Method for adjusting terminal gap by using thickness gauge jig

Abstract

The invention provides a method for adjusting a terminal gap by using a thickness gauge jig. The female terminal comprises an electric contact part and a welding part, the electric contact part comprises a pair of parallel and straight metal sections, and a terminal gap exists between the metal sections; in the process of adjusting the terminal gap, firstly, the terminal gap of the female terminal is pressed to be zero or close to zero; thirdly, inserting a thickness gauge of a jig into the terminal gap of the female terminal so as to open the terminal gap of the female terminal; then, welding the welding part of the female terminal on a printed circuit board; and finally, the thickness gauge of the jig is pulled away from the terminal gap of the female terminal. Therefore, the terminal gap of the female terminal can be adjusted to a preset gap size.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adjusting the gap between terminals, and in particular to a method for adjusting the gap between terminals by using a thickness gauge. Background Art

[0002] At least one electrical connector is usually provided on an electronic product. Generally speaking, the electrical connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector is plugged into the female connector through the male terminal, so that the male connector can be electrically connected to the female connector, and electrical signals are transmitted between the male connector and the female connector.

[0003] See also Figure 1 and Figure 1A , respectively, the plane structure diagram of the conventional female terminal and Figure 1 The E part of the structure is enlarged. The female connector is usually provided with a plurality of female terminals. Figure 1 and Figure 1A As shown, the female terminal 100 can also be a one-side blade-type plug-in terminal, which can also provide a one-side blade-type male terminal (Blade terminal) for insertion. The female terminal 100 includes an opening portion 11, an electrical contact portion 13, an extension portion 15 and a welding portion 17. The opening portion 11 includes a pair of first metal segments 111, and the pair of first metal segments 111 present a V-shaped opening state. The electrical contact portion 13 includes a pair of second metal segments 131, and the pair of second metal segments 131 present a parallel straight state with a terminal gap D between the two, and one end of the pair of second metal segments 131 is connected to the convergent end of the pair of first metal segments 111. The extension portion 15 includes a pair of third metal segments 151. The welding portion 17 includes a pair of fourth metal segments 171 and a fifth metal segment 173. The pair of fourth metal segments 171 and the fifth metal segment 173 form a "ㄩ" shape. The pair of third metal segments 151 also presents a V-shape, with the expanded ends thereof connected to the pair of fourth metal segments 171 , and the convergent ends thereof connected to the other ends of the pair of second metal segments 131 .

[0004] When manufacturing the female terminal 100, the connector manufacturer can design the terminal gap 132 of the female terminal 100 according to the thickness of the male terminal. For example, the terminal gap D (such as 0.35 mm) of the female terminal 100 is designed to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the male terminal (such as 0.4 mm), so that each male terminal of the male connector can be tightly inserted into the female terminal 100 of the female connector.

[0005] Since the female terminal 100 is a consumer electronic component, its unit price is usually very cheap. When shipping to downstream manufacturers, for the convenience of packaging, thousands of female terminals 100 are usually packaged together. During transportation, these female terminals 100 will collide, interfere, or even pull each other, so that the terminal gap D of these female terminals 100 will be changed to a gap size that is not originally predetermined. Later, when downstream manufacturers make these female terminals 100 with terminal gaps that are not originally predetermined on printed circuit boards to become female connectors, it will affect the production yield of the female connector, resulting in the male connector being unable to smoothly plug and unplug the female connector.

[0006] Alternatively, when manufacturing the female terminal 100, the connector manufacturer will perform electroplating on the female terminal 100 formed by bending the sheet metal. When performing the electroplating process, the staff will place a certain number of female terminals 100 in a plating tank with a plating solution, and turn the plating tank over so as to plate the female terminal 100 with metal. Furthermore, when the plating tank is turned over, the female terminals 100 will collide, interfere, or even pull each other, and similarly, the terminal gaps 132 of the female terminals 100 will also be changed to a gap size that is not originally predetermined.

