USE OF A CONNECTOR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the use of a connector system for connecting a PCB card to a central computer of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with a central computer that can execute and control various automotive applications. This central computer can be connected to a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) or chip card, similar to the motherboard of a PC or notebook, and is specific to the application. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a suitable connector system for automotive applications between the PCB card and the vehicle's central computer.

[0003] Network plugs and connectors from the telecommunications sector exist in the current state of the art, but these are not designed or suitable for automotive applications. Furthermore, there are high-pin-count connectors that feature multiple individual metal plates for shielding the contact elements. However, such connectors are not suitable for mass production and therefore also unsuitable for automotive applications.

[0004] Document US 4451,107 concerns a modular connector with a die-cast zinc housing for connecting a daughterboard to a computer motherboard.

[0005] Document DE 10 2009 019 137 A1 discloses an adapter element for serial data transmission in a vehicle. It comprises a first housing part, which can be connected to a shield, and a second housing part, which has at least one contact element. The two housing parts are arranged such that the second housing part is enclosed by the first housing part in a certain area. The at least one contact element is electrically contacted with the first housing part in this area, the adapter element being configured to ensure external accessibility for establishing the contact. The second housing part is surrounded on both sides by the first housing part within a further area, which also extends along the longitudinal axis of the adapter element.

[0006] Document WO 2010 / 054750 A1 discloses an RF connector comprising an outer conductor section, an inner conductor section arranged within the outer conductor section, and a mating end designed for mating connection with a complementary RF connector. At the mating end of the RF connector, a housing made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic housing, is arranged, at least partially surrounding the outer conductor section. The housing has a through-hole into which the outer conductor section engages. The outer conductor section has a first axial locking mechanism for the housing, designed such that this first axial locking mechanism expands a first predetermined section of the housing when mounted on the outer conductor section.The outer conductor part has a second axial locking mechanism for the housing, which is designed such that this second axial locking mechanism compresses a second predetermined section of the housing when mounted on the outer conductor part.

[0007] Document US 7,252,513 B1 discloses a connector assembly with projections aligned parallel to an axis of the connectors, by means of which the connector assembly is positioned perpendicular to the plane of a printed circuit board. The connector assembly has features on the side facing the printed circuit board that form a bearing surface and / or boundary plane on which the adjacent plane of the printed circuit board rests on the connector assembly. The connector assembly has, at least partially, a first clearance on one side facing the printed circuit board, which is provided with at least one recess and / or recesses. The recesses are spaced apart from the adjacent plane of the printed circuit board and / or the outer contacts of the connectors are arranged transversely offset from one another such that a second clearance is created between the connectors.The first and / or second free space serves as space for routing and / or populating the circuit board.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector system for connecting a PCB card to a central computer of a motor vehicle, which meets the requirements in the automotive sector, in particular with regard to stability, signal quality, frequency range of the signal transmission and suitability for mass production. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A first aspect concerns the use of a connector system for connecting a PCB card to a central computer of a motor vehicle, wherein the connector system comprises a computer-side connector element and a card-side connector element, and wherein the computer-side connector element comprises: a computer-side zinc die-cast housing with at least one computer-side contact cavity; at least one computer-side insulating body which, in the assembled state, is arranged within the at least one computer-side contact cavity; a plurality of computer-side contact elements which, in the assembled state, are arranged at least partially within computer-side insulating cavities in the at least one computer-side insulating body; and whereby the card-side connector element has: a card-side zinc die-cast housing with at least one card-side contact cavity; at least one card-side insulating body which, in the assembled state, is arranged within the at least one card-side contact cavity and has a plurality of card-side insulating cavities designed to accommodate, at least partially, the computer-side contact elements in the assembled state; a plurality of card-side contact elements which, in the assembled state, are arranged at least partially within the card-side insulating cavities and electrically contact the computer-side contact elements.

[0010] In this description, the term "connection" refers primarily to electrical connections. It can also encompass physical connections. A "computer-side connector" is a connector designed to be directly connected (electrically and / or physically) to a central computer. Similarly, a "card-side connector" is a connector designed to be directly connected (electrically and / or physically) to a PCB card. Generally, the additional designation "computer-side" indicates that various components belong to or are part of the computer-side connector.Accordingly, the additional designation "card-side" for various elements indicates that these card-side elements belong to and / or are part of the card-side connector element.

[0011] For the purposes of this description, the term "assembled state" refers to a state in which the connector system, the computer-side connector element, and / or the card-side connector element are used as intended and / or are assembled, connected, or plugged together as intended. In particular, the assembled state means that the computer-side and card-side connector elements are electrically connected to each other. The assembled state can therefore also be referred to as the assembled state, the connected state, the plugged-in state, and / or the operating state. In other words, the assembled state of a connector element or connector system refers to the intended arrangement or installation position of the individual elements of the connector element and / or connector system.

[0012] The PCB card can be configured specifically as a PCMCIA Express 3.0 and / or 4.0 card. The term "PCB card" can also refer to other chip cards that are generally suitable for use in the automotive sector.

