PCB end connector for flexible connection to PCB boards.

Abstract

The present invention proposes a board edge connector that can be used for flexible connection with a PCB board. According to the present invention, the board edge connector includes an insulating housing with both ends open, a lock nut for mating and mounting with a first end of the insulating housing, and a cover body for mating and mounting with a second end of the insulating housing in a plug-in manner, the cover body is configured to accommodate a first terminal having a weld tail end, and the cover body and the second end of the insulating housing are axially slidable and limited within a predetermined spatial range after mating and mounting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing of a board terminal connector, and more particularly to a board terminal connector that can be used for flexible connection with a PCB board and can adapt to different intervals between the PCB board in the device and the mounting panel on the surface of the device.

Background Art

[0002] A photovoltaic inverter (PV inverter) is used to convert the DC voltage generated by a photovoltaic solar panel into an alternating current (AC) that meets the desired frequency of the power grid. Electrical connectors can be used for the wiring between the inverter and the power grid.

[0003] With the increase in the number of internal terminals of the photovoltaic inverter, the number of wire harnesses for wiring also increases. If the number of wire harnesses in the photovoltaic inverter housing is too large, it may cause inconvenience in assembly and use. One solution is to use a PCB board in the inverter. First, various terminals in the photovoltaic inverter housing are connected to the PCB board, lead-out terminals are welded to the PCB board, and then an electrical connection is established using the board terminal connector and the lead-out terminals attached to the photovoltaic inverter housing.

[0004] In fact, due to the large range of interval tolerances between the photovoltaic inverter housing panel and the PCB board, a flexible connection between the conductive components inside the board terminal connector and the PCB board is required. Conventional designs usually adopt a connection solution of a serpentine spring or a soft copper row, but the above solutions cannot completely solve the problem of the tensile force between the conductive components in the board terminal connector and the PCB board, and there may still be a slight force applied to the PCB board welding points of the lead-out terminals. In addition, the above solutions also face the problems of high cost and small current-carrying capacity.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a novel board end connector component that can provide a flexible connection between a mounting panel on the surface of a device and a PCB inside the device.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a board end connector is proposed comprising an insulating housing with open ends, a lock nut for fitting and mounting to a first end of the insulating housing, and a cover body for fitting and mounting to a second end of the insulating housing by a push-in method, wherein the cover body is configured to accommodate a first terminal having a welded tail end, and the cover body and the second end of the insulating housing are axially slidable and restrictive within a predetermined spatial range after being fitted and mounted.

[0007] In the above-described substrate end connector, an annular boss is provided at the second end of the insulating housing, a first restricting structure is provided on the inside of the cover body, and a second restricting structure is provided that fits onto the outside of the annular boss. After the cover body is sleeved and attached to the annular boss, the physical interference between the first restricting structure and the second restricting structure prevents the cover body from coming off the annular boss.

[0008] In the above-described substrate end connector, when the bottom of the cover body contacts the top of the annular boss, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure are not in contact.

[0009] In the above-described substrate end connector, the first limiting structure is a limiting projection on the inside of the cover body, and the second limiting structure is a limiting recess on the outside of the annular boss. After the cover body is sleeved and attached to the annular boss, the limiting recess receives the limiting projection and allows axial movement of the limiting projection within the limiting recess.

[0010] In the above-described substrate end connector, a first guide structure is provided on the annular boss, and a second guide structure is provided that fits into the cover body. The cooperation of the first guide structure and the second guide structure allows axial relative sliding between the cover body and the insulating housing, but restricts relative rotation in the circumferential direction.

[0011] In the aforementioned substrate end connector, the first guide structure is a guide groove, and the second guide structure is a guide column.

[0012] In the above-described substrate end connector, the welded tail end of the first terminal is flattened, the width of the welded tail end of the first terminal is greater than the insertion body of the first terminal, a terminal jack is provided in the center of the cover body, and the terminal jack is provided with a pin guide and a limiting structure to assist in the mounting guide of the insertion body of the first terminal and to limit the insertion depth of the welded tail end of the end of the first terminal.

[0013] In the above-described substrate end connector, a first stepped structure is provided on the terminal jack, and a second stepped structure is provided on the welded tail end of the first terminal, and the first stepped structure and the second stepped structure cooperate with each other to perform a function of preventing the first terminal from coming loose.

[0014] In the above-described board end connector, the board end connector comprises a conductive sleeve mounted within the insulating housing, one end of the conductive sleeve is used to mate and connect with the insertion body of the first terminal, and the other end of the conductive sleeve is used to connect with a terminal in the mating connector.

