Patent Publication Number: US-10312620-B1

Title: Spring connector and connecting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 107119473, filed on Jun. 6, 2018. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, may be cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a spring connector and a connecting device, and more particularly to a spring connector and a connecting device each applied to establish connection (e.g., by clamping) with cables having small diameter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A conventional connector is a connecting device to electrically connect to cables, a circuit board, or other circuit components, and has been widely applied to various electronic products around our lives. The conventional connector can be applied to medical equipment, and some of the medical equipment need to be provided with a contact apparatus that, when added with new functions, requires the corresponding connector to be formed with more contacts for transmitting signals from the new functions of the contact apparatus. In order to prevent the size of the connector from getting larger, both the connector and the corresponding cables need to be designed with a smaller size, leading to severed cables and soldering difficulties between terminals of the connector and the cables. Moreover, if the connector is provided with insulation displacement connection (IDC) terminals, the size of the cables would be limited by the IDC terminals, so that cables having small diameter cannot be easily applied therewith. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides a spring connector and a connecting device to effectively improve the issues associated with conventional connectors (e.g., severed cables and soldering issues). 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a spring connector for being connected to a cable assembly. The cable assembly includes a plurality of cables each having a connecting end portion. The spring connector includes an insulating case and a plurality of spring terminals. The insulating case includes a plurality of cable slots that are spaced apart from each other. The spring terminals are disposed on the insulating case and each have a contacting portion and at least one tail portion. In each of the spring terminals, the contacting portion is formed in a spiral shape so as to have a gap, and the at least one tail portion is connected to the contacting portion. The contacting portions of the spring terminals are respectively disposed in the cable slots. The connecting end portions of the cables are also respectively disposed in the cable slots of the insulating case, and are respectively arranged in the gaps of the contacting portions of the spring terminals. Each of the connecting end portions is sandwiched by the corresponding contacting portion in a four-point connection, so that the spring terminals are electrically connected to the cables, respectively. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a connecting device adapted as a plug connecting device or a socket connecting device. The connecting device includes a housing, a plurality of spring connectors, an electrical connector, a plurality of cable assemblies, and a plurality of circuit boards. The spring connectors are disposed in the housing and are stacked together. Each of the spring connectors includes an insulating case and a plurality of spring terminals. In each of the spring connectors, the insulating case includes a plurality of cable slots spaced apart from each other, and the spring terminals are disposed on the insulating case. Each of the spring terminals has a contacting portion and at least one tail portion, the contacting portion is formed in a spiral shape so as to have a gap, and the at least one tail portion is connected to the contacting portion. The contacting portions of the spring terminals are respectively disposed in the cable slots of the insulating case. The electrical connector is disposed in the housing. The cable assemblies are respectively assembled with the spring connectors, and each of the cable assemblies includes a plurality of cables. Each of the cables has a connecting end portion. In each of the cable assemblies and the corresponding spring connector, the connecting end portions of the cables are respectively disposed in the cable slots of the insulating case, the connecting end portions of the cables are respectively arranged in the gaps of the contacting portions of the spring terminals, and each of the connecting end portions is sandwiched by the corresponding contacting portion in a four-point connection, so that the spring terminals are electrically connected to the cables, respectively. The circuit boards are disposed in the housing. The tail portions of the spring connectors are respectively and electrically connected to the circuit boards, and the circuit boards are electrically connected to the electrical connector, so that the cables of the cable assemblies are electrically connected to the electrical connector through the spring terminals of the spring connectors and the circuit boards. 
     In certain embodiments, the insulating case of the present disclosure includes a first end surface, a second end surface, an inner periphery surface, and an outer periphery surface, the first end surface and the second end surface being respectively arranged on two opposite surfaces of the insulating case, and the inner periphery surface and the outer periphery surface being respectively located at an inner side and an outer side of the insulating case. Each of the cable slots is recessed in the first end surface, the inner periphery surface, and the outer periphery surface of the insulating case along a radial direction of the insulating case. 
     Therefore, in the present disclosure, the spring connector includes an insulating case and a plurality of spring terminals, the connecting end portions of the cables are respectively disposed in the cable slots of the insulating case, the connecting end portions of the cables are respectively arranged in the gaps of the contacting portions of the spring terminals, and each of the connecting end portions is sandwiched by the corresponding contacting portion, so that the spring terminals are electrically connected to the cables. Accordingly, the spring connector of the present disclosure can be used to clamp cables with small diameters without causing cable severance or soldering difficulties. 
