Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a method of sleeve retaining a solder material onto a terminal unit comprises of steps. In order to achieve the steps, a structure is also disclosed which comprises: a terminal unit and a solder material wherein the terminal unit possess a fixing portion while the solder material forms a sleeve which corresponds to the terminal unit, therefore enabling the sleeve retaining of the solder material. By means of sleevingly retain as described above, the assembly of the terminal unit and the solder material can be further stabilized.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The instant disclosure relates to a method for sleeve retaining a solder material; in particular, to an electric connector terminal unit 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    As technology advances, electronic components are becoming increasingly miniaturized. Consequently, soldering precision of miniaturized electronic components is becoming a greater challenge for surface mount technology (SMT). 
         [0005]    To retain soldering materials onto a terminal unit, one of the conventional approaches includes dipping the terminal unit into a sphere-shaped soldering material. However, with the conventional approach, soldering material is highly susceptible to falling off from the terminal unit which leads to poor welding quality/reliability. Another approach disposes the soldering material onto the side surface of the terminal unit. However, since the positioning of the soldering materials is susceptible to shift from the terminal unit, welding accuracy is hindered in the traditional method unless a welder resets and fine-tunes the positioning of the soldering materials. Based on today&#39;s miniaturization trend, soldering accuracy is quite critical to production especially when electronic components are in close proximity, a minuscule deviation can cause tremendous repercussions. 
         [0006]    To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The main purpose of the instant disclosure is to provide a method for a terminal unit to retain a solder material which solves the problems of conventional welding such as solder materials susceptible to fall off and position shifting on the terminal unit. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure provides a method for retaining solder material onto a terminal unit. Initially, a generally elongated terminal unit having a fixing portion formed toward one end thereof is provided. Next, a solder material is provided and processed to form a pre-processed sleeve structure adapted to envelop a corresponding end of the terminal unit, thus forming a gap between the pre-processed sleeve structure and the terminal unit. Successively, applying an external force to the pre-processed sleeve structure to envelop the terminal unit, thus causing local deformation thereof, thereby causing the solder material to retain onto the fixing portion of the terminal unit. 
         [0009]    To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the instant disclosure also provides a solder material and an electrical connector terminal unit combination structure, comprising: a generally elongated terminal unit having a fixing portion formed toward one end thereof and a solder material processed to form a pre-processed sleeve structure adapted to sleevingly coupled to the fixing portion of the terminal unit. 
         [0010]    In summary, the instant disclosure not only efficiently stabilizes the connectivity between the terminal unit and the solder material, but also significantly reduces the chances of solder material from falling off of the terminal unit. Therefore, highly reliable retaining effect can be attained. 
         [0011]    In order to further the understanding of the method for sleeve retaining a solder material onto a terminal unit thereof, the following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to facilitate the disclosure. However, the detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting the scope being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  shows the perspective exploded view of the “cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  shows the perspective assembled view of the “cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  shows the perspective exploded view of the “grooved cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  shows the perspective assembled view of the “ grooved cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  shows the perspective assembled view of the “grooved cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  shows the cross-sectional view of the “grooved cylindrical sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  shows the perspective exploded view of the “bullet-type sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the third embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  shows the perspective assembled view of the “bullet-type sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the third embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  shows the perspective exploded view of the “spiral-type sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  shows the perspective assembled view of the “spiral-type sleeve” solder material and the terminal unit according to the fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the flow chart of the method for sleeve retaining the solder material onto the terminal unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The following illustrations and detailed descriptions are exemplary for the purpose of further explaining the scope of the present disclosure. Other objectives and advantages related to the present disclosure will be illustrated in the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1A  in conjunction with  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 5 , the method for sleeve retaining of a solder material onto a terminal unit thereof comprises of the following steps: providing a terminal unit  10  having a fixing portion A. Next, providing a solder material  20  which takes form of a pre-processed sleeve structure  201  and envelops the corresponding soldering-end of the terminal unit  10  forming a gap  202  between the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  and the terminal unit  10 . Successively, applying an external force F (not shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  5 ) from the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  onto the terminal unit  10  which allows the solder material  20  to retain onto the fixing portion A of the terminal unit  10 . 
