Card edge connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a card edge connector, contain: insulating casing, have the fitting opening, and the connecting object can be inserted the fitting opening, and multiple first contact piece are kept by the insulating casing. Each first contact piece contains first welding part, first holding part and first contact arm and first contact part. The first contact arm extends from the first holding part to the fitting opening. The first contact arm has first fulcrum part and second fulcrum part. In the process that the connecting object is inserted the fitting opening, the first contact arm is bent with the first fulcrum part as the fulcrum in proper order, then is further bent with the second fulcrum part as the fulcrum. In this way, can increase the clamping force to the connecting object and prevent the permanent deformation of first contact piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to connectors, and more particularly to card edge connectors. Background Technology

[0002] US Patent Publication No. 7828560B2 (Patent Document 1) discloses a horizontal card edge connector in which the contact arm of the contact member extends into an electronic card slot. When the electronic card is inserted into the slot, the contact arm is biased and bent at only one fulcrum. In this configuration, the length of the contact arm is shortened to increase the clamping force of the contact member on the electronic card or to reduce the dimensions of the connector in the electronic card insertion direction. When the electronic card is inserted into the slot, it may cause permanent deformation of the contact member. Utility Model Content

[0003] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a snap-edge connector that can provide sufficient clamping force to the connected object through the contact element and prevent permanent deformation of the contact element.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide a card edge connector that can reduce the size of the card edge connector in the mating direction.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a card edge connector is provided, comprising:

[0006] An insulating housing having a fitting opening, into which an object to be connected can be inserted in a first direction; and

[0007] Multiple first contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each first contact includes a first welding portion, a first holding portion, a first contact arm, and a first contact portion.

[0008] The first retaining portion is held by the insulating housing, the first contact arm extends from the first retaining portion to the fitting opening, the first contact portion is formed at the distal end of the first contact arm, and the first welding portion is opposite to the first contact portion.

[0009] The first contact arm is configured to have a first fulcrum portion and a second fulcrum portion, the first fulcrum portion being closer to the first holding portion than the second fulcrum portion, and the second fulcrum portion being located between the first contact portion and the first fulcrum portion.

[0010] In a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the second fulcrum portion is closer to the center plane of the fitting opening than the first fulcrum portion, and the center plane is perpendicular to the third direction.

[0011] According to the present invention, during the process of inserting the connecting object into the fitting opening, the first contact arm is biased by the connecting object in a direction away from the central plane, so that the first contact arm is bent sequentially with the first fulcrum as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the second fulcrum as the fulcrum.

[0012] According to the present invention, the insulating housing includes a first support portion for the first fulcrum portion to abut against and a second support portion for the second fulcrum portion to abut against, the first support portion and the second support portion being configured in a stepped shape.

[0013] According to the present invention, in the third direction, the second support portion is closer to the center plane of the mating opening than the first support portion.

[0014] According to the present invention, in the edge connector, the second fulcrum portion is separated from the second support portion when the object to be connected has not yet been inserted into the fitting opening.

[0015] According to the present invention, the edge connector further includes a plurality of second contacts held by the insulating housing and arranged along the second direction. Each second contact includes a second welding portion, a second holding portion, a second contact arm, and a second contact portion. The second holding portion is held by the insulating housing. The second contact arm extends from the second holding portion to the mating opening. The second contact portion is formed at the distal end of the second contact arm. The second welding portion is opposite to the second contact portion. The second contact arm is configured to have a third fulcrum portion and a fourth fulcrum portion. The third fulcrum portion is closer to the second holding portion than the fourth fulcrum portion. The fourth fulcrum portion is located between the second contact portion and the third fulcrum portion. In the third direction, the fourth fulcrum portion is closer to the central plane than the third fulcrum portion. The plurality of first contacts and the plurality of second contacts are configured such that the first contact arm and the second contact arm are spaced apart in the third direction and are symmetrical with respect to the central plane.

[0016] According to the present invention, during the process of inserting the connecting object into the fitting opening, the second contact arm is biased by the connecting object in a direction away from the central plane, so that the second contact arm is bent sequentially with the third fulcrum as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the fourth fulcrum as the fulcrum.

[0017] According to the present invention, the insulating housing includes a third support portion for the third fulcrum portion to abut against and a fourth support portion for the fourth fulcrum portion to abut against. The third support portion and the fourth support portion are configured in a stepped shape. In the third direction, the fourth support portion is closer to the center plane of the mating opening than the third support portion.