     These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a spring connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the spring connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the spring connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an insulating case of the spring connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the insulating case of the spring connector from another perspective according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a plurality of the spring connectors stacked together according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a first connecting device and a second connecting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first connecting device and the second connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the first connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the second connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the spring connector in another configuration according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the spring connector in still another configuration according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like. 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 , a first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a spring connector  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the spring connector  100  is provided for being disposed in a connecting device. The connecting device can be a plug connecting device or a socket connecting device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The spring connector  100  is configured to be connected to a cable assembly  200 . The cable assembly  200  includes a plurality of cables  201  each having a connecting end portion  202 . Specifically, the cable  201  includes an inner conductor and an insulator covering the inner conductor. A portion of the insulator arranged on an end of the cable  201  can be removed so as to expose a portion of the inner conductor adjacent thereto, and the exposed portion of the inner conductor in the present embodiment is defined as the connecting end portion  202 . A diameter of the connecting end portion  202  can be less than or equal to 0.1 mm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The spring connector  100  includes an insulating case  1  and a plurality of spring terminals  2 . The insulating case  1  can be made of an insulating material (e.g., plastic), but the material and structure of the insulating case  1  are not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the insulating case  1  is in a C-shape and has a plurality of cable slots  11  spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the insulating case  1  includes a first end surface  12 , a second end surface  13 , an inner periphery surface  14 , and an outer periphery surface  15  (as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The first end surface  12  and the second end surface  13  are respectively arranged on two opposite surfaces of the insulating case  1 , and the inner periphery surface  14  and the outer periphery surface  15  are respectively arranged on an inner side and an outer side of the insulating case  1 . Each of the cable slots  11  is recessed in the first end surface  12 , the inner periphery surface  14 , and the outer periphery surface  15  of the insulating case  1  along a radial direction of the insulating case  1 , thereby allowing the connecting end portions  202  of the cables  201  to be respectively disposed in the cable slots  11 . The radial direction of the insulating case  1  in the present embodiment can be the direction extending from the inner periphery surface  14  toward the outer periphery surface  15 . In addition, the insulating case  1  includes a plurality of terminal slots  16  that are spaced apart from each other and that are respectively in spatial communication with the cable slots  11 . The terminal slots  16  are recessed in the second end surface  13 . 
     Each of the spring terminals  2  is made of metal or alloy with highly conductive properties. For example, the spring terminal  2  can be made of a phosphorus copper wire, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of the spring terminals  2  can be adjusted or changed according to design requirements. The spring terminals  2  are disposed on the insulating case  1 , and are respectively disposed in the terminal slots  16 . Each of the spring terminals  2  is formed by bending a metal wire that has a diameter within a range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     Each of the spring terminals  2  includes a contacting portion  21  and at least one tail portion  22 . In each of the spring terminals  2 , the contacting portion  21  is formed in a spiral shape (e.g., the contacting portion  21  is a spiral spring structure) so as to have a gap  211 . In each of the spring terminals  2 , the at least one tail portion  22  is connected to the contacting portion  21 , and the number of the at least one tail portion  22  can be one or two so as to be connected to one end or two ends of the contacting portion  21 . The contacting portions  21  of the spring terminals  2  are respectively disposed in the cable slots  11 . The tail portions  22  of the spring terminals  2  can be electrically connected to a circuit board  200  or other devices by soldering or other manners. The circuit board  300  in the present embodiment is a flexible circuit board. 
     The spring connector  100  further includes a cover  3  and a supporting plate  4 . Each of the cover  3  and the supporting plate  4  is a C-shaped plate body corresponding in shape to the insulating case  1 . The cover  3  is disposed on the second end surface  13  of the insulating case  1  to cover the terminal slots  16 , so that the spring terminals  2  can be firmly disposed in the terminal slots  16 . The circuit board  300  is configured to be sandwiched between the cover  3  and the insulating case  1 , and the supporting plate  4  is disposed on a surface of the cover  3  that is distant from the insulating case  1 . The supporting plate  4  can include a plurality of fixing posts  41  passing through the cover  3  and the circuit board  300 . The insulating case  1  has a plurality of fixing holes  17 , and the fixing posts  41  of the supporting plate  4  are respectively and fixedly engaged in the fixing holes  17  of the insulating case  1 , thereby firmly combining the insulating case  1 , the circuit board  300 , the cover  3 , and the supporting plate  4 . The insulating case  1  can include a plurality of first engaging portions  18  formed on the inner side and the outer side (e.g., the inner periphery surface  14  and the outer periphery surface  15 ) thereof. The supporting plate  4  can be a hollow structure, and can include a plurality of second engaging portions  42  formed on an inner side and an outer side thereof. The first engaging portions  18  are respectively and fixedly engaged with the second engaging portions  42 , thereby more firmly combining the insulating case  1 , the circuit board  300 , the cover  3 , and the supporting plate  4 . 
