TWI849705B - Connection cable set and light source module connector thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a connection cable set and a light source module connector thereof. The light source module connector is adapted to provide selective coupling between first terminals of a board end socket and channels of a flexible flat cable (FFC). The light source module connector includes a channel selection module, a first cover and a second cover. The channel selection module includes a base body and second terminals. The base body has a fixed portion and an insertion portion for plugging into the board end socket. The two opposite sides of the insertion portion are selectively defined with a closed area covering the second terminal and an open area exposing the second terminal. The second cover is used for combining with the first cover. Each of the second terminal has a fixing section and a contact section extending into the insertion part. The fixed section is coupled to the corresponding channel on the FFC. The contact section of the second terminal located in the open area is used for coupling with the corresponding first terminal on the board socket.

Description

Connecting wire set and light source module connector

The present invention relates to a connection assembly of a backlight module, and in particular to a connection wire assembly and a light source module connector thereof.

Generally used in the backlight module of the display, the cables or flat wires are used as the connection between multiple light source boards, so that the electrical signals and/or power of the circuit board can be transmitted to the corresponding light source board, and then transmitted from each photoelectric board to the connected light strip. With the development of thinner displays, the overall thickness of the backlight module is getting thinner, so more display products use flat wires as a connection method. In addition, as the display is also developing towards larger sizes, the number of light source boards and light strips connected in series is increasing, and its internal structure is more complex, and the connection reliability between electronic components is also important.

The known flat wire connection method is to directly open holes in the insulating coating layer on the surface of the flat wire at the contact positions corresponding to the board terminals on each light source board, so that the internal wire layer is exposed to contact with the pin terminals of each light source board to achieve electrical connection.

However, since the contact positions of different light source boards are different, the opening positions of the insulating coating layer on the surface of the flat line must correspond one by one, which makes the process lengthy and complicated. With the development of large-scale displays, the number of light source boards connected in series on a flat line has increased, and the shortcomings of this process, such as complexity and high cost, have been further deepened.

One purpose of the present invention is to improve the stability of the electrical connection of the backlight module.

Another purpose of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost of the connecting wire set of the backlight module.

To achieve the above-mentioned and other purposes, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a light source module connector is provided, which is used to provide selective coupling between a plurality of first terminals of a board-end socket and a plurality of channels of a flat wire, and the light source module connector includes: a channel selection module, a first cover and a second cover. The channel selection module includes a base and a plurality of second terminals, the base has a fixing portion and a plug-in portion for plugging into the board-end socket, and two opposite sides of the plug-in portion are selectively defined with a closed area covering the second terminal and an open area exposing the second terminal. The first cover includes a window for the plug-in portion to protrude. The second cover is used to combine with the first cover so that the flat wire and the channel selection module are fixed therein. Each of the second terminals has a fixed section and a contact section extending into the plug-in portion, the fixed section is coupled to the corresponding channel on the flat line one-to-one, and the contact section of the second terminal located in the open area provides coupling to the corresponding first terminal on the board-end socket.

To achieve the above-mentioned and other purposes, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a connection line set is provided, which is used to provide a connection interface for coupling to a power source for each lamp set of a backlight module, and the connection line set includes: a flat wire, a power plug module and a plurality of the aforementioned light source module connectors. The power plug module is coupled to the flat wire and used to be plugged into the power socket of the backlight module. Among them, each of the light source module connectors is defined by the distinction between the closed area and the open area of the plug part of the channel selection module. After each of the light source module connectors is plugged into the corresponding board end socket on the backlight module, each of the board end sockets is coupled to at least one corresponding channel among the channels of the flat wire.

Thus, by configuring and arranging the closed area and open area of the channel selection module of the light source module connector, it is possible to define which channels the corresponding board-side socket can couple to. Under the differentiated definition of the production of the channel selection module base, there is no need to make special production of the pin terminals, which can effectively reduce the complexity of the process and reduce the production cost, and also achieve high stability in electrical connection.

