Terminal module and electrical connector

Abstract

This utility model discloses a terminal module and an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes: a terminal module having a housing and mounted on the housing; the terminal module having an insulator and signal terminals fixed to the insulator; the contact portion of the signal terminal is connected to a mating member; the wiring portion is used for cable connection, and the cable has a shielding layer; a shielding shell covers the periphery of the signal terminals; the shielding shell includes a first part and a second part, and the first part or the second part is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the shielding layer; the first part has a first fixing part and a first grounding spring arm connected to the mating member; the second part has a second fixing part fixed to the first fixing part and a grounding conductive part contacting the first part to form a grounding connection; the distance between the grounding conductive part and the mating portion of the first grounding spring arm is less than the distance between the first fixing part and the mating portion of the first grounding spring arm, so that the noise current can flow to the ground reference plane through multiple return paths, reducing crosstalk.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This utility model relates to a terminal module and an electrical connector, and more particularly to a terminal module and electrical connector that can improve crosstalk. [Background Technology]

[0002] An electrical connector is provided, comprising a housing having a mating cavity for inserting a mating member. Multiple terminal modules are distributed on the upper and lower sides of the mating cavity. Each terminal module includes multiple terminals and multiple cables electrically connecting the terminals. Each terminal has a fixing portion fixed to the housing and a contact portion extending from the front end of the fixing portion and bent into the mating cavity. Each terminal module has multiple pairs of signal terminals and grounding terminals located on the left and right sides of each signal terminal pair. When the mating member is inserted into the mating cavity, the contact portions of the signal terminals and the contact portions of the grounding terminals respectively mate with the mating member. Since a grounding terminal is provided between adjacent signal terminal pairs, the noise current generated by the electromagnetic field radiated outward from the signal terminals can flow into a grounding reference plane through the grounding terminal, thereby reducing crosstalk between adjacent signal terminal pairs.

[0003] However, since signal terminals radiate electromagnetic waves in all directions during signal transmission, and grounding terminals are only located on the left and right sides of the signal terminal pair, they can only shield the electromagnetic waves generated by the signal terminals in the left and right directions. Thus, adjacent signal terminal pairs will still be subject to electromagnetic interference from each other. Moreover, when the mating part is inserted into the mating cavity and contacts the contact parts of the signal terminal and the grounding terminal, since the grounding terminal only has one contact part, it will only form a ground return path. Thus, the noise current generated by the electromagnetic field radiated outward from the signal terminal can only flow to the ground reference plane through the single contact part of the grounding terminal. Therefore, the noise current tends to accumulate at the contact part of the grounding terminal and cannot flow out to the ground reference plane quickly. This accumulated noise current can easily cause signal crosstalk to adjacent signal terminals, thereby affecting the high-frequency performance of the electrical connector.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a terminal module and electrical connector to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. [Utility Model Content]

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to cover the periphery of a terminal module with a shielding shell. The shielding shell has a first part and a second part. The first part is provided with a first fixing part and a first grounding spring arm that is connected to a mating part. The second part is provided with a second fixing part that is fixed to the first fixing part and a grounding conductive part that is in contact with the first part. The grounding conductive part is closer to the first grounding spring arm than the second fixing part. This allows the noise current flowing to the first grounding spring arm to flow to the grounding reference plane not only through the mutually fixed first fixing part and the second fixing part, but also through the grounding conductive part. This increased grounding return path allows the noise current to flow into the grounding reference plane quickly through multiple grounding return paths, thereby reducing signal crosstalk between signal terminals in the terminal module and electrical connector.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A terminal module for connecting to a mating member, characterized in that it comprises: at least one insulator and a pair of signal terminals fixed to the insulator, each signal terminal having a positioning portion fixed to the insulator, one end of the positioning portion being connected to a contact portion and the other end being connected to a wiring portion, the contact portion being used to connect to a signal portion of the mating member, the wiring portion being used to connect to a cable, and the cable having a shielding layer; a shielding shell covering the periphery of the signal terminals, the shielding shell comprising a first part and a second part, and the first part or the second part being directly or indirectly electrically connected to the shielding layer, the first part having at least one first fixing portion and at least one first grounding spring arm, the first grounding spring arm being used to connect to a grounding portion of the mating member, the second part having at least one second fixing portion and at least one grounding conductive portion, the second fixing portion being fixed to the first fixing portion and forming a grounding connection, the grounding conductive portion contacting the first part to form a grounding connection, and the distance between the grounding conductive portion and the mating portion of the first grounding spring arm being less than the distance between the mating portion of the first fixing portion and the first grounding spring arm.

[0008] Furthermore, the first fixing part and the second fixing part are fixed by spot welding to form a grounding connection. The grounding connection part is cantilevered and elastically abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

[0009] Furthermore, the first grounding spring arm has a first arm segment, a docking portion, and a second arm segment connected in sequence. The docking portion is used to connect with the grounding portion of the docking member. There are two grounding conductive portions, one of which abuts against the first arm segment and the other grounding conductive portion abuts against the second arm segment.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes at least one inner shielding shell disposed inside the shielding shell. The inner shielding shell covers and fixes the insulator and houses the signal terminals. The first part has a first shielding plate with at least one through hole. The contact portions of a pair of signal terminals protrude from the through hole to mate with the signal portions of the mating member. The first grounding spring arm is stamped from the first shielding plate and is cantilevered. The end of the first grounding spring arm abuts against the inner shielding shell.

[0011] Furthermore, the second part has a second shielding plate that is disposed opposite to the first shielding plate to jointly shield the upper and lower sides of the signal terminal. The rear side of the second shielding plate is in communication with the shielding layer. A second fixing part is formed by bending and extending from the front side of the second shielding plate. The second fixing part has a side plate portion that bends and extends backward along at least one side in the left-right direction. A grounding conductor portion extends obliquely from the side plate portion toward the first grounding spring arm, and the two grounding conductor portions have the same oblique direction.

