Plug connector and set comprising a plug connector and a solder anchor

Abstract

To provide an improved plug-in connector equipped with a solder anchor which guarantees reliable mechanical fixing in spite of being connected to the plug-in connector with a reduced installation space requirement.SOLUTION: A plug-in connector (1) for connection to a printed circuit board is described, comprising a plug-in connector housing (2) and an electrical contact (3) for contacting a mating contact of a mating plug-in connector that can be connected to the plug-in connector (1). Furthermore, the connector (1) has a solder anchor (4), which is formed separately and is arranged on the connector housing (2), for mechanically fixing the connection between the connector (1) and the printed circuit board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector for mating with a printed circuit board, the plug connector having a plug connector housing and electrical contacts for contacting mating contacts of a mating plug connector that is mateable with the plug connector, the plug connector having independently formed solder anchors disposed on the plug connector housing for mechanically securing the mating of the plug connector and the printed circuit board. [Background technology]

[0002] Plug connectors for connection to printed circuit boards are known in the field of electrical equipment. Such plug connectors are arranged on the printed circuit board and mechanically and electrically connected to it. The plug connectors can have corresponding solderable connection surfaces as contact areas for electrical connection to the printed circuit board. To secure the mechanical connection between the plug connector and the printed circuit board against unintentional separation, for example, due to tensile forces acting on the plug connector, it is known to additionally fasten the plug connector to the printed circuit board using so-called solder anchors or soldering anchors. For this purpose, the solder anchors are attached to the plug connector housing of the plug connector and are connected to the printed circuit board in a material-bonded manner. Such solder anchors must be designed to be relatively robust to ensure sufficient mechanical fixation, and therefore often require a considerable amount of additional installation space in the plug connector. In addition, the potential characteristics of the solder anchors with respect to the required clearance and creepage distances must be taken into account, which can also affect the structural design and dimensioning of the plug connector. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In light of this, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide an improved plug connector with solder anchors that ensure a reliable mechanical fixation while being coupled to the plug connector with reduced installation space requirements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This problem is solved by a plug connector according to claim 1 and by a set with a plug connector and a solder anchor according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0005] In general, it is proposed for a plug connector for connection to a printed circuit board, the plug connector housing having electrical contacts for contacting mating contacts of a mating plug connector that can be connected to the plug connector, and a solder anchor that is formed, i.e., molded, independently of the plug connector housing and the electrical contacts, the solder anchor being disposed on the plug connector housing and configured to mechanically secure the connection between the plug connector and the printed circuit board. For the plug connector, it is proposed that the solder anchor be formed as a substantially flat, planar part and have a solder portion on a first anchor side for connection to the printed circuit board and a bendable locking portion on a second anchor side opposite the first anchor side for form-fittingly engaging with a locking opening in the plug connector housing, the solder portion and the locking portion being connected to each other via a connecting portion, and an attachment portion protruding from the connecting portion, the attachment portion being form-fittingly received in a solder anchor receiving portion of the plug connector housing.

[0006] Briefly, a plug connector with a solder anchor is proposed, which, due to its planar (i.e., two-dimensional) shape, can be arranged in a particularly space-saving manner in the plug connector and does not significantly increase the dimensions of the plug connector in the area of ​​the solder anchor, particularly in the pitch direction of the plug connector, which may correspond to the arrangement direction of the plug connector's electrical contacts. The flat (i.e., low-profile) structural characteristics of the proposed anchor solution are further enhanced by embedding the solder anchor in a solder anchor receptacle provided in the plug connector housing, which can be achieved at least in the mounting portion. At the same time, the solder anchor is mechanically fixed to the plug connector housing in multiple ways via the mounting portion and the locking portion, which allows for a robust and load-bearing use of the solder anchor despite its compact structural shape. The solder anchor can be fixed to the plug connector housing by different geometric coupling directions in the mounting portion and the locking portion, as explained in more detail below, for improved load-bearing capacity, especially when forces of different directions are applied. As a result, a plug connector can be provided with solder anchors that are advantageously small in size and yet can withstand loads.

[0007] "Independent" refers to a solder anchor that is manufactured separately from other components of the plug connector and treated as a single component during manufacturing and assembly, and that is attached to the plug connector as a single component. The independent solder anchor remains removable from the plug connector, particularly the plug connector housing, by merely form-fittingly connecting thereto (i.e., mating or interlocking). The solder anchor is not materially connected (i.e., integrally) to the other components of the plug connector.

