ELECTRICAL PLUG CONNECTOR AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

An electrical plug connector, having an insulating part and an inner-conductor contact element pair for differential signal transmission. The inner-conductor contact element pair comprises first and second inner-conductor contact elements, which extend through the insulating part. The inner-conductor contact elements, proximate a first end of the insulating part, have a contact section for contacting an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector and proximate a second end of the insulating part, have a press-in pin for pressing into a metal-plated recess of an electrical assembly. The inner-conductor contact elements each have one support shoulder via which a pressing-in force can be introduced for pressing the press-in pin into the metal-plated recess. The support shoulder is along the central axis of the inner-conductor contact element. The inner-conductor contact elements each have a support surface averted from the support shoulder to support the inner-conductor contact element in the insulating part.

Claims

1. An electrical plug connector comprising: an insulating part that has a first end and a second end; an inner-conductor contact element pair for differential signal transmission, and wherein the inner-conductor contact element pair comprises, a first inner-conductor contact element, and a second inner-conductor contact element, and wherein the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element each extend through the insulating part from the first end of the insulating part to the second end of the insulating part; and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements, in a region proximate the first end of the insulating part, each have a contact section for contacting an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector; and the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element in a region proximate the second end of the insulating part, each have a press-in pin for pressing into a metal-plated recess defined in an electrical assembly; and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements each have exactly one support shoulder via which a pressing-in force that is required for pressing of each press-in pin into the metal-plated recess can be introduced; and wherein the exactly one support shoulder is between the contact section and the press-in pin and is along a central axis (M) of each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements; and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements each have a support surface which is averted from the support shoulder so that each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements is supported in the insulating part.

2. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: an outer-conductor assembly which has, a first interface for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of the corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector and, a second interface for electrically and mechanically contacting the electrical assembly; and the insulating part is received in the outer-conductor assembly and the insulating part is oriented with the first end toward the first interface and with the second end toward the second interface.

3. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 2 and further comprising: an insulating housing assembly that has a mechanical interface for connection of the electrical plug connector to the corresponding counterpart plug connector; and the outer-conductor assembly is received in the insulating housing assembly and the outer-conductor assembly is oriented with the first interface toward the mechanical interface.

4. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the exactly one support shoulder directly adjoins the press-in pin along the central axis (M) of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements.

5. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first inner-conductor contact element, and the second inner-conductor contact element are arranged in axially symmetrical fashion along a longitudinal axis (L) of the insulating part.

6. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the exactly one support shoulder of the first inner-conductor contact element, and the exactly one support shoulder of the second inner-conductor contact element extend in opposite directions, preferably along a common orthogonal (O) relative to the central axis (M) of the respective first and second inner-conductor contact element.

7. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: an engagement surface on at least one of the insulating part, or the outer-conductor assembly, or the housing assembly for an assembling tool; and the engagement surface facilitates the pressing-in force for the pressing of the press-in pins into the metal-plated recesses introduced by the assembling tool.

8. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the insulating part has, an inner side and on the inner side, the insulating part has rib-like extensions and each rib-like extension has a lateral abutment surface against which the support shoulder of the corresponding first and second inner-conductor contact element bears in order to transmit the pressing-in force.

9. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 8 and wherein the lateral abutment surface is recessed in the rib-like extension to provide a stop for the corresponding support shoulder.

10. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements are supported with their respective support surfaces in the insulating part via guide surfaces formed on an inner side of the insulating part.

11. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 8 and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements extend through the insulating part between the support surface and the rib-like extension.

12. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the contact sections of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements are contact pins.

13. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements are each of single-piece form.

14. An electrical connecting arrangement comprising: an electrical plug connector having, an insulating part that has a first end, and a second end, and an inner-conductor contact element pair for differential signal transmission, and wherein the inner-conductor contact element pair comprises, a first inner-conductor contact element and a second inner-conductor contact element, and wherein the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element each extend through the insulating part from the first end of the insulating part to the second end of the insulating part, and the first and second inner-conductor contact elements, in a region proximate the first end of the insulating part, each have a contact section for contacting an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector, and the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element in a region proximate the second end of the insulating part, each have a press-in pin for pressing into a metal-plated recess defined in an electrical assembly, and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements each have exactly one support shoulder via which a pressing-in force that is required for pressing of each press-in pin into the metal-plated recess can be introduced, and wherein the exactly one support shoulder is between the contact section and the press-in pin and is along a central axis (M) of each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements, and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements each have a support surface which is averted from the support shoulder so that each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements is supported in the insulating part; and an electrical assembly.

15. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 and wherein the metal-plated recesses are plated through-holes in the electrical assembly.

16. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 8 and wherein the lateral abutment surface is behind a set-back portion to provide a stop for the corresponding support shoulder.

17. The electrical plug connector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the contact sections of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements are bushing contacts.

18. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 and wherein the electrical assembly is an electrical circuit board.

19. The electrical connecting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 and wherein the metal-plated recesses are blind bores in the electrical assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0123] In the Figures, in each case schematically;

[0124] FIG. 1 shows an electrical connecting arrangement, composed of an electrical plug connector and of an electrical assembly, in a perspective view.

[0125] FIG. 2 shows the outer-conductor assembly of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

[0126] FIG. 3 shows an insulating part of the plug connector of FIG. 1 together with the inner-conductor contact elements, guided therein, of a common inner-conductor contact element pair, in a perspective view.

[0127] FIG. 4 shows the two inner-conductor contact elements of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in a perspective view.

[0128] FIG. 5 shows the insulating part of FIG. 3 in a perspective view from the rear, with a single inner-conductor contact element.

[0129] FIG. 6 shows a perspective enlarged detail view of an inner-conductor contact element of a second exemplary embodiment within the insulating part for the purposes of illustrating the transmission of force between the support shoulder and the abutment surface of the rib-like extension in the insulating part.

[0130] FIG. 7 shows the insulating part of FIG. 3 with inserted inner-conductor contact elements as per FIG. 6 in a rear view.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0131] 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).

[0132] FIG. 1 shows an electrical connecting arrangement 1 having a first 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 and the electrical assembly 3 is in the form of an electrical circuit board. This is however not to be understood as limiting. It is 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, although the electrical assembly 2 may also be in the form of a non-angled or straight plug connector.

[0133] 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.

[0134] The electrical plug connector 2 furthermore has an outer-conductor assembly 6 which is received in positively locking fashion in the electrically insulating housing assembly 4. For a complete illustration, the outer-conductor assembly 6 is illustrated on its own in FIG. 2.

[0135] The fastening between the outer-conductor assembly 6 and the electrically insulating 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 electrically insulating housing assembly 4 on the outer-conductor assembly 6 along the longitudinal axis L of the electrically insulating housing assembly 4. By contrast, in the bent fastening state illustrated, the fastening tabs 7 are capable of blocking the electrically insulating housing assembly 4 on the outer-conductor assembly 6 in positively locking fashion. For this purpose, the electrically insulating housing assembly 4 has a fastening web 8 (cf. FIG. 1), behind the fastening edge of which the fastening tabs 7 engage.

[0136] 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 of the electrical assembly 3 or of the circuit board. For the contacting of the electrical assembly 3, the second interface 10 has a multiplicity of contact elements 12, 13 (of, in particular FIG. 2).

[0137] The electrical plug connector 2 furthermore has at insulating part 14 and at least one inner-conductor contact element pair 15 for differential signal transmission, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The first inner-conductor contact element 16 and the second inner-conductor contact element 17 of the inner-conductor contact element pair 15 are each formed as a single piece and illustrated jointly in FIG. 4.

[0138] The insulating part 14 is received in the outer-conductor assembly 6 and is positioned with its first end 18 in the first interface 9 and with its second end 19 in the second interface 10. The inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 of the common inner-conductor contact element pair 15 extend through the insulating part 14 from the first end 18 of the insulating part 14 to the second end 19 of the insulating part 14.

[0139] The inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17, in the region of the first, end 18 of the insulating part 14, have a contact section (for example a contact pin 20, as illustrated) for contacting of an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector and, in the region of the second end 19 of the insulating part 14, have a press-in pin 21 for pressing into a respective corresponding metal-plated recess 11 defined in the electrical assembly 3. By means of the insulating part 14, the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 can be sufficiently fixed in the electrical plug connector 2 and electrically insulated with respect to the outer-conductor assembly 6.

[0140] The outer-conductor assembly 6 may on the one hand serve for electromagnetically shielding the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17. 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.

[0141] For the contacting of the electrical assembly 3 or of the circuit board, it is provided that the contact elements 12, 13 of the outer-conductor assembly 6 are divided into two groups (cf. FIG. 2). A first group of the contact elements 12, 13 is formed as press-in contacts 13 for an oversize fit in the metal-plated recesses 11 of the electrical assembly 3 or circuit board. A second group of the contact elements 12, 13 is formed as resilient contact elements 12 for insertion into the metal-plated recesses 11 of the electrical assembly 3 or of the circuit board. The press-in contacts 13 may in particular have, along a section of their longitudinal axis L.sub.E, an elastic deformation zone 22 which is formed preferably by a central material recess in the manner of a slot or an eye of a needle, as illustrated.

