KR20000076293A - Docking-style intermediate connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An intermediate connector for engaging the surface mount connector and the cable connector includes the conductive terminal 17 in the body portion 16. The body portion is jointly defined by separate separate terminal contact supports 14, 15 attached to opposite ends of the connector terminals. The support can be attached to the connector terminal in the other direction, which eliminates the need for complex shaped connector housings. The support and the terminal are fixed to each other, aligned with each other by the fixing device 66, and provided with spacers 65 to maintain the desired spacing between the terminals of the connector.

Description

Docking-type intermediate connector {DOCKING-STYLE INTERMEDIATE CONNECTOR}

Docking type connector assemblies are used in computer applications for the purpose of providing a connection between circuits of computer circuit boards and peripherals such as printers, disk drives, and the like. In order to provide a connection to a circuit on a circuit board, surface mount connectors of the prior art are used. These surface mount connectors include an electrically insulated housing having a plurality of conductive terminals installed in the connector housing. Solder tails are formed on the terminals and extend out from the connector housing to allow soldering to conductive pads arranged on the circuit board. The solder tail is soldered to the surface of the circuit board where the surface mount connector terminals extend through the through holes formed in the circuit board by electrodeposition or solder dipping techniques. The through-hole method was used for mounting, and this through-hole on the opposite side of the circuit board would occupy a significant portion of the circuit board that could be used to accommodate the circuit or component when used for other purposes.

These surface mount connectors can be mated with other connectors. Surface-mount connectors are usually oriented in the same direction as the engaging portion of these connectors, either a straight-type engagement that is oriented upwards or a right-type engagement that is oriented parallel to the circuit board. When the number of terminals increases and the size of the connector remains the same, the pitch of the terminals must therefore be reduced. Surface soldering is commonly used in such applications, where the solder tail of the connector is arranged on two opposite sides of the connector housing.

In this type of structure, the right-type engaging portion of the surface mount connector has terminals extending out from the rear side of the connector. These terminals should have a longer length compared to the terminals arranged on the front side of the connector, thereby causing difficulty in maintaining a preset pitch of solder tails extending out from the front side of the connector.

Moreover, the ends of the solder tails are exposed around the mating ends of the corresponding cable connectors, which can potentially cause difficulty in engaging the cable connectors on the wire side, or the cable connectors unexpectedly impact the solder tail ends. And can damage it. In addition, coupling the cable connector to the surface mount connector may exert a force on the soldered end of the solder tail portion while being engaged, and such forces may cause breakage of the soldered portion.

Additionally, when through hole surface mount connectors are used, the through holes formed in the circuit board prevent surface mount, or any other type of connectors from being used on the opposite side of the circuit board. Thus, this type of arrangement wastes space on the circuit board and is therefore not suitable for use in applications of the docking type that can be found in notebooks or laptop computers.

Docking-type connector assemblies require a set of terminal contacts to be oriented in a direction parallel to the circuit board so that they can protrude out through the housing of the computer. This can be accomplished by using an intermediate connector that has an engagement portion that engages with the surface mount connector and projects in the desired direction. The terminals of the intermediate connector may be bent or angled to contact the terminals of the surface mount connector and also to contact the terminals of the corresponding connector on the opposite end of the intermediate connector. Such connectors may be formed by first bending a set of terminals into a desired shape and then inserting the terminals into an opening in a pre-formed connector housing. Forming and molding such a connector housing is expensive because the path taken by the terminals between the two ends of the connector housing has a different direction. Making such openings is a complex, delicate, process and increases the manufacturing cost of such intermediate connectors.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to docked connector assemblies that are mounted to a circuit board, and more particularly to multi-wire such as input / output ("I / O") connectors to circuits on the circuit board along the edges of the circuit board. wire) An intermediate connector used as part of an overall docking connector assembly for connecting a cable connector.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a surface mount connector assembly using a preferred embodiment of an intermediate connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and a method of mounting the intermediate connector on a circuit board to provide an I / O type connection.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the surface mount connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a plan view of the surface mount connector shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view of a pair of terminals used in the surface mount connector of FIGS. 1 and 2 arranged in opposing pairs.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate connector of FIG. 1 engaged with a corresponding surface mount connector secured to a circuit board.

