Electrical plug-in connector

Abstract

An electrical plug-in connector having at least one electrically conductive contact is proposed, which is equipped with a fastening means for fixing to or for fixing with a printed circuit board. Furthermore, contacts are provided which ensure a connection to a plug housing and / or to a housing wall and form part of a shield.

Description

[0001] Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0002] Title: Electrical connector

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to an electrical connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0005] These electrical connectors are used to connect electrical devices and equipment of all types and applications, such as those for control, regulation, monitoring, display, and the like, as well as for signal processing from various sensors. Various electrical signals are transmitted, including switching signals, analog signals, and data signals. Alternatively and / or additionally, electrical power supplies for operating the devices or power supplies for consumers can also be transmitted. The aforementioned electrical connectors are used to create a modular and flexible design for the overall electrical system.Furthermore, and advantageously, the electrical connectors mentioned above offer an electrical and / or mechanical interface for direct connection to a circuit board, thus eliminating the need for internal cabling between the connector and the circuit board.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] WO 2017 / 133224 A1 discloses an electrical connector of the type of a circular connector for mounting on a printed circuit board, and equipped with a shielding element with radially outwardly projecting shielding tongues, wherein the shielding tongues can be electrically connected to a separate connector housing. The connector housing is designed and configured to be inserted into a housing wall and to absorb any strain relief forces or potential tensile forces that may be acting on a connecting cable and to transfer these forces into the housing wall.

[0008] Furthermore, the shielding element is designed and configured to absorb and, in particular, dissipate electromagnetic and / or magnetic radiation.

[0009] These types of electrical connectors have proven themselves extremely reliable in practice. In particular, their operational reliability and shielding performance have proven to be ideal.

[0010] However, in some applications, the required space has proven to be a disadvantage. In particular, when using several such connectors on a single circuit board, this can lead to an increase in the size of the device's housing, which in turn increases the overall size of the associated system.

[0011] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: WO 2017 / 133224 A1, DE 102021 131 035 A1, DE 102017 123539 B3, DE 102023 110995 A1 and DE 102021 109491 A1.

[0012] Task

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide an improved electrical connector of the type mentioned above, which no longer exhibits the aforementioned disadvantages, which is easy to assemble, more resource-efficient to manufacture, and yet still fully guarantees operational reliability and shielding. Solution to the problem

[0014] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0015] The present invention thus offers the advantages of providing a one-piece fastening element which is also electrically conductive and therefore suitable as a shielding element, comprising a contact section for electrical contact with a connector housing or with a housing wall, and a transmission section for transmitting both forces and electrical potential equalization or for electro- and / or magnetic shielding, as well as a fixing section for secure fixing to the circuit board.

[0016] Typically, the electrical connection contacts of the relevant connectors are designed for mechanical fastening and electrical connection to the conductor tracks of the circuit board.

[0017] To at least partially divert or even completely eliminate the mechanical force flow from the relatively small electrical connection contacts, the fastening element is inventively designed as a one-piece fastener. The fastener has a fixing section designed for mechanical and / or material-locking connection with sections or conductor tracks of the circuit board. At least two fixing sections are provided, evenly distributed around a central longitudinal axis perpendicular to the flat circuit board. If the electrical connector is substantially circular, the central longitudinal axis is located at the center of the connector's circular symmetry. All electrical connection contacts of the connector are located within the connection area penetrated by the central longitudinal axis.The insulating body is stepped and / or ridged along its central longitudinal axis, such that the fastening element rests against the steps or ridges. Furthermore, the fastening element projects beyond the insulating body in a radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis. A key aspect of the present invention is that the distance of the fixing section from the central longitudinal axis is selected such that the fixing sections lie outside the aforementioned connection area.

[0018] The advantage of this design lies in the fact that the shielding and its effect are arranged around the connection area in a manner similar to an enclosure, in order to achieve optimal effectiveness. Because the fastening elements and / or at least the fixing sections are also arranged around the connection area, the fixing elements are positioned at a large distal distance from each other and are designed to reliably and robustly absorb any bending forces that may occur during the manufacturing or assembly of the connector, or during the transport and / or handling of a circuit board populated with connectors.

