Roof system of a vehicle with a printed circuit board assembly, method for attaching a printed circuit board assembly of the roof system, and use of a plug connection of the roof system for connecting printed circuit boards of the printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract

Connector (50) for end-face connection of two preferably strip-shaped printed circuit boards (10, 20), comprising: at least one first connection part (52) which is arranged on a first (10) of the printed circuit boards; at least one second terminal part (54) associated with the first terminal part, which is arranged on a second (20) of the circuit boards; wherein the first connecting part (52) and the second connecting part (54) are each arranged and configured in an area adjacent to the end faces (80, 82) of the respective printed circuit boards (10, 20) facing each other in the connected state, to establish a releasable mechanical connection with each other; wherein a joining direction (Z), in which the connection can be made and detached, is oriented essentially perpendicular to a plane (XY) in which the two circuit boards (10, 20) extend at least in the area adjacent to the mutually facing end faces (80, 82); wherein the connecting parts (52, 54) of the connector (50) are configured to allow, in the connected state, a mutual rotation of the two printed circuit boards (10, 20) about an axis parallel to the joining direction (Z) and / or a mutual rotation of the two printed circuit boards (10, 20) about an axis parallel to one or both end faces (80, 82) of the printed circuit boards (10, 20) and / or a mutual translational displacement along a longitudinal axis (X) of one or both of the printed circuit boards (10, 20) without the connection being released.

Description

Technical area

[0001] Various aspects relate to a connector for connecting two preferably strip-shaped circuit boards. In particular, some aspects relate to connectors for flexible LED strips for ambient lighting in vehicle glass roofs. Technical background

[0002] LED strips are well known and can be used to achieve a desired indirect lighting and / or various visual effects. The LED strips can be a more or less flexible, but in particular a rigid-flexible (FR-4 board, e.g. in combination with intermediate polyimide films), carrier material that functions as a circuit board, on which arrays of LEDs are positioned in a wired manner and operated by drivers / control devices that are also provided there. According to a more recent development, such LED strips can also be used to create atmospheric lighting scenarios on the transparent roof elements of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, etc., which is also referred to as "ambient light", for example in the dark in the vehicle surroundings. The lighting elements corresponding to the LED strips can, for example, be located in the edge area of ​​the transparent roof element orThe glass cover is integrated into the roof system. The light is coupled laterally, for example, via prisms into suitable pane levels of the roof system, so that optical structures incorporated into the glass scatter the light, making it visible to the vehicle occupants.

[0003] The LED strips must fit into a very tight installation space, due to the specific application. The height of the installation space perpendicular to the glass surface can be as low as 1.9 to 2 mm, for example. The height of the LED strip's circuit board can be as low as 0.8 to 1 mm.

[0004] The flat strips must also follow the curvatures or curves of the installation space in the roof area. The power supply and control (via a bus, e.g. LIN bus) of the LED strips is handled by a cable harness, the cable harness connector of which is brought into contact with a connector (so-called header) in the area of ​​the LED strips. The LED strips usually extend over the entire length of the glass cover. This length can be significantly longer than the length of the LED strips, so that several modules are often plugged together. Conventionally, the plugging direction is oriented parallel to the plane of the circuit board - although due to the flexibility of the LED strip, this is understood to mean a plane formed by a frontal area of ​​the LED strip close to the respective plug connection.

[0005] The modules or LED strips pre-assembled in this way are then mounted together in a subsequent step onto the prisms and thus onto the glass cover (pane) perpendicular to the circuit board surface. Positioning is achieved using, among other things, positioning pins that are formed on the glass cover in the area of ​​the prisms and extend perpendicular to the glass surface and thus also perpendicular to the circuit board level. During assembly, these positioning pins fit into positioning openings provided in the circuit boards of the LED strip. The LED strips mounted on the prisms in this way can then no longer be moved on site in the roof system in a longitudinal direction parallel to the circuit board level and the plug-in direction due to the limited installation space. However, this results in considerable restrictions for assembly and installation.the replacement of modules: due to the limited installation space available with the connectors currently available, these can no longer be joined to the glass cover in the roof system of the vehicle itself, i.e. in situ, and they cannot be replaced individually if this becomes necessary after a period of use, e.g. in the event of a light source failure, etc.

