EP3017510B1 - Plug-in connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector. The invention also relates to a multiple plug connector which, in cooperation with a mating connector, is provided in particular for the transmission of high-frequency signals between two printed circuit boards.

Such plug-in connectors or multiple plug-in connectors are intended to ensure the most loss-free transmission of high-frequency signals even in a defined tolerance range with regard to the parallelism and the distance between the two circuit boards. Furthermore, the plug connectors should be inexpensive to manufacture and regularly be sufficiently robust for integration into an assembly line.

It is known to establish a simple connection (that is to say a single high-frequency signal path) between two circuit boards by means of two coaxial connectors firmly connected to the circuit boards and an adapter, the so-called "bullet", which connects the two coaxial connectors. This adapter enables an axial and radial tolerance compensation, as well as the compensation of parallelism tolerances. Typical coaxial connectors used for this are SMP, Mini-SMP or FMC. Are a multitude of high frequency paths between two Provided printed circuit boards, a large number of such single plug connections must be used, which in particular represents a considerable assembly effort.

By means of multiple plug connectors that integrate a large number of contact elements in a defined arrangement in a housing, the assembly effort when connecting two circuit boards can be reduced considerably compared to the use of single plug connectors. However, the integration of a tolerance compensation functionality of the multiple connectors is a challenge.

the WO 2011/088902 A1 describes a connector with a first spacer, a second spacer and spring tongues. The spring tongues are in contact with the second spacer but not with the first spacer.

the US 6,361,348 B1 discloses a connector having a housing, a dielectric and a coil spring. The spiral spring is not connected to the housing or to the dielectric.

the EP 2 053 705 A2 describes a connector with an insulator, a transition piece and a tongue. The tongue is connected to a first contact piece, which represents an inner conductor. The insulator and the transition piece are not in contact with each other.

From the DE 20 2012 008 969 U1 a connector with two multiple connectors for the electrical connection of two circuit boards is known. There all contact elements are designed as stamped and bent components made of sheet metal. The individual inner conductors of one connector are designed as flat contact tabs, which are contacted on both sides by contact spring tabs, arranged like pliers, of the respective inner conductors of the other connector. The outer conductors surrounding the respective inner conductors are in both Connectors designed box-shaped, the outer conductors of one connector being pushed into the outer conductor of the other connector, resulting in a large-area contact on three sides of the outer conductor. With those from the DE 20 2012 008 969 U1 Known multiple plug connectors, the tolerance-compensating functionality results from the elastic deformability and the relative displaceability of the flat contact elements.

Proceeding from this prior art, the invention was based on the object of specifying a connector which is characterized by a robust design, despite a functionality that compensates for tolerances.

This object is achieved by a connector according to claim 1. A multiple plug connector integrating several plug connectors according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the plug connector according to the invention and the multiple plug connector according to the invention are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims and emerge from the following description of the invention.

A connector according to the invention with an (elongated, in particular tubular or pin-shaped) inner conductor and an insulator surrounding the inner conductor is characterized, inter alia, in that the insulator has a first insulator part and a second insulator part which is structurally separated from the first insulator part and which can be rotated relatively by means of an insulator hinge are connected.

A "joint" is understood to mean that two structurally separate (i.e. not integrally formed) parts work together in such a way that they form at least one axis of rotation for the relative rotation, the two parts making direct or indirect contact and, in particular, sliding against each other during the relative rotation.

The isolator parts are urged into a neutral position relative to one another by means of a spring device, which they assume automatically in the unloaded state. This can ensure that the plug-side insulator part and the inner conductor part arranged therein, when plugged together with a Mating connector is located in a defined orientation.

The spring device comprises a flat surface or an edge defining a flat surface on the partially spherical outer surface of the one outer conductor part, which in the neutral position rests flat against a flat contact surface of an elastically deflectable spring element. A rotation of this outer conductor part can then cause the flat surface (defined by the edge) to tilt relative to the contact surface, as a result of which this or the spring element is elastically deflected.

One of the insulator parts comprises a part-spherical outer surface which is arranged in a part-spherical inner surface of a housing of the connector. As a result, the relative rotation of the isolator parts can be reliably performed regardless of the direction of rotation.

The connector according to the invention can be designed as an angled connector, the inner conductor having a first inner conductor part and a second inner conductor part, the longitudinal axes of which are angled to one another.

