Electric connector, printed circuit board and production method

Abstract

An electric connector for mounting on a printed circuit board and for establishing electrical contact with a counterpart connector comprises a main contact for establishing electrical contact with a contact of the counterpart connector, and a PCB connection band for attaching to the printed circuit board that is electrically coupled to the main contact.

Claims

1. An electric connector for mounting on a printed circuit board and for establishing electrical contact with a counterpart connector, the electric connector comprising: a main contact for establishing electrical contact with a contact of the counterpart connector, and a PCB connection band for attaching to the printed circuit board that is electrically coupled to the main contact, wherein said PCB connection band comprises a flat strap- or bandlike shape, wherein the main contact and the PCB connection band are formed of two separate elements that are electrically coupled to each other; wherein the PCB connection band comprises a dilatation section in a longitudinal direction, wherein the dilatation section is arranged between the main contact and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band; and wherein one end of the PCB connection band bends up 90 degrees to contact the main contact, and the other end of the PCB connection band lies flat on the printed circuit board.

2. The electric connector of claim 1, comprising a shielding contact for establishing electrical contact with a shielding of the counterpart connector.

3. The electric connector of claim 2, wherein the shielding contact forms a connection cavity on an outer section of the electric connector, wherein the connection cavity houses the main contact, and wherein the shielding contact comprises soldering or welding portions or fixation elements on an inner section.

4. The electric connector of claim 1, wherein the PCB connection band is welded to the main contact.

5. The electric connector of claim 1, wherein the main contact and/or the PCB connection band comprise a conductive material.

6. The electric connector of claim 1, wherein the main contact and/or the PCB connection band comprises a gold coating and/or a silver coating and/or a platinum coating.

7. The electric connector of claim 1, comprising a plurality of main contacts and a PCB connection band for every one of the main contacts.

8. The electric connector of claim 1, wherein the PCB connection band comprises a dilatation section in a longitudinal direction, wherein the dilatation section is arranged between the main contact and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band.

9. A printed circuit board comprising: an electric connector for mounting on a printed circuit board and for establishing electrical contact with a counterpart connector, the electric connector comprising a main contact for establishing electrical contact with a contact of the counterpart connector, a PCB connection band for attaching to the printed circuit board that is electrically coupled to the main contact, said PCB connection band comprising a flat strap- or bandlike shape, said PCB connection band comprising a dilation section in a longitudinal direction, wherein the dilatation section is arranged between the main contact and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band, and one end of the PCB connection band bends up 90 degrees to contact the main contact and the other end of the PCB connection band lies flat on the printer circuit board, and a signal track, wherein the PCB connection band is attached to the signal track.

10. The printed circuit board according to claim 9, wherein the signal track comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises a conductive material.

11. A production method for producing an electric connector for mounting on a printed circuit board and for establishing electrical contact with a counter-part connector, the production method comprising: providing a main contact for establishing electrical contact with a contact of the counterpart connector, providing a PCB connection band with the main contact, the PCB connection band comprising a flat like strap- or bandlike shape and being provided for attaching to the printed circuit board, forming the main contact and the PCB connection band of two separate elements and electrically coupling the two elements to each other; and arranging a dilatation section in a longitudinal direction on the PCB connection band between the main contact and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band; wherein one end of the PCB connection band bends up 90 degrees to contact the main contact, and the other end of the PCB connection band lies flat on the printed circuit board.

12. The production method of claim 11, comprising arranging a shielding contact for establishing electrical contact with a shielding of the counterpart connector around the main contact for shielding the main contact.

13. The production method of claim 12, wherein the shielding contact forms a connection cavity on an outer section of the electric connector and comprises soldering or welding portions or fixation elements on an inner section of the electric connector, and wherein the production method comprises arranging the main contact in the connection cavity.

14. The production method of claim 11, comprising welding the PCB connection band to the main contact.

15. The production method of claim 11, comprising forming the main contact and/or the PCB connection band of copper and/or aluminum and/or silver and/or gold.

16. The production method of claim 11, comprising coating the main contact and/or the PCB connection band with a gold coating and/or a silver coating and/or a platinum coating.

