of lead-containing materials. Disadvantages of these plug elements milled from solid material are the high production costs. In addition, assembly with the circuit board is complex. When the plug elements are pressed into the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board must be sub-supported by templates specifically manufactured for this purpose. The high pressing-in forces can easily result in damage to the printed circuit board. Plug elements designed as sheet metal bent parts are also known. In this case, a blank is stamped from sheet materials and bent into the desired shape. A disadvantage here is that the press-fit pins in the case of these plug-in elements can be formed only on the circumference, with the result that the number of press-fit pins per plug-in element is limited. This limits the amount of current to be transmitted.DE 20 2020 000 697 U1 discloses a multipart contact device for high-current contacting of printed circuit boards with a contact basket, at least two spring elements lying one above the other within the contact basket and a connecting device.DE 10 2008 050 668 A1 discloses a connection element for fastening feed lines to a printed circuit board. The terminal element includes a contact element which is manufactured from a piece of sheet metal by punching and bending. The piece of sheet metal is first bent into the shape of a box or cage with an approximately cubic shape, projections being present at the edges of the four walls, which projections are bent in such a way that their underside lies in one plane. At each of the four corners, a pin is formed which projects beyond the contact plane and which engages in a hole of the printed circuit board during assembly. The hole may be through-plated.Further plug elements are known from DE 10 2004 060 084 A1. Thus, on the one hand, a plug element with a body made of solid material and with press-fit contacts connected integrally to a sheet metal body is shown. The sheet metal body with the press-in contacts connected integrally thereto is inserted into a groove of the body made of solid material. A disadvantage here is that the body is a turning and milling part. On the other hand, a plug element is shown that comprises a plurality of sheet metal layers on which press-fit contacts are formed. Intermediate layers without press-fit contacts are arranged between adjacent sheet metal layers. The sheet metal layers and the intermediate layers can be formed in one piece as a stamped strip, which is brought into the desired shape by folding. It is also described that the sheet metal layers with the press-in contacts and the intermediate layers without press-in contacts are formed as individual parts and are stacked into the desired shape.It is the object of the present invention to further improve the plug elements known from the prior art for insertion into a printed circuit board. In particular, a plug element is to be provided which is inexpensive to produce, which is simple to mount without damaging the printed circuit board and can transmit currents. Furthermore, the plug element should be suitable for use in the automobile industry.The object on which the invention is based is achieved for a plug element of the generic type for insertion into a printed circuit board in that the cavity / cavities are at least partially filled with a material and the material arranged in the cavity / cavities differs from the material of the contact plates. A cavity according to the present invention can in the simplest form be a space enclosed on two sides, i.e. a space bounded by two side walls. For example, the cavity can be the gap formed between two contact plates, which is bounded on two sides by one contact plate each. In this context, "filled with material" means that the material extends from one contact plate to the adjacent contact plate and abuts against both contact plates. By using different material combinations in the plug element, i.e. for the contact plates and the material arranged in the cavities, it is possible to impart different properties to the contact plates and the material arranged in the cavities. This increases the functionality and possibly reduces the costs of the plug element. The press-fit pins are preferably formed only on one side of the respective contact plate.In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the material arranged in the cavity / cavities is designed as a spacer. The spacers are preferably made of a metallic material and extend at least in regions over the entire width of the cavity formed between the contact plates. The spacers therefore bear at least partially against both contact plates which delimit the cavity in each case on one side. It can also be provided that the spacers fill the complete cavity and bear over the entire surface against both contact plates.Advantageously, the spacers can be formed from a material that has good electrical conductivity and / or good thermal conductivity. In this context, good electrical conductivity means that the electrical conductivity of the material used for the spacers is better than the electrical conductivity of the material used for the contact plates. The difference may also be gradual, i.e. the properties of the materials used may only differ slightly. The same applies to the thermal conductivity. For example, the spacers can consist of pure copper, which has an advantageous effect on the current transmission and the costs.In a further advantageous variant, at least one sensor, in particular a temperature sensor, can be arranged in the cavity / cavities. In particular, the sensor or the temperature