Electrical connector with detachable pick-up device

Abstract

An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) formed with a mating slot (12) and defining a mating direction; a plurality of terminals (2) loaded in the housing, each terminal provided with a resilient contact portion (21) protruding into the mating slot, the contact portion enabled to deflect along a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction; and a pick-up device (4) having a main body (41) with a smooth upper surface (411) for vacuum section and a retaining portion (42) extending down from the main body and inserted into the mating slot. The retaining portion is provided with a nose (423) pushed through the contact portions to engage with the contact portions along the mating direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector having a detachable pick-up cap. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Electrical connectors including pick-up means for facilitating picking up and positioning by a pick-up machine such as a vacuum suction nozzle or the like are well-known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,133 discloses such a connector with a pick-up cap. The pick-up cap comprises a flat cover plate and pairs of resilient legs descending downwardly from edges of the cover plate to engage sidewalls of the connector. The legs include main legs gripping outside of the sidewalls and auxiliary legs abutting against inner surfaces of the sidewalls. With this arrangement, each sidewall of the connector is, in effect, sandwiched between the main and auxiliary legs to be picked up via the force applied thereto by the legs while the pick-up cap i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an electrical connector with a pick-up cap that reduces deformation during reflow and is easy to produce and assemble. The connector includes a housing with terminals, a pick-up device with a smooth upper surface for vacuum section and a retaining portion that engages with the terminals along the mating direction. This design helps to maintain the connection's stability and reliability during use.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the main legs press the sidewalls slightly inwardly while the auxiliary legs press the sidewalls slightly outwardly, which may cause deformation or warpage of the connector on the sidewalls.

If once such deformation or warpage occur, it will potentially result in misalignment and misengagment between the connector and its mating connector.

However, this kind of pick-up cap requires channels to be defined in sidewalls of the connector for its legs with hook-like ends, which not only complicates the machining procedure of the connector but also weakens the sidewalls of the connector.

Images