EP2353208B1 - Connection arrangement on circuit boards - Google Patents

Description

This application claims the priority of the European patent application EP 08020940.6 , filed on 03.12.2008, and claims the priority of the European patent application EP 09163009.5, filed on 17.06.2009 ,

The invention relates to an arrangement for the electrical and mechanical connection of plug-in elements via a socket with a printed circuit board, which is designed for high electrical and mechanical requirements.

IPC class H01R 13/53 relates to base plates or housings for high electrical requirements. IPC Class H01R 13/533 relates to base plates or housings for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure.

For the manufacture of electrical and / or electronic connections between different components, lines or the like plug-in connections are known which consist of a plug-in element and a female element. For example, there are normal sockets that can be plugged into the plugs that are attached to ends of lines. Such connection arrangements are suitable and intended for very frequent production and release of the connection.

For relays, fuses or the like, it is also known to attach a socket to a device, in which the fuse or the relay can be inserted. Again, a replacement is to be possible, but here is the replacement less frequently than in the plug-in operations between socket and plug.

Even when it comes to plugging between circuit boards and plug-in elements, it is customary to arrange on the circuit board a socket or even a socket, or even in another place, and then connect the socket with the help of cables to the circuit board.

US 2004/0097141 A1 discloses a device having a connector and a circuit board, the connector having a plurality of contacts, each of the contacts having two contact legs, the contacts being inserted into through holes such that a contact leg is inserted into a through hole, respectively.

The documents EP 0 203 638 A2 . DE 26 31 612 A1 . DE 73 28 667 U3 and US Pat. No. 3,209,309 A disclose contact elements with two legs which are designed to be inserted into a bore.

GB 2 265 768 A relates to the field of signal transmission and discloses a shielded electrical connector for connecting electronic devices, wherein the connector has two mounts in addition to a plurality of electrical solder contacts.

US 2002/094721 A1 discloses a housing having barbed attachment pins.

WO 2007/145764 relates to connectors for power transmission, in which heat generation can lead to a flow expansion of a plastic housing. A connector has a connector housing and power contacts. An associated connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of power contacts accessible through accessible through-openings. Furthermore, the connectors be connected together and attached to printed circuit boards. A power contact can be inserted in the connector. Furthermore, terminals are provided which have attachment features of a printed circuit board structure.

US 7,137,848 discloses a central housing with a board mounting interface. Power and signal contacts are also provided. These may be configured as pin-eyed pins for press-fit connection with holes such as vias of a printed circuit board. Further, the central housing includes latch openings for receiving latches which are adapted to snap-engage mating latch features of a circuit board to which the center housing can be mounted.

EP 0,884,801 . DE 100 47 457 and DE 42 26 172 each disclose connectors based on the formation of press-fit connections.

EP 1,069,651 A1 discloses a metal terminal that is inserted into a contact hole of an electrical circuit substrate and makes electrical contact with the contact hole. The terminal has a stopper abutting against the substrate at the rear end of the contact hole, thereby avoiding further insertion of the terminal into the contact hole. A removal prevention portion abuts the substrate at the front of the contact hole to resist unwanted retraction of the terminal. The removal preventing portion is resiliently deformable to allow it to be passed through during the insertion of the terminal through the contact hole. Contact elements between the stopper and the removal prevention portion make electrical contact in the contact hole.

However, investigations of such a described metal terminal have shown that the clearly designed as a ring removal prevention section is slightly plastically deformed during insertion through the contact hole and therefore often destroyed. In other words, performing this wide removal-avoidance portion by a close contact hole and the requirement of generating a sufficiently high holding force by the removal-avoidance portion make one with the system of FIG EP 1,069,651 A1 insurmountable technical contradiction dar.

In addition, the in EP 1,069,651 A1 revealed connection by a user bad manually manageable. In particular, when multiple contacts are to be made simultaneously, it requires the application of a very large manual force for passing the removal avoidance section through the contact hole, which quickly overstrains the capabilities of a human user when subsequently a sufficiently high holding force in the inserted state is to be achieved. Furthermore, the mechanical stress acting on the board is according to EP 1,069,651 A1 large. A multiple plug according to a socket-plug method is also not possible with such a system, since it comes at high holding forces to plastic deformation of the removal prevention section.

The invention is based on the object to provide a connection arrangement which is constructed much simpler and largely eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation or malfunction, with good manual handling a sufficiently strong fastening effect to be achieved.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a connection arrangement, as well as a vehicle with the features mentioned in the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a connection arrangement according to claim 1 is provided with a plug-in element which has at least one contact element, in particular a plurality (that is to say at least two) of pluggable (for example highly current-carrying) contact elements, and also a printed circuit board with plated through holes ( also exactly one bore is possible), which are arranged in an arrangement corresponding to the contact element or the contact elements of the plug element, wherein the holes and the plug-in contact element or the plug-in contact elements are matched to one another in such a way that the plug element of Hand connect by inserting the contact element or the contact elements in the holes with the circuit board and remove it by hand, the connection assembly with a vibration-resistant mechanical protection against accidental removal of the plug element of de r printed circuit board is provided. The contact element or the contact elements may or may optionally be configured as a spring-like contact element or spring-like contact elements with a reversible deflection characteristic.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a vehicle (eg, a motor vehicle, a passenger car, a truck, a bus, an agricultural vehicle, a baler, a combine, a self-propelled sprayer, a road construction machine, a tractor, an aircraft, an aircraft, on Helicopter, a spaceship, a zeppelin, a watercraft, a ship, a rail vehicle or a track), comprising a linkage assembly having the features described above.

According to the invention, a connector assembly having the above-described features for transmitting an electrical current of at least about 5 amps, more preferably at least about 10 amps, more particularly at least about 20 amps, between a contact element (in particular between each one of the contact elements) of the plug connection and the printed circuit board attached thereto. Corresponding contact elements can also be referred to as high-current-capable contact elements.

The term "high-current-capable contact elements" may in particular have the meaning that the contact elements are designed with regard to dimension, material, mutual spacing, etc. in such a way that they are suitable for carrying a high electrical current. In other words, when using high current-capable contact elements, an electric current in the ampere range can be transmitted from the contact elements to the conductor tracks. A high current can be used in particular if the contact elements are specially designed to be able to transport at least 5 amperes per contact element, in particular at least 10 amperes per contact element, without jeopardizing the intended use of the connection arrangement. In other words, the contact elements should be designed in a high-current configuration so that an undesirable heating of the connection arrangement is avoided or any other technical function of the connection arrangement suffers damage, when such high currents are conducted by means of the contact elements. In particular, the high current resistant design the contact elements be designed so that the contact elements can carry cumulative currents of at least 50 amperes, in particular of at least 100 amperes. The high current capability of the contact elements can be considered as given when the contact elements are connected to a vehicle battery and can deliver power from the vehicle battery to the connected circuit board trouble-free. In particular, the high current capability can be considered as given when contact resistance according to the Einpressnorm meet the requirements of IEC 60512-2.

