EP0148383B1 - Plug assembly provided with a locking device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector assembly comprising a connector for connection to a printed circuit board-carrying pin strip and a pluggable on the connector pin socket, which can be locked in the plugged state on the pin header by at least one C-shaped bracket, comprising a central portion, the length of which is the same as in Direction of insertion measured dimension of the assembled parts, and at the ends of the middle section attaching C-claws, which engage behind the assembled parts.

In connector arrangements of the type mentioned above, the connection pins of the pin strip are usually soldered to a printed circuit board, while the socket strip is connected, for example, with a ribbon cable. The locking of the assembled parts is required to avoid unintentional loosening of the connector.

In a connector arrangement known from GB-A-2 082 401, the pin header is provided with a locking mechanism in the form of snap locks which rotate in hinges attached to the two sides of the pin header. When inserting or plugging in the socket strip, the housing edge of the socket strip abuts against the protruding lever of the snap locks, so that these automatically snap around the socket strip housing and thus bring about a firm locking of the socket strip on the pin strip.

Such a construction has the disadvantage that it is relatively complex and therefore expensive. Furthermore, in this construction of the connector arrangement, for example with a bar of 13 pin pairs, the latch arrangement requires as much space on the circuit board as for the pin header itself. The space requirement is further increased by the fact that the latches protrude outwards in the open position, so that no assemblies or adjacent connector arrangements can be provided in this area.

In a connector arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in EP-A-0 075 070, the C-shaped clips used to lock the connector parts are formed in one piece with a bar connecting them, which extends approximately in the longitudinal center of the central sections of the clips perpendicular to them . On the crossbar extensions are formed which extend at a distance corresponding to the thickness of a printed circuit board from the central sections of the clamps parallel to the latter, so that the entire clamp arrangement can be pushed onto a printed circuit board.

The claws on the clips prevent the clip arrangement from being pulled off the printed circuit board and the connector part connected to a connecting line from the pin strip being pulled against the plug direction.

The clamp arrangement described above represents a relatively complicated part in terms of production technology. Since such parts are usually injection molded from plastic, a relatively complicated molding tool is required to produce the known clamp arrangement. This effort is even more significant since the known clip arrangement can only be used for a certain circuit board thickness and a certain connector arrangement, since the mutual distance between the C-shaped clips is fixed and a pin strip is adapted with a certain number of connecting pins. The high tool costs must therefore be used several times in order to produce a corresponding number of different clamp arrangements. In addition, the cost of storing such clamp assemblies increases.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector assembly of the known type with a C-shaped bracket so that the bracket is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble after soldering the circuit board, requires little space during assembly and in the assembled state and for Connector arrangements with different numbers of pins can be used.

This object is achieved in that at least one elastically deformable section is formed on a C-claw, which carries a locking lug for engaging behind a connector pin protruding from the pin strip.

The clip according to the invention locks the socket strip with the pin strip just as reliably as is the case with the known arrangements described above. However, the clip according to the invention is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture and requires only a space corresponding to the width of the central section of the clip on both sides of the ends of the pin strip. The inventive design of a C-claw makes it possible to fix a single C-shaped clamp on the connector arrangement without additional fastening elements so that it cannot come loose automatically. In the case of the clip according to the invention, an elastic deformability of the section carrying the latching lug formed on the C-claw is sufficient, while the clip as a whole can be made practically rigid. The cross section of the clip sections is preferably essentially rectangular, in particular square, so that the clip with its flat outer surfaces can lie tightly against the corresponding counter surfaces of the parts of the plug arrangement or on the printed circuit board. The clip expediently consists of a heat-resistant plastic, so that the plug arrangement together with the clip can, for example, be immersed in a solder bath.

According to a first embodiment of the inven The elastically deformable section is formed by an elastically deflectable tongue. This can be produced on the clip in a simple manner in that the C-claw of the clip engaging behind the pin strip, which is preferably longer than the other C-claw of the clip, is forked at its free end by a notch. The locking lug can be formed in that a recess is provided in a surface of the tongue facing the connecting pins, the dimension of which in the longitudinal direction of the C-claw is equal to the distance between two connecting pins plus their diameter. When the clip is attached, one of the connection pins lies against the one flank of the cutout, while the locking lug snaps behind the adjacent connection pin. The latching engagement can be released and the clip removed again by deflecting the tongue.

In the event that the pin header carries two rows of pins running at a distance from one another, it is expedient to choose the cross section of the C-claw engaging behind the pin header so that it can be inserted between the rows of pins.

