Electrical connection modules, connectors, and connector assemblies

Abstract

To provide a circuit board that does not affect the floating performance of a floating housing. [Solution] The electrical connection module has a circuit board comprising a first rigid substrate portion 31 with a first insertion hole into which a first terminal 1 is inserted, a second rigid substrate portion 32 with a second insertion hole into which a second terminal 2 is inserted, and an intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 connected between the first rigid substrate portion and the second rigid substrate portion and configured to be bendable. Conductive traces are formed on the circuit board to electrically connect the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole. The first terminal is configured to be fixed to the connector's fixed housing for mating with the mating terminal of the mating connector, and the second terminal is configured to be held in the floating housing of the connector. The intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board can be elastically deformed in conjunction with the floating of the floating housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202411448682.2, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on October 16, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical connection module, a connector including the electrical connection module, and a connector assembly including the connector.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, a connector generally includes a housing, a circuit board, a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals, and a floating seat. The circuit board is provided in the housing, and one ends of the first terminals and the second terminals are inserted into the circuit board. The first terminals are fixed to the housing to fit with mating terminals inserted into the housing. The floating seat is movably attached to the housing and can float relative to the housing. The second terminals pass through the holding holes of the floating seat to be electrically connected to an external circuit board. In the prior art, the circuit board in the connector is a single rigid board that cannot elastically deform. Therefore, when the insertion and extraction force between the second terminal and the floating seat is large, the floating seat is likely to become non - floating relative to the housing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention is made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above - mentioned drawbacks.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, an electrical connection module is provided. The electrical connection module comprises a circuit board, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The circuit board includes a first rigid substrate portion having a first insertion hole, a second rigid substrate portion having a second insertion hole, and an intermediate flexible substrate portion connected between the first rigid substrate portion and the second rigid substrate portion and configured to be bendable. The first terminal has a first pin that is inserted into the first insertion hole. The second terminal has a second pin that is inserted into the second insertion hole. Conductive traces are formed on the circuit board to electrically connect the first and second insertion holes, the first terminal is configured to be fixed to a fixed housing of a connector for mating with a mating terminal of a mating connector, and the second terminal is configured to be held in a floating housing of the connector.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first pin is electrically connected to the second pin via a conductive trace on the circuit board, and when the intermediate flexible substrate portion is bent into a U-shape, the first rigid substrate portion and the second rigid substrate portion face each other.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the intermediate soft plate portion is thinner than the thickness of the first hard plate portion and the second hard plate portion, so that the intermediate soft plate portion is elastic and can be bent into a U-shape.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first pin of the first terminal is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into a first insertion hole of the circuit board, and the second pin of the second terminal is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into a second insertion hole of the circuit board.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of array-arranged first insertion holes are formed in a first rigid substrate, and a plurality of array-arranged second insertion holes are formed in a second rigid substrate, and the electrical connection module comprises a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals, the first pins of the plurality of first terminals being inserted into the plurality of first insertion holes, and the second pins of the plurality of second terminals being inserted into the plurality of second insertion holes, respectively.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first locking hole configured to engage with a first elastic buckle of a fixed housing is formed in the first rigid plate portion for securing the first rigid plate portion to the fixed housing, and / or a second locking hole suitable for engaging with a second elastic buckle of a floating housing is formed in the second rigid plate portion for securing the second rigid plate portion to the floating housing.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a fixed housing suitable for being fixed to a mounting panel, a floating housing movably attached to the rear of the fixed housing and capable of floating relative to the fixed housing, and the above-mentioned electrical connection module. The intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board is bent so that a first rigid substrate portion and a second rigid substrate portion face each other in the longitudinal direction of the fixed housing or form a certain angle, the first terminal is fixed to the fixed housing for mating with the mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the fixed housing, the floating housing is suitable for being mounted to an external circuit board, and the second terminal is held in the floating housing for electrical connection to the external circuit board.