[0008] According to the proposed feature, the solder anchor is formed as a substantially flat, planar part. A planar part is a planar part that extends in the length and width directions to a much greater extent than in the depth direction. The planar part can be made, for example, as a metal sheet part, and in particular can be stamped out, for example, from a metal sheet blank (i.e., a semi-finished product). By substantially flat, planar part, in particular, is meant a planar part having a predominantly flat surface. For example, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the adjacent surface sides of the planar part can extend in a common plane. The solder anchor can in particular have a straight or flat, unbent shape, except for the locking portion.

[0009] The solder anchor has a first anchor side and a second anchor side, the second anchor side being opposite the first anchor side. In other words, the first and second anchor sides can refer to two opposite end portions of the solder anchor. The first anchor side can face toward the PCB side of the plug connector housing that is intended to be placed on the PCB, while the second anchor side can face away from the PCB side, for example, protruding toward the top surface of the plug connector housing opposite the PCB side.

[0010] The solder portion of the solder anchor may be a region of the solder anchor defined for material-bonding attachment to a printed circuit board. The solder portion may be shaped, for example, as a solder pin, i.e., have an elongated, straight extension. The locking portion may be fabricated, for example, as a material protrusion (in other words, a tab) having a rectangular basic shape. The locking portion may have substantially the same width as the solder portion, in which case the width direction of the solder anchor may be defined as perpendicular to the main extension direction of the solder anchor along the largest dimension of the solder anchor. The locking portion may have a shorter length than the solder portion, in which case the length direction of the solder anchor may be defined along the main extension direction of the solder anchor based on the largest dimension of the solder anchor.

[0011] According to the proposed feature, the locking portion is bent to engage in a form-locking manner with a locking opening in the plug connector housing. This feature may be present, inter alia, in the final assembled state of the solder anchor in the plug connector. In an intermediate assembled state, the solder anchor can be placed in the plug connector as a flat, unbent, planar part and transferred to the final assembled state by bending the locking portion into the locking opening. By making the solder anchor as a planar part, such a bending process is possible without using a relatively large force. The locking opening may, for example, be a recess in the plug connector housing facing the locking portion, which recess is surrounded by a housing edge that defines the locking opening. The bent locking portion can enter the locking opening and form an undercut (i.e., a lower recess) together with at least two adjacent housing edges, thereby creating a directional form-lock. The engagement of the curved locking portion with the locking opening can ensure reliable support of the solder anchor on the plug connector housing, especially when a pulling force is applied to the plug connector. For example, in the case of a pulling force opposite to the plug connector's insertion direction or perpendicular to the printed circuit board, the pulling force could cause a counter-rotation of the plug connector housing and the solder anchor, which is prevented by the engagement of the locking portion with the locking opening and is conducted as a resultant force to the solder part of the solder anchor coupled to the printed circuit board. In particular, the separate fixing points of the solder anchor at the mounting part and the locking part can achieve a restraint between the solder anchor and the plug connector housing.

[0012] According to a proposed feature, the solder portion and the locking portion are connected to one another via a connecting portion. The connecting portion can extend in a straight shape between the solder portion and the locking portion, so that the solder portion and the locking portion extend substantially along a common straight line without any lateral displacement with respect to one another. The connecting portion can have a length greater than that of the locking portion. The connecting portion can, for example, be at least as long as the solder portion.

[0013] According to a proposed feature, a mounting portion projects from the connecting portion. This mounting portion projects laterally, in particular in the width direction of the solder anchor. The mounting portion may have a larger width dimension than the locking portion and the solder portion. The mounting portion may have a larger length dimension than the locking portion. The mounting portion may have a smaller length dimension than the solder portion. The mounting portion may have mounting elements, such as form-fitting contours and / or mating elements, for fixing the solder anchor to the plug connector housing.

