Plug connector for an electronics unit, and an electronics unit
The connector system addresses the reliability issues of electrical connections in field devices by using a spring contact unit and printed circuit board arrangement to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and stress, ensuring stable and reliable connections in potentially explosive environments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ENDRESS & HAUSER GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrical connections in field devices face reliability issues due to manufacturing tolerances and stress on solder joints, leading to potential breakage and faulty connections, especially in potentially explosive environments.
A connector system with a spring contact unit and a printed circuit board arrangement that compensates for positional tolerances and stress, using a housing body with a spring contact unit and a secondary spring contact element to ensure reliable and detachable electrical connections.
The connector system effectively mitigates tolerance deviations and stress-related failures, ensuring stable and reliable electrical connections while adapting to the orientation of electronic contacts, reducing the risk of breakage and maintaining safety in explosive environments.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025085261_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Connectors for an electronic unit as well as an electronic unit
[0002] The invention relates to a connector for an electronic unit and an electronic unit.
[0003] Field devices are known from the state of the art and are used in industrial plants. They are widely employed in process automation as well as in manufacturing automation. In principle, field devices are defined as all devices used close to the process that provide or process process-relevant information. Thus, field devices are used to acquire and / or influence process variables. Measuring devices, or sensors, are used to acquire process variables. These are used, for example, for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, etc., and acquire the corresponding process variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value, fill level, flow rate, etc. Actuators are used to influence process variables. These include, for example, pumps or valves that can influence the flow of a liquid in a pipe or the fill level in a container.In addition to the aforementioned measuring instruments and actuators, field devices also include remote I / Os, radio adapters, or generally devices that are located at the field level.
[0004] A large number of such field devices are produced and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.
[0005] The electronics inside these field devices are usually powered externally. This necessitates the electrical connection of various electronic components. If, for example, the field device is used in a potentially explosive atmosphere, the electrical connection from the inside of the device to the outside must meet specific safety regulations. For this reason, additional electrical contact elements are required, which must be reliably connected. Permanent connections of these contacts are rarely used due to the complexity of the field device and the resulting limitations on maintenance. Therefore, detachable connections between the electrical contact elements are preferable.
[0006] The chain of plugged and soldered contact elements is subject to a sum of tolerances that must not exceed a certain tolerance limit. Due to the manufacturing process and the geometric conditions, the greatest dimensional deviation occurs at the solder joint of a component on the circuit board. Furthermore, this results in high stress on the solder joint, which poses a risk of breakage. Therefore, an object of the invention is to propose an electrical connection that enables a reliable and simple connection of electrical contacts.
[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a connector for an electronic unit for electrically connecting at least one primary electronic contact with at least one secondary electronic contact according to claim 1.
[0008] The connector according to the invention comprises: a connector housing with a housing body, a housing cover, a primary contact opening and a secondary contact opening, a spring contact unit with a primary contact surface and a secondary spring contact element that is elastically or movably mounted and electrically connected to the primary contact surface, a printed circuit board with a primary contact element and a secondary contact element that is electrically connected to the primary contact element, wherein the spring contact unit is arranged in the connector housing relative to the primary contact opening such that the primary contact surface is suitable for being contacted by the primary electronic contact through the primary contact opening, and wherein the printed circuit board is arranged in the connector housing relative to the spring contact unit such that the primary contact element contacts the secondary spring contact element.wherein the circuit board is arranged in the connector housing relative to the secondary contact opening in such a way that the secondary contact element is suitable for being contacted by the secondary electronic contact through the secondary contact opening.
[0009] The connector according to the invention enables two electronic contacts to be reliably and easily connected. The connector compensates for tolerance deviations in the position of the two electronic contacts and eliminates the risk of problems occurring at the solder joint of these contacts, in particular a break in the solder joint or the electronic contact itself under continuous stress. The connector and the associated cascading of the electrical contact surfaces mitigate the tolerances and the risk of a faulty electrical connection between the primary and secondary electronic contacts. The connector can thus adapt to the specific conditions, i.e., the orientation of the primary and secondary electronic contacts. Furthermore, the spring properties of the spring contact unit are advantageously utilized.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing body has a housing chamber with a spring element stop and the spring contact unit is arranged in the housing chamber and relative to the circuit board in such a way that the spring contact unit is pressed against the spring element stop by the secondary spring contact element when the secondary spring contact element contacts the primary contact element of the circuit board.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connector housing extends along a first axis and the secondary spring contact element is arranged such that the primary contact surface is suitable for being contacted by the primary electronic contact parallel to the first axis and the secondary spring contact element is elastically or movably mounted along a spring axis arranged parallel to the first axis, wherein the circuit board is oriented transversely to the first axis, so that the secondary contact element is suitable for being contacted by the secondary electronic contact parallel to the first axis.
