Abstract:
A scissor-type multi-functional connector includes a male connector and a female connector respectively mounted to circuit substrates. The male connector includes a housing that includes a frame wall and receives and retains therein plate terminals. The female connector includes a housing and a lower body between which clips are retained. Both connectors are mounted to the substrates by pins. Contact legs of the plate terminals and the clips extend outside the housings and are mounted to the substrates through SMT or PCB soldering (DIP). As such, the frame wall of the male housing may be set to mate the female housing to have the plate terminals and the clips efficiently and effectively engaging each other to form a connected condition.

Description:
(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a structure of multi-functional connector, and more particularly to a connector featuring easy operation and simple structure. 
     (b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The arrangement of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) allows various electronic components to be collectively mounted on a printed circuit board. With the progress of technology and science, PCBA finds very wide applications, which can be as a device as small as an electronic watch, or as large as a main board of a computer. Further, the development of wireless technology is integrated in the function of circuit boards and thus finds its applications in daily living of human beings. However, connection between circuit board by wires (metal wires) shows certain drawbacks including being hard for maintenance, poor efficiency of assembling, and poor compatibility. These are problems to be improved in the industry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional connector, which realizes transmission of multiple signals between printed circuit board assemblies according to practical situations. The connector is capable of simultaneous transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals, regular control signals, and power and shows excellent compatibility. The connector adopts surface-mount technology (SMT) or insertion and soldering to a PCB (such as DIP) so as to render high efficiency of assembling, excellent stability, and ease of maintenance and also offer an excellent function of position-shifted connection to thereby realize convenient installation and operation for inspection operators. 
     The technical feature of the present invention is that a scissor-type multi-functional connector comprises a male device and a female device respectively mounted to substrate boards with pins, wherein the male device comprises a housing, at least three plate terminals, and the pins, the housing forming a plurality of receiving slots for receiving the plate terminals, the housing forming a plurality of spaces arranged in a direction for accommodating a configuration of the respective plate terminal, each of the plate terminals forming a rearward-extending contact leg; and the female device comprises an upper cover, the pins, clips, and a lower body, the upper cover having a plurality of shielding plates extending frontward for mating spacer plates of the same number formed on the lower body, receiving slots being formed between adjacent spacer plates and extending to a rear portion for receiving therein the clips, each of the clips being integrally formed as a single piece and being bent frontward to form two contact plates that form a small included angle therebetween, outward curved sections being formed on and extending upward from the contact plates, a width-reduced intermediate section being formed rearward of each of the contact plates and extending rearward to a rear end section that is bent to form an expanded curved configuration showing resilience, a contact leg extending from a lower end of the rear end section, the male device and the female device both having opposite side portions respectively forming through holes. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the contact legs of the plate terminals and the clips of the scissor-type multi-functional connector are mounted to the substrate boards with SMT or insertion and soldering of PCB (such as DIP). 
     A further objective of the present invention is that the housing of the scissor-type multi-functional connector forms, in front side thereof a frame wall, below which an open space is formed and which defines a first space, front ends of the plate terminals projecting into the first space, the housing forming, in a direction extending rearward, a plurality of receiving slots for receiving the plate terminals, an open space being formed to face downward from the receiving slots, the housing forming the second, third, and fourth spaces sequentially in the longitudinal direction. The second space of the housing has a height smaller than the first space and the third space, and the fourth space is lower than the second space. The third space forms a notch therein. 
     A further feature of the present invention is that the plate terminals of the scissor-type multi-functional connector corresponds in number to the receiving slots of the housing, each plate terminal having an upper end forming a recessed portion accommodated in the second space of the housing, a projecting tab extending upward from a rear side of the recessed portion and received in the third space of housing, a pawl extending frontward from an upper end of the projecting tab and received in a notch defined inside the third space, a contact leg being located below and rearward of the projecting tab and extending rearward, the contact leg being received in the fourth space of the housing. 
     A further feature of the present invention is that the pins of the male device and the female device of the scissor-type multi-functional connector have an upper end forming an expanded section that is greater than the holes and a lower end forming in sequence an inclined pawl and a recession, the recession being of substantially the same size as predetermined holes defined in the substrate board and extending downward to form a portion that is greater than the holes of the substrate board. 
     A further feature of the present invention is that the upper cover of scissor-type multi-functional connector has a front portion forming a working zone and a rear portion forming a base, a plurality of shielding plates extending frontward in the working zone, each of the shielding plates forming a curvedly recessed slot that faces downward, the base forming a block facing downward, the block forming a number of cavities, a rib being formed between the block and the shielding plates. 
