Plug connector for making contact with a printed circuit board
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023704764
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-02-14
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-09
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing plug connectors for printed circuit boards require different soldering point arrangements for shielded and unshielded variants, complicating manufacturing and end-user assembly, and often use more material than necessary.
A plug connector design that uses a retaining plate with a reduced height, allowing the same soldering points to be used for both shielded and unshielded variants, with a fastening mechanism that attaches the connector to the printed circuit board, reducing material costs and simplifying production and assembly.
Enables the production of a single connector housing for both shielded and unshielded variants using the same manufacturing process, saving material costs and simplifying the design for end customers, while maintaining sufficient holding forces.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Connector for contacting a printed circuit board
[0002] The present invention relates to a plug connector for contacting a printed circuit board, which can be fastened to the printed circuit board via soldering points.
[0003] State of the art
[0004] Connectors are used to contact printed circuit boards. Plug connectors are attached to the circuit board by soldering and electrically contacted. The plug connectors comprise a housing and several contact elements arranged therein. A component to be connected to the circuit board has a mating connector that is plugged into the plug connector on the circuit board. The plug connector and / or the mating connector can be shielded by providing a shielding plate on the housing; they can also be unshielded.
[0005] In addition to shielding, the shielding plate can also serve to connect the connector to the circuit board. For this purpose, a fastening mechanism is provided on the connector, via which the shielding plate can be connected to the connector. To attach the shielding plate to the circuit board, a section of the shielding plate is soldered to designated soldering points on the circuit board, creating a material-to-material and electrically conductive connection that is robust against external influences. The connector is thus secured to the circuit board by means of the shielding plate and the fastening mechanism.
[0006] EP 12 51 591 A2 discloses such a connector, which is particularly suitable for SMD connectors. The shielding plates are connected to the connector element via snap-in connections and have solder lugs that serve to electrically contact the shielding plates and with which the shielding plate, and consequently also the connector element, are attached to a circuit board.
[0007] US 6,080,016 discloses a device for connecting printed circuit boards. A connector socket has a housing, on each of whose side surfaces a metallic shield is mounted. The metallic shield has solder pads that are attached to a printed circuit board by soldering. A plug also has additional solder pads arranged at the side ends of its housing. The solder pads of the plug are soldered to the other printed circuit board. When the connector is plugged together, the solder pads of the plug are connected to a base of the shielding plate of the connector socket.
[0008] Unshielded connectors are typically anchored to the circuit board using strain relief brackets. These strain relief brackets are connected to the circuit board via separate solder joints.
[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a simple mounting of unshielded and shielded connectors on printed circuit boards with the same arrangement (layout) of the solder joints. Disclosure of the Invention
[0010] A plug connector for contacting a printed circuit board is proposed, comprising a connector housing with a fastening mechanism configured to be connectable to a shielding plate such that the shielding plate can be fastened to soldering points on the printed circuit board, and the plug connector can be fastened to the printed circuit board by means of the shielding plate and the fastening mechanism. Thus, in addition to providing shielding, the shielded connector also serves to fasten the shielded connector to the printed circuit board.
[0011] According to the invention, the connector has a retaining plate that can be connected to the connector housing without the shielding plate. The height of the retaining plate is less than the total height of the connector housing and thus also less than the height of the shielding plate. Due to the reduced height of the retaining plate, shielding is not possible with the retaining plate. However, the surface area of the retaining plate is smaller than that of the shielding plate, so less material is required for the retaining plate, which means that material costs can be saved with the unshielded version.
[0012] The fastening mechanism on the connector housing is also configured to be connected to the retaining plate in such a way that the retaining plate can be fastened to the soldering points on the circuit board provided for the shielding plate, and that the connector can be fastened to the circuit board by means of the retaining plate and the fastening mechanism. The retaining plate serves to fasten the unshielded connector to the circuit board.
[0013] The same solder joints are used to attach a shielded connector using the shielding plate and to attach an unshielded connector using the retaining plate to the circuit board. This allows one connector housing to be manufactured with one fastening mechanism for both connector variants, i.e., for the shielded connector and for the unshielded connector. The connector housing can be easily manufactured in the same manufacturing process using an injection mold and then used for both variants – shielded connector or unshielded connector. Furthermore, the circuit board can have the same arrangement (layout) of solder joints for both variants. This offers the advantage that the decision as to which variant will be used only needs to be made when the connector is mounted on the circuit board.This significantly simplifies design for the end customer. Another advantage is that one connector variant can be replaced with another without having to use a different circuit board.