[0019] Furthermore, each fixing section is designed to be mechanically and / or materially connected to a fixing terminal of the circuit board.

[0020] Further advantages of the present invention lie in the long design of the spring contacts, which allows for a very large spring travel. The long spring contact itself can be achieved by the contact section being a self-contained, enclosed section arranged around the insulating body, thus providing the possibility of a long spring contact. Advantageously, the spring contact is formed by a cutout in the contact section or by a section cut out of it after it has been shaped. It thus originates from the contact section itself, enabling the production and formation of a relatively long and highly resilient spring contact. Viewed along the central longitudinal axis, the preferred embodiment of the spring contact is arc-shaped, and the arc follows the curved and / or arched contour of the insulating body.The spring contact can therefore be closely fitted to the contour of the insulating body or alternatively be positioned at a distal distance from the insulating body, forming an air gap.

[0021] The main advantage of such a relatively long spring contact lies in its very high deflection, i.e., the very large spring travel provided, which compensates for manufacturing tolerances or form and position corrections that may occur during assembly or operation of the device. In contrast, prior art spring contacts are shorter, requiring the designer and expert to manage the tolerance chain with considerable design effort when developing the electrical device.

[0022] Because the fixing sections and fixing terminals are located outside the connection area, the fastener can be connected to the circuit board multiple times, corresponding to the number of fixing sections or fixing terminals, and thus at different locations. This gives the arrangement for connecting the electrical connector to the circuit board via the fastener a high degree of robustness and operational reliability. Alternatively, and preferably, the fixing sections or fixing terminals are designed to be larger than the electrical connection contacts.In a metallurgical bond or soldered connection, such a large-area connection between the fixing terminal and the fixing section ensures robustness and force transmission quality between the circuit board and the fastening element, and thus between the circuit board and the electrical connector. This is particularly useful for forces along the central longitudinal axis.

[0023] In a further advantageous manner, individual fixing sections or groups of individual fixing sections are provided distributed around the central longitudinal axis, in particular evenly distributed and, as described above, arranged at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis and thus outside the connection area. When using two fixing sections, these are arranged at 180 degrees around the central longitudinal axis, whereby even this minimalist design of the arrangement consisting of an electrical connector with a fastening means offers a secure and robust fixing, which can be used in particular to absorb forces acting obliquely or transversely to the central longitudinal axis, to transfer these forces into the circuit board and to relieve the connection contacts.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention is that one or more transmission sections can be connected to the fixing section of the fastening element. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that individual fixing sections can be grouped together and connected to a single transmission section. Alternatively, several transmission sections can be provided, each assigned to one or a group of fixing sections. In any case, however, the fixing section and the transmission section are formed as a single unit and constitute a common stamped and bent part or a common formed part.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention lies in the versatility of the contact section, as several functionally relevant features are combined in a single component. The contact section of the fastening element is formed integrally with each transmission section. Thus, the contact section, the at least one transmission section, and the at least one fixing section together constitute the one-piece fastening element. Viewed along the central longitudinal axis, the contact section is annular and surrounds the insulating body. If the insulating body has a cylindrical silhouette, the contact section is annular. Alternatively, the contact section can also assume any other geometric shape, since it is, in principle, arranged around the insulating body and is essentially adapted to the contour of the insulating body.A closed contour is also advantageous, as it enables the stability and usability of a very thin, resource-efficient, yet robust contact section. It is possible to manufacture a disc-shaped contact section with a sheet thickness of typically 0.3 millimeters. Various disc shapes are conceivable, although a round disc shape or a round base shape is preferable. However, if the adaptability of the electrical connector to certain applications requires it, other contact sections with different thicknesses or geometries, such as wire-shaped contact sections and / or contact sections with continuously open contours, can also be used.

