EP1453144A1 - Contact element for surface mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

The contact element has a plug section (14) that can be plugged together with a corresponding section of a complementary contact element along a plugging direction (S), at least one contacting section (18, 18') for surface mounting on the circuit bearer and at least one sprung connecting section (16, 16') connecting the plug and contacting sections.

Description

The present invention relates to a contact element for surface mounting on a circuit board.

Electrical circuits on circuit boards, such as circuit boards are often used with other electrical or electronic components Connected via cables, for which purpose plug connections are easier to assemble to be used. Appropriate contact elements can be used for this directly with the circuit carrier both mechanically and electrically be connected.

On the one hand, contact elements can be used that in Push-through installation through a through hole in the circuit carrier plugged in and then soldered into it. However, this solution is production engineering comparatively complex.

On the other hand, contact elements can be used for surface mounting be in which a contact section directly on a corresponding contact area on a circuit board under training an electrical connection, for example by a soldered connection, is attached. Contact elements connected in this way to a circuit carrier have the disadvantage, however, that they stick together with a complementary connector easily from the circuit carrier loosen so that the from the circuit carrier with the on it arranged circuit and the contact element formed assembly can no longer be used without repairs.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of a contact element to create the one hand simply with a circuit board is connectable and on the other hand against damage to the Establishing or releasing plug connections is insensitive.

The task is solved by a contact element for surface mounting on a circuit carrier with the features of claim 1.

The contact element according to the invention for surface mounting a circuit carrier comprises a plug-in section which is connected to a corresponding section of a complementary contact element along a plug-in direction can be plugged together, at least one contacting section for surface mounting on the circuit board and at least one the plug section with the contacting section connecting, at least in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the plug section resilient spring section.

The contact element according to the invention is for mounting on a surface of the circuit carrier, which is particularly flexible or preferably at least in the fastening area for the contact element can be rigid.

The contact element has the contacting section for surface mounting on, for this purpose, preferably at least on one during assembly the surface of a corresponding contact area of the circuit carrier facing contact surface and in particular foot-like can be trained. This can be done by the usual methods Surface mounting, for example soldering, with the contact area to be connected on the circuit board. The size of the area of the The contacting side of the contacting section can accordingly predetermined electrical and especially mechanical Requirements for the quality and strength of the connection to the circuit carrier be chosen.

The is used to connect to a complementary connector Mating section that with the complementary connector or complementary contact element of the complementary connector in one by the formation of the plug-in section and / or the complementary Contact element at least partially given plug direction is pluggable.

According to the invention, the plug section with the contacting section connected via the spring section. The spring section is at least in flexible in a direction parallel to the plugging direction of the plugging section, i.e. resilient, designed for what it is preferably from a corresponding elastic resilient material can be made.

Due to this property, the spring section can be plugged together with the complementary connector or when loosening the complementary connector occurring peaks of the insertion forces record at least partially and so the contacting section and in particular also its connection to the circuit carrier before Power peaks protects. A circuit carrier with an attached to it by surface mounting held contact element according to the invention proves therefore both when making and when disconnecting plug connections with a complementary connector as particularly robust.

Although the contact element according to the invention is very much in use is robust, it can be surface mounted and therefore less expensive Way to be connected to the circuit carrier.

Further developments and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the claims, the description and the drawings.

In principle, the resilient effect of the spring section on any Way can be obtained. A particularly good cushioning effect even when using metals as material for the spring section however, it is preferable that the spring portion has at least one section running transversely to the direction of insertion. Such a section allows the spring section to have forces by elastic bending, so that even when using a good or no compressible material or a good spring effect is achieved.

It is particularly preferred that the spring section alone or together with the contacting section at least one U-shaped Has loop. In this way, two in particular transverse to Sections of the spring section extending in the direction of insertion are formed, which result in a particularly good spring effect.

The most symmetrical possible distribution of forces and torques on the connection area between the contact element according to the invention and a contact area on the circuit board enable, it is preferred that at least two contacting sections are provided, each with the plug section by at least one in a direction parallel to a direction of insertion of the Plug section resilient spring section are connected. The spring sections need not be trained in the same way.

It is particularly preferred that the spring sections alone or. together with the respective contacting sections a U-shaped Have loop, the loops preferably in each other open in opposite directions. In particular, the U-shaped loops can be arranged parallel to each other, so that at very space-saving construction still a very symmetrical distribution occurring plug forces on the contacting sections and thus corresponding connections with a corresponding contact area of the circuit carrier results. The symmetrical distribution of forces leads to less stress on the connections.

Basically, the plug section can be connected to any complementary connectors to be formed. For example the plug section a contact pin or a contact tongue or a Have contact blades. In particular to form a device holder on a circuit carrier, however, it is preferred that the plug section designed to receive a contact pin or a contact tongue is. For this purpose, the contact element can preferably have two contact arms have, at least one transverse to the direction of insertion of the Plug section is designed to be resilient on the other contact arm, so that a contact pin inserted between the contact arms makes them spreads apart against backward bending forces.

