Patent Publication Number: US-9837751-B2

Title: Connector cover and connector assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 104136251, filed on Nov. 4, 2015. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connector cover and a connector assembly, and particularly relates to a connector cover and a connector assembly capable of enhancing a strength of the connector. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the advance of science and technology in recent years, the performance of the expansion device in the computer host is continuously improved. Taking memory module as an example, when a memory module is operated in a high performance mode, a considerable amount of heat is generated. In order to facilitate the dissipation of heat, a fan may be disposed at a side of a high-level memory module to promptly dissipate the heat generated by the chip on the memory module through convention. However, since this kind of memory module is heavier, when the memory module is inserted into the connector on the main board, the housing of the connector may be broken. Moreover, there may be signal interference between the connector and other electronic components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a connector cover capable of enhancing a strength of a connector and reducing signal interference. 
     The invention provides a connector assembly having the connector cover. 
     A connector cover according to an embodiment of the invention is adapted to cover a connector and be fixed to a main board. The connector includes a connector top surface and a connector bottom surface opposite to each other and four connector laterals respectively connected to the connector top surface and the connector bottom surface. The connector top surface includes a connector slot. The connector cover includes a cover top surface, four cover laterals, at least one bending pin, and at least one connecting pin. The cover top surface is adapted to cover the connector top surface and includes a cover slot corresponding to the connector slot. The four cover laterals cover four the connector laterals. In addition, the two opposite cover laterals are connected to the cover top surface. The at least one bending pin extends from one of the cover laterals and is adapted to be bent to lean against the connector bottom surface. The connecting pin extends from one of the cover laterals. The connector cover is adapted to be connected to the main board through the at least one connecting pin. 
     A connector assembly according to an embodiment of the invention includes a connector and a connector cover. The connector is adapted to be fixed to a main board and includes a connector top surface, a connector bottom surface, and four connector laterals. The connector top surface includes a connector slot. The connector bottom surface is opposite to the connector top surface. The connector laterals are respectively connected to the connector top surface and the connector bottom surface. The connector cover includes a cover top surface, four cover laterals, at least one bending pin, and at least one connecting pin. The cover top surface covers the connector top surface and includes a cover slot corresponding to the connector slot. The four cover laterals cover the four connector laterals. In addition, the two opposite cover laterals are connected to the cover top surface. The at least one bending pin extends from one of the cover laterals. In addition, the at least one bending pin is bent to lean against the connector bottom surface. The at least one connecting pin extends from one of the cover laterals. In addition, the connector cover is connected to the main board through the at least one connecting pin. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, one of the connector laterals of the connector includes a first fixing part, and one of the cover laterals of the connector cover includes a second fixing part corresponding to the first fixing part. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the first fixing part includes a recessed area, the second fixing part includes a suspending arm tilting toward the opposite cover lateral, and the suspending aim is adapted to lean against a wall of the recessed area. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting pin is a grounding pin. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, each connecting pin has a rough surface, a bending part, or a breach, and the rough surface includes a surface subjected to a sand blasting treatment or includes a plurality of regular or irregular patterns or bumps. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the cover laterals includes a plane and a rib protruding from or recessed with respect to the plane. 
     Based on the above, in the connector cover of the connector assembly of according to the embodiments of the invention, the connected cover laterals cover the connector laterals of the connector, such that the connector cover is refrained from back-and-forth or lateral movement with respect to the connector. The cover top surface covers the connector top surface, and the bending pins lean against the connector bottom surface, such that the connector cover is refrained from vertical movement with respect to the connector. Accordingly, the connector cover is fixed to the connector in the respective directions. The connector cover may be further firmly connected to the main board through the connecting pins by soldering. The connector cover fixed to the connector and the main board effectively enhances the strength of the connector. In addition, the metallic material of the connector cover further reduces the signal interferences between the connector and other electronic components on the main board. 