[0026] In principle, the round-shaped contact section is essentially designed in an annular shape if the insulating body is also essentially circularly symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

[0027] The contact section also has a central opening through which the insulating body penetrates. The geometry of the central opening of the contact section is essentially adapted to the corresponding geometry of the insulating body. Crucially, the clear width of the central opening of the contact section is slightly larger than or equal to the size of the insulating body in the region of the first plane, so that the fastener and insulating body can be mounted together. Preferably, however, both the insulating body and the central opening of the contact section in the region of the first plane are circular.Alternatively, the central opening of the contact section is not a closed circle, so that the contour of the central opening corresponds to a circle, at least partially, but at least in such a way that the central opening of the contact section follows the contour of the insulating body, at least partially, and is adapted to the contour of the insulating body. This is because, in an inventive manner, the round contact section has projections and / or cutouts and / or incisions which are arranged adjacent to the spring contacts. It is further provided that the spring contacts emerge and / or project from the plane of the contact section, i.e., from the first plane, and thus emerge and / or project parallel to the central longitudinal axis from the first plane, and that the free end of the contact terminates in the region of the second plane.It should also be mentioned that the contact section and the respective spring contact are formed in one piece.

[0028] Furthermore, within the modular system, various arrangements of the aforementioned shape and / or the aforementioned cutout and / or the aforementioned notch are possible adjacent to the respective spring contact. Likewise, the outer contour of the circular contact section can also be modified within certain limits, but is fundamentally adapted to the outer contour of the insulating body.

[0029] A first advantageous embodiment thus provides a central opening in the contact section, wherein the aforementioned shapes and / or cutouts and / or incisions are provided at a distal distance from the central opening, so that the respective spring contact emerges at a distal distance from the central opening, and the opening of the contact section forms an uninterrupted opening along its length. The respective spring contact is therefore located at a distal radial distance from the insulating body with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

[0030] Another advantageous embodiment provides a central opening of the contact section, wherein the respective spring contact is arranged directly adjacent to the insulating body and emerges from the contact section, and the aforementioned shapes and / or cutouts and / or incisions are provided at the distal and radial distance to the central opening, wherein the outer contour of the contact section is designed to be continuous and uninterrupted with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

[0031] Alternatively, the disc-shaped contact section is essentially square or rectangular if the insulating body is also essentially square or rectangular with respect to its central longitudinal axis. At this point, the term "disc" will be explained in more detail from the perspective and knowledge of a person skilled in sheet metal processing and fabrication. The term "disc" can be derived from a round basic geometry, although a person skilled in the art may also recognize other basic shapes such as oval or polygonal structures within the term. However, what is essential is a self-contained basic shape or other self-contained design that surrounds and is arranged around the insulating body.

[0032] Furthermore, the contact section and / or the transmission section has support areas by means of which it is supported against projections and / or teeth and / or tenons of the insulating body. This creates a firm and rigid connection directly between the contact section and / or the transmission section and the insulating body.

[0033] Furthermore, the contact section is essentially arranged in a first plane, which is parallel to and spaced from the mounting plane of the circuit board. Spring contacts extend from the first plane to a second plane, which is positioned at a greater distance from the mounting plane of the circuit board than the first plane. In other words, the spring contacts are designed such that they point essentially in the direction of the central longitudinal axis and away from the circuit board. When the connector is assembled with a plug housing or housing wall and the device assembly, the contact partner of the spring contact, namely the plug housing and / or the housing wall, lies between the first and second planes, so that the respective spring contact is always under spring tension with the contact partner, ensuring electrical contact.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, at least two spring contacts are provided, extending from the first plane and arranged evenly spaced around the central longitudinal axis when viewed from this plane. At least one of the spring contacts, or an end region of at least one spring contact, is electrically connected to a connector housing or to a device wall. In the simplest case, this electrical connection is defined as a conductive connection. Another form of electrical connection is capacitive coupling. Crucially, however, the shielding must be continued or maintained, and / or a ground connection must be established between the mounting terminals of the circuit board and the connector housing, or between the mounting terminals of the circuit board and the housing wall of an electrical device.It should also be noted that the fastener itself is made of an electrically conductive material, with a corrosion-resistant surface, for example through nickel plating.

[0035] Furthermore, in a first embodiment, the respective spring contact is designed as an elongated section and is formed by punching out or cutting into adjacent areas of the contact section. Ideally, the punching out or cutting is accompanied by a bending deformation process, which gives the freestanding spring contact a three-dimensional structure, so that the spring contact extends from the first plane to its free end area at the second plane. In this embodiment, the respective spring contact forms a single molded part with the contact section.

