Electric connector and combined structure of electric connector and circuit board

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric connector and a combined structure of the electric connector and a circuit board, and belongs to the field of electric connectors. The electric connector is reasonable in structure, the electric connector and the circuit board are reliably assembled, and the overall height size can be reduced. The electric connector comprises a rubber shell, a terminal and a lock catch. A plurality of terminal jacks are arranged in the rubber shell, a jack communicated with the terminal jacks is arranged in the middle of the front end of the rubber shell, the plurality of terminals are inserted into the plurality of terminal jacks in a one-to-one correspondence manner, and a conductive elastic sheet is arranged at the front end of each terminal; elastic arms capable of generating elastic deformation are arranged on the left side face and the right side face of the rubber shell, the front ends of the elastic arms and the rubber shell are connected into a whole, the free ends of the elastic arms extend backwards and protrude out of the rear end of the rubber shell, pressing handles are formed at the free ends, and clamping blocks protruding outwards are arranged on the sides, back to the rubber shell, of the elastic arms. And the lock catch is arranged on the rubber shell, a locking part and a limiting block are arranged on the lock catch, the locking part locks the terminal when the lock catch is located at the locking position, and meanwhile, the limiting block extends into a gap between the elastic arm and the rubber shell so as to limit the elastic arm from deforming towards the rubber shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and particularly to an electrical connector and a combined structure of an electrical connector and a circuit board. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the electronics industry, various portable electronic devices have been widely used in daily life. Electrical connectors are required in portable electronic devices, and the function of an electrical connector is to connect a wire to a circuit board. Existing electrical connectors are mostly fixed on the surface of one side of the circuit board, and the upper terminals thereof are spot-welded to the circuits on the circuit board. The main problems of the above existing electrical connectors are as follows: after being assembled with the circuit board, the electrical connector completely protrudes from the surface of the circuit board, and the overall height dimension is relatively large (at least the sum of the thickness dimension of the circuit board and the height dimension of the electrical connector), which is not conducive to the thin design of the product. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides an electrical connector, which is connected and assembled with the circuit board in a plug-in manner, is convenient and stable to assemble, ensures electrical conduction performance, and reduces the overall height dimension after assembly.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an electrical connector, including a plastic housing, terminals, and a latch; a plurality of terminal jacks are arranged side by side in the plastic housing in the left-right direction, and an insertion opening for inserting a plugging portion on the circuit board is provided in the middle of the front end of the plastic housing and is communicated with the terminal jacks. A plurality of terminals are respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal jacks, and a conductive elastic piece for contacting a gold finger on the plugging portion is provided at the front end of each terminal at the insertion opening.

[0006] Elastic arms capable of elastic deformation are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the plastic housing. The front ends of the elastic arms are integrally connected to the plastic housing. The free ends of the elastic arms extend backward and protrude from the rear end of the plastic housing, and a pressing handle is formed at this end. A convex block protruding outward is provided on the side of the elastic arm facing away from the plastic housing.

[0007] The latch is installed on the plastic housing. A locking portion and a limiting block are provided on the latch. When the latch is in the locked position, the locking portion locks the terminals, and at the same time, the limiting block extends into the gap between the elastic arm and the plastic housing to limit the elastic arm from deforming toward the plastic housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, first limiting grooves are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the plastic housing in front of the elastic arms. The first limiting grooves are at the same height as the insertion opening and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, a second limiting groove is provided on the elastic arm in front of the clamping block and is arranged in the front-back direction, and the first limiting groove and the second limiting groove are aligned in the front-back direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, a clamping groove is provided on the elastic arm close to the side of the rubber housing, a clamping platform is arranged at a position corresponding to the clamping groove on the limiting block, and when the limiting block extends into the space between the elastic arm and the corresponding side surface of the rubber housing, the clamping platform and the clamping groove form a clamping fit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the lock is connected to the upper part of the rubber housing through a pivoting connection structure, a first clamping position is provided on the lock, a second clamping position is provided on the rubber housing, and when the lock rotates to the locking position, the first clamping position and the second clamping position are clamped together.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pivoting connection structure includes a shaft portion provided on one of the rubber housing and the lock and a shaft groove provided on the other, and the shaft portion is matched with the shaft groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, an opening communicating with each terminal jack is provided on the upper surface of the rubber housing, the lock has a plate-shaped portion arranged in the left-right direction, the locking portion is a convex platform formed on the plate-shaped portion and corresponding to each opening, the limiting block is integrally formed at the corresponding end of the plate-shaped portion, and when the lock is in the locking position, the locking portion extends into the terminal jack through the opening to abut against the terminal.

