Electrical plug-in connection, assembly connection and circuit board arrangement

Abstract

An electrical plug-in connection provides a connecting element having an electrically conductive outer housing with a first electrical plug-in connector at a first end that has a ring-segment shaped first contact region, and a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector having contact springs that act via the first contact region to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector and the first counterpart plug-in connector and the contact springs generate an axial force which acts along a longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector which pushes the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first counterpart plug-in connector, and/or the contact springs exert on the first contact region and on a ring-segment shaped, and axially offset, second contact region a radial force, which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector.

Claims

1. An electrical plug-in connection comprising: a connecting element with a first electrical plug-in connector arranged at a first end and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector, wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector comprises contact springs, and the first electrical plug-in connector comprises an electrically conductive outer housing with a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein at least a portion of an outer diameter of the first contact region is sloped radially outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the connecting element such that the sloped outer diameter of the first contact region is larger proximate the first end of the connecting element, and wherein the contact springs act, via the sloped first contact region, on the outer housing in order to produce electrical contact, and a mechanical connection, between the first plug-in connector and the first counterpart plug-in connector, characterized in that the contact springs act on the sloped first contact region such that the outer housing is acted on with an axial force which acts along a longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector and which pushes the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first counterpart plug-in connector, wherein the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector comprises an insulating part which forms the axial end stop for the outer housing of the first electrical plug-in connector in the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector; and wherein the axial end stop does not produce electrical contact between the first electrical plug-in connector and the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector.

2. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer diameter of the first contact region increases in a direction of the first end of the connecting element.

3. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact springs are designed so as to act on the outer housing via a second contact region.

4. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector comprises a counterpart plug-in connector housing with a funnel-shaped insertion region for the first electrical plug-in connector.

5. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that a counterpart plug-in connector housing comprises a collar which projects into the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector and which is designed as an abutment for the contact springs in order to mechanically preload the contact springs.

6. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating part of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector, as the first electrical plug-in connector is plugged together with the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector, at least partially enters the outer housing of the first electrical plug-in connector.

7. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating part of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector makes contact with the outer housing of the first electrical plug-in connector at an inner contact region, which is situated opposite the first contact region of the outer housing in the plugged-together state of the first electrical plug-in connector and of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector.

8. The electrical plug-in connection according to claim 1 characterized in that the insulating part of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector forms a collar pointing in a direction of the outer housing of the first plug-in connector, in order to center the outer housing in the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector.

9. A connecting element for an electrical plug-in connection comprising: a first electrical plug-in connector arranged at a first end of the connecting element for mating to a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector of a first electrical assembly, and wherein the first electrical plug-in connector has an electrically conductive outer housing with a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and being designed to interact with contact springs of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector to produce electrical contact; and a mechanical connection between the first electrical plug-in connector and the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector, and wherein the first electrical plug-in connector further has an inner contact region for making contact with an insulating part of the first electrical counterpart plug-in connector, the inner contact region being situated opposite the first contact region; and an outer diameter of the first contact region and an inner diameter of the inner contact region increase in p direction of the first end of the connecting element.

10. A connection element according to claim 9 for connecting a first electrical assembly to a second electrical assembly, comprising a rigid, tubular outer housing made of an electrically conductive material and an electrical cable running inside the outer housing along a longitudinal axis of the outer housing, wherein the electrical cable comprises at least one inner conductor and a dielectric surrounding the at least one inner conductor, and wherein at least one portion of the outer housing is deformed along the longitudinal axis in such a way that the electrical cable is fixed inside the outer housing.

11. Assembly connection for connecting a first electrical assembly and a second electrical assembly, comprising: a connecting element with a first electrical plug-in connector arranged at a first end and a second electrical plug-in connector arranged at a second end and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector and a second electrical counterpart plug-in connector, wherein the counterpart plug-in connectors are designed for connecting to the plug-in connectors of the connecting element and for connecting to in each case one electrical assembly, wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector comprises contact springs and the first plug-in connector comprises an electrically conductive outer housing with a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein the contact springs act via the first contact region on the outer housing in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector and the first counterpart plug-in connector, characterized in that the contact springs act on the first contact region such that the outer housing is acted on with an axial force which acts along a longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector and which pushes the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first counterpart plug-in connector, and/or in that the contact springs are designed such that they exert on the first contact region and on a second contact region of the outer housing, which second contact region runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region along a longitudinal axis of the connecting element, a respective radial force, which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector, on the outer housing.