     A further feature of the present invention is that each of the clips of the scissor-type multi-functional connector is integrally formed as a single piece and is bent frontward to form two contact plates that form a small included angle therebetween, outward curved sections being formed on and extending upward from the contact plates, the clip forming, rearward of each contact plate, a width-reduced intermediate section, which extends rearward to a rear end section that is bent to form an expanded curved configuration showing great resilience, a contact leg extending rearward from a lower end of the rear end section. 
     Yet a further feature of the present invention is that the lower body of the scissor-type multi-functional connector has a front portion forming two opposite side walls, from which protrusions extend downward, a plurality of spacer plates being arranged between the side walls to be positionable against the shielding plates of the upper cover, receiving slots being formed between adjacent spacer plates to extend to a rear portion, a transverse rib being provided rearward of the spacer plates and extending through the receiving slots, a projection and a raised block being sequentially formed rearward of the transverse rib to be opposite to the spacer plates. The projections have a width greater than the spacer plates and the raise blocks are greater in width than the projections. 
     As compared to the state-of-the-art technology, the multi-functional radio frequency connector of the present invention provides a compound radio frequency connector, which realizes transmission of multiple signals between printed circuit board assemblies according to practical situations. The connector is capable of simultaneous transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals, regular control signals, and power and shows excellent compatibility. The connector adopts surface-mount technology (SMT) or insertion and soldering to a PCB (such as DIP) so as to render high efficiency of assembling, excellent stability, and ease of maintenance and also offer an excellent function of position-shifted connection to thereby realize convenient installation and operation for inspection operators. 
     The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts. 
     Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically showing assembling operation of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a male device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a housing of the male device of the present invention taken at a different angle. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a female device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an upper cover of the female device of the present invention taken from an opposite side. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the present invention in a connected condition. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in a connected condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     The present invention provides a scissor-type multi-functional connector, which is composed of a male device  1  and a female device  2  respectively mounted on substrate boards  71 ,  72 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , respectively received and retained inside the two devices  1 ,  2  are plate terminals  20  and clips  50 , both having contact legs mounted to substrate boards  71 ,  72  with surface mounting technology (SMT). The devices  1 ,  2  are respectively coupled to the substrate boards  71 ,  72  with pins  30   a ,  30   b  to ensure stability of the devices and convenient positioning for mounting/dismounting and maintenance. In use, the male device  1  is moved from the upper side of the female device  2  toward a working zone  47  of female device  2  to have the plate terminals  20  fit into corresponding clips  50  thereby realizing surface engagement and connection and thus ensuring high stability of transmission and convenience of operation. 
     As show in  FIG. 2 , which is an exploded view of the male device  1 , the male device  1  comprises a housing  10 , a plurality of plate terminals  20 , and pins  30   a . The housing  10  forms, in the front side thereof, a frame wall  15 , which defines a first space  11  therein, below which an open space  151  is formed for outward extension of the plate terminals  20  to engage the clips  50  received in the female device  2 . The opposite side sections of the frame wall extend to a location lower than the bottom  16  of the housing  10  and consequently, defining a recess  152 . Formed behind the first space  11  of the housing  10  is a plurality of receiving slots  17  that extend through the housing  10  for receiving the plate terminals  20  therein. Facing downward from the receiving slots  17  is an open space. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , a second space  12 , a third space  13 , and a fourth space  14  are sequentially inside the housing along a direction of a section thereof, whereby the second space  12  has a height lower than the first space  11  and the third space  13 , and the fourth space  14  is lower than the second space  12 . Further, two holes  19  are defined in the recess  152  to extend through the housing  10 . 
     The two pins  30   a  are received in the holes  19  of the housing  10  and extend into predetermined holes that are defined in the substrate board  71  for securing the housing  30   a . Each pin has an upper end forming an expanded section  31  that is greater than the respective hole  19  and a lower end forming, in sequence, an inclined pawl  32  and a recession  33 . The pin is retained in the housing  10  by means of the pawl  32 . The recession  33  is of the same size as the hole of the substrate board  71  and a bottom portion  34  below the recession  33  is slightly greater in size than the hole of the substrate board. As such the pin, after extending through the hole of the substrate board, is set in such a way that the recession  33  is retained inside the hole so as to secure the housing  10  to the substrate board  71 . To dismount, due to the arrangement of the pawl  32 , the pins  30   a  help to efficiently separate the housing  10  from the substrate board  71 . The pins  30   a  share the same structure and function as the pins  30   b  of the female device  2 . 
