Connector for a circuit board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector (1) for a printed circuit board (2), comprising a housing (3), at least one signal line (7.1; 7.2) having a line end (5.1; 5.2) that can be connected to a signal line of a mating connector in a signal-conducting manner, at least one positioning element (4.1; 4.2) that surrounds the line end (5.1; 5.2), a fastening unit (8) that forms a receiving space (9) and is connected to the housing (3), and a carrier unit (10) that is arranged inside the housing (3) and inside the receiving space (9), wherein the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is configured to position the line end (5.1; 5.2) in a signal-conducting manner relative to the signal line of the mating connector, the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is arranged inside the carrier unit (10), and the carrier unit (10) has a first has an opening (11.1; 11.2) through which the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) protrudes from the carrier unit (10) parallel to a plug-in axis (12), the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is movable relative to the carrier unit (10) parallel to the plug-in axis (12), the carrier unit (10) has a spring element (13.1; 13.2) that biases the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) against a plug-in direction, the carrier unit (10) is mounted within the housing (3) and / or the fastening unit (8) by spring-elastic bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) so that the carrier unit (10) is movable radially to the plug-in axis (12), and the bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) are designed to hold the carrier unit (10) in a starting position and to exert a force that forces the carrier unit (10) back into the starting position when the carrier unit (10) moves radially to the plug-in axis (12). (11.1; 11.2) is moved from the starting position.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for a printed circuit board, in particular for optical signal lines. State of the art

[0002] For decades, optical signal lines, such as fiber optic cables, have proven their worth in practice for transmitting very large amounts of signal and data. With digitalization and automation, optical signal lines are increasingly being used in areas where electrical signal lines were long dominant, as the required transmission volumes are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve with electrical signals. However, with the introduction of optical signal lines into new application areas, the requirements for both the signal lines and the connector systems used to connect them are also changing.Accordingly, there is a growing need for economical connector systems for optical signal cables that are very robust and resistant to environmental influences and, in particular, resistant to mechanical stresses that may act on the connector during the plugging process or in the plugged-in state.

[0003] Another common problem with optical connector systems is that the optical signal line within the connector area often requires extensive protection from contamination or damage to ensure the reliability of the signal line and the connector system itself. Connector systems for printed circuit boards (PCBs), where the signal from the signal line is transferred to the board, present a particular challenge, as the optical signal must also be converted into an electrical signal. This typically has a negative impact on the available installation space of the connector system.

[0004] DE 39 16 602 A1 discloses a connector for optical fibers with a device for automatically axially aligning the connector pins (2, 3) which are primarily spring-loaded in a sleeve or the like in the longitudinal direction of the housing and which hold the fiber ends, in which it is provided that the guide sleeve arranged in the connector housing is provided on its circumference with longitudinal slots and a clamping cone sitting thereon and that a clamping sleeve is arranged in the socket housing which, during the insertion process, after the end faces of the connector pins have come into contact, aligns the latter in the longitudinal direction practically without mutual radial offset to each other.

[0005] US 2002 / 0076165A1 discloses a fiber optic connector for mounting on a panel, comprising an outer housing that defines an inner channel extending longitudinally through the housing, and at least one fastening element connected to the outer housing to secure the connector to the panel. The connector includes a connector insert assembly that is inserted through the rear end of the outer housing into its inner channel. The connector insert assembly is longitudinally displaceable within the outer housing and comprises an inner housing that defines an inner channel extending longitudinally through the housing, as well as a ferrule holder and a ferrule mounted in the inner channel of the inner housing. A compression spring is inserted into the rear end of the outer housing and rests against the connector insert assembly.A spring retainer is inserted behind the compression spring into the outer housing to keep the spring in a compressed state, so that the spring pushes the connector insert assembly forward against a stop defined by the outer housing.

[0006] DE 199 51 159 A1 discloses an optical connector in which optical waveguides provided with fiber end sleeves in a plug and a mating plug are pressed axially against each other by compression springs.

[0007] US 2021 / 0286138A1 discloses an optical fiber connector in which two ferrule assemblies are housed in a single casing. The casing incorporates a push-pull mechanism that allows insertion and removal from a carrier and an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may include a bending element for return. The polarity of the optical fiber connector can be selected using the push-pull mechanism.

