Hybrid Connector

Abstract

To provide a hybrid connector in which power contacts are distributed to avoid concentrating the power contacts in a local area and to prevent heat from accumulating in the local area. [Solution] A hybrid connector 10 is disclosed that includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of signal contacts 12, and a plurality of power contacts 13. The plurality of signal contacts and the plurality of power contacts are held in the insulating housing. The hybrid connector mates with a mating connector in a first direction D1. The insulating housing includes a plurality of signal mating portions 111A, 111B and a plurality of power mating portions 112. The plurality of signal mating portions and the plurality of power mating portions are alternately arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The plurality of signal contacts are arranged in the plurality of signal mating portions. The plurality of power contacts are arranged in the plurality of power mating portions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid connector, and more particularly to a hybrid connector capable of transmitting signals and power simultaneously. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to transmit signals and power using a hybrid floating connector having signal contacts and power contacts. Such a hybrid floating connector is disclosed, for example, in Chinese Patent Publication CN113690663A. However, in the hybrid floating connector disclosed in CN113690663A, the power contacts are concentrated at both ends of the connector. When the number of power contacts is increased, a high temperature problem due to heat accumulation at both ends of the connector easily occurs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid connector which distributes power contacts to prevent heat buildup in localized areas of the connector.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid connector, the hybrid connector comprising an insulating housing, a plurality of signal contacts, and a plurality of power contacts, the plurality of signal contacts and the plurality of power contacts being held by the insulating housing, the hybrid connector being adapted to mate with a mating connector in a first direction, the insulating housing includes a plurality of signal fitting portions and a plurality of power fitting portions, the plurality of signal fitting portions and the plurality of power fitting portions are alternately arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the insulating housing is configured such that the number of the plurality of signal fitting portions is one more than the number of the plurality of power fitting portions; The signal contacts are disposed in the signal mating portions, and the power contacts are disposed in the power mating portions.

[0005] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, two of the plurality of signal mating portions are disposed on either side of the hybrid connector, and the plurality of power mating portions are disposed in an intermediate region between the two sides.

[0006] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, the plurality of signal mating portions includes four signal mating portions, the plurality of power mating portions includes three power mating portions, and the four signal mating portions and the three power mating portions are arranged in the following order: signal mating portion-power mating portion-signal mating portion-power mating portion-signal mating portion-power mating portion-signal mating portion-power mating portion-signal mating portion.

[0007] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, the plurality of signal fitting portions include four signal fitting portions, the plurality of power fitting portions include three power fitting portions, the four signal fitting portions include two first signal fitting portions and two second signal fitting portions, and the two first signal fitting portions, the two second signal fitting portions, and the three power fitting portions are arranged in the following order: second signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-first signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-first signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-second signal fitting portion.

[0008] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, the number of signal contacts arranged in one first signal fitting portion is different from the number of signal contacts arranged in one second signal fitting portion.

[0009] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, the number of signal contacts arranged in one first signal fitting portion is greater than the number of signal contacts arranged in one second signal fitting portion.

[0010] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, each power fitting portion has two power contact receiving holes, and each power contact receiving hole receives one power contact.

[0011] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, each power contact includes a retained portion, a soldering portion formed on the lower edge of the retained portion, a first contact arm, and two second contact arms, the first contact arm extending from the upper edge of the retained portion, and the two second contact arms extending from the upper edge of the retained portion, each positioned on either side of the first contact arm.

[0012] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, the first contact arm is offset in one direction relative to the held portion, and the two second contact arms are offset in the opposite direction relative to the held portion, and the first contact arm and the two second contact arms clamp corresponding flat contacts to make electrical contact.

[0013] In the hybrid connector of the present invention, each of the power contacts is flat.

[0014] Those skilled in the art will be able to fully understand the technical features, other objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the specification and accompanying drawings of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a power contact of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a signal contact of the hybrid connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hold-down of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a hybrid connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a hybrid connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a power contact of a hybrid connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a signal contact of a hybrid connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a hold-down of a hybrid connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components or components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale. An outline of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hybrid connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The entire hybrid connector is designated by the number 10. The hybrid connector 10 is specifically implemented as a board-mounted socket connector. A mating connector (not shown) of the hybrid connector 10 is a board-mounted plug connector. The hybrid connector 10 mates with the mating connector in a first direction D1.

