Outer-Conductor Assembly, Electrical Plug Connector and Electrical Connecting Arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an outer-conductor assembly (6) for an electrical plug connector (2). The outer-conductor assembly (6) has a first interface (9) for the electrical and mechanical contacting of an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector and a second interface (10) for the electrical and mechanical contacting of metal-plated recesses (11) of an electrical assembly (3). The second interface (10) has a multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) for the contacting of the electrical assembly (3). It is provided that a first group of the contact elements is formed as press-in pins (12) for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly (3), and a second group of the contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements (13) for insertion into the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly (3).

Claims

1. An outer-conductor assembly for an electrical plug connector, the outer-conductor assembly comprising: a first interface for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses of an electrical assembly; and wherein the second interface has a multiplicity of contact elements for the contacting of the electrical assembly; and wherein a first group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as press-in pins for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses of the electrical assembly; and a second group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements for insertion into the metal-plated recesses of the electrical assembly.

2. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the press-in pins have, at least along a section of a longitudinal axis (L.sub.E), an elastic deformation zone.

3. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a sleeve-shaped encircling wall of the outer-conductor assembly, the sleeve-shaped encircling wall having a face side; and the second interface is formed on an end section of the outer-conductor assembly, facing toward the electrical assembly; and the multiplicity of contact elements extend from the second interface in the direction of the electrical assembly.

4. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the multiplicity of contact elements are arranged in distributed fashion along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall.

5. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein at least one of the resilient contact elements is, along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall and between two press-in pins.

6. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the outer-conductor assembly is formed as a single piece.

7. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the outer-conductor assembly is formed from aluminum bronze.

8. An electrical plug connector having an outer-conductor assembly comprising: a first interface for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses defined in an electrical assembly; and wherein the second interface has a multiplicity of contact elements for the contacting of the electrical assembly; and wherein a first group of the contact elements is formed as press-in pins for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses of the electrical assembly; and a second group of the contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements for insertion into the metal-plated recesses defined in the electrical assembly.

9. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 8 and further comprising: an electrically insulating housing assembly that has a mechanical interface for connection of the electrical plug connector to the corresponding counterpart plug connector; and wherein the outer-conductor assembly is received in positively locking fashion in the housing assembly.

10. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 9 and further comprising: an inner-conductor contact element which extends from a first end within the first interface, to a second end within the second interface, and through the outer-conductor assembly; and wherein the inner-conductor contact element is, at its first end, designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding inner conductor of the electrical counterpart plug connector and, the inner-conductor contact element is, at its second end, designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding inner conductor of the electrical assembly.

11. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 8 and wherein a maximum center-to-center spacing (D) between the contact elements which are adjacent to one another along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall of the second interface correspond to one quarter of a wavelength of a signal frequency intended for signal transmission with the electrical plug connector.

12. An electrical connecting arrangement, having an electrical plug connector, comprising: an outer-conductor assembly that has, a first interface for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses defined in an electrical assembly; and wherein the second interface has a multiplicity of contact elements for the contacting of the electrical assembly; and wherein a first group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as press-in pins for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses of the electrical assembly; and a second group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements for insertion into the metal-plated recesses defined in the electrical assembly; and an electrical assembly, in particular an electrical circuit board that defines plural metal-plated recesses for electrically and mechanically contacting with the second interface of the outer-conductor assembly of the electrical plug connector.

13. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the metal-plated recesses are formed as plated through-holes and/or blind bores in the electrical assembly.

14. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the resilient contact elements make contact radially under mechanical preload with the metal-plated recesses at an inner surface thereof when the resilient contact elements are inserted into the metal-plated recesses.

15. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 12 and wherein an outer diameter of the resilient contact elements is smaller than an inner diameter of the metal-plated recesses.

16. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the elastic deformation zone is a central material recess.

17. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the contact elements are arranged in along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall.

18. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the contact elements are arranged in equidistantly distributed fashion, along the periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall.

19. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the outer-conductor assembly is a stamped and bent part.

20. The outer-conductor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the press-in pins are arranged along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0117] The Figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are illustrated in combination with one another. Features of one exemplary embodiment may also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment, and may accordingly be readily combined by an expert to form further useful combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0118] Elements of identical function are denoted by the same reference designations in the Figures.

[0119] In the Figures, in each case schematically:

[0120] FIG. 1 shows an electrical connecting arrangement, composed of an electrical plug connector and an electrical assembly, in a perspective illustration.

[0121] FIG. 2 shows the outer-conductor assembly of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration on its own.

[0122] FIG. 3 shows an insulating part of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration on its own.

