TWI552449B - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

Electrical connector

The present invention is directed to an electrical connector.

The electronic card itself is plugged into the connector through a tray to electrically connect the electronic device. Some connectors provide a locking mechanism to securely insert an electronic card or tray.

The application number CN201020175069.5 Chinese patent case (US corresponding case US2011/0269328A1; Taiwan corresponding case TWM396502) discloses a card connector comprising two locking elements. The two locking elements are respectively fixed to two sides of the insulating body of the card connector. Each of the latching elements includes a metal body portion and an insulating block disposed on a body portion. The locking element is made separately from the insulative body of the card connector, and then the two locking elements are assembled to the insulative body. In order to be able to assemble the locking element on the insulative body, the insulative body must additionally provide the assembled position and space, so that the card connector is bulky. Moreover, since the two locking elements and the insulating body are separately manufactured, this increases the number of parts of the card connector and increases the assembly steps.

The application number CN201320366741.2 Chinese Patent (Taiwan corresponding case TWM470401) discloses an electrical connector having a conductive terminal assembly. The conductive terminal assembly includes a metal frame, and the convex portions of the metal frame are pressed out to buckle the tray. Since the fastening portion is formed by pressing the metal frame, it is easy to deform the metal frame, which makes assembly of the metal frame and other members difficult, or increases difficulty in press manufacturing. Further, the fastening portion is made of metal and is likely to damage the tray.

In accordance with the above problems, the present invention correspondingly proposes a new electrical connector.

An electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention includes a terminal block, a tray and an upper cover. The terminal block comprises an insulating base, a plurality of conductive terminals, two metal frames and two non-metallic snap blocks. A plurality of conductive terminals are disposed on the insulating base. The two metal frames are respectively located in the insulating seat On both sides. Each of the metal frames integrally includes a front and rear elastic beam. Each snap block is disposed on the corresponding elastic beam. The upper cover mating terminal block constitutes an insertion space for inserting the tray and an opening at the front end of the insertion space. The tray includes two snap recesses corresponding to the two snap blocks. Two snap recesses are respectively disposed on both sides of the tray. After the tray is inserted into the docking space through the opening, the latching blocks are respectively fastened to the latching recesses of the tray to keep the tray in the electrical connector.

In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the terminal block directly forms a latch structure formed by the elastic beam and the snap block, so that the number of parts of the electrical connector is small, the steps of assembling the electrical connector are small, and the terminal block does not need to be The buckle structure is formed by pressing, and the metal frame of the terminal block is not deformed after the buckle structure is formed by the embossing. The snap block is made of non-metal and therefore does not damage the tray.

1‧‧‧Electrical connector

2‧‧‧Tray

3‧‧‧Electronic card

4‧‧‧ boards

11‧‧‧Interposed space

12‧‧‧ terminal block

13‧‧‧Upper cover

14‧‧‧Detection switch

21‧‧‧Snap recess

22‧‧‧ front frame

23‧‧‧ Frame Department

24‧‧‧ side frame

25‧‧‧ Push block

100‧‧‧Card direction

121‧‧‧Insulated body

122‧‧‧terminal

123‧‧‧Metal frame

124‧‧‧Snap block

131‧‧‧ buttonhole

132‧‧‧ inserts

133‧‧‧Bottom area

141‧‧‧Test terminals

200‧‧‧ direction

221‧‧‧ lateral extension

233‧‧‧Insulation layer

253‧‧‧ Push block

300‧‧‧Up and down direction

400‧‧‧ openings

1211‧‧‧ upper surface

1212‧‧‧Terminal slot

1221‧‧‧ tail

1222‧‧‧Flexible arm

1223‧‧‧Contacts

1224‧‧‧Front guide

1225‧‧‧ rear guide

1226‧‧‧Extension

1227‧‧‧ base

1231‧‧‧elastic beams

1232‧‧‧ bracket

1233‧‧‧ buckle

1241‧‧‧Bevel

1242‧‧‧ fillet

1321‧‧‧Interference block

1411‧‧‧ tail

1412‧‧‧Flexible arm

1413‧‧‧Insulation is pushed

1414‧‧‧Insulation block

1415‧‧‧ Fixed Department

1416‧‧‧ jack

12221‧‧‧ horizontal extension

12222‧‧‧dump

12231‧‧‧ top

12232‧‧‧ bottom edge

12241‧‧‧ top

12242‧‧‧End

12251‧‧‧ top

12252‧‧‧End

14121‧‧‧Contacts

14151‧‧‧Opening

Θ1, θ2‧‧‧ angle

1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an electrical connector, a tray, an electronic card, and a circuit board.

