KR20240035111A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of electrical connectors is provided, including a plug connector and a receptacle connector.
The plug connector includes a plug housing, a plug signal terminal, and a plug power terminal.
The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing, a receptacle signal terminal, a receptacle power terminal, and an internal protruding wall.
A portion of the wall portion of the plug housing is a connection wall with a height lower than that of the wall portion, and the inner protruding wall has an open hole open in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle connector. When the plug connector and the receptacle connector are completed fitting, , the connecting wall is located in an open hole of the inner protruding wall.

Description

Electrical connector {ELECTRIC CONNECTOR}

The present invention relates to electrical connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to a coupling structure of a plug connector and a receptacle connector (socket connector).

Generally, when boards are interconnected, two connectors are used that are connected to each board by a method such as soldering, and the two connectors can be connected to each other. Here, one of the two connectors is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector. Socket connectors are also called receptacle connectors. These plug connectors and socket connectors can be formed by placing terminals on mold parts. The plug connector and the socket connector may be coupled to each other to form an electrical connector assembly.

In accordance with the trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices, connectors are becoming smaller and shorter. However, there are some limitations in miniaturizing and lowering the profile of the connector by reducing the pitch or making the components smaller.

On the other hand, as connectors become smaller, securing their durability has become more difficult than before. This is because the member is small, so it is easy to break or deform even with a smaller force than before.

Additionally, because the members are small, problems with incorrect assembly are more likely to occur. In other words, if the size of the connector is large, a relatively large force is required to fit it, so there are few cases of fitting it in the wrong direction. However, if the size of the connector is very small, the amount of force required to fit it is also small, and thus the wrong direction is rare. Even in the case of insertion (reverse mating), it can be assumed that the shape of the member is somewhat ignored.

Additionally, as a type of deformation, plastic deformation may occur if the metal terminal continues to be maintained in a specific shape during the process of connecting connectors or while they are connected. Plastic deformation is the opposite of elastic deformation, and refers to a state in which a material maintains deformation and does not return to its original shape even when the load applied to the material is removed. All materials generally have elasticity, but when stress occurs, their shape deforms. In connector terminals that are becoming increasingly finer, there is also a need to prevent such plastic deformation.

In addition, there are cases where the resin mold (housing) of the connector is manufactured by insert molding. In this case, the flowability of the resin determines whether the housing is molded properly, so there is a need to improve the flowability of the resin. .

In addition, when manufacturing terminals that are usually made of metal, there are limitations in the structure of the terminal itself and the resin mold depending on the manufacturing method (e.g., whether or not a deep drawing method is used), so there is a need to take this into consideration. .

In addition, in insert molding, etc., there is a need to consider the problem of the resin injection molding covering the metal material.

The technical problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to solve the problem of misassembly (reverse mating) caused by small members.

If the size of the connector is large, a relatively large force is required to fit it, so there are few cases of fitting it in the wrong direction. However, if the size of the connector is very small, the amount of force required to fit it is also small, so it is easy to fit it in the wrong direction. In this case, it can also be assumed that the shape of the member is somewhat ignored while being inserted, and this problem is to be solved.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to the present invention, a pair of electrical connectors comprising a plug connector and a receptacle connector, comprising:

The plug connector is,

(a) a plug housing including a plug base and a wall protruding upward from the plug base,

(b) a plug signal terminal installed on the wall,

(c) Plug power terminal installed on the wall

Including,

The receptacle connector is,

(d) a receptacle base and a first wall portion projecting from a top surface of the receptacle base, a second wall portion projecting from the top surface of the receptacle base and intersecting the first wall portion, and a second wall portion projecting from the top surface of the receptacle base and comprising the second wall portion and a receptacle housing including a third wall portion that intersects and faces the first wall portion, and a fourth wall portion that protrudes from an upper surface of the receptacle base and intersects the first and third wall portions and faces the second wall portion;

(e) a receptacle signal terminal installed at least on the second wall;

(f) a receptacle power terminal installed at least on the first wall;

(g) an internal protruding wall located between the second wall and the fourth wall.

Includes,

A portion of the wall portion of the plug housing is a connecting wall that is lower in height than the wall portion,

The inner protruding wall has an open hole open in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle connector,

Upon completion of fitting the plug connector and the receptacle connector, a pair of electrical connectors is provided, wherein the connecting wall is positioned in an open hole in the inner protruding wall.

