Abstract:
The invention relates to an electrical connector having a connecting sleeve with at least one opening, and at least one fastening element, wherein the connecting sleeve is capable of receiving at least one flexible PCB, and wherein the flexible PCB is secured to the electrical connector when the at least one fastening element is connected to the at least one opening.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/365,099, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §371 to PCT Application PCT/EP2012/075926, filed on Dec. 18, 2012, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 122 111.9, filed on Dec. 22, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an electrical connector for electrical conducting elements, in particular for flexible electrical conducting elements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Known connectors for flexible electrical conducting elements, for example for flexible PCBs or LED strips, are based on a clamping principle and are usually constructed in such a way that an operator pushes one end to be connected of an electrical conducting element into a clamp and presses this end against a resilient contact element by means of a rotatably mounted knob, as described in EP 0 773 608 B1. Furthermore, connectors for flexible PCBs are known in which, after they have been inserted in a connecting region, the flexible PCBs are fixed beneath a mounted cover by means of a pressure means, as described in DE 10 2007 063 217 A1. 
         [0004]    However, clamp-based fastening means require high clamping forces so that an electrical conducting element cannot be pulled out inadvertently. Moreover, the fastening system needs to have a relatively rigid structure, which is expensive to produce. 
         [0005]    Moreover, to fasten electrical conducting elements, plug and socket contacts can be used which are, for example, soldered onto a flexible PCB. However, there is hereby always a need for additional strain relief in order to prevent unintentional separation of the electrical contacts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electrical connector with improved fastening properties. 
         [0007]    This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the drawings and the description. 
         [0008]    The invention is based on the recognition that the above object can be achieved by an electrical connector with a fastening spike. The fastening spike can penetrate, for example, into an electrical conducting element, for example, into a flexible PCB or its substrate and so secure the latter from slipping out of the connector. In order to do this, the fastening spike can be received in an opening in the electrical conducting element, for example a substrate. The opening can either be prefabricated or generated by means of the fastening spike, which can be pointed for this purpose. In this way, the conducting paths of the conducting elements are not damaged, with the result that they can be reused. Electrical connectors, for example spring contacts, can be used for electrically contacting the conducting paths. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect, the invention relates to an electrical connector for electrical conducting elements, in particular for flexible electrical conducting elements, with a connecting sleeve for receiving a first conducting element, and a fastening element with a first fastening spike for form-fit fastening a first conducting element in the connecting sleeve. The fastening element can be placed on the connecting sleeve in order to fasten the first conducting element with a form-fit in the connecting sleeve by means of the first fastening spike. 
         [0010]    Form-fit fastening is understood to mean any mechanical fastening that restricts an ability of the electrical conducting element to move relative to the fastening spike. 
         [0011]    As a result, flexible PCBs or LED strips can be connected in a very compact fashion. Furthermore, there is no need for soldering to do this. Moreover, only small forces are required to contact electrical conducting paths of the electrical conducting element because the strain relief is assured by the fastening spike. Owing to the use of the fastening spike, the electrical conducting element can be efficiently protected from being pulled out of the electrical connector. LED strips or flexible PCBs, or in general flexible conducting elements, which are connected by means of the electrical connector can thus for example be secured and retained in the connector. 
         [0012]    According to one design, the electrical connector can be designed to fasten or retain a single conducting element. The electrical connector can hereby comprise an electrical connection via which an electrical coupling to the electrical conducting element can be achieved. 
         [0013]    According to another design, however, the electrical connector can be provided to fasten or retain multiple, for example two, electrical conducting elements. Electrical conducting paths of the respective electrical conducting element can hereby be connected electrically by means of the connecting sleeve, wherein the respective conducting element can be fastened or fixed by means of a fastening spike associated with the respective conducting element. 
         [0014]    The following embodiments refer in principle to both designs. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve has a hollow cross-section, in particular a rectangular hollow cross-section. Consequently, the first electrical conducting element can be pushed into the connecting sleeve and be contacted electrically, for example by means of spring contacts. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the fastening element can be connected to the connecting sleeve, in particular can be connected by means of a snap-fit connection. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve has at least one snap-fit projection and wherein the fastening element has at least one snap-fit recess for receiving the snap-fit projection, or wherein the connecting sleeve has at least one snap-fit recess and wherein the fastening element has at least one snap-fit projection. The snap-fit projections can be designed as snap-fit hooks. According to one embodiment, only two snap-fit hooks are provided on the connecting sleeve or on the fastening element and these engage correspondingly in two snap-fit recesses of the fastening element or of the connecting sleeve. Multiple snap-fit hooks and snap-fit recesses, which are arranged for example at the corners, can, however, also be provided. 