[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the primary contacting element of the printed circuit board is a conductor track and the secondary contacting element of the printed circuit board is a socket.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bushing extends along a bushing axis which is arranged parallel to the first axis, wherein the housing body has a bushing stop, wherein the bushing stop is arranged relative to the bushing in such a way that movement of the bushing along the bushing axis is limited.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the primary contact opening is formed in the housing body and the secondary contact opening is formed in the housing cover.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing body forms a first connector chamber and a second connector chamber separated by a partition, wherein the primary contact opening is formed in the partition, and wherein the second connector chamber can be closed by the housing cover.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connector housing extends along a first axis and the partition wall extends substantially transversely to the first axis, wherein the partition wall in the first connector chamber has a support area arranged transversely to the first axis.
[0017] The above-mentioned problem is also solved by an electronic unit according to claim 9.
[0018] The electronic unit according to the invention comprises: an electronic housing with a primary electronic chamber and a secondary electronic chamber, wherein the primary electronic chamber is connected to the secondary electronic chamber via a channel; a primary electronic module with a primary electronic contact, wherein the primary electronic module is arranged in the primary electronic chamber; a secondary electronic module with a secondary electronic contact, wherein the secondary electronic module is arranged in the channel; a tertiary electronic module with a tertiary electronic contact, wherein the tertiary electronic module is arranged in the secondary electronic chamber; and a connector according to the invention, wherein the primary contact surface of the connector is connected to the primary electronic contact of the primary electronic module.wherein the secondary electronic module is designed as a feedthrough unit with an insulating element and an electrical conductor running through the insulating element, having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the secondary electronic contact is formed by the first end of the electrical conductor, wherein the feedthrough unit is arranged in the channel such that the insulating element closes the channel and the first end of the electrical conductor is connected to the secondary contact element of the printed circuit board of the connector and the second end of the electrical conductor is connected to the tertiary electronic contact of the tertiary electronic module.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the primary electronic contact of the primary electronic module is designed as a spring pin, wherein the primary electronic module has at least one further spacer designed as a spring pin, wherein the spacer is in contact with the support area of the partition wall of the housing body of the connector housing.
[0020] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following description of figures. The figures show:
[0021] Fig. 1 : a sectional view of the connector according to the invention,
[0022] Fig. 2: a sectional view of the connector from Figure 1 with components of the connector disassembled along the first axis,
[0023] Fig. 3: a sectional view of the electronic unit according to the invention with the connector according to the invention from Figure 1 ,
[0024] Fig. 4: another sectional view of the electronic unit from Figure 3.
[0025] Figure 1 shows the connector 1 according to the invention for an electronic unit 2, as shown in Figure 3.
[0026] The connector 1 is suitable for electrically connecting at least one primary electronic contact 61 with at least one secondary electronic contact 71 of the electronic unit 2 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4). The connector 1 comprises a connector housing 10, a spring contact unit 30, and a printed circuit board 40.
[0027] The connector housing 10 comprises a housing body 11, a housing cover 12, a primary contact opening 13, and a secondary contact opening 14. The connector housing 10 is preferably made of plastic and is, for example, injection molded.
[0028] The spring contact unit 30 has a primary contact surface 31 and a secondary spring contact element 32 that is elastically or movably mounted and electrically connected to the primary contact surface 31. The spring contact unit 30 is arranged in the connector housing 10 relative to the primary contact opening 13 such that the primary contact surface 31 is suitable for being contacted by the primary electronic contact 61 through the primary contact opening 13.
