Pin header connector

Abstract

To improve a pin header connector.SOLUTION: A pin header connector has: a peripheral frame having, at the center, a series of through openings; and a plurality of modules, each of which engages a corresponding through opening and is provided with a series of electrical pin contacts and with a support plate, which is made of a plastic material and has a series of first through holes engaged by the corresponding electrical pin contacts. The peripheral frame has a plurality of linear sliding guides, each of which is arranged in an area of a through opening, is designed to guide insertion of the support plate of a module into the through opening allowing the support plate to only make a translation in a mounting direction D, and is provided with a limit stop ending the insertion. An interlocking connection system is provided, which is activated when the support plate of each module strikes against the limit stop.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000004009 filed on February 26, 2020, and the entire disclosure content thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pin header connector.

[0003] The present invention finds an advantageous use in an electronic control unit for an automobile. Since the generality of this use is relaxed, explicit reference will be made in the following description.

Background Art

[0004] An electronic control unit for an automobile includes a printed circuit board (PCB), supports an electronic circuit, and includes a pin header connector.

[0005] The pin header connector consists of one or more rows of electrical pin contacts, and these electrical pin contacts are generally spaced from each other by a pin pitch (generally referred to as "pitch") in the range of 1.00 mm (0.04 inches) to 6.00 mm (0.236 inches), with a typical value of 2.54 mm (0.1 inches).

[0006] In modern electronic control units for automobiles, the pin header connector includes a large number (more than 200) of electrical pin contacts, and thus has a relatively large size and can result in a relatively high manufacturing cost. When it is necessary to modify an existing electronic control unit, the corresponding pin header connector also needs to be modified accordingly. The modification of the corresponding pin header connector can be particularly complex and expensive, especially when the pin header connector has a large size (i.e., has a large number of electrical pin contacts).

[0007] Patent Document 1 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 276761) describes a pin header connector including a peripheral frame having a series of through openings at the center and a single body supporting a plurality of modules, each module engaging a corresponding through opening and including a series of electrical pin contacts and a support plate made of a plastic material and having a series of first through holes engaged by the corresponding electrical pin contacts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a pin header connector that can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a pin header connector and a related mounting method according to the appended claims.

[0011] The appended claims describe embodiments of the present invention and form an essential part of the description of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing some non-limiting embodiments thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 generally indicates an electronic control unit for an automobile.

[0015] The electronic control unit 1 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports an electronic circuit. A pin header connector 2 is provided on the printed circuit board and is inserted into a container 3 made of metal or plastic, with the pin header connector 2 protruding from the container 3 at its end.

[0016] The pin header connector consists of one or more rows of electrical pin contacts 4, and these electrical pin contacts 4 are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of 1.00 mm (0.04 inches) to 6.00 mm (0.236 inches) (commonly referred to as the "pitch").

[0017] According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin header connector 2 includes a peripheral frame 5, which is made of (preferably) a plastic material or (alternatively) a metal material and has a series of through openings 6 (specifically, six through openings 6 in the embodiment shown in the attached drawings) in the center. Each through opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5 is engaged by a corresponding module 7, and this module 7 includes a series of electrical pin contacts 4 and a support plate 8 made of a plastic material (i.e., an electrical insulating material) and having a series of through holes 9 engaged by the corresponding series of electrical pin contacts 4. In other words, the support plate 8 of each module 7 is a kind of matrix, and the electrical pin contacts 4 are firmly accommodated so as to hold the electrical pin contacts 4 in the desired positions.

[0018] According to FIGS. 2 and 3, each electrical pin contact 4 has a linear front portion that engages with the through hole 9 of the corresponding support plate 8 and extends out of the pin header connector 2, a rear linear portion that is perpendicular to the front portion and is configured to be connected to the printed circuit board, and a joint portion that connects the front portion to the rear portion.

