Connector assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises a connector and a first circuit board, the connector comprises: an insulating housing in which a slot extending in the longitudinal direction thereof is formed; at least one of the two opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating shell is an open end without an end wall, so that the slot is open to the outside at the open end to allow the inserted first circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating shell through the open end; the conductive terminal is arranged in the slot of the insulating shell and is suitable for being in electric contact with a first circuit board inserted into the slot, and an electric contact pad suitable for being in electric contact with the conductive terminal of the connector is formed on the first circuit board; when the first circuit board is inserted into the slot of the connector, the electric contact pad on the first circuit board extends to the outside of the insulating shell of the connector through the open end of the connector, so that the current-carrying size and the heat dissipation area of the electric contact pad on the circuit board can be increased, and the current-carrying capability and the heat dissipation capability of the connector are greatly improved.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application (application date July 30, 2020, application number 202010751814.4, invention name “connector assembly”). Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly comprising the connector. Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, a power connector for a circuit board generally includes an insulating housing and a conductive terminal. A longitudinal slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing is formed in the insulating housing. The conductive terminal is accommodated in the longitudinal slot of the insulating housing. The circuit board is inserted into the longitudinal slot and electrically contacts the conductive terminal.

[0004] In the prior art, both longitudinal ends of the power connector are closed, with closed end walls for closing the longitudinal slots, which results in the circuit board being unable to extend to the outside of the insulating housing in the longitudinal direction, which limits the size of the electrical contact pads on the circuit board and reduces the current carrying capacity and heat dissipation capacity of the power connector. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector, comprising: an insulating housing, formed with a slot extending in the longitudinal direction thereof; and a conductive terminal, arranged in the slot of the insulating housing, adapted to electrically contact a first circuit board inserted into the slot. At least one of the two opposite ends of the insulating housing in the longitudinal direction thereof is an open end without an end wall, so that the slot is open to the outside at the open end to allow the inserted first circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating housing via the open end.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating shell also includes at least one positioning partition connected between the two side walls of the slot and perpendicular to the two side walls of the slot, and the positioning partition is suitable for cooperating with the positioning notch on the edge portion of the first circuit board to position the first circuit board.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal has a plug pin extending from the bottom of the insulating housing, and the plug pin is suitable for being plugged into a plug hole on the second circuit board.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a protruding positioning column is formed on the bottom of the insulating housing, and the positioning column is suitable for being inserted into a positioning hole on the second circuit board for positioning the connector.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal has two rows of elastic contact arms respectively located on both sides of the slot, and the two rows of elastic contact arms are suitable for clamping on the inserted first circuit board to make electrical contact with the first circuit board.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal further comprises a fixing portion connected between the elastic contact arm and the plug pin, and the fixing portion of the conductive terminal is fixed in the bottom wall of the insulating housing.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a power connector.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising the aforementioned connector and a first circuit board. The connector comprises: an insulating housing, formed with a slot extending in the longitudinal direction thereof; at least one of the two opposite ends of the insulating housing in the longitudinal direction thereof is an open end without an end wall, so that the slot is open to the outside at the open end to allow the inserted first circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating housing via the open end; and a conductive terminal, arranged in the slot of the insulating housing, suitable for electrically contacting the first circuit board inserted into the slot, and having an electrical contact pad formed on the first circuit board suitable for electrically contacting the conductive terminal of the connector; when the first circuit board is plugged into the slot of the connector, the electrical contact pad on the first circuit board extends to the outside of the insulating housing of the connector via the open end of the connector.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating shell of the connector also includes at least one positioning partition connected between the two side walls of the slot and perpendicular to the two side walls of the slot; at least one positioning notch is formed on the edge of the first circuit board, and the positioning partition cooperates with the positioning notch on the edge of the first circuit board to position the first circuit board.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal of the connector has a plug pin extending from the bottom of the insulating shell; the connector assembly also includes a second circuit board, a plug hole is formed on the second circuit board, and the plug pin is plugged into the plug hole on the second circuit board.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a protruding positioning column is formed on the bottom of the insulating housing of the connector; a positioning hole is formed on the second circuit board, and the positioning column is inserted into the positioning hole on the second circuit board.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal of the connector has two rows of elastic contact arms respectively located on both sides of the slot, and the two rows of elastic contact arms are clamped on the inserted first circuit board to electrically contact the first circuit board.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal of the connector further comprises a fixing portion connected between the elastic contact arm and the plug pin, and the fixing portion of the conductive terminal is fixed in the bottom wall of the insulating housing.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board, a single second circuit board and a single connector mounted on the single second circuit board; the first circuit board is inserted into the connector in a vertical direction, and the electrical contact pads on the first circuit board extend to the outside of the connector through an open end of the connector.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board, two second circuit boards and two connectors respectively mounted on the two second circuit boards; the two second circuit boards are arranged in the same horizontal plane, and the two connectors are opposite to each other and separated by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction; the first circuit board is inserted into the two connectors in the vertical direction; and the portion of the electrical contact pad on the first circuit board located between the open ends of the two connectors extends to the outside of the two connectors via the open ends of the two connectors.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board, two second circuit boards and two connectors respectively mounted on the two second circuit boards; the two second circuit boards are respectively arranged in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, and the two connectors are perpendicular to each other and are separated by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction; the first circuit board is inserted into one of the two connectors in the vertical direction and into the other of the two connectors in the horizontal direction; the portion of the electrical contact pad on the first circuit board located between the open ends of the two connectors extends to the outside of the two connectors via the open ends of the two connectors.

