Plug connector for contacting a printed circuit board

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (2) for contacting a printed circuit board (1). The plug connector (2) comprises a plug connector housing (20) with a fastening mechanism, which is arranged so as to be connectable to a shield plate, such that the shield plate can be fastened to the solder points (11) of the printed circuit board (1) and the plug connector (2) can be fastened to the printed circuit board (1) by means of the shield plate and the fastening mechanism. The plug connector (2) has a retaining plate (5) which can be connected to the plug connector housing (20) without a shield plate, the height of the retaining plate being less than the height of the plug connector housing (20). The fastening mechanism is designed so as to be connectable to the retaining plate (5), such that the retaining plate (5) can be fastened to the solder points (11) of the printed circuit board provided for the shield plate and the plug connector (2) can be fastened to the printed circuit board (1) by means of the retaining plate (5) and the fastening mechanism.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector for contacting a printed circuit board, which can be fixed to the printed circuit board via solder points. [Background technology]

[0002] Plug connectors are used to make contact with printed circuit boards. In this context, plug connectors are fixed to the printed circuit board by soldering and make electrical contact. A plug connector has a housing and several contact elements arranged within the housing. Components connected to the printed circuit board have a mating plug connector that is plugged into the plug connector on the printed circuit board. The plug connector and / or mating connector can be shielded by providing a shielding plate in the housing. The plug connector and / or mating connector do not have to be shielded.

[0003] In addition to shielding, a shielding plate can also be used to connect the connector to the printed circuit board. For this purpose, a fixing mechanism is provided on the plug connector, through which the shielding plate can be connected. To secure the shielding plate to the printed circuit board, a portion of the shielding plate is soldered to a solder point on the printed circuit board provided for this purpose, forming a materially bonded and electrically conductive connection that is robust against external influences. As a result, the plug connector is secured to the printed circuit board by the shielding plate and the fixing mechanism.

[0004] EP1251591A2 discloses such a plug connector, particularly suitable for SMD plug connections. A shielding plate is connected to the plug connector element via a latching connection and has solder lugs used to make electrical contact with the shielding plate, thereby fixing the shielding plate and therefore the plug connector element to the printed circuit board.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,080,016 discloses a device for connecting printed circuit boards. The connection socket has a housing to which a metal shield is attached to the side of the housing. The metal shield has solder pads that are fixed to the printed circuit board by soldering. In addition, the connector has further solder pads located on the side edges of the housing. The solder pads of the connector are soldered to the other printed circuit board. In the mated state of the plug connector, the solder pads of the connector are connected to the feet of the shield plate of the connection socket.

[0006] Unshielded plug connectors are typically secured to the printed circuit board via tension relief brackets. These tension relief brackets are connected to the printed circuit board via separate solder points. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The objective of this invention is to easily fix unshielded and shielded plug connectors to a printed circuit board using the same arrangement (layout) of solder points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A plug connector has been proposed for contacting a printed circuit board, comprising a plug connector housing with a fixing mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism is arranged to be connectable to a shield plate, allowing the shield plate to be fixed to a solder point on the printed circuit board, and the plug connector can be fixed to the printed circuit board by the shield plate and the fixing mechanism. Thus, the shield plate serves not only as a shield but also to fix the shielded plug connector to the printed circuit board.

[0009] According to the present invention, the plug connector has a retaining plate that can be connected to the plug connector housing without a shielding plate. The height of the retaining plate is lower than the total height of the connector housing and therefore lower than the height of the shielding plate. Due to the low height of the retaining plate, shielding by the retaining plate is not possible. However, the surface area of ​​the retaining plate is smaller compared to that of the shielding plate, and therefore less material is required for the retaining plate, resulting in material cost savings due to the unshielded deformation.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixing mechanism of the plug connector housing is positioned to be connectable to a retaining plate, which can be fixed to solder points on the printed circuit board provided for the shielding plate, and the plug connector can be fixed to the printed circuit board by the retaining plate and the fixing mechanism. The retaining plate is used to fix an unshielded plug connector to the printed circuit board.

[0011] In this process, the same solder points are used to secure the shielded plug connector by the shielding plate and to secure the unshielded plug connector to the printed circuit board by the retaining plate. This makes it possible to manufacture plug connector housings with fixing mechanisms for both variations of the plug connector, namely shielded and unshielded plug connectors. The plug connector housing can be easily manufactured in a single injection molding step in the same manufacturing process and then used for both variations, i.e., shielded or unshielded plug connectors. In addition, the printed circuit board can have the same arrangement (layout) of solder points for both variations. This offers the advantage that when mounting the plug connector to a printed circuit board, you only need to decide which variant to use. This makes configuration for the end customer considerably simpler. Another advantage is that one variant of the plug connector can be replaced with the other without needing to use different printed circuit boards.