[0019] According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin header connector 2 comprises two arranged holding plates 10, and these holding plates 10 are arranged perpendicular to the support plate 8 of the module 7. Each of the holding plates 10 has a series of through holes 11 engaged with the rear part of the corresponding electrical pin contact 4. The function of the holding plate 10 is to keep a plurality of electrical pin contacts 4 separated from each other, and firmly fix a strong and reliable second anchor point for the electrical pin contacts 4 before the electrical pin contacts 4 are welded to the printed circuit board (therefore, during the storage and transportation of the pin header connector 2 during manufacturing). That is, the electrical pin contacts 4 are firmly fixed to the support plate 8 in the front (since they are arranged through the through holes 9 of the support plate 8) and firmly fixed to the holding plate 10 in the rear (since they are arranged through the through holes 11 of the holding plate 10).

[0020] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, each holding plate 10 is associated with three corresponding modules 7. That is, the through holes 11 of the same holding plate 10 are engaged with the rear parts of the electrical pin contacts 4 of three adjacent modules 7 to each other. According to other embodiments not shown herein, there are different numbers of holding plates 10 from each other, for example, a single holding plate 10 for six modules 7, or three, four, five, or six or other holding plates 10.

[0021] The peripheral frame 5 has three mounting brackets 12 that protrude from the peripheral frame 5 and provide an anchor point for each of the plurality of holding plates 10. In particular, these mounting brackets have two respective hooks 13, and these hooks are arranged at both ends of the holding plate 10 and are inserted into the respective seats obtained by the mounting brackets 12 by interlocking (that is, by their elastic deformation). The central mounting bracket 12 (arranged at the center of the peripheral frame 5) is clearly shared by the two holding plates 10, that is, it provides support for both holding plates 10.

[0022] According to FIG. 5, the peripheral frame 5 has a plurality of linear sliding guides 14 respectively disposed in the regions of the through openings 6. These guides are designed to guide the insertion of the support plate 8 of the module 7 into the through openings 6 so that the support plate 8 can only perform a translational movement parallel to the mounting direction D, and a limit stop 15 for terminating the insertion is provided. In other words, each linear sliding guide 14 consists of a channel, and a part of the support plate 8 of the module 7 is inserted into the channel with a minimum gap, (since any other movement is completely prevented due to contact with the wall of the channel) only a part of the support plate 8 can translate parallel to the mounting direction D along the guide 14. Each limit stop 15 consists of a rim of the support plate 8 of the module 7, is larger than the channel defining the linear sliding guide 14, and abuts against the corresponding rim of the peripheral frame 5 surrounding the through opening 6.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, each linear sliding guide 14 has a flared shape that gradually reduces its dimension when the support plate 8 of the corresponding module 7 moves forward during its insertion. In this way, each linear sliding guide 14 performs a self - centering function. In particular, each linear sliding guide 14 has two inclined guide walls 16, and the support plate 8 of each module 7 has two inclined guide walls 17. These inclined guide walls 17 have the same inclination as the guide walls 16 and are connected to the guide walls 16 (i.e., slide on the guide walls 16). As an example, the guide walls 16 and 17 have an inclination of approximately 2 - 3°.

[0024] According to FIGS. 6 and 7, for each through opening 6, an interlock connection system 18 is provided that is activated when the support plate 8 of each module 7 hits the limit stop 15. Once activated, the interlock connection system 18 prevents the support plate 8 from moving away from the through opening 6, thereby forming a firm connection between the support plate 8 and the peripheral frame 5 (i.e., a connection that does not allow any movement between the support plate 8 and the peripheral frame 5).

[0025] For each through-opening 6, the interlock connection system 18 comprises a series of teeth 19 that project towards the inside of each through-opening 6 and are connected to the peripheral frame 5 by elastically deformable arms 20. Further, the interlock connection system 18 comprises a series of abutments 21 obtained within the support plate 8 of each module 7 and designed to receive the teeth 19. According to FIG. 4, for each through-opening 6, four teeth 19 are provided around the linear sliding guide 14, and thus, for the support plate 8 of each module 7, four abutments 21 are provided. According to different embodiments (shown, for example, in FIG. 10), for each through-opening 6, two teeth 19 are provided in the regions on the opposite sides of the linear sliding guide 14, and thus, for the support plate 8 of each module 7, two abutments 21 are provided.