         [0025]    Continually referring to  FIG. 1A  in conjunction with  FIG. 1B , a first embodiment for the sleeve retaining of a solder material onto a terminal unit thereof includes a terminal unit  10  and a solder material  20 . 
         [0026]    One end of the terminal unit  10  has a hollowed square structure (not labeled) known as a retaining slot  15  which connects the front face  11  to the back face  12 . Said retaining slot  15  is also a fixing portion A which is designed on the terminal unit  10  for retaining onto the solder material  20 . 
         [0027]    The solder material  20  is not limited to the form of a strip, a bit and a sheet. Once the pre-processed form as mentioned above is defined, said solder material  20  becomes a pre-processed sleeve structure  201 . In the first instant embodiment, the form is a solder bit. Before sleeve retains on the terminal unit  10 , the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  is processed into a processed sleeve  203 . In details, the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  is disposed in a pre-defined distance (preferably close distance) away from the terminal unit  10  in a corresponding position with a fixing portion A. The fixing portion A is a feature of the terminal unit  10  which has the characteristics of fixating another feature of the solder material  20  onto the terminal unit  10 . Then the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  is pressed into the shape of the processed sleeve  203  onto the terminal unit  10 . In particular, the processed sleeve  203  in the first instant embodiment has a cylindrical shape known as a cylindrical sleeve  2031 . 
         [0028]    After the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  is processed into the processed sleeve  203  and envelops the terminal unit  10 , a plurality of features is generated which depends on the form in which the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  takes. In particular,  FIG. 1A  in conjunction with  FIG. 1B  shows the first instant embodiments of the instant disclosure illustrating said features comprises a solder top  205 , a solder bottom  206 , and a slit  204  which is formed by the two ends of the processed sleeve  203  being pressed towards each other. The solder top  205  is essentially the top surface while the solder bottom is essentially the bottom surface of the processed sleeve  203  where the surface area of both surfaces highly depends on the shape which the processed sleeve  203  takes. 
         [0029]    When the processed sleeve  203  envelops the terminal unit  10 , the solder bottom  206  is disposed flushed against the bottom face  14 . However, the solder bottom  206  may also be circumventing while being a step-up from the bottom face  14 . 
         [0030]    The terminal unit  10  also includes a plurality of surfaces as follow: a front face  11 , a back face  12 , two side faces  13 , and a bottom face  14 . The fixing portion A is a protrusion  131  in the first instant embodiments of the instant disclosure. Said protrusion  131  is disposed on each of the two side faces  13  to facilitate retaining of the solder material  20 . 
         [0031]    The terminal unit  10  also has a width W which is defined by the distance between the two side faces  13 . Said width W is also the width of the protrusion  131  where width W is defined by user. In addition to the protrusion  131 , a recess  132  is also disposed along each side face  13 . 
         [0032]    After the solder material  20  envelops the terminal unit  10 , an external force F (not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) may apply to the exterior surface of the processed sleeve  203  to improve connectivity between the solder material  20 , the protrusion  131  and the recess  132 . Thus, providing better sleeve retaining effect. 
         [0033]    According to  FIG. 2A  in conjunction with  FIGS. 2B ,  2 C, and  2 D, the second instant embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in the designated fixing portion A. In the second instant embodiment, the designated fixing portion is a retaining slot  15 . Specifically, after the processed sleeve  203  envelops the terminal unit  10 , an external force F is applied onto portions of the two ends of the enveloping processed sleeve  203  towards the direction of the retaining slot  15 . Said portions consequently deforms and displaces into the retaining slot  15 , and forms a groove  207 . As a result of the unique shape of the second embodiment known as a grooved cylindrical sleeve  2032 , the solder material  20  retains onto the terminal unit  10 . In addition, prior to forming the pre-processed sleeve structure  201 , a cut may be applied to the solder bottom  206  to form a solder notch  2061  to remove soldering materials from the solder material  20 . Subsequently, as the external force F is applied upon the slit  204  to form a groove  27 , the solder bottom  206  is less prone to displace outward away from the terminal unit  10 . Consequently, issues with soldering process and positioning of soldering points&#39; may be prevented. 