[0015] In the above-described board end connector, the conductive sleeve is provided with an elastic connecting member inside for establishing a sliding electrical connection between the inner wall of the sleeve and the insertion body inserted into the first terminal of the sleeve.

[0016] In the above-mentioned board end connector, the elastic connecting member is a crown spring, a torsion spring, a wire spring, a catch claw, or a spring.

[0017] In the above-described board end connector, the first end of the insulating housing corresponds to the end that is inserted into the mating connector in the board end connector.

[0018] In the above-described substrate end connector, the insulating housing is positioned on one side of the mounting panel and used to pass through a positioning hole in the mounting panel, and the lock nut is used to lock the insulating housing on the other side of the mounting panel.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic inverter device is proposed, comprising a device housing, a PCB substrate, and the above-described substrate end connector, wherein the PCB substrate is located within the device housing, the welded tail end of the first terminal of the substrate end connector is welded to the PCB substrate, and the insulating housing of the substrate end connector is attached to the panel of the device housing.

[0020] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention include, at a minimum, enabling the board end connector to adapt to different pitches between the mounting panel and the PCB substrate by axially sliding and restricting the space between the insulating housing and cover of the board end connector within a predetermined spatial range, thereby achieving a flexible axial connection between the PCB substrate welding terminals and the conductive components inside the connector, and allowing for large tolerances. By achieving such a flexible tolerance connection, the problem of tensile force applied by the conductive components inside the board end connector to the PCB substrate welding points is further resolved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an explosion of a substrate end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cover body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a combination of a cover body and pin terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination of a cover body and pin terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination of a cover body and pin terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention along another direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination of an insulating housing and a conductive sleeve of a board-end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A shows a schematic view of a combination of a cover body and pin terminals, and a combination of an insulating housing and a conductive sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a guide post structure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B shows a schematic view of a combination of a cover body and pin terminals, and a combination of an insulating housing and a conductive sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention from another viewing angle, and shows a guide groove structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a mounted state in which a combination of a cover body and pin terminals and a combination of an insulating housing and a conductive sleeve are fitted together. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A shows a schematic mounting view of a board-end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B shows a schematic mounting view of a board-end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A shows the mounting situation of a board-end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention under different spacing conditions between a PCB board and a mounting panel. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B shows the mounting situation of a board-end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention under different spacing conditions between a PCB board and a mounting panel.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention will be described in the following description with reference to each embodiment. However, it should be recognized that each embodiment may be carried out without one or more specific details, or in conjunction with other alternative and / or additional methods, materials, or components. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail so as not to obscure the aspects of each embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, certain quantities, materials, and configurations are described for illustrative purposes to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be carried out without specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrative representations and are not necessarily depicted proportionally.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a substrate end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the substrate end connector 100 can consist of a lock nut 1, a seal gasket 2, an insulating housing 3, a conductive sleeve 4, a crown spring 5, a retaining ring 6, a cover body 7, and pin terminals 8. Among these, the substrate end connector 100 refers to a connector that can be mounted on a panel. For example, in a photovoltaic inverter device in a photovoltaic system, when the substrate end connector 100 is attached to the photovoltaic inverter device housing, one of the surfaces of the device housing becomes the mounting panel for the substrate end connector 100. In this sense, the substrate end connector 100 is also called a device end connector.

[0024] The pin terminal 8 has a tail end for welding to the PCB substrate. Therefore, the pin terminal 8 is also called a weld terminal. The other end of the pin terminal 8 can be inserted into the corresponding jack on the cover body 7 to form a weld terminal assembly. The related structure of this assembly will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cover body 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a combination of the cover body 7 and a pin terminal 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the combination of the cover body 7 and a pin terminal 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the combination of the cover body 7 and a pin terminal 8 along another direction according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sections in Figures 4 and 5 are cut along different angular directions. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the pin terminal 8 can be inserted from one end of the cover body 7 into the corresponding jack of the cover body. The welded tail end 81 of the pin terminal 8 is flattened, and the width of this welded tail end 81 is greater than the insertion body 82 at the front of the pin terminal 8. A terminal jack 71 is provided in the center of the cover body 7, and the terminal jack 71 is provided with a pin guide and limiting structure 72 to assist in the mounting of the insertion body 81 of the pin terminal 8 and to limit the insertion depth of the welded tail end 81 of the pin terminal 8. As an example, the pin guide and limiting structure 72 may be a limiting hole that gradually contracts in the axial direction, as shown in Figure 4. Also, as shown in Figure 5, a stop step 75 is provided on the terminal jack 71, and a stop step 85 is provided on the welded tail end 81 of the pin terminal 8, and the stop steps 75 and 85 cooperate with each other to prevent the pin terminal 8 from coming loose.

