Board-to-board connector and disassembly jig

Abstract

The present invention discloses a board-to-board connector and a disassembly jig. The board-to-board connector includes a mating electrical connector and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes an insulating body and conductive terminals held on the insulating body. The insulating body is provided with two side walls extending longitudinally and two end walls connecting the two side walls. The two side walls and the two end walls enclose a slot. The docking connector includes an insulator and recessed portions on the lateral two sides of the insulator. The electrical connector includes a self-locking member. The self-locking member is provided with a fixing portion held on the insulating body, an extension portion extending upward from the fixing portion, and a locking portion located at the free end of the extension portion. The locking portion extends into the slot. When the electrical connector and the docking connector are mated, the insulator is received in the slot, and the locking portion of the self-locking member is latched in the recessed portion of the insulator. The self-locking member enables the board-to-board connector to achieve a self-locking function and is inseparable without a disassembly jig.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a board-to-board connector and a disassembly jig, and more particularly to a board-to-board connector and a disassembly jig with a self-locking function. Background Art

[0002] A board-to-board connector (abbreviated as BTB) is a type of connector commonly used in electronic devices (such as mobile phones, tablet computers, etc.). Its function is to achieve mechanical and electrical interconnection between the main board of an electronic device and each module (such as a display module, a touch module, a camera module, etc.). The board-to-board connector includes a plug connector and a socket connector that cooperate with each other. Both the plug connector and the socket connector include an insulating body extending longitudinally, conductive terminals held on the insulating body, and protective brackets located at both longitudinal ends of the insulating body. The protective brackets are used to enhance the self-strength of each electrical connector. At the same time, the plug connector and the socket connector achieve stable cooperation between the electrical connectors through the engagement between the protective brackets. However, as the board-to-board connector is applied in more and more fields, the engagement between the protective brackets in the existing board-to-board connector can no longer ensure good cooperation between the plug connector and the socket connector, thus easily causing problems such as unreliable cooperation and loosening between the plug connector and the socket connector.

[0003] Therefore, it is desired to propose a new board-to-board connector and a disassembly jig to overcome the above defects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a board-to-board connector and a disassembly jig with a self-locking member, which enables the board-to-board connector to achieve a self-locking function and cannot be separated without a special disassembly jig.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A board-to-board connector includes a mating electrical connector and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes an insulating body extending longitudinally, conductive terminals held on the insulating body, and protective brackets located at both longitudinal ends of the insulating body. The insulating body is provided with two side walls extending longitudinally and two end walls connecting the two side walls. The two side walls and the two end walls enclose to form a slot. The docking connector includes an insulator extending longitudinally and recessed portions located on both lateral sides of the insulator. The electrical connector includes a self-locking member adjacent to the protective bracket. The self-locking member is provided with a fixing portion held on the insulating body, an extending portion extending upward from the fixing portion, and a locking portion located at the free end of the extending portion. The locking portion extends into the slot. When the electrical connector is mated with the docking connector, the insulator is received in the slot, and the locking portion of the self-locking member is latched in the recessed portion of the insulator.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the self-locking member is an integral structure. The fixing portion extends transversely and is held on the bottom wall of the insulating body below the slot. The extending portion is formed by extending upward vertically from the transverse ends of the fixing portion. The locking portion is formed by bending inward transversely and extending downward obliquely from the top end of the extending portion.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the self-locking member is a separate two-piece structure. The fixing portion is held on the side wall. The extending portion is formed by extending upward vertically from the transverse inner side of the fixing portion. The locking portion is formed by bending inward transversely and extending downward obliquely from the top end of the extending portion.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the protective bracket is fixed to the end wall and includes an end wall reinforcing piece covering the end wall and a side wall reinforcing piece at least partially covering the side wall. The side wall reinforcing piece is connected to the transverse ends of the end wall reinforcing piece and is provided with a side wall top plate portion covering the top surface of the side wall. The side wall top plate portion is located above the locking portion.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating body is provided with a receiving groove located on the transverse inner side of the side wall and communicating with the slot. The extending portion of the self-locking member is received in the receiving groove. The side wall top plate portion is provided with an inclined portion extending obliquely downward from the transverse inner side. The inclined portion covers the receiving groove and abuts against the locking portion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the end wall reinforcing piece is provided with an end wall top plate portion covering the top surface of the end wall, an end wall side plate portion extending downward and bent from the longitudinal outer side of the end wall top plate portion, and elastic arms extending along the inner wall surface of the side wall from the transverse two ends of the end wall side plate portion. The elastic arms are located below the side wall top plate portion, and the extension portion is located on the longitudinal inner side of the elastic arms.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the insulator is provided with two side portions extending longitudinally and two end portions connecting the two side portions. The recessed portion is disposed adjacent to the end portion and is formed by recessing inward from the transverse outer side surface of the side portion.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the docking connector includes a docking bracket fixed to the end portion. The docking bracket is provided with an end portion top plate portion covering the top surface of the end portion and an end portion side plate portion extending downward and bent from the transverse outer side of the end portion top plate portion. The end portion side plate portion at least partially shields the transverse side surface of the end portion and is provided with a notch corresponding to the recessed portion.

