DESC:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure/invention relates in general to board-to-board electrical connectors and more particularly, to a board-to-board connector that facilitates assembly even some misalignment of mating connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, board-to-board electrical connectors are well known in the art which are used for electrical and signal interface between printed circuit boards. These board-to-board connectors generally consist of plugs and receptacles. The plug and receptacle connectors will make a press fit engagement during assembly. The construction of connectors is made in such a way that during full assembly of plug and receptacle electrical continuity between the connector pins is ensured.
[0003] One of the prior art discloses a board to board connector. This prior art electric connector has housing with an inclined support flange at opposing ends. The inclined portion of these support flanges permit the housing to tilt, or rotate, slightly around the centreline of the connector in order to compensate for offset which may occur between the longitudinal centreline of the connector and a mating connector.
[0004] Another prior art discloses a terminal for board-to-board connector. This prior art electrical connector comprises two rows of chambers being in communication with a pair of slots and defined by a number of dividers, and a number of terminals received in the chambers. Each terminal includes a base, a soldering tail, a spring beam, a curved beam continuing the spring beam and a contacting beam. The base of each terminal has a number of embossments interferential engaging with adjacent dividers for preventing the base from buckling during assembly and a number of barbs for securing the terminal by inferentially mating with the housing. The base further has a pair of recesses beside the spring beam for improving the compliance of the contacting of the contacting beam in mating with a complementary connector. A neck is provided between the base and the soldering tail such that ensuring an even soldering of the soldering tails to a circuit board.
[0005] Further prior art discloses a board-to-board connector. This prior art discloses a thin board-to-board connector with high density in which there is no connection between three-dimensional complex metal springs. The board-to-board connector includes a connector having a bump for electrical connection having an umbrella shape on a board and connected to a circuit board and a connector having an elastic electrically conductive section having a through hole made in a conductive pattern on an elastic insulating board and connected to a circuit board electrically connected to the elastic conductive section. When a bump is inserted into the through hole, the elastic conductive section is electrically connected to the bump, and the side surface of the through hole is pressed against to the bump and elastically deformed and dented. Consequently, the bump is press-fit into the through hole. With this, the bump can be inserted into the elastic conductive section and engaged with it, and thereby electrical and mechanical connection between circuit boards can be simultaneously achieved in a two-dimensional manner, realizing a low-height connector.
[0006] Further prior art discloses a board-to-board connector. This prior art discloses a board-to-board connector comprising at least a first contact module with a first set of board contacts for connecting to a first board and a second contact module with a second set of board contacts. The connector further comprises an interconnection element for interconnecting at least one of said first set of contacts with at least one of said second set of contacts. The interconnection element enables rerouting and compensation.
[0007] However, in case of misalignments, the prior arts connectors fail to facilitate connection between boards.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art with a board-to-board connector that facilitates assembly even some misalignment of mating connectors and to solve the above-mentioned limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.
[0010] Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention relates to a board-to-board connector assembly (100) for mating connectors. The assembly (100) comprising: a male connector assembly (05), wherein the male connector assembly (05) comprises plurality of connector plug pins (07) structured in array of multiple rows and columns, at least one elongated connector body (06) with V-projection (12) and a female connector assembly (08), wherein the female connector assembly (08) comprises plurality of receptacle pins (11) structured in array of multiple rows and columns with at least one vertical connector body (9) with groove, wherein the male connector assembly (05) mate together with the female connector assembly (08), wherein the plurality of receptacle pins (11) of the female connector assembly (08) is configured to receive the plurality of connector plug pins (07) of the male connector assembly (05) for mating.
[0011] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0012] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0013] Figure 1 shows an electronic device enclosure according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0014] Figure 2 shows right angle connector PCB assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0015] Figure 3 shows vertical connector PCB assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0016] Figure 4 shows vertical and horizontal PCB assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0017] Figure 5 shows a side view of male and female connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0018] Figure 6 shows a receptacle pin of the female connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0019] Figure 7 cross section view of the female receptacle pin of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0020] Figure 8 shows a cross section view of the male and female connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0021] Figure 9 shows a stress plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0022] Figure 10 shows a strain plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0023] Figure 11 shows a deflection plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0024] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative methods embodying the principles of the present disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0026] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0027] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0028] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
[0029] Figures discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention. Terms first, second, and the like are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless where explicitly stated otherwise. A set is defined as a non-empty set including at least one element.
[0030] In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present disclosure, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.
[0031] However, the systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Further, structures and devices shown in the figures are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosure and are meant to avoid obscuring of the presently disclosure.