[0013] The computer-side connector element has a zinc die-cast housing. This housing has at least one contact cavity, preferably a plurality of such cavities. The contact cavity(ies) are formed as recesses in the zinc die-cast housing. Each contact cavity forms a contact opening. In other words, the zinc die-cast housing is made of zinc, preferably as a single piece. Preferably, the zinc die-casting material is a zinc alloy, in particular alloy ZP0410, ZP0400, and / or ZP0430. These alloys are known, for example, from and described in standard EN 12844. Alternatively, the zinc die-cast housing can be made of a different zinc die-casting material.In particular, the computer-side zinc die-cast housing is a single piece, meaning it is not composed of multiple parts but comprises only a single piece made of die-cast zinc material. If the computer-side housing has multiple contact cavities, these can be arranged in a matrix, at least in some areas of the housing. The computer-side zinc die-cast housing can provide shielding and ensure high signal quality.

[0014] The computer-side connector element has at least one computer-side insulating body. The computer-side connector element can also have multiple computer-side insulating bodies. The computer-side insulating body(s) have multiple computer-side insulating cavities. One of the computer-side insulating bodies can either have multiple computer-side insulating cavities or exactly one computer-side insulating cavity. This means that in an extreme case where the computer-side connector element has exactly one computer-side insulating body, this single insulating body contains all computer-side insulating cavities. In another extreme case where the computer-side connector element has exactly as many computer-side insulating bodies as computer-side insulating cavities, each computer-side insulating body contains exactly one computer-side insulating cavity.In between, there are embodiments in which, for example, a group of computer-side insulating bodies each has exactly one computer-side insulating cavity, and one (or more) further computer-side insulating body(s) each has several computer-side insulating cavities.

[0015] The computer-side insulating cavity(ies) is / are arranged within the computer-side contact cavity(ies) in the assembled state. Preferably, the at least one computer-side insulating body is made of PA9T, PA10T, and / or LCP. The number of computer-side insulating bodies can, for example, correspond to the number of computer-side contact cavities. The computer-side insulating bodies can, for example, be rectangular, which facilitates easy assembly.

[0016] Additionally, the computer-side connector element has a plurality of computer-side contact elements, in particular contact pins. Preferably, the computer-side contact elements are made of CuSn6 or alternative copper alloys. In general, contact elements are electrical conductors with which electrical signals can be transmitted. In the assembled state, the computer-side contact elements are arranged at least partially within the computer-side insulating cavities of the at least one computer-side insulating body, and thus also within the at least one computer-side contact cavity. In other words, the at least one computer-side insulating body surrounds the computer-side contact elements at least partially.In this context, "at least partially" means that at least one section of a computer-side contact element is arranged within a computer-side insulating cavity of the at least one computer-side insulating body, and / or that one of the computer-side insulating bodies surrounds at least one section of each computer-side contact element. In particular, the computer-side contact elements, when assembled, are arranged at least partially within computer-side insulating cavities of the at least one computer-side insulating body, so that they are electrically insulated from the computer-side housing. The computer-side contact elements can substantially penetrate the computer-side housing.

[0017] Apart from its insulating effect, the at least one computer-side insulating body is also designed to hold and / or secure the computer-side contact elements within the at least one computer-side contact cavity. The at least one insulating body can thus, in addition to its insulating function, also have a stabilizing function, i.e., a holding and / or securing function. Air can be used as an insulator at the points or sections of the contact elements that are not surrounded by an insulating body.

[0018] One end of the computer-side contact elements can protrude from the computer-side housing and be designed to contact the central computer.

[0019] The card-side connector element has a card-side zinc die-cast housing. The card-side zinc die-cast housing has at least one card-side contact cavity, preferably a plurality of card-side contact cavities. The card-side contact cavity(ies) are formed as a recess in the zinc die-cast housing. Each card-side contact cavity forms a card-side contact opening.

[0020] The card-side zinc die-cast housing can be made of two parts, i.e., it can be composed of exactly two zinc die-cast parts, namely a first card-side zinc die-cast housing and a second card-side zinc die-cast housing. Alternatively, the card-side zinc die-cast housing can also be made of a single piece. Preferably, the zinc die-casting material is made of a zinc alloy, in particular alloy ZP0410, ZP0400, and / or ZP0430. These alloys are known, for example, from and described in standard EN 12844. Alternatively, the card-side zinc die-cast housing can be made of a different zinc die-casting material. The card-side zinc die-cast housing can provide (electrical) shielding and enable high signal quality.

[0021] If the card-side housing has multiple card-side contact cavities, these can be arranged in a matrix, at least partially, within the card-side housing, and in particular (at least partially) complementarily to the computer-side contact cavities. Generally, a corresponding or complementary card-side contact cavity can be provided and / or formed for each computer-side contact cavity.

[0022] The card-side connector element has at least one card-side insulating body. The card-side connector element can also have multiple card-side insulating bodies. The card-side insulating body(s) have multiple card-side insulating cavities. One of the card-side insulating bodies can either have multiple card-side insulating cavities or exactly one card-side insulating cavity. This means that in an extreme case where the card-side connector element has exactly one card-side insulating body, this single card-side insulating body contains all card-side insulating cavities. In another extreme case where the card-side connector element has exactly as many card-side insulating bodies as card-side insulating cavities, each card-side insulating body contains exactly one card-side insulating cavity.In between, there are embodiments in which, for example, a group of card-side insulating bodies each has exactly one card-side insulating cavity, and one (or more) further card-side insulating body(s) each has several card-side insulating cavities.

