JP3246027U - floating connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating connector is used for board-to-board connections and has a mating opening below a circuit board. A floating connector (1) installed on a circuit board (100). The circuit board has a through hole 103. The floating connector includes a base, a movable member, at least one terminal, and a fixed member. The base is installed on the circuit board and installed across the through hole. The movable member is installed on the base, and a portion of the movable member is installed through the through hole. The terminal is installed across the base and the movable member. The fixed member is fixed to the first surface 101 and engages the base to clamp the movable member therewith. The movable member is movable relative to the base in a direction parallel to the circuit board. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a floating connector, and more particularly to a floating connector with a mating opening below a circuit board.

Signal transmission in electronic equipment requires a circuit board and a connector installed on it. Board to Board Connectors are widely used in many electronic devices, such as computers, communication equipment, industrial automation systems, and consumer electronics. Board-to-board electrical connections can provide reliable, high-speed signal transmission for these electronic devices and improve system stability.

When the board-to-board connection between circuit boards is a top-down connection, one of the connection structures is a structure in which a slot is provided locally on the circuit board so that the connector opening is located below the circuit board. However, with such a structure, accurate alignment and fitting are not easy. In particular, when multiple terminals on the other side are long, the terminals tend to shift and alignment becomes difficult, resulting in poor operability and erroneous insertion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating connector, particularly for use in board-to-board connections, where the mating opening is below the circuit board. Floating connectors are flexible and have a wide tolerance range, allowing for slight misalignment of the connector in each direction. Users can more easily mate connectors without requiring perfect alignment. It is possible to improve operability while maintaining reliable electrical connections. In some fields, such as automotive electronics, aerospace, and industrial controls, the connectors used are sensitive to external forces. Floating connectors can reduce the effect of external stress on the connector, reduce wear and tear, extend the overall system life and improve reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, the floating connector according to the present invention is a floating connector installed on a circuit board, and the circuit board has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the floating connector. It has a through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The floating connector includes a base, a movable member, at least one terminal, and a fixed member. The base is installed on the first surface of the circuit board and installed across the through hole. The movable member is installed on the base, and a portion of the movable member is installed through the through hole. The terminal is installed across the base and the movable member. The fixed member is fixed to the first surface, engages with the base, and clamps the movable member together with the base. The movable member is movable relative to the base in a direction parallel to the circuit board.

The base has a housing space communicating with the through hole. The movable member has a main body installed in the housing space, extending from the housing space, and positioned in the through hole.

The base has a receiving portion. The movable member has an extending end portion connected to the main body portion and movably held between the receiving portion and the fixed member.

The main body has at least one fitting hole formed through the main body. The fitting hole has a first opening and a second opening on the opposite side. The first opening is located on a side remote from the first surface, and the second opening is located on another side remote from the second surface.

The terminal has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is electrically connected to the first surface, and the second end extends from the first opening and is installed in the fitting hole.

The terminal has at least one bend between the first end and the second end. The bent portion is located between the movable member and the base.

The second opening is formed by at least one guide surface.

The fixing member has an engaging portion. The base has a convex portion formed on the receiving portion and engaging with the engaging portion.

The fixing member has a weld leg welded to the first surface.

The base further includes a positioning post. The circuit board further includes a positioning hole in which the positioning post is installed.

Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will be able to understand other objects of the present invention, means of implementing the present invention, and embodiments by referring to the drawings and the implementation method described below. Dew.

A perspective view showing how the floating connector according to the present invention is installed on a circuit board A perspective view of the floating connector according to the present invention seen from another direction Exploded perspective view showing a floating connector according to the present invention Partially exploded view showing a floating connector according to the present invention A sectional view showing a floating connector according to the present invention Schematic diagram showing the fitting of the floating connector according to the present invention with another connector

Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be explained through examples. Note that the examples of the present invention show examples of embodiments, and are not intended to be limited to the environments, applications, or specific aspects described in the examples. Accordingly, the description of the embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, but is not intended to limit the present invention. It should be noted that in the following embodiments and drawings, elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted and not shown. The relationship between the dimensions of each component in the drawings is for ease of understanding and does not limit the actual dimensions.

This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how a floating connector 1 according to the present invention is installed on a circuit board 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floating connector 1 according to the present invention before being placed on the circuit board 100 when viewed from another direction. The circuit board 100 has a first surface 101 , a second surface 102 opposite to the first surface 101 , and a through hole 103 that penetrates the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 . The circuit board 100 is further provided with a plurality of electrical contacts 104 and a plurality of solder joints 105 on the first surface 101 . Note that two positioning holes 106 are further formed in the circuit board 100.

This will be explained with reference to FIG. 3 as well. The floating connector 1 includes a base 11, a movable member 13, a plurality of terminals 15, and two fixed members 17. The base 11 has a housing space 111, two receiving parts 113, and two positioning posts 116. The receiving portions 113 are arranged on both sides. The positioning posts 116 each extend from the receiving portion 113. When the base 11 is installed on the circuit board 100, the positioning posts 116 are arranged corresponding to the positioning holes 106. When the floating connector 1 is installed on the circuit board 100, the base 11 is installed across the through hole 103 so that the receiving part 113 is installed on the first surface 101. The accommodation space 111 communicates with the through hole 103.

The movable member 13 has a main body portion 131 and two extending end portions 133. The extending ends 133 are connected to the main body 131 and are disposed on both sides. The movable member 13 is installed on the base 11, and the main body portion 131 is installed through the through hole 103. Specifically, by installing the extending end portions 133 in the receiving portions 113, the main body portion 131 is installed in the housing space 111 and extends from the housing space 111 to the lower side of the circuit board 100 through the through hole 103 ( i.e., protruding from the second surface 102).

