Wire-to-board sockets and wire-to-board connector assemblies

Abstract

A wire-to-board socket and wire-to-board connector assembly are disclosed. The wire-to-board socket includes a socket housing and socket terminals fixed to the socket housing. The socket housing includes a base, side walls and a base wall integrally extending upward from the lateral sides and front side of the base. The socket terminals longitudinally pass through the front and rear sides of the base wall. The socket housing also includes a plurality of transversely arranged partitions integrally extending upward from the base. The partitions are parallel to the side walls. A mating space is defined between the side walls and the partitions or between the partitions. Locking grooves are provided on the inner side of the side walls and the lateral sides of the partitions. Each mating space is independent and contains at least one socket terminal. The wire-to-board socket of this application can expand or reduce the number of transmission paths as needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to a wire-to-board socket and a wire-to-board connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Wire-to-board connectors are widely used in various industries to transmit communication and electrical signals from external devices or modules within a device to the motherboard. They generally include a wire-to-board socket soldered to the motherboard and a wire-to-board plug that mates with the socket. The plug typically connects to a cable, the other end of which is usually soldered or connected to another type of connector to electrically connect to the module or external device requiring communication. Chinese Patent Application No. 202121916298.2 discloses a wire-to-board connector comprising a socket connector and a connector assembly. The socket connector includes a plastic base, blade terminals, and a locking mechanism. The plastic base includes a base plate, a long wall structure on one side of the base plate, side wall structures at both ends of the long wall structure, terminal receiving slots arranged along the long wall structure, and locking slots on the side wall structures. The blade terminals include a first contact portion, a retaining connection portion, and a soldering fixing portion arranged sequentially, with the retaining connection portion fixed in the terminal receiving slot. The fastener includes a fastener base, an elastic arm, and a weld foot. The fastener base abuts against the inner wall of the fastener groove to fix the fastener to the plastic base. The fastener base is made of sheet metal, and a window is opened in the fastener base to form the elastic arm.

[0003] In the above-mentioned existing technologies, the number of connecting wires in the socket and plug of the wire-to-board connector is fixed and cannot be flexibly changed or expanded. That is, it is a fixed function and does not support the change of the number of functional signals. If the number of signals and functions change, the connector needs to be replaced or only the number of signals can be reduced. It also cannot support the connection of multiple devices by one connector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a freely expandable wire-to-board connector and a wire-to-board connector assembly.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a wire-to-board socket, comprising a socket housing and socket terminals fixed to the socket housing. The socket housing includes a base, side walls and a base wall integrally extending upward from the lateral sides and front side of the base. The socket terminals longitudinally pass through the front and rear sides of the base wall. The socket housing also includes a plurality of transversely arranged partitions integrally extending upward from the base. The partitions are parallel to the side walls. A plug-in space is defined between the side walls and the partitions or between the partitions. Locking grooves are provided on the inner side of the side walls and the lateral sides of the partitions. Each plug-in space is independent of the others, and each plug-in space contains at least one socket terminal.

[0006] Preferably, the socket terminal includes a fastening portion integrally formed within the base wall, a mating portion extending rearward from the fastening portion and located within the insertion space, and a welding foot extending forward from the fastening portion out of the base wall.

[0007] Preferably, a first locking member is provided in the locking groove on the inner side of the side wall and on both sides of the partition. The first locking member protrudes from the upper end of the locking groove toward the insertion space. The bottom surface of the first locking member is flat to form a first locking step. The upper surface of the first locking member is inclined to form a first inclined surface. A forming hole is formed through the base corresponding to the position of the first locking member.

[0008] Preferably, the inner side of the side wall and both sides of the partition are provided with a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove respectively located on the front and rear sides of the first lock. The first positioning groove is formed by recessing from the inner wall surface of the side wall or the inner wall surface of the partition, and the second positioning groove is connected to the lock groove.

[0009] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application also provides a wire-to-board connector assembly, including the aforementioned wire-to-board socket and a plurality of wire-to-board plugs that are inserted into the wire-to-board socket. The wire-to-board plug includes a plug housing, plug terminals inserted into the plug housing, and cables connected to the plug terminals. The plug housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a terminal slot formed from back to front within the plug housing. The front end face and the bottom wall of the plug housing are provided with slots for the socket terminals to be inserted. The side walls protrude outward to form a second locking member that is locked together with the first locking member.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom surface of the second locking member is inclined to form a second inclined surface, and the top surface of the second locking member is flat to form a second locking step. When the wire-to-board plug is inserted, the second inclined surface is pressed against the first inclined surface and the second locking step is engaged with the bottom of the first locking step.