[0023] The card-side insulating cavity(ies) is / are arranged within the card-side contact cavity(ies) in the assembled state. Preferably, the at least one card-side insulating body is made of PA9T, PA10T, and / or LCP. The number of card-side insulating bodies can, for example, correspond to the number of card-side contact cavities. The card-side insulating bodies can, for example, be rectangular in some areas, which facilitates easy assembly.

[0024] The card-side insulating body(s) have card-side insulating cavities designed to accommodate, at least partially, the computer-side contact elements when assembled. In other words, when assembled, the computer-side contact elements penetrate the at least one card-side insulating body to make contact with the card-side contact elements. The number of card-side insulating bodies can correspond to the number of card-side contact cavities. Furthermore, the number of computer-side contact cavities can correspond to the number of card-side contact cavities.

[0025] Additionally, the card-side connector element has a plurality of card-side contact elements. Preferably, the card-side contact elements are made of CuSn6 or alternative copper alloys. In the assembled state, the card-side contact elements are arranged at least partially within the card-side insulating cavities of the at least one card-side insulating body, and thus also within the at least one card-side contact cavity. In other words, the at least one card-side insulating body surrounds the card-side contact elements at least partially.In this context, the term "at least partially" means that at least one section of a card-side contact element is arranged within a card-side insulating cavity of a card-side insulating body, and / or that a card-side insulating body surrounds at least one section of a card-side contact element. In particular, the card-side contact elements, when assembled, are arranged at least partially within card-side insulating cavities of the at least one card-side insulating body, so that they are electrically insulated from the card-side housing. The card-side contact elements are designed and arranged such that, when assembled, they each contact corresponding computer-side contact elements.The contact between the computer-side and card-side contact elements takes place primarily within the card-side contact cavities and / or within the card-side insulating bodies. Alternatively, the contact between the computer-side and card-side contact elements can take place within the computer-side contact cavities and / or within the computer-side insulating bodies.

[0026] One end of the card-side contact elements can protrude from the card-side housing and be designed to contact the PCB card.

[0027] Apart from its insulating effect, the at least one card-side insulating body can be designed to hold and / or secure the card-side contact elements within the at least one card-side contact cavity. The at least one card-side insulating body can have and / or fulfill both an insulating and a stabilizing function. Air can be used as an insulator at the points or sections of the card-side contact elements that are not surrounded by a card-side insulating body.

[0028] In the connector system according to the invention, the computer-side connector element and / or the card-side connector element each have a zinc die-cast housing with at least one contact cavity. This allows for continuous shielding in the assembled state due to the cavities surrounding the zinc die-cast housings, in which the signal-transmitting contact elements are located. Within the scope of the present invention, it has been shown that the connector elements and / or the connector system according to the invention meet the aforementioned requirements in the automotive sector. Furthermore, the connector elements, and thus the connector system, can be manufactured quickly and easily using zinc die-casting, making them suitable for mass production compared to conventional connectors that meet the requirements in the automotive sector.By forming the housings using zinc die casting, electrical shielding, mass production and vibration-resistant strength can be achieved.

[0029] According to one embodiment, at least one housing, both the computer-side zinc die-cast housing and the card-side zinc die-cast housing, has at least one screw opening for screwing the respective zinc die-cast housing to the PCB card and / or to the central computer, wherein the screw opening is designed as a zinc die-cast screw opening. The screw opening can be formed integrally with the respective housing. The screw opening can be designed as a loop-like appendage and / or as a projection on a housing edge. The screw opening has a through-hole, substantially round, the inner diameter of which can be matched to the thread of a predetermined screw. This predetermined screw has a threaded section that passes through the screw opening and a screw head that does not pass through the screw opening.The screw opening can enclose and / or define a cylindrical section into which the predetermined screw can be screwed. Preferably, the respective thread has at least two such screw openings, so that the respective housing can be screwed to the PCB card and / or the central computer even more stably and securely.

[0030] Preferably, at least the computer-side connector element has at least one screw opening to screw the computer-side zinc die-cast housing to the central computer.

[0031] This allows the zinc die-cast housing of the respective connector element to be screwed together, thus securing the fastening against vibration(s) and / or other stresses. The design of at least one screw opening made of zinc die-casting, together with the respective zinc die-cast housing, is suitable for mass production and improves the vibration resistance of the connector system.

[0032] According to further training, at least one screw opening is aligned parallel to the insertion direction of the respective die-cast zinc housing into the PCB card and / or the central computer. Thus, the screw opening of the computer-side connector element can be designed approximately parallel to the insertion direction of the computer-side connector element into the central computer and / or parallel to the first assembly direction of the two connector elements relative to each other. The screw opening of the card-side connector element can be designed approximately parallel to a second assembly direction of the card-side connector element into the PCB card. This means that the screw for fastening the die-cast zinc housing of the respective connector element can be screwed in approximately parallel to the plug ends of the contact elements of the respective connector element into the central computer or the PCB card.

[0033] According to a further development, the zinc die-cast housing with the screw opening has at least two screw openings. The screw openings can be spaced apart from each other and / or approximately parallel to each other. This means that the cylinder axes of the cylinder sections enclosed by the screw openings are aligned approximately parallel to each other. The provision of at least two screw openings on the same connector element improves the fastening and securing of the connector system.

