Lead for signal transmission connector

Abstract

 A lead for a signal transmission connector includes a first terminal mounted to a lead seat, a second terminal, and a flexible portion between the first terminal and the second terminal. The flexible portion includes a first transition point adjoining the first terminal, a second transition point adjoining the second terminal, and an arcuate flexible section between the first transition point and the second transition point. The arcuate flexible section extends across an area greater than a semi-circle. A signal transmission connector with such a lead is provided for reliable electrical connection with a coupler.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lead. In particular, the present invention relates to a lead for a signal transmission connector. The present invention also relates to a signal transmission connector with such a lead.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional lead structure for a signal transmission connector. The signal transmission connector comprises a lead seat 2 to which plurality of leads 1 each having a first terminal 11 and a second terminal 12 are mounted. The first terminals 11 are mounted in the lead seat 2, with each first terminal 11 bending backward at a transition point 13 to form the second terminal 12. When a coupler (not shown) is coupled with the signal transmission connector, each second terminal 12 is pressed against by an associated terminal (not shown) of the coupler and thus resiliently bent toward an associated first terminal 11, leading to elastic deformation of the associated first terminal 11 at the transition point 13. The second terminal 12 of each lead 1 resiliently pressing against the associated terminal of the coupler to create electrical connection.

[0003] However, in actual use, the main elastic deforming area of each lead 1 concentrates at the transition point 13 that is relatively short. As a result, the transition point 13 is apt to fatigue and thus permanently deformed after repeated coupling and detachment. The second terminals 12 could not return to its original position, leading to poor contact between the second terminals 12 and the terminals of the coupler and to shorting of the life of the signal transmission connector.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a lead for a signal transmission connector for improving flexibility of a terminal of the lead.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lead for a signal transmission connector with prolonged life.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a lead for a signal transmission connector for providing reliable electrical connection between the lead and a coupler coupled with the signal transmission connector.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission connector with prolonged life.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission connector comprising at least one lead with improved flexibility.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission connector for reliable electrical connection

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a lead for a signal transmission connector comprises a first terminal mounted to a lead seat, a second terminal, and a flexible portion between the first terminal and the second terminal. The flexible portion comprises a first transition point adjoining the first terminal, a second transition point adjoining the second terminal, and an arcuate flexible section between the first transition point and the second transition point. The arcuate flexible section extends across an area greater than a semi-circle.

[0011] Preferably, the lead further comprises an extension section between the arcuate flexible portion and the second transition point.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a signal transmission connector comprises a lead seat, a coupling seat securely engaged with the lead seat, and at least one lead. The lead comprises a first terminal mounted to the lead seat, a second terminal, and a flexible portion between the first terminal and the second terminal. The flexible portion comprises a first transition point adjoining the first terminal, a second transition point adjoining the second terminal, and an arcuate flexible section between the first transition point and the second transition point, the arcuate flexible section extending across an area greater than a semi-circle.

[0013] Preferably, the lead further comprises an extension section between the arcuate flexible portion and the second transition point.

[0014] Preferably, the lead seat comprises a slant face adjacent to the second transition point. The second terminal presses against the slant face of the lead seat when the second terminal is bent toward the first terminal.

[0015] Preferably, the coupling seat comprises a fixed plate with an upper inclined face. The second terminal abuts against the upper inclined face of the fixed plate to prevent excessive outward flexure of the second terminal when the signal transmission connector is not in use.

[0016] Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lead seat of a signal transmission connector with a conventional lead structure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lead seat of a signal transmission connector with a plurality of leads in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating coupling of a coupler and the signal transmission connector in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the coupler and the signal transmission connector in a coupled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a lead seat 2 of a signal transmission connector to which a plurality of leads 1 in accordance with the present invention are mounted. Each lead 1 comprises a first terminal 11, a second terminal 12, and a flexible portion 13 between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12.