6 is a plan view of the intermediate connector of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the terminal contact portion of the terminal used for the intermediate connector of FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outer, cable connector used in the connector assembly of FIG. 1, intended to be connected to the protruding portion of the intermediate connector of FIG. 5; FIG.

9 is a perspective view of a partially formed fixing device for use with the intermediate connector of FIG.

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9 with the fixing member intact; FIG.

11 is a cross sectional view of the securing member, taken along line 11-11 of FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1 through a pair of intermediate connectors mounted on both sides of the circuit board.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the intermediate connector of FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 14 shows the front end of the intermediate connector of FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the rear end of the intermediate connector of FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a terminal second contact support used for the intermediate connector of FIG. 5 with the terminals removed for clarity; FIG.

The present invention is for an intermediate connector having a structure that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages.

Thus, a comprehensive object of the present invention is to be used in a docking type connector assembly and to mount near the edge of a circuit board on which an intermediate connector housing is formed from a plurality of discrete components, eliminating the need for a complex shaped connector housing. To provide an intermediate connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly in the form of an improved docking for mounting on the edge of a circuit board, the assembly having a right angled intermediate connector which is aligned perpendicular to the surface mount connector. The intermediate connector has a connector body portion having an internal cavity surrounding a plurality of terminals, each terminal having first and second contacts disposed at opposite ends, the connector body having a cavity Thereby forming a connector body portion, each having separate and separate terminal supports for supporting the first and second contacts of the terminals.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a surface mount connector assembly for mounting to a circuit board near an edge of the circuit board, the connector assembly having a right angled body portion extending over the edge of the circuit board over the circuit board. The right angled body portion has a plurality of terminals supported at one end of the body portion and having a first contact portion located away from the circuit board past the edge of the circuit board to engage a corresponding docked connector. The terminals comprising a second contact supported at the other end of the body portion and directed from the circuit board toward the circuit board, the body portion having an internal hollow portion that can reduce the amount of material needed to form the intermediate connector. .

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a surface mount connector assembly for use in docking applications for providing a connection between a surface mount connector mounted on a circuit board and a corresponding cable connector, the intermediate connector being disposed therein. And a connector body receiving a plurality of conductive terminals extending between two contact ends of the connector body, one of the contact ends supporting a plurality of first contacts of the intermediate connector terminal, the corresponding cable connector being connected with the corresponding cable connector; A dual leaf connector portion positioned to be engaged, the other of the contact ends being in engagement with a corresponding surface mount connector of receptacle type mounted on a circuit board; A plug-shaped connector portion supporting a plurality of second contacts .

In order to achieve these and other objects, in one main aspect, the present invention is intended to be engaged with a surface mount connector near an edge portion of a circuit board, and to interlock with a multi-wire cable at a position outside the edge of the circuit board. Provide a connector assembly. The intermediate connector includes a connector housing including a two row leaf connector portion extending beyond the edge of the circuit board and supporting a plurality of conductive terminal first contacts in a position to engage corresponding terminals of a cable connector. The connector housing is spaced apart from the portion of the second row leaf connector that engages the surface mount connector mounted to the circuit board. It also includes connector parts in the form of plugs oriented in different directions. This plug-shaped connector portion supports a plurality of conductive terminal second contacts in a position to engage corresponding terminals of the surface mount connector.

In another main aspect of the invention, the intermediate connector housing is formed jointly by a plurality of connector housing elements. Such elements include a two row leaf connector portion and a connector portion in the form of a plug. The separated portions thus include a terminal receiving opening so that each separated portion can be attached to the terminal first and second contacts in various directions. This is complicated and eliminates the need for molded connector housings.

In another main aspect of the invention, the intermediate connector housing portions are fixed together by a retention member, which in the preferred embodiment takes the form of a bracket. The fixing bracket assists in aligning the separating part and also supports the guide pins of the intermediate connector used to guide the corresponding cable connector into engagement with the intermediate connector.