[0012] Furthermore, each grounding conductor has a connecting end for connecting the side plate and an abutting end for abutting the first grounding spring arm. Both grounding conductors are formed by blanking, and the distances between the two abutting ends of the two grounding conductors and the mating part of the first grounding spring arm are approximately equal.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes two inner shielding shells disposed within the shielding shell. Each inner shielding shell is provided with an insulator and a pair of signal terminals. Conductive plastic is fixedly disposed between the two inner shielding shells and electrically connected to the two inner shielding shells. The first part and the second part of the shielding shell respectively cover the upper and lower sides of the conductive plastic. Conductive silver paste is disposed between the second part and the shielding layer of the cable to electrically connect the two.

[0014] Additionally, an electrical connector for mating with a mating member in a front-to-back direction is characterized by comprising: a housing having a recessed mating cavity for inserting the mating member; at least one terminal module assembled on the housing and disposed on at least one side of the mating cavity in a vertical direction, each terminal module having at least one insulator and a pair of signal terminals fixed to the insulator, and a shielding shell shielding the signal terminals; each signal terminal having a contact portion protruding into the mating cavity for mating with a signal portion of the mating member and a wiring portion for connecting to a cable, wherein the cable has a shielding layer, and the shielding shell includes mutually fixed and electrically conductive components. The first part and the second part are electrically connected directly or indirectly to the shielding layer. The first part has at least one first fixing part and at least one first grounding spring arm protruding towards the docking cavity. The first grounding spring arm is used to connect with the grounding part of the docking member. The second part has at least one second fixing part and at least one grounding conductive part. The second fixing part is fixed to the first fixing part and forms a grounding connection. The grounding conductive part is located on the side of the first grounding spring arm away from the docking cavity in the vertical direction. The grounding conductive part is closer to the first grounding spring arm than the second fixing part, so that the grounding conductive part abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

[0015] Furthermore, the first grounding spring arm has a first arm segment, a docking portion, and a second arm segment connected in sequence. The docking portion is used to connect with the grounding portion of the docking member. There are two grounding conductive portions, one of which abuts against the first arm segment and the other grounding conductive portion abuts against the second arm segment.

[0016] Furthermore, the first part has a first shielding plate disposed near the docking cavity side, a first fixing part bends and extends from the front end of the first shielding plate toward the side away from the docking cavity, the first shielding plate has at least one through hole, the contact parts of a pair of signal terminals protrude into the docking cavity from the through hole, and a first grounding spring arm bends and extends from the first shielding plate toward the docking cavity, and the first grounding spring arm is located on one side of the through hole in the left-right direction. The second part has a second shielding plate disposed opposite to the first shielding plate, a second fixing part bends and extends from the front end of the second shielding plate toward the first fixing part, and a side plate portion bends and extends backward on the left and right sides of the second fixing part, and a grounding conductor portion extends from the side of each side plate portion near the first grounding spring arm, and the grounding conductor portion elastically abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

[0017] Furthermore, each terminal module also includes at least one inner shielding shell located inside the shielding shell. The inner shielding shell covers and fixes the insulator and houses the signal terminal. The inner shielding shell has a shielding portion and two side walls that bend and extend from the left and right sides of the shielding portion toward the mating cavity. The shielding portion and the two side walls together form a shielding cavity. The shielding portion has an opening, and the insulator is injection molded into the shielding cavity from the opening. Each signal terminal has a positioning portion located between the contact portion and the wiring portion. The insulator is used to cover the positioning portions of a pair of signal terminals. The first portion and the second portion together shield the front of the shielding cavity.

[0018] Furthermore, each terminal module includes two inner shielding shells disposed within a shielding housing. Each inner shielding shell contains an insulator and a pair of signal terminals. Each inner shielding shell has a shielding portion and two side walls extending from the left and right sides of the shielding portion toward the mating cavity. Each side wall has a first stop and a second stop on the side near the mating cavity. The first stop extends toward the mating cavity. The second stop of one side wall of each inner shielding shell extends away from the other side wall. The conductive plastic is located between the two inner shielding shells. The left and right sides of the conductive plastic each have a first limiting portion. The first stops of the two inner shielding shells stop at the side of the first limiting portion away from the mating cavity along the vertical direction. The side surface of the conductive plastic near the mating cavity has multiple second limiting portions. The second stops cooperate with the multiple second limiting portions to limit the displacement of the conductive plastic toward the mating cavity.

[0019] Furthermore, in each side wall portion along the front-back direction, there is a recess between adjacent first and second stops, and the first limiting portion has a limiting protrusion extending into the recess, and the first and second stops can restrict the movement of the limiting protrusion in the front-back direction.

[0020] Furthermore, a protrusion is provided on the side of the conductive plastic near the docking cavity, located between the contact portions of the two pairs of signal terminals. A second grounding spring arm is provided in the first part corresponding to the protrusion. The second grounding spring arm extends into the docking cavity, and when the second grounding spring arm is in contact with the grounding portion of the docking component, the protrusion abuts against the side of the second grounding spring arm away from the docking cavity.