[0013] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A disassembly jig is applicable to the above-mentioned board-to-board connector, and the disassembly jig is used to separate the docking connector from the electrical connector. The recessed portion vertically penetrates the bottom surface of the insulator, and the disassembly jig is provided with a main body portion and several pushing portions extending vertically from the main body portion; when the electrical connector is separated from the docking connector, the pushing portions extend into the recessed portion from the bottom surface of the insulator and push the locking portion to move laterally outward.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the board-to-board connector includes a second circuit board extending longitudinally. The docking connector is mounted on the upper surface of the second circuit board. The second circuit board is provided with several through holes vertically penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the second circuit board. The through holes are disposed corresponding to the recessed portion; when the electrical connector is separated from the docking connector, the pushing portions pass through the through holes of the second circuit board and extend into the recessed portion from the bottom surface of the insulator. At this time, the pushing portions push the locking portion to move laterally outward until the locking portion is disengaged from the recessed portion.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The electrical connector includes a self-locking member adjacent to the protective bracket. The self-locking member is provided with a fixing portion fixed to the insulating body, an extending portion extending upward from the fixing portion, and a locking portion located at the free end of the extending portion. The locking portion extends into the slot. When the electrical connector is engaged with the docking connector, the insulator is received in the slot, and the locking portion of the self-locking member is latched in the recess of the insulator, so that it is very difficult for the docking connector to be separated from the electrical connector without a special disassembly jig. The provision of the self-locking member enables the board-to-board connector to achieve a self-locking function; at the same time, without a special disassembly jig, the electrical connector and the docking connector cannot be separated, thereby avoiding the problem that the board-to-board connector is disassembled during misoperation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the electrical connector shown.

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a perspective view of the protective bracket in the electrical connector shown.

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector shown.

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a docking connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 is Figure 7 an exploded view of the docking connector shown.

[0024] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a disassembly jig in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a board-to-board connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10As shown in the figure, a preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses a board-to-board connector, which includes a mating electrical connector 100 and a docking connector 200. The electrical connector 100 is mounted on a first circuit board 401 and includes an insulating body 10 extending longitudinally, conductive terminals 20 held on the insulating body 10, protective brackets 30 located at both longitudinal ends of the insulating body 10, and a self-locking member 60 adjacent to the protective brackets 30. The insulating body 10 is provided with a central island portion 11 extending longitudinally, side walls 12 located on both lateral sides of the island portion 11, and end walls 13 connecting the two side walls 12. The island portion 11, the side walls 12, and the end walls 13 together define a slot 14, that is, the island portion 11 is located within the slot 14, and the slot 14 is for the insertion of the docking connector 200.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the figure, the protective bracket 30 is assembled and fixed to the end wall 13 of the insulating body 10 from top to bottom to enhance the overall strength of the electrical connector 100. The protective bracket 30 includes an island portion reinforcement piece 31 that at least partially covers the island portion 11, an end wall reinforcement piece 40 that covers the end wall 13, and a side wall reinforcement piece 50 that at least partially covers the side wall 12. The island portion reinforcement piece 31 covers both longitudinal ends of the island portion 11 and extends longitudinally out of the insulating body 10; the side wall reinforcement piece 50 is connected to the transverse ends of the end wall reinforcement piece 40, thereby enhancing the self-strength of the electrical connector 100.