[0014] In some embodiments, conductive elastic sheets are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the socket at the front end of the terminal, and the conductive elastic sheets are of an elastic cantilever structure; an arc angle facing away from the socket direction is bent on the conductive elastic sheet.

[0015] In some embodiments, two conductive elastic sheets, one in front of the other, are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the socket at the front end of the terminal.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electrical connector and circuit board combination structure, including a circuit board and the electrical connector. An installation groove for loading the electrical connector is provided at the edge of the circuit board. A plug-in portion protruding towards the notch direction of the installation groove is provided in the installation groove, a gold finger is provided on the plug-in portion, and a positioning groove is opened at the edge of the installation groove on the circuit board. When the electrical connector is installed in the installation groove, the plug-in portion is inserted into the socket, the conductive elastic sheet contacts the gold finger, and the clamping block and the positioning groove form a clamping connection.

[0017] In some embodiments, when the electrical connector is installed in place in the installation groove, the edge of the installation groove is in plug-in fit with the first limiting groove and the second limiting groove on the corresponding side of the rubber housing.

[0018] Positive effects of the present application: The structure of the electrical connector in the present application is optimized. Through the insertion of the socket on the electrical connector into the insertion part on the circuit board, the conductive elastic piece contacts the gold finger to achieve electrical connection, which is convenient for assembly. Further, when assembling the electrical connector and the circuit board, the block on the elastic arm can be engaged with the positioning groove on the circuit board, which can position the electrical connector and ensure reliable connection between the electrical connector and the circuit board. When removing the electrical connector from the circuit board, the finger can press the pressing handle to deform it towards the direction close to the plastic housing, so that the block is disengaged from the positioning groove 44, which is convenient for operation; moreover, by setting a limiting block on the lock, when the lock is in the locked position, the limiting block can resist and limit the elastic arm, thereby preventing the elastic arm from deforming towards the plastic housing to ensure reliable assembly of the electrical connector and the circuit board and guarantee the electrical conduction performance; and after connecting the plastic housing and the circuit board, the overall height dimension is reduced, which is beneficial to the thin design of the product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 Structural diagram of the electrical connector (lock in the locked position) in the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 Structural diagram of the electrical connector shown from another perspective;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 Top view of the electrical connector shown in;

[0023] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in;

[0024] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in;

[0025] Figure 6 Structural diagram of the electrical connector (lock opened) in the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 Exploded view of the electrical connector in the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 Structural schematic diagram of the plastic housing in the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of the terminal in this application;

[0029] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of the assembly of the electrical connector and the circuit board in this application;

[0030] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of the electrical connector and the circuit board before assembly in this application.

[0031] Labels shown in the attached drawings:

[0032] 1 - Housing; 10 - First limiting groove; 11 - Terminal jack; 12 - Socket; 13 - Elastic arm; 131 - Pressing handle; 132 - Clamping block; 133 - Second limiting groove; 134 - Card slot; 14 - Opening; 15 - Second clamping position; 16 - Shaft groove;

[0033] 2 - Terminal; 21 - Conductive elastic sheet;

[0034] 3 - Lock; 31 - Locking part; 30 - Plate - shaped part; 32 - Limiting block; 321 - Clamping platform; 33 - First clamping position; 34 - Shaft part;