The clip must be released if the socket strip is to be separated from the pin strip. The clip can be pivoted away from the assembly with its C-claw sitting on the socket strip, while the other C-claw, which engages behind a connector pin of the pin strip, remains seated on the pin strip.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in which the latch arrangement is particularly suitable for this loosening process of the C-shaped clip, the central section of the clip is at least partially tapered towards the C-claw engaging behind the pin strip.

The design ensures that the C-shaped bracket receives the elasticity required to bend the central portion of the unit from the socket strip and pin strip. If a tapering of the central section is provided in the direction of the C-claw engaging behind the pin strip, the clamp can be gripped on the other C-claw and this can be bent with the central section by the unit comprising the socket strip and the pin strip. The elastic deformation takes place primarily in the part of the middle section which is tapered, while the C-claw, which engages behind the pin strip, remains in this position in an unchanged position. The socket strip can then be separated from the pin strip. If a socket strip is then to be placed on the pin strip again, only the C-shaped bracket has to be bent again as when loosening and snaps into place after the socket strip is attached to the pin strip behind the socket strip.

For this process of loosening the C-shaped bracket and then re-attaching it to the unit comprising the socket strip and pin strip, it is particularly advantageous if at least one C-claw forms an angle with the central section that is slightly smaller than that of the two through the C-shaped bracket enclosed sides of the socket strip or the pin header is formed angle.

This further development of the invention ensures that the locking effect of the socket strip and pin strip is increased, because if the C-shaped clamp is attached to these two parts, the clamps of the clamp on the unit result from the convergence of the two C-claws from socket strip and pin strip.

The elastically deformable section of the C-claw engaging behind the pin strip can also advantageously be designed as a material web which delimits a cut-out which penetrates the C-claw.

This development of the invention therefore provides for a weakening of the material under the material web, which is caused by the recess. The web of material itself can then be relatively easily deformed elastically by pressure in the direction of the recess, so that the catch can be guided past a connector pin when the C-shaped clip is attached to the pin strip. On the other hand, however, there is a particularly firm engagement of the connecting pin, since the elastically deformable section can easily be dimensioned so stably by a suitable choice of the recess that it is moved back into its starting position with a relatively strong restoring force. The C-claw engaging behind the pin strip expediently has a tool engagement groove on its outside near the transition to the central section.

This is advantageous if the C-shaped bracket should be broken due to aging or excessive bending of the middle section. Then the C-claw sitting on the pin header can be easily gripped with a tool and pulled off the pin header.

The plug arrangement according to the invention enables a simple locking of a socket strip to a pin strip in a simple and inexpensive construction in a small space. This is possible in that the socket strip and the pin strip are only slightly enlarged as a structural unit by the C-shaped clamp connecting them. In addition, an extremely small amount of additional space is required to detach the clip from the socket strip or pin strip.

• Fig. 1 eine teilweise schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckeranordnung in zusammengestecktem Zustand,
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Klammer in vergrößertem Maßstab,
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische teilweise schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckeranordnung, bei welcher die Buchsenleiste mit einer weiteren Leiterplatte verbunden ist,
• Fig. 4 einen Teilschnitt durch eine Stiftleiste mit zwei Reihen von Anschlußstiften und einer eingesetzten Klammer,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische schematische Teilansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckeranordnung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• Fig. 6 eine Draufsicht auf eine C-förmige Klammer gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung und
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung der C-förmigen Klammer nach Fig. 6 als Riegelanordnung für eine Buchsenleiste und eine Stiftleiste.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which in connection with the accompanying drawings explains the invention using exemplary embodiments. Show it :

• 1 is a partially schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to the invention in the assembled state,
• 2 is a perspective view of a clip according to the invention on an enlarged scale,
• Fig. 3 is a partially schematic perspective view of a connector according to the invention arrangement in which the socket strip is connected to a further printed circuit board,
• 4 shows a partial section through a pin header with two rows of connecting pins and an inserted clip,
• 5 shows a perspective schematic partial view of a plug arrangement according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention,
• Fig. 6 is a plan view of a C-shaped bracket according to another embodiment of the invention and
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the C-shaped bracket of FIG. 6 as a latch arrangement for a socket strip and a pin strip.

In Fig. 1 can be seen a generally designated 10 connector assembly, include a pin header 12 which is connected via rectangular angled pins 14 to a circuit board 16, a female connector 18 which is connected to a ribbon cable 20 and two brackets 22 which the Lock the pin strip 12 and the socket strip 18 in the assembled state.

2, the clip 22 has an essentially C-shaped shape with a central section 24, a shorter C-claw 26 intended for bearing against the socket strip 18 and a longer C-claw 28 intended for engaging behind the pin strip 12. The individual sections the clip 24 have a substantially square or rectangular cross section, so that the clip 22 lies with its outer surfaces smoothly against the parts 12, 18 of the plug arrangement 10 and the surface of the printed circuit board 16.

