WO2012171565A1

WO2012171565A1 - Electrical contact device for connecting circuit boards

Info

Publication number: WO2012171565A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/060009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre Frank
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2011-06-16
Filing date: 2011-06-16
Publication date: 2012-12-20

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact device (12, 40, 60) for establishing an electrical connection between conducting tracks (34, 37) extending on a first circuit board (10, 41, 61) and a second circuit board (11, 45, 62), wherein the first circuit board (10, 41, 61) has contact surfaces (22, 48, 66) that are electrically connected to the conducting tracks (34) of the first circuit board, which contact surfaces, in order to establish the electrical contact, can be electrically connected to contact sections (32) that are provided on the second circuit board (11, 45, 62) and that are electrically connected to the conducting tracks (37) of the second circuit board (11, 45, 62). In order to develop such a contact device in such a way that the contact device can absorb mechanical loads, in particular torsion at the connection point of the two circuit boards, despite simple and cost-effective production, according to the invention the contact device (12, 40, 60) is designed as part of the first circuit board (10, 41, 61) and has a connection region (20, 52, 63) in which the contact surfaces (22, 48, 66) are arranged, and the connection region (20, 52, 63) is bounded by at least one through-slit (23, 43, 64) provided in the first circuit board (10, 41, 61), which through-slit forms respective steps (24) in the region of the ends of the through-slit, by means of which steps the connection region (20, 52, 63) is tapered to form webs (25, 44, 62). The invention further relates to a circuit board having such a contact device.

Description

description

Electrical contact device for connecting printed circuit boards

The invention relates to a contact device for producing an electrical connection between running on a first circuit board and a second circuit board Lei ^¬ terbahnen, the first circuit board with their Leiterbah- NEN electrically connected contact surfaces, which provided for establishing the electrical contact with on the second circuit board and are electrically connectable to the conductor tracks of the second circuit board electrically connected contact portions.

Contact devices for electrically connecting two printed circuit boards are frequently used in electrical devices. In this case, two printed circuit boards, usually in orthogonal alignment with one another, are connected to one another via contact devices both electrically and mechanically. The contact devices are usually ausgebil ^¬ det as contact strips to simultaneously multiple electrical connections Zvi ^¬ be able to manufacture the two circuit boards rule. If the device and thus the circuit boards therein are exposed to high mechanical loads, it may damage the contact device and thus the electrical connections. Additional measures to increase the mechanical robustness of the contact device are required.

A contact device of the type mentioned is known for example from US 5,151,046, which describes a contact ^¬ bar for connecting two circuit boards. In order to avoid plastic deformation of the individual contact elements of the contact device due to excessive mechanical stress, proposes the front US 5,151,046, the contact elements specifically for For by forming so-called overload areas form ^¬. From US 4,715,819 also goes from a two-part Kontaktleis ^¬ te forth, the parts are hingedly connected to each other. In this way, the angle between the circuit boards connected via this contact strip can be changed as desired, so that a mechanical load on the electrical connections is avoided.

Both solutions require a high design effort and are therefore expensive. In the device technology, in which a carrier circuit board is often connected to a plurality of daughter boards, for example in the field of protection and Leitge ^¬ devices for the automation of electrical energy grids, the known contact devices thus represent a significant factor in the calculation of equipment costs.

The invention is therefore the object of a contact ^{¬ device of} the type mentioned in such a way that, despite simple and cost-effective production mechanical loads, in particular twisting at the junction of both circuit boards record.

This object is achieved by a Kontaktinrich- device of the type mentioned, in which the contact ^{¬ device is formed} as part of the first circuit board and has a connection region in which the contact surfaces are arranged, and the connection region of at least one in the first circuit board is provided, which forms in each case in the region of its ends paragraphs, through which the connection region is tapered to webs.