[0007] In view of this, the method for adjusting the terminal gap of the present invention can use a thickness gauge to adjust the terminal gap of the female terminal when the female terminal is manufactured on a printed circuit board, so that the terminal gap size of the female terminal can meet the specifications, and the male terminal of the male connector can be smoothly plugged in and out, which will be the main purpose of the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge jig, which is applied to adjusting the terminal gap of a female terminal. The female terminal includes an electrical contact portion and a welding portion. The electrical contact portion includes a pair of parallel and straight metal segments, and there is a terminal gap between the pair of metal segments. In the process of adjusting the terminal gap, first, the terminal gap of the female terminal is pressed to zero or close to zero. Next, a thickness gauge of a jig is inserted into the terminal gap of the female terminal to open the terminal gap of the female terminal. Then, the welding portion of the female terminal is welded on a printed circuit board. Finally, the thickness gauge of the jig is pulled away from the terminal gap of the female terminal. Thus, the terminal gap of the female terminal can be adjusted to a predetermined gap size. In this way, by adjusting the terminal gap of each female terminal on the printed circuit board using the thickness gauge jig, the terminal gap of each female terminal can be adjusted to a predetermined gap size. Then, when the electrical connector is electrically connected, the male terminal of the male connector can be smoothly plugged into or pulled out of the female connector of the female terminal having a predetermined terminal gap size.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge jig, the method is applied to at least one female terminal, the female terminal includes an electrical contact portion and a welding portion, the electrical contact portion includes a pair of parallel and straight metal segments, there is a terminal gap between the pair of metal segments, the method steps include: pressing the terminal gap of the female terminal to zero or close to zero; providing a jig with at least one thickness gauge; inserting the thickness gauge of the jig into the terminal gap of the female terminal to expand the terminal gap of the female terminal and adjust it to a predetermined gap size; welding the welding portion of the female terminal on a printed circuit board; and pulling the jig out of the female terminal.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: welding the welding portion of the female terminal to the printed circuit board with a welding material; and removing the fixture from the female terminal after the welding material cools down.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the thickness gauge is close to or equal to the predetermined gap size.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the soldering portion includes at least one soldering end, and the soldering portion of the female terminal is soldered to the printed circuit board through the soldering end.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board includes at least one welding hole, and the welding end of the welding portion is fixed in the corresponding welding hole.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal further includes a fixing portion connected to the welding portion, the fixing portion includes a hole, the printed circuit board includes a fixing hole, and a fixing member is inserted between the hole of the fixing portion and the fixing hole of the printed circuit board.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal is a one-side blade-type plug-in terminal, which is used to be plugged into a one-side blade-type male terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the commonly used female terminal.

[0017] Figure 1A for Figure 1 Enlarged view of the structure of part E.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a planar structural diagram of the female terminal of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2A for Figure 2 Enlarged view of the structure of part F.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the female terminal of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4It is a top view of the printed circuit board of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a top view of the female terminal of the present invention arranged on a printed circuit board.

[0023] Figure 5A for Figure 5 Enlarged view of the structure of part G.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the female terminal of the present invention disposed on a printed circuit board.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the thickness gauge jig of the present invention inserted into the terminal gap of the female terminal.

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of the structure of area A.

[0027] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the female terminal of the present invention after the thickness gauge jig is pulled out.

[0028] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 A magnified view of the structure of area B in Figure 2.

[0029] Description of reference numerals: 100-female terminal; 11-opening; 111-first metal segment; 13-electrical contact portion; 131-second metal segment; 15-extension portion; 151-third metal segment; 17-welding portion; 171-fourth metal segment; 173-fifth metal segment; 200-female terminal; 21-opening; 211-first metal segment; 23-electrical contact portion; 231-second metal segment; 25-extension portion; 251-third metal segment; 27- Soldering part; 271-fourth metal segment; 273-fifth metal segment; 281-soldering end; 282-soldering end; 283-soldering end; 29-fixing part; 291-hole; 292-fixing piece; 300-printed circuit board; 301-soldering hole; 302-fixing hole; 500-jig; 51-thickness gauge; A-area; B-area; D-terminal gap; D1-thickness of the thickness gauge; D2-terminal gap; E-part; F-part; G-part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2A and Figure 3 , are respectively the structural diagram of the female terminal of the present invention, Figure 2 The enlarged structure diagram of the F part and the three-dimensional structure diagram of the female terminal of the present invention. Figure 2 , Figure 2A and Figure 3As shown, the female terminal 200 of the present invention is a one-side blade-type plug-in terminal, which is used to be plugged into a one-side blade-type male terminal.

[0031] The female terminal 200 includes an opening portion 21, an electrical contact portion 23, an extension portion 25 and a welding portion 27. The opening portion 21 includes a pair of first metal segments 211, and the pair of first metal segments 211 present a V-shaped opening state. The electrical contact portion 23 includes a pair of second metal segments 231, and the pair of second metal segments 231 present a parallel straight state, and one end of the pair of second metal segments 231 is connected to the convergent end of the pair of first metal segments 211. The extension portion 25 includes a pair of third metal segments 251. The welding portion 27 includes a pair of fourth metal segments 271 and a fifth metal segment 273. The pair of fourth metal segments 271 and the fifth metal segment 273 form a "ㄩ" shape. The pair of third metal segments 251 also presents a V-shaped shape, and its expanded end is connected to the pair of fourth metal segments 271, and the convergent end is connected to the other end of the pair of second metal segments 231. The female terminal 200 is a metal connector formed by bending sheet metal. In the present invention, when manufacturing the female terminal 200 , the connector manufacturer preliminarily suppresses the terminal gap between the pair of second metal segments 231 of the electrical contact portion 23 to zero or close to zero.