[0035] 4 - Circuit board; 41 - Installation groove; 42 - Insertion part; 43 - Gold finger; 44 - Positioning groove. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached drawings). If this specific posture changes, then the directional indications will also change accordingly. In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "connection" and "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0038] In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the premise that those skilled in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0039] In a first aspect, the structure of the electrical connector in this embodiment is as Figures 1 to 9 shown. The electrical connector is assembled and used with a circuit board 4. The electrical connector includes a plastic housing 1, terminals 2, and a latch 3. In the Figure 1 XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system shown, the X-axis points in the left-right direction, the Y-axis points in the up-down direction, and the Z-axis points in the front-back direction. Four terminal jacks 11 are arranged side by side in the plastic housing 1 in the left-right direction. An insertion port 12 communicating with the terminal jacks 11 is provided in the middle of the front end of the plastic housing 1 for the insertion part on the circuit board to be inserted. The four terminals 2 are respectively inserted into the four terminal jacks 11. A conductive elastic piece 21 for contacting the gold finger 43 on the insertion part 42 is provided at the front end of each terminal 2 at the insertion port 12. The conductive elastic piece 21 is used to connect the gold finger on the circuit board 4, and the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the circuit board 4 is realized by contacting the gold finger through the conductive elastic piece 21. In actual use, the number of terminal jacks 11 and terminals 2 can be increased or decreased according to requirements. When installed and used, a wiring part is provided at the rear end of the terminal 2, and the wiring part can be connected to an external wire by riveting or spot welding.

[0040] Elastic arms 13 capable of elastic deformation are provided on both left and right sides of the plastic housing 1. The front end of the elastic arm 13 is integrally connected with the plastic housing 1. The free end of the elastic arm 13 extends backward and protrudes from the rear end of the plastic housing 1, and a pressing handle 131 is formed at this end. An outwardly protruding block 132 is provided on the side of the elastic arm 13 facing away from the plastic housing 1. When assembling the electrical connector with the circuit board 4, the block 132 on the elastic arm 13 can be snapped into the positioning groove 44 on the circuit board 4, so as to position the electrical connector and ensure reliable connection between the electrical connector and the circuit board. When removing the electrical connector from the circuit board 4, the pressing handle 131 can be pressed with a finger to deform it in the direction close to the plastic housing 1, so that the block 132 is disengaged from the positioning groove 44, which is convenient for use and operation.

[0041] Further, the latch 3 is installed on the plastic housing 1. The latch 3 is provided with a locking portion 31 and a limiting block 32. When the latch 3 is in the locked position, the locking portion 31 locks the terminal 2 to enhance the reliability of the installation of the terminal 2 in the terminal hole 11 of the plastic housing 1. At the same time, the limiting block 32 extends into the gap between the elastic arm 13 and the plastic housing 1 to limit the deformation of the elastic arm 13 in the direction towards the plastic housing 1. When in use, when the latch 3 is in the locked position, the limiting block 32 can play a role in resisting and limiting the elastic arm 13, thereby preventing the elastic arm 13 from deforming towards the plastic housing 1, so as to ensure the reliable assembly of the electrical connector and the circuit board 4 and ensure the electrical conduction performance.

[0042] On the left and right side surfaces of the plastic housing 1, a first limiting groove 10 is provided on the front side of the elastic arm 13. The first limiting groove 10 is at the same height as the socket 12, and the first limiting groove 10 extends in the front-rear direction; with such a setting, when assembling the electrical connector and the circuit board 4, the first limiting groove 10 can be inserted into the corresponding edge of the circuit board 4, thereby enhancing the supporting effect of the circuit board 4 on the electrical connector and further strengthening the stability of the installation of the electrical connector on the circuit board 4.

[0043] Furthermore, on the elastic arm 13, a second limiting groove 133 extending in the front-rear direction is provided in front of the clamping block 132. The first limiting groove 10 and the second limiting groove 133 are aligned in the front-rear direction. With such a setting, when assembling the electrical connector and the circuit board 4, the second limiting groove 133 can also be inserted into the corresponding edge of the circuit board 4 to play a certain role in supporting and limiting the elastic arm 13 in the up-down direction, preventing the elastic arm 13 from being easily compressed and deformed in the up-down direction.

[0044] Further, a clamping groove 134 is provided on the side of the elastic arm 13 close to the plastic housing 1. A clamping platform 321 is provided at a position corresponding to the clamping groove 134 on the limiting block 32. When the limiting block 32 extends into the gap between the elastic arm 13 and the corresponding side surface of the plastic housing 1, the clamping platform 321 and the clamping groove 134 form a clamping fit, thereby strengthening the positioning effect of the latch 3 in the locked position.