[0034] In one embodiment, the computer-side connector element is designed to be connected to the central computer along a first mounting direction, in particular by plugging them together. The card-side connector element is designed to be connected to the PCB card along a second mounting direction, in particular by plugging them together. Furthermore, the computer-side connector element and the card-side connector element can be connected or plugged together along the first mounting direction. Preferably, the first mounting direction differs from the second mounting direction. In particular, the first mounting direction can be essentially perpendicular to the second mounting direction.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the card-side contact elements (e.g., as well as the associated card-side contact cavities) are each curved so that they have a substantially right-angled edge. In other words, the card-side contact elements are substantially right-angled. Within the scope of this invention, a substantially right-angled edge means that sections of the card-side contact cavities or the card-side contact elements before and after the "edge" are at right angles to each other. The "edge" itself, or the area where the direction changes, is generally not perfectly right-angled but may instead have a curve.The card-side contact elements are arranged in the assembled state such that a connector-side section of each card-side contact element is formed essentially parallel to the first assembly direction and a card-side section of each card-side contact element is formed essentially parallel to the second assembly direction, wherein the first assembly direction is arranged essentially perpendicular to the second assembly direction.

[0036] Within the scope of the invention, "essentially" and "approximately" shall in particular mean that a property is fulfilled if this property is fulfilled to at least 90%, preferably to at least 95%, and particularly preferably to at least 99%. In particular, this property may be fulfilled to 100%.

[0037] In a further development, the essentially right-angled edges are arranged in the assembled state such that the essentially right-angled edges of at least part of the card-side contact elements lie on a straight line in a plane spanned by the first and second assembly directions (or by corresponding direction vectors), wherein the straight line has an angle of approximately 45° to both the first and second assembly directions, i.e., to the corresponding direction vectors. Within the scope of the present invention, it has been shown that such an embodiment can particularly well meet the requirements in the automotive sector, especially with regard to the necessary signal quality on the one hand and the greatest possible space savings on the other.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the computer-side housing has at least one engagement element which, when assembled, engages with at least one complementary engagement element of the card-side housing. The engagement element can, for example, be a projection, and the complementary engagement element a corresponding opening. In this way, a stable and continuous connection between the computer-side and card-side contact cavities is created or supported. This advantageously results in high stability as well as continuous shielding. The quality of the signal transmission between the PCB card and the central computer can thus be improved and particularly meets the requirements in the automotive sector.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the card-side contact elements each have wave-shaped end sections in order to electrically contact the corresponding computer-side contact element at at least two different points when overlapping. Although an antenna-like effect and thus interference signals might be expected as a result of the wave-like sections, it has surprisingly been found within the scope of the present invention that this does not significantly impair the quality of the signals or frequencies transmitted in the automotive sector. On the contrary, the wave-like shape of the card-side contact elements can improve signal transmission, particularly with regard to reliability, without the need for, for example, complex soldering of the contact point.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the computer-side housing has at least one stabilizing element, and the card-side housing has at least one complementary stabilizing element. The at least one stabilizing element can, for example, comprise a recess or a groove, while the complementary stabilizing element can comprise a projection, in particular a stabilizing pin or a plug pin, which can engage with the recess or groove. In this way, increased stability of the connector system can be achieved, which is particularly important in the automotive sector to prevent signal loss. Furthermore, the stabilizers also serve as a plug-in aid.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the card-side housing has at least one guide element, and the computer-side housing has at least one complementary guide element. The guide element can, for example, comprise a guide projection or a guide groove, while the complementary guide element can correspondingly comprise a guide groove or a guide projection. The at least one guide element can facilitate the assembly of the connector system.

[0042] In another embodiment, the card-side housing has solder pads for soldering onto the PCB. This also results in improved shielding and thus improved signal quality of the connector system.

[0043] In one embodiment, the computer-side housing comprises a computer-side power contact cavity, a computer-side single-end contact cavity, and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact cavities. Furthermore, the at least one computer-side insulating body comprises a computer-side power insulating body, which, in the assembled state, is arranged in the computer-side power contact cavity, a computer-side single-end insulating body, which, in the assembled state, is arranged in the computer-side single-end contact cavity, and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair insulating bodies, each of which, in the assembled state, is arranged in a corresponding computer-side differential-pair contact cavity of the plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact cavities.Furthermore, the plurality of computer-side contact elements comprises a plurality of computer-side power contact elements, which in the assembled state are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the computer-side power insulating body, a plurality of computer-side single-end contact elements, which in the assembled state are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the computer-side single-end insulating body, and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact elements, which in the assembled state are each arranged at least partially in an insulating cavity of an associated computer-side differential-pair insulating body of the plurality of computer-side differential-pair insulating bodies.