The embodiment of a plug connector according to the invention enables the inner conductor to be essentially immovably integrated into the insulator, which is preferably made of a rigid material, as a result of which the inner conductor is well protected. In particular, bending of the inner conductor, which is regularly designed as a filigree metal part, can be avoided when handling the connector and especially when plugging it together with a mating connector. The integration of a joint in the insulator ensures the desired functionality for tolerance compensation, so that the plug-side end of the inner conductor (together with the corresponding section of the insulator) can move within limits.

In a preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention, in particular in the preferred embodiment as an angled connector, it can be provided that the isolator joint can rotate relative to at least the longitudinal axis of one of the two isolator parts (preferably not the plug-side Isolator part) as well as about an axis perpendicular to both longitudinal axes of the isolator parts. Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that a relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the other insulator part and in particular a rotation of the plug-side insulator part about its own longitudinal axis is not possible as a result of a corresponding configuration of the insulator joint.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that one of the insulator parts comprises a groove in which a section of the other insulator part that is round in cross section, in particular cylindrical, is arranged. In this way, relative rotatability of the insulator parts about the longitudinal axis of the section which is round in cross section and about an axis running transversely to the groove is made possible in a simple manner. At the same time, an unwanted relative rotation around a third axis perpendicular to these two axes, such as the longitudinal axis of the plug-in insulator part, can be effectively prevented. It can particularly preferably be provided that the groove is arranged in the section of the insulator part that forms the partially spherical outer surface and furthermore preferably extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of this insulator part.

In particular if the inner conductor parts are arranged essentially immovably within the insulator parts, the relative rotation of the insulator parts can also lead to a relative rotation of the inner conductor parts. In the case of a one-piece inner conductor, this can be made possible by deformation, in particular in an angled section of the inner conductor. However, it can be advantageous that a hinge is also integrated into the inner conductor, so that a first inner conductor part and a second inner conductor part which is structurally separated from the first inner conductor part are connected in a relatively rotatable manner by means of an inner conductor hinge. It can particularly preferably be provided that the inner conductor joint enables a relative rotation about at least the same axes as the isolator joint.

A structurally simple embodiment of such an inner conductor joint can provide that one of the inner conductor parts forms a fork which receives a section of the other inner conductor section which is round in cross section, in particular a cylindrical section.

In order to achieve good transmission performance for high-frequency signals, an outer conductor which acts as a shield for the inner conductor and surrounds the inner conductor and the insulator can be provided. It can be provided that a housing of the plug connector forms the or part of the outer conductor.

A multiple plug connector according to the invention comprises at least several plug connectors according to the invention and a housing integrating the plug connectors. It can be provided that the housing forms part of the outer conductors of all plug connectors, whereby a structurally simple design for the multiple plug connector can be achieved.

Fig. 1:

eine Steckverbindung mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Mehrfachsteckverbinder sowie einem Gegensteckverbinder im nicht gesteckten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2:

die Steckverbindung in einer Ansicht von vorne;

Fig. 3:

die Steckverbindung in einer Ansicht von hinten;

Fig. 4:

die Steckverbindung in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 5:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckverbindung im teilweise gesteckten Zustand mit einer Neutralstellung der Steckverbinder;

Fig. 6:

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckverbindung im teilweise gesteckten Zustand mit einer Versatzstellung der Steckverbinder;

Fig. 7:

ein erster Isolatorteil des Mehrfachsteckverbinders in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 8:

einen Innenleiter des Mehrfachsteckverbinders in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 9:

ein alternativer erster Isolatorteil für einen erfindungsgemäßen Mehrfachsteckverbinder in einer perspektivischen Ansicht; und

Fig. 10:

den Isolatorteil gemäß Fig. 9 mit dazugehörigem zweitem Isolatorteil in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1:

a plug connection with a multiple plug connector according to the invention and a mating connector in the unmated state in a perspective view;

Fig. 2:

the connector in a view from the front;

Fig. 3:

the connector in a view from behind;

Fig. 4:

the connector in a side view;

Fig. 5:

a longitudinal section through the plug connection in the partially plugged state with a neutral position of the plug connector;

Fig. 6:

a longitudinal section through the connector in the partially inserted state with an offset position of the connector;

Fig. 7:

a first insulator part of the multiple plug connector in a perspective view;

Fig. 8:

an inner conductor of the multiple connector in a perspective Opinion;

Fig. 9:

an alternative first insulator part for a multiple plug connector according to the invention in a perspective view; and

Fig. 10:

the isolator part according to Fig. 9 with the corresponding second insulator part in a perspective view.

the Figures 1 to 8 show a plug connection with two plug connectors, a multiple plug connector 1 according to the invention and a matching mating connector 2. The plug connection is used to electrically conductively connect two (sections of) printed circuit boards (not shown) that are essentially parallel to one another, with a transmission of high-frequency signals being provided . For this purpose, both connectors are designed as (multiple) angled connectors. Accordingly, the plug-in direction in which the plug connectors can be plugged together runs essentially parallel to the support surface of the printed circuit boards against which the plug connectors are intended to rest.