12. Assembly connection according to claim 11, characterized in that the second plug-in connector is designed to differ from the first plug-in connector, and preferably comprises a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and which runs cylindrically along the longitudinal axis of the connecting element.

13. Circuit board arrangement, comprising: at least one first circuit board and one second circuit board, wherein the circuit boards are arranged running parallel to one another in different planes, and wherein, between the circuit boards, at least one connecting element is arranged in order to electrically connect the circuit boards to one another, wherein the connecting element comprises an electrically conductive outer housing, and wherein at least one of the circuit boards comprises a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector with contact springs, wherein the contact springs act via a first contact region, which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, of a first electrical plug-in connector, which is arranged at a first end of the connecting element, on the outer housing in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector and the first counterpart plug-in connector, characterized in that the contact springs act on the first contact region such that the outer housing is acted on with an axial force which acts along a longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector and which pushes the outer housing against an axial end stop of the first counterpart plug-in connector, and/or in that the contact springs are designed such that they exert on the first contact region and on a second contact region of the outer housing, which second contact region runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region along a longitudinal axis of the connecting element, a respective radial force, which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first counterpart plug-in connector, on the outer housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

(2) 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.

(3) Elements of identical function are denoted by the same reference designations in the figures.

(4) In the figures, in each case schematically:

(5) FIG. 1 is a sectional illustration of a circuit board arrangement comprising a first circuit board and a second circuit board as well as a connecting element arranged between the circuit boards.

(6) FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of the outer housing of the connecting element of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the connecting element of FIG. 1 taken along the section plane III illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to the deformation by means of three stamping jaws.

(8) FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the connecting element of FIG. 1 taken along the section plane III illustrated in FIG. 1 after the deformation with the three stamping jaws.

(9) FIG. 5 is an isometric sectional illustration of an electrical plug-in connection according to the invention, having a first electrical plug-in connector and a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector.

(10) FIG. 6 is a sectional illustration of the electrical plug-in connection according to the invention of FIG. 5 in a state prior to the insertion of the first plug-in connector into the first counterpart plug-in connector.

(11) FIG. 7 shows the electrical plug-in connection of FIG. 6 after the insertion of the first plug-in connector into the first counterpart plug-in connector and prior to self-centering according to the invention.

(12) FIG. 8 shows the electrical plug-in connection of FIG. 7 after self-centering according to the invention.

(13) FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional illustration of the contact region of the electrical plug-in connection of FIG. 5 for the purposes of illustrating the preload of the contact springs.

(14) FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional illustration of the contact region of an electrical plug-connection according to an exemplary embodiment with contact springs with a high degree of spring elasticity.

(15) FIG. 11 shows an assembly connection, according to the prior art, in a state after the insertion of the first plug-in connector into the first counterpart plug-in connector in a side view.

(16) FIG. 12 shows an assembly connection according to the invention in a state after the insertion of the first plug-in connector into the first counterpart plug-in connector in a side view.

(17) FIG. 13 shows the assembly connection according to the invention of FIG. 12 in a fully plugged-in state.

(18) FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the first plug-in connector with a first contact region and with a second contact region.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(19) FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit board arrangement 1 in a sectional illustration. The circuit board arrangement 1 comprises a first circuit board 2 and a second circuit board 3 which are arranged running parallel to one another in different planes. In the context of the invention, however, it is basically possible for yet further circuit boards to be provided.

(20) A connecting element 4 is arranged between the circuit boards 2, 3 in order to electrically connect the circuit boards 2, 3 to one another. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 1 illustrates a state of the connecting element 4 in which it has not yet been plugged together with the circuit boards 2, 3.

(21) All of the proportions illustrated in the drawings are to be understood merely as examples; in particular, the relative proportions of the circuit boards 2, 3, the connecting element 4 and the counterpart plug-in connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2′ described below.

