U.S. patent application number 10/272965 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for board mounted electrical connector.
Invention is credited to Peloza, Kirk B., Regnier, Kent E..
Application Number | 20040077193 10/272965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32030406 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040077193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peloza, Kirk B. ; et
al. |
April 22, 2004 |
BOARD MOUNTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
A board mounted electrical connector includes a dielectric
housing for mounting on a printed circuit board. An elongated
solder bar of solderable material is secured at a bottom face of
the housing for mechanically fixing the housing to appropriate
solder pad on the board. The elongated solder bar has opposite ends
and air vent openings spaced between the opposite ends to
facilitate air flow during a soldering process.
Inventors: |
Peloza, Kirk B.;
(Naperville, IL) ; Regnier, Kent E.; (Lombard,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOLEX INCORPORATED
2222 WELLINGTON COURT
LISLE
IL
60532
US
|
Family ID: |
32030406 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272965 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/83 ;
439/540.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 12/7011
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/083 ;
439/540.1 |
International
Class: |
H01R 012/00; H05K
001/00; H01R 013/60; H01R 013/66 |
Claims
1. A board mounted electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric
housing for mounting on a printed circuit board; and an elongated
solder bar of solderable material secured at a bottom face of the
housing for mechanically fixing the housing to appropriate solder
pad on the board, the elongated solder bar having opposite ends and
air vent openings spaced between the opposite ends to facilitate
air flow during a soldering process.
2. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said
housing includes cut-out areas behind the solder bar in registry
with the air vent openings in the solder bar to assist said air
flow at the vent openings.
3. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said
housing has an elongated rib, and said elongated solder bar is
generally U-shaped in cross-section and embraces the rib.
4. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 3 wherein said
U-shaped solder bar defines a pair of side wall portions joined by
a base wall portion, with said air vent openings being located at
least in the base wall portion.
5. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 4 wherein said
air vent openings extend into the side wall portions of the
U-shaped solder bar.
6. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 5 wherein said
rib has cut-out areas in registry with said vent openings to assist
in air flow therethrough.
7. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said
dielectric housing is molded of plastic material and is overmolded
over portions of the solder bar to secure the bar to the
housing.
8. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 7 wherein said
solder bar includes a plurality of holes into which the molded
material of the housing projects.
9. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 1 wherein the
connector is part of a connector assembly which includes an
assembly housing, and including an elongated air vent channel
adjacent to and extending along substantially the length of the
elongated solder bar between the solder bar and the assembly
housing.
10. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 9 wherein said
elongated air vent channel is wider at a central area thereof than
at opposite end areas thereof.
11. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said
dielectric housing has opposite sides and is elongated
therebetween, and said elongated solder bar extends substantially
between the opposite sides of the housing.
12. A board mounted electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric
housing molded of plastic material for mounting on a printed
circuit board, the housing having an elongated fixing rib; and an
elongated solder bar of solderable material overmolded by portions
of the housing to secure the solder bar at a bottom face of the
housing for mechanically fixing the housing to appropriate solder
pad on the board, the elongated solder bar having opposite ends and
being generally U-shaped in cross-section for embracing the fixing
rib of the housing, the solder bar having air vent openings spaced
between the opposite ends thereof to facilitate air flow during a
soldering process.
13. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 12 wherein said
U-shaped solder bar defines a pair of side wall portions joined by
a base wall portion, with said air vent openings being located at
least in the base wall portion.
14. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 13 wherein said
air vent openings extend into the side wall portions of the
U-shaped solder bar.
15. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 14 wherein said
rib has cutout areas in registry with said vent openings to assist
in air flow therethrough.
16. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 12 wherein said
solder bar includes a plurality of holes into which the molded
material of the housing projects.
17. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 12 wherein the
connector is part of a connector assembly which includes an
assembly housing, and including an elongated air vent channel
adjacent to and extending along substantially the length of the
elongated solder bar between the solder bar and the assembly
housing.
18. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 17 wherein said
elongated air vent channel is wider at a central area thereof than
at opposite end areas thereof.
19. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 12 wherein said
dielectric housing has opposite sides and is elongated
therebetween, and said elongated solder bar extends substantially
between the opposite sides of the housing.
