Abstract:
A mini SAS HD connector comprises: front and rear housings combined together, wherein the rear housing comprises first and second rear shell pieces; a positioning mechanism disposed between the first and second rear shell pieces and providing a positioning effect; a first combination mechanism disposed between the front and rear housings and providing a combination effect when the front and rear housings are combined; and combinations of a first inner module, a second inner module and circuit boards. The combination of the first inner module and the circuit board is mounted in the first rear shell piece. The combination of the second inner module and the circuit board is mounted in the second rear shell piece. Stopper mechanisms are provided between the first inner module, the second inner module and the circuit boards, so the circuit boards have no distinct displacement due to plugging and unplugging operations of the connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to the technical field of an electronic apparatus connector, and more particularly to a combination structure of a housing and circuit boards of a mini serial attached SCSI high density (mini SAS HD) connector. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    In general, a computer and its peripheral apparatus transmit signals through a suitable bus line or cable. The end portion of the bus line or the cable is formed with a connector to be assembled with or inserted into the computer or its peripheral apparatus. The connector may be, for example, a USB connector, a RJ45 connector, a parallel to serial port connector, a SATA connector, a mini SAS HD connector or the like. 
         [0005]    At present, the combination structure of the mini SAS HD connector comprises a front housing and a rear housing combined together. Furthermore, two circuit boards are covered within a rear housing in the processing of molding the rear housing. Then, the combination of the rear housing and the circuit board is inserted into the front housing. Because the circuit board and the rear housing are integrally formed, the circuit board is placed in the high-temperature environment and is thus easily damaged. 
         [0006]    Taiwan Patent No. 1321380 discloses a combined connector, which comprises two members clamping one circuit board, and then the two members and the circuit board are combined into the combination of a rear housing and the circuit boards by way of welding. The combination of the rear housing and the circuit boards may be used in conjunction with a combination of a locking structure and a front housing. 
         [0007]    This structure has the easily assembling effect, and the height of the housing can be stably held within a predetermined error range so that the higher product yield is obtained. However, the two members need to be welded to form the rear housing, and this still has the drawback that the manufacturing is inconvenient. In addition, when the two members are welded together, no suitable positioning structure is provided. Thus, the bad product tends to be formed. 
         [0008]    Also, the two parallel circuit boards of the connector having the mini SAS HD specification need to be configured to have a predetermined gap. Thus, when the two circuit boards are arranged, the suitable tool or jig has to be used, thereby enhancing the inconvenience of assembling. In addition, it is to be noted that the plugging and unplugging operations of the connector cannot cause the displacement of the circuit boards. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An object of the invention is to provide a mini serial attached SCSI high density (Mini SAS HD) connector, which has the small size and can be rapidly assembled, can improve the problem of the too large sway swing angle caused by the length design of the connector and eliminate the condition of the unstable signal, further can reduce the interference with other mechanisms by the small size, and can enhance the space availability and the matching degree with other mechanisms. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a mini SAS HD connector, which prevents the circuit board, mounted in the connector, from generating the distinct displacement by the operation of plugging and unplugging, so that the connector has the stable connection effect. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a mini SAS HD connector having the function of inwardly fastening and positioning the braided mesh, so that the effect of easy assembling can be obtained, and the braided mesh cannot be easily moved and loosened to obtain the effect of preventing the cable from being damaged by the external force. 
         [0012]    To achieve the above-identified objects and effects, the invention provides a connector comprising: a front housing, which is in the form of a frame and has an axial insertion space; a rear housing comprising a first rear shell piece and a second rear shell piece combined together; a positioning mechanism, which is disposed between the first rear shell piece and the second rear shell piece, and provides a positioning effect when the first rear shell piece and the second rear shell piece are combined together; and a first combination mechanism, which is disposed between the front housing and the rear housing and provides a combination effect when the front housing and the rear housing are combined together. The rear housing composed of the first rear shell piece and the second rear shell piece is inserted into the insertion space of the front housing. 
         [0013]    The connector further comprises a first inner module and a second inner module. Each of the first inner module and the second inner module is combined with a circuit board. The combination of the first inner module and the circuit board is mounted in the first rear shell piece, and the combination of the second inner module and the circuit board is mounted in the second rear shell piece. 
