Hybrid Connector

Abstract

To provide a hybrid connector capable of reducing the current in the power contacts and avoiding heat accumulation. [Solution] A hybrid connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of signal contacts 12, and a plurality of pairs of power contacts 13, and is adapted to mate with a mating connector in a first direction D1. The mating connector includes a plurality of plate-shaped power contacts. Each pair of power contacts in the hybrid connector is composed of two power contacts. The two power contacts cooperate to sandwich one of the plurality of plate-shaped power contacts and make electrical contact with the plate-shaped power contact. This reduces the current flowing through a single power contact.

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, the shape of the power contacts disclosed in CN113690663A is complicated, which not only makes it difficult to manufacture, but also causes a problem of high temperature due to heat accumulation.

[0003] On the other hand, the soldering portion of the power contact disclosed in CN113690663A is located in the center of the connector, which makes it difficult to inspect the soldering condition of the soldering portion of the power contact when mounting the connector on a circuit board. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a hybrid connector that can reduce the current in the power contacts and avoid heat buildup.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid connector with power contacts which are easy to manufacture and easy to inspect for soldering.

[0006] To achieve the above and other objectives, the hybrid connector of the present invention employs a two-piece power contact.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hybrid connector including an insulating housing, a plurality of signal contacts, and a plurality of pairs of power contacts. The plurality of signal contacts and the plurality of pairs of power contacts are held by the insulating housing. The hybrid connector mates with a mating connector in a first direction. The plurality of signal contacts and the plurality of pairs of power contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The mating connector includes a plurality of plate-shaped power contacts, and each pair of power contacts of the hybrid connector is positioned to sandwich one of the plurality of plate-shaped power contacts and to be in electrical contact with that plate-shaped power contact.

[0008] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, each power contact of the hybrid connector includes a plate-shaped body, a power contact arm, and two solder portions. The power contact arm is formed on an upper edge of the plate-shaped body. The two solder portions are formed on a lower edge of the plate-shaped body and extend in a third direction. When the hybrid connector is mounted on a circuit board, at least a portion of each solder portion is exposed from the insulating housing. The power contact arms of each pair of power contacts are curved to approach or contact each other. The third direction is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0009] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, the tip of the power contact arm is configured in a V-shape or an L-shape.

[0010] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, a slit extending along the longitudinal direction of the power contact arm is formed at the tip of the power contact arm so as to increase the flexibility of the power contact arm.

[0011] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, the insulating housing has a signal fitting portion and a plurality of power fitting portions, the plurality of power fitting portions being disposed on both ends of the signal fitting portion in the second direction.

[0012] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, each power fitting portion houses a pair of power contacts.

[0013] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, each signal contact includes a connecting terminal portion, and the connecting terminal portion extends in a third direction. When the hybrid connector is mounted on a circuit board, at least a portion of the connecting terminal portion is exposed from the insulating housing. The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0014] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, each signal contact further includes a retained portion and a contact arm, the retained portion being retained by the insulating housing, and the contact arm extending to the signal mating portion.

[0015] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, the side wall adjacent to the signal mating portion of the insulating housing has one or more hollow portions.

[0016] According to the hybrid connector of the present invention, a plurality of recesses are formed on the outer surface of the side wall adjacent to the signal fitting portion of the insulating housing.

[0017] 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]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a board-to-board connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a board-to-board connector assembly in an unmated state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing the first hybrid connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a first hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insulating housing of a first hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a signal contact of the first hybrid connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a power contact of the first hybrid connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pair of power contacts of a first hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is attached to the first hybrid connector in the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a second hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, a board-to-board connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying 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.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a board-to-board connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The board-to-board connector assembly is generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The board-to-board connector assembly includes a first hybrid connector 10 and a second hybrid connector 20 as a mating connector of the first hybrid connector 10. Both the first hybrid connector 10 and the second hybrid connector 20 can be used for transmitting signals and power. The first hybrid connector 10 is fixed to a first circuit board P1 by surface mount technology (SMT). The second hybrid connector 20 is fixed to a second circuit board P2 by surface mount technology (SMT). The first hybrid connector 10 and the second hybrid connector 20 are mated with each other in a first direction D1. In FIG. 1, the board-to-board connector assembly 1 is in a mated state. In FIG. 2, the board-to-board connector assembly 1 is in an unmated state. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first hybrid connector 10 is embodied as a socket connector, and the second hybrid connector 20 is embodied as a plug connector.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is another perspective view showing the first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components of the first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first 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 signal contacts 12 and the power contacts 13 are all held by the insulating housing 11. The signal contacts 12 are arranged in two rows along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The power contacts 13 are arranged along the second direction D2. Half of the power contacts 13 are arranged on one side of the signal contacts 12 in the second direction D2, and the remaining half are arranged on the other side of the signal contacts 12 in the second direction D2. Each hold-down 14 is inserted into a holding groove 113 formed at an end of the insulating housing 11 with an interference fit. The first 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.