[0026] That is, each through-opening 6 has two or four teeth 19, which are arranged one or two on the right side of the through-opening 6 and one or two on the left side of the through-opening 6, and the support plate 8 of each module 7 has two or four abutments 21, which are arranged one or two on the right side and one or two on the left side of the support plate 8.

[0027] According to other embodiments not shown herein, the number, shape and / or arrangement of the teeth 19 (and thus the abutments 20) are different.

[0028] According to the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each tooth 19 has an inclined outer wall 22, and each abutment 21 is obtained within a body 23 that is an integral part of the support plate 8 and has an inclined outer wall 24 (generally having an inclination similar to that of the inclined outer wall 22). During sliding along the mounting direction D of the support plate 8, each inclined outer wall 22 slides on the corresponding inclined outer wall 24, pushing its own tooth 19 outwards, and thus enabling the tooth 19 to move through the corresponding body 23 in order to come to rest against the abutment 21 at the end of the mounting movement.

[0029] According to FIG. 3, the support plate 8 of each module 7 comprises two pushing-in regions 25 which constitute a pushing-in zone capable of applying a force oriented along the mounting direction D, and is adapted to connect the support plate 8 within the corresponding through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5. In particular, the two pushing-in regions 25 are arranged at two opposite ends of the support plate 8, that is, one on the right side of the support plate 8 and the other on the left side of the support plate 8. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pushing-in regions 25 are defined at the upper part of respective struts oriented parallel to the mounting direction D and protruding from the support plate 8. In other words, during the assembly of the pin header connector 2, the support plate 8 of each module 7 needs to be pushed into the corresponding through-opening 6 and along the mounting direction D with a given force until it hits the limiting stop 15 and until the activation of the connection system 18 (following the elastic deformation of the arm 20). However, pushing the support plate 8 of each module 7 with a given force without touching the electrical pin contacts 4 (which are very thin and can be easily deformed) can be complicated. For this reason, pushing-in regions 25 are provided which provide a pushing-in zone to which a force oriented along the mounting direction D can be applied in order to connect the support plate 8 within the corresponding through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5.

[0030] FIGS. 8 to 15 show modified examples of the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0031] The difference between the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 and the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 is that in the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, each through opening 6 has only two teeth 19 (instead of four) arranged, one on the right side and one on the left side of the through opening 6 (as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13 for example). As a result, the support plate 8 of each module 7 has only two abutting portions 21 arranged, one on the right side and one on the left side (instead of four) of the support plate 8. The presence of only two teeth 19 (of larger dimensions) instead of four teeth 19 (of smaller dimensions) makes the connection of the two teeth 19 (of larger dimensions) at each abutting portion 21 easier to handle than the connection of the four teeth 19 (of smaller dimensions) at each abutting portion 21. Therefore, it becomes easier and quicker for the module 7 to be inserted into the corresponding through opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5.

[0032] The difference between the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 and the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 is that in the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, each abutting portion 21 is recessed within the support plate 8 (as shown in FIG. 6 for example). Therefore, the corresponding body 23 remains within the dimensions of the remaining portion of the support plate 8. In contrast, in the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, each abutting portion 21 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the remaining portion of the support plate 8 (as shown in FIG. 12 for example). Therefore, the corresponding body 23 protrudes from the support plate 8.