The term "vibration-resistant mechanical fuse" may in particular have the meaning that an unintentional detachment of the plug-in element from the printed circuit board is avoided even in the presence of vibrations which act on a technical system having the connection arrangement. In particular, vibrations, such as occur in a motor-driven, in particular combustion engine driven device (in particular vehicle), lead in a vibration robust mechanical fuse configured to no adverse effect on the system function. In particular, when installing the connection assembly in the engine compartment of an off-road vehicle, the vibrations normally occurring there should not lead to an undesirable loss of electrical contact between the contact elements and the mating contact in the respectively associated bore of the circuit board. Thus, in order to achieve the vibration robustness, the mechanical protection with respect to material, dimensions, fastening forces, etc., be designed so that the corresponding vibrations do not lead to any unwanted detachment of the plug-in element from the circuit board. The connection arrangement can be used for realizing the vibration robustness in accordance with the industry standard ISO TS 16750, in particular ISO TS 16750-3, be designed. ISO 16750 defines a standard for mechanical load requirements for off-road vehicles. In order to achieve vibrational robustness, the connection assembly may be further configured to comply with the IEC 60512-4 standard, in particular at least one of the sub-requirements of IEC 68.2.6 (vibration sinusoidal), IEC 68-2-27 and IEC 68-2-29 (multiple shocking), IEC 68-2-64 (broadband noise), IEC-68-2-64 (vibration in cold atmosphere) and IEC-68-2-50 and IEC-68-2-51 (vibration in warm atmosphere) to fulfill.

Under a Einsteckbarkeit or removability of the plug element "by hand" may be understood in the context of this description in particular that the insertion and removal forces even with provision of a plurality of contact elements, for example at least five contact elements (in particular at least ten contact elements) are sufficiently low that they can be applied by the muscular strength of an average adult human user.

The term "unintentional removal of the plug element from the printed circuit board" may in particular have the meaning that the fuse reliably avoids an unwanted removal of the plug element by a user. However, this term is also intended to express that an undesired loosening of the connection by motor-induced vibrations or the like is avoided. The term "peeling off" therefore includes, in particular, an active pulling and a release due to external influences without the involvement of a user.

The plug or contact element can metallic material of the plated-through sleeve or hole in the printed circuit board locally displace or simply abut it. IEC-68-2-52 describes a salt spray test (salt spray) for corrosion-resistant joints, which is met during metal displacement. The connection arrangement according to the invention can be set up to pass a test according to IEC-68-2-52.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plug-in element of the connection arrangement with high-current-capable contact elements can thus be provided which can easily meet even the high electrical requirements of the automotive sector. The male element can be inserted manually by a human user directly into the corresponding holes of the circuit board, without a separate socket would be required between plug-in element and circuit board, as is the case with conventional high-current connection arrangements. At the same time, despite the simple and intuitive insertion of the plug element directly into the circuit board high vibration robustness can be ensured that a rigid mechanical fuse is provided, the inadvertent removal of the plug element of the circuit board, for example, caused by high vibration forces reliably prevented. By a separate provision of the vibration-resistant mechanical fuse on the one hand and the hochstromfähigen manually pluggable contact elements on the other hand, the seemingly contradictory requirements can be met, a low insertion and removal by a user and thus manually allow at the same time the arrangement of plug and PCB even with robust outer Conditions without affecting the function to operate. By a functional and structural separation of the vibration safety of the high-current contacting can also be a reversible, that is repeated plugging and unplugging between plug-in element and circuit board are allowed without a plastic deformation or the like of the plug or contact elements can occur. Compared with conventional high-current-capable connection arrangements, separate plug-in sockets can be saved in a direct plug arrangement according to the invention, which leads to space-saving and cost advantages and reduces or eliminates electrical losses or signal distortions due to a shortened transmission path or the discontinued contact point. Compared to conventional low current systems like the EP 1,069,651 A1 the invention represents a paradigm change, since the simultaneous fulfillment of high-current strength and vibration resistance requirements with the local architecture is impossible and also does not allow a manual usability while simultaneously contacting a plurality of contact elements. In contrast, according to the invention, a high-current direct plug-in technology for the direct attachment of printed circuit boards to a plug without the provision of sockets or the like can be achieved, so that except for any optional soldering and possible purely mechanical fasteners only the circuit board itself is required. Thus, a high electrical current carrying capacity can be combined with a high mechanical strength and thus a high holding force, which can be achieved, for example, by an easily lockable and unlockable mechanical safety system. Only through this additional mechanical locking, which can be provided on plug-in element and / or on the circuit board, the effects mentioned can be achieved in combination.

In addition, additional advantageous embodiments of the connection arrangement of the invention will be described. These embodiments also apply to the vehicle according to claim 12, which comprises a connection arrangement of the invention. The connection arrangement according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously for automotive applications, that is in motor vehicles of all kinds, combine harvesters, road construction machines, vehicle technology, railway technology, aviation technology, harvesting machinery or in other areas of off-road vehicles or agriculture. The high current capability of the connection arrangement may allow currents of 5 to 25 amperes and more per single pin of the contact elements to be made by applying a vibration load. Thus, the connection arrangement can be advantageously designed as an automotive connection arrangement.

According to one embodiment, a latching mechanism or, more generally, a mechanical locking mechanism may be provided by the plug body. According to another embodiment, such a latching mechanism (realized, for example, as a barb or by other means) may be provided on the circuit board side. According to the invention can be saved due to the elimination of a socket and a subsequent direct plugging between circuit board and plug material, eliminating an electrical interface and thus a better quality at lower cost can be achieved. In particular, electrical components, such as harnesses, can be flanged directly to the circuit board. Overall, with the connection arrangement, a current strength of, for example, 70 to 100 amperes, in particular up to 150 amps and more, can be achieved. For example, a current load of 10 to 15 amperes can be carried per contact element, for example via a battery feed.

The contact elements or pins can be provided elastically and reversibly pluggable and be pluggable, for example, with forces of at most 10 Newton. In order for a reliable contact with the borehole side provided counter contact can be achieved and good handling can be realized. For example, the inventive connector assembly is suitable for automotive applications, for example, in tractors or buses, wherein according to the invention may require a mechanical attachment of the connector and the circuit board by the mechanical fuse separate from the electrical transmission to the board. Such compounds can transmit strong currents and withstand high mechanical loads. At the same time, they can be plugged in several times by hand. Thus, high fastening forces can be achieved with low insertion and extraction forces, for example, when a tractor is to be repaired in the field by a user. If the contact elements to each other have a defined distance, the plug according to the invention can be normalized and thereby made useful for many applications.

In the connection arrangement, the plurality of plug-in contact elements can be arranged to run parallel to one another. As a result, a linear space-saving geometry can be achieved, which simultaneously enables a contacting of many individual contacts with corresponding counterparts on a circuit board. Several such rows of contact elements can be combined, for example arranged parallel to one another. As an alternative to such a geometry but also, for example, a two-dimensional, for example, matrix-shaped, hiding possible, may be arranged in the contact elements in rows and columns. By Such an ordered structure can also provide a standardizable plug which is then suitable for many applications.

The connection arrangement can be equipped with a positioning aid for aligning the plug element with respect to the circuit board immediately before the insertion of the contact elements. Such a positioning aid can make it intuitively easier for a user to make the insertion between plug-in element and circuit board in the correct manner and thus to avoid electrical malfunctions.

The connection arrangement may be provided with a stop for limiting the insertion of the contact elements in the circuit board. Such a stop or spacer may define a minimum distance between the printed circuit board and the male member, thus preventing, for example, the formation of unwanted electrical contacts or the skipping of an electrical signal across a thin gap.

