A sinking board-to-board connector

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of circuit breakers, in particular to a sunken plate-to-plate connector which comprises two PCB plates and male and female connectors respectively welded on the different PCB plates, and the welding surfaces of the two PCB plates are both provided with insertion slots extending along the thickness direction of the PCB plates and respectively used for inserting the male and female connectors. The application sets the insertion slots for the connectors on the welding surfaces of the PCB plates, so that the male and female connectors can be partially or wholly sunken and embedded into the thickness direction of the PCB plates during welding, and the overall thickness of the connector module is obviously reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to a recessed board-to-board connector. Background Technology

[0002] Connectors, as a fundamental and crucial electronic component, primarily function to provide a reliable and separable electrical connection interface. They are mainly used to achieve current transmission and signal transmission between electrical devices, circuit boards, or wires and devices / circuit boards. Board-to-board connectors involve soldering a male connector and a female connector onto two separate PCBs, and then plugging the male and female connectors together to achieve electrical connection between the two PCBs.

[0003] In the existing technology, since both the connector and the PCB board have a certain thickness, the total thickness of the connector after it is soldered onto the PCB is large, which occupies a large space. Utility Model Content

[0004] To reduce the thickness of the connector on the PCB board, this application provides a recessed board-to-board connector.

[0005] This application provides a recessed board-to-board connector, which adopts the following technical solution: A recessed board-to-board connector includes two PCBs and a male connector and a female connector soldered to the different PCBs respectively. The soldering surfaces of the two PCBs are provided with slots extending along the thickness direction of the PCBs for the male connector and the female connector to be inserted respectively.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, and by setting slots for connector insertion on the soldering surface of the PCB board, the male and female connectors can be partially or completely "sunk" and embedded into the thickness direction of the PCB board during soldering, rather than protruding completely from the surface of the PCB board. This effectively reduces the total stack thickness of the two PCB boards after being connected by the connector, optimizes the internal space utilization of the electronic device, significantly reduces the overall thickness of the connector module, and solves the problem of large total thickness and large space occupation of the connector after soldering as mentioned in the background technology.

[0007] Optionally, the male connector includes multiple male terminals arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the male and female connectors and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the PCB board. Each male terminal includes an insertion portion. The female connector includes multiple female terminals arranged in the arrangement direction of each male terminal. Each female terminal includes two sets of connectors. The two sets of connectors are arranged in the arrangement direction of each female terminal, and a connection space for the insertion portion to be inserted is formed between the two sets of connectors.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the two sets of connectors of the female connector form a connection space for the insertion part to be inserted. That is, the connection space runs through the two end faces of the female connector in the thickness direction of the PCB board. Compared with the ordinary male and female connectors with square or round cross sections, this design allows the female connector to be inserted at an angle into the male connector, and then the female connector can be laid flat (or it can be inserted at an angle and laid flat at the same time). The female connector does not need to be strictly inserted into the male connector along the arrangement direction of the female connector and the male connector, which is conducive to guiding the insertion process and ensuring that the male and female terminals have clear guidance and stable contact points when inserted, making insertion convenient.

[0009] Optionally, the female connector further includes a female housing, with female terminals disposed within the female housing. A snap-fit ​​groove extending along the thickness direction of the PCB board is formed on the surface of the female housing. The snap-fit ​​groove communicates with the connection space and allows the insertion part to be inserted and pass through. The female housing includes a plug-in part. The male connector further includes a male housing, with male terminals disposed within the male housing. A plug-in groove for the plug-in part to be inserted is formed on the surface of the male housing near the female housing.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the snap-fit ​​groove on the female connector housing provides a precise insertion channel and guide for the insertion part of the male connector terminal, ensuring that the terminal can accurately enter the connection space. The insertion groove on the male connector housing cooperates with the insertion part of the female connector housing to form a primary mechanical connection and positioning mechanism between the connector housings, ensuring the precise alignment and initial locking of the overall male and female connector shells. The housing structure itself also protects the internal terminals from external force damage and environmental influences.

