Floating Card Edge Connector

Abstract

A floating card edge connector is provided that prevents a first connection object and a second connection object from being laterally displaced or loosened within a mating opening. [Solution] A floating card edge connector 10 for electrically connecting a first connection object and a second connection object includes a main housing 11, a first floating housing 12, a second floating housing, and a plurality of contacts 14. The first floating housing includes a first mating opening for inserting the first connection object along a first direction D1. The second floating housing includes a second mating opening for inserting the second connection object along the first direction. The first and second floating housings are arranged to be independently movable relative to the main housing within a plane perpendicular to the first direction. The first connection object and the second connection object are inserted into the first mating opening and the second mating opening, respectively, with an interference fit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a floating card edge connector. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2000-12127 A discloses a double-sided card edge connector, which directly connects one card board to another card board for electrical connection. The double-sided card edge connector includes a housing having mating grooves formed at opposing ends, and a plurality of contacts connected to a plurality of conductive pads formed at the edge of each card board and located on both opposing side surfaces.

[0003] However, when each card board is attached to an equipment case or a motherboard, such a card edge connector cannot absorb the error of the attachment position. Therefore, the connector may be damaged by mechanical force. Or, the card board inserted into the connector may be bent in an undesirable direction. This may cause mechanical force to act on the components mounted on the card board, causing the solder on the mounting part of the component to peel off. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a floating card edge connector that can absorb errors in the mounting position of an object to be connected and prevent damage to the connector or the object to be connected.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating card edge connector which is capable of preventing loosening of an inserted connection object.

[0006] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a floating card edge connector which can be miniaturized and is advantageous for use in limited mounting spaces.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a floating card edge connector for electrically connecting a first connection object and a second connection object by inserting the first connection object and the second connection object into the floating card edge connector along a first direction, the floating card edge connector comprising a main housing, a first floating housing, a second floating housing, and a plurality of contacts. The first floating housing includes a first fitting opening for inserting a first connection object. The second floating housing includes a second mating opening for inserting a second connection object. The first floating housing and the second floating housing are arranged to be independently movable relative to the main housing, and the opening direction of the first fitting opening is opposite to the opening direction of the second fitting opening. The multiple contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each contact includes a first contact portion, a first held portion, a first spring portion, a connection portion, a second spring portion, a second held portion, and a second contact portion. The first contact portion, the first held portion, and the first spring portion are arranged along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the second contact portion, the second held portion, and the second spring portion are arranged along the third direction. The first contact portion is located in the first mating opening and contacts the first connection object, the first held portion is continuous from the first contact portion and is held by the first floating housing, and the first spring portion is continuous from the first held portion and connected to the second spring portion via the connection portion. The second contact portion is located in the second mating opening and contacts the second connection object, the second held portion is continuous from the second contact portion and is held by the second floating housing, and the second spring portion is continuous from the second held portion. The first mating opening and the second mating opening each have two interference fit structures on two inner walls facing each other in the second direction, whereby the first connection object and the second connection object are inserted into the first mating opening and the second mating opening, respectively, with an interference fit.

[0008] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the distance between the two interference-fit structures is smaller than the width of the insertion end of the first connecting object or the second connecting object.

[0009] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, each interference-fit structure has a groove formed on both sides in the third direction to weaken the rigidity of the interference-fit structure.

[0010] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the main housing includes an upper surface and a lower surface perpendicular to the third direction and facing each other, a first side surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the second direction and facing each other, a first inclined surface connecting the upper surface and the first side surface, a second inclined surface connecting the upper surface and the second side surface, a third inclined surface connecting the lower surface and the first side surface, and a fourth inclined surface connecting the lower surface and the second side surface. When the floating card edge connector is viewed from the first direction, the outer shape of the main housing is octagonal.

[0011] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the main housing is composed of two half housings, and each half housing is formed with two locking portions and two engaging projections.

[0012] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the two locking portions are formed on the first and fourth inclined surfaces, respectively, and the two engaging protrusions are formed on the second and third inclined surfaces, respectively.

[0013] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the locking portion and the engaging protrusion of one of the two half housings are engaged with the engaging protrusion and the locking portion of the other of the two half housings, respectively.