100:Fixed plate

200: Board end

210: Board-side socket

211: First terminal

212: Slot

213: Buckle

2131: snap-fit hole

214: Limit track

300: Flat wire

400: Light source module connector

400a: The first set of light source module connectors

400b: Second light source module connector

410: First cover

411: Window

412: Buckle

413:Entity

414: First cantilever

415: Second cantilever

416: Bump

417: Pressing part

418: Limit block

420: Second cover

422: buckle slot

430: Channel selection module

430a: The first channel selection module

430b: The second channel selection module

431: Seat

4311:Fixed part

4312: Plug-in unit

432: Second terminal

4321: Fixed segment

4322: Contact segment

500: Power plug module

B: Closed area

D: Effective distance

O: Open area

O1: Open area

O2: Open area

T:Contact point

X: Direction

Y: Direction

Z: Direction

Figure 1 is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of a backlight module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a light source module connector coupled to a board-end socket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of another perspective of a channel selection module coupled to a flat line according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second terminal of the channel selection module according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG5 is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connection line set coupled to a board end from a bottom-up perspective according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first terminal position when the light source module connector is plugged into the board-end socket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first terminal position when the light source module connector is plugged into the board-end socket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first cover body being coupled to the plate end in some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection wire set, board end and power socket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail through the following specific embodiments and the attached drawings. The description is as follows.

In the present invention, "one" or "an" is used to describe the units, components and assemblies described herein. This is only for the convenience of explanation and to provide a general meaning for the scope of the present invention. Therefore, unless it is obvious that it is otherwise intended, such description should be understood to include one, at least one, and the singular also includes the plural.

In the present invention, the terms "include", "including", "have", "contain" or any other similar terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a component, structure, product or device containing multiple elements is not limited to the elements listed herein, but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed but are generally inherent to the component, structure, product or device. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" refers to an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or".

In this article, the terms "first" or "second" and similar ordinal terms are used to distinguish or refer to the same or similar elements or features, and do not necessarily imply the spatial order of these elements or features. It should be understood that in certain situations or configurations, ordinal terms can be used interchangeably without affecting the embodiments disclosed or related to this article.

In this document, spatial terms (e.g., above, above, below, below, left, right, and the like) are used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or features. These spatial terms are intended to cover different orientations of the elements or features in addition to the orientations shown in the drawings. If these elements or features can be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), the spatial terms used therein will also be interpreted based on the orientation after rotation.

In this document, the terms "about", "approximately", "substantially" or "basically" should generally refer to "any approximate value of a given value" or "any approximate value of a given range". Among them, these approximate values will vary according to the associated fields, and their range of variation should be consistent with the broadest interpretation understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the art to cover similar implementations and all modifications based on such changes. In some embodiments, it should generally refer to within 20% of the "given value" or "given range", further within 10%, and further within 5%. The numerical values given in this document are approximate, which means that if not explicitly stated, it can be inferred that these numerical values belong to the scope of "about", "approximately", "substantially" or "basically", or mean to include other approximate values.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of a backlight module according to some embodiments of the present invention. The backlight module includes a fixing plate 100, a plurality of plate ends 200, a flat wire 300, a plurality of light source module connectors 400 and a power plug module 500. Among them, the flat wire 300, the plurality of light source module connectors 400 and the power plug module 500 can form a connection line group, which is used to provide a connection interface for coupling to a power source for each light group (not shown in the figure, such as a light source light strip) in the backlight module.

The fixed plate 100 is used to carry these board ends 200. The board ends 200 are arranged at intervals, and the two sides of each board end 200 are used to configure corresponding light groups (not shown in the figure, such as light source light strips) to form zoned light control on the left and right sides of the fixed plate 100. Then, through the independent control of each light group, more diverse zoned light control effects can be achieved.

The flat cable 300 is coupled to the power socket by plugging the power plug module 500 into the power socket (located below the power plug module 500 in FIG. 1 ), and is used to transmit the power signal to each board end 200 through the flat cable 300 and the light source module connector 400, and then to each strip light set. Among them, each light source module connector 400 provides an electrical connection interface between the flat cable 300 and the corresponding board end 200. Through the configuration and arrangement of the light source module connector 400, a stable and low-cost electrical connection can be achieved.

