Connector and PLC controller

Abstract

The utility model discloses a connector and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The connector comprises a first conductor and a second conductor connected with the first conductor, the first conductor comprises an elastic part and a connecting part, the connecting part is provided with a near end and a far end which are opposite to each other, the near end is connected with the elastic part, the far end is connected with the second conductor, and the elastic part is constructed to be bent outwards in the direction away from the connecting part; and the second conductor is provided with a mounting part for accommodating the main circuit board. According to the connector and the PLC provided by the invention, the PLC and the I / O module are convenient to disassemble and assemble, and stable electric connection can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication equipment technology, specifically to a connector and a PLC controller. Background Technology

[0002] A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is a digital electronic device with a microprocessor. It is a digital logic controller used for automation control and can load control instructions into memory for storage and execution at any time.

[0003] The existing PLC controller's main circuit board and the expansion module's (such as I / O module) circuit board are connected by a connecting cable to achieve communication. However, the process of connecting the cable to and from the main circuit board and the expansion module's circuit board requires that one end of the cable be connected to the connection point of the main circuit board and the other end be connected to the connection point of the expansion module's circuit board. This process is cumbersome and causes inconvenience to the assembly and disassembly of the PLC controller and the expansion module. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address at least one technical problem in the prior art, one objective of this application is to provide a connector and a PLC controller, wherein the PLC controller and I / O module are easy to assemble and disassemble, and a stable electrical connection can be achieved.

[0005] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A connector includes: a first conductor and a second conductor connected thereto; the first conductor includes: an elastic portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having opposing proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being connected to the elastic portion, the distal end being connected to the second conductor, the elastic portion being configured to bend outward in a direction away from the connecting portion; the second conductor is provided with a mounting portion for accommodating a main circuit board.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the connector includes: an abutment unit for preventing the elastic portion from elastically deforming unrestricted toward the connection portion; the first conductor further includes a transition portion for carrying the abutment unit.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion extends approximately along the X direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the elastic portion extends approximately along the Z direction, the transition portion connects the elastic portion and the proximal end of the connecting portion, and the transition portion is configured to form a recessed space in a direction away from the elastic portion, and the abutting unit is disposed in the recessed space.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the first conductor and the second conductor are combined to form a set of sub-connectors, the set of sub-connectors having multiple sub-connectors and spaced apart approximately along the y-direction.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the abutting unit includes: a plate and abutting protrusions protruding from the plate toward the elastic portion, the abutting protrusions corresponding one-to-one with the elastic portion, the abutting protrusions being adapted to the curved shape of the elastic portion, and the plate and the abutting protrusions being made of insulating material.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the second conductor has a body that extends generally along the Z direction and has the mounting portion formed thereon, the mounting portion being configured as a U-shaped groove extending along the body, and the body also having a contact portion protruding toward the U-shaped groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first conductor has a connector with a plug hole, and the second conductor has a connector that mates with the plug hole.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the connector includes: a housing, the first conductor and the second conductor being mounted inside the housing, the housing having a window portion, and the elastic portion bending outward from the window portion and extending to the outside of the housing.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the housing has opposing inner and outer sides, a first limiting part is provided between the inner side and the elastic portion of the first conductor to limit the position of the first conductor within the housing; a second limiting part is provided between the outer side and the second conductor to limit the position of the second conductor within the housing.

[0015] A PLC controller, including any of the connectors described above.

[0016] A PLC controller includes a main circuit board, any one of the aforementioned connectors, and an I / O module; the I / O module is electrically connected to the main circuit board via the connector.

[0017] Beneficial effects:

[0018] The connector provided in this application has a first conductor and a second conductor. The second conductor is provided with a mounting portion for accommodating the main circuit board. The elastic portion of the first conductor is used for elastic connection with the expansion module. The elastic portion undergoes elastic deformation under pressure, and the expansion module and the first conductor can make close contact, thereby achieving stable current conduction.