The end section of the C-claw 28 has a reduced cross section compared to the rest of this C-claw and is split into two fork ends or tongues 32, 34 by a V-shaped gap 30. The inner tongue 34 is intended to bear against the pin strip 12, while the outer tongue 32 carries an outwardly facing latching lug 36, which is formed by a recess 38 on the outside of the C-claw 28. The inner distance A of the two C-claws 26 and 28 or the length of the middle section 24 corresponds as closely as possible to the overall dimension of the pin strip 12 and socket strip 18 measured in the plug-in direction in their assembled state. When the socket strip 18 is plugged onto the pin strip 12, the clips 22 are pushed laterally so that the shorter C-claw 26 engages behind the socket strip 18 and the C-claw 28 with its tongues 34 and 32 is inserted under the connecting pins 14. Since the width B of the recess 38 (FIG. 2) measured in the longitudinal direction of the C-claw 28 corresponds to the distance between two connecting pins 14 plus their diameter, the latching lug 36 engages behind the second connecting pin 14, viewed in the insertion direction of the C-claw 28 , when the first pin abuts against the shoulder 40 formed by the reduction in cross section of the C-claw 28. This ensures an immovable seat of the clamp 22 in the position shown in FIG. 1. The socket strip 18 cannot unintentionally detach from the pin strip 12.

The release of the clip 22 can be done in such a way that either first the tongue 32 is pressed with the latch 36 in the direction of the pin strip 12 and the clip 22 is then pulled out in the direction of arrow C or by the shorter C-claw 26 in the direction the arrow D is pivoted away from the socket strip 18, the tongue 32 likewise being pivoted in the direction of the pin strip 12 while deflecting the tongue 34, so that the C-claw 28 can be pulled out from under the connecting pins 14.

The clip 22 is preferably made of a sprayable plastic, which should also be so heat-resistant that the entire connector assembly can be immersed in a solder bath.

3 shows a somewhat modified embodiment of the plug arrangement, the socket strip 18 not being connected to a ribbon cable but to a further printed circuit board 42 which serves as a carrier for electronic components. In this case, the dimension A of the bracket must be increased by the thickness of the circuit board 42. All other elements of the connector arrangement, however, can remain completely the same.

Fig. 4 shows the design of the C-claw 28 of the bracket 22 in the event that two rows of connecting pins 14 are provided in the pin header 12. The dimensions of the section of the C-claw 28 with a reduced cross section must then be selected such that the tongues 32 and 34 can be pushed between the two rows of pins, as shown in FIG. 4. Otherwise, the clip 22 can be designed in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

5 differs from the connector arrangement described so far in that the C-claw 28 of the clamp 22 engaging behind the pin strip 12 has only one tongue 44, the catch 46 of which does not point away from the pin strip 12, but is directed parallel to it so that it can engage behind a connector pin or a section thereof which is directed perpendicular to the pin strip 12, as shown in FIG. 5. If necessary, two tongues 44 of this type can also be provided so that they are offset from one another in such a way that their latching lugs 46 face one another and simultaneously grip around the connecting pin 14 from below and above. This ensures that the clamp 22 is held securely even when it is not resting on a printed circuit board, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the invention. 6, a C-shaped bracket 52 is shown, which essentially consists of a central section 54 and two C-claws 56 and 58. The C-claw 56 is hook-shaped, and its inside is at a slight angle a obliquely to the inner longitudinal side of the central section 54. The central section 54 is tapered in the area 51 in the direction of the C-claw 58, so that it is elastically deformed near the C-claw 58 when it comes from a Correspondingly deformable material, for example plastic, exists and is bent by the action of force on the C-claw 56 relative to the C-claw 58. The inside of the C-claw 58 likewise forms a small helix angle with respect to the inner longitudinal side of the central section 54. This is indicated in FIG. 6 by an angle β by which the longitudinal axis of the central section 54 with respect to the inside of the C-claw 58 from the right Angle differs. This convergence of the two C-claws 56 and 58 causes the C-shaped clip 52 to be clamped on two elements connected by it.

As an elastically deformable section, the C-claw 58 has a material web 59 which results from the fact that a recess 57, which is rectangular in the exemplary embodiment shown, penetrates the C-claw 58. On the outside of the material web 59 there is a latching lug 53 with which the C-claw 58 can be latched to a connecting pin 14 in a manner to be described. The C-claw 58 is also provided on its outer side near the transition to the central section 54 with a tool engagement groove 55, into which a tool can be inserted in order, as already described, to close the C-claw 58 out of its seat on a pin strip remove.

