Electrical connector

An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module to a circuit board includes a body for upwardly bearing the chip module. The body is provided with multiple accommodating holes. Each accommodating hole has a first groove and a second groove, and a width of the second groove is less than a width of the first groove. Multiple terminals are correspondingly accommodated in the accommodating holes. Each terminal includes: a base, accommodated in the first groove; an extending portion, bending and extending from one side of the base and accommodated in the second groove; a conducting portion, provided on a bottom portion of the terminal to be electrically connected with the circuit board; and an elastic portion, formed by upwardly bending and extending from the extending portion to abut the chip module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), patent application Serial No. CN201711292126.0 filed in China on Dec. 8, 2017 and patent application Serial No. CN201810208023.X filed in China on Mar. 14, 2018. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and in particular to an electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, an electrical connector is used for electrically connecting a chip module with a circuit board, and includes an insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals accommodated in the insulating body.

Each conductive terminal is formed by stamping a metal material integrally, and includes a flat retaining portion, a bending portion bending and extending from one side of the retaining portion, an elastic portion upwardly bending and extending from a top end of the bending portion, and a soldering portion downwardly bending and extending from a bottom end of the retaining portion. The two opposite sides of the retaining portion are provided with a plurality of barbs. The tail end of the elastic portion is provided with a curved-shaped contact portion, which can be conductively connected with the chip module. The soldering portion extends from a middle portion of the bottom end of the retaining portion, and has a horizontal curved plate-shaped structure. The bottom of the soldering portion can be soldered to a solder ball, and the conductive terminal can be soldered to the circuit board through the solder ball.

The insulating body is made of an insulating material, and is provided with a plurality of terminal grooves for accommodating the conductive terminals. Each terminal groove includes an accommodating groove with an approximately rectangular cross-section and a retaining slot communicating with the accommodating groove and located at one side of the accommodating groove. Each conductive terminal are fixed on the corresponding wall surfaces of the retaining groove by the interference of the barbs on the retaining portion, such that the conductive terminal is retained in the insulating body, while the bending portion of each conductive terminal is accommodated in the accommodating groove and the bending portion have a large moving space in the accommodating groove.

However, the electrical connector only depends on the interference fixing between the barbs on the retaining portion and the corresponding wall surfaces of the retaining groove to retain each conductive terminal in the insulating body. When the chip module presses downward on the elastic portion, a distance between the contact portion and the retaining portion is large, and the accommodating groove lack a position limiting effect on the bending portion, thereby resulting in the bending portion to be easily shaken in the accommodating groove, and further affecting the stable conduction between the conductive terminals and the chip module.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need to design a novel electrical connector exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an electrical connector which can stably retain terminals in a body to prevent the terminals from shaking in the body, thus ensuring the stable conduction between the terminals and a chip module.

In order to achieve the foregoing objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

An electrical connector configured to electrically connect a chip module to a circuit board includes: a body configured to upwardly bear the chip module, wherein the body is provided with a plurality of accommodating holes, each of the accommodating holes has a first groove and a second groove, and a width of the second groove is less than a width of the first groove; and a plurality of terminals, correspondingly accommodated in the accommodating holes, wherein each of the terminals includes: a base, accommodated in the first groove; an extending portion, bending and extending from one side of the base and accommodated in the second groove; a conducting portion, provided on a bottom portion of the terminal and configured to be electrically connected with the circuit board; and an elastic portion, formed by upwardly bending and extending from the extending portion and configured to abut the chip module.

In certain embodiments, each of the accommodating holes includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface provided opposite to each other, the first wall surface and the second wall surface jointly define the first groove, and the second groove runs through the first wall surface and communicates with the first groove.

In certain embodiments, the first wall surface and the second wall surface are provided obliquely relative to each other.

In certain embodiments, an inner wall of each of the accommodating holes is provided with two protruding blocks opposite to each other, and the two protruding blocks jointly define the second groove.

In certain embodiments, a top portion of each of the protruding blocks is obliquely provided with a guide surface.

In certain embodiments, each of the accommodating holes is provided with a third wall surface and a fourth wall surface, a protruding block is formed by extending from the third wall surface toward the accommodating hole, and the protruding block and the fourth wall surface jointly define the second groove.

In certain embodiments, each of the accommodating holes further includes a fifth wall surface connected with the third wall surface and the fourth wall surface, and the protruding block is connected with the fifth wall surface.