All contact elements of the plug element can be identical and arranged identically. By this measure, a standard plug can be provided, which can be combined on the opposite side with a correspondingly standardized printed circuit board system.

In the connection arrangement, the contact elements may be designed to be flexible at least in the regions to be arranged within the through-hole in a direction transverse to the insertion direction. In other words, upon insertion of the contact elements into the associated drill holes of the printed circuit board, a force can act on the contact elements forcing them into the contact holes. Thus, the contact elements under a light Preload when they dip into the contact hole. By this bias, a secure electrical contact with the mating contacts in the borehole interior can be made possible. At the same time, such contact forces, which are first to be overcome on the user side when inserting, should be small enough not to jeopardize the mechanical handling of a simultaneous insertion of several such contacts by a user, that is, the insertion forces should not be too large. Furthermore, the deflection characteristic of, for example, spring-like configured contact elements can be made reversible, that is, when removing the plug element from the circuit board lead to an elastic springback. As a result, the plug-in element can be used several times and is not destroyed by a single use. A plastic deformation can be avoided by the resilient design of the contact elements and by providing the contact elements as two curved spring elements with a distance from each other.

The contact elements have two between them a gap leaving leg. Their outer sides facing away from each other can optionally be designed, for example, convexly curved. By such a curvature, an undesirable spreading of the legs in contact with a flat surface can be avoided. When using fork contacts an elastic pluggability can be achieved.

In the inserted state of the contact elements, the two legs can begin in front of the circuit board. It may remain a portion of the legs outside the borehole, even if the plug-in element and the circuit board are hidden with each other.

The plug element may be a plug arranged at the end of one or more cables, in particular a plug connector of a cable harness. As a harness, a bundling of individual lines can be understood that transmit signals and / or working currents. According to the invention, it is possible to use such cable harnesses as part of automotive systems, that is to say in vehicle technology or in mechanical engineering.

The plug element can be arranged on a housing containing an electronic component, for example a relay or a fuse. Alternatively, however, a housing-free configuration of the plug element is possible in which this is provided only as a sheet metal element (which can be electrically isolated, for example with a paint to protect a user from high currents).

The plug element may form part of a holder for an electronic component, for example a relay or a fuse. Thus, such an electrical component can be attached to the plug element, designed as a holder.

According to one embodiment, all contact elements of a male element can be made in one piece from a piece of sheet metal by punching and bending. Such an integral embodiment of the plug element of a piece of sheet metal leads to very low costs. Alternatively, a plug-in element can also be formed from a plurality of components, for example in order to integrate further functions.

The mechanical security of the male element and the printed circuit board can be combined with a mechanical load capacity according to ISO 16750-3 (in particular in the version ISO 16750-3: 2007). In other words, the design of the mechanical fuse may be such that a correspondingly configured connector assembly will perform the tests described in ISO 16750, in particular ISO 16750-3 (as filed on the filing date of European Patent Application EP 09163009.5, that is on 17.06.2009 , valid version) are successfully completed.

The design of devices according to the invention can be carried out in accordance with ISO 16750, in particular in the versions ISO 16750-1: 2006, ISO 16750-2: 2006, ISO 16750-3: 2007, ISO 16750-4: 2006 and ISO 16750-5 : 2003 standard.

The mechanical fuse connects the male member and the printed circuit board with a mechanical fastening force of at least about 100 Newton, more preferably at least about 200 Newton, more particularly at least about 300 Newton. Such fastening forces may be sufficient to allow sufficient vibration resistance.

The holes and the contact elements which can be plugged into them can have an electrical load capability in accordance with ISO 16750-2 (in the date of filing of the European patent application EP 09163009.5, that is on 17.06.2009 , valid version). The bores and the contact elements which can be inserted into them can in particular have an electrical load capacity in accordance with ISO 16750-2 in the version ISO 16750-2: 2006. In other words, the contact elements can be configured mechanically and electrotechnically in such a way that the electrical load tests according to the named industrial standard are successfully completed.

Each of the plug-in contact elements is designed for an electrical load capacity of at least about 5 amperes, in particular of at least about 10 amps, more particularly of at least about 20 amps. By providing a plurality of pins (which can be operated separately from one another electrically), a total current carrying capacity of, for example, 70 amps and more can thus be achieved.

Each of the male contact elements can be designed with a plug force of at most about 10 Newton for insertion into one of the holes. Thus, for example, in providing five contact elements to be simultaneously inserted into a printed circuit board by a user, a 50 Newton insertion force may be required, which a user can still easily apply.

According to one embodiment, the mechanical fuse and the plug-in contact elements are provided as separate and separately attached to the plug-in components. In other words, a mechanical fuse component and the male contact elements may be free from a direct, immediate mechanical abutment with each other and may also be electrically decoupled from each other. By completely separating the mechanical and electrical contacting just the a priori seem contradictory requirements of low insertion force in combination with a high holding force can be achieved.

According to one embodiment, the mechanical fuse and / or the plug-in contact elements and / or the stop can be provided as a component mounted in common on the plug-in element his. In particular, exactly two of these three components (mechanical security, contact elements, stop) can be realized as a common physical structure, in particular contact elements and stop or securing and stop. By combining multiple functional components into a common structure, one dimension of the male member can be kept small. However, mechanical fuse and male contact elements may preferably be implemented as separate components to achieve separation of high current electrical coupling and vibration stable attachment.

The plug element is provided with the mechanical protection against unintentional removal of the plug element of the circuit board. The plug element alone may have a structure with which the fuse is accomplished (for example, a fastening lever, a male closure part with barbs, etc.). In such an embodiment, the circuit board may be completely free of securing elements or merely have a receiving bore for receiving a fuse of the plug element or a surface on which a fuse of the plug element can act.

Alternatively, the circuit board may be provided with the mechanical fuse. In this embodiment, the circuit board alone may have a structure with which the fuse is accomplished (for example, a fastening lever, a male closure member with barbs, etc.). In such an embodiment, the plug-in element can be completely free of securing elements or have only a receiving bore for receiving a fuse of the printed circuit board or a surface on which a fuse of the circuit board can attack.

It is also possible that both the printed circuit board and the plug-in element each have a structural component which serve to fuse.

One of the plated through holes free surface of the circuit board may be provided with a module protection feature. In particular, this surface can be coated or potted with protective material (for example a lacquer or an encapsulation volume). Conventionally, assemblies are often mechanically protected by a housing or chemically thin-film coatings. A complete Verguss a module as an alternative to the housing coating is conventionally often cumbersome and thus uneconomical, because it often applies in conventional provision of sockets between circuit board and plug a three-dimensional contour (by the assembled components and especially the socket). In the inventive use of the Direktstecktechnik simplified assembly protection is possible because there is only a two-dimensional coating task. Namely, the circuit board may be substantially flat and have only the holes and their contacts. If necessary, flat soldering components can be present on it. In other words, direct plug-in technology also makes it possible to save complete housings (and the necessary tools) by potting or coating the modules and thus completely protecting them mechanically or chemically. While conventionally a complex masking of three-dimensional components before casting or painting a 3D surface or a complex selective coating process is required, could according to the invention with a simple mask, the range of Contact holes are covered and the contacts contained therein and sprayed a complete remaining surface portion of the tracks with a paint or a potting equipped. A corresponding method for forming a module protection is provided according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, at least one additional bore of the printed circuit board may be provided, which is provided with the assembly protective material, in particular coated or potted. For example, non-populated holes and / or holes intended to form solder joints may be covered by package protection material.

