Connecting element for creating an electrically conductive connection

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connecting element (2) for establishing an electrically conductive connection with at least two electrically conductive contact means (6, 7), wherein the connecting element (2) is tower-shaped. A first electrically conductive contact means (6) of the connecting element (2) is arranged at a distance from a second electrically conductive contact means (7) of the connecting element (2) in a vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2). The connecting element (2) is dimensionally stable and is intended in particular for connecting printed circuit boards in a housing (3) of an electronic multi-component assembly (1), wherein a large distance can exist between the first and second electrically conductive contact means (6, 7).Thus, further subassemblies and / or components (12) of the electronic multi-component assembly (1) can be arranged between the electrically conductively connected printed circuit boards, wherein the connecting element (2) can bypass these further subassemblies and / or components (12).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element for producing an electrically conductive connection comprising at least two electrically conductive contact means. State of the art

[0002] In electronic assemblies with multiple electronic components, particularly multiple circuit boards, in a housing, it is usually necessary to create an electrically conductive connection between these components. Cable connections are often used to connect components stacked on top of each other. This allows not only components directly above each other to be connected, but also components further apart from each other, with additional components possibly arranged between the connected components. These cables require a lot of space for cable routing in the housing and for the necessary connectors. Cable connections are also sensitive because they can become jammed, for example, when the components are inserted into the housing.In addition, laying the cables and making the connections is a complex work step that is difficult or impossible to automate, and the quality of the connection is difficult to measure and document. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The connecting element according to the invention for establishing an electrically conductive connection with the features of claim 1 and the electronic multi-component assembly according to the invention with the features of claim 6 have the advantages that electrically conductive connections of printed circuit boards in a housing with the connecting element according to the invention save space compared to cable-based solutions, and the connection quality is easy to test and document. Furthermore, the establishment of the electrically conductive connection with the connecting element according to the invention can be automated.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of establishing necessary electrically conductive connections using connecting elements optimized for the application, thus replacing connections using conventional cables and connectors. For this purpose, the connecting element is tower-shaped, and a first electrically conductive contact means of the connecting element is arranged in a vertical direction of the connecting element at a distance from a second electrically conductive contact means of the connecting element. The connecting element preferably has an approximately round or oval cross-section in the vertical direction of extension, and "tower-shaped" in this context means that the extension of the connecting element is greater in the vertical direction of extension than transversely to the vertical direction of extension.When oriented vertically, the shape resembles a slender tower, with the electrically conductive contact means, by means of which an electrically conductive connection is established, being arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction.

[0005] Advantageous further developments of the connecting element according to the invention for producing an electrically conductive connection and of the electronic multi-component assembly are listed in the subclaims.

[0006] Particularly simple and advantageous handling of the connecting element can be achieved in that a structure of the connecting element is made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic, to ensure the mechanical stability of the connecting element and an electrical conductor for the electrically conductive connection of the electrically conductive contact means is arranged inside the structure, preferably concentrically. The connecting element is therefore designed as a dimensionally stable component made of plastic. This makes it possible to install the connecting element in an assembly device in an automated manner. Here, it is particularly advantageous if the connecting element is provided in a defined position and orientation for handling and assembly. For example, it can be stored in a tray where it can be picked up by a gripper.The manual work required to assemble a cable connection can be automated thanks to the use of the dimensionally stable connecting element. The plastic is preferably a thermoplastic, which allows the connecting element to be manufactured using injection molding, which is ideal for large-scale production and minimizes the manufacturing costs of the connecting element. The conductor is arranged inside the structure, so the plastic not only ensures mechanical stability but also electrically insulates the conductor from the environment. This prevents unwanted short circuits from occurring along the connecting element.

[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting element can be designed so that it can be produced by injection molding. This means that the connecting element is designed for injection molding and, for example, has draft angles and no geometries that hinder injection molding, such as undercuts. It is particularly advantageous if the electrical conductor of the connecting element is inserted into the injection mold, so that the connecting element is produced in a single injection molding process.

[0008] To establish an electrically conductive connection, the electrically conductive contact means can, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, be designed as pin-shaped contact pins, preferably as press-fit connectors. This advantageously makes it possible to establish the electrically conductive connection by simply inserting the contact pin. This makes the process easily automatable. It is also advantageous to design the plug connection as a press fit, as this ensures the quality of the electrically conductive connection and prevents loose contacts.