[0032] It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for explanatory purposes to help the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0033] The various embodiments of the present invention describe a board-to board connector assembly that facilitates assembly even some misalignment of mating connectors.
[0034] In one embodiment, the main objective of the present invention is to provide the ability for mating connectors to compensate misalignment up to 1.5 mm.
[0035] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an improved board-to-board connector assembly which offers increased reliability in its connection between circuit boards and permits greater tolerance to misalignment. The present invention accomplishes this objective by providing male and female connectors which mate together, wherein female connector is provided with slit through its circumference and male connector has spherical base with conical nose. The slit provided on female connector allows it to expand about its circumference. The conical tip provided on male connector allows it to re-orient itself through its self-centering property. So, the present invention board to board connector assembly has increased the ability to compensate for misalignment of mating connectors.
[0036] In one embodiment, the board-to-board connector floating consists of plug pin and receptacle with pin and crimp, arranged in array of multiple rows and columns. The crimp is fixed to the receptacle housing, having cylindrical surface with bending around the beginning of the cylindrical surface. The pin is fixed to the housing of the receptacle, having spherical base with conical nose on the entry point.
[0037] In one embodiment, X and Y misalignment between the plug pin and the receptacle during assembly is ensured.
[0038] In one embodiment, continuity of contact is ensured even in harsh environments. The plug pin with spherical ball pin is used for contact.
[0039] The crimp is designed with a hole at the center with a wide opening at the entry and shrinks to cylindrical shape with slit around the cylindrical surface of the hole, which enables pin plug to travel into the crimp.
[0040] In one embodiment, the pin in the plug has spherical projection and conical nose around the length direction near to the front side. The spherical projection around on the pin in the plug enables the self-centering during alignment.
[0041] The receptacle having the crimp with hole at the center and slit around the cylindrical surface of the hole enables pin plug to travel into the crimp. This arrangement makes the contact with proper continuity with less stress.
[0042] In one embodiment, bending around the beginning of the cylindrical portion of the pin enables the smooth entry of the pin in the plug to the crimp in the receptacle.
[0043] The receptacle and plug housing are made in plastic material, having locking provision on the top side.
[0044] In the present invention, for the locking provision, housing of the receptacle having groove at the top and housing of plug has projection at the top with dimension suitable to make snap fit during assembly.
[0045] In one embodiment, the present invention “connector assembly” can keep straight or right-angle configuration while assembling with the PCB.
Part nomenclatures:
100 - Board-to-board connector assembly
01 – Electronic Enclosure
02 – Vertical PCB (printed circuit board)
03 – Horizontal PCB (printed circuit board)
04 – PCB (printed circuit board) Mounting Screw
05 – Right angle connector/male connector assembly
06 – Connector Body
07 – Connector Plug Pin
08 –Vertical connector/female connector assembly
09 – Vertical Connector body
10 – Connector mounting pin
11 – receptacle pin
12 – V-projection.
[0046] Figure 1 shows an electronic device with enclosure according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0047] The figure shows the electronic device with enclosure. The electronic device comprises an enclosure (01), a vertical printed circuit board (02), a horizontal printed circuit board (03), mounting screws (04) and a pair of mating connectors (not shown). The horizontal PCB (03), as shown in figure 1 is mounted on base of electronic enclosure, whereas the vertical PCB (02) is mounted on vertical panel of enclosure. In an embodiment, the vertical printed circuit board (02) comprises female connector assembly (08) and the horizontal printed circuit board (03) comprises male connector assembly (05) for mating.
[0048] Figure 2 shows right angle (horizontal) connector PCB assembly/male connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0049] The figure shows the right-angle connector PCB assembly. In an example embodiment, the right-angle connector is a male connector assembly. The right-angle connector/male connector assembly (05) is mounted on edge of the horizontal PCB (03). The figure also illustrates connector body (06) and connector plug pin (07). The connector is further provided with V-projection (12). The purpose of this V- projection (12) is to engage with groove (10), thereby providing positive locking of the mating connectors.
[0050] Further, figure 2 illustrates right angle connector/male connector assembly in which connector plug pin (07) has a special feature i.e., a spherical base with conical nose. This spherical base with conical nose provided on the connector pin (07) allows it to re-orient itself through its self-centering property. Hence, the present invention board to board connector assembly has increased ability to compensate for misalignment of mating connectors without providing any sort of springs. This results in more enhanced mating cycles compared to cylindrical pin design. Due to its rugged design, this arrangement finds wider applications in defense as well as in industrial applications.
[0051] Figure 3 shows vertical connector PCB assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0052] The figure illustrates vertical printed circuit board (02) and vertical connector (08). In an example embodiment, the vertical connector (08) is a female connector assembly. The vertical connector/female connector assembly (08) is mounted on edge of the vertical PCB (02).
[0053] Figure 4 shows vertical and horizontal PCB (printed circuit board) assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0054] The figure illustrates the assembly of vertical and horizontal printed circuit boards. The right-angle connector/male connector assembly (05) mounted on horizontal printed circuit board is 1.5 mm offset with respect to the vertical connector/female connector assembly (08) mounted on the vertical PCB (02).
[0055] In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a board-to-board connector assembly (100) for mating connectors. The board-to-board connector assembly (100) comprising: a male connector assembly (05) and a a female connector assembly. The male connector assembly (05) comprises plurality of connector plug pins (07) structured in array of multiple rows and columns, at least one elongated connector body (06) with V-projection (12). The female connector assembly (08), wherein the female connector assembly (08) comprises plurality of receptacle pins (11) structured in array of multiple rows and columns with at least one vertical connector body (9) with groove, wherein the male connector assembly (05) mate together with the female connector assembly (08), wherein the plurality of receptacle pins (11) of the female connector assembly (08) is configured to receive the plurality of connector plug pins (07) of the male connector assembly (05) for mating.
