connector

Abstract

We provide connectors. [Solution] A connector comprising: a circuit board; an insulating body located on the circuit board; a positioning frame located on the circuit board so as to cover the insulating body and having two opposing side walls; two opposing connection parts located outside the positioning frame, each of which has a locking element whose first end penetrates the positioning frame and is pivotally attached to the insulating body and has a bump; and two unlocking elements located inside the two side walls of the positioning frame, each having a hollow region whose edge has an arc surface and a stopper surface, wherein each of the two first ends of the two connection parts penetrates the two hollow regions such that each of the two bumps is located in the two hollow regions, and when the locking element rotates in the unlocking direction, each of the two bumps contacts the two stopper surfaces, causing the two unlocking elements to rotate in the unlocking direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector, and particularly to a vertical plug-in connector. [Background Art]

[0002] Various types of electrical connectors exist to realize electrical connection between different electronic devices. According to the position where an electrical connector is provided, it can be divided into forms such as a cable-side connector which is located at one end of a cable and for fitting connection to a board-side connector, and a board-side connector provided on a circuit board. Along with continuous progress and innovation in technologies of various electronic products, new electronic products tend to have greatly improved performance, diversified types of electrical signals, and require a wider frequency bandwidth (Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-038772 [Summary of Invention] [Problem to be Solved by Invention]

[0004] The cable-side connector and the board-side connector require additional positioning elements with complicated structures. For these positioning elements, when the cable-side connector is to be detached from the board-side connector, a user needs to perform a plurality of operation steps to unlock the positioning elements before the cable-side connector can be pulled out from the board-side connector. Therefore, realizing a cable-side connector and a board-side connector having a quick plugging function is an important issue for those skilled in the art. [Means for Solving Problem]

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a connector is provided that includes a circuit board, an insulating body located on the circuit board, a positioning frame located on the circuit board so as to cover the insulating body and having two opposing side walls, and two opposing connection parts located outside the positioning frame, each of the two connection parts being a locking element having a bump and a first end that penetrates the positioning frame and is pivotally attached to the insulating body, and two unlocking elements each located inside the two side walls of the positioning frame and each having a hollow region whose edge has an arc surface and a stopper surface adjacent to the arc surface, wherein each of the two first ends of the two connection parts penetrates the two hollow regions such that each of the two bumps is located in the two hollow regions, and when the locking element rotates in the unlocking direction, each of the two bumps contacts the two stopper surfaces and rotates the unlocking element in the unlocking direction.

[0006] In some embodiments, the stopper surface of the hollow region is planar.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the two unlocking elements has a Z-shape in plan view.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the mating connector is positioned within the positioning frame, the two unlocking elements are covered, at least in part, by the mating connector.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the two unlocking elements has a first end and a second end, the two hollow regions of the two unlocking elements are located within the two first ends, and the distance between the two second ends is less than the distance between the two first ends.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the two first ends of the two unlocking elements further includes a stopper, and a hollow region is located between the second end and the stopper.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the locking element rotates in the unlocking direction, the two stoppers of the two unlocking elements are positioned to contact the circuit board.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the two side walls of the positioning frame has an opening corresponding to the position of the hollow region.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second end of each of the two connecting portions has a positioning hole, and each of the two side walls of the positioning frame has a projection, and the positioning hole is arranged to be coupled to the projection.

[0014] In some embodiments, the locking element further includes a jumper portion, the ends of which are adjacent to two connection portions, and which protrudes from the edge of the mating connector when the mating connector is positioned within the positioning frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] In the above embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking element is located outside the positioning frame and has a bump on the connecting portion, and the unlocking element is located inside the side wall of the positioning frame and has a hollow region, and the first end of the connecting portion penetrates the hollow region so that the bump is located within the hollow region. Therefore, when the connector needs to release the mating connector (e.g., cable-side connector), the locking element can be rotated in the unlocking direction, causing the bump on the connecting portion to contact the stopper surface at the edge of the hollow region, and the unlocking element can be rotated in the unlocking direction. This allows the unlocking element to lift the mating connector located on it and switch from a mated connection state to an unlocked state. This connector can unlock and release the mating connector with only the operation step of applying an upward force to the locking element, and reduces the use of parts, which is effective in reducing costs and improving product competitiveness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, aspects of the present disclosure can be best understood through the embodiments described below. However, various features are not drawn to scale in accordance with standard practice in the art. In fact, the sizes of various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when mated and connected with another mating connector. [Figure 2] It is a top view of the connector of FIG. 1 with a positioning frame omitted. [Figure 3] It is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 with the positioning frame omitted when the connector and the mating connector are mated and connected. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the locking element of FIG. 3 when rotated in the unlocking direction. [Figure 5] It is a side view with the mating connector omitted, showing the locking element of FIG. 4 continuing to rotate in the unlocking direction. [Figure 6] It is a partially enlarged view of the unlocking element of FIG. 5 with the positioning frame omitted. [Figure 7] It is a side view with the positioning frame omitted, showing the locking element of FIG. 5 continuing to rotate in the unlocking direction until the stopper thereof abuts against a circuit board. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The content of the embodiments disclosed below provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features for the provided purpose. Specific examples of elements and configurations are described below to simplify the present application. Of course, these examples are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the present application may repeat reference numerals and / or alphabetical characters in each example. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not in itself define the relationship between the respective described embodiments and / or configurations.

