Floating electrical connector and electrical connection configuration

Abstract

A floating electrical connector is provided with a housing having a tube portion, the center of the tube portion defining an axial line, a plurality of floating terminals arranged around the axial line, the plurality of floating terminals being connected in part, and each having an inner terminal piece and a spring structure connected to the inner terminal piece, the plurality of inner terminal pieces being partially inserted into the tube portion and arranged around the tube portion, each inner terminal piece having an inwardly protruding electrical contact, and a plurality of external pins being electrically connected around the plurality of floating terminals; when a conductive pin is inserted into the tube portion, the tube portion can be displaced to accommodate horizontal or skewed deviations of the conductive pin by elastic deformation of the plurality of spring structures, thereby achieving a large deviation tolerance for the conductive pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector; more particularly to a floating electrical connector and its circuit connection structure. Background Technology

[0002] Existing electrical connectors, such as the one disclosed in US Patent No. 10892576, have a centrally constricted contact spring inside a tubular housing. The contact spring, which can elastically deform, contacts the inserted conductive pin, thereby achieving an electrical connection between two circuit boards that are respectively connected to the electrical connector and the conductive pin.

[0003] The aforementioned electrical connector features a contact spring that can deform slightly laterally, thus accommodating horizontal deviations during conductive pin insertion. However, because the upper and lower ends of the contact spring are fixed, its deformable range is limited. When the inserted conductive pin exhibits significant horizontal or skewed deviations, it may fail to insert into the connector. Even if it manages to insert, it can cause permanent deformation of the contact spring, reducing the contact area. This can lead to a tripping problem when a large current flows through the connector, exceeding its load capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a floating electrical connector and a circuit connection structure having such an electrical connector. Through the spring structure surrounding the electrical connector, the horizontal misalignment and misalignment deviation between the electrical connector and the conductive pin are absorbed, thereby achieving the effect of good tolerance absorption capability and large tolerance for misalignment of the electrical connector.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a floating electrical connector, comprising a housing and a conductive element. The housing has a tube portion, with a central axis defined at the center of the tube portion. The conductive element includes a plurality of floating terminals and a plurality of external leads. The plurality of floating terminals are arranged at intervals around the central axis and are partially connected. Each of the floating terminals has an inner terminal piece on its inner and outer sides and a spring structure connected to each inner terminal piece. The plurality of inner terminal pieces at least partially penetrate the tube portion and are arranged around the tube portion. The portion of each inner terminal piece located inside the tube portion has an inwardly protruding electronic contact. The plurality of external leads are electrically connected to the plurality of floating terminals.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a circuit connection structure, including a first circuit structure, a floating electrical connector as described above, and a second circuit structure. The first circuit structure has a first circuit board with a through-hole. The plurality of external pins of the floating electrical connector are electrically connected to the portion of the first circuit board located around the through-hole, with the centerline aligned with the center of the through-hole. The second circuit structure has a second circuit board to which a conductive pin is electrically connected. The conductive pin is inserted into the tube portion of the floating electrical connector and contacts the plurality of electronic contacts. The conductive pin passes through the through-hole of the first circuit board, thereby electrically connecting the second circuit structure to the first circuit structure via the floating electrical connector.

[0007] The advantage of this invention is that the conductive element of the floating electrical connector has multiple surrounding spring structures. Through the elastic deformation of several spring structures on one side being compressed and several spring structures on the other side being stretched, when the conductive pin is inserted into the tube and contacts the electronic contacts of the inner terminal pieces around the tube, if the conductive pin has a horizontal or skew deviation, the elastic deformation of the multiple spring structures can absorb the horizontal or skew deviation of the conductive pin, achieving a better electrical connection effect. It has good tolerance absorption capability and a large tolerance for deviation when the conductive pin is aligned and inserted. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is an exploded top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 This is an exploded view from below of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the conductive element of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention used in a circuit connection structure.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention used in a circuit connection structure.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the application of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in absorbing level deviation.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to absorb skew deviation.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a floating electrical connector 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a conductive pin for electrical connection between circuit structures, including a housing 10 and a conductive element 20 embedded within the housing 10, wherein:

[0019] The outer casing 10 is an insulator and has a tube 12, with an imaginary axis A defined at the center of the tube 12, the axis A being located at the axial center of the tube 12.