[0022] In the above-mentioned various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the end of the insulating housing of the connector is open, thereby allowing the inserted circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating housing through the open end. This allows the electrical contact pads on the circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating housing in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the current-carrying size and heat dissipation area of ​​the electrical contact pads on the circuit board, greatly improving the current-carrying capacity and heat dissipation capacity of the connector.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector and a first circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention is further specifically described below by examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the 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 of the present invention.

[0030] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0031] According to an overall technical concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, including a connector and a first circuit board. The connector includes: an insulating housing, formed with a slot extending in the longitudinal direction thereof; at least one of the two opposite ends of the insulating housing in the longitudinal direction thereof is an open end without an end wall, so that the slot is open to the outside at the open end to allow the inserted first circuit board to extend to the outside of the insulating housing via the open end; and a conductive terminal, arranged in the slot of the insulating housing, suitable for electrically contacting the first circuit board inserted into the slot, and an electrical contact pad suitable for electrically contacting the conductive terminal of the connector is formed on the first circuit board; when the first circuit board is plugged into the slot of the connector, the electrical contact pad on the first circuit board extends to the outside of the insulating housing of the connector via the open end of the connector.

[0032] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector 30 and a first circuit board 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector mainly includes: an insulating housing 31 and a conductive terminal 32. The insulating housing 31 is formed with a slot 31a extending along its longitudinal direction. The conductive terminal 32 is arranged in the slot 31a of the insulating housing 31, and is suitable for electrically contacting the first circuit board 10 inserted into the slot 31a.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the two opposite ends of the insulating housing 31 in the longitudinal direction thereof is an open end 31b without an end wall, so that the slot 31a is open to the outside at the open end 31b to allow the inserted first circuit board 10 to extend to the outside of the insulating housing 31 via the open end 31b. In this way, the electrical contact pad 11 on the first circuit board 10 can extend to the outside of the insulating housing 31 in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the current-carrying size (or width) and heat dissipation area of ​​the electrical contact pad 11 on the first circuit board 10. Therefore, the current-carrying capacity and heat dissipation capacity of the electrical contact pad 11 are greatly improved, thereby greatly improving the current-carrying capacity and heat dissipation capacity of the connector 30.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulating housing 31 further includes at least one positioning partition 31c connected between the two side walls of the slot 31a and perpendicular to the two side walls of the slot 31a. The positioning partition 31c is adapted to cooperate with the positioning notch 10c on the edge of the first circuit board 10 to position the first circuit board 10.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive terminal 32 has a plug pin 32 b extending from the bottom of the insulating housing 31 , and the plug pin 32 b is suitable for being plugged into a plug hole on the second circuit board 20 .

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a protruding positioning column 31 d is formed on the bottom of the insulating housing 31 , and the positioning column 31 d is suitable for being inserted into a positioning hole on the second circuit board 20 for positioning the connector 30 .

