connector

Abstract

This invention discloses a connector including a housing and a plurality of terminal modules. The plurality of terminal modules are assembled in the housing. The connector also includes a retaining plate that snaps onto the housing and each of the plurality of terminal modules, thereby holding the housing and the plurality of terminal modules together. Therefore, the housing can be connected and fixed to a circuit board along with the conductive terminals on the terminal modules, eliminating the need to connect and fix the housing to the circuit board separately. This simplifies the connector structure and reduces costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, connectors suitable for mounting on circuit boards typically include a metal housing (or shielding housing), an insulating body housed within the metal housing, and multiple conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body. The metal housing is connected and secured to the circuit board via threaded fasteners. The multiple conductive terminals are electrically connected to the circuit board, for example, by press-fitting the pins of the conductive terminals into sockets on the circuit board.

[0003] In existing technology, the metal housing and the insulating body are separate, and the metal housing can move relative to the insulating body. Therefore, the metal housing needs to be separately connected and secured to the circuit board, which requires adding corresponding connection structures to both the metal housing and the circuit board, and also necessitates providing additional threaded connectors, such as screws. This increases the cost and installation difficulty of the connector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided, comprising a housing and a plurality of terminal modules. The plurality of terminal modules are assembled in the housing. The connector further includes a retaining plate that snaps onto the housing and each of the plurality of terminal modules, thereby holding the housing and the plurality of terminal modules together.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first protrusions are formed on the housing, and at least one second protrusion is formed on each of the plurality of terminal modules; and a plurality of through openings or a plurality of bottomed recesses are formed on the fixing plate, wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the at least one second protrusion are adapted to be snapped into the plurality of openings or the plurality of recesses respectively.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of terminal modules is formed with a second protrusion, and the second protrusions on the plurality of terminal modules are arranged in at least two rows.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one pair of adjacent terminal modules of the plurality of terminal modules are arranged side by side and inserted together into and snapped into the same opening or the same recess on the fixing plate.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first protrusions on the housing are arranged at different height positions, thereby being staggered from each other in the height direction of the connector.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are columnar protrusions with a polygonal, circular or elliptical cross-section that extend horizontally along the length of the connector.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing has a pair of opposing sidewalls, the plurality of terminal modules are assembled between the pair of sidewalls, and the fixing plate snaps together with the pair of sidewalls and each of the plurality of terminal modules.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, raised reinforcing ribs are formed on a pair of sidewalls of the housing.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing rib includes at least one vertical reinforcing rib extending along the height direction of the connector and at least one horizontal reinforcing rib extending along the length direction of the connector, the vertical reinforcing rib and the horizontal reinforcing rib intersecting each other.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing rib includes a plurality of vertical reinforcing ribs, and the plurality of vertical reinforcing ribs are spaced apart from each other.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a top wall, the tops of any two adjacent terminal modules of the plurality of terminal modules are at different height positions, and a positioning groove extending along the length direction of the connector is formed on the inner surface of the top wall of the housing to mate with the tops of the plurality of terminal modules.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing has a front port and a rear port opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and a mating connector that mates with the connector is adapted to be inserted into the housing from the front port of the housing and to make electrical contact with the conductive terminals on the terminal module.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of terminal modules includes an insulator and at least one conductive terminal fixed to the insulator; the first protrusion is formed on the rear end face of a pair of sidewalls of the housing, and the second protrusion is formed on the rear end face of the insulator of the terminal module.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of positioning posts are formed at the bottom of the housing, the plurality of positioning posts being adapted to be inserted into a plurality of positioning holes on a circuit board to position the housing in a predetermined position.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the conductive terminals has a pin extending from the bottom of the insulator and a resilient arm extending from the front end face of the insulator; the pin of the conductive terminal is adapted to be press-fitted into a socket on a circuit board, and the resilient arm of the conductive terminal is adapted to make resilient electrical contact with an inserted mating connector.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of terminal modules is sheet-shaped, and the plurality of sheet-shaped terminal modules are arranged side-by-side in the housing in the width direction of the connector.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the plurality of terminal modules comprises a plurality of sets of terminal modules arranged side by side in an alternating manner, and each set of terminal modules comprises three terminal modules arranged side by side.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the three terminal modules in each group of terminal modules include a first terminal module, a second terminal module and a third terminal module arranged in sequence, wherein a second protrusion on the first terminal module is inserted individually into an opening or a recess on the fixing plate, and the second protrusions on the second and third terminal modules are arranged side by side and inserted together into the same opening or the same recess on the fixing plate.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second protrusion on the first terminal module in each set of terminal modules is at a different height position than the second protrusions on the second and third terminal modules.

