Patent Publication Number: US-2023163508-A1

Title: Signal connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to the field of electrical connection structures. 
     An integrated signal connector is commonly used for attachment to a circuit board, with an electrical connection being formed by a press-fit between the signal connector and the circuit board. During fitting, the relative positions of the signal connector and circuit board are affected by several dimensional tolerances, so it is necessary to precisely position the signal connector and circuit board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective of one aspect of the present application is to provide a signal connector that pro-vides a simple and reliable electrical connection solution. 
     The objective of the present application is achieved by a signal connector, comprising: a first part, having at least one electrical contact part, and comprising a first body, wherein the first body is configured to be electrically insulating; 
     a second part, having at least one electrical pin, and comprising a second body, wherein the second body is configured to be electrically insulating and separate from the first body, and the electrical pin is configured to protrude from the second body; and
 
an electrical connection body, extending from each electrical contact part to each electrical pin, in order to establish an electrical connection between the electrical contact part and the electrical pin, wherein the electrical connection body is configured to be deformable and comprises at least two bending parts, and at least part of the electrical connection body is located outside the first part and the second part, such that the position of the second part relative to the first part is variable.
 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the first part comprises: 
     a socket interface, configured to be suitable for accommodating an electrical plug, the electrical contact part being disposed in the socket interface; and
 