Each of the plug connectors comprises a plurality of inner conductors, each of which is surrounded at least in sections by an insulator and an outer conductor. This results in a coaxial conductor arrangement with a good shielding effect for the signal-carrying inner conductor.

The inner conductors of the multiple plug connector 1 according to the invention serving as a coupler are designed in two parts and comprise a tubular first inner conductor part 3 arranged on the plug-in side and a second inner conductor part 4 arranged on the circuit board side, pin-shaped. Both inner conductor parts 3, 4 have longitudinal axes that extend at an angle of cross approx. 90 °. In the contact area of the two inner conductor parts 3, 4, an inner conductor hinge is formed which enables the inner conductor parts 3, 4 to be rotated relative to one another. For this purpose, the end of the first inner conductor part 3 facing the second inner conductor part 4 is fork-shaped. A longitudinal slot is formed between two tabs 5 and is bulged at one point on both sides. At this point, a cylindrical section of the second inner conductor part 4 is below slight expansion of the slot and thus an elastic deflection of the two tabs 5 held. This configuration of the inner conductor joint enables the first inner conductor part 3 to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the second inner conductor part 4 and about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the two inner conductor parts 3, 4, largely without reaction force.

The inner conductors are received largely immovably in receiving openings in each of the insulators. The insulators of the multiple connector 1 are also made in two parts. These include a first insulator part 6 which completely accommodates the respective first inner conductor part 3 and the section of the second inner conductor part 4 that forms the inner conductor joint. Furthermore, the insulators of the multiple plug connector 1 each include a second insulator part 7 through which the second inner conductor part 4 extends. The longitudinal axes of the insulator parts 6, 7 are aligned coaxially or parallel to the longitudinal axes of the inner conductor parts 3, 4 and thus also run approximately at right angles to one another. The isolators form an isolator joint between the respective two isolator parts 6, 7, which enables the isolator parts 6, 7 to pivot relative to one another. Corresponding to the inner conductor joints, the insulator joints enable relative rotation (or pivoting of the first insulator parts 6) about the longitudinal axis of the second insulator parts 7 and about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of both insulator parts 6, 7. In contrast, a relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the first insulator part 6 is essentially not possible.

To form the isolator joints, each of the first isolator parts 6 is provided at its rear (ie not the plug-in) end with a partially spherical outer surface, which in a section rests against a partially spherical inner surface of a housing 8 of the multiple connector 1. In addition, the rear ends of the first insulator parts 6 form longitudinal grooves 9 on the sides adjoining the second insulator parts 7 (running in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the first insulator parts 6), into which the partially cylindrical pivot pins 11 of the second insulator parts 7 protrude. The pivot pins 11, which are cylindrical in their basic shape, are formed in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the first insulator parts 6 and serve as stops for pivoting the first insulator parts 6 about the longitudinal axes of the second insulator parts 7.

The isolators each form a spring device through which the two isolator parts 6, 7 in the Fig. 5 shown neutral position are applied. The spring devices each comprise a partially circumferential, edge-forming projection 13 on the spherical end of the first insulator part 6 and an elastically deflectable, bow-shaped section 14 of the second insulator part 7. The circumferential projection 13 of the first insulator part 6 is in the neutral position substantially above its entire length on a flat contact surface of the deflectable section 14.