20. A terminal module for use in an electrical connector,
comprising: a plurality of conductive terminals arranged in a
generally parallel side-by-side array, the terminals having tail
sections for soldering to appropriate circuit traces on a printed
circuit board; a dielectric plastic housing overmolded about
portions of the terminals leaving at least said tail portions
exposed; and an elongated solder bar of solderable material secured
to the housing for mechanically fixing the housing to appropriate
solder pad on the circuit board, the elongated solder bar having
opposite ends and air vent openings spaced between the opposite
ends to facilitate air flow during a soldering process.
21. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 20 wherein said
housing includes cut-out areas behind the solder bar in registry
with the air vent openings in the solder bar to assist said air
flow at the vent openings.
22. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 20 wherein said
housing has an elongated rib, and said elongated solder bar is
generally U-shaped in cross-section and embraces the rib.
23. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 22 wherein said
U-shaped solder bar defines a pair of side wall portions joined by
a base wall portion, with said air vent openings being located at
least in the base wall portion.
24. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 23 wherein said
air vent openings extend into the side wall portions of the
U-shaped solder bar.
25. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 24 wherein said
rib has cut-out areas in registry with said vent openings to assist
in air flow therethrough.
26. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 20 wherein said
solder bar includes a plurality of holes into which the molded
material of the housing projects.
27. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 20 wherein said
dielectric housing has opposite sides and is elongated
therebetween, and said elongated solder bar extends substantially
between the opposite sides of the housing.
28. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 20 wherein said
electrical connector includes a connector housing, and including an
elongated air vent channel adjacent to and extending along
substantially the length of the elongated solder bar between the
solder bar and the connector housing.
29. The board mounted electrical connector of claim 28 wherein said
elongated air vent channel is wider at a central area thereof than
at opposite end areas thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to the art of electrical
connectors and, particularly, to an improved means for securing or
fixing an electrical connector to a printed circuit board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical electrical connector includes some form of
dielectric housing which mounts a plurality of conductive
terminals. The electrical connector may be mounted on a printed
circuit board, and the terminals may have tail portions for surface
connection, as by soldering, to circuit traces on the board or for
insertion into holes in the board for connection, as by soldering,
to circuit traces on the board and/or in the holes. Problems
continue to be encountered with circuit board mounted electrical
connectors caused by damaging forces placed on solder joints
between the terminal solder tail and the respective circuit trace
on the board.
[0003] In order to prevent solder joint damage, various means have
been used to mechanically secure or fix the connector housing to
the printed circuit board. Such means include fasteners, solderable
fitting nails fixed to the dielectric housing, a plated surface on
the dielectric housing or a metal housing which, itself, is
soldered to a pad on the circuit board. Unfortunately, with the
ever-increasing miniaturization of electrical connectors, fasteners
are difficult to apply. Fasteners do not work well with smaller
connectors, and they require inventory storage and shipment of
separate components. Solderable fitting nails typically are
inserted into slots in the sides of the connector housing and do
not provide support at the middle of the housing between the sides.
Plating the connector housing with solderable material can be
effective, but such plating processes are quite expensive in
comparison to the overall cost of the connector and is not even
cost effective for most applications. A metal connector housing may
be effectively soldered to pads on the printed circuit board, but
metal housings are unduly heavy in comparison to plastic housings
and it is difficult to solder beneath the housing which effectively
acts as a thermal heat sink. The present invention is directed to
solving these problems by providing a board mounted electrical
connector with an improved means for securing or fixing the
connector to a printed circuit board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new
and improved board mounted electrical connector.
[0005] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector
includes a dielectric housing having a bottom face for mounting on
a printed circuit board. An elongated solder bar of solderable
material is secured to the bottom face of the housing for
mechanically fixing the housing to an appropriate solder pad on the
board. The elongated solder bar has opposite ends and is provided
with air vent openings spaced between the opposite ends to
facilitate air flow during a soldering process.
[0006] Preferably, the dielectric housing includes cut-out areas
behind the solder bar in registry with the air vent openings. This
improves the air flow in the area of the vent openings.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing has an
elongated rib. The elongated solder bar is U-shaped in
cross-section and embraces the rib. The U-shaped solder bar defines
a pair of side wall portions joined by a base wall portion. The
vent openings are located at least in the base wall portion. In the
exemplary embodiment, the vent openings extend into the side wall
portions of the U-shaped solder bar. The rib has cut-out areas in
registry with the vent openings.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the dielectric
housing is molded of plastic material and is overmolded over
portions of the solder bar to secure the bar to the housing.
Preferably, the solder bar includes a plurality of holes into which
the molded material of the housing projects.