The fixed member 17 is fixed to the first surface 101 and engages with the base 11 to sandwich the movable member 13 together with the base 11. Specifically, each fixing member 17 has a welding leg 171 and a plurality of engaging portions 177. Weld leg 171 is welded to solder joint 105 on first surface 101 of circuit board 100 . The base 11 further includes a convex portion 177 formed on the side surface of the receiving portion 113 and engaging with the engaging portion 177.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state before the fixing member 17 is placed on the base 11. It is clear that the extending end portion 133 is installed in the receiving portion 113, and that there is a gap between the extending end portion 133 and the receiving portion 113 in the front, rear, left and right directions. For example, the gap in each direction is designed to be 0.7 mm. When the fixing member 17 is connected to the base 11, the engaging portion 177 engages with the protrusion 117. In this way, the extending end portion 133 is restricted in the vertical direction by the receiving portion 113 and the fixing member 17, but the extending end portion 133 is movably held between the receiving portion 113 and the fixing member 17. . Thereby, the movable member 13 is movable relative to the base 11 only in a direction parallel to the circuit board 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of fitting holes 1310 are formed through the main body portion 131. As shown in FIG. The fitting hole 1310 has a first opening 1311 (upper opening) and a second opening 1312 (lower opening) on the opposite side. The first opening 1311 is located on a side away from the first surface 101 and the second opening 1312 is located on another side away from the second surface 102. Preferably, the second opening 1312 is formed by at least one guide surface 13121. As illustrated, the guide surface 13121 allows the second opening 1312 to have a shape that gradually expands toward the opening, thereby facilitating fitting.

Next, the structure and arrangement of the terminal 15 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 15 is installed across the base 11 and the movable member 13. Specifically, the terminal 15 has a first end 151 , an opposite second end 152 , and at least one bent portion 153 . The bent portion 153 is formed between the first end 151 and the second end 152. First end 151 is electrically connected to electrical contact 104 on first surface 101 . The second end 152 extends from the first opening 1311 and is installed in the fitting hole 1310 to electrically connect with another connector terminal after fitting. The bent portion 153 is located between the movable member 13 and the base 11. This applies elastic force, so that the movable member 13 can move relative to the base 11 in a direction parallel to the circuit board 100 and return. For example, the allowable movement amount in each direction is designed to be 0.7 mm.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the actual use of the floating connector 1 according to the present invention. As mentioned above, the floating connector 1 is installed on the circuit board 100. The movable member 13 is installed through the through hole 103. The second opening 1313 is exposed below the circuit board 100 as a fitting opening. As shown in FIG. 6, a mating connector 2 having mating terminals 21 is installed on the mating circuit board 200. Since the movable member 13 is movable relative to the base 11 in a direction parallel to the circuit board 100, the present invention prevents the mating terminal 21, which has a long shape as shown in the figure, from easily slipping off and becoming difficult to align. Particularly suitable for combined forms.

As described above, the floating connector according to the present invention is suitable for a board-to-board connection in which the fitting opening is below the circuit board. Floating connectors are flexible and have a wide tolerance range, so they can tolerate slight misalignment during mating. Since the user does not need to perform perfect alignment, it can effectively improve the problem of difficult mating due to misalignment, reduce wear and tear, extend the overall system life and improve reliability. can.

The above-mentioned embodiments explain the embodiments of the present invention and the characteristic configurations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the invention. The scope of protection of the rights in this invention shall be based on the scope of the claims.

100 Circuit board 101 First surface 102 Second surface 103 Through hole 104 Electrical contact 105 Solder joint 106 Positioning hole 1 Floating connector 11 Base 111 Accommodation space 113 Receiving portion 116 Positioning post 117 Convex portion 13 Movable member 131 Main body portion 1310 Fitting Hole 1311 First opening 1312 Second opening 13121 Guide surface 133 Extension end 15 Terminal 151 First terminal 152 Second terminal 153 Bent part 17 Fixing member 171 Welding leg 177 Engagement part 200 Mating circuit board 2 Mating connector 21 Mating terminal

Claims (10)

A floating connector installed on a circuit board, the circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface. have,
The floating connector is
a base installed on the first surface of the circuit board and installed across the through hole;
a movable member installed on the base, a part of which is installed through the through hole;
at least one terminal installed across the base and the movable member;
a fixed member fixed to the first surface, engaged with the base, and sandwiching the movable member with the base;
Equipped with
The floating connector, wherein the movable member is movable with respect to the base in a direction parallel to the circuit board. The base has a housing space that communicates with the through hole, and the movable member has a main body that is installed in the housing space, extends from the housing space, and is located in the through hole. Floating connector according to item 1. The base has a receiving part, and the movable member has an extending end connected to the main body part and movably held between the receiving part and the fixed member. Floating connector according to item 2. The main body has at least one fitting hole formed through the main body, and the fitting hole has a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening. 4. The floating connector of claim 3, wherein: is located on a side remote from the first surface, and the second opening is located on another side remote from the second surface. The terminal has a first end and an opposite second end, the first end electrically connected to the first surface, and the second end connected to the first opening. 5. The floating connector according to claim 4, wherein the floating connector extends from the connector and is installed in the fitting hole. The terminal has at least one bent part between the first end and the second end, and the bent part is located between the movable member and the base. Floating connector according to claim 5. 6. The floating connector according to claim 5, wherein the second opening is formed by at least one guide surface. 6. The floating connector according to claim 5, wherein the fixing member has an engaging part, and the base has a convex part formed on the receiving part and engaged with the engaging part. 6. The floating connector according to claim 5, wherein the fixing member has a weld leg welded to the first surface. 6. The floating connector of claim 5, wherein the base further has a positioning post, and the circuit board further has a positioning hole in which the positioning post is installed.