[0033] The difference between the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 and the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 is that in the pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, each guide wall 17 obtained from the support plate 8 is connected to the corresponding guide wall 16 obtained from the linear guide 14 of the through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5 with a predetermined interference (i.e., non-zero interference). In other words, due to the interference coupling between each guide wall 17 obtained from the support plate 8 and the corresponding guide wall 16 obtained from the linear guide 14 of the through-opening 6, in order to insert the support plate 8 into the corresponding through-opening 6, a (small and easily elastic) deformation of the support plate 8 and the peripheral frame 5 is required. This deformation requires a greater force to insert the support plate 8 into the corresponding through-opening 6, and thus also requires a greater force to remove the support plate 8 from the corresponding through-opening 6, and therefore the "resistance" (stiffness) of the connection between the support plate 8 and the peripheral frame 5 increases.

[0034] According to the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each guide wall 17 has a plurality of protrusions (protruding portions, ribs) 26, and these protrusions protrude from the wall of the support plate 8 and determine the interference with the wall of the corresponding through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5. That is, the interference coupling between each support plate 8 and the corresponding through-opening 6 is determined only and exclusively by the presence of the protrusions 26 protruding from the wall of the support plate 8. Preferably, the protrusions 26 do not exist on the guide wall 17.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, each protrusion 26 is oriented parallel to the mounting direction D. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 16, each protrusion 26 generally has a maximum thickness H in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, and in particular has a maximum thickness of about 0.2 mm. According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 16, each protrusion 26 has a front part (i.e., the part that first contacts the corresponding guide wall 16 obtained by the linear guide 14 in the mounting direction D) in the shape of a wedge (i.e., having an inclined surface that gradually increases the thickness advancing forward in the mounting direction D) so as to determine a gradual deformation when the support plate 8 of the module 7 is inserted into the corresponding through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5.

[0036] In summary, the interference connection between each support plate 8 and the corresponding through-opening 6 requires substantial elastic deformation of the support plate 8 and the peripheral frame 5, and at least partial plastic deformation of the protrusion 26 (performing the interference action).

[0037] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the protrusions 26 are only present on the walls of the support plate 8. According to other embodiments not shown herein, the protrusions 26 are also present on the walls of the through-opening 6, or the protrusions 26 are only present on the walls of the through-opening 6.

[0038] The pin header connector 2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 has four pushing areas 25 arranged at two opposite ends of the support plate 8, that is, two are arranged on the right side of the support plate 8 and the other two are arranged on the left side of the support plate 8. In particular, the four pushing areas 25 are arranged around the guide wall 17 in the areas of the four vertices of the support plate 8. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 15, the pushing areas 25 are defined at the upper part of the annular edge surrounding each support plate 8, are oriented parallel to the mounting direction D, and protrude from the support plate 8.

[0039] The assembly of the pin header connector 2 requires inserting a single module 7 at a time into the through-opening 6 of the peripheral frame 5 by pushing the module 7 (especially when there is a protrusion 26) along the mounting direction D with a given force and applying a pressing force to the pressing area 25 corresponding to the module 7. That is, the assembly of the pin header connector 2 requires applying a thrust force to the support plate 8 of the module 7 (along the mounting direction D) by pushing only the upper part of the corresponding pressing area 25 (arranged on two opposite side surfaces of the support plate 8). Each module 7 is pushed along the mounting direction D until the corresponding support plate 8 contacts the corresponding limit stop, and thus until the two (four) teeth 19 of the support plate 8 engage with the corresponding abutting parts 21.

[0040] Each module 7 is fixed to the peripheral frame 5 only by mechanical connection (i.e., mechanical interlock) without any kind of adhesion by an adhesive and without any kind of thermal welding.

[0041] It must be pointed out that each module 7 is completely separated and independent from other modules 7, has no contacts with other modules 7 except for the contacts via the peripheral frame 5, and can be inserted into the peripheral frame 5 alone and completely independently of other modules 7. This feature brings two favorable effects. First, this feature allows the same module 7 to be used to easily configure pin header connectors 2 with different dimensions (i.e., it is sufficient to use fewer or more modules 7, all of the same type), and further, to fix the module 7 within the peripheral frame 5, a single module 7 can be fixed in place at a time, so less pressing force is required (thus there is no risk of deforming or damaging the peripheral frame 5 by excessive mechanical force).