[0014] A lower retaining plate height results in lower material costs, so the lowest possible height is the goal. However, there is a minimum height below which a secure hold can no longer be guaranteed. The minimum height depends on the connector specifications. A preferred range for the retaining plate height is between half the height of the connector housing and a quarter of the height of the connector housing. In this range, material costs are effectively saved, while the holding forces are still sufficiently high.
[0015] Material costs can also be reduced by omitting a precious metal layer for the retaining plate, which is common in shielding plates.
[0016] The connector can be a straight connector, an angled connector, or another connector type. There are various mounting options available, of which the following have proven particularly simple and secure:
[0017] The fastening mechanism can have at least a first fastening element. The first fastening element is arranged on the circuit board side of the connector housing. In the shielded variant of the connector, a section of the shielding plate engages in the first fastening element, and in the unshielded variant of the connector, a section of the retaining plate engages in the first fastening element. Thus, both variants of the connector can be fastened with the same fastening element. Preferably, the at least one first fastening element is arranged on the outside of the connector housing and is designed as a fastening base with an opening. A fastening element of the shielding plate, adapted to it, and a fastening element of the retaining plate, adapted to it, can engage in the opening of the fastening base.The adapted fastening element can, for example, be an elongated section that extends from the shielding plate or the holding plate.
[0018] The fastening mechanism can additionally or alternatively have at least one second fastening element. The second fastening element is arranged on the circuit board side of the connector housing. In the shielded variant of the connector, a section of the shielding plate engages in the first fastening element, and in the unshielded variant of the connector, a section of the holding plate engages in the second fastening element. Thus, both variants of the connector can be connected with the same fastening element. Preferably, the at least one second fastening element is arranged on the inside of the connector housing and is designed as a fastening shoulder with at least one opening. A fastening element of the shielding plate, adapted to it, and a fastening element of the holding plate, adapted to it, can engage in the at least one opening of the fastening shoulder.The fastening element of the shielding plate or retaining plate is preferably not larger than the opening over its entire length in at least one spatial direction. The fastening element of the shielding plate or retaining plate is held to the fastening shoulder by positive locking and frictional engagement. Preferably, the fastening element of the shielding plate or retaining plate and / or the shielding plate or retaining plate are adapted to the fastening shoulder.
[0019] To secure the shielding plate or the holding plate, it is sufficient to insert the section of the shielding plate and / or the section of the holding plate into the at least one first fastening element or into the at least one second fastening element. The section of the shielding plate or the holding plate can be separated, cut off, shortened, or similarly using simple methods. Alternatively, the section of the shielding plate and / or the section of the holding plate can be passed through the at least one first fastening element or through the at least one second fastening element and soldered to the soldering points provided for this purpose on the circuit board. This leads to a better hold and, in the case of the shielding plate, to better contact with the circuit board. The same soldering points are advantageously used for both variants.
[0020] Optionally, the fastening mechanism can have at least one third fastening element, which is arranged on the plug-in side of the connector housing. "Plug-in side" here refers to the direction opposite the circuit board, from which a mating connector is plugged in. In the shielded variant, a complementary fastening element of the shielding plate can engage into the at least one third fastening element. Since the shielding plate typically extends over the entire height of the connector housing, the at least one third fastening element is preferably arranged on the plug-in side edge of the connector housing. The at least one third fastening element thus offers an additional fastening point for the shielding plate.
[0021] In addition, the fastening mechanism can have at least one fourth fastening element arranged on the connector housing. In the unshielded variant, a complementary fastening element of the retaining plate can engage into the at least one fourth fastening element. The at least one fourth fastening element is arranged on the connector housing such that the complementary fastening element of the retaining plate can engage into the at least one fourth fastening element. The height at which the fourth fastening element is arranged therefore depends on the height of the retaining plate.Since the retaining plate has a height that is less than the height of the connector housing, the at least one fourth fastening element is arranged substantially centrally on the side surface of the connector housing and, when using the aforementioned fastening elements, in particular between the third fastening element and the first fastening element or the second fastening element. The fourth fastening element thus provides an additional fastening point for the retaining plate.
[0022] The at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element can be a fastening opening into which a hook-shaped fastening element of the shielding plate or the retaining plate engages. The at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element can be a fastening groove into which a claw-shaped fastening element of the shielding plate or the retaining plate engages.
[0023] The at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element can be a fastening extension protruding from an arrangement surface and the fastening element of the shielding plate or the holding plate can have an extension receptacle which has a receiving contour directed inwards into the extension receptacle and which has a clamping section which, after fastening, rests on a fastening surface of the fastening extension.