[0123] FIG. 4 shows two inner-conductor contact elements of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in a perspective illustration on their own.

[0124] FIG. 5 shows the outer-conductor assembly of FIG. 2 in a plan view of the second interface.

[0125] FIG. 6 shows a partial cross section view through an electrical assembly with metal-plated through-holes for receiving press-in pins and resilient contact elements during the assembling of the electrical plug connector on the electrical assembly.

[0126] FIG. 7 shows a partial cross section view similar to FIG. 6 after the assembling of the electrical plug connector on the electrical assembly.

[0127] FIG. 8 shows a perspective enlarged detail view of two resilient contact elements, and of a press-in pin arranged in between, of the outer-conductor assembly of the plug connector of FIG. 1.

[0128] FIG. 9 shows a side detail view of the second interface of the plug connector of FIG. 2.

[0129] FIG. 10 shows a rear detail view of the second interface of the plug connector of FIG. 2.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0130] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the Constitutional purposes of the US Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0131] FIG. 1 shows an electrical connecting arrangement 1 having an electrical plug connector 2 and an electrical assembly 3. In the exemplary embodiments, the electrical plug connector 2 is in the form of a circuit board plug connector 2 and the electrical assembly 3 is in the form of an electrical circuit board 3. This is however not to be understood as limiting. It is basically possible in the context of the invention for any electrical plug connector 2 and any electrical assembly 3 to be provided. In the exemplary embodiments, the electrical plug connector 2 is in the form of an angled plug connector 2, however, the electrical plug connector 2, may also be in the form of a non-angled or straight plug connector.

[0132] The electrical plug connector 2 has an electrically insulating housing assembly 4 with a mechanical interface 5 for the connection of the electrical plug connector 2 to a corresponding counterpart plug connector (not illustrated). The housing assembly 4 is formed as a single piece from a plastic.

[0133] The electrical plug connector 2 furthermore has an outer-conductor assembly 6 which is received in positively locking fashion in the housing assembly 4. For a complete illustration, the outer-conductor assembly 6 is illustrated on its own in FIG. 2.

[0134] The fastening between the outer-conductor assembly 6 and the housing assembly 4 is basically arbitrary. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer-conductor assembly 6 has two bendable fastening tabs 7. In their basic state (not illustrated), the fastening tabs 7 are capable of allowing an assembling movement for the assembling of the housing assembly 4 on the outer-conductor assembly 6 along the longitudinal axis L of the housing assembly 4. By contrast, in the bent fastening state illustrated, the fastening tabs 7 are capable of blocking the housing assembly 4 on the outer-conductor assembly 6 in positively locking fashion. For this purpose, the housing assembly 4 has a fastening web 8 (cf. FIG. 1), behind a fastening edge of which the fastening tabs 7 engage.

[0135] The outer-conductor assembly 6 has a first interface 9 for the electrical and mechanical contacting of an outer conductor of the corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector. The outer-conductor assembly 6 furthermore has a second interface 10 for the electrical and mechanical contacting of metal-plated recesses 11 (cf. FIGS. 1, 6 and 7) of the electrical assembly or of the circuit board 3. For the contacting of the circuit board 3, the second interface 10 has a multiplicity of contact elements 12, 13.

[0136] The electrical plug connector 2 preferably has at least one inner-conductor contact element 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical plug connector 2 has exactly two inner-conductor contact elements 14, which are illustrated separately in FIG. 4. The inner-conductor contact elements 14 extend from a first end 15, which is arranged within the first interface 9, to a second end 16, which is arranged within the second interface 10, through the outer-conductor assembly 6 (cf. in particular the illustration in dashed lines in FIG. 5). At its first end 15, the inner-conductor contact element 14 is designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding inner conductor of the electrical counterpart plug connector. At its second end 16, the inner-conductor contact element 14 is designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding conductor/inner conductor of the electrical assembly or of the electrical circuit board 3 (for example of a conductor track or of a plated through-hole).

[0137] The electrical plug connector 2 may furthermore also have yet further plug connector components. The electrical plug connector 2 of the exemplary embodiment has an insulating part 17 which is received within the outer-conductor assembly 6 and in which the inner-conductor contact elements 14 are individually guided. The insulating part 17 is illustrated on its own, by way of example, in FIG. 3. By means of the insulating part 17, the inner-conductor contact elements 14 can be sufficiently fixed in the electrical plug connector 2 and electrically insulated with respect to the outer-conductor assembly 6.

[0138] The outer-conductor assembly 6 may, on the one hand, serve for electromagnetically shielding the inner-conductor contact elements 14. The outer-conductor assembly 6 may furthermore perform the function of an electrical outer conductor for transmitting an electrical reference signal in the context of the signal transmission.