[0012] Lowering the height of the retaining plate reduces material costs, so the goal is to make it as low as possible. However, there is a minimum height below which secure retention cannot be guaranteed. This minimum height is determined by the specifications of the plug connector. The preferred range for the retaining plate height is between half the height of the plug connector housing and one-quarter the height of the plug connector housing. Within this range, material costs are effectively saved, while the retaining force is still sufficiently high.

[0013] By eliminating the need for the precious metal layer commonly found in shielding plates from the holding plate, material costs can also be reduced.

[0014] The plug connector may be a straight plug connector, an angled plug connector, or any other type of plug connector.

[0015] There are various ways to achieve fixation, and among these possibilities, the following have been found to be particularly simple and reliable.

[0016] The fixing mechanism may have at least one first fixing element. The first fixing element is located on the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing. In the shielded variant of the plug connector, a portion of the shield plate engages with the first fixing element, and in the unshielded variant of the plug connector, a portion of the retaining plate engages with the first fixing element. Thus, both variants of the plug connector can be fixed by the same fixing element. Preferably, at least one first fixing element is located on the outside of the plug connector housing and is configured as a fixing base having an opening. The fitted fixing element of the shield plate and the fitted fixing element of the retaining plate can engage with the opening of the fixing base. The fitted fixing element may be, for example, an elongated portion extending from the shield plate or the retaining plate.

[0017] In addition, or otherwise, the fixing mechanism may have at least one second fixing element. The second fixing element is located on the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing. In the shielded variant of the plug connector, a portion of the shield plate engages with the first fixing element, and in the unshielded variant of the plug connector, a portion of the retaining plate engages with the second fixing element. Thus, both variants of the plug connector can be connected to the same fixing element. Preferably, at least one second fixing element is located inside the plug connector housing and is configured as a fixing shoulder having at least one opening. The fitted fixing element of the shield plate and the fitted fixing element of the retaining plate can engage with at least one opening in the fixing shoulder. The fixing elements of the shield plate or retaining plate are preferably no larger than the opening along their entire length in at least one spatial direction. The fixing elements of the shield plate or retaining plate are held in place by form fit and friction connection at the fixed shoulder. In this case, the shield plate or retaining plate and / or the fixing elements of the shield plate or retaining plate are preferably fitted to the fixed shoulder.

[0018] To secure the shield plate or retaining plate, it is sufficient to insert a portion of the shield plate and / or a portion of the retaining plate into at least one first fixing element or at least one second fixing element. This allows for easy cutting, detachment, or shortening of the shield plate or retaining plate. Alternatively, a portion of the shield plate and / or a portion of the retaining plate can be passed through at least one first fixing element or at least one second fixing element and soldered to the printed circuit board at a solder point provided for this purpose. This results in better retention and, in the case of the shield plate, better contact with the printed circuit board. It is advantageous that the same solder point is used for both variations.

[0019] Optionally, the fixing mechanism may have at least one third fixing element located on the plug side of the plug connector housing. “Plug side” here refers to the direction opposite to the printed circuit board, into which the mating plug connector is inserted. In a shielded variant, a complementary fixing element of the shield plate can engage with at least one third fixing element. Since the shield plate typically extends across the entire height of the plug connector housing, it is preferable that at least one third fixing element be located on the plug-side edge of the plug connector housing. Thus, at least one third fixing element provides additional fixing points for the shield plate.

[0020] In addition, the fixing mechanism can have at least one fourth fixing element arranged in the plug connector housing. In an unshielded variant, the complementary fixing element of the holding plate can engage with at least one fourth fixing element. At least one fourth fixing element is arranged in the plug connector housing such that the complementary fixing element of the holding plate can engage with at least one fourth fixing element. Thus, the height at which the fourth fixing element is arranged is determined by the height of the holding plate. Since the holding plate has a height lower than the height of the plug connector housing, at least one fourth fixing element is arranged substantially centrally on the side surface of the plug connector housing and, when using the above fixing elements, is arranged particularly between the third fixing element and the first fixing element or the second fixing element. Thus, the fourth fixing element provides an additional fixing point for the holding plate.

[0021] At least one third fixing element and / or at least one fourth fixing element can be a fixing aperture into which a hook-shaped fixing element of the shielding plate or the holding plate engages.

[0022] At least one third fixing element and / or at least one fourth fixing element can be a fixing groove into which a claw-shaped fixing element of the shielding plate or the holding plate engages.

[0023] At least one third fixing element and / or at least one fourth fixing element can be a fixing extension protruding from the placement surface, and the fixing element of the shielding plate or the holding plate has an extension receptacle which has a receiving contour directed inwards into the extension receptacle and has a clamping part that rests on the fixing surface of the fixing extension after fixing.