     In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention comprehensible, several exemplary embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a connector cover shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged schematic view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged schematic view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of  FIG. 1  from another perspective view angle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a connector cover shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged schematic view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged schematic view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic view of  FIG. 1  from another perspective view angle. In the drawings of a connector assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the invention, lines illustrating a connector cover  100  are intentionally thickened, so as to clearly distinguish the connector cover  100  and a connector  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the connector assembly  10  of this embodiment includes the connector  20  and the connector cover  100 . In this embodiment, the connector  20  is described as a memory module connector, for example. However, the type of the connector  20  is not limited thereto. The connector  20  is adapted to be fixed to a main board (not shown). The connector  20  includes a connector top surface  22  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), a connector bottom surface  24  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and four connector laterals  26  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The connector top surface  22  includes a connector slot  23 . The connector slot  23  is configured for a memory module (not shown) to insert detachably, so that the memory module is electrically connected to the main board. The connector bottom surface  24  is opposite to the connector top surface  22 . The connector laterals  26  are respectively connected to the connector top surface  22  and the connector bottom surface  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector cover  100  includes a cover top surface  110 , four cover laterals  120 , and at least one bending pin  124  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and at least one connecting pin  130 . The cover top surface  110  covers the connector cover surface  22 , and includes a cover slot  112  corresponding to the connector slot  24 . More specifically, in this embodiment, a coverage of the cover top surface  110  only extends to an area near the connector laterals  26  with greater lengths on the connector top surface  22 . Therefore, a width of the cover slot  112  of the cover top surface  110  is greater than a width of the connector slot  23 , such that a portion of the connector top surface  22  is still exposed by the cover top surface  110 . Certainly, in other embodiments, the cover top surface  110  may also cover the whole connector top surface  22  and only expose the connector slot  23 . The cover top surface  110  is not limited thereto. 
     The four cover laterals  120  cover the four connector laterals  26 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector cover  100  approximately corresponds to a shape of the connector  20 , so as to offer more complete protection to the connector  20 . More specifically, the cover laterals  120  of the connector cover  100  at left and right ends have greater heights, and the two opposite cover laterals  120  of the connector cover  100  between the left and right ends (i.e., the central area) have greater lengths. The cover laterals  120  are connected to each other to form an enclosed rectangle. In this embodiment, the two cover laterals  120  having greater lengths are also taller at portions near the left and right ends, so as to cover laterals of a housing of the connector  20  near the two ends. Also, in this embodiment, the two cover laterals  120  having greater lengths are partially connected to the cover top surface  110 . More specifically, since the connector  20  includes fasteners for fastening edges of the memory module at the two end, the cover top surface  110  does not extend to the portions of the connector  20  near the two ends. In other words, a length of the cover top surface  110  is slightly shorter than the length of the cover lateral  120  connected to the cover top surface  120 , making the cover laterals  120  connected to the cover top surface  110  at areas other than the left and right ends. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in this embodiment, the at least one bending pin  124  extends from one of the cover laterals  110 . The bending pin  124  is bent to lean against the connector bottom surface  24  for position limiting. In this embodiment, four bending pins  124  are provided, for example. The bending pins  124  are paired and respectively extend from the two opposite cover laterals  120  having greater lengths toward a direction away from the cover top surface  110 . The paired bending pins  124  are bent toward each other&#39;s direction to lean against the connector bottom surface  24 , so that the connector cover  100  is refrained from moving toward the top of the connector  20 . Of course, in other embodiments, the bending pins  124  may also extend from the adjacent cover laterals  110 , or in yet other embodiments, the bending pin  124  may only extend from one of the cover laterals  110 . The invention does not intend to limit the number of the bending pin  124 , the cover lateral  120  or cover laterals  120  where the bending pin  124  extends from, and whether the bending pins  124  are paired. 
     In the connector cover  100  of the connector assembly  10  of this embodiment, the connected cover laterals  120  cover the connector laterals  26  of the connector  20 , such that the connector cover  100  is refrained from back-and-forth or lateral movement with respect to the connector  20 . The cover top surface  110  covers the connector top surface  22 , and the bending pins  124  lean against the connector bottom surface  24 , such that the connector cover  100  is refrained from vertical movement with respect to the connector  20 . Accordingly, the connector cover  100  is fixed to the connector  20  in the respective directions. Also, in this embodiment, a material of the connector cover  100  includes metal, for example. By covering the connector  20  with the metallic connector cover  100 , an overall structural strength of the connector assembly  10  is enhanced, and the cover also prevents electromagnetic interference. However, in other embodiments, the material of the connector cover  100  is not limited thereto. 