[0019] When the PLC controller provided in this application is connected to the expansion module, the current is transmitted from the main circuit board of the PLC controller to the circuit board of the expansion module in sequence through the second conductor and the first conductor. This connection structure makes it not only easy to install and remove, but also to achieve a stable electrical connection.

[0020] Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of the present invention can be employed. It should be understood that the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0022] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, whole, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, or components. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 The image shown is a schematic diagram of the connector provided in an embodiment of this application from one view.

[0025] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the connector provided in an embodiment of this application from another perspective;

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a split structure diagram of the connector (without the housing) provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 The image shown is a side view of the connector (without the housing) provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the structure of the first conductor and the second conductor provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the PLC controller provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 100. Connector; 10. Housing; 101. Window; 102. First limiting part; 103. Second limiting part; 104. Third limiting part; 1. First conductor; 11. Elastic part; 111. First stop position; 12. Connecting part; 13. Transition part; 2. Second conductor; 20. Mounting part; 21. Contact part; 22. Insertion part; 3. Abutting unit; 31. Plate; 32. Abutting protrusion; 33. Second stop position. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0033] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or may be interposed with another element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or may be interposed with another element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementations.

[0034] The following will combine Figures 1 to 6 The connectors and PLC controllers described in the embodiments of this specification are explained and illustrated. It should be noted that, for ease of explanation, the same reference numerals denote the same components in the embodiments of the present invention. For brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments, and the descriptions of the same components can be cross-referenced and used.

[0035] This specification provides a connector 100, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, it includes: a first conductor 1 and a second conductor 2 connected thereto; the first conductor 1 includes: an elastic portion 11 and a connecting portion 12, the connecting portion 12 having opposing proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being connected to the elastic portion 11, and the distal end being connected to the second conductor 2, the elastic portion 11 being configured to bend outward in a direction away from the connecting portion 12; the second conductor 2 is provided with a mounting portion 20 for accommodating a main circuit board (not shown).

[0036] The connector 100 provided in this application has a first conductor 1 and a second conductor 2. The second conductor 2 is provided with a mounting portion 20 for accommodating the main circuit board. The elastic portion 11 of the first conductor 1 is used for elastic connection with the expansion module. The elastic portion 11 undergoes elastic deformation under pressure, and the expansion module and the first conductor 1 can be in close contact, thereby achieving stable current conduction.

[0037] When the PLC controller provided in this application is connected to the expansion module, the current is transmitted from the main circuit board of the PLC controller to the circuit board of the expansion module in sequence through the second conductor 2 and the first conductor 1. This connection structure makes it not only easy to install and remove, but also to achieve a stable electrical connection.

[0038] The first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 can be made of conductive materials, such as metal; or the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 can be formed by coating a conductive layer on a non-conductive material. When the connector 100 is applied to a PLC controller and connects an expansion module, the second conductor 2 is relatively close to the main circuit board of the PLC controller, and the first conductor 1 is relatively close to the expansion module, thereby serving as a current path between the circuit board on the expansion module and the main circuit board of the PLC controller.

[0039] The first conductor 1 includes an elastic part 11 and a connecting part 12. The connecting part 12 connects the elastic part 11 to the second conductor 2. The elastic part 11 is used to contact the expansion module and bends outward in a direction away from the connecting part 12. In this specification, the connector includes an abutment unit 3, used to prevent the elastic part 11 from elastically deforming indefinitely toward the connecting part 12. When the expansion module abuts against the elastic part 11, the elastic part 11 will deform toward the connecting part 12. By providing the abutment unit 3 behind the elastic part 11, the elastic part 11 can be prevented from elastically deforming indefinitely toward the connecting part 12, ensuring the connection stability between the expansion module and the elastic part 11. Preventing the elastic part 11 from elastically deforming indefinitely means allowing the elastic part 11 to have a certain amount of elastic deformation, thereby accumulating some elastic potential energy, but the elastic part 11 will not cause a large amount of deformation due to external force. The bending shape of the elastic part 11 is preferably arc-shaped.

