Electrical connector element

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector element for contacting a conductive structure arranged on a flat carrier wherein the contacting is performed by a thermally bonded connecting material, wherein devices for fixing an advantageously flexible conductor are arranged on one side, wherein the connector element is configured as a soldering base or soldering bridge with a connector portion, characterized in that at least a portion of the soldering base or of the soldering bridge that is to be connected with the conductive structure is configured as a fanned area and includes at least two bars that are offset from each other by a slot.

Claims

1. An electrical connector element for contacting a conductive structure arranged on a flat carrier wherein the contacting is performed by a thermally bonded connecting material, wherein devices for fixing an advantageously flexible conductor are arranged on one side, wherein the connector element is configured as a soldering base or soldering bridge with a connector portion, characterized in that at least a portion of the soldering base or of the soldering bridge that is to be connected with the conductive structure is configured as a fanned area, the fanned area including bars (4) and one or more slots (5), each of the one or more slots (5) having a width, at least some of the bars (4) being adjacent to one another to define adjacent bars (4), the adjacent bars (4) being offset by one of the one or more slots (5); wherein at least two shapes (6) are formed on one or more of the adjacent bars (4) and disposed in lateral alignment with each other, the at least two shapes (6) extending laterally outwardly from the one or more adjacent bars (4) into the one or more slots (5) to reduce the width of the one or more slots (5); and the free ends of at least one of the bars (4) include a wider section (8) extending in a direction of the one or more slots (5).

2. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bars (4) include at least one bulge (7) in a direction of free ends of the bars (4), wherein the bulge is provided to form a defined soldering gap at a bottom side oriented towards the conductive structure.

3. The electrical connector element according to claim 2, characterized in that the solder gap is in a range of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm.

4. The electrical connector element according to claim 3, characterized in that the solder gap is 0.7 mm.

5. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bars (4) of the fanned area include three bars (4); and the one or more slots (5) of the fanned area include two slots (5).

6. The electrical connector element according to claim 5, characterized in that the center bar (4) includes one of the at least two shapes (6) that forms a contact surface for a soldering tool.

7. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that a width of the respective bars (4) is in a range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

8. The electrical connector element according to claim 7, characterized in that a width of the respective bars (4) is in a range between 0.4 mm and 0.9 mm.

9. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that a material thickness is in a range between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm.

10. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that a minimum amount of a lead free connecting material is being used.

11. The electrical connector element according to claim 10, characterized in that an amount of lead free connecting material is in a range of 2 mm.sup.3 and 12 mm.sup.3.

12. The electrical connector element according to claim 11, characterized in that an amount of lead free connecting material is in a range between 3 mm.sup.3 and 6 mm.sup.3.

13. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector element is made from an iron-nickel or iron-chromium alloy or a mix thereof.

14. The electrical connector element according to claim 13, characterized in that a difference of thermal expansion coefficients of the connector element and of the flat carrier is set to a minimum value.

15. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat carrier is glass.

16. The electrical connector element according to claim 1, characterized in that a tension between the soldering base or solder bridge and the flat carrier is reduced by at least half compared to the non-fanned embodiment.

17. A use of an electrical connector element according to claim 1 to form the thermally bonded connection through hot air soldering.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS(S)

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view, a top view and a perspective view of a solder bridge in a fanned configuration with two bars;

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view, a top view and a perspective view of a solder bridge in a fanned configuration with three bars; and

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a top view and a side view of a solder bridge with three bars per side and exemplary advantageous dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) In the figures electrical connector elements configured as soldering bridges are being used. The soldering bridges include a connecting portion or a connecting element 1. At the connecting element non illustrated connecting wires or similar connecting devices are contacted. Starting from the connecting element 1 portions 2 extend that are fanned on both sides.

(5) In particular the perspective figures show that the fanned portion also extends at least partially into a transition portion 3 with reference to the connector element 1.

(6) The fanning generates two bars 4 (FIG. 1) or three bars 4 (FIG. 2) depending on the embodiment.

(7) A respective slot 5 is provided between the bars 4.

(8) In an embodiment shapes 6 are provided that originate from the bars 4 in a direction of free ends of the bars 4 and that extend into the slot 5.

(9) These shapes 6 increase the surface of the bar 4 in the respective section and can be used as a contact surface for a soldering tool.

(10) In a direction of the free ends the bars 4 include at least one bulge 7 which is used for forming a defined gap at a bottom side oriented to the conductive structure (not illustrated).

(11) According to the embodiment according to FIG. 2 the fanned area is made from three bars 4 with two slots 5.

(12) In the variant according to FIG. 2, the center bar 4 includes the shapes that extend into the respective slot 5.

(13) The bulge 7 forming a defined soldering gap is also configured at the bottom side.

(14) As evident from FIG. 3 with the respective exemplary dimensions the defined soldering gap is advantageously sized at 0.7 mm.

(15) The bar width is for example at 0.9 mm. The total length of the solder bridge is 24 mm with an approximately 7 mm long connector element. The slot width is at approximately 0.45 mm for a total width of the solder bridge of 4 mm.

(16) In the embodiments of the invention the free ends of at least one bar, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 of the center bar, include an expanded section 8 that extends in a direction towards the slot.

(17) This expansion section 8 prevents an interlocking of the bars when treating and supplying the soldering bases or a soldering bridge as individual pieces which simplifies handling when applying them to the respective carrier and subsequently performing hot air soldering.

(18) When analyzing tensions that are generated during cooling after the soldering has been performed it has become evident that forces up to 45 MPa are generated by an exemplary 24 mm bridge without fanning structure. However, when a connector element according to the invention is used the occurring forces are in a range of less than 21 MPa for a soldering temperature of approximately 200 K.

SEQUENCE LISTING

(19) Not Applicable