Electrical connector and combination thereof

Abstract

An electric connector is used for mounting to a circuit board, the electric connector comprises an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals held by the insulating body and a metal shell covering the insulating body; the metal shell comprises a top wall, a bottom wall arranged oppositely and two side walls arranged on left and right sides; the rear of the two side walls respectively forms a first pin extending downward to be mounted to the circuit board, and the two first pins are asymmetrically arranged. The electric connector is mounted to the circuit board through the pins, and the pins are asymmetrically arranged, so as to improve the board holding force of the electric connector, ensure the stability of the electric connector mounting and meet the high requirements of the automobile.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector and an assembly thereof, and more particularly to an electrical connector and an assembly thereof for mounting both sides of a circuit board. [Background Technology]

[0002] Prior art, US Patent No. 7540742B2, discloses a board connector, which includes a connector mounted on the ground surface of the motherboard and a second connector mounted on the top surface of the motherboard. US Patent No. 5316488 discloses an IC card connector device, which includes a plug connector device comprising an upper plug connector and a lower plug connector mounted on the motherboard. In the above structures, the gripping force of the connectors mounted on both sides of the motherboard is not secure, and they are prone to detachment during use, resulting in poor signal contact in the product.

[0003] Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide an improved electrical connector and its combination to overcome the above-mentioned defects. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with high gripping force.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an electrical connector for mounting to a circuit board, the electrical connector comprising an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body; the metal shell comprising a top wall and a bottom wall arranged opposite to each other and two side walls located on the left and right sides; a first pin extending downward to be mounted to the circuit board is formed at the rear of each of the two side walls, and the two first pins are arranged asymmetrically.

[0006] Furthermore, the two first pins are staggered relative to each other in the front-to-back direction or are not equidistant from each other in the left-to-right direction relative to the center line of the insulating body.

[0007] Furthermore, a second pin is formed at the front of the two sidewalls, extending downward to be mounted to the circuit board. The second pin is located in front of the first pin and is asymmetrically arranged.

[0008] Furthermore, the second pins are staggered relative to each other in the front-to-back direction, and the second pins of each sidewall are located outside the corresponding first pin in the left-to-right direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom wall is provided with a third pin extending downward for mounting to the circuit board, the third pin being located on a side offset from the center of the electrical connector in the left-right direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the insulating body includes a base, a tongue plate protruding forward from the base, and a support plate extending horizontally from below the base to below the tongue plate. The top wall, bottom wall, and side walls of the metal shell together form a receiving cavity for receiving the tongue plate. The support plate is provided with a pair of positioning posts protruding downward to be fixed to the circuit board. The positioning posts are staggered relative to each other in the left-right and front-back directions.

[0011] The object of the present invention is also achieved through the following technical solution: an electrical connector assembly, the electrical connector assembly comprising two electrical connectors for mounting to the upper and lower surfaces of a circuit board, the two electrical connectors being centrally symmetrically arranged; each electrical connector comprising an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body; the metal shell comprising a top wall and a bottom wall arranged opposite to each other and two side walls located on the left and right sides, the rear of each of the two side walls forming a first pin extending downward for mounting to the circuit board, the two first pins being asymmetrically arranged.

[0012] Furthermore, after the two electrical connectors are installed on the circuit board, their corresponding first pins are staggered relative to each other in the front-back or left-right direction.

[0013] Furthermore, a second pin is formed on the front of each of the two sidewalls, extending downward to be mounted to the circuit board. After the two electrical connectors are mounted to the circuit board, the corresponding second pins are staggered relative to each other in the front-back direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom wall is provided with a third pin extending downward for mounting to the circuit board. The third pin is located on a side offset from the center of the electrical connector in the left-right direction. After the two electrical connectors are mounted to the circuit board, the corresponding third pins are staggered in the left-right direction.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention sets the pins of the electrical connector to an asymmetrical structure so as to better install them on both sides of the circuit board, improve the gripping force of the electrical connector, and ensure the stability of the electrical connector installation. [Attached Image Description]

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram from another angle.

[0019] Figure 4yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line AA.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line BB.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A 3D schematic diagram of the CEC connector.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line DD.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 An exploded 3D view of an electrical connector.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line EE.

[0027] Figure 12 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line FF.