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed housing includes a front housing portion and a rear housing portion located on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the fixed housing, and a partition wall separating the internal cavities of the front housing portion and the rear housing portion, wherein a first terminal hole is formed in the partition wall, a first rigid plate portion is housed in the rear housing portion of the fixed housing, and a first terminal extends into the front housing portion through the first terminal hole in the partition wall and engages with a mating terminal inserted into the front housing portion.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal is fitted into the first terminal hole to secure the first terminal within the fixed housing.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first elastic buckle is formed in the partition wall of the fixed housing, and the first elastic buckle engages with a first locking hole in the first rigid plate portion to lock the first rigid plate portion to the fixed housing.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first support projection is formed in the bulkhead of a fixed housing, and the first support projection is suitable for contacting one side of the first rigid plate portion. The first elastic buckle includes a first cantilever portion connected to the bulkhead and a first projection formed at the end of the first cantilever. The first cantilever portion passes through a first locking hole, and the first projection and the first support projection are positioned on both sides of the first rigid plate portion, respectively, to secure the first rigid plate portion to the bulkhead.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating housing includes an end wall facing a second rigid plate portion and a peripheral wall connected around the end wall, a second terminal hole formed in the end wall of the floating housing, a second rigid substrate portion housed in the floating housing, and a second terminal extending from the floating housing through the second terminal hole and inserted into an insertion hole of an external circuit board.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second terminal is secured to the floating housing by being fitted into the second terminal hole.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a second elastic buckle is formed on the end wall of the floating housing, and the second elastic buckle engages with a second locking hole in the second rigid plate portion to lock the second rigid plate portion to the floating housing.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a positioning column is formed on the outer surface of the end wall of the floating housing and is used to fit into a positioning hole in an external circuit board to guide a second terminal into an insertion hole in the external circuit board.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two positioning posts having different diameters are formed on the outer surface of the end wall of the floating housing, and the two positioning posts are used to fit, respectively, into two positioning holes having different diameters of an external circuit board.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral wall of the floating housing is mounted within the rear housing portion of the fixed housing, and a plurality of spaced and dispersed elastic buckles are formed in the peripheral wall of the floating housing, and a plurality of slots are formed in the rear housing portion of the fixed housing, and the plurality of elastic buckles movably engage with each of the plurality of slots, so that the floating housing can float relative to the fixed housing but cannot be separated from the fixed housing.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic buckle includes a cantilever and a projection formed at the end of the cantilever. The projection of the elastic buckle engages with a slot, the size of which is greater than the projection, allowing the floating housing to float relative to the fixed housing along the longitudinal, lateral, and height directions of the fixed housing.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of elastic structures arranged at intervals are also formed on the peripheral wall of the floating housing, a plurality of support bases are formed on the partition walls of the fixed housing, and the plurality of elastic structures are configured to be respectively placed on the plurality of support bases and can be elastically deformed along the longitudinal direction of the fixed housing. Therefore, the floating housing can float longitudinally with respect to the fixed housing.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic structure includes a pair of curved elastic arms, and the elastic structure is Ω-shaped.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed housing further includes a flange portion located outside the fixed housing for fixing to the mounting panel, the connector is embedded in the flange portion and further includes a nut for screw connection. Therefore, the flange portion can be fixed to the mounting panel by screws.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed housing is an integrally injection-molded part, the fixed housing is directly injected into the nut, and the fixed housing and the nut are made into an integral part.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flange portion has a front side and a rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the fixed housing, a seal ring mounting groove is formed on the front side of the flange portion, the nut is located in the region surrounded by the seal ring mounting groove, the connector further includes a seal ring mounted in the seal ring mounting groove, and the seal ring is compressed between the flange portion and the mounting panel and is configured to realize a seal between the flange portion and the mounting panel.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes the above connector and an external circuit board electrically connected to the second terminal of the connector. Insertion holes and positioning holes are formed in the external circuit board. The second terminal is inserted into the insertion hole of the external circuit board, and the positioning posts of the floating housing are inserted into the positioning holes of the external circuit board.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly further includes a mating connector that fits with the connector.