In order to make the applicability of the connection arrangement according to the invention particularly useful for vibration-prone and high-current-demanding automotive applications and the like, in addition or as an alternative to the fulfillment of the above-mentioned industrial standards, the connection arrangement can also be designed such that it complies with IEC-60512-6 (fast temperature cycles according to Einpressnorm) is compatible, in particular according to IEC-68-2-14 (dry heat) is compatible. It is also possible that the connection arrangement is designed in accordance with tests with different climatic conditions according to the press-in standard IEC-60512-6 and IEC-60512-11-1 (see especially IEC 68-2-1 (coldness), IEC 68-2-2 (dry heat) and IEC 68-2-30 (steam heat, cyclic)). The connection arrangement may also be in accordance with an industrial climate test according to IEC 60512-11-7 (IEC 68-2-52 (salt spray, cyclic) or IEC 68-2-60 (corrosive gas (H ₂ S, NO ₂ , SO ₂ ) be configured.

The high-current-capable contact elements can be made in particular of copper, aluminum, silver, gold or alloys such as brass or bronze. The ohmic resistance of such a contact element can be in the range between 10 μΩ and 10 mΩ, preferably between 100 μΩ and 1 mΩ. A length of the contact elements through which the electric current flows can be in a range between 1 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 50 mm. A thickness of the contact elements through which the electric current flows can be in a range between 0.1 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. A cross-sectional area of the contact elements may be in a range between 0.01 mm ² and 30 mm ² , preferably between 0.2 mm ² and 25 mm ² . The vibration-resistant mechanical fuse can be made of any of the following materials: steel, hard plastic, copper, aluminum, silver, gold or alloys such as brass or bronze. The vibration-resistant mechanical fuse can be designed to withstand vibration forces as in the above-mentioned standards.

In the connection arrangement, the contact elements can be configured as crimp contacts. With a Krimpverbindung a stable, flexible and feasible with reasonable effort connecting with a wire or cable is possible. Crimping or flanging is understood as meaning a joining process in which two components are joined together by plastic deformation.

The crimp contacts may include a crimped crimping section (for attaching a wire or cable) and an elastically pluggable section (for direct plugging onto a printed circuit board).

• einem aus Bronze bestehenden Bereich für die Crimpzone mit einer Dicke von 0,4mm
• einem aus K55 oder K88 bestehenden Bereich für die Steckzone mit einer Dicke von 0,8mm.

Die Steckzone ist dicker wegen der erforderlichen mechanischen Stabilität und der Stromübertragung in der Durchkontaktierung der Leiterplatte.The crimpable crimping portion and the elastically pluggable portion may be formed of different materials. The crimped crimping section may be formed with a thinner material thickness than the elastically pluggable section. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to achieve a good crimp connection, on the one hand, due to the provision of a sufficiently thin material (for example of a thickness of 0.4 mm, for example of bronze), and on the other hand with a thicker material (for example with a thickness of 0, 8 mm, for example from K55 or K88) to achieve a good elasticity with high current carrying capacity. It is advantageous if the contact consists of two different areas:

• a bronze area for the crimping zone with a thickness of 0.4mm
• a K55 or K88 area for the 0.8mm thick plug-in zone.

The plug-in zone is thicker because of the required mechanical stability and the current transfer in the printed circuit through the printed circuit board.

The vibration-resistant mechanical fuse can be designed as at least one latching clip, which can be set up to engage in a correspondingly formed latching receiving opening of the printed circuit board. The plug can be easily plugged into the board and locked. A tolerance compensation of the board thickness can be done via a deep milling on the underside of the board / circuit board.

In the connection arrangement, the contact elements (in particular in combination with the printed circuit board) can be configured such that upon insertion of the contact elements by hand into the bores, the contact elements are only (or exclusively) deformed in the elastic region. Thus, when inserting the contact by hand, the contact spring can actually be deformed only in the elastic range. The elastic range can be considered to be the range in which deflection and restoring force are directly proportional to each other. As the elastic range, the range in which no plastic deformation occurs can be considered.

The connection arrangement has a mechanical safeguard against unintentional removal of the plug element from the printed circuit board. This mechanical fuse can be constructed in different ways. It can be arranged both on the circuit board and on the plug-in element, it preferably consists of parts which are arranged in a plug-in element, and of parts which are connected to the circuit board are arranged. The parts of a mechanical fuse may also include a hole.

In the previously known solutions, a socket or socket can represent or form an alignment device for the plug. It may be provided in a development that an additional positioning aid is provided to ensure that the contact elements meet the associated plated-through holes.

It has proven to be particularly expedient and favorable if a positioning aid at the same time also has or forms the mechanical safety device.

According to the invention, the plug-in element can have a multiplicity of individual pluggable contact elements which are plugged into their associated bores simultaneously in one plug-in operation. If these pluggable contact elements are arranged, for example, on the underside of a housing, and the housing is not necessarily to touch the circuit board, for whatever reason, the plug element according to the invention may have a stop in order to limit the insertion.

Such a stop limiting the insertion can also be formed on the housing itself.

The contact elements formed on the plug-in element are assigned to certain through holes of the printed circuit board. It is possible that these holes have different diameters, so that also different sizes or different shaped contact elements may be present on a plug-in element. However, it has proven to be particularly useful if all the contact elements of the plug element are identical and arranged identically.

In order to achieve the aforementioned properties, namely the manual insertion of the contact elements into the holes, can be provided in a further development of the invention according to the second aspect, that the contact elements in the direction transverse to their insertion direction are resilient or resilient. The suspension constant can be varied within wide limits by appropriate selection of materials and geometric design of the contact elements.

The contact elements have, at least in the region in which they are arranged after insertion within the holes, between them a gap leaving legs. The gap between the legs ensures that the legs can be bent inwards in the direction transverse to the direction of insertion. This leads to the said compliance of the contact elements in a direction transverse to the insertion direction.

In order to facilitate the insertion, can be provided according to the invention in a further development that the facing away from each other outwardly facing surfaces of the legs in a view transverse to the insertion direction convex rounded. In a cross section transverse to the direction of insertion, however, the outwardly directed surfaces of the legs can be formed in a straight line.

In order to make the flexibility of the contact elements in a wider context, may be provided according to the invention that the legs begin before the circuit board or in other words, that the gap between the legs in the inserted state of the contact element on the side of the male element to the front of Circuit board is enough. For example, the legs and the intermediate space formed between them may be formed so that about two-thirds of the leg length are arranged in the plated-through hole, while a third of the leg length is still outside the circuit board. If the contact elements are arranged on a housing and lie completely outside the housing, the abovementioned stop can ensure that the contact elements are pushed into the plated-through bore only up to a certain part of the length of their legs.

As an example of what the invention may be used for, it can be provided that the plug element is a plug arranged at the end of one or more cables. If it is a power cable, for example, several contact elements can be connected to the same cable. But it can also, if several cables are connected to a plug-in element, each contact element with another cable in connection.

As another example, a plug-in element is disposed on a housing in which one or more electrical and / or electronic components are housed, such as a relay.