[0042] The embodiments described in this specification can be combined with each other.

[0043] The pin header connector 2 according to the present invention has different advantages.

[0044] In particular, the above-described pin header connector 2 is composed of a limited number of parts, so (especially when the peripheral frame 5 is also made of a plastic material) it can be manufactured, for example, via injection molding, and can be easily mounted in an automated manner, so the manufacturing is easy and economical.

[0045] The plastic molding process, the bending process performed to bend the electrical pin contacts 4, and the assembly process are performed on a single module 7 in a small and few ways (i.e., for the electrical pin contacts 4), so these processes are relatively simple.

[0046] Without changing the design of the single module 7, by changing the number of modules 7 and the design of the peripheral frame 5, it is possible to obtain a new pin header connector 4 that invests only in the only part of the process that defines the manufacturing and assembly of the peripheral frame 5. That is, according to the above concept regarding the module, it is possible to reduce the initial investment for the new pin header connector 2 that utilizes the existing module 7.

[0047] Therefore, in order to obtain a new pin header connector 2, it is only necessary to accept a new peripheral frame 5, reuse what is already available for the manufacture of the single module 7, and invest in the conversion of the plastic molding die and the mounting line of the peripheral frame 5. Also, the present disclosure includes the following inventions. The first aspect is a pin header connector (2), wherein the pin header connector (2) has a peripheral frame (5) having a series of through openings (6) at the center, and a plurality of modules (7) each engaging with a corresponding one of the series of through openings (6), the plurality of modules (7) being provided with a series of electrical pin contacts (4) and a support plate (8), the support plate (8) is made of a plastic material and has a series of first through holes (9) engaged by the corresponding series of electrical pin contacts (4), the peripheral frame (5) has a plurality of linear sliding guides (14), each of the plurality of linear sliding guides (14) being disposed in the region of the through opening (6) and designed to guide the insertion of the support plate (8) of the module (7) into the through opening (6) so that the support plate (8) can only perform a translational movement in the mounting direction (D), and the plurality of linear sliding guides (14) are provided with a limit stop (15) for terminating the insertion, an interlock connection system (18) is provided, which operates when the support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) hits the limit stop (15), and once activated, prevents the support plate (8) from leaving the through opening (6), thus forming a firm connection between the support plate (8) and the peripheral frame (5). In the pin header connector (2), each of the modules (7) is completely separated and independent from other modules (7), has no contacts with other modules (7) except for the contacts through the peripheral frame (5), and is insertable alone and completely independently of other modules (7) within the peripheral frame (5). A pin header connector (2) characterized by this. The second aspect is for each of the through openings (6), the interlock connection system (18) has a series of first teeth (19) projecting towards the inside of the through opening (6) and connected to the peripheral frame (5) by an elastically deformable arm (20), A pin header connector (2) in a first aspect, comprising a series of abutting portions (21) obtained within the support plate (8) of the corresponding module (7) and designed to receive the first teeth (19). The third aspect is Each of the series of first teeth (19) has a first inclined outer wall (22), A pin header connector (2) in a second aspect, wherein each of the series of abutting portions (21) is obtained within a body (23) that is an integral part of the support plate (8) and has a second inclined outer wall (24). The fourth aspect is A pin header connector (2) in the second or third aspect, wherein each of the series of through openings (6) has only two first teeth (19) arranged one on the right side and one on the left side, and each support plate (8) of each of the plurality of modules (7) has only two abutting portions (21) arranged one on the right side and one on the left side. The fifth aspect is A pin header connector (2) in the second, third, or fourth aspect, wherein each of the series of abutting portions (21) is arranged at a given distance from the remaining portion of the support plate (8), so that the corresponding body (23) protrudes from the support plate (8). The sixth aspect is A pin header connector (2) in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein each of the plurality of linear sliding guides (14) has a flare shape that gradually reduces its dimension as the support plate (8) of the corresponding module (7) moves forward during its insertion. The seventh aspect is A pin header connector (2) in any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein each of the plurality of modules (7) engages with the corresponding through opening (6) due to a given degree of mechanical interference, and thus only due to deformation of the module (7) and / or the peripheral frame (5). The eighth aspect is A pin header connector (2) in the seventh aspect, wherein the walls of each support plate (8) or each through opening (6) have a plurality of protrusions (26) that protrude from the walls and determine the interference between each support plate (8) and the corresponding through opening (6). The ninth aspect is A pin header connector (2) in the eighth aspect, wherein each protrusion (26) is preferably oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and has a wedge-shaped front portion. The tenth aspect is The support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) comprises at least two pressing regions (25) that form a plurality of pushing zones capable of applying a force oriented along the mounting direction (D) so as to connect the support plate (8) through the corresponding through-opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5). The pushing zone (25) is a pin header connector (2) in any one of the first to ninth aspects, which is oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and defined above a plurality of elements protruding from the support plate (8). The eleventh aspect is Each of the electrical pin contacts (4) has a linear front portion that engages with the first through-hole (9) of the corresponding support plate (8), a rear linear portion that is perpendicular to the front portion and configured to be connected to a printed circuit board, and a joint portion that connects the front portion to the rear portion. The pin header connector (2) in any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein at least one holding plate (10) is provided that is perpendicular to the support plate and has a series of second through-holes (11) that engage with the rear portion of the corresponding electrical pin contact (4). The twelfth aspect is The series of second through-holes (11) of the same holding plate (10) are engaged with the rear portions of the electrical pin contacts (4) of at least two adjacent modules (7), which is the pin header connector (2) in the eleventh aspect. The thirteenth aspect is In a mounting method for mounting the pin header connector (2) in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, The mounting method is A step of providing a peripheral frame (5), A step of providing a plurality of modules (7), A mounting method comprising a step of inserting the modules (7) one by one into the through-opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5) by pushing the modules (7) along the mounting direction (D). The fourteenth aspect is The support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) comprises at least two pushing regions (25) that are oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and defined above a plurality of elements protruding from the support plate (8). In a thirteenth aspect of the mounting method, each said module (7) is pushed into the corresponding said through-opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5) along the said mounting direction (D) by pushing only the corresponding said support plate (8) and exclusively into only the said pushing-in area (25). A fifteenth aspect is In the mounting method according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the said module (7) is fixed to the peripheral frame (5) exclusively by mechanical interlock only, thus without using adhesion or welding.