[0030] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board has elasticity, and the circuit board can be elastically deformed as the floating housing floats. Therefore, the circuit board does not affect the floating performance of the floating housing.

[0031] By describing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings, the above and other features of the present invention will become clearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an explanatory exploded view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board is bent in a U shape. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from one side, where the floating housing is not yet attached to the fixed housing and the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board is not bent. [Figure 5]This is an exploded view from one side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the floating housing has not yet been attached to the fixed housing and the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board has not been bent. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory perspective view from the other side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the floating housing has not yet been attached to the fixed housing and the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board has not been bent. [Figure 7] This is an exploded view from the other side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the floating housing has not yet been attached to the fixed housing and the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board has not been bent. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a floating housing is attached to a fixed housing and the intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board is bent into a U-shape. [Figure 9] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an exploded view illustrating a connector and an external circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory assembly diagram of a connector and an external circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and so as to fully convey the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] The following detailed description includes numerous specific details for illustrative purposes to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments can be carried out without these specific details. In other examples, well-known structures and apparatus are shown schematically for the sake of simplifying the drawings.

[0035] According to the general concept of the present invention, an electrical connection module is provided. The electrical connection module comprises a circuit board, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The circuit board includes a first rigid substrate portion having a first insertion hole, a second rigid substrate portion having a second insertion hole, and an intermediate flexible substrate portion connected between the first rigid substrate portion and the second rigid substrate portion and configured to be bendable. The first terminal has a first pin that is inserted into the first insertion hole. The second terminal has a second pin that is inserted into the second insertion hole. Conductive traces are formed on the circuit board to electrically connect the first and second insertion holes, the first terminal is configured to be fixed to the fixed housing of a connector for mating with the mating terminal of a mating connector, and the second terminal is configured to be held in the floating housing of a connector.

[0036] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises a fixed housing suitable for being fixed to a mounting panel, a floating housing movably attached to the rear of the fixed housing and capable of floating relative to the fixed housing, and the above-mentioned electrical connection module. The intermediate flexible substrate portion of the circuit board is bent so that a first rigid substrate portion and a second rigid substrate portion face each other in the longitudinal direction of the fixed housing or form a certain angle, the first terminal is fixed to the fixed housing for mating with the mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the fixed housing, the floating housing is suitable for mounting to an external circuit board, and the second terminal is held in the floating housing for electrical connection to the external circuit board.

[0037] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises the above-mentioned connector and an external circuit board electrically connected to a second terminal of the connector. An insertion hole and a positioning hole are formed in the external circuit board, the second terminal is inserted into the insertion hole of the external circuit board, and a positioning post of the floating housing is inserted into the positioning hole of the external circuit board.