(22) In principle, an arbitrary number of connecting elements 4 may be provided for the electrical and mechanical connection of the circuit boards 2, 3. The connecting element 4 may in particular connect an electrical circuit 2.1 of the first circuit board 2 to an electrical circuit 3.1 of the second circuit board 3.2, in particular for the transmission of high-bit-rate signals (not shown) between the electrical circuits 2.1, 3.1.

(23) In principle, the connecting element 4 and the assembly connection 22 according to the invention are suitable for the mechanical and electrical connection between arbitrary electrical assemblies, in particular a first electrical assembly and a second electrical assembly. For illustrative purposes, however, the exemplary embodiment describes only the use of the connecting element 4 in relation to the connection of two circuit boards 2, 3; that is to say a concrete variant embodiment in which the first electrical assembly is formed as a first circuit board 3 and the second electrical assembly is formed as a second circuit board 4. This is however not to be understood as restricting the invention.

(24) The connecting element 4 comprises a preferably rigid, tubular outer housing 5 composed of an electrically conductive material. One or more inner conductors 7 may be at least partially enclosed within in the outer housing 5. A dielectric 8, or multiple dielectrics, may also be provided. Merely by way of example, in the exemplary embodiment, an electrical cable 6 is provided in the outer housing 5, which cable is led along a longitudinal axis L of the outer housing 5 or of the connecting element 4.

(25) The electrically conductive material of the outer housing 5 may preferably be non-magnetic, in particular composed of a non-magnetic material. Brass is preferably used.

(26) The electrical cable 6 comprises at least one inner conductor 7, in the exemplary embodiment precisely one inner conductor 7, and a dielectric 8 surrounding the inner conductor 7. The electrical cable 6 illustrated in the exemplary embodiments is a concentrically configured electrical cable 6 composed of precisely one inner conductor 7 and one dielectric 8, which forms a cable jacket. In principle, however, provision may also be made whereby the electrical cable 6 comprises a plurality of inner conductors 7, for example at least one inner conductor pair, which is preferably provided for differential signal transmission.

(27) The outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 serves as outer conductor of the connecting element 4. The connecting element 4 has, at each of its ends 4.1, 4.2, a plug-in connector 9.1, 9.2 for connecting to a respective counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, 10.2 of the respective circuit board 2, 3. The inner conductor 7 is thereby also connected to the respective counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, 10.2. The plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the connecting element 4 are, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, preferably of round design.

(28) In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 are formed by virtue of the outer housing 5 being widened or having an increased diameter at its ends 4.1, 4.2.

(29) At least one of the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 may however also be omitted. The connecting element 4 can then possibly also be plugged directly into the circuit boards 2, 3, or connected to the circuit boards 2, 3 using any desired suitable connecting technique such as soldering or crimping.

(30) During the course of the manufacture of the connecting element 4, provision may be made whereby at least one portion A, in the exemplary embodiment precisely one portion A, of the outer housing 5 is deformed along the longitudinal axis L in such a way that the electrical cable 6 is fixed in the outer housing 5. Here, the segment A may extend at least along 50% of the total length of the outer housing 5, but preferably along 75% of the total length of the outer housing 5, particularly preferably at least along 90% of the total length of the outer housing 5 and very particularly preferably all the way between the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the outer housing 5, as is provided in the exemplary embodiment. In particular, if one of the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 is omitted, the portion A may also extend entirely along the total length of the connecting element 4.

(31) In principle, however, a deformation of one or more portions of the outer housing 5 may also be provided in the form of notching in order to fix the electrical cable 6 in the outer housing 5. With regard to the then impaired electrical properties, this is however not preferred. Deformation of the outer housing 5 is however basically not necessary in the context of the invention.

(32) For the purposes of further illustration, FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of the outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 with a graphical emphasis of the cross section Q of the deformed portion A of the outer housing 5. The cross section Q resulting after the deformation is furthermore illustrated in FIG. 4.

(33) A tubular outer housing 5 may be provided from a round, metallic blank, wherein the outer housing 5 is preferably deep drawn, extruded or turned from the metallic blank. Preferably, the at least one portion A of the outer housing 5 is then deformed in such a way that the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 in the deformed portion A is no longer round, or the perimeter no longer follows a circular path (cf. FIG. 2 and FIG. 4). Preferably, the at least one portion of the outer housing 5 is deformed in such a way that the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 follows a constant-width curve, in the exemplary embodiment a Reuleaux triangle, in the deformed portion A.

