Plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention describes and presents a plug-in connector (1) for making contact with a mating plug, wherein the plug-in connector (1) has a housing (2), wherein contact elements for making contact with 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 making contact with the mating contact elements of the mating plug. The problem of specifying a plug-in connector which provides a particularly secure connection to a mating plug is achieved in that the at least one contact tongue (5) has a contact region (6), wherein the contact region (6) is arranged so as to lead with respect to the contact elements of the plug-in connector (1) in the plug-in direction (12) 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 and 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 contact area for contacting the printed circuit board, in particular the ground contacts of the printed circuit board.

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

[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 shielding channel.

[0008] Connectors with shielding plates are also known from the published patent applications 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 region, wherein the contact region 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 contacting the contact elements are diverted.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the connector, the shielding plate has a tab, for example a fastening tab. If the tab is designed as a fastening tab, the shielding plate is positively connected to the housing via the fastening tab. For example, the tab designed as a fastening tab forms a snap-in connection with the housing, ensuring that the shielding plate cannot slip out of the housing. The tab does not necessarily have to be designed as a fastening tab. It is also conceivable that the tab is designed and arranged in such a way that it exclusively performs the mechanical protective function described below.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the at least one tab, in particular the fastening tab, is arranged in the region of the leading contact tongue, wherein the tab is arranged in front of the leading contact tongue in the plugging direction of the mating connector. The tab thus projects beyond the leading contact tongue, so that the leading contact tongue is protected from external mechanical damage by the tab.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the leading contact tongue, in particular the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue, is at least partially punched out of the tab, in particular before the tab is bent over. The material of the leading contact tongue, in particular the contact area, can thus be obtained from the tab.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the tab has a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the tab is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the at least one leading contact tongue. The tab preferably projects beyond the leading contact tongue on both sides, thus providing particularly good protection against, for example, the penetration of tools in the area of ​​the leading contact tongue.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the connector, the tab has a recess, wherein the leading contact tongue is arranged at least partially in the recess. In particular, the contact area of ​​the leading contact tongue is arranged at least partially in the recess. Particularly preferably, the contact area is partially surrounded by the tab, wherein the contact area further protrudes into the housing in such a way that it contacts the mating connector upon insertion.

[0019] This design has the advantage that the leading contact tongue is particularly well protected against damage caused by a tool or the mating connector. 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 results in the shielding plate, and in particular the molded contact tongue, being very fragile and thus susceptible to mechanical damage.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the contact area is curved or bent. This curved or bent design further increases the stability of the contact tongue. In particular, accidental bending, for example, by a tool, can be largely prevented.

[0021] Particularly advantageously, the curvature or bend is circular or circular-arc-shaped, wherein the central angle of a circular-arc-shaped formation is at least 90°.

[0022] Preferably, the center angle is between 95° and 270°, more preferably between 145° and 225°, particularly preferably the center angle is approximately 180°.

[0023] 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 embodiment ensures particularly reliable shielding from interference fields and particularly reliable discharge of interference currents.In addition, this design has the advantage that, on the one hand, the shielding connection is established early and, on the other hand, that the at least one contact tongue located further back is particularly well protected against mechanical damage due to its position far inside the housing.

[0024] According to a further 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] A further embodiment of the connector is characterized in that the contact areas of all contact tongues of the shielding plate are arranged leading the contact elements in the mating direction of the mating connector. According to this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if the tab either extends beyond all contact tongues or if a plurality of tabs are provided, so that each leading contact tongue is protected by a tab, in particular a fastening tab.

[0027] To attach the shielding plate to the housing, the shielding plate is inserted into the housing in the direction of insertion of the mating connector. The fastening tab, designed as a fastening lug, secures the shielding plate to the edge of the housing facing the mating connector.

[0028] According to a next 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 region of which is arranged leading in the plug-in direction of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements. This embodiment ensures particularly good shielding of the electrical connection realized by the plug-in connection. For example, the first shielding plate and / or the second shielding plate is designed as an angled shielding plate. According to this embodiment, the plug-in connector is also an angled plug-in connector. The shielding on both sides preferably creates a shielding channel.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling a connector designed according to at least one of the previously described embodiments. For assembly, the at least one shielding plate is inserted into the housing in the plugging direction of the mating connector until it is secured to the housing by a positive connection, in particular by a snap-in connection, with the tab designed as a fastening tab.