[0038] Figure 1 shows an explanatory perspective view of an electrical connection module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an explanatory exploded view of an electrical connection module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an explanatory perspective view of an electrical connection module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 of the circuit board 3 is bent into a U-shape. Figure 4 shows an explanatory perspective view from one side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the floating housing 5 is not yet attached to the fixed housing 4 and the intermediate flexible substrate 33 of the circuit board 3 is not bent. Figure 5 shows an explanatory exploded view from one side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the floating housing 5 is not yet attached to the fixed housing 4 and the intermediate flexible substrate 33 of the circuit board 3 is not bent. Figure 6 shows an explanatory perspective view from the other side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the floating housing 5 is not yet attached to the fixed housing 4 and the intermediate flexible substrate 33 of the circuit board 3 has not been bent. Figure 7 shows an explanatory exploded view from the other side of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the floating housing 5 is not yet attached to the fixed housing 4 and the intermediate flexible substrate 33 of the circuit board 3 has not been bent. Figure 8 shows an explanatory perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the floating housing 5 is attached to the fixed housing 4 and the intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 of the circuit board 3 has been bent into a U-shape. Figure 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows another longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 shows an exploded view illustrating the connector and external circuit board 8 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows an assembled view illustrating the connector and external circuit board 8 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses an electrical connection module 100. The electrical connection module 100 comprises a first terminal 1, a second terminal 2, and a circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 includes a first rigid substrate portion 31, a second rigid substrate portion 32, and an intermediate flexible substrate portion 33. A first insertion hole 301 is formed in the first rigid substrate portion 31. A second insertion hole 302 is formed in the second rigid substrate portion 32. The intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 is connected between the first rigid substrate portion 31 and the second rigid substrate portion 32 and is configured to be bendable. Conductive traces (not shown) are formed on the circuit board 3 to electrically connect the first insertion hole 301 and the second insertion hole 302. The first terminal 1 has a first pin 1a inserted into the first insertion hole 301. The second terminal 2 has a second pin 2a inserted into a second insertion hole 302. The first terminal 1 is suitable for being fixed directly to the connector's fixed housing 4 or to the connector's fixed housing 4 via a first rigid substrate portion 31 for mating with a mating terminal (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown). The second terminal 2 is suitable for being held in the connector's floating housing 5 for electrical connection to an external circuit board 8.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the first pin 1a is electrically connected to the second pin 2a via a conductive trace on the circuit board 3, and when the intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 is bent into a U-shape, the first rigid substrate portion 31 and the second rigid substrate portion 32 face each other. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 can be bent into any appropriate shape, such as bending it into an L-shape so that the first rigid plate portion 31 and the second rigid plate portion 32 are perpendicular to each other.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate soft plate portion 33 is thinner than the thickness of the first hard plate portion 31 and the second hard plate portion 32, so that the intermediate soft plate portion 33 is elastic and can be bent into a U-shape.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the first pin 1a of the first terminal 1 is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into the first insertion hole 301 of the circuit board 3, and the second pin 2a of the second terminal 2 is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into the second insertion hole 302 of the circuit board 3.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first insertion holes 301, dispersed in an array, are formed in the first rigid substrate portion 31, and a plurality of second insertion holes 302, dispersed in an array, are formed in the second rigid substrate portion 32. The electrical connection module 100 comprises a plurality of first terminals 1 and a plurality of second terminals 2. The first pins 1a of the plurality of first terminals 1 are inserted into the plurality of first insertion holes 301, and the second pins 2a of the plurality of second terminals 2 are inserted into the plurality of second insertion holes 302, respectively.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a first locking hole 301 suitable for engaging with a first elastic buckle 45 of the fixed housing 4 is formed in the first rigid plate portion 31 for fixing the first rigid plate portion 31 to the fixed housing 4. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, a second locking hole (not shown) suitable for engaging with a second elastic buckle (not shown) of the floating housing 5 may be formed in the second rigid plate portion 32 for fixing the second rigid plate portion 32 to the floating housing 5.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, a connector is disclosed in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector comprises a fixed housing 4, a floating housing 5, and the electrical connection module 100 described above. The fixed housing 4 is suitable for being fixed to a mounting panel (not shown). The floating housing 5 is movably mounted to the rear of the fixed housing 4 and can float relative to the fixed housing 4. The intermediate flexible substrate portion 33 of the circuit board 3 is bent so that the first rigid substrate portion 31 and the second rigid substrate portion 32 of the circuit board 3 face each other in the longitudinal direction Y (vertical direction Y) of the fixed housing 4 or form an angle such as 90 degrees. The first terminal 1 is fixed to the fixed housing 4 for mating with the mating terminal of a mating connector inserted into the fixed housing 4. The floating housing 5 is suitable for mounting to the external circuit board 8, and the second terminal 2 is held in the floating housing 5 for electrical connection to the external circuit board 8.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixed housing 4 includes a front housing portion 41 and a rear housing portion 42 located on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction Y of the fixed housing 4, and a partition wall 44 separating the internal cavities of the front housing portion 41 and the rear housing portion 42. A first terminal hole 401 is formed in the partition wall 44. The first rigid substrate portion 31 is housed in the rear housing portion 42 of the fixed housing 4, and the first terminal 1 extends into the front housing portion 41 through the first terminal hole 401 of the partition wall 44 and engages with a mating terminal inserted into the front housing portion 41.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the first terminal 1 is fitted into the first terminal hole 401, thereby fixing the first terminal 1 inside the fixed housing 4.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the first elastic buckle 45 is formed on the partition wall 44 of the fixed housing 4. The first elastic buckle 45 engages with the first locking hole 301 of the first rigid plate portion 31 to lock the first rigid plate portion 31 to the fixed housing 4.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a first support projection 4c is formed on the partition wall 44 of the fixed housing 4, and the first support projection 4c is suitable for contacting one side of the first rigid plate portion 31. The first elastic buckle 45 includes a first cantilever portion 45a and a first projection 45b. The first cantilever portion 45a is connected to the partition wall 44. The first projection 45b is formed at the end of the first cantilever portion 45a. The first cantilever portion 45a passes through the first locking hole 301, and the first projection 45b and the first support projection 4c are positioned on both sides of the first rigid plate portion 31, respectively, to fix the first rigid plate portion 31 to the partition wall 44.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the floating housing 5 includes an end wall 51 facing the second rigid plate portion 32 and a peripheral wall 52 connected around the end wall 51. A second terminal hole 501 is formed in the end wall 51 of the floating housing 5. The second rigid substrate portion 32 is housed in the floating housing 5, and the second terminal 2 extends from the floating housing 5 through the second terminal hole 501 and is inserted into an insertion hole 801 of the external circuit board 8.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the second terminal 2 is fastened to the second terminal hole 501, thereby fixing the second terminal 2 to the floating housing 5.