         [0014]    Because the rear housing comprises the first rear shell piece and the second rear shell piece assembled in conjunction with the positioning mechanism and the second combination mechanism, the assembling process of the rear housing is rapid and convenient. Also, the rear housing and the front housing are combined in conjunction with the first combination mechanism, and the assembling process is similarly rapid and convenient. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the first inner module and the second inner module may be stably engaged with the first rear shell piece and the second rear shell piece, so the circuit board is free from the distinct displacement due to the plugging and unplugging operations of the connector. 
         [0016]    Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view showing a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing a combination structure of a first inner module and a first rear shell piece of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing a combination structure of a second inner module and a second rear shell piece of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic combination view showing the first inner module, the second inner module and circuit boards of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view showing a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing the second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view showing a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view showing a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view showing a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view showing a rear housing, a frame and a braided mesh of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a schematic combination view showing the rear housing, the frame and the braided mesh of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a pictorial view showing a 90-degree form of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is another pictorial view showing the 90-degree form of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a short-type mini SAS HD connector includes a front housing  10  and a rear housing  20 . The front housing  10  has a frame structure, and an insertion space  12  in an axial direction. The rear housing  20  includes a first rear shell piece  22  and a second rear shell piece  24  combined together, and the rear housing  20  can be combined with a circuit board or circuit boards  14 . The circuit board  14  can be combined with a cable  16 . Furthermore, the rear housing  20  can be completely or almost completely inserted into the insertion space  12  of the front housing  10 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a positioning mechanism  26  is further provided between the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24 . When the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24  are assembled together, the better combination effect can be formed in conjunction with the positioning mechanism  26 . The positioning mechanism  26  may be a combination of a positioning pin  28  and a pin hole  30 , or a combination of members with the same property, such as a combination of an insert and a concavity. 
         [0034]    Also, a first projecting seat  32  is formed inside the first rear shell piece  22 , a second projecting seat  34  is formed inside the second rear shell piece  24 , and the positioning pin  28  and the pin hole  30  of the positioning mechanism  26  may be formed on the first projecting seat  32  and the second projecting seat  34 , respectively. Also, a first stopper edge  36  is formed on one end of the first rear shell piece  22 , and a second stopper edge  38  is formed on one end of the second rear shell piece  24 . 
         [0035]    Each of a first inner module  40  and a second inner module  50  is combined with a circuit board  14 . The circuit board  14  projects from an end surface  42  of the first inner module  40 , and projects from an end surface  52  of the second inner module  50 . 
         [0036]    Furthermore, each of two opposite side surfaces of the first inner module  40  is formed with a first slot  44 , and each of two opposite corner positions of one end is formed with a first depressed edge  46 . similarly, each of two opposite side surfaces of the second inner module  50  is formed with a second slot  54 , and each of two opposite corner positions of one end is formed with a second depressed edge  56 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the combination of the first inner module  40  and the circuit board  14  is mounted in the first rear shell piece  22 , the first projecting seat  32  can be embedded into the first slot  44 , and the first stopper edge  36  rests against the first depressed edge  46 . In other words, the combination of the first inner module  40  and the circuit board  14  can be firmly combined with the first rear shell piece  22 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the combination of the second inner module  50  and the circuit board  14  is mounted in the second rear shell piece  24 , the second projecting seat  34  can be embedded into the second slot  54 , and the second stopper edge  38  rests against the second depressed edge  56 . In other words, the combination of the second inner module  50  and the circuit board  14  can be firmly combined with the second rear shell piece  24 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the circuit board  14  is combined with the first inner module  40 , and the circuit board  14  projects from the end surface  42  of the first inner module  40 . It is to be noted that the end surface  42  is disposed between the upper surface  48  and the lower surface  49  of the first inner module  40 , and the distances from the circuit board  14  to the upper surface  48  and the lower surface  49  of the first inner module  40  are unequal to each other. In other words, the circuit board  14  and the first inner module  40  form an offset mounting state, and a first thick portion  60  and a first thin portion  62  are formed according to a gap distant from the surface. 