[0017] The hybrid connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of signal contacts 12, a plurality of power contacts 13, and two hold-downs 14. The insulating housing 11 is manufactured by injection molding from an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The insulating housing 11 includes a plurality of signal fitting portions (including a first signal fitting portion 111A and a second signal fitting portion 111B) and a plurality of power fitting portions 112. The signal fitting portions and the power fitting portions are alternately arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. Each hold-down 14 is press-fitted into a holding hole 113 formed at an end of the insulating housing 11. The hybrid connector 10 can be firmly fixed to the circuit board by soldering the soldering portions of the hold-downs 14 to solder pads on the circuit board.

[0018] Specifically, the insulating housing 11 includes two first signal fitting portions 111A, two second signal fitting portions 111B, and three power fitting portions 112. The signal contacts 12 are arranged in two rows along the second direction in the first signal fitting portion 111A and the second signal fitting portion 111B. Each power fitting portion 112 has two power contact accommodating holes 1120. Each power contact accommodating hole 1120 accommodates one power contact 13. The two first signal fitting portions 111A, the two second signal fitting portions 111B, and the three power fitting portions 112 are arranged along the second direction D2 in the following order: second signal fitting portion 111B-power fitting portion 112-first signal fitting portion 111A-power fitting portion 112-first signal fitting portion 111A-power fitting portion 112-second signal fitting portion 111B. As a result, the second signal fitting portion 111B is disposed on each side of the hybrid connector, and the first signal fitting portion 111A and the power fitting portion 112 are disposed in the intermediate region between the two sides.

[0019] In the first embodiment, 22 signal contacts 12 are arranged in one first signal fitting portion 111A. Eight signal contacts are arranged in the second signal fitting portion 111B. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of signal contacts arranged in the first signal fitting portion or the second signal fitting portion can be changed as required. The number of signal contacts arranged in the first signal fitting portion may be the same as or different from the number of signal contacts arranged in the second signal fitting portion. The number of signal contacts arranged in the first signal fitting portion may be greater than the number of signal contacts arranged in the second signal fitting portion. According to the present invention, the insulating housing 11 is configured such that the number of signal fitting portions is one more than the number of power fitting portions. In the present embodiment, the insulating housing 11 is configured to have four signal fitting portions and three power fitting portions.

[0020] 4 is a perspective view of a power contact 13 of a hybrid connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The power contact is made of copper or a copper alloy. The power contact 13 includes a retained portion 131, barbs 1311 formed on both sides of the retained portion 131, a soldering portion 1312 formed on the lower edge of the retained portion 131, and a first contact arm 132 and two second contact arms 133 formed on the upper edge of the retained portion 131. The first contact arm 132 extends upward from the upper edge of the retained portion 131. The two second contact arms 133 extend upward from the upper edge of the retained portion and are located on both sides of the first contact arm 132.

[0021] The first contact arm 132 is offset in one direction relative to the held portion 131, and the second contact arm 133 is offset in the opposite direction relative to the held portion 131. As a result, the first contact arm 132 and the second contact arm 133 sandwich a flat contact of the mating connector and make electrical contact. In order to hold the power contact 13 more firmly in the power contact receiving hole 1120, a barb 1321 is formed on the lower part of the first contact arm 132. The width of the first contact arm 132 is wider than the width of the second contact arm 133. Therefore, in order to increase the flexibility of the first contact arm 132, a slit 1322 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first contact arm 132 is further formed in the first contact arm 132.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a signal contact 12 of a hybrid connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The signal contact 12 is made of copper or a copper alloy. The signal contact 12 includes a soldering portion 121, a retained portion 122 continuing from the soldering portion 121, and a contact arm 123 continuing from the retained portion 122. The soldering portion 121 extends in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 1, the soldering portion 121 of the signal contact 12 extends to the outside of the insulating housing 11. When the hybrid connector 10 is mounted on a circuit board, the soldering state of the soldering portion 121 can be observed. The retained portion 122 has a barb structure and is press-fitted into a signal contact retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 11 by interference fitting. The contact arm 123 extends to the signal fitting portion. The distal end of the contact arm 123 is configured in an L-shape or a V-shape.