It is also possible that the plug element forms a holder for an electrical and / or electronic component, for example a fuse, which is clamped between two holders. Also, a battery holder can be formed by two plug-in elements.

For the production of a plug-in element can be provided in a development that all contact elements of a plug element and possibly also the entire plug-in element are made in one piece from a piece of sheet metal by punching and optionally bending.

Fig. 1

ein hochstromfähiges und vibrationsrobustes Steckelement gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Verbindungsanordnung der Erfindung vor der endgültigen Fertigstellung;

Fig. 2

eine hochstromfähige und vibrationsrobuste Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

schematisch die Ansicht eines Blechzuschnitts zur Herstellung eines hochstromfähigen und vibrationsrobusten Steckelements gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

schematisch die Seitenansicht des Steckelements gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

die Stirnansicht des Steckelements der Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

im vergrößerten Maßstab die Anordnung der Kontaktelemente bei einem hochstromfähigen und vibrationsrobusten Steckelement gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 7

schematisch einen Stecker als hochstromfähiges und vibrationsrobustes Steckelement der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 8

die Anordnung eines Gehäuses mit hochstromfähigen Kontaktelementen einer vibrationsrobusten Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 9 bis 11

eine Querschnittsansicht einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung und illustriert ein Verfahren zum Ausbilden eines Baugruppenschutzes;

Fig. 12, 13

Steckelemente der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß anderen Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung;

Figur 14

die Vorderansicht eines Steckelements der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung vor der endgültigen Fertigstellung;

Figur 15

perspektivisch die Anordnung zweier Steckelemente der Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 16

die Ansicht eines Blechzuschnitts zur Herstellung eines Steckelements einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 17

die Seitenansicht des Steckelements einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 18

die Stirnansicht des Steckelements der Figur 17 einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 19

in vergrößertem Maßstab die Anordnung der Kontaktelemente bei einem Steckelement einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 20

schematisch einen Stecker als Steckelement einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Figur 21

die Anordnung eines Gehäuses mit Kontaktelementen einer Verbindungsanordnung gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 22 bis Fig. 24

vibrationsrobuste Verbindungsanordnungen gemäß anderen Ausführungsbeispielen der Erfindung;

Fig. 25 bis Fig. 29

vibrationsrobuste Verbindungsanordnungen gemäß Vergleichsbeispielen;

Fig. 30 bis Fig. 32

Kontaktelemente der Verbindungsanordnungen gemäß Fig. 22 bis Fig. 29.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the abstract, the wording of which is incorporated by reference into the content of the description, the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the drawings. The features described in one embodiment should also apply to the other embodiments. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a high-current and vibration-resistant plug-in element according to an embodiment of the connection arrangement of the invention before the final completion;

Fig. 2

a high current capable and vibration-robust connection arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

schematically the view of a sheet metal blank for the production of a hochstromfähigen and vibration robust Plug element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4

schematically the side view of the plug element according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

the front view of the plug element of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

on an enlarged scale, the arrangement of the contact elements in a high-current capable and vibration-robust plug-in element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7

schematically a plug as high-current and vibration-resistant plug-in element of the connection arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8

the arrangement of a housing with high-current-capable contact elements of a vibration-robust connection arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 to 11

a cross-sectional view of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the invention and illustrates a method for forming a module protection;

Fig. 12, 13

Plug elements of the connection arrangement according to other embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 14

the front view of a plug-in element of the connection arrangement according to the invention before the final completion;

FIG. 15

in perspective, the arrangement of two plug-in elements of the connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 16

the view of a sheet metal blank for producing a plug-in element of a connection assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 17

the side view of the plug element of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 18

the front view of the plug element of FIG. 17 a connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 19

on an enlarged scale, the arrangement of the contact elements in a plug-in element of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 20

schematically a plug as a plug-in element of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 21

the arrangement of a housing with contact elements of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

FIGS. 22 to 24

vibration robust connection arrangements according to other embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 25 to 29

vibration-robust connection arrangements according to comparative examples;

Fig. 30 to Fig. 32

Contact elements of the connection arrangements according to FIGS. 22 to 29 ,

In the following, reference is made to Fig. 1 to Fig. 13 Connection arrangements according to exemplary embodiments of the invention described.

Fig. 1 shows a plug-in element for such a connection arrangement with a total of seven pluggable and each high current capable contact elements 5. These are connected to a in Fig. 1 Not shown printed circuit board with plated through holes attachable. These holes are mounted in a geometric arrangement corresponding to an arrangement of the contact elements 5 of the plug element Fig. 1 equivalent. Thus, the holes and the plug-in contact elements 5 are matched to each other. Due to the dimension according to Fig. 1 (given in millimeters) and due to the formation of these conductive structures of low-resistance copper material, the contact elements 5 are highly current-capable, that is to say they are designed to conduct a current of at least 10 amperes. The plug element can be connected by hand by inserting the contact elements 5 in the holes of the circuit board and removed by hand. For this purpose, a force of not more than 10 Newton per contact element 5 is sufficient.

Due to the dimensioning, the physical design and the mechanical robustness of the mechanical securing elements 7, the plug element according to Fig. 1 vibration resistant and meets in particular the requirements of the industry standard ISO 16750-3. The mechanical securing elements 7 prevent inadvertent removal of the plug-in element from the circuit board and also protect against unwanted loosening of the electrical contact between the contact elements 5 and the contacts in the holes of the circuit board, even if the plug element according to Fig. 1 and the associated circuit board are implemented in an agricultural vehicle that has to endure vibrations of the engine and vibrations due to the movement of this vehicle in rough terrain.

According to Fig. 1 the mechanical security elements 7 are provided as compared to the contact elements 5 separate mechanical components, which allows a low-force manual insertion and at the same time a vibration-resistant fastening. The arrangement of the fuse elements 7 also serves as a positioning aid for correct alignment of the plug element relative to the circuit board before inserting the contact elements 5 in the holes, so that a wrong insertion can be avoided.

Stops 6, which are provided according to the embodiment shown separately from the contact elements 5 and the mechanical securing elements 7, limit the insertion of the contact elements 5 in the circuit board. All components of the plug element according to Fig. 1 are made in one piece from a metal sheet by stamping and bending, wherein the sheet has a thickness of at least 2 mm, preferably of at least 3 mm.

The sheet metal blank according to Fig. 1 includes an upper edge 1 and an oppositely disposed lower edge 2. Both edges 1, 2 are formed parallel to each other. Right and left the plug element is limited by a side edge 3, 4. At the printed circuit board associated lower edge 2, the contact elements 5 are formed, which extend over the lower edge 2 down and parallel to each other. The securing elements 7 have on their outer sides barbs 8. Parallel to the side edges 3, 4, the sheet metal blanks bending lines 9, in the extension of narrow slots 10 are arranged. Slots 10 are intended to facilitate bending. In the middle part of two outgoing from the top edge 1 slots 11 are formed. Characterized a tongue 12 is formed between the two slots 11, which is slightly inwardly, that is, in the direction between the two outer wings (similar to the reference numeral 12 in FIG Fig. 14 shown) is bent.