[0040] The first conductor 1 also has a transition portion 13, which is used to support the abutting unit 3. Further, the transition portion 13 supports the abutting unit 3 between the elastic portion 11 and the connecting portion 12.

[0041] like Figures 2 to 4As shown in the example, the connecting portion 12 extends approximately along the X direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the elastic portion 11 extends approximately along the Z direction, the transition portion 13 connects the elastic portion 11 and the proximal end of the connecting portion 12, and the transition portion 13 is configured to form a recessed space in a direction away from the elastic portion 11, and the abutting unit 3 is disposed in the recessed space.

[0042] Furthermore, the connecting portion 12 extends generally in the transverse direction, where "generally" means that the angle of inclination between the extending direction of the connecting portion 12 and the X direction is small, with an error within 15°. The elastic portion 11 extends generally in the Z direction, that is, the angle of inclination between the longitudinal extending direction of the elastic portion 11 and the Z direction is small. In order to support the abutting unit 3, the transition portion 13 is constructed with a recessed space in the direction opposite to the elastic portion 11 (i.e., along the negative Z direction).

[0043] In one embodiment, the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 are combined to form a set of sub-connectors, the set of sub-connectors having a plurality of them and being spaced apart approximately along the y-direction.

[0044] In this embodiment, in order to accommodate the elastic portion 11 of multiple sub-connectors, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the abutting unit 3 includes: a plate 31 and abutting protrusions 32 protruding from the plate 31 toward the elastic part 11. The abutting protrusions 32 correspond one-to-one with the elastic part 11. The abutting protrusions 32 are adapted to the curved shape of the elastic part 11. The plate 31 and the abutting protrusions 32 are made of insulating material.

[0045] Specifically, the abutting unit 3 can be a single integral part. During the assembly of the connector, the abutting unit 3 can be installed in the recessed space of each transition part 13. The shape of the abutting protrusion 32 is adapted to the bending shape of the elastic part 11. When the bending shape of the elastic part 11 is arc-shaped, the protrusion shape of the abutting protrusion 32 is also arc-shaped, so that the arc-shaped shape can be maintained when the elastic part 11 undergoes elastic deformation.

[0046] The abutment unit 3 is made entirely of insulating material to prevent short circuits in the connector when current is flowing. Furthermore, since multiple sets of sub-connectors are spaced apart along the y-direction, multiple elastic portions 11 are also spaced apart, and therefore the abutment protrusions 32 are also spaced apart on the plate 31.

[0047] In one implementation, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the second conductor 2 has a body that extends generally along the Z direction and has the mounting portion 20 formed thereon. The mounting portion 20 is configured as a U-shaped groove extending along the body. The body is also provided with a contact portion 21 that protrudes toward the U-shaped groove.

[0048] In this embodiment, the main circuit board is mounted on the mounting portion 20 of the second conductor 2. To stably accommodate the circuit board, the mounting portion 20 is constructed as a U-shaped groove extending along the main body, the width of which can be set according to the width of the circuit board. The main body also has a contact portion 21. When the circuit board is mounted in the U-shaped groove, the contact portion 21 contacts the terminals or conductive contacts on the circuit board, thereby guiding the current on the second conductor 2 through the contact portion 21 to the terminals or conductive contacts on the circuit board.

[0049] In one embodiment, the connecting portion 12 of the first conductor 1 is provided with a plug hole, and the second conductor 2 is provided with a plug portion 22 that mates with the plug hole. The first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 can be detachably connected through the engagement of the plug hole and the plug portion 22. In other possible embodiments, the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 can be connected in other fixed ways, which are not particularly limited in this specification.

[0050] In this instruction manual, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connector 100 includes: a housing 10, the first conductor 1 and the second conductor 2 are installed inside the housing 10, the housing 10 is provided with a window portion 101, and the elastic portion 11 bends outward from the window portion 101 and extends to the outside of the housing 10.