Explanation of Symbols

[0048] 1 Electronic control device 2-pin header connector 3 containers 4 electrical pin contacts 5 peripheral frame 6 through-opening 7 module 8 support plate 9 through-hole 10 holding plate 11 through-hole 12 mounting bracket 13 hook 14 linear sliding guide 15 limit stop 16 guide wall 17 guide wall 18 connection system 19 teeth 20 arm 21 abutting part 22 inclined outer wall 23 body 24 inclined outer wall 25 pushing-in area 26 protrusion D mounting direction H height

Claims

1. A pin header connector (2), wherein the pin header connector (2) comprises: A peripheral frame (5) having a series of through openings (6) at the center; A plurality of modules (7), each of which engages with a corresponding one of the series of through openings (6), the plurality of modules (7) being provided with a series of electrical pin contacts (4) and a support plate (8); The support plate (8) is made of a plastic material and has a series of first through holes (9) engaged by the corresponding series of electrical pin contacts (4); The peripheral frame (5) has a plurality of linear sliding guides (14), each of the plurality of linear sliding guides (14) being disposed in the region of the through opening (6) and designed to guide the insertion of the support plate (8) of the module (7) into the through opening (6) such that the support plate (8) can only perform a parallel movement in the mounting direction (D). The plurality of linear sliding guides (14) are provided with a limit stop (15) for terminating the insertion; An interlock connection system (18) is provided, which is activated when the support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) hits the limit stop (15). Once activated, it prevents the support plate (8) from leaving the through opening (6), thus forming a firm connection between the support plate (8) and the peripheral frame (5). In the pin header connector (2), Each of the modules (7) is completely separated and independent from other modules (7), and has no contacts with other modules (7) except for the contacts through the peripheral frame (5), and can be inserted into the peripheral frame (5) alone and completely independently of other modules (7); Each of the plurality of modules (7) engages with the corresponding through opening (6) due to a predetermined degree of mechanical interference, that is, only due to the deformation of the module (7) and / or the peripheral frame (5). A pin header connector (2) characterized by this.