[0024] Advantageously, the at least one third fastening element and the at least one fourth fastening element are arranged laterally offset from one another. In contrast to a one-on-one arrangement, such an arrangement is easy to manufacture, since undercuts are practically impossible to produce in molded parts. A further advantage is that faulty fastening, particularly of the retaining plate in the at least one third fastening element, is avoided.
[0025] Preferably, the distance between several of the third fastening elements and the distance between several of the fourth fastening elements are equal. This prevents a third fastening element and a fourth fastening element from being arranged one below the other, even with wide connectors.
[0026] The fastening mechanism can have at least a fifth fastening element arranged on an outer surface of the connector housing. The fifth fastening element is designed as a pin. At least one opening is formed in the surface of the shielding plate and the retaining plate. During assembly of the shielding plate or the retaining plate, each pin can be inserted into an opening in the shielding plate or into an opening in the retaining plate. Each pin and the corresponding opening in the shielding plate and the corresponding opening in the retaining plate are arranged at matching locations and can be positioned essentially freely.
[0027] Short description of the drawings
[0028] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.
[0029] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a printed circuit board.
[0030] Fig. 2 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention with a shielding plate from the front.
[0031] Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the connector with a retaining plate from the front.
[0032] Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the connector with the shielding plate from above.
[0033] Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the connector with the retaining plate from above.
[0034] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view through the connector according to the first embodiment with the shielding plate.
[0035] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view through the connector of the first embodiment with the retaining plate.
[0036] Fig. 8 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the connector with the retaining plate and a mating connector with a retaining plate, which are plugged into each other.
[0037] Fig. 9 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention with a shielding plate, viewed from the front. Fig. 10 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the connector with a retaining plate, viewed from the front.
[0038] Fig. 11 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the connector with a shielding plate from the rear.
[0039] Fig. 12 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the connector with a retaining plate from the rear.
[0040] Embodiments of the invention
[0041] In the following figures, for the purpose of a better overview, only one reference symbol is shown for an exemplary element when there are several identical elements.
[0042] Figure 1 shows a printed circuit board 1 with a predetermined arrangement (layout) of solder joints 10, 11, 12, 13, which is adapted to an embodiment of the connector 2 according to the invention (see further figures). On or within the printed circuit board 1, first solder joints 10 are contacted for data transfer. Second solder joints 11, third solder joints 12, and optionally fourth solder joints 13 are contacted in such a way that shielding can be provided across them.
[0043] Figures 2 to 8 show a first embodiment of the plug connector 2 according to the invention, which is designed as a straight, non-angled plug connector 2. The plug connector 2 is mounted on the printed circuit board 1 and has a plug connector housing 20 and contact elements 21. In the straight plug connector 2 according to the first embodiment, the contact elements 21 are preferably mounted vertically on the printed circuit board 1 and extend linearly away from the printed circuit board 1. In the mounted state, the contact elements 21 are soldered to the first soldering points 10 on the printed circuit board 1 and are electrically contacted. The plug connector housing 20 is made of plastic and is manufactured using an injection molding process. The same plug connector housing 20 is used for the following variants.Figures 2 and 4 each show a shielded connector 2 according to a first embodiment with a front, first shielding plate 3 and a rear, second shielding plate 4 from different perspectives. Figure 5 shows a section through the rear region of the shielded connector 2. The shielding plates 3, 4 consist of a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper sheet, and have a metal coating suitable for electrical contacts in the contact area, such as palladium. In the soldering area and in the area of the fastening elements (see below), the shielding plates 3, 4 preferably have a tin coating. Figures 3 and 5 each show an unshielded connector 2 with a front, first holding plate 5 instead of the first shielding plate 3 and a rear, second holding plate 6 instead of the second shielding plate 4 from different perspectives.Figure 7 shows a section through the rear area of the unshielded connector 2. The retaining plates 5, 6 consist of a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper sheet, and preferably have a tin coating.
[0044] The fastening of the first shielding plate 3 and the first retaining plate 5 to the front of the connector housing 20 is described below in connection with Figures 2 and 3.