         [0040]    The circuit board  14  projects from the end surface  52  of the second inner module  50 , and the end surface  52  is disposed between the upper surface  58  and the lower surface  59  of the second inner module  50 . In addition, the distances from the circuit board  14  to the upper surface  58  and the lower surface  59  of the second inner module  50  are unequal to each other. In other words, the circuit board  14  and the second inner module  50  form an offset mounting state, and a second thick portion  64  and a second thin portion  66  are formed according to the gap distance from the surface. 
         [0041]    When the connector is being assembled, the first thick portion  60  of the first inner module  40  rests against the second thick portion  64  of the second inner module  50 , so that the constant gap is formed between the two circuit boards  14  to facilitate the worker in performing the assembling processes. 
         [0042]    Thus, this embodiment can make the combination length of the front housing  10  and the rear housing  20  be 15 mm. Thus, the problem of the too large sway swing angle caused by the length design of the connector can be solved, and the condition of the unstable signal can be improved. Furthermore, the small size can decrease the condition of the interference with other mechanisms, enhance the space availability and enhance the matching degree with other mechanisms. 
         [0043]    The first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  are independent members to be combined with the circuit board  14 , and may be manufactured more simply. Also, the circuit board  14  is mounted on the first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  in an offset manner. When the first inner module  40  rests against the second inner module  50 , two thick portions  60  and  64  rest against each other, so that the working time is shortened, the yield is increased, and the stability of the cable impedance is held. 
         [0044]    Also, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  are restricted by the first projecting seat  32 , the second projecting seat  34 , the first stopper edge  36  and the second stopper edge  38 . So, the first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  can obtain the stable positioning effect. 
         [0045]    When the front housing  10  and the rear housing  20  form the connector pattern shown in  FIG. 1  and the connector is inserted at the predetermined position or removed from the predetermined position, both the first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  cannot generate the distinct displacement. In other words, the circuit board  14  cannot generate the distinct displacement due to the inserting and removing operations of the connector, so that the connector has the stable connection effect. 
         [0046]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first combination mechanism  70  is disposed between the front housing  10  and the rear housing  20 . The first combination mechanism  70  provides the combination effect when the front housing  10  and the rear housing  20  are combined together. Moreover, the first combination mechanism  70  is a combination of a first projection  72  and a first combination hole  74 . The first projection  72  may be formed on opposite two side surfaces of the first rear shell piece  22 , and on opposite two side surfaces of the second rear shell piece  24 . The first combination hole  74  may be formed on opposite two side surfaces of the front housing  10 . However, the numbers and positions of the first projection(s)  72  and the first combination hole(s)  74  in the drawings are only for the illustrative purpose only, and the invention is not particularly restricted thereto. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the connector according to the second embodiment of the invention may be referred to as a long type mini SAS HD connector. The housing of the connector comprises a front housing  10  and a rear housing  20 . The rear housing  20  comprises a first rear shell piece  22  and a second rear shell piece  24 , one end of the first rear shell piece  22  is extended to form a first rear seat  76 , and one end of the second rear shell piece  24  is extended to form a second rear seat  78 . In addition, the rear housing  20  is axially inserted into the front housing  10 , and the first rear seat  76  and the second rear seat  78  project from one end of the front housing  10 . 
         [0048]    A second combination mechanism  80  is formed the first rear seat  76  and the second rear seat  78 , and the second combination mechanism  80  may comprises a second elastic sheet  82  and a second retaining hole  84 . Furthermore, one side of the first rear seat  76  may be provided with the second elastic sheet  82 , and the opposite side of the first rear seat  76  may be provided with the second retaining hole  84 . Similarly, one side of the second rear seat  78  may be provided with the second elastic sheet  82 , and the opposite side of the second rear seat  78  may be provided with the second retaining hole  84 . Thus, when the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24  are combined, the second combination mechanism  80  provides the combination effect. 
         [0049]    The front housing  10  and the rear housing  20  may be combined together in conjunction with the first combination mechanism  70 . In this embodiment, the first combination mechanism  70  comprises one or more than one first elastic sheet  75  and one or more than one first retaining hole  77 . The first elastic sheets  75  may be disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the front housing  10 , and the first retaining holes  77  may be disposed on the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24 , respectively. However, the numbers and positions of the first elastic sheet(s)  75  and the first retaining hole(s)  77  in the drawings are only for the illustrative purpose only, and the invention is not particularly restricted thereto. 