(34) With regard to an advantageous manufacturing method of the connecting element 4, provision may be made whereby the electrical cable 6, which comprises the at least one inner conductor 7 and the dielectric 8, is inserted along the longitudinal axis L into the outer housing 5, preferably with an adequate press fit, after which the at least one portion A of the outer housing 5 is deformed along the longitudinal axis L in such a way that the electrical cable 6 is fixed in the outer housing 5.

(35) The deformation of the portion A of the outer housing 5 may in this case be realized for example by stamping and/or rolling (axial or radial). The deformation is preferably realized by stamping. For the purposes of further illustration, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the cross section Q of the connecting element 4 prior to the stamping process (FIG. 3) and after the stamping process (FIG. 4).

(36) As can be seen from FIG. 3, the outer diameter of the electrical cable 6 is designed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the outer housing 5 for the sake of easy insertion into the outer housing 5. A clearance is accordingly present between the outer housing 5 and the electrical cable 6.

(37) Two or more stamping jaws 11 may be provided for fixing the electrical cable 6 by means of an advantageous stamping process. Three stamping jaws 11 are preferably provided, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, in particular in order to deform the portion A in such a way that the cross section Q after the deformation follows a constant-width curve, for example a Reuleaux triangle.

(38) Here, the stamping surface 12 of the stamping jaws 11 may correspond in the cross section in a central region B.sub.M (cf. FIG. 4) to the course of the cross section Q of the outer housing 5 after the stamping. The outer regions B.sub.A (cf. FIG. 4) around the central region B.sub.M may each be set back in order to receive material of the outer housing 5 displaced by the stamping.

(39) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, in the exemplary embodiment, provision is made whereby the outer housing 5 is radially inwardly pressed, inwardly stamped or rolled at three perimeter portions distributed uniformly along the perimeter in such a way that the three perimeter portions which are arranged spaced apart from one another and which have a uniform and constant radius and with uniform arc lengths are formed. These are the perimeter portions of the outer housing 5 that are formed by the central region B.sub.M. Between in each case two of these perimeter portions, there is situated a compensating portion which receives material displaced from the inwardly pressed or inwardly stamped or rolled perimeter portions. The compensation portions are situated within the angle segments of the outer regions B.sub.A, and are formed by in each case two adjacent outer regions B.sub.A of two stamping jaws 11 that are adjacent to one another.

(40) FIG. 5 shows an electrical plug-in connection 13 according to the invention in a perspective sectional illustration. The plug-in connection 13 has a connecting element 4 with a first electrical plug-in connector 9.1 arranged at a first end 4.1, and has a first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 of a first electrical assembly, in the present case the first circuit board 2 again by way of example.

(41) The first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 comprises contact springs 14 and the first plug-in connector 9.1 comprises an electrically conductive outer housing which is formed in one piece with the outer housing 5 of the connecting element 4 and which has a first contact region 15 which runs in ring-segment-shaped, or ring-shaped, circumferential fashion. The contact springs 14 act via the first contact region 15 on the outer housing 4 in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector 9.1 and the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1.

(42) Provision is made whereby the outer diameter of the first contact region 15 increases in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4.

(43) Alternatively, or in addition, provision may be made whereby the contact springs 14 are designed so as to act on the outer housing 5 via a second contact region 23, which runs in ring-shaped circumferential fashion, of the outer housing 5, which second contact region is axially offset with respect to the first contact region 15 along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4. This variant is illustrated merely by way of example in FIG. 14. The second contact region 23 and the first contact region 15 may also transition into one another. The first contact region 15 and the second contact region 23 may each have an axial extent which corresponds to the expected region in which the contact springs 14 are capable of acting on the first plug-in connector 9.1—possibly also taking into consideration tolerances and mechanical loading of plug-in connection 13.

(44) The contact springs 14, the first contact region 15 and/or the second contact region 23 are designed such that the contact springs 14 exert a radial force component and an axial force component on the outer housing 5 such that the first plug-in connector 9.1 preferably assumes a coaxial alignment with respect to the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1. This principle is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8.