[0028] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A three-dimensional diagram from another angle.

[0030] Figure 15 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A three-dimensional diagram from another angle.

[0032] Figure 17 yes Figure 13 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line GG.

[0033] Figure 18 yes Figure 13 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line HH.

[0034] Figure 19 yes Figure 15 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector in the diagram.

[0035] Figure 20 yes Figure 19 Right view of the electrical connector in the image.

[0036] Figure 21 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 22 This is a cross-sectional view of the first pin of the electrical connector assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Explanation of Key Component Symbols]

[0039] Electrical connector assembly 1000, 1000' Electrical connector 100, 100'

[0040] 2000, 2000' 200, 200'

[0041] Insulating body 1 Base 11

[0042] Tongue plate 12 Support plate 13

[0043] Positioning post 14, conductive terminal 2

[0044] Metal casing 3 Top wall 31

[0045] Bottom wall 32, side wall 33

[0046] Containment cavity 34 Pin 35

[0047] First pin: 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 45a, 45b, 46a, 46b

[0048] The second pin is 45c, 45d, 46c, 46d.

[0049] Third pin 35c, 36c

[0050] upper surface 301 of circuit board 300

[0051] Lower surface 302 mounting holes 303, 403

[0052] First mounting holes 305a, 403a; Second mounting holes 403b, 405b

[0053] 405a, 303a

[0054] Third mounting holes 303b, 305b; positioning hole 304

[0055] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0056] Defined in this invention Figure 1 The X direction is the left-right direction, the Y direction is the up-down direction, and the Z direction is the front-back direction.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector assembly 1000 includes a circuit board 300 and a pair of electrical connectors 100 respectively mounted on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board 300, the pair of electrical connectors 100 being centrally symmetrically arranged. The circuit board 300 includes an upper surface 301, a lower surface 302, a plurality of mounting holes 303, and four positioning holes 304 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces 301 and 302, all arranged opposite each other. The mounting holes 303 of the circuit board 300 include four separately arranged first mounting holes 303a and two separately arranged third mounting holes 303b. The first mounting holes 303a are arranged in pairs, with the paired first mounting holes 303a spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides. The four positioning holes 304 are located at the four corners of a rectangle.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 8 As shown, the electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, a plurality of conductive terminals 2 fixed to the insulating body 1, and a metal shell 3 covering the insulating body 1.

[0059] The insulating body 1 includes a base 11, a tongue plate 12 protruding forward from the base 11, and a support plate 13 extending horizontally from below the base 11 to below the tongue plate 12. The support plate 13 has a pair of downwardly protruding positioning posts 14 for fixing to the circuit board 300. The positioning posts 14 are staggered in both the left-right and front-back directions, specifically, the pair of positioning posts 14 are located on the diagonals of a rectangle. The pair of positioning posts 14 of each electrical connector 100 are respectively received in diagonally arranged positioning holes 304. The positioning posts 14 enable the electrical connector 100 to be accurately installed on the circuit board 300 and remain stable during the soldering of the electrical connector 100. The support plate 13 is used to support the electrical connector 100 and position the height between the electrical connector 100 and the circuit board 300 to prevent the electrical connector 100 from being installed too high or too low.

[0060] Please refer to the following carefully. Figures 2 to 5As shown, the metal housing 3 includes a top wall 31 and a bottom wall 32 arranged vertically opposite each other, as well as two side walls 33 located on the left and right sides, and a receiving cavity 34 formed by the top wall 31, bottom wall 32, and side walls 33. The tongue plate 12 of the insulating body 1 is received in the receiving cavity 34. Each electrical connector 100 is also provided with a plurality of pins 35 mounted on the circuit board 300, and the plurality of pins 35 are received in corresponding mounting holes 303. The pins 35 of the pair of electrical connectors 100 located on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board 300 are respectively received in different mounting holes. The pins 35 include a pair of first pins 35a and 35b extending downward from the rear of the side walls 33, and a third pin 35c extending downward from the bottom wall 32 to be mounted to the circuit board 300. The first pins 35a and 35b are asymmetrically arranged, and their direct distances relative to the center line of the insulating body 1 in the left and right directions are not equal. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7 In this embodiment, the first pin 35a is configured as a "7" shape extending downward from the side wall 33, and the first pin 35b is configured as extending vertically downward from the side wall 33. The distance d1 from the first pin 35a to the center line is greater than the distance d2 from the first pin 35b to the center line. The third pin 35c is located on the side offset from the center of the insulating body 1 in the left-right direction. After the electrical connector is installed on the circuit board, the corresponding third pins 35c are staggered in the left-right direction (see reference). Figure 4 (As shown).

