DE202006020411U1 - Device for electrical contacting of printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Abstract

contraption for electrical contacting of at least a first and a second equipped with electronic components and in one Housing (40) arranged printed circuit board (20, 22), wherein which fixed in a final assembly position in the housing (40) and superposed printed circuit boards (20, 22) one above the other lying to come lying contact zones (36, 38), with a subsequent attachable contact element (24), with which the printed circuit boards (20, 22) are electrically conductively connectable to each other, wherein the contact element (24) comes to rest in a recess of the housing (40).

Description

The The invention relates to a device for electrical contacting of at least two equipped with electronic components Printed circuit boards, which one above the other in a housing to arrange and contact each other.

State of the art

With Electronic components populated printed circuit boards are basic elements almost any electronic control of a variety of electrical operated devices of various kinds. Circuit boards or Electronics printed circuit boards typically have one in the board level extensive geometry and a comparatively small one Height on. Should several such printed circuit boards save space? housed in a housing with a given geometry be, so for reasons of space, a mounting of the printed circuit boards on top of each other absolutely necessary.

Different as required in an arrangement of several boards side by side the arrangement of boards one above the other to the state the technology a coordinated sequence of assembly steps, which, for. B. an electrical contact already during assembly or determination of the board in a housing made mandatory must, since lower boards after an assembly over it lying boards for a contact usually only are difficult to access.

The for an electrical connection between each other arranged printed circuit boards provided connecting elements, for example in the form of mutually corresponding plugs and sockets must each in separate operations on each of the printed circuit boards be mounted in a housing prior to their positioning. The electrical contact of the superimposed to be arranged Printed circuit boards are then installed in the assembly of the boards of the housing and / or by taking place after the assembly separate operation in which the existing on each printed circuit board Connecting elements separately contacted with each other electrically Need to become. The individual fasteners are according to the state of the art on each board individually, for example fixed by pressing or soldering and then in a second operation only electrically conductive to each other connected.

1 shows a perspective view of two superposed and to be contacted with each other electrically conductive circuit boards 10 . 12 According to the state of the art. The printed circuit board 10 is below the printed circuit board 12 to arrange. These are on the circuit board 10 single vertically from the printed circuit board 10 protruding pins 14 and on the printed circuit board to be arranged above 12 with the pins or pins 14 corresponding bushing-like contact elements 16 intended. The electrical contacting of the printed circuit boards to be arranged one above the other 10 . 12 thus requires the separate and separate attachment of individual pins 14 or corresponding sockets 16 ,

In addition, when installing the boards 10 . 12 Just make sure that the free ends of the contact pins 14 exactly in the appropriate jacks 16 to come to rest. This type of electrical contact is due to the separate attachment of electrical contact elements 14 . 16 on each of the boards relatively expensive and requires a high degree of installation effort. In addition, when arranging the individual circuit boards 10 . 12 within a housing through the electrical contact elements 14 . 16 specified installation dimension or corresponding installation tolerances are maintained exactly. Consequently, the assembly process of the individual printed circuit boards 10 . 12 while maintaining a through the design of the contact elements 14 . 16 given installation dimensions.

The DE 103 01 474 A1 discloses a connector for an electronic circuit. The connector has a plurality of connecting pins which are preset in a body of the connector. According to one embodiment, the connector is placed on a first board and a pin is passed through pressure from above through a recess in the board and further through a recess in the board to electrically contact them. This is possible for several of the pins, whereby pins with different lengths can be provided which contact different boards with each other. Furthermore, the connector is placed directly on the board and then pushed the pins into the recesses. The connector is recessed pot-like on the side facing away from the board.

From the US 3,197,766 go stacked printed circuit boards, which are interconnected by means of pins. The pins are fixed in a base.

The DE 20 2004 012 466 U1 discloses a press-fit connector which is press-fitted for electrically connecting printed circuit boards.

The US 3,193,788 discloses a multilayer printed circuit board assembly having a connecting pin, wherein the connecting pin is provided with projections, with which a contacting of the printed circuit boards is achieved.

From the DE 697 04 185 T2 a deformable electrical connecting pin is known, which serves to connect printed circuit boards with each other electrically conductive.

