Floating connector and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention is a floating connector, comprising a first shell, a second shell, a limiter and a terminal. The first shell forms a accommodating space, a floating space and a slit. The second shell has an insertion guide, a tongue plate and a floating block. The second shell forms a connecting space to set the tongue plate and expose it in the insertion guide with an inner bevel. Recessed portions with retaining walls are respectively formed on the two sides of the second shell, and the floating blocks are respectively formed on the two sides of the second shell and are respectively arranged in the floating space. The limiters are respectively arranged in the slit. The limiters and the retaining walls can determine the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space to limit the movement of the floating block in the floating space. The terminals are arranged in the accommodating space and the connecting space. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a floating connector.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of a floating connector, in particular to a small-sized floating connector and a manufacturing method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to prevent the traditional connector from being damaged due to, for example, excessive external force applied during the user's assembly process, a floating connector has been developed.

[0003] Traditionally, connectors are composed of multiple components, such as insert guides, floating distances, and floating retaining walls, to provide space between components to achieve the purpose of floating. However, traditionally, the floating space is directly increased outside the structure of the original components, but the disadvantage is that the size of the original components becomes larger, resulting in squeezing of other components.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a floating connector and a manufacturing method thereof, which are used to solve the problem of the traditional terminal caused by the accumulated space due to the insertion guide, the floating distance and the floating retaining wall. [Summary of the invention]

[0005] The first object of the present invention is to provide a floating connector, which can form a recessed portion on the shell to overlap the insertion guide portion and the floating distance, so as to solve the problem that the traditional insertion guide portion is limited by the floating baffle and the limiter and needs to increase the additional space, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the overall volume of the connector.

[0006] A second object of the present invention is to reduce the volume of the connector by projecting and overlapping the inner slope of the insertion guide and the floating block according to the aforementioned floating connector.

[0007] The third objective of the present invention is to determine the floating distance of movement by means of the retaining wall and the limiting member according to the aforementioned floating connector.

[0008] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a slit for inserting a stopper in one direction according to the aforementioned floating connector without causing interference between components due to volume reduction.

[0009] A fifth objective of the present invention is to apply the aforementioned floating connector to the fields of vertical connectors and horizontal connectors.

[0010] A sixth object of the present invention is to form an electrode distance with a non-fixed length between the first terminal and the second terminal according to the aforementioned floating connector, so that the electrodes are deformed as the floating block moves in the floating space and do not contact each other.

[0011] A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a floating connector to manufacture a floating connector with reduced volume.

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned and other purposes, the present invention provides a floating connector, comprising a first shell, a second shell, a limiter and a terminal. The first shell forms a accommodating space, a floating space and a slit. The floating space is formed on two sides of the accommodating space in a first direction, and the slit is formed on two sides of the floating space in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The second shell is arranged in the accommodating space. The second shell has an insertion guide, a tongue plate and a floating block. The second shell forms a connecting space to set the tongue plate and expose it in the insertion guide. Concave portions with retaining walls are formed on two sides of the second shell. The floating blocks are formed on two sides of the second shell and are arranged in the floating space. The limiters are arranged in the slits. The limiters and the retaining walls determine the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space to limit the movement of the floating block in at least one of the first direction and the second direction in the floating space. The terminals are arranged in the accommodating space and the connecting space.

[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned and other purposes, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a floating connector, comprising the steps of (a) forming a first shell having a accommodating space, a floating space and a slit; (b) forming a second shell having an insertion guide, a tongue plate and a floating block, wherein the second shell forms a recessed portion having a retaining wall on two sides of the insertion guide, and a portion of the floating block is located in the recessed portion; (c) combining the first shell and the second shell to allow the floating block to be set in the floating space; (d) inserting a limiting member into the slit to limit the floating block in the floating space; and (e) the retaining wall and the limiting member determine a floating distance.

