EP2476165B1 - Plug-in connection having shielding - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector with shielding, in particular a multi-pole, multi-row, consisting of male and female connector, each having signal contacts which are arranged in contact patterns of differential pairs and together with a surrounding L-shaped shield each form a contact group, wherein the contact groups are arranged in rows and columns and wherein adjacent contact groups in adjacent columns by a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the columns are arranged offset from one another.

State of the art

A generic connector goes, for example, de DE 603 16 145 T2 out. In this connector adjacent contact groups in adjacent columns each have a predeterminable length dimension in the longitudinal direction of the columns offset from each other. The signal contacts are surrounded by an L-shaped shielding element, which, however, does not completely surround the signal contacts. For this reason, the L-shaped shielding in each case from column to column in order alternately each rotated 180 ° to each other. In addition, in this connector, the signal contacts in adjacent columns offset by a length dimension to each other, which substantially corresponds to the distance of the signal contacts in a contact group. This arrangement in conjunction with the signal contacts not completely shielding L-shaped shielding elements and their arrangement does not allow trouble-free signal transmission in the very high frequency range.

From the US 2001/0046810 A1 as well as from the US 6,328,602 B1 Shielded connectors provide higher densities and higher speeds while reducing electromagnetic interference (crosstalk) between the signal contacts.

According to the US 2001/0046810 A1 For this purpose, an electrical connector with sockets with shielding in one piece, which are oriented transversely to the shields in a second piece provided. A piece of the connector is made from wafers with shields positioned between the wafers. The shields in one piece have contact portions to make electrical connection with shields in the other piece. This results in a connector that is easy to manufacture and that has improved shielding characteristics.

In the from the US 6,328,602 B2 Emerging connector each signal contacts and ground contacts in adjacent columns are offset from each other to reduce a crosstalk between the signal contacts. The shield contacts have wing-like projections which partially surround the signal contact elements. Such an arrangement does not readily permit a very densely packed arrangement of the signal or shield contact elements. In addition, the signal behavior is not optimal in such a connector.

The EP 0 891 016 A1 discloses a printed circuit board connector assembly having a first connector having a first housing of insulating material and a plurality of signal and grounding receptacles arranged uniformly in rows and columns, and a second connector comprising a second housing of insulating material and a plurality of receptacles Having signal and ground socket contacts evenly arranged in rows and columns, with each row and column having all the contacts arranged equidistantly in the row and column directions, each row of contacts containing only signal contacts, or ground contacts only, wherein the rows of ground contacts are arranged offset in the row direction by half the distance of the contacts, wherein four rows of signal contacts and at least four rows of ground contacts are provided and in which the two outer rows of contacts contain signal contacts and another row of ground contacts z entral is provided between two central rows of ground contacts and wherein the ground contacts of the further series of ground contacts are each in a column of signal contacts. In this way, each column of signal contacts contains two signal contacts above and below the center ground contact. Thereby, a contact arrangement of shielded by ground contacts signal contacts in the connector and in a corresponding female connector is obtained, which corresponds to a double-axis arrangement.

From the US 2004/0097112 A1 shows an electrical connector, which also has a linear Kontaktanordung of electrically conductive contacts and ground contacts, wherein alternately signal contacts and ground contacts are arranged and the signal contacts are also combined to differential signal contact pairs. In order to minimize crosstalk (cross talk), offset arrangements are also provided.

The alternate arrangement of substantially identically formed signal contacts and ground contacts, including the staggered arrangement of signal contacts and ground contacts in adjacent rows does not readily allow trouble-free signal transmission in the very high frequency range.

A generic connector with the features of the preamble of claim 1 with a shield and signal contacts, which are arranged in contact patterns of differential pairs and together with a surrounding L-shaped shield each form a contact group, wherein the contact groups are arranged in rows and columns is in addition, from the EP 1 470 618 B1 known.

In the electronics industry are very often rectangular connectors for an electrical connection between two circuit boards, for example, a so-called backplane, and attached to her circuit boards or between circuit boards and connecting cables used. In this case, for example, a male connector is arranged on a first printed circuit board and adapted to a female connector on another circuit board. This further circuit board is then attached by means of the spring bar of the connector to the first circuit board and electrically contacted.

The transmission frequency of electrical signals through these connectors can be very high. Not only is a balanced impedance of the various contacts within the spring and male connector required to reduce signal delays and reflections, but also a shielding of the differential contacts. This is realized by an L-shaped shield, as shown in the EP 1 470 618 B1 evident.

