Patent Publication Number: US-11394140-B2

Title: Embedded terminal module and connector and assembling and correcting method thereof

Description:
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The Present Invention Relates to a Connector, and More Particularly to an embedded terminal module, a connector and an assembling and correcting method thereof, so as to provide a correction effect during assembly, so that the embedded terminal module is smoothly joined with a printed circuit board. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS 
     Nowadays rapid industrial development, which is an important component of the electronic connector is also in a state of rapid development. In order to allow products to perform better, various connector manufacturers are committed to developing new connector technologies. 
     That is to say, the connector is a common electronic component, which is often used between the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board for signal transmission. To put it another way, the connector is the core center of the electronic transmission interface, and the quality of the connector will affect the service life of the product. However, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the conventional connector  100 P usually inserts a plurality of terminals  10 P directly into the plastic component  20 P. In this way, when a plurality of the terminals  10  are combined with a printed circuit board, the unevenness of the terminals  10 P will cause assembly failure. In other words, it is difficult for the terminals  10 P of the conventional connector  100 P to be highly uniform arranged on the plastic component  20 P. Moreover, the terminals  10 P are directly inserted into the plastic component  20 P of the connector  100 P, so when the terminals  10 P are combined with the printed circuit board, it is easy to cause the phenomenon that the terminals  10 P cannot be connected to the printed circuit board. In other words, since the terminal  10 P cannot be adjusted during assembly, the connector  100 P is poorly assembled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof, in which a correction device is provided, so that an embedded terminal module can be smoothly assembled with a printed circuit board. In other words, when there is unevenness between the embedded terminal module and the printed circuit board, the relative position of the terminal and the printed circuit board is fine-tuned by means of correction, so that the terminal and the printed circuit board are connected smoothly. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof, in which the problem of unevenness between the terminals can be improved. At the same time, the terminals and the printed circuit board can be smoothly joined by the correction device. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof, wherein at least one embedded terminal element is adjusted in at least any one of the six axes of X, Y, Z, U, V and W. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof to reduce assembly tolerances and strengthen structural strength. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof, wherein an embedded element is used to cover a terminal element in a molding manner, and the embedded element is assembled in a mating socket, which will reduce the deformation of the terminal element during assembly. In particular, the correction device is arranged between the embedded element and the mating socket to adjust the embedded element so that the embedded terminal module and the printed circuit board are smoothly combined. In other words, the correction device is used to solve the problem of inability to assemble due to unevenness between the embedded terminal module and the printed circuit board. In other words, the correction device provides a coordinated correction. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an embedded terminal module and a connector, and an assembling and correcting method thereof, wherein the embedded element will increase the structural strength of the terminal element. 
     In order to achieve at least one objective of the present invention described above, an embedded terminal module of the present invention, which can be adjusted and corrected on a printed circuit board, comprising: 
     an embedded terminal component; 
     a mating socket; and 
     a correction device is located between the embedded terminal component and the mating socket to provide correction for the mating of the embedded terminal component and the printed circuit board. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the correction device provides the embedded terminal component to adjust at least one direction of six axes of X, Y, Z, U, V, and W in the mating socket. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embedded terminal component comprises at least two terminal elements and at least two embedded elements, wherein each of the embedded elements is molded to cover each of the opposite terminal elements, and are assembled to the mating socket in mirror alignment, wherein the correction device comprises at least two correction units, and each of the correcting units is arranged between each of the embedded elements and the mating socket. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embedded terminal component comprises at least four terminal elements and at least four embedded elements, wherein each of the embedded elements is relatively molded to cover each of the terminal elements, and the four embedded elements are divided into two groups, which are assembled in the mating socket in a relatively mirror manner, wherein the correction device comprises at least four correction units, and each of the correcting units is arranged between each of the embedded elements and the mating socket. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mating socket comprises at least two embedded grooves, which respectively accommodate two of the embedded elements, wherein each of the correction units comprises a first correction portion, which is located between an upper surface of each of the embedded elements and each of the embedded grooves. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mating socket comprises at least four embedded grooves, which respectively accommodate four of the embedded elements, wherein each of the correction units comprises a first correction portion, which is located between an upper surface of each of the embedded elements and each of the embedded grooves. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein each of the correction units comprises a second correction portion, which is located between a side of each of the embedded elements and each of the embedded grooves. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein each of the terminal elements comprises a plurality of pin elements, wherein each of the embedded elements covers a plurality of the pin elements, so that the terminal element and the embedded element are integrated, wherein each of the pin elements comprises a pin body and a welded portion, wherein the welded portion is bent relative to the pin body, wherein the pin body has an embedded portion, an elastic portion and an extending portion, wherein the elastic portion is convexly bent between the embedded portion and the extending portion to ensure contact with an electronic component. 