         [0034]    According to the  FIG. 3A  in conjunction with  FIG. 3B , the third instant embodiment varies from the previous instant embodiments wherein the processed sleeve  203  takes form of a bullet know as a bullet-type sleeve  2033 . Similar to the previous instant embodiments, the bullet-type sleeve  2033  has a solder top  205  and a solder bottom  206 . However, in the third instant embodiment, the solder bottom  206  is dome-shaped. Similar to the first instant embodiment, the fixing portion A in the third instant embodiment is the protrusions  131  which are disposed along the sides of the terminal unit  10  for sleeve retaining of the solder material  20  through the abutment of the protrusions  131  and the processed sleeve  203  with an external force F (not illustrated in  FIGS. 3A , and  3 B). 
         [0035]    According to the  FIG. 4A  in conjunction with  FIG. 4B , the fourth instant embodiment varies from the previous instant embodiments where the solder material  20  is formed by rolling and bending the solder strips into a spiral-type sleeve  2034 . Similar to the first instant embodiment, the processed sleeve  203  also has the solder top  205  and the solder bottom  206  which is but not limited to be disposed flushed against the bottom face  14 . For instance: the solder bottom  206  may also be circumventing and a step-up from the bottom face  14 . Once again, similar to the first instant embodiment, the fixing portion A in the fourth instant embodiment is the protrusions  131  which are disposed along the sides of the terminal unit  10  for sleeve retaining of the solder material  20  through the abutment of the protrusions  131  and the processed sleeve  203  with an external force F (not illustrated in  FIGS. 4A , and  4 B). 
         [0036]    Preferably, the pre-processed sleeve structure  201  takes the form of a processed sleeve  203  which envelops the terminal unit  10  in one of the following forms: a cylindrical sleeve  2031  ( FIG. 1A ), a grooved cylindrical sleeve  2032  ( FIG. 2C ), a bullet-type sleeve  2033  ( FIG. 3A ), and a spiral-type sleeve  2034  ( FIG. 4A ). The cylindrical sleeve  2031  and the grooved cylindrical sleeve  2032  are preferably formed but are not limited to be formed from a solder sheet, while the bullet-type sleeve  2033  and the spiral-type sleeve  2034  are formed but not limited to be formed from a bit of solder and a strip of solder, respectively. For instance, to form the spiral-type sleeve  2034  as mentioned above, a strip of solder is rolled and bent through suitable tools and equipment. 
         [0037]    Moreover, the slit  204  only pertains to the first and second instant embodiments according to the instant disclosure. In the third instant embodiment of bullet-type sleeve  2033 , only the solder top  205  is formed. Finally, in the fourth instant embodiments of spiral-type sleeve  2034 , only the solder top  205  and the solder bottom  206  are formed. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the fixing portion A is the protrusions  131 . Said protrusions  131  are disposed on the two side faces  13  of the terminal unit  10  to facilitate retaining of the processed sleeve  30  by the application of the applied force F. As a consequence, enabling the solder material  20  to retain onto the fixing portion A. In the other example, the fixing portion A is the retaining slot  15 . Specifically, an external force F is applied onto portions of the two ends of the enveloping processed sleeve  203  towards the direction of the retaining slot  15 . Said portions consequently deforms and displaces into the retaining slot  15 , and forms a groove  207  which retains onto the terminal unit  10 . In addition to the protrusion  131 , the recess  132  which is disposed on the two side faces  13  may also support retaining the solder material  20 . 
         [0039]    In further details, the external force F describes in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  2 D of the instant disclosure retains the solder material  20  onto the retaining slot  15  thus further enhance the connection between the solder material  20  and the terminal unit  10 . 
         [0040]    In summary, the method of retaining the soldering material structure  20  onto the terminal unit  10  according to the instant disclosure allows soldering materials to be effectively deposited onto the terminal units. The instant disclosure is space saving, does not require additional positioning adjustments during welding, and effectively simplifies welding. Thus, ensures welding efficiency. 
         [0041]    The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure; however, the characteristics of the present disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure delineated by the following claims.