[0036] In another embodiment, the spring contact is free of incisions or cutouts and is formed solely by a bending process. Viewed along the central longitudinal axis, at least a section of the spring contact, but preferably the entire spring contact, follows an arc-shaped contour extending over an arc with an angle of up to 170 degrees. Here, too, the spring contact originates from the first plane, with the freestanding, arc-shaped spring contact extending through the bending process to the second plane. Again, the respective spring contact forms a single molded part with the contact section. Preferably, a large portion of the contact section is designed as a spring contact, with this portion comprising at least 75 percent of the contact section.

[0037] Advantageously, not only is the contour of the contact section adapted to the contour of the insulating body, but at least in some sections, the contour of the spring contact is also adapted to the contour of the insulating body. This creates an arrangement that occupies an extremely small projected area on the circuit board, thus enabling the realization of a device with a significantly smaller footprint.

[0038] Furthermore, the special design of the fixing sections also contributes to the latter advantage, as they are either designed as pins or as flat sections shaped in such a way that they are curved in the direction of the central longitudinal axis and do not protrude from the outer silhouette of the electrical connector. With pin mounting, the pin penetrates the circuit board, while flat fixing sections are in contact with the surface of the circuit board. Both designs offer a very robust mounting and connection option with the electrical terminals of the circuit board.

[0039] Furthermore, another advantageous aspect of the present invention should be mentioned. Within a modular system of an electrical connector family, at least the shape of the contact section of the fastening element is adapted to the modular system according to the invention. The scope of the relevant modular system is defined, in particular, by connectors of varying sizes. The number of electrical connector terminals used plays a different role. The essential factor is the feasibility of different sized insulating bodies and the correspondingly adapted fastening elements. If the insulating bodies have a substantially round-symmetrical contour in the mating area, insulating bodies with at least a smaller first diameter and a further insulating body with a larger diameter of the mating area are possible within the modular system. Other intermediate sizes are also conceivable.The dimensions of such a diameter, or as a measure of an equivalent width, can be specified as ranging from 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters.

[0040] Advantageously, the contact section or spring contact is designed to fit the modular system if the outer contour remains constant and unchanged across the entire connector family, while the inner contour is adapted to the width of the insulating body. This is achieved in a particularly cost-effective and resource-efficient manner using interchangeable inserts in the stamping and bending tool for manufacturing the fastener from a sheet metal section.

[0041] Regardless of the aforementioned precautions for at least partially relieving stress on the connector's contact points, the insulating body incorporates fixing elements or positioning aids that can also transmit some of the aforementioned forces to the circuit board. These, however, are primarily intended for positioning and precise alignment of the electrical connector on the circuit board. Manual placement of the electrical connector on the circuit board is thus simplified if the positioning aids are designed, for example, as extensions that, once mounted on the circuit board, rest in or even penetrate cutouts or openings in the board. Additional advantages arise after placement on the circuit board, as the installed connectors will no longer shift until final soldering.

[0042] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0043] Examples of implementation

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector, comprising a first mating face;

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an electrical connector, having a second mating face; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an electrical connector, having a third mating face;

[0047] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an electrical connector, having the third mating face and having an alternative fixing section;

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an electrical connector, comprising the first plug-in face and an alternative fastening means;

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the electrical connector essentially according to the aforementioned embodiment, but with the design of a fixing section 15 according to Figure 4. Fig. 7 shows a side view according to the embodiment according to Figure 3.

[0050] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary between the individual representations compared to the object depicted.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector 10. The electrical connector 10 has a first mating face 41 and, in this example, four contact-receiving recesses formed in the insulating body 11. The moldings and receptacles of the electrical contacts (not shown in detail in the figures), as well as the further details of the contacts, and also the designs of different mating faces or structural features for protection against twisting or reverse polarity, are known to those skilled in the art as prior art and are not described in detail in this application.The prior art also includes various designs of shields or contacts if shielding elements are provided within the insulating body and between and / or adjacent to the contacts of the electrical connector, which extend along the aforementioned contacts or at least parallel to the central longitudinal axis 23 up to the mounting plane 20 and optionally have extensions 31 which have a shielding connection 30 for connection to a terminal of the circuit board. Figures 3 and 4, in particular, show such an extension of a shielding element 31, the configuration of which depends on the design of the plug-in face 41, 42, 43 and is known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Opposite the respective plug-in face 41, 42, 43, the mounting plane 20 is provided on the circuit board (not shown in detail in the drawing). The fixing sections 15, and ideally individual or connected foot sections 17 of the insulating body 11, rest directly on the surface of the circuit board.