The intermediate connector can be secured to the circuit board by mounting screws extending through holes formed in both the circuit board and the intermediate connector. In this way, surface mount connectors can be mounted on opposing front and rear surfaces (top and bottom) of the circuit board, respectively, and a pair of intermediate connectors are respectively engaged with and secured to the surface mount connector. Can be.

Since the intermediate connector can be fixed directly to the circuit board by these screws, the forces that occur while the cable connector is engaged with the intermediate connector can damage the surface mount connector or the surface mount connector attached to the circuit board. And not directly to the solder tail of the surface mount connector.

In another principal aspect of the invention, the intermediate connector includes a two-row leaf connector end that surrounds and supports a plurality of conductive terminals in an orientation setting to engage a corresponding docked connector. The end is positioned beyond the edge of the circuit board above the circuit board to be able to engage a docked connector, such as a multi-wire connector. The two row leaf connector ends and their terminals extend horizontally beyond the edge of the circuit board.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

While the following detailed description is described, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

1 is a perspective view of a surface mount connector assembly, generally designated as (1), wherein the surface mount connector assembly is of the type I / O shown and enclosed within the cable 3 and the circuits disposed on the circuit board 2; A wire connector, such as connector 4, provides a connection between a series of wires that are terminated. An intervening intermediate connector 6, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is used to connect the surface mount connector 5 to the cable connector 4.

Two methods of mounting the surface connector assembly 1 to the printed circuit board 2 and engaging the cable connector 4 connected to one end of the wire cable 3 with the surface connector assembly 1. The method is shown. In one method, as shown in the lower right of FIG. 1, one surface mount connector 5 is mounted to the circuit board 2, so that it will be engaged with one intermediate connector 6. In another method, as shown at the upper left of FIG. 1, two surface mount connectors 5 are attached to both surfaces of the circuit board 2, and two intermediate connectors 6 are engaged therewith. . Each intermediate connector 6 may be engaged with a corresponding cable connector 4 and positioned off the edge of the right angle connector, or circuit board 2 in the illustrated embodiment to provide a connection point to the cable connector 4. Acts as another type of docking connector.

The surface mount connector assembly 1 comprises a surface mount connector 5 mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 2 and an interlocking intermediate connector 6 which meshes with an upper portion of the surface connector 5.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface mount connector 5 includes a plurality of connector housings 7 formed of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of which are mounted to the connector housings 7 at a predetermined pitch P. FIG. It can be seen that the conductive terminal 8 is included. This connector housing 7 may generally comprise a pair of slots 9 formed inside the housing and open to the top surface of the connector housing 7 to form a receptacle connector. Are shown as rectangles.

The terminals 8 are mounted inside the connector housing 2 in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch P with respect to the contact portions 10 of the opposing terminals on opposite sides of the slot 9 (FIG. 2). ). The terminals 8 are arranged in two rows with the terminals aligned as shown in FIG. 4. It is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 that two sets of terminals 8 are mounted in two separate rows 64a, 65a and 64b, 65b in each slot 9. Note that each of the terminals 8 has a solder tail portion 11 protruding along the bottom wall of the connector housing 7 such that the solder tail portion is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the connector housing. Can be.

The two rows of solder tail portions 11 of the terminals 8 arranged in one slot 9 protrude from one side of the connector housing, while the solder tail portions of the rows of terminals 8 in the other slot 9 ( 11 protrudes from the other, opposite side of the connector housing 7. In this relationship, the solder tail 11a of the terminal 8a and the first slot 9a of the two connection slots of the contact portion 10a of the terminal line are formed on one side of the connector housing 7 (Fig. While extending to the right as viewed from 2, the solder tail 11b of the terminal 8b and the second slot 2 of the two connection slots of the contact portion 10b of the terminal line are connected to the connector housing ( Extends to the other, opposite side of 7) (left side as seen in FIG. 2).