Other arrangements for contacting printed circuit boards are for example from the DE 197 56 345 A1 as well as from the DE 103 24 047 A1 known. These provide contacting bridges or spacers for the electrical contacting of printed circuit boards to be arranged one above the other.

task

Of the The present invention is based on the object, an improved Device for electrical contacting of one another to provide PCBs to be assembled, the one simple, variable, versatile, cost effective and multifunctional electrical contacting of one another allows to be arranged printed circuit boards. In addition, the Printed circuit boards with larger mounting tolerances can be contacted with each other electrically.

Invention and advantageous effects

The The object underlying the invention is achieved by means of a device according to claim 1, a contact element according to claim 13 and a printed circuit board according to claim 14 solved. Further advantageous embodiments The invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

The Device according to the invention is for electrical Contacting at least a first and a second, respectively equipped with electronic components and in a housing arranged printed circuit board formed. The at least two printed circuit boards are for one arrangement on top of each other of the housing, for example a housing of a electronic control unit in the automotive field, provided. On both circuit boards at least one contact zone is formed, wherein the contact zones adjacent to be arranged printed circuit boards in one Final assembly position, in which the circuit boards spatially fixed to each other come to lie one above the other. In particular, this is an arrangement of the at least two contact zones provided, in which these aligned to each other come lie. Accordingly, an arrangement comprises one above the other in the context of the invention also an offset in the board plane arrangement adjacent contact zones. The contact zones of at least two or several superposed printed circuit boards are accordingly on a straight line that is oblique, in particular perpendicular to Board level runs.

The electrical contacting of the first and second printed circuit board takes place by means of a subsequently attachable contact element, which the contact zones of the at least first and second printed circuit board connects electrically conductive with each other. The contact element comes after contacting the printed circuit boards in a recess of the Housing for lying. As subsequently attachable Contact element comes in principle any electrically conductive connector question, which due to its geometry subsequently, d. H. after a relative fixation of the printed circuit boards to each other between the contact zones mainly adjacently arranged printed circuit boards can be arranged.

So is provided in particular that the electrical contact the first with the second printed circuit board after installation of the boards can be done in a housing. The assembly process is thereby Simplified in cost saving way, because the electrical contact The printed circuit boards can with just a single step, namely the Attaching the contact element at or between the two contact zones respectively. The separate attachment of electrical connection means, such as about plugs or sockets on each board, as it stands The technique is provided, is thus superfluous.

moreover simplifies the assembly process of printed circuit boards within of the housing, since the electrical contact only in a subsequent, of the spatial fixation the printed circuit board is carried out separately running step. The assembly of printed circuit boards within a housing and their electrical contact with each other according to the Invention in separate and temporally successive steps be performed.

The Invention allows a two-stage assembly and electrical Contacting of printed circuit boards to be arranged one above the other, where first the printed circuit boards primarily in one Housing arranged and fixed to each other spatially become. In a second step then follows an electrical contact the printed circuit boards with each other.

ever according to general conditions in a manufacturing process, such as electronic Control units of a motor vehicle, allows the Invention also a different assembly order. So can to Example of the printed circuit boards to be arranged one above the other also before mounting in a housing with the contact element are conductively connected, so that with the contact element already connected printed circuit boards together or at the same time at one provided place within the housing can.

The Fixation of printed circuit boards to be stacked on top of each other Final assembly within the meaning of the invention does not necessarily mean that the circuit boards already mounted in a housing and are arranged there fixed. Only when attaching the Contact element, it is necessary that the electrical are not moved against each other to be connected circuit boards, Consequently, therefore, are fixed relative to each other.

To a first advantageous embodiment of the invention is the contact element both with the contact zone of the first as also with the contact zone of the second printed circuit board mechanically in Intervention brought. In this case, it is provided in particular that the Contact element with those sections, which in height the contact zones of the circuit boards to be electrically connected to each other come to rest, is electrically connected. At the corresponding Subsections, the contact element is therefore not electrically isolated trained or it has to this for the preparation of the electrical connection provided sections no electrical insulation.

The mechanical connection of the contact element with the respective contact zones can be done in a variety of ways. Especially are positive or non-positive connections provided so that the contact element, for example, by mere insertion and optionally by pressing in at least one of the two contact zones the interconnected circuit boards with at least one the two printed circuit boards can be firmly connected. As another mechanical and / or electrically conductive connection between the contact element and contact zone come, for example, a solder joints or insulation displacement connections in principle.