[0014] This means that if a pulling force is generated that is oriented perpendicular to the printed circuit board, a torque acts on the plug-in connector housing, which is transmitted to the solder anchor. Two different, opposing torques then act on the solder anchor: at the locking section, a force acts in the plug-in direction, and at the mounting section, a force acts that is directed away from the printed circuit board. These two forces induce opposing torques on the solder anchor that almost cancel each other out, so that the solder anchor is not twisted but is simply loaded with a pulling force. This is advantageous for the solder joint and the entire assembly (the plug-in connector housing does not rotate).

[0015] The mounting portion is form-fittingly received in a solder anchor receptacle of the plug connector housing. The solder anchor receptacle may, in particular, be a material recess in the plug connector housing with a form-fitting contour, into which the solder anchor can be form-fittingly arranged. The solder anchor may, in particular, form an undercut with the form-fitting contour of the solder anchor receptacle on at least two sides, whereby a directional form-fit can be created. The solder anchor receptacle may be formed on an outer housing surface of the plug connector housing. The solder anchor receptacle may be formed on an end surface of the plug connector housing, in which case the end surface may be substantially perpendicular to the contact side of the plug connector for contacting the mating plug connector and to the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first form-locking direction between the mounting part and the solder anchor receiving portion can be substantially perpendicular to the second form-locking direction between the locking part and the locking opening. This allows the form-locking retention of the solder anchor in the plug connector housing to occur in multiple spatial directions, ensuring that the solder anchor is securely secured to the plug connector housing even when forces are applied from different directions. Each form-locking direction can be defined by the direction of perpendicular force acting between the form-locking contour of the solder anchor and the corresponding mating contour of the plug connector housing. The form-locking direction between the mounting part and the solder anchor receiving portion can be, for example, parallel to the extension direction of the plug connector housing between the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing and the top side of the housing opposite the printed circuit board side. The form-locking direction between the locking part and the locking opening can be, for example, parallel to the insertion direction of the plug connector for connecting the plug connector to a mating plug connector. The mutually perpendicular form-locking directions of the different parts of the solder anchor ensure a particularly secure retention of the solder anchor in the plug connector housing.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the solder anchor may have an exposed contact surface on the surface facing away from the plug connector housing. In other words, the solder anchor may be disposed on the plug connector housing without being covered by the plug connector housing for the most part. For example, the solder anchor may be disposed so that at least 80% or at least 90% of the surface facing away from the plug connector housing is exposed. For example, the solder anchor may be partially surrounded by the plug connector housing only in the area of ​​a form-fitting undercut with the plug connector housing. The exposed contact surface may be adapted for contact with a shielding element, which may be disposed on the plug connector housing in contact with the exposed contact surface of the solder anchor.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the solder anchor receiving portion of the plug connector housing may have an insertion opening for pressing the solder anchor into the solder anchor receiving portion along a housing surface of the plug connector housing in a predetermined insertion direction. This simplifies the attachment of the solder anchor to the plug connector housing, and the formation of the solder anchor as a flat part can be advantageously used to guide the solder anchor along the housing surface. The insertion opening may be formed, for example, between the above-mentioned housing passages for guiding the mounting part. The insertion direction may be parallel to the insertion direction of the plug connector for mating with a mating plug connector.