In certain embodiments, the body is concavely provided with a plurality of recess grooves corresponding to the accommodating holes, wherein each of the recess grooves is downward concavely provided from one side of the second groove of a corresponding accommodating hole of the accommodating holes, each of the recess grooves communicates with the second groove of the corresponding accommodating hole, a width of each of the recess grooves is greater than the width of the second groove of the corresponding accommodating hole, and each of the recess grooves and the first groove of the corresponding accommodating hole are located on two opposite sides of the second groove of the corresponding accommodating hole.

In certain embodiments, the extending portion of each of the terminals is partially accommodated in a corresponding one of the recess grooves.

In certain embodiments, two opposite sides of the base are provided with a plurality of fastening portions, the fastening portions are configured to be in interference fit with the first groove, a bottom end of at least one of the fastening portions has a position limiting portion, and the first groove has a position limiting surface located below the position limiting portion and configured to limit each of the terminals from moving downward.

In certain embodiments, the extending portion has a stopping portion, and the second groove has a stopping surface located below the stopping portion and configured to limit each of the terminals from moving downward.

In certain embodiments, the base has a position limiting portion located below the stopping portion, and the first groove has a position limiting surface located below the position limiting portion and configured to limit each of the terminals from moving downward.

In certain embodiments, the extending portion is pierced and broken to form a protruding thorn, and the protruding thorn is in interference fit with the second groove.

In certain embodiments, a top end of the base extends upward to form a strip connecting portion configured to be connected with a strip, the body is provided with a plurality of protruding bars corresponding to the accommodating holes, each of the protruding bars protrudes upwardly from one side of the first groove of a corresponding accommodating hole of the accommodating holes, one side of each of the protruding bars located close to the strip connecting portion has an oblique surface, and a top end of the strip connecting portion is higher than a lower end of the oblique surface and lower than an upper end of the oblique surface.

In certain embodiments, the body is provided with a plurality of supporting blocks corresponding to the accommodating holes, each of the supporting blocks protrudes upwardly from the other side of the first groove of a corresponding accommodating hole of the accommodating holes, a top surface of each of the supporting blocks is higher than a top surface of each of the protruding bars, and the supporting blocks are configured to upwardly bear the chip module.

In certain embodiments, the conducting portion is formed by downwardly extending from a bottom end of the base, and the conducting portion and the circuit board are soldered by a solder.

In certain embodiments, a vertical central line of the conducting portion deviates from a vertical central line of the base in a horizontal direction.

In certain embodiments, the vertical central line of the conducting portion deviates from the vertical central line of the base toward a connecting location between the base and the extending portion.

In certain embodiments, the conducting portion is formed by vertically downwardly extending from a bottom end of the base, the body is provided with a retaining block protruding downward on one side of each of the accommodating holes, and the conducting portion and the retaining block clamp two opposite sides of a solder.

In certain embodiments, the conducting portion includes a first portion formed by downwardly extending from a bottom end of the base, a second portion formed by horizontally extending from the first portion, and a protruding portion formed by horizontally extending from the second portion, the protruding portion extends to be located right below the extending portion, and a bottom surface of the protruding portion is soldered to a solder.

Compared with the related art, the electrical connector according to certain embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

The base is accommodated in the first groove, the extending portion is accommodated in the second groove, and the width of the second groove is less than the width of the first groove, thus ensuring a position limiting effect of the second groove to the extending portion, and further reducing a distance between the position where the terminal abuts the chip module and the position where the terminal is limited in the accommodating hole. When the chip module presses downward on the elastic portion, the shake of the extending portion in the second groove can be effectively reduced, thus ensuring the stable conduction between the terminals and the chip module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within20percent, preferably within10percent, and more preferably within5percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

FIG. 1toFIG. 7show an electrical connector100according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is configured to electrically connect a chip module4to a circuit board5. The electrical connector100includes a body1for upwardly bearing the chip module4, and a plurality of terminals2accommodated in the body1.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 3, the body1is made of an insulating material. The body1has an upper surface11and a lower surface12opposite to each other, and the body1is provided with a plurality of accommodating holes13running through the upper surface11and the lower surface12. The accommodating holes13are arranged in multiple rows, and each two adjacent rows of accommodating holes13are provided in a staggered way.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 4, each accommodating hole13has a first groove14and a second groove15, and a width W2of the second groove15is less than a width W1of the first groove14.

Each accommodating hole13includes a first wall surface131and a second wall surface132provided opposite to each other. The first wall surface131and the second wall surface132are obliquely provided relative to each other, and jointly define the first groove14. A distance between the first wall surface131and the second wall surface132is defined as the width W1of the first groove14.