[0053] The embodiments of the electrical connectors 10 according to Figures 1 to 7 relate to so-called circular connectors. The insulating body 11 is essentially designed as a body of revolution or has, at least in its end region, a

[0054] The plug face 41, 42, 43 has a contour of circular symmetrical nature.

[0055] At least this circularly symmetrical end region is assigned the central longitudinal axis 23, which is perpendicular to the mounting plane 20 of the circuit board.

[0056] In the assembled state of an electrical device, a connector housing (not shown) is provided around the insulating body 11. This housing is also essentially designed with a circular symmetry. Complementary mating connectors, preferably carrying flexible cables, can be connected to the electrical connector 10. The mating connector is designed and configured to form a positive mechanical connection with the insulating body 11 and to have electrical mating contacts that are designed to connect to the electrical contacts of the electrical connector 10.Also not shown in detail and also evident from the state of the art, the mating connector of the flexible cable can be equipped with positive locking means such as threads or movable clamps, which can form a positively locking screw connection or a positively locking locking connection with the aforementioned connector housing in the mounted position.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1, 5 and 7, three levels are also depicted. The mounting level 20 corresponds to the surface plane of the circuit board or the surface plane of the electrical connecting leads and contacts, which are either mounted on the surface of the circuit board or, in the case of a multilayer circuit board, are routed to its surface on which the electrical connector 10 is mounted.

[0058] A first level 21 is provided at a distance from the fastening level 20, and a second level 22 is defined at a greater distance.

[0059] Furthermore, Figures 1 to 7 show a fastening element 12, which has a contact section 13, a transmission section 14, and a fixing section 15. In an inventive manner, the fixing section 15, the transmission section 14, and the contact section 13 are both electrically conductive and formed as a single molded part. The fastening element is designed and configured to provide the electrical connector 10 with an additional fastening point beyond the electrical connections to the circuit board, in order to mechanically relieve the regular signal and / or power transmission connections between the connection contacts and the circuit board, so that the fastening element absorbs at least the majority or even all of the forces exerted on the connection contacts to the circuit board.

[0060] For this purpose, the contact section 13 is essentially designed as a planar and as a ring-shaped circumferential section, wherein the ring-shaped circumferential contour of the contact section 13 is adapted to the outer contour of the insulating body 11.

[0061] Furthermore, the contact section 13 is assigned to a first plane 21 that extends symmetrically to it. Figures 1 to 7 also show that the contact section 13 and / or the transmission section 14 is supported by or connected to support areas of the insulating body 11, or to projections and / or teeth and / or tenons of the insulating body 11. Thus, a fixed and rigid connection is formed directly between the contact section 13 and / or the transmission section 14 and the insulating body 11.

[0062] Referring to the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 4, the contact section 13 is essentially designed as a planar section from which individual spring contacts 16 protrude.

[0063] From the first level 21 of the contact section 13, at least one spring tongue or at least one spring contact 16 extends to the second level 22.

[0064] With reference to the alternative embodiments according to Figures 5 and 6, the contact section 13 itself is shaped as a spatial structure and has resilient areas which extend from the first level 21 of the contact section 13 to the second level 22.

[0065] Furthermore, the distal distance between the mounting plane 20 and the first plane 21 is smaller than the distal distance between the mounting plane 20 and the second plane 22.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the spring contact 16, and various embodiments of a spring contact are applicable. The at least one spring contact 16 is, in principle, connected to the contact section 13 or forms a one-piece molded part with the contact section 13. Furthermore, the spring contact 16 extends from the first level 21 to the second level 22. The spring contacts 16 of the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 4 are designed in the manner of a spring tongue 16, and the first end of each spring tongue 16 is connected to the contact section 13 or forms a one-piece molded part with it. Alternatively, Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment of a spring contact 16, which also has a first end and is thus connected to the contact section 13 or forms a one-piece molded part with it.Similarly, the spring contact 16 extends from the first level 21 to the second level 22, although this spring contact is designed as an arc shape, and the shape of the arc follows the round contour of the insulating body 11. Essentially, the central longitudinal axis of the arc shape of this spring contact 16 coincides with the central longitudinal axis 23, or, if the arc shape is offset, it is parallel and spaced apart from each other.