[0018] Spatial relative terms such as "below," "below," "at the bottom," "above," and "top" can be used herein for explanatory purposes to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another, as shown in the drawings. Spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the drawings. The device may be oriented in other ways (by rotating 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein can be interpreted in a corresponding manner.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure when mated with another mating connector 200. Figure 2 is a top view of the connector 100 of Figure 1, with the positioning frame 130 omitted. Referring together to Figures 1 and 2, the connector 100 includes a circuit board 110, an insulating body 120, a positioning frame 130, a locking element 140, and two unlocking elements 150. The insulating body 120 is located on the circuit board 110. The positioning frame 130 is located on the circuit board 110 so as to cover the insulating body 120. The positioning frame 130 has two opposing side walls 132. In this embodiment, the connector 100 may be a board-side connector, and the mating connector 200 may be a cable-side connector. When the mating connector 200 and the connector 100 are mated, the positioning frame 130 can surround three sides of the mating connector 200. The locking element 140 is located outside the positioning frame 130 and has two opposing connection portions 142. The side wall 132 of the positioning frame 130 has an opening 135. The unlocking element 150 is located inside the side wall 132 of the positioning frame 130 and has a hollow region 151. The position of the opening 135 of the positioning frame 130 corresponds to the position of the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150. With this design, the first end 141 of the connection portion 142 of the locking element 140 sequentially passes through the opening 135 of the positioning frame 130 and the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150, and can then be pivotally attached to the insulating body 120, so that the locking element 140 can rotate on the insulating body 120.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second end 143 of the connecting portion 142 of the locking element 140 has a positioning hole 145, and the side wall 132 of the positioning frame 130 has a protruding point 134. As shown in FIG. 1, when the mating connector 200 is fitted and connected to the connector 100 and enters a locked state, the positioning hole 145 of the connecting portion 142 is coupled to the protruding point 134 of the positioning frame 130. Furthermore, the locking element 140 further includes a jumper portion 144. Each of both ends of the jumper portion 144 is adjacent to two connecting portions 142, that is, the jumper portion 144 is located between the two connecting portions 142. When the mating connector 200 is positioned on the positioning frame 130, a part of the jumper portion 144 of the locking element 140 protrudes from the edge of the mating connector 200, which facilitates a user to apply a force in the unlocking direction D to the locking element 140.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the connector 100 of FIG. 1 and the mating connector 200 in fitted connection with the positioning frame 130 omitted. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together, the first end 141 of the connecting portion 142 of the locking element 140 has a bump 146. The edge of the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150 has an arc surface 153 and a stopper surface 155 adjacent to the arc surface 153. The stopper surface 155 of the hollow region 151 may be a flat surface. Each of the two first ends 141 of the two connecting portions 142 of the locking element 140 penetrates through the two hollow regions 151 of the unlocking element 150, such that each of the two bumps 146 is located in the two hollow regions 151. Accordingly, when the locking element 140 rotates in the unlocking direction D, the bump 146 of the connecting portion 142 gradually approaches the stopper surface 155 of the hollow region 151, and then abuts against the stopper surface 155 (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) of the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150, so that the unlocking element 150 can be rotated in the unlocking direction D.

[0022] When the mating connector 200 is positioned within the positioning frame 130 of the connector 100 (see Figure 1), at least a portion of the two unlocking elements 150 are covered by the mating connector 200. In this embodiment, the unlocking elements 150 may have a Z-shape in plan view. The unlocking elements 150 have a first end 152 and a second end 154. The hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150 is located within the first end 152, and the distance d1 between the two second ends 154 of the two unlocking elements 150 is smaller than the distance d2 between the two first ends 152. With this design, when the mating connector 200 and the connector 100 are mated together, the two second ends 154 of the two unlocking elements 150 are covered by the mating connector 200, that is, the unlocking elements 150 and the mating connector 200 overlap vertically. When the unlocking element 150 is rotated in the unlocking direction D by the locking element 140, the second end 154 of the unlocking element 150 can lift the mating connector 200 so as to unlock and detach it from the connector 100.

[0023] It should be understood that the connection relationships, materials, and effects of the elements already described will not be discussed further, and this is stated upfront. The following explanation describes the process by which the locking element 140 in Figure 3 rotates in the unlocking direction D.