Unless the two connectors are different than in the Fig. 5 shown, are not plugged together essentially exactly coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axes of the plug-side parts of the inner conductors or the insulators, a contact of outer conductors of the mating connector 2 with the plug-side ends of the first insulator parts 6, each having a conical, circumferential projection 19, leads to a lateral deflection or pivoting of the first insulator parts 6, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 is shown by way of example for pivoting about the axis which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the two insulator parts 6, 7. The planes defined by the circumferential projections 13 of the spherical ends of the first insulator parts 6 tilt with respect to the contact surfaces of the deflectable sections 14 of the second insulator parts 7. The pivot points for pivoting the first insulator parts 6 are due to the contact of the partially spherical ends of the first insulator parts 6 in the part-spherical inner surfaces of the housing 8 approximately in the centers of the part-spherical ends. As a result of the contact with the circumferential projections 13, the deflectable sections 14 of the second insulator parts 7 are elastically deflected. The prestressing of the deflectable sections 14 generated in this way causes an elastic loading of the insulator parts 6, 7 in their neutral positions.

the Figures 9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of a two-part insulator which is used in a multiple plug connector according to the invention according to FIGS Figures 1 to 8 can be used instead of the isolators there. In this insulator, the elastic loading of the insulator parts 6, 7 is achieved in a neutral position in which a flat end face of the first insulator part 6 is on a (closed,) flat one Contact surface of an elastically deflectable section 14 of the second insulator part 7 rests. The first isolator part 6 is pivoted out of the neutral position, as in the case of FIGS Figures 1 to 8 Isolators shown an elastic deflection of the deflectable section 14 of the second insulator part 7.

Both connectors have outer conductors which coaxially surround the associated inner conductors at least in sections. Furthermore, it is provided in both plug connectors that the housings 8, 15, which are made of electrically conductive material, represent at least a part of the respective outer conductors. In the case of the multiple plug connector 1, an annular spring tab basket 16 made of elastic, electrically conductive material, which is connected to the housing 8, is provided for each inner conductor. A tubular outer conductor section 17 of the mating connector 2, which forms an integral part of the housing 15, is inserted into the spring tab baskets 16. The spring tab baskets 16 are expanded radially so that they rest against the outer sides of the outer conductor sections 17 under pressure. This ensures good contact between the outer conductors of the two plug-in connectors even if the plug-in connectors are not plugged together exactly coaxially, and thus a tolerance-compensating functionality is implemented for the outer conductors.

The one-piece inner conductors 21 of the mating connector 2 are designed pin-shaped with a course angled by approximately 90 °. By means of an insulator 18 made of a dielectric material, each of the inner conductors 21 is secured in position within the housing 15 and also electrically isolated from the housing 15 serving as an outer conductor.

Claims (10)

1. Plug-in connector with an inner conductor and an insulator surrounding the inner conductor, wherein the insulator has a first insulator part (6) which surrounds a first inner conductor part (3) of the inner conductor and a second insulator part (7) which surrounds a second inner conductor part (4) of the inner conductor, wherein the insulator parts (6, 7) are interconnected such that they can rotate with respect to each other by means of an insulator joint having two structurally separate parts which slide against each other during the relative movement, wherein one of the insulator parts (6) has a partially spherical outer surface which lies against a partially spherical inner surface of a housing (8)
   characterised in that the insulator parts (6, 7) are biased in a relative neutral position by means of a spring device, wherein the spring device comprising a flat surface of the first insulator part (6) or comprising an edge defining a planar surface of the first insulator part (6) on the partially spherical outer surface and an elastically deflectable section (14) of the second insulator part (7) having a flat contact surface,
   wherein in the relative neutral position the flat surface or the defining edge of the first insulator part (6) abuts the flat contact surface of the elastically deflectable section (14) of the second insulator part (7).
2. Plug-in connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the insulator joint makes possible a relative rotation around a longitudinal axis of one of the two insulator parts (7) as well as around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of both insulator parts (6, 7).
3. Plug-in connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one of the isolator parts (6) contains a groove within which a section of the other insulator part (7) which is round in cross section is arranged.
4. Plug-in connector according to claim 3, characterised in that the groove is arranged in the section of the insulator part (6) forming the partially spherical outer surface.
5. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first inner conductor part (3) and the second inner conductor part (4) of the inner conductor are connected pivotably by means of an inner conductor joint.
6. Plug-in connector according to claim 5, characterised in that one of the inner conductor parts (3) forms a fork which accommodates a section of the other inner conductor section (4) which is round in cross section.
7. Plug-in connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor and the insulator.
8. Plug-in connector according to claim 7, characterised by the housing (8) which forms a part of the outer conductor.
9. Multiple plug-in connector with several plug-in connectors according to one of the preceding claims and a housing (8) integrating the plug-in connectors.
10. Multiple plug-in connector according to claim 9, characterised in that the housing (8) forms a part of the outer conductors of all plug-in connectors.

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