[0067] The spring contact 16, which is free of any incisions, and the arc shape, which forms an angle of approximately 170 degrees, are clearly visible in the illustrations in Figures 5 and 6. Depending on the design of such a spring contact 16 with the connected contact section 13, arc angles of 120 degrees and above are conceivable and, with a corresponding offset between the central longitudinal axis of the arc shape and the central longitudinal axis 23, can even reach 180 degrees.

[0068] In any case, the spring contact 16 extends along its length. The longitudinal extension of the spring contact 16 forms an acute angle with the first plane 21.

[0069] The range of possible acute angles is between 2 degrees and 70 degrees, but preferably between 5 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0070] The longitudinal extent of each spring contact 16 is essentially formed by a straight line. In one embodiment, the end region of the spring contact 16, or the free end region of the spring contact 16, is curved, with the arc of this end region extending away from the second plane 22 and thus converging towards the first plane 21. Such segmentally arc-shaped profiles of a spring tongue 16 or a spring contact 16 have the advantage that the outer contour of the arc serves as a sliding arc contact to the connector housing or the housing wall.

[0071] A preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, provides a spring contact 16 adjacent to a section of the contact section 13. The contact section 13 is essentially formed as a flat sheet metal part. In this preferred embodiment, the spring contact 16 is divided into two sections 31 and 32. The first section 31 of the spring contact 16 is elongated and its first end section forms a single piece with the contact section 13. A second section 32 extends from the first section 31 and is also essentially elongated. A bend 33 is provided in the transition area between the first section 31 and the second section 32. The bend 33 is designed such that the free end of the contact section 16 points towards the second plane 22, terminates there, and thus forms the end of the spring contact 16.

[0072] In principle, each spring contact 16, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, can be seen as a bending beam clamped at one end, with the transition or the one-piece connection to the contact section 13 being considered the clamping point. When the electrical connector 10 is brought into the assembled state of an arrangement with a connector housing and / or housing wall, the free end of the spring contact 16 experiences a bending force and thus also a deflection, as already mentioned. The maximum deflection of the free end of the spring contact 16 in the aforementioned assembled state is located between the first level 21 and the second level 22, while the first section 31 with the attached bend 33, described above, moves out of the first level 21 and approaches the mounting level 20.

[0073] The advantageous feature of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4 then becomes apparent, as these are provided with a shielding element (not shown in detail) which extends inside the insulating body and between predetermined contacts and, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, has a projection 31 which is provided with a shielding connection 30 for electrical connection to the circuit board. In the assembled state, the first region 31, or the bend 33 extending from the first region, contacts the surface of the projection 31 of the shielding element, thus forming an additional electrical contact between the contact section 13 and the connector housing or the housing wall.In summary, each spring contact 16 has a contact area at its free end, which is located distally to its first end and provides an electrical connection between the connector housing or a housing wall. The free end of the spring contact 16 is spring-deficient, and the first end terminates in the contact section 13.

[0074] In summary, and according to a further embodiment, the spring contact 16 has several contact areas, wherein one contact area in the form of the free end area of ​​the spring contact 16 is provided for electrical connection with the housing of the electrical connector or for connection with a housing wall, and another contact area is provided for electrical connection with a shielding element or with a projection 34 of a shielding element of the electrical connector 10. In a simplified embodiment, said further contact area is formed by the bend 33.

[0075] Furthermore, at least the surface of the fastening element 12 is designed to be electrically conductive, at least in sections.

[0076] Preferably, the fastening element 12 is designed as a metallic stamped-bent forming element and / or as a metallic stamped-bent part. This allows for several synergies, such as its use as a component with high strength, low weight, and good high force transmission capacity, as well as a very thin and material-saving design, wherein each spring contact 16 is formed as an integral contact by stamping out areas of a flat sheet metal blank adjacent to the spring contact 16. Furthermore, it offers the possibility of electroplating the surface to prevent corrosion and / or to achieve low contact resistance or easy soldering. The fastening element 12, as a metallic stamped-bent forming part, has a contact section 13 with at least one transmission section 14.If a special design of the shielding is required, the fastening element 12 can also have more than two transmission sections, as well as two or more than two fixing sections 15.