[0006] The longitudinal connection of the LED strips between the opposing circuit boards can be achieved using SMT connectors (SMT: Surface Mounted Technology, also SMD: Surface Mounted Devices). Mechanically connectable connection parts of the SMT connectors are soldered or bonded to conductor pads on both sides. These are pushed into each other and snap into place during assembly. An example can be found in the datasheet for the SMT connector Kyocera 70-9159-001-401 / 402-006. This is a board-to-board connector system of the 9159 series from KYOCERA AVX, which is used specifically in the field of solid-state lighting (SSL) and enables the mating of circuit boards in one plane (horizontal-to-horizontal). These SMT connectors allow the gap to be minimized and the boards to be connected butt-to-end.The connector system comprises two connecting parts that slide into each other linearly. These add an additional 1.2 mm to the overall height of the PCB assembly in addition to the board thickness, so the assembly and installation height are already similarly dimensioned (approximately 2 mm).

[0007] There is therefore a need for a plug-in connection that solves the aforementioned problems and, in particular, enables the modules to be joined and detached from one another on site in the roof system of a vehicle.

[0008] Publication WO 2022 / 039416 A1 discloses an LED lighting system for ceilings in residential or office spaces. The ceiling is divided into tile-like sections, and LED modules are arranged in a grid-like arrangement at each subdivision. Connection boards are located at the intersection points of this arrangement. These boards, through matching projections and recesses in the circuit board substrate, ensure a positive mechanical connection with the circuit boards of four LED modules that meet at this point. This prevents even mutual micro-movements of the modules. Assembly is achieved by joining in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board plane, which corresponds to the ceiling plane. During assembly, the corresponding electrical contacts or connecting parts also meet due to the mechanical positive connection, connecting electrical conductors and thus the modules as a whole.

[0009] Publication WO 2011 / 025534 A1 discloses a plug-in connection for two circuit boards equipped with, for example, LEDs. The plug-in connection can be joined by various relative positioning of the circuit boards to each other to ultimately establish an electrical connection. For this purpose, a jumper independent of the corresponding housings of the connecting parts can be provided, which, after mutual positioning, establishes the electrical connection by manual sliding. Presentation of various aspects

[0010] Aspects of the invention that address the above-mentioned need relate to a plug-in connection for the end-to-end connection of two preferably strip-shaped printed circuit boards. Such a plug-in connection comprises at least one first connection part arranged on a first of the printed circuit boards, and at least one second connection part assigned to the first connection part and arranged on a second of the printed circuit boards. The first connection part and the second connection part are each arranged in a region adjacent to end faces of the respective printed circuit boards that face one another in the connected state, and are configured to establish a detachable mechanical connection with one another.

[0011] A joining direction (hereinafter also referred to as “Z-direction”) in which this connection can be made and released again is oriented essentially perpendicular to a plane (“XY plane”) in which the two printed circuit boards extend at least in the area adjacent to the mutually facing end faces.

[0012] The connecting parts of the plug-in connection are also configured, when connected to one another, to allow a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards about an axis parallel to the joining direction and / or a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards about an axis parallel to one or both end faces of the circuit boards and / or a mutual translational displacement along a longitudinal axis X of one of the two or both circuit boards, without thereby releasing the connection.