[0024] It is advantageous that at least one third fixing element and at least one fourth fixing element are arranged offset laterally with respect to one another. In contrast to a vertical arrangement, such an arrangement is easy to manufacture since it is practically impossible to form an undercut on the molded part. A further advantage is that it is particularly possible to avoid accidentally fixing the holding plate to at least one third fixing element.

[0025] It is preferable that the distance between some of the third fixing elements and the distance between some of the fourth fixing elements are the same. This prevents the third fixing element and the fourth fixing element from being arranged one above the other even in the case of a wide plug connector.

[0026] The fixing mechanism can have at least one fifth fixing element arranged on the outer surface of the plug connector housing. The fifth fixing element is configured as a pin. At least one opening is formed in the surfaces of the shield plate and the holding plate. When attaching the shield plate or the holding plate, each pin can be inserted into one opening of the shield plate or one opening of the holding plate. Each pin and the corresponding opening of the shield plate and the corresponding opening of the holding plate may be arranged in a matching position and positioned substantially freely.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in detail in the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is an isometric view of a printed circuit board. [Figure 2] It is an isometric view seen from the front of a first embodiment of a plug connector according to the invention having a shield plate. [Figure 3] It is an isometric view seen from the front of a first embodiment of a plug connector having a holding plate. [Figure 4]This is an isometric view from above of a first embodiment of a plug connector having a shielding plate. [Figure 5] This is an isometric view from above of a first embodiment of a plug connector having a retaining plate. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a plug connector according to a first embodiment having a shield plate. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of a plug connector according to a first embodiment, which has a retaining plate. [Figure 8] This is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a plug connector having a retaining plate and a mating plug connector having a retaining plate, which are inserted into each other. [Figure 9] This is an isometric view from the front of a second embodiment of the plug connector according to the present invention, which has a shielding plate. [Figure 10] This is an isometric view from the front of a second embodiment of a plug connector having a retaining plate. [Figure 11] This is an isometric view from the rear of a second embodiment of a plug connector having a shielding plate. [Figure 12] This is an isometric view from the rear of a second embodiment of a plug connector having a retaining plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] In the following diagrams, for the sake of a better overview, in the case of several identical elements, only one reference numeral is shown for the illustrative element.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a printed circuit board 1 having a predetermined arrangement (layout) of solder points 10, 11, 12, and 13, conforming to an embodiment of the plug connector 2 according to the present invention (see further figures). The first solder point 10 is made contact on or within the printed circuit board 1 for data transmission. The second solder point 11, the third solder point 12, and optionally the fourth solder point 13 are made contact so as to be able to provide shielding.

[0031] Figures 2 to 8 show a first embodiment of the plug connector 2 according to the present invention, configured as a straight, non-angled plug connector 2. The plug connector 2 is mounted on a 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 perpendicular to 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 a first solder point 10 on the printed circuit board 1 and are electrically in contact. The plug connector housing 20 is formed from plastic and manufactured using an injection molding process. The same plug connector housing 20 is used in the following modified forms.

[0032] Figures 2 and 4 are different perspective views of a shielded plug connector 2 according to a first embodiment, each having a first shielding plate 3 at the front and a second shielding plate 4 at the rear. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rear region of the shielded plug connector 2. The shielding plates 3 and 4 are formed from a metal or metal alloy such as copper and have a metal coating suitable for electrical contact, such as palladium, in the contact areas. In the soldering area and the area of ​​the fixing element (see below), the shielding plates 3 and 4 preferably have a tin coating. Figures 3 and 5 are different perspective views of an unshielded plug connector 2, each having a first retaining plate 5 at the front instead of the first shielding plate 3 and a second retaining plate 6 at the rear instead of the second shielding plate 4. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rear region of the unshielded plug connector 2. The retaining plates 5 and 6 are preferably formed from a metal or metal alloy such as a copper plate and have a tin coating.

[0033] The fixing of the first shield plate 3 and the first retaining plate 5 to the front of the plug connector housing 20 will be described below in relation to Figures 2 and 3.

[0034] In Figure 2, the first shield plate 3 is positioned on the front outer side of the plug connector housing 20 and extends substantially along the entire height of the side and substantially along the entire width (at least as long as the contact elements 21 are positioned behind the first shield plate 3). The first shield plate 3 has a base portion 30. In addition, the first shield plate 3 has several solder legs 31 on its underside facing the printed circuit board 1, each of which is soldered to a second solder point 11 on the printed circuit board 1. In this way, electrical contact is made between the first shield plate 3 and the printed circuit board 1, and the first shield plate 3 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1. The plug connector housing 20 has several fixing bases 22 on the front side of the printed circuit board, each of which has an opening 23. The first shield plate 3 has an elongated portion 32 between the solder legs 31 that engages with an opening 23 in the fixing base 22. The elongated portion 32 may have a fixing element (not shown) that engages with a complementary fixing element in the opening 23. This provides a first fixing of the first shield plate 3 to the plug connector housing 20. In this embodiment, the elongated portion 32 is shortened so as not to extend to the printed circuit board 1. In other embodiments, the elongated portion 32 may extend to the printed circuit board 1 and be soldered to the printed circuit board 1 at solder points provided for this purpose. A hook-shaped fixing element 34 is formed on the upper side of the first shield plate 3 and grips and engages with the fixing opening 24 provided for this purpose on the upper edge of the plug connector housing 20. This further secures the first shield plate 3 to the plug connector housing 20. In summary, the plug connector housing 20 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 via the first shield plate 3, which is soldered to the second solder point 11.

[0035] The first retaining plate 5 shown in Figure 3 is positioned on the front outer side of the plug connector housing 20 in place of the first shielding plate 3 and has a significantly lower height compared to the first shielding plate 3. In this embodiment, the height of the first retaining plate 5 is about one-third of the height of the plug connector housing 20. In addition, in this embodiment, the retaining plate 5 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the plug connector housing 20, but rather two first retaining plates 5 are provided with a gap between them. Each first retaining plate 5 has a base portion 50. In addition, the first retaining plate 5 also has several solder legs 51 on its underside, each of which is soldered to the same second solder point 11 on the printed circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 3, not all solder points are used; for example, solder point 11 below the gap. * The soldering pins remain free. The first retaining plate 5 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 by soldering the soldering pins 51 to the second soldering points 11, and as described above, the same second soldering points 11 are used, and therefore the same arrangement of soldering points can be used. Since the first retaining plate 5 does not have a shielding effect, electrical contact of the second soldering points 11 is not a problem. The first retaining plate 5 has an elongated portion 52 between the soldering pins 51, which engages with the opening 23 of the same above-mentioned fixing base 22 of the plug connector housing 20. The elongated portion 52 may also have a corresponding fixing element. This provides the first fixing of the first retaining plate 5 to the plug connector housing 20 via the same fixing base 22. Here again, the fixing base 22 is located within the gap between the two first retaining plates 5. *This can be omitted. In this embodiment, the elongated portion 32 is also shortened. In other embodiments, the elongated portion 32 may extend to the printed circuit board 1 and be soldered to the printed circuit board 1 at solder points provided for this purpose. A claw-shaped fixing element 55 is formed on the upper side of the first retaining plate 5 and engages with a fixing groove 25 provided for this purpose. The fixing groove 25 extends from the upper edge of the plug connector housing 20 to the corresponding height of the first retaining plate 5. Here again, the fixing groove 25 is located in the gap between the two first retaining plates 5. * It can be omitted. The first retaining plate 5 is further secured to the plug connector housing 20 by engaging the claw-shaped fixing element 55 with the fixing groove 25. In summary, the plug connector housing 20 is connected to the printed circuit board 1 via the first retaining plate 5, which is soldered to the same second solder point 11.

[0036] The fixing opening 24 and the fixing groove 25 are offset from each other in both height and width. Therefore, the first retaining plate 5 having the claw-shaped fixing element 55 can be accurately inserted into the fixing groove 25 without the risk of accidentally engaging it with the fixing opening 24. The offset arrangement also means that no undercuts are required for the plug connector housing 20, simplifying manufacturing. The fixing opening 24 and the fixing groove 25 are at the same distance from each other. This prevents one of the fixing grooves 25 and one of the fixing openings 24 from being aligned vertically, even in the case of a wide plug connector 2.

[0037] In further embodiments (not shown), instead of a fixing opening on the upper edge of the plug connector housing 20, and / or instead of a fixing groove in the plug connector housing 20, a fixing extension can be provided on the front side of the plug connector housing 20. In this case, the fixing elements of the shield plate 3 and / or the fixing elements of the retaining plate 5 can be configured as extension receptacles, which have an inwardly oriented receiving contour within the extension receptacle and a clamp portion that rests on the fixing surface of the fixing extension after fixing. Thus, so-called keyhole fixing can be performed.

[0038] The fixing of the second shield plate 4 and the second retaining plate 6 will be described in relation to Figures 4 to 7. Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the plug connector 2 having the second shield plate 5 and the second retaining plate 6, respectively.