17. The production method of claim 11, comprising providing a plurality of main contacts and a PCB connection band for every one of the main contacts.

18. The production method of claim 11, comprising arranging a dilatation section in a longitudinal direction on the PCB connection band between the main contact and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention in a cross-section;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the embodiment of an electrical connector of FIG. 1 in a cross-section;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention in a cross-section;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the embodiment of an electrical connector of FIG. 3 in a cross-section; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention.

(7) The appended drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, help to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned become apparent in view of the drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

(8) In the drawings, like, functionally equivalent and identically operating elements, features and components are provided with like reference signs in each case, unless stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of an electrical connector 100 in a cross-section. The electrical connector 100 may be mounted on a printed circuit board 110 for establishing electrical contact with a counterpart connector (not shown). The electrical connector 100 therefore establishes an electrical connection between a track 111 on the printed circuit board 110 and the counterpart connector.

(10) To this end the electrical connector 100 comprises a main contact 101. The main contact 101 is provided in a connection cavity 106 that is formed by a shielding contact 105. The main contact 101 protrudes through a back wall 109 of the shielding contact 105. In addition a PCB connection band 102 is provided on the end of the main contact 101 that protrudes through the back wall 109. The PCB connection band 102 is provided as a flat band that on one end bends up about 90 to contact the main contact 101. On the other end the PCB connection band 102 lies flat on the printed circuit board 110 and may be connected to the track 111 of the printed circuit board 110.

(11) In the electrical connector 100 the main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 are formed of two separate elements that are directly coupled to each other electrically and mechanically, e.g. by spot welding the PCB connection band 102 to the back face of the main contact 101.

(12) The main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 may however also be integrally formed of a single element. The main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 may e.g. be formed of a metal pin or metal tube. In this case, the PCB connection band 102 may be formed by compression molding of an end section of the metal pin.

(13) Further, the main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 may comprise copper, aluminum, silver, gold or platinum. Further, if the main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 are e.g. formed mainly of copper, the main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 may comprise a gold coating, a silver coating or a platinum coating. The same applies to the track 111 of the printed circuit board 110. Usually such tracks 111 will be provided as copper tracks 111. Therefore, the track 111 may also be provided with a gold coating, a silver coating or a platinum coating.

(14) The main contact 101 and the PCB connection band 102 may then be welded onto the track 111 e.g. by spot-welding.

(15) The shielding contact 105 comprises two sections, the outer section 107 and the inner section 108. The outer section 107 may be the section of the electrical connector 100 that protrudes out of a housing of a device (not shown) that carries the printed circuit board 110. The inner section 108 would be inside of such a housing.

(16) The outer section 107 comprises the connection cavity 106 and the main part of the main contact 101. The inner section 108 comprises the PCB connection band 102.

(17) The connection cavity 106 may e.g. comprise a circular circumference in a front view. Not shown is a possible inner or outer thread that may be provided with the connection cavity 106.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the embodiment of an electrical connector of FIG. 1 in a cross-section. In the top view it can be seen that the PCB connection band 102 overlaps the track 111. This overlap is necessary to perform the spot welding of the PCB connection band 102 to the track 111.

(19) It is understood, that any other type of fixation of the PCB connection band 102 to the track 111 may also be used. Possible fixations include soldering and gluing.

(20) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of an electrical connector 200 in a cross-section. The electrical connector 200 is based on the electrical connector 100. Therefore, the electrical connector 200 comprises a main contact 201. The main contact 201 is provided in a connection cavity 206 that is formed by a shielding contact 205. The main contact 201 protrudes through a back wall 209 of the shielding contact 205. In addition a PCB connection band 202 is provided on the end of the main contact 201 that protrudes through the back wall 209.

(21) The PCB connection band 202 is provided as a flat band that on one end bends up about 90 to contact the main contact 201. On the other end the PCB connection band 202 lies flat on the printed circuit board 210 and may be connected to a track 211 of the printed circuit board 210. Between the two ends, the PCB connection band 202 comprises a dilatation section 215. The dilatation section 215 of the PCB connection band 202 is provided as a meander-like section that extends away from the printed circuit board 210. It is understood, that any other type of dilatation section 215 may also be provided. As explained above, the dilatation section 215 serves to absorb mechanical stress such that no direct mechanical stress is transmitted via the PCB connection band 202 from the printed circuit board 210 to the main contact 201 or vice versa.