[0011] Optionally, a receiving groove is formed on the surface of the male head housing, extending in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the snap-fit ​​groove. The bottom wall of the receiving groove is used to fit and abut against the female head housing, and the insertion groove is formed on the groove wall of the receiving groove.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the design of the receiving groove allows the outer surface of the female connector housing to fit snugly against the bottom wall of the receiving groove when it is finally inserted, which is equivalent to providing a reference support surface for the female connector housing. This fit not only helps to limit the relative displacement of the connector in the thickness direction of the PCB board, improving the overall rigidity and stability of the connector, but also enables more precise control of the final relative position between the male and female connector housings, ensuring that the insertion part can be smoothly inserted into the insertion groove and reach the predetermined depth.

[0013] Optionally, the male connector housing has a backstop groove on its surface, one of the groove walls being a backstop surface. The female connector housing has a backstop block, which is used to abut against the backstop surface. When the male connector and the female connector are connected, the backstop block and the backstop surface are arranged along the arrangement direction of the male connector and the female connector.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the design of the anti-reverse block and the anti-reverse surface creates mechanical interference along the arrangement direction of the male and female connectors after the male and female connectors are fully inserted. When the connector is subjected to an unexpected pulling force attempting to separate it, the anti-reverse block will abut against the anti-reverse surface, preventing the connector from moving in the reverse direction of insertion / removal (i.e., the direction of withdrawal), thereby effectively preventing the connector from loosening due to vibration, impact, or accidental pulling during use, ensuring the durability and safety of the connection.

[0015] Optionally, the male connector housing has a locking block on its surface, and the locking block and the male connector housing are arranged along the arrangement direction of each male connector terminal. The female connector housing has a slot for the locking block to be inserted, and the slot wall has a protrusion for sliding contact with the locking block.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooperation between the locking block and the slot provides the main locking force, achieving a secure connection of the connector. The sliding contact design between the protrusion and the locking block plays a crucial role: on the one hand, during the mating process, the sliding contact between the protrusion and the locking block provides a certain guiding and frictional force, assisting the locking block to slide smoothly within the slot and from one side of the protrusion to the other; on the other hand, in the locked state, the side contact between the protrusion and the locking block restricts the movement of the locking block within the slot (especially the wobbling in the thickness direction of the PCB board), enhancing the stability and vibration resistance of the lock, preventing accidental unlocking of the latch, and ensuring a stable connection.

[0017] Optionally, both the male and female connector housings are provided with limiting blocks, which are used to fit and abut against the soldering surface of the PCB board.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, limiting blocks are set on the male and female connector housings. When the connector is inserted into the slot on the PCB board and soldered, the limiting blocks will abut against the soldering surface of the PCB board. This is equivalent to setting a hard stop point for the connector in the thickness direction of the PCB board, ensuring that the "sinking" depth of all connectors on their respective PCB boards is consistent and meets design expectations. This precise positioning is crucial for ensuring that the male and female connectors can be smoothly and accurately aligned and mated subsequently, and also contributes to the stability of the soldering process.

[0019] Optionally, an inclined clearance slope is formed on the surface of the plug portion near the bottom wall of the receiving groove. When the male connector is connected to the female connector, the distance between the clearance slope and the bottom wall of the plug groove decreases in the direction away from the bottom wall of the receiving groove.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the avoidance bevel on the connector provides additional guidance during the initial insertion of the connector into the male head housing's insertion slot. This guides the connector to smoothly slide into the depth of the insertion slot. Simultaneously, the bevel structure prevents rigid collisions or scraping between the connector root and the slot wall, reducing insertion and extraction forces and improving insertion smoothness and connector lifespan. While avoiding interference between the connector root and the slot wall when the connector begins to enter the slot, compared to designing the connector smaller than the slot size, this design allows the connector to fit snugly against the slot wall after the male and female connectors are connected, preventing excessive gaps that could affect connection stability.

[0021] Optionally, a clearance slope is formed on the surface of the insertion part away from the bottom wall of the receiving groove. When the male connector is connected to the female connector, the distance between the clearance slope and the bottom wall of the insertion groove increases in the direction away from the bottom wall of the receiving groove.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the beveled design on the connector portion prevents the end from jamming or getting stuck due to a slightly larger size when the connector portion is nearly fully inserted into the slot during the mating process. This ensures the connector can be fully mated and also helps reduce the final insertion and extraction force. While avoiding interference between the connector portion and the slot wall when the connector portion is nearly fully inserted, compared to designing the length of the connector portion to be greater than the depth of the slot, the design of this application ensures that the beveled surface is nearly aligned with the slot opening when the connector portion is nearly fully inserted. This serves as an indicator for the operator, showing that the connector is about to be fully inserted.

