Surface mounted HDMI connector

A plug connector for data transmission, in particular an HDMI socket, is configured to include a housing, which is open at least on one side, for the insertion of a matching further plug connector, in particular an HDMI plug. The plug connector further includes a printed circuit board, which is arranged within the housing and has contact areas for the matching further plug connector, and electronic components for signal processing and/or signal conditioning, which components are arranged on the printed circuit board, wherein the side edges of the printed circuit board are received, at least in sections, in groove guides of the housing.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Application

The invention relates to a plug connector for data transmission, in particular an HDMI socket, comprising a housing, which is open at least on one side, for the insertion of a matching further plug connector, in particular an HDMI plug, comprising a printed circuit board, which is arranged within the housing and has contact areas for the matching further plug connector, and comprising electronic components for signal processing and/or signal conditioning, which components are arranged on the printed circuit board.

Description of Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,036 B1 discloses a plug connector comprising a housing, which is open on one side, for connection to a matching plug connector. A printed circuit comprising contacts and also electrical components, for example capacitors, coils or resistors, is arranged within the housing.

DE 10 2010 023 151 A1 describes an adapter comprising two different plug connectors in opposite end regions of the adapter. The plug connectors have printed circuit boards on which chips are integrated.

The objective of the invention is to simplify a plug connector for data transmission in respect of the structural design of said plug connector and in respect of mounting of said plug connector on a base printed circuit board.

SUMMARY

To this end, the invention provides a plug connector for data transmission, in particular an HDMI socket, comprising a housing, which is open at least on one side, for the insertion of a matching further plug connector, in particular an HDMI plug, comprising a printed circuit board, which is arranged within the housing and has contact areas for the matching further plug connector, comprising electronic components for signal processing and/or signal conditioning, which components are arranged on the printed circuit board, wherein side edges of the printed circuit board are received, at least in sections, in groove guides of the housing.

Since both contact areas for the matching further plug connector and electronic components for signal processing and/or signal conditioning and connection pins which extend to contact areas on the bottom side of the housing are arranged on the printed circuit board itself, the structural design of the plug connector is considerably simplified. This is because all of the contact areas and electronic components are arranged on a single printed circuit board. The plug connector can be designed with contact pins, which are inserted into bores in a printed circuit board, for THT (Through-Hole Technology) mounting or with contact areas on the housing for SMT (Surface-Mounted Technology) mounting. Since the groove guides for receiving the side edges of the printed circuit board are provided in the housing, the printed circuit board is guided in the housing during a mounting operation such that mounting is simplified. In addition, the printed circuit board is also held securely in the housing in the event of vibration or shock loads in the mounted state. The groove guides of the housing and the side edges of the printed circuit board can additionally be designed such that fail-safe mounting is provided, so that the printed circuit board can be inserted into the housing only in a structurally predetermined position.

In a development of the invention, the printed circuit board is held centrally in the housing by means of the groove guides.

The housing is advantageously at an equal distance from a top side and a bottom side of the housing, and therefore electronic components can be arranged both on a bottom side and on a top side of the printed circuit board.

In a development of the invention, the bottom side of the housing has at least one contact area which is not connected to the printed circuit board.

Contact areas or soldering areas can be provided on the bottom side of the housing, said areas not being provided for making electrical contact but rather solely for mechanically fastening the housing on the base printed circuit board. In this way, the contact areas can be positioned such that firstly effective and reliable electrical contact and secondly also secure mechanical connection of the housing to the base printed circuit board are ensured.

In a development of the invention, the housing is composed of electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to the at least one contact area.

An electrical connection is produced between the base printed circuit board and the housing as a result, so that the housing, for example, can be connected to ground and can have a shielding effect.

In a development of the invention, the printed circuit board is held substantially centrally in the housing, so that the printed circuit board can be surrounded in sections by the matching further plug connector when said plug connector is inserted into the housing.

As a result, contact can be made with the contact areas on the printed circuit board directly by the matching further plug connector. Additional contact springs, contact tracks or the like, which are designed as separate components, are avoided as a result. The printed circuit board can be guided, for example by way of its two longitudinal edges, in matching grooves of the housing.

In a development of the invention, the electronic components are arranged both on a top side and on a bottom side of the printed circuit board.

In this way, numerous electronic components can also be arranged in a space-saving manner on the printed circuit board and within the housing itself.

In a development of the invention, the contact areas for the matching further plug connector are arranged both on a top side and on a bottom side of the printed circuit board.

In this way, numerous contact areas for the matching further plug connector can also be accommodated on the printed circuit board.

In a development of the invention, the contact areas are formed by means of a conductive layer of the material of the printed circuit board or are formed on the basis of a conductive layer of the material of the printed circuit board.

This advantageously produces a compact design of the contact areas.

In a development of the invention, the housing has, on its bottom side, contact areas for the cohesive connection to contact areas of a base printed circuit board and is provided with electrically conductive connection pins which, starting from the printed circuit board, extend through the housing and to the contact areas on the bottom side of the housing.