[0021] Furthermore, the first part is provided with a plurality of third grounding spring arms, which extend into the docking cavity to abut against the grounding part of the docking member. Each third grounding spring arm is located behind each first grounding spring arm or second grounding spring arm in the front-back direction. The length of the third grounding spring arm in the front-back direction is less than the length of the first grounding spring arm, and the length of the third grounding spring arm in the front-back direction is less than the length of the second grounding spring arm.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the terminal module and electrical connector designed in this utility model have the following advantages:

[0023] The terminal module of the electrical connector in this invention has an insulator and a pair of signal terminals fixed to the insulator. A shielding shell covers the periphery of the signal terminals, thus providing a three-dimensional shielding space to prevent electromagnetic waves radiated from the signal terminals from spreading outwards and affecting signal terminals in other terminal modules, preventing signal interference. Furthermore, the shielding shell has a first fixed part and a second fixed part that are fixed to each other and electrically conductive, forming a ground return path between the first and second parts. The first part has a first grounding spring arm for contacting the grounding part of the mating member, and the second part has a grounding conductive part that connects to the grounding conductive part of the first part, forming a second ground return path. Thus, the noise current at the connection point between the first grounding spring arm and the mating member can not only be directly conducted to the first part through the first grounding spring arm and then flow directly or indirectly through the first part to the shielding layer and return to the ground reference plane, but the noise current conducted through the first grounding spring arm can also flow through the grounding conductive part and the second fixed part... The two ground return paths of the fixed part are shunted and connected to the second part, and then flow directly or indirectly to the shielding layer and then back to the ground reference plane. In this way, the noise current can quickly return to the ground reference plane through the above three return paths. Thus, the noise current generated by the electromagnetic field radiated outward from the signal terminal can also quickly flow to the ground reference plane through the multiple ground return paths of the shielding shell, thereby avoiding the accumulation of noise current on the first ground spring arm and causing crosstalk to adjacent signal terminals. This is beneficial to the high-frequency performance of the electrical connector. Moreover, since the distance between the grounding conductor and the mating part of the first ground spring arm is smaller than the distance between the first fixed part and the mating part of the first ground spring arm, the conductive path formed by the grounding conductor is shorter than the conductive path formed by the first fixed part and the second fixed part. Thus, the noise current can flow to the ground reference plane more quickly through the shorter second ground return path, thereby avoiding the accumulation of noise current on the first ground spring arm and causing crosstalk to adjacent signal terminals. [Attached Image Description]

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the electrical connector of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Sectional view on CC;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of D;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Sectional view on EE;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of F;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional assembly view of the terminal module of this utility model from one perspective;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional assembly view of the terminal module of this utility model from another perspective;

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Sectional view on GG;

[0033] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the terminal module of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional assembly view of the terminal module of this utility model without the shielding shell;

[0035] Figure 12 This is a partial exploded perspective view of the terminal module of this utility model without the shielding shell. Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings for the specific embodiments:

[0036]

[0037]

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0038] To better understand the content of this utility model, a more detailed description of this utility model will now be provided in conjunction with specific implementation schemes and illustrations.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 12 As shown, the electrical connector 1000 of this utility model defines a vertical direction, and a left-right direction and a front-back direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the insertion direction of the mating member 2000). For ease of understanding of the drawings, the forward direction in the front-back direction is the positive direction of the X-axis, the rightward direction in the left-right direction is the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the upward direction in the vertical direction is the positive direction of the Z-axis.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 12As shown, an electrical connector 1000 is used to mate with a mating member 2000 in a front-to-back direction. The electrical connector 1000 includes: a housing H, which has a recessed mating cavity H1 for the mating member 2000 to be inserted in a front-to-back direction; at least one terminal module M is assembled on the housing H and disposed on at least one side of the mating cavity H1 in a vertical direction; the rear end of the terminal module M is used to be soldered to a cable W; the electrical connector 1000 also has a plurality of power terminals P, which are assembled on the housing H and arranged in a left-to-right direction on one side of the terminal module M; the lower ends of the plurality of power terminals P are used to be soldered to a motherboard (not shown, the same below). In this embodiment, the docking component 2000 is a module with a circuit board. One end of the docking component 2000 is inserted into the docking cavity H1. Its upper and lower surfaces are respectively provided with multiple conductive parts (unlabeled, the same below) that are connected to multiple terminal modules M and power terminals P. The multiple conductive parts provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the docking component 2000 include multiple signal parts, multiple ground parts and multiple power parts. The signal parts and ground parts of the docking component 2000 are used to connect to the terminal modules M, and the power parts of the docking component 2000 are used to connect to the power terminals P. Of course, in other embodiments, the mating member 2000 may also be a mating connector (not shown, the same below) with a tongue plate (not shown, the same below), and the tongue plate of the mating connector is inserted into the mating cavity H1 and is connected to the terminal module M and the power terminal P. The upper and lower surfaces of the tongue plate are provided with multiple mating terminals (not shown, the same below). The multiple mating terminals include multiple mating signal terminals and multiple mating ground terminals connected to the terminal module M, and multiple mating power terminals connected to the power terminal.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, there are multiple terminal modules M, which are assembled on the outer shell H and respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the mating cavity H1. In this embodiment, there are four terminal modules M, with two terminal modules M arranged in a row along the left-right direction and located above the mating cavity H1, and the other two terminal modules M arranged in a row along the left-right direction and located below the mating cavity H1.