[0051] In one embodiment, the housing 10 has opposing inner and outer sides, a first limiting part 102 is provided between the inner side and the elastic part 11 of the first conductor 1 to limit the position of the first conductor 1 within the housing 10; a second limiting part 103 is provided between the outer side and the second conductor 2 to limit the position of the second conductor 2 within the housing 10.

[0052] In this embodiment, corresponding to the first limiting part 102, the elastic part 11 also has a first stop position 111. In addition to the bent part, the elastic part 11 also has a part that continues to extend upward. This part abuts against the first limiting part 102 of the housing 10 to form the first stop position 111, so as to prevent the elastic part 11 from coming out of the housing 10.

[0053] In this embodiment, the second limiting part 103 can be in the form of a slot for mounting the second conductor 2. Furthermore, the abutting unit 3 is also mounted in the housing 10, so a third limiting part 103 can also be provided on the housing 10. Correspondingly, a second stop position 33 is also provided on the abutting unit 3.

[0054] This manual also provides a PLC controller, such as... Figure 6 As shown, it includes any of the connectors 100 described above. The PLC controller provided in this specification can solve the technical problems addressed by the above embodiments and achieve the technical effects of the above implementation methods. Specific details will not be elaborated further in this application.

[0055] This specification also provides a PLC controller, including a main circuit board, any of the aforementioned connectors 100, and an I / O module; the I / O module is electrically connected to the main circuit board via the connector. The PLC controller provided in this specification can solve the technical problems addressed by the above embodiments and achieve the corresponding technical effects of the above implementation methods; specific details will not be elaborated further here.

[0056] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. Many embodiments and applications beyond the provided examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of this teaching should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. For purposes of completeness, all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the preceding claims is not intended as a waiver of that subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventor has not considered that subject matter as part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, include: The first conductor and the second conductor connected to it; The first conductor includes an elastic portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to each other, the proximal end being connected to the elastic portion, and the distal end being connected to the second conductor, the elastic portion being configured to bend outward in a direction away from the connecting portion; the second conductor is provided with a mounting portion for accommodating a main circuit board.

2. The connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector includes: an abutment unit for preventing the elastic portion from elastically deforming indefinitely toward the connection portion; the first conductor further includes a transition portion for carrying the abutment unit.

3. The connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting portion extends approximately along the X direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the elastic portion extends approximately along the Z direction, the transition portion connects the elastic portion and the proximal end of the connecting portion, and the transition portion is configured to form a recessed space in a direction away from the elastic portion, and the abutting unit is disposed in the recessed space.

4. The connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first conductor and the second conductor are combined to form a set of sub-connectors, which are multiple and spaced apart approximately along the y-direction.

5. The connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The abutment unit It includes: a plate body and abutting protrusions protruding from the plate body toward the elastic part, the abutting protrusions corresponding one-to-one with the elastic part, the abutting protrusions being adapted to the curved shape of the elastic part, and the plate body and the abutting protrusions being made of insulating material.

6. The connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The second conductor has a body that extends generally along the Z direction and has the mounting portion formed thereon. The mounting portion is configured as a U-shaped groove extending along the body. The body is also provided with a contact portion that protrudes toward the U-shaped groove.

7. The connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first conductor has a connector hole on its connecting part, and the second conductor has a connector that mates with the connector hole.

8. The connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector includes: a housing, the first conductor and the second conductor installed inside the housing, the housing having a window, and the elastic portion bending outward from the window and extending to the outside of the housing.

9. The connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The housing has opposing inner and outer sides. A first limiting part is provided between the inner side and the elastic part of the first conductor to limit the position of the first conductor within the housing. A second limiting part is provided between the outer side and the second conductor to limit the position of the second conductor within the housing.

10. A PLC controller, characterized in that, Includes the connector as described in any one of claims 1-9.

11. A PLC controller, characterized in that, It includes a main circuit board, a connector as described in any one of claims 1-9, and an I / O module; the I / O module is electrically connected to the main circuit board via the connector.

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