Please refer to Figures 2, 3 and 4 simultaneously. Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of a light source module connector coupled to a board-end socket according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a channel selection module coupled to a flat line according to some embodiments of the present invention from another perspective. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a second terminal of the channel selection module according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 use directions X, Y and Z to represent different perspectives of the two figures.

The board end 200 is provided with a board end socket 210 and a plurality of first terminals 211 coupled to the board end 200 and penetrating the board end socket 210. The light source module connector 400 includes: a first cover 410, a second cover 420 and a channel selection module 430. The first cover 410 includes a window 411 for a portion of the channel selection module 430 to protrude. The first cover 410 can be combined with the second cover 420 (for example, by connecting the plurality of buckles 412 of the first cover 410 to the plurality of buckle grooves 422 of the second cover 420) so that the flat line 300 and the channel selection module 430 are fixed therein.

The channel selection module 430 includes a base 431 and a plurality of second terminals 432. The base 431 has a fixing portion 4311 and a plug-in portion 4312. The second terminal 432 has a fixing section 4321 and a contact section 4322. The protruding plug-in portion 4312 is used to be plugged into the slot 212 of the board-end socket 210. On the two opposite sides of the plug-in portion 4312, a closed area B and an open area O are defined by the configuration of the plug-in portion 4312 in material distribution (through a mold). That is, the area where the plug-in portion 4312 covers (shields) the contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432 is collectively referred to as the closed area B, and the area where the plug-in portion 4312 exposes (does not shield) the contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432 is collectively referred to as the open area O.

The fixing section 4321 of the second terminal 432 is coupled to the corresponding channel on the flat wire 300 one-to-one. For example, the fixing section 4321 of the second terminal 432 can be mounted on the corresponding channel of the flat wire 300 by a process such as a low-temperature surface mount technology (SMT). In addition, the fixing section 4321 of each second terminal 432 can be configured to protrude from the bottom of the fixing portion 4311 (as shown in Figures 2 and 3), and in the SMT process, it is more convenient to install the channel selection module 430 and the flat wire 300.

Since the corresponding channels required for coupling of each strip light set are different, this configuration can be used to respond to changes in the contact points by changing whether to shield or not. For channels that do not need to be connected, the plug-in portion 4312 has a material covering the contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432 here to form shielding; on the other hand, for channels that need to be connected, the plug-in portion 4312 has an opening that exposes the contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432 here to form an unshielded channel. The contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432 located in the open area O provides coupling for the corresponding first terminal 211 on the board end socket 210.

The plug-in part 4312 can be easily formed by adjusting the mold parts at the corresponding positions on the mold during the forming process, so as to produce the seat body 431 with different combinations of open area O and closed area B.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connection line group coupled to the board end at an upward viewing angle according to some embodiments of the present invention. The first set of light source module connectors 400a is equipped with a first set of channel selection modules 430a, and the first set of channel selection modules 430a is configured with a combination of open areas O1. The second set of light source module connectors 400b is equipped with a second set of channel selection modules 430b, and the second set of channel selection modules 430b is configured with a combination of open areas O2. In this way, each light source module connector can lead the corresponding channel in the flat line 300 to the installed board end socket, so that the control end can control the corresponding light strip through the selection of the channel to achieve the effect of zoned light control. At the same time, the light source module connector can also establish a fairly stable electrical connection characteristic with the flat line.

Next, please refer to Figure 6, which is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first terminal position when the light source module connector according to some embodiments of the present invention is plugged into the board-end socket.

The first terminal 211 of the board-end socket 210 is bent to form a turning portion 2111, and protrudes from the groove wall of the slot 212 of the board-end socket 210. The side surface of the plug-in portion 4312 of the channel selection module 430 provides abutment for the turning portion 2111 of the first terminal 211, and makes the corresponding first terminal 211 contact with the second terminal 432 in the open area O (please refer to FIG. 3 for the corresponding).