[0013] The proposed plug-in connection therefore opens up the possibility of providing the joining direction parallel to the assembly direction, for example when the circuit boards are those of modules of an LED strip that are attached to a glass cover of a vehicle roof. In this case, even when the LED modules are mounted and, as described above, can no longer be moved in the longitudinal direction ("X direction") because they are more or less fixed in this direction by positioning holes that interact with associated positioning pins on the glass cover when aligning the LEDs to opposite light coupling prisms, an individual module can be detached from the previously connected module, for example to replace it. This can be done on-site in the limited space of the roof system, i.e. the glass cover or other components do not need to be removed from the roof for this purpose.

[0014] Secondly, the special plug connection allows for certain tolerances regarding the orientation of the opposing end faces in the connection. This offers a particular advantage because the installation space for the LED strips is not only particularly limited, but can also sometimes be non-linear with some curved bends in a three-dimensional orientation, as the installation space must follow the shape of the gas cap or the glass cap edge. According to exemplary embodiments, the tolerance can be limited because exceeding a certain angle during rotation about one of the aforementioned axes can ultimately loosen the connection. This critical angle depends on the nature of the plug connection. It can be, for example, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30°, and the invention is not restricted to specific critical angles in its generality.

[0015] The tolerance provided by the invention, in combination with the joining direction perpendicular to the circuit board plane, may also be due to the specific application situation: in the case of ambient lighting, the preferably strip-like circuit boards can be mounted and fixed at the positions determined by the positioning pins and prisms on the glass cover in the vehicle roof. A mutual mechanical connection therefore only serves to ensure a secure electrical connection, while the mutual spatial positioning is already roughly established. This allows for tolerances and lower requirements for mechanical loads, which would exist if the strips were laid freely and unattached. The mechanical loads are also absorbed here by the attachment to the glass cover and in the installation space.For example, by fixing the circuit boards in the longitudinal direction (X-direction) to the glass cover, an unintentional loosening of the connection in this direction is less likely, which is why it was found that mechanical structures on the plug connection that prevent this movement in the X-direction can be dispensed with.

[0016] One reason for the required tolerances (in rotation and translation) is, on the one hand, that the position of the prisms can vary slightly due to the precision of the manufacturing process. The prisms are, for example, glued to the pane in strips. The assembly accuracy must then be compensated between the individual strips. Secondly, the strips should be universally usable. This means that the angle between the two end faces can differ from LED strip pair to LED strip pair. According to the invention, these differences are to be compensated for by the proposed connection in the Z-joining direction. In a sense, a curved curve is approximated by the straight sections of the LED strips.

[0017] Overall, these aspects allow for increased flexibility in the assembly, positioning and connection of circuit boards, particularly in the roof system of a vehicle.

[0018] It should be noted that, regardless of whether the aspects relate to an application in a vehicle roof or elsewhere, the first and / or second circuit board can have a substrate made of an FR-4 composite material, in particular a fiberglass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin or corresponding mats. However, other insulating and non-insulating materials, such as metals, plastics, or ceramics, are also conceivable in principle. According to exemplary embodiments, this can also be a rigid-flexible material, in particular a combination of FR-4 composite layers and polyimide films.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connecting parts of the plug connection are configured to permit, in the connected state, a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards about at least one of the axes by an angle of 1° or more, preferably 2° or more, more preferably 5° or more, more preferably 10° or more, without the connection being released by the rotation. Such rotations are particularly possible if the plug connection at least has elastic elements that are suitable for determining a holding force. The specified angles enable optimal spatial positioning of the connected circuit boards, e.g., in the roof system of a vehicle.

[0020] A further embodiment provides that the first connection part and the second connection part are each formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal, in order to establish an electrical connection between a first conductor track formed on the first circuit board and a conductor track formed on the second circuit board. This creates a particular advantage in that the elements establishing the mechanical and electrical connection can be essentially identical. This saves costs in the design or manufacture of the circuit boards through synergy, as well as, in particular, the installation height of the circuit board in a confined space. Furthermore, metals provide the desired spring-elastic material properties.

