DE102009043176A1 - Press-in connector for forming electrical and mechanical connecting arrangement between printed circuit board and e.g. metallic bus bar in hybrid drive of vehicle, has retaining section connecting printed circuit board with line element - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (1) has a press-in zone (2) electrically and mechanically connected with a printed circuit board (5). A retaining section (3) is arranged adjacent to the press-in zone and provided for connecting the printed circuit board with a metallic line element (8) i.e. metallic bus bar. The retaining section is designed as a press-in zone, which is different from the former press-in zone. An assembly section (4) is provided at one end of the connector and is designed as a pin contact.

Description

The invention relates to a press-fit connector according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a connection arrangement according to the preamble of claim 11.

In the invention, it is a press-in connector for producing an electrical and mechanical connection arrangement between a printed circuit board and at least one metallic conduit element, preferably a metallic busbar.

Increasingly, applications come to the fore, in which the power currents are no longer arranged only via wired devices, that is separate from the circuit board, but it is looking for solutions to integrate the power transmission (power currents) in the circuit board.

If the printed conductors of a printed circuit board are preferably used for the transmission of signals and control currents, then the heat input and thus the generated heat load of such printed circuit boards is low. Such printed circuit boards are only subject to the known and known problems in the prior art.

However, the present invention is based on such applications, in which the requirement is to transmit high power currents in the one to three-digit ampere range, by means of a conductor track and therefore by means of a printed circuit board in a busbar.

Typical fields of application are the increasingly emerging hybrid and electric drives in vehicle technology.

This high current densities occur, which must be transported via the circuit board to a busbar.

Advantageously, however, the present invention can be applied to other comparable connection arrangements in which the object is to connect a metallic line element and thus a metal structure with a circuit board electrically and mechanically.

In the DE 20 2008 005 394 For example, a high-current printed circuit board connector is known which comprises a contact socket and a socket 3 , wherein the socket has connection elements for connection to a printed circuit board.

Typically, the connecting elements are integrated as press-in connectors in the connection region of the connector and can thus be introduced into a corresponding printed circuit board with a corresponding contact field in through-openings provided for this purpose.

A disadvantage of this embodiment, on the one hand, the complex production of such a contact element and on the other hand, the limited application area. As soon as the application requires other cross sections or a different geometry, or other metallic materials have to be used, a new tool or a new production method is required. Optionally, different tools or manufacturing processes are necessary for different applications.

Advantageously, the bus bars specified in the prior art are typically made of metallic strips or sheets. The metal strip thicknesses and the metal strip thicknesses and the materials vary, which leads to an enormous variety.

As an alternative connection methods are known from the prior art thermal joining methods such as welding and soldering. The associated disadvantages, in particular the problems with non-weldability and lack of solderability of different metal-safe materials, do not represent a satisfactory solution for connecting high-current connection arrangements.

Another known in the prior art connection form of printed circuit boards is the press-in connection (Pressfit connection). In the following, any mechanically deformable electrical connection element which is introduced into or inserted into a contact opening of a printed circuit board provided for this purpose is referred to as a pressfit connector.

In the prior art, for example, special electrical Pressfit connecting pins for connecting a plurality of superposed printed circuit boards are known. For example, this describes the US 5,761,050 an electrical connecting pin and especially a connector for insertion into plated through holes in printed circuit boards, in particular a connecting pin of two or more circuit boards electrically and mechanically connect with each other.

Such deformable pressfit connectors have been on the market for many years. They are used on the one hand to simplify assembly times and shorten and on the other hand to the later removal of connected parts again to enable. As a result, for example, circuit boards can be electrically connected to each other and solve again. When such a press fit connector is properly inserted in a designated hole with metal-safe via, it changes its shape according to its chosen geometry and wedges mechanically into the plated-through hole. Ideally, this creates a cold weld joint. As a result, an electrical contact is made while ensuring a secure mechanical hold. In some methods, soldering must additionally be generated in order to ensure the desired electrical and mechanical contact and thus its secure hold in the contact point.

In recent years, more and more different forms of press-fit connectors (press-fit pins) have been formed, which are usually designed as contact pins for connectors or as connecting pins of one or more printed circuit boards.

For reasons of increasing miniaturization, the geometric requirements of printed circuit boards and other circuit boards had to become more compact and smaller.

For example, the circuit boards had to be placed and mounted very close to each other. Such a situation often arises when a motherboard has to be connected to several daughter boards of the same size.

In the typical connection method then, as in the US 5,761,050 described, the daughter board vertically connected to the motherboard by means of correspondingly deformable connecting pins (pressfit pins).

Typically, the installation of all Pressfit connector in all plated-through hole pairs of the circuit board is complicated and problematic and requires a very accurate production of printed circuit boards with low layer and shape tolerances of the individual pairs of connections.