sensor can be embedded in the material arranged in the cavity / cavities. The sensor serves for data transfer and can continuously transmit measured values from the contact. If the sensor is designed as a temperature sensor, measured values for the temperature in the contact are determined and transmitted in particular. It is also possible to use a sensor to measure the current in the contact.Furthermore, it can be provided that the contact plates consist of a material that has good spring properties. In this context, good spring properties mean that the spring properties of the material used for the contact plates are better than the spring properties of the material used for the spacer / s. The difference may also be gradual, i.e. the properties of the materials used may only differ slightly. When using a material with good spring properties, the press-fit pins can be designed to be resilient, so that simple mounting into the printed circuit board is made possible. In particular in the automobile industry, resilient press-fit pins are absolutely necessary. Therefore, the plug element according to the invention is suitable for use in the automobile industry. Furthermore, these permanently elastic press-in zones or press-in pins are also flexible over the complete service life and thus ensure a permanently good electrical connection. Depending on requirements, a bronze alloy, e.g. CuMn6, or a high-performance alloy, such as CuNiSi or CuCrMn, can be used for the contact elements or contact plates. This is not necessary for the spacers. This results in a cost saving. Furthermore, smart materials (smart materials) can be used in the plug element. The smart materials increase the thermal stability and lead to a general increase in the performance of the contacts or the plug element. An example of such an intelligent material for use in the plug element is CuAlNi. Smart materials can be used for both the spacers and the contact plates. For example, the spacers can be formed as a thin plate made of an intelligent material, e.g. CuAlNi. When the plug element is heated, the spacers also heat up and expand. This leads to a saving in material and thus to a reduction in weight and costs and to increased thermal stability. It is also possible to produce the contact plates from intelligent materials, for example CuAlNi, with the advantages associated therewith, i.e. increased thermal stability and the expansion or contraction of the material or material.In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the thickness of the spacers arranged in the cavities differs from the thickness of the contact plate. As a result, different rasters (raster shapes, raster dimensions) for the press-in pins can be formed on the printed circuit board. In particular, it can be provided that the thickness of the spacer or spacers is greater than the thickness of the contact plates. As a result, even when using contact plates with a small thickness, the grid pattern of the press-fit pins predefined by the printed circuit board can be realized. Furthermore, this embodiment may be advantageous if particular connections to the contact are desired, such as, for example. Press-fit nuts, etc.In a further embodiment, it can be provided that at least two of the spacers are connected to one another. This increases the stability of the plug element. In addition, an electrical connection of the plug element can be formed on the spacers connected to one another. For example, at least two of the spacers can be connected to one another by means of a bracket. The electrical connection can then be formed on the bracket. In a simple embodiment, two spacers can be produced from a sheet metal strip which is bent in the form of a u. This increases the stability of the plug element. It can also be provided that all the spacers are connected to one another. The spacers can then form a busbar which forms an electrical connection of the plug element.Furthermore, it can also be provided that all contact plates have the same thickness. This allows production from the same material, which leads to a cost reduction.In yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that all contact plates are of identical design. The contact plates then always have the same number of press-in pins. The use of identical components results in a further cost saving. However, it can of course also be provided that the contact plates have a different number of press-fit pins.A further embodiment may provide that the press-fit pins have a resilient structure. For example, the press-fit pins can be designed as EON contacts (eye of needle), so that the press-fit pins have a recess that enables elastic deformation of the press-fit pins in this region. This simplifies the insertion of the plug element into the printed circuit boards. It is also possible for the press-fit pins to have at least two resilient legs. In particular, the press-fit pins can then be designed as a flexible press-fit zone for producing solder-free electrical connections. Each press-fit pin can have a needle eye with an open tip, so that two independent flexible or resilient contact legs are formed. Two sliding regions are formed over which the legs can move independently. The press-fit pin has a large cross section and minimal embossment, thereby preserving material properties. In addition, a robust design and a robust punching process are made possible. Press-fit pins of this type make possible unproblematic processing, in particular a saving of the printed circuit board and bore, i.e. long service life, low press-fit forces and scattering, low loading of the printed