[0023] The insulating housing 11 includes a signal fitting portion 111, three power fitting portions 112 located on one side of the signal fitting portion 111, and three power fitting portions 112 located on the other side of the signal fitting portion 111. The signal contacts 12 (particularly the contact arms of the signal contacts 12) are arranged in the signal fitting portion 111. As shown in FIG. 5, two power contacts 13 are arranged as a pair to form a pair of power contacts 13P that are two-piece type power contacts. Each power fitting portion 112 houses a pair of power contacts 13P (i.e., two paired power contacts 13).

[0024] 6 is a perspective view showing an insulating housing 11 of a first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of recesses 114 are formed in the outer surface of the side wall adjacent to the signal fitting portion 111 of the insulating housing 11. The recesses 114 engage with gripping claws of the cover (see FIG. 10). The side wall adjacent to the signal fitting portion 111 of the insulating housing 11 has one or more hollow portions 115. For the sake of molding, the hollow portions 115 open to the bottom surface of the insulating housing 11. The formation of the hollow portions 115 makes it possible to prevent deformation due to uneven shrinkage.

[0025] 6, positioning posts 116 are formed on the bottom surface of the insulating housing 11. The positioning posts 116 allow the first hybrid connector 10 to be temporarily fixed in place before the first hybrid connector 10 is soldered to a circuit board by surface mounting technology.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a signal contact 12 of a first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The signal contact 12 includes a connection terminal portion 121, a held portion 122, an extension portion 123, a contact arm 124, and a contact portion 125. The connection terminal portion 121 extends in a third direction D3. The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The connection terminal portion 121 is soldered to a solder pad formed on the first circuit board P1 by surface mount technology (SMT). When the first hybrid connector 10 is attached to the first circuit board P1, at least a part of the connection terminal portion 121 of the signal contact 12 is exposed from the insulating housing 11. This makes it easy to inspect the soldered state of the connection terminal portion 121. The held portion 122 extends from the connection terminal portion 121 in the first direction D1. The held portion 122 has a barb structure and is inserted into a signal contact holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11 with an interference fit. The extending portion 123 extends in the first direction D1 from the held portion 122. The contact arm 124 is inclined with respect to the extending portion 123 and extends to the signal fitting portion. The contact portion 125 is formed at the tip of the contact arm 124 and is configured in a V-shape or an L-shape.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a power contact 13 of the first hybrid connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The power contact 13 includes two soldering portions 131, a plate-shaped body portion 132, and a power contact arm 133. The power contact arm 133 is formed on the upper edge of the plate-shaped body portion 132. The soldering portion 131 is formed on the lower edge of the plate-shaped body portion 132 and extends in the third direction D3. When the first hybrid connector 10 is attached to the first circuit board P1, at least a part of each soldering portion 131 of the power contact 13 is exposed from the insulating housing 11. The tip of the power contact arm 133 is configured in a V-shape or an L-shape. At the tip of the power contact arm 133, a slit 1330 extending along the longitudinal direction of the power contact arm 133 is formed so as to increase the flexibility of the power contact arm 133.

[0030] 9 is a front view showing a pair of power contacts 13P of the first hybrid connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the third direction D3. The power contact arms of the pair of power contacts 13P are curved so as to come into contact with each other, thereby enabling one plate-shaped power contact of the second hybrid connector 20 to be sandwiched between them. Note that the power contact arms of the power contacts do not necessarily need to come into contact with each other. The power contact arms of the pair of power contacts may be curved so as to approach each other.

[0031] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover is attached to a first hybrid connector in an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 30 has a main body 31 and four gripping claws 32. The gripping claws 32 are formed on the lower surface of the main body 31 and extend downward. The main body 31 of the cover 30 has a sufficiently flat surface so that it can be sucked by a vacuum suction nozzle. The gripping claws 32 engage with recesses 114 formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the insulating housing 11.