[0045] In Figure 2, the first shielding plate 3 is arranged on the front outer side of the connector housing 20 and extends essentially over the entire height and almost over the entire width (at least as far as the contact elements 21 are arranged behind it) of the side surface. The first shielding plate 3 has a base section 30. In addition, the first shielding plate 3 has a plurality of soldering feet 31 on the underside facing the circuit board 1, which are each soldered to the second soldering points 11 on the circuit board 1. This achieves, on the one hand, electrical contact between the first shielding plate 3 and the circuit board 1 and, on the other hand, fastening of the first shielding plate 3 to the circuit board 1. The connector housing 20 has, on the front side on the circuit board side, a plurality of fastening bases 22, each having an opening 23.The first shielding plate 3 has elongated sections 32 between the soldering feet 31, which engage in the openings 23 of the mounting bases 22. The elongated sections 32 can have fastening elements (not shown) that engage in complementary fastening elements in the openings 23. This realizes a first fastening of the first shielding plate 3 to the connector housing 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the elongated sections 32 are shortened such that they do not reach as far as the printed circuit board 1. In other exemplary embodiments, the elongated sections 32 can reach as far as the printed circuit board 1 and can be soldered there at soldering points provided for this purpose. Hook-shaped fastening elements 34 are formed on the upper side of the first shielding plate 3, which engage around and engage in fastening openings 24 provided for this purpose on the upper edge of the connector housing 20.This provides further attachment of the first shielding plate 3 to the connector housing 20. In summary, the connector housing 20 is attached to the circuit board 1 via the first shielding plate 3, which is soldered to the second soldering points 11.
[0046] The first retaining plate 5 shown in Figure 3 is arranged instead of the first shielding plate 3 on the front outer side of the connector housing 20 and has a significantly lower height compared to the first shielding plate 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the height of the first retaining plate 5 is approximately one-third the height of the connector housing 20. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the retaining plate 5 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the connector housing 20, but rather two first retaining plates 5 are provided, between which there is a gap. Each first retaining plate 5 has a base section 50. In addition, the first retaining plate 5 also has a plurality of soldering feet 51 on its underside, each of which is soldered to the same second soldering points 11 on the circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 3, not all soldering points are used and, for example, the soldering point 11* below the gap remains free.By soldering the soldering feet 51 to the second soldering points 11, the first retaining plate 5 is secured to the circuit board 1, using the same second soldering points 11 as described, thus allowing the same arrangement of soldering points to be used. Since the first retaining plate 5 has no shielding effect, the electrical contacting of the second soldering points 11 is not important. The first retaining plate 5 has elongated sections 52 between the soldering feet 51, which engage in the openings 23 of the same, aforementioned fastening bases 22 of the connector housing 20. The elongated sections 52 can also have corresponding fastening elements. This creates a first fastening of the first retaining plate 5 to the connector housing 20 via the same fastening bases 22.Here, too, a fastening base 22*, which is located within the gap between the two first holding plates 5, can be omitted. In this exemplary embodiment, the elongated sections 32 are also shortened. In other exemplary embodiments, they can reach as far as the circuit board 1 and be soldered there at soldering points provided for this purpose. Claw-shaped fastening elements 55 are formed on the upper side of the first holding plate 5, which engage in fastening grooves 25 provided for this purpose. The fastening grooves 25 run from the upper edge of the connector housing 20 to the corresponding height of the first holding plate 5. Here, too, a fastening groove 25*, which is located within the gap between the two first holding plates 5, can be omitted. The engagement of the claw-shaped fastening element 55 in the fastening groove 25 further fastens the first holding plate 5 to the connector housing 20.In summary, the connector housing 20 is connected to the printed circuit board 1 via the first retaining plate 5, which is soldered to the same second soldering points 11. The fastening openings 24 and the fastening grooves 25 are offset from one another both in height and width. Thus, the first retaining plate 5, with its claw-shaped fastening elements 55, can be inserted precisely into the fastening grooves 25 without the risk of it accidentally engaging the fastening openings 24. Furthermore, the offset arrangement eliminates the need for an undercut in the connector housing 20, which simplifies manufacturing. The fastening openings 24 and the fastening grooves 25 are equidistant from one another. This prevents one of the fastening grooves 25 and one of the fastening openings 24 from coinciding and being arranged one below the other, even with wide connectors 2.
[0047] In further embodiments not shown, a fastening extension can be provided on the front of the connector housing 20 instead of the fastening opening on the upper edge of the connector housing 20 and / or instead of the fastening groove of the connector housing 20. The fastening element on the shielding plate 3 and / or the fastening element on the holding plate 5 can then be designed as an extension receptacle, which has a receiving contour directed inward into the extension receptacle, which has a clamping section that rests on a fastening surface of the fastening extension after fastening. A so-called keyhole fastening can therefore be provided.