2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating an electrical connector and a tray.

3 is a schematic view of a terminal, a metal frame, and a snap block according to an embodiment of the invention.

4 is a schematic view of an insulating seat body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a snap block snap tray.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cover and a detection terminal according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates changing the state of the detecting switch after the tray is inserted.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is another schematic view of a terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the state of the terminals in the terminal slots.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical connector 1 can be disposed on the circuit board 4. The electrical connector 1 comprises a tray 2 that can carry an electronic card 3. The electrical connector 1 defines an insertion space 11. The tray 2 can be inserted into the insertion space 11 to electrically connect the electronic card 3 to the circuit board 4 through the electrical connector 1. The electrical connector 1 includes an opening 400 that is located at the front end of the insertion space 11. The tray 2 can be inserted into the insertion space 11 via the opening 400 in the direction of the card insertion 100 from the rear.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the electrical connector 1 includes a tray 2, a terminal block 12, and an upper cover 13. The upper cover 13 can be assembled with the terminal block 12, and the terminal housing 12 is configured to form an insertion space 11 for insertion into the tray 2.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 , the terminal block 12 includes an insulating base 121 , a plurality of conductive terminals 122 , two metal frames 123 , and two latching blocks 124 . The plurality of conductive terminals 122 are disposed on the insulating base 121. The two metal frames 123 are respectively located on opposite sides of the insulating base 121. Each of the metal frames 123 is integrated. Each of the metal frames 123 may integrally include an elastic beam 1231. The elastic beam 1231 can extend forward and backward. The elastic beam 1231 may be in the form of a sheet, and may extend longitudinally forward and backward and be erected on both sides of the insertion space 11, such that the elastic beam 1231 can be elastically deformed toward or against the insertion space 11. The elastic beam 1231 can extend straight. The snap block 124 can be non-metallic. Each of the snap blocks 124 is disposed on a resilient beam 1231. The snap block 124 can partially protrude into the insertion space 11. In some embodiments, each of the snap blocks 124 is directly overmolded to the corresponding elastic beam 1231. In some embodiments, each of the metal frames 123 may be partially buried in the insulating base 121. In some embodiments, each of the terminals 122 may be partially buried in the insulating base 121.

The tray 2 includes two snap recesses 21 corresponding to the two snap blocks 124. Two snap recesses 21 may be provided on both sides of the tray 2. In some embodiments, the tray 2 includes a front bezel 22 and a frame portion 23. The front frame strip 22 facilitates gripping to take or mount the tray 2 in the insertion space 11. The frame portion 23 is connected to the front frame strip 22. The frame 23 defines a space for housing the electronic card 3. The frame portion 23 can be substantially rectangular and includes two opposite side frame strips 24, wherein each of the side frame strips 24 defines a snap recess 21.

Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, each metal frame 123 includes two brackets 1232 that are bent upward. The front and rear ends of the elastic beam 1231 of each metal frame 123 are integrally connected to the corresponding two brackets 1232.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, each of the latching blocks 124 can cover the elastic beam 1231 in the middle of the corresponding elastic beam 1231, so that the corresponding two brackets 1232 are relatively evenly stressed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, in some embodiments, the snap block 124 includes a bevel 1241 and a fillet 1242. The inclined surface 1241 is located in the insertion space 11 and faces the opening 400 of the electrical connector 1, and the rounded corner 1242 is disposed opposite to the inclined surface 1241. The inclined surface 1241 allows the tray 2 to be inserted into the insertion space 11 with less obstruction. The rounded corner 1242 can be pressed against a portion of the surface defining the snap recess 21 after the tray 2 is inserted to secure and stabilize the tray 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, in some embodiments, each metal frame 123 includes two hooks 1233, and the upper cover 13 includes corresponding button holes 131. Each of the clasps 1233 cooperates with a corresponding buttonhole 131 to fix the upper cover 13 to the terminal block 12. In some embodiments, each of the clasps 1233 and the corresponding buttonholes 131 are clearance fits. By fastening the hook 1233 in the corresponding fastening hole 131, the upper cover 13 can be fixed on the terminal block 12, and before the soldering is mounted to the circuit board 4, the margins of the upper cover 13 and the terminal block 12 can be respectively provided. Increase the coplanarity of surface soldering. In some embodiments, the two hooks 1233 of each metal frame 123 are respectively located on the outer sides of the corresponding two brackets 1232.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the terminal 122 includes a tail portion 1221, a resilient arm 1222, a contact portion 1223, and a front guide member 1224. The resilient arm 1222 can elastically move the contact portion 1223. The contact portion 1223 can contact the pads on the electronic card 3. The front guiding member 1224 can contact the electronic card 3 before the inserted electronic card 3 contacts the contact portion 1223 to lower the height of the elastic arm 1222 and the contact portion 1223, thereby reducing the elastic arm 1222 and the contact portion 1223 from receiving The impact force and lateral shear force of the electronic card 3 are inserted. In some embodiments, the contact portion 1223 can be a dome cover. In some embodiments, the contact portion 1223 can be dome shaped. In some embodiments, the contact portion 1223 is curved.

