Sinking plate type easy-to-lock connector

Abstract

The invention discloses a sinking plate type easy-to-lock connector which is mounted in a mounting hole formed in a circuit board, and the circuit board is provided with a first main surface and a second main surface which are opposite to each other. A flat connection object is inserted into the sinking plate type easy-to-lock connector along a first direction. The sinking plate type easy-to-lock connector comprises an insulating shell and a plurality of contact pieces which are kept by the insulating shell and are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A flange is formed at the rear end of the insulating shell, and the area surrounded by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of the mounting hole, so that the flange can completely cover the gap between the insulating shell and the mounting hole. Therefore, light can be prevented from leaking from one side of the circuit board to the other side of the circuit board through the mounting hole. The contact parts of the adjacent contacts are staggered in the first direction. Therefore, the insertion force required for inserting the flat connection object into the sinking plate type easy-to-lock connector can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to recessed connectors, and more particularly to recessed easy-lock connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Recessed connectors (or "broken-plate connectors") are known to reduce the required profile height for connector mounting. These connectors are mounted in mounting holes formed in a circuit board. The operating surface and soldering surface of the connector are located on opposite sides of the circuit board. When an object is inserted parallel to the circuit board, the insertion force can create a torque that can damage the solder joint between the contacts of the recessed connector and the circuit board, causing an open circuit. Therefore, reducing the insertion force is a crucial issue for recessed connectors.

[0003] On the other hand, traditional recessed connectors do not take into account the issue of light leakage when mounted on light source devices (such as backlight modules for flat panel displays). When the light source is located on one side of the circuit board, light from the light source may leak through the gap between the connector and the mounting hole to the other side of the circuit board. This may cause light leakage problems or reduced display visibility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a recessed easy-lock connector that reduces the height required for connector installation.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recessed easy-lock connector that reduces the insertion force required to insert the object to be connected into the recessed easy-lock connector.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recessed easy-lock connector having a structure capable of blocking light leakage from one side of a circuit board to the other side of the circuit board.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a recessed easy-lock connector is provided. The recessed easy-lock connector is mounted in a mounting hole formed on a circuit board having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to each other. A flat connecting object is inserted into the recessed easy-lock connector along a first direction. The flat connecting object includes a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at the insertion end of the flat connecting object. The pair of notches are respectively formed on two opposite side edges of the flat connecting object and adjacent to the insertion end. The recessed easy-lock connector includes:

[0008] An insulating housing, comprising a fitting opening for insertion of the flat-connected object; and

[0009] Multiple contacts are held by the insulating housing and are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each contact includes a contact portion that extends into the fitting opening and is to contact one of the multiple electrode portions and a connection terminal portion that is opposite to the contact portion and extends out of the insulating housing. The connection terminal portion will be soldered to the circuit board.

[0010] The contact portions of the plurality of contacts are alternately arranged at the front and rear positions in the first direction, such that during the insertion of the flat connector, the insertion end of the flat connector will first resist the contact portion arranged at the front position, and then resist the contact portion arranged at the rear position, thereby reducing the insertion force of the recessed easy-lock connector.

[0011] According to the present invention, the bottom end of the insulating housing is formed with a flange, and the recessed easy-lock connector is mounted on the circuit board such that the top end of the insulating housing passes through the mounting hole of the circuit board and is positioned on the side of the first main surface of the circuit board, and the flange is positioned on the side of the second main surface of the circuit board.

[0012] According to the countersunk easy-lock connector of the present invention, the area surrounded by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of ​​the mounting hole, so that the flange can completely cover the gap between the insulating housing and the mounting hole.

[0013] According to the recessed easy-lock connector of the present invention, the connection terminal portion is soldered to the second main surface of the circuit board.

[0014] According to the present invention, the recessed easy-lock connector further includes two locking members disposed at both ends of the insulating housing. Each locking member has a locking portion that is constantly elastically biased to a locked position. The locking portion has a stop tab and an unlocking press portion. When the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, the stop tab of the locking portion of the two locking members engages with the pair of recesses to prevent the flat connecting object from detaching from the recessed easy-lock connector. When the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, pressing the unlocking press portion causes the locking portion to be biased away from the locked position, thereby releasing the lock on the flat connecting object.

[0015] According to the recessed easy-lock connector of the present invention, each locking member includes a body portion and a spring portion, the locking portion being connected to the body portion via the spring portion, such that the locking portion is constantly elastically biased to the locking position.