circuit board, compensation of relatively large bore tolerances, compensation of assembly with offset, good self-centering and uniform distribution of the contact forces. Furthermore, a bore in the printed circuit board can be used multiple times, i.e. repair possibility is present, high press-fit speeds are possible and recommended. Further advantages of a contact formed with such press-in pins are that four symmetrical contact points and four defined gas-tight contact zones are formed on each press-in pin. Only minimal deformation of the through-contacting of the printed circuit board bore occurs and a high residual elasticity remains. A more compact layout is made possible by smaller bores. The contact resistances are very low and stable, and high current carrying capacity and low heating are made possible.In order to obtain a stable structure of the plug element, it can be provided that the at least two contact plates and the spacers arranged between the contact plates are connected to one another by means of a connecting element. In a simple embodiment, a screw, for example a cylindrical screw, can be used as the connecting element, which is arranged in a continuous opening / bore in the alternately adjacent contact plates and spacers.Advantageously, it can also be provided that the connecting element forms an electrical connection of the plug element. If the connecting element is designed as a cylindrical screw, a cable lug can be screwed on, for example, in a simple mannerPreferably, the at least two contact plates and the spacers can furthermore have a rotation prevention means. In a simple embodiment, each contact plate and each spacer have a bore for this purpose. In the assembled state of the plug element, the bores of the contact plates and the spacers lie one above the other and form a continuous channel. A securing pin is inserted or pressed into this continuous channel. This can also be understood as a transport safeguard, so that the package holds together during transport.The contact can be held together either by the two connecting techniques (screw and / or press-fit pin) described above or by each element having a geometric feature (e.g. cup), as a result of which the individual plates are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.Yet another advantageous embodiment can provide that at least one of the contact plates and / or at least one of the spacers has a recess. A cooling effect is thereby achieved.In yet another embodiment, it can be provided that the plug element is designed such that press-fit pins are arranged on at least two sides of the contact plates. The press-fit pins arranged on the respective side of the contact plate extend in the same direction. Preferably, these two sides are opposite sides of the contact plate. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The plug element can then be used as a connecting element of different printed circuit board levels.Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of the plug element according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 4 shows the plug element from FIG. 3 from below, FIG. 5 shows the plug element from FIG. 3 from the front, FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of a fourth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of a fifth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of a sixth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 9 shows the plug element from FIG. 8 from the front, FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of a seventh embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, FIG. 11 shows the plug element from FIG. 10 from the front, FIG. 12 ashows a first component of a further plug element in a perspective illustration and from below, FIG. 12 bshows a second component of the further plug element in a perspective illustration and from below, FIG. 13 ashows the further plug element with the two components from FIGS. 12 aand 12 bin the assembled state in a perspective illustration, which is inserted into a printed circuit board, FIG. 13 bshows the plug element from FIG. 13 a, which is inserted into a printed circuit board, from below.FIG. 1 shows a plug element 1 according to the invention which is inserted into a printed circuit board 2. The plug element 1 comprises four contact plates 3 which are each formed spaced apart from one another. As a result, a cavity 13 is formed between each two contact plates 3 arranged adjacent to one another. In its simplest form, a cavity is bounded by two sides. In the present context, the cavity is the gap formed between two contact plates 3 each. The cavity is thus bounded only on two sides, in each case by a contact plate 3. The material arranged in the cavities 13 differs from the material of the contact plates 3.The material arranged in the cavities can, however, also be designed as a solid body and form a spacer 6. In FIG. 1, three spacers 6 are shown which are arranged between the contact plates 3.The contact plates 3 are of identical design. Each of the contact plates 3 has a plate-shaped region 5, the length L and height H of which are significantly greater than its thickness D 1. Each contact plate 3 further has four press-fit pins 4 projecting downward. All four press-fit pins 4 are arranged on one side of the respective contact plate 3. In the case shown in FIG. 1, this is the underside of the respective contact plate 3. The press-fit pins 4 have a resilient structure. In the example shown, the press-fit pins 4 are designed as EON contacts (eye of needle / eye). Each of the press-fit pins 4 thus has a central cutout 10, by means of which