[0014] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the main housing has an internal space, and the first floating housing, the second floating housing, and the contacts are accommodated in the internal space. The first floating housing and the second floating housing are supported in the internal space in a manner that allows them to float by the contacts. The upper and lower inner walls of the main housing are formed with a plurality of position limiting grooves that accommodate the connection parts of the contacts, and the position limiting grooves limit the movement of the connection parts of the contacts in the second direction.

[0015] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the main housing is configured to allow the first floating housing and the second floating housing to move on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0016] According to the floating card edge connector of the present invention, the first floating housing and the second floating housing are movable independently of each other.

[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 perspective view showing a floating card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] A schematic diagram showing two connection objects being inserted into a floating card edge connector along the mating direction [Diagram 3] Schematic diagram showing two connection targets inserted into a floating card edge connector [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a floating card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a front view of a first floating housing of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of a first floating housing of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembly including a first floating housing, a second floating housing, and a contact; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main housing of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main housing of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main housing of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the floating card edge connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, a floating card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, similar components are given the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a floating card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The floating card edge connector is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The floating card edge connector 10 includes a main housing 11, a first floating housing 12, a second floating housing 13 (see FIG. 4), and a plurality of contacts 14, and the main housing 11 is composed of two half housings 110. In this embodiment, the floating card edge connector 10 is a double-sided card edge connector. As shown in FIG. 2, a first connection object P1 and a second connection object P2, which are card boards, are inserted into the floating card edge connector 10 along a first direction D1 (i.e., the mating direction). FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the first connection object P1 and the second connection object P2 are inserted into the floating card edge connector 10. The first connection object P1 and the second connection object P2 have a plurality of conductive pads, so-called gold fingers, formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the edges of the insertion ends, respectively. When the first connection object P1 and the second connection object P2 are inserted into the floating card edge connector 10, the conductive pad formed on the first connection object P1 comes into contact with one end of the contact 14 of the floating card edge connector 10, and the conductive pad formed on the second connection object P2 comes into contact with the other end of the contact 14 of the floating card edge connector 10. This electrically connects the first connection object P1 and the second connection object P2.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a floating card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of contacts 14 are held by a first floating housing 12 and a second floating housing 13, and are arranged in two rows at a predetermined interval along a second direction D2 (i.e., width direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1. The two rows of contacts 14 are spaced apart in a third direction D3 (i.e., height direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The upper row of contacts 14 and the lower row of contacts 14 are aligned in the third direction D3 and face each other. The main housing 11 is configured as a frame-like housing having an internal space. The first floating housing 12, the second floating housing 13, and the contacts 14 are accommodated in the internal space. The first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 are supported in the internal space in a manner that allows them to float on a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1 by the contacts 14.

[0022] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 have the same structure, shape, and size. The two half housings 110 also have the same structure, shape, and size. Therefore, the number of parts required for assembling the floating card edge connector of the embodiment of the present invention can be reduced, which is very advantageous in terms of connector manufacturing, assembly costs, and part inventory management.

[0023] 5 is a front view of the first floating housing 12 of the floating card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first floating housing 12 of the floating card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA. The structure, shape, and size of the second floating housing 13 are the same as those of the first floating housing 12, so a detailed description of the second floating housing 13 is omitted. The first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 are interchangeable.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, a first fitting opening 120 for inserting a first connection object P1 is formed on the front surface of the first floating housing 12. The upper and lower edges of the first fitting opening 120 are chamfered to guide the insertion of the first connection object P1. Two interference fit structures 121 facing each other in the second direction D2 are provided on the two inner side walls of the first fitting opening 120. The interference fit structures 121 have interference fit protrusions 1211. The interference fit structures 121 allow the first connection object P1 to be inserted into the first fitting opening 120 by an interference fit. This makes it possible to prevent the first connection object P1 from loosening or being laterally displaced in the second direction D2. In order to weaken the rigidity of the interference fit structure 121, grooves 122 are formed on both sides of the interference fit structure 121 in the third direction D3 (i.e., the upper and lower sides of the interference fit structure 121). The grooves 122 function as a means for adjusting the rigidity or flexibility of the interference fit structure 121. The formation of the grooves 122 improves the flexibility of the interference fit structure 121, allowing the interference fit structure 121 to deform more easily in response to the insertion of the first connection object P1, and does not impede the insertion of the first connection object P1.