         [0018]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve is provided to retain a second electrical conducting element, and wherein the fastening element comprises a second fastening spike for form-fit fastening the second conducting element in the connecting sleeve. Consequently, two conducting elements can be electrically connected by means of the electrical connector and fastened by means of the fastening spikes. 
         [0019]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve has a sleeve wall with at least one opening for receiving at least one fastening spike. Consequently, the respective fastening spike can be introduced into an internal connecting space of the connecting sleeve in order to fasten the respective conducting element. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective fastening spike is designed so as to deform the respective conducting element, in particular to create a depression or an opening in order to produce the form-fit fastening. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective fastening spike is designed so as to penetrate at least partially into an insulating layer of the respective conducting element or to perforate an insulating layer of the respective conducting element in order to produce the form-fit fastening. To do this, the respective fastening spike can, for example, perforate an insulating strip between two conducting paths. 
         [0022]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective fastening spike can be driven through the respective electrical conducting element or wherein the respective fastening spike is designed to perforate the respective electrical conducting element in order to produce the respective form-fit fastening. 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective conducting element is a PCB, in particular a flexible PCB, wherein the respective PCB has a substrate and wherein the respective fastening spike is designed to penetrate into the respective substrate of the respective PCB, in particular to perforate the respective substrate, in order to produce the form-fit fastening. 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective electrical conducting element has an opening, and wherein the respective fastening spike can be introduced into the respective opening, in each case in order to produce a form-fit fastening. 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve is provided to electrically contact at least one electrical conducting path of the respective electrical conducting element. 
         [0026]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting sleeve comprises at least one connecting space for receiving the respective electrical conducting element. According to one embodiment, a separate connecting space can be provided for each conducting element. 
         [0027]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the connecting space comprises at least one electrical contact for electrically contacting at least one electrical conducting path of the respective conducting element. The electrical contact or the electrical contacts can be spring contacts. 
         [0028]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the fastening element and the connecting sleeve, when joined together, form a pocket-like housing, in particular a water-tight housing. The connecting sleeve and/or the fastening element can hereby be provided with an insulating layer in order to prevent water from penetrating inside the pocket-like housing. Moreover, the pocket-like housing can have an electrically insulating effect. 
         [0029]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a connecting space of the connecting sleeve is provided with plastic, in particular gel-like plastic, in order to receive the electrical conducting element so that it at least partially encloses it. 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, the invention relates to the electrical connector, wherein the respective fastening spike is formed from plastic, in particular from an insulating plastic. The respective fastening spike is preferably not conductive, i.e. can have an electrical conductivity that is less than the electrical conductivity of metals. 
         [0031]    According to another aspect, the invention relates to the use of the electrical connector according to the invention to electrically contact at least one strip-like conducting path of an LED tape or at least one PCB, in particular a flexible PCB. 
         [0032]    According to another aspect, the invention relates to a flexible PCB with a substrate, wherein an opening for form-fit fastening the flexible PCB by means of a fastening spike of an electrical connector, in particular of the connector according to the invention, is formed in the substrate. 
         [0033]    Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    Other embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  shows an electrical connector; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  shows the electrical connector from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  shows elements of the electrical connector from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a fastening element of the electrical connector from  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0039]      FIGS. 5 a  to 5 f    show an electrical connector. 
       
    
    
       [0040]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows an electrical connector according to one embodiment. The electrical connector comprises a fastening element  101  and a connecting sleeve  103 . The fastening element  101  comprises a first fastening spike  105  for fastening a first electrical conducting element (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), for example a flexible PCB with an electrical conducting path or an LED strip. 
         [0042]    The connecting sleeve  103  serves to receive the electrical conducting element and comprises a sleeve wall  107  which has at least one opening  109  for receiving the first fastening spike  105 . 
         [0043]    The fastening element  101  is, for example, formed in the form of a rectangular baseplate which has snap-fit recesses  111 ,  113 ,  115  and  117  at the corners. The snap-fit recesses  111  to  117  are provided so as to receive corresponding snap-fit projections  119 ,  121 ,  123  of the connecting sleeve  103  which are arranged at the corners of an upper sleeve wall  107  which forms a rectangular baseplate  125 . 