The contact device according to the invention is determined by the zumin- least one passage slot (that is an elongated, continuous through the board opening and a correspondingly shaped slot from ^¬ contour) is formed such that the electrical ^¬ cal and mechanical connection point of the two printed circuit boards te is mechanically decoupled along two spatial axes within certain limits of the remaining first circuit board, as formed by the formation of the webs at both ends of the connection region in the first circuit board as it were a mechanically movable part of the first circuit board, the linear movements and rotational movements of the PCB allows each other and thus allows a mechanical mobility of the two circuit boards in two spatial axes. Since the contact device is also part of the first circuit board, fall apart from the introduction of at least one passage slot no further costs, so that the contact device according to the invention can be produced inexpensively by their simple design structure.

An advantageous embodiment of the contact device according to the invention provides that when manufactured contact between the first and the second circuit board, the contact surfaces of the first circuit board are connected via a solder connection with the corresponding contact portions of the second circuit board.

The advantage of this embodiment is that a direct electrical and mechanical connection can be produced between the two printed circuit boards, as kei ^¬ nerlei further connecting element (for example, a power strip) is necessary. As a result, the cost of the contact device can be kept low. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the contact device according to the invention it is provided that electrical connection lines between the contact surfaces and the conductor tracks of the first circuit board are guided over the webs.

In this way, the webs can also be used as a carrier according to finely formed connecting lines or conductor tracks, which are usually in the form of printed conductors. be form, serve. The electrical conductor tracks of the first printed circuit board are guided on and into the webs formed by the slot contour. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention ^shown SEN contact means also provides for, that a slit-shaped slot is to the vertical connection of the two printed circuit boards in the connection area is provided which is adapted to receive the end face of the second circuit board, wherein the contact surfaces are so arranged at the slot, that their position corresponds to the position of the contact ^¬ sections of the second printed circuit board when scho ^¬ in the slot scho ^¬ surrounded second circuit board, are arranged on ^¬ the sides of the slot in the longitudinal direction of the slot extending through slots, and the connection area tapered paragraphs are arranged to each other in the region of the ends of the slot, so that the webs in the region of the ends of the slot and extending in the longitudinal direction are formed.

In this embodiment, an orthogonal connection of the two circuit boards can be made. The passage slots introduced on both sides of the slot provided for this purpose form webs in the end area of the slot, the flexibility of which facilitates the mechanical decoupling of the slot

Connected area caused by the remaining circuit board.

In this context, it can advantageously be concretely provided that the passage slots are mirror-symmetrical to one another, the axis of symmetry running along the slot.

In this way, the highest possible flexibility of the connec ^¬ tion can be achieved.

In order to allow for the mounting of the second circuit board, a spread of the slot, it is also proposed that the slot extends into the webs, so that at least in some areas of the webs two separated by the slot part webs are formed.

This advantageous embodiment also further increases the flexibility of the webs and thus of the connecting region, so that the mobility of the connection of the two printed circuit boards continues to increase.

In addition, a spreading of the slot for easy installation of the second circuit board can be simplified in that the connection region has holes arranged on both sides of the slot.

In order to achieve the greatest possible contact density in the contact device, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the contact device according to the invention also proposed that the conductor tracks and the contact portions connected to these are arranged on the front and the back of the second circuit board, and the Kon ^¬ contact areas are arranged in the connection region of the first circuit board on both sides of the slot.

In addition to a direct contact of both circuit boards, the contact device according to the invention can also be advantageously used where the connection region comprises a contact strip adapted to receive a, is set corresponding Ste ^¬ sugar strip which is connected to the second circuit board.

Except for the orthogonal connection of the two circuit boards, the contact device according to the invention is also suitable for the frontal electrical connection of two printed circuit boards. For this purpose, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the contact device according to the invention can be provided that the connection area is arranged on an end face of the first circuit board to the end-side connection of both circuit boards, and the contact surfaces along this end face are such that their position at frontally applied to the first circuit board contact portions of the second printed circuit board respectively corresponds to the position of the Kontaktab ^¬ sections of the second circuit board.