Fig. 2 shows a connection arrangement according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a substrate 50, on the underside of which the contact elements 5 are provided, which are connected by means of plated-through holes 51 with an upper side of the substrate 50. As in Fig. 2 schematically indicated by reference numeral 52, an electrical peripheral device can be connected here, which applies either electrical currents via the contacting elements 51, 5 to contacts 53 in holes 54 of a printed circuit board 28 or receives these signals from the printed circuit board 28. If that is in Fig. 2 Plug element shown above is inserted by movement in the direction of arrow 57 in the circuit board 28, the contact elements 5 are inserted into holes 54 of the circuit board 28 and automatically make the electrical contact to the respective contact 53 within the respective borehole 54 ago. Simultaneously, the according to Fig. 2 on the circuit board 28 mounted vibration resistant mechanical security elements 7 housed in corresponding grooves 55 in the substrate 50 of the male element, whereby a firm locking takes place.

As in Fig. 2 indicated in dashed lines, in addition to the vibration-resistant mechanical fuses 7 can be mounted by hand pivotable clip elements on the circuit board 28, which are laterally pivotable and can attack on an upper surface of the substrate 50 to reinforce the vibration-resistant mechanical fuse.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a sheet metal blank from which a high-current and vibration-resistant plug-in element according to another embodiment of the invention can be produced by bending. As in Fig. 1 Here are the mechanical securing elements 7 attached to the plug-in element. Sheet metal sections 78 and 15 serve to be applied around a cable and pressed there. The sheet metal blank of the Fig. 3 is bent in such a way that two rows of contact elements 5 are parallel to each other.

This is from the side in Fig. 4 shown schematically. The Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the finished bent sheet metal element from the right in Fig. 4 , The sheet metal parts 78 are bent high, so that here a cable can be inserted, which is then pressed with the sheet metal blank.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of a plug-in element of a connection arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the dimensions made in combination with the provision of the sheet shown Copper are in line with the requirements of high current capability and vibration resistance.

The contact elements 5 include two legs 16, between which a slot 17 is formed. The legs 16 begin at the lower edge 2 of the plug element initially with parallel side edges 18. Shortly below the mentioned surface plane 19 extend the opposite outer edges 20 of the two legs convexly curved outward. This shape also follow the facing inner sides 21 of the legs 16. The ends of the legs 16 are spaced from each other. In this way, the legs 16 of the contact elements 5 can deform inwardly, ie in a direction which extends transversely to the insertion direction 57 of the contact elements 5.

While the Fig. 1 shows a plug-in element, which serves as part of a holder for a component, and Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 Plug-in elements that can be configured as a plug for a single cable shows the Fig. 7 a plug-in element, in which the contact elements 5 protrude from a housing 22. In the housing 22 connections are accommodated with a plurality of cables 23 to the individual contact elements 5. It is therefore a plug with a plurality of cables 23rd

At the two sides facing away from each other of the housing 22 metallic (in particular made of stainless steel) lever 24 are formed, which can be tilted about the Anformstelle 25. With their front ends 26, these levers 24 pass through the passage openings 27 of the printed circuit board 28. At this end 26, each lever 24 is provided with a barb, which prevents withdrawal from the hole 27 of the circuit board 28. The two levers 24 are biased in the position shown, in which the Barb on the back of the circuit board 28 abut. To pull out the plug, the two levers 24 must be tilted so that the barbs fit through the holes 27 therethrough. The tilting can be done by pressing on the side facing away from the printed circuit board 28 end 29 of the lever 24 inwards.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which a housing 30 is provided with a series of contact elements 5, which are constructed as well as in Fig. 7 shown. Again, metallic (in particular made of stainless steel) levers 24 are integrally formed on the two sides of the housing 30, which have the same task as in the embodiment according to Fig. 7 , Here are the contact elements 5 with electrical and / or electronic components within the housing 30 in connection. It may be simple or more complicated electronic components, for example, to entire circuits.

Since the levers 24 with their front ends 26 protrude clearly beyond the front ends of the contact elements 5, and since the front ends are tapered, these front ends of the lever 24 form a positioning aid, with the aid of which the plug element can be aligned with the passage openings 27 in that the contact elements 5 immediately find the holes assigned to them.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the following dimensions: thickness d, for example, at least 3 mm, length I at least 4 mm and height h at least 30 mm, so that the required vibration resistance is achievable.

In the following, reference is made to Fig. 9 to Fig. 11 an embodiment of the invention described in which the circuit board 28 with a module protection material, for example, an electrically insulating and mechanically protective lacquer is coated.

In Fig. 9 is indicated how a fuse element 7 and a contact element 5 of a plug-in element otherwise not shown in detail with respect to the circuit board 28 are arranged, namely in such a way that fuse elements 7 are aligned with the corresponding locking holes 60 of the circuit board 28 and contact elements 5 are aligned with holes 54. These are each provided in the interior with an electrically conductive contact 53 in order to bring about an electrically conductive connection to the respective contact element 5 in the case of inserted contact elements 5.

Furthermore, in Fig. 9 indicated schematically, cf. Reference numeral 61 that on one or both opposite major surfaces of the circuit board 28, these electrically conductive tracks may have, by means of which individual the Bohrlochkontaktierungen 53 or other components can be electrically coupled. Fig. 9 also shows that according to the invention no separate sockets must be provided, which leads to a substantially planar surface of the conductor tracks 61.

In Fig. 10 For example, it is shown that a mask 65 (eg, a suitably textured or thin plate) may be placed on or over the trace 61, which is such that subsequent planar painting (eg, by spraying, see reference numeral 66) may be accomplished entire surface of the printed circuit board 28 is detected and covered with a lacquer layer 67, with the exception of the boreholes 54 and the borehole contacting 53 provided thereon and optionally the securing holes 60.

As in Fig. 11 As a result, essentially the entire surface of the printed circuit board 28 can be coated with a planar two-dimensional lacquer layer 67, with the exception of the boreholes 54 and the borehole contacting 53 provided thereon, and optionally the securing holes 60.

In a similar way as in Fig. 9 to Fig. 11 a mask-based potting of the circuit board 28 with a potting material can also be performed.

Fig. 12 shows a plug-in element of the connection arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention, which Fig. 1 is similar, but in which the spacers 6 and the securing elements 7 are integrally provided, that is, the common physical structure and immediately adjacent to each other.

Fig. 13 differs from Fig. 1 essentially in that here now the contact elements 5 and the spacers 6 are integrally, one-material or integrally equipped.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described.

The Fig. 14 shows a still flat sheet metal blank, as it looks after punching. This sheet metal blank is to form a plug-in element later. It contains an upper edge 1 and an oppositely arranged lower edge 2. Both edges are formed parallel to each other. Right and left, the plug element of the figure by a side edge 3, 4 is limited. At the associated circuit board Lower edge 2, a total of seven contact elements 5 are formed, which extend over the lower edge 2 down and parallel to each other. In addition to the contact elements 5, the blank contains the Fig. 14 on its lower edge 2, two spacer elements 6 and four securing elements 7. The securing elements 7 are formed longer than the contact elements 5. They have barbs on their outer sides. 8

The spacer elements 6 form a stop on their underside. Their length, calculated from the lower edge 2 of the sheet metal blank, is shorter than that of the contact elements. 5

Parallel to the side edges 3, 4, the sheet metal blanks bending lines 9, in the extension of narrow slots 10 are arranged. The slots 10 are intended to facilitate bending.