Turning now to FIG. 4, a pair of opposing terminals of the connector 5 is shown in a position that takes two rows inside each of the slots 9. It can be seen that each of the terminals includes a terminal body portion 12, a pair of contacts 13a and 13b, and a solder tail portion 11 coupled thereto. In order to allow the solder tail 11 to be positioned in the manner described above, the solder tail 11 of each terminal 8 is approximately half the width of the corresponding opposite terminal body portion 12. So that the solder 11 of one row of terminals 8 in one slot 9 extends out from the connector housing 7, but each of the other rows of terminals disposed in the same slot 9 It extends below the terminal body portion 12 of the terminal 8. Such passage is facilitated by recesses or cavities 62 formed at the rightmost side of the terminal body portion 12. As a result, it can be seen that the pitch of the solder tail 11 is half of the terminal pitch P, that is, 1/2 · P.

The contacts 10 of the terminal 8 are formed in an unusual shape, each of which preferably comprises two divided contacts 10a, 10b extending parallel to one another. One of the divided contacts 10a is longer than the other of the two divided contacts 10b, so that an arc provided at the distal end of each of the divided contacts 10a, 10b. The shaped contacts 13a, 13b are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the contact 10, ie in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, these contacts 13a, 13b slightly protrude into the connector housing engagement slot 9.

In assembling the surface mount connector assembly 1 to the edge portion of the printed circuit board 2, the surface mount connector 5 is first shown on the surface of the circuit board 2, as shown in the close side of FIG. 1. It is mounted near the edge portion 70 of the circuit board 2 as shown. The solder tail portion 11 of the connector 5 protrudes outward from the connector housing 7 along the sides of the connector housing 7 (which may be considered front and rear in view of FIG. 1). . The solder tail portions 11 are aligned in opposite directions to conductive pads (not shown) formed on the surface of the circuit board 2. Then, in order to fix the connector 5 to the circuit board 2, the solder tail portion 11 and the conductive pad are surface soldered by soldering in a preferred method such as electrodeposition soldering. The pitch of the solder tail portion 11 is equal to 1/2 of the pitch P of the terminal contact portion 10, thereby reducing the area occupied by the connector 5 and the solder tail portion 11 of the connector. Let's do it. Thus, a high density connection to the circuit board 2 can be achieved while using the reduced space of the circuit board.

The surface mount connector 5 is of simple construction, which comprises a connector housing 7 and a plurality of conductive terminals 8. The solder tail 11 is also formed in a simple outer shape in which the solder tails extend outward along the bottom wall of the connector housing 7 outside of the connector housing 7. Such a structure prevents the solder tail portion 11 from becoming too long and facilitates the manufacture of the solder tail portion 11 of the terminal 8. It is also easy to maintain the arrangement pitch of the solder tail 11 corresponding to the predetermined pitch P, and it is possible to surface solder the solder tail portion 11 to the circuit board 2 by the usual electrodeposition soldering method. Let's do it.

Returning now to FIG. 1, between the surface mount connector 5 and the corresponding cable connector surrounding the plurality of wires forming an end, as in the case of a connector in the form of input / output (“I / O”) It can be seen that an intermediate connector is provided as part of the overall surface mount assembly 1 to provide a connection. The intermediate connector 6 comprises a connector body portion 16 which provides an internal path for a set of conductive terminals 17 extending between two different engagement portions 14, 15, thereby providing a connector. Allow 6 to provide the necessary connection between the surface mount connector 5 and the cable connector. The connector body portion 16 is jointly formed by a series of separate portions 14, 15, 65 and 66 which can simplify the cost and assembly of this connector body portion.

The first part comprises a two row leaf connector housing 15 which supports the terminal 17 and, in particular, the first contact 19 thereon. This first contact 19 can be engaged with the corresponding contact 35 of the cable connector 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. A first connector housing 15 supports the terminal 17 and a first contact of the terminal generally parallel to the plane of the circuit board 2 and oriented past the edge 70 of the circuit board 2. . The two row leaf connector portion 15 arranges and supports the terminals 17 in two separate sets of terminals (shown top and bottom in FIG. 5), each set having two opposite rows of terminals 17. Has

