BOARD TO BOARD CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR HF SIGNAL TRANSMISSION

Abstract

A board to board connector assembly (1) includes a first connector (2) suitable to be arranged on a first printed circuit board (3) and a second connector (4) suitable to be arranged on a second printed circuit board (5). An adapter (6) is arranged in a mounted position between and interconnected to the first and the second connector (2, 4). The adapter (6) includes an adapter inner conductor (7) and an adapter outer conductor (8). The adapter outer conductor (8) is arranged separate from the adapter inner conductor (7) and comprises a bore (18) in which the adapter inner conductor (7) is arranged.

Claims

1. A board to board connector assembly (1) comprising: a. a first connector (2) suitable to be arranged on a first printed circuit board (3) and b. a second connector (4) suitable to be arranged on a second printed circuit board (5) and c. an adapter (6) suitable to be arranged in a mounted position between and interconnected to the first and the second connector (2, 4), the adapter (6) comprising an adapter inner conductor (7); and an adapter outer conductor (8) interconnecting the first connector (2) and the second connector (4).

2. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter outer conductor (8) is arranged separate from the adapter inner conductor (7) and comprises a bore (18) in which the adapter inner conductor (7) is arranged.

3. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein an adapter dielectric element (9) supports the inner conductor (7) in a lateral direction and is arranged between the first connector (2) and the second connector (4).

4. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the adapter dielectric element (9) is spaced a distance apart from the bore (18) by a gap (19).

5. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connector (2) and/or the second connector (4) comprises an elastically deformable cup washer (10) having a center opening (11), the cup washer (10) interconnecting the adapter outer conductor (8) to the respective printed circuit board (3, 5).

6. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cup washer (10) comprises several conically arranged spring elements (12).

7. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the spring elements (12) are interconnected to each other in circumferential direction meander-shaped.

8. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim, wherein the cup washer (10) is arranged above and/or below a pedestal (13) comprising a center opening (14).

9. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein a connector inner conductor (15) is arranged at least partially in the center opening (14) of the pedestal (13).

10. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein the connector inner conductor (15) is elastically deformable and suitable to interconnect to the adapter inner conductor (7) in a axial and/or radial manner.

11. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector inner conductor (15) and the pedestal (13) arranged displaceable with respect to each other.

12. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter outer conductor (8) is incorporated in a spacer element (8) arranged in a mounted position between the first and the second printed circuit board (3, 5).

13. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the spacer element (8) comprises at least one fastening means (33) to mechanically interconnect to at least one printed circuit board (3, 5).

14. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the spacer element (8) in a mounted position is supported with respect to at least one printed circuit board (3, 5) via the elastically deformable cup washer (10).

15. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein the spacer element (8) comprises several bores (18) spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction and in which in the mounted position in each an adapter inner conductor (7) is arranged, wherein the spacer element is interconnected in the area of each bore (18) via a first and/or a second connector (2, 4) to the first and/or the second printed circuit board (3, 5).

16. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter inner conductor (7) is of a cable type wherein the adapter inner conductor (7) is laterally supported by the adapter dielectric element (9).

17. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 16, wherein the adapter dielectric element (9) is made in a continuous process by extrusion and/or tape wrapping onto the adapter inner conductor (7).

18. The board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cup washer (10) interconnects the adapter outer conductor (8) to the respective printed circuit board (3, 5) via capacitive coupling.

19. A connector (2, 4) suitable to be used as a first connector (2) and/or second connector (4) in a board to board connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising a pedestal (13) to be arranged on and interconnected to a printed circuit board (3, 5) and an in an axial direction (z) perpendicular to the printed circuit board (3, 5) elastically deformable cup washer (10) arranged on a platform (28) of the pedestal (13) opposite to the printed circuit board (3, 5) and comprising several spring elements (12) arranged annular around a center opening (14) of pedestal (13) suitable to interconnect to a second printed circuit board (3, 5) via an adapter (6) and/or directly.

20. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein spring elements (12) are arranged in a conically inclined manner on the pedestal (13) pinpointing radial inwardly.

21. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein spring elements (12) each comprise at least one contact tip (27) to enhance local contact pressure in a mounted position.

22. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein the elastically deformable cup washer (10) is made from stamped sheet metal.

23. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein the elastically deformable cup washer (10) is arranged above the center opening (14).

24. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein the pedestal (13) comprises a platform (28) on which the elastically deformable cup washer (10) is arranged.

25. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 19, wherein the pedestal (13) comprises an upper section (36) and a lower section (37) having a smaller diameter then the upper section (36) and foreseen to be arranged in an opening (34) of printed circuit board (3) or a wall of a housing.