[0019] Still referring to Fig. 2, the flexible portion 13 comprises an arcuate flexible section 130, a first transition point 131, a second transition point 132, and an extension section 133. The arcuate flexible section 130 is an arc-shaped section starting from the first transition point 132 and ending at an end of the extension section 133. The first transition point 131 adjoins the first terminal 11. The other end of the extension section 133 merges with the second transition point 132 that adjoins the second terminal 12. Preferably, the extension section 133 is rectilinear.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate flexible section 130 extends forward and upward from the first transition point 131 and then backward to merge with the end of the extension 133, forming an arc of a circle. Preferably, the arcuate flexible section 130 extends across an area greater than a semi-circle. The extension 133 extends rearward, with the other end of the extension 133 adjoining the second terminal 12 at the second transition point 132.

[0021] Referring to Fig. 3, the lead seat 2 is engaged with a coupling seat 3 and then a casing (not labeled) is used to house the lead seat 2 and the coupling seat 3 to form a signal transmission connector. The coupling seat 3 comprises a fixed plate 31 including an upper inclined face 32. The second terminal 12 of each lead 1 abuts against the upper inclined face 32 for preventing excessive outward flexure of the second terminal 12 of the each lead 1 when not in use.

[0022] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, when a coupler 4 is coupled with the signal transmission connector, the coupler 4 is coupled with the coupling seat 3, with a plurality of terminals 41 of the coupler 4 respectively pressing against the second terminals 12 of the leads 1. Each second terminal 12 flexes toward the associated first terminal 11 and causes resilient deformation of the arcuate flexible section 130. Due to the structure of the arcuate flexible section 130 that extends across an area greater than a semi-circle, a grater area allowing resilient deformation is provided, reducing the bending stress imparted to the second terminals 12. In other words, the first transition point 131, the arcuate flexible section 130, the extension section 133, and the second transition point 132 of the flexible portion 13 of each lead 1 deforms simultaneously to reduce the extent of deformation in the respective sections, thereby avoiding permanent deformation of the leads 1. The overall flexibility of each lead 1 is improved, the life of each lead 1 is prolonged, and the electrical connection between the coupler 4 and the signal transmission connector is improved.

[0023] Still referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the lead seat 2 may further comprises an abutting face 21 that is a slant face adjacent to the second transition points 132 of the leads 1. When the second terminals 12 are bent toward the respective first terminals 11, the abutting face 21 provides a flat supporting face against which the second terminals 12 press, avoiding permanent deformation of the second terminals 12 resulting from direct contact between the second terminals 12 and the corner of the lead seat 2.

[0024] While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with a specific embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lead for a signal transmission connector, comprising:

a first terminal adapted to be mounted to a lead seat;

a second terminal; and

a flexible portion between the first terminal and the second terminal, the flexible portion comprising a first transition point adjoining the first terminal, a second transition point adjoining the second terminal, and an arcuate flexible section between the first transition point and the second transition point, the arcuate flexible section extending across an area greater than a semi-circle.

2. The lead as claimed in claim 1, with the lead further comprising an extension section between the arcuate flexible portion and the second transition point.

3. A signal transmission connector comprising:

a lead seat;

a coupling seat securely engaged with the lead seat; and

at least one lead comprising a first terminal mounted to the lead seat, a second terminal, and a flexible portion between the first terminal and the second terminal, the flexible portion comprising a first transition point adjoining the first terminal, a second transition point adjoining the second terminal, and an arcuate flexible section between the first transition point and the second transition point, the arcuate flexible section extending across an area greater than a semi-circle.

4. The signal transmission connector as claimed in claim 3, with the lead further comprising an extension section between the arcuate flexible portion and the second transition point.

5. The signal transmission connector as claimed in claim 3, with the lead seat comprising a slant face adjacent to the second transition point, the second terminal pressing against the slant face of the lead seat when the second terminal is bent toward the first terminal.

6. The signal transmission connector as claimed in claim 3, with the coupling seat comprising a fixed plate with an upper inclined face, the second terminal abutting against the upper inclined face of the fixed plate to prevent excessive outward flexure of the second terminal when the signal transmission connector is not in use.

7. The signal transmission connector as claimed in claim 5, with the coupling seat comprising a fixed plate with an upper inclined face, the second terminal abutting against the upper inclined face of the fixed plate to prevent excessive outward flexure of the second terminal when the signal transmission connector is not in use.

Drawing