Here, in order to provide a relatively simple way of mechanical connection may be concretely provided in this connection that the contact portions of the two ^¬ th printed circuit board is formed by SMD components, which are electrically connected with one end to the conductor tracks of the second circuit board and be connectable with the other end with the contact surfaces of the connection area.

In order to further increase the mechanical stability of the contact device-both for orthogonal and frontal connection of the Lei ^¬ terplatten - can be provided according to a further advantageous embodiment of the contact device according to the invention that in the connection region in the region of the contact surfaces connecting surfaces are arranged, their position each corresponds to the location of arranged on the second circuit board in the region of the contact portions connecting portions.

In this case, the connection surfaces may correspond in size and shape to the contact surfaces or deviate from it. From a mechanical point of view, the required minimum surface area of the connection surfaces results from the concrete requirements for the paths and angles of rotation to be tolerated, the geometrical dimensions of the webs, the printed circuit board thickness and the printed circuit board material.

The invention also relates to a printed circuit board with a contact device according to one of claims 1 to 12.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. Show:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of orthogonally interconnected printed circuit boards; Figure 2 is a detailed view of exporting approximately ^¬ example of a contact device in a plan view;

FIG. 3 shows the contact device according to FIG

spatial representation;

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a

Contact device in plan view;

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a ^{Kontaktin ¬} direction, which is suitable for the frontal connection of two circuit boards.

In electrical devices often circuit boards must be electrically and mechanically connected to each other. An example of such a device provides an electrical Schutzge advises represents, in which on a first printed circuit board one or more second circuit boards (must be fixed Often ^¬ times, in such connection, the second printed te orthogonally mounted on the first circuit board, wherein -. Such as already explained at the outset - mostly expensive plug ^connectors , eg contact strips are used for this purpose.

When larger printed circuit boards with heavy installed components (eg relays, transformers, converters, heat sinks) are to be connected to each other, strong mechanical loads occur at the connection point, eg during production or assembly or in the case of increased mechanical environmental requirements (shaking, shaking, drop tests) that can lead to electrical connections can be damaged or ge ^¬ separates. Therefore, a contact device is required, which has a mechanical flexibility so that it can absorb the mechanical loads without damaging the electrical connections occurs. In the following, a cost-effective contact device is described based on embodiments, which allows a mechanically flexible connection of the two circuit boards.

1 shows a first embodiment in which a first printed circuit board 10 is connected orthogonally to a second Lei ^¬ terplatte 11. Serve for this purpose two identically constructed ^¬ contact devices 12, with which on the one hand, a mechanical connection of the two circuit boards 10,11 generated and on the other hand, an electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards 10, 11 extending conductor tracks is made. In Figure 1, the circuit boards 10, 11 and the contact means 12 are indicated only schematically; For example, no traces on the two circuit boards 10, 11 are shown for clarity.

In Figures 2 and 3, one of the two contact means 12 - once in plan view and even in a spatial representation - shown in more detail. FIG. 2 shows a partial section of the printed circuit board 10, which has the contact device 12. The contact device 12 is thus formed as part of the printed circuit board 10. The contact device 12 includes a connecting portion 20 which has a slit-shaped slot 21 and disposed on both sides of the slot 22 to contact surfaces ^¬. On both sides, the connection region 20 is delimited by passage slots 23 which extend along the longitudinal direction of the slot 21 and form shoulders 24 in the region of the ends 20a of the connection region 20, through which the connection region 20 tapers to webs 25.

For this purpose, the paragraphs 24 are aligned with each other, so that the webs 25 in the region of the ends of the slot 21 and extending in the longitudinal direction are formed. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the throughputs Transitional slits formed mirror-symmetrical to each other, where ^¬ at the axis of symmetry 27 along the slot 21 ver ^¬ runs. Both the slot 21 and the passage slots 23 can be introduced by conventional production methods (eg milling, laser cutting) in the printed circuit board material of the first circuit board 10, so that the contact device 12 is not an additional structural component and thus can be produced inexpensively.