[0024] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connector housing and multiple terminal modules are held together by a fixing plate. Therefore, the housing can be connected and fixed to the circuit board together with the conductive terminals on the terminal modules, thereby eliminating the need to form connection structures on the housing and circuit board for separately connecting and fixing the housing to the circuit board, and eliminating the need to provide threaded connectors for separately connecting and fixing the housing to the circuit board. This simplifies the connector structure and reduces costs.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a fixing plate has been assembled onto a housing and a terminal module;

[0027] Figure 2 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the fixing plate is not assembled to the housing and terminal module;

[0028] Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector housing shown;

[0029] Figure 4 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of multiple terminal modules of the connector shown;

[0030] Figure 5 show Figure 4 A perspective view of one set of terminal modules among multiple terminal modules of the connector shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A perspective view of a connector showing another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0033] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0034] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a connector is provided, comprising a housing and a plurality of terminal modules. The plurality of terminal modules are assembled in the housing. The connector further includes a retaining plate that snaps onto the housing and each of the plurality of terminal modules, thereby holding the housing and the plurality of terminal modules together.

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a fixing plate 300 has been assembled onto a housing 100 and a terminal module 200; Figure 2A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the fixing plate 300 is not assembled to the housing 100 and the terminal module 200.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector mainly includes a housing 100 and a plurality of terminal modules 200. The plurality of terminal modules 200 are assembled in the housing 100.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a retaining plate 300, which snaps together with each of the housing 100 and the plurality of terminal modules 200, thereby holding the housing 100 and the plurality of terminal modules 200 together. In this way, the housing 100 and the plurality of terminal modules 200 are simultaneously held and secured to the retaining plate 300, allowing the housing 100 to be connected and secured to a circuit board (not shown) together with the terminal modules 200, eliminating the need to connect and secure the housing 100 to the circuit board separately.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned fixing plate 300 may be a metal fixing plate, such as stainless steel, which can improve the strength of the fixing plate.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first protrusions 111 are formed on the housing 100, and at least one second protrusion 211 is formed on each of the plurality of terminal modules 200. A plurality of through openings 311 are formed on the fixing plate 300, and the plurality of first protrusions 111 and at least one second protrusion 211 are adapted to be snapped into the plurality of openings 311 on the fixing plate 300, respectively.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of terminal modules 200 has a second protrusion 211 formed thereon, and the second protrusions 211 on the plurality of terminal modules 200 are arranged in at least two rows.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, at least one pair of adjacent terminal modules 200 have second protrusions 211 arranged side by side and inserted together into the same opening 311 on the fixing plate 300.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first protrusions 111 on the housing 100 are arranged at different height positions, thereby being staggered from each other in the height direction of the connector.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 211 are columnar protrusions with a polygonal, circular, or elliptical cross-section that extend horizontally along the length of the connector. However, the present invention is not limited to this; for example, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 211 can also be columnar protrusions with other suitable shapes such as circular or elliptical cross-sections.