[0025] A plurality of slots 123 are formed on the upper inner wall surface of the first fitting opening 120 to accommodate contact portions of the upper row of contacts. Parts of the contact portions are exposed from the slots 123 and come into contact with conductive pads on the upper surface of the first connection object inserted into the first fitting opening 120. A plurality of slots 124 are formed on the lower inner wall surface of the first fitting opening 120 to accommodate contact portions of the lower row of contacts. Parts of the contact portions are exposed from the slots 124 and come into contact with conductive pads on the lower surface of the first connection object. The slots 123 and 124 have the function of defining the spacing between the contacts and guiding the contact portions of the contacts.

[0026] The two rectangular limiting portions 125 are formed on both side surfaces of the first floating housing 12. The rectangular limiting portions 125 correspond to limiting portion grooves (described later) formed in the main housing 11. The rectangular limiting portions 125 are permitted to move in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 within the limiting portion grooves, but are not permitted to move in the first direction D1. Cooperation between the rectangular limiting portions 125 and the limiting portion grooves can also prevent the first floating housing 12 from swinging up and down (i.e., swinging about the second direction D2).

[0027] In Fig. 6, the outline of the first connection object P1 is indicated by a dashed line. As shown in Fig. 6, the distance W1 between the two interference fit structures 121 (more specifically, the distance between the interference fit protrusions 1211 of the two interference fit structures 121) is set to be smaller than the width W2 of the insertion end of the first connection object P1. Therefore, the first connection object P1 can be inserted into the first fitting opening 120 of the first floating housing 12 by an interference fit. Similarly, the second connection object P2 can be inserted into the second fitting opening (not shown) of the second floating housing 13 by an interference fit.

[0028] 7 is a perspective view showing an assembly composed of a first floating housing 12, a second floating housing 13, and a contact 14. One side of the contact 14 is fixed to and held by the first floating housing 12. The other side of the contact 14 is fixed to and held by the second floating housing 13. The assembly shown in FIG. 7 is accommodated in the internal space of the main housing 11. In FIG. 7, the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 are supported in a floating manner within the main housing 11 by the parts of the contact 14 exposed from the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 (i.e., the first spring part, the second spring part, and the connection part described below).

[0029] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the main housing 11 of the floating card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the main housing 11 of the floating card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a front view showing the main housing 11 of the floating card edge connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the main housing 11 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10.

[0030] The main housing 11 is composed of two half housings 110. When viewed from the first direction D1, the main housing 11 is a frame-shaped housing with an octagonal outer shape. The main housing 11 defines an internal space SP. The internal space SP penetrates both ends of the main housing 11 in the first direction D1. An assembly composed of the first floating housing 12, the second floating housing 13, and the contacts 14 shown in FIG. 7 is accommodated in the internal space SP of the main housing 11. A plurality of position limiting grooves 111 that accommodate the connecting parts of the contacts 14 (described later) are formed on the upper inner side wall and the lower inner side wall of the main housing 11. The position limiting grooves 111 limit the movement of the connecting parts of the contacts 14 in the second direction D2. A limiting groove 113 corresponding to the rectangular limiting portion 125 and the rectangular limiting portion 135 (shown in FIG. 12) is formed on the inner surface of the main housing 11. The floating range of the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 is set according to the gap between the limiting portion groove 113 and the rectangular limiting portions 125, 135. The movable range of the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 may be determined according to the dimension of the internal space SP of the main housing 11. The dimension of the limiting portion groove 113 is set so that its width in the first direction D1 is slightly larger than the sum of the widths in the first direction D1 of the rectangular limiting portion 125 of the first floating housing 12 and the rectangular limiting portion 135 of the second floating housing 13. This prevents the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 from substantially moving in the first direction D1.