[0032] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the second hybrid connector 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the second hybrid connector 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components of the second hybrid connector 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the second hybrid connector 20 includes an insulating housing 21, a plurality of signal contacts 22, a plurality of plate-shaped power contacts 23, and two hold-downs 24. The signal contacts 22 and the plate-shaped power contacts 23 are all held by the insulating housing 21. The signal contacts 22 are arranged in two rows along the second direction D2. The plate-shaped power contacts 23 are arranged along the second direction D2. Half of the plate-shaped power contacts 23 are arranged on one side of the signal contacts 22 in the second direction D2, and the remaining half are arranged on the other side of the signal contacts 22 in the second direction D2. Each hold-down 24 is inserted into a holding groove 212 formed at an end of the insulating housing 21 with an interference fit. 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.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 12, the side wall of the insulating housing 21 defines an accommodation space SP. The tongue 211 is formed in the accommodation space SP. The contact portion of the signal contact 22 is disposed on the tongue 211. When the board-to-board connector assembly 1 of the embodiment of the present invention is in a mated state, a part of the insulating housing 11 of the first hybrid connector 10 is inserted into the accommodation space SP of the insulating housing 21 of the second hybrid connector 20. In this case, the tongue 211 of the insulating housing 21 of the second hybrid connector 20 is inserted into the signal mating portion 111 of the insulating housing 11 of the first hybrid connector 10, so that the signal contact 12 of the first hybrid connector 10 and the signal contact 22 of the second hybrid connector 20 are electrically contacted. Each plate-shaped power contact 23 is inserted between a respective pair of power contacts 13P and is electrically contacted with the pair of power contacts 13P.

[0035] A recess 213 is formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the insulating housing 21, and the recess 213 is engaged with a cover (not shown).

[0036] 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]

[0037] 1 Board to Board Connector Assembly 10 First hybrid connector 11 Insulating housing 111 Signal fitting part 112 Power supply connector 113 Retaining groove 114 Recess 115 Hollow part 116 Positioning post 12 signal contacts 121 Connection terminal 122 Holding part 123 Extension section 124 Contact Arm 125 Contact part 13 Power Contacts 131 Soldering section 132 Plate-shaped main body 133 Power Contact Arm 1330 Slit 13P Pair of power contacts 14 Hold Down 20 Second hybrid connector 21 Insulating housing 211 Tongue piece 212 Retaining groove 213 Recess 22 signal contacts 23 Plate-type power contact 24 Hold Down 30 Cover 31 Main body 32 Gripping claw D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction P1 First circuit board P2 2nd circuit board SP Containment Space

Claims

1. A hybrid connector comprising an insulating housing, a plurality of signal contacts, and a plurality of pairs of power contacts, the plurality of signal contacts and the pairs of power contacts are carried by the insulating housing; The hybrid connector is adapted to mate with a mating connector in a first direction, the plurality of signal contacts and the pairs of power contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the mating connector includes a plurality of plate-shaped power contacts; A hybrid connector, wherein each pair of power contacts of the hybrid connector sandwiches one of the plurality of plate-shaped power contacts and is arranged to be in electrical contact with that plate-shaped power contact.

2. Each power contact of the hybrid connector includes a plate-shaped body portion, a power contact arm, and two solder portions; The power contact arm is formed on an upper edge of the plate-shaped main body, The two soldering portions are formed on a lower edge of the plate-shaped main body and extend in a third direction; When the hybrid connector is attached to a circuit board, at least a portion of each of the solder portions is exposed from the insulating housing; the power contact arms of each pair of the power contacts are curved toward or into contact with each other; 2. The hybrid connector according to claim 1, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

3. 3. The hybrid connector according to claim 2, wherein the tips of the power contact arms are configured in a V-shape or an L-shape.

4. 4. The hybrid connector according to claim 3, wherein a slit extending along the longitudinal direction of the power contact arm is formed at the tip of the power contact arm so as to increase the flexibility of the power contact arm.

5. 5. A hybrid connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insulating housing has a signal fitting portion and a plurality of power fitting portions, the plurality of power fitting portions being arranged at both ends of the signal fitting portion in the second direction.

6. 6. The hybrid connector according to claim 5, wherein each of said power fitting portions houses a pair of said power contacts.

7. Each of the signal contacts includes a connection terminal portion, the connection terminal portion extending in a third direction; When the hybrid connector is attached to a circuit board, at least a portion of the connection terminal portion is exposed from the insulating housing, 7. The hybrid connector according to claim 6, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

8. 8. The hybrid connector of claim 7, wherein each of the signal contacts further includes a retained portion and a contact arm, the retained portion being retained by the insulating housing, and the contact arm extending to the signal mating portion.

9. 6. The hybrid connector according to claim 5, wherein the insulating housing has one or more hollow portions in a side wall adjacent to the signal mating portion.

10. 6. The hybrid connector according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of recesses are formed in an outer surface of a side wall of the insulating housing adjacent to the signal fitting portion.

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