The front guide 1224 is connected to the elastic arm 1222 and extends forward and is located in front of the contact portion 1223 of the terminal 122, and is partially convex and higher than the elastic arm 1222. In some embodiments, the top portion 12241 of the front guide 1224 can be lower than the top portion 12231 of the contact portion 1223. In some embodiments, the bottom edge 12232 of the contact portion 1223 is at least partially lower than the top portion 12241 of the front guide 1224. In some embodiments, the terminal 122 of the front guide 1224 can be lower than the upper surface 1211 of the insulating base 121 in a state where the terminal 122 is not actuated, so that the electronic card 3 can be prevented from touching the front guide 1224. The end edge 12242 causes damage to the terminal 122. In some embodiments, the resilient arm 1222 includes a horizontal extension 12221 with the front guide 1224 facing away from the horizontal extension 1221. Front extension. In some embodiments, the angle θ1 between the front guide 1224 and the extending direction of the elastic arm 1222 may be 90 degrees; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the terminal 122 includes a rear guide 1225. The rear guide 1225 prevents the empty tray 2 from hooking the terminal 122 when the empty tray 2 is pulled out of the electrical connector 1. The rear guide 1225 connects the elastic arm 1222 to extend rearward and is located behind the contact portion 1223 of the terminal 122, and is partially convex and higher than the elastic arm 1222. In some embodiments, the top portion 12251 of the rear guide 1225 can be lower than the top portion 12231 of the contact portion 1223. In some embodiments, the bottom edge 12232 of the contact portion 1223 is at least partially lower than the top portion 12251 of the rear guide 1225. In some embodiments, the trailing edge 12252 of the rear guide 1225 can be lower than the upper surface 1211 of the insulating seat 121, so that the empty tray 2 can be prevented from being caught, causing damage to the terminal 122. In some embodiments, the resilient arm 1222 includes a horizontal extension 12221 with the rear guide 1225 extending rearward from the horizontal extension 12221. In some embodiments, the angle θ2 between the rear guide 1225 and the extending direction of the elastic arm 1222 may be 90 degrees; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the front guide 1224 and the rear guide 1225 can be similar or different. In some embodiments, the front and rear guides 1224, 1225 can be aligned or misaligned in a direction relative to both sides of the resilient arms 1222 of the terminal 122. In some embodiments, the front guide 1224 and the rear guide 1225 can be aligned or misaligned relative to the card insertion direction 100.

Referring to Figure 8, in some embodiments, the terminal 122 includes an extension 1226 and the tail 1221 is coupled to the extension 1226. The tail portion 1221 passes through the extension 1226 such that the tail portion 1221 can extend to a predetermined position. In some embodiments, the terminal 122 includes a base 1227. The tail portion 1221 can be coupled to the base portion 1227 and the resilient arm 1222 can extend from the base portion 1227. In some embodiments, the terminal 122 includes an extension 1226 and a base 1227. The extension 1226 connects the tail portion 1221 with the base portion 1227, and the resilient arms 1222 can extend from the base portion 1227. Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the extension 1226 can be at least partially embedded in the insulative housing 121. In some embodiments, the base 1227 can be at least partially embedded in the insulative housing 121.