[0042] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 7 to 12As shown, each terminal module M has at least one insulator 1 and a pair of signal terminals 2 fixed to the insulator 1. Each signal terminal 2 has a positioning part 21 fixed to the insulator 1. One end of the positioning part 21 is connected to a contact part 22, and the other end is connected to a wiring part 23. The width of the positioning part 21 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the contact part 22. The contact part 22 is used to connect with the signal part of the docking member 2000. The wiring part 23 is used to connect with the cable W. The cable W is provided with a shielding layer W1. Each terminal module M also includes at least one inner shielding shell 3. The inner shielding shell 3 covers and fixes the insulator 1 and houses the signal terminal 2. Specifically, in this embodiment, each terminal module M has two insulators 1 and two pairs of signal terminals 2 respectively fixed to the two insulators 1. Each signal terminal 2 has a positioning part 21 fixed to the corresponding insulator 1, a contact part 22 extending from the front end of the positioning part 21, and a wiring part 23 connected to the rear end of the positioning part 21. The contact part 22 protrudes into the docking cavity H1 to be connected to the signal part of the docking member 2000, and the wiring part 23 is used to connect to the cable W. The number of inner shielding shells 3 is also set to two, and each inner shielding shell 3 has an insulator 1 and a pair of signal terminals 2. Specifically, each inner shielding shell 3 has a shielding part 31 and two side wall parts 32 that bend and extend from the left and right sides of the shielding part 31 toward the docking cavity H1. The shielding part 31 and the two side wall parts 32 together form a shielding cavity 33. A pair of signal terminals 2 are housed in the shielding cavity 33, and the shielding part 31 is also provided with an opening 311. The insulator 1 is injection molded into the shielding cavity 33 from the opening 311. The insulator 1 is used to cover the positioning part 21 of the pair of signal terminals 2 housed in the shielding cavity 33. Each side wall portion 32 of each inner shield shell 3 is provided with a first stop portion 321 and a second stop portion 322 on the side near the docking cavity H1. The first stop portion 321 extends toward the docking cavity H1. The second stop portion 322 of one side wall portion 32 of each inner shield shell 3 bends and extends away from the other side wall portion 32. The number of first stop portions 321 and second stop portions 322 of each inner shield shell 3 is multiple. The multiple first stop portions 321 and multiple second stop portions 322 of each side wall portion 32 are alternately arranged in the front-back direction. A recess portion 323 is provided between adjacent first stop portions 321 and second stop portions 322 in each side wall portion 32 in the front-back direction.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 7 to 12As shown, each terminal module M also has a conductive plastic 4, which is located between two inner shielding shells 3. The conductive plastic 4 can also isolate two pairs of signal terminals 2, so that the conductive plastic 4 can shield the signal crosstalk between the two pairs of signal terminals 2. In this embodiment, the conductive plastic 4 is fixedly disposed between the two inner shielding shells 3 and electrically connected to the two inner shielding shells 3. The left and right sides of the conductive plastic 4 are respectively provided with first limiting parts 41. The first blocking parts 321 of the two inner shielding shells 3 in the vertical direction stop at the side of the first limiting part 41 away from the docking cavity H1. In this way, the first blocking part 321 can stop the first limiting part 41, thereby preventing the conductive plastic 4 from moving away from the docking cavity H1. The conductive plastic 4 has multiple second limiting portions 42 on its side surface near the docking cavity H1. The second stop portion 322 cooperates with the multiple second limiting portions 42 to limit the displacement of the conductive plastic 4 toward the docking cavity H1. Specifically, the multiple second stop portions 322 of the two adjacent inner sidewall portions 32 of the two inner shielding shells 3 cooperate with the multiple second limiting portions 42 of the conductive plastic 4, so that the second stop portion 322 stops the conductive plastic 4 on the side near the docking cavity H1. In this way, the second stop portion 322 can stop the conductive plastic 4 from moving toward the docking cavity H1. Thus, through the cooperation of the first stop portion 321 and the second stop portion 322, the conductive plastic 4 can be limited in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the conductive plastic 4 from moving in the vertical direction. The first limiting part 41 also has a plurality of limiting protrusions 411, which extend into a plurality of recesses 323 respectively. This allows the first stop 321 and the second stop 322 to restrict the movement of the limiting protrusions 411 in the front-back direction, thereby preventing the conductive plastic 4 from moving in the front-back direction. The conductive plastic 4 also has a protrusion 43 on the side near the docking cavity H1, and the protrusion 43 is located between the contact portions 22 of the two pairs of signal terminals 2.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 7 to 12 As shown, each terminal module M also has a shielding shell 5, which shields the periphery of two pairs of signal terminals 2, two inner shielding shells 3, and conductive plastic 4. The shielding shell 5 includes a first part 5A and a second part 5B, which together form a shell structure with a receiving space. The first part 5A or the second part 5B is electrically connected to the shielding layer W1 directly or indirectly. In this embodiment, the first part 5A and the second part 5B of the shielding shell 5 respectively cover the upper and lower sides of the conductive plastic 4. Both the first part 5A and the second part 5B are electrically connected to the shielding layer W1 of the cable W through conductive silver paste 6. That is, the conductive silver paste 6 is not only disposed between the first part 5A and the shielding layer W1 of the cable W to electrically connect the two, but also disposed between the second part 5B and the shielding layer W1 of the cable W to electrically connect the two.

[0045] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 7 to 12 As shown, the first part 5A has a first shielding plate 51 disposed near the docking cavity H1 and a first fixing part 52 extending from the front end of the first shielding plate 51 away from the docking cavity H1. The first shielding plate 51 has at least one through hole 511 and at least one first grounding spring arm 512 located on one side of the through hole 511 in the left-right direction. The contact parts 22 of a pair of signal terminals 2 protrude from the through hole 511 to mate with the signal part of the docking member 2000, and the first grounding spring arm 512 protrudes into the docking cavity H1 to mate with the grounding part of the docking member 2000. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first shielding plate 51 has two through holes 511, and the contact parts 22 of two pairs of signal terminals 2 protrude from the two through holes 511 respectively to mate with the signal part of the docking member 2000. The first part 5A also has two first grounding spring arms 512, and both first grounding spring arms 512 are formed by bending and extending from the first shielding plate 51 toward the docking cavity H1. In other words, both first grounding spring arms 512 are stamped from the first shielding plate 51 and are cantilevered. Along the left and right direction, the two first grounding spring arms 512 are located on both sides of the two pairs of signal terminals 2, that is, along the left and right direction, the two through holes 511 are located between the two first grounding spring arms 512. Each first grounding spring arm 512 has a first arm segment 5121, a docking portion 5122, and a second arm segment 5123 connected in sequence. Specifically, one end of the first arm segment 5121 along the front-rear direction is connected to the first shielding plate 51, and the other end of the first arm segment 5121 is connected to the docking portion 5122. The other end of the docking portion 5122 away from the first arm segment 5121 is connected to the second arm segment 5123. The docking portion 5122 extends into the docking cavity H1 along the vertical direction to dock with the grounding portion of the docking member 2000. The first arm segment 5121 and the second arm segment 5123 extend from both ends of the docking portion 5122 toward the side away from the docking cavity H1. The first grounding spring arm 512 also has an end, and the end of the first grounding spring arm 512 is connected to the second arm segment 5123 and abuts against the inner shielding shell 3. In this way, the connection between the end of the first grounding spring arm 512 and the inner shielding shell 3 can also form a grounding return path, so that the noise current can return to the grounding reference plane more quickly and avoid crosstalk to the signal terminal 2.