[0028] The end wall reinforcement piece 40 is provided with an end wall top plate portion 41 covering the top surface of the end wall 13, an end wall inner plate portion 42 bent downward and extending from the longitudinal inner side of the end wall top plate portion 41, an end wall side plate portion 43 bent downward and extending from the longitudinal outer side of the end wall top plate portion 41, elastic arms 44 extending along the inner wall surface of the side wall 12 from the transverse ends of the end wall side plate portion 43, and welding legs 45 extending downward from the bottom edge of the end wall side plate portion 43. The end wall inner plate portion 42 shields the inner wall surface of the end wall 13, and the end wall side plate portion 43 covers the outer wall surface of the end wall 13 to enhance the strength of the end wall 13 of the insulating body 10. The end wall side plate portion 43 does not extend beyond the outer wall surface of the end wall 13, that is, the end wall side plate portion 43 does not increase the overall volume of the electrical connector 100 while enhancing the self-strength of the end wall 13 of the insulating body 10.

[0029] The end wall 13 is provided with a slot 17 that longitudinally penetrates the end wall 13 and communicates with the slot 14. The elastic arm 44 passes through the slot 17 from the outer side surface of the end wall 13 and extends into the slot 14. The elastic arm 44 extends longitudinally in the side wall area, and a gap is formed between the elastic arm 44 and the inner wall surface of the side wall 12. Specifically, the side wall 12 is provided with a relief groove 15 that is recessed inward from its inner wall surface. The relief groove 15 communicates with the slot 14. The elastic arm 44 is received in the relief groove 15 to provide sufficient movement space for the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 44. The elastic arm 44 is provided with a protrusion 441 that protrudes into the slot 14. Thus, the elastic arm 44 of the protective bracket 30 has a longer force arm, which solves the problem of large elastic arm yield after the electrical connector 100 is inserted and removed while ensuring the stable assembly of the electrical connector 100, making the contact of the electrical connector 100 stable and reliable during use.

[0030] The side wall reinforcing piece 50 is provided with a side wall top plate portion 51 that at least partially covers the top surface of the side wall 12 and a side wall side plate portion 52 that extends downward and laterally outward from the side wall top plate portion 51. The side wall side plate portion 52 at least partially covers the outer wall surface of the side wall 12. The side wall top plate portion 51 is connected to the two lateral ends of the end wall top plate portion 41 so that the side wall reinforcing piece 50 and the end wall reinforcing piece 40 form an integral body. The side wall top plate portion 51 is located above the elastic arm 44, thereby playing a role in protecting the elastic arm 44. In this embodiment, the side wall top plate portion 51 is provided with an inclined portion 53 that extends downward and obliquely from the lateral inner side. The inclined portion 33 is used to guide the insertion of the docking connector 200 when the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the docking connector 200.

[0031] The side wall side plate portion 52 does not extend beyond the outer wall surface of the side wall 12, that is, the side wall side plate portion 52 does not increase the overall volume of the electrical connector 100 while enhancing the strength of the side wall 12 of the insulating body 10 itself. The insulating body 10 is provided with a locking groove 16 on the outer wall surface of the side wall 12. The side wall side plate portion 52 is received in the locking groove 16 to enhance the stability of the fixing of the protective bracket 30 to the insulating body 10.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 5 As shown, the self-locking member 60 is disposed adjacent to the protective bracket 30 and is provided with a fixing portion 61 fixed to the insulating body 10, an extension portion 62 extending upward from the fixing portion 61, and a locking portion 63 located at the free end of the extension portion 62. The locking portion 63 extends into the slot 14. Specifically, the self-locking member 60 is an integral structure. The fixing portion 61 extends laterally and is fixed to the bottom wall of the insulating body 10 below the slot 14, that is, the fixing portion 61 is fixed to the bottom of the island portion 11.