Among them, after the plug-in portion 4312 is positioned in the slot 212, the contact point T between the turning portion 2111 and the second terminal 432 is an effective distance D from the end of the contact section 4322 of the second terminal 432. This effective distance D is not less than 0.8 (mm). Further, this effective distance can be configured to be about 1.05 (mm).

Please refer to Figures 7 and 8 at the same time. Figure 7 is another partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first terminal position when the light source module connector is plugged into the board end socket according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first cover body combined with the board end according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The first cover 410 includes a body 413, a first cantilever 414, and a second cantilever 415. The first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the body 413 and can move toward the body 413 when a force is applied. That is, there is a gap between the first cantilever 414 and the body 413, and there is a gap between the second cantilever 415 and the body 413, so when a force is applied to the first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415, the first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415 will be deformed and move. The first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415 each have a protrusion 416 at their middle positions, and the two sides of the board terminal socket 210 each have a buckle 213, and each buckle 213 has a buckle hole 2131. As shown in FIG. 7 , the protrusion 416 is disposed on the corresponding first cantilever 414 or second cantilever 415, and faces outward on the buckle piece 213 on the corresponding side. After the plug-in portion 4312 is plugged into the board-end socket 210, each protrusion 416 is used to buckle into each buckle hole 2131 corresponding to the board-end socket 210.

For example, the first suspension arm 414 and the second suspension arm 415 may each have a pressing portion 417, each of which is a U-shaped structure formed in the middle of the first suspension arm 414 and the second suspension arm 415, and the protrusion 416 on the corresponding side may be accommodated in the pressing portion 417. After the first cover 410 is assembled to the board-end socket 210, the buckle piece 213 on the corresponding side will protrude into the U-shaped structure and buckle with the corresponding protrusion 416. The pressing portion 417 disposed in the middle of the first suspension arm 414 and the second suspension arm 415 can provide a larger deformation when pressed. When the user applies force to press the pressing portion 417 of the first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415, the first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415 are deformed and move toward the main body 413, thereby making the distance between the protrusions 416 on both sides smaller than the distance between the buckles 213 on both sides, thereby enabling assembly or disassembly operations.

The first cantilever 414 and the second cantilever 415 each have a downwardly protruding limit block 418 at the middle position thereof. The two sides of the board-end socket 210 each have a limit track 214. After the first cover 410 is assembled to the board-end socket 210, each limit block 418 is used to be accommodated in each limit track 214 corresponding to the board-end socket 210, so that the first cover 410 is limited in direction Y to enhance the reliability of assembly and avoid crooked insertion. In addition, when external force is applied to press, the pressing stroke can also be stabilized and centered due to the limitation of the limit track 214, and will not cause deflection.

Next, please refer to Figure 9, which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection wire set, board end, and power socket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The light source module connector 400 plugged into the corresponding board end 200 provides selective coupling for the electrical connection channel between the flat line 300 and the board end 200 by distinguishing the closed area and the open area. After each light source module connector 400 is plugged into the corresponding board end 200 on the backlight module (for example, plugged into the board end socket 210 shown in FIG. 2), the top surface of the power plug module 500 is at the same height as the top surface of the light source module connector 400, and the overall height is consistent. Accordingly, the light generated by the corresponding light sets (not shown in the figure, for example: light source light strips) on both sides of the board end 200 will not be partially shielded by the power plug module 500, and thus no shadow will be generated on the display screen.

In summary, by configuring and arranging the closed area and open area of the channel selection module of the light source module connector, it is possible to define which channels the corresponding board-end socket can couple to, which can effectively reduce the complexity of the process and the manufacturing cost, and achieve high stability in electrical connection. Furthermore, the coupling method between the board-end terminal and the light source module connector terminal is changed to a lateral abutment, which eliminates the risk of top opening (forming a circuit break) in the previous vertical abutment. Through some configuration arrangements on the mechanism, the reliability of the use of the overall components is further improved. Therefore, in the use of the overall connection wire set and its light source module connector, the excellent characteristics of reducing the manufacturing cost and taking into account the stability of the electrical connection are more prominent.

