DE102011103854B4 - Connector for connecting two printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector (10) for connecting two printed circuit boards (12), each of which has an upper side (21) provided with conductor tracks, each printed circuit board (12) having at least one contact pad (22) and the connector (10) comprising a contact carrier (11), one holding the contact pads (22) of both printed circuit boards (12) electrically interconnecting contact (14) and vertically to the printed circuit board provided top (21) of the printed circuit boards (12) is placed on the circuit boards (12), characterized in that the contact carrier (11) holds a rotary latch (15), which is arranged by means of a rotation axis (16) on the contact carrier (11) and spaced therefrom, said rotary latch (15) the circuit boards (12) for fixing the contact carrier (11) and Arrangement of the circuit boards (12) to each other on the contact carrier (11) opposite underside (28) engages under.

Description

The invention relates to a connector for connecting two printed circuit boards, each having an upper side is provided with conductor tracks, wherein each circuit board has at least one contact pad and the connector comprises a contact carrier holding a contact pads of both printed circuit boards electrically connecting contact and vertically to the conductor tracks provided Top of the circuit boards is placed on the circuit boards.

In the course of increasing the energy efficiency of luminaires, many attempts are currently being made to replace conventional illuminants, such as fluorescent lamps, with LED illuminants. A special effort here requires the retrofitting of existing lights with LED bulbs, as it is required to use the existing base and socket systems.

Example becomes on DE 20 2010 008 114 U1 and EP 2 182 587 A1 referenced, in which several equipped with LEDs boards are coupled together. Subsequently, the boards are placed on a heat sink and shielded with a diffuser. End caps correspond to the common standards for fluorescent lamps, so that the light bulb thus created can be used without problems in existing lights.

To couple LED boards together, are off DE 10 2008 034 956 A1 . DE 10 2009 047 556 A1 or DE 10 2009 047 558 A1 various connectors known. All have in common that the connection of the boards with each other by a horizontally acting connector. Here, the boards are usually moved together with their narrow edges to connect to create the connector. As a horizontally acting connector thus one is defined, in which the plugging movement takes place parallel to that surface of the boards, which is provided with conductor tracks and / or LEDs.

Out US Pat. No. 6,882,111 B2 is known to the preamble connector, which consists of two horizontally juxtaposed parts. Each part has two pins directed vertically to the conductor side of the printed circuit board, wherein a first is seated in a first recess of the printed circuit board and a second passes through the printed circuit board. The second pin is provided at the end with locking means which engage behind the circuit board and thus fix the connector to the circuit board.

Moreover, it is known from the prior art document that can not be assigned to connect two boards resting on an abutment with a contact bridge, which is fastened to the abutment by means of at least one screw. Printed such compounds are for example GB 1 359 671 B or EP 0 903 810 A2 known.

US 4,350,403 B discloses a plug-in receptacle which is mounted on a first printed circuit board and has a two-part housing for receiving a second printed circuit board.

DE 20 2007 005 013 U1 shows a printed circuit board connector which is fastened by means of two mushroom pins on a circuit board. For this purpose, the eccentrically arranged, mushroom-headed ends of the pins are pushed through openings in the circuit board and then pivoted. They engage behind the edges of the openings in the circuit board after pivoting. This attachment principle is also off DE 2 328 412 A known.

It can be seen from the cited prior art that efforts have been made to modularly construct the LED bulbs replacing the fluorescent tubes and, depending on the length of the fluorescent tube to be replaced, to connect a plurality of shorter boards to each other. Thus, it requires only a small number in their length standardized boards to replace a variety of fluorescent tubes with LED bulbs.

However, all known from the prior art connectors for single boards have the disadvantage that the connection of the boards with each other during initial assembly but also the replacement of a defective board is associated with considerable effort.

In horizontal plug-in systems, all boards must first be removed from the abutment, usually a heat sink, to solve the connector between intact and defective boards.

The aforementioned vertical contacting according to US Pat. No. 6,882,111 B2 requires a complex release of the locking means.

The pressure bridge, which is not known from the prior art and can be screwed to the abutment, requires appropriate effort in releasing the screw connection.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved connector for printed circuit boards, the assembly and disassembly brings advantages.