[0023] 6 is a perspective view showing the hold-down 14 of the hybrid connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The hold-down 14 is made of a metal or alloy material (e.g., stainless steel). The hold-down 14 has a body portion 141 and a soldering portion 142. A stopper 1411 is formed on the body portion 141 by pressing. After the body portion 141 of the hold-down 14 is inserted into the retaining hole 113 from below the insulating housing 11, the stopper 1411 interferes with a step portion formed on the inner wall of the retaining hole 113 (see FIG. 3), preventing the body portion 141 of the hold-down 14 from coming out of the retaining hole 113.

[0024] With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the outline of the hybrid connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the hybrid connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the hybrid connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The entire hybrid connector is indicated by the number 20. The hybrid connector 20 is specifically implemented as a board-mounted plug connector and can function as a mating connector of the hybrid connector 10 of the first embodiment. In other words, the hybrid connector 10 of the first embodiment and the hybrid connector 20 of the second embodiment can be mated with each other. In the second embodiment, the description of the same or similar features as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0025] The hybrid connector 20 includes an insulating housing 21, a plurality of signal contacts 22, a plurality of power contacts 23, and two hold-downs 24. The insulating housing 21 is manufactured by injection molding from an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The insulating housing 21 has an accommodation space SP that opens upward. A plurality of signal fitting portions (211A, 211B) and a plurality of power fitting portions (212) are defined within the accommodation space SP. The signal fitting portions and the power fitting portions are alternately arranged along the second direction D2. Each hold-down 24 is press-fitted into a retaining hole 213 formed at an end of the insulating housing 21 by interference fitting. The second hybrid connector 20 can be firmly fixed to the circuit board by soldering the soldering portions of the hold-downs 24 to solder pads on the circuit board.

[0026] Specifically, the insulating housing 21 also includes two first signal fitting portions 211A, two second signal fitting portions 211B, and three power fitting portions 212. The first signal fitting portion 211A or the second signal fitting portion 211B is in the form of a tongue piece. The area between the adjacent signal fitting portions becomes the power fitting portion 212. As a result, the first signal fitting portion 211A, the second signal fitting portion 211B, and the power fitting portion 212 are arranged in the following order along the second direction D2: second signal fitting portion 211B-power fitting portion 212-first signal fitting portion 211A-power fitting portion 212-first signal fitting portion 211A-power fitting portion 212-second signal fitting portion 211B.

[0027] 9 is a perspective view showing a power contact 23 of a hybrid connector 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The power contact 23 is made of copper or a copper alloy. The power contact 23 includes a flat body portion 231 and two soldering portions 232 formed on a lower edge of the body portion 231. The soldering portions 232 extend in a third direction D3. The flat body portion 231 has a barb structure and is press-fitted into a power contact holding hole formed in the insulating housing 21 by interference fitting. The power contact holding hole is formed on the bottom surface of the accommodation space SP. Two power contact holding holes are formed in one power fitting portion 212.

[0028] 10 is a perspective view showing a signal contact 22 of a hybrid connector 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The signal contact 22 is made of copper or a copper alloy. The signal contact 22 includes a soldering portion 221, a retained portion 222 continuing from the soldering portion 221, and a contact portion 223 continuing from the retained portion 222. The soldering portion 221 extends in a third direction D3. The retained portion 222 and the contact portion 223 extend in a first direction D1. The retained portion 222 has a barb structure and is press-fitted into a signal contact retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 21 by interference fitting. The contact portions 223 of the signal contacts 22 are arranged on two opposing surfaces of a tongue that functions as a signal fitting portion.

[0029] A recess 214 is formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the insulating housing 21 of the hybrid connector 20. The recess 214 is formed on the lower edge of the insulating housing 21. The formation of the recess 214 makes it easy to inspect the soldering condition of the soldered portions of the signal contacts or power contacts.