[0045] In order to prevent the latch 3 from detaching from the plastic housing 1 and being lost, and for the convenience of locking the latch 3, in this embodiment, the latch 3 is connected to the upper part of the plastic housing 1 through a pivoting connection structure. In this way, the latch 3 can be connected to the plastic housing 1, and the opening and locking of the latch 3 can be controlled by flipping, and the operation is relatively convenient; in order to enable the latch 3 to be effectively locked, a first clamping position 33 is provided on the latch 3, and a second clamping position 15 is provided on the plastic housing 1. When the latch 3 rotates to the locked position, the first clamping position 33 and the second clamping position 15 are clamped together to strengthen the locking effect on the latch 3.

[0046] Exemplarily, the pivot connection structure includes a shaft portion 34 provided on the latch 3 and a shaft groove 16 provided on the plastic housing 1. The shaft portion 34 cooperates with the shaft groove 16 to achieve the pivot connection between the latch 3 and the plastic housing 1. As a variant, in actual operation, the positions of the shaft portion 34 and the shaft groove 16 can be interchanged, that is, the shaft portion 34 is provided on the plastic housing 1 and the shaft groove 16 is provided on the latch 3.

[0047] In some embodiments, an opening 14 communicating with each terminal jack 11 is provided on the upper surface of the plastic housing 1. The latch 3 has a plate-shaped portion 30 arranged in the left-right direction. The locking portion 31 is a boss formed on the plate-shaped portion 30 and corresponding to each opening 14. The limiting block 32 is integrally formed at the corresponding end of the plate-shaped portion 30. When the latch 3 is in the locked position, the locking portion 31 extends into the terminal jack 11 through the opening 14 to abut against the terminal 2, thereby strengthening the locking effect on the terminal 2.

[0048] In some embodiments, conductive elastic pieces 21 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the front end of the terminal 2 in the socket 12. The conductive elastic pieces 21 are of an elastic cantilever structure and have good elasticity, so as to be able to reliably contact the gold fingers 43 on the plugging portion 42 and ensure the electrical conduction performance. Further, an arc angle facing away from the socket 12 is bent on the conductive elastic piece 21, and the outer arc of the arc angle contacts the gold fingers 43, so as to avoid scratching and damaging the gold fingers 43 by the conductive elastic piece 21.

[0049] In order to enhance the better contact between the terminal 2 and the gold fingers 43, two conductive elastic pieces 21, one in front and one behind, are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the front end of the terminal 2 in the socket 12. Such a setting increases the contact points between the terminal 2 and the gold fingers 43, thereby improving the electrical conduction performance.

[0050] In a second aspect, a combination structure of an electrical connector and a circuit board is provided in this embodiment. Refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, it includes a circuit board 4 and the electrical connector in any of the above embodiments. An installation groove 41 for installing the electrical connector is provided on the side of the circuit board 4. A plugging portion 42 protruding towards the notch of the installation groove 41 is provided in the installation groove 41. Gold fingers 43 are provided on the plugging portion 42. A positioning groove 44 is opened at the edge of the installation groove 41 on the circuit board 4. When the electrical connector is installed in the installation groove 41, the plugging portion 42 is inserted into the socket 12, the conductive elastic piece 21 contacts the gold fingers 43, and the clamping block 132 and the positioning groove 44 form a clamping connection.

[0051] Further, when the electrical connector is installed in place in the installation groove 41, the groove edge of the installation groove 41 is inserted and matched with the first limiting groove 10 and the second limiting groove 133 on the corresponding side of the plastic housing 1; in this way, the circuit board can support and limit the electrical connector, thereby enhancing the reliability of the connection between the circuit board and the electrical connector.