[0014] Compared to the prior art, the present invention provides a floating connector and a method for manufacturing the same, by forming a recessed portion on the shell to overlap the insertion guide portion and the floating distance, and in particular, the traditional original insertion guide can still be maintained, thereby producing a floating connector with a smaller volume than the traditional floating connector. That is, the present invention maintains the integrity of the traditional insertion guide portion and solves the problem of increased volume caused by the accumulated space of the traditional insertion guide portion and the floating retaining wall.

[0015] The specific technology adopted by the present invention will be further described through the following embodiments and attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a floating connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This invention is described Figure 1Detailed structural diagram of the floating connector.

[0018] Figure 3a This invention is described Figure 1 A floating connector has not yet produced a floating cross-sectional partial schematic diagram.

[0019] Figure 3b This invention is described Figure 1 The floating connector generates a floating cross-sectional partial schematic diagram.

[0020] Figure 4 This invention is described Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the connection between the floating connector and another connector.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a floating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This invention is described Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the terminal structure.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a movable connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Description of main component symbols:

[0026] 4 terminals

[0027] 10, 10' floating connector

[0028] 12, 12' First shell

[0029] 122 Slit

[0030] 124 first electrode guide groove

[0031] 126 Floating retaining wall

[0032] 14, 14' Second shell

[0033] 142 Insertion guide

[0034] 1422 Depression

[0035] 1424 inner bevel

[0036] 1426 External bevel

[0037] 1428 Retaining Wall

[0038] 1430 Gap

[0039] 144 tongue plate

[0040] 1442 second electrode guide groove

[0041] 146, 146' floating block

[0042] 16, 16' limiter

[0043] 18, 18' terminal

[0044] SP Accommodation Space

[0045] FSP floating space

[0046] CSP Connection Space [Specific implementation method]

[0047] In order to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail through the following specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The description is as follows.

[0048] In the present invention, "a" or "an" is used to describe the units, elements and components described herein. This is only for the convenience of description and to provide a general meaning to the scope of the present invention. Therefore, unless it is obvious that it is otherwise intended, such description should be understood to include one, at least one, and the singular also includes the plural.

[0049] In the present invention, the terms "comprise", "include", "have", "contain" or any other similar terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, an element, structure, article or device containing multiple elements is not limited to the elements listed herein, but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed but are generally inherent to the element, structure, article or device. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" refers to an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or".

[0050] Please refer to Figure 1 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating connector of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In the figure, the floating connector 10 is a male end (or plug) structure, which is used to electrically connect with a female seat (or socket) (not shown).

[0051] The floating connector 10 includes a first housing 12, a second housing 14, a stopper 16 and a terminal 18. Figure 2 , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 1 Detailed structural diagram of the floating connector.

[0052] exist Figure 2In the embodiment, the first housing 12 forms a containing space SP, a floating space FSP and a slit 122. The floating space FSP is formed at two sides of the containing space SP in a first direction (the X direction in the figure), and the slit 122 is formed at two sides of the floating space FSP in a second direction (the Y direction in the figure). The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0053] Here, the first housing 12 further includes a first electrode guiding groove 124 . The first electrode guiding groove 124 is respectively formed on two inner walls of the accommodating space SP to limit a portion of the terminal 18 .

[0054] The second housing 14 has an insertion guide portion 142 , a tongue plate 144 and a floating block 146 .

[0055] The second housing 14 is disposed in the accommodation space SP, so that the second housing 14 forms a connection space CSP for disposing the tongue plate 144 and exposing the insertion guide portion 142. The tongue plate 144 further includes a second electrode guide groove 1442. The second electrode guide groove 1442 is respectively formed on two outer walls of the tongue plate 144 to limit another part of the terminal 18.

[0056] Here, the insertion guide 142 is formed with an inner bevel 1424 on its inner wall to facilitate the female socket to slide into the connection space CSP. In addition, since the insertion guide 142 is formed with the inner bevel 1424, an outer bevel 1426 is formed on its outer wall.