[0008] US 4,798,440 A discloses an optical fiber connector assembly in which optical fiber connectors are positioned relative to light-emitting and light-sensitive elements. The connector assembly comprises a receptacle that can be mounted on a printed circuit board and in which the light-emitting and light-sensitive elements are arranged. A housing in which optical fiber connectors, which are connected to optical fiber transmission elements, are mounted in a spring-loaded position, is snap-fitted to the receptacle. The optical fiber connectors are arranged in the housing.A connector carrier element is snap-fitted into the housing and moves the optical fiber connectors under spring force, thereby forming an optical fiber plug which is arranged in the socket and snapped into place, with the optical fiber connectors positioned adjacent to the light-emitting and light-sensitive elements. Description of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a connector for a printed circuit board which overcomes at least one disadvantage mentioned in the prior art and in particular ensures high mechanical strength in a small installation space.

[0010] The problem according to the invention is solved by a connector having the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0011] A connector according to the invention for a printed circuit board comprises a housing, at least one signal line, a positioning element, a mounting unit, and a carrier unit. The signal line has a conductor end that can be connected to a signal line of a mating connector. Preferably, the signal line can be connected at one end face of the conductor end to an end face of a signal line of the mating connector. The positioning element encloses the conductor end. The mounting unit forms a receiving space. Furthermore, the mounting unit is connected to the housing. The carrier unit is arranged inside the housing and inside the receiving space. The receiving space can be located inside the housing. Thus, the part of the carrier unit that is located inside the receiving space is also located inside the housing.The positioning element is designed to position the cable end in a signal-conducting manner relative to the signal line of the mating connector and, in particular, to hold it in position. The positioning element is arranged at least partially within the carrier unit. The carrier unit has a first opening through which the positioning element projects from the carrier unit parallel to a plug axis. Preferably, therefore, a main direction of extension of the first opening is arranged parallel to the plug axis.

[0012] In this context, a plugging axis can be understood as an imaginary axis of movement along which the connector and mating connector are moved to be connected or disconnected. The positioning element is movable parallel to the plugging axis relative to the carrier unit. Preferably, the positioning element projects from the carrier unit to different distances depending on its movement position. The carrier unit has a spring element that biases the positioning element against a plugging direction. In this context, a plugging direction can be understood as the direction in which the mating connector must be moved relative to the connector along the plugging axis in order to connect the mating connector to the connector.The support unit is mounted within the housing and / or the mounting unit by spring-elastic bearing elements, allowing it to move radially around the mounting axis. Preferably, the support unit is movable in any radial direction extending from the mounting axis. The bearing elements are designed to hold the support unit in a starting position. In this context, a starting position can be understood as the position the support unit, mounted by the bearing elements, assumes when no external forces act upon it. The bearing elements can hold the support unit in the starting position either by being arranged without tension between the support unit and the mounting unit and / or the housing, or by applying a force to it.Furthermore, the bearing elements are designed to exert a force on the carrier unit that forces the carrier unit back into its initial position when the carrier unit is moved radially to the stub axis from the initial position.

[0013] The solution according to the invention provides a connector for printed circuit boards that is particularly well-suited for connecting optical signal lines. The movable arrangement of the positioning element within the carrier unit compensates for forces acting on the positioning element parallel to the mating axis, thus minimizing the risk of damage. However, the preload of the positioning element against the mating direction ensures a reliable connection with a mating connector. Furthermore, the arrangement of the carrier unit within the receiving space allows for easy pre-assembly of the carrier unit onto the mounting unit. The carrier unit, pre-assembled onto the mounting unit, can then be easily inserted into the housing.By mounting the carrier unit in the housing and / or in the receiving space of the mounting unit, the carrier unit is radially floating relative to the mating axis. This prevents lateral forces from acting on the positioning element, particularly when connecting the connector according to the invention to a mating connector. These lateral forces could lead to mechanical stresses that could sever the signal-conducting connection between the connector and the mating connector or damage the signal line. Such lateral forces can occur, for example, if the connector is not properly connected parallel to the mating axis, but rather at an angle to it. The floating mounting dampens these lateral forces at least to the extent that the signal line and the positioning element are not damaged.By forcing the carrier unit, and thus the positioning element, back into its initial position with a force, the bearing elements ensure that the positioning element remains correctly positioned even after multiple insertion operations. Preferably, the positioning element is radially movable within the carrier unit relative to the insertion axis. This allows for an additional floating bearing arrangement for the positioning element within the carrier unit.