[0020] The conductive element 20 is a conductor of metal and includes a plurality of floating terminals 22 and a plurality of external leads 24 of pads. The plurality of floating terminals 22 are arranged at intervals around the axis A and are partially connected. Each floating terminal 22 has an inner terminal piece 221 on the side near the axis A and a spring structure 225 connected to the inner terminal piece 221 on the other side away from the axis A. The plurality of inner terminal pieces 221 at least partially penetrate the tube 12 and are arranged around the tube 12. The portion of each inner terminal piece 221 located inside the tube 12 has an inwardly protruding electronic contact 222. The plurality of external leads 24 are connected to the outer portion of the plurality of spring structures 225, thereby electrically connecting to the plurality of floating terminals 22.

[0021] The floating electrical connector 100 described in the preferred embodiment above is used for electrical connections between circuit structures. For example... Figures 6 to 7 The diagram shows a circuit connection structure 200, which includes a first circuit structure 201, a floating electrical connector 100, and a second circuit structure 205. The first circuit structure 201 has a first circuit board 202 with a through hole 203. The portion of the first circuit board 202 surrounding the through hole 203 has a circuit contact 204. The circuit contact 204 is located on the upper surface of the first circuit board 202, or it may be located on the lower surface of the first circuit board 202, or the circuit contact 204 may be provided on both the upper and lower surfaces surrounding the through hole 203.

[0022] The plurality of external pins 24 of the floating electrical connector 100 are electrically connected to the circuit contacts 204 on the upper surface surrounding the through hole 203, so that the floating electrical connector 100 is located above the through hole 203 and the axis A is directly opposite the middle of the through hole 203. In addition to the preferred embodiment described above, where the floating electrical connector 100 is mounted on the first circuit board 202 and located above the through hole 203, in another embodiment, the circuit contacts 204 can be moved to the lower surface surrounding the through hole 203 according to actual needs, and the plurality of external pins 24 of the floating electrical connector 100 are electrically connected to the circuit contacts 204, thereby mounting the floating electrical connector 100 below the through hole 203. The second circuit configuration 205 is located below the first circuit configuration 201 and has a second circuit board 206. A vertical conductive pin 207 is electrically connected to the second circuit board 206. The conductive pin 207 passes through the through hole 203 of the first circuit board 202 and is inserted into the tube portion 12 of the floating electrical connector 100. In another embodiment where the floating electrical connector 100 is located below the through hole 203, the conductive pin 207 first passes through the tube portion 12 of the floating electrical connector 100 and then passes through the through hole 203 of the first circuit board 202. During the process of inserting the conductive pin 207 into the tube 12, since the plurality of inner terminal pieces 221 are supported by the inner peripheral wall of the tube 12 and the electronic contacts 222 formed by the plurality of inner terminal pieces 221 are elastic, the conductive pin 207 will spread the plurality of electronic contacts 222 with its peripheral surface when it is inserted, so that after the conductive pin 207 is inserted into the tube 12, it can elastically and abut against the plurality of electronic contacts 222, so that the second circuit structure 205 is electrically connected to the first circuit structure 201 through the floating electrical connector 100.