[0018] According to the present invention, the first welding part is connected to the first retaining part through the first extension part, and the second welding part is connected to the second retaining part through the second extension part.

[0019] According to the present invention, in the edge connector, one of the first extension and the second extension extends through the central plane, such that the first welding portion and the second welding portion are on the same side of the central plane.

[0020] The clamping force of the clamping object according to this utility model can be improved and permanent deformation of the contact parts can be avoided.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will be able to best understand the technical features and other objects and advantages of this utility model after referring to the specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the card plate, which is the object to be connected, inserted into the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention along a first direction.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the process of inserting the card plate, which is the object to be connected, into the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention along a first direction.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 10: Card edge connector

[0029] 11: Insulating housing

[0030] 110: Fitting opening

[0031] 112: First contact element receiving slot

[0032] 113: Second contact element receiving slot

[0033] 1121: First Support Section

[0034] 1122: Second Support Section

[0035] 12: First contact element

[0036] 121: First Welding Section

[0037] 122: First Extension

[0038] 123: First Maintenance Section

[0039] 124: First contact arm

[0040] 125: First contact part

[0041] 1241: First fulcrum section

[0042] 1242:Second Fulcrum Department

[0043] 13: Second contact element

[0044] 131: Second Welding Section

[0045] 132: Second Extension

[0046] 133: Second Maintenance Section

[0047] 134: Second contact arm

[0048] 135: Second contact part

[0049] D1: First Direction

[0050] D2: Second Direction

[0051] D3: Third direction

[0052] CS: Center plane. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates a card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same elements are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The card edge connector is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2This paper provides a summary description of the constituent elements of a snap-fit ​​connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The snap-fit ​​connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of first contacts 12, and a plurality of second contacts 13. The insulating housing 11 has a mating opening 110 into which an object to be connected can be inserted along a first direction D1 (matting direction). The first contacts 12 and second contacts 13 are held by the insulating housing 11 and arranged along a second direction D2 (width direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1. In a third direction D3 (height direction) perpendicular to both the first and second directions D1, the second contacts 13 are positioned above and spaced apart from the first contacts 12.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the card plate 20, which is the object to be connected, inserted into the card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention along the first direction D1. The card edge connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 30. In this embodiment, the card edge connector 10 is specifically implemented as a horizontal card edge connector, with its mating direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board 30. The card plate 20 has a plurality of contact pads 21 formed on its upper and lower surfaces (not shown). When the card plate 20 is inserted into the card edge connector 10, the contact pads 21 formed on the upper and lower surfaces will contact the second contact member 13 and the first contact member 12 of the card edge connector 10, respectively.

[0056] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 4 Further details of the insulating housing 11, the first contact 12, and the second contact 13 are shown. Figure 4 As shown, each first contact 12 includes a first welding portion 121, a first extension 122, a first retaining portion 123, a first contact arm 124, and a first contact portion 125. Each first contact 12 is housed in a first contact receiving groove 112 formed in an insulating housing, the first contact receiving groove 112 communicating with a fitting opening 110. The first retaining portion 123, having a barbed structure, is inserted into the first contact receiving groove 112 in an interference fit, such that the first contact 12 is securely held in the first contact receiving groove 112. The first contact arm 124 extends from the first retaining portion 123 to the fitting opening 110 to contact a contact pad formed in a retainer plate inserted into the fitting opening 110. The first contact portion 125 is formed at the distal end of the first contact arm 124. The first welding portion 121 is opposite to the first contact portion 125 and is connected to the first retaining portion 123 via the first extension 122.

[0057] The first contact arm 124 is configured to have a first fulcrum portion 1241 and a second fulcrum portion 1242. The first fulcrum portion 1241 is closer to the first holding portion 123 than the second fulcrum portion 1242, while the second fulcrum portion 1242 is located between the first contact portion 125 and the first fulcrum portion 1241. In the third direction D3, the second fulcrum portion 1242 is closer to the center plane CS of the fitting opening 110 than the first fulcrum portion 1241, and the center plane CS is perpendicular to the third direction D3.

[0058] The insulating housing 11 has a first support portion 1121 against which the first fulcrum portion 1241 abuts, and a second support portion 1122 against which the second fulcrum portion 1242 abuts. The first support portion 1121 and the second support portion 1122 are configured in a stepped shape. In the third direction D3, the second support portion 1122 is closer to the center plane CS of the fitting opening 110 than the first support portion 1121. When the card plate, which is the object to be connected, has not yet been inserted into the fitting opening 110, the second fulcrum portion 1242 is not against the second support portion 1122, but is spaced apart from the second support portion 1122.