[0021] In the aspects, exemplary embodiments, refinements, and embodiments described here, two, three, or four respective first and second connection parts can be configured. In the case of the electrical connection, the electrical connections thus established can serve, for example, to form bus lines (e.g., LIN, CAN, etc.) for control and power supply for LEDs or other electronic components such as controllers, etc.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment which further develops the above aspects, the at least one first connection part in the plug connection is formed from a spring plate and the at least one second connection part is formed from a pin. This form of plug connection represents a particularly simple and space-saving variant and is therefore also very advantageous for the intended area of ​​application. In particular, the installation height of the circuit board with the plug connection is very low, which is very advantageous given the low installation space in the case of LED strips in a vehicle roof system. The pin can be, for example, a protruding section which is connected to a conductor track. The spring plate is designed to accommodate at least a section of the pin and to maintain the connection through its spring force.

[0023] In a further development, the spring plate can be U-shaped in cross-section, with the U-shape being open in the joining direction Z to allow the pin to be inserted into the U-shape during joining or to place the spring plate onto the pin. When assembled, an axis of the pin and an axis of the pin receptacle are parallel to each other in the U-shape.

[0024] Alternatively, both the first connecting part and the second connecting part can be designed as spring plates. The corresponding second spring plate of the second connecting part can also be shaped like a U or O.

[0025] In this plug-in connection, a U-shaped opening can be narrowed by opposing spring preload on the legs of the spring plate. This exerts a holding spring force on the pin.

[0026] Furthermore, at least one leg of the spring plate, preferably both, can be shaped such that, when the pin is inserted in the joining direction Z, it initially slides away from the opposite leg along its surface and then slides back toward the opposite leg under its own spring tension, without a sudden snap-in. This has the advantage that the pin receptacle is reversible, allowing the connection to be removed without causing damage. Furthermore, the plug connection constructed in this way allows the tolerances described above for twisting the two circuit boards relative to each other.

[0027] A further advantage can be achieved by, according to embodiments of the plug connection with a spring plate and pin, the at least one pin extends in the longitudinal direction of the second circuit board beyond its end face. This allows the spring plate attached to the first circuit board to engage this pin or accommodate the relevant section.

[0028] A subsequent embodiment provides that both the at least one pin and the at least one spring plate are attached to a main surface of the respective corresponding circuit board and are preferably electrically connected to conductor tracks or corresponding pads. When the main surfaces are aligned in the same direction (e.g., toward a glass cover), the protruding pin(s) of the second circuit board automatically slide into the U-shaped openings of the spring plates when the first circuit board is brought into the joining position in the joining direction Z perpendicular to the circuit board plane XY, in which the two end faces face each other.

[0029] Aspects of the invention also provide a printed circuit board assembly comprising two printed circuit boards that can be connected and separated from one another by a plug-in connection according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. This results in the same advantages as described above.

[0030] In such a circuit board arrangement, at least one of the two circuit boards, preferably both, can have a number of light sources, preferably LEDs, formed on the same main surface as the first and second connection parts. This is an optimal positioning in the described application of ambient lighting in the roof system of a vehicle.

[0031] According to specific embodiments, the printed circuit board arrangement can further comprise at least one mounting and / or positioning opening which is formed through at least one of the printed circuit boards and is configured to cooperate with a mounting and / or positioning pin which is formed in an environment of a light coupling prism on a glass cover of a vehicle roof, wherein the mounting and / or positioning opening and the mounting and / or positioning pin define a mounting on the glass cover in the joining direction Z with respect to the printed circuit board arrangement.

[0032] Aspects of the invention also provide a method for attaching a printed circuit board assembly as described above to a vehicle cover. The method may comprise the following steps: - Providing the circuit board assembly; - Mounting the second printed circuit board in the joining direction Z perpendicular to the printed circuit board plane (and preferably also perpendicular to the glass cover plane) on the glass cover with the cooperation of the mounting and / or positioning opening and the mounting and / or positioning pin; - then connecting the first circuit board to the assembled second circuit board using the connector by joining in the joining direction Z.