To a further embodiment of the invention is provided that the contact element has an elongated geometry and that the contact element through the contact zone of the first printed circuit board at least partially feasible. The contact zone the first printed circuit board is accordingly at least partially as a passage opening for the contact element educated. This can be done in a particularly simple manner an electrical contacting of already one above the other arranged printed circuit boards.

So it is provided that that portion of the contact element, which is passed through the contact zone of the first printed circuit board, with the contact zone of the underlying second printed circuit board can be brought into engagement. With appropriate arrangement of the contact zones adjacent stacked circuit boards can their electrical contacting by mere insertion a contact element in the direction perpendicular to PCB level respectively. The insertion direction of the contact element must not necessarily perpendicular to the circuit board level.

are the contact zones of the at least two superimposed Printed circuit boards, for example, offset and along an oblique arranged to the circuit board level extending lines, so can the electrical contact by a corresponding oblique insertable contact element done in an analogous manner.

The to be followed installation tolerances for the printed circuit boards arise from the geometric design of the contact zones the at least first and second printed circuit board. This is in particular the extent of the contact zones in the plane of the printed circuit board prevail. For a correspondingly large contact zone area can the printed circuit boards to be stacked sometimes slightly shifted to each other in one Housing be arranged without thereby affecting the electrical Contact between the printed circuit boards is impaired becomes.

Farther it is provided that the contact element in a contact position can be brought with the contact zone of the first printed circuit board. In this Anlagestellung is the contact element with its free end the contact zone of the second printed circuit board electrically conductive in Connection. This is the geometric design the contact zone of at least the first printed circuit board, the geometric Shape of the contact element as well as the vertical distance of the one above the other to be arranged printed circuit boards matched.

Ultimately should the contact element only then with the contact zone of the first PCB get in investment position, if the free end electrically conductive with the contact zone of the second printed circuit board communicates. That with the second printed circuit board in electrical Contact passing free end of the contact element is that part which can be passed through the contact zone of the first printed circuit board.

Accordingly has this engageable with the second printed circuit board engageable free end of the contact element a lower, with respect transverse to the longitudinal or axial direction of the contact element Extension as the clear diameter of the contact zone of the first PCB on.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the contact element has a contact surface which can be brought into engagement with the contact zone of the first printed circuit board designed as a passage opening. The contact zone of The first printed circuit board and the contact surface of the contact element are in particular mechanically and non-positively mechanically connected to each other, so that the contact element is fixedly connected after attachment to the printed circuit boards with at least one of the printed circuit boards.

Based on a substantially cylindrically symmetric elongated Geometry of the contact element with a contact zone on top of each other arranged circuit board connecting cylinder axis is the with the contact zone of the first printed circuit board engageable contact surface of the contact element formed as a kind of lateral surface. Their surface normal essentially runs perpendicular to the connecting line between each other electrically connected contact zones. Depending on the specific design the mechanical, in particular positive or non-positive Connection of contact element and first printed circuit board can Here also deviate from the vertical angle occur.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is the contact surface of the contact element as a with the Side edge of the passage opening of the contact zone of the first PCB corresponding and to the free end of the contact element formed tapering cone. The mutually corresponding embodiment from passage opening of the first printed circuit board and the Bearing surface to be inserted in this passage opening Contact element thus represents a particularly simple and reliable electrical and mechanical connection available.

Farther is provided that to lie between the circuit boards coming Section of the contact element in the manner of a rectilinearly extending Connecting web is formed. This connecting bridge runs preferably perpendicular to the platinum level. But he can also diagonally to Platinum level, especially if the contact zones adjacent boards in the platinum level offset one above the other lie so that the connecting line between the contact zones is not parallel but oblique to the surface normal of Platinum level runs.

ever according to requirement profile for the contact element of the in final assembly position between the PCB levels coming section of the contact element electrically isolated and with be designed variable strength. If the contact element not only for an electric but also for a mechanical connection of the superimposed to be arranged Printed circuit board is provided, the connecting web can accordingly the expected during assembly or operation mechanical Stresses are designed. If the contact element only is provided for electrical contacting of the printed circuit boards, can be located between the boards to lie next link naturally to optimize the material cost be formed relatively narrow.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided that the free end of the contact element to form a positive and / or non-positive connection with the second printed circuit board, in particular with their contact zone, a bead or ball head-like having trained section. This end portion of the contact element is in particular latching with a correspondingly trained Contact zone of the second printed circuit board engageable.

additional or alternatively, it may be provided that the free end the contact element as a plug or plug-in part or even as a press-fit is formed so that both an electrical and a mechanical Connection between the contact element and the second printed circuit board through merely putting on or pressing into the corresponding one Contact zone can be made. A positive, in particular latching connection of contact element and second Printed circuit board provides together with the positive or non-positive connection the contact surface of the contact element with the contact zone the first printed circuit board also has a mechanical connection between the printed circuit boards to be contacted with each other electrically.