26. The connector (2, 4) according to claim 25, wherein a shoulder (38) is arranged between the upper section (36) and the lower section (37) and which acts as a stop when the lower section (37) is arranged the opening (34).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a first variation of a B2B connector assembly in a perspective view;

[0028] FIG. 2 is the B2B connector assembly according to FIG. 1 in a side view;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a section view along section line DD according to FIG. 2;

[0030] FIG. 4 is the B2B connector assembly in an exploded view, partially cut;

[0031] FIG. 5 is detail E according to FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a connector in a side view;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a section view of the connector along section line FF;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a second variation of a B2B connector assembly in a perspective view;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a connector according to the second variation;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a third variation of a connector; and

[0037] FIG. 11 is a fourth variation of a connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a first variation of a board to board connector assembly 1 (B2B connector assembly) in a perspective view. FIG. 2 is showing the B2B connector assembly according to FIG. 1 in a side view. FIG. 3 shows a section view along section line DD according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 shows the B2B connector assembly in an exploded view, partially cut such that the inside becomes apparent. FIG. 5 shows detail E according to FIG. 3. FIG. 6 shows a connector 2 in a side view and FIG. 7 show the connector 2 in a section view along section line FF of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a second variation of a B2B connector assembly 1 in a perspective view. FIG. 9 shows a connector 2 according to the second variation. FIG. 10 shows a connector 2 according to a third variation and FIG. 11 shows a connector 2 according to a fourth variation.

[0040] The board to board connector assembly 1 usually comprises a coaxial first connector 2 suitable to be arranged on a first printed circuit board 3 and a coaxial second connector 4 suitable to be arranged on a second printed circuit board 5. The first and the second printed circuit boards 3, 5 are during operation arranged substantially parallel to each other. In the mounted position an adapter 6 is arranged between the first and the second connector 2, 4. The adapter 6 is interconnected electrically as well as mechanically to the first and the second printed circuit board 3, 5 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The adapter 6 comprises an adapter inner conductor 7 and an adapter outer conductor 8. Both form part of the interconnection between the first connector 2 and the second connector 4. As can be seen in the drawings, the adapter outer conductor 8 is usually arranged separate from the adapter inner conductor 7. Good results can be achieved, when an adapter dielectric element 8 encompasses the inner conductor 7. The adapter dielectric element 8 is usually arranged between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. Good results can be achieved when the first connector 2 and/or the second connector 4 comprise an in a connection direction (z-direction) elastically deformable cup washer 10 having a center opening 11, the cup washer 10 interconnecting the adapter outer conductor 8 to the respective printed circuit board 3, 5. Furthermore, the cup washer 10 may comprise several conically arranged spring elements 12 which support the elastic deformability. The spring elements 12 can have different shapes and arrangements. Preferably they are arranged interconnected to each other in circumferential direction in a meander-shaped manner. The cup washer 10 can be arranged on a pedestal 13 spaced a distance apart from the respective printed circuit board, 3, 5. Depending on the design, the pedestal may comprise a center opening 14. A connector inner conductor 15 may be arranged at least partially in the center opening 14 of the pedestal 13 where it can be held with respect to the pedestal 13 by a connector dielectric element 17. The pedestal 13 can be arranged on the respective printed circuit board 3, 5 or at least partially in an opening of the respective printed circuit board 3, 5. For through connectivity, the connector inner conductor 15 may be designed elastically deformable and suitable to easily interconnect to the adapter inner conductor 7.

[0041] The adapter outer conductor 8 may be incorporated in a spacer element 8 arranged in a mounted position between the first and the second printed circuit board 3, 5. The spacer element 8 can be supported with respect to at least one printed circuit board 3, 5 via the elastically deformable cup washer 10. As visible e.g. in FIG. 1, the spacer element 8 may provide support of the first and the second printed circuit board 3, 5 defining a distance D between them. If appropriate, the spacer 8 comprises at least one fastening means 33 to mechanically interconnect to at least one printed circuit board 3, 5. The adapter inner conductor 7 may be of a cable type wherein the adapter inner conductor is laterally supported by the adapter dielectric element 9.

[0042] As shown in the drawings, the spacer element 8, which may act simultaneously as the outer conductor, may comprise several bores 18 spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction. The spacer element 16 may be interconnected in the area of each bore 18 via a first and/or second connector 2, 4 to the first and/or second printed circuit board 3, 5.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a connector 2, 4 in a side view. FIG. 7 shows a section view of the connector 2, 4 along section line FF according to FIG. 6. The first, respectively the second connector 2, 4 have at least in the upper region an essentially rotational symmetrical pedestal 13 on which an elastically deformable cup washer 10 is arranged. The elastically deformable cup washer 10 along with the pedestal 13 form part of the connector outer conductor 16. A connector inner conductor 15 is arranged inside a center opening 14 of the pedestal 13. It is held with respect to the pedestal 13 by a connector dielectric element 17.