[0139] For the contacting of the electrical assembly or of the circuit board 3, it is provided that the contact elements 12, 13 are divided into two groups. A first group of the contact elements is formed as press-in pins 12 for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses 11 of the electrical assembly or circuit board 3. A second group of the contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements 13 for pressing into the metal-plated recesses 11 of the electrical assembly or circuit board 3. The press-in pins 12 may in particular have, along a section of their longitudinal axis L.sub.E, an elastic deformation zone which is formed preferably by a central material recess 18 in the manner of a slot or the eye of a needle, as illustrated. (FIGS. 8, 9).

[0140] FIGS. 6 and 7 visualize the different pressing-in processes of the press-in pins 12 and of the resilient contact elements 13 into the metal-plated recesses 11. Whilst the pressing-in of the press-in pins 12 leads to a cold weld or cohesive, gas-tight connection, the fastening of the resilient contact elements 13 in the metal-plated recesses 11 occurs by elastic preloading of the resilient contact elements 13.

[0141] By virtue of the fact that resilient contact elements 13 are now also used in addition to the press-in pins 12, it is ultimately possible to realize a closer arrangement of contact elements 12, 13 whilst maintaining the same, or even achieving a reduced, pressing-in force. Damage to the electrical assembly or the electrical circuit board 3 as a result of the pressing-in process can thus be avoided. It is nevertheless possible for the shielding in the region of the second interface 10 to be improved as a result of the closer arrangement of the contact elements 12, 13.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner-conductor contact elements 14 may have a deformation region 19 at their second end 16, similarly to the press-in pins 12. In this way, the inner-conductor contact elements 14 can also be pressed into the electrical assembly or into the electrical circuit board 3. It is however basically possible for any fastening technique to be provided between the inner-conductor contact elements 14 and the electrical assembly or the circuit board 3, for example also a soldering technique.

[0143] FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, the outer-conductor assembly 6 in a bottom plan view. It can be seen that the second interface 10 is formed on an end section, facing toward the electrical assembly or circuit board 3 at a face side, of a sleeve-shaped encircling wall 20 of the outer-conductor assembly 6, proceeding from which the contact elements 12, 13 extend in the direction of the electrical assembly or circuit board 3. Here, the contact elements 12, 13 are arranged so as to be distributed along the periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the contact elements 12, 13 are arranged so as to be distributed axially symmetrically and, in regions, equidistantly. Owing to the proposed use of press-in pins 12 and resilient contact elements 13, the maximum center-to-center spacing D (cf. FIG. 5) between the contact elements 12, 13 which are immediately adjacent along the periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall 20 of the second interface 10 can be smaller than in the case of the exclusive use of press-in pins 12. Preferably, the center-to-center spacing 20 may correspond to one quarter of the wavelength of the signal frequency intended for the signal transmission with the electrical plug connector 2.

[0144] In the exemplary embodiment, the metal-plated recesses are formed as plated through-holes 11 in the electrical circuit board 3 (cf. in particular FIGS. 6 and 7). The metal-plated recesses may however also be formed as blind bores or depressions.

[0145] Preferably, the inner diameter of all of the metal-plated recesses 11 provided for contacting with the outer-conductor assembly 6 is identical in order to simplify the production of the electrical assembly or of the electrical circuit board 3.

[0146] FIG. 8 illustrates a detail of the second interface 10 of the outer-conductor assembly 6 on an enlarged scale. FIG. 9 furthermore shows a side view, and FIG. 10 shows a rear view, of the electrical plug connector 2 in the region of the second interface 10 of the outer-conductor assembly 6. The outer-conductor assembly 6 is preferably formed as a single piece, particularly preferably from a stamped and bent part. Here, aluminum bronze has proven to be a particularly advantageous material for forming the outer-conductor assembly 6.

[0147] The press-in pins 12, resilient contact elements 13 and/or metal-plated recesses 11 preferably have a circular or—as is the case in the exemplary embodiment—rectangular cross section (optionally with rounded corners).

[0148] For ease of insertion, it may be provided that the press-in pins 12 are designed to be longer than the resilient contact elements 13. The press-in pins 12 may furthermore, at their free ends, have an insertion section with reduced cross section, said cross section being widened in the region of the deformation zone (cf. in particular FIG. 8).

[0149] The press-in pins 12 are preferably formed so as to be coplanar with the encircling wall 20 of the outer-conductor assembly 6, and extend rectilinearly in the direction of the electrical assembly or circuit board 3. The resilient contact elements 13 are preferably angled and run so as not to be coplanar with the encircling wall 20 (cf. in particular FIGS. 9 and 10). Alternative configurations of the resilient contact elements 13 and/or press-in pins 12 may however also be provided.