[0009] It can also be advantageous for the contact pins to be oriented in the same direction. This design makes it possible to carry out the insertion process for all contact pins in the same insertion direction, which further improves the automation of the assembly process. The components to which the connecting element is connected can thus be joined together in a uniform joining direction. The particularly advantageous embodiment, in which the contact pins are oriented axially parallel to the vertical extension direction of the connecting element, enables insertion along the vertical extension direction of the connecting element. This makes assembly particularly easy in just one joining direction, with the connecting element itself having as small a cross-sectional area as possible in this assembly direction axially parallel to the vertical extension direction of the connecting element, so that assembly is not hindered by the connecting element.Another advantage is that the contact pins have an axial distance greater than 0, i.e. an axial offset.

[0010] A particularly advantageous variant is one in which, at a first end of the connecting element in its vertical direction of extension, the electrical conductor in the connecting element and the first electrically conductive contact means are oriented axially parallel to one another and preferably axially parallel to the vertical direction of extension of the connecting element. At a second end of the connecting element in its vertical direction of extension, the electrical conductor in the connecting element is arranged in an arc before the electrical conductor merges into the second electrically conductive contact means. The electrical conductor therefore merges into the first contact means at a first end of the connecting element without changing its orientation. The electrical conductor and the contact means preferably run axially parallel to the vertical direction of extension of the connecting element.At a second end of the connecting element, the electrical conductor is guided in a curve and in doing so reverses its orientation by 180° before it merges into the second contact means or is connected to the second contact means. By means of this curve, the contact means at the first and second ends of the connecting element are oriented parallel to the axis and have an axial distance greater than 0, i.e. an axial offset. In other words, the electrical conductor runs from the first contact means at the first end of the connecting element straight in the connecting element to the second end of the connecting element, where the conductor runs in a curve so that it is parallel to the axis and oriented in the same direction as at the first end. The electrical conductor is connected to a contact means at the first end and at the second end of the connecting element or merges directly into it.The electrical conductor and the contact means can thus be easily manufactured from a single piece of raw material.

[0011] Advantageously, the connecting element can be designed to be suitable for electrical signal transmission, wherein in particular the electrical conductor in the connecting element is routed and shaped in such a way that no signal interference is generated. Electrical signals, in particular digital signals, can be disrupted by the route of the electrical conductor by means of which they are transmitted. As the frequency of signal transmission increases, this disruptive effect becomes more pronounced. This effect can be reduced by a suitable design of the conductor. The connecting element can thus be used for signal transmission without causing any disruptive effects.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting element can advantageously be designed such that it is suitable for electrical power transmission. In particular, the electrical conductor has a cross-section large enough for the electrical current to be transmitted by the connecting element, and the connecting element has sufficient insulation of the electrical conductor for the electrical voltage applied to the electrical conductor. As the conductor cross-section increases, the electrical resistance of a conductor decreases, so that with increasing cross-section, the electrical losses due to heating of the conductor are reduced. An optimal size for the conductor cross-section can be selected for the expected electrical current, whereby the electrical losses are weighed against the amount of material and thus the material costs for the electrical conductor.Depending on the magnitude of the electrical voltage, sufficient electrical insulation is necessary, which is determined by the thickness of the material surrounding the electrical conductor.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a plurality of electrical conductors which are electrically insulated from one another are arranged in the connecting element, so that a plurality of electrically conductive connections can be established with one connecting element.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention also comprises an electronic multi-component assembly, in particular a control unit, preferably a control unit for the operation of a compressor, comprising at least a housing, at least two printed circuit boards and at least one connecting element according to the invention.

[0015] In a first embodiment of such an electronic multi-component assembly, the connecting element can, by means of the contact means and the electrical conductor, establish an electrically conductive connection between a first printed circuit board arranged in the housing and at least one second printed circuit board arranged above the first printed circuit board in the housing in the vertical direction of the connecting element. In other words, the printed circuit boards are arranged in a stack in the housing and are electrically conductively connected by means of the connecting element according to the invention. The connecting element advantageously saves installation space in the housing and on the printed circuit boards because it replaces a cable connection for which plug connectors must be provided on the printed circuit boards. Such a cable connection can usually only be established manually and is sensitive to mechanical influences on the cable.

[0016] Further advantageously, a further component arranged in the housing can be arranged in the vertical direction of the connecting element between the first and the second printed circuit board, wherein the connecting element establishes the electrically conductive connection between the first and the second printed circuit board bypassing this component. Various boundary conditions and specifications influence the arrangement of various components and assemblies in a housing, for example specifications regarding the installation space or the base area of a housing. This can lead to assemblies, in particular printed circuit boards, which require an electrically conductive connection to one another, not being able to be stacked directly on top of one another in the housing. It may also be necessary for one or more further assemblies to be arranged between the assemblies to be electrically conductively connected.In this complex stacked arrangement, the electrically conductive connection must be established over a greater distance, possibly bypassing intermediate components.