[0029] The circuit board 40 has a primary contact element 41 and a secondary contact element 42 electrically connected to the primary contact element 41. The circuit board 40 is arranged in the connector housing 10 relative to the spring contact unit 30 such that the primary contact element 41 contacts the secondary spring contact element 32. Naturally, the circuit board 40 can have multiple primary contact elements 41 and multiple secondary contact elements 42. Figures 1 and 2 show two primary and two secondary contact elements by way of example. The circuit board 40 is arranged in the connector housing 10 relative to the secondary contact opening 14 such that the secondary contact element 42 is suitable for being contacted by the secondary electronic contact 71 through the secondary contact opening 14.
[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing body 11 has a housing chamber 15 with a spring element stop 16 (see Figure 2). In this case, the spring contact unit 30 is arranged in the housing chamber 15 and relative to the circuit board 40 such that the spring contact unit 30 is pressed against the spring element stop 16 by the secondary spring contact element 32 when the secondary spring contact element 32 contacts the primary contact element 41 of the circuit board 40.
[0031] Preferably, the connector housing 10 extends along a first axis A1. The secondary spring contact element 32 is preferably arranged such that the primary contact surface 31 is suitable for being contacted by the primary electronic contact 61 parallel to the first axis A1. The secondary spring contact element 32 is preferably elastically or movably mounted along a spring axis F1 arranged parallel to the first axis A1. The circuit board 40 is preferably oriented transversely to the first axis A1 so that the secondary contact element 42 is suitable for being contacted by the secondary electronic contact 71 parallel to the first axis A1.
[0032] The spring element stop 16 preferably comprises a stop surface which extends in a plane transverse to the first axis A1.
[0033] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, the primary contact element 41 of the printed circuit board 40 is a conductor track and the secondary contact element 42 of the printed circuit board 40 is a socket. Of course, it is also possible to select other electrical contact elements instead of the conductor track and the socket, provided that these allow for a detachable electrical contact.
[0034] If the secondary contact element 42 is a socket, it preferably extends along a socket axis B1, which is arranged parallel to the first axis A1. In this case, the housing body 11 preferably, i.e., optionally, has a socket stop 17, wherein the socket stop 17 is arranged relative to the socket such that movement of the socket along the socket axis B1 is limited. The socket itself is attached to the circuit board 40 and electrically connected to the primary contact element 41, for example, via a conductor track.
[0035] As illustrated by way of example in Figure 1, the primary contact opening 13 is preferably formed in the housing body 11 and the secondary contact opening 14 in the housing cover 12. The primary contact opening 13 and the secondary contact opening 14 preferably each extend with their opening axes parallel to the first axis A1. An opening axis is understood here to be an axis that passes through the openings. This means that the primary electronic contact 61 can be inserted into the connector housing 10 along the opening axis of the primary contact opening 13, and the secondary electronic contact 71 can be inserted into the connector housing 10 along the opening axis of the secondary contact opening 14.
[0036] Figure 2 shows that the housing body 11 preferably forms a first connector chamber 18 and a second connector chamber 19 separated by a partition 20. The primary contact opening 13 is preferably formed in the partition 20. Preferably, the primary contact opening 13 is formed in the partition 20 such that the primary contact opening 13 opens into the housing chamber 15.
[0037] The second connector chamber 19 can be closed by the housing cover 12.
[0038] The connector housing 10 preferably extends along the first axis A1 and the partition 20 preferably extends substantially transversely to the first axis A1. The partition 20 preferably has a support area 21 arranged transversely to the first axis A1 in the first connector chamber 19.
[0039] The electronic unit 2 according to the invention will now be described.
[0040] Figures 3 and 4 show the electronics unit 2. The electronics unit 2 comprises an electronics housing 50, a primary electronics module 60, a secondary electronics module 70, a tertiary electronics module 90 and the connector 1 described above.
[0041] The electronic housing 50 has a primary electronic chamber 51 and a secondary electronic chamber 52. Preferably, the electronic housing 50 is made of steel or another metal. Of course, it is also possible to use a different material for the electronic housing 50, provided it complies with the standards applicable in the field of application. The electronic housing 50 is preferably manufactured or machined by a casting process and / or a machining process.
[0042] The primary electronics chamber 51 is connected to the secondary electronics chamber 52 via a channel 53.