[0046] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the first part 5A, corresponding to the protrusion 43, is also provided with a second grounding spring arm 513. The second grounding spring arm 513 is located between the two through holes 511 in the left-right direction, and the second grounding spring arm 513 extends into the docking cavity H1. When the second grounding spring arm 513 is in contact with the grounding part of the docking member 2000, the protrusion 43 abuts against the side of the second grounding spring arm 513 away from the docking cavity H1. The shape and size of the second grounding spring arm 513 are similar to those of the first grounding spring arm 512, and the end of the second grounding spring arm 513 should abut against the second stop 322 of one of the inner shielding shells 3 housed inside the shielding shell 5. In this way, the connection between the end of the second grounding spring arm 513 and the inner shielding shell 3 can form another grounding return path, so that the noise current can return to the grounding reference plane more quickly and avoid crosstalk to the signal terminal 2.

[0047] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the first part 5A is also provided with a plurality of third grounding spring arms 514. Each third grounding spring arm 514 is located behind each first grounding spring arm 512 or second grounding spring arm 513 in the front-back direction. That is, a third grounding spring arm 514 is provided behind each first grounding spring arm 512 and second grounding spring arm 513 in the front-back direction. The plurality of third grounding spring arms 514 extend into the docking cavity H1 to abut against the grounding part of the docking member 2000. The length of the third grounding spring arm 514 in the front-back direction is less than the length of the first grounding spring arm 512, and the length of the third grounding spring arm 514 in the front-back direction is less than the length of the second grounding spring arm 513.

[0048] like Figures 8 to 12As shown, the second part 5B has a second shielding plate 53 directly opposite the first shielding plate 51 and a second fixing part 54 extending from the front end of the second shielding plate 53 toward the first fixing part 52. The rear side of the second shielding plate 53 is connected to the shielding layer W1. The second fixing part 54 is fixed to the first fixing part 52 and electrically connected. Thus, the noise signal can flow through the first grounding spring arm 512 to the first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54, and then flow back to the grounding reference plane through the first part 5A and the second part 5B, thereby adding a grounding return path. This avoids the stray signal from accumulating on the first grounding spring arm 512 and interfering with the signal terminal 2. The first fixing part 52 of the first part 5A and the second fixing part 54 of the second part 5B jointly shield the front of the shielding cavity 33. In this embodiment, the rear side of the second shielding plate 53 is connected to the shielding layer W1 through conductive silver paste 6. The first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54 are fixed by spot welding and form a grounding connection. Of course, in other embodiments, the first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54 can also be fixed to each other by snap-fit ​​or other methods. Furthermore, the second fixing part 54 extends backward on at least one side along the left-right direction with a side plate part 55. In this embodiment, the second fixing part 54 extends backward on both the left and right sides with a side plate part 55. Each side plate part 55 extends a grounding conductor part 551 on the side close to the first grounding spring arm 512. The grounding conductor part 551 contacts the first part 5A to form a grounding conductor. The distance between the grounding conductor part 551 and the docking part 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 is less than the distance between the first fixing part 52 and the docking part 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512. That is, the grounding conductor part 551 is closer to the first grounding spring arm 512 than the second fixing part 54. The above distance refers to the distance along the insertion direction of the docking member 2000, that is, the distance in the front-back direction.

[0049] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figures 8 to 12As shown, in this embodiment, each side plate portion 55 is connected to two grounding conductor portions 551, and both grounding conductor portions 551 are formed by blanking. Both grounding conductor portions 551 are cantilevered. The grounding conductor portions 551 are located on the side of the first grounding spring arm 512 away from the docking cavity H1 along the vertical direction. The two grounding conductor portions 551 extend obliquely from the side plate portion 55 toward the first grounding spring arm 512, and the two grounding conductor portions 551 are oblique in the same direction.Each grounding conductor 551 has a connecting end 5511 connecting to the side plate portion 55 and an abutting end 5512 for abutting against the first grounding spring arm 512. The two grounding conductors 551 elastically abut against the first grounding spring arm 512. Specifically, one of the two grounding conductors 551 abuts against the first arm segment 5121, and the other grounding conductor 551 abuts against the second arm segment 5123. The distances between the two abutting ends 5512 of the two grounding conductors 551 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 are approximately equal, that is, along the front-back direction, the abutting end 5512 of one of the grounding conductors 551 abuts against the first arm segment 5122. The distance between the contact point of the grounding conductor 551 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 is approximately equal to the distance between the contact point of the other grounding conductor 551 and the contact point of the second arm segment 5123 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512. In this embodiment, the distance between the contact point of one grounding conductor 551 and the first arm segment 5121 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 along the front-back direction is 0.48 mm, while the distance between the contact point of the other grounding conductor 551 and the second arm segment 5123 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 is 0.48 mm. The distance between the two is 0.53 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, both distances can be 0.48 mm or any other length, but it is best to keep the two distances approximately equal and the length difference between the two distances does not exceed 20%. This allows the noise current to flow sequentially from the docking part 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 through the first arm segment 5121, the abutting end 5512 of one of the grounding conductors 551 that abuts against the first arm segment 5121, and finally to the connecting end 5511 of the grounding conductor 551, forming a return path. The noise current can also flow sequentially from the docking part 5122 through the second arm segment 5123, and... The second arm segment 5123 abuts against another grounding conductor 551, with the abutting end 5512 extending to the connecting end 5511 of the grounding conductor 551, forming another return path. Moreover, the lengths of the two return paths are approximately the same. This avoids the noise current automatically selecting the shorter return path when selecting the grounding return path due to a large difference in length between the two return paths, which would cause the noise current to accumulate on the shorter return path. The two return paths of approximately the same length allow the noise current to flow evenly from the two return paths to the grounding reference plane, thereby preventing the noise current from accumulating on the first grounding spring arm 512 and interfering with the signal terminal 2.