[0014] The support unit can be mounted within the housing and / or the mounting unit by at least three bearing elements arranged around the stub axis. In this way, only a few bearing elements ensure that the support unit can move uniformly radially around the stub axis and is reliably returned to its initial position. Three bearing elements are particularly advantageous when the support unit has a cylindrical shape. In this case, the bearing elements are preferably distributed at uniform angular intervals around the stub axis. If the support unit has a cross-sectional shape that differs from a cylindrical shape and is particularly mirror-symmetrical, which can be the case, for example, if a plurality of positioning elements are arranged within the support unit, the support unit can be mounted by four or more bearing elements.In this case, the bearing elements can be arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner, with the plane of symmetry preferably being arranged parallel to the plug axis.

[0015] At least some of the bearing elements can be formed by first spring bars arranged on the mounting unit. These first spring bars can project into the receiving space and rest against the support unit. The first spring bars can also be monolithic with the mounting unit. In this context, it is advantageous if the mounting unit and the first spring bars are made of a thermoplastic material. In this case, the elastic properties of the material can be used to generate the spring action of the bearing elements.

[0016] At least part of the bearing elements can be formed by second spring bars arranged on the support unit and bearing against a housing wall and / or an inner wall of the receiving space. The second spring bars can be formed monolithically with the support unit. It is further preferred that the support unit be made of a thermoplastic material. The second spring bars preferably extend away from the support unit. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the mounting unit has first spring bars that project into the receiving space and bear against the support unit, wherein the support unit has second spring bars that bear against the housing wall.

[0017] The support unit can be connected to the mounting unit by a snap-fit ​​connection that secures the support unit in a movement axis parallel to the mounting axis. Preferably, the support unit and the mounting unit are connected to each other within the receiving space via the snap-fit ​​connection. This prevents the support unit from moving parallel to the mounting axis and relative to the mounting unit. The snap-fit ​​connection allows the support unit to be detachably connected to the mounting unit. This facilitates both the easy assembly and disassembly of the support unit from the mounting unit. The support unit can, for example, have locking lugs that engage in snap-fit ​​recesses in the mounting unit.

[0018] The housing can have at least two PCB mounting elements for attaching it to the printed circuit board (PCB). The housing can be attached to the PCB mounting elements either detachably or permanently. The housing can be attached to the PCB via the mounting elements, for example, by soldering or pressing.

[0019] The mounting unit can be positioned between and connected to the PCB mounting elements. This allows the mounting unit to be attached directly to the PCB via the PCB mounting elements. This not only eliminates the need for separate mounting of the mounting unit within the housing, but also reduces tolerances, as the PCB mounting elements can be directly connected to the PCB. It is particularly advantageous if the mounting unit is positioned at least partially within the housing and connected to the PCB mounting elements within the housing.

[0020] The printed circuit board (PCB) mounting elements can be designed as metal sheets with mounting pins for attachment to a PCB. If the PCB mounting elements each have multiple mounting pins, it is preferred that the mounting pins are interconnected via the metal sheet. This reduces the complexity of the PCB mounting elements and thus of the entire housing. If the PCB mounting elements are connected to the mounting unit, the metal sheets can have locking tabs that engage in detent recesses in the mounting unit. The locking tabs are particularly preferably arranged within the housing such that the mounting unit is locked into the housing by being inserted, especially by sliding it in parallel to the mounting axis.

[0021] The mounting unit can have a through-opening through which the signal line is guided into the carrier unit. In this way, the signal line can be routed out of the carrier unit and out of the mounting unit. The through-opening preferably extends parallel to the plug axis. Furthermore, it is preferred that the signal line is routed out of the connector according to the invention through the through-opening.

