TWI909357B - Electrical connector assembly with single-sided bridge type bridge circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly with single-side bridge type bridge circuit board includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector and a bridge circuit board. The bridge circuit board includes a flexible substrate, a first connection end, a second connection end, a plurality of first electrical connection portions and a plurality of second electrical connection portions. The flexible substrate is connected to the first connection portions and the second connection end portion. The first electrical connection portion is correspondingly electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion via the circuit layer provided on the flexible substrate. The first electrical connection portion is provided at the first connection end and arranged in a row corresponding to the first soldering portion of the first terminals, and the second electrical connection portion is provided on the second connection end portion and arranged in a row corresponding to the second contact t portion of the second terminals.

Description

Bridged circuit board single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly

This invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly to a single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for bridging circuit boards.

Electrical connectors are used to connect different electronic components or modules, enabling the transmission of electronic signals between them. An electrical connector mates with a peer connector, transmitting signals through contact between the connector's terminals and the peer connector's terminals. Existing electrical connectors have a mating interface at the front end for the peer connector, while the rear end is integrated with the circuit board. One end of the connector's terminals mates with the peer connector's terminals, and the other end is soldered to the circuit board, thereby transmitting electronic signals from the electronic device to the circuit board via the connection of a pair of electrical connectors.

This existing electrical connector structure requires a circuit board to form an electrical connection. Therefore, the manufacturing process involves a soldering process to connect the electrical connector to the circuit board. This not only makes the manufacturing process more complicated, but also limits its application range due to the structure of the circuit board.

In light of this, an electrical connector with two mating interfaces was developed. The front interface faces outwards from the electronic device and is used to mate with a pair of flashlight connectors, while the rear interface mates with another electrical connector inside the electronic device. Although this structure eliminates the need for a circuit board, the relative positions of the two electrical connectors are fixed due to the mating structure. Therefore, for different electronic devices with different internal connector positions, two different structures must be designed for the external electrical connector to work together, thus increasing manufacturing and management costs.

In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly on a bridged circuit board, which enables two electrical connectors to form an electrical connection through a bridged circuit board with a flexible substrate, thereby solving the problem of increased manufacturing and management costs caused by the prior art requiring the design of external electrical connectors with different structures for internal electrical connectors in different locations.

An embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the present invention includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a bridged circuit board. The first electrical connector includes a first insulation structure, a plurality of first terminals, and a metal housing. Each first terminal includes a first mating portion, a first fixing portion, and a first soldering portion. The first mating portion and the first fixing portion of the first terminal are disposed in the first insulation structure. The first soldering portions of the first terminal are arranged in a row. The metal housing covers the first insulation structure and forms a mating space and a pair of interfaces. The first mating portion of the first terminal is located in the mating space, and the mating interface is for a pair of flashlight connectors to be mated. The second electrical connector is disposed on a main circuit board and includes a second insulation structure and a plurality of second terminals. Each second terminal includes a second mating part, a second fixing part and a second soldering part. The second mating part and the second fixing part of the second terminal are disposed on the second insulation structure, and the second soldering part of the second terminal is soldered to the main circuit board. The bridging circuit board includes a flexible substrate, a first connection end, a second connection end, a plurality of first electrical connection portions, and a plurality of second electrical connection portions. The flexible substrate connects the first connection end and the second connection end. The first electrical connection portions are electrically connected to the second electrical connection portions via a circuit layer disposed on the flexible substrate. The first electrical connection portions are disposed on the first connection end and arranged in a row to be correspondingly soldered to a first solder portion of a first terminal. The second electrical connection portions are disposed on the second connection end and arranged in a row to be correspondingly contacted to a second mating portion of a second terminal.

In another embodiment, the first electrical connector is positioned above, below, or at the same horizontal level as the second electrical connector.

In another embodiment, the second electrical connector further includes a locking element disposed on the second insulation structure, which positions the bridge circuit board in the second insulation structure when the second connection end of the bridge circuit board is engaged with the second electrical connector.

In another embodiment, the second insulation structure of the second electrical connector has a mating groove, the mating portion of the second terminal is disposed in the mating groove, and the second connection end of the bridging circuit board is inserted into the mating groove.

In another embodiment, the second electrical connector further includes a retainer rotatably disposed on the second insulation structure. When the second connection end of the bridging circuit board is engaged with the second electrical connector, the retainer presses against the bridging circuit board, thereby positioning the bridging circuit board on the second insulation structure.

In another embodiment, the first connection end includes a first rigid substrate, and the first electrical connection portion is disposed on the first rigid substrate.

In another embodiment, the second connection end includes a second rigid substrate, and the second electrical connection portion is disposed on the second rigid substrate.