[0050] In summary, the electrical connector 1000 of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0051] (1) The terminal module M of the electrical connector 1000 has an insulator 1 and a pair of signal terminals 2 fixed to the insulator 1, and the shielding shell 5 shields the periphery of the signal terminals 2. In this way, the shielding shell 5 can provide a three-dimensional shielding space for the signal terminals 2, preventing the electromagnetic waves radiated by the signal terminals 2 from spreading outward and affecting the signal terminals 2 in other terminal modules M, thus avoiding signal interference. Moreover, since the shielding shell 5 has a first fixing part 52 and a second fixing part 54 that are fixed to each other and electrically connected, a grounding return path is formed between the first part 5A and the second part 5B. The first part 5A has a first grounding spring arm 512 for contacting the grounding portion of the docking member 2000. The second part 5B has a grounding conductor 551 that connects to the grounding conductor of the first part 5A to form a second grounding return path. Thus, the noise current at the connection point between the first grounding spring arm 512 and the docking member 2000 can not only be directly conducted through the first grounding spring arm 512 to the first part 5A and then directly or indirectly through the first part 5A to the shielding layer W1 and back to the grounding reference plane, but also the noise current conducted through the first grounding spring arm 512 can also be connected through the grounding conductor 551. The two grounding return paths, 51 and 54, are shunted and connected to the second part 5B. From there, the current flows directly or indirectly to the shielding layer W1 and then back to the grounding reference plane. This allows the noise current to quickly return to the grounding reference plane through these three return paths. Similarly, the noise current generated by the electromagnetic field radiated outward from the signal terminal 2 can also quickly flow to the grounding reference plane through the multiple grounding return paths of the shielding housing 5. This prevents noise current from accumulating on the first grounding spring arm 512 and causing crosstalk to adjacent signal terminals 2, thus improving electrical connection. The high-frequency performance of the connector 1000 is improved. Furthermore, since the distance between the grounding conductor 551 and the mating part 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 is less than the distance between the first fixing part 52 and the mating part 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512, the conductive path formed by the grounding conductor 551 is shorter than the conductive path formed by the first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54. As a result, the noise current can flow to the grounding reference plane more quickly through the shorter grounding return path, thereby avoiding the accumulation of noise current on the first grounding spring arm 512 and causing crosstalk to the adjacent signal terminals 2.

[0052] (2) The first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54 are fixed by spot welding to form a grounding connection, so that the first part 5A and the second part 5B can be fixed more stably to each other. The grounding connection part 551 is cantilevered and the grounding connection part 551 elastically abuts against the first grounding spring arm 512. Compared with the rigid abutting between the grounding connection part 551 and the first grounding spring arm 512, the elastic abutting ensures that the holding force of the grounding connection part 551 against the first grounding spring arm 512 is not too large, so that the insertion force of the mating member 2000 into the mating cavity H1 is not too large, thereby facilitating the insertion of the mating member 2000.

[0053] (3) The first grounding spring arm 512 has a first arm segment 5121, a docking portion 5122, and a second arm segment 5123 connected in sequence. The docking portion 5122 is used to connect with the grounding portion of the docking member 2000. There are two grounding conductive portions 551. One grounding conductive portion 551 abuts against the first arm segment 5121, and the other grounding conductive portion 551 abuts against the second arm segment 5123. Thus, the two grounding conductive portions 551 abut against the first arm segment 5121 and the second arm segment 5123 respectively. This configuration allows the noise current to flow not only from the docking part 5122 through the first arm segment 5121 and then through one of the grounding conductors 551 before returning to the grounding reference plane, but also from the docking part 5122 through the second arm segment 5123 and then through another grounding conductor 551 before returning to the grounding reference plane. This provides multiple return paths for the noise current, enabling it to return to the grounding reference plane more quickly and thus preventing crosstalk from the noise current to the signal terminal 2.

[0054] (4) Each grounding conductor 551 has a connecting end 5511 for connecting the side plate portion 55 and an abutting end 5512 for abutting the first grounding spring arm 512. Both grounding conductors 551 are formed by blanking, and the distance between the two abutting ends 5512 of the two grounding conductors 551 and the mating portion 5122 of the first grounding spring arm 512 is approximately equal. This makes the lengths of the two grounding return paths approximately equal, so that the noise current can be more evenly distributed on the two grounding paths, thereby effectively reducing the crosstalk of the noise current to the signal terminal 2 and improving the high-frequency performance of the electrical connector 1000.