[0077] In any case, at least one fixing section 15 is designed to be permanently connected to an electrical connection of the circuit board. Typically, an electrical ground and / or earth potential is provided or applied for this purpose, which is connected to or applied to the fixing section 15, so that electrical equipotential bonding or electromagnetic shielding is possible and the fixing section 15 can also be referred to as an equipotential bonding connection and / or an electromagnetic shielding connection and / or a ground connection.At this point, reference should also be made to the aforementioned and functionally equivalent description for continuing or ensuring the shielding and / or creating a ground balance between the fixing terminals of the circuit board and the connector housing or between the fixing terminals of the circuit board and the housing wall of an electrical device.

[0078] Furthermore, at least one fixing section 15 is designed as a flat tongue in the manner of a solder connection, wherein the flat tongue extends at least partially and substantially parallel to the connection contact of the circuit board.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5, all flat tongues of the fixing sections 15 are aligned towards each other, or are essentially aligned in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 23 of the connector 10. Advantageously, each of the flat tongues of the fixing section 15, or all fixing sections 15, are arranged within the projected area of ​​the entire connector from the viewing direction along the insertion direction or along the central longitudinal axis 23. Advantageously, the design of the electrical connector 10 thus represents a very small footprint on the circuit board, resulting in a space-saving design.

[0080] This is further achieved by ensuring that at least one transmission section 14 is guided closely along or supported by the insulating body 11. Surface fixing sections 15 offer the advantage of providing a relatively large area for a metallurgical connection, for example by soldering, which in turn ensures a high degree of robustness. Alternatively, at least one fixing section 15 can be pin-shaped and penetrate an opening in the circuit board. Furthermore, these pins can be round, straight, bent, or similar and designed to fit the openings in the circuit board as a clearance fit for easy insertion, or alternatively, designed for secure insertion and / or simultaneous contact with the circuit board.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a side view according to the embodiment of Figure 3, wherein a seal 70 additionally rests in a circumferential groove of the insulating body 11. The seal 70 is designed and configured to seal the gap between the insulating body 11 and the connector housing, or the gap between the insulating body 11 and the housing wall. Advantageously, this prevents potting compounds from escaping from the interior of the device. Conversely, liquids, gases, solids, and dust cannot enter the interior of the device. The positions of the mounting level 20, the first level 21, and the second level 22 are clearly visible, as explained in more detail above.It should also be noted that the connector housing (not shown in detail) or the housing wall (not shown in detail) in the assembled state of the device at least contacts the spring contact 16, but preferably deflects the spring contact 16 in such a way that at least the contact point between the spring contact 16 and the connector housing or the housing wall lies between the first level 21 and the second level 22.

[0082] In the side view shown in Figure 7, it is also clearly visible that the end regions of the terminals 60 of the contact elements of the electrical connector 10 lie in the mounting plane 20 together with the fixing section 15. As described in more detail above, the fixing sections 15 are designed as planar fixing sections 15, since their respective end regions are curved and aligned, at least partially, parallel to the mounting plane 20. As can be seen from the illustration in Figure 7, the terminals 60 are designed as SMT terminals 60 (Surface Mount Technology). The shielding terminals 30 are also clearly visible; these protrude downwards beyond the mounting plane 20 and penetrate the circuit board (not shown in detail), and are connected, or can be connected, to predetermined conductor tracks on the circuit board in a manner not shown in detail.

[0083] In combination with all the figures and as described at the outset, the present invention also relates to the creation of a modular system when the electrical connector 10 is equipped with different contact elements, different plug faces 41, 42, 43, different

[0084] Modular insulating bodies 51, 52, 53, optionally a sealing ring 70 can be used, optionally various fastening means can be used, different connections 60 or shielding connections 30 can be used, wherein all connections 60, all shielding connections 30 and all fixing sections 15 are optionally designed as surface-mount connections according to SMT technology as well as through-hole connections according to THT technology or according to combinations thereof. The combination in which the connector 10 according to the invention is designed is at the discretion of the person skilled in the art, depending on the specific application.

