DEVICE SOCKET

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device socket according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to an electrical device which uses such a device socket, according to the preamble of dependent claim 11.

[0002] Device sockets are well known. They are primarily needed to supply electronic components on a printed circuit board with electrical signals and / or currents. Device sockets have contact elements that are electrically connected to a conductive trace on the connection side. These contact elements are typically soldered to so-called contact pads on the circuit board.

[0003] Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used in various electrical devices. In particular, connection areas must be provided to supply the PCB with electrical power. For this purpose, device sockets are provided, which are subject to high mechanical stresses in industrial environments. State of the art

[0004] German patent DE 10 2008 007 310 A1 discloses a contact element that can be connected to a printed circuit board without soldering. For this purpose, the contact element has a pinhole-like contact area that is inserted into a corresponding contact opening, which is electrically functionally analogous to a contact pad, and is mechanically locked in place.

[0005] However, such contact elements are particularly susceptible to vibration, making them unsuitable for many industrial applications and corresponding devices. Furthermore, their current-carrying capacity is limited, especially due to their flat geometry, thus disqualifying them for powering industrial electrical equipment. In particular, such contact elements are unsuitable for grounding the electrical device.

[0006] Device sockets, in which contact elements are used for connection to a circuit board, often have low protection against the ingress of media (specified in various IP classes).

[0007] DE 20 2014 105 530 U1 discloses a connector for mounting on a printed circuit board and for establishing an electrical connection between a mating connector and the printed circuit board, preferably for differential signal and data transmission.

[0008] DE 10 2018 105 784 A1 shows a pin contact for a printed circuit board, wherein the pin contact has an axially extending slot through which at least two segments pointing in the insertion direction are formed.

[0009] DE 102017 115 914 B3 shows a shielding element of a printed circuit board connector which enables the greatest possible tolerance compensation between a printed circuit board on which the printed circuit board connector is attached on the connection side and a housing wall of a device housing surrounding the printed circuit board.

[0010] US patent 2003 / 224631 A1 shows a printed circuit board interconnection structure for integrating two printed circuit boards in an electrically connected state.

[0011] US 2004 / 219841 A1 refers to a connector in which a terminal fitting is pressed or pressed into a housing, and to the terminal fitting in order to be pressed or pressed into the housing.

[0012] The German Patent and Trade Mark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: WO 2019 / 072336 A1, DE 10 2017 127 482 A1, DE 42 16 809 C2, EP 0 132 664 B1 and DE 94 14 143 U1.

[0013] WO 2019 / 219125 A1 and US 2019 / 393647 A1 are also relevant. Task

[0014] The object of the invention is to propose a device socket that reduces the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, a device socket is to be proposed that is vibration-resistant, easy to install, and exhibits good sealing against the ingress of media such as dust and water.

[0015] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0017] The device socket according to the invention is designed for tool-free and, in particular, solder-free electrical connection on a printed circuit board. The device socket or its contact elements can be mounted on the printed circuit board without tools.

[0018] The device socket comprises a connector housing, a contact carrier, an insulating body, and at least one contact element. The device socket according to the invention is used in particular as a socket for an electrical device in an industrial environment. Therefore, the contact carrier and the insulating body are explicitly provided as separate and distinct components.

[0019] Typically, such a device socket has several contact elements, which are usually of the same design. When a property of a contact element is mentioned below, this property can, of course, be applied to multiple contact elements.

[0020] The contact element is arranged in or attached to the contact carrier and is essentially cylindrical in shape. The radius of the cylinder's cross-section can vary along the axial extent of the contact element.

[0021] According to the invention, the contact element is solid, i.e., milled from a solid block of material, and thus suitable for transmitting high currents. The contact element has a contact area designed for electrical contact with a mating contact element of a mating connector. This contact area faces in the insertion direction of the device socket. The contact element also has a connection area designed for electrical connection to a conductor track of the circuit board. This connection area of ​​the contact element faces in the same direction as the device socket.

[0022] The circuit board has a contact opening that is surrounded or encased in electrically conductive material. This material is in turn connected to a conductor track on the circuit board.

[0023] The contact element's connection area features an axial gap or slot. This gap extends axially into the contact element. The length of the gap or slot is approximately one-quarter to one-third of the total length of the contact element.

[0024] Preferably, the contact element's connection area has an axial gap with a cross-shaped cross-section. The spring elements formed by the gap may be slightly bent radially outwards. When the contact area is inserted into the contact opening of the circuit board, the contact elements are mechanically fixed or stabilized on the circuit board not only by electrical contact but also by the spring elements and their spring force. The diameter of the contact element is adapted to the diameter of the assigned contact opening.