[0011] Preferably, the inner side of the side wall of the socket housing and both sides of the partition are provided with a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove respectively located on the front and rear sides of the first locking member. The first positioning groove is formed by recessing from the inner wall surface of the side wall or the inner wall surface of the partition, and the second positioning groove communicates with the locking groove. The side wall of the plug housing has a first positioning block and a second positioning block formed at the front and rear ends of the second locking member, respectively. The first positioning block and the second positioning block are respectively inserted into the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove.

[0012] Preferably, the plug terminal includes a base plate portion, a cable riveting portion extending rearward from the base plate portion for clamping the cable, a pair of elastic arms extending independently forward from the front end of the base plate portion, and a pair of contact portions formed on the elastic arms. The pair of contact portions are located at the slot position, and the mating portion of the socket terminal enters the pair of contact portions through the slot to achieve electrical contact.

[0013] Preferably, the substrate portion is torn upward to form barbs, and the top wall of the plug housing is provided with a slot. After the plug terminal is inserted into the terminal slot, the barbs are locked into the slot to prevent the plug terminal from exiting. The elastic arm includes a first U-shaped arm formed by bending downward and then upward from the front edge of the substrate portion, and a second U-shaped arm formed by bending again. The first U-shaped arm and the second U-shaped arm share a vertical portion. The second U-shaped arms of the pair of elastic arms protrude towards each other from opposite sides to form the contact portion. The insertion end of the contact portion is formed with an inclined scraping surface. When it is inserted with the socket terminal, the scraping surface first scrapes the corresponding position of the socket terminal to keep it clean and free of dirt.

[0014] Preferably, the plug terminal further includes protective wings formed by bending downward from both sides of the substrate portion and extending along the extension direction of the elastic arm. The protective wings include side protective wings located on the outer side of the elastic arm and front protective wings bent from the front end of the side protective wings to the front of the elastic arm. The bottom portion of the side protective wings is torn to form a limiting piece that extends into the U-shaped space of the second U-shaped arm. The limiting piece is used to limit the offset of the elastic arm to maintain the accuracy of contact.

[0015] This application's wire-to-board socket divides the plugging space into several independent plugging spaces by setting several partitions on the socket housing to accommodate several wire-to-board plugs. It can adapt to different application environments and reserve expansion space for new connection devices. When the demand increases, only one independent wire-to-board plug needs to be added. The wire-to-board plug exists in an independent form and is plugged into a wire-to-board socket, realizing the expansion or reduction of communication lines and providing a low-cost expansion solution for subsequent additions. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of this application and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application.

[0017] Example 1: Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of the wire-to-board connector assembly of this application.

[0018] Figure 2This is a perspective view of the wire-to-board socket of this application.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the wire-to-board connector of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the wire-to-board connector of this application from another angle.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the plug terminals of the wire-to-board connector of this application.

[0022] Figure 6 For along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view shown by the dashed line AA.

[0023] Example 2: Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the mating of the plug terminals and socket terminals of the wire-to-board connector assembly of this application.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the plug terminals of the wire-to-board connector of this application.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the plug terminal of the line-to-board connector of this application from another angle.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures Wire-to-board socket-A; Wire-to-board plug-B; Socket housing-10; Base-11; Molding hole-111; Base wall-12; Inner wall surface-121; Side wall-13; Partition-14; Lock groove-141; First positioning groove-142; Second positioning groove-143; First locking element-144; First locking step-145; First inclined surface-146; Divider-147; Insertion space-15; Fixing element-16; Socket terminal-20; Connecting part-21; Fastening part-22; Welding foot-23; Plug housing-30; Top wall-3 1; Slot - 311; Bottom wall - 32; Side wall - 33; First positioning block - 34; Second locking element - 35; Second locking step - 351; Second inclined surface - 352; Second positioning block - 36; Slot - 37; Terminal slot - 38; Plug terminal - 40; Base plate part - 41; Barb - 411; Cable riveting part - 42; Contact part - 43; Elastic arm - 44; First U-shaped arm - 441; Second U-shaped arm - 442; Scraping surface - 431; Protective wing - 45; Side protective wing - 451; Front protective wing - 452; Limiting piece - 453. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] This application is based on Figure 1 The X direction is the front in the forward-backward direction, the Y direction is the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is the top in the vertical direction.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the wire-to-board connector assembly of this application includes a wire-to-board socket A soldered onto a printed circuit board and a plurality of wire-to-board plugs B that are inserted into the wire-to-board socket A.