[0016] According to the recessed easy-lock connector of the present invention, the spring part is a U-shaped spring part.

[0017] According to the recessed easy-lock connector of the present invention, the leading edge of the stop protrusion of the locking part is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connecting object. When the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, the insertion end of the flat connecting object will abut against the leading edge of the stop protrusion. Further movement of the flat connecting object toward the insertion direction will cause the stop protrusion to be biased, so that the locking part is biased away from the locking position.

[0018] According to the countersunk easy-lock connector of the present invention, at least one long edge of the mating opening is chamfered.

[0019] The recessed easy-lock connector according to the invention further comprises two clamping members fixed below the mating opening, each clamping member having a solder leg extending out of the insulating shell.

[0020] Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will best understand the technical features, other objects, and advantages of this invention upon referring to the specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a circuit board, wherein a flat connecting object has been inserted into the recessed easy-lock connector.

[0022] Figure 2 This is another perspective view of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, when mounted on a circuit board, wherein a flat connecting object has been inserted into the recessed easy-lock connector.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is another perspective view of the recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the insulating housing of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing a flat-connected object inserted into a recessed easy-lock connector, without showing the insulating housing.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the contact element of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9This is a perspective view of the locking member of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the pressure member of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 10: Recessed Easy-Lock Connector

[0033] 11: Insulating housing

[0034] 110: Fitting opening

[0035] 111: Flange

[0036] 12: Contact element

[0037] 121: Maintaining Department

[0038] 122:Contact Department

[0039] 123: Extension

[0040] 124: Connecting Terminal

[0041] 1240: Welding surface

[0042] 13: Locking component

[0043] 130: Ontology part

[0044] 131: Maintaining Department

[0045] 132: Solder foot

[0046] 133: U-shaped spring section

[0047] 134: Locking Section

[0048] 1341: Stopping convex plate

[0049] 1342: Unlock the press part

[0050] 14: Pressing parts

[0051] 140: Ontology part

[0052] 1401: Wing

[0053] 141: Maintaining Section

[0054] 142: Solder foot

[0055] 20: Flat connection objects

[0056] 21: Notch

[0057] 22: Film Analysis

[0058] 30: Circuit board

[0059] 301: Mounting Hole

[0060] 302: First primary surface

[0061] 303: Second Primary Surface

[0062] D1: First direction

[0063] D2: Second direction

[0064] D3: Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0065] The recessed easy-lock connector of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same elements or elements having the same function are labeled with the same element symbols. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The following is a brief description of how the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein... Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a recessed easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a circuit board 30 and with a flat connecting object 20 inserted therein.

[0067] The front end of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is the mating end, while the bottom end is the soldering end. The top end of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 passes through the mounting hole 301 formed in the circuit board 30 from bottom to top along the vertical direction (i.e., the third direction D3 described later), such that the top end of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 and the mating opening formed at the front end are located on the side of the first main surface 302 (i.e., the upper surface) of the circuit board 30, while the bottom end of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is located on the side of the second main surface 303 (i.e., the lower surface) of the circuit board 30. The contacts of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 are soldered to the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30. A flat connector 20 is inserted along the first direction D1 into the mating opening formed at the front end of the recessed easy-lock connector 10. The flat connector 20 can be a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Connectors installed in this manner can reduce the connector's profile height relative to the circuit board.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The constituent elements of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention are described, wherein... Figure 3 and Figure 4This is a perspective view of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the recessed easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The recessed easy-lock connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, multiple contacts 12, two locking members 13, and two clamping members 14. The insulating housing 11 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material by injection molding. The contacts 12 are held by the insulating housing 11. The contacts 12 are arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to a first direction D1. The contacts 12 may be made of copper or a copper alloy.

[0070] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the insulating housing of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The insulating housing 11 has a mating opening 110 formed at its front end for insertion of a flat connecting object 20. The insulating housing 11 has a flange 111 formed at its bottom end. The area surrounded by the outer contour of the flange 111 is larger than the area of ​​the mounting hole 301 formed on the circuit board 30. This prevents the flange 111 from passing through the mounting hole 301 and abutting against the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30, and also allows the flange 111 to completely cover the gap between the insulating housing 11 and the mounting hole 301, preventing light from leaking from one side of the circuit board 30 to the other. To guide the insertion of the flat connecting object 20, the lower edge of the mating opening 110 is chamfered. To facilitate insertion of the flat connecting object 20, the upper edge of the mating opening 110 can retract backward in a first direction D1.