[0026] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the combination of the insulating housing 3 and conductive sleeve 4 of a substrate end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7A shows a schematic diagram of the combination of the cover body 7 and pin terminal 8 (i.e., the welded terminal combination) and the combination of the insulating housing 3 and conductive sleeve 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and also shows the guide column structure 722. Figure 7B shows a schematic diagram of the combination of the cover body 7 and pin terminal 8 and the combination of the insulating housing 3 and conductive sleeve 4 from a different viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and also shows the guide groove structure 322. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the combination of the cover body 7 and pin terminal 8 and the fitted state of the insulating housing 3 and conductive sleeve 4.

[0027] Referring to Figures 7A and 8, an annular boss 32 is provided at one end of the insulating housing 3, a first restricting structure 73 is provided on the inside of the cover body 7, and a second restricting structure 35 is provided on the outside of the annular boss. After the cover body 7 is sleeved and attached to the annular boss 32, the physical interference between the first restricting structure 73 and the second restricting structure 35 prevents the cover body 7 from coming off the annular boss 32. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, when the bottom of the cover body 7 contacts the top of the annular boss 32, the first restricting structure 73 and the second restricting structure 35 do not come into contact. This structure of the insulating housing 3 and the cover body 7 allows them to slide axially within a predetermined spatial range after they are fitted and attached, and also restricts their movement.

[0028] As further shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the first limiting structure 73 is an inner limiting projection 735 of the cover body 7, and the second limiting structure 35 is an outer limiting recess 325 of the annular boss 32, and after the cover 7 is sleeved and mounted on the annular boss 32, the limiting recess 325 receives the limiting projection 735 and allows the limiting projection 735 to move axially within the limiting recess 325.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 7A, and 7B, the cover body 7 is provided with guide posts 72. The guide posts 72 form projections 722 inward from the side wall of the cover body 7, and these projections cooperate with the guide grooves 322 on the annular boss 32 of the insulating housing 3. The cooperation of the guide posts 72 and the guide grooves 322 allows for axial relative sliding between the cover body 7 and the insulating housing 3 after they are inserted, but restricts their rotation in the circumferential direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the board end connector 100 includes a conductive sleeve 4 mounted within an insulating housing 3. One end of the conductive sleeve 4 is used to mate and connect with the insertion body 82 of the pin terminal 8, and the other end of the conductive sleeve 4 is used to connect with a terminal in a mating connector (not shown). The conductive sleeve 4 has an elastic connecting member inside to establish a sliding electrical connection between the inner wall of the sleeve 4 and the insertion body 82 of the pin terminal 8 inserted into the sleeve. In Figure 1, the elastic connecting member is shown as a crown spring 5. Those skilled in the art will understand that the elastic connecting member may be a catch claw, a spring, a torsion spring, a wire spring, etc.

[0031] Figures 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams of mounting a PCB end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the PCB end connector assembly 100, excluding the lock nut 1, can be fixed to the PCB substrate 920 by welding, and the assembly is then attached to the mounting panel 910 and secured at the other end of the panel by the lock nut 1.

[0032] Figures 10A and 10B show the mounting status of the PCB end connector according to an embodiment of the present invention under different spacing conditions between the PCB substrate 920 and the mounting panel 910. Comparing the spacing between the PCB substrate 920 and the mounting panel 910 in Figures 10A and 10B, it can be seen that the spacing is larger in Figure 10B. After fitting and mounting the cover body 7 and the insulating housing 3, the board end connector 100 can slide axially within a predetermined spatial range and can be restricted, and the insertion body 82 of the pin terminal 8 can slide within the conductive sleeve 4. Therefore, the board end connector 100 can conform to the mounting conditions of Figure 10(b) without generating tensile force at the welding point on the PCB substrate 920.

[0033] In the above embodiment, a pin terminal 8 was used as an example of a welded terminal, but it is understood that there are other forms of terminals that have a welded tail end.

[0034] In the above embodiment, a seal gasket 2 and a retaining ring 6 were shown, but it should be understood that the presence or absence of the seal gasket and retaining ring, and their specific forms, do not constitute limitations of the present invention.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a PCB substrate was used as the welding location for the welding terminals, but it is understood that the welding location for the welding terminals may be a component of a different form or name.