Preferably, the connecting wall is located on the wall portion of the plug connector, has a lower height than the wall portion, and has a narrower width than the wall portion.

Preferably, the inner protruding wall protrudes upward from the base of the receptacle.

Preferably, the internal protruding wall protrudes inwardly of the second wall portion and the fourth wall portion in the width direction of the receptacle connector.

Preferably, the connecting wall exists between the plug power terminal and the plug signal terminal.

Preferably, the inner protruding wall exists between the receptacle power terminal and the receptacle signal terminal.

Preferably, an inclined surface exists between the connecting wall and the wall portion.

According to the present invention, when joined thereby, the connectors 10, 20 have a very low height and narrow width, while having the effect of preventing reverse mating (fitting in opposite directions).

That is, due to the coupling structure of the connecting wall (10-5-C) and the open hole (20-5-D), if the coupling is attempted with the direction reversed (i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the connectors 10 and 20), It is easy to see that if you try to combine in a direction that does not match each other, the combination will not work. Accordingly, the connectors 10 and 20 are made low-profile (lower in height), thereby saving space and preventing reverse mating.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the contents exemplified above, and further various effects are included in the present specification.

Additionally, if pin roles are separated for each signal terminal (10-3, 20-3), reverse mating may mean an unwanted short circuit. The same applies to the power terminals 10-1 and 20-1. In other words, reverse mating may cause damage to the connector, but even if there is no physical damage because the connector is completely symmetrical, depending on the role of each pin, it may result in the input of an unwanted false signal or an unwanted short circuit. According to the invention, such reverse mating is fundamentally prevented.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a plug connector 10 among electrical connectors according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1 viewed from another angle.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the socket connector 20 among the electrical connectors according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows the socket connector 20 of FIG. 3 viewed from another angle.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the plug connector 10 and the socket connector 20 are coupled.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains is not limited. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a plug connector 10 among electrical connectors according to the present invention.

In this specification, the electrical connector refers to the plug connector 10 in some cases, the receptacle connector 20 (also referred to as a 'socket connector') in some cases, and the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector ( 20) can be used as a term to refer to both (or an assembly thereof).

1 shows, as an example, a power terminal 10-1, a signal terminal 10-3, and a housing 10-5 (mold portion) of the plug connector 10.

The power terminal 10-1 is a metal structure to supplement the strength of the connector 10, and can input and output power electrical signals. The signal terminal 10-3 can input and output data signals.

However, this is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the power terminal 10-1 may be manufactured separately as a separate metal fitting and power terminal.

Also, for example, the signal terminal 10-3 may be composed of four PINs that allow a current of 0.3A, or may be a terminal that allows a current exceeding 0.3A, for example, up to 5A to function as a power terminal. there is. However, the fact that the number of PINs is 4 is just an example. For reference, in the example of FIG. 1, the number of signal terminals 10-3 is three.

The housing 10-5 has a base 10-5-B. The housing 10-5 has a wall portion 10-5-W protruding from the upper surface of the base portion 10-5-B, and the wall portion includes a power terminal 10-1, a signal terminal 10-3, etc. is formed.

If necessary, the wall portion may be four walls connected in a square shape, but in the example of FIG. 1, one wall portion 10-5-W is shown.

The housing 10-5 (mold portion) of the plug connector 10 is preferably made of plastic, for example, liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Additionally, the housing 10-5 may be formed of an insulator containing resin, epoxy, etc., but is not limited thereto. The power terminal 10-1 and the signal terminal 10-3 of the plug connector 10 are preferably made of metal, but are not limited thereto, and may be copper, for example, or gold-plated copper alloy (nickel-under layer).

In FIG. 1, a connection wall 10-5-C exists between the power terminal 10-1 shown on the left and the three signal terminals 10-3. It is a part of the housing 10-5 of the connecting wall 10-5-C.

The connecting wall 10-5-C may be viewed as a part of the wall portion 10-5-W. Alternatively, depending on the viewpoint, it may be seen that there is a connecting wall (10-5-C) between the separated wall portions (10-5-W). That is, the connection wall 10-5-C is located on the wall portion 10-5-W of the plug connector 10, and as shown in FIG. 1, it is located on the upper and side surfaces of the wall portion 10-5-W. It is formed small.