At the other engagement end of the intermediate connector 6, a second engagement portion, or housing 14, is provided. This second housing 14 also supports the terminal 17 in the connector 6, in particular the opposite end and the second contact 18 of the connector. The terminal 17 is bent to have the advantages expected from a right angle connector as shown. The second engagement portion 14 is engaged with the upper portion of the surface mount connector 5, so that the inner cavity is sized to substantially accommodate the entire connector housing 70 of the surface mount connector 5. and a pair of plug portions 60 (FIG. 13) located in a cavity 61. The two plug portions 60 support the terminal second contacts 18 in pairs of two rows of contacts 18 that engage with two rows of pairs of contacts 13 of the surface mount connector 5. The second contact portion 18 is provided at the end of the terminal 17 and extends at a sufficient distance to protrude into the first engagement portion 14 and its cavity 61. The second contact portion 18 protrudes along the plug portion 60 and is engaged with the corresponding contact portion 10 of the surface mount connector terminal 8 arranged in the receptacle 9 of the surface mount connector 5. It serves to define the entire plug end of the connector 6.

The hollow portion 61 is further sized such that the bottom surface 16a of the intermediate connector body portion 16 can be substantially adjacent to the circuit board 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12. The terminals 17 of the intermediate connector 6 are mounted at the same arrangement pitch P as the contacts 10 of the surface mount connector terminals 8 and also in the two engagement slots 9 of the surface mount connector 5. Two sets of terminals corresponding to the terminal 8 in two rows are similarly formed.

The housing body 16 of the intermediate connector 6 comprises an end block 20 which is provided at opposite ends of the housing body as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, and on the circuit board 2 the intermediate connector ( 6) provide means for mounting. Each of these end blocks 20 comprises screw holes 21 which pass through in the vertical direction, as shown. Each end block has a connector guide pin 22 facing the front of the connector housing 16. These guide pins are located on opposite sides of the connector housing 16 and are provided for guiding the opposite cable connector 4 to be engaged with the intermediate connector 6. The guide pins 22 may comprise a shaft integrally connected to the final plug end 26 of the cylindrical shaft 24 via the narrow neck portion 25, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 12. . The plug ends 26 may vary in size, with one plug end 26b being the other plug end 26a to provide polarization characteristics such that the cable connector 4 ensures proper orientation with respect to the intermediate connector 6. And the plug ends may differ in their axial size, one larger than the other.

To complete the surface mount connector assembly 1, the intermediate connector 6 is first fixed on the circuit board 2 by engaging the connector with the upper part of the surface mount connector 5. One way of securing these intermediate connectors 6 to the surface mount connectors 5 and to the circuit board is shown in the center of FIG. 1. The intermediate connector 6 is engaged with two corresponding surface mount connectors 5 in such a way that the entire connector housing 7 of the connector 5 is received in the first engaging portion of the intermediate connector housing 16. In this way, the solder portion of the solder tail portion 11 is also surrounded by the cavity 61 of the first engagement portion 14, so that the surface mount connector housing 7 and the solder tail portion 11 are covered. All of the ends (i.e., the parts to be soldered) of are covered by the connector housing 16 to avoid exposure to the external environment.

This engagement of the intermediate connector 6 causes the second contact 18 of the terminal 17 to engage the corresponding contact 10 of the surface mount connector terminal 8, respectively. When engaged, the contact 13a of one of the two contacts 13a, 13b provided at the contact 10 of the surface mount connector 5 sweeps the surface of the intermediate connector contact 18, thereby staining. Or other types of surface contaminants. The pitch of the contact portion 10 and the pitch of the second contact portion 18 are equal to two (2) times the pitch of the solder tail portion 11 of the surface mount connector 5, so that the adjacent contact portions 10, 18) the gap between them becomes relatively wide. This terminal structure thus avoids the possibility of shorting of adjacent terminal structures in the connector.

The intermediate connector 6, which is engaged with the surface mount connector 5, has screw holes 21 of the end blocks 20 formed at opposite ends of the connector housing 16, and openings 27 formed in the printed circuit board. It may be directly fixed to the circuit board 2 through the screw 28 penetrating. By directly fixing the intermediate connector 6 to the circuit board 2, any external force acting on the intermediate connector 6 when it is engaged with the cable connector 4 to this intermediate connector is transmitted to the surface mount connector 5. Rather, it is directly transmitted to the circuit board 2. This structure avoids the force acting on the soldered end of the solder tail portion 11 of the surface connector 5. The cable connector 4 can be mounted without being disturbed by the edge 70 of the circuit board 2 to facilitate the installation work.