It is particularly preferred that an over-spring has two contact arms of the plug-in section at least partially encloses, of which at least one is resilient and between which the contact pin or the contact tongue can be inserted. With such a spring, the Contact to a contact pin or tongue, which or which is pushed between the contact arms can be improved as a result of the spring force can easily be increased with which the Contact arms of the plug section are pressed against each other when the contact pin or the contact tongue is inserted between them.

To prevent the plug section from moving too far To be able to prevent the circuit carrier comprises the contact element preferably a stop element, by means of which a movement at least the plug section in the plug direction on the contacting section to, especially by striking against the circuit carrier, is limited. In this way, additional protection of the Connection of the contacting section with a contact area of the Circuit carrier take place, which in particular can only be grasped needs when particularly large forces occur that lead to one too far would result in deformation of the spring section. The stop element can in particular on the plug section or also, if available, the over-spring be formed.

For a particularly simple manufacture of the contact element according to the invention To enable, it is preferred that the plug section, the Spring section and the contacting section together as one piece Bent sheet metal part are formed. A sheet is preferably used for this purpose with a sufficiently high electrical conductivity and a sufficient mechanical bending elasticity, which can be obtained by punching and subsequent bending the aforementioned sections in one piece Have the component trained. The formation of the spring section and the elastic properties of the sheet used are preferred matched to each other so that the desired spring effect is achieved becomes.

The over-spring is preferably also formed in one piece and encloses it the bent sheet metal part with the plug section, the spring section and the contacting section at least partially.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kontaktelements nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung von vorn und schräg unten,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Kontaktelements in Fig. 1 von vorn und schräg oben,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Kontaktelements in Fig. 1 von hinten, d.h. in einer gegenüber der Ansicht in Fig. 1 um 180° um dessen Längsachse gedrehten Ansicht, und

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktelements in Fig. 1.

The invention will now be further explained by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective view of a contact element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention from the front and obliquely below,

Fig. 2

2 shows a perspective view of the contact element in FIG. 1 from the front and obliquely from above,

Fig. 3

2 shows a perspective view of the contact element in FIG. 1 from the rear, ie in a view rotated by 180 ° about its longitudinal axis in relation to the view in FIG. 1, and

Fig. 4

2 shows a side view of the contact element in FIG. 1.

1 to 4 comprises a contact element for surface mounting on a circuit carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the Invention a one-piece base body 10 and one held thereon Spring element 12.

The base body 10 is in one piece as a stamped and bent part made of an electrical well conductive, flexible metal made in one piece.

The base body 10 comprises a plug section 14, which has two U-shaped Spring sections 16, 16 'with two corresponding contacting sections 18, 18 'is connected.

The plug section 14 has a collar-shaped central section 20 a substantially square cross-section on which two opposite sides extending along an insertion direction S, Resilient contact arms 22 are formed.

The contact arms 22 are close to each other near the middle section 20 kinked and symmetrical towards each other in the direction of their free ends too inclined. At the free ends, they have each bent outwards Opening sections 24, the edge regions of which abut one another, if there is no complementary contact element between the contact arms 22 is pushed. This bend ensures a safe insertion a contact knife or a contact tongue between the contact arms 22 enables. To achieve a particularly good contact the contact arms 22 in the region of the opening sections 24 and one adjacent area with a precious metal such as gold be coated.

At the middle section 20 of the plug section 14, the U-shaped ones Spring sections 16 and 16 'held.

The U-shaped spring sections 16 and 16 'with those held thereon Contacting sections 18 and 18 'are symmetrical to each other trained and arranged side by side, which is characterized by the Spring sections 16 and 16 'formed U-shaped loops in each other open in opposite directions.

Since the spring sections 16 and 16 'are thus essentially the same , it is sufficient to describe only one of these spring sections in more detail.

Legs 26 and 26 'of the U-shaped spring section 16 are transverse to Plug direction S arranged oriented. The one with the plug section 14 connected leg 26 is via a curved connecting section 28 and the leg 26 'via a connecting section 28' the plug section 14 and the contacting section 18 connected. The connecting section 28 'is designed such that the leg 26 'is cranked relative to the contacting section 18, so that this when mounted on a contact area not shown in the figures a circuit carrier, for example in the form of a circuit board, not rests on it.

The contacting sections 18 and 18 'are plate-shaped than each the same contacting feet are formed and extend over the total width of the two spring sections 16 and 16 '. They are still in relation to a plane running normal to the plug direction S in at an angle of approximately 10 ° to each other to ensure a good solder joint to allow with a contact area of the circuit carrier.

The spring element 12 is also in one piece from a resilient Metal sheet formed as a stamped and bent part, but here the sheet only in Regarding the desired mechanical properties, in particular the bending elasticity is selected.

It comprises a U-shaped holding area 30 with at the free ends of the U-leg of the holding area 30 trained holding tabs 32. Der The holding area 30 is designed such that it fits onto the plug section 14 can be plugged on, the holding area 30 and thus the spring element 12 by bending the retaining tabs 32 around the contact arms 22 or their connection to the central section 20 and thus the plug section 14 is attached.