Operation

[0150] A principal object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) for an electrical plug connector (2), the outer-conductor assembly (6) comprising a first interface (9) for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface (10) for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses (11) of an electrical assembly; (3), and wherein the second interface (10) has a multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) for the contacting of the electrical assembly (3); and wherein, a first group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as press-in pins (12) for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly; (3), and a second group of the multiplicity of contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements (13) for insertion into the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly (3).

[0151] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6), and wherein the press-in pins (12) have, at least along a section of a longitudinal axis (L.sub.E), an elastic deformation zone.

[0152] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6), further comprising: a sleeve-shaped encircling wall of the outer-conductor assembly, the sleeve-shaped encircling wall having a face side; and the second interface is formed on an end section of the outer-conductor assembly, facing toward the electrical assembly; and the multiplicity of contact elements extend from the second interface in the direction of the electrical assembly.

[0153] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) are arranged in distributed fashion along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20).

[0154] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein at least one of the resilient contact elements (13) is, along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20), and between two press-in pins (12).

[0155] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) and wherein the outer-conductor assembly (6) is formed as a single piece.

[0156] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) and wherein the outer-conductor assembly (6) is formed from aluminum bronze.

[0157] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) having an outer-conductor assembly (6) comprising: a first interface (9) for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface (10) for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses (11) defined in an electrical assembly (3); and wherein the second interface (11) has a multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) for the contacting of the electrical assembly (3); and wherein a first group of the contact elements (12, 13) is formed as press-in pins (12) for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly (3); and a second group of the contact elements is formed as resilient contact elements (13) for insertion into the metal-plated recesses (11) defined in the electrical assembly (3).

[0158] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and further comprising: an electrically insulating housing assembly (4) that has a mechanical interface (5) for connection of the electrical plug connector (2) to the corresponding counterpart plug connector; and wherein the outer-conductor assembly (6) is received in positively locking fashion in the housing assembly (4).

[0159] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and further comprising: an inner-conductor contact element (14) which extends from a first end (15), within the first interface (9), to a second end (16), within the second interface (10), and through the outer-conductor assembly; and (6), wherein the inner-conductor contact element (14) is, at its first end (15), designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding inner conductor of the electrical counterpart plug connector and, the inner-conductor contact element is, at its second end (16), designed for the electrical and mechanical contacting of a corresponding inner conductor of the electrical assembly (3).

[0160] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein a maximum center-to-center spacing (D) between the contact elements (12, 13) which are directly adjacent to one another along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20) of the second interface (10) correspond to one quarter of a wavelength of a signal frequency intended for signal transmission with the electrical plug connector (2).

[0161] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1), having an electrical plug connector (2), comprising an outer-conductor assembly (6) that has, a first interface (9) for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of a corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector; and a second interface (10) for electrically and mechanically contacting metal-plated recesses (11) defined in an electrical assembly (3); and wherein the second interface (10) has a multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) for the contacting of the electrical assembly (3); and wherein a first group of the multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) is formed as press-in pins (12) for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses (11) of the electrical assembly (3); and a second group of the multiplicity of contact elements (13) is formed as resilient contact elements (13) for insertion into the metal-plated recesses (11) defined in the electrical assembly (3); and an electrical assembly (3), in particular an electrical circuit board (3), that defines plural metal-plated recesses (11) for electrically and mechanically contacting with the second interface (10) of the outer-conductor assembly (6) of the electrical plug connector (2).

[0162] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) wherein the metal-plated recesses (11) are formed as plated through-holes (11) and/or blind bores in the electrical assembly, in particular in the electrical circuit board (3).

[0163] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) wherein the resilient contact elements (13) make contact radially under mechanical preload with the metal-plated recesses (11) at an inner surface thereof when the resilient contact elements (13) are inserted into the metal-plated recesses (11).

[0164] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) wherein an outer diameter of the resilient contact elements (13) is smaller than an inner diameter of the metal-plated recesses (11).

[0165] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the elastic deformation zone is a central material recess (18).

[0166] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) are arranged in along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20).

[0167] A further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the multiplicity of contact elements (12, 13) are arranged in equidistantly distributed fashion, along the periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20).

[0168] A still further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the outer-conductor assembly (6) is a stamped and bent part.

[0169] An even still further object of the present invention is an outer-conductor assembly (6) wherein the press-in pins (12) are arranged along a periphery of the sleeve-shaped encircling wall (20).

[0170] In compliance with the statute, the present invention has been described in language more or less specific, as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents.