CN114336170A

CN114336170A - Floating connector and method for manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: CN114336170A
Application number: CN202110035978.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 庄顺荣
Original assignee: P Two Electronic Technology Suzhou Co Ltd
Current assignee: P Two Electronic Technology Suzhou Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-29
Filing date: 2021-01-12
Publication date: 2022-04-12
Also published as: TWI753594B; TW202213876A

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating connector, which comprises a first shell, a second shell, a limiting piece and a terminal. The first shell forms an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit. The second housing has an insertion guide portion, a tongue plate, and a slider. The second shell forms a connecting space for arranging the tongue plate and exposing the tongue plate to the insertion guide part with the inner inclined surface. And the floating blocks are respectively formed at the two sides of the second shell and are respectively arranged in the floating space. The limiting pieces are respectively arranged in the slits. The limiting piece and the retaining wall can determine the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space so as to limit the floating block to move in the floating space. The terminal is arranged in the accommodating space and the connecting space. The invention also provides a manufacturing method of the floating connector.

Description

Floating connector and method for manufacturing the same

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates to a floating connector, and more particularly to a small floating connector and a method for manufacturing the same.

[ background of the invention ]

Conventional connectors have been developed to allow floating connectors in order to prevent damage to the connectors during assembly by a user due to, for example, excessive application of external force.

Conventionally, connectors have been made up of a plurality of components, such as insertion guides, floating distances, floating dams, etc., to achieve floating by providing space between the components; however, conventionally, the space available for floating is directly increased outside the structure of the original element, but there is a disadvantage in that the size of the original element becomes larger, resulting in the arrangement of being pressed to other elements.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a floating connector and a method for fabricating the same, which solve the problems of the conventional terminal due to the insertion of the guide, the floating distance, and the space accumulated by the floating dam.

[ summary of the invention ]

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a floating connector, which can form a recess on a housing to overlap an insertion guide and a floating distance, so as to solve the problem that the conventional insertion guide is limited by an extra space required by a floating wall and a position-limiting member, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the overall volume of the connector.

A second object of the present invention is to achieve the object of reducing the size of the connector by projecting the inner slope of the insertion guide portion and the slider to overlap each other according to the floating connector described above.

The third objective of the present invention is to determine the floating distance of the floating connector by the retaining wall and the position-limiting member.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a floating connector according to the above, wherein the slot is used for inserting the position-limiting member in a direction, so that the problem of mutual interference of the components due to volume reduction is avoided.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a floating connector, which can be applied to the fields of vertical connectors and horizontal connectors.

A sixth object of the present invention is to form an electrode distance of a non-fixed length between the first terminal and the second terminal so as to be deformed without contacting each other as the slider moves in the floating space, according to the floating connector described above.

The seventh object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a floating connector, so as to manufacture a floating connector with reduced volume.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a floating connector, which includes a first housing, a second housing, a position-limiting element and a terminal. The first shell forms an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit. The floating spaces are respectively formed at two sides of the accommodating space in a first direction, and the slits are respectively formed at two sides of the floating spaces in a second direction. Wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The second shell is arranged in the accommodating space. The second housing has an insertion guide portion, a tongue plate, and a slider. The second shell forms a connecting space for arranging the tongue plate and exposing the tongue plate on the insertion guide part. And two sides of the second shell are respectively provided with a sunken part with a retaining wall. The floating blocks are respectively formed at both side edges of the second housing and are respectively disposed in the floating spaces. The limiting pieces are respectively arranged in the slits. The limiting piece and the retaining wall determine the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space so as to limit the movement of the floating block in at least one of the first direction and the second direction in the floating space. The terminal is arranged in the accommodating space and the connecting space.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a floating connector, comprising the steps of (a) forming a first housing having an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit; (b) forming a second shell with an insertion guide part, a tongue plate and a floating block, wherein the second shell is respectively provided with a sunken part with a retaining wall at the two sides of the insertion guide part, and one part of the floating block is positioned in the sunken part; (c) combining the first shell and the second shell to enable the floating block to be arranged in the floating space; (d) inserting a stopper into the slit to limit the slider in the floating space; and (e) the retaining wall and the limiting piece determine a floating distance.

Compared with the prior art, the floating connector and the manufacturing method thereof provided by the invention have the advantages that the concave part is formed on the shell to overlap the insertion guide part and the floating distance, and particularly, the traditional original insertion guide can be maintained, so that the floating connector with smaller volume compared with the traditional floating connector is manufactured, namely, the floating connector maintains the integrity of the traditional insertion guide part and solves the problem of volume increase caused by the space accumulated by the traditional insertion guide part and the floating retaining wall.

The specific techniques employed in the present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples and accompanying drawings.

[ description of the drawings ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a floating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed structural view illustrating the floating connector of fig. 1 according to the present invention.

Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional partial schematic view illustrating the floating connector of fig. 1 of the present invention not yet floating.

Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional partial schematic view illustrating the floating connector of fig. 1 according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the connection of the floating connector of fig. 1 with another connector according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a floating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of the terminal of fig. 5 according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a dynamic connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the main element symbols:

4 terminal

10. 10' floating connector

12. 12' first shell

122 slit

124 first electrode guide groove

126 floating retaining wall

14. 14' second housing

142 insertion guide

1422 recess

1424 inner bevel

1426 outer bevel

1428 retaining wall

1430 gap

144 tongue plate

1442 second electrode guide groove

146. 146' slider

16. 16' stopper

18. 18' terminal

SP accommodation space

FSP floating space

CSP connection space

[ detailed description ] embodiments

For a fuller understanding of the objects, features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the present disclosure, "a" or "an" is used to describe the units, elements and components described herein. This is done for convenience of illustration only and to provide a general sense of the scope of the invention. Thus, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, such description should be read to include one, at least one and the singular also includes the plural.

In the present disclosure, the terms "comprise," "include," "have," "contain," or any other similar terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, an element, structure, article, or apparatus that comprises a plurality of elements is not limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such element, structure, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or".

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a floating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 1, the floating connector 10 is a male end (or plug) structure, which is used to electrically connect with a female socket (not shown).

The floating connector 10 includes a first housing 12, a second housing 14, a retainer 16 and a terminal 18. Referring also to fig. 2, a detailed structural diagram of the floating connector of fig. 1 according to the present invention is illustrated.

In fig. 2, the first housing 12 forms a receiving space SP, a floating space FSP and a slit 122. The floating spaces FSP are respectively formed at both sides of the accommodating space SP in a first direction (X direction in the drawing), and the slits 122 are respectively formed at both sides of the floating spaces FSP in a second direction (Y direction in the drawing). The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

Here, the first housing 12 further includes a first electrode guide groove 124. The first electrode guide grooves 124 are formed on both inner walls of the accommodating space SP to limit a portion of the terminal 18, respectively.

The second housing 14 has an insertion guide 142, a tongue plate 144 and a floating block 146.

The second housing 14 is disposed in the accommodating space SP, such that the second housing 14 forms a connection space CSP to dispose the tongue plate 144 and expose the insertion guide portion 142. The tongue plate 144 further includes a second electrode guide groove 1442. Second electrode guide grooves 1442 are respectively formed at both outer walls of the tongue plate 144 to confine another portion of the terminal 18.

Here, the insertion guide 142 is more easily coupled to the female socket, and an inner slope 1424 is formed on an inner wall of the insertion guide 142 so that the female socket is easily slid into the connection space CSP. In addition, since the insertion guide 142 forms the inner slope 1424, the outer slope 1426 is formed at the outer wall of the insertion guide 142.

A recess 1422 having a retaining wall 1428 is formed on each of two sides of the second housing 14. Here, the recess 1422 refers to a space formed from the outer slope 1426 of the insertion guide 142 to the bottom of the second housing 14. The retaining wall 1428 is disposed on the outer surface of the second housing 14 and is located at the position of the recess 1422.

The sliders 146 are formed on both side edges of the second housing 14, respectively, and are disposed in the floating spaces FSP, respectively. In this case, a part of the slider 146 is located in the recess 1422, i.e., the slider 146 partially overlaps the recess 1422.

The stoppers 16 are respectively provided in the slits 122. Here, the position-limiting member 16 and the retaining wall 1428 determine a floating distance d (refer to the descriptions of fig. 3a and b) of the slider 146 in the floating space FSP, so as to limit the movement of the slider 146 in the X direction, the Y direction, the Z direction, or any two directions thereof in the floating space FSP. Here, the position-limiting member 16 further includes a plate 162 and a bottom 164. Wherein the plate 162 is connected to the bottom 164. The plate body 162 and the bottom 164 are inserted into the slit 122 in the X-direction. The plate 162 and the bottom 164 form a C-shaped body.

Fig. 3a and 3b are schematic views illustrating states of the first housing, the second housing and the position-limiting member in fig. 2 according to the present invention. In fig. 3a, there is shown a cross-sectional partial schematic view illustrating the floating connector of fig. 1 of the present invention not yet floating; and, in FIG. 3b, a cross-sectional partial schematic view illustrating the floating connector of FIG. 1 of the present invention being floated.

In fig. 3a, the second housing 14 is in a static state without being applied by an external force, and the floating block 146 is limited by the plate 162 and limited in the floating space FSP, so that the second housing 14 does not fall off from the accommodating space SP, and the retaining wall 1428 is spaced from the edge of the plate 162 by a floating distance d.

In fig. 3b, the second housing 14 is subjected to an external force, such that the second housing 14 is displaced in the moving direction of the first housing 12, and the slider 146 is still limited by the plate 162 and is limited in the floating space FSP; however, due to the floating distance d between the retaining wall 1428 and the edge of the plate 162, the retaining wall 1428 moves toward the edge of the plate 162 and the floating distance d becomes shorter and shorter until the retaining wall 1428 touches the edge of the plate 162, the second housing 14 is limited by the retaining wall 1428 and the plate 162 and cannot move further in the original moving direction. It is noted that the floating space FSP may form the floating wall 126 and the slider 146 may form the gap 1430. The floating wall 126 corresponds to the notch 1430 such that when the slider 146 is moved and touches the floating wall 126, the notch 1430 engages the floating wall 126. Wherein the thickness of the floating retaining wall 126 is less than or equal to the height of the notch 1430, so that the overall volume of the floating connector 10 can be reduced.

The terminals 18 are disposed in the accommodating space SP and the connecting space CSP to connect the electrical contacts of the circuit board or the terminals (not shown) on the female socket.

Referring also to fig. 4, a schematic diagram illustrating the connection of the floating connector of fig. 1 with another connector according to the present invention is shown. In fig. 4, the other connector 2 is inserted into the floating connector 10 in a straight-down manner such that the other terminal 4 of the other connector 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 18 of the floating connector 10.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a floating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 5, the floating connector 10 'includes a first housing 12', a second housing 14 ', a limiting member 16' and a terminal 18 ', unlike an embodiment, in the present embodiment, the second housing 14' has an L-shaped structure.

The descriptions of the first housing 12 ', the second housing 14', the limiting member 16 'and the terminal 18' may correspond to the first housing 12, the second housing 14, the limiting member 16 and the terminal 18 in the first embodiment, which is not repeated herein.

It should be noted that fig. 6 is also referred to for explaining the structure of the terminal of fig. 5. In fig. 6, the terminal 18' is composed of a first electrode 182 and a second electrode 184. The first electrode 182 and the second electrode 184 are deformed by the slider 146' moving in the floating space FSP without contacting each other. The first electrode 182 and the second electrode 184 have an electrode distance D of a non-fixed length therebetween.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 7, a schematic view of the connection by two floating connectors 10 through the circuit board 6 is shown. It should be noted that, in each floating connector 10, a snap-fit block (not shown) may be additionally formed on two inner walls of the connecting space CSP for snapping a notch (not shown) located on two sides of the circuit board 6, and the two floating connectors 10 are firmly connected to the circuit board 6 by the snap-fit block snapping the notch.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a floating connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 8, the steps of the floating connector manufacturing method begin in step S81, and a first housing having an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit is formed.

In step S82, a second housing having an insertion guide, a tongue plate, and a slider is formed. Wherein, the second shell forms the depressed part with retaining wall separately on the side edge of the inserting guiding part, and a part of the floating block is located in the depressed part. The second shell is formed by injection molding, die molding or cutting molding.

Step S83, combining the first housing and the second housing to allow the slider to be disposed in the floating space.

In step S84, a stopper is inserted into the slit to limit the slider in the floating space.

In step S85, the retaining wall and the position limiting member determine the floating distance.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form, construction, features, methods and quantities may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A floating connector, comprising:

the first shell forms an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit, the floating space is respectively formed at two sides of the accommodating space in a first direction, and the slit is respectively formed at two sides of the floating space in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction;

the second shell is arranged in the accommodating space and provided with an insertion guide part, a tongue plate and floating blocks, the second shell forms a connecting space so as to be arranged on the tongue plate and exposed out of the insertion guide part, two side edges of the second shell are respectively provided with a sunken part with a retaining wall, and the floating blocks are respectively formed on two side edges of the second shell and are respectively arranged in the floating space;

the limiting pieces and the retaining walls determine the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space so as to limit the movement of the floating block in the floating space in at least one of the first direction and the second direction; and

and the terminal is arranged in the accommodating space and the connecting space.

2. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the first housing further comprises first electrode guide grooves formed on two inner walls of the receiving space, respectively, to be caught by a portion of the terminal.

3. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein said tongue plate further comprises second electrode guide grooves formed in outer walls of said tongue plate, respectively, for restraining another portion of said terminal.

4. The floating connector of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the insertion guide forms an inner slope.

5. The floating connector of claim 1, wherein the floating space forms a floating wall and the floating block forms a notch, the floating wall corresponding to the notch, such that when the floating block moves and touches the floating wall, the notch engages the floating wall, wherein the thickness of the floating wall is not greater than the height of the notch.

6. The floating connector of claim 1, wherein the retainer further comprises a plate body and a bottom portion, the plate body is connected to the bottom portion, the plate body and the bottom portion are inserted into the slot in the first direction, and the plate body and the bottom portion form a C-shaped body.

7. The floating connector of claim 1, wherein said second housing is an L-body structure.

8. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is composed of a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode are deformed by the slider moving in the floating space and do not contact each other, and there is a non-fixed length electrode distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

9. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the connection space of the second housing further comprises a locking block for locking a notch at a side of an external circuit board, and the second housing is stably connected to the circuit board by locking the notch with the locking block.

10. A manufacturing method of a floating connector is characterized by comprising the following steps:

(a) forming a first shell with an accommodating space, a floating space and a slit;

(b) forming a second housing having an insertion guide portion, a tongue plate, and a slider, wherein the second housing forms a recess portion having a retaining wall at each of both side edges of the insertion guide portion, and a part of the slider is located in the recess portion;

(c) combining the first housing and the second housing to allow the slider to be disposed in the floating space;

(d) inserting a stopper into the slit to limit the slider in the floating space; and

(e) the retaining wall and the limiting piece determine the floating distance.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second housing is formed by injection molding, die molding or cutting.