[0057] A recessed portion 1422 having a retaining wall 1428 is formed on two sides of the second housing 14. Here, the recessed portion 1422 refers to a space formed from the outer inclined surface 1426 of the insertion guide 142 to the bottom of the second housing 14. The retaining wall 1428 is on the outer surface of the second housing 14 and is located at the position of the recessed portion 1422.

[0058] The floating blocks 146 are respectively formed on two sides of the second housing 14 and are respectively disposed in the floating spaces FSP. Part of the floating blocks 146 is located in the recessed portion 1422 , that is, the floating blocks 146 are partially overlapped in the recessed portion 1422 .

[0059] The limit members 16 are respectively disposed in the slits 122. Here, the limit members 16 and the retaining wall 1428 determine the floating distance d (refer to Figure 3a146 is provided in the floating space FSP in the X direction, the Y direction, the Z direction or any two directions thereof. Here, the stopper 16 further includes a plate 162 and a bottom 164. The plate 162 is connected to the bottom 164. The plate 162 and the bottom 164 are inserted into the slit 122 in the X direction. The plate 162 and the bottom 164 form a C-shaped body.

[0060] For reference Figure 3a and Figure 3b , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first shell, the second shell and the limiting member. Figure 3a In the present invention, Figure 1 A cross-sectional partial schematic diagram of a floating connector that has not yet floated; and Figure 3b In the present invention, Figure 1 The floating connector generates a floating cross-sectional partial schematic diagram.

[0061] exist Figure 3a In the embodiment, the second shell 14 is in a stationary state without being subjected to external force, and the floating block 146 is restricted by the plate 162 and is limited in the floating space FSP, so that the second shell 14 will not fall off from the accommodating space SP. In addition, the retaining wall 1428 is separated from the edge of the plate 162 by a floating distance d.

[0062] exist Figure 3b In the embodiment, the second housing 14 is subjected to an external force, so that the second housing 14 is displaced in the moving direction of the first housing 12, so that the floating block 146 is still restricted by the plate 162 and is limited in the floating space FSP; however, due to the floating distance d between the retaining wall 1428 and the edge of the plate 162, the retaining wall 1428 moves toward the edge of the plate 162, making the floating distance d shorter and shorter, until the retaining wall 1428 touches the edge of the plate 162, and then the second housing 14 is limited by the retaining wall 1428 and the plate 162 and can no longer move in the original moving direction. It is worth noting that the floating space FSP can form the floating retaining wall 126 and the floating block 146 can form a notch 1430. The floating retaining wall 126 corresponds to the notch 1430, so that when the floating block 146 moves and touches the floating retaining wall 126, the notch 1430 engages with the floating retaining wall 126. The thickness of the floating retaining wall 126 is less than or equal to the height of the notch 1430 , so that the overall volume of the floating connector 10 can be reduced.

[0063] The terminal 18 is disposed in the accommodating space SP and the connecting space CSP to connect to the electrical contacts of the circuit board or the terminals on the female socket (not shown).

[0064] For reference Figure 4 , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 1Schematic diagram of the connection between the floating connector and another connector. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the other connector 2 is inserted into the floating connector 10 in a straight-down manner, so that the other terminal 4 of the other connector 2 is electrically connected to the terminal 18 of the floating connector 10 .

[0065] For reference Figure 5 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of a floating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the floating connector 10' comprises a first housing 12', a second housing 14', a stopper 16' and a terminal 18'. Different from the first embodiment, in the embodiment, the second housing 14' is an L-shaped structure.

[0066] The description of the first housing 12 ′, the second housing 14 ′, the stopper 16 ′ and the terminal 18 ′ may correspond to the first housing 12 , the second housing 14 , the stopper 16 and the terminal 18 in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] It is worth noting that reference Figure 6 , is a description Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the terminal structure. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the terminal 18' is composed of a first electrode 182 and a second electrode 184. The first electrode 182 and the second electrode 184 are deformed by the movement of the floating block 146' in the floating space FSP and are not in contact with each other. There is a non-fixed electrode distance D between the first electrode 182 and the second electrode 184.