This printed circuit hoard is then connected to the contact areas on the bottom side of the housing by means of the connection pins, so that the housing therefore merely has to be placed on matching mating contacts on a base printed circuit board and connected to said mating contacts in order to mount the plug connector. The plug connector according to the invention is therefore provided as a “surface-mounted device” for so-called SMD mounting in this embodiment. The plug connector according to the invention manages with a minimum number of components and can be fastened to a base printed circuit board in a simple and very secure manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a plug connector10according to the invention in line with a first embodiment. The plug connector10is in the form of an HDMI socket. The plug connector10has a housing12which, on its narrow side which is situated at the bottom right inFIG. 1, is provided with an opening14. A rear side of the housing12is closed by means of a cover16. The cover16can be dispensed with if the printed circuit board18protrudes beyond the housing12, for example in order to be able to arrange additional electronic components on the printed circuit board18. A printed circuit board18is arranged within the housing, said printed circuit board being arranged approximately halfway up the housing and, in certain sections, by way of its side edges, also seeFIG. 2, being at a distance from the side walls of the housing. In any case, the printed circuit board18can in this way be surrounded, in its region which adjoins the opening14, by a matching further plug connector which is inserted into the housing12, especially an HDMI plug. As a result, the contact areas20, which are shown only on the top side of the printed circuit board18inFIG. 1, can then be electrically connected to the corresponding contacts of the HDMI plug.FIG. 1shows a total of ten contact areas20on the top side of the printed circuit board18, said contact areas each being in the form of a strip and being arranged next to one another.

A further nine contact areas22are arranged on the bottom side of the printed circuit board, as will be explained further and is shown in the further figures.

The housing12has, on its inner side, two guide bars21which, when an HDMI plug is mounted onto the printed circuit board18, guide said HDMI plug and position said HDMI plug within the opening14in the housing12.

The illustration ofFIG. 2shows a view of the plug connector10from the front. The housing12has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the two longitudinal edges which are situated at the bottom are each beveled. As a result, the housing12complies with the HDMI standard and is suitable for receiving an HDMI plug with an accurate fit.

The illustration ofFIG. 2shows that the printed circuit board18is provided with the total of ten contact areas20on its surface, and that said printed circuit board is provided with nine further contact areas22on its opposite bottom side. The contact areas20and22serve, as has already been discussed, for making contact with contacts of a matching further plug connector, in the present case an HDMI plug.

In the view shown inFIG. 2, electronic components24,26and28are shown on a top side and a bottom side of the printed circuit board18.

FIG. 2also shows a total of fourteen connection pins30which are connected at one end to conductor tracks on the printed circuit board18and at the other end to contact areas32on the bottom side of the housing12. The connection pins30establish an electrical connection between the contact areas32and conductor tracks on the printed circuit board18. Furthermore, the connection pins30serve as holding means for the printed circuit board18in order to thereby hold said printed circuit board in the illustrated position approximately centrally in the housing12. The connection pins30do not represent the only holding means for the printed circuit board18in this case. For example, the housing12can be provided with groove guides34at the sides, said groove guides being only schematically illustrated and receiving the side edges of the printed circuit board18in sections. In this case, the groove guides34extend in each case only to such an extent along the side edges of the printed circuit board18that an HDMI plug can be inserted into the opening14in the housing12and can then surround the printed circuit board18both at the sides and also at the top and at the bottom by means of part of its length.

The illustration ofFIG. 3shows the plug connector10ofFIG. 1in a view obliquely from below. As has already been explained, the housing12is provided, on its bottom side, with a total of fourteen strip-like contact areas32which are provided for cohesive connection to matching contact areas of a base printed circuit board, not illustrated, and which ensure an electrical connection of the plug connector10to the base printed circuit board. As has already been explained, the connection pins30extend through the base wall of the housing12and as a result provide an electrical connection between the contact areas32and conductor tracks on the printed circuit board18.

Two further contact areas36are likewise provided on the bottom side of the housing12, but at the front side which adjoins the opening14, said further contact areas being designed to be considerably larger than the individual contact areas32. The contact areas36are provided solely for mechanically fastening of the housing12to the base printed circuit board and are not electrically connected to conductor tracks or contact areas on the printed circuit board18. In the case of SMD mounting, the housing12can be mounted onto the base printed circuit board in a simple manner and then can be both electrically and mechanically connected to matching contact areas on the base printed circuit board by means of the contact areas32,36in a very reliable manner.

In order to achieve as high a degree of mechanical stability of the connection of the housing12to the base printed circuit board as possible, the two contact areas36are arranged at the opposite end of the housing12on the bottom side of said housing and on the right-hand side and, respectively, left-hand side of the bottom side. The contact areas32and the contact areas36are therefore at the largest possible distance from one another and ensure stable mechanical fastening of the housing12on the base printed circuit board.