     In the present embodiment, the connecting end portions  202  of the cables  201  are respectively disposed in the cable slots  11  of the insulating case  1  and are respectively arranged in the gaps  211  of the contacting portions  21  of the spring terminals  2 , and each of the connecting end portions  202  is sandwiched by the corresponding contacting portion  21 . Since the contacting portion  21  in the present embodiment is the spiral spring structure having a predetermined elastic force, the contacting portion  21  can firmly clamp the connecting end portion  202  of the corresponding cable  201  so as to establish an electrical connection there-between. Accordingly, the cables  201  are electrically connected to the circuit board  300  through the spring terminals  2 . Moreover, the spring connector  100  of the present embodiment can be used to clamp cables with small diameters without severing the cables. In each of the spring connectors  100  of the present disclosure, the insulating case  1  is C-shaped, parts of the cables  201  are in a radial arrangement with respect to a center of circle of the C-shaped insulating case  1  so as to have the same length, and the other parts of the cables  201  pass through the C-shaped insulating case  1 , so that the C-shaped insulating cases  1  of the spring connectors  100  can be stacked in one row. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in actual use of the spring connector  100  of the present disclosure, a plurality of the spring connectors  100  can be stacked together to form a connecting device with high density contacts. 
     Reference is next made to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , which show the spring connectors  100  in other configurations. Specifically, the insulating case  1  includes a plurality of cable slots  11  spaced apart from each other, and each of the cable slots  11  can be a square hole, a rectangular hole, or a circular hole. The cable slots  11  are formed in the first end surface  12  along the radial direction so as to be respectively in spatial communication with the terminal slots  16  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Each of the cables  201  has a connecting end portion  202  that is in a sheet shape or a pin shape. Moreover, the connecting end portion  202  of the cables  201  are respectively disposed in the cable slots  11  of the insulating case  1  and are respectively arranged in the gaps  211  of the contacting portions  21  of the spring terminals  2 , and each of the connecting end portions  202  is sandwiched by the corresponding contacting portion  21  in a four-point connection, so that the spring terminals  2  are electrically connected to the cables  202 , respectively. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 10 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first connecting device  400  and a second connecting device  500 , which are a plug connecting device and a socket connecting device cooperated with the plug connecting device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first connecting device  400  includes a first housing  600 , a plurality of spring connectors  100 , a first electrical connector  700 , a plurality of cable assemblies  200 , and a plurality of circuit boards  300 . The spring connectors  100  are disposed in the first housing  600  and are stacked together. The circuit boards  300  and the first electrical connector  700  are disposed in the first housing  600 , and are electrically connected to each other, so that the cables  201  of the cable assemblies  200  are electrically connected to the first electrical connector  700  through the spring terminals  2  of the spring connectors  100  and the circuit boards  300  (referring also to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). In addition, the structure of the first electrical connector  700  can be changed according to design requirements. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the second connecting device  500  includes a second housing  800 , a plurality of spring connectors  100 , a second electrical connector  900 , a plurality of cable assemblies  200 , and a plurality of circuit boards  300 . The spring connectors  100  are disposed in the second housing  800  and are stacked together. The circuit boards  300  and the second electrical connector  900  are disposed in the second housing  800 , and are electrically connected to each other, so that the cables  201  of the cable assemblies  200  are electrically connected to the second electrical connector  900  through the spring terminals  2  of the spring connectors  100  and the circuit boards  300  (referring also to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). In addition, the structure of the second electrical connector  900  can be changed according to design requirements. Moreover, when the first connecting device  400  is inserted into the second connecting device  500 , the first electrical connector  700  contacts the second electrical connector  900  to establish an electrical connection there-between. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.