[0055] (5) The inner shielding shell 3 covers and fixes the insulator 1 and houses the signal terminals 2. In this way, the inner shielding shell 3 can provide shielding for a pair of signal terminals 2 independently, avoiding external signal interference to the signal terminals 2 in the shielding cavity 33 and causing crosstalk to the signal terminals 2. The inner shielding shell 3 has a shielding part 31 and two side wall parts 32 that bend and extend from the left and right sides of the shielding part 31 toward the mating cavity H1. The shielding part 31 and the two side wall parts 32 together form the shielding cavity 33. The shielding part 31 has an opening 311. The insulator 1 is injection molded into the shielding cavity 33 from the opening 311. The insulator 1 is used to cover the positioning part 21 of a pair of signal terminals 2. In this way, the insulator 1 can not only stably fix the signal terminals 2 Furthermore, the inner shielding shell 3 and the signal terminal 2 are not fixed together by assembly, which can prevent the signal terminal 2 from being short-circuited with the inner shielding shell 3 due to misalignment when it is inserted into the inner shielding shell 3. The first part 5A and the second part 5B together shield the front of the shielding cavity 33, so the first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54 can further shield the signal terminal 2. Thus, the shielding part 31, the two side walls 32 and the mutually fixed first fixing part 52 and the second fixing part 54 can shield the four sides of the signal terminal 2, thereby preventing external signals from interfering with the signal transmission of the signal terminal 2, so that the electrical connector 1000 has better high-frequency performance.

[0056] (6) Each sidewall portion 32 of each inner shielding shell 3 has a first stop 321 and a second stop 322 on the side near the docking cavity H1. The first stop 321 extends toward the docking cavity H1, and the second stop 322 of one sidewall portion 32 of each inner shielding shell 3 bends and extends away from the other sidewall portion 32. The conductive plastic 4 is located between the two inner shielding shells 3. The left and right sides of the conductive plastic 4 have first limiting portions 41 respectively. The first stop 321 of the two inner shielding shells 3 stops at the side of the first limiting portion 41 away from the docking cavity H1 in the vertical direction. The side surface of the conductive plastic 4 near the docking cavity H1 has a plurality of second limiting portions 42. The second stop 322 cooperates with the plurality of second limiting portions 42. The second stop 322 is used to limit the displacement of the conductive plastic 4 toward the docking cavity H1. In this way, the conductive plastic 4 can The two inner shielding shells 3 are electrically connected, thereby making the potentials of the two inner shielding shells 3 equal, thus avoiding resonance caused by unequal potentials that would affect the signal transmission of the signal terminal 2. Moreover, the first stop 321 and the second stop 322 can limit the conductive plastic 4 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the conductive plastic 4 from moving in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in each side wall portion 32 along the front-back direction, there is a recess 323 between adjacent first stop 321 and second stop 322. The first limiting portion 41 has a limiting protrusion 411 extending into the recess 323. The first stop 321 and the second stop 322 can restrict the movement of the limiting protrusion 411 in the front-back direction. In this way, the first stop 321 and the second stop 322 can stop the limiting protrusion 411 in the front-back direction, thereby limiting the conductive plastic 4 in the front-back direction.

[0057] (7) A protrusion 43 is provided on the side of the conductive plastic 4 near the docking cavity H1, located between the contact portions 22 of the two pairs of signal terminals 2. The first part 5A is provided with a second grounding spring arm 513 corresponding to the protrusion 43. The second grounding spring arm 513 extends into the docking cavity H1. When the second grounding spring arm 513 is in contact with the grounding portion of the docking member 2000, the protrusion 43 abuts against the side of the second grounding spring arm 513 away from the docking cavity H1. In this way, the second grounding spring arm 513 can increase the grounding return path, thereby enabling the noise current to flow quickly to the grounding reference plane. Moreover, the protrusion 43 will only abut against the second grounding spring arm 513 after the docking portion 5122 is inserted into the docking cavity H1. Thus, the setting of the protrusion 43 will not cause the insertion force of the docking member 2000 into the docking cavity H1 to increase, avoiding affecting the insertion of the docking member 2000. Therefore, the abutment between the protrusion 43 and the second grounding spring arm 513 can increase the grounding return path, enabling the noise current to flow quickly to the grounding reference plane.

[0058] Therefore, the above detailed description is only a description of the preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the patent scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the content of this invention's specification and illustrations are included within the patent scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A terminal module for mating with a counterpart, the terminal module comprising: include: At least one insulator and a pair of signal terminals fixed to the insulator, each signal terminal having a positioning part fixed to the insulator, one end of the positioning part being connected to a contact part and the other end being connected to a wiring part, the contact part being used to mate with the signal part of the mating member, the wiring part being used to connect to a cable, and the cable having a shielding layer. A shielding housing covers the periphery of a signal terminal. The shielding housing includes a first part and a second part, and the first part or the second part is directly or indirectly electrically connected to a shielding layer. The first part has at least a first fixing part and at least a first grounding spring arm. The first grounding spring arm is used to connect with the grounding part of a mating member. The second part has at least a second fixing part and at least a grounding conductive part. The second fixing part is fixed to the first fixing part and forms a grounding connection. The grounding conductive part contacts the first part to form a grounding connection. The distance between the grounding conductive part and the mating part of the first grounding spring arm is less than the distance between the first fixing part and the mating part of the first grounding spring arm.

2. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein: The first fixing part and the second fixing part are fixed by spot welding to form a grounding connection. The grounding connection part is cantilevered and elastically abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

3. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein: The first grounding spring arm has a first arm segment, a docking part, and a second arm segment connected in sequence. The docking part is used to connect with the grounding part of the docking member. There are two grounding conductive parts, one of which abuts against the first arm segment and the other grounding conductive part abuts against the second arm segment.

4. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein: It also includes at least one inner shielding shell disposed inside the shielding shell, the inner shielding shell covering and fixing the insulator and housing the signal terminals, the first part having a first shielding plate having at least one through hole, the contact portions of a pair of signal terminals protruding from the through hole for contacting the signal portions of the mating member, the first grounding spring arm being stamped from the first shielding plate and cantilevered, the end of the first grounding spring arm abutting against the inner shielding shell.