The slot 21 serves to receive an end face 31 of the second printed circuit board 11, as can be seen in detail in FIG. When the end face of the second circuit board 11, as shown in FIG. 3, is larger in size than the length of the slot 21, a projection is formed which can be slid into the slot 21. The projection has contact portions 32, the position of which in the plug-in ^¬ place 21 inserted second circuit board 11 respectively corresponds to the position of the contact surfaces 22 of the first circuit board 10. The contact sections 32 are electrically connected to interconnects 37, which are shown only schematically in FIG. 3 and run on the second circuit board 11. In addition, FIG. 3 shows highly schematically electrical connections 33, which are formed between the contact surfaces 22 and conductor tracks 34 which run on the first printed circuit board 10 and are indicated only by dashed lines in FIG. 3 and are guided over the webs 25. For the sake of clarity, only two contact surfaces with electrical are shown in FIG

Provided connections 33; In the real structure all contact surfaces 22 are provided with correspondingly narrow and possibly in several layers superimposed electrical connections 33.

The contact devices 12 allow a direct connection between the two printed circuit boards 10, 11. For this purpose, when inserted into the slot 21 second Lei terplatte 11 between the contact portions 32 and the respective corresponding contact surfaces 22 solder joints, for example by a selective mini-wave soldering process can be generated. A direct solder connection between the contact surfaces 22 and the contact portions 32 allows a secure electrical connection between the two circuit boards 10, 11. Known disadvantages of connectors, such as the change of the electrical transition parameters with each insertion cycle, the sensitivity to mechanical stress (vibration, vibration ), a low current carrying capacity, a junction for high-frequency signals by sudden change in the line impedance form, etc., are completely excluded. To support the mechanical fastening, a fastening hook can optionally also 13 (see FIG. 1) may be formed on the end face of the second circuit board 11, which can be hooked into a corresponding opening on the first circuit board 10, a ^¬. In this case, the slot-shaped slot and the opening for the hook must be dimensioned to allow the vertical movement required for the rear hook (eg 1mm). Such a hook 13 also serves to relieve the contact device 12 during the transport of the assembled circuit boards 10, 11, or during the removal of the assembled circuit boards 10, 11 from a device housing.

Due to its structural design, the contact device 12 allows pivoting of the inserted second circuit board 11, as indicated by arrows 35 in Figure 3. This is made possible by the fact that the by the course of the webs formed by ^¬ through slots 23 and the slot 21 25 - as indicated in Figure 2 by a double arrow 26 - constitute qua ^¬ si an axis of rotation for the connection area 20, as they, because of their smaller width a high mechanical

Have flexibility and allow a twist. With a suitable design of the webs twisting in an angular range of +/- 20 ° is possible. In addition, the contact device 12 also allows a rectilinear deflection of the inserted second printed circuit board 11 along the arrows 36 shown in FIG.

In addition, the number of electrical connections, that is to say the number of poles of the contact device 12, can be determined freely according to the respective electrical requirements, so that a high degree of scalability is provided. In addition, due to the free scalability, it is advantageously possible for the layout of the first printed circuit board 10 to group electrical connections at a plurality of favorable locations of the first printed circuit board 10. In addition to the previously described direct electrical connection of the contact surfaces 22 and the contact portions 32, the contact ^device 12 is also adapted to receive a contact ^¬ bar, which is soldered to the contact surfaces 22 and into which the end face of the second circuit board can be inserted. In this way, a releasable electrical connection can be created. In this case, not shown in the figures, the flexibility ^afforded by the webs 25 also comes into connection via the contact strip, which can thus be of relatively simple design, since it does not take its own measures to increase the flexibility of the connection between the links Bring PCBs.