The present invention has been disclosed in the above text with preferred embodiments, but those familiar with the present technology should understand that the embodiments are only used to describe the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that all changes and substitutions equivalent to the embodiments should be included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined by the patent application.

200: Board end

210: Board-side socket

211: First terminal

212: Slot

300: Flat wire

400: Light source module connector

410: First cover

411: Window

412: Buckle

420: Second cover

422: buckle slot

430: Channel selection module

431: Seat

4311:Fixed part

4312: Plug-in unit

432: Second terminal

X: Direction

Y: Direction

Z: Direction

Claims (8)

A light source module connector is used to provide selective coupling between a plurality of first terminals of a board-end socket and a plurality of channels of a flat line. The light source module connector comprises: a channel selection module, which includes a base and a plurality of second terminals, the base having a fixing portion and a plug-in portion for plugging into the board-end socket, and two opposite sides of the plug-in portion are selectively defined with a closed area covering the second terminals and an open area exposing the second terminals; a first cover, which includes a window for the plug-in portion to protrude; and a second cover, which is used to be combined with the first cover so that the flat line and the channel selection module are fixed therein, wherein each of the second terminals has a fixing section and a plug-in portion extending into the board-end socket. A contact section of the plug-in portion, the fixed section is coupled to the corresponding channel on the flat line one-to-one, and the contact section of the second terminal located in the open area provides coupling for the corresponding first terminal on the board-end socket; wherein the first cover includes a body, a first cantilever and a second cantilever, the first cantilever and the second cantilever are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the body and can move toward the body when subjected to force, the first cantilever and the second cantilever respectively have a protrusion at the middle position thereof, the two sides of the board-end socket respectively have a buckle piece, each buckle piece has a buckle hole, after the first cover is assembled to the board-end socket, each of the protrusions is used to buckle into each of the buckle holes corresponding to the board-end socket. As described in claim 1, the light source module connector, wherein each of the second terminals is a surface mount terminal, and a portion of the fixing section of each of the second terminals protrudes from the bottom of the fixing portion. As described in claim 1, the light source module connector, wherein each first terminal of the board-end socket is bent to form a turning portion and protrudes from a slot wall of a slot of the board-end socket, and the side surface of the plug-in portion of the channel selection module provides abutment for the turning portion of each first terminal, and the corresponding first terminal is in contact with the second terminal in the open area. As described in claim 3, the light source module connector, wherein after the plug-in portion is positioned in the slot, the contact point between the turning portion and the second terminal is an effective distance from the end of the contact section of the second terminal, and the effective distance is not less than 0.8 (mm). The light source module connector as described in claim 4, wherein the effective distance is approximately 1.05 (mm). As described in claim 1, the light source module connector, wherein the first cantilever and the second cantilever respectively have a limit block at the middle position thereof, and the two sides of the board-end socket respectively have a limit track, and after the first cover is assembled to the board-end socket, each of the limit blocks is used to be accommodated in each of the limit tracks corresponding to the board-end socket. A connection line set is used to provide a connection interface for coupling to a power source for each lamp set of a backlight module, the connection line set comprises: a flat cable; a power plug module, which is coupled to the flat cable and used to be plugged into a power socket of the backlight module; and a plurality of light source module connectors as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, which are arranged at intervals and coupled to the flat cable, wherein each of the light source module connectors is defined by the distinction between the closed area and the open area of the plug portion of the channel selection module, and after each of the light source module connectors is plugged into the corresponding board end socket on the backlight module, each of the board end sockets is coupled to at least one corresponding channel among the channels of the flat cable. As described in claim 7, the connecting wire set, after each of the light source module connectors is plugged into the corresponding board-end socket on the backlight module, the top surface of the power plug module is at the same height as the top surface of each of the light source module connectors.

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