[0023] The advantage of the floating electrical connector 100 in the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is that, as Figures 8 to 9 As shown, the multiple spring structures 225 of the conductive element 20 have high flexibility and can well adapt to horizontal or skew deviations when the conductive pin 207 is inserted.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 8As shown, during the insertion of the conductive pin 207 into the floating electrical connector 100, if there is a horizontal deviation between the axis B of the conductive pin 207 and the axis A of the original position, since there are multiple surrounding and spaced spring structures 225 connecting the multiple external pins 24 fixed to the first circuit board 202 and the multiple internal terminal pieces 221 inside the tube 12 for electrically connecting the conductive pin 207, even if the conductive pin 207 has a horizontal deviation, the horizontal elastic deformation of the tube 12 can allow the position of the tube 12 to float horizontally to adapt to the horizontal deviation of the conductive pin 207, so that the conductive pin 207 can achieve a good electrical connection with the multiple electronic contacts 222 when inserted into the tube 12.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 9 As shown, during the insertion of the conductive pin 207 into the floating electrical connector 100, if the axis B of the conductive pin 207 is misaligned from the axis line A of its original position, since multiple surrounding and spaced spring structures 225 are connected between the multiple external pins 24 fixed to the first circuit board 202 and the multiple inner terminal pieces 221 inside the tube 12 for electrically connecting the conductive pin 207, even if the conductive pin 207 has a misalignment, it will be compressed by the multiple spring structures 225 located on one side and the other side will be compressed. The elastic deformation of the several spring structures 225 on the side, which stretch and twist, allows the position of the tube 12 to be tilted to accommodate the tilt deviation of the conductive pin 207, so that when the conductive pin 207 is inserted into the tube 12, it can achieve good electrical connection with multiple electronic contacts 222. In this way, the floating electrical connector 100 of the above preferred embodiment can avoid the problem of tripping of the circuit connection structure 200 when a large current passes, caused by the deformation of the electrical connector terminals and the reduced contact area when the conductive pin 207 is forcibly inserted by a general electrical connector.

[0026] The following further describes the detailed structure of the floating electrical connector 100 of the preferred embodiment described above. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 5 As shown, each of the floating terminals 22 has an inner terminal piece 221 with a straight line segment 223 and an extension segment 224 connected to each straight line segment 223. Each straight line segment 223 extends upward from the bottom end of the tube 12 into the tube 12 and abuts against its inner peripheral wall. Each extension segment 224 is adjacent to the end edge of the bottom of the tube 12. The plurality of electronic contacts 222 are arranged in a ring at the same height and are respectively provided on each of the straight line segments 223.

[0027] The outer casing 10 has a plurality of connecting posts 121, which are connected to the bottom edge of the tube 12. Each connecting post 121 passes between two adjacent extension segments 224 and is connected to a bottom ring 14. Each extension segment 224 is positioned between the bottom edge of the tube 12 and the bottom ring 14. The spring structure 225 of each floating terminal 22 has an inner spring plate 226, a curved segment 227 connected to the top of each inner spring plate 226 and extending outward, and a connecting portion 228 connected to the outer end of each curved segment 227. The plurality of adjacent left and right connecting portions 228 are connected to form a ring-shaped connecting structure 229 with a top edge and a bottom edge. The outer end of each curved segment 227 is connected to the top edge of the connecting structure 229, and the plurality of external leads 24 are connected to the bottom edge of the connecting structure 229. The connecting structure 229 is centered on the axis A and is a structure in which the plurality of floating terminals 22 are partially connected.

[0028] The connection structure 229 is a long plate wound into a ring shape with a seam 2291 on one side. This structure allows the conductive element 20 of the floating electrical connector 100 to be manufactured by stamping a metal plate to form the connection structure 229 and the multiple external pins 24, which include the multiple floating terminals 22 and their partial connections, and then winding the long plate of the connection structure 229 into a ring shape, and welding the seam 2291 together by spot welding to manufacture the conductive element 20.

[0029] To protect the aforementioned plurality of spring structures 225, the outer casing 10 has an annular cover 16 around its periphery. The cover 16 is connected to the middle of the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12 and extends outward. An annular receiving groove 161 with its opening facing downward is formed inside the cover 16. The plurality of spring structures 225 extend into and are received in the receiving groove 161. In order to provide space for the extension of each spring structure 225, the radial width of the receiving groove 161 is set to be greater than the radial width of each spring structure 225 along the receiving groove 161, thereby providing space for the extension and deformation of each spring structure 225.