[0044] Accordingly, the card-side housing comprises a card-side power contact cavity, a card-side single-end contact cavity, and a plurality of card-side differential-pair contact cavities. Furthermore, the at least one card-side insulating body comprises a card-side power insulating body, which, in the assembled state, is located in the card-side power contact cavity, a card-side single-end insulating body, which, in the assembled state, is located in the card-side single-end contact cavity, and a plurality of card-side differential-pair insulating bodies, each of which, in the assembled state, is located in a corresponding card-side differential-pair contact cavity of the plurality of card-side differential-pair contact cavities.Furthermore, the plurality of card-side contact elements comprises a plurality of card-side power contact elements, which in the assembled state are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the card-side power insulating body, a plurality of card-side single-end contact elements, which in the assembled state are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the card-side single-end insulating body, and a plurality of card-side differential-pair contact elements, which in the assembled state are each arranged at least partially in an insulating cavity of an associated card-side differential-pair insulating body of the plurality of card-side differential-pair insulating bodies.

[0045] For example, the computer-side housing can have approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, computer-side differential pair contact cavities, and the card-side housing can have approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, card-side differential pair contact cavities. Similarly, approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, computer-side and approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, card-side differential pair insulating bodies, as well as approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, computer-side and approximately 40 to 60, in particular 48, card-side differential pair contact elements, can be formed, each differential pair contact element comprising two contact elements. For example, approximately 5 to 15, in particular 8, pairs of computer-side and correspondingly approximately 5 to 15, in particular 8, pairs of card-side power contact elements can be formed. For example, approximately 40 to 70, in particular 56, computer-side and approximately 40 to 70, in particular 56, card-side single-end contact elements can be formed.

[0046] Advantageously, all power contact cavities, power insulators, and power contact elements are located on one side, i.e., in one (e.g., lateral) end section of the computer-side and / or card-side connector element and housing. This reduces or eliminates interference during signal transmission. Furthermore, this arrangement allows the wide power lines and, consequently, all connected components to be located on one side of the central computer or PCB card. If, however, the power lines were located at different points, i.e., not just on one side, of the connector system, they would have to cross within the central computer and / or on the PCB card, resulting in a greater overall space requirement.

[0047] In the following, individual embodiments for solving the problem are described by way of example with reference to the figures. Here, identical or similar reference numerals can denote identical or similar features of the embodiments. Individual features shown in the figures may be implemented in other embodiments. Some of the described embodiments have features that are not strictly necessary to carry out the claimed subject matter, but which provide desirable properties in certain applications. Thus, embodiments that do not have all the features of the embodiments described below are also considered to be disclosed within the scope of the described technical teaching. Furthermore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, certain features are mentioned only in relation to some of the embodiments described below.It should be noted that the individual embodiments should therefore not only be considered individually, but also in combination. Based on this combination, the person skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments can also be modified by incorporating one or more features from other embodiments. It should be noted that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments with one or more features described in relation to other embodiments may be desirable and useful, and should therefore be considered and also be regarded as covered by the description. Figure 1 shows a schematic sketch of a connector system in a perspective exploded view; Figure 2A shows a schematic sketch of the computer-side housing of the connector system in a first perspective view (front view). Figure 1Figure 2B shows a schematic sketch of the computer-side housing of the connector system in a second perspective view (rear view). Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 shows in perspective view from Figure 2A (Front view) a schematic sketch of the computer-side connector element of the connector system made of Figure 1 without the computer-side housing.

[0048] The positional designations used in this description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated and should be applied analogously to any change in position. The additional term "computer-side," as used for various elements in this description, indicates that these elements belong to the computer-side connector element, i.e., a connector element that can be directly connected to the central computer. Similarly, the additional term "card-side," used for various elements, indicates that these elements belong to the card-side connector element, i.e., a connector element that can be directly connected to a PCB card.

[0049] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic sketch of a connector system 100 according to the invention in a perspective exploded view. In this exploded view, a computer-side connector element 10 and a card-side connector element 30 of the connector system 100 are shown separately, i.e., in a disassembled state. In the fully assembled state, the computer-side connector element 10 and the card-side connector element 30 are connected to each other, i.e., plugged together along a first assembly direction M1 indicated by an arrow.

[0050] The computer-side connector element 10 is designed to be connected or plugged into a central computer of a motor vehicle (not shown) with its computer-side plug-in end 14 facing forward. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug-in end 14, when assembled, is the side of the computer-side connector element 10 that faces away from the card-side connector element 30. A normal to the computer-side plug-in end 14 is arranged approximately parallel to the first assembly direction M1, in the opposite direction.

[0051] The computer-side connector element 10 has a plurality of contact elements 13a, 13b and 13c that can be connected to complementary contact elements of the central computer. In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1The connector system 100, or the computer-side connector element 10 (and analogously the card-side connector element 30), has three different contact areas: a single-end contact area with a plurality of single-end contact elements 13a, a differential-pair contact area with a plurality of differential-pair contact elements 13b, and a power contact area with a plurality of power contact elements 13c. While the single-end contact elements 13a transmit signals or information via only one electrical conductor, the differential-pair contact elements 13b each use two electrical conductors to transmit a differential signal between these two conductors. In the illustrated embodiment, the power contact elements 13c are configured in pairs, similar to the differential-pair contact elements, and serve for power transmission.