a fitting part, configured to match a mounting hole in a housing, in order to fix the first part in place, wherein the second part and the electrical connection body are dimensionally configured to be suitable for passing through the mounting hole before the fitting part is mated with the mounting hole, and wherein the electrical contact part, the electrical connection body and the electrical pin are configured as a single piece.
 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the electrical connection body is further configured such that: the second part is rotatable relative to the first part at least within a certain angular range. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the first part further comprises one or more bolt hole, the bolt hole being configured to fix the first part to the housing. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the second part further comprises: 
     at least one first guide pin, the first guide pin protruding from the second body, wherein the first guide pin and the electrical pin are positioned to be spaced apart, and extend perpendicularly relative to a surface of the second body. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the second part further comprises: 
     at least one second guide pin, the second guide pin protruding from the second body, wherein the second guide pin and the electrical pin are positioned to be spaced apart, and extend perpendicularly relative to a surface of the second body. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the second guide pin is configured to have a different cross-sectional shape from that of the first guide pin, 
     wherein the cross-sectional shapes of the first guide pin and the second guide pin are each configured to be one of the following: rectangular, cross-shaped, triangular, circular, elliptical, prism-shaped or a combination thereof. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the first guide pin and the second guide pin are respectively shape-configured to match a first guide hole and a second guide hole on a circuit board, such that a press-fit is formed between the electrical pin and an electrical interface on the circuit board, in order to establish an electrical connection between the electrical contact part and the circuit board. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the second part comprises four electrical pins, which are positioned on the same straight line. 
     In the signal connector, optionally, the electrical connection body is configured to comprise one of the following: a flexible connecting wire and a deformable conductor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present application is described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are drawn merely for the purpose of explaining preferred embodiments, and should therefore not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present application. Furthermore, unless specifically indicated, the drawings are merely intended to conceptually show the composition or structure of the described subject, and may include exaggerated display. Also, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         FIG.  1    is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the signal connector of the present application. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    during mounting. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    after mounting in place. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial enlarged view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a partial top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that these descriptions are purely descriptive and demonstrative, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. 
     Firstly, it must be explained that orientational terms such as top, bottom, upwards and down-wards as mentioned herein are defined with respect to the directions in the drawings. These orienta-tions are relative concepts, and will therefore vary according to their position and state. Thus, neither these nor any other orientational terms should be construed as being limiting. 
     In addition, it should also be pointed out that with regard to any individual technical features described or implied in the embodiments herein or any individual technical features shown or implied in the drawings, these technical features (or their equivalents) can be further combined to obtain other embodiments not directly mentioned herein. 
     It should be noted that identical reference labels in different drawings indicate identical or substantially identical components. 
       FIG.  1    is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the signal connector of the present application. As shown in the figure, the signal connector  100  substantially comprises a first part  110 , a second part  120  and an electrical connection body  130 . The electrical connection body  130  is connected between the first part  110  and the second part  120 , and at least part of the electrical connection body  130  is located outside the first part  110  and second part  120 . 
     The first part  110  comprises at least one electrical contact part  111 . The electrical contact part  111  may be an electrical contact, and may be disposed in a socket interface  115 . The socket interface  115  may be an interface of any suitable shape, and is matched to an electrical plug which is not shown. The first part  110  comprises a first body  112 , and the first body  112  may be configured to be electrically insulating. The first part  110  may further comprise a fitting part  113 . As described in more detail below, the fitting part  113  may be dimensionally configured to match a mounting hole in a housing. In the embodiment shown, the fitting part  113  comprises a groove and a rubber ring. In other embodiments, the fitting part may have a suitable mating structure or sealing structure. The first part  110  may further comprise one or more bolt hole  114 . As described in more detail below, the bolt hole  114  may be used for fixing the first part  110  to the housing. 
     The second part  120  comprises at least one electrical pin  121 . The electrical pin  121  may be disposed on a second body  122 , e.g. may extend perpendicularly from an upper surface of the second body  122 . The second body  122  may be configured to be electrically insulating. At least one first guide pin  123  and at least one second guide pin  124  may also be attached to the second body  122 . The first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  may be configured to be spaced apart in parallel with the electrical pin  121 , and may also be configured to extend perpendicularly from the upper surface of the second body  122 . In the embodiment shown, the second part  120  comprises four electrical pins  121 , which are substantially arranged on the same straight line. Although not shown, it will be easily understood that each of the electrical pins  121  may be attached to the electrical connection body  130  inside the second body  122 . In the embodiment shown, the first body  112  and second body  122  are configured to be separate from one another. 
     The electrical connection body  130  may be any suitable material or structure, including but not limited to a flexible circuit, deformable conductive wire, coaxial conductive wire, etc. The electrical connection boy  130  has one end attached to the electrical pin  121  and another end attached to the electrical contact part  111 , in order to establish an electrical connection between the electrical contact part  111  and the electrical pin  121 . In one embodiment, the electrical contact part  111 , electrical connection body  130  and electrical pin  121  may be configured as a single piece, e.g. may be integrally formed of metal. In one embodiment, the electrical connection body  130  is configured to be deformable, such that the second part  120  is movable relative to the first part  110 . Specifically, the second part  120  can change position relative to the first part  110  within a certain range in the plane in which the electrical connection body  130  lies. In another embodiment, the second part  120  can rotate relative to the first part  110  within a certain angular range. Although the electrical connection body  130  is shown as being bent in  FIG.  1   , the electrical connection body may in fact have one of the following shapes: substantially linear, helical, curved, or a combination of these. In one embodiment, the electrical connection body  130  comprises at least two bending parts, so that the shape of the electrical connection body  130  in space can change, thus facilitating adjustment of the relative positions of the first part  110  and second part  120 . 
       FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    during mounting. As shown in the figure, a mounting hole  310  is provided in a housing  300 , and a circuit board  200  may be accommodated in the housing  300 . For example, the circuit board  200  may be inserted into the housing  300  in the direction indicated by the dotted line A1. The signal connector  100  as disclosed above may be inserted through the mounting hole  310 , and the second part  120  and electrical connection body  130  are dimensionally configured to be able to pass through the mounting hole  310 , such that the fitting part  113  of the first part  110  can be fitted into the mounting hole  310 . In addition, at least one first guide hole and at least one second guide hole may be provided on the circuit board  200 . The first guide hole may be dimensionally configured to match the first guide pin  123 , and the second guide hole may be dimensionally configured to match the second guide pin. An electrical interface may also be provided on the circuit board  200 ; the electrical interface may be dimensionally configured to match the electrical pin  121 . For example, the electrical interface may be a through-hole with an inner wall covered with an electrically conductive metal layer. 
       FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    after completion of mounting, and  FIG.  4    is a partial enlarged view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   . As shown in the figures, when the signal connector  100  is mounted in place, the fitting part  113  of the first part  110  is fitted in the mounting hole  310 , and the first part  110  may also be fixed to the housing  300  by one or more bolt. The bolt may for example be inserted in the bolt hole  114 . In addition, the electrical pin  121 , first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  of the second part  120  are each fitted to the circuit board  200 . In addition, the electrical contact part  111  is also shown in  FIG.  4   , the electrical contact part  111  being located in the socket interface  115 . 
       FIG.  5    is a partial top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  6    is a three-dimensional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5   . As shown in the figures, the first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  may have different cross-sectional shapes. In one embodiment, the first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  may have one of the following cross-sectional shapes: rectangular, cross-shaped, triangular, circular, elliptical, prism-shaped, or a combination of these, etc. In one embodiment, the different cross-sectional shapes of the first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  facilitate positioning of the second part  120 , and prevent mounting in the wrong position. A press-fit may be formed between the electrical pin  121  and the circuit board  200 , in order to establish an electrical connection. Thus, the signal connector  100  of the present application can establish an electrical connection between the circuit board  200  and the electrical contact part  111 , thereby providing the required signal transmission function or power delivery function. 
     In addition, as shown in the figures, the electrical connection body  130  does not lie on a straight horizontal line, instead being bent in the direction of arrow Y. The shape deformability of the electrical connection body  130  enables the position of the second part  120  to vary within a certain range in the direction indicated by arrow X or arrow Y; this facilitates adjustment of the position of the second part  120 , thus ensuring that the first guide pin  123  and second guide pin  124  are matched to the first guide hole and second guide hole, while also ensuring that the electrical pin  121  can be aligned with the electrical interface. In one embodiment, the positions of the electrical pin  121 , the first guide pin  123  and the second guide pin  124  are configured such that the error in the positions of the electrical pin  121  and the electrical interface is less than 0.3 mm in the directions indicated by arrow X and arrow Y. For example, the error in position may be 0.05 mm-0.30 mm. Such a configuration helps to ensure that a press-fit is achieved between the electrical pin  121  and the electrical interface. 
     Since the position of the second part  120  is variable, some of the dimensional tolerances from the first part  110  to the second part  120  need not be taken into account during assembly. Thus, the number of dimensional tolerances that need to be taken into account when manufacturing the signal connector  100  is reduced, thereby lowering the manufacturing cost. In addition, the signal connector  100  of the present application is also improved in terms of convenience of assembly. 
     The signal connector of the present application has advantages such as being simple and reliable, easy to implement, and convenient to use, and can provide an improved electrical connection solution. 
     This specification discloses the present application with reference to the drawings, and also enables those skilled in the art to implement the present application, including manufacturing and using any apparatus or system, choosing suitable materials, and using any combined methods. The scope of the present application is defined by the claimed technical solution, and includes other embodiments conceived by those skilled in the art. As long as such other embodiments include structural elements which are not different from the literal language of the claimed technical solution, or such other embodiments include equivalent structural elements which do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claimed technical solution, such other embodiments should be regarded as falling within the scope of protection determined by the technical solution claimed in the present application.