[0052] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, a second elastic buckle (not shown) may be formed on the end wall 51 of the floating housing 5, and the second elastic buckle may engage with a second locking hole (not shown) of the second rigid plate portion 32 to lock the second rigid plate portion 32 to the floating housing 5.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a positioning column 51a is formed on the outer surface of the end wall 51 of the floating housing 5, and the positioning column 51a is fitted into a positioning hole 8a of the external circuit board 8 and used to guide the second terminal 2 into the insertion hole 801 of the external circuit board 8.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, two positioning posts 51a are formed on the outer surface of the end wall 51 of the floating housing 5. The two positioning posts 51a have different diameters and are used to fit into two positioning holes 8a of different diameters on the external circuit board 8, respectively. This ensures that the circuit board 8 is mounted in the floating housing 5 in the correct orientation.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 52 of the floating housing 5 is mounted within the rear housing portion 42 of the fixed housing 4. Multiple elastic buckles 53 are spaced apart on the peripheral wall 52 of the floating housing 5, and multiple slots 4b are formed in the rear housing portion 42 of the fixed housing 4. Each of the multiple elastic buckles 53 is movably engaged with one of the multiple slots 4b, and therefore the floating housing 5 can float relative to the fixed housing 4 but cannot be separated from the fixed housing 4.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic buckle 53 includes a cantilever 53a and a projection 53b. The projection 53b is formed at the end of the cantilever 53a. The projection 53b of the elastic buckle 53 engages with a slot 4b, the size of which the slot 4b is larger than the size of the projection 53b, and allows the floating housing 5 to float relative to the fixed housing 4 along the longitudinal direction Y, lateral direction X (short direction X, transverse direction X), and height direction Z of the fixed housing 4.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of spaced and dispersed elastic structures 54 are also formed on the peripheral wall 52 of the floating housing 5, and a plurality of support bases 4a are formed on the partition wall 44 of the fixed housing 4. Each of the plurality of elastic structures 54 is suitable for being placed on the plurality of support bases 4a and can be elastically deformed along the longitudinal direction Y of the fixed housing 4, and thus the floating housing 5 can float in the longitudinal direction Y relative to the fixed housing 4.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic structure 54 includes a pair of curved elastic arms 54a, and the elastic structure 54 is Ω-shaped.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixed housing 4 further includes a flange portion 43 located on the outside of the fixed housing 4 for fixing to a mounting panel, and the connector further includes a screw (not shown) and a nut 6 embedded in the flange portion 43 for screw connection, so that the flange portion 43 can be fixed to the mounting panel by screw.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixed housing 4 is an integrally injection-molded part, and the fixed housing 4 is injected directly into the nut 6, making the fixed housing 4 and the nut 6 a single integrated part.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the flange portion 43 has a front and rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y of the fixed housing 4, and a seal ring mounting groove 43a is formed on the front side of the flange portion 43. The nut 6 is located in the area enclosed by the seal ring mounting groove 43a. The connector also includes a seal ring 7 attached to the seal ring mounting groove 43a, and the seal ring 7 is configured to be compressed between the flange portion 43 and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the flange portion 43 and the mounting panel.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, a connector assembly is also disclosed in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly comprises the above-described connector and an external circuit board 8. The external circuit board 8 is electrically connected to the second terminal 2 of the connector. An insertion hole 801 and a positioning hole 8a are formed in the external circuit board 8. The second terminal 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 801 of the external circuit board 8, and the positioning column 51a of the floating housing 5 is inserted into the positioning hole 8a of the external circuit board 8.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly further comprises a mating connector that mates with the connector.

[0064] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above are illustrative and not limiting. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the embodiments without structural or principle contradictions and can freely combine the various features described in different embodiments.

[0065] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications or changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined in the claims and its equivalents.

[0066] When used herein, elements described in the singular form and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude the plural forms of such elements or steps unless it is explicitly stated that such exclusion is to be excluded. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that likewise incorporate the described features. Moreover, unless it is expressly stated otherwise, embodiments that “compile” or “have” one or more elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not possess that characteristic.

Claims

1. An electrical connection module, Circuit board (3), A first hard substrate portion (31) having a first insertion hole (301) formed therein, A second hard substrate portion (32) having a second insertion hole (302), and An intermediate flexible substrate portion (33) is connected between the first rigid substrate portion (31) and the second rigid substrate portion (32) and is configured to be bendable. A circuit board (3) including, A first terminal (1) having a first pin (1a) that is inserted into the first insertion hole (301), A second terminal (2) having a second pin (2a) inserted into the second insertion hole (302) and Equipped with, A conductive trace is formed on the circuit board (3) to electrically connect the first insertion hole (301) and the second insertion hole (302). An electrical connection module wherein the first terminal (1) is configured to be fixed to the fixed housing (4) of a connector in order to mate with the mating terminal of the mating connector, and the second terminal (2) is configured to be held in the floating housing (5) of the connector.