         [0050]    In addition, in the actual product, the structures shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  may be the same as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and have the combination of the first inner module  40 , the second inner module  50  and the circuit board  14 . In addition, the first inner module  40  and the second inner module  50  work in conjunction with the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24  to have the good assembling property and positioning effect. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the first combination mechanism  70  comprises the first elastic sheet(s)  75  and the first retaining hole(s)  77 . The first elastic sheet  75  may be disposed on the lateral side surface of the front housing  10 , and the first retaining holes  77  may be disposed on the lateral side surfaces of the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the first combination mechanism  70  is the combination of the first projection(s)  72  and the first combination hole(s)  74 . The first projections  72  may be formed on the top surface of the first rear shell piece  22  and the top surface of the second rear shell piece  24 , respectively. The first combination holes  74  are formed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the front housing  10 . Therefore, the combination of the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24  can further form the stable combination state by embedding the first projection  72  into the first combination hole  74 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the first combination mechanism  70  comprises the first projection(s)  72  and the first combination hole(s)  74 . The first projections  72  may be disposed on the lateral side surfaces of the first rear shell piece  22  and the second rear shell piece  24 , and the first combination hole  74  is disposed on the lateral side surface of the front housing  10 . 
         [0054]    Base on the structure of the embodiment of the invention, the invention further discloses the technological means of solving the fixing problem of a braided mesh. Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a frame  86  is disposed on one end of the combination of the cable  16  and the braided mesh  88 . Next, a first accommodating slot  90  is formed in the first rear seat  76  of the first rear shell piece  22 , and the second rear seat  78  of the second rear shell piece  24  has a second accommodating slot  92 . The frame  86  is mounted in the space constituted by the first accommodating slot  90  and the second accommodating slot  92 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the frame  86  is disposed between two opposite first elastic sheets  75 , so that the frame  86  cannot interfere with the combination of the first elastic sheet  75  and the first retaining hole  77 . In addition, the edge of the first accommodating slot  90  may be formed with a first anti-off stopper edge  94 , and the edge of the second accommodating slot  92  may be formed with a second anti-off stopper edge  96 . Thus, after the first accommodating slot  90  and the second accommodating slot  92  are docked, a space may be formed, and the frame  86  is mounted in the space and can stop the frame  86  through the first anti-off stopper edge  94  and the second anti-off stopper edge  96 , so that the frame  86  cannot escape from the rear housing  20 . Furthermore, the combination of the frame  86  and the braided mesh  88  can be firmly combined with the connector. 
         [0055]    In the prior art, a tape or an acetate cloth is used to fix the cable and the braided mesh. However, this method has the poor fixing effect on the adhered braided mesh, and the slide or detachment tends to occur. According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the invention uses one frame  86  to be combined with the braided mesh  88 , wherein the frame  86  can be mounted in the rear housing  20 . In other words, the rear housing  20  of the invention has the function of inwardly fastening and positioning the braided mesh  88 , so that the assembling processes are simplified, and the braided mesh  88  cannot be easily moved and loosened to obtain the effect of preventing the exposed cable  16  from being damaged by the external force, to enhance the bendable property of the cable  16 , and further to obtain the effect of saving the assembling and working time. 
         [0056]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the first rear seat  76  and the second rear seat  78  are disposed in the extending direction of the front housing  10 , and the widths of the first rear seat  76  and the second rear seat  78  are equivalent to the widths of the front housing  10 . So, the extending direction of the cable (not shown) is the same as the inserting direction of the front housing  10 , and this combination type of connector may be referred to as a 180-degree form. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the combination of the first rear seat  76  and the second rear seat  78  is disposed on one end of the front housing  10 . However, the hole  18  for the insertion of the combination (not shown) of the cable, the frame and the braided mesh has turned. In other words, the difference between the extending direction of the cable and the inserting direction of the front housing  10  is equal to 90 degrees, so this combination type of connector may be referred to as a 90-degree form. 
         [0057]    While the present invention has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications.