Plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention describes and presents a plug-in connector (1) for contacting a mating plug, wherein the plug-in connector (1) has a housing (2), wherein contact elements (10) for contacting mating contact elements of the mating plug are arranged in the housing (2), wherein the plug-in connector (1) has at least one first shielding plate (4), wherein the first shielding plate (4) has at least one contact tongue (5) for contacting the mating plug. The problem of specifying a plug-in connector that provides a particularly secure connection to a mating plug is substantially solved in that the at least one contact tongue (5) has a contact region (6), and in that the contact region (6) is arranged so as to lead with respect to the contact elements (10) of the plug-in connector (1) in the plug-in direction of the mating plug.

Description

[0001] connectors

[0002] The invention relates to a connector for contacting a mating connector, wherein the connector has a preferably insulating housing, wherein contact elements for contacting mating contact elements of the mating connector are arranged in the housing, wherein the connector has at least one first shielding plate, wherein the first shielding plate has at least one contact tongue for contacting the mating connector.

[0003] For example, the connector is a connector for contacting a mating connector with a printed circuit board. In this case, the shielding plate further comprises at least one connection area for contacting the printed circuit board, in particular for contacting the ground contacts of the printed circuit board.

[0004] Connectors with shielding plates for shielding the signal contacts from electromagnetic interference and / or for dissipating interference currents are known from the prior art. These shielding plates feature contact tabs through which the mating connector is contacted simultaneously with the contact elements of the connector.

[0005] For example, the contact tongues are designed as spring tongues punched out of the shielding plate.

[0006] The publication DE 10 2018 127 814 A1 relates to a connector with a housing and a shielding plate designed and arranged to shield the contact to be received by the connector. The shielding plate is held to the housing by a locking hook.

[0007] The document EP 3 637 556 A1 relates to an angled connector with a housing and with a first shield and a second shield forming a shielded channel.

[0008] Connectors with shielding plates are also known from the published documents DE 10 2005 059 990 A1 and EP 1 251 591 A1.

[0009] Based on the prior art described, it is the object of the invention to provide a connector that provides a particularly secure connection with a mating connector.

[0010] According to a first teaching of the present invention, the aforementioned object is achieved by a connector described above in that the at least one contact tongue has a contact area, and the contact area is arranged leading the contact elements of the connector in the plugging direction of the mating connector. This contact tongue is also referred to below as a leading contact tongue.

[0011] When it is said that the contact area is arranged in advance of the contact elements of the connector in the plug-in direction of the mating connector, this means that the contact area contacts the mating connector before the contact elements.

[0012] Optionally, the contact area can also be positioned in advance of the contact elements, at the same height as the contact elements, or even behind the contact elements in the plug-in direction. This depends in particular on the design of the mating connector.

[0013] According to the invention, it was recognized that a particularly secure electrical connection can be provided by establishing the shielding contact during insertion of the mating connector into the connector, so that the shielding contact is already established when the mating contact elements touch the contact elements of the connector. This already ensures shielding, and fault currents during or due to contact are diverted.

[0014] Such a shielding plate can be easily punched, cut and then bent from a sheet of metal.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the connector, the housing has a recess for at least partially accommodating the leading contact tongue. According to an advantageous embodiment of the connector, the at least one leading contact tongue is arranged at least partially in the recess of the housing. Particularly preferably, the contact region is arranged at least partially in the recess.

[0016] This design has the advantage that the leading contact tongue, particularly in the contact area, is protected from mechanical damage, for example by a tool or the mating connector, despite the exposed position of this contact tongue.

[0017] For example, the material thickness of the shielding plate is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular approximately 0.2 mm. Such a thin material thickness makes the shielding plate, and in particular the molded contact tongue, very fragile and thus susceptible to mechanical damage.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the contact area is curved or bent. The curved or bent design further increases the stability of the contact tongue in the contact area. Specifically, the contact area is curved or bent in such a way that inserting a tool between the contact tongue and the housing is prevented or at least made more difficult. For this purpose, the curved or bent area preferably extends into the recess of the housing.

