Modular circuit board plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular circuit board plug-in connector (1), having a plug-in connector housing and at least two identical and / or different plug-in connector modules (4), the plug-in connector housing consisting of a first housing part (2) and a second housing part (3) that can be joined to form the plug-in connector housing, the housing parts (2, 3) each being produced in an injection-moulding process and the plug-in connector modules (4) being latched to at least one housing part (2, 3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The invention is based on a modular printed circuit board connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a modular printed circuit board connector according to independent claim 14.

[0003] Such connectors are intended to establish a power and / or data connection to a circuit board.

[0004] Printed circuit board connectors are plugged into connectors arranged on a printed circuit board.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] EP 1 353 412 B1 discloses a modular, heavy-duty connector. This connector allows various interchangeable connector modules to be inserted into a hinged holding frame consisting of two halves. The assembled holding frame, in turn, can be inserted into a metal housing. Modularity is known to be a major advantage of such a connector. However, such a connector is unsuitable for contacting a connector mounted (soldered) on a printed circuit board because it is too bulky and heavy.

[0007] DE 10 2017 119287 A1 shows a modular connector for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector can be assembled from several connector modules, each consisting of at least one housing. The connector modules have a mating side and a connection side, with the connection side typically being mountable on the printed circuit board. The mating side serves for the electrical connection to a suitable printed circuit board connector. Typically, the contact elements of the connector modules are soldered to the conductor tracks of a printed circuit board. The modular design of the connector enables cost-effective production in comparatively small quantities.

[0008] DE 10 2019 115 177 A1 shows a modular printed circuit board connector that can be assembled from different connector modules. The connector modules are clamped and secured between two housing parts. It has been found that this type of design does not hold the individual components together in the correct position, so that high insertion forces are sometimes required during the insertion process, which can lead to damage to the printed circuit board.

[0009] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2019 115 177 A1 , DE 102020 118 550 A1 , DE 102017 119 287 A1 and EP 1 353 412 B1.

[0010] Task

[0011] The object of the invention is to propose a simple and at the same time reliable printed circuit board connector.

[0012] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0014] The modular printed circuit board connector according to the invention comprises a connector housing and at least two identical and / or different connector modules. The connector modules are at least partially arranged within the connector housing. The connector modules consist of a module housing into which a desired contact element can be inserted. The type of contact elements depends on the application of the connector module or connector. The printed circuit board connector comprises at least two connector modules. The connector modules are designed to be pluggable into the connector modules of DE 10 2017 119 287 A1. This results in a significant cost advantage.

[0015] The connector modules are preferably essentially cuboid-shaped. The connector modules have a plug-in side facing the mating connector. The connection side of the connector modules is arranged opposite. Here, the individual conductors of a connected cable are connected to the contact elements of the connector modules.

[0016] The connector housing of the modular printed circuit board connector consists of a first housing part and a second housing part. The two housing parts can be joined together to form the connector housing.

[0017] Each housing part has two opposing side parts, which can also be referred to as narrow sides. Furthermore, each housing part has a center part located between the side parts. The center part can also be referred to as the wide side of the connector housing. As the name suggests, the wide side determines the width of the connector housing and thus also the number of connector modules that can be integrated into the connector housing.

[0018] According to the invention, the housing parts are each in a

[0019] Manufactured using an injection molding process. The respective center section is formed from at least two separate, differently designed, and stackable mold inserts of an injection molding tool. The mold inserts are designed such that, when stacked side by side, an even number of connector modules can be inserted into the connector housing.

[0020] Advantageously, at least one tool insert has a date clock. This allows the connector's production date to be identified and, if necessary, production-specific information to be tracked.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if at least one tool insert has a manufacturer's logo. This provides the product with a manufacturer's identification.

[0022] Advantageously, when forming the center section, one tool insert has a date clock, and another tool insert has a manufacturer's marking. This combines the above-mentioned advantages.

[0023] Preferably, the respective center section is formed from two, three, five, or seven separate, differently designed, and stackable mold inserts of an injection molding tool. It has been shown that such a number of mold inserts covers all desired sizes.

[0024] Advantageously, the modular printed circuit board connector has a cable outlet part which has at least one cable outlet opening through which the cable connected to the connector modules leaves the connector housing.

[0025] The cable outlet part preferably has at least two opposite cable outlet openings, each inclined laterally at 45°. This allows the cable outlet to be directed in different directions, depending on the application. Alternatively, two cables can be connected to the printed circuit board connector.