The Contact element can therefore not only as an electrical connection element, but also for the purpose of a mechanical connection, fixation or stiffening of the printed circuit board assembly may be provided. Accordingly, can the electrical contact element perform a dual function, so otherwise provided mechanical holding elements for the Printed circuit boards either completely eliminated or accordingly a smaller expected load can be dimensioned.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the contact element has a flange-shaped insertion stop, which comes to lie in the insertion position on the surface of the first board facing away from the second board. In an arrangement of the first board above the second board, the insertion of the contact element is provided from above through the first board until the free end portion of the contact element engages with the contact zone of the underlying second board. The insertion stop comes to lie above the first board and is adjacent or alternatively conical trained contact surface of the contact element, a further mechanical fastening means available.

Especially in a positive connection of contact element and second printed circuit board prevents the flange formed, on the first board to lie coming insertion stop a mechanical fixation, resulting in at least two superimposed arranged printed circuit boards held together at a predetermined distance become.

The subsequently attached to the boards contact element can thus be used both for electrical contacting and for mechanical Fixation or attachment of the at least two printed circuit boards within be formed of a housing.

To a further advantageous embodiment of the invention are on the printed circuit board facing away from the free end of the contact element electrical and / or mechanical contact or fastening means intended.

When Contact or fasteners come in particular parts of a Connector, such as connector or socket in question. This allows the direct contacting further electrical Connecting means such as cables, without any of this Plug or parts of a connector separately on the boards must be attached. Thus, the contact element is used not just an electrical or mechanical connection of the printed circuit boards with each other, but can also be universal for an external electrical or mechanical connection or attachment of the printed circuit board assembly be used.

To a further preferred embodiment is provided that formed at the upper free end of the contact element Contact or fastening means as a plug tongue or socket is formed and in final assembly position of the circuit board assembly in a recess of a housing section surrounding the printed circuit boards to come to rest.

The Attaching separate sockets or the like electrical or mechanical fasteners provided on the for the printed circuit boards Housing can be saved in an advantageous manner become. The integration of a socket or plug in the contact element increases the production rationalization and advantageously lowers assembly and material costs.

embodiment

Further Objectives, features and advantageous applications The invention will become apparent from the following description of a Embodiment with reference to the drawings. Make up all described and / or illustrated Features in their meaningful combination the subject of the present Invention, also independent of the patent claims and their relationship.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of two superimposed circuit boards with electrical contact means according to the prior art and

2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical contact according to the invention on the example of two printed circuit boards.

The printed circuit boards shown schematically in cross section 20 . 22 are superposed, arranged vertically offset in the representation. On each of the boards 20 . 22 is a contact zone 38 . 36 trained, which with the printed circuit boards 20 . 22 electrically connecting contact element 24 cooperate to make an electrical contact. The on the upper board 20 trained contact zone 38 is provided as a passage opening for the contact element, while the contact zone 36 the board below 22 is formed only as a recess.

This contact zone 36 In particular, by the pressing of the free end portion 34 of the contact element 24 be deformed in a corresponding manner. To produce an electrical and / or mechanical contact or a connection is in particular a positive press-fitting or snapping the example of a ball-headed plug-in head 34 in the press-in or contact zone 36 intended.

In contrast, the contact zone 38 the top of the board 20 as a passage opening for the contact element 24 educated. The two boards 20 . 22 are for placement within a housing 40 provided, wherein the respective contact zones 38 . 36 are positioned on the boards such that the connecting line between the contact zones 36 . 38 in a final assembly position of the boards 20 . 22 in the case 40 runs essentially straight.

The contact zones 38 . 36 neighboring boards 20 . 22 should in particular be arranged in alignment with each other, so that a subsequent introduction ren the contact element 24 is readily possible.