[0061] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first pins 35a and 35b of the electrical connector are respectively housed in corresponding first mounting holes 303a. Specifically, the two paired first mounting holes 303a respectively house the first pins 35a and 35b, with the first pin 35a positioned outside the first pin 35b and spaced apart from each other on the left and right. A pair of third pins 35c are respectively inserted into corresponding third mounting holes 303b, and the pair of third pins 35c are spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0062] Please refer to Figures 9 to 12 As shown, this is the second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the electrical connector assembly in this embodiment is generally the same as that in the first embodiment, with the main differences as follows.

[0063] The electrical connector assembly 1000' includes a circuit board 300' and a pair of electrical connectors 100' respectively mounted on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board 300'.

[0064] The circuit board 300' includes two separately provided first mounting holes 305a and a third mounting hole 305b.

[0065] The two corresponding first pins 36a and 36b of the electrical connector 100' are housed in the same first mounting hole 305a. The corresponding first pins 36a and 36b of the electrical connector 100' are arranged adjacent to each other in the same hole, with the first pin 36a positioned outside the first pin 36b. The third pins 36c of the electrical connector 100' are housed in the same third mounting hole 305b, with the two third pins 36c arranged adjacent to each other in the same third mounting hole 305b.

[0066] Please refer to Figures 13 to 20 As shown, the third embodiment has a structure that is largely the same as the first embodiment, with the following differences.

[0067] An electrical connector assembly 2000 includes a circuit board 400 and a pair of electrical connectors 200 respectively mounted on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board 400. The circuit board 400 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 403, and the pair of electrical connectors 200 are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0068] The pins 45 of the electrical connector 200 are respectively housed in different mounting holes 403. Each pin 45 includes a pair of first pins 45a and 45b extending downwards from the rear of the two side walls, and a pair of second pins 45c and 45d extending downwards from the front of the two side walls for mounting to the circuit board 400. In this embodiment, the first pins 45a and 45b are asymmetrically arranged, with the pair of first pins 45a and 45b staggered relative to each other in the front-rear direction, and the first pin 45a positioned behind the first pin 45b. The pair of second pins 45c and 45d are located in front of the first pins 45a and 45b and are asymmetrically arranged, with the second pins 45c and 45d staggered relative to each other in the front-rear direction, and the second pin 45c positioned in front of the second pin 45d. The second pins 45c and 45d of each side wall are located outside the corresponding first pins 45a and 45b in the left-right direction.

[0069] The mounting holes 403 include two separately arranged first mounting holes 403a and second mounting holes 403b. The first mounting holes 403a are arranged in pairs, with each pair of first mounting holes 403a being adjacent to each other with a gap between them. The upper and lower corresponding first pins 45a and 45b of the electrical connector 200 are received in the same corresponding first mounting hole 403a. The second pins 45c and 45d of the electrical connector 200 are respectively received in the corresponding second mounting holes 403b.

[0070] Please refer to Figures 21 to 22 The fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fourth embodiment has a structure that is generally the same as that of the third embodiment. The differences are as follows.

[0071] The electrical connector assembly 2000' includes a circuit board 400' and a pair of electrical connectors 200' respectively mounted on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board 400'.

[0072] The circuit board 400' includes two separately provided first mounting holes 405a and a second mounting hole 405b.

[0073] The two corresponding first pins 46a and 46b of the electrical connector 200' are housed in the same first mounting hole 405a. The corresponding first pins 46a and 46b of the electrical connector 200' are arranged adjacent to each other in the same hole, with the first pin 46a positioned outside the first pin 46b. The second pins 46c and 46d of the electrical connector 200' are housed in the same second mounting hole 405b, with the two second pins 46c and 46d arranged adjacent to each other in the same second mounting hole 405b.

