DE102007005877A1 - Connection system for printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Abstract

Due to the connection system according to the invention, a connection system for printed circuit boards is provided for the first time, in which on a separate flexible contact carrier one or more pins are inserted, the contact carrier with a first circuit board and at least with a second circuit board is connected by pressing and the press-in pins at least have two spaced areas of press-in zones. With the connection system according to the invention, a modular connection system can be provided, which has the decisive advantage over the previously individually threaded and mounted press-fit pins, that it allows a simplified assembly of many pins simultaneously and also shows the advantages of press-fit. In particular, i larger dimensions of the circuit board without additional Fädelhilfe be ensured with simultaneous tolerance compensation by the flexibility of the contact carrier.

Description

The The invention relates to a connection system for printed circuit boards according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing such a connection system, especially for transmission or engine control in the Automotive industry.

State of the art

modern Mechatronics, that means especially control electronics, directly in the field, for example in a gearbox or in a Motor used are subject to a variety of environmental Conditions. In addition to long-term stability and reliability the controller is the increased operating temperatures as well as mechanically by the constant vibration load demanding environment of the engine or transmission in the foreground. Therefore, it is imperative that the sensitive electronics and printed circuit boards (PCBs) as far as possible in front of them Influences are protected. Especially the conception the attachment and connection points of the printed circuit boards a big challenge.

It Different concepts are known, the electrical contacting two printed circuit boards or between the circuit board and the electronic mounted thereon Components, for example, in the lead frame technology and by others To produce press-in connections. Among these connection systems play reinforces the solderless concepts one crucial role, since the legal requirements for environmental compatibility and the recycling of electronic components in the last ten Years have caused a departure from soldered connections.

The DE 20 2006 008 439 U1 describes a concept for electrically contacting a printed circuit board with an electronic component, in which a soldered shaped part made of sheet metal with a resilient receptacle for a plug-in part for connection of conductive structures on the circuit board to ground or further networks is provided. In this way, a mechanically and electrically durable connection between the circuit board and the electronic component is produced. In this concept, the male part must be connected by soldering to the circuit board. This already results in the disadvantages briefly described above in the environmental compatibility and the recyclability of the final electronic components.

adversely Moreover, this concept is only based on the special contacts Apply by means of a resilient receptacle made of sheet metal for the male part leaves. The embodiment of the printed circuit board with a resilient However, recording introduces another, unwanted and partially unrealizable production costs.

About that In addition, there have been many in the recent past Press-in pins designed for contacting a printed circuit board have been contacted in which the electrical contact in through Holes in the printed circuit board with resilient areas the press-fit pins is made and secured.

So is out of the DE 10 2006 017 587 A1 an arrangement for electrical contacting of printed circuit boards by means of a press-in pin is known which has a step in the region of the press-fitting region.

Another example of a generic contact is in the DE 20 2005 014 070 U1 described. There, a meandering press-fit area for the press-fit pins is proposed in order to provide increased flexibility during assembly.

Also in the DE 20 2004 012 466 U1 a special press-in pin for contacting electronic components or other circuit boards is described to a first circuit board. The press-fit pins have at least two spaced-apart press-fit zones, which are dimensioned complementary to the corresponding different perforations of the components or printed circuit boards.

adversely remains at the recent developments of the press-fit pins the fact that they are threaded one at a time before they are crimped with the circuit board. This is especially true for printed circuit boards with larger ones Dimensions an important role, since here all the higher Accuracy must be achieved, the more pins in one Thread operation are.

task

task The invention is therefore a simplified connection system to provide for electrical contacting of printed circuit boards, which allows a simplified installation and at the same time the advantages having the press-in connections. In particular, the positions should the individual pins even with larger dimensions the circuit board without additional Fädelhilfe ensured can be with simultaneous tolerance compensation.

This is according to the invention with a device accordingly of claim 1 and a method of manufacture achieved such a device according to claim 8.

According to the invention proposed a connection system for printed circuit boards to make available on a separate flexible Contact carrier one or more pins are inserted, the contact carrier with a first circuit board and at least with a second circuit board is connected by pressing and that the press-fit pins at least two from each other having spaced areas of Einpresszonen.

The modular connection system of the present invention faces the previously single threaded and mounted press-fit pins the decisive advantage on that there is a simplified assembly too many pins at the same time and also the advantages having the press-in connections. In particular, you can the positions of the individual pens even with larger ones Dimensions of the PCB ensured without additional threading aid be with simultaneous tolerance compensation by the flexibility of the contact carrier.