(45) FIG. 6 shows the first plug-in connector 9.1 and the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 in a non-plugged-together state. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the first plug-in connector 9.1 and the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 have already been plugged together, for example by a technician, but the connecting element 4 or the longitudinal axis L is still tilted relative to the longitudinal axis L.sub.G of the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1. According to the invention, owing to the radial and axial force components of the contact springs 14, self-centering of the connecting element 4 or of the first plug-in connector 9.1 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 can be provided, which can preferably lead to a coaxial alignment as illustrated in FIG. 8.

(46) Provision may preferably be made whereby the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 comprises a counterpart plug-in connector housing 16 with a funnel-shaped insertion region 17 for the first plug-in connector 9.1. As can be seen for example in FIG. 5, the funnel-shaped insertion region 17 is formed by a collar 18 which projects into the first plug-in connector 9.1 and which is simultaneously designed as an abutment for the contact springs 14 in order to mechanically preload the contact springs 14.

(47) FIG. 9 shows an enlarged sectional illustration of the insertion region 17 of the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1. In particular, the preload of the contact springs 14 owing to the stop, formed by means of the collar 18 of the counterpart plug-in connector housing 16, for the contact springs 14 can be clearly seen in FIG. 9.

(48) In principle, however, a preload of the contact springs 14 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 may also be realized in some other way, or else may be omitted.

(49) It may furthermore be advantageous to increase the elasticity of the contact springs 14 by means of a corresponding selection of the material of the contact springs 14 or a corresponding geometry of the contact springs 14. An exemplary geometry for achieving a high degree of contact spring elasticity is illustrated in FIG. 10.

(50) In the exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the first contact region 15 increases conically and substantially linearly in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4. In principle, however, the outer diameter of the first contact region 15 may increase in accordance with any desired curve, for example may increase in convex or concave fashion.

(51) As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 comprises an insulating part 19 which, as the first plug-in connector 9.1 is plugged together with the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, at least partially enters the outer housing 5 of the first plug-in connector 9.1. The insulating part 19 furthermore has a collar 20 pointing in the direction of the outer housing 5, in order to center the outer housing 5 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, in particular in order to compensate an axis offset. Furthermore, the insulating part 19 forms an axial end stop 21 for the first plug-in connector 9.1 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, against which end stop the connecting element 4 can be pressed, which further assists the self-centering.

(52) Provision may be made whereby the insulating part 19 makes contact with the outer housing 5 at an inner contact region 15′ which is situated opposite the first contact region 15 (cf. the plugged-together state of the plug-in connection 13 in FIG. 5). Here, the inner contact region 15′ is arranged on the inner wall of the outer housing 5, and follows the geometry of the outer wall of the outer housing 5. The inner diameter of the inner contact region 15′ of the outer housing 5 thus increases in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4. The collar 20 of the insulating part 19 advantageously makes contact with the inner contact region 15′, wherein an axial offset of the contact points of the contact springs 14 with the first contact region 15 and of the collar 20 with the inner contact region 15′ along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 can further assist the centering of the connecting element 4. The contact springs 14 and the collar 20 may however also make contact with the outer housing in the same “height plane” along the longitudinal axis L.

(53) FIG. 12 shows an assembly connection 22 for connecting a first electrical assembly (the first circuit board 2 in the exemplary embodiment) and a second electrical assembly (the second circuit board 3 in the exemplary embodiment), comprising a connecting element 4 with a first electrical plug-in connector 9.1 arranged at a first end 4.1 and with a second electrical plug-in connector 9.2 arranged at a second end 4.2, and comprising a first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 and a second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2. The counterpart plug-in connectors 10.1, 10.2 are designed for connecting to the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 of the connecting element 4 and for connecting to in each case one electrical assembly or circuit board 2, 3. The first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 has, for example, the contact springs 14 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, and the first plug-in connector 9.1 has an electrically conductive outer housing 5 with a first contact region 15 which runs in ring-shaped circumferential fashion. The contact springs 14 act via the first contact region 15 on the outer housing 5 in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection, for example also an arresting action, between the first plug-in connector 9.1 and the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1.