[0036] While the basic concepts have been described above, it is clear that the above disclosures are merely examples for those skilled in the art and do not limit this application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art can make various amendments, improvements, and modifications to this application. Such amendments, improvements, and modifications are proposed in this application and therefore fall within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] Symbols in partial drawings: 100 PCB end connector; 1 lock nut; 3 insulating housing; 4 conductive sleeve; 5 crown spring; 6 retaining ring; 7 cover body; 71 terminal jack; 72 pin guide and limiting structure; 75 stop step; 8 pin terminal; 81 welded tail end; 82 insertion body; 85 stop step; 722 projection; 322 guide groove; 32 annular boss; 73 first limiting structure; 35 second limiting structure; 735 limiting projection; 325 limiting recess

Claims

1. The device comprises an insulating housing with open ends, a lock nut for fitting and attaching to the first end of the insulating housing, and a cover body for fitting and attaching to the second end of the insulating housing by a push-in method, wherein the cover body is configured to accommodate a first terminal having a welded tail end, and the cover body and the second end of the insulating housing are slidable in the axial direction within a predetermined spatial range after being fitted and attached. A substrate end connector characterized in that an annular boss is provided at the second end of the insulating housing, a first restricting structure is provided on the inside of the cover body, and a second restricting structure is provided that fits onto the outside of the annular boss, and after the cover body is attached to the annular boss by sleeve, the physical interference between the first restricting structure and the second restricting structure prevents the cover body from coming off the annular boss.

2. The substrate end connector according to claim 1, characterized in that when the bottom of the cover body contacts the top of the annular boss, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure are not in contact.

3. The substrate end connector according to claim 1, wherein the first limiting structure is a limiting projection on the inside of the cover body, and the second limiting structure is a limiting recess on the outside of the annular boss, and after the cover body is sleeved and attached to the annular boss, the limiting recess receives the limiting projection and allows axial movement of the limiting projection within the limiting recess.

4. The substrate end connector according to claim 1, characterized in that a first guide structure is provided on the annular boss, and a second guide structure is provided that fits into the cover body, and the cooperation of the first guide structure and the second guide structure allows axial relative sliding between the cover body and the insulating housing, but restricts relative rotation in the circumferential direction.

5. The substrate end connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the first guide structure is a guide groove and the second guide structure is a guide column.

6. The substrate end connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the welded tail end of the first terminal is flattened, the width of the welded tail end of the first terminal is greater than the insertion body of the first terminal, a terminal jack is provided in the center of the cover body, and the terminal jack is provided with a pin guide and a limiting structure for assisting the mounting guide of the insertion body of the first terminal and limiting the insertion depth of the welded tail end of the end of the first terminal.

7. The substrate end connector according to claim 6, characterized in that a first stepped structure is provided on the terminal jack, a second stepped structure is provided on the welded tail end of the first terminal, and the first stepped structure and the second stepped structure cooperate with each other to perform a function of preventing the first terminal from coming loose.

8. A board end connector, The device comprises an insulating housing with open ends, a lock nut for fitting and attaching to the first end of the insulating housing, and a cover body for fitting and attaching to the second end of the insulating housing by a push-in method, wherein the cover body is configured to accommodate a first terminal having a welded tail end, and the cover body and the second end of the insulating housing are slidable in the axial direction within a predetermined spatial range after being fitted and attached. The board end connector is characterized in that it comprises a conductive sleeve mounted within the insulating housing, one end of the conductive sleeve is used for mating and connecting with the insertion body of the first terminal, and the other end of the conductive sleeve is used for connecting with a terminal in the mating connector.

9. The substrate end connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the conductive sleeve is provided with an elastic connecting member inside for establishing a sliding electrical connection between the inner wall of the sleeve and the insertion body inserted into the first terminal of the sleeve.

10. The substrate end connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the elastic connecting member is a crown spring, a torsion spring, a wire spring, a catch claw, or a spurring.

11. The board end connector according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the first end of the insulating housing corresponds to one end that is inserted into the mating connector in the board end connector.

12. The substrate end connector according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the insulating housing is positioned on one side of the mounting panel and used to pass through a positioning hole in the mounting panel, and the lock nut is used to lock the insulating housing on the other side of the mounting panel.

13. A photovoltaic inverter device comprising a device housing, a PCB substrate, and a substrate end connector according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the PCB substrate is located within the device housing, the welded tail end of the first terminal of the substrate end connector is welded to the PCB substrate, and the insulating housing of the substrate end connector is attached to the panel of the device housing.

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