5. The terminal module of claim 4, wherein: The second part has a second shielding plate that is disposed opposite to the first shielding plate to jointly shield the upper and lower sides of the signal terminal. The rear side of the second shielding plate is in communication with the shielding layer. A second fixing part is formed by bending and extending from the front side of the second shielding plate. The second fixing part has a side plate portion that bends and extends backward along at least one side in the left-right direction. A grounding conductor portion extends obliquely from the side plate portion toward the first grounding spring arm, and the two grounding conductor portions are oblique in the same direction.

6. The terminal module of claim 5, wherein: Each grounding conductor has a connecting end for connecting the side plate and an abutting end for abutting the first grounding spring arm. Both grounding conductors are formed by blanking, and the distances between the two abutting ends of the two grounding conductors and the mating part of the first grounding spring arm are approximately equal.

7. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein: It also includes two inner shielding shells disposed within the shielding shell. Each inner shielding shell contains an insulator and a pair of signal terminals. Conductive plastic is fixedly disposed between the two inner shielding shells and electrically connected to the two inner shielding shells. The first part and the second part of the shielding shell respectively cover the upper and lower sides of the conductive plastic. Conductive silver paste is disposed between the second part and the shielding layer of the cable to electrically connect the two.

8. An electrical connector for mating with a mating member in a front-to-back direction, characterized by comprising: include: The outer casing has a recessed cavity for inserting the mating parts; At least one terminal module is assembled on a housing and disposed on at least one side of a mating cavity in a vertical direction. Each terminal module has at least one insulator, a pair of signal terminals fixed to the insulator, and a shielding shell that shields the signal terminals. Each signal terminal has a contact portion that protrudes into the mating cavity to mate with the signal portion of the mating member and a wiring portion for connecting to a cable. The cable is provided with a shielding layer. The shielding shell includes a first part and a second part that are fixed to each other and electrically conductive. The first part or the second part is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the shielding layer. The first part has at least one first fixing part and at least one first grounding spring arm protruding toward the mating cavity. The first grounding spring arm is used to mate with the grounding portion of the mating member. The second part has at least one second fixing part and at least one grounding conductive part. The second fixing part is fixed to the first fixing part and forms a grounding conductive connection. In a vertical direction, the grounding conductive part is located on the side of the first grounding spring arm away from the mating cavity, and the grounding conductive part is closer to the first grounding spring arm than the second fixing part, so that the grounding conductive part abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein: The first grounding spring arm has a first arm segment, a docking part, and a second arm segment connected in sequence. The docking part is used to connect with the grounding part of the docking member. There are two grounding conductive parts, one of which abuts against the first arm segment and the other grounding conductive part abuts against the second arm segment.

10. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein: The first part has a first shielding plate disposed near the docking cavity. A first fixing part bends and extends from the front end of the first shielding plate toward the side away from the docking cavity. The first shielding plate has at least one through hole. The contact parts of a pair of signal terminals protrude into the docking cavity from the through hole. A first grounding spring arm bends and extends from the first shielding plate toward the docking cavity, and the first grounding spring arm is located on one side of the through hole in the left-right direction. The second part has a second shielding plate disposed opposite to the first shielding plate. A second fixing part bends and extends from the front end of the second shielding plate toward the first fixing part. A side plate portion bends and extends backward on both the left and right sides of the second fixing part. A grounding conductor portion extends from the side of each side plate portion near the first grounding spring arm, and the grounding conductor portion elastically abuts against the first grounding spring arm.

11. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein: Each terminal module also includes at least one inner shielding shell located inside the shielding shell. The inner shielding shell covers and fixes the insulator and houses the signal terminal. The inner shielding shell has a shielding portion and two side walls that bend and extend from the left and right sides of the shielding portion toward the mating cavity. The shielding portion and the two side walls together form a shielding cavity. The shielding portion has an opening. The insulator is injection molded into the shielding cavity from the opening. Each signal terminal has a positioning portion located between the contact portion and the wiring portion. The insulator is used to cover the positioning portions of a pair of signal terminals. The first portion and the second portion together shield the front of the shielding cavity.

12. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein: Each terminal module includes two inner shielding shells disposed within a shielding housing. Each inner shielding shell contains an insulator and a pair of signal terminals. Each inner shielding shell has a shielding portion and two side walls extending from the left and right sides of the shielding portion toward the mating cavity. Each side wall has a first stop and a second stop on the side near the mating cavity. The first stop extends toward the mating cavity. The second stop of one side wall of each inner shielding shell extends away from the other side wall. A conductive plastic is located between the two inner shielding shells. The conductive plastic has a first limiting portion on its left and right sides respectively. The first stops of the two inner shielding shells stop at the side of the first limiting portion away from the mating cavity along the vertical direction. The conductive plastic has a plurality of second limiting portions on its side surface near the mating cavity. The second stops cooperate with the plurality of second limiting portions to limit the displacement of the conductive plastic toward the mating cavity.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: In each side wall portion along the front-back direction, there is a recess between adjacent first and second stops, and the first limiting portion has a limiting protrusion extending into the recess. The first and second stops can restrict the movement of the limiting protrusion in the front-back direction.

14. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: A protrusion is provided on the side of the conductive plastic near the docking cavity, located between the contact portions of two pairs of signal terminals. A second grounding spring arm is provided in the first part corresponding to the protrusion. The second grounding spring arm extends into the docking cavity, and when the second grounding spring arm is in contact with the grounding portion of the docking component, the protrusion abuts against the side of the second grounding spring arm away from the docking cavity.

15. The electrical connector of claim 14, wherein: The first part is provided with a plurality of third grounding spring arms. The plurality of third grounding spring arms extend into the docking cavity to abut against the grounding part of the docking member. Each third grounding spring arm is located behind each first grounding spring arm or second grounding spring arm in the front-back direction. The length of the third grounding spring arm in the front-back direction is less than the length of the first grounding spring arm, and the length of the third grounding spring arm in the front-back direction is less than the length of the second grounding spring arm.

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