From the illustrated planar position of the sheet metal blank of the Fig. 14 by transforming the right and left regions outside of the two bendlines by 90 degrees around these bendlines. This creates two surrounding a central part parallel to each other wings. This form is from the Fig. 15 seen. In the middle part of two outgoing from the top edge 1 slots are formed. As a result, a tongue 12 is formed between the two slots, which is slightly inwardly, that is in the direction between the two outer wings 13, bent. In this position, the plug-in element is connected to the printed circuit board in that the securing elements 7 present on the underside of the plug-in element and the contact elements 5 are inserted into plated-through holes arranged in the same arrangement. Since the fuse elements 7 are longer than the contact elements 5, get First, the fuse elements 7 in the four associated holes, the oblique shape on the front of the fuse elements 7 facilitates insertion. As soon as the securing elements 7, which at the same time constitute positioning aids, have intervened in the holes, the contact elements 5 are aligned with respect to their through-holes, which are assigned to them, so that they can now be inserted into the plated-through holes. The insertion movement is limited by the fact that the underside of the spacer elements 6 rests on the upper side of the printed circuit board. In this case, the stops 14 on the outside in the region of the side edges 3, 4 are also located on the upper side of the printed circuit board.

How to get the Fig. 15 can take two such plug-in elements are arranged opposite one another. They form between them a space in which, for example, a battery can be used, which is kept mechanically limited by the wings 13 and the middle part, and in which the contacting is achieved by the tongues 12.

The Fig. 16 shows a sheet metal blank from which another plug element can be made by bending. The sheet metal blank contains on two opposite longitudinal sides in each case six contact elements 5, which have the same shape as the contact elements 5 of the embodiment according to Fig. 14 , At the ends of the point where the contact elements 5 are arranged, again spacer elements 6 are formed, which form a stop for insertion. On the right side of the sheet metal blank plate sections 14 and 15 are formed, which serve to be applied around a cable and pressed there. The sheet metal blank of the Fig. 16 is bent in such a way that the two rows of contact elements 5 are parallel to each other, so that all contact elements 5 parallel to each other run. This is from the side in Fig. 17 shown. The Fig. 18 shows the arrangement of the finished bent sheet metal element from the right in Fig. 17 , The sheet metal parts 14 are bent high, so now here a cable can be inserted, which is then pressed with the sheet metal blank.

Details of the contact elements 5 and the spacers 6 go out Fig. 19 which shows an enlarged view of the contact elements 5 of Fig. 17 represents.

In the Fig. 19 downwardly directed ends of the spacer elements 6 form the line which corresponds to the insertion of the plug element into the circuit board of the surface of the circuit board. The contact elements 5 include two legs 16, between which a slot 17 is formed. The legs 16 begin at the lower edge 2 of the plug element initially with parallel side edges 18. Shortly below the mentioned surface plane 19 extend the opposite outer edges 20 of the two legs convexly curved outward. This shape also follow the facing inner sides 21 of the legs 16. The ends of the legs 16 are spaced from each other. In this way, the legs 16 of the contact elements 15 can deform inwardly, ie in a direction which extends transversely to the direction of insertion of the contact elements 5. The plug-in direction is in Fig. 17 and Fig. 19 directed from top to bottom.

While the FIGS. 14 and 15 show a plug-in element, which serves as a holder for a component, and the FIG. 16 to FIG. 19 a plug-in element, which is designed as a plug for a single cable, shows the Fig. 20 now a plug-in element, in which the contact elements 5 protrude from a housing 22. In the housing 22 are connections with several cables 23 to the individual contact elements. 5 accommodated. It is therefore a plug with a plurality of cables 23rd

At the two sides facing away from each other of the housing 22 made of plastic lever 24 are formed, which can be tilted about the Anformstelle 25. With their front ends 26, these levers 24 pass through the passage openings 27 of the printed circuit board 28. At this end 26, each lever 24 is provided with a barb, which prevents withdrawal from the hole 27 of the circuit board 28. The two levers 24 are biased in this position shown, in which abut the barbs on the back of the circuit board 28. To remove the plug, the two levers must be rotated so that the barbs fit through the holes 27 therethrough. The tilting can be done by pressing on the side facing away from the printed circuit board 28 end 29 of the lever 24 inwards.

Fig. 21 shows an embodiment where a housing 30 is provided with a series of contact elements 5, which are constructed as well as in Fig. 19 shown. Again, levers 24 are formed on the two sides of the housing 30, which have the same task as in the embodiment according to Fig. 20 , Here are the contact elements 5 with electrical and / or electronic components within the housing 30 in connection. It may be simple or more complicated electronic components, for example, to entire circuits.

Since the levers 24 project with their front ends 26 clearly above the front ends of the contact elements 5, and since the front ends are tapered, these front ends of the lever 24 form a Positioning aid, by means of which the plug element can be aligned relative to the passage openings 27 so that the contact elements 5 immediately find their associated holes.

For connecting plug-in elements with printed circuit boards, it is proposed that the printed circuit board has through-contacted bores and the plug element has the through-plated holes correspondingly insertable into these contact elements. The contact elements and the plated-through holes are matched in their dimensions to one another that the plug-in element can be inserted by hand with the contact elements in the plated-through holes. The plug element can also be removed by hand from the circuit board. Thus, despite the producible with little force sufficient contact between the contact elements and the wall of the plated through holes can be made, it is provided that the contact elements are formed in a direction transverse to the sliding direction resilient or yielding.

In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 22 to 24 Vibrating connection arrangements according to other embodiments of the invention described, with reference to FIGS. 25 to 29 Connection arrangements are described according to Comparative Examples. Fig. 30 to Fig. 32 show associated contact elements for the connection arrangements according to FIGS. 22 to 29 ,

Fig. 22 shows a connection assembly 100 according to another embodiment of the invention.

The connector assembly 100 includes a male member 102 and a printed circuit board 28. The male member 102 includes, as in FIG Fig. 23 are better shown, a housing 104 with a matrix-like arrangement of line receptacles 106 for receiving electrical leads, not shown. The printed circuit board 28 contains through-holes 54 in a corresponding likewise matrix-shaped arrangement. The plug-in element 102 furthermore contains a plurality of plug-in spring-like contact elements 108, which are likewise arranged in the form of a matrix and which-or their tips-have a reversible deflection characteristic. In other words, the contact elements 108 can be repeatedly inserted into the plated-through bores 54 and removed therefrom without their reversible, hook-like, non-plastically deforming spring characteristic changing.

The holes 54 and the plug-in contact elements 108 are matched to one another such that the plug 102 connect by hand by inserting the contact elements 108 in the holes 54 with the circuit board 28 and then also remove it by hand.

According to the in FIGS. 22 to 24 shown embodiment of the connection assembly 100, the contact elements 108 are configured as crimping contacts. These contact elements 108 include a crimpable contact portion 110 and an elastically pluggable portion 112 attached to the crimpable crimping portion 110. The crimped crimping portion 110 has a different material from the elastically pluggable portion 112 and may be formed of a different material thickness than the elastically pluggable portion 112.

According to the in FIGS. 22 to 24 In the illustrated embodiment of the connection assembly 100, the vibration resistant mechanical fuse is formed as a pair of detent clips 114 attached to opposite lateral end portions of the housing 104. The locking clips 114 are manually operable by a user by means of a corresponding pair of grips 116 in an upper end portion of the housing 104. The locking clips 114 are adapted to engage in correspondingly formed locking receiving openings 116 of the printed circuit board 28.