4 shows a second embodiment of a contact device 40 is shown, which is provided on an only indicated portion of a first circuit board 41. In the case of the contact device 40, the slot 42 is extended into the webs 44 formed by the passage slots 43, so that four partial webs 44a and 44b are formed. As a result, a spreading of the slot 42 is made possible, so that the slot in its width can adapt to the thickness tolerances of the second circuit board 45. Thus, the front side 46 of the second circuit board 45 without resistance in the plug can be inserted, additional holes 47 may be provided, in which a suitable tool for ^¬ spread on the slot 42 can intervene during insertion of the end face 46. The connection region 52 is to be dimensioned such that during spreading and subsequent expansion no air gap is created by a permanent curvature of the connection region 52. Overall sol ^¬ len taking into account all production tolerances tolerate the connection areas in the relaxed state without air gap on the front side of the inserted second circuit board.

For electrical reasons, it may be advantageous to place electronic components on the connection regions 52 (e.g., line drivers). For the connection areas 52 can assume any size.

Figure 4 shows in addition to corresponding to the contact portions 32 are arranged contact pads 48 formed wider connecting surfaces 49, which are connected when soldering with correspondingly arranged wider Verbindungsabschnit ^¬ th and 50 generate a mechanical reinforcement. In principle, electrical connections can also be made via the connecting surfaces 49 and connecting sections 50. In addition, run-off surfaces 51 may be provided which serve to drain the solder during soldering and possibly provide for a balanced solder deposit at all connecting surfaces ^¬ 49th The drainage surfaces 51 are not intended for electrical connections. They serve as drainage areas for the solder of the selective soldering process and ensure a consistent quality (balanced solder deposits) of each ^¬ weils last solder (controlled demolition of Minilötwelle). Finally, FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a contact device 60 which is used for the frontal connection of a first printed circuit board 61 to a second printed circuit board 62 serves. When made connection, the circuit boards 61, 62 thus lie in a plane and directly to each other.

In this embodiment, only one through-slot 64 is introduced at the edge of the first printed circuit board 61 to delimit a connecting region 63, resulting in two webs 65. As in the other exemplary embodiments, contact surfaces 66 which are electrically connected to conductor tracks on the first printed circuit board 61 are applied to the connecting region 63.

At the edge of the second circuit board 62 are the Kontaktflä ^¬ chen 66 correspondingly arranged contact portions brought up ^¬. For this purpose, 62 SMD components 67 (eg O-ohm resistors) are placed and soldered on the second circuit board such that they protrude beyond the edge of the circuit board. Her left in the figure 5 end face 68 forms the direct ^¬ te connection of the two printed circuit boards 61, 62 from the contact portions. For the soldering connection process, the first and second circuit board 61, 62 are arranged so that the contact surfaces 66 are corresponding to the Kontaktab ^{¬ sections} by the SMD components 67 with their projecting beyond the edge of the board edge 68 on the contact surfaces 66 of the first circuit board 61 rest. There, the end faces 68 of the SMD components 67 are connected in a subsequent soldering process (eg, selective miniature wave) with the contact surfaces 66 of the first circuit board 61.

Rotational movements of the two circuit boards 61, 62 around their conjunction line around, are made by the turning ability of the Ver ^¬ binding region 63 in the first circuit board 61 ^¬ light, so that the soldered connections between the circuit boards 61, 62 are not damaged. If the two printed circuit boards in a device assembly own constructive requirements / fasteners, so slight differences in height between them can be compensated by the mechanical mobility of the webs 65.

Claims

claims

1. contact device (12, 40, 60) for producing an electrical connection between on a first Leiterplat- te (10, 41, 61) and a second circuit board (11, 45, 62) extending conductor tracks (34, 37), wherein the first circuit board (10, 41, 61) with their conductors (34) contact areas electrically connected (22, 48, 66) which are provided for her ^¬ position of the electrical contact with on the second circuit board (11, 45, 62) and with the conductor tracks (37) of the second printed circuit board (11, 45, 62) electrically connected contact portions (32) are electrically connected, characterized in that

- is formed, the contact means (12, 40, 60) as part of the first printed circuit board (10, 41, 61) and a Verbin ^¬-making region (20, 52, 63) has in the contact surfaces (22, 48, 66) disposed are and

the connecting region (20, 52, 63) is delimited by at least one passage slot (23, 43, 64) provided in the first printed circuit board (10, 41, 61), which in each case forms shoulders (24) in the region of its ends, through which the Verbin ^¬-making region (20, 52, 63) to webs (25, 44, 62) is tapered.