[0043] The primary electronics module 60 has the primary electronics contact 61. The primary electronics contact 61 is preferably an electrical spring contact, in particular a spring contact pin. The tip of the spring contact pin is preferably rounded. The spring contact pin is preferably oriented such that its spring travel is parallel to the first axis A1. The use of a spring contact pin has the advantage that tolerances in the positioning of the primary electronics contact 61 in the primary electronics module 60 and / or in the primary electronics chamber 51 can be better compensated for, or have a negligible influence on the contact with the connector 1. In particular, tolerances in the positioning of the spring contact pin along the first axis A1 are compensated for by the spring action.Thanks to the rounded tip, an orientation of the spring contact pin with a small angle to the first axis A1 is also negligible in order to enable successful contacting of the connector 1.
[0044] The primary electronics module 60 is located in the primary electronics chamber 51. The secondary electronics module 70 is located in the channel 53.
[0045] The secondary electronic module 70 is designed as a feedthrough unit 80. The secondary electronic contact 71 is preferably, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, part of the feedthrough unit 80.
[0046] The primary contact surface 31 of the connector 1 is electrically connected to the primary electronic contact 61 of the primary electronic module 60. As described above, the primary electronic contact 61, if designed as a spring-loaded contact pin, presses against the primary contact surface 31 (see Figure 3).
[0047] The feedthrough unit 80 comprises an insulating element 81 and an electrical conductor 82 running through the insulating element 81, with a first end 83 and a second end 84 opposite the first end. The insulating element 81 is preferably made of glass. The feedthrough unit 80 is preferably suitable for serving as a pressure barrier in the event of an explosion in the primary electronics module 60. This allows the electronics unit 2 to be used in an explosion-proof area. In this application, the materials and wall thicknesses used for the electronics housing 50 naturally comply with the relevant regulations for explosion-proof areas. The channel 53 between the primary electronics chamber 51 and the secondary electronics chamber 52 is also designed with regard to its length and diameter to comply with the relevant regulations for explosion-proof areas.
[0048] The feedthrough unit 80 is arranged in the channel 53 such that the insulating element 81 closes the channel 53. The first end 83 of the electrical conductor 82 is connected to the secondary contact element 42 of the circuit board 40 of the connector 1. The first end 83 thus serves as the secondary electronic contact 71 described above. The second end 84 of the electrical conductor 82 is connected to the tertiary electronic contact 91 of the tertiary electronic module 90.
[0049] If the partition 20 of the connector 1 has a support area 21, then the primary electronic contact 61 of the primary electronic module 60 preferably has at least one spacer 62 which rests on the support area 21 (see Figure 3). The spacer 62 is preferably designed as a spring pin. This has the advantage that the spring force of the spring pin exerts pressure on the connector 1, thus holding it in the primary electronic chamber 51.
[0050] Reference symbol list
[0051] 1 connector
[0052] 2 Electronic unit
[0053] 10 connector housings
[0054] 11 Housing body
[0055] 12 Case covers
[0056] 13 primary contact openings
[0057] 14 secondary contact openings
[0058] 15 Housing chamber
[0059] 16 spring element stop
[0060] 17 Bushing stop
[0061] 18 first connector chamber
[0062] 19 second connector chamber
[0063] 20 partition wall
[0064] 21 Support area
[0065] 30 spring contact unit
[0066] 31 primary contact area
[0067] 32 secondary spring contact elements
[0068] 40 printed circuit boards
[0069] 41 primary contact element
[0070] 42 secondary contact element
[0071] 50 electronic enclosures
[0072] 51 primary electronics chamber
[0073] 52 secondary electronics chamber
[0074] Channel 53
[0075] 60 primary electronics module
[0076] 61 primary electronic contact
[0077] 62 spacers
[0078] 70 secondary electronics module
[0079] 71 secondary electronic contact
[0080] 80 Implementation unit
[0081] 81 Insulating element 82 Electrical conductor
[0082] 83 first end
[0083] 84 second end 90 tertiary electronics module
[0084] 91 tertiary electronic contact
[0085] A1 first axis
[0086] B1 Bushing axle F1 Spring axle
Claims
Patent claims 1. Connector (1) for an electronic unit (2) for electrically connecting at least one primary electronic contact (61) with at least one secondary electronic contact (71), comprising: a connector housing (10) with a housing body (11), a housing cover (12), a primary contact opening (13) and a secondary contact opening (14), a spring contact unit (30) with a primary contact surface (31) and a secondary spring contact element (32) electrically connected to the primary contact surface (31) in an elastic or movably mounted manner, a printed circuit board (40) with a primary contact element (41) and a secondary contact element (42) electrically connected to the primary contact element (41), wherein the spring contact unit (30) is arranged in the connector housing (10) relative to the primary contact opening (13) such that the primary contact surface (31) is suitable forto be contacted by the primary electronic contact (61) through the primary contact opening (13), wherein the circuit board (40) is arranged in the connector housing (10) relative to the spring contact unit (30) such that the primary contact element (41) contacts the secondary spring contact element (32), wherein the circuit board (40) is arranged in the connector housing (10) relative to the secondary contact opening (14) such that the secondary contact element (42) is suitable to be contacted by the secondary electronic contact (71) through the secondary contact opening (14).