I'm in the 2 illustrated embodiment, the contact zones 38 . 36 arranged directly above one another, so that the contact element 24 can be inserted from above substantially perpendicular to the board plane. The contact element 24 points in the area of the upper board 20 a bulge with a conical contact surface 30 on. For electrical contacting can as a through hole 38 provided contact zone of the board 20 have a corresponding cone-like passage opening. Alternatively, the contact zone 38 have a sufficiently flexible and electrically conductive material, which occurs when inserting the contact element 24 elastic to the conical wall section 30 snugly.

Furthermore, on the contact element 24 a flanged trained insertion stop 28 intended. This stop serves on the one hand to the fact that the contact element 24 not too far in the contact zones 38 . 36 the two boards 20 . 22 is introduced. On the other hand, the attack has 28 also a mechanical holding function, in particular if the end section 34 of the contact element 24 with the lower circuit board 22 mechanically connected.

In In this case, the contact element not only a purely electrical Contact between the printed circuit boards ago, but supports also their mechanical attachment and arrangement to each other. It then, so to speak, serves as a mechanical connecting bridge between the printed circuit boards to be stacked on top of each other.

The top, of the printed circuit boards 20 . 22 opposite end portion 26 the contact element is designed as a plug tongue or socket and comes within a housing 40 trained connector tray 42 to lie. This end section 26 serves as an electrical and / or mechanical connection means for an external electrical connection outside the housing. The contact element 24 thus not only connects the inside of the housing 40 to be arranged printed circuit boards 20 . 22 with each other, but also provides a direct electrical connection to external and to be connected to the housing electrical lines.

10

printed circuit board

12

printed circuit board

14

pin

16

Contact socket

20

printed circuit board

22

printed circuit board

24

contact element

26

plug tongue

28

attack

30

contact surface

32

connecting web

34

Einsteckkopf

36

contact zone

38

contact zone

40

casing

42

female connector

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10301474 A1 [0007]
• - US 3197766 [0008]
• - DE 202004012466 U1 [0009]
• - US 3193788 [0010]
• - DE 69704185 T2 [0011]
• DE 19756345 A1 [0012]
• - DE 10324047 A1 [0012]

Claims (14)

Device for electrically contacting at least first and second components equipped with electronic components and in a housing ( 40 ) arranged printed circuit board ( 20 . 22 ), which in a final assembly position in the housing ( 40 ) fixed and superposed printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) contact zones ( 36 . 38 ), with a subsequently attachable contact element ( 24 ), with which the printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) are electrically conductively connected to each other, wherein the contact element ( 24 ) in a recess of the housing ( 40 ) comes to rest. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) with the contact zones ( 38 . 36 ) of the first and the second printed circuit board ( 20 . 22 ) is mechanically engageable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) has an elongated geometry and through the contact zone ( 38 ) of the first printed circuit board ( 20 ) is at least partially feasible. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) in an investment position with the contact zone ( 38 ) of the first printed circuit board ( 20 ) can be brought, in which the contact element ( 24 ) with a free end ( 34 ) with the contact zone ( 36 ) of the second printed circuit board ( 22 ) is electrically conductive in communication. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) a contact surface ( 30 ), which with the passage opening ( 38 ) formed contact zone of the first printed circuit board ( 20 ) can be brought into positive and / or non-positive engagement. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact surface ( 30 ) as one with the side edge of the passage opening ( 38 ), to the free end ( 34 ) of the contact element ( 24 ) tapering cone is formed. Device according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized in that between the printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) lying portion of the contact element ( 24 ) in the manner of a rectilinearly extending connecting web ( 32 ) is trained. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end of the contact element ( 24 ) for forming a positive connection with the second printed circuit board ( 22 ) a bead or ball-headed section ( 34 ), which latching with a correspondingly formed contact zone ( 36 ) of the second printed circuit board ( 22 ) is engageable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) a flange-shaped insertion stop ( 28 ), which in insertion position on that side of the first board ( 20 ), which of the second board ( 22 ) is turned away. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element ( 24 ) for electrical contacting and mechanical fixing of the at least two printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) within a housing ( 40 ) is trained. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) facing away from the free end of the contact element ( 24 ) electrical and / or mechanical contact or fastening means ( 26 ) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact means as a male tongue or socket ( 26 ) is trained. Contact element for electrically contacting at least two superposed printed circuit boards ( 20 . 22 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. Printed circuit board according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 with a passage opening ( 38 ) formed electrical contact zone ( 38 ) for receiving a contact element ( 24 ) is formed according to claim 13.