Typically, daughter board and mother board arrangements behave like a stack of playing cards. Moving only one of the cards will make it difficult to bring all the cards above or below them into contact, both electrically and physically.

There are also known several methods for connecting such card assemblies.

On the one hand, the connector pins may be constructed to have a deformable part and a longer pin portion extending therefrom near the base of each pin. Thus, it is possible to connect two circuit boards together by inserting the pin into the first circuit board and thereby deformably fitting the pin thereto, the extended part of the pin being inserted through the through hole of the second circuit board and thereafter soldered to make a secure electrical fit between the two circuit boards.

A disadvantage of such an arrangement is the time-consuming and expensive manufacture and the fact that the end of each individual pin must be soldered to the second circuit board in order to establish a secure connection.

Alternatively, for example, shows the US 5,374,204 a method in which the need for the aforementioned soldering is eliminated and pairs of adjacent circuit boards are connected via corresponding Einpresskontaktstifte.

The object of the present invention is, in addition to connecting a printed circuit board with an electrical connection element, in addition a metallic line element preferably one or more busbars of different material thickness and different material to electrically and mechanically interconnect, for producing a connection arrangement for transmitting high currents (high current connection arrangement).

This task is to be solved on the premise not to have to provide a separate tool for each material combination and material thickness and thus each have a customized press-fit connector.

More generally, the object of the present invention is to provide a universal low-cost press-fit connector which is suitable for producing a connection arrangement between a printed circuit board and one or more metallic line elements.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a press-fit connector having two adjacent different press-fit zones, wherein the press-fit zones are configured such that a first press-in zone at the end of the press-fit connector is adapted for connection to the printed circuit board and a second press-fit zone is configured. for the connection with a metallic connecting element. By means of these two press-in zones, the press-fit connector can be used to produce a connection arrangement in a single-stage process, with the press-fit connector being formed in a single production step by the two press-in zones of both the printed circuit board and the press metallic line element is performed (1-Phasenbestückprozess). This results in favorable manufacturing conditions that are adaptable to mass production.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an arrangement of a plurality of stacked metallic line elements is provided, and a press-in connector with a first press-fit for connection to the circuit board and a second press-fit, which is adapted to the thickness of the different metallic line elements that the line elements these are connected as a common press-in zone with the circuit board.

According to the invention, a press-in connector can be provided in this way, which connects one or more metallic line elements to a printed circuit board in a favorable and simple manner.

According to one aspect of the invention, this gives a universal structure of a press-fit connector for different connection arrangements and material pairings are easily adaptable to different applications. This allows different material combinations and material thicknesses to be connected electrically and mechanically to the desired printed circuit board with a universal pin. Due to the low use of material is obtained in addition to the reduced production costs a press-in, which is also inexpensive to manufacture.

Advantageously, the press-in connector is formed with two different outer-diameter press-fit zones. Preferably, the press-in zone at the end of the press-fit connector for contacting with the printed circuit board is designed to be smaller than the press-in zone adjacent thereto, for connection to the metallic line elements. This ensures that in the aforementioned 1-Phasenbestückprozess, so when connecting the press-in connector with the metallic line elements and the circuit board in one step, the connector undergoes no mechanical damage by pre-deformation when passing through the press-fit zone of the conduit element, but unhindered by the conduit element in the circuit board can dip. In other words, the final press-fit zone of the press-fit connector can freely pass through the overlying press-fit zone of the conduit members without mechanical deformation or compression of the press fit connector in that zone.

Advantageously, instead of a metallic conduit element in the form of a busbar, it is also possible to connect so-called metallic composite materials to a printed circuit board by means of the pressfit connector according to the invention.

For example, bi-metal assemblies may be connected to a circuit board in the same manner as described above. In the press-in zone in the printed circuit board is advantageously a standard pressfit Einpresszone according to the Standard IEC 60352-5 used for PCB applications.

Preferably, the press-fit zones are designed so that a gas-tight connection and thus a cold welding is generated as soon as the 1-Phasenbestückprozess between the press-in connector of the circuit board and the metallic line element is completed.

Advantageously, this results in a low electrical contact resistance, which is of considerable importance for the high-current connection between the printed circuit board and the metallic line element, in particular with regard to the heat development of the connection point.

In an alternative embodiment, the connection arrangement according to the invention can also be achieved in that instead of two press-fit zones, the press-fit connector has a correspondingly shaped single press-fit zone at the end of the press-fit connector and adjacent to it, corresponding abutment means for a line element are provided. The press-fit is to be designed so that when pressing the press-in connector in a circuit board, the intermediate metallic line elements before the press-in form-fit and frictionally held by the fact that this applies both radial and axial forces and the metallic line elements by the investment means of Einpressverbinders in the desired contact position are brought. Here it comes as intended to an electrical and mechanical connection between the press-in connector and the circuit board.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show as follows:

1 shows a section through a first embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention;

2 shows an alternative embodiment of a connection arrangement according to the invention;

3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a press-fit connector according to the present invention;

4 shows a section through a connection arrangement with a press-in connector according to 3 ,

It should be understood that the drawings of the invention are neither to scale nor restrictive in nature, but that they are merely schematic illustrations of the invention, but are not intended to be limiting of specific parameters of the invention.