[0019] According to one variant, the insertion direction of the solder anchor into the solder anchor receiving portion can be oriented opposite to the plug-in direction of the plug connector for mating with the mating plug connector, thereby avoiding unintentional disengagement of the solder anchor due to mechanical contact with components of the mating plug connector and the possible associated extrusion of the solder anchor from the solder anchor receiving portion during the plug-in process.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a mating element can be arranged on the mounting portion of the solder anchor, and the mating element is adapted to mate with a mating element of the solder anchor receptacle and / or to bite into the material of the plug-in connector housing in the solder anchor receptacle at a region with sharp edges. This allows for reliable and secure fixation of the solder anchor in the plug-in connector housing. According to one possible configuration, the mounting portion can have two mating elements that can mate with correspondingly arranged mating elements of the solder anchor receptacle, thereby achieving a uniform and secure fit. The mating element of the solder anchor can be, for example, a mating hook, and the mating element of the solder anchor receptacle can be, for example, a mating protrusion with a mating edge that can be engaged by the mating hook. The mounting portion can have a mating portion on which the mating element is arranged. The mating portion of the mounting portion can be formed on an end portion of the mounting portion opposite the connecting portion. The solder anchor may be or may be inserted into the solder anchor receiving portion mating portion first.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the solder anchor receptacle of the plug connector housing can have two parallel housing tracks (i.e., housing webs) that mate with the solder anchor to guide the mounting portion of the solder anchor within the solder anchor receptacle. This allows the solder anchor to transition reliably and precisely to its mounting position in the plug connector housing. The housing tracks can have a guide geometry, such as a stepped or angled profile, to form a dovetail, thereby achieving a secure, form-locking guidance of the mounting portion within the solder anchor receptacle. According to one possible design, the aforementioned mating element can be molded into the housing track and protrude from the housing track, allowing the mounting portion of the solder anchor with the mating element to be guided along the housing track into a mating position where the mating element can mate with the mating element.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the connecting portion of the solder anchor may be formed with abutment pieces (i.e., support pieces) protruding from the connecting portion to support the solder anchor on the housing edge of the plug connector housing. This abutment piece allows the solder anchor to absorb additional forces and additionally stabilizes the solder anchor on the plug connector housing. Additionally, the abutment piece can secure the solder anchor against displacement in the direction of the top surface of the plug connector housing opposite the printed circuit board side. With a suitable design, further restraint of the solder anchor can be achieved between the abutment piece supported on the housing edge and the locking portion supported on the housing edge that defines the locking opening. The abutment piece can protrude from the connecting portion at a right angle to the connecting portion. In particular, two abutment pieces can protrude from opposite sides of the connecting portion, thereby forming a cross-shaped support region.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the solder anchor accommodated in the solder anchor receptacle can terminate at least partially flush with the housing wall of the plug connector housing adjacent to the solder anchor receptacle. In particular, the mounting portion of the solder anchor inserted into the solder anchor receptacle can terminate flush with the housing edge adjacent to the solder anchor receptacle. This is made possible, in particular, by forming the solder anchor as a substantially flat, planar part. The at least partially flush termination allows for further attachment elements, such as locking tabs, to be arranged on the side of the plug connector housing that includes the solder anchor, for locking the plug connector to a mating plug connector that is mated with the plug connector. In addition, the installation space required for the solder anchors in the plug connector in the pitch direction of the plug connector can be minimized.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the plug connector housing may have two solder anchor receptacles formed on two opposing outer surfaces of the plug connector housing. This allows selective placement of solder anchors on one or the other outer surface of the plug connector housing. It is also conceivable to fasten the plug connector housing to a printed circuit board by two solder anchors arranged on each outer surface. By forming the solder anchors as independent, planar components that are flat in the intermediate assembly state, the locking portions of the solder anchors can be bent toward the respective locking openings of the plug connector housing for the final assembly state after attaching the solder anchors to the plug connector housing. This allows the solder anchors to be used as common components for both outer surfaces of the plug connector housing. The opposing outer surfaces of the plug connector housing may be end surfaces of the plug connector housing, which may be substantially perpendicular to the plug connector contact side for contacting the mating plug connector and the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the solder anchor may be manufactured as a stamped part, which allows for a simple and inexpensive provision of the solder anchor. A stamped part can be considered as a flat sheet metal part with a complex outer contour, which is produced by cutting a semi-finished product from a metal sheet. The stamped part can provide a substantially flat, planar part that can be bent without using a relatively large force, for example for bending the locking portion of the solder anchor.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plug connector may be constructed as a contact pin header or a board socket. Such plug connectors may be fixed to a printed circuit board by solder anchors, but at the same time, in practice, they are sometimes exposed to force influences from different directions, which require a reliable, load-bearing mechanical connection. Therefore, solder anchors based on the aforementioned characteristics can be advantageously used for plug connectors of this type. Furthermore, it may be desirable for the contact pin header or board socket to have adjacent shielding elements and / or locking tabs, which can be advantageously achieved, for example, by exposed contact surfaces and flush termination of the solder anchors. The contact pin header may be a plug connector with at least two electrical contact pins arranged side by side in the pitch direction of the plug connector. The board socket may be a plug connector with at least two electrical contact pin receptacles arranged side by side in the pitch direction of the plug connector.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a set comprising a plug connector and solder anchors for forming a plug connector according to one of the aforementioned features. Such a set also achieves the aforementioned advantages of the plug connector, and the solder anchors can be selectively arranged as accessory parts on the plug connector, particularly on different outer surfaces of the plug connector housing. In this set, the solder anchors can be fabricated as flat, planar parts and attached to the plug connector by pressing them into the solder anchor receptacles, whereby they can then be mechanically fixed to the plug connector housing by bending the latching portions into the latching openings of the plug connector housing. In one possible configuration, the set can include a plug connector and at least two similarly shaped solder anchors. Additionally, a mating plug connector that matches the plug connector can be a further component of the set, allowing the set to be used to produce a plug connector assembly.