Fig. 22 shows the connection assembly 100 in a mated condition, whereas Fig. 23 shows the connection assembly 100 in a separate state. Fig. 24 shows the connection assembly 100 in a cross-sectional view. In this is shown how the elastically pluggable portions 112 are elastically resiliently received by the corresponding holes 54, at the same time a reliable electrical contact is made.

With the connection arrangement 100 according to FIG FIGS. 22 to 24 is thus a direct insertion using Rastlipsen 114 allows. The plug element 102 is inserted into the circuit board 28 and locked there by means of the latching clip 114. A tolerance compensation of the blanket can be done via a deep milling on the underside of the board or circuit board 28.

In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 25 and 26 a connection arrangement 130 according to a comparative example in a first operating state ( Fig. 25 ), in which a Plug element 132 is inserted into a circuit board 28, and with reference to Fig. 26 described in a state in which the plug-in element 132 is not inserted into the circuit board 28.

According to FIGS. 25 and 26 For example, a vibration resistant mechanical fuse is formed as a pair of screw members 134 disposed on laterally opposite lower end portions of the housing 104 and adapted to engage with a correspondingly formed threaded bushing 136 of the printed circuit board 28, respectively. In other words, in each case a threaded bushing 136 is pressed into the printed circuit board 28 at two points, which has an internal thread, which corresponds to an external thread of the respective screw member 134. By means of rotating actuation of actuators 138 in an upper end portion of the housing 104, the male member 132 can thus be firmly screwed by hand after insertion into the circuit board 28 at this. The threaded bushes 136 may also be bolted to the board or printed circuit board 28 or alternatively be pressed. Thickness tolerances of the board or printed circuit board 28 can be compensated by a screw-in depth.

FIGS. 27 to 29 show different views of a connection assembly 150 according to still a comparative example, in which again a vibration robustness and optionally a high current capability is enabled.

Fig. 27 shows a plug-in element 152 in a printed circuit board 28 in the inserted state, whereas according to Fig. 28 the male member 152 is shown in a non-inserted condition with respect to the printed circuit board 28. Fig. 29 shows a partial cross section through the connection assembly 150, based on which the resilient Recording characteristic of the electrically pluggable portions 112 of the plug element 152 can be detected.

According to FIGS. 27 to 29 For example, the vibration-resistant mechanical fuse is realized using a pair of expansion rivets 154, 154 'that can be actuated by actuators 138 and inserted into correspondingly provided rivet receiving openings 156 in the circuit board 28. Thus, according to FIGS. 27 to 29 realized the direct insertion by means of expansion rivets 154, 154 ', wherein the respective rivet pins can be pressed and variably spread. Tolerances of the board thickness, that is, the thickness of the circuit board 28 can be compensated. Fig. 28 shows an active expansion rivet 154 and an inactive expansion rivet 154 '. In the interior of the housing 104, the associated expansion rivet bolts are arranged.

Fig. 30 to Fig. 32 show a detailed view of the crimp contacts designed as contact elements 108th

Fig. 30 shows that the crimpable crimping portion 110 and the elastically pluggable portion 112 are realized with each other mechanically and electrically using a combined embossing and riveting joint 170. To realize the elastically pluggable portion 112 turn a fork contact for holes with a diameter of 2.3 mm to 2.5 mm is provided. For example, Wieland K55 or Wieland K88 with a material thickness of 0.8 mm can be used as material for the elastically pluggable section 112. The crimpable crimping portion 110 includes a crimping zone 172 for a cable receptacle having a cross-sectional area between 1.5 mm ² and 2.5 mm ² . As the material for the crimpable crimping portion 110, for example, bronze CuSn ₆ having a material thickness of 0.4 mm can be used.

The actual contacting elements of the electrically pluggable section 112 have two between them a gap 174 exposed leg 16, the opposite outer sides 20 are formed convexly curved. Fig. 30 shows that the sections 110, 112 overlap in an overlapping region 176 and are connected to one another there by means of the embossing and riveting connection 170.

Fig. 31 shows a different spatial view and Fig. 32 shows a side view of the contact element 108th

In addition, it should be noted that "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

Claims (12)

1. Connection arrangement with

   1.1 a plug element which comprises

   1.2 a plurality of pluggable contact elements (5) extending parallel to each other, and with

   1.3 a circuit board (28) with plated-through drill holes

   1.4 being arranged in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the contact elements (5), wherein

   1.5 the drill holes and the contact elements (5) pluggable into them are compatible to each other in such a manner that

   1.6 the plug element is manually connectable to the circuit board (28) by inserting the contact elements (5) into the drill holes and is manually removable; wherein the plurality of contact elements are simultaneously pluggable into their associated drill holes;

   1.7 and with a vibration-robust mechanical locking feature (7) provided against a unintentional stripping of the plug element from the circuit board (28),

   wherein the vibration-robust mechanical locking feature (7) has barbs (8) on its outsides, and
   wherein the contact elements (5) comprise two legs (16) having a space (17) between them,
   wherein the ends of the legs (16) comprise a distance from each other,
   wherein the pluggable contact element (5) is adapted for inserting in one of the drill holes,
   wherein the vibration-robust mechanical locking feature (7) is configured for connecting the plug element and the circuit board (28) by a mechanical fixing force of at least 100 N,
   wherein each pluggable contact element (5) is adapted for an electrical loading capacity of at least 5 Amperes.
2. Connection arrangement according to claim 1, with a stop (6) for limiting the insertion of the contact elements (5) into the circuit board (28).
3. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, at which the contact elements (5) are flexibly adapted in a direction transverse to the insertion direction, at least in the region to be arranged inside the plated-through holes.
4. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, at which the mechanical locking feature (7) is adapted to connect the plug element and the circuit board (28) by a mechanical fixing force of at least 200 N, in particular of at least 300 N.
5. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, at which each pluggable contact element (5) is adapted for an electrical loading capacity of at least 10 Amperes, in particular of at least 20 Amperes.
6. Connection arrangement according to any one of preceding claims, at which each pluggable contact element (5) is adapted to be insertable into one of the drill holes by an insertion force of at most 10 N.
7. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein

   the mechanical locking feature (7) and the pluggable contact elements (5), and/or

   the mechanical locking feature (7) and the stop (6), and/or

   the pluggable contact elements (5) and the stop (6)

   are provided as components mounted jointly on the plug element.
8. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact elements (108) are configured as crimp contacts, wherein in particular the crimp contacts comprise a crimp-capable crimping section (110) and an elastically pluggable section (112).
9. Connection arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the crimp-capable crimping section (110) and the elastically pluggable section (112) are formed from different materials.
10. Connection arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the crimp-capable crimping section (110) is formed with a thinner material thickness than the elastically pluggable section (112).
11. Connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact elements (5) are configured that, when plugging in the contact elements (5) by hand into the drill holes, the contact elements (5) are only deformed in the elastic area.
12. Vehicle, comprising a connection arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in particular the vehicle is configured as one of a group consisting of a powered vehicle, a passenger car, a motor truck, a bus, a powered agricultural vehicle, a baling press, a combine harvester, a self-propelled sprayer, a road building machine, a tractor, an aircraft, an aeroplane, a helicopter, a spaceship, a Zeppelin, a water-borne vehicle, a ship, a railway vehicle, and a train.

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