[0030] Please refer to the following: Figure 10The floating electrical connector 100 of another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown replaces the plurality of external pins 24 of the pad of the conductive element 20 with L-shaped elongated pieces, which are then inserted into the corresponding sockets of the circuit board and soldered in place of the pads. The remaining structures of the aforementioned preferred embodiment are the same as those of the preferred embodiment described above, and can also be applied to the circuit connection structure 200, providing the conductive pin 207 for insertion to achieve electrical connection. This floating electrical connector 100 of the other preferred embodiment also has the effect of absorbing horizontal misalignment and misalignment deviation during electrical connection.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] [This invention]

[0034] 100: Floating electrical connector

[0035] 10: Outer shell

[0036] 12: Management Department

[0037] 121: Combined column

[0038] 14: Bottom ring

[0039] 16: Cover

[0040] 161: Receiving tank

[0041] 20: Conductive elements

[0042] 22: Floating terminal

[0043] 221: Inner terminal piece

[0044] 222: Electronic contact

[0045] 223: Straight line segment

[0046] 224: Extension

[0047] 225: Spring Construction

[0048] 226: Inner spring sheet

[0049] 227: Curved section

[0050] 228: Connecting part

[0051] 229: Connection Construction

[0052] 2291: Seam

[0053] 24: External pin

[0054] 200: Circuit Connection Structure

[0055] 201: First Circuit Construction

[0056] 202: First Circuit Board

[0057] 203: Perforation

[0058] 204: Circuit contacts

[0059] 205: Construction of the Second Circuit

[0060] 206: Second circuit board

[0061] 207: Conductive pin

[0062] A: Centerline

[0063] B: Axis

Claims

1. A floating electrical connector, comprising: An outer casing having a tube portion, wherein a centerline is defined at the center of the tube portion; as well as A conductive element includes multiple floating terminals and multiple external pins. The multiple floating terminals are arranged at intervals around a central axis and are partially connected. Each floating terminal has an inner terminal piece on the side near the central axis and a spring structure connected to the inner terminal piece on the side away from the central axis. The multiple spring structures are partially connected to form a circular connection structure centered on the central axis. The multiple inner terminal pieces at least partially penetrate the tube and are arranged around the tube. The portion of each inner terminal piece inside the tube has an inwardly protruding electronic contact. The multiple external pins are electrically connected to the multiple floating terminals.

2. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The connection structure is made by winding a long plate into a ring shape and having a seam on one side.

3. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Each of the spring structures has an inner spring sheet, a curved section connected to the top of each of the inner spring sheets and extending outward, and a connecting portion connected to the outer end of each of the curved sections, the connecting structure being formed by connecting a plurality of the connecting portions together.

4. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The connecting structure has a top edge and a bottom edge. The outer ends of the curved sections of each spring structure are connected to the top edge of the connecting structure, and each external pin is connected to the bottom edge of the connecting structure.

5. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein, The connection structure is made by winding a long plate into a ring shape and having a seam on one side.

6. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein, Each of the inner terminal pieces has a straight line segment and an extension segment connected to each of the straight line segments. Each of the straight line segments passes through the tube and each of the extension segments is adjacent to the end edge of the tube. The outer shell has a plurality of connecting posts. A plurality of the connecting posts are connected to the end edge of the tube. Each of the connecting posts passes between two adjacent extension segments and is connected to a bottom ring. Each of the extension segments is positioned between the end edge of the tube and the bottom ring.

7. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The outer casing has an annular cover that is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the tube and extends outwards, forming an annular receiving groove inside the cover. A plurality of the spring structures are received in the receiving groove. The width of the receiving groove along the radial direction of the receiving groove is greater than the width of each spring structure along the radial direction of the receiving groove, thereby providing space for each spring structure to extend.

8. The floating electrical connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein, Each of the external pins is an L-shaped elongated plate.

9. A circuit connection structure, comprising: A first circuit configuration includes a first circuit board having a through hole; A floating electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the external pins of the floating electrical connector are electrically connected to a portion of the first circuit board located around the through hole, and the axis is aligned with the center of the through hole; as well as A second circuit configuration has a second circuit board to which a conductive pin is electrically connected. The conductive pin is inserted into the tube portion of the floating electrical connector and contacts a plurality of electronic contacts. The conductive pin passes through a through hole in the first circuit board, so that the second circuit configuration is electrically connected to the first circuit configuration through the floating electrical connector.

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