AU2013101107A4 - Electrical connection structure and electronic building block with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connection structure (20) adapted for an electronic building block has an electronic device (21) and multiple electrical connection columns (22). The electronic device (21) has a circuit board (211). The multiple electrical connection columns (22) are mounted on the circuit board (211), wherein each electrical connection column (22) has a first electrode bar (222) and a second electrode bar (223). The first electrode bar (222) has a first contact part (2221) abutting the circuit board (211). The second electrode bar (223) has a second contact part (2231) abutting the circuit board (211). The multiple electrical connection columns (22) are electrically connected to the circuit board (211) through the first contact part (2221) and the second contact part (2231), thus, a welding process is avoided in an assembling of the electrical connection structure (20). In addition, each electrical connection column (22) only has a column body (21), a first electrode bar (22) and a second electrode bar (23), that is, the multiple electrical connection columns (22) are easy for assembly. 22--, 2211 221--, 2231 /,22

Description

1 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE AND ELECTRONIC BUILDING BLOCK WITH THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL [00011 The present utility model relates to an electrical connection structure and more particularly to an electrical connection structure adapted for a building block, and a building block with the same. [0002] The building block is one of the most common and well-known types of toys. With imaginations and creativities, players combine multiple building blocks to create various models. Building blocks are toys with such variations that the building blocks have long been popular in the toy market. Currently, varieties of electronic building blocks are provided in the market, wherein each electronic building block has multiple electronic components (such as LED lights or sound generators), a circuit board and multiple electrical connection columns. Multiple electronic components from several electronic building blocks are electrically connected through the circuit boards and the electrical connection columns of the several electronic building blocks. By powering the electronic building blocks, the electronic building blocks with the electronic components glow or produce sounds together, thereby greatly enhancing the entertaining effect of the electronic building block. [0003] With reference to Taiwan patent NO. M408402, a conventional electronic building block is disclosed, wherein the electronic building block has multiple electronic components, a circuit board and an electrical connection column mounted on the circuit board. The electrical connection column has a positive electrical connecter and a negative electrical connecter, wherein the positive electrical connecter and the negative electrical connecter respectively have a metal wire welded on the circuit board to electrically connect the positive electrical connecter and the negative electrical connecter to the multiple electronic components through the circuit board.

2 [00041 However, the positive electrical connecter and the negative electrical connecter have a lot of complex components, such that assembling the positive electrical connecter and the negative electrical connecter is complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, the assembly requires welding the positive electrical connecter and the negative electrical connecter on the circuit board, while a welding process is labor-intensive and produces environmental pollution. As such, the electrical connection structure of the conventional electronic building block has to be improved. SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL [00051 The main objective of the utility model is to provide a contact conductive type electrical connection structure adapted for an electronic building block, and the electrical connection structure is easy for assembly and hence is environment friendly and labor-saving. [00061 The electrical connection structure comprises an electronic device and multiple electrical connection columns. The electronic device has a circuit board and an electronic component mounted on the circuit board. The multiple electrical connection columns are mounted on the circuit board and electronically connected to the electronic component of the electronic device, wherein each electrical connection column has a column body, a first electrode bar and a second electrode bar. The column body is electrically insulating, and the first electrode bar and the second electrode bar are mounted axially and separately on the column body. The first electrode bar has a first contact part radially extending out of the column body. The second electrode bar is L-shaped, and has a top end, a bottom end and a second contact part, wherein the top end and the bottom end extend respectively along two different axes, and the second contact part radially extends out of the column body. The first contact part and the second contact part both abut the circuit board of the electronic device. [0007] Another main objective of the utility model is to provide an electronic building block having the above-mentioned electrical connection structure.