[0026] Advantageously, the cable outlet part has at least three cable outlet openings. Two cable outlet openings are arranged opposite one another and are each inclined at 45° to the side, relative to the plug-in direction. A third, axially aligned cable outlet opening is provided between them, running parallel to the plug-in direction.

[0027] Preferably, the cable outlet part has at least one recess for the head of a cable tie. This ensures that the head of the cable tie is flush with the housing surface.

[0028] Advantageously, the cable tie is arranged within the connector housing and is intended to provide strain relief for a connected cable. The cable tie encloses the connected cable and at least one internal tab that is molded onto a part of the connector housing. This type of strain relief is both effective and cost-effective.

[0029] Preferably, the connector modules are secured to at least one housing part. This allows for easy assembly of the printed circuit board connector, since only the housing parts need to be joined together.

[0030] The connector modules have locking devices on one side for securing the connector modules to a housing part. On the other, opposite side, the connector modules have guide devices for easy and precise assembly of the housing parts. The different sides ensure that the connector modules are fixed in the connector housing with identical alignment. This is also referred to as polarization, which is particularly useful for mating with a suitable mating connector.

[0031] The modular PCB connector is assembled as follows:

[0032] First, the connector modules are locked next to each other on a first housing part in a swiveling process.

[0033] Then the second housing part is joined to the first housing part, which ultimately causes the housing parts to rust together.

[0034] The connector modules are then at least partially arranged within the formed connector housing.

[0035] Preferably, the housing components can be additionally secured together with a screw connection after rusting. This creates a particularly stable printed circuit board connector.

[0036] Example

[0037] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0038] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first housing part of a connector housing of a modular printed circuit board connector according to the invention,

[0039] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second housing part of a connector housing of a modular printed circuit board connector according to the invention,

[0040] Fig. 3 is a perspective and transparent view of a housing part with a cable tie integrated therein, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a housing part,

[0041] Fig. 5 a perspective view of a housing part with a connector module to be rusted and

[0042] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modular printed circuit board connector, with an unoccupied module slot and a shell-like open connector housing.

[0043] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a first housing part 2 of a modular printed circuit board connector 1. Figure 2 shows a second housing part 3 of the modular printed circuit board connector 1.

[0045] The two housing parts 2, 3 are assembled to form a connector housing. Figure 6 shows that the housing parts 2, 3 are placed at an angle on the module side, brought together in a pivoting motion, and finally welded together.

[0046] The modular printed circuit board connector 1 has at least two identical and / or different connector modules 4, which are arranged at least partially within the connector housing. The connector modules 4 are fixed to the connector housing.

[0047] Figure 5 shows how the connector modules 4 are connected to a

[0048] Housing part 3 of the printed circuit board connector 1 can be rusted. For this purpose, the connector module 4 has a locking contour 5 on one side, which locks onto a designated, internal locking web 6 of the housing part 3.

[0049] Housing parts 2 and 3 are each manufactured using an injection molding process. The complementary shape of the connector housing or its individual components is reproduced in an injection mold.

[0050] The housing parts 2, 3 of the connector 1 each have two opposite side parts 7, 7'. A variably designed central part 2 is arranged between the side parts 2, 3.

[0051] The central part 2 is made of at least two separate, differently designed and stackable tool inserts of an injection molding tool, the component parts a, b, c of which are indicated in curly brackets in Figures 1 and 2.

[0052] On the mating side, the printed circuit board connector 1 has guide ribs 14 pointing in the mating direction. This ensures precise alignment of the printed circuit board connector 1 with the mating connector during the mating process.

[0053] The connector housing 1 has a cable outlet part 9. The cable outlet part 9 is also depicted as a separate component or as a separate tool insert of an injection molding tool.

[0054] The injection molding tool for the connector housing ultimately consists of the tool inserts for the two side parts 7, 7', the cable outlet part 9, and the center part 8, with the center part 8 consisting of at least two separate, differently designed, and stackable tool inserts a, b, and c. Reference symbols a, b, and c represent only one tool insert, through which the depicted component is ultimately formed in an injection molding process.

[0055] The cable outlet part 9 can be designed in different ways. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cable outlet has two opposite cable outlet openings 10, each inclined laterally by 45°, as well as three additional axially extending cable outlet openings 10.

[0056] A cable (not shown) to be connected to connector 1 can be led into the interior of the connector housing through the cable outlet opening.