2. The electrical connection module according to claim 1, wherein the first pin (1a) is electrically connected to the second pin (2a) via the conductive trace of the circuit board (3), and when the intermediate flexible substrate portion (33) is bent into a U-shape, the first rigid substrate portion (31) and the second rigid substrate portion (32) face each other.

3. The electrical connection module according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the intermediate soft plate portion (33) is thinner than the thickness of the first hard plate portion (31) and the second hard plate portion (32) so that the intermediate soft plate portion (33) is elastic and can be bent into a U-shape.

4. The electrical connection module according to claim 1, wherein the first pin (1a) of the first terminal (1) is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into the first insertion hole (301) of the circuit board (3), and the second pin (2a) of the second terminal (2) is fisheye-shaped and press-fitted into the second insertion hole (302) of the circuit board (3).

5. A plurality of first insertion holes (301) arranged in an array are formed in the first rigid substrate portion (31), and a plurality of second insertion holes (302) arranged in an array are formed in the second rigid substrate portion (32). The electrical connection module (100) comprises a plurality of first terminals (1) and a plurality of second terminals (2), wherein the first pins (1a) of the plurality of first terminals (1) are each inserted into the plurality of first insertion holes (301), and the second pins (2a) of the plurality of second terminals (2) are each inserted into the plurality of second insertion holes (302), as described in claim 1.

6. A first locking hole (301) configured to engage with the first elastic buckle (45) of the fixed housing (4) is formed in the first rigid plate portion (31) for fixing the first rigid plate portion (31) to the fixed housing (4), and / or The electrical connection module according to claim 1, wherein a second locking hole suitable for engaging with a second elastic buckle of the floating housing (5) is formed in the second rigid plate portion (32) for fixing the second rigid plate portion (32) to the floating housing (5).

7. It is a connector, A mounting housing (4) suitable for being fixed to a mounting panel, A floating housing (5) is movably attached to the rear of the fixed housing (4) and is capable of floating relative to the fixed housing (4), The electrical connection module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and Equipped with, The intermediate flexible substrate portion (33) of the circuit board (3) is bent, and therefore the first rigid substrate portion (31) and the second rigid substrate portion (32) face each other in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the fixed housing (4) or form an angle with each other. The first terminal (1) is fixed to the fixed housing (4) in order to mate with the mating terminal of the mating connector inserted into the fixed housing (4). The floating housing (5) is suitable for mounting to an external circuit board (8), and the second terminal (2) is held in the floating housing (5) for electrical connection to the external circuit board (8), in a connector.

8. The fixed housing (4) includes a front housing portion (41) and a rear housing portion (42) located on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the fixed housing (4), and a partition wall (44) separating the internal cavities of the front housing portion (41) and the rear housing portion (42), and a first terminal hole (401) is formed in the partition wall (44). The connector according to claim 7, wherein the first rigid plate portion (31) is housed in the rear housing portion (42) of the fixed housing (4), and the first terminal (1) extends into the front housing portion (41) through the first terminal hole (401) of the partition wall (44) and engages with the mating terminal inserted into the front housing portion (41).

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the first terminal (1) is fitted into the first terminal hole (401) to fix the first terminal (1) inside the fixed housing (4).

10. The connector according to claim 8, wherein a first elastic buckle (45) is formed on the partition wall (44) of the fixed housing (4), and the first elastic buckle (45) engages with a first locking hole (301) of the first rigid plate portion (31) to lock the first rigid plate portion (31) to the fixed housing (4).

11. A first support projection (4c) is formed on the partition wall (44) of the fixed housing (4), and the first support projection (4c) is suitable for contacting one side of the first rigid plate portion (31). The first elastic buckle (45) is, A first cantilever portion (45a) connected to the partition wall (44), The first projection (45b) formed at the end of the first cantilever (5a) and Includes, The connector according to claim 10, wherein the first cantilever portion (45a) passes through the first locking hole (301), and the first projection (45b) and the first support projection (4c) are positioned on both sides of the first rigid plate portion (31), respectively, to fix the first rigid plate portion (31) to the partition wall (44).