     Besides, to further fix the connector cover  100  and the connector  20 , one of the connector laterals  26  of the connector  20  may include a first fixing part  28 , whereas one of the cover laterals  120  of the connector cover  100  includes a second fixing part  126  corresponding to the first fixing part  28 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  5 , the portions of each of the connector laterals  26  having greater lengths near the ends include two first fixing parts  28 , and the cover lateral  120  that the connector lateral  26  corresponds to also includes two second fixing parts  126  at corresponding positions, so as to fix the first fixing parts  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , in this embodiment, the first fixing part  28  includes a recessed area, the second fixing part  126  includes a suspending tilting toward the opposite cover lateral  120 . The suspending arm leans against an upper wall of the recessed area, such that the connector cover  100  is not easily moved upward and detached from the connector  10 . Certainly, types and positions of the first fixing part  28  and the second fixing part  126  are not limited to above. Any possible structure falls within the scope of the invention as long as the structures are able to be used together to fix each other. 
     Besides, at least one connecting pin  130  extends from one of the cover laterals  120 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the connector cover  100  includes six connecting pins  130 . The connecting pins  130  are paired and respectively extend from the opposite cover laterals  120  toward the direction away from the cover top surface  110 . The connector cover  100  of this embodiment is connected and fixed to the main board through the connecting pins  130 . In other words, the connector cover  100  of this embodiment is able to be fixed to the main board together with the pins of the connector  20  by using the connecting pins  130  (by inserting the pins of the connector  20  and the connecting pins  130  into corresponding holes on the main board and filling soldering materials into the holes, for example), such that the connector cover  100  is more firmly disposed on the connector  20 . Certainly, the number and positions of the connecting pins  130  are not limited thereto. 
     In this embodiment, the connecting pin  130  has a rough surface capable of enhancing adhesion of the soldering material. In this embodiment, the rough surface has a plurality of rhombus bumps, such that the surface is uneven and rough. The rough surface may be formed through pressing. However, in other embodiments, the connecting pin  130  may be scratched to form regular or irregular patterns on the connecting pin  130 , so as to form the rough surface. Alternatively, the connecting pin  130  may be subjected to a sand blasting treatment to form the rough surface. A style of the rough surface on the connecting pin  130  and a formation process of the rough surface are not limited to above. 
     In other embodiments, a connection strength between the connecting pin  130  and the main board may also be enhanced in other ways. For example, a bending part that is pressed but not cut or a breach that is cut may be formed on the connecting pin  130  through pressing. When the connecting pin  130  is to be fixed to the main board, some soldering material may be at a location where the bending part is recessed or at the breach. Thus, the connection strength between the connecting pin  130  and the main board may be further enhanced. 
     It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the connecting pins  130  are grounding pins. In other words, when the connecting pins  130  are fixed to the main board, the connecting pins  130  contact a grounding wire of the main board, so as to be grounded. Namely, in addition to the fixing function, the connecting pin  130  of the connector cover  100  also offers protection against electromagnetic interference for the connector  20 . 
     In addition, in this embodiment, a thickness of the connector cover  100  is limited to prevent an area on the main board from being reduced due to the connector cover  100  arranged on the connector  20 . For example, in this embodiment, the thickness of the connector cover  100  is approximately 0.15 millimeters. However, since a metal plate with such thickness has a lower stiffness, the cover lateral  120  of the connector cover  100  is specifically designed to allow the connector cover  120  with a thinner thickness to have a strength sufficient to protect the connector  20 . 
     Specifically, in this embodiment, each of the cover laterals  120  having greater lengths includes a plane  122  and a rib  128  protruding from the plane  122 . Since the stiffness of a metal is increased after the metal is bent and pressed, the overall structural strength of the connector cover  100  of this embodiment is further facilitated by using the bent rib  128 . Certainly, in other embodiments, the rib  128  may also be recessed with respect to the plane  122 . Besides, even though each of the cover laterals  120  having greater lengths in this embodiment is provided with one longer rib  128 , the cover lateral  120  may also be provided with a plurality of discontinuous ribs  128  in other embodiments. The type, number and position of the rib  128  shall not be construed as being limited to the drawings. 
     In view of the foregoing, in the connector cover of the connector assembly of according to the embodiments of the invention, the four connected cover laterals cover the four connector laterals of the connector, such that the connector cover is refrained from back-and-forth or lateral movement with respect to the connector. The cover top surface covers the connector top surface, and the bending pins lean against the connector bottom surface, such that the connector cover is refrained from vertical movement with respect to the connector. Accordingly, the connector cover is fixed to the connector in the respective directions. The connector cover may be further firmly connected to the main board through the connecting pins by soldering. The connector cover fixed to the connector and the main board effectively enhances the strength of the connector. In addition, the metallic material of the connector cover further reduces the signal interferences between the connector and other electronic components on the main board. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.