[0052] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising a plastic shell (1), a terminal (2) and a lock (3); a plurality of terminal insertion holes (11) are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the plastic shell (1); a socket (12) connected to the terminal insertion hole (11) and used for inserting a plug-in portion (42) on a circuit board (4) is arranged in the middle of the front end of the plastic shell (1); a plurality of terminals (2) are inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes (11) in a one-to-one correspondence; a conductive spring (21) is arranged at the socket (12) at the front end of each terminal (2) for contacting a gold finger (43) on the plug-in portion (42); It is characterized in that The left and right sides of the plastic shell (1) are provided with elastic arms (13) capable of elastic deformation, the front end of the elastic arm (13) is connected to the plastic shell (1) as a whole, the free end of the elastic arm (13) extends backward and protrudes from the rear end of the plastic shell (1) and forms a pressing handle (131) at the end, and the side of the elastic arm (13) facing away from the plastic shell (1) is provided with an outwardly protruding block (132); The lock buckle (3) is mounted on the plastic shell (1), and a locking portion (31) and a limiting block (32) are provided on the lock buckle (3). When the lock buckle (3) is in a locked position, the locking portion (31) locks the terminal (2), and at the same time, the limiting block (32) extends into the gap between the elastic arm (13) and the plastic shell (1) to limit the deformation of the elastic arm (13) toward the plastic shell (1).

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first limiting groove (10) is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the plastic shell (1) in front of the elastic arm (13); the first limiting groove (10) and the socket (12) are at the same height; and the first limiting groove (10) is extended in the front-rear direction.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second limiting groove (133) is provided on the elastic arm (13) in front of the clamping block (132) along the front-to-back direction, and the first limiting groove (10) is aligned with the second limiting groove (133) in the front-to-back direction.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clamping groove (134) is provided on one side of the elastic arm (13) close to the plastic shell (1); a clamping platform (321) is provided on the limit block (32) at a position corresponding to the clamping groove (134); when the limit block (32) extends between the elastic arm (13) and the corresponding side surface of the plastic shell (1), the clamping platform (321) and the clamping groove (134) form a clamping fit.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock buckle (3) is connected to the upper part of the plastic shell (1) through a pivot connection structure, a first latching position (33) is provided on the lock buckle (3), and a second latching position (15) is provided on the plastic shell (1). When the lock buckle (3) is rotated to a locked position, the first latching position (33) is engaged with the second latching position (15).

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pivot connection structure comprises an axis portion (34) provided on one of the plastic shell (1) and the lock buckle (3) and an axis groove (16) provided on the other, wherein the axis portion (34) cooperates with the axis groove (16).

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the plastic shell (1) is provided with openings (14) connected to each terminal insertion hole (11); the lock buckle (3) has a plate-shaped portion (30) arranged in the left-right direction; the locking portion (31) is a boss formed on the plate-shaped portion (30) and corresponding to each opening hole (14); the limit block (32) is integrally formed at the corresponding end of the plate-shaped portion (30); when the lock buckle (3) is in a locked position, the locking portion (31) extends from the opening (14) into the terminal insertion hole (11) to abut against the terminal (2).

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the terminal (2) is provided with conductive spring sheets (21) on both the upper and lower sides of the socket (12); the conductive spring sheets (21) are elastic cantilever structures; and the conductive spring sheets (21) are bent with an arc angle facing away from the socket (12).

9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The front end of the terminal (2) is provided with two conductive spring sheets (21) on the upper and lower sides of the socket (12), one in front and one behind.

10. An electrical connector and circuit board combination structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a circuit board (4) and an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the edge of the circuit board (4) is provided with a mounting groove (41) for installing a power supply connector, the mounting groove (41) is provided with a plug-in portion (42) protruding toward the groove opening thereof, a gold finger (43) is provided on the plug-in portion (42), and a positioning groove (44) is provided on the circuit board (4) at the groove edge of the mounting groove (41); when the electrical connector is installed in the mounting groove (41), the plug-in portion (42) is inserted into the socket (12), the conductive spring sheet (21) contacts the gold finger (43), and the clamping block (132) is clamped with the positioning groove (44).

11. The electrical connector and circuit board combination structure according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the electrical connector is installed in place in the installation groove (41), the groove edge of the installation groove (41) is plugged into and matched with the first limiting groove (10) and the second limiting groove (133) on the corresponding sides of the plastic shell (1).

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