3 [00081 The electronic building block comprises a block body and an electrical connection structure. The block body has a cap and a base, wherein the cap is mounted on the base and forms an accommodating space between the cap and the base. The electrical connection structure is mounted in the accommodating space. Top ends of the multiple electrical connection columns of the electrical connection structure abut the cap of the block body. The first contact parts and the second contact parts of the multiple electrical connection columns abut the circuit board of the electrical connection structure, and the circuit board abuts the base of the block body. [0009] The multiple electrical connection columns in accordance with the utility model are modularized. The first electrode bar and the second electrode bar of each electrical connection column are electrically connected to the circuit board respectively by the first contact part and the second contact part of the electrical connection column, such that a welding process is eliminated in a production process of the multiple electrical connection columns in accordance with the utility model and pollution produced during the production process is decreased, thereby making the production process more efficient and environment friendly. Furthermore, each electrical connection column only has a column body, a first electrode bar and a second electrode bar. A quantity of assembly components of each electrical connection column is decreased to three, thereby simplifying the assembly of the electrical connection columns. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electronic building block in accordance with the present utility model; [0011] Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the electronic building block in Fig. 1; [0012] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic building block in Fig. 1; [0013] Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of an electrical connection column of 4 the electronic building block in Fig. 1; [0014] Fig. 5 is a side view in partial section of the electronic building block in Fig. 1; [0015] Fig. 6 is a top view in partial section of the electronic building block in Fig. 1; [0016] Fig. 7 is an operational side view in partial section of the electronic building block in Fig. 1; and [0017] Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of an electrical connection column of the electronic building block in accordance with the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of an electronic building block in accordance with the present utility model comprises a block body 10 and an electrical connection structure 20. [00191 With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the block body 10 is hollow, and has a base 13 and a cap 14 mounted on a top of the base 13. The base 13 has multiple notches 12 formed in a bottom of the base 13, and the multiple notches 12 are formed at intervals. The cap 14 has multiple hollow columns 11 formed on a top of the cap 14, and the multiple hollow columns 11 are formed at intervals. [0020] With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the electrical connection structure 20 is mounted between the base 13 and the cap 14, and has an electronic device 21 and multiple electrical connection columns 22. The electronic device 21 has a circuit board 211 and an electronic component 212 mounted on the circuit board 211. The multiple electrical connection columns 22 are mounted on the circuit board 211 and are electrically connected to the electronic component 212 through the circuit board 211. Top ends of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 abut the cap 14 of the block body 10, and the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21 abuts the top of the base 13. Each electrical connection column 22 has a column body 221, a first electrode bar 222 and a second electrode bar 223.

5 [00211 With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, the column body 221 is electrically insulating and has two ends, a first inserting part 2211 and a second inserting part 2212 corresponding to the first inserting part 2211, wherein the first inserting part 2211 and the second inserting part 2212 are respectively formed on the two ends of the column body 221. The first inserting parts 2211 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are respectively located in the multiple hollow columns 11 of the cap 14 and respectively abut the multiple hollow columns 11. The second inserting parts 2212 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are respectively located in the multiple notches 12 of the base 13. The first electrode bar 222 and the second electrode bar 223 are mounted axially and apart from each other in the column body 221 such that the first electrode bar 222 and the second electrode bar 223 are electrically insulating from each other. The first electrode bar 222 has a first contact part 2221 radially extending out of the column body 221, wherein the first contact part 2221 abuts the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21. The second electrode bar 223 has a second contact part 2231 radially extending out of the column body 221, wherein the second contact part 2231 abuts the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21. In other words, the first contact part 2221 and the second contact part 2231 are located on a same horizontal plane relative to the circuit board 211. [0022] In a preferred embodiment as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the column bodies 221 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are integrally molded. The first inserting part 2211 of the column body 221 is a collar, and the second inserting part 2212 of the column body 221 is a cylinder having a recess 22121 axially formed in the second inserting part 2212, and the recess 22121 is formed through an end of the second inserting part 2212. The second electrode bar 223 is inserted in the column body 221 via the recess 22121, and the second contact part 2231 of the second electrode bar 223 radially extends out of the column body 221 through the recess 22121 and abuts a top of the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21.