The object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1, in particular with the characterizing features, according to which the contact carrier holds a rotary latch, which is arranged by means of a rotation axis on the contact carrier and is held at this spaced, wherein the rotary latch engages the circuit boards for fixing the contact carrier and the arrangement of the circuit boards together on the opposite side of the contact carrier.

The main advantage of the connector according to the invention lies in its simple and quick assembly and disassembly. By the storage of printed circuit boards between the contact carrier and rotary latch a secure mechanical and electrical connection is ensured in each case. The rotary latch can be moved easily and without much time or use of tools in the locked position as in the open position.

It is particularly preferred if the axis of rotation is provided with a handle and a rotary or pivoting movement of the handle has a movement of the pivot bolt to the same extent result.

In this embodiment, the movement of the handle in a ratio of 1: 1 is converted to the rotary latch, so that, for example, a quarter turn of the handle has a quarter turn of the rotary bolt result. This ensures short assembly times.

It is envisaged that the contact in the direction of the printed circuit board is deflected resiliently or exhibited.

The spring return elastic deflection of the contacts in the direction of the printed circuit board ensures sufficient contact forces between the printed circuit board and the connector itself, as explained in more detail in the following description of an embodiment.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment which is characterized in that the rotary latch has a co-operating with a circuit board inclined surface which pulls the contact carrier in the latch movement against the spring restoring force of the contact in the direction of the circuit board.

This specific embodiment shows how the necessary contact forces can be achieved by specific design of the rotary latch and interaction with the circuit board.

Alternatively, this is achieved by an embodiment which is characterized in that a pin is provided with a collar spaced from the circuit board and the rotary latch has a cutout for receiving the pin and in the region of the cutout has a co-operating with the collar inclined surface which pulls the contact carrier in the locking movement in the direction of the circuit board.

Finally, it is provided that the connector has two pins, one of which is assigned to a printed circuit board, passes through a circuit board opening and serves as a movement end stop for the rotary latch.

The pins on the one hand offer a movement end stop for the rotary latch and thus define the locking position of the same. On the other hand, they stabilize the connection of the connector to the circuit boards and thus ensure a positionally accurate assignment of the same.

Further advantages and a better understanding of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment. Show it:

1 : An exploded view of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

2 : the connector according to 1 in a perspective view from above in its insertion position,

3 : the connector according to 1 in a perspective view from below in its insertion position;

4 : the connector according to 1 in a perspective view from above in the locked position;

5 : the connector according to 1 in a perspective view from below in the locked position;

6 : A schematic representation of the rotary latch of a connector according to 1 in insertion position;

7 : the representation according to 6 in perspective view;

8th : the perspective view according to 6 the rotary latch with ramps in operative contact with printed circuit boards;

9 an alternative embodiment of a connector in an exploded view;

10 : the connector according to 9 assembled;

11 : the connector according to 10 in vertical section.

In the drawings, a connector for connecting two printed circuit boards in total by the reference numeral 10 Mistake.

In 1 is the connector 10 shown in exploded view. It includes a contact carrier 11 who's at his to the circuit boards 12 pointing bottom two pegs 13 having.

The contact carrier 11 holds two contacts 14 that the electrical connection of the circuit boards 12 serve and are designed as bridge contacts.

A rotary latch 15 is part of the connector 10 and has an axis of rotation facing the contact carrier 16 on, the top side with a handle 17 is provided in the form of a slot.

The rotation axis 16 dives into an axle opening 18 of the contact carrier 11 one, leaving the handle 17 for actuating the rotary latch 15 is accessible. mounting slots 19 take holding extensions 20 the contacts 14 on, so the contacts 14 stationary on the contact carrier 11 are arranged.

The circuit boards 12 have at least on their upper side facing the contact carrier 21 not shown on tracks, with contact fields 22 keep in touch. Every circuit board 12 In addition, each with a pin 13 of the contact carrier 11 associated PCB opening 23 Mistake. The cones 13 dive through the PCB openings 23 and thus anchoring the connector in same.