(54) According to the invention, a self-centering action can be provided for the illustrated assembly connection 22. In this way, the outer diameter of the first contact region 15 may increase in the direction of the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4, and/or the contact springs 14 may be designed so as to act on the outer housing 5 via a second contact region 23 (cf. FIG. 14), which runs in ring-shaped circumferential fashion, of the outer housing 5, which second contact region is axially offset with respect to the first contact region 15 along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4.

(55) The principle of the self-centering can be clearly seen from a comparison of FIGS. 11 and 12. In FIG. 11, which shows an assembly connection 22 according to the prior art in a state after the plugging-together of the first plug-in connector 9.1 and of the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 of the prior art is still tilted relative to the longitudinal axis L.sub.G of the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 of the prior art. By contrast FIG. 12 illustrates a coaxial alignment of the connecting element 4 or of the first plug-in connector 9.1 with respect to the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 after the connecting element 4 has self-centered in accordance with the invention. The coaxial alignment of the first plug-in connector 9.1 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 leads, in the exemplary embodiment, to a parallel alignment of the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2.

(56) A particular advantage of the self-centering may consist in that the insertion region 17 of the counterpart plug-in connectors 10.1, 10.2 can be reduced in size in relation to the prior art. To illustrate this, FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate a parallel offset of the longitudinal axis L.sub.G of the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 and of the longitudinal axis of the second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2 or 10.2′. Such an offset may arise for example as a result of a non-ideal alignment of the circuit boards 2, 3 relative to one another. In order to compensate the offset and permit uncomplicated, preferably blind plugging-together of the plug-in connectors 9.1, 9.2 with the counterpart plug-in connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2′, the insertion region 17, 17′ of the counterpart plug-in connectors 10.1, 10.2, 10.2′ must be provided with correspondingly large dimensions, which increases the diameter of the entire counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, 10.2, 10.2′ as a whole. An oblique position of the connecting element 4 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1 can further exacerbate this problem, as can be clearly seen from a comparison of FIGS. 11 and 12. Owing to the alignment according to the invention of the connecting element 4 in the first counterpart plug-in connector 10.1, the insertion region 17 of the second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2 can be considerably reduced in size in relation to the insertion region 17′ of the second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2′ of the prior art.

(57) FIG. 13 shows a fully plugged-together assembly connection 22 according to the present invention. To compensate the lateral offset of the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4 and of the longitudinal axis of the second counterpart plug-in connector 10.2, the connecting element 4 is again situated in a slightly oblique position in the fully plugged-together state, which however generally does not pose a problem.

(58) As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13, the second plug-in connector 9.2 of the assembly connection 22 is designed to differ from the first plug-in connector 9.1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first plug-in connector 9.1 has the first contact region 15, which runs in ring-shaped circumferential fashion and the outer diameter of which increases toward the first end 4.1 of the connecting element 4. By contrast, the second plug-in connector 9.2 has a first contact region which runs in ring-shaped circumferential fashion and which runs cylindrically, and thus with a constant outer diameter, along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting element 4.

(59) Provision may however basically also be made whereby the first plug-in connector 9.1 and the second plug-in connector 9.2 are of similar or identical design.

(60) An electrical plug-in connection (13), comprising a connecting element (4) with a first electrical plug-in connector (9.1) arranged at a first end (4.1) and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises contact springs (14) and the first plug-in connector (9.1) comprises an electrically conductive outer housing (5) with a first contact region (15) which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein the contact springs (14) act via the first contact region (15) on the outer housing (5) in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector (9.1) and the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), characterized in that the contact springs (14) act on the first contact region (15) such that the outer housing (5) is acted on with an axial force (F.sub.A) which acts along a longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which pushes the outer housing (5) against an axial end stop (21) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), and/or in that the contact springs (14) are designed such that they exert on the first contact region (15) and on a second contact region (23) of the outer housing (5), which second contact region runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region (15) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4), a respective radial force (F.sub.R), which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), on the outer housing (5).

(61) An electrical plug-in connection characterized in that the outer diameter of the first contact region (15) increases in the direction of the first end (4.1) of the connecting element (4).

(62) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the contact springs (14) are designed so as to act on the outer housing (5) via the second contact region (23).

(63) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises a counterpart plug-in connector housing (16) with a funnel-shaped insertion region (17) for the first plug-in connector (9.1).