[0022] The carrier unit can have at least one stop element with a through-channel in which the signal line to the positioning element is routed, limiting the movement path of the positioning element in one insertion direction. This easily prevents the positioning element from being inserted too deeply into the carrier unit and damaged.

[0023] The spring element can be clamped between the stop element and the positioning element. The positioning element can have a collar against which the spring element abuts. The positioning element is preferably partially enclosed by the spring element.

[0024] The stop element can be detachably connected to the carrier unit. This allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the positioning element within the carrier unit. Furthermore, this method makes it possible, for example, to replace a damaged positioning element or spring element, while both the carrier unit and the stop element remain reusable.

[0025] At least two positioning elements can be arranged in the carrier unit, the carrier unit having at least two first openings from which a positioning element protrudes. Preferably, both positioning elements are each biased against the insertion direction by a spring element, so that the positioning elements are movably independent of each other in the carrier unit. The carrier unit can have a second opening through which the signal lines to the respective positioning elements are routed. The second opening is preferably arranged on a side opposite the first openings and preferably extends parallel to the first openings. The second opening can be closed by the stop element, which in this case preferably has two through-channels and a signal line is arranged in each through-channel.

[0026] A guide unit can be arranged on the rear side of the housing, which holds the signal line at least partially positioned outside the housing. The guide unit allows the signal line to be held in a defined position outside the connector according to the invention and guided to the connector. This not only prevents damage to the signal line outside the connector according to the invention, but also facilitates handling of the printed circuit board after the connector has been mounted on it. If the carrier unit has several positioning elements and signal lines, it is preferred that the guide unit holds a plurality of signal lines in position. The rear side of the housing preferably refers to the side of the housing where the signal lines are guided into the housing towards the carrier unit.

[0027] The guide unit can be detachably attached to the housing. In this way, the connector according to the invention can be provided in a version with a guide unit and in a version without a guide unit, if the guide unit is not required. Furthermore, the guide unit can be mounted on the housing before the connector is attached to the circuit board, which further simplifies the assembly of the connector according to the invention.

[0028] Furthermore, additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described there and above can be implemented individually or in combination, provided that the features do not contradict each other. The following description of the preferred embodiments is given with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a connector according to the invention; Fig. 2 a further perspective view of the embodiment of the connector according to the invention; Fig. 3 a view of an embodiment of a carrier unit and a fastening unit for a connector according to the invention; Fig. 4 a view of another embodiment of the connector according to the invention; Fig. 5 a sectional view of a further embodiment of the connector according to the invention; Fig. 6 a further perspective view of an embodiment of the connector according to the invention; and Fig. 7 a perspective view of another embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a connector 1 according to the invention for a printed circuit board in a perspective exploded view. The connector 1 has a housing 3. The housing 3 has two PCB mounting elements 17, each with two mounting pins 18, with which the housing 3 can be attached to the printed circuit board. The housing 3 has a plug-in chamber 6 into which a mating connector can be inserted and connected to the connector 1. The connector 1 further has two positioning elements 4.1; 4.2, each enclosing a conductor end 5.1, 5.2 of a signal line 7.1; 7.2. In the present embodiment, the signal lines 7.1; 7.2 have optical fibers. In the present embodiment, the signal lines 7.1, 7.2 have a cable sheath, which has been removed at each conductor end 5.1; 5.2. Consequently, the optical fibers are located at the conductor end 5.1; 5.2 are free and are partially enclosed by the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2. The signal lines 7.1; 7.2 run through the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 and together with the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 form an end face 29.1; 29.2, on which a positioning element or a signal line of a mating connector can be arranged to create a signal-conducting connection.

[0030] The positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 are arranged in a carrier unit 10. The carrier unit 10 has two first openings 11.1; 11.2 through which the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 project from the carrier unit 10 and into the insertion chamber 27. The positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 are arranged sectionally within the carrier unit 10. The positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 are each arranged parallel to a insertion axis within the carrier unit 10 so as to be movable. The positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 are each biased against the first openings 11.1; 11.2 and thus against a insertion direction by a spring element 13.1; 13.2. In the present embodiment, the spring elements 13.1; 13.2 are designed as coil springs. 13.2 are supported by a stop element 20, which is also arranged within the support unit 10. The stop element 20 is detachably connected to the support unit 10.The stop element 20 has two through channels 21.1; 21.2 through which a signal line 7.1; 7.2 is routed to the respective positioning element 4.1; 4.2. The stop element 20 limits the movement path of the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 in the insertion direction.