(22) The shielding contact 205 of the electrical connector 200 further comprises fixation elements 216, 217. The fixation element 216 is provided on the top side of the printed circuit board 210 and the fixation element 217 is provided under the printed circuit board 210.

(23) The fixation elements 216, 217 may on the one hand serve to fix the electrical connector 200 to the printed circuit board 210. On the other hand the fixation elements 216, 217 may also establish an electrical connection between the shielding contact 205 and e.g. a ground connection of the printed circuit board 210.

(24) FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the embodiment of an electrical connector of FIG. 3 in a cross-section. It can be seen that another fixation element 218 is provided. The electrical connector 200 may therefore comprise e.g. four fixation elements 216, 217, 218 (only three may be seen in the figures). Two fixation elements 216 and 218 may be provided on top of the printed circuit board 210, and two fixation elements 217 may be provided below the printed circuit board 210.

(25) For sake of clarity in the following description of the method based FIG. 5 the reference signs used above in the description of apparatus based FIGS. 1-4 will be maintained.

(26) FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a production method for producing an electric connector 100, 200 for mounting on a printed circuit board 110, 210 and for establishing electrical contact with a counter-part connector.

(27) The production method comprises providing a main contact 101, 201 for establishing electrical contact with a contact of the counterpart connector, and providing a PCB connection band 102, 202 with the main contact 101, 201, the PCB connection band 102, 202 being provided for welding to the printed circuit board 110, 210.

(28) A shielding contact 105, 205 for establishing electrical contact with a shielding of the counterpart connector may be arranged around the main contact 101, 201 for shielding the main contact 101, 201. The shielding contact 105, 205 may form a connection cavity 106, 206 on an outer section 107, 207 of the electric connector 100, 200 and may comprise soldering or welding portions or fixation elements 216, 217, 218 on an inner section 108, 208 of the electric connector 100, 200. The production method may further comprise arranging the main contact 101, 201 in the connection cavity 106, 206.

(29) The main contact 101, 201 and/or the PCB connection band 102, 202 may comprise copper and/or aluminum and/or silver and/or gold. Further, the method may comprise coating the main contact 101, 201 and/or the PCB connection band 102, 202 with a gold coating and/or a silver coating and/or a platinum coating. The same applies to the shielding contact 105, 205.

(30) Further, a dilatation section 215 may be arranged in longitudinal direction on the PCB connection band 102, 202 between the main contact 101, 201 and a PCB connection point of the PCB connection band 102, 202, especially by molding, more especially by compression molding.

(31) Further, the main contact 101, 201 and the PCB connection band 102, 202 may be integrally formed of a single element. For example, the main contact 101, 201 and the PCB connection band 102, 202 may be integrally formed of a metal pin or metal tube. The PCB connection band 102, 202 may be molded at an end section of the metal pin with the material of the metal pin.

(32) The method may further comprise forming the main contact 101, 201 and the PCB connection band 102, 202 of two separate elements and electrically coupling the two elements to each other. In this case, the PCB connection band 102, 202 may e.g. be welded to the main contact 101, 201.

(33) Although only one main contact 101, 201 is mentioned above, the production method may further comprise providing a plurality of main contacts 101, 201 and a PCB connection band 102, 202 for every one of the main contacts 101, 201.

(34) Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

(35) In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reviewing the above specification.

(36) Specific nomenclature used in the foregoing specification is used to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the specification provided herein that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Throughout the specification, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein, respectively. Moreover, the terms first, second, and third, etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(37) 100, 200 electric connector 101, 201 main contact 102, 202 PCB connection band 105, 205 shielding contact 106, 206 connection cavity 107, 207 outer section 108, 208 inner section 109, 209 back wall 110, 210 printed circuit board 111, 211 signal track 215 dilatation section 216, 217, 218 fixation elements S1, S2 method steps