[0033] The extension portion 62 is formed by extending vertically upward from the transverse two ends of the fixing portion 61, and the extension portion 62 is located inside the longitudinal direction of the elastic arm 44. At the same time, the insulating body 10 is provided with a receiving groove 18 located inside the transverse direction of the side wall 12 and communicating with the slot 14. The extension portion 62 is received in the receiving groove 18, and the inclined portion 53 covers the upper part of the receiving groove 18. Further, the locking portion 63 is formed by bending inward in the transverse direction and extending downward obliquely from the top end of the extension portion 62. The side wall top plate portion 51 is located above the locking portion 63, and the inclined portion 53 abuts against the locking portion 63, so that the self-locking member 60 is not pulled out when subjected to an external force. Thus, the setting of the self-locking member 60 enables the board-to-board connector to achieve the self-locking function.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown, it is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the self-locking member is a separate two-piece structure. The fixing portion 61' is fixed on the side wall 12. The extension portion 62 is formed by extending vertically upward from the transverse inner side of the fixing portion 61'. The locking portion 63 is formed by bending inward in the transverse direction and extending downward obliquely from the top end of the extension portion 62. The two-piece self-locking member has the same function as the integral self-locking member 60 described above, that is, the board-to-board connector can achieve the self-locking function.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 7 to 8 As shown, the docking connector 200 is mounted on the second circuit board 402 and includes an insulator 70 extending longitudinally, docking terminals 80 fixed on the insulator 70, and docking brackets 90 located at the longitudinal two ends of the insulator 70. The insulator 70 is provided with two side portions 71 extending longitudinally and two end portions 72 connecting the two side portions 71. The two side portions 71 and the two end portions 72 jointly define a receiving cavity 73, and the receiving cavity 73 can be inserted into the island portion 11 of the electrical connector 100. The insulator 70 is provided with recessed portions 74 located on its transverse two sides. The recessed portions 74 are adjacent to the end portions 72 and are recessed inward from the transverse outer side surfaces of the side portions 71 for locking the self-locking member 60 of the electrical connector 100, thereby realizing the self-locking function of the board-to-board connector.

[0036] The docking bracket 90 is fixed on the end portion 72 and is provided with an end top plate portion 91 covering the top surface of the end portion 72, an end side plate portion 92 bending downward and extending from the transverse outer side of the end top plate portion 91, and an end end plate portion 93 bending downward and extending from the longitudinal outer side of the end top plate portion 91. The end side plate portion 92 shields the side surface of the end portion 72, and the end end plate portion 93 covers the end surface of the end portion 72 to enhance the strength of the insulator 70. The end side plate portion 92 is provided with a notch 921 corresponding to the recessed portion 74 to facilitate the locking of the self-locking member 60.

[0037] When the electrical connector 100 is mated with the docking connector 200, the insulator 70 is received in the slot 14 of the insulating body 10. The locking portion 63 of the self-locking member 60 is pushed laterally outward by the docking bracket 90 until the electrical connector 100 is fully inserted into the docking connector 200. At this time, the locking portion 63 is latched in the recess 74 of the insulator 70, so that it is very difficult for the docking connector 200 to be separated from the electrical connector 100 without a special disassembly jig.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 9 to 10 As shown, the disassembly jig 300 is specifically used to separate the electrical connector 100 from the docking connector 200. The disassembly jig 300 is provided with a main body portion 301 for holding, several pushing portions 302 extending vertically from the main body portion 301, and clamping arms 303 located at both longitudinal ends of the main body portion 301. The pushing portions 302 are arranged corresponding to the recess 74 of the insulator 70. In this embodiment, the recess 74 penetrates vertically through the bottom surface of the insulator 70, and the second circuit board 402 has a through hole 403 corresponding to the recess 74. When the electrical connector 100 is separated from the docking connector 200, the pushing portion 302 of the disassembly jig 300 passes through the through hole 403 of the second circuit board 402 and extends into the recess 74 from the bottom surface of the insulator 70. At this time, the pushing portion 302 pushes the locking portion 63 to move laterally outward until the locking portion 63 is disengaged from the recess 74. At the same time, the clamping arms 303 of the disassembly jig 300 latch the second circuit board 402 having the docking connector 200 to separate the docking connector 200 from the electrical connector 100.

[0039] In the present invention, the electrical connector 100 includes a self-locking member 60 adjacent to the protection bracket 30. The self-locking member 60 is provided with a fixing portion 61 fixed to the insulating body 10, an extending portion 62 extending upward from the fixing portion 61, and a locking portion 63 located at the free end of the extending portion 62. The locking portion 63 extends into the slot 14. When the electrical connector 100 is mated with the docking connector 200, the insulator 70 is received in the slot 14, and the locking portion 63 of the self-locking member 60 is latched in the recess 74 of the insulator 70, so that it is very difficult for the docking connector 200 to be separated from the electrical connector 100 without a special disassembly jig. The provision of the self-locking member 60 enables the board-to-board connector to achieve a self-locking function; at the same time, without a special disassembly jig, the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 cannot be separated, thereby avoiding the problem that the board-to-board connector is disassembled during misoperation.