a spring action is achieved. The press-fit pins 4 are press-fit into bores in the printed circuit board 2. The use of press-fit pins for contacting the printed circuit board allows a low contact resistance, current can be transmitted with a high current intensity, a low press-fit force is required, the holding force is low, and likewise only a low deformation of the bores in the printed circuit board occurs.The contact plates 3 are preferably stamped from a metal sheet. In order to make possible simple insertion into a printed circuit board, the material of the contact plates 3 preferably has good spring properties. Depending on requirements, a bronze alloy, e.g. CuMn6, or a high-performance alloy, such as CuNiSi or CuCrMn, can be used as material for the contact plates 3. In the present case, good spring properties means that the material of the contact plates 3 has better spring properties than the material of the spacers 6.The contact plates 3 are arranged spaced apart from one another. A spacer 6 is arranged between two adjacent contact plates 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the plug element 1 therefore comprises three spacers 6. the spacers 6 have substantially the same shape as the plate-shaped regions 5 of the contact plates 3. The spacers 6 are preferably also stamped from a sheet metal material. No press-fit pins are formed on the spacers 6. The spacers 6 are formed from a different material than the contact plates 3. Since the spacers 6 do not have press-fit pins, the material of the spacers does not necessarily have to have good spring properties. Preferably, a material is used for the spacers 6 which has a good current conductivity and / or good thermal conductivity. Preferred materials for the spacers 6 are, for example, pure technical copper Cu-ETP, oxygen-poor copper Cu-OF, aluminum (for example. EN AW-1050) or nonmetallic materials with good thermal conductivity.In the present case, good current conductivity or good thermal conductivity means that the material of the spacers 6 has better electrical conductivity or a higher thermal conductivity than the material of the contact plates 3.Alternatively, intelligent materials (smart materials), for example CuAlNi, can also be used as material for the spacers 6 and / or the contact plates 3 in order to increase the thermal resistance and to enable a general increase in performance. For example, the spacers 6 can be formed as a thin plate, for example of CuAlNi. In this case, the spacers 6 do not have to completely fill the cavity 13 between the contact plates 3. When the plug element 1 is heated, the spacers 6 made of CuAlNli expand and fill the cavity 13. This results in savings in material. The thermal resistance of the plug element is increased. The contact plates 3 can also be formed from smart materials, in particular CuAlNi, with the advantages described above, such as thermal stability and expansion and contraction of the material.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, all spacers 6 are designed identically to one another. The thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3 preferably differs from the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6 is greater than the thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3.The contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 are preferably connected to one another by means of die-bonding. The contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 thus have mutually cooperating projections and depressions which engage in one another in the manner of a tongue and groove connection and connect the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 to one another.FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a plug element 1 for insertion into a printed circuit board. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises five contact plates 3. each of the contact plates 3 has a plate-shaped region 5, as already described with reference to FIG. 1, and five press-fit pins 4 integrally formed on the plate-shaped region 5. In this exemplary embodiment as well, all press-fit pins 4 extend on one side of the respective contact plate 3. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 2 thus comprises four spacers 6. the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 are arranged alternately and form a plate pack. As already described with reference to FIG. 1, the spacers 6 consist of a different material than the contact plates 3.The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 have the same thickness. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3 therefore corresponds to the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6.Furthermore, the plug element 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a connecting element 7 which connects the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 to one another. The connecting element 7 is preferably a cylindrical screw. Each of the contact plates 3 and each spacer 6 has a first cutout, for example a first bore. The first recess is preferably arranged centrally in each contact plate 3 or each spacer 6. The first recesses in the contact plates 3 and in the spacers 6 are of identical design. In the assembled state of the plug element 3, the first recesses in the contact plates 3 and in the spacers 6 are congruently one above the other, so that they form a first continuous receptacle for the connecting element 7. The connecting element 7 is arranged in this first receptacle. If the connecting element 7 is a cylindrical screw, the plug element 1 can have a nut into which the cylindrical screw is screwed. The