Overspring arms are located on opposite sides of the holding area 30 34 with free ends 36 bent towards each other extend along the contact arms 22 with the ends 36 on the corresponding contact arms 22 in the region of the opening section 24 rest. The spring arms 34 are also inclined towards one another, so that when the contact arms 22 are pressed apart then occurring restoring bending forces are bent apart can.

On the side of the holding area opposite the spring arms 34 30 locking arms 38 are formed on opposite sides, the side protrude resiliently from the holding area 30 and to the holder or locking the contact element in a corresponding housing can serve.

Finally, there is a plate-shaped, parallel to the holding area 30 stop element 40 (see FIG. 3) extending to plug direction S, by means of which by the resilient action of the spring sections 16 and 16 'enabled movement of the plug section 14 on which the The spring element 12 is held in the direction of the contacting section or the contacting sections 18, 18 'can be limited. The For this purpose, stop element 40 has, in particular, a bent tongue 42 on a circuit carrier facing a surface mount Page on.

For surface mounting on a contact area of a circuit board can the contact sections 18 and 18 'with the contact area facing contacting areas of the contacting sections 18 and 18 'with the contact area and thus the circuit carrier for example by soldering.

When inserting a contact knife or a contact tongue between the contact arms 22 are these against corresponding resetting Forces of the contact arms 22 themselves and the spring arms 34 apart bent, simultaneously exerting forces parallel to the direction of insertion become. These cause the U-shaped spring sections 16 and 16 'including the connecting sections 28 and 28' under at least partial absorption of the forces are deformed. This means that the Contacting sections 18 and 18 'no force peaks, but the Force course changes more evenly.

If the forces are too great, so that the plug section 14 with the Spring element 12 moved too far in the direction of the circuit carrier, strikes the stop element 40 with the bent tongue 42 the circuit carrier so that a further movement of the plug section 14 and thus a further deformation of the U-shaped spring sections 16 and 16 'with the corresponding connecting sections 28 and 28 'is avoided. This also means that no additional forces are created the contacting sections 18 and 18 'exerted, so that a breaking the connection of the contacting sections 18 and 18 'with the corresponding one Contact area on the circuit carrier is avoided.

After inserting the contact knife or the contact tongue the deformed spring sections 16 and 16 'can relax again and take their untensioned shape.

Even when removing a contact knife that is between the contact arms 22 is inserted, corresponding forces can be caused by deformation the U-shaped spring sections 16 and 16 'and the corresponding Connection sections 28 and 28 'are added.

The fact that the contacting sections 18 and 18 'over the extend the entire width of the two U-shaped spring sections 16 and 16 ', occur even when not perfectly orthogonal to the surface of the Circuit carrier occurring plug forces no torques on to break the connection of the contacting sections 18 and 18 'with the corresponding contact area on the circuit carrier could result.

On the one hand, it becomes a very simple and cost-saving surface assembly enables the contact element on a circuit carrier, on the other hand, damage to the connection of the contact element very reliable with the circuit carrier by plug-in forces can be avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

body

12

About spring element

14

plug-in section

16, 16 '

U-shaped spring sections

18, 18 '

contacting portions

20

midsection

22

contact arms

24

opening portions

26, 26 '

leg

28, 28 '

connecting sections

30

holding area

32

retaining tabs

34

Spring arms

36

end up

38

locking arms

40

stop element

42

tongue

S

plug-in direction

Claims (9)

Contact element for surface mounting on a circuit board with
a plug-in section (14) which can be plugged together with a corresponding section of a complementary contact element along a plug-in direction (S),
at least one contacting section (18, 18 ') for surface mounting on the circuit carrier and
at least one spring section (16, 16 ') connecting the plug section (14) to the contacting section (18, 18') and resilient at least in one direction parallel to the plug direction (S) of the plug section (14). Contact element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the spring section (16, 16 ') has at least one section (26, 26') running transversely to the direction of insertion (S). Contact element according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the spring section (16, 16 '), alone or together with the contacting section (18, 18'), has at least one U-shaped loop. Contact element according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least two contacting sections. (18, 18 ') are provided, each of which is connected to the plug section (14) by at least one spring section (16, 16') resilient in one direction parallel to a plug direction (S) of the plug section (14). Contact element according to claim 3,
characterized in that the spring sections (16, 16 ') alone or together with the respective contacting sections (18, 18') each have a U-shaped loop, the loops preferably opening in mutually opposite directions Contact element according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug-in section (14) is designed to receive a contact pin or a contact tongue. Contact element according to claim 6,
characterized in that an over-spring (12) at least partially surrounds two contact arms (22) of the plug-in section (14), at least one of which is designed to be resilient and between which the contact pin or the contact tongue can be inserted. Contact element according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
a stop element (40), by means of which a movement of the plug-in section (14) in the plug-in direction (S) towards the contacting section (18, 18 ') can be limited, in particular by striking against the circuit carrier. Contact element according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug-in section (14), the spring section (16, 16 ') and the contacting section (18, 18') are formed together as a one-piece bent sheet metal part.

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