In another embodiment, the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion are on the same side or opposite side of the bridging circuit board.

In another embodiment, it further includes a third electrical connector, which is disposed on the main circuit board and forms an electrical connection with the second electrical connector via the main circuit board.

In another embodiment, the main circuit board has a receiving recess, and a second electrical connector is disposed in the receiving recess.

The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of this invention utilizes the flexible substrate of the bridge circuit board. Therefore, the first electrical connector can form an electrical connection with the second electrical connector located in different positions by means of the flexible substrate of the bridge circuit board. There is no need to design a first electrical connector with a different structure. Moreover, by connecting the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector through the bridge circuit board, the first electrical connector can form an electrical connection with the second electrical connector of different types, increasing the flexibility of the overall design of the electronic device.

Please refer to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, which illustrate a first embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the present invention. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly 1 of this embodiment includes a first electrical connector 10, a second electrical connector 20, and a bridged circuit board 30. The bridged circuit board 30 connects the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, thereby forming an electrical connection between the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20.

The first electrical connector 10 includes a first insulation structure 11, a plurality of first terminals 12, and a metal housing 13. The first electrical connector 10 of this embodiment is a USB type C electrical connector. The first insulation structure 11 has a base 111 and a tongue portion 112. Each first terminal 12 includes a first mating portion 121, a first fixing portion (not shown), and a first soldering portion 123. The first mating portion 121 of the first terminal 12 is disposed on the tongue portion 112 of the first insulation structure 11. The first fixing portion (not shown) of the first terminal 12 is disposed on the base 111 of the first insulation structure 11. The first soldering portions 123 of the first terminal 12 protrude from the rear of the base 111 and are arranged in a row. The metal shell 13 is installed on the base 111 of the first insulation structure 11 and surrounds the tongue portion 112 of the first insulation structure 11 to form a mating space 131 and a pair of interfaces 132. The tongue portion 112 and the first mating portion 121 of the first terminal 12 are located in the mating space 131. One end of the metal shell 13 forms the interface 132 for mating of a pair of flashlight connectors.

The second electrical connector 20 is disposed on a main circuit board 5 and includes a second insulation structure 21, a plurality of second terminals 22, and a locking member 23. The second insulation structure 21 includes a body 211 and a mating groove 212 formed in the body 211. Each second terminal 22 includes a second mating portion 221, a second fixing portion 222, and a second welding portion 223. The second fixing portion 222 is engaged and positioned with the body 211, the second mating portion 221 is located in the mating groove 212, and the second welding portion 223 protrudes from the rear end of the body 211 of the second insulation structure 21 and is welded to the solder pads of the main circuit board 5. The locking member 23 is disposed in the mating groove 212 of the second insulation structure 21 and is used to position and bridge the circuit board 30. The second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is a zero insertion/removal force electrical connector (ZIF), which achieves zero insertion/removal force on the bridging circuit board 30 by locking and releasing the locking member 23.

The bridging circuit board 30 includes a flexible substrate 31, a first connection end 32, a second connection end 33, a plurality of first electrical connection portions 34, and a plurality of second electrical connection portions 35. The flexible substrate 31 connects to the first connection end 32 and the second connection end 33. In this embodiment, the first connection end 32 is a first rigid substrate, and the second connection end 33 is a second rigid substrate. The first electrical connection portions 34 are electrically connected to the second electrical connection portions 35 correspondingly via a circuit layer disposed on the flexible substrate 31. The first electrical connection portions 34 are formed on the first connection end 32 and arranged in a row to be correspondingly soldered to the first solder portion 123 of the first terminal 12. The second electrical connection portions 35 are disposed on the second connection end 33 and arranged in a row to correspondingly contact the second mating portion 221 of the second terminal 22. The first electrical connection portion 34 is a recess formed in the first connection end 32, and the bottom of the recess has a metal pad, thereby the first welding portion 123 is disposed in the recess and contacts the metal pad to form an electrical connection. The second electrical connection portion 35 is a recess formed in the second connection end 33, and the bottom of the recess has a metal pad, thereby the second mating portion 221 is disposed in the recess and contacts the metal pad to form an electrical connection. In this embodiment, the first electrical connection portion 34 and the second electrical connection portion 35 are located on the same side of the bridging circuit board 30, but in another embodiment, the first electrical connection portion 34 and the second electrical connection portion 35 may correspond to the relative positions of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 and be located on opposite sides of the bridging circuit board 30.