[0039] In Figures 4 and 6, the second shield plate 4 is positioned inside the rear of the plug connector housing 20 and has a base portion 40 and a plurality of triangular portions 41 extending upward from the base portion 40. The base portion 40 is seated downward on a fixed shoulder portion 26 of the plug connector housing 20 and is curved according to the shape of the fixed shoulder portion 26. In addition, the second shield plate 4 has a plurality of solder legs 42, which are positioned on the curved portion of the base portion 40 and extend downward through a first opening 27 of the fixed shoulder portion 26. Each solder leg 42 is soldered to a third solder point 12 on the printed circuit board 1. This ensures, on the one hand, that the second shield plate 4 makes electrical contact with the printed circuit board 1, and on the other hand, that the second shield plate 4 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 and the plug connector housing 20. In addition, the second shield plate 4 has an elongated portion 43 between the solder legs 42, which engages with a second opening 28 of the fixing shoulder portion 26. This provides further fixation of the second shield plate 4 to the plug connector housing 20. In this embodiment, the elongated portion 43 extends through the second opening 28 and is soldered to a fourth solder point 13 on the printed circuit board 1. In a further embodiment, the elongated portion 43 may be omitted or shortened so that it is fixed only via the solder legs 42. A hook-shaped fixing element 49 is provided at the tip of the triangular portion 41 and grips and engages with a fixing recess 29 on the rear upper edge of the plug connector housing 20, where it abuts against the web. This provides further fixation of the second shield plate 4 to the connector housing 20.

[0040] The second retaining plate 6, shown in Figures 5 and 7, is positioned on the rear inner side of the plug connector housing 20 in place of the second shielding plate 4 and has a significantly lower height compared to the second shielding plate 4. In this embodiment, the height of the second retaining plate 6 is approximately one-third of the height of the plug connector housing 20. In addition, the second retaining plate 6 does not extend continuously across the entire width of the plug connector housing 20, but in this example, two second retaining plates 6 are provided with a gap between them. Each second retaining plate 6 has a base portion 60. The base portion 60 is seated downward on a fixed shoulder portion 26 of the plug connector housing 20 and is curved to correspond to the fixed shoulder portion 26. In addition, the second retaining plate 6 has several solder legs 62 positioned on the curved portion of the base portion 60 and extending downward through a first opening 27 of the fixed shoulder portion 26. The solder legs 62 are soldered to the same third solder point 12 on the printed circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 7, not all openings and solder points are used; for example, the opening 27 in the gap. * and solder point 12 below the gap *The soldering pins 62 are left unused. The second retaining plate 6 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 by soldering the soldering pins 62 to the third soldering point 13, and as mentioned above, the same third soldering point 12 is used, and therefore the same arrangement of soldering points can be used. In addition, this fixes the second retaining plate 6 to the plug connector housing 20. Since the second retaining plate 6 does not have a shielding effect, electrical contact of the third soldering point 12 is not a problem. The second retaining plate 6 has an elongated portion 63 between the solder legs 62, which engages with the same second opening 28 of the fixing shoulder 26 and is soldered to the same fourth solder point 13. This provides further fastening of the second retaining plate 6 to the plug connector housing 20 via the same fixing shoulder 26. In a further embodiment, the elongated portion 43 may be omitted or shortened so that fastening is performed only via the solder legs 62.

[0041] Figure 8 shows plug connector 2 and mating plug connector 102 plugged into each other. This connects two printed circuit boards 1 and 101 together. Plug connector 2 and mating plug connector 102 are constructed in the same manner and can be plugged into each other. The plug connector housing 20 of plug connector 2 and the housing 120 of mating plug connector 102 are compatible with each other and can be plugged into each other, so that the contact elements 21 of plug connector 2 are received and made contact with the mating plug connector 102, and the contact elements 121 of the mating plug connector 102 are received and made contact with plug connector 2. Plug connector 2 is connected to the printed circuit board 1 via retaining plates 5 and 6, as described above. The mating plug connector 102 is similarly connected to another printed circuit board 101 via retaining plates 105 and 106. As described above, the first retaining plate 105 has a base portion 150 and solder legs 151 connected to the base portion 150, by which the first retaining plate 105 is soldered to solder points (not shown) on the printed circuit board 101, which are provided to contact the shield plate of the mating plug connector 102. Similarly, the second retaining plate 106 has a base portion 160 curved to fit a fixed shoulder portion (not shown) and solder legs 162 connected to the base portion 160, by which the second retaining plate 106 is soldered to further solder points (not shown) on the printed circuit board 101, which are also provided to contact the shield plate of the mating plug connector 102.