     In order to achieve at least one objective of the present invention described above, the present invention also provides a connector, which is suitable for installing an electronic component, including: 
     the above-mentioned embedded terminal module; 
     a printed circuit board, wherein the embedded terminal module is disposed on the printed circuit board; and 
     a locking module being arranged on the embedded terminal module, so that the electronic component fixable or unfixable arranged on the embedded terminal module. 
     In order to achieve at least one objective of the present invention described above, the present invention also provides a connector assembly and correction method, which includes the following steps: 
     (a) molding to form at least two embedded terminal elements, which are mirror-adjustably combined to a mating socket to form an embedded terminal module; 
     (b) setting the embedded terminal module on a printed circuit board; 
     (c) adjusting each of the embedded terminal elements through a correction device, so that the embedded terminal module is attached to the printed circuit board; and 
     (d) movably installing a locking module at the embedded terminal module. 
     In an embodiment method of the present invention, wherein in step (c), the correction device comprises at least two correction units, wherein each of the embedded terminal elements is adjusted in at least any one of the six axes of X, Y, Z, U, V, and W through a first correction portion and a second correction portion of each of the correction units. 
     In an embodiment method of the present invention, wherein each of the first correction portions is located between an upper surface of an embedded element of each of the embedded terminal elements and each of the embedded grooves, wherein each of the second correction portion is located between a side of each of the embedded elements and each of the embedded grooves. 
     In an embodiment method of the present invention, wherein in step (d), the locking module forms an unlocked state and a locked state relative to the mating socket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a conventional connector. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic front view of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram according to the A-A section of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a partial enlarged schematic diagram according to  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged schematic view of the cross-section according to  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective schematic view of the terminal element being molded by the embedded element according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a logical schematic diagram of a connector assembly and correction method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the connector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In order to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings are used to give a detailed description of the present invention. The description is as follows: 
     The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of the present invention, the indicating direction or positional relationship of the terms “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “Vertical”, “Horizontal”, “Top”, “Bottom”, “Inner”, “Outer”, etc. are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. 
     It is appreciated that the term “a” should be considered as “at least one” or “one or more”, that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in other embodiments, the number of element can be multiple. The term “one” cannot be considered a restriction on quantity. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5  an embedded terminal module with correction and a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connector  100  comprises an embedded terminal module  1 , a printed circuit board  2 , and a locking module  3 . A correction device  30  of the embedded terminal module  1  enables the embedded terminal module  1  and the circuit board  2  to be smoothly combined. In other words, when unevenness occurs between the embedded terminal module  1  and the printed circuit board  2 , the correcting device  30  is used to adjust the embedded terminal module  1  so that it is flat fit with the printed circuit board  2 , in order to achieve the purpose of smoothly attaching the embedded terminal module  1  to the printed circuit board  2 . The locking module  3  is arranged on the embedded terminal module  1  so as to be fixed by the locking module  3  when the electronic component is connected to the embedded terminal module  1 . In particular, when the electronic component is to be detached or removed from the embedded terminal module  1 , the locking module  3  is in an unlocked state, so that the electronic component can be easily separated from the embedded terminal module  1 . 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the embedded terminal module  1  comprises an embedded terminal component  10 , a mating socket  20 , and the correction device  30 . The locking module  3  is disposed on the mating socket  20 . The embedded terminal component  10  is mounted on the mating socket  20 . The correction device  30  is located between the embedded terminal component  10  and the mating socket  20 . When the embedded terminal module  1  and the printed circuit board  2  are combined, the correction device  30  is suitable for adjusting the position between the embedded terminal module  1  and the printed circuit board  2  to make the two smoothly combined. In other words, when unevenness occurs between the embedded terminal component  10  and the printed circuit board  2 , the correction device  30  can adjust the embedded terminal component  10  relative to the printed circuit board  2  to overcome the unevenness. Thus, the embedded terminal component  10  is smoothly attached to the printed circuit board  2 . 