When the cable connector 4 is engaged with the intermediate connector 6, the force acting on the intermediate connector 6 from the connector 4 is transmitted directly to one side of the circuit board 2, as mentioned above. So that the acting force does not act as surface mount connector 5 to protect the soldered end of the solder tail portion 11. The intermediate connector 6 is engaged with the surface connector 5 so that the contact portions 18 of the terminals 17 of the relay connector 6 can be engaged with each other in a one-to-one relationship. By this, the conductive pad (not shown) of the circuit board 2 is positioned in the two-row leaf engaging portion 15 of the intermediate connector 6 in an electrically conductive state.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cable connector 4 is adapted to be interlocked with the intermediate connector second row leaf engagement portion 15. This cable connector 4 includes a connector housing 32 in which a plurality of terminals 33 are provided. This connector housing 32 is covered by a metal shielding cover 34 on the outer upper side and the lower side. The connector housing 32 is formed at one end and includes an engaging portion 30 protruding from the metal cover 34. A metal shell 31 is fitted around the engagement portion 30 and protrudes out of the engagement portion.

The terminals 33 of the cable connector 4 are installed in a parallel arrangement inside the connector housing 32 at the same pitch as the pitch P of the terminal 8 of the surface mount connector 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal 33 includes a contact portion 35 located on the upper and lower sides of the engagement portion 30 and includes an intermediate connector located within the second row leaf engagement portion 15. And two sets of contacts 19 in 6). An insulation removal contact 36 is formed on the terminal 33 and is provided inside the connector housing 32. As is known in the art, the insulated wires 37 of the cable 3 lying in the metal cover 34 end to the terminal 33 in a conventional manner by pressing them tightly against the terminal 33. Is connected. The cable connector 4 comprises a guide hole (not shown) for guiding the guide pin 22 protruding from the intermediate connector 6.

By bringing the cable connector 4 into engagement with the intermediate connector 6, the contact portion 19 of the intermediate connector terminal 17 and the contact portion 35 of the cable connector terminal are engaged with each other. A disengagement means comprising a lever 44 is provided on the outside of the cable connector 4 to provide a means by which the user can easily grasp the cable connector 4 from the intermediate connector 6 by hand. .

1 shows a state where the surface mount connector 5 mounted on both surfaces of the circuit board 2 and the intermediate connector 6 are engaged with the surface mount connector 5. The intermediate connector 6 provided on the opposing surface of the surface mount connector 5 is fixed on the circuit board 2 by a general screw 28. By mounting two such connector assemblies 1 on both surfaces of the circuit board 2, efficient use of both surfaces of the circuit board 2 is achieved. It will be appreciated that the surface connector 5 can only be mounted on one surface of the circuit board 2 and engage with one corresponding intermediate connector 6.

The fixing of the intermediate connector 6 on the circuit board 2 is also not limited to the same means as the mounting screw 28. It is also possible to use other fastening means such as fastening pegs provided on the intermediate connector housing body 16. By the use of screws 28 it is easy to fix and detachably mount the intermediate connector 6 to the surface mount connector 5, which is convenient for replacement and repair. The screw 28 used in FIG. 1 is opposite the intermediate connector 6 such that two intermediate connectors 6 mounted on both surfaces of the circuit board 2 can be fixed simultaneously by one common screw 28. Can be engaged with an opening formed in

The connector body 16 also includes a spacer member 65 formed therein and having a series of slots 80 for receiving the top row portion of the terminal 17. (FIG. 5) By using these three separate housing parts, the simple connector housing 16 is provided by an inner passage 82 which penetrates the connector housing 16 and is connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the connector 6. ) Is configured. The first engagement portion 15 may fit into the terminal 17 at the first contact 19, while the second engagement portion 14 may be fitted at the terminal 17 in a different direction at the second contact 18. It will be appreciated that it may be fitted to the other end of the. The spacers 65 serve to keep the terminals 17 in their proper alignment. With this multi-part construction, there is no need to costly form one-piece connector housings with complicated internal passages, which reduces the cost of such connectors.