         [0044]    The connecting sleeve  103  has, for example, a hollow cross-section and a connecting space  127  for receiving the first electrical conducting element, wherein the connecting space  127  can have a rectangular cross-section. As a result, flat conducting elements such as, for example, LED strips or tapes can be introduced into the connecting space  127  such that they fit exactly. Electrical contacts for electrically contacting one or more conducting paths of the electrical conducting element can be provided in the connecting space  127 . 
         [0045]    The connecting space  127  of the connecting sleeve  103  can be provided for receiving electrical conducting elements on both sides. According to one embodiment, the connecting sleeve  103  can have, in addition to the connecting space  127 , a further connecting space for receiving a second conducting element. Electrical contacts can be provided in the connecting spaces, said electrical contacts being connected together in pairs, in order to effect electrical fastenings between conducting paths, for example connections, of the conducting elements. 
         [0046]    The connecting sleeve  103  can be formed in one or more pieces. Thus, for example, the baseplate  125  can be placed onto a U-shaped base part  129  of the connecting sleeve  103  or can be fastened to the latter. The baseplate  125  and the U-shaped base part  129  can, however, be formed integrally. 
         [0047]    According to one embodiment, the connector illustrated in  FIG. 1  can have multiple fastening spikes. According to another embodiment, however, the electrical connector can have a single fastening spike. As a result, contacting or connection with an LED strip or with a flexible PCB can, for example, be achieved. To do this, the connector illustrated in  FIG. 1  can have a connection terminal which is electrically connected to the fastening spike. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows the connector illustrated in  FIG. 1  and two flexible PCBs  201 ,  203  which are each provided with conducting paths  205   a,    205   b,    205   c  and  205   d.  The conducting paths  205   a  to  205   d  are, for example, electrical connecting surfaces or connecting pads. The ends of the flexible PCBs  201  and  203  provided with the conducting paths  205   a  to  205   d  can be pushed by a user into corresponding connecting areas of the fastening element. The flexible PCBs  201 ,  203  are then fixed by pressing down the fastening element  101  which is thus snap-fitted to the connecting sleeve  103 . Moreover, this fixing can be reinforced by the respective fastening spike perforating the respective PCB  201 ,  203 . 
         [0049]    The connecting sleeve  103  can have an electrical contact for each conducting path  205   a,    205   b,    205   c  and  205   d.  The electrical contacts, for example spring contacts, can be arranged in the connecting space  127  of the connecting sleeve or in opposite connecting spaces of the connecting sleeve  103  which can each be provided for an electrical conducting element. 
         [0050]    According to one embodiment, the perforation can be replaced by a formation of a depression in the respective flexible PCB  201 ,  203  or in the respective substrate  202 ,  204  of the respective flexible PCB  201 ,  203  by the respective fastening spike. For this purpose, the fastening spikes can have, for example, rounded tips. 
         [0051]    The elements of the electrical connector illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are illustrated in detail in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0052]    The baseplate  125  comprises a second opening  301  for the second fastening spike  401  which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the fastening element  101  can have further snap-fit projections  403 ,  405 ,  407  and  409  which are arranged at the corners of the fastening element  101  and are provided for a further snap-fit connection. For this purpose, the baseplate  125  can have further snap-fit recesses  303 ,  305 ,  307  and  309  which receive the snap-fit projections  403 ,  405 ,  407  and  409  so that they can be snap-fitted together. A further snap-fit projection  311  of the connecting sleeve  103 , which can engage in the snap-fit recess  111  of the fastening element, is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    An electrical connector with a connecting sleeve  501  and a fastening element  503  which can be placed onto the connecting sleeve  501  is in  FIGS. 5 a    to  5   f.  The connecting sleeve  501  and/or the fastening element  503  can each be formed as a single piece. 
         [0054]    The fastening element  503  comprises laterally arranged snap-fit projections  505 ,  507  which engage in corresponding snap-fit recesses  509 ,  511  of the connecting sleeve  501 . The snap-fit recesses  509 ,  511  can be formed in the sides of the connecting sleeve  501 . A snap-fit connection between the connecting sleeve  501  and the fastening element  503  is consequently formed. 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 d   - 5   f,  the electrical connector can be provided for electrically connecting the first conducting element  201  and the second conducting element  203 . The conducting elements  201 ,  203  are each pushed from the side into a connecting space  515 ,  517  of the connecting sleeve  501  and each fastened with a form-fit there by means of a first fastening spike  519  which can be introduced into the connecting space  515 , and by means of a second fastening spike  521  which can be introduced into the connecting space  517 . To do this, the fastening spikes  519 ,  521  can perforate the respective PCB  201 ,  203  or their substrates, or engage in prefabricated openings in the PCBs  201 ,  203 . The first fastening spike  519  and the second fastening spike  521  are formed on or fastened to the fastening element  503 . 