[0042] Figures 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the plug connector 200 according to the present invention, configured as an angled plug connector 200. In this embodiment, the plug connector 200 is angled at 90°. The plug connector 200 is mounted on a printed circuit board 1 and has a plug connector housing 220 and a contact element 221. In the angled plug connector 200 according to the second embodiment, it is preferable that the contact element 221 is mounted perpendicularly to the printed circuit board 1 and angled at a predetermined height. In the mounted state, the contact element 221 is soldered to a first solder point 10 on the printed circuit board 1 and is electrically in contact. The plug connector housing 220 is formed from plastic and manufactured by an injection molding process. In a second embodiment, the plug connector housing 220 is angled accordingly. A further plug connector (not shown here) can then be inserted into the plug connector 200 from the side parallel to the printed circuit board. The same plug connector housing 220 is used in the following variations.

[0043] Figures 9 and 11 show different perspective views of a shielded plug connector 200 according to a second embodiment, each having a lower angled third shielding plate 203 and a rear and upper angled fourth shielding plate 204, respectively. The shielding plates 203 and 204 are formed from a metal or metal alloy such as copper and have a metal coating suitable for electrical contact, such as palladium, in the contact areas. In the soldering area and the area of ​​the fixing element (see below), the shielding plates 203 and 204 preferably have a tin coating. Figures 10 and 12 show different perspective views of an unshielded plug connector 200, each having a lower angled third retaining plate 205 instead of the third shielding plate 203 and a rear fourth retaining plate 206 instead of the fourth shielding plate 204, respectively. The retaining plates 205 and 206 are formed from a metal or metal alloy such as copper and preferably have a tin coating.

[0044] The following describes how the third shield plate 203 and the third retaining plate 205 are fixed to the front and bottom sides of the plug connector housing 220, with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0045] In Figure 9, the third shield plate 203 is angled and positioned on the lower and front outer side of the plug connector housing 220. The third shield plate 203 has a base portion positioned on the underside of the plug connector housing 220, but is not visible. The base portion of the third shield plate 203 extends substantially across the entire depth of the underside of the plug connector housing 220 and (at least as far as the contact elements 21 are positioned behind the third shield plate 203) substantially across its entire width. In addition, the third shield plate 203 has several solder legs 231, which are angled downward from the base portion at the rear and extend along the lower front side of the plug connector housing 220. Each solder leg 231 is soldered to a second solder point 11 on the printed circuit board 1. This achieves, on the one hand, electrical contact between the third shield plate 203 and the printed circuit board 1, and on the other hand, fixation of the third shield plate 203 to the printed circuit board 1. In an embodiment (not shown), as described in the first embodiment and shown in Figure 2, the third shield plate 203 can be fixed to the plug connector housing 220 by an elongated portion passing through a fixing base having an opening. The hook-shaped fixing element 234 is formed on the upper front side of the base portion of the third shield plate 203 and grips and engages with a fixing opening 224 provided for this purpose on the front edge of the plug connector housing 220. This secures the third shield plate 203 to the plug connector housing 220. In summary, the plug connector housing 220 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 via the third shield plate 203, which is soldered to the second solder point 11.

[0046] In Figure 10, the third retaining plate 205 is positioned on the lower and front outer side of the plug connector housing 220 in place of the third shielding plate 203. Each third retaining plate 205 has a base portion positioned on the underside of the plug connector housing 220, but it is not visible. In this embodiment, the base portion of the third retaining plate 205 does not extend across the entire underside, but covers one-third of the depth of the underside. In addition, in this embodiment, the retaining plates 205 do not extend continuously across the entire width of the plug connector housing 20, but rather two third retaining plates 205 are provided with a gap between them. In addition, each third retaining plate 205 has several solder legs 251, which are angled downward from the base portion at the rear and extend along the lower front side of the plug connector housing 220. Each solder leg 231 is soldered to the same second solder point 11 on the printed circuit board 1. As shown in Figure 10, not all solder points are used; for example, the solder point 11 below the gap.* The soldering pins remain unused. The third retaining plate 205 is fixed to the printed circuit board 1 by soldering the soldering pins 251 to the second soldering points 11, and as described above, the same second soldering points 11 are used, and therefore the same arrangement of soldering points can be used. Since the third retaining plate 205 does not have a shielding effect, electrical contact of the second soldering points 11 is not a problem. The third retaining plate 205 may also have an elongated portion that engages with the same opening of the fixing base of the plug connector housing 220, and the third retaining plate 205 is fixed to the plug connector housing 220 via the same fixing base. Here again, the fixing base located in the gap between the two third retaining plates 205 can be omitted. A claw-shaped fixing element (not shown) is formed on the front side of the base portion of the angled third retaining plate 205 and engages with a fixing groove 225 provided for this purpose. The fixing groove 225 extends from its leading edge to the corresponding depth of the third retaining plate 205 on the underside of the plug connector housing 220. Here again, the fixing groove 225 located in the gap between the two third retaining plates 205 * This can be omitted. The first retaining plate 205 is further secured to the plug connector housing 220 by engaging the claw-shaped fixing element with the fixing groove 225. In summary, the plug connector housing 20 is connected to the printed circuit board 1 via the third retaining plate 205, which is soldered to the same second solder point 11.