[0025] The device socket has a connection side and a plug-in side. The contact element's contact area protrudes from the socket on the connection side. This allows the device socket to be easily plugged onto the circuit board and the contact elements to be aligned with the corresponding contact openings.

[0026] Preferably, the device socket has at least one additional contact element, which is designed as a PE contact element (PE = Protection Earth). This contact element is connected to earth potential. A PE contact element is advantageous when higher currents are transmitted by a connector or its current-carrying contact elements. The PE contact element can be designed in the same way as the other contact elements of the device socket.

[0027] Advantageously, the contact carrier essentially forms cylindrical contact chambers. A contact element is arranged in each contact chamber and mechanically fixed within it. Each contact chamber has an inwardly directed, radially circumferential rib. Correspondingly, the contact element(s) each have a radially circumferential groove. The rib of a contact element engages in the groove of an associated contact chamber, thereby fixing the contact elements in the contact carrier.

[0028] Preferably, the contact carrier has locking elements by which it is mechanically fixed to the circuit board. Advantageously, the locking element is a locking hook pointing in the connection direction, which engages through a designated locking opening in the circuit board and then bears against the back of the circuit board. The contact carrier thus assumes a stabilizing function and consequently achieves higher resistance to vibration and tensile stress.

[0029] Advantageously, the contact elements are straight. This means that the contact elements are not bent or angled along their axial length. As a result, the insertion and withdrawal forces can be easily absorbed by the contact carrier. Furthermore, the electrical device can be built more simply and compactly. Example of implementation

[0030] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a circuit board with a mounting location for a device socket according to the invention, Fig. 2 a contact carrier of the device socket according to the invention, which is snapped onto the circuit board, Fig. 3 a sectional view of a contact element of the device socket according to the invention, Fig. 4 a sectional view of the device socket according to the invention (without connector housing) which is mounted on the circuit board, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the device socket according to the invention (without connector housing) which is mounted on the circuit board and Fig. 6 a side view of the device socket installed on an electrical device.

[0031] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently.

[0032] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a section of a printed circuit board 1 with an exemplary mounting location 5 for a device socket 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the mounting location 5 essentially consists of ten contact openings 2, which are provided for the electrical connection of the contact elements 4 of the device socket 10. The mounting location also has a contact opening 2' for a PE contact element. The number and geometric orientation of the contact openings 2, 2' correspond to the respective contact geometry of the device socket 10 and can also be configured differently than shown here. The contact openings 2, 2' are encased along their edge with a conductive layer, which in turn is electrically connected to at least one conductor track (not shown) of the printed circuit board 1.

[0033] The contact openings 2, 2' are adapted to the connection area AB of the contact element 4, 4', 4" and in this embodiment have a substantially cross-shaped or cloverleaf-shaped basic form.

[0034] In Figure 2 A contact carrier 3 of the device socket 10, mounted on the circuit board 1, is visible. The contact elements 4 are fixed in the contact carrier 10. These are so-called pin contact elements. Alternatively, the contact elements 4 can of course also be designed as socket contact elements 4', as they are in Figure 3 can be seen.

[0035] The contact elements 4, 4' each have a contact area KB for electrical contacting with a mating contact element of a mating connector (not shown), and a connection area AB for electrical connection with a conductor track (not shown) of the circuit board 1.

[0036] The connection area AB of the contact element 4 has an axial gap 12 with a cross-shaped cross-section. The diameter of the contact openings 2 is adapted to the diameter of the connection area AB of the contact element 4. Ideally, the diameter of the contact opening 2 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the connection area. This causes the tabs formed by the gap to be pressed radially inwards when the respective contact element 4 is inserted into the corresponding contact opening 2. The subsequent counter-pressure of the tabs against the metallized edge of the contact openings 2 ensures reliable electrical contact between the contact element 4, 4' and the circuit board 1.

[0037] The contact carrier 3 has contact chambers 6, in each of which a contact element 4 is fixed. The contact element 4 has a circumferential groove 8 into which a circumferential web 7, extending within the contact chamber 6, engages. This secures and fixes the contact elements 4, 4', 4" in the contact carrier, particularly against excessive tensile stress.

[0038] The contact carrier 3 has a locking hook 9 projecting in the connection direction, which can be guided through a corresponding locking opening 11 in the circuit board 1 and locks into place on the back of the circuit board 1. Typically, two or more such locking hooks 9 and locking openings 11 are provided, which are omitted for illustrative purposes only. This allows not only the contact elements 4, 4', 4" to be electrically connected to the circuit board without soldering, but also the contact carrier 3 to be mounted on the same without tools.