To achieve an optimal data transfer rate, the EP 1 470 618 B1 a male connector having signal contacts arranged in a contact pattern of differential pairs aligned in rows and columns, each differential pair comprising two of the signal contacts spaced a first distance; a grounding shield with each differential pair is connected, each ground shield comprising a blade portion extending along one side of the two signal contacts in its associated pair, and wherein each ground shield includes a leg portion extending along one end of a pair of associated differential pairs; and wherein adjacent ones of the differential pairs are spaced a second distance greater than the first distance. A tip of the sensing portion of each of the ground shields extends beyond an outer end of each of the signal contacts of its associated differential pair.

With such a connector already high data transmission rates can be achieved. Due to the linear arrangement of the contact groups in rows and columns, however, further miniaturization is not readily possible. In particular, an increase in the data transfer rate is not readily possible. In addition, it proves to be disadvantageous in such connectors that they do not have the necessary stability due to their filigree structure in many cases, which allow multiple plugging and again loosening the two connector elements: knife and socket bar readily.

The invention is therefore the object of developing a generic connector with shielding to the effect that it allows for even higher data transfer rates and at the same time has a robust construction, which also allows repeated plugging and unplugging the connector.

Advantages of the invention

This object is achieved by a connector with shielding of the type described above in that adjacent contact groups in adjacent columns are offset by a predetermined length measure each other, wherein the length measure about half of the distance corresponds to two adjacent contact groups in a column. In this way, not only is a maximum possible distance between the contact groups in one column and the contact groups in an adjacent column achieved, so that a further miniaturization of the signal contacts can be achieved, but it is also by increasing the spacing of signal contacts arranged in adjacent columns a further increase in the data transfer rate to 25 Gbit / sec. or more possible. It is a further significant advantage that gaps between the contact groups result from this offset arrangement of adjacent contact groups in adjacent columns, which can be used for the arrangement of stabilization elements in the connector housing, but also for improving the shielding between adjacent contact gaps. as will be explained in more detail below.

Further advantageous features and embodiments and embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Thus, a very advantageous embodiment provides that the predefinable length dimension corresponds to approximately half the distance between two adjacent contact groups in a column. In this way, the maximum possible distance between the contact groups in one column and the contact groups in an adjacent column is achieved.

Advantageously, it is provided that the arranged in a column contact groups of the spring bar are each arranged in a wafer. In this way, the plug can be produced particularly advantageously by layer-wise construction of such wafers. In order to achieve an optimum shielding effect, it is provided that a shield plate is arranged between adjacent wafers. Due to the staggered arrangement of the contact groups in adjacent contact gaps, it is now possible for contact elements of the shielding plates to be arranged offset and thus to form a contact with the shielding elements of adjacent contact groups becomes. For this purpose, it is advantageously provided that the shield plates on their sides facing the insertion openings have a plurality of bent, pointed contact springs, which engage in recesses adapted to them and arranged in adjacent wafers. Such a configuration is possible only by the staggered arrangement of the contact groups in adjacent columns. Only in this way it is ensured that no contact between the differential contact pair and the contact springs of the shielding plates arises even with squat and further miniaturized design. Due to the staggered arrangement, the contact springs of the shielding plates are arranged as far as possible away from the differential contact pairs. For this purpose, it is further advantageously provided that the shield plates are made thinner in the region of the bent, pointed contact springs. As a result, on the one hand improves the spring action and on the other hand the limited space taken into account.

In order to be able to comply with a predetermined pitch on the plug side and on the other side of the board, where both the blade and the spring strips are fixed and contacted, for example by solder joints or press connections or otherwise, to realize a smaller pitch, provides an advantageous Design before that the contact elements of the male connector taper so that the distance between adjacent contact elements on the circuit board side is slightly smaller than the connector-side distance of the contact elements.

The taper is preferably realized by board-side embossing of the contact elements. Such a production is also feasible in the context of mass production.

A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that in the region of the respective offset contact groups, in which a void is formed, reinforcing ribs are arranged in the male connector housing. In this way, on both sides of the contact group columns are such Reinforcing ribs, which are offset by one column width left and right, arranged. These reinforcing ribs allow a substantial increase in the stability of the particularly sensitive blade housing.

drawing

Further advantages and features of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments. In this case, features can be realized individually or in combination.