Referring to Figures 2, 4, 9, and 10, the contact portion 1223 can be positioned at the end of the resilient arm 1222. The resilient arm 1222 can cause the contact portion 1223 to at least partially protrude from the upper surface 1211 of the insulating seat 121. The insulating base 121 may have a plurality of terminal slots 1212. The plurality of terminals 122 are provided corresponding to the plurality of terminal slots 1212. In some embodiments, the resilient arms 1222 are at corresponding ends The sub-slot 1212 extends inside. In some embodiments, the resilient arms 1222 can extend partially out of the terminal slots 1212. In some embodiments, the resilient arm 1222 extends obliquely downward from the side wall end adjacent the terminal slot 1212 and then extends obliquely so that the resilient arm 1222 has a lower recess 12222 so that the length of the resilient arm 1222 can be maintained. Next, the height of the contact portion 1223 is not increased or the height of the contact portion 1223 is lowered, or the length of the elastic arm 1223 is increased within a predetermined horizontal distance.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 6, and 7, in some embodiments, the electrical connector 1 includes a detection switch 14. The detection switch 14 is used to detect whether the tray 2 is inserted. The detecting switch 14 includes a detecting terminal 141 and a matching conductive member. The detecting terminal 141 includes a tail portion 1411, a resilient arm 1412 and an insulating pushed block 1413. The tail 1411 can be soldered to the circuit board 4, or the tail 1211 can be connected to the circuitry on the circuit board 4 in other configurations. The resilient arm 1412 includes a contact portion 14121. An insulating push block 1413 is provided at the end of the resilient arm 1412. When the push block 1413 is pushed, the contact portion 14121 of the detecting terminal 141 can leave the conductive member or contact the conductive member, so that the detection state of the detecting switch 14 is changed. In some embodiments, the elastic arm 1412 can be elastically displaced in the up and down direction (upper or lower direction) 300 (or the thickness direction of the electrical connector 1); however, the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the pushed block 1413 is pushed up or down to cause the contact 14121 to exit the conductive member. In some embodiments, the pushed block 1413 is pushed up or down so that the contact portion 14121 contacts the conductive member. In some embodiments, the detection terminal 141 is elastically displaced in the left-right direction 200 to contact or exit the conductive member.

In some embodiments, the detection switch 14 is a normally open switch. In some embodiments, the detection switch 14 is a normally closed switch.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in some embodiments, the electrical connector 1 includes a metal upper cover 13. A bottom surface region 133 of the metal upper cover 13 constitutes a conductive member and is a portion of the metal upper cover 13. In some embodiments, the conductive member is a component that is separate from the metal upper cover 13. In some embodiments, the conductive members are disposed on the terminal block 12.

Referring to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the detection terminal 141 includes an insulating fixing block 1414. The detecting terminal 141 is fixed to any suitable portion of the electrical connector 1 by an insulating fixing block 1414. In some embodiments, the detection terminal 141 includes a fixed portion 1415. The insulating fixing block 1414 is provided on the fixing portion 1415. In some embodiments, the fixing portion 1415 is at least partially embedded in the insulating fixing block 1414, but the invention is not limited thereto. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, In some embodiments, the insulating block 1414 includes a receptacle 1416 and the electrical connector 1 includes a tab 132. The tab 132 is inserted into the insertion hole 1416 to fix the detection terminal 141. In some embodiments, the upper cover 13 includes the tabs 132, but the invention is not limited thereto. Referring to Figure 7, in some embodiments, the tab 132 includes at least one interference block 1321. The interference block 1321 is an interference fit with the receptacle 1416 of the insulating block 1414. When the tab 132 is inserted into the receptacle 1416 of the insulating block 1414, the interference block 1321 can be anchored within the receptacle 1416 of the insulating block 1414 such that the sense terminal 141 is secured. In some embodiments, the fixing portion 1415 of the detecting terminal 141 includes an opening 14151. The opening 14151 is disposed corresponding to the insertion hole 1416 of the insulating fixing block 1414. The opening 14151 can allow the tab 132 to pass. In some embodiments, the fixing portion 1415 of the detecting terminal 141 may have no opening but extend away from the tab 132.