The drawings show exemplary embodiments of typical implementations of the invention.

The invention is further based on a method as described above for producing a connection arrangement of one or more metallic line elements with a printed circuit board.

1 shows a first embodiment of a connection arrangement according to the invention. In 1 is a press-fit connector 1 shown with two press-in zones. At the lower end there is a first press-in zone 2 and adjacent thereto, above the press-in zone 2 , there is a second press-in zone 3 , The press-in connector according to 1 is integrally formed and further has a mounting portion 4 , The press-in zone 2 is designed for connecting the press-fit connector 1 with a circuit board 5 , Advantageously, the press-in zone 2 the connection of a metallic via 6 the circuit board 5 , Immediately adjacent to the surface 7 the circuit board 5 there is a metallic conduit element 8th , In the metallic conduit element 8th is a penetration opening 9 for receiving the press-fit zone 3 of the press-fit connector 1 educated. The inside diameter of the penetration opening 9 of the metallic conduit element 8th is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the metallic via 6 the circuit board 5 ,

The metallic via 6 as well as the penetration opening 9 are according to 1 formed as cylindrical openings into which the press-in connector 1 is introduced mechanically and electrically. As a result, by means of cold welding, an electrical connection between the metallic conduit element 8th over the press-in zone 3 as well as the circuit board 5 and the press-fit zone 2 produced such that the metallic conduit element 8th mechanically and electrically with the press-in connector 1 and simultaneously with the circuit board 5 engaged.

For producing a connection arrangement 10 becomes a circuit board 5 provided on the lying a metallic conduit element 8th is positioned in such a way that the hole to be connected between the circuit board 5 and the metallic conduit element 8th lie one above the other.

It is therefore safe to make sure that in the circuit board 5 existing metallic via 6 immediately below the penetration opening 9 of the metallic conduit element 8th to come to rest.

After correct positioning of the two materials, the press-fit connector 1 with the two press-in zones 2 . 3 and thus with its plug-in end 11 from above by means of a feed device, not shown, through-contacted by the two openings and pressed with these positive and non-positive. Once the press-fit zone 2 of the press-fit connector 1 the position of the metallic via 6 the circuit board 5 has reached, it also leads to a connection of the press-in zone 3 in the penetration opening 9 of the metallic conduit element 8th , For this purpose, for example, an automatic handling machine on the mounting section 4 make the placement process. Advantageously, the mounting section 4 as a pin contact 12 designed so that a corresponding socket contact on the pin contact 12 can be plugged. This will be a connection arrangement 10 provided, in addition to the simultaneous connection of a metallic conduit element 8th with a circuit board 5 also a detachable pin book connection by means of pin contact 12 provides.

2 shows a second embodiment of a connection arrangement according to the invention 10 ,

Here, a press-fit connector connects 1 a circuit board 5 with a first metallic conduit element 8th and a second metallic conduit element disposed adjacent thereto 13 , Alternatively, a bi-metal element consisting of a metallic conduit element 8th and a second metallic conduit element different therefrom 13 be used. The connection is made in a similar way as already at 1 described. As a result, metallic conduit elements can be brought into an electrical and mechanical connection in a simple manner, which can not be technically connected to one another by means of welding joining processes.

In 3 is an alternative embodiment for a press-fit connector 1 shown. The pressfit connector 1 has an elongated press-in zone 2 , from two thighs 14a . 14b at the plug-in end 11 of the press-fit connector 1 connected to each other. This creates a deformable press-fit zone 2 , which has a lower press-in section 2a and an upper press-in section 2 B features.

Immediately afterwards there are three bilateral investment funds 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 17a . 17b , The investment means are, as shown, stepped and have a press-fit 18 , Two opposing press-in sections 18 of each pair of investment funds 15a , b, as well 16a , Federation 17a , B are spaced from each other such that the respective opposite leg sections 19a , b, 20a , b, 21a , B are further spaced from each other. Advantageously, the investment means of a mounting section 4 formed in which there is an annular opening 22 located. The sidewall sections 19a . 19b . 20a . 20b . 21a . 21b lie in pairs opposite each other and are essentially designed as a nearly planar area sections. Each sidewall section 19a . 19b is an area at the end of each of the two legs 14a , b formed and slightly curved over in the area of the next press-in zone 18 , In the present figure, this results in a total of six press-in zones 18 , which are arranged diametrically in pairs opposite.