[0019] Particularly advantageously, the curvature or bend is circular or circular-arc-shaped, wherein the central angle of the circular-arc-shaped formation is at least 90°.

[0020] Preferably, the center angle is between 95° and 270°, more preferably between 145° and 225°, particularly preferably the center angle is approximately 180°.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the shielding plate has at least one contact tongue, the contact area of ​​which is arranged leading the contact elements in the plug-in direction of the mating connector. Furthermore, the shielding plate has at least one contact tongue, the contact area of ​​which is arranged behind the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue in the plug-in direction of the mating connector, preferably so that the further contact tongue contacts the mating connector essentially at the same time as the contact elements. In the plugged-in state, both the at least one leading contact tongue and the at least one further contact tongue contact the mating connector.This design has the advantage that, on the one hand, the shielding contact is established as early as possible and, on the other hand, the at least one contact tongue located further back is particularly well protected against mechanical damage, so that overall a particularly secure shielding contact is ensured.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue is designed such that the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue and the contact area of ​​the at least one further contact tongue are arranged in a plane parallel to the plugging direction of the mating connector. According to this embodiment, the contact areas extend the same distance into the housing. In detail, the leading contact tongue has the same spring travel when contacting the mating connector as the at least one further contact tongue, thus, with regard to the spring action, it is designed essentially the same as the at least one further contact tongue.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue is designed such that the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue and the contact area of ​​the at least one further contact tongue lie in a plane that is not parallel to the plugging direction of the mating connector. According to this embodiment, the contact areas extend into the housing to different depths. Furthermore, the at least two contact tongues preferably differ in their spring action.

[0024] A configuration in which the contact areas of all contact tongues of the shielding plate are arranged leading in the plug-in direction relative to the contact elements is also advantageous. According to this configuration, it is particularly advantageous if the contact areas of the leading contact tongues are arranged in corresponding recesses in the connector housing, thus protecting them from mechanical damage.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the shielding plate has at least one fastening tongue for fastening the shielding plate to the housing, wherein the housing has at least one fastening recess, and wherein the fastening tongue is inserted into the fastening recess. Particularly preferably, the fastening recess can be slightly smaller than the fastening tongue, so that the fastening tongue is pressed into the fastening recess and a frictional connection is established in the connected state.

[0026] For example, the fastening tongue is cranked so that it can be inserted particularly easily into the fastening recess.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the fastening tongue of the shielding plate and the fastening recess are aligned in such a way that the shielding plate is pushed into the housing for assembly from the side facing away from the mating connector, i.e. exactly opposite to the plug-in direction of the mating connector.

[0028] A particularly secure fastening of the shielding plate in the housing can be ensured in that the shielding plate has at least two fastening tongues, wherein preferably one fastening tongue is arranged to the left of the leading contact tongue and wherein one fastening tongue is arranged to the right of the leading contact tongue.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the wall thickness of the housing is increased in the area of ​​the leading contact tongue. This allows, on the one hand, a recess for the leading contact tongue to be created, which in particular adequately protects the contact area. On the other hand, the mounting recess(es) for attaching the shielding plate can be arranged in the area with increased wall thickness. This embodiment ensures a particularly secure arrangement of the shielding plate in the connector housing. Furthermore, the connection of the shielding plate to the housing is advantageously arranged in the area of ​​the leading contact tongue.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one second shielding plate is provided, wherein the second shielding plate is arranged on the side of the housing opposite the first shielding plate, and wherein the second shielding plate also has at least one contact tongue, the contact area of ​​which is arranged leading the contact elements in the plug-in direction of the mating connector. This embodiment ensures particularly good shielding of the electrical connection established by the plug-in connection, since the shielding occurs from two sides.

[0031] For example, the first shielding plate and / or the second shielding plate is designed as an angled shielding plate. According to this embodiment, the connector is also an angled connector, i.e., the contact elements are designed as angled contact elements. The two-part shield preferably forms a shielding channel.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a connector, wherein the connector is designed according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0033] For assembly, at least one shielding plate is inserted into the housing from the side facing away from the mating connector, i.e., exactly opposite the mating connector's insertion direction. If at least one mounting tab and at least one mounting recess are present, the shielding plate is pushed into the housing until the mounting tab is positioned in the mounting recess.

