DE10301474B4 - Method for mounting a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of assembling a connector (20) having a body and a plurality of pins (80a, 80b, 80c) of different lengths which are pre-inserted into the body, characterized by the following steps: a) the connector (20) is on a first Circuit (C1) with its pins (80a, 80b, 80c) inserted into the body of the connector (20), b) the pins (80a) which need to interact with the first circuit (C1) and no other circuit, are then pushed in so far that they come into contact with the first circuit (C1), c) an electrical contact between the pins (80a), which do not have to interact with the first circuit (C1) and no other circuit, and the first circuit ( C1) is produced by welding, d) another circuit (C2, C3) to be connected subsequently is arranged opposite the pins (80b, 80c) with which it is to interact, e) steps b and d are used for the further circuit (C2 , C3) repeatedly until all of the circuits (C1, C2, C3) are connected to pins (80a, 80b, 80c).

Description

The invention relates to a method for mounting a connector for an electronic circuit.

In the prior art connectors are already known, with which various electronic circuits can be interconnected. Also known are connectors that connect a circuit and an electronic device. Thus, for example, it is known to arrange a connector on a circuit and branch off from it, for example, a cable bundle, which allow the transmission of data and control commands to various actuators and / or electrical arrangements. For simplicity, a single connector is generally provided; this then allows only a single branch when mounted on a chain, for example. On the other hand, certain data transmitted in this connector is to be used by different circuits, and therefore they have to be distributed among the corresponding electronic circuits. It is also common to provide traces in the electronic circuits carrying the connector which carry the signal to a second or third circuit for processing there. The various circuits are interconnected by different connectors. The consequence of this conventional arrangement is an increase in the number of printed conductors to be produced, which is not compatible with cost reduction and miniaturization of the circuits.

From the publication DE 29 614 725 U1 is a plug-in device known that connects two circuit boards by pressing pins of the same length. From the publication US 5 761 050 A For example, connections between a plurality of circuit boards are known by means of differently long, deformable pins.

From the publication EP 0 374 307 A1 is known a mounted on a printed circuit board socket having contact pins of different lengths.

The present invention thus has for its object to simplify as far as possible a method for mounting a connector and to transmit the signals and information as directly as possible without passing through various circuits, tracks and additional connectors other than the connector, which is the one of the electronic unit formed by the circuits and the connector and the remainder of the electronic assembly.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a connector for an electronic circuit interconnecting at least two at least partially overlapping circuits, the connector having one body and a plurality of pins of different lengths pre-set in the body, the pins having at least some of the circuits can cooperate and allow communication between one or more of the circuits and at least one electronic device to which the connector is also connected, characterized in that in an initial state the pre-inserted pins are partially inserted into the body of the connector and in a final state, the pins are inserted into the body of the connector and cooperate with the electronic circuits.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the pins are welded to the electronic circuits with which they cooperate, at least at its end.

Furthermore, it is expedient for the length of the pins to be a function of the distance between the connector and the circuit with which the pins must cooperate.

Preferably, it is further provided that the electronic circuits are parallel to each other.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that some of the pins penetrate the electronic circuits without being in electrical contact with them.

The present invention further relates to an electronic unit formed by a plurality of at least partially overlapping circuits and a connector. The electronic unit is provided with guide means for the pins of the connector, which are arranged between each circuit, which guide means are removable or not removable.

• a) der Verbinder wird auf einer ersten Schaltung angeordnet, wobei seine Stifte in den Körper des Verbinders eingeschoben werden,
• b) die Stifte, die mit der ersten Schaltung und keiner anderen Schaltung zusammenwirken müssen, werden anschließend so weit eingeschoben, dass sie mit der ersten Schaltung in Kontakt treten,
• c) ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen den Stiften, die mit der ersten Schaltung und keiner anderen Schaltung zusammenwirken müssen, und der ersten Schaltung wird durch Schweißen hergestellt,
• d) eine anschließend anzuschließende weitere Schaltung wird gegenüber den Stiften angeordnet, mit denen sie zusammenwirken soll,
• e) die Schritte b und d werden für die weitere Schaltung wiederholt, bis die Gesamtheit der Schaltungen mit den Stiften verbunden ist.

The invention relates to a method for assembling a connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a body and a plurality of pins of different lengths, which are preset in the body, and comprising the following steps:

• a) the connector is placed on a first circuit with its pins inserted into the body of the connector,
• b) the pins, which must interact with the first circuit and no other circuit, are then inserted so far that they come into contact with the first circuit,
• c) an electrical contact between the pins, which must cooperate with the first circuit and no other circuit, and the first circuit is produced by welding,
• d) a subsequent circuit to be connected is arranged opposite the pins with which it is intended to interact,
• e) Steps b and d are repeated for the further circuit until all of the circuits are connected to the pins.