(64) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the counterpart plug-in connector housing (16) comprises a collar (18) which projects into the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which is designed as an abutment for the contact springs (14) in order to mechanically preload the contact springs (14).

(65) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the first plug-in connector (10.1) comprises an insulating part (19) which, as the first plug-in connector (9.1) is plugged together with the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), at least partially enters the outer housing (5) of the first plug-in connector (9.1).

(66) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the insulating part (19) makes contact with the outer housing (5) at an inner contact region (15′), which is situated opposite the first contact region (15), of the outer housing (5) in the plugged-together state of the first plug-in connector (9.1) and of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1).

(67) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the insulating part (19) forms a collar (20) pointing in the direction of the outer housing (5), in order to center the outer housing (5) in the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1).

(68) An electrical plug-in connection (13) characterized in that the insulating part (19) forms the axial end stop (21) for the first plug-in connector (9.1) in the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1).

(69) A connecting element (4) for connecting a first electrical assembly (2) to a second electrical assembly (3), comprising a rigid, tubular outer housing (5) made of an electrically conductive material and an electrical cable (6) running inside the outer housing (5) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the outer housing (5), wherein the electrical cable (6) comprises at least one inner conductor (7) and a dielectric (8) surrounding the at least one inner conductor (7), and wherein at least one portion (A) of the outer housing (5) is deformed along the longitudinal axis (L) in such a way that the electrical cable (6) is fixed inside the outer housing (5).

(70) An assembly connection (22) for connecting a first electrical assembly (2) and a second electrical assembly (3), comprising a connecting element (4) with a first electrical plug-in connector (9.1) arranged at a first end (4.1) and a second electrical plug-in connector (9.2) arranged at a second end (4.2) and comprising a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and a second electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.2), wherein the counterpart plug-in connectors (10.1, 10.2) are designed for connecting to the plug-in connectors (9.1, 9.2) of the connecting element (4) and for connecting to in each case one electrical assembly (2, 3), wherein the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) comprises contact springs (14) and the first plug-in connector (9.1) comprises an electrically conductive outer housing (5) with a first contact region (15) which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, and wherein the contact springs (14) act via the first contact region (15) on the outer housing (5) in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector (9.1) and the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), characterized in that the contact springs (14) act on the first contact region (15) such that the outer housing (5) is acted on with an axial force (F.sub.A) which acts along a longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which pushes the outer housing (5) against an axial end stop (21) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), and/or in that the contact springs (14) are designed such that they exert on the first contact region (15) and on a second contact region (23) of the outer housing (5), which second contact region runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region (15) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4), a respective radial force (F.sub.R), which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), on the outer housing (5).

(71) An assembly connection (22) characterized in that the second plug-in connector (9.2) is designed to differ from the first plug-in connector (9.1), and preferably comprises a first contact region which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and which runs cylindrically along the longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4).

(72) A circuit board arrangement (1), comprising at least one first circuit board (2) and one second circuit board (3), wherein the circuit boards (2, 3) are arranged running parallel to one another in different planes, and wherein, between the circuit boards (2, 3), at least one connecting element (4) is arranged in order to electrically connect the circuit boards (2, 3) to one another, wherein the connecting element (4) comprises an electrically conductive outer housing (5), and wherein at least one of the circuit boards (2, 3) comprises a first electrical counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) with contact springs (14), wherein the contact springs (14) act via a first contact region (15), which runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion, of a first electrical plug-in connector (9.1), which is arranged at a first end (4.1) of the connecting element (4), on the outer housing (5) in order to produce electrical contact and a mechanical connection between the first plug-in connector (9.1) and the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1),

(73) characterized in that the contact springs (14) act on the first contact region (15) such that the outer housing (5) is acted on with an axial force (F.sub.A) which acts along a longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1) and which pushes the outer housing (5) against an axial end stop (21) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), and/or in that the contact springs (14) are designed such that they exert on the first contact region (15) and on a second contact region (23) of the outer housing (5), which second contact region runs at least in ring-segment-shaped circumferential fashion and is axially offset with respect to the first contact region (15) along a longitudinal axis (L) of the connecting element (4), a respective radial force (F.sub.R), which acts orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L.sub.G) of the first counterpart plug-in connector (10.1), on the outer housing (5).