[0031] The carrier unit 10, together with the positioning elements 4.1 and 4.2, spring elements 13.1 and 13.2, and the stop element 20 arranged therein, is positioned in a receiving space 9 of a mounting unit 8. The mounting unit 8 is connected to the housing 3 by means of detent receptacles 26 in the mounting unit 8, into which detent elements 25, formed by the circuit board mounting elements 17, engage. The mounting unit 8 is thus detachably connected to the housing 3. Within the receiving space 8, the carrier unit 10 is mounted on spring-loaded bearing elements 14.1, which are formed by first spring bars 14.1. The first spring bars 14.1 are monolithic with the mounting unit 8. The carrier unit 10 itself also has bearing elements 14.2, which are formed as second spring bars 14.2 and are monolithic with the carrier unit 10. Using the second spring bars 14.The carrier unit 10 is mounted within the housing 3. The spring-loaded bearing elements 14.1 and 14.2 allow the carrier unit 10 to float within the mounting unit 8, i.e., within the receiving space 9 and within the housing 3, in a starting position and enable it to move radially relative to the stub axis. If the carrier unit 10 is deflected radially relative to the stub axis, the bearing elements 14.1 and 14.2 exert a force on the carrier unit 10, forcing it back into its starting position.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention. Fig. Figure 1, where the connector 1 is shown assembled. The connector 1 is arranged on a printed circuit board 2 and is attached to it by means of the printed circuit board mounting elements 17.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of an embodiment of a support unit 10 and a fastening unit 8. The connecting axis 12 runs perpendicular to the viewer's line of sight. The support unit 10 is arranged in the receiving space 9 of the fastening unit 8. The support unit 10 is connected to the fastening unit 8 within the receiving space 9 via a snap-fit ​​connection 16. The snap-fit ​​connection 16 secures the support unit 10 on a movement axis parallel to the connecting axis 12. The bearing elements 14.1 and 14.2 are arranged symmetrically on the support unit 10 and the fastening unit 8, with the plane of symmetry 28 being parallel to the connecting axis 12 and centered between the positioning elements 4.1 and 4.2.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows another view of an embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, with the mating chamber 17 facing the viewer. The connector 1 is arranged on the circuit board 2, with the mounting pins 18 protruding from the underside of the circuit board 2. The mounting pins 18 can thus, for example, be soldered to the circuit board. The second spring bars 14.2, which extend away from the carrier unit 10, rest against a housing wall 15 of the housing 3 and thus support the carrier unit 10 within the housing 3.

[0035] Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, wherein the section plane runs parallel to the mating axis 12 and through the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2. The mounting unit 8 has a through-opening 19 through which the signal lines 7.1; 7.2 are guided into the through-channels 21.1; 21.2 of the stop element 20 to the positioning elements 4.1; 4.2. The positioning elements 4.1; 4.2 each have a collar 27.1; 27.2 against which the respective spring element 13.1; 13.2 rests. The respective positioning element 4.1; 4.2 is partially enclosed by the spring elements 13.1; 13.2. Opposite the two second openings 11.1; 11.2, the carrier unit 10 has a second opening 22, which is closed by the stop element 20. The fastening unit 8 is arranged inside the housing 3.

[0036] Fig. Figure 6 shows another perspective view of an embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention. A rear side 23 of the housing 3 faces the viewer. The signal lines 7.1 and 7.2 are inserted into the housing 3 through the through-hole 19 on the rear side 23. The housing 3 is attached to the circuit board 2.