[0033] This results in the same advantages as described above.

[0034] Further advantages, features, and details of the various aspects emerge from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. In the figures, like reference numerals designate like features and functions. Short description of the drawings

[0035] They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a comparative example with a printed circuit board arrangement to be joined together by a known plug connection in the longitudinal or X direction, comprising two printed circuit boards which form modules of an LED strip; Fig. 2 like Fig. 1, but now assembled; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a perspective view of the edge of a glass lid with a circuit board arrangement attached thereto; Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view (along the joining direction Z proposed according to the invention) of an embodiment with a printed circuit board arrangement to be joined together by a known plug connection in the longitudinal or X direction, comprising two printed circuit boards which form modules of an LED strip; Fig. 5: as in Fig. 4, but in side view along the width direction Y; Fig. 6: as in Fig. 4, but in cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction X. Preferred embodiment(s) of the invention

[0036] In the following description of a preferred embodiment, it should be noted that the present disclosure of the various aspects is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components as shown in the following description and in the figures. All embodiments, even those not shown in the figures, can be practiced or carried out in various ways. It should also be noted that the phraseology and terminology used herein is used for the purpose of specific description only and should not be construed as such by one skilled in the art.Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numerals in the figures denote the same or similar features or objects, so that in some cases a repeated detailed description of the same is omitted in order to maintain the compactness and clarity of the illustration.

[0037] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, however, initially shows a comparative example of a printed circuit board assembly with a plug-in connection. While the details of the printed circuit board assembly shown may not necessarily be generally known at the time of this application, at least the joining direction is arranged in a conventional manner, namely in the longitudinal or X-direction (see arrows indicating the joining direction).

[0038] In this comparative example, the circuit board assembly comprises a first circuit board 110 and a second circuit board 120. They are strip-shaped, and their end faces are aligned opposite each other before assembly. For optimal centering during assembly in the X direction, indentations 55, 76 are provided in the opposite end faces of the circuit boards 110, 120, each of which is assigned matching projecting and rounded tabs 53, 74.

[0039] An electrical connection is established by three connectors 30, each comprising a first connection part 32 and a second connection part 34. The second connection part 34 has a tab 36 that can be inserted into the first connection part 32 during assembly in the X direction. Two of the first connection parts 32 are arranged on the first circuit board 110 and one on the second circuit board 120. Accordingly, in the respective counterpart, two of the second connection parts 34 are arranged on the second circuit board 120 and one on the first circuit board 110. The three connectors are designed as electrical SMT connectors. In the comparative and exemplary embodiments presented here, the electrical SMT connectors 30 are in particular those of the Kyocera AVX 70-9159 series, which was mentioned at the beginning.

[0040] On the same main surfaces of the circuit boards 110, 120 on which the connection parts 32, 34 are also provided, LEDs 90 are also arranged. These can be purely exemplary arrangements of three LEDs 90 each, each reflecting the colors red, green, and blue, in order to couple a wide spectrum of colors, including white, into the glass cover in a known manner. Furthermore, the circuit boards 110, 120 have mounting and / or positioning openings 29, which can mechanically interact with corresponding mounting and / or positioning pins 150 provided on a glass cover 200 of a roof system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in order to bring the LEDs 90 provided on the circuit boards 110, 120 into an optimal position relative to light coupling prisms 220 provided on the glass cover 200, as shown in the perspective view of the Fig. 3. Therein, one of the circuit boards 110, 120 is shown in a cut-out state. It should be noted that the Fig. 3 not only with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the comparison example but also with the following Fig. 4 - 6 is compatible, although the reference number for the printed circuit boards is only Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is specified. The Fig. 3 does not show any details about the structure of a plug connection.