2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing body (11) has a housing chamber (15) with a spring element stop (16) and the spring contact unit (30) is arranged in the housing chamber (15) and relative to the circuit board (40) such that the spring contact unit (30) is pressed against the spring element stop (16) by the secondary spring contact element (32) when the secondary spring contact element (32) contacts the primary contact element (41) of the circuit board (40).
3. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector housing (10) extends along a first axis (A1) and the secondary spring contact element (32) is arranged such that the primary contact surface (31) is suitable to be contacted by the primary electronic contact (61) parallel to the first axis (A1) and the secondary spring contact element (32) is elastically or movably mounted along a spring axis (F1) arranged parallel to the first axis (A1), wherein the circuit board (40) is oriented transversely to the first axis (A1) so that the secondary contact element (42) is suitable to be contacted by the secondary electronic contact (71) parallel to the first axis (A1).
4. Connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the primary contacting element (41) of the printed circuit board (40) is a conductor track and the secondary contacting element (42) of the printed circuit board (40) is a socket.
5. Connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein the socket extends along a socket axis (B1) which is arranged parallel to the first axis (A1), wherein the housing body (11) has a socket stop (17), wherein the socket stop (17) is arranged relative to the socket such that movement of the socket along the socket axis (B1) is limited.
6. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary contact opening (13) is formed in the housing body (11) and the secondary contact opening (14) is formed in the housing cover (12).
7. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing body (11) forms a first connector chamber (18) and a second connector chamber (19) separated by a partition (20), wherein the primary contact opening (13) is formed in the partition (20), and wherein the second connector chamber (19) can be closed by the housing cover (12).
8. Connector (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the connector housing (10) extends along a first axis (A1) and the partition (20) extends substantially transversely to the first axis (A1), wherein the partition (20) has a support area (21) arranged transversely to the first axis (A1) in the first connector chamber (19).
9. Electronic unit (2) comprising: an electronic housing (50) with a primary electronic chamber (51) and a secondary electronic chamber (52), wherein the primary electronic chamber (51) is connected to the secondary electronic chamber (52) via a channel (53), a primary electronic module (60) with a primary electronic contact (61), wherein the primary electronic module (60) is arranged in the primary electronic chamber (51), a secondary electronic module (70) with a secondary electronic contact (71), wherein the secondary electronic module (70) is arranged in the channel (53), a tertiary electronic module (90) with a tertiary electronic contact (91), wherein the tertiary electronic module (90) is arranged in the secondary electronic chamber (52), a connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary contact surface (31) of the connector (1) is connected to the primary electronic contact (61) of the primary electronic module (60), wherein the secondary electronic module (70) is designed as a feedthrough unit (80) with an insulating element (81) and an electrical conductor (82) running through the insulating element (81) with a first end (83) and a second end (84) opposite the first end, wherein the secondary electronic contact (71) is formed by the first end (83) of the electrical conductor (82), wherein the feedthrough unit (80) is arranged in the channel (53) such thatthat the insulating element (81) closes the channel (53) and the first end (83) of the electrical conductor (82) is connected to the secondary contact element (42) of the circuit board (40) of the connector (1) and the second end (84) of the electrical conductor (82) is connected to the tertiary electronic contact (91) of the tertiary electronic module (90).
10. Electronic unit (2) according to claim 9, wherein the connector (1) is configured according to claim 8 and the primary electronic contact (61) of the primary electronic module (60) is designed as a spring pin, wherein the primary electronic module (60) has at least one further spacer (62) designed as a spring pin, wherein the spacer (62) is in contact with the support area (21) of the partition (20) of the housing body (11) of the housing (10) of the connector (1).