[0030] 11 is a perspective view showing the hold-down 24 of the hybrid connector 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The hold-down 24 is made of a metal or alloy material (e.g., stainless steel). The hold-down 24 has a flat body portion 241 and a soldering portion 242. The body portion 241 has a barb structure and is press-fitted into a retaining hole 213 formed in the insulating housing 21 by interference fitting.

[0031] Since the power contacts are distributed, the power contacts are not concentrated in a local area, and heat accumulation in the local area is prevented, so that the hybrid connector of the present invention is particularly advantageous in terms of heat dissipation.

[0032] Depending on the situation, the technical features of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment, and vice versa.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art may make various modifications as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but is subject to the scope of the utility model registration claims. In other words, equivalent changes and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the utility model registration claims of the present invention shall remain within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 Hybrid Connector 11 Insulating housing 12 signal contacts 13 Power Contacts 14 Hold Down 111A 1st signal fitting part 111B 2nd signal fitting part 112 Power supply connector 113 Retaining hole 121 Soldering section 122 Holding part 123 Contact Arm 131 Holding part 132 First contact arm 133 Second Contact Arm 141 Main body 142 Soldering section 1120 Power contact receiving hole 1311 Barb 1312 Soldering section 1321 Barb 1322 Slit 1411 Stopper 20 Hybrid Connector 21 Insulating housing 22 signal contacts 23 Power Contacts 24 Hold Down 211A 1st signal fitting part 211B 2nd signal fitting part 212 Power supply fitting 213 Retention hole 214 Recess 221 Soldering section 222 Holding part 223 Contact part 231 Main body 232 Soldering section 241 Main body 242 Soldering section D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction SP Containment Space

Claims

1. A hybrid connector comprising an insulating housing, a plurality of signal contacts, and a plurality of power contacts, the plurality of signal contacts and the plurality of power contacts being held in the insulating housing, the hybrid connector mating with a mating connector in a first direction, the insulating housing includes a plurality of signal fitting portions and a plurality of power fitting portions, the plurality of signal fitting portions and the plurality of power fitting portions are alternately arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the insulating housing is configured such that the number of the plurality of signal fitting portions is one more than the number of the plurality of power fitting portions; A hybrid connector, wherein the signal contacts are disposed in the signal mating portions, and the power contacts are disposed in the power mating portions.

2. 2. The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein two of the plurality of signal mating portions are disposed on either side of the hybrid connector, and the plurality of power mating portions are disposed in an intermediate region between the two sides.

3. 2. The hybrid connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal fitting portions includes four of the signal fitting portions, the plurality of power fitting portions includes three of the power fitting portions, and the four signal fitting portions and the three power fitting portions are arranged in the following order: signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-signal fitting portion.

4. 2. The hybrid connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal fitting portions includes four of the signal fitting portions, the plurality of power fitting portions includes three of the power fitting portions, the four signal fitting portions include two first signal fitting portions and two second signal fitting portions, and the two first signal fitting portions, the two second signal fitting portions, and the three power fitting portions are arranged in the following order: second signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-first signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-first signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-first signal fitting portion-power fitting portion-second signal fitting portion.

5. 5. The hybrid connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the number of the signal contacts arranged in one of the first signal fitting portions is different from the number of the signal contacts arranged in one of the second signal fitting portions.

6. 6. The hybrid connector according to claim 5, wherein the number of the signal contacts arranged in one of the first signal fitting portions is greater than the number of the signal contacts arranged in one of the second signal fitting portions.

7. 7. A hybrid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the power fitting portions has two power contact receiving holes, and each of the power contact receiving holes receives one of the power contacts.

8. 8. The hybrid connector of claim 7, wherein each of the power contacts includes a retained portion, a soldering portion formed on a lower edge of the retained portion, a first contact arm, and two second contact arms, the first contact arm extending from an upper edge of the retained portion, and the two second contact arms extending from an upper edge of the retained portion, each positioned on either side of the first contact arm.

9. 9. A hybrid connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that the first contact arm is offset in one direction relative to the held portion, the two second contact arms are offset in the opposite direction relative to the held portion, and the first contact arm and the two second contact arms clamp corresponding flat contacts to make electrical contact.

10. 7. The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the power contacts is flat.

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