[0047] The fixing openings 224 and fixing grooves 225 are offset from each other in both height and width. Therefore, the third retaining plate 205 having claw-shaped fixing elements can be accurately inserted into the fixing grooves 225 without the risk of accidentally engaging with the fixing openings 224. The offset arrangement also means that undercutting is not required for the plug connector housing 220, simplifying manufacturing. The fixing openings 224 and fixing grooves 225 are at the same distance from each other. This prevents one of the fixing grooves 225 and one of the fixing openings 224 from being aligned vertically, even in the case of a wide plug connector 200.

[0048] In further embodiments (not shown), instead of a fixing opening at the upper edge of the plug connector housing 220, and / or instead of a fixing groove in the plug connector housing 220, a fixing extension can be provided on the underside of the plug connector housing 220. In this case, the fixing elements of the shield plate 203 and / or the fixing elements of the retaining plate 205 can be configured as extension receptacles, which have an inwardly oriented receiving contour within the extension receptacle and a clamp portion that rests on the fixing surface of the fixing extension after fixing. Thus, so-called keyhole fixing can be performed.

[0049] The fixing of the fourth shield plate 204 and the fourth retaining plate 206 to the rear and top sides of the plug connector housing will be described below in relation to Figures 11 and 12, and in relation to Figures 9 and 10.

[0050] In Figure 11, the fourth shield plate 204 is angled and positioned on the rear and upper outer side of the plug connector housing 220. The fourth shield plate has a base portion 240 positioned on the rear side of the plug connector housing 220 and an angled portion 241 that is angled toward the base portion 240 at the upper edge of the base portion 240 and extends along the upper side of the plug connector. The base portion 240 of the third shield plate 204 extends substantially the entire height at the rear and substantially the entire width (at least as long as the contact elements 21 are positioned behind the third shield plate 204). The angled portion 241 of the third shield plate 241 extends to the raised portion 227 of the plug connector housing 220 over its entire upper width (at least as long as the contact elements 21 are positioned behind the third shield plate 204). In addition, the fourth shield plate 204 has several solder legs 242 positioned on the base portion 240. Each solder leg 242 is soldered to a third solder point 12 on the printed circuit board 1. This provides, on the one hand, electrical contact between the fourth shield plate 204 and the printed circuit board 1, and on the other hand, fixation of the fourth shield plate 204 to the printed circuit board 1. Furthermore, the fourth shield plate 204 has several openings 246 in the lower third of the surface of the base portion 240. Pins 226 are positioned on the rear side of the plug connector housing 220, protruding outward and engaging with the openings 246 of the fourth shield plate 204. This provides first fixation of the fourth shield plate to the plug connector housing 220. The angled portion 241 has a hook-shaped fixing element 249, which is guided through an opening 228 in a raised portion 227 of the plug connector housing 220, and on the opposite side, as shown in Figure 9, grips and engages with a fixing recess 229 on the upper front edge of the plug connector housing 20, where it abuts against the web. In this way, further fastening of the fourth shield plate 204 to the plug connector housing 220 is achieved.

[0051] The fourth holding plate 206 shown in FIG. 12 is arranged on the rear side of the plug connector housing 20 instead of the fourth shield plate 204. When the fourth holding plate 206 is used, the upper side of the plug connector 200 is only closed by the plug connector housing 220 and is not covered by a metal plate. The fourth holding plate 206 has a significantly lower height compared to the base portion 240 of the fourth shield plate 204. In the present embodiment, the height of the fourth holding plate 206 is approximately one-third of the height of the rear plug connector housing 220. Further, the fourth holding plate 206 does not extend continuously over the entire width of the plug connector housing 220. In this example, two fourth holding plates 206 are provided with a gap therebetween. Each fourth holding plate 206 has a base portion 260. In addition, the fourth holding plate 206 has a plurality of solder foot portions 262 arranged on the base portion 260. Each of the solder foot portions 262 is soldered to the third solder point 12 of the printed circuit board 1. As shown in FIG. 12, not all of the solder points are used. For example, the solder points 12 under the gap * remain unused. By soldering the solder foot portions 262 to the third solder point 13, the fixing of the fourth holding plate 206 to the printed circuit board 1 is achieved. As described above, the same third solder point 12 is used, and thus the same arrangement of the solder points can be used. Since the fourth holding plate 206 does not have a shielding effect, the electrical contact of the third solder point 12 is not a problem. Furthermore, the fourth holding plate 206 also has several openings 266 formed on the surface of the base portion 260 and arranged at the same position as the openings 246 of the shield plate 204 with respect to the solder foot portions 262. Therefore, the pins 226 on the rear side of the plug connector housing also engage with the openings 266 of the fourth holding plate 206. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, not all of the pins are used. For example, the pins 226 within the gap *It remains unused. In this way, the fourth retaining plate 206 is secured to the plug connector housing 220.