[0039] In Figure 4 It can be seen that an insulating body 15 is connected to or locked onto the contact carrier 3. The locking is achieved by a Figure 5 The locking element 18 shown is implemented. The insulating body 15 shields the contact elements 4, 4' from the connector housing 16. It also ensures that the required clearances and creepage distances are maintained for the underlying currents. A PE sheet 14 is arranged on both sides of the insulating body 15. The PE sheets ensure a ground potential transfer to a mating connector (not shown). One of the PE sheets 14 is electrically connected to the PE contact element 4" via a screw 17.

[0040] In Figure 6The device socket 10 is shown in its intended area of ​​use. As described above, the contact elements 4, 4', 4" on the circuit board 1 are electrically contacted. The contact carrier 3 is snapped or fixed to the circuit board 1. Parallel to the circuit board 1, a device wall 20 of an electrical device (not shown) is arranged. The circuit board 1, together with the contact carrier 3, is located inside the electrical device. Through an opening in the device wall 20 (not shown for illustrative reasons), the contact elements 4, 4', 4" along with the insulating body 15 protrude through the device wall 20 to the outside. The insulating body 15 is covered by a connector housing 16, which is fixed to the device wall 20 by the screws 19.

[0041] The connector housing 16 has a substantially rectangular cross-section with respect to the viewing direction in Figure 6. On its narrow sides, the connector housing 16 has locking pins 21 over which a locking lever (not shown) of a mating connector can engage to reversibly lock a plug connection consisting of device socket 10 and matching mating connector. Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 Circuit board 2 Contact opening 3 Contact carrier 4 Contact element 5 Mounting location 6 Contact chamber 7 Web inside the contact chamber 6 8 Groove in the contact element 4 9 Locking hook of the contact carrier 3 10 Device socket 11 Locking opening in the circuit board 1 12 Axial gap in the connection area AB of the contact element 4 14 PE sheet 15 Insulating body 16 Connector housing 17 Screw 18 Locking element 19 Screw 20 Device casing 21 Locking pin AB Connection area of ​​contact element 4 KB Contact area of ​​contact element 4

Claims

1. Device socket (10) for solder-free electrical contacting with a circuit board (1), wherein the device socket (10) has a connector housing (16), a contact carrier (3), an insulating body (15) and at least one contact element (4, 4', 4"), wherein the contact element (4, 4', 4") is arranged in the contact carrier (3) and is configured substantially cylindrically, wherein the contact element (4, 4', 4") has a contact region (KB) for electrical contacting with a mating contact element of a mating connector, and a connection region (AB) for electrical connection with a conductor track of the circuit board (1), characterized in that the contact element (4, 4', 4") is configured as solid and designed for transmitting high currents, and in that the connection region (AB) of the contact element (4, 4', 4") has an axial gap (12).

2. Device socket (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device socket (10) has a connection side and a mating side and in that the connection region (AB) of the contact element (4, 4', 4") protrudes from the device socket (10) on the connection side.

3. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection region (AB) of the contact element (4, 4', 4") has an axial gap (12) with a cross-shaped cross-section.

4. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device socket (10) has at least one further contact element which is configured as a PE contact element (4").

5. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier (3) has latching means (9) with which it can be mechanically fixed on the circuit board (1).

6. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier (3) forms substantially cylindrical contact chambers (6, 6') in which a respective contact element (4, 4', 4") is arranged and mechanically fixed.

7. Device socket (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact chambers (6, 6') have an inwardly directed, radially circumferential web (7).

8. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (4, 4', 4") or the contact elements (4, 4', 4") has / have a radially circumferential groove (8).

9. Device socket (10) according to the three preceding claims, characterized in that the web (7) of the contact chamber (6) engages in the groove (8) of an assigned contact element (4, 4'), whereby the contact elements (4, 4') are fixed in the contact carrier (3).

10. Device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact elements (4, 4', 4") are configured as straight.

11. Electrical device with a device socket (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical device has a housing with a device wall (20) and at least one circuit board (1) arranged within the housing, wherein the contact carrier (3) of the device socket (10) is fixed on the circuit board (1) and is located within the housing of the electrical device and wherein the connector housing (16) is arranged on the outside of the device wall (20) and is located outside the housing of the electrical device.

12. Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the circuit board (1) and the device wall (20) are aligned parallel to each other.