4 shows a further embodiment of a connection arrangement 10 , using the press-fit connector according to the invention 1 , according to 3 , It can be seen that the press-in zone 2 so in the circuit board 5 is pressed that the press-fit section 2a at the lower end to lie slightly below the circuit board, while the press-fit 2 B within the metallic via 6 the circuit board 5 is arranged.

This creates a mechanical and electrical connection both between the circuit board 5 as well as about it at the investment funds. This solution according to the invention can be achieved by means of a single press-fit zone 2 a connection arrangement 10 produce. Alternatively, a second metallic conduit element 13 above the metallic conduit element 8th also in the connection arrangement 10 be introduced, such that it at the investment means 17a . 17b comes to the plant, while said metallic conduit element 8th , like in the 4 shown to the investment funds 16a . 16b comes to the plant.

The circuit board 5 comes by means of the investment 15a . 15b and through the thighs 14a , b in a mechanical engagement connection with the press-fit connector 1 ,

Advantageously, an electrical contact is made across both the sidewall portions 19a . 19b . 20a . 20b provided or in an arrangement with two metallic line elements over both 19a . 19b and 20a . 20b such as 21a . 21b ,

Alternatively to the in 4 Shown embodiment, also a step-shaped pot can be in a metallic conduit element 8th Corresponding to the characteristics of the investment funds 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 17a . 17b forming a larger sidewall contact surface between the press-fit connector 1 and the metallic conduction band 8th to achieve.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

press-fit

2

press-fit zone

2a, 2b

press-in

3

holding section

4

mounting portion

5

circuit board

6

metallic via

7

Surface of the circuit board

8th

metallic conduit element

9

Durchdringöffnung

10

joint assembly

11

plug-in end

12

pin contact

13

second metallic conduit element

14a, 14b

leg

15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b

investment funds

18

press-fit zone

19a, 19b, 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b

Sidewall portions

22

opening

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202008005394 [0009]
• US 5761050 [0015, 0020]
• US 5374204 [0026]

Cited non-patent literature

• Standard IEC 60352-5 [0036]

Claims (15)

Press-fit connector ( 1 ) comprising at least one press-in zone ( 2 ) for electrical and mechanical connection to a printed circuit board ( 5 ), characterized in that the press-in connector ( 1 ) adjacent to the press-in zone ( 2 ) via a holding section ( 3 ) for joint connection of the printed circuit board ( 5 ) with a metallic conduit element ( 8th ). Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the press-in connector ( 1 ) further via a mounting section ( 4 ) at one of the two ends. Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding section ( 3 ) as one to the press-in zone ( 2 ) is arranged adjacent thereto different press-in zone, such that thereby a metallic line element ( 8th ) by means of the press-in zone ( 3 ) lying flat against a surface ( 7 ) of a printed circuit board ( 5 ) is attachable. Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press-in zone ( 2 ) at the plug-in end of the press-in connector ( 1 ) is formed and with its outer dimension in the diameter smaller than the outer dimension of the adjacent thereto holding portion ( 3 ). Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section ( 3 ) immediately adjacent to the press-in zone ( 2 ). Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section ( 3 ) with investment funds ( 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 17a . 17b ) is designed for receiving and mechanically locking one with the printed circuit board ( 5 ) to be fastened metallic conduit element ( 8th ). Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the investment means ( 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 17a . 17b ) as step-shaped adjacent areas between the mounting portion ( 4 ) and the press-in zone ( 2 ) are formed. Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the investment means ( 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 17a . 17b ) as adjacent pairs of investment means are in pairs opposite each other and via side wall sections ( 19a . 19b . 20a . 20b . 21a . 21b ), for abutment with a penetration opening of a with the circuit board ( 5 ) to be fastened metallic conduit element ( 8th ). Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting section ( 4 ) is designed as a pin contact. Press-fit connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the press-in zones ( 2 . 3 ) by means of two curved legs ( 14a . 14b ) is formed, which at the plug-side end of the press-in connector ( 1 ) are interconnected. Connection arrangement ( 10 ) comprising a printed circuit board ( 5 ) as well as one on the surface ( 7 ) of the printed circuit board ( 5 ) arranged metallic conduit element ( 8th ), which by means of a press-in connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, are connected to each other electrically and mechanically. Connection arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the printed circuit board ( 5 ) with the press-in zone ( 2 ) of the press-fit connector ( 1 ) is in electrical and mechanical connection. Connection arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the metallic conduit element ( 8th ) with the holding section ( 3 ) of the press-fit connector ( 1 ) is in electrical and mechanical contact. Connection arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the holding section ( 3 ) is formed as a press-in zone and the metallic conduit element ( 8th ) by means of this press-in zone mechanically and electrically with the circuit board 5 connected is. Connection arrangement ( 10 ) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the metallic conduit element ( 8th ) is formed as a U-shaped busbar of two different metals.

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