[0030] The wire-to-board socket A includes a socket housing 10, socket terminals 20 integrally formed on the socket housing 10, and fasteners 16 for fixing the socket housing 10.

[0031] The socket housing 10 includes a base 11, a base wall 12 and a side wall 13 extending upward from the front side and the lateral sides of the base 11 respectively, a plurality of partitions 14 extending upward from the base 11 and arranged in the front-back direction, and a plurality of insertion spaces 15 enclosed by the partitions 14, the side walls 13 and the base wall 12.

[0032] Each insertion space 15 has two transverse side walls, consisting of a side wall 13 and a partition 14, or two partitions 14. Each insertion space 15 has a locking groove 141, a first positioning groove 142, and a second positioning groove 143 on each transverse side. The locking groove 141 is formed by recessing from the inner wall of the side wall 13 or partition 14. A first locking member 144 is formed within the locking groove 141. The upper surface of the first locking member 144 slopes downwards to form a first inclined surface 146, while the lower surface of the first locking member 144 remains flat and forms a first latching step 145. A forming hole 111 is formed through the base 11 at the position corresponding to the first locking member 144. The forming hole 111 facilitates the demolding operation of the mold forming the first latching step 145 during injection molding. The first positioning groove 142 and the second positioning groove 143 are located on the front and rear sides of the first locking member 144, respectively. The first positioning groove 142 is formed by recessing inward from the inner side of the side wall 13 or the partition 14. The second positioning groove 143 communicates with the locking groove 141 and is located behind the first locking member 144. A partition 147 is formed between the first positioning groove 142 and the locking groove 141, and the partition 147 is part of the side wall 13 or the partition 14.

[0033] The fastener 16 is inserted below the pair of sidewalls 13 and soldered to the printed circuit board.

[0034] Please continue reading. Figure 7 As shown, the socket terminal 20 has a blade-shaped structure, including a plate-shaped mating portion 21, a fastening portion 22 extending rearward from the mating portion 21 and fixed within the base wall 12, and a welding leg 23 extending from the fastening portion 22 to the front of the base wall 12. The mating portion 21 extends from the inner wall surface 121 of the base wall 12 into the insertion space 15.

[0035] The wire-to-board socket A of this application divides the insertion space 15 into several independent insertion spaces 15 by setting several partitions on the socket housing 10 to accommodate several wire-to-board plugs B. It can adapt to different application environments and reserve expansion space for new connection devices. When the demand increases, only one independent wire-to-board plug needs to be added.

[0036] Please continue reading. Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the wire-to-board plug B includes a plug housing 30, a plug terminal 40 inserted into the plug housing 30, and a cable 50 connected to the plug terminal 40.

[0037] The plug housing 30 includes a top wall 31, a bottom wall 32, a pair of side walls 33 connecting the top wall 31 and the bottom wall 32, and a terminal groove 38 formed from rear to front within the plug housing 30. A first positioning block 34 and a second positioning block 36 protrude from the front and rear sides of the side walls 33 of the plug housing 30, respectively. The first positioning block 34 and the second positioning block 36 correspond to the first positioning groove 142 and the second positioning groove 143 of the socket housing 10, respectively. The lower ends of both the first positioning block 34 and the second positioning block 36 can be configured with a smaller head structure to facilitate insertion into the first positioning groove 142 and the second positioning groove 143.

[0038] The sidewall 33, located between the first positioning block 34 and the second positioning block 36, is further provided with a second locking member 35. The second locking member 35 corresponds to the first locking member 144. The bottom surface of the second locking member 35 is inclined to form a second inclined surface 352, and the upper surface of the second locking member 35 is flat to form a second locking step 351. When the wire-to-board plug B is inserted into the insertion space 15, the first positioning block 34 and the second positioning block 36 are inserted into the first positioning groove 142 and the second positioning groove 143, respectively. The second inclined surface 352 of the second locking member 35 first compresses against the first inclined surface 146 of the first locking member 144 to produce a certain deformation. Then, the second locking member 35 enters the locking groove 141, and the second locking step 351 of the second locking member 35 is engaged with the first locking step 145 of the first locking member 144 to lock together.