[0039] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive terminal 32 has two rows of elastic contact arms 32a respectively located on both sides of the slot 31a, and the two rows of elastic contact arms 32a are suitable for clamping on the inserted first circuit board 10 to make electrical contact with the first circuit board 10.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive terminal 32 further has a fixing portion connected between the elastic contact arm 32 a and the plug pin 32 b , and the fixing portion of the conductive terminal 32 is fixed in the bottom wall of the insulating housing 31 .

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned connector may be a power connector.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes the aforementioned connector 30 and a first circuit board 10. The first circuit board 10 is suitable for being plugged into the slot 31a of the connector 30 and electrically contacting the conductive terminal 32 of the connector 30.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical contact pad 11 suitable for electrically contacting a conductive terminal 32 of a connector 30 is formed on the first circuit board 10. When the first circuit board 10 is plugged into the slot 31a of the connector 30, the electrical contact pad 11 on the first circuit board 10 extends to the outside of the insulating housing 31 of the connector 30 via the open end 31b of the connector 30.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating housing 31 of the connector 30 further includes at least one positioning partition 31c connected between the two side walls of the slot 31a and perpendicular to the two side walls of the slot 31a. At least one positioning notch 10c is formed on the edge of the first circuit board 10, and the positioning partition 31c cooperates with the positioning notch 10c on the edge of the first circuit board 10 to position the first circuit board 10.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal 32 of the connector 30 has a plug pin 32b extending from the bottom of the insulating housing 31. The connector assembly also includes a second circuit board 20, on which a plug hole is formed, and the plug pin 32b is plugged into the plug hole on the second circuit board 20.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a protruding positioning column 31d is formed on the bottom of the insulating housing 31 of the connector 30. A positioning hole is formed on the second circuit board 20, and the positioning column 31d is inserted into the positioning hole on the second circuit board 20.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal 32 of the connector 30 has two rows of elastic contact arms 32a respectively located on both sides of the slot 31a, and the two rows of elastic contact arms 32a are clamped on the inserted first circuit board 10 to make electrical contact with the first circuit board 10.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductive terminal 32 of the connector 30 also has a fixing portion connected between the elastic contact arm 32a and the plug pin 32b, and the fixing portion of the conductive terminal 32 is fixed in the bottom wall of the insulating housing 31.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board 10, a single second circuit board 20, and a single connector 30 mounted on the single second circuit board 20. The first circuit board 10 is inserted into the connector 30 in a vertical direction, and the electrical contact pads 11 on the first circuit board 10 extend to the outside of the connector 30 via the open end 31b of the connector 30.

[0050] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0051] like Figure 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board 10, two second circuit boards 20, and two connectors 30 respectively mounted on the two second circuit boards 20. The two second circuit boards 20 are arranged in the same horizontal plane, and the two connectors 30 are opposite to each other in the horizontal direction and are separated by a predetermined distance.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first circuit board 10 is vertically inserted into the two connectors 30. The portion of the electrical contact pads 11 on the first circuit board 10 located between the open ends 31b of the two connectors 30 extends to the outside of the two connectors 30 via the open ends 31b of the two connectors 30.

[0053] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of a connector assembly according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly includes a single first circuit board 10, two second circuit boards 20, and two connectors 30 respectively mounted on the two second circuit boards 20. The two second circuit boards 20 are respectively arranged in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, and the two connectors 30 are perpendicular to each other and are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the horizontal direction.

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first circuit board 10 is inserted into one of the two connectors 30 in the vertical direction, and is inserted into the other of the two connectors 30 in the horizontal direction. The portion of the electrical contact pad 11 on the first circuit board 10 located between the open ends 31 b of the two connectors 30 extends to the outside of the two connectors 30 via the open ends 31 b of the two connectors 30.

[0056] Those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved by those skilled in the art. The structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without causing conflicts in structure or principle.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0058] Although some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art 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.