2. For each of the through openings (6), the interlock connection system (18) comprises: A series of first teeth (19) protruding towards the inside of the through opening (6) and connected to the peripheral frame (5) by elastically deformable arms (20); The pin header connector (2) according to claim 1, comprising a series of abutting portions (21) obtained within the support plate (8) of the corresponding module (7) and designed to receive the first teeth (19).

3. Each of the series of first teeth (19) has a first inclined outer wall (22), The pin header connector (2) according to claim 2, wherein each of the series of abutting portions (21) is obtained within a body (23) which is an integral part of the support plate (8) and has a second inclined outer wall (24).

4. Each of the series of through openings (6) has only two first teeth (19) arranged one on the right side and one on the left side, and the support plate (8) of each of the plurality of modules (7) has only two abutting portions (21) arranged one on the right side and one on the left side. The pin header connector (2) according to claim 3.

5. The pin header connector (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the series of abutting portions (21) is arranged at a given distance from the rest of the support plate (8), so that the corresponding body (23) protrudes from the support plate (8).

6. Each of the plurality of linear sliding guides (14) has a flare shape that gradually reduces its dimensions as the support plate (8) of the corresponding module (7) moves forward during its insertion. The pin header connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The wall of each of the support plates (8) or each of the through openings (6) has a plurality of protrusions (26) that protrude from the wall and determine the interference between the corresponding support plate (8) and the through opening (6). The pin header connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The pin header connector (2) according to claim 7, wherein each of the protrusions (26) is oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and has a wedge-shaped front portion.

9. The support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) comprises at least two pushing regions (25) that constitute a plurality of pushing zones capable of applying a force oriented along the mounting direction (D) so as to connect the support plate (8) through the corresponding through opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5). The pressing-in region (25) is oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and is defined on top of a plurality of elements protruding from the support plate (8). The pin header connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Each of the electrical pin contacts (4) has a linear front portion that engages with the first through-hole (9) of the corresponding support plate (8), a linear rear portion that is perpendicular to the front portion and is configured to be connected to a printed circuit board, and a joint portion that connects the front portion to the rear portion. At least one holding plate (10) that is perpendicular to the support plate and has a series of second through-holes (11) engaged with the rear portion of the corresponding electrical pin contact (4) is provided. The pin header connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The series of second through-holes (11) of the same holding plate (10) are engaged with the rear portions of the electrical pin contacts (4) of at least two adjacent modules (7). The pin header connector (2) according to claim 10.

12. In a mounting method for mounting the pin header connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The mounting method includes A step of providing a peripheral frame (5); A step of providing a plurality of modules (7); A step of inserting the modules (7) one by one into the through-opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5) along the mounting direction (D) by pushing the modules (7) along the mounting direction (D). A mounting method.

13. The support plate (8) of each of the modules (7) is provided with at least two pressing-in regions (25) that are oriented parallel to the mounting direction (D) and are defined on top of a plurality of elements protruding from the support plate (8). Each of the modules (7) is pushed into the corresponding through-opening (6) of the peripheral frame (5) along the mounting direction (D) by pushing only the corresponding support plate (8) and exclusively into the pressing-in region (25). The mounting method according to claim 12.

14. The module (7) is fixed to the peripheral frame (5) exclusively by mechanical interlock only, and thus without using adhesion or welding. The mounting method according to claim 12 or 13.

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