Plug-in connector
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) comprising at least one contact element ( 12 a, 12 b ), extending in a longitudinal direction ( 14 a, 14 b ) of the plug-in connector, which in the fitted condition of the plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) on a printed circuit board ( 38 a, 38 b ) extends at least approximately in parallel to the plane ( 40 a, 40 b ) of the circuit board ( 38 a, 38 b ). The plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) according to the invention is characterized in that the contact slot/the contact pin ( 28 a, 28 b ) of the contact element ( 12 a, 12 b ) has a predefined transverse extension ( 32 a, 32 b ) in at least approximately the longitudinal direction ( 14 a, 14 b ) of the plug-in connector and that the plug-in direction ( 34 a, 34 b ) of the contact slot/contact pin ( 28 a, 28 b ) is oriented at least approximately vertically to the plane ( 40 a, 40 b ) of the circuit board ( 38 a, 38 b ). Accordingly, a mating plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) engages the plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) laterally as it is mounted. The plug-in connector ( 10 a, 10 b ) according to the invention allows tolerances to be compensated between the printed circuit boards ( 38 a, 38 b ) in the longitudinal direction ( 14 a, 14 b ) of the plug-in connector, in the transverse direction ( 24 a, 24 b ) of the plug-in connector and in the plug-in direction ( 34 a, 34 b ). The plug-in connector according to the invention ( 10 a, 10 b ) is suited especially for mezzanine applications.
1. Plug-in connector comprising at least one contact element ( 12 a , 12 b ) having a contact selected from the group consisting of a contact slot and a contact pin, said at least one contact element extending in a longitudinal direction ( 14 a , 14 b ) of the plug-in connector, which in the fitted condition of the plug-in connector ( 10 a , 10 b ) on a printed circuit board ( 38 a , 38 b ) extends at least approximately in parallel to the plane ( 40 a , 40 b ) of the circuit board ( 38 a , 38 b ), wherein the contact of the contact element ( 12 a , 12 b ) has a predefined transverse extension ( 32 a , 32 b ) in at least approximately the longitudinal direction ( 14 a , 14 b ) of the plug-in connector and wherein the plug-in direction of the contact is oriented at least approximately vertically to the plane ( 40 a , 40 b ) of the circuit board ( 38 a , 38 b );
wherein the contact element ( 12 a ) of the plug-in connector ( 10 a ) is arranged in a plug-in connector housing ( 16 ), which comprises a rear housing portion ( 18 ) and a front housing portion ( 20 ) that is displaceable one relative to the other in transverse direction ( 24 a ) of the plug-in connector, against the action of a compensating element;
wherein the contact element ( 12 a ) of the plug-in connector ( 10 a ) comprises the compensating element ( 26 );
wherein the compensating element ( 26 ) is bent relative to the longitudinal direction ( 14 a ) of the plug-in connector, and the compensating element supporting a shearing movement between the rear and front housing portions.
2. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least one locating element ( 52 , 54 , 66 , 68 ) is provided which is positioned in a mating recess of the printed circuit board ( 38 a , 38 b ) in the assembled condition of the plug-in connector ( 10 a , 10 b ).
3. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the contact element ( 12 a , 12 b ) comprises a terminal face ( 50 , 64 ) oriented substantially in parallel to the plane ( 40 a , 40 b ) of the plug-in connector ( 38 a , 38 b ).
4. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein separating elements ( 48 ) are arranged between neighboring contacts.
5. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the contact element ( 12 a ) comprises two spring legs ( 30 , 30 ′) mating each other and receiving a contact pin ( 28 b ).
6. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the compensating element ( 26 ) is bent in S shape.
7. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the connector housing ( 16 ) has a one-piece design and wherein the spring tension is influenced by a portion of reduced cross-section ( 22 ) of the housing material of the plug-in connector between the forward and the rear portions ( 18 , 20 ) of the housing.
8. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 7 , wherein the clip receiving means ( 42 , 42 ′) and the clips ( 62 , 62 ′) of the mating plug-in connector ( 10 b ) are adapted one to the other in such a way that, in the mounted condition of the plug-in connector ( 10 a , 10 b ), both plug-in connectors ( 10 a , 10 b ) can be displaced one relative to the other in the longitudinal direction ( 14 a , 14 b ) of the plug-in connector by a play ( 70 ) in the longitudinal direction.
9. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plug-in connector housing ( 16 ) comprises clip receiving elements ( 42 , 42 ′) on the opposite sides in transverse direction ( 24 a ) of the plug-in connector, which receive and guide clips ( 62 , 62 ′) of a plug-in connector ( 10 b ) mating the plug-in connector ( 10 a ).
10. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 9 , wherein at least one clip receiving element ( 42 , 42 ′) has at least one guide surface ( 44 a , 46 a ) that tapers in the plug-in direction ( 34 a ) of the plug-in connector ( 10 a ).
11. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 9 , wherein the plug-in connector housing ( 60 ) of the mating plug-in connector ( 10 b ) is provided, on the opposite sides in transverse direction of the plug-in connector, with clips ( 62 , 62 ′) corresponding to the clip receiving elements ( 42 , 42 ′) and embracing the plug-in connector ( 10 a ) in C shape.
12. The plug-in connector as defined in claim 11 , wherein at least one clip ( 62 , 62 ′) is provided on its forward end, relative to the plug-in direction ( 34 b ), with at least one tapering mating guide surface ( 44 b , 46 b ).