The illustration ofFIG. 4shows the printed circuit board18in a view obliquely from above. The contact areas20, of which a total of ten are provided on the top side, are clearly shown in this view. Electronic components38,40and42and44are provided on the top side of the printed circuit board18. By way of example, the components38,40provide ESD protection, that is to say, are in the form of components which prevent electrostatic discharge when an HDMI plug is plugged in. The components42,44are formed, for example, as inductors.

Plated-through holes46are shown on the rear edge of the printed circuit board18, which rear edge is opposite the contact areas20, said plated-through holes leading from the top side, shown inFIG. 4, of the printed circuit board18to the bottom side, illustrated inFIG. 7for example, of the printed circuit board18and to the connection areas48shown there. The connection areas48are then in turn electrically and mechanically connected to the connection pins30. By way of example, the connection areas48can each have passage openings which, in terms of their position, correspond to the plated-through holes46in order to electrically and mechanically connect the connection pins30securely to the printed circuit board18.

FIG. 5shows a view of the printed circuit board18from above.

FIG. 6shows a view of the printed circuit board18from the front. Said figure shows that electronic components are also arranged on the bottom side of the printed circuit board18, also seeFIG. 7. These electronic components48,50,52are, like the electronic components38,40,42,44, connected to conductor tracks, not illustrated in the figures, on the top side and, respectively, bottom side of the printed circuit board18. The electronic components48,52are, for example, in the faun of capacitors, and the electronic component50is in the form of a coil, in particular in the form of a filter coil.

The contact areas22on the bottom side of the printed circuit board18are shown in the illustration ofFIG. 7, said contacts areas serving for electrical connection to an HDMI plug, not illustrated. A total of nine contact areas22are shown on the bottom side of the printed circuit board18.

The illustration ofFIG. 8shows the printed circuit board18in a view from the bottom.

An extremely compact design can be achieved with the plug connector10according to the invention overall. All of the electronic components38to52are arranged on the integral printed circuit board18. All of the contact areas20,22which serve for electrical connection to a further, matching plug connector, especially to an HDMI plug, are also arranged on the printed circuit board18. The printed circuit board18is arranged approximately centrally in the housing12, so that it can be surrounded in sections by the matching further plug connector, especially an HDMI plug. Connection pins30ensure both electrical connection of the conductor track on the printed circuit board18to a bottom side of the housing12, which bottom side is provided with contact areas32, and the connection pins30furthermore also contribute to mechanically fastening the printed circuit board18in the housing12.

FIG. 9shows a plug connector60according to the invention in line with a second embodiment of the invention obliquely from above. The plug connector60has a housing62which, in contrast to the housing12of the plug connector10ofFIG. 1, is designed for so-called THT (Through-Hole Technology) mounting. To this end, the housing62, in contrast to the housing12of the plug connector10ofFIG. 1, has contact pins70which are inserted into matching bores in a printed circuit board and are then soldered. The contact pins70are connected to conductor tracks on the printed circuit board68and serve for electrical connection of the plug connector60. Furthermore, plate-like fastening pins72which extend away from a bottom side of the housing62are provided. The fastening pins72do not serve for electrical connection but rather solely for mechanically connecting the housing62to a printed circuit board, not illustrated. The fastening pins72can be composed of metal. However, it is also possible within the scope of the invention for the fastening pins72to be integrally formed with the housing62from non-conductive plastic. In this case, the fastening pins72are then inserted into matching bores or recesses in the printed circuit board and then, for example, adhesively bonded or latched.

The printed circuit board68is substantially identical to the printed circuit board18of the plug connector10ofFIG. 1.FIG. 9shows contact areas20on the top side of the printed circuit board68, which contact areas serve for electrical connection to a matching further plug connector, not illustrated.

FIG. 9shows a cover66on the rear side of the housing, which rear side is averted from the viewer. This cover66closes off the housing62to the rear. Like the cover16in the case of the plug connector10ofFIG. 1, the cover66can also be dispensed with in order to be able to extend the printed circuit board18and, respectively,68beyond the housing62. This may be expedient and advantageous in order to be able to arrange, for example, additional electronic components on the printed circuit board18,68.

The illustration ofFIG. 10shows the plug connector60in a view from the front. The fastening pins72and the contact pins70are clearly shown.

In the same way as the printed circuit board18of the plug connector10ofFIG. 1, the printed circuit board68supports electronic components26,24and28and is provided with the contact areas20on its top side, seeFIG. 9, and with the contact areas22on the bottom side.

FIG. 10shows that the printed circuit board68is arranged in the housing62such that the printed circuit board68projects freely in the region of the contact areas20,22and as a result can be surrounded in sections by a matching HDMI plug.

The illustration ofFIG. 11shows the plug connector60in a view obliquely from below. The contact pins70which project from a bottom side of the housing62are clearly shown in this view. As a result, the contact pins70, together with the fastening pins72, ensure mechanically very reliable fastening of the housing62to a printed circuit board, not illustrated. Furthermore, the contact pins70serve, as has already been explained, for electrical connection of the contact areas20,22on the printed circuit board68.