6 The second electrode bar 223 is L-shaped, and has a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end and the bottom end extend respectively along two different axes. Furthermore, the second inserting part 2212 has an insertion part 2213 formed on a side of the second inserting part 2212, and the insertion part 2213 has an insertion port 22131. The first electrode bar 222 has a body 2222 and an electrical connection ring 2223. The body 2222 is inserted in the column body 221 via the insertion port 22131. A top end of the body 2222 is located in the first inserting part 2211 and a bottom end of the body 2222 is located adjacent to an outer side of the second inserting part 2212. The first contact part 2221 is formed on the body 2222 and abuts the insertion part 2213. The electrical connection ring 2223 is connected to the top end of the body 2222 and abuts an inner side of the first inserting part 2211, wherein the top end of the body 2222 is located between the electrical connection ring 2223 and the first inserting part 2211. [0023] In addition, the electronic component 212 of the electronic device 21 of the electrical connection structure 20 can be a sound generator, a light or a chip, and the block body 10 has a feature corresponding to the electronic component 212. For example, when the electronic component 212 is a sound generator, the block body 10 is sound-transmissive. Likewise, when the electronic component 212 is a light, the block body 10 is light-transmissive. [00241 With reference to Figs. 3 and 6, the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21 has a first circuit 2111 and a second circuit 2112 formed apart from each other on a surface of the circuit board 211. The electronic component 212 is electrically connected to the first circuit 2111 and the second circuit 2112. The first contact part 2221 of the first electrode bar 222 and the second contact part 2231 of the second electrode bar 223 respectively abut the first circuit 2111 and the second circuit 2112. [0025] Furthermore, with reference to Fig. 6, the second circuit 2112 is formed on a central portion of the surface of the circuit board 211, and the first circuit 2111 surrounds the second 7 circuit 2112 without contacting the second circuit 2112. The first contact part 2221 of the first electrode bar 222 and the second contact part 2231 of the second electrode bar 223 respectively extend from two opposite sides of the column body 221. The second contact parts 2231 of the second electrode bars 223 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 extend towards the central portion of the circuit board 211, and the first contact parts 2221 of the first electrode bars 222 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 extend towards edges of the surface of the circuit board 211. It is to be noted that the structures of the circuit board 211 and the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are not restricted to the above-mentioned. Alternatively, for example, the first circuit 2111 is formed on the central portion of the surface of the circuit board 211, and the second circuit 2112 surrounds the first circuit 2111 without contacting the first circuit 2111. The first contact parts 2221 of the first electrode bars 222 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 extend towards the central portion of the surface of the circuit board 211, and the second contact parts 2231 of the second electrode bars 223 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 extend towards the edges of the surface of the circuit board 211. [0026] With reference to Figs. 3 to 6, when assembling the electrical connection structure 20 of the first preferred embodiment, first, the body 2222 of the first electrode bar 222 is inserted in the column body 221 via the insertion port 22131 of the insertion part 2213, such that the first contact part 2221 abuts the insertion part 2213 and extends out of the column body 221. Then, the electrical connection ring 2223 is mounted in the first inserting part 2211 and contacts the body 2222. Next, the second electrode bar 223 is inserted in the column body 221 via the recess 22121, and the second contact part 2231 extends out of the column body 221 via the recess 22121. Then, the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are mounted on the circuit board 211, wherein the first contact parts 2221 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 respectively align with the first circuit 2111, and the second contact parts 2231 of 8 the multiple electrical connection columns 22 respectively align with the second circuit 2112. Then, the first contact parts 2221 and the second contact parts 2231 respectively abut the first circuit 2111 and the second circuit 2112, and the assembling of the electrical connection structure 20 is completed. With further reference to Fig. 7, when mounting the electrical connection structure 20 in the block body 10, first, the first inserting parts 2211 of the column bodies 221 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are respectively mounted in the multiple hollow columns 11 of the cap 14 of the block body 10, and the second inserting parts 2212 of the column bodies 221 of the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are mounted respectively in the multiple notches 12 of the base 13 of the block body 10. Next, the cap 14 is mounted on the base 13, such that the multiple electrical connection columns 22 are tightly mounted on and contact the circuit board 211. In a preferred embodiment, the base 13 and the cap 14 are combined by ultrasonic plastic welding to complete the assembling of the electronic building block in accordance with the present utility model. [0027] With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, and 7, when combining two electronic building blocks in accordance with the present utility model, the multiple hollow columns 11 of the cap 14 of one of the electronic building blocks (as the lower block of this combination) are respectively inserted in the multiple notches 12 of the base 13 of the other electronic building block (as the upper block), that is, the multiple electrical connection columns 22 of the lower block respectively correspond to the multiple electrical connection columns 22 of the upper block. Each second inserting part 2212 of the upper block is inserted in a corresponding first inserting part 2211 of the lower block. The bottom end of each body 2222 of the upper block is inserted in a corresponding first inserting part of the lower block, and contacts a corresponding electrical connection ring 2223 of the lower block. The top end of each second electrode bar 223 of the lower block is inserted in the recess 22121 of the second inserting part 2212 of the column body 221 of a corresponding electrical connection column 22 of the 9 upper block, and is located between an inner wall of a corresponding recess 22121 and a corresponding second electrode bar 223 of the upper block. A side of each second electrode bar 223 of the lower block contacts a side of a bottom of the corresponding second electrode bar 223 of the upper block. Accordingly, the first circuit 2111 and the second circuit 2112 of the circuit board 211 of the lower block are electrically connected to the first circuit 2111 and the second circuit 2112 of the circuit board 211 of the upper block. The combination of the lower block and the upper block is reinforced by the recess 22121 and the first and second inserting parts 2211, 2212 that match each other. [0028] With reference to Fig. 8, another preferred embodiment of an electrical connection structure in accordance with the present utility model has multiple electrical connection columns 22A each comprising a first half plate 2214A, a second half plate 2215A and a joint part 2216A. The first half plate 2214A and the second half plate 2215A are combined by the joint part 2216A. The first half plate 2214A has a first mounting part 22141 A and a second mounting part 22142A axially and concavely formed on the first half plate 2214A, and the first mounting part 22141 A and the second mounting part 22142A are mounted apart from each other. The second half plate 2215A has a third mounting part 22151 A and a fourth mounting part 22152A axially and concavely formed on the second half plate 2215A, and the third mounting part 2215 1A and the fourth mounting part 22152A are mounted apart from each other. The third mounting part 22151 A and the fourth mounting part 22152A are respectively connected to the first mounting part 22141 A and the second mounting part 22142A. A first connecting part 22143A is formed in a bottom of the second mounting part 22142A of the first half plate 2214A, and a second connecting part 22153A is formed in a bottom of the fourth mounting part 22152A of the second half plate 2215A. The first connecting part 22143A is connected to the second connecting part 22153A. An insertion slot 2213A and an insertion port 22131A are formed between bottoms of the first mounting part 10 22141A, the third mounting part 22151A, and the second inserting part 2212A. A first electrode bar 222A having a contact part 2221 A and a body 2222A is mounted between the first mounting part 22141 A and the third mounting part 22151 A, wherein the contact part 2221 A abuts the insertion port 22131 A of the insertion slot 2213A. A second electrode bar 223A is mounted between the second mounting part 22142A and the fourth mounting part 22152A, wherein a bottom of the second electrode bar 223A is connected to the first connecting part 22143A and the second connecting part 22153A. [0029] With reference to Fig. 8, when assembling the multiple electrical connection columns 22A, first, the body 2222A of the first electrode bar 222A is mounted in the first mounting part 22141 A, and the contact part 2221 A extends out of the column body 221 A via the insertion port 22131 A. Then, an electrical connection ring 2223A is mounted on the first inserting part 2211 A and contacts the top of the body 2222A. Next, the second electrode bar 223A is mounted in the second mounting part 22142A, and then the first half plate 2214A is connected to the second half plate 2215A. The body 2222A of the first electrode bar 222A is located inside the first mounting part 22141A and the third mounting plate 22151A. The second electrode bar 223A is located inside the second mounting part 22142A of the first half plate 2214A and the fourth mounting part 22152A. The first half plate 2214A is connected to the second half plate 2215A, thereby completing the assembling of the electrical connection column 22A. [0030] When combining two electronic building blocks with the electrical connection structures in Fig. 8, the top end of each second electrode bar 223A of one of the electronic building blocks is inserted in a corresponding second inserting part 2212A of the other electronic building block through the first connecting part 22143A and the second connecting part 22153A of the electronic building block. [0031] Further, shapes of the first mounting part 22141A and the third mounting part 22151A 11 both correspond to the body 2222A of the first electrode bar 222A. Shapes of the second mounting part 22142A and the fourth mounting part 22152A both correspond to the second electrode bar 223A, thus, the assembling of the multiple electrical connection columns 22A can be easily accomplished with accuracy. [0032] In conclusion, the electrical connection structure 20 in accordance with the present utility model is modularized, and the first electrode bars 222 and the second electrode bars 223 are respectively and electrically connected to the circuit board 211 of the electronic device 21 through the first contact part 2221 and the second contact part 2231 without a welding process, thereby decreasing pollution produced by the assembling of the electrical connection structure 20. Furthermore, each electrical connection column 22 only has a column body 221, a first electrode bar 222 and a second electrode bar 223, that is, a quantity of components of the electrically connection structure 20 is greatly decreased, thereby simplifying the assembling of the electrically connection structure 20 of the present utility model. In addition, a combination the first and the second electrode bars 222, 223 is reinforced by the first and the second inserting parts 2211, 2212. [0033] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present utility model have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the utility model, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the utility model to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (5)