Referring to Figures 2 and 7, the tray 2 includes a push block 25. When the tray 2 is inserted into the electrical connector 1, the push block 25 pushes the pushed block 1413 of the detecting terminal 141 so that the contact portion 14121 does not contact or contact the aforementioned conductive member. In some embodiments, the detecting terminal 141 extends outside the insertion space 11 and extends forward, and does not protrude into the insertion space 11. The front bezel 22 of the tray 2 includes a laterally extending strip 221, the laterally extending strip 221 extends forward of the detection terminal 141, and the push block 25 is disposed on the laterally extending strip 221.

Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the tray 2 can be a non-metallic material. In some embodiments, the tray 2 may be made of a metal material. Further, the inner edge portion of the metal frame portion 23 for carrying and contacting the electronic card 3 may cover the insulating material layer 233 to avoid the conductive layer provided on the electronic card 3. The pad contacts the metal frame portion 23.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a terminal block. A metal frame is provided on both sides of the terminal block. The metal frame integrally includes elastic beams that extend forward and backward. The elastic beam is directly overmolded with a snap block for snapping the tray. The elastic beam and the snap block form a lock structure. After the tray is inserted into the docking space through the opening, the snap block can be fastened to the latching recess of the tray to keep the tray in the electrical connector. Since the snap block is made of non-metal, the tray is not damaged. Moreover, since the locking structure formed by the elastic beam and the snap block is not embossed, the metal frame is not deformed after fabrication, and there is no problem that the metal frame and other component piles are difficult or the stamping manufacturing difficulty is increased. In addition, the locking structure formed by the elastic beam and the snap block is formed at the same time after the terminal block is completed, so that the number of parts of the electrical connector is small and the assembly steps are small. In some embodiments, the terminal of the terminal block is solid The insulating seat and the snap block can be formed at the same time, so that the terminal block is produced in a small number of steps.

The technical content and technical features of the present disclosure have been disclosed as above, and those skilled in the art can still make various substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited by the scope of

1‧‧‧Electrical connector

2‧‧‧Tray

12‧‧‧ terminal block

13‧‧‧Upper cover

14‧‧‧Detection switch

21‧‧‧Snap recess

22‧‧‧ front frame

23‧‧‧ Frame Department

24‧‧‧ side frame

25‧‧‧ Push block

121‧‧‧Insulated body

122‧‧‧terminal

123‧‧‧Metal frame

124‧‧‧Snap block

141‧‧‧Test terminals

200‧‧‧ direction

221‧‧‧ lateral extension

300‧‧‧Up and down direction

400‧‧‧ openings

1212‧‧‧Terminal slot

1231‧‧‧elastic beams

1411‧‧‧ tail

1412‧‧‧Flexible arm

1413‧‧‧Insulation is pushed

1414‧‧‧Insulation block

14121‧‧‧Contacts

Claims (9)

An electrical connector comprising: a terminal block comprising an insulating base, a plurality of conductive terminals disposed on the insulating base, two metal frames respectively located on opposite sides of the insulating base, and two non-metallic snap blocks Each of the metal frames integrally includes a front and rear elastic beam, each of the buckle blocks is disposed on the corresponding elastic beam; an upper cover, the terminal block is configured to form an insertion space and an opening at the front end of the insertion space; And a tray comprising two latching recesses corresponding to the two latching blocks, wherein the two latching recesses are respectively disposed on two sides of the tray, and the latching blocks are inserted into the docking space through the opening The snap recesses of the tray are respectively fastened to retain the tray within the electrical connector. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein each of the snap blocks is directly overmolded to a corresponding elastic beam. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein each of the snap blocks is disposed in the middle of the corresponding elastic beam. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the metal frames comprises two bent brackets, wherein both ends of each of the elastic beams are integrally connected to the corresponding two brackets. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein each of the metal frames comprises two hooks, the upper cover includes a corresponding button hole, wherein each of the hooks cooperates with a corresponding button hole to fix the upper cover On the terminal block. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the two hooks of each metal frame are respectively located on the outer sides of the corresponding two brackets. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein each of the hooks and the corresponding buttonhole are clearance fit. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein each of the latching blocks comprises a bevel and a rounded corner, wherein the bevel is located in the interposing space and faces the opening of the electrical connector; After the tray is inserted into the insertion space, the fillet is pressed against the corresponding snap recess of the tray. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the metal frame portions is embedded in the insulating base and each of the terminal portions is embedded in the insulating base.