In this method, guide means or not provided, wherein the guide means are removable or not removable and are arranged between each circuit.

Reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail. 1 shows an arrangement of two interconnected electronic circuits according to the prior art, wherein one of the two circuits has a main connector and has a conductor for data transmission;

2 shows a sectional view of a main connector according to the prior art, which is connected to a single electronic circuit;

3a . 3b and 3c show three mounting steps for mounting a connector with three electronic circuits;

4 shows a modified embodiment of a connector, which are associated with two electronic circuits;

5 shows a perspective view of a connector.

A prior art embodiment which allows interconnection of a plurality of electronic circuits with each other and with the remainder of the electronic device is disclosed in U.S. Pat 1 shown. The electronic unit 10 is connected to the rest of the electronic assembly (not shown) by means of a connector 20 connected and has several electronic circuits 40 . 40a on, with each other by at least one additional connector 30 are connected. For the sake of simplicity, the details of the electronic circuits and the existing components in 1 omitted. The connector 20 who is usually at the circuit 40 through a welded joint 90 his pins 80 (S. 2 ) is the only communication interface with the rest of the electronic device.

Assume the case of a signal appearing on the connector 20 via, for example, a wire arrives and that of the on the circuit 40a provided computer 70 is processed. The only means to pass the received signal without multiplying the connectors is to have a trace 60 on the circuit 40 and the circuit 40a and a connector 30 provided. In order to reduce costs, the two circuits 40 and 40a preferably arranged as close together as possible to avoid too bulky connector and the course of the conductor 60 to optimize and thus to reduce to the required minimum. As is readily apparent, when there are a variety of circuits and tracks, the number of connectors and traces required to route the data quickly becomes problematic and costly.

An electronic unit has electronic circuits that at least partially overlap, and a connector 20 is provided in the section common to all circuits. The electronic unit according to a preferred embodiment comprises circuits (C ₁ , C ₂ , .... C _n ) that are parallel to one another and have predetermined distances D _1/2 , D _2/3 , .... D _{n-1 / n have} each other. These circuits each have a thickness e ₁ , e ₂ , .... e _n . The associated connector has a finite number of pins, each pin being characterized as contacting one or more circuits. Depending on the farthest circuit with which the pin is to contact, it is possible to determine the length L _{i of} the portion of the pin projecting from the connector in the end position. He is given by the following formula: L _i = Σ n = i / n = 1 (e _n + D _{n-1 / n} ) + l where l is the length required for an optional weld joint.

Thus, a pin that is to contact the first circuit (on which the connector rests) must have a length that is at least equal to e ₁ (thickness of the first circuit), increased by l.

A pin to contact the third circuit must be at least equal to e ₁ + e ₂ + e ₃ + D _1/2 + D _2/3 + 1.

Once this pin length has been determined, the assembly of the connector runs 20 in the electronic unit as in the 3a . 3b and 3c which represent three assembly steps of the electronic unit. This unit has three electronic circuits. In 3 and the following figures, identical reference numerals are assigned to the elements performing the same function even if their shape is different. The connector is thus with 20 and the closest electronic circuit is always labeled C ₁ regardless of whether there are two or more electronic circuits.

The 3A shows a connector 20 in the starting position; the pencils 80b and 80c are partially inserted so that a fixed arrangement is formed and in this way the handling of the connector is facilitated, while at the same time the assembly steps can be performed. The number of pens here is three to simplify the scheme; however, their number, shape, and exact position within the connector may vary without departing from the scope of the invention, as will be described below (see 5 ). In the present embodiment, the pen 80a with the circuit C ₁ , the pin 80b with the circuit C ₂ and the pin 80c come in contact with the circuit C ₃ . As already explained above, the lengths of the pin portions projecting out of the connector in the end position are predetermined, as follows:

L ₁ = e ₁ + l for the pen 80a

L ₂ = e ₁ + e ₂ + D _1/2 + l for the pen 80b and

L ₃ = e ₁ + e ₂ + e ₃ + D _1/2 + D _2/3 + l for the pencil 80c ,

In the in 3a illustrated initial position of the connector 20 is just the pen 80a fully inserted, since this pin is the only _one to contact the circuit C ₁ in contact. The pencils 80b and 80c are only partially inserted, and far enough to a corresponding positioning of the connector 20 to allow, but without protruding from the circuit C ₁ .

If the connector 20 is arranged on the circuit C ₁ , the pin 80a brought into contact with the conductor tracks carried by this circuit. One possible embodiment is the pen 80a through a welded joint 90 to attach to the circuit C ₁ ; however, any other contact connection is possible. For industrial purposes, an automatic "on vibrational" welding is considered, and this then requires that the pins 80b and 80c do not project beyond the circuit C ₁ so as not to be welded as well. Yours inside the connector 20 retracted position is thus quite appropriate at this stage of assembly.