And, an inclined surface (inclined portion) 10-5-I exists between the connection portion 10-5-C and the wall portion 10-5-W.

As will be described later, the space created by the connection wall 10-5-C (lower and narrower than the surrounding wall 10-5-W) is provided by the inner protruding wall 20-5 of the socket connector 20, which is the counterpart connector. -P) (in other words, an open hole around the inner protruding wall 20-5-P) is located.

FIG. 2 shows the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1 viewed from another angle.

In FIG. 2 , as in FIG. 1 , a power terminal 10-1, a signal terminal 10-3, and a housing 10-5 are shown.

The housing 10-5 has a base portion 10-5-B, a wall portion 10-5-W, a connecting wall 10-5-C, and an inclined portion 10-5-I.

There is one inclined portion between the wall portion 10-5-W on the left side of the drawing and the connecting wall 10-5-C, and one between the wall portion 10-5-W on the right side of the drawing and the connecting wall 10-5- There are a total of two places, one in between C).

As will be described later, the space created by the connection wall 10-5-C (lower and narrower than the surrounding wall 10-5-W) is provided by the internal protruding wall 20-5 of the socket connector 20, which is the counterpart connector. -P) (in other words, an open hole around the inner protruding wall 20-5-P) is located.

Since this is not symmetrical in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the connecting wall 10-5-C is biased to one side in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10), it makes it easier to understand the direction of mating with the other connector, and prevents mismating (incorrect insertion). This allows you to see immediately when fitting, preventing it from being fitted upside down.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the socket connector 20 among the electrical connectors according to the present invention.

The socket connector 20 is also called a receptacle connector 20.

The socket connector 20 of FIG. 3 has a structure that is fitted and coupled to the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1. Of course, the directions in Figures 1 and 3 (particularly, the up and down directions) are set to facilitate explanation of the structure, and cannot be inserted in the directions shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, and the plug connector in Figure 1 ( 10) is flipped up and down (so that the Z direction is flipped up and down) and inserted into the socket connector 20 of FIG. 3, or the socket connector 20 of FIG. 3 is flipped up and down (so that the Z direction is flipped up and down) to fit the plug of FIG. It will be easy to see that it is inserted into the connector 20.

In Figure 3, the power terminal 20-1, signal terminal 20-3, and housing 20-5 (mold portion) of the socket connector 20 are shown as an example.

The power terminal 20-1 is a metal structure to supplement the strength of the connector 20, and can input and output power electrical signals. The signal terminal 20-3 can input and output data signals.

However, this is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the power terminal 20-1 may be manufactured separately as a separate metal fitting and power terminal.

Also, for example, the signal terminal 20-3 may be composed of four PINs that allow a current of 0.3A, or may be a terminal that allows a current exceeding 0.3A, for example, up to 5A to function as a power terminal. there is. However, the fact that the number of PINs is 4 is just an example. For reference, in the example of FIG. 3, the number of signal terminals 20-3 is three.

The housing 20-5 has a base 20-5-B. The housing 20-5 has a wall portion protruding from the upper surface of the base portion 20-5-B, and a power terminal 20-1, a signal terminal 20-3, etc. are formed on the wall portion.

The wall portion is largely formed of four parts, the first wall portion (20-5-W1), the second wall portion (20-5-W2), the third wall portion (20-5-W3), and the fourth wall portion (20-5). -W4) included. As shown in Figure 3, the first wall portion (20-5-W1) - the second wall portion (20-5-W2) - the third wall portion (20-5-W3) - the fourth wall portion (20-5-W4) It can be seen that the fourth wall portion (20-5-W4) is connected to the first wall portion (20-5-W1) again.

The housing (20-5; mold portion) of the socket connector 20 is preferably made of plastic, for example, LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer). Additionally, the housing 20-5 may be formed of an insulator containing resin, epoxy, etc., but is not limited thereto. The power terminal 20-1 and the signal terminal 20-3 of the plug connector 20 are preferably made of metal, but are not limited thereto, but may be, for example, copper, or gold-plated copper alloy (nickel-under layer).

In FIG. 3, an internal protruding wall 20-5-P exists between the power terminal 20-1 and the three signal terminals 20-3 shown on the left. The inner protruding wall 20-5-P is a part of the housing 20-5 and is a portion that protrudes upward from the base 20-5-B of the socket connector 20.