[0028] Generally speaking, in the context of this application, the word "ein / eine" is to be understood as an indefinite article with the meaning "at least one" and not as a numeral, unless expressly defined otherwise.

[0029] While the present invention allows for various embodiments, it will be described in more detail below based on one exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side perspective view of a plug connector with solder anchors according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view of the solder anchor according to FIG. 1 in isolation; FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic top view of the plug connector according to FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the plug connector according to FIG. 1 taken along the cutting line indicated in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] 1, 3, and 4 show various views of a plug connector 1 made as a contact pin header with solder anchors 4 according to one embodiment, which is defined for coupling with a printed circuit board. Fig. 2 shows a complementary perspective view of the solder anchors 4 alone. The plug connector 1 and the solder anchors 4 can be provided as a set.

[0032] Plug connector 1 has a plug connector housing 2 and electrical contacts 3 formed as contact pins for contacting mating contacts of a mating plug connector, not shown in detail, which can be mated with plug connector 1. As can be seen, for example, in Figure 1, solder anchors 4 are formed independently and disposed on plug connector housing 2. Solder anchors 4 serve to mechanically secure the connection between plug connector 1 and a printed circuit board, not shown in detail.

[0033] As can be seen in particular from Figures 1, 3 and 4, the solder anchors 4 are configured as substantially flat, planar parts, which allows for a space-saving arrangement of the solder anchors 4 in the plug connector housing 2 and does not significantly increase the dimensions of the plug connector 1 in the pitch direction 27. The planar parts can be produced, for example, as stamped parts, in particular from sheet-like semi-finished products of metal. As can be seen in Figure 2, the solder anchors 4 as planar parts have an extension in the length direction L and width direction B that is significantly greater than in the depth direction T.

[0034] The solder anchor 4 has a pin-shaped solder portion 5 on a first anchor side 6. The solder portion 5 is used to connect the solder anchor 4 to the printed circuit board. The solder anchor 4 further has a bendable locking portion 7 on a second anchor side 9 opposite the first anchor side 6, as can be seen in FIG. 1 , for form-fitting (i.e., snap-fit) engagement with a locking opening 8 of the plug connector housing 2, which is formed by a recess in the plug connector housing 2. The first anchor side 6 and the second anchor side 9 are assigned to opposite end portions of the solder anchor 4. The first anchor side 6 faces toward the printed circuit board side 28 of the plug connector housing 2. The second anchor side 9 faces toward the top surface 29 of the plug connector housing 2, opposite the printed circuit board side 28. The locking portion 7 is made as a bendable material protrusion (i.e., a tab) and has a rectangular basic shape. The locking portion 7 can be moved from a straight, flat orientation in the pre-assembly and intermediate assembly states to a curved orientation for engaging the locking opening 8 by a bending process.

[0035] The solder portion 5 and the locking portion 7 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 10 of the solder anchor 4, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2 . The connecting portion 10 may have a greater extension in the length direction L than the locking portion 7, as shown, and has an extension in the length direction L that is at least as great as that of the solder portion 5. A mounting portion 11 projects from the connecting portion 10 and is received in a form-fitting manner in a solder anchor receiving portion 12 of the plug connector housing 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 . The mounting portion 11 may have a greater extent in the width direction B than the solder portion 5 and the locking portion 7, as shown in FIG. 2 . In addition, the mounting portion 11 may have a greater extent in the length direction L than the locking portion 7, and may have a smaller extent in the length direction L than either the solder portion 5 or the connecting portion 10.