nut can be pressed into the plate stack formed from the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 or be loosely enclosed. Alternatively, the cylindrical screw can be designed to be self-tapping and can be screwed into the receptacle in the plate stack.The connecting element 7 can furthermore form an electrical connection of the plug element 1. If the connecting element 7 is a cylindrical screw, a cable lug can be connected to the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 by means of the cylindrical screw.Furthermore, each contact plate 3 and each spacer 6 has a second recess 8 or second bore. The second recess 8 is arranged eccentrically in the corresponding contact plate 3 or spacer 6. The second recesses 8 in the contact plates 3 and in the spacers 6 are of identical design. The diameter of the second bores 8 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the first bores. In the assembled state of the plug element 3, the second recesses 8 in the contact plates 3 and in the spacers 6 are congruently one above the other, so that they form a second continuous receptacle. A clamping pin 9 is arranged, for example pressed, in this second continuous receptacle. This forms a rotation-preventing means for the plate pack formed from the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6.FIG. 3 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a plug element 1 according to the invention. As already described with reference to FIG. 2, the plug element 1 according to FIG. 3 comprises a plate assembly having five contact plates 3 and four spacers 6 arranged between the contact plates 3. The press-fit pins 4 are spaced and parallel to each other and extend in the same direction. The press-fit pins 4 of the contact plate 3 shown in FIG. 3 have a flexible press-fit zone. For this purpose, each press-fit pin 4 is provided with a needle eye with an open tip, so that two independent flexible contact legs are formed.The contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 7, preferably a cylindrical screw. Furthermore, the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 are held in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a securing pin 9. The plug element 1 shown in FIG. 3 differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in addition in that the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6 is greater than the thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3.FIG. 4 shows the plug element 1 from FIG. 3 from below. It can be seen here that the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6 is greater than the thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3.FIG. 5 shows the plug element 1 from FIG. 3 from the front. As already described, the press-in pins 4 have a flexible press-in zone. The press-fit pins 4 are provided with a central recess 10 with an open tip. This forms two independent flexible contact legs which contribute to the desired elasticity or spring action of the press-in pins 4.Yet another exemplary embodiment of a plug element 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 6. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 6 is substantially designed in the same way as the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and only differs in that the plate pack formed by the contact plates 3 and the spacers 6 is held together by means of a threaded bolt 11 and a nut 12.A further plug element 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 7. The plug element 1 shown in FIG. 7 comprises five contact plates 3 which are each arranged at a distance from one another. As a result, a cavity 13 is formed between each two contact plates 3 arranged adjacent to one another. In its simplest form, a cavity is bounded by two sides. In the present context, the cavity is the gap formed between two contact plates 3 each. The cavity is thus limited only on two sides, in each case by a contact plate 3. The spacers 6 are preferably made of a different material than the contact plates 3. The thickness of the spacers 6 is greater than the thickness of the contact plates 3.The plug element shown in FIG. 7 differs from the embodiments described hitherto in that press-fit pins 4 are formed on two opposite sides of the respective contact plate 3. The press-fit pins are formed on the upper side and the lower side of a contact plate 3, respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each contact plate comprises ten press-fit pins 4, five press-fit pins 4 on its top side and five press-fit pins 4 on its bottom side, respectively. The press-fit pins are provided with a flexible press-fit zone and thus have a recess with an open tip, so that two independent flexible or resilient contact legs are formed. Naturally, more or fewer press-fit pins can also be provided. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 7 can be used, for example, to connect two printed circuit board planes to one another. It would also be conceivable for each contact plate to be provided with press-fit pins on other and / or further sides.As already described, the plug element 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 7 is characterized in that the contact plates 3 consist of a different material than the spacers 6. However, it is also shown that the spacers 6 and the contact plates 3 have the same thickness. In the case where the thickness D 2 of the spacers 6 differs from the thickness D 1 of the contact plates 3, it would also be possible for the spacers 6 to be manufactured from the same material as the contact plates 3.Yet another plug element 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows the plug element 1 in a perspective illustration, FIG. 9 shows the plug element 1 from FIG. 8 from the front. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 8 comprises four contact plates 3 arranged at a distance from one another. Each of the contact plates 3 comprises four press-fit pins 4. the press-fit pins 4 are designed as EON contacts (eye of needle / eye) as already described with respect to other exemplary embodiments. The press-fit pins 4 are formed only on one side of the respective contact plate 3. The press-fit pins 4 are inserted into bores in a printed circuit board 2. In each of the cavities 13 formed between the contact plates 3, a spacer 6 is arranged. Thus, three spacers 6 are provided overall. The spacers 6 in turn have a greater thickness than the contact plates 3. For example, the two outer spacers 6 can be formed in one piece and have a U-shape in cross section. The two outer spacers 6 can then be produced as a bent sheet metal part from a sheet metal strip. The bracket 15 is then formed integrally with the spacer 6. Of course, any two spacers can also be connected to one another as described. The spacers 6 connected to one another can form an electrical connection 14 for the plug element 1. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the electrical terminal 14 is formed by a pin connected to the bracket 15.Yet another plug element 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows the plug element 1 in a perspective illustration, FIG. 11 shows the plug element 1 from FIG. 10 from the front. The plug element 1 according to FIG. 10 comprises four contact plates 3 arranged at a distance from one another. Each of the contact plates 3 comprises four press-fit pins 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 as well, the press-fit pins 4 are formed only on one side of the respective contact plate 3. The press-fit pins 4 are inserted into bores in a printed circuit board 2. In each of the cavities 13 formed between the contact plates 3, a spacer 6 is arranged. Overall, the plug element 1 from FIGS. 10 and 11 therefore comprises three spacers 6. The middle spacer 6 has the same thickness throughout. The two outer spacers 6 are provided with a recess for receiving the central contact plate 3. As a result, the spacers lie flat against one another in the region in which they project beyond the contact plates 3. The three spacers 6 together form a busbar (busbar) which represents an electrical connection 14 of the plug element 1. In the upper region, i.e. in the region facing away from the contact plates 3, the two outer spacer plates 6 have an inclination, so that the busbar formed by the spacers 6 tapers outwards.In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the plug element is substantially square, i.e. the number of contact plates in the plug element corresponds to the number of press-fit pins formed per contact plate. However, it is also possible for the number of contact plates in the plug element to differ from the number of press-fit pins formed per contact plate. Rectangular configurations of the plug element are therefore also possible. The design of the plug element according to the invention increases the diversity of designs, in particular in comparison with plug elements milled from solid material. Furthermore, it can be provided that sensors, for example temperature sensors, are arranged in the cavities between the contact plates. The sensors can be embedded in the spacers, for example, or form the spacers.Preferably, the plug elements and / or the spacers are provided with a coating, for example silver (Ag) over nickel (Ni). The thickness of the coating is on the order of a few μm. As a result, the contact resistance can be reduced.In FIGS. 12 a, band 13 a, b, a further plug element 21 is shown, which is composed of two components 22, 23. FIG. 12 ashows the first component 22 of the plug element 21 in a perspective illustration and from below. FIG. 12 bshows the second component 23 of the plug element 21 in a perspective illustration and from below. FIG. 13 ashows the plug element 21 assembled from the first component 22 and the second component 23 in the inserted state in a printed circuit board 24 in a perspective illustration. FIG. 13 bshows the plug element 21 inserted into the printed circuit board 24 from below.The first component 22 of the plug element 21 is a bent sheet metal part which is preferably stamped from a sheet metal material. The first component 22 is designed as a downwardly open first hollow body 25. On its upper side, the first hollow body 25 comprises a centrally arranged first circular opening 26; two slots 27 arranged parallel to one another are formed on both sides of the first circular opening 26. The hollow body 25 further comprises four side walls which enclose a cubic or cuboidal volume. At the ends of the side walls facing away from the top side of the hollow body 25, four press-fit pins 28 are formed on each of the four side walls. The press-fit pins 28 extend downward as an extension of the side walls and are arranged at a distance from one another. The press-fit pins 28 are therefore formed only on the periphery of the first component 22.The second component 23 of the plug element 21 is likewise a sheet metal bent part, which is preferably stamped from a sheet metal material. The second component 23 is substantially U-shaped. That is to say, it comprises an upper side to which two side walls running parallel to one another are connected at right angles. In extension of the side walls, three press-fit pins 28 are formed on each side wall. The press-fit