The inner protruding wall 20-5-P may be viewed as a low wall between the second wall 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall 20-5-W4. The internal protruding wall 20-5-P is located between the second wall 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall 20-5-W4, or between the first wall 20-5-W1 or the third wall 20-5-W4. It is biased closer to one of (20-5-W3). In FIG. 3, the internal protruding wall 20-5-P is formed closer to the first wall 20-5-W1 than to the third wall 20-5-W3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner protruding wall 20-5-P has a central portion lower than the height of the second wall portion 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall portion 20-5-W4, and its outer portion ( The outer side in the width direction of the connector 20 is equal to or substantially equal to the height of the second wall portion 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall portion 20-5-W4. That is, the inner protruding wall 20-5-P has portions (outer portions) that protrude to both inner sides of the wall portion of the socket connector 20.

However, the height of the second wall 20-5-W2 is not constant and is formed somewhat lower near the power terminal 10-1 than near the signal terminal 10-3, as shown in FIG. 3. At least, the height of the second wall portion 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall portion 20-5-W4 near the signal terminal 10-3 is equal to the central portion of the inner protruding wall 20-5-P. You can see that it is drawn higher than the height. This also applies to the fourth wall portion (20-5-W4).

Meanwhile, there is a space created because the inner protruding wall (10-5-P) is lower than the surrounding walls (20-5-W2, 20-5-W4), which is called an open hole (20-5-D). It is called.

In the space created by the connection wall 10-5-C (lower and narrower than the surrounding wall 10-5-W) described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner protruding wall of the socket connector 20, which is the counterpart connector, is provided. (20-5-P) (specifically, an open hole around the inner protruding wall (20-5-P)) is located.

When combined in this way, the connectors 10 and 20 have a very low height and narrow width, while having the effect of preventing reverse mating (fitting in opposite directions). Due to the coupling structure of the connecting wall (10-5-C) and the open hole (20-5-D), if the coupling is attempted with the direction reversed (i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the connectors 10 and 20), It is easy to see that the combination will not work (if you try to combine them in directions that do not match each other). Accordingly, the connectors 10 and 20 are made low-profile (lower in height), thereby saving space and preventing reverse mating.

Referring to Figure 1, the space due to the connecting wall (10-5-C) is open in the width direction of the connector 10, and referring to Figure 3, the internal protruding wall (internal protrusion) 20-5-P. It can be seen that the space resulting from (i.e., the open hole 20-5-D) is open in the longitudinal direction of the connector 20. In this way, since the horizontal opening and the vertical opening meet each other, coupling force is provided and the connectors 10 and 20 are oriented correctly to enable fit (fitting, mating).

Additionally, if pin roles are separated for each signal terminal (10-3, 20-3), reverse mating may mean an unwanted short circuit. The same applies to the power terminals 10-1 and 20-1. In other words, reverse mating may cause damage to the connector, but even if there is no physical damage because the connector is completely symmetrical, depending on the role of each pin, it may result in the input of an unwanted false signal or an unwanted short circuit. According to the invention, such reverse mating is fundamentally prevented.

FIG. 4 shows the socket connector 20 of FIG. 3 viewed from another angle.

In FIG. 4 , as in FIG. 3 , a power terminal 20-1, a signal terminal 20-3, and a housing 20-5 are shown.

The housing 20-5 has a base portion 20-5-B, wall portions 20-5-W1 to 20-5-W4, and an internal protruding wall 20-5-P.

The central portion of the inner protruding wall 20-5-P has a low height, and its outer portion (outward in the width direction of the connector) is connected to the second wall portion 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall portion 20-5-W4. It is in contact with the second wall portion 20-5-W2 and the fourth wall portion 20-5-W4 (in the portion where the signal terminal 20-3 is located) and has the same or substantially similar height.

In the space created by the connecting wall 10-5-C of FIGS. 1 and 2 (lower and narrower than the surrounding wall 10-5-W), there is an internal protruding wall of the socket connector 20, which is a counterpart connector. 20-5-P) (in other words, an open hole around the inner protruding wall 20-5-P) is located so that the two connectors 10 and 20 are coupled to each other.