Claims

1. A plug connector (2; 200) for contacting a printed circuit board (1), In a plug connector comprising a plug connector housing (20, 220) having a fixing mechanism, wherein the fixing mechanism is arranged to be connectable to shield plates (3, 4, 203, 204), the shield plates (3, 4, 203, 204) can be fixed to solder points (11, 12, 13) of the printed circuit board (1), and the plug connector (2, 200) can be fixed to the printed circuit board (1) by the shield plates (3, 4, 203, 204) and the fixing mechanism, The plug connector (2, 200) has retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) that can be connected to the plug connector housing (20, 220) without the shielding plates (3, 4, 203, 204), the height of the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) is lower than the height of the plug connector housing (20, 200), and the height of the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) is lower than the height of the shielding plates (3, 4, 203, 204), The fixing mechanism is arranged to be connectable to the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) and can fix the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) to the solder points (11, 12, 13) of the printed circuit board (1) provided for the shielding plates (3, 4, 203, 204), and the plug connectors (2, 200) can be fixed to the printed circuit board (1) by the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) and the fixing mechanism. A plug connector (2, 200) characterized in that the height of the retaining plates (5, 6, 205, 206) is between half the height of the plug connector housing (20, 200) and one-quarter of the height of the plug connector housing (20, 200).

2. The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing mechanism has at least one first fixing element and / or at least one second fixing element disposed on the printed circuit board side of the plug connector housing (20, 200), and a portion of the shield plate (3, 4, 203, 204) and a portion of the retaining plate (5, 6, 205, 206) can engage with the first fixing element and / or the second fixing element.

3. The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first fixing element is positioned outside the plug connector housing (20, 200) and is configured as a fixing base (22) having an opening (23), and a fixing element (32) of the shield plate (3, 203) that fits the shield plate (3, 203) and a fixing element (52) of the retaining plate (5, 205) that fits the retaining plate (5, 205) can engage with the opening (23).

4. The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one second fixing element is disposed inside the plug connector housing (20) and is configured as a fixing shoulder (26) having at least one opening (27, 28), and the fixing elements (42, 43) of the shield plate (4) that are fitted to the shield plate (4) and the fixing elements (62, 63) of the retaining plate (6) that are fitted to the retaining plate (6) can engage with the opening (27, 28), the fixing elements (62, 63) are larger than the opening (27, 28) in at least one spatial direction and are held in place by shape fitting and friction engagement on the fixing shoulder (26).

5. The plug connector (2,200) according to claim 3, characterized in that a portion (43) of the shield plate (4) and / or a portion (63) of the retaining plate (6) can be passed through the at least one first fixing element (22) or the at least one second fixing element (26), and can be soldered to a solder point (13) of the printed circuit board (1).

6. The plug connector (2,200) according to claim 4, characterized in that a portion (43) of the shield plate (4) and / or a portion (63) of the retaining plate (6) can be passed through the at least one first fixing element (22) or the at least one second fixing element (26), and can be soldered to a solder point (13) of the printed circuit board (1).

7. The fixing mechanism is At least one third fixing element disposed on the plug side of the plug connector housing (20, 220), the third fixing element being capable of engaging with a complementary fixing element of the shield plate (3, 203), At least one fourth fixing element disposed in the plug connector housing (20, 220), wherein at least one fourth fixing element can engage with a complementary fixing element of the retaining plate (5, 205) and The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

8. The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fixing element and / or the at least one fourth fixing element is a fixing opening (24, 224) into which a hook-shaped fixing element (34, 234) engages.

9. The plug connector (2, 200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fixing element and / or the at least one fourth fixing element is a fixing groove (25, 225) into which the claw-shaped fixing element (35) engages.

10. The plug connector (2,200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one third fixing element and the at least one fourth fixing element are arranged to be laterally offset from each other.

11. The plug connector (2,200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance between a plurality of third fixing elements and the distance between a plurality of fourth fixing elements are equal to each other.

12. The plug connector (2,200) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fixing mechanism includes at least one fifth fixing element disposed on the outer surface of the plug connector housing (220), the fifth fixing element being a pin (226) that can be inserted into an opening (246) of the shield plate (204) or an opening (266) of the retaining plate (206).

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