     The plate terminals  20  accommodated in the housing  10  has the same quantity as the receiving slots  17  of the housing  10  and three are shown in the drawings. The plate terminal has an upper end forming a recessed portion  21  that is accommodated in the second space  12  of the housing  10 . Extending upward from a rear side of the recessed portion  21  is a projecting tab  22 , which extends into the third space  13  of housing, and extending frontward from an upper end of the projecting tab  22  is a pawl  23 , which extends into a notch  18  defined in a side wall of the third space  13  for positioning and fastening. Located below and rearward of the projecting tab  22  is a contact leg  24  that extends rearward. The contact leg  24  is received in the fourth space  14  of the housing  10 . 
     The female device  2  comprises an upper cover  40 , the pins  30   b , the clips  50 , and a lower body  60 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the upper cover  40  has a front portion forming the working zone  47  and a rear portion serving as a base  48 . A plurality of shielding plates  41  extends frontward in the working zone  47 . Also referring to  FIG. 5 , each shielding plate  41  forms a curvedly recessed slot  42  that faces downward. The base  48  forms a block  43  facing downward. The block  43  forms a number of cavities  44  of which the number is the same as the shielding plates  41 . A rib  45  is formed between the block  43  and the shielding plates  41 . Opposite side portions of the upper cover  40  respectively form holes  46  for receiving the pins  30   b  to insert and position therein. 
     Each clip  50  is integrally formed as a single piece and is bent frontward to form two contact plates  51  that are arranged to form a small included angle therebetween. Formed on and extending upward from the contact plates  51  are outward curved sections  52 , which help lead the respective plate terminal  20  to proper position. The clip forms, rearward of each contact plate, a width-reduced intermediate section  54 , which extends rearward to a rear end section  53  that is bent to form an expanded curved configuration showing great resilience. Extending rearward from a lower end of the rear end section  53  is a contact leg  55 . 
     The lower body  60 , which accommodates the clips  50  therein, has a front portion forming two opposite side walls  61 , from which protrusions  62  extend downward. Arranged between the side walls  61  is a plurality of spacer plates  63  that are positionable against the shielding plates  41  of the upper cover  40 . The number of the spacer plates are shown in the drawings is three. Formed between adjacent spacer plates  63  is a receiving slot  64 , which extends to a rear portion  65 . A transverse rib  66  is provided rearward of the spacer plates  63  and extends through all the receiving slots  64 . Sequentially formed rearward of the transverse rib to be opposite to the spacer plates  63  are a projection  67  and a raised block  68 . The projection  67  has a width greater than the spacer plates  63 , so that the width of the section of the receiving slot located therebetween is reduced for accommodating the intermediate section  54  of the respective clip  50 . The raised block  58  has a size greater than the projection  67  for accommodating the respective contact leg  55  therebetween. The section of the receiving slot  64  between the projection  67  and the raised block  68  is configured to receive the rear end section  53  of the clip  50  that is of a larger size therein. As such, the receiving slot  64  is arranged to provide respective constrains according to the configuration of the clip  50  and this helps securely holding the clip  50  in the receiving slot  64 . The rear portion  65  forms, in opposite side portions thereof, holes  69  corresponding to the holes  46  of the upper cover  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the male device  1  is set on the substrate board  71  with the frame wall  15  received in a recess  73  defined in the substrate board  71 , whereby the recess  152  on the bottom  16  is positioned on the substrate board  71 . Then, the pins  30   a  are put through the holes  19  to secure the housing  10  to the substrate board  71 . Under this condition, front ends of the plate terminals  20  are received in the first space  11 . The female device  2  uses the projections  62  of side walls of the lower body  60  to serve as a reference for positioning on the substrate board  72 . Then, the pins  30   b  are put through the holes  69  to secure the female device  2  to the substrate board  72 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  respectively show a side elevational view and a cross-sectional view of the two devices  1 ,  2  that are connected to each other. As shown in the drawings, the contact legs  24 ,  55  are mounted to the substrate boards  71 ,  72  by means of SMT or being inserted into and then soldered to a printed circuit board (such as DIP). The plate terminal  20  is secured by having the pawl  23  of the projecting tab  22  thereof fit into the respective notch  18  of the third space  13  and also with the configuration thereof accommodated in the spaces  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The female device  2  uses the ribs  45 ,  66  of the upper cover  40  and the lower body  60  to impose constrain the rear end sections  53 , and uses the block  43  to abut against the contact legs  55 , to realize securing of the plate terminals  20 . 
     If desired, the plate terminals can be arranged to have a number of 3, 5, or to meet the needs for various connector. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.