[0039] The top wall 31 of the plug housing 30 has a slot 311 for fixing the plug terminal 40. The bottom wall 32 and the front end face of the plug housing 30 are slotted to form an L-shaped slot 37 for the socket terminal 20 to be inserted into.

[0040] The plug terminal 40 includes a base plate portion 41, a cable riveting portion 42 extending rearward from the base plate portion 41, a pair of elastic arms 44 extending forward from the base plate portion 41, and a pair of contact portions 43 formed by folding the elastic arms 44 against each other. The mating portion 21 of the socket terminal 20 is inserted between the pair of contact portions 43, and the contact portions 43 and the mating portion 21 are kept in electrical contact by the clamping force applied by the elastic arms 44. The base plate portion 41 is torn to form upwardly inclined barbs 411, which are engaged in the retaining groove 311 after the plug terminal 40 is inserted into the terminal groove 38 of the plug housing 30 to prevent the plug terminal 40 from being withdrawn.

[0041] The wire-to-board connector assembly of this application, by setting multiple wire-to-board plugs B that can be added or removed, allows them to exist independently and be plugged into a wire-to-board socket A, thereby enabling the expansion or reduction of communication lines and providing a low-cost expansion solution for subsequent additions.

[0042] Please continue reading to section 7. Figure 9 As shown, another preferred embodiment of the plug terminal 40 of this application will be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, the plug terminal 40 includes a base plate portion 41, a cable riveting portion 42 extending rearward from the base plate portion 41, a pair of elastic arms 44 extending from the front end of the base plate portion 41, a pair of contact portions 43 formed at the free ends of the pair of elastic arms 44, and protective wings 45 extending laterally outward from the base plate portion 41 and forming around the pair of elastic arms 44. The base plate portion 41 has upwardly protruding barbs 411 formed by tearing. After the plug terminal 40 is inserted into the terminal groove 38 of the plug housing 30, the barbs 411 engage with the retaining groove 311 to restrict the plug terminal 40 from retraction.

[0044] The elastic arm 44 includes a first U-shaped arm 441 formed by bending downwards and then upwards from the front end of the base plate portion 41, and a second U-shaped arm 442 formed by bending and extending the first U-shaped arm again. The first U-shaped arm 441 and the second U-shaped arm 442 share a vertical portion, with the opening of the first U-shaped arm 441 facing upwards and the opening of the second U-shaped arm 442 facing downwards. The U-shaped space of the second U-shaped arm 442 is larger than the U-shaped space of the first U-shaped arm 441. The contact portion 43 is formed at the free end of the second U-shaped arm 442, specifically as a protruding structure formed by protruding from opposite sides of a pair of second U-shaped arms 442. The bottom side of the contact portion 43 is provided with an inclined scraping surface 431. During the insertion process with the socket terminal 20, the scraping surface 431 scrapes the mating portion 21 of the socket terminal 20, thereby effectively removing dirt from the mating portion 21 and maintaining effective contact.

[0045] The protective wing 45 includes a side protective wing 451 that bends downward from the outer side of the base plate portion 41 and extends forward along the elastic arm 44, a front protective wing 452 that bends from the side protective wing 451 to the front of the elastic arm 44, and a limiting piece 453 formed by tearing from the bottom of the side protective wing 451 toward the U-shaped space of the second U-shaped arm 442. The side protective wing 451 and the front protective wing 452 surround the periphery of the pair of elastic arms 44 to protect the elastic arms 44 and limit the lateral deformation of the pair of elastic arms 44. That is, the protective wing 45 contacts the inner wall of the terminal groove 38 of the plug housing 30, avoiding direct interference between the elastic arm 44 and the inner wall surface of the terminal groove 38. The limiting piece 453 is located within the U-shaped space of the second U-shaped arm 442 and can control the offset of the elastic arm 44 under force, maintaining the accuracy of contact.

[0046] The plug terminal 40 of the line-to-board plug of this application can maintain better elasticity by setting a pair of double U-shaped elastic arms 44, and the contact part 43 is designed with an inclined blade to scrape the socket terminal 20 to remove dirt and maintain good contact. The protective wings 45 effectively protect the elastic arms 44 from damage to elasticity.