In order to hold portions of the connector body together, a retainer 66 is provided. This fixing device is shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 and may preferably comprise a metal clip 90 stamped and formed during insertion into the connector 6. The fixing device 66 has a base 91 extending almost the width of the connector 6. The base 91 has two legs 92 formed at its ends. These legs 92 include an opening 93 through which the mounting screw 28 can pass. The legs are at an angled bent portion 95 and also include a second opening 94 that is threaded within the interior of the connector body 16. This threaded opening 94 is engaged with the threaded end of the guide pin 22. Thus, it will be appreciated that the fixing device 65 also serves to hold the guide pin 22 in place of the connector 6.

The base 91 of the fixing device 65 is also bent in a direction parallel to the end portion 95 of the leg portion 92. When the base is bent during the assembly process, the holes 98 formed in the base 91 receive and engage an alignment stud, or post 99, formed by the second engagement portion 14. . This second engagement portion 14 is shown in FIG. 16 and includes a base 10 having two tabs 101 extending on both sides. These tabs 101 have an opening 102 for receiving the mounting screw 28. The base 100 additionally has a " stepped " with two different layers 103 and 104 capable of receiving a terminal 17, in particular a second contact 18. Each such layer has a number of slots 105, 106 sized to receive the end 17. The stepped shape of the second engagement portion 14 allows the terminal 17 to be included in the connector body 16.

In the connector assembly, the leg portion 92 is first formed and inserted into the connector body which is in contact with the front wall 106 of the connector 6 formed as part of the first engagement portion 15. The base 91 is then bent over the rear wall 109 of the second engagement portion 14, so that the alignment posts will be received into the opening of the fixing device 65. The top flange 110 is then formed as part of the process in which the fixing device 56 and the other parts are framed together.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