[0057] The cable outlet openings 10 each have a break-out plastic plate. If a cable outlet opening 10 is not in use, it remains closed by the plastic plate.

[0058] The cable outlet part 9 has at least one recess 11 for a head of a cable tie 12. In Figure 3, a housing part 3 of the printed circuit board connector 1 is shown transparent to illustrate the position of the cable tie 12 within the connector housing.

[0059] The cable tie 12 is mechanically attached to the connector housing 1 or to a housing part 3. The cable tie 12 grips and secures the cable sheath of the connected cable (not shown), thereby providing strain relief for the cable.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cable outlet has two opposite cable outlet openings 10, each inclined laterally by 45°, as well as a further axially extending cable outlet opening 10. After the connector modules 4 have been secured to the first housing part 3 of the printed circuit board connector 1, the housing parts 2, 3 are connected or fixed to one another. The connector module 4 has a groove 13 on a side opposite the locking contour 5. A web of the second housing part 2 is inserted into this groove 13. At this moment, the housing parts 2, 3 are positioned relative to one another like an open shell. The housing parts 2, 3 are then brought together and finally locked together using suitable locking means provided for this purpose.

[0061] The housing parts 2, 3 can be screwed together after rusting. For this purpose, one housing part 2 has at least one screw opening 15, and the other housing part 3 has a matching thread 16.

[0062] A tool insert a, b, c has a date clock on 17, which tracks the production period of the connector 1. Another or the same tool insert has a manufacturer's logo 18 on the opposite side.

[0063] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged.

[0064] Modular PCB connector

[0065] Housing part

[0066] Housing part

[0067] Connector module

[0068] Locking contour of the connector module 4

[0069] Rest bridge

[0070] side panel

[0071] Middle part

[0072] Cable outlet part

[0073] Cable outlet opening

[0074] Recess for the head of the cable tie 12

[0075] cable ties

[0076] Groove of the connector module 4

[0077] Guide bridge

[0078] screw opening

[0079] thread

Claims

Claims 1 . Modular printed circuit board connector (1), comprising a connector housing and at least two identical and / or different connector modules (4), wherein the connector housing consists of a first housing part (2) and a second housing part (3) which can be joined together to form the connector housing, wherein the housing parts (2, 3) are each produced in an injection molding process, characterized in that the connector modules (4) are fastened to at least one housing part (2, 3).

2. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each housing part (2, 3) has two opposite side parts (7, 7'), that a middle part (8) is arranged between the side parts (7, 7') and that the respective middle part (8) is formed from at least two separate, differently designed and stackable tool inserts (a, b, c) of an injection molding tool.

3. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one tool insert (a, b, c) has a date clock (17).

4. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tool insert (b) has a manufacturer's logo (18).

5. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that when forming the middle part (8), a tool insert has a date clock (17) and the same tool insert (b) or a further tool insert (b) has a manufacturer's logo (18).

6. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the respective middle part (8) is formed from two, three, five or seven separate, differently designed and stackable tool inserts (a, b, c) of an injection molding tool.

7. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector housing has a cable outlet part (9).

8. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cable outlet part (9) has at least one cable outlet opening (10).

9. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cable outlet part (9) has at least two opposite cable outlet openings (10) each inclined laterally by 45°.

10. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the cable outlet part (9) has at least three cable outlet openings (10), two cable outlet openings (10) being provided opposite one another and each laterally inclined by 45°, and a third, axially aligned cable outlet opening (10) being provided between them.

11. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the cable outlet part (9) has at least one recess (11) for a head of a cable tie (12).

12. Modular printed circuit board connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cable tie (12) is arranged within the connector housing and is provided for strain relief of a connected cable.

13. Method for assembling a modular printed circuit board connector (1), wherein the printed circuit board connector (1) has a connector housing which is formed from two housing parts (2, 3) and has at least two similar and / or different connector modules (4), according to the following method steps: a. Ver n gle the adjacently aligned Connector modules (4) on the first housing part (2), wherein the housing part has a receiving shape (A) which engages in a first fixing shape (F1) of the connector module (4); b. Engaging the second housing part (3), more precisely the fastening form (B), with the opposite fixing form (F2) of the connector module (4) c. Ver n gle the first housing part (3) with the second housing part (4).

14. Method for assembling a modular Printed circuit board connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that d. the housing parts are additionally fixed to one another via a screw connection after rusting.

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