[0059] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: A first circuit board (10), the first circuit board (10) comprising an electrical contact pad (11) formed as an integral piece and extending along a surface of the first circuit board (10); a first connector (30), the first connector (30) defining a slot (31a) for receiving the first circuit board (10), the slot (31a) comprising a first conductive terminal (32) for establishing electrical contact with the electrical contact pad (11) of the first circuit board (10), the first conductive terminal (32) comprising a plug pin (32b) extending through an insulating housing (31) of the first connector (30); and A second connector (30), the second connector (30) defining a slot (31a) for receiving the first circuit board (10), the slot (31a) comprising a second conductive terminal (32) for establishing electrical contact with the electrical contact pad (11) of the first circuit board (10), the second conductive terminal (32) comprising a plug pin (32b) extending through an insulating housing (31) of the second connector (30).

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a second circuit board (20), the second circuit board (20) being electrically connected to the plug pin (32b) of the first connector (30); and A third circuit board (20), the third circuit board (20) being electrically connected to the plug pin (32b) of the second connector (30).

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first connector (30) and the second connector (30) are arranged to be orthogonal to each other, and the second circuit board (20) and the third circuit board (20) are arranged to be orthogonal to each other.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first connector (30) and the second connector (30) are arranged parallel to each other, and the second circuit board (20) and the third circuit board (20) are arranged parallel to each other.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The bottom of the insulating housing (31) of the first connector (30) comprises a positioning column (31d) for engaging with the second circuit board (20), and the bottom of the insulating housing (31) of the second connector (30) comprises a positioning column (31d) for engaging with the third circuit board (20).

6. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The slot (31a) of each of the first connector (30) and the second connector (30) defines at least one open end (31b).

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The electrical contact pad (11) extends through the open end (31b) of the slot (31a) of each of the first connector (30) and the second connector (30).

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The connector is a power connector.

9. A connector assembly comprising: A pair of connectors (30), each connector in the pair of connectors (30) comprising: An insulating housing (31), the insulating housing (31) being formed with a slot (31a) extending in its longitudinal direction, and at least one of two opposite ends of the insulating housing (31) in its longitudinal direction being an open end (31b) without an end wall; and A conductive terminal (32), the conductive terminal (32) being arranged in the slot (31a), the conductive terminal (32) comprising a plug pin (32b) extending from the bottom of the insulating housing (31); a first circuit board (10) received in the slot (31a) and comprising an electrical contact pad (11) in contact with the conductive terminal (32), the electrical contact pad (11) extending longitudinally to the outside of the insulating housing (31) via the open end (31b) of the slot (31a); and A pair of second circuit boards (20), each second circuit board (20) comprising a plug hole for engaging with the plug pin (32b), the pair of connectors (30) being mounted to the pair of second circuit boards (20), respectively, the first second circuit board (20) of the pair of second circuit boards (20) being arranged in a horizontal plane, and the second second circuit board (20) of the pair of second circuit boards (20) being arranged in a vertical plane, wherein the connector (30) mounted to the first second circuit board (20) and the connector (30) mounted to the second second circuit board (20) extend perpendicularly to each other and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction, the first circuit board (10) being inserted into one of the pair of connectors (30) in the vertical direction and into the other of the pair of connectors (30) in the horizontal direction, wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact pad (11) on the first circuit board (10) extends via the open end (31b) to the outside of the open end (31b) of each of the pair of connectors (30).

10. A connector assembly comprising: A pair of connectors (30), each connector in the pair of connectors (30) comprising: An insulating housing (31), the insulating housing (31) being formed with a slot (31a) extending in its longitudinal direction, and at least one of two opposite ends of the insulating housing (31) in its longitudinal direction being an open end (31b) without an end wall; and A conductive terminal (32), the conductive terminal (32) being arranged in the slot (31a), the conductive terminal (32) comprising a plug pin (32b) extending from the bottom of the insulating housing (31); a first circuit board (10) received in the slot (31a) and comprising an electrical contact pad (11) in contact with the conductive terminal (32), the electrical contact pad (11) extending longitudinally to the outside of the insulating housing (31) via the open end (31b) of the slot (31a); and A pair of second circuit boards (20), each second circuit board (20) comprising a plug hole for engaging with the plug pin (32b), the pair of connectors (30) being respectively mounted to the pair of second circuit boards (20), the pair of second circuit boards (20) being arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal plane and spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction, the first circuit boards (10) being respectively inserted into the pair of connectors (30), wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact pad (11) on the first circuit board (10) extends via the open end (31b) to the outside of the open end (31b) of each connector in the pair of connectors (30).

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