The second connection end 33 of the bridging circuit board 30 is pluggably coupled to the engagement groove 212 of the second insulation structure 21 of the second electrical connector 20, so that the second electrical connection portion 35 of the bridging circuit board 30 contacts the second mating portion 221 of the second terminal 22. The locking and releasing of the locking member 23 realizes zero insertion and extraction force of the bridging circuit board 30 on the second electrical connector 20. In addition, the horizontal position of the second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is higher than the horizontal position of the first electrical connector 10.

The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly 1 of this embodiment further includes a third electrical connector 40, which is disposed on one side of the main circuit board 5 and electrically connected to the second electrical connector 20 via the main circuit board 5. The third electrical connector 40 can be connected to another pair of electrical connectors. Thus, the first electrical connector 10 is electrically connected to the second electrical connector 20 via the bridge circuit board 30, and the second electrical connector 20 is electrically connected to the third electrical connector 40 via the main circuit board 5. The third electrical connector 40 in this embodiment is a USB Type-C electrical connector.

Please refer to Figure 5, which shows a second embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector combination of the bridging circuit board of the present invention. This embodiment has some of the same structure as the first embodiment, therefore the same components are represented by the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the horizontal position of the second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is lower than the horizontal position of the first electrical connector 10. Since the first electrical connector 10 is connected to the second electrical connector 20 by the bridging circuit board 30, and the flexible substrate 31 of the bridging circuit board 30 has a flexible characteristic, it can be applied to situations where the relative positions of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are different.

Please refer to Figures 6 and 7, which illustrate a third embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for the bridged circuit board of the present invention. This embodiment has some of the same structure as the first embodiment, therefore, the same components are represented by the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is a board-to-board electrical connector. The second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment includes a second insulation structure 21, a plurality of second terminals 22, and a positioning member 24. The positioning member 24 is disposed above the second insulation structure 21, and a mating groove 25 is formed between the positioning member 24 and the second insulation structure 21. The second mating portion of the second terminal is disposed in the second insulation structure 21 and located within the mating groove 25. The second connection end 33 of the bridging circuit board 30 is pluggably coupled to the mating slot 25 of the second electrical connector 20, so that the second electrical connection portion 35 of the bridging circuit board 30 contacts the second mating portion of the second terminal.

Please refer to Figure 8, which illustrates a fourth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of the present invention. This embodiment has some of the same structure as the third embodiment, therefore, the same components are represented by the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between this embodiment and the third embodiment is that the horizontal position of the second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is lower than the horizontal position of the first electrical connector 10. Since the first electrical connector 10 is connected to the second electrical connector 20 via the bridging circuit board 30, and the flexible substrate 31 of the bridging circuit board 30 has a flexible characteristic, it can be applied to situations where the relative positions of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are different.

Please refer to Figures 9, 10, and 11, which illustrate a fifth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the present invention. This embodiment has some of the same structure as the first embodiment; therefore, the same components are represented by the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second electrical connector 20 of this embodiment includes a second insulation structure 21, a plurality of second terminals 22, and a retainer 26. The retainer 26 is rotatably disposed on the second insulation structure 21 and covers the second terminals 22. The second insulation structure 21 has a mating groove 212, and the second mating portion 221 of the second terminal 22 is located within the mating groove 212. The second connection end 33 of the bridging circuit board 30 is engaged with the connecting groove 212, and the pressure cover 26 is pressed onto the bridging circuit board 30, positioning the bridging circuit board 30 within the second insulation structure 21. The metal housing 13 of the first electrical connector 10 has two wing portions 133, which are locked to the main circuit board 5 by means of bolts M passing through through holes 134 in the wing portions 133. The main circuit board 5 has a receiving recess 6, in which the second electrical connector 20 is disposed.

Please refer to Figures 12 and 13, which illustrate a sixth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the present invention. This embodiment has some of the same structure as the fifth embodiment; therefore, the same components are represented by the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between this embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that the horizontal position of the second electrical connector 20 in this embodiment is lower than the horizontal position of the first electrical connector 10. Since the first electrical connector 10 is connected to the second electrical connector 20 via the bridged circuit board 30, and the flexible substrate 31 of the bridged circuit board 30 has a flexible characteristic, it can be applied to situations where the relative positions of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 are different.

The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of this invention utilizes the flexible substrate of the bridge circuit board. Therefore, the first electrical connector can form an electrical connection with the second electrical connector located in different positions by means of the flexible substrate of the bridge circuit board. There is no need to design a first electrical connector with a different structure. Moreover, by connecting the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector through the bridge circuit board, the first electrical connector can form an electrical connection with the second electrical connector of different types, increasing the flexibility of the overall design of the electronic device.