[0052] The computer-side connector element 10 has a computer-side housing 20 with a plurality of computer-side contact cavities 11a, 11b, and 11c, namely a computer-side single-pair contact cavity 11a, a plurality (here exactly 48) of computer-side differential-pair contact cavities 11b, and a computer-side power contact cavity 11c. All contact cavities 11a-11c extend through the computer-side housing 20 and thus completely penetrate it. The contact cavities 11a-11c have (in the first assembly direction M1, see below) an approximately constant cross-section, which is, for example, approximately rectangular. Furthermore, the computer-side connector element 10 has a plurality of computer-side insulating bodies 12a, 12b and 12c, each of which forms and encloses at least one insulating space extending through the computer-side housing 20.

[0053] The insulating bodies 12a, 12b and 12c are arranged within the computer-side contact cavities 11a-11c. In the illustrated embodiment, the computer-side connector element 10 has a computer-side single-pair insulating body 12a, a plurality (here exactly 48) of computer-side differential-pair insulating bodies 12b and a computer-side power insulating body 12c.

[0054] The computer-side contact elements 13a-13c are, in the assembled state, arranged at least partially within computer-side insulating cavities of the respective associated computer-side insulating bodies 12a-12c. Thus, the single-end contact elements 13a are arranged in the single-end contact cavity 11a and within insulating cavities of the single-end insulating body 12a. The differential-pair contact elements 13b are each arranged in their respective differential-pair contact cavities 11b and within their respective insulating cavities of the differential-pair insulating bodies 12b. The power contact elements 13c are arranged in the power contact cavity 11c and within their respective insulating cavities of the power insulating body 12c.

[0055] The computer-side housing 20 has at least one screw opening 22; in the illustrated embodiment, exactly two screw openings 22. Each screw opening 22 is integrally formed with the housing 20 as a die-cast zinc component. The screw openings 22 are located on an edge of the computer-side plug-in end 14 of the computer-side housing 20. Each screw opening 22 has a circular border that surrounds a hollow cylinder section into which a screw can be screwed. The axis of the hollow cylinder section is arranged approximately parallel to the first mounting direction M1 and / or to the card-side contact elements 13a-13c. Thus, the computer-side housing 20 can be attached to the (not shown) central computer by means of screws screwed into the screw openings 22. The screws are inserted through the screw openings approximately parallel to the computer-side contact elements 13a-13c.This reinforces and / or secures the attachment of the computer-side connector element 10 to the central computer.

[0056] The card-side connector element 30 is designed to be connected to a PCB card along a second mounting direction M2. For this purpose, the card-side connector element 30 has corresponding card-side contact elements (not shown) on its underside, the card-side mating side 34, corresponding to computer-side contact elements 13a-13c. The card-side contact elements are approximately perpendicular, with a first section extending approximately parallel to the first mounting direction M1 and a second section extending approximately parallel to the second mounting direction M2. The second section of the card-side contact elements can protrude from the card-side mating side 34 to make (electrical and / or physical) contact with the PCB card.

[0057] As in the Figure 1As shown, the second mounting direction M2 is essentially perpendicular to the first mounting direction M1. The card-side connector element 30 is designed and intended to be attached, e.g., soldered, to the (not shown) PCB card with its card-side plug-in end 34 facing forward in the direction of the second mounting direction M2. In the assembled state, the card-side plug-in end 34 is arranged in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the plane in which the computer-side plug-in end 14 is arranged.

[0058] The card-side connector element 30 has a card-side housing 40 with a plurality of card-side contact cavities 31a-31c. The card-side housing 40 can be formed in one piece or have at least two card-side housing elements which can be connected or plugged together.

[0059] The card-side housing 40 has a plurality of card-side insulating bodies 32a-32c, which, in the assembled state, are arranged within the card-side contact cavities 31a-31c. The card-side insulating bodies 32a-32c, in turn, have card-side insulating cavities designed to accommodate, at least partially, the associated computer-side contact elements 13a-13c in the assembled state. The card-side contact cavities 31a-31c, the card-side insulating bodies 32a-32c, and the card-side contact elements are all angled. The card-side contact cavities 31a-31c, etc., have a first section that is approximately parallel to the first mounting direction M1 and a second section that is approximately parallel to the second mounting direction M2.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the card-side connector element 30 has a card-side single-pair insulating body 32a, a plurality (here exactly 48) of card-side differential-pair insulating bodies 32b, and a card-side power insulating body 32c. The card-side contact elements (not shown in Figure 1(as shown) are, in the assembled state, arranged at least partially within card-side insulating cavities of the respective card-side insulating bodies 32a-32c. Single-end contact elements are arranged in the single-end contact cavity 31a and within insulating cavities of the single-end insulating body 32a. Differential-pair contact elements are each arranged in their respective differential-pair contact cavities 31b and within their respective insulating cavities of the differential-pair insulating bodies 32b. Power contact elements are arranged in the power contact cavity 31c and within their respective insulating cavities of the power insulating body 32c.

[0061] In the assembled state, in which the computer-side connector element 10 is connected and / or plugged together with the card-side connector element 30, the computer-side contact elements 13a-13c and the card-side contact elements contact each other in the card-side contact cavities 31a-31c and in the insulating cavities of the card-side insulating bodies 32a-32c.

[0062] The computer-side housing 20 can have multiple stabilizing elements, while the card-side housing 40 can have a corresponding number of complementary stabilizing elements. When the computer-side connector element 10 and the card-side connector element 30 are plugged together, the stabilizing elements interlock and stabilize the connection in the assembled state. The stabilizing elements can also serve as a plugging aid.