[0036] Between the mounting part 11 and the solder anchor receiving part 12, a directed form-locking with a first form-locking direction 13 can be created by the overlapping of the form-locking contours of the mounting part 11 and the solder anchor receiving part 12. In addition to this, between the locking part 7 and the locking opening 8, a further directed form-locking with a second form-locking direction 14 can be created by the overlapping of the locking part 7 with the adjacent housing edge. It can be seen from Figure 1 that the first form-locking direction 13 between the mounting part 11 and the solder anchor receiving part 12 is essentially perpendicular to the second form-locking direction 14 between the locking part 7 and the locking opening 8. This ensures a particularly secure retention of the solder anchor 4 in the plug connector housing 2.

[0037] FIG. 1 further shows that the solder anchor 4 has an exposed contact surface 15 formed on the surface facing away from the plug-in connector housing 2, so that, for example, a shielding element can be arranged on the plug-in connector housing 2 and the solder anchor 4, such that a shielding transformer is possible between the contact surface 15 and the shielding element.

[0038] 1, 3, and 4 taken together, it can be seen that the solder anchor receiving portion 12 of the plug connector housing 2 has insertion openings 16 for pushing the solder anchor 4 into the solder anchor receiving portion 12 along a housing surface 17 of the plug connector housing 2 in a predetermined insertion direction 18, which allows the solder anchor 4 to be easily attached to the plug connector housing 2 and the flat characteristics of the solder anchor 4 can be utilized for push-attachment along the housing surface 17. In this regard, the insertion direction 18 of the solder anchor 4 into the solder anchor receiving portion 12, as is clear from FIGS. 1 and 4, is directed opposite to the insertion direction 19 of the plug connector 1 for coupling with a mating plug connector, which allows the attachment of the solder anchor 4 in the plug connector housing 2 not to interfere with the insertion process between the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector.

[0039] As can be seen in Figure 4, the mounting portion 11 of the solder anchor 4 has two mating elements 20 arranged to mate with two corresponding mating elements 21 of the solder anchor receiving portion 12, thereby enabling simple and reliable fixing of the solder anchor 4 in the plug-in connector housing 2. The mating elements 20 may be formed as mating hooks as shown. The region of the mounting portion 11 where the mating elements 20 are arranged may be referred to as the mating portion. The solder anchor 4 may be insertable into the solder anchor receiving portion 12 mating portion first. The mating elements 21 may be formed as mating protrusions with mating edges that can be engaged by the mating hooks as shown.

[0040] 1 further shows that the solder anchor receiving portion 12 of the plug connector housing 2 has two parallel housing passages 22 that engage with the solder anchor 4 for guiding the mounting portion 11 of the solder anchor 4 within the solder anchor receiving portion 12, thereby allowing the desired guidance of the solder anchor 4 within the solder anchor receiving portion 12 and facilitating press-fit mounting. In FIG. 1 it can be seen suggestively that the housing passages 22 have a beveled shape to form a dovetail profile, which results in a form-fitting guiding shape.

[0041] 1 and 4, it can be seen that the connecting portion 10 of the solder anchor 4 is formed with abutment pieces 23 that protrude from the connecting portion 10 in order to support the solder anchor 4 on a housing edge 24 of the plug-in connector housing 2, thereby allowing additional restraint of the solder anchor 4 in the plug-in connector housing 2. In this regard, according to the exemplary embodiment shown, a cross-shaped support area is formed with two opposite abutment pieces 23.

[0042] It can be seen from Figure 3 that the solder anchor 4 accommodated in the solder anchor receptacle 12 terminates at least partially flush with the housing wall 25 adjacent to the solder anchor receptacle 12 of the plug connector housing 2, which allows further accessory elements, such as shielding elements or locking claws, to be arranged on the plug connector 1 in a simple manner and in a manner that is not obstructed by the solder anchor 4.

[0043] 3 further shows that the plug connector housing 2 has two solder anchor receptacles 12 formed on two opposite outer surfaces 26 of the plug connector housing 2. In this regard, the outer surfaces 26 are end surfaces of the plug connector housing 2. In this case, the solder anchor 4 can be selectively arranged on one of the outer surfaces 26 as a common part, or two solder anchors 4 can be arranged on both outer surfaces 26. The attachment of the solder anchor 4 in the assigned solder anchor receptacle 12 can be performed in a first assembly step by receiving the solder anchor 4 in the solder anchor receptacle 12 via the attachment portion 11 (intermediate assembly position). This is followed by bending the locking portion 7 into the locking opening 8.