[0034] If several shielding plates are present, the additional shielding plates are preferably also inserted into the housing as described above.

[0035] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and developing the connector according to the invention. Reference is made to the dependent claims subordinate to the independent claim, as well as to the exemplary embodiments described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0036] In the drawing show

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a connector,

[0038] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a shielding plate,

[0039] Fig. 3 the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 from behind,

[0040] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in 3D view, Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a connector in plan view of the plug face and

[0041] Fig. 6 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 in cross section along the line CC.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a connector 1. The connector 1 comprises an insulating plastic housing 2 in which the contact elements 10 are arranged for contacting mating contact elements of a mating connector. For this purpose, a block 3 is provided in which the contact elements 10 are arranged and which separates or insulates the contact elements.

[0043] Furthermore, two shielding plates 4 are arranged in the housing 2. These shield the electrical connection established by the connector 1 against electromagnetic interference fields and divert interference currents. For this purpose, the shielding plates 4 have contact tabs 5, which contact the mating connector with their contact area 6. Furthermore, the shielding plates 4 have connection areas for connecting to the grounding contact of a printed circuit board. The connector 1 shown is therefore a connector for connecting a mating connector to a printed circuit board.

[0044] The lower shielding plate 4 has three contact tongues 5 for contacting the mating connector. The contact area 6 of the two outer contact tongues 5 is arranged such that these contact tongues contact the mating connector at approximately the same time as the contact elements 10. The middle contact tongue 5 contacts the mating connector earlier during insertion. The contact area 6 is thus arranged in advance of the contact elements 10 of the connector 1. In particular, the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue is also arranged in advance of the contact areas 6 of the other two contact tongues 5 in the plug-in direction.

[0045] The housing 2 has a recess 7 in which the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 is partially received. The contact area 6 is curved, bent, or rolled toward the housing 2 in such a way that it is difficult to insert a tool, for example, between the contact area 6 and the housing 2. Due to the curved or bent design and the arrangement of the contact area 6 in the recess 7, the leading contact tongue 5 is particularly well protected.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a shielding plate 4. The shielding plate 4 has a total of three contact tongues 5. The two outer contact tongues 5 are arranged such that, when installed in the connector housing 2, they contact the mating connector at approximately the same time as the contact elements 10. The middle contact tongue 5 is arranged such that, when installed, it is arranged in advance of the contact elements 10 in the plug-in direction of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements 10, so that the middle contact tongue 5 with its contact area 6 already contacts the mating connector upon insertion and the shielding contact already exists when the mating contact elements touch the contact elements 10.

[0047] Next to the leading contact tongue 5, fastening tongues 8 are arranged, which are pushed into a corresponding fastening recess of the housing 2 for fastening the shielding plate 4.

[0048] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the leading contact tongue 5 is shorter than the two contact tongues 5 further back in the plugging direction.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows the rear view of the shielding plate 4 shown in Fig. 2. The central, leading contact blade 5 is shorter than the two edge contact blades 5. Furthermore, the contact area 6 of the leading contact blade 5 has a bend greater than 180°. This increases the overall stability of the leading contact blade 5, particularly in the contact area 6.

[0050] In addition to the described contact tabs 5, the connection area 9 of the shielding plate 4 to a printed circuit board is also shown. The connection area 9 is located on the side of the shielding plate 4 opposite the contact tabs 5.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows the shielding plate 4 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in a 3D view. The curved contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 is clearly visible here. The offset fastening tongues 8 are arranged next to the leading contact tongue 5. The connection area 9 to the circuit board is arranged at the rear end. Fig. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a connector 1 in a plan view of the mating face. In particular, two shielding plates 4 are shown, each with a leading contact tongue 5, wherein the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 is arranged in a corresponding recess 7 in each case.