[0071] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the flat connector 20 inserted into the recessed easy-lock connector 10. To more clearly illustrate the locking mechanism of the flat connector 20, [further details are needed]. Figure 7 The insulating housing is not shown. The flat connector 20 includes a pair of recesses 21 and a plurality of electrode portions (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the insertion end of the flat connector 20. The pair of recesses 21 are respectively formed on two opposite side edges of the flat connector 20 and adjacent to the insertion end. The flat connector 20 further has a pull tab 22 for the user to grip with their fingers, facilitating the user to insert or remove the flat connector 20 from the countersunk easy-lock connector 10. The pair of recesses 21 engage with the stop tab of the locking member 13 (described in detail below) to lock the flat connector 20.

[0072] Figure 8This is a perspective view of the contact 12 of a recessed easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The contact 12 has a retaining portion 121, a contact arm extending forward from the retaining portion 121 in a first direction D1 and having a contact portion 122 formed thereon, an extension portion 123 extending downward from the retaining portion 121 in a third direction D3, and a connection terminal portion 124 extending rearward from the extension portion 123 in the first direction D1. The connection terminal portion 124 has a welding surface 1240 facing the third direction D3, which is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The retaining portion 121 has a barbed structure. By inserting the retaining portion 121 into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 in an interference fit manner, the contact 12 is securely held by the insulating housing 11. The contact portion 122 is positioned in the fitting opening 110 so that the contact portion 122 can contact the electrode portion of the flat connection object 20.

[0073] By extending the third-party portion 123 towards D3, the retaining portion 121 and the connecting terminal portion 124 are located on different planes. (See also...) Figure 2 and Figure 4 The connecting terminal 124 of the contact 12 extends from the insulating housing 11. When the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30, the connecting terminal 124 is located on the side of the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30, and the soldering surface 1240 of the connecting terminal 124 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30.

[0074] To reduce the insertion force required to insert the flat connector 20 into the countersunk easy-lock connector 10, the contact portions 122 of the contacts 12 are alternately arranged at front and rear positions in the first direction D1. In other words, the contact portions 122 of adjacent contacts 12 are staggered. With this configuration, during the insertion of the flat connector 20, the insertion end of the flat connector 20 first resists the contact portion arranged at the front position, and then resists the contact portion arranged at the rear position. Because it does not resist all the contact portions of the contacts simultaneously during the insertion process, the resistance caused by the contact portions can be halved, thereby reducing the insertion force.

[0075] Figure 9This is a perspective view of the locking member 13 of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking member 13 includes a body portion 130, a retaining portion 131 formed on the body portion, and a solder foot 132 extending rearward from the retaining portion 131. The retaining portion 131 and the solder foot 132 are located on different planes. When the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30, the solder foot 132 of the locking member 13 is located on the side of the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30, and the solder foot 132 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30. The retaining portion 131 is formed with a barbed structure. By inserting the retaining portion 131 into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 in an interference fit manner, the locking member 13 is securely held by the insulating housing 11.

[0076] The locking member 13 also includes a U-shaped spring portion 133 and a locking portion 134. The locking portion 134 is connected to the body portion 130 via the U-shaped spring portion 133, so that the locking portion 134 is constantly elastically biased to the locked position. The locking portion 134 has a stop tab 1341 and an unlocking press portion 1342. When the flat connecting object 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110, the stop tabs 1341 of the locking portions 134 of the two locking members 13 engage with the pair of recesses 21 to prevent the flat connecting object 20 from disengaging from the self-sinking easy-lock connector 10. With the flat connecting object 20 inserted into the fitting opening 110, the locking portion 134 is biased downward and removed from the locked position by pressing the unlocking press portion 1342 downward in the third direction D3, thereby releasing the lock on the flat connecting object 20.