Since this is not symmetrical in the longitudinal direction (that is, the connecting wall 10-5-C is biased to one side in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10, and the inner protruding wall 20-5-P is also similarly connected to the connector 20 ), it is biased to one side of the longitudinal direction), so it is easy to understand the mating direction between the connector 10 and the connector 20, and it is possible to immediately know in case of mismating (incorrect fit (reverse mating)). prevent it from happening.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the plug connector 10 and the socket connector 20 are coupled.

The coordinate system of Figure 5 coincides with that of the socket connector 20 of Figures 3 and 4, and the plug connector 10 of Figures 1 and 2 is flipped up and down and coupled to the socket connector 20 of Figures 3 and 4. This will be understandable.

In Fig. 5, the connecting wall 10-5-C of the plug connector 10 is deviated to the left side of the drawing. Additionally, the inner protruding wall 20-5-P of the socket connector 20 is also deviated to the left side of the drawing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the plug connector 10 and the socket connector 20 are well coupled (fitted) without separation.

If, in Figure 5, the socket connector 20 is left as is and the plug connector 10 is tried to be inserted by turning it in the opposite direction in the -C) is biased toward the right side of the drawing, and the inner protruding wall 20-5-P of the socket connector 20 is biased toward the left side of the drawing, so it can be easily seen that they will not be well coupled to each other.

Through this structure, as described above, the mating connector is in the space created by the connecting wall 10-5-C (lower and narrower than the surrounding wall 10-5-W) of the plug connector 10. The inner protruding wall 20-5-P of the socket connector 20 (in other words, an open hole around the inner protruding wall 20-5-P) is positioned to prevent reverse mating.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be manufactured in various different forms, and can be manufactured in various different forms by those skilled in the art. It will be understood by those who understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

10: plug connector
10-1: (plug) power terminal
10-3: (plug) signal terminal
10-5: (plug) housing (mold part)
10-5-B: Base
10-5-W1: 1st wall part
10-5-W2: Second wall part
10-5-W3: Third wall
10-5-W4: Fourth wall
10-5-C: Connection wall
10-5-I: Slope section (sloping wall)
20: Receptacle connector (socket connector)
20-1: (receptacle) power terminal
20-3: (receptacle) signal terminal
20-5: (receptacle) housing (mold part)
20-5-W1: 1st wall part
20-5-W2: 2nd wall
20-5-W3: Third wall
20-5-W4: 4th wall
20-5-P: Internal protruding wall
20-5-D: Open hole

Claims (7)

A pair of electrical connectors including a plug connector and a receptacle connector,
The plug connector is,
(a) a plug housing including a plug base and a wall protruding upward from the plug base,
(b) a plug signal terminal installed on the wall,
(c) Plug power terminal installed on the wall
Including,
The receptacle connector is,
(d) a receptacle base and a first wall portion projecting from a top surface of the receptacle base, a second wall portion projecting from the top surface of the receptacle base and intersecting the first wall portion, and a second wall portion projecting from the top surface of the receptacle base and comprising the second wall portion and a receptacle housing including a third wall portion that intersects and faces the first wall portion, and a fourth wall portion that protrudes from an upper surface of the receptacle base and intersects the first and third wall portions and faces the second wall portion;
(e) a receptacle signal terminal installed at least on the second wall;
(f) a receptacle power terminal installed at least on the first wall;
(g) an internal protruding wall located between the second wall and the fourth wall.
Includes,
A portion of the wall portion of the plug housing is a connecting wall that is lower in height than the wall portion,
The inner protruding wall has an open hole open in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle connector,
A pair of electrical connectors, wherein upon completion of fitting the plug connector and the receptacle connector, the connecting wall is located in an open hole in the inner protruding wall. According to paragraph 1,
The connecting wall is located on a wall portion of the plug connector, has a lower height than the wall portion, and is narrower than the wall portion. According to paragraph 1,
A pair of electrical connectors, wherein the inner protruding wall protrudes upward from the base of the receptacle. According to paragraph 3,
The pair of electrical connectors wherein the internal protruding wall protrudes inwardly of the second wall portion and the fourth wall portion in the width direction of the receptacle connector. According to paragraph 1,
A pair of electrical connectors, wherein the connecting wall exists between the plug power terminal and the plug signal terminal. According to paragraph 1,
A pair of electrical connectors, wherein the internal protruding wall is between the receptacle power terminal and the receptacle signal terminal. According to paragraph 1,
A pair of electrical connectors, wherein an inclined surface is present between the connecting wall and the wall portion.

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