12. The floating housing (5) includes an end wall (51) facing the second rigid plate portion (32) and a peripheral wall (52) connected around the end wall (51), and a second terminal hole (501) is formed in the end wall (51) of the floating housing (5). The connector according to claim 8, wherein the second rigid substrate portion (32) is housed in the floating housing (5), and the second terminal (2) extends from the floating housing (5) through the second terminal hole (501) and is inserted into the insertion hole (801) of the external circuit board (8).

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the second terminal (2) is fitted into the second terminal hole (501) to fix the second terminal (2) to the floating housing (5).

14. The connector according to claim 12, wherein a second elastic buckle is formed on the end wall (51) of the floating housing (5), and the second elastic buckle engages with a second locking hole in the second rigid plate portion (32) to lock the second rigid plate portion (32) to the floating housing (5).

15. The connector according to claim 12, wherein a positioning column (51a) is formed on the outer surface of the end wall (51) of the floating housing (5), and the positioning column (51a) is fitted into a positioning hole (8a) of the external circuit board (8) and used to guide the second terminal (2) into the insertion hole (801) of the external circuit board (8).

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein two positioning posts (51a) having different diameters are formed on the outer surface of the end wall (51) of the floating housing (5), and the two positioning posts (51a) are used to fit into two positioning holes (8a) having different diameters of the external circuit board (8).

17. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral wall (52) of the floating housing (5) is attached within the rear housing portion (42) of the fixed housing (4), and a plurality of spaced and dispersed elastic buckles (53) are formed in the peripheral wall (52) of the floating housing (5), and a plurality of slots (4b) are formed in the rear housing portion (42) of the fixed housing (4), and the plurality of elastic buckles (53) each movably engage with the plurality of slots (4b), so that the floating housing (5) can float relative to the fixed housing (4) but cannot be separated from the fixed housing (4).

18. The elastic buckle (53) is Cantilever (53a), The projection (53b) formed at the end of the cantilever (53a) and Includes, The connector according to claim 17, wherein the projection (53b) of the elastic buckle (53) engages with the slot (4b), the size of the slot (4b) is larger than the projection (53b), and the floating housing (5) is able to float relative to the fixed housing (4) along the longitudinal (Y), lateral (X), and height (Z) directions of the fixed housing (4).

19. The connector according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of elastic structures (54) arranged at intervals are also formed on the peripheral wall (52) of the floating housing (5), a plurality of support bases (4a) are formed on the partition wall (44) of the fixed housing (4), and the plurality of elastic structures (54) are configured to be placed on the plurality of support bases (4a), and can be elastically deformed along the longitudinal direction (Y) of the fixed housing (4), and therefore the floating housing (5) can float relative to the fixed housing (4) in the longitudinal direction (Y).

20. The connector according to claim 19, wherein the elastic structure (54) includes a pair of curved elastic arms (54a), and the elastic structure (54) is Ω-shaped.

21. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the fixed housing (4) further includes a flange portion (43) located outside the fixed housing (4) for fixing to a mounting panel, and the connector further includes a nut (6) embedded in the flange portion (43) for screw connection, so that the flange portion (43) can be fixed to the mounting panel by the screw.

22. The connector according to claim 21, wherein the fixed housing (4) is an integrally injection-molded portion, and the fixed housing (4) is injected directly into the nut (6), thereby making the fixed housing (4) and the nut (6) a single integrated part.

23. The flange portion (43) has a front and rear side opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the fixed housing (4), a seal ring mounting groove (43a) is formed on the front side of the flange portion (43), and the nut (6) is located in the area enclosed by the seal ring mounting groove (43a). The connector according to claim 21, further comprising a seal ring (7) mounted in the seal ring mounting groove (4c), wherein the seal ring (7) is compressed between the flange portion (43) and the mounting panel to achieve a seal between the flange portion (43) and the mounting panel.

24. A connector assembly, The connector according to any one of claims 7 to 23, An external circuit board (8) electrically connected to the second terminal (2) of the connector and Equipped with, A connector assembly comprising an insertion hole (801) and a positioning hole (8a) formed in the external circuit board (8), the second terminal (2) being inserted into the insertion hole (801) of the external circuit board (8), and the positioning column (51a) of the floating housing (5) being inserted into the positioning hole (8a) of the external circuit board (8).

25. The connector assembly according to claim 24, further comprising a mating connector that mates with the aforementioned connector.

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