Fig. 1

schematisch in isometrischer Darstellung eine Feder- und eine Messerleiste einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindung;

Fig. 2

schematisch die Anordnung von jeweils benachbarten Kontaktgruppen;

Fig. 3a, 3b

jeweils unter verschiedenen Blickwinkeln in isometrischer Explosionsdarstellung den Aufbau einer Federleiste gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

ein Wafer einer Federleiste;

Fig. 5

das "Steckergesicht" einer Federleiste;

Fig. 6

schematisch in isometrischer Darstellung ein Schirmblech einer Federleiste und einen Teil der Federleiste;

Fig. 7

die Anordnung der Kontaktfedern der Schirmbleche im montierten Zustand in einer Federleiste;

Fig. 8

eine isometrische Darstellung einer Messerleiste, teilweise in Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 9

die Kontakte der Differenzialkontaktpaare der Messerleiste;

Fig. 10

eine Draufsicht auf eine Messerleiste und

Fig. 11

die Anordnung (das Layout) der Differenzialkontaktpaare sowie der Groundkontakte einer erfindungsgemäßen Messerleiste.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

schematically in isometric view a spring and a male connector of a connector according to the invention;

Fig. 2

schematically the arrangement of each adjacent contact groups;

Fig. 3a, 3b

in each case from different angles in an isometric exploded view, the structure of a spring strip according to the invention;

Fig. 4

a wafer of a spring strip;

Fig. 5

the "plug face" of a spring strip;

Fig. 6

schematically in isometric view of a shield plate of a spring bar and a part of the spring bar;

Fig. 7

the arrangement of the contact springs of the shield plates in the assembled state in a spring bar;

Fig. 8

an isometric view of a male connector, partially in exploded view;

Fig. 9

the contacts of the differential contact pairs of the male connector;

Fig. 10

a plan view of a male connector and

Fig. 11

the arrangement (the layout) of the differential contact pairs and the ground contacts of a male connector according to the invention.

Description of exemplary embodiments

In Fig. 1 is shown in the right half of a spring strip 100 which is mounted on a circuit board 50, for example by solder or press connections and contacted. The spring strip has on its front side a plurality of contact group columns 120, which are each arranged parallel to one another. Each contact group column 120 has a plurality of stacked differential contact pairs 101, 102, each surrounded by an L-shaped shielding plate 203, on. Two differential contacts 101, 102 and the associated shielding plate 203 each form a contact group. The plug thus consists of a plurality of contact group columns and contact group rows, wherein the contact group rows are characterized in that adjacent contact groups in an adjacent contact group column are each offset by a predeterminable length dimension, as in connection with Fig. 2 is explained in more detail.

The male connector 200 also has contact group columns 220, wherein in each case between two contact group columns 220 a further contact group column 221 are arranged, which is characterized in that the contact groups are each offset by the same length with respect to the contact groups of the adjacent contact group column 220.

In Fig. 2 In each case, the contact group columns 120 and 220 and 121 and 221 are shown. The respective contact elements, ie contact springs 101 or 102 or contact blades 201 or 202 and the shielding elements thus corresponding openings 103 and L-shaped shielding plates 203 are for simplicity from top to bottom consecutively with the letters a), b), c) , d) to I). How out Fig. 2 shows, the two differential contact elements 101, 102 and 201, 202 a distance I1. neighboring Contact groups, consisting of the differential contact pairs 101, 102 and 201, 202 and shielding elements 103, and 203 have a distance I2. In this case, the contact groups are each offset from each other such that each contact group in a contact group column 120, 220 to an adjacent contact group in an adjacent column 121, 221 each have a distance I3. This distance I3 is preferably half the distance from adjacent contact groups in a column 120, 220 or 121, 221, ie I3 = I2 / 2. In this way, the largest possible distance between the differential contact pairs is formed. This arrangement is associated with the essential advantages described below.

The structure of a spring strip is in Fig. 3a . 3b respectively. Fig. 4 shown. Accordingly, individual contact gaps are part of a single wafer 180. In this case, the wafers 180 are arranged in layers next to each other, as seen from Fig. 3a respectively. Fig. 3b shows, between the wafers 180 shield plates 300 are arranged, will be discussed in more detail below. The entire structure is mounted in a housing member 181, which also serves to stabilize the spring bar. On the plug side, a cover 183 is provided with openings corresponding to the plug face. In Fig. 4 a single wafer 180 is shown. The differential contact pairs 101, 102, which are arranged on the plug side, have a spacing of, for example, 1.3 mm. The differential contact pairs 101, 102 are respectively via correspondingly angularly extending lines 111, 112 extending in the wafer 180, as in FIG Fig. 4 shown connected to board-side connecting elements 107, 108. It is provided that the board-side connecting elements 107, 108, a slightly smaller distance from each other than the plug-side terminal contacts. The distance of the board-side connection elements 107, 108 is preferably 1.2 mm. Between the board-side signal contact elements 107, 108 each shield contacts 109 are arranged.

The so-called "plug face" is in Fig. 5 showing the front cover 183 from the front. Contact groups of signal elements 101, 102, which are surrounded by L-shaped shield elements 103, follow in adjacent columns staggered contact groups. By this staggered arrangement results between adjacent columns each have a void 130 into which the reinforcing ribs 230, which are formed on the male connector 200, engage. As a result, the stability of such a connector is substantially increased and in particular also allows repeated plug-in operations.