It No elaborate and expensive tools are needed for the production. The modular structure of at least one press-contact pin and The contact carrier also allows a cost-effective and flexible adaptation of the connection system to different ones Defaults, for example, on the number and spacing of the individual Contact pins.

The Contact pins are usually made of electrically conductive metal sheet or plastic. Usually, the contact pins used in a standardized length between 20 and 40 mm. Special gearbox or engine designs, however, can also shorter or considerably longer pins require. These can easily measure between 60 mm and 70 mm.

Prefers are the metal press-fit pins with gold or silver plated.

The Press-in contact pins can each be in the area of the press-fit zones have a slot opening so that they are in this area are elastic and necessary for the press-in connection Forces are applied by deformation of the press-fit. The press-in zones are in the contacting in the designated Through holes of the circuit board, preferably with metallic Sleeves are lined, brought to the plant.

The Press-in contact pins can in a preferred embodiment the invention at least two differently dimensioned from each other Have press-in zones. In this way, also printed circuit boards with differently sized through holes be connected to each other without any further contact or transition needs.

So Creepage currents can be avoided and a flawless electrical contact can be ensured.

Just with regard to such solderless connections by means of through-hole, exposed to increased mechanical stresses due to vibrations are, as prevail, for example, in transmissions and engines, In addition to the simplified assembly, it is a long-lasting and safer Guaranteed contact with defined spacing of printed circuit boards.

The Press-fit contact pins are preferred for easy installation equipped with a press-fit tool holder. additionally you can place one under the pressfit tool holder Shoulder have. This preferred embodiment allows effective a precise positioning in connection with the assembly tool to ensure and thus ensures a safe threading the contact pins in the connection system according to the invention for sure.

Of the flexible contact carrier may preferably be made of a material be manufactured under all operating and environmental conditions remains stable and the corresponding long-term stabilities having. In other words, the contact carrier is preferred made of flexible plastic. For example, as a material PA 6.6 (polyamide 6.6), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or polycarbonate be used.

by virtue of its flexibility allows the contact carrier straight used advantageously for printed circuit boards with large dimensions because he can at the same time the positioning of the individual contact pins secure and tolerance compensation for a simplified Threading the printed circuit boards and thus for a simplified Make a total assembly of the two circuit boards. To this Way, the process of threading the second circuit board especially with comparatively large printed circuit boards considerably facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention can on the contact carrier on both sides press-in contact pins be arranged.

Thereby will provide greater flexibility of the modular Construction achieved.

The connection system can be made in which a flexible contact carrier is made, it adjoins the placement of the contact carrier with a predetermined number of press-in contact pins and with a finished with electro nischen components stocked first printed circuit board is pressed. In the last step, the composite produced from the first printed circuit board and contact carrier is pressed with a second printed circuit board.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Procedure, the first circuit board can already finish with electronic Be equipped components.

About that In addition, the positioning of the first circuit board in addition done by means provided on the shoulders of the pins noses. The Noses can as a stop especially in the subsequent Press-in step of the first circuit board serve. They act reliably as an indicative limitation of the press-fit process.

One inventive construction of a connection system can be particularly preferred as part of a mechatronics, in particular for gearboxes and / or for motors, used in the automotive industry become.

The Invention will be described below by way of example with reference to a Embodiment explained in conjunction with the drawings.

In this shows:

1 a perspective top view of an embodiment of a contact carrier according to the invention with inserted contact pins,

2 in a perspective view of a contact pin 1 .

3 a perspective view of a connection system according to the invention with attached components, and

4 a perspective view of the connection system according to the invention 3 mounted on a main circuit board.

1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a contact carrier according to the invention 2 with several inserted pins 3 , The contact carrier may be made of plastic, preferably of PA 6.6, PPS or polycarbonate. The contact pins 3 are on both sides of the contact carrier 2 arranged and connected in each case via a plug-in connection with this exact fit. As a result, a flexible mounting of the contact pins 3 in the contact carrier 2 guaranteed at a defined distance. The number and the spacing of the contact pins can be advantageously adjusted as required. For simplified installation are the press-in contact pins 3 with a press-fit tool holder 5 equipped, above the plug-in connection with the contact carrier 2 is arranged. Below the plug-in connection are the press-in zones 4 the contact pins 2 arranged for connection to one or more circuit boards. Advantageously, so can the press-in contact pins 3 a solderless connection by means of through-hole and a long-lasting and secure contact with the or the circuit boards are produced.