[0047] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0048] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A wire-to-board socket, comprising a socket housing and socket terminals fixed to the socket housing, the socket housing comprising a base, side walls and a base wall integrally extending upward from both sides and the front side of the base, the socket terminals longitudinally passing through the front and rear sides of the base wall, characterized in that, The socket housing also includes a plurality of transversely arranged partitions integrally extending upward from the base. The partitions are parallel to the side wall. A plug-in space is defined between the side wall and the partition or between the partitions. Locking grooves are provided on the inner side of the side wall and on both transverse sides of the partitions. Each plug-in space is independent of each other and each plug-in space contains at least one socket terminal.

2. The wire-to-board socket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The socket terminal includes a fastening part integrally formed in the base wall, a mating part extending rearward from the fastening part and located in the insertion space, and a welding foot extending forward from the fastening part out of the base wall.

3. The wire-to-panel socket as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A first locking member is provided in the locking groove on the inner side of the side wall and on both sides of the partition. The first locking member protrudes from the upper end of the locking groove toward the insertion space. The bottom surface of the first locking member is flat to form a first locking step. The upper surface of the first locking member is inclined to form a first slope. A forming hole is formed through the base corresponding to the position of the first locking member.

4. The wire-to-panel socket as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The inner side of the side wall and both sides of the partition are provided with a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove respectively located on the front and rear sides of the first lock. The first positioning groove is formed by recessing from the inner wall surface of the side wall or the inner wall surface of the partition, and the second positioning groove is connected to the lock groove.

5. A wire-to-board connector assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a wire-to-board socket as described in claim 3 and a plurality of wire-to-board plugs that are plugged into the wire-to-board socket. The wire-to-board plugs include a plug housing, plug terminals inserted into the plug housing, and cables connected to the plug terminals. The plug housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and a terminal slot formed from back to front within the plug housing. The front end face and the bottom wall of the plug housing are provided with slots for the socket terminals to be inserted. The side walls protrude outward to form a second locking member that is locked together with the first locking member.

6. The wire-to-board connector assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the second locking member is inclined to form a second inclined surface, and the top surface of the second locking member is flat to form a second locking step. When the wire-to-board plug is inserted, the second inclined surface is pressed against the first inclined surface and the second locking step is engaged with the bottom of the first locking step.

7. The wire-to-board connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The inner side of the side wall of the socket housing and both sides of the partition are provided with a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove respectively located on the front and rear sides of the first locking member. The first positioning groove is formed by recessing from the inner wall surface of the side wall or the inner wall surface of the partition, and the second positioning groove is connected to the locking groove. The side wall of the plug housing has a first positioning block and a second positioning block formed at the front and rear ends of the second locking member, respectively. The first positioning block and the second positioning block are respectively inserted into the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove.

8. The wire-to-board connector assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The plug terminal includes a base plate portion, a cable riveting portion extending rearward from the base plate portion for clamping the cable, a pair of elastic arms extending independently forward from the front end of the base plate portion, and a pair of contact portions formed on the elastic arms. The pair of contact portions are located at the slot position, and the mating portion of the socket terminal enters the pair of contact portions through the slot to achieve electrical contact.

9. The wire-to-board connector assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The substrate portion is torn upward to form barbs, and the top wall of the plug housing is provided with a slot. After the plug terminal is inserted into the terminal slot, the barbs are locked into the slot to prevent the plug terminal from exiting. The elastic arm includes a first U-shaped arm formed by bending downward and then upward from the front edge of the substrate portion, and a second U-shaped arm formed by bending again. The first U-shaped arm and the second U-shaped arm share a vertical portion. The second U-shaped arms of the pair of elastic arms protrude towards each other from opposite sides to form the contact portion. The insertion end of the contact portion is formed with an inclined scraping surface. When it is inserted with the socket terminal, the scraping surface first scrapes the corresponding position of the socket terminal to keep it clean and free of dirt.

10. The wire-to-board connector assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The plug terminal also includes protective wings formed by bending downward from both sides of the substrate portion and extending along the extension direction of the elastic arm. The protective wings include side protective wings located on the outer side of the elastic arm and front protective wings bent from the front end of the side protective wings to the front of the elastic arm. The bottom portion of the side protective wings is torn to form a limiting piece that extends into the U-shaped space of the second U-shaped arm. The limiting piece is used to limit the offset of the elastic arm to maintain the accuracy of contact.

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