[0040] In summary, the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited thereby. That is, all simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the content of the specification of the present invention should still fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A board-to-board connector includes a mating electrical connector and a docking connector. The electrical connector includes an insulating body extending longitudinally, conductive terminals held on the insulating body, and protective brackets located at both longitudinal ends of the insulating body. The insulating body is provided with two side walls extending longitudinally and two end walls connecting the two side walls. The two side walls and the two end walls enclose to form a slot. The docking connector includes an insulator extending longitudinally and recessed portions located on both lateral sides of the insulator. It is characterized in that: The electrical connector includes a self-locking member adjacent to the protective bracket. The self-locking member is provided with a fixing portion fixed to the insulating body, an extending portion extending upward from the fixing portion, and a locking portion located at the free end of the extending portion. The locking portion extends into the slot. When the electrical connector is engaged with the docking connector, the insulator is received in the slot, and the locking portion of the self-locking member is latched in the recessed portion of the insulator. The protective bracket is fixed to the end wall and includes an end wall reinforcing piece covering the end wall and a side wall reinforcing piece at least partially covering the side wall. The side wall reinforcing piece is connected to the transverse two ends of the end wall reinforcing piece and is provided with a side wall top plate portion covering the top surface of the side wall. The insulating body is provided with a receiving groove located on the transverse inner side of the side wall and communicating with the slot. The extending portion of the self-locking member is received in the receiving groove. The side wall top plate portion is provided with an inclined portion extending obliquely downward from the transverse inner side. The inclined portion covers the upper part of the receiving groove and abuts against the locking portion.

2. The board-to-board connector according to claim 1, wherein: The self-locking member is of an integral structure. The fixing portion extends transversely and is fixed to the bottom wall of the insulating body below the slot. The extending portion is formed by extending upward vertically from the transverse two ends of the fixing portion. The locking portion is formed by bending inward transversely and extending obliquely downward from the top end of the extending portion.

3. The board-to-board connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-locking member is a separated two-piece structure. The fixing portion is fixed to the side wall. The extending portion is formed by extending upward vertically from the transverse inner side of the fixing portion. The locking portion is formed by bending inward transversely and extending obliquely downward from the top end of the extending portion.

4. The board-to-board connector according to claim 1, wherein: The side wall top plate portion is located above the locking portion.

5. The board-to-board connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The end wall reinforcing piece is provided with an end wall top plate portion covering the top surface of the end wall, an end wall side plate portion bent downward and extending from the longitudinal outer side of the end wall top plate portion, and elastic arms extending along the inner wall surface of the side wall from the transverse two ends of the end wall side plate portion. The elastic arms are located below the side wall top plate portion, and the extending portion is located on the longitudinal inner side of the elastic arms.

6. The board-to-board connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator is provided with two side portions extending longitudinally and two end portions connecting the two side portions. The recessed portion is arranged adjacent to the end portion and is recessed inward from the transverse outer side surface of the side portion.

7. The board-to-board connector according to claim 6, wherein: The docking connector includes a docking bracket fixed to the end portion. The docking bracket is provided with an end portion top plate portion covering the top surface of the end portion and an end portion side plate portion bent downward and extending from the transverse outer side of the end portion top plate portion. The end portion side plate portion at least partially shields the transverse side surface of the end portion and is provided with a notch corresponding to the recessed portion.

8. A disassembly fixture, applicable to the board-to-board connector described in any one of the above claims 1 to 7, for separating the docking connector from the electrical connector; characterized in that: The recessed portion penetrates through the bottom surface of the insulator vertically. The disassembly jig is provided with a main body portion and several pushing portions extending vertically from the main body portion. When the electrical connector is separated from the docking connector, the pushing portions extend into the recessed portion from the bottom surface of the insulator and push the locking portion to move outward transversely.

9. The disassembly fixture according to claim 8, wherein: The board-to-board connector includes a second circuit board extending longitudinally, the docking connector is mounted on the upper surface of the second circuit board, and the second circuit board is provided with a plurality of through holes vertically penetrating the upper and lower surfaces of the second circuit board, and the through holes are arranged corresponding to the recessed portions; when the electrical connector is separated from the docking connector, the pushing portion passes through the through holes of the second circuit board and extends into the recessed portion from the bottom surface of the insulator, and at this time, the pushing portion pushes the locking portion to move laterally outwards until the locking portion is separated from the recessed portion.

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