[0063] The card-side housing 40 also has at least one guide element 52, e.g., a projection, which engages in a complementary guide element 54 of the computer-side housing 10 when the computer-side connector element 10 and the card-side connector element 30 are plugged together. One of the guide elements 52 can be elongated, aligned approximately parallel to the first assembly direction M1, and / or taper towards the associated connector element 10 or 30. This facilitates the alignment of the computer-side and card-side connector elements 10 and 30 during plugging and thus the assembly of the connector system 100.

[0064] The computer-side housing 20 and the card-side housing 40 are each made of die-cast zinc, in which the contact cavities 12a-12c and 32a-32c, respectively, are provided. This ensures that the computer-side contact elements 13a-13c and the card-side contact elements are not only mechanically protected but also electrically shielded to reduce and / or prevent electromagnetic interference. This can significantly improve signal quality.

[0065] Furthermore, the card-side housing 40 can have a spring element that electrically contacts the card-side housing 40 and is designed to also electrically contact the computer-side housing 20 when assembled. This creates an electrical short circuit between the two housings 20 and 40, which further improves the shielding of the contact elements and thus the signal quality.

[0066] The computer-side connector element 10 and the card-side connector element 30 can, for example, have a length (approximately perpendicular to the two mounting directions M1 and M2) of approximately 85 mm, a depth (approximately parallel to the first mounting direction M1) of approximately 15 mm, and a height (approximately parallel to the second mounting direction M2) of approximately 12 mm. These dimensions are merely examples for the automotive sector and can be other dimensions suitable for the automotive sector depending on the application.

[0067] The Figure 2A A first perspective view (oblique front view) shows a schematic sketch of the computer-side housing 20 of the in Figure 1 shown connector system 100, while the Figure 2B The computer-side housing 20 is shown in a second perspective view (oblique rear view). In the Figures 2A and 2BThe contact cavities 11a-11c are shown again, which completely penetrate the computer-side housing 20 and have an approximately rectangular cross-section.

[0068] As in the Figures 2A and 2B As shown, each of the contact cavities 11b has an approximately rectangular cross-section for the rotationally fixed reception of the differential pair insulating bodies 12b. When the computer-side connector element 10 and the card-side connector element 30 are plugged together, i.e., in the assembled state, continuous channels and / or cavities for the contact elements are formed by the computer-side contact cavities 11a-11c and the card-side contact cavities 31a-31c together.

[0069] When assembled, the two housings 20 and 40 can be coupled together and / or electrically contacted, which improves the shielding.

[0070] A first screw opening 22 is located adjacent to the computer-side single-end contact cavity 11a on the computer-side housing 20. A second screw opening 22 is located adjacent to the computer-side power contact cavity 11c on the computer-side housing 20.

[0071] Each screw opening 22 is designed as an (e.g., planar) enlargement of the computer-side plug-in surface 14 and can project from the computer-side housing 20 in a loop-like fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, the approximately circular edges of the screw openings 22 project from the computer-side housing 20 approximately in the second mounting direction M2.

[0072] Even the one in Figure 1The card-side housing 40 shown can have screw openings (not shown in the figures), which can be designed as die-cast zinc elements and serve to reinforce the connection of the card-side connector element 30 to the PCB card. Screw openings on the card-side housing 40 can, for example, be designed as an enlargement of the card-side plug-in side 34 (see figure). Fig. 1 ).

[0073] The Figure 3 shows a schematic sketch of the computer-side connector element 10 from Figure 1 Compared to Figure 1 was in the Figure 3 For example, the computer-side housing 20 is hidden so that the computer-side insulating bodies 12a-12c and the computer-side contact elements 13a-13c are shown more clearly. In particular, in Figure 3It has been shown that the hollow insulating bodies 12a-12c surround the contact elements 13a-13c at least partially. In other words, the contact elements 13a-13c are arranged at least partially within cavities of the insulating bodies 12a-12c. Reference symbol list

[0074] 10 Computer-side connector element 11a Computer-side single-end contact cavity 11b Computer-side differential-pair contact cavity 11c Computer-side power contact cavity 12a Computer-side single-end insulator 12b Computer-side differential-pair insulator 12c Computer-side power insulator 13a Computer-side single-end contact element 13b Computer-side differential-pair contact element 13c Computer-side power contact element 14 Computer-side plug-in side 20 Computer-side housing / die-cast zinc housing 22 Screw opening 30 Card-side connector element 31a Card-side single-end contact cavity 31b Card-side differential-pair contact cavity 31c Card-side power contact cavity 32a Card-side single-end insulator 32b Card-side differential-pair insulator 32c Card-side power insulator 33a Card-side Single-end contact element 33b card-side differential pair contact element 33c card-side power contact element 34 card-sidePlug-in side 40 Card-side housing / Zinc die-cast housing 52 Guide element 54 Complementary guide element 100 Connector system M1 First mounting direction M2 Second mounting direction