[0052] Furthermore, it can be seen that the contact areas 6 of the contact tongues 5 arranged at the edge protrude further into the interior of the housing 2 than the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 in a sectional view along line CC and the plugging direction 11 of the mating connector. The rolled contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 can be seen, which is partially arranged in the recess 7. Because the rolled contact area 6 extends into the recess 7, accidental insertion or bending of the leading contact tongue 5 by a tool can be essentially prevented. The center angle of the circular arc-shaped design of the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue 5 is approximately 270° in the exemplary embodiment illustrated.

[0054] Despite its exposed position, such a sensitive contact tongue 5 is optimally protected by the described arrangement.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 is arranged at approximately the same height as the contact elements 10 in the plug-in direction. However, with respect to the remaining contact tongues 5, the leading contact tongue is arranged spatially in front of the other contact tongues 5 in the plug-in direction, so that the leading contact tongue 5 contacts the mating connector before the contact elements 10.

[0056] The position of the leading contact area ensures particularly secure shielding of the electrical connection between the contact elements and mating contact elements of a mating connector. Reference symbol

[0057] 1 connector

[0058] 2 housings

[0059] 3 Block 4 Shielding plate

[0060] 5 Contact tongue

[0061] 6 Contact area

[0062] 7 Recess of the housing

[0063] 8 Fastening tongue 9 Connection area

[0064] 10 Contact element

[0065] 11 Plugging direction of the mating connector

Claims

Patent claims 1. Plug connector (1) for contacting a mating connector, the plug connector (1) having a housing (2), contact elements (10) for contacting mating contact elements of the mating connector being arranged in the housing (2), the plug connector (1) having at least one first shielding plate (4), the first shielding plate (4) having at least one contact tongue (5) for contacting the mating connector, characterized in that the at least one contact tongue (5) has a contact area (6) and that the contact area (6) is arranged in advance of the contact elements (10) of the plug connector (1) in the plugging direction (11) of the mating connector.

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one leading contact tongue (5), in particular the contact region (6) of the contact tongue (5), is arranged at least partially in a recess (7) of the housing.

3. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the contact area (6) is curved or bent.

4. Connector (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the curvature or bend is circular or circular arc-shaped, wherein the central angle of the circular arc-shaped formation is at least 90 0 amounts.

5. Connector (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the central angle of the circular arc-shaped configuration is between 95° and 270°, preferably between 145° and 225°, particularly preferably approximately 180°.

6. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one contact tongue (5) whose contact area is arranged in advance in the plug-in direction of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements, and in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one contact tongue (5), whose contact area (6) is arranged behind the contact area (6) of the leading contact tongue (5) in the plug-in direction (11) of the mating connector, preferably so that the further contact tongue (5) contacts the mating connector substantially at the same time as the contact elements (10).

7. Connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact area (6) of the leading contact tongue (5) is designed such that the contact area (6) of the leading contact tongue (5) and the contact area (6) of the at least one further contact tongue (5) are arranged in a plane parallel to the plugging direction (11) of the mating connector.

8. Plug connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact area (6) of the leading contact tongue (5) is designed such that the contact area (6) of the leading contact tongue (5) and the contact area (6) of the at least one further contact tongue (5) lie in a plane which is not arranged parallel to the plugging direction of the mating plug.

9. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact areas (6) of all contact tongues (5) of a shielding plate (4) are arranged in advance in the plugging direction (11) of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements.

10. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one fastening tongue (8) which is inserted into a fastening recess of the housing (2) for fastening the shielding plate (4) to the housing (2).

11. Connector (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening tongue (8) of the shielding plate (4) and the recess in the housing (2) are aligned such that the shielding plate (4) is pushed into the housing (2) from the side facing away from the mating connector for assembly.

12. Connector (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) has at least two fastening tongues (8) which are arranged to the left and right of the leading contact tongue (5).

13. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one second shielding plate (4) is present, wherein the second shielding plate (4) is arranged on the side of the housing (2) opposite the first shielding plate (4), and wherein the second shielding plate (4) also has at least one contact tongue (5), the contact region (6) of which is arranged leading in the plugging direction (11) of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements (10).

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