An intermediate connector for providing a connection between a surface mount connector coupled to a printed circuit board and a corresponding docked connector, A connector body comprising: a connector body comprising a plurality of conductive terminals disposed therein, the connector body having first and second connector engagement portions disposed at an angle to each other on another surface of the connector, Further comprising separate first and second terminal supports disposed respectively in the first and second engagement portions; The terminals have first and first contacts disposed at opposite ends of the terminal, respectively, wherein the first terminal is disposed on the first engagement portion and the second terminal is disposed on the second engagement portion. And the first and second engagement portions orient the first and second terminals in different directions to provide a right angle connection between the surface mount connector and the corresponding connector. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes means for directly securing the intermediate connector to the circuit board to resist forces that occur while the corresponding docked connector is engaged and disengaged from the intermediate connector. The direct fixing means has one or more mounting holes formed in the connector body for receiving one or more mounting screws and penetrating mounting screws, the mounting holes being in an orientation with an offset angle from the circuit board. 3. The intermediate connector of claim 2, wherein the connector body mounting hole is aligned in line with a corresponding corresponding mounting hole formed in the circuit board when the intermediate connector is engaged with the surface mounting connector. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate spacer member engaged with at least a portion of the terminal to maintain a spacing between the terminals, the spacer member forming a portion of the top surface of the intermediate connector. And the second engagement portion forms at least a portion of the bottom surface of the intermediate connector. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the spacer member is placed adjacent to a portion of the second engagement portion, and the connector is adapted to secure the spacer member and the second engagement portion together in place within the connector body. Further including, middle connector. The intermediate connector of claim 1, further comprising a securing device for securing the first and second engagement portions together in the connector body. The intermediate connector of claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion supports the terminal first contact portion in a horizontal plane, and the second engagement portion supports the terminal second contact portion in a vertical plane. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of guide pins extending on opposite sides of said first engagement portion to guide said mating connector into engagement with said intermediate connector, said first and second engagement portions. Further comprising a fixing device for securing the first and second engagement portions in place within the connector body, together with a fixing device for securing the first and second engagement portions in place within the connector body. Interlocked with, intermediate connector. 9. The intermediate connector of claim 8, further comprising a spacer member spaced apart from each other by a portion of the terminals, the spacer member being fixed in place within the connector body by the fixing device. . 9. The intermediate connector of claim 8, wherein the garden pin is screwed into engagement with the securing device on an opposite side of the first engagement portion. The intermediate connector of claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion defines a plug end of the intermediate connector and the first engagement portion defines a two row leaf receptacle end of the intermediate connector. A connector for providing a connection between a surface mount connector and a mating connector, the surface mount connector being disposed on a circuit board and located near an edge of the circuit board, the surface mount connector receiving a portion of the connector therein; A connector in the form of a receptacle having one or more openings formed therein, wherein the mating connector is a two-row leaf type connector, the connector for providing a connection between the mating connector and the mating connector, A connector body having a first engagement end extending perpendicular to the circuit board, the connector body having one or more plug portions that can engage the surface mount connector, the connector body extending parallel to the circuit board and at an angle to the plug portion. Further comprising a second engagement end, the second engagement end comprising a two-row leaf connector portion extending over the circuit board and protruding out of the circuit board edge; The connector body includes a plurality of terminals disposed therein and extending between the connector body first and second engagement ends, wherein the terminals are disposed at opposite ends of the terminal, the connector body first and second Each of the first and second contacts respectively supported by the two engaging portions; The connector body first and second engagement portions are formed of two separate and separate members attached to opposite ends of the terminal, thereby corresponding to a surface mount connector defining an internal passageway opened within the connector body. Connector to provide a connection between connectors. 13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the two row leaf connector portion supports the terminal second contact over the circuit board completely beyond the circuit board edge. 13. The connector as recited in claim 12, further comprising a securing device for securing said first and second engagement portions in place within said connector body. 13. The surface mount connector and the mating connector of claim 12, further comprising a pair of guide pins disposed on opposite sides of the second mating portion to guide the mating connector to engage the connector second mating portion. Connector to provide a connection between. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a pair of guide pins disposed on opposite sides of the second engagement portion for guiding the corresponding connector to engage the connector second engagement portion. And a securing device for securing the engagement portion together in place within the connector body, wherein the guide pin is coupled with the securing device to secure the first and second engagement portions in place within the connector body. A connector for providing a connection between a surface mount connector and a mating connector, which is engaged by screwing. A surface mount connector assembly for mounting on a printed circuit board near an edge of a circuit board, the surface mount connector extending partially beyond the circuit board edge by a predetermined distance to engage the corresponding connector at a position outside the circuit board edge. To A surface mount connector for mounting to a surface of the circuit board near an edge of the circuit board, An intermediate connector that can be engaged with the corresponding connector and that can be engaged with a surface mount connector to provide an engaging portion of the connector assembly disposed over the circuit board and having a length extending beyond the circuit board edge; Means for fastening the intermediate connector directly to the circuit board to prevent a force generated while the mating connector engages and disengages with the connector assembly adversely affecting the surface mount connector solder tail portion; A pair of mounting holes disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate connector, and a pair of mounting screws received inside the mounting holes and inside the mounting holes formed in the circuit board when the connector assembly is mounted to the circuit board; Means for securing an intermediate connector directly to the circuit board, The surface mount connector has an elongated housing having a plurality of conductive terminals arranged thereon, the surface mount connector terminals extending outwardly from the housing along the bottom surface of the housing and along the outside of the housing. A bonded solder tail portion that can be soldered to a circuit board, wherein the surface mount connector terminals further comprise a contact line up opposite sides of a receptacle formed in the housing; The intermediate connector includes an elongated intermediate connector body having a first engaging end having one or more plug portions that can be inserted into the surface mount connector receptacle, the intermediate connector body extending parallel to the circuit board and the Further comprising an angled second engagement end in the surface mount connector receptacle, the second engagement end including a two-row leaf connector portion extending above the circuit board and projecting outward beyond the circuit board edge, And a plurality of terminals extending between the intermediate connector first and second engagement ends. 18. The circuit board of claim 17, wherein the intermediate connector terminals comprise first and second contacts disposed respectively at the first and second engaging ends of the intermediate connector, the second contact being completely beyond the circuit board edge. Surface supported connector assembly supported by the second row leaf connector portion from above.