The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made to the scope of the claims and descriptions of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, no embodiment or claim of the present invention needs to achieve all the purposes, advantages, or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract and title are merely for assisting in patent document searches and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the terms "first" and "second" used in this specification or claim are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

1: Bridged circuit board with single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly; 5: Main circuit board; 6: Receiving recess; 10: First electrical connector; 11: First insulation structure; 12: First terminal; 13: Metal housing; 20: Second electrical connector; 21: Second insulation structure; 22: Second terminal; 23: Locking element; 24: Positioning element; 25: Mutation groove; 26: Pressure cover; 30: Bridged circuit board; 31: Flexible substrate; 32: First connection end; 33: Second connection end; 34: First electrical connection part; 35: Second electrical connection part; 40: Third electrical connector; 111: Base; 112: Board part; 121: First mating part; 122: First fixing part; 123: First welding part. 131: Mutation space; 132: Mutation interface; 133: Wing plate portion; 134: Through hole; 211: Body; 212: Joint groove; 221: Second mating part; 222: Second fixing part; 223: Second welding part; M: Bolt

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of Figure 1 from another angle. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the single-sided bridge-type electrical connector assembly of the bridging circuit board of the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board of the present invention. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board of the present invention. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board in Figure 12.

1: Bridged circuit board single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly

5: Main Circuit Board

10: First Electrical Connector

11: First Insulation Structure

12: First terminal

13: Metal Shell

20: Second electrical connector

21: Second Insulation Structure

22: Second terminal

23: Locking fasteners

30: Bridge Circuit Board

31: Soft substrate

32: First connection end

33: Second connection end

40: Third Electrical Connector

111: Base

112: Plate section

121: First Connecting Section

131: Connecting Space

132: Interface

222: Second fixing part

223: Second Welding Section

Claims (10)

A single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for a bridged circuit board includes: a first electrical connector, comprising a first insulation structure, a plurality of first terminals, and a metal housing. Each first terminal includes a first mating portion, a first fixing portion, and a first soldering portion. The first mating portion and the first fixing portion of the first terminals are disposed in the first insulation structure. The first soldering portions of the first terminals are arranged in a row. The metal housing covers the first insulation structure and forms a mating space and a pair of interfaces. The first mating portions of the first terminals are located within the mating space. The pair of interfaces is for mating with a pair of flashlight connectors. A second electrical connector, disposed on a main circuit board, includes a second insulation structure and a plurality of second terminals. Each second terminal includes a second mating portion, a second fixing portion, and a second soldering portion. The second mating portion and the second fixing portion of the second terminals are disposed on the second insulation structure, and the second soldering portions of the second terminals are soldered to the main circuit board; and A bridge circuit board includes a flexible substrate, a first connection end, a second connection end, a plurality of first electrical connections, and a plurality of second electrical connections. The flexible substrate connects the first connection end and the second connection end. The first electrical connections are electrically connected to the second electrical connections via circuit layers disposed on the flexible substrate. The first electrical connections are disposed on the first connection end and arranged in a row for corresponding soldering to first soldering portions of first terminals. The second electrical connections are disposed on the second connection end and arranged in a row. As described in claim 1, the single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for a bridged circuit board is wherein the position of the first electrical connector is higher than the position of the second electrical connector, lower than the position of the second electrical connector, or at the same horizontal position as the second electrical connector. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board as described in claim 1, wherein the second electrical connector further includes a locking member disposed on the second insulation structure, wherein when the second connection end of the bridged circuit board is engaged with the second electrical connector, the locking member positions the bridged circuit board on the second insulation structure. As described in claim 1, a single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for a bridged circuit board, wherein the second insulation structure of the second electrical connector has a mating groove, the mating portions of the second terminals are disposed in the mating groove, and the second connection end of the bridged circuit board is inserted into the mating groove. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board as described in claim 1, wherein the second electrical connector further includes a retainer rotatably disposed on the second insulation structure, wherein when the second connection end of the bridged circuit board is engaged with the second electrical connector, the retainer presses against the bridged circuit board, thereby positioning the bridged circuit board on the second insulation structure. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board as described in claim 1, wherein the first connection end includes a first rigid substrate, and the first electrical connection portions are disposed on the first rigid substrate. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly for a bridged circuit board as described in claim 6, wherein the second connection end includes a second rigid substrate, and the second electrical connection portions are disposed on the second rigid substrate. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board as described in claim 1, wherein the first electrical connection portions and the second electrical connection portions are on the same side or opposite side of the bridged circuit board. The single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly of the bridged circuit board as described in claim 1 further includes a third electrical connector disposed on the main circuit board and electrically connected to the second electrical connector via the main circuit board. The bridged circuit board single-sided bridged electrical connector assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the main circuit board has a receiving recess and the second electrical connector is disposed in the receiving recess.