[0009] According to a further aspect of the invention, the
dielectric housing includes an elongated air vent channel adjacent
to and extending along substantially the length of the elongated
solder bar. This elongated air vent channel preferably is wider at
a central area thereof than at opposite end areas thereof.
[0010] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The features of this invention which are believed to be
novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The
invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof,
may be best understood by reference to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of an
electrical connector assembly incorporating the elongated solder
bar of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken generally along line 2-2
of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the terminal
module which incorporates the elongated solder bar;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the terminal module, with the
elongated solder bar removed to show the details of the fixing rib
of the housing;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the elongated
solder bar;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of the air
vent channel extending along the elongated solder bar; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken generally along line 8-8
of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to
FIGS. 1-3, the invention is embodied in a circuit board mountable
electrical connector assembly, generally designated 10, which
incorporates a pair of terminal modules, generally designated 12
and 12A. The connector assembly is designed for receiving a circuit
board 14 having contacts 16 on one side thereof and contacts 18 on
an opposite side thereof. As will be seen hereinafter, contacts 16
and 18 on opposite sides of the circuit board engage terminals of
terminal modules 12 and 12A.
[0021] At this point, it should be understood that the use of such
terms as "top", "bottom" and the like herein and in the claims
hereof is for providing a more clear and concise description of the
invention. The connector assembly can be used in omni-directional
applications. In fact, connector assembly 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-3
in what could be considered an upside-down orientation. In other
words, the connector assembly is adapted for mounting on a second
printed circuit board (not shown) which is positioned onto the top
of the assembly as shown in FIGS. 1-3, whereas in actual practice
the connector assembly most likely would be positioned down onto
the circuit board.
[0022] With those understandings, terminal modules 12 and 12A are
mounted on a connector housing, generally designated 20, which
includes a pair of mounting posts 22 for insertion into appropriate
mounting holes in the second circuit board. The housing has a
bottom face 23 from which the mounting posts project. A pair of
hold-down members 24 are mounted in cavities within housing 20 and
include mounting legs 24a for insertion into appropriate mounting
holes in the second printed circuit board. Connector housing 20 may
be molded of dielectric plastic material, and hold-down members 24
may be fabricated of metal material. A cover 26 is mounted onto
connector housing 20 by means of a pair of latch arms 26a (FIG.
3).
[0023] FIGS. 4 and 5 show terminal module 12 in greater detail,
particularly in conjunction with FIG. 2. The terminal module
includes a plurality of elongated conductive terminals, generally
designated 30, which are arranged in a generally parallel
side-by-side array as is clearly shown in FIG. 5. The terminals may
be stamped and formed of conductive sheet metal material. Each
elongated terminal 30 includes a pair of opposite end sections 30a
and 30b which form contacts or tail portions of the terminal at
opposite ends thereof. End sections or tail portions 30a of the
terminals are provided for engaging contacts 16 (FIG. 3) of circuit
board 14 as seen in FIG. 2. End sections or tail portions 30b of
the terminals are provided for engaging contacts on the second
circuit board (not shown) to which connector assembly 10 is
mounted. Each terminal also includes a pair of holding sections 30c
and 30d (FIG. 4) located immediately adjacent to and inside end
section 30a and 30b. A central section 30e is located between
holding sections 30c and 30d.
[0024] Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 particularly in conjunction
with FIG. 2, terminal module 12 includes a dielectric, molded
plastic housing, generally designated 32, which is overmolded about
holding sections 30c and 30d of terminals 30, leaving opposite ends
sections or tail portions 30a and 30b exposed as is seen clearly in
FIG. 5. In essence, overmolded housing 32 includes a pair of ribs
32a and 32b which are overmolded about holding sections 30c and
30d, respectively, of the terminals.
[0025] The invention herein is incorporated in an elongated solder
bar, generally designated 34 (FIG. 4) which embraces rib 32a of
terminal module housing 32. Therefore, rib 32a can be considered an
elongated fixing rib.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, elongated solder bar 34 is shown in
greater detail, the elongated solder bar is generally U-shaped in
cross-section for embracing fixing rib 32 as seen in FIG. 4. The
U-shaped solder bar defines a pair of side wall portions 34a joined
by a base wall portion 34b. A plurality of air vent openings 36 are
spaced between opposite ends 38 of the solder bar to facilitate air
flow during a soldering process. As seen clearly in FIG. 6, air
vent openings 36 are formed in base wall portion 34b and extend
into side wall portions 34a of the U-shaped solder bar. Side wall
portions 34a have a plurality of holes 40 spaced along the length
of the bar and into which molded material of plastic housing 32
projects, as described below.