[0041] Again Fig. 3, an exchange of individual printed circuit boards 110, 120 will be difficult in view of the alignment carried out using the mounting and / or positioning openings 29 and the corresponding mounting and / or positioning pins 150, since the removal of such a printed circuit board involves a release of the plug connection 30 in the X direction, which requires a corresponding displacement of the printed circuit board 110 or 120 in question, which then collides with the pins 150 in the openings 29.

[0042] In the Fig. 4 - 6 show various views or perspectives of a printed circuit board assembly 1 according to an embodiment. Similar to the comparative example, the printed circuit board assembly 1 comprises a first printed circuit board 10 and a second printed circuit board 20. Both printed circuit boards 10, 20 have arrays of LEDs 90 on one of their main surfaces as well as mounting and / or positioning openings 29, which can mechanically interact with corresponding mounting and / or positioning pins 150 provided on a glass cover 200 of a roof system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. As described, the embodiment is Fig. 3, so that the description given above does not need to be repeated.

[0043] The second circuit board 20 has, in the exemplary embodiment, three second connection parts 54, which are designed as pins. These can be electrically conductive metal pins. They can be bonded to electrical pads (not shown) or attached to them in some other way, which are connected to conductor tracks 62, which supply the LEDs with electrical power or represent the bus lines, which transmit control or sensor signals, among others, to controllers or drivers, etc., which are provided on the circuit boards (not shown) or are connected to them. The conductor tracks are in the Fig. 4 - 6 are shown purely symbolically and the exact wiring on the circuit boards 10, 20 can be set up by the relevant specialist in a known manner according to the tasks.

[0044] The pins of the second connection parts 54 extend in the X-direction or the longitudinal direction of the second circuit board 20. They are formed on the same main surface as the LEDs 90. The pins protrude beyond an end face 82 of the second circuit board 20. In the exemplary embodiment, they have the same length and the same round cross-section. This restriction does not apply in similar exemplary embodiments.

[0045] The first printed circuit board 10 has, on the same main surface on which LED arrays are formed, three first connecting parts 52, which are designed as spring plates and are assigned to the three pins for interaction. The spring plates have a U-shaped profile, as shown in Fig. 6. An opening in the U-shaped profile points away from the main surface of the circuit board 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first circuit board 10, which is defined by the longitudinal direction (X) and a width direction (Y). The pins of the second connection parts 54 slide into the openings of the U-profiles of the first connection parts 52 during joining. This establishes a joining direction in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board surface, hereinafter also referred to as the Z direction.

[0046] The spring plates of the first connecting parts 52 have legs 58 whose mutual spacing, especially in the area of ​​the opening, is smaller than the diameter or cross-section of the pins. This spacing increases towards the inside so that the pins can be held by the spring plates. To insert the pins, the legs 58 are spread against the spring pressure, and the pins slide into the interior of the U-shape, after which the spring pressure is released again. Since there is no snapping or irreversible locking, the connection can be released again if, in addition to the friction force, the spring force for spreading the legs 58 is also overcome.

[0047] The first and second connection parts 52, 54 together form a plug connection 50, in particular an electrical plug connection. The adjacent circuit boards 10, 20 are thus electrically connected, allowing both data signals and electrical power (voltage or power supply) to be transmitted.

[0048] In Fig. 6, the joining is best seen in the Z joining direction. During joining, the protruding pins are received in the spring plates in the joining direction perpendicular to the circuit board plane XY. These spring plates are arranged in a coordinated position and at an appropriate distance from one another in an area on the main surfaces adjacent to the respective end faces 80, 82. Joining in the Z direction causes the end faces 80, 82 of the first and second circuit boards 10, 20 to move toward each other laterally rather than toward each other head-on. Once the pins are received in the spring plates, the end faces 80, 82 are directly opposite each other.

[0049] A gap is still possible between the end faces 80, 82, because the plug connection 50 formed by the first and second terminals 52, 54 is, at least in the present embodiment, not limited in the longitudinal direction X except by significant friction. This is, however, achieved by the Fig. 3 shows the fixing in the X-direction of the openings 29 to the positioning pins 150 on the glass cover 200, with which the LEDs 90 are positioned on the prism 220. This is also shown schematically in Fig. 5 shown.