1. A contact-conductive-type electrical connection structure adapted for an electronic building block comprising: an electronic device having a circuit board and an electronic component mounted on the circuit board; and multiple electrical connection columns, wherein each electrical connection column comprises a column body; a first electrode bar axially mounted in the column body, and having a first contact part radially extending out of the column body and abutting the circuit board; and a second electrode bar axially mounted in the column body, and having a second contact part radially extending out of the column body and abutting the circuit board, wherein the first and the second electrode bars are mounted apart from each other.

2. The electrical connection structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first contact parts and the second contact parts of the multiple electrical connection columns are located on a same horizontal plane relative to the circuit board.

3. The electrical connection structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each column body further comprises: two ends; a first inserting part formed on one of the two ends of the column body; and a second inserting part corresponding to the first inserting part and mounted on the other end of the column body. 13

4. The electrical connection structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the column body of each electrical connection column further comprises an insertion part formed on a side of the second inserting part, wherein the insertion part has an insertion port, the first electrode bar is axially inserted in the column body via the insertion port, and the first contact part abuts the insertion part.

5. An electronic building block having the electrical connection structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising: a block body having a base; and a cap mounted on the base, wherein an accommodating space is formed between the base and the cap; and wherein the electrical connection structure is mounted in the accommodating space.