A part of the first groove14does not run through the lower surface12, thereby forming a position limiting surface141. The position limiting surface141is connected with the first wall surface131and the second wall surface132.

The inner wall of each accommodating hole13is provided with two opposite protruding blocks133. The two protruding blocks133extend toward each other and jointly define the second groove15. The second groove15runs through the first wall surface131, and communicates with the first groove14. The inner surfaces of the two protruding blocks133are parallel to each other. A distance between the inner surfaces of the two protruding blocks133is defined as the width W2of the second groove15. The top portion of each protruding block133is obliquely provided with a guide surface1331.

The second groove15does not run through the lower surface12thereby forming a stopping surface151. The stopping surface151is located above the position limiting surface141(seeFIG. 6). The stopping surface151extends to the connecting location between the first groove14and the second groove15.

The body1has a plurality of recess grooves16downwardly and concavely provided from the upper surface11. Each recess groove16correspondingly communicates with a corresponding second groove15. A width W3of the recess groove16is greater than the width W2of the second groove15. The recess groove16and the first groove14are located on two opposite sides of the second groove15. When the second groove15is formed by a pin, the strength of the pin can be enhanced.

As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the body1has a plurality of protruding bars17formed by extending upward from the upper surface11. One side of each first groove14is correspondingly provided with a protruding bar17, and one side of each protruding bar17close to the first groove14is provided with an oblique surface171.

The body1has a plurality of supporting blocks18formed by extending upward from the upper surface11. The other side of each first groove14is correspondingly provided with a supporting block18. A top surface of each supporting blocks18is higher than a top surface of each protruding bar17. The supporting blocks18are configured to upwardly bear the chip module4.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the body1is provided with a retaining block19protruding downward on one side of each accommodating hole13.

As shown inFIG. 1, the terminals2are made of a metal sheet. The terminals2are correspondingly accommodated in the accommodating holes13. Each terminal2includes a base21, an extending portion22, a conducting portion23, a strip connecting portion24, and an elastic portion25.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 4andFIG. 6, the base21is flat plate shaped. The base21is accommodated in the first groove14. The bottom end of the base21has a position limiting portion211. The position limiting surface141is located below the position limiting portion211to limit the terminal2from moving downward.

The extending portion22bends and extends from one side of the base21. The extending portion22is accommodated in the second groove15through the guide of the guide surface1331. The extending portion22is partially accommodated in the recess groove16. The extending portion22is pierced and broken to form a protruding thorn221. The protruding thorn221is in interference fit with one of the protruding blocks133in the corresponding accommodating hole13to fix the terminal2in the corresponding accommodating hole13. The bottom end of the extending portion22has a stopping portion222. The stopping portion222is located above the position limiting portion211. The stopping surface151is located below the stopping portion222to limit the terminal2from moving downward.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the conducting portion23is formed by vertically downwardly bending from the bottom end of the base21. The conducting portion23is soldered to the circuit board5through a solder3. In other embodiments, the conducting portion23may also elastically abut the circuit board5. The conducting portion23downwardly extends out of the first groove14. The conducting portion23and the retaining block19clamp two opposite sides of the solder3. A vertical central line L1of the conducting portion23deviates from a vertical central line L2of the base21in the horizontal direction. The vertical central line L1of the conducting portion23deviates the vertical central line L2of the base21toward the connecting location between the base21and the extending portion22.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 5, the strip connecting portion24is formed by vertically upwardly extending from the top end of the base21. The strip connecting portion24is configured to be connected with a strip6. The strip connecting portion24upwardly extends out of the first groove14. The top end of the strip connecting portion24is higher than the lower end of the oblique surface171and lower than the upper end of the oblique surface171, such that the strip6can be conveniently broken off.

The elastic portion25is formed by upwardly bending and extending from the top end of the extending portion22. The elastic portion25upwardly extends out of the second groove15(seeFIG. 6). The tail end of the elastic portion25is provided with a contact portion251. The contact portion251is curved shaped, and is configured to abut the chip module4(seeFIG. 7).

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, during assembly, each terminal2is installed into the corresponding accommodating hole13from top to bottom, such that the base21is accommodated in the first groove14and the extending portion22is accommodated in the second groove15until the position limiting portion211abuts the position limiting surface141, and the stopping portion222abuts the stopping surface151. The protruding thorn221is in interference fit with the protruding block133. The conducting portion23downwardly extends out of the first groove14. The conducting portion23and the retaining block19clamp the two opposite sides of the solder3.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, when in use, the electrical connector100is first placed on the circuit board5, and the solders3are utilized to fixedly solder the electrical connector100onto the circuit board5. The chip module4is then mounted onto the electrical connector100. Then a downward acting force is applied to the chip module4, such that the chip module4downwardly abuts the terminals2. The extending portion22of each terminal2is retained in the corresponding second groove15to serve as a pivot for the deformation of the elastic portions25until the supporting blocks18upwardly supports the chip module4.