[0068] refer to Figure 7 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 In the figure, two floating connectors 10 are connected through the circuit board 6. It is worth noting that each floating connector 10 may further form snap blocks (not shown) on the two inner walls of the connection space CSP to snap into the notches (not shown) on the two sides of the circuit board 6. The snap blocks snap into the notches, so that the two floating connectors 10 are firmly connected to the circuit board 6.

[0069] refer to Figure 8 , is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a floating connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 In the method for manufacturing a floating connector, the steps start from step S81, forming a first shell having a containing space, a floating space and a slit.

[0070] Step S82, forming a second housing having an insertion guide, a tongue plate and a floating block. The second housing has recessed portions with retaining walls formed on two sides of the insertion guide, and a portion of the floating block is located in the recessed portions. The second housing is formed by injection molding, mold molding or cutting molding.

[0071] Step S83, combining the first shell and the second shell to allow the floating block to be disposed in the floating space.

[0072] Step S84, inserting a limiting member into the slit to limit the floating block in the floating space.

[0073] Step S85, the retaining wall and the limiting member determine the floating distance.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed as described above, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the relevant art may make slight changes to the shapes, structures, features, methods and quantities described in the claims of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the claims attached to this specification.

Claims

1. A floating connector, characterized in that: The floating connector comprises: A first shell is formed with a containing space, a floating space and a slit, wherein the floating space is formed at two sides of the containing space in a first direction, and the slit is formed at two sides of the floating space in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; A second shell is arranged in the accommodation space, the second shell has an insertion guide portion, a tongue plate and a floating block, and the second shell forms a connection space to arrange the tongue plate and expose it in the insertion guide portion, and a recessed portion with a retaining wall is formed on two sides of the second shell, and the floating blocks are respectively formed on two sides of the second shell and are respectively arranged in the floating space; a limiting member, respectively disposed in the slit, the limiting member and the retaining wall determining the floating distance of the floating block in the floating space, so as to limit the movement of the floating block in at least one of the first direction and the second direction in the floating space, wherein the limiting member comprises a plate body and a bottom, and when the floating connector has not yet floated and when the floating connector is floating, the floating block is limited by the plate body and is limited in the floating space; and The terminal is arranged in the accommodation space and the connection space, The floating space forms a floating retaining wall and the floating block forms a gap, the floating retaining wall corresponds to the gap, so that when the floating block moves and touches the floating retaining wall, the gap engages with the floating retaining wall, wherein the thickness of the floating retaining wall is not greater than the height of the gap.

2. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first shell further includes a first electrode guiding groove, which is respectively formed on two inner walls of the accommodating space to limit a part of the terminal.

3. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tongue plate further comprises a second electrode guiding groove, which is respectively formed on two outer walls of the tongue plate to limit another part of the terminal.

4. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the insertion guide portion forms an inner slope.

5. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plate body of the limiting member is connected to the bottom, and the plate body and the bottom are inserted into the slit in the first direction, wherein the plate body and the bottom form a C-shaped body.

6. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second shell is an L-body structure.

7. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal is composed of a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode are deformed by the movement of the floating block in the floating space and are not in contact with each other, and there is a non-fixed electrode distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

8. The floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the connection space of the second shell further includes a snap block for snapping into a notch on the side of the circuit board located outside. The snap block snaps into the notch so that the second shell is firmly connected to the circuit board.

9. A method for manufacturing a floating connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating connector manufacturing method comprises the following steps: (a) forming a first shell having a containing space, a floating space and a slit; (b) forming a second housing having an insertion guide, a tongue plate and a floating block, wherein the second housing has recessed portions having retaining walls formed on two sides of the insertion guide, and a portion of the floating block is located in the recessed portions; (c) combining the first shell and the second shell so that the floating block is disposed in the floating space; (d) inserting a limiting member into the slit to limit the floating block in the floating space; and (e) The retaining wall and the limiting member determine the floating distance.

10. The method for making a floating connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second shell is formed by injection molding, mold molding or cutting molding.

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