2. contact device (12, 40, 60) according to claim 1,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- When made contact between the first circuit board (10, 41, 61) and the second circuit board (11, 45, 62), the contact surfaces (22, 48, 66) of the first circuit board (10, 41, 61) via a solder connection with corresponding Contact portions (32) of the second circuit board (11, 45, 62) are connected.

3. contact device (12, 40, 60) according to claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that e

- Electrical connecting lines (33) between the contact surfaces (22, 48, 66) and the conductor tracks (34) of the first Printed circuit board (10, 41, 61) over the webs (25, 44, 62) are guided.

4. contact device (12, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 3,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- For the vertical connection of the two circuit boards (10, 41, 11, 45) in the connecting region (20, 52) a slot-shaped slot (21, 42) is provided, which for receiving the end face (31, 45) of the second circuit board (11 is out forms ^¬ 45), wherein the contact surfaces (22, 48) in such a way (at the slot 21, 42 are arranged) that their position (in (in the slot 21, 42) pushed in the second guide plate 11, 45) each having the position of the contact portions (32) of the second circuit board (11, 45) corresponds,

- On both sides of the slot (21, 42) in the longitudinal direction of the slot (21, 42) extending through ^¬ slots (23, 43) are arranged, and

- the connecting region (20, 52) tapered paragraphs (24) in the region of the ends of the slot (21, 42) are arranged facing each other, so that the webs (25, 44) in the region of the ends of the slot (21, 42) and are formed extending in the longitudinal direction.

5. contact device (12, 40) according to claim 4,

- The passage slots (23, 43) mirror-symmetrical zueinan ^¬ are formed, wherein the axis of symmetry along the slot (21, 42).

6. contact device (40) according to claim 4 or 5,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The slot (42) extends into the webs (44) into it, so that at least in partial areas of the webs (44) two by the slot (42) separated from each other Teilste- ge (44a, 44b) are formed.

7. contact device (40) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that - The connecting portion (52) arranged on both sides of the slot holes (47).

8. contact device (12, 40) according to one of claims 4 to 7,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The conductor tracks (34, 37) and associated with these contact portions (32) on the front and the back of the second circuit board (11, 45) are arranged; and

- The contact surfaces (22, 48) in the connecting region (20, 52) on both sides of the slot (21, 42) are arranged.

9. contact device (12, 40) according to claim 1,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The connecting portion has a contact strip, which is adapted to receive a corresponding connector strip which is connected to the second circuit board (11, 45).

10. contact device (60) according to one of claims 1 to 3, d a d u c h e c e n e z e i c h e n e, that

- Is arranged to the end-side connection of both circuit boards (61, 62) of the connecting region (63) on an end face of the first circuit board (64); and

- The contact surfaces (66) along this end face are such that their position at the end face of the first Lei ^¬ terplatte (61) applied contact portions of the second printed circuit board (62) corresponds in each case with the position of the contact portions of the second printed circuit board (62).

11. contact device (60) according to claim 10,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

- The contact portions of the second printed circuit board by SMD components (67) is formed, which are connected at one end electrically to the conductor tracks of the second printed circuit board (62) and with its other end to the contact surfaces (66) of the connecting region (63) are connectable ,

12. contact device (40, 60) according to one of claims 4 to 8,

d a d u r c h e c e n c i n e s that

In the connection region (52, 63) in the region of the contact surfaces (48, 66) connecting surfaces (49) are arranged whose position is in each case aligned with the position of connecting sections (50th and 50th) arranged on the second printed circuit board (45, 62) in the region of the contact sections ) corresponds.

13. Printed circuit board (10, 41, 61) with a contact device (12, 40, 60) according to one of claims 1 to 12.