[0050] A particular advantage, however, is that the spring plates of the first terminals 52 are also flexible to a certain extent with respect to the rotation of the pins of the second terminals in the U-shaped receptacle. For example, the pins (together with the second circuit board 20) can be Fig. 5 shown drawing plane in the holder of the spring plates. This allows the two circuit boards 10, 20 to be rotated around an axis perpendicular to the drawing plane of the Fig. 5 (XZ plane) are rotated relative to each other. The axis runs approximately parallel to the end faces. During such a rotation, the legs 58 of the spring plates are slightly spread apart. A critical angle is created by the pins bending the legs so far that they slide out of the mount.

[0051] Alternatively, the pins can be positioned opposite the spring plates in the Fig. 4, i.e., the XY plane. The axis of rotation is an axis running approximately between the end faces in the Z direction.

[0052] However, due to the uneven loading of the legs 58, the critical angle may be smaller in this case.

[0053] The corresponding torsional tolerances provide more design freedom when attaching the LED strips or circuit boards 10, 20 to the glass cover 200. Furthermore, as described, each individual circuit board 10, 20 can be individually replaced on-site on the glass cover in the roof system, thus saving overall costs and effort.

[0054] It should be noted that the proposed connector is not limited to the specific application in the roof system of motor vehicles described above, but can also be used in other vehicle cases where little installation space is available, such as in aircraft or ships, or in buildings or technical devices that are inherently immobile, etc. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: 1 PCB layout 10 first circuit board 20 second circuit board 29 Mounting and / or positioning opening 30 electrical connectors (e.g. SMT) 32 first connection part 34 second connecting part 36 Tab of the connection part or electrical connector 50 plug connection, electrical plug connection 52 first connecting part, spring plate 54 second connector, pin 53 lead, nose 55 indentation 60 conductor tracks 62 conductor tracks 74 lead, nose 76 indentation 80 front side, front face 82 front side, front face 90 LEDs 110 first circuit board (comparison example) 120 second circuit board (comparison example) 150 Mounting and / or positioning pin 200 glass lids 220 prism, light coupling prism X Longitudinal direction of the circuit boards, joining direction in the comparison example) Y Width direction of the circuit boards Z Perpendicular to the PCB plane, joining direction in the example QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022 / 039416 A1

[0008] WO 2011 / 025534 A1

[0009]