[0044] Good results can be achieved when the connector inner conductor 15 is designed as disclosed and claimed in the Swiss patent application CH 01389/18 filed on Dec. 11, 2018 (P15572CH00), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As visible in FIG. 7 the connector inner conductor 15 may have an essentially tubular design extending in the direction of a center axis 20. The conductor comprises a first and a second end section 21, 22 that are interconnected to each other by a pattern of transversal sections 23, stay sections 24 and/or intermediate sections (not visible in the shown drawing) delimited from each other by slots 25 forming a meander shaped grid section 26. The slots which, when looking at the conductor in a side view, may extend in viewing direction completely across the cross section, such that when looking at the conductor alone, it would be possible to look freely across the conductor despite the stay sections and/or the intermediate sections which interconnect the transversal sections in axial direction. The center pin spring axially contacts the center pin (adapter inner conductor) 7 of the adapter 6 arranged by an insulator. If appropriate, the center pin can contact the center pin of the adaptor middle part in a radial way. The springs can be used to compensate axial and radial misalignments between board and shielding cover.

[0045] As visible in the shown variation, the at least one connector 2, 4 is suitable to be used in a board to board connector assembly 1. The connector 2, 4 comprises a pedestal 13 to be arranged on and interconnected to a printed circuit board 3, 5. Furthermore it comprises an in an axial direction (here z-direction) perpendicular to the printed circuit board 3, 5 elastically deformable cup washer 10 which is arranged on a platform 28 of the pedestal 13 opposite to and facing away from the printed circuit board 3, 5. The elastically deformable cup washer 10 comprises several spring elements 12 arranged annular around a center opening 14 of the pedestal 13. Depending on the field of application, they are, e.g. in the case of small distances, suitable to be interconnect directly to a second printed circuit board 3, 5. Alternatively or in addition they can be interconnected via an adapter 6 as e.g. described herein above. The spring elements 12 are preferably arranged in a conically inclined manner on the pedestal 13 pinpointing radial inwardly. The spring elements 12 may comprise at least one contact tip 27 to enhance local contact pressure in a mounted position, i.e. when compressed. The elastically deformable cup washer 10 is preferably made from stamped sheet metal. Good results can be achieved when the elastically deformable cup washer 10 is arranged above the center opening 14. In a preferred arrangement as shown, the pedestal 13 comprises a platform 28 on which the elastically deformable cup washer 10 is arranged.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a second variation of a connector assembly 1 and FIG. 9 shows a connector 2, 4 according to the connector assembly 1 according to FIG. 8. The connector assembly 1 and the connector 2, 4 are shown in a partially sectioned manner, such that the inside becomes apparent. The general setup corresponds to the previous drawings and the thereto related specification. Therefore, only the differences are explained hereinafter.

[0047] When looking at FIG. 9 it becomes apparent, that the connector 2, 4 comprises an elastically deformable cup washer 10 which in this variation is arranged below the pedestal 13. The connector dielectric element 17 is arranged inside a center opening 14 of the pedestal 13. As indicated by arrow 29, the pedestal 13 is arranged displaceable in axial direction (z-direction) with respect to the connector dielectric element 17 which in the shown variation is in a mounted position usually mechanically interconnected to the printed circuit board 3, 5 via the inner conductor 15. The inner conductor and/or the dielectric element 17 are soldered and/or pressed in and/or screwed and/or glued to the printed circuit board 3.

[0048] The connector inner conductor 15 is arranged in a center opening 30 of the connector dielectric element 17. In difference to the first variation the connector inner conductor 15 is of a tubular design having comprising several spring tongues 31 at the upper end acting in a radial direction with respect to the center axis 20. Alternatively, or in addition a connector inner conductor according to the first variation can be used in this second variation of the connector 2, 4.

[0049] If appropriate, the elastically deformable cup washer 10 may interconnect the adapter outer conductor 8 electrically conductive and/or via capacitive coupling and/or via inductive coupling. In the shown variation this is indicated by layer 32 arranged at an upper end of the pedestal 13 foreseen to interconnect in the mounted position to the adapter outer conductor 8.

[0050] FIG. 10 shows a section view of a first and a second circuit board 3, 5 and a connector 2, 4. The general setup of the connector 2, 4 corresponds to the other variations described herein. With respect to the general description reference is made to the description of them which also applies here. The pedestal 13 is arranged in an opening 34 of the first circuit board 3. Good results can be achieved, when the pedestal 13 is press-fit into the opening 34. The connector 2, 4 can also be used to be arranged in an opening of a housing 3, e.g. of a filter or another electronic device. General interaction with the second printed circuit board 5 is indicated by dotted line 35. FIG. 11 is showing a further variation of the connector 2, 4 according to the disclosure. The connector 2, 4 comprises a pedestal 13 to be arranged on and interconnected e.g. to a printed circuit board or a housing. The pedestal 13 comprises an upper section 36 and a lower section lower section 37 having a smaller diameter then the upper section 36. Between the upper section 36 and the lower section 37 the pedestal 13 comprises a shoulder 38 which acts as a stop when the lower section 37 is arranged in an opening 34 of printed circuit board or the wall of a housing (see e.g. FIG. 10).

[0051] Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the Spirit and scope of the invention.