The material web 59 can be connected in one piece to the C-claw 58 at its ends. It would also be possible to design the material web 59 as a deflectable tongue by making an incision in the C-claw 58 at one end. It is thereby possible to adapt the latching properties of the latching lug 53 to the particular application of the C-shaped bracket 52.

Fig. 7 shows the C-shaped bracket 52 in a perspective view in the state attached to a socket strip 18 and a pin strip 12. The hook-shaped C-claw 56 engages behind the socket strip 18, while the C-claw 58 engages behind the pin strip 12, the locking lug 53 being locked in place with a connecting pin 14 led out of the pin strip 12. The perspective view particularly clearly shows the assignment between latching nose 53, material web 59 and recess 57. If the C-shaped clip 52 shown in FIG. 7 is to be opened to release the connection between the socket strip 18 and the pin strip 12, the C-claw 56 and thus the central section 54 must be bent from the arrangement in the direction of the arrow D shown. This is possible by tapering the central section 54 in the area 51, so that there is an elastic deformation. The socket strip 18 can then be separated from the pin strip 12 and possibly replaced by another. Subsequently, the C-claw 56 can be brought back into its position behind the socket strip 18 due to the elasticity of the material of the C-shaped bracket 52. During these processes, the C-claw 58 remains unchanged in its position engaging behind the pin strip 12 or the connecting pin 14, so that no loosening of the seat on the pin strip 12 is to be feared due to the loosening of the C-shaped clamp 52 and the subsequent reattachment.

The perspective view in FIG. 7 further shows that in the event that the central section 54 breaks away from the C-claw 58, a tool can easily be placed in the groove 55 and at the breaking point of the C-claw 58 in order to remove it from its seat to remove the pin header 12.

It generally follows from the above description of an exemplary embodiment that the central section 54 can also be tapered overall without its function being impaired thereby. It is also possible to realize the C-claw 58 in such a way that the locking lug 53 is not provided on its outside but on the upper side in FIG. 7, so that the recess 57 is also 90 ° with respect to the illustration in FIG 7 is to be provided twisted. In this case, the locking lug 53 would then have to be passed under the horizontal section of the connecting pin 14.

Claims (13)

1. A connector arrangement, comprising a pin strip (12) bearing connecting pins (14) for connection to a printed circuit board (16), and a socket strip (18) which is adapted to be fitted over the connecting pins (14) and which, in the plugged-in state, is lockable on the pin strip (12) by means of at least one C-shaped clamp (22 ; 52), comprising a central portion (24; 25) whose length (A) is equal to the dimension of the plugged-together parts (12, 18) as measured in the plugging-in direction, and, adjoining the ends of the central portion (24 ; 54), C-jaws (26, 28 ; 56, 58), which engage behind the plugged-together parts (12, 18), characterised in that at least one elastically deformable portion (32 ; 44 ; 59) is formed on a C-jaw (28, 58) and bears a catch (36 ; 46 ; 53) to engage behind a connecting pin (14) projecting from the pin strip (12).

2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamp (22) consists of a heat-resistant plastic.

3. A connector arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the elastically deformable portion (32 ; 44 ; 59) is made in one piece with the clamp (22 ; 52).

4. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the elastically deformable portion is made in the form of a deflectable tongue (32 ; 44).

5. A connector arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that that C-jaw (28) of the clamp (22) which engages behind the pin strip (12) is bifurcated to form two tongues (32, 34), at least one of which bears a catch (36).

6. A connector arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the bifurcated end portion of the C-jaw (28) engaging behind the pin strip has a reduced cross-section in comparison with the rest of the clamp portions (24, 26).

7. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the cross-section of the clamp portions (24, 26, 28) is substantially rectangular, preferably square.

8. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the central portion (54) tapers at least partially in the direction of the C-jaw (58) engaging behind the pin strip (12).

9. A connector arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that at least one C-jaw (56, 58) includes an angle (α, β), with the central portion (54), which angle is slightly less than the angle formed by the two sides of the socket strip (18) and of the pin strip (12) enclosed by the C-shaped clamp (52).

10. A connector arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the elastically deformable portion of the C-jaw (58) engaging behind the pin strip (12) is made in the form of a web of material (59) defining a recess (57) extending through the C-jaw (58).

11. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the C-jaw (58) engaging behind the pin strip (12) has a tool engagement groove (55) on its outside near the transition to the central portion (54).

12. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the pin strip bears spaced rows of pins extending side by side, characterised in that the cross-section of the end portion of the C-jaw (28) engaging behind the pin strip is so dimensioned that the end portion of the C-jaw (28) is insertable between the pin rows.

13. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the C-jaw (28) engaging behind the pin strip (12) is longer than the other C-jaw (26).

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