[0031] For example, in this embodiment, the movable distances of the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 in the second direction D2 are set to ±0.15 mm, and the movable distances in the third direction D3 are set to ±0.15 mm. However, the above movable distances are merely examples, and the movable distances of the first floating housing and the second floating housing can be changed as necessary, and the floating card edge connector of the present invention is not limited to the specific ranges shown in the examples.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 9, two locking portions 112 and two engagement protrusions 114 are formed on each of the two half housings 110 constituting the main housing 11. When the two half housings 110 are assembled, the locking portion 112 of one half housing 110 engages with the engagement protrusion 114 of the other half housing 110, thereby preventing the assembled two half housings 110 from being separated. As shown in Fig. 10, the main housing 11 includes an upper surface 11a and a lower surface 11b that are perpendicular to the third direction D3 and face each other, a first side surface 11c and a second side surface 11d that are perpendicular to the second direction D2 and face each other, a first inclined surface 11e that connects the upper surface 11a and the first side surface 11c, a second inclined surface 11f that connects the upper surface 11a and the second side surface 11d, a third inclined surface 11g that connects the lower surface 11b and the first side surface 11c, and a fourth inclined surface 11h that connects the lower surface 11b and the second side surface 11d. When the floating card edge connector 10 is viewed from a first direction D1, the outer shape of the main housing 11 is octagonal.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, the two locking portions 112 are formed on the first inclined surface 11e and the fourth inclined surface 11h, respectively. The two engagement protrusions 114 are formed on the second inclined surface 11f and the third inclined surface 11g, respectively. The present invention is not limited thereto. The two locking portions 112 may be formed on the second inclined surface 11f and the third inclined surface 11g, respectively. The two engagement protrusions 114 may be formed on the first inclined surface 11e and the fourth inclined surface 11h, respectively. This configuration is advantageous for miniaturizing the floating card edge connector 10, since it reduces the corner space of the connector and can fully utilize such corner space to form the locking structure.

[0034] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the floating card edge connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line BB. As shown in FIG. 11, the contact 14 includes a first contact portion 141, a first retained portion 143, a first spring portion 145, a connecting portion 147, a second spring portion 146, a second retained portion 144, and a second contact portion 142. In order to bring the first floating housing 12 and the second floating housing 13 closer to each other and reduce the size of the floating card edge connector in the first direction D1, the contact 14 is configured as follows: the first contact portion 141, the first retained portion 143, and the first spring portion 145 are arranged approximately along the third direction D3, and the second contact portion 142, the second retained portion 144, and the second spring portion 146 are also arranged approximately along the third direction D3.

[0035] The first held portion 143 is continuous with the first contact portion 141 and has an engagement protrusion 1431 extending in the first direction D1. The engagement protrusion 1431 is inserted into an engagement hole formed in the first floating housing 12 with a tight fit, whereby the first held portion 143 is fixed to the first floating housing 12. The first spring portion 145 is continuous with the first held portion 143 and is connected to the second spring portion 146 via a connection portion 147. The second held portion 144 is continuous with the second contact portion 142 and has an engagement protrusion 1441 extending in the first direction D1. The engagement protrusion 1441 is inserted into an engagement hole formed in the second floating housing 13 with a tight fit, whereby the second held portion 144 is fixed to the second floating housing 13.

[0036] The first contact portion 141 and the second contact portion 142 are substantially L-shaped or substantially V-shaped. The first spring portion 145 and the second spring portion 146 are substantially U-shaped, but are not limited thereto. The first spring portion 145 and the second spring portion 146 may be arc-shaped or zigzag-shaped.

[0037] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the floating card edge connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along the line CC. As shown in FIG. 12, the rectangular limiting portion 135 of the second floating housing 13 extends into the limiting portion groove 113. As shown in FIG. 12, there is a certain gap between the rectangular limiting portion 135 and the limiting portion groove 113 in the second direction D2 or the third direction D3, allowing the second floating housing 13 to move in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the main housing 11 are formed with position limiting grooves 111 for accommodating the connecting portion 147 of the contact 14. The position limiting grooves 111 limit the movement of the connecting portion 147 of the contact 14 in the second direction D2.

