Edge connector with preload caps

Abstract

A circuit board edge connector includes an insulative housing and two opposing mating ends with a plurality of conductive terminals supported by the housing and extending between the two ends. One end of the connector mates with an opposing connector and the other end has a slot disposed therein that receives the mating edge of a printed circuit card or board. The terminals at the end of the connector extend outwardly in a cantilevered fashion and they terminate in free ends that contact conductive pads on the edge of the circuit card. A preload cap is provided that includes two parts that interfit with each other and with the circuit card mating end of the connector. These preload caps engage the terminal free ends and impart a preload to the terminals so that the circuit card may be easily inserted into the connector slot and the caps are subsequently removed from the connector.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an edge connector, and more particularly, to an edge connector that utilizes a preloaded cover in order to spread out contact portions of terminals prior to mating with an edge card. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, an edge connector is used as a direct connection type connector in which the edge of a substrate such as a printed circuit board is directly inserted and mounted into the connector, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4 - Plug part shown in 126383. [0003] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional edge connector. [0004] As shown in FIG. 14 , the connector has a housing 801 made of insulating material, and includes a plurality of conductive terminals 802 fixed in the housing 801 . The contact portion 803 of the terminal 802 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the housing 801 . 810 refers to a substrate such as a printed circuit board having a plurality of p...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For this reason, for example, when the edge connector is stored as stock, the contact portion 803 is fixed for a long time, and is forcibly expanded, so that the contact portion 803 undergoes creep or elastic deformation, and the contact portion 803 cannot return. to the original shape, causing it to be unable to sandwich the substrate 810 from both sides with sufficient force

As a result, the electrical connection between the contact portion 803 and the substrate 810 is more likely to become indeterminate

[0008] In addition, in the case of inserting the substrate 810, since the contact portion 803 does not contact the connection electrode 811 until the spacer 805 is released from between the contact portions 803, the wiping effect that occurs when the contact portion 803 contacts the moving connection electrode 811 will not be applied, that is, the contact portion 803 cannot rub the connection electrode 811 to remove dust, impurities, etc. on the connection electrode 811

As a result, the contact between the contact portion 803 and the pad 811 of the substrate 810 becomes uncertain

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