Claims

1. Use of a connector system (100) for connecting a PCB card to a central computer of a motor vehicle, wherein the connector system (100) comprises a computer-side connector element (10) and a card-side connector element (30), and wherein the computer-side connector element (10) comprises: - a computer-side zinc die-cast housing (20) having at least one computer-side contact cavity (11a-11c); - at least one computer-side insulating body (12a-12c), which, in the mounted state, is arranged inside the at least one computer-side contact cavity (11a-11c); - a plurality of computer-side contact elements (13a-13c), which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially inside computer-side insulating cavities in the at least one computer-side insulating body (12a-12c); and wherein the card-side connector element (30) comprises: - a card-side zinc die-cast housing (40) having at least one card-side contact cavity (31a-31c); - at least one card-side insulating body (32a-32c), which, in the mounted state, is arranged inside the at least one card-side contact cavity (31a-31c) and has a plurality of card-side insulating cavities that are configured to receive, in the mounted state, the computer-side contact elements (13a-13c) at least partially; - a plurality of card-side contact elements, which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially inside the card-side insulating cavities and electrically contact the computer-side contact elements (13a-13c).

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein at least one housing of the computer-side zinc die-cast housing (20) and the card-side zinc die-cast housing (40) has at least one screw opening (22) for screwing the respective zinc die-cast housing (20; 40) to the PCB card and / or to the central computer, wherein the screw opening (22) is formed as a zinc die-cast screw opening.

3. Use according to claim 2, wherein the at least one screw opening (22) is aligned parallel to an insertion direction of the respective zinc die-cast housing (20; 40) into the PCB card and / or the central computer.

4. Use according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the zinc die-cast housing (20; 40) having the screw opening (22) has at least two screw openings (22).

5. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer-side connector element (10) is configured to be connected to the central computer along a first mounting direction (M1), wherein the card-side connector element (30) is configured to be connected to the PCB card along a second mounting direction (M2), and wherein the computer-side connector element (10) and the card-side connector element (30) can be plugged together along the first mounting direction (M1).

6. Use according to claim 5, wherein the card-side contact elements have a substantially right-angled edge (K) and, in the mounted state, are arranged such that a connector-side section of each card-side contact element is formed substantially parallel to the first mounting direction (M1) and a card-side section of each card-side contact element is formed substantially parallel to the second mounting direction (M2), wherein the first mounting direction (M1) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second mounting direction (M2).

7. Use according to claim 6, wherein the substantially right-angled edges (K) of at least a portion of the card-side contact elements lie on a straight line in a plane spanned by the first and second mounting directions (M1, M2), wherein the straight line has an angle of approximately 45° both with respect to the first mounting direction (M1) and with respect to the second mounting direction (M2).

8. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer-side housing (20) has at least one engagement element which, in the mounted state, engages in at least one complementary engagement element of the card-side housing (40).

9. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the card-side contact elements each have wave-shaped end sections in order, in the event of an overlap with an associated computer-side contact element (13a-13c), to electrically contact the associated computer-side contact element (13a-13c) at at least two different points.

10. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer-side housing (20) has at least one stabilizing element and the card-side housing (40) has at least one complementary stabilizing element, and / or wherein the card-side housing (40) has at least one guide element (52) and the computer-side housing (20) has at least one complementary guide element (54).

11. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the card-side housing (40) has soldering points in order to be soldered onto the PCB card.

12. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer-side housing (20) comprises a computer-side power contact cavity (11c), a computer-side single-end contact cavity (11a), and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact cavities (11b); the at least one computer-side insulating body (12a-12c) comprises a computer-side power insulating body (12c), which, in the mounted state, is arranged in the computer-side power contact cavity (11c), a computer-side single-end insulating body (12a), which, in the mounted state, is arranged in the computer-side single-end contact cavity (11a), and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair insulating bodies (12b), which, in the mounted state, are each arranged in an associated computer-side differential-pair contact cavity of the plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact cavities (11b); the plurality of computer-side contact elements (13a-13c) comprises a plurality of computer-side power contact elements (13c), which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the computer-side power insulating body (12c), a plurality of computer-side single-end contact elements (13a), which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the computer-side single-end insulating body (12a), and a plurality of computer-side differential-pair contact elements (13b), which, in the mounted state, are each arranged at least partially in an insulating cavity of an associated computer-side differential-pair insulating body of the plurality of computer-side differential-pair insulating bodies (12b); and wherein the card-side housing (40) comprises a card-side power contact cavity (31c), a card-side single-end contact cavity (31a), and a plurality of card-side differential-pair contact cavities (31b); the at least one card-side insulating body (32a-32b) comprises a card-side power insulating body (32c), which, in the mounted state, is arranged in the card-side power contact cavity (31c), a card-side single-end insulating body (32a), which, in the mounted state, is arranged in the card-side single-end contact cavity (31a), and a plurality of card-side differential-pair insulating bodies (32b), which, in the mounted state, are each arranged in an associated card-side differential-pair contact cavity of the plurality of card-side differential-pair contact cavities (31b); the plurality of card-side contact elements comprises a plurality of card-side power contact elements, which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the card-side power insulating body (32c), a plurality of card-side single-end contact elements, which, in the mounted state, are arranged at least partially in insulating cavities of the card-side single-end insulating body (32a), and a plurality of card-side differential-pair contact elements, which, in the mounted state, are each arranged at least partially in an insulating cavity of an associated card-side differential-pair insulating body of the plurality of card-side differential-pair insulating bodies (32b).