[0030] If at least two shielding plates are present, these are preferably also inserted into the housing in the plug-in direction until the shielding plates are positively fixed in the housing.

[0031] 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.

[0032] In the drawing show

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a connector,

[0034] Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the shielding plate in the area of ​​the fastening tab,

[0035] Fig. 3 an embodiment of a shielding plate,

[0036] Fig. 4 the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 from behind,

[0037] Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of a shielding plate shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in 3D view,

[0038] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the interior of an embodiment of a connector, Fig. 7 is the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 in cross section along the line AA and

[0039] Fig. 8. An example of a connector during the assembly of two shielding plates.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a connector 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed for connecting a mating connector to a printed circuit board. The connector 1 comprises an insulating plastic housing 2 in which the contact elements 14 are arranged for contacting mating contact elements of a mating connector (not shown here). For this purpose, a block 3 is provided in which the contact elements 14 are arranged and which separates or insulates the contact elements 14.

[0041] 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, whose contact area 6 touches the mating connector. Furthermore, the shielding plates 4 have connection areas for connection to a printed circuit board.

[0042] The first 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 the contact tongues 5 contact the mating connector essentially at the same time as the contact elements. The middle contact tongue 5 contacts the mating connector earlier during insertion. The contact area 6 of this contact tongue is arranged leading with respect to the contact elements of the connector 1 and in the plugging direction of the mating connector.

[0043] Furthermore, the contact area 6 of all contact tongues 5 is curved or bent. The shielding plate 4 further has a tab designed as a fastening tab 7, with which the shielding plate 4 is positively connected to the housing 2.

[0044] The fastening tab 7 has a recess 8 in which the contact area 6 of the leading contact blade 5 is partially accommodated. This provides excellent protection for the contact area 6 of the contact blade 5 against mechanical damage. The fastening tab 7 thus fulfills a dual function. On the one hand, the fastening tab 7 secures the shielding plate 4 to the housing, and on the other hand, it protects the leading contact blade 5, in particular the contact area 6, from mechanical damage.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the shielding plate 4, in particular the area of ​​the fastening tab 7 and the contact area 6 of the leading contact tongue 5 arranged in the fastening tab 7. The illustration shows that the fastening tab 7 projects beyond the contact tongue 5, so that the fastening tab 7 protects the contact tongue 5 and in particular the contact area 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact tongue 5 projects with one end into the recess 8 of the fastening tab 7. The extended end area also guarantees that inserting a tool, for example, between the contact tongue 5 and the housing 2, i.e. into the recess 8 of the fastening tab 7, can be largely prevented.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a shielding plate 4. The shielding plate 4 has three contact tongues 5 and a tab designed as a fastening tab 7 for fastening the shielding plate 4 to the housing 2. The middle contact tongue 5 is arranged such that, in the assembled state, its contact area 6 is arranged leading in the plug-in direction of the mating connector with respect to the contact elements and the contact areas 6 of the two edge-side contact tongues 5. In addition, the leading contact tongue 5 is arranged such that the contact area 6 is partially arranged in a recess 8 of the fastening tab 7.

[0047] The fastening tab 7 has a longitudinal axis 9 that is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10 of the leading contact tongue 5. Thus, the fastening tab 7 extends above the contact tongue 5 in such a way that it protects the contact tongue 5 on both sides.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows the rear view of the shielding plate 4 shown in Fig. 3. All three contact tongues 5 are essentially identical in design, i.e. they have the same width and the same length. Overall, the three contact tongues 5 essentially achieve the same spring effect. Fig. 5 shows the shielding plate 4 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in 3D view. The leading contact tongue 5 projects with its free end into the recess 8 of the fastening tab 7, so that the contact tongue 5, in particular the contact area 6, is sufficiently protected from mechanical damage. Furthermore, the fastening tab 7 projects laterally beyond the leading contact tongue 5, so that a tool can also be inserted behind it directly next to the leading contact tongue 5.