2 shows in a perspective view a contact pin 3 out 1 , The contact pin has a press-fit tool receptacle at its upper end 5 which can be used for easy installation. Below the press-fit tool holder 5 points the contact pin 3 one shoulder 6 with protruding noses 7 on. As a result, a positioning aid in the form of a stop for the subsequent press-insertion of the first circuit board can be effectively specified. The two press-in zones 4 are dimensioned differently, with the upper, the press-in tool recording 5 directed press-fit zone 4 larger than the underlying and in addition a larger slot opening 11 having. In this way, a first and a second circuit board 9 . 10 be connected to each other with different sized vias.

3 shows a perspective view of a connection system according to the invention 1 with a contact carrier 2 out 1 and a first circuit board 9 with attached electronic components 8th , The contact carrier 2 is placed on a first circuit board and the press-fit pins 3 connected to this. At the top of the contact carrier can additional, for example, U-shaped recording holders 12 be provided to the electronic components of the first circuit board 9 are adapted and can absorb and support them. The recording bracket 12 of the contact carrier 2 can the circuit board 9 and / or the electronic components 8th additionally protect against relative movements. At the bottom of the contact carrier 2 can also pins 13 be arranged for attachment to one or more other circuit boards 10 can serve. The pins 13 can one or more stages 14 which serve to the spacing to the next circuit board, for example, the main circuit board 10 to make sure. The stage 14 such a pin 13 can rest on the PCB below when mounted. This has the additional advantage that the press-in contact pins 3 be mechanically relieved and not the full weight of the overlying elements of the connection system 1 have to carry. In a two-stage mounting of the two circuit boards, the pins 13 In addition, to protect the excellent Kon tact pins serve as long as a second circuit board is not mounted.

4 shows a perspective view of the connection system according to the invention 1 out 3 mounted on a main circuit board 10 ,

In summary is due to the connection system according to the invention the first time the production of a connection system for Printed circuit boards provided with through-hole, in the on a separate flexible contact carrier one or more Pins are inserted, the contact carrier with a first circuit board and at least a second circuit board can be connected by pressing and the press-in contact pins at least two spaced-apart areas of press-fit zones exhibit.

With the connection system according to the invention can be a Standardization, which advantageously a previous production of precisely positioned press-fit contact pins for subsequent compression with the circuit boards allows. With a likewise standardized pressing tool is such a considerable simplified installation of press-fit contact pins for electrical contacting given.

By a standardized structure can continue to facilitate quality control and thus a significant error reduction of such components due from bad contacts.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 202006008439 U1 [0004]
• - DE 102006017587 A1 [0007]
• - DE 202005014070 U1 [0008]
• - DE 202004012466 U1 [0009]

Claims (10)

Connection system ( 1 ) for printed circuit boards with through-contact, characterized in that on eifern separate flexible contact carrier ( 2 ) one or more pins ( 3 ), the contact carrier ( 2 ) with a first printed circuit board ( 9 ) and at least with a second circuit board ( 10 ) is connectable by press-fitting and that the press-in contact pins ( 3 ) at least two spaced apart areas of press-in zones ( 4 ) exhibit. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact carrier ( 2 ) made of plastic, preferably made of PA 6.6, PPS or polycarbonate. Connection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the contact carrier ( 2 ) press-fit contact pins on both sides ( 3 ) are arranged. Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press-fit contact pins ( 3 ) at least two differently dimensioned press-in zones ( 4 ) exhibit. Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press-fit contact pins ( 3 ) in each case in the region of the press-in zones ( 4 ) a slot opening ( 11 ) exhibit. Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press-fit contact pins ( 3 ) with a press-fit tool holder ( 5 ) are equipped. Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press-fit contact pins ( 3 ) additionally below the press-fit tool holder ( 5 ) one shoulder ( 6 ) with noses ( 7 ) exhibit. Method for producing a connection system ( 1 ), characterized by the steps: - production of a flexible contact carrier ( 2 ), - assembly of the contact carrier ( 2 ) with a predetermined number of press-in contact pins ( 3 ), - pressing a first circuit board ( 9 ) with the contact carrier ( 2 ) and - pressing the composite of first printed circuit board ( 9 ) and contact carrier ( 2 ) with a second circuit board ( 10 ). Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the first printed circuit board ( 9 ) already finished with electronic components ( 8th ) is equipped. Use of a connection system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7 as part of a mechatronics, in particular for transmissions and / or for motors in the automotive industry.