[0048] The fastening of the second shielding plate 4 and the second retaining plate
[0049] 6 is described in connection with Figures 4 to 7. Figures 6 and
[0050] 7 each show a sectional view of the connector 2 with the second shielding plate 5 or with the second holding plate 6.
[0051] In Figures 4 and 6, the second shielding plate 4 is arranged on the rear inside of the connector housing 20 and has a base section 40 and a plurality of triangular sections 41 that extend upward from the base section 40. The base section 40 sits downwardly on a fastening shoulder 26 of the connector housing 20 and is bent according to the shape of the fastening shoulder 26. In addition, the second shielding plate 4 has a plurality of soldering feet 42 that are arranged on the bent section of the base section 40 and extend downward through a first opening 27 of the fastening shoulder 26. The soldering feet 42 are each soldered to the third soldering points 12 of the printed circuit board 1. This achieves, on the one hand, an electrical contact between the second shielding plate 4 and the circuit board 1 and, on the other hand, a fastening of the second shielding plate 4 on the circuit board 1 and on the connector housing 20.In addition, the second shielding plate 4 has elongated sections 43 between the soldering feet 42, which engage in second openings 28 in the fastening shoulder 26. This creates a further fastening of the second shielding plate 4 to the connector housing 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the elongated sections 43 extend through the second opening 28 and are soldered to fourth soldering points 13 on the circuit board 1. In further exemplary embodiments, the elongated sections 43 may not be provided or may be shortened, so that fastening is only via the soldering feet 42. At the tip of the triangular sections 41, hook-shaped fastening elements 49 are provided, which engage around and engage in fastening recesses 29 on the rear upper edge of the connector housing 20, where they rest against a web. This provides further fastening of the second shielding plate 4 to the connector housing 20.
[0052] The second retaining plate 6 shown in Figures 5 and 7 is arranged on the rear inside of the connector housing 20 instead of the second shielding plate 4 and has a significantly lower height than the second shielding plate 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the height of the second retaining plate 6 is approximately one-third the height of the connector housing 20. Furthermore, the second retaining plate 6 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the connector housing 20; rather, in this example, two second retaining plates 6 are provided, between which there is a gap. Each second retaining plate 6 has a base section 60. The base section 60 sits downwards on the fastening shoulder 26 of the connector housing 20 and is bent corresponding to the fastening shoulder 26.In addition, the second holding plate 6 has a plurality of soldering feet 62, which are arranged on the curved section of the base section 60 and extend downward through a first opening 27 of the fastening shoulder 26. The soldering feet 62 are soldered to the same third soldering points 12 of the printed circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 7, not all openings and soldering points are used and, for example, the opening 27* in the gap and the soldering point 12* below the gap remain free. By soldering the soldering feet 62 to the third soldering points 13, the second holding plate 6 is fastened to the printed circuit board 1, wherein, as described, the same third soldering points 12 are used and thus the same arrangement of soldering points can be used. In addition, the second holding plate 6 is fastened to the connector housing 20.Since the second retaining plate 6 has no shielding effect, the electrical contacting of the third soldering points 12 is not important. The second retaining plate 6 has elongated sections 63 between the soldering feet 62, which engage in the same second openings 28 of the fastening shoulder 26 and are soldered to the same fourth soldering points 13. This provides further fastening of the second retaining plate 6 to the connector housing 20 via the same fastening shoulder 26. In further embodiments, the elongated sections 43 may be omitted or shortened, so that fastening is effected only via the soldering feet 62.
[0053] Figure 8 shows the connector 2 and a mating connector 102, which are plugged into one another. This connects two printed circuit boards 1, 101 to one another. The connector 2 and the mating connector 102 are designed in the same way and can each be plugged into themselves. The connector housing 20 of the connector 2 and a housing 120 of the mating connector 102 are adapted to one another in such a way that they can be plugged into one another and the contact elements 21 of the connector 2 are received and contacted in the mating connector 102, and contact elements 121 of the mating connector 102 are received and contacted in the connector 2. The connector 2 is connected to the printed circuit board 1 via the retaining plates 5, 6 in the manner described above. The mating connector 102 is analogously connected to another circuit board 101 via retaining plates 105, 106.Analogous to the above description, a first retaining plate 105 has a base section 150 and soldering feet 151 connected thereto, with which the first retaining plate 105 is soldered to soldering points (not shown) of the circuit board 101, which are provided for contacting a shielding plate for the mating connector 102. Likewise, a second retaining plate 106 has a base section 160, which is bent to fit a fastening shoulder (not shown), and soldering feet 162 connected thereto, with which the second retaining plate 106 is soldered to further soldering points (not shown) of the circuit board 101, which are also provided for contacting a shielding plate for the mating connector 102.