[0037] Fig.Figure 7 shows another perspective view of a further embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, with the rear side 23 of the housing facing the viewer. A guide unit 26 is arranged on the rear side 23 of the housing 3 and detachably connected to the housing 3. In the present embodiment, there is no direct attachment or fixation between the guide unit 26 and the circuit board 2. In other words, the guide unit 26 is attached to the circuit board 2 via the housing 3. The guide unit 26 holds the signal lines 7.1; 7.2 positioned outside the housing 3 and guides the signal lines 7.1; 7.2 to the housing 3 in a defined manner. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 connector 2 circuit boards 3 cases 4 Positioning element 5 Line end 6 plug chambers 7 Signal line 8 Mounting unit 9 Recording room 10 carrier units 11 First Opening 12 thru axle 13 Spring element 14 bearing elements 15 Housing wall 16 rest connection 17 PCB mounting elements 18 fastening pins 19 Passage opening 20 stop elements 21 Through channel 22 Second opening 23 Back 24 Command Unit 25 locking elements 26 Rasteraufnahme 27 collars 28 Plane of symmetry 29 Front

Claims

[1] Connector (1) for a printed circuit board (2), with a housing (3), at least one signal line (7.1; 7.2) which has a line end (5.1; 5.2) that can be connected to a signal line of a mating connector in a signal-conducting manner, at least one positioning element (4.1; 4.2) that surrounds the end of the line (5.1; 5.2), a fastening unit (8) which forms a receiving space (9) and is connected to the housing (3), and a carrier unit (10) which is arranged inside the housing (3) and inside the receiving space (9), where the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is designed to position the line end (5.1; 5.2) in a signal-conducting manner relative to the signal line of the mating connector, the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is arranged within the carrier unit (10), the carrier unit (10) has a first opening (11.1; 11.2) through which the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) protrudes from the carrier unit (10) parallel to a plug axis (12), the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) is movable parallel to the plug axis (12) relative to the carrier unit (10), the carrier unit (10) has a spring element (13.1; 13.2) which pre-tensions the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) against a plugging direction, the carrier unit (10) is mounted within the housing (3) and / or the mounting unit (8) by spring-elastic bearing elements (14.1; 14.2), so that the carrier unit (10) is movable radially to the stub axis (12), and the bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) are designed to hold the carrier unit (10) in a starting position and to apply a force that forces the carrier unit (10) back into the starting position when the carrier unit (10) is moved radially to the stub axis (12) from the starting position. [2] Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the carrier unit (10) is supported by at least three bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) arranged around the plug axis (12). [3] Connectors (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least part of the bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) is formed by first spring bars (14.1) which are arranged on the fastening unit (8), project into the receiving space (9) and bear against the carrier unit (10). [4] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the bearing elements (14.1; 14.2) is formed by second spring bars (14.2) which are arranged on the carrier unit (10) and bear against a housing wall (15) and / or an inner wall of the receiving space (9). [5] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier unit (10) is connected to the fastening unit (8) by a snap-fit ​​connection (16) which secures the carrier unit (10) in an axis of movement parallel to the plug axis (12). [6] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) has at least two printed circuit board fastening elements (17) for fastening the housing (3) to the printed circuit board (2). [7] Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fastening unit (8) is arranged between the printed circuit board fastening elements (17) and is connected to the printed circuit board fastening elements (17). [8] Connectors (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the printed circuit board fastening elements (17) are designed as metal sheets which have fastening pins (18) for fastening to the printed circuit board (2). [9] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening unit (8) has a through-opening (19) through which the signal line (7.1; 7.2) is guided into the carrier unit (10). [10] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier unit (10) has at least one stop element (20) with a through channel (21.1; 21.2) in which the signal line (7.1; 7.2) is guided to the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) and which limits the movement path of the positioning element (4.1; 4.2) in a plugging direction. [11] Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the spring element (13.1; 13.2) is clamped between the stop element (20) and the positioning element (4.1; 4.2). [12] Connector (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the stop element (20) is detachably connected to the carrier unit (10). [13] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two positioning elements (4.1; 4.2) are arranged in the carrier unit (10), the carrier unit (10) has at least two first openings (11.1; 11.2) from which a positioning element (4.1; 4.2) protrudes from the carrier unit (10) and the carrier unit (10) has a second opening (22) through which both signal lines (7.1; 7.2) are guided to the respective positioning element (4.1; 4.2). [14] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a guide unit (24) is arranged on a rear side (23) of the housing (3) which holds the signal line (7.1; 7.2) positioned outside the housing (3) at least section by section. [15] Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide unit (24) is detachably attached to the housing (3).

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