[0017] In a next advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive contact means of the connecting element can be designed such that they can be connected to associated counterparts on the printed circuit boards, in particular by producing a press connection, whereby they establish the electrically conductive connection between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. In other words, the contact means on the connecting element and the contact means on the printed circuit boards are advantageously designed such that they can be electrically conductively connected to one another, in particular by producing a press connection, for example by pressing a press-fit pin of the connecting element into a corresponding hole in the printed circuit board. The electrical connection is thus particularly secure and its production can be easily monitored, so that the quality of the electrically conductive connection can be measured and documented.In operation, such a connection is characterized by its high durability, and loose contacts, for example, are avoided because the connection is pressed together. The tightly pressed contact prevents moisture from penetrating the contact point, protecting the connection from disruptive corrosion.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the connecting element has a first connecting means at one end in the vertical direction of the connecting element, which is designed to enable fastening, preferably by means of a plug connection, at the installation location, preferably in the housing. By means of this connecting means, a mechanical connection of the connecting element to the housing is possible. Designed as a plug connection, it is easily possible to automate the establishment of the mechanical connection, i.e., the insertion of the connecting element into the housing. For this purpose, a corresponding counterpart to the connecting means of the connecting element is provided in the housing.

[0019] It can further advantageously be provided that the connecting element has a second connecting means which is arranged at a distance from the first connecting means in the vertical direction of the connecting element and is designed to enable fastening, preferably by means of a plug connection, at the installation location, preferably in the housing. In other words, the connecting element has a first connecting means at a first end and a second connecting means spaced from the first connecting means along the vertical direction of the connecting means. The distance between the connecting means is chosen to be as large as possible because this maximizes the mechanical stability of the connection to the housing. In this way, the connecting means can be attached to the housing easily and automatically, while also being clearly positioned and securely.Consistent positioning is of great importance for the subsequent installation of the circuit boards and other components, especially if their installation is automated.

[0020] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1: shows an electronic multi-component assembly according to the invention with a connecting element according to the invention in a sectional view Fig. 2: shows an electronic multi-component assembly according to the invention in a perspective view Fig. 3: shows a section of an electronic multi-component assembly according to the invention in a sectional view. Embodiments of the invention

[0021] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 shows a part of an electronic multi-component assembly 1 according to the invention in a sectional view along a sectional plane that runs parallel to the vertical extension direction H of the connecting element 2. The housing 3 and a first subassembly 4, comprising a printed circuit board, are shown as further components of the multi-component assembly 1. An electrical conductor 5 runs inside the connecting element 2. At a first end of the connecting element 2, this conductor merges into a first contact means 6 in the vertical extension direction H. At a second end of the connecting element 2 in the vertical extension direction H, the conductor merges into a second contact means 7. The electrical conductor runs in a curve 8 at the second end of the connecting element 2, so that the first contact means 6 and the second contact means 7 run axially parallel to one another.Except at the second end of the connecting element 2, the electrical conductor 5 runs axially parallel to the vertical extension direction H of the connecting element. The two contact means 6, 7 also run axially parallel to the vertical extension direction H of the connecting element. A first connecting means 9 is formed at the second end of the connecting element 2. A second connecting means 10 is formed on the connecting element 2 at a distance from this in the vertical extension direction H. The connecting element is fastened in the housing 3 with the two connecting means 9, 10 and corresponding counterparts in the housing 3. For this purpose, the connecting means is inserted vertically from above into the housing 3 axially parallel to the vertical extension direction H. Furthermore, in the . Fig. 1 shows a first subassembly 4, wherein the connecting element 2 is electrically conductively connected to the first subassembly 4 by means of the contact means 7. For this purpose, the contact means 7 is preferably designed as a press-fit plug which engages in a corresponding press-fit bore in the first subassembly 4. As a press connection, the electrically conductive connection is particularly secure and robust. It can also be seen that there is space above the first subassembly 4 in the housing 3, which space can be filled with further assemblies and components (not shown), wherein one of these assemblies can be arranged such that an electrically conductive connection to the contact means 6 is formed. It can clearly be seen that the connection thus established between the first subassembly 4 and the assembly (not shown) bridges a distance in the vertical direction H.