[0023] Optionally, the female connector housing has multiple mounting holes extending through it along the arrangement direction of the male connector and the female connector. Each mounting hole corresponds to a female connector terminal and allows the female connector terminal to be inserted and pass through. The wall of each mounting hole has a limiting groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the mounting hole. The groove wall of the limiting groove is used to abut against the female connector terminal.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the mounting hole provides an independent receiving channel for each female terminal, defining the main position of the terminal. The abutting engagement between the limiting groove and specific parts of the female terminal (such as shoulders, barbs, or curved structures) effectively restricts the movement of the terminal in its insertion direction, preventing the terminal from becoming loose. This structure ensures the neat arrangement of the terminal array, which is crucial for maintaining the electrical performance of the connector (such as impedance consistency and signal integrity) and the reliability of mechanical mating, while also simplifying the automated assembly process of the terminals.

[0025] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Male and female connectors can be partially or completely "sunk" and embedded into the thickness direction of the PCB board during soldering, which significantly reduces the overall thickness of the connector module; 2. The two sets of connectors of the female terminal block form a connection space for the insertion part to be inserted, so that the female connector can be inserted into the male connector at an angle, which is convenient for insertion; 3. The design of the anti-reverse block and the anti-reverse surface prevents the connector from moving in the reverse direction of insertion and removal, thereby effectively preventing the connector from loosening due to vibration, impact or accidental pulling during use, and ensuring the durability and safety of the connection. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the male connector, female connector, and PCB board in this application.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the female head housing that highlights the limiting groove in this application.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the male and female terminals in this application.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the female housing that highlights the card slot in this application.

[0031] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the male connector and the female connector in this application.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the female head shell that highlights the avoidance ramp in this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. PCB board; 11. Slot; 2. Male connector; 21. Male terminal block; 211. Insertion part; 22. Male housing; 221. Insertion groove; 222. Receiving groove; 223. Anti-reverse groove; 224. Anti-reverse surface; 225. Locking block; 3. Female connector; 31. Female terminal block; 311. Connector; 312. Connection space; 32. Female housing; 321. Locking groove; 322. Insertion part; 323. Anti-reverse block; 324. Locking groove; 325. Protrusion; 326. Clearance slope; 327. Clearance slope; 328. Mounting hole; 329. Limiting groove; 33. Grounding terminal; 4. Limiting block. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-7 This application will be described in further detail.

[0035] This application discloses a recessed board-to-board connector. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The recessed board-to-board connector includes two PCBs 1 and a male connector 2 and a female connector 3 soldered onto different PCBs 1. The soldering surfaces of the two PCBs 1 are provided with slots 11 extending along the thickness direction of the PCBs 1 for the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 to be inserted. The slots 11 extend through the two surfaces of the PCBs 1 along their extension direction.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The thickness direction of PCB board 1 is set to vertical, and the arrangement direction of the two PCB boards 1 is left-right. The male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are arranged from left to right. The male connector 2 includes a male housing 22, and the female connector 3 includes a female housing 32. Limiting blocks 4 are integrally formed on the side walls of both the male housing 22 and the female housing 32. The limiting blocks 4 are used to fit and abut against the upper surface of the PCB board 1 to limit the depth of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 into the slot 11.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 The female connector 3 also includes multiple female terminals 31 evenly distributed in the front-to-back direction. The female terminals 31 extend in the left-to-right direction. The left end of the female terminal 31 is used for electrical connection with the male connector 2, and the right end is soldered to the upper surface of the PCB board 1. The female connector 3 also includes two grounding terminals 33 extending in the front-to-back direction, which are soldered to the PCB board 1.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3The left and right side walls of the female connector housing 32 have through-holes 328 extending in the left-right direction for the female connector terminals 31 to be inserted and pass through. Multiple through-holes 328 are provided, each corresponding to a specific female connector terminal 31. The front and rear walls of each through-hole 328 have limiting grooves 329 extending in the front-back direction, penetrating the right side wall of the female connector housing 32. When the female connector terminal 31 is inserted into the through-hole 328 from right to left, the female connector terminal 31 abuts against the left wall of the limiting groove 329. The right end of the female connector terminal 31 is then soldered onto the PCB board 1, and with the grounding terminal 33, the female connector 3 is fixedly mounted on the PCB board 1. In other embodiments, the limiting grooves 329 may also be provided on the upper and lower walls of the through-holes 328 and extend vertically.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 The male connector 2 also includes multiple male terminals 21 evenly distributed along the front-to-back direction. The male terminals 21 extend along the left-to-right direction, with the right end for electrical connection to the female connector 3 and the left end soldered to the upper surface of the PCB board 1. The male connector 2 includes a ground terminal 33 extending along the front-to-back direction, with both ends of the ground terminal 33 soldered to the PCB board 1. In practical use, the ground terminal 33 on the male connector 2 can also be used as a functional terminal. The male terminals 21 are mounted on the male housing 22 in the same way as the female terminals 31 are mounted on the female housing 32.

[0040] Reference Figure 4 The male terminal block 21 includes an insertion portion 211 for electrical connection with the female connector 3. Each female terminal block 31 includes two sets of connectors 311 arranged in a front-to-back direction, forming a connection space 312 between the two sets of connectors 311 for insertion of the insertion portion 211. The connection space 312 extends vertically through the female terminal block 31, allowing the male terminal block 21 and the female terminal block 31 to be connected at an angle (similar to a knife switch).

[0041] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The lower surface of the female head housing 32 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove 321 that extends vertically and communicates with the connection space 312. The snap-fit ​​groove 321 is for the insertion part 211 to be inserted and pass through.

[0042] Reference Figure 6 The female connector housing 32 includes a plug portion 322 located at its left end. The right surface of the male connector housing 22 has a plug groove 221 extending in the left-right direction for the plug portion 322 to be inserted into. The male connector terminal 21 is inserted into and passes through the plug groove 221.

[0043] Reference Figure 6 A vertically extending receiving groove 222 is formed on the upper surface of the male connector housing 22, penetrating the right surface of the male connector housing 22. The lower wall of the receiving groove 222 is used to fit and abut against the lower surface of the female connector housing 32, thereby limiting the position of the female connector housing 32. A insertion groove 221 is formed on the left wall of the receiving groove 222.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 7 On the lower surface of the left end of the plug part 322, an inclined clearance slope 326 is formed by a chamfering process. When the male connector 2 is connected to the female connector 3, the clearance slope 326 is inclined in a direction that is more inclined to the left and more inclined to the top.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 7 On the upper surface of the right end of the plug part 322, a relief slope 327 is formed by a chamfering process. When the male connector 2 is connected to the female connector 3, the relief slope 327 tilts in a direction that is more inclined to the right and more upward.

[0046] Reference Figure 6 The front and rear walls of the receiving groove 222 are integrally formed with locking blocks 225, which extend in the front-rear direction. The front and rear surfaces of the female connector housing 32 are each provided with a locking groove 324 extending in the front-rear direction for the locking blocks 225 to be inserted, and the locking groove 324 penetrates the lower surface of the female connector housing 32. The front and rear walls of the locking groove 324 are also integrally formed with protrusions 325 for sliding against the locking blocks 225. When the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are connected, the locking block 225 slides from the lower surface of the female connector housing 32 into the locking groove 324, continues to slide upwards and slides against the protrusions 325, and finally slides above the protrusions 325 (similar to a snap-fit ​​structure).

[0047] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6 The front and rear walls of the receiving groove 222 are also provided with anti-reverse grooves 223 extending in the front-reverse direction, and the anti-reverse grooves 223 penetrate the upper surface of the male connector housing 22. The right wall of the anti-reverse groove 223 is a anti-reverse surface 224. Anti-reverse blocks 323 are integrally formed on both the front and rear surfaces of the female connector housing 32, and the right surface of the anti-reverse block 323 is used to abut against the anti-reverse surface 224. When the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are connected, the anti-reverse blocks 323 and the anti-reverse surface 224 are arranged in a direction from left to right.