[0038] 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]

[0039] 10 Floating Card Edge Connector 11 Main Housing 110 Half Housing 111 Position limiting groove 112 Rock Section 113 Restriction groove 114 Engagement protrusion 11a Top side 11b Bottom side 11c 1st side 11d 2nd side 11e 1st slope 11f 2nd slope 11g 3rd slope 11h 4th slope 12 First floating housing 120 First fitting opening 121 Interference fit structure 1211 Interference fit protrusion 122 Groove 123 Slots 124 Slots 125 Square Limit Section 13 Second floating housing 135 Square Limit Section 14 Contact 141 1st contact part 142 Second contact part 143 First held part 1431 Engagement piece 144 Second held part 1441 Engagement piece 145 First spring part 146 Second spring part 147 Connection D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction P1 First connection object P2 Second connection object SP interior space W1 Distance between interference fit structures W2 Width of the first connection object

Claims

1. A floating card edge connector, comprising: inserting a first connection object and a second connection object into the floating card edge connector along a first direction to electrically connect the first connection object and the second connection object; The floating card edge connector includes a main housing, a first floating housing, a second floating housing, and a plurality of contacts; the first floating housing includes a first fitting opening for inserting the first connection object; the second floating housing includes a second fitting opening for inserting the second connection object; the first floating housing and the second floating housing are arranged to be independently movable with respect to the main housing, and an opening direction of the first fitting opening is opposite to an opening direction of the second fitting opening, the plurality of contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each of the contacts includes a first contact portion, a first held portion, a first spring portion, a connection portion, a second spring portion, a second held portion, and a second contact portion; the first contact portion, the first held portion, and the first spring portion are arranged along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the second contact portion, the second held portion, and the second spring portion are arranged along the third direction; the first contact portion is located in the first fitting opening and contacts the first connection object, the first held portion is continuous with the first contact portion and is held by the first floating housing, the first spring portion is continuous with the first held portion and is connected to the second spring portion via the connection portion, the second contact portion is located in the second fitting opening and contacts the second connection object, the second held portion is continuous with the second contact portion and is held by the second floating housing, and the second spring portion is continuous with the second held portion, A floating card edge connector, wherein the first mating opening and the second mating opening each have two interference fit structures facing each other in a second direction on two inner walls, whereby the first connection object and the second connection object are inserted into the first mating opening and the second mating opening, respectively, with an interference fit.

2. 2. The floating card edge connector according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two interference-fit structures is smaller than a width of an insertion end of the first connection object or the second connection object.

3. 2. The floating card edge connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said interference-fit structures has a groove formed on both sides in said third direction to weaken the rigidity of said interference-fit structures.

4. the main housing includes an upper surface and a lower surface perpendicular to the third direction and facing each other, a first side surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the second direction and facing each other, a first inclined surface connecting the upper surface and the first side surface, a second inclined surface connecting the upper surface and the second side surface, a third inclined surface connecting the lower surface and the first side surface, and a fourth inclined surface connecting the lower surface and the second side surface, 4. The floating card edge connector according to claim 1, wherein the main housing has an outer shape of an octagon when the floating card edge connector is viewed from the first direction.

5. 5. The floating card edge connector according to claim 4, wherein the main housing is composed of two half housings, and each of the half housings is formed with two locking portions and two engaging projections.

6. The floating card edge connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the two locking portions are formed on the first inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface, respectively, and the two engaging protrusions are formed on the second inclined surface and the third inclined surface, respectively.

7. 7. The floating card edge connector according to claim 6, wherein the locking portion and the engaging projection of one of the two half housings are engaged with the engaging projection and the locking portion of the other of the two half housings, respectively.

8. the main housing has an internal space, the first floating housing, the second floating housing, and the plurality of contacts are accommodated in the internal space; the first floating housing and the second floating housing are supported in the internal space in a floating manner by the plurality of contacts; A floating card edge connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of position limiting grooves are formed on the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the main housing to accommodate the connection portions of a plurality of the contacts, and the movement of the connection portions of the plurality of the contacts in the second direction is limited by the plurality of position limiting grooves.

9. 4. The floating card edge connector according to claim 1, wherein the main housing is configured to allow the first floating housing and the second floating housing to move on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

10. 4. The floating card edge connector according to claim 1, wherein the first floating housing and the second floating housing are movable independently of each other.

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