[0074] In the above four embodiments, in order to save production costs and facilitate assembly, the electrical connectors on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board are set to have the same structure. Of course, in other embodiments, electrical connectors with different structures can also be used to suit different circuit designs and signal transmission requirements.

[0075] Meanwhile, in this invention, a pair of electrical connectors are fixed to the circuit board by a socket soldering method to improve the gripping force of the electrical connectors and ensure the stability of the electrical connector connection. However, in other embodiments, a plate-mounted or other assembly methods can also be used, which will not be listed here.

[0076] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0077] 1. The pins of the electrical connector are set to an asymmetrical structure, that is, the pins are set to be asymmetrical front and back or left and right, so as to accommodate the installation of two electrical connectors on the top and bottom sides of the circuit board, thus saving manufacturing costs.

[0078] 2. Installing two identical electrical connectors on the upper and lower sides of the circuit board can better meet the needs of automotive connectors. At the same time, it can also improve the gripping force of the upper and lower connectors, preventing unstable connection and poor contact during use, which would affect signal transmission.

[0079] The above description is only a partial embodiment of the present invention, not all embodiments. Any equivalent changes to the technical solutions of the present invention made by those skilled in the art through reading the present invention specification are covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a circuit board, the electrical connector assembly comprising two electrical connectors for mounting to upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board, each of the electrical connectors comprising an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base and a tongue extending forward from the base, the conductive terminals being disposed on upper and lower sides of the tongue; the metal shell located above the circuit board is an upper metal shell, the metal shell located below the circuit board is a lower metal shell, each of the metal shells comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls located on the left and right sides, respectively; characterized in that: Each of the two sidewalls forms a first pin extending downward to be mounted to the circuit board at the rear. The two first pins of each metal housing are asymmetrically arranged. Each of the two sidewalls forms a second pin for mounting to the circuit board at the front. The second pin is formed by bending backward and extending downward from the front edge of the two sidewalls. The left sidewall pin of the upper metal housing is the same as the right sidewall pin of the lower metal housing, and the right sidewall pin of the upper metal housing is the same as the left sidewall pin of the lower metal housing. The corresponding second pins on the same side of the upper and lower metal housings are staggered.

2. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The two first pins of the same metal casing are staggered in the front-to-back direction or are not equidistant from the center line of the insulating body in the left-to-right direction.

3. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The second pin of each sidewall is located outside the corresponding first pin in the left-right direction.

4. The electrical connector assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom wall has a third pin that extends downward for mounting to the circuit board, and the third pin is located on a side offset from the center of the electrical connector in the left-right direction.

5. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating body extends horizontally from below the base to a support plate below the tongue plate. The top wall, bottom wall and side walls of the metal shell together form a receiving cavity for accommodating the tongue plate. The support plate is provided with a pair of positioning posts that protrude downward to fix to the circuit board. The positioning posts are staggered relative to each other in the left-right and front-back directions.

6. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that: The electrical connector assembly includes two electrical connectors for mounting to the upper and lower surfaces of a circuit board, the two electrical connectors being centrally symmetrically arranged. Each electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body. The insulating body includes a base and a tongue extending forward from the base. The conductive terminals are disposed on the upper and lower sides of the tongue. The metal shell located above the circuit board is the upper metal shell, and the metal shell located below the circuit board is the lower metal shell. Each metal shell includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls located on the left and right sides, respectively. A first pin extending downward to the rear of each of the two side walls is formed for mounting to the circuit board. The two first pins are asymmetrically arranged. A second pin for mounting to the circuit board is formed at the front of each of the two side walls. The second pin is formed by bending backward and extending downward from the front edge of the two side walls. The left side wall pin of the upper metal shell is the same as the right side wall pin of the lower metal shell, and the right side wall pin of the upper metal shell is the same as the left side wall pin of the lower metal shell. The corresponding second pins of the upper and lower metal shells located on the same side are misaligned.

7. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: After the two electrical connectors are installed on the circuit board, their corresponding first pins are staggered relative to each other in the front-back or left-right direction.

8. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The bottom wall has a third pin that extends downward to be installed on the circuit board. The third pin is located on the side that is off from the center of the electrical connector in the left-right direction. After the two electrical connectors are installed on the circuit board, the corresponding third pins are staggered in the left-right direction.

Images