pins 28 are spaced apart and arranged parallel to one another. The second component 23 of the plug element 21 has a smaller width than the first component 22 of the plug element 21, The width and the thickness of the side walls of the second component 23 substantially correspond to the thickness and the width of the slots 27 in the upper side of the first component 22, The press-fit pins 28 are also formed only along the circumference.During the assembly of the plug element 21, the second component 23 is inserted into the first component 21, so that the side walls of the second component 23 extend through the slots 27 formed in the upper side of the first component 21 into the interior of the first component 22. The side walls of the second component 23 are arranged at a distance from the side walls of the first component 22, so that here too a cavity is formed in each case between the side walls of the second component 23 and the side walls of the first component 22. This cavity is filled with air. The plug element 21 thus consists of two components 22, 23 inserted into one another. The plug element 21 is therefore not only provided with press-fit pins 28 along its circumference, but also has press-fit pins 28 arranged in its surface. This increases the density of press-fit pins per area, whereby larger currents can be transmitted. This can be seen in FIG. 13 b. The press-fit pins 28 are inserted into through-plated bores in the printed circuit board 24.In the plug element 21 shown in FIGS. 12 a, band 13 a, b, the press-fit pins are also designed as EON contacts (eye of needle / eye) with the advantages associated therewith. In particular, only a low force is required for pressing the plug element into the printed circuit board, the press-in pins can be pressed out of the printed circuit board again, the risk of damage to the printed circuit board being reduced both during the pressing-in and during the pressing-out, and simple assembly is made possible.As described above, both the first component 22 and the second component 23 of the plug element 21 are configured as a bent sheet metal part. Advantages of the bent sheet metal parts are, among other things, lower production costs and that the components can be easily assembled and damage to the circuit board is avoided when the plug element is installed on the circuit board.List of reference characters1 Plug element 2 Printed circuit board 3 Contact plate 4 Press-fit pin 5 Plate-shaped region Contact plate 6 Spacer 7 Connecting element 8 Second recess 9 Securing pin 10 Cutout Press-fit pin / press-fit zone 11 Threaded bolt 12 Nut 13 Cavity 14 Electrical connection 15 Bracket 21 Plug element 22 First component 23 Second component 24 Printed circuit board 25 First hollow body 26 First circular opening 27 Slot 28 Press-fit pin / press-fit zoneReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 20 2020 000 697 U1

[0004] DE 10 2008 050 668 A1

[0005] DE 10 2004 060 084 A1

[0006]

Claims

Plug element (1) for insertion into a printed circuit board (2) comprising at least two contact plates (3), wherein each contact plate (3) has at least two press-in pins (4) arranged at a distance from one another and extending in the same direction, and wherein the contact plates (3) are arranged at a distance from one another, such that a cavity (13) is formed between each two adjacent contact plates (3), characterized in that the cavity / cavities (13) are at least partially filled with a material and the material arranged in the cavity / cavities (13) differs from the material of the contact plates (3).Plug element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the material arranged in the cavity / cavities (13) is designed as a spacer (6).Plug element (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material or the spacers (6) arranged in the cavity / cavities (13) consist of a material which has good electrical conductivity and / or good thermal conductivity.Plug element (1) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one sensor, in particular a temperature sensor, is arranged in the cavity / cavities.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact plates (3) consist of a material which has good spring properties.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the thickness (D2) of the spacer / s (6) differs from the thickness (D1) of the contact plates (3).Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that at least two of the spacers (6) are connected to one another.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that all the contact plates (3) have the same thickness in each case.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact plates (3) are of identical design.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the press-fit pins (4) have a resilient structure.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the at least two contact plates (3) and the spacers (6) arranged between the contact plates (3) are connected to one another by means of a connecting element (7).Plug element (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the connecting element (7) forms a connection of the plug element (1).Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the at least two contact plates (3) and the spacers (6) have a safeguard against rotation.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the contact plates (3) and / or at least one of the spacers (6) has a cutout.Plug element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that press-fit pins (4) are formed on at least two sides of the contact plates (4).

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