Claims

[1] Plug connection (50) for the end-face connection of two preferably strip-shaped printed circuit boards (10, 20), comprising: at least one first connection part (52) arranged on a first (10) of the circuit boards; at least one second connection part (54) associated with the first connection part and arranged on a second (20) of the circuit boards; wherein the first connection part (52) and the second connection part (54) are each arranged in a region adjacent to end faces (80, 82) of the respective printed circuit boards (10, 20) facing one another in the connected state and are configured to establish a detachable mechanical connection with one another; wherein a joining direction (Z), in which the connection can be established and released again, is oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane (XY) in which the two printed circuit boards (10, 20) extend at least in the region adjacent to the mutually facing end faces (80, 82); wherein the connecting parts (52, 54) of the plug-in connection (50) are configured, in the connected state, to allow a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards (10, 20) about an axis parallel to the joining direction (Z) and / or a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards (10, 20) about an axis (Y) parallel to one or both end faces (80, 82) of the circuit boards (10, 20) and / or a mutual translational displacement along a longitudinal axis (X) of one of the two or both circuit boards (10, 20) without the connection being released. [2] Plug connection (50) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting parts (52, 54) of the plug connection (50) are configured to allow, in the connected state, a mutual rotation of the two circuit boards (10, 20) about at least one of the axes (Y, Z) by an angle of 1° or more, preferably 2° or more, more preferably 5° or more, more preferably 10° or more, without the connection being released. [3] Plug connection (50) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connection part (52) and the second connection part (54) are each formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal, in order to establish an electrical connection between a first conductor track (60) formed on the first circuit board (10) and a conductor track (62) formed on the second circuit board (20). [4] Plug connection (50) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein two or three respective correspondingly associated first and second connection parts (52, 54) are arranged. [5] Plug connection (50) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one first connection part (52) is formed from a spring plate and the at least one second connection part (54) is formed from a pin or a further spring plate. [6] Plug connection (50) according to claim 5, wherein the spring plate is U-shaped in cross-section, wherein the U-shape is open in the joining direction (Z) in order to insert the pin into the U-shape during joining, and / or In the case of the second connecting part being designed as an additional spring plate, this has a U-shape or an O-shape in cross-section. [7] Plug connection (50) according to claim 6, wherein an opening of the U-shape is narrowed by a mutually directed spring preload of legs (56) of the spring plate. [8] Plug connection (50) according to claim 7, wherein at least one leg (56) of the spring plate, preferably both, is or are shaped such that when the pin is inserted in the joining direction (Z), it first moves away from the opposite leg (56) in a sliding manner on its surface and then moves back towards the opposite leg (56) in a sliding manner on this surface under its own spring tension, without a sudden snapping into place. [9] Plug connection (50) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the at least one pin extends in the longitudinal direction (X) of the second circuit board (20) beyond its end face (82). [10] Plug connection (50) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein both the at least one pin and the at least one spring plate are fastened to a main surface of the respective corresponding printed circuit board (10, 20) and are preferably electrically connected to conductor tracks (60, 62) or corresponding pads. [11] Printed circuit board arrangement (1) comprising two printed circuit boards (10, 20) which can be connected and detached from one another by a plug connection (50) according to one of claims 1 to 10. [12] Printed circuit board arrangement (1) according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the two printed circuit boards (10, 20), preferably both, has a number of light sources (90), preferably LEDs, which are formed on the same main surface as the first and second connection parts. [13] Printed circuit board assembly (1) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: at least one mounting and / or positioning opening (29) formed through at least one of the circuit boards (10, 20) and configured to cooperate with a mounting and / or positioning pin (150) formed in an area surrounding a light coupling prism (220) on a glass cover (200) of a vehicle roof, wherein the mounting and / or positioning opening (29) and the mounting and / or positioning pin (150) define mounting on the glass cover in the joining direction (Z) with respect to the circuit board arrangement (1). [14] Printed circuit board assembly (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the printed circuit board assembly (1) is designed to provide an ambient light function with respect to the glass cover (200) in the case of a power supply. [15] A roof system of a vehicle comprising a printed circuit board assembly according to claim 14. [16] A method for attaching a printed circuit board assembly (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14 to a vehicle cover, comprising: - Providing the circuit board assembly (1); - Mounting the first circuit board (10) or the second circuit board (20) in the joining direction (Z) on the glass cover (200) with the cooperation of the mounting and / or positioning opening (29) and the mounting and / or positioning pin (150); - subsequently connecting the other of the two circuit boards (20, 10) to the mounted first or second circuit board (10, 20) using the plug connection (50) in the joining direction (Z). [17] Method according to claim 16, wherein the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20) after the step of mounting on the glass cover (200) have, in the mounted state, a tolerance with respect to an angle mutually included by their longitudinal axes and / or a mutual translational distance in the longitudinal direction of the circuit boards, and the plug connection (50) compensates for this tolerance after connection and an electrical connection is established. [18] Use of the plug connection according to one of claims 1 to 10 for connecting two strip-shaped printed circuit boards (10, 20) to compensate for a tolerance with regard to a mutual angle of their longitudinal axes and / or a mutual translational distance in the longitudinal direction of the printed circuit boards, with which these are mounted on a glass cover (200) in the roof system of a vehicle.

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