[0054] Figures 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the connector 200 according to the invention, which is designed as an angled connector 200. In this embodiment, the connector 200 is angled at a 90° angle. The connector 200 is mounted on the printed circuit board 1 and has a connector housing 220 and contact elements 221. In the angled connector 200 according to the second embodiment, the contact elements 221 are preferably mounted vertically on the printed circuit board 1 and are angled at a predeterminable height. In the mounted state, the contact elements 221 are soldered to the first soldering points 10 on the printed circuit board 1 and are electrically contacted. The connector housing 220 is made of plastic and is manufactured using an injection molding process. In the second embodiment, the connector housing 220 is designed to be angled accordingly.Another connector, not shown here, can then be plugged into connector 200 from the side, parallel to the circuit board. The same connector housing 220 is used for the following variants.
[0055] Figures 9 and 11 each show a shielded connector 200 according to the second embodiment with a lower, angled third shielding plate 203 and a rear and upper, angled fourth shielding plate 204 from different perspectives. The shielding plates 203, 204 are made of a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper sheet, and have a metal coating suitable for electrical contacts, such as palladium, in the contact area. In the soldering area and in the area of the fastening elements (see below), the shielding plates 203, 204 preferably have a tin coating. Figures 10 and 12 each show an unshielded connector 200 with a lower, angled third holding plate 205 instead of the third shielding plate 203 and a rear, fourth holding plate 206 instead of the fourth shielding plate 204 from different perspectives.The holding plates 205, 206 consist of a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper sheet, and preferably have a tin coating.
[0056] The fastening of the third shielding plate 203 and the third retaining plate 205 to the front and underside of the connector housing 220 is described below in connection with Figures 9 and 10.
[0057] In Figure 9, the third shielding plate 203 is angled and arranged on the lower and front outer side of the connector housing 220. The third shielding plate 203 has a base section that is arranged on the underside of the connector housing 220 and is not visible. The base section of the third shielding plate 203 extends essentially over the entire depth and almost over the entire width (at least as far as the contact elements 21 are arranged behind it) of the underside of the connector housing 220. In addition, the third shielding plate 203 has a plurality of soldering feet 231, which are angled downwards from the base section on the rear side and run along the lower front side of the connector housing 220. The soldering feet 231 are each soldered to the second soldering points 11 on the circuit board 1.This achieves, on the one hand, electrical contact between the third shielding plate 203 and the circuit board 1 and, on the other hand, fastening of the third shielding plate 203 to the circuit board 1. In embodiments not shown, as described in the first embodiment and shown in Figure 2, the third shielding plate 203 can be fastened to the connector housing 220 with an elongated section by means of a fastening base with an opening. Hook-shaped fastening elements 234 are formed on the upper front side of the base section of the third shielding plate 203, which engage around and engage in fastening openings 224 provided for this purpose on the front edge of the connector housing 220. This provides fastening of the third shielding plate 203 to the connector housing 220.In summary, the connector housing 220 is attached to the circuit board 1 via the third shielding plate 203, which is soldered to the second soldering points 11.
[0058] In Figure 10, the third retaining plate 205 is arranged instead of the third shielding plate 203 on the lower and front outer side of the connector housing 220. Each third retaining plate 205 has a base section that is arranged on the underside of the connector housing 220 and is not visible. The base section of the third retaining plate 205 does not extend over the entire underside and, in this exemplary embodiment, covers one-third of the depth of the underside. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the retaining plate 205 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the connector housing 20; instead, two third retaining plates 205 are provided, between which there is a gap. In addition, each third retaining plate 205 has a plurality of soldering feet 251 that are angled downwards from the base section on the rear side and run along the lower front side of the connector housing 220.The soldering feet 231 are each soldered to the same second soldering points 11 on the circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 10, not all soldering points are used, and, for example, the soldering point 11* below the gap remains free. By soldering the soldering feet 251 to the second soldering points 11, the third holding plate 205 is attached to the circuit board 1, wherein, as described, the same second soldering points 11 are used, and thus the same arrangement of the soldering points can be used. Since the third holding plate 205 has no shielding effect, the electrical contact of the second soldering points 11 is not important. The third retaining plate 205 may also have elongated sections that engage in the openings of the same, above-mentioned fastening bases of the connector housing 220, thereby securing the third retaining plate 205 to the connector housing 220 via the same fastening bases.Here, too, a fastening base located within the gap between the two third retaining plates 205 can be omitted. On the front side of the base section of the angled third retaining plate 205, claw-shaped fastening elements (not shown) are formed, which engage in fastening grooves 225 provided for this purpose. The fastening grooves 225 run along the underside of the connector housing 220 from its front edge to the corresponding depth of the third retaining plate 205. Here, too, a fastening groove 225* located within the gap between the two third retaining plates 205 can be omitted. The engagement of the claw-shaped fastening element in the fastening groove 225 further secures the first retaining plate 205 to the connector housing 220.In summary, the connector housing 20 is connected to the circuit board 1 via the third retaining plate 205, which is soldered to the same second soldering points 11.