[0044] The plug connector 1 and the solder anchors 4 described on the basis of the above exemplary embodiments may enable a reliable fixing of the mechanical connection between the plug connector 1 and the printed circuit board. The solder anchors 4 are coupling components of the plug connector 1 that can be easily and reliably attached to the plug connector 1 and, due to the proposed mounting concept of the solder anchors 4 on the plug connector 1, can withstand mechanical loads despite their very flat structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Plug connector 2 Plug-in connector housing 3 Electrical Contacts 4 Solder anchors 5 Solder part 6 First anchor side 7 Locking part 8 Locking port 9 Second anchor side 10 Connecting part 11 Mounting part 12 Solder anchor receiving section 13 First shape bond direction 14 Second Shape Bonding Direction 15 Exposed contact surface 16 Insertion port 17 Housing surface 18 Insertion direction 19 Insertion direction 20 Mating Elements 21 Mating element 22 Housing Road 23 Contact piece 24 Housing edge 25 Housing Wall 26 Exterior 27 Pitch direction 28 Printed circuit board side 29 Housing top surface B Width direction L lengthwise T depth direction

Claims

1. A plug-in connector (1) for coupling to a printed circuit board, said plug-in connector (1) comprising: a plug-in connector housing (2); an electrical contact (3) for contacting a mating contact of a mating plug connector that can be mated with the plug connector (1); and solder anchors (4) formed independently and disposed on the plug connector housing (2) for mechanically fixing the connection between the plug connector (1) and the printed circuit board; The solder anchor (4) is formed as a substantially flat, planar part, and has a solder portion (5) on a first anchor side (6) for coupling with the printed circuit board, and a bendable locking portion (7) on a second anchor side (9) opposite the first anchor side (6) for form-fitting engagement with a locking opening (8) of the plug connector housing (2), The plug connector (1) is characterized in that the solder portion (5) and the locking portion (7) are connected to each other via a connecting portion (10), an attachment portion (11) protrudes from the connecting portion (10), and the attachment portion (11) is received in a solder anchor receiving portion (12) of the plug connector housing (2) in a form-fitting manner.

2. 2. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first form-fitting direction (13) between the mounting portion (11) and the solder anchor receiving portion (12) is substantially perpendicular to a second form-fitting direction (14) between the locking portion (7) and the locking opening (8).

3. 3. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solder anchor (4) has an exposed contact surface (15) formed on a surface facing away from the plug connector housing (2).

4. 4. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the solder anchor receiving portion (12) of the plug connector housing (2) has an insertion opening (16) for sliding the solder anchor (4) into the solder anchor receiving portion (12) along a housing surface (17) of the plug connector housing (2) in a predetermined insertion direction (18).

5. 5. The plug connector (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the insertion direction (18) of the solder anchor (4) into the solder anchor receiving portion (12) is opposite to the insertion direction (19) of the plug connector (1) for coupling with a mating plug connector.

6. 6. A plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a mating element (20) is arranged on the mounting portion (11) of the solder anchor (4), the mating element (20) being adapted to mate with a mating element (21) of the solder anchor receiving portion (12) and / or to bite into the material of the plug connector housing (2) in the solder anchor receiving portion (12) in areas with sharp edges.

7. 7. A plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the solder anchor receiving portion (12) of the plug connector housing (2) has two parallel housing paths (22) extending on the solder anchor (4) for guiding the mounting portion (11) of the solder anchor (4) within the solder anchor receiving portion (12).

8. 8. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (10) of the solder anchor (4) is formed with abutment pieces (23) protruding from the connecting portion (10) for supporting the solder anchor (4) on a housing edge (24) of the plug connector housing (2).

9. 9. A plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the solder anchors (4) accommodated in the solder anchor receptacles (12) terminate at least partially flush with a housing wall (25) of the plug connector housing (2) adjacent to the solder anchor receptacles (12).

10. 10. The plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plug connector housing (2) has two solder anchor receptacles (12) formed on two opposite outer surfaces (26) of the plug connector housing (2).

11. 11. Plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solder anchors (4) are manufactured as stamped parts.

12. 12. A plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector (1) is made as a contact pin header or as a board socket.

13. A set comprising a plug connector (1) and a solder anchor (4) for forming a plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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