The rotary latch 15 is with two itself from the axis of rotation 16 from wings extending in opposite directions 26 each provided with a cutout 24 for a pin 13 exhibit.

The contact carrier has a rotary latch on the underside 16 clever projection 25 , which serves as a spacer element for horizontal spacing of the printed circuit boards 12 serves.

In 2 is the connector of 1 presented in composite form. As can be seen from this figure, the handle is 17 the axis of rotation 16 from the top of the contact carrier 11 accessible. The cones 13 dive through the PCB openings 23 the circuit boards 12 , The circuit boards 12 are by the lead 25 spaced apart in the horizontal direction, wherein that direction is defined as the horizontal direction, which is parallel to the top 21 and along the two cones 13 extends.

The spacing of the printed circuit boards 12 allows it in relation to the contact carrier 11 90 degrees twisted rotary latch 15 between the circuit boards 12 pass therethrough. In that regard, the in 2 shown alignment of the rotary latch 15 transverse to the contact carrier 11 defined as an open position and the arrangement of the connector shown there 10 between the circuit boards 12 as his insertion position.

3 shows the connector according to 2 in bottom view. Clearly recognizable is how the cones 13 in the PCB openings 23 incarcerated. In this way, keep the pins 13 the circuit boards 12 in a defined orientation and with a defined distance from each other.

4 shows the connector 10 according to 2 in locked position. As the position of the handle 17 it can be seen, was the axis of rotation 16 turned 90 degrees. As a result, those with the rotation axis 16 uniformly connected wings 26 of the rotary latch 15 under the circuit boards 12 pivoted, taking in the wings 26 arranged cutouts 24 the cones 13 take up. The cones 13 form an end stop for the locking movement of the rotary latch 15 , The printed circuit boards are now between contact carrier and rotary latch in the vertical direction - ie in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation 16 - held. In the horizontal direction, they are through the pins 13 established.

As with the comparative consideration between 2 and 4 determine is sitting, the contact carrier 11 in the latch position of the connector 10 essentially gap-free on the circuit boards 12 on. In the 2 opposite the underside of the contact carrier 11 exhibited contacts 14 be by the locking movement in receiving chambers of the contact carrier 11 moves, creating one against the contact fields 22 the circuit boards 12 acting restoring force is constructed and defined contact forces are ensured for a sufficiently good electrical transition.

5 shows the representation of 4 in bottom view, the recording of the pins 13 in the clippings 24 the wing 26 good to see.

6 shows a schematic representation of the rotary latch 15 in insertion or open position, arranged between two circuit boards 12 , From this illustration it becomes clear that the top 27 the wing 26 are arranged in the insertion position in a plane E1, which lies above the plane E2, which from the lower sides 28 the circuit boards 12 is stretched. This has its grounds in the direction of the circuit board 12 exhibited contacts 14 that the contact carrier 11 in the insertion position of the connector 10 from the top 21 the circuit boards 12 keep spaced what is in the in 2 apparent gap between contact carrier 11 and circuit board 12 manifests.

The tops 27 the wing 26 are with inclined surfaces 29 provided with the lower edges 30 the mutually facing end faces 31 the circuit boards 12 cooperation, in particular the 7 and 8th can be seen.

In the 7 and 8th is in each case a perspective view of the arrangement according to 6 shown in FIG 8th the rotary latch was partially moved in the direction of the latch position. During the rotary movement, the inclined surfaces run 29 on the lower edges 30 the circuit boards 12 on and slide off to this. As a result, the rotary latch 15 parallel to the axis of rotation 16 pulled down, with the rotary latch 15 in the vertical direction motion-coupled contact carrier 11 be succeeded. This will make the contacts 14 , which are designed as contact bridges, against the circuit boards 12 and there especially against the contact fields 22 biased so that a defined contact force is ensured for a good electrical transition.

In the 9 to 11 is an alternative embodiment of the connector as a whole with the reference numeral 110 provided, which is not part of the protection area.