[0024] Figure 4 is a side view of the locking element 140 in Figure 3 when it rotates in the unlocking direction D. Figure 5 is a side view of the locking element 140 in Figure 4 when it continues to rotate in the unlocking direction D, with the mating connector 200 omitted. Referring to Figures 4 and 5 together, when the locking element 140 rotates in the unlocking direction D and the bump 146 of the connection portion 142 of the locking element 140 is not in contact with the stopper surface 155 of the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150, only the locking element 140 rotates, and the unlocking element 150 remains stationary in the horizontal state of Figure 3. When the locking element 140 continues to rotate in the unlocking direction D, the bump 146 of the connection portion 142 of the locking element 140 can come into contact with the stopper surface 155 of the hollow region 151 of the unlocking element 150. Next, the locking element 140 rotates further in the unlocking direction D, and the bump 146 of the connection portion 142 of the locking element 140 rotates the unlocking element 150 synchronously in the unlocking direction D by the stopper surface 155 of the hollow region 151, allowing the second end portion 154 of the unlocking element 150 to be raised to the state shown in Figure 5. In this state, the mating connector 200, which was originally located at the second end portion 154 of the unlocking element 150, is lifted and changes from the mated connection state shown in Figure 4 to the unlocked state.

[0025] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of the unlocking element 150 of Figure 5, with the positioning frame 130 omitted. Referring to Figures 5 and 6 together, the first end 152 of the unlocking element 150 further includes a stopper 156, and the hollow region 151 is located between the second end 154 and the stopper 156.

[0026] Figure 7 is a side view of the locking element 140 in Figure 5, with the positioning frame 130 omitted, showing the locking element 140 continuing to rotate in the unlocking direction D and its stopper 156 coming into contact with the circuit board 110. Referring to Figures 5 and 7 together, when the locking element 140 in Figure 5 continues to rotate the unlocking element 150 in the unlocking direction D, the stopper 156 of the unlocking element 150 comes into contact with the circuit board 110, thereby preventing the locking element 140 from continuing to rotate in the unlocking direction D. In the unlocked state of Figure 7, the mating connector 200 is lifted by the second end 154 of the unlocking element 150, so that the user can easily remove the mating connector 200 from the connector 100.

[0027] Specifically, the locking element 140 is located outside the positioning frame 130 and the connecting portion 142 of the locking element 140 has a bump 146, the unlocking element 150 is located inside the side wall 132 of the positioning frame 130 and has a hollow region 151, and the first end 141 of the connecting portion 142 penetrates the hollow region 151 so that the bump 146 is located inside the hollow region 151. When the connector 100 needs to release the mating connector 200 (for example, the cable-side connector), the locking element 140 is rotated in the unlocking direction D, the bump 146 of the connecting portion 142 comes into contact with the stopper surface 155 at the edge of the hollow region 151, and the unlocking element 150 is rotated in the unlocking direction D. As a result, the unlocking element 150 can lift the mating connector 200 located on it and switch from a mated connection state to an unlocked state. This connector 100 can unlock and release the mating connector 200 with just an operation step of applying an upward force to the locking element 140, and it can also reduce the use of parts, which is effective in reducing costs and improving product competitiveness.

[0028] Having outlined the features of several embodiments above, those skilled in the art will be able to better understand the aspects of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that this disclosure can be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve the same objectives and / or similar advantages as the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art should recognize that such equivalent structures will not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 100: Connector 110: Circuit board 120: Insulating body 130: Positioning frame 132: Side wall 134: Salient point 135:Aperture 140: Locking element 141: 1st end 142: Connection part 143: 2nd end 144: Jumper Club 145: Positioning hole 146: Bump 150: Unlock element 151: Hollow area 152: First end 153: Arc surface 154:Second end 155: Stopper surface 156: Stopper 200: Mating connector D: Unlock direction d1, d2: distance

Claims

1. A connector, Circuit board and The insulating body located on the circuit board, A positioning frame is positioned on the circuit board so as to cover the insulating body and has two opposing side walls, The positioning frame has two opposing connection parts located on the outside of the positioning frame, each of which has a locking element with a bump, the first end of which is pivotally attached to the insulating body through the positioning frame, Two unlocking elements, each located inside the two side walls of the positioning frame, each having a hollow region, a first end, and a second end, the edges of which are curved and stopper surfaces adjacent to the curved surface, wherein the hollow region is located within the first end, and each of the two first ends of the two connecting parts penetrates the two hollow regions such that each of the two bumps is located within the two hollow regions, and when the mating connector is positioned within the positioning frame, the two second ends of the two unlocking elements are covered by the mating connector, and when the locking element rotates in the unlocking direction, each of the two bumps abuts against the two stopper surfaces, causing the two unlocking elements to rotate in the unlocking direction, and the two second ends of the two unlocking elements lift the mating connector so as to unlock and detach it from the connector, A connector that includes this.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the stopper surface of the hollow region is planar.

3. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each of the two unlocking elements has a Z-shape in plan view.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the distance between the two second ends of each of the two unlocking elements is smaller than the distance between the two first ends.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein each of the two first ends of the two unlocking elements further includes a stopper, and the hollow region is located between the second end and the stopper.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein when the locking element rotates in the unlocking direction, the two stoppers of the two unlocking elements are arranged to contact the circuit board.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each of the two side walls of the positioning frame has an opening corresponding to the position of the hollow region.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second end of each of the two connecting portions has a positioning hole, and each of the two side walls of the positioning frame has a projection, and the positioning hole is arranged to be coupled to the projection.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the locking element further includes a jumper portion, the ends of which are adjacent to the two connection portions, and a portion of which protrudes from the edge of the mating connector when the mating connector is positioned within the positioning frame.

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