[0044] Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector housing 100 shown. Figure 4 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of multiple terminal modules 200 of the connector shown.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 has a pair of opposing sidewalls 110, a plurality of terminal modules 200 are assembled between the pair of sidewalls 110, and a retaining plate 300 snaps together with each of the pair of sidewalls 110 and the plurality of terminal modules 200.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, raised reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 are formed on a pair of sidewalls 110 of the housing 100, respectively. This improves the strength of the sidewalls 110.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 on the sidewall 110 include at least one vertical reinforcing rib 112 extending along the height direction of the connector and at least one horizontal reinforcing rib 113 extending along the length direction of the connector, with the vertical reinforcing rib 112 and the horizontal reinforcing rib 113 intersecting each other.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 include multiple vertical reinforcing ribs 112, and the multiple vertical reinforcing ribs 112 are spaced apart from each other.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 has a top wall 120, the tops of any two adjacent terminal modules among the plurality of terminal modules 200 are at different height positions, and a positioning groove 121 extending along the length direction of the connector is formed on the inner surface of the top wall 120 of the housing 100 to mate with the tops of the plurality of terminal modules 200.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, housing 100 has a front port and a rear port opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and a mating connector (not shown) that mates with the connector is adapted to be inserted into housing 100 from the front port of housing 100 and make electrical contact with conductive terminals 220 on terminal module 200.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of terminal modules 200 includes an insulator 210 and at least one conductive terminal 220 fixed to the insulator 210. A first protrusion 111 is formed on the rear end face of a pair of sidewalls 110 of the housing 100, and a second protrusion 211 is formed on the rear end face of the insulator 210 of the terminal module 200.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of positioning posts 114 are formed at the bottom of the housing 100. The plurality of positioning posts 114 are adapted to be inserted into a plurality of positioning holes on the circuit board to position the housing 100 in a predetermined position.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each conductive terminal 220 has a pin 220a extending from the bottom of the insulator 210 and a resilient arm 220b extending from the front end face of the insulator 210. The pin 220a of the conductive terminal 220 is adapted to be press-fitted into a socket on a circuit board, and the resilient arm 220b of the conductive terminal 220 is adapted to make resilient electrical contact with an inserted mating connector.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of terminal modules 200 is sheet-shaped, and the plurality of sheet-shaped terminal modules 200 are arranged side by side in the housing 100 in the width direction of the connector.

[0055] Figure 5 show Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of one set of terminal modules among the multiple terminal modules of the connector shown.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of terminal modules 200 include multiple sets of terminal modules 200 arranged side by side in an alternating manner, and each set of terminal modules 200 includes three terminal modules 200 arranged side by side.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 5As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each set of terminal modules 200 includes three terminal modules 200 arranged in sequence: a first terminal module, a second terminal module, and a third terminal module. The second protrusion 211 on the first terminal module is inserted into an opening 311 on the fixing plate 300. The second protrusions 211 on the second and third terminal modules are arranged side by side and inserted together into the same opening 311 on the fixing plate 300.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second protrusion 211 on the first terminal module in each set of terminal modules 200 is at a different height position than the second protrusion 211 on the second and third terminal modules.

[0059] Figure 6 A perspective view of a connector showing another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0060] Figure 6 The connector shown is Figure 1-5 The only difference between the connectors shown is the structure of the mounting plate 300. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of bottomed recesses 311' are formed on the fixing plate 300, and a plurality of first protrusions 111 and at least one second protrusion 211 are adapted to be respectively snapped into the plurality of recesses 311' on the fixing plate 300. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, because the recess 311' has a bottom, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 211 do not protrude from the fixing plate 300. While... Figure 1-5 In the connector shown, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 211 pass through the opening 311 on the fixing plate 300 and are exposed.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0062] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0063] While some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0064] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: Casing (100); and Multiple terminal modules (200) are assembled in the housing (100). Its features are: The connector also includes a retaining plate (300) that snaps into each of the housing (100) and the plurality of terminal modules (200), thereby holding the housing (100) and the plurality of terminal modules (200) together. The housing (100) has a plurality of first protrusions (111) formed thereon, and each of the plurality of terminal modules (200) has at least one second protrusion (211) formed thereon; and The fixing plate (300) has a plurality of through openings (311) or a plurality of bottomed recesses (311') formed thereon, and the plurality of first protrusions (111) and the at least one second protrusion (211) are adapted to be snapped into the plurality of openings (311) or the plurality of recesses (311') respectively.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of terminal modules (200) has a second protrusion (211) formed thereon, and the second protrusions (211) on the plurality of terminal modules (200) are arranged in at least two rows.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second protrusions (211) on at least one pair of adjacent terminal modules (200) are arranged side by side and inserted together into and snapped into the same opening (311) or the same recess (311') on the fixing plate (300).