Also the connector 110 includes a contact carrier 111 , in the direction of printed circuit boards 112 one pin each 113 arises. The contact carrier 111 serves to accommodate two contacts 114 , Which in the present case are also designed as bridge contacts. By means of the contacts 114 become contact fields 122 the circuit boards 112 connected with each other. The circuit boards 112 also have PCB openings 123 that the inclusion of the pins 113 serve. The bottom edge 125 of the contact carrier 111 is used for vertical spacing and position stabilization of printed circuit boards 112 ,

The cones 113 are through a slot 140 vertically bisected and at her the contact carrier 111 opposite end with wedge-shaped locking elements 141 Mistake. To the connector 110 as in 10 shown to be the contacts 114 holding contact carrier 111 with his cones 113 in the direction of printed circuit boards 112 oriented so that the location of the PCB openings 123 and the pin 113 correspond with each other. Now the cones become 113 with the locking wedges 141 progressing through the circuit boards 123 pushed. Here are the locking wedges 141 a pin 113 under narrowing of the slot 140 to each other to pass through the PCB opening 123 to be able to dive through.

Once the locking wedges 141 through the PCB opening 123 have dived through, the steep through the slot 140 separate parts of the pins 113 resetting elastic back, so that the locking wedges 141 the circuit boards 112 Undercut below.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Interconnects

11

contact support

12

circuit board

13

spigot

14

contacts

15

Spagnolet

16

axis of rotation

17

Handle / slot

18

axle opening

19

mounting slot

20

Holding projection

21

Top of 12

22

Contact field

23

PCB opening

24

neckline

25

head Start

26

Wings of 15

27

Top of 26

28

Bottom of 12

29

Inclined surface of 26

30

Lower edge of 31

31

Front side of 12

110

Interconnects

111

contact support

112

circuit board

113

spigot

114

contacts

122

Contact field

123

PCB opening

125

head Start

140

slot

141

locking element

E1

level 1

E2

Level 2

Claims (6)

Interconnects ( 10 ) for connecting two printed circuit boards ( 12 ), each having a top side ( 21 ) is provided with tracks, each printed circuit board ( 12 ) at least one contact field ( 22 ) and the connector ( 10 ) a contact carrier ( 11 ), one of the contact fields ( 22 ) of both printed circuit boards ( 12 ) electrically interconnecting contact ( 14 ) and vertically to the conductor-provided upper side ( 21 ) of the printed circuit boards ( 12 ) on the printed circuit boards ( 12 ), characterized in that the contact carrier ( 11 ) a rotary latch ( 15 ), which by means of a rotation axis ( 16 ) on the contact carrier ( 11 ) is arranged and held spaced therefrom, wherein the rotary latch ( 15 ) the Printed circuit boards ( 12 ) determining the contact carrier ( 11 ) and the arrangement of the circuit boards ( 12 ) against each other on the contact carrier ( 11 ) opposite underside ( 28 ). Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact ( 14 ) in the direction of the printed circuit board ( 12 ) resiliently deflected or exhibited. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotary latch ( 15 ) one with a printed circuit board ( 12 ) co-operating inclined surface ( 29 ) comprising the contact carrier ( 11 ) in a latch movement against the spring restoring force of the contact ( 14 ) in the direction of the printed circuit board ( 12 ) pulls. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connector ( 10 ) two cones ( 13 ), of which one each of a printed circuit board ( 12 ), a circuit board opening ( 23 ) and as Bewegungsendanschlag for the rotary latch ( 15 ) serves. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the connector ( 10 ) two cones ( 13 ), of which one each of a printed circuit board ( 12 ), a circuit board opening ( 23 ) and as Bewegungsendanschlag for the rotary latch ( 15 ), wherein one of the pins ( 13 ) with one of the printed circuit board ( 12 ) spaced collar is provided and the rotary latch ( 15 ) a section ( 24 ) for receiving this pin ( 13 ) and in the region of the cutout ( 24 ) has a co-operating with the collar inclined surface, the contact carrier ( 11 ) during the locking movement in the direction of the printed circuit board ( 12 ) pulls. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation ( 16 ) with a handle ( 17 ) is provided and a rotary or pivoting movement of the handle ( 17 ) a movement of the rotary latch ( 15 ) to the same extent.

Images