[0142] The press-in pins 21 of the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 may be of similar design (cf. for example FIG. 4 or FIG. 6). The press-in pins 21 may likewise have an elastic deformation zone 22. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the elastic deformation zone 22 is formed as a groove which does not run all the way through the material of the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17. By contrast, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the deformation zone 22 is formed as a slot which runs continuously all the way through the material.

[0143] In the exemplary embodiment, the metal-plated recesses 11 are formed as plated through-holes in the electrical circuit board 3 and are not illustrated in any more detail. The metal-plated recesses 11 may however, also be formed as blind bores or depressions.

[0144] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 each have exactly one support shoulder 23. Via the support shoulder 23, a pressing-in force that is required for the pressing of the press-in pin 21 into the metal-plated recess 11 can be introduced. The support shoulder 23 is formed between the contact section 20 and the press-in pin 21 and along the central axis M of the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17. In the exemplary embodiments, the support shoulder 23 directly adjoins the press-in pin 21 along the central axis M of the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17 in order to improve the introduction of force.

[0145] In FIGS. 3 and 7, the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 are illustrated as being jointly received in the insulating part 14. The first inner-conductor contact element 16 and the second inner-conductor contact element 17 are in this case arranged and formed in axially symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical fashion along the longitudinal axis L of the insulating part 14. Here, the support shoulder 23 of the first inner-conductor contact element 16 and the support shoulder 23 of the second inner-conductor contact element 17 extend in opposite directions along a common orthogonal O relative to the respective central axis M of the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17. In this way, the characteristic impedance of the electrical plug connector 2 can be optimized.

[0146] In order to allow an, as far as possible, symmetrical and uniform introduction of force despite the asymmetry of the individual inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17, the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 have a respective support surface 24 (cf. in particular FIG. 4) which is averted from the support shoulder 23 and via which the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17 is supported in the insulating part 14.

[0147] In FIG. 5, the insulating part 14 is illustrated with the first inner-conductor contact element 16 in a rear view. For the sake of a clearer illustration, the second inner-conductor contact element 17 has been omitted. It can be seen that the insulating part 14 has, on its inner side, rib-like extensions 25 with a respective lateral abutment surface 26 which faces toward the electrical assembly 3 and against which the corresponding support shoulder 23 bears in order to transmit the pressing-in force. Here, the lateral abutment surface 26 is formed so as to be recessed in the rib-like extension 25 or behind a set-back portion 27 in order to provide a stop for the corresponding support shoulder 23 and fix the inner-conductor contact element 16, 17 even more effectively within the insulating part 14 (cf. also FIG. 6).

[0148] The inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 are supported with their support surfaces 24 via respective guide surfaces 28 formed on the inner side of the insulating part 14. Here, the guide surfaces 28 are formed on the surfaces, facing toward the respective inner-conductor contact element 16, 17, of an intermediate wall 29, formed between the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17, of the insulating part 14. In the exemplary embodiments, the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17 are, overall, led through the insulating part 14 between the support surface 24 and the rib-like extension 25. The insulating part 14 thus has a U-shaped guide for the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17, which guide transitions into corresponding slots 30 (cf. FIGS. 5 and 7).

[0149] For the assembly of the respective inner-conductor contact element 16, 17, this can be inserted with its contact section 20 into the slot 30 and subsequently bent along the slot 30 between the support surface 24 and the rib-like extension 25 until the support shoulder 23 has reached its end position below the abutment surface 26.

[0150] In order to introduce the pressing-in force, which is provided for the pressing-in action, into the support shoulder 23, the insulating part 14, the outer-conductor assembly 6 and/or the housing assembly 4 may have at least one engagement surface 31 for a corresponding assembling tool. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the housing assembly 4 has an engagement surface 31 (cf. FIG. 1) which is arranged in the region above the press-in pins 21 of the inner-conductor contact elements 16, 17. In particular, provision may be made for the press-in pins 21 of the inner-conductor contact elements and the contact elements 12, 13 of the outer-conductor assembly 6 to be pressed into the respective metal-plated recesses 11 of the electrical assembly 3 or of the circuit board.

Operation

[0151] A principal object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) comprising: an insulating part (14) that has a first end (18) and a second end (19); an inner-conductor contact element pair (15) for differential signal transmission, and wherein the inner-conductor contact element pair (15) comprises, a first inner-conductor contact element, (16) and a second inner-conductor contact element (17), and wherein the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element each extend through the insulating part (14) from the first end (18) of the insulating part (14) to the second end (19) of the insulating part (14); and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements, (16, 17), in a region proximate the first end (18) of the insulating part (14), each have a contact section (20) for contacting an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector; and the first inner-conductor contact element (16) and the second inner-conductor contact element (17) in a region proximate the second end (19) of the insulating part (14), each have a press-in pin (21) for pressing into a metal-plated recess (11) of defined in an electrical assembly (3); and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) each have exactly one support shoulder (23) via which a pressing-in force that is required for pressing of each press-in pin (21) into the metal-plated recess (11) can be introduced; and wherein the exactly one support shoulder (23) is between the contact section (20) and the press-in pin (21) and is along a central axis (M) of each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17); and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) each have a support surface (24) which is averted from the support shoulder (23) so that each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) is supported in the insulating part (14).