[0059] Similarly, each second contact 13 includes a second welding portion 131, a second extension 132, a second holding portion 133, a second contact arm 134, and a second contact portion 135. Each second contact 13 is received in a second contact receiving groove 113 formed in the insulating housing, the second contact receiving groove 113 communicating with the fitting opening 110. The second holding portion 133, which has a barbed structure, is inserted into the second contact receiving groove 113 in an interference fit, so that the second contact 13 is securely held in the second contact receiving groove 113. The second contact arm 134 extends from the second holding portion 133 to the fitting opening 110 to contact the contact pad formed in the insert plate of the fitting opening 110. The second contact portion 135 is formed at the distal end of the second contact arm 134. The second welding portion 131 is opposite to the second contact portion 135 and is connected to the second holding portion 133 through the second extension 132. The second extension 132 extends from one side of the central plane CS across the central plane CS to the other side of the central plane CS, such that the first soldering part 121 and the second soldering part 131 are located on the same side of the central plane CS. In this way, the edge connector 10 can be mounted on the circuit board 30 with its mating direction parallel to the circuit board 30.

[0060] Similar to the first contact arm 124, the second contact arm 134 is configured to have a third fulcrum portion and a fourth fulcrum portion. The third fulcrum portion is closer to the second retaining portion than the fourth fulcrum portion, and the fourth fulcrum portion is located between the second contact portion and the third fulcrum portion. The insulating housing 11 includes a third support portion for the third fulcrum portion to abut against and a fourth support portion for the fourth fulcrum portion to abut against. The third and fourth support portions are configured in a stepped shape. In this embodiment, the first contact arm 124 and the second contact arm 134 are symmetrical with respect to the central plane CS of the fitting opening, and the first, second, third, and fourth support portions are symmetrical with respect to the central plane CS of the fitting opening. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the second contact arm 134, the third support portion, and the fourth support portion are omitted.

[0061] If necessary, the first contact arm and the second contact arm may be asymmetrical or made into different shapes relative to the center plane CS of the fitting opening, and the first support, the second support, the third support, and the fourth support may be asymmetrical or made into different shapes relative to the center plane CS of the fitting opening.

[0062] During the insertion of the clamping plate 20 into the fitting opening 110, the first contact arm 124 is biased by the clamping plate 30 in a direction away from the central plane CS, causing the first contact arm 124 to be bent sequentially with the first fulcrum 1241 as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the second fulcrum 1242 as the fulcrum. Similarly, the second contact arm 134 is biased by the clamping plate 30 in a direction away from the central plane CS, causing the second contact arm 134 to be bent sequentially with the third fulcrum as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the fourth fulcrum as the fulcrum.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the process of inserting the card plate, which is the object to be connected, into the card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention along a first direction. Because the first contact arm of the first contact member and the second contact arm of the second contact member are symmetrical, the movement of the second contact arm can be compared to the movement of the first contact arm. Therefore, in the following description, only the movement of the first contact arm will be described, and the movement of the second contact arm will be omitted.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the process of inserting the card plate 20 into the card edge connector 10 generally includes three stages: the first stage S1, the second stage S2, and the third stage S3. In the first stage S1, the card plate 20 is aligned with the fitting opening 110. At this time, the card plate 20 has not yet contacted the first contact member 12, and the second fulcrum portion 1242 of the first contact arm 124 of the first contact member 12 has not abutted against the second support portion 1122 of the insulating housing 11.

[0065] In the second stage S2, the card plate 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110, and the first contact arm 124 of the first contact member 12 is biased by the front end of the card plate 20 and bent with the first fulcrum 1241 as the fulcrum until the second fulcrum 1242 of the first contact arm 124 contacts the second support portion 1122.

[0066] In the third stage S3, as the card plate 20 is further inserted into the fitting opening 110, the first contact arm 124 of the first contact member 12 is further biased and bent with the second fulcrum portion 1242 as the fulcrum. At this time, because the distance between the first contact portion 125 and the fulcrum is shortened, the contact force between the first contact portion 125 and the card plate 20 increases.