[0059] The fastening openings 224 and the fastening grooves 225 are offset from one another both in height and width. Thus, the third retaining plate 205, with its claw-shaped fastening elements, can be precisely inserted into the fastening grooves 225 without the risk of it accidentally engaging the fastening openings 224. Furthermore, the offset arrangement eliminates the need for an undercut in the connector housing 220, which simplifies manufacturing. The fastening openings 224 and the fastening grooves 225 are equidistant from one another. This prevents one of the fastening grooves 225 and one of the fastening openings 224 from coinciding and being arranged one below the other, even with wide connectors 200.
[0060] In further exemplary embodiments not shown, a fastening extension can be provided on the underside of the connector housing 220 instead of the fastening opening on the upper edge of the connector housing 220 and / or instead of the fastening groove of the connector housing 220. The fastening element on the shielding plate 203 and / or the fastening element on the holding plate 205 can then be designed as an extension receptacle, which has a receiving contour directed inward into the extension receptacle and has a clamping section that rests on a fastening surface of the fastening extension after fastening. A so-called keyhole fastening can therefore be provided.
[0061] The fastening of the fourth shielding plate 204 and the fourth retaining plate 206 to the rear and top of the connector housing is described below in connection with Figures 11 and 12 and in connection with Figures 9 and 10.
[0062] In Figure 11, the fourth shielding plate 204 is angled and arranged on the rear and upper outer side of the connector housing 220. The fourth shielding plate has a base section 240, which is arranged on the rear side of the connector housing 220, and an angled section 241, which is angled to the base section 240 at the upper edge thereof and runs along the upper side of the connector. The base section 240 of the third shielding plate 204 extends essentially over the entire height and almost over the entire width (at least as far as the contact elements 21 are arranged behind it) of the rear side. The angled section 241 of the third shielding plate 241 extends up to a raised portion 227 of the connector housing 220 over the entire width (at least as far as the contact elements 21 are arranged behind it) of the upper side.In addition, the fourth shielding plate 204 has a plurality of soldering feet 242 arranged on the base section 240. The soldering feet 242 are each soldered to the third soldering points 12 of the printed circuit board 1. This achieves, on the one hand, electrical contact between the fourth shielding plate 204 and the printed circuit board 1 and, on the other hand, fastening the fourth shielding plate 204 to the printed circuit board 1. Furthermore, the fourth shielding plate 204 has a plurality of openings 246 in the lower third of the surface of the base section 240. On the rear side of the connector housing 220, pins 226 are arranged, which protrude outward and engage in the openings 246 of the fourth shielding plate 204. This realizes a first fastening of the fourth shielding plate to the connector housing 220.The angled section 241 has hook-shaped fastening elements 249 that are guided through openings 228 in the raised portion 227 of the connector housing 220 and, as shown in Figure 9, engage on the other side and engage in fastening recesses 229 on the upper front edge of the connector housing 20, where they rest against a web. This further secures the fourth shielding plate 204 to the connector housing 220.