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of first protrusions (111) on the housing (100) are arranged at different height positions, thereby being staggered from each other in the height direction of the connector.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first protrusion (111) and the second protrusion (211) are columnar protrusions with a polygonal, circular or elliptical cross-section that extend horizontally along the length of the connector.

6. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (100) has a pair of opposing sidewalls (110), the plurality of terminal modules (200) are assembled between the pair of sidewalls (110), and the fixing plate (300) snaps together with each of the pair of sidewalls (110) and the plurality of terminal modules (200).

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The shell (100) has raised reinforcing ribs (112, 113) formed on a pair of sidewalls (110).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The reinforcing ribs (112, 113) include at least one vertical reinforcing rib (112) extending along the height direction of the connector and at least one horizontal reinforcing rib (113) extending along the length direction of the connector, wherein the vertical reinforcing rib (112) and the horizontal reinforcing rib (113) intersect each other.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The reinforcing ribs (112, 113) include multiple vertical reinforcing ribs (112), and the multiple vertical reinforcing ribs (112) are spaced apart from each other.

10. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The housing (100) has a top wall (120), the tops of any two adjacent terminal modules (200) are at different heights, and a positioning groove (121) extending along the length of the connector is formed on the inner surface of the top wall (120) of the housing (100) to mate with the tops of the terminal modules (200).

11. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (100) has a front port and a rear port opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and a mating connector that mates with the connector is adapted to be inserted into the housing (100) from the front port of the housing (100) and make electrical contact with the conductive terminals (220) on the terminal module (200).

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of terminal modules (200) includes an insulator (210) and at least one conductive terminal (220) fixed on the insulator (210). The first protrusion (111) is formed on the rear end face of a pair of sidewalls (110) of the housing (100), and the second protrusion (211) is formed on the rear end face of the insulator (210) of the terminal module (200).

13. The connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The bottom of the housing (100) has a plurality of positioning posts (114) which are adapted to be inserted into a plurality of positioning holes on the circuit board to position the housing (100) in a predetermined position.

14. The connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: Each of the conductive terminals (220) has a plug pin (220a) extending from the bottom of the insulator (210) and a resilient arm (220b) extending from the front end face of the insulator (210). The plug pin (220a) of the conductive terminal (220) is adapted to be press-fitted into a socket on a circuit board, and the resilient arm (220b) of the conductive terminal (220) is adapted to make resilient electrical contact with the inserted mating connector.

15. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of terminal modules (200) is sheet-shaped, and the plurality of sheet-shaped terminal modules (200) are arranged side by side in the housing (100) in the width direction of the connector.

16. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of terminal modules (200) include multiple sets of terminal modules (200) arranged side by side in an alternating manner, and each set of terminal modules (200) includes three terminal modules (200) arranged side by side.

17. The connector according to claim 16, characterized in that: Each set of terminal modules (200) includes three terminal modules (200) arranged in sequence: a first terminal module, a second terminal module, and a third terminal module. The second protrusion (211) on the first terminal module is inserted individually into an opening (311) or a recess (311') on the fixing plate (300). The second protrusions (211) on the second and third terminal modules are arranged side by side and are inserted together into the same opening (311) or the same recess (311') on the fixing plate (300).

18. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The second protrusion (211) on the first terminal module in each set of terminal modules (200) is at a different height position than the second protrusion (211) on the second and third terminal modules.

Images