[0027] Referring back to FIG. 5, fixing rib 32a of molded plastic
housing 32 of terminal module 12 is shown in greater detail.
Specifically, the top edge of the fixing rib is molded with a
plurality of cut-out areas 42 which are located beneath or behind
solder bar 34 in registry with air vent openings 36 in the solder
bar. These cut-out areas assist in air flow through vent openings
36 during a soldering process. FIG. 5 also shows a plurality of
bosses 44 which project outwardly from opposite sides of fixing rib
32a. These bosses represent the molded plastic material which
projects into holes 40 (FIG. 6) in the side wall portions of solder
bar 34 to securely hold the solder bar embracing fixing rib 32a as
seen in FIG. 4. It should be understood that, in actual practice,
fixing rib 32a would not be in the configuration shown in FIG. 5
without the presence of elongated solder bar 34. In other words,
housing 32 is overmolded over portions of the solder bar, and the
molten plastic material which forms bosses 44 would not be formed
until the material actually flows into holes 40 of the solder bar
in an appropriate molding die during the overmolding procedure.
[0028] FIG. 5 also shows a recessed area 46 running the length of
fixing rib 32 and in which solder bar 34 (not shown) is disposed.
This will allow the bottom or base wall 34b of the solder bar be at
the same level as the tail portion 30b of the terminal.
[0029] Terminal module 12A is substantially identical to terminal
module 12, except for the shape of end sections or tail portions
30a of the terminals, along with the fact that terminal module 12A
does not have an elongated solder bar 34. Tail portions 30a of the
terminals of terminal module 12A are configured for engaging
contacts 18 (FIG. 3) of circuit board 14. Tail portions 30b of the
terminals of terminal module 12A are adapted for engaging
appropriate contact pads on the second printed circuit board to
which connector 10 is mounted, just as are tail portions 30b of the
terminals of terminal module 12.
[0030] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another feature of the invention.
Specifically, an elongated air vent channel 50 is formed in molded
plastic housing 20 of connector 10 adjacent to and extending along
substantially the length of elongated solder bar 34 of terminal
module 12. This air vent channel facilitates the flow of air around
the solder bar to help distribute heat during the soldering
process. It can be seen in FIG. 7 air vent channel 50 is wider at
the center thereof than at opposite ends thereof. This will more
evenly distribute the air across the width of the housing between
ends of the solder bar.
[0031] FIG. 8 shows the entire connector 10 mounted to the second
printed circuit board 52. Base wall portion 34b of solder bar 34 is
shown soldered to an elongated soldering pad 54 on the circuit
board. Air vent openings 36 in the solder bar, cut-out areas 42 in
fixing rib 32a of the terminal module housing, and air vent channel
50 in the connector housing all are shown in this depiction. Arrows
"A" show how air is forced into the connector toward the vicinity
of the solder bar. Arrow "B" shows how the air is drawn downwardly
into and through air vent channel 50. Arrows "C" show that the air
is drawn downwardly around the area at which base wall portion 34b
of solder bar 34 is soldered to solder pad 54 of the circuit board,
including the flow of air through air vent openings 36 in the
solder bar and cut-out areas 42 in fixing rib 32a. Finally, FIG. 8
shows tail sections 30b of terminals 30 of terminal module 12
soldered to circuit traces 54 on circuit board 52, as well as tail
sections 30b of terminals 30 of terminal module 10A soldered to
appropriate circuit traces 56 on the circuit board.
[0032] It should be understood that the inventive concepts embodied
in the elongated solder bar 34 herein can be used in a wide variety
of connector assemblies or configurations. Connector assembly 10 is
but one assembly with which the solder bar can be used. In
connector assembly 10, the solder bar actually is used in one of
the terminal modules, particularly terminal module 12. However, it
is contemplated that such an elongated solder bar can be used
directly on the connector housing itself as well as on the housings
of a wide variety of connector configurations. With the solder bar
being elongated and extending substantially between opposite sides
of the connector housing, the solder bar supports the middle of the
housing and prevents it from bowing during the soldering process.
The elongated soldering bar is a vast improvement over individual
fasteners or solderable fitting nails of the prior art.
[0033] It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and
not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the
details given herein.
* * * * *