[0077] The stop tab 1341 of the locking part 134 is configured in a wedge shape, that is, the leading edge of the stop tab 1341 of the locking part 134 is inclined towards the insertion direction of the flat connecting object 20. When the flat connecting object 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the insertion end of the flat connecting object 20 abuts against the leading edge of the stop tab 1341. Due to the interaction between the inclined leading edge of the stop tab 1341 and the flat connecting object 20, further movement of the flat connecting object 20 in the insertion direction will cause the stop tab 1341 to be biased downward, so that the locking part 134 is biased away from the locking position. The stop tab 1341 configured in this way does not obstruct the insertion of the flat connecting object 20. Furthermore, without the need for additional components, the flat connector 20 can be locked simply by inserting it into the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, preventing the flat connector 20 from disengaging from the recessed easy-lock connector 10 or preventing the flat connector 20 from being pulled out of the recessed easy-lock connector 10.

[0078] Figure 10This is a perspective view of the clamping member 14 of a recessed easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clamping member 14 includes a body portion 140, a retaining portion 141 extending rearward from the body portion 140, and a solder foot 142 extending forward from the body portion 140. The retaining portion 141 is formed with barbs. By inserting the retaining portion 141 into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 in an interference fit, the clamping member 14 is securely held by the insulating housing 11. The solder foot 142 is located on a different plane from the body portion 140. When the recessed easy-lock connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30, the solder foot 142 of the clamping member 14 is located on the side of the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30, and the solder foot 142 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the circuit board 30. The body portion 140 of the clamping member 14 is formed with a flap 1401, thereby increasing the engagement area between the clamping member 14 and the insulating housing 11. The clamping member 14 is fixed below the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, such that the welding feet 142 of the clamping member 14 extend forward out of the insulating housing 11.

[0079] While the present invention has been described and demonstrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by the text of the claims; that is, any equivalent changes and modifications made without departing from the claims should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A recessed easy-lock connector, wherein the recessed easy-lock connector is mounted in a mounting hole formed in a circuit board having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to each other, a flat connecting object is inserted into the recessed easy-lock connector along a first direction, the flat connecting object including a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at the insertion end of the flat connecting object, the pair of notches being formed at two opposite side edges of the flat connecting object and adjacent to the insertion end, characterized in that, This recessed easy-lock connector includes: An insulating housing, including a fitting opening for insertion of the flat-connected object; and Multiple contacts are held by the insulating housing and are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each contact includes a contact portion that extends into the fitting opening and is to contact one of the multiple electrode portions and a connection terminal portion that is opposite to the contact portion and extends out of the insulating housing. The connection terminal portion will be soldered to the circuit board. The contact portions of the plurality of contacts are alternately arranged at the front and rear positions in the first direction, such that during the insertion of the flat connector, the insertion end of the flat connector will first resist the contact portion arranged at the front position, and then resist the contact portion arranged at the rear position, thereby reducing the insertion force of the recessed easy-lock connector.

2. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flange is formed at the bottom end of the insulating housing, and the recessed easy-lock connector is mounted on the circuit board such that the top end of the insulating housing passes through the mounting hole of the circuit board and is positioned on the side of the first main surface of the circuit board, and the flange is positioned on the side of the second main surface of the circuit board.

3. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the area surrounded by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of ​​the mounting hole, such that the flange can completely cover the gap between the insulating housing and the mounting hole.

4. The recessed easy-lock connector as described in claim 2, wherein, The connection terminal will be soldered to the second main surface of the circuit board.

5. The recessed easy-lock connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising two locking members respectively disposed at both ends of the insulating housing, each locking member having a locking portion that is constantly elastically biased to a locked position, the locking portion having a stop tab and an unlocking press portion, wherein when the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, the stop tabs of the locking portions of the two locking members engage with the pair of recesses to prevent the flat connecting object from detaching from the recessed easy-lock connector, and in the state where the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, by pressing the unlocking press portion, the locking portion is biased away from the locked position to release the lock on the flat connecting object.

6. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein each locking member includes a body portion and a spring portion, the locking portion being connected to the body portion via the spring portion, such that the locking portion is constantly elastically biased to the locking position.

7. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring portion is a U-shaped spring portion.

8. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the leading edge of the stop protrusion of the locking part is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connecting object, and when the flat connecting object is inserted into the fitting opening, the insertion end of the flat connecting object abuts against the leading edge of the stop protrusion, and further movement of the flat connecting object toward the insertion direction causes the stop protrusion to be biased, so that the locking part is biased away from the locking position.

9. The countersunk easy-lock connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one long edge of the mating opening is chamfered.

10. The recessed easy-lock connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising two clamping members fixed below the mating opening, each clamping member having a solder leg extending out of the insulating housing.

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