FIG. 8toFIG. 12show an electrical connector100according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structures having the same numbers in the drawings as those in the first embodiment are not elaborated herein. Specifically, the main differences of the electrical connector100of the present embodiment from that of the first embodiment exist in that:

As shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 11andFIG. 12, the first wall surface131and the second wall surface132are provided oppositely in parallel and jointly define the first groove14. The distance between the first wall surface131and the second wall surface132is defined as the width W1of the first groove14.

Each accommodating hole13has a third wall surface134and a fourth wall surface135provided opposite to each other, and a fifth wall surface136connected with the third wall surface134and the fourth wall surface135. The protruding block133is formed by extending toward the accommodating hole13from the third wall surface134. The protruding block133is connected with the fifth wall surface136. The protruding block133and the fourth wall surface135jointly define the second groove15. The second groove15runs through the lower surface12. The distance between the protruding block133and the fourth wall surface135is defined as the width W2of the second groove15.

As shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 9andFIG. 10, the two opposite sides of the base21are provided with a plurality of fastening portions212. The fastening portions212are located below the extending portion22. The fastening portions212are in interference fit with the first groove14to fix the terminal2in the accommodating hole13. The bottom end of at least one fastening portion212has a position limiting portion211configured to limit the terminal2from moving downward.

In the present embodiment, the two opposite sides of the base21are provided with two fastening portions212. The position limiting portions211are provided at the bottom ends of the fastening portions212at the lower side. In other embodiments, the position limiting portions211may also be provided on the bottom ends of the fastening portions212at the upper side. Alternatively, the position limiting portions211may be provided on the bottom ends of all of the fastening portions212.

The conducting portion23includes a first portion231formed by downwardly vertically extending from the bottom end of the base21, a second portion232formed by horizontally extending from the first portion231, and a protruding portion233horizontally extending from the second portion232. The protruding portion233extends to be located right below the extending portion22. Both the bottom surface of the second portion232and the bottom surface of the protruding portion233are soldered with the solder3, thus enlarging the soldering area between the conducting portion23and the solder3, and ensuring the stable conduction between the electrical connector100and the circuit board5.

To sum up, the electrical connector100according to certain embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

(1) The base21is accommodated in the first groove14, and the extending portion22is accommodated in the second groove15. Further, the width W2of the second groove15is less than the width W1of the first groove14, thus ensuring the position limiting effect of the second groove15to the extending portion22, and further reducing the distance between the position where the terminal2abuts the chip module4and the position where the terminal2is limited in the accommodating hole13. When the chip module4presses downward on the elastic portion25, the shake of the extending portions22in the second grooves15can be effectively reduced, thus ensuring the stable conduction between the terminals2and the chip module4.

(2) The fastening portions212are in interference fit with the first groove14, and the position limiting surface141are located below the position limiting portion211, so as to fix the base21in the first groove14, thus effectively preventing the base21from shaking in the first groove14, and further ensuring the stable conduction between the terminals2and the chip module4.

(3) The vertical central line L1of the conducting portion23deviates relative to the vertical central line L2of the base21toward the connecting location between the base21and the extending portion22, such that the conducting portion23is close to the center of the first groove14, thus preventing the conducting portion23from interfering with the first groove14to cause the terminal2not to be correctly installed into the accommodating hole13.

(4) The extending portion22is pierced and broken to form a protruding thorn221, and the protruding thorn221is in interference fit with the second groove15to fix the extending portion22in the second groove15, thus effectively preventing the extending portion22from shaking in the second groove15, and further ensuring the stable conduction between the terminals2and the chip module4.

(5) The protruding block133is formed by extending toward the accommodating hole13from the third wall surface134and is connected with the fifth wall surface136, thus enhancing the strength of the protruding block133, and further ensuring the position limiting effect of the second groove15to the extending portion22.

(6) The second groove15is provided with the stopping surface151located below the stopping portion222, and the first groove14is provided with the position limiting surface141located below the position limiting portion211, thus ensuring that the terminals2are more balanced in the accommodating holes13, and further preventing the terminals2from shaking in the accommodating holes13.