[0032] Furthermore, the welding portion 27 of the female terminal 200 further includes one or more welding ends 281, 282, 283, and each welding end 281, 282, 283 is respectively disposed on the corresponding fourth metal segment 271 or the fifth metal segment 273. Furthermore, the female terminal 200 further includes a fixing portion 29. The fixing portion 29 is connected to the rear end of the welding portion 27 and includes at least one hole 291.

[0033] Further, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a plurality of female terminals 200 can be arranged on a printed circuit board 300 to form a female connector, and each female terminal 200 is arranged on the printed circuit board 300 through welding of the welding portion 27. The printed circuit board 300 includes a plurality of welding holes 301 and a plurality of fixing holes 302. Figures 2 to 6 The welding ends 281, 282, 283 of the female terminal 200 are respectively positioned in the corresponding welding holes 301 on the printed circuit board 300. The hole 291 of the fixing portion 29 of the female terminal 200 is aligned with the corresponding fixing hole 302 on the printed circuit board 300, and a fixing member (such as a locking member) 292 is inserted between the hole 291 of the fixing portion 29 and the fixing hole 302 of the printed circuit board 300 to lock the female terminal 200 on the printed circuit board 300.

[0034] Continue, further reference Figure 7 and Figure 8, a jig 500 having at least one thickness gauge 51 is provided. Before the female terminal 200 is soldered on the printed circuit board 300, each thickness gauge 51 of the jig 500 enters the female terminal 200 through the opening 21 of the female terminal 200 and is respectively inserted into the corresponding terminal gaps of the pair of second metal segments 231 of the electrical contact portion 23 of the female terminal 200, so as to expand the terminal gaps of the pair of second metal segments 231 of the electrical contact portion 23 of the female terminal 200.

[0035] Next, after each thickness gauge 51 of the jig 500 is inserted into the corresponding terminal gap of the electrical contact portion 23 of the female terminal 200, the three welding ends 281, 282, 283 of the welding portion 27 of the female terminal 200 are respectively welded to the welding hole 301 of the printed circuit board 300 using welding material, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 6 Next, see Figures 2 to 6 Also refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 After the solder material cools down, the thickness gauge 51 of the jig 500 is pulled out from the terminal gap of the electrical contact portion 23 of the female terminal 200. Then, the female terminal 200 is welded and positioned on the welding hole 301 of the printed circuit board 300 through the three welding ends 281, 282, and 283. The metal sections of the opening 21, the electrical contact portion 23, the extension portion 25, and the welding portion 27 will be shaped, and the terminal gap of the electrical contact portion 23 of the female terminal 200 can be adjusted to a predetermined gap size. In the present invention, the thickness (D1) of the thickness gauge 51 is designed to be close to or equal to the gap size predetermined by the terminal gap (D2) of the female terminal 200.

[0036] Here, the terminal gap of each female terminal 200 on the printed circuit board 300 is adjusted by the thickness gauge jig 50, and the terminal gap of each female terminal 200 can be adjusted to a predetermined gap size. Then, when the electrical connector is electrically connected, the male terminal of the male connector can smoothly plug and unplug the female connector of the female terminal 200 with the predetermined terminal gap size.

[0037] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, all equivalent changes and modifications based on the shape, structure, characteristics and spirit described in the patent application scope of the present invention should be included in the patent application scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting terminal gap using a thickness gauge, characterized in that: The method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge is applied to at least one female terminal, wherein the female terminal includes an electrical contact portion and a welding portion, wherein the electrical contact portion includes a pair of parallel and straight metal segments, and a terminal gap exists between the pair of metal segments. The method steps include: Pressing the terminal gap of the female terminal to be zero or close to zero; Providing a jig having at least one thickness gauge; Inserting the thickness gauge of the jig into the terminal gap of the female terminal to expand the terminal gap of the female terminal and adjust it to a predetermined gap size; The welding portion of the female terminal is welded on a printed circuit board; and Pull the jig away from the female terminal.

2. The method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method of adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge jig further includes: Soldering the soldering portion of the female terminal onto the printed circuit board using a soldering material; and Wait for the solder to cool down before pulling the jig out of the female terminal.

3. The method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the thickness gauge is close to or equal to the predetermined gap size.

4. According to the method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge as claimed in claim 1, the welding portion comprises at least one welding end, and the welding portion of the female terminal is welded to the printed circuit board through the welding end.

5. According to the method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge according to claim 4, the printed circuit board comprises at least one welding hole, and the welding end of the welding part is fixed in the corresponding welding hole.

6. According to the method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge according to claim 1, the female terminal further includes a fixing portion connected to the welding portion, the fixing portion includes a hole, the printed circuit board includes a fixing hole, and a fixing member is inserted between the hole of the fixing portion and the fixing hole of the printed circuit board.

7. According to the method for adjusting the terminal gap using a thickness gauge according to claim 1, the female terminal is a one-side blade-type plug-in terminal, which is used to be inserted by a one-side blade-type male terminal.

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