The 3b shows the assembly step in which the pin 80b and the circuit C ₂ are brought into contact with each other. It is performed after the circuit C _{2 has been placed} opposite the pins to which it is to be connected, and optionally a guiding device 100 for the pen 80b between the circuits C ₁ and C _{2 has been} arranged. The pencil 80b is then inserted into its end position, for example by pressure application (arrow P), and then brought in a suitable manner with the conductor tracks of the circuit C ₂ in contact.

The 3C shows the step of mounting the third circuit C ₃ provided here. The steps described above are carried out here again: (if appropriate) arrangement of a guide device 100 ' for the pen 80c , Arranging the circuit C ₃ with respect to the pins with which it is to be connected, inserting the pin 80c in its final position and contact with the tracks of the circuit C ₃ , here also by a welded joint 90 ,

The electronic unit 10 is then assembled and the guiding devices 100 such as 100 ' can then be deducted if necessary. The connector 20 is thus in its final position, and all pins 80a . 80b and 80c are inserted and are in contact with the conductor tracks carried by the circuits C ₁ , C ₂ and C ₃ .

To simplify the description, the connector has 20 only three pins, and each of them only comes in contact with a single circuit (while pervading the other circuits without electrical contact). However, it is easily possible that the pen 80c enables contact between tracks of, for example, 3 circuits. In this case, he can contact the circuits C ₁ and C _2, for example by a contact connection (press fit). It is also possible in the connector 20 pencils 80 to integrate, which connect several circuits with each other, but do not come into contact with the rest of the electronic device. The proposed embodiment, in fact, allows in a single connector 20 to integrate the entirety of the connectors that are commonly present between the different circuits.

The 4 shows a modified embodiment with a connector 20 which connects two electronic circuits C ₁ and C ₂ to the rest of the electronic device. A pen 80a only contacts C ₁ , and two pins 80b come into contact with C ₂ and / or C ₁ . In this figure, the guiding device 100 for the pins 80b held in position after assembly. Electronic Components 120 are shown here.

The 5 shows an embodiment that allows a better understanding of the variety of possible embodiments. The connector 20 has a large number of pens here 80 different shape and length, and the guiding device 100 is partially inserted here. The electronic circuits C ₁ and C ₂ (located on both sides of the guide device 100 overlap) were not shown to allow a better view of the illustrated devices.

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Thus, the circuits need not be parallel to each other, the pins need not be rectilinear and may also be flexible, the guide devices may be integral or not formed, the connector does not have to rest directly on the first circuit C ₁ , etc.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Electronic unit

20

Interconnects

30

additional connector

40, 40a, C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃

electronic circuits

60

conductor path

70

computer

80, 80a, 80b, 80c

Pins of the connector

90

welded joint

100, 100 '

Guide device for the pins

120

Electronic components of the circuits

l

Length of welded joint

P

Einschiebkraft

L _i

Overall length of the portion of the pins i projecting over the connector

e ₁ , e ₂ , e ₃

Thickness of the circuits C ₁ , C ₂ and C _3, respectively

D _1/2

Distance between the circuit C ₁ and the circuit C ₂

D _2/3

Distance between the circuit C ₂ and the circuit C _3rd

Claims (3)

Method for mounting a connector ( 20 ), one body and several pens ( 80a . 80b . 80c ) of different lengths, preset in the body, characterized by the following steps: a) the connector ( 20 ) is placed on a first circuit (C ₁ ) with its pins ( 80a . 80b . 80c ) in the body of the connector ( 20 ), b) the pins ( 80a ), which must interact with the first circuit (C ₁ ) and no other circuit, are then inserted so far that they come into contact with the first circuit (C ₁ ), c) an electrical contact between the pins ( 80a ), which need to cooperate with the first circuit (C ₁ ) and no other circuit, and the first circuit (C ₁ ) is produced by welding, d) a further circuit (C ₂ , C ₃ ) to be connected subsequently to the pins ( 80b . 80c e) the steps b and d are repeated for the further circuit (C ₂ , C ₃ ) until the entirety of the circuits (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ ) with the pins ( 80a . 80b . 80c ) connected is. Method according to claim 1, in which the connector ( 20 ) and the circuits an electronic unit ( 10 ), characterized in that guide means ( 100 . 100 ' ) for the pens ( 80a . 80b . 80c ) of the connector ( 20 ) between the circuits (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ ) are used. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the between the circuits (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ ) arranged guide means ( 100 . 100 ' ) are removable and after assembly of the connector ( 20 ) subtracted from.

Images