[0063] The fourth retaining plate 206 shown in Figure 12 is arranged on the rear side of the connector housing 20 instead of the fourth shielding plate 204. When the fourth retaining plate 206 is used, the top side of the connector 200 is only closed by the connector housing 220, but not covered by a metal sheet. The fourth retaining plate 206 has a significantly lower height than the base section 240 of the fourth shielding plate 204. In this exemplary embodiment, the height of the fourth retaining plate 206 is approximately one-third the height of the connector housing 220 at the rear. Furthermore, the fourth retaining plate 206 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the connector housing 220; instead, in this example, two fourth retaining plates 206 are provided, with a gap between them. Each fourth retaining plate 206 has a base section 260.In addition, the fourth holding plate 206 has a plurality of soldering feet 262 arranged on the base section 260. The soldering feet 262 are each soldered to the third soldering points 12 of the circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 12, not all soldering points are used and, for example, the soldering point 12* below the gap remains free. By soldering the soldering feet 262 to the third soldering points 13, the fourth holding plate 206 is fastened to the circuit board 1, wherein, as described, the same third soldering points 12 are used and thus the same arrangement of the soldering points can be used. Since the fourth holding plate 206 has no shielding effect, the electrical contacting of the third soldering points 12 is not important.Furthermore, the fourth retaining plate 206 also has a plurality of openings 266 formed in the surface of the base section 260 and arranged at the same locations with respect to the soldering feet 262 as the openings 246 of the shielding plate 204. The pins 226 on the rear side of the connector housing thus also engage in the openings 266 of the fourth retaining plate 206. As shown in Figure 12, not all of the pins are used, and, for example, the pin 226* in the gap remains free. This enables the fourth retaining plate 206 to be attached to the connector housing 220.
Claims
Claims 1. Connector (2; 200) for contacting a printed circuit board (1), comprising a connector housing (20, 220) with a fastening mechanism configured to be connectable to a shielding plate (3, 4, 203, 204) such that the shielding plate (3, 4, 203, 204) can be attached to solder points (11, 12, 13) of the printed circuit board (1) and that the connector (2, 200) can be attached to the printed circuit board (1) by means of the shielding plate (3, 4, 203, 204) and the fastening mechanism, characterized in that the connector (2, 200) has a retaining plate (5, 6, 205, 206) which can be connected to the connector housing (20, 220) without the shielding plate being required. (3, 4, 203, 204) is connectable and its height is less than the height of the connector housing (20, 200), and that the fastening mechanism is designed to be connectable to the retaining plate (5, 6, 205, 206) in such a way that the retaining plate (5, 6, 205, 206) is attached to the shielding plate (3, 4, 203,204) provided solder points (11 , 12, 13) of the circuit board (1) and that the connector (2, 200) can be attached to the circuit board (1) by means of the retaining plate (5, 6, 205, 206) and the fastening mechanism.
2. Connector (2, 200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the height of the retaining plate (3, 4, 203, 204) is between half the height of the connector housing (20, 200) and one quarter of the height of the connector housing (20, 200).
3. Plug connector (2, 200) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening mechanism comprises at least one 4. Connector (2, 200) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first fastening element is arranged on the outside of the connector housing (20, 200) and is designed as a mounting base (22) with an opening (23) into which a fastening element (32) of the shielding plate (3, 203) and a fastening element (52) of the retaining plate (5, 205) adapted to it can engage. 5.Connector (2, 200) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one second fastening element is arranged on the inside of the connector housing (20) and is formed as a fastening shoulder (26) with at least one opening (27, 28) into which a fastening element (42, 43) of the shielding plate (4) adapted to it and a fastening element (62, 63) of the retaining plate (6) adapted to it can engage, wherein the fastening element (62, 63) is larger than the opening (27, 28) in at least one spatial direction and is held by positive locking and frictional locking on the fastening shoulder (26).Connector (2, 200) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the section (43) of the shielding plate (4) and / or the section (63) of the retaining plate (6) can be passed through the at least one first fastening element (22) or through the at least one second fastening element (26) and can be soldered to solder points (13) of the printed circuit board (1).
7. Connector (2, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening mechanism comprises at least one.
8. Connector (2, 200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element is arranged on the plug-side of the connector housing (20, 220) and into which a complementarily designed fastening element of the shielding plate (3, 203) can engage, and at least one fourth fastening element is arranged on the connector housing (20, 220) and into which a complementarily designed fastening element of the retaining plate (5, 205) can engage.
9. Connector (2, 200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element is a fastening opening (24, 224) into which a hook-shaped fastening element (34, 234) engages.Connector (2, 200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fastening element and / or the at least one fourth fastening element is a fastening groove (25, 225) into which a claw-shaped fastening element (35) engages.
10. Connector (2, 200) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the at least one third fastening element and the at least one fourth fastening element are arranged laterally offset from one another.
11. Connector (2, 200) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the distance between the multiple third fastening elements and the distance between the multiple fourth fastening elements are the same. 12.Connector (2, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fastening mechanism has at least a fifth fastening element which is arranged on an outer surface of the connector housing (220), wherein the fifth fastening element is The ing element is a pin (226) that can be inserted into an opening (246) of the shielding plate (204) or into an opening (266) of the retaining plate (206).