[0085] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise indicated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG

[0086] Title: Electrical connector

[0087] Reference symbol list

[0088] 10 Electrical connectors

[0089] 11 insulating bodies

[0090] 12 Fasteners

[0091] 13 Contact section

[0092] 14 Transmission section

[0093] 15 Fixation section

[0094] 16 spring contact

[0095] 17 foot section

[0096] 20 Mounting level

[0097] 21 first level

[0098] 22 second level

[0099] 23 Central longitudinal axis

[0100] 30 Shielding connection

[0101] 31 first area

[0102] 32 second area

[0103] 33 bend

[0104] 34 Extension of the shielding element

[0105] 41 first face plug

[0106] 42 second plug-in face

[0107] 43 third plug face

[0108] 51 first modular insulating body

[0109] 52 second modular insulating body

[0110] 53 third modular insulating body

[0111] 60 End area / Connection of the contact element 70 Seal / Sealing

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Electrical connector Claims 1. Electrical connector (10) with an electrical insulating body (11), wherein the insulating body (11) comprises at least one receptacle for holding and fixing at least one electrically conductive contact element, and the electrical connector (10) is configured to form a form-fit and / or material-fit connection with a printed circuit board, wherein an end region (60) of each electrical contact element is provided to form an electrically conductive connection with an electrical terminal of a printed circuit board, and the electrical connector (10) further comprises fastening means (12) for firmly connecting at least the electrical insulating body (11) to the printed circuit board, and wherein the fastening means (12) and the insulating body (11) are designed to be form-fittedly connectable to one another by means of connecting sections, wherein the fastening means (12) is designed as a one-piece and as an electrically conductive fastening means (12).and has a contact section (13) for electrical contact with a connector housing or with a housing wall, and a transmission section (14) for transmitting both forces and electrical potential equalization and / or for electromagnetic shielding, as well as a fixing section (15) for fixed fixing to the circuit board, and wherein the contact section (13) has spring contacts (16) which emerge and / or project from the plane of the contact section (13) parallel and along the central longitudinal axis (23).

2. Electrical connector (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the contact section (13) is essentially designed as a planar and as an annular circumferential section, wherein the annular circumferential contour of the contact section (13) is adapted to the outer contour of the insulating body (11),and that the contact section (13) is assigned a first level (21) extending symmetrically to it in a plane.

3. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one spring tongue or at least one spring contact (16) extends from the first plane (21) of the contact section (13) to the second plane (22), or wherein the contact section (13) itself is formed as a spatial structure and resilient areas of the spatial structure extend from the first plane (21) of the contact section (13) to the second plane (22), furthermore the distal distance between the mounting plane (20) and the first plane (21) is smaller than the distal distance between the mounting plane (20) and the second plane (22).

4. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient section of the contact section (13) is designed as an elongated spring contact (16) in the form of a spring tongue (16), and that the first end of each spring tongue (16) is connected to the contact section (13), or that the spring contact (16) is formed by a region of the contact section (13) itself, wherein the region of the contact section (13) is designed as an arc-shaped contact section (13) and the shape of the arc is adapted to the outer contour of the insulating body (11).

5. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an acute angle is formed between the longitudinal extension of the spring contact (16) and the first plane (21) of the contact section (13).

6. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that each spring contact (16) has a contact area at its free end area which is located distally to its first end and provides an electrical connection between the housing of the connector or with a housing wall.

7. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring contact (16) has several contact areas, wherein a contact area in the form of the free end area of ​​the spring contact (16) is provided for electrical connection with the housing of the electrical connector or for connection with a housing wall, and a further contact area is provided for electrical connection with a shielding element or with a projection (34) of the shielding element of the electrical connector (10).

8. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that the fastening element (12) is designed as a metallic stamped and bent part.

9. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one transmission section (14) is provided on the contact section (13).

0. Electrical connector (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one fixing section (15) is designed to be firmly connected to an electrical terminal of the circuit board, which has a ground and / or earth potential, wherein the at least one fixing section (15) is designed as a flat tongue in the manner of a solder terminal, and that the flat tongue extends at least partially and substantially parallel to the terminal contact of the circuit board.

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