[0056] The plurality of connector plug pins (07) of the male connector assembly (05) is provided with a spherical projection with conical nose around a length direction near to front side. The spherical projection with conical nose around the plug enables the self-centering during alignment.
[0057] In the present invention, each receptacle pin (11) of the female connector assembly (08) is provided with slit through its circumference, where slit provided on each receptacle pin (11) allows it to expand about its circumference, thereby providing larger contact area for mating each connector pin to maintain reliable electrical connectivity. Further, each receptacle pin (11) comprises a crimp is fixed to each receptacle housing, having cylindrical surface with bending around the beginning of the cylindrical surface which enables plug pin to travel into the crimp.
[0058] In the present invention, during mating, the elongated connector body (06) with V-projection (12) of the male connector assembly (05) is engaged with the groove of the vertical connector body of the female connector assembly (08), thereby providing positive locking of the mating connectors.
[0059] In one embodiment, the male connector assembly (05) is a horizontal connector PCB assembly, and the female connector assembly (08) is a vertical connector PCB assembly. The connector assembly can be used in various configurations such as horizontal PCB to Vertical PCB, vertical PCB to horizontal PCB, Vertical PCB to Vertical PCB, horizontal PCB to horizontal PCB.
[0060] Figure 5 shows a side view of male and female connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0061] The figure shows a side view of connector assembly. The present invention “board-to-board floating connectors” ensures smooth mating of vertical and right-angle connectors even if mating connectors are 1.5 mm (maximum limit) offset with each other.
[0062] The figure 6 shows a receptacle pin (11) of the female connector assembly (08) according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention and the figure 7 cross section view of the receptacle pin of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0063] The receptacle pin (11) of the vertical connector (08) which is provided with slit through its circumference. The slit provided on the receptacle pin (11) allows it to expand about its circumference, thereby providing a larger contact area for mating connector pin to maintain reliable electrical connectivity.
[0064] In an example embodiment, figure 8 shows a cross section view of the male and female connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0065] The above arrangement of the present invention may be incorporated in various configurations viz. horizontal PCB to Vertical PCB, Horizontal PCB to horizontal PCB, Vertical PCB to Vertical PCB and so on.
[0066] In an example embodiment, figure 9 shows a stress plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0067] In an example embodiment, figure 10 shows a strain plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0068] In an example embodiment, figure 11 shows a deflection plot of the connector assembly according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure/ invention.
[0069] The various embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention. Any modifications, alterations or the equivalents of the above-mentioned embodiments pertain to the same invention as long as they are not falling beyond the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the board-to board connector may be provided using some or many of the above-mentioned features or components without departing from the scope of the invention. It will be also apparent to a skilled person that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0070] Figures are merely representational and are not drawn to scale. Certain portions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Figures illustrate various embodiments of the invention that can be understood and appropriately carried out by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0071] In the foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
[0072] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively.
,CLAIMS:
1. A board-to-board connector assembly (100) for mating connectors, the assembly (100) comprising:
a male connector assembly (05), wherein the male connector assembly (05) comprises plurality of connector plug pins (07) structured in array of multiple rows and columns, at least one elongated connector body (06) with V-projection (12); and
a female connector assembly (08), wherein the female connector assembly (08) comprises plurality of receptacle pins (11) structured in array of multiple rows and columns with at least one vertical connector body (9) with groove;
wherein the male connector assembly (05) mate together with the female connector assembly (08), wherein the plurality of receptacle pins (11) of the female connector assembly (08) is configured to receive the plurality of connector plug pins (07) of the male connector assembly (05) for mating.

2. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connector plug pins (07) of the male connector assembly (05) is provided with a spherical projection with conical nose around a length direction near to front side.

3. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spherical projection with conical nose around the plug enables the self-centering during alignment.

4. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each receptacle pin (11) of the female connector assembly (08) is provided with slit through its circumference, where slit provided on each receptacle pin (11) allows it to expand about its circumference, thereby providing larger contact area for mating each connector pin to maintain reliable electrical connectivity.

5. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each receptacle pin (11) comprises a crimp is fixed to each receptacle housing, having cylindrical surface with bending around the beginning of the cylindrical surface which enables plug pin to travel into the crimp.

6. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during mating, the elongated connector body (06) with V-projection (12) of the male connector assembly (05) is engaged with the groove of the vertical connector body of the female connector assembly (08), thereby providing positive locking of the mating connectors.

7. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male connector assembly (05) is a horizontal connector PCB assembly, and the female connector assembly (08) is a vertical connector PCB assembly.

8. The connector assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector assembly can be used in various configurations such as horizontal PCB to Vertical PCB, vertical PCB to horizontal PCB, Vertical PCB to Vertical PCB, horizontal PCB to horizontal PCB.