[0067] According to this invention, when the first contact and the second contact are bent with the second fulcrum and the fourth fulcrum respectively as fulcrums, the clamping force applied to the card plate increases. Because the first contact arm of the first contact is bent sequentially with the first fulcrum and the second fulcrum as fulcrums, and the second contact arm of the second contact is bent sequentially with the third fulcrum and the fourth fulcrum as fulcrums, stress concentration in localized areas of the first and second contacts can be avoided, preventing permanent deformation of the first and second contacts. Therefore, the card edge connector according to this invention can provide sufficient clamping force to the card plate, which is the object to be connected, through the first and second contacts and can prevent permanent deformation of the first and second contacts. On the other hand, because stress does not concentrate in localized areas of the contacts, even if contacts with shorter contact arms are used, permanent deformation of the contacts will not occur. Therefore, the card edge connector according to this invention can be further miniaturized, especially contributing to reducing the size of the card edge connector in the mating direction.

[0068] Although the card edge connector in the above embodiments is specifically implemented as a horizontal card edge connector, the card edge connector according to the present invention is not limited thereto. If desired, the card edge connector according to the present invention can be specifically implemented as a vertical card edge connector.

[0069] Although this utility model has been described and demonstrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is subject to the wording of the claims, that is, any equivalent variations and modifications made without departing from the claims should still fall within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A card edge connector, characterized in that, Include: An insulating housing having a fitting opening, into which an object to be connected can be inserted in a first direction; and Multiple first contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each first contact includes a first welding portion, a first holding portion, a first contact arm, and a first contact portion. The first retaining portion is held by the insulating housing, the first contact arm extends from the first retaining portion to the fitting opening, the first contact portion is formed at the distal end of the first contact arm, and the first welding portion is opposite to the first contact portion. The first contact arm is configured to have a first fulcrum portion and a second fulcrum portion, the first fulcrum portion being closer to the first holding portion than the second fulcrum portion, and the second fulcrum portion being located between the first contact portion and the first fulcrum portion. In a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the second fulcrum portion is closer to the center plane of the fitting opening than the first fulcrum portion, and the center plane is perpendicular to the third direction.

2. The card edge connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, During the process of inserting the connecting object into the fitting opening, the first contact arm is biased by the connecting object in a direction away from the central plane, so that the first contact arm is bent sequentially with the first fulcrum as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the second fulcrum as the fulcrum.

3. The card edge connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating housing includes a first support portion for the first fulcrum portion to abut against and a second support portion for the second fulcrum portion to abut against, the first support portion and the second support portion being configured in a stepped shape.

4. The card edge connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, In the third direction, the second support portion is closer to the center plane of the fitting opening than the first support portion.

5. The card edge connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Before the object to be connected is inserted into the fitting opening, the second fulcrum portion is separated from the second support portion.

6. The card edge connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The edge connector further includes a plurality of second contacts held by the insulating housing and arranged along the second direction. Each second contact includes a second solder portion, a second retaining portion, a second contact arm, and a second contact portion. The second retaining portion is held by the insulating housing, the second contact arm extends from the second retaining portion to the fitting opening, the second contact portion is formed at the distal end of the second contact arm, and the second weld portion is opposite to the second contact portion. The second contact arm is configured to have a third fulcrum portion and a fourth fulcrum portion, the third fulcrum portion being closer to the second holding portion than the fourth fulcrum portion, and the fourth fulcrum portion being located between the second contact portion and the third fulcrum portion. In this third direction, the fourth fulcrum is closer to the central plane than the third fulcrum. The plurality of first contacts and the plurality of second contacts are configured such that the first contact arm and the second contact arm are spaced apart in the third direction and are symmetrical with respect to the central plane.

7. The card edge connector as described in claim 6, characterized in that, During the process of inserting the connecting object into the fitting opening, the second contact arm is biased by the connecting object in a direction away from the central plane, so that the second contact arm is bent sequentially with the third fulcrum as the fulcrum, and then further bent with the fourth fulcrum as the fulcrum.

8. The card edge connector as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The insulating housing includes a third support portion for the third fulcrum portion to abut against and a fourth support portion for the fourth fulcrum portion to abut against, the third support portion and the fourth support portion being constructed in a stepped shape. In the third direction, the fourth support is closer to the center plane of the fitting opening than the third support.

9. The card edge connector as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first welded portion is connected to the first retaining portion via a first extension, and the second welded portion is connected to the second retaining portion via a second extension.

10. The card edge connector as described in claim 9, characterized in that, One of the first extension and the second extension extends through the central plane, such that the first weld and the second weld are on the same side of the central plane.

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