[0023] The Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an electronic multi-component assembly 1 in an exploded view. Two connecting elements 2 are installed. The connecting means 2 are bipolar, meaning that two electrically insulated electrical conductors are arranged in the connecting element. These conductors run parallel to one another and to the vertical extension direction H. Each of the two connecting elements 2 thus establishes two electrically conductive connections. The connecting elements 2 are arranged in the housing 3 and fastened to the housing 3 with the connecting means 9, 10. During assembly, the first subassembly 4 is inserted into the housing 3 along the assembly direction M. In the assembled state, the connecting means 7 engage with corresponding counterparts in the first subassembly 4. The connecting elements 2 then run between the wall of the housing 3 and the first subassembly 4.

[0024] The Fig.3 shows a section of an electronic multi-component assembly according to the invention in a sectional view. The connecting element 2 is arranged in the housing 3 and connected to the housing by means of the connecting means 9. The contact means 7 engages in the printed circuit board of the first subassembly 4 and is electrically connected to it. The contact means 6 engages in the printed circuit board of the second subassembly 11 and is electrically connected to it. The first subassembly 4 and the second subassembly 11 are electrically connected to one another by means of the connecting element 2. The second subassembly 11 lies above the first subassembly 4 in the vertical direction H. Further subassemblies 12 are arranged in the intermediate space bridged by the connecting element 2.

Claims

[1] Connecting element (2) for establishing an electrically conductive connection comprising at least two electrically conductive contact means (6, 7), characterized by that the connecting element (2) is tower-shaped and a first electrically conductive contact means (6) of the connecting element (2) is arranged in a vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2) at a distance from a second electrically conductive contact means (7) of the connecting element (2). [2] Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized by that a structure of the connecting element (2) is made of plastic, preferably of a thermoplastic, to ensure the mechanical stability of the connecting element (2) and an electrical conductor (5) for the electrically conductive connection of the electrically conductive contact means (6, 7) is arranged inside the structure, preferably concentrically. [3] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electrically conductive contact means (6, 7) are designed as pin-shaped contact pins, preferably as press-fit plugs. [4] Connecting element according to claim 3, characterized by that the contact pins are oriented in the same direction, preferably axially parallel to the vertical extension direction of the connecting element (2) and have an axial distance greater than 0. [5] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at a first end of the connecting element (2) in its vertical extension direction (H) the electrical conductor in the connecting element (2) and the first electrically conductive contact means (6) are oriented axially parallel to one another and preferably axially parallel to the vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2) and at a second end of the connecting element (2) in its vertical extension direction the electrical conductor (5) in the connecting element (2) is arranged in an arc (8) before the electrical conductor (5) merges into the second electrically conductive contact means (7), so that the electrically conductive contact means (6, 7) are oriented axially parallel at the first and second ends and have an axial distance greater than 0. [6] Electronic multi-component assembly (1), in particular a control unit, preferably a control unit for operating a compressor, comprising at least one housing (3), at least two printed circuit boards (4, 11) and at least one connecting element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5. [7] Electronic multi-component assembly according to claim 6, characterized by that the connecting element (2) by means of the contact means (6, 7) and the electrical conductor (5) establishes an electrically conductive connection between a first printed circuit board (4) arranged in the housing (3) and at least one second printed circuit board (11) arranged above the first printed circuit board in the housing (3) in the vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2). [8] Electronic multi-component assembly according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat at least one further component (12) arranged in the housing (3) is arranged in the vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2) between the first and the second printed circuit board (4, 11), wherein the connecting element (2) establishes the electrically conductive connection between the first (4) and the second printed circuit board (11) bypassing this component. [9] Electronic multi-component assembly according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the electrically conductive contact means (6, 7) of the connecting element (2) are designed such that they can be connected to associated counterparts on the printed circuit boards (4, 11), in particular by producing a press connection, whereby they produce the electrically conductive connection of the first printed circuit board (4) to the second printed circuit board (11). [10] Electronic multi-component assembly according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized bythat the connecting element (2) has at one end in the vertical extension direction of the connecting element (2) a first connecting means (9) which is designed to enable fastening, preferably by means of a plug connection, at the mounting location, preferably in the housing (3). [11] Electronic multi-component assembly according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by that the connecting element (2) has a second connecting means (10) which is arranged at a distance from the first connecting means (9) in the vertical extension direction (H) of the connecting element (2) and is designed to enable fastening, preferably by means of a plug connection, at the installation location, preferably in the housing (3).

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