The shield plates 300, which are metallically conductive, have on their side facing the plug side shield contact springs 310, each having a gap 312 to increase the spring action, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is shown. At its front area, the shield contact spring elements are curved and tapered. The "pointed" training, so a thinner training in the area 333, can be produced by embossing. The curved tips 333 engage in recesses 182 adapted to them in the wafers 180 of the spring bar. In this case, the recesses 182 are formed ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 ), that the curved tips 333 are each offset from the signal contact openings 101, 102 to lie and reach there in the inserted state of spring and male connector with the respective L-shaped shielding plates 203 in electrical contact. Due to the staggered arrangement of the contact groups, the widest possible distance between the shielding elements and the differential contact pairs is realized in this way, and only thereby can data transmission rates of 25 Gbit / sec. or greater.

Combined with Fig. 8 the structure of the male connector is briefly explained below. In the housing 210 of the male connector, the differential contact pairs 201, 202 and the surrounding L-shaped shielding elements 203 are arranged. It is provided that the differential contact elements on the plug side have a greater distance, for example 1.3 mm, than board side, where the distance is for example 1.2 mm. This is realized by embossing 232 being provided on the contact elements 201, 202 ( Fig. 9 ). As a result, a higher density of the contact elements is achieved on the board.

Fig. 10 shows the male connector in plan view. In the housing 210 each differential contact pairs 201, 202 are arranged, which are surrounded by L-shaped shielding plates 203. In this case, the distance between adjacent differential contact elements 201, 202, which in Fig. 10 for simplicity, also consecutively with a), b) ... k), I), I1 and the distance from adjacent contact groups in a column 220 or 221 I2. The distance from adjacent contact groups of adjacent columns, ie, the distance of each contact group in the column 220 to an adjacent contact group in the column 221, is I3, where I3 is substantially equal to I2 / 2. So I3 = I2 / 2. This staggered arrangement allows not only an improved data transmission quality by further miniaturization but also an increase in stability, characterized in that the reinforcing ribs 230 are arranged in each case in the area of offset columns 221 and 220, respectively. These engage - as explained above - in the formed by the staggered arrangement voids 130 of the spring bar.

In Fig. 11 the arrangement or the layout of differential contact pairs 201, 202, as well as the shield contact elements 203a is shown on a male connector. It can also be seen from this illustration that the distance between adjacent contact groups is I1 and adjacent columns, in Fig. 11 with consecutive numbers 1 to 14, each offset by a distance I3 to each other, where: I3 = I2 / 2. The distance I2 is the distance from adjacent contact groups in a column. Out Fig. 11 The symmetry of the arrangement of differential contact pairs 201, 202 and shielding (ground) contact elements 203a (compare also Fig. 8 ), which - as extensive experiments of the applicant have revealed - allow only the high signal transmission rates and in particular the high signal transmission frequencies.

Claims (10)

1. A plug-in connection with shielding, having signal contacts which are arranged in contact patterns of differential pairs and which form a contact group together with an L-shaped shielding element that surrounds said signal contacts, with the contact groups being arranged in rows and columns and with adjacent contact groups in adjacent columns being offset from each other by a predeterminable length dimension (I3), characterized in that the predetermined length dimension (13) corresponds to approximately half the distance (12) of two adjacent contact groups in a column.
2. A plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact groups of the female multipoint connector which are arranged in one column are respectively arranged in a wafer (180).
3. A plug-in connection according to claim 2, characterized in that one respective shielding plate (300) is arranged between adjacent wafers (180).
4. A plug-in connection according to claim 3, characterized in that the shielding plates (300) comprise on their sides facing the insertion openings a plurality of bent contact springs (333) which taper into a point and which engage into recesses (182) adjusted to the same in adjacent wafers (180).
5. A plug-in connection according to claim 4, characterized in that the shielding plates (300) are provided with a thinner configuration in the area of the bent tapering contact springs (333).
6. A plug-in connection according to claim 5, characterized in that the thinner region of the contact springs (333) can be produced by stamping.
7. A plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (201, 202) of the male multipoint connector taper in such a way that the distance of adjacent contact elements (201, 202) on the circuit board side is slightly smaller than the distance of the contact elements (201, 202) on the plug side.
8. A plug-in connection according to claim 7, characterized in that the tapering can be realized by stamping of the contact elements (201, 202) on the circuit board side.
9. A plug-in connection according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that reinforcing ribs (230) are arranged on the housing (210) of the male multipoint connector (200) in the region of the contact groups respectively arranged in an offset manner, which reinforcing ribs engage into cavities (130) of the female multipoint connector (100).
10. A plug-in connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a multi-pin, multi-row plug-in connection consisting of a male multipoint connector and a female multipoint connector.

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