[0048] The connection principle of a recessed board-to-board connector according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: the PCB board 1 with the female connector 3 soldered on is tilted to the right and upward and brought close to the PCB board 1 with the male connector 2 soldered on, so that the insertion part 322 is inserted into the insertion groove 221. When the anti-reverse block 323 and the anti-reverse groove 223 are aligned in the vertical direction, the PCB board 1 with the female connector 3 soldered on is gradually flattened, so that the locking block 225 slides into the locking groove 324 and slides against the protrusion 325 until the locking block 225 slides above the protrusion 325. At this time, a "click" sound is heard, indicating that the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are connected in place.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A recessed board-to-board connector, comprising two PCBs (1) and a male connector (2) and a female connector (3) respectively soldered onto different PCBs (1), characterized in that: Both of the PCB boards (1) have slots (11) extending along the thickness direction of the PCB board (1) for inserting male connector (2) and female connector (3).

2. The mezzanine board-to-board connector according to claim 1, characterized by: The male connector (2) includes a plurality of male terminals (21) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the male connector (2) and the female connector (3) and perpendicular to the thickness direction of the PCB board (1). The male terminal (21) includes an insertion part (211). The female connector (3) includes a plurality of female terminals (31) arranged in the arrangement direction of each male terminal (21). Each female terminal (31) includes two sets of connectors (311). The two sets of connectors (311) are arranged in the arrangement direction of each female terminal (31), and a connection space (312) for the insertion part (211) to be inserted is formed between the two sets of connectors (311).

3. The mezzanine board-to-board connector of claim 2, wherein: The female connector (3) also includes a female housing (32), and the female terminal (31) is disposed inside the female housing (32). A snap-fit ​​groove (321) extending along the thickness direction of the PCB board (1) is provided on the surface of the female housing (32). The snap-fit ​​groove (321) communicates with the connection space (312) and allows the insertion part (211) to be inserted and pass through. The female housing (32) includes a plug-in part (322). The male connector (2) also includes a male housing (22), and the male terminal (21) is disposed inside the male housing (22). A plug-in groove (221) for the insertion part (322) to be inserted is provided on the surface of the male housing (22) near the female housing (32).

4. The mezzanine board-to-board connector of claim 3, wherein: The male housing (22) has a receiving groove (222) extending in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the snap-fit ​​groove (321) on its surface. The bottom wall of the receiving groove (222) is used to fit and abut against the female housing (32). The insertion groove (221) is formed on the groove wall of the receiving groove (222).

5. The mezzanine board-to-board connector of claim 3, wherein: The male connector housing (22) has a backstop groove (223) on its surface. One of the groove walls of the backstop groove (223) is a backstop surface (224). The female connector housing (32) has a backstop block (323) which is used to abut against the backstop surface (224). When the male connector (2) and the female connector (3) are connected, the backstop block (323) and the backstop surface (224) are arranged along the arrangement direction of the male connector (2) and the female connector (3).

6. The mezzanine board-to-board connector of claim 3, wherein: The male connector housing (22) has a locking block (225) on its surface. The locking block (225) and the male connector housing (22) are arranged along the arrangement direction of each male connector terminal (21). The female connector housing (32) has a slot (324) for the locking block (225) to be inserted. The slot wall of the slot (324) has a protrusion (325) for sliding contact with the locking block (225).

7. The sinking board-to-board connector according to claim 3, characterized by: Both the male head housing (22) and the female head housing (32) are provided with limiting blocks (4), which are used to fit and abut against the welding surface of the PCB board (1).

8. The sinking board-to-board connector according to claim 4, characterized by: The insertion part (322) has an inclined clearance slope (326) formed on the surface of the bottom wall of the receiving groove (222) near the groove. When the male connector (2) is connected to the female connector (3), the distance between the clearance slope (326) and the bottom wall of the insertion groove (221) decreases in the direction away from the bottom wall of the receiving groove (222).

9. The recessed board-to-board connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The insertion part (322) has an inclined relief slope (327) formed on the surface of the bottom wall of the groove away from the receiving groove (222). When the male connector (2) is connected to the female connector (3), the distance between the relief slope (327) and the bottom wall of the insertion groove (221) increases in the direction away from the bottom wall of the receiving groove (222).

10. The mezzanine board-to-board connector of claim 3, wherein: The female connector housing (32) has multiple mounting holes (328) extending through the arrangement direction of the male connector (2) and the female connector (3). Each mounting hole (328) corresponds to each female connector terminal (31) and allows the female connector terminal (31) to be inserted and pass through. The wall of the mounting hole (328) has a limiting groove (329) extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the mounting hole (328). The groove wall of the limiting groove (329) is used to abut against the female connector terminal (31).

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