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the embedded terminal component  10  comprises at least two terminal elements  11  and at least two embedded elements  12 . Each of the embedded elements  12  is molded to cover each of the opposite terminal elements  11  to form an embedded terminal element  101 . The two embedded terminal elements  101  are assembled to the mating socket  20  in a mirrored manner. The correction device  30  comprises at least two correction units  31 , wherein each of the correction units  31  is disposed between each of the embedded elements  12  and the mating socket  20 . Furthermore, each of the terminal elements  11  and each of the embedded elements  12  are integrated into one body through the process of embedding and injection, so that each of the terminal elements  11  will maintain the same height relative to the mating socket  20 . At the same time, the correction unit  31  is used to adjust the relative position of the terminal elements  11  and the printed circuit board  2 . 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, each of the terminal elements  11  comprises a plurality of pin elements  111 , wherein the plurality of pin elements  111  are set in the mold, and the embedded element  12  is formed by injection to cover the plurality of pin elements  111 , so that the terminal element  11  and the embedded element  12  are integrated. In particular, the embedded terminal component  10  comprises at least two of the terminal elements  11  and at least two of the embedded elements  12 , wherein the two terminal elements  11  and the two embedded elements  12  are assembled in the mating socket  20  in a mirror-aligned manner. Furthermore, each of the terminal elements  11  is assembled on the mating socket  20  through each of the embedded elements  12 . Because of the combination of the embedded elements  12  and the mating socket  20 , compared with the traditional terminal assembly method, the terminal elements  11  will not be deformed, and each of the pin elements  111  maintains the same height relative to the mating socket  20 . In addition, the number of the pin elements  111  is set in accordance with the connected electronic components, which is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, the mating socket  20  comprises a socket body  21 , two locking portions  22 , a plurality of terminal mating holes  23  and at least two embedded grooves  24 . The two locking portions  22  are respectively located at two ends of the socket body  21  and extend upward to be used for installing the locking elements  40  respectively. The locking module  3  comprises two locking elements  40 . Furthermore, the locking elements  40  are rotatably disposed on the locking portion  22 . The plurality of terminal mating holes  23  and the two embedded grooves  24  are respectively located in the socket body  21  and communicate with each other. When the embedded terminal component  10  is installed in the mating socket  20 , each of the embedded elements  12  is respectively disposed in each of the embedded grooves  24 , and the plurality of pin elements  111  are disposed opposite to the plurality of terminal mating holes  23 . In addition, the mating socket  20  further comprises at least one socket groove  25  which communicates with the plurality of terminal mating holes  23 . 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, each of the correction units  31  comprises a first correction portion  311  and a second correction portion  312 . Each of the first correction portions  311  is located between the upper portion of each of the embedded elements  12  and each of the embedded grooves  24 . Each of the second correction portions  312  is located between the side of each of the embedded elements  12  and each of the embedded grooves  24 . In other words, each of the first correction portions  311  is a first gap formed between the upper surface of each of the embedded elements  12  and each of the embedded grooves  24 . Each of the second correction portions  312  is a second gap formed between the side surface of each of the embedded elements  12  and each of the embedded grooves  24 . It is worth mentioning that each of the first correction portions  311  and each of the second correction portions  312  may communicate with each other to form a correction gap. In this way, through the correction gap, the embedded terminal element  101  can be adjusted in at least one direction of the six axes of X, Y, Z, U, V, and W. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention, each of the terminal elements  11  comprises a plurality of pin elements  111  and a positioning portion  112 , wherein a plurality of the pin elements  111  are connected to the positioning portion  112 , so that when each of the terminal elements  11  is set in the mold, a relative position of each of the terminal elements  11  in the mold is determined by the positioning portion  112 . In addition, after each of the embedded elements  12  is molded to cover each of the terminal elements  11 , the positioning portion  112  is separated and removed from the plurality of pin elements  111 , so that each of the pin elements  111  is an independent element. Further to say, each of the terminal elements  11  is implemented as a metal plate, which has a plurality of the pin elements  111  and the positioning portion  112 , when the positioning portion  112  is separated from the plurality of the pin elements  111 , each of the pin elements  111  becomes an independent metal pin. Each of the terminal elements  11  has a series of separation lines  102  which are disposed between the pin elements  111  and the positioning portion  112  so that the positioning portion  112  is easily separated from the pin elements  111 . In addition, each of the pin elements  111  comprises a pin body  1111  and a welded portion  1112 , wherein the welded portion  1112  is bent relative to the pin body  1111 . When the embedded terminal module  1  is installed on the printed circuit board  2 , it is fixed by welding through the welded portion  1112 . The pin body  1111  has an embedded portion  11111 , an elastic portion  11112  and an extending portion  11113 , wherein the elastic portion  11112  protrudes and bends between the embedded portion  11111  and the extending portion  11113 . The embedded element  12  is formed in the embedded portion  11111 . The elastic portion  11112  is used to ensure contact with the electronic components. The extending portion  11113  is used to guide the electronic component to contact the elastic portion  11112 . When the plurality of pin elements  111  are relatively disposed in the plurality of terminal mating holes  23 , the elastic portion  11112  of the pin body  1111  of each pin element  111  protrudes from a surface  251  of the socket groove  25  to conveniently contact with electronic components. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention provides a method for assembling and correcting a connector, wherein the connector is suitable for connecting an electronic component, and the method for assembling and correcting the connector comprises the following steps: 
     (a) molding to form at least two embedded terminal elements  101 , which are mirror-adjustably combined to a mating socket  20  to form an embedded terminal module  1 ; 
     (b) setting the embedded terminal module  1  on a printed circuit board  2 ; 
     (c) adjusting each of the mating terminal elements  101  through a correcting devices  30 , so that the embedded terminal module  1  is attached to the printed circuit board  2 ; and 
     (d) movably installing a locking module  3  at the embedded terminal module  1 . 
     In the step (a), making an embedded element  12  partially cover a terminal element  11  to form the embedded terminal element  101 . 
     In the step (c), through a first correction portion  311  and a second correction portion  312  of the correction unit  31 , the embedded terminal element  101  can be adjusted in at least one direction of the six axes of X, Y, Z, U, V, and W. 
     Each of the first correction portions  311  is located between the upper surface of the embedded element  12  of each of the embedded terminal elements  101  and an embedded groove  24 . Each of the s second correction portions  312  is located between the side surface of the embedded element  12  of each of the embedded terminal elements  101  and the embedded groove  24 . 
     In the step (d), the two locking elements  40  of the locking module  3  are respectively disposed on the two locking portions  22  of the mating socket  20 , wherein the two locking portions  22  are respectively located at two ends of the socket body  21  of the mating socket  20  and extend upward. 
     In the step (d), the locking module  3  has an unlocked state and a locked state relative to the mating socket  20 . In other words, when the electronic component is to be detached or removed from the embedded terminal module  1 , the locking module  3  is in an unlocked state, so that the electronic component can be easily separated from the embedded terminal module  1 . When the electronic component is installed in the embedded terminal module  1 , the locking module  3  is in a locked state to fix the electronic component. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , it is an embedded terminal module and its connector according to a modified embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embedded terminal component  10  includes at least four sets of terminal elements  11  and at least four sets of embedded elements  12 . Each set of the embedded elements  12  is relatively molded to cover each set of the terminal elements  11 , and the four sets of the embedded elements  12  are divided into two groups, which are assembled in the mating socket  20  in a relatively mirror manner. It is worth mentioning that the correction device  30  comprises at least four correction units  31 , wherein each of the correction units  31  is disposed between each of the embedded elements  12  and the mating socket  20 . 
     In addition, the electronic components applicable to the connector  100  of this modified embodiment can be implemented as DDR5, but this is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. The purpose of the present invention has been completely and effectively achieved. The functions and structural principles of the present invention have been shown and explained in the embodiments. Without departing from the principles, the implementation of the present invention may have any deformation or modification.