         [0056]    Openings  525 ,  527  are formed in a sleeve wall  523  of the connecting sleeve  501  in order to introduce the fastening spikes  519 ,  521  into the connecting spaces  515 ,  517 . 
         [0057]    Electrical contacts  529   a,    529   b,    529   c  and  529   d  are in each case arranged in the connecting spaces to electrically contact the conducting paths  205   a  to  205   d  of the PCBs  201 ,  203 . The electrical contacts  529   a,    529   b,    529   c  and  529   d  can, for example, be formed as spring contacts. For this purpose, the electrical contacts  529   a,    529   b,    529   c  and  529   d  can each have contact elements, for example contact clips, arranged in pairs opposite each other. 
         [0058]    The electrical contacts  529   a,    529   b,    529   c  and  529   d  can moreover each be electrically connected to each other in pairs. The fastening scheme can, for example, comprise electrical fastenings of the respective corresponding electrical contacts  529   a - 529   a,    529   b - 529   b,    529   c - 529  and  529   d - 529   d  of the PCBs  201 ,  203 . 
         [0059]    The connector illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5  is designed to absorb tensile forces which can occur, for example, when LED strips or flexible PCBs are being installed or disassembled. For this purpose, the contacts of the flexible PCBs or the LED strips can be connected by means of resilient elements which can form electrical contacts. 
         [0060]    The strain relief is achieved in particular by means of at least one fastening spike per conducting element, for example per LED strip. When the LED strips or the flexible PCBs are connected, the fastening spike is pressed through the flexible PCB by the user. The respective fastening spike is here arranged on the fastening element, the fastening element  101  snap-fitting to the connecting sleeve when, for example, the respective fastening spike or the fastening spikes is/are pressed through electrical conducting elements, so that a secure fastening and absorption of tensile forces are achieved. The respective fastening spike or spikes can here be arranged in such a way that no conducting paths are interrupted when the fastening spikes are pressed through the LED strips. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0061]      101  fastening element 
         [0062]      103  connecting sleeve 
         [0063]      105  fastening spike 
         [0064]      107  sleeve wall 
         [0065]      109  opening 
         [0066]      111  snap-fit recess 
         [0067]      113  snap-fit recess 
         [0068]      115  snap-fit recess 
         [0069]      117  snap-fit recess 
         [0070]      119  snap-fit projection 
         [0071]      121  snap-fit projection 
         [0072]      123  snap-fit projection 
         [0073]      125  baseplate 
         [0074]      127  connecting space 
         [0075]      129  U-shaped base part 
         [0076]      201  flexible PCB 
         [0077]      202  substrate 
         [0078]      203  flexible PCB 
         [0079]      204  substrate 
         [0080]      205   a  conducting path 
         [0081]      205   b  conducting path 
         [0082]      205   c  conducting path 
         [0083]      205   d  conducting path 
         [0084]      301  opening 
         [0085]      303  snap-fit recess 
         [0086]      305  snap-fit recess 
         [0087]      307  snap-fit recess 
         [0088]      309  snap-fit recess 
         [0089]      311  snap-fit projection 
         [0090]      401  second fastening spike 
         [0091]      403  snap-fit projection 
         [0092]      405  snap-fit projection 
         [0093]      407  snap-fit projection 
         [0094]      409  snap-fit projection 
         [0095]      501  connecting sleeve 
         [0096]      503  fastening element 
         [0097]      505  snap-fit projection 
         [0098]      507  snap-fit projection 
         [0099]      509  snap-fit recess 
         [0100]      511  snap-fit recess 
         [0101]      515  connecting space 
         [0102]      517  connecting space 
         [0103]      519  first fastening spike 
         [0104]      521  second fastening spike 
         [0105]      523  sleeve wall 
         [0106]      525  opening 
         [0107]      527  opening 
         [0108]      529   a  electrical contact 
         [0109]      529   b  electrical contact 
         [0110]      529   c  electrical contact 
         [0111]      529   d  electrical contact 
         [0112]    From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.