[0049] In addition to the described contact tabs 5, a connection area 11 of the shielding plate 4 for contacting a printed circuit board is also shown. The connection area 11 is located on the side of the shielding plate 4 opposite the fastening tab 7.

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a connector 1 in a top view of the mating face. Shown in particular are two shielding plates 4, each with a leading contact tongue 5, and two further contact tongues 5, which are arranged such that they contact the mating connector essentially simultaneously with the contact elements 14. Both shielding plates 4 are fixed to the housing 2 of the connector 1 via a fastening tab 7. Furthermore, the fastening tabs 7 protect the leading contact tongues 5 arranged in the region of the fastening tabs 7.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 in cross-section along line AA. It shows both the fixation of the shielding plates 4 by the respective fastening tabs 7 and the connection areas 11 opposite the fastening tabs 7 for connection to a printed circuit board. The plug-in direction 12 of the mating connector is also shown.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact areas 6 of the leading contact tongues 5 are arranged in the plugging direction 12 at approximately the same height as the contact elements 14. However, during insertion, they contact the mating connector earlier than the contact elements 14 contact the mating contact elements. With respect to the two contact tongues arranged at the edges of the respective shielding plate 4, the contact areas of the leading contact tongues 5 are also arranged in the plugging direction 12 in front of the contact areas 6 of the edge-side contact tongues 5. Fig. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connector 1 during the assembly of two shielding plates 4 and thus a method 13 for assembling a connector 1.

[0053] For assembly, the shielding plates 4 are pushed into the housing 2 in the plug-in direction 12 of the mating connector until the fastening tabs 7 engage around the housing wall and thus fix the shielding plates 4 in the housing 2.

[0054] With the exemplary embodiment shown, a connector according to the invention, which provides a particularly secure electrical connection due to the design of the shielding plates, can be mounted in a particularly simple manner.

[0055] Reference symbol

[0056] 1 connector

[0057] 2 housings

[0058] 3 Block 4 Shielding plate

[0059] 5 Contact tongue

[0060] 6 Contact area

[0061] 7 Mounting tab

[0062] 8 Recess of the fastening tab 9 Longitudinal axis of the fastening tab

[0063] 10 Longitudinal axis of the leading contact tongue

[0064] 11 Connection area

[0065] 12 Plug-in direction of the mating connector

[0066] 13 Method for assembling a connector 14 Contact element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Plug connector (1) for contacting a mating connector, the plug connector (1) having a housing (2), contact elements 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 contact elements of the mating connector, characterized in that the at least one contact tongue (5) has a contact area (6), the contact area (6) being arranged in advance of the contact elements of the plug connector (1) in the plugging direction (12) of the mating connector.

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one tab, in particular at least one fastening tab (7), in particular wherein the shielding plate (4) is positively connected to the housing (2) via the fastening tab.

3. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the at least one tab, in particular the at least one fastening tab (7), is arranged in the region of the leading contact tongue (5), wherein the tab is arranged in front of the leading contact tongue (5) in the plugging direction (12) of the mating connector.

4. Connector (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the tab has a longitudinal axis (9), wherein the longitudinal axis (9) of the tab is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10) of the at least one contact tongue (5).

5. Connector (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the tab has a recess (8) and that the leading contact tongue (5) is arranged in the recess (8) in some areas. net, in particular wherein the contact area (6) is at least partially arranged in the recess (8).

6. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact area (6) is curved or bent.

7. Connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the curvature or bend is circular or circular arc-shaped, wherein the central angle of a circular arc-shaped formation is at least 90 0 amounts.

8. Connector (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the center angle of the circular arc-shaped formation is between 95° and 270°, more preferably between 145° and 225°, particularly preferably approximately 180°.

9. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one contact tongue (5), the contact region (6) of which is arranged in advance of the contact elements in the plug-in direction of the mating connector, and in that the shielding plate (4) has at least one contact tongue (5), the contact region of which is arranged behind the contact region 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 substantially at the same time as the contact elements.

10. Connector (1) according to claim 9, 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 of the mating connector.

11. Connector (1) according to claim 9, 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 connector.

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

13. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the shielding plate (4) is inserted into the housing (2) in the plugging direction of the mating connector for assembly.

14. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, 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 in the plug-in direction of the mating connector in front of the contact elements.

Images