[0152] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and further comprising: an outer-conductor assembly (6) which has a first interface (9) for electrically and mechanically contacting an outer conductor of the corresponding electrical counterpart plug connector and, a second interface (10) for electrically and mechanically contacting the electrical assembly (3); and the insulating part (14) is received in the outer-conductor assembly (6) and the insulating part is oriented with the first end (18) toward the first interface (9) and with the second end (19) toward the second interface (10).

[0153] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and further comprising: an 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 the outer-conductor assembly (6) is received in the insulating housing assembly (4) and the outer-conductor assembly is oriented with the first interface (9) toward the mechanical interface (5).

[0154] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and wherein the exactly one support shoulder (23) directly adjoins the press-in pin (21) along the central axis (M) of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17).

[0155] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the first inner-conductor contact element (16), and the second inner-conductor contact element (17) are arranged in axially symmetrical fashion along a longitudinal axis (L) of the insulating part (14).

[0156] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the exactly one support shoulder (23) of the first inner-conductor contact element (16), and the exactly one support shoulder (23) of the second inner-conductor contact element (17) extend in opposite directions, preferably along a common orthogonal (0) relative to the central axis (M) of the respective first and second inner-conductor contact element (16, 17).

[0157] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) and further comprising an engagement surface (31) on at least one of the insulating part (14), or the outer-conductor assembly (6), or the housing assembly (4) for an assembling tool; and the engagement surface (31) facilitates the pressing-in force for the pressing of the press-in pins (21) into the metal-plated recesses (11) introduced by the assembling tool.

[0158] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the insulating part (14) has, an inner side and on the on its inner side, the insulating part has rib-like extensions (25) and each rib-like extension (25) has a lateral abutment surface (26) against which the support shoulder (23) of the corresponding first and second inner-conductor contact element (16, 17) bears in order to transmit the pressing-in force.

[0159] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the lateral abutment surface (26) is recessed in the rib-like extension (25) to provide a stop for the corresponding support shoulder (23).

[0160] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) are supported with their respective support surfaces (24) in the insulating part (14) via guide surfaces (28) formed on an inner side of the insulating part (14).

[0161] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) extend through the insulating part (14) between the support surface (24) and the rib-like extension (25).

[0162] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the contact sections of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) are contact pins (20).

[0163] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16. 17) are each of single-piece form.

[0164] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) comprising: an electrical plug connector (2) having, an insulating part (14) that has a first end (18), and a second end (19), and an inner-conductor contact element pair (15) for differential signal transmission, and wherein the inner-conductor contact element pair (15) comprises, a first inner-conductor contact element (16) and a second inner-conductor contact element (17), and wherein the first inner-conductor contact element (16) and the second inner-conductor contact element (17) each extend through the insulating part (14) from the first end (18) of the insulating part (14) to the second end (19) of the insulating part (14), and the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17), in a region proximate the first end (18) of the insulating part (14), each have a contact section for contacting an inner conductor of a corresponding counterpart plug connector, and the first inner-conductor contact element and the second inner-conductor contact element (16, 17) in a region proximate the second end (19) of the insulating part (14), each have a press-in pin (20) for pressing into a metal-plated recess (11) defined in an electrical assembly, and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) each have exactly one support shoulder via which a pressing-in force that is required for pressing of each press-in pin (20) into the metal-plated recess (11) can be introduced, and wherein the exactly one support shoulder is between the contact section and the press-in pin (20) and is along a central axis (M) of each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17), and wherein the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) each have a support surface which is averted from the support shoulder so that each of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) is supported in the insulating part (14); and an electrical assembly, in particular an electrical circuit board (3).

[0165] A further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) wherein the metal-plated recesses (11) are plated through-holes (11) in the electrical assembly, in particular in the electrical circuit board (3).

[0166] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) as wherein the lateral abutment surface is behind a set-back portion to provide a stop for the corresponding support shoulder.

[0167] A further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the contact sections of the first and second inner-conductor contact elements (16, 17) are bushing contacts.

[0168] A still further object of the present invention is an electrical connecting arrangement (1) wherein the electrical assembly (3) is an electrical circuit board.

[0169] An even still further object of the present invention is an electrical plug connector (2) wherein the metal plated recesses (11) are blind bores in the electrical assembly (1).

[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.